evidence of spirituall health respecting others when we endure not sin to lie upon them or rather them to lie in the pit of sin but endeavour to help them out by wise and loving and seasonable reproof and exhortation Hence Job endures not sin in the wife of his Bozome but chargeth her with folly for her impatient impious counsell Hence David smites deeply his dearest Michol when she mocks at his holy zeal for the Lord and his worship Hence Christ Jesus sharply reproves his faithfull servant and Apostle Peter and that only for seeming loving and affectionate councell Get thee behind me Satan Again as true love and zeal for God when strong spares not the dearest so neither doth it balk or shun the highest Thus deal Gods Prophets even with Kings and Princes Thus Samuel spares not Saul nor Nathan David Eliah Ahab nor John Baptist Herod and his Queen even for those most neer and darling sins which were most dangerous to touch and meddle with Qu How stands such bold and snarp language as some of the Prophets used with humble Duty Fear and Reverence due unto superiâ—urs I answer as true affection stands with plain and sharp reproof of dearest so true humility in bold dealing on Gods behalf with the most supream and highest Hence are Gods people also commanded not only to reprove but to seperate in case of finall obstinacy in sin Obj. This course may seem to destroy humane society yea nature and civillity out of the world I answer it is true that Godlines and Christian affection and zeal for God destroys corrupt nature and humanity but otherwise Godlines saâ—…ctifieth and directeth nature and civillity in the fear of God Fifthly it argues strength of spirituall life and grace when a Soul is able to withstand resist and repell such sins unto which the opportunity of temptation sollicites and invites us Hence holy Joseph and David are propounded to us for heavenly examples of power and strength of grace in resisting those most two plausible temptations to which the wicked nature of man is so prone and subject the one of lust to Women when strongly and often solicited by his wanton Mistris the other of revenge toward man when his blody persecutor Saul seemed by God himself to be delivered and brought into his hand Oâ—…j But David himself was conquer'd by uncleannes and Asa wreaks his wrath upon the very servant and Prophet of the most High and yet both David and Asa were thought to be strong in grace and power of Godlines I answer Gods champions are sometimes strong and sometimes weak strong in some things weak in others and as the strongest bodies subjâ—…ct to spirituall colds and falls and hurts which are most graciously recorded for our comfort in our falls as well as the holy victories of the Saints to make us watchfull and couragious Sixtly in matters concerning others it is a good argument of strength of grace when we can patiently and thankfully bear a Reproof and Admonition when we can esteem a Reproof for our evill words or ways not as a blow or streak on the Head but as a sweet and precious Ointment powred on us Hence the admirable patience and meeknes of Hanna when Eii zealâ—…usly but uncharitably reproved her for Drunkennes Hence when Christ Jesus most sharply reproved Peter and afterward Paul dealt severely with him about dissembling in the matter of Communion We hear not of the least impatient or bitter word to either yea when he was unjustly charg'd and that by Saints Act. 11. he patiently bears it and returns a soft and gentle answer which turned their murmuring accusations into joyfull satisfaction and thansgiving But now the scorner yea the godly being weak reproved burst out in wrath Thus not only Ahab imprisons Micaiah and Herod John the Baptist but Asa also claps up fast the reproving Prophet and the best of Gods children are subject to such sad distempers when either a mistake of judgment or a pang of passion finfully hinders the receit and working of the Reproofs of the Almighty which are wholsome heavenly potions intended by him the Father of mercies for our good who ever be the cup the vial or instrument Obj. Many Phil sophers by naturall wisdome and many civill and morall men out of the principles of civillity and morality and sometimes for some private ends will bear a Reproof with patience And hence that of Solomon rebuke a wise man and he will love thee whence it may seem that men by strength of wisdome may receive in love and profit by a Reprehension I answer Gods children as well as naturall men may also act from Rules of Reason and naturall wisedom but withall they act from an higher ground and principle that is they hear they see Gods wise and holy permitting hand in the foulest mouth So David acknowledgeth God in Shimâ—… railing and Hezekiah in Rabsheka his provocations and blasphemies 2dly Gods children by reproofs by slâ—…nders and reproaches are sent to God So David as a figure of Christ Jesus and so Moses also when the people in their murmurings reproached him as the cause or occasion of their miseries he runs to God and praies even for those unwarthy and unthankfull men Lastly with reference to our walking with others it is an argument of great strength of grace when the glory of the Lord and the salvation of Gods people is so great and so dear in our eyes that we can wish upon suppâ—…sition of them two that we not onely loose our temporall but our eternall slate and welfare Hence those two famous and wonderfull speeches of those two glorious stars Moses and Paul Blot me out of thy book saith Moses And I could wish to be accursed from Christ saith Paul for Israels sake Ob. But can such a wish be lawfull though for the gain and glory of Christ since to be accursed from Christ cannot be without sin against Christ I answer I will not dispute what accursedness or separation from Christ that is some saying that Paul wished onely a temporall and some an eternall separation from Christ some a separation from joy and delight in the presence of Christ but not from the puritie and holiness of Christ But I say doubtless so neer as any soul approacheth to these heavenly copies of Moses and Paul so neer comes he to the greatest strength and health and beautie of a Christian life Ob. But can any man now attain to such a strength of grace as this so to wish I answer as it is in nature so in grace there are children and young men or strong men and there are old and aged men in Christ Again as it is in nature so in grace there are differences of childâ—…en and differences of young and aged men in Christ every Israelite had not the strength of Samson nor every of Davids Souldiers the strength and valour of Davids worthies yet
so neer to these heavenly copies as we approach the stronger we are in the grace of God in Christ And doubtless it cannot be but it is in the desire of every true childe of God not onely to enjoy a prettie moderate health of spirituall life but to be as strong in faith as Abraham in meekness as Moses in patience aâ—…Job in affâ—…ction to God aâ—…aâ—…David and as zealous for the Lord and his glory as were this blessed pair of zealous servants of the most high Paul and Moses I Am now come dear Love to the third and last Head proposed which is some few means of recovering and preserving of â—…hristian health and cheerfulness and the preventing of spirituall sicknesses and diseases In this I shall desire to be brief left by too long a discourse I discourage thy reading and hinder thy use and improvement of it First then holy consideration of our estate a deep and frequent examination of our spirituall condition is an excellent means of Christian health and temper Thus teacheth us the holy Spirit of God by Jeremie Lam 2. Let us search and try our ways and turn unto the Lord This searching and examining of our ways in Gods presence is as it were a casting up of our accounts between God and our souls wherein we truly verifie that true saying That often reckoning makes God and our souls true friends This dutie is hard and therefore we must often crie tâ—…God with David Psal. 139. Search me O God and try my heart and see if there be any wicked way in me and lead me in the way â—…verlasting This holy practice ought to be frequent but then especially when the hand and Rods of the Lord are upon us For then as Iob saith God sofâ—…neth our Hearts and we are most like then to be as the ground mollâ—…fied upon a Thaw fit to be broken up or like the Ground moistned with storms and showers froâ—… Hâ—…aven then in some hopefull turn for the Lords most gracious seed and heavenly planting Secondly maintain an earnest longing and endeavour to enjoy Christ Iâ—…sus who is our souls life in every holy Ordinance which he hath appointed If it be possible with true satisfaction to our consciences and doubts in Gods presence let us never rest from being planted into the holy society of Gods children gathered into the order of Christ Jesus according to hiâ—… most holy will and Testament Remembring that Christian health grouth and flâ—…urishing are promised to the Trees planted in Jehovahs house And that the holy Ordinances are the Lords provisions and soul meals and Breasts which he hath graciously appointed for his children of all sorts and ages Especially be much in holy prayer and fasting before the Lord this is an Ordinance of which neither Pope nor Devill could ever deprive a child of God If it be possible practice this duty with others however before the Lord in secret remembâ—…ing how frequent the children of God in holy scripture were in this duty Daniel is an heavenly pattern and so is David who wept and chastised his soul with fasting although he was reproached for it Psal. 69. Our holy Bridegroom the Lord Iesus tels us that the Bridegroom shall be taken away and then his servants fast as if he had â—…xpresly named the times of the Antichristian bondage wherein the followers of Iesus like the blessed Womeâ—… John the 20. weeping cry out they have taken away my Lord and I know not where they have laid him This holy Ordinance is of such admirable use among the Saints that even in the first and purest times of Chrisâ—…ianity we read of Christan yoak fellows consenting to a seperation from each other for a time that they may give themselves to prayer and fasting 1. C. 