see it 't is a sign thy grace is true XVIII Canst thou in any measure commit thy concernments to God Psal 37.5 Commit thy way to the Lord dost thou throw thy concerns on him or roll thy self on him so the word signifies Ah poor soul hast thou a burden of care and trouble on thy back cast it on him for he hath bid thee do so and such a place you shall find 1 Pet. 5.7 Casting all your care on him for he careth for you Put thy trouble off to him for he will bear it soul dost thou find thy heart taken off from a carking distrustful care 't is well for thee but I hasten to the next XIX Dost thou long for the accomplishing the glorious promises of God to the World the world is now much out of order so much that the whole Creation groaneth but dost thou long to have it set to rites there are promises of Christ's Kingdom set up not in word only but in power my friends whoever you are I must tell you there is a King to Reign in Righteousness Isa 32.1 Yea his dominion shall be from Sea to Sea all Kings shall fall down before him and all Nations shall serve him Psal 72.8.11 Let them be never so Potent Princes and never so stout and populous Nations yet they shall all fall down before him and in that day there shall be a root of Jesse which shall be for an Ensign of the people Isa 11.10 In that day what day why this doth refer to Gospel-times the latter days And my Servant David shall be their Prince for ever As you may read at large Ezek. from Verse 22. to the end of that Chapter who that David is I shall not now stand to discourse onely I would desire you to compare Jeremiah from Verse 15. to 22. together with first of Luke 32.33 Vers and besides this promise he hath promised great things to his Church and People Psal 72.7 In his days shall the righteous flourish They shall not be under the hatches then Then she shall have Judges as at the first and Counsellors as at the beginning Isa 1.26 Then the Mountain of the House of the Lord shall be established in the top of the Mountain and many things more Isa 2.4 first Verses then there shall be that that good Hezekiah longed for in his days Truth and Peace 2 Kings 20.19 Yea and then shall the great light break forth that they shall not need to teach every man his Neighbour this will be a day that they shall know from the greatest to the least that their sins are forgiven them Jer. 31.34 What will those do then that say that Teaching is a Trade when all shall know they shall not need too Teach every man his Neighbour there be many in our day would hide all the knowledge in their own Studies and would not have the ordinary people to know so much certainly these do not long for this promise to be made good let them take heed least they be found none of the number that Christ was slain for for Light is promised the light of Christ shall shine The Earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the Waters cover the Sea That is an universal light shall break forth Hab. 2.14 And there is Holiness to the Lord promised to be written on every Pot and Cup in the Lords House and on the Bells or Bridles of the Horses Holiness not only in Worship but in Mens civil imployments the very Carmen and Drawmen as a Holy Man saith shall speak of his Kingdom and talk of his Power there shall be a Spirit of Holiness poured out universally Zach. 14.20 Then shall iniquity be put too an end and then transgression shall be finished that 's the day the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for and shall not be found Jer. 50.20 And there is promised an Union among the Saints they shall serve the Lord with one consent Eph. 32.9 There shall be no more heart burnings and divisions among them but the children of Israel and Judah shall go together weeping and seeking the Lord Jer. 50.4 5. Are not these glorious promises soul these and many more are made which I shall not stand to multiply here are glorious and precious promises that the Saints shall enjoy in this world and if not we a succeeding Generation may we will not limit the Holy one of Israel but live in the Faith of it that he will make good every word in his time Ah that it may be said of us in an after age if we see it not as of them Heb. 11.13 These all dyed in the Faith Now if thou longest for this glorious day and promises 't is a great sign thou art one of his 't is a good sign he was slain for thee in his humiliation if thou dost long for his exaltation it is not likely his enemies should desire his coming and his glory therefore comfort thy self if thou art one of them that pray and believe and hope and long for this glorious day but I proceed to the next which will require great grace strong Faith XX. Art thou willing to suffer for Christ nay joy in tribulations I put them together though they might have been divided for 't is a higher degree required to joy in suffering then barely to suffer Paul when the Holy Ghost restified in every City saying bonds and affliction wait for me yet saith Paul none of these things move me they do not trouble me I do not lay them to heart So that I may finish my course with Joy Acts 20.24 And saith he in Acts 21.13 I am ready not to be bound only but also to dye at Jerusalem for the name of our Lord Jesus When his friends came and hang'd about him and cryed pray you Paul pray you Paul go not in danger Oh saith Paul what mean you to weep and to break my heart I am ready not only to be bound but to dye at Jerusalem And so Phil. 1.29 It is given to believers not only to believe but also to suffer Matth. 5.12 Blessed are they that are persecuted for Righteousness sake and 1 Pet. 3.14 If ye suffer for righteousness sake happy are ye nay if ye be but reproached for the name of Christ happy are ye Pet. 4.14 And if you hold fast till the Death I 'le give you a Crown of Life Revel 2.10 And in Revel 12.11 They loved not their lives to the Death no they did not value their lives for Christ so in Acts 5.41 42. They went from the presence of the Counsel how rejoycing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his Name Oh soul art thou willing to suffer shame for the name of Christ not that it is shame indeed to suffer for Christ but it is an honour and so it may be understood art thou willing to suffer for Christ then happy art thou For the Spirit of God and of Glory resteth upon
