discovered in your (32) Jer. 17.9 treacherous hearts what (33) 2 Pet. 2.9 escapes from temptation what (34) Jer. 31.19 helps to Repentance what (35) 2 Pet. 1.10 advantages towards Duty what (36) Psalm 27.13 supports of faith what [37] 2 Pet. 3.18 1.8 growth of grace ye have observed within your selves that cordially impart unto your bosome-friends So many of you as understand what [38] 1 Tim. 6.18 Heb. 13.16 belongeth unto the neighbourhoods of Piety engrosse not that experience unto your selves which may benefit others Freely ye have received [39] Matth. 10.8 freely give The Lord is with them that [40] Psalm 34.4 uphold my soul Come and hearken all ye that fear God I will declare what he [41] Psalm 66.16 hath done for my soul What ye believe that enjoy ye believe the Communion of Saints in such Communions our [42] 1 Thes 4.9 God is glorified Thirdly When in the worship of the most holy God our self-accusations confessions complaints intercessions supplications and petitions are for the matter and form of them Scripture-proof and go not out of [1] Psalm 17.1 feigned lips then do (2) Rom. 10.10 See Matth. 6.6 our words glorifie our God and more when (3) Matth. 18.20 jointly with others then when separately by our selves alone more when in (4) Gen. 18.19 Josh 24.15 our open families then in our retired closets more when in our (5) Psalm 107.32 26.12 publique congregations then when in our private families I was (6) Psalm 122.1 glad when they said unto me Let us go into the house of the Lord. Object That house of the Lord was erected by Gods immediate command our Steeple-houses not so Answ 1. That Command was [1] 2 Tim. 3.16 Rom. 15.4 written for our learning Answ 2. As the Temple at Jerusalem was a [1] Esay 56.7 House of prayer unto all Nations viz. an [2] Esay 62.10 Ensigne lifted up upon Mount Zion to draw in all the [3] Psalm 22.27 Esay 55.5 Zech. 2.11 Gentiles unto the then true worship of the only true God So among us Houses set apart for divine worship are [4] 1 Cor. 14.23 24 10 20 21 11.19 Revel 14.6 John 15.22 Cant. 1.8 Jer. 13.11 Gods witnesses and Ensignes set up to leave inexcusable may to reclaim Sectaries Papists Jewes Turks Pagans and Atheists from the errour of their way unto pure worship of the God of truth Answ 3. It is fully as [1] Acts 9.20 13.5 15.2 18.4 lawful for us to have our several Churches for the convenience of our several Villages as it was for the Jewes to have their [2] Psal 74.8 Matth. 4.23 9.35 Mark 1.21 39 Luke 4.16 7.5 John 18.20 divers Synagogues for the convenience of their divers Cities Answ 4. Compare Deut. c. 17.14 with c. 12.9 10 11 12 13 14. In 2 Sam. 7. compare v. 3 7 10 with v. 2. and v. 6. with Acts c. 1.13 and c. 2.1 Compare 1 Thes 1.9 [1] When the Temples of dumb Idols are like those Censers Numb 16.37 38 39 40. consecrated unto the living God they are unto us memorials of Thankfulnesse with 1 Cor. 11 17 18 22. compare Esay 66.1 with Hag. 1.4 and although I know assuredly that the glory of the Gospel consisteth not in pomp but in truth not in things carnal but in things spiritual yet compare Hag. 1.4 Prov. 3.9 Luke 8 3. Rom. 15.27 1 Cor. 9.11 John 12.7 2 Cor. 8.9 12. Phil. 4.17 with Psalm 72.10 15. and with 2 Cor. 3.9 10 11. Esay 60.6 and 61.6 and 66.10 11. and Hag. 2.7 8. compare Philem. 19. with 2 Sam. 19.30 Answ 5. In the room of the Levitical Priesthood Jesus Christ [1] Mat. 10.1 Acts 1.8 Ephes 4.11 1 Cor. 12.28 ordained a Ministery in the stead of Circumcision he brought in [2] John 4.2 Mark 16.16 Matth. 3.16 28.19 1 Pet. 3.21 Baptism and in the place of the [3] 1 Cor. 5.7 8 11.24 25. Passeover he instituted his Holy Supper Now those being required it were superfluous to enjoyn time and place these are naturally coincident if God was solemnly magnified in the Messiah yet to come the Messiah being already come God must much more be magnified A Testament we still have and that [4] Heb. 9.15 not the old but a new one If God take away the first it is that he may [5] Heb. 10.9 establish the second If old things are passed away [6] 2 Cor. 5.17 new things doth he declare Object That Christ ordained a Ministery Baptism and the Eucharist we read we read not that he appointed Festivals Meeting-places no nor yet the Lords-day A. This new Covenant which the Lord now maketh puts such lawes as these [1] Heb. 8.10 11 into our inward parts Should we [2] Psalm 30 4 give thanks at the remembrance of his Holinesse and not second Jewish rites with Christian Festivals the Sabbath celebrating the Creation with our Lords day celebrating the Redemption their Tabernacle Temple and Synagogues with our Churches set apart for divine worship we should deny our gracious and merciful Lord the tribute of [3] Rom. 12.1 1 Cor. 14.20 37 Heb. 8.11 Esay 35.8 10 our reasonable service Object Unto a publique worship we assent but not unto set-forms Dub. Answ 1. Divine Worship without set-forms will scarcely deserve the name of a publique worship so soon will it [1] 1 Cor. 14.26 Rom. 14.19 Phil. 2.4 crumble into private sects and factions Answ 3. Examine and you will find Vnto that Congregation which joyneth with him in prayer the extemporary prayer of the best gifted Minister upon the whole earth is a [1] Yea what are those Psalmes Hymns and spiritual Songs wherein we should Ephes 5.19 speak unto our selves but professedly set-forms set form Answ 3. Such as condemn set-forms do not consider that unto a heart intent upon spiritual desires it is one and the same thing to shape cloath and word those [1] As for God he Psalm 139.2 4. knoweth our thougets beforehand Matth. 6.8 spiritual desires in the foreknown phrase of a Liturgy and in the new found phrase of an extemporary petition In all his providences the mighty God [2] Acts 15.18 applyeth his eternal Decree unto new workings in like manner devout souls do in the use of Liturgies [3] Rom. 12.11 12 1 Pet. 4.7 Col. 4.2 1 Cor. 14.15 Acts 1.14 Rom. 15.6 apply set and prepared formes unto fresh and new ejaculations Answ 4. That thine heart may not be hasty to utter any thing before the dreadful God be not [1] Eccl. 5.1 2 rash with thy mouth that thou mayest not be rash with thy mouth let thy words be few and since few they must be find out [2] Eccl. 12.10 Rom. 12.1 acceptable words even words of truth and such thou wilt find in the Liturgy of our English Church Take with you words [3] Hos 14.2
thereof we (3) 2 Cor. 12.10 Est quaedam stere volupt as take pleasure in infirmities The Lord hath set adversitie over against prosperity (4) Symmachus Cajetanus in locum to the end that man should finde nothing worthy complaint 5 nothing therefore wearisome because alwayes the same That life is certainly the least burdensome which is checkered as well with the darknesse of affliction as with the light of gladnesse Yeares would slip from us like a dream did neither vanitie nor (5) Eccles 1.2 vexation keep us awake Winter is (6) Gen. 8.22 every whit as seasonable as is either Spring or Autumn and frosts not only purge but (7) Job 37.10 Matth. 5.4 please Then the morning is comfortable when weeping (8) Psal 30.5 endured a whole night and the likeliest course to reap in joy is to sowe (9) Psa 126.5 in teares A holy rest prepareth for (10) Exod. 20.9 six dayes labour and when by (11) 1 Cor. 7.20 24 2 Thess 3.10 walking in our Vocations we have gotten a (12) Mat. 5.6 Esay 58.13 spiritual appetite the first day of the week will be more the (13) John 20.1 19 Acts 20.7 1 Cor. 16.2 Revel 1.10 Lords day then our own without (14) There is such a thing as Mos populi Dei As every society so the Church besides her habemus legem hath her habemus consuetudinem Men have so great a good liking to duties which be afterward their customes that they are remembred without book neither need they be put in writing as Lawes and Statutes are Bishop Andrews Serm. 13. of the Resurrection The Civil Law speaking of Custom saith Imò magnae authoritatis hoc jus habetur quòd in tantum probatum est ut non fuerit scripter comprehendere necesse Pandect 1. Tit. 3. de legibus 35. Once call to mind what provision God made in the old Testament for his Ministery by Tithes and Offerings and for his publique worship not only on every seventh doy bùt in very many other yearly festivals and except you will either deny God your Rom. 12.1 reasonable service or else degrade the 2 Cor. 3.7 8 9 10 11. ministration of the Gospel below the ministration of death you must openly acknowledge that concerning either the maintenance of Gods Ministery or solemn dayes for Gods worship under the new Testament the holy and blessed Spirit need not 1 Thess 1.8.4.9.5.1 2. 1 John 2.27 Heb. 8.12 Esay 35.8 write unto us more then what is already written and received in the 1 John 2.7 old Testament Wherefore if any disclaim the observation of other our Holy dayes Psalm 81.3.42.4 Esther 9.26 27. John 10 22. much more if any disclaim the observation of the Lords day it is sufficient if we reply first with the first Nicene Counsel 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Deut. 4.12 Job 8.8 Jer. 6.16 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 next with the Apostle 1 Cor. 11.16 we have no such custom neither the Churches of God videas Cyril in Joan. l. 12. c. 58. As Christ substituted the Lords Supper instead of the Posseover so did he the Lords day in the Jewish Sabbaths room saith Athanasius further scruple I say In the Kindome of grace Look how many the troubles of the righteous are so many are their (1) Rom. 8.28 Psalm 34.19.50.15 83.18 opportunities of glorifying God as God First amidst equal paines variety affordeth some ease and the more (2) Rom. 101.1 amant alterna Camaenae vicissitudes we finde the lesse we nauseate our wearisome lives Next It is both (3) Jerem. 10.24 judgement from God and mercy to us that we are corrected The (4) Rom. 6.23 wages of sin is death now because the deadly wound and killing stroke lighted upon Him who (5) Rom. 5.6 7 8 most willingly dyed for us meet it is that we our selves (6) 2 Sam. 12.13 14 10 should feel some smart That we may perceive how heavy a curse we had (7) Gal. 3.10 13 layen under had not the only Son of God been made a curse for us meet it is that (8) Gal. 6.5 every man should bear some part of his own burden and most kindly it is that we (9) Matth. 20.23 taste although we do but taste that bitter Cup the dregs whereof the mighty Redeemer drank in our stead In the third place more (10) Heb. 12.1 easily sin besetteth us the the more circumspectly we do at least the more circumspectly we should walk In (11) Mic. 7.8 Luke 12.35 dark nights we are careful to keep (12) Perdidistis utilitatem calamitatis S. August our Lamps burning If ought can draw us out of Gods blessing it is the (13) Deut. 6.12 Prov 1.32 Woe to the house where there is no chiding warm Sun as for stormes they compell us to have (14) Luke 12.32 Psalm 119.71 our loynes girt Fourthly where sorrow for sin aboundeth there thankfulnesse for free grace much more (15) Rom. 5.20 aboundeth when the letter killeth then (16) 2 Cor. 3.6 Christ cometh that we may have life and that we may have it (17) John 10.10 more abundantly Fifthly the more grievous godly sorrow is for the present (18) Heb. 12.11 afterward the more it bringeth forth the peaceable fruits of righteousnesse Sixthly If we were without chastisement whereof all are (19) Heb. 12.8 partakers we should then seem to our selves bastards and not Sons Whom thou Lord lovest them thou (20) Heb. 12.6 chastenest O shew me some (21) Psa 86.17 At tu si modò sum caelesti stirpe creatus Ede notam tanti generis meque assere coelo Ovid. Psalm 23.4 Revel 3.19 token for good A seventh particular I will be (22) Pse 31.7 glad and rejoyce in thy mercy for thou hast considered my trouble and hast known my soul in adversities Unto us in the Kingdom of grace Calamities are trials as woll of (23) Pse 20.6 41.11 Gods goodness as of (24) Deut. 8.2 16 Judges 2.22 3.1 our own It is matter worthy our thanksgiving unto God that the shoe waxeth not old upon the (25) Deu 29.5 Pilgrims foot or that his weather-beaten garment abideth new If the Prophets Widow be poor God will (26) 2 Ki. 4.1 7 pay her debts and that Widow in Zarephath shall not want for a (27) Ps 104.15 chearful countenance so long as her Cruse is (28) 1 Kings 17.16 filled with Oyle Elijah will (29) 1 Kings 17.6 want bread to chuse forasmuch as his God (30) Psa 147.9 feedeth the Ravens O my God the bones which thou (31) At Sir Thomas Overburies gate Monday Jan. 29th 1654. hast broken do (32) The Lord do good unto the house of the Overburies for then when I was mortally bruised they tenderly refreshed me 1 Tim. 1.16 rejoyce for during my weaknesse thou didst (33) A week together at Sir Thomas Overburies
