who now rejoice in my Sufferings for you and fill up that which is behind of the Afflictions of Christ in my Flesh for his Body's sake which is the Church Col. 1. 23. To suffer for the Truth ought to be the Joy and Comfort of him that has undertaken to be the Minister of Truth How much then do they forget their Vocation who upon meeting with Discouragements lose all Comfort and repent of their Labor Whom we preach warning every Man and teaching every Man in all Wisdom that we may present every Man perfect in Christ Jesus Col. 1. 28. The only design of an Apostolic Teacher is to form Jesus in every one of his Flock and to make all perfect in him Say to Archippus take heed to the Ministry which thou hast received in the Lord that thou fulfil it Col. 4. 17. They who consider not well the Duties of their Charge will soon neglect them Fulfil the Duties of the Ministry of Jesus Christ What Pastor do's not tremble at this Word Your selves Brethren know our Entrance in unto you that it was not in vain But even after that we had suffered before and were shamefully entreated as ye know at Philippi we were bold in our God to speak unto you the Gospel of God with much Contention For our Exhortation was not of Deceit nor of Vncleanness nor in Guile But as we were allowed of God to be put in Trust with the Gospel even so we speak not as pleasing Men but God which trieth our Hearts For neither at any time used we flattering Words as ye know nor a Cloak of Covetousness God is Witness Nor of Men sought we Glory neither of you nor yet of others when we might have been burdensome as the Apostles of Christ But we were Gentle among you even as a Nurse cherisheth her Children So being affectionately desirous of you we were willing to have imparted unto you not the Gospel of God only but also our own Souls because ye were dear unto us For ye remember Brethren our Labor and Travel For laboring Night and Day because we would not be chargeable unto any of you we preached unto you the Gospel of God Ye are Witnesses and God also how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved our selves among you that believe as you know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you as a Father doth his Children that ye would walk worthy of God who hath called you unto his Kingdom and Glory 1 Thess 2. 1. Every Word a Lesson to Preachers What a Mercy to the World if they would study and follow this Spirit Be not thou therefore ashamed of the Testimony of our Lord nor of me his Prisoner but be thou Partaker of the Afflictions of the Gospel according to the Power of God 2 Tim. 1. 8. Great Courage is necessary for standing by the Truth and the Ministers of it Hold fast the form of sound Words which thou hast heard of me in Faith and Love which is in Christ Jesus That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us 2 Tim. 1. 13. Great Fidelity requir'd of the Pastors of God's Church The Holy Ghost promis'd to them for this end Thou therefore endure Hardness as a good Soldier of Jesus Christ No Man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this Life 2 Tim. 2. 3. I suffer trouble as an evil Doer even unto Bonds but the Word of God is not bound Therefore I endure all things for the Elects sake v. 9. To suffer with Courage all Difficulties is the Obligation of a Pastor And if he suffer as a Criminal as this is most humbling so it brings him nearer to the Resemblance of Jesus Christ They are of the World therefore speak they of the World and the World heareth them 1 Jo. 4. 5. Unhappy Teachers whose Character this is CHAP. XXXVI Of the Flock Q. WHat Directions do's the Gospel give to the Flock in Regard of those whom God has put over them A. It speaks very particularly to them but that I may end this last Chapter with such Instructions as the Gospel gives I will first set down some Injunctions of God in the Old Law which as it was a Figure of the New so it may lead us to such Duties as God expects from the Flock in this better Constitution which is the Church of Christ And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian Woman whom he had married And they said hath the Lord indeed spoken only by Moses Hath he not spoken also by us And the Lord heard it Wherefore then were not ye afraid to speak against my Servant Moses And the Anger of the Lord was kindled against them and he departed Num. 12. 1 8. God shews his displeasure against those who murmur at such as he has set over them And all the Children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron And the Lord said unto Moses How long will this People provoke me Surely they shall not see the Land which I sware unto their Fathers neither shall any of them that provoked me see it Num. 14. 2 11 23. Great are the Judgments of God upon those who murmur against such as are over them Now Korah and Dathan and Abiram took men and they rose up before Moses with certain of the Children of Israel two hundred and fifty Princes of the assembly famous in the Congregation Men of renown And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron and said unto them Ye take too much upon you seeing all the Congregation are holy every one of them and the Lord is among them Wherefore then lift you up your selves above the Congregation of the Lord And when Moses heard it he fell upon his Face And he spake unto the Congregation saying Depart I pray you from tbe Tents of these wicked Men and touch nothing of theirs lest ye be consumed in all their Sins And the Earth opened her Mouth and swallowed them up and their Houses and all the Men that appertained unto Korah and all their goods And there came out a fire from the Lord and consumed the two hundred and fifty Men that offered Incense Num. 16. 1 26 32 35. The Congregation being holy Exempts them not from their Obedience enjoin'd The Authority of Princes of the Congregation Men Famous and of Renown is not enough for questioning the Authority of Moses and Aaron whom God had commanded all to hear and obey Their offering Incense to God is not accepted while divided from Moses and Aaron they are under the guilt of Disobedience Thou shalt come unto the Priests the Levites and unto the Judge that shall be in those days and enquire and they shall shew thee the Sentence of Judgment And thou shalt do according to the Sentence which they of that place which the Lord shall chuse shall shew thee and thou shalt observe to do according to all that
the Husband hath not Power of his own Body but the Wife Defraud you not one the other except it be with consent for a Time that ye may give your selves to Fasting and Prayer and come together again that Satan tempt you not for your Incontinency But I speak this by Permission and not of Commandment 1 Cor. 7. 3. 4thly That they may and ought to live holily There was in the Days of Herod the King of Judea a certain Priest named Zacharias of the Course of Abia And his Wife was of the Daughters of Aaron and her Name was Elizabeth And they were both righteous before God walking in all the Commandments and Ordinances of the Lord blameless and they had no Child because that Elizabeth was barren and they both were now well stricken in years Luk. 1. 5. This I say Brethren the time is short It remaineth that both they that have Wives be as tho' they had none and they that weep as tho' they wept not and they that rejoice as tho' they rejoiced not and they that buy as tho' they possessed not and they that use this World as not abusing it For the fashion of this World passeth away 1 Cor. 7. 29. We beseech you Brethren and exhort you by the Lord Jesus that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God so ye would abound more and more For ye know what Commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus For this is the Will of God even your Sanctification that ye should abstain from Fornication That every one of you should know how to possess his Vessel in Sanctification and Honor not in the Lust of Concupiscence even as the Gentiles which know not God 1 Thess 4. 1. Marriage is honorable in all and the Bed undefiled But Whoremongers and Adulterers God will judge Let your Conversation be without Covetousness and be content with such things as ye have For he hath said I will never leave thee nor forsake thee Heb. 13. 4. 5thly That there are great Duties of mutual Love and Support belonging to them and that Order is to be observ'd which God has appointed between them I would have you know that the Head of every Man is Christ and the Head of the Woman is the Man and the Head of Christ is God A Man indeed ought not to cover his Head praying for as much as he is the Image and Glory of God But the Woman is the Glory of the Man For the Man is not of the Woman but the Woman of the Man Neither was the Man created for the Woman but the Woman for the Man For this Cause ought the Woman to have Power on her Head because of the Angels Nevertheless neither is the Man without the Woman neither the Woman without the Man in the Lord. For as the Woman is of the Man even so is the Man also by the Woman but all things of God 1 Cor. 11. 3 7. Submitting your selves one to another in the Fear of God Wives submit your selves unto your own Husbands as unto the Lord. For the Husband is the Head of the Wife even as Christ is Head of the Church And he is the Saviour of the Body Therefore as the Church is subject unto Christ so let the Wives be to their own Husbands in every thing Husbands love your Wives even as Christ loved the Church and also gave himself for it That he might sanctifie and cleanse it So ought Men to love their Wives as their own Bodies He that loveth his Wife loveth himself For no Man ever yet hated his own Flesh but nourisheth and cherisheth it even as the Lord the Church For we are Members of his Body of his Flesh and of his Bones For this Cause shall a Man leave his Father and Mother and shall be joined unto his Wife and they two shall be one Flesh This is a great Mystery But I speak concerning Christ and the Church Nevertheless Let every one of you in particular so love his Wife even as himself and the Wife see that she reverence her Husband Eph. 5. 21 28. Wives submit your selves unto your own Husbands as it is fit in the Lord. Husbands love your Wives and be not bitter against them Col. 3. 18. Ye Wives be in Subjection to your own Husbands that if any obey not the word they also may without the word be won by the Conversation of the Wives while they behold your chaste Conversation coupled with Fear Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the Hair and of wearing of Gold or of putting on of Apparel but let it be the hidden Man of the Heart in that which is not corruptible even the Ornament of a meek and quiet Spirit which is in the Sight of God of great Price For after this manner in the Old Time the holy Women also who trusted in God adorned themselves being in Subjection unto their own Husbands even as Sara obeyed Abraham calling him Lord Whose Daughters ye are as long as ye do well and are not affraid with any Amazement 1 Pet. 3. 1. Likewise ye Husbands dwell with them according to Knowledge giving Honor unto the Wife as unto the weaker Vessel and as being Heirs together of the Grace of Life that your Prayers be not hinder'd 1 Pet. 3. 7. Teach the young Women to be sober to love their Husbands to love their Children to be Discreet Chaste keepers at Home good obedient to their own Husbands that the Word of God be not blasphemed Tit. 2. 4. Young Men likewise exhort to be Sober-minded Tit. 2. 6. That the aged Men be Sober Grave Temperate Sound in Faith in Charity in Patience Tit. 2. 2. The aged Women likewise that they be in Behavior as becometh Holiness not false Accusers not given to much Wine Teachers of good things Tit. 2. 3. I will that Men pray every where lifting up holy Hands without Wrath and Doubting 1 Tim. 2. 8. In like manner also that Women adorn themselves in modest Apparel with Shamefacedness and Sobriety Not broider'd Hair or Gold or Pearls or costly Array but which becometh Women professing Godliness with good Works Let the Women learn in silence with all Subjection But I suffer not a Woman to teach nor to usurp Authority over the Man but to be in silence For Adam was first formed then Eve And Adam was not deceived but the Woman being deceived was in the Transgression Notwithstanding she shall be saved in Child-bearing if they continue in Faith and Charity and Holiness with Sobriety 1 Tim. 2. 9. Let your Women keep silence in the Churches For it is not permitted unto them to speak but they are commanded to be under Obedience as also saith the Law And if they will learn any thing let them ask their Husbands at Home For it is a Shame for Women to speak in the Church 1 Cor. 14. 34. Thus speaks the Rule and so particularly that there can be no
