the seeds plant the slips of grace There is a latter spring but that is not so good In youth are the white houres the Golden seasons Marriages are most in younger time so are Spiritual Contracts with Jesus Christ David was good when young Daniel a young 1 Sam. 17. 23. Dan. 1. 3. 4. 1 Tim. 4. 12. 1 Sam. 2. 18. 1 Kings 4. 3 13. 2 Kings 22. 1 2. Discipulum minimum Christus amavit psurimum Eccles 3. begin Psal 92. â—3 1 Pet. 2. 5. Nullum tempus occurrit Regi Prophet Timothy a young Preacher Samuel began with God betimes Abijah good when a Child so was Jofiah John the youngest of Christs disciples and most beloved for he leaned on Christs bosome There is a season for every thing under the Sun saith Solomon then certainly for grace and Soul-affaires there is a time to be Spiritually born to be planted in the house of the Lord to kill the heart of sin to heal the hurt of the Soul to be built up a Spiritual house to lament for sin to laugh in a sence of Gods love to embrace Christ and refrain from embracing sin to love vertue to hate vice It is true as no place so no time can prescribe against the King of Heaven and Earth yet in this season doth the Spirit usually breed and bring forth its young This is Gods more common order which he can alter when he pleaseth and this time he seemeth to take for these reasons 1. The excellency of firstlings 2. The probability of a change 3. The necessity of service 1. The excellence of firstlings The Lord doth S. 3 this that he may have the first Fruits in which he delighteth First fruits are savoury meat such as the Soul of the Lord loves the first of our Estate our health the first of the day the first of Prov. 3. 9. the week the first of our life the first in regard of time in regard of dignity is to be the Lords In the time of the Law the Lord challenged the Exod. 34. 19 20 23. first of men of Beasts of the Fruits of the Earth How welcome is the Primerose to us because it cometh forth early ye creamy mornings and not the flotten afternoons are of great price we are loath to take into our services of those that have been worn up in others imployments and will the Lord think we accept of our drie bones when the Devil hath sucked R. Jun. out the Marrow as one saith wittily and yet this is the way of the world the common course The first and best not last and worst is to be given to God The morning rather than the evening the Spring rather than autumne Monday rather than Saturday our flourishing rather than our fading dayes are to be devoted to the Lord and such Sacrifices smel sweet in his nostrils The Lord loveth to be served in the first place to have the chief of our strength the choice of our ability The Lord 1 Cor. 7. 36. looketh upon it as uncomely behaviour to himself that we passe the flower of our age and never seek for Marriage with himself It is dearly delightful so purely pleasing to begin with wisedom when we begin with the world that a gracious promise is made to it I love them that love me and they that seek me early shall find me Prov. 8. 17. An early new heart is a rich Pearl timely grace finds great grace in the eyes of the Lord. God calleth and careth for early Piety the Blossomes Buds Fruit of Godlinesse in younger years is grateful to him a young man or woman green all over and putting forth the tender shoots of grace is Jehovah's darling a youth Saint or a Saint youth is the Benjamin the Son of the right hand of the most high his dearest Joseph as the apple of his eye written in his heart and wrought on the palmes of his hand by the engravings of love such indeed are his chosen his choice ones his loved his loving his lovely ones Thus then you see God is in love with early goodnesse to give grace at all times lieth in his hand to receive grace betimes lodgeth in his heart 2. The probability of a change This is the S. 4 second reason Young ones are more likely to be wrought upon grace in youth is most like to be grace in truth soon grace is likest to prove sound grace and early goodnesse hath a probability Quo semel est imbuta testa c. 2 Kings 22. 19. to become ever goodnesse the twigs of youth are more tender when the grown boughes of age are more tough young ones are more plain and simple when old ones are more plicated and subtle The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked who can know it Jer. 17. 9. These words are a fit measure for the hearts of all for young hearts and old hearts are hard and naught but yet the older they grow the worse they grow and the more unlikely to be mended as the expression of the Holy-ghost doth warrant Can the Aethiopian change his skin or the Leopard his spots Then may ye also do good that are accustomed to do evil Jer. 13. 23. It is true the spirit of God knoweth the things of a man as well as his own spirit yea more of man than man doth of himself and hath line and lead wherewith it can sound and reach the profundity Jer. 17. 10. of wickedness and hath a clue wherewith it can find a way into the midst of the intricate labyrinth of mans deceitful heart notwithstanding all the windings and turnings that are in it The Lord hath a fountain wherein he can wash Black-moors white he hath soap and nitre wherein he can take out spots of the deepest stain yet aged inveterate customary sinners contract more rust more filth which calls for more rubbing more filing A tree long rooted may be pulled up yet with more ado than a plant of a years growth As Mr. Bridg. a godly Man illustrates this by Christs raising to life several that were temporally dead as Jairus his daughter to which sinners of the Matth. 9. 25. Luke 7. 14. lower form may be resembled and the widdows son of Naim who was carried forth to be buried to whom may be resembled such sinners as have broken out into more notorious wickednesse and have stood in the way of the ungodly and Lazarus who was laid John 11. 41 42. 43. in his grave and nigh unto stinking to whom may be resembled great sinners that have continued in their sins a great while all these Christ raiseth up one as well as other but with various dispensations the first with a touch of his hand the second with a work and a word a touch and a call the third and the last in a more solemn manner first speaking to his living father then to his livelesse friend and that not with a low but
his dear Consort and welbeloved Children Whose spititual welfare should I tender if not yours I cannot but interest you in this my publike as well as private services FOr thee Dear heart as my love here greeteth thee so thine to me to thy self I question not will put thee on seriously to view and hearken to this discourse as well as my other and former advices Here thou mayst try that grace which the Lord hath given thee to his glory and thine and my comfort and mayst be helped to make sure thy calling and election It is true I am as yet present with thee through mercy and thou with me but it is unknown unless in heaven how soon we may be snatched each out of others bosome for the cloud of death many times overcasts a fair morning and so have opportunity for information direction and counsel according to my talent But this may live when I am dead and by this means thou mayst have an admonishing husband present even when absent However it may prove subservient to thy souls advantage whether our time be less or more in this world As for you my dear Children I judge it not unmeet to commend these collections to you and as a father to command you to study them and to search your selves by them I have formerly had in my thoughts to draw up some admonitions and cautions for the good of your souls which as a father careful of your eternal weal I might leave with you as a fathers blessing as the best legacy I can bequeath to you but those being not hatched and these fledged and compleated I could not but put them into your hands not knowing though my self wtth your loving mother be in the prime of our years having but newly past the noon of Moses Psal 90. his youngest old man how short my time may be with you as also because the subject is of special concernment for you being born and brought forth in sin For what doctrine could I better lay before you than that of effectual calling shewing you what is grace and what not and what duty could I better lay upon you than that of conversion and repentance Young children like young plants had need be shored and underpropped with good admonitions I endeavour it in this Treatise as well as in my private teachings I have six of you in the land of the living Oh that the Lord would make you his So far as I know mine own heart though the heart of man and so mine is very deceitful I profess seriously that how low soever your condition should be for temporals yet if the Lord would be pleased to bestow a new heart upon you I should abundantly rejoyce yea more than to see you sit upon the highest pinacle of worldly advancement I am full of fears and desires in reference to your souls good and though now you be tender and young and so little sensible and not so fit for this or other books yet if it please God to lengthen out the thread of your lives which I pray for then take a word of advice from your father oh that God would bless it to you Study throughly the nature of original sin and that pravity that is diffused throughout your natures Remember that you are born in sin and so will live and die if not changed by grace The Lord change you for his Christ's sake Let the Scriptures be precious in your eyes they are the book of books read them often and heedfully Make great conscience of obedience to your parents and superiors Remember your creator in the days of your youth make good use of your young time flee youthful lusts take heed of the beginnings of sin beware of pride lying vain company c. Be willing to learn and be taught the things of God and your souls good I must contract or mine Epistles will swell too much Jesus Christ wash you with his blood cleanse you from the filth and guilt of sin make you the sons and daughters of the Lord Almighty The Lord make thee my dear yoke-fellow a Mother of Saints and more and more an Eunice to the fruit of thy womb So prays An affectionate husband and father tender of your souls good J. V. Heveningham Feb. 4. 1657 8. To his neer relations in the bonds of consanguinity and affinity and to all his loving friends and acquaintance in the City of London County of Suffolk and elsewhere Respected Kinsfolk and Acquaintance RElations and friendship are the pillars of human society great comforts of our lives love is the sinew of friendship and religion is the life of this love What is love without religion but a sensual affection and acquaintance without love but flattery and dissimulation so that religion is the centre to the lines of love and friendship and that wherein they live and have their being Non nobis solum nati sumus We were not born for our selves alone said the Heathen Orator And if for others for their good and if for their good then their best good or their good in the best respects thereof God made and knit us together in bonds not to further or let each other alone in sin which we are apt to do through the corruption of base flesh but to admonish and help each other on towards grace and glory Though I must confess I fail too much in the duty of every of my relations wherein I stand yet I bless God that he hath helped and encouraged me in some measure to deal with divers of you in the way of private admonition which I hope hath not been altogether fruitless It is a precious duty I wish it were more put in use and practice I have had sometimes wishes though the thing can hardly be attained that we might all meet together at some times especially we that are more neerly related to each other not only for civil society but also and principally for spiritual advantage In some measure I may have my desire meeting with you all by counsel and advice in this Book and oh that God would so bless it for which I desire to bend my knees and lift up mine heart every day that we might one day meet with each other in the presence of God in the highest heavens Come let me beg your hearts for the Lord let the words of a Brother Kinsman Friend in the name of Christ prevail with you Who knows but God allied me to and gave me acquaintance with any of you for such an end and purpose as this Some of you may be yet knee-deep and more in the clay of a natural condition standing at a great distance from the father of light The Lord pull your feet out and set them on the rock Christ Others of you may be washed and whited over with civility and common profession but remember that not every one that saith Lord Lord shall enter into the Kingdom of heaven Pardon me that I hint
