him to pieces The German History relates of a Youth who was given to Swearing and did use to invent new Oaths the Lord sent a Canker into his Mouth which did eat out his Tongue whereupon he died 2. Blasphemy He who did Blaspheme God the Lord caused him to be stoned to death Lev. 24.11 23. The Israelitish womans Son blasphemed the name of the Lord and cursed And Moses spake to the People of Israel that they should bring forth him that had cursed and stone him with stones Olympias an Arian Bishop Reproached and Blasphemed the Sacred Trinity whereupon he was suddenly stricken with three Flashes of Lightning which burned him to Death Felix an Officer of Iulian seeing the Holy Vessels which were used in the Sacrament said in Scorn of Christ See what precious Vessels the Son of Mary is served withall Soon after he was taken with a Vomiting of Blood out of his Blasphemous Mouth whereof he died 2. Or if God should not execute Judgment on the Profaners of his Name in this Life yet their Doom is to come God will not remit their Guilt but deliver them to Satan the Goaler to torment them for ever If God justifie a Man who shall condemn him but if God condemn him who shall justifie him If God lay a Man in Prison where shall he get Bail or Main-prize God will take his full blow at the Sinner in Hell Heb. 10.31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God EXOD. XX. 8 Remember the sabbath-Sabbath-Day to keep it Holy Six Days shalt thou labour and do all thy Work But the Seventh Day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God in it thou shalt not do any Work thou nor thy Son nor thy Daughter thy Man-Servant nor thy Maid-servant nor thy Cattel nor thy Stranger that is within thy Gates For in Six Days the Lord made Heaven and Earth the Sea and all that in them is and rested the Seventh Day Wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath-Sabbath-Day and hallowed it This Commandment was engraven in Stone by God's own Finger and it will be our Comfort to have it engraven in our Hearts The sabbath-Sabbath-Day is set apart for God's Solemn Worship it is God's Enclosure and it must not be alienated to common Uses The Lord hath set a Preface before this Commandment he hath put a Memento to it Remember to keep the Sabbath-Day holy This Word Remember shows that we are apt to forget Sabbath-Holiness therefore we need a Memorandum to put us in mind of sanctifying this Day I shall explain the Words I. Here is a Solemn Command Remember the Sabbath-Day to keep it holy II. Many Cogent Arguments to induce us to observe the Command I. In the Command 1. The Matter of it viz. The sanctifying of the Sabbath which Sabbath-Sanctification consists in two things First In resting from our own Works Secondly In a Conscientious Discharge of our Religious Duties 2. The Persons to whom the Command of sanctifying the Sabbath is given 1. Either Superiours and they are 1 st More Private as Parents and Masters Or 2 ly More Publique as Magistrates Or 2. Inferiours First Natives as Children and Servants Thy Son and thy Daughter thy Man-Servant and thy Maid Servant Secondly Foreigners The Stranger that is within thy Gates II. The Cogent Arguments to obey this Command of keeping Holy the Sabbath 1. From the Rationality of it Six Days shalt thou labour and do all thy Work As if God had said I am not an hard Master I do not grutch thee time to look after thy Calling and to get an Estate I have given thee Six Days Six to do all thy Work in and have taken but one Day for my self I might have reserved Six Days for my self and allowed thee but one but I have given thee Six Days for the Works of thy Calling and have taken but One Day for my own Service therefore it is equal and rational that thou shouldst set this Day in a special manner apart for my Worship 2. The Second Argument is taken from 2 ly The Iustice of it The Seventh Day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God As if God had said The Sabbath-Day is my Due I challenge a special Right in it and none hath any thing to do to lay claim to it He who robs me of THIS DAY and puts it to common Uses is a Sacrilegious Person he steals from the Crown of Heaven and I will in no wise hold him guiltless 3. The Third Argument for sanctifying the Sabbath is taken from God's own Pattern he rested the Seventh Day As if the Lord should say Will not you follow my Pattern Having finished all my Works of Creation I rested the Seventh Day So you having done all your Secular Work on the Six Days you should now cease from the Labour of your Calling and Dedicate the Seventh Day to the Lord as a Day of Holy Rest. 4. The Fourth Argument for Sabbath-Sanctification is taken ab Vtili from the Benefit which redounds from a Religious Observation of the Sabbath The Lord blessed the Seventh-Day and hallowed it It is not only a Day of God's Benediction God did not only appoint the Seventh-Day but he blessed the Seventh Day The Sabbath-Day is not only a Day of Honour to God but a Day of Blessing to us it is not only a Day wherein we give God Worship but a Day wherein he gives us Grace on this Day a Blessing drops down from Heaven This is a great Argument for the keeping the Sabbath-Day Holy God is not benefited by it we cannot add one Cubit to his Essential Glory but we our selves are advantaged The Sabbath-Day religiously observed entails a Blessing upon our Souls our Estate our Posterity As the not keeping this Day Holy brings a Curse Ier. 17.27 God curseth a Man's Blessings Mal. 2.2 The Bread which he eats is poysoned with a Curse So the Conscientious Observation of the Sabbath brings all manner of Blessings with it These are the Arguments to induce Sabbath-Sanctification And so I have divided the Commandment into its several Parts and explained the Sence of it The thing I would have you observe is That this Commandment about keeping the Sabbath was not abrogated with the Ceremonial Law but it is purely Moral and the Observation of the Sabbath is to be continued to the end of the World Where can we show that God hath given us a Discharge from keeping one Day in seven So that I say this fourth Commandment is Moral and obligeth Christians to the perpetual Commemoration and Sanctification of the Sabbath Quest. Why God hath appointed a Sabbath Ans. 1. In respect of Himself it is requisite that God should reserve one Day in Seven for his own immediate Service that hereby he might be acknowledged to be the great Plenipotentiary or Sovereign Lord who hath Power over us both to command Worship and appoint the Time when he will be worshipped 2. In respect of Vs. The Sabbath-day
makes for our Interest it promotes Holiness in us The business on the Week-Day makes us too forgetful of God and our Souls the Sabbath brings God into our Remembrance When the Dust of the World falling hath clogg'd the Wheels of our Affections that they would scarce move towards God the Sabbath comes and oyls the Wheels of our Affections and now they move swiftly in Religion Therefore God hath appointed a Sabbath to ripen our Holiness On this Day the Thoughts contemplate Heaven the Tongue speaks of God and is as the Pen of a ready Writer now the Eyes drop Tears now the Soul burns in Love When the Heart was all the Week frozen now on the Sabbath it is melted with the Word The Sabbath is a Friend to Religion it files off the Rust of our Graces it is a Spiritual Jubilee wherein the Soul is set to converse with its Maker I should in the next place show you the Modus or Manner how we should keep the Sabbath-Day Holy But before I come to that I shall propound a great Question viz. Qu. How comes it to pass that we do not keep the Seventh Day Sabbath as it was in the Primitive Institution but have changed it to another Day Ans. The old Seventh-day Sabbath which was the Jewish Sabbath is abrogated and in the room of it the first Day of the Week which is the Christian Sabbath succeeds The Morality or Substance of the Fourth Commandment doth not lie in keeping the Seventh Day precisely but in keeping one Day in Seven which God hath appointed Qu. But how comes the First Day in the Week to be substituted in the room of the Seventh Day Ans. Not by Ecclesiastical Authority The Church saith Mr. Perkins hath no power to Ordain a Sabbath But 1. The Change of the Sabbath from the Last Day of the Week to the First was by Christ's own Appointment Christ is Lord of the Sabbath Mark 2.28 And who shall appoint a Day but he who is Lord of it He made this Day Psalm 118.24 This is the Day which the Lord hath made Arnobius and the Current of Expositors understand it of our Christian Sabbath and it is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Lords Day Rev. 1.10 As it is called the Lord's Supper because of the Lords instituting the Bread and Wine and setting it apart from a common Use to a more special and Sacred Use So it is called the Lords Day because of the Lord 's Instituting it and setting it apart from common Days to his special Worship and Service Christ arose on the First Day of the Week out of the Grave and appeared twice on this Day to his Disciples Iohn 20.19 26. which was to intimate to the Disciples saith Austin and Athanasius that he transferred the Jewish Sabbath to the Lord's Day 2. The keeping of the First Day which is the Lord's Day was the Practice of the Apostles 1 Cor. 16.2 Acts 20.7 On the first Day of the Week when the Disciples came together to break Bread Paul Preached to them Here was both Preaching and Breaking of Bread on this Day Austin and Innocentius and Isidore make the keeping of our Gospel-Sabbath to be an Apostolical Sanction and affirm that by Vertue of the Apostles Practice this Lord's Day is to be sequestred and set apart for Divine Worship What the Apostles did they did it by Divine Authority for they were inspired by the Holy Ghost 3. Besides the Primitive Church had the Lord's Day which we now Celebrate in High Estimation It was a great Badge of their Religion to observe this Day Ignatius the most ancient Father who lived in the time of St. Iohn the Apostle hath these Words Let every one that loveth Christ keep holy the First Day of the Week the Lord's Day This Day hath been observed by the Church of Christ above Sixteen Hundred Years as Learned Bucer notes Thus you see how the seventh-Seventh-day Sabbath comes to be changed to the First-day Sabbath Now there is a Grand Reason for changing of the Jewish Sabbath to the Lord's Day because this puts us in Mind of the Mystery of our Redemption by Christ. The Reason why God did institute the Old Sabbath was Because God would have it kept as a Memorial of the Creation But the Lord hath now brought the First Day of the Week in the room of it in memory of a more Glorious Work than Creation and that is Redemption Great was the Work of Creation but greater was the Work of Redemption As it was said Hag. 2.9 The Glory of the Second Temple was greater than the Glory of the First Temple So the Glory of the Redemption was greater than the Glory of the Creation Great Wisdom was seen in the curious making us but more miraculous Wisdom in saving us Great Power was seen in bringing us out of nothing but greater Power in helping us when we were worse than nothing It cost more to redeem us than to create us In the Creation there was but speaking a Word Psal. 148.5 In the Redeeming us there was shedding of Blood 1 Pet. 1.18 19. The Creation was the Work of God's Fingers Psal. 8.3 Redemption was the Work of his Arm Luke 1.5 In the Creation God gave us our selves in the Redemption he gave us Himself By Creation we have a Life in Adam by Redemption we have a Life in Christ Col. 3.3 By Creation we had a right to an Earthly Paradise by Redemption we have a Title to an Heavenly Kingdom So that well might Christ change the Seventh Day of the Week into the First because this Day puts us in mind of our Redemption which is a more glorious Work than the Creation Vse The Use I shall make is That we should have this Christian Sabbath we now Celebrate in high Veneration The Jews call'd the Sabbath Desiderium Dierum The Desire of Days and the Queen of Days It is a Day of sweet Rest. This Day we must call a Delight the Holy of the Lord Honourable Isa. 58.13 Mettal that hath the King's Stamp upon it is Honourable and of great value God hath set his Royal Stamp upon the Sabbath It is the Sabbath of the Lord this makes it Honourable This Day we should look upon as the best Day in the Week What the Phoenix is among the Birds what the Sun is among the Planets that the Lord's Day is among other Days This is the Day which the Lord hath made Psal. 118.24 God hath made all the Days but he hath blessed this As Iocob got the Blessing from his Brother so the Sabbath hath got the Blessing from all the other Days in the Week The Sabbath is a Day in which we converse in a special manner with God The Jews call'd the Sabbath Dies Lucis A Day of Light on this Day the Sun of Righteousness shines upon the Soul The Sabbath is the Market-day of the Soul the Cream of Time this is the Day of Christ's rising out of the
Grave and the Holy Ghosts descending upon the Earth This Day is perfum'd with the sweet Odour of Prayer which goes up to Heaven as Incense This Day the Manna falls that Angels Food this is the Soul's Festival Day on this Day all the Graces act their Part The other Days of the Week are most employed about Earth this Day about Heaven Then you gather Straw now Pearl Now Christ takes the Soul up into the Mount and gives it transfiguring Sights of Glory Now Christ leads his Spouse into the Wine-Cellar and displays the Banner of his Love now he gives her his Spiced Wine and the Iuice of the Pomegranate Cant. 8.2 The Lord doth usually reveal himself more to the Soul on this Day The Apostle Iohn was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day Revel 1.10 He was carried up in Divine Raptures towards Heaven This Day a Christian is in the Altitudes he walks with God and takes as it were a turn with him in Heaven 1 Ioh. 1.3 On this Day holy Affections are quickened The Stock of Grace is improved Corruptions are weakened On this Day Satan falls like Lightning before the Majesty of the Word Christ wrought most of his Miracles upon the Sabbath So he doth now The dead Soul is raised the Heart of Stone is made Flesh. How should this Day be highly esteemed and had in Reverence This Day is more precious than Rubies God hath anoynted this Day with the Oyl of Gladness above its Fellows On the Sabbath we are doing Angels Work our Tongues are tuned to God's Praises This Sabbath on Earth is a Shadow and Type of that Glorious Rest and Eternal Sabbath we hope for in Heaven when God shall be the Temple and the Lamb shall be the Light of it Rev. 21.22 23. EXOD. XX. 9 10. Six Days shalt thou labour and do all thy Work but the Seventh Day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God in it thou shalt do no manner of Work c. Six Days shalt thou labour God would not have any live out of a Calling Religion seals no Warrant for Idleness 'T is as well a Duty to labour Six Days as to keep Holy Rest on the Seventh Day Six Days shalt thou labour 2 Thess. 3.11 We hear there are some among you walking Disorderly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 working not at all Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Iesus that with Quietness they work and eat their own Bread A Christian must not only mind Heaven but his Calling While the Pilot hath his Eye to the Star he hath his Hand to the Stern Without labour the Pillars of a Common-wealth will dissolve and the Earth will be like the Sluggards Field over-run with Briars Prov. 24.31 Adam in Innocency tho he was the Monarch of the World yet God would not have him idle but he must dress and till the Ground Gen. 2.15 Piety doth not exclude Industry Six Days shalt thou labour Standing Water putrifies The Inanimate Creatures are in Motion The Sun goes its Circuit the Fountain runs the Fire sparkles And Animate Creatures Solomon sends us to the Ant and Pismire to learn Labour Prov. 6.6 Chap. 30.35 The Bee is the Emblem of Industry some of the Bees trim the Honey others work the Wax others frame the Comb others lie Sentinel at the Door of the Hive to keep out the Drone And shall not Man much more inure himself to labour That Law in Paradise was never yet repealed In the Sweat of thy Brows shalt thou eat Bread Gen. 3.19 Such Professors are to to be disliked who talk of living by Faith but live out of a Calling They are like the Lillies which toil not neither do they spin Mat. 6.28 'T is a Speech of Holy and Learned Mr. Perkins Let a Man be endued with excellent Gifts and hear the Word with Reverence and receive the Sacrament yet if he practise not the Duties of his Calling all is but Hypocrisie What is an idle Person good for What benefit is there of a Ship that lies always on the shore Or of Armour that hangs up and rusts To live out of a Calling exposeth a Person to Temptation Melancton calls Idleness Balneum Diaboli the Devil's Bath because he bathes himself with delight in an idle Soul We do not use to sow Seed in ground when it lies fallow but Satan sows most of his Seed of Temptation in such Persons as lie fallow and are out of a Calling Idleness is the Nurse of Vice Seneca an Heathen could say Nullus mihi per Otium Dies exit No Day passeth me without some labour An idle Person stands for a Cypher in the World and God writes down no Cyphers in the Book of Life We read in Scripture of eating the Bread of Idleness Prov. 31.27 and drinking the Wine of Violence Prov. 4.17 It is as well a sin to eat the Bread of Idleness as to drink the Wine of Violence An idle Person can give no account of his Time Time is a Talent to trade with both in our Particular and General Calling The slothful Person hides his Talent in the Earth he doth no good his Time is not lived but lost An idle Person lives unprofitably he cumbers the ground God calls the slothful Servant wicked Mat. 25.26 Thou wicked and slothful Servant Draco whose Laws were written in Blood deprived them of their Life who would not work for their Living In Hetruria they caused such Persons to be banished Idle Persons live in the Breach of this Commandment Six Days shalt thou labour Let them take heed they be not banished Heaven A Man may as well go to Hell for not working in his Calling as for not Believing So I pass to the next But The Seventh Day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God in it thou shalt do no manner of work Having spoken already of the Reasons of sanctifying the Sabbath I come now to that Question Quest. In what manner we are to sanctifie the Sabbath Resp. 1. Negatively we must do no Work in it that is expressed in the Commandment In it thou shalt do no manner of Work God hath enclosed this Day for himself therefore we are not to lay it common by doing any Civil Work As Abraham when he went to sacrifice left his Servant and the Ass at the bottom of the Hill Gen. 22.5 So when we are to Worship God this Day we must leave all worldly business behind leave the Ass at the Bottom of the Hill And as Ioseph when he would speak with his Brethren thrust out the Egyptians so when we would converse with God this Day we must thrust out all earthly Employments The Lord's Day is a Day of Holy Rest all secular Works must be forborn and suspended it is a prophaning the Day Nâ—hem 13.15 In these days saw I in Iudah some treading Wine-presses on the Sabbath and bringing in Sheaves as also Wine-Grapes and Figs and all manner of Burdens which they brought into Ierusalem on
the Sabbath-day and I testified against them Thou I contended with the Nobles of Iudah and said to them What evil thing is this that ye do and prophane the Sabbath-Day It is Sacriledge to rob that Time for Civil Work which God hath Dedicated and set apart for his Worship He that converts any time of the Sabbath to worldly business is a worse Thief than he who robs on the High-way for such a Thief does but rob Man but this Thief robs God he robs him of his Day The Lord forbad Manna to be gathered on the Sabbath Exod. 16. One would think that might have been dispens'd with for Manna was the Staff of their Life and the time when Manna fell was early between Five and Six in the morning so that they might have gathered it betimes and all the rest of the Sabbath they might have employed in God's Worship And besides they needed not to have taken any great Journey for Manna for it was but stepping out of their Doors and it fell about their Tents yet they might not gather Manna on the Sabbath and but for purposing to gather it God was very angry Exod. 16.27 28. There went out some of the People on the Seventh Day to gather and they found none and the Lord said How long refuse ye to keep my Commandments and my Laws Surely the anoynting Christ when he was dead was a commendable Work but Mary Magdalen and Mary the Mother of Iames tho' they had prepared sweet Oyntments to anoint the dead Body of Christ yet they came not to the Sepulchre to embalm him till the Sabbath was past Luke 23.56 They rested on the sabbath-Sabbath-day according to the Commandment The Hand cannot be busied on the Lord's Day but the Heart will be defiled The very Heathens by the Light of Nature would not do any Secular Work in that time which they had set apart for the Worship of their False Gods Clem. Alexandrinus reports of one of the Emperors of Rome that on the Day of set Worship for his Gods he did forbear Warlike Affairs and did spend that time in his Devotion To do servile Work on the Sabbath shows an irreligious Heart and highly affronts God To work servile Work this Day is to follow the Devils Plough it is to debase the Soul God hath made this Day on purpose to raise the Heart up to Heaven to converse with God to do Angels Work and to be employed in earthly Work is to degrade the Soul of it's Honour God will not have his Day intrenched upon or defiled in the least thing The Man that gathered sticks on the Sabbath God would have him stoned Numb 15. One would think that a small thing to pick a few sticks to make a Fire but God would not have his Day violated in the smallest matters Nay that Work which had a reference to a religious Use might not be done on the Sabbath as the hewing of stones for the building of the Sanctuary Bezaleel who was to cut the stones and carve the Timber out for the Sanctuary yet he must forbear it on the Sabbath Exod. 31.15 A Temple is the place of God's Worship but it were a sin to build a Temple upon the Lord's Day This is keeping the Sabbath-day holy Negatively in doing no servile Work Yet Caution Not but that Works of Necessity and Charity may be done on this day God in these cases will have Mercy and not Sacrifice 1. 'T is lawful to take the necessary Recruits of Nature Food is to the Body as Oyl to the Lamp 2. 'T is lawful to do Works of Mercy as helping our Neighbour when either Life or Estate are in Danger Herein the Jews were too nice and precise they would not suffer Works of Charity to be done on the Sabbath If a Man were sick they thought on this day they might not use means for his Recovery Christ chargeth them with this that they were angry that he had wrought a Cure on the Sabbath Iohn 7.23 If an House were on Fire the Jews thought they might not bring Water to quench it If a Vessel did run they thought that on this day they might not stop it These were righteous overmuch Here was seeming Zeal but it wanted Discretion to guide it But unless in these two Cases of Necessity and Charity all secular Work is to be suspended and laid aside on the Lord's Day In it thou shalt do no manner of work which justly doth arraign and condemn many among us who do too much foul their Fingers with Work on this Day Some in dressing great Feasts others in opening their Shop-doors and selling Meat on the Sabbath which I have seen The Mariner will not set to Sea but on the Sabbath and so runs full Sail into the Breach of this Commandment Others work on this Day tho privately They put up their Shop-windows but follow their Trade within doors But tho they think to hide their sin under a Canopy God sees it Psal. 139.7 Whither shall I go from thy Presence ver 12. The Darkness hideth not from thee These Persons do profane this Day and God will have an Action of Trespass against them 2. Positively We keep the Sabbath-day holy by Consecrating and Dedicating this Day to the Service of the High God 'T is good to rest on the Sabbath-day from the works of our Calling But if we rest from Labour and do no more the Ox and the Ass keep the Sabbath as well as we for they rest from Labour We must dedicate the Day to God we must not only keep a Sabbath but sanctifie a Sabbath This Sabbath-sanctification consists in two things I. The solemn Preparation for it II. The sacred Observation of it 1. The solemn Preparation for it If a Prince were to come to your House what Preparation would you make for his Entertainment Sweep the House wash the Floor adorn the Room with the richest Tapestry and Hangings that there might be something suitable to the state and dignity of so great a Person On the blessed Sabbath God intends to have sweet Communion with you he seems to say to you as Christ to Zaccheus Luke 19.5 Make hast and come down for this day I must dine with you Now what Preparation should you make for the entertaining this King of Glory Now this Preparation for the Sabbath is First When the Evening of the Sabbath approacheth sound a Retreat call your Minds off from the World and summon your Thoughts together to think of the great Work of the Day opproaching Secondly Purge out all unclean Affections which may indispose you for the Work of the Sabbath Evening-Preparation will be like the tuning of the Instrument it will fit the Heart the better for the Duties of the Sabbath ensuing 2. The sacred Observation of it touching which these things are to be practised 1. Rejoyce at the approach of this Day as being a Day wherein we have a Prize for our Souls and enjoy much of God's
such Secrets that they must not be spoken of again Or as if it were a shame to speak of that which will save us VI. Shut up the Sabbath-Evening with Repetition Singing of Psalms and Prayer Beg that God would bless the Word you have heard but I hope your Practice herein will prevent my farther speaking Could we but thus spend a Sabbath we might be in the Spirit on the Lord's Day Rev. 1.10 our Souls might be nourished and comforted And this Sabbath which we now keep would be an earnest of that everlasting Sabbath which we shall Celebrate in Heaven EXOD. XX. 8 Remember to keep the sabbath-Sabbath-day Holy Vse I. See here a Christians Duty To keep the sabbath-Sabbath-Day Holy 1. The whole Sabbath is to be Dedicated to God It is not said Keep a part of the Sabbath holy but the whole day must be religiously observed If God hath given us Six Days and taken but One to himself shall we grudge him any part of that Day It were Sacriledge The Jews kept a whole Day to the Lord and we are not to abridge or curtail the Sabbath saith St. Austin more than the Jews did The very Heathens by the Light of Nature did set apart a whole Day in the Honour of their False Gods And Scaevola their High Priest did affirm That the wilful Transgression of that Day could have no Expiation or Pardon Whoever do rob any part of the Sabbath for servile Work or Recreation Scaevola the High Priest of the Heathenish Gods shall rise up in Judgment against such Christians and condemn them And they who say that to keep a whole Sabbath is too Iudaical let them show where God hath made any Abatement of the Time of Worship where he hath said You shall keep but a Part of the Sabbath And if they cannot show that it argues much Boldness to go to rob God of his Due That a whole Day be design'd and set apart for God's special Worship is a perpetual Statute while the Church remains upon the Earth saith Pet. Martyr Of this Opinion also were Theodoret Austin Iraeneus and the Chief of the Fathers 2. As the whole Sabbath is to be Dedicated to God so it must be kept Holy You see the manner of sanctifying the Lord's Day by Reading Meditation Prayer hearing of the Word and by Singing of Psalms to make Melody to the Lord. Now besides what I have said for the keeping this Day holy let me make a short Comment or Paraphrase on that Scripture Isa. 58.13 If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath from doing thy pleasure on my holy day and call the Sabbath a delight the holy of the Lord honourable and shalt honour him not doing thy own ways nor finding thy own pleasure nor speaking thy own words Here is a Description of the right sanctifying a Sabbath 1. If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath That may be understood either Literally or Principally First Literally If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath that is If thou withdrawest thy Foot from taking long Walks or Journeys on the Sabbath-day So the Jewish Doctors expound it Or Secondly Spiritually If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath that is If thou turn away thy Affections the Feet of thy Soul from enclining to any worldly Business 2. From doing thy Pleasure on my holy Day That is Thou must not do that which may please the Carnal Part as Sports and Pastimes This is to do the Devil's Work on God's Day 3. And call the Sabbath a Delight Call it a Delight that is esteem it so Tho the Sabbath be not a Day for Carnal Pleasure yet holy Pleasure is not forbidden The Soul must take pleasure in the Duties of a Sabbath The Saints of old counted the Sabbath a Delight The Jews called the Sabbath Dies Lucis A Day of Light The Lord's Day on which the Sun of Righteousness shines is both a Day of Light and Delight This is the Day of sweet Intercourse between God and the Soul On this Day a Christian makes his Sallies out to Heaven his Soul is lifted above the Earth and can this be without Delight The higher the Bird flies the sweeter it sings On a Sabbath the Soul acts its Love to God and where the Love is there is the Delight On this Day a Believers Heart is melted q. d. quickned enlarged in Holy Duties and how can all this be and not a secret Delight go along with it On a Sabbath a gracious Soul can say as Cant. 2.3 I sat under his shadow with great delight and his Fruit was sweet to my taste How can a Spiritual Heart chuse but call the Sabbath a Delight Is it not delightful to a Queen to be putting on her Wedding Robes in which she shall meet the King her Bridegroom When we are about Sabbath-Exercises we are dressing our selves and putting on our Wedding-Robes in which we are to meet our Heavenly Bridegroom the Lord Jesus And is not this delightful On the Sabbath God makes a Feast of fat things he Feasts the Ear with his Word and the Heart with his Grace Well then may we call the Sabbath a Delight and to find this holy Delight is to be in the Spirit on the Lord's Day 4. The Holy of the Lord honourable In the Hebrew it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Glorious To call the Sabbath Honourable is not to be understood so much of an outward Honour given to it by wearing richer Apparel or having better Diet on this Day as the Jewish Doctors corruptly gloss This is the chief Honour some give to this Day But thou shalt call the Sabbath Honourable that is meant of the Honour of the Heart that we give to this Day reverencing it and esteeming it the Queen of Days We are to count the Sabbath Honourable because God hath honoured it All the Persons in the Trinity have honoured it God the Father blessed it God the Son rose upon it God the Holy Ghost descended on this Day Acts 2.1 And indeed this Day is to be honoured of all good Christians and had in high Veneration It is a Day of Renown On this Day a Golden Scepter of Mercy is held forth The Christian Sabbath is the very Crepusculum and Dawning of the Heavenly Sabbath It is honourable because this Day God comes down to us and visits us To have the King of Heaven present in a special manner in our Assemblies makes the Sabbath-day honourable Besides the Work that is done on this Day makes it honourable The Six Days are fill'd up with-servile Work which makes them lose much of their Glory but on this Day Sacred Work is done The Soul is employed wholly about the Worship of God it is Praying Hearing Meditating it is doing Angels Work Praising and Blessing of God Again The Day is Honourable by vertue of a Divine Institution Silver is of it self valuable but when the Royal Stamp is put upon it it is honourable