〈◊〉 Obj. But some say fasting as it seems to be more proper to the Old Testaâ—…ent so seems it not so usefull in the New Covenant when more spirituall worship and spirituall joys seem more suitable and seasonable I answer all the former Scriptures declare it to be an Ordinance of the New Tâ—…stament as well as a prayer it self And for the use of it it is most admirable for the seperating and abstracting of the mind and spirit from earthly occasiâ—…ns and comforts for the devoting of the soul to heavenly consideration and examination of our wayes for the pouring forth of prayers and cries to God in the many greâ—…t and mighty straights which Gods people passe through in this vale of tears and Lamentation And indeed it is as I may say the taking of a soul sweat or soul purge for the avoiding and cleansing out our spirituall Humâ—…urs and corruptions Thirdly as ever we would preserve our spirituall health let us carefully take heed of spirituall colds and obstructioâ—…s For as it is in the naturall man a cold it self is a great distemper and the ground and â—…eginning of others when the warm streams of blood and spirits are stopt up and obstructed So is it and much more in the spirituall when our heavenly spirits are stopt by damp colds and â—…bstructions of unnecessary frequenting of cold societies and places destitute of the life of the Sun of Righteousnes Christ Jesus The Lord Jesus is a Christians Garment O let us keep that blessed garment always close about us and in all places and in all companies and upon all occasions expresse the life and power of Christ Jesus longing to know and to follow his blessed words and examples in life and death Fourthly take heed of spirituall surfets that the feeding too much upon the comforts of â—…oak fellows children credit profit though sweet and wholsome as hâ—…ny â—…urn not to bitternes and loathing Gods children as travailers on the Land as Passengers in a ship must use this world and all coâ—…forts of it with dead and weaned and 〈◊〉 affâ—…ctions aâ—… if they used them not If Riches iâ—…Childâ—…en iâ—…Cattel if Friends if whatsoever increase let us watch that the Heart fly not loose upon them But as we use salt with raw and frâ—…sh meats let us use no worldly comfort without a savoury Remembrance that these worldly Goods and comforts are the common portion of the men of this perishing woâ—…ld who must peâ—…ish together with them Let us muse upon their insufficiency to content and fill our Hearts upon their uncertain coming and going with Eagles wings upon their anxiety and perplexednes full of Thorns vexation upon their certainty of departing how soon we know not O leâ—… us therefor beg graâ—…e from Heaven that we may use earthly comforts as a stool or ladder to help uâ—… upward to heavenly comforts profits pleasures which are only true and lasting even eternall in God himself when these Heavens and earth are gone Fifthly to maintain spirituall health and 〈◊〉 is of no small use as Paul writes to Timothie sometimes to help our cold stomacks with a little wine or strong
EXPERIMENTS OF Spiritual Life Health And their PRESERVATIVES In which the weakest Child of God may get Assurance of his Spirituall Life and Blessednesse And the Strongest may finde proportionable Discoveries of his Christian Growth and the means of it By Roger Williams of Providence in New-England London Printed in the Second Month 1652. To the truly Honorable the Lady Vane the Younger Madam YOur favourable and Christian respects to me both of former and latter date your Godly and Christian Letters to me so many thousand miles distant in America And your many gracious Demonstrations of an humble and Christian Spirit breathing in you are a three fold Cord which have drawn these lines into your presence While I have sometimes mused how to express a Christian gratitude I am at last perswaded to crave your Ladyships acceptance of these poore Experiments of each true Christians personall union and communion with the Father of Spirits It is true I have been sometimes prest to engage in controversies but I can really and uprightly say my Witnes is on high how harsh and dolesul the touch of those strings are especially against such Worthies both in old and new-England in whom I joyfully before the world acknowledge in many heavenly respects a lively character and Image of the Son of God This broken piece is a breath of a still and gentle voice none but the God of this world and the men of this world can I lightly at this turne expect my opposites At other times I have been drawne to consider of the little flock of Jesus his Army his body his building that for these many hundred years have been scattered routed and laid wast and desolate At present I onely examine who are the personall and particular Sheep of Jesus Christ his Souldiers his living materials though scattered divided and not compos'd and ordred at their souls desire I confess Madam it was but a private and sudden discourse sent in private to my poor Companion and Yoak-fellow occasioned by a sudden sickness threatning death into which and from which it pleased the Lord most graciously to cast and raise her The forme and stile I know will seem to this refined age too rude and barbarous And the truth is the most of it was penn'd and writ so as seldom or never such discourses were in the thickest of the naked Indians of America in their very wild houses and by their barbarous fires when the Lord was pleased this last year more then ordinarily to dispose of my abode and travell amongst them And yet is the Language plaine it is the liker Christs Is the composure rude such was his outward Beauty Are the tryals seemingly too close such is the two edged Sword of his most holy Spirit which pierceth between the very Soul and Spirit and bringeth every thought into the obedience of Christ Jesus Amongst the many Crowns of mercy Madam which it hath pleased the Father of mercies to crowne your soul with as David speaks of his Psal. 103. there are two which justly challenge and your Ladiship I know doth humbly acknowledge them to be the fairest The first That he himselfe most high most holy who makes his common choice the poor Jam. 2. and chooseth few Lords few Knights few Ladies few wise few noble few mighty hath freely chosen you Madam in so gracious and blessed a measure to desire to feare his Name A second That for your dearest Companion and Guide in this vale of tears amongst the famous Worthies of this age he hath graciously guided you to such a blessed choice of such an Husband on earth who beares so bright an Image of your Husband in the Heavens and in whose most holy and gracious hand he hath been such a mercifull and faithfull Instrument for both the freedoms both of the outward and inner man I doe humbly acknowledge that upon an absolute account all is mercy and yet I am also humbly confident that in a respect as he graciously remembred his old friend Abraham and tels us of a speciall love he yet bears the Jewes for Abrahams sake even so he hath graciously vouchsafed at this present an honorable remembrance to the NAMES of some of his more eminent former friends and witnesses How hath he â—…rowned the memory of those his 2 zealous Servants in K. Henry the 8th his days * with a most eminent and blessed succession of such names and spirits at this day and in a gracious remembrance of his love to that blessed daughter and witnesse of his the Lady Vane in Q. Maries dayes how hath it pleased his wisedom and goodnesse to remember and to honour that Name both in your Ladiship and so many otherways with so many loving kindnesses at this day My humble cry Madam to the Lord shall never cease those all those your many obligations of both temporall and eternall mercies may like chaines of Adamant draw and bind your precious Soul more and more to resolve by his grace assisting to make his name great who hath made your so and so to love his Name his Son his Spirit his Truth his Children that others at the Torch of your