Aug. 7 1670. A most useful SERMON Preached in London By a most worthy and faithful Minister and Servant of Jesus Christs most learnedly pressed from Amos 8.11 Behold the day cometh saith the Lord God that I will send a famine in the Land not a famine of bread nor a thirst for water but of hearing the word of the Lord and they shall wander from Sea to Sea From which Text of Scripture he learnedly shews the dreadful and deplorable condition of that Kingdom which a famine of the word of the Lord seizes upon and further shews That they are the greatest Felons who would rob us of the word of God and that there is more justice in Hell then is here upon Earth for in Hell they do not punnish the Innocent Printed in the Year 1671. Amos 8.11 Behold the day cometh saith the Lord God that I will send a Famine in the land not a famine of Bread nor a thirst for Water but of hearing the Word of the Lord And they shall wander from Sea to Sea A Sad Text and Sad Times too well agree In the beginning of this Chapter there is a Vision in the first verse The Lord hath shewed me and behold a Basket of summer fruits it was a Type or Embleme to signifie the suddainness of Israels misery you know summer fruit doth soon perish winter fruit may be preserved long but summer fruit doth soon fade so the glory of Israel like to summer fruit it shall soon fade away there is the Vision 2. In this Chapter there is a Prophesie in the 32 d verse The Songs of the Temple shall be turned into howling a sad Prophesie God grant it may not be our Portion songs of the Temple to become howling where God formerly was served in a pure manner where there was sweet singing and melody unto the Lord now there would be mournful Songs that joy of the Temple it shall be quite ceased A sad Prophesie 3. In this Chapter is set down the cause why the Lord did write such bitter things against Israel his own People the cause was very apparent it was their sin sin drew Plagues at the heels of it Israel grew now weary of God in the 5 th verse of the Chapter When will the New Moon be gone that we may sell corn they had rather a great deal be trading in their shops then worshiping in Gods house when will the New Moon be gone when people grow weary of Ordinances then God grows weary of a People And 4. There are set down the punishments for those sins of Israel in the 9 th verse of this Chapter I will cause the Sun to go down at Noon day Beloved this is not meant the natural Ecline of the Sun but the meaning is God would now darken Israels outward glory and splendor The Sun in Scripture is a Metaphor for joy now the going down of the Sun at noon it is to express great afflictions coming upon this People when they thought all things should be well every thing should be well flourishing peace and prosperity kissing each other why now there should be a suddain change God would Eclipse their outward Comforts saith he the Sun shall go down at Noon day and this was not all there is a greater punishment yet behind and that is in the Text I have read God threatens for their sins that there should be a Famine in the Land not a Famine of Bread nor a Thirst for Water but of hearing the Word of the Lord as if God should say it was a mercy if onely a Famine upon your Bodies that may pine your Bodies Oh but it is a worse a Spiritual Famine a Famine of hearing the Word of the Lord. In which Text you have these four parts 1. Here is a note of admiration in these words Behold it seems to be a wonder that Israel God's People in Covenant to whom the Oracles of God were commited that these should want the word of the Lord Oh what a wonder that such a full breast should be drawn dry that they that had such plenty of Ordinances should now be cut short and forced to cry out We see not our signs there is no more any Prophet among us that 's the first Behold there is admiration 2. Here is the judgment threatned in the Text a soul Famine 3. The extention and universality of this Famine why saith God it shall be a Famine in the Land not in a House or Parish but there shall be this soul Famine it shall be universal in the Land 4. Who it is that gives the Famine a Commission and that is God I will send a Famine not of Bread or Water but of hearing of the Word of the Lord. The words thus opened into these several parts they yeild us these four Propositions or Doctrines 1. It doth shew That the word of God is to the soul as food to the body for strengthning and refreshing of it and that 's imply'd in Job 23.12 I esteemed the words of thy mouth as my necessary food they are my food that my soul feeds upon 2. The second Doctrine is this When the word of God is despised or opposed it is just with the Lord to take it away from a People 3. The third Doctrine is this The taking away of the word is the beginning of a Spiritual famine and 4. That a famine of the word is far worse then a famine of Bread A famine I will send saith God not of Bread nor of Thirst for Water but which is worse the hearing of the word of the Lord. The famine of the word is worse then a famine of bread next to damning of a soul what can be worse then starving of it bodily famine is very sad much more spiritual famine I shall