So God hath put a Sacred Stamp upon this Day the stamp of Divine Authority and the stamp of Divine Benediction This makes it honourable This is a sanctifying the Sabbath to call it a Delight and Honourable 5. Not doing thy own ways That is Thou shalt not defile the Day by doing any Servile Work 6. Nor Finding thy own pleasure That is not gratifying the Fleshly Part by Walks Visits or Pastimes 7. Nor Speaking thy own Words That is Words Heterogeneous and unsuitable for a Sabbath vain impertinent Words Discourses of Worldly Affairs Here is the sanctifying of a Sabbath described Vse II. If the sabbath-Sabbath-day be to be kept holy it reproves them who instead of sanctifying the Sabbath profane it They take that Time which should be Dedicated wholly to God and spend it in the Service of the Devil and their Lusts. The Lord hath enclosed this Day for his own Worship and they lay God's Day common God hath set an Hedge about this Commandment Remember and they break this Hedge But he who breaks an Hedge a Serpent shall bite him Eccles. 10.8 The Sabbath-day in England lies bleeding And Oh! that our Parliament would pour in some Balm into the Wounds which the Sabbath hath received How is this Day profaned by sitting idle at home by selling Meat by vain Discourse by sinful Visits by walking in the Fields by using Sports The People of Israel might not gather Manna on the Sabbath and may we use Sports and Dancings on this Day Truly it should be matter of Grief to us to see so much Sabbath-profanation When one of Darius's Eunuchs saw Alexander setting his Feet on a rich Table of Darius's he fell a weeping Alexander ask'd him why he wept He said It was to see the Table which his Master so highly esteemed to be now made a Footstool So we may weep to see the Sabbath-day which God so highly esteems and hath so honoured and blessed to be made a Footstool and to be trampled upon by the Feet of Sinners To profane the Sabbath is a Sin of an High Nature it is a wilful Contempt of God It is not only a Casting God's Law behind our back but a trampling it under foot God saith Keep the Sabbath holy but Men will pollute it This is to despise God to hang out the Flag of Defiance to throw down the Gantlet and challenge God himself Now how can God endure to be thus saucily confronted by proud Dust God will not suffer this high Impudence to go unpunished This will draw God's Curses upon the Sabbath-breaker and God's Curse blasts where it comes No sooner did Christ curse the Fig-tree but it withered Tho the Law of the Land lets Sabbath-breakers alone to rob a Man of his Purse shall be punished with Death but to rob God of his Day shall not be punished with Death But God will take the matter into his own hand he will see after the punishing of Sabbath-violation And how doth he punish it 1. With Spiritual Plagues He gives up Sabbath-profaners to hardness of Heart and a seared Conscience Spiritual Judgments are sorest Psal. 81.12 So I gave them up to their own Hearts Lusts. A Sear in the Conscience is a Brand-mark of Reprobation 2. God punisheth this Sin of Sabbath-breaking by giving them up to commit other Sins God to revenge the breaking of his Sabbath suffers Men to break open Houses and so come to be punished by the Magistrate How many such Confessions have we heard from Thieves going to be executed They never regarded the Sabbath and so God suffered them to commit those hainous Sins for which now they are to die 3. God punisheth Sabbath-breaking by sudden visible Judgments on Men for this Sin God punisheth them in their Estates and in their Persons One carrying Corn into his Barn on the Lord's Day both House and Corn consumed with Fire from Heaven In Wiltshire there was a Dancing Match appointed upon the Lord's Day and one of the Company as he was dancing fell down dead suddenly and so was made a Spectacle of God's Justice The Theatre of God's Iudgments relates of one who used every Lord's Day to hunt in Sermon-time and he had a Child by his Wife with an Head like a Dog and it cried like an Hound His Sin was monstrous and it was punish'd with a monstrous Birth The Lord threatned the Jews That if they would not hallow the Sabbath-day he would kindle a Fire in their Gates Jer. 17.27 The dreadful Fire which brake out in London began on the Sabbath-day as if God would tell us from Heaven he was then punishing us for our Sabbath-profanation Nor doth God punish it only in this Life with Death but with Damnation Such as break God's Sabbath let them see if they can break those Chains of Darkness in which they and the Devils shall be held Vse III. It exhorts us to Sabbath-holiness I. Make Conscience of keeping this Day Holy The other Commandments have only an Affirmative in them or a Negative This Fourth Commandment hath both an Affirmative in it and a Negative Thou shalt keep the Sabbath-day holy And Thou shalt not do any manner of Work in it To show how carefully God would have us observe this Day Nor only must you keep this Day your Selves but have a care that all under your Charge keep it Thou and thy Son and thy Daughter and thy Man-Servant and thy Maid-Servant That is Thou who art a Superiour a Parent or a Master thou must have a Care that not only thy self sanctifie the Day but those who are under thy Trust and Tuition To blame are those Masters of Families who are careful that their Servants serve them but have no care that they serve God They care not though their Servants should serve the Devil so long as their Bodies do them Service That which St. Paul saith to Timothy 1 Tim. 6.20 Serva Depositum Keep that which is committed to thy Trust is of a large Extension Not only have a Care of thy own Soul but have a Care of the Souls thou art entrusted with See that they who are under thy Charge sanctifie the Sabbath God's Law provided That if a Man met an Ox or an Ass going astray he should bring him back again Much more when thou seest the Soul of thy Child or Servant going astray from God and breaking his Sabbath thou shouldest bring him back again to a Religious Observation of this Day Now that I may press you to Sabbath-Sanctification consider 1. God hath promised great Blessings to the strict Observers of this Day If this Day be a Delight Isa. 58.14 Then shalt thou delight thy self in the Lord. Delighting in God is both a Duty and a Reward In this Text it is a Reward Then shalt thou delight thy self in the Lord As if God had said If thou keep the Sabbath Conscientiously I will give thee that which shall fill thee with Delight If thou keepest the Sabbath willingly I
will make thee keep it joyfully I will give thee those Enlargements in Duty and that inward Comfort as shall abundantly satisfie thee thy Soul shall overflow with such a stream of Joy that thou shalt say Lord in keeping thy Sabbath there is great Reward And I will cause thee to ride upon the High Places of the Earth That is I will advance thee to Honour ascendere faciam so Munster interprets it Some by the High Places of the Earth understand Iudaea So Grotius I will bring thee into the Land of Iudaea which is higher situated than the other Countries adjacent And I will feed thee with the Heritage of Iacob That is I will feed thee with all the delicious things of Canaan and afterwards I 'll translate thee to Heaven whereof Canaan was but a Type And another Promise Isa. 56.2 Blessed is the Man that doth this that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it Blessed is the Man in the Hebrew it is in the Plural Ashre Blessedness To him that keeps the Sabbath holy here is Blessedness upon Blessedness belongs to him he shall be blessed with the Vpper and Nether Springs he shall be blessed in his Name Estate Soul Progeny Who would not keep the Sabbath from polluting it that shall have so many Blessings entail'd upon him and his Posterity after him 2. A Conscientious keeping the Sabbath seasons the Heart for God's Service all the Week after Christian the more holy thou art on a Sabbath the more holy thou wilt be on the Week following EXOD. XX. 12 Honour thy Father and thy Mother that thy Days may be long upon the Land which the Lord thy God giveth thee Having done with the First Table I am next to speak of the Duties of the Second Table The Commandments may be likened to Iacob's Ladder The First Table as the Top of the Ladder reacheth to Heaven it respects God The Second Table as the Foot of the Ladder rests on the Earth it respects Superiors and Inferiors By the First Table we walk Religiously towards God by the Second we walk Righteously towards Man He cannot be good in the First Table that is bad in the Second Honour thy Father and thy Mother In this 1. A Command Honour thy Father and thy Mother 2. A Reason annexed to it That thy Days may be long in the Land 1. The Command Honour thy Father Quest. Who is meant here by Father Ans. Father Verbum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is taken several ways the Political Ancient Spiritual Oeconomical Natural First The Political Father the Magistrate He is the Father of his Countrey he is to be an Encourager of Vertue a Punisher of Vice a Father to the Widdow and Orphan Such a Father was Iob Chap. 29.16 I was a Father to the Poor and the Cause which I knew not I searched out And as Magistrates are Fathers so especially the King who is the Head of Magistrates is a Political Father He is placed as the Sun among the lesser Stars The Scripture calls Kings Fathers Isa. 49.23 Kings shall be thy Nursing Fathers They are to nurse up their Subjects in Piety by their good Edicts and Examples and to nurse them up in Peace and Plenty Such nourishing Fathers were David Hezekiah Iosiah Constantine Theodosius It is happy for a People who have such nursing Fathers whose Breasts milk Comfort to their Children These Fathers are to be Honour'd For 1. Their Place deserves Honour God hath set these Political Fathers to preserve Order and Harmony in a Nation and to prevent those State-Convulsions which otherwise might ensue Iudg. 17.6 When there was no King in Israel every man did that which was right in his own Eyes A Wonder Prov. 30.27 2. God hath promoted Kings that they may promote Iustice. As they have a Sword in their Hand to signifie their Power so a Scepter an Emblem of Justice It is said of Marcus Aurelius Emperor That he allotted one Hour of the Day to hear the Complaints of such as were oppressed Kings place Judges as Cherubims about the Throne for distribution of Justice These Political Fathers are to be honoured Honour the King 1 Pet. 2.17 And this Honour is to be shown by a Civil Respect to their Persons and a chearful Submission to their Laws so far as they agree and run parallel with God's Law Kings are to be Pray'd for which is a part of that Honour we give them 1 Tim. 2.1 I exhort that Supplications Prayers Intercessions be made for Kings that we may lead a quiet peaceable Life under them in all Godliness and Honesty We are to pray for Kings that God would honour them to be Blessings that under them we may enjoy the Gospel of Peace and the Peace of the Gospel How happy was the Reign of Numa Pompilius when the Swords were beaten into Plough-shares and the Bees made their Hives of the Soldiers Helmets Secondly There is the grave ancient Father who is Venerable for old Age whose Grey Hairs are resembled to the White Flowers of the Almond-tree Eccles. 12.5 These are Fathers for Seniority on whose wrinkled Brows and in the Furrows of whose Cheeks is pictur'd the Map of Old Age. These Fathers are to be honoured Levit. 19.32 Thou shalt rise up before the hoary Head and honour the Face of the Old Man Especially those are to honoured who are Fathers not only for their Seniority but their Piety whose Souls are flourishing when their Bodies are a decaying 'T is a blessed sight to see the Spring of Grace in the Autumn of Old Age To see Men stooping towards the Grave yet going up the Hill of God To see them lose their Colour yet keep their Savour Such whose silver Hairs are crowned with Righteousness are worthy of double Honour They are to be honoured not only as Pieces of Antiquity but as Patterns of Vertue If you see an Old Man fearing God whose Grace shines brightest when the Sun of his Life is setting O honour him as a Father by reverencing and imitating him Thirdly There are Spiritual Fathers as Pastors and Ministers These are the Instruments of the New-Birth 1 Cor. 4.15 Tho you have Ten Thousand Instructors yet have ye not many Fathers for in Christ Iesus I have begotten you through the Gospel The Spiritual Fathers are to be honoured 1. In respect of their Office What-ever their Persons are their Office is honourable They are the Messengers of the Lord of Hosts Mal. 2.7 They represent no less than God himself 2 Cor. 5.20 Now then we are Ambassadors for Christ. Jesus Christ was of this Calling he had his Mission and Sanction from Heaven Ioh. 8.18 And this Crowns the Ministerial Calling with Honour 2. Ministers these Spiritual Fathers are to be honoured for their Work sake they come like the Dove with an Olive-branch in their Mouth they preach glad Tidings of Peace Their Work is to save Souls Other Callings have only to do with Mens Bodies or Estates but the Ministers
Residence Eph. 3.17 A King's Palace must be kept clean especially his Presence-Chamber If the Body of the Temple the Soul is the Holy of Holies this must be consecrated We must not only keep our Bodies from Carnal Pollution but our Souls from Envy and Malice Quest. How shall we know our Souls are pure Resp. 1. If our Souls are pure then we fly from the appearance of evil 1 Thess. 5.22 We will not do that which looks like sin When Ioseph's Mistress did court and tempt him he left his Garment in her hand and fled Gen. 39.12 'T was suspicious to be near her Polycarp would not be seen in Company with Marcion the Heretick because it would not be of good Report 2. If our Souls are pure this Light of Purity will shine forth Aaron had Holiness to the Lord written upon his Golden Plate Where there is Sanctity in the Soul there Holiness to the Lord is engraven upon our Life we are adorn'd with Patience Humility good Works and shine as Lights in the World Phil. 2.15 carry Christ's Picture in our Conversations 1 Iohn 2.6 O let us labour for this Soul-Purity without it there 's no seeing of God Heb. 12.14 What Communion hath Light with Darkness And that we may keep our Souls pure 1. Have Recourse to the Blood of Christ This is the Fountain set open for Sin and Vncleanness Zech. 13.1 A Soul steep'd in the Brinish Tears of Repentance and bathed in the Blood of Christ is made pure 2. Pray much for Pureness of Soul Psal. 51.10 Create in me a clean Heart O God Some pray for Children others for Riches but pray for Soul-purity Say Lord tho my Body is kept pure yet Lord my Soul is defiled I pollute all I touch O purge me with Hyssop Let Christ's Blood sprinkle me let the Holy Ghost come upon me and anoynt me O make me Evangelically pure that I may be translated to Heaven and placed among the Cherubims where I shall be as holy as thou wouldst have me to be and as happy as I can desire to be EXOD. XX. 15 Thou shalt not Steal As the Holiness of God sets him against Vncleanness Thou shalt not commit Adultery so the Justice of God sets him against Rapine and Robbery Thou shalt not steal The thing forbidden in the Commandment is medling with another Man's Propriety Thou shalt not steal The Civil Lawyers define Furtum Stealth or Theft to be the laying Hands unjustly on that which is anothers The invading anothers Right Quest. 1. Whence doth Theft arise Resp. 1. The Internal Causes are 1. Vnbelief A Man hath an high Distrust of God's Providence Can God prepare a Table in the Wilderness Psalm 78.19 So saith the Unbeliever Can God spread a Table for me No he cannot Therefore he is resolved he will spread a Table for himself but it shall be of other Mens Cost and both first and second Course shall be served in with stollen Goods 2. Covetousness The Greek Word for Covetousness 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies an immoderate Deisre of Getting This is the Root of Theft A Man covets more than his own and this Itch of Covetousness makes him scratch what he can from another Achan's covetous Humour made him steal the Wedge of Gold which Wedge did cleave asunder his Soul from God Iosh. 7.21 2. The External Cause of Theft is Satan's Sollicitation Iudas was a Thief Iohn 12.6 How came he to be a Thief Satan entred into him John 13.27 The Devil is the great Master-Thief he robbed us of our Coat of Innocency and he perswades Men to take up his Trade He tells Men how bravely they shall live by Thieving and how they may catch an Estate And as Eve listned to the Serpents Voice so do they and as Birds of Prey live upon Spoil and Rapine Quest. 2. How many sorts of Theft are there Res. I. There is a stealing from God and so they are Thieves who rob any part of God's Day from him Remember to keep holy the sabbath-Sabbath-day Not a paâ—t of the Day only but the Whole Day must be dedicated to God And lest any should forget this the Lord hath prefixed a Memento Remember Therefore to cut God short and after Morning Sacrifice to spend the other part of the Sabbath in Vanity and Pleasure this is Spiritual Thievery 't is to rob God of his Due and the very Heathens will rise up in Judgment against such Christians For the Heathens as Macrobius notes did observe a whole Day to their False Gods II. There is a stealing from Others 1. A stealing away their Souls and so Hereticks are Thieves By robbing Men of the Truth they rob them of their Souls 2. A stealing away their Money and Goods from them And under this Head of stealing away others Money there may be several arraigned for Thieves 1. The High-way Thief who takes a Purse contrary to the Letter of this Commandment Lev. 19.13 Thou shalt not rob thy Neighbour Mark 10.19 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Do not steal This is not the Violence which takes the Kingdom of Heaven Matth. 11.12 2. The House-Thief who purloyns and filcheth out of his Masters Cash or steals his Wares and Drugs The Apostle saith Some have entertained Angels into their Houses unawares Heb. 13.2 But many Masters have entertained Thieves into their Houses unawares The House-Thief is an Hypocrite as well as a Thief he hath demure Looks and pretends he is helping his Master when he only helps to rob him 3. The Thief that shrowds himseif under Law as the unjust Attorney or Lawyer who prevaricates and deals falsly with his Client This is to steal from the Client By Deceit and Prevarication the Lawyer robs the Client of his Land and may be the means to ruine his Family He is no better than a Thief in God's Account 4. The Church-Thief or Pluraâ—st who holds several Benifices but seldom or never preacheth to the People He gets the Golden Fleece but lets his Flock starve Ezek. 34.2 Wo be to the Shepherds of Israel Ver. 8. They feed themselves and feed not my Flock These Ministers will be indited for Thieves at God's Bar. 5. The Shop-Thief he steals in selling 1. Who useth False Weights and Measures and so steals from others what is their due Amos 5.8 Who make the Ephah small The Ephah was a Measure the Jews used in Selling they made the Ephah small gave scant measure which was plain stealing Hos. 12.7 The Ballances of Deceit are in his Hand Men by making their Weights lighter make their Accounts heavier 2. He steals in selling who puts excessive Prices on his Commodities He takes thrice as much for a Commodity as it cost him or as it is worth To over-reach others in selling is to steal Mens Money from them Lev. 19.13 Thou shalt not defraud thy Neighbour neither rob him To defraud him is to rob him This over-reaching others in selling which is a cunning way of stealing is both against Law
any Affliction befal you remember God sees it is that which is fit for you or it should not come your Cloaths cannot be so fit for you as your Crosses God's Providence may sometimes be secret but it is always wise Tho' we may not be silent under God's Dishonour yet we should learn to be silent under his Displeasure 3. You that are Christians believe that all God's Providences shall conspire for the good of his People and shall promote their Salvation at last The Providences of God are sometimes dark and our eyes dim and we can hardly tell what to make of them but when we cannot unriddle Providence believe it shall work together for the good of the Elect Rom. 8.28 The Wheels in a Watch seem to move cross one to another but they help forward the Motion of the Watch and make the Larum strike so the Providences of God seem to be cross Wheels but for all that they shall carry on the Good of the Elect. The pricking of a Vein is in itseâ—f evil and hurtful but as it prevents a Fevor and tends to the Health of the Patient so it is good So Affliction in itself is not glorious but grievous but the Lord turns this to the good of his Saints Poverty shall starve their Sins Affliction shall prepare them for a Kingdom Therefore Christians believe that God loves us that he will make the most cross Providences to promote his Glory and our Good 4. Let this be an Antidote against Immoderate Fear for nothing comes to pass but what is ordain'd by God's Decree and ordered by his Providence We sometimes fear what the Issue of things will be Men grow high in their Actings let us not make things worse by our Fear Men are limited in their Power and shall not go one Hair's breadth further then God's Providence will permit He might let Sennacherib's Army march towards Ierusalem but he shall not shoot one Arrow against it Isa. 38.36 Then the angel of the Lord went forth and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred and fourscore and five thousand When Israel was compassed in between Pharoah and the Red Sea no question some of their hearts did begin to tremble and they look'd upon themselves as dead Men but Providence so ordered it that the Sea was a safe Passage to Israel and a Sepulchre to Pharaoh and all his Host. Use 2. Comfort in respect of the Church of God God's Providence reacheth in a more special manner to his Church Isa. 27.2 Sing ye unto her A vineyard of red wine God waters this Vineyard with his Blessings and watcheth over it by his Providence I the Lord keep it night and day Such as think totally to ruin the Church must do it in a time when it is neither Day nor Night for the Lord keeps it by his Providence Night and Day What a miraculous Conduct of Providence had Israel God led them by a Pillar of Fire gave them Manna from Heaven set the Rock abroach God by his Providence preserves his Church in the midst of Enemies which is as to see a Spark kept alive in the Ocean or a Flock of Sheep among Wolves God saves his Church strangely 1. By giving Unexpected Mercies to his Church when she looked for nothing but Ruine Psal. 126.1 When the Lord turned the captivity of Sion we were like them that dream How strangely did God raise up Queen Esther to preserve alive the Iews when Haman had got a bloudy Warrant sign'd for their Execution 2. Strangely by saving in that very way in which we think he will destroy God works sometimes by Contraries He raiseth his Church by bringing it low The Bloud of the Martyrs hath watered the Church and made it more fruitful Exod. 1.12 The more they afflicted them the more they multiplied The Church is like that Plant Gregory Nazianzen speaks of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it lives by dying and grows by cutting 3. Strangely in that he makes the Enemy do his Work When the People of Amon and Moab and Mount Seir came against Iudah God set the Enemy one against another 2 Chr. 20.23 The children of Amon and Moab stood up against them of Mount Seir to slay them and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir every one help'd to destroy another In the Powder-Treason he made the Traytors to be their own Betrayers God can do his work by the Enemies hand God made the Aegyptians send away the People of Israel laden with Jewels Exod. 12.36 The Church is the Apple of God's Eye and the Eye-lid of his Providence doth daily cover and defend it 5. Let the merciful Providences of God cause Thankfulness We are kept alive by a Wonder-working Providence Providence makes our Cloaths warm us our Meat nourish us We are fed every day out of the Alms-basket of God's Providence That in Health that we have an Estate it is not our Diligence but God's Providence Deut. 8.18 Thou shalt remember the Lord thy God for he it is that gives thee power to get wealth Especially if we go a stâ—p higher we may see cause of Thankfulness That we should be born and bred in a Gospel Climate that we should live in such a place where the Sun of Righteousness shines this is a signal Providence Why might not we have been born in such places where Paganism prevails That Christ should make himself known to us and touch our hearts with his Spirit when he passeth by others Whence is this but from the miraculous Providence of God which is the Effect of his Free-grace Use 3. See here that which may make us long for that time when the great Mystery of God's Providence shall be fully unfolded to us Now we scarce know what to make of God's Providences therefore are ready to Censure what we do not understand but in Heaven we shall see how all God's Providences Sickness Losses Sufferings carried on our Salvation Here we see but some dark pieces of God's Providence and it is impossible to judge of God's Works by Pieces but when we come to Heaven and see the full Body and Pourtraicture of God's Providence drawn out in its lively Colours it will be a glorious Sight to behold Then we shall see how all God's Providences help'd to fulfil his Promises Never a Providence but we shall see had either a Wonder or a Mercy in it The Covenant of Works Quest. IX I Proceed to the next Question What special Providence did God exercise towards Man in the Estate wherein he was created Answ. When God created Man he entred into a Covenant of Life with him upon Condition of perfect Obedience forbidding him to eat of the Tree of Knowledge upon pain of death For this consult with Gen. 2.16 17. And the Lord commanded the man saying of every Tree of the Garden thou mayest freely eat but of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil thou shalt not eat for in the day thou
it Light Feathery Christians flote in Vanity they mind not the Day of Judgment but Serious Spirits sink deep into the Thoughts of it 1. The Meditation of this Last Day would make us very sincere We would then labour to approve our Hearts to God the great Judge and Umpire of the World 'T is easie to carry it fair before Men but there is no Dissembling or Prevaricating with God he sees what the Heart is and will accordingly pass his Verdict 2. The Meditation of Christ's coming to judge us would keep us from Iudging our Brethren We are apt to judge others as to their Final State which is for Men to step into Christ's Place and take his Work out of his Hand Iam. 4.12 Who art thou that judgest another Thou that passest a rash Sentence upon another thou must come thy self shortly to be judged and then perhaps he may be Acquitted and thou Condemned Bran. So demean and carry your selves that at the Day of Judgment you may be sure to be acquitted and have those glorious Privileges the Saints shall be Crowned with Quest. How is that Resp. 1. If you would stand acquitted at the Day of Judgment then First labour to get into Christ Phil. 3.9 That I may be found in him Faith implants us into Christ it in garrisons us in him and then there 's no Condemnation Rom. 8.1 There 's no standing before Christ but by being in Christ. Secondly Labour for Humility 'T is a kind of Self-Annihilation 2 Cor. 12.11 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Though I be nothing Christian hast thou Parts and Abilities and dost thou cover them with the Vail of Humility As Moses when his Face shined put a Vail over it If thou art Humble thou shalt be acquitted at the Day of Judgment Iob 22.29 He shall save the Humble Person An Humble Man judgeth himself for his Sins and Christ will acquit them who judge themselves 2. If you would stand acquitted at the last Day then keep a clear Conscience Do not load your selves with Guilt and furnish your Judge with matter against you The Lord saith Paul hath appointed a Day in which he would judge the World Acts 17.21 And how would Paul fit himself for that Day Acts 24.16 Herein I exercise my Self to have always a Conscience void of Offence towards God and towards Man Be careful of the First and Second Table be Holy and Just. Have Hearts without false Aims and Hands without false Weights keep Conscience as clear as your Eye that no Dust of Sin fall into it They that sin against Conscience will be shy of their Judge Such as take in Prohibited Goods cannot endure to see the Searchers that are appointed to open their Packs Christian thy Pack will be opened at the last Day I mean thy Conscience and Christ is Searcher to see what Sins what Prohibited Goods thou hast taken in and then he proceeds to Judgment Oh be sure to keep a good Conscience this is the best way to stand with boldness at the Day of Judgment The Voice of Conscience is the Voice of God if Conscience doth upon just Grounds acquit us God will acquit us 1 Iohn 3.21 If our heart condemn us not then have we confidence towards God 3. If you would stand acquitted at the last Day then trade your Talents for God's Glory Lay out your selves for God Honour him with your Substance Relieve Christ's Members This is the way to be acquitted He that had Five Talents Traded them and made them Five Talents more His Lord said unto him Well done Good and Faithful Servant Matt. 25.21 4. If you would stand acquitted at the Day of Judgment get an intire Love to the Saints 1 Iohn 3.14 We know we are passed from Death to Life c. Love is the truest Touch-stone of Sincerity To love Grace for Grace shews the Spirit of God to be in a Man Doth Conscience witness for you Are you perfum'd with this sweet Spice of Love Do you delight most in those whom the Image of God shines Do you reverence their Graces Do you bear with their Infirmities A Blessed Evidence that you shall be acquitted in the Day of Judgment We know that we have passed from Death to Life because we love the Brethren Of Obedience to God's Revealed Will. Deut. 27.9 10. Take heed and hearken O Israel This Day thou art become the People of the Lord thy God thou shalt therefore obey the Voice of the Lord thy God and do his Commandments Quest. WHat is the Duty that God requireth of Man Resp. Obedience to his Revealed Will. It is not enough to Hear God's Voice but we must Obey Obedience is a part of that Honour we owe to God Mal. 1.6 If I am a Father where is my Honour Obedience carries in it the Life-Blood of Religion Obey the Voice of the Lord thy God and do his Commandments Obedience without Knowledge is Blind and Knowledge without Obedience is Lame Rachel was fair to look upon but being barren said Give me Children or I die So if Knowledge doth not bring forth the Child of Obedience it will Dye 1 Sam. 15.22 To obey is better than Sacrifice Saul thought 't was enough for him to offer Sacrifice though he disobeyed God's Command No to obey is better than Sacrifice God disclaims Sacrifice if Obedience be wanting Ier. 7.22 I spake not to your Fathers concerning Burnt-Offerings but this thing commanded I them saying Obey my Voice Not but that God did enjoyn those Religious Rights of Worship but the meaning is God looked chiefly at Obedience without which Sacrifice was but Devout Folly The end why God hath given us his Law is Obedience Levit. 18.4 Ye shall do my Iudgments and keep my Ordinances Why doth a King publish an Edict but that it may be observed Quest. 1. What is the Rule of Obedience Resp. The Written Word That is proper Ocedience which the Word requires our Obedience must correspond with the Word as the Copy with the Original To seem to be zealous if it be not according to the Word is not Obedience but Will-worship Popish Traditions which have no Footing in the Word are abominable and God will say quis quaesivint haec Who hath required this at your Hand Isa. 1.12 The Apostle condemns the Worshipping of Angels which had a shew of Humility Col. 2.18 The Jews might say they were loath to be so bold as to go to God in their own Persons they would be more Humble and prostrate themselves before the Angels and desire them to present their Petitions to God This shew of Humility was hateful to God because there was no Word to warrant it Quest. 2. What are the Right Ingredients into our Obedience to make it acceptable Or how must it be qualified Resp. 1. Obedience must be cum animi prolubio Free and Chearful else it is Pennance not Sacrifice Isa. 1.19 If ye be Willing and Obedient though we serve God with Weakness let it be with
Presence Ioh. 8.56 Abraham saw my day and rejoyced So when we see the Light of a Sabbath shine we should rejoyce Isa. 58.13 Thou shalt call the Sabbath a delight This is the Queen of Days which God hath Crowned with a Blessing As there was one Day in the Week on which God did rain Manna twice as much as upon any other Day so God rains down the Manna of Heavenly Blessings twice as much on the Sabbath as on any other This is the Day wherein Christ carries the Soul into the House of Wine and displays the Banners of Love over it Now the Dew of the Spirit falls on the Soul whereby it is revived and comforted How many may write the Lord's day the day of their New Birth This day of Rest is a Pledge and Earnest of that Eternal Rest in Heaven and shall not we rejoyce at the approach of it That day on which the Sun of Righteousness shines should be a day of Gladness 2. Get up betimes on the Sabbath-morning Christ rose early on this day before the Sun was up Iohn 20.1 Did Christ rise early to save us and shall not we rise early to worship and glorifie him Psal. 63.1 Early will I seek thee Can we be up betimes on other days The Husbandman is early at his Plough the Traveller riseth early to go his Journey and shall not we when we are on this day travelling to Heaven Certainly did we love God as we should we would rise on this day betimes that we may meet with him whom our Soul loveth Such as sit up late at work on the Night before will be so buried in sleep that they will hardly be up betimes on a Sabbath-morning 3. Having dressed our Bodies we must dress our Souls for the hearing of the Word As the People of Israel were to wash themselves before the Law was delivered to them Exod. 19.10 so we must wash and cleanse our Souls and that is by Reading Meditation and Prayer I. By Reading the Word The Word is a great means to sanctifie the Heart and bring it into a Sabbath-frame Iohn 17.17 Sanctifie them through thy truth c. And read the Word not carelesly but with seriousness and affection it is the Oracle of Heaven the Well of Salvation the Book of Life David for the preciousness of God's Word esteemed it above Gold and for the sweetness above Honey Psal. 19.10 By reading the Word aright our Hearts when they are dull are quickened when they are hard are mollified when cold and frozen are enflam'd and we can say as the Disciples Did not our Hearts burn within us Some step out of their Bed to hearing The Reason why many get no more good on a Sabbath by the Word Preached is because they did not break Fast with God in the Morning by the Reading of his Word II. Meditation Get upon the Mount of Meditation and so converse with God Meditation is the Soul 's retiring of its self that by a serious and solemn thinking upon God the Heart may be raised up to Divine Affections Meditation is a Work fit for the Morning of a Sabbath Meditate on Four things 1. On the Works of Creation That is express'd here in the Commandment The Lord made Heaven and Earth the Sea c. The Creation is a Looking-glass in which we see the Wisdom and Power of God gloriously represented God produced this fair Structure of the World without any pre-existent Matter and with a Word Psal. 33.6 By the Word of the Lord were the Heavens made The Disciples wondred that Christ could with a Word calm the Sea Matth. 8.26 but it was far more with a Word to make the Sea Let us on a Sabbath meditate on the Infiniteness of our Creator look up to the Firmament there we may see God's Glory blazing in the Sun twinkling in the Stars look into the Sea there we may see God's Wonders in the Deep Psal. 107.24 Look into the Earth there we may behold the Nature of Minerals the Power of the Load-stone the Vertue of Herbs and Beauty of Flowers By meditating on these Works of Creation so curiously embroidered we come to admire God and praise him Psal. 104.24 O Lord how manifold are thy Works in Wisdom hast thou made them all By meditating on the Works of Creation we come to confide in God He who can Create can Provide he that could make us when we were nothing he can raise us when we are low Psal. 124.8 Our Help stands in the Name of the Lord who made Heaven and Earth 2. Meditate on God's Holiness Psal. 111.9 Holy and reverend is his Name Hab. 1.13 Thou art of purer Eyes than to behold Iniquity God is Essentially Originally and Efficiently Holy All the Holiness in Men and Angels is but a Chrystal Stream that runs from this Glorious Ocean God loves Holiness because it is his own Image A King cannot but love to see his own Effigies stamp'd on Coyn. God counts Holiness his Glory and the most sparkling Jewel of his Crown Exod. 15.11 Glorious in Holiness Here is a Meditation fit for our first entrance into a Sabbath God's Holiness The Contemplation of this would work in us such a Frame of Heart as is suitable to an Holy God It would make us then Reverence his Name Hallow his Day While we are musing of the Holiness of God's Nature we begin to be transformed into his Likeness 3. Meditate on Christ's Love in redeeming us Rev. 1.5 Redemption exceeds Creation the one is a Monument of God's Power the other of his Love Here is fit Work for a Sabbath O the infinite stupendious Love of Christ in raising poor lapsed Creatures from a state of Guilt and Damnation 1. That Christ who was God should die That this Glorious Sun of Righteousness should be in an Eclipse we can never enough admire this Love no not in Heaven 2. That Christ should die for Sinners Not sinful Angels but sinful Mankind That such Clods of Earth and Sin should be made bright Stars of Glory O the amazing Love of Christ This was Illustre amoris Christi mnemosynum 3. That Christ should not only die for Sinners but die as a Sinner 2 Cor. 5.21 He was made sin for us He who was among the Glorious Persons of the Trinity was numbred among Transgressors Isa. 53.12 Not that he had Sin but he was like a Sinner having our Sins imputed to him Sin did not live in him but it was laid upon him Here was an Hyperbole of Love enough to strike us into Astonishment 4. That Christ should redeem us when he could not look to gain any thing or be at all advantaged by us Men will not lay out their Mony upon a Purchase unless it will turn to their Profit But what Benefit could Christ expect in purchasing and redeeming us We were in such a Condition that we could neither deserve nor recompense Christ's Love First We could not deserve it for we were in
