finished usually on Saturday by two of the clock He hath someâ—ime exprest himself thus in publick God will curse that mans labours that lumbers up and down in the world all the week and then upon Saturday in the afternoon goes to his Study when as God knows that time were little enough to pray and weep in and to get his heart in frame c. He affected plainnesse together with power in preaching not seeking abstrusities nor liking to hover and soar aloft in dark expressions and so shoot his Arrows as many Preachers do over the heads of his hearers It is a wretched stumbling block to some that his Sermons are somewhat strict and as they term it legall some souls can relish none but meal-mouth'd Preachers who come with soft and smooth and toothlesse words byssina verba byssinis viris But these times need humbling Ministeries and blessed be God that there are any for where there are no Law-Sermons there will be few Gospel-lives and were there more Law-preaching in England by the men of gifts there would be more Gospel-walking both by themselves and the People To preach the Law not in a forc'd affected manner but wisely and powerfully together with the Gospel as Christ himself was wont to do Mat. 5. and elsewhere is the way to carry on all three together sense of misery the application of the remedy and the returns of thankefulnesse and duty Nor is any doctrine more comforting than this humbling way of God if rightly managed It is certain the foundations of after-â—orrows and ruines to the Church have ever been laid in the days of her prosperity and peace and rest when she injoyes all her pleasant things This the watchmen of Israel should foresee and therefore what shoulâ— they do but seek to humble and awaken and search and melt mens hearts and warn every one night and day with tears that in the day of their peace they may not sin away the things of their Peace There are therefore three requests which we would desire to beg of God with bended knees for England to prepetuate the present prosperity and peace thereof and let us commend them to the mourning and praying ones amongst us that they would be the Lords remembrancers in these Petitions 1. A right understanding and sober use of liberty For when People come first out of bondage they are apt to be not only somewhat fond of their liberties but to wax giddy and wanton with liberty and instead of shaking off the blâ—ody yokes of men to cast off at least in part the Government and blessed yoke of Christ also Hence it â—oâ—es about that a day of rest from persecution which should be a day of liberty to the Saints to serve God may become a day of great seduction and of liberty to seducing Spirits to deceive and damn and mislead them from the truths and wayes of God But the machinâ—tions of men though in conjunction with the powers and gates of hell shall certainly fall at last before Truth and Prayer And of this is the first Treatise which is seasonably publish'd To be fast bound to the rule with all the bonds and cords of God and Man is the Perfection of liberty Hence there is not a surer Corner-stone of ruine to a Christian Commonwealth that God will break them with unparallell'd destructions by some overflowing scourge when the day of vengeance is in his heart than to think that Religion is none of their Liberties and yet how many sons of Belial are there void of counsell neither is there any understanding in them who imagine vain things and say Let us break his bands asunder and cast away his cordâ— from us How do men run into extremes either stretching and paring every one to the Gyants bed and thereby denying liberty to the Saints to serve him according to the measure of their stature in Christ or else on the other hand opening the door so wide as to plead for liberty to all the disguised enemies and sins against Christ thereby instead of uniting the Saints in one indeavouring though a dreadfull mistake to unite Christ and Belial It is a sad thing when a man is come to this passe that he is not able to resolve his conscience whether Baal be God or the Lord be God and therefore would not have the worshippers of Baal punisht for fear lest Baal should be God Is liberty nothing but indifferency and irresolution of spirit in the things of God wo to the valley of vision even to a sinfull Nation laden with iniquity and led away from the truth as it is in Jesus and to the Host of the high ones that sit on high in the day of his visitation if this be the spirit of these times for in the day when he visits God will visit for these things 2. That his Word especially the Word of his Gospel may be precious and powerfull may run and be glorified in England Alas as there is much preaching but few serious few heart-breaking Sermons so there is much hearing but little effectual hearing Men stand like the Oakes of Bashan before the words of the God of Israel no terrour of the Lord no news of everlasting destruction no evidence of the fierce anger of God upon them which burns down to the bottom of hell can take hold upon their spirits or awaken their consciences to make inquiries after God in this their day yea if the bars of the pit of hel were broken and if the devils of hell should come flying up amongst us in our solemn Assemblies from the fiery corners of the Pit helow with everlasting burnings about their eares and with chains of darkness ratling at their heels they might fright men out of their wits perhaps or from the acts of sin it may be for a time but it would not work upon their hearts their desperate dead besotted hearts The fooles in Israel will have their swinge in their lusts and go to hell in a full cariere let God do his best Oh the hardnesse of mens hearts And the main reason of it is because they hear but a sound of words but they do not hear the Lord in that Word they hear words that are spoken by God but they hear not they see not God himself therein If ever thou wouldest profit by reading or hearing take every word as a speciall message to thee from God and of this fruitless hearing and the rules of hearing aright is the other Treatise 3. Conscience of his Sabbaths Of which there is an elaborate discourse of this Author formerly publish'd by himself Therefore we shall adde no more The blessing of heaven go with these to make us a willing People in the day of his power to submit to his Word and to come under the wing of the Government of Iesus Christ as esteeming these spirituall mercies our best mercies our choycest and dearest liberties If ever the Lord Iesus which mercy forbid should take his
power which he exerciseth in the hearts of his people Now cast off this kingly power the Lord himself is cast off I speak not immediately as in the internall Kingdom but mediately And for this the Lord will bring into bondage Luk. 19. 17. Those mine enemies saith Christ which would not that I should reign over them bring them hither that I may slay them which is meant of the Lords external administration by his servants Quest. When is this done Answ. 1. When men impenitently break Covenant made with the Lord. Especially in his Ordinances of cleaving and submitting to him therein and remain so with impenitency This is the main and first Original of all the rest Now it is manifest the power of Christ Jesus the supreme power of Christ is cast off for a man do's professe by this that not the will of Christ but his own will shall rule him Christ shall not be Lord but as they said Ier. 2. 31. We are Lords we will come no more at thee When the League and Covenant between Prince and People is broke then he is cast off from being King this is certain the Lord never did receive any people to himself from the beginning of the world to this day but he hath done it by some Covenant Nor never any people took the Lord to be their God but by some Covenant they bound themselves to the Lord. Whereby they were either made his people or continued to be his people and he their God but I cannot now stand to clear this Now look as when the Lord breaks his Covenant he casts them off from being his people though this he never doth to the Elect So when people break Covenant with him they cast him off as much as in them lies from being their God they do as much as in them lyes make the Lord to be no God You shall see therefore Hosea 10. 3. They say we have no King because we feared not the Lord. It is the speech of Conscience and that at a sad time wherein they did not fear the Lord They have spoken words swearing falsly and breaking the Covenant In their time of Covenanting with the Lord there seemed to be much sorrow and humiliation yet in these very Covenants Hemlock did spring up and hence captivity came Many times the Covenants that are made there is such outward seeming reality that not only men but the Lord speaking after the manner of men He thinks certainly these Promises these Covenants will never be broke yet they are broken Isa. 65. 8 9 10. I said surely saith the Lord This is a people that will not lie Such profession and such acknowledgements c. so it is said In all their afflictions he was afflicted and the Angel of his presence did redeem them But afterward they rebelled and vexed his holy Spirit They cast off the Government of the Lord they would not be under the bonds of the Lord and so he was turned to be their enemy this is that which brings captivity and bondage Ierm 2. 14 15 c. Is Israel a servant saith the Lord ye shall see the reason why he was so I have broken their iron yoke saith the Lord and I have burst thy bonds and I have planted thee a nohle Vine yet hast thou degenerated and this is that which doth make them vassals or slaves And in truth you never see Churches laid desolate but when that time comes men shall see and shall professe it When other Nations shall ask Why hath the the Lord dealt thus with his people The answer shall be clear They have broken the Covenant of the Lord. When many miseries come upon particular persons what is the cause of it then remember the Covenant thou hast broken with the Lord. Isa. 24. 5 6. They have transgressed the â—aw speaking of the whole earth And they have changed their Ordinances and broken the everlasting Covenant A people that might have had everlasting mercy they would not submit to the Lord they have broken this everlasting Covenant of the Lord Now what followes The earth is defiled under the inhabitants thereof and hence heavy things that are there written shal befall the whole world It is a sin that defiles the earth men tread on and the houses men inhabite in for it is a sin against most light They which make Covenants have a great deal of light and also most will And that do's aggravate a sin when the whole heart as it were do's give up it self to a lust and breaks hereby all bonds And it is a sin that men might avoid if they would be watchfull against For it is a sinfull thing to make a Covenant of impossible things therefore it lyes heavy on the coâ—science of men afterwaâ—ds I might have been better might have walked better Nay it is a â—â—n that do's destroy the Law of the Lord this sin it do's destroy the very will of Christ. Had'st thou never been bound in Covenant hadst thou laid by this Covenant the wil of God had been kept whole As cords not used are kept whole but when broke are utterly spoiled When a man do's bind himself by a Covenant to the Lord and then break it he do's as much as in him lyes to destroy the Lord from being King 'T is true the Saints and people of God may be said in some case to break Covenant but yet they never impenitently break Covenant with the Lord they may break Covenant with the Lord very often but yet it is with them as those in Iudgesâ— 1 4. When the Angel of the Lord came to them and they were under grievous sad bondage saith he to them from the Lord I have brought you up out of the land of Egypt and I have broke your bonds and I have said I would never break Covenant with you I said you should make no League with the Canaanites but ye have not obeyed my voyce why have ye done this And all the people heard this and it is said All the people wept Doubtlesse some were sincere though happily many were full of hypocrisie and so the sincere heart laments it and renewes his Covenant The poor soul hath nothing to say many times though the Lord should bring never so much misery on it yet the soul stands weeping before the Lord that it hath broke the Covenant of the Lord and made void the Covenant of the Lord yet the Saints they never break it wholly they never depart wholly from the Lord. Now when a people shall impenitently break Covenant as hath been said that men can study arguments how to nullifie Church covenant nay worse when in Covenant then ever before and the businesse is they are loath to be in bonds when men shall grudge the truth of the Lord others if their judgements be not set against it yet notwithstanding in deed and practice they live as if they had never been in Covenant Once they were a pleasant plant