but break out into a use of admiration and first then beloved here 's the Free-grace of God in giving his Son a Sacrifice for those that believe John 3.16 God so loved the World how so why so as one said there is not such another so with so great love that he gave his only begotten Son and 't was so freely too without the least motive to take with his love so loved the World as was unexpected by them so and in such away too that could never have been thought of or contrived by all the wisdom of all the Heavenly Host it was looked on as a demonstration of the love of Abraham to give up his Son a sacrifice to God and truly 't was love indeed I am afraid few in our days have such a love to give up a Son that he loved Gen. 22.2.12 I but this was but to give up the worse to the better the Creature to the Creator but this was more God gave his Son the better for the worse the Creator to dye for the Creature oh infinite immense love that God should give his only Son the Son of his delight Behold my Servant in whom my Soul delighteth and more then that he delighted to give him to dye here is admirable Free-love too and it pleased the Father or the Father took delight or complacency in bruising his Son Oh the free-love of God Secondly Let us here admire the love of the Son that he should offer himself a Sacrifice for sinners that he that was offended should dye for offenders yea that we should have th' offended set offenders free yet this he did for enemies Rom. 5.10 It may be for a friend or a good man some one or other would dare to dye as in Ver. 7. But was it ever known that any dyed for an enemy yea that he should lay down his life himself not by constraint but willingly all the world could not take away his life from him so he saith himself in Matth. 26.53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father and he shall give me more then twelve Legions of Angels they would soon have delivered him or himself could have delivered himself no but he doth it freely without compulsion or force Iohn 10.18 No man taketh it from me but I lay it down of my self I have power to lay it down of my self and power to take it up again Where art thou now that saist Christ is not God was there ever any Creature that had power to lay down his life of himself Paul in the strength of Christ in Gods strength could do all things and in that strength could be not onely willing to be bound but to dye but he had not power to lay down his life of himself and if it should be thought that any had power to lay down his life yet no man hath power to take up his life again when he had laid it down nay more is it warantable for man to give his life of himself and no man take it away I but saith Christ no man taketh it away surely none that 's a Creature hath this love of the Son me thinks this should endear our hearts to Christ and make us cry out in the vehemency of our affections as David did of the Law of God Ps 119.97 Oh how love I thy Law it is my meditation all the day Oh how love I the Lord Jesus when we want words then oh how oh how love I the Lord He is my Meditation all the day yea when I remember him on my Bed in the night watches Psalm 63.6 Then my Meditation of him shall be sweet Psalm 104.34 And it would be sweet indeed if we could thus apply him to our selves and say with David and Isaiah Oh Lord thou art my God Psalm 140.6 Isa 25.1 This word my God is a sweet word as when Jesus said to Thomas be not faithless but believing John 20.27 Thomas answered and said my Lord and my God So in the 13. Verse when the two Angels in white asked Mary plain-hearted Mary What is the matter Mary why weepest thou Why saith she because they have taken away my Lord How should this comfort poor souls and how should this endear souls to Christ and make them willing to go through any difficulty when they can say he is my Lord the very thoughts of Christ did make the Spouses heart so rise within her that her tongue could not be silent but she would be setting out his excellency as she was able and when she had not words when her Rhetorick failed her to express her self she crys out as one in an extacy at such a raised rate the is altogether lovely and believer let me ask thee for others know it not is not Christ altogether lovely in his love and in his Free-grace as I have said and oh that by the freeness of his love and grace that any poor soul may be perswaded that there is nothing on his part to be done in a way of merit no no believer Christ hath purchased eternal Redemption for thee Heb. 9.12 And therefore there is nothing for thee to do but answer his love with thy love and that cannot be better known then by living to his praise and rejoycing in him and singing his praises as David saith Psalm 81.1 Sing aloud not only rejoyce but sing and sing aloud Make a joyful noise to the God of Jacob that is to the God of believers yea Vers 2. Take a Psalm and Sing but may a poor foul say I know this work or rather joy for Saints but how shall I know whether I am of this number of believers true I here of glorious things for the Saints And glorious things are spoken of thee oh thou City of God but this is that which marr's all my joy I do not know whether I am a believer but what shall I do to know this that shall be my work as fast as I can come to it but before I give any Carracters of the Saints of God I would a little shew some of the various ways that God takes in the bringing home of his chosed to himself and it may be this may a little satisfie thee and it may be thou mayst find out thy state by this and truly we should try our state by any means we must examine our selves Solomon saith Prov. 27.23 Be thou diligent to know the state of thy Flocks And should not we be diligent to know the state of our souls and 't is knowable else why doth the Apostle say Examine your selves whether you be in the Faith 2 Cor. 13.5 And give all diligence to make your Calling and Election sure 2 Pet. 1.10 Let us search and try our ways and turn again to the Lord Lam. 3.40 Let every man prove his own work and then shall he have rejoycing in himself and not in another If he find his work sound if his work be the work of God if he hath
the soul begins to see it 's own unworthiness then it will be much fearing that it shall not be accepted will he think you entertain me then Christ shews not only his beauty but his willingness too to embrace thee and saith do you think I am unwilling Alas that is the great complaint I have to make of you You will not come to me that you may have life John 5.40 Alas man there is no want of will in me but in thy self I have done all that I can to make thee willing which is a clear proof of my willingness I have shewed thee that there is a necessity of coming to me he that 's stung cannot be healed unless he look unto me I have shewed thee that there is no cure any where else no acceptance no duty pleasing to God unless you come to me no no man thou canst do nothing without me John 15.5 And that there is neither name nor thing under Heaven by which you can be saved but by me Acts 4.12 If I had told you there had been any cure by your own Faith or your own Repentance or any thing else then indeed you might have said I was not willing because I told you you might seek remedy else where but I tell you I am very willing yea and I do wait for your acceptance of the love that I have declared to you Oh that you would not be unkind to me nor so cruel to your selves as to keep me out of your hearts any longer I profess I am not willing of your ruine but rather that you would be healed I have life for dead souls I have light for dark souls I have strength for weak souls I have holiness for pulluted souls I have ease for pained souls I have health saving health for sick souls I have bread for the hungry and drink for the thirsty clothing for the naked I have Salvation for lost souls nay what have I not that good is and this I have revealed and declared I have brought life yea and eternal life immortallity to light through the Gospel and yet notwithstanding all that I have shewed to manifest their necessity and my own willingness yet I am forced after all to complain that there is none or hardly any that stirreth up himself to take hold on me me and my light me and my life me and my righteousness though they see