Eye was upon him so which way soever we turn our selves still God's Eye is upon us Iob 37.16 Dost thou know the balancing of the Clouds the Works of him who is perfect in knowledge God knows whatever is knowable he knows Future Contingencies 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrys. He foretold Israels coming out of Babylon and the Virgins conceiving By this the Lord proves the Truth of his God-head against Idol-Gods Isa. 41.23 Indicate Futura Shew the things that are to come hereafter that we may know ye are gods The Perfection of God's Knowledge is that it cannot be searched out to perfection Job 11.7 What Angel can reach the top of these Pyramids But 1. God's Knowledge is Primary He is the Original the Patern and Prototype of all Knowledge others borrow their Kowledge of him the Angels light their Lamps at this glorious Sun 2. God's Knowledge is Pure It is not contaminated with the Object Divina Natura non est immista râ—bus aut sordibus inquinata Aug. Though God knows sin yet it is to hate and punish it No Evil can mix or incorporate with his Knowledge no more than the Sun can be defiled with the Vapors which arise from the Earth 3. God's Knowledge is Facil it is without any difficulty We study and search for Knowledge Prov. 2.4 If thou seekest for her as Silver But the Lamp of God's Knowledge is so infinitely bright that all things are easily intelligible to him 4. God's Knowledge is infallible there is no mistake in his Knowledge Humane Knowledge is subject to errour and misprision A Physician may mistake the Cause of a Disease but God's Knowledge is un-erring he can neither deceive nor be deceived He cannot deceive because he is Truth nor be deceived because he is Wisdom 5. God's Knowledge is Instantanious Our Knowledge is successive one thing after another We argue from the Effect to the Cause God knows Things past present and to come uno intuitu at once They are all before him in one intire prospect 6. God's Knowledge is Retentive he never looseth any of his Knowledge he hath reminiscentia as well as intelligentia he remembers as well as understands Many things elapse out of our Mind but God's Knowledge is eternized Things transacted a thousand years ago are as fresh to him as if they were done but the last minute Thus he is Perfect in Knowledge Object But is it not said Gen. 18.21 I will go down and see whether they have done according to the cry which is come up unto me and I will know Resp. It could not be a nesciency that God was ignorant because there is mention made of a Cry but the Lord speaks there 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 after the manner of a Judge who will first examine the Cause before he passeth the Sentence God when he is upon a work of Justice is not in a Riot as if he did not care where he hits but he goes in the way of a Circuit against Offenders he lays Iudgment to the Line and Righteousness to the Plummet Isa. 28.17 Object Hos. 13.12 The iniquity of Ephraim is bound up his sin is hid Resp. Not that his sin was hid from God but his sin is hid that is it is recorded it is laid up against a Day of Reckoning That this is the meaning is clear by the fore-going words His iniquity is bound up as the Clerk of the Assizes binds up the Indictments of Malefactors in a Bundle and at the Assizes brings out the Indictments and reads them in Court so God binds up Mens sins in a Bundle and at the Day of Judgment this Bundle shall be opened and all their sins brought to light before Men and Angels That God is thus infinite in his Knowledge 1. It cannot but be so For he who is the Original Cause and gives a Being to things must needs have a clear inspection into them Psal. 94 9. He that planted the Ear shall not he hear he that formed the Eye shall not he see He who makes a Watch or Engine knows all the Workmanship in it God that made the Heart knows all the Motions and Fallacies of it He is like Ezekiel's Wheels full of Eyes and as Austin saith Totus oculis all eye 2. It ought to be so for he is to be Iudge of all the World Gen. 18.25 There are so many Causes to be brought before him and so many Persons to be tried that he must have a most exquisite perfect Knowledge or he could not do Iustice. An ordinary Judge cannot proceed without a Jury the Jury must search the Cause and give in their Verdict but God can judge without a Jury He knows all things in and of himself and needs no Witness to inform him A Judge judgeth only Matters of Fact but God judgeth the Heart He not only judgeth wicked Actions but wicked Designs He sees the Treason of the Heart and punisheth it Use 1. Is God infinite in Knowledge 1 Iohn 1.5 He is Light and in him is no Darkness then how unlike are they to God who are Darkness and in them is no Light who are destitute of Knowledge such as the Indians who never heard of God And are there not many among us who are no better than baptized Heathens who are to seek in the first Principles of the Oracles of God It is sad that after the Sun of the Gospel hath shined so long in our Horison yet to this day the Veil should be upon their Heart Such as are inveloped with Ignorance cannot give God a reasonable Service Rom. 12.1 Ignorance is the Nurse of Impiety the Schoolmen say Omne peccatum fundatur in ignorantia Jer. 9.3 They proceed from evil to evil and know not me saith the Lord. Where Ignorance reigns in the Understanding Lust rageth in the Affections Prov. 19.2 That the Mind be without Knowledge it is not good neither Faith nor Fear no Faith for Knowledge carries the Torch before Faith Psal. 9.10 They that know thy Name will put their trust in thee A Man can no more believe without Knowledge than the Eye can see without Light Nor Fear of God How can they fear him whom they do not know The Covering of Haman's Face was a sad Presage of Death When Peoples Minds are covered with Ignorance this Covering of the Face is a fatal fore-runner of Destruction 2. If God be a God of Knowledge then see the folly of Hypocrisy Hypocrites do not virtutem facere but fingere Melanct. they carry it fair with Men but care not how bad their Hearts are they live in secret sin Psal. 73.11 They say how doth God know Psal. 10.11 God hath forgotten he â—ideth his face he will never see it But Psal. 147.5 His Understanding is infinite He hath a Grate Crates that looks into Mens Breasts he hath a Key for the Heart he beholds all the sinful workings of Men's Spirits As in a Glass-Hive we can see the Bees working in their Combs Matth.
Beza writes of one Bolezius his Religion changed as the Moon and Planet Mercury Such as are wandering stars will be falling stars But when a Soul is built on the Rock Christ and no winds of Temptation can blow it away now the kingdom of grace flourisheth One calls Athanasius Adamas Ecclesiae an invincible Adamant in respect of his stability in the Truth Col. 2.7 rooted and built up in him the rooting of a Tree evidenceth the growth 8. Then the kingdom of grace encreaseth in a Man 's own Heart when he labours to be instrumental to set up this kingdom in others Though it is the greatest benefit to have grace wrought in our selves yet it is the greatest honour to be instrumental to work it in others Gal. 4.19 of whom I travail in birth till Christ be formed in you Such as are Masters of a Family should endeavour to see the kingdom of grace set up in their Servants Such as are godly Parents let not God alone by prayer till you see grace in your Children What a comfort would it be to you to be both the Natural and the Spiritual Fathers of your Children Austin saith his Mother Monica travailed with greater care and Pain for his new birth then his natural This shows the encrease of grace when we labour to see the kingdom of grace set up in others then the water abounds in the River when it overflows and runs into the Meadows then grace encreaseth in the Soul when it hath influence upon others and we endeavour their Salvation 2. Quest. Wherein appears the needfulness of this that the Kingdom of Grace should be encreased 1. This is Gods design in keeping up a standing Ministry in the Church to encrease the kingdom of grace in mens hearts Eph. 4.8 He gave Gifts unto Men that is Ministerial Gifts Why so ver 12. for the edifying of the Body of Christ not only for Conversion but for augmentation Therefore the Word preached is compared not only to Seed but to Milk because by this Breast-milk God designs our growth in grace 2. We had need have the kingdom of grace encrease in respect we have a great deal of work to do and a little grace will hardly carry us thorow a Christians Life is laborious so many Tentations to resist so many Promises to believe so many Precepts to obey that it will require a great deal of grace A Christian must not only pray but pray fervently Iam. 5.16 not only repent but be zealous and repent Rev 3.19 not only love but be sick of Love Cant. 2.5 How had he need therefore have the kingdom of grace enlarged in his Soul as his work encreaseth upon him so his grace had need encrease 3. If the kingdom of grace doth not encrease it will decay Rev. 2.4 Thou hast left thy first love grace for want of encreasing is sometimes like a Winter Plant all the Sap runs to the root and it looks as if it were dead Rev. 3.2 Strengthen the things that remain which are ready to dye Though grace cannot expire it may wither and a withering Christian loseth much of his Beauty and Fragrancy what great need then have we to pray Thy Kingdom come that this kingdom of grace may be encreased if grace be not improved it will soon be impaired A Christian for want of encreasing his grace loseth his strength he is like a sick Man that cannot either walk or work his prayers are sick and weak he is as if he had no life in him his Faith can hardly fetch breath and you can scarce feel the Pulse of his Love to beat 4. To have grace encreasing is suitable to Christianity Christians are called Trees of Righteousness Isa. 61.3 The Saints are not only Jewels for sparkling Lustre but Trees for growth they are called the Lights of the World Phil 2.15 Light is still encreasing First there is the Crepusculum or Day-break and so it shines brighter to the Meridian They who are the Lights of the World must encrease till they come to the Meridian of Glory Not to grow is suspicious painted things grow not 5. As the Kingdom of Grace increaseth so a Christians Comforts increase Comfort belongs to the bene esse or well-being of a Christian it is like sweet-meat delicious to the taste Psal. 94.19 The more grace the more joy as the more Sap in the Root the more Wine in the Grape Who did more increase in Grace than David and who more in Consolation Psal. 4.7 Thou hast put Gladness in my heart Grace turns to joy as the Milk to cream 3 Qu. How may they be comforted who bewail their want of growth and weep that they cannot find the Kingdom of Grace encrease Resp. 1. To see and bewail our decay in Grace argues not only the life of Grace but growth 'T is a sign a Man recovers and gets strength when he feels his weakness It is a step forward in Grace to see our Imperfections The more the Spirit shines in the Heart the more evil it discovers A Christian thinks it worse with him then it was whereas his Grace may not grow lesser but his Light greater 2. If a Christian doth not encrease in one Grace he may in another if not in knowledge he may in Humility If a Tree doth not grow so much in the Branches it may in the Root to grow downwards in the Root is a good growth 3. A Christian may grow less in Affection when he grows more in Iudgment As a Musician when he is Old his fingers are stiff and not so nimble at the Lute as they were but he plays with more Art and Judgment than before So a Christian may not have so much Affection in Duty as at the first Conversion but he is more solid in Religion and more setled in his Judgment than he was before 4. A Christian may think he doth not encrease in Grace because he doth not encrease in Gifts whereas there may be a decay of natural parts the Memory and other Faculties when there is not a decay of Grace Parts may be impaired when Grace is improved Be not discouraged it is better to decay in parts and be enlarged in Grace then to be enlarged in parts and to decay in Grace 5. A Christian may encrease in Grace yet not be so sensible of it The Seed may grow in the Earth when we do not perceive it to spring up The Grace may grow in time of Desertion and not be perceived So I have done with the first thing intended in this Petition Thy Kingdom come we pray that the Kingdom of Grace may come into our Hearts and that it may encrease and flourish I should come to the second thing intended in this Petition that the Kingdom of Glory may hasten and that we may in due time be translated into it When we pray thy Kingdom come here is something positively intended we pray 1. That the Kingdom of Grace may be set up in our Hearts
