nor Vncircumcision but a new Creature We are for new Things we love new Fashions and why not new Hearts But People are full of Prejudices against the new Creature Object 1. If we are new creatures there must be so much strictness in Religion so much praying and watching as discourageth Answ. 1. Is there any thing excellent to be obtained without Labour What pains is taken in searching for a Vein of Silver or seeking for Pearl Men cannot have the world without labour and would they have Salvation so 2. The Labour in Religion bears no proportion with the Reward What are a few tears shed to a weight of Glory The Soldier is content to wrestle with difficulties and undergo a bloody Fight for a glorious Victory In all Labour for Heaven there is Profit 'T is like a Man that digs in a Gold-Mine and carries away all the Gold 3. Men take more pains to go to Hell What pains doth an ambitious man take to climb to the Pinacle of Honour Tullia rid over the dead Body of her Father to be made Queen How doth the covetous man tire himself break his sleep and his peace to get the World Thus some Men take more pains in the Service of sin than others do in the pursuit of holiness Men talk of pains in Religion when God's Spirit comes into one it turns Labour into Delight 'T was Paul's Heaven to serve God Rom. 7.22 The ways of Wisdom are pleasantness Prov. 3.17 'T is like walking among Beds of Spices which cast forth a sweet Perfume Object 2. But if we leave our old company and become new creatures we shall be exposed to many Reproaches Answ. Who are they that speak evil of Religion but such as are evil Male de me loquuntur sed mali said Seneca Besides is it not better that Men reproach us for being good than that God damn us for being wicked Mat. 5.11 Blessed are ye when men shall revile you Stars are nevertheless glorious though they have ugly Names given them as the Bear and the Dragon A Saint's Reproachs are like a Soldier 's Scars honourable 1 Pet. 4.14 If ye are reproached for the Name of Christ a Spirit of God and of Glory rests upon you While Men clip your Credit to make it weigh lighter they make your Crown heavier Having answered these Objections I come now to re-assume the Exhortation Above all things labour to be New Creatures MOTIVES 1. In this true Christianity doth consist it is not Baptism makes a Christian Many are no better than baptized Heathens The essential part of Religion lies in the new creature Rom. 2.29 Circumcision is that of the Heart Every thing hath a Name from the better part we call a Man a Reasonable Creature because of his Soul which is the more noble part so one is called a Christian because he acts from a Principle of the new creature which the carnal man doth not 2. It is the new creature fits us for Communion with God We cannot converse with God till then Birds cannot converse with men unless they had a Rational Nature put into them nor can Men converse with God unless being made new creatures they partake of the Divine Nature Communion with God is a Mystery to most Every one that hangs about the Court doth not speak with the King All that meddle with holy Duties and as it were hang about the Court of Heaven have not communion with God 'T is only the new creature enjoys God's Presence in Ordinances and sweetly converses with him as a Child with a Father 3. The necessity of being new creatures 1. Till then we are odious to God Zech. 11.8 My Soul loathed them A Sinner is to God worse than a Toad a Toad hath no Poyson but what God hath put into it but a Sinner hath that which the Devil hath put into him Acts 5.3 Why hath Satan filled thy heart to lye A wicked Man is possessed with an evil Spirit One man is possessed with the Devil of Pride another with the Devil of Malice This must needs make Persons odious to God to be possessed with the Devil Thus it is till we become new creatures 2. Till we are new creatures our Duties are not accepted with God they are but wild Grapes 1. Because God accepts no man but where he sees his Image The new creature is call'd the renewing of God's Image Eph. 4.24 When they brâ—â—ght Tamerlane a Pot of Gold he asked what stamp it had on it And when he saw the Roman stamp on it he refused it So if God doth not see his own Stamp and Image on the Soul he rejects the most specious Services 2. Duties of Religion are not accepted without the new Creature because there is that wanting which should make them a sweet Savour to God The holy Oil for the Tabernacle was to be made of several Spices and Ingredients Exod. 30.23 Now if any of these Spices had been left out it had not been pleasing The unregenerate Man leaves out the chief Spice in his Duties and that is Faith And Heb. 11.6 Without Faith it is impossible to please God Faith lays hold on Christ and so is accepted 3. Such as are not new creatures but grow upon the Stock of old Adam get no benefit by Ordinances They are to them as Diascordium in a dead Man's Mouth they lose their virtue Nay not only Ordinances do them no good but hurt It were sad if all a man did eat should turn to poison The Word Preached is a Savour of Death 't is not healing but hardning Nay Christ himself is accidentally a Rock of offence 1 Pet. 2.7 The Wicked stumble at a Saviour and suck death from the Tree of Life 4. Without being new creatures we cannot arrive at Heaven Rev. 21.27 There shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth Heaven is not like Noah's Ark that received clean and unclean A Sinner is compared to Swine 2 Pet. 2.22 And shall a Swinish Creature tread upon the Golden Pavement of Heaven Indeed the Frogs came into King Pharoah's Court but in Heaven there is no entertainment for such Vermin 'T is only the new creature qualifies us for Glory This consecrates the Heart and only the pure in heart shall see God The new creature elevates the Soul as the Loadstone elevates the Iron A Soul renewed by Grace is fit to ascend to the heavenly Glory 4. The Excellency of the new Creature 1. the Nobility 2. The Immortality I. The Nobility The new Creature fetcheth its Pedigree from Heaven 't is born of God God counts none else of the Blood Royal it enobles a man's Spirit he aspires after the Favour of God and looks no lower than a Crown The new creature raiseth one to honour he excells the Princes of the Earth Psal. 89.27 and is Fellow-Commoner with Angels II. The Immortality The new creature is begotten of the incorruptible Seed of the Word and never dies It lasts as long as
5.17 Quest. But may not a natural man oppose Sin Answ. Yes but there is a great difference between his opposing Sin and the new Creature 's opposing it I. There is a difference in the Manner of Opposition 1. The Natural Man opposeth Sin only for the Shame of it as it eclipseth his Credit But the new Creature opposeth Sin for the Filth of it it is the Spirit of Mischief 'T is like Rust to Gold or as a Stain to Beauty 2. The Natural Man doth not oppose all Sin 1. He doth not oppose inward Sins he fights against such sins as are against the light of a natural Conscience but not against Heart-sins the first risings of vain Thoughts the stirrings of Anger and Concupiscence the venom and impurity of his Nature 2. He doth not oppose Gospel-sins Pride Unbelief Hardness of Heart spiritual Barrenness he is not troubled that he can love God no more 3. He opposeth not Complexion-sins such as the Byass of his Heart carries him more strongly to as Lust or Avarice He saith of his Constitution-sin as Naaman 2 Kings 5.18 In this thing the Lord pardon thy Servant But the new Creature opposeth all kind of sin Odium circa speciem As he that hates a Serpent hates all kind of Serpents Psal. 119.104 I hate every false way II. There is difference between the Natural Man's opposing Sin and the New Creature 's opposing it in regard of the Motives A Natural Man opposeth sin from carnal Motives to stop the Mouth of Conscience and to prevent Hell But the new Creature opposeth sin upon more noble Motives out of love to God and fear of dishonouring the Gospel 4. In the new Creature there is mortifying old corrupt Lusts. Gal. 5.24 They that are Christ's have crucified the Flesh. The new Creature is said to be dead to Sin Rom. 6.11 He is dead as to the love of sin that it doth not bewitch and as to the power of it that it doth not command The new Creature is continually crucifying Sin Some Limb of the old Adam every day drops off though Sin doth not die perfectly it dies daily A gracious Soul thinks he can never kill sin enough He deals with sin as Ioab with Absalom 2 Sam. 18.14 He took three darts in his hand and thrust them through the heart of Absalom So with the three Darts of Faith Prayer and Repentance a Christian thrusts through the Body of Sin he never thinks this Absalom is enough dead Try then if we have this first Sign of the new Creature Old things are passed away There is a grieving for sin a detesting it an opposing it a mortifying it This is the passing away of old things though not in a legal sence yet in an Evangelical and though it be not to Satisfaction yet it is to Acceptation The second Trial of the New Creature is All things are become new The new Creature is new all over Grace though it be but in part yet is in every part By nature every branch of the Soul is defiled with sin as every part of Wormwood is bitter so in Regeneration every part of the Soul is replenished with Grace Therefore Grace is call'd The new Man Eph. 4.24 Not a new Eye or a new Tongue but a new Man There are new Dispositions new Principles new Aims all things are become new I. In the new Creature there is a new Understanding Eph. 4.23 Be renewed in the Spirit of your Mind The first thing a Limner draws in a Picture is the Eye When God newly limns us and makes us new Creatures the first thing he draws in our Souls is a new Eye The new Creature is enlightned to see that which he never saw before 1. He knows Christ after another manner An unconverted Man by the Light of common Grace may believe Christ to be the Son of God but the new Creature knows Christ after another-guise manner so as to esteem him above all to adore him to touch him by Faith to fetch an healing virtue from him 2. The new Creature knows himself better than he did When the Sun shines into a Room it discovers all the Dust and Cobwebs in it so when the Light of the Spirit shines into the Heart it discovers that Corruption which before lay hid it shews a man his own vileness and Nothingness Iob 40.4 Behold I am vile A wicked man blinded with Self-Love admires himself like Narcissus that seeing his own shadow upon the Water fell in love with it Saving Knowledge works self-abasement Lord thou art Heaven and I am Hell said a Martyr Hath this Day-Star of Knowledge shined in our Mind II. The new Creature is renewed in his Conscience The Conscience of a Natural Man is either blind or dumb or seared But Conscience in the new Creature is renewed Let us examine Doth Conscience check for sin The least Hair makes the Eye weep and the least sin makes Conscience smite How did David's Heart smite him for cutting off the Lap of Saul's Garment A good Conscience is a Star to guide a Register to record a Judge to determine a Witness to accuse or excuse if Conscience doth all these Offices right then it is a renewed Conscience and speaks peace III. In the new Creature the Will is renewed An old Bowl may have a new Byass put into it The Will having a new Byass of Grace put into it is strongly carried to Good The Will of a Natural man opposeth God When the Wind goes one way and the Tide another then there is a Storm so it is when God's Will goes one way and ours another But when our Will goes with God's as the Wind with the Tide then there 's a sweet Calm of Peace in the Soul The sanctified Will answers to God's Will as the Echo to the Voice Psal. 27.8 When thou saidst Seek ye my face my Heart said unto thee Thy Face Lord will I seek and the Will being renewed like the primum Mobile it carries all the Affections along with it IV. The new Creature hath a new Conversation Grace alters a man's walk Before he walked proudly now humbly before loosly now holily He makes the Word his Rule and Christ's Life his Patern Phil. 3.20 Our Conversation is in Heaven As a Ship that is sailing Eastward there comes a Gale of wind and blows it Westward So before a man did sail Hell-ward and on a sudden the Spirit of God comes upon him and blows him Heaven-ward here is a new Conversation It was a Speech of Oecolampadius I would not speak or do any thing that I thought Iesus Christ would not approve of if he were here corporally present Where there is circumcision of heart there is circumspection of Life If we find it thus that all things are become nâ—w then we are new Creatures and shall go to the new Ierusalem when we die Vse 3. Exhortation Labour to be new creatures Nothing else will avail us Gal. 6.15 Neither Circumcision availeth any thing
Heaven Use 1. It shews us what should not be our chief End not to get great Estates not to lay up Treasures upon Earth This is the Degeneracy of Mankind since the Fall their great Design is to compass the Earth and grow Rich and this they make their Finis ultimus their chief End Cassa caduca pluris faciunt quam coelestia Cavidro These never think of glorifying God they trade for the World but are not Factors for Heaven Eccles. 9.3 Madness is in their heart while they live sometimes they never arrive at an Estate they do not get the Venison they hunt for or though they do what have they that which will not fill the Heart no more then the Marriner's Breath will fix the Sails of a Ship like a fair Picture drawn on the Ice and to spend all one's time as Israel in gathering Straw but remember not the End of living to glorifie God Eccles. 5.16 What profit hath he that laboured for the wind And these things are soon gone Use 2. It reproves such 1. as bring no Glory to God They do not answer the End of their Creation their time is not true lived but time lost they are like the Wood of the Vine Ezek. 15.2 Their Lives are as St. Bernard speaks Aut peccatum aut sterilitas Either Sinfulness or Barrenness Telluris inutile pondus God will one day ask such a question as King Ahasuerus did Esther 6.3 What honour and dignity hath been done to Mordicai So will the Lord say What honour hath been done to me What Revenues of Glory have you brought into my Exchequer There is none here present but God hath put you in some Capacity of glorifying him the Health he hath given you the Parts Estate Seasons of Grace these all are Opportunities put into your hand to glorifie him and be assur'd God will call you to account to know what you have done with the Mercies he hath intrusted you with and what Glory you have brought to him The Parable of the Talents Matth. 25.15 where the Man with the five Talents and the two Talents are brought to a Reckoning doth evidently shew that God will call you to a strict Account to know how you have traded with your Talents and what Glory you have brought to him Now how sad will it be with them that hide their talent in a napkin that bring God no Glory at all Verse 30. Cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness It is not enough for you to say that you have not dishonoured God you have not lived in gross Sin but what Good have you done what Glory have you brought to God It is not enough for the Servant of the Vineyard that he doth no hurt in the Vineyard he doth not break the Trees or destroy the Hedges if he doth not do service in the Vineyard he looseth his Pay If you do not good in your Place not glorifie God you will lose your Pay miss of Salvation Oh think of this all you that live Unserviceably Christ cursed the barren Fig-tree 2. It reproves such as are so far from bringing Glory to God that they rob God of his Glory Mal. 3.8 Will a man rob God yet ye have robbed me They rob God who take the Glory due to God to themselves 1. If they have gotten an Estate they ascribe all to their own Wit and Industry they set the Crown upon their own Head not considering that Deut. 8.18 Thou shalt remember the Lord thy God for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth 2. If they do any Duty of Religion they look asquint to their own Glory Matth. 6.5 That they may be seen of men 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That they may be set upon a Theatre that others may admire and canonize them The Oil of Vain-glory feeds their Lamp how many hath the Wind of Popular Breath blown to Hell Quos non gula 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 superavit Cyprian Whom the Devil could not destroy by Intemperance he hath by Vain-glory. 3. It reproves them who fight against God's Glory Acts 5.39 Lest ye be found to fight against God Quest. But who do fight against God's Glory Resp. Such as do oppose that whereby God's Glory is promoted God's Glory is much promoted in the preaching of the Word because it is his Engine whereby he converts Souls Now such as would hinder the preaching of the Word these fight against God's Glory 1 Thess. 2.16 Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved Dioclesian who raised the tenth Persecution against the Christians did prohibit Church-meetings and would have the Temples of the Christians to be razed down Such as hinder Preaching do as the Philistines that stop'd the Wells they stop the Well of the Water of Life they take away the Physitians that should heal Sin-sick Souls Ministers are Lights Matth. 5.14 and who but Thieves hate the Light These Persons do directly strike at God's Glory and what an Account will they have to give to God when he shall charge the Bloud of Mens Souls upon them Luke 11.52 Ye have taken away the key of knowledge ye entred not in yourselves and they that were entring in ye hindred If there be either Justice in Heaven or Fire in Hell they shall not go unpunished Use 4. Exhortation Let us every one in our place make this our chief End and Design to glorifie God 1. Let me speak to Magistrates God hath put much Glory upon them Psal. 82.6 I have said ye are gods And will not they glorify him whom he hath put so much Glory upon Magistrates should be zealous for God's Worship and Day they should not let the Sword rust in the Scabbard but draw it out for the cutting down of Sin 2. Ministers how should they study to promote God's Glory God hath intrusted them with two the most precious Things his Truths and the Souls of his People Ministers are by vertue of their Office to glorifie God 1. They must glorifie God by labouring in the Word and Doctrine 2 Tim. 4.1 I charge thee before God and the Lord Iesus Christ who shall judge the quick and the dead Preach the word be instant in season out of season c. It was St. Augustine's Wish That Christ at his coming might find him Aut Precantem aut Praedicantem either Praying or Preaching 2. Ministers must glorifie God by their Zeal and Sanctity The Priests under the Law before they served at the Altar did wash in the Lavor Such as serve in the Lord's House must first be washed from gross Sin in the Lavor of Repentance 'T is matter of Grief and Shame to think how many who call themselves Ministers do instead of apparently bringing Glory to God Dishonour God their Lives as well as Doctrines are Heterodox they are not free from the Sins which they reprove in others Plutarch's Servant upbraided him It is not as my Master Plutarch saith he hath written a
God Resp. God is a Spirit Infinite Eternal and Unchangeable in his Being Wisdom Power Holiness Justice Goodness and Truth Here is 1. something implied That there is a God 2. Expressed that he is a Spirit 3. What kind of Spirit 1. Implied that there is a God The question What is God takes it for granted that there is a God the belief of God's Essence is the Foundation of all Religious Worship Heb. 11.6 He that comes to God must believe that he is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 there must be a first Cause which gives a Being and Existence to all things besides We come to know that there is a God 1. By the Book of Nature the Notion of a Deity is engraven in Man's Heart it is demonstrable by the Light of Nature I think it hard for a Man to be a natural Atheist he may wish there were no God he may dispute against a Deity but he cannot in his Judgment believe there is no God unless by accumulated Sin his Conscience be sear'd and he hath such a Lethargy upon him that he hath sinn'd away his very Sense and Reason 2. We come to know that there is a God by his Works and this is so evident a Demonstration of a God-head that the most Atheistical Spirits when they have considered these Works of God have been forced to acknowledge some Wise and Supream Power the Maker of these Things as 't is reported of Galen and others 1. We will begin with the greater World 1. The Creation of the glorious Fabrick of Heaven and Earth sure there must be some Architect or first Cause the World could not make itself Who could hang the Earth on Nothing but the Great God Who could provide such rich Furniture for the Heavens the glorious Constellations the Firmament bespangled with such glittering Lights all this speaks a Deity We may see God's Glory blazing in the Sun twinkling in the Stars Who could give the Earth its Clothing cover it with Grass and Corn adorn it with Flowers enrich it with Gold only God Iob 28.4 Who but God could make the sweet Musick in the Heavens cause the Angels to joyn in consort and sound forth the Praises of their Maker Job 38.7 When the morning-stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy If a Man should go into a far Country and see stately Edifices there he would never imagine that these could build themselves but that some greater Power built them To imagine that the Work of the Creation was not framed by God is as if we should conceive a curious Landskip to be drawn by a Pensil without the Hand of a Limner Acts 17.24 God that made the world and all things therein To Create is proper to a Deity 2. The wise Gubernation of all things evince there is a God God is the great Superintendent of the World he holds the Golden Reins of Government in his Hand guiding all things most regularly and harmoniously to their proper end who that eyes Providence but must be forced to acknowledge there is a God Providence is the Queen and Governness of the World it is the Hand that turns the Wheel of the whole Creation Providence sets the Sun its Race the Sea its Bounds If God should not guide the World things would run into an Ataxy and Confusion When one looks on a Clock and sees the motion of the Wheels the striking of the Hammar the hanging of the Plummets he would say there were some Artificer did make it and put it into that Order So when we see the excellent Order and Harmony in the Universe the Sun that great Luminary dispensing its Light and Heat to the World without which the World were but a Grave or Prison the Rivers sending forth their silver Streams to refresh the Bodies of Men and prevent a Drought and every Creature acting within its Sphere and keeping its due Bounds we must needs acknowledge there is a God who wisely orders and governs all these things Who could set this great Army of the Creatures in their several Ranks and Squadrons and keep them in their constant March but he whose Name is The LORD of Hosts And as God doth wisely dispose all things in the whole Regiment of the Creatures so by his Power he doth support them Did God suspend and withdraw his Influence never so little the Wheels of the Creation would unpin and the Axle-tree break asunder 3. The Motion of the Creatures All Motion as the Philosophers say is from something that is unmoveable As for Example The Elements are moved by the Influence and Motion of the heavenly Bodies The Sun and Moon and these Planets are moved by the highest Orb call'd Primum Mobile now if one should ask Who moves that highest Orb or the first Mover of the Planets Sure it can be no other hand but God himself 2. Let us speak of Man who is a Microcosm or lesser World The excellent Contexture and Frame of his Body who is wrought curiously as with Needle-work Psal. 139.15 I was curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth And the Endowment of this Body with a noble Soul who but God could make such an Union of different Substances Flesh and Spirit In him we live and move and have our being The quick acute Motion of every Part of the Body shews that there is a God we may see something of him in the sparkling of the Eye And if the Cabinet of the Body be so curiously wrought what is the Jewel The Soul hath a Coelestial Brightness in it as Damascen saith 'T is a Diamond set in a Ring of Clay What noble Faculties is the Soul endowed with Understanding Will Affections which are a Glass of the Trinity as Plato speaks The Matter of the Soul is Spiritual 't is a Divine Sparkle lighted from Heaven and being spiritual is immortal as Scaliger notes Anima non senescit the Soul doth not wax old it lives for ever And who could create a Soul enobled with such rare Angelical Properties but God We must needs say as the Psalmist It is he that hath made us and not we our selves Psalm 100.3 2. We may prove a Deity by our own Conscience Conscience is God's Deputy or Vicegerent Conscience is a Witness of a Deity If there were no Bible to tell us there is a God yet Conscience might Conscience as the Apostle saith either accuseth or excuseth Rom. 2.15 Conscience acts in order to an higher Judicatory 1. Natural Conscience being kept free from gross sin excuseth When a Man doth Vertuous Actions lives soberly and righteously obeserves the golden Maxim Doing to others as he would have them do to him then Conscience approves and saith well done Conscience like a Bee gives Honey 2. Natural Conscience in the Wicked doth accuse When Men go against the Light of Conscience then they feel the Worm of Conscience Eheu quis intus scorpio Sen. Conscience being sinned against spits fire in Mens
hath made it intelligible and hath stamped upon it his Likeness not his Essence Quest. But is it not said That we are made Partakers of the Divine Nature Resp. By Divine Nature there is meant Divine Qualities 2 Pet. 1.4 We are made Partakers of the Divine Nature not by Identity or Union with the Divine Essence but by a transformation into the Divine Likeness Thus you see how God differs from other Spirits Angels and Souls of Men. He is a Spirit of transcendent Excellency the Father of Spirits Object Against this Vorstius and the Anthropomorthites object That in Scripture an Humane Shape and Figure is given to God he is said to have Eyes and Hands Resp. It is contrary to the Nature of a Spirit to have a Corporeal Substance Luke 24. â—9 Handle me and see me for a Spirit hath not Flesh and Bones as ye see me have Bodily Members are ascribed to God not properly but metaphorically and in a borrowed sence he is only set out to our Capacity By the right Hand of the Lord is meant his Power by the Eyes of the Lord are meant his Wisdom Now that God is a Spirit and is not capable of Bodily Shape or Substance probatur 1. A Body is visible but God is invisible Therefore he is a Spirit 1 Tim. 6.16 whom no man hath seen nor can see not by an Eye of sence 2. A Body is terminated can be but in one place at once but God is ubique in all places at once Therefore he is a Spirit Psal. 139.7 8. God's Center is every where and his Circumference is no where 3. A Body being compounded of integral Parts may be dissolved Quicquid divisibile est corruptibile but the God-head is not capable of dissolution he can have no End from whom all things have their Beginning So that it clearly appears God is a Spirit which adds to the Perfection of his Nature Use 1. If God be a Spirit then he is impassible he is not capable of being hurt Wicked Men may set up their Banners and bend their Forces against God they are said 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to fight against God Acts 5.39 But what will this fighting avail what hurt can they do to the Deity God is a Spirit and therefore cannot receive any hurtful impression wicked Men may imagine Evil against the Lord Nahum 1.9 What do ye imagine against the Lord But God being a Spirit is impenetrable The wicked may Eclipse his Glory but cannot touch his Essence God can hurt his Enemies but they cannot hurt him Iulian might throw up his Dagger into the Air against Heaven but could not touch the Deity God is a Spirit invisible how can the Wicked with all their Forces hurt him when they cannot see him Hence all the Attempts of the Wicked against God are foolish and prove Abortive Psal. 2.3 4. The Kings of the Earth set themselves against the Lord and against his Anointed He that sits in the Heavens shall laugh He is a Spirit he can wound them but they cannot touch him Use 2. If God be a Spirit then it shows the folly of the Papists who worship him by Pictures and Images Being a Spirit we cannot make any Image to represent him by Deut. 4.12 The Lord spake to you out of the midst of the fire ye heard the voice of the words but saw no similitude 1. God being a Spirit is imperceptible cannot be discerned how then can there be any Resemblance made of him Isa. 40.18 To whom then will ye liken God or what likeness will ye compare unto him How can you paint the Deity can we make an Image of that which we never saw Ye saw no similitude God is a Spirit It were a folly to go to make the Picture of the Soul because it is a Spiritual Thing or to Paint the Angels because they are Spirits Object Are not the Angels in Scripture represented by the Cherubims Resp. There is Imago Personae Officii there is the Image of the Person and the Image that represents the Office The Cherubims did not represent the Persons of the Angels but their Office The Cherubims were made with Wings to show the swiftness of the Angels in discharge of their Office and if we cannot Picture the Soul nor the Persons of the Angels because they are Spirits much less can we make an Image or Picture of God who is Infinite and the Father of Spirits 2. God being a Spirit is Omnipresent he is present in all places Ier. 23.24 Do not I fill Heaven and Earth saith the Lord Therefore being every where present it is absurd to worship him by an Image Were it not a foolish thing to bow down to the King's Picture when the King is present So to go to worship God's Image when God himself is present Quest. But how then shall we conceive of God being a Spirit if we may make no Image or Resemblance of him Resp. We must conceive of him Spiritually viz. 1. In his Attributes his Holiness Justice Goodness which are the Beams by which his Divine Nature shines forth 2. We must conceive of him as he is in Christ Christ is the Image of the invisible God Col. 1.15 Set the Eyes of your Faith on Christ God-man In Christ we see some Sparklings of the Divine Glory in him there is the exact Resemblance of all his Fathers Excellencies The Wisdom Love and Holiness of God the Father shine forth in Christ Iohn 14.9 He that hath seen me hath seen the Father 3. Infer If God be a Spirit it shows us that the more spiritual we grow the more we grow like to God To be earthly is to be unlike God How do Earth and Spirit agree Phil. 3.19 Earthly ones may give for their Crest the Mole or Tortoise that live in the Earth What Resemblance is there between an Earthly Heart and him who is a Spirit The more Spiritual any one is the more like God Quest. What is it to be Spiritual Resp. To be Refined and Sublimated to have the Heart still in Heaven to be thinking of God and Glory and to be carried up in a fiery Chariot of Love to God this is to be Spiritual Psal. 73.25 Whom have I in Heaven but thee on which Beza paraphraseth thus Apage Terra utinam tecum in Coelo essem O that I were in Heaven with thee A Christian who is taken off from these Earthly Things as the Spirits are taken off from the Lees hath a noble Spiritual Soul and doth most resemble him who is a Spirit 4 Infer It shows us what that Worship is God requires of us and is most acceptable to him viz. such a Worship as is suitable to his Nature Spiritual Worship John 4.24 They which worship him must worship him in Spirit and Truth Spiritual worship is the Virgin-worship Though God will have the Service of our Bodies our Eyes and Hands lifted up to testifie to others that Reverence we have of God's Glory
Influence as the Body of the Sun is in Heaven it only sends forth its Beams and Influences to the Earth or as a King who is in all places of his Kingdom Authoritative by his Power and Authority but he is personally in his Throne Resp. But to answer God who is Infinite is in all places at once not only by his Influence but his Essence for if his Essence fills all places then he must needs be there in Person But Ergo Minor in Ier. 23.24 Do not I fill heaven and earth Object But doth not God say Heaven is his Throne Isa. 66.1 Resp. It is also said that an humble Heart is his Throne Isa. 57.15 The humble Heart is his Throne in regard of his gracious Presence and Heaven is his Throne in regard of his glorious Presence and yet neither of these Thrones will hold him for the Heaven of Heavens cannot contain him Object But if God be Infinite in all places then he is in places impure and he mingles with that Impurity Resp. Though God be in all places in the Heart of a Sinner by his Inspection and in Hell by his Justice yet he doth not mingle with that Impurity or receive the least tincture of Evil Divina natura non est immista rebus aut sordibus inquinata Aug. No more then the Sun shining on a Dunghil is defiled or its Beauty spotted or then Christ going among Sinners was defiled his Godhead was a sufficient Antidote against Infection Reason why God must needs be Infinite in all places at once not only in regard of the Simplicity and Purity of his Nature but in regard of his Power which being so glorious who can set him Bounds or prescribe him a Circuit to walk in 'T is as if the Drop should go to limit the Ocean or the Star to set the Sun its Bounds Use 1. It condemns the Papists who would make more things Infinite then the Godhead they hold that Christ's Body is in many places at once that it is in Heaven and in the Bread and Wine in the Sacrament Though Christ as he is God is Infinite and in all places at once yet as Man he is not Christ when he was on Earth his Manhood was not in Heaven though his Godhead was and now he is in Heaven his Manhood is not on Earth though his Godhead be Heb. 10.5 't is spoken of Christ A body hast thou prepared me This Body cannot be in all places at once for then it is no more a Body but a Spirit Christ's Body in Heaven though it be Glorified it is not Deified it is not Infinite for so it must be if it be both in Heaven and in the Bread and Wine by Transubstantiation If God be Infinite present in all places at once then it is certain he governs all things in his own Person he needs no Proxies or Deputies to help him carry on his Government He is in all places at an instant and manageth all Affairs both in the World and Heaven A King cannot be in all places of his Kingdom in his own Person therefore he is fain to govern by Deputies and Vicegerents and they often pervert Justice but God being Infinite needs no Deputies he is present in all places he sees all with his own Eyes and hears all with his own Ears he is every-where in his own Person therefore is fit to be the Judge of the World he will do every one Right If God be Infinite by his Omnipresency then see the Greatness and Immensness of the Divine Majesty What a Great God do we serve 1 Chr. 29.11 Thine O Lord is the greatness and the glory and the majesty and thou art exalted as head above all Well may the Scripture display the Greatness of his Glory who is Infinite in all places He transcends our weak Conceptions how can our finite Understanding comprehend him who is Infinite He is infinitely above all our Praises Neh. 9.5 Blessed be thy glorious name which is exalted above all blessing and praise O what a poor Nothing is Man when we think of God's Infiniteness as the Stars disappear at the rising of the Sun O how doth Man shrink into nothing when Infinite Majesty shines forth in his Glory Isa. 40.15 The nations are as a drop of the bucket or the small dust of the ballance O what a little of that Drop are we The Heathens thought they had sufficiently praised Iupiter when they called him Great Iupiter Of what Immense Majesty is God who fills all places at once his is excellent Greatness Psal. 150.2 If God be Infinite filling Heaven and Earth see what a full Portion the Saints have they have him for their Portion who is Infinite His Fulness is an Infinite Fulness and he is infinitely sweet as well as infinitely full If a Conduit be fill'd with Wine here is a sweet Fulness but still it is Finite but God's is a sweet Fulness and it is an Infinite He is infinitely full of Beauty of Love his Riches are call'd unsearchable Eph. 3.8 because they are Infinite Stretch your Thoughts as much as you can there 's that in God exceeds it is an Infinite Fulness He is said to do abundantly for us above all that we can ask Ephes. 3.20 What cannot an ambitious Spirit ask he can ask Crowns and Kingdoms Millions of Worlds but God can give more then we can ask because he is Infinite nay or think We can think what if all the Dust were turn'd to Silver if every Flower were a Ruby every Sand in the Sea a Diamond yet God can give more then we can think because he is Infinite O how rich are they who have the Infinite God for their Portion Well might David say The Lord is the portion of my inheritance the lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places and I have a goodly heritage Ps. 16.5 We may go with the Bee from Flower to Flower but we shall never have full Satisfaction till we come to the Infinite God Iacob said I have enough in Hebrew Li col I have all Gen. 33.11 because he had the Infinite God for his Portion God being an Infinite Fulness there is no fear of Want for any of the Heirs of Heaven though there be Millions of Saints and Angels which have a share in God's Riches yet he hath enough for them all because he is Infinite Though a thousand Men behold the Sun there is Light enough in the Sun for them all Put never so many Buckets into the Sea there 's Water enough in the Sea to fill them Though an innumerable Company of Saints and Angels are to be filled out of God's Fulness yet God being Infinite he hath abundantly enough to satisfie them God hath Land enough to give to all his Heirs there can be no want in that which is Infinite If God be Infinite he fills all places is every-where present this is sad to the Wicked God is their Enemy and they cannot escape him
nor flie from him for he is every where present they are never out of his Eye nor out of his Reach Psal. 21.8 Thy hand shall find out all thy enemies What Caves or Thickets can Men hide in that God cannot find them go where they will he is present Psal. 139.7 Whither shall I flie from thy presence If a Man owes a Debt to another he may make some Escape and flie into another Land where the Creditor cannot find him But whither shall I flie from thy presence God is Infinite he is in all places so that he will find out his Enemies and punish them Object But is it not said Cain went out from the presence of the Lord Gen. 4.16 Resp. The meaning is he went out from the Church of God where were the visible Signs of God's Presence and where God did in a special manner manifest his sweet Presence to his People But Cain could not go out of God's sight for God being Infinite is every-where present Sinners can neither go from an Accusing Conscience nor a Revenging God If God be every-where present then for a Christian to walk with God is not impossible God is not only in Heaven but he is on Earth too Isa. 66.1 Heaven is his Throne there he sits the Earth is his Footstool there he stands He is every-where present therefore we may come to walk with God Enoch walked with God Gen. 5.21 If God were confin'd to Heaven a trembling Soul might think how can I Converse with God how can I walk with him who lives in Excelsis above the upper Region but God is not confined to Heaven he is Omnipresent he is above us yet he is about us he is near to us Acts 17.27 Though he be not far from the Assembly of his Saints He stands in the Congregation of the Mighty Psal. 82.1 He is present with us God is in every one of us so that here on Earth we may walk with God In Heaven the Saints rest with him on Earth they walk with him To walk with God is to walk by Faith we are said to draw nigh to God Heb. 10.22 and to see him Heb. 11.27 as seeing him who is invisible and to have Fellowship with him Hos. 1.3 Or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 our Fellowship is with the Father Thus we may take a turn with him every day by Faith 'T is a slighting of God not to walk with him if a King be in presence it is a slighting him to neglect him and walk with the Page there 's no Walk in the World so sweet as to walk with God Psal. 89.15 They shall walk in the light of thy countenance Psal. 138.5 Yea they shall sing in ways of the Lord it is like walking among beds of spices which send forth a fragrant perfume Use 2. If God be Infinite in his glorious Essence learn to admire where you cannot fadom The Angels wear a Veil they cover their Faces as adoring this Infinite Majesty Isa. 6.3 Elias wraped himself in a Mantle when God's Glory passed by admire where you cannot fadom Job 11.7 Canst thou by searching find out God Here we see some Beams of his Glory we see him in the Glass of the Creation we see him in his Picture his Image shines in the Saints but who can search out all his Essential Glory what Angel can measure these Pyramids Canst thou by searching find out God He is Infinite We can no more search out his Infinite Perfections then a Man upon the top of the highest Mountain can reach the Firmament or take a Star in his hand O have God-admiring Thoughts adore where you cannot fathom There are many Mysteries in Nature which we cannot fathom Why the Sea should be higher then the Earth yet not drown it Why Nilus should overflow in Summer when by the Course of Nature the Waters are lowest How the Bones grow in the Womb Eccles. 11.5 If these things pose us how may the Infinite Mystery of the Deity transcend our most raised Intellectuals Ask the Geometrician if he can with a pair of Compasses measure the breadth of the Earth So unable are we to measure the Infinite Perfections of God In Heaven we shall see God clearly but not fully for he is Infinite he will communicate himself to us according to the bigness of our Vessel but not the Immensness of his Nature Adore then where you cannot Fathom If God be Infinite in all places then let us not go to limit God Psal. 78.41 They limited the holy one of Israel 'T is a limiting God to confine him within the narrow compass of our Reason Reason thinks God must go such a way to work or the business will never be effected This is to limit God to our Reason whereas he is Infinite and his ways are past finding out Rom. 11.33 In the Deliverance of the Church it is a limiting God either to set him a Time or prescribe him a Method for Deliverance God will deliver Sion but he will be left to his own Liberty he will not be tied to a Place to a time to an Instrument this were to limit him and then he should not be Infinite God will go his own way he will pose and nonplus Reason he will work by Improbabilities he will save in such a way as we think he will destroy now he acts like himself like an Infinite Wonder-working God Of the Knowledge of GOD. FOr the Lord is a God of Knowledge and by him Actions are weighed 1 Sam. 2.3 Glorious things are spoken of God he transcends our Thoughts and the Angels Praises God's Glory lies chiefly in his Attributes which are the several Beams by which the Divine Nature shines forth Among other of his Orient Excellencies this is not the least The Lord is a God of Knowledge or as the Hebrew word is el Degnoth a God of Knowledges Through the bright Mirror of his own Essence he hath a full Idaea and Cognisance of all things the World is to him Corpus diaphanum a transparent Body He makes an Heart-Anatomy he is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rev. 2.23 I am he which searcheth the Reins and the Heart The Clouds are no Canopy the Night is no Curtain to draw between us and his sight Psal. 139.12 The Darkness hâ—deth not from thee There is not a word we whisper but God hears it Psal. 139.4 There is not a word in my Tongue but lo O Lord thou knowest it altogether There is not the most subtil Thought comes into our Mind but God perceives it Isa. 66.18 I knâ—w their thoughts Thoughts speak as loud in Gods Ears as Words do in ours All our Actions though never so subtilly contrived and secretly conveyed are visible to the Eye of Omnisciency Isa. 66.18 I know their works Achan hid the Babylonish Garment in the Earth but God brought it to light Iosh. 7.21 Minerva was drawn in such curious Colours and so lively pensil'd that which way soever one turned Minerva's
of their Misery But the Worm the Fire the Prison are all Eternal Rev. 14.11 The smoak of their Torment ascendeth up for ever and ever Poenae Gehennales puniunt non finiunt Prosper Eternity is a Sea without Bottom and Banks After Millions of years there 's not one Minute in eternity wasted and the Damned must be ever burning but never consuming always dying but never dead Rev. 9.6 They shall seek death but shall not find it The Fire of Hell is such as multitude of Tears will not quench it Length of Time will not finish it the Vial of God's Wrath will be always dropping upon a sinner As long as God is Eternal he lives for Ever to be avenged upon the wicked O Eternity Eternity who can Fathom it Mariners have their Plummets to measure the Depth of the Sea but what Line or Plummets shall we use to Fathom the Depth of Eternity The Breath of the Lord kindles the Infernal Lake Isa. 30.33 and where shall we have Engines or Buckets to quench that Fire O Eternity If all the Body of the Earth and Sea were turned to Sand and all the Air up to the starry Heaven were nothing but Sand and a little Bird should come every 1000th year and fetch away in her Bill but the Tenth part of a grain of all that heap of Sand what a numberless number of years would be spent before that vast heap of Sand would be fetch'd away yet if at the end of all that time the sinner might come out of Hell though long yet there would be some hope But this word ever breaks the heart The smoke of their Torment ascendeth up for ever and ever What a Terror is this to the wicked enough to put them into a cold Sweat to think as long as God is Eternal he lives for ever to be avenged upon sinners Quest. Here a Question may be moved Why sin that is committed in a short time should be punished eternally Resp. We must hold with St. Augustine that God's Judgment on the wicked Occulta esse possunt injusta esse non possunt may be secret but never unjust The reason why sin committed in a short time is eternally punished is because every sin is committed against an Infinite Essence and no less than Eternity of Punishment can satisfie Why is Treason punished with Confiscation and Death but because it is against the King's Person which is Sacred much more that Offence which is against God's Crown and Dignity is of an heinous and infinite Nature and cannot be satisfied with less than Eternal Punishment Use 2. Of Comfort to the Godly God is Eternal therefore lives for ever to Reward the Godly Rom. 2.7 To them who seek for glory and honour eternal life The People of God here are in a suffering Condition Acts 20.23 Bonds and Afflictions abide me The Head being crowned with Thorns the Feet must not tread upon Roses The Wicked are clad in Purple and fare deliciously while the Godly suffer Goats climb upon the high Mountains while Christ's Sheep are in the Valley of Slaughter But here is the Comfort God is Eternal and he hath appointed Eternal Recompences for the Saints In Heaven are fresh Delights Sweetness without Surfeit And that which is the Crown and Zenith of Heavens happiness is it is Eternal 1 Iohn 2.25 Were there but the least suspicion that this Glory must cease it would much eclipse yea imbitter it but it is Eternal What Angel can span Eternity 2 Cor. 4.17 An eternal weight of glory The Saints shall bathe themselves in the Rivers of Divine Pleasure and these Rivers can never be dried up Psal. 16.11 At thy right hand are pleasures for evermore This is the Elah the highest strain in the Apostles Rhetorick 1 Thess. 4.17 Ever with the Lord. There is Peace without Trouble Ease without Pain Glory without End ever with the Lord. Let this comfort the Saints in all their Troubles their Sufferings are but short but their Reward is eternal Eternity makes Heaven to be Heaven 't is the Diamond in the Ring O blessed Day that shall have no Night The Sun-light of Glory shall rise upon the Soul and never set O blessed Spring that shall have no Autumn or Fall of the Leaf The Roman Emperours have three Crowns set upon their Heads the first of Iron the second of Silver the third of Gold So the Lord sets three Crowns on his Children Grace Comfort and Glory and this Crown is Eternal 1 Pet. 5.4 Ye shall receive a Crown of Glory that fadeth not away The Wicked have a never-dying Worm and the Godly a never-fading Crown O how should this be a Spur to Vertue how willing should we be to work for God though we had nothing here God hath time enough to reward his People the Crown of Eternity shall be set upon their Head Use 3. Of Exhortation 1. In General study Eternity Our Thoughts should chiefly run upon Eternity We are all for the present something that may delight the Sences If we could have lived as Augustine A cunabulis Mundi from the Infancy of the World to the Worlds old Age what were this What is Time measured with Eternity As the Earth is but a small Point to the Heaven so Time is but nay scarce a Minute to Eternity and then what is this poor Life which crumbles away so fast O think of Eternity Annos aeternos in mente habe Brethren we are every day travelling to Eternity and whether we wake or sleep we are going our Journey some of us are upon the Borders of Eternity O study the shortness of Life and the length of Eternity 2. More Particularly Think of God's Eternity and the Soul's Eternity 1. Think of God's Eternity He is the Ancient of Days who was before all Time 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Thales There is a figurative Description of God Dan. 7.9 The Ancient of Days did sit whose Garment was white as snow and the hair of his Head like the pure Wooll His white Garment wherewith he was cloathed signified his Majesty his Hair like the pure Wool his Holiness and the Ancient of Days his Eternity The thoughts of God's Eternity would make us have high adoring thoughts of God We are apt to have mean irreverent thoughts of him Psal. 50.21 Thou thoughtest I was such a one as thy self weak and mortal But if we would think of God's Eternity when all Power ceaseth he is King Eternal his Crown flourisheth for ever who can make us happy or miserable for ever this would make us have adoring thoughts of God Rev. 4.10 The four and twenty Elders fell down before him that sate on the Throne and worship him that liveth for ever and ever and cast their Crowns before the Throne The Saints fall down to signifie by that humble posture that they are not worthy to sit in God's Presence They fall down and they worship him that lives for ever they do as it were kiss his feet And
