for himself Prov. 16 4. In them who are not obedientially conquered by his kindenesses he will be glorified Proud hard-hearted Pharaoh stubbornly withstood all the assaults of God made upon himself and his people both by plagues and deliverances yet God saith Exod. 14. 4. I will be honoured upon Pharaoh and upon his host And those who are made obedientially fruitfull by the showres and Sun-shine of divine indulgence they being filled with the fruits of righteousnesse are by Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God Phil. 1. 11. So that all administrations doe at last determine and center in the honour of the most high God who is the authour and orderer of them Yea beyond the duties of obedience the welfare and happinesse of them who are sincerely obedient both here and hereafter is ordained and intended by God himself as an end subordinate unto his own eternall praise Oh that there was such an heart in them saith the Lord that they would keep all my commandments alwaies that it might be well with them Deut. 5. 29. And the Apostle having provoked the believing Romans unto the work of sanctification addeth these words Ye have your fruit unto holines and the end everlasting life Rom. 6. 22. Having premised these cautions these propositions to prevent misapprehensions and that the meaning of my Text and Doctrine might be truly understood I proceed unto the Application thereof which is the second thing promised in the prosecution of the point The improvement of this seasonable instruction thus far unfolded Vse is that which I had principally in mine eye in the choice of this Text and I pray God so to assist me in this last and the greatest part of my Sermon that I may reach your hearts unto your edification and spirituall advantage All that I shall say by way of Use I will give in under these three heads 1. Information 2. Reprehension 3. Exhortation The two former sorts of Uses I shall dispatch quickly but I shall crave leave to enlarge the last because most profitable and most pertinent unto this Congregation and most conducing to promote the realizing of those praises which this day we present unto our God Hence it naturally and necessarily follows That the disobedience Information of those persons is most abominable and inexcusable who have been under the most and best administrations of the Almighty Such offenders doe not only violate the Laws of Soveraignty but of Amity Their neglects their miscarriages are not only undutifulnesses but unthankfulnesses and unkindnesses It is here considerable how the holy Ghost doth ordinarily cast this circumstance as a loading aggravation upon the sins both of Nations and persons to break their hearts in the deepest humiliation and to justifie God in his sharpest corrections Thus Samuel 1 Sam. 12. 6. sets upon unsubdued Israel 1 Sam. 12. 6. And Samuel said 7. unto the people It is the Lord that advanced Moses and Aaron and that brought your fathers up out of the land of Egypt Now therefore stand still that I may reason with you before the Lord of 8. all the righteous acts of the Lord which he did to you and to your fathers When Jacob was come into Egypt and your fathers cried unto the Lord then the Lord sent Moses and Aaron which brought forth your fathers out of Egypt and made them dwell 11. in this place c. And the Lord sent Jerubbaal and Bedan and Jephthah and Samuel and delivered you out of the hand of your enemies on every side and ye dwelled safe Here is the commemoration of mercies Now follows the sin therby aggravated And 12. when ye saw that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon came against you ye said unto me Nay but a king shall reign over us when the Lord your God was your king Beloved I may not spend time in paralleling these passages with Gods providences towards this poor Kingdom and this Kingdoms miscarriages towards the Lord. Do it your selves I pray you and I doubt not but the serious doing of it will be advantagious both in the advancing of our God and in the abasing of our selves before him Englands deliverances and mercies Londons deliverances and mercies have been more and greater then of other Kingdoms and Cities therefore Englands sins and Londons sins are more hainous horrid high provocations of the most high God And as the evils of a people are thus aggravated by the Lord so are the offences of particular persons also In this manner Samuel greatens the disobedience of King Saul 1 Sam. 15. 16. 1 Sam. 25. 16. 