5.17 Quest. But may not a natural man oppose Sin Answ. Yes but there is a great difference between his opposing Sin and the new Creature 's opposing it I. There is a difference in the Manner of Opposition 1. The Natural Man opposeth Sin only for the Shame of it as it eclipseth his Credit But the new Creature opposeth Sin for the Filth of it it is the Spirit of Mischief 'T is like Rust to Gold or as a Stain to Beauty 2. The Natural Man doth not oppose all Sin 1. He doth not oppose inward Sins he fights against such sins as are against the light of a natural Conscience but not against Heart-sins the first risings of vain Thoughts the stirrings of Anger and Concupiscence the venom and impurity of his Nature 2. He doth not oppose Gospel-sins Pride Unbelief Hardness of Heart spiritual Barrenness he is not troubled that he can love God no more 3. He opposeth not Complexion-sins such as the Byass of his Heart carries him more strongly to as Lust or Avarice He saith of his Constitution-sin as Naaman 2 Kings 5.18 In this thing the Lord pardon thy Servant But the new Creature opposeth all kind of sin Odium circa speciem As he that hates a Serpent hates all kind of Serpents Psal. 119.104 I hate every false way II. There is difference between the Natural Man's opposing Sin and the New Creature 's opposing it in regard of the Motives A Natural Man opposeth sin from carnal Motives to stop the Mouth of Conscience and to prevent Hell But the new Creature opposeth sin upon more noble Motives out of love to God and fear of dishonouring the Gospel 4. In the new Creature there is mortifying old corrupt Lusts. Gal. 5.24 They that are Christ's have crucified the Flesh. The new Creature is said to be dead to Sin Rom. 6.11 He is dead as to the love of sin that it doth not bewitch and as to the power of it that it doth not command The new Creature is continually crucifying Sin Some Limb of the old Adam every day drops off though Sin doth not die perfectly it dies daily A gracious Soul thinks he can never kill sin enough He deals with sin as Ioab with Absalom 2 Sam. 18.14 He took three darts in his hand and thrust them through the heart of Absalom So with the three Darts of Faith Prayer and Repentance a Christian thrusts through the Body of Sin he never thinks this Absalom is enough dead Try then if we have this first Sign of the new Creature Old things are passed away There is a grieving for sin a detesting it an opposing it a mortifying it This is the passing away of old things though not in a legal sence yet in an Evangelical and though it be not to Satisfaction yet it is to Acceptation The second Trial of the New Creature is All things are become new The new Creature is new all over Grace though it be but in part yet is in every part By nature every branch of the Soul is defiled with sin as every part of Wormwood is bitter so in Regeneration every part of the Soul is replenished with Grace Therefore Grace is call'd The new Man Eph. 4.24 Not a new Eye or a new Tongue but a new Man There are new Dispositions new Principles new Aims all things are become new I. In the new Creature there is a new Understanding Eph. 4.23 Be renewed in the Spirit of your Mind The first thing a Limner draws in a Picture is the Eye When God newly limns us and makes us new Creatures the first thing he draws in our Souls is a new Eye The new Creature is enlightned to see that which he never saw before 1. He knows Christ after another manner An unconverted Man by the Light of common Grace may believe Christ to be the Son of God but the new Creature knows Christ after another-guise manner so as to esteem him above all to adore him to touch him by Faith to fetch an healing virtue from him 2. The new Creature knows himself better than he did When the Sun shines into a Room it discovers all the Dust and Cobwebs in it so when the Light of the Spirit shines into the Heart it discovers that Corruption which before lay hid it shews a man his own vileness and Nothingness Iob 40.4 Behold I am vile A wicked man blinded with Self-Love admires himself like Narcissus that seeing his own shadow upon the Water fell in love with it Saving Knowledge works self-abasement Lord thou art Heaven and I am Hell said a Martyr Hath this Day-Star of Knowledge shined in our Mind II. The new Creature is renewed in his Conscience The Conscience of a Natural Man is either blind or dumb or seared But Conscience in the new Creature is renewed Let us examine Doth Conscience check for sin The least Hair makes the Eye weep and the least sin makes Conscience smite How did David's Heart smite him for cutting off the Lap of Saul's Garment A good Conscience is a Star to guide a Register to record a Judge to determine a Witness to accuse or excuse if Conscience doth all these Offices right then it is a renewed Conscience and speaks peace III. In the new Creature the Will is renewed An old Bowl may have a new Byass put into it The Will having a new Byass of Grace put into it is strongly carried to Good The Will of a Natural man opposeth God When the Wind goes one way and the Tide another then there is a Storm so it is when God's Will goes one way and ours another But when our Will goes with God's as the Wind with the Tide then there 's a sweet Calm of Peace in the Soul The sanctified Will answers to God's Will as the Echo to the Voice Psal. 27.8 When thou saidst Seek ye my face my Heart said unto thee Thy Face Lord will I seek and the Will being renewed like the primum Mobile it carries all the Affections along with it IV. The new Creature hath a new Conversation Grace alters a man's walk Before he walked proudly now humbly before loosly now holily He makes the Word his Rule and Christ's Life his Patern Phil. 3.20 Our Conversation is in Heaven As a Ship that is sailing Eastward there comes a Gale of wind and blows it Westward So before a man did sail Hell-ward and on a sudden the Spirit of God comes upon him and blows him Heaven-ward here is a new Conversation It was a Speech of Oecolampadius I would not speak or do any thing that I thought Iesus Christ would not approve of if he were here corporally present Where there is circumcision of heart there is circumspection of Life If we find it thus that all things are become nâ—w then we are new Creatures and shall go to the new Ierusalem when we die Vse 3. Exhortation Labour to be new creatures Nothing else will avail us Gal. 6.15 Neither Circumcision availeth any thing
as sure to go to Heaven as if he were in Heaven already These are the Reasons why we must examin our selves before we approach to the Lord's Table Quest. 5. What must we Examine Answ. 1. Our Sins 2. Our Graces First Our Sins Search if any dead Fly might spoil this sweet Oyntment When we come to the Sacrament we should do as the Jews did before the Passover they searched for Leaven and having found it did burn it 1. Let us search for the Leaven of Pride This sowres our Holy things We are born with a Spiritual Tympany Will an humble Christ be received into a Proud Heart Pride keeps Christ out Intus existens prohibet alienum Pride swells the Heart and Christ cannot come into the Heart if it be full already To a proud Man Christ's Blood hath no Vertue 't is like Dioscordium put into a dead Man's Mouth which loseth its Vertue Let us search for this Leaven of Pride and cast it away 2. Let us search for the Levaen of Avarice The Lord's Supper is a Spiritual Mystery it represents Christ's Body and Blood what should an earthly Heart do here The Earth puts out the Fire Earthliness quencheth the Fire of holy Love The Earth is Elementum Gravissimum it cannot ascend A Soul belimed with Earth cannot ascend to Heavenly Cogitations Col. 3.5 Covetousness which is Idolatry Will Christ come into that Heart where there is an Idol Search for this Leaven before you come to this Ordinance How can an earthly Heart converse with that God which is a Spirit Can a Clod of Earth kiss the Sun 3. Search for the Leaven of Hypocrisie Luke 12.1 Beware of the Leaven of the Pharisees which is Hypocrisie Aquinas describes it Simulatio Virtutis Hypocrisie is a counterfeiting of Vertue The Hypocrite is a living Pageant he only makes a show of Religion He gives God his Knee but no Heart and God gives him Bread and Wine in the Sacrament but no Christ. Oh let us search for this Leaven of Hypocrisie and burn it Secondly We must examine our Graces I shall instance only in one Our Knowledge 1. Whether we have Knowledge 2. Whether it be rightly Qualified 1. We are to examine whether we have Knowledge else we cannot give God a reasonable Service Rom. 12.1 Knowledge is a necessary Requisite in a Communicant Without Knowledge there can be no Fitness for the Sacrament A Person cannot be fit to come to the Lord's Table who hath no Goodness but without Knowledge the Mina is not good Prov. 19.2 Some say they have good Hearts tho they want Knowledge As if one should say His Eye is good but it wants Sight Under the Law when the Plague of Leprosie was in a Man's Head the Priest was to pronounce him unclean The ignorant Person hath the Plague in his Head he is unclean Ignorance is the Womb of Lust 1 Pet. 1.14 Therefore it is requisite before we come to Examine our selves what Knowledge we have in the main Fundamentals of Religion Let it not be said of us that to this Day the Vail is upon our Heart 2 Cor. 3.15 But sure in this Intelligent Age we cannot but have some Insight into the Mysteries of the Gospel I rather fear we are like Rachel who was fair and well-sighted but barren Therefore 2. Let us examine whether our Knowledge be rightly Qualified 1. Is it Influential Doth our Knowledge warm our Heart Claritas in intellectu parit ardorem in affectu Saving Knowledge doth not only direct but quicken 'T is Lumen Vitae the Light of Life Iohn 8.12 2. Is our Knowledge Practical We hear much do we live the Truths we know That is the right Knowledge which doth not only adorn the Mind but reform the Life Secondly This solemn preparing for the Sacrament as it consists in examining our selves so in dressing our Souls before we come And this Soul-dress is in two things 1. Washing in the Laver of Repenting Tears To come to this Ordinance with the Guilt of any sin unrepented of makes way for the further hardening of our Heart and giving Satan fuller possession of us Zech. 12.10 They shall look upon me whom they have pierced and shall mourn for him The Cloud of Sorrow must drop into Tears We must grieve as for the Pollution so for the Vnkindness in every sin To sin against Christ's Love who died for us When Peter thought of Christ's Love who call'd him out of his Unregeneracy made him an Apostle and carried him up to the Mount of Transfiguration where he saw the Glory of Heaven in a Vision and then to think of his Denying Christ it broke his Heart he wept bitterly Matth. 26.75 To think before we come to a Sacrament of our sins against the Bowel-Mercies of God the Father the bleeding Wounds of God the Son the blessed Inspirations of God the Holy Ghost it is enough to broach our Eyes with Tears and put us into an Holy Agony of Grief and Compunction And we must be so distressed for sin as to be divorced from sin The Serpent before he drinks casts up his Poyson In this we must be wise as Serpents before we drink of the Sacramental Cup we must cast up the Poyson of sin by Repentance Ille verè plangit commissa qui non committit plangenda He doth truly bewail the sins he hath committed who doth not commit the sins he hath bewailed And this is the Dressing our Souls before we come washing in the Waters of true Rpentance 2. The Soul-dress is the exciting and stirring up the Habit of Grace into a lively Exercise 2 Tim. 1.6 I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the Gift of God which is in thee i. e. The Gifts and Graces of the Spirit The Greek Word to stir up 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies to blow up Grace into a Flame Grace is oft like Fire in the Embers which needs blowing up It is possible that even a good Man may not come so well disposed to this Ordinance because he hath not before taken pains with his Heart to come in Due Order He hath not stirred up Grace into its vigorous Exercise and so tho he doth not eat and drink Damnation yet he doth not receive Consolation in the Sacrament Thus you see what this Dressing of our Souls is before we come Thirdly This Solemn preparing for the Sacrament is in begging a Blessing upon the Ordinance The Sacrament is not like Physick which hath an inherent operative Vertue No but the Efficacy of the Sacrament depends upon the Co-operation of the Spirit and a Word of Blessing In the Institution Christ blessed the Elements Iesus took Bread and blessed it In the Text the Sacrament will no further do us good then as it is blessed to us We ought then before we come to pray for a Blessing on the Ordinance that the Sacrament may be not only a Sign to represent but a Seal to confirm and an Instrument to convey
Tongue Thus they know that Covetousness is a Sin yea the root of all evil yet the World ingrosseth all their Time and Thoughts They are like Midas who wished every thing that he touched might be Gold They have this dry Dropsie thirsting after Gold more than Grace and labouring more to have a full Purse than a good Conscience They know they should not vent their Passions Iam. 1.26 If any man among you seems to be religious and bridleth not his Tongue this Man's Religion is vain Origen observes of the Rich Man in the Gospel he had no Water to cool his Tongue He had sinn'd most in his Tongue therefore was punished most in it How unworthy is it for Men to have their Eyes and Hands lift up to Heaven and their Tongues set on fire from Hell at one time praying and another time cursing The Devil rejoyceth in this he warms himself at the Fire of Mens Passions How can such pray in a Family that are possessed with an angry Devil Hot Passions make cold Prayers Thus men know they should abstain from evil but they do it not 2. They know they should pursue Holiness but they do it not They know they should read the Word sanctifie the Sabbath use holy Conference pray in their Families redeem the Time walk circumspectly they know to do Good but do it not Quest. Whence is it that Men know to do Good yet do it not Answ. 1. It is for want of sound Conviction Men are not throughly convinced of the necessity of practick Godliness They think there 's a necessity of Knowledge because else there 's no Salvation they will get some Notions of Christ that he is a Saviour and has satisfied Divine Justice and they hope they believe in him Well then we tell them that Faith and Obedience go together then God is merciful and though they are not so good as they should be yet Free Grace will save them Thus Men content themselves with general Notions of Religion but are not convinced of the Practick Part of Godliness 2. Men know to do Good yet do it not because they are not awakened out of their Spiritual Sloth It is easie to get the Knowledge of a Truth to give assent to it to commend it to profess it but to digest Knowledge into Practice is difficult and men are lying upon the Bed of Sloth and are not willing to put themselves to too much trouble they know they should deny themselves but the Work of Self-denial is hard so that the Plough stands still and nothing of the practick part of Religion goes forward Prov. 19.24 A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom and will not pull it forth though it be to lay hold on a Crown 3. Men know to do Good but do it not through Incredulity they are in part Atheists Did they believe that Sin were so bitter that Wrath and Hell followed it would they not leave off their Sins Did they believe that to do the Will of God were a privilege Religion were their Interest that there is Joy in the way of Godliness and Heaven at the end would they not espouse Holiness But People though they have some slight transient thoughts of these things yet they are not brought to the Belief of them therefore though they know to do good yet they do it not The Reason why there are so few Doers of the Word is because there are so few Believers 4. Men know to do Good but do it not because the Knowledge in their Head never works into their Hearts it doth not quicken them or warm their Affections with Love to the Truth Their Light is greater than their Love their Knowledge doth not work upon their Conscience like a few Heat-drops that wet the leaf but never go to the Root of the Tree Men are not transformed by their Knowledge therefore they are not reformed their Hearts never took the full impression of the Word like Wooll that hath had only a slight Tincture but not a deep Dye 5. Men know to do Good but do it not because of prejudicate Opinion Prejudice is a Bar in the way of Men's Salvation He who hath an ill opinion of the Physick will not take it The things to be done in Religion are judg'd to be too strict and severe they restrain Sin too much or they press too much to Holiness When Christ had been preaching to the young Man that he must sell all and give to the Poor and he should have Treasure in Heaven 't is said Mark 10.22 he was sad at that Saying and went away grieved Many though they know the Truth yet do disgust it and have a secret hatred at the Spirituality of it As Michal looked out at a Window see to David when he danced before the Ark but the Text saith she despised him in her Heart 1 Chron. 