speak a little of bodily famine that will set off the other the more Famine is that with-drawing of an necessary recruit of Nature Famine is the with-holding of that Oyle which should be poured into the Lamp of Man's Life Famine and Death is such as you see a picture they both bring the Body into an Anatomy See a description of a famine in Jer. 14.3 Their Nobles have sent their little ones to the water they came to the pit and found no water they were ashamed and confounded and covered their heads It is a very unusual sight to see Noble Mens Children Tanckard-bearers the Nobles sent their Children but found no water Famine of the Body is worse than the Sword is and that in these three respects 1. The Sword cuts off suddainly it makes a quick dispatch now Famine makes you dye a lingring death Lam. 4.9 Those pine away strucken through for want of the fruit of the field they pine away Famine will neither let a man live nor yet suffer him to dye He that is in famine may say as St. Paul In death oft how many deaths doth he dye before he dyes 2. Famine is universal it reaches more then the
the Word it must needs be a heavy and a dismal Judgement Now to speak more distinctly to these 1. Consider what a great blessing the Gospel is and 2. The dispensers of it and then you will easily conclude what a Judgement it is to be deprived of them As for the Gospel it is a blessing which Crowns a people the very Engine which God uses to convert a Soul It is called in Scripture the word of life because it enfuses life into the people it is a two edged sword Heb. 4.12 with one edge it strikes sin dead with the other edge it strikes the soul alive besides consider the great blessing of this people in these three particulars and you will see what it is to be deprived of it 1. The Gospel of Christ it is the beauty the riches it is the strength of a Kingdome the most sparkling Jewel in their Crown the beauty of God shines in the Gospel Brethren the Gospel is the glasse in which we see the unsearchable riches of Gods love to a sinner The Gospel preached gives us the presence of Christ and Christs presence is the spiritual beauty of a Nation now if there be a famine of the Word then the glory is departed England without the Gospel will be like unto a house when the rich furniture and hangings are pulled down the house is naked and deformed so if the preaching of the Word be Eclipsed then the glory of a Kingdom is Entombed and all places of honour lye in the dust 2. The preaching of the Gospel is the riches of a Kingdome it encreases a Kingdoms treasure and revenue there are many temporal blessings that come along with the word it hath been observed that those places have been most fruitful and have been most enriched where the Gospel hath been planted trading in those parts hath been most quick it is observable that same place of King Jehosaphat that when he had taken care for a preaching Ministry and sent his Princes and his Nobles to encourage his Ministers Oh how rich did his kingdome grow they brought him presents of silver and he waxed exceeding rich 2 Chron 17.11 The Gospel it is like the Ark which carries a blessing with it where ever it went Hag. 2.18 saith God Consider from this day even from the day that the Lords Temple was laid from this day will I blesse you Israels mercies did bear date from the Temple building so that the Gospel is the riches of a Kingdome Mark what I say to you this day the ready way to beggar a Kingdom is to take away the Gospel I beseech you remember a Famine of Gods word will soon bring a Famine of Bread upon a Land 3. The Gospel preached is the defence of a Kingdom it is a Kingdoms safely and defence it is the Fort-Royal of a Land it is the very lock where on Englands strength lies what was the strength of Israel God was there there was his word and there was his ordinances that was the Rock where Israels strength did lye not brazen Walls but silver Trumpet are the best defence of our Land It is said of the Levites or Ministers that when they came preached at Jerusalem 2 Chron. 11.17 The Text saith thry strengthened the Kingdom It is remarkable in Scripture they as take away the preaching of the Gospel are like those that pull down the Bancks to let in the main Sea they open a sluce to let in the wrath of God upon a Kingdom thus you see the Gospel is a singular blessing and therefore to have a famine of the word to have the Gospel go it must needs be a great curse to a Land Again as the Gospel is a great blessing so the Dispensers the Ministers of the word they are promised as great blessings to a Land and therefore to have them removed and a Soul famine it is a heavy judgment God promises his Ministers as blessings to a Nation Jer. 3.15 I will give you Pastors after mine own heart that shall feed you with knowledge and that they are great blessings appears by the title the Scripture gives to them 1. They are called the Dispensers and Stewards of Gods word they are called Embassadours 2 Cor. 5.20 We as Embassadours of God beseech you in Christs stead to be reconciled we come to wo you in Christs name and clear up your souls to Christ we come to make up the happy match between Christ and you we