holy fear thy slumbering conscience is thorough mercie a little awakened hath at length a little feeling dreameth now at last what an evil thou cherishest by maintaining enmities against the great God for (1) Esa 59 18 he will repay fury to his adversaries and recompence to his enemies Possibly thou beginnest to perceive what a desperate presumption it hath been to make it thy sport to crucifie (2) Heb. 6 6 Christ for had (3) 2 Kings 9.31 Zimri peace who slew his Master Possibly a fore-sight of judgement to come hath affected thy soul with present horrour for the (4) James 2.19 Devils themselves beleeve and tremble Which if thou according to thy wonted impenitencie canst not doe be confounded and astonished at the sense of thy (5) Esa 1.2 Jude 15. crying guilt Except thou repent and believe loe vengeance is at hand lieth ready in store (6) Mat. 3 10 Esa 65.6 and will in an hour which thou art not aware of swallow thee up for ever and ever Alas thou hast foolishly and childishly (7) Jer. 4.22 5.21 25 like one stupid or Starke madd with all contempt and heedlesnesse in the most unthankfull manner that malice it self can suggest from thy youth up despised thy (8) 2 Sam. 12.9 Num. 25.31 1 Sam. 2.30 Lords pleasure and thine own peace No marvell then if wrath already smoaketh against thee alas (9) Deut. 29.19 20. it already breaketh out and as it flasheth first into thy (10) Rom. 2.15 1 John 3.20 conscience scorching that so it will hereafter flash upon thy soul (11) Gen. 2.17 Rom. 6.23 Ezek. 18.4 affrighting that from thy body and will in the end seize again upon thine unclean body (12) John 5.29 forcing that lump of sin to accompany thy lost soul as well in suffering torments as in contracting guilt Now if the Lord hath a mind to destroy thee (13) Esa 63.17 2 Chron. 25.20 Mat. 13.14 15. Deut. 29.4 he will go on to hide from thee these sore evils but possibly the power of the Word hath wrought upon thee possibly thou art afraid of Gods judgements I trust the Lord hath caused thee to tremble at his threats I hope thy heart smiteth thee I hope thou seekest for Jesus If so then but not until then be of good cheer The Master calleth thee I beseech thee therefore whosoever thou art ponder thy life past the hours dayes weeks moneths years which thou hast spent not in service to but in rebellion against a God patient indeed but just and (1) Nahum 1.2 jealous Consider again and again that thou canst not be at the same time in a state of unbelief and in the state of salvation too it will cost more then so to work out thy salvation wouldest thou know in this thy day the things which belong unto thy peace thou wouldest what pains soever it shall cost thee watch and pray and strive and strive to make thy calling and election sure Hell flames are about thine ears wilt thou lye still and be burnt in thy bed Art thou so foolish a Coward that thou wilt wink while the Devil stabbeth thee Is it more tolerable to endure torments in hell then to exercise repentance upon earth Are unquenchable flames more to be desired then the Mansions in heaven Is it safer to continue a Judas then to approve thy self a sincere convert and a sound beleever Wilt thou still refuse eternal life rather then accept of it upon Gods terms I deal plainly with thee unless thou canst truly say I (1) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Milesius Thales am not I except thou canst say I my self was (2) Joh. 3.7 Tit. 3.3 such another Judas as is here secluded from these Disciples here spoken unto in this Text except thou canst say such (3) 1 Cor. 6.11 a one was I but I am washed but I am sanctified but I am justified Until thou canst say I was (4) Ephes 2.1.2.3 a child of disobedience I was dead in Trespasses and sin but am now quickned am now a (5) 2 Cor. 5.17 Gal. 6.15 new Creature except thou canst say (6) Rom. 7.25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord this stone of unbelief presseth thee for a mute if thou persist in this stubborness thy hard heart may well be called stony for it shall be nothing (7) Pro. 10.20 worth unless to make a fearful (8) Gen. 19.26 monument of inexcusable guilt and of ineffable Justice There is a (9) 1 Kin. 8.38 Plague in thy heart wilt thou not be made whole when (10) Si non modo quando shall it once be Jer. 13.27 Thou With Joy of whom I travail in birth until Christ be formed in thee the Prophet raised up (1) Deu. 18.15 like (2) Deu. 30.15 unto Moses hath set before thee this day Life and Death viz. Life that thou mayest escape death Death that thou mayest seek life I have heard of one in a Swoon who was mistaken for dead layed out for dead wrapped in a Winding sheet coffined A familiar but sad story related applyed and buried too for dead the same person awaking out of his Trance and finding himself coffined by struggling for life bruised his body to death Shall I apply this He when people thought him quite dead was alive thou O unbeliever hast a name that thou livest but art dead He when he found his body buried bruised it to death couldst thou complain that thou art dead there were hopes of thy life true thy body of sin hath indeed been hitherto merely a black Coffin for thy departed soul the worser Grave-stone of the two remaineth fixed on thy heart of unbelief as immoveably as ever the dust of death lay upon that interred friend nevertheless the good Angel in my Text can (3) Mat. 28.2 roll away this stone He who (4) Joh. 11.44 called Lazarus forth of his grave can speak to thee the dead (5) Joh. 5.25 have heard his voice and thou mayest the Author of this Gospel hath (6) 2 Tim. 1.10 abolished death and brought immortality and Life to light werefore he saith Awake (7) Eph. 5.14 thou that sleepest and arise from the dead and Christ shall give thee life Set thy soul in order for thou mayest live and not dye Object Object I am fitted for destruction and therefore (1) Rom. 9.22 for ought that I know am a vessel of wrath Answ Answer Though thou art fitted for destruction thou art for ought that thou knowest (1) Eph. 1.4 chosen in Christ Object Object I have in me all the signs of a (1) 2 Cor. 13.5 Reprobate Answ Answer Thou hast the more need to (1) Phil. 2.12 work out thy salvation for God (2) 2 Pet. 3.9 would not have thee perish he would have thee (3) 1 Tim. 2.4 saved Object Object The (1)
[35] The Act for Uniformity and his Majesties several Proclamations among us for Gods publick worship then ever and why solemn days should be more strictly observed under Oliver the Tyrant then under Charles the Second I am unwilling to learn It is a shame that under an Oppressour we should be rigid for a Sabbath day and under a Nursing-Father [36] One end why God restoeth our Judges as first is that our Cities may be called cities of righteousness Mr Rilands Sermon upon Esa 1.26 See Esa 32.17 be remiss on the Lords day certainly it is the will as of our Gracious King so of our holy God that idle swearing pilfering drunken and profane persons who will not mind the sound of the Bell should feel the stroke of the Clapper Right worshipful as ever ye would have these believe in God make them observe a rest unto the Lord that they may not fail of Mansions in heaven require their presence in your Fathers house 5. My next To the Gentry 1 Deut. 8.18 1 Chron. 29.12 addresseth it self unto you who are if not actually Magistrates yet the Seminaries of future Magistracy unto you the ancient and eminent Gentry of this Kingdom Right Worshipful I gratulate those English [1] 34 Ed. 3.22 37 Ed. 3.19 P. Fel. 20. 1 Hen. 7. c. 7. P. Just 16 11 Hen. 7. c 7 5 Eliz. 21. 23 Eliz. 10. 1 Jac. cap. 27. 3 Jac. 12. 7 Jac. 11. 21 Jac. 28. 3 Car. 4. Laws which provide for your Recreations abroad in the field These preserve health witness the open air they render you profitable unto your selves witness your grounds to which they lead you they acquaint you with the situations of your native soil they cherish in you an ability for War and preserve among you society and friendship nay they experience you in Notions Philosophical and consequently in a knowledge of your Creatour Nevertheless humbly I beseech you beware lest what may be your lawful delights be made unto you the troubles of your heart Do not like your Doggs by beating about the bush weary [2] Esa 57.10 your selves to catch [3] Eccles 7.25 vanity Do not like your [4] Job 39. v. 19-25 Zech. 10.3 horses run your selves out of breath Do not like your [5] Job 39.26 hawkes soar high and aim at things below you But be [6] 1 Cor. 9.24 well advised make the holy Spirit your [7] 2 Sam. 22 19 stay Place [8] Col. 3.1 your affections upon things above and above all walk humbly with your God (9) Mic. 6.8 Riotous Prodigals never want money to game with yet never have money to pay their debts so divers (1) Cumsis homo id fac semper memineris Gallants never want opportunity to pâ—â—y their sports but can never find leisure to follow their Devotions Should I [2] Esa 57.6 receive comfort in these Right worshipful It is in our days as it was in the days of Jeremiah when the [3] Jer. 5.4 poor knew neither the way of the Lord nor the judgement of their God the Prophet thereupon betook himself to [4] Jer. 5.5 great men men full of moneys able to buy good books and as full of leisure able to read what books they bought but these great mens transgressions were (5) Jer. 5.6 many and their backstidings were increased How so Answ They like some among us were unaccustomed to duty they had (6) Jer. 5.5 altogether broken the yoke and burst their bonds Right Worshipful ye have a saying Neglect of a penny loseth a nail want of a nail loseth a shoe want of a shoe lameth the horse want of a horse spoileth the Rider for all the world just so The with-holding of coin [7] Pro. 17.16 23.23 8.11 loseth a book want of a book keepeth [8] Pro. 9.9 from knowledge want of knowledge [9] 2 Pet. 3.18 hindereth grace and want of grace [10] John 17.3 loseth a soul a soul for which [11] 1 Cor. 8.11 the Son of God died Let a man ever divide his years into three parts and one of those three parts say [1] Elias Thisbites in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 some Rabbines is due unto the holy Scriptures Oh that you (2) Psal 1.2 were in this of these Rabbines opinion Oh that there lay ready under your pillows with you not Homer with Alexander the great nor with St. Chrysostome Aristophanes no nor yet Cyprianus with Tertullian but the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the Saints of God Cry here [3] As Tertullian used to say when he asked fot Cyprians workes Da mihi magistrum and spare not Among other your affluences some of you I grant want not for Libraries but alas those Libraries want good Students The Dutch call Gentlemen idle men I would not have the English do so too The Cardinal built a magnificent Palace at Richlieu but when he had so done he never allowed himself the happiness to [4] Eccles 5.11 behold it with his own eyes do not ye so deal by any Library of yours Bibles ye have but the same voice which spake unto St. Augustine had need call unto several of you Tolle lege Tolle lege and well were it if when the Bible is in your hand you would light upon the (5) Rom. 13 13 14 same place of Scripture which reclaimed him In your sports ye learn not only a skill as of fishing fowling racing c. but also a phrase peculiar to that skill Can you affect these and be mindlesse of a spiritual knowledge Verily the best (6) 1 Tim. 4.7 Exercise is that unto godlinesse the best Health is that of (7) Psal 141.4 your Soul and the best (8) 1 Cor. 10 31 pleasure is that which (9) Deus tobis haec otia secit glorifieth your preserver I mourn for you in secret I am afflicted I am ashamed when I see your Thoughts your discourse your Estates your Time your all cast away upon transitory contentments which should in reason claim no more from you then the superfluity of your lives and estates Right Worshipful It may peradventure very well suite with the vastenesse of your estates to maintain so many hauks so many hounds so many horses c. mean while doth it accord with the salvation of your Souls to (10) Eph. 5.16 Col. 4.5 squander so much of your affections and so much of your Time upon these unnecessary creatures I fear are there some among you that willingly and deliberately year by year (11) Relinquere aliquid propter nomen Christi sive propter Christum est Christum praeponere omnibus super omnia amare ita eum esse charum pectori nostro ut illius gratiâ parati simus omnia relinquere quantumvis chara quae nos alliciunt out etiam cogunt ut aliquid faciamus quod sit contra ejus gloriam Musc disburse more revenewes upon a needlesse
