we are here we are complaining of our wants weeping over our sins but there we shall be praising God How will the Birds of Paradise chirp when they are in that Caelestial Country There the Morning Stars will sing together and all the Saints of God shout for joy O what should we aspire after but this Country above Such as have their eyes opened will see that it doth infinitely excel An ignorant man looks upon a Star and it appears to him as a little silver spot but the Astronomer who hath his Instrument to judge of the dimension of a Star knows it to be many degrees bigger than the earth So a natural man hears of the heavenly Country that it is very glorious but it is at a great distance and because he hath not a spirit of discerning the world looks bigger in his eye but such as are Spiritual Artists who have the Instrument of Faith to judge of Heaven will say it is far the better Country and thither will they hasten with the Sails of desire SECT XV. 15. A godly man is a zealous man grace turns a Saint into a Seraphim it makes him burn in holy zeal zeal is a mixed affection a compound of love and anger it carries forth our love to God and anger against sin in the most intense manner Zeal is the flame of the affections a godly man hath a double baptism of water and fire he is baptized with a spirit of zeal hee is zealous for Gods honour truth worship Psal. 119. 139. my zeal hath consumed me it was a crown set on Phineas his head hee was zealous for his God Numb 25. 13. Moses being touched with a coal from Gods altar in his zeal hee breaks the Tables Exod. 32. 19. our blessed Saviour in his zeal whips the buyers and sellers out of the Temple Ioh. 2. 17. the zeal of thy house hath eaten me up But there is a Praeternatural heat something looking like zeal which is not a Comet looks like a Star I shall therefore show some differences between a true and a false zeal 1 A false zeal is a blinde zeal Rom. 10. 2. They have a zeal of God but not according to knowledge this is not the fire of the spirit but wild-fire The Athenians were very devout and zealous but they knew not for what Acts 17. 23. I found an Altar with this Inscription 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 To the unknown God Thus the Papists are zealous in their way but they have taken away the key of knowledge 2 A false zeal is a self-seeking zeal Iehu cries come see my zeal for the Lord 2 King 10. 16. but it was not zeal but ambition he was fishing for a Crown Demetrius pleads for the Goddess Diana but it was not her Temple but her Silver shrines he was zealous for Such zealots Ignatius complains of in his time that they made a Trade of Christ and Religion thereby to enrich themselves 'T is probable many in King Henry the eights time were forward to pull down the Abbies not out of any zeal against Popery but that they might build their own houses upon the ruines of those Abbies like Eagles which fly aloft but their eyes are down upon their prey If blind zeal be punished seven fold hypocritical zeal shall bee punished seventy and seven fold 3 A false praeposterous zeal is a misguided zeal it runs out most in things which are not commanded It is the sign of an hypocrite to be zealous for traditions and careless of institutions The Pharisees were more zealous about washing of their cups than their hearts 4 A false zeal is fired with passion Iames and Iohn when they would call for fire from heaven were rebuked by our Saviour Luk. 9. 54. Yee know not what spirit yee are off it was not zeal but choller many have espoused the cause of Religion rather out of faction and humour than out of zeal to the truth But the zeal of a godly man is a true and holy zeal which evidenceth it self in the effects of it 1 True zeal cannot bear an injury done to God zeal makes the blood rise when Gods honour is impeached Rev. 2. 2. I know thy works and thy labour and patience and how thou canst not bear them which are evil hee who zealously affects his friend cannot hear him spoken against and be silent 2 True zeal will encounter with the greatest difficulties when the world holds out a Gorgons head of danger to discourage us zeal casts out fear it is quickned by opposition Zeal doth not say there is a Lyon in the way zeal will charge through an Army of dangers it will march in the face of death Let news be brought to Paul that he was way-laid in every City bonds and imprisonment did abide him this sets a keener edge upon his zeal Acts 21. 13. I am ready not only to bee bound but to dye for the name of the Lord Iesus as sharp frosts do by an antiparistasis make the fire burn hotter so sharp oppositions do but inflame zeal the more 3 True zeal as it hath knowledge to go before it so it hath sanctity to follow after it Wisdome leads the van of zeal and holiness brings up the rear an hypocrite seems to be zealous but he is vitious the godly man is white and ruddy white in purity as well as ruddy in zeal Christs zeal was hotter than the fire and his holiness purer than the sun 4 Zeal that is genuine loves truth when it is despised and opposed Psal. 119. 126. They have made void thy law therefore I love thy commandements above gold the more others deride holiness the more we love it what is Religion the worse for others disgracing it doth a Diamond sparkle the less because a blinde man disparageth it the more outragious the wicked are against the truth the more couragious the godly are for it When Mical scoffed at Davids religious dancing before the Ark if saith he this be to be vile I will yet be more vile 2 Sam. 6. 22. 5 True zeal causeth fervency in duty Rom. 12. 11. fervent in spirit Zeal makes us hear with reverence pray with affection love with ardency God kindled Moses his sacrifice from heaven Lev. 9. 24. There came a fire out from before the Lord and consumed upon the Altar the burnt offering when we are zealous in devotion and our heart waxeth hot within us here is a fire from heaven kindling our sacrifice how odious is it for a man to be all fire when he is sinning and all yâ—e when he is praying A pious heart like water seething hot boils over in holy affections 6. True zeal is never out of breath though it be violent 't is perpetual no waters can quench the flame of zeal it is torrid in the frigid zone The heat of zeal is like the natural heat coming from the heart which lasts as long as life That zeal which is not constant was
