in sickness and in health in peace and in trouble in all Adversity and in all Prosperity The Lord be with you with all kind of Aids Helps and Assistances variety of Aids and Assistances we need This is the sence and meaning of this vale dictory Prayer the Lord be with you all The observation that I shall commend to you is this Doct. God with us is a priviledge greatly to be desired and much to be prayed for The Apostle makes this Prayer for the Thessalonians whom he dearly loved who were his hope and joy and Crown of Rejoycing 1 Thes. 2. 19. Could he have thought of a greater mercy he would have wisht it to them In speaking to this great Truth I shall shew 1. That there is a presence of God with his people 2. That this presence of God is a great priviledge 3. That this great priviledge is much to be desired and prayed for 4. The reasons of it 5. And after this apply it 1. There is a presence of God with his people I speak not of the general presence of God whereby he is not far from every one of us Act. 17. 27. For in him we live move and have our being v. 28. not only as we had our being from him at first but we have our being in him as the Beam has its Being in the Sun Of this presence of God you read Psal. 139. from which there is no fleeing v. 7. he is every where v. 8 9 I fill Heaven and Earth saith the Lord Jer. 23. 24. and Isa. 66. 1. Thus saith the Lord Heaven is my Throne and the Earth my foot stool This general presence of God if seriously considered and believingly apprehended would be of great use But 't is the special presence of God that I am to speak to his favourable and gracious presence such as that wished and desired by Aaron and his Sons of old Num. 6. 24 25 26. The Lord bless thee and keep thee the Lord make his face shine upon thee and be gracious unto thee the Lord lift up his Countenance upon thee and give thee peace This blessing is saith Ainsworth expounded by the Apostle 2 Cor. 13. 14. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all Thus the first branch of the blessing v. 24. The Lord bless thee and keep thee implieth the love of the Father The second branch v. 25. The Lord make his face shine upon thee and be gracious unto thee implieth the grace of the Son And the third branch The Lord lift up his Countenance upon thee and give thee peace implieth the communion with the Holy Ghost Now this Loving Gracious Communicative presence of Jehovah Father Son a 〈…〉 Holy Ghost is that Presence of the Lord which is so great a priviledge and so much to be desired The Lords presence with us to bless us with all Spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. Eph. 1. 3. And to keep us from evil Joh. 17. 15. And to make his face shine upon us that we may be saved Psal. 80. 3. 7 19. And to be gracious to us through Christ Jesus Eph. 2. 7. And to lift up his countenance upon us that Gladness may be in our hearts Psal. 4. 8. And to give us peace that peace which passeth all understanding and that which may guard our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus Phil. 4. 7. This this is the presence of God which is so desireable and of which I am to treat That there is such a presence of God with his people appears thus 1. God Asserts it 2. Promises it 3. Hath evidenced it 4. Gods people have acknowledged it 1. God Asserts that there is such a presence of His with his people Isa. 41. 10. Fear thou not saith God for I am with thee And Ezek. 48. 35. The name of the City from that day shall be The Lord is there 2. God hath promised it Ezek. 26. 11 12. I will set my Tabernacle among you and my Soul shall not abhor you And I will walk among you and will be your God and ye shall be my people 3. God hath evidenced it by Preservations Assistances Deliverances and Suâ—cesses vouchsafed to his people What a mighty Gracious pardoning presence oâ— God was with Moses and the Children of Israel in bringing them out of Egypt through the Red Sea and through the Wilderness into Canaan Read the story of it in the Book of Exodus especially the Song of Moses Exod. 15. What a presence of God was with David Spiâ—iting Prospering and Preserving him when hunted like a Partridge upon the Mountains Whence was it that he was not Caught there were Skilful Hunters yet he escaped the Snare for the Lord was with him What a mighty presence of God was there with Daniel He will pray that he will though he be torn in pieces for it He will not cease to make his Supplications to God three times a day though there were a Law made against it Daniel would not fail to be with God and God would not fail to be with Daniel VVhat would Daniel be with God to the Hazard of his life Yes And was not God with him for his Preservation Daniel is cast into the Den of Lions Was he torn or hurt by them No The Lions were muzled their Mouths were shut God shut them Dan. 6. 22. My God saith Daniel hath sent his Angel and hath shut the Lions mouthes that they shall not hurt me Though men will not be obedient yet Lions will touch not my Servant Daniel saith God to the Lions and they are as quiet as Lambs Touch not mine anointed saith God to men and do my Prophets no harm yet men will not obey What a presence of God was there with those three noble Jews when threatned if they would not bow they should burn They will bow to none but God Dan 3. 17 18. They will not loose their interest in God to gain an Interest in the greatest Then the King commanded that they should be bound and cast into the Fiery Furnace v. 20. being cast into it the Fire burned their executioners and the bonds wherewith they were bound but had no Power on their Bodies nor was there a Hair of their Head singed neither were their Coats changed nor had the smell of Fire passed on them Dan. 3. 27. and how came this to pass God was with them What a presence of God had Paul with him At my first Answer saith he no man stood with me but all men forsook me I pray God that it may not be laid to their Charge notwithstanding the Lord stood with me and strengthened me and I was delivered out of the mouth of the Lion 2 Tim. 4. 16 17. What a presence of God was there with those that had trial of cruel Mockings and Scourgings of Bonds and Imprisonments of Stoning and Sawing asunder of wandering Wants Afflictions and Torments
and yet accepted not deliverance upon unwarrantable terms Heb. 11. 35 36 37. 4. This presence of God hath been acknowledged by his People Behold saith Abijah to Jeroboam and all Israel God himself is with us for our Captain ye be a great multitude and there be with you golden Calves which Jeroboam hath made you for Gods you have Idol Gods with you but God himself is with us 2 Chron. 13. 8. 12. This presence of God was also acknowledged by Hezekiah 2 Chron. 32. 8 Speaking of Sennacherib and his Army with him is an Arm of flesh but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our Battels God was with them not as an idle Spectator but as a Powerful Assister and Helper It was also acknowledged by Jeremie The Lord is with me as a mighty terrible one herefore my persecutors shall stumble and they shall not prevail they shall be greatly aâ—amed â—er 20. 11. And by the Church Psal. 46. 7. The Lord of Hosts is with us the God of Jacob is our Refuge So Isa. 8. 10. Take counsel together saith the Lord by the Prophet to the Adversaries of the people and it shall come to nought for God is with us The Lord is on my side I will not fear what can man do unto me Psal. 118. 6 7. you see how great a truth this is that there is a special presence of God with his people God asserts it promiseth it evidenceth it and his people have acknowledged it The next thing I premised to shew you is that 2. This presence of God with his people is a great priviledge 't is a token of sin ding grace in his sight Exod. 33. 16. And it God be with us 1. He is with us as a father with his children 2 Cor. 6. 18. 2. As a Husband with his Wife Isa. 54. 5. Jer. 31. 32. 3. As one friend with another Isa. 41. 8. 4. As a Shepherd with his flock Psal. 23. 1. 5. As a Captain with his company Behold God himself is with us for our Captain 2 Chron. 13. 12. When Joshua was by Jerico there stood a man over against him with his Sword drawn in his hand and Joshua said unto him art thou for us or for our Adversaries And he said Nay but as Captain of the Host of the Lord an I now come Josh. 5. 13 14. 6. As the Lord of Hosts as a General with his Armies The Lord of Hosts is with us Psal. 46. 7. The Lord of Armies of all the Armies of Heaven and Earth and Hell too Devils are subject unto him Luk. 10. 17. The Devil could do nothing against Job till he had commission from this Lord of Hosts Job 1. 12. and 2. 6. A Legion of Devils could not resist Christs word of Command Mark 5. 8 9. nor could they enter into the Swine without commission v. 12 13. O for faith to believe what we read and hearâ— What do we lose for want of the exercise of faith You have it may be the habit of faith but if it comes not forth into act you have no the Comfort of it 7. If God be with us He is with us as a King with his Subjects Num. 23. 21. The shout of a King is among them He is stiled the King of Jacob Isa. 41. 21. The King of Israel Isa. 44. 6. and the King of Saints Rev. 15. 3. And this King is a great King Mal. 1. 14. An everlasting King Jer. 10. 10. and King of Kings Rev. 19. 16. and Prince of the Kings of thâ— Earth Rev. 1. 5. By whom Kings Reign and in whose hand is their breath and life Now to have God with us as a Father as a Husband as a Friend as a Shepherd as a Captain as a Lord of Hosts and as a King of Kings must needs be a great priviledge 8. Once more if God be with us He is with us as God in Covenant with us to do all that for us which belongs to a God in Covenant to do The Lord his God is with him Num. 23. 21. So The Lord our God is with us to help us 2 Chron. 32. 