Gospel these very persons [21] Luke 6.13 he ordained to be His Apostles and Embassadors 6. Lastly VI. Reply Believers (1) Like Nicostratus in Aelian have another eye to view such Pictures with then disquiet spirits have In this Text very faulty our persons spoken unto are their hearts are overcharged with care they have little or no Faith in Christ they sin against heaven nevertheless their Master you see harboureth (2) Compare John 13.38 with Luke 22.16 and Mar. 16.7 against them no discontents forgiveth all maketh the best of all yea he here preventeth their trouble He doth not despise but pity not reject but assist their persons So many of you as are followers of Christ like dear Children Let the same (3) Eâ que nque ansâ prehendas quâ commodè teneri potest Epictetus mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus If we your Ministers err like men that is like these Apostles let this stir up in you not your corruptions but your Graces Ye will not therefore dash your feet against (4) Mat. 16.18 these stones Happily we your Ministers are therefore permitted to follow these persons here spoken to in their defects that ye our Congregations may have the praise of imitating the person here speaking in His perfections With joy may we draw (5) Isa 12.3 waters from these Wells of salvation if ye thus roll away the stone from your (6) Zech. 13.1 fountains (7) Jer. 15.19.2 Of their Prelacy mouth So long as friendship with the world is enmity against God so long will humane obstinacy be (1) Joh. 15.19 20.16.33 wounding Godliness Some whom natural light daunteth from opening their mouths immediately against God himself make bold and (2) Numb 16.3.11 spare not to ease their spleen upon Gods chosen Prest-hood as the Law so the (3) Jude 11. Gospel shall never want for such as unawares to themselves second the gain-sayings of Corah Let our Clergy mourn or pipe fast with the Baptist or feast with their Lord yet still as the (4) Isa 8.14 Master himself abideth a rock of offence to every unregenerate person so abideth his Minister too Before the Repairer of our breach had (5) See Dr. Washburn his 1661. May 29. Serm. upon Isa 58.12 prosperously disappointed them who took the Houses of God into their possession the rock of offence then was that the consecrated Levite was and alas he was made the very Off-scouring of his people Now that great Mountain cannot stand before our Zerubbabel the prejudice the scandal now taken is that the self same Levite is no longer continued the Scum and Off-scouring of his people that is the (6) Mal. 3.9 Deut. 12.19 Reproach and Guilt of his brethren He is now envied as too great or too rich or both Might some men prevail the person here speaking in this Text should have been neither Melchizedec nor the son of David no King of the Jews by birth nor High-Priest by Calling nor should his immediate servants his immediate successors in the work of his Ministry have received either Dignity or Revenue whereas that ineffable felicity which we do all of us partake from our Head Christ Jesus who so often as he pleased did in the days of his flesh in all holiness and wisdom exercise the power to him committed may seem unto me at least to justifie unto the Ministers of his Gospel both Dignities and Revenues First I see this holy Jesus blessed for ever 1. In Dignities anointed in the days of his flesh (1) Psal 45.7 above his fellows yet not ashamed to call them brethren I see him owning a (2) Joh. 10.16 Plurality but it is for the benefit of his Church I see him receiving (3) Mat. 2.11.21.5 Homage Presents and Triumphs yet still he ceaseth not to deny himself I see him (4) Heb. 8.6 dignified nay (5) Joh. 13.31 glorified mean while he taketh up his Cross all power was (6) Mat. 2.2.28.18 committed unto him nevertheless He so used (7) Joh. 18.36 Luke 9.58 this world as though he used it not An (8) Heb. 3.1 1 Pet. 2.25 Arch Bishop he is and blessed be God that he is such A Rabbi he (9) Joh. 1.38 was and therefore a (10) Joh. 3.2 Rabbi because a Teacher sent from God They called him (11) Joh. 13.13 Lord Lord but so far was he from lording it over Gods Inheritance that I advise you learn of him for he is meek Ye see now that a Samuel a Jehoiadah a Jesus may be a good Priest yet a good Ruler too Ye perceive that let a Preacher of Righteousness keep close unto the (12) In ea regula incedimus quam Ecclesia ab Apostolis Apostoli à Christo Christus à Deo accepit Tertul. de Praes c. 37. example of Christ Jesus and make him rich make him great give him a Plurality make him a Doctor make him a Prelate make him a Bishop make him a Lord Bishop make him a Lord Arch Bishop yet still the zeal of Gods house eateth him up His feet still not only continue but appear beautiful upon the mountains and He himself not only appeareth but continueth a Pastour according unto (13) Prov. 22.11 his King yea according unto his (14) Jer. 3.15 Gods own heart Trample not upon Aarons Rod for it (15) Num. 17.5 flourisheth Secondly 2. In Revenues I need not entitle the person or persons in my Text unto Church-Revenues where methinketh they defend themselves and have methinketh warrant so to do 1. First From the light of Nature Ask a Heathen what he (1) Videas quae Selden de Dits Syris Syatag 1. c. 4 c. 6. Syntag 2. c. 17. Videas Dan. 3. 1. Hos 2.8 Act. 19.24 can do what he can part with in service to his false gods The blinder his devotion the more mayest thou see Next From the (2) Ex. Le Num. Law of Moses for my part I cannot conceive that God who requireth Faith Purity and Sincerity as well under the (3) Isa 1.11 Law as under the Gospel God whose Spirit and Truth is opposed not (4) Mede on John 4.23 unto the Beauty but (5) 2 Cor. 3 8 11. unto the Ceremony of Levitical Rites I say I cannot conceive that this wise God who was so sumptuous in the (6) Heb. 10.1 shadow will have the substance less (7) Gen. 14.20 2 Chro. 29.31 costly Take in the third place Examples of good men He harpeth on another string then (8) 2 Sam 7.2.24.24 1 Kin. c. 5. c 6. c. 7. would David he maketh himself wiser then was Solomon who esteemeth any part of this worlds wealth too excellent for Gods Temple Fourthly From Evangelical (9) Isa 61.6 60 6 7 9. Deut. 33.19 compared with Mat. 4.15 Predictions these therefore promise unto us affluence of temporal blessings because plenty of
First Shaketh This Scripture shaketh Unbelieuers from their vain Delusions Subterfuges and Shifts Thou who Iudas-like From their Shifts gaddest so much about to change thy way from bad to worse if worse may be Methinketh I know thy thoughts which come into thy mind every one of them but shall (1) Jer. 16.20 a man make gods unto himself and they are no gods or wilt thon (2) Jer. 51.26 25 24. hew unto thy self a stone for a corner or a stone for a foundation out of a burnt a destroying a Babylonish mountain Now that thou art within thine own view numbred among the enemies of Christ thou wouldest but they are but vain thoughts thou wouldest as one (3) Jer. 17.9 desperately wicked sear thy conscience with a hot Iron thou wouldest give thy self over unto thine own hearts lust one nay peradventure each of these three evils thou wilt flee unto who shall be sorry for thee thou wilt with the Adder stop thine ear against God or if thou give him the hearing thou wilt with the serpent open thy mouth against God or if thon bite in thy lips thou wilt with Lucifer exalt thy heart against God Lest they should tingle at the hearing of all those evils which menace thine unregenerate estate 1. Subterfuge shaken thou foolishly stopest thine ears like the Adder a vermine already like thy self sentenced (1) Gen. 3.14 to the dust and laden with curses I say lest thou shouldest see thine own loathsomness thou turnest away thine eyes thou dost (2) Andabatarum more Job 15.12 Mat. 13.15 wink and fight against God wicked thou hast been and to drown the clamour of thy conscience wicked wilt thou be even forcing thy self upon (3) Jer. 8.6 thine unwarrantable practices as the horse turning his course rusheth into battle but shalt thou (4) Psal 56.7 escape by thine iniquity No no rash soul this is nothing else but to leap from the checks of a frying conscience into the flames of everlasting burnings as the guilty soul of Judas did forlorn wretch Who (5) Job 9.4 hath hardened his heart against God and hath prospered Thereafter as a man feareth so is (6) Psal 90.11 Gods displeasure a heart that (7) Isa 66.5 trembleth moveth pity and the heart of (8) Ezek. 11.19 flesh may (9) Psal 51.17 receive a healing wound but where the heart continueth stony there Christ that (10) Dan. 2.34 mountanous stone falleth with his full weight he (11) Mat. 21.44 grindeth such a heart to mere pouder if thou set briers and thorns in (12) Isa 27.4 against him he will be unto thee a consuming fire I hope thou wilt take watning by Judas he (13) Mat. 26.24 John 6.70.13.21 27. neglected many a fair hint which Christ gave him Oh imitate not the stupidity of him the deafness of him whose (14) Prov. 28.9 end thou darest not think of do not (15) 1 Cor. 10.22 provoke the Lord to anger as he did If a servant if a slave spake unto thee thou wouldest vouchsafe an ear even unto him and darest thou (16) Jer. 5.22 stop thine ear darest thou (17) Jer. 32.33 turn thy back when the God of heaven calleth Be not another Judas give ear and hearken unto Christs words (18) Mat. 4.17 for the mouth of this Lord hath (19) Prov. 1.24 c. 2. Subterfuge shaken spoken 2. A meer (1) Marcus Aurelius heathen could pronounce it equal and just That who so is willingly led into sin should be against his will drawn unto punishment and Truth (2) 2 King 7.9 revealeth That every sin is a vengeance unto it self while one and the same word therefore signifieth the evil of punishment because it (3) Gen. 4.7.19.15 2 Sam. 12.13 Isa 6.7 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifieth the evil of sin and fitly for as the disunion of the (4) James 2 26 soul from the body is the death of the body so the disunion of good from the soul is the (5) Gen. 2.17 death of the soul wherefore impossible it is that a reasonable Creature should (6) Pro 8.36.14.14 Gen. 20.3 Deut. 30 15. Numb 32.23 chuse sin and refuse death yet thou who (7) Joh. 8.24 1 Cor. 2.14 continuest a very natural fain thou wouldest lay the blame of thy unbelief not upon thine own unregenerate heart but upon the permission of the holy God even of that God who not only (8) Josh 24.15 leaveth thee unto thy free choice but doth also by way of (9) Prov. 8.1 c. prevention (10) Joh. 15.5 instruct nay (11) Neh 9.13 Psal 119.86 Hos 8.12 Act. 17.30 1 Tim 2.4 faithfully command thee for thy good Thou such is thine ignorance standest upon terms Who may say unto a King what dost thou yea no servant is allowed to (12) Tit. 2.9 gainsay his Master yet hast thou the face to (13) Rom. 9.20 reply against thy Lord the King thy King and thy God! whereas it is thy (14) Deut. 4.6 wisdom not to contest but to obey thou instead of fulfilling his good pleasure murmurest and disputest why sayst thou why (15) Rom. 9.19 doth he yet complain Unadvised wreth for shame leave the great God (16) Deut. 29.29 unto the counsel of his own will However know Caitiffe thou canst not ask Who hath resisted his Will for thou hast Rom. 3.23 The Will of God was (17) Gen. 2.17 that thou shouldest not destroy thy self by trying conclusions with the forbidden fruit but even (18) Gens humana ruit per vetitum nifas Rom 7.9 Psalm 58.3 Deut. 29.4 unto this day taste of it thou wilt God for his part (19) Ezek. 33.11 desireth not thy death but thou wo wo unto thee saith the Lord God thou hast (20) Isa 63 3 4 chosen death rather then life He earnesty endeavouring thy preservation vehemently calleth out Why (21) Ezek 18 31 wilt thou die for thy part answer (22) Rom 13 9 thou him if thou canst Judas was indeed a son of perdition but his (23) Hos 13 9 3 Subterfuge shaken perdition was from himself 3. Now that the worm gnawing thine evil conscience hath smitten this gourd also guilt seemeth to turn bank-rupt and so whispereth unto thee as if thy sinfulness were now so beyond all pardon that it were now to no purpose to serve the Lord Well I will not extenuate thy guilt for what (1) Joh 27 8 is the bope of the Hypocrite and what is tby strength that thou (2) Joh 6 11 9 2 3 shouldest hope yet say not thy sins are more then God can pardon but speak truth say thy sins are more then thou wilt part with When Israel (3) Jer 2 25 exclamed There is no hope God drew aside his Vizard and called unto him With-hold thy foot from being unshod and thy throat from thirst just so thou if
