agreeth those words of St. Paul Col. 3.10 The new Man is renewed in Knowledge after the Image of him that Created him in Righteousness and true Holiness Eph. 4.24 Whence note also by the way that in and through a true Knowledge of God in Christ are the Mortifications of the Old Man of Sin and the qualifications of Grace wrought in a Soul O what 's the Reason that there is so little Renewedness in the qualifications and Conversations of many people in our days and so much abusing of the Sacred Name of God by Swearing and Cursing and many prophane speeches as also the abuse of the Creatures by Drunkenness and the like excess Also the many vain carnal loose licentious practices acted and observed with delight therein Is it not the want of this Knowledge of God in Christ Is not Ignorance the Mother of such Prophaneness and Impieties and what 's the Reason that God's dear Children are many times hated and reproached reviled and villified Yea saith Christ the time cometh that whosoever killeth you will think they do God Service Christ gives us this Reason All these things will they do unto you because they have not known the Father nor me Joh. 16.3 O consider all ye that content your selves in an Estate of Ignorance and solace your selves in Carnal and Worldly Vanities and are careless and negligent in applying and improving the means of Knowledge to the end you might glorifie God and thereby be enabled to answer the end of God in your Creation his end in giving his Son to die for your Redemption and his spiritual Word Counsel and Advice therein for your Sanctification that thereby in a good improvement of the same you might be made meet to glorifie his Name and to enjoy his glory O consider the loss and damage that you hereby sustain by slighting or carelesly neglecting such precious means granted forth unto such gracious ends for a little Carnal Vanity Consider how you will answer it in the day of account when for all these things God shall bring thee to Judgment O! how do many Parents in this case not only prejudice their own Souls but also the Souls of their Children and those within their jurisdiction whereas it is the requirement of God that Parents should lay up the words of God in their hearts and teach them to their Children that they might know the Lord and set their hope in God they not only neglect this great concernment but also by their own viscious lives evil example rather teach them the Vices of Swearing Cursing Drunkenness and much Prophaneness to God's dishonour and their own ruine both of Body and Soul not considering that God will require it of them and bring them to Judgment for the same O how many Parents although not so vicious and prophane yet are so earnest in their pursuit after this worldly interest to gain for themselves and enrich their Children with great Portions of this earthly Treasure as wholly to give up themselves thereunto not minding those Treasures that are Divine and of a more greater concernment to the gaining an interest in Christ either for their selves or Children by instructing of them thereunto until death seise upon them and summon them to the Grave and then perhaps send for a Minister to pray for them the which I do not condemn because I know God is merciful yet I know that God is also just and will bring Souls to Judgment and then whither God will accept this last Sacrifice for the whole I shall leave to the only wise God to determine But know and consider that it is the undoubted Will and Requirement of God that Parents should Treasure up the word of God in their hearts by Consideration Meditation and Application believingly and diligently endeavour to plant the same word of God in the hearts of their Children as they come to be capable of the teachings of it to the end that they might know the Lord and reverence his Holy Name observe his Will and place their hope in him To this purpose see and consider Deut. 6.6 7 8. Deut. 11.18 19 20. Deut. 4.9 10. Psal 78.5 6 7. to these Testimonies of the Will of God do those words of the Apostle Paul bear witness Eph. 6.4 Solomon saith by Humility and the Fear of the Lord are Riches and Honour and Life Would we have our Children truly Rich and Honourable and live Everlastingly so then lay up the Word of Grace in our own hearts treasure it up there Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all Wisdom Col. 3.16 Secondly Let your diligent endeavours be to answer God's Will in making forth the same unto your Children to their Edification to the planting of that Immortal Seed of the Word in their hearts that they may set their hope in God and fear before him and humbly walk with him in the way of his Commandements Train up a Child in the way that he should go and when he is Old he will not depart from it Pro. 22.6 Objection If God hath Elected me or my Children unto Salvation he will one time or other bring us to an Estate of Salvation But if God hath not Elected us thereto all my labour in that kind will be to little purpose for if there be a particular Election of persons as there seemeth to be then what I do in that case is but needless or to strive against the stream Answer That there is an Election is certain and that God hath placed this Election in his Son Christ is as certain see Eph. 1.4 and that persons do partake of and witness this Election in themselves as they imbrace Christ believingly and conform to him in holy Sanctity is also true See 1 Thes 1.3 4. 2 Thes 2.13 And therefore so much the rather should you give diligence to make your Calling and Election sure by a growth and increase of Grace unto an attainment of the qualifications of grace wrought in you according to the qualifications of Jesus Christ and as the Apostle teacheth Giving all diligence saith he add to your Faith Vertue and to Vertue Knowledge and to Knowledge Temperance and to Temperance Patience and to Patience Godliness and to Godliness Brotherly-kindness and to Brotherly-kindness Charity 2 Pet. 1.5 6 7. And as there is an Election in Christ unto Salvation through believing in Christ and conforming to him in the way of Holiness attainable through a careful applying and improving the means thereunto appointed so also is there a Reprobation determined and decreed of God from Eternity unto those persons that in love to their Lusts and carnal and worldly Vanities do obstinately persist in opposing or carlesly neglecting do slight the means afforded so as not to imbrace it in the love thereof and carefully improve it to the glory of the Lord that like as they reject God's Counsel and his Love and Mercy in the same to satisfie their Lusts in worldly and sinful Vanities so