bring the Kings picture along with us we set before your eyes the Lord Jesus in his most Orient Colours we show him to you in the beauty of his Person the glory of his Offices the sweetness of his love why now if on a suddain God calls home his Embassadours it is a sign he intends the match shall be broken off 2. They are called Dispensers and Stewards of the word of God they are called stars in Gods hand Rev. 1.20 They are stars First For their light how glorious is the Gospel when it is bespangled and set thick with those stars Secondly they are stars not only for light but for use they are like the star that guided the wise man to Jesus Christ if those spiritual stars be removed how shall the soul know how to steer its course they will be like Mariners that are benighted upon Shelves and Rocks Oh how many where these stars are wanting shall to hell in the Dark 3. They are called Dispensers and Stewards of Gods holy Oracles They are called Physitians Jer. 8.22 Is there no Balm in Gilead is there no Physitian there the soul of man is subject to more Diseases then the Body as one Christian is troubled with the Stone of the heart another with a dead Palsey and benumedness of Conscience now it is the work of Gods Ministers to find out these Diseases and to apply proper remedy Beloved how sad is it to have your Physitian taken away that should heal you to have a poor soul lie all in Agony in a burning Feavour of Conscience and now to speak words in due season or drop in Christ is there no Balm in Gilead 4. God calls his Ministers his Waterers 1 Cor. 3.6 Apollo's was a Waterer now you know if you have a plant set in a good soil if it be not watered it yields no fruit This City of London hath had many Apolloes in it it hath had much watering you have been watered with the Labourers of your Ministers and perhaps watered with their Tears too Oh but for your sins God may command that there shall be no more showers no more watering If the Lord should transplant his Apolloes and see there is more need of watering and planting in forreigne parts how would this work of Grace go backward in us how would your good affections wither and be as the ground that is parched and dryed for want of showers Thus Beloved you see what a great blessing it is to have the Gospel Dispensers among you and
proclaiming Warre against Sinne and therefore the Gospel is hated and contemned and surely this contempt of Christ and his Gospel it is a sad forerunner of the removal of the Gospel Marke what I say a despised Gospel will soone be a departing Gospel will any man stay long in a place where he is not welcome If God sees that he and his Gospel are not welcome he will soon take his leave and be gone from them Hos 2.12 Woe Woe to them when I depart from them Well that is the first sad simptom of the Gospel departing Secondly Another sign of the gospel going it is the general barrennesse of people under the preaching of the gospel indeed it is to be hoped that some are fruitful but the barren branches are more than the fruitful Lea did comfort her self for her fruitfulness that now her husband would love her Gen. 29.34 She was fruitful therefore her Husband would love her May not we on the contrary fear God will not love us because we are unfruitful it is a sad sign when in the Weekly bill we see more every Weeke die than are born Oh is it not so in a spiritual sence we hear of many people that die Apostates but how few are born to God We hear of many barren Fig-trees that Christ cursed but where are the fruitful Vines if once that gospel and people which was as the garden of God shall become barren it is a sign the Lord will bestow no more cost but will pull up the hedge and lay his Vineyard waste that is the second Symptom Thirdly Another sad sign of the gospel going from us which the Lord prevent it is the animossities and bitter divisions of Gods own people the Devil danceth at discords it is a sad sight not onely to see Christs Coat rent but to see his Bodie rent his mistical Bodie I have often seen it is usual the Woolf to worrie the Lamb but it is unnatural to see one Lamb worrying another Christians they should be ready to dye one for another and they can hardly live one by another Those that write concerning the Bee observes when the Bees strive and mutanie together it is a signe that the master Bee is about to leave the Hive and when Gods people strive by discords contentions Oh it is a sign God is goiâ—… from the Nation he is about to leave â—…ive If that servants cannot agree they will fall out why the Master will take away the light from them I wish it be not soe here My beloved do not we all hope for one heaven Oh why should there not be one heart among us how unsationable are contentions among Gods people now when the Popish adversary is so near to us he is at the door It is a very bad time for Marriners to divide and fall out when the Enemie is boreing a hole aâ— the bottom of the ship is it not so now surely it is a sad signe of the gospel going from us the Lord will not let his gospel dwell in such a house as is all on fire Fourthly Another sad signe of the Gospel going from us and a Spiritual Famine iâ— is this When