that now had the Lord Jesus the honours of the world attending on them then they could make much of them but because they come with poverty therefore they can plot and speak against them and in time come to cast off the Ordinances of the Lord Jesus It is certain the Lord hath bondage for such soules and you will certainly find this true one day Mal. 3. 14 15. The people they say What profit is it that we have served the Lord and that we have walked mournfully before him and hence they forsook the Lord Hence Chap. â— 1. the Lord threatens that He will burn them up both root and branch The Lord hath consuming fire for such one day The Ordinances of the Lord were too costly for you Mark 12. 9. 8. The Lord hath his Vine-yard he lets it out to husbandmen and he sends for the fruit and at last the Son bimself comes to call for fruit Now say they Here is the son let us kill him Why what is the matter out of gain that is the businesse That the inheritance may be ours Here is this gain to be without them and therefore to cast off Christ What will the Lord do to these husband-men he will take away his Vine-yard frrom them c. It is the speech of Luthâ—r Venter in omni religione potentissiâ—um Idolum When the Belly is served Christ must be destroyed Men may have this quiet life without these Ordinances and hence men bear a privy grudge against the Ordinances of the Lord because the belly is not served Look as it was with the â—ews they looked for a glorious King to come to them and Christ câ—me and though they were told of it before when he came he had nothing but his Crâ—sse and he tels them If they will be his Disciples they must take his Crosse. But now because he came not with pomp but only with his crosse this is the great reason why to this day the Jeâ—es do set themselves against the Lord Jesus Chrâ—â—â— the Crosse came with Christ that 's the cause of it So when men shall look for great things from the Ordinances of Christ and when they come to enjoy them they meet with nothing else but Christ and his Crâ—sse and disappointments and desertions when they meet with this then Christ is cast off and they professe he is no King and Cesar is our King and if we take this man to be our King the Romanes will ruine us I know it is a hard trial for a man to be put to such a strait for the Lord to advance the price of his Ordinances at that high rate that all must be parted with for the enjoyment of them But yet notwithstanding he is for ever unworthy to have the Lord Jesus to rule him that shall therefore make him a King as they did Iohn 6. He was their Cook therefore they made him King Therefore this I say take heed of disputing against or denying or nullifying not only outwardly but in thy very heart secretly any of Gods Ordinances for that the Lord complains of his people that their hearts went after their wickednesse Oh take heed of doing thus against any one of Gods Ordinances because straits do attend on them It was the speech of David Ps. 119. Thy law is pure therefore thy servant loveth it Suppose thou shouldest never get any good by any of Gods Ordinances yet thy law is pure the fault is in thy own heart and certainly the Lord he will remember as there he speaketh Ierem. â— 2. I remember the love of thine espousals when thou didst follow me in a land of barrennesse in a land where there was no water Thy life shall be precious to the Lord that shall follow the Lord in all afflictions yet thy heatt doth cleave to the Lord and follow the Lord in all his Ordinances therefore this is that I would say there are many wants now in the countrey But yet notwithstanding let the people of God get neer to Christ speak often one to another and find out wayes and means to pay your debts and lye down at the feet of the Lord Jesus and be content if the Lord will have it so to be nothing be content thus and though thou dost not find any benefit from the Ordinance of the Lord as yet yet notwithstanding loath thy own heart but love them yet seek after the Lord and look to the Lord in them And this is certain the Lord hath blessings for his people not only in this life but as he there speaketh to his Disciples when they say to him Lord what shall we have saith the Lord to them You that have followed me you shall sit on thrones But take heed of this if once ye come to slight Ordinances and cast off Ordinances because of these straits and wants and so forth And what are your Ordinances c and a generation of men risen up I think Christians should send forth their gronings to the Lord that the terrour of the Lord may fall upon them they deny all the Ordinances of the Lord and the Spirit must teach us only 'T is true the Spirit must do it but will ye therefore take away the means and hence the very Scripture is made an Alphabet for children and so they do destroy the Ordinances of the Lord. Beloved if it be from this principle take heed of it for if it be ye will certainly find bondage 4. When men do not thus pull down the Ordinances the throne of Christ but drive the Lord Jesus away out of his Ordinances though they have his Ordinances with them by their secret defilings pollutions spiritual pollutions of the glorious Ordinances of Christ this the Lord frequently complaineth of in Ierem. and Ezek. The very great reason why the Lord did leave his Temple where their fathers did praise the Lord they had polluted and defiled it that was the reason of it They had driven the Lord away from his throne and this doth pull down the princely power of the Lord in his Churches I know there be many sins and defilements and the sons of men have hidden wayes of polluting the Ordinances of the Lord that a man shall sit undet all the Ordinances of the Lord and as it is said of Mount Gilboah not any dew fall upon him never see good when good comes the Lord is not dear that is the reason of it Oh thy secret defilements of the Ordinances of the Lord have driven the Lord far from you There are many I shall only name three principally that there may be a little heed taken of them First When there is a secret contempt grown upon a mans spirit of the Ordinances of Christ attended with a secret wearinesse of them this doth now pollute the Ordinances of the Lord and this doth drive the Lord from his Ordinances Mal. 1. 7. Ye have offered polluted bread wherein have we done it say they this was the cause of
it Ye say that the Table of the Lord is contemptible the meaning is you do despise my Table and Ordinances and so now do despise me too and so ye do vilifie and contemne the Ordinances of the Lord Therefore saith the Lord in the conclusion of that Chapter vers 11. From the rising of the Sun my name it shall be known As if he should say I am uot bound to you I can have a people among whom my name shall be great For saith the Lord I am a great King If one should have asked men in those dayes what good is in your sacrifices what great glory can ye see in them the Saints can see a great deal of glory in mean outsides Now when this is wanting the name of the Lord is polluted and so the Lord driven from his Ordinances Heb. 12. 15. Take heed lest there be in any of you an evil root of bitternesse springing up and many thereby be defiled When men do live in secret lusts or open proâ—nenesâ—e a man that hath a profane heart such a heart as doth contemne the portion of mercy the Lord doth offer to him who like Esau did sell his birth-right for a mâ—sse of pottage Secondly Unbrokennesse of heart in the enjoyment of Ordinances when men live not in a daily sense of the extreme need they stand in of mercy Isa. 66. 1. 2. Heaven is my throne and the Earth is my foot-stool Now observe what the Lord doth there speak To him will I look that is poor in spirit contrite such a poor soul saith the Lord will I look to and to these are opposed such as have not such hearts but do look only to the Ordinances of the Lord Now saith the Lord to such He that offereth a lamb is as if he cut off a dogs neck and he that offereth incense as he that blesseth an Idol These were a people that did plead for the Temple of the Lord and had the Ordinances of the Lord according to his command but here was their wound they were not broken under the Ordinances of the Lord This you shall find the Saints have many sins and wants under the Ordinances of the Lord but little does the world know their gronings before the Lord and the Lord hath mercy for such soules as are sensible of their need they stand in of the Ordinances of the Lord. But now when men have found the Lord in an Ordinance subduing some particular sin there are other sins remaining in their hearts and they stand unremoveable in their hearts and hence are the strongest and dearest of all the rest Now I say when men having these sins and knowing these sins in their hearts and spirits when as because I cannot subdue these sins and they have attended on the Lord in the use of meanes and the Lord helps them not and because they hope to be saved at last for all these Hence they come to a truce with their sin and never go mourning to the Lord nor say the Lord hath begun to subdue some of these lusts Now Lord go on but the soul is at truce with his sâ—nnes Beloved if there be any pollution of the Ordinances of the Lord here it is that men come with unbroken hearts to the Ordinances of the Lord that never feel your need of them wounds and sores that are in your hearts that men do stand with those very sins that they think they cannot subdue and because they cannot ease themselves of them therefore they give way to them When men keep these sins with unsensible hearts of them ye do resist the holy Ghost ye feel not your need of the Lord therefore ye keep your sins and your woes you shall have for them Thirdly Where there is a spirit of unbelief that there is not a seeking to Christ Jesus to wash away the pollutions of his heart and life in his attending upon the Lord in his Ordinances Tit. 1. 15. To the unbelieving nothing is pure but even their mind and conscience is defiled Exod. 30. 29. It is said Every thing that touched the Altar was clean and hence without this all is unclean When a poor soul shall come to the Lords Ordinances and prepare himself before he come and in all it hath many weaknesses yet it doth leave it self with Jesus Christ every thing that doth touch this Altar is sanctified and is not polluted But now when men shall enjoy Ordinances and make no great matter of sins in Ordinances especially if secret such is the venemous nature of sin it doth defile the earth a man doth tread on Now when men shall have these sins and know them and yet never leave themselves with Christ and lay themselves on this blessed Altar by faith they do pollute the Ordinances of the Lord Fourthly When the soul doth not so openly manifestly drive away the Lord but when men shall â—ome to the Ordinances and never come to the Lord Jesus in them now the Lord is cast off A great Prince that comes to a mans house though he be not driven out of doors yet if not attended on he accounts himself cast off The Lord Jesus Christ is in his Ordinances Ezek. 48. 35. The Lord is there the Saints they come to God in them and are carried to him by them Therefore 't is said Acts 10. 33 34. Now therefore we are all present before God to hear all things that are commanded thee of God and Psal. 84. 7. Every one of them in Sion appeareth before God Now the Saints and people of God when they do thus come to the Lord they find many difficulties to break through a vally of Baca. Sometimes their heart is turned from the Lord and sometimes God is turned from them so that now the Saints when they do come to the Lord in his Ordinances They go through the vallie of Baca that they may see God in Sion But now when men do never break through difficulties but give way to a sluggish heart when it is thus with a people it is certain the Lord is now cast off and ye do as good now as live without Christ in the world Amos 5. 21. faith the Lord I hate your new Moons and Sabbaths For these forty years ye never sacrificed to me vers 25. Did they not sacrifice those forty years to the Lord in the wildernesse It was the very thing they came out of Egypt for that they might sacrifice to the Lord Yet saith the Lord ye did not sacrifice to me truly here was the thing they did sacrifice but to enjoy communion with a God that they did not the Lord he saw none of that and this is the frame of many a man ye never heard a Sermon ye never broke through your difficulties to come to a God in Ordinances therefore in truth though you had them yet it is as if you never had them because ye never did enjoy the Lord in them Therefore this is that I would