much in Answer to the second Question The third particular we have to consider by way of Explication is the Furniture or comly Ornaments of this House and these are here comprehended under the term Holiness Holiness becometh thine House O Lord Holiness is an Ornament which doth adorn and beautifie both the inside and outside of a Christian or Christian Society it is curiously wrought in the inward man by the In-dwellings of Gods holy Word and Spirit in the influences and operations thereof and it branches forth it self in those visible actions and practices that are agreeable to Gods Will. This Ornament comprehendeth within its circumference the great work of Transformation somtimes called Renovation or new Creation according to the Apostles exhortation And be not conformed to this World but be ye Transformed by the Renewing of your minde that ye may prove what is that good that acceptable and perfect Will of God Rom. 12.2 And saith the same Apostle Eph. 4.23 24. Be ye Renewed in the Spirit of your minde and that ye put on the New Man which after God is Created in Righteousness and true Holiness When the minde is transformed from Carnality to stand in the things of God it may then be said to be Holy The will also may be said to be Holy when it is transformed from that stubbornness and Rebelliousness which by corrupted Nature it standeth in against the will of God and is become submissive and obedient to the will of God so as freely to observe it in all his Commands and freely to submit unto his Will in all his dispensations saying The Will of the Lord be done So likewise the affections when they are transformed from Earthly objects to Heavenly objects when the Meditations Desires Love and Delights are all seated in God and in the things of God this may be accounted holiness in the inward man holiness in the outward man doth arise from this inward work as from the root and brancheth forth it self in word and action as that holy man David saith of himself That his mouth should shew forth the praise of God Psal 34.1 and his tongue should talk of his Righteousness all the day Psal 71.24 It was the Prayer of Paul that holy Servant of God in the behalf of the believing Romans That with one mind and one mouth they might glorifie God even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ Rom. 15.6 The minde and the mouth should go together in those things where the glory of God and the edification of the Church is concerned yea all the members of the body as David saith I thought on my ways and turned my feet unto thy Testimony I made hast and delayed not to keep thy Commandements Psal 119.59 It is not enough for a man only to withdraw his affections from Carnal objects but he must have also his eye fixed upon the Lord and his Truth with the Professors thereof as David saith Psal 101.6 Mine eyes shall be upon the Faithful of the Land that they may dwell with me Neither is it enough for a man to have his hand shut from doing any action of violence or oppression but he must have it open also in doing works of Mercy and Charity to undo the heavy burdens and to let the Oppressed go free Esa 58.6 to be ready to Distribute and willing to Communicate to such as are in Want Tim. 6.18 So that when all the faculties of the inward man and members of the outward man act in their places according to the will of God by vertue of his sanctifying and quickening Spirit that gives motion thereunto When a man is set free from sin and become the Servant of God he hath his fruit unto holiness and the end will be Everlasting Life Rom. 6.22 So that holiness is the perfection of purity in Nature Word and Works the which perfection is only found in God but in reference to man holiness consisteth in pardon of sin and in transformation of Nature by the renewing of the mind from corrupted Nature to a renewed or new-begotten Nature which is wrought by the operations of the holy-Spirit in such thoughts words and actions as arise from that original And thus much by way of Explication concerning the term Holiness The fourth particular concerns the duration of this Ornament which is expressed in the Text by the term Ever Holiness becometh thine House O Lord for Ever The term Ever doth here signifie Time without limitation or end and so it is taken somtimes in Scripture We have the Lords Kingly Office in respect of the duration of it set forth by this term Ever The Lord sitteth King for Ever Psal 29.10 So the Apostle Paul setting forth to the Thessalonians the second coming of Christ and the happy Estate of the Faithful at that day when the dead in Christ shall rise first Then we saith he which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them to meet the Lord in the aire and so shall we ever be with the Lord wherefore comfort one another with these words Thes 4. whence I apprehend the the term Ever to signifie Time without limitation or end which is also called Eternity or Life Eternal Math. 25.46 And so having considered the words by way of Explication I shall proceed to the Doctrine and Application CHAP. II. The Doctrine Propounded and Confirmed THe point of Doctrine or Observation which doth offer it self to our Christian consideration from the words thus explicated is briefly this The Doctrine Holiness is an Ornament ever becoming the people of God Or thus It ever becometh Gods people to be an Holy people This Doctrine is confirmed by such Scriptures as do shew the Grounds and Reasons why it ever becometh Gods people to be an holy people And the first ground I shall present to consideration is this The first Reason grounded on Col. 3.9 10. because they do therein most resemble God their Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ their Elder Brother Paul to the Colossians gives this Exhortation Lye not one to another seeing that ye have put off the Old man with his deeds and have put on the New man which is renewed in knowledg after the Image of Him that Created him The same Apostle in his Epistle to the Ephesians gives the like Exhortation Put off saith he Ephe. 4.22 23 24. concerning the former Conversation the Old man which is corrupt according to the deceitful Lusts and be renewed in the Spirit of your minde and that ye put on the New man which after God is Created in Righteousness and true Holiness In which words we may note First That the Lord calls for a renewed mind and not only the mind but also the whole man Secondly The way in which this work of Renovation is wrought and that is through a true and sanctified knowledge of God Put on the New man which is renewed in Knowledge Thirdly Here is the likeness or Image into which the
exhortation by vertue of the same command But as he which hath called you is holy so be ye holy in all manner of Conversation because it is written be ye holy for I am holy 1 Pet. 1.15 16. So that God's people are to be an holy people because they are enjoyned thereunto by special command And this is the fourth Reason A fifth Ground and Reason why it ever becometh God's people to be an holy people The fifth Reason is grounded on Psal 29.1 2. may be taken from the consideration of the beautifulness of holiness It doth beautifie and adorn the Christian and the Christian-profession or the profession of Christianity It is of great excellency to the advancement of God's glory to the promoting of the Gospel and to make Christian performances in the way thereof delightful in the sight of God and therefore the spirit of God by the Psalmist hath this exhortation unto the Sons and Daughters of men Give unto the Lord O ye mighty give unto the Lord the glory and strength give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness Psal 96. The sixth Reason is grounded on 2 Cor. 7.1 A sixth Ground and Reason why it ever becometh God's people to be an holy people is because they are a people unto whom God hath made exceeding great and precious promises 2 Pet. 1.4 The Apostle Paul to the Corinthians makeing a recital of many excellent promises which God hath made to his people as to dwell in them and walk in them to be a God unto them and to accept them as a people unto himself repeats an exhortation laid down by the Prophet Isaiah Esa 52.12 2 Cor. 6.17 18. to come out to be separate and not to touch the unclean thing and I will receive you and