8. How sweet and comfortable are these Monosyllables His and Our The Lord His God The Lord Our God is with us That God with us is a very great priviledge will further appear if we consider for what ends intents and purposes he is presen For what ends I shall shew you 1. In general 2. In particular 1. In general God is present with his people to bless them Gen. 26. 24. I am with thee said God to Isaac and will bless thee To deal well with them God tells Jacob that he would be with him Gen. 31. 3. and afterwards when Jacob pleads this promise he thus interprets it O God of my Father Abraham and God of my Father Isaac the Lord which saidst unto me I will deal well with thee Gen. 32. 9. Now to have God with us and to deal well with us sure is no mean priviledge 2. In particular God is with his people for these gracious ends and purposes 1. To hear their prayers Notable is that place Deut. 4. 7. For what Nation is there so great who hath God so nigh them as the Lord our God is in all things that we call upon him for God is with us to hear our Prayers and Complaints to grant our suits and to do whatsoever we shall according to his will desire of him 1 Joh. 5. 14. What have you for God to do God is ready to do it if you desire it 2. To guide and lead us The Lord was with the people of Israel Num. 14. 14. and went before them by day in a Pillar of a Cloud to lead them the way and by night in a Pillar of Fire to give them light to go by day and night Exod. 13. 21. God is the same God that he was then and his presence is as much with his people now as it was then though he go not before them in such visible Tokens now as then I will sayes God Psal. 32. 8. Instruct thâ—e aâ—d teach thee in the way which thou shalt go I will guide thee God is with us to direct and guide us to shew us the way and make it plain All the journyings of Isrâ—el were ordered by God T is very remarkable what you read concerning their Travels Num. 9. 17. to the end of the Chapter according to the command of God they journied and rested 3. God is with his people to give them rest He knows they are in a VVorld full of Trouble and that in the VVorld they shall have Tribulation and that it cannot be avoided Joh. 16. 33. He knows that they will be injured oppressed and persecuted and therefore will be with them to give them rest My presence shall go with thee said God to Moses Exod. 33. 14. and I will give thee Rest. Now thou art Travelling journying and wandering up and down but I will give
and a People more then thou be not affraid of them for the Lord thy God is with thee which brought thee out of the Land of Egypt Once more Moses encourageth the people and Joshua Deut. 31. 6 8. The Lord he it is that doth go before thee he will be with thee he will not fail thee nor for sake thee fear not neither be dismayed 13. God is with his people sometimes to make them greater and greater as he was with David 1 Chron. 11. 9. So David waxed greater and greater for the Lord of Hosts was with him But what if we wax not greater and greater in the World if we wax greater and greater in Goodness in knowledge faith and other graces will it not be much better and this we shall do if God be with us 14. God is with his people to Correct them But you will say perhaps Is it a priviledge to be corrected A greater priviledge it may be then all the rest Sirs such is our State here that we need correction We are Sanctified but in part We have Dross and Dirt and Rust and Filth in and about us God knoweth If you had no Dross you would need no Fire If you had no Dirt you would need no washing If no Rust you would need no File and if no Chaff you would need no Flail If no Folly you would need no Rod. But seeing you have Dross Dirt Rust and Chaff not a little Is it not best for the Gold to be refined and best for the Dirt and Filth to be washed out and for the Chaff to be fann'd away and for the Rust to be scoured off And if so is iâ— not a priviledge to be Corrected Correction is our melting washing fanning â—iling If the Child offend in the Fathers â—bsence he scapes a scouring but if the Father be at home he will not think to scape so If we offend and be faulty God is with us to Correct us And he will correct yet as a Father in measure He will stay his rough Wind in the day of his East Wind. Isa. 27. 8. Fear thou not O Jacob my servant saith the Lord for I am with thee I will not make a full end of thee as of others but correct thee in measure yet will I not leave thee wholly unpunished Jer. 46. 28. and 30. 11. David blessed God for his Correction Before I was afflicted I went astray but now have I kept thy word Psal. 119. 67. and v. 71. It is good for me that I have been afflicted that I might learn thy Statutes and v. 75. I know O Lord that thy Judgements are righâ— and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me 15. God is with his people to encline their hearts to himself to walk in his wayes 1 King 8. 57 58. The Lord our God is with us let him not leave us nor forsake us that we may encline our hearts unto him to walk in all his wayes and to keep his commandments 16. To enable them to finish work begun The Lord God even my God will be with thee said David to his Son Solomon he will not fail thee nor forsake thee unâ—il thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord. 1 Chron. 28. 20. 17. To give wisdom and understanding David prayes The Lord be with thee my Son and give wisdom and understanding 1 Chron. 22. 11 12. and to give him a wise behaviour David behaved himself wisely in all his wayes and the Lord was with him 1 Sam. 18. 14. 18. God is with his people to effect difficult undertakings Moses thought that going to Pharaoh and bringing the Children of Israel out of Egypt was a work too great and difficult for him and therefore desired to be excused saying who am I that I should take such a work in hand Exod. 3. 11. I am not eloquent I am of slow speech and of a slow tongue Exod. 4. 10. T is no matter for that saith God go and I will be with thy mouth and I will teach â—hee what thou shalt say Exod. 4. 12. Certainly I will be with thee Exod. 3. 12. And thou shalt bring them out of Egypt And Joshua should bring them into Canaan as hard a work as it was for God will be with him Deut. 31. 23. 19. To hold them I am continually with thee thou hast holden me by thy right hand Psal. 73. 23. thou hast holden me fast so Ainsworth and kept me from falling so Isa. 41. 10. I am with thee I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness God is with us to hold us by our right hand with his right hand this is a great priviledge seeing God is greater then all and none is able to pluck them out of his hand Joh. 10. 29. He is with us to keep us by his Power through faith unto salvation 1 Pet. 1. 5. 20. God is with his people to separate them and others Exod. 33. 16. To make a difference between them that serve him and them that serve him not Mal. 3. 18. and 4. 1. 2 3. See an instance Dan. 3. 22 23. In those that were cast into the fiery Furnace and those that cast them in See also to this purpose Exod. 11. 7. 10. 23. 9. 26. 8. 22. 23. When some are seperated to evil Deut. 29. 21. God is with his people to separate them unto good 3. I come now to the third General to shew that this priviledge of Gods gracious presence is much to be desired and prayed for Paul desired it for these Thessalonians 2 Thes. 3. 16 And for Timothy 2 Tim. 4. 22. Moses desired it for himself and the people Exod. 13. 15. 34. 9. If I have found grace in thy sight O Lord let my Lord I pray thee go amongst us So did Jabez 2 Chron. 4. 10. Jabez called on God saying Oh that thou wouldst bless me and that thine hand might be with me David also desired it for Solomon 1 Chron. 22. 11 16. My Son the Lord be with thee v. 11. Arise and be doing and the Lord be with thee v. 16. Jonathan also prayes thus for David The Lord be with thee 1 Sam. 20. 12. And thus prayes Solomon for himself â—nd for his people 1 King 8. 57. The Lord our God be with us let him not leave us nor forsake us that we may encline our â—earts unto him to walk in all his wayes 4. Now for the ground and reasons of this Doctrine why Gods presence is so much to be desired and prayed for 1. Rea. Because God is so excellent and admirable in all Perfections There is nothing wanting in God God is All. How excellent is that name of his Exod. 34. 6. The Lord the Lord God Merciful and Gracious long suffering and aboundant in goodness and truth keeping mercy for thousands forgiving iniquity transgression and sin Again Mic. 7. 18. Who is a God like unto thee that pardoneth iniquity and passeth by