only as Sufferers through your default but as Messengers of your peace viz. For so much as the Tidings which we bring are glad Tidings the just Lord hath (1) Luke 10.7 Gal. 6 6. ordained that we should live not upon the Courtesie but upon the Duty of Christians not upon their arbitrary Collation but upon a Reward unto our Heavenly Message The Lord of Hosts that is the (2) Psal 84.1.68.24.134.1 God of them who Soldier-like kept their (3) Luk. 1.8 9. courses in the Temple made not Levites to keep Watches at (4) 1 Cor. 9 7. their own charge he allowed them Standing-Pay even (5) 1 Cor. 9 13. constant Stipends of Houses Cities Tithes Offerings and Sim. The (6) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Hebrew 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Chaldy 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 Sam. 18 22. signifie not only Nuncium but Nuntit praemium too Thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Homer Odys 14. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ioid. Learned Mede on 1 Cor. 9.14 like Reward requireth he for Gospel-Service Ye know ever in State Affairs Tidings of great joy receive (7) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Plat. de gloria Athen. quous 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 qlae 1. dona qualia reddam nescio Cicero ad Atticum Thus 2 Sam. 4.10 1 Cor. 9.14 23. Noble Rewards The more considerable the News the more signal the Recompence unto him who bringeth it When the Person here speaking came as our (8) Isa 62.11 Salvation his Reward was with him as for us so for Himself and that not only when he ascended up on high but likewise when he rode into the holy City with (9) Mat. 21.7 Triumph As for the Persons here spoken to since they also published the Gospel let St. Paul alone to (10) 1 Cor. 9.4 5. plead their right It is folly to expect Esteem from them who understand not Vertue therefore unto the righteous man is Praise (11) Psal 111.10 1 Pet. 2.14 assigned by his God It is in vain for Evangelists to expect large gratuities from them who cherish a heart of unbelief therefore God himself (12) Gal 6.6 steppeth in and allotteth unto these Messengers of his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A (13) 1 Cor. 9.14 suitable Recompence even a (14) 1 Tim. 5.17 Double maintenance or Honour If then the Revenues of our Church have been either for merly or of later days an eye-sore unto any of you if your Eye hath been evil because your Lord and Masters eye is good If any of you expostulate what need of all this cost ye will no more be so heedless as to stumble at this stone rather having (15) Gen. 28.11 slept upon it ye will (16) Gen. v. 18. upon it pour more and more oyl until ye have made it a (17) Gen. v. 19 20. Bethel indeed viz. until ye have made it The house of (18) Psal 84.1 God yea no other then Gods amiable house Object Object Be it that they grudge not at your Revenues yet well may we stumble at your Hierarchy For in what part of all the Holy Scriptures do we read of Arch-Bishops Deans Prebendaries Arch-Deacons and Sim set to lord it over Gods inheritance 1. 1. Answ Answ If any that should rule well do (1) 1 Pet. 5.3 over-rule that blame lieth not upon the Hierarchy but upon the persons 2. 2. Answer Answ As for the Prince in whose favour the Hierarchy of England (1) Prov. 19.12 findeth life seeing he is The Vice-Gerent of the person speaking in my Text He is ye know a Supreme Governour over all persons among us as well over persons Ecclesiastical as over persons Civil If then His sacred Majesties Royal Favour vouchsafeth to extend it self as well unto his Clergy as unto his Laity Do not ye I beseech you clip the Kings Prerogative neither let your eyes be evil because his gratious Majesties are good 3. 3. Answer Answ As for the Names or Titles wherewith our most Reverend Arch-Bishops our Reverend Deans Prebendaries Arch-Deacons and Sim. are dignified I suppose thou wilt not stumble at them until thou canst first produce out of Scripture the honourable Titles of Lord chief Justice Serjeant at Law Bencher Barrister Attornie Solicitour c. 4. Answ 1 Answer As for the Legality of their Constitution there is the same Law of the Land for their Authority as there is for the excellent Magistracy of this Realm Now If thou (1) 1 James 4 11. judgest the Law thou art not a doer of the Law but a Judge Object No part of the Laws of our Land Object ought to be contrary unto the Laws of our God Answ Answer If any part of the Laws of our Land opposeth the Word of God I humbly I earnesty wish it were repealed for of right our Law-givers can (1) 2 Cor. 13.8 do nothing against the truth but for the Truth But as for that part of our English Laws which establisheth Hierarchy it in no wise opposeth the Holy Scriptures Object Object It opposeth the Holy Scriptures in constituting an Hierarchy not enjoyned by Gods Words Answ Hierarchy is enjoyned by Gods Word Answer as it is an (1) 1 Pet. 2.13 Ordinance of man viz. Our Law-givers are themselves immediately (2) Prov. 8.15 Rom. 13.1 2. Revel 1.5 ordained of God and being ordained of God they have an (3) 1 Pet. 2.14 Exod. 18. v. 23. compated with v. 24. Authority and Warrant from Scripture to ordain subordinate Powers Object Object Holy Scriptures give us examples of subordinate powers among Magistrates as (1) Exod. 18.25 and Sim. Magistrates but they give unto us no such Examples of subordinate powers among Ministers as Ministers Answ Answer As holy Scriptures mention subordinate powers among the Magistrates under Moses and his Successors so they do also (1) Exod. 28.1 Numb 18.2.3.6 33. mention subordinate powers among the Levites under Aaron and his Successors Object Object The subordinate power among those Levites was by vertue of Gods (1) Ibid. express Command Answ Answer So were (1) Exod. 18.23 the subordinate powers among those Magistrates Object Object Although in the old Testament God appointed a Hierarchy among the Levites In the new Testament Christ appointed no such Hierarchy among his Ministers 1. 1. Answer Answ Although in the Old Testament God appointed a (1) Deut. 17.15 Exod. 18.25 Josh 1.2 1 Sam. 10.15 2 Sam. 7.13 Model of Magistracy for his people yet in the new Testament Christ appointeth no such Model of Magistracy for them that shall believe his Gospel 2. Answ As the Model of our English Magistracy is acknowledged and proved (1) Prov. 8.15 Rom. 13.1 2. 1 Pet. 2.13 14. Rev. 1.5 lawful though there be no Model of any Magistracy at all in the New Testament nor the same
First Shaketh This Scripture shaketh Unbelieuers from their vain Delusions Subterfuges and Shifts Thou who Iudas-like From their Shifts gaddest so much about to change thy way from bad to worse if worse may be Methinketh I know thy thoughts which come into thy mind every one of them but shall (1) Jer. 16.20 a man make gods unto himself and they are no gods or wilt thon (2) Jer. 51.26 25 24. hew unto thy self a stone for a corner or a stone for a foundation out of a burnt a destroying a Babylonish mountain Now that thou art within thine own view numbred among the enemies of Christ thou wouldest but they are but vain thoughts thou wouldest as one (3) Jer. 17.9 desperately wicked sear thy conscience with a hot Iron thou wouldest give thy self over unto thine own hearts lust one nay peradventure each of these three evils thou wilt flee unto who shall be sorry for thee thou wilt with the Adder stop thine ear against God or if thou give him the hearing thou wilt with the serpent open thy mouth against God or if thon bite in thy lips thou wilt with Lucifer exalt thy heart against God Lest they should tingle at the hearing of all those evils which menace thine unregenerate estate 1. Subterfuge shaken thou foolishly stopest thine ears like the Adder a vermine already like thy self sentenced (1) Gen. 3.14 to the dust and laden with curses I say lest thou shouldest see thine own loathsomness thou turnest away thine eyes thou dost (2) Andabatarum more Job 15.12 Mat. 13.15 wink and fight against God wicked thou hast been and to drown the clamour of thy conscience wicked wilt thou be even forcing thy self upon (3) Jer. 8.6 thine unwarrantable practices as the horse turning his course rusheth into battle but shalt thou (4) Psal 56.7 escape by thine iniquity No no rash soul this is nothing else but to leap from the checks of a frying conscience into the flames of everlasting burnings as the guilty soul of Judas did forlorn wretch Who (5) Job 9.4 hath hardened his heart against God and hath prospered Thereafter as a man feareth so is (6) Psal 90.11 Gods displeasure a heart that (7) Isa 66.5 trembleth moveth pity and the heart of (8) Ezek. 11.19 flesh may (9) Psal 51.17 receive a healing wound but where the heart continueth stony there Christ that (10) Dan. 2.34 mountanous stone falleth with his full weight he (11) Mat. 21.44 grindeth such a heart to mere pouder if thou set briers and thorns in (12) Isa 27.4 against him he will be unto thee a consuming fire I hope thou wilt take watning by Judas he (13) Mat. 26.24 John 6.70.13.21 27. neglected many a fair hint which Christ gave him Oh imitate not the stupidity of him the deafness of him whose (14) Prov. 28.9 end thou darest not think of do not (15) 1 Cor. 10.22 provoke the Lord to anger as he did If a servant if a slave spake unto thee thou wouldest vouchsafe an ear even unto him and darest thou (16) Jer. 5.22 stop thine ear darest thou (17) Jer. 32.33 turn thy back when the God of heaven calleth Be not another Judas give ear and hearken unto Christs words (18) Mat. 4.17 for the mouth of this Lord hath (19) Prov. 1.24 c. 2. Subterfuge shaken spoken 2. A meer (1) Marcus Aurelius heathen could pronounce it equal and just That who so is willingly led into sin should be against his will drawn unto punishment and Truth (2) 2 King 7.9 revealeth That every sin is a vengeance unto it self while one and the same word therefore signifieth the evil of punishment because it (3) Gen. 4.7.19.15 2 Sam. 12.13 Isa 6.7 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifieth the evil of sin and fitly for as the disunion of the (4) James 2 26 soul from the body is the death of the body so the disunion of good from the soul is the (5) Gen. 2.17 death of the soul wherefore impossible it is that a reasonable Creature should (6) Pro 8.36.14.14 Gen. 20.3 Deut. 30 15. Numb 32.23 chuse sin and refuse death yet thou who (7) Joh. 8.24 1 Cor. 2.14 continuest a very natural fain thou wouldest lay the blame of thy unbelief not upon thine own unregenerate heart but upon the permission of the holy God even of that God who not only (8) Josh 24.15 leaveth thee unto thy free choice but doth also by way of (9) Prov. 8.1 c. prevention (10) Joh. 15.5 instruct nay (11) Neh 9.13 Psal 119.86 Hos 8.12 Act. 17.30 1 Tim 2.4 faithfully command thee for thy good Thou such is thine ignorance standest upon terms Who may say unto a King what dost thou yea no servant is allowed to (12) Tit. 2.9 gainsay his Master yet hast thou the face to (13) Rom. 9.20 reply against thy Lord the King thy King and thy God! whereas it is thy (14) Deut. 4.6 wisdom not to contest but to obey thou instead of fulfilling his good pleasure murmurest and disputest why sayst thou why (15) Rom. 9.19 doth he yet complain Unadvised wreth for shame leave the great God (16) Deut. 29.29 unto the counsel of his own will However know Caitiffe thou canst not ask Who hath resisted his Will for thou hast Rom. 3.23 The Will of God was (17) Gen. 2.17 that thou shouldest not destroy thy self by trying conclusions with the forbidden fruit but even (18) Gens humana ruit per vetitum nifas Rom 7.9 Psalm 58.3 Deut. 29.4 unto this day taste of it thou wilt God for his part (19) Ezek. 33.11 desireth not thy death but thou wo wo unto thee saith the Lord God thou hast (20) Isa 63 3 4 chosen death rather then life He earnesty endeavouring thy preservation vehemently calleth out Why (21) Ezek 18 31 wilt thou die for thy part answer (22) Rom 13 9 thou him if thou canst Judas was indeed a son of perdition but his (23) Hos 13 9 3 Subterfuge shaken perdition was from himself 3. Now that the worm gnawing thine evil conscience hath smitten this gourd also guilt seemeth to turn bank-rupt and so whispereth unto thee as if thy sinfulness were now so beyond all pardon that it were now to no purpose to serve the Lord Well I will not extenuate thy guilt for what (1) Joh 27 8 is the bope of the Hypocrite and what is tby strength that thou (2) Joh 6 11 9 2 3 shouldest hope yet say not thy sins are more then God can pardon but speak truth say thy sins are more then thou wilt part with When Israel (3) Jer 2 25 exclamed There is no hope God drew aside his Vizard and called unto him With-hold thy foot from being unshod and thy throat from thirst just so thou if
