we are here we are complaining of our wants weeping over our sins but there we shall be praising God How will the Birds of Paradise chirp when they are in that Caelestial Country There the Morning Stars will sing together and all the Saints of God shout for joy O what should we aspire after but this Country above Such as have their eyes opened will see that it doth infinitely excel An ignorant man looks upon a Star and it appears to him as a little silver spot but the Astronomer who hath his Instrument to judge of the dimension of a Star knows it to be many degrees bigger than the earth So a natural man hears of the heavenly Country that it is very glorious but it is at a great distance and because he hath not a spirit of discerning the world looks bigger in his eye but such as are Spiritual Artists who have the Instrument of Faith to judge of Heaven will say it is far the better Country and thither will they hasten with the Sails of desire SECT XV. 15. A godly man is a zealous man grace turns a Saint into a Seraphim it makes him burn in holy zeal zeal is a mixed affection a compound of love and anger it carries forth our love to God and anger against sin in the most intense manner Zeal is the flame of the affections a godly man hath a double baptism of water and fire he is baptized with a spirit of zeal hee is zealous for Gods honour truth worship Psal. 119. 139. my zeal hath consumed me it was a crown set on Phineas his head hee was zealous for his God Numb 25. 13. Moses being touched with a coal from Gods altar in his zeal hee breaks the Tables Exod. 32. 19. our blessed Saviour in his zeal whips the buyers and sellers out of the Temple Ioh. 2. 17. the zeal of thy house hath eaten me up But there is a Praeternatural heat something looking like zeal which is not a Comet looks like a Star I shall therefore show some differences between a true and a false zeal 1 A false zeal is a blinde zeal Rom. 10. 2. They have a zeal of God but not according to knowledge this is not the fire of the spirit but wild-fire The Athenians were very devout and zealous but they knew not for what Acts 17. 23. I found an Altar with this Inscription 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 To the unknown God Thus the Papists are zealous in their way but they have taken away the key of knowledge 2 A false zeal is a self-seeking zeal Iehu cries come see my zeal for the Lord 2 King 10. 16. but it was not zeal but ambition he was fishing for a Crown Demetrius pleads for the Goddess Diana but it was not her Temple but her Silver shrines he was zealous for Such zealots Ignatius complains of in his time that they made a Trade of Christ and Religion thereby to enrich themselves 'T is probable many in King Henry the eights time were forward to pull down the Abbies not out of any zeal against Popery but that they might build their own houses upon the ruines of those Abbies like Eagles which fly aloft but their eyes are down upon their prey If blind zeal be punished seven fold hypocritical zeal shall bee punished seventy and seven fold 3 A false praeposterous zeal is a misguided zeal it runs out most in things which are not commanded It is the sign of an hypocrite to be zealous for traditions and careless of institutions The Pharisees were more zealous about washing of their cups than their hearts 4 A false zeal is fired with passion Iames and Iohn when they would call for fire from heaven were rebuked by our Saviour Luk. 9. 54. Yee know not what spirit yee are off it was not zeal but choller many have espoused the cause of Religion rather out of faction and humour than out of zeal to the truth But the zeal of a godly man is a true and holy zeal which evidenceth it self in the effects of it 1 True zeal cannot bear an injury done to God zeal makes the blood rise when Gods honour is impeached Rev. 2. 2. I know thy works and thy labour and patience and how thou canst not bear them which are evil hee who zealously affects his friend cannot hear him spoken against and be silent 2 True zeal will encounter with the greatest difficulties when the world holds out a Gorgons head of danger to discourage us zeal casts out fear it is quickned by opposition Zeal doth not say there is a Lyon in the way zeal will charge through an Army of dangers it will march in the face of death Let news be brought to Paul that he was way-laid in every City bonds and imprisonment did abide him this sets a keener edge upon his zeal Acts 21. 13. I am ready not only to bee bound but to dye for the name of the Lord Iesus as sharp frosts do by an antiparistasis make the fire burn hotter so sharp oppositions do but inflame zeal the more 3 True zeal as it hath knowledge to go before it so it hath sanctity to follow after it Wisdome leads the van of zeal and holiness brings up the rear an hypocrite seems to be zealous but he is vitious the godly man is white and ruddy white in purity as well as ruddy in zeal Christs zeal was hotter than the fire and his holiness purer than the sun 4 Zeal that is genuine loves truth when it is despised and opposed Psal. 119. 