15.29 So many go out to meet a Sermon but hate it in their Heart 6. Men know to do Good yet do it not because they love their Sin more than they love the Word Hos. 4.8 They set their Heart on their Iniquity Though Sin be a Meat that breeds the Worm of Conscience yet they love it and the more Sin is loved the more the Word is loathed The Word Preached calls for plucking out the right Eye it comes to separate between Men and their Lusts and they cannot endure to hear of a Divorce When Iohn Baptist comes to break off the Match between Herod and his Incest rather than he will behead his Sin the Prophet himself shall be beheaded This is much to be lamented and laid to heart that Men know to do Good but do it not Some content themselves with having Means of Knowledge Iudg. 17.13 Then said Micah now know I that the Lord will do me good seeing I have a Levite to my Priest But what is one the better to know what Physick he should take if he doth not take it It will be but poor Comfort on a Death-Bed for a Man to remember what glorious Ordinances he hath had and what a deal of Knowledge he hath gain'd when his Conscience shall tell him this is his Condemnation that he knew to do Good but did it not Vse 2. Exhortation Let me beseech you all who have been Hearers of the Word and have been lighting your Lamps at the Sanctuary and have gotten a great measure of Knowledge that as you know to do Good you would do it This is the Soul of Religion Luther says Mallem obedire quam Miracula facere I had rather do the Will of God than be able to work Miracles 1. To do what you know evidenceth your Relation to Christ. You count â—t a great Honour to be near allied to the Crown but it is more Honour to be a-kin to Christ. It was much to be of Christ's Line and Race Rom. 9.5 Of whom concerning the Flesh Christ came But would you see whom Christ counts his best Kindred such as do what
a saying of Luther Quos Deus vult perdere c. whom God intends to destroy he gives them leave to play with Scripturre Use 3. of Exhortation If the Scripture be of Divine Inspiration then be exhorted 1. to study the Scripture it is a Copy of God's Will be Scripture Men Bible Christians I adore the fulness of Scripture saith Tertullian In the Book of God are scattered many Truths as so many Pearls Iohn 5.39 Search the Scriptures Search as for a Vein of Silver This blessed Book will fill your Head with Knowledge and your Heart with Grace God wrote the two Tables with his own Fingers and if God took pains to write well may we take pains â—o read Apollos was mighty in the Scriptures Acts 18.24 The Word is our Magna Charta for Heaven shall we be ignorant of our Charter Col. 3.16 Let the word of God dwell in you richly The Memory must be a Table-Book where the Word is written To make us read the Word consider 1. There is Majesty sparkling in every Line of Scripture Take but one Instance Isa. 63.1 Who is this that cometh from Edom with died garments from Bozrah this that is glorious in his apparel travelling in the greatness of his strength I that speak in righteousness mighty to save Behold here a lofty magnificent stile what Angel could speak after this manner Iunius was converted by reading one Verse of Iohn he beheld a Majesty in it beyond all Humane Rhetorick 2. There is Melody in Scripture This is that blessed Harp which drives away sadness of Spirit Hear the sounding of this Harp a little 1 Tim. 1.15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation that Iesus Christ came into the World to save sinners he took not only our Flesh upon him but our Sins And Matth. 11.28 Come unto me all ye that are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest How sweetly doth this Harp of Scripture sound what heavenly Musick doth it make in the Ears of a distressed sinner especially when the Finger of God's Spirit toucheth upon this Instrument 3. There is Divinity in Scripture It contains the Marrow and Quintessence of Religion The Scripture is a Rock of Diamonds a Mystery of Piety the Lips of Scripture have Grace poured into them The Scripture speaks of Faith Self-denial and all the Graces which as a Chain of Pearl adore a Christian. The Scripture excites to Holiness it treats of another World it gives a prospect of Eternity Oh then search the Scriptures Make the Word familiar to you Had I the Tongue of Angels I could not sufficiently set forth the Excellency of Scripture It is a spiritual Optick Glass in which we behold God's Glory it is the Tree of Life the Oracle of Wisdom the Rule of Manners the heavenly Seed of which the New Creature is formed Iames 1.18 The two Testaments saith Austin are the two Breasts which every Christian must suck that he may get spiritual Nourishment The Leaves of the Tree of Life were for Healing Rev. 22.2 so these Holy Leaves of Scripture like those Leaves are for the healing of our Souls The Scripture is profitable for all things If we are deserted here is the spiced Wine that cheers the heavy heart If we are pursued by Satan here is the Sword of the Spirit to resist him If we are diseased with Sins leprosy here are the Waters of the Sanctuary both to Cleanse and Cure Oh then search the Scriptures There is no danger in tasting this Tree of Knowledge There was a Penalty laid at first that we might not taste of the Tree of Knowledge Gen. 3.17 In the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die But there is no danger of plucking this Tree of Holy Scripture if we do not eat of this Tree of Knowledge we shall surely die Oh then read the Scriptures Time may come when the Scriptures may be kept from us Quest. How should we so search the Scriptures as to find Life Answ. 1. Read the Bible with Reverence think every Line you read God is speaking to you The Ark wherein the Law was put was over-laid with pure Gold and was carried on Barrs that the Levites might not touch it Exod. 25.14 And why was this but to breed in the People Reverence to the Law 2. Read with Seriousness 'T is Matter of Life and Death By this Word you must be tried Conscience and Scripture are the Jury God will proceed by in Judging of you 3. Read the Word with Affection Get your Hearts quickned with the Word go to it to fetch fire Luke 24.31 Did not our hearts burn within us Labour that the Word may not only be a Lamp to direct but a Fire to warm Read the Scripture not only as an History but as a Love-Letter sent to you from God which may affect your Hearts 4. Pray that the same Spirit that wrote the Word may assist you in the reading of it that God's Spirit would show you the wonderful Things of his Law Go near saith God to Philip joyn thy self to this Chariot Acts 8.29 So when God's Spirit joyns himself with this Chariot of the Word then it becomes effectual 2. Be exhorted to prize the Word written Iob 23.12 David valued the Word more precious than Gold What would the Martyrs have given for a Leaf of the Bible The Word is the Field where Christ the Pearl of price is hid In this Sacred Mine we dig not for a Wedge of Gold but a Weight of Glory 1. The Scripture is a Sacred Collyrium or Eye-salve to illuminate us Prov. 6.23 The Commandment is a Lamp and the Law is Light 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Clem Alexandrinus The Scripture is the Card and Compass by which we Sail to the New Ierusalem 2. The Scripture is a Soveraign Cordial in all Distresses What are the Promises but the Water of Life to renew fainting Spirits Is it sin troubles there is a Scripture Cordial Psal. 65.3 Iniquities prevail against me as for our Transgressions thou shalt purge them away or as it is in Hebrew Te eapperem Thou shalt cover them Is it outward Affliction disquiets there is a Scripture Cordial Psal. 91.15 I will be with him in trouble not only to behold but to uphold Thus as in the Ark was laid up Manna Promises are laid up as Manna in the Ark of Scripture 3. The Scripture will make us wise Wisdom is above Troubles Psal. 119.104 By thy Precepts I get understanding What made Eve so desire the Tree of Knowledge Gen. 3.6 It was a Tree to make one wise The Scriptures teach a Man to know himself they discover Satan's 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 snares and stratagems 2 Cor. 2.11 They make one wise to Salvation 2 Tim. 3.15 O then highly prize the Scriptures I read of Queen Elizabeth at her Coronation she received the Bible presented to her with both her Hands and kissing it laid it to her Breast saying That that Book
nor flie from him for he is every where present they are never out of his Eye nor out of his Reach Psal. 21.8 Thy hand shall find out all thy enemies What Caves or Thickets can Men hide in that God cannot find them go where they will he is present Psal. 139.7 Whither shall I flie from thy presence If a Man owes a Debt to another he may make some Escape and flie into another Land where the Creditor cannot find him But whither shall I flie from thy presence God is Infinite he is in all places so that he will find out his Enemies and punish them Object But is it not said Cain went out from the presence of the Lord Gen. 4.16 Resp. The meaning is he went out from the Church of God where were the visible Signs of God's Presence and where God did in a special manner manifest his sweet Presence to his People But Cain could not go out of God's sight for God being Infinite is every-where present Sinners can neither go from an Accusing Conscience nor a Revenging God If God be every-where present then for a Christian to walk with God is not impossible God is not only in Heaven but he is on Earth too Isa. 66.1 Heaven is his Throne there he sits the Earth is his Footstool there he stands He is every-where present therefore we may come to walk with God Enoch walked with God Gen. 5.21 If God were confin'd to Heaven a trembling Soul might think how can I Converse with God how can I walk with him who lives in Excelsis above the upper Region but God is not confined to Heaven he is Omnipresent he is above us yet he is about us he is near to us Acts 17.27 Though he be not far from the Assembly of his Saints He stands in the Congregation of the Mighty Psal. 82.1 He is present with us God is in every one of us so that here on Earth we may walk with God In Heaven the Saints rest with him on Earth they walk with him To walk with God is to walk by Faith we are said to draw nigh to God Heb. 10.22 and to see him Heb. 11.27 as seeing him who is invisible and to have Fellowship with him Hos. 1.3 Or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 our Fellowship is with the Father Thus we may take a turn with him every day by Faith 'T is a slighting of God not to walk with him if a King be in presence it is a slighting him to neglect him and walk with the Page there 's no Walk in the World so sweet as to walk with God Psal. 89.15 They shall walk in the light of thy countenance Psal. 138.5 Yea they shall sing in ways of the Lord it is like walking among beds of spices which send forth a fragrant perfume Use 2. If God be Infinite in his glorious Essence learn to admire where you cannot fadom The Angels wear a Veil they cover their Faces as adoring this Infinite Majesty Isa. 6.3 Elias wraped himself in a Mantle when God's Glory passed by admire where you cannot fadom Job 11.7 Canst thou by searching find out God Here we see some Beams of his Glory we see him in the Glass of the Creation we see him in his Picture his Image shines in the Saints but who can search out all his Essential Glory what Angel can measure these Pyramids Canst thou by searching find out God He is Infinite We can no more search out his Infinite Perfections then a Man upon the top of the highest Mountain can reach the Firmament or take a Star in his hand O have God-admiring Thoughts adore where you cannot fathom There are many Mysteries in Nature which we cannot fathom Why the Sea should be higher then the Earth yet not drown it Why Nilus should overflow in Summer when by the Course of Nature the Waters are lowest How the Bones grow in the Womb Eccles. 11.5 If these things pose us how may the Infinite Mystery of the Deity transcend our most raised Intellectuals Ask the Geometrician if he can with a pair of Compasses measure the breadth of the Earth So unable are we to measure the Infinite Perfections of God In Heaven we shall see God clearly but not fully for he is Infinite he will communicate himself to us according to the bigness of our Vessel but not the Immensness of his Nature Adore then where you cannot Fathom If God be Infinite in all places then let us not go to limit God Psal. 78.41 They limited the holy one of Israel 'T is a limiting God to confine him within the narrow compass of our Reason Reason thinks God must go such a way to work or the business will never be effected This is to limit God to our Reason whereas he is Infinite and his ways are past finding out Rom. 11.33 In the Deliverance of the Church it is a limiting God either to set him a Time or prescribe him a Method for Deliverance God will deliver Sion but he will be left to his own Liberty he will not be tied to a Place to a time to an Instrument this were to limit him and then he should not be Infinite God will go his own way he will pose and nonplus Reason he will work by Improbabilities he will save in such a way as we think he will destroy now he acts like himself like an Infinite Wonder-working God Of the Knowledge of GOD. FOr the Lord is a God of Knowledge and by him Actions are weighed 1 Sam. 2.3 Glorious things are spoken of God he transcends our Thoughts and the Angels Praises God's Glory lies chiefly in his Attributes which are the several Beams by which the Divine Nature shines forth Among other of his Orient Excellencies this is not the least The Lord is a God of Knowledge or as the Hebrew word is el Degnoth a God of Knowledges Through the bright Mirror of his own Essence he hath a full Idaea and Cognisance of all things the World is to him Corpus diaphanum a transparent Body He makes an Heart-Anatomy he is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rev. 2.23 I am he which searcheth the Reins and the Heart The Clouds are no Canopy the Night is no Curtain to draw between us and his sight Psal. 139.12 The Darkness hâ—deth not from thee There is not a word we whisper but God hears it Psal. 139.4 There is not a word in my Tongue but lo O Lord thou knowest it altogether There is not the most subtil Thought comes into our Mind but God perceives it Isa. 66.18 I knâ—w their thoughts Thoughts speak as loud in Gods Ears as Words do in ours All our Actions though never so subtilly contrived and secretly conveyed are visible to the Eye of Omnisciency Isa. 66.18 I know their works Achan hid the Babylonish Garment in the Earth but God brought it to light Iosh. 7.21 Minerva was drawn in such curious Colours and so lively pensil'd that which way soever one turned Minerva's