all their own righteousness to be as filthy Dung-hill rags yet they will not stir up themselves to take hold on me with my all Isa 64 7. Come poor trembling sinner come take hold of my strength come thou that sin is ready to burn up thy spirit I have water that shall allay that heat come buy of me Wine to pour into thy wounds come man without money of thy own righteousness or thy own merit come without thine own worthiness and when a poor soul is brought to see this indeed why then in the next place Sixthly The Soul even leans on it's Beloved then Lord I am thine and will be thine then it runs hastens to this strong Tower wherein it shall be safe Prov. 18.10 Now the soul is lodged safely in the bosom of it 's beloved Oh soul who ever thou be that stand'st trembling and art afraid thou art not worthy I tell thee he want's not thy worth but thy willingness to accept his worth therefore prethee give thy consent this day this present hour before thou stir one foot out of the place never talk of asking counsel of friends nor biding them farewel that are at home as he in the Gospel now saith God I never told thee another time nor too morrow But now is the time the accepted time 2 Cor. 6.2 And too day if thou wilt hear my voice Heb. 3.7 Oh now say as his children that had back sliden from him when he bid them return Jer. 3.22 Behold we come unto thee for thou art the Lord our God If it hath not been done before let this be the Marriage-day let the knot be knit this day do not put him off tell to morrow he may leave thee to morrow to the hardness of thy heart and thou mayst dye in thy sins and be damned It may be some poor soul may now say but I have not observed this all along in my soul therefore I doubt 't is not well with me it may be so soul yet there may be some that have and some can remember the manner how the place where the time when God did call them to himself and yet notwithstanding thou hast not taken such special notice of Gods way yet Christ may be as truly thine as his I this would rejoyce my heart indeed would'st thou say if I knew it but how shall I know it truly this leads me to the thing I promised you to try my self and you according to the measure and rule of the Law of liberty and here I would perswade thee to fall to the work of examination and bring thy self to the Touch-stone of the Word and if I speak not according to the rule say that 's mine but if it be according to the Word take heed thou reject it not for by that Word thou must and I must stand or fall I and presently too do not put it off If thou wouldst have present comfort to thy soul or if thou would know thy danger to it presently Oh I am afraid they that are so loath to come to the Sanctuary weights and measure will at last when they are broughtt to it be found with that motto on their foreheads as is left on Record touching the tryal of Beltshazar that wicked man Dan. 5.27 Tekel thou art weighed in the Ballances and art found wanting Prethee Soul come to the Sanctuary-scale betimes that if thou should be found to light thou might have time to get weight before the Market time be over and done and here in this tryal I shall not confine my self to that one only distinguishing Carracter that I find some Learned faithful men in the Church of Christ do give out as the only distinguishing Carracter for souls to Judge their state by and that is whether God the Father God the Son God the Spirit or else some inferior thing be it what it will or can be be a mans or souls chief good and the onely object of his delight and happiness In plain English whether or no upon due search as we say in cold blood that is when a man on the one hand is not lifted up in any way from the Earth from the consideration of trouble that sometimes are met withall among terrene things nor on the other hand when a man lyes pressed hard with some violent temptation that he seems to take little delight in God as Job Jeremiah and David when Gods hand pressed them fore these are not times for a man to pass a right Judgement of his state and he that thus and then judges himself judges only
more pleausible way in their pride and ambition and haughtiness in their conformity to the foolish fashions of this World which vanish away Oh how many in England that are glorious professors are Non-conformists to the Worlds worship that yet at the same time are real Conformist's to an Harlots attire and other professors are posting as fast after the world as if indeed it were their only happiness and all this because there are so many do so and yet counted Saints but now if thou art one that dost not delight in the way of the multitude 't is a good sign God hath set thee apart for himself Eighthly He that Christ hath dyed for will be good in bad times and bad places so it was with Noah in the old World so with Lot in Sodom and Joseph in Aegypt I need not quote these places they are so well known thus it was with Nehemial with those Sabbath-breakers and with Job in the Land of Vz and so with David Psal 120.5 Wo is me that I sojourn in Mesech and dwell in the Tents of Kedar so in Revel 2.13 'T is spoken of the Church of Pergamus I know thy works and where thou dwellest even where Satans Seat is this was a bad place and yet there thou holdest fast my Name and hast not denyed my Faith Note here Satans Seat was the place where the Devils Servants did Tiranize over the Saints and yet in that wicked place they held fast the Faith these were some of those Virgins that are spoken of in the Rev. 14.4 That were not defiled with Women Virgins what were they them that were never Married were they them that vowed Chastity no that 's not the meaning of it but they were clean from being defiled with false Worship they did not meddle with Idols and false Worship and this is called in the Rev. 14.2 Fornication he speaks there of Fornication by Idolatry and they were not defiled with this Womanish worship which is else where called no less then Whoredom Hos 2.2 Let her put away her Whoredom out of her sight what did she commit Whoredom with Men no Ezek 6.9 will clear it With their eyes they went a Whoring after their Idols now these were they that were not defiled with Idols and therefore are called Virgins Oh who would defile ones self with such filth but if thou keep thy garments pure in such a day 't is a good sign Christ hath clansed thee Ninethly 'T is a sign thou art a servant of Christ when he calls thee to his work and thou dost not stand parlying with him whether it may be for thy advantage or no when Christ calls men to his work they oft times consult whether it be for their advantage or for their profit or their honour or their safety and they stand parlying with Christ under pretence of prudence and for their security but now his servants will go readily about his work they will not stand parlying whether they shall or shall not go about his work this is no vain notion of my own brain I 'le give thee Scripture for it Look in the Gal. 1.15 Vers 16. When it pleased God to call Paul by his Grace and to reveal his Son in him to preach among the Heathen what then did he plead and say will it be for my safety will it not be prudence to forbear a while to see the event of things no saith Paul But immediately I conferred not with Flesh and Blood I did not stand but went