God Dub. This do and live Solut. Unfeignedly humble thy self confess thy Trespasses confess thy debts (1) Psal 51 per totum Jer. 31.19 Ezr. 9. Zech. 12.10 Nehem 9 Jam. 4.9 Dan. 9 Ezek. 16.63 Psal 130. Phil. 2.12 1 Pet. 1.17 2 Pet. 3 11 14 suffer thy Conscience to accuse thee and to accuse thee to the uttermost from time to time spare not to aggravate thy guilt be as well thou mayest vile in thine own eyes let thy sins be always before thee that thy heart may always condemn thee bear thine iniquities viz. the guilt of them and the shame of them the remaining days of thy mis-spent life mean while have an eye [2] Heb. 9.14 10.22 Rom 15.13 9 Ephe. 1.7 Col. 1.10 of faith unto that satisfactory blood which the Person speaking in my Text shed upon the Cross believe it if thou canst for joy believe it with that blood which thou Judas-like hast trampled under foot with that blood of Jesus and only [3] Heb. 1.3 Isa 53.5 63.3 with that blood is written thy free pardon thine absolute acquittance thy general release [4] Tit. 2.14 Rev. 5.9 from all guilt debts and trespasses whatsoever by thee committed or upon thee charged from the beginning of the world unto the great and last day that terrible day of the Lord. Sinner [5] John 20.27 29 be not faithless but believe Oh that the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ [6] Mat. 11.27 would seal this Truth upon thine unbelieving heart He that [7] Rom. 8.32 spared not his own Son but gave him up for thy ransome how shall he not with him also freely bestow upon thee the gift of faith Tell me hath God so [8] John 3.16 2 Cor. 5.18 loved thee and canst thou have hard thoughts of God This is life [9] John 17.3 eternal to know the only true God and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent for us [10] Hos 6.7 Gal. 1.4 men and for our salvation Is the [11] Joh. 3.14 brazen serpent lifted up and wilt thou not look toward it Canst thou desire a more [12] Ephes 1.7 Acts 20.28 1 Tim. 1.14 sufficient discharge then an acquittance written with the blood of God Look unto the [13] Heb. 12.2 authour and finisher of thy faith this man [14] Mic. 5.5 shall be the peace The person here speaking in my Text is [15] Isa 63.5 mighty to save mighty to save [16] Mat. 1.21 from sin mighty to save from [17] 1 Thes 1.10 wrath to come he is able to save [18] Heb. 7.25 to the uttermost Ah thou wert a cursed wretch had not the innocent Jesus been made a [19] Gal. 3.13 curse for thee thy sins had been more then thou couldest ever have been able to bear had [20] 2 Cor. 5.21 not Christ been made sin for thee but now that Christ hath taken our sins upon [21] Isa 53.5.63.5 himself now that his [22] Mat. 27.46 angry father hath seized on him as on thy Surety He is (23) 1 Joh. 1.9 faithful and just to forgive thee thy sins Well is it with thee that Christ hath the (24) Rev. 1.18 1 Cor. 5.5 1 Tim. 1.20 keys of hell and of death for now that cursed Jaylor the Devil can have no claim to thee since he is wholly at the command of thy friend the Judge Thou hast not thou canst not obey one jot or one little of the [25] Hos 8.12 Cal. 2.16.3.11 Act. 3.19 Rom. 3.20.4.15 25. 1 Cor. 1.30 Phil. 3.9 Titus 3.5 Ephes 5.27 Col. 1.28 Jude 24 Heb. 8.12 Isa 44.22 43.25 great things of Gods Law but the person speaking in this Text he hath kept the whole Law in thy stead because he never brake the Law thy transgressions shall never be called in question unless on purpose that thou mayest be cleared at the general Aszises And because thou hast not wit to speak for thy self see the person speaking in my Text he [26] 1 Joh. 2.1 Heb. 8.6.9.15.12.24 goeth in thy stead before the great Tribunal he becometh thine Advocate he putteth in thy Plea not [27] Isa 53.11 Rom. 3.24 1 Cor. 6.11 2 Cor. 6.2 Ephes 1.6 Rev. 3.5 guilty he justifieth thee before men and Angels yea before the holy Angels and the terrible God and of this rest satisfied never never did any Cause fail that this Advocate undertook he rules the Court for he himself is both a [28] Heb. 2.11 14 party a [29] John 17.25 witnesse an [30] 1 Joh 2.1 Advocate and the [31] Rom. 8.34 2 Cor. 10.18 Judge too Christian for I am loth to term thee an unbeliever now darest thou [32] Heb. 4.16 10.22 put thy life into Jesus Christs hands if so I will warrant thee a [33] Luk. 24.47 remission of all thy sins through his alone [34] Heb. 10 14 mediation thou shalt have thy Clergy the benefit of this Clergy man the Judge shall tender thee the [35] Rev. 3.5 book of life and the person speaking in my Text shall be thine Ordinary he shall testifie for thee that thou canst therein read thy [36] Rev. 2.17 new name canst thou chuse but break forth I [37] Rom. 7.25 thank my God through Jesus Christ our Lord And now if so be thou hast heard the [1] Ephes 4.21 person speaking in my Text and hast been taught by him as the truth is in Jesus if thou [2] Col. 2.6 receivest the person speaking in my Text as [3] John 14.6 the way unto that Father of Mercies who can abundantly pardon as the truth of that God who declareth himself satisfied and as the life which is given thee for a prey if thou seest thy soul a brand scarcely yet [4] Zech. 3.2 snatched out from amidst everlasting burnings I adjure thee by the living God as ever thou wilt not [5] Jam. 1.22 deceive thine own soul as ever thou wilt not like another Judas make [6] Act. 1.25 hell thy home be plodding [7] Psal 32.5 be much in plodding upon thy former heedlesness ignorances and provocations Let not business let not company [8] Psal 132.4 5 compared with 2 Cor. 6.16 let not any affairs under the Sun interrupt thy godly [9] Psal 7.10 11 sorrow Think what a Judas thou hast been Take much time for thy privacies [10] Psal 13.5 and re-examinations see the exceeding [11] Rom. 7.13 sinfulnesse of thy whole man and of thy whole life too bring thy thoughts [12] 2 Cor. 10.5 into captivity hale thy conscience to stake bring conscience and God face to face I say Get alone and [13] Pro. 13.5 compared with Ezek. 6.9 loath and abhorre thy self in the presence of thy God let confusion [14] Jer. 31.19 22.22 cover that face of thine call thy sins by as bad [15] Jer. 3.2 names as they deserve search [16] Psal
because he is yet a youth a Gideon will make make them his (19) Judg. 8.21 ornament MOTIVE XIII To omit many others Motive 13. the last Motive which now presseth why thou shouldest return why if thou return thou shouldest return unto the Lord and why if thou return unto the Lord thou shouldest return unto him with thy whole heart is The (1) compare Ex. 7.13 with Job 23.16 Gen. 19 11. with 21.19 Numb 22. v. 25 with â— 31. 2 King 6.20 â— 18 17. Luk. 24.16 31 John 20.14 with Dan. 3.25 Deut. 29.4 with 2 Tim. 2.21 Deut. 5.29 with Isa 59.1 2 sim 6.9 power of God Whence was it that heretofore what evil thou wert loth to commit in the sight of man that thou couldest boldly perpetrate before the face of the (2) Gen. 16.13.39.9 ever-present God Whence was it that the very same affections of thine which have been (3) Phil. 3.19 so mindless of spiritual blessings have been so inordinate unto vile lusts or that the same understanding of thine which is so wise (4) Rom. 3.11 18. in the things of this world is so far to seek in the things of a better world If thou knowest not whence this is I will resolve thee the thing is of God viz. from the power of his justice Now the same God which can in justice leave thee to thy foolishness so far as to make thee fear (5) Rom. 3.18 man more then the face of the most holy The same God can in mercy bring unto thee thy right senses and make thee fear to do evil if for mans sake for Gods (6) John 5.9 Jer. 5.22 sake much more The same God which could suffer thine affections to go awhoring after their shame (7) Psal 25.12 can place them upon the things above and the same God which suffered thy brains to weary themselves in studying how to ensnare thy self in the world the same God can when he shall so please make thee (8) Psal 51.6 wise unto salvation True (9) 2 Cor. 3.5 were there not a power in God able to give unto thee what he expecteth from thee there were then some cloak for thy back-slidings but the same God which (10) Ezek. 18.32 biddeth thee turn is able (11) Jer. 31.18 Lam. 5 21 to turn thee and therefore he (12) Prov. 1.23 reproveth thee to this end that through his strength thon mayest turn unto him The same God which calleth thee unto (13) 2 Pet. 3.9 repentance can (14) Act. 5.31 give repentance and therefore he (15) Hag. 1.5 Rev. 2.5 instructeth thee to consider thy ways that thou mayest by his help gain repentance The same God which requireth (16) Deut. 28.58 thy fear can (17) Jer. 32.40 put his fear into thine inward parts and therefore he (18) Deut. 4.10.17.19 Prov. 3.2 Psal 19.7 directeth thee to the Scriptures that thou by them mayest learn to (19) Hos 3.5 fear the Lord and his goodness The same God which commandeth (20) 1 Joh. 3.23 thee to believe can (21) Phil. 1.29 give thee a power to believe and therefore (22) Rom. 10.14 instructeth thee that faith cometh by hearing The same God which (23) Eph. 5.18 willeth thee to be filled with the Spirit is able to (24) Joel 2.28 pour out spirit upon all flesh and therefore adviseth thee how (25) Luk. 11.13 Prov. 1.23 Gal. 3.5 thou shouldest obtain it In a word God who (26) Rev. 22.17 would have thee come unto Christ is able (27) Joh. 6.44 to draw thee unto him which that he may do he (28) Mat. 17.5 Heb â—2 25 calleth unto thee from heaven and a (29) John 1.37 9.38 smaller invitation then that by far hath served to make others deny themselves and follow Jesus Wouldest thou (30) Num. 23.10 have heaven drop into thy mouth open thy mouth wide and it (31) Psal 81.10 will so not (32) Mat. 7.21 Qui sicit te sine te non servabit te sine te else Wherefore O thou who hast so (1) Rom. 9.32 33 dangerously stumbled at the rock of offence that I have hitherto (2) Gal. 4.11 stumbled at thy fall thou gone so far (3) Joh. 13.30 from the person speaking in my Text that I have left my Text it self to follow thee thou whom I found with Judas but would bring back to Jesus with tears I ask thee What shall I do at the great and terrible day of the Lord Shall I call God to witness that thy (4) Hos 13.9 2 Pet. 3.9 1 Thes 1.10 5.9 perdition is of thy self Shall I call Judas to witness that thy damnation is (5) Joh. 3.19 just or may I with (6) Luk. 15.7 holy Angels joy at thy conversion Thy life may end before to morrow yet as short as thy life is before it doth end know One drop of the Lambs blood is able to dissolve even thine (7) 1 Pet. 1.2 adamant The Word of thy God is a (8) Jer. 23.29 hammer sufficient to deal with thy (9) Psal 19.7 nether-milstone it can make it a hewen stone it can carve it into several (10) Mal. 3.17 Jewels into Jewels engraven after the similitude of thy (11) 2 Cor. 3.18 Redeemer Destroy not thou that (12) Rom. 14.15 soul for which Christ died For my part what (1) 1 Kin. 19.20 have I done unto thee if a greater then Elijah hath cast his mantle of righteousness upon thee What (2) Joh. 13.17 Eccles 9.10 thou dost do quickly sacrifie (3) 1 Kin. 19.21 Rom. 12.1 thy self unto him minister unto him of thy (4) Luk 8.3 Mat. 3.8 substance bring for him thy (5) Luk 23.56 Mat. 25.4 best ointments See the (6) Luk. 23.55 Joh. 5.39 place where he is laid look (7) Mat. 28.1 Gal. 6.14 toward his sepulchre and while thou (8) Mark 16.4 Psal 32.5 lookest thou shalt find the stone rolled amay yea as undoubtedly as (9) Mat. 11.28 29 30. John 6.37 thou seekest Jesus who was crucified so undoubtedly the good Angel in my Text the person here speaking Jesus whom thou seekest shall number thee among his beloved Disciples and as he comforteth them so with the same affections and in the very same words he shall encourage thee Let not thy heart be troubled believe in God believe also in me in my Fathers house are many Mansions THrough a neglect of seeking the Lord while (1) Isa 55 6 Psal 95.7 2 Cor. 6.2 compared with Dan. 3.9.3 Mat. 7.7.22.29 John 5.39 he may be found To be believers the unbeliever conceiveth [2] Mat. 25.24 hard thoughts of his God conceiving so hard thoughts of his God he [3] Luk. 19.20 24 unthankfully wrappeth his talent in a napkin at last forfeiting [4] Luk. 19.26 that single talent for want of use he useth his
[35] The Act for Uniformity and his Majesties several Proclamations among us for Gods publick worship then ever and why solemn days should be more strictly observed under Oliver the Tyrant then under Charles the Second I am unwilling to learn It is a shame that under an Oppressour we should be rigid for a Sabbath day and under a Nursing-Father [36] One end why God restoeth our Judges as first is that our Cities may be called cities of righteousness Mr Rilands Sermon upon Esa 1.26 See Esa 32.17 be remiss on the Lords day certainly it is the will as of our Gracious King so of our holy God that idle swearing pilfering drunken and profane persons who will not mind the sound of the Bell should feel the stroke of the Clapper Right worshipful as ever ye would have these believe in God make them observe a rest unto the Lord that they may not fail of Mansions in heaven require their presence in your Fathers house 5. My next To the Gentry 1 Deut. 8.18 1 Chron. 29.12 addresseth it self unto you who are if not actually Magistrates yet the Seminaries of future Magistracy unto you the ancient and eminent Gentry of this Kingdom Right Worshipful I gratulate those English [1] 34 Ed. 3.22 37 Ed. 3.19 P. Fel. 20. 1 Hen. 7. c. 7. P. Just 16 11 Hen. 7. c 7 5 Eliz. 21. 23 Eliz. 10. 1 Jac. cap. 27. 3 Jac. 12. 7 Jac. 11. 21 Jac. 28. 