exemplary meeknesse and fear of God may light and kindle theirs That your Souls-eye more and more brightly may see him who is invisible and may so experimentally resent those invisible and internal Honors pleasures and profits that are in him that in comparison thereof the visible and worldly may be accounted by you but dreams of shadows c. That your great desire may be a likenesse of so high and holy and so dear a Saviour and as in other excellencies so in that especially of a desire of saving others your Children Kindred Servants Friends yea Enemies that neither the pleasing calme of prosperity nor the dreadfull storms of changes may quench or dampe that holy fire of your Souls love in Life and Death to Him whom your Ladyship hath so much infinite cause to love but never yet saw in whom and for ever I desire to be Your HONOURS unfeinedly faithfull R. W. To every truly Christian Reader AS it is in the Earthly so it is in the Heavenly Marriage of a poor Sinner to his Maker There useth first to passe a private kindling of Love and a private consent and pomise which sometimes are long before the open solemnity and the publikâ—… profession of a Married life together This is my present designe not to controvert the matters of publike Order and Worship but to present some poor Experiments of those Personall excellencies of each true beleeving soule and spirit The Holy Spirit in Isaiah tels us of Ballances wherein the most High weighs the Hills and Mountains As also in Solomon of Ballances wherein hee weighs the very Spirits even of men whose way is right in their owne eyes And in John 14. he commands us to try the Spirits pretending to come from Christ Jesus whether they be of God or no There
is not the grossest Protestant or Papist but pretends to the Spirit of God yea that horrid Monster Mahomet blusht not to avouch that in the Forme of a Dove the holy Spirit of God did whisper in his eare from Heaven Now blessed is that Spirit publike or private who is truly willing and joyfull to lye downe in the Ballances of the Lords weighings Hitherto tend these Experiments of personal Communion with God in the Spirit of Holinesse Rom. 1. 3. 'T is true all publike and private Christian Spirits pretend the Spirit of Holinesse yea how great a part of the World pretend to be Christendome the Christian world that is anointed with the Spirit of Christ Jesus But was it Death in Moses Rites to counterfeit that ceremoniall and figurative Ointment Exod. 30. what shall it be to counterfeit the Spirit of Life and Holiness it self What I beleeve therefore as David and Paul once spake I freely speak Yea who can but speak saith Peter and John the Things they have seene and heard I confesse I spake these first but in a private Letter in America and thought not that the light in Europe should have seen them But a two-fold desire hath prevailed with me to expose these Tryalls to the Trying of all men 1. The earnest desire of some Godly Friends 2. Mine owne desire of sowing a little handfull of spirituall seed while the short Minute of my seed-time the opportunity of life lasteth My scope is to fill each truly Christian soule with triumphing and rejoycing I speak peace and joy to the Weakest Lamb and Child in Christianity that is so low so weake so litle so poor in its owne eyes that it sometimes saith it hath no Christ no Spirit no Faith no Love no nor true Desire in it selfe To this poore weake one I speak peace and joy and say this spirituall poverty is blessed and is the first step or round of that spirituall Ladder Mat. 5. Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdome of Heaven Secondly I sound joyfull Alarums of Encouragement to the strong to grow as Peter exhorteth in the Grace and Knowledge of the Lord Jesus T is true the communion of Saints is sweet and joyfull strong and powerfull eternally gainfull and profitable and holy and blessed is that Spirit that makes the Saints who are the Excellent of the Earth its Delight and after that blessed hour of the Saints uniting in one Heart one Spirit one Worship let all that love Christ Jesus mourne and lament and breath and pant And yet the weakest and the faintest Lamb that comes but stealing in the Crowd to touch the hemb of the Lord Jesus his garment that is content to be esteemed a Dog and to wait for crums of mercy under the Table of the Son of God let them I say rejoyce also for he that hath begun that blessed work by his owne free and eternall Spirit will by the same his owne holy Arme gloriously finish it I end Deare Christian with the proposall of two Christian knots or Riddles not unsuitable to these present Times and Spirits First Why is the Heart of a David himself Psa. 30. more apt to decline from God upon the Mountaine of Joy Deliverance Victory Prosperity then in the dark Vale of the shadow of Death Persecution Sicknesse Adversity c. Secondly Why is it since God worketh freely in us to doe and to will of his owne good pleasure that yet he is pleased to command us to work out our owne Salvation with Feare and Trembling Let us all humbly beg the Finger the Spirit of the Lord to untie these Knots for us I. desire to be thine unseighned in Christ Jesus R. W. The Contents of this Discourse The Heads are three UNder the first are contained the Arguments of Spirituall Life wherein the Weakest and the Sickest Child of God may finde its Spirituall Life apparent though over-cast and eclipsed with spirituall Weaknesse and Distempers Under the second Head Arguments of the strength and vigour of the Spirit of Life and Holinesse In which the strongest and the eldest in Christ may find Experiments of Spirituall Health and Christian Activity and chearfullnesse These Experiments respect 1. The Souls private correspondenâ—…y with the Lord himselfe 2. Converse and correspondency with Men 3. Private Retirednesses with it selfe Under the third Head are proposed some Means wherein the Spirit of God usually breatheth for the preserving and maintaining of a truly Spirituall and Christian Health and Chearfullnesse The Letter which the Author sent with this Discourse to his Wife M. W. upon her recovery from a dangerous sicknesse My Dearest Love and Companion in this Vale of Tears THy late sudden and dangerous Sicknesse and the Lords most gracious and speedy raising thee up from the gates and jawes of Death as they were wonderfull in thine own and others eyes so I hope and earnestly desire they may be ever in our thoughts as a warning from Heaven to make ready for a sudden call to be gone from hence to live the rest of our short uncertaine span more as strangers longing and breathing after another Home and Country To cast off our great cares and fears and desires and joyes about this Candle of this vaine life that is so soon blowne out and to trust in the living God of whose wonderfull power and mercy thou hast had so much and so late experience which must make thee sing with David Psal. 103. Blesse the Lord O my Soul and all that is within me blesse his holy Name Blesse the Lord O my Soul and forget not all his benefits who forgiveth all thy sins and healeth thine infirmities who redeemeth thy life from destruction and crowneth thee with mercy and loving kindnesse My dear Love since it pleaseth the Lord so to dispose of me and of my affairs at present that I cannot often see thee I desire often to send to thee I now send thee that which I know will be sweeter to thee then the Honey and the Honey-combe and stronger refreshment then the strongest wines or waters and of more value then if every line and letter wâ—…e thousands of gold and silver Hezekiah upon his recovery from his sicknesse made a writing Isai. 38. as an everlasting monument of his praise unto God and as a Goad or spur to himselfe and others in the wayes of godlinesse for the future Thy holy and humble desires are strong but I know thy writing is slow and that thou wilt gladly accept of this my poore helpe which with humble thankefulnesse and praise to the Lord I humbly tender to his holy service and thine in him I send thee though in Winter an handfull of flowers made up in a little Posey for thy dear selfe and our dear children to look and smell on when I as the grasse of the field shall be gone and withered Wee know how it pleaseth the spirit of God to distinguish between