into Arabia c. Now soul canst thou say thou goest to Christ's work without parlying 't is a good sign Christ hath called there Tenthly 'T is a sign thou art one that Christ is Sacrificed for if thou delightests in the will of God saith David Thy Law is written in my heart how doth that appear why I delight to do thy will one that delights to do the will of God 't is a good sign Gods Law is written in his heart now the will of God is made know in his Law and therefore he that delight in the Law of God doth delight in his Will And blessed are they that delight in his Law Psal 1.2 And that delighteth in his Commandments No less I am sure then fourteen times in the Psalm 119. doth David express his delight in the Law Statutes and Testimonies of God as you may see with a cast with your eye in 14.16 24 32 35 47 54 70 77 92 111 143 162 174. Verses besides the many places more in the Psalms ah soul dost thou delight and delight greatly in the Law of God But I would not be too tedious Eleventhly 'T is a sign thou art Gods if thou dost what thou dost for God willingly Psalm 110.3 Thy people shall be a willing people in the day of thy power when the power of the Lord takes hold on thy heart thou wilt be willing to serve him and in 1 Chron. 29 9. A willing mind and a perfect heart are put together and if there be first a willing mind then thou art able to do but little for God yet 't is accepted 2 Cor. 8 12. These things might be much spread or expatiated but time is very precious with me Twelfthly 'T is a good sign thou art a child of God if thou dost desire to enjoy the ordinances of God as thou wast wont to do such an expression David hath some where so in Psal 27.4 One thing have I desired of the Lord what 's that That I may dwell in the House of the Lord That is in the assembly of the Saints and so in Psal 26.8 Lord I have loved the habitation of thy House and the place where thine honour dwelleth He had experience what God was used to communicate there why David could you not rather love the place where all your Courtiers and Nobles and where are all the Royal retinue Oh no I have loved the place where thyne honour dwelleth This was that which made the Apostle Paul exhort them in Heb. 10.25 Not to forsake the assembling of themselves together there be some do forsake the assembling of themselves together I but saith Paul do not you do so why he knew that there Christ was used to display his Banner of Love over them in thy presence is fulness of joy Psal 16. ult I a little kind of Heaven there to them that know it these know somewhat of the worth of Spiritual Bread and Food for souls that makes them rather desire the Bread of affliction and the Water of adversity then that their Teachers should be removed into corners Isa 30.20 They know 't is sad when there is no Vision in the Land 1 Sam. 3.1 And indeed it must needs be sad for there the people perish Prov. 29.18 so in Amos 8.11 When the Famine of the word of the Lord shall come they shall wander from Sea to Sea too and fro from Countrey to the City as they do in a small measure at this day
to seek the word of the Lord and shall not find it and in Vers 13. In that day shall the fair Virgins and young Men faint for thirst Ah how many are there that are but new born Babes and Virgins and young Men in Christ how do their souls hunger and thirst and seek after some to break the Bread of Life to them and can find none their souls are ready to perish and they long to go into the Lords House into the assembly of his people Oh how do they sigh and sob and groan and Lord in thy bowels hear their cry and groanings and come down and deliver them and send them Bread without cockle of Mens inventions and mildew of Sophisticated and corrupt Doctrine but if thou art one that desirest the ordinances of God and to he in the assembly of his people 't is a sign thou art a child of God prethee soul bring thy self to a tryal 't is very sad if thou canst find no looks nor longings after any thing of God XIII 'T is a sign thou art a child of God if thou lovest the Word of God mark dost thou love the Word of God 't is a sign thou art one of the children of God Oh saith Job I have esteemed or I have hid or laid up the Word of his Mouth for so it may be read more then my necessary food or my appointed portion he esteemed it so that he hid it or laid it up in his heart oh what a soul was here that had rather be without Bread than without Gods Word so David in the Psal 119.97 wants words to express it and therefore sighingly he lifts up his voice and saith Oh how love I thy Law so Ver. 113. I have vain thoughts but thy Law do I love Yea though wicked men hate it and make it void yet then will I love it the more which is intimated in that word therefore thy Servant loveth it Vers 127. And in the Vers 140. thy Word is very pure I tryed or refined therefore thy servant loveth it because his Word was pure without Sophistication therefore David loved it Ah soul dost thou love the Word of God as 't is a naked pure word 't is a sure sign thou art Gods and therefore mayst take peace to thy soul Oh soul peace to thee so in Verse 165. Great peace have they that love thy Law note great peace have they not shall they but have they that have thy Law thou that lovest Gods Word 't is a good sign that word hath spoken peace to thee thou art Godly and God hath set thee apart for himself Psal 4.3 Examine as thou goest along soul and take comfort as thou find'st it in thy poor soul Oh if God by his Word will but speak peace to thee it will be that that passeth understanding XIV 'T is a sign thou art one for whom Christ is Sacrificed if thou canst venture to follow Christ which way soever he goes Rev. 14.4 These are they that follow the Lamb whethersoever he goes and 't is said these are Virgins chast Virgins Spouses of Christ are not only willing to follow Christ into Paradise but whithersoever he goeth into the Desert or into the Wilderness whithersoever he goeth XV. 'T is a good sign thou art a friend of Christ if thou canst cordially pray for thy enemies this too many is a searching one this I am afraid is a hard saying who can bear it thou dost not come up to thy Lords order if thou dost it not If thy enemy hunger give him Meat and if he thirst give him Drink for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his Head Rom. 12. last The meaning is those good things done to him will be like fire that is heaped upon mettal to melt it down that is shall be even disolved into another nature it will melt the heart Mat. 5.44 Pray for them for whom for them them that are our friends them that pray for us no for thy enemies them that despightfully used you this ever and anon Christ hint's at Forgive them that trespass against you I say some we will forgive them but we 'll swear we will never forget them take heed that 's of the flesh but to forgive thy enemy is not only to be Christ's but to be like Christ Phil. 2.5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus Ah how happy a soul art thou that can do this but do not mistake soul I do not say make him thy friend no I should be loath to make my mortal enemy my bosom friend or my familiar friend as David speaks Psal 41.9 Yet notwithstanding this we should pray for them and that will be pleasing to God and if we please God as certainly we shall in thus doing who can tell but God may at least make our enemies to be at peace with us Porv. 16.7 Oh soul try thy self canst thou pray for thy enemies 't is a good evidence thou art one for whom Christ is sacrificed XVI Canst thou trust and wait on Christ I put these together for the one is as it were the evidence of the other for he that wait's on God surely doth trust him else why doth he wait on him Psal 84.12 Blessed is the man that trusteth in thee Blessed is he he is in a state of grace that trusteth God for soul and too 't is no better then hypocrisie to say we trust God with our souls and cannot trust him with our bodies Paul could trust God with his life In whom we trust he will yet deliver us 2 Cor. 1.10 Oh then trust in the Lord and wait on him too And blessed are all they that wait for him Art thou in any distress and God doth not yet deliver thee wait on him he will come this was the temper of good Jehosaphat when he was in distress 2 Chron. 