the People of God lose their first love and decline in their affections towards Jesus Christ Rev. 2.4 I have somewhat against thee because thou hast left thy first love when Christians have a Chilnesse and a Deadnesse grow upon them they have not the love to the word of God as they had they have not that brokenness of heart for sin they have not that zeal for truth they have not that simpathize for the misery of Sion they are now in a declining state they have left their first love and this is a fatal signe of Gods departing from the Nation Lost thy first love it will not be amiss to enquire whence this losse of our first love ariseeth this Spiritual Consumption as I may so call it whence does this loss of our love arise I conceive it ariseth from these four Causes First Perhaps there is some sin secretly indulged some sinne that your heart sets brooding upon now sinne is pernicious to grace it is like the blow at the Root of the Tree that causeth the Tree to wither as if a man takes but a small quantity of poison why this will hurt his virals it will waste his spirit look upon David he had been taking of poison he was tampering with sin and he found a decay in his holiness he was like one in an Apoplexsie he had not that lively acting of Grace as formerly he had he lost his first love Secondly The losse of our first love it may arise from the neglecting of the Ordinances the means of Grace you know abstinasie from food will quickly make the body Consumptive it will soon bring a Consumption so when People either through Pride or through Melancholly leave off Praying leave off Sacraments they have abstinasie from their Spiritual food no wonder if they find a declining in their affections Gods Ordinances they are the fuel for our Graces if you take away the fuel no wonder you begin to abate and you loose your first love Thirdly The losse of our first love ariseth and I pray observe it it riseth from a formal use of holy things though perhaps we do keep up duty yet God knows we do not keep up fervency in duty Rom. 12.11 Fervent in spirit serving the Lord. Oh when once Christians grow into dull formality pray as if they prayed not their hearts is not in the duty they do not put sire to the insence they grow Drowsie in Prayer you know the wise Virgins they slumbered Matth. 25. Thus by degrees you lose your first love though you be not quite dead in sin yet you are dead in duty Fourthly The loss of your first love ariseth from a spiritual sloath Christians do not exercise themselves to godliness and then there follows a decay in godliness why you know your experience tells you there is nothing in the world sooner brings a mans body into a Consumption than want of exercise because the ill humours are not purg'd away and natural heat exercised want of exercise kills My brethren he that will not use grace he will be sure to loose grace Christians they do not exercise their faith they do not busie themselves about heaven they do not trade their Tallent for Gods glory as they should they live in houses together but they do no good together they do not exercise their grace and hence they fall into decay of grace before they are aware and loose their first love and what follows this loss of your first love sadly prefages the loss of the gospel of Christ for this very sin in the second of the Revelations and the 4 th v. for sin they had their golden Candiestick removed from them in the second of the Revelations and the first verse Therefore you see brethren what need there is to labour to
prevent the spiritual Famine and a loss of the gospel because there is such a fear of the gospel departing from your you have seen it evidently proved before your eyes But here is a question now you will say unto me we cannot denie but there is a fear of the removal of the gospel and of a famine of the Word but how shall we do to prevent this soul Famine now to this I answer do these three or four things to prevent the gospel going away First Take heed of those sins which will surely bring a Famine of Gods Word there are some sinnes which we must endeavour to prevent that will bring a famine of the word there are several of these sinnes set down in this Chapter Amos 8. Pray observe them I will mention some of them The first sinne the Prophet does set down is Oppression Amos 8.11 Hear this Oh you that swallow up the needy Those Jews they were like the Fishes of the Sea the greater devour the lesser For this sin of Oppression God threatens a Famine of the Word and is not this sinne to be found among us Oppression I appeal to any one that hath his Reason left Does not one Man now become a Woolfe to another does not he tear from him the Golden Fleece I dare be bold to say there is more Justice to be found in Hell then among men upon Earth for in Hell no Innocent Person is opprest that is one sinne Secondly Another sinne the Prophet sets down that is the cause of this Spiritual Famine it was wearinesse of Gods Ordinances Amos the 5 th and 8 th Verse When will your New Moons be gone that we may sell Corne and the Sabbath that we may set forth Wheat Verse 6. For this sinne I will bring a Famine of the Word are you weary of me They were more