thee rest 4. To provide for them to observe what they want and to provide it if they want food or water to provide it or if they want Rayment to provide it As the Father is with his Children and as the Nurse is with the Infant so the Lord is with his people The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want Psal. 23. 1. He hath pasture enough for his Sheep He makes them lye down in green Pasturâ—s he leads them by the still waters yea though I walk through the Valley of the shadow of death saith David Psal. 23. I will not fear for thou art with me Sirs who layes the Cloth who spreads the Table who sends in provision Thou preparest a Table before me Psal. 23. 6. God provides and if their be none else to do it he can command Ravens to do it See 1 Kings 14. 4 6. If provision cannot be had in an Ordinary he will send it in an extraordinary way He clave the Rock in the Wilderness and gave them drink as out of the great Depths Psal. 78. 15. He commanded the Clouds of the wind and gave them bread and flesh also Psal. 78. 23 24 26 27. So that they lacked nothing Deut. 2. 7. 5. God is with his people to preserve them from Trouble if it be best But it may be better to be in Trouble then out of it A Prison may be better then a Pallace Restraint may be better then Liberty Sickness better then Health and Poverty better then Plenty Prosperity may sâ—ay Pro. 1. 32. Adversity may profit Heb. 12. 10. And preserve The Lord is with us to deliver from trouble if it be best to be preserved from it The Lord is in the midst of his people Psal. 46. 5. therefore they shall not be moved Surely there is no inchantment against Jacob there is no Divination against Israel Num. 23. 23. I am with thee sayes God to Paul and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee Act. 18. 10. As birds flying so will the Lord of Hosts defend Jerusalem defending also he will deliver it and passing over he will preserve it Isa. 41. 5. What shall we say to these things If God be for us who can be against us Rom. 8. 31. If evil be coming he prevents it Gâ—deon thought if God had been with them evil could have not befallen them O my Lord saith he If the Lord be with us why is all this be fallen us Judg. 6. 13. VVe live in the midst of dangers in the midst of Snares in every place evil attends us It s a wonder that we are preserved If God were not with us how much evil would dayly befal us 6. God is with his people to save from harm in trouble if it come to save from burning in the Fire and from drowning in the Water Isa. 43. 2. Remember Daniel saved from hurt in the Lions Den and the Three Princes saved from hurt in the Fiery-Furnace and Jonah from hurt in the Whales Belly because God was with them 7. God is with his people to disappoint enemies when they Associate themselves and take counsel together laying their Heads together and laying their Counsels deep that none may see them yet then God is with his people to blast the plots of their enemies Isa. 8. 10. Associate your selves and ye shall be broken in pieces take counsel together and it shall come to nought speak the word and it shall not stand for God is with us 8. God is with his people to overthrowtheir enemies when they pursue them and will not be stopt when they take up Pharaoh-like Resolutions Exod. 15. 9. The enemy said I will pursue I will overtake I will divide the spoil my lust shall be satisfied upon them I will draw my Sword and my hand shall destroy them Here was Resolution enough But pray mark what follows v. 10. Thou didst blow with thy wind the Sea covered them they sank as lead in the mighty Waters Thus the Lord overthrew them Exod. 14. 27. I will be with thee said God to Gideon Judg. 6. 16. And thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man So God tells David 2 Sam. 7. 9. I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest and have cut off all thy enemies out of thy sight What a promise is that Isa. 59. 26. I will feed them that oppress thee with their own flesh and they shall be drunken with their own blood as with sweet Wine and all flesh shall know that I the Lord am with theâ— thy Saviour and thy Redeemer the mighty one of Jacob. 9 The Lord is with his people to deliver them out of trouble in due time Thus God was with Jeremie when he sent him and enemies threatned him I will be with thee saith the Lord to deliver thee Jer. 15. 20. We are troubled on every side saith the Apostle but not distressed perplexed but not in despair Persecuted but not for saken No God was with them 2 Cor. 4. 8 9. God was with Joseph and delivered him out of all his Afflictions Act. 7. 9. 10. according to that promise Psal. 91. 15. I will be with him in trouble and deliver him 10. God is with his people to assist and strengthen them in their work Act. 10. 38. It is said our Lord Jesus Christ went about doing good the Lord being with him Fear not saith the Lord Isa. 41. 10. for I am with thee I will strengthen thee yea I will keep thee yea I will uphold thee with the right hand of my Righteousness Again v. 13. I will help thee and again v. 14. I will help thee 11. The Lord is with his people to comfort them Thy Râ—d and thy Staff they comfort me Gods Rod like Aarons blossometh and like Jonathans hath honey at the end of it Psal. 43. 4. In all our Tribulation God is present to comfort uâ— 2 Cor. 1. 4. O for faith to believe it 12. To Animate and hearten them against fears Fear not for I am with thee Isa. 41. 10. Fear not when thou passest through the waters I will be with thee Isa. 43. 1 2. Be strong and of good courage said God to Joshua for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest Josh. 1. 9. Be strong O Zerubbabel saith the Lord and be strong O Joshua and be strong all ye people saith the Lord and work for I am with you the Lord of Hosts Hag. 2. 4. Joshua and Caleb to hearten and encourage the people Num. 14. 9. to go up against their enemies thus bespeaks them The Lord is with us fear them not So Moses tells the same people If thou shalt say in thy heart these Nations are more then I how can I dispossess them Deut. 7. 17. Thou shalt not be affrighted at them saith he v. 21. For the Lord thy God is among you a mighty God and terrible And again Deut. 20. 1. When thou goest out to Battel against thine enemies and seest Horses and Chariots
immoderate in their desires after riches thirsting like the horsleech Ever crying give give Prov. 30. 15. And in their Joy and Grief also In their Joy in the enjoying of them as He Luke 12. 19. In their Grief in parting with them as that young man Matth. 19. 21 22. But I beseech you c. be not conformed to these 9. Hard men reaping where they have not sown and gathering where they have not strawed Matth. 25. 24. But I beseech you c. be not conformable to these 10. Joyn house to house Isa. 5. 8. 11. Keep bad company to get gain Prov. 1. 14 15 16. contrary to the counsel of the Holy Ghost here and Prov. 4. 14 15. Some plead they shall have no Trade unless they do so But I beseech you c. be not conformable to these 12. Lade themselves with thick clay or mire burden pollute and entangle themselves in taking raking and ransaking for riches Habak 2. 6. Some lade their Carts so much that they either stick or break all But I beseech you c. be not you conformed 13. Make Gold their hope Job 31. 24. Their strong City Prov. 10. 15. Trusting in their abundance Psalm 52. 7. Contrary to the charge 1 Tim. 6. 17. and to their ruine Prov. 11. 28. Therefore I beseech you c. 14. Mind earthly things Phil. 3. 19. Heavenly things are not in all their thoughts But I beseech you c. be not conformable c. 15. Never are satisfied Though he have neither Child nor Brother c. Yet there is no end of his labour nor is his eye satisfied with riches Eccles. 4. 8. But I beseech you c. be not conformed c. 16. Over reach go beyond and defraud one another in dealing and barganing this is prohibited 1 Thes. 4. 6. Therefore I beseech you c. be not conformed to these 17. Plead Poverty deb s and family expences when any thing is desired or required for a pious charitable or righteous use though there be enough for pleasure and pride But I c. be not conformable c. 18. Are Querulous complainers Jud. 16. never content with their condition with what they have contrary to the charge given us Heb. 13. 5. But I beseech you c. be not conformable c. 19. Run greedily after the error of Baalam for reward Jud. 11. Adulterating or corrupting the doctrine of Truth for filthy lucre unlike to Paul 2 Cor. 2. 17. But I c. be not conformable c. 20. Speak mostly of the world 1 Joh. 4. 5. And of the earth Joh. 3. 31. whose language is who will shew us any good Psal. 4. 6. Who will shew us how we may get goods and riches But I beseech c. be not conformable c. 21. Serve Mammon Matth. 6. 24. But I c. be not c. 22. Study gain more then godliness being godly only for the sake of gain 1 Tim. 6. 5. But I c. be not c. 23. Turn aside after lucre 1 Sam. 8. 3. Contrary to the charge Deut. 16. 19. Take away the right from the poor Isa. 10. 1 2. But I beseech c. be not you c. 24. Venture the salvation of their Souls for this present world as Demas did 2 Tim. 4. 10. But I c. be not c. 25. Wish the Sabbath over that they may be getting something of the world Amos 8. 4 5 6. But I c. be not c. 26. Will be rich 1 Tim. 6. 9 10. though they fall into c. But I c. be not c. Diswasives from conformity to this Covetous world 1. They that do and are covetous like the world are hated abhorred of God Psal. 10. 3. 2. Sorely threatned Isa. 5. 8. Isa. 10. 1. 2. Job 20. 15 19 20. 27. 16 17 18. 3. The word will do you no good whiles such Matth. 13. 22. Ezek. 33. 31. Mark 4 18 19. 4. You are in Gods account Idolater Col. 3. 5. Eph. 5. 5. 5. You will be troublers of your house Prov. 15. 27. 6. No sin will be strained at if you give way to be covetous for covetousness is the root of all evil 1 Tim. 6. 10. Thou maist be a Judas Matth. 26. 15. Aâ— Ananias Act. 5. 2. 7. Thy heart is in danger to be hardned covetous men seldom repent Jer. 2. 31. 1 Thes. 2. 5. 8. Saints must have no fellowship with you 1 Cor. 5. 11. 9. You must not go to heaven 1 Cor. 6. 10. Thirdly Conform not to this Proud world Corrupt and sinful man is a proud Creature Proud all over Proud First In speech Psal. 12. 4. Speaking proudly 1. Against God Daen. 7. 25. Rev. 13. 6. and with Pharaoh saying who is the Lord 2. Against his People Psal. 31. 18. Speaking grievous things proudly against them Secondly In heart Psal. 101. 5. Isa. 9. 9. Prov. 21. 4. stout stiff unyielding These are abomination to the Lord Prov. 16. 5. Thirdly In spirit high minded Eccl. 7. 8. Fourthly In look Prov. 16. 17. 21. 4. Fifthly In gesture Isa. 3. 16. Sixthly In deed Psal. 31. 23. Exod. 18. 11. Be not conformed to the world herein This Dehortation is not without need to you Professors The Best have been and are prone to it 1. Josephs Brethren Gen. 37. 8. 2. Aaron and Miriam Num. 12. 1 2 3. David 2 Sam. 24. 1 2 4. 4. Uzzia 2 Chron. 26. 16 19. 5. Hezekiab 2 Chron. 32. 25. 6. The Apostles of Christ Mark 9. 34. There are that Affect high places uppermost rooms in thâ— Synagogues Matth. 23. 6. Christs own Disciples were contending about this Matth. 18. 1. 20. 21 22. Luke 22. 24 25 26. Contrary to the charge Gal. 5. 26. But I beseech you that Profess religion by the mercies of God be not conformed to these Boâ—st themselves Isa. 37. 12 13. 10. 8 to 12. Psal. 10. 3. Amos 6. 13. Dan. 4. 30. Luke 12. 18 19. Contrary to Prov. 27. 1 2. Some Boast of their Will the Arminianâ— Some of their Reason the Socinians Some of their Revelations the Anabaptists Some of Perfection and Sufferings the Quakers Some of Traditions and Miracles the Papists Some of Gifts and Priviledges Rom. 2. 17 c. Joh. 8. 33 41. But I beseech you c. Build with hewen stone when c. Isa. 9. 9 10. q. d. That are so far from Repenting when corrected that they harden their hearts more and more So Mal. 1. 4. But I beseech you c. Covet to be seen of men in what they do Matth. 23. 5. Contrary to Matth. 6. 1 2 3 5. But I beseech you c. Displeased with the Praise of others Matth. 21. 15. Despise others Luke 18. 9. But I beseech you c. Establish their own Righteousness Rom. 10. 3. Luke 18. 9. But I beseech you c. Fortifie themselves in the Rocks c. Obad. 3. 4. Flatter themselves with outward advantages and accommodations But I beseech