20.12 When he knew not what to do but saith he our eyes are upon thee Ah I 'le wait on thee however this was a good sign it is well with a soul multitudes of Scripture witnesseth this XVII Canst thou rejoice in the grace of God in others this is sad to tell some seem to have grace themselves and yet do not love to see grace in others at least they cannot abide others should exceed or outshine their grace they hate to see others come up to any degree of grace more then they I am apt to suspect the truth of their grace that thus envie others grace but sure I am 't is a sign of a good soul that loves to see and rejoyce in the sight of the grace of God in others take one clear Text for this Acts 11.23 Barnabas when he came to Antioch where the Disciples were first called Christians when he had seen the grace of God was glad Oh soul dost thou see any thing of the grace of God in others of the Image of Christ in others and art thou glad and rejoycest to
you 1 Pet. 4.14 And then for the other thing to joy in tribulation that is a degree that is above bare suffering take that Text in Rom. 5.3 We rejoyce in hope of the Glory of God Is that all no not only so but we glory in tribulation also 'T is a clear sign that if thou canst suffer for Christ thou art happy and 't is a clear or rather more clear when thou canst glory in suffering for Christ see how it is with you XXI Is thy heart born up under any affliction and livest above the troubles of this life and dost not murmur nor repine at the hand of God take a Text for this because I should be loath thou should ground thy confidence on any opinion of mine Isa 33.24 The Inhabitants shall not say they are sick the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity They shall not say they are sick the sence of pardon doth take away the sence of pain the sence of sin being taken away doth carry them above the sence of sickness Oh precious Word worthy to be writtn in Carracters of Gold this is a high and noble degree of grace I do confess XXII Canst thou go on cheerfully in thy way where God hath set thee canst thou go on comfortably in thy Calling and about thy Imployment that God calleth thee too It may be thou lookest on this with a slight eye I know not how it is with thee but I profess I find this as hard as any when the Eununch was brought home to God in Acts 8.39 'T is said he went on his way rejoycing It made the poor man so cheerful that he went on his way rejoycing but I 'le not stay on this try how it is with thee soul if I can but a little help thee I have what I aime at XXIII Art thou willing to do good and to communicate to others thy poor brethren the Saints this they did in the Acts 2.44.45 They had all things common they sold their possessions and parted to them that had need Oh what is become of this Spirit in our days where shall a man find an old Church in so glorious a Spirit as this young Church was in oh 't is sad to tell how the bowels both of People and Ministers too are shut up at this day and he is noted to be none of the Lords Children that Hath this Worlds good and seeth his Brother need and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him 1 Joh. 3.17 Understand this aright he doth not say to any one no but seeth his Brother in need Thy Brother in Christ and 't is a right Spirit to be ready to distribute willing to communicate not to be haled to it as a Bear to the Stake but to be ready and forward as Paul speaks of them in 2 Cor. 9.2 For I know the forwardness of your minds for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia that Achaia was ready a year ago To be so ready to give that you rather wait to grive then to be asked this is a good sign of thee XXIV Doth thy heart rise within thee against sin and the filthy conversation of the wicked and the company of the wicked too I put altogether for 't is of the same Impost the soul of that righteous Lot was vexed and was moved within him To see the filthy conversation of the wicked 2 Pet. 2.7 8. He see their sin and his heart did rise to see their unlawful deeds and to hear their Ungodly Oaths and speeches and indeed this is the true nature of a child to have his heart risen within him when his Father is wronged thou maist 't is possible rise against sin in thy self as 't is an enemy to thy own wellfare and as 't will ruine thee but this is not so clear a mark thou hatest sin as when thou hatest sin where ever thou seest it the true child will not onely hate that he himself shall wrong his Father but that others should wrong him that he hates too the very affection of a child cannot but stir to see his Father wronged which brings to my mind a story I have heard of a Dumb-son of Cresus that seeing one about to smite his Father the affection in him broke the bars of his speech and made him cry out to the astonishment of others in these words O kill not Cresus thus the genuous childs affections will stir within him if his Father be smit at Oh soul is it thus with thee is thy soul vexed and grieved to see the dead of the wicked and dost thou loath the company of the wicked they that are Gods care not for the company of the wicked in Jer. 15.17 Isat not in the assembly of Mockers so David Ps 26.4 5. I have not sat with vain persons neither will I go in with dissemblers I have hated the Congregation of evil doers and will not sit with the Wicked Note the expression will not sit with them his will is not with them that is his delight is not in them poor man he was fain to be with them and a great while too which put him to complain in Ps 120.6 My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace if I do but speak of peace they are for war I would be quiet but they are all for fighting A poor soul must of necessity be with them sometimes I but I will not I delight not to be among them I do not love their company I care so little for them that I would not be buried with them that seems to be intimated in that Psal 26. quoted even now Ver. 9. saith David there Gather not my soul with sinners nor my life with bloody men gathering what is that by it is mean't burying 't is a word that was used in Old Testament times Gen. 25.8 Abraham dyed in a good old age and was gathered to his people So David saith Gather not my life with wicked Men I never loved their company in my life nor do I desire to have it when I dye now soul is it thus with thee 't is a good sign thou art a child of good because thou hatest the Image of the Devil XXV Dost thou prefere Gods work before thy own imployment before thy own advantage if thou dost 't is a good sign thou art a child of God this Spirit was found in Nehemiah when Samballat and Geshem sent to him he sent them word back again That he was doing a great work and he could not come down Nehem. 6.3 Why should the work cease whilst I leave it and come down to you Oh how many thousand of professors in our age doth this one Text condemn how many professors in our days will not onely leave Gods work when they are sent for but will leave the work of God without being sent for Men are so far from giving Nehemiah's reply that they plead for leaving Gods work to follow their own and