looks thy lusts thy dalliances thy thoughts thy speeches thy endeavours this way much more for the thing Mans law shall not bind you here because it cannot reach you but know that Christ is cast off by you 2. Loose company vain men Prov. 25. 3 4. A Common-wealth is a refined vessell of use of God and judgement is established when these are taken away your knors of loose company Take a poor Souldier alone he is as other men but when they are got into a knot together now they grow strong against all â—aws of God or men So here the knot of good fellowship hath been the bane of the flourishing State of England meeting in Tavernes and such places and the cause of wheredome and of all evill commonly in a Nation For hence Much precious time is lost which if spent in praying as in sporting with thâ—â— many a young mans soul had been blessed Hence sâ—metimes dicing feasting excessive drinking merry 〈◊〉 which take off all spiritual joy Hence filthy songs and lascivious speeches by which hopefull young men are iâ—sâ—aâ—ed and taught to do wickedly and so knit to them that it's death to part with them and it 's better to burn a whole Town than to poyson one hopefull young man Next to communion with wanton women I have ever looked on unnecessary fellowship with graceless men as the next Well know it you cast off the Lords gâ—vernment from you by his servants which will be sad to answer for another day And as the Prophet said to Iehosaphat Shouldest thou love them that hate the Lord his wrath is against thee for this So say I to thee Quest. 3. Inferiour power when is that cast off viz. in particular Cities or Townes by meaner persons Answ. I shall expresse it in three things chiefly 1. When Souldiers in particular Towns cast off respect care conscience to the commands of their leaders set over them of God and who under God are the walls of outward safety for the Countrey 't is not now an artillery day only I must speak a word because it 's a thing of moment and matter of great conscience with me â—suppose in such a place at least according to the Centurioâ—s example amongst Heathens Mat. 8. 9. a word of a Commander to any of them should be a law I say to one Go â—ee goes Now for men to come when they lâ—st to those meetings and so time is lost and when they do come no care I had almost said conscience to mind their work in hand and do it with all their might as it to which they are called but Officers may speak charge cry yea strike sometimes yet heed not it 's intolerable but that Members of Churches which should be examples to others should do this at least it is but brutishnesse But I do wonder what rules of Conscience such do walk by and if they do where is their tendernesse to withdraw their shoulders from under the work which if there be but English blood in a Christian he will endeavour to be perfect in his Art herein but if grace much more that he may make one stone in the wall and be fit to shed his blood if need be for the defence of Christs servants Churches and cause of God 2. When any Town doth cast off the power and rule of Townsmen set by the supreme Magistrate to make such orders as may make for the publick weal thereof I know sometimes men may not be so able wise and carry matters imprudently Town-orders may also sometimes want that weight that wisdome those cautions that mature consideration as is meet as also that due prudent publication that all may know of them with records 〈◊〉 them But take Town-orders that be deliberatly 〈…〉 published for the publick peace profâ—â—◠〈…〉 place to oppose these or persons that 〈…〉 much care fear tendernesse If I know 〈…〉 of a crying nature provoking God 〈…〉 government I confesse if there be not 〈…〉 no way of living under any govâ—â—nment 〈…〉 or Common-wealth if the publick affaires of 〈…〉 cast off I know sometimes godly 〈…〉 through weaknesse want of light 〈…〉 and violent tentation oppose here but I am perswaded if they be the Lords he will in time humble them for it and make them better after it I know the answer to two questions would clear up all the doubts about this matter 1. What prudence should be used in making lawes 2. How farre those humane lawes and Town-orders bind conscience But I cannot attend these only six things I would here say 1. The will and Law of God only hath Supreme absolute and sovereign power to bind conscience i. e. to urge it or constrain either to excuse for doing well or to accuse for sin for conscience is at liberty without this this is a truth urged by all orthodox Protestant Divines against the Papists so that no law can immediately bind conscience but Gods 1. Because he only is Lord of conscience because he made it and governs it and only knows it and hence he only is fit to prescribe rules for it 2. Because he only can save or destroy the soul hath only power to make lawes for the soul to bind conscience Iames 4. 12. There is one Law-giver who is able to save or dâ—stry Isa. 33. 22. for the law which so binds conscience to a duty that the breach of it is a sin and that against God we know that the least sin of it self destroyes the soul binds it over to death but none have power to destroy it but the Lord himself 3. Because the Law is sufficient to guide the whole man in its whole course in all the actions or occasions it meddles with or takes in hand even in civill as well as in Religious matters Prov. 2. 9. wisdom teacheth every good path Psal. 119. 11. I have hid thy word that I might not sin Whatever one doth without a rule from the word is not of faith Hence the word descends to the most petty occasions of our lives it teacheth men how to look Psal. 131. 1. how to speak Mat. 12. 36. it descends to the plaiting of the hair 1 Pet. 3. 5. moving of the feet Isa. 3. 16. and what is of Christian liberty hath its freedome from the word a man must give an account at the last day of every stirring of heart thoughts motives and secret words and if so then it must be according to the rule of the word and hence the word only hath absolute power to bind Masters Servants and Princes how they govern and people how they subject and this the Lord hath done to make men take counsell from him and walk in fear before him and approve themselves to him especially Townsmen in their places not to consult without God 2. All good Laws and Orders inacted in any place by men are either expresly mentioned in the word or are to be collected and deducted from the word as being able to
because no lawes but usually they will presse on some mans particular the heaviest end of a staffe that is to be born must fall on some mans shoulder and such lawes must be made Hence a man is to bear and submit cheerfully i. e. from the rule of love which will abate of particular for the generall good love that more than mine own 2. The law of justice a man is to do as he would be done by there is no man but if his good was advanced by the generall but would be conteut that some particular should be pinched 3. The law of nature The stomack is content to be sick and body weak to heal the whole body Hence Christians should not think that Towâ—smen are carelesse unjust and aimed at their hurt when it is thus 1 King 12. 4. 6. A meer Penal law when 't is broke the forfeiture is sufficient for the satisfaction of the offence or trespasse but not in a mixt Law First A Penall law is about things of small moment Secondly 'T is not made by way of command but with an aut a disjunctive copula and is indeed rather a proviso than a law Thirdly It is in the mind of the law make satisfactory if the penalty be payed though the law be not performed because the publick good in the mind of the Law-maker is known to be set forward that way as by obedience to the law In these cases penalty is enough but if the law be mixt i. e. there is a command it shall de done and Law-giver is sad though penalty being paid as being about a matter of weight it may be the livelyhood and comfort of men as keeping hogs out of corn and peace in a Town that there be no complaining here the penalty will not satisfie because this is no penall law but a law indeed deducted from rules of the word of God as it is in theft he that steals shall pay fourfold or that brawles shall be duckt in the water Suppose one should say I will suffer my servant to steal or revile I hope 't is no offence if he suffer the penalty Yes but it is beeause it is not a meer penall law the thing is of weight peace between neighbours so peace in a Town It 's a flat charge not to break it and thou knowst such is the honesty and justice of a Magistrate that he will say I would rather you would never do thus than offer those to do Hence in Gods law Christ must suffer and do also because Gods law is not meerly penal but doing the thing gives more content than the punishment 3. When servants cast off all subjection to their Governours Families being the members and foundations of Towns and so of Common-wealths When they are not obedient but answer again if they be let alone then idle if rebuked and curb'd then stubborn and proud and worse for chiding and find fault with their wages and victuals and lodging weary and vex out the heart of Master and Mistresse and make them weary of their lives and their God also almost sometimes and that by such professing Religion and all that they might be from under the yoke And here I cannot but set a mark upon servants broke loose from their Masters and got out of their time that are under no Family nor Church-government nor desiring of it or preparing for it but their reigns are on their necks I confesse if under heathen Masters then desire liberty rather but when men will live as they list without any over them and unfit to rule themselves I much doubt whether this be according to God 1. Hence they come to live idly and work when they list 2. Hence men of publick use can have little use but when they please of them 3. When they be with them they have no power to correct or examine and call them to account in regard of spirituall matters 4. Hence they lye in wait to oppresse men that must have help from them and so will do what they list 5 Hence they break out to drunkenness whoring and loose company 6. Hence they make other servants unruly and to desire liberty Now examine and try these things Is the Kingdome of Christ come into us that though there be a law in our members warring yet there is a law of the mind warring against it and delighting in the will of Christ and setting him up as chief Are we under the Kingdome of Christ in his Church and Common-wealth so as the soul is willing in the day of the Lords power though there be and have been some pangs of resistance against persons and against Ordinances so as 't is thy liberty to be subject to Christ in his Ordinances in his servants and 't is thy bondage to be otherwise and thou longest for that day that the Lord would subdne all those boistrous lusts and pride and passions and bruise sin Satan and self under their feet Then I say as the Lord Isa. 33. 20 21 2â— Look upon Zion the City of your solemnity c. See Rom. 8. 7 1. But if the heart grows loose and licentious and breaks the Lords bonds and yokes and will be led by your own fleshly ends and lusts and so go on quietly Be you assured this truth shall have a time to take hold of such spirits and know it assuredly 't is not to be in Christs Family or Kingdome 't is not scrambling for promises catching at Gods grace talking of assurance of Gods love which will shelter you from the wrath of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords to whom God hath sworn That every knee shall bow 'T is service and subjection which the Lord aims at and which the Lord looks for I know 't is Gods grace which only can save but it will never save when it is turned into licentiousnesse Do not say There is no danger of it here where we have such means and such liberties are Answ. 1. Never such danger of being licentious as in places of liberty when no bit nor bridle of externall tyranny to curb in 2. Look on the Kingdom of Iudah here which in one year all fell 3. Why doth the Lord exercise us with wants and straits 't is to humble us and abate our unrulinesse And 't is the Lords quarrel with his best people to this day desperate rebellious hearts that close not with his Government Do not say we know not how bondage should come here though we should cast off the Lords Government Answ. 1. The Lord can let loose the natives against us Ahab kills 1000000 of Benhadads men but afterwards within seven yeares he returns again 2. The Lord can raise up brambles and Abimelechs to be the King of the trees when the Olives and the Vines are loth to forsake their places and to lose their fatnesse and sweetnesse 3. The Lord can turn the hearts of those in power against people and let