decreed the time of my Life in the use of Means so God hath decreed my Salvation in the use of Word Prayer Sacraments And as a Man that refuseth his â—ood murders himself so he that refuseth to work out his Salvation doth destroy himself The Vessels of Mercy are said to be prepar'd unto Glory Rom. 9.23 How are they prepar'd but by being sanctified and that cannot be but in the use of Means therefore let not God's Decree take thee off from Holy Endeavour A good Saying of Dr. Preston Hast thou an Heart to pray to God it is a sign no Decree of Wrath is passed against thee Use 1. If God's Decree be Eternal and Unchangeable then God doth not Elect our Faith foreseen as the Arminians Rom. 9.11 The children being not yet born that the purpose of God according to election might stand It was said Iacob have I loved Esau have I hated We are not elected for Holiness but to Holiness Eph. 1.3 If we are not justified for our Faith much less elected for our Faith but we are not justified for it We are said to be justified 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 through Faith as an Instrument Eph. 2.8 but not for Faith as a Cause and if not justified for Faith then much less elected God's Decree of Election is Eternal and Unchangeable therefore depends not upon Faith foreseen Acts 13.48 As many as were ordained to eternal life believed They were not elected because they believed but they believed because they were elected Use 2. If God's Decree be Unchangeable 't is Comfort in two Cases 1. Concerning God's Providences towards his Church We are ready to quarrel with Providence if every thing doth not jump with our Desire Remember God's Work goes on and nothing falls out but what he hath decreed from Eternity 2. God hath decreed Troubles for the Churches good the troubling of God's Church is like the Angel's troubling the Water Ioh. 5.4 which made way for healing his People He hath decreed Troubles in the Church His fire is in Sion and his furnace in Ierusalem Isa. 31.9 The Wheels in a Watch move cross one to another but they all carry on the Motion of the Watch So the Wheels of Providence often move cross to our Desires but still they carry on God's unchangeable Decree Dan. 12.10 Many shall be made white God lets the Waters of Affliction be poured on his People he doth but lay them a Whitening Therefore murmur not at God's Dealings His Work goes on nothing falls out but what he hath wisely decreed from Eternity every thing shall promote God's Design and fulfil his Decree 2. Comfort to the Godly in regard of their Salvation 2 Tim. 2.19 The foundation of God stands sure having this seal the Lord knows who are his God's Counsel of Election is Unchangeable once elected and for ever elected Rev. 3.5 I will not blot his name out of the book of life The Book of God's Decree hath no Errata's in it no blottings out once justified never unjustified Hos. 13.14 Repentance shall be hid from mine eyes God never repents of his electing Love â— Joh. 13.1 He loved them to the end Therefore if thou art a Believer comfort thy self with this the Immutability of God's Decree Use 3. To conclude a word to the Wicked who march furiously against God and his People let them know God's Decree is Unchangeable God will not alter it nor can they break it and while they resist God's Will they fulfil it There 's a twofold Will of God Voluntas praecepti decreti The Will of God's Precept and of his Decree While the Wicked resist the Will of God's Precept they fulfil the Will of his Permissive Decree Iudas betrays Christ Pilate condemns him the Souldiers crucify him while they resisted the Will of God's Precept they fulfilled the Will of his Permissive Decree Acts 4.28 Such as are wicked God commands one thing they do the quite contrary to keep Sabbath they prophane it while they disobey his Command they fulfil his Permissive Decree If a Man set up two Nets one of Silk the other of Iron the Silken Net may be broken not the Iron God's Commands are the Silken Net while Men break the Silken Net of God's Command they are taken in the Iron Net of his Decree while they sit backward to God's Precepts they row forward to his Decree his Decree to permit their Sin and to punish them for their Sin permitted Of the Wisdom of GOD. THE next Attribute is Gods ' Wisdom which is one of the brightest Beams of the Godhead Iob 9.4 He is wise in heart Kacham lavau The Heart is the Seat of Wisdom Cor in Hebraeo sumitur pro Iudicio Pineda Among the Hebrews the Heart is put for Wisdom Iob 34.32 Let Men of Understanding tell me In the Hebrew Let Men of Heart tell me God is wise in heart that is he is most wise 1. God is only wise he doth monopolize and ingross all Wisdom Ergo he is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the only wise God 1 Tim. 1.17 All the Treasures of Wisdom are lock'd up in him and no Creature can have any Wisdom but as God is pleased to give it out of his Treasury 2. God is perfectly wise there is no defect in his Wisdom Men may be wise in some things but in other things may betray imprudence and weakness But God is the Exemplar and Pattern of Wisdom and the Pattern must be perfect Matth. 5.48 God's Wisdom appears in two things 1. His Infinite Intelligence 2. His Exact Working 1. His Infinite Intelligence He knows the most profound obstruse Secrets Dan. 2.28 He knows the Thoughts which are the most intricate subtil things Amos 4.13 He declareth to Man what is his thought Let Sin be contrived never so politickly God will pull off all Masks and Disguises and make an Heart-Anatomy He knows all future Contingencies ante intuitu all things are before him in one clear Prospect 2. His exact curious Working He is wise in heart his wisdom lies in his works These Works of God are bound up in three great Volumes where we may read his Wisdom 1. The Work of Creation The Creation as it is a Monument of God's Power so a Looking-glass in which we may see his Wisdom None but a wise God could so curiously contrive the World Behold the Earth deck'd with variety of Flowers which are both for Beauty and Fragrancy the Heaven bespangled with Lights we may see the glorious Wisdom of God blazing in the Sun twinkling in the Stars His Wisdom is seen in the marshalling and ordering every thing in its proper Place and Sphere If the Sun had been set lower it would have burnt us if higher it would not have warm'd us with its Beams God's Wisdom is seen in appointing the Seasons of the Year Psal. 74.17 Thou hast made Summer and Winter If it had been all Summer the Heat would have scorched us if all Winter the Cold would
all things he cannot deny himself Answ. Though God can do all things he cannot do that which stains the glory of his Godhead he cannot sin he cannot do that which implies a Contradiction To be a God of Truth and yet deny himself is a Contradiction Use 1. If God be so infinite in Power Fear this great God We are apt to fear such as are in power Ier. 5.22 Fear ye not me saith the Lord will ye not tremble at my presence He hath power to cast our Souls and Bodies into Hell Psal. 90.11 Who knows the power of his wrath God can with the same Breath that made us dissolve us his Eyes are as a flame of fire the Rocks are thrown down by him Nah. 1.6 Solomon saith Where the word of a King is there is power Eccles 8.4 much more where the word of a God is O let us fear this mighty God! The fear of God would drive out all other base Fear Use 2. See the deplorable Condition of wicked Men 1. This Power of God is not for them 2. It is against them 1. This Power of God is not for them they have no Union with God therefore have no warrant to lay claim to his Power His Power is no relief to them He hath power to forgive sins but he will not put forth his power towards an impenitent sinner God's Power is an Eagles wing to carry the Saints to Heaven But what Priviledge is that to the wicked Though a Man will carry his Child in his Arms over a dangerous water yet he will not carry an Enemy in his Arms. God's Power is not engaged to help those that fight against him Let Miseries come upon the Wicked they have none to help them they are like a Ship in a storm without a Pilot driven upon the Rocks 2. This Power of God is against the Wicked God's Power will not be the Sinner's Shield to defend him but a Sword to wound him God's Power will bind the the Sinner in Chains God's Power serves to revenge the wrong done to his Mercy God will be Almighty to damn the Sinner Now in what a condition is every Unbeliever God's Power is engaged against him and it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God Hebr. 10.31 Use 3. It reproves such as do not believe this Power of God We say we do not doubt of God's Power but his Will But indeed it is God's Power that we question Is any thing too hard for God Jer. 32.27 yet we stagger through Unbelief as if the Arm of God's Power were shrunk and he could not help in desperate Cases Take away a King's Power and we un-king him take away the Lord's Power and we un-God him yet how guilty of this are we Did not Israel question God's Power Can he prepare a Table in the Wilderness Psal. 78.19 they thought the Wilderness was a fitter place for making of Graves then spreading of a Table Did not Martha doubt of Christ's Power Iohn 11.39 He hath been dead four days If Christ had been there while Lazarus was sick or when he had been newly dead Martha did not question but Christ could have raised him but he had laid in the Grave four days and now she seemed to question his Power Christ had as much ado to raise her Faith as to raise her dead Brother And Moses though an holy Man yet limits God 's Power through Unbelief Numb 11.21 The People amongst whom I am are six hundred thousand footmen and thou hast said I will give them flesh for a whole month shall the flocks and the herds be slain for them to suffice them or shall all the Fish of the Sea be gathered for them to suffice them And the Lord said unto Moses is the Lord's hand waxed short This is a great Affront to God to go to deny his Power That Men doubt of God's Power appears 1. By their taking indirect Courses Would they defraud in their Dealings use false Weights if they believed the Power of God that he could provide for them 2. By their depending more upon second Causes then upon God 2 Chron. 16.12 In his disease he sought not to the Lord but to the Physitian Use 4. If God be infinite in Power then let us take heed of hardning our hearts against God Iob 9.4 Who hath hardned himself against him and prospered Iob sends a Challenge to all Creatures in Heaven and Earth Who is he did ever take up the Bucklers against God and came of Conquerour For a Person to go on daringly in any sin is to harden his heart against God and as it were to raise a War against Heaven and let him remember God is Elshaddai Almighty he will be too hard for them that oppose him Iob 40.9 Hast thou an arm like God Such as will not bow to his golden Scepter shall be broken with his iron Rod. Iulian hardned his heart against God he opposed him to his Face but what got he at last did he prosper Being wounded in Battel he threw up his Blood into the Air and said to Christ Vicisti Galilaee O Galilean thou hast overcome I acknowledge thy Power whose Name and Truth I have opposed Will Folly contend with Wisdom Weakness with Power Finite with Infinite O take heed of hardning your heart against God! he can send Legions of Angels to avenge his Quarrel 'T is better to meet God with Tears in your Eyes then Weapons in your Hand You may overcome God sooner by Repentance then by Resistance Use 5. Get an Interest in God and then this glorious Power is engaged for you God gives it under his hand that he will put forth the whole Power of his God-head for the good of his People 1 Chron. 17.24 The Lord of hoasts is the God of Israel even a God to Israel This Almightiness of God's Power is a wonderful Support and Comfort to every Believer It was Sampson's Riddle Iudg. 14.14 Out of the strong came forth sweetness So out of the Attribute of God's Power out of this strong comes forth sweetness 'T is Comfort in several Cases 1. In case of strong Corruption My sins saith a Child of God are potent I have no power against this Army that comes against me I pray and humble my Soul by Fasting but my sins return upon me I but dost thou believe the Power of God the strong God can conquer thy strong Corruption though sin be too hard for thee yet not for him he can soften hard hearts quicken the dead Is any thing too hard for the Lord Gen. 18.14 Set God's Power on work By Faith and Prayer say Lord it is not for thy honour that the Devil should have so strong a Party within me O break the head of this Leviathan Abba Father all things are possible to thee 2. In case of strong Temptation Satan is call'd 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The strong Man O but remember the Power of God Christ is call'd
whole World but the virtue of it is applied only to such as believe Christ's Blood is meritorious for all not efficacious All are not saved because some put away Salvation from them Acts 13.46 and vilifie Christ's Blood counting it an unholy thing Hebr. 10.29 Use 1. Here is a great Pillar for our Faith the Truth of God Were not he a God of Truth how could we believe in him our Faith were Fancy But he is Truth it self and not a word he hath spoken shall fall to the ground Truth is the object of Trust. The Truth of God is an unmoveable Rock we may venture our Salvation here Isa. 59.15 Truth faileth Truth on Earth doth but not Truth in Heaven God can as well cease to be God as cease to be True Hath God said he will be good to the Soul that seeks him Lam. 3.25 he will give rest to the weary Matth. 11.28 Here is a safe Anchor hold he will not alter the thing which is gone forth of his Lips The Publick Faith of Heaven is engaged for Believers can we have better Security The whole Earth hangs upon the word of God's Power and shall not our Faith hang upon the Word of God's Truth where can we rest our Faith but upon God's faithfulness There is nothing else we can believe in but the Truth of God we cannot trust in an Arm of Flesh we cannot trust in our own Hearts this is to build upon the Quicksands but the Truth of God is a golden Pillar for Faith to stay upon God cannot deny himself 2 Tim. 2.13 If we believe not yet he abideth faithful he cannot deny himself Not to believe God's Veracity is to affront God 1 Iohn 5.10 He that believeth not hath made God a lyar A Person of Honour cannot be more affronted or provoaked then when he is not believed He that denies God's Truth makes the Promise no better than a forged Deed and can there be a greater affront offered to God Use 2. of Terrour to the Wicked God is a God of Truth and he is true in his Threatnings the Threatnings are a flying Roll against sinners God hath threatned to wound the hairy scalp of every one that goes on still in his Trespasses Psal. 68.21 He hath threatned to judge Adulterers Hebr. 13.3 to be avenged upon the malitious Psal. 10.14 Thou beholdest mischief and spight to requite it with thy own hand To rain fire and brimstone upon the sinner Psal. 11.6 And God is as true in his Threatnings as his Promises God hath oft to shew his Truth executed his Threatnings and let his Thunder-bolts of Judgment fall upon Sinners in this Life He struck Herod in the act of his Pride He hath punished Blasphemers Olympius an Arrian Bishop reproached and blasphemed the blessed Trinity immediately Lightning fell down from Heaven upon him and consumed him God is as true in his Threatnings as in his Promises Let us fear the Threatning that we may not feel it Use 3. Is God a God of Truth let us be like God in Truth 1. We must be true in our Words Pythagoras being asked what made Men like God answered Cum vera loquuntur when they speak Truth It is the note of a Man that shall go to Heaven Psal. 15.2 He speaketh the Truth from his heart Truth in words is opposed 1. to Lying Eph. 4.25 Putting away lying speak every one truth to his neighbour Lying is when one speaks that for a truth which he knows to be false A Lier is most opposite to the God of Truth There is as Austin saith two sorts of Lies 1. Mendacium Officiosum an Officious Lie when a Man tells a Lie for his Profit as when a Trades-man saith his Commodity cost him so much when perhaps it did not cost him half so much He that will lie in his Trade shall lye in Hell 2. Mendacium Iocosum a jesting Lie when a Man tells a Lie in sport to make others merry he goes laughing to Hell When you tell a Lie you make your selves like the Devil Iohn 8.44 The Devil is a lier and the Father of it He deceived our first Parents by a Lie Some are so wicked that they will not only speak an Untruth but will Swear to it nay they will wish a Curse upon themselves if that Untruth be not true As I have read of a Woman one Anne Averies 1575. who being in a Shop wished that she might sink if she had not paid for the Wares she took she fell down speechless immeditately and died in the place A Lier is not fit to live in a Commonwealth Lying takes away all Society and Converse with Men. How can you Converse with him whom you cannot believe what he saith Lying shuts Men out of Heaven Rev. 22.25 Without are Dogs and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie And as it is a great sin to tell a lie so it is a worse sin to teach a lye Isa. 9.15 The Prophet that teacheth lies He who broacheth Errour teacheth Lies he spreads the Plague he not only damns himself but helps to damn others 2. Truth in words is opposed to Dissembling The Heart and Tongue should go together as the Dial goes exactly with the Sun To speak fair to ones Face and not to mean what one speaks is no better then a lie Psal. 55.21 His words were smoother than oil but war was in his heart Some have an Art at this they can flatter and hate Hierom speaking of the Arrians saith They pretended friendship they kissed my hands but plotted mischief against me Psal. 29.5 A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet Impia sub dulci melle venena latent Falshood in Friendship is a lie Counterfeiting of Friendship is worse then counterfeiting of Money This is contrary to God who is a God of Truth 2. We must be true in our Profession of Religion Let Practice go along with Profession Eph. 4.24 Righteousness and true Holiness Hypocrisie in Religion is a Lie The Hypocrite is like a Face in a Glass there is the show of a Face but no true Face So he makes a shew of Holiness but hath no Truth of it 't is but the Face in the Glass Ephraim pretended to be that which he was not and what saith God of him Hos. 11.12 Ephraim compasseth me about with lies By a lie in our words we deny the Truth by a lie in our profession we disgrace it Not to be what we profess to God is telling a lie and the Scripture makes it little better than Blasphemy Rev. 2.9 I know the blasphemy of them that say they are Iews and are not O! I beseech you labour in this to be like God he is a God of Truth he can as well part with his Deity as his Verity be I say like God be true in your Words be true in your Profession God's Children are Children that will not lie Isa. 63.9 When God sees Truth in the inward parts and lips in
glory he hath fore-ordained whatsoever shall come to pass I should come now to speak concerning the Decrees of God but I have already spoken something to this under the Attribute of God's Immutability God is unchangeable in his Essence and he is unchangeable in his Decrees his Counsel shall stand he hath decreed the Issue of all things and carries them on to their Period by his Providence and therefore I shall proceed to the Execution of his Decrees Quest. VIII The next Question is What is the Work of Creation Resp. It is God's making all things of nothing by the word of his power c. Gen. 1.1 In the beginning God created the Heaven and the Earth The Creation is glorious to behold it is a pleasant and fruitful study Some think that Isaac when he went abroad into the Fields to meditate it was in the Book of the Creatures The Creation is the Heathen Man's Bible the Ploughman's Primmer the Travellers Perspective Glass through which he receives the Species and Representation of those infinite Excellencies which are in God The Creation is a large Volume in which God's Works are bound up and this Volume hath three great Leaves in it Heaven Earth Sea The Author of the Creation is God so it is in the Text 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God created The World was created in time and could not be from Eternity as Aristotle thought The World must have a Maker it could not make it self If one should go into a far Country and see stately Edifices there he would never imagine that these could build themselves but that there had been some Artificer there to raise such goodly Structures so this great Fabrick of the World could not create it self it must have some Builder and Maker and that is God In the beginning God created To imagine that the Work of the Creation was not framed by the Lord Jehovah is as if we should conceive a curious Lanskip to be drawn without the Hand of a Limner Acts 17.24 God that made the World and all things therein In the work of the Creation there are two things to be considered The making of it The adorning of it I. The making of the World Here consider 1. God made the World without any praeexistent Matter This is the difference between Generation and Creation In Generation there is materia habilis disposita some Matter to work upon But in Creation there is no praeexistent Matter God brought all this glorious Fabrick of the World out of the Womb of Nothing We see our Beginning it was of Nothing Some brag of their Birth and Ancestry you see how little cause they have to boast they came of Nothing 2. God made the World with a Word When Solomon was to build a Temple he needed many Workmen and they all had Tools to work with but God wrought without Tools Psal. 33.6 By the word of the Lord were the Heavens made The Disciples wondered that Christ could with a word calm the Sea Matth. 8.26 27. But it was more with a word to make the Sea 3. God made all things at first very good Gen. 1.31 no defect or deformity The Creation came out of God's hands a curious Piece it was a fair Copy without any Blot written with God's own fingers Psal. 8.3 So perfect was God's Work II. The adorning of the World First God made this great Lump and Mass Rudis indigestaque moles and then beautified it and put it into a dress He divided the Sea and the Earth he deck'd the Earth with Flowers the Trees with Fruit but what is Beauty when it is mask'd over Therefore that we might behold this glory God made the Light The Heavens were bespangled with Sun Moon and Stars that so the Worlds Beauty might be beheld and admired God in the Creation began with things less noble and excellent Vegetables and Sensitives and then the Rational Creatures Angels and Men. Man was the most exquisite Piece in the Creation he is a Microcosme or little World Man was made with deliberation and counsel Gen. 1.26 Let us make Man It is the manner of Artificers to be more then ordinary accurate when they are about their Master-pieces Man was to be a Master-piece of this visible World therefore God did consult about the making of so rare a Piece A Solemn Councel of the Sacred Persons in the Trinity was call'd Let us make Man and let us make him in our own Image On the King's Coin his Image or Effigies is stamp'd so God stamp'd his Image on Man and made him partake of many Divine qualities I shall speak 1. of the Parts of Man's Body 1. The Head the most excellent Architectonical Part 't is the Fountain of Spirits and the Seat of Reason In Nature the Head is the best Piece but in Grace the Heart excels 2. The Eye It is the Beauty of the Face it shines and sparkles like a lesser Sun in the Body The Eye occasions much sin and therefore well may it have Tears in it 3. The Ear which is the Conduit-pipe through which Knowledge is conveyed Better lose our seeing than our hearing for faith cometh by hearing Rom. 10.17 To have an Ear open to God is the best Jewel on the Ear. 4. The Tongue David calls the Tongue his glory Psal. 16.9 because it is an Instrument to set forth the Glory of God The Soul at first was a Viol in tune to praise God and the Tongue did make the Musick God hath given us two Ears but one Tongue to shew that we should be swift to hear but slow to speak God hath set a double fence before the Tongue the Teeth and the Lips to teach us to be wary that we offend not with our Tongue 5. The Heart This is a noble part and Seat of Life 2. The Soul of Man This is the Man of the Man Man in regard of his Soul partakes with the Angels nay as Plato saith the Understanding Will and Conscience are a Glass that resemble the Trinity The Soul is the Diamond in the Ring 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Soul is a Vessel of Honour God himself is serv'd in this Vessel It is a Sparkle of Coelestial Brightness saith Damascene If David did so admire the rare Contexture and Workmanship of his Body Psal. 139.13 I am wonderfully made I was curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the Earth If the Cabinet be so curiously wrought what is the Jewel How richly is the Soul embroidered Thus you see how glorious a Work the Creation is and Man especially who is the Epitome of the World Quest. But why did God make the World Resp. 1. Negatively Not for himself he did not need it being infinite He was happy before the World was in reflecting upon his own sublime Excellencies and Perfections 2. God did not make the World to be a place of Mansion for us we are not to abide here for ever Heaven is the Mansion-House Iohn 14.2 the World
is only a Passage-room to Eternity the World is to us as the Wilderness was to Israel not to rest in but to travel through to the glorious Canaan The World is a Tyring-room to dress our Souls in not a place where we are to stay for ever The Apostle tells us of the Worlds Funerals 2 Pet. 3.10 The Elements shall melt with fervent heat the Earth also and the Works that are therein shall be burnt up 2. Positively God made the World to demonstrate his own glory The World is a Looking-glass in which we may see the Power and Goodness of God shine forth The Heavens declare the glory of God Psal. 19.1 The World is like a curious Piece of Arras or Tapestry in which we may see the Skill and Wisdom of him that made it Use 1. Did God create the World This convinceth us of the Truth of his Godhead to create is proper to a Deity Acts 17.24 This convinced Plato of a Deity when he saw all the World could not make a Fly Thus God proves himself to be the true God and distinguisheth himself from Idols Ier. 10.11 It is written in Chalde Thus shall ye say to them the gods that have not made the Heavens and the Earth even they shall perish Who but God can create The Creation is enough to Convince the Heathen that there is a God There are two Books out of which God will judge and condemn the Heathen viz. the Book of Conscience Rom. 2.15 Who have the Law written in their heart and the Book of the Creation Rom. 1.20 The invisible things of him are clearly seen by the things that are made even his eternal Power and Godhead The World is full of Emblems and Hyeroglyphicks every Star in the Sky every Bird that flies in the Air is a Witness against the Heathen A Creature could not make it self 2. Here is a mighty support for Faith God Creates He that made all things with a word what cannot he do He can create strength in weakness he can create a supply of our wants What a foolish question was that Psal. 78.19 Can he prepare a table in the wilderness Cannot he that made the World do much more Psal. 124.8 Our help standeth in the Name of the Lord who made Heaven and Earth Rest on this God for help who made Heaven and Earth The work of Creation as it is a Monument of God's Power so it is a stay to Faith Is thy Heart hard he can with a word create softness Is it unclean he can create purity Psal. 51.10 Create in me a clean heart O God Is the Church of God low he can create Ierusalem a Praise Isa. 65.18 No such golden Pillar for Faith to stay upon as a creating Power 3. Did God make this World full of Beauty and Glory every thing very good then what an evil thing is sin that hath put out of frame the whole Creation Sin hath much eclipsed the beauty sowrd the sweetness and marred the harmony of the World How bitter is that Gall a drop whereof can imbitter a whole Sea Sin hath brought Vanity and Vexation into the World yea a Curse God cursed the ground for Man's sake Gen. 3. There were several Fruits of the Curse 1. In sorrow shalt thou eat of it vers 17. By that word sorrow is to be understood all the Troubles and Cares of this Life 2. In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread vers 19. In Innocency Adam did till the ground he must not live idly but it was rather a delight then a labour that tilling was without toiling The eating in sorrow and the sweat of the brow came in after sin 3. Thorns also and Thistles shall the ground bring forth vers 18. Quest. Whether in Innocency did not the Earth bear Thorns because it is threatned as a punishment Answ. It is likely it did bear Thorns for when God had done creating he made no new Species or Kinds of things but the meaning is now after Sin the Earth should bring forth more plenty of Thorns and now those Thorns should be hurtful and choke the Corn which hurtful quality was not in them before Ever since the Fall all the Comforts of this Life have a Thorn and a Thistle in them 4. The fourth fruit of the Curse was the driving Man out of Paradise vers 24. So he drove out the Man God at first brought Adam into Paradise as into an House ready furnished or as a King into his Throne Gen. 1.28 have dominion over every living thing that moveth Now God's driving Adam out of Paradise signified his dethroning and banishing him that he might look after an heavenly and a better Paradise 5. A fifth fruit of the Curse was Death verse 19. To dust thou shalt return Death was not natural to Adam it came in after sin Iosephus is of opinion Man should have died though he had continued in Innocency only he should have had a longer term of years added to his life but out of question Death grew out of the Root of Sin the Apostle saith Rom. 5.12 By sin came death See then how cursed a thing Sin is that hath brought so many Curses upon the Creation If we will not hate Sin for its Deformity let us hate it for the Curse it brings 4. Did God make this glorious World did he make every thing good was there in the Creature so much beauty and sweetness Oh! then what sweetness is there in God Quicquid efficit tale illud est magis tale the Cause is always more noble than the Effect Think with your selves is there so much excellence in House and Lands then how much more is there in God that made these Is there beauty in a Rose what beauty then is there in Christ the Rose of Sharon Doth Oil make the face shine Psal. 104.15 How will the Light of God's Countenance make it shine Doth Wine chear the heart O what Virtue is in the true Vine How doth the Blood of this Grape chear the Heart Is the fruit of the Garden sweet how delicious are the Fruits of the Spirit Is a Gold Mine so precious how precious is he who founded this Mine What is Christ in whom are hid all Treasures Coloss. 2.3 We should ascend from the Creature to the Creator If there be any Comfort here below how much more is there in God who made all these things How unreasonable is it that we should delight in the World and not much more in him that made it How should our Hearts be set on God and how should we long to be with God who hath infinitely more sweetness in him than any Creature Use 2. of Exhortation 1. Did God create the World let us wisely observe these Works of Creation God hath given us not only the Book of the Scriptures to read in but the Book of the Creation Look up to the Heavens they shew much of God's glory the Sun gilds the World with its bright
Devil's Image on a Man Malice is the Devil's Eye Hypocrisy his Cloven-foot It turns a Man into a Devil Iohn 6.20 Have not I chosen twelve and one of you is a Devil 2. Sin is a grieving of God's Spirit Eph. 4.30 Grieve not the holy Spirit of God To grieve is more than to anger Quest. How can the Spirit be said to be grieved for seeing he is God he cannot be subject to any passion Resp. This is spoken Metaphorically Sin is said to grieve the Spirit because it is an injury offered to the Spirit and he takes it unkindly and as it were lays it to heart And is it not much thus to grieve the Spirit The Holy Ghost descended in the likeness of a Dove Sin makes this blessed Dove mourn Were it only an Angel we should not grieve him but much less the Spirit of God Is it not sad to grieve our Comforter 3. Sin is an act of Contumacy against God a walking Antipodes to Heaven Lev. 26.27 If ye will walk contrary to me A sinner tramples upon God's Law crosseth his Will doth all he can to affront yea to spight God The Hebrew word for sin Pashang signifies Rebellion there is the heart of a Rebel in every sin Ier. 44.16 We will do whatsoever proceedeth out of our mouth to burn Incense to the Queen of Heaven Sin strikes at the very Deity Peccatum est Dei-cidium Sin would not only unthrone God but un-God him If the sinner could help it God should no longer be God 4. Sin is an act of disingenuity and unkindness God feeds the sinner keeps off evils from him be miracles him with Mercy but the sinner not only forgets God's Mercies but abuseth them he is the worse for Mercy like Absolom who as soon as David had kissed him and took him into favour plotted Treason against him 2 Sam. 15.10 Like the Mule who kicks the Damn after she hath given it Milk Vas pertusum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 Sam. 16.17 is this thy kindness to thy Friend God may upbraid the sinner I have given thee may God say thy Health Strength and Estate thou requirest me evil for good thou woundest me with my own Mercies Is this thy kindness to thy Friend did I give thee life to sin did I give thee wages to serve the Devil 5. Sin is a Disease Isa. 1.5 The whole head is sick Some are sick of Pride others of Lust others of Envy Sin hath distempered the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the intellectual part 't is a leprosy in the Head it hath poison'd the Vitals Tit. 2.16 Their Conscience is defiled 'T is with a sinner as with a sick Patient his Pallat is distempered the sweetest things taste bitter to him The Word which is sweeter then the Hony-comb tasts bitter to him Isa. 5.20 they put sweet for bitter Thus a Disease and nothing can cure this Disease but the Blood of the Physitian 6. Sin is an irrational thing it makes a Man act not only wickedly but foolishly It is absurd and irrational to prefer the lesser before the greater the Pleasures of Life before the Rivers of Pleasures at God's right hand for evermore Is it not irrational to lose Heaven for the satisfying or indulging the Lust as Lysimachus who for a draught of Water lost a Kingdom Is it not irrational to gratifie an Enemy in sin we do so When Lust or rash Anger burn in the Soul Satan warms himself at this fire Mortalium errores epulae sunt daemonum Mens sins feast the Devil 7. Sin is a painful thing it costs Men much labour in pursuing their sins How do Men tyre themselves in doing the Devil's drudgery Ier. 9.5 They weary themselves to commit iniquity Peccatum est sui ipsius poena What pains did Iudas take to bring about his Treason He goes to the High-Priest and then after to the Band of Soldiers and then back again to the Garden St. Chrysostom saith Vertue is easier than Vice 'T is more pains to some to follow their sins than to others to worship their God While the sinner travails with his sin in sorrow he brings forth it is called serving divers Lusts Tit. 3.3 not enjoy but serve why so because not only of the slavery in sin but the hard labour it is serving divers Lusts. Many a Man goes to Hell in the sweat of his brows 8. Sin is the only thing God hath an antipathy against God doth not hate a Man because he is poor or despised in the World you do not hate your Friend because he is sick but that which draws forth the keens of God's hatred is sin Ier. 44.4 O do not this abominable thing which I hate And sure if the sinner dies under God's hatred he cannot be admitted into the Celestial Mansions will God let him live with him whom he hates God will never lay a Viper in his bosom the Feathers of the Eagle will not mix with the Feathers of other â—owls God will not mix and incorporate with a sinner Till sin be removed there is no coming where God is III. See the evil of Sin in the Price paid for it it cost the Blood of God to expiate it O Man saith St. Austin consider the greatness of thy sin by the greatness of the price paid for sin All the Princes on Earth or Angels in Heaven could not satisfie for sin only Christ. Nay Christ's active Obedience was not enough to make atonement for sin but he must suffer upon the Cross for without blood is no remission Hebr. 9.22 O what an accursed thing is sin that Christ should die for it The evil of sin is not so much seen in that one thousand are damned for it as that Christ died for it IV. Sin is evil in the Effects of it 1. Sin hath degraded us of our Honour Reuben by Incest lost his Dignity and though he were the first-born he could not excel Gen. 49.4 God made us in his own Image a little lower than the Angels but sin hath debased us Before Adam sinned he was like an Herauld that hath his Coat of Arms upon him all reverence him because he carries the King's Coat of Arms but let this Coat be pull'd off and he is despised no Man regards him Sin hath done this it hath pluck'd off our Coat of Innocency and now it hath debased us and turned our glory into shame Dan. 11.21 And there shall stand up a vile person This was spoken of Antiochus Epiphanes who was a King and his name signifies illustrious yet sin had degraded him he was a vile person 2. Sin disquiets the Peace of the Soul whatever defiles disturbs as Poison tortures the Bowels corrupts the Blood so doth Sin the Soul Isa. 57.21 Sin breeds a trembling at the heart it creates fears and there is torment in fear 1 Iohn 4.18 Sin makes sad Convulsions in the Conscience Iudas was so terrified with guilt and horrour that he hangs himself to quiet his Conscience And is
the Gospel the Wonder of Angels the Joy and Triumph of Saints The Name of Christ is sweet it is as Musick in the Ear Honey in the Mouth and a Cordial at the Heart I shall wave the Context and only speak of that which concerns our present Purpose Having discours'd of the Covenant of Grace I shall speak now of the Mediator of the Covenant and the Restorer of lapsed Sinners IESUS the Mediator of the Covenant There are several Names and Titles in Scripture given to Christ as the Great Restorer of Mankind 1. Sometimes he is called a Saviour Matth. 1.21 His name shall be called Iesus The Hebrew word for Jesus Ioshuang signifies a Saviour and whom he saves from Hell he saves from Sin where Christ is a Saviour he is a Sanctifier Matth. 1.21 He shall save his people from their sins There is no other Saviour Acts 4.12 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Neither is there salvation in any other As there was but one Ark to save the World from drowning so there is but one Jesus to save Sinners from damning As Naomi said to her Daughters-in-law Ruth 1.11 Are there yet any more sons in my womb So hath God any other Sons in the Womb of his Eternal Decree to be Saviours to us besides Christ Job 28.13 Where shall wisdom be found the deep saith it is not in me and the sea saith it is not with me Let me allude Where shall Salvation be found The Angel saith it is not in me Morality saith it is not in me the Ordinance saith it is not in me Christ alone is the Well-spring of Life the Ordinance is the Conduit-pipe that conveys Salvation but Christ is the Spring that feeds it Neither is there salvation in any other 2. Sometimes Christ is called a Redeemer Isa. 59.20 The redeemer shall come to Sion Some understand it of Cyrus others of an Angel but the most ancient Iewish Doctors understand it of Christ the Redeemer of the Elect Job 19.25 My redeemer liveth The Hebrew word for Redeemer Goel signifies such an one as is near a Kin and hath Right to redeem a Mortgage So Christ is near a kin to us being our Elder Brother therefore hath the best right to redeem us 3. Christ is called a Mediator in the Text Iesus the mediator of the new covenant The Greek word for Mediator 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies a middle Person one that doth make up the breach between two disagreeing Parties God and we were at Variance by Sin now Christ doth Mediate and Umpire between us he reconciles us to God through his Bloud therefore is call'd the Mediator of the New Covenant There is no way of Communion and Intercourse between God and Man but in and through a Mediator Christ takes away the Enmity in us and the Wrath in God and so makes Peace nor is Christ only a Mediator of Reconciliation but Intercession Heb. 9.24 Christ is entred not into the holy place made with hands but into heaven itself now to appear in the presence of God for us The Priest when he had slain the Sacrifice was to go with the Bloud before the Altar and Mercy-seat and show it to the Lord. Now in Christ our Blessed Mediator consider two things 1. His Person 2. His Graces 1. His Person His Person is amiable he is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all made up of Love and Beauty He is the Effigies of his Father Heb. 1.3 The express image of his person Consider 1. Christ's Person in two Natures 2. His two Natures in one Person 1. Christ's Person in two Natures 1. Look upon his Humane Nature as Incarnate The Valentinians deny his Humane Nature but Joh. 1.14 The Word was made Flesh 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 'T is spoken of Christ the promised Messiah Christ took our Flesh that the same Nature which sinned might suffer and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The word made flesh that through the Glass of his Humane Nature we might look upon God Quest. Why is Christ called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Word Resp. Because as a Word is the Interpreter of the Mind and reveals what is in a Man's breast so Jesus Christ reveals his Father's Mind to us concerning the great Matters of our Salvation Iohn 1.18 Were it not for CHRIST's Manhood the sight of the Godhead would be formidable to us but through Christ's Flesh we may look upon God without Terrour And Christ took our Flesh that he might know how to pity us he knows what it is to be faint sorrowful tempted Psal. 103.14 He knows our frame And he took our Flesh that he might as Austin saith Ennoble our Humane Nature with Honour Christ having married our Flesh hath exalted it above the Angelical Nature 2. Look upon Christ's Divine Nature Christ may fitly be compared to Iacob's Ladder Gen. 28.12 which reached from Earth to Heaven Christ's Humane Nature was the foot of the Ladder which stood upon Earth his Divine Nature the top of the Ladder which reached to Heaven This being a grand Article of our Faith I shall amplifie I know the Arians Socinians Ebionites would rob Christ of the best Jewel of his Crown his Godhead but the Apostolical Nicene Athanasian Creed affirm Christ's Deity to this the Churches of Helvetia Bohemia Wittembergh Transylvania c. give their full Consent and the Scripture is clear for it He is call'd the Mighty God Isa. 9.6 El Gibber and in him dwells the fulness of the Godhead Col. 2.9 He is not only 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the same Nature and Essence with the Father So Athanasius Basil Chrysostom 1. Is God the Father call'd Almighty so is Christ Rev. 1.8 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Almighty 2. Is God the Father the Heart-searcher so is Christ Ioh. 2.25 He knew their thoughts 3. Is God the Father Omnipresent so is Christ Joh. 3.13 The Son of man which is in heaven Christ as God was then in Heaven when as Man he was upon the Earth Quest. Is God Eternal Resp. Christ is the Everlasting Father Isa. 9.6 which Scripture may be urged against the Cerinthian Hereticks who deny'd the Pre-existency of Christ's Godhead and held that Christ had no being till he derived it from the Virgin Mary 4. Doth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Divine Worship belong to the first Person in the Trinity so it doth to Christ Ioh. 5.23 Heb. 1.6 Let all the angels of God worship him 5. Is Creation proper to the Deity This is a Flower of Christ's Crown Col. 1.16 By him were all things created 6. Is Invocation proper to the Deity This is given to Christ Acts 7. Lord Iesus receive my spirit 7. Is Recumbency and Trust peculiar to God the Father This is given to Christ Joh. 14.1 Ye believe in God believe also in me Christ must needs be God not only that the Divine Nature might support the Humane from sinking under God's Wrath but also to give Value and Weight to his
this should much encourage us to look up to him and hope for Audience in Prayer We might indeed be afraid to present our Petitions if we had not Christ to deliver them Branch 4. The sad Condition of an Unbeliever he hath none in Heaven to speak a word for him Joh. 17.9 I pray not for the world As good be shut out of Heaven as be shut out of Christ's Prayer Christ pleads for the Saints as Queen Esther did for the Iews when they should have been destroyed Let my people be given me at my request Esth. 7.3 When the Devil shows the Blackness of their Sins Christ shows the Redness of his Wounds But how sad is the Condition of that Man Christ will not pray for Nay that he will pray against As Queen Esther petitioned against Haman and then his Face was covered Esth. 7.6 and he was led away to Execution 'T is sad when the Law shall be against the Sinner and Conscience and Judge and no Friend to speak a word for him There 's no way then but Jaylor take the Prisoner Branch 5. If Christ makes Intercession then we have nothing to do with other Intercessors The Church of Rome distinguisheth between Mediators of Redemption and Intercession and say The Angels do not redeem us but intercede for us and pray to them But Christ only can intercede for us Ex Officio God hath consecrated him an High-Priest Heb. 5.6 Thou art a priest for ever Christ intercedes Vi pretii in the Vertue of his Bloud he pleads his Merits to his Father the Angels have no Merits to bring to God therefore can be no Intercessors for us Whoever is our Advocate must be our Propitiation to pacifie God 1 Joh. 2.1 We have an advocate with the Father Verse 2. And he is our propitiation The Angels cannot be our Propitiation ergo not our Advocates 2. Use of Tryal How shall we know that Christ intercedes for us They have little ground to think Christ prays for them who never pray for themselves Well but how shall we know Resp. 1. If Christ be praying for us then his Spirit is praying in us Gal. 4.6 He hath sent forth his spirit into your heart crying Abba Father And Rom. 8.26 the Spirit helps us with Sighs and Groans not only with Gifts but Groans We need not climb up into the Firmament to see if the Sun be there we may see the Beauty of it upon the Earth so we need not go up into Heaven to see if Christ be there interceding for us let us look into our Hearts if they are quickned and inflamed in Prayer and we can cry Abba Father by this interceding of the Spirit within us we may know Christ is interceding above for us Resp. 2. If we are given to Christ then he intercedes for us Joh. 17.9 I pray for them whom thou hast given me 'T is one thing for Christ to be given to us another for us to be given to Christ. Quest. How know you that Resp. 3. If thou art a Believer then thou art one given to Christ and he prays for thee Faith is an Act of Recumbency we do 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 rest on Christ as the Stones in the Building rest upon the Corner-stone Faith throws itself into Christ's Arms it saith Christ is my Priest his Bloud is my Sacrifice his Divine Nature is my Altar and here I rest This Faith is seen by the Effects of it a refining Work and a resigning Work it purifies the Heart there is the refining Work it makes a Deed of Gift to Christ it gives up its Use its Love to him 1 Cor. 6.19 There is the resigning Work of Faith These that believe are given to Christ and have a part in his Prayer Joh. 17.20 Nor do I pray for these alone but for all them that shall believe on me 3. Use of Exhortation Branch 1. It stirs us up to several Duties 1. If Christ appears for us in Heaven then we must appear for him upon Earth Christ is not ashamed to carry our Names on his Breast and shall we be ashamed of his Truth Doth he plead our Cause and shall not we stand up in his Cause What a mighty Argument is this to stand up for the Honour of Christ in Times of Apostacy Christ is interceding for us Doth he present our Names in Heaven and shall not we profess his Name on Earth Branch 2. If Christ lays out all his Interest for us at the Throne of Grace we must lay out all our Interest for him Phil. 1.20 That Christ may be magnified Trade your Talents for Christ's Glory there 's no Man but hath some Talent to trade one parts another Estate Oh trade for Christ's Glory spend and be spent for him Let your Head study for Christ your Hands work for Christ your Tongue speak for him If Christ be an Advocate for us in Heaven we must be Factors for him on Earth every one in his Sphere must act vigorously for Christ. Branch 3. Believe in this glorious Intercession of Christ that he now intercedes for us and that for his sake God will accept us In the Text Who maketh Intercession for us If we believe not we dishonour Christ's Intercession If a poor Sinner may not go to Christ as his High-Priest believing in his Intercession then are we Christians in a worse Condition under the Gospel then the Iews were under the Law they when they had sinn'd had their High-Priest to make Atonement and shall not we have our High-Priest Is not Christ our Aaron who presents his Bloud and Incense before the Mercy-seat O look up by Faith to Christ's Intercession Christ did not only pray for his Disciples and Apostles but for the weakest Believer Branch 4. Love your Intercessor 1 Cor. 16.22 If any man love not the Lord Iesus Christ let him be Anathama Kindness invites Love had you a Friend at Court who when you were questioned for Delinquency or Debt should plead with the Judge for you and bring you off your Troubles would not you love that Friend So it is here how oft doth Satan put in his Bills against us in the Court now Christ is at the Judge's hand he sits at his Father's right hand ever to plead for us and to make our Peace with God O how should our Hearts be fired with Love to Christ Love him with a sincere and superlative Love above Estate Relations Bern. Plusquam tua tuos and our Fire of Love should be as the Fire on the Altar never to go out Lev. 6.13 4. Use of Comfort to Believers Christ is at work for you in Heaven he makes Intercession for you Oh but I am afraid Christ doth not intercede for me Quest. I am a Sinner who doth Christ intercede for Resp. Isa. 53.12 He made intercession for the transgressors Did Christ open his sides for thee and will he not open his mouth to plead for thee Quest. But I have offended my High-Priest by distrusting