sin that grace may abouned But God makes the sins of his people serve to humble his people Oh saith the Church in Mic. 7.9 I will hear the Indignation of the Lord because I have sinned against him Oh it makes a soul silent from complaining yea it humbles him and so it works for good to the Saint now soul is not this a comfort when all things shall work together for good to thee 4. Thou art honourable in the sight of God Isa 43.4 Since thou wast precious in my sight Precious by vertue of my Sons precious Blood and Covenant applyed by a precious Faith Since thou wast precious in my sight thou hast been honourable A man in the sight of Men may be honoured I but he that is Christ's is honourable and precious Yea his very Blood shall be precious in Gods sight Psal 72.14 And is this no priviledge oh foul and doth it not comfort thee but I hasten to the next and as fast as I may towards a close of this 5. The things of this life are blessed to thee therefore David saith Psal 37.16 A little that a righteous man hath is better then the riches of many wicked The little the righteous man hath is as gold but what the wicked man hath is like dross what compare is there between gold and dross a little gold is much better then a great Mountain of Dross and Dung alas a wicked man when he is fullest is inneed he hath some little crevice that want's filling so Job saith Job 20.22 In the fulness of his sufficiency he shall be in strait's not only in his sufficiency but in the fulness of his sufficiency if a wicked man hath much substance yet there is a canker eat 's at the root and therefore as one observes a shilling will go as far with some as five will with some other but the righteous is blessed in this that his store is increased in the spending the little that the righteous man hath is like the handful of Meal in the Barrel and the Oyl in the Cruse that did increase in the pouring forth 1 Kings 17.12 Oh Sirs there is many a man that hath an estate and never enjoys it he knows not which way it goes but the little the Godly man hath increaseth and doth him good when he eat 's and drinks in the strength of his meat and drink like Eliah goes for many days and is not this a mercy but may some say you say that we have is blessed to us but we have but a very small pittance of these things below we are fed 't is true we cannot deny but 't is as we say but from hand to mouth to that let me add 6. The day is hastning that the righteous shall inherit the Earth Much Scripture looks this way I 'le onely hint a few Mark 10.30 Though a man loose all for Christ sake yet he shall receive an hundred fold I but when mark the next words Now in this time note that this time is meant the time of this life Matth. 5.5 The meek shall Inherit the Earth and if my Memory fail not no less then six times is the same thing hinted nay spoken plain in the 37. Psal how this shall be and when I shall not now stand to dispute but they shall enjoy peace in it and none shall vex and trouble them I 'le give you one Text not to trouble you with more Isa 32.17 18. The effect of righteousness shall be quietness and mark it this is meant of a time the Saints shall have here and if you observe it it is the time of Christ's Kingdom Verse 18. And my People shall dwell in a peaceable Habitation and in sure dwellings I but though your dwellings may be sure yet you may be disturbed no the next words saith in quiet resting places ah soul is not this comfort that thou shalt live in peace but I forbear any further proceeding on these things least they should not be born among the Godly themselves 't would be sad Sirs if any of you should fall short of this for want of faith in it but another priviledge is this 7. All your prayers shall be heard the wicked may pray as long as they live yea tell their hearts ake yet God will not hear them Esek 20.31 As I live saith the Lord I will not be enquired of by you you what you Verse 30. Them that have been polluted after the manner of your Fathers Hear this you that plead for the Whoredom of your Fathers which whoredom is meant Spiritual whoredom oh how many are there that go on in Idolatrons and in Ceremonious ways and can give no reason for so doing but because their Fore-fathers did so hearken what God saith to you that say thus did our Fathers and shall we be wiser then our Fathers God will not be enquired of by you or hear you when you pray to him for 't is all one but now Godly Mens prayers are heard I 'le give thee Scripture for on my word I desire to urge nothing on thee and if the Word speak it tremble man to doubt it or to contradict it Jer. 29.12.13 Then shall ye call upon me and pray to me and I will hearken unto you and ye shall seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart Note that ye and you what you why you that are my people that are in Captivity Verse 14. Poor soul are you in Captivity and in Bondage and in a weary Land do Task-masters impose burdens upon you doth the scorching heat of affliction come upon you why the man Christ will be as the shadow of a great Rock in a weary Land Isa 32.2 Nay doth the wrath of God begin to break out upon the world yet yet seek the Lord all ye meek of the Earth Why what if we do it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lords anger Zeph. 2.3 Is the Lords anger breaking in upon the Nation doth he begin to frown upon us with plagues why yet seek the Lord do others dye and go down to the grave apace why seek the Lord and ye shall live Amos 5.6 Wouldst thou have more comfort then this if thou wilt but seek him his ears are open to thy cry His ears are open to their prayers 1 Pet. 3.12 And are thy prayers heard and will not this comfort thee a while Stay but a little and he will give thee the desire of thy heart Psal 37.4 What 's that why that leads me by the hand to the top of all thy comfort which is the last 8. A Crown of Glory and to be for ever with the Lord art thou loaded with trouble and suffering here thou shalt have a Crown of glory shall outweigh all thy suffering for the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with that glory Rom. 8.18 And our light affliction which is but for a moment worketh for us a far
