men to depend on mercy For he whose heart dwells in love dwells in God in nothing do we more resemble Christ who was ever disposed thereunto even when his Disciples would have hindred him See what this is 1. There may be liberality out of pride and yet no love 1 Cor. 15. 2. There may be a tender and open nature and yet no mercy But this not a tender hearted disposition from nature but from a true sight of our own vilenesse and unworthinesse and sense of Gods mercy in Christ sensible of others miseries and willingnesse and readinesse to help according to our power without pinching grudging or base respect such is Gods and Christ love to us 1. The ground Gods mercie by Faith breaking the heart and working Life in us 2. The nature is pitiful free open-hearted helpful 3. The object is Want Miserie Wrong Injury Woe Then woe to mercielesse worldings who are sensible of no mans miserie but their own as a hard-hearted userer a closse fisted niggard grinding Land-lord yea mercieless who with Judas grudge at parting with any thing though they professe kindnesse yet when need comes hearts and purses pinch together See that heartlesse shew of Love and Faith without the power thereof when it comes to-tryal that when it comes to part it Mammon that was never parted it goes to the quick as if a man should part with life and all and hence so manie excuses as I have not now I have a charge c. When if a man would forbear idle expences and his surfeting it would provide for all the poor in a Paroch Object They are all lazie people Answ It is for want of thy education but maintenance is love Thus we see Christ is full of talking believing men and worldly knowledge everie man full of opinions and high thoughts but no love This Religion is in vain yea most men love all men till they grow poor but then casts him off like those Luke 5. That called rich friends c. So we lend give and help those that need not but to further their covetousnesse but from poor turn away But man hath such love for himself that he hath none for others but Paul bids put on bowels of mercit and tendernesse c. 1. Consider the estates of others and put ours in their case 2. Gods mercie to thee thou rich and they poor 3. That thou shalt never be poorer for it that thou shald obtain mercie both of God and man not for this but the word is such So that Gods mercie and goodnesse shall not be a wanting and mans heart shall be open towards merciful men and they shall nor want Psal 37. I never saw the righteous forsaken That is merciful men 1. For the hearts of all men do blesse them 2. They live in sense of miserie and weaknesse and so sensible of mercie but most men live of and by themselves and find no need of mercie and so mercie is shut against them 3. Happie he that waits still for this it cannot be wanting for these judge themselves justifie God 4 Suffer all things patiently 5. And are open-hearted to pray to God and shew mercie to others Blessed are the pure in heart These are opposed to the Hypocrisie of the Pharisees which under shew of Religion reserved to themselves rotten hearts and the World therein which so musled their mindes that they saw nothing Puritie is a metaphor taken from neatter mettal c. Which it not mingled with any filth but clear from the Fountain So we say Pure water like gold and that is separated from all other things and is simple So that Poor and simple minded men who walk in simplicitie of Religion is blessed therein James 3.1 Wisdom from above is First pure then peaceable that is the seed in good ground that is good honest simple hearts 1. Joh. 3. He that hath this hope purgeth himself as he is pure for the heart joyned or mixed with any other thing mars it 2. This was Adams simplicitie that is joyned to God onlie which puritie is a mind cleaving to nothing but God only and simple truth like a wise to her husband expecting nothing but what he is 3. Intention upright though occasion failing there is a puritie Legal and Evangelical the one is in Rules the other in Faith and Love singling out the heart to Christ onlie the heart is pure when it is not mingled with its own desires and lusts and the pure Faith believeth God without this or that a pure love without condition or end 4. A pure zeal for God onlie Away then with all glistring Religion to cover rotten hearts with But we deal not simply in any thing but have self-respects and seekings seeking our selves for we deal not simply in any thing The pure heart then is he that sees that iniquitie in himself that he lothes himself so is purged by the Laver of Regeneration They shall see God This is not by curious comprehension but by simple believing that is that God would shew himself in mercie love wisdom to them So that The poor and simple believing heart trulie understands the way of God and sees him in his goodnesse and God reveals Secrets to them that fear him and to none else Psal 25. 1. None hath seen God but he none knows the Father but the Son and he to whom the Son will reveal him Psal 36. In his light we shall see light for self-knowledge and lust blinds the most of all 1 Cor. 8. He that thinks he knows something knows nothing at all he that will become wise must become a fool God chooseth fools 2. If the mind cleave or look at any thing else it draws a vail that is sees nothing There are some that imagine a shape and so seem to see blindly attending in saith upon them the light shines Thus we are all full of knowledge and false light but have not pure hearts we must be wise as Serpents and innocent as Doves For if man see God by Faith he trusts loves and fears and is subject to him all knowledge else leaves a man whore he was save this it lifts him up against God See the way how man is blinded he hath a self desire of his own good overruling which sets witts a working to find that good under the Sun This bears off God and so lights hold of Religion and so strains all his power to comprehend this God and good in him and becomes a Master and so rules and orders it according as he thinks it may best make for his good not knowing what it is to receive freely and live by Faith Give me then a pure heart and a simple believing mind for that 's worth all knowledge without this all knowledge else leaves man that he date not trust nor love that thing which he sees Yet this is all that he hunts after rather to know after the flesh than to believe by faith
in the Church and to man when man under knowledge and profession of the Gospel seeks chiefly the serving of his own lusts and pleasures of his appetite and not crucified to the world with Christ Such Paul speaks of that they served their own bellies and not Christ and said That they turned the grace of God into wantonesse and yet frequented their feasts of love And others Peter shews that under pretence of long pray rs spoyled widdows houses and led captive simple Women These Paul commanded that seing they would not work they should not eat They professe that they know God but in deed deny him that is They are silled with knowledge that Christ is the way of Life in Justification but they follow the world in their appetitte and deny him 1. For thus Religion is made but only a cloak to a rotten and fleshly heart that under it they may better attain their own desires 2. Those that have the knowledge of the Gospel without the power thereof that have learned to know Christ but not as the truth is in Jesus they want the power of his death which is indeed all 3. These never came in by the right door the denying of themselves forsaking all and taking up the Crosse 1. And thus doth most of us that professe Christ to be our Lord and King our life and hope our joy and salvation and that besides him there is none under heaven and yet none denyes him more We would enjoy Christ with full bellies and purses and so enjoy Christ in the Flesh but Lust rules over the Spirit Thus we strive to have Heaven and Earth both which cannot be what care and labour to please our bellies Is not all a manâ— care for his mouth and yet his desire is not satisfied this we make sure of to look too Is not most of thy life time spent in labour about that curious belly of thine summer and winter night and day all is but for back and belly and yet nature is satisfied with a litle And these are still hâ—â—d-hearted men had rather the poor perish in the Streets than they want to satisfie their appetites For if a man would but spare the tenth penny that he spends idelie only to please his lust would it not relieve a Town Nay if that vain waste were spared which man spends on his lusts only to feed a sort of fat idle hostesses it would keep the poor of a Paroch And then if our gairesh women would but spare one Lace and Garde of five it would cloth them from cold Well Christ will be no pattern for these things But above all ashame it is for believers to stoup to this loose god to live daintily and fair deliciously How many Martyrs have lyne in prison with bread and water and yet better hearts are we enemies to the flesh and yet pampers it Is flesh thus crucified with Christ and yet so great a god unto us 2. Then if the Crosse go not along with the Gospel it prospers not but flesh is strong and presseth to be satisfied and man will not cannot lay violent hands upon it but even this must be given of God that he keep man down and his lusts and desires under viz. so to see and feel himself as 1. That he shall think himself unworthy of any food or to live 2. That his minde be so perplexed with want of another thing even Christ that his minde is thereby drawn off all these things 3. But he that walks orderly with Christ under the Crosse is pleased with any thing Brown bread and the Gospel is good fare not vowing wilfull poverty but rejoycing in Christ and all his gifts yet well contented in the want of them whose glory is in their shame of wâ—ll end in shame viz They seek glory by their Religion and Profession of the Gospel but this course will bring more shame then if they had never professed it They seek glory but it is but a poor portion So that Many in the Church professe the Gospel that they may gain glory to themselves thereby in the eyes of man rather than out of simple love and simpathize of heart with the Gospel You seek honour one of another The Disciples sought who to be greatest Pharisees took the uppermost rooms made their Phylactaries broad all to be seen of men 1. For respect is still the aim of all knowledge and therefore man labours for knowledge that he may appear so this itching humour setting him a work rather than his own misery and want 2. This doth still follow the Gospel others that professe not look for no glory this way and yet this shall end in shame 1. Is not this apparent when men speak and talk of Religion and utter great bumbaisted tearmes and flie and soare above when God speaks not in them all to be seen and heard nay when we preach to please men we are not the servants of Christ but when out of love to Christ and sense of the miserie of man and our own we pitie man and make known the will of the Father to them then we serve Christ 2. Have not all an aiming and desire of this man loath to appear Ignorant but cloaths himself with knowledge well Christ sees thy double heart and his servants feel not the warming power of his Spirit in thee therefore it shall end in shame Christ loved the Publican better than those 3. But sure a believing loving heart walks in shame which shall be turned to his Glory for he that seeks Glory shall never have it and be that seeks it not shall have it he that truely understands himself never looks for good opinion of any for look what good opinion a man hath of himself he looks that all the World should have the lâ—ke of him 4 And this shall end in shame for God will dishonor man at last nothing hid that shall not be made manifest Who minde Earthly things viz They professe the Spirit yet their hearts is after the Earth So that He that under Light and Knowledge of the Gospel is carried after the lusts and desires of the Earth is an enemie to Christ and a stranger to him SERMON II. Matth. 11.25 26. I thank thâ—e Father Lord of Heaven and Earth that thou hast hid these things from the wise and Prudent and revealed them to Babes It is so O Father because thy good pleasure was such all things are given unto me of my Father c. THese words are a part of Christs Sermon to the hard hearted Jewes who neithâ—r by the austerity of Johns Preaching nor Christs Doctrine of Love would embrace the Gospel and Mystery of Life nor by the great works that he had done in Chorazin and Bethsaida against whom he threatens heavy woes Yet in the end gives thanks that though the wise men of the Jewes rejâ—cted the Truth being justly blinded yet it was his good pleasure for to reveal it to poor and ignorant men
makes for the destruction of it 1. Hence it follows that we fall into so many by-wayes and by-paths of error because we think we are able to know and we strain our wits to comprehend â—eck out a reason oâ— Gods matters which are only to be believed For though I cannot see a reason how God brings about his purpose and righteous will shall I therefore conclude that he is not righteous and not believe him nay Paul is glad to shut his eyes at that wisdom Rom 11. And cryes out Oh the height and depth and length of the wisdom of God 2. Nay nothing preserves the Truth to man but the Crosse for all things are tryed by the fire and that reveals it 3. That we may be guided in the way of Truth First depend on no man nor on the opinion of man 2. Stick to the Word of the Gospel 3. Pray instantly in humility and the Spirit shall lead us into all truth And now I tell you weeping see the loving affection of Paul First who wept partly for those men who hâ—d forsaken the Truth of the Gospel and turned to the World And 2. Partly for the danger of the Church So that A loving man is truly loving to all and truly mindeful of the good of the Church and advantage of Christs Kingdom in all 1 Paul sought not theirs but them and the care of all the Churches lay upon him 1. Away then with this partial affection when men reioyceth to see others misled that he may justifie himself and away with this judging and not pittying buâ— hating them They are enemies to the Crosse of Christ Men that professe Christ but deny him in his sufferings their minds is not prepared by faith and patience to bear the Crosse partly in doctrine they denyed it not understanding that mystery partly and especially in life for they lived in sensuallity and fleshly pleasures and yet professed the Gospel So that Manie in the Church professe Christ and the Truth of the Gospel which deny and are enemies to the Crosse of Christ and deny the power of the Gospel This is to denie him before men To the Jews and Gentiles the Doctrine of the Crosse was foolishnesse Paul when he was called before the Emperor they all denied him The false Apostles Gal. 6. strove against Paul and desired to have the Disciples circumcised because they would not suffer persecution The Lawyer Matth 19. and the Stony ground 1. For they would have Christ and the World also which cannot be 2. They were never brought to see their own desert and to justifie God for then if so they would bear the Crosse willingly as in Micah 7. I will bear the indignation of the Lord because I have sinned against him 3 They turn the grace of God into wantonnesse and dream only of ease and peace and understand not the mystery of the Kingdom but would make advantage of Christ to the satisfying of the flesh Now this Croâ—â—e whereto they are enemies is indeed that sore affliction whereby man is past all helps and hope in himself or the World In Christ you see it was First He bare the iniquity of us all so to us when man bears iniquity in daily repertance 2. He bare the Fathers wrath so we judgement and wrath in our selves 3. He suffered all indignity and losse of life so we