SUBJECTION TO CHRIST IN ALL HIS ORDINANCES AND APPOINTMENTS The best means to preserve our LIBERTY Together with a TREATISE OF Ineffectual Hearing the Word How we may know whether we have heard the same effectually And by what means it may become effectuall unto us With some remarkable Passages of his life By Thomas Shephard late Pastor of the Church of Christ in Cambridge in New-England MATTH 11. 29. Take my yoke upon you c. LONDON Printed by S. G. for Iohn Rothwell at the Fountain in Cheap-side 1657. TO THE READER ONe of the sweetest refreshing mercies of God to his New England People amidst all their wilderness-tryals and straits and sorrows wherewith they at first conflicted in those ends of the earth hath been their Sanctuary-enjoyments in the beauties of holinesse where they have seen and met with him whom their soules love and had familiar and full converse with him above what they could then enjoy in the land from whence they came This is that that hath sweetned many a bitter Cup to the remnant of Israel The Lord alone led him and there was no strange God with him was said concerning Israel of old and this was accounted mercy enough when he led them into a land where no man dwelt and which no man passed thorough What God hath done for New-England in this reâ—â—â—ct and what their Sanctuary mercies be thou hast here a taste though but a taste These notes may well be thought to be lesse accurate than if the Author himself had published them and to want some polishments and trimmings which it were not fit for any other to adde however thou wilt find them full of usefull truths and mayest easily discern his Spirit and a Spirit above his own breathing in them Concerning the Author it were worth the while to write the story of his life It is needlesse to speak in his commendation His works praise him in the gates They that know him know he had as real apprehensions of the things of God and lived as much with God and with his own heart and more than the most of Christians do He had his education at Immanuel-College in Cambridge The Conversion and Change of his heart was wrought betimes when he lived in the Vniversity and enjoyed Dr. Prestons Ministery whereby God had the very best and strength of his parts and years for himself When he was first awakened to lookt after Religion having before swam quietly in thâ— stream of the times he was utterly at a losse which way to take being much molested with suggestions of Atheism in the depths whereof Junius was quite lost for a time and moved and tempted to the wayes of Familism also for some advised him in this condition to go to Grindlestone and to hear Mr. Brierley and being informed that the people were wont to find a mighty possessing over powering presence and work of the Spirit when they heard him he resolved upon the journey but God in mercy diverted him having reserved him for better things Yet he read what they said and the Books of H. N. amongst the rest where meeting with this passage That a Christian is so swallow'd up in the spirit that what action soever the spirit moves him to suppose whoredome he may do it and it is no sin to him this was enough for being against the light of his natural conscience it bred in him an utter abhorrency of thâ—se loose and vile wayes and principles ever after This adaâ—tage also he had that Doctor Tuckney was then his Tutor whom he acquainted with his condition and had his direction and help in those misâ—rable fluctuations and straits of his soul. Happy is the man whose doubtings end in establishments nil tam certum quà m quod de dubio certum but when men arrive in Scepticism as the last issue result of all their debates and thoughts of heart about Religion it had been good for such if they had never been born After his heart was changed it was observed of him that his abilities of mind were also much enlarged divinity though it be chiefly the Art and rule of the will yet raising and perfecting the understanding also which I conceive came to pass chiefly by this means that the fear of God fixed him and made him serious and taught him to meditate which is the main improvement of the understanding Therefore such as came to him for direction about their studies he would often advise them to be much in meditation professing that having spent some time in meditation every day in his beginning times and written down his thoughts he saw cause now to blesse God for it He was assigned to the work of the Ministery at a solemn meeting and conference of sundry godly Ministers about it there were to the number of twelve present at the meeting whose solemn advice was that he should serve the Lord in the Gospel of his Son wherein they have been the salvation of many a soul for upon this he addrest himself to the work with that reality and seriousnesse in wooing and winning souls that his words made deep impressions and seldome or never sell to the ground He was lecturer a while at Eâ—rles-cone in Essex which I take it was the first place of his Ministery where he did much good and the people there though now it is long since and many are gone yet they have a very precious and deep remembrance of him of the mighty power of God by him to this day But W. Lawd then Bishop of London soon stopt his mouth and drove him away as he did many other godly Ministers from Essex at the same time After this he lived at Butter-chrome in Yorkshire at Sir Richard Darleys house till the Iniquity of those times hunted him thence also Then he went to Northumberland till silenced there also and being thus molested and chased up and down at home he fled to New-England and after some difficulties and delayes by great storms and disasters at Sea upon the Sands and Coasts of Yarmouth which retarded his voyage till another year he arrived there at last where he was Pastor to a precious flock at Cambridge about fourteen yeers He was but 46. or 47. years old when he dyed His sicknesse began with a sore throat and then a squinacy and then a fever whereof be dyed August 25. 1649. This was one thing he said upon his deathbed Lord I am vile but thou art righteous and to those that were about him he bade them loue Iesus Christ dearly that little part that I have in him is no small comfort to me now His manner of preaching was close and searching and with abundance of affection and compassion to his hearers He took great pains in his preparations for his publick labours accounting it a cursed thing to do the work of the Lord negligently and therefore spending usually two or three whole dayes in preparing for the work of the Sabbath had his Sermons
dolefull and finall farewell of the English Nation as when he laid the tomb-stone upon Jerusalem such as these will be his mournings over us Oh Jerusalem Jerusalem thou that killest the Prophets and burnest them that are sent unto thee as they did in the time of Popery how often would I have gathered thy children together by my Word and Spirit therein even as a Hen gathereth her Chickens under the wings of my speciall Government and Protection but ye would not behold your house is left unto you desolate But the Lord who doth not only make the day dark with night but also turneth the shadow of death into the morning even the Lord avert these evils and the Lord make the English Nation his Hephfibah and the land Beulah which is the prayer of his Mourners in Sion and of Thy Servants in Jesus and for Jesus sake William Greenhill Samuel Mather TO THE Christian READER THe precious memory of the Author of these ensuing SERMONS needs no reviving to any gracious heart that had any knowledge of him Yea the world knows in part though but in a little part by some pieces of his formerly Printed while he was yâ—t 〈…〉 who this Author was what it owes to God for him and how justly it might sigh over his grave with that of the Apostle Of whom the World was not worthy His praise throughout all the Churches is farre above any addition by so mean a pen as writes these lines But it is not fit that the first page of any thing published after his death for I doubt not but his death is long ago publickly took notice of should go without some witnesse of a mournfull remembrance thereof which indeed no tears can sufficiently lament We who sometimes sate under his shadow and were fed from God by him the poor flock of this Shepherd among whom he lived testifying Repentance towards God and faith towards our Lord Iesus Christ and whom he sometimes exhorted comforted and charged euery one of us as a Father doth his Children we cannot but carry sorrow in the bottome of our hearts to this day that wee must here see his face no more Neither do we believe that his losse remains with us alone or only within the limits of this remote wildernesse the benefit and consequently the want of such a burning and shining Light is of more generall concernment that we easily apprehend especially in this Age wherein not only many â—it in utter darknesse but which is more the new Light thereof is darknesse and the Love of many waxing cold But we must all be silent before Him whose judgements are unsearchable Neither may we presume to say to him What doest thou It is instantly and not without cause desired by many that such reliques of his Labours as do survive him may be at least some of them imparted to the publick To effect any thing considerable that way is not an easie or sudden work But this small piece being at present attained it seemed not amisse to let it pass the Press These were some of his Lecture-Sermons Preached most of them in the year 1641. They are now transcribed by a godly Brother partly from the Authors own notes partly from what he took from his mouth The subject in both the Texts is of great use and needfull for these times wherin there is more Liberty than good use of it and much more common and outward than saving and effectuall knowledge of the word of God These posthumous editions are far short of what the Author was wont to do and of what the Sermons were in preaching But though the sense be not every where so full nor every thing so thorowly spoken to nor the stile so good by far as the Authors manner was yet the intelligent Reader will find a precious treasure of truth in it not fit to be buried or neglected The Prophets do not live for ever but their words do The Lord make them such ever-living words as may take hold of all our hearts not for judgement but for mercy for one of these wayeâ— they shall live yea rise up at the last day Imprimatur March 29. 1652. EDM. CALAMY THE TABLE B. BOndage What it is to which God delivers them that cast off his government Page 7 Iuvasion by forein enemies 7 By setting authority against them 7 Oppressing them by one another 8 Taking away good Governours 8 Giving them up to Satan 9 And to their own lusts 9 What are the sins for which God brings into Bondage 13 Bondage of the good and the wicked how it differs 15 C. CHurch of God why deprived of her liberty 11 Church-members that are private men in their duties are 48. what c. The causes of their neglect of their duty 52 c. Why men receive not more good from them than they do 53 Covenant of God if broken God rejects such as break it 3 To break Covenant with Christ is to cast off his government as King 31 People of God may be said to break Covenant and how 33 G. GOvernment see Power To cast of Gods Government provokes God to bring into bondage 3 Reasons of it 9 10 c. What Gods government is 4 The sorts of it 4 Internall 4 And Externall 5 Want of government a judgement 8 When men may be said to cast off Christs government 18. see 24. and see Ordinances When men submit to Christ. 20 21. to 29 In Christs government he useth a threefold power 30 Motives to come under Christs Government 81 L. LAwes the causes of the breach of Lawes 67 What prudence is to be used in making Laws 70 And how for human laws bind 70 c Gods Law onely can immediately bind the Conscience 70 Good Lawes have relation to the word and law of God 71 this proved ib. Of Penall Laws 74 Liberty see Government the sweetest Liberty is to be under Christ. 11 Liberty how it s abused 79 Love to Christ a sign of subjection to him 84 Love to Gods people another sign 84 Who do not love Gods people 85 M. MAgistrates We are to be subject to them and why 64 When Christs power is cast off in this respect not being subject to them 64 And objections about this answered 66 Ministeriall power what it is 54 And if this be not submitted Christ is cast off 69 And when men despised it 62 O. ORdinances When men adde their own inventions to Gods Ordinances they cast off Christs Government 34 We must take heed off this and why 35 When men destroy Ordinances and deny them they cast off Christs government 35 To cast of ordinances is a temptation of Satan 36 When Christ is thrust out of ordinances his government is cast off 39 To pollute Ordinances what it is 39 1. To contemn them 39. 40 2. To use them with unbroken hearts 40 3. To use them without faith 41 4. By not looking to Christ in them 41 P. POwer see Government Power of Christ in