126. They have made void thy law therefore I love thy commandements above gold the more others deride holiness the more we love it what is Religion the worse for others disgracing it doth a Diamond sparkle the less because a blinde man disparageth it the more outragious the wicked are against the truth the more couragious the godly are for it When Mical scoffed at Davids religious dancing before the Ark if saith he this be to be vile I will yet be more vile 2 Sam. 6. 22. 5 True zeal causeth fervency in duty Rom. 12. 11. fervent in spirit Zeal makes us hear with reverence pray with affection love with ardency God kindled Moses his sacrifice from heaven Lev. 9. 24. There came a fire out from before the Lord and consumed upon the Altar the burnt offering when we are zealous in devotion and our heart waxeth hot within us here is a fire from heaven kindling our sacrifice how odious is it for a man to be all fire when he is sinning and all yâ—e when he is praying A pious heart like water seething hot boils over in holy affections 6. True zeal is never out of breath though it be violent 't is perpetual no waters can quench the flame of zeal it is torrid in the frigid zone The heat of zeal is like the natural heat coming from the heart which lasts as long as life That zeal which is not constant was
never true Use 1. How opposite are they to godliness who cry down zeal and count it a Religious phrensie They are for the light of knowledge but not for the heat of zeal When Basil was earnest in preaching against the Arrian Heresie it was interpreted folly and dotage Religion is a matter requires zeal the Kingdom of heaven will not be taken but by violence Mat. 12. 11. Object But why so much fervour in Religion what becomes then of Prudence Answ. Though Prudence be to direct zeal yet not to destroy it because sight is requisite must the body therefore have no heat If Prudence be the eye in Religion zeal is the heart Quest. But where is moderation Answ. Though moderation in things of indifferency be commendable and doubtless it would much tend to the setling the peace of the Church yet in the main Articles of Faith wherein Gods glory and our Salvation lie at stake here moderation is nothing else but sinful neutrality It was Calvins advice to Melancthon that he should not so affect the name of moderate that at length he lost all his zeal Object But the Apostle presseth moderation Phil. 4. 5. Let your moderation be known to all Answ. The Apostle speaks there of moderating our passion the Greek word for moderation signifies candour and meekness opposite to rash anger and so the word is rendred in another place Patient 1 Tim. 3. 3. By moderation then is meant meekness of spirit and that is clear by the subsequent words The Lord is at hand As if the Apostle had said avenge not your selves for the Lord is at hand he is ready to avenge your personal wrongs but this doth not at all hinder but that in matters of Religion a Christian should be zealous 2 What strangers are they to godliness who have no zeal for the glory of God they can see his ordinances despised his worship adulterated yet their spirits are not at all stirred in them How many are of a dull lukewarm temper zealous for their own secular interest but have no zeal for the things of heaven hot in their own cause but cool in Gods The Lord doth most abominate lukewarm professours I had almost said hee is sick of them Rev. 3. 15. I would thou wert cold or hot any thing but lukewarm but because thou art neither cold nor hot I will spue thee out of my mouth A lukewarm Christian is but dough-baked just like Ephraim Hos. 7. 8. Ephraim is a cake not turned To keep up a form of Religion without zeal is to be like those bodies the Angels assumed which mooved but had no life in them I would ask these Tepid neutral professors this question If Religion be not a good cause why did they undertake it at first if it be why do they go so faintly about it why have they no more holy ardours of soul these persons would fain go to heaven in a soft bed but are loath to bee carried thither in a fiery Chariot of zeal Remember God will be zealous against them who are not zealous he provides the fire of hell for those that want the fire of zeal Use 2. As you would be found in the catalogue of the godly labour for zeal as good bee of no religion as not to be zealous in religion Beware of carnal policy This is one of those three things which Luther feared would bee the death of Religion Some men have been too wise to bee saved Their discretion hath quenched their zeal beware of stoth which is an enemy to zeal be zealous and repent Rev. 3. 