will be a Father unto you and ye shall be my Sons and Daughters saith the Lord Almighty As if the Lord should say my Divine power and providence shall be over them for their protection my Spirit of Wisdom and Counsel shall be in them by its influences and operations to instruct them in the way of Life My mercy shall be exercised in remission of their sins The experiences of my Love shall replenish their hearts with consolation and support in time of trouble My Righteousness shall plead their cause and right their wrongs against all their Oppressors As a Father will I take care of them in this their present Pilgrimage and interest them in an Heavenly and Everlasting Inheritance that it may be well with them for ever Upon these and the like considerations the Apostle groundeth this Exhortation Having these promises dearly beloved let us cleanse our selves from all filthiness of Flesh and Spirit perfecting holiness in the fear of God 2 Cor. 7.1 So that God's people are a people unto whom God hath freely given exceeding great and precious Promises therefore it becometh them to be an Holy people And so I shall proceed to some Considerations by way of Application only make a brief recital of the six particulars laid down for the proof of the point namely It ever becometh God's people to be an Holy people and to be found therein is matter of great concernment First Because they do therein most resemble God their Heavenly Father Secondly Because they are thereunto Elected in Christ from Eternity 3dly Because they are thereunto called with an Holy means or calling Fourthly Because God hath enjoyned holiness upon his people by special Command Fifthly Because holiness is a beautifying Ornament unto a Christian and Christianity Sixthly Because they are a people unto whom God hath made exceeding greaâ—â— and precious promises CHAP. III. Containing some Considerations by way of Application The first Vse of Information THe foregoing Considerations may be of use unto us in several particulars by way of information First To inform our Judgments wherein the beauty and comliness of a Christian doth consist that is to say not in fleshly beauty nor the adornings of gay Apparel but in Holiness God delighteth in the likeness of himself where he seeth his own Image in a person or people that 's the soul he delighteth to honour with the Communications of his choycest favours The Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself Psal 4.3 Secondly We are hereby informed into the original or first moving cause of holiness in a people with the means and promises thereunto appertaining and that is God's electing Love in Christ Jesus as the Apostle teacheth But God who is Rich in Mercy for his great Love wherewith he loved us even when we were dead in sins hath quickened us together with Christ by Grace ye are saved Eph. 2.4 and herein is Love not that we loved God but that He loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins 1 John 4.10 So that Jesus Christ with all the means of holiness and promises thereunto appertaining are the effects of the Fathers Love see Deut. 7.6 7 8. Thirdly The third Vse of Information We are hereby informed into the knowledge of the will of God concerning holiness in his people It is certainly the will of God that his people should be an holy people seeing he hath chosen and called them thereunto as the effects of his Love towards them For this is the will of God even your Sanctificaâ—ion that ye should abstain from Fornicatiâ—n that every one of you should know how to possess his Vessel in Sanctification and Honour 1 Thes 4.3 4 7. for God hath not called us to Vncleanness but unto Holiness So that it is the will of God that his people should be aâ— holy people Fourthly It may inform us of our Duty in answer to God's command God's command implyeth his peoples duty in obedience to the command by a careful improvement of the means which he hath ordained to accomplish that end The Lord said to the Israelites of old Sanctifie your selves and be ye holy for I am the Lord which sanctifie you Levit. 20.7 8. As if he should say I am the Lord which seâ— you apart for my self and sanctifie the means whereby you may be an holy people therefore sanctifie your selves by a careful and diligent walking in the use of that means that you may be an holy people unto me So likewise the Apostle to the Romans saith If ye through the Spirit do mortifie the Deeds of the body ye shall live Rom. 8.13 Also to the Philipians he gives this Exhortation Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling for it is God that worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure Phil. 2.12 13. All which Scriptures do shew that God is the chief Author of the means and thâ— mover to the means yet there is something enjoyned on the Creatures part in obedience to the command wherein the Creature by the direction and assistance of the means ought to be
Daughters of men unto whom he tenders Holiness in the Gospel as John the Evangelist teaches He came unto his own and his own received him not but as many as received him to them gave he power to become the Sons of God even to them that believe on his Name Joh 1.11 12. And hence it is that God hath chosen his people in Christ that they should be holy even because the perfection of Holiness is inherently in Christ with sufficiency of the Spirit of Grace to effect Holiness in his people through believing If then thou wouldst press after Holiness so as to attain such a degree thereof that thou mayst have the comfortable sight of God and be enabled to stand before him with joy then observe these ensuing particulars The Eye fixed on Christ by Faith is a great help towards the attainment of Holiness 1. In all thy undertakings look unto Jesus have an eye of faith fixed on him he is the Center where Holiness is centered if we look short of the Center we are like to fall-short of our purpose let us therefore take the counsel of the Apostle Let us run with patience the Race set before us looking unto Jesus the Authour and Finisher of our Faith who for the Joy that was set before him endured the Cross despising the shame and is set down at the right hand of the Throne of God Heb. 2.1 2. Yea whether we read the Word pray or perform any other Christian Duty whatsoever let us still look to Jesus with desire that we may have more Knowledg of him more Faith in him and more Love and Obedience to him let us look unto Jesus with an Eye of Faith fixed on him and behold his performances on our behalf let us behold his humility who was very God and yet assuming the human Nature became also Man and taking upon him the form of a Servant became obedient not only to the divine Precepts of his Fathers Law but also unto Death even the most shameful Death of the Cross O let us look unto Jesus and behold him in his Sufferings and in the Cause and End of his Sufferings The Cause of his Sufferings was our Sins the End of his Sufferings was to free us from Divine Wrath due to us for Sin and to obtain Eternal Salvation for us To look unto Jesus and with an Eye of Faith to behold him as aforesaid Gods way is a sure and a safe way is to take Gods way to hearken to his Call and to observe his counsel for our better attainments unto Holiness and Heavens Happiness as saith the Lord by the Prophet Isaiah Behold my Servant whom I uphold mine Elect in whom my Soul delighteth I have put my Spirit upon him he shall bring forth Judgment to the Gentiles