Rivers of Oyl but Sparks of Love that Christ values And sure as David said While I was musing the Fire burned Psal. 39.3 So while we are musing of Christ's Love in redeeming us the Fire of our Love would burn towards Christ and then is a Christian in a Blessed Sabbath-Frame when he is like a Seraphim burning in Love to Christ. 4. On a Sabbath-morning meditate on the Glory of Heaven Heaven is the Extract and Quintessence of Happiness It is called a Kingdom Mat. 25.34 A Kingdom for it's Riches and Magnificence It is set out by Precious Stones Gates of Pearl Rev. 21. There is all that is truly Glorious transparent Light perfect Love unstained Honour unmixed Joy and that which crowns the Joy of the Celestial Paradise is Eternity Suppose Earthly Kingdoms were more glorious than they are their Foundations of Gold their Walls of Pearl their Windows of Saphire yet they are corruptible But the Kingdom of Heaven is Eternal those Rivers of Pleasure run for evermore Psalm 16.11 And that wherein the Essence of Glory consists and makes Heaven to be Heaven is the immediate Sight and Fruition of the Blessed God Psal. 17.15 When I awake I shall he satisfied with thy likeness O think of this Ierusalem above This is proper for a Sabbath 1. The meditation of Heaven would raise our Hearts above the World O how would these things disappear and shrink into nothing if our Minds were mounted above the Visible Orbs and we had a Prospect of Glory 2. How would the Meditation of Heaven make us Heavenly in our Sabbath-Exercises It would quicken Affection it would add Wings to Devotion it would make us to be in the Spirit on the Lord's Day Rev. 1.10 How vigorously doth he serve God who hath a Crown of Glory always in his Eye III. We dress our Souls on a Sabbath-Morning by Prayer Mat. 6.6 When thou Prayest enter into thy Closet c. Prayer sanctifies a Sabbath 1. The things we should pray for on the Morning of a Sabbath 1. Beg a Blessing upon the Word which is to be Preached that it may be a Savour of Life to us that by it our Minds may be more Illuminated our Corruptions more weakned our Stock of Grace more encreased Pray that God's special Presence may be with us that our Hearts may burn within us while God speaks Pray that we may receive the Word into meek humble Hearts James 1.22 That we may submit to it and bring forth the Fruits of it Nor should we only Pray for our selves but for others First For him who dispenseth the Word that his Tongue may be touched with a Coal from God's Altar That God would warm his Heart who is to help to warm others Your Prayers may be a means to quicken the Minister Some complain they find not that Benefit by the Word Preached Perhaps they did not Pray for their Minister as they should Prayer is like the whetting and sharpening of an Instrument which makes it cut the better Secondly Pray with and for your Family Yea Pray for all the Congregations that meet this Day in the Fear of the Lord that the Dew of the Spirit may fall with the Manna of the Word that some Souls may be converted and others strengthened and that Gospel-Ordinances may be continued and have no Restraint put upon them These are the things we should pray for The Tree of Mercy will not drop its Fruit unless it be shaken by the Hand of Prayer 2. The Manner of our Prayer It is not enough to say a Prayer to pray in a dull cold manner which teacheth God to deny but we must Pray with Reverence Humility Hope in God's Mercy Fervency Luke 22.44 Christ Pray'd 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 more earnestly And that we may pray with more Fervency we must Pray with a Sense of our Wants He who is pinched with Want will be earnest in craving an Alms. He Prays most Fervently who Prays most Feelingly This is to sanctifie the Morning of a Sabbath and it is a good Preparatory for the Word Preached When the Ground is broken up by the Plough now it is fit to receive the Seed When the Heart hath been broken by Prayer now it is fit to receive the Seed of the Word Preached Thus you see how to dress your Souls on a Sabbath-morning There are other Duties remaining EXOD. XX. 10 IV. Having thus dressed your Souls in a Morning for the further Sanctification of the Sabbath address your selves to the Hearing of the Word Preached 1. And when you are set down in your Seat 1. Lift up your Eyes to Heaven for a Blessing upon the Word to be dispensed For you must know the Word Preach'd doth not work as Physick by its own inherent Vertue but by a Vertue from Heaven and the Co-operation of the Holy Ghost Therefore put up a short Ejaculatory Prayer for a Blessing upon the Word that it may be made effectual to you 2. The Word being begun to be Preach'd set your selves in a right manner 1. With Reverence and Holy Attention Acts 16.14 A certain Woman named Lydia attended unto the things that were spoken of Paul Constantine the Emperor was noted for his Reverend Attention to the Word Luke 19.48 Christ taught daily in the Temple And all the People were attentive to hear him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the Greek They hung upon his Lip Could we tell Men of a Rich Purchase they would diligently attend And shall they not much more when the Gospel of Grace is Preaching to them Now that we may sanctifie and hallow the Sabbath by attentive Hearing take heed of two things I. Distraction in Hearing II. Drowsiness in Hearing I. Distraction 1 Cor. 7.35 That ye may attend upon the Lord without Distraction It is said of St. Bernard That when he came to the Church-Door he would say Stay here all my Earthly Thoughtt So should we say to our selves when we are at the Door of God's House Stay here all my worldly Cares and wandring Cogitations I am now going to hearken what the Lord will say to me Distraction hinders Devotion Distraction in Hearing is when the Mind is tossed with vain Thoughts and diverted from the Business in hand 'T is hard to make the Quicksilver Heart fix St. Hierom complained of himself Some times saith he when I am about God's Service per Porticus deambulo I am walking in the Galleries and sometimes casting up Accounts So oft in hearing of the Word the Thoughts dance up and down and when our Eye is upon the Minister our Mind is upon other things Distracted Hearing is far from sanctifying the Sabbath It must needs be very hainous to give way to vain Thoughts at this time because when we are hearing the Word we are now in God's Special Presence To do any Treasonable Action in the King's Presence is high Impudence Ier. 23.11 Yea in my House have I found their Wickedness So may the Lord say In my House
loseth all its Vertue If there be any Unbelievers in our Congregations what shall Ministers say to God at the last Day Lord we have preached to the People thou sentest us to we showed them our Commission we declared unto them the whole Counsel of God but they believed never a Word we spake We told them what would be the Fruit of Sin but they would drink their Sugared Draught tho there was Death in the Cup Lord we are free from their Blood God forbid that ever Ministers should make this Report to God of their People But this they must be forc'd to do if People live and die in Unbelief Would you sanctifie a Sabbath in hearing the Word aright Hear the Word with Faith The Apostle puts these two together Belief and Salvation Heb. 10.39 We are of them that believe to the Saving of the Soul VI. If you would hear the Word aright hear it with meek Spirits Iam. 1.21 Receive the Word in mansuetudine with meekness Meekness is a submissive Frame of Heart to the Word Contrary to this Meekness is Fierceness of Spirit when Men rise up in a Rage against the Word As if the Patient should be angry with the Physician when he gives him a Receipt to purge out his bad Humours Acts 7.54 When they heard this they were cut to the Heart and gnashed on Stephen with their Teeth 2 Chron. 16.10 Asa was wroth with the Seer and put him in a Prison-House Pride and Guilt make Men â—ret at the Word What made Asa storm so but Pride He was a King and thought he was too good to be told of his Sin What made Cain so angry when God said to him Where is Abel thy Brother Saith he Am I my Brothers Keeper What made him so touchy but Guilt He had embrued his Hands in his Brothers Blood If you would hear the Word aright lay down your Passions Receive the Word with Meekness get humble Hearts to submit to the Truths delivered God takes the meek Person to be his Scholar Psal. 25.9 The Meek will he teach his way Meekness makes the Word Preached to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an engrafted Word Iam. 1.21 A good Cion grafted into a Bad Stock changeth the Nature of it and makes it bear sweet and generous Fruit. So when the Word Preached is grafted into Man's Heart it sanctifies them and makes them bring forth the sweet Fruits of Righteousness By Meekness it becomes an engrafted Word VII If you would hear the Word aright be not only attentive but retentive Lay the Word up in your Memories and Hearts Luke 8.15 The Seed on the good Ground are they who having heard the Word keep it The Greek Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to keep signifies to hold the Word fast that it doth not run from us If the Seed be not kept in the Ground but is presently washed away it is sown to little purpose So if the Word Preached be not kept in your Memories and Hearts it is Preached in vain Many People have Memories like leaking Vessels the Word goes out as fast as it comes in How can it profit If a Treasure be put in a Chest and the Chest be not lock'd it may easily be taken out A bad Memory is like a Chest without a Lock the Devil can easily take out all the Treasure Luke 8.12 Then comes the Devil and takes away the Word out of their Hearts Labour to keep in Memory the Truths you hear The things we esteem we are not so apt to forget Will a Bride forget her Iewels Ier. 2.32 Can a Maid forget her Ornaments Did we prize the Word more we should not so soon forget it If the Meat doth not stay in the Stomach but comes up as fast as we eat it it cannot nourish So if the Word stays not in the Memory but is presently gone it can do the Soul but little good VIII If you would hear aright practise what you hear Practice is the Life of all Rev. 22.14 Blessed are they that do his Commandments that they may have right to the Tree of Life Bare Hearing will be no Plea at the Day of Judgment Lord I have heard so many Sermons But God will say What Fruits of Obedience have ye brought forth The Word we Preach is not only to inform you but to reform you not only to mend your Sight but to mend your Pace in the way to Heaven A good Hearer is like the Helitropium c. it opens and shuts with the Sun to God against Sin Now that you may sanctifie a Sabbath by Hearing 1. If you do not hear the Word aright you lose all your Labour How many a weary Step have you taken Your Body hath been crowded your Spirit faint if you are not bettered by hearing if you are as proud as vain as earthly as ever all your hearing is lost You would be loth to Trade in vain and why not as well to hear Sermons in vain Iob 9.29 Why then labour I in vain Put this Question to thy own Soul Why labour I in vain Why do I take all this Pains to hear yet have not the Grace to practise I am as bad as ever why then labour I in vain 2. If you hear the Word and are not bettered by it you are like the Salamander in the Fire not hotter your hearing will encrease your Condemnation Luke 12.47 That Servant which knew his Lord's Will and did it not shall be beaten with many Stripeâ— We pity such as know not where to hear it will be worse with such as care not how they hear To graceless disobedient Hearers every Sermon will be a Faggot to heat Hell It 's sad to go loaden to Hell with Ordinances O beg the Spirit to make the Word Preached effectual Ministers can but speak to the Ear the Spirit speaks to the Heart Acts 10.44 While Peter spake the Holy Ghost sell upon all them that heard the Word V. Having heard the Word in an Holy and Spiritual manner for the further Sanctification of the Sabbath confer of the Word We are forbid on this Day to speak our own Words Isa. 58.14 but we must speak of God's Word Speak of the Sermon as you sit together This is one part of sanctifying the Sabbath Good Discourse brings holy Truths into our Memories and fastens them upon our Hearts Mal. 3.17 Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another There is a great Power and Efficacy in good Discourse Iob 6.25 How forcible are right words By holy Conference on a Sabbath one Christian helps to warm another when he is frozen to strengthen another when he is weak Latimer confessed he was much furthered in Religion by having Conference with Mr. Bilny the Martyr Psal. 119.172 My Tongue shall speak of thy Word One reason why Preaching the Word on a Sabbath doth no more good is because there is so little good Conference Few speak of the Word they have heard as if Sermons were
keep under my Body and Phil. 3.14 I press toward the mark Gods Children have that holy fear in them as keeps them from security and wantonness they believe the Promise therefore they rejoyce in hope they fear their hearts therefore they watch and pray Thus you see what strong consolation there is for all the Heirs of the Promise Such as have God for their Father are the happyest persons on Earth they are in such a condition that nothing can hurt them they have their Fathers Blessing all things conspire for their good they have a Kingdom settled on them and the entail can never be cut off How may Gods Children be comforted in all conditions let the times be what they will their Father is in Heaven he rules all If troubles arise they shall but carry Gods Children so much the sooner to their Father The more violently the Wind beats against the sails of a Ship the sooner the Ship is brought to the Haven and the more fiercely Gods Children are assaulted the sooner they come to their Fathers house 1 Thess. 4.18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words VSE IV. Of Exhortation Let us behave and carry our selves as the Children of such a Father In several particulars 1. Let us depend upon our Heavenly Father in all our straits and exigencies let us believe that he will provide for us Children rely upon their Parents for the supply of wants If we trust God for Salvation shall we not trust him for a Livelyhood There is a lawful provident care to be used but beware of a distrustful care Luke 12.24 Consider the ravens they neither sow nor reap and God seedeth them Doth God feed the Birds of the Air and will he not feed his Children ver 27. Consider the lilies how they grow they spin not yet Solomon in all his glory was not arayed like one of these Doth God cloath the Lilies and will he not cloath his Lambs Even the wicked taste of Gods bounty Psal. 73.7 Their eyes stand out with fatness Doth God feed his Slaves and will not he feed his Family Gods Children may not have so liberal a share in the things of this life but little meal in the barrel they may be drawn low but not drawn dry they shall have so much as God sees is good for them Psal. 34.10 They that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing If God gives them not ad voluntatem he will ad sanitatem if he gives them not alwayes what they crave he will give them what they need if he gives them not a feast he will give them a viaticum a bait by the way Let Gods Children therefore depend upon Gods Fatherly Providence give not way to distrustful thoughts distracting cares or indirect means God can provide for you without your Sins 1 Pet. 5.7 Casting all your care upon him for he careth for you An Earthly Parent may have affection for his Child and would provide for him but sometimes he is not able but God can create a supply for his Children yea he hath promised a supply Psal. 37.3 Verily thou shalt be fed Will God give his Children Heaven and will he not give them enough to bear their charges thither Will he give them a Kingdom and deny them Daily bread O depend upon your Heavenly Father he hath said he will never leave you nor forsake you Heb. 13.5 2. If God be our Father let us imitate him The Child doth not only bear his Fathers Image but doth imitate him in his Speech Gesture Behaviour if God be our Father let us imitate him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gr. Nyssen Eph. 5.1 Be followers of God as dear children 1. Imitate God in forgiving injuries Isa. 44.22 I have blotted out as a thick cloud thy transgressions As the Sun scatters not only thin mists but thick clouds so God pardons great offences imitate God in this Eph. 4.32 Forgiving one another Cranmar was a Man of a forgiving Spirit he did bury injuries and requite good for evil He who hath God for his Father hath God for his Pattern 2. Imitate God in works of Mercy He looseth the prisoners Psal. 146.7 He opens his hand and satisfieth the desire of every living thing Psal. 145.16 He drops his sweet Dew as well upon the Thistle as the Rose imitate God in Works of Mercy relieve the wants of others be rich in good works Luke 6.36 Be merciful as your Father also is merciful Be not so hard-hearted as to shut the poor out of the lines of communication Dives denyed Lazarus a crumb of Bread and Dives was denyed a drop of Water 3. If God be our Father let us submit patiently to his Will if he lay his strokes on us they are the corrections of a Father not the punishments of a Judge This made Christ so patient Iohn 18.11 Shall not I drink the cup which my Father hath given me He sees we need affliction 1 Pet. 1.6 he appoints it as a dyet-drink to purge and sanctifie us Isa. 27.9 therefore dispute not but submit Heb. 12.9 We had fathers of the flesh which corrected us and we gave them reverence They might correct out of an humour but God doth it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for our profit Heb. 12.10 Therefore say as Eli 1 Sam. 3.18 It is the Lord let him do what seemeth him good What gets the Child by strugling but more blows What got Israel by their murmuring and rebelling but a longer and more tedious march and at last their Carcases fell in the Wilderness 4. If God be our Father let this cause in us a Childlike Reverence Mal. 1.6 If I be a Father where is my honour This is a part of the honour we give to God when we reverence and adore him If you have not alwayes a Childlike Confidence yet alwayes preserve a Childlike Reverence and how ready are we to run into extreams either to despond or grow wanton Because God is a Father therefore do not think you may be secure and take liberty to sin if you do God may carry it so as if he were no Father he may throw Hell into your Conscience When David presumed upon Gods Paternal Affection and began to wax wanton under Mercy God made him pay dear for it he withdrew the sense of his Love and though he had the heart of a Father yet he had the look of an Enemy David prayed Cause â—e to hear the voice of joy Psal. 51.8 He lay several months in desertion and it is thought he never recovered his full joy to the day of his death Oh keep alive holy fear with a Childlike confidence preserve an humble reverence The Lord is a Father therefore love to serve him he is the Mighty God therefore fear to offend him 5. If God be our Father let us walk obedientially 1 Pet. 1.14 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 As obedient Children When God bids you be humble and self-denying deny yours part with your bosom
give him high honour and veneration and render his Name sacred We can add nothing to Gods Essential Glory but we are said to honour and sanctifie his Name when we lift him up in the World and make him appear greater in the eyes of others When a Prince is crowned there is something added really to his Honour but when we go to crown God with our Triumphs and Hallelujahs there is nothing added to his Essential Glory God cannot be greater than he is only we may make him appear greater in the eyes of others Quest. 3. When may we be said to hallow and sanctifie Gods name Answ. 1. When we profess his Name our meeting in this holy assembly is an honour done to Gods Name this is good but it is not enough All that wear Gods livery by profession are not true servants there are some Professors Christ will at the last day profess against Matth. 7.23 I will profess I never knew you Therefore to go a little further 2. We hallow and sanctifie Gods Name when we have an high appretiation and esteem of God we set him highest in our thoughts The Hebrew word to honour 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies to esteem precious We conceive of God in our minds as the most super-excellent and infinite good we apprehend in God a constellation of all beauties and delights we adore God in his Glorious Attributes which are the several beams by which his Divine Nature shines forth we adore God in his Works which are bound up in three great Volumes Creation Redemption Providence we hallow and sanctifie Gods Name when we lift him highest in our Souls we esteem him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a super-eminent incomprehensible good 3. We hallow and sanctifie Gods Name when we trust in his Name Psal. 33.21 We have trusted in his holy name No way can we bring more revenues of Honour to God or make his Crown shine brighter than by confiding in him Rom. 4.20 Abraham was strong in faith giving glory to God there was an hallowing of Gods Name As unbelief stains Gods honour and eclipseth his Name 1 Iohn 5.10 He that believeth not makes God a lyar so Faith doth glorifie and hallow Gods Name The Believer trusts his best Jewel in Gods hands Psal. 3.5 Into thy hands I commit my Spirit Faith in a Mediator doth more honour and sanctifie Gods Name than Martyrdom or the most sublime acts of Obedience 4. We hallow and sanctifie Gods Name when we never make mention of his name but with the highest reverence Gods Name is Sacred and it must not be spoken of but with veneration The Scripture when it speaks of God gives him his Titles of Honour Gen. 14.20 Blessed be the most high God Neh. 9.5 Blessed be thy glorious name which is exalted above all praise To speak vainly or slightly of God is a profaning his Name and is a taking his Name in vain Let his Name be Hallowed By giving God his venerable Titles we do as it were hang his Jewels on his Crown 5. We hallow and sanctifie Gods Name when we love his Name Psal. 5.11 Let them that love thy name be joyful and that Love which is honouring Gods Name must be a special discriminating Love the cream and flower of our Love such a Love as we give to none besides As the Wife honours her Husband by giving him such a Love as she gives to none else a Conjugal Love so we hallow Gods Name by giving him such a Love as we give to none else a Love joyned with Worship Psal. 45.11 He is thy God and worship thou him 6. We hallow and sanctifie Gods Name when we give him an Holy and Spiritual Worship 1. We give him the same kind of Worship that he hath appointed Lev. 10.3 I will be sanctified of all that come nigh to me that is I will be sanctified with that very Worship I have appointed It is the purity of Worship God loves better than the pomp It is a dishonouring of Gods Name to bring any thing into his Worship which he hath not instituted as if God were not wise enough to appoint the manner how he will be served Men will go to prescribe him and super-add their inventions This God looks upon as offering strange fire and it is an high provocation 2. We give God the same Heart devotion in Worship as he hath appointed Rom. 12.11 Fervent in Spirit serving the Lord. The word for fervent 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is a Metaphor that alludes to Water that seeths and boyls over so our Affections should boyl over in holy Duties To give God outside Worship and not the Devotion of the Heart is instead of hallowing and sanctifying him in an Ordinance to abuse him as if one call for Wine and you give him an empty Glass It is to deal with God as Prometheus did with Iupiter who did eat the Flesh and present Iupiter with nothing but Bones covered over with Skin then we hallow Gods name and sanctifie him in an Ordinance when we give him the vitals of Religion an Heart flaming with Zeal 7. We hallow and sanctifie Gods Name when we hallow his day Ier. 17.22 Hallow ye the Sabbath day Our Christian Sabbath which comes in the room of the Iews Sabbath is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Lords day Rev. 1.10 This was antiently called dies lucis a day of light wherein Christ the Sun of Righteousness shines in an extraordinary manner It is an honour done to God to hallow his Sabbath 1. We must rest on this day from all secular works Ier. 17.21 Bear no burden on the Sabbath day As Ioseph when he would speak with his Brethren thrust out the Egyptians so when we would have converse with God on this day we must thrust out all earthly employments It is observable Mary Magdalen refused to anoint Christs dead Body on the Sabbath-day Luke 23.56 She had before prepared her Oyntment and Spices but came not to the Sepulchre till the Sabbath was past She rested on that day from civil Work though it were a commendable and glorious Work the anointing of Christs dead Body 2. We must in a solemn manner devote our selves to God on this day We must spend this whole day with God Some will hear the Word but leave all their Religion at Church they do nothing at home they do not pray or repeat the Word in their houses and so they rob God of a part of his day 't is to be bewailed to see how Gods day is profaned Let not Men think Gods Name is hallowed while his Sabbath is broken 8. We hallow and sanctifie Gods Name when we ascribe the honour of all we do to him Psal. 96.8 Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name Herod instead of hallowing Gods Name stain'd the honour of his Name in assuming that praise to himself which was due to God Acts 12.23 We ought to take the honour from our selves and give it to God 1
Profess or Pray and Hear in a formal manner This doth him no hurt nor them no good but he doth oppose Meditation as being a means to compose the heart and make it serious Satan can stand your small shot so you do not put in this Bullet He cares not how much you Hear nor how little you Meditate Meditation is a chewing of the cud it makes the VVord digest and turn to nourishment Meditation is the Bellows of the Affections The Devil is an enemy to this When Christ was alone in the Wilderness giving himself to Divine Contemplations then the Devil comes and tempts him to hinder him He will thrust in Worldly Business something or other to keep Men off from Holy Meditation 2. Duty which Satan by his tempting would keep us from is Mortification This is as needful as Heaven Col. 3.5 Mortifie your Members which are upon the Earth uncleanness inordinate affection Satan will let Men be angry with sin exchange sin restrain sin which is keeping sin Prisoner that it doth not break out but when it comes to the taking away the Life of Sin Satan labours to stop the Warrant and hinder the Execution When Sin is Mortifying Satan is Crucifying 3. Self-examination 2 Cor. 13.5 Examine your selves 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Metaphor from Metal that is pierced thorow to see if it be Gold within Self-examination is a Spiritual Inquisition set up in ones Soul a Man must search his heart for sin as one would search an house for a Traitor or as Israel sought for Leaven to burn it Satan if it be possible will by his Temptations keep Men from this Duty He useth a great deal of subtilty 1. Here First he tells them Their Estate is good and what need they put themselves to the trouble of Examination Though Men will not take their Money on Trust but will examine it by the Touchstone yet Satan perswades them to take their Grace on trust The Devil perswaded the Foolish Virgins they had Oyl in their Lamps 2. Satan hath another Policy he will shew Men the Faults of others to keep them from searching their own See what a Proud Covetous Man goes there He will allow them Spectacles to see what is amiss in others but not a Looking-glass to behold their own Faces and see what is amiss in themselves II. Satan's Policy is to discourage us in Duty When one hath been about the performing of Holy Duties then the Devil stands up and tells him He hath play'd the Hypocrite he hath served God for a Livery he hath had sinister ends His Duties have been full of distraction they have been Fly-blown with Pride He hath Offered the blind and lame and can he expect a reward from God Satan tells a Christian He hath encreased his sin by Prayer and by this Temptation he would make a Child of God quite out of conceit with his Duties he knows not whether he had best Pray or no. III. Or Thirdly if this Plot will not take Satan labours by Temptation to put a Christian on too far in duty If he cannot keep a Child of God from duty he will run him on too far in it For instance humiliation and mourning for sin is a duty but Satan will put one on too far in it Thou art not saith he humbled enough And indeed Satan never thinks a Man is humbled enough till he despairs He would make a Christian wade so far in the Waters of Repentance that he should wade beyond his depth and be drown'd in the Gulph of Despair Satan comes thus to the Soul Thy sins have been great and thy sorrow should be proportionable to your sin But is it so Canst thou say thou hast been as great a Mourner as thou hast been a Sinner Thou didst for many years drive no other Trade but sin And is a drop of Sorrow enough for a Sea of Sin No thy Soul must be more humbled and lie steeping longer in the brinish waters of Repentance Satan would have a Christian weep himself blind and in a desperate mood throw away the Anchor of Hope Now lest any here be troubled with this Temptation let me say this This is a meer Fallacy of Satan for sorrow proportionable to sin is not attainable in this Life nor doth God expect it It is sufficient for thee Christian if thou hast a Gospel-sorrow if thou grievest so far as to see Sin hateful and Christ precious If thou grievest so as to break off Iniquity if thy Remorse end in Divorce this is to be humbled enough Then the Gold hath lain long enough in the fire when the Dross is purged out then a Christian hath lain long enough in Humiliation when the Love of Sin is purged out This is to be humbled enough to Divine Acceptation God for Christ's sake will accept of this Sorrow for Sin therefore let not Satans Temptations drive to despair You see how subtil an Enemy he is to hinder from Duty or discourage in Duty or put Men on too far in Duty that he may run them upon the Rock of Despair Had we not then need having such a subtil Enemy Pray Lord lead us not into temptation As the Serpent beguiled Eve let us not be beguiled by this Hellish Machiavel 23. Subtilty of Satan in Tempting to the act of sin is the hopes of returning out of it by speedy Repentance But this is a fallacy it is easie for the Bird to fly into the Snare but it is not so easie to get out of the Snare Is it so facile a thing to Repent Are there no pangs in the New Birth Is it easie to leap out of Dalilah's Lap into Abraham's Bosom How many hath Satan flattered into Hell by this policy that if they sin they may recover themselves by Repentance Alas Is Repentance in our Power A Spring lock can shut of it self but it cannot open without a Key We can shut of our selves to God but we cannot open by Repentance till God open our heart who hath the Key of David in his hand 24. Subtilty of Satan in Tempting is to put us upon doing that which is good unseasonably 1. To Mourn for sin is a duty The Sacrifices of God are a broken heart Psal. 51.17 but yet there is a time when it may not be so seasonable After some eminent Deliverance which calls for Rejoycing now to have the Spirits dyed of a Sad Colour and to sit Weeping is not seasonable There was a Special Time at the Feast of Tabernacles when God call'd his People to Chearfulness Deut. 16.15 Seven days shalt thou keep a Solemn Feast to the Lord thy God and thou shalt surely rejoyce Now if at this time the Israelites had hung their Harps upon the Willows and been Disconsolate it had been very unseasonable like Mourning at a Wedding When God by his Providence calls us to Thanksgiving and we sit Drooping and with Rachel refuse to be comforted this is very evil and savours of Ingratitude