will and can fit any ground to bring forth a good crop not but that the Lord can go against the stream and throw down strong Towers and break through Walls of Steel and Brasse I go not about to weaken the hand or to shorten the Arm of the Lord Is there any thing too hard for the Lord Gen. 18. 14. But the Lord worketh by means of his own appointment and hath no other bonds than what he hath been pleased to put upon himself I speak now not of the skill but of the will of God not what he can do but what he doth do not of his extraordinary power but his ordinary providence in Spirituals not of his special and unusual operations but of his general and more common dispensations The Lord can do more than he will or doth do Nor do I mean that all of the middle sort and ranke are called but amongst them doth God pitch his Tabernacle more than among others nor by the middle sort do I mean those that are next Neighbours to the wealthiest but rather those that dwell upon the Borders of meannesse and so for wisedom and nobility they think themselves too high to put their shoulders to the work of the Lord and would be ready to think God were beholding to them for their service Doth not the Scripture and experience manifest this all along Doth not Christ himself speak the same I thank thee O Father Lord of Heaven and Earth because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent and hast revealed them unto Babes Matth. 11. 25. The Disciples of Christ were not rich nor ragged were not the Wise ones of the world nor the witlesse ones This that I have now laid down doth not dash nor jarre with what we spake in the former Head The temperate Zone is most inhabited by converts and changed ones Grace loves to make it's nest in this climate to hatch and brood in this Region Oh then that the rich were lesse careful the poor more cared for and all more contented with mediocrity CHAP. X. IX The time of effectual calling when God doth call 1. MOre generally In the time of this S. 1 life while we have a natural life we must have a Spiritual life if ever we have any As Christ saith so must we I must work the works of him that sent me while it is day the night cometh when no man can work John 9. 4. This life is our Market our fair day when this life is ended time is no more with us but hath taken wing and is fled away This is Gods Preaching day now he speaks pleads calls invites when life is done then is the glasse out the time is spent the Preacher ceaseth and never shall we hear him again in that way Therefore to day if ye will hear his voice harden not your hearts Heb. 3. 7 8. Those that live not now shall never live those that die not now shall never die I mean to grace to sin Those that are not effectually called now shall never be Now is the day of grace the season of Salvation the acceptable time in this sence as well as otherwise 2 Corinth 6. 2. And care you not though you Quidam antè desierunt vivere quà m inciperen◠die before you live how shall you then live when you die after this life there is no Sacrifice for sin no grace to be had no calling voice to be heard Therefore whatsoever thine hand findeth to do for thy Soul do it with thy might for there is no work nor device nor knowledge nor wisedom in the grave whither thou goest Eccles 9. 10. We may now and we will not we would hereafter and we shall not when this life is ended we may say the Summer is past the Winter is come the time of the singing of birds is gone and the voice of the Turtle is heard no more in our Land the time of this life is the time of our marring or making for ever 2. More especially In the time of youth S. 2 The Lord can convert and bring home to himself at all times in middle age in old age at the very last as the Thief upon the Crosse you know the saying One that none might despaire but one that none might presume The Lord is tender hearted and ready to reach out Conversio nostra semper inv niet Deum paratum Aug. Ezek. 18. 21 22. Nunquam sera conversio vera R. Jun. his Armes of love to a returning mourning believing Soul whensoever True repentance is never too late but late repentance is seldom true but for any upon this account to run on in excesse of riot and to resist the Holy-ghost is most desperate and sad and yet many do thus presuming upon the last but as one saith wittily this is as if a man should break his neck willingly to trie the skill of the Bone-setter The time of your youth is the choice time therefore saith Solomon Remember thy Creatour now mark now in the dayes of thy youth and illustrates it by the contrary Eccles 12. 1. c. Some have observed the time of effectual calling to be between the years of eighteen and thirty most commonly Though but few can speak punctually as to the particular time and means of their conversion as a parted pious man observeth yet I do believe Master Baxter of Baptisme Jer. 2. 2. that most Saints experience saith that the Lord wrought upon them in their younger dayes and therefore the Lord tells his people he remembers the kindnesse of their youth though youth there may be otherwise understood and this early conversion is meant of those that sit under the dewes of grace the distillings and droppings of Heavenly Doctrine as for Heathens and such who never heard of Christ and his Laws and their sins when they come under the sound of the Silver Trumpet of the Gospel though in old age their conversion may be more likely because they never had the means before I limit not the Holy one of Israel if he can convert at all times yea even then when thou hast worn up thy body and yet will not and doth not use it What is that to thee Follow thou his present call as Christ said to Peter in another case Prize John 21. 22. then your youthful time when those dayes are gone you shall never see such dayes again You may be twice a Child but you can never be twice a young man The morning Aurora Musis amica is observed by Schollers to be best for study The morning of our age is the best time for Spiritual study for studying the condition and state of our Souls The spring of youth is the best time to take Physick Heavenly Purgations in for the working out of sin the cleansing of our Soules the making of our Spirits whole It is the best time for the digging up the Garden of our hearts then doth the Lord sow
a loud voice As our Saviour saith in another case this kind goeth not out but by fasting and prayer Matth. 17. 21. the like may we say of sins riveted by custome and time they may be loosed but with much a do the Ice of a months freezing may be broken as well as the Ice of a nights freezing though with more knocks Many shifts and evasions do people find for themselves by continuance of time whereby they keep sin in and grace out by use sin groweth strong sense of sin weak and their hearts little affected with the word being like the people that dwell by the water falls of Nilus who regard not the great noise thereof whereas it is troublesome to strangers so they being accustomed to the sound of the word little regard it 3. Necessity of service Therefore doth S. 5 God use to convert mostly in the spring for all that are sanctified in conversion are to serve him in their conversation Those that are called are called not to loyter but to labour not to be truantly but trusty not to play in the open field of the world but to ply his work in the walled vineyard of his Church not to sit with folded hands in our bosomes but to run the way of his commandments Much there is for a Christian to do for God for himself for his relations for his neighbours for Gods praise for his own and others peace for the illustration of Gods glory for the salvation of his own and others Ars longa vita brevis souls and the time of people upon earth at longest is but short at most is but little and if they begin not betimes what can they do a long journey from earth to heaven we had need take the morning and set out by Sun a great deal of business to do and it must be done in the day of this life we had need then be stirring very early the good housholder which may well be an emblem of Gods calling sinners is said to go out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard Matth. 20. 1. As the whole man so the whole time doth the Lord require as our spirits soul and body so our youth middle and old age death often comes sooner than old age and if nothing be done before nothing can be done after Much work and many works hath a Christian to do There is the fostering of faith the renewing repentance subduing of sin conquering corruption guarding his grace fearing his falling watching his walking studying the Scriptures perusing the promises conversing with converts admonishing acquaintance defying the Divel growing in grace and in all glorifying his God and as the Apostle saith in another case 2 Cor. 2. 16. Who is sufficient for these things so may we in this What time is sufficient for these things Besides in youth there is bodily strength for the task of duties for the body as well as the soul is to be and do for God and spiritual services take a tincture from the bodies temper Though the spirit be willing yet the lesse will be done if the flesh be weak fervent prayer frequent meditation of God his works his word of it self its ways its wants solemn fastings whether publike or private much reading often hearing self examining for which and many more is requisite the vigor of the souls powers the vivasity Meus sanein corpore sano of the bodies parts which in age do age lurk and languish grow feeble and faint the former whereof are evacuated in regard of spirits the latter enervated in regard of strength CHAP. XI X. The means whereby the Lord doth effectually call IN the next place we are to speak of those ways and means which the Lord maketh use of for the calling home wandring creatures lost sheep to himself and they are either of a lower or of an higher form Of the lower form 1. Works Of the lower form 2. Word Of the higher form The Spirit 1. By works The Lord many times makes common works and ordinary providences S. 1 to be especial instruments of grace All things are in Gods hands and those things that are of an inferiour nature can he so blesse and dispose that thereby they shall be suited for the attaining of highest ends Now those providences which the Lord hath used this way and countenanceth in reference to this work are these seven following which carry Scripture authority at their backs 1. By providing yoke-fellows the Lord S. 2 makes temporal marriages sometimes means of spiritual and in this regard it may be well said that matches are made in heaven when for heaven marrying proves to many a making to all eternity sometimes a man when he hath prevailed with a woman afterwards woes and wins her for Christ and many a woman that takes her husband much with her person takes him more with her piety How doth the wisedom and goodnesse of God much appear in this he brings those together that were most unthought of most unlikely he bringeth those together that were farthest distant from each other thus he makes grace out of nature as it were and a spiritual union to grow upon a fleshly conjunction by means of making one flesh he sometimes makes one spirit and doth not the Apostle use this as a reason why he would have the Corinthians not to leave but to shew love to their unbelieving yoke-fellows For what knowest thou O wife whether thou shalt save thy husband or how knowest thou O man whether thou shalt save thy wife 1 Cor. 7. 16. And doth not Peter counsel wives to be in subjection to their own husbands and to what end is it Why That if any obey not the word they also may without the word be wonne by the conversation of the wives 1 Pet. 3. 1. Many an one may say to their yoke fellows in some sort as David 1 Sam. 25. 32 c. to Abigail Blessed be the Lord God of Israel which gave me such an Husband such a Wife and blessed be thy advice my dear heart and blessed be thou which hast told me of my sin admonished me of my State and so hast kept me from Iniquity for in very deed had it not been for thee under the Lord I had perished in my transgressions though there may be carnal love and a peaceable life between yoke-fellows yet no well-bottomed affection if there be not mutual care for each others Eternal welfare They should seek by exhortation and conversation by counsels and commerce by prayer by pattern to bring each other into the bosome of Christ within the bounds of the Covenant The Apostle condemnes and blames the weaknesse of the Galatians That having begun in the Spirit sought to be made perfect by the Flesh We may congratulate and blesse the Gal. 3. 3. wisedom of God that causeth that which is begun in the Flesh to end in the Spirit Sometime a good Husband makes a good Wife and