Isai 42. I said behold me behold me unto a Nation that was not called by my Name Isai 65.1 Secondly let us not only look unto Jesus and behold him but also consider him this is a piece of Divine Counsel A due Consideration of Christs sufferings a great help towards the attainment of Holiness also consider the Apostle and High-priest of our Profession Christ Jesus Heb. 3.1 O let us consider the Greatness of his Burthen in his Sufferings of Death wherein he did not only suffer a natural Death but also did bear the burthen and weight of Divine Wrath due to Mankind for Transgression the which being set home upon his precious Soul by the hand of Divine Justice forced him into that Agony that his Sweat was as if it were great Drops of Blood falling down to the ground and to cry out Luk. 22.41 Matt. 27.46 O my God my God why hast thou forsaken me as if the sense of Divine Wrath had so overwhelmed his precious Soul that all the appehensions of his Fathers Love had been ecclipsed from him One sin set home to the Soul by the hand of Divine Justice is a heavy burthen how great then is the weight which Christ underwent for us Surely saith the Prophet he hath born our Griefs and carried our Sorrows yet we did esteem him stricken smitten of God and afflicted but he was wounded for our Transgressions he was bruised for our Iniquities the Chastisement of our peace was upon him and with his Stripes we are healed All we like Sheep have gone astray we have turned every one to his own way and the Lord hath laid on him the Iniquities of us all Isa 53.4 5 6. Certainly if the Sons and Daughters of Men did but look through all their outward transitory and fading Felicities unto Jesus Christ with a serious consideration of those hard things he hath undergone to procure Redemption for their poor sinful Souls it would more draw up and endear their Affections to the Lord and produce in them a delightful endeavour to honour him in the way of Holiness Thirdly as we should look unto Jesus and consider him in his great Undertakings for us so ought we to consider his Faithfulness towards his Father in respect of the Trust he reposed in him and towards Man also in the prosecution of poor fallen Mans Redemption Had he shrunk back in those great and hard Undertakings how had the Father lost his Glory and Man his true Felicity but he like a faithful and valiant Souldier set his Face like a Flint * Isai 50.6 7. against all the oppositions the World and Devils could raise against him until he had faithfully compleated his Undertakings to the Glory of his Father so that he could boldly make up his accounts saying Father I have glorified thee on Earth I have finished the Work which thou gavest me to do And now O Father glorifie thou me with thine own self with the Glory which I had with thee before the World was Joh. 17.4 5. O let us look unto Jesus with a serious consideration of his Faithfulness to our Cause and it will both quicken and direct in the way to Holiness and we being faithful after his example shall have boldness in the day of account Consider Christs Love which is strong of great power Fourthly let us look unto Jesus and consider with a due consideration his tender affectionate Love and yerning bowels of Compassion towards Mankind manifested in his great Undertakings for us Surely if ever that Saying of Solomon in his Song of Songs be made good in any it was abundantly manifested in Christs Love to Man his Love indeed was strong as Death Cant. 8.6 the many Waters of Affliction nor Flouds of the Ungodly nor Death the King of Terrors could not be able to quench the Flames thereof greater Love hath no man than this that a man lay down his Life for his Friend but so great was the Love of Christ to poor worthless Creatures that while we were ungodly and enemies to him he died for us Rom. 5.6 8 10. so that Redemption Justification Sanctification and Glorification are the effects of
thou art concerned to behold by an eye of Faith and seriously to consider him with due consideration as in his Humiliation so also in his Exaltation in the Execution of his Offices as in his Priestly and Kingly Offices so also in his Prophetical Office consider his Wisdom his Love and Faithfulness made out to poor Sinners in the Execution of his Offices consider his Ability and Sincerity herein his Wisdom is infinite it 's the Wisdom of God his Counsel is holy Counsel 't is heavenly Counsel the VVords of eternal Life his Love is great Love pure Love 't is such a Love that drew him forth to deny himself unto Death for Sinners consider him in his Ability he is Almighty All-sufficient full of Grace and Truth able to save to the uttermost them that come unto God by him consider him in his Sincerity he is sincere and real-hearted in his words and actions in all his Undertakings and Dispensations unto poor Sinners that look unto him and advise with him for Counsel in their concerns for Holiness and Heavens Attainments Man's Rejection of his Counsel is his Sorrow he wept over Jerusalem Mans Embracing of him is his Joy there is Joy in Heaven over one Sinner that repenteth that turneth to the Lord to walk with him in his holy ways he is real-hearted and sincere in his Word and Actions therefore wouldst attain to Holiness that comely Ornament look unto Jesus behold him in his Offices as thy Prophet to teach thee by his Counsels the King to govern thee by his Laws and thy Priest to make an Atonement for thee by his Sacrifice His Sacrifice is holy his Laws are holy Laws every Ordinance of Christ is holy his Word and Counsel therein is holy yea all his ways are ways of Holiness and all persons walking in the same with a due observation are by the Holy Ghost owned for a holy People holy and beloved O wouldst thou look unto Jesus so as to make him the Object in thine Eye and the Subiect of thy Meditations doubtless it would be a means to direct thee in the way to holy Attainments and quicken thy motion thereunto The Prophet David hath laid us down an example of his own Practice of this nature I saith David have set the Lord always before me Psal 16.8 as if he had said I have beheld the Lord through Grace an Object of great Excellency to my Soul therefore have I chosen him to be the only Object upon whom I desire always to exercise the Eyes of my Understanding and Faith with Considerations and Meditations of his VVord his Laws Statutes Testimonies his Counsels loving Kindness and Faithfulness in the same as he further expresseth Psal 119. I have chosen the way of truth thy Judgments have I laid before me I have stuck unto thy Testimonies O Lord put me not to shame vers 30 31. I have rejoyced in the way of thy Testimonies as much as in all Riches I will meditate on thy precepts and have respect unto thy ways I will delight my self in thy Statutes I will not forget thy Word vers 14 15 16. thy Testimonies also are my delight and my Counsellers vers 24. Thus did David set the Lord always before him and behold the Priviledges David reaped hereby unto himself He is at my right Hand saith David I shall not be moved Psal 16.8 Two general Priviledges is here noted in which is comprehended many particulars First here is the Lords presence with David in his aforesaid Exercise Secondly here is Davids Stability of Faith Hope Assurance and Confidence of attaining to the full enjoyment of the Lord in the state of Glory through the presence of the Lord with him Thou wilt shew me the path of Life in thy presence is fulness of