for Trading then they were for worshiping The Lord hath fed us of this City with the finest of the Wheat the Bread of life he hath given us the very Creame of his Ordinances but when we have been fed to the full have not we begun to surfeit have we not said when will the Sabbath be gone what a wearinesse is it Truely when we have lost our Stomach it is most just with God to take away our Food If a Mans Commodities bares a better price in one place then in another he will remove his Marker the Gospel is grown a cheap Commodity it bears but a loe price now Men are weary of it and may not we fear God will remove his Market he will transplant his Word into Foreign parts Surely if we begin to say what a weariness is it if our mercies be our burthens God can soon ease us of this burthen this is a sinne brings a Famine of the Word when we are weary of the Ordinances and hath not this sinne caused a Famine of the Word already in many parts of this Land There is none knows how to speak to their Spiritual Case that can feed them with the Bread of life that can divide the Word aright in many parts of the Land it is so they have Husks given to them instead of Food and Musick instead of Manna Thirdly Another sinne that brings a soul Famine is this cozening in mens Dealings Verse 5. Making the Ephar small the Ephar it was the Kings Measure Verse 7. In selling they made the Ephar small the meaning is they gave but scanty Measure they made the Ephar small and saith God you sell the refuge of the Wheat that is mear Cheating they pick out of the best Grain for themselves and the Husks and Refuge they sell to the poor here is mear Cheating saith God I will bring a Famine of the Word upon you for this let none hold in their hands false Ballances I would there did not Fourthly Another sinne that brings a Famine in this Chapter is Idolatry Verse 4. They that swear by the sinne of Samaria and say Thy God Oh Dan liveth here was plain Idolatry but let us understand this sinne of Samaria what was that that was the Calf that was set up at Bethel near to Samaria and to swear to this Calf here was plain Idolatry for this God threatned a Famine of the Word and are we free from this sinne I would we were is there no Idol worship among us are there not some so impotent as to say in Print It will never be well with us till we are reconciled to the Mother Church of Rome Idolatry it inrageth God it breaks the Marriage Knot it makes God give a Bill of Disvorce to a People Idolatry it does so provoke the Lord that he takes away the visible Tokens of his presence from a Nation 2 King 17.12.18 they served Idols What follows Verse 18. Therefore the Lord was very angry with Israel removed them quite out of his sight he unpeopled them he unchurched them he removed them out of his sight I say this to you when once you see darke shaddows of Popery stretched out then fear the Sunne of the Gospel is going down Fifthly Another sinne that brings a Gospel Famine it is opposition to Reformation when God calls to a Land to returne to him by Repentance Turn ye turn ye why will you die but they will go on in sinne when God cries to them by his Judgments to break of sinne but they will not hear the voice of Gods Rodd Jer. 5. verse 3. they refuse to receive Correction when once it is thus with a people God will pack up and be gon from them 7. Jer. 13.14 ver Therefore will I doe to this House which is called b my Name as I did to Shilo why what did God do to Shilo when he left the tokens of his wrath there at Shilo the Priest was slain the Arke taken Prisoner all the signs of Gods presence were removed and we never read that the Arke retuned to Shilo any more Oh dreadful hath not the Lord blown the Trumpet in our ears hath not be called to us to repent but we hate to be reformed we turn a deaf ear to God let England let London take heed it be not with it as once with Shilo that God does not make the Vision cease and bring a Famine of the word in these our days Levit. 26. verse 23. pray observe 24.30 saith God verse 23. I will punish you yet seven times more for your sinnes I will make you lie waste and I will bring your Sanctuary into desolation that is the first thing if you would prevent a Gospel Famine I beseech you beloved take heede of those sinnes which you have seen have brought a Famine of Gods Word upon a Land Secondly If you would prevent a Famine of the Gospel let us besiege the Throne of Grace by earnest prayer Oh pray to God you that can pray pray that the Lord would not depart from you that he would not make the Vision cease that he would not turne the Songs of