Heaven Use 1. It shews us what should not be our chief End not to get great Estates not to lay up Treasures upon Earth This is the Degeneracy of Mankind since the Fall their great Design is to compass the Earth and grow Rich and this they make their Finis ultimus their chief End Cassa caduca pluris faciunt quam coelestia Cavidro These never think of glorifying God they trade for the World but are not Factors for Heaven Eccles. 9.3 Madness is in their heart while they live sometimes they never arrive at an Estate they do not get the Venison they hunt for or though they do what have they that which will not fill the Heart no more then the Marriner's Breath will fix the Sails of a Ship like a fair Picture drawn on the Ice and to spend all one's time as Israel in gathering Straw but remember not the End of living to glorifie God Eccles. 5.16 What profit hath he that laboured for the wind And these things are soon gone Use 2. It reproves such 1. as bring no Glory to God They do not answer the End of their Creation their time is not true lived but time lost they are like the Wood of the Vine Ezek. 15.2 Their Lives are as St. Bernard speaks Aut peccatum aut sterilitas Either Sinfulness or Barrenness Telluris inutile pondus God will one day ask such a question as King Ahasuerus did Esther 6.3 What honour and dignity hath been done to Mordicai So will the Lord say What honour hath been done to me What Revenues of Glory have you brought into my Exchequer There is none here present but God hath put you in some Capacity of glorifying him the Health he hath given you the Parts Estate Seasons of Grace these all are Opportunities put into your hand to glorifie him and be assur'd God will call you to account to know what you have done with the Mercies he hath intrusted you with and what Glory you have brought to him The Parable of the Talents Matth. 25.15 where the Man with the five Talents and the two Talents are brought to a Reckoning doth evidently shew that God will call you to a strict Account to know how you have traded with your Talents and what Glory you have brought to him Now how sad will it be with them that hide their talent in a napkin that bring God no Glory at all Verse 30. Cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness It is not enough for you to say that you have not dishonoured God you have not lived in gross Sin but what Good have you done what Glory have you brought to God It is not enough for the Servant of the Vineyard that he doth no hurt in the Vineyard he doth not break the Trees or destroy the Hedges if he doth not do service in the Vineyard he looseth his Pay If you do not good in your Place not glorifie God you will lose your Pay miss of Salvation Oh think of this all you that live Unserviceably Christ cursed the barren Fig-tree 2. It reproves such as are so far from bringing Glory to God that they rob God of his Glory Mal. 3.8 Will a man rob God yet ye have robbed me They rob God who take the Glory due to God to themselves 1. If they have gotten an Estate they ascribe all to their own Wit and Industry they set the Crown upon their own Head not considering that Deut. 8.18 Thou shalt remember the Lord thy God for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth 2. If they do any Duty of Religion they look asquint to their own Glory Matth. 6.5 That they may be seen of men 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That they may be set upon a Theatre that others may admire and canonize them The Oil of Vain-glory feeds their Lamp how many hath the Wind of Popular Breath blown to Hell Quos non gula 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 superavit Cyprian Whom the Devil could not destroy by Intemperance he hath by Vain-glory. 3. It reproves them who fight against God's Glory Acts 5.39 Lest ye be found to fight against God Quest. But who do fight against God's Glory Resp. Such as do oppose that whereby God's Glory is promoted God's Glory is much promoted in the preaching of the Word because it is his Engine whereby he converts Souls Now such as would hinder the preaching of the Word these fight against God's Glory 1 Thess. 2.16 Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved Dioclesian who raised the tenth Persecution against the Christians did prohibit Church-meetings and would have the Temples of the Christians to be razed down Such as hinder Preaching do as the Philistines that stop'd the Wells they stop the Well of the Water of Life they take away the Physitians that should heal Sin-sick Souls Ministers are Lights Matth. 5.14 and who but Thieves hate the Light These Persons do directly strike at God's Glory and what an Account will they have to give to God when he shall charge the Bloud of Mens Souls upon them Luke 11.52 Ye have taken away the key of knowledge ye entred not in yourselves and they that were entring in ye hindred If there be either Justice in Heaven or Fire in Hell they shall not go unpunished Use 4. Exhortation Let us every one in our place make this our chief End and Design to glorifie God 1. Let me speak to Magistrates God hath put much Glory upon them Psal. 82.6 I have said ye are gods And will not they glorify him whom he hath put so much Glory upon Magistrates should be zealous for God's Worship and Day they should not let the Sword rust in the Scabbard but draw it out for the cutting down of Sin 2. Ministers how should they study to promote God's Glory God hath intrusted them with two the most precious Things his Truths and the Souls of his People Ministers are by vertue of their Office to glorifie God 1. They must glorifie God by labouring in the Word and Doctrine 2 Tim. 4.1 I charge thee before God and the Lord Iesus Christ who shall judge the quick and the dead Preach the word be instant in season out of season c. It was St. Augustine's Wish That Christ at his coming might find him Aut Precantem aut Praedicantem either Praying or Preaching 2. Ministers must glorifie God by their Zeal and Sanctity The Priests under the Law before they served at the Altar did wash in the Lavor Such as serve in the Lord's House must first be washed from gross Sin in the Lavor of Repentance 'T is matter of Grief and Shame to think how many who call themselves Ministers do instead of apparently bringing Glory to God Dishonour God their Lives as well as Doctrines are Heterodox they are not free from the Sins which they reprove in others Plutarch's Servant upbraided him It is not as my Master Plutarch saith he hath written a
Harmonious Consent of all the Parts of Scripture there are Seven cogent Arguments may Evince it to be the Word of God 1. By its Antiquity It is of ancient standing The gray Hairs of Scripture make it Venerable No Humane Histories extant reach further then since Noah's Flood but the Holy Scripture relates Matters of Fact that have been from the beginning of the World it writes of things before Time Now that is a sure Rule of Tertullian That which is of the greatest Antiquity is to be received as most Sacred and Authentick 2. We may know the Scripture to be the Word of God by the Miraculous Preservation of it in all Ages The Holy Scriptures are the richest Jewel that Christ hath left and the Church of God hath kept these Publick Records of Heaven that they have not been lost The Word of God hath never wanted Enemies to oppose and if possible to extirpate it They have given out a Law concerning Scripture as Pharaoh did the Midwives concerning the Hebrew Womens Children to strangle it in the Birth yet God hath preserved this blessed Book inviolable to this Day The Devil and his Agents have been blowing at Scripture-Light but could never prevail to blow it out a clear sign that it was lighted from Heaven Nor hath the Church of God in all Revolutions and Changes only kept the Scripture that it should not be lost but that it should not be depraved The Letter of Scripture hath been preserved without any Corruption in the Original Tongue The Scriptures were not corrupted before Christ's Time for then Christ would never have sent the Jews to the Scriptures but he sends them to the Scriptures Iohn 5.39 Search the Scriptures Christ knew these Sacred Springs were not muddied with Humane Fancies 3. The Scripture appears to be the Word of God by the Matter contained in it 1. By its Profundity The Mystery of Scripture is so abstruse and profound that no Man or Angel could have known it had it not been Divinely revealed That Eternity should be born that he who Thunders in the Heavens should cry in the Cradle that he who Rules the Stars should Suck the Breasts That the Prince of Life should die that the Lord of Glory should be put to shame that Sin should be punished to the full yet pardoned to the full who could ever have conceived of such a Mystery had not the Scripture been the Oracle to reveal it to us So for the Doctrine of the Resurrection That the same Body which is crumbled into a thousand pieces should rise idem numero the same individual Body for else it were a Creation not a Resurrection how could such a Sacred Riddle above all Humane disquisition be known had not the Scripture made a Discovery of it 2. By its Purity It is for the Matter of it so full of Goodness Justice and Sanctity that it could be breathed from none but God The Holiness of it shows it to be of God it bears his very Image The Scripture is compared to Silver refined seven times Psal. 12.6 This Book of God hath no Errata's in it It is a Beam of the Sun of Righteousness a Chrystal Stream flowing from the Fountain of Life All Laws and Edicts of Men have had their Corruptions but the Word of God hath not the least Tincture it is of a Meridian Splendour Psal. 119.140 Thy Word is very pure like wine that comes from the grape which is not mixed or adulterated It is so pure that it purifies every thing else Iohn 17.17 Sanctifie them through thy truth The Scripture presseth Holiness so as never any Book did It bids us live soberly righteously godly Titus 2.12 Soberly in Acts of Temperance Righteously in Acts of Justice Godly in Acts of Zeal and Devotion It commends to us whatever is just lovely of good report Phil. 4.8 This Sword of the Spirit Eph. 6.17 cuts down Vice Out of this Tower of Scripture is thrown down a Milstone upon the Head of Sin The Scripture is the Royal Law which commands not only the Actions but Affections it binds the Heart to its good Behaviour Where is there such Holiness to be found as is dig'd out of this Sacred Mine Who could be the Author of such a Book but God himself 4. That the Scripture is the Word of God is evident by its Predictions it Prophesieth of things to come This shows the Voice of God speaking in it it was foretold by the Prophet A Virgin shall conceive Isa. 7.14 and the Messiah shall be cut off Dan. 9.26 The Scripture foretels things that should fall out many Ages and Centuries after as how long Israel should serve in the Iron Furnace and the very day of their Deliverance Exod. 12.41 At the end of the four hundred and thirty years even the self same day it came to pass the Hoasts of the Lord went out of Egypt This Prediction of Future Things meerly contingent and not depending upon Natural Causes is a clear Demonstration of its Divine Original 5. The Impartiality of those Men of God who wrote the Scriptures they do not spare to set down their own Failings What Man that writes an History would black his own face viz. record those things of himself that might stain his Reputation Moses records his own Impatience when he struck the Rock and tells us therefore he could not enter into the Land of Promise David writes of his own Adultery and Bloodshed which stands as a Blot in his Scutchion to succeeding Ages Peter relates his own Pusillanimity in denying Christ. Ionah sets down his own Passions I do well to be angry to the death Surely had not their Pen been guided by God's own Hand they would never have written that which did reflect dishonour upon themselves Men do usually rather hide their Blemishes then publish them to the World But these Pen-men of Holy Scripture eclipse their own Name they take away all the Glory from themselves and give the Glory to God 6 Arg. The mighty power and efficacy the Word hath had upon the Souls and Consciences of Men. 1. It hath changed their heart 1. Some by reading of Scripture have been turned into other Men they have been made holy and gracious By reading other Books the Heart may be warmed but by reading this Book it is transformed 2 Cor. 3.3 Ye are manifestly declared to be the Epistle of Christ written not with Ink but with the Spirit of the living God The Word was copied out into their Hearts and they were become Christ's Epistle so that others might read Christ in them If you should set a Seal upon Marble and it should make an Impression upon the Marble and leave a Print behind there were a strange Virtue in that Seal So when the Seal of the Word leaves an heavenly print of Grace upon the Heart there must needs be a Power going along with that Word no less than Divine 2. It hath comforted their Heart When
faces fills them with shame and horrour When the Sinner sees an Hand-writing on the Wall of Conscience his Countenance is changed Many have hanged themselves to quiet their Conscience Tiberius the Emperour a bloody Man felt the Lashes of his Conscience he was so haunted with that Fury that he told the Senate he suffered Death daily And what is it should put a Man's Conscience into such an Agony but the Impression of a Deity and the Thoughts of coming before God's Tribunal Those who are above all Humane Laws yet are subject to the Checks of their own Conscience And it is observable the nearer the Wicked approach to Death the more they are terrified and Conscience gives a louder Alarm to them And whence is this but from the apprehension of Judgment approaching The Soul being sensible of its Immortal Nature trembles at him who never ceaseth to Live and therefore will never cease to Punish 3. That there is a God appears by the Consent of Nations by the Universal Vote and Suffrage of all Nulla gens tam barbara cui non insideat haec persuasio Deum esset Tully No Nation so barbarous saith Tully as not to believe there is a God Though the Heathen did mistake in their Devotion they did not worship the true God yet they worshipped a God They set up an Altar 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to the unknown God Acts 17.22 They knew a God should be worshipped though they knew not the God whom they worshipped Some did worship Iupiter some Neptune some Mars rather than not worship something they would worship any thing 4. That there is a God appears by his Prediction of Future Things He who can foretel things which shall surely come to pass is the True God God foretold that a Virgin should conceive he prefixed the time when the Messias should be cut off Dan. 9.76 he foretold the Captivity of the Iews in Babylon and who should be their Deliverer Isa. 45.1 This is such a strong Argument to prove a Deity as God himself useth it to prove he is the True God and that all the Gods of the Heathens were Fictions and Nullities Isa. 41.22 Testimonium Divinitatis est Veritas Divinationis Tertul. To foretel Things contingent and which depend upon no natural Causes is proper to a Deity 5. That there is a God appears by God's unlimited Power and Soveraignty He who can work and none hinder him is the True God but God can do so Isa. 43.13 I will work and who shall let it Nothing can hinder Action but some Superiour Power but there is no Power above God all Power that is is by him therefore all Power is under him he hath a mighty Arm Psal. 89.13 He sees the Designs Men drive on against him and plucks off their Chariot Wheels he maketh Diviners mad Isa. 44.25 he cutteth off the Spirit of Princes He bridleth the Sea gives check to the Leviathan binds the Devils in Cains he acts pro arbitrio he doth what he will I will work and who shall let it 6. There are Devils therefore there is a God Atheists cannot deny but there are Devils and then they must grant there is a God We read of divers possessed with the Devil The Devils are called in Scripture Cashegnirini Hairy ones because they oft appeared in the form of Goats or Satyrs Gerson in his Book De probatione Spirituum tells us how Satan on a time appeared to an holy Man in a most glorious manner professing himself to be Christ the old Man answered I desire not to see my Saviour here in this Desart it shall suffice me to see him in Heaven Now if there be a Devil then there is a God Socrates an Heathen when he was accused at his Death confessed that as he thought there was a malus genius an Evil Spirit so he thought there was a Good Use 1. Seeing there is a God this reproves such Atheistical Fools as deny it Epicurus denied that there was a Providence saying That all things fell out by Chance Diagoras He that saith there is no God is the wickedest Creature that is he is worse then a Thief who doth but take away our Goods from us but the Atheist would take away our God from us Joh. 20. They have taken away my Lord. So we may say of Atheists they would take away our God from us in whom all our Hope and Comfort is laid up Psal. 14.1 The fool hath said in his heart There is no God He durst not speak it with his Tongue but said it in his Heart he wished it Sure none can be Speculative Atheists The devils believe and tremble Jam. 2. I have read of one Arthur a professed Atheist who when he came to die cried out he was damned But though there are few found who say There is no God yet many deny him in their Practices Tit. 1.16 In works they deny him Cicero said of Epicurus Verbis reliquit Deos resustulit The World is full of Practical Atheism most People live as if they did not believe there was a God Durst they lie defraud be unclean if they believed there were a God who would call them to account If an Indian who never heard of a God should come among us and have no other means to convince him of a Deity but the Lives of Men in our Age sure he would be of Protagoras his mind who did hang in a doubtful suspence and did question Whether there were a God Utrum Dii sint non ausim affirmare Use 2. Seeing there is a God he will deal righteously and give just Rewards to Men. Things seem to be carried in the World very unequally The wicked flourish Psal. 73. they who tempt God are delivered Mal. 3.15 The ripe Clusters of Grapes are squeezed into their Cup and in the mean while the godly who wept for sin and served God are afflicted Psal. 102.9 I have eaten Ashes like Bread and mingled my drink with weeping Evil Men enjoy all the Good and Good Men endure all the Evil. But seeing there is a God he will deal righteously with Men Gen. 18.25 Shall not the Iudge of all the World do right Offenders must come to punishment The Sinners deaths-Deaths-day and Dooms-day is a coming Psal. 37.13 The Lord seeth that his day is coming While there is an Hell the wicked shall be scourged enough and while there is Eternity they shall lye there long enough and God will abundantly compensate the faithful Service of his People They shall have their white Robes and Crown Psal. 58.11 Verily there is a Reward for the Righteous verily he is a God that judgeth in the Earth Because God is God therefore he will give forth glorious Rewards to his People Use 3. Seeing there is a God woe to all such as engage this God against them he lives for ever to be avenged upon them Ezek. 22.14 Can thine heart endure or can thine hands be strong in the day that I shall
which is no guile now he sees his own Image in you This draws God's Heart towards you Likeness draws Love But One GOD. Quest. V. THE fifth Question is Are there more Gods then one Answ. There is but one only the living and true God That there is a God hath been proved and those that will not believe the Verity of his Essence shall feel the Severity of his Wrath Deut. 6.4 Hear O Israel the Lord our God is One Lord. He is the only God Deut. 4.39 Know therefore this day and consider it in thy heart that the Lord he is God in Heaven above and upon the Earth beneath there is none else Isa. 45.21 A just God and a Saviour There is none beside me There are many titular Gods Kings represent God their Regal Scepter is an Emblem of his Power and Authority Judges are called Gods Psal. 82.5 I have said ye are Gods viz. set in God's place to do Justice but dying Gods vers 7. Ye shall dye like men 1 Cor. 8.5 6. There be that are called Gods but to us there is but One God Argument 1. There is but one first Cause that hath its Being of it self and on which all other Beings depend As in the Heavens the primum Mobile moves all the other Orbs so God gives Life and Motion to every thing existent There can be but one God because there is but one first Cause 2. There is but one infinite Being therefore there is but one God There cannot be two Infinites Ier. 23.24 Do not I fill heaven and earth saith the Lord If there be one Infinite filling all places at once how can there be any room for another Infinite to subsist 3. There is but one Omnipotent Power if there be two Omnipotents then we must always suppose a Contest between these two that which one would do the other Power being Equal would oppose and so all things would be brought into a Confusion If a Ship should have two Pilots of equal Power one would be ever crossing the other when one would Sail the other would cast Anchor here were a Confusion and the Ship must needs perish The Order and Harmony in the World the constant and uniform Government of all things is a clear Argument that there is but one Omnipotent one God that rules all Isa. 44.6 I am the first and I am the last and beside me there is no God Use 1. of Information If there be but one God then it excludes all other Gods Some have fained that there were two Gods so the Valentinians others that there were many Gods so the Polytheites the Persians worshipped the Sun the Egyptians the Lion and Elephant the Grecians worshipped Iupiter These I may say err not knowing the Scriptures Matth. 22.29 Their Faith is a Fable God hath given them up to strong delusions to believe a lie that they may be damned 2 Thess. 2.11 2. If there be but one God then there can be but One true Religion in the World Eph. 4.5 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 one Lord one Faith If there were many Gods then there might be many Religions every God would be worshipped in his way but if there be but one God there is but one Religion one Lord one Faith Some say we may be saved in any Religion 't is absurd to imagine that God who is one in Essence should appoint several Religions in which he will be worshipped 'T is as dangerous to set up a false Religion as to set up a false God There are many ways to Hell Men may go thither which way their Fancy leads them but there is but one direct Road to Heaven viz. Faith and Holiness There is no way to be saved in but this as there is but one God so there is but one True Religion 3. If there be but one God then you have but One that you need chiefly study to please and that is God If there were divers Gods we should be hard put to it how to please them all one would command one thing another the quite contrary and to please two contrary Masters is impossible but there is but one God therefore you have but one to please As in a Kingdom there is but one King therefore every one seeks to ingratiate himself into his favour Prov. 19.6 so there is but one true God therefore here lies our main work to please him Be sure to please God whoever else you displease This was Enoch's Wisdom Hebr. 11.5 he had this Testimony before he died that he pleased God Quest. What doth this pleasing God imply Answ. 1. We please God when we comport with his Will 'T was Christ's meat and drink to do his Father's will Iohn 4.34 and so he pleased him Matth. 3 17. A voice came from heaven saying this is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased It is the will of God that we should be holy 1 Thess. 4 3◠Now when we are bespangled with Holiness our Lives are walking Bibles this is according to God's will and it pleaseth him 2. We please God when we do the Work that he sets us about Iohn 17.4 I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do viz. my mediatory work Many finish their lives but do not finish their work Our work God hath cut out for us is to observe the first and second Table In the first is set down our duty towards God in the second our duty towards Man Such as make Morality the chief and sole part of Religion set the second Table above the first nay they take away the first Table for if Prudence Justice Temparance be enough to save then what needs the first Table and so our worship towards God shall be quite left out But those two Tables which God hath joyned together let no Man put asunder 3. We please God when we dedicate our Heart to give him the best of every thing Abel gave God the fat of the Offering Gen. 4.4 Domitian would not have his Image carved in Wood or Iron but in Gold Then we please God when we serve him with love fervency alacrity we give him golden Services herein lies our Wisdom and Piety to please God there is but one God therefore there is but one whom we have chiefly to please namely God 4. If there be but one God then we must pray to none but God The Papists pray to Saints and Angels 1. To Saints a Popish Writer saith When we pray to the Saints departed they being touched with compassion say the like to God for us as the Disciples did to Christ for the Canaanitish Woman Matth. 15.23 Send her away for she crieth after us The Saints above know not our Wants Isa. 63.16 Abraham is ignorant of us or if they did we have no warrant to pray to them Prayer is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a part of Divine Worship which must be given only to God 2. They pray to Angels Angel-worship is forbidden Col. 2.18 19. and
not he like to to be well cured that throws himself into Hell for ease 3. Sin produceth all Temporal Evil. Lam. 1.8 Ierusalem hath grievously sinned ergo she is removed It is the Trogan Horse it hath Sword and Famine and Pestilence in the Belly of it Sin is a Coal that not only blacks but burns Sin creates all our Troubles it puts Gravel into our Bread Wormword in our Cup. Sin rots the Name consumes the Estate buries Relations Sin shoots the flying Roll of God's Curses into a Family and Kingdom Zach. 5.4 It is reported of Phocas having built a Wall of mighty strength about his City there was a voice heard 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sin is within the City and that will throw down the Wall 4. Sin unrepented of brings final damnation The canker that breeds in the Rose is the cause of its perishing and corruptions that breed in Mens Souls are the cause of their damning Sin without Repentance brings the second death Rev. 20.14 that is mors sine morte Bern. a death always dying Sins pleasure will turn to sorrow at last like the Book the Prophet did eat Ezek. 3.3 sweet in the mouth but bitter in the belly Sin brings the wrath of God and what Buckets or Engines can quench that Fire Mark 9.44 Where the worm never dies and the fire is not quenched Use 1. See how deadly an evil sin is how strange is it that any one should love it Psal. 4.3 How long will ye love vanity Hos. 3.1 Who look to other Gods and love Flagons and Wine Sin is a Dish Men cannot forbear though it make them sick who would pour Rose-water into a Kennel what pity is it so sweet an affection as Love should be poured upon so filthy a thing as sin Sin brings a sting in the Conscience a curse in the Estate yet Men love it A sinner is the greatest Self-denier for his sin he will deny himself a part in Heaven Use 2. Do any thing rather then sin O hate sin there is more evil in the least sin then in the greatest bodily Evils that can befall us The Ermyn rather chooseth to die then defileth her beautiful skin There is more evil in a drop of sin then in a Sea of Affliction Affliction is but like a rent in a Coat Sin a prick at the Heart In Affliction there is aliquid boni some good In this Lion there is some Hony to be found Psal. 119.71 It is good for me that I was afflicted Utile est animae si in hac area mundi flagellis trituretur corpus Aug. Affliction is God's Flail to thrash off our Husks not to consume but refine There is no good in sin it is the spirit and quintissence of Evil. Sin is worse then Hell for the pains of Hell only are a burden to the Creature but sin is a burden to God Amos 2.13 I am pressed under your iniquities as a Cart is pressed under the sheaves Use ult Is Sin so great an Evil then how thankful should you be to God if he hath taken away your sin Zach. 3.3 I have caused thy iniquity to pass from thee If you had a Disease on your Body Plague or Dropsie how thankful would you be to have it taken away much more to have sin taken away God takes away the guilt of sin by pardoning grace and the power of sin by mortifying grace O be thankful that this sickness is not unto death That God hath changed your Nature and by grafting you into Christ made you partake of the sweetness of that Olive that sin though it live doth not reign but the elder serves the younger the elder of sin serves the younger of grace ADAM's SIN Quest. XI WHat was the Sin whereby our first Parents fell from the Estate wherein they were created Resp. The Sin was their eating of the forbidden Fruit Gen. 3.6 She took of the fruit thereof and did eat and gave also to her husband Here is implied 1. That our first Parents fell from their State of Innocency 2. The Sin by which they fell Eating the forbidden Fruit. 1. Our first Parents fell from their glorious State of Innocency Eccles. 7.29 God made man upright but they have sought out many inventions Adam was perfectly Holy he had Rectitude of Mind and Liberty of Will to good but his head aked till he had invented his own and our Death he sought out many Inventions 1. Adam's Fall was voluntary he had à Posse non Peccare a Power not to Fall Free-will was a sufficient Shield to repel Temptation the Devil could not have forced him unless he had given his Consent Satan was only a Suitor to woe not a King to compel but Adam gave away his own Power and suffer'd himself to be decoy'd into Sin Like a young Gallant who at one throw looseth a fair Lordship Adam had a fair Lordship he was Lord of the World Gen. 1.28 Have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the fowl of the air and over every living thing that moveth But he lost all at one throw As soon as he had sinned he forfeited Paradise 2. Adam's Fall was sudden he did not long continue in his Royal Majesty Quest. How long did Adam continue in Paradise before he fell Resp. Tostatus saith he fell the next day Pererius saith he fell the eighth day after his Creation But the most probable and received Opinion is That Adam fell the very same day in which he was created So Irenaeus Cyril Epiphanius and many others The Reasons which incline me to believe so are 1. It is said Satan was a murderer ab initio from the beginning Joh. 8.44 Now whom did he murder Not the blessed Angel he could not reach them nor the cursed Angels for they had before destroyed themselves How then was Satan a Murderer from the beginning As soon as Satan fell he began to tempt Mankind to Sin this was a Murdering Temptation By which it appears Adam did not stay long in Paradise soon after his Creation the Devil set upon him and murdered him by his Temptation 2 Argument to prove that Adam fell the same day he was created Adam had not yet eaten of the Tree of Life Ver. 22 23. And now least he put forth his hand and take also of the tree of life and eat the Lord sent him forth of the garden This Tree of Life being one of the choicest Fruits in the Garden and being placed in the midst of Paradise it is very like Adam would have eaten of this Tree of Life one of the first had not the Serpent beguiled him with the Tree of Knowledge So that hence I conclude Adam fell the very day of his Creation because he had not yet tasted the Tree of Life that Tree that was most in his Eye and had such delicious Fruit growing upon it 3 Argument from Psal. 49.12 Man being in honour abideth not The Rabbins read it thus Adam being in Honour
let not unworthiness discourage you it is not unworthiness excludes any from the Covenant but unwillingness Quest. What shall we do that we may be in Covenant with God Answ. 1. Seek to God by Prayer Exige à Domino misericordiam Aug. Lord be my God in Covenant The Lord hath made an express Promise that upon our Prayer to him the Covenant shall be ratified he will be our God and we shall be his People Zach. 13.9 They shall call upon my Name and I will hear them I will say it is my people and they shall say The Lord is my God Only it must be an importunate Prayer Come as earnest Suiters resolve to take no denial 2. If you would be in Covenant with God break off the Covenant with Sin before the Marriage-Covenant there must be a Divorce 1 Sam. 7.3 If ye return to the Lord with all your hearts put away the strange gods and they put away Ashtaroth viz. their Female Gods Will any King enter into Covenant with that Man who is in League with his Enemies 3. If you would enter into the Bond of the Covenant get Faith in the Blood of the Covenant Christ's Blood is the Blood of Atonement believe in this Blood and you are safely arked in God's Mercy Eph. 2.13 Ye are made nigh to the blood of Christ. Use 4. Of Comfort to such as can make out their Covenant Interest in God 1. You that are in Covenant with God all your sins are pardoned Pardon is the crowning Mercy Psal. 103.3 Who forgiveth thy iniquity who crowneth thee c. This is a branch of the Covenant Ier. 31.33 I will be their God and I will forgive their iniquity Sin being pardoned all wrath ceaseth How terrible is it when but a Spark of God's Wrath flies into a Man's Conscience but sin being forgiven no more wrath God doth not appear now in the Fire or Earthquake but covered with a Rain-bow full of Mercy 2. All your Temporal Mercies are Fruits of the Covenant Wicked Men have Mercies by Providence not by virtue of a Covenant with Gods leave not with his Love But such as are in Covenant have their Mercies sweetned with God's Love and they swim to them in the Blood of Christ. As Naaman said to Gehazi 2 Kings 5.23 Take two Talents so saith God to such as are in Covenant Take two Talents take Health and take Christ with it take Riches and take my Love with them take the Venison and take the Blessing with it Take two Talents 3. You may upon all Occasions plead the Covenant If you are haunted with Temptation plead the Covenant Lord thou hast promised to bruise Satan under my feet shortly wilt thou suffer thy Child to be thus worried take off the roaring Lion If in want plead the Covenant Lord thou hast said I shall want no good thing wilt thou save me from Hell and not from Want wilt thou give me a Kingdom and deny me daily Bread 4. If in Covenant with God all things shall co-operate for your Good Etiam mala cedunt in bonum Psal. 25.10 Not only golden paths but his bloody paths Every wind of Providence shall blow them nearer Heaven Affliction shall humble and purifie Hebr. 12.10 Out of the bitterest Drug God distils your Salvation Afflictions add to the Saints Glory The more the Diamond is cut the more it sparkles the heavier the Saints Cross the heavier shall be their Crown 5. If thou art in Covenant once then for ever in Covenant The Text calls it Berith Gnolam an everlasting Covenant Such as are in Covenant are elected God's electing Love is unchangeable Ier. 32.40 I will make an everlasting Covenant with them that I will not turn away from them but I will put my fear in ther heart that they shall not depart from me God will so love the Saints that he will not forsake them and the Saints shall so fear God that they shall not forsake him 'T is Berith Gnolam a Covenant of Eternity it must be so for who is this Covenant made with is it not with Believers and have not they Coalition and Union with Christ Christ is the Head they are the Body Eph. 1.23 This is a near Union much like that Union between God the Father and Christ Iohn 17.21 As thou Father art in me and I in thee that they also may be one in us Now the Union between Christ and the Saints being so inseparable it can never be dissolved or the Covenant made void you may die with Comfort 6. Thou art in Covenant with God and thou art going to thy God behold a Death-bed Cordial Death breaks the Union between the Body and the Soul but perfects the Union between Christ and the Soul This hath made the Saints desire Death as the Bride the wedding-Wedding-day Phil. 1.23 Cupio dissolvi Lead me Lord to that Glory said one a glympse whereof I have seen as in a Glass darkly Use 5. of Direct To shew you how you should walk who have tasted of Covenant-Mercy Live as a People in Covenant with God As you differ from others in respect of Dignity so you must in point of Carriage 1. You must love this God God's Love to you calls for Love 1. It is Amor Gratiatus a free Love Why should God pass by others and take you into a League of Friendship with himself In the Law God passed by the Lion and Eagle and chose the Dove so he passes by the Noble and Mighty 2. It is Amor plenns a full Love When God takes you into Covenant you are his Hephsibah Isa. 62.3 his delight is in you he gives you the Key of all his Treasure he heaps Pearls upon you he settles Heaven and Earth upon you he gives you a Bunch of Grapes by the way and saith Son all I have is thine And doth not all this call for Love Who can tread upon these hot Coals and his heart not burn in love to God 2. Walk Holily The Covenant hath made you a Royal Nation therefore be an holy People Shine as Lights in the World live as Earthly Angels God hath taken you into Covenant that you and he may have Communion together and what is it keeps up your Communion with God but Holiness 3. Walk thankfully Psal. 103.1 God is your God in Covenant he hath done more for you then if he had made you ride upon the high Places of the Earth and given you Crowns and Scepters O! Take the Cup of Salvation and bless the Lord. Eternity will be little enough to praise him Musitians love to play on their Musick where there is the loudest sound and God loves to bestow his Mercies where he may have the loudest Praises You that have Angels Reward do Angels Work Begin that Work of Praise here which you hope to be always doing in Heaven CHRIST the Mediator of the Covenant HEB. 12.24 Iesus the Mediator of the new Covenant c. JEsus Christ is the Sum and Quintessence of