never true Use 1. How opposite are they to godliness who cry down zeal and count it a Religious phrensie They are for the light of knowledge but not for the heat of zeal When Basil was earnest in preaching against the Arrian Heresie it was interpreted folly and dotage Religion is a matter requires zeal the Kingdom of heaven will not be taken but by violence Mat. 12. 11. Object But why so much fervour in Religion what becomes then of Prudence Answ. Though Prudence be to direct zeal yet not to destroy it because sight is requisite must the body therefore have no heat If Prudence be the eye in Religion zeal is the heart Quest. But where is moderation Answ. Though moderation in things of indifferency be commendable and doubtless it would much tend to the setling the peace of the Church yet in the main Articles of Faith wherein Gods glory and our Salvation lie at stake here moderation is nothing else but sinful neutrality It was Calvins advice to Melancthon that he should not so affect the name of moderate that at length he lost all his zeal Object But the Apostle presseth moderation Phil. 4. 5. Let your moderation be known to all Answ. The Apostle speaks there of moderating our passion the Greek word for moderation signifies candour and meekness opposite to rash anger and so the word is rendred in another place Patient 1 Tim. 3. 3. By moderation then is meant meekness of spirit and that is clear by the subsequent words The Lord is at hand As if the Apostle had said avenge not your selves for the Lord is at hand he is ready to avenge your personal wrongs but this doth not at all hinder but that in matters of Religion a Christian should be zealous 2 What strangers are they to godliness who have no zeal for the glory of God they can see his ordinances despised his worship adulterated yet their spirits are not at all stirred in them How many are of a dull lukewarm temper zealous for their own secular interest but have no zeal for the things of heaven hot in their own cause but cool in Gods The Lord doth most abominate lukewarm professours I had almost said hee is sick of them Rev. 3. 15. I would thou wert cold or hot any thing but lukewarm but because thou art neither cold nor hot I will spue thee out of my mouth A lukewarm Christian is but dough-baked just like Ephraim Hos. 7. 8. Ephraim is a cake not turned To keep up a form of Religion without zeal is to be like those bodies the Angels assumed which mooved but had no life in them I would ask these Tepid neutral professors this question If Religion be not a good cause why did they undertake it at first if it be why do they go so faintly about it why have they no more holy ardours of soul these persons would fain go to heaven in a soft bed but are loath to bee carried thither in a fiery Chariot of zeal Remember God will be zealous against them who are not zealous he provides the fire of hell for those that want the fire of zeal Use 2. As you would be found in the catalogue of the godly labour for zeal as good bee of no religion as not to be zealous in religion Beware of carnal policy This is one of those three things which Luther feared would bee the death of Religion Some men have been too wise to bee saved Their discretion hath quenched their zeal beware of stoth which is an enemy to zeal be zealous and repent Rev. 3. 19. Christians what do you reserve your zeal for is it for your gold that perisheth or for your lusts that will make you perish can you bestow your zeal better than upon God how zealous have men been in a false religion Isa. 46. 6. They lavish gold out of the bag and weigh silver in the ballance The Iews did spare no cost in their idolatrous worship nay Ier. 32. 35. They cause their Sons and Daughters to pass thorow the fire to Molech They were so zealous in their idol-worship that they would sacrifice their Sons and Daughters to their false Gods how far did the purblinde Heathens go in their false zeal 〈◊〉 the Tribunes of Rome complained they wanted gold in their Treasurâ—es to offer to Apollo the Roman Matrons plucked off their chains of gold and rings and bracelets and gave them to the Priests to offer up sacrifice were these so zealous in their sinful worship and will not you bee zealous in the worship of the true God can you loose any thing by your zeal shall it not bee super-abundantly recompenced what is heaven worth what is a sight of God worth was not Jesus Christ zealous for you he sweat drops of blood hee conflicted with his Fathers wrath how zealous was hee for your redemption and have you no zeal for him is there any thing you your selves hate more than dulness and slothfulness in your servants you are weary of such servants do you dislike a dull temper in others and not in your selves what are all your duties without zeal but non entia meer fancies and nullities Do you know what a glorious thing zeal is it is the lustre that sparkles from grace it is the flame of love it resembles the Holy Ghost Act. 2. 2. There appeared cloven tongues like fire which sat upon them and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost Tongues of fire were an Emblem to represent that fire of zeal which the spirit powred upon them Zeal makes all our religious performances prevalent with God When the iron is red hot it enters best and when our services are red hot with zeal they soonest pierce heaven SECT XVI 16. A godly man is a patient man Iam. 5. 11. Ye have heard of the patience of Iob. Patience is a star which shines in a dark night There is a twofold patience 1. Patience in waiting 2. Patience in bearing 1. Patience in waiting A godly man if he hath not his desire presently he will wait till the mercy be ripe Psa. 130. 6. My soul waiteth for the Lord. Good reason God should have the Timing of our mercies Isa. 60. 22. I the Lord will hasten it in his time Deliverance may tarry beyond our time but it will not tarry beyond Gods time Why should not we wait patiently upon God 1. We are servants it becomes servants to be in a waiting posture 2. We wait upon every thing else we wait upon the fire till it burns we wait upon the seed till it grows Iam. 5. 7. Why cannot we wait upon God 3. God hath waited upon us Did not he wait for our repentance How often did he come year after year before he found fruit Did God wait upon us and cannot we wait upon him A godly man is content to stay Gods leisure though the Vision tarry he will wait for
God loves to bestow his mercies where there is the best Eccho of thankfulness 5 Thankfulness is a frame of heart God delights in if repentance bee the joy of heaven praise is the musick Bernard calls thankfulness the sweet Balm that drops from a Christian. Four Sacrifices God is much pleased with the sacrifice of Christs blood the sacrifice of a broken heart the sacrifice of Alms and the sacrifice of thanksgiving Praise and Thanksgiving saith Mr. Greenham is the most excellent part of Gods worship for this shall continue in the heavenly quire when all other exercises of Religion shall cease 6 What an horrid thing ingratitude is it gives a dye and tincture to every other sin and makes it Crimson ingratitude is the spirits of baseness Obad. v. 7. They that eat thy bread have laid a Wound under thee Ingratitude is worse than bruitish Isa. 1. 3. 'T is reported of Iulius Caesar that he would never forgive an ungrateful person though God be a sin-pardoning God he scarce knows not how to pardon for this Ier. 5. 