3 Car. 4. Laws which provide for your Recreations abroad in the field These preserve health witness the open air they render you profitable unto your selves witness your grounds to which they lead you they acquaint you with the situations of your native soil they cherish in you an ability for War and preserve among you society and friendship nay they experience you in Notions Philosophical and consequently in a knowledge of your Creatour Nevertheless humbly I beseech you beware lest what may be your lawful delights be made unto you the troubles of your heart Do not like your Doggs by beating about the bush weary [2] Esa 57.10 your selves to catch [3] Eccles 7.25 vanity Do not like your [4] Job 39. v. 19-25 Zech. 10.3 horses run your selves out of breath Do not like your [5] Job 39.26 hawkes soar high and aim at things below you But be [6] 1 Cor. 9.24 well advised make the holy Spirit your [7] 2 Sam. 22 19 stay Place [8] Col. 3.1 your affections upon things above and above all walk humbly with your God (9) Mic. 6.8 Riotous Prodigals never want money to game with yet never have money to pay their debts so divers (1) Cumsis homo id fac semper memineris Gallants never want opportunity to pâ—â—y their sports but can never find leisure to follow their Devotions Should I [2] Esa 57.6 receive comfort in these Right worshipful It is in our days as it was in the days of Jeremiah when the [3] Jer. 5.4 poor knew neither the way of the Lord nor the judgement of their God the Prophet thereupon betook himself to [4] Jer. 5.5 great men men full of moneys able to buy good books and as full of leisure able to read what books they bought but these great mens transgressions were (5) Jer. 5.6 many and their backstidings were increased How so Answ They like some among us were unaccustomed to duty they had (6) Jer. 5.5 altogether broken the yoke and burst their bonds Right Worshipful ye have a saying Neglect of a penny loseth a nail want of a nail loseth a shoe want of a shoe lameth the horse want of a horse spoileth the Rider for all the world just so The with-holding of coin [7] Pro. 17.16 23.23 8.11 loseth a book want of a book keepeth [8] Pro. 9.9 from knowledge want of knowledge [9] 2 Pet. 3.18 hindereth grace and want of grace [10] John 17.3 loseth a soul a soul for which [11] 1 Cor. 8.11 the Son of God died Let a man ever divide his years into three parts and one of those three parts say [1] Elias Thisbites in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 some Rabbines is due unto the holy Scriptures Oh that you (2) Psal 1.2 were in this of these Rabbines opinion Oh that there lay ready under your pillows with you not Homer with Alexander the great nor with St. Chrysostome Aristophanes no nor yet Cyprianus with Tertullian but the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the Saints of God Cry here [3] As Tertullian used to say when he asked fot Cyprians workes Da mihi magistrum and spare not Among other your affluences some of you I grant want not for Libraries but alas those Libraries want good Students The Dutch call Gentlemen idle men I would not have the English do so too The Cardinal built a magnificent Palace at Richlieu but when he had so done he never allowed himself the happiness to [4] Eccles 5.11 behold it with his own eyes do not ye so deal by any Library of yours Bibles ye have but the same voice which spake unto St. Augustine had need call unto several of you Tolle lege Tolle lege and well were it if when the Bible is in your hand you would light upon the (5) Rom. 13 13 14 same place of Scripture which reclaimed him In your sports ye learn not only a skill as of fishing fowling racing c. but also a phrase peculiar to that skill Can you affect these and be mindlesse of a spiritual knowledge Verily the best (6) 1 Tim. 4.7 Exercise is that unto godlinesse the best Health is that of (7) Psal 141.4 your Soul and the best (8) 1 Cor. 10 31 pleasure is that which (9) Deus tobis haec otia secit glorifieth your preserver I mourn for you in secret I am afflicted I am ashamed when I see your Thoughts your discourse your Estates your Time your all cast away upon transitory contentments which should in reason claim no more from you then the superfluity of your lives and estates Right Worshipful It may peradventure very well suite with the vastenesse of your estates to maintain so many hauks so many hounds so many horses c. mean while doth it accord with the salvation of your Souls to (10) Eph. 5.16 Col. 4.5 squander so much of your affections and so much of your Time upon these unnecessary creatures I fear are there some among you that willingly and deliberately year by year (11) Relinquere aliquid propter nomen Christi sive propter Christum est Christum praeponere omnibus super omnia amare ita eum esse charum pectori nostro ut illius gratiâ parati simus omnia relinquere quantumvis chara quae nos alliciunt out etiam cogunt ut aliquid faciamus quod sit contra ejus gloriam Musc disburse more revenewes upon a needlesse
young men and Maidens Therefore my next Counsell instructeth you young men That your heart be not overmuch troubled Know your selves I mean know your selves to be heady and therefore [1] Young men should serve at the Oare before they come to sit at the Stern as Sylla said of Marius Turn not away your ear from hearing reproof Moreover know your selves to be well conceited of your own abilities if therefore any one among [2] 1 Cor. 10.12 you thinketh that he standeth let him take heed lest he fall Childhood is [3] Eccl. 11.10 vanity Youth much more more addicted to disports then unto a walking with God and yet a charge is layed upon thee by the dayes of thy youth to [4] Eccl. 12.1 Remember thy Creatour Since jesting is not [5] Eph. 5.4 convenient say of laughter [6] Eccl. 2.2 it is madnesse and of mirth What dost thou Since evil words [7] 1 Cor. 15.33 corrupt good manners keep thee from the evil [8] Prov. 2.12 man from him the talk of whose tongue tendeth [9] Prov. 14.23 only unto poverty turn away thy self even from him in whom thou [10) Prov. 2.7 findest not the lips of understanding since thy flesh [11] 1 Pet. 2.11 warreth against thy soul defile [12] 1 Cor. 3.17 While the Duke of Burboa was accused of high Treason the Emperour Charls the fifth required one of Madrid to lodge him in his house The Spaniard told the Emperour Obey thee I will but so soon as the Duke is once out of it I will fire my house for that house of mine my Predecessors never built to harbour Traitors not that body which the Holy Ghost makes his Temple Know how to possesse thy Vessel [13] 1 Thes 4.4 in sanctification Though thy reins [14] Psalm 16.7 chasten thee in the night-season yet hate thou the [15] Jude 23. garment that is spotted with sin Flee I say [16] 2 Tim. 2.22 youthfull lusts and sanctifie [17] 1 Pet. 3.5 the Lord thy God in thy heart Sow not [18] Gal. 6.2 unto corruption but rather possesse [19] Job 13.26 the iniquities of thy youth let them ever humble thee [20] Psalm 51.3 Esay 66 2. in the presence of the pure God Thy Fathers house hath no [21] Ephes 5.8 mansions for an unclean wretch Therefore keep thine [22] Job 31.1 Prov. 4.25 eyes straight before thee avoid pass [23] Job 4.15 by come not near the house of her who flattereth with her lips She is but a [24] Job 22.14 Prov. 23.27 deep Ditch and will mire thee shamefully Whose heart is snares and nets [25] Eccles 7.26 and whose hands are bands her [26] Pro. 7 27 Chambers are the Chambers of Death Though thou wert as wise as Solomon I would counsell thee Remember Delilah [27] 1 Kings 11 1 4 Jude 6. Lust hath no mean but not to be at all for it is a dangerous fire which beginneth in the bed-cloathes He never thinketh that he fleeth fast enough who fleeth from a mischief The more shou eschewest evil the more leisure thou wilt have to do good and to ensue it When a [1] Quo semel imbutarecens Child thou wast trained up in the way wherein thou shouldest go therefore go on Let not the Christian in [2] As was spoken of one who habited in Orange-tawny tilted ill one day and habited in Green on the morrow tilted worse Herberts Apothegms green behave himself worse then the Christian in the Orange-tawny First that which was natural saith the [3] 1 Cor. 15.46 Text then that which is spiritual When thou wast nurtured in the Lord thou didst begin in the Spirit be not [4] Gal. 3.3 made perfect in the flesh Say unto Pleasure [5] Psal 5.4 Prov. 21.17 James 5.5 Tit. 3.3 Heb. 11.25 2 Tim. 3.4 Gentle Eve I will have none of your Apple Look not on pleasures as they come but goe fool not if thou art a beast [6] Jude 10. 2 Pet. 2.12 be [7] Jude 19. sensual if a man [8] Rom. 8.6 spiritual If thou likest [11] Dan. 4.33 9. Nebuchadnezzar better then thou likest Daniel take thy choice Whether is more desirable to be endued with the Spirit of a holy God or to be postessed [12] Eph. 5.3 2 Pet. 2.10 with an unclean Spirit A Wanton creature is [13] 2 Tim. 2.26 Mummy for the Devil Let him that loveth the flames [14] Hos 7.7 James 3.6 of Hell burn in lust as Sodom did Youth with what body wouldest thou arise with a [15] Phil. 3.21 body vile or glorious It was the idlenesse the foolishnesse the brutishnesse of youthfull lusts which made the [16] Aedituus Catullus Tibul. Hor. Javen Persius c. Roman Poets so salt Take away the abuse which lust putteth upon us and many an Epigram in Martial sim may like the Tragedies of Theognis be as cold [17] 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as snow for any wit they have Were they as hot as are idle brains yet that person who is so impudent so ill-behaved that he can be acquainted can be familiar can be [18] 1 Cor. 6.16 all one with a [19] Pro. 5.21 22.14.26.16 strange woman may justly expect trouble of heart The French-pox is [20] Num 5.21 no new Disease Be it thou escapest [21] Hos 4.12 rottennesse in thy bones sure I am there is rottennesse in thy heart Let Pythagoras [22] 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 commend Souls unto [23] Jude 10 bruits as for thine Let thy soul [24] 1 John 3.3 expect Mansions in thy Fathers House The body is not for fornication but for the [1] 1 Cor. 6.13 Lord it is his [2] 1 Cor. 3.17 Temple the strength the abilities the gifts wherewith it is endowed are [3] Mat. 22.37 holy unto the Lord the more will be the trouble of thy heart if thou commit sacriledge Church-revenues like the Gold of Tholouse in Narbon consume such as do [4] Among all the Souldiers of Scipio not one of those which plundered the Temple at Tholouse escaped an unfortunate end Guebara alienate them Do not do not therefore impropriate unto the use of an [5] 1 Cor. 6.15 harlot those Endowments which of right belong unto the services of thy God Give not thy strength unto [6] Pro. 31.3 women much lesse unto an [7] 2 Pet 2.10 unnatural licentiousnesse Look upon their prodigious practices and thou wilt the lesse marvail at the degenerate faces of Apes Monkies and of Baboones Wo unto him who is alone if he [8] Eccl. 4 10 render himself like one of these Had Jacob allowed himself in [9] I am a shamed to read what I find in Tho. Shepherd upon the ten Virgins viz. on Mat. 25.5 p. 18. of the second part self pollutions he could never have called his [10] Gen 49.3
worketh in us both to will and to do then when we loath our mis-doings we know whom we are for Did no sin dwell in us it would not then appear to us that we follow after Righteousnesse for our Gods sake We should then lose that satisfaction which we now partake of Namely while our hearts assure us that we hate every false way hate sin as sin nay as our nay as our Gods enemy we can then conclude we can then unto our Joy conclude that while we (3) Rom. 7.25 in the mind serve the Law of God His we are (4) Rom. 6.16 2 Kings 9.32 unto whom we obey By this we satisfie our selves Herein we rejoyce yea and will rejoyce 6. 6 Comfort The forwardly Disciple is therefore suffered to (1) John 13.38 Math. 26.34 deny his Master that while he standeth he may expect to fall if he lean not (2) John 15.5 upon Christs strength but upon his own Not I but (3) 1 Cor. 15 10 grace The affrighted Child clingeth (4) Jer. 10.23 delightfully upon his mothers bosome I have set the Lord alwayes before me because he is at my right hand I (5) Psalm 16.8 shall not be moved I live yet not I but (6) Gal. 2.20 Christ liveth in me 7. 7 Comfort His grace is (1) Qu Deo proximus est lapsui non est vicinus Ambros sufficient for us Of Christs fulnesse all we receive (2) 1 Cor 12 9 Psalm 124 1 grace for grace either grace pardoning or grace assisting God would never have suffered Adam to have forfeited (3) Heb. 4.9 Paradise if he could not have prepared a better Rest for his Saints Let Lazarus sleep (4) John 11.4 9.3 our comfort is the Lord Jesus will awake him Sin desileth but the Fountain opened (5) Zech. 13.1 Heb. 7.25 unto the house of David washeth out all our pollutions Our spirit within us is wounded but there is (6) Mal. 4.2 healing in Christs wings and as we have ever need of pardon so the (7) Heb. 4.16 Throne of grace is never taken down The Child that cryeth is (8) Heb. 4.15 pitied nor is he ever more indulged then (9) Esay 40.11 27 29 31 45.24 when he is most diseased Surely I (10) Jer. 31 8 heard Ephraim bemoaning himself We are susfered (11) Esay 55.1 Cant. 5.1 Revel 22.18 to thirst that we may drink abundantly Food is pleasant unto (12) Jer. 31.25 the hungry Soul and Wine refresheth the (13) Zech. 10.6 7 fainting spirit If you see Peter weeping bitterly observe Jesus Christ (14) John 14.1 wiping away his tears Peradventure the Disciples hearts are troubled on purpose (15) Hos 2.14 to wit that their Lord Jesus may have an occasion to speak comfortably unto them 8. 