decuit ideo ascendit quo altius non potuit Christ in his Humiliation descended so low that it was not fit to go lower and in his Exaltation he ascended so high that it is not possible to go higher In his Resurrection he was exalted above the Grave in his Ascension he was exalted above the Aery and Starry Heaven in his sitting at God's right Hand he is exalted above the highest Heavens far Eph. 4.10 Far above all heavens 5. God hath exalted Christ in constituting him Judge of the whole World Ioh. 5.22 The Father hath committed all judgment to the Son At that day of Judgment shall Christ be exalted super-eminently He shall come in the glory of his Father Mark 8.38 He shall wear the same embroydered Robes of Majesty as the Father And he shall come with all his holy Angels Matth. 25.31 He who was led to the Bar with a Band of Souldiers shall be attended to the Bench with a Guard of Angels Christ shall judge his Judges he shall judge Pilate that condemned him Kings must leave their Throne and come to his Bar. And this is the highest Court of Judicature from whence is no Appeal 1. Use of Information Branch 1. See Christ's different State on Earth and now in Heaven O how is the Scene alter'd When he was on Earth he lay in the Manger now he sits in the Throne then he was hated and scorn'd of Men now he is adored of Angels then his Name was reproached now God hath given him a Name above every name Phil. 2.9 Then he came in the Form of a Servant and as a Servant stood with his Bason and Towel and washed his Disciples Feet Ioh. 13.4 5. now he is clad in his Prince's Robes and the Kings of the Earth cast their Crowns before him on Earth he was a Man of Sorrow now he is anointed with the Oyl of Gladness on Earth was his Crucifixion now his Coronation then his Father frowned upon him in Desertion now he hath set him at his right Hand before he seemed to have no Form or Beauty in him Isa. 53.2 now he is the Brightness of his Father's Glory Heb. 1.3 O what a change is here Him hath GOD highly exalted Branch 2. Was Christ first Humble and then Exalted hence learn the way to true Honour is Humility Luke 14.11 He that humbleth himself shall be exalted The World looks upon Humility as that which will make one contemptible but it is the ready way to Honour The way to rise is to fall the way to ascend is to descend Humility exalts us in the Esteem of Men and it exalts us to an higher Throne in Heaven Matth. 18.4 Whosoever shall humble himself as this little child the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven Viz. He shall have a greater degree of Glory in Heaven Branch 3. Christ first suffered and then was exalted see hence that Sufferings must go before Glory Many desire to be glorified with Christ but they are not content to suffer for Christ 2 Tim. 2.12 If we suffer with him we shall reign with him The Wicked first reign and then suffer the Godly first suffer and then reign There 's no way to Constantinople but through the Straits no way to Heaven but through Sufferings No way to the Crown but by the way of the Cross. Hierusalem above is a pleasant City Streets of Gold Gates of Pearl but we must travel through a dirty Road to this City through many Reproaches and Sufferings Acts 14.22 We must enter into Glory as Christ did first he suffered Shame and Death and now is exalted to sit at God's right Hand 2. Use of Comfort Branch 1. Christ being so highly exalted hath Ennobled our Nature he hath crowned it with Glory and lifted it up above Angels and Archangels Though Christ as he was Man was made a little lower than the Angels Heb. 2.9 yet as the Humane Nature is united to the Divine and is at God's right Hand so the Humane Nature is above the Angels And if God hath so Dignified our Humane Nature what a shame is it that we should debase it God hath exalted the Humane Nature above the Angels and the Drunkard abaseth the Humane Nature below the Beasts Branch 2. Christ being exalted at God's right hand the Key of Government is laid upon his shoulders he governs all the Affairs of the World for his own Glory Do you think when Christ is so highly advanced and hath all Power in Heaven and Earth in his hand he will not take care of his Elect and turn the most astonishing Providences to the good of his Church In a Clock the Wheels move cross one to another but all make the Clock strike so Christ being at his Father's right hand he will make the most cross Providences tend to the Salvation of his Church Branch 3. Christ being at God's right hand we may be assured he hath now finished the Work of Man's Redemption Heb. 10.12 This man after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever sate down on the right hand of God If Christ had not fully expiated Sin and satisfied God's Law he had not sate down at God's right hand but had still lain in the Grave but now he is exalted to Glory This is an evident Token he hath done and suffered all that was required of him for the working out our Redemption Branch 4. Though Jesus Christ is so highly exalted in Glory yet he is not forgetful of us on Earth some when they are raised to Places of Honour forget their Friends when the Chief Butler was restored to his Place at Court then he forgot poor Ioseph in Prison But it is not so with Christ though he be exalted to such Glory in Heaven yet he is not unmindful of his Saints on Earth Our High-Priest hath all the Names and Wants of his People written upon his Breast-plate Art thou tempted though Christ be in Glory he knows how to pity and succour thee Heb. 4.15 We have not a high-priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmity Dost thou mourn for sin Christ though in a glorified State he hears thy Sighs bottles thy Tears Branch 5. Christ being exalted at God's right hand this is for the Comfort of Believers that they shall one day be exalted to that Place of Glory where he is Christ's Exaltation is our Exaltation Christ hath prayed for this Joh. 17.24 Father I will that all those whom thou hast given me be with me where I am And he is said to go before to prepare a place for Believers Ioh. 14.2 Christ is called the Head and the Church is called his Body Eph. 1.22 23. The Head being exalted to Honor the Body Mystical shall be exalted too as sure as Christ is exalted far above all Heavens so sure will he instate Believers in all that Glory which his Humane Nature is adorn'd with Ioh. 17.22 As here he puts his Grace upon the Saints so shortly he
make a Will and settles his Estate upon such Persons as he names in the Will none else but they can lay claim to the Will so God makes a Will and Testament but it is restrained and limited to such as are sanctified and it is high presumption for any else to lay claim to the Will 4. There is no going to Heaven without Sanctification Hebr. 12.14 Without holiness no man shall see the Lord. God is an holy God and he will suffer no unholy Creature to come near him A King will not suffer a Man with Plague-sores to approach into his Presence Heaven is not like Noah's Ark where the clean Beasts and the unclean entred no unclean Beast comes into the Heavenly Ark. Though God suffer the Wicked to live a while on the Earth he will never suffer Heaven to be pestered with such Vermin Are they fit to see God who wallow in wickedness will God ever lay such Vipers in his bosom Without holiness no man shall see the Lord. It must be a clear Eye that sees a bright Object only an holy Heart can see God in his Glory Sinners may see God as an Enemy not as a Friend may have an affrighting Vision of God but not a beatifical Vision They may see the flameing Sword but not the Mercy Seat O then what need is there of Sanctification 5. Without Sanctification all our holy things are defiled 1 Tit. 1.15 Unto them that are defiled is nothing pure Under the Law if a Man who was Unclean by a dead Body had carried a piece of holy Flesh in his Skirt the holy Flesh had not cleansed him but he had polluted that Hag. 1.12 13. An Emblem of a Sinners polluting his holy Offering A foul Stomack turns the best Food into ill Humours An unsanctified Heart pollutes Prayers Alms Sacraments this evinceth the necessity of Sanctification Sanctification makes our holy things accepted an holy Heart is the Altar which sanctifies the Offering his Duties tho' they are not to Satisfaction yet to Acceptation 6. Without Sanctification we can show no sign of our Election 2 Thes. 2.13 Election is the cause of our Salvation Sanctification is our Evidence Sanctification is the Ear-mark of Christ's Elect Sheep Quest. What are the Signs of Sanctification Resp. 1. Such as are sanctified can remember a time when they were unsanctified Tit. 3.3 We were in our Bloud and then God wash'd us with Water and anointed us with Oyl Ezek. 16.9 Those Trees of Righteousness that blossom and bear Almonds can remember when they were like Aaron's dry Rod not one Blossom of Holiness growing A sanctified Soul can remember when he was estranged from God thro' Ignorance and Vanity and then Free-grace planted this Flower of Holiness in him Second Sign of Sanctification is the in-dwelling of the Spirit 2 Tim. 1.14 The Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us As the Unclean Spirit dwells in the Wicked and carries them to Pride Lust Revenge the Devil hath entred into these Swine Acts 5.3 So the Spirit of God dwells in the Elect as their Guide and Comforter The Spirit possesseth the Saints God's Spirit sanctifies the Fancy causing it to mint holy Thoughts it sanctifies the Will putting a new Byass upon it whereby it is inclin'd to Good He who is sanctified hath the Influence of the Spirit tho' not the Essence Third Sign of Sanctification is an Antipathy against Sin Ps. 119.104 An Hypocrite may leave Sin yet love it as a Serpent casts its Coat but keeps its Sting but a sanctified Person can say he not only leaves Sin but loaths it As there are Antipathies in Nature between the Vine and Laurel so in a sanctified Soul there is an holy Antipathy against Sin and Antipathies can never be reconciled Because he hath an Antipathy against Sin he cannot but oppose it and seek the Destruction of it Fourth Sign of Sanctification is the Spiritual Performance of Duties viz. with the Heart and from a Principle of Love The sanctified Soul prays out of love to Prayer he calls the Sabbath a Delight Isa. 58.13 A Man may have Gifts to Admiration he may speak as an Angel drop'd out of Heaven yet may be carnal in spiritual things his Services do not come from a renewed Principle nor is he carried upon the Wings of Delight in Duty A sanctified Soul worships God in the Spirit 1 Pet. 2.5 God doth not judge of our Duties by the length but by the love Fifth Sign A well-order'd Life 1 Pet. 1.15 Be ye holy in all manner of conversation Where the Heart is sanctified the Life will be so too the Temple had Gold without as well as within As in a Piece of Coyn there 's not only the King's Image within the Ring but his Superscription too without So where there is Sanctification there is not only God's Image in the Heart but a Superscription of Holiness written in the Life Some say they have good Hearts but their Lives are Vitious Prov. 30.12 There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes yet is not washed from their filthiness If the Water be foul in the Bucket it cannot be clean in the Well Psal. 45.13 The king's daughter is all glorious within There is Holiness of Heart her Garments are wrought of wrought Gold Holiness of Life Grace is most beautiful when its Light doth so shine that others may see it this adorns Religion and makes Proselites to the Faith Sixth Sign Stedfast Resolution he is resolved never to part with his Holines let others reproach it he loves it the more let Water be sprinkled on the Fire it burns the more He saith as David when Micol reproach'd him for Dancing before the Ark 2 Sam. 6.22 If this be to be vile I will yet be more vile Let others persecute him for his Holiness he saith as Paul Acts 20.24 None of these things move me He prefers Sanctity before Safety and had rather keep his Conscience pure than his Skin whole He saith as Iob My integrity I will hold fast and not let it go Cap. 27.6 He will rather part with his Life then his Conscience Use 1. See what is the main thing a Christian should look after viz. Sanctification this is the Unum necessarium Sanctification is our purest Complexion it makes us as the Heaven bespangled with Stars it is our Nobility by it we are born of God and partake of the Divine Nature it is our Riches therefore compar'd to rows of Jewels and Chains of Gold Cant. 1.10 It is our best Certificate for Heaven what Evidence have we else to show have we Knowledge so hath the Devil Do we profess Religion Satan oft appears in Samuel's Mantle and transforms himself into an Angel of Light But here is our Certificat to show for Heaven Sanctification Sanctification is the first Fruits of the Spirit the only Coyn will pass currant in the other World Sanctification is the Evidence of God's Love we cannot guess at God's Love by giving us
Job 15.14 God can do it Out of an unholy Heart he can produce Grace O! make David's Prayer Psal. 51.10 Create in me a clean heart O God Lay thy Heart before the Lord and say Lord my unsanctified Heart pollutes all it toucheth I am not fit to live with such an Heart for I cannot honour thee nor to die with such an Heart for I cannot see thee O create in me a clean heart Lord consecrate my heart and make it thy Temple and thy Praises shall be sung there for ever Use 3. of Thankfulness Hath God brought a clean thing out of an unclean hath he sanctified you wear this Jewel of Sanctification with thankfulness Col. 1.12 Giving thanks to the Father 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 who hath made us meet for the Inheritance c. Christian Thou could'st defile thy self but not sanctifie thy self But God hath done it he hath not only chain'd up sin but chang'd thy Nature and made thee as a King's Daughter all glorious within He hath put upon thee the Breast-place of Holiness which though it may be shot at can never be shot thorow Are there any here that are sanctified God hath done more for you then millions They may be illuminated but not sanctified He hath done more for you then if he had made you the Sons of Princes and caused you to ride upon the high places of the Earth Are you sanctified Heaven is begun in you Happiness is nothing but the quintissence of Holiness O how thankful should you be to God Do as that blind Man in the Gospel after he had received his sight He followed Christ glorifying God Luke 18.43 Make Heaven ring of God's Praises Of ASSVRANCE Quest. WHat are the Benefits flow from Sanctification Resp. Assurance of God's Love Peace of Conscience Ioy in the Holy Ghost Encrease of Grace and Perseverance therein to the end 1. Benefit flowing from Sanctification is assurance of God's Love 2 Pet. 1.10 Give Diligence to make your Calling and Election sure Sanctification is the Seed Assurance is the Flower which grows out of it Assurance is a consequent of Sanctification the Saints of old had it 1 Iohn 2.3 We know that we know him 2 Tim. 1.12 I know whom I have believed here was Sensus Fidei the reflex act of Faith and Gal. 2.20 Christ hath loved me Here was Faith flourishing into Assurance Aecolampadias when he was Sick pointed to his Heart Hic sat Lucis Here I have Light enough meaning Comfort and Assurance Quest. 1. Have all Sanctified Persons Assurance Resp. They have a right to it and I do incline to believe that all have it in some degree before their last expiring though their Comfort may be so strong and their Vital Spirits so weak that they cannot express what they feel But I dare not positively affirm that all have Assurance in the first moment of their Sanctification A Letter may be written when it is not Sealed so Grace may be written in the heart yet the Spirit may not set the Seal of Assurance to it God is a free Agent and may give or suspend Assurance pro libito as he please Where there is the Sanctifying work of the Spirit he may withhold the Sealing work partly to keep the Soul Humble partly to punish our careless walking We neglect our Spiritual watch grow remiss in duty and then walk under a Cloud We quench the Graces of the Spirit and God withholds the Comforts and partly to put a difference between Earth and Heaven This I the rather speak to bear up the Hearts of Gods People who are dejected because they have not Assurance You may have the Water of the Spirit poured on you in Sanctification though not the Oyl of Gladness in Assurance there may be Faith of Adherence and not of Evidence there may be Life in the Root when there is no Fruit in the Branches to be seen so Faith in the Heart when no Fruit of Assurance Quest 2. What is Assurance Resp. It is not Vocal any audible Voice or brought to us by the help of an Angel or Revelation Assurance consists of a Practical Sylogism where the Word of God makes the major Conscience the minor the Spirit of God the Conclusion The Word saith He that fears and loves God is loved of God there is the major Proposition then Conscience makes the minor but I fear and love God then the Spirit makes the Conclusion therefore thou art loved of God And this is that which the Apostle calls The Witnessing of the Spirit with our Spirits that we are his Children Rom. 8.16 Quest. 3. Whether hath a Sanctified Soul such an Assurance as excludes all doubting Resp. He hath that which bears up his Heart from sinking he hath such an Earnest of the Spirit that he would not part with for the Richest Prize but his Assurance though it be infallible it is not perfect There will be sometimes a Trepidation or Trembling he is safe yet not without fears and doubts as a Ship lies safe at Anchor yet may be a little shaken by the Wind. If a Christian had no Doubtings there should be no unbelief in him had he no Doubtings there would be no difference between Grace Militant and Triumphant Had not David his Ebbings sometimes as well as his Flowings like the Mariner who sometimes cries out Stellam Video I see a Star sometimes the Star is out of Sight Sometimes we hear David say Thy Loving Kindness is before mine Eyes Psal. 26.3 But at another time he was at a loss Psal. 89.49 Lord where are thy former Loving Kindnesses And there may fall out an Eclipse in a Christians Assurance to put him upon longing after Heaven Then there shall not be the least doubting then the Banner of Gods Love shall be always display'd upon the Soul then the light of God's Face shall be without Clouds and have no Sun-setting then the Saints shall have an uninterrupted Assurance and be ever with the Lord. Quest. 4. What are the differences between true Assurance and Presumption Resp. 1. They differ in the method or manner of working Divine Assurance flows from Humiliation for Sin I speak not of the measure of Humiliation but the Truth There are in Palermo Reeds growing in which there is a Sugred Juice A Soul humbled for Sin is the Bruised Reed in which grows this sweet Assurance God's Spirit is a Spirit of Bondage before it be a Spirit of Adoption but Presumption ariseth without any humbling work of the Spirit How camest thou by thy Venison so soon The Plow goes before the Seed be sown the Heart must be plowed up by Humiliation and Repentance before God sows the Seed of Assurance 2. He who hath a real Assurance will take heed of that which will weaken and darken his Assurance he is fearful of the Forbidden Fruit he knows though he cannot sin away his Soul yet he may sin away his Assurance But he who hath the Ignis Fatuus of
into his image 1 Iohn 3.2 We shall be like him If when Moses was with God on the Mount and had but some imperfect sight of his Glory Moses face shined Exod. 34.33 How shall the Saints glorified shine being always in God's Presence and having some beams of his Glory put upon them We shall be like him One that is deformed may look on Beauty and not be made Beautiful But the Saints that so see God as that sight shall transform them into his Likeness Psal. 17.15 When I awake I shall be satisfied with thy likeness Not that the Saints shall partake of God's Essence for as the Iron in the Fire is made Fiery yet remains Iron still so the Saints by beholding God's Majesty shall be made Glorious Creatures but yet Creatures still 4. Our seeing of God in Heaven will be unweariable Let a Man see the rarest Sight that is he will be soon cloyed when he comes into a Garden and sees delicious Walks fair Arbours Pleasant Flowers within a little while he grows weary But it is not so in Heaven there is no Surfeit Ibi nec Fames nec Fastidium Bern. The Saints will never be weary of their Prospect viz. of seeing God for God being infinite there shall be every Moment new and fresh Delights springing from God into the Souls of the Glorified II. The Second thing implied in our enjoying God is our Loving of God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it is a Saints grief that his Heart is like the Frozen Ocean that he can melt no more in Love to God but in Heaven the Saints shall be like Seraphims burning in Divine Love Love is a pleasing Affection Fear hath Torment in it 1 Iohn 4.18 Love hath Joy in it To love Beauty is delightful God's amazing Beauty will attract the Saints Love and it will be their Heaven to Love him III. The Third thing implyed in enjoying God is Gods Loving us Were there Glory in God yet if there were not Love it would much eclipse the Joys of Heaven but God is Love 1 Iohn 4.16 The Saints glorified cannot love so much as they are loved What is their Love to God's What is their Star to this Sun God doth love his People on Earth when they are black as well as comely they have their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Imperfections O how intirely will he Love them when they are without Spot or Wrinkle Eph. 5.27 1. This is the Felicity of Heaven to be in the sweet Embraces of God's Love To be the Hephsibah the delight of the King of Glory To be Sunning our selves in the Light of Gods Countenance Then the Saints shall know that Love of Christ which passeth Knowledge Eph. 3.19 From this glorious manifestation of God's Love will flow infinite Joy into the Souls of the Blessed Therefore Heaven is call'd entring into the joy of our Lord Mat. 25.21 The Seeing of God the Loving of God and being Beloved of God will cause a Jubilation of Spirit and create such Holy Raptures of Joy in the Saints as is unspeakable and full of Glory 1 Pet. 1.8 In Deo quadam dulcedine delectatur anima imo rapitur Aug. Now the Saints spend their Years with Sighing they weep over their Sins and Afflictions then their Water shall be turned into Wine then the Vessels of Mercy shall be fill'd and run over with Joy they shall have their Palm-Branches and Harps in their Hand Rev. 14.2 in token of their Triumphs and Rejoycing 2. The Second thing comprehended in Glory is the good Society there There are the Angels every Star adds to the Light Those Blessed Cherubims will welcome us into Paradise If the Angels rejoyced so at the Conversion of the Elect First How will they rejoyce at their Coronation Secondly There is the Company of the Saints Heb. 12.23 The Spirits of Iust Men made Perfect Quest. Whether shall the Saints in Glory know each other Resp. Certainly they shall for our Knowledge in Heaven shall not be diminished but increased We shall not only know our Friends and Godly Relations but those glorified Saints which we never saw before It must be so for Society without Acquaintance is not comfortable And of this Opinion were St. Austin Anselm Luther And indeed the Scripture seems to hint so much to us For if Peter in the Transfiguration knew Moses and Elias whom he never saw before Mat. 17.4 then surely in Heaven the Saints shall know one another and be infinitely delighted in each others Company 3. The Third thing comprehended in Glory is Perfection in Holiness Holiness is the Beauty of God and Angels it makes Heaven What is Happiness but the quintessence of Holiness Here a Christians Grace is imperfect he cannot write a Copy of Holiness without blotting He is said to receive but Primitas Spiritus the first Fruits of the Spirit Grace in Fieri Rom. 8.23 But at Death Believers shall arrive at Perfection of Grace Then this Sun shall be in its Meridian Splendour then they shall not need to pray for Encrease of Grace for they shall be as the Angels 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 their Light shall be clear as well as their Joy full 4. The Fourth thing in Glory is Dignity and Honour they shall reign as Kings Therefore the Saints glorified are said to have their insignia Regalia their Ensigns of Royalty their white Robes and their Crown 2 Tim. 4.7 Caesar after his Victories in token of Honour had a Chair of Ivory set for him in the Senate and a Throne in the Theatre the Saints having obtained their Victories over Sin and Satan shall be inthroned with Christ in the Empirean Heaven To sit with Christ denotes Safety to set on the Throne Dignity Rev. 3.21 This Honour have all the Saints 5. The Fifth thing in Glory is the Harmony and Union among the Heavenly Inhabitants The Devil cannot get his Cloven Foot into Heaven He cannot conjure up any Storms of Contention there there shall be perfect Union There Calvin and Luther are agreed there 's no jarring String in the Heavenly Musick there is nothing to make any difference no Pride or Envy there Though one Star may differ from another one may have a greater degree of Glory yet every Vessel shall be full There shall the Saints and Angels fit as Olive-Plants round about their Fathers Table in Love and Unity Then shall they joyn together in consort then shall the loud Anthems of Praise be sung in the Heavenly Quire 6. The Sixth thing in Glory is a blessed Rest Heb. 4.9 There remains a Rest Foelix transitus à labore ad requiem here we can have no rest tossed and turn'd as a Ball on Racket 2 Cor. 4.8 We are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 troubled on every side How can a Ship rest in a Storm But after Death the Saints get into their Haven Every thing is quiet in the Center God is centrum quietativum animae as the Schoolmen The Center where the Soul doth sweetly acquiesce
Body I will enter into thee again and be eternally married to thee Use 3. The Resurrection of the Body is a Cordial when a Christian lyes a dying Thy Body though it drop into the Sepulchre it shall revive and flourish as an Herb in the Resurrection The Grave is a Bed of dust where the Bodies of the Saints sleep but they shall be awakened by the Trump of the Arch-angel The Grave is your long home but not your last home Though Death strip you of your beauty yet at the Resurrection you shall have it restored again As David when he found Saul asleep took away his Spear and Cruse of Water but when he awoke he restored them again 1 Sam. 26.22 So though at death all our strength and beauty be taken away yet at the Resurrection God will restore all again in a more glorious manner Quest. 4. But how shall we know that our Bodies shall be raised to a glorious Resurrection Resp. If we have a part in the first Resurrection Rev. 20.6 Blessed is he that hath a part in the first Resurrection Quest. What is meant by this Answ. It is a rising by Repentance out of the Grave of Sin He who lies buried in sin can have little hope of a joyful Resurrection His Body shall be raised but not in Glory O then ask Conscience Have you a part in the first Resurrection Hath the Spirit entred into you and lifted you up Hath it raised you out of your Unbelief Hath it raised your Hearts above the Earth This is the first Resurrection and if your Souls are thus Spiritually raised then your Bodies shall be gloriously raised and shall shine as Stars in the Kingdom of Heaven Regeneration makes way for a glorious Resurrection Use Seeing you expect your Bodies should arise to Glory keep your Bodies unspotted from sin Shall a drunken Body rise to Glory Shall an unclean Body rise to Glory Shall a thievish Body steal into Heaven O keep your Bodies pure Keep your Eyes from unchast Glances your Hands from Bribes your Tongues from Slander Defile not your Bodies which you hope shall rise one day to Glory Your Bodies are the Members of Christ and hear what the Apostle saith 1 Cor. 6.15 Shall I take the members of Christ and make them the members of an Harlot God forbid O keep your Bodies unspotted let them be Instruments of Righteousness 1 Cor. 6.20 Glorifie God in your Body If your Bodies glorifie God God will glorifie your Bodies Quest. 5. But seeing our Bodies must be laid in the Grave and they may lye many years rotting there before the Resurrection What may support and comfort us in this case Resp. 1. That God will not leave his People in the Grave Our Friends bring us to the Grave and leave us there but God will not God will go to the Grave with us and watch over our dead Bodies and take care of our Ashes Rizpah watched over the dead Bodies of the Sons of Saul and guarded them against the ravenous Fouls of the Air 2 Sam. 21.10 Thus the Lord watcheth over the dead Bodies of the Saints and looks to it that none of their dust be missing Christian thou hast a God to watch over thy Body when thou art dead 2. The Bodies of the Saints in the Grave though separated from their Souls are united to Christ. The dust of a Believer is part of Christs Mystical Body 3. When the Bodies of the Saints are in the Sepulchre their Souls are in Paradise The Soul doth not sleep in the Body but returns to God that gave it Eccles. 12.7 The Soul immediately partakes of those Joys the blessed Angels do When the Body returns to dust the Soul returns to rest When the Body is sleeping the Soul is triumphing When the Body is buried the Soul is crowned As the Spies were sent before to taste of the Fruits of the Land Numb 13. so at Death the Soul is sent before into Heaven to taste of the Fruit of the Holy Land 4. When Gods time is come the Graves shall deliver up their Dead Rev. 20.13 When the Judge sends the Goaler must deliver up his Prisoners As God said to Iacob Gen. 46.4 I will go down with thee into Egypt and I will surely bring thee up again So the Lord will go down with us into the Grave and will surely bring us up again 5. Though the Bodies of the Saints shall rot and be loathsom in the Grave yet afterwards they shall be made Illustrious and Glorious Concerning this consider 1. The Bodies of the Saints when they arise shall be comely and beautiful The Body of a Saint in this Life may be deformed Those whose minds are adorned with Virtue yet may have mis-shapen Bodies as the finest Cloth may have the coarsest List But this deformed Body shall be aimable and beautiful This beauty consists in two things 1. Perfection of parts There shall be a full Proportion of all the Members In this Life there is oft a defect of Members The Eye is lost the Arm is cut off but in the Resurrection all parts of the Body shall be restored again Therefore the Resurrection is called the time of restoring of all things Acts 3.19 Malcha's Ear cut restituit 2. Clarity and Splendor The Bodies of the Saints shall have a graceful Majesty in them they shall be like Stephen whose Face shined as if it had been the Face of an Angel Acts 6.15 Nay they shall be made like Christs glorious Body Phil. 3.21 2. The Bodies of the Saints when they arise shall be free from the Necessities of Nature as Hunger and Thirst Rev. 7.16 They shall hunger no more Moses on the Mount was so fill'd with the Glory of God that he needed not the Recruits of Nature Much more in Heaven shall the Bodies of the Saints so fill'd with Gods Glory be upheld without Food 3. The Bodies of Saints when they arise shall be swift and nimble our Bodies on Earth are dull and heavy in their Motion then they shall be swift and made fit to ascend as the Body of Elias in the Air. Now the Body is a Clog in Heaven it shall be a Wing We shall be as the Angels Matt. 22.30 And how nimble are they The Angel Gabriel in a short time came from Heaven to the Earth Dan. 9.21 As the Helm turns the Ship instantly whether the Steersman will so the Body in an instant will move which way the Soul will 4. The Bodies of the Saints at the Resurrection shall be very firm and strong 1 Cor. 15.43 It is raised in power Through frequent Labour and Sickness the strongest Body begins to Languish But at the Resurrection we shall be of a strong Constitution Then there will be no Weariness in the Body nor Faintness in the Spirits This may comfort you who now conflict with many bodily Weaknesses This weak Body shall be raised in Power The Body which is now a weak Reed shall be like a Rock
our strength lay But in a true Gospel Sense we may so obey the Moral Law as to find Acceptance Which Gospel-Obedience consists in a Real Endeavour to observe the whole Moral Law Psal. 119.166 I have done thy Commandments Not I have done all I should do but I have done all I am able to do and wherein our Obedience comes short we look up to the perfect Righteousness and Obedience of Christ and hope for Pardon through his Blood This is Evangelically to obey the Moral Law which though it be not to Satisfaction yet it is to Acceptation Thus I have done with the first The Preface to the Preface God spake all these words I should now come to the second the Preface it self to the Commandments I am the Lord thy God c. Of the Commandments Exod. 20.2 I am the Lord thy God c. 2. THE Preface it self which consists of three parts 1. I am the Lord thy God 2. Which have brought thee out of the Land of Egypt 3. Out of the House of Bondage 1. I am the Lord thy God Where we have a Description of God 1. By his Essential Greatness I am the Lord 2. By his relative Goodness Thy God 1. By his essential greatness I am the Lord or as in the Hebrew Iehovah This name of God sets forth his Majesty Sanctius habitum fuit saith Buxtorf the name Iohavah was had in more Reverence among the Jews than any other name of God it signifies Gods Self-sufficiency Eternity Independency Immutability Mal. 3.6 Use 1. If God be Iehovah the Fountain of being who can do what he will let us fear this great Lord Deut. 28.58 That thou maist fear Hashem Hanicbad Jehovah this glorious and fearful name Jehovah Use 2. If God be Iehovah the supream Lord then it condemns the Blasphemous Papists who speak after this manner Our Lord God the Pope Is it a Wonder the Pope lifts his Tripple Crown above the Heads of Kings and Emperors when he Usurps Gods Title Shewing himself that he is God 2 Thess. 2.4 The Pope goes to make himself Lord of Heaven for he will Canonize Saints there Lord of Earth for with his Keys he doth bind and loose whom he pleaseth Lord of Hell for he can free Men out of Purgatory But God will pull down these Plumes of Pride He will consume this Man of sin with the breath of his mouth and the brightness of his coming 2 Thess. 2.8 Use 3. God is described by his relative goodness Eloeka Thy God Had God only called himself Iehovah it might have terrified us and made us fly from him but when he saith Thy God this may allure and draw us to him This though a Preface to Law is pure Gospel This word Eloeka Thy God is so sweet that we can never suck out all the Hony in it I am thy God not only by Creation but by Election This word Thy God though it was spoken to Israel yet it is a Charter belongs to all the Saints For the further Explication here are three Questions Quest. 1. How God comes to be our God Resp. Through Jesus Christ Christ is a middle Person in the Trinity He is Emanuel God with us He brings two differing Parties together He makes our Nature lovely to God and Gods Nature lovely to us He by his Death causeth Friendship yea Union He brings us within the Verge of the Covenant and so God becomes our God Quest. 2. What doth this imply God being our God Resp. It is comprehensive of all good things God is our strong Tower our Fountain of living Water our Salvation More particularly God being our God implies the sweetest Relation 1. The Relation of a Father 2 Cor. 6.18 I will be a Father unto you A Father is full of tender care for his Child Who doth he settle the Inheritance upon but his Child God being our God will be a Father to us a Father of Mercy 2 Cor. 1.3 the everlasting Father Psal. 9.7 If God be our God we have a Father in Heaven that never dies 2. It imports the Relation of an Husband Isa. 54.5 Thy Maker is thy Husband If God be our Husband he esteems us precious to him as the Apple of his Eye Zech. 2.8 He imparts his Secrets to us Psal. 25.14 He bestows a Kingdom upon us for our Dowry Luke 12.32 Quest. 3. How may we come to know this Covenant-Union That God is our God Resp. 1. By having his Graces planted in us Kings Children are known by their costly Jewels It is not having common Gifts which shews we belong to God many have the Gifts of God without God but it is Grace gives us a true genuine Title to God In particular Faith is Vinculum Unionis the Grace of Union By this we may spell out our Interest in God Faith doth not as the Mariner cast its Anchor downwards but upwards it trusts in the Mercy and Blood of God and trusting in God engageth him to be our God Other Graces make us like God Faith makes us one with him 2. We may know God is our God by having the Earnest of his Spirit in our Hearts 2 Cor. 1.22 God often gives the Purse to the Wicked but the Spirit only to such as he intends to make his Heirs 1. Have we had the Consecration of the Spirit If we have not had the Sealing work of the Spirit have we had the Healing work 1 Iohn 2.20 Ye have an Unction from the Holy One. The Spirit where it is stamps the Impress of its own Holiness upon the Heart It embroiders and bespangles the Soul and makes it all glorious within 2. Have we had the Attraction of the Spirit Cant. 1.4 Draw me we will run after thee Hath the Spirit by its magnetick Vertue drawn our Hearts to God Can we say as Cant. 1.7 O thou whom my Soul loveth Is God our Paradise of Delight Our Segullah or chief Treasure Are our Hearts so chained to God that no other Object can inchant us or draw us away from him 3. Have we had the Elevation of the Spirit Hath it raised our Hearts above the World Ezek. 3.14 The Spirit lifted me up Hath the Spirit made us superna anhelare seek the things above where Christ is Though our Flesh is on Earth is our Heart in Heaven Though live here trade above Hath the Spirit thus lifted us up By this we may come to know that God is our God Where God gives his Spirit for an Earnest there he gives himself for a Portion 3. We may know God is our God if he hath given us the Hearts of Children Have we obediential Hearts Psal. 27.8 Do we subscribe to Gods Commands when his Commands cross our Will A true Saint is like the Flower of the Sun it opens and shuts with the Sun He opens to God and shuts to Sin If we have the Hearts of Children then God is our Father 4. We may know God is ours and we have an Interest in
but not the Bloody Axe Numb 23.21 He hath not seen Iniquity in Jacob He will not see Sin in his People so as to destroy them He sees their Sins so as to pity them he sees them as a Physician sees a Disease in his Patient to heal him Isa. 57.18 I have seen his Iniquities and I will heal him Every failing doth not break the Marriage Bond asunder The Disciples had great Failings they all forsook Christ and fled but this did not break off their Interest in God Therefore saith Christ at his Ascension Tell my Disciples I go to my God and to their God 7. If God be once our God he is so for ever Psal. 48.14 This God is our God Gnolam Vagned for ever and ever Whatever worldly Comforts we have are but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for a Season Heb. 11.25 We must part with all as Paul's Friends did accompany him to the Ship and there left him Acts 20.28 So all our earthly Comforts will but go with us to the Grave and there leave us You cannot say you have Health and shall have it for ever You have a Child and shall have it for ever But if God be your God you shall have him for ever This God is our God for ever and ever If God be our God he will be a God to us as long as he is a God You have taken away my God saith Micah Iudges 18.24 But it cannot be said so to a Believer that his God is taken away he may lose all things else but cannot lose his God God is ours from everlasting in Election and to Everlasting in Glory 8. If God be our God we shall enjoy all our Godly Relations with him in Heaven The great Felicity on Earth is to enjoy Relations a Father sees his own Picture in his Child a Wife sees a piece of her self in her Husband We plant the Flower of Love among our Relations and the loss of them is like the pulling a Limb from the Body But if God be ours with enjoying God we shall enjoy all our pious Relations in Glory The gracious Child shall see his Godly Father the Virtuous Wiâ—e shall see her Religious Husband in Christs Arms and then there will be a dearer Love to Relations than ever was before though in a far different manner then Relations shall meet and never part and so shall we be ever with the Lord. Of the Commandments Exod. 20.1 I am the Lord thy God c. TO all such as can make out this Covenant-Union It exhorts to several things I. If God be our God let us improve our Interest in him cast all our Burdens upon him the Burden of our Fears Wants Sins Psal. 55.22 Cast thy Burden upon the Lord. Wicked Men who are a Burden to God have no right to cast their Burden upon him but such as have God for their God are called upon to cast their Burden on him Where should the Child ease all its cares but in the Bosom of its Parent Iudg. 19.20 Let all thy Wants lye upon me So God seems to say to his Children let all your Wants lye upon me Christian what doth trouble thee Thou hast a God to pardon thy Sins to supply thy Wants Therefore roul your Burden on the Lord 1 Pet. 5.7 Casting all your Care on him Whence are Christians so disquieted in their Minds they are taking care when they should be casting care II. If God be our God let us learn to be contented though we have the less of other things Contentment is a rare Jewel it is the Cure of Care If we have God to be our God well may we be contented I know whom I have believed 2 Tim. 1.12 There was Paul's Interest in God 2 Cor. 6.10 As having nothing yet possessing all There was his Content That such who have Covenant-Union with God may be fill'd with Contentation of Spirit consider what a rich Blessing God is to the Soul 1. God is Bonum Sufficiens a sufficient Good He who hath God hath enough If a Man be thirsty bring him to the Ocean and he is satisfied in God there is enough to fill the Heaven-born Soul He gives Grace and Glory Psal. 84 11. There is in God not only a sufficiency but a redundancy He is not only full as a Vessel but as a Spring Other things can no more fill the Soul than a Mariners Breath can fill the Sails of a Ship But in God is a Cornu-Copia an infinite fulness He hath enough to fill the Angels therefore enough to fill us The Heart is a Triangle which only the Trinity can fill 2. God is bonum Sanctificans a Sanctifying Good First He sanctifies all our Comforts and turns them into Blessings Health is blessed Estate is blessed he gives with the Venison a Blessing Psal. 132.15 I will abundantly bless her Provision He gives us that Life we have â—anquam arâ—abo as an Earnest of more He gives the little Meal in the Barrel as an Earnest of the Royal Feast in Paradise Secondly He sanctifies all our Crosses They shall not be destructive Pâ—â—ishments but Medicines they shall corrode and eat out the Venom of Sin they shall Polish and Refine our Grace The more the Diamond is cut it sparkles the more Gods stretching the Strings of his Viol is to make the Musick better 3. God is bonum seâ—ectum Choice Good all things sub sole are but baâ—â— sâ—abelli as Austin the Blessings of the Footstool but to have God himself to be ours is the Blessing of the Throne Abraham gave gifts to the Sons of the Coâ—â—ubines but he setled the 〈…〉 â—5 5 Abraham gave all that he had to Isaac God may send away the Men of the World with Gifts a little Gold and Silver but in giving us himself he gives us the very quintessence his Grace his Love his Kingdom Here is the Crowning Blessing 4. God is Bonum summum the chief Good In the chief Good there must be First Delectability it must have something that is delicious and sweet And where can we suck those pure quintessential Comforts which ravish us with Delight but in God In Deo quadam dulcedine delectatur anima imo rapitur At Gods Right Hand are Pleasures Psal. 16.11 Secondly In the chief Good there must be Transcendency it must have a surpassing Excellency Thus God is infinitely better than all other things 't is below the Deity to compare other things with it Who would go to weigh a Feather with a Mountain of Gold God is Fons Origo the Spring of all Entities and the Cause is more noble than the Effect It is God that bespangles the Creation that puts Light into the Sun that fills the Veins of the Earth with Silver other Creatures do but maintain Life God gives Life God infinitely out-shines all Sublunary Glory he is better than the Soul than Angels than Heaven Thirdly In the chief Good there must be not only Fulness but Variety where
Variety is wanting we are apt to nauseate to feed only on Hony would breed Loathing but in God is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all Variety of Fulness Col. 1.19 He is an Universal Good Commensurate to all our Wants He is Bonum in quo omnia Bona a Sun a Portion an Horn of Salvation He is called the God of all Comfort 2 Cor. 1.3 There is a Complication of all Beauties and Delights in him Health hath not the comfort of Beauty nor Beauty of Riches nor Riches of Wisdom but God is the God of all Comfort Fourthly In the chief Good there must be Eternity God is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He is a Treasure that can neither be drawn low nor drawn dry Though the Angels are still spending on him he can never be spent he abides for ever Eternity is a Flower of his Crown Now if God be our God here is enough to let in full Contentment into our Souls What though we want Torch-light if we have the Sun What if God deny us the Flower if he hath given us the Jewel How should this rock a Christians Heart quiet If we say God is our God and we are not content we have cause to question our Interest in him III. If we can clear up this Covenant-Union that God is our God let this chear and revive us in all Conditions To be content with God is not enough but to be chearful what greater Cordial can you have than Union with Deity When Jesus Christ was ready to Ascend he could not leave a richer consolation with his Disciples than this Tell them I go to my God and their God John 20.17 Who should rejoyce if not they who have an Infinite Alsufficient Eternal God to be their Portion who are as Rich as Heaven can make them What though I want Health I have God who is the Health of my Countenance and my God Psal. 42.11 What though I am low in the World if I have not the Earth I have him that made it The Philosopher comforted himself with this though he had no Musick or Vine-Trees yet 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 here are the Houshold Gods with me So though we have not the Vine or Fig-Tree yet we have God with us I cannot be Poor saith St. Bernard as long as God is Rich for his Riches are mine O Let the Saints rejoyce in this Covenant-Union To say God is ours is more than to say Heaven is ours Heaven would not be Heaven without God All the Stars cannot make Day without the Sun All the Angels those Morning Stars cannot make Heaven without Christ the Sun of Righteousness And as to have God for our God is matter of rejoycing in Life so especially it will be at our Death Let a Christian think thus I am going to my God A Child is glad when he is going home to his Father This was Christs comfort when he was leaving the World Iohn 20.17 I go to my God And this is a Believers Death-bed Cordial I am going to my God I shall change my Place but not my Kindred I go to my God and my Father IV. If God be our God then let us break forth into Doxology and Praise Psal. 118.28 Thou art my God and I will praise thee O infinite Astonishing Mercy that God should take Dust and Ashes into so near a Bond of Love as to be our God As Micah said Iudg. 18.24 What have I more So what hath God more What richer Jewel hath he to bestow upon us than himself What hath he more That God should put off most of the World with Riches and Honours and that he should pass over himself to us by a Deed of Gift to be our God and by virtue of this settle a Kingdom upon us O let us praise him with the best Instrument our Heart and let this Instrument be scrued up to the highest Peg Let us praise him with our whole Heart See how David riseth by degrees Psal. 32.11 Be glad in the Lord and rejoyce and shout for Ioy. Be glad there is Thankfulness rejoyce there is Chearfulness shout there is Triumph Praise is called Incense because it is so sweet a Sacrifice Let the Saints be Queristers in Gods Praises the deepest Springs yield the sweetest Water The more deeply sensible we are of Gods Covenant-Love to us the sweeter Praises we should yield We should begin here to eternize Gods Name and do that Work on Earth which we shall be always doing in Heaven Psal. 146.2 While I live will I praise the Lord. 5. Let us carry our selves as those who have God to be our God that is when we walk so that others may see there is something of God in us Live Holily What have we to do with Sin Is it not this that if it doth not break yet will weaken the Interest Hos. 14.8 What have I to do any more with Idols So should a Christian say God is my God what have I to do any more with Sin with Lust Pride Malice Bid me commit Sin as well bid me Drink Poison Shall I forfeit my Interest in God Let me rather Dye than willingly offend him who is the Crown of my Joy the God of my Salvation Of the Ten Commandments Exod. 20.2 The Land of Egypt c. THE Second part of Preface Who have brought thee out of the Land of Egypt out of the House of Bondage Egypt and the House of Bondage are the same only they are represented to us under a different Expression or Notion I begin with the First Expression Who have brought thee out of the Land of Egypt Quest. Why doth the Lord mention this Deliverance of Israel out of the Land of Egypt Resp. 1. Because of the strangeness of the Deliverance God delivered his People Israel by strange Signs and Wonders by sending Plague after Plague upon Pharaoh blasting the Fruits of the Earth killing all the First-born in Egypt Exod. 12.29 And when Israel march'd out of Egypt God made the Waters of the Sea to part and become a Wall to his People while they went on Dry Ground and as he made the Sea a Cawsey to Israel so a Grave to Pharaoh and his Chariots Well might the Lord mention his bringing them out of the Land of Egypt because of the strangeness of the Deliverance God wrought Miracle upon Miracle for their Deliverance 2. God mentions Israel's Deliverance out of Egypt because of the greatness of the Deliverance God delivered Israel from the Pollutions of Egypt Egypt was a bad Air to live in it was infected with Idolatry The Egyptians were gross Idolaters they were guilty of that which the Apostle speaks of Rom. 1.23 They changed the Glory of the uncorruptible God into an Image made like to Corruptible Man and to Birds and Four-Footed Beasts and Creeping Things The Egyptians Worshipped instead of the true God First A Corruptible Man they Deified their King Apis forbidding all under pain of Death to say that he was a Man