with the Drunken The Lord of that Servant shall come in a Day when he looketh not for him and in an Hour that he is not ware of and shall cut him asunder and appoint him his Portion with the Hypocrites There shall be weeping and gnashing of Teeth Mat. 24. 45. Fidelity Prudence and Moderation is here commended to Servants and their Guilt is here declar'd who are Imperious over their Fellow-servants deal harshly with them or wast what belongs to those whom they serve Well done thou good and faithful servant thou hast been faithful over a few things I will make thee ruler over many things enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth Mat. 25. 21 30. A Reward is here promis'd to the faithful and industrious Servant who is truly Zealous in his Master's Interest And Punishment declar'd against the Slothful and Faithless who are not Solicitous for their Master's Advantage Blessed are those servants whom the Lord when he cometh shall find watching Luk. 12. 37. Their Fidelity is rewarded who in the Master's Absence are Solicitous to discharge their Duty well That servant which knew his Lord's will and prepared not himself neither did according to his will shall be beaten with many stripes But he that knew not and did commit things worthy of stripes shall be beaten with few stripes For unto whomsoever much is given of him shall be much required and to whom Men have committed much of him they will ask the more Luk. 12. 47. The Servant's Rule is the Will of the Master in all that is not Sin He is the best Servant who not only do's according to his Master's Orders but also according to his Desires But he that knows his Master's Will and yet do's it not is not true to what he has undertaken I am resolv'd what to do that when I am put out of the Stewardship they may receive me into their houses Luke 16. 4. So said this Steward and accordingly rais'd himself Friends at his Master's Cost But this being the unjust Steward it is a thing which Servants are not to imitate but avoid as an Injustice He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much And he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much Luk. 16. 10. To be Faithful in little things is an Argument of true Fidelity Servants be obedient to them that are your Masters according to the flesh with Fear and Trembling in singleness of your heart as unto Christ Not with eye-service as Men-pleasers but as the servants of Christ doing the will of God from the heart with good will doing service as to the Lord and not to Men Knowing that whatsoever good thing any Man doeth the same shall he receive of the Lord whether he be Bond or Free Eph. 6. 5. Servants obey in all things your Masters according to the flesh not with eye-service as Men-pleasers but in singleness of heart fearing God And whatsoever ye do do it heartily as to the Lord and not unto Men knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance For ye serve the Lord Christ But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done And there is no respect of Persons Col. 3. 22. This Lesson thus repeated by S. Paul ought to be considered Word by Word if it were read every Day by Servants this would not be too often Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own Masters worthy of all honor that the Name of God and his Doctrin be not blasphemed And they that have believing Masters let them not despise them because they are brethren but rather do them service because they are faithful and beloved partakers of the benefit 1 Tim. 6. 1. Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own Masters and to please them well in all things not answering again not purloining but shewing all good fidelity that they may adorn the doctrin of God our Saviour in all things Tit. 2. 9. Servants be subject to your Masters with all Fear not only to the Good and Gentle but also to the Froward For this is thank-worthy if a Man for Conscience toward God endure grief suffering wrongfully For what glory is it if when ye be buffetted for your faults ye shall take it patiently But if when ye do well and suffer for it ye take it patiently this is acceptable with God For even hereunto were ye called Because Christ also suffered for us leaving us an Example that ye should follow his steps who did no sin neither was guile found in his mouth Who when he was reviled reviled not again when he suffered he threatned not but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously 1 Pet. 2. 18. Thus speaks the Rule both to the Instruction and Comfort of Servants It requires them to be Careful and Faithful in their Duty not with Eye-service but as serving God is always Present and Witness whether of their Fidelity or Sloth It requires them to give Respect and be Obedient to their Masters and this not only if they are Gentle and Mild but even if they are Froward and Uneasie It requires them to suffer with Patience not only the Labor of their State but likewise all Trials as are frequent in their Circumstances such as are Reproofs Reproaches or even Blows and these not only when they are deserved by their Faults but even when they have done well and therefore deserv'd them not For their Encouragement the Apostle lays before them the Example of Christ and lets them know that God is not a Respecter of Persons and therefore that if they serve faithfully as to the Lord and suffer patiently according to the Example of Christ they may confide in God as their faithful Rewarder Such as do thus are Christian Servants and in as good a Way of being Great in the Kingdom of Heaven as those whom they serve But then if they follow not this Advice are Eye-servants are neither Careful in what they are to do nor Patient in what they suffer how unhappy are they A kind of Slaves here and little Hopes of being better hereafter CHAP. XXIX Of Merchants Shopkeepers and all Dealers WHAT Directions do's the Gospel give to Persons of this Profession A. It lays down some Principles which it is their Duty to observe As ye would that Men should do to you do ye also to them likewise Luk. 6. 31. All things whatsoever ye would that Men should do to you do ye even so to them For this is the Law and the Prophets Mat. 7. 12. This is the Will of God that no Man go beyond and defraud his Brother in any matter because that the Lord is the Avenger of all such as we also have forewarned you and testified 1 Thess 4. 3 6. He that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath
of no Man to be no Brawler but Gentle shewing all Meekness unto all Men Tit. 3. 2. And the Servant of the Lord must not strive but be gentle unto all Men apt to teach patient in Meekness instructing those that oppose themselves 2 Tim. 2. 24. Thus speaks the Rule and by it are commended to us Gentleness Meekness Moderation Patience and by the same are forbid all Passion undue Anger Roughness Quarrelling Impatience with our Neighbor c. These are Evils the former are to be our Ornaments What then must be judg'd of all such as take Exceptions at every accident who easily Fret fall into Passion use reproachful Language will bear nothing excuse nothing but let every trifling Occasion be enough to disturb their own Peace and their Neighbors Do these follow the Gospel It is too evident they do not and therefore are under a strict Obligation of daily laboring to bring themselves to a more Christian Temper If Nature be difficult yet Grace is more powerful and by this all Difficulties may be overcome and those who strive not to gain this Victory are without Excuse CHAP. XIV Of Humility and Pride Q. WHAT Directions do's the Gospel give as to Humility and Pride A. It declares the great Value of the one and the Mischiefs of the other so that whatever be the Judgment of the World yet 't is plain what is the Judgment of the Gospel and there can be no Excuse for those who do not follow it Blessed are the Poor in Spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven Mat. 5. 3. Take my Yoke upon you and learn of me for I am meek and lowly in Heart and ye shall find Rest unto your Souls Mat. 11. 29. Whosoever shall humble himself as this little Child the same is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven Mat. 18. 4. They which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise Lordship over them and their great Ones exercise Authority upon them But so it shall not be among you But whosoever will be great among you shall be your Minister And whosoever of you will be the chiefest shall be Servant of all For even the Son of Man came not to be minister'd unto but to minister and to give his Life a Ransom for many Mar. 10. 42 c. All their Works they the Pharisees do for to be seen of Men They make broad their Phylacteries and enlarge the Borders of their Garments and love the uppermost Rooms at Feasts and the chief Seats in the Synagogues and Greetings in the Markets and to be called of Men Rabbi Rabbi But be not ye called Rabbi for one is your Master even Christ and all ye are Brethren Neither be ye called Masters for one is your Master even Christ But he that is greatest among you shall be your Servant And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted Mat. 23. 5 c. He hath regarded the low Estate of his Handmaiden for behold from henceforth all Generations shall call me blessed He hath scatter'd the Proud in the Imagination of their Hearts he hath put down the Mighty from their Seats and exalted them of low Degree Luk. 1. 48 51. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself God I thank thee that I am not as other Men are Extortioners Vnjust Adulterers or even as this Publican I fast twice in the Week I give Tythes of all that I possess And the Publican standing afar off would not lift up so much as his Eyes unto Heaven but smote upon his Breast saying God be merciful to me a Sinner I tell you This Man went down to his House justified rather than the other for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted Luk. 18. 11. And thou Capernaum which art exalted to Heaven shalt be thrust down to Hell Luk. 10. 15. Be not high minded but fear for if God spared not the natural Branches take heed lest he also spare not thee Rom. 11. 20. Mind not high things but condescend to Men of low Estate be not wise in your own Conceits Rom. 12. 16. That ye might learn in us not to think of Men above that which is written that no one of you be puffed up for one against another For who maketh thee to differ from another And what hast thou that thou didst not receive Now if thou didst receive it why do'st thou glory as if thou hadst not receiv'd it We are made a Spectacle unto the World and to Angels and to Men. We are Fools for Christ's sake but ye are wise in Christ we are weak but ye are strong ye are honorable but we are despised We are made as the Filth of the World and are the Off-scouring of all things unto this Day 1 Cor. 4. 6 c. Let nothing be done thro' Strife or Vain-Glory but in Lowliness of Mind let each esteem other better than themselves Let this Mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus who being in the form of God thought it no Robbery to be equal with God but made himself of no Reputation and took upon him the form of a Servant and was made in the likeness of Men and being found in fashion as a Man he humbled himself and became obedient unto Death even the Death of the Cross wherefore God also hath highly exalted him and given him a Name which is above every Name Phil. 2. 3 5 c. Now that he ascended what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the Earth Eph. 4. 9. Put on therefore as the elect of God holy and beloved Bowels of Mercies Kindness Humbleness of Mind Meekness Long-suffering Col. 3. 12. Yea all of you be subject one to another and be clothed with Humility for God resisteth the Proud and giveth Grace to the Humble Humble your selves therefore under the mighty Hand of God that he may exalt you in due time 1 Pet. 5. 5 6. Humble your selves in the sight of the Lord and he shall lift you up Jam. 4. 10. In the last Days perillous times shall come for Men shall be Lovers of their own selves Boasters Proud Vnthankful Fierce Despisers of those that are Good Heady High-minded 2 Tim. 3. 1 c. I beseech you to walk worthy of the Vocation wherewith ye are called with all Lowliness and Meekness with Long-suffering Eph. 4. 1 2. God hath chosen the foolish things of the World to confound the wise and God hath chosen the weak things of the World to confound the things which are mighty and base things of the World and things which are despised hath God chosen that no Flesh should glory in his Presence He that glorieth let him glory in the Lord 1 Cor. 1. 27. For not he that commendeth himself is approved but whom the Lord commendeth 2 Cor. 10. 18. Ye are they which justifie your selves before Men but God knoweth your Hearts