by the way observe this may comfort us in regard of the Church of God though at present we do not see that Peace and Purity in the Church as we could desire yet in the fulness of time when God's time is come and Mercy is ripe then shall Deliverance spring up and God will come riding upon the Chariots of Salvation When the fulness of time was come then God sent forth his Son made of a Woman Quest. Why was Iesus Christ made flesh Resp. 1. The Causa prime and impulsive Cause was Free-grace Causa 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it was Love in God the Father to send Christ and Love in Christ that he came to be Incarnate Love was the intrinsical Motive Christ is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because he is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God-man because he is a lover of Man Christ came out of Pity and Indulgence to us Non merita nostra sed miseria nostra Aug. not our Deserts but our Misery made Christ take flesh Christ's taking flesh was a Plot of Free-grace a pure Design of Love God himself though Almighty was overcome with Love Christ Incarnate is nothing but Love covered with Flesh. Christ's assuming our Humane Nature as it was a Master-piece of Wisdom so a Monument of Free-grace 2. Christ took our flesh upon him that he might take our sins upon him He was saith Luther maximus peccator the greatest Sinner having the weight of the sins of the whole World lying upon him He took our flesh that he might take our sins and so appease God's wrath 3. Christ took our flesh that he might make the Humane Nature appear lovely to God and the Divine Nature appear lovely to Man 1. That he might make the Humane Nature lovely to God Upon our Fall from God our Nature became odious to him no Vermin is so odious to us as the Humane Nature was to God When once our Virgin-Nature was become sinful it was like flesh imposthumated or running into Sores loathsom to behold Such was our Nature when corrupt odious to God he could not endure to look upon us Now Christ taking our flesh makes the Humane Nature appear lovely to God As when the Sun shines on the Glass it casts a bright lustre so Christ being clad with our flesh makes the Humane Nature shine and appear amiable in God's Eyes 2. As Christ being cloath'd with ou◠flesh makes the Humane Nature appear lovely to God so he makes the Divine Nature appear lovely to Man The pure God-head is terrible to behold we could not see it and live But Christ's cloathing himself with our flesh makes the Divine Nature more amiable and delightful to us Now we need not be afraid to look upon God seeing him through Christ's Humane Nature It was a custom of old among the Shepherds they were wont to clothe themselves with Sheep-skins to be more pleasing to the Sheep so Christ cloathed himself with our flesh that the Divine Nature may be more pleasing to us The Humane Nature is a Glass through which we may see the Love and Wisdom and Glory of God clearly represented to us Through the Lanthorn of Christ's Humanity we may behold the Light of the Deity shining Christ being Incarnate he makes the sight of the Deity not formidable but delightful to us 4. Jesus Christ united himself to Man that Man might be drawn nearer to God God was before an Enemy to us by reason of sin but Christ taking our flesh doth mediate for us and bring us into Favour with God As when a King is angry with a Subject the King's Son marries the Daughter of this Subject and so mediates for this Subject and brings him into favour with the King again so when God the Father was angry with us Christ marries himself to our Nature and now mediates for us with his Father and brings us to be Friends again and now God looks upon us with a favourable aspect As Ioab pleaded for Absalom and brought him to King David and David kissed him so doth Jesus Christ ingratiate us into the favour and love of God Therefore he may well be called a Peace-maker having taken our flesh upon him and so made Peace between us and his angry Father Use 1. Branch 1. See here as in a Glass the infinite love of God the Father that when we had lost our selves by sin then God in the riches of his Grace did send forth his Son made of a Woman to redeem us And behold the infinite love of Christ that he was willing thus to condescend to take our flesh Surely the Angels would have disdained to have taken our flesh it would have been a disparagement to them What King would be willing to wear Sackcloth over his Cloath of Gold but Christ did not disdain to take our flesh O the love of Christ Had not Christ been made flesh we had been made a Curse had not he been incarnate we had been incarcerate and had been for ever in Prison Well might an Angel be the Herauld to proclaim this joyful News of Christ's Incarnation Luke 2.10 Behold I bring you good tidings of great joy for unto you is born this day a Saviour which is Christ the Lord. The Love of Christ in being Incarnate will the more appear if we consider 1. Whence Christ came He came from Heaven and from the richest place in Heaven his Father's Bosom that Hive of Sweetness 2. To whom Christ came Was it to his Friends no he came to sinful Man Man that had defaced his Image abused his Love Man who was turned Rebel Yet he came to Man resolving to conquer Obstinacy with Kindness If he would come to any why not to the Angels that fell Hebr. 2.16 He in no wise took upon him the Nature of Angels The Angels are of a more noble Extract more intelligible Creatures more able for Service I but behold the Love of Christ he came not to the fallen Angels but to Mankind Among the several Wonders of the Loadstone this is not the least That it will not draw Gold or Pearl but despising these it draws the Iron to it one of the most inferiour Mettals Thus Christ leaves the Angels those Noble Spirits the Gold and the Pearl and he comes to poor sinful Man and draws him into his Embraces 3. In what manner he came He came not in the Majesty of a King attended with his Lifeguard but he came poor Not like the Heir of Heaven but like one of an inferiour Descent The Place he was born in was poor not the Royal City Ierusalem but Bethlehem a poor obscure place He was born in an Inn and a Manger was his Cradle the Cobwebs his Curtains the Beasts his Companions he descended of poor Parents One would have thought if Christ would have come into the World he would have made choice of some Queen or Personage of Honour to have descended from but he comes of mean obscure Parents That they were poor appears by
the Strings of a Viol the Musick is spoil'd if Christians slacken in Duty they spoil the sweet Musick of Peace in their Souls As the Fire decays so the Cold increaseth as Fervency in Duty abates so our Peace cools Use. Labour for this blessed Peace Peace with God and Conscience Peace with Neighbour Nations is sweet Pax una Triumphis innumeris melior the Hebrew Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Peace comprehends all Blessings it is the Glory of a Kingdom a Princes Crown is more Beautiful when it is hung with the white Lilly of Peace than when it is set with the Red Roses of a Bloody War O then how sweet is Peace of Conscience it is a Bulwark against the Enemy Phil. 4.7 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it shall keep you as in a Garrison you may throw out the Gantlet and bid defiance to Enemies It is the Golden Pot and the Manna it is the first Fruits of Paradise It is still Musick for want of this a Christian is in continual fear he doth not take that comfort in Ordinances Hannah went up to the Feast at Ierusalem but she wept and did not eat 1 Sam. 1.7 So a poor dejected Soul goes to an Ordinance but doth not eat of the Feast he weeps and doth not eat He cannot take that comfort in Worldly Blessings Health Estate Relations he wants that inward Peace which should be as Sawce to sweeten his Comforts O therefore labour for this blessed Peace consider the noble and excellent effects of it First It gives boldness at the Throne of Grace Guilt of Conscience clips the Wings of Prayer it makes the Face Blush and the Heart But when a Christian hath some lively apprehensions of God's Love and the Spirit whispering Peace then he goes to God with boldness as a Child to his Father Psal. 25.1 Unto thee O Lord I lift up my Soul Time was when David's Soul was bowed down Psal. 38.6 I am bowed down greatly But now the case is alter'd he will lift up his Soul to God in a way of Triumph whence was this God had spoken Peace to his Soul Psal. 26.3 Thy loving Kindness is before mine Eyes 2. This Divine Peace fires the Heart with Love to Christ Peace is the result of Pardon he who hath a Pardon seal'd cannot choose but love his Prince How endeared is Christ to the Soul now Christ is precious indeed O saith the Soul how sweet is this Rose of Sharon Hath Christ waded through a Sea of Blood and Wrath to purchase my Peace hath he not only made Peace but spoke Peace to me how should my Heart ascend in a fiery Chariot of Love how willing should I be to do and suffer for Christ 3. This Peace quiets the heart in Trouble Mic. 5.5 This Man shall be the Peace when the Assyrian shall come into our Land and tread in our Palaces The Enemy may invade our Palaces but not our Peace this Man Christ shall be the Peace When the Head akes the Heart may be well when Worldly troubles assault a Christian his Mind may be in Peace and Quiet Psal. 4.8 I will lay me down in Peace and Sleep 'T was now a sad time with David he was flying for his Life from Absalom it was no small Afflicton to think that his own Son should seek to take away his Fathers Life and Crown David wept and covered his Face 2 Sam. 15.30 Yet at this time saith he I will lay me down in Peace and Sleep He had trouble from his Son but Peace from his Conscience David could sleep upon the soft Pillow of a good Conscience This is a Peace worth getting Quest. 8. What shall we do to attain this blessed Peace Resp. 1. Let us ask it of God he is the God of Peace he beats back the roaring Lion he stills the raging of Conscience If we could call all the Angels out of Heaven they could not speak Peace without God The Stars cannot make Day without the Sun none can make day in a dark Deserted Soul but the Sun of Righteousness as the Wilderness cannot water it self but remains dry and parched till the Clouds drop their Moisture so our Hearts cannot have Peace till he infuse and drop it upon us by his Spirit Therefore pray Lord thou who art the God of Peace create Peace thou who art the Prince of Peace command it Give me that Peace which may sweeten trouble yea the bitter Cup of Death 2. If you would have Peace make War with Sin Sin is the Achan that troubles us the Trojan Horse 2 Kings 9.22 When Joram saw Jehu he said is it Peace Jehu And he answered what Peace so long as the Whoredoms of thy Mother Jezabel and her Witchcrafts are so many What Peace as long as Sin remains unmortified If you would have Peace with God break the League with Sin Give battel to Sin it is a most just War God hath proclaimed it Nay he hath promised us Victory Sin shall not have Dominion Rom. 6. No way to Peace but by maintaining a War with Sin Pax nostra Bellum contra Daemonem Tert. When Sampson had slain the Lion there came Hony out of the Lion By Slaying Sin we get this Hony of Peace 3. Go to Christs Blood for Peace Some go to fetch their Peace from their own Righteousness not Christs they go for Peace to their Holy Life not Christ's Death If Conscience be troubled they strive to quiet it with their Duties this is not the right way to Peace Duties must not be neglected nor yet idolized Look up to the Blood of Sprinkling Heb. 12.24 That Blood of Christ which pacified God must pacifie Conscience Christ's blood being suck'd in by Faith gives Peace Rom. 5.1 Being justified by Faith we have Peace with God No Balm to cure a Wounded Conscience but the Blood of Christ. 4. Walk closely with God Peace flows from Purity Gal. 6.16 As many as walk according to this Rule Peace be on them In the Text Grace and Peace are put together Grace is the Root and Peace is the Flower As Balm-Water drops from the Limbeck so Divine Peace comes out of the Limbeck of a Gracious Heart Walk very Holily God's Spirit is first a Refiner before a Comforter Bran. 2. You who have this Peace Peace above Peace within labour to keep it it is a precious Jewel do not lose it 'T is sad to have the League of National Peace broken but it is worse to have the Peace of Conscience broken Oh preserve this Peace First Take heed of Relapses hath God spoken Peace do not turn again to Folly Psal. 85.8 Besides the Ingratitude there 's folly in Relapses it was long ere God was reconciled and the Breach made up and will you again Eclipse and Forfeit your Peace Hath God heal'd the wound of Conscience and will you tear it open again Will you break another Vein will you cut a new Artery This is returning indeed to folly What Madness is it
beatorum the Royal Seat of the Blessed it is the region of Happiness the Map of Perfection There is that Manna which is Angels Food there is the Garden of Spices the Bed of Perfumes the Rivers of Pleasure Sinners at Death lose all this 4. They lose their Hopes For though they lived wickedly yet they hoped God was Merciful and they hoped they should go to Heaven Their Hope was not an Anchor but a Spiders Web. Now at Death they lose their Hopes they see they did but flatter themselves into Hell Iob. 8.14 Whose Hope shall be cut off That is sad to have a Mans Life and his Hope cut off together Use 2. If the Saints gain such glorious things at Death then how may they desire Death Doth not every one desire Preferment nemo ante funera Foelix Faith gives a Title to Heaven Death a Possession Though we should be desirous of doing Service here yet we should be ambitious to be with Christ Phil. 1.23 We should be content to live but willing to Dye Is it not a blessed thing to be freed from Sin and to lie for ever in the Bosom of Divine Love Is it not a blessed thing to meet our Godly Relations in Heaven and to be singing Divine Anthems of Praise among the Angels Doth not the Bride desire the Marriage Day especially if she were to be matched unto the Crown What is the Place we now live in but a Place of Banishment from God We are in a Wilderness while the Angels live at Court Here we are combating with Satan and should not we desire to be out of the Bloody Field where the Bullets of Tentation fly so fast and to receive a Victorious Crown Think what it will be to have always a smiling Aspect from Christs Face to be brought into the Banqueting House and have the Banner of his Love displayed over you O ye Saints desire Death it is your ascension-Ascension-day to Heaven Egredere anima egredere said Hilarion on his Death-bed Go forth my Soul what fearest thou Another Holy Man said Lord lead me to that Glory which I have seen as through a Glass Hast Lord and do not tarry Some Plants thrive best when they are transplanted Believers when they are by Death transplanted cannot choose but thrive because they have Christ's sweet Sun-beams shine upon them And what though the Passage through the Valley of the shadow of Death be troublesome Who would not be willing to pass a tempestuous Sea if he were sure to be crown'd as soon as he came at shore Use 3. Comfort in the loss of our dear and pious Relations They when they dye are not only taken away from the Evil to come but they are great gainers by Death They leave a Wilderness and go to Paradise They change their Complaints into Thanksgivings They leave their Sorrows behind and enter into the Joy of their Lord Why should we weep for their Preferment Believers have not their Portion paid till the day of their Death Gods Promise is his Bond to make over Heaven in Reversion to them But though they have his Bond they do not receive their Portion till the day of Death Oh! Rejoyce to think of their Happiness who dye in the Lord to them to dye is gain They are as Rich as Heaven can make them A Believers Privilege at Death Phil. 1.21 For to me to live is Christ and to dye is gain HOPE is a Christan's Anchor which he casts within the vail Rom. 12.12 Rejoycing in Hope A Christians Hope is not in this Life but he hath Hope in his Death Prov. 14.32 The best of a Saints Comfort begins when his Life ends The Wicked have all their Heaven here Luke 6.28 Woe unto you Rich you have received your Consolation You may make your Acquittance and write Received in full Payment Luke 16.25 Son remember that thou in thy life-time receivedst thy good things But a Saints Happiness is in Reversion The righteous hath Hope in his death God keeps the best Wine till last If Cato the Heathen said To me to dye is gain He saw Mortality to be a Mercy Then what may a Believer say Eccles. 7.1 The day of Death is better than the day of ones Birth Nemo ante Funera Felix Solon A Queen of this Land said she prefer'd her Coffin before her Cradle Quest. 1. What Benefits do Believers receive at Death Resp. 1. They have great Immunities 2. They pass immediately into a State of Glory 3. Their Bodies are united to Christ in the Grave till the Resurrection 1. The Saints at Death have great Immunities and Freedoms A Prentice when out of his time is made Free When the Saints are out of their time of living then they are made Free not made Free till Death 1. At Death they are freed from a Body of Sin There are in the best reliquiae peccati some Remainders and Reliques of Corruption Rom. 7.24 O wretched Man that I am who shall deliver me from this Body of Death By the Body of Death is meant the Congeries the Mass and lump of Sin It may well be called a Body for its weightiness and a Body of Death for its noisomness 1. It weighs us down sin hinders us from doing good A Christian is like a Bird that would be flying up but hath a string tyed to its Legs to hinder it so he would be flying up to Heaven with the Wings of desire but sin hinders him Rom. 7.15 The good that I would I do not A Christian is like a Ship that is under Sail and at Anchor Grace would sail forward but Sin is the Anchor that holds it back 2. Sin is oft more active in its Sphere than Grace How stirring was Lust in David when his Grace lay dormant 3. Sin sometimes gets the Mastery and leads a Saint Captive Rom. 7.19 The evil I would not that do I. Paul was like a Man carried down the stream and could not bear up against it How oft is a Child of God over-power'd with Pride and Passion Therefore Paul calls sin 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Law in his Members Rom. 7.24 it binds as a Law it hath a kind of Jurisdiction over the Soul as Cesar had over the Senate 4. Sin defiles the Soul it is like a stain to Beauty it turns the Souls Azure Brightness into Sables 5. Sin debilitates us it disarms us of our strength 2 Sam. 3.39 I am this day weak though anointed King So though a Saint is crown'd with Grace yet he is weak though anointed a Spiritual King 6. Sin is ever Restless Gal. 5.17 The flesh lusts against the Spirit It is an Inmate that is always quarrelling Like Marcellus that Roman Captain of whom Hannibal said Whether he did beat or was beaten he would never be quiet 7. Sin adheres to us we cannot get rid of it It may be compar'd to a wild Fig-tree growing on a Wall though the Roots are pull'd up yet there are some Fibers
5. The Bodies of the Saints at the Resurrection shall be Immortal 1 Cor. 15.53 This Mortal shall put on Immortality our Bodies shall run parallel with Eternity Luke 20.36 Neither can they dye any more Heaven is an healthful Climate there is no Bill of Mortality there If a Physician could give you a Receipt to keep you from Dying what Sums of Mony would you give At the Resurrection Christ will give the Saints such a Receipt Rev. 21.4 There shall be no more death 2. The second Privilege Believers shall have at the Resurrection is They shall be openly acquitted at the day of Judgment Of the Day of Iudgment Quest. WHat Benefits do Believers receive from Christ at the Resurrection Resp. 1. Their Bodies shall be raised up to Glory and shall be openly acquitted at the day of Judgment and crown'd with the full and perfect Enjoyment of God to all Eternity 2. They shall be openly acquitted at the day of Iudgment This is to be laid down for a Position that there shall be a Day of Judgment 2 Cor. 5.10 For we must all appear before the Iudgment-Seat of Christ. This is the Grand Assizes the greatest Appearance that ever was Now Adam shall see all his Posterity at once We must all appear the greatness of Mens Persons doth not exempt them from Christ's Tribunal Kings and Captains are brought in trembling before the Lambs Throne Rev. 6.15 We must all appear and appear in our own Persons not by a Proxy Quest. 1. How doth it appear that there shall be a Day a Iudgment Resp. Two ways 1. By the Suffrage of Scripture Eccles. 11.9.12.14 For God shall bring every work into Judgment with every secret thing Psal. 96.13 For he cometh for he cometh to judge the Earth The Reduplication denotes the certainty Dan. 7.9 I beheld till the Thrones were cast down and the ancient of days did sit whose garment was white as snow The Judgment was set and the Books were opened 2. It appears from the petty Sessions kept in a Man 's own Conscience when a Man doth Virtuously Conscience doth excuse him when evil Conscience doth arraign and condemn him Now what is this private Session kept in the Court of Conscience but a certain fore-runner of that General Day of Judgment when all the World shall be summoned to Gods Tribunal Quest. 2. Why must there be a Day of Iudgment Resp. That there may be a Day of Retribution when God may render to every one according to his work Things seem to be carried very unequally in the World The Wicked do so prosper as if they were rewarded for being Evil And the Godly do so suffer as if they were punished for being good Therefore for the vindicating Gods Justice there must be a day wherein there shall be a righteous Distribution of Punishments and Rewards to Men according to their Actions Quest. 3. Who shall be Iudge Resp. The Lord Jesus Christ Iohn 5.22 The Father hath committed all Iudgment to the Son It is an Article in our Creed That Christ shall come to judge the Quick and the Dead It is a great Honour put upon Christ He who was himself judged shall now be Judge He who once hung upon the Cross shall sit upon the Bench. Christ is fit to be Judge as he partakes both of the Manhood and Godhead 1. Of the Manhood Being cloathed with the Humane Nature he may be visibly seen of all It is requisite the Judge should be seen Rev. 1.7 Behold he cometh with Clouds and every Eye shall see him 2. As he partakes of the Godhead He is of infinite Prudence to understand all Causes brought before him And of infinite Power to execute Offenders He is described with seven Eyes Zach. 3.9 to denote his Prudence and a Rod of Iron Psal. 2.9 to denote his Power He is so Wise that he cannot be deluded and so Strong that he cannot be resisted Quest. 4. When will the Court fit when will the time of Iudgment be Resp. For the Quando or the time of the General Judgment it is a Secret kept from the Angels Matt. 24.36 Of that day and hour knows no Man no not the Angels of Heaven But this is sure it cannot be far off One great sign of the approach of the Day of Judgment is That Iniquity shall abound Matt. 24. Sure then this day is near at hand for Iniquity did never more abound than in this Age Lust grows hot and Love grows cold This is certain when the Elect are all converted then Christ will come to Judgment As he that owes a Ferry-boat stays till all the Passengers are taken into his Boat and then he rows away So Christ stays till all the Elect are gathered in and then he will hasten away to â—â—dgment Quest. 5. What shall be the modus or manner of Trial Resp. 1. The Citing of Men to the Court The Dead are cited as well as the Living Men when they Dye avoid the Censure of our Law-Courts but at the last Day the Dead are cited to God's Tribunal Rev. 20.12 I saw the Dead Small and Great stand before God This citing of Men will be by the Sound of a Trumpet 1 Thes. 4.16 and this Trumpet will sound so loud that it will raise Men out of their Graves Mat. 24.31 Such as will not hear the Trumpet of the Gospel sound in their Ears Repent and Believe shall hear the Trumpet of the Arch-Angel sounding Arise and be Iudged 2. The approach of the Judge to the Bench. First This will be terrible to the Wicked How can a guilty Prisoner endure the sight of the Judge If Foelix trembled when Paul Preached of Judgment Acts 24.25 How will Sinners Tremble when they shall see Christ come to Judgment Christ is described sitting in Judgment with a Fiery Stream issuing from him Dan. 7.10 Now the Lamb of God will be turned into a Lion The sight of Christ will strike Terrour into Sinners As when Ioseph said to his Brethren I am Ioseph whom ye sold into Egypt they were troubled at his Presence Gen. 45.6 Now how did their Hearts smite them for their Sin So when Christ shall come to judge Men and say I am Jesus whom ye sinned against I am Jesus whose Laws ye have broken whose Blood ye despised I am now come to Judge you O what horror and amazement will take hold of Sinners they will be troubled at the Presence of their Judge Secondly The approâ—ch of Christ to the Bench of Judicature will be Comfortable to the Righteous 1. Christ will come in Splendor and Great Glory His first coming in the Flesh was obscure Isa. 53.2 He was like a Prince in Disguise but his Second coming will be illustrious he shall come in the Glory of his Father with the Holy Angels Mark 8 38. O what a bright Day will that be when such a number of Angels those Morning Stars shall appear in the Air and Christ the Sun of Righteousness shall shine
Willingness You love to see your Servants go chearfully about your Work Under the Law God would have a Free-Will-Offering Deut. 16.10 Hypocrites obey God grudgingly and against their Will they do facere bonum but not velle Cain brought his Sacrifice but not his Heart 'T is a true Rule quicquid Cor non facit non fit What the Heart doth not do is not done Willingness is the Soul of Obedience God sometimes accepts of Willingness without the Work but never of the Work without Willingness Chearfulness shews that there is Love in the Duty and Love doth to our Services as the Sun doth to the Fruit Mellow and Ripen them and make them come off with a better Relish 2. Obedience must be Devout and Fervent Rom. 12.11 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Fervent in Spirit c. Quae ebullit prae ardore It alludes to Water that boils over So the Heart must boil over with Hot Affections in the Service of God The Glorious Angels who for their burning in Fervour and Devotion are called Seraphims these God chooseth to serve him in Heaven The Snail under the Law was unclean because a dull Sloathful Creature Obedience without Fervency is like a Sacrifice without Fire Why should not our Obedience be lively and Fervent God deserves the Flower and Strength of our Affections Domitian would not have his Statue carved in Wood or Iron but in Gold Lively Affections make Golden Services It is Fervency makes Obedience acceptable Eliah was fervent in Spirit and his Prayers opened and shut Heaven And again he pray'd and fire fell on his Enemies 2 Kings 1.10 Eliah's Prayer fetch'd Fire from Heaven because being fervent it carried Fire up to Heaven Quicquid decorum ex Fide proficiscitur Aug. 3. Obedience must be extensive it must reach to all Gods Commands Psal. 119.6 Then shall I not be ashamed or as it is in the Hebrew lo Ebosh blush when I have respect to all thy Commandements Quicquid propter Deum fit aequaliter fit There is a Stamp of Divine Authority upon all Gods Commands and if I obey one Precept because God Commands I must obey all True Obedience runs through all the Duties of Religion as the Blood through all the Veins or the Sun through all the Signs of the Zodiack A good Christian makes Gospel Piety and Moral Equity kiss each other Herein some discover their Hypocrisie they will obey God in some things which are more facile and may raise their Repute but other things they leave undone Mark 10.21 One thing is lacking Unum deest Herod would hear Iohn Baptist but not leave his Incest Some will Pray but not give Alms others will give Alms but not Pray Matt. 23.23 Ye pay Tithe of Mint and Anise and have neglected the weightier things of the Law Iudgment Mercy and Faith The Badger hath one foot shorter than the other So these are shorter in some Duties than in other God likes not such partial Servants that will do some part of the work he sets them about and leave the other undone 4. Obedience must be sincere viz. We must aim at the Glory of God in it Finis specificat actionem In Religion the end is all The end of our Obedience must not be to stop the Mouth of Conscience or to gain Applause and Preferment but that we may grow more like God and bring more Glory to God 1 Cor. 10.31 Do all to the Glory of God That which hath spoiled many glorious Actions and made them lose their Reward is when Mens aims have been wrong The Pharisees gave Alms but blowed a Trumpet that they might have Glory of Men Matt. 6 2. Alms should shine but not blaze Iehu did well in destroying the Baal-worshippers and God commended him for it but because his Aims were not good he aim'd at setling himself in the Kingdom therefore God look'd upon it no better than Murder Hos. 1.4 I will avenge the blood of Jezreel upon the House of Jehu O let us look to our Ends in Obedience it is possible the Action may be right and not the Heart 2 Chron. 25.2 Amaziah did that which was right in the sight of the Lord but not with a perfect Heart Two things are chiefly to be eyed in Obedience the Principle and the End A Child of God though he shoots short in his Obedience yet he takes a right Aim 5. Obedience must be in and thorough Christ Eph. 1.6 He hath accepted us in the Beloved Not our Obedience but Christs Merits procure acceptance we must in every part of Worship tender up Christ to God in the Arms of our Faith Unless we serve God thus in Hope and Confidence of Christs Merits we do rather provoke God than please him As when King Uzziah would offer Incense without a Priest God was angry with him and struck him with Leprosie 2 Chron. 26.16 So when we do not come to God in and thorough Christ we offer up Incense to God without a Priest and what can we expect but severe Rebukes 6. Obedience must be Constant Psal. 106.3 Blessed is he who doth righteousness Be Col Gnet at all times True Obedience is not like an high Colour in a Fit but it is a right Sanguine It is like the Fire on the Altar which was always kept Burning Lev. 6.13 Hypocrites Obedience is but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for a Season It is like plaistering Work which is soon washed off but true Obedience is constant Though we meet with Affliction we must go on in our Obedience Iob 17.9 The Righteous shall hold on his way We have vowed Constancy We have vowed to renounce the Pomp and Vanities of the World and to fight under Christ's Banner to the Death When a Servant hath entred into Covenant with his Master and the Indentures are sealed then he cannot go back he must serve out his time There are Indentures drawn in Baptism and in the Lords Supper The Indentures are renewed and sealed on our part that we will be Faithful and Constant in our Obedience Therefore we must imitate Christ who became obedient to the Death Phil. 2.8 The Crown is set upon the Head of Perseverance Rev. 2.26 He that keeps my works unto the end to him will I give the morning Star Use 1. This indicts such who live in a Contradiction to this Text they have cast off the Yoke of Obedience Ier. 44.16 As for the word which thou hast spoken to us in the Name of the Lord we will not hearken unto thee God bids Men pray in their Family they live in the total Neglect of it He bids them Sanctifie the Sabbath they follow their Pleasures on that day God bids them abstain from the Appearance of Sin they do not abstain from the Act They live in the act of Revenge in the Act of Uncleanness This is an high Contempt of God 't is Rebellion and Rebellion is as the Sin of Witchcraft Quest. Whence is it Men do not obey God They know their Duty