17. Then Samuel said unto Saul Stay and I will tell thee what the Lord said unto me this night When thou wast little in thine own sight wast not thou made the head of the tribes of Israel and the Lord anointed thee King over Israel And the Lord sent 18. thee on a journey and said Go and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites and fight against them till they be consumed VVherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of the Lord but 19. didst flie upon the spoyl and didst evil in the sight of the Lord I will not glosse upon this Scripture which might truly be applied unto many of the richest and chiefest rank in this City but I humbly beseech you to remember from what low and little beginnings the Lord hath advanced many of you and then reflecting upon your lives consider what account you can give unto his Majestie for your obedience or for your disobedience rather to his holy Commandments Yea this course God hath been wont to take with his own dearest servants to work them unto true repentance Davids scandalous fals are well known I might say they are ill known by too many who thence take encouragement to offend and I believe you are not ignorant of that course which his God took by Nathans ministery to present his sins as very sinfull in his own sight 2 Sam. 12. 7 8. Thus saith the Lord God of Israel I anointed thee king over Israel and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul And I 2 Sam. 12. gave thee thy Masters house and I gave thee the house of Israel 7. and of Judah and if that had been too little I would moreover 8. have given unto thee such and such things Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the Lord to doe evil in his sight 9. c. Herein herein lies the aggravation Wherefore hast thou Thou so preserved thou so preferred How canst thou answer this Give me leave to touch one instance more which I doe the rather adde because it concerneth men of mine own cloth and calling that you may be convinced We Ministers desire to aggravate our own faults by the self-same circumstances whereby we greaten yours Eli his sinfull indulgence to his wicked sons is notorious now mark how a Messenger from the Lord paints out this his
Josh 24. 14 16 vers 17. forsake the Lord for the Lord our God he it is that brought us up and our Fathers out of Egypt from the land of bondage and 18. which did those great signs in our sight c. Therefore we will also serve the Lord. And again when Joshua seemed by his words to suspect their 21. sincerity The people said unto Joshua Nay but we will serve the Lord. And yet once more Joshua putting them to it unto purpose The people said unto Joshua The Lord our God will we serve 24. and his voice will we obey But I will come lower then Israel professing dependance upon God The very Heathens wicked ones moved only by morall principles will requite kindenesses in respect to the law of retaliation If you do good to them which do good to you what thank have ye for sinners also do the same And yet in reference unto God I now request no more Doe but Christianly endeavour to answer Gods kindenesses with an obedientiall carriage and I call for no more I remember when cruell Saul plotting and practising Davids death was yet by Davids forbearance to slay him having power and opportunity so overcome that he brake forth into these words My son David I will no more do thee harm because my soul was precious in thine eyes this day 1 Sam. 26. 21. Gods long-sufferance and loving kindenesse to us-ward doth wonderfully exceed all that David either did or could expresse towards Saul He hath not only with-drawn his own revenging hand though we have infinite times provoked him to his face but he hath also held the bloudy hands of cruell men who have desired our death yea we doe not only enjoy safety but rich supplies of comforts from our God How much rather therefore should we resolve no more to dishonour God by our disobedience but to observe his statutes and to keep his laws 2. This gratefull obedience the Lord will graciously accept as a full contenting recompence for all his bounties When Moses had numbred up multitudes of blessings bestowed upon Israel he adds Deut. 10. 12 13. And now ô Israel what doth the Lord thy God require of thee but to walk in all his waies to keep his Commandments As if he had said this is all he will be satisfied with this he looks for no more O beloved how deeply are we indebted unto the most high God and yet such is his indulgence that upon sincere observation of his laws which by vertue of our being reasonable creatures we are bound to yeeld he will cast a quietus est a full acquittance into our bosomes But if this consideration cannot prevail with you yet I pray you consider on the other hand how unkindely the Lord taketh their disobedience towards whom he abounds in benefits How patheticall is that complaint of God himself against his Israel breathed forth by the Evangelicall Prophet Hear ô heavens and Isa 1. 2. give ear ô earth for the Lord hath spoken I have nourished 3. and brought up children but they have rebelled against me The 4 Ox knows his owner and the Asse his masters crib but Israel doth not know my people doth not consider Ah sinfull Nation In reference unto this lamentation which the Lord maketh over stubborn unthankfull ones I will only say thus much Have you not yet offended your God enough but will you proceed to grieve him still 3. This practising of Gods praises will be many waies beneficiall to our selves 1. It will render us wise in the account of all such who with any seriousnesse consider our great obligations unto God Keep therefore and do them for this is your wisdome and understanding in the sight of the Nations which shall hear of these statutes and say Surely this great Nation is a wise and understanding people For what Nation is so great who hath God so nigh unto them as the Lord our God is in all things that we call upon him for Deut. 4. 