any Snare If Satan be at the Sinners right hand let the Sinner take heed he be not set on Gods left hand Is not this a case to be bewailed to see Men taken Captive by Satan at his will 2 Tim. 2.26 He leads Sinners as Slaves before him in Triumph He possesseth them If People should see but their Beasts bewitched and possessed of the Devil they would be much troubled Yet their Souls are possessed by Satan but they are not sensible What can be worse than to be in the House of Bondage to have the Devil hurry Men on in their Lusts to Perdition Sinners are willingly inslav'd to Satan they love their Goaler are content to sit quietly under Satans Jurisdiction they choose this Bramble to rule them though within a while Fire will come out of this Bramble to devour them Iudges 9. Now what an infinite Mercy of God is it when he brings poor Souls out of this House of Bondage when he gives them a Goal delivery from the Prince of Darkness Iesus Christ Redeems Captives He Ransoms Sinners by Price and Rescues them by Force As David took a Lamb out of the Lyons Mouth 1 Sam. 17.34 So Christ rescues Souls out of the Mouth of this Roaring Lyon O what a Mercy is it to be brought out of the House of Bondage to be taken from being made Captives to the Prince of the Air and to be made Subjects of the Prince of Peace And this is done by the preaching of the Word Acts 26.18 To turn them from the power of Satan unto God III. The bringing of Israel out of the House of Bondage was a Type of their being delivered from Hell Hell is Domus Servitutis An House of Bondage an House built on purpose for Sinners to lye in 1. That there is such an House of Bondage where the Damned lye Psal. 9.17 The wicked shall be turned into Hell Matt. 23.33 How can ye escape the damnation of Hell If any one shall ask where this House of Bondage is where is the place of Hell I wish you may never know feelingly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrys. Let us not so much saith Chrysostom labour to know where Hell is as how to escape it Yet to satisfie Curiosity Hell is Locus subterraneus Some place beneath Prov. 5.24 Hell beneath Hesiod saith Hell is as far under the Earth as Heaven is above it Luke 8.31 The Devils besought Christ That he would not command them to go into the deep Hell is in the Deep 2. Q. Why there must be this House of Bondage why an Hell Resp. Because there must be a place for the Execution of Divine Justice Earthly Monarchs have their Prison for Malefactors and shall not God have his Sinners are Criminal Persons they have offended God and it would not consist with Gods Holiness and Justice to have his Laws infring'd and not appoint Penalties for the Transgressors 3. The Dreadfulness of this place Could you but for one hour hear the Groans and Shreaks of the Damned it would confirm you in this Truth that Hell is an House of Bondage Hell is the Emphasis of Misery Besides the Poena damni the Punishment of Loss which is the Exclusion of the Soul from the glorified sight of God which Divines think the worst part of Hell I say besides this there will be Poena Sensus the Punishment of Sense If when Gods Wrath is kindled but a little and a spark of it flies into a Mans Conscience in this Life it is so terrible as in the case of Spira then what will Hell it self be That I may describe this House of Bondage 1. In Hell there will be a Plurality of Torments 1. Bonds and Chains 2 Pet. 2.4 2. The Worm Mark 9.44 This is the Worm of Conscience and the Lake of Fire Rev. 20.15 other Fire is but painted to this 2. This House of Hell is haunted with Devils Matt. 25.41 Anselm hath a saying I had rather endure all Torments than see the Devil with bodily Eyes Such as go to Hell must not only be forced to behold the Devil but must be shut up in the Den with this Lyon They must keep the Devil company The Devil is full of spight against Mankind This red Dragon will spet Fire in Mens Faces 3. The Torment of Hell abides for ever Rev. 14.11 The smoak of their Torment ascendeth up for ever and ever Mark 9.44 Time cannot finish it Tears cannot quench it The Wicked are Salamanders who live always in the Fire of Hell and are not consum'd After Sinners have lain Millions of Years in Hell their Punishment is as far from ending as it was at the beginning If all the Earth and Sea were Sand and every thousand Year a Bird should come and take away one grain of this Sand it would be a long time e'er that vast heap of Sand were emptied Yet if after all that time the Damned might come out of Hell there were some hope but this word EVER breaks the Heart Quest. But how doth this seem to stand with Gods Iustice for a Sin committed in a moment to punish it with eternal Torment Resp. 1. Because there is an Eternity of Sin in Mans Nature 2. Because Sin is Crimen laesae Majestatis it is committed against an infinite Majesty therefore the Sin is Infinite and proportionably the Punishment must be Infinite Now because a finite Creature cannot bear infinite Wrath therefore he must be eternally satisfying what he cannot satisfie at once Now then if Hell be such an House of Bondage what infinite cause have they to bless God who are delivered from it 1 Thess. 1.10 Iesus delivered us from the Wrath to come Jesus Christ suffered the Torments of Hell in his Soul that Believers should not suffer them If we are thankful when we are ransomed out of Prison or delivered from Fire Oh how should we bless God to be preserved from Wrath to come And that which may cause the more Thankfulness is because the most go into this House of Bondage the most go to Hell Therefore to be of the number of those few that are delivered from it is matter of infinite Thankfulness I say most go to this House of Bondage when they dye most go to Hell Matt. 7.13 Broad is the way which leadeth to destruction and many there be that go in thereat The greatest part of the World lies in Wickedness 1 Iohn 5.19 Divide the World saith Brerewood into 31 parts nineteen parts of it are possessed by Jews and Turks seven parts by Heathens so that there are but five parts of Christians and among these Christians so many seduced Papists on one hand and so many formal Protestants on the other that we may conclude the major part of the World goes to Hell 1. The Scripture compares the Wicked to Briars Isa. 10.17 There are but few Lillies in your Fields but in every Hedge Thorns and Briars 2. To the mire in the streets Isa. 10.6 Few Jewels or precious
make God to be our God he will make himself to be our Judge And if he Condemns there is no appealing to a Higher Court. So that there is a Necessity of having God for our God unless we intend to be eternally espoused to Misery Use 1. If we must have one God and the Lord Iehovah for our God it condemns the Atheist who hath no God Psal. 14.1 The Fool hath said in his Heart there is no God There is no God he believes in or worships Such Atheists were Diagoras and Theodorus When Seneca did reprove Nero for his Impieties Saith Nero Dost thou think I believe there is any God when I do such things The Duke of Silecia was so infatuated that he affirmed Neque inferos neque superos esse That there was neither God nor Devil We may see God in the works of his Fingers The Creation is a great Volume in which we may read a God-head and he must needs put out his own Eyes that denies a God Aristotle though an Heathen did not only acknowledge God when he cried out Thou Being of Beings have Mercy on me But he thought he that did not confess a Deity was not worthy to live They who will not believe a God shall feel him Heb. 10.31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God Use 2. It condemns Christians who profess to own God for their God yet they do not live as if he were their God 1. They do not believe in him as a God When they look upon their Sins they are apt to say Can God Pardon When they look upon their Wants Can God provide Can he prepare a Table in the Wilderness 2. They do not love him as a God They do not give him the Cream of their Love but are apt to love other things more than God They say they love God but will part with nothing for him 3. They do not worship him as a God They do not give him that Reverence nor pray with that Devotion as if they were praying to a God How dead are their Hearts If not dead in Sin yet dead in Duty 'T is as if praying to a God that hath Eyes and sees not Ears and hears not In hearing the Word how much Distraction what regardless Hearts have many they are thinking of their Shop and Drugs Would a King take it well at our hands if when he is speaking to us we should be playing with a Feather When God is speaking to us in his Word and our Hearts are taken up with Thoughts about the World is not this playing with a Feather O how may this humble most of us we do not make God to be a God to us We do not believe in him love him worship him as a God Many Heathens have worshipped their False â—ods with more Seriousness and Devotion than some Christians do the true God O let us chide our selves Did I say Chide let us Abhor our selves for our Deadness and Formality in Religion how we have professed God yet we have not worshipped him as a God So much for the first We must have God for our God I should come to the Second We must have no other God Of the Commandments Exod. 20.3 Thou shalt have no other Gods before me 2. THat we must have no other God Thou shalt have no other God before me Quest. What is meant by this word Before me Resp. That is before my Face In conspectu mâ—o in my sight Deut. 27.15 Cursed be he that makes a Graven Image and puts it in a secret place Some would not bow to the Idol that others might see but they would secretly bow to it But though this was out of Mans sight it was not out of Gods sight Cursed therefore saith God be he who puts the Image in a secret place Thou shalt have no other Gods 1. There is really no other God 2. We must have no other 1. There is really no other God The Valentinians held there were two Gods the Polythites that there were many The Persians worshipped the Sun the Egyptians the Ox and Elephant the Grecians Iupiter But there is no other than the True God Deut. 4.39 Know therefore this day and consider it in thy heart that the Lord is God in Heaven above and upon the Earth beneath there is no other For there is but one first Cause that hath its Being of it self and on which all other Beings depend As in the Heavens the primum mobile moves all the other Orbs. So God is the Great Mover he gives Life and Motion to every thing existent 2. There is but one Omnipotent Power If there be two Omnipotents then we must always suppose a Contest between these two that which one would do the other Power being equal would oppose and so all things would be brought into a Confusion If a Ship should have two Pilots of equal Power one would be ever Crossing the other when one would Sail the other would cast Anchor Here were a Confusion and the Ship must needs perish The Order and Harmony in the World the constant and uniform Government of all things is a clear Argument that there is but one Omnipotent one God that rules all Isa. 44 6. I am the first and I am the last and besides me there is no God 2. We must have no other God Thou shalt have no other Gods before me This Commandment forbids 1. Serving a False God and not the True Ier. 2.27 Saying to a stock Thou art my Father and to a stone Thou hast brought me forth Or 2. Joyning a False God with a True 2 Kings 17.33 They feared the Lord and served their own Gods Both these are forbidden in the Commandment we must adhere to the true God and no other God is a jealous God and he will endure no corrival A Wife cannot lawfully have two Husbands at once nor may we have two Gods Exod. 34.14 Thou shalt worship no other God for the Lord is a jealous God Psal. 16.4 Their Sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another God The Lord interprets it a forsaking of him to espouse any other God Iudges 2.12 They forsook the Lord and followed other Gods God would not have his People so much as make mention of Idol Gods Exod. 23.13 Make no mention of the Names of other Gods neither let it be heard out of thy mouth God looks upon it as a breaking of the Marriage Covenant to go after other Gods Therefore when Israel committed Idolatry with the golden Calf God disclaims his Interest in them Exod. 32.7 Thy People have corrupted themselves Before God called Israel his People but when they went after other Gods Now saith the Lord to Moses they are no more my People but thy People Hosea 2.2 Plead with her Mother Plead for she is not my Wife she doth not keep Faith with me she hath stain'd her self with Idols therefore I will divorce her she is not my Wife To
makes Duty to be better To obey willingly shews we do it with love And this Crowns all our Services 2. There is that in the Law-giver as may make us willing to obey the Commandments viz. Gods Indulgence to us 1. God doth not require the Summum jus as absolutely necessary to Salvation He expects not perfect Obedience only requires Sincerity Do but act from a Principle of Love and aim at Honouring God in your Obedience and it is accepted 2. In the times of the Gospel a Surety is admitted The Law would not favour us so far but now God doth so indulge us that what we cannot do of our selves we may do by Proxy Iesus Christ is a Surety of a better Testament Heb. 7.22 We fall short in every thing but God looks upon us in our Surety and Christ having fulfilled all Righteousness it is as if we had fulfilled the Law in our own Persons 3. God gives strength to do what he requires The Law called for Obedience but though it required Brick it gave no Straw But in the Gospel God with his Commands gives power Ezek. 18.31 Make ye a new Heart Alas it is above our strength we may as well make a new World Ezek. 36.26 I will give you a new Heart God commands us to cleanse our selves Isa. 1.16 Wash ye make you clean But who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean Job 14.4 Therefore the Precep◠is turn'd into a Promise Ezek. 36.25 From all your filthiness will I cleanse you When the Child cannot go the Nurse takes it by the Hand Hos. 11.3 I taught Ephraim also to go taking them by their arms 3. There is that in Gods Commandments which may make us willing they are not burdensome 1. For first a Christian so far as he is regenerate consents to Gods Commands Rom. 7.16 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I consent to the Law that it is good What is done with consent is no burden If a Virgin gives her consent the Match goes on chearfully If a Subject consent to his Princes Laws as seeing the Equity and Rationality in them then they are not irksome A regenerate Person in his Judgment approves and in his Will consents to Gods Commandments therefore they are not burdensome 2. Gods Commandments are sweetned with Joy and Peace Cicero questions whether that can properly be called a Burden which one carries with Delight and Pleasure Utrum onus appellatur quod laetitia fertur If a Man carries a Bag of Mony given him it is heavy but the Delight takes off the Burden When God gives inward Joy that makes the Commandment delightful Isa. 56.7 I will make them joyful in my House of Prayer Joy is like Oyl to the Wheels which makes a Christian run in the way of Gods Commandments so that it is not burdensome 3. Gods Commandments are Advantagious 1. The Commandments are preventive of Evil a Curb-bit to check us from Sin What Mischiefs should not we run into if we had not Affliction to humble us and the Commandment to restrain us Gods Commandments are to keep us within Bounds The Yoke keeps the Beast from stragling We are to be thankful to God for Precepts had not he set his Commandments as an Hedge or Bar in our way we might have run to Hell and never stop'd 2. There is nothing in the Commandment but what is for our good Deut. 10.13 To keep the Commandments of the Lord and his Statues which I command thee for thy good 1. God commands us to read his word and what hurt is in this God bespangles the Word with Promises As if a Father should bid his Son read his Last Will and Testament wherein he makes over a fair Estate to him God bids us Pray And he tells us If we ask it shall be given Matt. 7.7 Ask power against Sin ask Salvation and it shall be given If you had a Friend should say Come when you will to me I will supply you with Mony Would you think it a trouble to visit that Friend often God commands us to fear him Lev. 25.43 But fear thy God And there is Hony in the mouth of this Command Luke 1.50 His mercy is upon them that fear him God commands us to believe and why so Believe and ye shall be saved Acts 16.31 Salvation is the Crown set upon the Head of Faith Good reason then we obey Gods Commands willingly they are for our good they are not so much our Duty as our Privilege 3. Gods Commandments are Ornamental Omnia quae praestari jubet Deus non onerant nos sed ornant Salvian Gods Commandments do not burden us but adorn us It is an Honour to be imployed in a Kings Service And so to be imployed in Gods by whom Kings reign To walk in Gods Commandments proclaims us to be wise Deut. 4.5 6. Behold I have taught you Statutes Keep therefore and do them for this is your wisdom And to be wise is an Honour I may say of every Commandment of God as Prov. 4.9 It shall give to thy head an ornament of Grace 4. The Commands of God are infinitely better than the Commands of Sin these are intolerable Let a Man be under the command of any Lust how doth he tire himself what Hazards doth he run to the endangering his Health and Soul that he may satisfie his Lust Ier. 9.5 They weary themselves to commit Iniquity And are not Gods Commandments more equal facile pleasant than the Commands of Sin Chrysostom saith true 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 To act Virtue is easier than to act Vice Temperance is less troublesom than Drunkenness Meekness is less troublesom than Passion and Envy There is more difficulty in the Contrivement and Pursuit of a wicked Design than in Obeying the Commandments of God Hence a Sinner is said to travel with Iniquity Psal. 7.14 A Woman while she is in Travel is in pain to shew what pain and trouble a Wicked Man hath in bringing forth Sin Many have gone with more pains to Hell than others have to Heaven This may make us obey the Commandments willingly 5. Willingness in Obedience makes us resemble the Angels The Cherubims Types representing the Angels are described with Wings display'd to shew how ready the Angels are to serve God God no sooner speaks the Word but they are ambitious to obey How are they ravished with Joy while they are praising God! In Heaven we shall be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as the Angels by our willingness to obey Gods Commandments we shall be like them here This is that we pray for that Gods Will may be done by us on Earth as it is in Heaven Is it not done willingly there We must keep Gods Commandments constantly Psalm 106.3 Blessed is he who doth Righteousness at all times Our Obedience to the Command must be as the Fire of the Altar which never went out Lev. 13.6 It must be as the motion of the Pulse always beating The Wind blows off the Fruit
Grave and the Holy Ghosts descending upon the Earth This Day is perfum'd with the sweet Odour of Prayer which goes up to Heaven as Incense This Day the Manna falls that Angels Food this is the Soul's Festival Day on this Day all the Graces act their Part The other Days of the Week are most employed about Earth this Day about Heaven Then you gather Straw now Pearl Now Christ takes the Soul up into the Mount and gives it transfiguring Sights of Glory Now Christ leads his Spouse into the Wine-Cellar and displays the Banner of his Love now he gives her his Spiced Wine and the Iuice of the Pomegranate Cant. 8.2 The Lord doth usually reveal himself more to the Soul on this Day The Apostle Iohn was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day Revel 1.10 He was carried up in Divine Raptures towards Heaven This Day a Christian is in the Altitudes he walks with God and takes as it were a turn with him in Heaven 1 Ioh. 1.3 On this Day holy Affections are quickened The Stock of Grace is improved Corruptions are weakened On this Day Satan falls like Lightning before the Majesty of the Word Christ wrought most of his Miracles upon the Sabbath So he doth now The dead Soul is raised the Heart of Stone is made Flesh. How should this Day be highly esteemed and had in Reverence This Day is more precious than Rubies God hath anoynted this Day with the Oyl of Gladness above its Fellows On the Sabbath we are doing Angels Work our Tongues are tuned to God's Praises This Sabbath on Earth is a Shadow and Type of that Glorious Rest and Eternal Sabbath we hope for in Heaven when God shall be the Temple and the Lamb shall be the Light of it Rev. 21.22 23. EXOD. XX. 9 10. Six Days shalt thou labour and do all thy Work but the Seventh Day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God in it thou shalt do no manner of Work c. Six Days shalt thou labour God would not have any live out of a Calling Religion seals no Warrant for Idleness 'T is as well a Duty to labour Six Days as to keep Holy Rest on the Seventh Day Six Days shalt thou labour 2 Thess. 3.11 We hear there are some among you walking Disorderly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 working not at all Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Iesus that with Quietness they work and eat their own Bread A Christian must not only mind Heaven but his Calling While the Pilot hath his Eye to the Star he hath his Hand to the Stern Without labour the Pillars of a Common-wealth will dissolve and the Earth will be like the Sluggards Field over-run with Briars Prov. 24.31 Adam in Innocency tho he was the Monarch of the World yet God would not have him idle but he must dress and till the Ground Gen. 2.15 Piety doth not exclude Industry Six Days shalt thou labour Standing Water putrifies The Inanimate Creatures are in Motion The Sun goes its Circuit the Fountain runs the Fire sparkles And Animate Creatures Solomon sends us to the Ant and Pismire to learn Labour Prov. 6.6 Chap. 30.35 The Bee is the Emblem of Industry some of the Bees trim the Honey others work the Wax others frame the Comb others lie Sentinel at the Door of the Hive to keep out the Drone And shall not Man much more inure himself to labour That Law in Paradise was never yet repealed In the Sweat of thy Brows shalt thou eat Bread Gen. 3.19 Such Professors are to to be disliked who talk of living by Faith but live out of a Calling They are like the Lillies which toil not neither do they spin Mat. 6.28 'T is a Speech of Holy and Learned Mr. Perkins Let a Man be endued with excellent Gifts and hear the Word with Reverence and receive the Sacrament yet if he practise not the Duties of his Calling all is but Hypocrisie What is an idle Person good for What benefit is there of a Ship that lies always on the shore Or of Armour that hangs up and rusts To live out of a Calling exposeth a Person to Temptation Melancton calls Idleness Balneum Diaboli the Devil's Bath because he bathes himself with delight in an idle Soul We do not use to sow Seed in ground when it lies fallow but Satan sows most of his Seed of Temptation in such Persons as lie fallow and are out of a Calling Idleness is the Nurse of Vice Seneca an Heathen could say Nullus mihi per Otium Dies exit No Day passeth me without some labour An idle Person stands for a Cypher in the World and God writes down no Cyphers in the Book of Life We read in Scripture of eating the Bread of Idleness Prov. 31.27 and drinking the Wine of Violence Prov. 4.17 It is as well a sin to eat the Bread of Idleness as to drink the Wine of Violence An idle Person can give no account of his Time Time is a Talent to trade with both in our Particular and General Calling The slothful Person hides his Talent in the Earth he doth no good his Time is not lived but lost An idle Person lives unprofitably he cumbers the ground God calls the slothful Servant wicked Mat. 25.26 Thou wicked and slothful Servant Draco whose Laws were written in Blood deprived them of their Life who would not work for their Living In Hetruria they caused such Persons to be banished Idle Persons live in the Breach of this Commandment Six Days shalt thou labour Let them take heed they be not banished Heaven A Man may as well go to Hell for not working in his Calling as for not Believing So I pass to the next But The Seventh Day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God in it thou shalt do no manner of work Having spoken already of the Reasons of sanctifying the Sabbath I come now to that Question Quest. In what manner we are to sanctifie the Sabbath Resp. 1. Negatively we must do no Work in it that is expressed in the Commandment In it thou shalt do no manner of Work God hath enclosed this Day for himself therefore we are not to lay it common by doing any Civil Work As Abraham when he went to sacrifice left his Servant and the Ass at the bottom of the Hill Gen. 22.5 So when we are to Worship God this Day we must leave all worldly business behind leave the Ass at the Bottom of the Hill And as Ioseph when he would speak with his Brethren thrust out the Egyptians so when we would converse with God this Day we must thrust out all earthly Employments The Lord's Day is a Day of Holy Rest all secular Works must be forborn and suspended it is a prophaning the Day Nâ—hem 13.15 In these days saw I in Iudah some treading Wine-presses on the Sabbath and bringing in Sheaves as also Wine-Grapes and Figs and all manner of Burdens which they brought into Ierusalem on
will make thee keep it joyfully I will give thee those Enlargements in Duty and that inward Comfort as shall abundantly satisfie thee thy Soul shall overflow with such a stream of Joy that thou shalt say Lord in keeping thy Sabbath there is great Reward And I will cause thee to ride upon the High Places of the Earth That is I will advance thee to Honour ascendere faciam so Munster interprets it Some by the High Places of the Earth understand Iudaea So Grotius I will bring thee into the Land of Iudaea which is higher situated than the other Countries adjacent And I will feed thee with the Heritage of Iacob That is I will feed thee with all the delicious things of Canaan and afterwards I 'll translate thee to Heaven whereof Canaan was but a Type And another Promise Isa. 56.2 Blessed is the Man that doth this that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it Blessed is the Man in the Hebrew it is in the Plural Ashre Blessedness To him that keeps the Sabbath holy here is Blessedness upon Blessedness belongs to him he shall be blessed with the Vpper and Nether Springs he shall be blessed in his Name Estate Soul Progeny Who would not keep the Sabbath from polluting it that shall have so many Blessings entail'd upon him and his Posterity after him 2. A Conscientious keeping the Sabbath seasons the Heart for God's Service all the Week after Christian the more holy thou art on a Sabbath the more holy thou wilt be on the Week following EXOD. XX. 12 Honour thy Father and thy Mother that thy Days may be long upon the Land which the Lord thy God giveth thee Having done with the First Table I am next to speak of the Duties of the Second Table The Commandments may be likened to Iacob's Ladder The First Table as the Top of the Ladder reacheth to Heaven it respects God The Second Table as the Foot of the Ladder rests on the Earth it respects Superiors and Inferiors By the First Table we walk Religiously towards God by the Second we walk Righteously towards Man He cannot be good in the First Table that is bad in the Second Honour thy Father and thy Mother In this 1. A Command Honour thy Father and thy Mother 2. A Reason annexed to it That thy Days may be long in the Land 1. The Command Honour thy Father Quest. Who is meant here by Father Ans. Father Verbum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is taken several ways the Political Ancient Spiritual Oeconomical Natural First The Political Father the Magistrate He is the Father of his Countrey he is to be an Encourager of Vertue a Punisher of Vice a Father to the Widdow and Orphan Such a Father was Iob Chap. 29.16 I was a Father to the Poor and the Cause which I knew not I searched out And as Magistrates are Fathers so especially the King who is the Head of Magistrates is a Political Father He is placed as the Sun among the lesser Stars The Scripture calls Kings Fathers Isa. 49.23 Kings shall be thy Nursing Fathers They are to nurse up their Subjects in Piety by their good Edicts and Examples and to nurse them up in Peace and Plenty Such nourishing Fathers were David Hezekiah Iosiah Constantine Theodosius It is happy for a People who have such nursing Fathers whose Breasts milk Comfort to their Children These Fathers are to be Honour'd For 1. Their Place deserves Honour God hath set these Political Fathers to preserve Order and Harmony in a Nation and to prevent those State-Convulsions which otherwise might ensue Iudg. 17.6 When there was no King in Israel every man did that which was right in his own Eyes A Wonder Prov. 30.27 2. God hath promoted Kings that they may promote Iustice. As they have a Sword in their Hand to signifie their Power so a Scepter an Emblem of Justice It is said of Marcus Aurelius Emperor That he allotted one Hour of the Day to hear the Complaints of such as were oppressed Kings place Judges as Cherubims about the Throne for distribution of Justice These Political Fathers are to be honoured Honour the King 1 Pet. 2.17 And this Honour is to be shown by a Civil Respect to their Persons and a chearful Submission to their Laws so far as they agree and run parallel with God's Law Kings are to be Pray'd for which is a part of that Honour we give them 1 Tim. 2.1 I exhort that Supplications Prayers Intercessions be made for Kings that we may lead a quiet peaceable Life under them in all Godliness and Honesty We are to pray for Kings that God would honour them to be Blessings that under them we may enjoy the Gospel of Peace and the Peace of the Gospel How happy was the Reign of Numa Pompilius when the Swords were beaten into Plough-shares and the Bees made their Hives of the Soldiers Helmets Secondly There is the grave ancient Father who is Venerable for old Age whose Grey Hairs are resembled to the White Flowers of the Almond-tree Eccles. 12.5 These are Fathers for Seniority on whose wrinkled Brows and in the Furrows of whose Cheeks is pictur'd the Map of Old Age. These Fathers are to be honoured Levit. 19.32 Thou shalt rise up before the hoary Head and honour the Face of the Old Man Especially those are to honoured who are Fathers not only for their Seniority but their Piety whose Souls are flourishing when their Bodies are a decaying 'T is a blessed sight to see the Spring of Grace in the Autumn of Old Age To see Men stooping towards the Grave yet going up the Hill of God To see them lose their Colour yet keep their Savour Such whose silver Hairs are crowned with Righteousness are worthy of double Honour They are to be honoured not only as Pieces of Antiquity but as Patterns of Vertue If you see an Old Man fearing God whose Grace shines brightest when the Sun of his Life is setting O honour him as a Father by reverencing and imitating him Thirdly There are Spiritual Fathers as Pastors and Ministers These are the Instruments of the New-Birth 1 Cor. 4.15 Tho you have Ten Thousand Instructors yet have ye not many Fathers for in Christ Iesus I have begotten you through the Gospel The Spiritual Fathers are to be honoured 1. In respect of their Office What-ever their Persons are their Office is honourable They are the Messengers of the Lord of Hosts Mal. 2.7 They represent no less than God himself 2 Cor. 5.20 Now then we are Ambassadors for Christ. Jesus Christ was of this Calling he had his Mission and Sanction from Heaven Ioh. 8.18 And this Crowns the Ministerial Calling with Honour 2. Ministers these Spiritual Fathers are to be honoured for their Work sake they come like the Dove with an Olive-branch in their Mouth they preach glad Tidings of Peace Their Work is to save Souls Other Callings have only to do with Mens Bodies or Estates but the Ministers
Wife for himself Thirdly Faithfulness in a Servant is seen in standing up for the Honour of his Master When he hears him spoken against he must vindicate him As the Master is careful of the Servant's Body so the Servant should be careful of the Master's Name When the Master is unjustly reproached the Servant cannot be excused if he be possessed with a dumb Devil Fourthly Faithfulness is when a Servant is true to his Word He dares not tell a Lie but will speak the Truth tho it be against himself A Lie doubles the sin Psal. 101.7 He that telleth Lies shall not tarry in my sight A Liar is of near a-kin to the Devil Ioh. 8.44 And who would let any of the Devil's Kindred live with him The Lie that Gehazi told his Master Elisha entailed a Leprosie on Gehazi and his Seed for ever 2 Kings 5.22 A Faithful Servant his Tongue is the true Index of his Heart Fifthly Faithfulness is when a Servant is against Impropriation He dares not convert his Masters Goods to his own Use. Tit. 2.10 Not purloyning Ne aliquid haereat in digitis What a Servant filcheth from his Master is damnable Gain The Servant who enricheth himself by stealing from his Master stuffs his Pillow with Thorns and his Head will lie very uneasie when he comes to die Sixthly Faithfulness is in preserving the Masters Person if unjustly in Danger Banister who betrayed his Master the Duke of Buckingham in King Richard the Third's Reign it is remarkable how the Judgments of God befell that Traiterous Servant His eldest Son ran mad his Daughter of a singular Beauty was suddenly struck with Leprosie his younger Son was drowned and he himself arraigned and had been executed had he not been saved by his Clergy That Servant who is not true to his Master will never be true to God or his own Soul 4. The Servant is to honour his Master by serving him as with Love for Willingness is more than the Work so with Silence That is without repining and without replying Titus 2.9 Exhort Servants to be obedient to their Masters not answering again Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Not giving cross Answers Some Servants are quick of Speech tho slow at Work and instead of being sorry for a Fault they provoke by unbeseeming Language Were the Heart more humble the Tongue would be more silent They are the Apostles Words not answering again And to those Servants who do thus honour their Masters or Family-Fathers by Submission Diligence Faithfulness Love and humble Silence for their encouragement let them take that Col. 3.24 Servants obey in all things your Masters according to the Flesh not with eye-service knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the Reward of the Inheritance for ye serve the Lord Christ. In serving your Masters ye serve Christ and he will not let you lose your Labour ye shall receive the Reward of the Inheritance From serving on Earth you shall be taken up to Reign in Heaven and shall sit with Christ upon his Throne Rev. 3.21 EXOD. XX. 12 Honour thy Father and thy Mother c. If we are not just we cannot be holy Having shown you how Servants are to honour their Masters the Fathers of Families I shall next show how Masters are to carry it towards their Servants that they may gain Honour from them 1. In General Masters must remember that they have a Master in Heaven who will call them to Account Eph. 6.9 Knowing that your Master is also in Heaven 2. More Particularly 1. Masters must have a care to provide for their Servants As they cut them out Work so they must give them their Meat in due season Luke 17.7 And the Food should be wholsom and sufficing It is an unworthy thing in some Governors of Families to lay out so much upon their own Backs as to pinch their Servants Bellies 2. Masters should encourage their Servants in their Work by commending them when they do well Tho a Master is to tell a Servant of his Faults yet he is not always to beat upon one string but sometimes take notice of that which is praise-worthy This makes a Servant more chearful in his Work and gains the Master Love from his Servant 3. Masters must not over-burden their Servants but proportion their Work to their Strength If you lay too much load on a Servant he will faint under it Christianity teacheth Compassion 4. Masters must endeavour the Spiritual Good of their Servants they must be Seraphims to kindle their Love to Religion They must be Monitors to put them in mind of their Souls They must bring them to the Pool of the Sanctuary waiting till the Angel stir the Waters Iohn 5.4 They must seek God for them that their Servants may be his Servants They must allow them Time convenient for secret Devotion Some Masters are cruel to the Souls of their Servants they look that they do the Work about the House but abridge them of Time they should employ in working out Salvation 5. Masters should use mild gentle Behaviour towards Servants Eph. 6.9 Forbearing Threatning Lev. 25.43 Thou shalt not rule over him with rigour but fear thy God It requires Wisdom in a Master to know how to keep up his Authority yet lay down his Austerity We have a good Copy to write after Our Master in Heaven is slow to Anger and of great Mercy Psal. 145.8 Some Masters are so harsh and implacable that they are enough to spoil a good Servant 6. Be very exact and punctual in the Compacts and Agreements you make with your Servants Do not prevaricate keep not back any of their Wages nor deal deceitfully with them as Laban did with Iacob changing his Wages Gen. 31.7 Falseness in Promise is as as bad as False Weights 7. Be careful of your Servants not only in Health but in Sickness They have got their Sickness in your Service use what means you can for their Recovery Be not like the Amalekite who forsook his Servant when he was sick 1 Sam. 30.13 but be as the good Centurion who kept his sick Servant and sought to Christ for a Cure Mat. 8.6 If you have a Beast that falls sick you will not turn it off but have it look'd to and pay for its Cure Will you be kinder to your Horses than your Servants Thus should Masters the Fathers of the Family carry themselves prudently and piously that they may gain Honour from their Servants and may give up their Accounts to God with Joy Fifthly The Natural Father The Father of the Flesh Heb. 12.9 Honour thy Natural Father This is so necessary a Duty that Philo the Jew placed the Fifth Commandment in the First Table as tho' we had not perform'd our whole Duty to God till we had paid this Debt of Honour to our Natural Parents Children are the Vineyard of the Parents planting and Honour done to the Parent is some of the Fruit of the Vineyard Quest. Wherein are
why Children should honour their Parents are 1. It is a Solemn Command of God Honour thy Father c. As God's Word is the Rule so his Will must be the Reason of our Obedience 2. They deserve Honour in respect of that great Love and Affection which they bear to their Children and that Love is evidenced both by their Care and Cost 1. Their Care in bringing up their Children A Sign their Hearts are full of Love because their Heads are so full of Care Parents oft take more Care for their Children than for themselves They take Care of them when they are tender least like Wall-Fruit they should be nip'd in the Bud. And as Children grow older so the Care of Parents grows greater They are afraid of their Childrens falling when young and of worse Faults when they are older 2. Their Love is evidenced by their Cost 1 Cor. 12.14 They lay up and lay out for their Children They are not like the Raven or Ostrich Job 39.14 which are cruel to their Young Parents sometimes do impoverlsh themselves to enrich their Children All this calls for Honour from the Children Children can never parallel or equal Parents Love Parents are the Instruments of Life to their Children Children cannot be so to their Parents 3. To honour Parents is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 well-pleasing to the Lord Col. 3.20 As it is joyful to the Parents so it is pleasing to the Lord. Children is it not your Desire to please God In honouring and obeying your Parents you please God as well as when you Repent and Believe And that you may see how well it pleaseth God he bestows a Reward upon it That thy Days may be long in the Land which the Lord thy God giveth thee Iacob would not let the Angel go till he had blessed him nor God would not part with this Commandment till he had blessed it Here is the Blessing That thy Days may be long in the Land c. St. Paul calls this the First Commandment with Promise Eph. 6.2 The Second Commandment hath a General Promise of Mercy But this is the First Commandment that hath a Particular Promise made to it That thy Days may be long in the Land which the Lord thy God giveth thee Long Life is mentioned as a Blessing Psal. 128.6 Thou shalt see thy Childrens Children It was a great Favour of God to Moses that tho' he was an Hundred and Twenty Years old he needed no Spectacles his Eye was not dim nor his Natural Strength abated Deut. 34.7 God threatned it as a Curse to Eli That there should not be an Old Man in his Family 1 Sam. 2.31 Since the Flood Life is much abbreviated and cut short Some the Womb is their Tomb others exchange their Cradle for their Grave others die in the Flower of their Age Death serves it's Warrant every Day upon one or other Now when Death lies in Ambush continually for us if God satisfie us with Long Life Psal. 91.16 With long Life will I satisfie him This is to be esteemed a Blessing It is a Blessing that God gives a long time to repent and a long time to do Service and a long time to enjoy the Comfort of Relations and who is this Blessing of Long Life entail'd upon but Obedient Children Honour thy Father that thy Days may be long Nothing sooner shortens Life than Disobedience to Parents Absalom was a disobedient Son who sought to deprive his Father of his Life and Crown and he did not live out half his Days The Mule he rode upon as being weary of such a Burden left him hanging in the Oak betwixt Heaven and Earth as not fit to tread upon the one or enter into the other Obedience to Parents spins out thy Life That thy Days may be long Nor doth Obedience to Parents only lengthen Life but sweeten it Therefore it follows That thy Days may be long in the Land which the Lord thy God giveth thee To live long and not have a Foot of Land is a Misery but Obedience to Parents settles Land of Inheritance upon the Child Hast thou but one Blessing O my Father said Esau. Behold God hath more Blessings for an Obedient Child than one not only shall he have a Long Life but a Fruitful Land And not only shall he have Land but Land given in Love The Land which the Lord thy God giveth thee Thou shalt have thy Land not only with God's Leave but with his Love All which are cogent Arguments to make Children Honour and Obey their Parents EXOD. XX. 12 Honour thy Father Vse I. If we are to Honour our Fathers on Earth then much more our Father in Heaven Mal. 1.6 If then I am a Father where is my Honour A Father is but the Instrument of conveying Life but God is the Original Cause of our Being Psal. 100.3 For it is he that hath made us and not we our selves Honour and Adoration is a Pearl belongs only to the Crown of Heaven And 1. We show Honour to our Heavenly Father by obeying him Thus Christ honoured his Father Iohn 6.38 I came down from Heaven not to do my own Will but the Will of him that sent me This he calls honouring of God Iohn 8.29 I do always those things which please him Ver. 49. I honour my Father The Wise Men did not only bow the Knee to Christ but presented him with Gold and Myrrh Mat. 2.8 So we must not only bow the Knee give God Adoration but bring Presents give him Golden Obedience 2. We show Honour to our Heavenly Father by appearing as Advocates in his Cause and standing up for his Truth in an Adulterous Generation That Son honours his Father who stands up in his Defence and vindicates him when he is calumniated and reproached Do they honour God who are ashamed of him Iohn 12.42 Many believed on him but durst not confess him They are Bastard Sons who are ashamed to own their Heavenly Father Such as are born of God are steeled with Courage for his Truth They are like the Rock which no Waves can break like the Adamant which no Sword can cut Basil was a Champion for Truth in the Time of the Emperor Valens and Athanasius when the World was Arrian appeared for God 3. We show Honour to our Heavenly Father by ascribing the Honour of all we do to him 1 Cor. 15.10 I laboured morè abundantly than they all yet not I but the Grace of God which was in me If a Christian hath any Assistance in Duty any strength against Corruption he rears up a Pillar and writes upon it Hitherto the Lord hath helped me As Ioab when he had fought against Rabbah and had like to have taken it sent for King David that he might carry away the Honour of the Victory 2 Sam. 12.27 So when a Child of God hath any Conquest over Satan he gives all the Honour to God Hypocrites whose Lamp is fed with the Oyl of Vain-Glory
may be said to be given to Covetousness 1. When his Thoughts are wholly taken up about the World As a good Man's Thoughts are still in Heaven He is thinking of Christ's Love and Eternal Recompences Psal. 139.18 When I awake I am still with thee That is by Divine Contemplation So a covetous Man is still with the World His Mind is wholly taken up about it he can think of nothing but his Shop or Farm The Fancy is a Mint-House and most of the Thougts a covetous Man mints are Worldly He is always plotting and projecting about the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the things of this Life Like a Virgin that hath all her Thoughts running upon her Suitor 2. A Man may be said to be given to Covetousness when he takes more pains for the getting of Earth than for the getting of Heaven He will turn every Stone break his Sleep take many a weary Step for the World but will take no pains for Christ or Heaven The Gauls who were an ancient People of France after they had tasted the sweet Wine of the Italian Grape they enquired after the Countrey and never rested till they had arrived at it So a covetous Man having had a Relish of the World pursues after it and never leaves till he hath got it but he neglects the things of Eternity He could be content if Salvation would drop into his Mouth as a ripe Fig drops into the Mouth of the Eater Nahum 3.12 But he is loath to put himself to too much Sweat or Trouble to obtain Christ or Salvation He hunts for the World he wisheth only for Heaven 3. A Man may be said to be given to Covetousness when all his Discourse is about the World Iohn 3.31 He that is of the Earth speaketh of the Earth As it is a sign of Godliness to be still speaking of Heaven to have the Tongue tuned to the Language of Canaan Eccles. 10.12 The Words of a wise Man's Mouth are gracious He speaks as if he had been already in Heaven So a sign of a Man given to Covetousness he is speaking of Secular things his Wares and Drugs A covetous Man's Breath like a Dying Man's smells strong of the Earth As they said to Peter Thy Speech bewrayeth thee Matth. 26.73 So a covetous Man's Speech bewrayeth him He is like the Fish in the Gospel which had a Piece of Money in the Mouth Matth. 17.27 Verba sunt Speculum mentis Bern. The Words are the Looking-glass of the Heart they show what is within Ex abundantia cordis 4. A Man is given to Covetousness when he doth so set his Heart upon worldly things that for the love of them he will part with Heavenly For the Wedge of Gold he will part with the Pearl of Price The Young Man in the Gospel when Christ said Sell all and come and follow me Abiit trist is He went away sorrowful Matth. 19.22 He would rather part with Christ than with his Earthly Possessions Cardinal Burbon said He would for go his part in Paradise if he might keep his Cardinalship in Paris When it comes to a critical point that Men must either relinquish their Estate or Christ and they will rather part with Christ and a good Conscience than with their Estate it is a clear Case they are possessed with the Devil of Covetousness 5. A Man is given to Covetousness when he over-loads himself with worldly Business He hath many Irons in the Fire he is in this Sence a Pluralist he takes so much business upon him that he cannot find time to serve God he hath scarce time to eat his Meat but no time to Pray When a Man doth over-charge himself with the World and as Martha cumber himself about many things that he cannot have time for his Soul sure he is under the Power of Covetousness 6. He is given to Covetousness whose Heart is so set upon the World that to get it he cares not what unlawful indirect means he useth he will have the World per fas nefas He will wrong and defraud and raise his Estate upon the Ruines of another Hos. 12.7 8. The Ballances of Deceit are in his Hand he loveth to oppress And Ephraim said Yet I am become rich Pope Sylvester the Second did sell his Soul to the Devil for a Popedom Vse Take heed and beware of Covetousness Luke 12.15 It is a direct Breach of this Tenth Commandment Covetousness is a Moral Vice it infects and pollutes the whole Soul The Sin 1. It is a Subtile Sin a Sin that many do not so well discern in themselves As some have the Scurvy yet do not know it This Sin can dress it self in the Attire of Vertue It is called the Cloak of Covetousness 1 Thess. 2.5 Covetousness is a Sin that wears a Cloak it cloaks it self under the Name of Frugality and good Husbandry It hath many Pleas and Excuses for it self more than any other Sin as the providing for ones Family The more subtile the Sin is the less discernable 2 Covetousness is a dangerous Sin it checks all that is good It is an Enemy to Grace it damps good Affections as the Earth puts out the Fire The Hedgehog in the Fable came to the Cony-burroughs in stormy Weather and desir'd Harbour but when once he had gotten Entertainment he set up his Prickles and did never leave till he had thrust the poor Conies out of their Burroughs So Covetousness by fair Pretences wins it self into the Heart but as soon as you have let it in it will never leave till it hath choked all good Beginnings and thrust all Religion out of your Hearts Covetousness hinders the Efficacy of the Word Preached In the Parable the Thorns which Christ expounded to be the Cares of this Life choked the Good Seed Matth. 13.7 Many Sermons lie dead buried in Earthly Hearts We preach to Men to get their Hearts in Heaven but where Covetousness is predominant it chains them to the Earth and makes them like the Woman which Satan had bowed together that she could not lift up her self Luke 13.11 You may as well bid an Elephant fly in the Air as a covetous Man live by Faith We Preach to Men to give freely to Christ's Poor but Covetousness makes them to be like him in the Gospel who had a wither'd Hand Mark 3.1 They have a wither'd Hand and cannot stretch it out to the Poor It is impossible to be Earthly-minded and charitable-minded Thus Covetousness obstructs the Efficacy of the Word and makes it prove Abortive Such whose Hearts are rooted in the Earth will be so far from profiting by the Word that they will be ready rather to deride it Luke 16.14 The Pharisees who were covetous derided him 3. Covetousness is a Mother-Sin a Radical Vice 1 Tim. 6.10 The Love of Money is the root of all Evil. Quid non mortalia pectora cogit Auri sacra fames Hor. He who hath this Spiritual Itch a greedy desire