6.4 he sees in secret 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in impios habet Rivet As a Merchant enters down Debts in his Book so God hath his Diary or Day-Book and he enters down every sin into the Book He makes a Critical Discant upon Mens Actions Ieroboam's Wife disguised her self that the Prophet should not know her but he discern'd her 1 Kings 14.6 Why feignest thou thy self to be another The Hppocrite thinks to prevaricate and juggle with God but God will unmask him Eccles. 12.14 God shall bring every work into Iudgment with every secret thing Jer. 29.23 They have committed Villany in Israel even I know and am a witness saith the Lord. I but the Hypocrite hopes he shall colour over his sin and make it look very specious Absolom masks over his Treason with the pretence of a Religious Vow Iudas dissembles his Envy at Christ and Covetousness with a pretence of Charity to the Poor John 12.5 Iehu makes Religion a stirrop to his Ambitious Design 1 Kings 10.16 but God sees through these Figleaves You may see a Jade under his gilt Trappings Ier. 16.17 Their Iniquities is not hid from my eyes And he that hath an Eye to see will find an Hand to punish Use 2. of Exhortation Is God so infinite in his Knowledge then we should always set our selves as under his Omniscient Eye Sic vivendum est tanquam in conspectu Seneca Let us set David's Prospect before our Eye Psal. 16.8 I have set the Lord always before me Seneca counselled Lucilius that whatever he was doing he should imagine some of the Roman Worthies beheld him and then he would do nothing dishonourable The consideration of God's Omnisciency would 1. Be preventive of much sin The Eye of Man will restrain from sin and will not God's Eyes much more Esther 7.8 Will he force the Queen before me when I stand and look on Will we sin when our Judge looks on Would Men speak so vainly if they considered God over-heard them Latimer took heed to every word in his Examination when he heard the Pen go behind the Hangings So what care would Persons have of their words if they remembred God heard and the Pen is going in Heaven Would Men go after strange Flesh if they believed God were a Spectator of their wickedness and would make them do Pennance in Hell for it would they defraud in their Dealings and use false Weights if they thought God saw them and for making their Weights lighter would make their damnation heavier 2. The setting our selves as under the Eye of God's Omnisciency would cause Reverence in the Worship of God God sees the frame and carriage of our Hearts when we come before him How would this call in our stragling thoughts how would this animate and spirit Duty it would make us put fire to the Incense Acts 26.7 The Tribes instantly served God day and night 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 omnibus venibus with the utmost zeal and intensness of Spirit To think God is in this place he beholds us would add Wings to Prayer and Oil to the flame of our Devotion 2. Is God's Knowledge infinite study sincerity be what you seem 1 Sam. 16.7 The Lord looketh upon the heart Men judge of the Heart by the Actions God judgeth of the Actions by the Heart If the Heart be sincere God will see the Faith and wink at the failing Asa had his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his Blemishes but his Heart was right with God 2 Chron. 15.17 God saw his Sincerity and pardoned his Infirmity Sincerity in a Christian is like Chastity in a Wise which doth excuse many Failings Sincerity makes our Duties acceptable like Musk among Linen that perfumes it As Iehu said to Iehonadab 2 Kings 10.15 Is thy heart right with me and he said it is if it be saith he give me thy hand and he took him up into the Chariot So if God sees our heart is right that we love him and design his glory now saith he give me your Prayers and Tears now you shall come up with me into the triumphant Chariot of Glory Sincerity makes our Services to be golden and God will not cast away this Gold though it may want some weight Is God Omniscient and his Eye chiefly upon the Heart wear this Girdle of Truth about you and never leave it off Use 3. of Comfort Is God a God of infinite Knowledge then there is Comfort 1. To the Saints in particular 2. To the Church in general in three Respects 1. In case of Private Devotion Christian thou settest hours apart for God thy Thoughts run upon him as thy Treasure God takes notice of every good Thought Mal. 3.17 He had a Book of Remembrance written for them that thought upon his Name Thou enterest into thy Closet and prayest to thy Father in secret he hears every sigh and groan Psal. 38.9 My groaning is not hid from thee Thou waterest the Seed of thy Prayer with Tears God bottles every Tear Psal. 56.8 Put thou my Tears into thy bottle When the Secrets of all Hearts shall be opened God will make an honourable mention of the Zeal and Devotion of his People and he himself will be the Herauld of their Praises 1 Cor. 4.5 Then shall every man have praise of God 2. The Infiniteness of God's Knowledge is a Comfort in case the Saints have not so clear a Knowledge of themselves They find so much Corruption that they judge they have no Grace Gen. 25.22 If it be so why am I thus If I have Grace why is my Heart in so dead and earthly a frame O remember God is of infinite Knowledge he can spy Grace where thou canst not he can see Grace hid under Corruption as the Stars may be hid under a Cloud God can see that Holiness in thee which thou canst not discern in thy self He can spy the flower of Grace in thee though overtop'd with weeds 1 Kings 14.13 Because there is in him some good thing 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God sees some good thing in his People when they can see no Good in themselves and though they judge themselves he will give them an Absolution 3. It is Comfort in respect of Personal Injuries It is the Saints lot to suffer The Head being crowned with Thorns the Feet must not tread upon Roses if Saints find a real Purgatory 't is in this Life but this is the Comfort God sees what wrong is done to them The Apple of his Eye is touched and is not he sensible St. Paul was scourged by cruel Hands 1 Cor. 11.35 Thrice was I beaten with Rods as if you should see a Scullion whip the King's Son God beholds it Exod. 3.7 I know their sorrows The Wicked make wounds in the backs of the Saints and then pour in Vinegar God writes down their Cruelty Believers art part of Christs Mystical Body and for every drop of a Saint's Blood spilt God puts a drop of Wrath in his Vial. 2. Comfort
glory he hath fore-ordained whatsoever shall come to pass I should come now to speak concerning the Decrees of God but I have already spoken something to this under the Attribute of God's Immutability God is unchangeable in his Essence and he is unchangeable in his Decrees his Counsel shall stand he hath decreed the Issue of all things and carries them on to their Period by his Providence and therefore I shall proceed to the Execution of his Decrees Quest. VIII The next Question is What is the Work of Creation Resp. It is God's making all things of nothing by the word of his power c. Gen. 1.1 In the beginning God created the Heaven and the Earth The Creation is glorious to behold it is a pleasant and fruitful study Some think that Isaac when he went abroad into the Fields to meditate it was in the Book of the Creatures The Creation is the Heathen Man's Bible the Ploughman's Primmer the Travellers Perspective Glass through which he receives the Species and Representation of those infinite Excellencies which are in God The Creation is a large Volume in which God's Works are bound up and this Volume hath three great Leaves in it Heaven Earth Sea The Author of the Creation is God so it is in the Text 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God created The World was created in time and could not be from Eternity as Aristotle thought The World must have a Maker it could not make it self If one should go into a far Country and see stately Edifices there he would never imagine that these could build themselves but that there had been some Artificer there to raise such goodly Structures so this great Fabrick of the World could not create it self it must have some Builder and Maker and that is God In the beginning God created To imagine that the Work of the Creation was not framed by the Lord Jehovah is as if we should conceive a curious Lanskip to be drawn without the Hand of a Limner Acts 17.24 God that made the World and all things therein In the work of the Creation there are two things to be considered The making of it The adorning of it I. The making of the World Here consider 1. God made the World without any praeexistent Matter This is the difference between Generation and Creation In Generation there is materia habilis disposita some Matter to work upon But in Creation there is no praeexistent Matter God brought all this glorious Fabrick of the World out of the Womb of Nothing We see our Beginning it was of Nothing Some brag of their Birth and Ancestry you see how little cause they have to boast they came of Nothing 2. God made the World with a Word When Solomon was to build a Temple he needed many Workmen and they all had Tools to work with but God wrought without Tools Psal. 33.6 By the word of the Lord were the Heavens made The Disciples wondered that Christ could with a word calm the Sea Matth. 8.26 27. But it was more with a word to make the Sea 3. God made all things at first very good Gen. 1.31 no defect or deformity The Creation came out of God's hands a curious Piece it was a fair Copy without any Blot written with God's own fingers Psal. 8.3 So perfect was God's Work II. The adorning of the World First God made this great Lump and Mass Rudis indigestaque moles and then beautified it and put it into a dress He divided the Sea and the Earth he deck'd the Earth with Flowers the Trees with Fruit but what is Beauty when it is mask'd over Therefore that we might behold this glory God made the Light The Heavens were bespangled with Sun Moon and Stars that so the Worlds Beauty might be beheld and admired God in the Creation began with things less noble and excellent Vegetables and Sensitives and then the Rational Creatures Angels and Men. Man was the most exquisite Piece in the Creation he is a Microcosme or little World Man was made with deliberation and counsel Gen. 1.26 Let us make Man It is the manner of Artificers to be more then ordinary accurate when they are about their Master-pieces Man was to be a Master-piece of this visible World therefore God did consult about the making of so rare a Piece A Solemn Councel of the Sacred Persons in the Trinity was call'd Let us make Man and let us make him in our own Image On the King's Coin his Image or Effigies is stamp'd so God stamp'd his Image on Man and made him partake of many Divine qualities I shall speak 1. of the Parts of Man's Body 1. The Head the most excellent Architectonical Part 't is the Fountain of Spirits and the Seat of Reason In Nature the Head is the best Piece but in Grace the Heart excels 2. The Eye It is the Beauty of the Face it shines and sparkles like a lesser Sun in the Body The Eye occasions much sin and therefore well may it have Tears in it 3. The Ear which is the Conduit-pipe through which Knowledge is conveyed Better lose our seeing than our hearing for faith cometh by hearing Rom. 10.17 To have an Ear open to God is the best Jewel on the Ear. 4. The Tongue David calls the Tongue his glory Psal. 16.9 because it is an Instrument to set forth the Glory of God The Soul at first was a Viol in tune to praise God and the Tongue did make the Musick God hath given us two Ears but one Tongue to shew that we should be swift to hear but slow to speak God hath set a double fence before the Tongue the Teeth and the Lips to teach us to be wary that we offend not with our Tongue 5. The Heart This is a noble part and Seat of Life 2. The Soul of Man This is the Man of the Man Man in regard of his Soul partakes with the Angels nay as Plato saith the Understanding Will and Conscience are a Glass that resemble the Trinity The Soul is the Diamond in the Ring 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Soul is a Vessel of Honour God himself is serv'd in this Vessel It is a Sparkle of Coelestial Brightness saith Damascene If David did so admire the rare Contexture and Workmanship of his Body Psal. 139.13 I am wonderfully made I was curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the Earth If the Cabinet be so curiously wrought what is the Jewel How richly is the Soul embroidered Thus you see how glorious a Work the Creation is and Man especially who is the Epitome of the World Quest. But why did God make the World Resp. 1. Negatively Not for himself he did not need it being infinite He was happy before the World was in reflecting upon his own sublime Excellencies and Perfections 2. God did not make the World to be a place of Mansion for us we are not to abide here for ever Heaven is the Mansion-House Iohn 14.2 the World