patiently And to be enemies hereto is 1. To put off sin and bear it through hardnesse of heart 2. To pacifie wrath by self holinesse in our own conceit only 3. And for the World to keep it alive in our hearts and cherish it under Christs wings 1. And how many of us are such we all believe and like well of the Gospel and to hear of sitting at Christs right hand but to drink of his Cup none hath a minde It is good believing when we have the Gospel before us and the World about us but to suffer want of all viz. the Fathers wrath none like to this The Child can bear any thing better we all like Gospel but we will loose nothing for it which argues we have little confidence in the truth thereof and little joy therein 2. But we can talk of the Crosse and sufferings but we talk of it with light and merry hearts we make but a play-game of it for we seek not the bitternesse of Christs agony nor the smart of the Crosse and so we dally with all truth we boast with Peter that we will die with him but before the Cock crow we deny him thrice 3. A fearful thing to forsake Christ and his Crosse so that it is not so light a thing to be a Christian which must suffer willingly the spoyliâ—g oâ— goods and soul all and be a friend of the Cross Yea he is the safest whom God keeps under for hereby is the truth of the Gospel revealed indeed to man 4. And happy is he that is guided by Christ in this way and that his eyes are kept waking all night and feels the terrors of the Almighty for he is safe from securitie It is not the dreaming of a power and free-will in man by use whereof securitie is prevented but it is the Crosse of Christ on man that keeps him waking for Peter and the rest fell a sleep notwithstanding Christs warning given to them so often only because they dreamed of such a power as Peter boasted but not sensible of the Crosse that lyed on Christ Nay all errors have sprung in the Church for want of this for while men were kept within themselves and their own miserie their pride was kept under but when they had lost themselves and begun to be strong men of knowledge in conceit then they began to be masters and run into a thousand opinions from truth and these are the enemies to Christs Crosse First Those that live in ease and pleasure under profession and knowledge of the Gospel and seed on the World as their dainty dish Secondly Those which bear out sin through hardnesse of heart he bare the sin of all but these bear it not as a burden but as a pleasure and delyte Thirdly Which put of wrath and judgement through self righteousnesse and qualities and so with Christ bear not the indignation of the Lord Fourthlie Which are lifted up in knowledge of Christ but walk not in that denying humble and believing way of Christ And it is a fearfull thing to stumble at this stone and to frame a Christ to our selves but on whomsoever it shall fall it will crush all those to pieces and bring down their pride whose god is their belly Those who were professors and teachers of the Gospel and yet under pretence thereof served their own lusts and appetites they went talking of Religion and thereby got good cheare labour not in their calling but made advantage of the Gospel to the satisfying of their lusts These he gives warning of as eâ—emies So that It is a fearful thing and dangerous
even to Babes that his mercy and love mighâ— appear 1. He gives thanks for confounding the wisdom of Man and revealing it to the Ignorant 2. A limitation of that knowledge only to the Power of God in Christ 3. An Invitation to all poor and desolâ—te souls with a promise of help 4. An Exâ—ortation to Patience in bearing the cross after his example with a promise of rest therein First He thanks God for confounding the wisdom of the wise not that he rejoyced in their blindnesse but wished rather that all might be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth but he rejoyceth that seing flâ—shly wisdom shuts its eyes against the truth that yet he reveals it to others wherein he shewes whose eyes are only open to the truth viz. He that in conceit of his own wisdom is lifted up above the simplicity of the Gospel understands the least of the Mystery and Life of the Gospel but he that lyes low in himself seeking to be guided by another shall understand all None of the Doctors received his message not many wise Cor. 1. c. If any man seem to be wise let him become a fool Christ choose not the wise Scribes but poor Fishers to know his Truâ—h 1. For the Gospel is not understood by wisdom but by that Spirit whereby it is revealed to the Faith of a Believer that is blind in himself and seeks wisdom from God 2. Faith only sees things not seen if they be seen and comprehended by man they are not of Faith 3. The Son that 's grown wise through pride casts off the Father but the little Child walks in his hands 4 Conceit of Knowledge makes man unteachable and hard hearted as a man that sits on high looks down to the dungeon can see nothing there but sitting in the dungeon looking up sees light of Sun So a man sitting above and looking down to the Gospel as a thing under him sees nothing But he that sits in darknesse of his own heart and looks up to the Sun sees all waiting still for the Sun to shine Though man know all the Mysteries of Life to be in Christ yet without Christ he knows nothing that he dare trust to Object To what end then should Man labour for Knowledge Answ Yes This condemns not Knowledge but that a Man should seek it at Christ and enjoy it in him In whom it is hid from the flesh in all the treasures thereof But not that man should store it up thereby to comprehend God but to know that when he thinks he knowes all he knows nothing as he ought to know 2. That he may maintain Truth in the Church of God 3. That he may guide himself wisely and soberly before men 1. Where then are the wise where is the Scribe c. All the wisdom of this World is but foolishnesse yet these count the Truth of God foolishnesse These of all think most basely of the Gospel 2. Yea what a fool is Aristotle himself and all humane knowledge in the matter of Jesus Christ 3 Be content to be counted a fool with the wise of the world Thou thinks that he is a fool that follows Christ but he knows that thou art a fool that followes the World 4. Who would think that many wise men should be so ignorant in Christs matters as they are and that many ignorants should know him 5. Well worth low and Child like minds that dare not trust their own wit or strength but wait upon the Father It is so O Father because thy pleasure was such Here he shows the ground and prime cause that Babes and not Wise Men understand the Gospel Not any Power or Worth in Man but the good will of God which is not only his absolute Will but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the free love and good will of God toward man without any respect of his worth so that The good will of God and his good pleasure is the only cause of all good to man when man believes it and becomes subject thereto James 1. Of his own good will begat he us Eph. 1. Our Election is from this ground God hath chosen us in Christ before the foundation of the world was laid who hath predestinated us to be adopted in Christ Jesus according to the good pleasure of his will not according to our works but according to his grace he saved us so he chose Israel Who can give a reason in himself why God doth any good to man but his good will and pleasure 1. For its God that moves man and sets him a working not man God 2. Hereby doth he take away all bâ—asting from man and layes him low to depend upon another aâ—d live by meer grace 3. For he is absolute Lord over all no resisting of his Will to which man is never brought to be subject But 1. When he feels nothing but weaknesse sorrow bondage and misery and no power to get out but lyes under quietly and commits himself to his good pleasure in faith tears and sighs and groans This is his case for now he bears wrath patientlie 2. And then finding help in God according to his word and joy and peace and freedom he seeth that it came not by any wit or power in himself but it was only his good pleasure so that 1. Hereby he is enlarged to praise God freely with admiration 2. And also to believe and vvait on that vvord of Faith though he feel nothing yet Gods will and pleasure is instead of all to him 1. Thus from the Doctrine of free mercy doth the Kingdom of God thrive in man and grovv vigorous Nothing brings down but this for vvant of subjection and believing of this good pleasure of God man still seeks a cause in himself as this and that good quality and so never trusts his good pleasure Man would still know a reason of his good vvill vvhich he will not suffer For Christ doth not here curiously seek out a reason of the Fathers vvill but gives thanks that God hath revealed it by the Gospel To teach us that we do not rashly presume to search his Counsels but wait upon his good pleasure in his vvord 2. What place then hath free Will which depends only on Gods good pleasure and not on thy right use of free vvill For there is no more vvillingnesse in thee than in others that never obeyed the truth but it vvas only his good pleasure to thee For by nature Man fights against God and would have rest any way rather than this and loath to commit himself to his good pleasure but still vvould havâ— a laâ—d in his own safety and so share in the glory But Christ takes all boasting away that Faith may live and Man thereby that Gods pleasure may stand and Man subject thereto that his grace may be communicated and Man praise his goodnesse But this Doctrine of free will destroyes Faith sets his pleasure aside and binds God lifts up
of natural wit to know the good will pleasure of God or the Mistery of Christ so as man shall find life theteby or certainty therein but as the Father makes himself known in Christ by his Word power of his Spirit unto the faith of man believing his truth 1. Cor. 2. The natural man understandeth not the things of God Christ saith I am the light that enlightens all that comes after me Joh. 1 He is the light of the world Joh. 1.4 There is anoynting that teacheth all things 1. Joh. 5. None can say that Jesus is the Christ but by the Holy Ghost Though we think that That Jesus we read of was the Christ and Saviour yet the flesh thinks but of him after the flesh but his mightie Power his wonderful Truth unspeakable Love to Man the bitternesse of his Sufferings the Joy in the Fathers will the Victory over Hell and Death the joy at the Fathers right hand none knowes it but he that believes it out of blinnnesse and misery 1. For the Father hath hid the treasures of wisdom in him hidden them from the world found not by curious searching but by humble crying believing found not in man but in Christ there to be enjoyed for he is made our Wisdom Righteousnesse Sanctification and Redemption 2. Adam had thought to have known God in the Creatures and himself and the evil also without God but knew no good till God revealed Christ in the promise So until we be brought by the truth of Christ to know no good in any thing but in God nor no evil in any thing but in our selves we know nothing at all but we seek to see a good in every thing and in our selves especially and would see no evil and so are lifted up and know nothing as we ought 3. And this Christ prayes that his Elect may know that thou art in me and I in thee and that thou hast sent me And I speak not of any self but they are the words of my Father that sent me for of my self I can do nothing 4. And note that this great Mystery was revealed after Christs death for then he sent the Comforter to lead into all truth and not till then Before this the Disciples had a thousand imaginations of Christ but now they knew that he was the Son of the Father Head of the Church So we have a world of fancies toâ—câ—ing God and Christ but never know him until the Crosse reveal him for till then we only tâ—ink him to be such and such and another thought crosseth that But this makes the weaknesse and vanity to appear his power preserves for every mans work shall be revealed by Fire How wonderful are the blind conceits that man hath of God and Christ as 1. When we will needs comprehend God vvithout Christ in his Essence Properties Attributes Eternity Omnipotencie c. What a foolishnesse is this to think to compasse in our thoughts Omnipotence c. 2. Others that frame a knowledge of Christ in comprehending the Story of his Life and Death Works c Thus vve know him by Relation as we do other Countries where we never were but never vvalk on foot with him in his death and miserie None knowes him whose miserable heart is not delivered from Death by him who believes his truth above all then this truth makes him free 3. We see then that all Knowledge comes by Faitht as suppose a man a Stranger promise to ransome me a captive I believe he will but I know not that he will but only vvait in faith nor hovv he vvil do it nor vvhy he vvill but when he makes good his word then I know his love vvhich he revealed to me and I not able to conceive in my self So with Christ he promiseth that he vvill redeem me but I know not that he vvill onlie I believe and wait in miserie yet by that Faith I am preserved through the Word though I feel nothing but death and bâ—ndage Wouldst thou know the Love of God that passeth Knovvledge vvait on Christ by Faith believing his Word and he will reveal the Love of the Father For though vve know not the mind of Gâ—d yet vve have the mind of Christ So that thou must knovv nothing but in him abide in him â—nd his Word abide in thee and he will reveal all things unto thee So that our curious and busie Wit so hun ing to knovv and straining out the Wit to understand leads to many fancies But knovv that his wayes are insearchable but vvait and attend and he vvill reveal Christ and the Father if thâ—u fit under the burden of thine ovvn ignorance and content for the time to knovv nothing but thy ovvn vilenesse Here we see that Christ is both God and Man A Mâ—n in vvhom the fulnesse of the God head dvvells to vvhom all is given that knovvs the mind of the Father and reveals iâ— to us This is the only God on Earth that mans mind maâ— be fixed here not gade abroad neither ascend into Heaven nor descend down into Hell c. Where then is the free vvill and power of Man vvithout Christ living in him and leading into all Truth dravving the vvill of Man to vvait on God in subjection All else is but trusting to the Wit of Nature vvhich is alvvayes blind It follovveth in the 28. verse SERMON III. Matth 11.28 Come unto me all that are weary and heavy laden and I will ease you Take my yoke upon you learn of me for I am meek lowly in heart HEre is his Invitation upon the former relation of his fulnesse viz. You see where all help is 〈◊〉 then you want help in any strait that lyes on you as a burden Come to me viz. to my Word Promise for there he dwells I will ease you So that There is no certain way or means to a burdened heart to free his guilt ease his burden or rid in him ouâ— of the Snare of Satan but the simple fleeing of the mind from all to Christ in his Word of Truth and there to stick and abide in life and death He was of old ordained to break the Serpents head and prophesied of to bind up the broken hearted He was the refuge of Job in all his afflictions I know that my Redeemer liveth He was sealed and appointed thereto by the purpose of the Father This himself witnesseth by word and work By word I am come to save the World I am the Resurrection and the Life he that believeth in me though he were dead yet shall he live By works How many poor lame blind did he help which he was after to do spiritually to heal the blind c. The afflicted he comforted as the Publicane Mary c. And this Paul found in himself and taught unto others That there is none other Name under Heaven c. 1. For nothing can free the spirit of man but he