had put all the Creatures in a Limbeck and stilled out the Quintessence and behold All was Vanity Eccles. 2.11 Covetousness is a dry Dropsie the more a Man hath the more he thirsts Quo plus sunt potae plus sitiuntur aquae 3. Worldly things cannot remove Trouble of mind King Saul being perplexed in Conscience all his Crown-Jewels could not administer Comfort to him 1 Sam. 28.15 The things of the World will no more ease a troubled Spirit than a Gold Cap will cure the Head-ach 4. The things of the World if you had more of them cannot continue with you 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Isocr The Creature hath a little Honey in its Mouth but it hath Wings to fly away Glass Mettal These things either go from us or we from them What poor things are these to covet 2. Second Consideration The Frame and Contexture of the Body God hath made the Face to look upwards towards Heaven Os Homini sublime dedit coelumque tueri Iussit Ovid. Anatomists observe that whereas other Creatures have but Four Muscles to their Eyes Man hath a Fifth Muscle by which he is able to look up to Heaven And as for the Heart it is made like a Glass Viol narrow and contracted downwards but wide and broad upwards And as the Frame and Contexture of the Body teacheth us to look to things Above so especially the Soul is planted in the Body as a Divine Sparkle to ascend upwards Can it be imagined that God gave us intellectual Immortal Souls to covet only Earthly things What wise Man would fish for Gudgeons with Golden Hooks Did God give us Glorious Souls only to fish for the World Sure our Souls are made for an higher End to aspire after the enjoyment of God in Glory 3. Third Consideration The Examples of those who have been Contemners and Despisers of the World The Primitive Christians as Clemens Alexandrinus observes were sequestred from the World and where wholly taken up in Converse with God they lived in the World above the World Like the Birds of Paradise who soar above in the Air and seldom or never touch with their Feet upon Earth Luther saith That he was never tempted to this Sin of Covetousness The Saints of old tho they did live in the World they did trade in Heaven Phil. 3.20 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Our Conversation is in Heaven The Greek Word signifies our Commerce or Traffick or Burghership is in Heaven Enoch walked with God Gen. 5.24 His Affections were sublimated he did take a turn in Heaven every Day The Righteous are compared to a Palm-Tree Psal. 92.12 Philo observes That whereas all other Trees have their Sap in their Root the Sap of the Palm-tree is towards the Top. The Emblem of the Saints whose Hearts are above in Heaven where their Treasure is 3. The Third Remedy Covet Spiritual things more and you will Covet earthly things less Covet Grace Grace is the best Blessing it is the Seed of God 1 Iohn 3.9 The Angels Glory covet Heaven Heaven is the Region of Happiness 't is the most pleasant Climate Did we covet Heaven more we should covet Earth less They that stand on the top of the Alps the great Cities of Campania seem but as small Villages in their Eye If we could have our Hearts more fixed upon the Ierusalem above how would all Worldly things disappear and be as nothing in our Eye We read of an Angel coming down from Heaven who did tread with his right Foot on the Sea and with his left Foot on the Earth Rev. 10.2 Had we but once been in Heaven and viewed the Superlative Glory of it how might we in an holy Scorn trample with one Foot upon the Earth and with the other Foot upon the Sea Oh covet after Heavenly things There is the Tree of Life the Mountains of Spices the Rivers of Pleasure the Honey-comb of God's Love dropping the Delights of Angels the Flower of Joy fully ripe and blown There is the pure Air to breath in no Fogs nor Vapors of Sin arise to infect that Air but the Sun of Righteousness enlightens that Horizon continually with its glorious Beams O let your Thoughts and Delights be always taken up about the City of Pearl the Paradise of God Did we covet Heavenly things more we should covet earthly things less It is reported after Lazarus was raised from the Grave he was never seen to smile or be delighted with the World after Were our Hearts rais'd by the Power of the Holy Ghost up to Heaven we should not be much taken with Earthly things 4. The Fourth Remedy Pray for an Heavenly Mind Lord let the Loadstone of thy Spirit draw my Heart upward Lord dig the Earth out of my Heart teach me how to possess the World and not love it how to hold it in my hand and not let it get into my Heart So much for the Commandment in General Thou shalt not cover 2. I shall speak of it more Particularly Thou shalt not covet thy Neighbours House thou shalt not covet thy Neighbours Wife c. Observe here the Holiness and Perfection of God's Law It forbids the Motus primo primi the First Motions and Risings of Sin in the Heart Thou shalt not covet The Laws of Men take hold of the Actions but the Law of God goes further it forbids not only the Actions but the Affections Thou shalt not covet thy Neighbours House It is not said Thou shalt not take away his House But Thou shalt not covet it These Lustings and Desires after the Forbidden Fruit are sinful Rom. 7.7 The Law hath said Thou shalt not covet Tho the Tree bears no bad Fruit it may be faulty at the Root Tho a Man doth not commit Gross Sin yet who can say his Heart is pure There may be a Faultiness at the Root there may be sinful Covetings and Lustings in the Soul Vse Let us be humbled for the Sin of our Nature the Risings of Evil Thoughts coveting that which we ought not Our Nature is a Seed-Plot of Iniquity it is like Charcoal that is ever sparkling The Sparkles of Pride Envy Covetousness arise in the Mind How should this humble us If there be not sinful Actings there are sinful Covetings Let us pray for mortifying Grace which may be like the Water of Jealousie to make the Thigh of Sin to rot But to come to the Words more nearly Thou shalt not covet thy Neighbours House nor thy Neighbours Wife c. Quest. Why is the House put before the Wife In Deuteronomy the Wife is put first Deut. 5.21 Neither shalt thou desire thy Neighbours Wife neither shalt thou covet thy Neighbours House Here the House is put first Resp. In Deuteronomy the Wife is set down first in respect of her Value She if a good Wife is of far greater Value and Estimate than the House Prov. 31.10 Her Price is far above Rubies She is the Furniture of the House and this Furniture
he will joy over thee with singing No Father like God for Love if thou art his Child thou canst not love thy own Soul so intirely as he loves thee 5. God is the best Father for Riches God hath land enough to give to all his Children he hath unsearchable riches Eph. 3.8 He gives the hidden Manna the Tree of Life Rivers of Joy Gates of Pearl Who ever saw gates of Pearl God hath treasures that cannot be emptied pleasures that cannot be ended Earthly Fathers if they should be ever giving they would have nothing left to give God is ever giving to his Children yet hath not the less his Riches are imparted not impaired Like the Sun that still shines yet hath not the less light He cannot be poor who is infinite Thus God is the best Father he gives more to his Children than any Father or Prince can bestow 6. God is the best Father because he can reform his Children A Father when his Son takes bad courses knows not how to make him better but God knows how to make the Children of the Election better he can change their Hearts When Paul was breathing out persecution against the Saints God soon altered his course and set him a praying Acts 9.11 Behold he prayeth None of those who belong to the Election are so rough cast and unhewen but God can polish them with his Grace and make them fit for the Inheritance 7. God is the best Father because he never dyes 1 Tim. 6 16. Who only hath immortality Earthly Fathers dye and their Children are exposed to many injuries but God lives for ever Rev. 1.8 I am Alpha and Omega the beginning and the last Gods Crown hath no Successors Quest. 6. Wherein lies the Dignity of such as have God for their Father Resp. They have greater Honour then is confer'd on the Princes of the Earth They are precious in Gods esteem Isa. 43.4 Since thou wast precious in my eyes thou hast been honourable the wicked are dross Psal. 119.119 and chaff Psal. 1.4 but God numbers his Children among his Jewels Mal. 3.17 he writes all his Childrens names in the Book of Life Phil. 4.3 Whose names are in the book of life Among the Romans the Names of their Senators were written down in a Book Patres conscripti God enrolls the names of his Children and will not blot their names out of the Register Rev. 3.5 I will not blot his name out of the book of life God will not be ashamed of his Children Heb. 11.16 God is not ashamed to be called your God One might think it were something below God and he might disdain to Father such Children as are Dust and Sin mingled but he is not ashamed to be called our God and that we may see he is not ashamed of his Children he writes his own Name upon them Rev. 3.12 I will write upon him the name of my God that is I will openly acknowledge him before all the Angels to be my Child I will write my Name upon him as the Son bears his Fathers name What an honour and dignity is this 2. God confers honourable Titles upon his Children 1. He calls them the excellent of the earth Psal. 16.2 or the magnificent as Iunius renders it They must needs be excellent who are e Regio Sanguine nati of the Blood-Royal of Heaven they are the Spiritual Phenixes of the World the glory of the Creation God calls his Children his glory Isa. 46.13 Israel my glory God honours his Children with the Title of Kings Rev. 1.6 And hath made us Kings All Gods Children are Kings though they have not Earthly Kingdoms yet 1. They carry a Kingdom about them Luke 17.21 The kingdom of God is within you Grace is a Kingdom set up in the hearts of Gods Children They are Kings to rule over their Sins to bind those kings in chains Psal. 149.8 2. They are like Kings they have their insignia Regalia their ensigns of Royalty and Majesty 1. They have their Crown In this Life they are Kings in a disguise They are not known therefore they are exposed to poverty and reproach they are Kings in a disguise 1 Iohn 3.2 Now we are the Sons of God and it doth not appear what we shall be Why what shall we be Every Son of God shall have his Crown of Glory 1 Pet. 5.4 and white Robes Rev. 6.11 Robes signifie Dignity and white signifies Sanctity 3. This is their honour who have God for their Father they are all Heirs the youngest Son is an Heir 1. Gods Children are heirs to the things of this Life God being their Father they have the best title to earthly things they have a sanctified right to them though they have often the least share yet they have the best right and they have a Blessing with what they have i. e. Gods Love and Favour Others may have more of the Venison but Gods Children have more of the Blessing Thus they are Heirs to the things of this Life 2 They are Heirs to the other World Heirs of Salvation Heb. 1.14 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ioint-heirs with Christ Rom. 8.17 They go sharers with Christ in glory Among Men commonly the eldest Son carries away all but Gods Children are all Joint-heirs with Christ they have a copartnership with him in his Riches Hath Christ a place in the Celestial Mansions so have the Saints Iohn 14.2 In my Fathers house are many mansions I go to prepare a place for you Hath he his Fathers Love so have they Psal. 146.8 Iohn 17.26 That the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them Doth Christ sit upon a Throne so do Gods Children Rev. 3.21 What an high honour is this 4. God makes his Children equal in honour to the Angels Luke 20.36 They are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 equal to the Angels nay those Saints who have God for their Father are in some sense superiour to the Angels for Jesus Christ having taken our Nature Naturam nostram nobilitavit hath enobled and honoured it above the Angelical Heb. 2.16 God hath made his Children by Adoption nearer to himself than the Angels The Angels are the Friends of Christ Believers are the Members of Christ and this honour have all the Saints Thus you see the Dignity of such as have God for their Father What a comfort is this to Gods Children who are here despised and loaded with calumnies and invectives 1 Cor. 4.14 We are made as the filth of the world c. But God will put Honour upon his Children at the last day and crown them with Immortal Bliss to the envy of their Adversaries Quest. 7. How we may know that God is our Father All cannot say Our Father The Jewes boasted that God was their Father John 8.36 We have one Father even God Christ tells them their pedigree ver 44. Ye are of your Father the Devil They who are of Satanical Spirits and make use of their power to beat down
sin be sober in your attire savoury in your speeches grave in your deportment obey your Fathers voice Open to God as the Flower opens to the Sun As you expect your Fathers Blessing obey him in whatever he commands First and Second Table Duties A Lutenist that he may make sweet Musick toucheth upon every String of the Lute The Ten Commandments are like a ten stringed Instrument touch upon every String obey every Command or you cannot make sweet Melody in Religion Obey your Heavenly Father though he commands things contrary to Flesh and blood 1. When he commands to mortifie Sin that Sin which hath been dear to you Pluck out this right eye that you may see the better to go to Heaven 2. When he commands you to suffer for him be ready to obey Acts 21.13 every good Christian hath a Spirit of Martyrdom in him and is ready rather to suffer for the Truth than the Truth should suffer Luther said he had rather be a Martyr than a Monarch Peter was Crucified with his Head downwards as Eusebius Ignatius called his Chains his Spiritual Pearls and did wear his Fetters as a Bracelet of Diamonds This is to carry it as Gods Children when we obey his voice and count not our lives dear so that we may show our love to our Heavenly Father Rev. 12.11 They loved not their lives to the death 6. If God be your Father show it by your chearful looks that you are the Children of such a Father Too much drooping and despondency disparageth the Relation you stand in to God What though you meet with hard usage in the World you are now in a strange Land far from home it will be shortly better with you when you are in your own Country and your Father hath you in his Armes Doth not the Heir rejoyce in hope Shall the Sons of a King walk dejected 2 Sam. 13.4 Why art thou being the Kings Son lean Is God an unkind Father are his Commands grievous Hath he no Land to give to his Heirs Why then do Gods Children walk so sad Never had Children such Priviledges as they who are of the Seed-Royal of Heaven and have God for their Father they should rejoyce therefore who are within a few hours to be crowned with Glory 7. If God be our Father let us honour him by walking very holily 1 Pet. 1.16 Be ye holy for I am holy A young Prince asking a Philosopher how he should behave himself the Philosopher said Memento te filium esse Regis Remember thou art a Kings Son do nothing but what becomes the Son of a King So remember you are the adopted Sons and Daughters of the high God do nothing unworthy of such a Relation A debauched Child is the disgrace of his Father Is this thy Sons Coat said they to Iacob when they brought it home dip'd in blood Gen. 37.32 so when we see a person defiled with Malice Passion Drunkenness we may say is this the Coat of Gods adopted Son Doth he look as an Heir of Glory 'T is a blaspheming the Name of God to call him Father yet live in Sin Such as profess God is their Father yet live unholily they will slander and defraud these are as bad to God as Heathens Amos 9.7 Are ye not as children of the Ethiopians to me O children of Israel saith the Lord The Ethiopians were uncircumcised a base ill-bred People when Israel grew wicked they were no better to God than Ethiopians Loose scandalous livers under the Gospel are no better in Gods esteem than Pagans and Americans nay they shall have an hotter place in Hell O let all who profess God to be their Father honour him by their unspotted lives Scipio abhorred the embraces of an Harlot because he was the General of an Army Abstain from all Sin because you are born of God and have God for your Father 1 Thess. 5.22 Abstain from all appearance of evil 'T was a saying of Augustus An Emperor should not only be free from Crimes but from the suspicion of them by an holy Life you would bring Glory to your Heavenly Father and cause others to become his Children Est pellax virtutis odor Causinus in his Hieroglyphicks speaks of a Dove whose Wings being perfum'd with sweet Oyntments did draw the other Doves after her The holy Lives of Gods Children is a sweet perfume to draw others to Religion and make them to be of the Family of God Iustin Martyr saith that which converted him to Christianity was the beholding the blameless Lives of the Christians 8. If God be our Father let us love all that are his Children Psal. 133.1 How pleasant is it for brethren to dwell together in unity 'T is compared to Oyntment ver 2. for the sweet fragrancy of it 1 Pet. 2.17 Love the brotherhood Idem est motus animae in imaginem rem The Saints are the walking pictures of God if God be our Father we love to see his picture of Holiness in Believers we pity them for their Infirmities but love them for their Graces we prize their Company above others Psal. 119.63 it may justly be suspected that God is not their Father who love not Gods Children though they retain the Communion of Saints in their Creed yet they banish the Communion of Saints out of their Company 9. If God be our Father let us show Heavenly mindedness They who are born of God do 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 set their Affections on things that are above Col. 3.2 O ye Children of the high God do not disgrace your high birth by sordid Covetousness What a Son of God and a slave to the World What spring from Heaven and buried in the Earth For a Christian who pretends to derive his pedigree from Heaven yet wholly to mind Earthly things is to debase himself as if a King should leave his Throne to follow the Plough Ier. 45.5 Seekest thou great things for thy self As if the Lord had said what thou Baruck thou who art born of God akin to Angels and by thy Office a Levite dost thou debase thy self and spot the silver wings of thy Grace by beliming them with earth Seekest thou great things seek them not The Earth choaks the Fire Earthliness choaks the Fire of good Affections 10. Vlt. If God be our Father let us own our Heavenly Father in the worst times stand up in his cause defend his Truths Athanasius owned God when most of the World turned Arrians If Sufferings come do not deny God He is a bad Son who denyes his Father Such as are ashamed of God in times of danger God will be ashamed to own them for his Children Mark 8.38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous generation of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with his holy Angels So I have done with the First Part of the Preface Our Father II. The Second Part of the
Preface which I shall but briefly touch on is which art in Heaven 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God is said to be in Heaven not that he is so included there that he is no where else for the Heaven of Heavens cannot contain him ◠Kings 8.27 but the meaning is God is chiefly resident in the Empyrean Heaven which the Apostle calls the third Heaven 2 Cor. 12.2 there God doth most give forth his Glory to his Saints and Angels Quest. What may we learn from this that God is in Heaven Answ. 1. Hence we learn that we are to raise our Minds in Prayer above the Earth God is no where to be spoken with but in Heaven God never denyed that Soul his suit who went as far as Heaven to ask it 2. We learn from Gods being in Heaven his Soveraign Power Hoc vocabulo intelligitur omnia subesse ejus imperio Calvin Psal. 115.3 Our God is in the heavens he hath done whatever he pleased God being in Heaven governs the Universe and orders all Occurrences here below for the good of his Children When the Saints are in straits and dangers and see no way of relief he can send from Heaven and help them Psal. 57.3 He shall send from heaven and save me 3. We learn Gods Glory and Majesty He is in Heaven therefore he is covered with light Psal. 104.2 cloathed with honour Psal. 104.1 and is as far above all Worldly Princes as Heaven is above Earth 4. We learn from Gods being in Heaven his Omnisciency All things are naked and unmasked to his eye Heb. 4.13 Men plot and contrive against the Church but God is in Heaven and they do nothing but what our Father sees If a Man were on the top of an high Tower or Theatre he might thence see all the People below God is in Heaven as in an Tower or Theatre and he sees all the transactions of Men. The Wicked make wounds in the backs of the Righteous and then pour in Vinegar God writes down their cruelty Exod. 3.7 I have seen the afflictions of my people God is in Heaven and he can thunder out of Heaven upon his enemies Psal. 18.13 The Lord thundered in the heavens yea he sent out arrows and scattered them and he shot out lightnings and discomfited them 5. We learn from Gods being in Heaven Comfort for the Children of God when they pray to their Father the way to Heaven cannot be blocked up One may have a Father living in Foreign parts but the way both the Sea and by Land may be so blocked up that there is no coming to him but thou Saint of God when thou prayest to thy Father he is in Heaven and though thou art never so confined thou mayest have access to him A Prison cannot keep thee from thy God the way to Heaven can never be blocked up So I have done with the word Father I shall speak next of the Pronoun 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Our Father In the first there is an Appellation Father in the second an Appropriation Our Father Christ by this word Our would teach us thus much That in all our Prayers to God we should act Faith Our Father Father denotes Reverence Our Father denotes Faith In all our Prayers to God we should exercise Faith Our Father Faith is that which baptizeth Prayer and gives it a name it is called the Prayer of Faith Iam. 5.15 without Faith it is speaking not praying Faith is the breath of Prayer Prayer is dead unless Faith breathe in it Faith is a necessary requisite in Prayer The Oyl of the Sanctuary was made up of several sweet Spices pure Myrrhe Cassia Cinamon Exod. 30.23 Faith is the chief spice or ingredient into Prayer which makes it go up to the Lord as sweet Incense Iam. 1.6 Let him ask in faith Mat. 21.22 Whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer believing ye shall receive Invoco te Domine quanquam languida imbecilla fide tamen fide Lord said Cruciger I pray though with a weak Faith yet with Faith Prayer is the Gun we shoot with Fervency is the Fire that dischargeth it and Faith is the Bullet which pierceth the Throne of Grace Prayer is the Key of Heaven Faith is the Hand that turns it Pray in faith Our Father Faith must take Prayer by the hand or there is no coming nigh to God Prayer without Faith is unsuccessful If a poor Handicrafts-man that lives by his labour hath spoiled his tools that he cannot work how shall he subsist Prayer is the tool we work with which procures all good for us but unbelief spoils and blunts our Prayers and then we can get no Blessing from God A Prayer that is Faithless is Fruitless As Ioseph said You shall not see my face unless you bring your brother Benjamin with you Gen. 43.3 so Prayer cannot see Gods face unless it bring its brother Faith with it What is said of Israel They could not enter in because of unbelief Heb. 3.19 is as true of Prayer it cannot enter into Heaven because of unbelief This makes Prayer often suffer shipwrack because it dasheth upon the rock of Unbelief O sprinkle Faith in Prayer We must say Our Father Quest. 1. What doth praying in Faith imply Resp. Praying in Faith implyes the having of Faith the act implyes the habit To walk implyes a principle of Life so to pray in Faith implyes an habit of Grace None can pray in Faith but Believers Quest. 2. What is it to pray in Faith Answ. 1. To pray in Faith is to pray for that which God hath promised where there is no promise we cannot pray in Faith 2. To pray in Faith is to pray in Christs meritorious Name Iohn 14.13 Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name that will I do To pray in Christs Name is to pray in the hope and confidence of Christs Merit When we present Christ to God in Prayer when we carry the Lamb slain in our Armes when we say Lord we are Sinners but here is our Surety for Christs sake be propitious this is coming to God in Christs Name and this is to pray in Faith 3. To pray in Faith is in Prayer to fix our Faith on Gods faithfulness believing that he doth hear and will help this is a taking hold of God Isa. 64.7 By Prayer we draw nigh to God by Faith we take hold of him 2 Chron. 13.14 The children of Iudah cryed unto the Lord and this was the crying of Faith ver 18. They prevailed because they relyed on the Lord God of their Fathers Making supplication to God and staying the Soul on God is praying in Faith To pray and not rely on God for the granting our Petitions irrisio Dei est saith Pelican it is to abuse and put a scorn upon God By praying we seem to honour God by not believing we affront him In Prayer we say Almighty Merciful Father by not believing we blot out all his Titles again Quest. 3. How may we know
Glory upon our Bodies We shall be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as the Angels not for substance but quality our Bodies shall be agile and nimble now our Bodies are as a weight then they shall be as a wing moving swiftly from place to place our Bodies shall be full of clarity and brightness like Christs glorious Body Phil. 3.21 The Bodies of the Saints shall be as Cloth dyed into a Scarlet colour made more illustrious they shall be so clear and transparent that the Soul shall sparkle through them as the Wine through the Glass 2. God will put Glory upon our Souls If the Cabinet of the Body shall be so illustrious of what orient brightness shall the Jewel be Then will be the great Coronation-day when the Saints shall wear the Robe of Immortality and the Crown of Righteousness which fades not away O how glorious will that Garland be which is made of the Flowers of Paradise Who then would not hallow and glorifie Gods Name and spread his renown in the World who will put such immortal Honour upon his People as eye hath not seen nor ear heard nor can it enter into the heart of man to conceive 7. Vlt. Such as do not hallow Gods Name but profane and dishonour it God will pour contempt upon them though they be never so great and though cloathed in Purple and Scarlet yet they are abhorred of God and their name shall rot Though the name of Iudas be in the Bible and the name of Pontius Pilate be in the Creed yet their names stand there for Infamy as being Traytors to the Crown of Heaven Nahum 1.14 I will make thy grave for thou art vile It is spoken of Antiochus Epiphanes he was a King and his name signifie◠Illustrious yet God esteemed him a vile Person to show how base the wicked are in Gods esteem he compares them to things most vile to chaff Psal. 1.4 to dross Psal. 119.118 and the filth that fomes out of the Sea Isa. 57.20 and as God doth thus vilely esteem of such as do not hallow his Name so he sends them to a vile place at last Vagrants are sent to the House of Correction Hell is the House of Correction which the Wicked are sent to when they dye Let all this prevail with us to hallow and sanctifie Gods Name Quest. What may we do to honour and sanctifie Gods Name Answ. Let us get 1. A sound Knowledge of God 2. A sincere Love to God 1. A sound Knowledge of God Take a view of his superlative Excellencies his Holiness his incomprehensible Goodness The Angels know God better than we therefore they sanctifie his Name and sing Hallelujahs to him and let us labour to know him to be our God Psal. 48.14 This God is our God We may dread God as a Judge but we cannot honour him as a Father till we know he is our God 2. Get a sincere Love to God A Love of Appretiation and a Love of Complacency to delight in him Iohn 21.15 Lord thou knowest I love thee He can never honour his Master who doth not love him The reason Gods Name is no more hallowed is because his name is no more loved So much for the First Petition MATTH vi 10 Thy Kingdom come A Soul truly devoted to God joyns heartily in this Petition Adveniat Regnum tuum Thy Kingdom come In which words this great Truth is implyed that God is a King he who hath a Kingdom can be no less than a King Ps. 47.7 God is King of all the earth And he is a King upon his Throne Psal. 47.8 God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness 1. He hath a Regal Title High and Mighty Isa. 57.15 Thus saith the high and lofty one 2. He hath the Ensigns of Royalty his Sword Deut. 32.41 If I whet my glittering sword He hath his Scepter Heb. 1.8 A scepter of Righteousness is the scepter of thy Kingdom 3. He hath his Crown Royal Rev. 19.12 On his head were many crowns he hath his Iura Regalia his Kingly Prerogatives he hath power to make Lawes to seal Pardons which are the Flowers and Jewels belonging to his Crown Thus the Lord is King And 2. He is a great King Psal. 95.3 A great King above all Gods He is great in and of himself and not like other Kings who are made great by their Subjects That he is so great a King appears 1. By the immenseness of his Being Ier. 23.24 Do not I fill heaven and earth saith the Lord. His center is every where he is no where included yet no where excluded he is so immensly great That the heaven of heavens cannot contain him 1 Kings 8.27 2. His greatness appears by the effects of his Power He made heaven and earth Psal. 124.8 and can unmake it God can with a Breath crumble us to dust with a Word he can unpin the World and break the Axle-Tree of it in pieces He pours contempt upon the mighty Iob 12.21 He cuts off the spirit of Princes Psal. 76.12 He is Lord Paramount who doth whatever he will Psal. 115.2 He weigheth the mountains in scales and the hills in a ballance Isa. 40.12 3. God is a Glorious King Psal. 24.10 Who is this King of Glory the Lord of Hosts he is the King of Glory He hath internal Glory Psal. 93.1 The Lord reigneth he is cloathed with majesty Other Kings have Royal and Sumptuous Apparel to make them appear glorious to the beholders but all their Glory and Magnificence is borrowed but God is cloathed with Majesty his own Glorious Essence is instead of Royal Robes and he hath girded himself with strength Kings have their guard about them to defend their Persons because they are not able to defend themselves but God needs no guard or assistance from others He hath girded himself with strength His own Power is his Life-guard Psal. 89.6 Who in the heaven can be compared unto the Lord who among the Sons of the mighty can be likened unto the Lord God hath a prehiminence above all other Kings for Majesty Rev. 19.16 He hath on his vesture a name written Rex Regum King of Kings He hath the highest Throne the richest Crown the largest Dominions and the longest Possession Psal. 29.10 The Lord sitteth King for ever Though God hath many Heirs yet no Successors He sets up his Throne where no other King doth he rules the Will and Affections his Power binds the Conscience Angels serve him all the Kings of the Earth hold their Crowns and Diadems by immediate tenure from this great King Prov. 8.15 By me Kings reign and to this Lord Iehovah all Kings must give account and from Gods Tribunal there is no appeal VSE I. Br. 1. If God be so great a King and sits King for ever then it is no disparagement for us to serve him Deo servire est regnare It is an Honour to serve a King If the Angels fly swiftly upon the King of Heavens message Dan.
9.21 then well may we look upon it as a favour to be taken into his Royal Service Theodosius thought it a greater Honour to be Gods Servant than to be an Emperour 'T is more Honour to serve God than to have Kings serve us Every Subject of this King is Crowned with Regal Honour Rev. 1.6 Who hath made us Kings Therefore as the Queen of Sheba having seen the Glory of Solomons Kingdom said Happy are these thy servants which stand continually before thee 1 Kings 10.8 so happy are those Saints who stand before the King of Heaven and wait on his Throne Br. 2. If God be such a Glorious King crowned with Wisdom armed with Power bespangled with Riches then it showes us what Prudence it is to have this King to be ours To say as Psal. 5.2 My King and my God 'T is counted great Policy to be on the strongest side if we belong to the King of Heaven we are sure to be on the strongest side The King of Glory can with ease destroy his Adversaries he can pull down their Pride befool their Policy restrain their Malice That stone cut out of the Mountains without hands which smote the Image Dan. 2.34 was an emblem saith Austin of Christs Monarchical Power conquering and triumphing over his enemies If we are on Gods side we are on the strongest side he can with a Word destroy his enemies Psal. 2.5 Then shall he speak to them in his wrath nay he can with a Look destroy them Iob 40.12 Look upon every one that is proud and bring him low It needs cost God no more to confound those who rise up against him than a look a cast of the eye Exod. 14.24 In the morning watch the Lord looked to the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and troubled their host and took off their chariot-wheels What Wisdom is it then to have this King to be ours then we are on the strongest side VSE II of Exhortation Br. 1. If God be so Glorious a King full of Power and Majesty let us trust in him Psal. 9.10 They that know thy name will put their trust in thee Trust him with your Soul you cannot put this Jewel in safer hands and trust him with Church and State Affairs He is King Exod. 15.3 The Lord is a man of war he can make bear his holy Arm in the eyes of all the Nations If means fail he is never at a loss there are no impossibles with him he can make the dry bones live Ezek. 37.10 As a King he can command and as a God he can create Salvation Isa. 65.18 I create Ierusalem a rejoycing Let us trust all our affairs with this great King Either God can remove Mountains or can leap over them Cant. 2.8 Br. 2. If God be so great a King let us fear him Ier. 5.22 Fear ye not me saith the Lord Will ye not tremble at my presence We have enough fear of Men. Fear makes danger appear greater and sin lesser but let us fear the King of Kings who hath power to cast Body and Soul into Hell Luke 12.5 As one wedge drives out another so the fear of God would drive out all base carnal fear Let us fear that God whose Throne is set above all Kings they may be Mighty but he is Almighty Kings have no Power but what God hath given them their Power is limited his is infinite Let us fear this King whose eyes are as lamps of fire Rev. 1.14 The mountains quake at him and the rocks are thrown down by him Nahum 1.6 If he stamps with his foot all the Creatures are presently up in a battalio to fight for him O tremble and fear before this God Fear is Ianitor Animae it is the Door-keeper of the Soul it keeps Sin from entring Gen. 39.9 How can I do this great wickedness and sin against God 3 Br. If God be so Glorious a King he hath jus virae necis He hath the power of Life and Death in his Hand Let all the Potentates of the Earth take heed how they employ their Power against the King of Heaven they employ their power against God who with their Scepter beat down his Truth which is the most Orient Pearl of his Crown who crush and persecute his People which are the Apple of his Eye Zach. 2.8 Who trample upon his Laws and Royal Edicts which he hath set forth Psal. 2.3 What is a King without his Laws Let all that are invested with worldly Power and Grandeur take heed how they oppose the King of Glory The Lord will be too hard for all that come against him Iob 40.9 Hast thou an Arm like God Wilt thou measure Arms with the Almighty Shall a little Child go to fight with an Arch-angel Ezek. 22.14 Can thy Heart endure or can thy Hands be strong in the day that I shall deal with thee Christ will put all his Enemies at last under his Feet Psal. 110.1 All the Multitude of the Wicked who set themselves against God shall be but as so many Clusters of ripe Grapes to be cast into the Wine-press of the wrath of God and to be trodden by him till their blood comes forth The King of Glory will come off Victor at last Men may set up their Standard but God alwaies sets up his Trophies of Victory the Lord hath a golden Scepter and an iron Rod Psal. 2.9 Those who will not bow to the one shall be broken by the other 4. Br. Is God so great a King having all Power in Heaven and Earth in his Hand let us learn Subjection to him Such as have gone on in Sin and by their Impieties hung out a Flag of defiance against the King of Heaven Oh come in quickly and make your Peace submit to God Psal. 2.12 Kiss the Son least he be angry Kiss Christ with a Kiss of Love and a Kiss of Obedience obey the King of Heaven when he speaks to you by his Ministers and Ambassadors 2 Cor. 5.20 when God bids you fly from Sin and espouse Holiness obey him to obey is better then Sacrifice To obey God saith Luther is better then to work Miracles Obey God willingly Isa. 1.19 That is the best obedience that is chearful as that is the sweetest Honey which drops out of the Comb Obey God swiftly Zech. 5.9 I lift up mine eyes and behold two Women and the wind was in their Wings Wings are swift but wind in the wings denotes great swiftness such should our obedience to God be Obey the King of Glory Vse III. Comfort to those who are the Subjects of the King of Heaven God will put forth all his Royal Power for their Succour and Comfort 1. The King of Heaven will plead their Cause Ier. 51.36 I will plead thy Cause and take Vengeance for thee 2. He will protect his People He sets an invisible guard about them Zech. 2.5 I will be a Wall of Fire to her rounâ— about A wall that
increased It is the Judgment of Luther and Anselm and many other Divines that we shall know one another yea the Saints of all Ages whose Faces we never saw and when we shall see the Saints in Glory without their spots viz. their infirmities Pride and Passion this will be a glorious sight We see how Peter was transported when he saw but two Prophets in the Transfiguration Matth. 17.3 but what a blessed sight will it be when we shall see such a Glorious Company of Prophets and Martyrs and Holy Men of God How sweet will the Musick be when they shall all sing together in consort in the Heavenly Quire And tho' in this great Assembly of Saints and Angels one Star may differ from another in Glory yet no such weed as Envy shall ever grow in the Paradise of God then there shall be perfect Love which as it casts out Fear so also Envy though one Vessel of Glory may hold more than another yet every Vessel shall be full 5. In the Kingdom of Heaven there shall be incomprehensible Joy Aristotle saith Ioy proceeds from Vnion When the Saints Union with Christ is perfected in Heaven then their Joy shall be full all the birds of the Heavenly Paradise sing for Joy What Joy when the Saints shall see the great gulph shut and know that they are passed from Death to Life what Joy when they are as holy as they would be and as God would have them to be what Joy to hear the Musick of Angels to see the golden banner of Christs Love displayed over the Soul to be drinking that Water of Life which is quintessential and is sweeter than all Nectar and Ambrosia what Joy when the Saints shall see Christ clothed in their Flesh sitting in Glory above the Angels then they shall enter into the joy of their Lord Matth. 25.21 Here Joy enters into the Saints in Heaven they enter into joy O thou Saint of God who now hangest thy harp upon the Willows and minglest thy drink with weeping in the Kingdom of Heaven thy Water shall be turned into Wine you shall have so much felicity that your Souls cannot wish for more The Sea is not so full of Water as the Heart of a Glorified Saint is of Joy there can be no more Sorrow in Heaven than there is Joy in Hell 6. In Heaven there is honour and dignity put upon the Saints A Kingdom imports honour All that come into Heaven are Kings they have 1. a Crown Rev. 2.10 dabo tibi the Crown of Life Corona est insigne regiae potestatis This Crown is not lined with Thorns but hung with Jewels it is a never-fading Crown 1 Pet. 5.4 2. The Saints in Heaven have their Robes they exchange their Sackcloth for white Robes Rev. 7.9 I beheld a great multitude which no man could number clothed in white robes Robes signifie their Glory White their Sanctity And 3. They sit with Christ upon the Throne Rev. 3.21 We read 1 Kings 6.33 the doors of the Holy of Holies were made of Palm-trees and open Flowers covered with Gold an emblem of that victory and that garland of Glory which the Saints shall wear in the Kingdom of Heaven When all the Titles and Ensigns of Worldly honour shall lye in the dust the Mace the Silver Star the Garter then shall the Saints honour remain 7. We shall in the Kingdom of Heaven have a blessed Rest. Rest is the end of motion Heaven is Centrum quietativum animae the blessed Centre where the Soul doth acquiesce and rest In this Life we are subject to unquiet motions and fluctuations 2 Cor. 7.5 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 We are troubled on every side like a Ship on the Sea having the waves beating on both sides but in the Kingdom of Heaven there is Rest Heb. 4.9 How welcome is Rest to a weary Traveller When Death cuts asunder the string of the Body the Soul as a Dove flyes away and is at Rest. This Rest is when the Saints shall lye on Christs bosom that hive of sweetness that bed of perfume 8. The Saints shall in the Kingdom of Heaven have their Bodies richly bespangled with Glory they shall be full of Clarity and Brightness as Moses Face shined that Israel were not able to behold the Glory Exod. 34 30. The Bodies of the Saints shall shine seven times brighter than the Sun saith Chrysostome they shall have such a resplendency of Beauty on them that the Angels shall fall in love with them and no wonder for they shall be made like Christs glorious body Phil. 3.21 The Bodies of Saints glorified need no Jewels when they shall shine like Christs Body 9. In the Heavenly Kingdom is Eternity 't is an eternal fruition they shall never be put out of the Throne Rev. 22.5 They shall reign for ever and ever It is called the everlasting kingdom 2 Pet. 1.11 and an eternal weight of Glory 2 Cor. 4.17 The Flowers of Paradise of which the Saints Garland is made never wither If there could be a cessation of Heavens Glory or the Saints had but the least fear or suspicion of losing their Felicity it would infinitely abate and cool their Joy but their Kingdom is for ever the Rivers of Paradise cannot be dryed up Psal. 16.11 At thy right hand are pleasures for evermore The Kingdom of Heaven was typified by the Temple which was built with Stone covered with Cedar over-laid with Gold to show the fixed permanent state of Glory that Kingdom abides for ever Well may we pray Thy Kingdom come Having spoken of the Kingdom of Grace and how we may know that Kingdom is set up in our Hearts I am next speaking of the Kingdom of Glory or Heaven 1. What is meant by the Kingdom of Heaven 2. What are the Properties of this Kingdom 3. Wherein this Heavenly Kingdom excels all the Kingdoms upon Earth 4. When this Kingdom shall be bestowed 5. Wherein appears the Certainty and Infallibility of it 6. VVhy we should pray for the coming of this Kingdom 1. Quest. What is meant by the Kingdom of Heaven Resp. 1. It imports a blessed freedom from all evil 2. It implies a glorious fruition of all good 1. Immediate communion with God who is the inexhausted Sea of all Happiness 2. A visible beholding the glorified Body of Jesus Christ. 3. A glorious Vision of Saints and Angels 4. Dignity and Honour the Crown and white Robes 5. A blessed Rest. Quest. 2. What are the Properties or Qualifications of the Kingdom of Heaven Resp. 1. The Glory of this Kingdom is solid and substantial the Hebrew word for Glory 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies a VVeight to show how solid and weighty the Glory of the Caelestial Kingdom is The Glory of the worldly Kingdom is Aery and imaginary like a blazing Comet or Fancy Act. 25.23 Agrippa and Bernice came with a great Pomp 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with a great Fancy Iob. 26.7 The Earth hangs like a Ball in the Air
without any thing to uphold it The Glory of the Heavenly Kingdom is substantial it hath twelve Foundations Rev. 21.14 That which God and Angels count Glory is true Glory 2. The Glory of this Kingdom is satisfying Psal. 36.9 With thee is the Fountain of Life How can they choose but be full who are at the Fountain head Psal. 17.15 When I awake I shall be satisfied with thy Likeness i. e. VVhen I awake in the Morning of the Resurrection having some of the Beams of thy Glory shining in me I shall be satisfied Iob 28.14 The Creature saith concerning Satisfaction It is not in me If we go for Happiness to the Creature we go to the wrong Box only Heavens Glory is commensurate to the vast Desires of an Immortal Soul A Christian bathing himself in these Rivers of Pleasure cries out in a Divine Extasy I have enough The Soul is never satisfied till it hath God for its Portion and Heaven for its Haven Dissatisfaction ariseth from some defect but God is an Infinite Good and there can be no defect in that which is Infinite 3. The Glory of Heavens Kingdom is pure and unmix'd the Streams of Paradise are not muddied omnia clara omnia jucunda there that Gold hath no alloy no bitter ingredient in that Glory but pure as the Honey drops from the Comb there is a Rose grows without Prickles the Rose of Sharon there is Ease without Pain Honour without Disgrace Life without Death 4. The Glory of this Kingdom is constantly exhilarating and refreshing there 's fulness but no surfeit Worldly Comforts though sweet yet in time grow stale A Down-bed pleaseth a while but within a while we are weary and would rise Too much Pleasure is a pain But the Glory of Heaven doth never surfeit or nauseate the reason is because as there are all Rarities imaginable so every Moment fresh Delights spring from God into the glorified Soul 5. The Glory of this Kingdom is distributed to every individual Saint In an Earthly Kingdom the Crown goes but to one a Crown will fit but one Head but in that Kingdom above the Crown goes to all Rev. 1.6 All Elect are Kings The Land is settled chiefly upon the Heir and the rest are ill provided for But in the Kingdom of Heaven all the Saints are Heirs Rom. 8.17 Heirs of God and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Co-heirs with Christ. God hath Land enough to give to all his Heirs 6. Lucid and Transparent This Kingdom of Heaven is adorned and bespangled with Light 1 Tim. 6.16 Light is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Glory of the Creation Eccl. 11.7 The Light is sweet Hell is a dark Dungeon Mat. 22.13 Fire but no Light The Kingdom of Heaven is a Diaphanum all imbroidered with Light clear as Christal How can there want light where Christ the Sun of Righteousness displaies his Golden Beams Rev. 21.23 The Glory of the Lord did lighten it and the Lamb is the Light thereof 7. The Glory of this Kingdom is adequate and proportionable to the desire of the Soul In Creature-Fruitions that which doth commend them and set them off to us is Suitableness The Content of Marriage doth not lye either in Beauty or Portion but the suitableness of Disposition The Excellency of a Feast is when the Meat is suited to the Pallat This is one ingredient in the Glory of Heaven it exactly suits the desires of the glorified Saints we shall not say in Heaven Here is a Dish I do not love There shall be Musick suits the Ear the Anthems of Angels and Food that suits with the glorified Pallat the hidden Manna of Gods Love 8. The Glory of this Kingdom will be seasonable the seasonableness of a Mercy adds to the Beauty and sweetness it is like Apples of Gold in Pictures of Silver After an hard Winter in this cold Climate will it not be seasonable to have the Spring Flowers of Glory appear and the singing of the Birds of Paradise come When we have been wearied and even tired out in battle with sin and Satan will not a Crown be seasonable 3. Quest. Wherein the Kingdom of Heaven infinitely excels all the Kingdoms of the Earth Resp. 1. It excels in the Architect Other Kingdoms have Men to raise their Structures but God himself laid the first Stone in this Kingdom Heb. 11.10 This Kingdom is of the greatest Antiquity God was the first King and Founder of it no Angel was worthy to lay a Stone in this Building 2. This Heavenly Kingdom excels in Altitude 't is higher scituated than any Kingdom the higher any thing is the more excellent The Fire being the most sublime Element is most Noble The Kingdom of Heaven is seated above all the visible Orbs There is first the Aery Heaven which is the space from the Earth to the Sphere of the Moon 2. The Starry Heaven the place where are the Planets of an higher Elevation Saturn Iupiter Mars 3. The Caelum Empyraeum the Empyraean Heaven which Paul calls the third Heaven Vbi Christ is there is the Kingdom of Glory scituated This Kingdom is so high that no Scaling Ladders of Enemies can reach it so high that the old Serpent can't shoot up his fiery Darts to it If wicked Men could build their Nests among the Stars yet the least Believer would shortly be above them 3. The Kingdom of Heaven excels all other in Splendor and Riches it is described by precious Stones Rev. 21.19 What are all the Rarities of the Earth to this Kingdom Coasts of Pearl Rocks of Diamonds Islands of Spices What are the Wonders of the World to it The Egyptian Pyramides The Temple of Diana The Pillar of the Sun offered to Iupiter What a rich Kingdom is that where God will lay out all his cost Those who are poor in the World yet as soon as they come into this Kingdom grow rich as rich as the Angels Other Kingdoms are inriched with Gold this is inriched with the Deity 4. The Kingdom of Heaven excels all other Kingdoms in Holiness Kingdoms on Earth are for the most part unholy there 's a Common Shore of Luxury and Uncleanness running in them Kingdoms are Stages for sin to be acted on Isa. 28.8 All Tables are full of Vomit But the Kingdom of Heaven is so holy that it will not mix with any Corruption Rev. 21.27 There shall enter into it nothing that defileth 'T is so pure a Soyl that no Serpent of Sin will breed there There is Beauty which is not stained with Lust and Honour which is not swelled with Pride Holiness is the brightest Jewel of the Crown of Heaven 5. The kingdom of Heaven excels all other kingdoms in its pacifick Nature 't is Regnum Paci◠a kingdom of Peace Peace is the Glory of a Kingdom Pax una Triumphis innumeris melior A Kings Crown is more adorned with the white Lilly of Peace then when it is beset with the red Roses of a bloody War but where shall
we find an un-interrupted Peace upon Earth Either home-bred Divisions or Forreign Invasions 2 Chron. 15.5 There was no Peace to him that went out or to him that came in But the kingdom of Heaven is a kingdom of Peace there are no Enemiest o conflict with all Christs Enemies shall be under his Feet Psal. 110.1 The Gates of that kingdom alwaies stand open Rev. 21.25 The Gates shall not be shut at all to show that there 's no fear of an assault of an Enemy the Saints when they dye are said to enter into Peace Isa. 57.2 There 's no beating of Drums or roaring of Canons but the Voice of Harpers harping in token of Peace Rev. 14.2 In Heaven Righteousness and Peace kiss each other 6. The Kingdom of Heaven excels in Magnitude 't is of vast Dimensions though the Gate of the kingdom be strait we must pass into it through the strait Gate of Mortification yet when once we are in it is very large though there be an innumerable Company of Saints and Angels yet there is room enough for them The kingdom of Heaven may be called by the Name of that Well Gen. 26.22 Iacob called the Name of it Rehoboth for he said now the Lord hath made room for us Thou who art now confin'd to a small Cottage when thou comest into the Caelestial kingdom thou shalt not be straitened for room As every Star hath a large Orb to move in so it shall be with the Saints when they shall shine as Stars in the kingdom of Heaven 7. The Kingdom of Heaven excels in Unity all the Inhabitants agree together in Love Love will be the Perfume and Musick of Heaven as Love to God will be intense so to the Saints Perfect Love as it casts out Fear so it casts out Envy and Discord Those Christians who could not live quietly together on Earth which was the Blemish of their Profession yet in the kingdom of Heaven the fire of Strife shall cease there shall be no vilifying or censuring one another or raking into one anothers sores but all shall be tied together with the Heart-strings of Love there Luther and Suinglius are agreed Satan cannot put in his Cloven Foot there to make Divisions there shall be perfect Harmony and Concord and not one jarring String in the Saints Musick It were worth dying to be in that kingdom 8. This kingdom exceeds all Earthly in Joy and Pleasure therefore it is called Paradise 2 Cor. 12 4. for delight There are all things to cause Pleasure there is the Water of Life pure as Christal there 's the Honey-comb of Gods Love dropping 'T is called entring into the Ioy of our Lord Mat. 25.23 There are two things cause Joy 1. Separation from Sin Sin creates Sorrow but when this Viper of Sin shall be shaken off then Joy follows there can be no more sorrow in Heaven then there is Joy in Hell 2. Perfect Union with Christ Joy as Aristotle saith flows from Union with the Object When our Union with Christ shall be perfect then our Joy shall be full If the Joy of Faith be so great 1 Pet 1.8 then what will the Joy of Sight be Ioseph gave his Brethren Provision for the way but the full Sacks of Corn were kept till they came at their Fathers House God gives the Saints a Tast of Joy here but the full Sacks are kept till they come to Heaven not only the Organical Parts the outward Sences the Eye Ear Tast shall be filled with Joy But the Heart of a Glorified Saint shall be filled with Joy the Understanding Will and Affections are such a Triangle as none can fill but the Trinity There must needs be infinite Joy where nothing is seen but Beauty nothing is tasted but Love 9. This kingdom of Heaven excels all Earthly in self-perfection Other kingdoms are defective they have not all Provision within themselves but are fain to trafick abroad to supply their wants at home King Solomon did send to Ophir for Gold 2 Chron. 8.18 But there is no defect in the kingdom of Heaven it hath all Commodities of its own growth Rev 21.7 there is the Pearl of Price the Morning Star the Mountains of Spices the Bed of Love there are those sacred Rarities wherewith God and Angels are delighted 10. This kingdom of Heaven excels all other in Honour and Nobility it doth not only equal them in the Ensigns of Royalty the Throne and white Robes but it doth far transcend them Other Kings are of the Blood-Royal but they in this Heavenly kingdom are born of God Other Kings converse with Nobles the Saints Glorified are Fellow Commoners with Angels they have a more Noble Crown 't is made of the Flowers of Paradise and is a Crown that fadeth not away 1 Pet. 5.4 they sit on a better Throne King Solomon 1 Kings 10.18 sat on a Throne of Ivory overlaid with Gold but the Saints are in Heaven higher advanced they sit with Christ upon his Throne Rev. 3.21 they shall judge the Princes and great Ones of the Earth 1 Cor. 6.2 This honour have all the Saints Glorified 11. This kingdom of Heaven excels all others in healthfulness Death is a Worm that is ever feeding at the Root of our Gourd kingdoms are oft Hospitals of sick persons But the kingdom of Heaven is a most healthful Climate Phisicians there are out of date no Distemper there no passing Bell or Bill of Mortality Luke 20.36 neither can they dye any more in the Heavenly Climate are no ill Vapours to breed Diseases but a sweet aromatical Smell coming from Christ all his Garments smell of Myrrh Aloes and Cassia 12. This kingdom of Heaven excels in Duration it abides for ever Suppose Earthly kingdoms to be more glorious then they are their Foundations of Gold their Walls of Pearl their Windows of Saphyre yet they are corruptible and fading Hos. 1.4 I will cause the Kingdom to cease Troy and Athens now lie buried in their Ruines jam Seges est ubi Troja fuit Mortality is the Disgrace of all Earthly kingdoms but the kingdom of Heaven hath Eternity written upon it it is an everlasting kingdom 2 Pet. 1 1â— 't is founded upon a strong Basis Goâ—s Omnipotency this kingdom the Saints shall never be turned out of or be deposed from their Throne as some Kings have been viz. Hen. VI. c. But shall reign 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for ever and ever Rev. 22.5 How should all this affect our Hearts What should we mind but this kingdom of Heaven which doth more out-shine all the kingdoms of the Earth then the Sun out-shines the Light of a Taper 4. Quest. When this Kingdom shall be bestowed Resp. This Glory in the kingdom of Heaven shall be begun at death but not perfected till the Resurrection 1. The Saints shall enter upon the kingdom of Glory immediately after death before their Bodies are buried their Souls shall be Crowned Phil. 1.23 having a desire 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉
〈◊〉 to depart and be with Christ from this Connexion departing and being with Christ we see clearly that there is a subitus transitus speedy passage from death to Glory No sooner is the Soul of a Believer divorced from the Body but it presently goes to Christ 2 Cor. 5.8 absent from the Body present with the Lord it were better for Believers to stay here if immediately after death they were not with Christ in Glory for here the Saints are daily encreasing their Grace here they have many praelibamina sweet tasts of Gods love so that it were better to stay here if their Soul should sleep in their body and they should not have a speedy sight of God in Glory But this is the Consolation of Believers they shall not stay long for their kingdom 't is but winking and they shall see God it will be a blessed change to a Believer from a Desert to a Paradise from a bloody battle to a victorious Crown and a sudden Change no sooner did Lazarus dye but he had a Convoy of Angels to conduct his Soul to the kingdom of Glory You who now are full of bodily Diseases scarce a well day Psal. 31.10 My Life is spent with Grief be of good Comfort you may be happy before you are aware before another Week or Month be over you may be in the kingdom of Glory and then all tears shall be wiped away 2. The Glory in the kingdom of Heaven will be fully perfected at the Resurrection and general day of Judgment then the Bodies and Souls of Believers will be re-united what Joy will there be at the Re-union and meeting together of the Soul and Body of a Saint O what a welcome will the Soul give to the Body O my dear Body thou didst oft joyn with me in Prayer and now thou shalt joyn with me in Praise thou wert willing to suffer with me and now thou shalt reign with me thou wert sown a vile Body but now thou art made like Christs Glorious Body we were once for a time divorc'd but now we are married and Crowned together in a kingdom and shall mutually congratulate each others Felicity 5. Quest. Wherein appears the Certainty and infallibility of this Kingdom of Glory Resp. That this blessed kingdom shall be bestowed on the Saints is beyond all Dispute 1. God hath promised it Luke 12.32 It is your Fathers good pleasure to give you a Kingdom Luke 22.29 I appoint unto you a Kingdom Gr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I bequeath it as my last Will and Testament Hath God promised a kingdom and will he not make it good Gods promise is better then any Bond Tit. 1.2 In hope of eternal Life which God that cannot lye hath promised The whole Earth hangs upon the Word of Gods Power and cannot our Faith hang upon the Word of his Promise 2. There is a Price laid down for this kingdom Heaven is not only a kingdom which God hath promised but which Christ hath purchased 'T is called a purchased Possession Eph. 1.14 Though this kingdom is given us freely yet Christ bought it with the Price of his blood Christs blood is an Heaven-procuring blood Heb. 10.19 Having boldness to enter into the Holiest i. e. into Heaven by the blood of Iesus Crux Christi Clavis Paradisi Christs blood is the key that opens the Gates of Heaven to us should not the Saints have this kingdom then Christ would lose his Purchase Christ on the Cross was in hard Travail Isa. 13.11 he travailed to bring forth Salvation to the Elect should not they possess the kingdom when they dye Christ should lose his Travail all his Pangs and Agonies of Soul upon the Cross should be in vain 3. Christ prays that the Saints may have this kingdom settled upon them Iohn 17.24 Father I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am i. e. in Heaven This is Christs Prayer that the Saints may be with him in his kingdom and be bespangled with some of the Beams of his Glory now if they should not go into this heavenly kingdom then Christs Prayer would be frustrated but that cannot be for he is Gods Favourite Iohn 11.42 I know thou hearest me alwaies and besides what Christ prays for he hath power to give Observe the manner of Christs Prayer Father I will Father there he prays as Man I will there he gives as God 4. The Saints must have this blessed kingdom by vertue of Christs Ascension Iohn 20.17 I ascend to my Father and your Father to my God and to your God Where lies the comfort of this here it lies Jesus Christ ascended to take Possession of heaven for all Believers as an Husband takes up Land in another Country in the behalf of his Wife so Christ went to take possession of heaven in the behalf of all Believers Iohn 14.2 I go to prepare a place for you My Ascension is to make all things ready against your coming I go to prepare the heavenly Mansions for you The Flesh that Christ hath taken into heaven is a sure Pledge that all our Flesh and Bodies shall be where he is ere long Christ did not ascend to heaven as a private Person but as a publick Person for the good of all Believers his Ascension was a certain Fore-runner of the Saints ascending into heaven 5. The Elect must have this blessed kingdom in regard of the previous Works of the Spirit in their hearts they have the beginning of the kingdom of heaven in them here Grace is heaven begun in the Soul besides God gives them primitias spiritus the first Fruits of the Spirit Rom. 8.23 These First-fruits are the Comforts of the Spirit the First-fruits under the Law were a certain sign to the Jews of the full Crop or Vintage which they should after receive The First-fruits of the Spirit consisting in Joy and Peace do assure the Saints of the full Vintage of Glory they shall be ever reaping in the kingdom of God and the Saints in this Life are said to have the earnest of the Spirit in their hearts 2 Cor. 5.5 as an earnest is part of Payment and an assurance of Payment in full to be made in due Time So Gods Spirit in the hearts of Believers giving them his Comforts bestows on them an earnest or tast of Glory which doth further assure them of that full Reward which they shall have in the kingdom of heaven 1 Pet. 1.8 believing ye rejoyce there is the earnest of heaven Verse 9. receiving the end of your Faith Salvation there is the full Payment 6. The Elect must have this blessed Kingdom by virtue of their Coalition and Vnion with Jesus Christ. They are Members of Christ therefore they must be where their Head is Indeed the Arminians hold that a justified person may fall from Grace and so his Union with Christ may be dissolved and the Kingdom lost but I would demand of them can Christ lose a
to the Life drew her Face covered with a Vail So when we speak of the Kingdom of Heaven we must draw a Vail we cannot set it forth in all its Orient Beauty and Magnificence Gold and Pearl do but faintly shadow it out Rev. 21. the Glory of this Kingdom is better felt than expressed 1. They who inherit this Kingdom are amicti stolis alhis cloathed with white robes Rev. 7.9 White Robes denote three things 1. Their Dignity the Persians were arayed in white in token of honour 2. Their Purity the Magistrates among the Romans were clothed in white ergo called candidati to show their integrity Thus the Queen the Lambs Wife is arayed in fine linnen pure and white which is the righteousness of the Saints Rev. 19.8 3. Their Joy White is an emblem of Joy Eccl. 9.7 Eat thy bread with joy let thy garments be alwayes white 2. The dwellers in this Kingdom have Palms in their hands Rev. 7.9 in token of Victory They are Conquerours over the World and being Victors they now have Palm-branches 3. They sit upon the Throne with Christ Rev. 3.21 When Caesar returned from conquering his Enemies there was set for him a Chair of State in the Senate and a Throne in the Theatre Thus the Saints in Glory after their Heroick Victories shall sit upon a Throne with Christ. Here is Royal Bounty in God to bestow such an illustrious Kingdom upon the Saints 'T is a Mercy to be Pardoned but what is it to be Crowned 'T is a Mercy to be delivered from Wrath to come but what is it to be invested into a Kingdom Behold what manner of love is this Earthly Princes may bestow great gifts and donatives upon their Subjects but they keep the Kingdom to themselves Though King Pharaoh advanced Ioseph to Honour and took the Ring off his Finger and gave him yet he would keep the Kingdom to himself Gen. 41.40 but God inthrones the Saints in a Kingdom God thinks nothing too good for his Children We are ready to think much of a Tear a Prayer or to sacrifice a Sin for him but he doth not think much to bestow a Kingdom upon us 3. Br. See hence that Religion is no ignominious disgraceful thing Satan labours to cast all the odium and reproach upon it that he can that it is a devout Frenzy Folly in grain Acts 28.22 As for this sect we know that it is every where spoken against but wise Men measure things by the end What is the end of a Religious Life It ends in a Kingdom Would a Prince regard the slightings of a few franticks when he is going to be Crowned You who are beginners bind their reproaches as a Crown about your Head despise their Censures as much as their Praise a Kingdom is a coming 4. Br. See what contrary wayes the Godly and the Wicked go at Death the Godly go to a Kingdom the Wicked to a Prison The Devil is the Jaylor and they are bound with the chains of darkness Iude 6. but what are these Chains Not Iron Chains but worse the Chain of Gods Decree decreeing them to torment and the Chain of Gods Power whereby he binds them fast under Wrath This is the deplorable condition of impenitent Sinners they do not go to a Kingdom when they dye but to a Prison O think what horrour and despair will possess the Wicked when they see themselves ingulphed in misery and their condition hopeless helpless endless they are in a fiery Prison and no possibility of getting out A Servant under the Law who had an hard Master yet every seventh year was a year of release when he might go free but in Hell there is no year of release when the damned shall go free the Fire the Worm the Prison are eternal If the whole World from Earth to Heaven were filled with grains of Sand and once in a Thousand Years an Angel should come and fetch away one grain of Sand how many Millions of Ages would pass before that vast heap of Sand would be quite spent yet if after all this time the Sinner might come out of Hell there were some hope but this word ever breaks the Heart with despair 5. Br. See then that which may make us in love with holy Duties Every Duty Spiritually performed brings us a step nearer to the Kingdom Finis dat amabilitatem mediis He whose Heart is set on Riches counts Trading pleasant because it brings in Riches if our Hearts are set upon Heaven we shall love Duty because it brings us by degrees to the Kingdom we are going to Heaven in the way of Duty Holy Duties increase Grace and as Grace ripens so Glory hastens the Duties of Religion are irksome to Flesh and Blood but we should look upon them as Spiritual Chariots to carry us apace to the Heavenly Kingdom The Protestants in France called their Church Paradise and well they might because the Ordinances did lead them to the Paradise of God As every Flower hath its sweetness so would every Duty if we could look upon it as giving us a lift nearer Heaven 6. Br. It shows us what little cause the Children of God have to envy the prosperity of the wicked Quis aerario quis plenis loculis indiget Sen. the wicked have the waters of a full cup wrung out to them Psal. 73.10 as if they had a monopoly of happiness they have all they can desire nay they have more than heart can wish Psal. 73.7 They steep themselves in pleasure Iob 21.12 They take the timbrel and harp and rejoyce at the sound of the organ The wicked are high when Gods People are low in the World the Goats clamber up the Mountains of Preferment when Christs Sheep are below in the Valley of Tears the Wicked are clothed in Purple while the Godly are in Sackcloth the prosperity of the wicked is a great stumbling block This made Averroes deny a Providence and made Asaph say Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain Psal. 73.12 but there is no cause of envy at their prosperity if we consider two things 1. This is all they must have Luke 16.25 Son remember that thou in thy life time receivedst thy good things thou hadst all thy Heaven here Luther calls the Turkish Empire a bone which God casts to dogs 2. That God hath laid up better things for his Children he hath prepared a Kingdom of Glory for them they shall have the Beatifical Vision they shall hear the Angels sing in Consort they shall be Crowned with the Pleasures of Paradise for ever O then envy not the flourishing prosperity of the Wicked they go through fair way to Execution and the Godly go through foul way to Coronation 7. Br. Is there a Kingdom of Glory a coming Then see how happy all the Saints are at Death they go to a Kingdom they shall see Gods Face which shines ten thousand times brighter than the Sun in its Meridian Glory The Godly at Death
shall be installed into their Honour and have the Crown-Royal set upon their Head They have in the Kingdom of Heaven the quintessence of all delights they have the Water of Life clear as Chrystal they have all Aromatick Perfumes they feed not on the Dew of Hermon but the Manna of Angels they lye in Christs bosom that bed of Spices There is such a pleasant variety in the happiness of Heaven that after millions of years it will be as fresh and desirable as at the first hours enjoying In the Kingdom of Heaven the Saints are Crowned with all those Perfections which the Humane Nature is capable of The desires of the Glorified Saints are infinitely satisfied there is nothing absent that they could wish might be enjoyed there is nothing present that they could wish might be removed They who are got to this kingdom would be loath to come back to the Earth again it would be much to their loss They would not leave the fatness and sweetness of the Olive to court the Bramble the things which tempt us they would scorn What are golden bags to the golden beams of the Sun of Righteousness In the kingdom of Heaven there is Glory in its highest elevation in that Kingdom is Knowledge without Ignorance Holiness without Sin Beauty without Blemish Strength without Weakness Light without Darkness Riches without Poverty Ease without Pain Liberty without Restraint Rest without Labour Joy without Sorrow Love without Hatred Plenty without Surfeit Honour without Disgrace Health without Sickness Peace without War Contentation without Cessation O the happiness of those that dye in the Lord they go into this blessed kingdom and if they are so happy when they dye then let me make two Inferences 1. Infer What little cause have the Saints to fear Death are any afraid of going to a Kingdom What is there in this World should make us desirous to stay here Do we not see God dishonoured and how can we bear it Is not this World a valley of tears and do we weep to leave it Are not we in a Wilderness among fiery Serpents And are we afraid to go from these Serpents Our best Friend lives above God is ever displaying the Banner of his Love in Heaven and is there any Love like his Are there any sweeter smiles or softer embraces than his What newes so welcome as leaving the World and going to a Kingdom Christian thy dying day will be thy wedding day and dost thou fear it Is a Slave afraid to be redeemed Is a Virgin afraid to be match'd into the Crown Death may take away a few worldly Comforts but it gives that which is better it takes away a Flower and gives a Jewel it takes away a short lease and gives land of inheritance If the Saints possess a Kingdom when they dye they have no cause to fear Death A Prince would not be afraid to cross the Sea though tempestuous if he were sure to be Crowned assoon as he came at shore 2. Infer If the Godly are so happy when they dye they go to a Kingdom then what little cause have we to mourn immoderately for the death of Godly Friends shall we mourn for their preferment Why should we shed tears immoderately for them who have all tears wiped from their eyes Why should we be swallowed up of grief for them who are swallowed up of joy They are gone to their Kingdom they are not lost but gone a little before not perished but translated non amissi sed praemissi Cyprian They are removed for their advantage as if one should be removed out of a smoaky Cottage to a Pallace Elijah was removed in a fiery Chariot to Heaven shall Elisha weep inordinately because he enjoyes not the company of Elijah Shall Iacob weep when he knows his Son Ioseph is preferred and made chief Ruler in Egypt We should not be excessive in grief when we know our Godly Friends are advanced to a Kingdom I confess when any of our Relations dye in their impenitency there is just cause of Mourning but not when our Friends take their flight to Glory David lost two Sons Absalom a wicked Son he mourned for him bitterly he lost the Child he had by Bathsheba he mourned not when the Child was departed St. Ambrose gives the reason David had a good hope nay assurance that the Child was translated into Heaven but he doubted of Absalom he dyed in his Sins therefore David wept so for him O Absalom My Son my Son but though we are to weep to think any of our Flesh should burn in Hell yet let us not be cast down for them who are so highly preferred at Death as to a Kingdom Our Godly Friends who dye in the Lord are in that blessed estate and are crowned with such infinite delights that if we could hear them speak to us out of Heaven they would say Weep not for us but weep for your selves Luke 23.28 We are in our Kingdom weep not at our preferment but weep for your selves who are in a sinful sorrowful World you are tossing on the troublesome waves but we are got to the Haven you are fighting with Temptations while we are wearing a Victorious Crown Weep not for us but weep for your selves 8. Branch See the Wisdom of the Godly they have the Serpents eye in the Doves head wise virgins Matth. 25.2 their Wisdom appear in their choice they choose that which will bring them to a Kingdom they choose Grace and what is Grace but the seed of Glory They choose Christ with his Cross but this Cross leads to a Crown Moses chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God Heb. 11.25 it was a wise rational choice he knew if he suffered he should reign At the day of Judgment those whom the World accounted foolish will appear to be wise they made a prudent choice they chose Holiness and what is Happiness but the quintessence of Holiness They chose affliction with the people of God but through this purgatory of affliction they pass to Paradise God will proclaim the Saints Wisdom before Men and Angels 9. Br. See the folly of those who for vain Pleasures and Profits will lose such a glorious Kingdom like that Cardinal of France who said He would lose his part in Paradise if he might keep his Cardinalship in Paris I may say as Eccles. 9.3 Madness is in their heart Lysimachus for a draught of Water lost his Empire so for a draught of sinful Pleasure these will lose Heaven We too much resemble our Grand-Father Adam who for an Apple lost Paradise many for trifles to get a Shilling more in the Shop or Bushel will venture the loss of Heaven This will be an aggravation of the Sinners torment to think how foolishly he was undone for a flash of impure Joy he lost an eternal weight of Glory Would it not vex one who is the Lord of a Mannor to think he should part with his stately Inheritance for a
a means to bring us thither 18. The last means for obtaining the Heavenly Kingdom is Perseverance in Holiness Rev. 2.10 Be thou faithful unto death and thou shalt receive the Crown of Life In Christians non initia sed finis laudantur Hierom. 1. Is there such a thing as persevering 2. How doth a Christian come to persevere 3. What are the Incouragements 4. What Helps 1. Is there such a thing as persevering till we come to Heaven The Arminians deny it and truly that any one holds out to the Kingdom is a wonder if you consider 1. What a world of Corruption is mingled with Grace Grace is apt to be stifled as the Coal to be choaked with its own ashes Grace is oft like a Spark in the Sea 't is a wonder it is not quenched 'T is a wonder sin doth not do to Grace as sometime the Nurse to the Child overlay it that it dye so that this Infant of Grace is not smothered 2. The Implacable malice of Satan he denies that we should have a Kingdom when he himself is cast out it cuts him to the heart to see a piece of dust and clay be made a bright Star in Glory and he himself an Angel of Darkness he will Acheronta movere move all the Powers of Hell to hinder us from the Kingdom he spits his Venome shoots his fiery Darts raiseth a storm of persecution yea and prevails against some Rev. 12.4 There appeared a great red Dragon and his Tail drew the third part of the Stars of Heaven and did cast them to the Earth By the Dragon is meant the Heathenish Empire now when his Tail cast so many to the Earth it is a wonder that any of the Stars keep fixed in their Orb. 3. The Blandishments of Riches The Young man in the Gospel went very far thou art not far from the Kingdom of God but he had rich Possessions and these golden weights hindred him from the Kingdom Luke 18.23 Ionathan pursued the Battle till he came at the Honey-comb and then he stood still 1 Sam. 14.27 Many are forward for Heaven till they tast the sweetness of the World but when they come at the Honey-comb then they stand still and go no further Faenus pecuniae funus animae Those who have escaped the Rocks of gross sins yet have been cast away upon the Golden Sands What a wonder therefore that any doth hold on till he comes to the Kingdom 4. A wonder any holds out in Grace and doth not tire in his march to Heaven if you consider the difficulty of a Christians Work he hath no time to lye fallow he is either watching or fighting nay a Christian is to do those Duties which to the eye of sence and reason seem inconsistent While a Christian doth one duty he seems to cross another e. g. he must come with holy boldness to God in Prayer yet must serve him with fear he must mourn for sin yet rejoyce he must be contented yet covet 1 Cor. 12.32 contemn Mens Impieties yet reverence their Authority What difficult work is this a wonder any Saint arrives at the Heavenly Kingdom to this I might add the evil Examples abroad which are so atractive we may say the Devils are come among us in the likeness of Men what a wonder is it that any Soul perseveres till it comes to the Kingdom of Heaven but as great a wonder as it is there is such a thing as perseverance a Saints perseverance is built upon three immutable Pillars 1. Gods Eternal Love We are inconstant in our Love to God but he is not so in his Love to us Ier. 31.9 I have loved thee with an everlasting Love a havath gnolam with a Love of Eternity Gods Love to the Elect is not like a Kings Love to his Favourite when it is at the highest Spring-Tide it soon ebbs but Gods Love is eternized God may desert not disinherit he may change his Love into a Frown not into hatred he may alter his Providence not his decree When once the Sun-shine of Gods Electing Love is risen upon the Soul it never sets finally 2. A Saints Perseverance is built upon the Covenant of Grace 〈◊〉 a firm impregnable Covenant This you have in the words of the sweet Singer of Israel 2. Sam. 23.5 God hath made with me an everlasting Covenant ordered in all things and sure 'T is a sweet Covenant that God will be our God the marrow and quintessence of all Blessing and it is a sure Covenant that he will put his Fear in our heart and we shall never depart from him Ier. 32.40 This Covenant is inviolable cannot be broken indeed sin may break the Peace of the Covenant but it cannot break the Bond of the Covenant 3. The third Pillar Perseverance is built upon is the Mistical Union Believers are incorporated into Christ they are knit to him as Members to the Head by the Nerve and Ligament of Faith that they cannot be broken off Eph. 5.23 What was once said of Christs natural Body is as true of his mistical Body Iohn 19.36 A bone of it shall not be broken As it is impossible to sever the Leaven and the Dough when they are once mingled so it is impossible when Christ and Believers are once united ever by the Power of Death or Hell to be separated How can Christ lose any Member of his Body and be perfect You see on what strong Pillars the Saints Perseverance is built 2 Quest. How doth a Christian hold on till he comes to the Kingdom How doth he persevere Resp. 1. Auxilio Spiritus God carries on a Christian to perseverance by the Energy and vigorous working of his Spirit The Spirit maintains the Essence and Seed of Grace it doth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 blow up the Sparks of Grace into an holy Flame Spiritus est Vicarius Christi Tertul. 't is Christs Deputy and Proxy is it every day at work in a Believers heart exerting Grace into Exercise and ripening it into perseverance The Spirit doth carve and polish the Vessels of Mercy and make them fit for Glory 2. Christ causeth perseverance and carries on a Saint till he comes to the Heavenly Kingdom vi orationis by his Intercession Christ is an Advocate as well as a Surety he prays that the Saints may arrive safe at the Kingdom Heb. 7.25 Wherefore he is able to save them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to the uttermost i. e. perfectly seeing he ever liveth to make Intercession for them that Prayer he made for Peter on Earth he prays now in Heaven for the Saints that their Faith fail not Luke 22.32 that they may be with him where he is Iohn 17.24 and sure if he pray that they may be with him in his Kingdom they cannot perish by the way Christs Prayer is efficacious if the Saints Prayers have so much force and prevalency in them Iacob had power with God and as a Prince prevailed Hos. 12.4 By Prayer Eliah unlocked
may give his Soldier Armour but not strength Faith partakes of Christs strength and Faith gets strength from the promise as the Child by sucking the Breast gets strength so doth Faith by sucking the Breast of the Promise hence Faith is such a wonder working Grace and enables a Christian to persevere 3. If you would hold out to the Kingdom set before your Eyes the Examples of those Noble Heroick Saints who have persevered to the Kingdom Vivitur Exemplis Examples have more influence upon us then Precepts Iob 23.11 12. My Foot hath held his steps Though the way of Religion hath Flints and Thorns in it yet my Foot hath held his steps I have not fainted in the way nor turn'd out of the way Daniel held on his Religion and would not intermit Prayer though he knew the writing was signed against him and a Prayer might cost him his life Dan. 6.10 The blessed Martyrs persevered to the Kingdom through Sufferings Saunders that holy Man said Welcome the Cross of Christ my Saviour began to me in a bitter Cup and shall I not pledge him Another Martyr kissing the Stake said I shall not lose my Life but change it for a better instead of Coals I shall have Pearls What a spirit of gallantry was in these Saints let us learn Constancy from their Courage A Souldier seeing his General fight valiantly is animated by his Example and hath new Spirits put into him 4. Let us add fervent Prayer to God that he would inable us to hold out to the Heavenly Kingdom Psal. 119.117 Hold thou me up and I shall be safe Let us not presume on our own strength When Peter cryed to Christ on the water Lord save me then Christ took him by the hand Matth. 14.30 but when he grew confident of his own strength then Christ let him fall O pray to God for auxiliary Grace The Child is safe when held in the Nurses armes so are we in Christs armes Let us pray that God will put his fear in our hearts that we do not depart from him and that Prayer of Cyprian Domine quod caepisti perfice ne in portu naufragium accidat Lord perfect that which thou hast begun in me that I may not suffer shipwrack when I am almost at the haven 3. Branch Let us press forward with the greatest diligence to this Kingdom And here let me lay down some powerful Perswasives or Divine Arguments to make you put to all your strength for the obtaining this blessed Kingdom 1. This is the great errand for which God hath sent us into the World to prepare for this Heavenly Kingdom Matth. 6.33 Seek ye first the kingdom of God First in time before all things and first in affection above all things Great care is taken for the atchieving Worldly things Matth. 6.25 To see people labouring for the earth as Ants about a Molehill would make one think this were the only errand they came about But alas what is all this to the Kingdom of Heaven I have read of a devout Pilgrim travelling to Ierusalem who passing through several Cities where he saw many stately Edifices Ware and Monuments he would say I must not stay here this is not Jerusalem So when we enjoy Worldly things Peace and Plenty and have our presses burst out with new Wine we should say to our selves this is not the Kingdom we are to look after this is not Heaven 'T is Wisdom to remember our errand It will be but sad upon a Death-bed for a Man to think he was busying himself only about trifles playing with a feather and neglected the main thing he came into the World about 2. The seeking after the Heavenly Kingdom will be judged most prudent by all Men at last Those who are regardless of their Souls now will before they dye wish they had minded Eternity more when Conscience is awakened and Men begin to come to themselves Now what would they give for the Kingdom of Heaven How happy were it if Men were of the same mind now as they will be at Death Death will alter Mens opinions then those who did most slight and disparage the wayes of Religion will wish their time and thoughts had been taken up about the excellent Glory At Death Mens eyes will be opened and they will see their folly when it is too late If all Men even the worst will wish at last they had minded the Kingdom of Heaven why should not we do that now which all will wish they had done when they come to dye 3. This Kingdom of Heaven deserves our utmost pains and diligence it is Glorious beyond Hyperbole Suppose Earthly Kingdoms more magnificent than they are their Foundations of Gold their Walls of Pearl their Windows of Sapphire yet they are not comparable to the Heavenly Kingdom 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrys. If the Pavement of it be bespangled with so many bright shining Lights glorious Stars what is the Kingdom it self 1 Iohn 3.2 It doth not yet appear what we shall be This Kingdom exceeds our Faith How sublime and wonderful is that place where the blessed Deity shines forth in his immense Glory infinitely beyond the comprehension of Angels 1. The Kingdom of Heaven is a place of Honour there are the glorious Triumphs and sparkling Crowns In other Kingdoms there is but one King but in Heaven all are Kings Rev. 1.6 Every Saint glorified partaker of the same Glory as Christ doth Iohn 17.22 The glory thou hast given me I have given them 2. This Kingdom is a place of Joy Matth. 25.21 Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. To have a continual aspect of Love from Gods face to be crowned with Immortality to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as the Angels of God to drink of the Rivers of Pleasure for ever this will cause Raptures of Joy Sure it deserves our utmost pains in pursuing and securing this Kingdom Iulius Caesar coming towards Rome with his Army and hearing the Senate and People fled from it said They that will not fight for this City what City will they fight for If we will not take pains for the Kingdom of Heaven what Kingdom will we take pains for It was the speech of the Spies to their Brethren Iudg. 18.9 We have seen the land and behold it is very good and are ye still be not slothful to go and to enter to possess the land We have had a lively description of the Glory of Heaven we find the Kingdom is very good why then do we sit still Why do we not operam navare put forth our utmost zeal and industry for this Kingdom The diligence of others in seeking after Earthly Kingdoms shames our coldness and indifferency in pursuing after the Kingdom of Heaven 4. The time we have to make sure of the Heavenly Kingdom is very short and uncertain take heed it doth not slip away before you have prepared for the Kingdom Time passeth on apace Cito pede praeterita vita
It will not be long before the silver cord be loosed and the golden bowl broken Eccles. 12. The skin wherein the Brains are inclosed as in a bowl this golden bowl will soon be broken Our Soul is in our Body as the Bird is in the Shell which soon breaks and the Bird flyes out the Shell of the Body breaking the Soul flyes into Eternity We know not whether we shall live to another Sabbath Before we hear another Sermon-bell go our Passing-bell may go Our Life runs as a swift stream into the ocean of Eternity Brethren if our Time be so minute and transient if the taper of Life be so soon wasted or perhaps blown out by violent death how should we put to all our strength and call in help from Heaven that we may obtain the Kingdom of Glory If time be so short why do we wast it about things of less moment and neglect the one thing needful which is the Kingdom of Heaven A Man that hath a great work to be done and but one day for the doing of it had need work hard We have a great work to do we are striving for a Kingdom and alas we are not certain of one day to work in therefore what need have we to bestir our selves and what we do for Heaven to do it with all our might 5. To excite our diligence let us consider how inexcusable we shall be if we miss of the Kingdom of Heaven who have had such helps for Heaven as we have had Indians who have Mines of Gold have not such advantages for Glory as we they have the light of the Sun Moon and Stars and the light of Râ—ason but this is not enough to light them to Heaven But we have had the light of the Gospel shining in our Horizon we have been lifted up to Heaven with Ordinances we have had the Word in season and out of season The Ordinances are the pipes of the Sanctuary which empty the golden Oyl of Grace into the Soul they are scala ParAdisi the Ladder by which we ascend to the Kingdom of Heaven Deut. 4 7. What nation is there so great who hath God so nigh unto them as the Lord our God is in all things that we call upon him for We have had Heaven and Hell set before us we have had Counsels of Friends Warnings Examples the Motions and Inspirations of the Holy Ghost how should all these spurs quicken us in our pace to Heaven Should not that Ship sail apace to the Haven which hath Wind and Tide to carry it The Tide of Ordinances and the Wind of the Spirit Surely if we through negligence miss of the Kingdom of Heaven we shall have nothing to say for our selves we shall be as far from excuse as from happiness 6. You cannot do too much for the Kingdom of Heaven you cannot pray too much sanctifie the Sabbath too much love God too much you cannot over-do In secular things a Man may labour too hard he may kill himself with working but there is no fear of working too hard for Heaven In virtute non est verendum ne quid nimium sit Seneca The World is apt to censure the Godly as if they were too zealous and did over-strain themselves in Religion Indeed a Man may follow the World too much he may make too much hast to be rich The Ferry-man may take in too many Passengers into his Boat to the sinking of his Boat so a Man may heap up so much Gold and Silver as to sink himself in Perdition 1 Tim. 6.9 but one cannot be too earnest and zealous for the Kingdom of Heaven there is no fear of excess here when we do all we can for Heaven we come short of the Golden Rule set us and of Christs Golden Pattern when our Faith is highest like the Sun in the Meridian yet still 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 there is something lacking in our Faith 1 Thess. 3.1 so that all our labour for the Kingdom is little enough When a Christian hath done his best yet still he hath sins and wants to bewail 7 By this you may judge of the state of your Souls whether you have Grace or no by your earnest pursuit after the Heavenly Kingdom Grace infuseth a Spirit of activity into a person Grace doth not lye dormant in the Soul 't is not a sleepy habit but it makes a Christian like a Seraphim swift and winged in his Heavenly motion Grace is like fire it makes one burn in love to God and the more he loves him the more he presseth forward to Heaven where he may fully enjoy him Hope is an active Grace 't is called a lively hope 1 Pet. 1.3 hope is like the spring in the Watch it sets all the wheels of the Soul a running Hope of a Crop makes the Husbandman sow his seed hope of Victory makes the Souldier fight and a true hope of Glory makes a Christian vigorously pursue Glory Here is a Spiritual Touchstone to try our Grace by If we have the anointing of the Spirit it will oyl the wheels of our endeavour and make us lively in our pursuit after the Heavenly Kingdom No sooner had Paul Grace infused but presently Behold he prayes Acts 9.11 The Affections are by Divines called the Feet of the Soul if these Feet move not towards Heaven it is because there is no Life 8. Your labour for Heaven is not lost Perhaps you may think it is in vain that you have served God but know that your pains is not lost The Seed is cast into the Earth and it dyes yet at last it brings forth a plentiful Crop so your labours seem to be fruitless but at last they bring you to a Kingdom Who would not work hard for one hour when for that hours work he shâ—uld be a King as long as he lived And let me tell you the more labour you have put forth for the Kingdom of Heaven the more degrees of Glory you shall have As there are degrees of Torment in Hell Matth. 23.14 so of Glory in Heaven As one Star differs from another in Glory so shall one Saint 1 Cor. 15.41 Though every Vessel of Mercy shall be full yet one Vessel may hold morâ— than another Such as have done more work for God shall have more Glory in the Heavenly Kingdom Could we hear thâ— Saints departed speaking to us from Heaven sure they would speak after this manner Were we to leave Heaven a while and live on the Earth again we would do God a thousand times more service than ever we did we would pray with more Life act with more Zeal for now we see the more hath been our labour the greater is our reward in Heaven 9. While we are labouring for the Kingdom God will help us Ezek. 36.27 I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes The Promise encourageth us and Gods Spirit inableth us A Master gives his Servant work to
content to stay here any longer Again Our unwillingness to go hence declares we love the World too much and Christ too little Love as Aristotle saith desires Union did we love Christ as we should we would desire to be united to him in Glory when we might take our fill of Love be humbled that we are so unwilling to go hence Let us labour to arrive at that divine temper of Soul as Paul had Cupio dissolvi I desire to depart and be with Christ Phil. 1.23 We are encompassed with a body of sin should not we long to shake off this viper We are in Meseck and the Tents of Kedar in a place where we see God dishonoured should not we desire to have our pass to be gone We are in a valley of Tears is it not better being in a Kingdom Here we are combating with Satan should not we desire to be called out of the bloody field where the bullets of Temptation fly so fast that we may receive a victorious Crown O ye Saints breath after the Heavenly Kingdom Though we should be willing to stay to do service yet we should ambitiously desire to be alwayes sunning our selves in the light of Gods Countenance Think what it will be to be ever with the Lord are there any sweeter smiles or embraces than his Is there any bed so soft as Christs bosom Is there any such joy as to have the golden banner of Christs Love displayed over us Is there any such honour as to sit upon the Throne with Christ Rev. 3.21 O then long for the Caelestial Kingdom 6. Wait for this Kingdom of Glory It is not incongruous or improper to long for Heaven yet wait for it long for it because it is a Kingdom yet wait your Fathers good pleasure God could presently bestow this Kingdom but he sees it good that we should wait a while 1. Had we the Kingdom of Heaven presently assoon as ever Grace is infused then God would lose much of his Glory 1. Where would be our living by Faith which is the Grace that brings in the chief revenues of Glory to God Rom. 4.20 2. Where would be our suffering for God which is a way of honouring him which the Angels in Heaven are not capable of 3. Where would be the active service we are to do for God Would we have God give us a Kingdom and we do nothing for him before we come there Would we have Rest before Labour a Crown before Victory This were disingenuous Paul was content to stay out of Heaven a while that he might be a means to bring others thither Phil. 1.23 â— While we wait for the Kingdom our Glory is increasing Every Duty Religiously performed adds a Jewel to our Crown Do we desire to have our Robes of Glory shine brighter let us wait and work the longer we stay for the Principal the greater will the Interest be The Husbandman waits till the seed spring up Wait for the harvest of Glory Some have their waiting Weeks at Court this is your walting time Christ saith Pray and faint not Luke 18.1 so wait and faint not Be not weary the Kingdom of Heaven will make amends for your waiting I have waited for thy Salvation O Lord said that dying Patriarch Gen. 49.18 VSE V. Comfort to the people of God 1. In all their Sufferings The true Saint is as Luther saith Haeres Crucis heir to the Cross Affliction is his Dyet drink but here is that may be as Bezoar-stone to keep him from fainting these sufferings bring a Kingdom The hope of the Kingdom of Heaven saith Basil should indulcorate and sweeten all our troubles 2 Tim. 2.12 If we suffer we shall reign with him 'T is but a short fight but an eternal triumph this light suffering produceth an eternal weight of Glory 2 Cor. 4.17 1. A weight of Glory 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Things which are precious the more weighty the more they are worth the more weight is in a Crown of Gold the more it is worth 'T is a weight of Glory 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 An eternal weight of Glory Did this Glory last but a while it would much abate and imbitter the Joyes of Heaven but the Glory of that Kingdom runs parallel with Eternity God will be as a deep Sea of Blessedness and the Glorified Saints shall for ever bathe themselves in that Ocean One dayes wearing the Crown will abundantly pay for all the Saints sufferings how much more then when they shall reign for ever and ever Rev. 22.5 O let this support under all the Calamities and Suffering in this Life What a vast difference is there between a Believers Sufferings and his Reward Rom. 8.18 The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the Glory which shall be revealed in us For a few Tears Rivers of Pleasure for Mourning white Robes This made the Primitive Christians laugh at Imprisonment and snatch up Torments as so many Crowns Though now we drink in a Worm-wood Cup here is Sugar in the bottom to sweeten it 'T is your Fathers good pleasure to give you a Kingdom 2. Comfort in Death Here is that which may take away from Gods Children the terrour of Death they are now entring into the Kingdom Indeed no wonder if wicked Men be appal'd and terrified at the approach of Death they dye unpardoned Death carries them to the Goal where they must lye for ever without â—ail or Mainprize But why should any of Gods Children be so scared and half-dead with the thoughts of Death What hurt doth Death do to them but lead them to a Glorious Kingdom Faith gives a Title to Heaven Death a Possession let this be a Gospel-antidote to expel the fear of Death Hilarion that blessed Man cryed out Egredere Anima egredere quid times Go forth my Soul go forth what fearest thou Let them fear Death who do not fear Sin But let not Gods Children be over-much troubled at the grim Face of that Messenger which brings them to the end of their Sorrow and the beginning of their Joy Death is yours 1 Cor. 3.22 it is part of a Believers inventory Is a Prince afraid to cross a narrow Sea who shall be Crowned when he comes to Land Death to the Saints shall be an usher to bring them into the Presence of the King of Glory This puts Lilies and Roses into the ghastly face of Death and makes it look amiable Death brings us to a Crown of Glory which fades not away The day of Death is better to a Believer than the day of his Birth Death is aditus ad Gloriam an entrance into a blessed Eternity Fear not Death but rather let your Hearts revive when you think these ratling wheels of Deaths Chariot are but to carry you home to an everlasting Kingdom MATTH vi 10 Thy Will be done in Earth as it is in Heaven WE come next to the Third Petition Thy Will be done in Earth as it
of Gods Will Thy Will be done 3. By doing the Will of God we evidence Sincerity as Christ said in another sense Iohn 10.25 The works which I do bear witness of me So it is not all our golden words if we could speak like Angels but our works our doing of Gods Will which bears witness of our Sincerity We judge not of the health of a Mans Body by his high Colour but by the Pulse of the Arm where the Blood chiefly stirs so a Christians soundness is not to be judged by his Profession what is this high Colour but the estimate of a Christian is to be taken by his Obediential acting his doing the Will of God this is the best Certificate and Letters Testimonial to shew for Heaven 4. Doing Gods Will much propagates the Gospel this is the Diamond that sparkles in Religion Others cannot see what Faith is in the Heart but when they see we do Gods Will on Earth this makes them have a venerable opinion of Religion and become Proselites to it Iulian in one of his Epistles writing to Arsatius saith That the Christian Religion did much flourish by the Sanctity and Obedience of them that professed it 5. By doing Gods Will we show our Love to Christ Iohn 14.21 He that hath my commandments and keepeth them he it is that loveth me What greater Love to Christ than to do his Will though it cross our own Every one would be thought to love Christ but how shall that be known but by this do you do his Will on Earth Neque principem veneramur si odio ejus Leges habemus Isid. 'T is a vain thing for a Man to say he loves Christs Person when he slights his Commands Not to do Gods Will on Earth is a great evil 't is 1. Sinful 2. Foolish 3. Dangerous 1. It is Sinful 1. We go against our Prayers we pray Fiat voluntas tua thy will be done and yet we do not obey his will we confute our own Prayer 2. VVe go against our Vow in Baptism we have vowed to fight under the Lords Banner to obey his Scepter and this Vow we have oft renewed in the Lords Supper if we do not Gods will on Earth we are forsworn and God will indite us of Perjury 2. Not to do Gods will on Earth is Foolish 1. Because there is no standing it out against God If we do not obey him we cannot resist him 1 Cor. 10. â—2 Are we stronger than he Iob. 40.9 Hast thou an arm like God Canst thou measure Armes with him To oppose God is as if a Child should fight with an Arch-Angel as if an heap of Bryars should put themselves into a battalia against the Flame 2. Not to do Gods will is foolish because if we do not Gods will we do the Devils will Is it not folly to gratifie an enemy To do his will that seeks our ruine Quest. But are any so wicked as to do the Devils will Answ. Yes Iohn 8.44 Ye are of your Father the Devil and the lusts of your Father ye will do VVhen a Man tells a lye doth he not do the Devils will Acts 5.3 Ananias Why hath Satan filled thy heart to lye to the Holy Ghost 3. Not to do Gods Will is dangerous it brings a Spiritual Praemunire If Gods Will be not done by us he will have his will upon us if we obey not Gods will in commanding we shall obey his will in punishing 2 Thess. 1.7 The Lord Iesus shall be revealed with his mighty Angels in flames of fire taking vengeance on them that obey not his gospel Either we must do Gods will or suffer it 6. VVhatever God wills us to do is for our benefit Behold here self-interest As if a King commands his Subject to dig in a Mine of Gold and then gives him all the Gold he hath digged God bids us do his will and this is for our good Deut. 10.13 And now O Israel what doth the Lord thy God require of thee but to fear the Lord thy God and keep the commandments of the Lord which I command thee this day for thy good It is Gods will that we should repent and this is for our good Repentance ushers in remission Acts 3.9 Repent that your sins may be blotted out It is Gods will that we should believe and why is it but that we should be crowned with Salvation Mark 16.16 He that believes shall be saved VVhat God wills is not so much our Duty as our Priviledge he bids us obey his voice and it is greatly for our good Ier. 7.23 Obey my voice and I will be your God I will not only give you my Angels to be your guard but my self to be your portion my Spirit shall be yours to sanctifie you my Love shall be yours to comfort you my Mercy shall be yours to save you I will be your God 7. To do Gods will is our Honour A Person thinks it an Honour to have a King speak to him to do such a thing the Angels count it their highest Honour in Heaven to do Gods will Servire Deo regnare est To serve God is to reign Non onerant nos sed ornant Salvian How chearfully did the Rowers row the Barge that carried Caesar to be imployed in his Barge was an Honour to be imployed in doing Gods will is insigne Honoris the highest ensign of Honour that a Mortal Creature is capable of Christs Precepts do not burden us but adorn us 8. To do Gods Will on Earth makes us like Christ and akin to Christ. 1. It makes us like Christ Is it not our Prayer that we may be like Christ. Jesus Christ did his Fathers will Iohn 6.38 I came down from Heaven not to do my own will but the will of him that sent me God the Father and Christ as they have but one Essence so but one VVill Christs will was melted into his Fathers Iohn 4.34 My meat is to do the will of him that sent me By our doing Gods will on Earth we resemble Christ nay we are akin to Christ and are of the Blood-Royal of Heaven Alexander called himself Couzen to the Gods what Honour is it to be akin to Christ. Matth. 12.50 Whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in Heaven the same is my Brother and Sister and Mother Did King Solomon arise off his Throne to meet his Mother and set her on a Throne by him 1 Kings 3.19 such Honour will Christ bestow on such as are doers of Gods will he will salute them as his Kindred and set them on a Glorious Throne in the Amphitheatre of Heaven 9. Doing Gods will on Earth brings Peace in Life and Death 1. In Life Psal. 19.11 In keeping thy precepts there is great reward not only after keeping them but in keeping them when we walk closely with God in Obedience there is a secret Joy let into the Soul and how swiftly and chearfully do the wheels of the Soul move