7. How shall I pardon thee for this thy children have forsaken me when I had fed them to the full they then committed adultery Draco whose Laws were written in blood published and edict that if any man had received a benefit from another and it could bee proved against him that hee had not been grateful for it hee should be put to death an unthankful person is a monster in nature a Pardox in Christianity he is the scorn of heaven and the plague of earth an ungrateful man never doth well but in one thing that is when hee dies 7 The not being thankful is the cause of all the Judgements which have lain upon us our unthankfulness for health hath been the cause of so much Mortality our Gospel-unthankful thankfulness and Sermon-surfeiting hath been the reason why God hath put so many Lights under a Bushel as Bradford said my unthankfulness was the death of King Edward the sixth Who will bestow cost on a peece of ground that brings forth nothing but briars unthankfulness stops the golden Vial of Gods bounty that it will not drop Quest. How shall we do to be thankful Answ. 1. If you would be thankful get an heart deeply humbled in the sense of your own vileness a broken heart is the best pipe to sound forth Gods praise hee who studies his sins wonders that he hath any thing and that God should shine upon such a dunghill 1 Tim. 1. 13. Who was before a Blasphemer and a Persecuter but I obtained mercy How thankful was he how did he Trumpet forth free-grace A proud man will never bee thankful he looks upon all his mercies to bee either of his own procuring or deserving if he hath an Estate this he hath gotten by his wit and industry not considering that Scripture Deut. 8. 18. Thou shalt remember the Lord thy God for it is he that gives thee power to get Riches Pride stops the Current of gratitude O Christian think of thy unworthiness see thy self the least of Saints and the chief of Sinners and then thou wilt be thankful 2 Labour for sound evidences of Gods love to you read Gods love in the impress of holiness upon your hearts Gods love powred in will make the Vessels of Mercy run over with thankfulness Rev. 1. 5 6. Unto him that loved us be glory and dominion for ever The deepest Springs yeeld the sweetest water hearts deeply sensible of Gods love yeeld the sweetest praises SECT XVIII 18 A godly man is a lover of the Saints the best way to discern grace in ones self is to love grace in others 1 Ioh. 3. 14. Wee know we have passed from death to life because we love the Brethren What is religion but religation a knitting together of hearts Faith knits us to God and love knits us one to another There is a two-fold love to others 1 A civil love a godly man hath a love of civility to all Gen. 23. 7. Abraham stood up and bewed to the children of Heth Though they were extraneous and not within the pale of the Covenant yet Abraham was affable to them grace doth sweeten and refine nature 1 Pet. 3. 8. be courteous wee are to have a love of civility to all 1 As they are ex eodem luto of the same lump and mould with our selves and are a peece of Gods curious needle-work 2 Because our sweet deportment towards them may bee a means to win upon them and make them in love with the waies of God a morose ruggid carriage often alienates the hearts of others and hardens them the more against holiness whereas a loving behaviour is very obliging and may bee as a load-stone to draw them to religion 2 There is a pious and an holy love and this a godly man doth bear chiefly to them who are of the houshold of faith the other was a love of courtesie this of complacency Our love to the Saints saith Austin should bee more than to our natural relations because the bond of the spirit is nearer than that of blood This love to the Saints which evidenceth a man godly must have seven ingredients in it 1 Love to the Saints must bee sincere 1 Ioh. 3. 18. Let us not love in word or in tongue but in deed and in truth The hony that drops from the comb is pure so must love be pure without deceit Many are like Naphtali Gen. 49. 21. he giveth goodly words Pretended love is like a painted fire which hath no heat in it Some hide malice under a false veil of love I have read of Antoninus the Emperour where he made a shew of Friendship there he intended the most mischief 2 Love to the Saints must be spiritual we must love them because they are Saints not out of self-respects because they are affable or have been kinde to us 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hesh but we must love them under a spiritual notion because of the good that is in them we are to reverence their holiness else it is a carnal love 3 Love to the Saints must be extensive we must love all that bear Gods image 1 Though they have many infirmities a Christian in this life is like a good face full of Freckles thou that canst not love another because of his imperfections didst never yet see thy own face in the glass thy brothers infirmities may make thee pity him his graces must make thee love him 2 Wee must love the Saints though in some things they do not coalesce and agree with us another Christian may differ from me in less matters either because hee hath more light than I or because hee hath lesse light if he differs from me because he hath more light then I have no reason to censure him if because hee hath less light than I ought to bear with him as the weaker Vessel in things of an indifferent nature
there ought to be Christian connivance 3 We must love the Saints though their graces out-vye and surpass ours we ought to bless God for the eminency of anothers grace because hereby religion is honoured Pride is not quite slain in a believer Saints themselves are apt to grudge and repine at each others excellencies is it not strange that the same person should hate one man for his sin and envy another for his vertue Christians had need look to their hearts then is love right and genuine when we can rejoyce in the graces of others though they seem to eclipse ours 4 Love to the Saints must be appretiating we must esteem their persons above others Psa. 15. 4. He honours them that fear the Lord we are to look upon the wicked as lumber but upon the Saints as jewels these must bee had in high veneration 5 Love to the Saints must bee Social wee should delight in their company Psal. 119. 63. I am a companion of all them that fear thee 'T is a kind of hell to be in the company of the wicked where we cannot choose but hear Gods name dishonoured It was a capital crime to have carried the Image of Tiberius engraven upon a Ring or Coyn into any fordid place They who have the Image of God engraven upon them should not go into any sinful fordid company Never but two that I read of who were living did desire to keep company with the dead and they were possessed with the Devil what comfort can a living Christian have to converse with the dead Iude 2. but the society of Saints is eligible this is not to walk among the Tombs but among beds of spices Beleevers are Christs garden their graces are the flowers their savory discourse is the fragrant smell of these flowers 6 Love to the Saints must be demonstrative we should be ready to do all offices of love to them vindicate their names contribute to their necessities and like the good Samaritan pour Oyl and Wine into their wounds Luk. 0. 34. 35. Love cannot be concealed but is active in its sphere and will lay out it self for the good of others 7 Love to the Saints must be constant 1 Iohn 4. 16. He that dwelleth in love Our love must not only lodge for a night but we must dwell in love Heb. 13. 1. Let Brotherly love continue as love must bee sincere without hypocrisie so constant without deficiency love must be like the pulse alwaies beating not like those Galathians who at one time were ready to pull out their eyes for Paul Gal. 4. 