19. Christians what do you reserve your zeal for is it for your gold that perisheth or for your lusts that will make you perish can you bestow your zeal better than upon God how zealous have men been in a false religion Isa. 46. 6. They lavish gold out of the bag and weigh silver in the ballance The Iews did spare no cost in their idolatrous worship nay Ier. 32. 35. They cause their Sons and Daughters to pass thorow the fire to Molech They were so zealous in their idol-worship that they would sacrifice their Sons and Daughters to their false Gods how far did the purblinde Heathens go in their false zeal 〈◊〉 the Tribunes of Rome complained they wanted gold in their Treasurâ—es to offer to Apollo the Roman Matrons plucked off their chains of gold and rings and bracelets and gave them to the Priests to offer up sacrifice were these so zealous in their sinful worship and will not you bee zealous in the worship of the true God can you loose any thing by your zeal shall it not bee super-abundantly recompenced what is heaven worth what is a sight of God worth was not Jesus Christ zealous for you he sweat drops of blood hee conflicted with his Fathers wrath how zealous was hee for your redemption and have you no zeal for him is there any thing you your selves hate more than dulness and slothfulness in your servants you are weary of such servants do you dislike a dull temper in others and not in your selves what are all your duties without zeal but non entia meer fancies and nullities Do you know what a glorious thing zeal is it is the lustre that sparkles from grace it is the flame of love it resembles the Holy Ghost Act. 2. 2. There appeared cloven tongues like fire which sat upon them and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost Tongues of fire were an Emblem to represent that fire of zeal which the spirit powred upon them Zeal makes all our religious performances prevalent with God When the iron is red hot it enters best and when our services are red hot with zeal they soonest pierce heaven SECT XVI 16. A godly man is a patient man Iam. 5. 11. Ye have heard of the patience of Iob. Patience is a star which shines in a dark night There is a twofold patience 1. Patience in waiting 2. Patience in bearing 1. Patience in waiting A godly man if he hath not his desire presently he will wait till the mercy be ripe Psa. 130. 6. My soul waiteth for the Lord. Good reason God should have the Timing of our mercies Isa. 60. 22. I the Lord will hasten it in his time Deliverance may tarry beyond our time but it will not tarry beyond Gods time Why should not we wait patiently upon God 1. We are servants it becomes servants to be in a waiting posture 2. We wait upon every thing else we wait upon the fire till it burns we wait upon the seed till it grows Iam. 5. 7. Why cannot we wait upon God 3. God hath waited upon us Did not he wait for our repentance How often did he come year after year before he found fruit Did God wait upon us and cannot we wait upon him A godly man is content to stay Gods leisure though the Vision tarry he will wait for
THE Godly Mans Picture Drawn with a Scripture-Pensil OR Some Characteristical Notes of a Man that shall go to Heaven By THOMAS WATSON Minister of the GOSPEL But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is Godly for himself Psalm 4. 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Clâ—m Alex. LONDON Printed for Thomas Parkhurst at the three Crowns over against the great Conduâ—t at the lower end of Cheap-side 1666. To the Reader Christian Reader THe Soul being so precious and Salvation so glorious it is the highest point of Prudence to make preparations for another world That there is an Inheritance in Light 〈◊〉 beyond all dispute and that there must be an Idoneity and meetness for it 〈◊〉 in Sacred Writ most strenuously asâ—â—rted If any shall ask who shall â—scend into the hill of the Lord The â—nswer is He that hath clean hands 〈◊〉 a pure heart To describe such 〈◊〉 person is the work of this ensuing â—â—reatise Here you have the godly â—ans Effigies and see him pourtrayed 〈◊〉 his full Lineaments What a rare â—â—ing is godliness 't is not airy and flatulent but solid and such as will take up the heart and spirits Godliness consists in an exact harmony between holy Principles and Practises 〈◊〉 that all into whose hands this Book shall providentially come may be 〈◊〉 enamoured with Piety as to fall 〈◊〉 the hearty imbracing of it So sublimâ— is Godliness that it cannot be delâ—â—neated in its perfect radiancy and lustre though an Angel should take 〈◊〉 Pensil Godliness is our wisdomâ— Job 28. 