joy and pleasures for evermore Psal 16.11 the sense and sight hereof fills Davids heart with joy Therefore my heart is glad saith David and my Glory rejoyceth my Flesh also shall rest in hope vers 9. So Psal 34.5 They looked to him and were enlightened and their Faces were not ashamed that is they were not failed of their Expectations Wherefore wouldst thou attain to Holiness and Heavens Happiness look unto Jesus advise with his Counsel in his Teachings in his Word exercise thine eyes of thy Understanding and Faith thereupon it is thy great concernment in order to thy Attainments in the Ornament Holiness yea so look unto him as to consider him as aforesaid Consideration and Meditation are of great use in the way of Holiness Samuel speaking a word of Exhortation unto Israel to fear the Lord and serve him with all their heart the more to engage them and make his Exhortation prevailing with them he puts them upon the act of Consideration upon the great things that God had done for them For consider saith he what great things God hath done for you 1 Sam. 12.24 as if a due consideration of Gods Mercies were of great concernment to produce an awful Reverence of God in the heart of a people and of great use to beget motion in his Service And doubtless did we exercise our considerations seriously upon the Lord Jesus Christ in his Offices consider how great things the Lord hath done and doth do for us thereby did we consider Gods End therein with the use and Benefits thereof unto poor fallen enslaved sinful man through believing it would through the Blessing of God prove to be of an engaging nature to engage us to press after the Attainment of Holiness and of a directing nature to direct us in the way also of an incouraging nature to incourage against all difficulties lying in the way and of a quickening nature to quicken our motion towards the perfecting of Holiness in the Fear of God Israels Ingratitude in not exercising their Considerations upon the gratious Dealings of God towards them but upon their carnal Vanities It was the great complaint of the Lord against Israel even their want of Consideration Isa 1.3 The Oxe knoweth his Owner and the Ass his Masters Crib but Israel doth not know my people doth not consider So in chapt 5.12 the Lord by the Prophet complaineth saying The Harp and the Viol the Tabret and the Pipe and Wine are in their Feasts but they regard not the work of the Lord neither consider the Operation of his hands And may it not be the great complaint of the Lord against the men of this Generation as to the generality of them that although the Lord is the owner of them not only by Creation but also by Purchase and Price paid and although the Lord hath created Man with that noble Faculty of Rationality above others of his Creatures to the end they might be considerate of his Word and works of Divine concernment to the glory of his Name and although he hath furnished the Masters Crib even Jesus Christ and his Word with the excellent Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledg Gifts and Graces for
CHAP. IX Containing a use of Reprehension and Admonition unto several sorts of men in this Generation who notwithstanding the Excellency of Holiness and the great concernment thereof to the advancing of Gods Glory and the Creatures Comfort and Eternal Consolation do wilfully neglect or carelesly improve the way and means for the attainment thereof as if it was an Ornament altogether out of fashion and of no use nor comlinest to be found in it Of these Persons are first THe Ignorant Soul that sitteth down contentedly in an Estate of Ignonorance making the Custome of their Country and the Traditions of their Ancestors the only rule and ground for their chiefest actions but as for the matter of Holiness with the way and means of its attainment the poor Creatures are meerly strangers The Estate and Condition of such Souls is much to be lamented in that so much means of knowledg is afforded and so much ignorance remaining under the same by reason of a careless negligence of applying the rational faculties of the Soul in the diligent use of the means afforded by a serious search into the revealed will of God with due consideration and meditation of the same thereby to gain the knowledge of him acquaintance with him to glorify his name and to the establishing of the Soul in the knowledge of its Salvation The Spirit of God in Scripture reckoneth the said carelessness and negligence in this matter under the notion of folly and indeed it is a point of the greatest folly in the world and to be admired that God having given forth such excellent means of Knowledge and Salvation in the same and the Creature not esteem it worth the improving Solomon was a man endued with great Wisdome and yet he seemeth not to reach the depth of the Creatures negligence herein or at least Gods great mercy in affording such excellent means unto the Creature and waiting upon him in the same Wherefore saith he is there a price in the hand of a Fool to get Wisdome seeing he hath no heart to it Pro. 17.16 yet Solomon layeth the cause of a persons not attaining to Wisdom in his not improving the means and his not improving the means to be his folly as we may understand him in his expressions Prov. 24.7 Prov. 24.7 Wisdom is too high for a Fool saith Solomon and why He openeth not his mouth in the gate as if he had said The way and means in which Wisdom is attainable is by him neglected As without Knowledg the Mind cannot be good so doubtless it is generally possessed with Carnality the which as saith the Apostle is Enmity with God Rom. 8.7 and through Ignorance is alienated from the life of God Eph. 4.18 It were much to be desired that every Soul in this Estate would take Counsel of the Spirit of God given out by Solomon to cry after Knowledg and lift up the Voyce for Understanding to seek for her as for hid Treasures implying a diligent search into God's Word with earnest supplications to the Throne of Grace for the attainment thereof Then saith the Text shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord and find the Knowledg of God for the Lord giveth Wisdom out of his mouth cometh Knowledg and Vnderstanding Pro. 2.2 3 4 5 6. I shall only present two or three Scriptures more to the consideration of those persons that sit down as satisfied and contented under this Estate of Ignorance and so leave them to the good pleasure of the Almighty the first Scripture is recorded in Pro. 24. ver 3 4. Through Wisdom is an House builded and by Vnderstanding it is Established and by Knowledg shall the Chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant Riches These words admit of a spiritual sence and meaning as it may be thus The House builded to signify a Person or People built up in the Faith of Christ and observation of his Truth as Saint Peter teacheth in his first Epistle chap. 2. vers 5. Ye also as lively stones are built up a spiritual House c. to this sence are those words of Jude But ye beloved building up your selves on your most holy Faith praying in the Holy Ghost c. Jud. 20. Secondly You have the means by which the building is reared up and that is here said to be through Wisdom intimating the divine Wisdom and Counsel of God contained in his Word Thirdly The way of Establishment and that is said by Vnderstanding As if a right understanding of the Mind and Will of God or the Truth as it is in Jesus were the only way to a Souls Establishment therein