pleasure in him Heb. 10.38 Ah soul I know not so well what thou hast as I know what I have but I have mine iniquity and I do fear so hast thou few that ever I met with but had one beloved above all other this is that David kept himself from Psal 18.23 I kept my self from mine iniquity Oh take head that thine iniquity do not draw thee back but follow the Lord and keep on his way not only begin but follow on Hes 6.3 Then shall we know if we follow on to know the Lord there is the mark of the prize of the high calling in Christ before but take heed and look forward for if thou look back there is Hell behind at thy heels if thou draw back it will be to perdition Oh that we may never draw back for if we do the fault will be ours for God if he hath begun a good work will go on to perform it or as it may be read finish it Phill. 1.6 Let us then go on after Christ and not draw back from him but Thirdly And lastly to the Saints live as it becometh those that are called by him and make profession of him hath he loved thee with an everlasting love and therefore with loving kindness hath he drawn thee Jer. 31.3 And wilt thou not answer his love by thy Life Oh soul wilt thou not stand for him and own him in bad days wilt thou not plead his cause against all enemies that plead's thy cause with the Father hath God given thee a gift oh improve it for Christ thy Lord he hath dyed for thee and wilt not thou live to him doth he appear before God for thee and wilt not thou appear before Men for his Name sake 't is sad to see how men sneak away and diseart Christ's cause under fine specious pretences 't is not prudence to do things say they when Authority would not have it so and so they have a pretence to cover themselves with that pretence this kind of Spirit was found in some of old in Holy Philpots time said he some persons make themselves a Clock to keep of the Rain with pretence of obeying Magistrates whom we ought to obey though they be evil and wicked but saith he such must learn to give Caesar his and God his due and with Peter obey the higher powers in the Lord c. this he speaks by reason of the cowardness of their Spirits in their Masters cause but oh soul that I could prevail with thee and my own soul to stand to Christs cause Oh I call Heaven and Earth to witness this day bear witness all ye that see or hear of this that I call upon you to plead Christ caused and hold fast his Name and not run away and leave Christ oh live as those that become the Gospel in this very thing oh sad 't is to tell there be some that in this respect have cause the very adversary to speak reproach fully and to blaspheme and as these are cowardly in Christs cause so there are others very debauched in their practices would to God there were no cause to say professors keep loose company many there are that keep a Club with vain Fellows I and I am afraid many times drink to excess oh take shame to your selves who are guilty this is loathsom in the sight of the truly Godly and I tell you you give them just occasion to judge you Hypocritical and rotten at the heart and to spare no rank let me be plain with you who take it upon you to be the Lords Watchmen you of the Ministry 't is sad that you that should be reproevers should fall justly under reproof or rather for I am on exhortation now you that should exhort others should need be exhorted and yet what lives do some of you lead I am ashamed to say debauched of you Oh insteed of a holy self denying life how many of you live an Earthly flesh pleasing life and how are your Families trained up insteed of the School of Christ it may be in a Dancing-School or at the Musick is this a life that becometh Professors but by this time I think I hear some of you begin to say is not it lawful to recreate our selves I am not minded here to answer all the cavils that the flesh will raise but this I 'le said Paul said indeed All things were lawful that is as I conceive with respect to conscience of his own but not expedient that is with respect to conscience of anothers and to my knowledge there are some hardened by your practices Oh how sad is it to see Ministers Wives Children and Families as well as other Professors come into the Congregation and insteed of being patterns of piety are patterns of Pride that insteed of having it said of them they were Modest and adorned with meekness and humility in modest apparel shameful it might be said they were proud high-minded and clad in gaudy Robes like pictures set to sell but I leave you to dispute it with one that will nonplusse you in all your disputations and silence all your objections but Saint thou that art truly such what ever others do though they Eclipse and darken the Glory of God and Religion yet do thou let thy light so shine that others may see thy good works and glorifie God Oh soul have a shinning conversation so saith the Apostle Phill. 1.27 Only let your conversation be as becometh the Gospel Art thou Christ's live as one that wouldst honour Christ it will be an honour to Christian profession it will be a comfort to those that were instrumental in begetting thee to God they will be able to stand up one day and say behold here I am and the Children that thou hast given me Heb. 2.13 Oh I call upon professors now to adorn Religion when the wicked scorn it do you adorn it and you that are members of Churches I do not say of Christ for it doth not appear by you how do you honour Christ when there is no order nor government in your Families no Justice no pitty or if any but a meer carcase insteed of having the Master in the Family at even when the duty of his particular calling is over he is in the Coffee-house which may justly be called the Night Exchange not so much to Traffick as to quaffe it insteed of an exhortation to thy Family and Servants it may be thou sit telling or else hearing a merry jest among thy Company or at best insteed of thy Bible in thy hands asking thy Children and Servants what 's God or Christ or the Holy Ghost it may be thou sittest with Cards in thy hands asking who deals who leads the Table or what 's Trump Sirs take it how you will I speak not groundlesly is this to honour Christ and the profession of Religion Oh let it not be told in Gath nor published in Askelon Oh never wrong Religion so much as to take the
name of profession on you and yet live so like sensuallists under your profession But I leave you to the Lord and according to my promise speak a word to Sinners to poor Sinners and what have I to say to you but the Lord pitty you I may say to you now we have been speaking of the sins of true believers being passed over and aquitted by the Sacrifice of Jesus poor sinners I may say to you what is this to you you have neither part nor lot in this matter yet would I perswade you to do these three things First Pray to the Lord seek to him but you will say thou saidst before God heareth not sinners I answer 't is true not with an ear of acceptation thou whose person is not accepted canst not have thy Sacrifice accepted yet 't is not the less thy duty to pray because thou findst not acceptance if thou lyest in the hands of an inraged Enemy thou wilt not say 't is in vain to intreat him before thou hast intreated him before thou hast tryed him no but thou wilt beg the more and the harder by how much the more thou thinkest he is enraged and wilt thou not much more cry to God who is more ready to hear then thou art to ask Jonah 3.8.9 Cry mightily to God Why will he hear us why who can tell if thou canst not pray in Faith as one saith pray that thou maist pray in Faith in Jerem 65.1 He hath been found