28. The fear of the Lord thâ—â— is wisdome Policy without Piety profound madness Godliness is a Spâ—ritual Queen which whosoever Maâ—ries is sure of a large Dowry with 〈◊〉 1 Tim. 4. 8. Godliness hath the prâ—mise of the life that now is and that which is to come Godliness givâ— assurance yea holy triumph in Goâ— and how sweet is that It was 〈◊〉 Latimers Speech when sometimes I sit alone and have a setled assurance of the state of my Soul and know that God is my God I can laugh at all troubles and nothing can daunt me Godliness puts a man in heaven before his time Christian aspire after Piety it is a lawful Ambition Look upon the Saints Characters here and never leave till thou hast gotten them instamped upon thy own Soul This is the grand business that should swallow up your time and thoughts Other Speculations and Quaint Notions are nothing to the Soul They are like Wafers which have fine works printed upon them and are curiously damasked to the eye but are thin and yield little nourishment But I will not stay you longer in the Porch should I have inlarged upon any one Character of the Godly Man it would have required a Volume but designing to go over many I have contracted my Sails and given you only a brief Summary of things If this Piece how indigested soever may conduce to the good of Souls I have my Option which that the God of Grace will effectually accomplish shall be the Prayer of him who is Thine in all Christian affection Thomas Watson Feb. 26. 1666. THE Character of a Godly Man drawn with a SCRIPTURE-PENSIL PSAL. 32. 6. For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee CHAP. I. Containing the Preface or Introduction HOly David in the front of this Psalm shews us wherein true happiness consists not in beauty honour riches the Worlds Trinity but in the forgiveness of sin Vers. 1. Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven The Hebrew word to forgive signifies to carry out of sight which well agrees with that Ierem. 50. 20. In those dayes saith the Lord the sins of Judah shall be sought for and they shall not be found This is an incomprehensible blessing and such as layes a foundation for all other mercies I shall but glance at it and lay down these five Assertions about it 1. Forgiveness of sin is an act of Gods Free Grace The Greek word to forgive deciphers the Original of pardon it ariseth not from any thing inherent in us but is the pure result of Free Grace Isa. 43. 25. I even I am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake When a Creditor forgives a Debtor he doth it freely Pardon of sin is a fine thread spun out of the bowels of Free Grace Paul cries out I obtained mercy 1 Tim. 1. 13. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I was be-mercied he who is pardoned is all bestrewed with mercy When the Lord pardons a sinner he doth not pay a Debt but give a Legacy 2. God in forgiving sin remits the guilt and penalty Guilt cries for justice no sooner had Adam eaten the Apple but he saw the flaming sword and heard the Curse but in remission God doth indulge the sinner he seems to say thus to him Though thou art fallen into the hands of my Justice and deservest to die yet I will absolve thee and whatever is charged upon thee shall be discharged 3. Forgiveness of sin is through the blood of Christ. Free grace is the impulsive cause Christs blood is the meritorious Heb. 9. 22 Without shedding of blood is no remission Justice would be revenged either on the sinner or the surety Every pardon is the price of blood 4. Before sin is forgiven it must be repented of Therefore repentance and remission are linked together Luk. 24. 47. That repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his Name Not that repentance doth in a Popish sense merit forgiveness Christs blood must wash our Tears but repentance is a qualification though not a cause He who is humbled for sin will the more value pardoning mercy When there is nothing in the soul but clouds of sorrow and now God brings a pardon which is a setting up a Rainbow in the Cloud to tell the sinner that the flood of wrath shall not overflow him O what joy is there at the sight of this Rainbow The soul that before was steeped in tears now melts in love to God Luk. 7. 38. 47. 5. God having forgiven sin he will call it no more into remembrance Ier. 31. 34. the Lord will make an act of Indempnity he will not upbraid us with former unkindnesses or sue us with a cancelled Bond. Micah 7. 19. he will cast our sins into the depth of the sea Sin shall not be cast in as Cork which riseth up again but as Lead which sinks to the bottom How should we all labour for this Covenant-blessing 1. How sad is it to want it It must needs be ill with the Malefactor who wants his pardon all the Curses of God stand in full force against the unpardoned sinner his very blessings are cursed Mal. 2. 2. Caesar wondred at one of his Souldiers that was so merry when he was in debt Can the sinner be merry who is heir to all Gods Curses and knows not how soon he may take up his Lodgings