bosom as the Spouse did Cant. 1.13 lye betwixt my Breasts What was said of Ignatius that the Name of Jesus was found written in his heart should be verified of every Saint he should have Jesus Christ written in his heart CHRIST a Prophet DEUT. 18.15 The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet c. HAving spoken of the Person of Christ we are next to speak of the Offices of Christ Prophetical Priestly Regal 1. Prophetical The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet Enunciatur hic locus de Christo 't is spoken of Christ. There are several Names given to Christ as a Prophet He is called the Counsellor Isa. 6.9 In uno Christo Angelus faederis completur Fagius The Angel of the Covenant Mal. 3.1 a Lamp 2 Sam. 22.29 the bright Morning-star Rev. 22.16 Jesus Christ is the great Prophet of his Church the Woman of Samaria gave a shrewd guess Iohn 4.19 He is the best Teacher he makes all other teaching effectual Luke 24.45 Then opened he their Understanding He did not only open the Scriptures but opened their Understanding He teacheth to profit Isa. 48.17 I am the Lord thy God who teacheth thee to profit Quest. How Christ teacheth Resp. 1. Externally By his Word Psal. 119.105 Thy Word is a Lamp unto my feet Such as pretend to have a Light or Revelation above the Word or contrary to it never had their Teaching from Christ Isa. 8.20 2. Christ teacheth these sacred Mysteries Inwardly by the Spirit John 16.13 The World knows not what it is 1 Cor. 2.14 The natural man receives not the things of God neither can ye know them He knows not what it is to be Transformed by the renewing of the mind Rom. 12.2 or what the inward workings of the Spirit means these are Riddles and Paradoxes to him He may have more insight into the things of the World then a Believer but he doth not see the deep things of God A Swine may see an Acorn under the Tree but he cannot see a Star he who is taught of Christ sees the Arcana imperii the Secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven Quest. What are the Lessons Christ teacheth Answ. 1. He teacheth us to see into our own Hearts Take the most Mercurial Wits the greatest Politicians that understand the Mysteries of State yet they know not the Mysteries of their own Hearts they cannot believe there is that Evil in them as is 2 Kings 8.13 Is thy servant a dog Grande profundum est homo Aug. The Heart is a great deep which is not easily fathomed But Christ when he teacheth removes the Vail of Ignorance and lights a Man into his own Heart And now he sees swarms of vain Thoughts he blusheth to see how Sin mingles with his Duties his Stars are mixt with Clouds he prays as Austin that God would deliver him from himself 2. The second Lesson Christ teacheth is the Vanity of the Creature A Natural Man sets up his Happiness here worships the golden Image but he that Christ hath anointed with his Eye-salve hath a Spirit of Discerning he looks upon the Creature in its night dress sees it to be empty and unsatisfying not commensurate to an Heaven-born Soul Solomon had put all the Creatures into a Limbeck and when he came to extract the Spirits and Quintissence all was Vanity Eccl. 2.11 The Apostle calls it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Show or Apparition 1 Cor. 7.31 having no intrinsical Goodness 3. The third Lesson is the Excellency of Things unseen Christ gives the Soul a sight of Glory a prospect of Eternity 2 Cor. 4.18 We look not at things which are seen but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 things which are not seen Moses saw him who is invisible Hebr. 11.27 And the Patriarks saw a better Country viz. an heavenly Hebr. 11.16 where Delights of Angels Rivers of Pleasure the Flower of Joy fully ripe and blown Quest. How doth Christ's Teaching differ from other Teaching Resp. Several ways 1. Christ teacheth the Heart Others may teach the Ear Christ the Heart Acts 16.14 Whose heart the Lord opened All that the Dispensers of the Word can do is but to work Knowledge Christ works Grace They can but give you the light of the Truth Christ gives you the love of the Truth They can only teach you what to believe Christ teacheth how to believe 2 Christ gives us a Taste of the Word Ministers may set the Food of the Word before you and carve it out to you but it is only Christ causeth you to taste it 1 Pet. 2.3 If so be ye have tasted the Lord is gracious Psal. 34.8 Taste and see that the Lord is good It is one thing to hear a Truth preached another thing to taste it one thing to read a Promise another thing to taste it David had got a taste of the Word Psal. 119.102 103. Thou hast taught me How sweet are thy words unto my taste yea sweeter then honey to my mouth The Apostle calls it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the savour of Knowledge 2 Cor. 2.14 The light of Knowledge is one thing the savour another Christ makes us taste a savoriness in the Word 3. Christ when he teacheth makes us obey Others may instruct but cannot command obedience They teach to be humble but Men remain proud The Prophet had been denouncing Judgments against the People of Iudah but they would not hear Ier. 44.17 We will do whatsoever goeth out of our own mouth to bake cakes to the Queen of Heaven Men come quasi armed in Coat of Male that the Sword of the Word will not enter but when Christ comes to teach he removes this obstinacy he not only informs the Judgment but inclines the Will He doth not only come with the Light of his Word but the Rod of his Strength and makes the stubborn sinner yield to him His Grace is irresistible 4. Christ teacheth easily Others teach with difficulty Difficulty in finding out a Truth and in inculcating it Isa. 28.10 Precept must be upon precept line upon line some may Teach all their lives and the Word take no impression They complain as Isa. 49.4 I have spent my labour in vain Plough on Rocks But Christ the great Prophet teacheth with ease He can with the least touch of his Spirit convert He can say Let there be light with a word he conveys Grace 5. Christ when he teacheth makes Men willing to learn Men may teach others but they have no mind to learn Prov. 1.7 Fools despise instruction they rage at the Word as if a Patient should rage at the Physician when he brings him a Cordial thus backward are Men to their own Salvation But Christ makes his People a willing people Psal. 110.3 they prize Knowledge and hang it as a Jewel upon their Ear. Those that Christ teacheth say as Isa. 2.3 Come let us go up to the Mountain of the Lord and he will teach us of his ways and we will walk in
them and as Acts 10.33 We are all here present before God to hear all things commanded 6. Christ when he Teacheth doth not only illuminate but animate He doth so teach as he doth quicken Iohn 8.12 I am the light of the world he that follows me shall have lumen vitae the light of life By Nature we are dead therefore unfit for teaching who will make an Oration to the Dead But Christ teacheth them that are dead he gives the light of life as when Lazarus was dead Christ said Come forth and he made the dead to hear Lazarus came forth So when Christ saith to the dead Soul Come forth of the Grave of Unbelief he hears Christ's voice and comes forth it is the Light of Life The Philosophers saith Calor lux concrescunt Light and Heat encrease together 'T is true here where Christ comes with his Light there is the heat of Spiritual Life going along with it Use 1. of Information Branch 1. See here an Argument of Christ's Divinity Had he not been God he could never have known the Mind of God or revealed to us those Arcana Caeli those deep Mysteries which no Man or Angel could find out Who but God can anoint the eyes of the blind and give not only light but sight who but he who hath the Key of David can open the Heart who but God can bow the iron sinew of the Will He only who is God can enlighten the Conscience and make the stoney Heart bleed Branch 2. See what a Cornucopia or Plenty of Wisdom is in Christ who is the Great Doctor of his Church and gives saving knowledge to all the Elect. The Body of the Sun must needs be full of Charity and Brightness which enlightens the whole World Christ is the great Luminary In him are hid all Treasures of Knowledge Col. 2.3 The middle Lamp of the Sanctuary gave light to all the other Lamps Christ duffuseth his glorious Light to others We are apt to admire the Learning of Aristotle and Plato alas what is this poor Spaâ—k of Light to that which is in Christ from whose infinite Wisdom both Men and Angels light their Lamp Branch 3. See the Misery of Men in the state of Nature before Christ came to be their Prophet they are inveloped with Ignorance and Daâ—kness Men know nothing in a salvifical sanctified manner they know nothing as they ought to know 1 Cor. 8.2 This is sad 1. Men in the dark cannot discern Colours so in the state of Nature they cannot discern between Morality and Grace they take one for the other pro dea nubem 2. In the dark the greatest Beauty is hid Let there be rare Flowers in the Garden and Pictures in the Room yet in the dark their Beauty is vail'd over so though there be such transcendent Beauty in Christ as amazeth the Angels a Man in the state of Nature sees none of this Beauty What is Christ to him or Heaven to him the vail is upon his heart 3. A Man in the dark is in danger every step he goes so a Man in the state of Nature is in danger every step of falling into Hell Thus it is before Christ teacheth us nay the darkness in which a Sinner is while in an unregenerate state is worse then natural darkness for natural darkness affrights Gen. 15.12 An horrour of great darkness fell upon Abraham But the Spiritual Darkness is not accompanied with horrour Men tremble not at their condition nay they like their condition well enough Iohn 3.19 Men loved darkness This is their sad condition till Jesus Christ comes as a Prophet to teach them and to turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God Branch 4. See the happy condition of the Children of God they have Christ to be their Prophet Isa. 54.13 All thy children shall be taught of the Lord. 1 Cor. 1.30 He is made to us wisdom One Man cannot see by anothers eye but Believers see with Christ's eyes in his light they see light Christ gives them the light of Grace and light of Glory Use 2. Labour to have Christ for your Prophet he teacheth savingly he is an interpreter of a thousand he can untie those Knots which puzzle the very Angels till Christ teach never learn any Lesson till Christ is made to us wisdom we shall never be wise to Salvation Quest. What shall we do to have Christ for our Teacher Resp. 1. See your need of Christ's Teaching you cannot see your way without this Morning Star Some speak much of the Light of Reason improved Alas the Plumb-line of Reason is too short to Fathom the deep things of God the Light of Reason will no more help a Man to believe then the light of a Candle will help him to understand A Man can no more by the power of Nature reach Christ then an Infant can reach the top of the Pyramids or the Ostridge fly up to the Stars See your need of Christ's Anointing and Teaching Rev. 3.18 2. Go to Christ to teach you Psal. 25.5 Lead me in thy truth and teach me As one of the Disciples said Lord teach us to pray Luke 11.1 so Lord teach me to profit Do thou light my Lamp O thou great Prophet of thy Church give me a Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation that I may see things in another manner then ever I saw them before Teach me in the Word to hear thy Voice and in the Sacrament to discern thy Body Psal. 13.3 Lighten mine eyes c. Cathedram habet in coelo qui corda docet in terra Aug. He hath his Pulpit in Heaven who converts Souls And that we may be encouraged to go to Christ our great Prophet 1. Jesus Christ is very willing to teach us Why else did he enter into the Calling of the Ministry but to teach the Mysteries of Heaven Matth. 4.23 Iesus went about teaching and preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of diseases among the people Why did he take the Office Prophetical upon him why was Christ so angry with them that kept away the Key of Knowledge Luke 11.52 why was Christ anointed with the Spirit without measure but that he might anoint us with Knowledge Knowledge is in Christ as Milk in the Breast for the Child O then go to Christ to Teach None in the Gospel came to Christ for sight but he restored their eye-sight And sure Christ is more willing to work a cure upon a blind Soul than ever he was upon a blind Body 2. There are none so dull and ignorant but Christ can teach them Every one is not fit to make a Philosophers Scholar of Ex omni ligno non fit Mercurius but there is none so dull but Christ can make a good Scholar of such as are ignorant and of low parts Christ teacheth them in such a manner that they know more then the great Sages and Wisemen of the World