3.20 greater then thy heart and knoweth all things mean while thine own conscience condemneth thee over and over and loe the guilt of thine own conscience keepeth thee aloof from Gods presence thou art rightly Adams brat if God call thee thou [6] Gen. 3.8 10 hidest thy self Thy heart reproveth thee for not believing the [7] Deut. 7.9 faithfull God thy heart reproveth thee for not receiving the Lords Christ thy heart reproveth thee for not preferring the mansions of Heaven before the torments of Hell and knowing so ill by thy self thou playest least in sight thou hast forfeited thine own peace by troubling thine own soul yet seekest not for peace in Christ Yea thou hast so dis-countenanced the Ministerie of reconciliation so despised the Spirit so neglected thy Redeemer and so defaced the Fathers image that though such is their goodnesse the Trinitie of Persons would shew thee compassion thou hast not confidence to look them in the face Thou hast repeated contumelies and obstinacies against Heaven and mayest justly wonder that thou art not already in Hell True heavenly mansions there are but thou fanciest them too neer the Lodgings of a provoked Governour couldest thou hope for mercie alas thy title (8) Non est censendus haeres qui non festinat ad haereditatem seemeth lost thorough want of timely claim grant thy claim to continue valid thou canst not knock at heaven gates for pure shame they indeed are open but thy tardie heart blusheth to look toward them this the third see now the tri-angle in thy heart opposeth it self against the Trinitie in thy God I mean there is never a corner in thy stonie heart whereon thou hast not sealed thine own doom in despight of God and of his free grace 5. Hadst thou a power hadst thou a will Findeth this sealed stone watched hadst thou a face too to overtake God in Christ at the heavenly mansions there yet remaineth one hinderance which rendereth this stone of unbelief more unlikely to be rolled away from thy heart then did all the three former circumstances together Several of the inhabitants could not (1) Genes 29 8 remove that stone which lay upon the mouth of the Well at Haran yet Jacob then strong in affections could by himself (2) Genes 29 10. alone roll it away Vehement love may doe much neverthelesse I must assure the unbeliever that were his Zeal although so it is not but were his Zeal as fervent towards Gods heavenly Mansions as ever Jacobs was toward Labans house yet still his condition is farr short of Jacobs when Jacob heaved at that weight he found no opposers but the Unbeliever when he once striveth to remove the stone from off his heart he shall meet with as many Oppugners as (3) Gen. 26. Isaac and his servants found Thou who art dead and buried in trespasses and sin as verily as thou cherishest a heart of unbelief so verily upon every sealed corner of that stonie heart of thine there is set a strict a constant watch look how often thou attemptest to undeceive thine heart to shake off thine unbelief and to walk in newnesse of living so often though thou seest them no more then Elishaes servant (1) 2 King 6.16 17 saw his friends so often thou meetest enemies more then one or two That thou didst (2) Gen. 3.7 rashly cast thy self into that (3) Gen. 3.5 pit which thine adversaries digged for thee was (4) Eccle. 7.29 thine own foolishnesse that being fallen into this open sepulchre thou like the (5) Job 38.30 lost waters under the earth or like the carkasses in their graves art hid with a stone is from thy self too that being (6) Rom. 23.32 shut up under unbelief thou hast affixed thine assent is also thine own wilfulnesse but now that all these evils are thus by thy self brought upon thy self the World the Flesh the Devil they (7) Mat. 27.66 set a strict watch and keep a strong guard upon thy stone-dead heart Men Fathers and Brethren ye have a little seen what a wretch he is who is none of you in my Text by continuing in sin he would (1) Mat. 28.12 conceal that ever Jesus Christ (2) Col. 2 12 arose from the dead and by adhering unto vanitie he would divulge that (3) Mat. 28 13 Christ is (4) Tit. 1.16 Phil. 3.18 stollen from him but by this shift what good plotteth he for himself Alas whether he will or no he is shaken he becommeth a dead man a stone of unbelief lieth upon the (5) Mark 15 46 door of his heart and that stone is (6) Mat. 27.66 setled fixed and sealed with insufficiencie aversnesse despaire he wanteth a power he wanteth a will and saith within himself There is no hope We read of stones of (1) Job 28.3 darknesse of stones of (2) Ezek. 28 14 fire and of (3) Esa 34.11 stones of emptinesse and we find them all three in the heart of unbelief Wretch the world circumventeth thee the world permitteth thee not to mind that one (4) Luke 10.42 only thing which is necessary the world hurleth stones of emptiness at thy head the flesh that (5) 1 Pet. 2.11 warreth against thy soul that slingeth stones of fire against thee the Devil he fooleth thee with delaies he lulleth thee to sleep on stones of darkness thou walkest in thy sleep thou walkest in (6) Joh. 12.35 darknesse and knowest not whither thou goest Poor creature thy heart is never free from the worst of troubles and those troubles alas are but forerunners of wrath to come in as much as thou (7) Jer. 5.3 hast refused correction Thou hast no God to trust in a God to (8) Lev. 26.14 c. punish thee thou hast thou hast no Jesus to flee unto a Judge to (9) Esa â— 24 avenge himself upon thee thou hast the mansions above are (10) Matt. 25 10 shut agoinst thee but the gates of hell (11) Psal 9.17 Esa 5.14 groan for thee thou hast like (12) Psal 22.16 Shebnah digged thine own grave even destruction eternal destruction to thy self thy soul is among Lions on whose Den a (13) Dan. 6.17 stone is rolled and sealed thou hast of thine own accord gone (14) Esa 14.19 down to the stones of the pit as a carcase trodden under foot by Satan Hast thou not (15) Jer. 2.17 procured this unto thy self in that Judas (16) John 13 30 like thou hast forsaken the Lord thy God Know (17) Jer. 2.23 what thou hast done for thine own (18) Jer. 2.19 wickednesses shall correct thee this is thy lot the portion of thy measures (19) Jer. 13.25 from the Lord because thou hast unthankfully forgotten him and hast like another Judas trusted in falshood Peradventure the Lord hath now at length given thee a heart to dread him Gratifieth and smite thee Peradventure With
or put up petitions any more If any Mercy can melt thy stony heart [41] Rom. 2 4 Gods forbearance will it will melt it into fervent duties The sincere Convert husbandeth hours unto the best advantage and maketh length of days life [42] Rom. 2.7 more abundant MOTIVE V. Motive V. Gods Sentence As sure as death in the grave there is as I just now told thee no Redemption when once sentence is passed [1] Eccle. 11.3 Mat. 25.46 upon examination had there is then no repealing so soon as ever thy farthing [2] Prov. 20.27 24 20 candle is burnt out thy soul if it savoureth not sweet in heaven it is cast into the fire of hell and all this in a moment in (3) 1 Cor. 15.52 the twinkling of an eye sooner then thou canst think of it At this very instant how immediately canst thou the image of Gods Omnipresence how immediately canst thou think of hell although hell be so great a distance off how immediately can thy thoughts ascend even the highest heavens Swift was that last thought of thine but thy souls flight shall be swifter then was thy last thought Man for want of consideration wasteth hours and minutes the (4) Dau. 7.9 ancient of days doth not so Unto him who inhabiteth eternity every little time is so precious that in less space then the space of one moment he dispatcheth the soul from this prison of flesh unto his high Court of Justice and again from his high Court of Justice unto the place of execution or of glory as Justice shall give sentence I say thy breath of life once expired thy winged soul is allowed no time at all to look back no it forthwith appeareth before the judgement (5) 2 Cor. 5.10 seat of God and from thence forthwith unto the joys or miseries by order appointed Thy flesh indeed that is dispensed with until the general (6) John 6.40 Assizes but her Proxie thy spirit that giveth her appearance upon the very first day of the Term. While thy breathless bosom is yet warm either for thee or against thee sentence is pronounced I therefore again exhort that thou wouldest make thy peace with thy God while life nay while health continueth for with thy dying body dyeth all hopes of future repentance When death is once come opportunity is gone Opportunity is therefore gone because Judgement is come Motive 6. MOTIVE VI. Death approaching it stealeth upon thee while thou sleepest Couldest thou return into thy first Infancy and thence begin (1) 1 Cor. 9.24 the race that is set before us thine advantage were little enough either for the running of a race so long or for the obtaining of a prize so high but alas a great part of thy life is already consumed and already consumed in vanity thou art almost out of breath before thou hast at all buckled (2) Luke 12.35 thy self to thy work The Affairs which thou in this thy pilgrimage must of necessity perform are exceeding great but exceeding (3) Gen. 47.9 small is that space of time wherein thou must disspach them although thy duties are not easily compassed thy life is quickly (4) Psal 39.5 spanned thy life is at longest but a winters day thine employment is the business of a whole age of this thine employment an accompt thou must give but how soon (5) Act. 1.7 it is not for thee to know Thou seest on every side many much younger then thy self called away to give up their accompts and of them none so unexpectedly as those who were the healthiest persons Such as least look for him meet their (6) Mat. 24.44 Lord first if ever he (7) Rev. 3.3 come upon thee as a thief it is then when time stealeth from thee to thy disprofit rather then death should overtake (8) 1 Thes 5.4 thee meet