the Lord will not do And hence if he does not destroy him he with-draws himself from serving of the creature and hence other evils take hold of it and bring it under When Adam stood and was for God all creatures served him and the riches of Gods goodnesse preserved him the Lord communicated the sweet of his government or service to him but when turned away from the right wayes of God Now if the Lord should serve him by governing of him in goodnesse he should serve a lust and bow to the creature nay to a lust which is a viler thing then for one creature to fall down and worship another Therefore now hence it comes to passe because the Lord will not be a servant to any mans lust there must be some other government that must seize upon them Hence set all the Saints in the Churches with their faces subjected to the Lord his good wil and righteous wayes and then his goodness shall flow down upon them in a through Christ for otherwise we have nothing to do with good but when we are set right for God Hos. 2. 19. I will betroth thee unto me for ever yea I will betroth thee unto me in righteousnesse in judgement in loving kindnesse and mercy c. The Lord will then command all creatures to be serviceable to his Church and people Vers. 21 22. But on the contrary misery must needs seiz upon the soul that doth cast off the government of the Lord Jesus Thus much for the generall explication of the point Now in particular 1. What is this government or service of God 2. What is the bondage he captivates his unto 3. Why doth the Lord do thus Quest. 1. What is this government or service of God which being shaken off the Lord gives them over to bondage Ans. There is a double government of the Lord over his people 1. Internall or inward of which our Saviour speaks Luk. 17. 21. The kingdome of God saith Christ comes not by observation and outward pomp For behold the kingdome of God is within you And this is nothing else in generall but when the Lord doth by his Spirit in the word of his grace cause the whole soul willingly to submit and subject it self to the whole will of God so far as it 's made known to it this is the inward kingdom of God and government of Christ in the soul. Ro. 8 14. So many as are led by the Spirit are the sons of God Ps. 110. 2. The Lord shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion c. 2. Cor. 10. 4. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnall but mighty through God the pulling down of strong holds Vers. 5. Bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. There are mighty boisterous distempâ—rs but the Lord when he comes in his Kingdome to sit upon the royall throne of the hearts of his people now they flie and this is the inward Kingdom of Christ like a poor Subject pardoned and received to favour he is before the face of the Prince continually attending on him Revel 7. 14 15. These are they which came out of great tribulation and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Vers. 15. Therefore are they before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his Temple c. Now this is meant in part by Gods service in these dayes do you think the Lord cared for thousands of Rams no but to walk humbly Mica 6. Did he care for Temple aud Ordinances no but Isa. 1. 19. If he be willing and obedient ye shall eat the good of the land Neh. 9. 20. In those dayes hee gave them his good Spirit to instruct them 2. Externall or outward the end and instigation of which was to set up and help forward the inward for externall Ordinances are nothing in themselves mean things but as they are appointed and sanctified for this end they are most glorious and therefore Christ threatens the Jewes Matth. 21. 43. That the Kingdome should be taken from them what was that Surely not inward for that they had not but the outward and externall means called Gods kingdom all these helps and means shall be taken from you and all laid ruinous Now this externall kingdom of Christ is double 1. The externall kingdome or government of God by his Church in the administration anâ— execution and subjection to the blessed Ordinances of God wherein the power and Kingdome of Christ is seen and thus Dan. 2. 44 45. Dan. 7. 27. It shall be given to the Saints of the most high c. Not to prophane herds of beasts or cages of unclean birds but to the Saints of the most high Whose kingdome is an everlasting kingdome and all the Princes of the world shall subject themselves to this kingdom of Christ. This outward Kingdom Christ administreth amongst his people in this world And this was part of the Lords government over his people herein though various from our form now 2. Of the Common-wealth which may have divers forms and had in the time of Israel but it receiving its law from God and governing for God hence it was the government of God and subjection hereunto was subjection and service to God himself And hence when the people cast off Samuel 1 Sam 8. 7. They have not rejected thee but me Rev. 11. 15. The kingdomes of the world are become the kingdomes of our Lord and of his Christ and he shall reign for ever and ever For although the Common-wealth of Israel was made up of the Church and hence Iosephus cals it a Theocracy where the Lord governed and yet the same thing had divers 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 formes and respects and hence there was a diverse government then and hence made diverse 2 Chron. 19. 5 8. Iehosaphat sets Iudges in the land throughout all the fenced Cities Such is the wildnesse boldness carelesness of mens hearts that they do not only need lawes but watchmen over them to see they be kept and hence the Lord appointed some chief some Judges in every City and also some in every Village as by proportion may be gathered Exod. 18. every ten men had one over them Now this was the blessed wisdome of God to put all into sweet subordination one unto another for himself 1. Every one professing his name is made for God for Christ as Lord of Lords unto whom every knee must bow and inwardly subject 2. Hence the Lord it being not good to leave man to himself erects a Kingdome of the Church with his own power and authority and government in it for that end 3. This being poor shiftlesse against inward and outward revenge hence the Lords sets up Kingdoms of the world which either rule for this end of these ends or not if they do not they are to answer it and shall one days to Christ whom God hath made head over all
abused all that their peace was their poyson And hence in the primitive Churches they began to cast off the government of the Lord Jesus murmurings there were hence came persecution but they were a precious people and made blessed use of it And the Lord couples their chief persecution with their rest And 't is said Acts 9. 31. Then had the Churches rest c. And what do you think of the reason of the long reign of Antichrist exalting himself above God and all that 's called God bringing the Church under the heaviest bondage for body and soul that ever the earth saw Men did not love the truth either speculative to guide their minds or practicall to rule their wills and hence left to this day What is the cause of Bleeding Germanies wo Oh poor Germany Whence the Gospell first brake out in its full strength that now 't is a field of blood that men in woods like satyres are afraid of men and men in Cities glad to eat the intrailes of Beasts and sometimes the flesh of their own babes to preserve their lives What was there no evill but the common condition of the Church to be under the crosse ask them they cannot tell what ailes them but curse the Emperour and Swedes c. Oh think of it with sorrow in secret for them that know it not themselves they have secretly I say secretly cast off the government of a mercifull Christ and hence are under the hand of unmercifull men What is the cause in our native Countrey notwithstanding all prayers and tears no diliverance truly men do not know it but the Lord sees it they know not how to use their liberty And for our selves what shall I say I cannot but blesse God and wonder to see how 't is with many and rejoyce to see many precious holy ones to whom one day in Gods Court is sweeter than a thousand elsewhere but I must professe and cannot but mourn for others men that were eminent under bondage but never worse then here as if the Lord should say Look here by your eminent ones look and fear and mourn you Ministers of my house here be the people you had thought had been converted and that of all others such a one would never a fallen so one an opinion takes him another a lot another loose company another his lust another gowes proud another fierce another murmuring what should I name all Oh that my words might be healing c. Vse 3. Hence see what will become of us that are now under the government of the Lord if ever we cast it off either inward or outward or both We are not dearer to him then his people Israel here nay Iudah When old Israel the great and numerous tribes of Israel had set up calves little Iudah and Benjamin received the Priests and yet they fell and were in bondage I know we are not yet in bondage yet it is not more unseasonable to speak now then for the Lord to Solomon 1 King 9. 1 Quest. But there being much unsubduedness in the hearts of the best how shall one know when there be such sins for which the Lord will cast from under his government Answer 1. When men do not loath their own hearts for the unprofitablenesse but loath Gods ordinances secretly and grow weary of them as of their burdens because of the unprofitablenesse of them When a people find not that speciall good by them which recompenseth all losses and so prize them but lay blame on them because unfruitfull to them Malachie 3. 13. He speaks to a people got out of Captivity Your words have been stout against me no say they 'T is in vain to serve the Lord what profit is there in this you must conceive they had many losses were very poor as vers 11. a temptation which a proud heart cannot indure above any here is now no profit in mourning fasting c. and Gods own people began to think so and hence Vers. 16. Then they spake often one to another there was good effect of his Sermon now what follows Chapter 4. 1. Hence the wicked shall come and cut off Branch and Root in Antiochus time there is a burning day a comming that shall burn down house root and branch and hence Matthewâ—1 â—1 43. The kingdome shall be given to them that bring forth fruit You will say we do No thy own mouth shall condemn thee you do not you find no good by all the ordinances of God and hence come those Questions what warrant for such an ordinance the bottome is they never felt good of it and hence grow weary of it well if it be your burthen the Lord will ease you of it 2. When you see men professing the fear of God mutually naturally contentious and continuing so I say contentious with Saints which they say they love which they are by covenant bound to love either from some conceived wrong and hence cannot forgive as Christ doth them or from a prejudicate groundlesse opinion they care not for me nor I for them or from a spirit of scornfull Censoriousnesse what are such and such or because distasted because of some reproof in their sin or by some opinion or by some worldly conveniency or laying out lots or restraint of some liberty c. or because of some sin Now can sit and censure and I say when this is mutual for a godly man may be contended with but he prayes and mourns and pitties unlesse it be at some time but when it shall continually abide so fierce and implacable Eccles. 7. 9. Anger resteth in the bosome of fools when a man shall be glad of an occasion of difference that so he may depart and have something to quiet conscience for breach of Covenant that there can be no healing but Bellies of pigs are more dear then bowels of Saints and when quiet upon the least occasion apt to pâ—ck holes and quarrel Now it 's time for the Lord to give over to another government Zach. 11. 14 15. When Brotherhood is broken then an Idol-shepheard is set up Exodus 2. Moses was sent to deliver Israel but he finds two Hebrews oppressed striving and must not be checkt neither well then fare-well deliverance if you be of that spirit you shall love one another better if ever the Lord doth that for you It hath been the wisdome of some Princes when their subjects have been at Civill wars to call them forth to a common enemy and there they can agree Oh brethren there is no sin like this and yet none so slighted You shall know what it is either by being yoked under enemies or sins The first of these breaking bonds of union to Christ the other with his members Vse 4. Hence see the reason why many men are delivered up to the bondage of their own lusts the most sad bondage and power of Satan who have seemed to be delivered from it truly they have cast off