Psal 119.34 Give me Vnderstanding saith David and I shall keep thy Law yea I shall observe it with my whole heart when Wisdom entereth into thy heart saith Solomon and Knowledg is pleasant unto thy Soul Prov. 2.10 11 12. Discretion shall preserve thee Vnderstanding shall keep thee to deliver thee from the way of the evil man c. Fourthly It is said by Knowledg shall the Chambers be filled with all pleasant and precious Riches intimating the inward and uppermost Roomes of the Soul as the Mind the Will Affections yea all the rational faculties of the Soul shall through the true knowledge of God in Christ be filled and furnished with the precious qualifications of divine grace according to Christ Jesus in a measure and with the pleasant and comfortable manifestations of God's love in Christ wherein is satisfying Joy and Pleasures for ever-more This is Eternal Life to know thee the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent Joh. 17.3 Hereunto agreeth those words of Peter in his second Epistle recorded in the first Chapter ver 3. whose words are these Grace and Peace be multiplyed unto you through the knowledge of God and Jesus Christ our Lord according as his Divine Power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto Life and Godliness through the knowledge of him that hath called us to Glory and Vertue whence we may note these particulars by the way First The gift given unto us of God and that is all things that pertain to Life and Godliness Secondly The way of conveyance of these things unto the Soul and that is said to be through the knowledge of God and Jesus Christ our Lord. Thirdly The effects wrought in the Soul by the means received in knowledge and that is an Estate of Godliness and assurance of Eternal Life and also preservation in this Estate Whence we may observe that an Estate of Holiness or Godliness and Eternal Life with all things appertaining thereunto is the free and proper gift of God and is highly to be prized Observe and carefully improved to the Glory of God by every Soul that desires his own well-being in the knowledge and enjoyments of God wherein the true felicity and comfort of the Soul doth consist the which attainments is enjoyed through a true knowledge of God in Christ To this
the Lord hath determined that in their Unrighteousness he will reject them and leave them to Sathans delusions that divine Justice may be satisfied in their Condemnation To this purpose consider well some Testimonies among many given out by God's Spirit in his Servants of old as in 2 Thes 2.10 11 12. the Epistle of Jud. 4. Here observe they are persons turning the grace of God into Laciviousness denying the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ and withal observe that this denial is not to be confined only to such Atheists that say there is not any God but also those persons are herein comprehended that in words do acknowledge there is a God and Christ but yet although they live under the dispensation of Gods gracious word and word of grace yet refuse to live in God's Counsel therein contained to live in those ways works that their own ungodly Lusts do lead them to and such are those persons that Paul to Titus speaketh of that confess they know God but in works they deny him being abominable and disobedient and unto every good work Reprobate Tit. 1.16 and with these Scriptures consider Wisdoms Voyce Prov. 1. ver 20. to the end of the Chapter Wherefore all ye that lye down securely upon the bed of Ignorance and Prophaneness solacing your selves in Carnal Vanities and the Mammon of this world O look unto the Lord who desires the Knowledge of God rather than burnt Offerings Hos 6.6 and obedience to his Will rather than Sacrifice Look up and behold it is not Ignorance and Prophaneness but Holiness that leads to Happiness It is not the qualifications of the Old Man as Hatred Malice Envy Evil-speaking Back-biting and Devouring nor any Prophane and Carnal Vanities but the qualifications of love to Christ his Truth and Members yea love to Enemies to all men as they are the Creatures of God the workmanship of his hands with Peace towards all men Mercy Pitty and Compassion towards the Oppressed and Distressed Meekness Patience Long-suffering Gentleness Goodness Faith and Temperance with joy and delight in the exercises of Piety and Charity that leads to Holiness without which no man shall see the Lord against such saith the Apostle there is no Law And they that are Christs have Crucified the Old Man or the Flesh with the Affections and Lusts Neither is it Ignorance but a true Knowledge of Christ through which the Old Man is Crucified and these divine graces or qualifications of Christ are begotten conceived nourished and preserved in the Soul and brought forth into action to the perfecting Holiness in the fear of God Neither is it a Mind and Meditations exercised chiefly in temporal things but a diligent and careful exercising the mind and meditations in the divine Precepts and Counsel of God contained in his word with a wrestleing at the Throne of Grace for a sanctified use thereof unto the Soul whereby the true Knowledge of Christ and the truth in him is obtained VVherefore wouldst thou have Heaven for thy Inheritance press after Holiness VVouldst thou be Holy suffer not the Old Man to lye Uncrucified in thee but press hard after the attainments of the divine qualifications of Christ so as to have them ruling in thee and from that principle let all thy actions flow both towards God and men And wouldest thou attain to this degree press after a right knowledge of Jesus Christ and God in him And wouldest thou attain to a right knowledge of God in Christ Take the Testimonies of the Mind and Will of God contained in his Word for thy Counsellors Advise therewith by a diligent exercise of thy mind and meditations therein waiting upon God with supplications for a blessing thereupon Wherewith saith David shall a young man cleanse his way by taking heed thereto according to thy Word Psal 119.9 As if he had said by making the Word of God his chief Counsel and regulating his thoughts words Psal 119 93 104. and actions by that rule Through thy precepts I get understanding therefore I hate every false way I will never forget thy precepts for with them thou hast quickened me O that every Soul in an Estate of Ignorance and Prophaneness would in time consider David's foot-steps and the foot-steps of all the flock of God and consider the experienced Benefit they did attain unto by walking in the Counsel of the Lord contained in his word and by way of imitation turn their feet their affections unto the Testimonies of the Lord and up and be doing while it is called to day before the night cometh when no man can work He that gathereth in Summer is a wise Son saith Solomon but he that sleepeth in Harvest is a Son that causeth shame Prov. 10.5 These words in the spiritual sence of them giveth us this note or observation by the way That it is a point of excellent wisdom in a person or people diligently to improve opportunities and means for Heavens Attainments while the season serveth but shame and contempt are the attendants of a person or people careless and negligent in improving opportunities and means for Heavenly attainments in their season or while they are afforded to them If thou beest wise thou shalt be wise for thy self Prov. 9.12 Thy diligence in season shall redound to thy own advantage and eternal benefit But if thou scornest