do all that God commands they leave nothing of his Will undone Psal. 103.20 Ye his Angels that do his Commandments If God send an Angel to the Virgin Mary he goes on Gods Errand if he gives his Angels a Charge to Minister for the Saints they obey Heb. 1.14 It cannot stand with Angelical Obedience to leave the least Iota of Gods Will unfulfilled This is to do Gods Will as the Angels when we do all his Will quicquid propter Deum fit aequaliter fit This was Gods Charge to Israel Numb 15.40 Remember to do all my Commandments And it was spoken of David Act. 13.22 I have found David a Man after mine own heart who shall perform all my Will Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all my Wills Every Command hath the same Authority and if we do Gods Will uprightly we do it uniformly we obey every part and Branch of his Will we joyn first and second Table surely we owe that to God our Father which the Papists say we owe to our Mother the Church unlimited Obedience we must incline to every Command as the Needle moves that way which the Loadstone draws 2. This discovers the unsoundness of many who do Gods will by halves they pick and choose in Religion they in some things comply with Gods will but not in other like a foundred Horse who sets but some of his Feet on the Ground he favours one Foot He who is to play upon a Lute must strike upon every Sring or he spoils all the Musick Gods Commandments may be compared to a ten-string'd Lute we must obey Gods will in every Command strike upon every string or we can make no good Melody in Religion The Badger hath one Foot shorter then the other Hypocrites are shorter in some duties then other some will pray not give alms hear the word not forgive their Enemies receive the Sacrament not make Restitution hovv can they be holy vvho are not just Hypocrites profess fair but vvhen it comes to sacrificing the Isaac crucifying the beloved sin or parting vvith some of their Estate for Christ here they stick and say as Naaman 2 King 5.18 In this thing the Lord pardon thy Servant This is far from doing Gods will as the Angels do God likes not such as do his will by halves if your Servant should do some of your vvork vvhich you set him about but not all hovv vvould you like that Object But vvho is able to do all Gods vvill Answ. Though vve cannot do all Gods vvill legally yet vve may Evangelically vvhich is 1. When we mourn that we can do Gods will no better when we fail we weep Rom. 7.24 2. When it is the desire of our Soul to do Gods whole Will Psal. 119.5 O that my ways were directed to keep thy Precepts What a Child of God wants in strength he makes up in desire in magnis voluisse sat est 3. When we endeavour quoad conatum to do the whole Will of God A Father bids his Child lift such a burden the Child is not able to lift it but he tries and doth his endeavour to lift it the Father accepts of it as if h◠had done it this is to do Gods Will Evangelically and God is pleased to take it in good part though it be not to satisfaction yet it is to acceptation 3. We do Gods Will as it is done in Heaven by the Angels when we do it sincerely sine fuco To do Gods VVill sincerely lies in two things 1. To do it out of a pure respect to Gods Command 2. With a pure Eye to Gods Glory 1. To do Gods Will out of a pure respect to Gods Command Abraham's sacrificing Isaac was contrary to Flesh and Blood to sacrifice the Son of his Love the Son of the Promise and that no other hand but the Fathers own should do this here was hard Service but because God commanded it out of pure respect to the Command Abraham obeyed This is to do Gods will aright when though we feel no present Joy or Comfort in Duty yet because God commands we obey not Comfort but the Command is the Ground of Duty thus the Angels do Gods will in Heaven Gods Command is the weight sets the wheels of their Obedience a going 2. To do Gods will sincerely is to do it with a pure Eye to Gods Glory The Pharisees did the will of God in giving Alms but that which was a dead Fly in the Ointment was that they did not aim at Gods Glory but vain-glory they blew a Trumpet Iehu did the will of God in destroying the Baal worshippers and God commended him for doing of it but because he aimed more at setling himself in the Kingdom then the Glory of God therefore God lookt upon it no better then Murder and said he would avenge the blood of Iezreel upon the house of Iehu Hos. 2.4 Let us look to our ends in Obedience though we shoot short let us take a right aim one may do Gods will yet not with a perfect heart 2 Chron. 25.2 Amaziah did that which was right in the sight of the Lord but not with a perfect Heart the Action was right for the matter but his aim was not right that Action which wants a good aim wants a good issue he doth Gods Will rightly that doth it uprightly his end is to honour God and lift up his Name in the world A gracious Soul makes God his Center as Ioab when he had taken Rabbah sent for King David that he might carry away the glory of the Victory 2 Sam. 12.27 So when a gracious Soul hath done any duty he desires that the glory of all may be given to God 1 Pet. 4.11 That in all things God may be glorified This is to do Gods will as the Angels when we not only advance Gods Glory but design his Glory the Angels are said to cast their Crowns before the Throne Rev. 4.10 Crowns are signs of greatest Honour but these Crowns the Angels lay at the Lords Feet to show that they ascribe the glory of all they do to him 4. VVe do Gods will as it is done in Heaven by the Angels when we do it willingly sine murmuratione The Angels love to be employed in Gods Service 't is the Angels Heaven to serve God they willingly descend from Heaven to Earth when they bring Messages from God and glad Tydings to the Church now Heaven being a place of such Joy the Angels would not leave it a Minute of an Hour only that they take such infinite delight in doing Gods will we do resemble the Angels when we do Gods will willingly 1 Chron. 28.9 And thou Solomon my Son serve the Lord with a willing mind Gods People are called a willing People Psal. 110.3 in Hebrew Gnam nedaebot a People of willingnesses they give God a free-will Offering though they cannot serve him perfectly they serve him willingly an Hypocrite though he doth facere bonum yet not velle he hath no
that no man take thy Crown implying if the Church of Philadelphia left off her Obedience she would lose her Crown viz. her Honour and Reputation Apostacy creates Infamy Iudas from an Apostle to be a Traytor it was a Dishonour 2. If we give over our Obedience it is a loss of all that hath been already done as if one should work in silver and then pick out all the stitches all a Mans Prayers are lost all the Sabbaths he hath kept are lost he doth unravel all his good works Ezek. 18.24 all his Righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned he undoes all he hath done As if one draw a curious Picture with the Pensil and then come with his Spunge and wipe out all again 3. A loss of the Soul and Happiness We were in a fair way for Heaven but by leaving off dâ—ing Gods VVill we miss of the excellent Glory and are plunged deeper in Damnation 2 Pet. 2.21 It had been better not to have known the way of Righteousness then after they have known it to turn from the Holy Commandment Therefore let us continue in doing Gods VVill Constancy sets the Crown upon the head of Obedience Thus you see how we are to do Gods VVill acceptably VSE I. Branch 1. See hence our Impotency we have no innate power to do Gods VVill VVhat need pray Thy Will be done if we have power of our selves to do it I wonder Free-willers pray this Petition 2. Branch If we are to do Gods Will on Earth as it is done by the Angels in Heaven see then the Folly of those who go by a wrong Pattern they do as the most of their Neighbours do if they talk vain on the Sabbath they do but as their Neighbours do if now and then they swear an Oath it is the Custom of their Neighbours to do so but we are to do Gods Will as the Angels in Heaven do the Angels do such things we must make the Angels our Patterns and not our Neighbours if our Neighbours do the Devils will shall we do so too If our Neighbours go to Hell shall we go thither too for Company 3. Branch See here that which may make us long to be in Heaven then we shall do Gods Will perfectly as the Angels do alas how defective are we in our Obedience here how far do we fall short we cannot write a Copy of Holiness without blotting our holy things are blemished like the Moon which when it shines brightest hath a dark spot in it But in Heaven we shall do Gods will perfectly as the Angels in Glory VSE II. Of Reproof 1. Branch It reproves such as do not Gods Will they have the knowledge of Gods will Knowledge they count an Ornament but though they know Gods Will yet they do it not 1. They know what God would have them avoid they know they should not swear Mat. 5.34 Swear not at all For this sin the Land mourns Ier. 23.10 Yet though they pray Hallowed be thy Name they profane it by shooting Oathes like Chain-Bullets against Heaven they know they should abstain from Fornication and Uncleanness yet they cannot but bite at the Devils Hook if he bait it with Flesh Iude 7. 2. They know what God would have them practise but they leave undone those things which they ought to have done they know it is the will of God they should be true in their Promises just in their Dealings good in their Relations but they do not the Will of God they know they should read the Scriptures consult with Gods Oracle but the Bible like rusty Armour is hung up and seldom used they look oftner upon a Pair of Cards then a Bible they know their Houses should be Palestrae Pietatis Nurseries of Piety yet have no Face of Religion in them they do not perfume their Houses with Prayer what Hypocrites are these to kneel down in the Church and lift up their Eyes to Heaven and say Thy Will be done yet have no care at all to do Gods Will what is this but to hang out a Flag of Defiance against Heaven and Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft 2. Branch It reproves those who do not Gods Will in a right acceptable manner 1. They do not Gods VVill intirely all Gods VVill they will obey God in some things but not in other as if a Servant should do some of your work you set him about but not the rest Iehu destroyed the Idolatry of Baal but let the golden Calves of Ieroboam stand 2 Kings 10.30 Some will observe the Duties of the Second Table but not the first Others make an high Profession as if their Tongues had been touch'd with a Coal from Gods Altar but live idly and out of a Calling these the Apostle complains of 2 Thess. 3.11 We hear there are some which walk among you disorderly working not at all Living by Faith and living in a Calling must go together This is an evil thing not to do all Gods VVill. 2. They do not Gods will ardently they do not put Coals to the Incense nor chearfully they bring their Sacrifice but not their heart this is far from doing Gods VVill as the Angels this loseth the Reward how can God like this to serve him as if we served him not how can God mind our Duties when we our selves scarce mind them VSE III. Of Examination Let us examine all our Actions whether they are according to Gods will The will of God is the Rule and Standard 't is the Sun-dial by which we must set all our Actions he is no good workman that doth not work by Rule he can be no good Christian who goes not according to the Rule of Gods will let us examine our Actions whether they do quadrare agree to the will of God Are our speeches according to Gods will Are our words savoury being seasoned with Grace Is our Apparel according to Gods will 1 Tim. 2.9 In like manner that women adorn themselves in modest Apparel not wanton and garish to invite Comers Our Diet is it according to Gods will Do we hold the golden Bridle of Temperance and only take so much as may rather satisfy Nature then surfeit it too much Oyl choaks the Lamp Is our whole carriage and behaviour according to Gods will Are we patterns of Prudence and Piety Do we keep up the Credit of Religion and shine as Lights in the world We pray Thy Will be done as it is in Heaven are we like our Pattern would the Angels do thus if they were on Earth would Jesus Christ do this thus is to Christianize this is to be Saints of degrees when we live our Prayer and our Actions are the Counter-pane of Gods will VSE IV. Of Exhortation Let us be doers of the Will of God Thy Will be done 1. It is our Wisdom to do Gods Will Deut. 4.6 Keep and do these statutes for this is your wisdom 2. It is our Safety Hath not Misery alwayes
attended the doing of our own Will and Happiness the doing of Gods Will 1. Misery hath alwayes attended the doing of our own Will Our first Parents left Gods Will to fulfil their own in eating the forbidden fruit and what came of it The Apple had a bitter Core in it they purchased a Curse for themselves and all their Posterity King Saul left Gods Will to do his own he spares Agag and the best of the Sheep and what was the issue but the loss of his Kingdom 2. Happiness hath alwayes attended the doing of Gods Will. Ioseph obeyed Gods Will in refusing the embraces of his Mistress and was not this his Preferment God raised him to be the second Man in the Kingdom Daniel did Gods Will contrary to the Kings Decree he bowed his Knee in Prayer to God and did not God make all Persia bow their Knees to Daniel 3. The way to have our Will is to do Gods Will. Would not we have a Blessing in our Estate then let us do Gods Will Deut. 28.1 3. If thou shalt hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God to do all his commandments the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all the nations of the earth Blessed shalt thou be in the city and blessed shalt thou be in the field This is the way to have a good Harvest Would we not have a Blessing in our Souls then let us do Gods Will Ier. 7.23 Obey my voice and I will be your God I will entail my self upon you as an everlasting Portion my Grace shall be yours to sanctifie you my Mercy shall be yours to save you You see you lose nothing by doing Gods Will this is the way to have your Will Let God have his will in being obeyed and you shall have your will in being saved Quest. How shall we come to do Gods will aright Answ. 1. Get sound knowledge we must know Gods Will before we can do it Knowledge is the eye to direct the foot of Obedience The Papists make Ignorance the Mother of Devotion but Christ makes Ignorance the Mother of Errour Matth. 22.29 Ye err not knowing the Scripture We must know Gods Will before we can do it aright Affection without knowledge is like an Horse full of metal but his eyes are out 2. If we would do Gods Will aright let us labour for self-denyal unless we deny our own Will we shall never do Gods Will. Gods Will and ours are like the Wind and Tide when they are contrary God wills one thing we will another God calls us to be Crucified to the World by Nature we love the World God calls us to forgive our Enemies by Nature we bear malice in our Heart Gods Will and ours are contrary like the VVind and Tide and till we can cross our own will we shall never fulfil Gods 3. Let us get humble Hearts Pride is the spring of disobedience Exod. 5.2 Who is the Lord that I should obey his voice A proud Man thinks it below him to stoop to Gods Will. Be humble the humble Soul saith Lord what wilt thou have me do He puts as it were a blank paper into Gods hands and bids him write what he will he will subscribe to it 4. Beg Grace and Strength of God to do his Will Psal. 143.10 Teach me to do thy will As if David had said Lord I need not be taught to do my own Will I can do that fast enough but teach me to do thy Will and that which may add wings to Prayer is Gods gracious Promise I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes Ezek. 36.27 If the Loadstone draw the Iron it is not hard for the Iron to move if Gods Spirit inable it will not be hard but rather delightful to do Gods Will. II. In this Petition Thy Will be done in Earth as it is in Heaven we pray that we may have Grace to submit to Gods Will patiently in what he inflicts The Text is to be understood as well of suffering Gods Will as of doing it so Maldonat and the most Judicious Interpreters I shall speak now of patient submission to Gods Will in whatever he inflicts Thy Will be done This should be the temper of a good Christian when he is under any disastrous Providence to lye quietly at Gods Feet and say Thy Will be done Quest. 1. What this patient submission to Gods will is not Answ. There is something looks like Patience which is not namely when a Man bears a thing because he cannot help it he takes Affliction as his Fate and Destiny therefore he endures that quietly which he cannot avoid this is rather Necessity than Patience Quest. 2. What it is may stand with patient submission to Gods Will Answ. 1. A Christian may be sensible of Affliction yet patiently submit to Gods Will We ought not to be Stoicks insensible and unconcerned with Gods dealings like the Sons of Deucalion who as the Poets say were begotten of a Stone Christ was sensible when he sweat great drops of Blood but there was submission to Gods Will Matth. 26.39 Nevertheless not as I will but as thou wilt We are bid to humble our selves under Gods hand 1 Pet. 5.6 which we cannot do unless we are sensible of it 2. A Christian may weep under an Affliction yet patiently submit to Gods Will. God allowes tears 't is a sin to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 without natural affection Rom. 1.31 Grace makes the Heart tender strangulat inclusus dolor weeping gives vent to sorrow expletur lachrymis dolor Ioseph wept over his dead Father Iob when he had so much ill news brought him at once rent his Mantle an expression of grief but did not tear his Hair in anger only Worldly grief must not be immoderate a Vein may bleed too much the Water riseth too high when it overflowes the banks 3. A Christian may complain in his Affliction yet be submissive to Gods Will Psal. 142.2 I cryed to the Lord with my voice I poured out my complaint before him We may being under oppression tell God how it is with us and desire him to write down our injuries Shall not the Child complain to his Father when he is wronged An holy complaint may stand with patient submission to Gods Will but though we may complain to God we must not complain of God Quest. 3. What it is cannot stand with patient submission to Gods Will Answ. 1. Discontentedness with Providence Discontent hath a mixture of grief and anger in it and both these must needs raise a storm of Passion in the Soul God having touched the apple of our Eye and smitten us in that we loved we are touchy and sullen and God shall not have a good look from us Gen. 4.6 Why art thou wroth Like a sullen Bird that is angry and beats her self against the Cage 3. Murmuring cannot stand with submission to Gods Will Murmuring is the height of impatience it
their chrystal streams the Sun inlightens others with its golden beams the more a Christian is enobled with Grace the more he besiegeth Heaven with his Prayers for others If we are Members of the Body Mystical we cannot but have a sympathy with others in their wants and this sympathy sets us a praying for them David had a publick Spirit in Prayer Psal. 125.4 Do good O Lord unto those that be good Though he begins the Psalm with Prayer for himself Psal. 51.1 Have Mercy upon me O God yet he ends the Psalm with Prayer for others ver 18. Do good in thy good pleasure unto Sion VSE III. It is matter of Comfort to the Godly who are but low in the World yet they have the Prayers of Gods people for them they pray not only for the increase of their Faith but their Food that God will give them Daily Bread He is like to be rich who hath several stocks going so are they in a likely way to thrive who have the Prayers of the Saints going for them in several parts of the World So much for this second word in the Petition Give us Thirdly The thiâ—â— word in the Petition is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 This day We pray not give us Bread for a month or a year but a day Give us this day Quest. Is it not lawful to lay up for afterwards Doth not the Apostle say He who provides not for his Family is worse than an Infidel 1 Tim. 5.8 Answ. 'T is true it is lawful to lay up for Posterity but our Saviour hath taught us to pray Give us this day our bread for two Reasons 1. That we should not have carking care for the future We should not set our Wits upon the tenter or torment our selves how to lay up great Estates if we do vivere in diem if we have but enough to supply for the present it may suffice Give us this day Take no thought for to morrow Matth. 6.34 God fed Israel with Manna in the wilderness and he fed them from hand to mouth sometimes all their Manna was spent and if any one had asked them where they would have their break-fast next morning they would have said our care is only for this day God will rain down what Manna we need If we have Bread this day do not distrust Gods Providence for the future 2. Our Saviour will have us pray Give us bread this day to teach us to live every day as if it were our last We are not to pray give us Bread to morrow because we do not know whether we shall live while to morrow but Lord give us this day it may be our last day we shall live and then we shall need no more VSE If we pray for Bread only for a day Give us this day then you who have great Estates have cause to be thankful you have more than you pray for you pray but for Bread for one day and God hath given you enough to suffice you all your life What a bountiful God do you serve Two things may make rich Men thankful 1. God gives them more than they deserve 2. God gives them more than they pray for Fourthly The fourth thing in the Petition is Our bread Quest. Why is it called our Bread when it is not ours but Gods Answ. 1. We must understand it in a qualified sense it is our Bread being gotten by honest industry There are two sorts of Bread that cannot properly be called our Bread 1. The Bread of Idleness 2. The Bread of Violence 1. The Bread of Idleness Prov. 31.27 She eateth not the bread of idleness An idle Person doth vivere aliena quadra he lives at another bodies cost and is at their finding Prov. 1.25 His hands refuse to labour We must not be as the Drones which eat the honey that other Bees have brought into the hive If we eat the bread of Idleness this is not our own bread 2 Thess. 3.11 12. There are some that walk disorderly working not at all such we command that they work and eat their own bread The Apostle gives us this hint that such as live idly do not eat their own Bread 2. The Bread of Violence We cannot call this our Bread for it is taken away from others That which is gotten by stealth or fraud or any manner of extortion is not our Bread it belongs to another He who is a bird of prey who takes away the Bread of the Widow and Fatherless he eats that Bread which is none of his nor can he pray for a Blessing upon it Can he pray God to bless that which he hath gotten unjustly 2. It is called our Bread by vertue of our Title to it There is a twofold title to Bread 1. A Spiritual Title In and by Christ we have a right to the Creature and may call it our Bread As we are Believers we have the best Title to Earthly things we hold all in capite 1 Cor. 3.22 All things are yours by what Title Ye are Christs 2. A Civil Title which the Law confers on us To deny Men a Civil Right to their Possessions and make all common it opens the door to Anarchy and Confusion VSE See the priviledge of Believers they have both a Spiritual and a Civil Right to what they possess They who can say Our Father can say our Bread Wicked Men tho' they have a Legal right to what they possess yet not a Covenant right they have it by Providence not by Promise with Gods leave not with his Love Wicked Men are in Gods eye no better than usurpers all they have their Money and Land is like Cloth taken up at the Drapers which is not paid for but this is the sweet priviledge of Believers they can say our Bread Christ being theirs all is theirs O how sweet is every bit of Bread dip'd in Christs Blood How well doth that Meat relish which is a pledge and earnest of more The Meal in the barrel is an earnest of our Angels food in Paradise Here is the priviledge of Saints they have a right to Earth and Heaven Fifthly The fifth and last thing in this Petition is the thing we pray for Daily Bread Quest. What is meant by Bread Answ. Bread here by a Synechdoche speciei pro genere is put for all the Temporal Blessings of this Life Food Fuel Clothing Quicquid nobis conducit ad bene esse Aust. whatever may serve for Necessity or sober Delight VSE Learn to be contented with that allowance God gives us If we have Bread a competency of these outward things let us rest satisfied We pray but for Bread Give us our daily Bread we do not pray for superfluities not for Quails or Venison but for Bread that which may support Life Tho' we have not so much as others so full a Crop so rich an Estate yet if we have the staff of Bread to shore us up from falling let us be content most people are
under her Gen. 31.34 He knows God sees him which is more than if Men and Angels did behold him He avoids Complexion-sins Psal. 18.23 I was also upright before him and kept my self from my iniquity As in the Hive there is a Masâ—er-Bee so in the Heart there is a Master-Sin An heart without guile takes the Sacrificing-knife of Mortification and runs it through his Beloved-Sin 3. An heart without guile desires to know the whole mind and will of God An unsound heart is afraid of the Light lucifuga he is not willing to know his Duty A sincere Soul saith as Job 34.32 What I know not teach thou me Lord shew me what is my Duty and wherein I offend let me not sin for want of light what I know not teach thou me 4. An heart without guile is uniform in Religion He hath an equal eye at all God's Commands 1. He makes Conscience of private Duties he worships God in his Closet as well as in the Temple Iacob when he was alone wrestled with the Angel Gen. 32.3 4. So a Christian when he is alone wrestles with God in Prayer and will not let him go till he hath blessed him 2. He performs difficuâ—t duties wherein the heart and spirit of Religion lie and which do cross flesh and blood His is much in self-humbling and self-examining Vtitur specâ—lis magis quam perspicillis Sen. He rather useth the Looking-glass of the Word to look into his own heart than the broad Spectacles of Censure to spy the faults of others 5. An heart without Guile is true to God's interest 1. He grieves to see it go ill with the Church Nâ—hâ—miah though the King's Cup-bearer and Wine so near yet was sad when Sion's Glory was Eclipsed Nehem. 2.3 Like the Tree I have read of if any of the Leaves are cut the rest of the Leaves begin to shrink up themselves and for a time to hang down the head So a sincere Soul when God's Church suffers feels himself as it were touched in his own Person 2. He Rejoyceth to see the Cause of God get Ground To see Truth Triumph Pieâ—y lift up its head and the Flowers of Christ's Crown flourish This is an Heart without Guile it 's loyal and true to God's interest 6. An heart without Guile is Iust in his dealings As he is upright in his Words so he is upright in his Weights He makes Conscience of the Second Table as well as the First He is for Equity as well as Piety 1 Thessal 4.6 That no Man go beyond and defraud his Brother in any matter A sincere heart thinks he may as well Rob as Defraud His Rule is to do to others what he would have them do to him Matt. 7.12 7. An heart without Guile is True in his Promises His Word is as good as his Bond If he hath made a Promise though it be to his prejudice and doth intrench upon his Profit he will not go back The Hypocrite plays fast and loose flies from his word there 's no more binding him with Oaths and Promises than Sampson could be bound with green Wit hs Iudg. 16.7 A sincere Soul saith as Iephtha Judg. 11.3 5. I have opened my mouth to the Lord and I cannot go back 8. An Heart without Guile is faithful in his Friendship He is what he pretends his Heart goes along with his Tongue as a well-made Dial goes with the Sun He cannot Flatter and Hate Commend and Censure Counterfeiting of Love is Hypocrisie 'T is too usual to betray with a Kiss 2 Sam. 20.9 Ioab took Abner by the beard to kiss him and smote him in the fifth rib that he died Many deceive with Sugar Words Physicians use to judge of the Health of the Body by the Tongue if that look well the Body is in Health but we cannot judge of Friendship by the Tongue the Words may be full of Honey when the Heart hath the Gall of Malice Sure his heart is not true to God who is Treacherous to his Friend Thus you see what an Heart without guile is now to have such an Heart is a Sign sin is pardoned God will not impute Sin to him in whose Spirit is no Guile What a blessed thing is this not to have Sin imputed If our Sins be not imputed 't is as if we had no Sin Sins remitted are as if they had not been committed this is the blessing belongs to a sincere Soul God imputes not Iniquity to him in whose Spirit is no Guile 9. He whose sins are forgiven is willing to forgive others who have offended him Ephes. 4.32 Forgiving one another even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you An Hypocrite will Read come to Church give Alms build Hospitals but cannot forgive Wrongs He will rather want Forgiveness from God than he will forgive his Enemies A Pardon'd Soul argues thus Hath God been so good to me to forgive me my sins and shall not I imitate him in this Hath he forgiven me Pounds and shall not I forgive Pence 'T is noted of Cranmer Nihil oblivisci solet praeter injurias Cicero He was of a forgiving Spirit and would do Offices of Love to them that had injur'd him Like the Sun which having drawn up black Vapours from the Earth returns them back in sweet Showers By this Touchstone we may try whether our sins are pardoned we need not climb up into Heaven to see whether our sins be forgiven but let us look into our hearts Are we of Forgiving Spirits Can we bury Injuries requite Good for Evil a good sign we are forgiven of God If we can find all these things wrought in our Souls they are happy signs that our sins are pardoned and are good Letters Testimonials to shew for Heaven Vse 3. Consolation I shall open a Box of Cordials and shew you some of the Glorious Priviledges of a pardoned condition This is a peculiar favour 't is a Spring shut up broched for none but the Elect. The Wicked may have Forbearing Mercy but onely an Elect Person hath Forgiving Mercy Forgiveness of sin makes way for solid joy Isa. 40.1 Comfort ye comfort ye my People saith your God speak ye comfortably to Ierusalem or as in the Hebrew Dabberu Gnal leâ— speak to her heart What was this must chear her heart tell her that her iniquity is pardoned If any thing would comfort her the Lord knew it was this When Christ would chear the Palsie Man Matt. 9.2 Son be of good chear thy sins be forgiven thee It was a greater comfort to have his sins forgiven than to have his Palsie healed This made David put on his best clothes and anoint himself 2 Sam. 12.20 It was strange his Child was newly dead and God had told him the sword should not depart from his house yet now he spruceth up himself he puts on his best Clothes and Anoints himself Whence was this David had heard good News God sent him his Pardon by Nathan the Prophet 2 Sam.
two Talents take the Venison and take a Blessing with it Take the Oil in the Cruse and take my Love with it Take two Talents 'T is observable Christ joins these two together Give us our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as if Christ would teach us there is little comfort in daily bread unless sin be forgiven Forgiveness doth perfume and drop sweetness into every earthly enjoyment 11. If sin be forgiven God will never upbraid us with our former sins When the Proâ—igal came home to his Father the Father received him into his loving embraces and never mentioned his former Luxury or spending his Estate among Harlots So God will not upbraid us with former sins nay he will intirely love us we shall be his Jewels and he will put us in his bosom Mary Magdalen a pardoned Penitent after Christ arose he appeared first to her Mark 16.9 So far was Christ from upbraiding her that he brings her the first New of his Resurrection 12. Sin being pardoned is a pillar of support in the loss of dear Friends God hath taken away thy Child thy Husband but withal he hath taken away thy sins He hath given thee more than he hath taken away He hath taken a-away a Flower and given thee a Jewel He hath given thee Christ and the Spirit and the earnest of Glory He hath given thee more than he hath taken away 13. Where God Pardons Sins he bestows righteousness With Remission of sin goes Imputation of Righteousness Isa. 61.10 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord he hath covered me with the Robe of Righteousness If a Christian can take any comfort in his Inherent Righteousness which is so stain'd and mix'd with sin O then what comfort may he take in Christ's Righteousness which is a better Righteousness than that of Adam Adam's Righteousness was Mutable but suppose it had been Vnchangeable yet it was but the Righteousness of a Man but that Righteousness which is Imputed is the Righteousness of him who is God 2 Cor. 5.21 That we might be made the Righteousness of God in Him O blessed priviledge to be reputed in the sight of God Righteous as Christ having his Embroidered Robe put upon the Soul This is the comfort of every one that is pardoned he hath a Perfect Righteousness and now God saith of him Thou art all fair my Love and there is no spot in thee Cant. 4.7 14. A pardon'd Soul needs not fear death He may look on Death with Joy who can look on Forgiveness with Faith To a pardoned Soul death hath lost his Sting Death to a pardon'd sinner is like the Arresting a Man after the Debt is paid Death may Arrest but Christ will shew the Debt-book Crossed in his Blood A pardoned Soul may Triumph over Death O Death where is thy Sting O Grave where is thy Victory He who is pardon'd needs not fear death it is not a Destruction but a Deliverance It is to him a day of Iubilee or Release it releaseth him from all his sins Death comes to a pardoned Soul as the Angel did to Peter it smote him and beat off his Chains and carried him out of Prison So doth Death to him who is pardon'd it smites his Body and the Chains of Sin fall off Death gives a pardon'd Soul a Quietus Est it frees him from all his Labours Revel 14.13 Faelix transitus à labore ad Requiem Death as it will wipe off our Tears so it will wipe off our Sweat Death will do a pardon'd Christian the greatest good turn therefore it is made a part of the Inventory 1 Cor. 3.22 Death is yours Death is like the Waggon which was sent for old Iacob it came ratling with its Wheels but it was to carry Iacob to his Son Ioseph So the Wheels of Death's Chariot may rattle and make a noise but they are to carry a Believer to Christ. While a Believer is here he is absent from the Lord 2 Cor. 5.6 He lives far from Court and cannot see him whom his Soul loves But Death gives him a sight of the King of Glory in whose presence is fulness of Ioy To a pardoned Soul Death is Transitus ad regnum it removes him to the place of Bliss where he shall hear the Triumphs and Anthems of Praise Sung in the Quire of Angels No cause hath a pardoned Soul to fear Death What needs he fear to have his Body buried in the Earth who hath his Sins buried in Christ's Wounds What hurt can Death do to him It is but his Ferry-man to Ferry him over to the Land of Promise The day of Death to a pardon'd Soul is his Ascension day to Heaven his Coronation-day when he shall be Crown'd with those delights of Paradice which are unspeakable and full of glory 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrysost. Thus you see the the rich Consolations which belong to a pardoned sinner Well might David proclaim him blessed Psal. 32.1 Blessed is he whose iniquity is forgiven In the Hebrew it is in the plural 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Blessednesses Here is a Plurality of Blessings Forgiveness of sin is like the first link of a Chain which draws all the links after it it draws these 14 Priviledges after it It Crowns with Grace and Glory Who then would not labour to have his sins forgiven Blessed is he whose Iniquity is forgiven whose sin is covered Now followeth the Duties of such as have their sins forgiven Mercy calls for Duty Be much in Praise and Doxology Psal. 103. 1. Bless the Lord O my Soul who forgiveth all thy Iniquities Hath God Crowned you with pardoning Mercy set the Crown of your Praise upon the head of Free Grace Pardon of sin is a Discriminating Mercy a Jewel hung onely upon the Elect this calls for Acclamations of Praise You will give thanks for daily bread and will you not much more for Pardon You will give thanks for deliverance from Sickness and will you not for deliverance from Hell God hath done more for you in forgiving your sin than if he had given you a Kingdom And that you may be more thankful do but set the Unpardoned condition bâ—fore your eyes How sad is it to want a pardon all the Curses of the Law stand in full force against such an one The Unpardoned Sinner dying he drops into the Grave and Hell both at once He must quarter among the Damned and will not this make you Thankful that this is not your condition but that you are delivered from wrath to come 2. Let God's pardoning love inflame your hearts with love to God For God to pardon freely without any desert of yours to pardon so many offences that he should pardon you and pass by others that he should take you out of the ruines of Mankind and of a clod of dust and sin make you a Jewel sparkling with Heavenly Glory Will not this make you love God much Three Prisoners that deserve to die if the King pardon one
This is Satan's Temptation the hand of Ioab is in this 2. To Rejoyce is a Duty Psal. 33.1 Praise is comely for the Vpright But when God by his judgments calls us to Weeping now Joy and Mirth is unseasonable Isa. 22.12 In that day did the Lord call to weeping and behold joy and gladness Oecolampadius and other Learned Writers think it was in the time of King Ahaz when the Signs of God's Anger like a Blazing-Star did appear now to be given to Mirth was very unseasonable 3. To Read The Word is a Duty but Satan will sometimes put Men upon it when it is unseasonable To Read at home when God's Word is Preaching or the Sacrament Administring is unseasonable yea sinful As Hushai said 2 Sam. 17.7 The Counsel is not good at this time There was a Set-time enjoyned for the Passover when the Iews were to bring their Offering to the Lord Numb 9.2 Had the People been Reading the Law at home in the time of the Passover it had not been in season and God would have punished it for a contempt This is the Devil 's subtil Temptation either to keep us from duty or to put us upon it when it is least in season Duties of Religion not well timed and done in season are dangerous Snow and Hail are good for the ground when they come in their season but in Harvest when the Corn is ripe then a Storm of Hail would do hurt 25. Subtilty of Satan in Tempting is to perswade Men to delay their repenting and turning to God He saith as Hag. 1.2 The time is not yet come Now youth is budding or you are but in the flower of your age it is too soon to repent the time is not yet come This Temptation is the Devil's draw-net by which he drags Millions to Hell It is a danâ—erous Temptation Sin is Dulce venenum Bern. a Poison the longer Poison lies in the Body the more mortal By delay of Repentance sin strengthens and the heart hardens The longer Ice freezeth the harder it is to be broken The longer a Man freezeth in impenitency the more difficult it will be to have his heart broken When sin hath gotten an haunt it is not easily shaken off Besides the danger of this Temptation to delay Repentance appears in this because life is hazardous and may on a sudden expire What security have you that you shall live another day Life is made up of a few flying Minutes it is a Taper soon blown out Jam. 4.14 What is your life It is but a vapour The body is like a Vessel tun'd with a little breath Sickness broacheth this Vessel Death draws it out How dangerous therefore is this Temptation to procrastinate and put off turning to God by repentance Many now in Hell did purpose to Repent but Death surpriz'd them 26. Subtilty of Satan in Tempting is to infringe and weaken the Saints peace If he cannot Destroy their Grace he will Disturb their Peace Satan envies a Christian should have a good day and if he cannot keep him from Heaven he will keep him from an Heaven upon Earth There is nothing next to Holiness a Christian prizeth more than Peace and Tranquillity of Mind This is the Cream of Life a Bunch of Grapes by the way Now it is Satans great policy to shake a Christian's Peace that if he will go to Heaven he shall go thither through Frights and plenty of Tears The Devil throws in his Fireballs of Temptation to set the Saints Peace on fire Of such great concern is Spiritual Peace that no wonder if Satan would by his Intricate subtilties Rob us of this Jewel Spiritual Peace is a Token of God's Favour As Ioseph had a special testimony of his Fathers Kindness in the Party-coloured Coat he gave him so have the Saints a special token of God's Good-will to them when he gives them inward Peace which is as it were the party-coloured Coat to wear No wonder then if Satan so much rage against the Saints Peace and would tear off this comfortable Robe from them The Devil troubles the waters of the Saints Peace because hereby he hopes to have the more advantage of them 1. By this perplexing of their Spirits Satan takes off their Chariot-wheels unfits them for the Service of God Body and Mind are both out of temper like an Instrument out of Tune Sadness of Spirit prevailing a Christian can think of nothing but his Troubles his Mind is full of doubts fears surmises that he is like a person distracted and is scarce himself Either he neglects the duties of Religion or his mind is taken off from them while he is doing them Especially there is one Duty that melancholy and sadness of spirit unfits for and that is Thankfulness Thankfulness is a Tribute or Quit-rent due to God Psal. 149.3 Let the Saints be joyful let the high praises of God be in their mouth But when Satan hath disturbed a Christian's spirit and fill'd his Mind full of black and almost despairing thoughts how can he be Thankful It rejoyceth Satan to see how his Plot takes by making God's Children Vnquiet he makes them Vnthankful 2. Satan by troubling the Saints Peace hath this advantage of laying a stumbling-block in the way of others By this policy the Devil gets an occasion to render the ways of God unlovely to those who are looking Heaven-ward He sets before new beginners the perplexing Thoughts the Tears the Groans of them who are wounded in Spirit to scare them quite off from all seriousness in Religion He will object to new beginners Do you not see how these sad Souls torture themselves with melancholy Thoughts and will you change the comforts and pleasures of this life to sit always in the house of mourning Will you espouse that Religion which makes you a terror to your selves and a burden to others Can you be in love with such a Religion as is ready to fright you out of your wits This advantage the Devil gets by troubling the Saints Peace he would discourage others who are looking towards Heaven he would beat them off from Praying and hearing all Soul-awakening Sermons lest they fall into this black humour of Melancholy and end their days in despair 3. By this subtil policy of Satan in disturbing the Saints Peace and making them believe God doth not love them he hath this advantage he sometimes so far prevails over them as to make them begin to entertain hard thoughts of God Through the black Spectacles of Melancholy God's dealings look sad and Ghastly Satan tempts the Godly to have strange thoughts of God to think he hath cast off all pity and hath forgotten to be gracious Psal. 77. and to make sad conclusions Isai. 38.13 I reckoned that as a Lion so will he break all my bones from day even to night wilt thou make an end of me The Devil setting in with Melancholy causeth a sad Eclipse in the Soul it begins to think God hath shut up
Grace in them Had they no Grace the Devil would not disturb them where he keeps possession all is in peace Luk. 11.21 his Temptations are to rob the Saints of their Grace a Thief will not assault an empty House but where he thinks there is Treasure A Pyrate will not set upon an empty Ship but that is full fraught with Spices and Jewels so the Devil most assaults the people of God because he thinks they have a rich treasure of Grace in their Hearts and he would rob them of that What makes so many Cudgels be thrown at a Tree but because there is so much fruit hanging upon it the Devil throws his temptations at you because he sees you have so much fruit of Grace growing upon you Tho to be tempted is a trouble yet to think why you are tempted is a comfort 3 The third Rock of support or comfort is that Jesus Christ is near at hand and stands by us in all our temptations Here take notice of two things 1. Christs sympathy in temptation 2. Christs succour in temptation 1. Christs Sympathy in our temptations Nobis compatitur Christus Heb. 4.15 We have not an High-priest who cannot be touch'd with the feeling of our Infirmities Jesus Christ doth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sympathise with us he is so sensible of our Temptations as if he himself lay under them and did feel them in his own Soul As in Musick when one string is touched all the rest sound So Christs Bowels sound we cannot be Tempted but he is touched If you saw a Wolf worry your Child would you not pity your Child You cannot pity it so as Christ doth tempted ones Christ had a fellow feeling when he was upon Earth much more now in glory Quest. But how can it stand with Christs glory now in Heaven to have a fellow-feeling of our miseries and temptations Answ. This fellow-feeling in Christ ariseth not from any infirmity or passion but from the mystical union between him and his Members Zach. 2.8 He that toucheth you toucheth the Apple of mine Eye Every injury done to a Saint Christ takes as done to him in Heaven every temptation is a striking at Christ and he is touch'd with the feeling of our temptations 2. Christs succour in temptation as the good Samaritan first had compassion on the wounded Man there was Sympathy then he poured in Wine and Oil there was succour Luke 10.34 So when we are wounded by the Red Dragon Christ is first touched with compassion and then he pours in Wine and Oil Heb. 2.18 in that he himself hath suffer'd being tempted he is able to succour them that are tempted The Greek word to succour 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies to run speedily to ones help so fierce is Satan so frail is Man that Christ who is God-man runs speedily to his help When Peter was ready to sink and said Lord save me Christ presently stretched forth his hand and caught him So when a poor Soul is tempted and cries to Heaven for help Lord save me Christ comes in with his Auxiliary Forces Noscit Christus our Lord Jesus knows what it is to be tempted therefore is so ready to succour such as are tempted it hath been an observation that child-bearing Women are more pittiful to others in their Travails than such Women as are Barren So the Lord Jesus having been in Travail by Temptations and Sufferings is more ready to pity and succour such as are tempted Concerning Christs succouring the Tempted consider two things 1. Christs Ability to succour 2. His Agility to succour 1. Christs Ability to succour Heb. 2.18 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he is able to succour them that are tempted Christ is call'd Michael Rev. 12.7 which signifies Who is like God Tho' the Tempted Soul is weak yet he fights under a good Captain The Lion of the Tribe of Iudah When a tempted Soul fights Christ comes into the Field as his Second Michael will be too hard for the Dragon when the Devil lays the Siege of a Temptation Christ can raise the Siege when he please He can beat through the Enemies quarters and can so rout Satan that he shall never be able to rally his forces any more Jesus Christ is on the Saints side and who would desire a better Live-guard than Omnipotency 2. Christs Agility in succouring As Christ is able to succour the tempted so he will certainly succour them Christs power inables him his love inclines him his faithfulness engageth him to succour tempted Souls This is a great comfort to a Soul in Temptation he hath a succouring Saviour as God did succour Israel in the Wilderness among fiery Serpents they had the Rock set abroach the Manna the Pillar of Cloud the Brazen Serpent what was this but a Type of Gods succouring a poor Soul in the Wilderness of Temptation stung with the Devil that fiery Serpent Alexander being asked how he could sleep so securely when his Enemies were about him said Antipater is awake who is always vigilant So when our tempting Enemy is near us Jesus Christ is awake who is a Wall of Fire about us There is a great deal of succour to the tempted in the Names given to Christ. As Satans names may terrifie so Christs names may succour The Devil is called Apollyon the Devourer Rev. 9.11 Christ is called a Saviour the Devil is call'd 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Strong man Mat. 12.29 Christ is call'd el Gibbor the mighty God Isa. 9 6. the Devil is call'd the Accuser Rev. 12.10 Christ is called the Advocate 1 Ioh. 2.1 The Devil is called the Tempter Mat. 4.3 Christ is called the Comforter Luke 2.25 The Devil is call'd the Prince of Darkness Christ is call'd the Sun of Righteousness The Devil is call'd the Old Serpent Christ is call'd the Brazen Serpent that Heals Iohn 3.15 Thus the very names of Christ have some succour in them for Tempted Souls Quest. How and in what manner doth Christ succour them that are tempted Answ. Several ways 1. Christ succours them by sending his Spirit whose works it is to bring those promises to their mind which are fortifying Iohn 14.26 he shall bring all things to your remembrance The Spirit furnisheth us with promises as so many Weapons to fight against the old Serpent Rom. 16.20 the Lord will shortly bruise Satan under your feet 1 Cor. 10.13 God will not suffer you to be tempted 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 above that ye are able Gen. 3.15 The Seed of the Woman shall break the Serpents Head We are oft in times of Temptation as a Man that hath his House beset and cannot find his Weapons he hath his Sword and his Gun to seek now in this case Christ sends his Spirit and he brings things to our remembrance that help us in our Combat with Satan The Spirit of Christ doth to one that is tempted as Aaron and Hur did to Moses they put a Stone under him and held up his Hands and