Oh that this bread of life were mine How fit were these things for me and how suitable to my condition 7. Application The next Step that the Soul S. 8 takes as led by the hand of the Spirit is to the bosome of Jesus Christ It casteth it self by relying Faith upon the Son of God Now doth the Soul conclude like the Leprous Men in 2 Kings c. 7. begin that if it stand upon it's own bottom it must needs perish it 's destruction then is without the least uncertainty If it go to Christ it is sure it cannot hinder it self it may further it's self and therefore resolutely throwes it self at his door grasps him hangs about him and will not let him go and saith with Job Job 13. 15. Though he slay me yet will I trust in him And with the Woman of Canaan will not be beaten off from him Now the Soul goeth to the Horns of the Altar and there will it hold It runs to Christ makes him it 's Asylum it 's strong Tower of safety and Christi vulnera civitates refugii takes Sanctuary in his Wounds which are it's Cities of refuge to keep it from the fury of the Law It hath been hunted and worried and now runneth to this burrow for shelter It saith to Christ as Ruth to her Mother in Law Ruth 1. 16 17. Intreat me not to leave thee for whither thou goest O Jesus I will go where thou lodgest I will lodge thy God shall be my God yea and nothing no not death it self shall part thee and me Here it leans and stayes it self even upon the merits righteousnesse perfect obedience sufferings death Resurrection of an Almighty and most gracious Saviour and Redeemer And this is the first direct Act of Faith and that which is true justifying and saving Faith And this proceeds from the Work of God upon the Soul in the Implantation of grace whereof we spake before 8. Humiliation The next degree I conceive S. 9 is a mourning frame of Spirit differing from that which we called the fourth Step to wit Lamentation for that was legal but there is a Gospel repentance and sorrow which is the Fruit and Companion of Faith which though it may eye wrath and misery yet not those alone but now mourneth from Faith from a sight of Christ and I also conceive yet with submission to better Judgements for I desire to remember the Apostles Rule 1 Corinth 14. 32. The Spirits of the Prophets are subject to the Prophets I say I conceive that this Gospel repentance hath two parts or degrees The first being the concomitant of the first and direct Act of Fath viz. Faith of adherence of which we spake in the last head and the second of the second and reflex Act of Faith viz. the Faith of evidence Ames lib. 1. Med. 26. cap. 31. Thes before it mourned and repented from sence and that did precede justifying Faith now from Faith and this follows justifying Faith Now the Soul ingenuously comes to the knee of Christ cryeth Peccavi and makes it's moan and this repentance is very pleasing to the Lord. Ps 51. 17. A broken Heart thou wilt not despise This is that Godly sorrow which the Apostle speaketh of 2 Cor. 7. 10. This sorrow divideth between the Heart and it's sin That now a Man or Woman give up themselves to God in Holy engagements which though it go along with repentance and be part of it yet for distinction sake we will look upon it by it self and it shall make the ninth Step. 9. Resolution Now it giveth up it self in S. 10 Soul and Body to the Lord The Head and Heart as Commanders being wrought upon all the rest Faculties and parts as common Souldiers will follow it saith now as David Psal 119. 106. I have sworn and I will performe it that I wil keep thy righteous Judgments Friends and dear Relations if ever the Lord bring your Hearts to this which I earnestly desire and long for you will then enter into a solemn covenant with the Lord against your sins and wickednesse you will lie low at the feet of God and say with Saul Act. 9. 6. Lord what 1 Kings 20. 7. wilt thou have me to do You will deny God nothing now as he said in another case neither Wife nor Husband nor Children nor gold nor Silver all that is dear to you shall be parted with for his sake You will now no longer make provision for the Flesh to fulfil the lusts thereof Now Holy purposes and resolutions do abound in the Soul It saith to the Lord as Justine to Tiberius Si tu vis ego volo si non vis nolo So saith the Soul Lord I am thy Clay and thy Wax I have been hitherto stiffe-necked stubborn disobedient but now do with me what thou wilt I desire purpose through thy grace to be wholy at thy Command and dispose Now through the grace of Jesus Christ it shall not be with me as it hath been but I will set my self against every known evil and way of sin I will be most careful to please and most fearful to displease for this sorrow worketh carefulnesse Now I desire to yeeld my members Servants to Righteousnesse 1 Cor. 7. 11. Rom. 6. 19. unto Holinesse Upon all the roomes I mean Powers of the Soul and upon all the parts of the Body there is written For God for 1 Cor. 6. 19 20. Christ for Grace I will not be mine own saith the Soul but God shall be mine owner O precious workings O blessed resolutions Say and hold the Lord helpe thee to hold what thou sayest 10. Manifestation In the next place God S. 11 let 's the Soul read so far in it's evidence that it can apprehend its sins are Pardoned and sheweth so much of his Face that it perceives a Fathers countenance and hath some guesse at the thoughts of his Heart The Dove-like Spirit brings an Olive Branch of Peace in it's Mouth and perswades the Soul of Gods favour Isai 40. 1 2. Comfort ye comfort ye my people saith your God speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem and cry unto her that her warfare is accomplished that her Iniquity is pardoned Now it hears a sweet warbling melodious voice from Mount Gerizim the Mount of blessing saying Blessed are the Poor in Spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven Blessed are they that mourn for Mat. 5. 3 4 6. they shall be comforted Blessed are they which hunger and thirst after Righteousnesse for they shall be filled This gentle aire sweetly fans and cooles the Soul Now Christ hath bidden the winds and waves be still there is a sweet calme Now frownes are turned into smiles a funeral day into a festival The Soul can with comfort say as Hezekiah did Isai 38. 17. For Peace I had great bitternesse but thou hast in Love to my Soul delivered it from the pit of corruption for thou hast cast all my
sins behind thy Back It 's former feares are now set in Peace it's objections silenced it's doubts answered The Lord Jesus hath kissed it with the Kisses of his mouth and so given it information of his good liking intimation of his great love that now the Soul beginneth to hold up it's Head and to walk with some Heart refreshing confidence It saith now as the Philosopher 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I have found I have found Jesus Christ the Pardon of my sins that I have long sought desired Prayed and been careful for O welcome day and warming season now the Sun of Righteousness ariseth upon me with healing under his Wings and this is the second or reflect Act of Faith the Faith of evidence which God usually giveth in the Work of Effectual Calling and first conversion to some more to some lesse with some he wholly undraweth the Curtain and letteth in the light fully upon them and granteth them such discoveries that Acts 7. 56. with Stephen they can say They see the Heavens opened and Jesus as Intercessour standing on the Right hand of God and with David Ps 30. 6. In my Prosperity I said I shall never be moved To others the Lord sheweth but his Back parts as it were in comparison of what some have before the Soul had Wormwood and Gall mingled with it's Drink But now it hath Nectar and Ambrosia the sweet Hony-dewes of grace distilled to refresh it and some but sip others have large draughts some but kisse the Cup of consolation others are permitted to drink more freely of the River of Psa 36. 8. these pleasures and are abundantly satisfied with the fatnesse of Gods House Some have more and some have lesse of these Apples these Flagons and with some this Sun-shiny day is longer with others shorter 11. Contrition Upon this there followeth S. 12 a further melting and dissolving of the Heart which ariseth from a more clear apprehension of Gods Love to the Soul in Christ Pardoning and forgiving it's many and mighty sins whence is it saith the Soul that the Lord should come thus to such an one as I am and then it 's Heart is affected with sorrow for it's sins against that God who it seeth did intend so great good to it sence of love drawes forth the Heart in a melting way for miscarriages Oh saith the Soul It is a lovely sweet precious gracious redeeming saving Christ that I have sinned against It is sorely troubled to consider and think that all it's sins have been against that God that Christ whose rich grace it hath so sweetly experienced in inviting drawing prevailing with it and forgiving it's sins This is a sweet showre a kindly lamenting an ingenuous mourning And converted Soules can say that this is as strong as any kind of mourning whatsoever though not so desperate yet as affectionate The Lord promiseth Zech. 12. 10. That they shall look upon him whom they have pierced and shall mourn for him and be in bitternesse as for ones first Born And there shall be a great mourning as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the Valley of Megiddo Alluding to the great mourning that was for the losse of good King Josiah so when the Soul considereth that it is Christ that it hath pierced by it's sins it 's vain thoughts it 's wretched words sinful communication and gracelesse conversation then are the Floudgates of sorrow set open and it's heart-stings are turned to doleful Lacrymae in the highest pitch we have an instance of this nature Luke 7. 38. that poor Woman shed so many Teares that she washed Christs Feet with them and it is said she was a sinner and that in no mean degree Now it is judged and supposed that this Woman Burg. of justification pag. 269. 270. had already some sence of Pardon and comes to Christ for the increase of it and out of that sence of Pardon weeps and laments thus at Christs Feet for her many sins for many they were as Christ saith Vers 47. the goodnesse of the Lord leading her to Repentance so David in Psalm 51. sweetly expresseth his sorrow and repentance and this was after the Prophet Nathan had told him that his sins were Pardoned This I conceive to be the second part of Gospel repentance accompanying the Faith of evidence of which we spake before this sorrow is of great account with the Father these Teares are precious in his eyes he put 's them in his Bottel or rather Cabinet for Jewels 12. Conversation Lastly the soul Acts for S. 13 God walketh in the way of Holinesse path of sanctity and it's Face is set for Heaven now it begins to go upon it's Legs now all that it is and hath is set on work for God Now that it's Heart is enlarged by the grace of God it runs the way of his Commandements Now Ps 119. 32. it 's love Acts towards God The Virgins love thee Cantic 1. 3. It 's desire is after him it 's memory conversant about him The desire of our Soul is to thy name and to the remembrance of thee With my Soul have I desired thee in the night Isai 26. 8 9. We will remember thy love more than wine Cantic 1. 4. It 's thoughts and Meditations are of the best things The gracious Soul delights and Meditates in the Law Ps 1. 2. of the Lord day and night It 's Tongue speaks for God The mouth of the Righteous speaketh wisedom and his Tongue talketh of Judgement Psal 37. 30. It 's eares hearken to Gods counsels Thine eares shall hear a word behind thee saying this is the way walk ye in it Isai 30. 21. It 's eyes look off from evil and look on that which is good Turn away mine eyes from beholding Vanity Psa 119. 37. It 's hands Act for Gods glory It stretcheth not out it's hands to Ps 44. 20. a strange God In a word as before It yeelded its members Servants to uncleannesse and to Iniquity unto Iniquity even so now it yeelds its members Rom. 6. 19. Servants to righteousness unto Holiness These are the Fruits of the former workings of God upon the Soul the streames of that Fountain the Branches growing upon that Root assoon as the Soul is changed it changeth it's wayes it's works it's courses assoon as the Soul is thus hatched and fledged it gets upon the wing and away it flieth towards Heaven so it was with Paul assoon as ever he was converted and effectually called he is up and doing he Prayes is Baptized Preacheth and proveth Christ Act. 9. 11 20. Act. 22. 16. A Man or Woman when these workings have passed upon them manifest a change outwardly to Man as wel as inwardly to God Now are they running in the heavenly race labouring in the Spiritual Vineyard fighting the Christians fight doing the will of God keeping the sayings of Jesus Christ working out their Salvation with fear and trembling many pretend to have a