for he dwels there all things else only ease the flesh 2. All other things prosper according to his presence and not according to the power of the Creature 3. All other things are but miserable comforters but only a putting off for a time and forgetting it but it comes again with more violence like a sore ill healed 1. And yet how do we in any strait run to any thing rather than this For first The World saith Come to me and I will relieve thy want Be diligent apply thy mind to me seek and get me by violence or any way and I will ease thee and we run to it with love and confidence and yet never a whit eased or satisfied 2. The Flesh saith Come to me I will rejoyce thee and ligâ—ten thy heart and put away all thy sorrow I season all sadnesse with mirth and delight we follow 〈◊〉 and yet in the midst thereof the heart is sorrowful 3. Reason saith Come to me and I will guide thee â—nd let thee see Comfort Look at thy righteousnesse â—olinesse thy diligence and knowledge of the Word â—hou art so good and so good above others thou hast â—o reason to be heavy and yet man is never the better These are all the Promises of the god of this World 4. Nay saith Christ But turn thine eyes from them all come to me believe and wait and I will refresh thy heart pardon thy sin preserve thee in trouble and keep â—hee in death and this never deceives 2. And the reason why we come not after so many â—alls is because we are not weary or think to find ease else-where and so long we never come viz. till the Word have revealed such a misery to man of which he is now sensible that all things cannot remove For while man 's fleshlie hope remains he doth not respect Christ Christ hath nothing to do with any but sinful miserable man Therefore we come not because we are not burdened or but so as we think either the World shall help us or we shall be able to help our selves Mans burden may be reduced to four Heads 1. Temptations of Satan 2. Guilt of our own Hearts and Want of the Fathers Love 3. Rebellion of the Flesh Corruption of Nature 4. Want and Miserie and Affliction in the World Minde and we shall see that one of these is alwayes the burden under which we groan The three first properlie to Believers either entring the door of Faith or straying from the Faith received 1. Satans Temptations are a grievous burden and snare when he crosseth by Reason the Truth of God for so he possessed many in Christs time and now prevails with many also Sometimes with strong black Arguments vexing with fear doubting and distraction calling the Truth a lye 2. Guiltinesse of Sin by the Law lyes heavy urged also by Satan filling the Heart with fear and disruâ—â— the conscience unquiet and the heart not estabilished in Faith but still hath an eye to his own unrighteousness and thinks if he were more holy and righteous all should be well But the remedy is to accuse thy self still confesse the Lavv meet the curse and bear Indignation yet turniâ—g from these Arguments of Reason Tell the Devil thou never sinned against him but obeyed him but against Christ and that he hath taken to himself that all thy sins are now his and his righteousnesse thine Then begins a spark oâ— Faith to arise saying O that I could b lieve these groans are helped by the Spirit and then comes the feeling of joy and gladnesse 3. Rebellion of the flesh is a burden to Believers when he would do good Evil is present drawing unawares to vile courses still pricking him forvvard to tickling Lusts dravving still to look to the world and so darkning the light of Christ in him But see that it be a burden and whether it be not the strength of thy fleshly wiâ—l not yet subdued that it is a burden rather because thou canst not have thy own will than becâ—use thou canst not have thy will subdued Like a frovvard vvife vvhich saith She will be content and let her husband do what he vvill but withall frets and repines because the husband will not yield vvhich he must do or else she vvill never be quiet Here not the frowardnesse but the crossiâ—g of her vvill is her burden She is not a burden to her self but her husbands vvill is a burden to her and she unto him so with God But if it be a burden indeed no remedie but Christ Thâ—t thou let him see and knovv that it is thy greatest burdens and not trusting thy care diligence or watching nor fighting with fleshly vveapons but lay down all and wait on him vvho hath power and by vvhom only sin and lust is crucified 4. Want trouble and misery in the World lyes heavy on all For flesh vvould live in fulnesse and see somewhat a fore-hand and it may be thou art in want and persecution even for Christ no remedie but Christ and â—â—e Word of Truth For here thou seest the promise to any burden whatsoever Therefore doth sin in thy â—â—lf or want of comfort doth outward Crosses as a worldly husband froward wife bitter enemies sickâ—esse and provertie oppresse thee Sit still and say with â—onfidence and bind Christ to his Word Thou said â—ord thou vvould take away sin crucifie the flesh â—ind Satan bear all my weakness stand by and be acâ—used for me before Counsels Here I am thou knowest â—â—y burden that these ly heavie on me I am vveary â—o bear them I believe thy Word and vvait for thy â—elp 3. So that it is not because we are troubled thereâ—ore to think that he vvill ease us but by trouble being â—riven to him with cryes and faith for the trulie burâ—ened heart is a praying and believing Heart and so a â—ender and broken Heart that all the World cannot â—ure But these are hard But vve are at ease in Sion not â—roubled not weary and therefore have so little fellowship with Christ because we have so much fellowâ—hip with the flesh Take my yoke upon you To live with Christ then it â—s not to believe and live in pleasure case and wantonâ—esse of the Flesh but to bear his burden and yoke heaâ—ier than that of Rehoboams whose little finger was heaâ—ier than his Fathers hand For this is affliction of Spiâ—it killing of the Flesh losing of the World Life and â—ll and yet the believing heart stayed on God in hope â—nd Faith in his promise patiently suffering his will â—hall find rest therein to his Soul though he be pinched â—nd killed in the Flesh. So that Simple believing in Christ and vvalking vvith him â—n the patient willing bearing of his cross and quiet â—ubjection to his will in love is the only way of peace â—nd rest to mans restless heart Jer. 1. This is my burden â—nd I will bear it Lam. 3. It 's
wisdom in Christ from the wise of the World and it is to be found in him not in us 2. Christ prayes to the Father to reveal this to them That they may know that thou hast sent me 3 And this was promised of Christ that after his deâ—th he would send a Comforter that should lead them into all truth 1. What a world of conceits have we of Christ and yet know him not because we think we know 1. Some know the Historie of Christ and moved with natural passions by the consideration of his passion 2. Some strive to know the Mysterie of Christ after the flesh 2. We see that all knowledge comes by faith and is revealed from heaven as a man that promiseth to free me being a captive I believe him but I know not that he will till he reveal his will to me 3. Where then is the power of man in the use of this general gift of knowledge to come to know Christ None knows the Son but the Father nor the Father but the Son 4. Wouldest thou know the wonderful Mysterie of Christ Sit in thy own ignorance mourning in blindnesse and wait in the word of Truth till the light shine and thou shalt understand though not the mind of God yet the mind of Christ And they were sore afraid The glory astonished them the message brought fear to humble them so in all so that The proper and kindly operation of the whole Word and Message of the Gospel in the mouth of Christ is to bring man down and the foundation of Christs Kingdom is laid in fear to lay man low that he may be exalted in Christ To deny our selves to become fools and lost as Paul I was alive but when the Law came I was dead all our Righteousnesse as filthy rags the weapons of our warfare are mighty to bring down all the whole Scripture to man as he is man speaks negatively and basely onlie exalts Jesus Christ as the Law-giver in thunder to shake the heart of man the Gospel and the Promise made without any respect of any righteousnesse in man and the povver whereby this becomes effectual is from another and not from our selves Thus was Paul brought to his knees 1. For it ever brings man to fear and weaknesse before it bring faith and preserves fear that he may still rest on Christ for when any Land hath been conquered First they weaken them and bring them into fear and then they yield so doth Christ 2. For the Word opening to man the Book of his own heart as Acts 2. discovers such a miserie guilt and weaknesse that he cryes What should I do And as often as it opens mans mind it discovers such a dungeon so thâ—t hereby he is driven from himself and all boasting is taken away But man stores himself with better qualities and better conceits and starts from himself but if Adams eyes be opened he shall see nothing but nakednesse and the Grosse shall weare out all these fig leaves 3. Everie man is grown proud and wise and high in knowledge against Christ and hath gotten either the Wâ—rld or knovvledge or righteousnesse or something that bears him up therefore it must be a mighty word that must make all these nothing to man perswade him that the world hath no good in it nor no wisdom nor in all creatures no life but in another 1. But vve all pervert this vvord to our destruction when we vvill needs comprehend it but are not comprehended by it vve judge it and are not judged by it and so vve keep off fear for vve are made vvise and righteous according to the form thereof and becomes men of high thoughts but not men of low minds and thereby rejects the simplicity of the Gospel The word known after the flesh and not believed lifts up and hardens more than any thing but the Word believed brings down and layes low in weaknesse and preserves fear makes man nothing that Christ may be exalted but we believe not the thousand part of that we know 2. So that the Word of Truth is a mighty Word it layes all low before it none is able to stand before it but Christ not the holiest Pharisee for this shall judge the World and cast out all the fictions of man and all the pride and glory of the World and shall be a terrible Word to all that believe not when everie tittle thereof shal be verified on man O that we were all stricken with fear and sensible of our weaknesse for as we fear so we believe But man hath gotten so many coverings that he runs from one to another to hide himself from his own heart Some by the Worlds fulnesse but that shall vanish Some by knowledge and righteousness after the Law and bardened therein but these shall not stand no nothing shall remain indeed but Christ and the Gospel Be not afraid So that Christ and the Gospel only belongs to fearful and weak men that first see death and danger and no help in themselves to escape and sigh and cry and pray and see no deliverance Then in time the Angel from God bringing the message of the Gospel frees them that the gates of hell shal not prevail It is not possible that the heart of man should be preferved from fear but by Christ only 1. All the World is not able to free a worldly heart from fear 2. All knowledge leaves the heart fearfull though secure for a time 3. All holinesse and qualities and sacrifice not able to purge the conscience but only the blood of Christ and man fixed thereon And this only shall turn fear unto Faith c. 1. So that the Gospel I fear belongs but to few of us for fear is banished weaknesse is grown strong and gotten up again Sorrow is turned into lightnesse sighing and praying into vaunting and boasting so that we need not say we be afraid But O man look into that dead and rotten heart of thine observe that crooked faithlesse and worldly path and be astonished for the kingdom of Christ was come near thee But seing thou despisest it lo we turn to the Gentiles for fearless and careless estate is fallen upon all and under the cover of Religion without Religion Behold I bring you glad tidings of great joy viz. The accomplishment of the Promise in the birth of Christ therefore seek no shifts to escape turn hither and behold great joy and freedom against all sorrows So that The only ground of all joy freedom to a troubled heart is only Christ made known unto man in the truth of the Gospel Paul rejoyced only in the Crosse of Christ and counted all things else but dung and had no confidence in the Flesh by our rejoycing that I have in Christ Jesus I die daily all other things died unto him and being justified by Christ we rejoyce in tribulation How was the mourning of Mary turned into peace and joy by Christ Isa
sinners but now righteous and holy and their repenting dayes are forgotten so mercy lost saith fails For as it was sin that by accident brought Christ into the World so it is sin in mans heart that brings a Saviour unto man 4. Others see in themselves weaknesse and want of Power that they cannot come to that pitch of knowledge righteousnesse that they aim at which if they could all would be well But their rebellious Will Lust and Pride and Worldlinesse are hid from them So that it is the hardest thing to make a man a sinner and to keep him to a daily sense of his own weaknesse 2. But sin in man and mercy in God infidelity in man and faith in Christ layes a right foundation of Religion and is the dayly continuance of the life of all Religion in man for thereby Prayer humilitie â—nd saith are preserved 3 So that the word never prospers but when it lights amongst sinful men The self-righteous have a covering yea all are grown cunning to put off the evil day make a covenant with hell for no sooner doth sin prick look out at them but they have a sore knowledge of a Saviour and so cure the wound before it be made When the heard that Jesus was at meat She being now brought into misery within her self and all her sweet pleasures turned into gall and worm wood she seeks for case and rest so it will fall out to all So that That all the pleasures of joy and peace that man now enjoyes in the world and the flesh will sooner or later be turned into sorrow want and misery for death and judgement will lay all in the dust Where was the confidence that Paul had in the flesh when he was stricken down in the way to Damascus Where is all the power of Pharaoh Pompey of Dives and wealth of all worldlings Luk. 12. Yea Pompey and Alexander are laid in the dust Luke 6. Woe be to you that now laugh for you shall mourn Isa 28. I will make void your Covenant with death 15 For there is a way that seems good but the issues thereof are death 2. Else man should insult over God and Christ his Word become a lye 3. Thus doth God make way for his mercy and love that man may be capable thereof 4. All joy and life of Adam must be destroyed that Christ may live in us 1. Woe to the merry deceived wordling who rejoyceth in his wealth friends pleasure respect as this woman did but behold She is now brought to weeping cheare So we make our selves merry promise many happy dayes but sure fear and sorrow weaknesse and misery must first come before man be established in Peace Freedom for this will not last We think ease good while it lasts and so we put off the evil that we must taste for we have eaten sowre grapes our teeth must be set on edge Nay all our labour care is to put away sorrow fear therefore we gather riches power c. that vve might sit above and see no evil Man would do evil but would not see it rebell but not take notice Did ever any rebell against his Prince but he smarted for it in the end And though the King of meer grace would pardon yet was he a lost man in his own eyes and his pride was laid down in the dungeon