yet awake and free in true inclinations and desires willing though mixt with sleepy unwiâ—…ingnes to be at any pains and cost to enjoy her souls beloved Christ Jesus in his own appointments Hence such expressions with sighs and tears if I were perswaded of Gods will if I were perswaded of the â—…ecessity of such publick ordinances and formes Hence others expressions if I were perswaded of such and such ordinanâ—…es that such a people or such a people were in the true way of enjoying Christ Jesus how joyfully should I joyn with them Hence holy David though not so throughly awaked to enjoy the Ark and presence of God he and all Israel brings up the Ark of God with rejoycing though not after the Lords due order which caused his holy jealousie to send that perez Vzzâ—… that breach of Vzzaâ—… amongst them It is in the heavenly as in the earthly marriage there are degrees of marriage affection and yet all true The affections of some are more lively and strong of some more dull and weak When yet the truth and life appears in a true and longing desire to enjoy the Lord Iesus in what way soever himself is pleased to ap point and to turn from the bed and bozome that is the worships of all false Christs and strangers A â—…th discovery of true spirituall life in weaknes I find to be a painfull and a restles mind in temptations to sin in yeelding to sin and lying in sin the breach not being made up with the Lord in humble confâ—…ssion and suit for mercy in the blood of a Saviour This was Davids painfâ—…ll cafâ—… in his silence Psal. 32 When I kept silence my bones waxed olâ—… through my roaring all the Day So that as a Fish out of the â—…ater itâ—… element 〈◊〉 a bone broak or disjoynted is the troubled mind of a child of God upon his discovered or but strongly suspected sinfull way or practice Obj. May not Hypocrites be troubled in the sence of Gods displeâ—…sure for sin as Sâ—…ul Abab and Iudâ—… c. I answer an Hypocrite like some Traytor or murtherer may desire a pardon from the King of Kings whose person he hates so did Saul and Ahab and so may any dissembler for his own ends of peace and safety c. But Gods children and they only grieve at Gods displeasure and grievance Only a true Wife and Spouse of Christ Iesus can grieve and morun for the displeased absence of Christ Iesus and cries out in humble bitternes of sâ—…l saw ye him whom my soul loveth A 10th triall of the true life of the inner man though weak and sickly is a discerning and liking and secret wishing that beauty and shining of the grace of Christ Jesus which appears in others of Gods children and which we see wanting in our selves Thus were there a sort of Gods children which could see beauty and excellency in those which so affectionately inquired after Christ Iesus in his visible worship and the severall parts thereof although themselves were not so zâ—…alously affected Thus therefore say they Oh thou the fairest of Women an acknowledgment of heavenly grace and beauty and they also enquire and desire to see that beauty of Christ Iesus which the other Saints so praised And in Cant 6. they say whither is thy Beloved gone oh thou fairest among Women that we may seek him with thee Hence many of Gods dear Saints in Qu Maries time and other bloody days in our own and other countries have praised God for and have been ravished with the beauties of the heavenly love and zeal and patience in others of Gods servants which they have seen wanting in themselves And thus whatever be our weaknesses it must needs argue a life of grace when we can view the lives and deaths of the blefsed martyrs or witnesses of Christ Jesus either in the holy scriptures or other Records I say can view them with a liking and true affecting of their graces with an humble acknowledgment of our own wants and poverties and a mourning desire of attaining to such a beauteous profession of Christ Jesus Such a beauty doubtles did many of Gods children apprehend in the Lords Ordinances and in such as suffred for them in England who yet found not strength themselves to stand and suffer for and with them yet left much and fled to New England hoping to enjoy there though with too much weak desire of peace and liberty the Ordinances of Christ Jesus their souls Beloved Obj. But did not Balaam see the beauty and excellenâ—…y of Gods Saints when he cried out let me dye the death of the righteous and let my last end be like his c. I answer it is usually well said Balaam desired the death and blessednes of the righteous but not the life and righteousnâ—…sse of the righteous Obj. Balaam seems to have seen the beauty of righteousnesse it self I answer he might see and like righteousnes in the end and fruit of it and yet not in the true nature and beauty of it for then he would have as well desired the life as the death of the righteous just as these Indians amongst whom I write these lines thâ—…y see the excellency of the English industry joyned with plenty and a better condition then their own but endure not that life of laâ—…our and indeavour wherein that plenty and better state is found But Gods children beholding the beauty and excellency of the heavenly lives and deaths of others like souldiers in a Field are provoked by those examples to desire to follow Christ Jesus in those holy paths and secretly to bemoan their own infirmities and deformities These and many more discoveries of the life of Christ Jesus in the soul though in the midst of many weaknesses and spirituall sicknesses I hope my dear love and faithfull companion thou in truth discernest in thy self and I and others have discerned in thee But oh search diligently in the Lords holy presence and humbly beg his help that as the Spirit of God admonisheth Gal. 6. thou maiest have rejoycing in thy self and not in anothers good opinion of thee But grant all these and the assurance of a true and blessed life of grace within us Grant this life is as the life of Christ never again to be extinguished Yet who rejeyceth not in health who mourns not under the pains and weaknesses of a sick bed Next therefore to the discovery of spirituall life all that are born of God must try their spirituall strength and health and chearful temper The particular instances whereof being propounded as examples copies and samplars for us to follow in the holy Scripture I shall pick and gather and bind up for both our incouragement and comfort I confesfe the beholding of such heavenly patterns may astonish and anâ—…ze uâ—… and make us dispair to attain to the like heavenly temper I pray thee therefore dear love observe what before I
said that these particulars next following are not discouragements from Christ as if we had no life at all but incouragements to draw neerer to Christ Jesus when we see such virtue proceed out from him to such poor sinners like our selves These particulars then following are as an holy looking glasse to discover to us our souls spots blemishes as also sweet cordial flowers to refresh and incourage our drooping spirits The severall particular trialls of this spirituall health and chearfulnesse I shall bind up as I may so speak into three severall parcells as sometimes we see sweet flowers bound up into sinaller bundles to make up at last one larger bundle or posie in one The three severall sorâ—…s shall be according to that division of the holy Spirit by Paul to Titus First such as concern holines respecting our communion with God in Christ Iesus 2. Such as concern righteousnesse respecting others 3. Such as concern â—…obriety respecting our private selves and persons First then it is an argument of the strength and healthfub temper of the inner man when our apprehensions of God are always such as bring us to holy wonderment and amazement at the nature of incomprehensible God at his properties and works from the Sun in the Firmament to the poorest Worme at his wonderfull dispensing of his justice and mercy and disposing and ruling all things in Heaven Earth and Seas from the highest Angels in heâ—…ven to th e lowest Devils in Hell This was Davids temper when he cried out Psal 104 Oh Lord how wonderfull are thy works in wisedome hast thou made them all Also Psal. 8. O Jehovah our Lord how wonderfull is thy Name in all the earth And Psal 139. he brings this wonder nearer to bimself saying I will praise thee for I am fearfully and wonderfully made As if he would say fearfully and wonderfully bred in the womb fearfully and wonderfully brought forth and we may further say ever since we came thus fearfully and wonderfully into the world fearfully and wonderfully brought up fearfully and wonderfully preserved delivered c. Obj. But may not naturall men and Hypocrites admire the Nature and works of God I answer yes but the wonder which doth possesse a child of God causeth him to cry out with David Psal. 119. Thy hands have made me and fashioned me give me undestanding that I may learn thy statutes T is such a wonder as draweth up the heart unto God with longings to be united unto him to fear his Name to partake of his divine Nature and to be like unto Him in holines and true Righteousnes Obj. The Devills believe and tremble at God I answer to tremble at the word of God is alone the property of Gods Servants Isa. 66 The Devills may wonder and tremble at the just sentence and threatning part of Gods word But Gods children tremble at the commanding part yea at the comforting and promising part of it also least they should depart or fall off from it or loose though but for a time as David the joy and sweetnes of it Secondly it is an Argument of health and spirituall strength when the hallowing the magnifying and glorifying of the name of God is our great work and business in this world unto which all the businesses and works we have in hand in the world beside give way c. Thus Christ Jesus teacheth all his to make it their first request to God that they may hallow or glorifie his name Thus he professeth as it were upon his death bed