you c. Give not God the glory but themselves Act. 12. 23. but consider his end And your duty Isâ—l 115. 1. Wherefore I beseech you c. Haughty scorners who deal in proud wrath Prov. 21. 24. Casting aside admonitions with disdain and contempt But I beseech you c. Hearts listed up because of their Riches c. 2 Chron. 32. 25 27. Contrary to the caution Deut. 8. 13. The uprightness of such hearts may be questioned Habak 2. 4. Wherefore I beseech you c. Intrude into things they have not seen Col. 2. 18. Either 1. In the Scriptures 2. With their bodily Eyes 3. By the Light of sound Reason Yet venture upon it as they upon the worshipping of Angels But I beseech you c. Korahs that set themselves against Gods messengers Numb 16. 3. But I c. Lean to their own understandings Contrary to the Rule Prov. 3. 5 7. Paul would have such to become fools that they might be wise 1 Cor. 3. 18. Wherefore I beseech you c. Lovers of praise and applause Mat. 23. 7. Lovers of preheminence 3 Ep. Joh. 9. Lofty high lookers Prov. 30. 13. Such was not David Psal. 131. 1. nor would he suffer such Psal. 101. 5. But I beseech you c. Magnifie themselves Luke 18. 11 12. Contrary to Phil. 2. 3. But I beseech you c. Never think to be moved like her viz. Babilon Isa. 47. 7. Good men too prone to this as David Psal. 30. 6. and Job chap. 29. 18 19. Wherefore I beseech you c. Offended with those that are not at their beck and command Num. 22 37. But I beseech you c. Offer violence to the Lords Prophets 2 King 1. 9 11. But I beseech you c. Persecute the poor Psal. 10. 2. Hiding snares for them Psal. 140. 5. Puft up by their fleshly mind 1. Unsanctified mind 2. Gifts of the mind as Wit Knowledge Eloquence Memory Col. 2. 18. Pure in their own eyes Prov. 30. 11. Isa. 65. 5. But I beseech you c. Quarrel and contend ever stirring up strife Prov. 28. 25. But I beseech you c. Reject the Lord as Pharaoh Exod. 5. 2. and those Luke 19. 14. Rise up against his people Psal. 124. 2 5. But I beseech you c. Seek and search their own glory contrary to Prov. 25. 27. Shew their fine things 2 King 20. 13. Smite the Lords Prophets 2 Chron. 18. 23. That Scorn and contemn Psal. 123. 4. But I beseech you c. Think of themselves more highly then they ought Think themselves to be something when they are nothing Gal. 6. 3. Contrary to Rom. 12. 3. Trust in their Treasures Jer. 49. 4. But I beseech you c. Usurp the Priests office as 2 Chron. 26. 16. But I beseech you c. Walk with stretched out necks Isa. 3. 16. Will not seek after God Psal. 10. 4. But I beseech you c. Hear and give ear and be not proud for the Lord hath spoken Jer. 13. 15. what see v. 9 c. Therefore give glory to God 1. Acknowledge his judgments and threats to be Righteous and heartily turn to God otherwise God will mar your pride Disswasives from Pride First It s not alone it has very bad companions As 1. Naughtiness of heart 1 Sam. 17. 28. 2. A froward mouth Prov. 8. 13. 3. Idleness Ezek. 16. 49. 4. Unmercifulness Ezek. 16. 49. 5. Contention Prov. 13. 10. 6. Hardned mind Dan. 5. 20. 7. An evil eye Mark 7. 22. 8. Blasphemy Mark 7. 22. More see Prov. 6. 17 c. Secondly God knows them afar off has no respect for them will have no communion with them Psal. 138. 6. Thirdly God hates and abominates pride Prov. 6. 16 17. 16. 5. Fourthly The proud err from Gods commandments and are cursed Psal. 119. 21. Fifthly God resisteth them Jam. 4. 6. 1 Pet. 5. 5. Gods resistance supposes mans assault and did ever any harden themselves against God and prosper Job 9. 4. What will you strive with your Maker Wo to such Isa. 45. 9. Sirs Sirs see Ezek. 22. 14. God will do to them that which he asks Job whither he could do Job 40. 11 12. God is able to abase them Dan. 4. 37. And will be above them Exod. 18. 17. And bring them down Psal. 18. 27. And low Prov. 29. 23. To destruction Prov. 16. 18. 15. 25. See also Isa. 2. 11 to 18. Beloved would I could fright you from this cursed pride What shall I say to you It turned Angels into Devils Sodom into Ashes Pharaoh into the Deep Haman off the Gallows Nebuchadnezar a grazing with Beasts Achitophel out of the World Because Pride of Hair and Habit abounds I shall close this Discourse with some Disswasives from it 1. Are not our cloathes Memorials of our sin and shame Before our first Parents had sinned they were both naked and were not ashamed Gen. 2. 25. But when they had sinned they were ashamed and sewed fig-leaves together to cover their nakedness Gen. 3. 7. But God made them coats of skins ver 21. 2. Are they not all Borrowed things and that from poor despicable Creatures your servants As Woollen from the Sheep Linnen from the Earth Cotten from the Trees Silks and Velvets from the Worms Hats from Beavers and other poor Creatures Hair from I know not whom Now suppose a man to have many Servants and he borrows a Hat of one a Coat or Cloak of another and Shoes and Stockins of another c. and then goes strutting up and down the Streets in these borrowed things what would you think of him 3. Are not your Cloaths for the materials of them much baser then yourselves And will you be proud of what is inferior to your selves 4. What are your Bodies which you thus dress up and adorn Are they not vile loathsom stinking foul diseased bodies which must dye and turn to corruption 5. Do Cloaths commend you to God or to wise and sober men Nay onely to men of vain minds they commend you 6. Does not dressing decking and adorning of our selves in such a way as is usual discover the vanity of our own minds 7. Are not such dressings c. Temptations snares enticements and occasions of sin to others 8. Is not much of our Cloathing waste and lost and so a slighting of Christs counsel Joh. 6. 12. If the Disciples of Christ had indignation at the pouring of Ointment on the Head of Christ and if they said To what purpose is this waste Matth. 26. 8. How much more may Christ say when he looks on the Heads Necks and Backs and Feet of many Professors To what purpose is this waste Might not the money given for these things have been saved and given to the poor Matth. 26. 9. 9. Do not many poor want that which you put on for Pride 10. What will you do in the day when God shall come to deal with you and reckon with you about your layings out
conversation 1 Pet. 3. 1 2 4 5. Working out your salvation with fear and trembling Phil. 2. 12. Being without offence c. Phil. 1. 10. Nay Is not this your conformity to the world Is not this 1. To justifie the worlâ— Ezek. 16. 51 52. 2. Is not this to be a comfort to the wicked world Ezek. 16. 54. 3. Is this not to harden them in their sinful course Their pride c. 4. Is not this to have fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness forbidden Eâ—hes 5. 11. 5. Is not this to take the members of Christ and to make them the members of a harlot 1 Cor. 6. 16. 6. Is not this to learn the works of the Heathen and to serve their Idols Psal. 106. 35 36. which may prove a snare 7. Is not this to give offence contrary to 1 Cor. 10. 32. And to be an occasion of stumbling which Gods people should not be 1 Joh. 2. 10. 8. Is not this to call men on Earth our Father Master See Matth. 23. 9. Helps against conformity to this world First Understand well wherein you are not to conform to this world Sure not in any thing which is a swerving from the Rule the written word of God Not in any thing which is a transgression of a known Law Take some instances of known Rules 1. Abstain from all appearances of evil 1 Thes. 5. 22. This is one Rule Now in any thing that is or has the appearance of evil we must not conform to the world 2. Avoid all occasions of evil of sin to our selves or others All Snares Traps and Temptati 〈…〉 s to our selves or others to sin Prov. 23. 31 4. 14 15. 5. 8. Now in any thing which is an occasion of sin to our selves or others we must not conform to the world 3. Give no offence c. 1 Cor. 10. 32. Phil. 1. 10. 1 Joh. 2. 10. 4. Those things think upon and do which are of good report Phil. 4. 8. and this you must have a care of lest you fall into reproach and the snare of the Devil 1 Tim. 3 7. Now those things which are not of good report we must not conform to the world in 5. Do all in the name of Christ Col. 4. 17. giving thanks c. Now if the world do any thing which cannot be said to be done in the name of Christ therein you are not to conform to the world 6. Follow others as they follow Christ 1 Cor. 11. 1. Now in those things wherein the world does not follow Christ we are not to conform to them 5. Whatsoever you would that men should do to you do you the same to them Matth. 7. 12. Now if the world do those things to others which they would not have done to themselves therein we must not conform to them 8. Let all things be done for edifying 1 Cor. 14. 