so with us for sin in man will cause smart to man first or last For 1. Though we may put it off through blind presumption not regarding what shall follow 2. Or cover our selves and close up our hearts under the bewitching of wordly profits 3. Or to drink down sorrow like unto beasts for a while 4. Or cover our selves from the Word of Truth and simplicity of our minds by our opinions of knowledge self-righteousnesse and the world underneath 1. Yet either will the Lord find us out by his Word and discover such a wretchednesse to man as shall make him cry out Woe and alace that ever I was born and that my mothers Womb had been my grave or that I had been strangled assoon as I saw the light and so cursing his birth day as Job 1. Or man runing on to his course to the end of his Shadows Pleasures and fools Paradice at last falls into the Pit where there is nothing but weeping and gnashing of teeth weeping and howling for the dayes of their vanity that are past and cannot be recalled For the guilt of his Soul presseth him down and cannot be eased when man is entred into Eternal misery which shall never be ended Then alace shall we see that Husband and Wife or Children were but silly fading Earth on which we so doted that Gold and Silver were but Drosse which we so served and now all taken from us and our Life too never to be restored 1. No misery like to the misery of man for no creature on earth hath so rebelled against God as he Did not this woman account any creature happier than she and yet we sport our selves above all and feel no smart because that we are so hardened in the flesh that the Spirit is lost O then that God would give us hearts to see that misery that we might mouâ—n in time and break off sin by repentance For what a folly is it for a man to run on in a course still that he knowes will bring sorrow like the thief who bewitched with present sweet and seeding himself with hope to escape becomes hardned and never believes nor sees the sorrowing of his hanging day 4. And that men in the dayes of mirth would think of the time of mourning every one seeing himself even â—ing on his death-bed and bidding farewell to all worldly delights look for it even the best For Christs heavy day was his lâ—st day even before his entrance into glory so know there is yet a more heavy day to come then thou hast hitherto felt When she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisees house Notwithstanding her own unworthinesse Christs holinesse the Pharisees hard opinion of her Yet such was the miserie that she felt and desire that she had to the Word of Christ that she saw that there was nothing that could ease her but he only so that Christ and his Word are only sweet and desired of troubled hearts and wearied minds but to others it is wearisome and little regarded as Psal 119. I had fainted in my affliction but that thy word stayed me The poor receive the Gospel and the halt and blind came willingly at the voice of the Gospel and how dear was the Word to the Martyrs in trouble that one of Pauls Epistles was a treasure from hand to hand And what a wonderful power had it amongst those sick blind men that he but spake the Word and they were made whole 1. For there is nothing left to a wearie mind that hath any life but Christ and
Spirit 3. For Till man have nothing in himsâ—lf Christ hath nothing for him 4. Then is grace and God magnified his Word believed but while man hath any possibility in himself or hope in any creature mercie is little set by 1. Away then with all those s ilts of man to put off the evil day as 1. One with the full World he will drown all misery in the Earth but when the Earth shall be taken away where then is his portion 2. Another with moral honesty thinks it will do something 3. The more devote offers fat sacrifices of Righteousnesse to purge sin 4. Another thinks the time was when he had nothing but now he hath somewhat viz. Faith Knowledge Righteousness c. And these he thinks will go far but Repentance is hid from his eyes and Faith Mercie shut up 5. Another takes time promiseth to pay hereafter 6. Another payes old and takes new as new fashions in Religion Thus man loath to live in weaknesse and have hold of nothing but feeds securitie with some hope or other and looking at himself hopes that all that is something and commits not to free mercie This is the hardest of all 2. But when man lives in his own miserie indeed and sees no way to get out it brings him to wait for mercie onely Like the debtor brought on his knees commits himself to the mercy of the creditor So that indeed mans weaknesse is his strength the Crosse his Freedom Suffering his victorie Death his Life 3. Where then is the power of man that we so much talk off Is it in man a talent given to man to pay his own debt Nay to manifest his grace and it shews how mercy in God is the dayly life of man and not in himself and our help in another Yea and it magnifies his mercie that takes a Wife of fornication that hath no good qualitie as this Woman and to such vile and weak Rebels shews favour that the glory may be his alone He forgave them both Here is the Gospel and free Grace of God unto miserable man that had no way to turn him but falls down confesseth the debt for he exacts nothing at them nor enters into judgement Which of them will love him most Here he propones the question to convince him in himself So that Till man be convinced in himself truely to see his own vilenesse wretchednesse all truth is but as a shadow without substance While the Pharisees stood justified in themselves the Gospel was in vain Christ came to reprove the World and so to make way for the Gospel The Word is profitable to convince and reprove 1 For the first thing it works it brings man into himself as it did this Woman 2. The Gospel is given to none but to miserable men For though others conceive talk and dispute of it only these do believe it 3. Then man cloaths himself with it and hides under it but is not brought under the power of it to yeild and lay his hand on his mouth For he is wise above the Word 1. And hence it is that the Word is so lightly passed over every man is wise to keep off the blow though it enters his head yet he keeps out of his heart will not be guilty unlesse for fashion And so for an lowly lost mind we have a thousand wise and secure hearts hardned through knowledge For we have gotten a foreknowing of all Truth and keeps off repentance that when ever the wound of sin is discovered we have readie a plaister by fore knowing before the wound be made and so Religion is made a meer matter of Complement For they see a remedie before the sore 2. And hence see that if mans heart believingly answer the Word of Truth it will put all men to silence none is able to stand before it or to argue against it It leaves all men guilty and none righteous But when man gets upperhand of the Word and gets it under his witt it makes all righteous in conceit none sinners as 1 by Christ 1. Who cares for the sparrows and lillies doth not the heavenly Father Why then do you care saying what shall we eat c. Here all men are guilty none able to say his heart is clean 2. Is Christ the Son of God and hath Christ done that which never man did and no man spake like this man Why then do we not believe but he believes every lye of Satan So that out of our own mouth and heart he will judge us 3 So that one word believed with a simple heart prevails more than the whole Bible only known of a hard and fleshly wise mind Which will love him most Or he to whom he forgave most So that Look what Christ is to man even the same is man to Christ to others and nothing else We love him because he loved us First the love of Christ constraineth us For Christ lives in me So that he only gives life in all things 1. For if Christ dwell but in mans fancie then he hath only a fancie and an opinion of Love Righteousnesse c. For what ever rules in the mind all the whole powers run thither 2. For what a man is or doth of himself he is and doth for himself and it is meer nothing though he gave his body to be burned 3. Thus Christ shews his Power in man mortifies man to the World c. And man as an instrument to do his will as in everie Officer of the Kingdom commands by the King 1. Where then is that power and that wisdom to order mans heart to rule his passions to frame his mind to the will of God to mortifie Lust Is it in mans good husbandrie no It is in mans lying dead in himself wearie of himself waiting for help and finding help in another is losed at the bottome and loves Christ and all men not out of any good qualitie in nature or mortified mind through his diligence but that unknown power of the love of God ruling in man which separates man from himself and his own glorie 2. But this discovers a main want of lively Religion harty Love when in every thing a man meddles with he still hath an eye to himself his own ends makes him forward his own power wisdom guides him his own good he looks at Nay when Christ hath freed the mind how soon returns man to himself and begins the good thereby to himself 3. And this shews that Christ lives in few when we see that cankered malice covetousnesse pride envy and whole brood of lusts fighting in man See He that loves Father or Mother more than me c. 4. Yea All mens hearts without Christ are like to this mans a cold complemental courtesie esteeming well of Christ but better of himself a reserved affection without life for neither do they stand in need of him nor feel any goodnesse by him
where he onlie lives not She hath much forgiven her and therefore she loves much Here is the cause and effect of Christ forgiving her sins and she loving Christ so that An heart truly troubled and lost in himself and finding remission of sins in and by Christ loves and cleaves to him above all things in the world or himself and all men in and for him Paul esteemed nothing but Christ Phil. 3.7 Mat. 10.37 He that loves Father or mother c. 1. Cor. 16.22 He that loves not Christ let him be Anathema The disciples being stricken with this Doctrine forsook all 1. For there is no life left in any thing to man either in the world or himself but only in him as the Prodigal What is all gold riches to an hungry Stomack in comparison of bread So What is all the World to a lost heart in respect of Christ 2. For nothing is or can be such a burden and death to the heart as sin and guilt and so nothing like freedom life as forgivenesse O how sweet is the voice of a pardon to a condemned man Now we all say that we love Christ But know it is the mighty power of God in the truth of his Word that separates man from himself and all things to Christ alone for while when any thing else gives hope delight joy ease or peace to man Christ is not regarded but in opinion only 1. For there is a loving of Christ after the flesh as the Disciples who could not abide to hear of his departure so we have fleshly cold affections to the notions of Christ but not to be ruled and guided and live by him only but will be quartermasters 2. And there is a love to the ease and peace and comfort by him which we would still have and fit at his right hand or for works sake but to love him and esteem him for poverty want forsaken and persecution c. we like not Like a heartlesse wife that loves and obeyes her husband so long as he pampers hers and keeps her fair and fine But when he falls into poverty forsakes him and takes another as the rich Lawyer and Dives did So that Christ may well say Who hath believed our report or to whom is the power of Christs death effectual Seing all are so knit to the World and our selves that he and his word is not regarded 1. The World we love as Father Mother Ease Fulnesse c. and these darken the heart and gives such a peace to the flesh that we see not the miserie of our Spirits 2. We love our own fancies and thoughts knowledge and qualities and think these will help us and plead for us 3. We love our selves and any thing that may preserve our fleshly Kingdom but the Kingdom of Christ we cast off 1 One rather than want his will another rather than want the World another rather than want ease and life sets Christ aside So that we may say How dwells the love of God in these 2. But see Christ is esteemed and loved of none but miserable and sinful men in themselves who though he kâ—ll them yet they will love him these tread all under foot all righteousnesse for they see none all wisdom the World Ease and Peace and Christ only is life unto them And besides him all things works their bondage yea are wearisome as all men are to a loving wife but her husband 3. Away then with all Religion where love is wanting all talking and working where man doth it to cover his filthinesse with them Christ is a judge and they cannot love him 4. And none loves Christ that loves himself for only such as condemn and judge themselves esteem of him 5. And this appears in love to your neighbour even of mankind our very enemies which appears in parting freely with the World helping the needful forgiving injuries covering infirmities of others suffering willingly else how dwells the love of Christ in us 6. So that it is not love that is the form of Faith but faith begets love love expresseth faith to the World Thy sins are forgiven So that Free forgivenesse of sins in Christ to a troubled heart is life in death and the door and life of all hearty Religion Having forgiven us all our trespasses This was life in the Prodigal and to the Publicane And this Paul acknowledgeth Psal 32. This is our blessednesse 1. For till then the Partition-wall stands and man sits in death in himself or life in the world only 2. This opens the door of the Covenant unto man 3. This is the daily life of man who though he daily sin yet God in Christ freely forgives and this brusts his heart and makes it melt into love 1. But most enter not in at this door but leap over this take for granted what they never felt nor enjoyed 2. Others offer sacrifice to purge sin and cover with righteousness wisdom opinion 3. But O What a life is this to a dead man as a Prisoner condemned yet obtains pardon through the mercy of a Prince And this forgivenesse is the free mercy of God forgiving mans sin for his own Names sake not because they are lesser or fewer nor because we repent now turn nor because we are more righteous or for good qualities Who is this that forgiveth sins Here they begin to judge him again because he forgiveth sin they looked that he should have judged excommunicated her or set her to keep the Law and wrought her own peace No saith he I came to save and not to judge sinners and lost man But this was a Principle that they favoured not so that Unbelieving Strait-hearted Hard-hearted Self-religious Men though in Wisdom Righteousnesse they excell others yet have they least favour or feeling of repentance and forgivenesse wherein the life of all Religion consists They tithe the Mint Annise and Cummin they look to the plucking of the ears of Corn on the Sabbath-day but mercy they are not acquainted with Mic. They offer thousands of rams c. But to walk humbly with their God they know not The first they urge with all vehemency but the latter they never mention 1. For what is in mans power by diligence by his own ends he obtains but what is Gods free gift as this he hath not faith to embrace 2. Do well and have well is the Principle all stick to but resting in Christ when all things are lost is a mystery known to none but he that hath it 1. The worldling hath no life but in the World and knows not what forgivenesse and burden of sin is So 2. The Pharisees know all and do all but forgiveness and faith he savours not therefore judgeth this to be carnal liberty 3. All Sectaries busie themselâ—es about circumstances but this never medled with 4. So we talk and think of Religion and run into many disputs and circumstances and over-leap the foundation viz.