for that which is highly esteemed amongst Men is Abomination in the Sight of God Luk. 16. 15. How can ye believe which receive Honor one of another and seek not the Honor that cometh from God only Joh. 5. 44. For they loved the Praise of Men more than the Praise of God Jo. 12. 43. Let us not be desirous of vain Glory provoking one another envying one another Gal. 5. 26. Tho' I give my Body to be burned and have not Charity it profitteth me nothing Charity envieth not Charity vaunteth not it self is not puffed up doth not behave it self unseemly seeketh not her own 1 Cor. 13. 3 c. Thus plainly speaks the Rule And now if upon a serious weighing of these Particulars it does appear that a Universal Humility is most pressingly recommended and Pride is condemn'd in all its Branches then it must be own'd that in whatever way we seek Glory with Men and desire to be rais'd in the Opinion of the World in whatever way we labor to magnifie this unworthy Clay give our selves the Preference to others and in our Hearts despise our Neighbor so often we forsake our Rule and by a just Judgment upon Pride are rendring our selves eternally contemptible by the very ways in which we unduly seek Esteem If this be so then I think Christians have Reason to consider and reform the general Method of their Lives For if looking upon themselves they see the great Business of their Thoughts their Study their Contrivance their Expences is in the Service of Pride that in this they place their Happiness for this they deny themselves suffer many Inconveniencies hazard their Health exhaust their Estates c. must not they in this see they make Idols of themselves and for this self-worship despise all the Instructions Christ has given them and forsake his Gospel And can this way this Martyrdom of Self-love ever bring them to Heaven What then do they do Believe in Christ and his Promises and yet live in Contradiction to both This is in Fact to renounce both our Reason and Faith Heaven can never be the Reward of such insolent and wilful Madness They must either follow the Ways of the Gospel or lay by the Hopes of its Promises Christians are a People that make Profession of following the Law of Christ And yet in this Point all are striving to out-do one another in departing from it in forsaking the Ways of Humility and following those of Pride CHAP. XV. Of Detraction Reviling or Speaking Evil of our Neighbor Q. WHAT Directions does the Gospel give as to these Points A. They are all forbid For since the Gospel commands us to love our Neighbors as our selves and to do to all Men as we would that Men should do to us it is evident what Judgment we are to make of Detraction or speaking Evil of our Neighbors which is so contrary to these Two great Precepts of the new Law Detraction then is the Transgression of all that it is so positively commanded us in the Love of our Neighbor above-mention'd c. 9. and is yet more expresly forbid God gave them over to a reprobate Mind to do those things which are not convenient being filled with Maliciousness full of Envy Debate Deceit Malignity Whisperers Backbiters Despiteful Proud Boasters Inventers of evil things Covenant-Breakers Who knowing the Judgment of God that they which commit such things are worthy of Death not only do the same but have Pleasure in them that do them Rom. 1. 28 c. I fear lest when I come I shall not find you such as I would lest there be Debates Envyings Wraths Strifes Backbitings Whisperings Swellings Tumults 2 Cor. 12. 20. Wherefore laying aside all Malice and all Guile and Hypocrisies and Envyings and all Evil-speakings 1 Pet. 2. 1. Speak not Evil one of another Brethren He that speaketh Evil of his Brother and judgeth his Brother speaketh Evil of the Law and judgeth the Law But if thou judge the Law thou art not a Doer of the Law but a Judge There is one Law-giver who is able to save and to destroy who art thou that judgest another Jam. 4. 11. Nor Thieves nor Covetous nor Drunkards nor Revilers nor Extortioners shall inherit the Kingdom of God 1 Cor. 6. 10. Not to keep Company if any Man that is called a Brother be a Railer with such an one no not to eat 1 Cor. 5. 11. Put them in mind to speak Evil of no Man to be no Brawler but Gentle shewing all Meekness unto all Men Tit. 3. 2. Thus speaks the Rule and while it sets Detraction or Backbiting and Reviling and Whispering among those Sins which exclude from the Possession of God what must be said but that they who do these things either know not their Rule or think that by Custom 't is made void If something of this were not how should those who profess to believe and follow the Gospel live on in the open Breach of it and make that their general Entertainment which is here declar'd a Forfeiture of Happiness This seems a strange Blindness or Delusion and so much the greater that it is not the Practice only of such who by their Wickedness live at Defiance with Heaven but even of those who by their pious Endeavors and stricter Disciplin seem in earnest in what they profess Here 's the Surprize And to these I make it my Petition that they would take more Pains in knowing what their Rule teaches and since this declares Backbiting and Whispering to be so criminal that they would remember it and no more make these their Sport For that Piety cannot be true which has not this Regard to the Will of God and the Observance of his Law CHAP. XVI Of the Watchfulness and Industry of a Christian Life in Reproof of a slothful and idle Life Q. WHAT Directions does the Gospel give as to the Points of Watchfulness and Idleness A. It speaks plain enough Watch and pray that ye enter not into Temptation Matth. 26. 41. Let your Loins be girded about and your Lights burning and ye your selves like unto Men that wait for their Lord when he will return from the Wedding that when he cometh and knocketh they may open unto him immediately Blessed are those Servants whom the Lord when he cometh shall find watching And if he shall come in the second Watch or come in the third Watch and find them so blessed are those Servants And this know that if the good Man of the House had known what Hour the Thief would come he would have watched and not have suffered his House to be broken through Be ye therefore ready also for the Son of Man cometh at an Hour when ye think not Blessed is that Servant whom his Lord when he cometh shall find so doing of a Truth I say unto you that he will make him Ruler over all that he hath But and if that Servant say in his Heart my Lord delayeth his coming and shall
begin to beat the Men-servants and Maidens and to eat and drink and to be drunken the Lord of that Servant will come in a Day when he looketh not for him and at an Hour when he is not aware and will cut him in sunder and will appoint him his Portion with the Vnbelievers Luk. 12. 35 c. Take heed to your selves lest at any time your Hearts be overcharged with Surfeiting and Drunkenness and Cares of this Life and so that Day come upon you unawares For as a Snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the Face of the whole Earth Watch ye therefore and pray always that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass and to stand before the Son of Man Luk. 21. 34. Take ye heed watch and pray for ye know not when the time is For the Son of Man is as a Man taking a far Journey who left his House and gave Authority to his Servants and to every Man his Work and commanded the Porter to watch Watch ye therefore for ye know not when the Master of the House cometh at Even or at Midnight or at the Cock-crowing or in the Morning lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping and what I say unto you I say unto all watch Mar. 13. 33 c. Watch therefore for ye know neither the Day nor the Hour wherein the Son of Man cometh For the Kingdom of Heaven is as a Man travelling into a far Country who called his own Servants and delivered unto them his Goods Then he that had received the Five Talents went and traded with the same and made them other Five Talents But he that had received one went and digged in the Earth and hid his Lord's Money After a long time the Lord of those Servants cometh and reckoneth with them And so he that had received Five Talents came and brought other five Talents saying Lord thou deliveredst unto me Five Talents behold I have gained besides them Five Talents more His Lord said unto him Well done thou good and faithful Servant thou hast been faithful over a few things I will make thee Ruler over many things enter thou into the Joy of thy Lord. Then he which had received the one Talent came His Lord said unto him Thou wicked and slothful Servant Take therefore the Talent from him and give it unto him which hath Ten Talents and cast ye the unprofitable Servant into outer Darkness there shall be weeping and gnashing of Teeth Mat. 25. 13. And now also the Ax is laid unto the Root of the Trees therefore every Tree which bringeth not forth good Fruit is hewn down and cast into the Fire Mat. 3. 10. A certain Man had a Fig-tree planted in his Vineyard and he came and sought Fruit thereon and found none Then said he unto the Dresser of his Vineyard Behold these Three Years I come seeking Fruit on this Fig-tree and find none Cut it down why cumbreth it the Ground And he answering said unto him Lord let it alone this Year also till I shall dig about it and dung it and if it bear Fruit well and if not then after that thou shalt cut it down Luk. 13. 6. Not every one that saith unto me Lord Lord shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven but he that doth the Will of my Father which is in Heaven Mat. 7. 21. Strive to enter in at the strait Gate for many I say unto you will seek to enter in and shall not be able Luk. 13. 24. Enter ye in at the strait Gate for wide is the Gate and broad is the Way that leadeth to Destruction and many there be which go in thereat because strait is the Gate and narrow is the Way which leadeth unto Life and few there are that find it Mat. 7. 13. Seek and ye shall find knock and it shall be opened unto you Mat. 7. 7. Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and his Righteousness Mat. 6. 33. The Kingdom af Heaven suffereth Violence and the violent take it by force Mat. 11. 12. If any Man will come after me let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me For whosoever will save his Life shall lose it but whosoever will lose his Life for my sake the same shall save it Luk. 9. 23. If any Man come to me and hate not his Father and Mother and Wife and Children and Brethren and Sisters yea and his own Life also he cannot be my Disciple And whosoever doth not bear his Cross and come after me cannot be my Disciple Whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath he cannot be my Disciple Luk. 14. 26 33. A certain Man made a great Supper and bade many and sent his Servant at Supper-time to say to them that were bidden Come for all things are now ready And they all with one consent began to make excuse Then the Master of the House being angry said I say unto you that none of those Men that were bidden shall taste of my Supper Luk. 13. 16 c. Watch ye stand fast in the Faith quit you like Men be strong 1 Cor. 16. 13. Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall 1 Cor. 10. 12. Awake to Righteousness and sin not 1 Cor. 15. 34. Be Sober be Vigilant because your Adversary the Devil as a roaring Lion walketh about seeking whom he may devour Whom resist stedfast in Faith 1 Pet. 5. 8. My Brethren be strong in the Lord and in the Power of his Might put on the whole Armour of God that ye may be able to stand against the Wills of the Devil For we wrestle not against Flesh and Blood but against Principalities against Powers against the Rulers of the darkness of this World Wherefore take unto you the whole Armour of God that ye may be able to withstand in the evil Day and having done all to stand Stand therefore having your Loins girt about with Truth and having on the Breast-plate of Righteousness and your Feet shod with the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace above all taking the Shield of Faith wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery Darts of the Wicked And take the Helmet of Salvation and the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God Praying always with all Prayer and Supplication in the Spirit and watching thereunto with all Perseverance Eph. 6. 10. Let us not sleep as do others but let us watch and be sober 1 Thess 5. 6. If therefore thou shalt not watch I will come on thee as a Thief and thou shalt not know what Hour I will come upon thee Rev. 3. 3. Therefore my beloved Brethren be ye stedfast unmoveable always abounding in the Work of the Lord forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord 1 Cor. 15. 58. Be not deceived God is not mocked For whatsoever a Man soweth that shall he also reap