it die daily if thou wouldest live for ever if thou wouldest not forget thy self (9) Deut. 32.29 remember thy last end if at any time thou art more unprepared to give up thy last accompt then other at that time above all others look for and hasten unto the coming (10) 2 Pet. 3 12 of the day of thy God if in that day thou wouldest be found faithful in this thy day abide watchful persevere in well doing if thou wouldest endure unto the end redeem thy time if thou wouldest enjoy thy Redeemer and if thou wouldest not fear death fear God MOTIVE 7. Motive 7. A seventh Motive inviteing thy soul to hold fast that which is good is thy natural insufficiency At thy first Creation there was in thee the spirit (1) Gen. 1.26 of a God the light of that spirit Adam quenched and in Adam thou In baptism the same spirit entered into a Covenant with thee the same spirit thou hast again grieved and quenched none of all his mighty workings have prevailed upon thy heart carnally minded thou hast been spiritually minded thou wouldest not be Of all those graces which the holy Spirit of God may justy call for thou canst not produce one Consider now thou hast failed of (2) Furor est post omnia perdere naulum his saving gifts wilt thou render the common gifts of that bountiful spirit useless too the more ungrateful thou hast been in rejecting the one the more thankful thou shouldest be in making a benefit of the other the greater want thou findest of that sufficiency which thou mightest have had from God the greater reason thou hast to plow up the fallow ground of thy heart that thou mayest sow to the spirit if thou hast been so unfaithful that God would not adventure with thee his ten talents be so trusty that God may not repent him of that one talent now in thy hands or if thou hast embesled that Talent yet at least restore unto God his napkin having robbed thy Master of his moneys do not keep from him his purses too thou hast cut off thy (3) Jer. 10.23 legs therefore use (4) Psal 25.12 Hos 6.3 crutches the more thou hast dulled thine (5) Eccl. 10.10 axe the more pains thou must take in hewing thou hast blunted the edge of the spirit it concerneth thee to make the best use thou canst of thine affections thy memory and thine understanding the more graceless thou appearest the more thou art obliged to use all means of grace the Word of God is two-edged as I cannot hope for salvation without the help of Gods Spirit so neither can I (6) Pro. 1.23 Luke 11.13 Rom. 10.17 expect the help of Gods Spirit unless I wait for it in the use of means I (7) Luk 16.11 12 Mat. 25.23 28 must be faithful in my natural abilities if I would be entrusted with spiritual Beside God (8) Luk. 1.53.29 filleth the hungry with good things the more empty thy vessel the more capacious it is to receive the (9) 2 Kin. 4.6 ointment
two Sermons on this Text. others That even great afflictions may not perplex a true Believers heart I shall endeavour to prove unto you from within the confines of the Text in hand I shall endeavour to clear it unto you 1. Negatively The Doctrine proved from the last closing of my Text. 2. Affirmatively from the first entrance of it 1. Negatively from v. 2. Negatively if it were not so I would have told you Whether ye supply (1) Dan. Heinsii Exer. i at in locum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Or whether ye accept (2) Thus Regia Biblia Hispan Tho. Moâ—tfortius MSS. Alexand. Nonnus MSS. Cantabr Sixtus Quintus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 without a point before 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Or whether (3) Thus Tremellius and to him assenteth Lud. de Dieu in locum with an interpunction 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Or whether ye reject both the interpunction and the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 too (4) Thus the Versionâ—s Arah ut Lat. Vulgat 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Or whether as we in our best English Translations do ye (5) Thus Erasmus Piscator Ro. Stephanus drias Montanus Beza Vers Syr. Grotius reject the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but make sure of the interpunction 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 To omit several (1) Such as the Aethiop and Pe sick Versions I in short conclude Whether with some ye paraphrase the words thus There is in heaven (2) Hammond in locum room enough for both you and me so that I need not tell you of my going to prepare a place for you Or whether ye lay aside Paraphrases and follow the various readings in a nearer sense as In vain (3) Lud. de Dieu ubi supro should I go to prepare a place for you could I not assure you there are in my Fathers house many Mansions Or There are (4) Heinsius ubi supra already prepared in my Fathers house many Mansions else I had told you that I go c. Or Iu (5) Arias Montaaus Erasimus Bezâ— Piscator G otius and as Dr. Donne saith the Church of England c. my Fathers house are many Mansions if it were otherwise I would not conceal it I would have told you for I who will not leave you ignorant go c. If it were not so I would have told you Whether ye examine the variantes (6) Vide sis Waltoni Biblia Polyglotta lectiones whether ye follow the most obvious opinions of most Interpreters or whether ye keep strictly to the last and best copy and sense too This one phrase from the mouth of Jesus Christ our Lord this I would have told you Is Law from Zion Statute-Law standeth a good and a most undeniable proof From these few words If it were not so I would have told you that English (1) Act. 14.12 S. Paul of (2) Dr. Donn ours deduceth (3) Ubi sapra a Standard whereby to measure [4] 1 John 4.1 all Doctrines Judge therefore By the mouth of no one of all his servants in the Old Testament in the New Testament neither by his servants nor by himself did the Lord Jesus at any time either expresly or implicitly say He would have great afflictions perplex believers hearts Wherefore the constant silence of the Lord Christ calleth out aloud and giving unto this truth his free assent most undoubltedly assureth every one among us that in as much as Jesus Christ our Lord requireth no such [1] Isa 1.12 matter from our hands No afflictions how great soever may at all perplex a believers heart That 's my first proof My second Proof is from verse the first Affirmatively Let not From verse first c. Throughout this whole Context these Disciples of the Lord Jesus were and were to be under great and sore tryals All this while how doth this captain of their salvation lead them How doth their Lord and Master tutor them Answ He telleth them what they must accompt upon he forewarneth them how that In the world they must [1] Joh. 16.33 expect trouble in the world they must [2] 2 Tim. 1.8 partake of the afflictions of the Gospel they must [3] 2 Tim. 2.3 endure hardness must [4] 2 Tim. 2.12 suffer persecution must [5] Mat. 16.24 in quem locum vide sis Casparum Sibelium deny themselves must [6] Luk. 9.23 take up their daily cross But may they at all disquiet may they at all perplex their minds No saith our blessed Saviour Fear (7) Rev. 2.10 none of all these evils Take (8) Phâ—l 4.11 12 1 Pet. 5.7 Mat. 6.31 Luk. 12.11 nothought Possess your (9) Phâ—l 21.19 souls in patience and however ye speed Let not (10) Joh. 14.27 your heart be troubled My Brethren of the clearness of any truths whatsoever greater evidence hath no man then this the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the precept the command the testimony the authority of Him who is the wisdom and the truth even of Jesus Christ our Lord. Wherefore I beseech you be your tryals never so great be the removal of a near friend never so afflicting yet remember the words which the Lord hath spoken unto you Let not your heart be troubled While ye draw near [1] Mat. 28.1 toward the Sepulchre I beseech you take notice that the [2] John 20.1 stone is taken away take notice that it is [3] Mat. 28.2 rolled back by the good Angel in my Text nay cast an eye again and having [4] Luk. 24.2 found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre behold how this Angel sitteth upon that (5) Mat. 28.2 stone That is the next viz. uponwhat ground for what reason it is that our most compassionate Redeemer will not here allow no not any afflictions how great soever to perplex his Disciples hearts The Reasons are seven-fold From the whole Text. But ere ever I can bring forth my Reasons I must remove one more stone at which some few are peradventure willing to stumble Quest Dub. If I would have told you standeth a most undeniable prohibition then what Statute-Law have you for Bowing at the name of Jesus for Bowing towards the East and to instance in no more for placing Tapers upon the Altar Answ 1. Solut. Law from Zion which therefore because it nowhere declareth these practises contrary to Gods revealed will [1] 1 Cor. 6.12 See also Cases of conscience about things indifferent 1662. by an indifferent hand alloweth them to be lawful Answ 2. Thou canst not say that they oppose Decency and Order for the most learned Fathers of our Church to whom it appertaineth [1] Tit. 1.5 1 Cor. 14.40 11.34 to determine what doth and what doth not make for Dececcy and Order do if not enjoyn yet allow them especially in Cathedrals Answ 3 Thou canst not say We have [1]
hundred and first Psalm Would some of our Ladies once a week read over the third Chapter of Esay it would be both their benefit and their wisdom I professe for my share I smell no harm in your perfumes and other your sweetnesses if they be not too luxurious Rather then put any Countesse to the blush I will not once mention forraign paints or home-made [2] Licitis perimus onns Wherefore let me advise you not to be too presumptuous upon the lawfulness of these but consider expedience that so all may be done that God may be glorified and your selves more and more edified in Christ if you look not to this that which is lawfull in it self will be found unlawfull in you Golden Topaz p. 133. Patches I will make the best construction I can of naked breasts provided the Soul be not naked too But I fear lest as Trajan was indulgent unto all his people saving only unto such of his Subjects as were Christians so some Ladies are tender of every part about them excepting their Souls Ladies were you once so wise as to maintain but not exceed your Quality no Christians under Heaven would have lesse cause to trouble their heart then you your selves would have True A woman and a glasse are ever in danger but a woman and a Bible are ever in safety It is said of that holy Martyr Polycarpus that while his body was burning his scorched flesh sent forth a smell fragrant as Frankinsence it self just so the exemplarinesse of that Lady who is crucified unto the world hath a sweet winning influence upon all about Her while the comlinesse of her body [3] Gratiorest pulch-oveniens de corpore virtus adorneth the lovelinesse of her duties Moreover what the Christian Lady reserveth from excesse that she improveth unto spiritual advantages Shee upon [4] Reade if my Pen be more copious in this then in other places Know I am so ready a writer here because here I fall upon a Description of a Lady now with God viz. the Lady Anne Overbury of a Lady now with us the Lady Hester Overbury of Mrs. Mary Whitlock of Mrs. Hester Cressewick and of others among us unto every of whom quod dedisti Viventi decus atque sentienti Rarae post cineres habent beatae Yet as they themselves seek the praise which is not of men but of God So neither seek I to slatter but to admonish My scope is to have Their sight so shine among men that they seeing their good works and imitating their good examples may together with them glorifie Him from whom alone cometh