the Serpent for Fraud and Collusion Ier. 17.9 The Heart is deceitful above all things 1. Deceit towards Man 1. To dissemble Friendship to cover Malice with pretences of Love to commend and censure to flatter and hate a Iudas-Kiss and a Ioab's Sword Mel in ore Fel in corde 2. To dissemble Honesty to pretend just dealing yet use false Weights 2. Deceit towards God To draw nigh to God with the Lips and the Heart is far from him to serve God and seek ourselves to pretend to love God and yet be in league with Sin we should not in this sence be like the Serpent deceitful and given to Shâ—fts O be upright Be what you seem to be God loves Plainness of Heart Psal. 51.6 The plainer the Diamond is the more it sparkles The plainer the Heart is the more it sparkles in God's Eye What a Commendation did Christ give Nathanael Ioh. 1.47 Behold an Israelite indeed in whom there is no Guile 3. The Serpent casts the Coat but another new Coat comes in the room in this we should not be like the Serpent to cast the Coat to cast off one Sin and another Sin as bad come in the room The Drunkard leaves his Drunkenness because it impairs his Health his Credit his Purse and falls to the Sin of Cozenage The Prodigal leaves his Prodigality and turns Usurer This is as if one Disease should leave a Man and he should fall into another as bad His Ague leaves him and he falls into a Consumption O be not like the Serpent that casts one Coat and another comes This is like him in the Gospel that had one Devil go out of him and seven worse Spirits came in the Room Matth. 12.45 4. The Serpent is a Venomous Creature 't is full of Poison Deut. 32.24 In this be not like the Serpent 'T is said of Wicked Men their Poison is like the Poison of a Serpent Psal. 58.4 What is this Poison it is the Poison of Malice Malice is the Devil's Picture Lust makes Men brutish and Malice makes them Devilish 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrys. Malice carries in it its own punishment A malicious Man to hurt another will injure himself Quintillian speaks of one who had a a Garden of Flowers and he poisoned his Flowers that his Neighbours Bees sucking from them might be poisoned and die Oh be not venomous like the Serpent Malice is Mental Murder you may kill a Man and never touch him 1 Ioh. 3.15 Whosoever hates his Brother is a Murderer Malice spoils all your good Duties the malicious Man defiles his Prayers poisons the Sacramental Cup he eats and drinks his own Damnation I have read of one who lived in Malice and being asked how he could say the Lords Prayer He answered I leave out those Words As we forgive them that Trespass against us But St. Austin brings in God replying thus to him because thou dost not say my Prayer therefore I will not hear Thine The malicious Man is not like to enjoy either Earth or Heaven not the Earth for the Meek shall inherit the Earth Matth. 5.4 Nor is he like to enjoy Heaven for God will beautifie the Meek with Salvation Psal. 149.4 So that the malicious Man is cut off both from Earth and Heaven 5. The Serpent is given to Hissing So 't is said of the Basilisk In this be not like the Serpent to hiss out Reproaches and Invectives against the Saints and People of God Thy are the Seed of the Serpent that hiss at Godliness The Lord will one Day reckon with Men for all their hard Speeches Iude 15. Lucian was such an one who did hiss out and scoff against Religion and as a just Judgment of God he was afterwards torn in pieces by Dogs 6. The Serpent Stops her Ear. It is an obstinate Deafness Psal. 58.4 They are as the Deaf Adder which stoppeth her Ear. In this be not like the Serpent obstinately to stop your Ears to the Voice of God's Word While God calls you to repent of Sin be not as the Basilisk to stop your Ear Zach. 7.11 They refused to hearken and stopp'd their Ears that they might not hear the Word denounceth threatnings against Sin but many instead of being like the Publican smiting on their Breast they are as Deaf Adders stopping their Ears If you shut your Ear against God's Word take heed God doth not shut Heaven against you If God crys to you to repent and you will not hear when you cry for Mercy God will not hear Zach. 7.13 As he cryed and they would not hear so they cryed and I would not hear saith the Lord of Hosts 7. The Serpent casts her Coat but keeps her Sting In this sence be not like the Serpent to cast off the outward Acts of Sin and keep the Love of Sin He whose Heart is in Love with any Sin is an Hypocrite 1. A Man may forbear Sin yet retain the Love of it He may forbear the act of gross Sin Formidine Poenae for fear of Hell as a Man may forbear a Dish he loves for fear it should bring his Disease upon him the Stone or Gout 2. A Man may forsake Sin yet keep the Love of Sin he may forsake Sin either out of Policy or Necessity 1. Policy Vice will impair his Health eclipse his Credit therefore out of Policy he will forsake it Or 2. Necessity Perhaps he can follow the Trade of Sin no longer the Adulterer is grown old the Prodigal poor either the Purse fails or the Strength Thus a Man may refrain the Act of Sin yet retain the Love of Sin This is like the Serpent which casts her Coat but keeps her Sting Oh! take heed of this herein be not like the Serpent remember that saying of Hierom Gravius est peccatum diligere quam perpetrare 'T is worse to love Sin than to commit it A Man may commit Sin through a Tentation or out of Ignorance and when he knows it to be a Sin he is sorry for it but he that loves Sin his Will is in the Sin and that aggravates it and is like the Dye which makes the Wool of a Crimson Colour 8. Serpents are chased away with sweet perfumes the perfume of Harts-Horn or the sweet odour of the Styrax drives the Serpent away In this be not like the Serpent to be driven away with the sweet perfumes of Holiness Carnal Hearts are for Things only which delight the Senses they will discourse of News or Traffick here they are in their Element but let a Man bring with him the sweet perfume of Religious discourse let him talk of Christ or living by Faith this spiritual perfume drives them away Oh be not in this like the Serpent How do you think to live with the Saints in Heaven that cannot endure their Company here You hate the sweet savour of their Oyntments the fragrant perfume of their Graces 9. The Serpent as is noted of the Stellio a kind of Serpent he doth no sooner
Sin 4. Prudence and Holiness is seen in this to know what we 〈…〉 and do what we know To know what we should do thereâ—â— the Wisdom 〈◊〉 â—he Serpent to do what we know there is the â—nnocency of the Dove Iohn 〈…〉 Knowledge is a Jewel 〈◊〉 him that wear◠〈…〉 is the 〈◊〉 and 〈…〉 of the Mind Knowledge i◠〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Eye of the Soul to guide it in the right way but this Knowledge must â—e joyn'd with holy 〈◊〉 To separate Practice from Knowledge is to separate the Dove from the Serpent Many illuminated Heads can discourse fluently in Matters of Religion but they do not live up to their knowledge This is to have good Eyes but to have the Feet cut off They know they should not break the Sabbath they should not defame or defraud but they do not practise what they know Here they separate the Dove from the Serpent Vertue from Knowledge How vain is Knowledge without Practice As if one should know a Sovereign Medicine and not apply it Satan is a knowing Spirit he hath enough of the Serpent but that which makes him a Devil is he wants the Dove he doth not practise Holiness 5. To mix the Serpent and the Dove is to keep two Trades going To understand worldly Affairs there is the Wisdom of the Serpent yet not neglect the Soul there is the Innocency of the Dove God hath said Six Days shalt thou Labour Exod. 20.9 Religion did never grant a Patent to idleness There is a Lawful Care to be had about Secular Things To have insight into one's Calling is a commendable Wisdom but with this wisdom joyn the Dove's Innocency so follow your Calling as not to neglect your Soul The Soul is a precious thing 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it would beggar the Angels to give half the price of a Soul Our greatest care should be to get Grace While you put Gold in your Bag do not forget to put Oil in your Vessel Trade beyond the East Indies Drive a Trade of Holiness This Merchandice is better than the Merchandice of Silver Prov. 3.14 Live in a Calling but especially live by Faith Look to the providing for your Families but especially to the saving of your Souls The Soul is the Angelical part the loss of this can never be made up again God saith Chrysostom hath given a Man two Eyes if he lose one Eye he hath another but he hath but one Soul if he lose that it is irrecoverable it can never be made up again O unite the Serpent and the Dove Prudence and Holiness use the World but love your Soul Trade on Earth but beware of breaking in your Trade for Heaven How many part these two the Serpent and the Dove they are wise for the World but Fools for their Souls 'T is too often seen that Men pull down their Souls to build up an Estate 6. To join the Serpent and the Dove Prudence and Innocency consists in this To know how to give Counsel and how to keep Counsel He hath the Wisdom of the Serpent that can give Counsel he knows how to advise another in difficult cases and speak a Word in due season 2 Sam. 16.23 The Counsel of Achitophel was as if a Man had enquired at the Oracle of God But this is not enough to have the Wisdom of the Serpent in being able to give Counsel but there must be the Innocency of the Dove too in keeping Counsel If a Friend's secret be imparted to us unless in case of Blood we are not to reveal it A Friend is alter idem as one's own Soul Deut. 13.6 And what he imparts of his Heart should be kept under Lock and Key Prov. 25.9 Discover not a Secret to another lest he that hear thee put thee to shame c. To disclose a Friend's secrets though it be not Treason it is Treachery it is most Unchristian a Word may be spoken in secret which when it is Trumpeted out may occasion Quarrels or Law-suits He that cannot keep a Matter committed to him is like a Vessel that runs out or a sick Stomach that cannot keep the Meat but brings it up again He that publisheth his Friends secret doth publish his own shame 7. To mix these two Prudence and Holiness is to know the Seasons of Grace and improve them To know the Seasons of Grace there 's the Wisdom of the Serpent 'T is Wisdom in an Husband-Man to know the fit time for pruning of Trees sowing of Seed so it is no less Wisdom to know the Golden Seasons of Grace While we hear the joyful Sound while we have praying Hours while the Spirit of God blows on our Hearts here is a Gale for Heaven The day of Grace will not always last the Shadows of the Evening seem to be stretched out Things look as if the Gospel tended a-pace to a Sun-setting Be Wise as Serpents to know what a prize is put in your Hands and with the Serpent joyn the Dove that is in improving the Seasons of Grace The Stork and Turtle not only know their Season but improve it they approach to the warmer Climate against Spring saith Pliny Here is the Serpent and Dove united knowing and improving the Day of Grace when we profit by Ordinances when we mix the Word with Faith when an Ordinance hath stamped Holiness upon us as the Seal leaves its print upon the Wax This is to improve the Seasons of Grace 8. The Serpent and the Dove Wisdom and Innocency is to be moderate yet zealous Moderation is good in some cases Phil. 4.5 Let your Moderation be known to all First Moderation is good in case of Anger When the Passions are up Moderation sits as Queen and Governess in the Soul it allays the Heat of Passion Moderation is Fraenum Irae the Bridle of Anger Secondly Moderation is good in case of Law-Suits so the Greek Word for Moderation 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is properly taken If there be a Dispute in Law between us and others we are not to take the Extremity of the Law but use Christian Equity and Mildness nay for Peace sake cedere de Iure rather part with some of our right than oppress them this much Honours the Gospel Thirdly Moderation is good in Things indifferent Things ought not to be rigorously imposed in God's Worship which are not of Divine Injunction God never made Governours of the Church to be like Pilots of a Ship to steer Men's Consciences which way they please Moderation and Christian Forbearance in Things indifferent would much tend to the Peace and Unity of the Church All this Moderation is commendable and shows the Wisdom of the Serpent but remember to joyn the Dove with the Serpent We must so exercise Moderation as withal to cherish Zeal St. Paul in some things was moderate he did not press Circumcision Act. 15.25 He was tender of laying a Yoke upon the Consciences of the Disciples but he had Zeal with his
the Soul as Angels as Heaven God hath laid out much Cost upon it and if it perish he should lose all his Cost When Xerxes destroyed the Temples in Greece he caused the Temple of Diana to be preserved for its beautiful Structure The new creature is God's Temple adorned with all the Graces which he will not suffer to be demolished Riches take Wings Kings Crowns tumble in the Dust Nay some of the Graces may cease Faith and Hope shall be no more but the new creature abideth for ever 1 Iohn 2.27 5. The Misery of the unregenerate creature Dying so I may say of him as Christ said of Iudas Mark 14.21 It were good for that Man if he had not been born Better have been a Toad a Serpent any thing if not a new creature The old Sinner must go into old Tophet Isa. 30.33 Damned Caitiffs will have nothing to ease their Torments not one drop of Honey in all their Gall. In the Sacrifice of Iealousie there was to be no Oil put to it Numb 5. In Hell there is no Oil of Mercy put to the Sufferings of the damned to lenifie them Therefore get out of the Wild Olive of Nature labour to be new creatures lest you curse your selves at last A sinful Life will cause a despairing Death Quest. What shall we do to be new Creatures Answ. 1. Wait on the Ordinances The Preaching of the Word is the Seed of which the new Creature is formed This is the Trumpet which must make the dead in Sin come out of their Grave 2. Pray earnestly for the new Creature Lord thou hast made me once make me again What shall I do with this old heart It defiles all it toucheth Urge God with his Promise Ezek. 36.26 A new Heart will I give you Say Lord I am as the dry Bones but thou didst cause Breath to come into them Ezek. 37.10 Do the same to me breath a supernatural Life of Grace into me Vse 4. Thankfulness Let such as are new creatures stand upon Mount Gerizim blessing and praising God Ascribe all to the Riches of God's Love set the Crown upon the head of free Grace God hath done more for you than if he had made you Kings and Queens Though you have not so much of the World as others you are happier than the greatest Monarchs upon Earth and I dare say you would not change with them The Apostles seldom speak of the new Creation but they join some thankful Praises with it 1 Pet. 1.3 Blessed be God who according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again to a lively hope Col. 1.12 Giving thanks to the Father who hath made us meet for the inheritance in light The new creature is a sign of Election a badge of Adoption What distinguishing Love is this that God should make any of us new creatures when he hath left the greatest part of the World to perish in their Sins Such as are Paterns of Mercy should be Trumpets of Praise Of the Government of the Tongue Jam. 3.6 And the Tongue is a Fire a World of Iniquity THE Apostle Iames in this Scripture describes the Evil of the Tongue The Tongue is a Fire a World of Iniquity 1. It is a Fire It burns with intemperate heat it causeth the Heat of Contention it sets others in a Flame 2. A World of Iniquity It was at first made to be an Organ of God's Praise but it is become an Instrument of Unrighteousness All the Members of the Body are sinful as there is bitterness in every Branch of Wormwood but the Tongue is excessively sinful full of deadly Poison vers 8. Doctr. The Tongue though it be a little Member yet it hath a World of Sin in it The Tongue is an unruly Evil. We put Bitts in Horses Mouths and rule them but the Tongue is an unbridled Thing It is hard to find a Curbing bitt to rule the Tongue There is a World of Sin in the Tongue The Devil makes use of Men's Tongues for the promoting most of the Wickedness which is in the World I shall show you some of the Evils of the Tongue I. The Evil Tongue travel a little over this World is the silent Tongue It is wholly mute in Matters of Religion it never speaks of God or Heaven as if it cleaved to the roof of the Mouth Men are fluent and discursive enough in other Things but in Matters of Religion their Lips are sealed up If we come into some People's Company we do not know what Religion they are of whether Iews or Mahometans for they never speak of Christ they are like the Man in the Gospel who was possessed with a Dumb Devil Mar. 9.17 II. The Evil Tongue is the earthly Tongue Men talk of nothing but the World their Wares and Drugs or their rich Purchace Son 's of the Earth they have the Serpent's Curse lick the Dust. Ioh. 3.31 He that is of the Earth speaketh of the Earth as if all their Hopes were here and they looked for an earthly Eternity these have Brutish Minds Seneca being asked of what Country he was answered that he was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Citizen of this World So many are Citizens of this World all their Discourse and Traffick is here Their Speech bewrays them III. The Evil Tongue is the hasty or angry Tongue They have no command of Passions but are carried away with them as a Chariot with wild Horses I know there is an Holy Anger when we are angry with Sin Christ had this Anger when they made the Temple a place of Merchandice Ioh. 2.15 That Anger is without Sin which is against Sin but that is an Evil Tongue which is presently blown up into exorbitant Passion this Tongue is set on Fire from Hell Isaiah's Lips were touched with a Coal from the Altar Isa. 6. His Tongue was set on Fire from Heaven but the angry furious Tongue is set on Fire from Hell When the Tongue is on Fire it is the Devil that lights the Match Eccles. 7.9 Anger rests in the Bosom of Fools It may be in a Wise Man but it rests in a Fool. More are drunk with Passion than Wine Hierome Water when it is hot soon boils over So when the Heart is heated with Anger it soon boils over in fiery and passionate Speeches 1 King 19.12 after the Earthquake a Fire but God was not in the Fire So I may say of the Fire of rash Anger God is not in this Fire Grace heats the Heart but cools the Tongue makes it meek and calm Passion transports it oft disturbs the use of Reason Brevis Insania and if Reason cannot act much less can Grace Rashness of Anger hinders Holy Duties Hot Passions make cold Prayers A wrathful Spirit is unsuitable to the Gospel It is a Gospel of Peace and it is sealed by the Spirit who came in the Form of a Dove a meek peaceable Creature Thou who art given much to Passion whose Tongue is often set
Person of the Trinity 63 What Sorrow goes before Forgiveness 806 Soul-Murther who are guilty of it 365 Soul the Excellency of it 801 Soul-dress for receiving the Sacrament wherein it consists 416 Souls deserted that want assurance how they may be comforted 205 Spiritual what it is to be so 25 Spirit how it can be said to be grieved 77 State of Nature is a Kingdom of Darkness Submission to God's Will what it is not 520 Submission to God's Will what may stand with it and what not 521 Submission to God's Will what it is ibid. When we do not submit to God's Will in Afflictions 523. Subtilty of Satan to make Men miscarry in the use of Meat 838 T Temptations whence they come 832 Tempted two cases of them spoke to 852 Temptations of Satan means to defeat them 855 Temptation what good may come out of it 858 Theft whence it doth arise 377 How many sorts of it there are ibid. What are the aggravations of it ibid. Vain Thoughts how they come in in hearing the Word 340 The Evil of them 341 Vain Thoughts how we may get help against them 342 Vain Thoughts in Prayer how we may cure them 422 Tongue how it is Evil. 986 Evil Tongue the several sorts of 986 987. Tongue rules for governing it 991 Tongue Sins Motives to beware of them 993 Torments of Hell what they are 473 Trinity of Persons proved 62 63 Truth of God 57 U Visiting Iniquity what is meant by it 282 Unchangeableness of God 36 Unchangeable God how to get a part in him 38 Unpardoned Soul how miserable it is 816 Vorstius Objection against God's Vbiquity answered 27 W Several Ways of Satan to tempt Men. 853 Weariness in well-doing what occasions it 994 The Evil of it 996 Means to keep us from being weary in Well-doing 997 Will of God what is meant by it 512 Will of God how we are to do it that we may find acceptance 515 Will of God how we may Evangelically do it 516 Will of God how we may come to do it aright Wisdom of God wherein it appears 40 Wisdom and Innocence necessary Qualifications of a Christian. 966 Wisdom wherein it chiefly consists ibid. The Word 's effectually Working what is meant by it 404 Word how it may be read effectually 405 How it may be heard effectually 406 World why God made it 66 World in what sence it is Evil. 877 What Worship is most suitable to God 25 To Worship God in the Spirit what it is 26 Wrath to come what we shall do to escape it 397 A Catalogue of BOOKS sold by Thomas Parkhurst at the Bible and Three Crowns near Mercers Chapel in Cheapside In Folio THE Christian Directory or Case of Conscience Catholick Theology Methodus Theologica all three by Mr. Richard Baxter A Sacred Poem on the Glory of Heaven Rushworth's first Vol. Crook's Hypocrite Keach's Metaphors Strong on the Covenant Burgess on the Corinthians Taylor on Christ's Temptation Horton on the Psalms Gell's Remains A Dialogue between Timothy and Titus about the Articles of the Church of England Isaac Ambrose's Works Pool's Annotations on the Bible Pembroke's Arcadia Manton's Third Vol. of Sermons Dr. Lightfoot's Works Gurnall's Christian Armour Dr. Horton's 100 Sermons Nostradamus's Prophecies Melvill's Memoirs Marvell's Poems Daillé on the Colossians Cook 's Mirabilia Clark's Martyrology The Acts Decisions Decrees and Canons of the Reformed Churches in France being a most Faithful and Impartial History of the Rise Growth and Decay of the Reformation in that Kingdom their Confession of Faith Speeches Letters Cases of Conscience c. By Iohn Quick Minister in London Dr. Owen's Discourse of the Holy Spirit on the Hebrews Second Vol. on the Hebrews Third Vol. In Quarto Baxter's Saints Everlasting rest Church History and Councils History of Counsels inlarged and defended Apology for Nonconformists Second Defence of Nonconformists Apology against Eight Men. Treatise of Episcopacy Disputations of Church-Government Life of Faith First of the Sermons Preach'd before King Charles the Second English Nonconformity Naked Popery against Dodwell and Shirlock Which is the True Church Catholick Communion against both Extreams in six several Controversies Moral Prognostication Search for English Schismaticks Farewel Sermon Published by himself Alderman Ashurst's Funeral Sermon Mr. Iohn Corbet's Funeral Sermon Glorious Kingdom of Christ. Reply to Mr. Tho. Beverly's Answer National Churches Church Concord Penitent Confession and necessary Vindication Power of a Christian Magistrate Disputations of right to Sacraments Disputation of Justification Church Told against Bagshaw Ark on the Covenant Brown's Gospel-Churches Brightman on the Revelations Bulkley on the Covenant Critical Enquiries Boyse's Sermon Charlton's Enquiries into Humane Nature Child's Pilot's Sea-Mirrour Clarkson's Poetical Divinity of Papists No Evidence for Diocesan Churches Corbet's Nonconformist's Plea Clark against Postlewait A Dialogue between a Protestant and a Jew and a Papist and a Jew Doolittle's Protestant's Answer to where was your Church before Luther Caryl on Iob. Elton on the Commandments Greenhill on Ezekiel First Vol. Second Vol. Humphrys's Nonconformist's Third Step. Frysell's Sermons of Grace and Temptation Bishop Hopkins on the Commandments Humphrys's Middle Way Peaceable Disquisition Q. I Ovid. 2 Chr. 11.15 Q. II. * Id verum quod primum †Veritas opprimi patest non supprimi * Que regit Syder a sagit ubera Q. III. Q. IV. * Iovis omnia plâ—na * Not the posse but velle * Bene esse Removenda Promovenda * Vox faucibus haeret 3. Casus Non mirum Tristis Miosis * Brugensis * Bern. * Hierom. * Macrobius * Die Dominico nihil aliud vacandum nisi ad pietatiâ— munia 1. A Promise of Joy Psal. 37.4 2. Of Honour 3. Of Earth and Heaven Eccles. 12.5 * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies Son as well as Servant * Bern. 1 Cor. 9.7 * Arist. * Davenant Reason * The Eye is the first part Ravens pick out * Plutarch †Validiora sunt Exempla quam verba Isa. 1.21 Acts 9.4 1. Excellency of the Soul 2. Excellency Plutarch Sen. Surius of Luther Ainsworth Ambrose Epiphan Luke 3.20 * Ex uguue Leonem Luther August * Cyprian * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 * 1 Chron. 15.13 * Rev. 3.2 Mat. 7.6 Exod. 19.12 * Aug. * Crede manducasti Aug. Luther Calvin Aug. Tertull. Aug. Calvin Aristot. Rom. 1.30 2 Sam. 12.11 * Bern. 2 Sam. 18.2 Gal. 5.17
and Majesty yet chiefly he will have the worship of the Soul 1 Cor. 6.20 Glorifie God in your body and in your spirit Spirit-worship God prizeth because it comes so near to his own Nature who is a Spirit Quest. What is it to Worship God in the Spirit Resp. 1. To worship him without Ceremonies The Ceremonies of the Law which God himself ordained are now abrogated and out of date Christ the Substance being come the Shadows flie away and therefore the Apostle calls the Legal Ceremonies Carnal Rites Heb. 9.10 and if not use those Iewish Ceremonies which God did once appoint then not those which he did never appoint Resp. 2. To worship God in Spirit is to worship him 1. With Faith in the Bloud of the Messiah Heb. 11.9 And 2. to worship him with the utmost Zeal and Intensness of Soul Acts 26.7 Our twelve tribes instantly serving God day and night 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with Intensness of Spirit not only constantly but instantly This is to worship God in the Spirit The more Spiritual any Service is the nearer it comes to God who is a Spirit and the more excellent it is the spiritual part of Duty is the Fat of the Sacrifice it is the Soul and Quintessence of Religion The richest Cordials are made of Spirits and the best Duties are such as are of a Spiritual Nature God is a Spirit and will be worshipped in Spirit It is not Pomp of Worship but Purity which God accepts Repentance is not in the outward Severities used to the Body Pennance Fasting and Chastising the Body but it consists in the Sacrifice of a broken Heart Thanksgiving doth not stand in Church-Musick the Melody of an Organ but rather making Melody in the Heart to the Lord Eph. 5.19 Prayer is not the Tuning of the Voice into an heartless Confession or telling over a few Beads but it consists in Sighs and Groans Rom. 8.26 When the Fire of Fervency is put to the Incense of Prayer now it ascends as a sweet Odour that is the true Holy Water not which the Pope sprinkles but what is distilled from the Limbeck of a Penitent Eye Spirit-worship best pleaseth that God who is a Spirit Ioh. 4.23 The Father seeks such to worship him to shew the great acceptance of such and how God is delighted with Spiritual-worship This is the savoury Meat God loves How few mind this worshipping him who is a Spirit in the Spirit they give him more Dreggs then Spirits they think it enough to bring their Duties but not their Hearts which hath made God disclaim those very Services he himself appointed Isa. 1.12 Ezek. 33.31 Let us then give God Spirit-worship this best suits with his Nature a Soveraign Elixar full of Vertue may be given in a few drops a little Prayer if it be with the Heart and Spirit may have much Vertue and Efficacy in it The Publican made but a short Prayer God be merciful to me a sinner Luke 18.13 but it was full of life and spirit it came from the Heart therefore was accepted Use 2. of Exhortation Pray to God that as he is a Spirit so he will give us of his Spirit The Essence of God is incommunicable but the Motions the Presence and Influences of his Spirit When the Sun shines in a Room not the Body of the Sun is there but the Light Heat and Influence of the Sun God hath made a Promise of his Spirit Ezek. 36.27 I will put my Spirit within you Turn Promises into Prayers O Lord thou who art a Spirit give me of thy Spirit I Flesh beg thy Spirit thy enlightning â—anctifying quickning Spirit Melancthon's Prayer Domine accende animam meam Spiritu tuo Lord inflame my Soul with thy Holy Spirit How needful is his Spirit we cannot do any Duty without it in a lively manner when this Wind blows upon our Sails then we move swiftly towards Heaven Pray therefore that God will give us of the Residue of his Spirit Mal. 2.15 that we may move more vigorously in the Sphere of Religion Use 3. of Comfort As God is a Spirit so the Reward that he gives is Spiritual that is the Excellency of it as the chief Blessings he gives us in this Life are Spiritual Blessings Eph. 1.3 not Gold and Silver he gives Christ his Love he fills us with Grace so the main Rewards he gives after this Life are Spiritual a Crown of Glory that fades not away 1 Pet. 5.4 Earthly Crowns fade but the Believer's Crown being Spiritual is Immortal a never-fading Crown It is impossible saith Iulius Scaliger for that which is Spiritual to be subject to Change or Corruption This may comfort a Christian in all his Labours and Sufferings he lays out himself for God and hath little or no Reward here but remember God who is a Spirit will give Spiritual Rewards a sight of his Face in Heaven white Robes a weight of Glory Be not then weary of God's Service think of the Spiritual Reward a Crown of Glory which fadeth not away GOD is INFINITE Quest. WHat kind of Spirit is God Resp. He is Infinite so he differs from all created Beings which are Finite Though Infinite may be applied to all God's Attributes he is infinitely Merciful infinitely Wise infinitely Holy yet if we take Infiniteness properly so implies 1. God's Omnipresency the Greek word for Infinite 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies without Bounds or Limits God is not confined to any place he is Infinite and so is present in all places at once His Centre is every-where Divina essentia nusquam inclusa aut exclusa Aug. 1 Kings 8.27 Behold the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee This the Turks have a Notion of they build their Temples open on the top to show that God cannot be confined to their Temples or circumscribed but is in all places by his Presence God's Essence is not limited either to the Regions above or to the Terrestrial Globe but his whole Essence is every-where This is to be Infinite As Philosophers say of the Soul it is Tota in toto tota in qualibet parte The Soul is in every part of the Body in the Eye Heart Foot so we may say of God he is Ubique his Essence is every-where his Circuit is in Heaven and Earth and Sea and he is in all places of his Circuit at once This is to be Infinite God who bounds every thing else is himself without Bounds He sets Bounds to the Sea Huc usque Hitherto shalt thou come and no further He sets Bounds to the Angels they like the Cherubims move and stand at his appointment Ezek. 10.16 but he is Infinite without Bounds He who can span the Heavens and weigh the Earth in a pair of Scales must needs be Infinite Isa. 40.12 Object Vorstius That God is in all places at once but not in regard of his Essence but Virtute potentia by his Vertue and
a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a thing by the by he doth not much mind If ever we would have Heaven we must look upon it as our main concern Other things do but concern our livelyhood this concerns our Salvation then we make Religion our business when we wholly devote our selves to Gods service Psal. 139.18 we count those the best hours which are spent with God we give God the cream of our affections the flower of our time and strength we traffique in Heaven every day we are Merchants for the Pearl of price He will never get an Estate who doth not mind his Trade he will never get heaven who doth not make Religion his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his main business 6. If you would obtain the Kingdom of Heaven bind your hearts to God by sacred Vowes Vow to the Lord that by his Grace you will be more intent upon heaven than ever Psal. 56.12 Thy vowes are upon me O God A Vow binds the Votary to Duty he looks upon himself as obliged by his Vow to cleave to God Bees when they fly in a great Wind ballast themselves with little stones that they may not be carried away with the Wind so we must fortifie our selves with strong Vowes that we may not be carried away from God with the violent wind of temptation No question a Christian may make such a Vow because the ground of it is Morally good he vowes nothing but what he is bound to do by vertue of his Baptismal Vow namely to walk with God more closely and to pursue heaven more vigorously 7. If you would obtain the Kingdom embrace all seasons and opportunities for your Souls Eph. 5.15 Redeeming the time Opportunity is the cream of time the improving the seasons of Grace is as much as our Salvation is worth The Marriner by taking the present season while the Wind blowes gets to the haven by taking the season while we have the means of Grace and the wind of the Spirit blowes we may arrive at the Kingdom of heaven We know not how long we shall enjoy the Gospel the seasons of Grace like Noahs Dove come with an Olive-branch in their mouth but they soon take Wings and fly Though they are sweet yet swift God may remove the Golden Candlestick from us as he did from the Churches of Asia We have many sad symptoms Gray hairs are here and there upon us Hos. 7.9 therefore let us lay hold upon the present season they that sleep in Seed-time will beg in Harvest 8. If you would go to the Kingdom of Heaven you must excubias agere keep a daily Watch Mark 13.37 I say unto all watch Many have lost Heaven for want of watchfulness Our hearts are ready to decoy us into sin and the Devil lyes in ambush by his temptations we must every day set a spy and keep centinel in our Souls Hab. 2.1 I will stand upon my watch 1. We must watch our Eyes Iob 31.1 I made a covenant with my eyes Much Sin comes in by the eye When Eve saw the tree was good for food and pleasant to the eyes then she took Gen. 3.6 First she looked and then she lusted the eye by beholding an impure Object sets the heart on fire the Devil oft creeps in at the window of the eye Watch your eyes 2. Watch your Ear. Much Poyson is conveyed through the ear Let your ear be open to God and shut to Sin 3. Watch your Hearts We watch suspicious persons The heart is deceitful Ier. 17.9 Watch your heart 1. When you are about holy things it will be stealing out to vanity When I am at Prayer saith S. Hierom Aut per porticum deambulo aut de foenore computo either I am walking through Galleries or casting up Accompts 2. Watch your heart when you are in Company The Basilisk poysons the herbs he breaths on the breath of the wicked is infectious Nay watch your hearts when you are in good Company such as have some good in them yet may be some grains too light they may have much levity of Discourse and if no scum boils up yet too much froth The Devil is subtle and he can as well creep into the Dove as he did once into the Serpent Satan tempted Christ by an Apostle 3. Watch your hearts in Prosperity now you are in danger of Pride The higher the Water of the Thames riseth the higher the Boat is lifted up the higher that Mens Estates rise the higher their Hearts are lifted up in Pride In Prosperity you are in danger not only to forget God but to lift up the heel against him Deut. 32.15 Iesurun waxed fat and kicked It is hard to carry a full Cup without spilling and to carry a full prosperous Estate without sinning Turpi fregerunt saecula luxu divitiae molles Sen. Trag. Sampson fell asleep in Dalilahs lap many have fallen so fast asleep in the lap of Prosperity that they have never awaked till they have been in Hell 4. Watch your hearts after holy Duties When Christ had been Praying and Fasting then the Devil tempted him Mat. 4.23 After our combating with Satan in Prayer we are apt to grow secure and put our Spiritual Armour off and then the Devil falls on and wounds us O if you would get Heaven be alwayes upon your Watch-tower set a spy keep close centinel in your Souls Who would not watch when it is for a Kingdom 9. If you would arrive at the Heavenly Kingdom get those three Graces which will undoubtedly bring you thither 1. Divine Knowledge There 's no going to Heaven blindfold In the Creation Light was the first thing which was made so 't is in the new Creation Knowledge is the Pillar of Fire which goes before us and lights us into the Heavenly Kingdom 'T is light must bring us to the inheritance in light Col. 1.12 2 Faith Faith ends in Salvation 1 Pet. 1.9 Receiving the end of your faith Salvation He who believes is as sure to go to Heaven as if he were in Heaven already Acts 16.31 Faith toucheth Christ and can he miss of Heaven who toucheth Christ Faith unites to Christ and shall not the Members be where the Head is All have not the same degree of Faith we must distinguish between the direct act of Faith and the reflex act Affiance and Assurance yet the least seed and spark of Faith gives an undoubted title to the Heavenly Kingdom I am justified because I believe not because I know I believe 3. Love to God Heaven is prepared for those that love God 1 Cor. 2.9 Love is the Soul of Obedience the Touchstone of Sincerity By our loving God we may know he loves us 1 Iohn 4.19 and those whom God loves he will lay in his bosom Ambrose in his Funeral Oration for Theodosius brings in the Angels hovering about his departing Soul and being ready to carry it to Heaven asked him What that Grace was he had practised most upon Earth Theodosius
replyed Dilexi dilexi I have loved I have loved and strait-way he was by a convoy of Angels translated to Glory Love is a sacred Fire kindled in the breast in the flames of this Fire the devout Soul ascends to Heaven 10. If we would obtain this Heavenly Kingdom let us labour for Sincerity Prov. 28.18 Whosoever walketh uprightly shall be saved The sincere Christian may fall short of some degrees of Grace but he never falls short of the Kingdom God will pass by many failings where the heart is right Numb 23.21 True Gold though it be light hath grains of allowance Psal. 51.6 Thou desirest truth in the inward parts Sincerity is the sauce which seasons all our Actions and makes them savoury it is the ingredient into every Grace It is called Faith unfeigned 2 Tim. 1.5 and Love 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in sincerity Eph. 6.24 Coyn will not go currant that wants the Kings stamp Grace is not currant if it be not stamped with Sincerity Glorious Duties sowred with Hypocrisie are rejected when great Infirmities sweetned with Sincerity are accepted If any thing in the World bring us to Heaven it is Sincerity Sincerity signifies plainness of heart Psal. 32.2 In whose Spirit there is no guile The plainer the Diamond is the richer 1. Sincerity is when we serve God with our heart we do not only worship him but love him Cain brought his Sacrifice but not his Heart This is Gods delight a Sacrifice flaming upon the Altar of the Heart A sincere Christian though he hath a double principle in him Flesh and Spirit yet he hath not a double heart his heart is for God 2. Sincerity is when we aim purely at God in all we do The Glory of God is more worth than the Salvation of all Mens Souls A sincere Christian though he comes short in Duty yet he takes a right aim As the herb Heliotropium turns about according to the motion of the Sun so a Godly Mans actions do all move towards the Glory of God 11. If we would obtain the Heavenly Kingdom let us keep up fervency in Duty What is a dead form without the power Rev. 3.16 Because thou art luke-warm neither hot nor cold I will spue thee out of my mouth Fervency puts life into Duty Rom. 12.11 Fervent in Spirit serving God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Boyling over Christ prayed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 yet more earnestly Luke 22.44 When the Fire on the Golden Censer was ready to go out Aaron was to put more Coals to the Incense Praying with Devotion is putting more Coals to the Incense 't is not Formality but Fervency will bring us to Heaven The Formalist is like Ephraim a Cake not turned hot on one side and dough on the other In the external part of Gods Worship he seems to be hot but as for the Spiritual part of Gods Worship he is cold Oh if you would have the Kingdom of Heaven keep up heat and fervour in Duty Eliah was carried up to Heaven in a fiery Chariot if you would go to Heaven you must be carried thither in a fiery Chariot of Zeal 'T is violence takes the Kingdom of Heaven 12. If we would arrive at the Heavenly Kingdom let us cherish the motions of Gods Spirit in our hearts The Marriner may spread his Sails but the Ship cannot get to the Haven without a gale of Wind so we may spread the sails of our endeavour but we cannot get to the Haven of Glory without the North and South-wind of Gods Spirit blow how nearly therefore doth it concern us to make much of the motions of Gods Spirit motions to Prayer motions to Repentance 2 Sam. 5.24 When thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry-trees that then thou shalt bestir thy self for then shall the Lord go out before thee So when we hear as it were a voice within us a secret inspiration stirring us up to good Duties we should then bestir our selves while the Spirit works in us we should work with the Spirit Many Men have Gods Spirit striving with them he puts good motions in their hearts and holy purposes but they neglecting to prosecute these good motions the Spirit is thereby grieved and being grieved withdraws its assistance and that assistance being gone there is no getting to Heaven Oh make much of the motions of the Spirit it is as much as your Salvation is worth The Spirit of God is compared to fire Acts 2.2 if we are careful to blow this spark we may have fire to inflame our affections and to light our feet into the way of peace If we quench the Spirit by our neglecting and resisting its motions we cut our selves off from Salvation The Spirit of God hath a drawing-power Cant. 1.4 The Blessed Spirit draws by attraction as the Loadstone the Iron In the preaching of the Word the Spirit draws the heart up to Heaven in holy longings and ejaculations Now when the Spirit is about thus to draw us let us take heed of drawing back left it be to perdition Heb. 10. We should do as Noah when the Dove came flying to the Ark he put forth his hand and took it into the Ark so when this sweet Dove of Gods Spirit comes flying to our hearts and brings a gracious impulse as an Olive-branch of Peace in its mouth O take this Dove into the Ark entertain the Spirit in your hearts and it will bring you to Heaven Quest. But how shall we know the motions of the Spirit from a delusion Answ. The motions of the Spirit are alwayes agreeable to the Word If the Word be for Holiness so is the Spirit The Spirit perswades to nothing but what the Word directs which way the tyde of the Word runs that way the Wind of the Spirit blows 13. We obtain the Kingdom of Heaven by uniform and chearful Obedience Obedience is the Road through which we travail to Heaven many say they love God but refuse to obey him doth he love the Princes Person who slights his Commands 1. Obedience must be uniform Psal. 119.6 Then shall I not be ashamed Lo Eboth I shall not blush when I have respect to all thy Commandments as the Son goes through all the signs of the Zodiack so must we through all the duties of Religion If a Man be to go an hundred Miles and he goes ninety nine Miles and there stops he comes short of the Place he is to travel to if with Herod we do many things that God commands yet if we lye in the total neglect of any duty we come short of the Kingdom of Heaven for Instance If a Man seem to make Conscience of duties of the first Table and not the duties of the second if he seem to be religious but is not just he is a Transgressor and is in danger to lose Heaven a good heart is like the Needle which points that way which the Loadstone draws so he moves that way which the Word
is in Heaven This Petition consists of Two Parts I. The Matter Doing of Gods Will. II. The Manner As it is in Heaven I. The Matter of this Petition is The doing of Gods Will. Thy Will be done Quest. 1. What is meant by the Will of God Answ. There is a twofold Will 1. Voluntas decreti Gods secret Will or the Will of his Decree We pray not that Gods secret Will may be done by us This secret Will cannot be known it is locked up in Gods own breast and neither Man or Angel hath Key to open it 2. Voluntas revelata Gods revealed Will. This revealed Will is written in the Book of Scripture the Scripture is a declaration of Gods Will it discovers what he would have us do in order to our Salvation Quest. 2. What do we pray for in these words Thy Will be done Answ. We pray for two things 1. For Active Obedience that we may do Gods Will actively in what he commands 2. For Passive that we may submit to Gods Will patiently in what he inflicts We pray that we may do Gods Will actively subscribe to all his commands believe in Jesus the cardinal Grace lead holy lives So Austin upon the Petition Nobis a Deo precamur Obedientiam we pray that we may actively obey Gods Will. This is the summe of all Religion the two Tables epitomized The doing of Gods Will. Thy Will be done We must know Gods Will before we can do it knowledge is the eye which must direct the foot of Obedience At Athens there was an Altar set up 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 To the unknown God Acts 17.23 It is as bad to offer the blind to God as the dead Knowledge is the Pillar of Fire to give light to practise but though knowledge is requisite yet the knowing of Gods Will is not enough without doing of his Will Thy Will be done If one had a System of Divinity in his head if he had 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all knowledge 1 Cor. 13.2 yet if Obedience were wanting his knowledge were lame and would not carry him to Heaven Knowing Gods Will may make a Man admired but it is doing Gods Will that makes him blessed knowing Gods Will without doing it will not crown us with happiness 1. The bare knowledge of Gods Will is inefficacious it doth not better the heart Knowledge alone is like a Winter-Sun which hath no heat or influence it doth not warm the Affections or purifie the Conscience Iudas was a great Luminary he knew Gods Will but he was a Traytor 2. Knowing without doing Gods Will will make ones case worse 't will heat Hell the hotter Luke 12.47 The servant which knew his Lords will and did not according to his will shall be beaten with maeny stripes Many a Mans knowledge is a torch to light him to Hell Thou who hast knowledge of Gods Will but dost not do it wherein dost thou excel an Hypocrite Nay wherein dost thou excel the Devil who transforms himself into an Angel of light 'T is improper to call such Christians who are knowers of Gods Will but not doers of it 'T is improper to call him a Tradesman who never wrought in his Trade so to call him a Christian who never wrought in the Trade of Religion Let us not rest in the knowing of Gods Will. Let it not be said of us as Plutarch speaks of the Grecians They knew what was just but did it not Let us set upon this the doing of Gods Will. Thy Will be done Quest. 3. Why is the doing of Gods Will so requisite Answ. 1. Out of Equity God may justly claim a right to our Obedience he is our founder we have our being from him and 't is but equal that we should do his Will at whose word we were Created God is our Benefactor 't is just that if God give us our Allowance we should give him our Allegiance 2. The great design of God in the World is to make us doers of his Will 1. All Gods Royal Edicts and Precepts are to bring us to this to be doers of his Will what needed God been at the pains to give us the copy of his Law and write it out with his own Finger else The Word is not only a Rule of Knowledge but of Duty Deut. 13.4 Deut. 26.16 This day the Lord thy God hath commanded thee to do these statutes thou shalt therefore keep and do them If you tell your Children what is your mind it is not only that they may know your Will but do it God gives us his Word as a Master gives a Scholar a Copy to write after it he gives it as his Will and Testament that we should be the Executors to see it performed 2. This is the end of all Gods Promises to draw us to do Gods Will the Promises are loadstones to Obedience Deut. 11.27 A blessing if ye obey as a Father gives his Son Money to bribe him to Obedience Deut. 28.1 If thou shalt hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God and do all his commandments the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all the nations of the earth Blessed shalt thou be in the city and in the field The Promises are a Royal Charter settled upon Obedience 3. The Minatory part of the Word the threatnings of God stand as the Angel with a Flaming Sword to deter us from Sin and make us doers of Gods Will Deut. 11.28 A curse if ye will not obey Psal. 68.21 God shall wound the hairy scalp of every one that goes on still in his trespasses These threatnings do often take hold of Men in this Life they are made examples and hung up in chains to scare others from Disobedience 4. All Gods Providences are to mâ—ke us doers of his Will As God makes use of all the seasons of the Year for Harvest so all his various Providences are to bring on the Harvest of Obedience 1. Afflictions are to make us do Gods Will 2 Chron. 33.12 When Manasseh was in affliction he besought the Lord and humbled himself greatly The Rod hath this voice Be doers of Gods Will. Affliction is called a Furnace Isa. 48.10 The furnace melts the metal and then it is cast into a new mould Gods Furnace is to melt us and mould us into Obedience 2. Gods Mercies are to make us do his Will Rom. 12.1 I beseech you by the mercies of God that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice Body is by a Synecdoche put for the whole Man If the Soul should not be presented to God as well as the Body it could not be a reasonable service Now saith the Apostle I beseech you by the mercies of God present your selves a living sacrifice Mercies are the strongest obligations to Duty Hos. 11.4 I drew them with the cords of a man that is with the golden cords of my Mercy In a word all that is written in Law or Gospel tends to this that we should be doers