good Heart when they have a bad hand a right inside though a wrong outside to be fair within though foul without to have great Faith in the inward Man though grosse faults in the outward Man but grace cannot be hid it will discover it's self if fire be within heat will be without if the Heart live the Pulse will beat These are the Steps of the Jacobs Ladder whereby God descendeth into the Heart from the height of Predestination and causeth the Heart to ascend to himself from the depth of a natural and sinful condition and most blessed are the Soules that by the hand of grace are led thus far towards glory But I would not Soules should be troubled if their capacities cannot apprehend these workings in themselves in this order that is laid down but if they can find them in their own Hearts in truth though they cannot discern this order let them blesse God who hath thus blessed them with Spiritual blessings Nor do I lay down these things peremptorily as if there could not be a better and righter disposing them by transposition addition or subtraction but onely I humbly conceive according to that measure of light the Lord hath vouchsafed me who am lesse than the least of all his mercies that the will of God in his word the way of God in his works I mean of effectual calling and experience of precious Saints and chosen Vessels will own and say Amen to these things and now O blessed Spirit come down into the Hearts of the Readers of these lines and work these things in the Hearts of such of them as are strangers from the Covenants of promise CHAP. VIII VII The Concomitants Effects Consequences of Effectual calling 1. LIfe The first thing that followeth upon S. 1 Effectual calling is Life thereby a Man or Woman is made alive Spiritually This my Luke 15. 24. Son was dead but is now alive saith the Father of the Prodigal how excellent and desirable is natural life to us so that we are loth to part with it as one said when his Physitian brought him the message of death Oh let me live though it be but the life of a Toad under a Sill If the life of nature be so sweet how much sweeter then is the life of grace natural inspirations have their expirations but Spiritual breath can never be totally stopped the Earthly life may be terminated but the Spiritual cannot a life of vegetation which Plants have is something a life of sence which Beasts have is more a life of reason which Men have transcendeth the other but a life of grace which Saints have transcends them all A living Dog Eccles 9. 4. is better than a dead Lion A Flie because it hath life is more excellent than the glorious and shining body of the Sun when good old Jacob heard news of his Joseph it was a comforting cordial to him and reviving of his Spirits It is enough Joseph my Son is yet alive So Gen. 45. 28. saith a gracious Heart The Lines are fallen to me in pleasant places I have a goodly Heritage I am alive through the quickening grace of Ephes 2. 1. God pleasures sin world vanity away be gone it is enough I have enough Oh blessed be the Lord that hath redeemed me from the grave I was alive once in thought I am alive now in truth I was alive to my own seeming I am alive to my Souls saving sin lived and I was dead sin is dead and I am alive there is joy at Mans coming into the world sorrow at his going out so delightful is life so dolorous are the thoughts of death those that are effectually called are born never to die and how can they be but alive who come to Christ who is life it self as he is the true light to enlighten so the true life to enliven the Soul if the touch of dead Elisha's bones could make 2 Kings 13. 21. alive how much more then the touch of a living Christ All Saints are as the Children of light so of life Christ said Ye will not come unto me that ye might have life John 5. 40. Then those that come to him have life from him He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life John 3. 36. He hath that life begun which shall be ever God hath breathed the breath of life into such they then must needs be living Souls Such live a noble Heavenly compleat raised life we may say of such as David Lord thou hast made them little lower than the Angels and hast crowned them with glory and honour Psal 8. 5. Natures life is not Non est res magna vivere Sen. to be compared with this The voice of Christ is quickening for he saith the houre is coming and now is when the dead shal hear the voice of the Son of God and they that hear shall live Christ hath called and caused thee to hear and thou doest live to be in the Land of the Spiritually living is no small matter 2. Liberty All that are effectually called S. 2 have this effect of their calling that they are set at liberty Liberty is that we all crave liberty is that which onely Saints have It is every ones Prayer onely the Saints priviledge not a liberty to sin do I speak of but a liberty from sin not a liberty from good but to good Conscientia libera inquantum liberata à peccato such onely have the true liberty of conscience which many misse of while they muse on it to do what we would is not Freedom but servitude to do what God would is the Freedom that belongs to the Citizens of the Heavenly corporation the City of God the Church of God a natural Man is a Vassal a Slave to the tyranny of his lusts and sin but a Saint is free from sin from the penalty and from the power of it from it 's Domination though not it's Inhabitation free from it in affection Med. Ames lib. 1. cap. 27. Thes 21. v. though not in Action free from Hell also though not from the desert yet from the death of Hell free from the Law in regard of justification though not in regard of sanctification free from the condemnation though not from the commination of the Law and can it be otherwise with them who are in Christ he makes all his Free-men Free-women If the Son shall make you free ye shall be free indeed John 8. 36. This Freedom is of an excellent nature one told a certain people once that if they knew what a Jewel liberty were they would not part with it for all the Riches of Persia what a Pearl then is this liberty Now may a Man or Woman say as they in Psal 124. 7. Our Soul is escaped as a Bird out of the snare of the Fowlers the snare is broken and we are escaped How glad is a converted Man or Woman with Joseph that they are out
24. Thes Job 13. 26. some sence sins to come they are forgiven Virtually a dreadful thing to see the hand left of God writing bitter things against a Soul Inprimis for this transgression Item for such a wickedness and such a folly and so on in infinitum to a numberlesse multitude of Iniquities but a delightful thing to see the Right hand of God dashing and blotting out all and sealing up the Book of Accounts and clasping it with love that it shall never be opened to the Soules condemnation what a confounding thing is it to see a flying roule with a Catalogue in it of sins committed and curses deserved what a comforting thing is it to hear of and see an Act of Oblivion and Indemnity relating to ones own particular To consider how the Lord hath laid the sins of a Soule upon the true Scape-goate the Lord Jesus to be born away into a Land of forgetfulnesse This is a singular mercy of the Plural Number for it containes many mercies in it It is more worth than all the Crowns and Scepters in the world and this great rich invaluable pearleful and peerelesse mercy goeth hand in hand with effectual calling they are loving and inseparable companions Oh who now would not prize effectual calling who would not pray for it for themselves and theirs who would not praise God for it who are effectually called since if purified they are undoubtedly pardoned 6. Adoption Those that are effectually called S. 6 are called to be Children they are now entertained into Gods House into his bosome they are his near Relations they are his Sons not onely by Creation as all are nor by common Profession as some are nor by Eternal generation as onely Christ is but by Spiritual Regeneration and special adoption as his beloved ones as his believing ones are But as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 many as received him to them gave he power or Priviledge to become the Sons of God even to them that believe on his name Onely believers on Christ and receivers of Christ are Sons and have we not the same sweetly expressed by the Apostle Come out from among them and be ye separate saith the Lord and touch not the unclean thing there is Gods call which he makes effectual by causing the Soule to close with it Then I will receive you and will be a Father unto you and ye shall be my Sons and Daughters saith the Lord Almighty There is the precious Priviledge 2 Corinth 6. 17 18. And again Ye are all the Children of God by Faith in Christ Jesus Gal. 3. 26. And that we might receive the adoption of Sons Galat. 4. 6. To have the Church our Mother is much but to have God our Father is more How do many glory in Titles of dignity and honour and boast of their Relation and alliance to or descent from persons of eminency and think themselves glorious when drest and set out with these fading spangles what then is it to be descended from the Eternal and immortal God to be so nearly allied to the Soveraign of the world the King of Kings and Lord of Lords when Saul offered to make David his Son in Law by giving Merab to him he thought the preferment too high for one of his Extract to make a Contract with a Kings Daughter therefore saith Who am I and what is my life or my Fathers Family in Israel that I should be Son in Law to the King 1 Sam. 18. 18. And when Saul's servants suit him for their Masters Daughter he speaks again after the same manner Verse 23. And it is said afterwards that it pleased David well to be the Kings Son in Law Verse 26. So saith a gracious heart with modesty and humility sensible of it's own nothingnesse Lord what am I but a Worm a Wretch a dead Dogge I am a Sinner and so were my Progenitours there is nothing in them or me why thou shouldest make choice of me to be thy Son The Soul admires this condescendency of the Lord and accounts this Sonship worth all as it is said of Theodosius that he more gloried in being the Servant of Christ than the Emperour of the East You that are Carnal are Enemies and Strangers to God you that are called are his Friends and acquaintance the other are Servants in the lowest sence you Sons in a special sence The spouse of Christ is called the Kings Daughter Ps 45. 13. Such honour such dignity have all his Saints what aspiring is there in the world after greatnesse renown honour insatiable thirsts unwearied labouring for these things till Men loose their credit reputation honour lives yea and Soules too but they are not to be compared with this they are but twinkling Starres to this shining Sun 7. Sanctification Those that are effectually S. 7 called are called to be Holy in the whole course of their lives So saith the Apostle God hath not called us unto uncleannesse but unto Holinesse These Heavenly Courtiers go all in the white clothing of Sanctity the Children of the great King are dressed in the soft raiments of Piety and grace they walk in clean paths they follow Holinesse not to persecute but Heb. 12. 14. to practice it not to drive it from them but to draw it to them not with loathing but with love They have given up their names to Christ and they would not defile their nature with sin they have taken Christs pay and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they would not do the Devil service they study and care to walk with God like Enoch and are careful to look to the Garden of their hearts in which God hath set the Plants of grace that the Serpent get not in It is their John 4. 34. meat and drink to do the will of their Father with Christ they have put on Christ by Faith in effectual calling and they would not make Provision for the Flesh to fulfil the lusts thereof Rom. 13. 14. They have put off their coat of sin and they are loath to put it on again they have washed their feet and they are unwilling to defile them as the Spouse is brought in speaking though in another way Cantic 5. 3. I onely allude if you enquire or look for a Man or Woman that is effectually called one may say he is not here in the way of sin but he is risen you shall find them in the way of grace the narrow strait way in the path of Piety Thou that art yet unchanged art still in the dirty miry road of impiety with the Dogg and the Sow thou delightest in filthinesse thou art swearing blaspheming drinking gaming cheating scoffing lying reviling Prov. 5. 14. vide Jun. in â—â—c Pares cum â—â—â—itus Thou art not onely almost but altogether in all evil in the midst of the Congregation and assembly that is openly before all Thou hast thine haunt with vain persons and keepest company with dissemblers but the converted