every good and perfect gift and to whom alone belongeth the glory and the praise all opportunities maketh friends of unrighteous Mammon Shee disperseth to the poor visiteth the sick countenanceth the Gospel and furnisheth her Closet rather with religious Books then with fancy-full Toyes Her very Sex maketh her tender-hearted Hence it is that shee is more zealous in love of the truth in love toward Christians and in love toward God then holy persons of a masculine judgement are Now as she buyeth the truth so she redeemeth the time shee weareth her watch on purpose because she would not confer more hours upon that body which must be covered with wormes then upon that Soul which is a companion for Angels Chambering she loveth but it is for meditation-sake Her Chamber is her Chappel and herein she getteth the start of Students themselves for as she delighteth to improve her spare-hours so she hath more hours to spart then any of any other profession whatsoever she is so meek so obliging so courteous so commanding over all her affections that if she were no Lady you would call her one It is not by chance that while we super-scribe Lords Honourable and Knights Right-Worshipfull we write their Ladies Vertuous That person which walketh worthy the Lord leadeth a life like a Lady so naturally do a Ladies Vertues adorn the Gospel of Jesus Christ If afflictions be the trials of a sanctified Lady her sorrows exercise a godlinesse if prosperity be her trial she remaineth as good as prosperous Such is her moderation in worldly affairs that you will not find she aboundeth with Coin otherwise then from her works of charity of liberality of hospitality of bounty of piety and of munificence So full of leasure she is that you find her ever busied but it is in encreasing a spiritual knowledge in conversing with Believers in instructing Heir Families and to speak at once in rejoycing in Heir God Multitudes of Believers was St. Jerome throughly acquainted with but among all his Acquaintance he found no Christians so nearly resemble the Saints in heaven as Elect Ladies did In the holy Gospels more Women then Men are noted for ministring of their substance unto the Lord And if the wisest of Kings King Lemuel do at the last undertake to recommend a vertuous woman he runneth on in her praises unto the end of the Chapter I had almost said unto the end of the Book I conclude then that wise Ladies like the wise Virgins therefore keep their hearts from needlesse troubles that they may take oyl in their Lamps They resort so often to their Fathers house that they are perfect Courtiers for they have their conversation in Heaven they do with so much perseverance believe in God that they are ever cloathed if I may so speak with inherent Humility and imputed Righteousnesse Lastly while they study muâ—â— to please most THE man Christ Jesus Saints they seem and Saints they are 6. To have respect of persons is not good To men of low degree much lesse to have the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ in respect of persons Wherefore redeeming my time from persons of high degree in duty [1] Rom. 12.16 I apply my self unto men of low estate Beloved Once contrive ye to [1] Josh 9.5 dwell in the promised Land I shall then yield There is no craft unto the clouted shoes Let Dives [2] 1 Cor. 1.26 thrive in his [3] 1 Tim. 6.9 10. own grease As for you you know It is grace [4] 2 Cor. 1.12 not money that warmeth the man The Bustard cannot flee farre by reason of his [5] 1 John 2.15 great Wings but the wings of a [6] Rom. 8.6 Dove flee away and be at rest The lesse ye are laden with the [7] 2 Tim. 2.4 lumber of this World the [8] 1 Tim. 6.9 10. more easie is your pilgrimage toward Canaan Many a Merchant had [9] Luke 8.14 21 34. saved his life had he flung his goods Eccl. 11.1 into the Sea Beloved ye have no such [10] Jam. 1.9 temptation to ship wrack your faith as great Personages have Again should ye sow among [11] Jer. 4.3 thornes ye were but [12] Mat. 13.22 ill Husbands if ye plow not up the [13] Gal. 6.7 fallow ground of your hearts the thistles which grow up in
accordingly as it is (12) Quo semel est imbuta recens servabit odorem Prov. 22.6 Optimum elige suave farile illud faciet consuetudo consuetudo enim altera est natura ill or well ordered of all customes the first customes are a second nature and the soul so worketh as it is at first directed My little Children A neglect in your Nurses is your infelicity a neglect in your selves is (1) Pro. 23.15 19 your blame The more carelesse others are of you the more mindfull must you be of your selves It lyeth much in your power to prevent your hearts of many a trouble which afflict elder years Even a child (2) Pro. 20.11 is known by his doing whether his work be pure or sinfull Oh lose not the benefit of your Infancy I had almost said of your Innocency Your best * The Jewes fear to mention a Swine but call it that other thing and all because they would not have children enquire after it Knowledge is to continue ignorant of evil and your best Wisdom is to chuse the fear of the Lord. Ah my dear little Ones although neither of your mortal Parents do eye you your Maker your Father doth Naturally (3) Pro. 22.15 1 Cor. 13.1 wickednesse is bound up in your heart be troubled for this and let your self-correction burn the Rod. One childishnesse is not to come unlesse ye are called therefore (4) Psal 34.11 Come ye children Another is not to hearken therefore not only come but (5) Ibid. hearken A third is not to observe what ye hear therefore (6) Prov. 8.10 receive instruction A fourth is not to practise what ye understand therefore as ever ye prize a Mothers (7) See the Book so called blessing forsake not the law of (8) Prov 1.8 your Mother and that ye may obtain the (9) Eph. 6.2 promise obey the (10) See The Advice to a Son by Fran. Osborn advice of your Father Mine advice is learn obedience The more you be (11) Lam. 3.27 accustomed to the yoke the more easie will the yoke be unto you Let it be your pastime to please God by pleasing your Superiours make Duty your delight Next if idle ones (12) Pro. 1.10 entice you consent you not in all (13) Pro. 14.23 labour there is profit and in all idlenesse guilt Wherefore be ever in doing I mean in well-doing Nothing is more painfull then is idlenesse I abhorre it in any one in a child (14) Psalm 103.5 most of all I would have Children be as lively as they will and as gracious as they can Little ones I would not have you give me cause to say let not your heart be troubled Thee particulars I lay down Why while all is yet well with you ye should give give all diligence to keep your hearts clean viz. free from troubles First the opportunity of your Child-hood ye were therefore admitted to receive the (1) Rom. 4.11 2 Tim. 2.19 Seal of your adoption and to be by baptism received into the Houshold of faith because Christ himself hath (2) Mark 10.14 witnessed that unto such as ye are O little Children belongeth the Kingdom of God Dub. Why unto such Dub. Answ 1. First Answ 1. Who so would receive the Gospel must (1) Consulas Rodolphum Gualterum in Marci caput decimum Homiliâ LXXXII be estranged from iniquity Now your happinesse it is O little Children that although there be in your hearts a root of unbelief yet that root is hitherto little sprouted it beginneth to bud but hitherto spread it doth not spread it doth but it hardly brancheth branch it doth but not over the whole man it brancheth over the whole man but those branches do as yet bear but little fruits at least their fruit tasteth not quite so bitter as hereafter it will taste I say the evil which aboundeth in your hearts breaketh forth into evil actions but into evil actions not so many not so great not so grosse as accompany persons of elder years Do but break off (2) The first blow is as good as two and one blow at the root is as good as five at the branches the evil of your doings so often as they begin to bud forth and you shall never be irrecoverably troubled ye shall never be utterly over-grown with that wickednesse which hath already taken root in your hearts Answ 2. 2 Answ A little Child hath a heart which is (1) Tabula rasa free from worldly businesses free from cares free from sorrowes free from strong temptations a heart quite empty of all outward troubles and therefore of a hopefull capacity a heart docile and in its kind apprehensive Oh how easily may the Kingdom of Heaven be commended unto this heart How is this heart (2) He that is first up is first dressed prepared to obtain that faith which overcometh all troubles Answ 3. Answ 3. A Childes heart is credulous Children and (1) 1 Cor. 13 7 Charity believe all things nor can they believe enough in the truthes of God The words of the Rabbins (2) Eliae Levitae Thisbites 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 much more may the words of our God be called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so strangely do they allure and Take us Answ 4. Answ 4. The heart of a Child is a heart (1) Psalm 131.2 easily weaned from any evil It is quickly said can soon deny it self Full easily then may it begin with Christs Crosse and run over the whole (2) Psalm 119 Alphabet of Duties Answ 5. Answ 5. You Children much affect to be at Church to be a part of that Congregation wherein the Ordinances are exhibited And truly where (1) Ezra 8.21 God scattereth blessings it is good being one of the number unto whom they are poured forth Answ 6. Answ 6. A long while it is before a Schollar is (1) For these two Reasons Sir Francis Bacon used to be sorry for any Schollars death saith Mr. Herbert in his Apothegms made and many Schollars are marred in the making But much a longer space it is before a Gospel-Professor is made a Christian yea and many Christians are marred in the making None are more likely to become sound Believers then they that lay hold of eternal life in their infancy The Race is set before us all but not one among many of us receiveth the prize nor are any more likely so to run (2) 1 Cor. 9.24 that they may obtain an are you Children Could I return again into my Mothers womb might I again begin my few dayes what hours (3) Eph. 5.16 Eccles 9.10 He cannot be vertuous that is not rigorous would I not redeem my thoughts words endeavours how would I husband them How would I as well begin as lead my life unto my God! But now Dearest Children my complaint (4) Ezek. 18.14 is