6 7. Is it not wisdome to observe him who secures our persons and comforts whose ever-waking and all working providence is for our good in every kinde And how can man more manifest his wisdome then by making Gods ends his ayme in every thing Now Gods end in the administrations of his love is That we may observe his statutes and keep his laws 2. This obedientiall improvement of Gods goodnesse will evidence the uprightnesse of our hearts Mark Davids argument which he pleads before the all-knowing God Psal 26. O Lord I have walked in mine integrity ver 1. For thy loving kindenesse is before mine eyes and I have walked in thy truth vers 3. Threats and blows drive hypocrites to duty but cords of love draw the gracious heart unto exact walking with his God 3. When former favours produce better obedience then may we boldly expect the multiplication of future mercies Moses having Deut. 29. specified some of Israels rich receits from Gods good hand from vers 2. to the 9th he thus concludes Keep therefore the words of this Commandment and doe them that ye may prosper in all that ye doe The self-seeking husband-man will cast precious seed with a liberall hand into a fruitfull soyl which is wont to return an answerable crop God hath the end of his bounties in our obedience And his promises to follow Deut. 28. 1-14 Lev 26. 1-12 and to fill them who are obedient with blessings of all sorts are manifold in the holy Scriptures 4. Many and heavy are the judgements threatned against them who continue stubbornly disobedient notwithstanding the sweet assaults made upon them by Gods gracious administrations That commination in Deut. 28. 47 48. hath often affected and affrighted my heart in reference to this trembling Kingdome Because thou servedst not the Lord thy God with joyfulnesse and with gladnesse of heart for the abundance of all things mark that for the abundance of all things therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies which the Lord shall send upon thee in hunger and in thirst and in nakednesse and in the want of all things and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck untill he hath destroyed thee When Samuel had pressed the bettering of obedience by Gods remarkable works which is the very exhortation which I have now under hand he sets it on by the self-same Argument 1 Sam. 12. 24 25. Fear the Lord and serve him in truth with all your heart for consider how great things he hath done for you But if ye shall still doe wickedly ye shall be consumed both ye and your King Beloved we know to our sorrow that both our King and his Kingdoms are in a wasting condition God forbid O God forbid that our continued disobedience should work our utter consumption and desolation This which I have said is sad and I have made mine own heart say by saying it yet that is much more lamentable which the Apostle Paul reports concerning
Gods judgement upon poor purblinde Heathens for their ingratitude in not living up to their light to their receits Rom. 1. 21. Because when they knew God it is meant of knowledge attained by Gods works they glorified him not as God neither were thankefull c. Wherefore God gave them up unto uncleannesse through the lusts of their own hearts to dishonour their own bodies between themselves vers 24. The penalty inflicted upon the immortall soul is the more heavy because of the souls excellency And meer torment upon the well-awakened soul is not comparably so grievous as it 's servitude to sinfull lusts Now this this judgment of judgements is incurred by not answering obedientially our receits from God And let none thinke to put this off by saying This concerned Heathens but we are Christians for consider I beseech you whether the danger be not hereby increased Is our light greater Have Gods works amongst us held forth more grace and glory Then questionlesse our disobedience will expose us to as great or greater judgements I have done with the Arguments prepared to enforce my Exhortation and I hope they have so farre prevailed with you at least with some of you as to move resolutions to make an obedientiall improvement of your experiences I now proceed to acquaint you with some few rules to direct this your obedience your reall thankfulnesse unto God with which I shall conclude And for brevity sake I will only mention such as issue naturally and necessarily from my Text and Doctrine 1. Therefore God should rather be obeyed then any man whatsoever I am farre from disswading dutifull observance unto lawfull Superiours of any quality or degree but I propound the Question of the Apostles Whether it be better to obey God or men judge ye Act 4. 