the Mercy of God in Christ Jesus 5. None knows the Power of Religion in deed but he that hath it not in himself as a quality but in Christ by faith 6. All Religion is nothing where the Fountain is shut no matter what we know if we know not Christ from a troubled heart SERMON VI. Luke 8.4 And when much people were gathered together and were come of every Citie he spake by a Parable A sower went out to sowe his seed c. AFter that Christ had cast off the Pharisee in the preceeding Chapter received the Woman whereby he manifested the freenesse of Gods grace without any respect unto man Great multitudes flocked to him out of all Cities and he lets them see by a Parable that all hearers prove not Christians Wherein note 1. The occasion much people met him 2. The Parable it self 3. The Exposition thereof Much people were gathered together Partly by his Miracles partly the power of his word partly for custome but all came and yet after you see fall off So that The voice of the Gospel and the publishing of it gets many friends and followers at the first which afterwards fall off forsake it Joh. 6. When all was gone his disciples began to slink and he said Will you also go away It was great heart burning to the Priests and Elders that the whole world went after Christ yet at the end all forsooke him and he trode the wine-presse alone So Paul had many Children and Churches Gal. 4. You would have plucked out your own eyes but they all forsooke him and turns to the false Apostles thus beginning in the Spirit and ending in the Flesh. 1. For Est natura hominum novitatis avida but when they have tryed it and find not that sweet they expected but that it crosseth their lusts and wordly Kingdom and suits not with their ease and rest they forsake it 2 Many embrace and approve of it for company and moe forsake it for company it may be the example of many will draw one to it but the example of one will draw many from it 3. Though man think that a Nation is born at once yet few truly proves good ground and sticks to the end for he that endures to the end is saved 1. This is too plain in experience What zeal and forwardnesse what diligence and care is now dead and ended in nothing and though once we wanted nothing but Christ yet now have forsaken him in the way of his cross and ease our selves in the world and our own devices So that the life of the Gospel continues but a time for after a while security takes hold of some opinions and heresies of others and the world takes hold of all and so the Lord takes it away and sends it elsewhere 2. To shew the perverse nature of man who is never wearie of the world in the ways of the flesh and yet how soon weary of this He spake by a Parable Not in high and abstruse termes or wittie and unknown Language but in plain parables as of plowing sowing of salt and three pecks of meal of lost sheep of debtors and creditors things well known unto men cast this simple seed amongst them where see the nature of the Gospel So that That it is plain low simple wants nothing but believing hearts to make it known yet not understood of any but such as stand truly in need thereof Many great Doctors were ignorant of these Parables the Parable was plain but the mysteries was hid Many wise men conceive truly of it defended it but only miserable men knew the power of it 1. For Christ came not to set men at disputing about opinions but about themselves to draw them to believe 1. So that divinity stands not in curious searching of hidden things but in plain evidence of truth to pierce the heart 2. And hence we see what good doth all those disputes of high knowledge of contemplative men viz. The greatest Idolaters that ever was in the Church for they frame steps and stairs to ascend to high Mysteries and frame a God at the top and yet ly in pride and base lusts God gives us low and humble hearts then a Parable will fet the Gospel will be precious and if ever God bring us to see the need of Christ one simple word of truth will bring more joy than a thousand witty discourses A sower went forth to sow And this seed is the Word of God which prospers in some better in some worse and Christ therein ranks all men according to that power the word hath in them so that Every man is with God as the word is to him Joh. 15 If you abide in me and my word abide in you c. Saul cast away the Word of the Lord therefore the Lord cast him away and all the complaints against Israel was still because they hearkned not to my Word they disobeyed my Word and all the Plagues that ever came on man even from Adam till now is because our own wills and lusts rules us not his Word we believe not but David lived thereby And this is that frees man thy Word of Truth 1. For God and his Word are one such as his Word is to us such is God in every thing for not one jote of his Word shall fail 2. And all the Word is nothing else but a Declaration of the Fathers will in Christ as the Law that we should have no Saviour but him and the Gospel that he is a perfect Saviour all our sin is but a transgression of this Word by making to our selves in conceit other Saviours than him This is the Word that was given to Adam Abraham c. and this is a mighty Word for by it all things were made and preserved As with man how deadly is the Word of a King in wrath that it hath ever strucken a man with death and so of mercy And the sowing of this seed is nothing else but the faithful Declaration of Gods Will concerning Man and Christ that man may see the deceits of Satan by that Word so be brought to repentance may see the truth of the Word in Christ that the Kingdom of God may come And yet Christ may say Who hath believed our report when we see this seed to perish not regarded but cast off as a fable We believe fear the Word of Man and the Word of a Father prevails with a Son but God calls cries and we regard not He threatens and we fear not He promiseth and we believe not But let the World threaten we fear or promise and we rejoice and so comes man to be of a worldly heart Doth not the Father cast out the Son that regarded not his Word Mark and we shall see that the whole ear is stopt to this Word and he is but a dead hearted man But know that God hath punished more
of the Father 3. So that all Knowledge all Passions with a hard heart are nothing and nothing more hardens than that 4. And all things prosper according to the disposition of the Heart learning c. are the works of man but saith and a broken heart the gift of God only This Word may and doth worke many Passions a light belief in many and yet never partaker of Christ therein as Ezek. 33. They heard and shewed love And Herod did many things for the Knowledge thereof is glorious and the evidence of the Truth convinceth man to make him inexcusable But these are but First Stirring of natural passions Second Or informing Reason more clearly Many such Passions we see stirr'd up and all nothing So that fits passions lights and easements come and go but misery in man and mercy in God remains ever And the life of faith is not any strength or quality in man but a tender heart open ear to hear believe Gods Word live thereby SERMON VII Isai 57.10 Thou hast wearied thy self in the greatnesse of thy way Yet saidest not There is no hope Thou hast found the life of thy hand therefore thou was not grieved IN this Chapter the Prophet first bewails the losse of the Righteous of Israel which was not laid to heart but they presumed still of their own strength without God Then he calls the Rebellious to a reckoning to convince them of their Idolatry and carnal confidence and to see the vanity of their way and their misery and captivity ensuing And all by a Metaphor of Adulterers that have forsaken their Husbands that would have been a safeguard unto them and joyning themselves unto others which would be their downfal As first that they had joyned themselves to another than to him and had made a covenant with them and sed themselves with beastly pleasures in satisfying of their Lusts sometimes covertly behind the door Sometimes lifted up in their conceits as upon a high Mountain Then their carnal confidence in the arm of flesh in going to the King of Assyria and then when he failed to the King of Babylon and so concludes they have sought all wayes of wearinesse and yet returned not to God Wherein he shewes 1. The frowardnesse of Mans Heart and his many devices to nourish his fleshly hope and put evil from his thoughts 2. The ground of all tâ—is vain confidence is because he find the life of his hands for the present therefore not grieved Thou hast wearied or toiled thy self viz. Sought out all devices and wayes to nourish hope even unto wearinesse and yet saw not thy miserie So that All mans toil in the Flesh wherein he wearies himself is only to feed his hope of safetie without God to keep evil from his heart and eyes yet all in vain for evil shall over take him in the end Yea though man daily see the wearinesse and vanitie of his own wayes that they prevaile not to the satisfying of his own lust desire yet he still seeds his hope thinks he shall put the evil from his heart As Israel though they saw they prospered not in their designs by their fleshlie power yet still sought to the arm of Flesh trusted it Pharaoh though God wearied him with his judgements yet he was still hardened against him The Pharisees though they saw they prevailed not against Christ yet ceased not to fight against his Kingdâ—m The Wordling though he toile in wearinesse yet still at a want yet he cannot cast off care but hopes to gain satisfaction And Balack Balaam Isâ— 62. They will nâ—t sâ—t but they shall see For man hath mâ—re confideâ—ce in the World in the Flesh than in God more ground and reason to believe it than God For thought the World have sailed him a thousand times yet still he believes it will help him But if God seem to defer his help a while he runs to his old friend Mammon again as Israel did to Egypt against Aissria contra For man is loath to see any evil towards himself or the down-fall of his Fleshlie Kingdom though it doth fail in his sense and feeling yet he holds it up in his conceits and hopes And so would still have somewhat to look at that he might believe For nothing can destroy the hope of man but God by the power of his Truth and sensible Wrath in mans heart man can shufle and shift off any thing else 1. For if guilt be revealed yet there is hope For he will mend his course falter Moses and so hope for mercie 2. If affliction and crosse come yet he will be more warry and diligent and so prevent or recover it 3. If Death come yet he puts it off as long as he can and saith While there is yet Life there is hope of mends 4. For there is such a sure covenant betwixt the World and mans Fleshlie Heart that if one faill he runs to another and if one conceit hold not he gets another 1. Hic labor hoc opus Thus doth the Wordlie heart of man wear out his dayes in wearinesse and still feeds his vain hopes How hath the youthful mind wearied himself in one vanitie after another that now they are wearinesse to him and if the old man were kept to those youthfull dallyance it would be a burden And yet though there was hope in riches and how hath the rich Worldling fed his hopes with pulling down and building and yet he is too short Nay there is nothing but is wearinesse in all our wayes and yet we follow them as though in the end whe should gain rest So lothe is man to leave the pursuit of his fleshlie hopes so little heart to bear the want thereof That he will trye the utmost of his strength before he yeeld 2. Nay See the wearie passages man hath in Religion and yet will not denie himself he hath gained knowledge wrought righteousnesse changed his course and all to beget a Faith and yet his heart is fearful and distrustful and thinks by a new device or degree to gain it Nay how often hath God confounded thy self-opinions and conceits that thou saw it would not serve the turn and yet hast set a fresh upon a new one 3. Nay how often hath God frustrate the fleshlie conceits of believers and yet they have not learned to trust him 4. Thus the Flesh still deceives for the witt of man shews him many great wayes of thriving all proves wearie great wayes of believing and yet proves vain opinion Man will have hold of something that his hope may be preserved Thus is he still bewitched will not understand the fear of the Lord. 5. But know when thou hast wearied thy self and worn out thy dayes all thy hopes shall die with theâ— and thou shalt see the Truth of that thou wilt not now believe 1. When the World shall passe away from thee or thou from
no faith the flesh Unlesse we be circumcised Christ cannot profit 1. Thus in all unbelieving hearts the Word of Christ is still cast off for first 1 It is foolishnesse to it that a man should forsake the World live by faith follow God with Abraham he knows not whither suffer the losse of my own Will nay of my Wit nay of my Life and all this is a foolish way 2. And it crosseth the heart of man which he will needs have for rather than he will want that he casts off Christ himself with him in Matth. 19. He went away sorrowfull So that mans infidelitie is still nourished by fleshlie Reason and fleshlie Lusts which fight against Faith 2. Thus the World trusts any thing rather than God and his Word For 1. The World saith Hearken unto me and seek me ply it and be diligent I will fill thee with fulnesse and thou shall not want 2. So lust calls Come I will fill thee with mirth and put away sadnesse delight thee with pleasures and yet the heart is sorrowful 3. So Reason I will lead thee the good and safe way behold thy Righteousnesse Wisdom c. What needs thou fear Thesâ— are the promises of God and of his Word 4. Nay saith Christ These will sail but come thou to me and I will ease thee and deliver thee and redeem thee from all bondage 3. Nay We that are traders in this Word yet how is the heart slant from the simplicitie of the Gospel and so gets no good thereby For 1 We gather conclusions from it by strength of Witt and Art We frame it to our conceits It begets strong opinions in us and we frame tricks and self-holie devices all out of it which are but the Froth of our fleshly brains But believing not from a broken heart tender relenting We call opinion believing and so as among men it is too true a complaint That plain dealing is gone So in Religion plain dealing is lost We professe the Word and trade in it and cast it off when we have done 2. Or we confound Law and Gospel because neither hath power in us We set one in the room of the other and make the Gospel effectual by the Law and not the Law fulfilled by the Gospel 3. Or we make the Word subordinate to man and not man to it laying a foundation in our selves of good qualities and building the promises thereon when it is free without condition We judge the Word and are masters of the Scriptures and are not guided governed with it 4. Or we seek a sign or a wonder that may confirm the word to us that we might feel some joy peace that we might know some assurance But he saith I have given thee a sure Word to believe that but in all we cast away God and his Word and hence it is we get so little good by it 5. But happy he that sticks to this God Promise it shall not fail speak the Word and my servant shall be whole What a mighty Faith that believed that Word and was healed 6. But this shall be a heavy VVord one day when the Son stands condemned at the Bar and the Father saith Now thou seest what is become of thy Rebellion I was thy Father and never wanting or did I ever fail thee I promised thou should not want and gave thee my Testimonies I sent my Son a man like thee he brought my Will to thee and my Promise but thou would have none of me but thou would have the VVorld and follow thine own VVill Thou trusted in thy own Power and VVisdom and Righteousnesse and Holinesse Now plead if