the seed the spawn of all uncleannesse and wickednesse soever It was not it could not be unknown unto the most holy Jesus how that Peter would deny him or how that these other disciples would all of them forsake him Fore-known unto Him it was prevented by him it was not Behold O Lord our Redeemer Thou hast dyed for sin and yet sin abideth in us Thou hast called us unto holinesse and yet we have no inherent holinesse at all alas we continue above measure sinfull Lord if thou wilt thou [3] Luke 5.12 canst make us clean Our seet thou hast washed Why [4] John 13.9 not also our hands and our head But [5] Gen. 32.10 beggers must not be their own chusers Oh wherefore doth living man [6] Lam. 3.39 22 complain What is dust and ashes that any thought of his [7] Jer. 18.6 Rom. 9.20 should at all reply against his King and his God Secret [8] Deut. 29.29 causes why while we are in the flesh sin dwelleth in us belong unto Him We may finde comfort from the reasons which he [9] Rom. 15.4 hath revealed whether in regard of himself or in regard of us 1. In regard of himself The glory of all his Attributes 1. While He as he is God the Father 1 Comfort taketh occasion to reconcile his justice unto his mercy c. in creating light out of darknesse good out of evil order out of confusion peace out of guilt grace out of sin and out of dishonour his most [1] Psal 35.27 34.3 40.16 Luke 1.46 Phil. 1.20 Eph. 1.10 12 unsearchable Glory 2. 2 Comfort While as he is God the Son Son of the Father and Son of man too he magnifieth that [1] John 5.27 compared with Prov. 29.2 and Job 36.22 authority which the Father hath put into his hands All power was [2] Matth. 28.18 1 Cor. 15.27 given unto Him and it is fit that [3] Matth. 28.28 Prov. 8.22 30 the world should know it In the work of his Creation he [4] John 1.3 Heb. 1.2 sheweth himself a free agent forming many Creatures quite void of life many capable of life among living creatures he giveth unto some a power vegetative as that of Herbs Trees c. but not sensible to others as that of brutes a power both vegetative and sensible but not rational but unto mankind he giveth a power vegetative sensible and [5] Gen. 1.27 reasonable too Just thus the Son of man to shew how absolutely his elect Vessels are [6] Eph. 1.22 Phil 1.10 Revel 4.11 at his pleasure His pleasure is that man before his souls conversion [7] Rom 11.32 Gal. 3.22 should abide void of all grace but full of all sin and should after his souls dissolution [8] Phil. 3.21 1 Cor. 15.42 remain void of all sin but filled with all grace but should be from his souls conversion to his souls dissolution [9] Gal. 5.17 divided between sin assaulting and Grace assisting 3. 3 Comfort While as he is God the [1] 1 Joh. 5.7 Holy Ghost he keepeth man [2] Jude 24 from falling raiseth man [3] Psalm 145.14 Rom. 8.11 when fallen The preserver of men delighteth [4] Prov. 8.3 in the habitable parts of the earth and since this is his will even [5] 1 Thes 4.3 our sanctification He will not fail of his Will if we [6] Cal. 6.8 his Vessels be not wanting unto our own selves 2. In regard of us He glorifieth himself many wayes by our inherent sin as 1. 1 Comfort The demeanour of Gods Children under their corruptions (1) Job 1.8 22 Deut. 32.5 Phil. 2.15 16 justifieth the severity of God against Reprobates We are Gods witnesses Are Vnbelievers sinfull so are sound Believers but (2) 1 Sam. 24 10 Psalm 32.5 51.3 Zeph. 3.5 Jer. 3.3 6.15 Esay 44.9 66.5 Ezek. 16.61 43.11 2 King 22.19 not with that high hand not with that greedinesse not with the like presumption fearlesnesse shamelesnesse or impenitency When we commit evil there is sooner or later some regret some remorse some compunction some mis-givings in our consciences St. Peter (2) Matth. 27.75 weepeth out of the Hall he getteth he avoideth the like temptations again The Disciples forsake Christ but the Disciples hearts are troubled Alas (3) John 14.1 sinfull (4) 1 John 1.8 we are but this is one comfort yet viz. The (5) Deut. 33.29 haters of God shall be found lyars They shall not say we (6) 1 John 3.3 take that pleasure in our evil doings which the unbeliever taketh 2. 2 Comfort Our continual guilt ever remembreth us [1] Rom. 6.23 Lam. 3.39 Psalm 103.3 4 from what everlasting burnings we are rescued Unto which of the Angels said he at any time Thy sins are forgiven thee If the men of Jabesh must lose every one their right eyes [2] 1 Sam. 11. 2 compare v. 9 with 2 Sam. 2.4 it must be because their lives were given unto them for a prey The Lords mercy it is [3] Heb. 12.29 that we are not eternally consumed 3. 3 Comfort Our corruptions mind us from what an (1) Psalm 51.6 Exod. 12.8.11 compared with Exod. 1.14 12 39 excessive sinfulnesse we are delivered Slay them not lest (2) Psalm 59.11 my people forget it Are the imaginations of our heart evil continually evil Blessed be our God that they are not (3) 2 Cor. 3.5 more evil I thank my God (4) Rom. 7.25 through Jesus Christ our Lord. 4. 4 Comfort Our sins teach us (1) Rom. 12.9 Acts 11.23 Jer. 13.11 Psalm 101.3 Josh 23.8 22.5 Deut. 10 20 21 11.22 13.4 18.13 28.47 58 30.20 self-denial for Who would serve divers lusts Who would love a false heart Who would maintain an enmity against holinesse Who would make provision for that flesh which warreth against his soul or cherish those affections which lust against the Spirit yea who would combine with Satan against God 5. 5 Comfort Our in-bred sin (1) Deut. 13.3 Gen. 22.12 Exod. 16.28 20.20 Deut 8.2 16.30.15 19.20 Judges 2.22 31 4. compared with Psalm 26.2 Rom. 12.2 8 6 2 Cor. 8 8 13.5 Gal. 6 4 5.25 James 2.27 3.18 Heb. 3.13 1 John 3.7 8 9.10.2.3 5.3.19 24.4.13 2 Pet. 1.10 Eph. 5.1 proveth us VVhat thanks is it unto the Sun that he daily runneth so even a course or that his beames are ever glorious just none at all for a necessity of Nature compelleth the Sun to be as he is and to do as he doth I say the Sun doth never run nor shine upon choyce But our God who worketh in us all our holy desires setteth before us as well evil as good that we (2) Dicet aliquis si Deus vellet isti boni essent sed melius voluit ut quod vellent essent August may have the comfort of chusing the better part Since God
YOUR day sanctifying the Lord of hosts in your heart exalt him not only as a Diadem of beauty unto the residue of your people but as a crown of glory unto your Royal head And you the happy subjects of a (1) Ezra 7.27 serene Monarch why are ye the last (2) 2 Sam. 19 11 to defend the glory of your God Knowledge covereth our Island as waters cover the Sea the late Rod of Gods wrath we (3) Mic. 6.9 could not chuse but hear the present plenty peace and prosperity we (4) Psal 34.8 both see and taste neverthelesse multitudes multitudes from among us have (5) 1 Tim. 5.15 turned aside after Satan Beloved what wickednesse may we expect from forreign Dominions if in this Kingdom a Kingdom so (6) Esay 26.9 schooled by late judgements so (7) Psalm 144.14 endeared with preseut benefits so (8) Acts. 17.30 enlightened with the truth of the Gospel so small a remnant give glory to the Lord their God More knowledge then any beside us we have but we have likewise lesse grace then any beside us else what others have is excedeing little lesse then is a grain of Mustard seed for that brancheth forth Surely the fear of God is in very few places I had almost said in very few persons Ye then who fear the Lord (9) Matth. 3.16 speak often one to another Let not the Royal Standard fall to the ground since (10) 1 Joh. 5.19 the whole world lyeth in wickednesse see that ye (11) Phil 2.15 shine as lights in the world When other of Christs Disciples went back and walked no more with Jesus Jesus called unto these in my Text (12) John 6.66 67 Will ye also go away Brethren the more universal the defection the greater the alarm Wherefore take unto you the whole (13) Eph. 6.11 armour of God The Lord looketh out of his Chariot (14) 2 Kings 9.32 Who is on my side Who by this will he finde whether we be for him or against him if (15) 1 John 2.29 3.7 3 John 11. we seek after holinesse as he is holy should so small a remnant as list themselves under his Banner neglect to fight a good fight (16) Acts 1.8 of faith What will God do unto his great Name True His (17) Psalm 62.11 is the power but it more becometh the Majesty of the Emperour to look on then to fight or if fight he do let the Adversary know that the Generals Souldiers love their Commander The (18) Heb. 2.10 Captain of our salvation must have glory from his followers as well as from his own Prowesse The Lord subdueth our Canaanitish affections but (19) Josh 23.10 1.7 Phil. 2.12 31 Joshus must fight the Lords battel the sword of the Spirit is the Lords but (20) Judg. 7.18 Gideon must draw it God winneth the Victory but (21) 2 Sam. 23.12 Shammah must stand his ground too accursed are we if when God is ready to work in us and by us we our selves (22) Judg. 5.23 come not in unto the help of the Lord If we hold our peace His glory (23) Esther 4.14 Eph. 5.16 will not he give unto another but who knoweth whether we are born in this backsliding generation for such a time as is this if as Saint Paul did Christ should complain No man (24) 2 Tim. 4.16 stood with me but all were against me the Lord would lay this to your charge and mine But the (25) 2 Cor. 5.14 love of Christ and not a fear for our selves should constrain us to stand upon our guards Let us draw out our affections Have we a King and (26) 1 Pet. 1.17 18 Heb. 12.4 such a King let us then resist our corruptions unto blood let us (27) Judg. 5.18 jeopard our lives that is (28) Matth. 10.39 save them let us jeopard our lives unto the death that is (29) Mark 10.30 exchange the for an everlasting life If the conspiracy be strong if Achitophel be in the conspiracy of his own accord Hushai the Archite will (30) 2 Sam. 15.32 both rent his coat and cover his head with earth If David be in a strait Abishai the son of Zerviah (31) 2 Sam. 21.17 will succour him Christians stand to your Armes keep to your Colours follow your Leader even the Captain of your salvation for Legions of Devils and a world of men are risen up against him O be not ye like unto them whose damnation is just but resist (32) 1 Pet. 5.9 stedfast in the faith Though ten (33) 1 Kings 12.20 Hos 4.15 Tribes revolt let Judah walk with God and if nine Lepers neglect their duty let not the (34) Luke 17.15 17 tenth fail to testifie his thankfulness Let God instance in us as he did (35) Job 1.8 in his servant Job Let the Devil know that (36) 1 John 4.5 6 all are not of the world that are in the world Let not the Lord of our hosts want a Souldier to fight his spiritual battels so long as (37) Psalm 104.33 you and I have any breath in our bodies although all men should forsake him let us perfectly cleave unto him By how much the more he is dishonoured by others by so much the more let him be by us glorified Creatures void of reason cannot those void of grace should but will not but God give us grace that as well as we can we may zealously bring glory unto the Throne of his Holinesse Prophanesse spreadeth from one corner of the Land unto the other it is therefore high time for us to bestir (38) See Mr. Baxters Now or Never our selves it now concerneth us that our God be by us glorified more then ever Again Naturally a right understanding will no lesse desire to cleave unto the living God then a dying creature would struggle to prolong life Nor is it possible there can be invented a greater Doom then to be for ever justly separated from the only God When at length the last the just the terrible the avenging day is fully come Depart from me ye cursed will then [1] Matth. 7.23 21.41 be the last the blackest sentence The foreknowledge of this one truth makes [2] James 2.19 even the proudest of the Devils stoop and tremble yet is this sentence this dismal sentence the unadvised choyce of every gracelesse person Fight against God the ungodly will although they dye for it in the place they will rather [3] Jonah 2.8 2 Chron. 15.2 Ezra 8.22 Esay 1.28 Psalm 9.17 hazard rather damn body and soul then not depart from the presence of their holy God thus unadvised wicked men are but why they are thus unadvised they themselves can in no wise pretend a reason No [4] Matth 27.23 evil hath Christ done that the Jewes should all of them be thus maliciously bent against him nor is there iniquity