Rom. 8. 12. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ Shall tribulation or distress or persecution Nay in all these things we are more than conquerors thro' him that loved us Rom. 8. 35. If we have been planted together in the likeness of his death we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection Knowing this that our Old man is crucified with him that the body of sin might be destroyed that henceforth we should not serve sin Now if we be dead with Christ we believe that we shall also live with him Rom. 6. 5 8. I beseech you brethren by the mercies of God that ye present your bodies a living Sacrifice holy acceptable unto God which is your reasonable service and be not conformed to this world But be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God Rom. 12. 1. Every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things Now they do it to obtain a corruptible Crown but we an incorruptible I therefore so run not as uncertainly so fight I not as one that beateth the air But I keep unto my body and bring it under subjection lest that by any means when I have preached to others I my self should be a cast-away 1 Cor. 9. 25. Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus Christ that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body 2 Cor. 4. 10. He died for all that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves but unto him which died for them and rose again Therefore if any man be in Christ he is a new creature old things are past away behold all things are become new 2 Cor. 5. 15 17. I am crucified with Christ nevertheless I live yet not I but Christ liveth in me And the life which I now live in the Flesh I live by the Faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me Gal. 2. 20. Walk in the Spirit and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh If we live in the Spirit let us also walk in the spirit They that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts Gal. 5. 16 24. Henceforth let no man trouble me for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus Gal. 6. 17. I do 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 That I may know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings being made conformable unto his death if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead Phil. 3. 8. Put off concerning the former conversation the old man which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts and be renewed in the spirit of your mind and that ye put on the new man which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness Eph. 4. 22. The Grace of God that bringeth Salvation hath appeared to all men teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts we should live soberly righteously and godly in this present world Tit. 2. 12. Mortifie therefore your members which are upon the earth Fornication Vncleanness inordinate Affection in the which ye also walked some time when ye lived in them But now you also put off all these and have put on the new man which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him Col. 3. 5. Flee also youthful lusts But follow righteousness Faith Charity Peace 2 Tim. 2. 22. Thus speaks the Rule whence it is plain above all dispute that those who follow their Inclinations do not follow this Rule We have all an inheritance of Corruption which bends us to sin this is entail'd on us from Adam and is call'd the Old Man this the Gospel commands us to put off all such then as strictly examin their Inclinations Affections and Desires and resolutely stand against those which they perceive to be sinful or can suspect as leading to sin are the Persons who live by the Rule which they profess and if they study to improve those better Impressions which are the effects of Grace it cannot be question'd but they will be cloath'd with the New Man and while in the Flesh even live by the Spirit But this cannot be their Character who being subject to great variety of Worldly and Sensual Inclinations who finding no Relish in their Souls but of what is in favor of their Pride Vanity Idleness and of Self-love in all its Shapes are so far from using due means for suppressing them that their whole Life is an Obedience to their demands for certainly these have no regard to what the Gospel prescribes their Life is a Contradiction to its Rules they indulge their Corruption which God commands them to resist and therefore being found under the Subjecti of the old Man can never expect while under this Slavery to come to the Liberty of the Children of God Either do what the Gospel requires or else look for no other Portion but with Unbelievers CHAP. XIX Of Suffering Affliction or Persecution Q. WHAT Directions do's the Gospel give as to these Points A. It speaks very largely of them and shews with what Spirit a Christian ought to submit Blessed are they which are persecuted for Righteousness sake for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven Blessed are ye when Men shall revile you and persecute you and shall say all manner of evil against you falsly for my sake Rejoice and be exceeding glad for great is your Reward in Heaven For so persecuted they the Prophets which were before you Mat. 5. 10. Ye have heard that it hath been said an Eye for an Eye and a Tooth for a Tooth but I say unto you that ye resist not Evil but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right Cheek turn him the other also Mat. 5. 38. He that taketh not his Cross and followeth after me is not worthy of me He that findeth his Life shall lose it and he that loseth his Life for my sake shall find it Fear not them which kill the Body but are not able to kill the Soul but rather fear him which is able to destroy both Soul and Body in Hell Are not two Sparrows Sold for a Farthing And one of them shall not fall on the Ground without your Father But the very Hairs of your Head are all number'd Fear ye not therefore ye are of more Value than many Sparrows Whosoever therefore shall confess me before Men him will I confess also before my Father which is in Heaven Think not that I am come to send Peace on Earth I came not to send Peace but a Sword Mat. 10. 38 28. Behold I send you forth as Sheep
in Perils in the City in Perils in the Wilderness in Perils in the Sea in Perils among false Brethren In Damascus the Governor under Aretas the King kept the City of the Damascens with a Garison desirous to apprehend me and thro' a Window in a Basket was I let down by the Wall and escaped his Hands 2 Cor. 11. 20 23. Lest I should be exalted above Measure thro' the abundance of the Revelations there was given to me a Thorn in the Flesh the Messenger of Satan to buffet me lest I should be exalted above Measure For this thing I besought the Lord thrice that it might depart from me And he said unto me my Grace is sufficient for thee For my Strength is made perfect in Weakness Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my Infirmities that the Power of Christ may rest upon me Therefore I take Pleasure in Infirmities in Reproaches in Necessities in Persecutions in Distresses for Christ's sake For when I am weak then am I strong 2 Cor. 12. 7. What things were Gain to me those I counted Loss for Christ Yea doubtless and I do 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. I have learned in whatever State I am therewith to be content I know both how to be abased and I know how to abound Everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry both to abound and to suffer need I can do all things thro' Christ which strengtheneth me Phil. 4. 11. Whereof of the Gospel I Paul am made a Minister who now rejoice in my Sufferings for you and fill up that which is behind of the Afflictions of Christ in my Flesh for his Body's sake which is the Church Col. 1. 23. We our selves glory in you in the Churches of God for your Patience and Faith in all your Persecutions and Tribulations that ye endure which is a manifest Token of the Righteous Judgment of God that ye may be counted worthy of the Kingdom of God for which ye also suffer seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompence Tribulation to them that trouble you and to you who are troubled rest with us 2 Thess 1. 4. I suffer Trouble as an evil Doer even unto Bonds but the Word of God is not bound Therefore I endure all things for the Elect's sakes that they may also obtain the Salvation which is in Christ Jesus with Eternal Glory It is a faithful Saying for if we be dead with him we shall also live with him if we suffer we shall also reign with him if we deny him he also will deny us 2 Tim. 2. 9. Thou hast fully known my Doctrine manner of Life Purpose Faith Long-suffering Charity Patience Persecutions Afflictions which came unto me at Antioch at Iconium at Lystra what Persecutions I endured but out of them all the Lord delivered me yea and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer Persecution 2 Tim. 3. 10. We see Jesus who was made a little lower than the Angels for the suffering of Death crowned with Glory and Honour that he by the Grace of God should taste Death for every Man For it became him for whom are all things and by whom are all things in bringing many Sons unto Glory to make the Captain of their Salvation perfect thro' Sufferings Heb. 2. 9. Tho' he were a Son yet learned he Obedience by the things which he suffered and being made perfect he became the Author of eternal Salvation unto all them that obey him Heb. 5. 8. It is a fearful thing to fall into the Hands of the living God but call to Remembrance the former Days in which after ye were illuminated ye endured a great fight of Afflictions partly whilst ye were made a gazing-stock both by Reproaches and Afflictions and partly whilst ye became Companions of them that were so used For ye had Compassion of me in my Bonds and took joyfully the spoiling of your Goods knowing in your selves that ye have in Heaven a better and an enduring Substance Cast not away therefore your Confidence which hath great Recompence of Reward For ye have need of Patience that after ye have done the Will of God ye might receive the Promise For yet a little while and he that shall come will come and will not tarry Now the just shall live by Faith but if any Man draw back my Soul shall have no Pleasure in him But we are not of them who draw back unto Perdition but of them that believe to the saving of the Soul Heb. 10. 31. By Faith Moses when he was come to Years refused to be called the Son of Pharoah's Daughter chusing rather to suffer Affliction with the People of God than to enjoy the Pleasures of Sin for a season esteeming the Reproach of Christ greater Riches than the Treasures of Egypt for he had Respect unto the Recompence of the Reward What shall I more say of the Prophets who thro' Faith subdued Kingdoms wrought Righteousness obtain'd Promises stopped the Mouths of Lions quenched the Violence of Fire Others were tortured not accepting Deliverance that they might obtain a better Resurrection And others had Trial of cruel Mockings and Scourgings yea moreover of Bonds and Imprisonment They were stoned they were sawn asunder were tempted were slain with the Sword they wander'd about in Sheep-skins and Goat-skins being destitute afflicted tormented of whom the World was not worthy they wander'd in Desarts and in Mountains and in Dens and Caves of the Earth Heb. 11. 23 32. Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a Cloud of Witnesses let us lay aside every weight and the Sin which doth so easily beset us and let us run with Patience the Race that is set before us looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our Faith who for the Joy that was set before him endured tbe Cross despising the Shame and is set down at the Right Hand of the Throne of God For consider him that endured such Contradiction of Sinners against himself lest ye be wearied and faint in your Minds Ye have not yet resisted unto Blood striving against Sin And ye have forgotten the Exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto Children My Son despise not thou the chastening of the Lord nor faint when thou art rebuked of him for whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth and scourgeth every Son whom he receiveth If ye endure chastening God dealeth with you as with Sons for what Son is he whom the Father chasteneth not But if ye be without Chastisement whereof all are Partakers then are ye Bastards and not Sons Furthermore we have had Fathers of our flesh which corrected us and we gave them Reverence shall we not much rather be in Subjection unto the