the government of the Lord. Men wonder why in this Countrey men are more vile then ever they were men that gave great hopes the reason is this they have seemed to be under Christs government but secretly cast it off And hence filthy and vile lusts are their Apparitors and Pursevants c. Objection The Saints feel a bondage how shall one know the difference Answer The first and greatest inthralment is when Satan and sin so rule as that they know them not this is lamentable that like those Iohn 8. 33. when Christ told them if they continued in the truth it should make them free they would not believe that ever they were in bondage so here a man thinks himself free when he is a slave thus Psalm 81. 13. God gave them up to their own hearts lusts and they were led by their own Councels The Saints may be much carried away by the power of Satans temptations but never so far as to think their bondage is their freedome and to have reasons and arguments prevailing against the good wayes of Gods grace and to have reasons to maintain their sinfull courses and that is in such as have wit and parts and knowledge which through the righteous judgement of God are leâ—t so far to abuse it as to make use of it to maintain their sin-full lusts 2. When men if they see their bondage yet have no heart to come out of it in using all means for that end When the will is in captivity no captivity like it no gally-slave like it A childe of God hath a bondage and is led into captivity but Oh miserable man he cries but these Prov. 17. 10. have a price in their hand but no heart to make use of it Ezra 1. 5. So many whose hearts the Lordo stirred they gat up to go to Ierusalem But the Lord never stirs the hearts of these poor creatures they know and fear yet have no heart to get out of that condition nay rather willingly are so They sell themselves to their lusts and sins and Satan here is saith Satan this gain neglect prayer for it tell a lye for it break Covenant for it lose thy peace for it here is this honour and credit look big on it here is this estate carry thy countenance high and thus apparrel thy self with these trappings walk thus with thy boots French-like here is this pleasure and mirth keep thou this company loose thy heart neglect thy God give thy self over to it here is this ease deferre thy repentance be cold in prayer neglect thy family and a man sels himself to his lust pleasures and honours thou art thus provok't and therefore now thou must fret and murmur and rage and hold thy own and so ease thy heart thus men set themselves to sale willingly 3. When men have some heart to come out of it but the Lord leaves men to an indifferency and consequently to apostasie as it was with Agrippa almost perswaded and like the Israelites that refused to go into the good land Numbers 14. And hereupon the Lord was wroth and said they should not but they repented and would fain have had some pitty shewed in regard of their misery but their enemies felt upon them and destroyed them all the plea of the Arminians is for this which is nothing else but mens misery Luke 14. those that were invited made their excuses and said I must needs go and see it But found no necessity to come to Christ. Now the Saints the Lord never leaves them to a spirit of indifferency but keeps them in a spirit of necessity I must come out of this miserable condition saith the poor soul they say not flesh is weak but I must have help Psalm 110. because 't is the day of the Lords power they must not rest contented without help and if the Lord delayes them and hears not they will follow the Lord so much the harder 4. If they have any resolution to come out and think it must not be thus and purpose never to live thus again yet notwithstanding all their purposes and resolutions they fall again and never get any reall conquest their unâ—anied hearts and wills are never a whit more subdued Isaiah 63. 7 8. For he said Surely they are my people children that will not lie So he was their Saviour but they soon rebelled and vexed his holy Spirit their wills were never subdued But now the Saints either the Lord preserves them from such falls and Apostasies Or if they do depart from the Lord by reason of the prevailing power of any temptation they ever get reall conquest by their fall their sinfull corruption thereby gets its deadly wound Rom. 11. 10. Their backs are not alwaies bowed down but the Lord raiseth their bowed-down spirits Psalm 145. 14. and upholdeth their spirits for them when they think they shall one day fall by the hand of such Saul-like sins and distempers A carnall heart may carry a fair profession and be in subjection to Christ for a time but his back stands alwaies bowed down under his profession is is his berthen and hence at last he casts it off as a man doth his wearisome burden but on the contrary a child of God being indeed weary of his sin and carrying that up and down with him as his burden with his soul bowed down in the sense of his own vilenesse by this means through the help of Christ at last he comes to get reall conquest over his sin and cast it off 5. When the Lord in this case lets them alone without inward or outward troubles this is a fearfull signe Hosea 4. 17. Ephraim is joyned to his Idols let him alone the Lord will take no more pains with them he is wearied out with striving Isaiah 1. 5. Why should ye be stricken ye will revolt yet more and more when the Lord sees men the worse for his mercifull corrections he deals like parents that have striven long with their children and can do no good on them they then resolve to let them take their own course and will own them no longer to be of their family the Lord never deals thus long with his but if their sinne will not waste by words the Lord will then try what chaines will do and now they shall finde good now they shall remember their backslidings and apostasies from God and their impeniâ—ency in sin in secret sins especially in the dayes of their peace and prosperity now the Lord will make sinne as bitter as ever it was sweet Oh consider this you that are prosperous and because the Lord is good to you therefore you think the Lord likes well of your wayes No greater plague then for the Lord to give a man peace in his sinne or if the Lord begins to afflict thee in thy name on estate begin to be blasted and thou canst see Gods hand on thee and knowest it and yet thou remainest unhumbled this is
a signe thou art under the bondage of thy sin Vse 5. For examination whether we do or when a people do cast off the government of the Lord and destroy his kingdome it's needfull to know the sin that we may prevent the misery and 't is certain let New-England be watchfull and make sure here to advance the Prince of peace and to keep the right and government in his hand and you shall have the blessing of God and his Ordinances peace and mercy in your times and continued to your children for his kingdome is an everlasting kingdome and of the encrease of his kingdome there is no end and on the contrary if New-England cast off the government from over them and refuse his service the Lord will then take the kingdome from you and you shall then know the want of what now ye enjoy Now because Christs government or Kingdome is 1. Inward 2. Outward in Church in State I shall let you know 1. when the inward kingdome of Christ is set up and when 't is razed down which I shall do by giving you a briefe view of the nature of it and wherein it confists and so you may the better Judge of your own hearts in this particular As Satan hath an inward kingdome in the hearts of those that are without so the Lord Jesus hath an inward kingdome in the hearts of all his Saints Col. 1. 13. Blessed be god saith the Apostle which hath translated us from darknesse to light and from the power of Satan into the kingdome of his dear sonne which is very spirituall little seen a man may be under all outward government and yet naught here and therefore attend this inward kingdome therefore consists in four things or when the whole soul submits it self to God in these four particulars 1. When the whole soul gives entertainment unto the Lord himself to come into it for if a people shall say they are under such a government and yet will not admit the Prince himself to come amongst them but keep him out of the kingdome they cast of his government and his kingdome 2. When the whole soul closeth with the whole will of the Lord for if a people shall receive a â—â—nce amongst them but he shall make 〈◊〉 wholsome Laws to governe them but will be led by their own wills and lusts they pull down his kingdome 3. When the whole soul thus closeth with the will of Christ by vertue of the power and Spirit of Christ for if a people submit to the will of their Prince but 't is not by vertue of his authority over them command of them and helps he hath given them for that end but it is by reason of some forreign power that underhand encourageth them to yield this is poor subjection 4. When the soul thus submits to Christ's will for the Lords ends denying its own wisedome or will and is led by the Lord to his end for if a people shall submit to their Prince but 't is to set up other princes he is cast off from his throne When a man shall serve God and be under his government because it is profitable or honourable it suits his own end this is poor service in the Lords account 1. I say then the soul is under the inward kingdome or goverment of Christ when the whole soul gives entertainment to the Lord of Lords the Lord himself with all his traine in and by the Gospell of grace the royall sword and Scepter of Christs kingdome for when Christ himself is thus received the kingdome of God is come to that soul and entred into that heart and hence Mark 1. 14 15. the Gospel is called the Gospel of the kingdome and when Iohn and Christ preached beleive and repent for the kingdome of God is at hand Under which word is comprehended much but principally Christ Jesus ready to enter the souls of his people and hence Iohn preached Christ. Now 't is said those that were effectually wrought upon Matt. 11. 12 that the kingdome of heaven did suffer violence and the violent take it by force so that the kingdome of God is come into the hearts of all the elect of God when the soul uses a holy violence and the Lord do's draw the heart to an entertainment of the Lord himself Many difficulties there be between them and Christ and yet they break through all This is the condition of all men by nature they are strangers to Christ and live without God and Christ in the world and Christ from them and so Satan takes possession and rules them and so men are under the kingdome of darknesse so that the devill himself possesses every naturall man as the Apostle speaks he worketh in the children of disobedience to run on so and remain so Now the Gospel of the kingdomâ— and the meanes to advance Christ in his kingdome makes a free offer of Christ himsâ—lf indeed it offers pardon grace mercy life glory but all these are in Christ himself and we possesse them by possessing and receiving of Christ himself as a poor woman hath all the wealth of the man by entertaining of the man So that the Gospell firstly and primarily offers Christ himself and faith doth pitch on Christ himself and doth open those everlasting doores that the King of glory may come in John 1. 12. 't is said So many as received him he gave power to be the sons of God 1 John 5. 12. He that hath the Son hath Life so that now let a man refuse or reject the Lord himself as he is thus offered in the Gospel he does refuse the kingdome of the Lord and does refuse to be under the power of the Lord. True it may be said the kingdom of God hath been nigh to him when Christ is offered in the Gospell and God sayes as it were nothing shall please me so muâ—h as this if thou dost receive me Luke 10. Go and preach to these and these Cities and if they will not receive you shake off the dust of your feâ—t and let them know the Kingdome of God hath been nigh to them then Christ comes into the soul when the whole soul takes the Lord for himself Christ and all that Christ hath Christ in a pardon and Christ in a promise at that very day the Lord gave the heart to receive him then is the kingdome of God come in that heart and with him all life peace joy and glory God Spirit and all Now the whole soul receives him when 1. The mind sees him in the glory of his grace that though it had low mean thoughts of Christ before for which it mourns yet the rising of this glorious Sun upon him he esteems all things losse for him that he may win Christ and be found in Christ I in him and He in me in Vocation and not having my own righteousnesse in justification And to feel the life of Christ and death also in sanctification And to attain