of Christ we will be willing to help others to a part in him that which we esteem excellent we are desirous our friend should have a share in If a man hath found a Spring of water he will call others that they may drink and satisfie their thirst Do we commend Christ to others Do we take them by the hand and lead them to Christ This shows how few prize Christ because they strive no more that their Relations should have a part in him They get land and riches for their posterity but have no care to leave them the Pearl of Price for their portion 8. If we are prizers of Christ then we prize him in health as well as in sickness when we are inlarged as well as when we are straitned A friend is prized at all times the Rose of Sharon is always sweet He who values his Saviour aright hath as precious thoughts of him in a day of prosperity as in a day of adversity The wicked make use of Christ only when they are in straits as the Elders of Gilead went to Ieptha when they were in distress Iudg. 11. 7. Themistocies complained of the Athenians that they ran to him but as to a Tree to shelter them in a storm Sinners desire Christ only for a shelter The Hebrews never chose their Judges but when they were in some imminent dangers Godless persons never look after Christ but at death when they are in danger of hell Use 3. As we would evidence to the world that we have the impress of godliness on us let us be prizers of Jesus Christ he is Elect Precious Christ is the wonder of beauty Pliny saith of the Mulberry Tree there is nothing in it but what is medicinable and useful the fruit leaves bark So there is nothing in Christ but what is precious his Name is precious his Virtues precious his bloud precious Et precium mundi sanguiser at Domini Oh then let us have endearing thoughts of Christ let him be accounted our chief treasure and delight This is the reason why millions perish because they do not prize Christ Christ is the door by which men are to enter into heaven Iohn 10. 9. If they do not know this door or are so proud that they will not stoop to go in at iâ— how can they be saved That we may have Christ-admiring thoughts Let us consider 1. We cannot prize Christ at too high a rate we may prize other things above their worth that is our sin we commonly over-rate the creature we think there is more in it than there is therefore God withers our gourd because we over-prize it But we cannot raise our esteem high enough of Christ he is beyond all value There is no Ruby or Diamond but the Jeweller can set a just price upon it he can say it is worth so much and no more but Christs worth can never be fully known No Seraphim can set a due value on him his are unsearchable riches Eph. 3. 8. Christ is more precious than the Soul than the Angels than Heaven 2. Jesus Christ hath highly prized us he took our flesh upon him Heb. 2. 16. He made his Soul an offering for us Isa. 53. 10 How precious was our Salvation to Christ Shall not we prize and adore him who hath put such a value upon us 3. Not to prize Christ is high imprudence Christ is our Guide to Glory 't is folly for a man to slight his Guide he is our Physitian Mal. 4. 2. 'T is folly to despise our Physitian What to set light by Christ for things of no value Mat. 23. 17. Ye fools and blind How is a fool tryed but by showing him an Apple and a piece of Gold if he chuse the Apple before the Gold he is judged to be a fool and his Estate is begged How many such Ideots are there who prefer Husks before Manna the gaudy empty things of this life before the Prince of Glory Will not Satan beg them at last for fools 4. Such as slight Christ now and say There is no beauty in him that he should be desired There is a day shortly coming when Christ will as much slight them he will set as light by them as they do by him he will say I know you not Luk. 13. 27. What a slighting word will that be when men shall cry Lord Jesus save us and he shall say I was offered to you but you would none of me you scorned me and now I will set light by you and your Salvation Depart from me I know you not This is all that sinners get by rejecting the Lord of Life Christ will slight them at the day of Judgement who have sâ—ighted him in the day of Grace SECT VIII 8. A godly man is an Evangelical weeper David did sometimes sing with his Harp and sometimes the Organ of his eye did weep Psal. 6. 6. I water my couch with tears Christ calls his Spouse his Dove Cant. 2. 14. The Dove is a weeping creature Grace dissolves and liquifies and Soul causing a spiritual thaw The sorrow of the heart runs out at the eye Psa. 31. 