thou alone shalt bear it for God hath not called us to Vncleanness but unto Holiness 1 Thes 3.7 8. He therefore that despiseth despiseth not man but God at whose Wrath the Earth shall tremble and the Nations shall not be able to abide his Indignation Jer. 10.10 A prudent man foreseeth the evil and hideth himself but the simple pass on and are punished Prov. 22.3 In the fear of the Lord is strong Confidence and his Children shall have a place of refuge Prov. 14.26 Surely he scorneth the scorners but he giveth grace unto the lowly The Wise shall inherit glory but shame shall be the promotion of Fools Prov. 3.34 35. The heart of the Prudent getteth Knowledge and the ear of the Wise seeketh Knowledge Prov. 18.15 The words of the Lord are pure words Psal 12.6 They are the words of Wisdom Knowledge Understanding they proceed from the Fountain of Wisdom Knowledge Understanding God doth give Wisdom Knowledge and Understanding thereby unto such as imbrace his Counsel in the same and improve it accordingly waiting upon him therein in love thereunto as saith David Thy Word is pure therefore thy Servant loveth it Psal 119.140 Thou through thy Commandements hast made me wiser then mine Enemies Psal 119.98 for they are ever with me the entrance of thy words giveth light it giveth understanding to the simple Psal 119.130 David experiencing the truth of the words of God and the vertue use and efficacy of the same unto his Soul doth here set forth the excellency thereof to the praises of God and to the encouragement of others to prove the excellency
Horseleach and her Daughters and their brood unto the obedience of Satans will to the enslaved sinners condemnation The which freeness of Christ to impart of his fulness to poor Sinners as aforesaid is evidenced six-fold First By that order he taketh by the doctrine of his truth to inform the Creatures of their enslaved state and of their remedy to be in him attainable by converting to him Secondly By his invitations given out for Sinners to come unto him Come unto Me all ye that Labour and are heavy Laden all ye that through the influence of my Doctrine are drawn forth to consider and become sensible of your estate by sin and in the sence thereof desire a remedy Come unto me submit to my supremacy and ye shall find rest for your souls Mat. 11.28 29. Thirdly By his promise of acceptance to those that come unto him Those that come unto me I will in no wise cast out saith Christ Joh. 6.37 He will not turn back the bruised reed with the sence of its own unworthiness and the least desires of the soul towards him he will not quench Fourthly By his complaints of the backwardness of Sinners in comeing to him Ye will not come to me that ye might have life wherefore do ye lay out your money for that which is not Bread and your labour for that which profiteth not Fifthly Christs freeness to Sinners in their coming to him to partake of the streams of his fulness for a remedy against the aforesaid distempers is further signified by his commending the excellent vertue and duration of those streams as inducements to draw poor Sinners unto an esteem thereof Whosoever shall drink of the water that I shall give him saith Christ shall never thirst but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a Well of water springing up into everlasting life Whence observe that a full satisfaction unto an eternal duration is the natural vertue and effects of free grace unto every soul that partakes thereof by a union with Christ Sixthly A sixth evidence of Christs freeness to Sinners and of his desire of their coming to him to partake of the streams of his fulness is the testifications of his great displeasure he takes against such that obstinately refuse And those mine Enemies that would not that I should raign over them bring them hither and slay them before me Luk. 19.27 Expressions testifying great displeasure Because I have called and ye refused I have stretched out my hand and ye have not regarded therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own doings and be filled with their own devices Prov. 1.24 32. Thus you have Christs free desire of sinners coming to him and to partake of his fulness of Grace and Truth demonstrated First By the means he useth to inform sinners of their need of him Secondly By his Invitations to sinners to come unto him Thirdly By his Promise of acceptance of those that come unto him Fourthly By his Complaints or Reproofs upon their not coming Fifthly By his commending the excellency of the vertue and duration of his streams of free grace as an inducement to sinners to come Sixthly By his testifying displeasure against those that refuse and withstand all means thereunto afforded Thus much concerning the third Motive which is Christs freeness towards poor sinners for their coming to him and partaking of his benefits which is a strong inducement thereunto Motive the Fourth As the Father hath placed his springs of water of life in his Son and invites us to his Son to participate thereof and as the Son gives testimony of the excellent vertue of the water of life in him with invitations thereunto so the Spirit and the Saints Espoused to Christ that experience the vertue of these living springs by their union with him through Faith beholding the freeness thereof and the fulness of satisfaction therein do also give forth invitations thereunto The Spirit and the Bride say come and let him that is a thirst come and let him that heareth say come and whosoever will let him come and take of the water of life freely Rev. 22.17 Motive the Fifth A fifth Motive for encouragement to the said means for the aforesaid cure may be the priviledges attainable thereby This water of free grace which we are so called and invited to by the Father Son and holy Spirit and sanctified persons that have tasted thereof and from their experience commend it to us is not only effectual to clarifie the heart of the aforesaid Horseleach and her brood but also to qualifie the heart with the Divine qualifications of grace for nature and quality like the Fountain whence they flow to the evidencing of our Election in Christ our Adoption by Christ our Justification through Christ and our Glorification with Christ Yea hereby the poor soul cometh to be enriched with the Heavenly treasures of divine contentment in all conditions whether Prosperity or Adversity Plenty or Poverty Peace or Persecution I have learned saith Paul In whatsoever state I am in therewith to be content And why so Doubtless he had drank of these living springs these waters of life in Christ Jesus whereby he had the evidences of an eternal Inheritance sealed unto him to enjoy when this life shall cease and be no more Therefore Paul valueth not self nor the world nor any of his Birth-priviledges nor any outward external knowledge or interest in comparison to the knowledge of Christ and the priviledges and dignities attainable in and by Jesus Christ and him Crucified I determined saith Paul not to know any thing among you save Jesus Christ and him Crucified 1 Cor. 2.2 But what things were gain to me those I counted loss for Christ yea doubtless and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord for whom I have suffered the loss of all things and do count them but dung that I may win Christ and be found in him Phil. 3.7 8. And what is the Reason that Paul is thus taken up in estimation of Christ Doubtless he had drank of those living springs of free grace in Christ and tasted the sweetness and savour thereof then all his self-righteousness and self-justification and self-wisdom and self-ends and worldly interests must all be laid aside as dung when once he beholdeth Christs perfect Righteousness streaming towards him for the adorning of his soul to the Fathers gratious acceptation And Justification in Christ streaming towards him to free him from the gift of sin and condemnation the just desert of sin and the sanctifying Spirit of Christ streaming into his soul to cleanse the heart of corruption and to replenish it with grace And wisdom in Christ streaming into his understanding to instruct him in the paths of Salvation and every stream hereof compounded and sweetened with Divine love from Eternity and with that peace that passeth all understanding and with assurance of that glory which is