Father of Spirits and live For they verily for a few Days chastened us after their own Pleasure but he for our Profit that we might be Partakers of his Holiness Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous but grievous nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable Fruit of Righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby Wherefore lift up the Hands which hang down and the feeble Knees and make straight Paths for your Feet lest that which is lame be turned out of the way but let it rather be healed Heb. 12. 1. Paul and Barnabas preached the Gospel confirming the Souls of the Disciples and exhorting them to continue in the Faith and that we must thro' much Tribulation enter into the Kingdom of God Act. 14. 22. And now behold I go bound in the Spirit unto Jerusalem not knowing the things that shall befal me there save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every City saying that Bonds and Afflictions abide me But none of these things move me neither count I my Life dear unto my self so that I might finish my Course with Joy and the Ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus Act. 20. 22. Then Paul answered What mean ye to weep and to break my Heart For I am ready not to be bound only but also to die at Jerusalem for the Name of the Lord Jesus Acts 21. 13. My Brethren count it all Joy when ye fall into divers Temptations knowing this that the trying of your Faith worketh Patience But let Patience have her perfect Work that ye may be perfect and entire wanting nothing Blessed is the Man that endureth Temptation for when he is tried he shall receive the Crown of Life which the Lord hath promised to them that love him Jam. 1. 2 12. Take my Brethren the Prophets who have spoken in the Name of the Lord for an Example of suffering Affliction and of Patience Behold we count them happy which endure Ye have heard of the Patience of Job and have seen the end of the Lord that the Lord is very pitiful and of tender mercy Jam. 5. 10. This is thank-worthy if a Man for Conscience toward God endure Grief suffering wrongfully For what Glory is it if when ye be buffetted for your Faults ye shall take it patiently But if when ye do well and suffer for it ye take it patiently this is acceptable with God For even hereunto were ye called because Christ also suffered for us leaving us an Example that ye should follow his steps who did no Sin neither was Guile found in his Mouth who when he was reviled reviled not again when he suffered he threatned not but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously who his own self bare our Sins in his own Body on the Tree that we being dead to Sin should live unto Righteousness by whose Stripes ye were healed 1 Pet. 2. 19. Who is he that will harm you if ye be followers of that which is good But and if ye suffer for Righteousness sake happy are ye and be not afraid of their Terror neither be troubled but sanctifie the Lord God in your Hearts for it is better if the Will of God be so that ye suffer for well-doing than for evil-doing For Christ also hath once suffered for Sins the just for the unjust that he might bring us to God being put to death in the Flesh but quickned by the Spirit 1 Pet. 3. 13 17. Beloved think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you as tho' same strange thing happen'd unto you but rejoice in as much as ye are Partakers of Christ's Sufferings that when his Glory shall be revealed ye may be glad also with exceeding Joy If ye be reproached for the Name of Christ happy are ye for the Spirit of Glory and of God resteth upon you on their part he is evil spoken of but on your part he is glorified But let none of you suffer as a Murtherer or as a Thief or as an evil Doer or as a Busie-body in other Men's Matters Yet if any Man suffer as a Christian let him not be ashamed but let him glorifie God on this behalf For the time is come that Judgment must begin at the House of God and if it first begin at us what shall the end be of them that obey not the Gospel of God And if the righteous scarcely be saved where shall the Vngodly and the Sinner appear Wherefore let them that suffer according to the Will of God commit the keeping of their Souls to him in well-doing as unto a faithful Creator 1 Pet. 4. 12. What are these which are arrayed in white Robes And whence came they And I said unto him Sir thou knowest And he said to me These are they which came out of great Tribulation and have washed their Robes and made them white in the Blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the Throne of God and serve him Day and Night in his Temple and God shall wipe away all Tears from their Eyes Rev. 7. 13. Thus speaks the Rule so full and plain that a Christian must hence see what Judgment he is to frame of all the Afflictions of this Life and what use he is to make of them He is to consider them as the Effect of the Divine Will as the Trial and Improvement of Virtue as the Exercise of Patience as the Portion which Christ chose for himself and for his best Servants and hence that by a due Submission to them they may be very serviceable in the gaining an eternal Crown Therefore in practice he is neither to murmur nor sink in Spirit under them as under Misfortunes but first endeavor to submit with Resolution as to the certain Ordinance of the Divine Will and then even to receive with Comfort what God knows to be best for him and may be very advantageous to him for obtaining Mercy and Glory Thus the Gospel directs Such then as sincerely desire to be Followers of it must labour to compose their Spirits in this manner under all kind of Afflictions that is with Meekness Patience Humility Submission and Comfort for this is the Spirit of the Gospel and they who take no Pains or very little to come into this Method but yield to the Inclinations of Nature in grieving fretting murmuring c. it is plain as far as they wilfully or affectedly follow Nature in this Point so far they depart from the Gospel CHAP. XX. Of Temptations Q. DO's the Gospel give any Directions in this Point A. It do's and such as ought to be observ'd The Devil taketh him up into an exceeding high Mountain and sheweth him all the Kingdoms of the World and the Glory of them and saith unto him All these things will I give thee if thou wilt fall down and worship me Then saith Jesus unto him Get thee hence Satan for it is written Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and him only shalt thou serve
Then the Devil leaveth him and behold Angels came and minister'd unto him Mat. 4. 8. Be sober be vigilant because your Adversary the Devil as a roaring Lion walketh about seeking whom he may devour Whom resist stedfast in Faith knowing that the same Afflictions are accomplished in your Brethren that are in the World But the God of all Grace who hath called us unto his eternal Glory by Christ Jesus after that ye have suffered a while make you perfect stablish strengthen settle you 1 Pet. 〈…〉 Devil and he will flee from you Draw nigh to God and he will draw nigh to you Humble your selves in the Sight of the Lord and he shall lift you up Jam. 4. 7 10. Peter said Ananias why hath Satan filled thine Heart to lie to the Holy Ghost and keep back part of the Price of the Land Act. 5. 3. Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall There hath no Temptation taken you but such as is common to Man But God is Faithful who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able but will with the Temptation also make a Way to escape that ye may be able to bear it 1 Cor. 10. 12. Lest I should be exalted above Measure thro' the abundance of the Revelations there was given to me a Thorn in the Flesh the Messenger of Satan to buffet me lest I should be exalted above Measure For this thing I besought the Lord thrice that it might depart from me And he said unto me my Grace is sufficient for thee For my Strength is made perfect in Weakness Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my Infirmities that the Power of Christ may rest upon me For when I am weak then am I strong 2 Cor. 12. 7. We glory in Tribulations also knowing that Tribulation worketh Patience and Patience Experience and Experience Hope Rom. 5. 3. My Brethren count all Joy when ye fall into divers Temptations knowing this that the trying of your Faith work th◠Patience but let Patience have her perfect Work that ye may be Perfect and Entire wanting nothing Blessed is the Man that endureth Temptation for when he is tried he shall receive the Crown of Life which the Lord hath promised to them that love him Let no Man say when he is tempted I am tempted of God For God cannot be tempted with Evil neither tempteth he any Man But every Man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own Lust and enticed Then when Lust hath conceived it bringeth forth Sin And Sin when it is finished bringeth forth Death Jam. 1. 2 12. Wherein ye greatly rejoice tho' now for a Season if need be ye are in Heaviness thro' manifold Temptations That the Trial of your Faith being much more precious than of Gold that perisheth tho' it be tried with Fire might be found unto Praise and Honor and Glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ whom having not seen ye love 1 Pet. 1. 6. The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of Temptations and to reserve the unjust unto the Day of Judgment to be punished 2 Pet. 2. 9. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer Behold the Devil shall cast some of you into Prison that ye may be tried And ye shall have Tribulation Ten Days Be thou Faithful unto Death and I will give thee a Crown of Life Rev. 2. 10. Thus speaks the Rule Whence many Particulars are made evident First That Good and Holy Persons are not exempt from Temptations but that even these may be assaulted by the worst and most abominable of all Temptations as appears in the Person of Christ and his Apostle 2dly That God tries his best Servants with many and great Difficulties which Trials are often call'd Temptations not Temptations to Sin but for the Trial of Fidelity and greater Improvement in Virtue 3dly That a Christian ought not to grieve when under such Temptations or Trials but rather rejoice because he knows this is the Effect of God's Love and that an eternal Crown is promis'd the Reward of his Patience 4thly That therefore under all such Trials he ought to have his Hope fix'd on God with an entire Confidence of being ever supported by his Grace that he will give him Strength proportion'd to his Trials and either continue or take them away as he knows to be best for him 5thly That the Devil taking the Advantage of his natural Corruption lays many Temptations before him and by these provokes him to Sin and in this Way God tempts no Man it being wholly Inconsistent with his Goodness Lastly That with great Watchfulness he is to observe these Designs of his Enemy and with Resolution stand against them and that upon so doing he cannot fail of being Conqueror thro' God's assisting Grace These being Truths deliver'd in the Christian's Rule he must carefully observe them He must receive all Trials which come from the Hand of God with great Patience Courage and Fidelity and daily endeavor in Spirit to rejoice under them He must not be dejected at the most malicious Assaults of the Devil but either despise or resist them He must bear such Temptations as are common to our Nature with Humility and never Wilfully Carlesly or Presumptuously put himself into Temptation They who do thus may confide in the Grace of God which will be sufficient for them And they who do otherwise forsake their Rule and there can be no Surprize if they are forsaken by him who has given it them for their Direction and Security CHAP. XXI Of Virgins Q. HAving seen what the Gospel directs in these General Duties which belong to all that profess the Name of Christ let me now hear what it says to the Particular States of Christians that so having this drawn under several Heads every one may have the Opportunity of seeing what is the Will of God in regard of them and what Instructions Christ has laid upon them And First What do's the Gospel say of Virgins A. It speaks very particularly of them There are some Eunuchs which were so born from their Mothers Womb And there are some Eunuchs which were made Eunuchs of Men And there be Eunuchs which have made themselves Eunuchs for the Kingdom of Heaven's sake He that is able to receive it let him receive it Mat. 19. 12. The Kingdom of Heaven shall be likened unto Ten Virgins which took their Lamps and went forth to meet the Bridegroom And Five of them were Wise and Five were Foolish They that were Foolish took their Lamps and took no Oyl with them But the Wise took Oyl in their Vessels with their Lamps The Bridegroom came and they that were ready went in with him to the Marriage and the Door was shut Afterward came also the other Virgins saying Lord Lord open to us But he answered and said Verily I say unto you I know you not Watch therefore for ye know neither the Day nor the Hour Mat. 25. 1.