8 Comfort The Righteous (1) Psalm 58.10 shall rejoyce when he seeth the vengeance for by this we know (2) Psalm 41.11 that God favoureth us I say we endure assaults that (3) Psalm 112.8 our eye may see our desire upon our (4) Eph. 6.12 Enemies We lye in ambush to take the accuser of the Brethren in his own malice We are set to strive (5) Psalm 59.1 3 11 60.3 4 5 61.3 against sin that the Captain of our Salvation may take our Adversary in his own (6) Assiduā tentatione tentat diabolus ut saltem taedio vincat quod in paradiso egit hoc quotidie agere non desistit Greg. mor. 24.5 Revel 12.10 stratagems At Doomes-day Satan shall know to his cost that it was his good will 6 to have ruined the Elect of God for every wound every bruise every scar which lighteth upon us here he shall pay dearly at long running Every fall which he giveth us shall be his own one day He shall be talked with in the end for having dealt so despightfully with our Fathers children Let us therefore refist unto blood striving against sin The Lord of our hosts he is the defender of our faith It is unto us a pleasure to fight under the banner of Christ Jesus our Lord forasmuch as in Him we are more then Conquerors 9. 9 Comfort Our demerits (1) Ezek. 16.61 63 Rom. 8.5 endeer unto us the loving-kindnesses of our Redeemer VVill these Disciples forsake Christ deny Christ c. and yet may not their heart be troubled By this we know that Jesus Christ (2) Hos 14.4 Rom. 3.24 1 Cor. 2.12 John 15.16 Esay 64.6 63.7 Deut. 9.6 7 10.15 loveth his Disciples freely Herein is comfort the Rich Bridegroom of our Souls loveth His Spouse as well in sicknesse as in health He taketh us with all our faults He loveth us not for our sake but for his own He loveth us meerly because he delighteth to love us 10. 10 Comfort No Conquest (1) 2 Tim. 2.5 1 Cor. 9.24 Heb. 11.6 Revel 3.21 Phil. 4.17 2 Cor. 9.6 Gal. 6.7 8 Matth. 16.27 1 Pet. 5.4 no Crown no Victory no conquest no fight no Victory no sin against which to strive no fight Behold now O ye mortals it is a favour if we are singled out to be of the forlorne hope a favour if we are allowed to strive against that evil which the holy Spirit of our Almighty God overcometh for us The gracious and bountifull God fighteth in us and for us purposely that he may reward and crown us according unto our rather according unto his Victories So dealeth the most liberal Lord God by us as we deal by our little children We finde employments for our very little children not for any service which little Infants can do us but for that we do naturally delight to give them all possible encouragement We do every minute put them upon duty that we may every minute feed them with Rewards Oh my Beloved These troubles in these Disciples hearts are abundantly recompenced within the (2) Quomodo multas mansiones apud Patrem si non pro varietate meritorum Tertullian Scorpiaco mansions in my Fathers House Probably others may give better reasons for it then I do or can but that all of you may henceforward encourage your selves against the sins dwelling in you you will henceforward Against our want of grace often call unto your remembrance that in even one (1) John 13.38 14.1 and the same breath the mighty Jesus both forewarneth Peter thou shalt deny me thrice and forearmeth Peter Let not thine heart be troubled Now as here is life of comfort against our inherent silthinesse and superfluity of naughtinesse so here is strong Consolation against our decay and want of grace When these Disciples were [2] John 13.38 foretold that as well resolved as they were they should forsake Christ when they had heard within how small a space Cephas should thrice at once deny his Master then there arose in their heart fears and jealousies doubtings and despair They then began to
and cast his loving kindnesses behind our backs Us only hath God chosen [3] Amos 3.2 above all the Churches under Heaven to be unto him a [4] Jer. 13.11 Name and a glory and do we thus [5] Deut. 32.6 7 8 9 requite the Lord O foolish people and unwise Is not he thy Father that hath bought thee hath he not made thee and established thee Remember the dayes of old consider the yeares of many generations If one man sin against another the Judge shall judge him but if a people sin and thus sin against the Lord [6] 1 Sam. 2.25 who shall entreat for it The breaches betwixt us and our God are so wide that it will be [7] Ezek 13.5 22.30 Jer. 5.1 Numb 32.23 Ezek. 3.26 very difficult to make up this hedge were Noah Daniel Job and Moses alive among us they would be insufficient to stand in these gaps When Israel came out of Aegypt rather When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion then were they like unto them that [8] Psalm 126.1 were in a dream we although the Lord hath done greater things for us are in no such dream in a [9] Rom. 11.8 slumber we are we are like unto nay we are a generation drunken with excesse and fallen asleep in deadly sins May God ever have the glory of it the [10] Hos 2.18 bow the sword and the battel He hath broken such is His mercifulnesse we [11] ibid. lye down safely but we [12] Jer. 3.25 lye down in our shame too Our peace is [13] Esay 48.18 as a River mean while our Vnrighteousnesse is [14] ibid. as the waves of the sea This was the [15] Ezek. 16.49 51 iniquity of Sodom Pride fulnesse of bread and abundance of idlenesse Tell it not in Gath our iniquity is greater neither hath Samaria committed half of our sins By [16] Hos 4.2 swearing lying stealing adulteries oppressions drunkennesse prophanesse and covetousnesse we break forth shall we say now that we are [17] Jer. 7.10 delivered to do all these abominations God forbid After peace we follow and we do well but we [18] Heb. 12.14 follow not after holinesse without which no man shall see the Lord We have [19] Mark 9.50 peace one with another but our crime is we have no salt in our selves Had we a desire to goodnesse we should wish for another cruse of thy white salt O [20] See both 2 Kings 2.19 20. and holy Mr. Shermans White Salt viz. his Sober correction of a mad world in some well-wishes 1654. unto goodnesse man of God Wise as Serpents we are but not innocent as Doves Publish it not in the streets of Askelon we cease to rebel against Our King against His King we rebel more and more Let the whole sixth Chap. of Wisdome continue Apocryphal yet the first Chap. of Isaiah will not so escape us Luxury overthrew Persia I hope better things of Briltain We lead our lives as if we had [1] Ea muac sunt tempora in quibus nec vitia nec Remedia pati possumus Liv. compassed an Act of Oblivion for our God and an Act of Indempnity for our selves God is served by us as now adayes most Creditors are served by those landed Unthrifts who make the Fleet or the Kings Bench a new protection for non-payment of old debts The [2] Psal 29.3 Humanas motura tonitrua mentes viz from Anno Domini 1640. unto Anno Salutis 1660. Esay 44.22 late Thunder-showres which might have proved very fruitful have brought forth little except a few mush-rooms We are gone forth to behold a reed [3] Mat. 11.7 Arundo per temporalem gloriam foris quasi ad alta proficit sed intus à soliditate veritatis inanescit Greg. Mor. l. 33. c. 3. shaken in the ayr but Lord go not thou forth to [4] 1 Kings 14.15 smite us as a reed shaken in the water we have made our selves a broken reed make not thou of us a measuring reed a broken and bruised reed O Lord thou wilt not despise And yet how can we promise unto our selves further forgivenesses We go up to Bethel not [5] Gen. 28.19 21 35.1 2 with Jacob to pay our vowes but [6] Amos 4.4 with Israel to transgresse Beloved the more We like this the more our God disliketh us Vnto our land the Lord [7] 1 Kings 8 56 58 Esay 28.12 30.15 See also Levit. 26.35 43 and Deut. 28.58 47 See also Esay 58.13 14 hath indeed miraculously given rest but we alas deal by our God as through the neglect of some Magistrates most people deal by our anniversary Festivals viz. the more we rest from our labours the more we weary our selves to work wickednesse I have seen [8] A Book so entituled and printed 1663. at Cambridge Ichabod and although her five groanes vanish into ayr some of them whosoever heareth his eares shall tingle The sacred name of King Charles was not more prophaned among us during our late Revolt then [9] Jer. 23.10 Ezra 9.13 14 15 the holy Name of God is abused among us now Order Decency Uniformity Loyaltie Truth Holinesse and the Throne of Gods holinesse are everywhere [10] Rom. 2.23 24 blasphemed through that lye which is now almost every-where in our right hand so little availeth it that we have wholsome lawes enacted by men while [11] Esay 7. Mic. 2.7 Lam. 3.25 the lawes of God are epidemically despised God he hath loaded us [12] Psalm 68.19 with his benefits we in requital daily [13] Amos 2.13 Ezek. 6.9 Josh 22.16 17 18 19 20. load him with our provocations Unto You I betake my self my DREAD SOVERAIGN KING CHARLES The Lord hath (1) Esay 22.23 28.5 62.3 Josh 24 17 fastened your Gracious Majesty as a nail in a sure place Wherefore so may your sacred Person and Posterity remain a glorious Throne unto your Fathers house as you render unto the Lord the glory due unto his Mercies Divers of your Majesties servants fail much in this one point But your most sacred Majesty will appear (2) 〈◊〉 eminent was the same of Cotstactine the great 〈◊〉 one of his mean subjects had been a long while desirous to see this fainous Emperor at length a sight of him he obtained but as he saw him he cryed out I verily thought that Constantine had been some greater thing but now I that the Emperour is nothing but a man Unto whom Constantine mildly answered Tu so us est qui in me oculos habâ—â—â—sti apertos Greg. Dialogâ— 1.15 cited by 〈◊〉 Hull not only a Defender of the faith but an Example unto Believers for such as honour God them God will honour God will never reniove YOUR Diadem nor take off YOUR Crown YOU shall continue a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord and a royal Diadem in the hand of your God if YOU in this
YOUR day sanctifying the Lord of hosts in your heart exalt him not only as a Diadem of beauty unto the residue of your people but as a crown of glory unto your Royal head And you the happy subjects of a (1) Ezra 7.27 serene Monarch why are ye the last (2) 2 Sam. 19 11 to defend the glory of your God Knowledge covereth our Island as waters cover the Sea the late Rod of Gods wrath we (3) Mic. 6.9 could not chuse but hear the present plenty peace and prosperity we (4) Psal 34.8 both see and taste neverthelesse multitudes multitudes from among us have (5) 1 Tim. 5.15 turned aside after Satan Beloved what wickednesse may we expect from forreign Dominions if in this Kingdom a Kingdom so (6) Esay 26.9 schooled by late judgements so (7) Psalm 144.14 endeared with preseut benefits so (8) Acts. 17.30 enlightened with the truth of the Gospel so small a remnant give glory to the Lord their God More knowledge then any beside us we have but we have likewise lesse grace then any beside us else what others have is excedeing little lesse then is a grain of Mustard seed for that brancheth forth Surely the fear of God is in very few places I had almost said in very few persons Ye then who fear the Lord (9) Matth. 3.16 speak often one to another Let not the Royal Standard fall to the ground since (10) 1 Joh. 5.19 the whole world lyeth in wickednesse see that ye (11) Phil 2.15 shine as lights in the world When other of Christs Disciples went back and walked no more with Jesus Jesus called unto these in my Text (12) John 6.66 67 Will ye also go away Brethren the more universal the defection the greater the alarm Wherefore take unto you the whole (13) Eph. 6.11 armour of God The Lord looketh out of his Chariot (14) 2 Kings 9.32 Who is on my side Who by this will he finde whether we be for him or against him if (15) 1 John 2.29 3.7 3 John 11. we seek after holinesse as he is holy should so small a remnant as list themselves under his Banner neglect to fight a good fight (16) Acts 1.8 of faith What will God do unto his great Name True His (17) Psalm 62.11 is the power but it more becometh the Majesty of the Emperour to look on then to fight or if fight he do let the Adversary know that the Generals Souldiers love their Commander The (18) Heb. 2.10 Captain of our salvation must have glory from his followers as well as from his own Prowesse The Lord subdueth our Canaanitish affections but (19) Josh 23.10 1.7 Phil. 2.12 31 Joshus must fight the Lords battel the sword of the Spirit is the Lords but (20) Judg. 7.18 Gideon must draw it God winneth the Victory but (21) 2 Sam. 23.12 Shammah must stand his ground too accursed are we if when God is ready to work in us and by us we our selves (22) Judg. 5.23 come not in unto the help of the Lord If we hold our peace His glory (23) Esther 4.14 Eph. 5.16 will not he give unto another but who knoweth whether we are born in this backsliding generation for such a time as is this if as Saint Paul did Christ should complain No man (24) 2 Tim. 4.16 stood with me but all were against me the Lord would lay this to your charge and mine But the (25) 2 Cor. 5.14 love of Christ and not a fear for our selves should constrain us to stand upon our guards Let us draw out our affections Have we a King and (26) 1 Pet. 1.17 18 Heb. 12.4 such a King let us then resist our corruptions unto blood let us (27) Judg. 5.18 jeopard our lives that is (28) Matth. 