their Offering Luke 2.24 A pair of Turtle Doves which was the usual Offering of the Poor Lev. 12.8 Christ was so poor that when he wanted Money he was fain to work a Miracle for it Matth. 17.27 He when he died made no Will. He came into the World poor 4. Why he came That he might take our flesh and redeem us that he might instate us into a Kingdom He was poor that he might make us rich 2 Cor. 8.9 He was born of a Virgin that he might be born of God he took our Flesh that he might give us his Spirit He lay in the Manger that we might lye in Paradise He came down from Heaven that he might bring us to Heaven And what was all this but Love If our Hearts be not Rocks this Love of Christ should affect us Behold Love that passeth Knowledge Eph. 3.19 Branch 2. See here the wonderful Humility of Christ Christ was made flesh O Sancta Humilitas Tu filium Dei descendere fecisti in uterum Mariae Virginis Aâ—st That Christ should clothe himself with our flesh a piece of that Earth which we tread upon O infinite Humility Christ's taking our flesh was one of the lowest Steps of his Humiliation Christ did humble himself more in lying in the Virgins Womb then in hanging upon the Cross. It was not so much for Man to die but for God to become Man that was the wonder of Humility Phil. 2.7 He was made in the likeness of Men. For Christ to be made flesh was more Humility then for the Angels to be made Worms Christ's flesh is called a Vail Hebr. 10.20 Through the Vail that is his Flesh. Christ's wearing our Flesh vail'd his Glory For him to be made flesh who was equal with God O Humility Phil. 2.6 Who being in the form of God thought it no robbery to be equal with God He stood upon even Ground with God he was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Patri co-essential and con-substantial with his Father as Austin and Cyril and the Councel of Nice expresses it yet for all this he takes flesh Christ strip'd himself of the Robes of his Glory and covered himself with the Rags of our Humanity If Solomon did so wonder that God should dwell in the Temple which was enrich'd and hung with Gold how may we wonder that God should dwell in Man's weak and frail Nature Nay which is yet more Humility Christ not only took our flesh but took it when it was at the worst under Disgrace as if a Servant should wear a Noble-man's Livery when he is impeached of High Treason Nay besides Christ took all the Infirmities of our flesh There are two sorts of Infirmities Such as are sinful without pain or such as are painful without sin The first of these Infirmities Christ did not take upon him sinful Infirmities to be covetous or ambitious Christ never took these upon him but Christ took upon him painful Infirmities as 1. Hunger Matth. 21.18 He came to the Fig-tree and would have eaten 2. Weariness as when he sate on Iacob's Well to rest him Iohn 4.6 3. Sorrow Matth. 26.38 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 My soul is sorrowful even unto death It was a Sorrow guided with Reason not disturb'd with Passion 4. Fear Hebr. 5.7 He was heard in that he feared Nay yet a further Degree of Christ's Humility he not only was made flesh but in the likeness of sinful flesh He knew no sin yet he was made sin 2 Cor. 5.21 He was like a sinner he had all sin laid upon him but no sin lived in him Isa. 53.12 He was numbred among Transgressors He who was numbred among the Persons of the Trinity he is said to bear the sins of many Hebr. 9.28 Now this was the lowest degree of Christ's Humiliation For Christ to be reputed as a sinner never such a Pattern of Humility That Christ who would not endure sin in the Angels should himself indure to have sin imputed to him it is the most amazing Humility that ever was From all this learn to be humble Dost thou see Christ humbling himself and art thou proud 'T is the humble Saint is Christ's Picture Christian be not proud of your fine Feathers 1. Hast thou an Estate be not proud the Earth thou treadest on is richer then thou it hath Mines of Gold and Silver in the Bowels of it 2. Hast thou Beauty be not proud it is but Air and Dust mingled 3. Hast thou Skill and Parts be humble Lucifer hath more knowledge than thou 4. Hast thou Grace be humble thou hast it not of thy own growth it is borrowed Were it not a folly to be proud of a Ring that is lent 1 Cor. 4.7 Thou hast more Sin then Grace Spots then Beauty O look on Christ this rare Pattern and be humble It is an unseemly sight to see God humbling himself and Man exalting himself to see an humble Saviour and a proud Sinner God hates the very resemblance of Pride Lev. 2.11 He would have no Honey in the Sacrifice Indeed Leaven is sowr but why no Honey because when Honey is mingled with Meal or Flour it makes the Meal to rise and swell ergo no Honey God hates the resemblance of the Sin of Pride better want Parts Comforts of Spirit then Humility Si Deus superbientibus Angelis non pepercit If God saith Austin spared not the Angels when they grew proud will he spare thee who art but Dust and Rottenness Branch 3. Behold here a Sacred Riddle or Paradox God manifest in the flesh The Text calls it a Mystery That Man should be made in God's Image was a wonder but that God should be made in Man's Image is a greater wonder That the Ancient of Days should be born that he who Thunders in the Heaven should cry in the Cradle Qui tonitruat in Coelis clamat in cunabulis qui regit sidera sugit ubera that he who rules the Stars should suck the Breasts that a Virgin should conceive that Christ should be made of a Woman and of that Woman which himself made that the Branch should bear the Vine that the Mother should be younger than the Child she bare and the Child in the Womb bigger than the Mother that the Humane Nature should not be God yet one with God This was not only mirum but miraculum Christ taking flesh is a Mystery we shall never fully understand till we come to Heaven when our Light shall be clear as well as our Love perfect Branch 4. From hence God manifest in the flesh Christ born of a Virgin a thing not only strange in nature but impossible learn That there are no impossibilities with God God can bring about Things which are not within the sphere of Nature to produce That Iron should swim that the Rock should gush out with water that the Fire should lick up the water in the Trenches 1 Kings 18.38 'T is natural for the water to quench the fire but for the fire to
yet do it not Resp. 1. The not obeying of God is for want of Faith Isa. 53.1 Quis credidit Who hath believed our Report Did Men believe Sin were so bitter that Hell followed at the Heels of it Would they go on in Sin Did they believe there were such a Reward for the Righteous that Godliness were Gain Would they not pursue it But they are Atheists not fully captivated into the Belief of these things Hence it is they obey not This is Satan's Master-piece His Draw-net by which he drags Millions to Hell by keeping them in Infidelity He knows if he can but keep them from believing the Truth he is sure to keep them from obeying it 2. The not obeying God is for want of Self-denial God commands one thing and Mens Lusts command another and they will rather dye than deny their Lusts. Now if Lust cannot be denied God cannot be obeyed Use 2. Obey Gods Voice 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 This is the Beauty of a Christian. Quest. What are the great Arguments or Incentives to Obedience Resp. 1. Obedience makes us precious to God we shall be his Favourites Exod. 19.15 If ye will obey my Voice ye shall be a peculiar Treasure to me above all People you shall be my Portion my Jewels the Apple of mine Eye I will give Kingdoms for your Ransom Isa. 43.3 2. There is nothing lost by Obedience To obey Gods Will is the way to have our Will 1. Would we have a Blessing in our Estates Let us obey Deut. 28.1 3. If thou shalt hearken to the Voice of the Lord to do all his Commandments Blessed shalt thou be in the field Blessed shall be thy Basket and thy store To obey is the best way to thrive in our Estates 2. Would we have a Blessing in our Souls let us obey Ier. 7.23 Obey and I will be your God My Spirit shall be your Guide Sanctifier and Comforter Heb. 5.9 Christ became the Author of eternal Salvation to all them that obey him While we please God we pleasure our selves While we give him the Duty he gives us the Dowry We are apt to say as Amaziah 2 Chron. 25.9 What shall we do for the hundred Talents You see you lose nothing by obeying The obedient Son hath the Inheritance setled on him Obey and you shall have a Kingdom Luke 12.32 It is your Fathers good pleasure to give you a Kingdom 3. What a Sin Disobedience is 1. It is an irrational Sin 2. We are not able to stand it out in Defiance against God 1 Cor. 10.22 Are we stronger than he Will the Sinner go to measure Arms with God He is the Father Almighty who can command Legions If we have not strength to resist him it is irrational to disobey him 2. It is irrational as it is against all Law and Equity We have our daily Subsistence from God in him we live and move Is it not equal that as we live by him we should live to him That as God gives us our Allowance so we should give him our Allegiance 2. It is a destructive Sin 1 Thess. 7.8 The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from Heaven with his mighty Angels in flaming Fire taking Vengeance on them who obey not the Gospel He who refuseth to obey Gods Will in commanding shall be sure to obey his Will in punishing The Sinner while he thinks to slip the knot of Obedience twists the Cord of his own Damnation He perisheth without excuse he hath no Plea or Apology to make for himself Luke 12.47 The Servant which knew his Lords will but did it not shall be beaten with many stripes God will say why did ye not obey You knew to do good but did it not therefore your Blood is upon your own Head Quest. What means shall we use that we may obey Resp. 1. Serious Consideration Consider Gods Commands are not grievous He commands nothing unreasonable 1 Iohn 5.3 It is easier to obey the commands of God than Sin The Commands of Sin are Burdensome Let a Man be under the power of any Lust How doth he tire himself What Hazards doth he run even to the endangering his Health and Soul that he may satisfie his Lust What tedious Journeys did Antiochus Epiphanes take in persecuting the Jews Ier. 9.5 They weary themselves to commit Iniquity and are not Gods commands more easie to obey Chrysost. saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Virtue is easier than Vice Temperance is less Burdensome than Drunkenness Some have gone with less pains to Heaven than others have to Hell Consideration 2. God commands nothing but what is Beneficial Deut. 10.12 13. O Israel what doth the Lord require of thee but to fear the Lord thy God and to keep his Statutes which I command thee this day for thy good To obey God is not so much our Duty as our Privilege His commands carry Meat in the Mouth of them He bids us repent and why That our Sins may be blotted out Acts 3.19 He commands us to believe And why That we may be saved Acts 16.31 There is love in every command As if a King should bid one of his Subjects dig in a Gold Mine and then take the Gold to himself 2. Earnest Supplication Implore the help of the Spirit to carry us on in Obedience Gods Spirit makes Obedience easie and delightful If the Loadstone draw the Iron now it is not hard for the Iron to move If Gods Spirit quicken and draw the Heart now it is not hard to obey When a Gale of the Spirit blows now we go full Sail in Obedience Turn that Promise into a Prayer Ezek. 36.27 I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my Statutes The Promise encourageth us the Spirit inables us to Obedience Of LOVE THE Rule of Obedience being the Moral Law comprehended in the Ten Commandements the next Question is Quest. What is the Sum of the Ten Commandements Resp. The Summ of the Ten Commandements is to love the Lord our God with all our Heart with all our Soul with all our Strength and with all our Mind and our Neighbour as our selves Deut. 6.5 Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy Heart and with all thy Soul and with all thy might The Duty call'd for is Love yea the strength of Love with all thy Heart God will lose none of our Love Love is the Soul of Religion and that which goes to the right constituting a Christian Love is the Queen of the Graces it shines and sparkles in Gods Eye as the precious Stones did on the Breast-plate of Aaron Quest. 1. What is Love Resp. It is an Holy Fire kindled in the Affections whereby a Christian is carried out strongly after God as the Supreme Good Quest. 2. What is the antecedent of Love to God Resp. The Antecedent of Love is Knowledge The Spirit shines upon the Understanding and discovers those Orient Beauties in God his Wisdom Holiness Mercy and these are the
Day of Judgment there shall be an open and honourable mention made of them in the Presence of the Angels Sixthly Hard-heartedness to them in Misery reproacheth the Gospel When Men's Hearts are like pieces of Rocks or as the Scales of the Leviathan shut up as with a close Seal Job 41.15 You may as well extract Oyl out of a Flint as the Golden Oyl of Charity out of their Hearts These Vnchristian themselves Unmercifulness is the Sin of the Heathen Rom. 1.31 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 without Mercy It eclipseth the Glory of the Gospel Doth the Gospel teach Uncharitableness Doth it not bid us draw out our Soul to the Hungry Isa. 58.10 Tit. 3.8 These things I will that you affirm that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good Works While you relieve not such as are in Want you walk Antipodes to the Gospel you cause it to be evil spoken of and lay it open to the Las◠and Censure of others Seventhly There is nothing lost by relieving the Necessitous The Shunamite Woman was kind to the Prophet she welcomed him to her House and she received Kindness from him another way He restored her Dead Child to Life 2 Kings 4.35 Such as are helpful to others shall find Mercy to help in time of need Such as pour out the Golden Oyl of Compassion to others God will pour out the Golden Oyl of Salvation to them For a Cup of cold Water they shall have Rivers of Pleasure Nay God will make it up some way or other in this Life Prov. 11.25 The Liberal Soul shall be made fa◠As the Loaves in breaking multiplied or as the Widows Oyl encreased by pouring out 1 Kings 17.16 An Estate may be imparted yet not impaired Eighthly To do good to others in Necessity keeps up the Credit of Religion Works of Mercy adorn the Gospel as the Fruit Adorns the Tree When our Light so shines that others see our Good Works this glorifies God Crowns Religion silenceth the Lips of Gain-sayers Basil saith Nothing rendred the True Religion more famous in the Primitive Times and made more Proselytes to it than the Bounty and Charity of the Christians Ninthly and Lastly The Evil that doth accrue by not preserving the Lives of others and helping them in their Necessities God sends oft a secret Moth into their Estate Prov. 11.24 There is that with-holdeth more than is meet but it tendeth to Poverty Prov. 21.13 Whoso stoppeth his Ears at the cry of the poor he also shall cry himself but shall not be heard Jam. 2.13 He shall have Iudgment without Mercy that showed no Mercy Dives denied Lazarus a Crumb of Bread and Dives was denied a Drop of Water Mat. 25.41 Depart from me ye cursed for I was an hungred and ye gave me no meat Christ saith not Ye took away my Meat But Ye gave me no Meat ye did not feed my Members therefore depart from me By all this be ready to distribute to the Necessities of others This is included in the Commandment Thou shalt not kill Not only Thou shalt not destroy his Life but thou shalt preserve it by giving to his Necessities 2. It is imply'd that we should endeavour to preserve the Souls of others counsel them about their Souls set Life and Death before them help them to Heaven In the Law if one met his Neighbours Ox or Ass going astray he must bring him back Exod. 33.4 Much more if we see our Neighbours Soul going astray we should use all means to bring him back to God by Repentance 2. In reference to our selves The Commandment Thou shalt not kill requires that we should preserve our own Life and Soul 'T is engraven upon every Creature that we should preserve our own Natural Life We must be so far from Self-murder that we must do all we can to preserve our Natural Life We must use all means of Diet Exercise and lawful Recreation which is like Oyl to preserve the Lamp of Life from going out Some have been under Temptation Satan hath suggested they are such Sinners as do not deserve a bit of Bread and so they have been ready to starve themselves This is contrary to this Sixth Commandment Thou shalt do no Murder it is imply'd we are to use all means for the preserving our own Life 1 Tim. 5.23 Drink no longer Water but use a little Wine for thy Stomach's sake Timothy was not by drinking too much Water to over-cool his Stomach and weaken Nature but he must use means for Self-preservation Drink a little Wine c. Secondly This Commandment requires that we should endeavour as to preserve our own Life so especially to preserve our own Souls Omnia si perdas animam servare memento It is engraven upon every Creature as with the Point of a Diamond that it should look to its own Preservation If the Life of the Body must be preserved then much more the Life of the Soul If he who doth not provide for his own House is worse than an Infidel 1 Tim. 5.8 then much more he who doth not provide for his own Soul This is a main thing implied in the Commandment a special Care for the preserving our Souls The Soul is the Iewel 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Macar The Soul is a Diamond set in a Ring of Clay Christ puts the Soul in ballance with the World and it outweighs Matth. 