15. and afterwards were ready to pluck out his eyes love should not expire but with our life and surely if our love to the Saints be thus divinely qualified we may hopefully conclude that we are enrolled among the godly Ioh. 13. 35. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples if ye have love one to another That which induceth a godly man to love the Saints is because he is nearly related to them there ought to be love among relations there is a spiritual consanguinity among beleevers they have all one head therefore should all have one heart they are stones of the same building 1 Pet. 2. 5. and shall not these stones bee cemented together with Love Use 1. Is this the distinguishing Mark of a godly man to be a lover of the Saints then how sad is it to see this grace of love in an eclipse this Character of godliness is almost blotted out among Christians England was once a fair garden where the flower of love did grow but sure now this flower is either plucked or withered where is that amity and unity as should be among Christians I appeal to you would there bee that censuring and despising that reproaching and undermining one another if there were love instead of bitter Tears there are bitter spirits a sign iniquity abounds because the love of many waxeth cold there is that distance among some professours as if they had not received the same spirit or as if they did not hope for the same heaven In the Primitive times there was so much love among the godly as set the heathens a wondring and now there is so little as may set Christians a blushing Use 2 As we would be written down for Saints in Gods Kalender let us love the Brotherhood they who shall one day live together should love together what is it makes a disciple but love Iohn 13. 35. The Devil hath knowledge but that which makes him a Devil is that hee wants love To perswade Christians to love consider 1 The Saints have that in them which may make us love them they are the curious embroidery and workmanship of the Holy ghost Eph. 2. 10. they have those rare lineaments of grace as none but a pensil from heaven could draw their eyes sparkle forth beauty Cant. 4 9. their breasts are like clusters of grapes Cant 7. 7. This makes Christ himself delight in his spouse The King is held in the galleries The Church is the daughter of a Prince Cant. 7. 1. she is waited on by Angels Heb 1. ult she hath a Pallace of glory reserved for her Ioh. 14. 2. and may not all this draw forth our love 2 Consider how evil it is for the Saints not to love 1 It is Unnatural the Saints are Christs Lambs Ioh. 21. 15. for a dog to worry a Lamb is usual but for one Lamb to worry another is unnatural The Saints are brethren 1 Pet. 3. 8. how barbarous is it for brethren not to love 2 Not to love is a foolish thing have not Gods people enemies enough that they should flye in the faces one of another the wicked confederate against the godly Psal. 83. 3. They have taken crafty counsel against thy people though there may fall out a private grudge betwixt such as are wicked yet they will all agree and unite against the Saints if two Gray-hounds are snarling at a bone yet put up an Hare between them and they will leave the bone and follow after the Hare so if wicked men have private differences amongst themselves yet if the godly be near them they will leave snarling at one another and will pursue after the godly now when Gods people have so many enemies abroad who watch for their halting and are glad when they can do them a mischief shall the Saints fall out and divide into parties among themselves 3 Not to love is very unseasonable Gods people are in a common calamity they suffer in one cause and for them to disagree is altogether unseasonable why doth the Lord bring his people together in affliction but to bring them together in affection Mettals will unite in a furnace if ever Christians unite it should bee in the furnace of affliction Chrysostome compares affliction to a shepherds Dog which makes all the sheep run together Gods Rod hath this loud voice
may attend upon the Lord without distraction Quest. But may not a godly man have roving thoughts in duty Answ. Yes sad experience sets seal to it the thoughts will bee dancing up and down in prayer the Saints are called Stars and many times in duty they are wandring stars The heart is like Quick-silver which will not fix 'T is hard to tye two good thoughts together we cannot lock our hearts so close but that distracting thoughts like winde will get in Hierom complains of himself sometimes saith he when I am about Gods service I am walking in the galleries or casting up of accounts But these wandring thoughts in the godly are not allowed Psa. 119. 113. I hate vain thoughts they come as unwelcome guests which are no sooner spied but are turned out of doors Quest. Whence do these impertinent thoughts arise in the godly Answ. 1 From the pravity of nature they are the mud which the hear casts up 2. From Satan the Devil if he cannot hinder us from duty â—hee will hinder us in duty when we come before the Lord he is at our right hand to resist us Zac. 3. 1. As when one is going to write another stands at his elbow and jogs him that he cannot write even Satan will set vain objects before the fancy to cause a diversion the Devil doth not oppose formality but fervency if he sees we set our selves in good earnest to seek God he will bee whispering things in our ears that wee can scarce minde what wee are doing 3 These impertinent thoughts arise from the world these vermine are bred out of the earth worldly business oft crouds into our duties and while we are speaking to God our hearts are talking with the world Ezek. 33. 31. They sit before me as my people but their heart goes after their covetousness While we are hearing the word or meditating one worldly business or other commonly knocks at the door and we are taken off the duty while we are in the duty 'T is with us as with Abraham when he was going to worship the fowles came down upon the sacrifice Gen. 15. 11. Quest. How may wee get rid of these wandring thoughts that we may be more spiritual in duty Answ. 1 Eye Gods purity hee is an holy God whom wee serve and cannot endure when wee are worshipping him that wee should converse with vanity Will a King like it that while his subject is speaking to him hee should bee playing with a feather will God endure light feathery hearts how devout and reverend are the Angels they cover their faces and cry Holy Holy 2 Think of the Grand importance of the duties we are engaged in as David said concerning his building an house for God 2 Chron. 29. 1. The work is great when wee are hearing the word the work is great this is the word by which we shall be judged when we are at prayer the work is great wee are pleading for the life of our souls and is this a time to trifle 3 Come with affection to duty the nature of love is to fix the minde upon the object he who is in love his thoughts are still upon the person he loves and nothing can take them off Hee that loves the world his thoughts are ever intent upon it were our hearts more fired with love they would be more fixed in duty and O! what cause have we to love duty is not this the direct road to heaven do we not meet with God here can the spouse be better than in her Husbands company where can the soul be better than in drawing nigh to God 4 Consider the mischief that these vain distracting thoughts do they fly-blow our duties they hinder fervency they shew high irreverence they tempt God to turn away his ear from us how do we think God should minde our prayers when we our selves scarce minde them 3 To do duties spiritually is to do them in faith Heb. 11. 