the Apostle's account than renouncing Christianity and turning Heathen and yet how common is this among those who esteem themselves Christians The Book of Proverbs describing the vertuous and industrious Woman in her Family I here and some part of it Who can find a vertuous Woman For her Price is far above Rubies The Heart of her Husband doth safely trust in her so that he shall have no need of spoil she will do him good and not evil all the Days of her Life She seeketh Wooll and Flax and worketh willingly with her Hands She is like the Merchant's Ship she bringeth her Food from afar she riseth also while it is yet Night and giveth Meat to her Houshold and a Portion to her Maidens She layeth her Hands to the Spindle and her Hands hold the Distaff She stretcheth out her Hand to the Poor yea she reacheth forth her Hands to the Needy She maketh fine Linnen and selleth it and delivereth Girdles unto the Merchant Strength and Honor are her cloathing and she shall rejoice in time to come She openeth her Mouth with Wisdom and in her Tongue is the Law of Kindness She looketh well to the Ways of her Houshold and eateth not the Bread of Idleness Her Children arise up and call her Blessed her Husband also and he praiseth her Favor is deceitful and Beauty is vain But a Woman that feareth the Lord she shall be praised Prov. 31. 10. An excellent Copy I wish all would set it before them and endeavor to come as near it as their Circumstances will allow Resolution and Virtue will make many things very Practicable which Sloth and Niceness will not allow to be Possible As to Servants When Jesus was entered into Capernaum there came unto him a Centurion beseeching him and saying Lord my Servant lyeth at Home Sick of the Palsie grievously tormented And Jesus saith unto him I will come and heal him Mat. 8. 5. It is a very commendable Charity in them to be careful of their Servants especially in time of Sickness Servants be Obedient to your Masters with good Will doing Service as to the Lord and not to Men knowing that whatsoever good thing any Man doeth the same shall be receive of the Lord whether he be Bond or Free And ye Masters do the same things unto them forbearing threatning knowing that your Master also is in Heaven neither is there respect of Persons with him Eph. 6. 5 7. Masters give unto your Servants that which is just and equal knowing that ye also have a Master in Heaven Col. 4. 1. I beseech thee for my Son Onesimus which in time past was to thee unprofitable but now profitable to thee and to me whom I have sent again Thou therefore receive him that is mine own Bowels For perhaps he therefore departed for a Season that thou shouldest receive him for ever not now as a Servant but above a Servant a Brother beloved especially to me but how much more unto thee both in the Flesh and in the Lord. If thou count me therefore a Partner receive him as my self If he hath wronged thee or oweth thee Ought put that on mine Account I Paul have written it with mine own Hand I will repay it Phil. 10. See how S. Paul shews favor to a poor Servant and pleads for him Behold the Hire of the Labourers which have reaped down your Fields which is of you kept back by Fraud crieth and the Cries of them which have reaped are entred into the Ears of the Lord of Sabbath Jam. 5. 4. I add something from the Old Testament The Hebrew Servant which thou hast brought unto us come in unto me to mock me Gen. 39. 17. This was a false Accusation of Potipher 's Wife and ought to be a Caution against laying Faults upon Servants which are not theirs They did set over them Task-masters to afflict them with their Burthens And the Egyptians made the Children of Israel to serve with Rigor And they made their Lives bitter with hard Bondage Exod. 1. 11 13. To insult over Servants to overcharge them with Labor to give them a perpetual Uneasiness is not a Christian but the Egyptian Method Thus saith the Lord God of Israel let my People go that they may hold a Feast unto me in the Wilderness Exod. 5. 1. To hinder Servants from the Worship of God and to think all that time lost which for this end is taken from their Work is to follow Pharaoh 's Copy The Wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all Night until the Morning Lev. 19. 13. Six Days shalt thou Labour and do all thy Work But the Seventh Day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God In it thou shalt not do any Work thou nor thy Son nor thy Daughter nor thy Man-servant nor thy Maid-servant nor thine Ox nor thine Ass nor any of thy Cattle nor thy Stranger that is within thy Gates that thy Man-servant and thy Maid-servant may rest as well thou Deut. 5. 13. To keep the Sabbath is the Duty of Servants as well as Masters Thou shalt not oppress an hired Servant that is Poor and Needy whether he be of thy Brethren or of thy Strangers that are in thy Land within thy Gates At this Day thou shalt give him his Hire neither shall the Sun go down upon it for he is Poor and setteth his Heart upon it lest he cry against thee unto the Lord and it be Sin unto thee Deut. 24. 14. If I did despise the Cause of my Man-servant or of my Maid-servant when they contended with me what then shall I do when God riseth up and when he visiteth what shall I answer him Did not he that made me in the Womb make him And did not one fashion us in the Womb Job 31. 13. The just Complaints of Servants to be heard with Patience and Justice to be done them Here are Instructions for all that have the Care of Families and Servants enough to let them see what God expects from them Those who are Solicitous to please God will endeavor to make these their Rule and this is the Duty of all who profess themselves Christians But to follow the Inclinations of Nature and to govern by Passion in cases where God has manifested his Will is not the part of a Disciple of Christ CHAP. XXVIII Of Servants Q. WHAT Directions do's the Gospel give to Christians of this State A. It speaks directly to them and in such a manner that it is their great Concern to know and remember it Who then is a faithful and wise Servant whom his Lord hath made Ruler over his Houshold to give them Meat in due Season Blessed is that Servant whom his Lord when he cometh shall find so doing Verily I say unto you that he shall make him Ruler over all his Goods But and if that evil Servant shall say in his Heart My Lord delayeth his Coming and shall begin to smite his Fellow-servants and to eat and drink
to whom Custom Fear to whom Fear Honor to whom Honor Rom. 13. 1. I exhort therefore that first of all Supplications Prayers Intercessions and giving of Thanks be made for all Men For Kings and for all that are in Authority that we may lead a quiet and peaceable Life in all Godliness and Honesty for this is good and acceptable in the Sight of God our Saviour 1 Tim. 2. 1. Put them in mind to be subject to Principalities and Powers to obey Magistrates to be ready to every good Work to speak evil of no Man to be no Brawlers but Gentle shewing all Meekness unto all Men Tit. 3. 1. Submit your selves to every Ordinance of Man for the Lord's sake Whether it be to the King as Supreme or unto Governours as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evil doers and for the praise of them that do well For so is the Will of God that with well-doing ye may put to silence the Ignorance of Foolish Men As free and not using your Liberty for a Cloak of Maliciousness but as the Servants of God Honor all Men. Love the Brotherhood Fear God Honor the King 1 Pet. 2. 13. The Lord knoweth how to deliver the Godly out of Temptations and to reserve the unjust unto the Day of Judgment to be punished But chiefly them that walk after the Flesh in the Lust of Vncleanness and despise Government Presumptuous are they self-willed they are not affraid to speak Evil of Dignities whereas Angels which are greater in Power and Might bring not railing Accusation against them before the Lord 2 Pet. 2. 9. Likewise also these filthy Dreamers defile the Flesh despise Dominion and speak evil of Dignities Jude 8. Something may be here not unseasonably added out of the Old Testament They answered Joshua saying All that thou commandest us we will do and whithersoever thou sendest us we will go According as we hearkened unto Moses in all things so will we hearken unto thee Only the Lord thy God be with thee as he was with Moses Whosoever he be that doth rebel against thy Commandment and will not hearken unto thy Words in all that thou commandest him he shall be put to Death Josh 1. 16. Then Samuel told the People the manner of the Kingdom and wrote it in a Book and laid it up before the Lord And Samuel sent all the People away every Man to his House And Saul also went Home to Gibeah and there went with him a Band of Men whose Hearts God had touched But the Children of Belial said how shall this Man save us And they despised him and brought him no Presents But he held his peace 1 Sam. 10. 25. The Men of David said unto him behold the Day of which the Lord said unto thee Behold I will deliver thine Enemy into thine Hand that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee And he said unto his Men the Lord forbid that I should do this thing unto my Master the Lord 's Anointed to stretch forth mine Hand against him seeing he is the Anointed of the Lord. So David stayed his Servants with these Words and suffered them not to rise against Saul 1 Sam. 24. 4 6. Then said Abishai to David God hath delivered thine Enemy into thine Hand this Day Now therefore let me smite him I pray thee with the Spear even to the Earth at once and David said to Abishai destroy him not For who can stretch forth his Hand against the Lord 's Anointed and be guiltless David said furthermore as the Lord liveth the Lord shall smite him or his Day shall come to Die or he shall descend into Battle and perish The Lord forbid that I should stretch forth mine Hand against the Lord 's Anointed 1 Sam. 26. 8. David said unto him the Amalekite How wast thou not affraid to stretch forth thine Hand to destroy the Lord 's Anointed And David called one of the young Men and said go near and fall upon him And he smote him that he died 2 Sam. 1. 14. In those Days while Mordecai sat in the King's Gate two of the King's Chamberlains Bigthan and Teresh of those which kept the Door were wroth and sought to lay Hand on the King Ahasuerus And the thing was known to Mordecai who told it unto Esther the Queen and Esther certified the King thereof in Mordecai's Name Esth 2. 21. The fear of a King is as the roaring of a Lion whoso provoketh him to Anger sinneth against his own Soul Prov. 20. 2. My Son fear thou the Lord and the King and meddle not with them that are given to change For their Calamity shall rise suddenly and who knoweth the Ruin of them both Prov. 24. 21. Curse not the King no not in thy Thought Eccl. 10. 20. The Nation and Kingdom which will not serve the same Nebechadnezzar the King of Babylon and that will not put their Neck under the Yoke of the King of Babylon that Nation will I punish saith the Lord with the Sword and with the Famine and with the Pestilence until I have consumed them by his Hand Therefore hearken not ye to your Prophets nor to your Diviners nor to your Dreamers nor to your Enchanters nor to your Sorcerers which speak unto you saying ye shall not serve the King of Babylon For they prophesie a Lie unto you to remove you far from your Land and that I should drive you out and ye should perish I spake also to Zedekiah King of Judah according to all these Words saying bring your Necks under the Yoke of the King of Babylon and serve him and his People and live why will ye die thou and thy People by the Sword by the Famine and by the Pestilence as the Lord hath spoken against the Nation that will not serve the King of Babylon Jer. 27. 8 12. The Duty of Subjects is publish'd by the Spirit of God First That they are to acknowledge the Power that is over them to be of God 2dly That they who are vested with Soveraign Power acting by the Authority of God and being therefore his Ministers Honor Obedience and Tribute is due to them 3dly That there may be an Exception in the Obedience that is when they enjoin what is contrary to the known Will of God since it cannot be reasonable to obey in such things when they command contrary to his Orders whose Ministers they are 4thly That as the Orders of those in Power are to be receiv'd with Obedience so their Punishment with a peaceable Submission And this so far that whether they prosecute justly or unjustly yet no Resistance can be made against them all that Subjects can do in this case is either to suffer with patience or peaceably to withdraw but as for lifting up hand against Power it is resisting the Ordinance of God and the fruit of this as the Apostle has declar'd is Damnation CHAP. XXXII Of Persons of Quality Q. ARE there any