sometimes of them that sought him not and now canst thou tell but he may hear thee that pray'st to him as well as thou canst pray perhaps thou shalt have an answer of Grace and a return of Peace and Pardon this was the very counsel that was given by the Apostle to that wretch Simon Magus Acts 8.22 Else why should I give it thee if it had not foundation on the Scriptures of Truth but I hasten to a close Secondly Break of thy sins by repentance when thou hast got a sight of thy state then break of thy old Companions and Sins Sinner let me put one Text before thee that after all that can be said to prevail with thee yet wilt be merry in thy sins and with thy old jovial companions if the joyful news of a Saviour will not allure thee yet oh that the vengeance of God might amaze thee oh hear it with trembling Mallac 4.1 Behold the day cometh that shall burn as an Oven and all the proud and all that do wickedly shall be stubble and the day that cometh shall burn them up saith the Lord of Hosts that it shall leave them neither Root nor Branch Oh hearked to this Sinner behold it look well and consider it the day cometh and apace too and that day that cometh is a burning day a more dreadful burning then that of Jerusalem or of London and who can abide this burning who will this burning be upon this burning as of an Oven that hath Walls to keep Men in that there will be no escape why in general all ye wicked of the Earth but especially and particularly all the Proud ones Oh hearken you proud ones will your pride endure the fire will your Gay-gaws your Bracelets and your Necklaces and your Round-lies like the Moon and your Crispin-pins abide the fire I doubt your rushing Silks will not abide the burning nay more it will burn you Root and Branch and least thou shouldst put me of and say thou tellest us so but we will not believe thee I tell thee sinner I call not on thee to believe me believe the Lord 't is the Lord that saith all this therefore 't is added in the end saith the Lord of Host Oh sinner 't is not I a poor perishing Creature like thy self but 't is the Lord of Host Oh hearken now sinner God standeth and saith it even now in the close of the Old Testament therefore be advised taked notice of his words why what doth he say why he saith all the wicked of the Earth or all Earthly wicked ones shall be burned up with the Earth and all proud ones shall be burned surely God always speaks with amazing words to the proud which made a learned and Holy Man cry out God loaths and hates all manner of wickedness but 't is never said he resists any sin but pride pride is so odious in Gods sight that he not only hates it but resists it and this I say note Sinner the Lord saith it but if thou art in thy wits and art come to thy self I would hope thou art not past all hope of recovery and with that I 'le conclude Thirdly And lastly Do not give up all for lost hearken to him sinner he calls thee he tells thee He hath no delight in the death of a Sinner he doth not delight to destroy thee Ezek. 33.11 'T is true thou hast no delight in our death but art thou willing we should live yea he bids thee come come whoever will come for the Water of Life he stands if I may so say even as one in the latter end of a Market and saith come Chapman come now and buy of me be sure you do not forget the onely Commodity that you should buy do not think it to dear for as we say the best is best cheap and to urge them to buy he uses this argument 't is the later end of the day the evening draws on come buy now for I am just going to pack up my Wares and there are none other such now come then and buy or else thou art undone excuse me in borrowing the Shop-keepers Rhetorick thus in the closing up of the Book our Lord seems to stand and say come buy Life nay rather then carry it away with him again he saith come take I 'le give it you if you will but take it oh wonderful shall the Pearl of Price be offered thee Gratis for thanks as we say and shall we not take it Oh wonderful that the best Commodity Life Righteousness Pardon Peace should be at such a low price nay at no price and yet not received and which is more that any man should have it too that would but take it whosoever a word of a large extent he forbids none but bids any whosoever will not only the Prince in his Robes but the Beggar in his Rags shall he welcome not onely the Rich but the Poor not only the Noble but the Base not only the Beautiful but the Deformed not only the Free but the Band-man not only my Lord but his Man is here invited not the Strong man only but the Weak not onely the Learned but the Unlearned and Ignorant not only the Wise but the Simple and them that want understanding are bid to turn in hither Oh how free and how full is the invitation even beyond expression and yet how sad is it that Sinners should put our Lord nay force him to make complaint and say ye would not come to me that ye might have Life nay you were so far from coming to me that you would not take Life of me when I brought it to you oh that ever sinners should be thus besotted and bewitched let me say to you as Paul to the Gallatians Oh foolish Sinners who hath bewitched jou and to testifie his willingness that it is real and not a complement he doth declare in divers Scriptures that he is not willing any should perish that are willing to receive him take one insteed of many 2 Pet. 3.9 He is long suffering to us ward not willing that any should perish no what then but that all should come to repentance oh sinner whoever or whatever thou art as ever thou wouldst look God in the Face that made thee or Christ that hath offered Salvation to thee or as thou lovest thy soul do not refuse nor slight but accept and receive the Salvation that is offered And remember I 'le tell thee I have written this in love to thee to perswade thee and I tell thee if I am found a slighter or neglecter of this offer this will be a swift witness against me and if thou art found a Despirer and neglecter of this Christ that is Sacrificed both I and it shall be forced one day and that day may be very neer to witness against thee remember if thou hast read all of these Lines hitherto and wilt now at last despise all and cast all off and wilt resolve to keep thy sins and wilt have none of Christ thou wilt one day rue that ever thou readst thus far Oh remember thou hast had warning therefore seek the Lord while he may be found he may be found yet Grace is offered the Door is not shut therefore to day Now or Never Man the Night cometh when no man can work take the present time 't is a sad day of calamity in the World God and Mans Sword is drawn against us and thou carriest thy life in thy hand and now my heart even akes to think whether I shall loose my labour and thou thy God and thy Soul but be not oh for the Lords sake be not so cruel to thy self nor so unkind to Christ but receive him that offers himself to thee and if thou entertainest him thou mayst assure thy self he is a Sacrifice for thee as well as for Believers whom I have been endeavouring to comfort here and they shall be sure to sing Hallellaiah for ever saying Glory and Blessing and Honour and Praise to Jesus our Pass-over who is Sacrificed for us Consider of what I have Written to thee and the Lord by his Power perswade thy soul to close with him FINIS