9. The Rabbins report that the same night Israel departed out of Egypt towards Canaan all the Idols of Egypt were broken down by Lightning and Earthquake So at that very time men go forth out of their natural condition towards heaven all the Idols of sin in the heart must be broken down by Repentance A melting heart is the chief branch of the Covenant of Grace Ezek. 36. 26. and the product of the Spirit Zac. 12. 10. I will powre upon the House of David the Spirit of Grace and they shall look on me whom they have pierced and they shall mourn for him Quest. But why is a godly man a weeper Is not sin pardoned which is the ground of Ioy Hath ot he had a transforming work upon his heart why then doth he weep Answ. A godly man finds matter enough of weeping 1. He weeps for the in-being of sin the Law in his members Rom. 7. 23. The ebullitions and first risings of sin his Nature is a poysoned Fountain A regenerate person grieves that he carries that about him which is enmity to God his heart is like the wide Sea wherein there are creeping things innumerable vain sinful thoughts A Childe of God laments hidden wickedness he hath more evil in him than he knows of There are those Meanders in his heart which he cannot trace a terra incognita an unknown world of sin Psalm 19. 12. Who can understand his errors 2. A godly man weeps for the adherency of Corruption if he could get rid of sin there were some comfort but he cannot shake off this Viper Sin cleaves to him as the Leprosie to the wall Lev. 14. 39. Though a Childe of God forsakes his sin yet sin will not forsake him Dan. 7. 12. Concerning the rest of the beasts they had
allow himself in rash censuring Some think this a small matter they will not swear but they will slander this is very evil thou woundest a man in that which is dearest to him He who is godly turns all his censures upon himself he judgeth himself for his own sins but is very chary and tender of the good name of another Use. As you would be numbred among the Genealogies of the Saints do not indulge your selves in any sin consider the mischief that one sin lived in will do 1. One sin gives Satan as much advantage against thee as more The Fowler can hold the Bird by one wing Satan held Iudas fast by one sin 2. One sin lived in argues the heart is not sound he who hides one Rebel in his house is a Traytor to the Crown that person who indulgeth one sin is a trayterous hypocrite 3. One sin will make way for more as a little Thief can open the door to more Sin is linked and chained together one sin will draw on more Davids adultery made way for murder One sin never goes alone if there be but one Nest-egg the Devil can brood upon it 4. One sin is as well a breach of Gods Law as more Iam. 2. 10. He that shall offend in one point is guilty of all If the King make a Law against Felony Treason Murder if a man be guilty but of one of these he is as well a Transgressor of the Law as if he were guilty of all 5. One sin lived in keeps out Christ from entring one stone in the Pipe keeps out the water one sin indulg'd obstructs the soul and keeps the streams of Christs Bloud from running into it 6. One sin lived in will spoil all thy good duties A drop of poyson will spoil a glass of Wine Abimeleck a Bastard destroyed threescore and ten of his Brethren Iudg. 9. 5. One Bastard-sin will destroy threescore and ten prayers One dead fly will corrupt the box of oyntment 7. One sin lived in will be a Canker-worm to eat out the peace of Conscience it takes away the Manna out of the Ark and leaves only a Rod. Eheu quis intus scorpio One sin is a Pyrate to rob a Christian of his comfort one jarring string brings all the Musick out of tune one sin countenanced will spoil the Musick of Conscience 8. One sin allowed will damn as well as more one disease is enough to kill If a Fence be made never so strong leave open but one gap the wilde Beast may enter and tread down the corn If there be but one sin allowed in the soul you set open a gap for the Devil to enter 'T is a simile of Chrysostom a Souldier that hath his Head-piece on and Breast-plate if in but one place he wants Armour the bullet may enter there and he may as well be shot as if he had no Armour on So if thou favourest but one sin thou leavest a part of thy soul unarmed and the Bullet of Gods Wrath may enter there and â—hoot thee One sin may shut thee out of heaven and as Hierom faith What difference is there in being shut out for more sins or for one Therefore take heed of cherishâ—ng one sin One Milstone will sink a man into the Sea as well as an hundred 9. One sin harboured in the soul will unfit for suffering How soon may an hour of Tryal come he who hath an hurt in his shoulder cannot carry an heavy burden and he who hath any guilt in his Conscience cannot carry the Cross of Christ Will he deny his life for Christ that cannot deny his lust for Christ One sin in the soul unmortified will bring forth the bitter fruit of Apostasie Would you then show your selves godly give a Bill of Divorce to every sin kill the Goliah-sin Rom. 6. 