to the resurrection of the dead in glorification and now nothing is dear to the soul but Christ. 2. When the will after the soul hath had some hopes the Lord may look towards it in his grace and having had many heart-breaking tears before the Lord the Lord is now pleased by the glad tidings of the Gospell to give the will power not only to receive and entertain the Lord but gladly to receive him The soul wonders that ever the Lord should bow down to him and offer mercy to him and when as together with this by the sweet â—avour of his Grace that he doth let into the heart the soul doth receive the Lord with most dear imbracings into his soul that now there is none like to the Lord. Cant. 1. 3. Thy name is like an 〈◊〉 poured out where the very feet of the messengers of glad tidings are beautifull But the Lord himself is the only crown and Joy of the soul when the least look of love to a castaway is more sweet than kingdomes ay and much more that 's love it self Isaiah 52 9. Bâ—â—ak forth into joy sing together ye waste plaâ—â—s of Jerusalem for the Lord hath comforted his people When kings shall stop their mouths as vile in themselves and not able to set forth that glory they never heard of before and the soul for Joy sells away all to buy this pearl that it sayes with David How do I love thy Law Now beloved when the soul does thus receive the Lord the kingdome of God is come to that soul and therefâ—re try and examin is it thus with you or hath the Lord begun to deal thus with thee to give himself the glory of Angels the wonderment of heaven the mighty God of heaven to come to thy heart thou art then under the government of the kingdome of God But now on the contrary if thou canst be content to receive the ordinances of Christ or the consolations of Christ or some of the commands of Christ and that is all and the Lord never gave thee a heart to close with Christ himself it 's a strange thing to thee that which is the main thing the Diamond in the Ring of the Gospel thou art yet far enough off from the kingdome of God I dare not say not think for all the world that ever the kingdome of God came to thy heart Again if you have received Christ but not with thy whole soul that now the offer promises blood life grace glory in the Gospell are grown common things to thee that the Lord never sent thee home wondering at the glory of Gods grace to a poor wretch never yet said'st Lordâ—â—he â—he Lord never yet lay next thy heart or if thou hast had some liking and some love and affections in pangs yet the Lord is not only precious and exceeding dear in thy heart thy heart breaks not for grief that thou hast so much slighted him so little born him of thy heart It is a sign that the Lord hath begun to reveal himself to thy soul when he gives thee a heart to mourn for thy standing our against him but this never came to thy soul. Certainly here is the wound of many men The Gospell of God never hath its proper effect till the Lord help thee to give thy whole heart thus to a Saviour to a God to the Prince of peace and till this is done the Gospel is ineffectuall it doth nothing It was a sweet prayer of him Make thy Son dear very dear exceeding dear only dear and precious or not at all If thou hadst a thousand hearts it was too little for Christ to love him and do'st grudge him one when thou hast imparted thy heart and esteem to thy lusts and creature do'st thou love the Lord with part of thy heart but a vile lust a poor creature must have a share and the remnant will serve Christ is he not the onely pearl of thy heart to give him daily communion know this thou art a stranger to Hear ye despisers and wonder and perish God will work a work in your dayes What is that the infinit God cannot express as it were the wrath that shall come against such a soul nor I cannot expresse the wrath that shall come upon such a despiser of the Lord Jesus Give him all thy heart or none if thou hast the Lord thou hast his whole heart if he had a thousand lives he would have laid them all down for thee He poured out his bloud for every one of his but for the present thou art out of the Kingdom of God to this day 2. When the whole soul closeth with the whole will of Christ having thus received him for if a Prince be come and people will not be ruled by him nor any laws that he makes though never so good but what they list the Kingdome is cast off For beloved there is a marvellous common deceit in mens hearts they would not for all the world but have Christ ay but the will of Christ is neglected that is a clog and the burden of the Lord of Hosts Christ is sweet and his will is 〈◊〉 Christ is precious and his will is vile Why do you make him a King and ye will make lawes for Christ and you will rule Christ and his will shall not stand here is no King Such kind of idle Libertines were in the Apostles time 1 Ioh. 1. 6. If we say we have fellowship with him and walk in darkness we lie and there is no truth in us But now when the whole soul does submit to the whole will of the Lord now his Kingdome is come indeed when his will is thus sweet Dan. 7. 27. His Kingdome is an everlasting Kingdome and all nations shall serve him and his servants ye are whom ye obey whether Christ the devill or your own hearts Now the whole wil of Christ is 1. Directing 2. Correctin Now when the soul submits to both then Christ rules in his Kingdome sometime you meet with Christs directing will now this is mens frame naturally they will not see it they will not come to the light Iohn 3. â—0 they are led by their own counsell and will not regard the light and counsell of God in his word they will quarrell with the light when it is crosse to their ends gain honour and the like men have high thoughts against the Lord Jesus 2 Cor. 10. 5. Casting down imaginations and every high thought that exalteth it self against the knowledge of God And again if men do see it yet like the devill that has much light they do not love it nor out of love not unlesse it be out of fear subject to it like Balaam that had no love to Gods command but onely was acted by fear and constraint now when the soul continues thus it casts off Christs Kingdom but if the whole soul first comes to the light though it sees little sets the whole will of Christ before
it Psal. 18. 22. saith David I have kept the wayes of the Lord and have not wickedly departed from my God and though it hath had many quarrellings against the truth of God yet now it hath not nor dares not but sayes Lord teach me the Lord gives them hearts to lye down at the feet of any man that shall shew them any thing that is amisse in them and they say with David Lord search me and try me I have many crooked wayes and therefore good Lord find them out and therefore come to the Lord for that end and though there be something in them that is desperately contrary to the good wil of God yet there is an inward man that does delight in the law of God and when the Lord is pleased to give them an heart to submit to the will of God Oh the soul doth wonder at the Lord that the Lord should shew him any thing and help him against temptations and though there be a great deal of wearinesse in the wayes of God yet there is a spirit within him that it is indeed heaven it self to him to be in the ordinances of God now ye stoop to the directing will of Christ when this is thy way though thou goest oft out of it yet comest in it again as sin is a wicked mans way although he goeth a thousand times out of it Now for the other the correcting will of Christ The L. hath strong trials Now here subjection to Christ is required as well as to the directing will of Christ then the soul submits to this will when the mind objects not charges not God with folly as Eli 1 Sam. 3. 18. It is the Lord let him do what seemeth him good And likewise the will though it hath had many sad bouts yet this is his frame in the Conclusion that the wil of Christ is better than every thing else the wil of Christ is alone sweet to him Isa. 38. saith Hezekiah Good is the wil of the Lord so Lam. 3. It 's good for a man to bear the yoke in his youth and to turn his cheeks to him that smites him Nay when there is spiritual evils on the soul as was on Christ himself spiritual desertions nothing but bitterness sorrow yet the soul saith as Christ did Not my will but thine be done Father save me from this hour yet Father glorifie thy self and so the soul does humbly submit it self to the Lord though the Lord should never pitty it yet it will lye down at the feet of the Lord now is Gods Kingdome come But if the soul wil have Christ and yet cast off the wil of Christ 1. Either in his judgement that the law of God as given by Christ should be no rule to a Christian suppose you were in England and were there prest to bow before an Altar or Image what shall lead you if that Gods will and law must not be your rule The Lord will one day make you know his blessed will in that blessed law of his that ye shall never find peace to the end of the world except the Lord do help ye thus to walk Again when men cannot endure the wil of Christ cannot eÌ„dure exhoâ—tations what doth the man mean to exhort us thus I tell thee there goeth forth power with the exhortaâ—ions of Christ. I say take heed of casting off the will of Christ here and so when men in their practice shall quarrel against any of Gods truths and are loath to see it or if they do yet not love dearly every truth of God but it 's a burden to them especially if it crosse their own ends and gain they will not see it to be a truth lest they should be convinced and turn ro the rule of it if the will and ordinances of Christ be a burden to a man and a man is not weary of his wearinesse but weary of them all the while Art thou under the government of Christ If a man forsaken of God led by his own counsels be under the Kingdom of Christ then thou art so long as there is credit for the truth so long it is entertained but now suppose it be costly rhat it should bring beggery affliction with it is it now sweet to you doth this support thy heart I am in Gods way canst lye dowu and subscribe to the equity of Christs proceedings with thee though he should never shew favour to thee if it be not thus I dare not say thou art under the Kingdome of Christ. And so for the correcting wil of Christ many sad afflictions the Lord tries thee withall the Lord tries men marvellously when thou art under the hand of the Lord those very things that should make men cry to heaven and wean thee from the world those very things do harden thee and make thee grudge repine The L. be merciful to thee if this be thy frame the Kingdom of Christ never came into that heart you are begging for mercy the Lord sayes you mercy you have abused it no saith the Lord Go to your lust that have despised the day of grace so now you cast off the Lord because the Lord will not give you mercy when you would have it Will you now quarrel with the Lord no down proud heart pray still and mourn still and turn to the Lord and say Lord do with me what thou wilt I am clay in thine hand thou may'st make me a vessell of dishonour I deserve not the least bit of bread such a one as is above the Lord and his will is not under the Lord therefore submit thy self to the good will of Christ. 3. When the soul doth thus submit to the wil of Christ by vertue of the power and Spirit of Christ i.e. when the soul doth not submit by vertue of its own power strength or ability for this is forreign power But as it doth seek to submit to the will of Christ so it would have Christ himself act it and rule it and so inable it to submit there unto Now is the Kingdome of God come neer to that heart And herein Christs Kingdom is different from Princes they give laws that men may keep them by their â—wn might hence they command no impossible things but the will of Christ is so crosse to a carnal hearâ— that 't is impossible man of himself should submit to it But the Lord doth it for this end that the soul should then come to Christ in its need that he would do all the good pleasure of his will and now the Lord himself reigns and that gloriously Ro. 8. 1 2. For the law of the Spirit of life which is in Christ Iesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death Acts 5 31. A Prince an Saviour for to give repentance and remission of sins It is part of his Princely power for to give remission of sins both in turning from sin and to God and all the wayes
of God and now you exalt him when he is thus set up 1 Cor. 4. 20. The Kingdome of God is not in word but in power The power of Christ Jesus is come into thy soul and the soul is under the Kingdome of the Lord Jesus when it doth lye under the mighty power of the Lord Jesus Christ 2 Thess. 1 11 12. We pray always for you that the Lord would work and fulfill the good pleasure of his will and the work of faith in power that Christ may be glorified Yea then is Christ glorified when God omnipotent reigns over sin and unbelief when the Lord doth this not only the Kingdome of God is now come but the Kingdome of Christ in glory is come there is many a poor soul thinks Christ rules him not because he cannot do this nor that because he finds his heart unable unwilling for to submit to the will of Christ I find no strength at all saith the soul and I go to Christ and find not strength conveyed and now he thinks he is not under the Kingdom of Christ. I answer that is not the question but hath the Lord made thee willing in the day of his power when the soul doth lye under the power of the Lord Jesus Christ when the soul doth lye like wax before the Lord Jesus when the soul saith Lord there was never any change of my nature the good Lord change it and if there be any change the good Lord increase and stir up the graces of thy Spirit in my soul and do thou lead me and guide me Brethren the Kingdome of Christ is come to this soul Iohn 5. 40. You will not come to me for life He doth not say you do not quicken your selves or ye cannot come to me but will not here is their wound they will not come to Christ for life Rom. 6. 19. As yee have yeelded your members servaâ—â—s to sin and Satan so now yeeld up your selves servants to righteousnesse and to holinesse Psal. 119. 5 6. Thou hast commanded that we should keep thy precepts continually Oh that my heart were directed to keep thy precepts continually Oh that my heart were directed to keep thy statutes When a Christian is grapling with his own heart ye will never be able to overcome the unsubduednesse thereof but when ye bring them to the Lord Jesus Christ that he would take a course with them 1. Now ye please Christ. 