16.26 The Soul is a Glass in which some Rays of Divine Glory shine It hath in it some Faint Idea and Resemblance of a Deity It is a Celestial Spark lighted by the Breath of God The Body was made out of the Dust but the Soul is of a more noble Extract and Original Gen. 2.7 God breathed into Man a living Soul 1. The Soul is Excellent in its Nature It is a Spiritual Being 't is a kind of Angelical thing The Mind sparkles with Knowledge the Will is crown'd with Liberty and all the Affections are as Stars shining in their Orb. The Soul being Spiritual 1. Is of quick Operation How quick is the Motion of a Spark How swift is the Wing of a Cherubim So quick and agil is the Motion of the Soul What is quicker than a Thought How many Miles can the Soul travel in an Instant 2. The Soul being Spiritual moves upward it contemplates God and Glory Psal. 73.25 Whom have I in Heaven but thee The Motion of the Soul is upward only Sin hath put a wrong Byass upon the Soul and made it move too much down-ward 3. The Soul being Spiritual is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it hath a self-moving Power it can subsist and move when the Body is dead as the Mariner can subsist when the Ship is broken 4. The Soul being Spiritual is Immortal Scaliger Aeternitatis Gemma a Bud of Eternity 2. As the Soul is excellent in its Nature so in its Capacities It is capable of Grace it is fit to be an Associate and Companion of Angels It
against Wife and Wife against Husband and so it causeth the Ioynts of the same Body to smite one against another And this Division in a Family works Confusion For an House divided against it self cannot stand Luke 11.17 Omne divisibile est corruptibile Quest. How may we abstain from this Sin of Adultery Resp. I shall lay down some Directions by way of Antidote to keep you from being infected with this Sin 1. Come not into the Company of a Whorish Woman avoid her House as a Seaman doth a Rock Prov. 5.8 Come not near the Door of her House He who would not have the Plague must not come near Houses infected Every Whore-house hath the Plague in it Beware of the occasion of Sin To venture upon the occasion of Sin and then pray Lead us not into Temptation is as if one should put his Finger in the Candle and then pray that it may not be burnt 2. Look to your Eyes Much Sin comes in by the Eye 2 Pet. 2.14 Having Eyes full of Adultery The Eye tempts the Fancy and the Fancy works upon the Heart A wanton amorous Eye may usher in Sin Eve first saw the Tree of Knowledge and then she took Gen. 3.6 First she looked and then she loved 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Eye oft sets the Heart on Fire Therefore Iob laid a Law upon his Eyes Iob 31.1 I made a Covenant with my Eyes why then should I think upon a Maid Democritus the Philosopher pluck'd out his Eyes because he would not be tempted with vain Objects The Scripture doth not bid us do so but set a Watch before our Eyes 3. Look to your Lips Take heed of any unseemly Word that may enkindle unclean Thoughts in your selves or others 1 Cor. 15.33 Evil Communications corrupt good Manners Impure Discourse is the Bellows to blow up the Fire of Lust. Much Evil is conveyed to the Heart by the Tongue Psal. 141.3 Set a watch O Lord before my mouth 4. Look in a special manner to your Heart Prov. 4.23 Keep thy Heart with all keeping Every one hath a Tempter in his own Bosom Matth. 15.19 Out of the Heart come Evil Thoughts And thinking of Sin makes way for the Act of Sin Suppress the first Risings of Sin in your Heart As the Serpent when Danger is near keeps his Head So keep your Heart which is the Spring from whence all lustful Motions do proceed 5. Look to your Attire We read of the Attire of an Harlot Prov. 7.10 A wanton Dress is a Provocation to Lust. Curlings and Towrings of the Hair a Painted Face naked Breasts are Allurements to Vanity Where the Bush is hung out People will go in and taste of the Liquor Hierom saith Such as by their lascivious Attires endeavour to draw others to Lust tho no Evil follow yet these Tempters shall be punished because they offered Poyson to others tho they would not drink 6. Take heed of Evil Company Serpunt vitia in proximum quemque transiliunt Sin is a Disease very catching One Man tempts another to sin and hardens him in Sin There are three Cords to draw Men to Adultery The Inclination of the Heart the Perswasion of Evil Company and the Embraces of the Harlot and this Three-fold Cord is not easily broken Psal. 106.18 A Fire was kindled in their Company I may allude to it the Fire of Lust is kindled in bad Company 7. Beware of going to Plays A Play-house is oft a Preface to a Whore-house Ludi praebent semina nequitiae We are forbid to avoid all appearance of Evil Are not Plays the appearance of Evil Such Sights are there as are not fit to be beheld with chaste Eyes Both Fathers and Councils have shown their Dislike of going to Plays A Learned Divine observes That many have on their Death-beds confessed with Tears that the Pollution of their Bodies hath been occasioned by going to Plays 8. Take heed of mix'd Dancing Instrumenta luxuriae tripudia From Dancing People come to Dalliance one with another and from Dalliance to Uncleanness There is saith Calvin for the most part some unchaste Behaviour in Dancing Dances draw the Heart to Folly by wanton Gestures by Unchaste Touches by Lustful Looks St. Chrysostom did inveigh against mix'd Dancing in his Time We read saith he of a Marriage-Feast and of Virgins going before with Lamps Matth. 25.7 but of Dancing there we read not Many have been insnared by Dancing as the Duke of Normandy and others Saltatio ad adulteras non ad pudicas pertinet Ambros. Chrysostom saith Where Dancing is there the Devil is I speak chiefly of mix'd Dancing And whereas we read of Dances in Scripture Exod. 15. those were sober and modest They were not mix'd Dances but Pious and Religious being usually accompanied with singing Praises to God 9. Take heed of Lascivious Books and those Pictures that provoke to Lust. 1. Books As the reading of Scripture doth stir up Love to God so reading of bad Books doth stir up the Mind to Wickedness I could name one who publish'd a Book to the World full of effeminate amorous and wanton Expressions before he died he was much troubled for it and did burn that Book which did make so many burn in Lust. 2. And to Lascivious Books I may add Lascivious Pictures which bewitch the Eye and are the Incendiaries of Lust. They secretly convey Poyson to the Heart Qui aspicit innocens aspectu fit nocens Popish Pictures are not more prone to stir up to Adultery than unclean Pictures are to stir up to Concupiscence 10. Take heed of Excess in Diet. When Gluttony and Drunkenness lead the Van Chambering and Wantonness bring up the Rear Vinum fomentum libidinis any Wine inflames Lust And Fulness of Bread is made the Cause of Sodom's Uncleanness Ezek. 16.49 The rankest Weeds grow out of the fattest Soil Uncleanness proceeds from Excess Ier. 5.8 When they were fed to the full every one neighed after his Neighbours Wife Get the Golden Bridle of Temperance God allows Recruits of Nature and what may fit us the better for his Service but beware of Surfeit Excess in the Creature clouds the Mind choaks good Affections provokes Lust St. Paul did 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 keep under his Body 1 Cor. 9.27 The Flesh pampered is apt to rebell Corpus impinguatum recalcitrat 11. Take heed of Idleness When a Man is out of a Calling now he is fit to receive any Temptation We do not use to sow Seed in Fallow Ground But the Devil sows most Seed of Temptation in such as lie sallow Idleness is the Cause of Sodomy and Uncleanness Ezek. 16.49 When David was idle on the Top of his Leads then he espied Bathsheba and took her to him 2 Sam. 11.4 Hierom gave his Friend this Counsel to be always well employed in God's Vineyard that when the Devil came he might have no leisure to listen to a Temptation 12. To avoid Fornication and Adultery let every Man
Wind blowes no wonder Men go full sail in sin when the Devil the Prince of the Air blowes them Thus it is till the kingdom of Grace come Men are under the power of Satan who like Draco writes all his Lawes in blood 6. Till the kingdom of Grace comes a Man lyes exposed to the Wrath of God And who knowes the power of his anger Psal. 90.11 If when but a spark of Gods Wrath flyes into a Mans Conscience in this Life it is so terrible what then will it be when God stirs up all his anger So unconceivable torturing is Gods Wrath that the wicked call to the rocks and mountains to fall on them and hide them from it Rev. 6. 1st The Hellish torments are compared to a fiery lake Rev. 20.15 other fire is but painted in comparison of this And this lake of fire burns for ever Mark 9.44 Gods breath kindles this fire Isa. 30.33 and where shall we find engines or buckets to quench it Time will not finish it tears will not quench it To this fiery Lake are Men exposed till the kingdom of Grace be set up in them 7. Till the kingdom of Grace come Men cannot dye with comfort only he who takes Christ in the armes of his Faith can look Death in the face with joy But it is sad to have the king of Terrors in the Body and not the kingdom of Grace in the Soul 'T is a wonder every Graceless person doth not dye distracted What will a Grace-despiser do when Death comes to him with a Writ of Habeas Corpus Hell followes Death Rev. 6.8 Behold a pale horse and his name that sat on him was death and hell followed him Thus you see what need we have to pray that the kingdom of Grace may come He that dyes without Grace I may say as Christ Matth. 26.24 It had been good for that-man he had not been born Few do believe the necessity of having the kingdom of Grace set up in their hearts as appears by this because they are so well content to live without it Doth that Man believe the necessity of a Pardon that is content to be without it Most People if they may have Trading and may sit quietly under their Vines and Fig-trees they are in their kingdom though they have not the kingdom of God within them If the Candle of Prosperity shine upon their head they care not whether the Grace of God shine in their hearts Do these Men believe the necessity of Grace Were they convinced how needful it were to have the kingdom of God within them they would cry out as the Jaylor Acts 16.30 What shall I do to be saved Quest. 3. How may we know that the Kingdom of Grace is set up in our hearts Answ. It concerns us to examine this our Salvation depends upon it and we had need be curious in the search because there is something looks like Grace which is not Gal. 6.3 If a man think himself to be something when he is nothing he deceives himself Many think they have the kingdom of Grace come into their heart and it is only a Chimera a golden dream Quam multi cum vana spe descendunt ad inferos Aug. Zeuxis did paint grapes so lively that he deceived the living birds There are many Deceits about Grace Deceit 1. Men think they have the kingdom of Grace in their hearts because they have the means of Grace they live where the silver trumpet of the Gospel sounds they are lift up to Heaven with Ordinances Iudg. 17.13 I have a Levite to my priest sure I shall go to Heaven The Iewes cryed Ier. 7.4 The temple of the Lord The temple of the Lord we are apt to glory in this the Oracles of God are committed to us we have Word and Sacrament Alas this is a fallacy we may have the means of Grace yet the kingdom of Grace may not be set up in our hearts we may have the kingdom of God come nigh us Luke 11.20 but not into us the sound of the Word in our ears and not the savour of it in our hearts Many of the Iewes who had Christ for their Preacher were never the better Hot clothes will not put warmth into a dead Man Thou may'st have hot clothes warm and lively Preaching yet be Spiritually dead Mat. 8.12 The children of the kingdom shall be cast out Deceit 2. Men think they have the kingdom of Grace set up in their hearts because they have some common works of the Spirit 1. They have great enlightnings of mind profound knowledge and almost speak like Angels drop'd from Heaven but the Apostle supposeth a case that after Men have been enlightened they may fall away Heb. 6. Quest. But wherein doth this illumination come short Answ. The illumination of Hypocrites is not vertual it doth not leave an impression of Holiness behind 't is like weak Physick that will not work The mind is enlightned but the heart is not renewed A Christian is all head but no feet he doth not walk in the wayes of God 2. Men have had convictions and stirrings of Conscience for sin they have seen the evil of their wayes therefore now they hope the Kingdom of Grace is come but I say convictions though they are a step towards Grace yet they are not Grace Had not Pharaoh and Iudas convictions Exod. 10.16 Quest. What makes convictions prove abortive wherein is the defect Answ. 1. They are not deep enough A Sinner never saw himself lost without Christ. The seed that wanted depth of earth withered Matth. 13.5 These convictions are like blossoms blown off before they come to maturity 2. These convictions are involuntary the Sinner doth what he can to stifle these convictions he drowns them in Wine and Mirth he labours to get rid of them as the Deer when it is shot runs and shakes out the arrow so doth he the arrow of conviction Or as the Prisoner that files off his fetters and breaks loose so a Man breaks loose from his convictions His corruptions are stronger than convictions 3. Men have had some kind of humiliation and have shed tears for their sins therefore now they hope the Kingdom of Grace is come into their hearts But this is no infallible sign of Grace Saul wept Ahab humbled himself Quest. Why is not humiliation Grace Wherein doth it come short Answ. 1. Tears in the wicked do not spring from love to God but are forced by affliction Gen. 4.13 as water that drops from the Still is forced by the fire The tears of Sinners are forced by Gods fiery Judgments 2. They are deceitful tears lachrymae mentiri doctae Men weep yet go on in sin they do not drown their sins in their tears 4. Men have begun some reformation therefore sure now the Kingdom of Grace is come But there may be deceit in this 1. A Man may leave his Oaths and Drunkenness yet â—â—ill be in love with Sin he may leave Sin