thou can therefore not I but that VVord which thou hast cast off shall judge thee Then I gave them up to hardnesse VVhen mans heart is turned from the VVord of Truth he usually hardens in some fleshly way So that No greater judgement besals man nor surer sign of Gods destroying VVrath than when God ceaseth to call and worke with man but leaves him to the lust hardnesse of his own heart Thus to the old VVorld I will no longer strive with man Rom. 1. He gave them up to vile affections The Gentiles he suffered them to walk in their own VVayes and Counsels Joh. 17. I pray not for the World These he leaves if man have tasted the good VVord of God c. and fall from that VVord he is left impenitent Thus the VVorld when a man grows hardned that the Father can do no good then he casts him off Two things hardens above all First Fulnesse of the VVorld Secondly Knowledge of the VVord without the power thereof 1. VVhat may we then fear when all our former working hearts are turned into hardned knowledge presumption For First where is our weeping and mourning dayes where is that melting and trembling of heart before the VVord VVhere are those cryes prayers after Christ and his Truth Nay all is turned into secure talking or dead-hearted profession that now it is but a dead Letter God is not with the Word so that we may say as Deut. 5. I have heard all your Words But O! that there were such a heart we fear the plague sword tremble when it approacheth but no judgement like to this when God leaves us to all these and suffers man to walk in his own course to his destruction 2. But well-worth tender hearts whose minds are drawn from the World from all things of himself what ever he feels yea though but death and sorrow yet joy and peace shall come he will soon confound all enemies SERMON IX Exod. 12.21 22 c. Then Moses called all the Elders of the people of Israel and said Chuse you out and take for every house a Lamb and kill the Passeover And take a bunch of Hysop and dip it in the blood that is in the basons and strake the lintel and the two posts of the door with the blood c. VVHen God intended to bring Israel out of Egypt viz. Man out of the bondage of sin and Satan and bondage of corruption He sends Moses Aaron and the Prophets to guide them according to his will according to the promise made to Abraham and now to be accomplished by Moses First He sends him with assured confidence of his assistance 2. He hardens him against Pharaoh ceaseth not to plague Pharaoh till he make him yeild though against his will and so makes way for the deliverance of Israel Israel a figure of the Kingdom of Christ 1. As they lived in Goshen where was light and plenty yet in bondage under Pharaoh So we under the light of the Gospel yet bound in infidelity and lust of the World 1. Because we stick not to the Covenant or because the time is not yet come 2. Though the promise was made to Abraham and stood fast in him yet for the present saw little hope of deliverance so we though the
winnow you as wheat but I have prayed that thy faith fail not when thou art converted c. VVHen Christ had now finished his course was now readie to suffer that fearful bitter hour he foretells the disciples what to look for and will befal them viz. He will strike the Shepherd and what then will become of the Sheep they had lived with Him in peace or at least such a trouble as was easie to bear but now must all be shaken and so sore-warns them of the Crosse that they must suffer he sorewarns them of the Crosse and miseries to come and that by the Instrument of Satan amplified by a Metaphor he assures him of help and that by faith he shall be preserved and that he hearten his brethren After Peters brag and Christs answer First He shews how Satan as an enemie stands waiting and seeking to overthrow Christ his Kingdom by which he might shake the saith of all his followers for if he had overthrown Him then Faith and all had been dasht So that Satans main drift to worke mans eternal destruction is to overthrow Christ and his Kingdom and to drive man from Câ—rist and to seek help elsewhere Thus with Job thus with Annanias and thus with Christ in his temptations still granting what Christ alleadged and still labouring again to trap him in that for still he traps man in that wherein he stands as the worlding he fills them with fear and pleaseth his lust and the weak to worke it out and he laid load upon Paul fightings without and terrors wiâ—hin And thus he layes reproaches upon the Truth and blazeth the failings of the Faithful to slander the Truth for he is the accuser of the Brethâ—en 1. And herein stands the salvation of man that he can deal with any thing but Christ the wisest or holiest he can catch and keep him in his snaâ—e and fill them with fear or hope that he sifts them keeps them in his bâ—g 2. For he hath power over man to tempt man in the heel and to sift man and leave him nothing but brane For when he hath ground man to powder he sets his servant the flesh to sift him and he reasons and looks from what he feels and sues no help left but all is gone but Christ through patience overcoming him Thus he Winnowed the Martyrs and left nothing in the flesh to uphold them and thus he workes their good against his will to purge man of the flesh and to drive him to Christ 3. The whole truth is revealed by Fire First Thus he drives all another way and he cares not what way he goes so he looks not this way 1. The Worlding he keeps in fear of want or failing or decrease or uncertainty and so keeps him closse like Israel in Egypt 2. Others that look after Christ yet keeps the World alive in the heart through Lust and that all is theirs they having right must provide for honest things as that all is theirs c. and so he makes Fig-leafe-coverings but the heart Rotten 3. Others he lifts up above the simplicitie of Christ and their own minds by great and high speculations to falsifie the Truth by false Doctrine and all this to hide Repentance from mans heart that so the Kingdom of Christ may not come 4. Others by joyning something as Circumcision with Christ and the Gospel is perfected by the Law and not the Law fulfilled by the Gospel 5. Others he pursues with calamitie and miserie as in ward Lust and Rebellion frowardnesse of their own will and indisposition to any good that so man might get ease thereby 6 Others by losses crosses wants and troubles that he may distrust God and cleave to the arm of flesh and so consent to Rabâ—â—ekeys Letter saying Thou trustest and believest in Christ he will deceive thee thou art forlorn and forsaken it were best to look after other helps a little and then trust God so that whither he offer Life or threaten Death he intends Death forsaken of Christ for Paul he knows Christ he knows 2. He never prevails so much as in a thriving way whereby the heart becomes lifted up he never overcomes to much by misery let him fain as much as he will all this is but to weaken the flesh and to bring down high Mountains and bring Job to lay his hand on his mouth and repent in dust and ashes So that nothing preserves man but a simple repenting heart Sensible of weaknesse in the midst of greatest gifts 1. The simplicitie of the Gospel written in mans heart 2. Simple believing and patience to suffer and overcome so with Christ He was the Wisdom of the Father he patiently bare the Wrath of the Father for man To winnow you like Wheat This was a coming when the Shepherd was smitten all friends forsook him the Earth shook Darknesse was over all Peter accused the rest fled Christ crucified like unto a murtherer laid in the grave all gone so that nothing was left but the Wisdom that Christ had given them and Faith in that Promise to believe that he would come again So that Ranson saw little to trust to So that There will come a Winnowing day upon all Flesh good and bad to destroy and take from men all confidence in the Flesh in which the Faithfull shall be preserved by Faith and Repentance and Patience The Lord will in righteous judgement winnow the wicked and Satan that falsifier Where is Pharaohs Power and Pompejy and Dives and Wealth of the Worldlings and righteousnesse of Paul Is it not all found too light God hath had his Fan in his hand no unrighteousnesse shall stand before him For they are like those chaffe before the Wind Woe to them that laugh for their covenant of Death shall be disannulled or broken 1. For God maks way hereby for his mercie and purifieth faith and drived man to himself though grievous yet wholesome 2. All joy and life of Adam must be taken away nothing doth that but Christ 3. Then though Satan now insult and triumph like a King yet he must be cast into the bottomlesse Pit all that obey him 4. There is away that seems good buâ— it must be tryed and proves death as that of Peter to Christ save thy self but this is not good 1. Know then that this day will come We laugh Feast and Drink as though it would last alwayes but know as to a Schollar or idle Servant that when he hath sported all these dayes there will come a black-Munday and hard Work So that though we sport our selves in quiet cover our own guilt delude sorrow and drive it from our hearts put off the evil day play the Wanton with our knowledge and Feast a while with Christ dainties as he dealt with the Disciples who brought them on by immediate power and love but in the end he must be taken away So know that these will fail and nothing
then he was strong Great Knowledge devote Holinesse and high Thoughts chooke Faith only humilitie preserveth it The one lives by opinion as light as wind but the other by Faith and mercie he feels nothing but weaknesse and guilt 3. Well-worth weak and repenting hearts that weep with Peter We deny him often but repent seldom What ever knowledge or other thing they have yet if this be kept lively Faith shall not fail though it be seemingly lost and he turned his back and he sees no way to peace Yet wait a while and light will spring out of darknesse and well-worth Crosse that preserves Repentance in man when he sees his own beastly guilt how he hath forsaken God and run from him and sees how all fails then he returns So it is hard to preserve Faith lively in prosperitie It is a great point of simplicitie to enjoy all gifts and yet look at none We see then whereby man is preserved in all straits viz a praying and believing heart all else vanish 4. But praying dayes are gone We have wept but now rejoyce We were weak but now strong in our selves Strengthen thy Brethren Pitie not me nor weep for me but weep for thy self and pitie thy Brâ—thren So that As the life of Faith is in Christ only see the practice of Faith is in love to the Brethren David Psal 16. My goodness is nothing unto thee but to the Saints that are in the Earth Thus all rules of practice after Faith that are stablished by Paul are such like as help the weak admonish the un-ruly c. and Christ left this his last Law Love one another and Faith works by love This was Christs practice all his dayes in doing good this is a free disposition of a Redeemed Spirit the flesh seeks its own but love doth not 1. Thus is the Fathers Love spread abroad and the Truth of the Gospel and the Church increased and herein is the Communion of Saints 1. But we all walk in the thearick knowledge of Faith and Christ and nourish our thoughts therein but we foresake the practice of Faith for self-Love and Pride hath drowned all hearty Religion Do we help the poor and relieve them nay we spoil them do we bear with the Weak nay we judge them do we cover the sins of others nay we spread them Do we love our Enemies nay We hate them 2. I wish we had lesse Knowledge so we had more Faith and Love Is it not a shame to see how Drunkards are linkt together and every Sect as one man yet we that professe to believe in Christ lead everie man to his own gain So we thrive we care not who losse who grieves and bears the burden of others I will go with thee though all forsake thee Pride of heart and over-weaning conceit of our own power because of some singular gift above others is the readie way to fall before all so it s in the Jews Pharaoh Nebuchadnezzar Lucifer So that There is a presumptuous and proud carlesse confidence from the arm of flesh which goes under the name of Faith and lifts man up in securitie a while but will fail in the end Thus David Psal 30. And his numbering the people SERMON XV. Dan. 3.16.19 Then Shedrach Meshach and Abednegâ— answered and said to the King O Nebuchadnezzar we are not careful to answer thee in this matter IN the former Chapter Daniel had interpreted the Kings Dream concerning the Image of Gold Silver Brasse Iron and Clay and the destruction of several Monarchies by the Stone hewed out of the Mountain without hands that is to say The power of Christ whose Kingdom should overcome all the rest and be everlasting never to be destroyed by which the King was convinced to acknowledge the great Power and Wisdom of the God of Daniel and sell into admiration but understood not the Mysterie of Christ therein nor the downfal of his Kingdom therefore presently returns to his old Idolatrie So that The Word of God from God and the great work of his power doth for the present put man to silence and convinceth him yet where the heart remains hardened and that the mysterie of Christ is hid from man he soon returns to his old vanitie and Idolatrie of his own heart Thus they are often convinced by the great Works of God Psal 16. Yet forgot how they were brought out of Egypt and walked not in the Covenant but returned tâ— their Lusts And the Pharisees in Christs time often put to silence but soon grew wise again to maintain there own Kingdom Yea how manie of his followers who saw his greaâ— Workes and confessed never man spake like him or did the like spake with such power and assurance and yet forsooke him see the stony ground and those of Judea 1. For ease and peace and prosperitie being offered and a man lothe to live without them they choak the VVord 2. The Knowledge of the Gospel without the power of Christ and his death hardens above all none such enemies to the simplicitie thereof 3. For if the Truth and Power of God be revealed yet if God keep not the Promise of Repentance by the Crosse so bring man under the power of that Word he soon starts up and becomes Wise and Righteous in himself not in Christ in the flesh not in Faith 4. Though for the present it dash man and convince him that he confesseth and sweareth that it is the truth yet when it both crosseth his present ease and libertie brings no life but death for the present he grows wearie unlesse the great power and love of God pursue his Soul by his Word and Crosse Hence comes so much back-sliding in the church that men admire the great Power of God yet not living in Repentance under the Crosse Every thing starts up and so they turn to the old way or a new device of their own but do not believe the down-fal of their Kingdom for the present For most men when they have talked and shewed abroad their Wisdom Righteousnesse and increased their Glorie they are the old men again The World is welcome and sweet Sin as light themselves at ease secure as they had never known such a thing 1. And yet they know their ease and securitie ariseth not out of simple confidence of Faith but hardnesse of heart and clothed under a vail of Religion 2. So it is a fearful thing to grow hardened after truth revealed that man joyn hands with the World that sin become lesse sinful in conceit This is a meer securitie and not Faith for if a man flie off and that the Word cease to judge man arraigned at Gods judgement seat For Christ hath two judgements in mans heart viz Judgement and Mercie so it is said Man must give an account of what he hath done Yea of every â—dle Word which is true in mans heart for they are judged and man tormented untill he apply to