John 17. that he had done his work that he had glorified his Father upon the earth Hence he professeth at his most solemn Arraignment Joh. 18. for this end was I born and for this end came I into the world that I might bear witness to the truth that is to give his Father the glory of his truth and to destroy the lyes of the devill the father of them who belyeth God in all his holy attributes and works and servants and ordinances and profaneth and dishonoureth his holy name in them all Obj. Hypocrites professe to glorifie God and to say Isâ—… 66. Let the Lord be glorified I answer No hypocrite can make it his work to glorifie God when it crosseth his own glory No hypocrite can purely and simply out of love to Gods name and glory be content to â—…oose the offer of a kingdom as Moses did when the Lord himself offered it him and as Christ Iesus did when the people offered and would have made him a King by force and the devil proffered him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them Thirdly it is an Argument of strength of Gods grace and Spirit in us when we perform actions of godliness with a single and upright eye unto God himself in secret Frequent and constant delight in private converses argues strong affection to God or men Hypocrites saith Christ Jesus will pray and fast and give alms but with a squint eye of private and sinister self respect to be seen of men c. But Gods children pray and do good and fast in secret regarding no eye but the eye of an heavenly Father who seeing in secret will not fail to reward openly Ob. But may not hypocrites speak and preach against hipocrisie against self love self respect and fleshly and worldly ends in the performance of spirituall duties And is it not possible for Gods children to perform spirituall duties with carnall ends and respects I answer Hypocrites may do this and pretend pure and upright ends for God as Jehn did yet discover they hypocrisie in the very pretence of sinceritie for not content with the Lords eye and approbation Come see my zeal saith he Jonadab which I have for the Lord 2ly Gods children doubtless may look aside and mark who sâ—…es and hears and rewards in their performances of service unto God But this is either in sins of ignorance as for instance many of Gods dear children perform service to God in preaching as hirelings and conceive themselves not bound although to glorifie Christ Iesus in saving souls to preach without an hire and so in other cases Or 2ly this may be knowingly and discerningly as Paul saith Rom. 7. When I would do good evil is present with me such temptâ—…tions come in as water into a ship or as dust and diseases into a sound eye and â—…hen Gods children be never quiet untill such distempers be cleansed and got out again Fourthly it is an Argument of spirituall strength when the Spirit of prayer breatheth forth frequently and constantly and fervently to God in us Hence David prays and cries in the morning at noon and in the evening he riseth at midnight to pray and prevents the dâ—…wning of the day to pray Thus Daniel is thrice each day on his knees to God and would not be beaten off with the powers and terrors of cruel enemies and lyons Thus the Lord Jesus frequently
retired alone to private prayer and sometimes spent the whole night in prayer to God with strong cries tears and supplications And therefore is it that all true Christians are the spirituall Israelites that is wrastlers and strivers with God in prayer like unto their Father Jacob who wrastled all night in prayer with God wiâ—…h weeping and supplications and would not let the Angel go untill he blessed him and therefore his name was called Israel a wrastler or prevailer with God as well as Jacob a supplanter and prevailer with men Ob. But may not Hypocrites be frequent and fervent in prayer to God Did not the Pharisees and Iews pray and fast often Do not the very Turks solemnly pray five times each 24-houres And the Papists not onely keep their solemn morning and evening times of prayer but many other solemn prayers unto which the severall orders of Friars Monks and Nuns bind themselves And how easie is it by worldly engines to wheel about the Indians of America to become frequent prayers unto God c. I answer Many are the differences between the true prayers of Gods children and the false of dissemblers and hypocrites I will name a few for instance First then hypocrites pray but in a form and lip-labour as a tâ—…sk and work to be done for carnall respects to merit at Gods hand or to stop the mouth of conscience which tels them they cannot be Gods children except they pray But true prayer is the pouring out of the heart to God the true breathing of the soul to God arising as Incense and perfume unto God Hence no doubt although Paul before his conversion prayed much unto God for he was a Pharisie yet he never praid indeed untill his great change and the descending of the holy Spirit of prayer upon him And therefore the Lord sends Ananias with this incouragement unto Paul Behold the prayeth Act. 9. Hence Gods children find a kind of holy pleasure and delight in prayer whatever be the event or issue it pleaseth God to give like as a man finds delight in casting off an heavy burthen from his shoulder or in the unbosoming of a grief into the bosome of a friend Thus Hanna opprest with grief weeps no more when she had powred forth her supplication before the Lord And the Lord Jesus pâ—…wred forth his prayers and tears in the bosome of his Father and then rostâ—… quiet in his Fathers pleasure as touching the passing by or drinking of the bitter cup Oâ—…j Bâ—…t may not the children of God want holy pleasure and delight in prayer and depart from Gods presence as heavy as they came I answer some spirituall distempers may hinder and obstruct the operations of the Spirit of prayer nevertheles the soulâ—…nd spirit praies and mourns for the absence of holy pleasure and delight in this holy exercise Hence Davids mourning as a Turtledove in his prayers and Jeremies lamentings for the obâ—…ructions between the Lord and their souls in this holy Communion The second difference is the Hypocrites prayers more respect the ears of men then God as the Lord Jesus tells us They pray that men may know so much and esteem them Religious Gods children like true lovers delight to be private and fervent with their heavenlâ—…Father and Husband Thirdly Hypocrites in their prayers most commonly respect earthly things and therefore Hos. 7. they cry and howl upon their Beds for corn wine or at the best they respect but themselves c. although it be in the pardon of their sins and saving of their Souls But the prayers of Gods children chiefly eye heavenly things Hence the wonderfull spirituallity of Christs prayer to his Father John 7. for the glorifying of his name and spirituall Grace and mercy in the souls of Beleevers Hence the admirablâ—…spirituallity of Davids prayers for spirituall and soul mâ—…rcies Psal 119. And the fervent prayers of Paul in all his Epistles for heavenly and spirituall mercies to the Saints oâ—…God Hypocrites like Dogs howl and fawn for bones and crusts c. But Gods children beg the proper tokens and characters of a spirituall Father to his spirituall children and Beloved 4thly Hypocrites will not always cry unto God Jâ—…b 27. but at last with Saul if God answer not they run tothe Devill in evill means murmur and despair But Gods children can no more cease to cry unto God then to live a spiritual life and therefore resolve to give God no Rest untill they receive an answer and therefore also wait for his holy pleasure and leasure and at last are satisfied with the Lords holy pleasure and sentence alâ—…hough it seem crosse add bitter to flesb and blood So Moses in respect of his suit to God for his going into the land of Canâ—… So David praying for his child So Christ Jesus in respect of his bitter cup So Paul praying against hiâ—… great temptation Obj. But may not Hypocrites pray long and also wait upon God I answer they may yet at last out of â—…nbelief and anger like an angry Dog or sturdy Beggar they cry out in murmur and wrath as the unbelieving King of Israel wâ—…at should I waiâ—… upon God any longer But Gods children never give over for when they grow weary they like Moses beg help to their fainting hands in prayer and desire their eyes may never cease trickling tears unto God untiâ—… he look down from Heaven Lament: 2. A 5th Argument of spirituall health and strength is a constant holy sence of our own unwortbines vilenes and â—…asenes in Gods presence Hence Jacob professeth himself lâ—…sse then the least of Gods mercies that is then the least crum or drop or rag or look of mercy Hence the Centurion professeth himself not worthy that Christ should come under his Roof Hence Elizabeth her holy wonder whence is it saith â—…he that the Mother of my Lord should come unto me Hence Mephiboseth wonderâ—… that David should look upon such a dead Dog Ob But may not Hypocrites professe they are not Papists that they can deserve nothing at Gods hands that if they had their deserts it were woe wiâ—…h them I answer Hypocrites may say so but yet are angry when God seems not to deal with them as he deals with others Hence they quarrell with God as if that God seemed not to respect their offerings of prayer and fasting Isa 58. But Gods children conâ—…essing themselves Beggars at Gods door and Dogs under his Table they wait for and are humbly thankfull for every crum of grace and mercy So Christ Jesus teacheth us to give thanks for the mercy of a little bread and then for a little Fish Maâ—…k 6. So after most heavy and wonderfull aflâ—…ctions Jeremie cries out Jehova is righteous and professeth it is mercy that it is not worse and that they were not burnt up and consumed A 6th Argument of the spiritual health and temper is when the affections work strong and lively after God after