Luk. 16. 20. Ye see your Calling Brethren how that not many wise Men after the Flesh not many Mighty not many Noble are called But God hath chosen the foolish things of the World to confound the wise and God hath chosen the weak things of the World to confound the things which are mighty and base things of the World and things which are despised hath God chosen 1 Cor. 1. 26. Moreover Brethren we do you to wit of the Grace of God bestowed on the Churches of Macedonia How that in a great Trial of Affliction the Abundance of their Joy and their deep Poverty abounded unto the riches of their Liberality For to their Power I bear record yea and beyond their Power they were willing of themselves praying us with much entreaty that we would receive the Gift Ye know the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that tho' he was Rich yet for your sakes he became Poor that ye thro' his Poverty might be Rich 2 Cor. 8. 1 9. Let this mind be in you which was also in Jesus Christ who being in the form of God thought it not Robbery to be equal with God But made himself of no Reputation and took upon him the form of a Servant and was made in the likeness of Men And being found in fashion as a Man he Humbled himself and became Obedient unto Death even the Death of the Cross Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him Phil. 2. 5. Godliness with Contentment is great Gain For we brought nothing into this World and it is certain we can carry nothing out And having Food and Raiment let us be therewith content But they that will be Rich fall into Temptation 1 Tim. 6. 6. Let your Conversation be without Covetousness and be content with such things as ye have For he hath said I will never leave thee nor forsake thee So that we may boldly say the Lord is my Helper and I will not fear what Man shall do unto me Heb. 13. 5. Humble your selves therefore under the mighty Hand of God that he may exalt you in due time casting all your Care upon him for he careth for you 1 Pet. 5. 6. Let the Brother of low Degree rejoice in that he is exalted Blessed is the Man that endureth Temptation For when he is tried he shall receive the Crown of Life which the Lord hath promised to them that love him Jam. 1. 9 12. Hearken my beloved Brethren hath not God chosen the Poor of this World Rich in Faith and Heirs of the Kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him Jam. 2. 5. Not that I speak in respect of Want for I have learned in whatsoever State I am therewith to be content I know both how to be abased and I know how to abound Every-where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry both to abound and to suffer need I can do all things thro' Christ which strengtheneth me Notwithstanding ye have well done that ye did communicate with my Affliction Phil. 4. 11. These things saith the First and the Last which was dead and is alive I know thy Works and Tribulation and Poverty but thou art Rich. Fear none of these things which thou shalt suffer Behold the Devil shall cast some of you into Prison that ye may be tried and ye shall have Tribulation ten Days Be thou Faithful unto Death and I will give thee a Crown of Life Rev. 2. 8. Some additions out of the Old Testament I would seek unto God and unto God would I commit my Cause He saveth the Poor from the Sword from their Mouth and from the Hand of the Mighty So the Poor hath Hope and Iniquity stoppeth her Mouth Job 5. 15. The Lord also will be a Refuge for the Oppressed a Refuge in times of Trouble And they that know thy Name will put their trust in thee For thou Lord hast not forsaken them that seek thee Psal 9. 9 10. The Needy shall not alway be forgotten the Expectation of the Poor shall not perish for ever v. 18. Why standest thou afar off O Lord Why hidest thou thy self in times of Trouble The Wicked in his Pride doth persecute the Poor Let them be taken in the Devices that they have imagined Arise O Lord O God lift up thine Hand forget not the Humble Wherefore doth the Wicked contemn God He hath said in his Heart thou wilt not require it Thou hast seen it for thou beholdest Mischief and Spite to requite it with thy Hand The Poor committeth himself unto thee thou art the Helper of the Fatherless Lord thou hast heard the Desire of the Humble Thou wilt prepare their Heart thou wilt cause thine Ear to hear To judge the Fatherless and the Oppressed that the Man of the Earth may no more oppress Psal 10. 1 12 17. I sought the Lord and he heard me and delivered me from all my Fears This Poor Man cried and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his Troubles The Angel of our Lord encampeth round about them that fear him and delivereth them O taste and see that the Lord is good blessed is the Man that trusteth in him O fear the Lord ye his Saints For there is no want to them that fear him The Righteous cry and the Lord heareth and delivereth them out of all their Troubles The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken Heart and saveth such as be of a contrite Spirit Many are the Afflictions of the Righteous but the Lord delivereth him out of them all He keepeth all his Bones not one of them is broken The Lord redeemeth the Soul of his Servants and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate Psal 34. 4 6 17. Trust in the Lord and do good so shalt thou dwell in the Land and verily thou shalt be fed Delight thy self also in the Lord and he shall give thee the Desires of thine Heart Commit thy Way unto the Lord and he shall bring it to pass Rest in the Lord and wait patiently Fret not thy self because of him who prospereth in his Way for evil Doers shall be cut off but those that wait upon the Lord they shall inherit the Earth A little that a righteous Man hath is better than the Riches of many Wicked The Lord knoweth the Days of the Vpright and their Inheritance shall be for ever They shall not be ashamed in the evil Time and in the Days of Famine they shall be satisfied The Steps of a good Man are ordered by the Lord and he delighteth in his Way Tho' he fall he shall not be utterly cast down for the Lord upholdeth him with his Hand I have been young and now am old Yet have I not seen the Righteous forsaken nor his Seed begging Bread Psal 37. 3 7 16 18 23. Why art thou cast down O my Soul And why art thou disquieted within me Hope in God for I shall yet praise him who
is the Health of my Countenance and my God Psal 43. 5. Thou makest us a Reproach to our Neighbors a Scorn and a Derision to them that are round about us Thou makest us a By-word among the Heathen a shaking of the Head among the People All this is come upon us yet have we not forgotten thee neither have we dealt falsly in thy Covenant Our Heart is not turned back neither have our Steps declined from thy Ways Psal 44. 13 17. I am Poor and Sorrowful let thy Salvation O God set me upon High For the Lord heareth the Poor and despiseth not his Prisoners Psal 69. 29 33. He shall judge thy People with Righteousness and thy Poor with Judgment He shall judge the Poor of the People he shall save the Children of the Needy and shall break in pieces the Oppressor He shall deliver the Needy when he crieth the Poor also and him that hath no Helper He shall spare the Poor and Needy and shall save the Souls of the Needy He shall redeem their Soul from Deceit and Violence and precious shall their Blood be in his Sight Psal 72. 2 12. Who is like unto the Lord our God who dwelleth on High He raiseth up the Poor out of the Dust and lifteth the Needy out of the Dunghil That he may set him with Princes even with the Princes of his People Psal 113. 5 7. I know that the Lord will maintain the Cause of the Afflicted and the Right of the Poor Psal 140. 12. Better is a Little with the Fear of the Lord than great Treasure and Trouble therewith Prov. 15. 16. Better is a Little with Righteousness than great Revenues without Right Prov. 16. 8. Better is a dry Morsel and Quietness therewith than a Housefull of Sacrifices with Strife Prov. 17. 1. Better is the Poor that walketh in his Integrity than he that is perverse in his Lips and is a Fool Prov. 19. 1. Thou hast been a Strength to the Poor a Strength to the Needy in his Distress a Refuge from the Storm a Shadow from the Heat when the Blast of the terrible Ones is as a Storm against the Wall Isa 25. 4. Yea in the Way of thy Judgments O Lord have we waited for thee the desire of our Soul is to thy Name and to the Remembrance of thee With my Soul have I desir'd thee in the Night yea with my Spirit within me will I seek thee early For when thy Judgments are in the Earth the Inhabitants of the World will learn Righteousness Lord in Trouble have they visited thee they poured out a Prayer when thy chastening was upon them Isa 26. 8. It is of the Lord's Mercies that we are not consumed because his Compassions fail not They are New every Morning great is thy Faithfulness The Lord is my Portion saith my Soul therefore will I hope in him The Lord is good unto them that wait for him to the Soul that seeketh him It is good that a Man should both hope and quietly wait for the Salvation of the Lord. It is good for a Man that he bear the Yoke in his Youth He sitteth alone and keepeth silence because he hath born it upon him He putteth his Mouth in the Dust if so be there may be Hope For the Lord will not cast off for ever But tho' he cause Grief yet will he have Compassion according to the Multitude of his Mercies For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the Children of Men. Wherefore doth a living Man complain a Man for the Punishment of his Sins Let us search and try our Ways and turn again to the Lord. Let us lift up our Heart with our Hands unto God in the Heavens Lam. 3. 22. Thus do's the Spirit of God speak in the Case of the Poor and Distressed evidently discovering that however by this World they are esteem'd unhappy yet that God has a particular Regard to them undertakes their Protection and makes so many Promises to them that it cannot be question'd but as to the next World they have much the Advantage above those who enjoy themselves in plenty But then they must observe the Conditions which God proposes to them of accepting the Inconveniencies of their State as from the Hand of God of being content with what they have of casting their Care upon God of waiting upon the Lord with Patience of retaining a firm Confidence in his Promises of living in the Fear of God and banishing with their best Endeavors all Inclinations to Impatience Murmuring and Distrust If in this Spirit they live I think they have more solid Grounds for true Comfort than the Enjoyment of all worldly Possessions can afford and may have a great Assurance of God's Promises to be accomplish'd in them in the Blessings of a happy Eternity CHAP. XXXV Of those who have the Care of the Flock Q. WHAT Directions do's the Gospel give to Persons of this Character A. It speaks very particularly to them and is very full both in the Instructions and Charge it gives them Ye are the Salt of the Earth but if the Salt have lost his Savour wherewith shall it be Salted It is thenceforth good for nothing but to be cast out and to be trodden under Foot of Men. Ye are the Light of the World A City that is set on a Hill cannot be hid Neither do Men light a Candle and put it under a Bushel but on a Candlestick and it giveth Light to all that are in the House Let your Light so shine before Men that they may see your good Works and glorifie your Father which is in Heaven Mat. 5. 13. They are to be Exemplar If a Man have an hundred Sheep and one of them be gone astray doth he not leave the ninety and nine and goeth into the Mountains and seeketh that which is gone astray Mat. 18. 12. They are to be solicitous in seeking the lost Sheep There was also a Strife among them which of them should be accounted the greatest And he said unto them The Kings of the Gentiles exercise Lordship over them and they that exercise Authority upon them are called Benefactors But ye shall not be so But he that is greatest among you let him be as the Younger and he that is Chief as he that doth serve For whether is greater he that sitteth at Meat or he that serveth Is not he that sitteth at Meat But I am among you as he that serveth Luk. 22. 24. They are to be Humble in Preferment Verily verily I say unto you He that entreth not by the Door into the Sheepfold but climbeth up some other Way the same is a Thief and a Robber But he that entreth in by the Door is the Shepherd of the Sheep To him the Porter openeth and the Sheep hear his Voice And he calleth his own Sheep by Name and leadeth them out And when he putteth forth his own Sheep he goeth before them and the Sheep follow him for they know his