4. By faith Abel offered a better sacrifice than Cain The holy oyle for the Tabernacle had several spices put into it Exod. 30. 34. Faith is the sweet spice which must be put into duty 'T is a wrong to God to doubt either of his Mercy or Truth a Christian may venture his soul upon the publick faith of heaven Use 1 How far are they out of the way of Godliness who are unspiritual in their worship who do not duties from a renewed principle and with the utmost intention of soul but meerly to stop the mouth of conscience many people look no farther than the bare doing of duties but never mind how they are done God doth not judge of our duties by the length but by the love when men put God off with the dreggish part of duty may not he say as Isa. 58. 5. Is it such a Fast that I have chosen Are these the duties I required I called for the heart and spirit and you bring nothing but the Carkass of Duty should I receive comfort in this Use 2. Let us show our selves godly by being more spiritual in duty 't is not the quantum but the quale 't is not how much we do but how well A Musitian is commended not for playing long but for playing well We must not only do what God appoints but as God appoints O how many are unspiritual in spiritual things they bring their services but not their hearts they give God the skin not the fat of the offering God is a Spirit Ioh. 4. 24. And it is the spirituality of duty he is best pleased with 1 Pet. 2. 5. Spiritual Sacrifices acceptable to God The spirits of the Wine are best so is the spiritual part of duty Eph. 5. 19. Making melody in your hearts to the Lord It is the heart makes the Musick the spiritualizing of duty gives life to it without this it is dead praying dead hearing and dead things are not pleasing a dead flower hath no beauty a dead breast hath no sweetness Quest. How may we do to perform duties in a spiritual manner Answ. 1. Let the Soul be kept a Virgin lust doth besot and dis-spirit a man beware of any tincture of uncleanness Iam. 1. 21. Wood that is full of sap will not easily burn and an heart steeped in sin is not fit to burn in holy devotion Can he be spiritual in worship who feeds carnal lust Hos. 4. 11. Whoredome and wine and new wine take away the heart Any sin lived in takes away the heart such an one hath no heart to pray or meditate The more alive the heart is in sin the more it dies to duty 2. If we would be spiritual in duty let us revolve these two things in our mind 1. The profit which comes from a duty performed in a spiritual manner it infeebles Corruption it encreaseth Grace it defeats Satan it strengthens our Communion with God it breeds peace of Conscience it procures Answers of Mercy and it
hast been honourable The godly are a Crown of glory in the hand of God Isa. 62. 3. They are plants of Renown Ezek. 16. 14. They are not only Vessels of Mercy but Vessels of Honour 2 Tim. 2. 21. Aristotle calls Honor the chief good thing The godly are neer a Kin to the blessed Trinity they have the Tutelage and Guardianship of Angels they have Gods Name written upon them Revel 3. 12. and the Holy Ghost dwelling in them 2 Tim. 1. 14. The godly are a sacred Priesthood the Priesthood under the Law was honourable the Kings Daughter was wife to Iehoiada the Priest 2 Chron. 22. 11. It was a custome among the Egyptians to have their Kings chosen out of their Priests The Saints are a Divine Priesthood to offer up spritiual sacrifices 1 Pet. 2. 9. They are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Coheirs with Christ Rom. 8. 17. They are Kings Rev. 1. 6. Novarinus relates of an antient King who invited a Company of poor Christians and made them a great Feast and being asked why he showed so much respect to persons of such mean birth and Extract he told them these I must honour as the Children of the most high God they will be Kings and Princes with me in another world The godly are in some sense higher than the Angels the Angels are Christs friends these are his spouse the Angels are called morning-stars Iob 38. 7. but the Saints are clothed with the Sun of righteousness Rev. 12. 1. all men saith Chrysostome are ambitious of honour behold then the honour of the godly Prov. 7. 8. Wisdome is the principal thing therefore get wisdome exalt her and she shall promote thee she shall bring thee to honour when thou dost embrace her The Trophies of the Saints renown will be erected in another world Famaque post cineres major 3 The godly are beloved of God Psal. 47. 4. The excellency of Iacob whom he loved An holy heart is the garden where God plants the flower of his love Gods love to his people is an antient love it bears date from eternity Ephe. 1. 4. he loves them with a choice distinguishing love they are the dearly beloved of his soul Ier. 12. 7. The men of the world have bounty dropping from Gods fingers but the godly have love dropping from Gods heart he gives the one a golden cup the other a golden kiss he loves the godly as he loves Christ Iohn 17. 26. it is the same love for kinde though not for degree here the Saints do but pitissare sip of Gods love in heaven they shall drink of Rivers of pleasure Psa. 36. 8. And this love of God is permanent death may take away their life from them but not Gods love from them Ier. 31. 4. I have loved thee with a love of perpetuity 4 The godly are prudent persons they have good Insight and Foresight 1 They have good insight 1 Cor. 2. 10. He that is spiritual judgeth all things the godly have insight into Persons and Things 1 They have insight into persons they have the anointing of God and by a spirit of discerning they can see some difference between the precious and the vile Ier. 15. 19. Gods people are not censorious but they are juditious they can see a wanton heart through a naked breast and a spotted face they can see a revengeful spirit through a bitter tongue they can guess at the Tree by the fruit Mat. 12. 33. They can see the Plague-tokens of sin appear in the wicked which makes them remove from the tents of those sinners Num. 16. 26. 2 The godly have insight into Things Mysterious 1 They can see much of the mystery of their own hearts Take the greatest Politician who understands the mysteries of state yet he doth not understand the mystery of his own heart you shall sometimes hear him swear his heart is good but a Childe of God sees much heart-corruption 1 King 8. 38. though some flowers of grace grow there yet he sees how fast the weeds of sin grow therefore is continually weeding his heart by repentance and mortification 2 The godly can discern the mystery of the times 1 Chron. 12. 