1.6 He hath accepted us 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in his beloved Though our Obedience be imperfect yet through Christ our Surety God looks upon it as perfect And that very Service which Gods Law might condemn Gods Mercy is pleased to crown by vertue of the Blood of our Mediator Having given you these Rules about the Commandments I should come next to the direct handling of them Of the Commandments Exod. 20.3 Thou shalt have no other Gods before me c. Quest. WHy doth the Commandment run in the second Person singular Thou why doth not God say You shall have no other Gods but Thou Resp. Because the Commandment concerns every one and God would have you take it as spoken to you by Name Though we are forward to take Privileges to our selves yet we are apt to shift off Duty from our selves to others Thefore the Commandment runs in the second Person Thou and Thou that every one may know that the Commandment is spoken to him as it were by name And so I come to the Commandment Thou shalt have no other Gods before me This Commandment may well lead the Van and be set in the Front of all the Commandments because it is the Foundation of all true Religion The summ of this Commandment is that we should sanctifie God in our Hearts and give him a Precedency above all created Beings There are two Branches of this Commandment 1. That we must have One God 2. That we must have but one Or thus 1. That we must have God for our God 2. That we must have no other 1. That we must have God for our God It is manifest we must have a God and who is God save the Lord 2 Sam. 22.32 The Lord Iehovah one God in three Persons is the true living eternal God and him must we have for our God Quest. 1. What is it to make God to be a God to us Resp. 1. To make God to be a God to us is to acknowledge him for a God The Gods of the Heathen are Idols Psalm 96.5 and we know that an Idol is nothing 1 Cor. 8.4 that is it hath nothing of Deity in it If we cry Help O Idol an Idol cannot help the Idols were themselves carried into Captivity Isa. 46.2 So that an Idol is nothing Vanity is ascribed to it Ier. 14.22 we do not acknowledge it to be a God But this is to make God to be a God to us when we do ex animo acknowledge him to be God 1 Kings 18.39 All the People fell on their Faces and said The Lord he is the God! The Lord he is the God! Yea we acknowledge God to be the only God 2 Kings 19.15 O Lord God of Israel which dwellest between the Cherubims thou art the God even thou alone Deity is a Jewel belongs only to his Crown Yet further we acknowledge that there is no God like him 1 Kings 8.23 And Solomon stood before the Altar of the Lord And he said Lord God of Israel there is no God like thee Psalm 89.6 For who in the Heaven can be compared unto the Lord who among the Sons of the Mighty can be likened unto the Lord In the Chaldee it is Who among the Angels None can do as God he brought the World out of nothing And he hangs the Earth upon nothing Iob 26.7 This is to make God to be a God to us when we are perswaded in our Hearts and confess with our Tongue and subscribe with our Hand that God is the only true God and that there is none comparable to him 2. To make God to be a God to us is to choose him Ioshua 24.15 Choose ye this day whom you will serve but as for me and my House we will serve the Lord. That is we will choose the Lord to be our God It is one thing for the Judgment to approve of God and another thing for the Will to choose him Religion is not a matter of Chance but Choice Quest. What is antecedent to or goes before this Choice Resp. 1. Before this choosing God for our God there must be Knowledge We must know God before we can choose him before one choose the Person he will Marry he must first have some Knowledge and Cognisance of the Person So we must know God before we can choose him for our God 2 Chron. 28.9 Know thou the God of thy Fathers We must know God in his Attributes Glorious in Holiness Rich in Mercy Faithful in Promises We must know God in his Son As in a Glass a Face is represented so in Christ as in a Transparent Glass we see Gods Beauty and Love shine forth This Knowledge must go before our choosing of God Lactantius said All the Learning of the Philosophers was without an Head because it wanted the Knowledge of God 2. Wherein our choosing of God consists It is an Act of Mature Deliberation a Christian having viewed the Superlative Excellencies in God and being stricken into an Holy Admiration of his Perfections he singles out God from all other Objects to set his Heart upon He saith as Iacob Gen. 28.21 The Lord shall be my God 3. The Effect of choosing God The Soul that chooseth God devotes himself to God Psalm 119.38 Thy Servant who is devoted to thy fear As the Vessels of the Sanctuary were consecrated and set apart from common to Holy Uses So the Soul who hath chosen God to be his God hath dedicated and set himself apart for God and will be no more for Profane Uses 3. To make God to be a God to us is to enter into a Solemn Covenant with him that he shall be our God After Choice follows the Marriage Covenant As God makes a Covenant with us Isa. 55.3 I will make an everlasting Covenant with you even the sure Mercies of David So we make a Covenant with him 2 Chron. 15.12 They entred into Covenant to seek the Lord God of their Fathers And Isa. 44.5 One shall say I am the Lords And another shall subscribe with his hand unto the Lord. Like Soldiers that subscribe their Names in the Muster-Roll This Covenant that God shall be our God we have oft renewed in the Lords-Supper And it is like a Seal to a Bond to bind us fast to God and to keep us that we do not depart from him 4. To make God to be a God to us is to give him Adoration Which consists 1. in reverencing of him Psal. 89.7 God is to be had in reverence of all them that are about him The Seraphims who stood about Gods Throne covered their Faces Isa. 6. And Eliah wrapped himself in a Mantle when the Lord passed by in token of reverence This Reverence shews the high Esteem we have of Gods Sacred Majesty 2. Adoration is in bowing to him or worshipping him Psalm 29.2 Worship the Lord in the beauty of Holiness Nehem. 8.6 They bowed their heads and worshipped the Lord with their faces to the ground This 〈◊〉
make God to be our God he will make himself to be our Judge And if he Condemns there is no appealing to a Higher Court. So that there is a Necessity of having God for our God unless we intend to be eternally espoused to Misery Use 1. If we must have one God and the Lord Iehovah for our God it condemns the Atheist who hath no God Psal. 14.1 The Fool hath said in his Heart there is no God There is no God he believes in or worships Such Atheists were Diagoras and Theodorus When Seneca did reprove Nero for his Impieties Saith Nero Dost thou think I believe there is any God when I do such things The Duke of Silecia was so infatuated that he affirmed Neque inferos neque superos esse That there was neither God nor Devil We may see God in the works of his Fingers The Creation is a great Volume in which we may read a God-head and he must needs put out his own Eyes that denies a God Aristotle though an Heathen did not only acknowledge God when he cried out Thou Being of Beings have Mercy on me But he thought he that did not confess a Deity was not worthy to live They who will not believe a God shall feel him Heb. 10.31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God Use 2. It condemns Christians who profess to own God for their God yet they do not live as if he were their God 1. They do not believe in him as a God When they look upon their Sins they are apt to say Can God Pardon When they look upon their Wants Can God provide Can he prepare a Table in the Wilderness 2. They do not love him as a God They do not give him the Cream of their Love but are apt to love other things more than God They say they love God but will part with nothing for him 3. They do not worship him as a God They do not give him that Reverence nor pray with that Devotion as if they were praying to a God How dead are their Hearts If not dead in Sin yet dead in Duty 'T is as if praying to a God that hath Eyes and sees not Ears and hears not In hearing the Word how much Distraction what regardless Hearts have many they are thinking of their Shop and Drugs Would a King take it well at our hands if when he is speaking to us we should be playing with a Feather When God is speaking to us in his Word and our Hearts are taken up with Thoughts about the World is not this playing with a Feather O how may this humble most of us we do not make God to be a God to us We do not believe in him love him worship him as a God Many Heathens have worshipped their False â—ods with more Seriousness and Devotion than some Christians do the true God O let us chide our selves Did I say Chide let us Abhor our selves for our Deadness and Formality in Religion how we have professed God yet we have not worshipped him as a God So much for the first We must have God for our God I should come to the Second We must have no other God Of the Commandments Exod. 20.3 Thou shalt have no other Gods before me 2. THat we must have no other God Thou shalt have no other God before me Quest. What is meant by this word Before me Resp. That is before my Face In conspectu mâ—o in my sight Deut. 27.15 Cursed be he that makes a Graven Image and puts it in a secret place Some would not bow to the Idol that others might see but they would secretly bow to it But though this was out of Mans sight it was not out of Gods sight Cursed therefore saith God be he who puts the Image in a secret place Thou shalt have no other Gods 1. There is really no other God 2. We must have no other 1. There is really no other God The Valentinians held there were two Gods the Polythites that there were many The Persians worshipped the Sun the Egyptians the Ox and Elephant the Grecians Iupiter But there is no other than the True God Deut. 4.39 Know therefore this day and consider it in thy heart that the Lord is God in Heaven above and upon the Earth beneath there is no other For there is but one first Cause that hath its Being of it self and on which all other Beings depend As in the Heavens the primum mobile moves all the other Orbs. So God is the Great Mover he gives Life and Motion to every thing existent 2. There is but one Omnipotent Power If there be two Omnipotents then we must always suppose a Contest between these two that which one would do the other Power being equal would oppose and so all things would be brought into a Confusion If a Ship should have two Pilots of equal Power one would be ever Crossing the other when one would Sail the other would cast Anchor Here were a Confusion and the Ship must needs perish The Order and Harmony in the World the constant and uniform Government of all things is a clear Argument that there is but one Omnipotent one God that rules all Isa. 44 6. I am the first and I am the last and besides me there is no God 2. We must have no other God Thou shalt have no other Gods before me This Commandment forbids 1. Serving a False God and not the True Ier. 2.27 Saying to a stock Thou art my Father and to a stone Thou hast brought me forth Or 2. Joyning a False God with a True 2 Kings 17.33 They feared the Lord and served their own Gods Both these are forbidden in the Commandment we must adhere to the true God and no other God is a jealous God and he will endure no corrival A Wife cannot lawfully have two Husbands at once nor may we have two Gods Exod. 34.14 Thou shalt worship no other God for the Lord is a jealous God Psal. 16.4 Their Sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another God The Lord interprets it a forsaking of him to espouse any other God Iudges 2.12 They forsook the Lord and followed other Gods God would not have his People so much as make mention of Idol Gods Exod. 23.13 Make no mention of the Names of other Gods neither let it be heard out of thy mouth God looks upon it as a breaking of the Marriage Covenant to go after other Gods Therefore when Israel committed Idolatry with the golden Calf God disclaims his Interest in them Exod. 32.7 Thy People have corrupted themselves Before God called Israel his People but when they went after other Gods Now saith the Lord to Moses they are no more my People but thy People Hosea 2.2 Plead with her Mother Plead for she is not my Wife she doth not keep Faith with me she hath stain'd her self with Idols therefore I will divorce her she is not my Wife To
Alexandrinus writes of a Fish that hath its Heart in its Belly An Emblem of Epicures their Heart is in their Belly they do Sacrificare lari their Belly is their God and to this God they pour Drink-Offerings The Lord allows what is fitting for the Recruit of Nature Deut. 11.15 I will send grass that thou maist eat and be full But to mind nothing but the indulging the Appetite is Idolatry Whose God is their Belly What pity is it that the Soul that Princely part which sways the Scepter of Reason and is akin to Angels should be enslaved to the Brutish part 4. If we love a Child more than God we make a God of it How many are guilty in this kind They think more of their Children and delight more in them than in God They grieve more for the loss of their First-born than for the loss of their first Love This is to make an Idol of a Child and to set it in Gods room Thus God is oft provoked to take away our Children If we love the Jewel more than him that gave it God will take away the Jewel that our love may return to him again Use 1. It Reproaches such as have other Gods and so renounce the true God 1. Such as set up Idols Ier. 2.28 According to the number of thy Cities are thy Gods O Israel Hos. 12.11 Their Altars are as heaps in the Furrows of the Field 2. Such as seek to Familiar Spirits This is a Sin condemned by the Law of God Deut. 18.11 There shall not be found among you any that consult with Familiar Spirits It is ordinary if People have lost any of their Goods they send to Wizards and Soothsayers to know how they may come by their Goods again What is this but for People to make a God of the Devil by consulting with him and putting their Trust in him What! because you have lost your Goods will you lose your Souls too 2 Kings 1.6 So is it not because you think there is not a God in Heaven that you ask Council of the Devil If any be guilty be humbled Use 2. It sounds a Retreat in our Ears let it call us off from the Idolizing any Creature and renouncing other Gods Let us cleave to the true God and his Service If we go away from God we know not where to mend our selves 1. It is honourable serving of the true God Servire Deo est regnare It is more Honour to serve God than to have Kings serve us 2. Serving the true God is Delightful Isa. 56.7 I will make them joyful in my House of Prayer God oft displays the Banner of his Love in an Ordinance and pours in the Oyl of Gladness into the Heart All Gods Ways are Pleasantness his Paths are strowed with Roses Prov. 3.17 3. Serving the true God is beneficial they have great Vails here the hidden Manna inward Peace and a great Reward to come They that serve God shall have a Kingdom when they dye Luke 12.32 and shall wear a Crown made of the Flowers of Paradise 1 Pet. 5.4 To serve the true God is our true Interest God hath twisted his Glory and our Salvation together He bids us believe and why That we may be saved Therefore renouncing all others let us cleave to the true God 2. You have covenanted to serve the true Iehovah renouncing all others When one hath entred into Covenant with his Master and the Indentures are drawn and sealed then he cannot go back but must serve out his time We have covenanted in Baptism to take the Lord for our God renouncing all others And renewed this Covenant in the Lords-Supper and shall we not keep our Solemn Vow and Covenant We cannot go away from God without the highest Perjury Heb. 10.38 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 If any Man draw back as a Soldier that steals away from his Colours my Soul shall have no pleasure I will pour Viols of wrath on him make my Arrows drunk with blood 3. None ever had cause to repent of cleaving to God and his Service Some have repented that they have made a God of the World Cardinal Woolsey said Had I served God as Faithfully as I have served my King he would not have left me thus None ever complained of serving God it was both their Comfort and Crown on Death-Bed Of the Commandments Exod. 20.4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any Graven Image c. IN the First Commandment is forbidden the worshipping a False God in this the worshipping the true God in a false manner 1. Thou shalt not make unto thee any Graven Image this forbids not the making an Image for Civil use Mat. 22.20 Whose is this Image and Superscription they say unto him Caesars But the Commandment forbids setting up an Image for Religious Use or Worship 2. Nor the likeness of any thing c. All Ideas Pourtraitures Shapes Images of God whether by Effigies or Pictures are here forbidden Deut. 4.15 Take heed lest ye corrupt your Selves and make the Similitude of any Figure God is to be adored in the heart not painted to the Eye 3. Thou shalt not bow down to them The intent of making Images and Pictures is to worship them No sooner was Nebuchadnezzars Golden Image set up but all the People fell down and worshipped it Dan. 3.7 Therefore God forbids the prostrating our selves before an Idol So then the thing prohibited in this Commandment is Image-worship To set up an Image to represent God is a debasing of the Deity 't is below God If one should make the Images of Snakes or Spiders saying he did it to represent his Prince would not the Prince take this in high disdain What greater disparagement to God than to represent the infinite God by that which is finite the Living God by that which is without Life and the Maker of all by a thing which is made 1. To make a true Image of God is impossible God is a Spiritual Essence Iohn 4.24 And being a Spirit he is invisible Deut. 4.15 Ye saw no Similitude on the Day the Lord spake with you out of the midst of the Fire How can any paint the Deity Can they make an Image of that which they never saw Quod invisibile est pingi non potest Ambr. Ye saw no Similitude It is impossible to make a Picture of the Soul or to paint the Angels because they are of a Spiritual Nature much less then can we paint God by an Image who is an Infinite Increate Spirit 2. To worship God by an Image is both absurd and unlawful I. It is absurd and irrational for First The Workman is better than the Work Heb. 3.3 He who buildeth the House hath more Honour than the House if the Workman be better than the Work and none bows to the Workman how absurd then is it to bow to the work of his Hands Secondly Is it not an absurd thing to bow down to the Kings Picture when
we love we fix our Minds upon He that loves his Pleasures and Recreations his Mind is fixed on them and he can follow them without Distraction Were our Love more set upon the Word Preached our Minds would be more fixed upon it And surely there is enough to make us love the Word Preached for it is the Word of Life the Inlet to Knowledge the Antidote against Sin the Quickner of Holy Affections It is the True Manna which hath all sorts of sweet Tasts in it It is the Pool of Bethesda in which the Rivers of Life spring forth to heal the broken in Heart It is a Soveveraign Elixir or Cordial to revive the sorrowful Spirit Get Love to the Word Preached and you will not be so distracted in hearing What the Heart delights in the Thoughts dwell upon II. If you would sanctifie the Sabbath by deligent attentive hearing take heed of Drowsiness in Hearing Drowsiness shows much Irreverence How lively are many when they are about the World but in the Worship of God how drowsie as if the Devil had given them some Opium to make them sleep A Drowsie Temper is now very absurd and sinful Are not you in Prayer asking Pardon of sin Will the Prisoner fall asleep when he is begging his Pardon In the Preaching of the Word is not the Bread of Life breaking to you and will a Man fall asleep at his Food Which is worse to stay from a Sermon or sleep at a Sermon While you sleep perhaps that Truth was delivered which might have converted your Souls Besides sleeping is very offensive in these Holy Assemblies It is not only a grieving the Spirit of God but a making the Hearts of the Righteous sad Ezek. 13.22 It troubles them to see any show such a Contempt of God and his Worship to see Men busie in the Shop but drowsie in the Temple Therefore as Christ said Mat. 26.40 Could ye not watch one Hour So can ye not wake one Hour I deny not but a Child of God may sometimes through Weakness and Indisposition of Body drop asleep at a Sermon but it is not voluntary or ordinary The Sun may be in an Eclipse but not often If sleeping be customary and allowed it is a very bad sign and is a profaning of the Ordinance A good Remedy against Drowsiness is to use a Spare Diet upon this Day Such as indulge their Appetite too much on a Sabbath are fitter to sleep on a Couch than pray in the Temple Now that you may throw off Distracting Thoughts and Drowsiness on the Lord's Day and may hear the Word with reverend Attention consider 1. It is God that speaks to us in his Word therefore the Preaching of the Word is called the Breath of his Lips Isa. 11.4 And Christ is said now to speak to us from Heaven Heb. 12.25 as a King speaks in his Ambassador Ministers are but as the Pipes and Organs it is the Spirit of the Living God breathes in them When we come to the Word we should think thus with our selves God speaks in this Preacher The Thessalonians heard the Word Paul Preached as if God himself had spoken to them 1 Thess. 2.13 When ye received the Word of God which ye heard of us ye receiv'd it not as the Word of Men but as it is in truth the Word of God When Samuel knew it was the Lord that spake to him he lent his Ear 1 Sam. 3.10 If we do not regard God when he speaks to us he will not regard us when we pray to him 2. Consider how serious and weighty the matters delivered to us are As Moses said Deut. 30.19 I call Heaven and Earth â—o record this day that I have set before you Life and Death Can Men be regardless of the Word or drowsie when the weighty matters of Eternity are set before them We Preach of Faith and Holiness of Life and the Day of Judgment and the Eternal Recompences here is Life and Death set before you and doth not all this call for serious Attention If a Letter were read to one of special business wherein his Life and Estate were concern'd would not he be very serious in listning to that Letter In the Preaching of the Word your Salvation is concerned and if ever you will attend it should be now Deut. 32.47 It is not a vain thing for you because it is your Life 3. To give way to Vain Thoughts and Drowsiness in hearing doth much gratifie Satan He knows that not to mind a Duty is all one as not to do a Duty Quicquid cor non facit non sit in Religion What the Heart doth not do is not done Therefore Christ saith of some Hearing they hear not Mat. 13.13 How could that be Because tho' the Word sounded in their Ear yet they minded not what was said to them their Thoughts were upon other things therefore it was all one as if they did not â—ear Hearing they hear not And doth not this please Satan to see Men come to the Word and as good stay away They are haunted with vain Thoughts they are taken off the Duty while they are in it their Body is in the Assembly their Heart in their Shop Hearing they hear not 4. It may be the last Sabbath that ever we shall keep We may go from the place of Hearing to the place of Judging and shall not we give Reverend Attention to the Word Did we think thus when we come into God's House Perhaps this will be the last time that ever God will counsel us about our Souls before another Sermon Death's Alarum will sound in our Ears With what Attention and Devotion should we come hither and our Affections would be all on Fire in hearing 5. You must give an Account for every Sermon you hear Luke 16.2 Redde rationem Give an account of thy Stewardship So will God say Give an Account of thy Hearing Hast thou been affected with the Word Hast thou profited by it And how can we give an Account if we have been distracted in hearing and have not taken notice what hath been said to us The Judge to whom we must give an Account is God Were one to give an Account to Man he might falsifie his Accounts but we must give an Account to God Nec donis corrumpitur nec blanditiis fallitur He is so Iust a God that he cannot be bribed and so Wise that he cannot be deceived Therefore being to give an Account to such an impartial Judge how should we observe every Word Preached remembring the Account Let all this make us shake off Distraction and Drowsiness in Hearing and have our Ears chain'd to the Word EXOD. XX. 8 Remember the Sabbath-day to keep it holy c. II. If you would hear the Word aright lay aside those things which may render the Word Preached ineffectual As 1. Curiosity Some come to the Word Preached not so much to get Grace as to enrich themselves with Notions Itching Ears
why Children should honour their Parents are 1. It is a Solemn Command of God Honour thy Father c. As God's Word is the Rule so his Will must be the Reason of our Obedience 2. They deserve Honour in respect of that great Love and Affection which they bear to their Children and that Love is evidenced both by their Care and Cost 1. Their Care in bringing up their Children A Sign their Hearts are full of Love because their Heads are so full of Care Parents oft take more Care for their Children than for themselves They take Care of them when they are tender least like Wall-Fruit they should be nip'd in the Bud. And as Children grow older so the Care of Parents grows greater They are afraid of their Childrens falling when young and of worse Faults when they are older 2. Their Love is evidenced by their Cost 1 Cor. 12.14 They lay up and lay out for their Children They are not like the Raven or Ostrich Job 39.14 which are cruel to their Young Parents sometimes do impoverlsh themselves to enrich their Children All this calls for Honour from the Children Children can never parallel or equal Parents Love Parents are the Instruments of Life to their Children Children cannot be so to their Parents 3. To honour Parents is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 well-pleasing to the Lord Col. 3.20 As it is joyful to the Parents so it is pleasing to the Lord. Children is it not your Desire to please God In honouring and obeying your Parents you please God as well as when you Repent and Believe And that you may see how well it pleaseth God he bestows a Reward upon it That thy Days may be long in the Land which the Lord thy God giveth thee Iacob would not let the Angel go till he had blessed him nor God would not part with this Commandment till he had blessed it Here is the Blessing That thy Days may be long in the Land c. St. Paul calls this the First Commandment with Promise Eph. 6.2 The Second Commandment hath a General Promise of Mercy But this is the First Commandment that hath a Particular Promise made to it That thy Days may be long in the Land which the Lord thy God giveth thee Long Life is mentioned as a Blessing Psal. 128.6 Thou shalt see thy Childrens Children It was a great Favour of God to Moses that tho' he was an Hundred and Twenty Years old he needed no Spectacles his Eye was not dim nor his Natural Strength abated Deut. 34.7 God threatned it as a Curse to Eli That there should not be an Old Man in his Family 1 Sam. 2.31 Since the Flood Life is much abbreviated and cut short Some the Womb is their Tomb others exchange their Cradle for their Grave others die in the Flower of their Age Death serves it's Warrant every Day upon one or other Now when Death lies in Ambush continually for us if God satisfie us with Long Life Psal. 91.16 With long Life will I satisfie him This is to be esteemed a Blessing It is a Blessing that God gives a long time to repent and a long time to do Service and a long time to enjoy the Comfort of Relations and who is this Blessing of Long Life entail'd upon but Obedient Children Honour thy Father that thy Days may be long Nothing sooner shortens Life than Disobedience to Parents Absalom was a disobedient Son who sought to deprive his Father of his Life and Crown and he did not live out half his Days The Mule he rode upon as being weary of such a Burden left him hanging in the Oak betwixt Heaven and Earth as not fit to tread upon the one or enter into the other Obedience to Parents spins out thy Life That thy Days may be long Nor doth Obedience to Parents only lengthen Life but sweeten it Therefore it follows That thy Days may be long in the Land which the Lord thy God giveth thee To live long and not have a Foot of Land is a Misery but Obedience to Parents settles Land of Inheritance upon the Child Hast thou but one Blessing O my Father said Esau. Behold God hath more Blessings for an Obedient Child than one not only shall he have a Long Life but a Fruitful Land And not only shall he have Land but Land given in Love The Land which the Lord thy God giveth thee Thou shalt have thy Land not only with God's Leave but with his Love All which are cogent Arguments to make Children Honour and Obey their Parents EXOD. XX. 12 Honour thy Father Vse I. If we are to Honour our Fathers on Earth then much more our Father in Heaven Mal. 1.6 If then I am a Father where is my Honour A Father is but the Instrument of conveying Life but God is the Original Cause of our Being Psal. 100.3 For it is he that hath made us and not we our selves Honour and Adoration is a Pearl belongs only to the Crown of Heaven And 1. We show Honour to our Heavenly Father by obeying him Thus Christ honoured his Father Iohn 6.38 I came down from Heaven not to do my own Will but the Will of him that sent me This he calls honouring of God Iohn 8.29 I do always those things which please him Ver. 49. I honour my Father The Wise Men did not only bow the Knee to Christ but presented him with Gold and Myrrh Mat. 2.8 So we must not only bow the Knee give God Adoration but bring Presents give him Golden Obedience 2. We show Honour to our Heavenly Father by appearing as Advocates in his Cause and standing up for his Truth in an Adulterous Generation That Son honours his Father who stands up in his Defence and vindicates him when he is calumniated and reproached Do they honour God who are ashamed of him Iohn 12.42 Many believed on him but durst not confess him They are Bastard Sons who are ashamed to own their Heavenly Father Such as are born of God are steeled with Courage for his Truth They are like the Rock which no Waves can break like the Adamant which no Sword can cut Basil was a Champion for Truth in the Time of the Emperor Valens and Athanasius when the World was Arrian appeared for God 3. We show Honour to our Heavenly Father by ascribing the Honour of all we do to him 1 Cor. 15.10 I laboured morè abundantly than they all yet not I but the Grace of God which was in me If a Christian hath any Assistance in Duty any strength against Corruption he rears up a Pillar and writes upon it Hitherto the Lord hath helped me As Ioab when he had fought against Rabbah and had like to have taken it sent for King David that he might carry away the Honour of the Victory 2 Sam. 12.27 So when a Child of God hath any Conquest over Satan he gives all the Honour to God Hypocrites whose Lamp is fed with the Oyl of Vain-Glory
is capable of Communion with God of being Christ's Spouse 2 Cor. 11.2 That I might espouse you Virgin-Souls to Christ. It is capable of being Crown'd with Glory for ever O then carrying such precious Souls about you created with the Breath of God redeemed with the Blood of God what Endeavours should you use for the Saving of these Souls Let not the Devil have your Souls Heliogabalus fed his Lions with Pheasant The Devil is call'd a Roaring Lion feed him not with your Souls Besides the Excellency of the Soul which may make you labour to get it saved consider how sad it will be not to have the Soul saved It is such a Loss as there is none like it Because in losing the Soul you lose a great many things with it A Merchant in losing his Ship loseth many things with it He loseth Money Jewels Spices So he that loseth his Soul loseth Christ the company of Angels Heaven It is an infinite Loss and it is an irreparable Loss it can never be made up again Two Eyes but one Soul Chrys. O what Care should be taken about the Immortal Soul I would request but this of you that you would but take as much Care for the saving your Souls as you do for the getting an Estate Nay I will say this Do but take as much Care for the saving your Souls as the Devil doth for destroying them O how industrious is Satan to damn Souls How doth he play the Serpent in his subtile laying of Snares to catch Souls How doth he shoot Fiery Darts The Devil is never idle The Devil is a busie Bishop in his Diocess he walks up and down seeking whom he may devour 1 Pet. 5.8 Now is not this a Reasonable Request to take but as much Care for the saving of your Souls as the Devil doth for the destroying them Quest. How shall we do to get our Souls saved Resp. By having them sanctified Only the pure in Heart shall see God Get your Souls in-laid and enamel'd with Holiness 1 Pet. 1.16 It is not enough that we cease to do Evil which is all the Evidence some have to show this is to lose Heaven by short shooting but we must be inwardly sanctify'd Not only the unclean Spirit must go out but we must be filled with the Holy Ghost Eph. 5.18 This Holiness must needs be if you consider God is to dwell with you here and you are to dwell with him hereafter First God is to dwell with you here God takes up the Soul for his own Lodgings Eph. 3.17 That Christ may dwell in your Heart Therefore the Soul must be Consecrated A King's Palace must be kept clean especially his Presence-Chamber The Body is the Temple of the Holy Ghost 1 Cor. 6.19 then the Soul is the Sanctum Sanctorum how Holy ought that to be Secondly You are to dwell with God Heaven is an Holy Place 1 Pet. 1.4 An Inheritance undefiled And how can you dwell with God till you are sanctified We do not put Wine into a musty Vessel God will not put the New Wine of Glory into a sinful Heart O then as you love your Souls and would have them sav'd Eternally endeavour after Holiness by this means you will have an Idoneity and Fitness for the Kingdom of Heaven and your Souls will be saved in the Day of the Lord Jesus EXOD. XX. 14 Thou shalt not commit Adultery God is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a pure holy Spirit and hath an infinite Antipathy against all Uncleanness In this Commandment he hath entred his Caution against it Non maechaberis Thou shalt not commit Adultery The Sum of this Commandment is The Preservation of Corporal Purity We must take heed of running on the Rock of Uncleanness and so making Shipwrack of our Chastity In this Commandment there is something tacitly implyed and something tacitly forbidden 1. Something tacitly Implyed viz. That the Ordinance of Marriage should be observed 2. Something expresly Forbidden viz. The infecting our selves with Bodily Pollution Thou shalt not commit Adultery 1. Something Implyed That the Ordinance of Marriage should be observed 1 Cor. 7.2 Let every Man have his own Wife and every Woman have her own Husband Marriage is honourable and the Bed undefiled Heb. 13.4 God did institute Marriage in Paradise he brought the Woman to the Man Gen. 2.22 He did as it were give them in Marriage And Jesus Christ did honour Marriage with his Presence Iohn 2.2 The first Miracle he wrought was at a Marriage when he turned the Water into Wine Marriage is a Type and Resemblance of the Mystical Union between Christ and his Church Eph. 5.32 Concerning Marriage 1. There are General Duties 1. The General Duty of the Husband is to Rule Eph. 5.23 The Husband is the Head of the Wife The Head is the Seat of Rule and Government but he must rule with Discretion He is Head therefore must not rule without Reason 2. The General Duty on the Wife's part is Submission Eph. 5.22 Wives submit your selves unto your own Husbands as unto the Lord. It is observable the Holy Ghost passeth by Sarah's Failings he doth not mention her Unbelief but he takes notice of that which was good in her her Reverence and Obedience to her Husband 1 Pet. 3.6 Sarah obey'd Abraham calling him Lord. 2. Special Duties belonging to Marriage are Love and Fidelity 1. Love Eph. 5.25 Love is the Marriage of the Affections There is as it were but one Heart in two Bodies Love lines the Yoak and makes it easie Love perfumes the Marriage-Relation without which it is not Conjugium but Conjurgium it is like two Poysons in one Stomach one is ever sick of the other 2. Fidelity In Marriage there is a mutual Promise of living together Faithfully according to God's Holy Ordinance Among the Romans on the Day of Marriage the Woman presented to her Husband Fire and Water Fire refines Metal Water cleanseth Hereby signifying that she would live with her Husband in Chastity and Sincerity This is the First thing in the Commandment implied that the Ordinance of Marriage should be purely observed 2. The thing Forbidden in the Commandment i. e. Infecting our selves with Bodily Pollution and Uncleanness Thou shalt not commit Adultery The Fountain of this Sin is Lust. Since the Fall Holy Love is degenerated into Lust. Lust is the Fever of the Soul There is a two-fold Adultery 1. Mental Matth. 5.28 Whosoever looketh on a Woman to lust after her hath committed Adultery already with her in his Heart As a Man may die of an inward Bleeding so he may be damn'd for the inward boylings of Lust if they be not mortify'd 2. Corporal Adultery when Sin hath conceiv'd and brought forth in the Act. This is expresly forbidden under a Sub poena Thou shalt not commit Adultery This Commandment is set as an Hedge to keep out Uncleanness and they that break this Hedge a Serpent shall bite them Iob calls Adultery an heinous Crime