do carelesly slight the means of grace and live in the neglect thereof and those that obstinately oppose the dignity of Christ in his Laws and Government and subjects in the same and those that wilfully resist the motions and operations of the spirit of grace and work of sanctification until death without Repentance are doubtless of that number that God from Eternity hath through their corruptions ordained or predestinated unto eternal Condemnation Thirtyeth The Office of Magistracy is an Ordinance of God Rom. 13. wherein God doth impower and appoint him to be an Executioner of his civil Laws of justice to the terrour of all vicious prophane and wicked persons that will not be bridled and kept within the bounds of civility Titus 3.1 by the power of Gods word nor light of nature and also to countenance maintain and protect all civil persons within his jurisdiction in their just rights and priviledges And also not only to observe Christs institutions and order of government and worship without adding too or diminishing from the truth as it is in Jesus with respect to the dignity of Christ as the only Law-giver sole Head and Governour of his Church but also to promote and propagate the interest of Christ and his People in the true worship and order of Gospel-government as a nursing Father to countenance preserve and protect by his power those that endeavour to walk peaceable in the same And herein he is the Minister of God to thee for good Rom. 13.4 5. But if thou do that which is evil be afraid for he beareth not the sword in vain for he is the Minister of God a Revenger to execute Wrath upon him that doth evil Wherefore ye must needs be subject not only for Wrath but also for Conscience-sake And hence the Apostle exhorteth that prayers and supplications be made for all men for Kings and all that are in Authority that we may lead a peaceable life in all Godliness and Honesty for this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour But if the Magistrate contrarily lay injunctions and impositions upon the Conscience of his Subjects in the point of divine worship which the Voyce of Christ in the Gospel doth not own either in matter or manner of performance so that it become inconsistent to the dignity of Christ and the peace of a tender Conscience then may a soul lawfully with the Apostles Christians of old chuse rather to suffer the penalty then to obey actively the command say with Peter and John whether it be right to obey God or man judge ye Act. 4.19 Thirty-one Comprehending many Christs visible appearance in his Kingly power The said Lord Jesus Christ shall once more appear personally in his Kingly power glory Mat. 16.27 Luk. 21.27 Mat. 24.30 2 Pet. 3.10 11. wherein the Father hath exalted him the which power he shall then put in execution The general desolution to the dissolving of this world all the Principalities and Powers thereof The Resurrection The Communion of Saints in Immortality attend Christ on the Throne with the Angels unto which power the graves shall be subject Joh. 5.28 29. 1 Thes 4.16 17. Jud. 14. Mat. 24.31 1 Thes 4.14 to deliver up their dead according to his will the Saints in the first place with those his Saints then alive all of them will he gather into one Assembly or Body in Communion with himself in their Immortal state 1 Cor. 15.53 Mat. 19.28 1 Cor. 6.2 3. Joh. 5.27 Mat. 25.31 32 41 46. Rom. 2.8 9. Rev. 20.13 14. Rev. 21.8 2 Tim. 4.8 1 Pet. 5.4 1 Cor. 15.24 who with the Holy Angels The seat of Justice shall accompany him on the Throne of Majesty and Seat of Justice beholding giving their assent and consent unto the just proceedings of Christ the Righteous Judg in the execution of his Justice The Condemnation of the Ungodly against all the ungodly both Men and Angels who shall then be cast into eternal flames of the fiery Indignation and Wrath of the Almighty as a just reward of their ungodly deeds But his Saints The Saints Crown of Righteousness shall be in the white Robes of his own Innocency and Crown of Righteousness present and deliver up unto the Father The Kingdom of Saints presented to the Father and accepted to glory as the effects of the Fathers Election in the Son and as the fruits of the faithful labours of the Son unto the Fathers great and gracious acceptation of them unto his Kingdom in the state of glory from Eternity The Saints triumph in glory purposed appointed and promised unto them through faith and sanctification there to dwell as Kings triumphing in glory over all their Enemies The Saints sacrifice in their glorified state fears sufferings and sorrows and as Priests offering up their sacrifices and songs of deliverance unto him that sitteth on the Throne and unto the Lamb eternally A Letter to my Beloved Children Josias Bonham Thomas John Samuel and Elizabeth Bonham Beloved Children ALthough in the last end of my Book reminded yet in much respect are you upon my heart retained in the tender bowels of true Fatherly affection wishing unto you not only the blessing of me your Father after the flesh but more especially the blessing of him who is the Father of spirits unto your establishment in his grace mercy peace and unity in the truth as it is in Jesus unto all perseverance through the knowledge of God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. Where as the influence of Gods word upon my heart written Deut. 6.5 6 7. chap. 11.18 19. and Eph. 6.4 hath heretofore drawn me forth to consult with the mind of God in his Testimonies Commands and Promises contained in holy Scripture for my better ability to perform my duty in answer to such a divine requirement and having in a measure improved my attainments thereunto in my House and Family among you for your edification that you may set your hope in God And having found the Blessing of God in some good measure attending the same to your growth in civility and piety unto my greater comfort to the praise of God be it spoken and to the encouragement of others in such concernments Now considering that most of you are gone from me and that Mortality 〈◊〉 approaching near unto me and considering the danger of these latter days by the abounding of Iniquity both in errours of Opinions and vicious practices Therefore to the end you might be preserved from the evils of the times and the principles that have been communicated to you be preserved in you to an increase and growth in holy and Heavenly attainments I would bequeath unto you as the best Legacy that I can bestow upon you even this little Book containing some few gleanings which through grace I have gathered out of the Vintage of God and for your sakes in part