26. In Knowledge Faith Love and holy Obedience Now if the world do any thing that tends to building up of others in Unholiness and Disobedience Pride and Wantonness we must not conform to the world therein for all must be done to edifying 9. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory Phil. 2. 3. Now if the world do c. 10. Look not every man on his own but on the things of others Phil. 2. 4. Now if the world be all for it self with the neglect of others we must not therein conform to the world 11. Redeem the time because the days are evil Eph. 5. 16. Now if the world trifle away time on Lords dayes and other dayes we must not therein conform to the world 12. Whether ye eat or drink or whatsoever else ye do do all to the glory of God 1 Cor. 10. 31. Now if the world do that which can have no tendency to the glory of God we must not conform to the world therein Secondly Be convinced that 't is a sin to be conformed to this world in such matters before mentioned Gods prohibition makes it a sin Rom. 12. 2. When a man is sure a thing is sinful he will resist it the more easily but if he be in doubt whether it be sin or no he will the more easily venture upon it to commit it The Devils business is to make men believe that sin is not sin that they may commit it For this end he raiseth up one Prophet or another to say as to Ahab Go up and prosper or to say There is no hurt in this or to dispute for it or practice it himself and then the Devil has gotten ground For when a thing is come to be a Controversie and some that are Wise and Learned Holy and Religious are on one side and some of another Then the Hypocrite as one sayes hath a cloak for his sin and a Dose of Opium for his Conscience Thirdly Get the fear of the Lord this will restrain from sin Neh. 5. 15. Fourthly Make a covenant with your eyes Gaze not on the fashions of others See Ezek. 23. 16. Fifthly Set upon the work of mortification look upon it as a duty of absolute necessity Col. 3. 5. Rom. 8. 13. Sixthly Get to be crucified to the world and for this end make use of the Cross of Christ Gal. 6. 14. Seventhly Have your conversations in Heaven and your affections on things above Phil. 3. Col. 3. Mind things not seen Eighthly Set God alwayes before you Psal. 16 8. Gen. 17. 1. Ninthly Think much of death and judgment and what thoughts you will then have of conformity to this world And now in Conclusion let me again beseech you Be not conformed to this world I beseech you by the mercies of God be not conformed to c. And by me God himself beseeches you 2 Cor. 5. 20. Now suppose a Mother should beseech her Child By the Womb that bare him By the Paps that gave him suck By the Knees that dandled him And by all her care of and kindness to him what would you think of him if he should not in a lawful thing yield unto her would you not think him to be of a flinty heart In like manner when God by his Ministers shall beseech you by the multitude of his tender mercies whereby 1. He begat you to a lively hope of an Inheritance incorruptible c. 1 Pet. 1. 3 4. 2. He hath quickned us together with Christ and raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus Eph. 2. 4 5 6. 3. He hath pardoned us Psal. 78. 38. 4. He hath called us 2 Tim. 1. 9. 5. Justified us Rom. 3. 6. Adopted us 1 Joh. 3. 7. He hath renewed and saved us Tit. 3. 5. What stony hearts have they that will not yield when God thus beseeches by his mercies bestowed on them Hear me you Professors let me expostulate 1. Why Sirs shall God loose and miss of the main end of bestowing his mercies on you Our obedience is the main end of his
bestowing mercies on us See Psal. 130. 4. Luke 1. 73 74. Psalm 105. 39. to end 2. Is it not to you that God applies himself in this beseeching way even to you who have received mercy to be begotten again quickned pardoned called renewed and saved T is to you he comes and beseeches by all his mercies be not conformed to this world Others that have not received these mercies he cannot beseech by them 3. Had others received the mercies you have and being beseeched by them would they not think you be perswaded 4. Will you hazard and endanger your selves by conforming to and keeping company with the men of this world Jehosaphat did so 1 Chron. 19. 1 2. and wrath was upon him therefore Josiah did so 2 King 23. 29. His forwardness to pleasure the King of Assiria cost him his life The Israelites conformed to Egypt in Idolatry Exod. 32. 1 2 3. And Gods wrath waxes hot against them v. 10. And to the Moabites in Adultery Numb 25. 1 2. and the anger of the Lord was kindled against them If you live after the manner of wicked men you are like to be judged after their manner Ezek. 23. 4 5. If the Assirian or others will persecute after the manner of Egypt they shall be punished after the manner of Egypt Isa. 10. 24 26. 5. Doth not God find fault with doing after the manner of others See 2 King 17. 33. 2 Chron. 13. 9. 6. Is not that which is highly esteemed among men abominable in the sight of God Luke 16. 15. That course of life which is most contrary to the fashions of the world is most commendable and acceptable to God The further we go from the world in our speech gesture attire works and actions the nearer we come to true Godliness Jam. 1. 27. GODS severity against MAN for Iniquity Ezek. 24. 13 14. In thy filthiness is lewdness because I have purged thee and thou wast not purged thou shalt not be purged from thy filthiness any more till I have caused my fury to rest upon thee I the Lord have spoken it c. HAth he said it and shall he not do it Hath he spoken and shall he not make it good Numb 23. 19. Did he not make it good against the Jews his own peculiar people 2 King 25. begin Jer. 39. 1 c. Jer. 52. 4 And if God spared not them the natural branches Rom. 11. 21. will he spare us Take heed England Take heed London lest he also spare not thee If God have brought evil upon the City which was called by his name should ye be utterly unpunished ye shall not be unpunished See Jer. 25. 29. If they whose judgment was not to drink of the cup who might rather have expected favour then you If these have assuredly drunk are you those that shall go altogether unpunished you shall not go unpunished but shall surely drink See Jer. 49. 12. Nay if God spared not the Angels nor a whole world will he spare us 2 Pet. 2. 4. I would hope that God will not make a full end of us but will correct us in measure yet sure he will not leave us wholly unpunished Jer. 46. 28. But if there be lewdness in our filthiness and we will not be purged God will cause his fury not only to creep but to rest upon us as it has done upon others In these two verses not to speak of the context for time will not give leave we have a heavy judgment threatned with the cause and certainty of it 1. The judgment threatned Thou shalt not be purged c. Till c. 2. The cause of it In thy filthiness is lewdness because I would have purged thee and thou wast not purged 3. The certainty of it I the Lord have spoken it c. In thy filthiness In thy sin which is filthiness Sin so called 2 Cor. 7. 1. In thy Idolatry Covetousness Pride Prophaneness Hypocrisie Oppression Is lewdness obstinacy for she would not be purged from it and rejoycing Jer. 11. 15. Because I have purged thee I have sought to purge thee by Admonitions Exhortations Counsels Threatnings Reproofs Corrections And thou wast not â—urged All labour was in vain and fruitless As for the word of the Lord they would not hearken to it Jer. 44. 16. Zech. 7. 12. Thou shalt not be purged from thy filthiness any more Thou shalt be Warned Exhorted Counselled Threatned Reproved no more but shall be left to perish in thy sins as desperate and incurable Till I have caused my fury to rest upon thee Till I have satiated satisfied my wrath and eased my self of my adversaries and avenged me of mine enemies Isa. 1. 24. Till I have purged them in Hell fire sayes one which will be ever doing but never be done Doct. God will at last cause his fury to rest upon a people that will not be purged from their filthiness God will and this will of his is 1. Most just Because God has offered them mercy and they would none of it Thus A Subject commits high Treason against his Prince for which he is condemned His Prince out of pitty sends him a pardon which he rejects tears and tramples under foot If the Prince resolve this man shall dye for it is not his resolution just See Ezra 9. 33. Dan. 9. 14. Lam. 1. 18. 2. Most unchangeable for Numb 23. 19. At last He is not hasty but slow to anger He being God and not man Hos. 11. 9. can bear long and does yet will not alwayes but at last will punish Isa. 42. 14. 65. 6. and here in the Text. Cause his Fury Anger Indignation Wrath. Fury is an anger never at rest till it has taken revenge To Rest to Abide Fury has come and gone judgments have come and gone have been sent and called back again laid on and taken off for a considerable time but at last they shall rest Upon a people though professing and called by the name of the Lord though known and formerly saved by the Lord. That will not I say will not because the Highest does so often lay the blame there Jer. 6. 16. Their will was against purging they loved their filthiness They loved to wander Jer. 14 10. 5. 31. 11. 15. When thou doest evil then thou rejoycest See Jer. 18. 12. Be purged from their filthiness By any means whether fair or foul whether Warnings Exhortations Counsells Threats Reproofs Sabbaths Sacrifices Mercies Judgments Whose Filth Scum Rust remains Their Filth notwithstanding all the Floods they have been in Their Sâ—um and Dross notwithstanding all the Fires they have been in Their Rust notwithstanding all the Filings they have had I might heap Scriptures for proof hereof but I shall confine my self to this Prophet Ezâ—k 5. 13. 9. 8 9 10. 16. 42 43. 21. 17. You may read Deut. 29. 20. 2 Chron. 36. 15 with 17. Jer. 7. 20. 11. 14 13. 14. 14. 12. 18. 11 12.