then we denie him and limit him by that we see or feel and hence we denie him in our hearts I shall never get out of this Miserie I cannot tell what course to take I see no help I have no friends the enemies is full of Wrath and Power I cannot escape his hand Did he not put a Bridle in the Lips and a Hook in the Nose of Senacherib slaying a thousand and fifteen hundred in one night Hath he not Promised to give thee a Mouth and Wisdom therefore thogh thou canst not tell what to do commit all to him and see what he can do As we do in any trouble when we are weary with striving we give our matters to another to make what end he will and we are content So do with him as Job laying his hand on his mouth and see what an End God made Obj. Yes I know God is able but yet I know not that he will Answ In this nothing but subjection brings peace for it is not our curious searching that finds it We all lost to know and see rather than to be subject to his Will in patience We would all know the time when by what means we would have it now and by Fire from Heaven He hath promised and is able to supplie our wants but we would know and feel it and have it in abundance Thus Man would be a chief Lord in the Church and leave nothing for Christ to do he would have all things in his own hands and yet for ought I know when man hath most he believes God the least and when he hath most confidence in himself he hath least in God But these argued not with God nor tempted him but cast all upon him he is able and if he will he can and if not his will be done Thus man in strength of his own will fights against God daily we pray Thy will be done but we never think of it but rather that our wills might be accomplished that His will might be the fulfilling of our lusts rather than suffering want to believe Him We professe that he will turn all to the good of His we believe not truth for else how comes this murmuring in want but we think nothing can turn good but that wherein we find present good We would know and feel all but believe and suffer nothing And he will deliver us They stick to the Promise are delivered So that Faith and sticking to the Word of Promise gives assurance frees man when all else fails Be it known However He do yet we will not forsake Him So that The believing heart willingly suffers all miserie rather than forsake God or trust any but Christ As Paul For I am not only readie to be bound but to suffer all things Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury When he saw his power contemned his will crossed his glory thus opposed by these and of another which he saw not nor believed his rage was kindled and he grew mad and commanded the furnace to be made seven times hotter than before So that The way of Faith doth most cross the power wisdom of the world of any thing and therefore doth the World cast it off and grows furious and mad against it John preached Repentance and they cast him into prison because he told them that their high mountains must be cast down and that in that way they could not be saved Christ preached faith to the convincing of the world that they should believe and they look at nothing but Him And they hated the light because their deeds were evil Therefore were they mad against Him Paul preached Salvation by Christ and overthrew circumcision and they stoned Him And so the elder brother the prodigal Luther preached free justification by faith without the righteousnesse of man and the whole army of Antichrist was up in arms against him So these stick to God and the King is furious 1. For this leaves nothing for the heart to fix upon but Christ a thing unknown to flesh and blood If man would fasten on the world and rest there Christ shews it is a vain and a broken staff that a mans life stands not in that for moths corrupt it and as the rich man builded his barnes this night will they fetch away thy soul So that the worlding hates it in his heart 2. If man will fasten on his righteousnesse knowledge opinion or any qualitie Christs beats it down Paul makes it worse than nothing and leavs all under sin And so the wise and righteous men are alwayes the greatest enemies to Christ for they think much that all that which they have gotten with such labor cost should serve for nothing For man would have a life out of all things but flees death in all things 3. Nay if man think to store up joy and peace ease by believing and so make his mountain strong by his revelations gifts and great joyes Yet then Christ also comes with darknesse and sufferings and seems to forsake these men and this makes the stonny ground to fall off and these for a time rejoiced in his light but forsakes him after So that Christ may well say Who hath believed our report for of all other things this is least welcome to man Nay all hearts rise against it but he that is down already The Worlding is tyed in his lust and worldly confidence and his ears stopped and his heart riseth against it for he would sit at ease and enjoy his portion So also the righteous and religious man that excelleth others and professeth Christ yet lives by circumcision He storms and argues and disputs against it and gets strong conceits and opinions to joyn the world and ease and Christ together and none embraceth it but the poor and miserable heart SERMON XVI Jeremiah 48.34 56 Thus saith the Lord God of Israel to thee O Baruch thou didst say Woe is me now for the Lord hath added grief to my sorrow I faint in my sighing and I find no rest Thus shalt thou say unto him The Lord saith thus That which I have builded I will break down that which I have planted I will pluck up even this whole land THese are the words of the Lord to Baruch by Jeremiah to comfort him in the heavinesse of his soul because of the present persecution of the King and people of Judea against the word of the Lord and the Book which he had written from Jeremiah As also for the ensuing captivitie which he saw He expected peace and ease when he had read the book to them but for that they persecuted both Jeremiah and him He looked they would have repented but they are more hardened and he hath lesse hopes than before Upon which 1. The Lord comforts him by the Prophet wherein Baruchs sorrow and grief is renewed and multiplied and he left without any hope of ease or rest 2. The Lord comforts him in his heavinesse
Christ the Stone hewen out of the Rock without hands they lay among the groves there to enquire of the dead for the want of things and not waiting on God and the Words of the Prophets They eat abominable broth and swines Flesh both which were forbidden by the Law So that in all they forsake Christ signified by all those and chuse their own wayes and this is mans way in the Church We offer not at Jerusalem sitting at the door of the Tabernacle weeping and confessing Where is tâ—e Mercie Seat and Ark of the Covenant but in Gardens of Pleasure in serving God at our leasure and not on the Corner-stone Christ Jesus but on the Altar of our good qualities which we have hewen to our selves We wait not on God his Will Word that we may know it but in the dead groves of our devotions and run back to these rotten effects of care diligence If the World shew good signs we believe if we see signs and Wonders we trust we feed on Swines Flesh Flesh and broth thereof That is we feed on the Flesh and filthy World which begets nothing but flegmatick and cold opinions instead of pure nourishment to Faith and Love Stand by for I am holier than thou So with all these abominations there went still a poysoned opinion of holinesse and high thoughts which made all stink in his nostrils So that when with Religion there goes a high thought in man and exalting of himself above others because of his Religion it poysons all and stinks before God and will bring man to a fearful fall at the last Thus it was with the Pharisee I am not as other man as this Publicane Col. 2. Touch not taste not handle not It was their practice when they had been at the Mercat they washed the false Apostles thought themselves more acceptable to Christ because they were circumcised And those Gadders in the Church that went about talking and thought because of their Religion they should be respected and relieved which Paul writes against that they should not be suffered Thus is Religion turned into mans own glory and not to Christs glory This flows from pride and self-love which had its beginning in man ending in man as all things do This makes men Judges in Religion and not Christ a Saviour and so with all Religion there grows up a cursed opinion and seeking of respect which poysons all But well worth that Religion where man is not listed up by it and hath nothing but all laid up and enjoyed in Christ not in self SERMON XIX Isai 63.1 Who is this that cometh from Edom with dyed garments from Eâ—zra This that is glorious in his apparel travelling in the greatnesse of his strength I that speak in righteousnesse and mighty tâ— save IN the tenth verse of the former Chapter is a large promise of Mans Redemption by Christ under the Type of Israels deliverance out of captivity as Prepare the way of the Lord cast up the high-way gather up the stones lift up the Standard The Lord hath proclaimed to the end of the World to Sion Behold thy salvation cometh his reward is with him and his work before him That is to say Make readie the hearts of men by repentance and then salvation is at hand and thou shalt be a holy people prepared of the Lord Prepare the way that is let not Israel settle in Babylon but come out Remember Jerusalem that you have lost the signs of my presence the Ark of my Covenant the Mercy-seat and all the tokens of my Love and that you are now strangers to me so bring down their hearts and make a way for my mercy that I may do them good that they long for my salvation they shall find it ready at hand Let them not trust in their strength nor rely on the favour of Babylon the world the Flesh for they will still keep them bound but return to me and I will deliver them so that No mercy to man nor salvation from God nor redemption by Christ nor holiness by the spirit but where God makes way in mans heart by dayly repentance dayly turning mans heart from the world himself and all things in true sense of his bondage and longing of the soul after Christ Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand Psal 107. He brought down their hearts with sorrow then had mercy on them For all Israels wanderings he plagues them till he made them yield and cry and pray then helps them in distresse It was Johns office to make way for Christ For what should Christ do with an hardened heart filled with conceit of Wisdom righteousnesse and the world or riches For all afflictions that God layes on man either in the world or in himself by the word is but to bring down the heart to let him see how the World hath deceived him sin hath beguiled him and his conceits brought him into a false surmise and so lets him see what a little power he hath in himself that so forsaking and turning to another he may find mercy For though God give gifts to man yet they are kept onlie in the hand of Faith else man turns to them and forgets God and himself and so becomes proud and conceited becomes a Saviour to himself But the salvation of God is never given but to repenting hearts that are ashamed of themselves and their own cursed rebellious hearts and in sighing sorrowing pray seek for mercie But we all would have salvation another way than by repentance as one by knowing another by dying another by gathering strength but none by denying themselves Indeed we daily pray Lord forgive us our sins but sin is not our burden we would all have mercy to our hardened hearts Nay how far are we from the salvation of God whose hearts never felt the bitternesse of repentance or are again hardened through knowledge We all dream of being saved but alace there is no way in thy heart Thou knows how little thou minds God or Christ at all how little thy heart is troubled about life or death but carried away with present losse Where is the place that can witnesse thy sorrow and heavinesse of heart thy sighing folding of thy hands how little is it in thy thoughts What hast thou done daily doest against God or thy self How little art thou troubled about thy eternal being no Repentance being wrought in thee all Religion is but a matter of discourse and circumstance But woe to us for repenting dayes are gone and so salvation hid the time was when we were sinners went mourning weeping all our dayes were repenting dayes And then were vve ashamed to look into our ovvn cursed hearts vain vvayes and all night our very dreams were on misery then light rose in our darknesse but now we are wise righteous see not the pride lust worldlinesse of our ovvn
hearts even drovvned in pride of our ovvn hearts have a conceit of salvation in our selves Is sin lesse sinful than it was Stand vve not as much need of salvation as before nay our hearts are not prepared for mercie but claime it as a due and therefore is salvation far from us But know that before salvation or freedom come from Christ to our hearts these high looks must down we carried into Babylon God never casts his mercy upon hardened hearts but the poor mourners shall be comforted So that faith holinesse is daily preserved by repentance deep humility vvhen God opens the high vvay of our hearts he gathers out the stones all his mercies though they bring comfort yet still more humblenesse that he should daily be so good we so vile rebellious still so is mercie salvation contained Who is this that cometh from Edom. That is from the land of captivitie from Bozra the chief Citie of the Edomites representing the great povver of Satan Flesh and the World wherein man is bound novv comes the Prince and Captain of our Salvation out of our captivity and death and is consecrated through suffering even in death overcoming all things his garments red with the blood of the Sacrifice Laying it down by way of admiration in the question answer containing wondering and Christs ansvver For the vvhole Chapter is a Prophetical Declaration of Redemption by Christ and the state of man to be redeemed as 1. The Person or Redeemer even Christ discovered by his povver and strength travelling in the greatnesse of his strength and the rest c. 2. By his truth and righteousnesse I that speak in righteousnesse 3. The way means how he hath done it viz. First By death under a Metophor of Trading the Wine-presse 4. What he hath done viz. Troden them in his Wrath. Who is this that cometh This shews the expectation of the captive Church waiting for a deliverer according to the promise after seventy weeks so man after his long bondage under hell and Flesh and seeing Christ a weak poor man and that all in blood crucified dead and buried seems an unlikely man to reason but in his answer he puts away all doubts that he is the only man and Redeemer So that The weary waiting and forlorn heart of man though he see little possibility to obtain life by Christ in sense reason but many more likely devices ye shall never find freedom but only in him For he was ordained of old to break the Serpents head and prophesied to bind up the broken hearted Yet what a doe had he with his Disciples for to perswade them that He was He but still they cried Is not this Josephs Son is this likely to be He He only was Jobs refuge in all his afflictions when he saw nothing but death yet his Redeemer liveth This he witnesseth by word and work By word I am come to save the World I am the Resurrection and the Life By works How many poor lame and blind did He help which He was after to do spiritually the afflicted he comforted as Mary and the Prodigal The Pharisees cryed out Who is this that forgiveth sins that destroyes the Law Nay others said Except ye be circumcised Christ cannot profit 1. For he came to destroy the flesh and redeem the spirit therefore