32. The children of Issachar were men that had understanding of the times The godly can see when an age runs dregs when Gods name is dishonoured his messengers despised his Gospel ecclipsed the people of God labour to keep their garments pure Rev. 16. 15. their care is that the times may not be the worse for them nor they the worse for the times 3 The godly understand the mystery of living by faith Heb. 10. 38. The just shall live by faith they can trust God where they cannot trace him they can fetch comfort out of a promise as Moses did water out of the rock Hab. 3. 17. Though the Fig-tree doth not blossome yet I will rejoyce in the Lord. 2 The godly have good foresight 1 They foresee the evil of a Temptation 2 Cor. 2. 11. We are not ignorant of his devices The wicked swallow temptations like Pills and when it is too late feel these Pills gripe their Conscience but the godly fore-see a Temptation and will not come near they see a snake under the green grass they know Satans kindness is craftiness hee doth as Iâ—phtha's daughter he brings forth the Timbrel and danceth before men with a temptation and then brings them very low Iudg. 11. 35. 2. The godly fore-see temporal dangers Pro. 22. 3. A prudent man foreseeth the evil and hideth himself The people of God see when the Cloud of wrath is ready to drop upon a Nation and they get into their Chambers Isa. 26. 20. The Attributes and Promises of God and into the clifts of the Rock the bleeding wounds of Christ and hide themselves well therefore may they be baptized with the name of Wise Virgins 5. The godly are the bull-wark of a Nation 2 Kin. 2. 12. O my Father the Chariots of Israel and the horsemen thereof The godly are the Pillers to keep a City and Nation from falling they stave off Judgement from a Land It was said of old so long as Hector lived Troy could not be demolished God could do nothing to Sodom till Lot was gone out of it Genesis 19. 22. Golden Christians are Brazen Walls The Lord would soon break up house in the world were it not for the sakes of a few Religious ones Would God think we preserve the world only for Drunkards and Swearers He would soon sink the Ship of Church and State but that some of his Elect are in it Yet such is the indiscretion of men as to injure the Saints and to count them burdens which are the chief blessings 6. The godly are of a brave Heroick spirit Numb 14. 24. My servant Caleb because he had another spirit An excellent spirit was found in Daniel Cap. 5. 12. The godly hate that which is base and sordid they will not inrich their purses by inslaving
tender of her 1 Pet. 5. 7. He careth for you Christ hath a debating with himself a consulting and projecting how to carry on the work of our Salvation he transacts all our affairs he minds our business as his own indeed he himself is concerned in it he brings in fresh supplies to his Spouse if she wanders out of the way he guides her if she stumble he holds her by the hand if she falls he raiseth her if she be dull he quickens her by his spirit if she be froward he draws her with cords of love if she be sad he comforts her with promises 2. For ardent affection No Husband like Christ for love The Lord saith to the people I have loved you and they say Wherein hast thou loved us Mal. 1. 2. But we cannot say to Christ wherein hast thou loved us Christ hath given real Demonstrations of his love to his Spouse He hath sent her his Word which is a Love-letter and he hath given her his Spirit which is a Love-token Christ loves more than any other Husband 1. Christ puts upon his Bride a richer Robe Isa. 61. 10. He hath cloathed me with the garments of Salvation he hath covered me with the Robe of Righteousness In this Robe God looks upon us as if we had not sinned This is as truly ours to justifie as it is Christs to bestow this Robe doth not only cover but adorn Having on this Robe we are reputed righteous not only as Angels but as Christ 2 Cor. 5. 21. That we might be made the righteousness of God in him 2. Christ gives his Bride not only his Golden Garments but his Image He loves her into his own likeness An Husband may bear a dear affection to his Wife but he cannot stamp his own Effigies upon her if she be deformed he may give her a Vail to hide it but he cannot put his beauty upon her But Christ imparts the beauty of holiness to his Spouse Ezek. 16. 14. Thou wert comely through my comeliness When Christ marries a soul he makes it fair Cant. 4. 7. Thou art all fair my Spouse Christ never thinks he hath loved his Spouse enough till he can see his own face in her 3. Christ dischargeth those debts which no other Husband can Our sins are the worst debts we owe if all the Angels should go to make a Purse they could not pay one of these debts but Christ frees us from these he is both an Husband and a Surety he saith to Justice as Paul concerning Onesimus If he ows thee any thing put it upon my score I will repay it Philem. 19. 4. Christ hath suffered more for his Spouse than ever any Husband did for a Wife he suffered poverty and ignominy He who crowned the heavens with stars was himself crowned with thorns He was called a companion of sinners that we might be made companions of Angels he was regardless of his life he leaped into the Sea of his Fathers wrath to save his Spouse from drowning 5. Christs love doth not end with his life He loves his Spouse for ever Hos. 2. 19. I will betroath thee unto me for ever Well may the Apostle call it a love that passeth knowledge Eph. 3. 19. 3. See how rich believers are they are matched into the Crown of Heaven and by virtue of the Conjugal Union all Christs riches go to believers Communion is founded in Union Christ communicates his Graces Iohn 1. 16. As long as Christ hath it believers shall not want and he communicates his Priviledges Justification Glorification He settles a Kingdome upon his Spouse for her Joynture Heb. 12. 28. This is a Key to the Apostles Riddle 2 Cor. 6. 10. As having nothing yet possessing all By virtue of the Marriage-Union the Saints are interested in all Christs riches 4 See how fearful a Sin it is to abuse the Saints it is an injury done to Christ for beleevers are mystically one with him Act. 9. 4. Saul Saul why persecutest thou me when the body was wounded the head being in heaven cryed out in this sense men crucifie Christ afresh Heb. 6. 6. because what is done to his members is done to him if Gideon was avenged upon those who slew his brethren Iudg. 8. 21. will not Christ much more bee avenged upon those that wrong his Spouse Will a King endure to have his Treasure rifled his Crown thrown in the dust his Queen beheaded will Christ bear with the affronts and injuries done to his Bride the Saints are the apple of Christs eye Zac. 2. 8. and they that strike at his eye let them answer it Isa. 49. 26. I will feed them that oppress thee with their own flesh and they shall be drunken with their own blood as with sweet wine 5 See the reason why the Saints do so rejoyce in the Word and Sacrament because here they meet with their Husband Christ the Wife desires to be in the presence of her Husband The Ordinances are the chariot in which Christ rides the lattice through which he looks forth and shews his smiling face here Christ displaies the banner of love Can. 2. 