and engraving of the Holy Ghost upon the Soul The new born Christian is bespangled with the Jewels of the 〈◊〉 which are the Angels glory Regeneration is the spring of all true joy At our first birth we come weeping into the World but at our new birth there 's cause of rejoycing for now God is our Father and we are begotten to a lively hope of glory 1 Pet. 1.3 We may try by this our relation to God Hath a regenerating work of Gods Spirit passed upon our Souls Are we made of another Spirit Humble and Heavenly This is a good sign of Son-ship and we may say Our Father which art in Heaven 3. By having the conduct of the Spirit We are led by the Spirit Rom. 8.14 As many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the Sons of God Gods Spirit doth not only quicken us in our Regeneration but leads us on till we come to the end of our Faith Salvation It is not enough the Child have Life but he must be led every step by the Nurse Hos. 11.3 I taught Ephraim to go taking them by their armes Their Armes as the Israelites had the Cloud and Pillar of Fire to go before them and be a guide to them so Gods Spirit is a guide to go before us and lead us into all truth and counsel us in all our doubts and influence us in all our actions Psalm 73.24 Thou shalt guide me by thy counsels None can call God Father but such as have the conduct of his Spirit Try then what Spirit you are led by Such as are led by a Spirit of Envy Lust Avarice these are not led by the Spirit of God it were blasphemy for them to call God Father These are led by the Spirit of Satan and may say Our Father which art in Hell 4. By having the Witness of the Spirit Rom. 8.16 The Spirit it self beareth witness with our Spirit that we are the Children of God This Witness of the Spirit suggesting that God is our Father is not a Vocal Witness or Voice from Heaven The Spirit in the Word witnesseth The Spirit in the Word saith he who is so qualified who is an hater of Sin and a lover of Holiness is a Child of God and God is his Father if I can find such qualifications wrought here is the Spirit witnessing with my Spirit that I am a Child of God Besides we may carry it higher the Spirit of God witnesseth to our Spirit by making more than ordinary impressions upon our hearts and giving some secret hints and whispers that God hath purposes of Love to us Here is a concurrent witness of the Spirit with Conscience that we are Heirs of Heaven and God is our Father This Witness is better felt than expressed this Witness scatters doubts and fears silenceth temptations but what shall one do that hath not this Witness of the Spirit If we wâ—â—t the Witness of the Spirit let us labour to find the Work of the Spirit if we have not the Spirit testifying labour to have it sanctifying and that will be a support to us 4. If God be our Father we are of Peaceable Spirits Matth. 5.9 Blessed are the peace-makers they shall be called the children of God Grace infuseth a sweet amicable disposition it files off the ruggedness of Mens Spirits it turns the Lion-like fierceness into a Lamb-like gentleness Isa. 11.7 They who have God to be their Father follow Peace as well as Holiness God the Father is called the God of Peace Heb. 13.20 God the Son the Prince of Peace Isa. 9.6 God the Holy Ghost is a Spirit of Peace It is called the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace Eph. 4.3 The more peaceable the more like God It is a bad sign God is not their Father 1. Who are fierce and cruel as if with Romulus they had sucked the Milk of a Wolf Rom. 3.17 The way of peace have they not known they sport in mischief these are they who are of a persecuting Spirit as Maximinus Dioclesian Antiochus who as Eusebius took more tedious journeys and run more hazards in vexing and persecuting the Iewes than any of his Predecessors had done in getting of Victories These Furies cannot call God Father if they do they will have as little comfort in saying Father as Dives had in Hell when he said Father Abraham Luke 16.24 2. Who are makers of division Rom. 16.17 Mark them which cause divisions and avoid them Such as are born of God are makers of Peace what shall we think of such as are makers of Division will God Father these The Devil made the first division in Heaven they may call the Devil Father they may give the Cloven Foot in their Coat of Armes their sweetest Musick is in Discord they unite to divide Sampsons Fox-tails were tyed together only to set the Philistians Corn on fire Iudg. 15 4. Papists unite only to set the Churches Peace on fire· Satans Kingdom goes up by Divisions St. Chrysostome observes of the Church of Corinth when many Converts were brought in Satan knew no better way to dam up the current of Religion than to throw in an Apple of Strife and divide them into Parties one was for Paul and another for Apollos but few for Christ. Would not Christ have his Coat rent and can he endure to have his Body rent Sure God will never Father them who are not Sons of Peace Of all them who God hates he is named for one who is a sower of discord among brethren Prov. 6.19 5. If God be our Father then we love to be near God and have converse with him An ingenuous Child delights to approach near to his Father and go into his presence David envyed the Birds that they built their Nests so near Gods Altars when he was debarred his Fathers house Psal. 84.3 True Saints love to get as near to God as they can In the Word they draw near to his Holy Oracle in the Sacrament they draw near to his Table a Child of God delights to be in his Fathers presence he cannot stay away long from God he sees a Sabbath day approaching and rejoyceth his heart hath been often melted and quickened in a Ordinance he hath tasted the Lord is good therefore he loves to be in his Fathers presence he cannot keep away long from God Such as care not for Ordinances cannot say Our Father which art in Heaven Is God their Father who cannot endure to be in his presence VSE I. Of Instruction See the amazing goodness of God that is pleased to enter into this sweet relation of a Father God needed not to adopt us he did not want a Son God did not want a Son but we did a Father God showed Power in being our Maker but Mercy in being our Father When we were enemies and our hearts stood out as garrisons against God that he should conquer our stubbornness and of enemies make us children and write his
are more than conquerours How are Gods Children more than Conquerours Because they conquer without loss and because they are crowned after death which other Conquerours are not 15. If God be our Father he will now and then send us some tokens of his Love Gods Children live far from home and meet sometimes with coarse usage from the unkind World therefore God to encourage his Children sends them sometimes tokens and pledges of his Love What are these He gives them a return of Prayer there is a token of Love he quickens and enlargeth their Hearts in Duty there is a token of Love he gives them the first fruits of his Spirit which are Love-tokens Rom. 8.23 As God gives the wicked the first fruits of Hell horrour of Conscience and Despair so he gives his Children the first fruits of his Spirit Joy and Peace which are foretasts of Glory Some of Gods Children having received these tokens of Love from their Heavenly Father have been so transported that they have dyed for Joy as the Glass oft breaks with the strength of the Wine put into it 16. If God be our Father he will indulge and spare us Mal. 3.17 I will spare them as a man spareth his own Son that serveth him Gods sparing his Children imports this his clemency towards them he doth not punish them as he might Psal. 103.10 He hath not dealt with us according to our sins We oft do that which merits Wrath grieve Gods Spirit relapse into Sin God passeth by much and spares us God did not spare his Natural Son Rom. 8.32 yet he will spare his Adopted Sons God threatned Ephraim to make him as the Chaff driven with the Whirlwind but he soon repented Hos. 13.4 Yet I am the Lord thy God ver 10. I will be thy King Here God spared him as a Father spares his Son Israel oft provoked God with their complaints but God used clemency towards them he oft answered their murmurings with Mercies here he spared them as a Father spares his Son 17. If God be our Father he will put Honour and Renown upon us at the last day 1. He will clear the innocency of his Children Gods Children in this Life are strangely misrepresented to the World they are loaded with invectives they are called factious seditious Elijah the troubler of Israel Luther was called the trumpet of Rebellion Athanasius was accused to the Emperor Constantine to be the raiser of Tumults the Primitive Christians were accused to be infanticidii incestus rei killers of their Children guilty of Incest as Tertullian St. Paul reported to be a pestilent person Acts 24.5 Famous Wickliff called the Idol of the Hereticks and that he dyed drunk If Satan cannot defile Gods Children he will disgrace them if he cannot strike his fiery darts into their Conscience he will put a dead fly into their Name but God will one day clear his Childrens innocency he will roll away their reproach As God will make a Resurrection of Bodies so of Names Isa. 25.8 The Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces and the rebuke of his people shall he take away God will be the Saints compurgator Psal. 37.6 He shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light The Night casts its dark mantle upon the most beautiful Flowers but the light comes in the Morning and dispells the darkness and every Flower appears in its orient brightness so the wicked may by misreports darken the honour and repute of the Saints but God will dispel this darkness and cause their Names to shine forth He shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light As God did stand up for the honour of Moses when Aaron and Miriam went about to eclipse his Fame Numb 12.8 Wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses So will God say one day to the wicked wherefore were not ye afraid to defame and traduce my Children They having my Image upon them how durst ye abuse my Picture At last Gods Children shall come forth out of all their calumnies as a Dove covered with silver and her feathers with yellow gold Psal. 68.13 2. God will make an open and honourable recital of all their good deeds As the Sins of the Wicked shall be openly mentioned to their eternal infamy and confusion so all the good deeds of the Saints shall be openly mentioned and then shall every man have praise of God 1 Cor. 4.5 Every Prayer made with melting eyes every good service every work of Charity shall be openly declared before Men and Angels Matth. 25.35 I was an hungred and ye gave me meat thirsty and ye gave me drink naked and ye clothed me Thus God will set a Trophy of Honour upon all his Children at the last day Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father Matth. 13.43 18. If God be our Father he will settle good land of inheritance upon us 1 Pet. 1.4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Iesus who hath begotten us again to a lively hope to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled A Father may be fallen to decay and have nothing to leave his Son but his Blessing but God will settle an Inheritance on his Children and an Inheritance no less than a Kingdom Luke 17.32 It is your Fathers good pleasure to give you a kingdom This Kingdom is more Glorious and Magnificent than any Earthly Kingdom it is set out by Pearls and precious Stones the richest Jewels Rev 21.19 What are all the Rarities of the World to this Kingdom The Coasts of Pearl the Islands of Spices the Rocks of Diamonds In this Heavenly Kingdom is that which is satisfying unparallel'd Beauty Rivers of Pleasure and this for ever Psal. 16.11 At thy right hand are pleasures for evermore Heavens eminency is its permanency and this Kingdom Gods Children shall enter into immediately after Death There is a sudden transition and passage from Death to Glory 2 Cor. 5.9 Absent from the body present with the Lord. Gods Children shall not stay long for their Inheritance it is but winking and they shall see God How may this comfort Gods Children who perhaps are low in the World your Father in Heaven will settle a Kingdom upon you at death such a Kingdom as eye hath not seen he will give you a Crown not of Gold but Glory he will give you white Robes lined with Immortality It is your Fathers good pleasure to give you a kingdom 19. If God be our Father it is Comfort 1. In case of loss of Relations Hast thou lost a Father yet if thou art a Believer thou art no Orphan thou hast an Heavenly Father a Father that never dyes 1 Tim. 6.16 Who only hath immortality 2. It is comfort in case of Death God is thy Father and at Death thou art going to thy Father Well might Paul say Death is yours 1 Cor. 3.22 it is your friend that will carry you home to your Father
at one draught catched Three Thousand Souls Let us examine How was our Faith wrought Did God in the Ministry of the word humble us Did he break up the fallow ground of our heart and then cast in the Seed of Faith a good sign but if you know not how you came by your Faith suspect your selves as we suspect Men to have stolen goods when they know not how they came by them 2. True Faith is at first minute and small like a grain of Mustard seed it is full of doubts and fears it is smoaking flax it smoaks with desire but doth not flame with comfort it is so small that a Christian can hardly discern whether he hath Faith or no. 3. True Faith is long in working non sit in instanti It costs many searchings of heart many Prayers and Tears there is a spiritual Combat the Soul suffers many sore Pangs of Humiliation before the Child of Faith be born they whose Faith is per saltum they leap out of sin into a confidence that Christ is theirs I say as Isaac concerning his Sons Venison Gen. 27.20 How is it that thou hast found it so quickly How is it that thou comest by thy Faith so soon The Seed in the Parable which sprung up suddenly withered Mark 4.5 Solent praecocia subito flaccescere 4. True Faith is ioyn'd with Sanctity as a little Bezoar is strong in operation and a little Musk sweetens so a little Faith purifies 1 Tim. 3.9 Holding the mistery of Faith in a pure Conscience Faith though it doth but touch Christ fetcheth an healing vertue from him Justifying Faith doth that in a spiritual sence which miraculous Faith doth it removes the Mountains of sin and casts them into the Sea of Christs â—lood 5. True Faith will trust God without a Pawn Though a Christian be cut short in Provisions the Fig-tree doth not blossom yet he will trust in God Fides Famem non formidat Faith fears not Famine God hath given us his Promise as his Bond Psal. 37.3 Verily thou shalt be fed Faith puts this Bond in suit God will rather work a Miracle than His promise shall fail He hath cause to suspect his Faith who saith he trusts God for the greater but dares not trust him for the lesser he trusts God for Salvation but dares not trust him for a livelihood 6. True Faith is Prolifical it brings for Fruit Faith hath Rachel's Beauty and Leah's Fruitfulness Fides pinguescit operibus Luther Faith is full of good works Faith believes as if it did not work and it works as if it did not believe Faith is the spouslike grace which marries Christ and good works are the Children which Faith bears by having such a Faith we may know the kingdom of God is within us Grace is certainly in our Hearts 3. We may know the kingdom of Grace is come into our hearts by having the noble grace of Love Faith and Love are the two Poles on which all Religion turns Cant. 1.4 The Vpright love thee True Love is to love God out of Choice Love turns the Soul into a Seraphin it makes it burn in a flame of Affection Love is the truest Touchstone of Sincerity Love is the Queen of the Graces it commands the whole Soul 2 Cor. 5.4 If our Love to God be Genuine and Real we let him have the Supremacy we set him in the highest room of our Soul we give him the purest of our Love Cant. 8.2 I would cause thee to drink of spiced wine of the juice of my Pomgrenate If the Spouse had any thing better than other a Cup more juicy and spiced Christ should drink of that We give the Creature the Milk of our Love but God the Cream In short if we love God aright we love his Laws we love his picture drawn in the Saints by the Pencil of the Holy Ghost we love his Presence in his Ordinances Sleidan saith the Protestants in France had a Church which they call'd Paradise as if they thought themselves in Paradise while they had Gods Presence in his Sanctuary The Soul that loves God loves his appearing 2 Tim. 4.8 It will be a glorious appearing to the Saints when their Union with Christ shall be compleat then their joy shall be full The Bride longs for the marriage day The Spirit and the Bride say come Even so come Lord Iesus Rev. 22.17 By this Sacred Love we may know the Kingdom of God is within us 4. We may know the Kingdom of Grace is come into our hearts by Spiritualizing the Duties of Religion 1 Pet. 2.5 Ye are an holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices Spiritualizing Duty consists in three things 1. Fixedness of Mind 2. Fervency of Devotion 3. Uprightness of Aim 1. Fixedness of Mind Then we Spiritualize Duty when our Minds are fixed on God 1 Cor. 7.35 That ye may attend on the Lord without distraction Though impertinent thoughts sometimes come into the heart in Duty yet they are not allowed Psal. 119.13 they come as unwelcome guests which are no sooner spyed but they are turned out 2. Fervency of Devotion Rom. 12.11 Fervent in Spirit serving the Lord 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 'T is a Metaphor alludes to Water that seeths and boyls over so the Affections boyl over the Eyes melt in tears the Heart flowes in holy ejaculations We not only bring our offering to God but our hearts 3. Uprightness of Aim An heart that is upright hath three ends in Duty 1. That he may grow more like God As Moses on the Mount had some of Gods Glory reflected on him his face shined 2 That he may have more communion with God 1 Iohn 1.6 our 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Our fellowship is with the Father 3. That he may bring more Glory to God 1 Pet. 4.11 Phil. 1.20 That Christ may be magnified Sincerity aimes at God in all though we shoot short yet we take a right aim This is a sure evidence of Grace the Spiritualizing Duty The Spirits of Wine are best so is the Spiritual part of Duty A little Spiritualness in Duty is better than all the gildings of the Temple or outward pompous Worship which doth so dazzle carnal eyes 5. We may know the Kingdom of Grace is come into us by antipathy and opposition against every known sin Psal. 119.104 I hate every false way Hatred is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Arist. against the whole kind Hatred is implacable Anger may be reconciled hatred cannot A gracious Soul not only forsakes sin as a Man forsakes his Country never to return to it more but hates sin as there 's an antipathy between the Crocadile and the Scorpion If the Kingdom of God be within us we not only hate sin for Hell but we hate it as Hell as being contrary to Gods Holiness and our Happiness 6. We may know the Kingdom of Grace is come into us when we have given up our selves to God by obedience As a Servant gives up himself to
after appear in an Eclipse to them 2. The Meditation of the heavenly Kingdom would much promote holiness in us Heaven is an holy place 1 Pet. 1.4 an Inheritance undefiled 't is described by Transparent Glass to denote its Purity Rev. 21.21 The contemplating heaven would put us upon the study of holiness because none but such are admitted into that kingdom Heaven is not like Noah's Ark into which came clean Beasts and unclean only the pure in heart shall see God Mat. 5.8 3. The Meditation of the heavenly Kingdom would be a Spur to diligence immensum Gloria Calcar habet 1 Cor. 15.58 alwaies abounding in the work of the Lord knowing that your Labour shall not be in vain in the Lord. When the Mariner sees the haven he plies it harder with his Oars when we have a sight and prospect of Glory it would make us much in Prayer alms watching it would add wings to duty and make the Lamp of our Devotion burn brighter 2. If you have hopes of this Kingdom be content though you have but a little of the World Contentment is a rare thing 't is a Jewel that but few Christians wear but if you have a grounded hope of heaven it may work your heart to Contentation what though you have but little in Possession you have a Kingdom in Reversion Were you to take an estimate of a Mans Estate how would you value it by what he hath in his house or by his Land perhaps he hath little Money or Jewels in his house but he is a Landed Man there lies his Estate A Believer hath but little Oyl in the Cruse and Meal in the Barrel but he is a landed Man he hath a Title to a Kingdom and may not this satisfy him If a Man who lived here in England had a great Estate befallen him beyond the Seas and perhaps had no more Money at present but just to pay for his Voyage he is content he knows when he comes to his Estate he shall have Money enough Thou who art a Believer hast a Kingdom befallen thee though thou hast but little in thy Purse yet if thou hast enough to pay for thy Voyage enough to bear thy Charges to heaven it is sufficient God hath given thee Grace which is the Fore Crop and will give thee Glory which is the After-Crop and may not this make thee content 3. Branch If you have hope of this blessed Kingdom pray often for the coming of this glorious Kingdom Thy Kingdom come Only Believers can pray heartily for the hastening of the Kingdom of Glory 1. They cannot pray that Christs kingdom of Glory may come who never had the kingdom of Grace set up in their Hearts Can the guilty Prisoner pray that the Assisâ—s may come 2. They cannot pray heartily that Christs kingdom of Glory may come who are Lovers of the World they have found Paradise they are in their kingdom already this is their heaven and they desire to hear of no other they are of his mind who said if he might keep his Cardinalship in Paris he would lose his part in Paradise 3. They cannot pray heartily that Christs kingdom of Glory may come who oâ—â—ose Christs kingdom of Grace who break his Laws which are the Scepter of his kingdom who shoot at those who bear Christs Name and carry his Colours sure these cannot pray that Christs kingdom of Glory may come for then Christ will judge them and if they say this Prayer they are Hypocrites they mean not as they speak But you who have the kingdom of Grace set up in your hearts pray much that the kingdom of Glory may hasten Thy Kingdom come when this kingdom comes then you shall behold Christ in all his embroidered Robes of Glory shining ten thousand times brighter then the Sun in all it's Meridian Splendor When Christs kingdom comes the Bodies of the Saints that slept in the dust shall be raised in honour and made like Christs Glorious Body then shall your Souls like Diamonds sparkle with Holiness you shall never have a sinful thought more you shall be as holy as the Angels you shall be as holy as you would be and as holy as God would have you to be then you shall be in a better state than in Innocency Adam was Created a Glorious Creature but mutable a bright Star but a falling Star but in the Kingdom of Heaven is a fixation of Happiness When Christs Kingdom of Glory comes you shall be rid of all your enemies As Moses said Exod. 14.13 The Egyptians whom you have seen to day you shall see them no more for ever so those enemies who have plough'd on the backs of Gods people and made deep their surrows when Christ shall come in his Glory you shall see these enemies no more All Christs enemies shall be put under his feet 1 Cor. 15.25 and before the wicked be destroyed the Saints shall judge them 1 Cor. 6.2 Know ye not that the Saints shall judge the World This will cut the wicked to the heart that those whom they have formerly scorned and scourged shall sit as Judges upon them and vote with Christ in his judicial proceedings O then well may you pray for the hastening of the Kingdom of Glory Thy Kingdom come 4. Branch If you have any good hope of this blessed Kingdom let this make the colour come in your Faces be of a sanguine chearful temper have you a Title to a Kingdom and sad Rom. 5.2 We rejoyce in the hope of the glory of God Christians the Trumpet is ready to sound an eternal Jubilee is at hand when a freedom from Sin shall be proclaimed your Coronation day is a coming it is but putting off your clothes and laying your head upon a pillow of dust and you shall be inthroned in a Kingdom and invested with the embroidered Robes of Glory Doth not all this call for a chearful Spirit Chearfulness adorns Religion it is a temper of Soul Christ loves Iohn 14.28 If ye loved me ye would rejoyce It makes many suspect Heaven is not so pleasant when they see those that walk thither so sad How doth the heir rejoyce in hope of the Inheritance Who should rejoyce if not a Believer who is heir of the Kingdom and such a Kingdom as eye hath not seen When the Flesh begins to droop let Faith lift up its head and cause an holy jubilation and rejoycing in the Soul 5. Let the Saints long to be in this blessed Kingdom A Prince that travels in Foreign parts doth he not long to be in his own Nation that he may be Crowned The Bride desires the Marriage day Rev. 22.17 The Spirit and the bride say Come Even so come Lord Iesus Sure our unwillingness to go hence shows either the weakness of our Faith in the belief of the Heavenly Kingdom or the strength of our doubtings whether we have an interest in it Were our Title to Heaven more cleared we should need Patience to be
is in Heaven This Petition consists of Two Parts I. The Matter Doing of Gods Will. II. The Manner As it is in Heaven I. The Matter of this Petition is The doing of Gods Will. Thy Will be done Quest. 1. What is meant by the Will of God Answ. There is a twofold Will 1. Voluntas decreti Gods secret Will or the Will of his Decree We pray not that Gods secret Will may be done by us This secret Will cannot be known it is locked up in Gods own breast and neither Man or Angel hath Key to open it 2. Voluntas revelata Gods revealed Will. This revealed Will is written in the Book of Scripture the Scripture is a declaration of Gods Will it discovers what he would have us do in order to our Salvation Quest. 2. What do we pray for in these words Thy Will be done Answ. We pray for two things 1. For Active Obedience that we may do Gods Will actively in what he commands 2. For Passive that we may submit to Gods Will patiently in what he inflicts We pray that we may do Gods Will actively subscribe to all his commands believe in Jesus the cardinal Grace lead holy lives So Austin upon the Petition Nobis a Deo precamur Obedientiam we pray that we may actively obey Gods Will. This is the summe of all Religion the two Tables epitomized The doing of Gods Will. Thy Will be done We must know Gods Will before we can do it knowledge is the eye which must direct the foot of Obedience At Athens there was an Altar set up 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 To the unknown God Acts 17.23 It is as bad to offer the blind to God as the dead Knowledge is the Pillar of Fire to give light to practise but though knowledge is requisite yet the knowing of Gods Will is not enough without doing of his Will Thy Will be done If one had a System of Divinity in his head if he had 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all knowledge 1 Cor. 13.2 yet if Obedience were wanting his knowledge were lame and would not carry him to Heaven Knowing Gods Will may make a Man admired but it is doing Gods Will that makes him blessed knowing Gods Will without doing it will not crown us with happiness 1. The bare knowledge of Gods Will is inefficacious it doth not better the heart Knowledge alone is like a Winter-Sun which hath no heat or influence it doth not warm the Affections or purifie the Conscience Iudas was a great Luminary he knew Gods Will but he was a Traytor 2. Knowing without doing Gods Will will make ones case worse 't will heat Hell the hotter Luke 12.47 The servant which knew his Lords will and did not according to his will shall be beaten with maeny stripes Many a Mans knowledge is a torch to light him to Hell Thou who hast knowledge of Gods Will but dost not do it wherein dost thou excel an Hypocrite Nay wherein dost thou excel the Devil who transforms himself into an Angel of light 'T is improper to call such Christians who are knowers of Gods Will but not doers of it 'T is improper to call him a Tradesman who never wrought in his Trade so to call him a Christian who never wrought in the Trade of Religion Let us not rest in the knowing of Gods Will. Let it not be said of us as Plutarch speaks of the Grecians They knew what was just but did it not Let us set upon this the doing of Gods Will. Thy Will be done Quest. 3. Why is the doing of Gods Will so requisite Answ. 1. Out of Equity God may justly claim a right to our Obedience he is our founder we have our being from him and 't is but equal that we should do his Will at whose word we were Created God is our Benefactor 't is just that if God give us our Allowance we should give him our Allegiance 2. The great design of God in the World is to make us doers of his Will 1. All Gods Royal Edicts and Precepts are to bring us to this to be doers of his Will what needed God been at the pains to give us the copy of his Law and write it out with his own Finger else The Word is not only a Rule of Knowledge but of Duty Deut. 13.4 Deut. 26.16 This day the Lord thy God hath commanded thee to do these statutes thou shalt therefore keep and do them If you tell your Children what is your mind it is not only that they may know your Will but do it God gives us his Word as a Master gives a Scholar a Copy to write after it he gives it as his Will and Testament that we should be the Executors to see it performed 2. This is the end of all Gods Promises to draw us to do Gods Will the Promises are loadstones to Obedience Deut. 11.27 A blessing if ye obey as a Father gives his Son Money to bribe him to Obedience Deut. 28.1 If thou shalt hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God and do all his commandments the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all the nations of the earth Blessed shalt thou be in the city and in the field The Promises are a Royal Charter settled upon Obedience 3. The Minatory part of the Word the threatnings of God stand as the Angel with a Flaming Sword to deter us from Sin and make us doers of Gods Will Deut. 11.28 A curse if ye will not obey Psal. 68.21 God shall wound the hairy scalp of every one that goes on still in his trespasses These threatnings do often take hold of Men in this Life they are made examples and hung up in chains to scare others from Disobedience 4. All Gods Providences are to mâ—ke us doers of his Will As God makes use of all the seasons of the Year for Harvest so all his various Providences are to bring on the Harvest of Obedience 1. Afflictions are to make us do Gods Will 2 Chron. 33.12 When Manasseh was in affliction he besought the Lord and humbled himself greatly The Rod hath this voice Be doers of Gods Will. Affliction is called a Furnace Isa. 48.10 The furnace melts the metal and then it is cast into a new mould Gods Furnace is to melt us and mould us into Obedience 2. Gods Mercies are to make us do his Will Rom. 12.1 I beseech you by the mercies of God that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice Body is by a Synecdoche put for the whole Man If the Soul should not be presented to God as well as the Body it could not be a reasonable service Now saith the Apostle I beseech you by the mercies of God present your selves a living sacrifice Mercies are the strongest obligations to Duty Hos. 11.4 I drew them with the cords of a man that is with the golden cords of my Mercy In a word all that is written in Law or Gospel tends to this that we should be doers