10.39 save them let us jeopard our lives unto the death that is (29) Mark 10.30 exchange the for an everlasting life If the conspiracy be strong if Achitophel be in the conspiracy of his own accord Hushai the Archite will (30) 2 Sam. 15.32 both rent his coat and cover his head with earth If David be in a strait Abishai the son of Zerviah (31) 2 Sam. 21.17 will succour him Christians stand to your Armes keep to your Colours follow your Leader even the Captain of your salvation for Legions of Devils and a world of men are risen up against him O be not ye like unto them whose damnation is just but resist (32) 1 Pet. 5.9 stedfast in the faith Though ten (33) 1 Kings 12.20 Hos 4.15 Tribes revolt let Judah walk with God and if nine Lepers neglect their duty let not the (34) Luke 17.15 17 tenth fail to testifie his thankfulness Let God instance in us as he did (35) Job 1.8 in his servant Job Let the Devil know that (36) 1 John 4.5 6 all are not of the world that are in the world Let not the Lord of our hosts want a Souldier to fight his spiritual battels so long as (37) Psalm 104.33 you and I have any breath in our bodies although all men should forsake him let us perfectly cleave unto him By how much the more he is dishonoured by others by so much the more let him be by us glorified Creatures void of reason cannot those void of grace should but will not but God give us grace that as well as we can we may zealously bring glory unto the Throne of his Holinesse Prophanesse spreadeth from one corner of the Land unto the other it is therefore high time for us to bestir (38) See Mr. Baxters Now or Never our selves it now concerneth us that our God be by us glorified more then ever Again Naturally a right understanding will no lesse desire to cleave unto the living God then a dying creature would struggle to prolong life Nor is it possible there can be invented a greater Doom then to be for ever justly separated from the only God When at length the last the just the terrible the avenging day is fully come Depart from me ye cursed will then [1] Matth. 7.23 21.41 be the last the blackest sentence The foreknowledge of this one truth makes [2] James 2.19 even the proudest of the Devils stoop and tremble yet is this sentence this dismal sentence the unadvised choyce of every gracelesse person Fight against God the ungodly will although they dye for it in the place they will rather [3] Jonah 2.8 2 Chron. 15.2 Ezra 8.22 Esay 1.28 Psalm 9.17 hazard rather damn body and soul then not depart from the presence of their holy God thus unadvised wicked men are but why they are thus unadvised they themselves can in no wise pretend a reason No [4] Matth 27.23 evil hath Christ done that the Jewes should all of them be thus maliciously bent against him nor is there iniquity
of good affections most equal it is that whatsoever he leaveth with us should be [2] 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Clem. Alex. Strom. l. 7. not at our but at his sole pleasure and command Thirdly God hath vouchsafed unto us the blessings of the earth and of the heavens the precious truths of his Word the rich graces of his Spirit and those unsearchable Treasures given unto us his only Son upon [1] Qui esse vult fibi non tibi O Deus incipit nihil esse intâ—r omnia Ber. in Cant. Serm. 20. no other terms but that in them and for them his Name should be by us glorified Fourthly What wise man ever built a house for [1] True the Tree which cumbreth the ground shall be burnt but the Lord diggeth c. about it that it may bring forth fruit Luke 13.8 9. no purpose at all Who planteth a Vineyard and eateth not of the fruit Who feedeth a flock and drinketh not of the milk If God be a Lord where is his fear If a Father where is his honour c. Lastly Let a Souldier do what becometh a Souldier and let a Soveraign do as beseemeth the Majesty of a Prince When upon Darius his large offers Parmenio had said Surely I would accept these offers were I as Alexander said Alexander (1) Plut. Apothegm so would I were I as Parmenio Beloved as God wayes are not the same with our wayes so neither are his thoughts as our thoughts It (2) When Harpalus would have had his Kinsmans evil words escape unpunished No said Philip for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Plutarch ibid. consisteth neither with the justice nor with the wisdom nor with any other attribute of God to dispense with the glory ever due unto his Name Take the whole at once Should the infinite God cease to see himself glorified he would un-God himself Think upon it Sinners Ought Jehovah to be glorified as he is absolutely a God as he is relatively a Lord and dare any of you continue a Vessel of dishonour Be ye not as things without life but as living Creatures be not as bruits but as creatures reasonable and well affected Be not as they unto whom no Gospel is preached but as Gospel-professors O let not the Gospel of Jesus Christ be hid unto you but let it be unto you the ministration of the Spirit The Lord hath made his only Son a powerful (1) Istam gratiam non habuit homo primus quâ vellet nuaquaÌ„ esse malus sed saae habuit in quâ si permanere vellet nunquam malus esset Sed deseruit desertus Haec prima est gratia quae data est primo Adam Sed haec potentior est in secundo Adam Prima fit ut habe at Homo justitiam si velit Secunda fit criam ut velit tantum velit tantóque ardore diligat ut carnis voluntatem contraria concupiscentem voluntate spiritus vincat Aug. de corrept grat cap. 11. 12. Mediatour he hath shed forth the Spirit of his Son he hath prepared Ordinances to conveigh hath given both an understanding to seek and affections to yern after this Spirit of his Son and after all these mercies are even forced upon you are you as barren and as unfruitful as ever Be not O be not the thwarting the cross-grain'd matter of Gods severe glory but be the pliant instruments of his deserved honour not only be but seek his praise Object What if we are already predestinated to be Vessels of dishonour Then Answ 1. If you come too near (1) Deu. 29.29 unto the inaccessible Light I say if you stare the Sun in the face ye do but dazzle your eys Be (2) Nunquam verecundiores esse debemus quam cum de Deo agitur Seneca nat quest l. 7. sober Answ 2. Were you assured that you are Vessels fitted for destruction this assurance would but (1) Mat. 6.34 John 14.1 torment you before the time Answ 3. Suppose you are (1) See of this Treatise pages 76 77 78 79 80. unavoidably the Vessels of dishonour yet make the best of a forlorn estate dishonour neglect provoke (2) Quis coram Deo innocens invenitur qui vult fieri quod vetatur si subtrahas quod timetur the just Judge as little as you can saved or not saved your Duty is to obey Answ 4. Should all endeavours fail you can but perish Answ 5. If you will pluck eternal destruction upon your soules and bodies thank your selves As for the most merciful Father of our Lord Jesus Christ his Gospel is brought home unto you He proclaimeth a (1) Dignaris eis quibus omnia debita dimittis etiam promissionibus tuis debitorem fieri Aug. Conf. l. 5 pardon and that general pardon is now particularly tendered unto you I say unto you Answ 6. Although your day be (1) Matth. 20.9 Luke 23.43 already far spent if the Lord will you may redeem the time God assisting you may run and so run that you may (2) Cesset voluntas propria non erit insernus Bernard obtain Answ 7. Obtain or obtain not forasmuch as the long-suffering God hath prolonged his patience toward you Do not any longer abuse his patience dishonour him (1) Consiâ—ium futuri ex praeterito venit Seneca Epist 83. henceforward as little as (2) Fructuarius nihil facere debet in perniciem proprietatis l. 13. sect 4. F. de usu fructu you can nay henceforward glorifie him as much as you can Answ 8. One way of glorifying your God is to (1] Au laciam existimo de bono divini praecepti disputare Tertul de poenit cap. 4. Prior est authoritas imperantis quam utilitas servientis Idem leave him unto the preheminence of his secret counsel Servants may not pry into their Masters mind nor Children into their Fathers will nor Subjects into the unsearchble hearts of Princes It is your wisdome to submit trust and obey Answ 9. His you are unto whom you obey if you harden your hearts ye do the work of a Reprobate (1) That is of a Devil see 1 John 3.8 for Alterius esse non possunt nisi Diaboli quae Dei non sunt Tert. de Idol cap. 18. if you seek to glorifie your God you take a course to (2) Phil. 2.12 work out your salvation nay to make your calling and election sure (3) 2 Pet. 1.10 Answ 10. Many that have sought to work out their salvation God hath rejected For why They sought themselves not their Ruler but unto him who unfeignedly sought to glorifie his God as God God never yet denied his Spirit of Regeneration This is a Gospel-truth God who (1) Modo mirabili ineffabili agens Aug. de praedest sanct cap. 20. doth sometimes most freely give of his Spirit unto such as once despised grace will never (2) Patrem miserico diarum esse
remisnesse of yours would prefer [2] Mater omnium haereticorum superbia Aug de Gen. Cont. Manich. l 2. c. 8. Bonae res neminem scandalizant nisi malam mentem Tertul. de veland virg cap. 3. Nullum scelus rationem habet Liv. lib. 28. Vuâ—tures uâ—guenâ—o fugantur scarabaeirosâ Aelian Maximum judicium est mâ—lae mentis stuctuatio Seneca Epist 120. Nemo Deo displicet nisi qui sibi placet Bernard de miser Hom. your selves before your God We assent that as the Scripture publickly and distinctly read so the Word preached and applyed glorifieth that Father of Lights who [3] Psalm 94.10 teacheth man knowledge We allow that as set forms so our Pulpit devotions are Ordinances of God who [4] 2 Cor. 2.16 Linguâ mente cogitatione horresco quoties de Deo sermenem habeo who is sufficient for these things But give God his due These are but the least part of divine worship If we hear we hear for our selves we [5] Esay 55.3 Rom. 10.13 hear that our souls may live so if we pray we pray for our selves we ask that [6] Matth. 7.7 1 John 5.15 we may have Whereas a chief part of our publique Service is the same with the chief part of Gods Worship which is not meerly to hear Gods most holy Word but in hearing to obey it and not so much to pray for more benefits as to give thanks for the benefits which we have already received from Gods hands For pure and undefiled Religion before God even the Father is this to seek him more for his own sake then [7] Esay 26.8 Non mihâ— sussicit quod semel donavit nisi semper donaverit Peto ut accipiam cum accepero rursus peto Hierom. Epist Tua me non satiant nisi tecum S. Bernard Ipse sihi omnia ipse mihi omnia Qui curat esse nisi prapter te pro nihilo est nihit est Bernard Serm. 20. in Cantic for our own Dearly Beloved when we [8] Sacerdos parat fratrum mentes dicendo Sursum corda Cyprian de Orat. solemnly meâ— together give thanks at [9] Psalm 30.4 1 Chron. 16 3. the remembrance of His holinesse then do we principally worship our God Wherefore although Catechising or Homily or Sermon we have none so many of you as desire as well the glory of your God as the good of your soules see to it Turn away your feet from [1] Licita prohibentur ne si permitterentur corum occasione perveniatur ad illicita Justin prohibited Conventicles but [2] Heb. 10.25 forsake not the assembling of your selves together as the manner of some is But let us openly publiquely solemnly and obediently meet together as to have Gods most holy Word as to ask those things which are requisite and necessary as well for the body as for the soul so chiefly and most frequently to speak good of Gods name to render thanks for the benefits which we have received at his hands to set forth his most worthy prayse and to reverence blesse worship adore and glorifie him as God O come come often let us often sing unto the Lord let us [3] Animadverto etiam Deos ipsos non tam accuratis adorantium precibus quà m innocentiâ sanctitate laetari Plin. Panegyr Cultus deorum optimus idémque castissimus ut eos semper purâ integrâ incorruptâ mente voce venereris Cicero de nat Deorum lib. 2. Sicut neo in victimis quidem licet optimae sint auroque praefulgeant deorum honos est sed piâ ac rectâ volunt ate venerantium Seneca de Benef. lib. 1. cap. 6. ut Epist 95. Hitherto there never yet fell upon the Church a tempestaous storm the vapours whereof were not first noted to arise from coldnesse in affection Hooker Eccles Polit. lib. 5. sect 76. heartily rejoyce in the strength of our salvation Let us come before his presence with thanksgivings and shew our selves glad in him with Psalmes for so we should magnifie him day by day and so let us glorifie the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost as it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be world without end Amen In the day (1) Title of Psalm 18th that the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul David the servant of the Lord spake unto the Lord the words of this (2) 2 Sam. 22.1 Song Beloved We as well as David are (3) Luke 1.74 delivered out of the hand of our enemies And for us Not to seek to glorifie our God would many wayes reprove us First Of grosse (1) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Arist Ethic. l. 6. c. 7. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rhet. lib. 1. c. 37. ignorance So impossible it is for any who truly know God (2) John 17.3 Hominis sapientia est pietas Aug Enchirid. cap. 2. Nullum bonum perfectè noscitur quod non perfectè amatur Idem Ea petrssimùm juberis quae te deceat vel sponte fecisse Plin. lib. 6. Epist 39. see Psalm 119.161 not to glorifie him as God Secondly Of inexcusable (1) Bonus animus pura mens sincera conscientia haec nostra sacrificia Minut. Faelix in Octavio undutifulnesse for this is the whole (2) Eccles 12.13 duty of man even to set forth the prayses of his God Thirdly Of stupid (1) Psal 10.4 Pertinax sit memoria debentium forgetfulnesse On this only accompt it was that we came into the world We have forgotten our errand if we neglect to glorifie our God Fourthly Of spiritual (1] Quare verbis parcam gratuita sunt unthriftinesse The prayer of a righteous man availeth much but no part of it more then his Thanksgivings Great is the (2) See Tho. Goodwins Return of Prayer but (3) Psalm 50.15 greater is that of Prayses To commend what we receive from another is (4) Rogat quidem essicacissimè qui reddit causas rogandi Plin. lib. 2. Ep. 13. to beg more of the same Blesse we God and God (5) Sibbs Souls Conslict cap. 26. and Bishop Halls Sermon of Thanksgiving and Bishop Reynolds his Sions Prayses will blesse us no gain no usury no Merchandise like this of glorifying God Fifthly Of high [1] 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ingratitude Rivers pay all their fresh waters into the salt sea and most [2] Qui beneficiis non intelligitur vel plagis intelligatur Cyprian de Demetr notoriously unthankful are we if from whom we receive all things to him we do not in all things ascribe the prayse and the glory [3] Rom. 11.36 For Affectus omantis laudabit munera dantis Sixthly Of rude [1] Qui meminit sine impendio gratus est Seneca de Beneficiis folly Wise was Araunah when he [2] 2 Sam. 24.23 would have given his threshing floor unto David Should the King