was he weak in the flesh strong in spirit that he might cross the curious witt and pride of man who looked for great things 2. All things prosper according to his presence with man and not he according to the power of the creature all other things are but miserable comforters only puts off for a time but it comes again with all violence like a sore that is ill healed Yet who hath believed this report Nay in any straits we look for other helps The World saith Come see what riches and certaintie I will relieve thy wants be diligent ply thy mind to me and I will ease thee and saith Man This is that comes with full hand and good gain This is like to preserve so much Inheritance so much coming in and is yet never a whit eased but a slave still The flesh saith Come to me I come not in sadnesse and sorrow but in mirth and pastime and pleasure I will put away sorrow from thy heart and season all sadnesse with mirth and yet for all this in the midst thereof the heart is sorrowfull Reason saith Come to me I will shew thee a likelie way do good worke righteousnesse see thy great knowledge and good qualities then believe that Christ may profit but simple believing stands not in this but in another thing and when thou feels nothing in thy self Reason would judge this but a blind way Nay saith Christ But come hither look on me believe my Word I am poor and needie in flesh and so must thou be I will deliever thy Spirit and free thy mind these deceive thee but I speak in righteousnesse though I seem base yet all power is given to me and I am mighty to save So that he that looks for salvation by Christ had need of Faith more than Witt When the poor captive Soul sees nothing but death and bondage no power to free himself and sees nothing but poor Christ all wallowing in blood shut up in the grave sits mourning at the Sepulchre and yet look for salvation in him had need to pray daily Lord increase our Faith and help our unbelief And to this end would Christ confirm his Disciples in expectation of the Promise and Life by his Death and to wait for the Holy Ghost by the Sacraments and pledges of his love and truth which he left them saying I know ye doubt and fear and hereafter ye shal see me forsaken judged and crucified and buried and then will your hearts tremble but that I have spoken in Righteousnesse take this as a pledge of my love and truth when ye come together eat and drink this believe my Promise rejoyce in me in my death for though I must trade the Wine presse alone yet I will trade it in my Furie I that speak in righteousnesse The word of Christ is the word of righteousness to believing hearts and shall be assuredlie fulfilled to troubled Spirits Mighty to save So that All power of saving man is in Christ no power in man to procure or pâ—eserve his own safetie I have troden the Wine-presse So that Jesus Christ hath under-gone the wrath of the Father for man that he might redeem man from wrath and by his suffering hath wrought Redemption for man I have troden the Wine-presse alone So that None partakes with Christ in the work of mans redemption but he is the beginner finisher of mans happinesse Mine own arm brought salvation So that When all povver in man fails miserie strikes then is the power of Gods spirit still at hand I will trade
when he sits crying ouâ— of himself O wretch that I am that hath thus abused my good father cast away my self and know not what to do but dy and perish Then he appears and â—owns on him a while but after his heart be brust with sorrow the faâ—her can no longer refrain but smiles and comforts him as Joseph to his brethren For He came to seek and save that which was lâ—st He came to redeem the captive spirit of man that was locked up in fleshly bands and his own guilt Not to ease the captive flesh of man for many great afflictions ly on many whom He never easeâ—h because man cannot have his own Will and Lust and World and Ease and Glory but these he pities not But when the spirit mourns after God and cannot be comforted by all the world but sits in ashes and cryes in the night the Sun then breaks out and joy comes in the morning But nothing is a burthen to the spirit of man but sin and guilt and weakâ—esse for other afflictions are burthens to the flesh and they are helped But in the afflicted spirit there is such a depth of miserie that nothing can help but His Love Spirit that He hath promised As nothing can ease the heart of a rebellious child but reconciliation with the Father all â—hat man can do to help can but strengthen â—â—â—â—â—m His Love only stays the heart by Faith all things dâ— but only put off and that by stâ—â—â—gthening conceit buâ— it returns again with greater violence like â— wound ill healed But this shews that we have little of Christs comâ—any save only His name among us we talk of Him dispute and follow Him up and down to the Temple and seem to sat by His side but wâ—â—h proud hardened hearts Nay I judge whether thou art as well with Him as without Him for any good thou hast by Him save only a heartless helpless hope if thou may have the World thou seeks no more If thou have no more joy than thou hast with him it will prove but small Nay we are not for His presence like an adulterous Wife that cares not for her Husbands presence but if ever that heart be turned by Repentance and possest of its own guilt then none but He. Others thinks to procure His presence by trimming and garnishing a fair out-side profession of Christ and think if they were more holy and righteous then He would surely come but we thus make a Christ to our selves But woe to that Righteousnesse that hides Repentance and hardens the heart Woe be to that Presumption that is lifted up above Mercie Woe be to that Conceit of believing that joyns hands with the World and shuts man up in self-love and woe to that Hardnesse of heartâ— that despiseth long suffering and heaps up Wrath against the day of Wrath. And hence we see that where Repentance is hid from man Gods love and pity are far from him whatever we have it matters not how Wise Righteous Holy Rich or Youthful we are if any Hardnesse of heart goes with all But we are full and sit as Queens and want nothing Yet the day is coming when we shal seek Him and shal not find Him when all shall fail us and we afraid to hear of His presence when He shall sit as Judge to judge the World then shall we cry O where is he now that we despised and set so lighâ— by And then weep with Esau and say Father hast thâ— not one blessing left Bless me even me also Then shal he answer nay These are blessed and shall be blesseâ— thou hast had the fulnesse of the earth for thy portion bâ— my love and mercy thou regarded not In his pity and love he redeemed and bare them Heâ— is the continuance of his love notwithstanding theiâ— dayly falling off yet he guided and bare them as 〈◊〉 nurse in his arms all the ancient dayes as he choosâ— them in love and pity and remains faithful to Abrâ—ham and his seed So that As Gods love and pity without any thing in man is the first fountain of life to man and only cause of his happiness so is the same Love Goodnesse and Power the dayly preservation and guide of man in the way of happiness through Faith As Paul by the grace of God I am that I am not I but the grace of God in me therefore doth the Lord so often remember Israel of his deliverance out of Egypt the promise to Abraham that they might look at that Law and depend on that Promise How came Israel out of all these straits but that God still pityed and forgave them as David how he prayed to be guided and preserved and relieved dayly from God And this the Apostle strove for that nothing might stand in the heart of man after grace received but the same grace still and further beats down all things else but this For is not man as weak in himself and Satan and the Flesh as strong as ever Is not man as sinful and His grace and help as needful as ever For Paul of himself could not live but Christ lived in him and he waited therein He hath delivered and will deliver me Christ did not worke properly for himself for man to guide himself by his own power for this is not in man but in Christ who is his Safetie Peace Righteousnesse and Holinesse and all for Israel was not able to stand before any enemie when they forsook the Covenant for what shall uphold man under the cross but his love and pity when all fails As the Martyrs was it their wit or power or strength of heart that preserved them No but the Power and Truth of Christ through Faith For as the child hath nothing of his own but lives at the fathers appointment and providence so we See then it is not as wise unbelieving men imagine that after the mysterie of the Gospel be revealed and apprehended in flesh turns back with Israel and become wise and righteous and strong in themselves so it is with many that were sinners but God received them to mercy and now they worke it out beginning in the spirit but ending in the flesh and then think to recompence God Is God more beholden to thee than before or rather is not thy sinful lust and pride and worldly heart and hypocrisie as hateful to God now when thou hast the knowledge of his will as thou thinkest But these are commonly the greatest backsliders For though they stick unto Religion yet they fall from Christ in Religion and conceit and clothe themselves with his gifts The World is in their hearts Repentance gone Prayer dead Faith only in name So that to those he shal have just complaint one is rich in the World and cares not for his blessing but he will turn it to a curse another is wise to guide himself but will prove a fool and wander another is Righteous and rich in
for this than all other sins in the World 1. Woe then to the deaf ear and hard heart of man that can neither hear nor believe what God saith so that to some we see 1. It is but a fable and a thing of no account 2. Others reverence it and seek to know and cove◠themselves under it 3. Others are stricken with the Glory and Majesty thereof but fleeing to their own Inventions are cured and flie high above it 4. Others are filled and revived and live by it only not minding what the world or the flesh saith but what Christ saith 2. So then that which most opposeth the Devil is the Word of the Gospel he can deal with all but this but this discovers his dephts and draws men out of his Kingdom And if it live not in man then Satans Word lives in him either that of the Serpent to Adam or that of God prevails and we live thereby 3. But know this will be a heavie word one day to those that now cast it off prefer their own Lusts before it when the day comes that the World all fails man with those Luke 13. We knock c. He shall say I gave you my Word I sent you my Prophets I told you by them that you were deceived that the World would beguile you I sent you my Son to make known my will he walked in the way before you I gave him Power and Wisdom to guide you by his Word unto Life I told you there was no Saviour to man but only he But this Word you despised and would not regard You believed me not but counted me a lyer you trusted the World the Wisdom of the Flesh I would have performed Life to the uttermost but you trusted me not but counted Christ a deceiver Therefore now your blood be upon your own heads and now that Word which you have cast away must judge you For my Word must stand 4. Happie he then that lives by his Word and in whom it lives for all things else alter and change yet this abides if man stick to it Though for the present we feel no sweet to the Flesh yet in time it comforts the Spirit and yet how often do we call it a lie and judge the Word and are not judged by it either framing it to our own wills or lifted up above it or basely sunk down from it but every way forsaking it when indeed it is the sure foundation to be waited on untill the day dawn and the day star arise They by the way side These are four sorts of men in the Church The 1. Are like the high way which is so troden by the dayly path of men that it is hardned and the Seed can take no root therein Such are in the Church So that Those in whom the World and Lusts hath a daily continual path and custome becomes so hardned thereby that the Gospel takes little effect with them So had Israel Isa 28. That they made a mock of the Prophets so the young Lawyer 1. For hereby the heart is filled and sore stalled Psal 119. They are as fat as brawn regarded not thy Law 2. Hereby is the ear stopped and the heart hardned like a drunkard that they can hear nor minde nothing 3. For if that everie passage of the World leave such a wound as in David what a bondage when it hath a path way and is become the verie Shope wherein all vanitie are bought and sold 1. Hence it is that worldly hearts that are flesht therein do least minde the Word How hardly do these enter Like the high way that is neither fit for Corn nor Grasse And hence ariseth that damnable carelesnesse under the Gospel Who hear and care not whether there be a God or not Satan hath these in a fare stay 2. See what a distemper the World workes in man mind that it makes him mindelesse of God and himself too 3. Hence our verie Preaching and Hearing even lest labour for we cannot shout so loud but Satan will out-shout us 4. But well worth tender hearts that lye in miserie and everie Word of God sticks to the heart Lest they should believe This is Satans end So that Satans main drift to hinder mans Freedom and undo him is that he may not believe They on the stony ground Here is the second sort i◠the Church in whom the Word hath a certain Work but note 1. Effectual wherein 1. Their condition is hard and stonie 2. The effect it had They rejoyced and believed for a time 3. Their failing in time of temptation they sell away So that That an hard heart bound and closed up in him-self and his own self-love is altogether unfit to receiv◠any good from Christ and his Word Eph. 4.17 〈◊〉 of the hardnesse of thy heart So Israel they erred in heart because of the hardnesse of their hearts Christ was cast out of their Towns Psal 81. Psal 78. Wondrous things did he in the Land of Ham. Two things chiefly harden self-love self-wisdom For when man is lifted up in conceit and opinion in doing something to God and not poor and begerly to receive he sends the Rich emptie away For the whole Doctrine of the Gospel is not what we should do to God but what we should receive from him 1. For the Gospel is soft and lowlie and tender and must be sown in tender hearts of Flesh The Law was written in stone but the Gospel in the hearts of Flesh This hardnesse is nothing but the closing up of the mind in self-love or of the creatures and depending thereon loving living and delighting therein so that Mercy in Christ is despised 1. Hence see why the Gospel prospers not viz. because of the hardnesse of our Hearts because that we neither feel our own misery nor trust in Gods mercy 1. Some so confident and closed up in themselves that they trample the Word and Christ under foot 2. Others know and comprehend it but hard and bound at the bottom 3. Others dispute and talk of it from a hard heart no faith no bowels of mercy but talk as Lords and Masters of the Scripture and so nothing but unprofitable found and pride and vain glory are the bellowes that blows it and in all these we see 1. They seek themselves in all things their own glory and good 2. They have no Mercy nor Pity for others misery except partial in respect of their own way and glory 3. They censure judge and condemn all but themselves 4. The World and the losse thereof sticks deep but not the Word For our own misery and mercy in Christ only breaks the Heart 2. We see then whom only the Word profits viz. Tender Hearts that ly lowe melting in Misery and Love these pity others these are killed and made alive by the Word as in Christ who mourned for the Peoples hardnesse was partaker of mans misery and yet saw Mercy