just sicabitur omnis case coâ—am illo accipentes quippe mandatum seatientes defectum clamabimus in coelum miserebitur nostri Deus S. Bernardus Serm. 50 in Contic seek Gods face in vain Object Where then lyeth the Controversie Answ In mans pronesse to [1] Rom. 9.20 We are like him in Seneca Dic aliquid ut simus duo dispute against God Sirs Truth [2] John 8.32 would free us from extreams would we receive a love of the truth For instance Them that are without the pales of the Church God [3] 1 Cor. 5.13 judgeth therefore What have we to do to [4] 1 Cor. 5.12 judge them that are without Next since we of this Kindom are a people near [5] Psal 148 14 unto the Lord let every man mind his own Duty [6] Phil. 2.12 2 Pet. 1.10 If the Lord will that John should tarry in the flesh until Jesus [7] John 21.21 22 come in his fury against Jerusalem what hath Cephas to do with that Let Peter follow Jesus and leave John unto his Masters pleasure Thitdly The good Angel in my Text would quickly roll away the stone would we cease to interpose our thoughts [8] Esay 55.8 9 against Gods thoughts Had the woman of Samaria known the [9] John 4.10 gift of God instead of urging [10] John 4.12 Art thou greater then our Father Jacob she would have asked [11] John 4.15 Sir give me of this water that I thirst not On the other side While Naaman is wroth [12] 2 Kings 5.10 11 12 13 14 Omnis fessinatio caecaest Seneca de Renefic l. 3. c. 3. Lukc 16.15 to see his opinion crossed he continueth as leprous as ever The Question was not whether had been the better manners in home-bred Elisha to send his messenger or to come out himself unto Prince Naaman Nor whether was a more probable course like our Princes which heal the Kings Evil to move the hand over the place affected or meerly to wash it with cold water no nor yet what was most seemly in a Prophet whether to send a stranger unto an unheard of practice or to stand and call upon the name of the Lord his God no nor whether were to be preferred Abana and Pharpar or the Rivers of Israel nor lastly whether the waters of Jordan were cleansing waters No The state of the question was Whether [13] 1 Cor. 1.20 25 27 28 29 How brâ—â—ish and below our thoughts is the manner of mans generation and yet God is pleased from that brutishnesse of humane nature to raise unto himself his own Image even a nature exalted above the nature of Angels Water in Baptism how common an element Bread Wine are ordinary food and yet by these God vouchsaseth to convey his Spirit â—rby Answ The more inconsiderable the meanes of any mercy or grace the more plainly God is seen to be the Author of that mercy and grace 1 Cor. 3.7 Jordan could cleanse from the Leprosie then when the Lord said Wash in Jordan and Jordan shall cleanse Just so The Question is not whether a natural man can discern the things of God for we are all of us born spiritually blind no nor yet whether the Lords Christ can give sight unto the blind for unto God all things are possible but whether clay and spittle even earthen Vessels may not then help men to their sight when Christ so ordaineth Sure I am in every Ordinance of His the power of his [14] Luke 5.17 Spirit is ready to heal A leprosie we all bring with us into the world and let Gehazi reprobate as he is accompt upon it that he shall dye leprous but if Christ bid a man shew himself unto the Priest though that man were a Samaritane I would not [15] Luke 17.16 question his recovery Except a man be born ugain drawn of God endued with Christs Spirit c. there can be no entring into the Kingdom of Heaven It is confessedly true And of this truth both the Jewes were frequently animadvertized and the Gentiles throughly informed and herein great was the loving kindnesse of God unto both Jew and Gentile but Christian in the mean space what signifieth the ministery of the Gospel Is not the ministration of the Gospel the [16] 2 Cor. 3.8 administration of the Spirit Verily it is Unto them who are without [17] 2 Cor. 4.3 the pales of the Church our Gospel is hid unto them within hid it need not be It is I say the savour of death unto death [18] 2 Cor. 2.16 only unto such as chuse death rather then life Object Without me ye [1] John 15.5 can do nothing Answ By God thou [1] Acts. 17.28 movest Tell me is that a pretence for thee that thou canst not stir Rather as I have already answered it is [2] Phil. 2.13 an argument that thou mayest stir if thou wilt That which thou sowest thou sowest not [3] 1 Cor. 15.37 that body that shall be but bare grain yet be not deceived [4] Gal. 6.7 God is not mocked What thou sowest that thou [5] Gal. 6.8 therefore reapest because unto [6] 1 Cor. 15.38 every seed God giveth his [7] Matth. 7.7 Luke 11.13 sim own body The same God which [8] Matth. 16.27 maketh our obedience the measure of his heavenly gifts the same God which maketh our mortal life the beginning of life everlasting the same God which useth the blood in our veines to conveigh animal spirits the same God which frameth the body for the benefit of the soul the same God blessed for ever maketh use of our natural senses while he infuseth into us spiritual graces If we desire that God should [9] Heb. 2.3 12.25 Hos 2.15 Psalm 126.5 Phil. 2.12 Despice ne parùm sit providum sperare ex aliis quod tibi ipse non praestes Plin. lib. 2. Epist. 10. Neverthelelse Ille facit ut nos faciamus quae praecipit nos non facimus ut ille faciat que-promisit Aug. Epist 143. see Psalm 57.3 Inspirat Charitatem ut quae discende novimus diligendo faciamus Therefore Phil. 2.12 13. Take the ball at the bound not be wanting unto us let not us be wanting unto our selves Unto your finest and smallest white thred tye that thred which you call brown tye unto that pack-threds unto that the smallest Twist unto the Twist a small cord to that a threefold cord to a threefold cord a Cart-roap to a Cart-roap a strong Cable and although the weaknesse of the first thred could not yet the strength of the Cable may wind up an Anchor of hope at the last Object But certainly it is non in mans power to come unto Christ Answ Where [1] Matth. 11.28 compared with Mat. 14.27 28 Christ calleth there is hope given that he will [2] John 6.37 give a power Samuel knew not the Lord at the first and
second calls but before he could take any rest he was [3] 1 Sam. 3.5 10 made to know the Lord. Object But assuredly God hath his [1] Rom. 9.22 Vessels of wrath Answ He hath so namely the [1] Rom. 9.21 Vessels unto dishonour Object And them he fitteth unto destruction Answ Not so They [1] See here page 56. forwards Hos 13.9 fit themselves for destruction The Vessels of mercy are prepared unto glory by God but the Vessels of wrath draw their own destruction upon themselves The wages [2] Rom. 6.23 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Opsonium est stipendium esculentum apud Romanos Paraeus Caius panaria cum opsonio viritim dedit Sueton in Caio cap. 18. The military stipend for which sinners fight under sin against God meruere Who goeth a warfare 1 Cor. 9.7 at his own charges The pay which unbelievers serve for is Death of sin is death but the [3] Cùm quis propter nullam aliam causam doaat quam ut libertatem munificentiam exerceat Haec propriè Donatio appellatur Julian Dict. de Donationibus lib. 1. gift of God is eternal life Object May then he who was formerly a vessel of dishonour now be a vessel unto honour Answ 1. Leave [1] Deut. 29.29 Tiberius acriùs accepit recludi quae reprimeret Tacit. see Prov. 25.2 3 secret things unto God Answ 2. For ought that you or I know the same person who once seemed a Vessel unto dishonour may hereafter prove himself to be a Vessel unto honour namely If he [1] 2 Tim. 2.21 purge himself Object Can a man purge himself Answ Because I have purged thee and thou wast [1] Ezek. 24.13 not purged There is an effectual purifying upon Gods part and a [2] 1 John 3.3 Dij prohibebunt haec sed non propter me coelo descendent vobis dent mentem oportet ut prohibeatis Liv. lib. 9. dutiful purifying upon our part Friends if when the holy Spirit cleanseth a person that person [3] James 4.8 Spes inanes quae in medio spatio franguntur corruunt ante in ipfe cursu obruuntur quam portum conspicere possunt Cicero de Orat. lib. 3. Altiùs ibunt qui ad summa nituntur Quintil lib. 1. in Prooem 1. John 3.3 cleanseth himself too it is then a [4] Magnae indolis signum est sperare semper Florus lib. 4. Nimis durus est animus qui 1 John 4.19 Luke 7.47 dilectionem si nolebat impendere nolit rependere Aug. de Catech. Rudib. c. 4. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Theocrit Vin ' ut ameris ama Martial sign that he is a vessel sanctified and set apart that he is [5] 2 Tim. 2.21 therefore a vessel unto honour because meet or rather [6] Col. 1.12 made meet for the Masters use and then at length is he meet for the Masters use when he is prepared unto every good work Object How unto every good work Answ Yes unto every good work A vessel meet for the Masters use is therefore ever prepared unto every good work because ever empty of it self and ever cleansed by the Spirit Then when Gods will meeteth with a carnal mans interest even a [1] See Bishop Sandersons Serm. on 1 Kings 21.29 Dykes deceitful Heart cap. 6.7 8 Downhams Christian warfare part 4. l. 1. c. 13. sect 3. and l. 2.11 Boltons walking with God mihi pag. 299. deinceps gracelesse person will after an unsanctified manner be for the wayes of God but Sirs the truth of our graces lyeth at least appeareth chiefly in our self-denials O Friends self self [2] Mat. 16.24 betrayeth us Until we are throughly [3] 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. Clem. Alexan Strom. l. 4. for Intellectio quies i uellectûs satisfied that God is wiser for us then we are for our selves more faithful unto us then we are unto our selves better [4] Charior est fuperis homo quam sibi unto us then we can be unto our selves we vainly seek our own interest but [5] Tum Deum amare libet cum persuasum habeamus ipsum esse optimum maximum ubique praesentem omnia in nobis essicientem eum in quo vivimus movemus sumus when once we have tasted of that spiritual sweetnesse which is wrapped up in the performance [6] Dominus non necessitate sed Psalm 40.7 8 obedientia urgetur ad mortem Omnia fiunt sacilia charitati Aug. de nat gra c. 69. suave fit quod non dèlectabat Idem Non est terribile sed suave mandatum Idem of a duty out of dutifulnesse and in the exercising of our selves unto obedience we then take a delight to be not at our own commands but at our Masters service Glad we are then that the high and mighty God will vouchsafe to cut out any employment for us Psalm 119. ferè per totum Beloved There is no such freedom as that which the blind world accompteth strictnesse Call to mind the lamb [1] 2 Sam. 12.3 Esay 1.3 in Nathans Parable or the [2] Issa est passere nequior Catulli Issa est blandior omnibus puellis Hanc tu si queritur loqui putabis sentit tristitiamque gandiumque collonixa cubat capitque somnos Martial lib. 1. Ep. 101. Cat of Publius or Vlysses [3] 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Homer Odyss 5. his Dog The lamb will grow up together with the poor mans Children the Cat naturally savage will affect the bosom of her mistresse and how dogged soever the Dog will hardly be beaten from [4] Tobit 5.16 11.4 Non quiesco nisi osculetur me osculo oris sui Gratias de osculo pedum gratias de manus sed si cura estâ—illi ulld de me osculetur me osculo 〈◊〉 Non sum ingrata sed amo accepi fateor meritis potiora sed proâ—sus inferiora vot is desiderio seroï non ratione c. Bernard Serm. 9. in Cantic his owners heels These and other brute beasts tamed by men are even transported if allowed freely to associate themselves with their masters O my Beloved man reasonable man man instructed well may he take a thousand thousand times more delight in the acquaintance wayes pleasure presence and communion of his God! Christian art thou dearer unto the Spaniel now at thy heels then the person speaking in my Text is unto thy redeemed soul How is it that thy soul is not ravished with his Spirit Plainer and fuller sentences are not extant in Holy Writ then such as [1] John 8.33 36 Truth maketh us free Where the [2] 2 Cor. 3.17 qui non amore justitiae se sentit abstinere ab opere peccati nondum est liber ac alienus à voluntate peceandi In ipsâ enim voluntate reus est quâ mallet si fieri posset non esse supplicium quod timeat ut libere saciat quod occulte desiderat August demat gra cap. 57.