God for himself after God as a portion and inheritance after God as an Husband when as the Heart panteth after the water-brooks so pant our Hearts after God when as the thirsty ground longeth for the showers of Rain so long our souls after God When his words are sweeter then the honey and honey comb and of more esteem then thousands of gold and silver Ob. But may not Hypocrites as Balaam professe so much and that in earnest I answer the deceitfull bea rt of a man will go wonderfull far this way Yet certain it is an Hypocrite respects God but as a Dog respects his Master yea sometimes a stranger and an Enemy for a crust or as an Hireling for his wages But Gods children in the want of all things are content with God alone his Christ his Spirit his Favour his Word his Ordinances Hence David professeth Psal. 4. Thou puttest more joy into my heart then in the time when their corn and wine increaseth And Habacâ—…ck when Vine and Fig tree and Flock and Heard fail he professeth to rejoyce in God and to glory in the God of his salvation 2ly In the losse of all things in the greatest straights and extremities Gods children yet find comfort in God that God their portion is not lost Thus as David when his wives and children and friends and servants and cattell were all devoured by an enslaving and 〈◊〉 sword and he finds no Remainder but burnt walls and ashes and his own company ready to stone him yet as David they take comfort and incourage themselves injoying their God 7tly It is an Argument of spirituall health and strength when the holy Commandements of God are not grievous but pleasant and delightfull to uâ—… when we can say as the Lord Jesus said it is our meat and drink to do our heavenly Fathers will when we are active and ready at the commands of God and can say when the Lord asketh whom shall we send send me as the Prophet Esay said And as the Lord Jesus Psal 40. Here I am I delight to do thy will O my God when we can without repining grudging or delaying obey commands most grievous to flesh and blood against not only flâ—…sh and blood but against carnall reason yea against Hope and Faith it self as Abraham did in offering up his most dear and only son Isaac Obj. But may not Hypocrites obey the commands of God as Saul did c I answer they may indeed obey Gods commands by halves as he did and as a servant and hireling serve God for wages and with eye service with opinion of merit and boast of their halt and lame service as Saul did But Gods children imbrace all the commands of God with delight even the least and most despised with the greatest and most difficult and when all is done they confesse they have need of merey and are unprofitable Servants Obj. But may not Gods children live in the disobedience of some commands of God and yet be healthfull and strong in grace I answer it is impossible that a child of God should either in spiritual health or sicknes live in the breach of any known command of God his Father T is true Abraham and Jacob and David and others lived long in the sin of many wives out of ignorance of Gods will and Gods children to this day even the holy Martyrs or Witnesses of Jesus who accounted their heart bloods not too dear for Christ have and do live in the breach of many Commandments that concern the worship of God But they are herein like a traveller deceived by a false path which when he once really suspects he cannot walk a step with ease now do they cry out with David Psal 119. I will walk at liberty for I seek thy precepts And when God saith seek my Face their Hearts answer Lord thy face will I seek Psalm 27. An 8th discovery of spirituall health and strength is an humble a patient and thankfull submission to the aflicting and chastising hand of God Thus it is said of Aaron in that dreadfull stroak of Gods hand depriving him of his two sons in the flâ—…re of their Youth in the midst of their sin in the performance of their Priests Office it is said Asron held his peace I was dumb and held my peace saith David Psal. 39. for thou didst it Thus Jeremiâ—…h Lam 1. Jehovah is righteous for I have grievously transgrest against him Yea Job not only exprest an humble and patient mind but also which is wonderfull but proper to Gods children when in right temper he blessed God in the midst of so many fearfull and astonishing losses of so many Cattel Servants and Children saying Blessed be the name of the Lord Obj. May not wicked men and Hypocrites acknowledg Gods aflicting hand and humble themselves I answer Hypocrites may see Gods hand and humble themselves as the Egyptians and the Philistins did but cannot possibly be thankfull for it They acknowledg Gods hand as a Dog hâ—…s Masters when he is beaten but not as a child his Fathers As a loving and dutifull Wise receiving Pills or Phisick from the hand of her loving Husband a skilfull Phisitian who knows her sicknes and out of love and care prepares them for her she cannot but be thankfull for those bitter medicins and earnestly desire a kindly working Thus David Psal 119. I know O Lord that thou in faithfulnesse hast aflicted me for all thy commands are righteous A 9th Argument of spirituaâ—… health and strength is an humble free confession and giving glory unto God in the rising up or recovering out of any scandalous transgression against God Hence the Isralites confession of their sin in desiring a King so impatiently and imperiously as they did with large confessions 1 Sam. 6. Hence the many bitter and lamentable confessions of holy David and other holy Servants of God after their committing of known evils Hence the Corinthians repenting of their fellowship with the incestuous person in his sin they give such an exemplary evidence of their true Repentance that their holy practice is set as an holy Samplar and Copy for all Saints afterward to follow and write after Obj. But did not Pharaoh Saul and Judâ—…s confesse their sins â—… I answer not with intent to glorifie God as Gods Saints do taking shame before the world unto themselves lying down in the Dust that God may tread upon them and be exalted Not with hatred of their sins but in horrour and trouble at the danger of them or in the evidence of them flying in their faces Thus a Merchant casteth those goods over boord into the sea in a storme which afterward he wisheth in again Like a Dog they vomit up the filth which after their stomach is eased they return unto and lick up by new Commissions But Gods childreâ—… confesse in hatred of their sins and loathing of themselves and
like men in some sicknesses are willing to take those medicines which may provoke and cause vomit which afterward they are so far from returning to that they abhor to touch or look on it Obj. But may not Gods children return again to their vomit and commit the same sins which they have cast up by humble confession I answer the sins of Gods children are either 1. grosse or scandalous which when they recover out of and give glory unto God by publike confession we seldome or never find them returning to such their vomit again Hence we hear no more of Noabs drunkennesse of Davids adultry of Peters deniall of Christ Jesus c. Or 2ly Their sins are sins of a more private and ordinary distempâ—…r wherein their passions of anger or neglect or forgetfullnes prevail against them never without some bitternes and grief and humiliation and endeavour wiâ—…h resolution of a more watchfull and heavenly and spirituall conversation 10thly It is an argument of spirituall health and strength to maintain or recover an holy vehement longing after the enjâ—…yment of God and of Christ in a visible and open professiâ—…n of his own holy worship and Ordinances seperate from all false worships Gods and Christs c. Hence that of David Lord I have loved the Habitation of thy house and the place where thine honour dwelleth Hence he professeth he had rather be a Door keeper in the house of the Lord that is in a low condition in Gods house then to dwell in the tents of wickednes though in never so safe and pleasant a condition Hence he sums up all his desires in one Psal 27. One thing have I desired of the Lord that I may dwell in the house of the Lord c. Hence though David mist of the Lords Order in carrying of the Lords Ark and afterwards he mist in his thoughts about the building of God an house and Temple Yet in both he discovered his holy strong affection to