Psal. 7. 12. 50. 21 22. 68. 21. Reason Gods Honour Holiness Justice and Truth requires it 1. Gods Honour If God spare such it will be thought that he favours them Psalm 50. 21. Mat. 2. 17. 2. His Holiness Habak 1. 13. 3. His Justice Zeph. 3. 5. Psal. 11 ult Justice must render to every one according to c. 4. His Truth See Jer. 4. 28. Use 1. Sad then is the case of such as will not be purged from their filthiness Is it not sad when God will cause his fury to rest upon them when he is so resolved as you see v. 14. This People in the Text might think and so possibly may you God would not be so severe as the Prophet had told them They might say or think Jeremiah this is but your saying and you may speak it out of Humor and Discontent Nay sayes God I the Lord have spoken it I Jehovah who can and will give being and life to my threats to what I have spoken They might say but saying and doing are two things It may never come to pass though God has spoken it Nay sayes God it shall come to pass as certainly as I have spoken it They might say you threaten us with Nebuchadnezar but Nebuchadnezar and his Forces are but men and may fail and never be able to perform their enterprize But sayes God I will do it and I am not Man but God They might say but sure God will not lay waste Hierusalem his own City where his Temple and Worship is To this God answers True But thy scum is in thee and thy filthiness and in thy filthiness is lewdness obstinacy therefore I will not go back from my word of threatening Thou doest not retract and therefore I will not Thou hast gone backward Jer. 15. 6 therefore I will not go back See also Jer 4. 28. They might say but God is pittiful and his compassions fail not But sayes God I will not pitty nâ— spare nor have mercy Jer. 13. 14. They might say but God will repent of the evil threatned according to Jer. 18 8. Ezek. 20. 8. 9 13 14 17 22. No sayes God neither will I repenâ— you repent not therefore I will not repent See Jer. 15. 6. They might say then surely God will deal hardly with us No sayes God I deal justly according to thy wayes I will judge thee What then is there no avoiding of this fury No They shall not be able to escape Jer. 11. 11. Evil shall hunt you Psal. 140. 11. And find you out Numb 32. 23. As the blood hound the Thief as sure as he sets his foot on the ground Nor no resisting No Can stubble resist fire Why then I hope I shall be able to bear it No It will be intollerable Ezek. 22. 14. Can thy heart endure No. Why then I hope it will have an end No neither if you dye in your filthiness it shall rest upon you 'T will be everlasting fire and burning Isa. 33. 14. Why then I hope if it will have no end it will be long before it have a beginning No It may have a beginning before you are aware 'T is to be feared that your iniquities are near full and ripe for we are come to that pass now 1. That I think we are shameless in sinning and if so see Jer. 3. 3. 6. 15. 2. Graceless in Profession and Luke-warm in Religion and if so see 2 Tim. 3. 1 to 6. Rev. 3. 15 16. 2. 4 5. Amos 8. 5 11 12. 3. Regardless of Christ nay abusive of Christs Gospel and Ministers and if so see Matth. 21. 35 36 38 41. Luke 13. 34 35. 2 Chron. 36. 16. 1 King 18. 4. with 19. 14. 2 Chron. 11. 14. 4. Fruitless under the means of grace and if so see Matth. 21. 43. Luke 13. 6 to 10. Act. 13. 45 46. Isa. 5. begin Heb. 6. 6. 5. Incorrigible under the rod and if so see Isa. 9. 13 14. Amos 4. 6 8 9 10 11 12. 6. Fearless of punishment as they Jer. 17. 15. that said Where is the word of the Lord let it come now And as they that said Isa. 5. 19. Let him make speed and hasten his work that we may see it and let the counsel of the holy One of Israel draw nigh and come that we may know it And this is but according to what was foretold by our Saviour Luke 17. 26 27. And as it was in the dayes of Noe so shall it be also in the dayes of the Son of man They did eat they drank they married wives c. till the flood came And by St. Peter 2 Pet. 3. 3. There shall come in the last dayes scoffers walking after their own lusts and sure they are come Saying Where is the promise of his coming Things continue as they were But when we put far away the evil day Amos 6. 3. and say peace and safety Then sudden destruction cometh as Travel upon a woman with child and we shall not escape 1 Thes. 5. 3. God will punish the men that are setled upon the Lees That say in their Hearts The Lord will not do good neither will he do evil Zeph. 1. 12. God grant our goods may not become a booty God grant our houses may not become a desolation God grant that they who have built houses may inhabit them and that they who have planted viâ—eyards may drink the wine thereof But sure if in our filthiness there shall be lewdness if we shall continue unpurged notwithstanding all the means used for our purging The great day of the Lord is near it is near and hasteth greatly even the voyce of the day of the Lord the mighty man shall cry there bitterly That day is a day of wrath a day of trouble and distress a day of wasteness and desolation a day of darkness and gloominess a day of clouds and thick darkness A day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced Cities and against the high Towers God will bring distress upon men that they shall walk like blind men because they have sinned against the Lord and their blood shall be poured out as the dust and their flesh as the dung Neither their Silve nor their Gold shall be able to deliver them is the day of Gods wrath but the whole La 〈…〉 shall be devoured by the fire of his jealous 〈…〉 for he shall make even a speedy riddance of a 〈…〉 them that dwell in the Land Zeph. 1. 13 14 15 16 17 18. This is the rejoycing City that dwelt carelesly that said in her heart I am a 〈…〉 there is none beside me how is she become 〈◊〉 desolation a place for beasts to lye down in 〈…〉 every one that passeth by her shall hiss anâ— wag the hand Zeph. 2. 15. This is spoken of Nineveh ver 13. And if we sin as Nineveh did may not we expect to suffer as she suffered Yet I fear we have many that say as Babilon I
procuring causes thereof these are the persons that please God so that he takes double care of them in evil times Ezek. 9. 4 6 and pronounces them blessed and promises that they shall be comforted Mat. 5. 4. Dir. 8. Walk uprightly order your conversation aright without guile and hypocrisie in simplicity and godly sincerity have your conversations doing all your duties to please God and not for by-respects With this God will be so well pleased that he will be to you a Sun and a Shield that he will give you Grace and Glory that he will with-hold no good thing from you Psal. 84. 11. Prov. 2. 7. He will shew you his salvation Psal. 50. 23. God will give him a prospect of heaven here and hereafter a full fruition of it and no wâ—â—der for you are his delight Prov. 11. 20. Such as are upright in their way are his delight and what will not a man do for such in whom he delights Read Esther 6. 6. Dir. 9. Make the Christian Sabbath your delight be glad and rejoyce in it This will so please the Lord that he will cause you to ride upon the high places of the earth yea upon the heights of heaven where thou shalt keep an everlasting Sabbath and feed you with the heritage of Jacob your Father not only with the good things of the earthly Canaan but with the good things of the heavenly of which the earthly was a type with heavenly Manna such food as eye hath not seen ear heard or mouth of natural man ever tasted This you may build upon for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it Isa. 58. 13 14. If you keep the Sabbath and chuse the things that please God Isa. 56. 4. God will be so well pleased as to give you 1. A place in his House v. 5. And a door-keepers place in Gods house is worth the having Psal. 84. 10. A place in Gods house is that one thing which David was so earnest for Psal. 27. 4. 2. A Name better then of sons and daughters of Princes even prerogative royal that heavenly honour to be the sons and daughters of God 2 Cor. 6. 18. John 1. 12. And so to be called 1 John 3 1. To have both the comfort and the credit of it for if sons then heirs Rom. 8. 16 17. 3. And make them joyful in his house of Prayer ver 7. By their free access unto him and good success in all their suits 4. And accept their sacrifices ver 7. Their sacrifices of Prayer Praise Alms and Obedience shall be accepted through Christ who is the true Altar that sanctifieth all that is offered on it Heb. 13. 10 15. Rev. 3. 4. Dir. 10. Watch at Wisdoms gates daily wait at the posts of her doors Prov. 8. 34 35. And there you shall find life Isa. 55. 3. And obtain the favour of God which is better then life There the Lord will meet you and bless you Exod. 20. 24. There he will teach you Isa. 2. 3. And there he will accept you Ezek. 20. 40. There you give him your loves Cant. 7. 12. And there he will give you his Loves If he sup with you you shall sup with him Rev. 3. 20. There you may get Faith more precious then Gold Rom. 10. 17. There you may have a call to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ 2 Thes. 2. 14. Dir. 11. Pray continually This pleases God The prayer of the upright is his delight Prov. 15. 8. 'T is sweet unto him Cant. 2. 14. He will be nigh to them that call upon him in truth Psal. 145. 18. Daniel's praying pleased God as appears by the event Prayers come up for a me norial before God Acts 10. 4. God is so well pleased with prayer that he will never turn it away Psal. 66. 20. Dir. 12. Meditate on Gods Law day and night Shew thy love to God and it thereby as David did Psal. 119. 