Voice Jo. 10. 1. They are to consider their Vocation I am the good Shepherd The good Shepherd giveth his Life for the Sheep But he that is an Hireling and not the Shepherd whose own the Sheep are not seeth the Wolf coming and leaveth the Sheep and fleeth And the Wolf catcheth them and scattereth the Sheep The Hireling fleeth because he is an Hireling and careth not for the Sheep I am the good Shepherd and know my Sheep and am known of mine Jo. 10. 11. They are to employ and give their Life for the good of their Flock Ye have not chosen me but I have chosen you and ordain'd you that ye should go and bring forth Fruit and that your Fruit should remain Jo. 15. 16. They are to remember the end of their being call'd Jesus saith to Simon Peter Simon Son of Jonas lovest thou me more than these He saith unto him yea Lord thou knowest that I love thee he saith unto him Feed my Lambs He saith to him again the second time Simon Son of Jonas lovest thou me He saith unto him Yea Lord thou knowest that I love thee He saith unto him Feed my Sheep Jo. 21. 15. The Love of Jesus the necessary Preparation for taking charge of their Flock As they ministred to the Lord and fasted the Holy Ghost said Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the Work whereunto I have called them And when they had fasted and prayed and laid their Hands on them they sent them away Acts 13. 2. Good Dispositions for undertaking the Care of the Flock Take heed therefore unto your selves and to all the Flock over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you Overseers to feed the Church of God which he hath purchased with his own Blood For I know this that after my departing shall grievous Wolves enter in among you not sparing the Flock Also of your own selves shall Men arise speaking perverse things to draw away Disciples after them Therefore watch and remember that by the space of three Years I ceased not to warn every one Night and Day with Tears Acts 20. 28. Vigilance and Fidelity necessary for Pastors This is a true Saying if a Man desire the Office of a Bishop he desireth a good Work A Bishop then must be blameless the Husband of one Wife Vigilant Sober of good Behavior given to Hospitality apt to Teach not given to Wine no Striker not greedy of filthy Lucre but Patient not a Brawler not Covetous one that ruleth well his own House having his Children in Subjection with all Gravity for if a Man know not how to rule his own House how shall he take Care of the Church of God Not a Novice lest being lifted up with Pride he fall into the Condemnation of the Devil Moreover he must have a good Report of them which are without lest he fall into Reproach and the Snare of the Devil 1 Tim. 3. 1. Necessary Qualifications of Pastors If thou put the Brethren in Remembrance of these things thou shalt be a good Minister of Jesus Christ nourished up in the Words of Faith and of good Doctrin whereunto thou hast attained But refuse profane and old Wives Fables and exercise thy self rather unto Godliness For Bodily Exercise profiteth little but Godliness is profitable unto all things having Promise of the Life that now is and of that which is to come Let no Man despise thy Youth but be thou an Example of the Believers in VVord in Conversation in Charity in Spirit in Faith in Purity Till I come give attendance to Reading to Exhortation to Doctrin Neglect not the Gift that is in thee which was given thee by Prophecy with the laying on of the Hands of the Presbytery Meditate upon these things give thy self wholly to them that thy profiting may appear to all Take heed unto thy self and unto thy Doctrin continue in them For in doing this thou shalt both save thy self and them that hear thee 1 Tim. 4. 6 12. Excellent Instructions 1. To be nourish'd by Faith 2. To avoid Fables 3. To follow Piety 4. To give good Example 5. To Read and Teach 6. Not to neglect Grace 7. To Meditate 8. To be watchful over themselves and their Flock Lastly To persevere in Duty Rebuke not an Elder but intreat him as a Father and the younger Men as Brethren the elder Women as Mothers the Younger as Sisters with all Purity 1 Tim. 5. 1. I charge thee before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect Angels that thou observe these things without preferring one before another doing nothing by Partiality Lay Hands suddenly on no Man neither be Partaker of other Mens Sins Keep thy self pure v. 21. How strict a charge against all kind of Partiality Them that Sin rebuke before all that others also may fear v. 20. Public Sin to be reprov'd in Public O Timothy keep that which is committed to thy Trust avoiding prophane and vain Bablings and Oppositions of Science falsly so called VVhich some professing have erred concerning the Faith 1 Tim. 6. 20. They are faithfully to keep what is deliver'd avoid unprofitable Disputes Hold fast the form of sound VVords which thou hast heard of me in Faith and Love which is in Christ Jesus That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us 2 Tim. 1. 13. Thou therefore my Son be strong in the Grace that is in Christ Jesus And the things that thou hast heard of me among many Witnesses the same commit thou to faithful Men who shall be able to teach others also Thou therefore endure Hardness as a good Soldier of Jesus Christ No Man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this Life that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a Soldier 2 Tim. 2. 1. They are to be strong in Grace Faithful Deliverers of the Truths receiv'd Courageous in all the Difficulties of their Ministry Not engag'd in worldly Affairs Of these things put them in Remembrance charging them before the Lord that they strive not about Words to no profit but to the subverting of the Hearers Study to shew thy self approved unto God a Workman that needeth not to be ashamed rightly dividing the Word of Truth But shun prophane and vain Bablings for they will encrease unto more Vngodliness Flee also youthful Lusts but follow Righteousness Faith Charity Peace with them that call on the Lord out of a pure Heart But foolish and unlearned Questions avoid knowing that they do gender Strifes And the Servant of the Lord must not strive but be Gentle unto all Men apt to Teach Patient in Meekness instructing those that oppose themselves if God Peradventure will give them Repentance to the acknowledging of the Truth and that they may recover themselves out of the Snare of the Devil who are taken Captive by him at his Will 2 Tim. 2. 14 22. They are to banish Disputes of Words 2. Be Irreproachable in their Lives 3. Dispence
done and there is no Respect of Persons Col. 3. 25. Thou knowest the Commandments do not commit adultery do not kill do not steal do not bear false witness defraud not honor thy Father and Mother Mar. 10. 19. Nay you do wrong and defraud and that your brethren Know ye not that the Vnrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdom of God Be not deceived neither Fornicators nor Idolaters nor Thieves shall inherit the Kingdom of God 1 Cor. 6. 8. God gave them over to a reprobate mind to do those things which are not convenient Being filled with all Vnrighteousness Fornication Covetousness Maliciousness full of Envy Debate Deceit Malignity Despiteful Proud Boasters Covenant-breakers Rom. 1. 28 29. Wherefore putting away Lying speak every Man Truth with his Neighbor for we are members one of another Neither give place to the Devil let him that stole steal no more but rather let him labour working with the hands the thing which is good Eph. 4. 25 27. Behold the hire of the Labourers which have reaped down your Fields which is of you kept back by Fraud crieth And the Cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord Jam. 5. 4. Neither is he that planteth any thing neither he that watereth but God that giveth the encrease 1 Cor. 3. 7. Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and his Righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you Mat. 6. 33. No Man can serve two Masters Ye cannot serve God and Mamon v. 24. VVhat shall it profit a Man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul Or what shall a Man give in exchange for his soul Mar. 8. 36. Take heed and beware of Covetousness For a Man's Life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth Luk. 12. 15. They that will be rich fall into Temptation and a Snare and into many foolish and hurtful Lusts which drown Men in Destruction and Perdition For the Love of Money is the root of all evil 1 Tim. 6. 9. This I say Brethren the time is short It remaineth that they that buy be as though they possessed not and they that use this world as not abusing it for the fashion of this world passeth away 1 Cor. 7. 29 30. With what measure you mete it shall be measured to you again Mat. 7. 2. I here add something out of the Old Testament Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment in Mete-yard in VVeight or in Measure Just Ballances just VVeights a just Ephah and a just Hin shall ye have I am the Lord your God Therefore shall ye observe all my Statutes and all my Judgments and do them I am the Lord Levit. 19. 35. Thou shalt not have in thy Bag divers VVeights a great and a small Thou shalt not have in thine House divers Measures a great and a small But thou shalt have a perfect and just weight a perfect and just measure shalt thou have That thy Days may be lengthened in the Land which the Lord thy God giveth thee For all that do such things and all that do unrighteously are an Abomination unto the Lord thy God Deut. 25. 13. A false Ballance is Abomination to the Lord But a just VVeight is his Delight Prov. 11. 1. He that withholdeth Corn the People shall Curse him But Blessing shall be upon the Head of him that selleth it v. 26. Divers weights and divers measures both of them are alike Abomination to the Lord Prov. 20. 10. Hear this O ye that swallow up the Needy even to make the Poor of the Land to fail saying when will the new Moon be gone that we may sell Corn and the Sabbath that we may set forth VVheat making the Ephah small and the Sheckel great and falsifying the Ballances by Deceit That we may buy the Poor for Silver and the Needy for a pair of Shoes yea and sell the Refuse of the VVheat The Lord hath sworn by the excellency of Jacob surely I will never forget any of their works Shall not the Land tremble for this and every one mourn that dwelleth therein Amos 8. 4. The Lord's Voice crieth unto the City and the Men of VVisdom shall see thy Name hear ye the Rod and who hath appointed it Are there yet the Treasures of Wickedness in the House of the Wicked and the scant measure that is abominable Shall I count them pure with the wicked Ballances and with the Bag of deceitful VVeights For the rich Men thereof are full of Violence and the Inhabitants thereof have spoken Lies and their Tongue is deceitful in their Mouth Therefore also will I make thee Sick in smiting thee in making thee desolate because of thy Sins Mic. 6. 9. Thus speaks the Rule and in such plain and positive Terms has God here manifested his Will that there can be no doubt in such as desire to follow it He expresly forbids all kind of Fraud or Over-reaching or doing any Wrong to our Neighbor in buying or selling He expresly forbids all kinds of false Weights and Measures He expresly forbids all such Monopoly as raises the price of Necessaries and oppresses the Poor He expresly forbids all kinds of Lying and Covetousness Those who in earnest hope for Salvation of God must be Solicitous to do his Will and since he himself has declar'd that those who do otherwise in these Particulars do what is an Abomination to him they cannot doubt of their being in an ill Way even in the displeasure of God Now examin the general Practice of Christians in all manner of Dealing with one another and thence guess whether God has Forbid all Fraud and Over-reaching amongst them And if he has whether they believe him or have any regard to his Precepts CHAP. XXX Of Magistrates and Officers of Justice Q. WHAT Directions do's the Gospel give to Persons in this Station A. There are several Particulars proper for their Instruction Now the chief Priests and Elders and all the Counsel sought false witness against Jesus to put him to Death Mat. 26. 59. Then the High-priest rent his Cloaths saying He hath spoken Blasphemy what farther need have we of witnesses Behold now ye have heard his Blasphemy What think ye v. 65. Innocence is not to be oppress'd by Calumny or false Witnesses neither is Caiphas to be imitated who being Judge made himself a Party The chief Priests and Elders perswaded the Multitude that they should ask Barabbas and destroy Jesus Mat. 27. 20. When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing but that rather a tumult was made he took Water and washed his Hands before the Multitude saying I am Innocent of the Blood of this just Person See ye to it Then released he Barabbas unto them And when he had scourged Jesus he delivered him to be crucified v. 24 26. No Party to be made against the Innocent Passion and Violence carry away the Multitude to Injustice The Innocent is not to be condemn'd in