4. The Lords Supper is nothing else but a pledge and earnest of that eternal communion the Saints shall have with Christ in heaven Then he will take the Spouse into his bosome if Christ be so sweet in an Ordinance when we have but short glances and dark glimpses of him by saith Oh then how delightful and ravishing will his presence be in heaven when we shall see him face to face and be for ever in his loving embraces 4 This mystical union affords much comfort to beleevers in several cases 1 In case of the dis-respects and unkindenesses of the world Psa. 55. 3. In wrath they hate mee but though we live in an unkinde world wee have a kinde Husband Ioh. 15. 9. As the father hath loved me so have I loved you What Angel can tell how God the Father loves Christ yet the Fathers love to Christ is made the copy and pattern of Christs love to his Spouse this love of Christ as far exceeds all created love as the Sun out shines the light of a Torch and is not this matter of comfort what though the world hates me yet Christ loves me 2 It is comfort in case of weakness of grace the beleever cannot lay hold upon Christ but with a trembling hand there is a spirit of infirmity upon him but O weak Christian here is strong consolation there is a conjugal union thou art the Spouse of Christ and hee will bear with thee as the weaker vessel will an Husband divorce his Wife because she is weak and sickly no he will be the more tender of her Christ hates treachery but he will pity infirmity when the spouse is faint and ready to be discouraged Christ puts his left hand under her head Can. 2. 6. this is the spouses comfort when she is weak her Husband can infuse
strength into her Isaiah 49. 5. My God shall bee my strength 3 It is comfort in case of death when beleevers dye they go to their Husband who would not bee willing to shoot the Gulf o◠death that they might meet with their Husband Christ Phi. 1. 23. I desire 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to loose Anchor and be with Christ what thoug◠the way be dirty seeing we are going to ou◠friend when a woman is contracted she longs for the day of marriage after th◠Saints funeral begins their marriage the body is ergastulum animae a Prison to the soul who would not desire to exchange a Priso◠for a Marriage bed How glad was Iosep◠to go out of Prison to the Kings court God is wise he lets us meet with changes an◠troubles here that he may we an us from the world and make us long for death when the soul is divorced from the body it is married to Christ. 4 It is comfort in case of passing the sentence at the day of Judgement There is a marriage union and O Christian thy Husband shall be thy Judge a Wife would not fear to bee cast at Bar if her Husband sat Judge what though the Devil bring in many indictments against thee Christ will expunge thy sins in his blood he will say shall I condemn my spouse O what a comfort is this the Husband is Judge Christ cannot pass the sentence against his spouse but hee must pass it against himself for Christ and beleevers are one 5 It is comfort in case of the Saints sufferings The Church of God is exposed in this life to many injuries but she hath an Husband in heaven that is mindeful of her and will turn her waters into wine now it is a time of mourning with the Spouse because the Bride-groom is absent Mat. 9. 15. But shortly she shall put off her mourning Christ will wipe off the tears of blood from the cheeks of his Spouse Isa. 25. 8. The Lord God will wipe off tears from off all faces Christ will comfort his spouse after the time wherein she hath been afflicted he will solace her with his love he will take away the cup of trembling and give her the cup of consolation and now she shall forget all her sorrows being called into the banqueting house of heaven and having the banner of Christs love displayed over her 5. Let me press several duties upon such as have this Marriage-Union with Christ. 1. Make use of this Relation in two cases 1. When the Law brings in its Indictments against you here are saith the Law so many debts to be paid and it demands satisfaction acknowledge the debt but turn over all to your Husband Christ 'T is a Maxim in Law that the suit must not go against the wife as long as the Husband is living Tell Satan when he accuseth thee 't is true the debt is mine but go to my Husband Christ he will discharge it Would we take this course we might ease our selves of much trouble by Faith we turn over the debt to our Husband Believers are not in a state of Widdow-hood but Marriage Satan will never go to Christ he knows Justice is satisfied and the Debt-book cancell'd but he comes to us for the debt that he may perplex us we should send him to Christ and then all Law-suits would cease This is a believers Triumph when he is in himself guilty in Christ he is worthy when he is spotted in himself he is pure in his head 2. In case of desertion Christ may for ends best known to himself step aside for a time Cant. 5. 6. My beloved had withdrawn himself say not therefore Christ is quite gone 'T is a fruit of jealousie in a Wife when her Husband hath left her a while to think he is quite gone from her Upon every removal out of sight for us to say as Sion The Lord hath forsaken me Isa. 49. 14. This is jealousie and it is a wrong done to the love of Christ and the sweetness of this Marriage-Relation Christ may forsake his Spouse in regard of comfort but he will not forsake her in regard of union An Husband may be a thousand miles distant from his Wife but still he is an Husband Christ may leave his Spouse but still the Marriage Knot holds 2. Love your Husband Christ Cant. 2. 5. love him though he be reproached and persecuted A Wife loves her Husband when in prison To inflame your love towards Christ consider 1. Nothing else is fit for you to love If Christ be your Husband it is not fit to have other Lovers that would make Christ grow jealous 2. He is worthy of your love he is of unparallel'd beauty Cant. 5. 10. altogether lovely 3. How pregnant is Christs love towards you he loves you in your worst condition he loves you in affliction The Goldsmith loves his gold in the Furnace he loves you notwithstanding your scars and blemishes The Saints infirmities cannot wholly take off Christs love from them Ier. 3. 1. Oh then how should the Spouse be endeared in her love to Christ This will be the excellency of Heaven our love will then be as the Sun in its full strength 3. Rejoyce in your Husband Christ hath Christ honoured you to take you into the Marriage-Relation and make you one with himself this calls for joy By virtue of the Union believers go sharers with Christ in his riches It was a custome among the Romans when the Wife was brought home she received the Keys of her husbands house intimating that the treasure and custody of the house was now committed to her When Christ shall bring his Bride home to those glorious Mansions which he is gone before to Prepare for her Iohn 14. 2. He will deliver up the keys of his treasure to her and she shall be as rich as heaven can make her and shall not the Spouse rejoyce and sing aloud upon her bed Psal. 149. 5. Christians let the times be never so sad you may rejoyce in your spiritual Espousals Hab. 3. 17. Let me tell you it is a sin not to rejoyce you disparage your Husband Christ. When a wife is always sighing and weeping what will others say This woman hath a bad husband Is this the fruit of Christs love to you to reflect dishonor upon him A melancholly spouse sads Christs heart I deny not but a Christian should grieve for sins of daily incursion but to be always weeping as if he mourned without hope is dishonourable to the Marriage-Relation Phil. 4. 4. Rejoyce in the Lord always Rejoycing doth credit your husband Christ loves a chearful Bride and indeed the very end of Gods making us sad is to make us rejoyce we sow in tears that we may reap in joy The excessive sadness and contristation of the godly will make others afraid to imbrace Christ they will begin to question whether there be that satisfactory joy in Religion