wilfully drop a Glove his Majesties sacred person can indeed stoop to reach it from the ground but [3] Gratias ago tibi Domine quia quod quaeris à me prius ipse donasti Cyprian happy I if I may be preferred to reach it in his stead Friends where God alloweth us to do that for him which he without us can do for himself it is Our wisdome to accompt it our honour that serve him we may will the Lord voucbsafe to accept of our prayses Let us then glorifie him as God Seventhly Of insufferable [1] Psal 10.4 Pride alas without God we are nothing nothing we have but [2] Deum namque ire per omnes Terrasque tractusque maris calumque profundum Virg. from God yea and [3] Prov. 16.4 for God too How is it therefore that we do not proclaim Him most worthy our utmost thanks Guilty malefactors that we are [4] Ezek. 16 3-6 where is our humility We might long before this day have been [5] Lam. 3.22 frying amid Hell tormenrs and dare any of us cease from glorifying our God yea if we durst if we might if we were thereunto encouraged could any bribe could any price could all the [6] Psal 89.6 joyes in Heaven buy us off from glorifying the Lord our God Lastly Of vile [1] Ingratum si dixeris omnia dixeris gracelesnesse an unthankful person is a gracelesse person No thanksgiving no [2] Gratiarum cessat decursus ubi recursus non fuit Bern. Serm. 1. in cap. Jejunij grace Oh since it is our bounden duty at all times and in all places to [3] Ad locum unde exeunt gratiae revertantur Idem Serm. 3. in Vigil nativit 1 Cor. 10.31 render thanks unto the Lord at all times and in all places accordingâ— as occasion shall either admit or require let us do all 4 things to the glory of our God The gracious person will glorifie his God And well he may inasmuch as Our constant seeking to glorifie our God is First Our safest (1) Lex data ut gratia quaereretur gratia data ut lex impleretur tenure For that (2) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Plut. servant which would be profitable unto his Master the Master will not easily part with Beside Unto * A chi li pro torre cic che hai da gli cidu ichis de Torriano him who can (3) Mercaâ—â—ra est pauca amittere ut majora lucreris Tertul. ad Martyr take from us all that we have it is good giving (4) Petamus ut det quod ut habeamus jubet S. August in Exad quaest 55. what he asketh Secondly Our only (1) Mic. 6.8 Eccles 12.13 2 Kings 5.13 Psalm 116.12 13 pay Who among us would fear an arrest might meer acknowledgments and verbal thanks cancel our bonds The blood of Jesus Christ would wipe off all old stores were we earnest so to have it Whatsoever He hath purchased for us is ours upon exceeding easie terms namely if all which he hath for us purchased we receive with thanksgiving Christians (2) Ephes 5 4 20 Col. 1.12 3.17 2.7 4.2 1 Tim. 2.1 Heb. 13.15 2 Cor. 4.15 9.11 1 Tim. 4.3 4 Revel 7.12 not money but grace not wealth but holinesse not worldly honours but sincere affections holy desires spiritual rejoycings are sterling at the heavenly Exchequer These these are the Treasures wherewith We are required to glorifie Our God Thirdly Our richest (1) 1. Tim. 4.8 6.6 Omnis mihi copla quae Deus meus non est est egestas S. Aug. Confess l. 12. c. 8. gain Whatsoever we enjoy is never so well improved as then when we employ it unto the glory of our God partly because what duties proceed from a grateful heart them God vouchsafeth to receive as a (2) 2 Cor. 8.12 Gen. 32.12 2 Sam 7 5-17 2 Chron. 1.11 12 Luke 7.44 45 46 Matth. 26.13 kindnesse chiefly because all that we possesse is doubly ours when we can entitle God unto it Could I say The Signet upon my finger was given unto me by my King Gold should not buy it It is a diminution unto spiritual knowledge saving faith and heavenly graces to ascribe them unto our own industry power or successe The excellency of these is that they are free the liberal (3) Compare Exod. 23.8 2 Sam. 19.42 Prov. 17.8 18.16 Eccles 7.7 with 3.13.5.19 John 4 10. Rom. 6.23.12 6. 1 Cor. 7.7 2 Cor. 1.11 Eph 4.7 Jame 1.17 1 Pet. 4.10 A Jove prin cipium Est Deus in nobis agitante calescimus ipso gifts of our great God Gifts are more unto us then either inheritance or purchase Benjamins messe transcended not so much in (4) Gen. 43.34 quantity as from the greatnesse of Josephs affections Well may David boast his chear when the Lord spreadeth his (5) Psalm 23.5 Table The food the rayment the content the righteousnesse the salvation the glory upon which Believers accompt are all endearing gifts we may write upon them as Scholars do on their Books ex dono Their value is great of themselves but greater is that value which they (6) Ipse ad alia non ordmatur sed potiùs alia ad ipsum Aquin. p. 1. qu. 21. artic 1. O Servum illum beatum cujus emendationi Deus instat Fertul de patien cap. 11. derive from their Donor even from the Father of gifts Friends that is most yours which ye receive as from God which ye enjoy in God and ascribe unto God Wherefore in all that you possesse glorifie ye your God Fourthly Our chiefest (1) 1 Sam. 2.30 honour The greatest value which we can put upon our selves is to be not the vassals of Sathan nor the bond-slaves of sin no nor the servants of men no nor yet the favourites of Princes but the servants the favourites the (2) John 1.12 Sons of the most high God Those Offices which do most nearly attend his Majesties sacred person are of all preferments the most honourable Happy that (3) 1 Kings 1.34 Psalm 84.4 10 140.13 Esay 49.5 61.6 10 1 Chron. 16.25 35 10.27 Deut. 10.21 Jer. 9.24 Psalm 42.11 Arch-bishop which may have the dignity to anoint his Soveraign and that Nobleman which may bear a part at the solemn inauguration of his Prince Before the day of his (4) Esay 52.13 Phil. 2.9 10 Coronation his Majesty was (5) Esay 2.17 12.4 30.18 equally our Soveraign as he now is since the solemnite of his blessed inauguration just thus whether we exalt the Lord our God or no The Lord our God he is and (6) Nehem. 9.5 exalted he is Yet let me tell you That Believer who with (7) Psalm 34.1 71.15 146.1 2 138.1 35.18 61.8 full purpose of heart seeketh the glory of this God doth not give a Throne a Scepter a Crown unto the Lord for his of right they ever were and are but this favour that
be born but she must be [1] Job 14.1 born to know sorrow surely goodnesse and mercy followed her all the dayes of her life Even in all his Dispensations toward her so favourable unto her were the providences of her God that most usually her sorrowes and mourning were recompenced with joy and gladnesse True She knew the losse of Children but she never [1] Esay 47.8 sat as a Widow Bury some Kinred she did bury some Kinred if she her self would live she must but the God of our life which removed from her some Friends exalted other of her Kinred as surviving blessings The same God which suffered her to close the eyes of her dearest Parents instead of her Parents hath given unto her [1] 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Eurip. in Oreste children hopeful Children She lived to see the captivity * During our late Wars of our Zion but as Moses from Mount Nebo did before his death behold the promised Canaan so neither did she depart this life until having with [1] Heb. 2.1 the Prophet watched to see what the Lord would say She did with [2] Psal 85.8 the Psalmist hear him speak peace unto his people and to his Saints As she prayed for the peace of our Jerusalem so she saw her prayers answered She left not this transitory world until she had first seen that Deliverance which the great God hath most mercifully and most miraculously brought unto us his most unworthy people Hitherto you have chiefly seen what praises we owe unto the divine Majesty in the behalf of this dear Friend for common mercies Beloved although the bountiful God scattereth these blessings of his left hand as well upon the evil as upon the good yet when these worldly favours are placed in and imparted unto an elect Vessel they then begin to be spiritual Blessings Wherefore as God hath had the glory of his Benefits unto this singular Friend of ours in the things of this life so blesse we the Name of the Lord for that large portion of true Riches which she received in things appertaining unto a better life Concerning things appertaining unto the Gospel God was very gracious unto this singular Gentlewoman for she was exceeding happy in [1] 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 prudent and religious Parents By them not out of custome but out of a religious choyce she was consecrated in Baptism unto their God By them she was brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord By them she was trained up in the way she should walk in which way of holinesse she kept unto the end Hence it was that she was so great a lover of good Books of good [1] Scias ipsum plurimis virtutibus abundare qui alienas sic amat Plin. lib. 1. Ep. 17. men of Lords dayes of holy Festivals and of holy Ordinances But over and above these outward priviledges of the Gospel as she walked uprightly so the Lord God Her Sun and Shield had [1] Psalm 84.11 vouchsafed unto her his free grace I say over and above these outward priviledges she had that one blessing which maketh all the rest such for the holy God withheld not from her his holy his blessed Spirit The most merciful and most gracious Father of Lights did by his good Spirit lead her in the way that she should walk in He guided her obedient soul by His Counsel and hath now received her unto his glory That is the last In the life of Glory Of this what shall I report Might her blessed soul descend hither unto us She would now tell us things which cannot be by me uttered What Our eyes have not seen what Our eares have not heard what our hearts cannot conceive that would Her glorified Soul reveal unto us We I trust shall go to Her She you know shall not come to us only This This is our Comfort that As Solomon removed the Ark from the Tabernacle unto the Temple so the Son of David even the person speaking in my Text He hath translated the soul of this Saint from her earthly Tabernacle unto the mansions in his Fathers house For this also it is our Duty to give much thanks unto our God Quest But how shall we best expresse this our thankfulnesse Answ By endeavouring as she endeavoured after a sanctified enjoyment of every of Gods blessings This Gentlewoman whose whole life was a continued thankfulnesse unto the God of her mercies may be unto us both a Motive unto religious thanksgivings and an Example A Motive for [1] 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that this righteous Gentlewoman shall be had in everlasting remembrance assuring us that the prayse of a Gospel-Conversation endureth for ever An Example because she could and did shew us Her faith by Her works viz. She made the Blessings of this World serviceable unto the blessings of the Gospel and When at any time troubles arose in her heart she believed in God she believed also in Christ The greatest part of her Conversation I say the greatest part of it was not only a Practice but a Pattern of Piety Look upon her self-denyals She was as I told you very well descended But did any of you ever hear her boasting her Ancesters She had Wealth at will but Did she make it an occasion unto pride With plenty she possessed the right the humble the spiritual enjoyment of plenty Others make it their businesse to be not Christian but vainly Gentile but she instead of drowning a Christian in a Gentlewoman taught Gentility to adorn Christianity Others are more for the broidering of the hair then for the Ornament of a meek Spirit Was she so Others are more for the pride of life then for the beauty of holinesse Was she so She was none of that sort of Gentry which like S. Chrysostomes Schoolmaster [1] When Liban us who had tought Chrysostome in Philoâ—o by was asked who should succeed him in teaching Libanius answered No one but Chrysostom had not the Christians won him to them Platina in vita Zosomi repute Christs Ministers therefore contemptible because Christs Ministers She was very well educated but was she more a Courtier then a Saint Could any prophane Esau keep her by her Chimney-side then when health allowed her to attend Gods Ordinances in Gods House She had good elocution But was guile found in her mouth I speak this to her praise She detested hypocrisie in another much in her self more On the other side She was a lover of good persons because [1] Ut de pictore aut de sculptore nisi artisex judicare non possit ita nisi sapiens non possit perspiccre sapientem Plin. lib. 1. Ep. 10. good Not long since [1] viz. Octob. 15. 1660. my very good Lady [2] The Lady Ann Overbury late widow of Sir Giles Overbury Knight went comfortably from her own house unto the mansions in her Fathers House Friends You never heard this Gentlewoman