is in Heaven This Petition consists of Two Parts I. The Matter Doing of Gods Will. II. The Manner As it is in Heaven I. The Matter of this Petition is The doing of Gods Will. Thy Will be done Quest. 1. What is meant by the Will of God Answ. There is a twofold Will 1. Voluntas decreti Gods secret Will or the Will of his Decree We pray not that Gods secret Will may be done by us This secret Will cannot be known it is locked up in Gods own breast and neither Man or Angel hath Key to open it 2. Voluntas revelata Gods revealed Will. This revealed Will is written in the Book of Scripture the Scripture is a declaration of Gods Will it discovers what he would have us do in order to our Salvation Quest. 2. What do we pray for in these words Thy Will be done Answ. We pray for two things 1. For Active Obedience that we may do Gods Will actively in what he commands 2. For Passive that we may submit to Gods Will patiently in what he inflicts We pray that we may do Gods Will actively subscribe to all his commands believe in Jesus the cardinal Grace lead holy lives So Austin upon the Petition Nobis a Deo precamur Obedientiam we pray that we may actively obey Gods Will. This is the summe of all Religion the two Tables epitomized The doing of Gods Will. Thy Will be done We must know Gods Will before we can do it knowledge is the eye which must direct the foot of Obedience At Athens there was an Altar set up 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 To the unknown God Acts 17.23 It is as bad to offer the blind to God as the dead Knowledge is the Pillar of Fire to give light to practise but though knowledge is requisite yet the knowing of Gods Will is not enough without doing of his Will Thy Will be done If one had a System of Divinity in his head if he had 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all knowledge 1 Cor. 13.2 yet if Obedience were wanting his knowledge were lame and would not carry him to Heaven Knowing Gods Will may make a Man admired but it is doing Gods Will that makes him blessed knowing Gods Will without doing it will not crown us with happiness 1. The bare knowledge of Gods Will is inefficacious it doth not better the heart Knowledge alone is like a Winter-Sun which hath no heat or influence it doth not warm the Affections or purifie the Conscience Iudas was a great Luminary he knew Gods Will but he was a Traytor 2. Knowing without doing Gods Will will make ones case worse 't will heat Hell the hotter Luke 12.47 The servant which knew his Lords will and did not according to his will shall be beaten with maeny stripes Many a Mans knowledge is a torch to light him to Hell Thou who hast knowledge of Gods Will but dost not do it wherein dost thou excel an Hypocrite Nay wherein dost thou excel the Devil who transforms himself into an Angel of light 'T is improper to call such Christians who are knowers of Gods Will but not doers of it 'T is improper to call him a Tradesman who never wrought in his Trade so to call him a Christian who never wrought in the Trade of Religion Let us not rest in the knowing of Gods Will. Let it not be said of us as Plutarch speaks of the Grecians They knew what was just but did it not Let us set upon this the doing of Gods Will. Thy Will be done Quest. 3. Why is the doing of Gods Will so requisite Answ. 1. Out of Equity God may justly claim a right to our Obedience he is our founder we have our being from him and 't is but equal that we should do his Will at whose word we were Created God is our Benefactor 't is just that if God give us our Allowance we should give him our Allegiance 2. The great design of God in the World is to make us doers of his Will 1. All Gods Royal Edicts and Precepts are to bring us to this to be doers of his Will what needed God been at the pains to give us the copy of his Law and write it out with his own Finger else The Word is not only a Rule of Knowledge but of Duty Deut. 13.4 Deut. 26.16 This day the Lord thy God hath commanded thee to do these statutes thou shalt therefore keep and do them If you tell your Children what is your mind it is not only that they may know your Will but do it God gives us his Word as a Master gives a Scholar a Copy to write after it he gives it as his Will and Testament that we should be the Executors to see it performed 2. This is the end of all Gods Promises to draw us to do Gods Will the Promises are loadstones to Obedience Deut. 11.27 A blessing if ye obey as a Father gives his Son Money to bribe him to Obedience Deut. 28.1 If thou shalt hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God and do all his commandments the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all the nations of the earth Blessed shalt thou be in the city and in the field The Promises are a Royal Charter settled upon Obedience 3. The Minatory part of the Word the threatnings of God stand as the Angel with a Flaming Sword to deter us from Sin and make us doers of Gods Will Deut. 11.28 A curse if ye will not obey Psal. 68.21 God shall wound the hairy scalp of every one that goes on still in his trespasses These threatnings do often take hold of Men in this Life they are made examples and hung up in chains to scare others from Disobedience 4. All Gods Providences are to mâ—ke us doers of his Will As God makes use of all the seasons of the Year for Harvest so all his various Providences are to bring on the Harvest of Obedience 1. Afflictions are to make us do Gods Will 2 Chron. 33.12 When Manasseh was in affliction he besought the Lord and humbled himself greatly The Rod hath this voice Be doers of Gods Will. Affliction is called a Furnace Isa. 48.10 The furnace melts the metal and then it is cast into a new mould Gods Furnace is to melt us and mould us into Obedience 2. Gods Mercies are to make us do his Will Rom. 12.1 I beseech you by the mercies of God that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice Body is by a Synecdoche put for the whole Man If the Soul should not be presented to God as well as the Body it could not be a reasonable service Now saith the Apostle I beseech you by the mercies of God present your selves a living sacrifice Mercies are the strongest obligations to Duty Hos. 11.4 I drew them with the cords of a man that is with the golden cords of my Mercy In a word all that is written in Law or Gospel tends to this that we should be doers
Eye he hath a singular sharpness of sight therefore among the Gracians 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Serpent's Eye was a Proverbial Speech for one of a quick Vnderstanding in this we should be like the Serpent Get the Serpent's Eye have a quick in-sight into the Mysteries of the Christian Religion Knowledge is the Beauty and Ornament of a Christian Prov. 14.18 The Prudent are Crowned with Knowledge Get the Serpent's Eye be divinely illuminated Faith without Knowledge is Presumption Zeal without Knowledge is Passion Prov. 19.2 without Knowledge the Mind is not good For one to say he hath a good Heart who hath no Knowledge is as if one should say he hath a good Eye when he hath no sight in this be like the Serpent of a quick Understanding Secondly The Serpent hath a Prudence and Subtilty in his Ear the Serpent will not be deluded with the Voice of the Charmer but stops its Ear In this we must be Wise as Serpents stop our Ears to false Teachers who are the Devil's Charmers 1. We must stop our Ears to Arminian Teachers who place the chief Power in the Will as if that were the Helm that turns about the Soul in Conversion 1 Cor. 4.7 Who maketh thee to differ from another Ego me ipsum discerno said Grevinchovius I have made my self to differ Be as the Serpent stop your Ears to such Doctrine 2. We must stop our Ears to Socinian Teachers who raze the Foundation of all Religion and deny Christ's Divinity This the Apostle calls a damnable Heresie 2 Pet. 2. 3. We must stop our Ears to Popish Teachers who teach Merit Indulgencies Transubstantiation who teach that the Pope is the Head of the Church Christ is called the Head of the Church Eph. 5.23 For the Pope to be Head is to make the Church Monstrous to have two Heads Popish Teachers teach the People Nonsense and Blasphemy they cause the People to Pray without Understanding to Obey without Reason to Believe without Sence it is a damnable Religion therefore worshiping the Beast and drinking the Cup of God's Indignation are put together Rev. 14.9 Oh! in this be Wise as Serpents stop your Ear to the charming of false Teachers God hath given his People this Wisdom to stop their Ears to Hereticks Ioh. 10.5 A Stranger will they not follow but flee from him 3. The Serpent hath a chief care to defend his Head a blow there is deadly so in this we should be Wise as Serpents our chief care should be to defend our head from Error The Plague in the Head is worst Loose Principles breed loose Practices If the Head be tainted with Erroneous Opinions That Believers are free a Lege Morali That there is no Resurrection That we may do Evil that Good may come of it What Sin will not this lead to or keep your Head Error is a Spiritual Gangrene 2 Tim. 2.17 which spreads and if not presently cured is Mortal Heresies destroy the Doctrine of Faith they rend the Mantle of the Churches Peace and eat out the Heart of Religion The Gnosticks as Epiphanius observes did not only pervert the Judgments of their Proselytes but brought them at last to Corporeal Uncleanness Error damns as well as Vice Vice is like killing with a Pistol and Error like killing with Poison O be wise as Serpents defend your Head Be ye Wise as Serpents and harmless as Doves Our Saviour Christ here commends to us the Wisdom of the Serpent and the Innocency of the Dove The Elect are call'd wise Virgins Mat. 25.4 Virgins there is the Dove Wise there is the Serpent We must have Innocency with our Wisdom else our Wisdom is but Craftiness and we must have Wisdom with our Innocency else our Innocency is but Weakness We must have the Innocency of the Dove that we may not circumvent others and we must have the Wisdom of the Serpent that others may not circumvent us Doctr. Christians must be both wise and innocent This Union of the Dove and the Serpent is Hard to find but it is possible Moses was learned in all the Wisdom of the Egyptians Acts 7.22 There was the Prudence of the Serpent and he was meek above all the Men upon the face of the Earth Numb 12.3 There was the Innocency of the Dove But the most famous instance of Wisdom and Innocency was in our Saviour When the Iews came to him with an insnaring Question Mark 12.14 Is it lawful to give Tribute to Caesar or not Christ answers wisely v. 17. Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's Deny not Caesar his Civil Right nor God his Religious Worship Let your Loyalty be mixed with Piety here he shew'd the Wisdom of the Serpent And would you see Christ's Innocency 1 Pet. 2.22 There was no guile found in his mouth who when he was reviled reviled not again He opened his Mouth in praying for his Enemies but not in reviling them Behold here the Innocency of the Dove Two Things I am to speak of the Serpent and the Dove I. The Serpent Quest. Wherein should we be like the Serpent Answ. In Prudence and Sagacity Be ye wise as Serpents The Serpent is the most prudent Creature therefore the Devil made use of the Serpent to deceive our first Parents Gen. 3.1 The Serpent was more subtil than any Beast of the Field There 's a natural Wisdom and Subtilty in every part of the Serpent and herein we should endeavour to imitate him Be wise as Serpents 1. The Serpent hath a subtilty in his Eye he hath a singular sharpness of sight therefore among the Grecians 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Serpent's Eye was a Proverbial Speech for one of a quick understanding In this we should be like the Serpent have a quick in-sight into the Mysteries of the Gospel Get the Serpent's Eye Prov. 10 14. Wise men lay up knowledge Faith without Knowledge is Presumption Zeal without Knowledge is Frenzy 2. The Serpent hath a Prudence and Subtilty in his Ear the Serpent will not be deluded with the Voice of the Charmer but stops its Ears In this be wise as Serpents stop your Ears from such as would discourage you from strict holy walking Some inspired by Satan would raise prejudices against the Ways of God that they are strew'd with Thorns of Mortification and Persecution If you will be religious you must hang your Harps upon the Willows and bid Adieu to all Joy Acts 28.22 This Sect is every where spoken against Oh be wise as Serpents Stop your Ears to such as would discourage you from holy walking they are the Devil's Charmers Godliness is the Root on which all true Joy grows solid Joy though not wanton Psal. 138.5 Yea they shall sing in the ways of the Lord. Acts 9.31 If we leave God whither shall we go When Saul left God he went to the Witch of Endor 1 Sam. 28.8 3. The Serpent hath a Subtilty in its Wings For