Righteous Will it is a sin God cannot bear Numb 14.26 27. How long shall I bear with this evil congregation which murmur against me May not God justly say thus How long shall I bear with this wicked Person who when any thing falls out cross murmurs against me ver 28. Say unto them as truly as I live saith the Lord as ye have spoken in my ears so will I do unto you God swears against a murmurer As I live and what will God do as he lived ver 29. Your carcases shall fall in the wilderness You see how provoking a discontented quarrelsome Spirit is to God it may cost Men their Lives nay their Souls God sent fiery Serpents among the People for their murmuring 1 Cor. 10.10 he may send worse than fiery Serpents he may send Hell fire 20. Consideration How much doth God bear at our hand and shall not we be content to bear something at his hand It would tyre the Patience of the Angels to bear with us one day 2 Pet. 3.9 The Lord is long-suffering towards us 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 How oft do we offend in our Eye by envious impure glances in our Tongue by rash censuring but God passeth by many injuries he bears with us Should the Lord punish us every time we offend he might draw his sword every day shall God bear so much at our hands and can we bear with nothing at his hands Shall God be patient with us and we impatient with him Shall he be meek and we murmur Shall he endure our sins and shall not we endure his strokes Oh let us say Thy Will be done Lord thou hast been the greatest sufferer thou hast born more from me than I can from thee 21. Consideration Submitting our Wills to God in Affliction disappoints Satan of his hope and quite spoils his design The Devils end is in all our Afflictions to make us sin The Reason why Satan did smite Iob in his Body and Estate was to perplex his Mind and put him into a Passion he hoped that Iob would have been discontented and in a fit of anger not only have cursed his Birth-day but cursed his God but Iob lying at Gods Feet and blessing him in Affliction disappointed Satan of his hope and quite spoiled his plot Had Iob murmured he had pleased Satan had he fallen into an heat and the sparks of his anger flown about the Devil had warmed himself at this fire of Iobs Passion but Iob quietly submitted and blessed God here Satans design was frustrated and he missed of his intent The Devil hath oft deceived us the best way to deceive him is by quiet submission to God in all things and saying Thy Will be done 22. Consideration It may rock our Hearts quiet in Affliction to consider that to the Godly the Nature of Affliction is quite changed to a wicked Man it is a Curse the Rod is turned into a Serpent Affliction to him is but an effect of Gods displeasure the beginning of Sorrow but the nature of Affliction is quite chang'd to a Believer it is by a divine Chymistry turn'd into a Blessing it is like Poyson corrected which becomes a Medicine it is a Love-token a Badge of Adoption a preparatory to glory should not this make us say Thy VVill be done The poyson of the Affliction is gone it is not hurtful but healing this hath made the Saints not only patient in Affliction but have sounded forth Thankfulness As Bells when they have been cast in the Fire do afterwards make a sweeter sound so the Godly after they have been cast into the Fire of Affliction have sounded forth Gods Praise Psal. 119.71 It is good for me that I was afflicted Iob. 1.21 Blessed be the Name of the Lord. 23. Consideration To make us submit our Will to God in Affliction is to think how many good things we receive from God and shall we not be content to receive some evil Iob 2.10 Shall we receive good at the hand of God and shall we not receive evil In the Hebrew hatton meeth haâ—elohim shall we receive good from God and not evil This may make us say Thy Will be done How many Blessings have we received at the Hand of Gods Bounty we have been be miracled with Mercy what sparing preventing delivering Mercy have we had the Honey-comb of Mercy hath continually drop'd upon us Lam. 3.23 His Mercies are new every Morning Mercy comes in as constantly as the Tide nay how many Tides of Mercy do we see in one day we never feed but Mercy carves every bit to us we never drink but in the golden Cup of Mercy we never go abroad but Mercy sets a guard of Angels about us we never lie down in our bed but Mercy draws the Curtains of Protection close about us Now shall we receive so many good things at the hand of God and shall we not receive evil Our Mercies far out weigh our Afflictions for one Affliction we have a thousand Mercies O then let us submit to God and say Thy Will be done The Sea of Gods Mercy should swallow up a few drops of Affliction 24. Consideration To bring our Wills to God in Affliction doth much honour the Gospel An unsubmissive Christian reproacheth Religion as if it were not able to subdue an unruly Spirit it is weak Physick which cannot purge out ill Humours and sure it is a weak Gospel if it cannot master our discontent and martyr our Wills Unsubmissiveness is a Reproach but a chearful resignation of our Will to God sets a Crown of Honour upon the Head of Religion it shows the power of the Gospel which can charm down the Passions and melt the Will into Gods Will therefore in Scripture submissive patience is brought in as an adorning Grace Rev. 14.12 Here is the Patience of the Saints 25. Consideration The Example of our Lord Jesus how flexible and submissive was he to his Father He who taught us this Prayer Thy Will be done had learned it himself Christs Will was perfectly tuned to his Fathers Will it was the Will of his Father that he should dye for our sins and he endured the Cross Heb. 12.2 It was a painful shameful cursed death he suffered the very pains of Hell equivalently yet he willingly submitted Isa. 53.7 He opened not his Mouth he opened his sides when the blood ran out but he opened not his Mouth in repining his will was resolved into the will of his Father Iohn 18.11 Shall not I drink the Cup which my Father hath given me Now the more our Wills are subject to Gods Will in Affliction the nearer we come to Christ our Pattern is it not our Prayer we may be like Christ by holy Submission we imitate him His Will was melted into his Fathers Will. 26 Consideration To Submit our Will to God is the way to have our Will every one would be glad to have his VVill the way to have our Will is to resign it God deals
their chrystal streams the Sun inlightens others with its golden beams the more a Christian is enobled with Grace the more he besiegeth Heaven with his Prayers for others If we are Members of the Body Mystical we cannot but have a sympathy with others in their wants and this sympathy sets us a praying for them David had a publick Spirit in Prayer Psal. 125.4 Do good O Lord unto those that be good Though he begins the Psalm with Prayer for himself Psal. 51.1 Have Mercy upon me O God yet he ends the Psalm with Prayer for others ver 18. Do good in thy good pleasure unto Sion VSE III. It is matter of Comfort to the Godly who are but low in the World yet they have the Prayers of Gods people for them they pray not only for the increase of their Faith but their Food that God will give them Daily Bread He is like to be rich who hath several stocks going so are they in a likely way to thrive who have the Prayers of the Saints going for them in several parts of the World So much for this second word in the Petition Give us Thirdly The thiâ—â— word in the Petition is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 This day We pray not give us Bread for a month or a year but a day Give us this day Quest. Is it not lawful to lay up for afterwards Doth not the Apostle say He who provides not for his Family is worse than an Infidel 1 Tim. 5.8 Answ. 'T is true it is lawful to lay up for Posterity but our Saviour hath taught us to pray Give us this day our bread for two Reasons 1. That we should not have carking care for the future We should not set our Wits upon the tenter or torment our selves how to lay up great Estates if we do vivere in diem if we have but enough to supply for the present it may suffice Give us this day Take no thought for to morrow Matth. 6.34 God fed Israel with Manna in the wilderness and he fed them from hand to mouth sometimes all their Manna was spent and if any one had asked them where they would have their break-fast next morning they would have said our care is only for this day God will rain down what Manna we need If we have Bread this day do not distrust Gods Providence for the future 2. Our Saviour will have us pray Give us bread this day to teach us to live every day as if it were our last We are not to pray give us Bread to morrow because we do not know whether we shall live while to morrow but Lord give us this day it may be our last day we shall live and then we shall need no more VSE If we pray for Bread only for a day Give us this day then you who have great Estates have cause to be thankful you have more than you pray for you pray but for Bread for one day and God hath given you enough to suffice you all your life What a bountiful God do you serve Two things may make rich Men thankful 1. God gives them more than they deserve 2. God gives them more than they pray for Fourthly The fourth thing in the Petition is Our bread Quest. Why is it called our Bread when it is not ours but Gods Answ. 1. We must understand it in a qualified sense it is our Bread being gotten by honest industry There are two sorts of Bread that cannot properly be called our Bread 1. The Bread of Idleness 2. The Bread of Violence 1. The Bread of Idleness Prov. 31.27 She eateth not the bread of idleness An idle Person doth vivere aliena quadra he lives at another bodies cost and is at their finding Prov. 1.25 His hands refuse to labour We must not be as the Drones which eat the honey that other Bees have brought into the hive If we eat the bread of Idleness this is not our own bread 2 Thess. 3.11 12. There are some that walk disorderly working not at all such we command that they work and eat their own bread The Apostle gives us this hint that such as live idly do not eat their own Bread 2. The Bread of Violence We cannot call this our Bread for it is taken away from others That which is gotten by stealth or fraud or any manner of extortion is not our Bread it belongs to another He who is a bird of prey who takes away the Bread of the Widow and Fatherless he eats that Bread which is none of his nor can he pray for a Blessing upon it Can he pray God to bless that which he hath gotten unjustly 2. It is called our Bread by vertue of our Title to it There is a twofold title to Bread 1. A Spiritual Title In and by Christ we have a right to the Creature and may call it our Bread As we are Believers we have the best Title to Earthly things we hold all in capite 1 Cor. 3.22 All things are yours by what Title Ye are Christs 2. A Civil Title which the Law confers on us To deny Men a Civil Right to their Possessions and make all common it opens the door to Anarchy and Confusion VSE See the priviledge of Believers they have both a Spiritual and a Civil Right to what they possess They who can say Our Father can say our Bread Wicked Men tho' they have a Legal right to what they possess yet not a Covenant right they have it by Providence not by Promise with Gods leave not with his Love Wicked Men are in Gods eye no better than usurpers all they have their Money and Land is like Cloth taken up at the Drapers which is not paid for but this is the sweet priviledge of Believers they can say our Bread Christ being theirs all is theirs O how sweet is every bit of Bread dip'd in Christs Blood How well doth that Meat relish which is a pledge and earnest of more The Meal in the barrel is an earnest of our Angels food in Paradise Here is the priviledge of Saints they have a right to Earth and Heaven Fifthly The fifth and last thing in this Petition is the thing we pray for Daily Bread Quest. What is meant by Bread Answ. Bread here by a Synechdoche speciei pro genere is put for all the Temporal Blessings of this Life Food Fuel Clothing Quicquid nobis conducit ad bene esse Aust. whatever may serve for Necessity or sober Delight VSE Learn to be contented with that allowance God gives us If we have Bread a competency of these outward things let us rest satisfied We pray but for Bread Give us our daily Bread we do not pray for superfluities not for Quails or Venison but for Bread that which may support Life Tho' we have not so much as others so full a Crop so rich an Estate yet if we have the staff of Bread to shore us up from falling let us be content most people are
me good for his cursing this day quisquis deâ—rahit famae meae addet mercedi meae Aug. He that injuâ—es me â—hall add to my reward he that Clips my name to make it weigh lighter shall make my Crown weigh heavier Well might Stephen pray For his Enemies Lord lay not this sin to their charge Act. 7.60 he knew they did but encrease his Glory in Heaven every Stone his Enemies threw at him added a Pearl to his Crown 3. Lay up a stock of Faith Luk. 17.4 If thy Brother trespass against thee seven times in a day and seven times in a day â—urn again to thee and say I Repent thou shalt forgive him And the Apostles said to the Lord Encrease our Faith As if they had said We can never do this without a great deal of Faith Lord encrease our Faith Believe God hath pardoned you and you will pardon others only Faith can throw dust upon injuries and bury them in the Grave of forgetfulness 4. Think how thou hast sometimes wronged others and may it not be just with God that the same measure you mete to others should be measured to you again hast not thou wronged others if not in their Goods yet in their Name If thou hast not born false witness against them yet perhaps thou hast spoken falsly of them the consideration of this may make Christians bury injuries in silence 5. Get humble Hearts A proud Man thinks it a disgrace to put up an injury What causeth so many Duels and Murders as Pride Be cloth'd with humility 1 Pet. 5.5 He who is low in his own Eyes will not be troubled much tho others lay him low He knows there 's a day a coming when there shall be a Resurrection of Names as well as Bodies and God will avenge him of his Adversaries Luk. 18.7 And shall not God avenge his own Elect the humble Soul leaves all his wrongs to God to requite who hath said vengeance is mine Rom. 12.19 Vse of Comfort Such as Forgive God will forgive them You have a good argument to plead with God for Forgiveness lo I am willing to Forgive him who makes me no sactisfaction and wilt not thou Forgive me who hast received satisfaction in Christ my surety so ends the fifth Petition Mat. 6.13 And lead us not into Temptation but deliver us from Evil. THIS Petition consists of two parts First Deprecatory Lead us not into Temptation Second Petitory But deliver us from evil First Nenos inducas in tentationem Lead us not into temptation Doth God lead into Temptation God tempts no man to sin Jam. 1.13 Let no man say when he is Tempted I am tempted of God for God tempteth not any man God doth permit sin but not promote it He who is an encourager of holiness cannot be a Patron of sin God doth not Tempt to that which he hath an antipathy against what King will tempt his Subjects to break those Laws which he himself hath establiâ—hed Quest. But is it not said God tempted Abraham Gen. 22.1 Answ. Tempting there was no more than trying God tryed Abrahams Faith as a Gold-smith tries Gold in the Fire but there is a great deal of difference between Gods trying his Peoples Grace and exciâ—ing their corruption he tryeth their Grace but doth not excite their corruptions mans sin cannot be justly father'd on God God tempts no man Quest. What then is the meaning of this Lead us not into temptation Answ. When we pray Lead us not into Temptation the meaning is we desire of God that he would not suffer us to be overcome by temptation that we may not be given up to the power of a Temptation which is when we are trapann'd into sin Quest. 2. Whence do temptations come Answ. 1. Ab intra from our selves the Heart is Fomes peccati the breeder of all evil our own Hearts are the greatest Tempters quisque sibi Satan est Iam. 1.14 Every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust the Heart is a perfect decoy 2. Temptations come ab extrà from Satan he is call'd 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Tempter Mat. 4.3 he lies in Ambush to do us mischief stat in procinctu Diabolus the Devil lays a Train of Temptation to blow up the Fort of our Grace The Devil is not yet fully cast into Prison but is like a Prisoner that goes under Bail the World is his Diocess where he visits we are sure to find Satan whatever we are doing reading praying meditating we find him within how he came there we know not we are sure of his company uncertain how we came by it A Saints whole Life saith Austin is a Temptation Elias who could shut Heaven by Prayer could not shut his Heart from a Temptation This is a great molestation to a Child of God as it is a trouble to a Virgin to have her Chastity daily assaulted the more one is tempted to evil the more he is hindred from good we are in great danger of Satan the Prince of the Air and we had need often pray leads us not into Temptation that we may see in what danger we are of Satans Temptations Consider 1. His Malice in tempting This Hellish Serpent is swell'd with the Poison of malice Satan envies mans happiness To see a clod of Dust so near to God and himself once a glorious Angel cast out of the Heavenly Paradise this makes him pursue mankind with inveterate hatred Rev. 12.12 The Devil is come down to you having great wrath If there be any thing this Infernal Spirit of Hell can delight in it is to ruine Souls and bring them into the same condemnation with himself this malice of Satan in tempting must needs be great if we consider three things 1. That when Satan is so full of Torment yet that at such a time he should tempt one would think Satan should scarce have a thought free from thinking of his own misery yet such is his rage and malice that when God is punishing him he is tempting 2. Satan's Malice is great that he will tempt where he knows he cannot prevail He will put forth his sting tho he cannot hurt he tempted Christ Mat. 4.3 If thou be the Son of God He knew well enough Christ was God as well as Man yet he would tempt him Such was his malice against Christ that he would put an Affront upon Christ tho' he knew he could not conquer him He tempts the Elect to Blasphemy he knows he cannot prevail against the Eelect yet such is his Malice that tho' he cannot storm the Garrison of their Hearts yet he will plant his Pieces of Ordnance against them 3. Satan's Malice is great that tho' he knows his tempting men to sin will encrease his own Torment in Hell yet he will not leave off tempting every Temptation makes his Chain heavier and his fire hotter yet he will tempt Therefore Satan being such a malicious revengeful Spirit had not we need pray that God
This is Satan's Temptation the hand of Ioab is in this 2. To Rejoyce is a Duty Psal. 33.1 Praise is comely for the Vpright But when God by his judgments calls us to Weeping now Joy and Mirth is unseasonable Isa. 22.12 In that day did the Lord call to weeping and behold joy and gladness Oecolampadius and other Learned Writers think it was in the time of King Ahaz when the Signs of God's Anger like a Blazing-Star did appear now to be given to Mirth was very unseasonable 3. To Read The Word is a Duty but Satan will sometimes put Men upon it when it is unseasonable To Read at home when God's Word is Preaching or the Sacrament Administring is unseasonable yea sinful As Hushai said 2 Sam. 17.7 The Counsel is not good at this time There was a Set-time enjoyned for the Passover when the Iews were to bring their Offering to the Lord Numb 9.2 Had the People been Reading the Law at home in the time of the Passover it had not been in season and God would have punished it for a contempt This is the Devil 's subtil Temptation either to keep us from duty or to put us upon it when it is least in season Duties of Religion not well timed and done in season are dangerous Snow and Hail are good for the ground when they come in their season but in Harvest when the Corn is ripe then a Storm of Hail would do hurt 25. Subtilty of Satan in Tempting is to perswade Men to delay their repenting and turning to God He saith as Hag. 1.2 The time is not yet come Now youth is budding or you are but in the flower of your age it is too soon to repent the time is not yet come This Temptation is the Devil's draw-net by which he drags Millions to Hell It is a danâ—erous Temptation Sin is Dulce venenum Bern. a Poison the longer Poison lies in the Body the more mortal By delay of Repentance sin strengthens and the heart hardens The longer Ice freezeth the harder it is to be broken The longer a Man freezeth in impenitency the more difficult it will be to have his heart broken When sin hath gotten an haunt it is not easily shaken off Besides the danger of this Temptation to delay Repentance appears in this because life is hazardous and may on a sudden expire What security have you that you shall live another day Life is made up of a few flying Minutes it is a Taper soon blown out Jam. 4.14 What is your life It is but a vapour The body is like a Vessel tun'd with a little breath Sickness broacheth this Vessel Death draws it out How dangerous therefore is this Temptation to procrastinate and put off turning to God by repentance Many now in Hell did purpose to Repent but Death surpriz'd them 26. Subtilty of Satan in Tempting is to infringe and weaken the Saints peace If he cannot Destroy their Grace he will Disturb their Peace Satan envies a Christian should have a good day and if he cannot keep him from Heaven he will keep him from an Heaven upon Earth There is nothing next to Holiness a Christian prizeth more than Peace and Tranquillity of Mind This is the Cream of Life a Bunch of Grapes by the way Now it is Satans great policy to shake a Christian's Peace that if he will go to Heaven he shall go thither through Frights and plenty of Tears The Devil throws in his Fireballs of Temptation to set the Saints Peace on fire Of such great concern is Spiritual Peace that no wonder if Satan would by his Intricate subtilties Rob us of this Jewel Spiritual Peace is a Token of God's Favour As Ioseph had a special testimony of his Fathers Kindness in the Party-coloured Coat he gave him so have the Saints a special token of God's Good-will to them when he gives them inward Peace which is as it were the party-coloured Coat to wear No wonder then if Satan so much rage against the Saints Peace and would tear off this comfortable Robe from them The Devil troubles the waters of the Saints Peace because hereby he hopes to have the more advantage of them 1. By this perplexing of their Spirits Satan takes off their Chariot-wheels unfits them for the Service of God Body and Mind are both out of temper like an Instrument out of Tune Sadness of Spirit prevailing a Christian can think of nothing but his Troubles his Mind is full of doubts fears surmises that he is like a person distracted and is scarce himself Either he neglects the duties of Religion or his mind is taken off from them while he is doing them Especially there is one Duty that melancholy and sadness of spirit unfits for and that is Thankfulness Thankfulness is a Tribute or Quit-rent due to God Psal. 149.3 Let the Saints be joyful let the high praises of God be in their mouth But when Satan hath disturbed a Christian's spirit and fill'd his Mind full of black and almost despairing thoughts how can he be Thankful It rejoyceth Satan to see how his Plot takes by making God's Children Vnquiet he makes them Vnthankful 2. Satan by troubling the Saints Peace hath this advantage of laying a stumbling-block in the way of others By this policy the Devil gets an occasion to render the ways of God unlovely to those who are looking Heaven-ward He sets before new beginners the perplexing Thoughts the Tears the Groans of them who are wounded in Spirit to scare them quite off from all seriousness in Religion He will object to new beginners Do you not see how these sad Souls torture themselves with melancholy Thoughts and will you change the comforts and pleasures of this life to sit always in the house of mourning Will you espouse that Religion which makes you a terror to your selves and a burden to others Can you be in love with such a Religion as is ready to fright you out of your wits This advantage the Devil gets by troubling the Saints Peace he would discourage others who are looking towards Heaven he would beat them off from Praying and hearing all Soul-awakening Sermons lest they fall into this black humour of Melancholy and end their days in despair 3. By this subtil policy of Satan in disturbing the Saints Peace and making them believe God doth not love them he hath this advantage he sometimes so far prevails over them as to make them begin to entertain hard thoughts of God Through the black Spectacles of Melancholy God's dealings look sad and Ghastly Satan tempts the Godly to have strange thoughts of God to think he hath cast off all pity and hath forgotten to be gracious Psal. 77. and to make sad conclusions Isai. 38.13 I reckoned that as a Lion so will he break all my bones from day even to night wilt thou make an end of me The Devil setting in with Melancholy causeth a sad Eclipse in the Soul it begins to think God hath shut up
Salvation Heb. 2.10 2. We have good Armour Grace is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Armour of God's making Ephes. 6.11 3. Satan is beaten in part already Christ hath given him his Deaths-wound upon the Cross Col. 1.15 4. Satan is a Chained Enemy his Power is limited He cannot Force the Will It was all Eve complained of that the Serpent deceived her not constrained her Gen. 3.13 Satan hath astutiam Suadendi not potentiam Cogendi he may perswade not compel 5. He is a Cursed Enemy and God's Curse will blast him Therefore put on Holy Gallantry of Spirit and Magnanimity Fear not Satan Greater is he that is in you than he that is against you 15. If we would not be overcome of a Temptation let us call in the help of others If an House be set on fire would you not call in help Satan tempts that he may rob you of your Soul acquaint some Friends with your Case and beg their Counsel and Prayers Who knows but Satan may be cast out by the joynt-prayer of others In case of Temptation how exceeding helpful is the Communion of Saints 16. If we would not be overcome of Temptation let us make use of all the Encouragements we can If Satan be a Roaring Lion Christ is the Lion of the Tribe of Iudah if Satan Tempts Christ Prays If Satan be a Serpent to Sting Christ is a Brazen-Serpent to Heal if the Conflict be hard look to the Crown James 1.12 Whilst we are fighting Christ will Succour us and when we overcome he will Crown us What makes the Soldier endure a bloody fight but hope of a Golden Harvest Think that shortly God will call us out of the Field where the Bullets of Temptation fly so fast and he will set a Garland of Glory upon our head How will the case be altered Instead of Fighting Singing instead of an Helmet a Diadem instead of a Sword a Palm-branch of Victory instead of Armour White Robes instead of Satan's Skirmishes the Kisses and Embraces of a Saviour The viewing these eternal Recompences would keep us from yielding to Temptation Who would to gratifie a Lust lose a Crown Use 4. A word of Counsel to such as are Tempted Be so wise as to make good use of your Temptations as we should labour to improve our Afflictions so to improve our Temptations We should pick some good out of Temptation as Sampson got Honey out of the Lion Quest. What Good comes out of a Temptation Can there be any good in being set upon by an Enemy Can there be any good to have fiery darts shot at us Yes God that can make a Treacle of Poison can make his People get much good by their Temptations First Hereby a Christian sees that Corruption in his heart which he never saw before Water in a Glass looks pure but set it on the fire and the Scum boils up So in Temptation a Christian sees that Scum of Sin boil up that Passion and Distrust of God as he thought had not been in his heart Secondly Hereby a Christian sees more of the Wiles of Satan and is better able to withstand them St. Paul had been in the Fencing School of Temptation and he grew expert in finding out Satan's Stratagems 2 Cor. 2.11 We are not ignorant of his devices Thirdly Hereby a Christian grows more humble God will rather let his Children fall into the Devil's hands than be Proud Temptation makes the Plumes of Pride fall 2 Cor. 12.7 Lest I should be exalted above measure there was given me a thorn in the flesh Better is that Temptation that Humbles than that Duty which makes one Proud Thus you see how much good a Christian may get by Temptation which made Luther say Three things make a good Divine Prayer Meditation Temptation Vse 5. To such as have been under sore Temptations and Buffetings of Satan to Lust Revenge Self-murder but God hath stood by them and given them strength to overcome the Tempter 1. Be very thankful to God say as 1 Cor. 15.57 Thanks be to God who gives us the Victory Be much in Doxology Why were we kept more than others from falling into sin Was it because Temptation was not so strong No Satan shoots his darts with all his Force Was the Cause in our Will No such a broken Shield would never have conquer'd Satans Temptations know that it was Free-grace that beat back the Tempter and brought us off with Trophies of Victory O be thankful to God had you been overcome by Temptation you might have put black-spots in the face of Religion and given occasion to the Enemies of God to blaspheme 2 Sam. 12.14 Had you been overcome you might have lain sick of a Wounded Spirit and cried out with David of Broken Bones After David yielded temptation he lay for above three quarters of a year in horror of Mind and some Divines think he never recovered his full joy to the day of his Death O therefore what cause have they to stand upon Mount Gerizim blessing of God who in a Field-battel have got the better of Satan and been more than Conquerours Say as the Psalmist Psal. 124.6 Blessed be the Lord who hath not given us as a prey to their Teeth So blessed be God who hath not given us as a prey to Satan that Roaring Lion When God puts Mercy in the Premisses we must put Praise in the Conclusion 2. You that have been tempted and come off Victors be full of Sympathy pity tempted souls shew your Piety in your Pity Do you see Satan's darts sticking in their sides do what you can to pull out these darts communicate your experiences to them tell them how you broke the Devils snare and your Saviour was your Succourer The Apostle speaks of restoring others in the Spirit of meekness Gal. 1.6 The word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to restore alludes to Chirurgians who set Bones out of joint So when we see such as are tempted and Satan hath as it were put their bones out of joint labour to set them in joint again with all love meekness and compassion A word spoken in season may relieve a Soul fainting in Temptation and you may do as the good Samaritan drop in oil and wine into the wound Luk. 10.34 Vir spiritualis consilia magis quà m convitia meditatur Aug. 3. You that have got a Conquest of Satan be not Secure Think not that you shall never be troubled with the Tempter more He is not like the Syrians 2 King 6 23. The bands of Syria came no more into the Land of Israel A Cock if he be made once to run away he will fight no more But 't is not so with Satan He is a Restless enemy and if you have beaten him back he will make a fresh onset Hannibal said of Marcellus a Roman Captain That whether he did beat or was beaten he was never quiet When Christ had worsted Satan he went away from Christ but ad Tempus for a Season
is none of his making 'T is a Monster of the Devils Creating 2. The Torments of Hell are a burden only to the sinner but sin is a burden to God Amos 2.13 I am pressed under you as a Cart is pressed that is full of Sheaves 3. In Hell-Torments there is something that is Good There is the Execution of God's Justice there is justice in Hell but sin is the most unjust thing It would rob God of his Glory Christ of his Purchase the Soul of its Happiness So that it is worse than Hell Fifthly Look upon sin in the manner of its Cure it cost dear to be done away The Guilt of sin could not be removed but by the Blood of Christ he who was God must die and be made a Curse for us before sin could be remitted How horrid is sin that no Angel or Arch-Angel nor all the Powers of Heaven could procure the Pardon of sin but it cost the Blood of God If a Man should commit an Offence and all the Nobles should kneel upon their Knees before the King for him but no Pardon could be had unless the King's Son be Arraigned and suffer Death for him all would conceive it was an horrible Fact that must be the cause of this such is the case here the Son of God must die to appease God's Anger for our sins O the Agonies and Sufferings of Christ 1. In his Body his Head Crown'd with Thorns his Face spit upon his Side pierced with the Spear his Hands and Feet nailed Totum pro vulnere Corpus 2. He suffered in his Soul Mat 26.38 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 My Soul is exceeding sorrowful unto Death He drank a bitter Cup mingled with Curses which made him tho' he were sanctified by the Spirit supported by the Diety comforted by Angels sweat great Drops of Blood and cry out upon the Cross My God why hast thou forsaken me All this was to do away our sin view sin in Christ's Blood and it will appear of a Crimson Colour Sixthly Look upon sin in the dismal Effects of it and it will appear the most horrid prodigious Evil Rom. 6.23 The Wages of sin is Death that is the Second Death Rev. 21 8. Sin hath shame for its Companion and Death for its Wages A wicked man knows what sin is in the Pleasure of it but doth not know what sin is in the Punishment of it Sin is Scorpio pungens it draws Hell at the heels of it This hellish Torment consists of two Parts 1. Poena damni the Punishment of Loss Mat. 7.23 Depart from me It was a great trouble to Absalom that he might not see the Kings face to lose Gods Smiles to be banished from his Presence in whose Presence is fulness of Joy how sad and tremendous this word Depart saith Chrysostom is worse than the fire Sure sin must be the Greatest Evil which separates us from the Greatest Good 2. Poena sensus the Punishment of Sence Mat 25.41 Depart from me ye cursed into everlasting Fire prepared for the Devil and his Angels Why might sinners plead Lord if we must depart from thee let us have thy Blessing no Go ye Cursed But if we must depart from thee let it be into some place of Ease and Rest no go into fire But if we must into the fire let it be but for a little time let the fire be quickly put out no go into everlasting fire But if it be so that we must be there let us be with good Company no with the Devil and his Angels O what an Evil is sin All the Torments of this Life are but Ludibrium Risus a kind of sport to Hell-Torments what is a burning Fever to the burning in Hell It is call'd the Wrath of the Almighty Rev. 19.15 The Almighty God inflicts the Punishment therefore it will be heavy a Child cannot strike very hard but if a Giant strike he kills with a Blow To have the Almighty God to lay on the stroke it will be intolerable Hell is the EMPHASIS of Misery The Body and Soul which have sinn'd together shall suffer together and these Torments shall have no Period put to them Rev. 9.6 They shall seek Death and shall not find it Rev. 24.11 And the Smoak of their Torment ascendeth for ever and ever Here the wicked thought a Prayer long a Sabbath long but how long will it be to lie upon Beds of Flames for ever this word ever breaks the Heart Thus you see sin is the most deadly and execrable Evil look upon it in its Original in its Nature in the Judgment and Estimate of the Wise look upon it comparatively it is worse than Affliction Death Hell look upon it in the manner of Cure and in the dismal Effect it brings Eternal Damnation is there not then a great deal of Reason that we should make this Prayer Deliver us from Evil Vse 1. Branch I. Is Sin such a deadly pernitious Evil the Evil of Evils See then what it is we are to pray most to be delivered from and that is from Sin Our Saviour hath taught us to pray Deliver us from Evil. Hypocrites pray more against Temporal Evils than Spiritual Pharaoh pray'd more to have the Plague of Hail and Thunder to be remov'd than his hard Heart should be removed Exod. 9.28 The Israelites pray'd Tolle Serpentes Take away the Serpents from us more than to have their sin taken away Numb 21.8 The Hypocrites prayer is Carnal he prays more to be cured of his Deafness and Lameness than of his Unbelief More that God would take away his Pain than take away his sin But our Prayer should be Deliver us from Evil. Spiritual Prayers are best hast thou a diseased Body Pray more that the Disease of thy Soul may be removed than thy Body Psal. 41.4 Heal my Soul for I have sinned The Plague of the Heart is worse than a Cancer in the Breast Hast thou a Child that is crooked Pray more to have its Unholiness removed than its Crookedness spiritual Prayers are more pleasing to God and are as Musick in his Ears Christ hath here taught us to pray against sin Deliver us from Evil. II. Branch If sin be so great an Evil then admire the Wonderful Patience of God that bears with Sinners Sin is a breach of God's Royal Law it strikes at his Glory now for God to bear with sinners who so provoke him it shews admirable Patience well may he be called The God of Patience Rom. 15.4 It would tire the Patience of the Angels to bear with mens sins one day but what doth God bear How many Affronts and Injuries doth he put up God sees all the Intreagues and horrid Impieties committed in a Nation Ier. 29.23 They have committed Villany in Israel and have committed Adultery even I know and am a Witness saith the Lord. God could strike men dead in their sins but he forbears and respites them My thinks I see the Justice of God with a