thereof we (3) 2 Cor. 12.10 Est quaedam stere volupt as take pleasure in infirmities The Lord hath set adversitie over against prosperity (4) Symmachus Cajetanus in locum to the end that man should finde nothing worthy complaint 5 nothing therefore wearisome because alwayes the same That life is certainly the least burdensome which is checkered as well with the darknesse of affliction as with the light of gladnesse Yeares would slip from us like a dream did neither vanitie nor (5) Eccles 1.2 vexation keep us awake Winter is (6) Gen. 8.22 every whit as seasonable as is either Spring or Autumn and frosts not only purge but (7) Job 37.10 Matth. 5.4 please Then the morning is comfortable when weeping (8) Psal 30.5 endured a whole night and the likeliest course to reap in joy is to sowe (9) Psa 126.5 in teares A holy rest prepareth for (10) Exod. 20.9 six dayes labour and when by (11) 1 Cor. 7.20 24 2 Thess 3.10 walking in our Vocations we have gotten a (12) Mat. 5.6 Esay 58.13 spiritual appetite the first day of the week will be more the (13) John 20.1 19 Acts 20.7 1 Cor. 16.2 Revel 1.10 Lords day then our own without (14) There is such a thing as Mos populi Dei As every society so the Church besides her habemus legem hath her habemus consuetudinem Men have so great a good liking to duties which be afterward their customes that they are remembred without book neither need they be put in writing as Lawes and Statutes are Bishop Andrews Serm. 13. of the Resurrection The Civil Law speaking of Custom saith Imò magnae authoritatis hoc jus habetur quòd in tantum probatum est ut non fuerit scripter comprehendere necesse Pandect 1. Tit. 3. de legibus 35. Once call to mind what provision God made in the old Testament for his Ministery by Tithes and Offerings and for his publique worship not only on every seventh doy bùt in very many other yearly festivals and except you will either deny God your Rom. 12.1 reasonable service or else degrade the 2 Cor. 3.7 8 9 10 11. ministration of the Gospel below the ministration of death you must openly acknowledge that concerning either the maintenance of Gods Ministery or solemn dayes for Gods worship under the new Testament the holy and blessed Spirit need not 1 Thess 1.8.4.9.5.1 2. 1 John 2.27 Heb. 8.12 Esay 35.8 write unto us more then what is already written and received in the 1 John 2.7 old Testament Wherefore if any disclaim the observation of other our Holy dayes Psalm 81.3.42.4 Esther 9.26 27. John 10 22. much more if any disclaim the observation of the Lords day it is sufficient if we reply first with the first Nicene Counsel 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Deut. 4.12 Job 8.8 Jer. 6.16 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 next with the Apostle 1 Cor. 11.16 we have no such custom neither the Churches of God videas Cyril in Joan. l. 12. c. 58. As Christ substituted the Lords Supper instead of the Posseover so did he the Lords day in the Jewish Sabbaths room saith Athanasius further scruple I say In the Kindome of grace Look how many the troubles of the righteous are so many are their (1) Rom. 8.28 Psalm 34.19.50.15 83.18 opportunities of glorifying God as God First amidst equal paines variety affordeth some ease and the more (2) Rom. 101.1 amant alterna Camaenae vicissitudes we finde the lesse we nauseate our wearisome lives Next It is both (3) Jerem. 10.24 judgement from God and mercy to us that we are corrected The (4) Rom. 6.23 wages of sin is death now because the deadly wound and killing stroke lighted upon Him who (5) Rom. 5.6 7 8 most willingly dyed for us meet it is that we our selves (6) 2 Sam. 12.13 14 10 should feel some smart That we may perceive how heavy a curse we had (7) Gal. 3.10 13 layen under had not the only Son of God been made a curse for us meet it is that (8) Gal. 6.5 every man should bear some part of his own burden and most kindly it is that we (9) Matth. 20.23 taste although we do but taste that bitter Cup the dregs whereof the mighty Redeemer drank in our stead In the third place more (10) Heb. 12.1 easily sin besetteth us the the more circumspectly we do at least the more circumspectly we should walk In (11) Mic. 7.8 Luke 12.35 dark nights we are careful to keep (12) Perdidistis utilitatem calamitatis S. August our Lamps burning If ought can draw us out of Gods blessing it is the (13) Deut. 6.12 Prov 1.32 Woe to the house where there is no chiding warm Sun as for stormes they compell us to have (14) Luke 12.32 Psalm 119.71 our loynes girt Fourthly where sorrow for sin aboundeth there thankfulnesse for free grace much more (15) Rom. 5.20 aboundeth when the letter killeth then (16) 2 Cor. 3.6 Christ cometh that we may have life and that we may have it (17) John 10.10 more abundantly Fifthly the more grievous godly sorrow is for the present (18) Heb. 12.11 afterward the more it bringeth forth the peaceable fruits of righteousnesse Sixthly If we were without chastisement whereof all are (19) Heb. 12.8 partakers we should then seem to our selves bastards and not Sons Whom thou Lord lovest them thou (20) Heb. 12.6 chastenest O shew me some (21) Psa 86.17 At tu si modò sum caelesti stirpe creatus Ede notam tanti generis meque assere coelo Ovid. Psalm 23.4 Revel 3.19 token for good A seventh particular I will be (22) Pse 31.7 glad and rejoyce in thy mercy for thou hast considered my trouble and hast known my soul in adversities Unto us in the Kingdom of grace Calamities are trials as woll of (23) Pse 20.6 41.11 Gods goodness as of (24) Deut. 8.2 16 Judges 2.22 3.1 our own It is matter worthy our thanksgiving unto God that the shoe waxeth not old upon the (25) Deu 29.5 Pilgrims foot or that his weather-beaten garment abideth new If the Prophets Widow be poor God will (26) 2 Ki. 4.1 7 pay her debts and that Widow in Zarephath shall not want for a (27) Ps 104.15 chearful countenance so long as her Cruse is (28) 1 Kings 17.16 filled with Oyle Elijah will (29) 1 Kings 17.6 want bread to chuse forasmuch as his God (30) Psa 147.9 feedeth the Ravens O my God the bones which thou (31) At Sir Thomas Overburies gate Monday Jan. 29th 1654. hast broken do (32) The Lord do good unto the house of the Overburies for then when I was mortally bruised they tenderly refreshed me 1 Tim. 1.16 rejoyce for during my weaknesse thou didst (33) A week together at Sir Thomas Overburies
an Oyster opened under our feet If heaven be a house it is a mansion-house a glorious house a holy house the house of my God and that I may speak home My Fathers house God even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ is (1) Exod. 15.11 glorious in holinesse Fearful in prayses What sort of (2) 1 Chron. 29.1 Palace What kind of Temple must that be which deserveth to be called (3) Esay 66.1 The House of God! And yet our rejoycing lyeth not so much in the fabrique as in the builder not so much in the builder as in the owner of this house The Owner of this House is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ This is My Fathers house First in regard of God the-Father Heaven is God the Fathers home He indeed (1) Jerem. 23.14 filleth all places but heaven is the (2) Luke 16.9 Esay 57 15 place of his habitation the (3) Palm 26.8 palace where his honour dwelleth the (4) 1 Chron. 29.1 palace where he keepeth his Court the (5) Esay 62.9 Court where he exalteth his Throne his power and his glory Next in regard of God the Son As to work out our Redemption he came down from heaven so having finished that work he ascended up on high Oh it was a (1) John 20.17 comfort to the son of man as man to go unto his Father for his Father is (2) John 14 28 greater then he Thirdly in regard of us Believers First We (1) Esay 64.1 fancy great matters might Jesus Christ here converse among us in the flesh Sirs God the father loveth Jesus Christ as his only Son Jesus Christ reciprocally loveth him as his dear Father If we love Jesus Christ more then we love our selves we (2) John 14.28 rejoyce because he is now at home with his own Father Fools may prate that Fathers are good friends but evil company it was never so with the Son of man For the (3) Acts 3.21 7.55 Humane nature of Jesus Christ there is no such company as the visible society of his eternal Father Shew him the father and (4) John 14.8 it sufficeth Secondly My Fathers house is (1) Matth. 6.9 Our Fathers house Doubtlesse thou art our Father was a high-strained faith even then when (2) Esay 63.16 derived from Gods creation at most from Gods protection of us But the person speaking in my Text hath now given us a nearer claime he can (3) John 20.17 send us word I go to my Father and your Father therefore your Father because my Father Thirdly Our Fathers house was never built for Spiders God doth not like some of our Gentry first build a great house and then ever after lay all hospitality aside No He (1) Esay 25.6 feasteth it he (2) Revel 19.9 ever feasteth it like (3) Revel 19.17 Esther 1 an Emperour In the house of my Father as none serve him (4) Revel 1.6 under Priests and Kings so all who serve him fare like (5) Revel 3.20 Princes Upon earth this is the infelicity of Kings that to maintain a requisite State they most what sit at Table alone whereas in heaven although Kings we are yet our meat doth us no good except we eat it (6) Heb. 12.22 23 with company In our Fathers house as our Supper is the (1) Revel 3.20 19.17 Supper of the Lord so our society is the (2) Heb. 12.22 communion of the Saints In heavenly places we shall sit (3) Ephes 2.6 together with Abraham Isaac and Jacob. Abel will there tell us what hard words and blowes he (4) Gen. 4.8 received from Cain We shall there see Job beholding his Redeemer with his (5) Job 19.27 own eyes Charles the (6) Of great Brittain France and Ireland King First the first since that hour wherein Jesus Christ was crucified that ever dyed and so dyed for the good of his people Him we shall finde among if not above the noble Army of Martyrs Yea we shall there converse with every glorified soul with every soul glorified in its own order in its own mansions joying and rejoycing with its own peculiar degree of glory The elect of God which here upon earth were unto us Neighbours Friends Kinred Brethren Sisters Children Parents Wives or Husbands with these we shall renew an acquaintance an acquaintance encreasing unto all eternity Scholars if ever you would save time in your studies if ever you would be exquisite Phisosophers great Historians or perfect (1) Hoc hâ—bet animus argumentum suae divinitatis quod illum divina delectent Seneca Divines make your (2) Bene oravisse est bene studuisse Luther Plus cogitando orando proficiunt quà m legendo audiendo August Epist 112. Origo sontium sluminum maâ—e virtutum scientiarum Christus Bern. in Cant. Serm. 13. calling and election sure get an everlasting fellowship in these mansions in heaven your knowledge shall be made perfect nor shall you sit like mutes but you shall speak of the goodnesse of your God with a fulnesse of delight joy and love How happy would some children acknowledge themselves were the place of their education adjoyning unto the place of their nativity How much of her Dowrye would many a Wife part with upon condition that her husbands estate lay not far from (1) Illa domus laetâ—tiae est ista militiae illa domus laudis ista orationis Idem Serm. 2. in dedic Eccles her Fathers house Beloved in my Fathers house are many mansions but all of them in one and the same House We are there all of us one Society one Family one Colledge one Houshold one Church one Body Forget thy (2) Psalm 45.10 Fathers house and thine own kinred taketh no place in these mansions Duty and Death separate the nearest relations here but in my Fathers house friends never part Dominions Principalities Powers Angels Arch-Angels c. about whom the Schoolmen have been so idly busied them and their (1) Delectat quâ—cquid est adm rabile Cicere Part. Oâ—at distinct orders we shall know and delight in Many a good Angel which unaware to us took of us an especial charge we shall know by name and by sight in these mansions The Holy Ghost who gave us life first natural then spiritual That good that (1) Neminâ—m unquam demisit tristem loving spirit which did doth and will continue our preserver sanctifier and comforter will in Heaven put life into us indeed when he once entertaineth us in my fathers house then we shall live The person speaking in my Text thorough whom the just God is so well pleased with us He who came down from heaven to bring us thither who underwent for us the reproaches of men and the curse of God who for our sakes spake and wrought and suffered wonders Him who passed by the fallen Angels and exalteth our nature above his elect