Gods publike honour and worship The very same which afterward the Prophet Jeremy and Daniel declared in their bitter Lamentations for the Ruine of Gods house And both Daniel and Zacharie and Haggie mightily declare this affâ—…ction for the rebuilding and setting up again this Temple and worship of God and what they prophefied that both Ezra and Nehemiah and afterward Jehoshua and Zerubaâ—…el zealously performed and executed Hence it is that in the heavenly Love Song the love of Cbristians to Christ Jesus in his ordinances is most elegantly set forth by a similitude taken from the strong affection of married persons I am saith the Spouse sick of love and Oye daughters of Jerusalem tell Christ Jesus so Iâ—… I finde him wiâ—…hout I will kisse him openly in the streets and will â—…ot be ashamed True heavenly affâ—…ction like marriage love at first kindles from some private sparks to an open flame of publick profession without shame before all men Obj. May not Hypocrites as Saul in flâ—…ying the Gibeonites and Jebu in slaying the Baalites discover strong affection and zeal to the Lord and his worship and consequenâ—…ly in these times to Christ Jesus and his hâ—…ly kingdâ—…m I answer Hypocrites and counterfeits in their profession of love to Gods publick worship ever run upon one of these two Rocks For First either they set up and maintain and fight for a fancie a counterfeit a false Christ according to the prophesie of the Lord Jesus that many that is thousands and mâ—…ltitutes of people should so use his name that is with a willing ignorance and delusion Or 2ly if it be the true worship of the true God according to the appointment of Christ Jesus yet ever in two things the siâ—…cere wife the true love of Christ Iesus outgoes the whore and counterfeit First the true wife contents not her self with the bare exercise ordinance or administration as the hypocrites do but in all is restless to enjoy the Lord himself For as the ordinance is spirituall and heavenly so longs the true beleever for a spirituall and heavenly communion with the Lord himself in it that he may become one spirit with him more and more in all these outward and subordinate means and administrations Hence it pleaseth the Spirit of God to resemble his worship to the marriâ—…ge bed which satisfies not the heavenly Spouse when the Husband Christ Iesus is not spiritually embraced therein but absent 2ly The desire of the true beleever in the injoyment of Christ Iesus in any of his appointments is to be made fruitfull by him but the defire of a whore extends no further then Lust or a Reward Hence Rom. 7. We are married unto Christ Jesus that we should bring forth fruit unto God A whoorish heart willingly endures not fruitfulnes but kils her own conceptions which the true Wife cherisheth and tendreth as her life Obj. What should be the reason why so many of Gods children who in all ages have discovered their strong affection to Gods visible worship and communion in Christ have yet so varied and wandred from the right and first institution of the Church and ministry and Ordinances of worship I answer Gods councell touching the spirituall captivity and desolation must be fulfilled when yet notwithstanding the strength of the affection of Gods people hath appear'd in their mourning and weeping and lamenting after and contending for the truth of the spirituall injoyment of their souls Beloved in all the means of his own holy appointments 11thly Again it is an Argument of spirituall health strength in respect of God when the Heart is fixed and readily prepared for all the holy pleasure of God Hence Hezekiah praies for such whose hearts were prepared to seek Jehovah God of their Fathers Hence this readines and preparation of mind is compared to the shoes on our Feet without which we are unfit for travelling walking c. and with which we are ready for any spirituall imployment Hence David professeth that his heart was fixed and ready and when the Lord said seek my Face Davids heart answered Lord thy Face will I seek c. Obj. What is the reason that Gods children are sometimes hardly brought on to difficult services and duties I answer unreadines and unfitnes is a spirituall sicknes or distemper which when Gods children recover out of then they say as the Lord Jesus in David Psal 41. Lord my heart is willing my heart is ready to do thy will O my God And they say to Christ Jesus as his holy servant John Bradford said to Queen Mary If she keep me in prison I will thank her If â—…he release me I will thank her If she burn me I will still thank her Lastly it is an Argument of spirituall health and strength when Gods children walk in a continuall sence of their own insufficiencies and distempers when they discern the evill inclination of their own spirits and the excellency and insufficiency of Gods most holy Spirit And therefore
drink of the hope of the joyesâ—…o come Lay hold saith Paul to Timotbie of eternall life and as the Souldier meditates upon the glory of his victories The sick passenger at Sea upon his sweet refreshings on shore the Traveller upon his journeys end and comforts at his home the Lâ—…bourer and the Hireling on his wages the Husbandman on his harvest the Merchant on his gain the woman in travail on her fruit so let us sometimes wâ—…rm and revive our cold hearts and fainting spirits with the assured hope of those victories those crowns those harvests those refreshings and fruits which never eye hath seen nor ear hath heard nor never entred into mans heart the things which God hath prepared for them that love him Of which however it pleaseth God to give his servants a taste in this life yet the harvest and the vintage are to come when they that suffer with Christ Jesus shall reign with him and they that have sown in tears shall reap the never ending harvest of inconceiveable joyes Sixthly as it is in the restoring of the body to health or in the preserving of it in an healthfull condition it is often necessarie to use the help of sharp and bitter things bitter pils bitter potions bitter medicines sweatings purgings vomitings blood-lettings c. So is it with our souls and spirits and preservation of the health and chearfulness of the spirituall and the inner man The sharp and bitter things which it pleaseth God to make use of in these cases are of two sorts First such as himself is pleased to use towards us in the way of his fatherly afflictions of all sorts on our spirits our bodies our yoak fellows children servants cattel goods c. out of which yea also out of the injurious and slanderous and persecuting dealing of others yea and out of our own sins and failings his most holy and infinite wisdâ—…m fetcheth all sorts of cleansing and purging yea and sometimes cordiall and healing physick The second sort of sharp and bitter means are such as we voluntarily use anâ—…apply our selves unto our selves for the slaying and the purging out of the filthy humeurs and corruptions of pride securitie uncleanness self-love covetousness and what ever else remains behinde of the body of deaâ—…h in us It is true that the word of God and all his holy Ordinances they are not only of a feeding and nourishing but also of a purging and cleansing Nature of a preserving and a restoring Quality and therefore out of these we must take direction for all our spirituall Remedies against those soul distempers unto which our spirituall and inuer men are subjâ—…ct First then it is an wholsome though bitter pill often to call to mind our many our great our known our unknown transgressions against the Lord as a Creatour against the Lord as a Father against the Lord as a Redeemer against Christ Jesus against his holy Spirit against his Ordinances against his Saints against our selves c. Yea the sins and severall corruptions of our Natures callings and conditions to which we yet are subject and lye open and without supply of Grace and strength from Heaven we shall fall and tumble into as well as the strongest of Gods servants of whose wofull falls we read of in holy Scripture Obj. It is a part of the Lords New Covenant that he will forgive our sins and remember our iniquities no more I answer unto all the promises of all sorts Ezek. 36. it pleaseth the Lord to adde this Gospel Proviso For all this I will be sought unto saith the Lord according to that most holy direction of the Lord Jesus to pray daily not only for daily Bread but also for daily forgivenes Obj. The Lord hath forgiven them already in Christ what need to pray for forgivenesse of them again I answer We must marke the Lords Ordinance for all this I will be sought unto Prayer and other spirituall Ordinances hath the Lord appointed for our souls good as well as corporall meanes for our bodily comfort Hence the many examples of the servants of God throughout the whole Scripture both before Jesus Christ and since David Peter Mary Magdalen breaking forth into heavenly showres of godly teares Hence the Paschall Lambe the figure of Christ Jesus was appointed by the Lord to be eaten with bitter herbs implying and teaching that Jesus Christ himselfe his blood pardon of sin Life and Salvation and all the spirituall and eternall sweets that here below we finde in Christ Jesus they have not their native and proper rellish without the helpe of such sharpe and bitter hearbs What though therfore in Gods councel before the world was all his works of creation and redemption vocation justification glorification are knowne to him and acted by him I say in the most inconceiveable deep councels of his will according to which he worketh all things Ephes. 