bury our Talents but trade them this is to put out our mercies to Use a gracious heart is like a peece of good ground that having received the seed of mercy thrusts forth a crop of obedience 6 Then wee are rightly thankful when we can have our hearts more enlarged for spiritual mercies than for temporal Eph. 1. 3. Blessed be God who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings A godly man blesseth God more for a fruitful heart than a full crop hee is more thankful for Christ than for a Kingdome Socrates was wont to say hee loved the Kings smile more than his gold a pious heart is more thankful for a smile of Gods face than hee would bee for the gold of the Indies 7 Then wee are rightly thankful when mercy is a wheâ— to duty it causeth a spirit of activity for God Mercy is not as the Sun to the fire to dull it but as oyl to the wheele to make it run faster David wisely argues from mercy to duty Psal. 116. 8 9. Thou hast delivered my Soul from death I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living It was a saying of Bernard Lord I have two Mites a soul and a body and I give them both to thee 8 Then wee are rightly thankful when we excite others to this Angelical work of praise David would not only bless God himself but calls upon others to do so Praise ye the Lord Psalm 111. 1. That is the sweetest musick which is in consort when many Saints joyn together in consort then they make heaven ring of their praises as one drunkard will bee calling upon another so in an holy sense one Christian must bee stirring up another to the work of thankfulness 9 Then we are rightly thankful when we do not only speak Gods praise but live his praise It is called gratiarum actio then wee give thanks when wee live thanks such as are mirrours of mercy should be patterns of piety Obad. 17. Upon Mount Sion shall be deliverance and there shall be holiness To give God orall praise and dishonour him in our lives is to commit a barbarism in religion and is to be like those Iews who bowed the knee to Christ and then did spit upon him Mark 15. 19. 10 Then wee are rightly thankful when wee do propagate Gods praises to posterity we tell our children what God hath done for us in such a want hee supplyed us in such a sickness he raised us in such a temptation he succoured us Psa. 44. 1. O God our Fathers have told us what work thou didst in their daies in the time of old By transmitting our experiences to our Children Gods name is eternized and his mercies will bring forth a plentiful crop of praise when wee are gone He man puts the question Psal. 88. 10. Shall the dead praise thee Yes in this sense when we are dead we praise God because having left the Chronicle of Gods mercies with our Children we put them upon thankfulness and so make Gods praises live when we are dead dumque aurea voluet astra polus Memori semper celebrabunt cantu Use 3 Let us evidence our godliness by gratefulness Psa. 29. 2. Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name 1 It is a good thing to be thankful Psal 147. 1. It is good to sing praises to our God 'T is ill when the tongue that Organ of praise is out of tune and doth jar by murmuring and discontent but it is a good thing to be thankful it is good because this is all the creature can do to lift up Gods name and it is good because it tends to the making us good the more thankful we are the more holy while wee pay this tribute of praise our stock of grace increseth in other debts the more we pay the less wee have but the more wee pay this debt of thankfulness the more grace wee have 2 Thankfulness is the quit-rent wee owe to God Psa. 148. 11 13. King of the earth and all people let them praise the name of the Lord Praise is the tribute or custome to bee paid into the King of heavens Exchequor Surely while God renews our Lease we must renew our rent 3 The great cause we have to be thankful 't is a principle grafted in nature to be thankful for benefits The Heathens praised Iupiter for their victories What full clusters of mercies hang upon us when we go to enumerate Gods mercies we must with David confess our selves to bee nonplussed Psal. 40. 5. Many O Lord my God are thy wonderful works which thou hast done they cannot be reckoned up in Order And as Gods mercies are past numbring so they are past measuring David takes the longest measuring line hee could get hee measures from earth to the clouds nay above the clouds yet this measure would not reach the heighth of Gods mercies Psal. 108. 4. Thy mercy is great above the heavens O how hath God enriched us with his silver showers a whole constellation of mercies hath shined in our Hemisphere 1 What Temporal favours have wee received every day wee see a new tide of mercy coming in the wings of mercy have covered us the breast of mercy hath fed us Gen. 48. 15. The God which hath fed mee all my life long to this day What snares laid for us have been broken what fears blown over the Lord hath made our bed when he hath made others grave he hath taken such care of us as if he had none else to take care for never was the cloud of providence so black but we might see a Rainbow of Love in the cloud we have been made to swim in a sea of mercy and doth not all this call for thankfulness 2 That which may put a string more into the instrument of our praise and make it sound louder is to consider what spiritual blessings God hath conferred upon us he hath given us of the upper-springs he hath opened the Wardrobe of Heaven and fetched us out a better garment than any of the Angels wear he hath given us the best robe and put upon us the Ring of faith whereby wee are married to him These are mercies of the first magnitude which deserve to have an Asterist put upon them and God keeps the best Wine till last here hee gives us mercies but by retail the greatest things are laid up here are some Hony drops and fore-tastes of Gods love the Rivers of pleasure are reserved for Paradise well may we take the harp and viol and triumph in Gods praise who can tread upon these hot coals of Gods love and his heart not burn in thankfulness 4 Thankfulness is the best policy there is nothing lost by it to bee thankful for one mercy is the way to have more 't is like powring water into a Pump which fetcheth out more Musicians love to sound their trumpets where there is the best Eccho and