12. Let not sin reign In the Original it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 let not sin King it over you Grace and Sin may be together but Grace and the love of Sin cannot Therefore parley with sin no longer but with the Spear of Mortification let out the heart-bloud of every sin SECT XX. 20. A godly man is good in his Relations To be good in general is not enough but we must show forth Piety in our Relations 1. He is godly who is good as a Magistrate The Magistrate is Gods Representative a godly Magistrate holds the ballance of Justice and gives to every one his right Deut. 16. 19. Thou shalt not respect persons neither take a gift for a gift doth blind the eyes A Magistrate must judge the Cause not the person He who suffers himself to be corrupted with bribes is not a Iudge but a Party A Magistrate must do that which is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 according to Law Act. 23. 3. And that he may do Justice he must examine the Cause Tâ—e Archer that will shoot right must first see the mark 2. He is godly who is good as a Minister A Minister must be 1. Painful 2 Tim. 4. 1 2. Preach the Word be instant in season out of season The Minister must not be idle sloath is as inexcusable in a Minister as sleep in a Centinel Iohn Baptist was a voice crying Mat. 3. 3. A dumb Minister is of no more use than a dead Physitian A man of God must work in the Lords Vineyard It was Austins wish that Christ might find him at his coming either praying or preaching 2. A Minister must be knowing Mal. 2. 7. The Priests lips should keep knowledge and they should seek the Law at his mouth It was said in the honour of Nazianzene that he was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an Ocean of Divinity The Prophets of old were called Seers 1 Sam. 9. 9. 'T is absurd to have our Seers blind Christ said to Peter Feed my sheep Ioh. 21. 16. But how sad is it when the Shepherds need to be fed Ignorance in a Minister is like blindness in an Oculist Under the Law he who had the plague in his head was unclean Levit. 13. 44. 3. A Minister must preach plain suiting his matter and stile to the capacity of his Auditory 1 Cor. 14. 19. Some Ministers like Eagles love to soar aloft in abstruse Metaphyfical notions thinking they are most admired when they are least understood they who preach in the Clouds instead of hitting their peoples Conscience shoot over their heads 4 A Minister must be zealous in reprooving sin Tit. 1. 13. Rebuke them sharply Epiphanius saith of Eliah he sucked fire out of his Mother breasts a man of God must suck the fire of zeal out of the breasts of Scripture Zeal in a Minister is as proper as fire on the Altar some are afraid to reprove like the Sword-fish which hath a sword in his head but is without an heart so they carry the sword of the spirit about them but have no heart to draw it out in a reproof against sin
profession The Samaritans sometimes sided with the Iews when they were in favour afterwards they disclaimed all kindred with the Iews when they were persecuted by Antiochus and no wonder they did shuffle so in their religion if you consider what Christ saith of the Samaritans Ioh. 4. 22. Ye worship ye know not what they were inveloped with ignorance blinde men are apt to fall so are they who are blinded in their mindes 4 If you would persist in godliness enter upon it purely out of choice Psa. 119. 30. I have chosen the way of truth espouse godliness for its own worth he that would persevere must rather choose godliness with reproach than sin with all its worldly pomp he who takes up religion for fear will lay it down again for fear he who imbraceth godliness for gain will desert it when the â—ewels of preferment are pulled off be not godly out of a wordly design but a religious choice 5 If you would persevere in godliness labour after integrity this will be a golden pillar to support you a tree that is hollow must needs be blown down the hypocrite sets up in the trade of religion but he will soon break Psa. 78. 37. Their heart was not right with him neither were they stedfast Iudas was first a sly hypocrite and then a Traitor if a peece of copper be guilded the guilding will wash off nothing will hold out but sincerity Psa. 25. 21. Let integrity preserve me How many storms was Iob in not only Satan but God himself set against him Iob 7. 20. which was enough to have made him desist from being godly yet Iob stood fast because he stood upright Iob 27. 