1. 11 yet were it presumptuous madnesse in us and a tempting of the jealous eyes of the most High to neglect the wayes and meanes and paths of mercy for Soul or Body which his most holy Wisedome out of infinite Grace and goodnesse hath appointed to us A second sharp and bitter pill to puâ—…ge out spiritual corruption is a due and serious pondering of the nature of the justice of the most High notwithstanding all the infinite sweetnesse of thâ—…Ocean of his mercy and not withstanding all thâ—…colours and pretences which we poor sinners invent to our selves to hide from our eyes the greatnesse and dreadfulnesse and terrours of it Well therefore might Job say therefore am I troubled at his presence and when I consider I am afraid of him and David Psal. 119. My Flesh trembleth for fear of thee and I am afraid of thy judgements Object But John saith perfect love casteth out fear I answer The true love of God never casteth out the true feare of God but only that which is false and counterfeit that which is the fear of a Beast of slaves and Devils Hence it is that the Spirit of the fear of the Lord was poured upon the Lord Jesus himself This feare is an holy awe or reverence proper to a true and heavenly ingenuous child of God even first and chiefly to Christ Jesus the elder Brother in a sence of all the children of God To cherish which holy fear of God let us cast our eyes upon the fiery flashes of his severe justice revealed unto us in a three-fold time the time past present and to come For the time past how dreadfull is that we finde of the rejection and ejection of so many glorious heavenly Spirits the Angels tumbled downe for their sin of Pride from the heigth of Heaven and their glorious attendance upon God to the depth of Hell in horrible slavery to everlasting sinnes and torments How dreadfull was that dolefull Sentence upon the whole race of mankinde for the Sin of the first root our
first Parents in Paradice How wonderfull those Plagues and Destructions upon Pharaoh and the land of AEgypt for their oppressing Gods people And before that how fearfull and horrible was that destruction and burning up of Sodom and Gomorrah and other Cities with fire and brimstone from Heaven And before both these how wonderfully fearefull and universall was the destruction of the whole world in that choaking and All-o'rewhelming flood or deluge How fearfull were the stroaks of Gods displeasure upon his owne people of Israel in their many Destructions and Captivities How fearfull the rejection of the tâ—…n Tribes wholly swallowâ—…d up and lost for so many agâ—…s and generations How lamentable were the destructions and especiall that by Titus and Vespasion of the holy City that glorious Jerusalem in the slaughter and captivity of 1100000 thousand Jewes men women and children How fearfull was the rejection of that whole Nation of the Jewes ever since but a curse and a scorne to all the rest of the Nations of the world to this day And above all who can but tremble at the impartiall flames of Gods justice on that green and innocent tree his owne and only begegotten son Christ Jesus when he stood surety in the room of sinners to make satisfaction for their transeressions Object Grant Gods justice and fierce wrath to be so hot so fiery and fearfull towards his enemies yet what need his children fear his justice since that it is satisfied and his wrath appeased towards his people by the sufferings and blood-shed of Christ Jesus I answer It is so evident that although Christ Jesus his blood hath quenched the fire of Gods eternall wrath toward his people and sweetned the bitter Cup of all present Judgements and afflictions yet for his Name and Justice sake in this world Gods children have temporally felt the fearful stroks of his displeasure and judgment must begin at the house of God Hence that dreadfull blow of Gods righteous hand upon our first Parents Adam and Eve cast out of Paradice with their posterity even the whole race of mankind notwithstanding their belief in the promised seed Christ Jesus Hence the heavy stroakes upon Lot upon Lots wife upon Moses upon Aaron upon Sampson upon Eli upon David upon Hezekiah upon Josiah c. Object But some may say God sees no sin in Jacob c. I answer Their calamities are Judgements that is righteous sentences of the most high Judgements though not eternall Judgements these vindicate Gods name and Justice before an unrighteous world and beare him witnesse of his impartiality even toward his owne children these humble and bring his people to repentance and confession and quicken their pace and their hearts to watch against future sins and provocations Hence saith the Spirit of God expresly 1 Cor. 11. For this cause that is for his childrens abuse of the Lords Supper many are weak and sick and some are falne asleep God chastiseth his own people true christian Churches for the abuse of his holy Ordinances and appointments In the second place let us cast our eyes abroad and behold the direfull signs and tokens of Gods severe Justice executed at this present in the world How lamentably doe we sce before our eyes the daily and continued effects of that first wrath upon mankind in so many sorrows of all sorts for the first transgression Let us consider of the great constant reproach and misery over all the Nations of the World by reason of Gods righteous Sentence in the division of so many Tongues and Languages O come and see saith David what Desolations Psal. 46. the Lord hath wrought in the Earth How many hundred thousands of men women and children have of late years been swept away in the world by wars famines and pestilencies And since we are commanded to weep with them that weep O that our heads were fountains and our eyes rivers of waters that wee might weep with Germany weep with Ireland yea weep day and night with England and Scotland to speake nothing of other remote Nations in laying againe and again to heart the stroakes of Gods most righteous judgements in their mosâ—… fearfull slaughters and desolations The effects and marks of these most dreadfull blowes every eye is forced to see but yet there are some stroakes more fearfull and yet not easily pâ—…rceived such are the righteous judgements of God giving up the Nations of the world to so many horrible and blasphemous worships idolatries and superstitions To speak nothing of whole Nations and Kingdomes that know not at all the true and living God how cold and hard is that stone that lyes upon the mouth of that wonderfull grave of unbeliefe wherein the Nation of Gods choice and love the Jewes lye buried ond o'rewheImed to this day Who can but wonder and tremble at so many hundreth thousand and millions of men given up for so long a time in so many and so mighty flourishing Nations of the world I say given up to those two monstrously bewitching Worships of Mahumatisme and Antichristianisme the dire effects of Gods most righteous judgements upon the Easterne and Westernâ—… professors of the knowledge of God in Christ Jesus Adde to these that most fearfull and deplorable captivity of the very soules and coâ—…sciences of Gods owne people for so many hundâ—…ed years under false and superstitious Worships A righteous judgement though not so easily discerned yet in it selfe most dreadfull and exceeding all the temporall calamities in the world But thirdly from these two times of past and present let us cast our eyes on the third which is yet to come as sure and wonderfull will shortly be thâ—…se two most wonderfull and dreadfull downfals of those two so mighty Monarchies so great enemies to Christ Jesus the Turkish and the Popish according to the Prediction of the holy Propheâ—…s How fearfull the effusion of the Viols in part fulfilled and yet to be powred forth in their season And not a little wondâ—…rfull is that mighty destruction of the Nations Gog and Magog gathered as the sand of the Sea against the camp of the saints of the holy City And to come to the full period and finall sentence of the most righteous Judge of the whole World with what horrours and terrours shall these Heavens and Earth passe away this Earth with the works thereof being consumed and burnt up How inconceiveably direfull will the last eternall judgement be when two worlds of men the former destroyed by water and this by fire shall appeare before the most glorious Tribunall of the Son of God When all the most secret sins shall be brought to tryal and an account shall be given for every idle word O who can conceive the terrours of that thundering sentence Goe yee cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his Angels where the worm never dyes and the fire never goes out Object