Soul is praying repenting hearing reading believing speaking good doing good to it self to others to body and soul advising and Prov. 13. 20. 2 Pet. 1. 10. Phil. 2. 12. counselling it's charge it's Friends It walketh with the wise is giving all diligence to make its calling and Election sure is working out its Salvation with fear and trembling is watching against evil to good and seeking opportunities Phil. 1. 27. of glorifying God Labouring to have its conversation as becometh the Gospel endeavouring to walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing being fruitful in every good work and having Col. 1. 10. named the name of the Lord striveth to depart from Iniquity This is a most choice Fruit of effectual calling to be Holy and gracious in ones wayes and carriages it is such a Priviledge that but few in the world do attain unto viz. to have on the cleane linnen of the Saints to have Holinesse written even upon the Horses 1 Pet. 1. 15. Bridles to be Holy in all manner of conversation as he is who hath called them A converted Soul rejoyceth much at this and is very glad of it to find a tincture of Holinesse on all it's wayes that the clear waters of Sanctity should run through the Channel of his thoughts words deeds and that all his actions through the help of the Spirit are enamelled with Piety 8. Afflictions or Persecutions And is it S. 8 you will say a comfort a Priviledge to be afflicted to be persecuted yea when for Christs sake a good conscience and the Gospels sake it is a great honour sinners account nothing worse and it so imbitters Godlinesse grace and conversion to them that they spit out with detestation though sometimes in their mouths by verbal resolutions but Saints have so great an esteem of suffering for Christ that they put it in their armes yea glory to bear it as their Crest And they departed from the presence of the Councel rejoycing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name Acts 5. 41. Is it not the great Commendation of Moses that he esteemed the reproach of Christ greater riches than the Treasures in Egypt Heb. 11. 26. Till effectual calling none will suffer rightly for Christ after effectual calling some suffer more some lesse and every Saint though not drawn out yet is habitually disposed to sufferings How did the Martyrs go to the flames as to their Bed and made their torments matter of true Triumph and the crosse their Crown The French Martyr when he saw the Rope about his Fellows neck desires to be dubbed a Knight of that Noble Order and Babylas would be buried with his Chain accounting it most dear and what saith blessed Pauls From henceforth let no man trouble me for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus It is true Thieves and vile Persons suffer c. But there is a great deal of difference between the sufferings of the one and other These are brands of impiety those are badges of honour these are for unrighteousnesse those for righteousnesse sake these make infamous those famous these are a curse those but a crosse and such as is a blessing for so saith wisedom it self Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousnesse sake for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven Blessed are ye when men shall revile and persecute you and for my sake Rejoyce and be exceeding glad Matth. 5. 10 11 12. This is a Paradox yet Orthodox the name of trouble scareth a great many but there is no reason for it if you account it an happinesse to do Christs will you must needs account it an Addition of happinesse to suffer for so doing shall a Souldier glory in his wounds received in a just War and shall not a true Christian glory in what he undergoes for Christ Wounds Scarres nick-names spoilings for Christ sake are honourable glorious praise-worthy matters of great dignity and renown 9. Perseverance Those that are effectually S. 9 called shall persevere and hold out to the end they shall never finally and totally fall away they may fall away for a time but not for ever in part but not in whole Though they fall yet they shall rise again Their Apostasy gives way to an Anastasy and their declination to a resurrection they may have the fall of the Leaf but not of the Root of the Act but not of the Habit They may loose grace ex parte sui but not ex parte Dei in regard of their own weakness but not in regard of Gods power because they are kept by the power of God through Faith unto Salvation 1 Pet. 1. 5. They are espoused to perseverance which is Perseverantia est filia summi Regis called the Daughter of the Great King grace and their hearts shall never be divorced the knot of love between them is tied so fast by the hand of Heaven The Gates of Hell shall never be able to prevail against them they are a Rock in the midst of the Sea which stands immoveable notwithstanding the rage of winds and waves They are Eternal like their Father a parte post they have begun Incassùm bonum agitur si ante vitae terminum deseratur Vid. Bez. in loc and they shall hold out to the end of their race I pray God saith the Apostle that your whole Spirit and Soul and Body that is the powers of your Soul reason and affection and the parts of your body be preserved blamelesse unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Thes 5. 23. They are like the Laurel or the Bayes Tree whose Leaves are alwayes green not onely in the Summer of youth but also in the Winter of old age They shall still bring forth Fruit in old age they shall be fat and flourishing Psal 92. 14. And therefore they shall carry away the bayes and the Crown from others The Heavenly fire that is kindled in them shall never go out those Wells that God hath digged in them shall never be stopt by the Philistins those flowers of grace he hath planted in their hearts shall never be spoiled or rooted up by the subtle Fox of corruption within nor the wild Boar of temptation without Their grace may be sick but it shall never die it may lurke but shall never be lost it may fade but shall never fall They shall never desert their colours nor forsake the Captain of their Salvation Deare Friends and Reader who ever you are you will never endure the shock of assaults if you have not a principle of true grace within If you be not rooted in Christ by Faith in effectual calling every little puffe will blow you down If you put the action of your hand and not the affection and resolution of your heart to the Plough you will soon look back and so become unfit for the Kingdom of God you may have a form of Godlinesse and an outside profession and well complexioned face
a good Wife makes a good Husband not but that suitable matches are best I think as for parentage portion proportion so for piety and that as I conceive the Apostle meanes marrying not onely with one that is a Christian but also with one that is Christs 1 Cor. 7. 39. where he speakes of marrying in the Lord yet when they are unequally yoked and pared they are to pray and endeavour for an Extract of vertue from a Contract of necessity some of you that read this unworthy piece may have found providency improving your match to your Soules advantage and you that are married and have a Godly yoke-fellow ear their precepts eye their practice listen to their counsels learn their good customes mind their sayings mark their goings observe their works obey their words Husbands and Wives do not forward each other to Hell but further each other to Heaven Let not your hands be imbrued in each others Soules blood but let your hearts be set for each others Eternal good and strive by your prayers single and sociated that ye may be heires together of the grace of life Some out of fancy and vanity have endeavoured to maintain that a woman hath no Soul but both men and women have immortal Soules and that ye shall know to your cost and woe or cure and neal The Lord grant the latter 2. By granting good education Grace in S. 3 age many times hath it's foundation in the training of youth Train up a Child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart Prov. 22. 6. from it Good Parents good Tutours good Masters good Guardians good Hosts with whom Children boord are a great mercy and many thank God for the time that ever they saw the faces of and had to do with such Did not Abraham Gen. 18. 19. read Divinity Lectures to his Family and did there not grow upon the stalk of his Instructions watered with the Dew of Heavenly grace Fruits of as eminent obedience to the Father of the Flesh and the Father of Spirits as ever was when Isaac was willing to offer his Gen. 22. throat to the Sacrificing knife Was not Isaac's Faith great as well as Abraham's the Sons as well as the Fathers Was not Isaac's life as dear to him as Abraham's Son to him and was he not coheir with his Father to the promises Was not Monica a fervent beads-woman and humble suppliant at the throne of grace for her Son Austin and was not the successe sweet A woman much in prayers and much in teares she was for him and without doubt Motherly-preachings went along with her prayers and teachings did accompany her teares and had she not the desire of her Soul Seeds of Instruction and teaching cast upon the heads of young ones under our charge may through the mostnings and irrigations of the Spirit sink into the heart take root and bring forth a great crop and large increase of saving knowledge and grace if not for the present yet for the future if not in the time that now is yet in the time that is to come even when Parents are dead and rotten Children while very young are to be learned the word of God though they know not the work of God experience sheweth that it is not in vain nor void Did not Timothy's being instructed in his Childhood in all pobability by his Grand-mother as well as Mother for Parents remote are many times as much conversant with and indulgent to their mediate Children as their immediate Parents and her indulgency was rectified by grace to seek his good in the best things Help to make him a Faithful man and a fervent Preacher 2 Tim. 1. 5. 3. 15. Nay were there not twins in the womb of Lois her care And was not the effect of it double She taught her Daughter Eunice and she learned of her Mother to teach her Son Timothy How careful were the Heathens that Children might have education morally good and shall Christians sit in the same forme with them Now how many Christians by name may sit at their feet and be taught more of their duty from them than yet they have learned to practice Plutarch wrote a little 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 treatise of this on purpose Plato would have Nurses speak no foolish words to their little ones least such breath should infect them and such bad aire have influence upon them yet who regards this work or considers that from the neglect thereof as from a root of bitternesse springs that general Prophanenesse that is in the Christian world Master Baxter Third part cap. 12. S. 11. c. speaks very well of this in his Saints everlasting rest which is a very choice Book The Gentry teach their Children to follow pleasure the commonalty their Children to follow profit and young ones are ready to follow old ones This their way is their folly yet their posterity approve their sayings Selah It is to be noted Psal 49. 13. The very Heathens condemn this and yet Christians mend it not Crates the Philosopher said that if possibly he might he would willingly mount to the highest place of the City and there cry aloud in this manner What mean you my Masters and whither run you headlong carking and caring all that ever you can to gather goods and rake riches together as you do whiles in the mean time you make little or no reckoning at all of your Plut. Children unto whom you are to leave all your riches and do not most care more for the wealth of their Childrens outward man than for the health of their inward man such as one saith are like those that have great regard Ibid. to their Shoo but take no heed to their Face Some are headlesse and cannot others are heartlesse and will not By Generation men are temporal Fathers by education they come to be Spiritual Fathers and though it In anima sit extraduce be a question whether the Soul and Body come both one way or no yet it is out of doubt many times that the grace of the Soul may come from the Parents I mean yet Parents counsel teaching and tutouring may be Instrumental in the hand of the supream efficient thereunto Did not Hannah get her Samuel by praying And may we think that he that was brought in by earnest supplication was not brought up by early education That he 1 Sam. 10. 27. whom she took paines for before she had him she did not takes pains with when she had him That for whom she petitioned him she did not principle If you that read this can say by experience it is so blesse God for your Friends if not begg of God to make them your Friends Oh that Parents would bring up their Children in the nurture of the Lord and Children obey them in the Lord. 3. By procuring services By this means also S. 4 doth the Lord many times