19. 5. 29. Let him who doth most and greatest favours for us receive the largest and frequentest respects from us Give the chiefest attendance unto the best benefactour Now who or what is he that shall dare to stand in competition with God No doubt but Joseph Daniel Shadrach Meshach and Abednego had so much ingenuity as to acknowledge with gratitude their obligations unto their Superiours yet being acted by their stronger higher engagements unto God they refused to gratifie them in things displeasing unto his Majesty And I shall not need to tell you how farre the bestowings of God in quantity quality and variety doe transcend all that kindenesse which either hath been received or can be expected from any humane hand 2. Therefore we should obey God with our All. Both riches and honours come of thee and in thine hand it is to make great and to give strength unto all All things come of thee 1 Chro. 29. 12 14. Is it not reasonable that all which is received from the Lord should be imployed for the Lord You Merchants expect thus much in justice and equity from your factours beyond seas that whatsoever commodities you convey unto them should be disposed of to your advantage Now I pray you turn the Tables and deal you with God as you require men should deal with you Who doth not acknowledge strength in the Apostles argument 1 Cor. 6. 20. Glorifie God both in your body and in your spirit which are Gods Therefore if we grant the premisses it will be our weaknes to deny the Conclusion Consider what I say If any of you enjoy any wisdom strength authority estates parts interests opportunities which you received not from the Lord then refuse to lay them forth for the Lord. But let me appeal unto every individual soul here present in the Apostles words What hast thou which thou didst not receive 1 Cor. 4. 7. The inference therefore comes with force upon you Thou shalt love and consequently thou shalt obey the Lord thy God with all thy soul with all thy thought with all thy might Cum omni valde tuo O it is an unequall and unreasonable thing to make any deeds of reservation in our dealings with our God the God of all grace and of all consolations whatsoever 3. Therefore our obedience unto God should be tendered speedily For is not the Lord so farre beforehand with us in his favours that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 at this very instant we are engaged obsequiously to submit unto his government Joshua having particularized to Israel ancient providences whereby God had expressed his care and kindenesse towards them and their fore-fathers he calls for service without delay Josh 24. 14. Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him Doe not any of you dare to put off God one day longer with procrastinations A father said that cras cras was corvina vox Delaies will breed guilt and bring danger Let us call to minde how much we were in Gods debt how farre in arrears before we began to pay one peny as it were in any humble holy hearty performance Therefore let us now now obedientially remember our Creatour our Protectour our Benefactour our God blessed for ever To day while it is called to day do not harden your hearts 4. Therefore in all waies of holy obedience we should walk humbly with our God Well may this alone abase our hearts that the excellencies of the Lord and the worth of his service should not be sufficient to work us unto dutifulnesse without a daily addition of fresh favours from his Majesty But when we compare our unanswerablenesse to Gods purposes expectations deservings it is strange that there should be the least conceitednesse in us in regard of any work at any time discharged If ever man had occasion to glory in his labours and adventures for Christ the Apostle Paul I thinke might be the man But he professeth Act. 20. 19. That he served the Lord in all humility of minde Now it is most apparent that besides other means whereby he attained and maintained this sweet humble frame of spirit this was one viz. That he had much in his eye his rich receits from Christ which he was no way able to requite And I am confident that by a serious wise paralleling that which God doth for us with that which we doe for him in regard of quantity quality variety and constancy the swelling of our hearts will be much abated 5. Therefore all our services for God should be the warm breathings of flaming love All the undertakings of St Paul for Christ seemed to be sparks arising out of this fire He speaking of labours losses hazards gives in this as the reason of all 2 Cor. 5. 14. For the love of Christ constraineth And when David had endeared his God to his heart by meditating upon his mercies Psal 116. 1. I love the Lord because he hath heard my supplication c. From thence did issue obedientiall resolutions I will call upon the Lord. I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living Although God alloweth the use of other arguments to quicken obedience yet this of love should have the