inform me if you are able to inform me how manifold and how unfeigned Thanksgivings are from us due unto Him whose Name is WONDERFUL And yet before we step unto the Globe of the Vniversal World you will glance an eye upon a lesser Mapp upon the little mapp of this little word [1] How little more alas is man now then before he was he was Donns Poems MAN For Consider this dear Gentlewoman which shall hereafter rest in peace Consider these persons here spoken unto in my Text these whineing Disciples these sorry Fishermen Make a grand inquest upon these and all other believers How htghly soever their nature is now exalted their Father was an Amorite their Mother a Hittite Examine [1] Revolve pâ—imordia attende media memorare novissima haec pudorem adducunt ista dolorem ingerunt illa metuÌ„ incutiunt Cogita unde veneâ—is erubesce ubi sis ingemisce qâ—o vadis contremisce Bernard Serm. de primord novissim every Child of Adam At the best Vanity is light but as for man He is lighter even a thing of nought worse [2] Psa 62 9 then nought What ah What is a lump of [3] Ezek. 16.6 menstruous flesh that the pure the most holy God should not utterly detest utterly desert it How is it that God God who [4] Psalm 8.4 Heb. 2.16 rejecteth fallen Angels should have any compassion at all for ever-falling man for a crosse-grained off-spring of a prodigious Traitor for a pernicious brood of viperous Wretches Beloved seeing our first Parents [1] Compare 2 Sam. 12.9 10. with Gen. 2.16 17. despised their Creatours goodnesse seeing we like them thwart his will [2] Compare 2 Sam. 6.5 8.21 ever thwart his will What future good could possibly be foreseen in [3] Rom. 3.19 23 27 any of us which might in the least move election Alas originally there spreadeth in every one of our hearts the loathsome seed of [4] Rom. 7.7 13 Matth. 15.19 Revel 18.2 Esay 2.22 every wickednesse whatsoever There dwelleth in us that Lust which naturally lusteth after the vilest sins imaginable We finde within our selves [5] Job 4.17 19 9.15 20 21 22.2 3 5 25.4 5 6 14.3 4 17 matter worthy reprobation but what finde we worthy Gods election Verily when all that can be said in our behalf is fully spoken all will [6] Rom. 3.9 c. Lam. 3.12 Heb. 12.29 When Nonius rode in a triumphal Chariot Catulus saw cause to say What a deal of dirt is this Cart filled with See Gen. 3.22 and Rom. 3.19 signifie a new-nothing Nothing except guilt except inbred hereditary inveterate malicious guilt We must be [7] Eph. 1.11 predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will before we can obtain an inheritance Through [8] 1 Pet. 1.2 sanctification of the Spirit unto obedience our calling and election [9] 2 Pet. 1.10 is made sure and evident unto us but it must be [10] 1 Pet. 1.2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father that we are elected unto (11) Col. 3.12 Phil. 2.15 this sanctification To know our election of God it (12) 1 Thes 1.4 becometh us but it becometh us to know that our election was of God (13) Eph. 1.4 before all worlds The holy Calling wherewith we are called is (14) 2 Tim. 1.9 Tit. 3.5 not according unto our works but according to his own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began We differ from other men but (15) Rom. 3.22 who made the difference Who (16) 1 Cor. 4 7 maketh thee to differ from another We are kept by the (17) 1 Pet 1.5 power of God through faith unto Salvation but that faith is (18) Rom. 3.22 Tit. 1.1 the faith of Gods elect Whom God justifieth them he (19) Rom. 8.20 calleth whom he calleth them he did predestinate them he (20) Rom. 8.29 did predestinate to be conformed unto the image of his Son If (21) Eph. 1.5 11 according unto the good pleasure of his will he predestinated us unto salvation it is because he predestinated us unto the (22) Eph. 1.5 5 adoption of Children by Jesus Christ unto himself If we (23) Phil. 2.15 Ephes 1.4 be holy and without blame before him in love it is because (24) ibid. he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world And all this to the (25) Phil. v. 12 prayse of the glory of his grace wherein he (26) Phil. v. 6 hath made us accepted in the Beloved Not unto us O Lord not (27) Psalm 115.1 Jer. 9.24 1 Cor. 1.30 31 unto us but unto thy Name give the glory for the Scripture hath (28) Gal. 3.22 concluded us all under sin the Scripture hath (29) RoÌ„ 11.32 3.12 concluded us all under unbelief Of our selves there is (30) Jer. 17.9 En cada casa ay un Ladron In every house liveth a Thief none that deth good no not one If we look no further then our selves 31 Hell is our portion Thus in our lesser Mapp Sins microcosm is found such a world of guilt such a world of provocation such a (1) Gen. 6 5 6 Rom. 3.10 -20 Job 4.17 7.17 18 9 2 11.11 12 14 10 15.14 16 25.4 6 34.15 lost world that as he is now encentred in the midst of the Universe man vain man justly appeareth a most inconsiderable spot lesse far lesse then the (2) Gen. 32.10 least of thy mercies O Lord Yet loe with what a (1) Psalm 32.11 circumference of blessings hast thou encircled this vile Malefactor this most unworthy wretch a wretch so (2) Prov. 8.36 mercilesse unto himself so (3) Esay 17.10 43.22 Jer. 2.32 mindlesse of thee his God! O Lord our God the more (4) Rom. 5.20 undeserving sinful-we are on the left hand and on the right hand the larger the globe (5) Psal 84.5 of thine Vniverse so much the greater prayses blessings and thanksgivings are ever from us due unto thy dreadful Name for all thy mercies Whether to Unbelievers or unto Believers To Unbelievers whether already dead or now living To them who died in Vnbelief It is the Lords mercy First How long since soever they were cast into Hell that into Hell they were not (1) Rom. 9.20 21 Esay 64.8 Prov. 16.4 sooner cast Secondly How great soever the measure of their guilt and pain is that (2) Psalm 145.9 103.10 greater it is not Thirdly That the utmost measure of their punishment is (3) Jude 11. Matth. 16.27 deferred until the great and terrible day of the Lord. Fourthly That their Carcasses which did sin and shall suffer with their soules are respited from Hell (4) John 5.29 1 Thes 4.16 until the general Resurrection Fifthly That both their soules and bodies had obtained everlasting mercies
his whole Kingdom let Nebuchadnezzar (2) Dan. 1.4 2.48 6.3 educate and advance Daniel the best he can unto (3) Esther 3.1 6.10 2.17 Haman nay unto Mordecai nay unto Esther let Ahasuerus shew the utmost of his loving favours yet none of these Histories are worthy to be borrowed no not as illustrations of that eternal love which the everlasting Father revealeth unto us in his Gospel of Jesus Christ Do Vnbelievers doat upon the trash of this world squander away your health your wits your wealth your time your talents upon a (1) 1 John 5.19 world of folly upon (2) Eccles 1.2 emptinesse upon nothing upon (3) 1 Joh 3.4 Rom. 7.13 6.23 sin which is worse then nothing while we who are made (4) James 2.5 Denizons of this kingdome of grace bestow (5) Psalm 1.2 104.34 119.97 Phil. 3.8 1 Tim. 4.15 our time our thoughts our continual studies upon the sacred mysteries of the glorious Gospel We enjoy a fellowship which you poor fools are not well aware of to wit the (6) Phil. 2.1 2 Cor. 13.14 fellowship of that true Comforter the holy Ghost the [7] Phil. 3.10 fellowship of that endearing Redeemer the Son of God and the (8) 1 Joh. 1.3 4.16 fellowship of him who is all in all unto us God the Father In this Kingdome of grace behold (1) 1 John 1 what manner of love the father hath bestowed upon us that we should here be called the sons of God Beloved (2) 1 John 2 now are we the sonnes of God but it doth not yet appear what we shall be But this I know we shall then be like him when we shall see him as he is and we shall most assuredly see him as he is for In my fathers house are many Mansions HOw amiable are these Tabernacles of thine [1] Psalm 84.1 O Lord of hosts Blessed are they that [2] Psalm 84.4 dwell in thy house they will still be praysing thee One thing have I desired of the Lord which I will [3] Psalm 27.4 seek after namely that I may dwell in this house of the Lord all the endlesse dayes of mine everlasting life to behold the beauty of the Lord and to enquire in his Temple My soul [4] Psalm 84.2 longeth yea even fainteth for the Courts of the Lord. Beloved as there is no coming unto these Mansions in my fathers house until the kingdome of glory be first entred so there can never be wanting Matter of thankfulnesse unto God For the Kingdome of glory A Kingdome indeed a kingdome of the great God! a kingdome of the great glory of the great God! Prayse ye the Lord from [1] Psal 148.1 the heavens * Da Christianum scit quod dico but Where no grace is there the King of glory loseth his right Christians were there no temporal punishments no death no judgement no hell to be escaped no Satan to be trodden under foot no sin to be subdued no vertue to be desired no Gospel-conversation to entertain us while we abide in the Church militant no present grace to be the measure of future Reward no recompence of Reward at all nay were our life here upon earth a continual Hell yet the [1] Tit. 1.2 Gal. 5.5 2.3 3.7 Heb. 6.18 hope that is set before us the [2] Phil. 3.14 high price of our high calling may justly fill our mouth with the high prayses of our God Here I confesse my tongue is not the Pen of a ready Writer He needeth the tongue not of men but of Angels the wing not of an Eagle but of a Cherub that (1) 2 Cor. 12.4 undertakes to soar towards these mansions My thoughts may my tongue cannot ascend the heavens It is for divine St. Augustine to write of the City of God Eye hath (1) 1 Cor. 2.9 seen much ear hath heard more then eye hath seen mans heart conceiveth more then his ear hath heard yet all is too little at the best The visible world large as it is containeth not variety enough of creatures to paint out in apposite colours nay to shadow out without colours nay without the least shadow to delineate an imperfect mapp of this (2) Revel 21.2 3 11 most glorious kingdome By the mansions in my Fathers house Ex pede Herculeme 1 Cor. 13.12 you may attempt some small conjecture of what great thanks we owe unto our merciful God for the surpassing infinite and eternal peace joy blisse and glory of this heavenly Kingdome We finde here signified Matter of joy to us and (1) Nam gaudio cogendi vis inest Pan. ad Trajan of prayses to our God First in the Mansions Object Why Mansions Answ 1. Mansions intimate rest Because I have said [1] John 16.6 these things unto you sorrow hath filled your heart but let not your heart be troubled When trouble is nigh God [2] Psalm 22.11 91.15 is not far off you believe in God believe also in me I [3] John 14.2 go to prepare a place of rest for you Beloved all things under the Sun are like the Moon full of defects and changes yea all things under the heavens are like the Ayr made up of vanity and commotions but verily Brethren [4] Heb. 4.9 there remaineth a rest for the Saints Answ 2. Mansions as they promise rest so they intimate [1] Joan. 14.2 Syrus habet vocabulum quod significat locum pablicum ut diversorium sicut etiam Suetonius Mansionis nomine pro diversorio hospitio utitur Geâ—hard in Hist Harm Evangel rest after travel By the sharpnesse of death I open the kingdome of heaven not for my self for I [2] John 6.38.3.13 came down from heaven but for you I go to prepare a place of [3] John 14.2 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Similitudo sumpta ab uno comitum qui in itinere praegressas ad diversorium ibi caeteris cubicula assignat efficit ut venientibus parata sint Grotius entertainment for you In my Fathers house are many Mansions Answ 3. Mansions as they give rest after travel so they [1] Ostendit Joan. 14.2 Apostolos hoc nomine Deo fidere debere quòd in domo patris sui variae sint paratae manjâ—oâ—â—s A transsugâ—s sumpla Metaphora quibus magno solatio est habere varia Asyla ad consuglenda quae promittit Christus sive praesentem spectes vitam sive futuram Zegerns yield refuge against danger As there is no covert from a storm like ones well-built dwelling house so there is no shelter from trouble like Gods dwelling house In Gods house we at once both escape a storm and finde [2] Psalm 3.2 91.9 a God On Mount Zion shall be a [3] Esay 4.6 shadow from heat and a refuge from storm I will be unto you a [4] Ezek. 11.16 little Sanctuary Sirs when Jesus Christs Disciples are persecuted upon earth