97. O how I love thy Law it is my meditation all the day Let it be yours also and God will make you like a tree planted by the rivers of water that bringeth forth his fruit in his season and whose leaf shall not wither and whatsoever you do shall prosper Psal. 1. 2 3. Dir. 13. Worship God in spirit and in truth Sure this is pleasing to him for the Father seeketh such to worship him Joh 4. 23. He is greatly delighted with such worship God loveth the gates of Zion more then all the dwellings of Jacob Psal. 87. 2. The gates of Zion the place of his worship which he had chosen to dwell in more then all the Towns and Cities else which he had given Jacob to dwell in 'T is not all worship that God is so delighted with some worship is an abomination to him God complains of those that draw nigh to him with their mouths when their hearts are far from him Isa. 29. 13. Mat. 15. 8. 'T is the heart God calls for Prov. 23. 26. and truth in the inward parts that God desires Psal. 51. 6. 'T is worship in spirit and truth that pleases God Dir. 14. Love God heartily and seek him early God loves them that love him Prov. 8. 17. and will shew it John 14. 21 23. He that hath my Commandments and keepeth them he it is that loveth me and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father and I will love him and will manifest my self to him and we will come and make our abode with him Obedience to this first and great command of loving God is more then all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices Mark 12. 33. Therefore for certain it pleases God Delight thy self in the Lord and he will give thee the desires of thy heart Psal. 37. 4. And let the desire of thy soul be to his name and to the remembrance of him With thy spirit seek him early Isa. 26. 8 9. and he will be found of thee Jer. 29. 13. Dir. 15. Fear God greatly as Obadiah did 1 Kings 18. 3. On such the Sun of righteousness will shine Mal. 4. 2. The Lord will fulfil the desires of them that fear him he also will hear their cry and will save them Psal. 145. 19. Dir. 16. Chuse to suffer rather then to sin This was Moses's choice Heb. 11. 25. rather to suffer affliction with the people of God then to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season This pleaseth God highly Those three servants of the most high God Dan. 3. who did chuse to burn to ashes rather then to bow to an Image God was so well pleased with that he restrained the fire from burning of them Daniel chuses to be torn to pieces rather then not to pray Dan. 6. and God was so well pleased with his choice that he shuts the mouths of the Lions that they hurt him not v. 22. God also was so well ' pleased with the Martyrs choyce of sufferings rather then of sinning that he so wrought for many
of them that they felt little or no pain Baynam one of our English Martyrs in the midst of flames with arms and legs half consumed uttered these words O ye Papists behold ye look for miracles here now ye may see a miracle for in this fire I feel no more pain then if I were in a Bed of Down but it is to me as a Bed of Roses Dir. 17. Get a meek and a quiet spirit This is in the sight of God an ornament of great price 1 Pet. 3. 4. But a froward heart is an abomination to God Prov. 11. 20. Moses had this commendation that he was very meek above all the men which were upon the face of the earth Numb 12. 3. God takes his part and appears for him Num. 12. 2 4. Moses is deaf and dumb but God hears and calls suddenly about the wrong done to Moses And what a good end did God make with patient Job Jam. 5. 11. Dir. 18. Be zealous hot fervent in spirit serving the Lord Rom. 12. 11. God cannot away with lukewarmness luke-warm Laodicea he loaths Rev. 3. 16. but zealous Phineas he loves Num. 25. 11 12 13. Psal. 106. 30. Be fervent in prayer swift to hear strict in the observation of the Sabbath be strong in faith weep bitterly for sin This heat in duty will please God Do justly This pleases God Mic. 6. 8. more then thousands of Rams To do judgment and justice to judge the cause of the poor and needy is the way to have it be well with us Jer. 22. 15 16. The just and rtghteous God hates injustice Zech. 8. 17. Doing justice and judgment is the way of the Lord Gen. 18. 19. And sure he is well pleased with those that walk in his way Dir. 20. Love mercy This also pleases God To do good and communicate forget not for with such sacrifice God is well pleased Heb. 13. 16. 'T is an odour of a sweet smell a sacrifice acceptable well pleasing to God Phil. 4. 18. Christ is so well pleased with it that he takes it as done to himself Mat. 25. 34 35 36. And the contrary shewing no mercy he takes so ill that he threatens Jam. 2. 13. He shall have judgment without mercy that hath shewed no mercy Dir. 21. Walk humbly To such an one God will look Isa. 66. 2. yea God will dwell with the humble and revive the humble Isa. 57. 15. God resisteth the proud but giveth grace to the humble Jam. 4. 6. And if he give them grace sure he will give them glory Dir. 22. Be fruitful in every good work This pleases God The earth that brings forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed receiveth blessing from God Heb. 6. 7. I am come into my Garden my Sister my Spouse Now there is such pleasant fruit there I cannot keep away He is so well pleased with the fruit he finds that he gathers eats and drinks Cant. 5. 1. A fruitful Vine pleaseth the Dresser A fruitful Tree the Planter A fruitful Field the Husbandman And a fruitful Christian pleaseth God much more Dir. 23. Be thankful This pleaseth the Lord Psal. 69. 30 31. I will praise the name of the Lord with a song and will magnifie him with thanksgiving v. 30. This also shall please the Lord better then an Oxe or Bullock that hath horns and hoofs v. 31. This rendring the Calves of our lips Hos. 14. 2. is very pleasing to God when offered up by Christ. By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually that is the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his Name Heb. 13. 15. He that offereth praise glorifieth me saies God Psal 50. Alwaies provided that the praise be cordial and real as well as oral provided that there be estimation of benefits and retribution for them as well as recognition of them And now beloved I must take my leave of you and what more or better can I wish or desire for you then this gracious presence of God The Lord be with you all The Lord be with you little children and incline your hearts to learn Solomons lesson which his father taught him 1 Chron. 28. 9. viz. To know the God of your Fathers and to serve him with a perfect heart and a willing mind for the Lord searcheth all hearts and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts if you seek him he will be found of you but if you forsake him he will cast you off for ever and for this end The Lord be with you and incline your hearts whilst you are Children to know as Timothy did from a Child the Holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus 2 Tim. 3. 15. and perswade you to continue in the things which you have learned and have been assured of knowing of whom you have learned them 2 Tim. 3. 14. The Lord be with you young men and incline your hearts to remember your Creatour in the dayes of your youth as you are commanded Eccles. 12. 1. and to be kind to him in your youth Jer. 2. 2. that he may another day say to you I remember the kindness of your youth The Lord be with you to be the guide of your youth Jer. 3. 4. and to teach you from your youth as he did David Psal. 71. 17. The Lord be with you that you may with Obadiah fear the Lord from your youth 1 King 18. 12. and that you may flee youthful lusts as you are commanded 2 Tim. 2. 22. The Lord be with you and be your hope and trust from your youth as he was Davids Psal. 71. 5. and make you sober minded as you are exhorted to be Tit. 2. 6. The Lord be with you and cause you to grow up as plants in your youth Psal. 144. 12. That you may never complain as Job chap. 13. 26. Thou hast made me possess the sins of my youth And that you may not be forced to pray as David Remember not against me the sins of my youth Psal. 25. 7. nor lie down in shame because of the sins of your youth as they Jer. 3. 25. and that in your age you may not find your bones full of the sins of your youth Job 20. 11. The Lord be with you Aged men to make you sober grave temperate to make you sound in the faith sound in charity in patience as you are taught to be Tit. 2. 2. The Lord be with you young women to make you such as you are taught to be Tit. 2. 4. viz. Sober and to love your Husbands and your children and to be discreet chaste keepers at home good obedient to your own Husbands that the word of God be not blasphemed and that your Husbands beholding your chaste conversation coupled with fear may be won by it 1 Pet. 3. 1 2. The Lord be with you and deliver you from all unchaste thoughts words and actions and make you careful to