between man and man so between God and man yet how doth the world slight and scoff at them vilifie and revile them contemn and condemn them but as they said to Pilate so I to thee altering the John 29. 12. words If thou do these things thou art not thy souls friend 7. By afflicting their persons This is the S. 8 last providence that I am to speak to the Lord breaks down the body and by that means builds up the soul by launcings he let out the putrefactions by the pruning knife of Nocumenta documenta affliction doth the Lord cut away the overspreading and sarmenting boughs of lust and corruption trials are teaching harms are healing blows are made blessings corrasives turn cordials maledictions benedictions the Lord many times laies on his rod that he may not let out his wrath he puts some into the furnace of affliction and there melts and works out their tin and lead and drosse By this shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged and Isa 87. 9. this is all the fruit to take away his sin Many can say with David It is good for me that I Psal 199. 71. have been afflicted that I might learn thy statutes And with him that said If I had not been undone I had been undone If I had Periissem nisi periissem not lost my sins I had lost my life If I had not lost my goods I had lost my God If my body had not been mar'd my soul had never been made If I had not lost a child I had never found a father If I had not been friendlesse I had always been faithlesse an ounce of adversity is sometimes worth a pound of prosperity a little of sorrow may sometimes go further than a great deal of joy Manasses was more beholding to captivity than his 2 Sam. 33. 11 12 13. crown to the thorns than his throne to his chains of iron than his chains of gold his fetters than his scepter his prison than his pallace he was too high to be a Saint till God unkinged him too stiff to stoop till God threw him out of his regal chair and forced him to fall upon his knees his losse more worth than his gain little did he think that his parting with all should be a means to bring him to a part in Christ and grace the crooked key of troubles and miseries many times opens the door and lets a soul into the chamber of presence the tossing waves lift up the ark of the soul neerer heaven such kind of agues are many times wholesome when affliction shews it teeth and grins poor creatures are perplexed but be patient for the fruit may be very precious the fear sometimes through the blessing and wisedom of God is more than the harm Afflictions are the shepherds dog not to worry in pieces but to work to Gods part not to tear but to turn The Lord is forced as I may say sometimes to deal with sinners as Absalom did with Joab he sent for him once and again by his servants but he 2 Sam. 14. 29 30. came not at last he fires his field of barley and then he comes without further sending The Lord hath some of his elect ones whom he seeth walking in by-paths and crooked ways the Lord giveth a commission to his servants the Ministers and saith go invite and call you soul to come to me and say Return Return O Shulamite but the soul stirs not the Lord sends and calls again yet with the deaf adder he hearkneth not to the voice of the inchanter well saith the Lord if you will Psal 58. 4 5. not come I will fetch you if fair means will not do foul means must Then he hisseth for the flie and the bee of affliction and calls forth armies of trouble and gives them commission to sieze upon and to lay siege to such a man or woman and saith ply them with your cannon shot till you make them yield give up the keys and strike their sail he sends sicknesse to their bodies a consumption to their estate death to their friends shame to their reputation a fire to their house and the like and bids them prey and spoil till they see and acknowledge the hand of the Lord lifted up till they hear Mic. 6. 9. the voice of the rod and who hath appointed it the Lord many times gives strong physick Deus medicus tribulatio medicamentum before the peccant humour will away and winnoweth them much to throw out the chaff thus he bringeth the buds of grace out of the seeds of affliction and ushereth in the Lady grace with salt preambles many times a sorrowful evening may have a joyful morning There may be crying out in the evening for the pangs of affliction and crying out in the morning for the pains of conversion The evening red with the fiery trial the morning gray with grief for sin may produce a fair day of holinesse cloudy and dolorous evenings may have cleer and deliverance-mornings the Lord sometimes bends a soul till he makes it meet again and breaks it till he makes it melt that he may bow them to his gracious will and not burst them by his grievous wrath rather then the Lord will lose a soul that belongs to him he will lash them till he force them into his bosome Thus I have discovered unto you the providences of God whereby he provides for his peoples good Though there may be others yet I think these are the chief may we not now say as David Many O Lord our God are thy wonderful works which thou hast done and thy thoughts which are to us ward Psal 40. 5. Have not his people cause to utter the memory of his great goodnesse and to sing of his righteousnesse Psal 145. 7. Oh oh that we would praise the Lord for his goodnesse and for his wonderful works towards our souls Psal 107. 8. That the Lord should thus variously unexpectedly in all these ways seek the conversion and changing of lost souls may justly cause us to say All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth Psal 25. 10. and with the same Psalmist in another place Thou crownest my years with thy goodnesse and thy paths drop fatnesse into our souls Psal 65. 11. I conclude these things admiring with Paul Rom. 11. 33. O the depth of the riches both of the wisedom and knowledge of God and doxologizing with him 1 Tim. 1. 17. Now unto the King eternal immortal invisible the only wise God be honour and glory for ever and ever Amen 2. By his Word Now we come to the next S. 9 means which the Lord maketh use of for the conversion and calling home of Saints to himself and that is the Word of God That is Jam. 1. 18. Rom. 10. 17 Nemini blanditur veritas the instrument of regeneration It is a word of truth and therefore fit for this work It dealeth impartially
which is not till the next 2. Secondly in nature As the shooting of a Gun with a Bullet and the killing of any one thereby may be together in time at the same instant yet the shooting is before the slaughter in nature as the cause thereof These things I lay down as preparatives now briefly to the purpose The habits of faith and repentance are planted and set in the heart at one instant there is no difference of time there 2. Repentance from the tenour of the Law Am. med de vocat Thes 31 32 33 34. Buc. lae 30. goeth before justifying faith in time and I think in nature too 3. Gospel repentance followeth justifying faith in the act and dependeth upon it 4. Repentance viz. Gospel is usually first seen because one cannot well perswade himself that he is reconciled to God in Christ till he perceive he hath parted with his sins nor conclude he is pardoned till he saith he is purified nor that Christ and they be united till their souls sins be divided nor that they have put on Christ till they have put off their sins 4. Ob. In the next place the question shall 4. Ob. be whether conversion or effectual calling be S. 4 by the Preaching of the Law or Gospel Sol. Master Burges shall answer this query Sol. Vindiciae legis Lect. 20. and unty this knot I shall give you the short notes of what he delivereth more largely 1. The Law could not work to regeneration were it not for the promises of the Gospel the question is not whether conversion be vi legis by the power of the law but whether it may be cum lege with the preaching of the Law 2. Howsoever the Law may be blest to conversion yet the matter of it cannot be the ground of our justification and adoption 3. The Word of God as it is read or preached worketh no further than objectively to the conversion of a man if considered in it self 4. Whatsoever good effects or benefits are conveyed to the soul by the preaching of the Law or the Gospel it s efficiently from Gods Spirit Thus far this worthy man It is unsafe to exclude the Law though we Am. de voc cap. 26. Thes 12. v. conclude the Gospel is the chief Between the hammer of the Law and the cushion of the Gospel is a flinty heart most like to be broken by the hand of the Spirit we may suppose the Lord speaking in this case as in Zech. Not by might nor by power but by my Spirit saith the Lord 4. Zech. 6. v. The Spirit is the supreme chief Though they be different in their constitution yet they agree in one as to the work of conversion They are all good though in several respects We may well say precious Law more precious Gospel most precious Spirit if the spirit did not move them neither the upper nor nether milstone would turn as neither must be taken for pledge for they cannot work alone so joyntly and together they cannot act without the spirits assistance the Law sheweth the sore the Gospel the salve the one teacheth of sin the other of a Lex data est it gratia quaereretur Saviour the one sheweth the harming curse the other the healing crosse the one mans misery the other Gods mercy but it is the spirit that setteth home these things and openeth the eyes to see them anointing them with spiritual eye-salve the Law may be a preparative hut the Gospel is the power of God to salvation Rom. 1. 16. when the soul by the Law set only the spirit which is the master builder is driven to fear it is the more likely by the Gospel to be drawn to faith and when it seeth it is lost in it self it is thereby provoked to long for Christ the Law treateth of transgression condemneth our courses revealeth wrath thundreth threatnings but the Gospel propoundeth promises breatheth benedictions holdeth out happiness sheweth salvation whereby the spirit draws the heart to Christ CHAP. XIII XII A few plain and familiar reasons are to be given in IN the next place according to the propounded method I am to lay down some demonstrations of the doctrine and they are these ensuing which are as four pillars to support the point and a quaternion of mediums for the life-guard of the position formerly laid down and hitherto treated of 1. Conjunction of the means and end 2. Union to Christ 3. Distinction present and future 4. Application of the means Conjunction of the means and end the S. 1 Lord calls in to himself those whom he laid Rea. 1 out for himself for as he predestinated them to the end viz. happiness so also to the means In rebus quas Deus vult ordo quidam concipitur prius vult finem quam media Ames Med. cap. 7. Thes 40. 51. Ordinatio primum finis deinde mediorum Pol. Synt. lib. 4. c. 6. Non causa regnandi sed via ad regnum viz. holiness the means and the end lying in the same womb of predestination there is a concatenation of them in Gods counsel a twisting of them together in Gods thoughts and when he decrees the one he determines the other In the book of his eternal thoughts with the pen of his certain decree the Lord first sets down the matter of his intention then the means of the execution In the certain register of his thoughts in reference to his peculiar people he first enters his will and then enrols his work Their inheritance shall be glory and the way to it shall be grace for though holiness be not the cause yet it is the cause-way to Heaven who so looks into the way of erfectual calling shall find it a beaten road to Heaven and may perceive in it the prints of the feet of Abraham Isaac Jacob David Samuel and the rest of the spiritual travellers in their journey to the Holy-land thē Lord intends to bring his people into Canaan and with all hath laid out the way and means he intends to bring them into the Heavenly City by the narrow gate of converting grace If it be a part of the wisedom of the children of this generation to think of the means together with the end shall we dare to think that the Father of Light the All-wise God hath not his counsels richly damasked with sapience prudence intelligence beyond the rule of the actions the reach of the conceptions of man I think we may safely say that the Lord hath not determined for ought that we can find in his word that any should commence and take the degree of a glorified Saint in Heaven without undergoing the task and services that belong to Christs school on earth The Apostle telleth the Ephesians that God had before ordained the path of holiness for them to walk in 2 Ephes 10. v. God hath but one way to Heaven wherein all must walk that would come thither supporting themselves