our Temple into Howleing Oh lay hold upon Christ by importunitie you read of those in the Gospel when Christ made as if he was going away the Text saith they did constrain his to stay with them Luke 24. Verse 29. Is not the Lord upon the Thrashal of his Temple as if he was ready to take his wings and flye from us Oh let us by humble prayer lye at his Feet and if it be possible constraine him yet to stay with England stay Lord rather any Judgement than this rather lay a stroake upon my body or Estate but doe not bring a Famine of the Word of God and if we would prevaile with the Lord use Arguments in prayer when we come to God for the poor Gospel of England Lord hast thou never a Remnant left among us a People that love thee and fears thee that hangs about thee that will not let thee goe Oh destroy not the cluster is not there a blessing in it Oh wilt thou be gone from us art not thou our Father will the Father take away Bread from his Children Lord will not the Enemie insult to see thee leaving thy Temple where thou hast put thy Name wilt thou make the hearts of thy people sadde and wilt thou rejoyce thine Enemies Oh Lord hast thou not given Bond and is there better Security hast thou not promised under thy Hand and Seale thou wilt give us Pastors after thine own heart to feed us with Knowledge Lord thou wilt never Forfeit thy Bond. It is true we are an unworthy Nation not worthy to be Beloved Oh but canst not thou make us fit for Mercie canst not thou give us Repentance as well as Deliverance Nay Lord let us farther press thee is not thy Honour concerned in all this we are called by thy Name leave us not thus should we use Arguments and follow God by prayer and surely the Lord will not depart from us Prayer it makes a sweet sound in Gods Ear and he will not goe away where he hears this Musick Againe Thirdly Would we prevent a Gospel Famine which we have cause to fear let us this day turne to God and break off our sinnes by righteousness Jer. 7. Verse 3. Amend your wayes and your doings it is a vain thing to pray unless you reform amend your wayes and your doings What should God continue his Gospel for to an impenitent sinnefull Land that are resolved they will sinne who will lay out cost upon ground that brings forth nothing but Briars who will power Rose-water upon a Dunghill Would we prevent a Gospel Famine let us breake up the Follow ground of our hearts by Repentance I will say but this if we Reforme not we can expect to see no good dayes more God will un-People us he will un-Church us ere he hath done Oh better loose the Sunne in the Firmament than that the Gospel Sunne should be Eclipsed in our Horison who would desire to live when the Arke of God is gone what good Christian can forbeare weeping at the Funeral of the Gospel that is the first exhortation let us labour to prevent the coming of Gods Famine upon us as we would prevent Fire and Plague so labour to prevent this Soul Famine Seccond Vse of Exhortation is this if a Famine of the Word be so sad as you have heard let us doe what we can to keep God still amongst us and his Gospel You will say how shall we keep the Gospel it is a blessed designe to keep the Gospel I will name three or four things and I have done First Entertain the Gospel into your houses that is one way to keep it Obadiah he entertained the Ark and his house was blessed for the Ark sake if you cannot have the Gospel in poblick as you use to have with purity and freedome get it into your houses I am sure of this you can never put your houses to better use then to entertain Christ and his Gospel I beseech you let it not be said that the Gospel is put to seek its lodging does not this Gospel bring Salvation Oh how glad should you be to have Salvation come to your House Secondly Would you keep the Gospel among you Improve it the best way I know still to enjoy the Gospel is to improve it lay up a stock of knowledge let the word of Christ dwell richly in you coll 3. Verse 16. Receive the Word not only into your heads but into your hearts get good by the word Preached while the Manna falls gather Manna the best way to enjoye the Gospel is to improve it God will not take away the Brest so long as Faith draws the brest And then Thirdly Prise the Gospel and that is the way to keep it the Ordinances of God are the most signal blessings they are better then Gold Silver they are the food of your souls they strengthen faith they increase joy these are the Conduits that holds the Water of Life that soul that before was dry like Aarons Rod being planted near these waters of the Ordinances have flourished have brought forth Buds and Almonds and therefore prise the Ordinances Beloved here we converse with the Lord Jesus Christ if ever we enjoy Christ upon earth it is here if ever we see his face it is through this Lattice Gods Ordinances are like the place of the Mercy Seat where the Lord did speak from heaven to his People oh then prise these Gospel blessings and that is the way yet to keep them among you And lastly If you would keep the Gospel with you adorne the Gospel you that are here present you do all profess the Gospel that is not enough unlesse you adorn the Gospel Phil. 1.27 Let your Conversation be as becomes the Gospel but when do we adorn the Gospel I answer when we live according to the rule of the Gospel in sobriety and sanctity Oh that is to adorn it when we walk according to the rule of it in sobriety and sanctity we adorn the Gospel when we walk as the Members of Christ and as those that are acted by his Spirit we adorn the Gospel when we shine forth in a kind of Angelical brightnesse and live so holy as if we had seen the Lord this is to adorne the Gospel and this is the best way I know to have the Gospel intailed upon us and upon our posterity after us