preserve your own and your neighbours chastity in heart speech and behaviour This prayer for you is not without need too much unchaste behaviour is to be seen in our Congregations I cannot think that the exposing of your naked backs and breasts to the view of all can consist with chastity of heart I wish that some or other would do that office for you that Shem and Japheth did for their father Gen. 9. 23. and cast at least a Scarf or Handkerchief over your naked necks backs and breasts The Lord be with you aged women that you may be such as you are required to be Tit. 2. 3. That you may be in behaviour as becometh holiness not false accusers not given to much wine Teachers of good things The Lord be with you widowes to cause you to trust in God as 't is your duty Jer. 49. 11. and continue in prayer and supplications night and day 1 Tim. 5. 5. The Lord be with you Parents That you may bring up your children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord Ephes. 6. 4. and that you may not provoke them to anger lest they be discouraged Col. 3. 21. The Lord be with you Children that you may obey your Parents in the Lord and honour them that it may be well with you and that you may live long in the earth Ephes. 6. 1 2 3. The Lord be with you Masters that you may give unto your Servants that which is just and equal Col. 4. 1. and forbear threatning knowing that your Master also is in Heaven neither is there respect of persons with him Ephes. 6. 9. The Lord be with you Servants that you may be obedient to them that are your Masters according to the flesh with fear and trembling in singleness of heart as unto Christ not with eye-service as men-pleasers but as the servants of Christ doing the will of God from the heart Ephes. 6. 5 6. Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the Inheritance for ye serve the Lord Christ Col. 3. 24. Yea the Lord be with you that you may be subject not only to the good and gentle but also to the froward for this is thank-worthy if for conscience towards God you endure grief suffering wrong fully and acceptable with God if when you do well and suffer for it you take it patiently 1 Pet. 2. 18 19 20. The Lord be with you Husbands that you may love your wives and not be bitter against them Col. 3. 19. And that you may dwell with them according to knowledge giving honour unto them as unto the weaker vessels and as being heirs together of the grace of life that your prayers be not hindred 1 Pet. 3. 7. The Lord be with you wives that you may be in subjection to your own husbands that if any obey not the word they may be won by your conversation while they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear and that your adornin̄g may not be with outward adorning of plaiting the hair and of wearing of Gold or of putting on of apparel but that it may be the hidden man of the heart in that which is not corruptible even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit which in the sight of God is of great price 1 Pet. 3. 1 2 3 4. The Lord be with you poor and my request for you is double 1. That you may be poor in spirit and so blessed that yours may be the kingdom of heaven Mat. 5. 3. 2. That you may be rich in faith Jam. 2. 5. by which God has promised the just shall live Hab. 2. 4. The Lord be with you Rich that you may not be high-minded nor trust in uncertain Riches but in the living God who giveth us richly all things to enjoy 1 Tim. 6. 17. The Lord be with you that you may do good that you may be rich in good works ready to distribute willing to communicate that you may lay up in store for your selves a good foundation against the time to come that you may lay hold on eternal life 1 Tim. 6. 18 19. The Lord be with you young Disciples that having put your hands to the plough you may not look back lest you prove not fit for the kingdom of God Luk. 9. 92. The Lord be with you old Disciples that you may bring forth much good fruit and be fat and flourishing Psal. 62. 14. The Lord be with you All to deal well with you To hear your Prayers To direct your steps To give you rest To provide you necessaries To protect your persons To prevent trouble or to deliver out of it To assist in work To support under burdens To disappoint enemies To Animate against fear To comfort in tribulation To correct if need be To encline your hearts to God To give you wisdom To help you to finish your works and to effect difficult undertakings To hold you by your right hand To put a difference between you and toose that serve him not The Lord be with you All 1. With All of All of you 1. With your Hearts 1. To circumcise them Deut. 30. 6. 2. To write his Law in them Heb. 8. 10. 3. To new make them Ezek. 36. 26. 4. To soften them Ezek. 36. 26. 5. To strengthen them Psal. 31. 24. acchrding to his promise 6. To unite them Psal. 86. 11. 7. To enlarge them Psal. 119. 32. 8. To encline them to him and his Testimonies 1 King 8. 58. Psal. 119. 36. 9. To create them clean Psal. 51. 10. 10. To put gladness into them Psal. 4 〈…〉 2. With your heads 1. To lift them up Psal. 3. 3. 2. To make them waters Jer. 9. 1. 3. With your eyes 1. To open them that you may behold wonderous things out of Gods Law Psal. 119. 18. 2. To turn them away from beholding vanity Psal. 119. 37. 4. With your ears 1. To open them Psal. 40. 6. 2. To cause them to hear the word behind them Isa. 30. 21. 5. With your mouthes 1. To satisfie them with good things Psal. 103. 5. 2. That a deceitful tongue may not be found in them Zeph. 3. 13. 6. With your hands To hold them Isa. 41. 13. 42. 6. 7. With your feet To keep them 1 Sam. 1. 9. 1. The Lord be with you All 2. At all times 1. In the Morning when you awake that you may awake with God Psal. 139. 18. Psal. 55. 17. 2. At noon when you go to meat Psal. 55. 17. 3. At evening when you go to bed Psal. 55. 17. This was Davids practice Evening and Morning and at Noon will I pray and cry aloud and not in vain for it followes and he shall hear my voice 4. The Lord be with you even at midnight and in the night watches that even then you may meditate on Gods word and give thanks after the example of David Psal. 119. 62. 63. 6. 119. 148. 5. On the week dayes that you may do your work and all
your work on them as you are Commanded Exod. 20. 9. 6. On the Lords day that you may keep it holy and call it a delight The holy of the Lord Honourable not doing your own wayes nor finding your own pleasure nor speaking your own words Isa. 58. 13 14. The Lord be with you All 3. In All places In the closet in the family In the shop in the field In Bed at Board In the Closet to make you serious In the family to make you profitable In the shop to awe you In the field to preserve you In bed to refresh you At Board to satisfie you The Lord be with you All. 4. In all estates and conditions in adversity and prosperity in sickness and health in poverty and Riches In Adversity that you may consider Eccles. 7. 14. In prosperity that you may rejoyce Eccles. 7. 14. In sickness to make your bed Psal. 41. 3. In health to make you thankful Psal. 103. 3. In poverty to make you contented Heb. 13. 5. 1 Tim. 6. 8. In Riches to make you lowly minded Trusters in God rich in good works ready to distribute willing to communicate 1 Tim. 6. 17 18. The Lord be with you All 5. In all duties of Religion and holy Ordinances in praying reading hearing meditating conferring instructing admonishing exhorting reproving comforting In praying that you may pray fervently Jam. 5. 16 17. In reading that you may read understandingly Act. 8. 30. In hearing that you may hear believingly Heb. 4. 2. In meditating that you may have soul-satisfaction Psal. 6â— 5 6. In conferring that you do it with affâ—ctâ—on In instructing that you may do it convincingly In admonishing that you may do it compassâ—onately Jude 22. In exhorting that you may do it earnestly Heb. 10. 24. In reproving that you may do it wisely In comforting that you may do it mercifully In observing the Sabbath that you may observe it more strictly In receiving the Supper that you may receive it more worthily In fasting that you may do it soul-afflictingly soul-chasteningly Levit. 23. 32. Psal. 69. 10. and life-reformingly The Lord be with you All 6. In all your Civil Imployments and lawful undertakings that in All you do you may make Gods word your Rule Gods glory your end and the credit of the Gospel and Christian Religion your Care The Lord be with you In your Trading and dealing that you may do as you would be done unto Maâ— 7. 12. In buying and selling that you may set God before you buying and selling as in his presence Psal. 16. 8. In working and sitting still that you may be heavenly minded Phil. 3. 20. In your journeying and travelling that you may be preserved and prospered Gen. 24. 21. Finally Beloved The Lord be with you to sanctifie you wholly and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the câ—minâ— of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen and Amen FINIS A Catalogue OF Books Printed and are to be sold by John Hancock at the Sign of the Three Bibles in Popes-head Alley TWelve Books Published by Mr. Thomas Brooks 1. Precious Remedies against Satans devices 2. Heaven upon Earth 3. The Unsearchable Riches of Christ. 4. Apples of Gold 5. String of Pearls 6. The Male Christian. 7. An Ark for Gods Noahs 9. The Privey Key of Heaven 10. A Heavenly Cordial 11. A Cabinet of choice Jewels 12. Loâ—â—ons Lamentations Mr. Câ—llâ—my's Godly Man 's Ark. Christs Communion with his Church Millitant by Nicholas Lockâ—er Sin the Plague of Plagues by Ralph Venning The Accurate Accomptant or London Merchant being Instructions for keeping Merchants Accounts by Thomas Brown Accountant Short-writing The most Easie Exact Lineal and speedy Method that hath ever yet been obtained by Thomas Metcalf Also a Book called a School-master to it explaining the Rules thereof A Copy Book of the Newest and most useful Hands Bridges Remains being 8. Choice Sermon 's by that Reverend Divine Mr. William Bridge heretofore Minister at Yarmouth A Discourse of Christ's coming by Theophilus Gale King James his Counterblast to Tobacco A Brief Description of New York The Shepherds Legacy or forty years Experience of the Weather Venning's Remains or Christ's School consisting of four Classis of Christians viz. Babes Children Young-men and Fathers being the â—ubstance of many Sermons by Ralph Verning Prepared for the Press by himself before his Death A Disâ—wasive from Conformity to the World as also Gods severity against Impenitent Sinners with a Farewel Sermon by Henry Stuâ—s Minister of the Gospel