whom Samuel took to be the chosen of the Lord because he was well complexioned and tall statured but the Lord tells him that was none of the man and so the like for Abinadab and Shammah till at last David comes and he it is that the Lord intends to preferre to the Kingdom So souls hear there is a work must passe on them or no glory Now they bring out all before the Lord sorrow for sin confession of sin some endeavours and partial amendment and profession for Christ but it is none of all these It is little David said the Lord a through change that I will own true conversation that I will crown many through ignorance take the Leah of superficial repentance instead of the beautiful Rachel of solid and serious returning They are much mistaken who think the sandy foundation of every sorrow able enough to bear the superstructure of the new Jerusalem They that look upon repentance onely in the community as sorrow and not in the special notion as renovation may run wild and misse their way at first setting out To sorrow for sin and not separate from it to mourn for it and not to get some good mastery over it though the spirits help to lament it and not to loath it is not effectuall calling To have a sense of sin and not a sight of a Saviour To feel the curse and have no faith in Christ is not the change we are speaking of we must distinguish between a carnal rupture a legal despondency of spirit and a true spiritual humiliation and debasement of spirit which centers the soul upon a forsaken God one may take many steps yet if they come not so near as to touch the golden Scepter all is nothing 8. The benignity of God If God be thus S. 8 bountiful to his people here what will he be to them hereafter If those that are Predestinated to life be effectually called now they are on earth what shall be done to them when they come to be possessed of Heaven If he give them effectual calling at this distance cum omnibus pertinentiis with all the appendixes and appurtenances thereof what will he give them when they come into his immediate presence Surely if now they be as walls and doors in his spiritual building then he will build upon them Palaces of silver and Cantic 8. 9. enclose them with boards of Cedar Indeed the comparison is not to be made between here and there now and then If Incomparabiliter superna civitas clara est such things in the way what shall they have when they come to their heavenly Countrey If effectual calling while they be sublunarians then surely an everlasting Crown when they shall be suprasolists If so much while they are in cottages of clay then much more when they come to the place of glory If the first-fruits be an handful headful and heartful what will the crop and harvest be If the earnest amount to thus much what do you think the total sum will be Effectual calling is a glimmering of future glory the dawning of the eternal day and what is the morning to the noon the twilight to the midday splendour It is most true what the Scripture saith that the heart of man cannot conceive what the Lord hath treasured and laid up for his people 1 Cor. 2. 9. and to this purpose speaketh St. John Beloved now we are the Sons of God and it doth not yet appear what we shall be but we know that when he shall appear we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is 1 John 3. 2. Now there is near relation then there shall be much assimilation here is mutual love there shall be great likenesse If God here bring them into the suburbs then surely hereafter into the heart of the City If so much now while they are in the valley of tears then much more when they come to the mount of joy If this be done for them while they are in their non-age what then shall be done for them when they come unto a perfect man unto Ephes 4. 13. the measure of the stature of the fulnesse of Christ 9. The excellency of effectual calling Is S. 9 effectual calling such a work and are the effects of it such as we have heard then it is one of the most excellent things in the world next to Christ and Heaven there is no better thing that God gives to his people That makes the Apostle Paul to give thanks to God for it in Colos 1. 12 13 14. Put the best of the things of the world into the scales with it and it will weigh them all down Set them all by this and this will be higher than they by the head and shoulders It is good for the body advantagious to the soul the blessing of both It is good for this life for another life never out of date ever useful Godliness Poenitentia est medicamentum pulveris spes salutis is profitable unto all things having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come 1 Tim. 4. 8. There is nothing in the world hath so many commodities as it hath It is health from sickness life from death liberty pardon sonship fellowship perseverance Qui per poenitentiam peccata diluit angelicae felicitatis consors in aeternum erit glory are the virgin-companions that follow effectual calling We may truly say of it that it is more precious than Rubies and the merchandise thereof better than the marchandise of silver and the gain thereof than fine gold Prov. 3. 14. 15. It makes a King of a begger a friend of a foe a righteous one of a rebellious one a godly man of a godless man a saint of a sinner and those that are thus qualified have an excellency above others The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour Prov. 12. 26. He or she that hath this need not care what else they want It is the sottish ignorance that makes the world tread under feet this Jewel There are but few Crowns adorned with this Diamond These waters of Jordan though contemned yet are better than Abana and Pharpar rivers of Damascus 2 Kings 5. 12. Think and think as often as you will yet you will find nothing to match or equal effectual calling many think they have all when their will is fulfilled but they have nothing till their will be changed many say all is well if they have what they would but all is ill till they have what they should To say one is wise rich strong beautiful parted is much but to say one is gracious holy renewed in their affections reformed in their actions is a great deal more Nay further to say one is prudent sober honest moral courteous is something but to say they are godly far surpasseth Nay to rise higher to say one maketh a good shew is religious outvieth the rest yet to say
be better than you are and yet for all this you are the same man and woman It hath convinced you of Christ's readinesse to espouse you and yet you have not been willing to give your sins a Bill of divorcement and to put them away it hath made conscience its deputy your bosome Friend that knows you well and should have great interest in you Conscientia est cordis scientia and hath set it on work to speak to and to deal with you but all will not do The spirit hath visited you every day upon this account and hath spoken to you enticing words and intreated you not to be so unruly like an Heifer unaccustomed to the yoke and hath said come soul hearken to the voice of God obey the call of Christ you do not know how much it may be for your good why will you not be gracious and holy Do you not know that to be Godly is to be Godlike The great God that can grind you to powder the good God that can save your soul calls upon you invites you and will you say nay The spirit hath opened the Lord's love Letters and read them to you and descanted upon them but you regard not To sin against such shinings of the spirit is no small matter affronts offered to the spirit will sit heavy upon the soul when time shall be Hath the Dove come and have not you Spiritus Jesus spiritus bonus Sanctus rectus c. Isai 63. 10. opened the window to let it in Hath the holy good pure spirit of Jesus Christ thus parlyed with you and do you stand out against its sweet assaults This is to vex and rebel against the spirit which is a great provocation to the Lord and aggravation of thy sin whereby thou doest incurre his displeasure procure thy destruction 5. The Longitude of your life The thred S. 14 of your life hath been spun out to a great length you have lived many a year in the world you have lived to see your glasse run and turned up again when others have died before their glasse hath been half run The day of your life hath been not a Winter's but a Summer's day You have followed many of your relations and acquaintance to the grave who have been younger than you but you live still The Lord hath made you a long lease and it is not yet expired He hath cut down some assoon as they have budded and blossomed but he letteth you stand still He hath stopped the breath of some soon after he hath given it them but thy breath is still in thy nostrils Thy radical heat is not put out thy radical moisture is not yet dried up He hath caused thy Sun to stand still in the Firmament and hath kept it from going down at noon day he hath lengthened thy time from the spring of youth to the autumne of ripe and mature years And yet thou hast brought forth no clusters of Grapes no ripe fruit It was the aggravation of Jezebel's sin that the Lord gave her space to repent of her fornication and she repented not Revel 2. 21. It is sad that thy Virtutes faciunt dies bones dayes have been great but not good that thy dayes have been many and thy grace but mean Thou hast through the Lord's clemency renewed thy youth as the Eagle but though the Lord hath been calling thy heart is not renewed The Lord hath added years to thy daies as he did to Hezekiah but thou hast 2 Kings 20. 6. not yet added sanctity to thy civility nor piety in the power to thy profession in the forme Thou art well stricken in years but thou hast never yet fully stricken a Covenant with the Lord. Thou art entred a great way into the scores but wouldest never yet enter cordially into the School of Christ The Lord hath cut off many in their sins while they have been acting unrighteousnesse as the drunkard that said he should never die yet fell down a pair of staires presently and died while you have escaped and your life hath been given you for a prey and yet all this while you have gotten no grace You have seen of the fruit of your body it may be to the third generation and yet the Lord hath seen no fruits of grace from your soul you have been fruitful according to the flesh but barren according to the spirit You have lived so long as to have an hoary head but not so long as to have an holy heart Hath the Lord lengthened out your daies to a longer date than the daies of many of your stock and Family and yet are you without grace Are you ancient in years and yet have not come in to the ancient of dayes Is invaluable time of no value with you Is it nothing think you to live thirty fourty fifty Nihil pretiosius tempore heu nil hodiè eo vilius invenitur nay sixty yea almost four-score years without a change without conversion after so many callings The Lord giveth you time to turn in and will not you turn in time The Lord deferres as doomes-day so death's-day out of long suffering because he is not willing that thou shouldest perish but that thou shouldest 2 Pet. 3. 9 come to repentance Hast thou stood all this while in the Lord's orchard and is not the time of Figs yet with thee What will Christ say when he comes finds nothing but leaves on thee at these years Age and years aggravate Mark 11. 13 14. failings of infirmity because such should have more discretion much more then the fault of impenitency because they should have had true contrition It is not because others are worse then you that while they after a little time have withered in the grave you for a long time have walked on the Earth but it is that you might be better then they It is not because you shall not die to nature but it is because he would have you live to grace and yet are you dead while living no life nor love to this day Ah poor soul is it not a very great evil that the Lord hath been laying siege to thine heart these thirty fourty fifty years or more and yet thou hast stood up and stouted it out against him that thou hast so long been called by him and yet thy deaf vile heart hath not hearkned to him nor closed with him length of time overcomes many things but thou hast been little Nihil est quod longinquitas temporis efficere non possit the better for thy long time There hath been an extension of thy daies but no intension of thy desires a lengthening of thy season but no loathing of thy sins 6. The latitude of your comforts Your S. 15 daies have had breadth as well as length Your daies have been fair not foul clear not cloudy delightful with Sun-shine not darkned with sadnesse some have had a continued but not a