6. My righteousness I hold fast and will not let it go my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live those colours hold best which are laid in oyle if we would have our profession hold its colour it must be laid in the oyl of sincerity 6 If you would hold out in godliness hold up the life and fervour of duty Rom. 12. 1. 1. Fervent in spirit serving the Lord We put coals to the fire to keep it from going out when Christians grow into a dull formality they begin to be dis-spirited and by degrees abate in their godliness none so fit to make an Apostate as a lukewarm professour 7 If you would persevere in godliness be much in the exercise of self-denial Mat. 16. 24. let him deny himself self-ease self-ends whatever comes in competition with or stands in opposition to Christs glory and interest must be denied Self is the great snare self-love undermines the power of godliness The young man in the Gospel might have followed Christ but that something of self hindered Mat. 19. 20 22. Self-love is self hatred he will never get to heaven that cannot get beyond himself 8 If you would hold on in godliness preserve an holy jealousie over your hearts Rom. 11. 20. Be not high-minded but fear he that hath Gun powder in his house fears lest it should catch fire sin in the heart is like Gun-powder it may make us fear lest a sparkle of temptation falling upon us should blow us up There are two things may make us alwaies jealous of our hearts the deceits of our hearts and the lusts of our hearts When Peter was afraid hee should sink and cried to Christ Lord save me then Christ took him by the hand and helped him Mat. 14. 31. but when Peter grew confident and thought he could stand alone then Christ suffered him to fall Oh let us be suspitious of our selves and in an holy sense cloathe our selves with trembling Eze. 26. 16. 9 If you would continue your progress in godliness labour for assurance 2 Pet. 1. 10. Give diligence to make your calling and election sure He who is sure God is his God is like a Castle built upon a rock all the powers of Hell cannot shake him How can he be constant in religion who is at a loss about his spiritual estate and knows not whether he hath grace or no it will be a difficult matter for him to dye for Christ who doth not know that Christ hath died for him assurance establisheth a Christian in shaking times he is the likeliest to bear witness to the truth who hath the spirit of God bearing witness to his heart Rom. 8. 16. Oh give diligence be much in prayer reading holy conference these are the oyle without which the lamp of assurance will not shine 10 If you would hold out in godliness lay hold of Gods strength God is called the strength of Israel 1 Sam. 15. 29. It is in his strength we stand more than our own the childe is safest in the Nurses hands it is not our holding God but his holding us preserves us a little pinnace tyed fast to a rock is safe so are we when we are tyed to the rock of ages CHAP. IX Motives to persevere in Godliness THat I may excite Christians to persevere in the profession of Godliness I shall propose these four considerations 1 It is the glory and Crown of a Christian to be gray-headed in godliness Act. 21. 16. Mnason of Cyprus an old Disciple What an honour is it to see a Christians garments red with blood yet his conscience puâ—e white and his graces green and flourishing 2 How do sinners persevere in their sins they are setled on their lees Zeph. 1. 12. The judgements of God will not deter or remove them they say to their sin as Ruth to Naomi Ruth 1. 16. Where thou goest I will go the Lord do so to me and more if ought but death part thee and me so nothing shall part between men and their sins Oh! what a shame is it that the wicked should be fixed in evil and we unfixed in good that they should be more constant in the Devils service than we are in Christs 3 Our perseverance in godliness may be a means to confirm others Cyprians hearers followed him to the place of his suffering and seeing his stedfastness in the faith cryed out Let us also dye with our holy Pastor Phil. 4. 14. Many of the Brethren waxing confident by my Bonds are much more bold to speak the Word St. Paul's zeal and constancy did animate the beholders his Prison-chain made converts in Neroes Court and two of those Converts were afterwards Martyrs as History relates 4 Wee shall lose nothing by our perseverance in Godliness There are eight glorious Promises which God hath intailed upon the persevering Saints The first is Rev. 2. 10. Be thou constant to the death and I will give thee a Crown of life Christian thou mayest lose the breath of life but not the Crown of life The second promise is Revel 2. 7. To him that â—vercometh will I give to eat of the tree of life This Tree of life is the Lord Jesus This tree infuseth life and prevents death in the day we eat of this tree