comfortable life some have lived many years and may say with David My life is spent with griefe and my years with sighing Psal 31. 10. Have lived all their daies and it may be not seen the Sun when it may be it was never hid from thee The Lord hath watered your Praesentis vitae prosperitas aliquando idcirco datur ut ad meliorem vitam provocet long life with the showers of comfort that it hath flourished and yet for all this you have not been found in his wayes others have been streightned by poverty when you have been enlarged by plenty others have been overwhelmed with misery when you have been over-flowed with mercy the condition of others hath been very sickly while your constitution hath been very healthy You have hardly had a day of sicknesse while others have had dayes of nothing but languishing sorrow others have been made with Job To possesse moneths of vanity and wearisome nights are appointed to them that when they lie down they say When shall I arise and the night be gone and I am full of tossings to and fro untill the dawning of the day But thou hast had Job 7. 3 4. moneths of liberty and years of prosperity and yet with the Halcyon thou hast not bred in such calm weather nor blossomed as the Rose in this warm Sun-shine The Lord hath hedged thee in with his favour and compassed thee about with fatnesse and yet thou hast not been his servant You have not felt of the calamities nor hardly tasted of the inconveniencies that others have drank bitter draughts of and yet you are never the nearer compliance with the Lord Have you known of nothing but prosperity almost and yet will you know nothing of true piety Hath that driven you from God that should have drawn you to God Hath your habitation stood toward the Sun and yet hath not your heart stood toward Zion You have enjoyed a Paradise of contentment not but that you have met with Deus felicitatibus terrenis amaritudines miscet some crosses for that is a very clear day wherein there comes no cloud between the Sun and our sight But in comparison of others you have lived as it were in Eden and yet have you not hearkened to the voice of the Lord walking in the midst of the Garden in the cool of the day Have you had such a circumfluence of outward peace and no circumcision of your inward parts Sicknesse is a burden you say and that hindreth and maketh you unfit for any good and it seems health doth not further you in spiritual things Want is a woeful thing you say and distracts you that you cannot look after grace and it seems wealth doth the same too as you order the matter Hath not your tranquillity I say your aged tranquillity invited you to hearken to the calls of Heaven Hath the Lord cut the wings of prosperity that it might not flie from you all your dayes and have you clipped or clogged the wings of your affections and desires that you might not flie into the bosome of Christ Hath the Lord caused peace and priviledges comfort and temporal contentments to be your houshold guesse and to lodge with you all night and yet will you refuse to make the Lord Christ welcome to your heart hath the Lord enlarged thy borders and filled thee with the flower of wheat and yet hath not thine eare been open to his call Hath the candle of the Lord shined upon thine head all thy daies Hast thou washed thy steps with butter and hath the Job 29. 3. 6. rock powred thee out Rivers of Oyl And yet hath not thy light shined before men in good Matth. 5. 16. works Hast not thou been willing to be washed in the laver of regeneration Hath not thy Tit. 3. 5. rocky spirit powred out rivers of teares for thy sins Thine head hath been crowned with Rose buds all thy daies but thou hast not been willing that thy heart should be crowned with grace Upon all these considerations you cannot are not able to say that you are not guilty but must rather say you are notoriously guilty after all these means not to be mended after all these allurements not to be altered to make sturdy opposition when thou hast no sufficient objections maketh your sin great and grievous and raiseth it beyond the ordinary pitch To contemne grace after all God's countenancings to continue in rebellion after so many calls to repentance doth exceedingly aggravate your fault 2. Administring causes In the next place S. 16 let us inquire into the cause of these carriages for it may seem a wonder that any should neglect so great a work there must be something more then ordinary in it that overtures of grace should be so overly dealt withal If we search we shall find there is a root of bitternesse that produceth this fruit and if we find the cause there is some hopes of a cure for who having found the causes would not if in their right minds have them pulled Sublatâ causâ tollitur effectus up by the roots and if the foundation fall the building cannot stand Now the causes why people no more mind and look after effectual calling then they do are these 1. Not right apprehensions 1. Of the nature of calling calling 2. Of the need of 3. Of the number of the called 2. False suppositions 1. Of their condition 2. Of God's compassion 3. Sinful procrastination 4. Worldly prosecution 5. Want of intention 6. Others conversation 7. Wilful ignoration 1. Not right apprehensions People have S. 17 not those clear thoughts of things as they should have An errour in Theory must needs produce an errour in practicks An errour in the head will soon bring an errour into the heart Wrong apprehensions are not like to have right actions The understanding is the leading faculty and if that be out of frame no wonder if the rest move not in their spheare As our judgements are of things so are our indeavours about them more or lesse We shall begin with the first thing where about their apprehensions are not right 1. Of the nature of effectual calling Here S. 18 they are out and quite besides the cushion The most of people are in an errour concerning this thing and the most that they have are some scattered notions but no distinct and special conceptions of it some common thoughts but not the centain truth They may happily understand it according to the Letter though many come not thus far but not according to the spirit they take it to be that which it is not but they take it not to be that which it is Nicodemus though John 3. 4. a chief man yet was but a Child in this thing That which was spoken spiritually he understood carnally Christ laid before him that which was right and he looks upon it as a riddle yea as ridiculous The most useful
is of very great concernment to know whether or no we be truly converted I request you my dear friends to set upon this work speedily and seriously delay it not a moment pray to God to teach you spiritual Arithmetick that you may know how rightly to cast up your souls account and if upon due search you find your selves effectually called then listen especially to the first part of the ensuing and last use and if you find your selves uncalled lend an ear and an eye heedfully to the latter part of it CHAP. VII 6. Vse for exhortation THere remains yet a further improvement S. 1 of this doctrine which is by way of counsel and perswasion and that to two sorts 1. Gracious ones Or 1. The godly 2. Graceless ones Or 2. The ungodly 1. To gracious ones and such as are effectually S. 2 called and I shall perswade such to these two things 1. Thankfulness to their heavenly Father 2. Faithfulness to their earthly Friends 1. To thankfulness to their heavenly Father If God do effectually call his predestinate S. 3 and you can make out you are so called O Gratias agere Deo possumus referre non possumus forget not the great duty of gratitude that lieth upon you Though you be unable to pay God for what he hath done yet be not unmindful to praise him for it Let him have the songs of Zion who hath saved you from your sins God hath brought you into an estate of holiness be much therefore in the returns of Hallelujahs Say as David My soul praise thou the Lord and all that is within Psal 103. 1. me praise his holy name Be much in Psalming his praise Learn of Paul to give thanks Col. 1. 12 13. unto the father who hath delivered thee from the power of darkness and hath translated thee into the Kingdom of his dear Son There is great reason there should be glory to God on high because of his good will to thee a sinful creature you cannot give too great thanks for whom God hath done so great things and that the musick may be the more melodious let the consort be maintained upon these three strings viz. 1. Thoughts 2. Words 3. Works 1. Let your thoughts be grateful let S. 4 gratitude be engraven on the thoughts of your soul the Lord is in your heart by sanctification let him be there also by admiration his thoughts have been upon you for your good let your thoughts be upon him for his glory and let them be swallowed up in the consideration of the work of conversion Luke 1. 43. Psa 48. 9. Optima beneficiorum custos est ipsa memoria beneficiorum And as she wondered that the Mother of her Lord should come to her so do thou that the Lord himself vouchsafeth thus to visit thee Christians should think of Christ's loving kindness in the midst of his Temple spiritual renovation should be followed by serious recordation carnal mens thoughts are taken up in contemplating their external accomodations why should not a Christians heart be taken up in considering their internal advantages Tho. Anello that made an insurrection in Naples some 8. years since could hardly sleep for thinking of his greatness how much more shouldest thou be transported with thoughts of God's graciousness Wonder at his work admire him for admitting thee into his bosome adore him for adoption Thou mayst well be at a loss in thy cogitations who hadst been lost in thy transgressions if he had not caused thee to live by conversion 2. Let your words be the trumpet of his S. 5 praise In his Temple doth every one speak of his glory Tell how he taught thee the truth Psal 29. 9. speak how he saved thee from thy sins declare how he delivered thee from spiritual death Come and hear all ye that fear the Lord and Psal 66. 16. Quid melius animo geramus ore promamus calamo explanemus quam Deo gratis Psal 149. 6 6. I will declare what he hath done for my soul Let others know what God hath done for thee let it not be confined within the narrow compass of thine own brest but let thy mouth be a means to convey it from thy heart to others heads especially communicate it to the Saints to those that are in the same predicament of grace with thy self Sing aloud upon thy bed and let the high praises of God be in thy mouth The Lord hath turned thee from sin to grace there is reason therefore thy tongue should be tuned to his glory say truly I was a vile sinner but the Lord through his grace hath planted in me the seeds of vertue I was nigh to perishing and destruction but the Lord prevented me with pity and deliverance let the glory of the Lord due to him for the conquering of your sins be born in triumph in the open chariot of sincere and serious expression 3. Let your works also be the Heralds of S. 6 his praise not only speak but do thankfulness if only oral and not real it is but complemental gratitude it may be in the tongue and not in truth it may be in words but is not of worth unless it be also in works let thankfulness be impressed and stamped upon your actions let them bear the image and character of your grateful mind grateful works from man suite well with a gracious work from God which are these three especially 1. An humble abasement 2. An heavenly improvement 3. An holy deportment 1. An humble abasement Walk self denyingly S. 7 and humbly with thy God when Saints bear a low sail they acknowledge their Father's gracious soveraignty God's honour is most advanced when his peoples hearts are most abased holy ones are called humble ones in Scripture of all the spiritual clothing in the Saints wardrobe humility best becomes Nihil excelsius humilitate them next to Christ's righteousness and speaks much the glory of their God what have they that they have not received therefore they should lie low in their own eyes self-denegation is their Saviour's exaltation humble souls are an ornament to their Father's house 2. An heavenly improvement Improve S. 8 and increase your talent of effectual calling stir up the gift of God that is in you husband your stock to purpose Take Peter's counsel Grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ Now you have 2 Pet. 3. 18. a principle do not let it lie dead manage it to the main end draw it out into act receive not the grace of God in vain you know the doom of the idle servant that did not trade with his talent 3. An holy deportment Live like a Saint S. 9 let saving conversion be known by a suitable conversation let your doings be answerable to effectual calling I beseech you with Paul to walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye Ephes 4. 1. Matth. 21. 30. are called Be