2. Ye take a sure course to have the will of God done he being in office for that end for Him hath God exalted to be a Prince and Saviour to Israel When the soul doth look up to the Lord Jesus and lye under the power and Spirit of the Lord Jesus 3. You now make the yoke of Christ sweet and his name glorious nothing glorifies Christ so much as this when Jesus doth work in a Christian now the kingdome of Christ is come to the soul and that in power But now when men will not submit thus far to Christ 1. They can do nothing but will not come to him on whom God hath laid salvation you say you cannot understand nor edifie by the Sermons ye hear and you cannot part with your lusts Ay but now this is thy condemnation thou wilt not go to a Saviour that he may teach thee and help thee when men will not have the Lord Jesus to reign over them or 2. If men do come they will not come to him where he may be found but say I can do nothing Christ must do all and so neglect the means wherein he will be found or 3. Will submit and come in means to him but not then at the speciall time when He is to be sought and may be found viz. in time of temptation But then forget and forsake him and cry not Hosanna Lord now save now help me against this lust When temptation comes when passion and pride come do you now go to Jesus Christ When the world begins to draw thy heart away dost thou say thus Lord I have prayed this day against this sin and Lord I have no strength against it now Lord help me but here is the misery of the soul it doth not go to Christ and by this means live in complaints all their life-time 4. If lastly any thing be to be done they will do it themselves as Paul Gal. 1. 12. Not but that a Christian should put forth himself a Christian is not a dead-hearted Christian at all times but the grace of God which comes from Christ doth act the soul in a continuall dependance on Christ and where Christ acts not there Satan doth Now I say the Kingdome of God is come when the soul doth thus submit to the stream of the blesâ—ed Spirit of the Lord that the Lord may guide it Oh beloved here is the skill that poseth the Angels how to tell you so to yield your selves to Christ as that Christ may come so to abide in the stock that all your fruit may be from him So to lye under the Lord as that the stream of the Spirit of life may fall on thee so to be implanted in the Lord as to fetch life from him and bring forth fruit to him But try this course submit to the will of the Lord Jesus be nothing in thy own eyes and if the Lord do give thee any thing blesse the Lord for it if any strength against thy sin be vile in thy own eyes and try and see if ye find not the Kingdome of God the glory of Heaven come into thy soul. Oh the light life prayers you might have the heavenly conference ye will have together that it would do a mans heart good to be with such a Christian that those that are with you might say Verily God is in this man verily there is joy in heaven when the Saints keep in this frame 4. When the soul yields thus to the will of Christ for Christs ends for such is the subtill wretchednesse of mens hearts that men would have Christ glorifie himself that he may glorifie and honour them like Simon Magus that would give any money for Apostolicall gifts that he might be some body that way also Now if a man shall submit go to Christ for gifts and parts that 's to set up another King to advance a mans self and so also sin and the devill and Christ must be made a servant for this end He is now no King like a Rebell that is not content that thousands of the Kings Subjects should serve him but he will have the Prince serve him a so Every man will say this doth utterly overthrow the Kingdom of such a Prince When a man shall secretly fight against the Lord and be for himself and for the devil and sin within When a man shall make all the creatures serve him the souldiers of his army meat drink and outward comforts this is a marvellous thing Ay but when a man shall make Jesus Christ
God himself and profession of Christ make these to serve him to raise up his name this the Lord takes very ill Only this I would adde when the soul doth look at Christ with a single eye that Christ is sweet and precious and lyes under the blessed Spirit of Christ for that end and now looks up to Christ that he may submit to him with a single eye that the name of Christ may be glorified by life and death true it is self will be in every duty and so is contrary to the Lord in all and not for the Lord. Yet though it be thus there is another thing in the soul that is wholly for God and Christ and hence seeks that he may do his work his heart loves him and so seeks him and he begs it with many tears Oh that my children might serve and love this God nay that all the world might see and blesse and admire this God and the Lord inlargeth his heart herein Psal. 72. 19. and truly now the Kingdom of God is come to thy soul Rom. 5. 17. As sin and Satan do reign by death So Iesus Christ doth reign by life to eternall life Matth. 25. 14. He is the true Subject that improves his Talents for the King Christ will subdue all his to himself Psal. 66. 3. Through the greatnesse of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves to thee Rom. 14. 17. For the Kingdome of God is not in meat and drink but in righteousnesse and peace and joy in the holy Ghost When a man shall be picking fault with things this and that offends him get ye gone the Kingdom of God consists not in that But when the soul do's go to the Lord and maintain his peace with God and love to the people of God and joy in the holy Ghost here is the Kingdome of God He that serves Christ in these things the Kingdome of God is come into his soul. He that thus submits to the Lord Christ he must first be a man weary of his own counsels and must loath himself When the Lord hath wearied a man of his own wayes he sayes What am I that the Lord should shew me any mercy And when the Lord calls him to any service Lord What am I that I should now pray to thee Bless the Lord when the Lord doth keep thy heart in this frame but now when men will honour Christ and yet Saul-like have Christ honour them Many poor creatures they think it a credit to be in Church-fellowship and they wil seek to know Christ that they may attain Church fellowship and have honour but know it till the Lord do pull down thy base ends and make thee loath thy self and so to submit to his blessed will truly till then the Kingdome of God is not come to thy soul Think of these things for if the Kingdome of God be in our hearts then look for good dayes Brethren let New-England be confident of it but if this be gone from the soules and hearts of men and women in their severall families and places though they may have the outward Kingdome of Christ yet the inward Kingdome being not set up I say no more but what he said Go to Palestina and Bohemia Certainly if they had not cast off the Lords government they had never seen those lamentable dayes they had outward Ordinances Oh but here was the thing the inward Kingdome of the Lord Jesus Christ and subjection to the will of the Lord Jesus and to be for the Lord Jesus this the Lord saw was not in them therefore the Lord hath left them to be lamentable spectacles Therefore dear brethren I do beseech you pray and beg for this Kingdome Thou sayest I fall short of this Know this Kingdome of God is at first like a grain of Mustard-seed some little lying under the will of Christ if it be in truth blessed be God â—or it The Kingdome of God is come and the soul doth weep and mourn after the Lord that the Lord would bring every thought into subjection Know it the Kingdome of God is come to thy soul and know it thou hast Jesus Christ at the right hand of God the Father interceding for thee therfore go home and blesse the Lord and wonder at his grace that hath translated thee from the Kingdome of darknesse to the Kingdome of his dear Son If the Lord hath let thee finde the beginning of these things in truth go home and blesse the Lord for it 2. Try when the externall Kingdome of Christ in his Church is cast off for we told you this was Christs kingdome 'T is called the Kingdome of Heaven Matth. 25. 1. And 't is it which the Lord gives up at the last day to God the Father and hence Mat. 8. 12. the members thereof are The Children of the Kingdome and hence we read of the rulers and governours of it and the keys not only of doctrine but of power and jurisdiction committed by Christ Jesus to it punctually exprest in Scripture Now we know in the Church there is a three-fold power of Christ in Government 1. The supreme Monarchicall absolute power of Christ in and by his Ordinances 2. There is some derivative power of the Church from Christ joyntly together 3. There is a Ministeriall power of the officers of the Church it self Hence the Kingdome of Christ is overthrown when these three are when this three-fold cord is broken by the sons of men and if whole America cast off these or any of these then they fall to bondage and if particular persons in Churches do the Lord will do the like to them much more 1 Kings 9. 4 5. When Solomon had been praying much the Lord tells him If he would walk before him as David his father had done to keep his statutes and obey his commandments then he would be a God making good his promise but if not then the Lord would cast off him and that place So Zach. 14. 17. And it shall be that who so will not come up of all the families of the Earth to worship the King the Lord of Hosts even upon them shall be no rain The Lord is quick in his judgements and will spare none 1. There is a supreme power of Jesus Christ in his Church and Ordinances thereof Isa. 9. 6. The Government is on his shoulders it is true this power is on others also but he is the main Heb. 3. Moses was only a servant in his House Christ as a Son The guidance of all things in the Church doth lye chiefly on him or else it would never be carried along Christ is a Son and that in his own House into whose hands the supreme power of guiding and ordering all things in the Church of God is put the experience of Gods Saints and People doth find another power which shewes that the Lord Jesus hath and doth exercise a mighty power in the ordinances of his Worship the supreme and kingly
exhort one another whiles it is called to day lest any of you be hardned through the deceitfulnesse of sin Brotherly exhortation is a remedy against Apostasie of heart for though a man cannot convince another yet he may exhort him and 't is to be done in season whiles it 's called to day with due respect and taking notice of what good there is with much wisdome and a spirit of humility or else thou spoilest all thou medlest withall putting your selves in their estate and with hearty unfeigned prayer that the Lord would accompany the same with his blessing Heb. 10. 24. Consider one another to provoke unto love and good works Look over the Congregation and consider such a Brothers or Sisters estate one is poor and low another falling another very much altered Now in some cases a private Brother may do more than a Minister the Lord help us and stir us up to this work Now when this is neglected many soules are hardned 4. Instructing and teaching one another as occasion serves Rom. 15. 14. And I my self also am perswaded of you my brethren that you also are full of goodnesse filled with all knowledge able to admonish one another They were able for to instruct and teach one another Isa. 54. 13. They shall be all taught of God What God teacheth thee that do thou teach others what thou gainest by hearing or by praying or meditation by putting questions to others sometimes to teach and sometimes to be taught and this do if possible in all occasionall meetings and worldly discourses mix with it some sweet truth that God hath taught thee But now on the other side when Christians shall meet and a 〈◊〉 is the worse for their fruitlesse discourse no savoâ—â— of any thing of God Let them meet never so long or oâ—â—en walking or sitting this is sad 5. In Comforting those that be sad Thes. 5. 14. and 4. ult Comfort the feeble-minded and support the weak wherefore comfort one another with these woâ—â—s There are many sad hearts in Gods Church and sad things are as wounds to a mans limbs that make him halt or fall Oh brethren be much in this work 2 Cor. 1. 4. Who comforteth us in all our tribulation that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble by the comfort wherewith we our selves are comforted of God That a soul may say such a one came to me and spake some few words to me but they were as seasonable as though the Lord had sent an Angel from heaven to speak to me and of more worth than if he had given me â—any pounds But now when this also is neglected that one Christian hath not a word of encouragement to another but dry and savourless discourse this the Lord takes very ill at the hands of his people that have received comfort from himself in the day of their sorrow and distresse 6. Restoring a Brother fallen with a spirit of meekness Gal. 6. 1 2. Brethren of any be overtaken with a fault ye which are sprituall restore such a one with a spirit of meeknesse Oh how will a poor soul blesse the for such a Brothers prayers admonitions and exhortations when the Lord shall have brought his heart back again to himself although before he did most of all disesteem and vilâ—fie him Now when these are not used or not with a spirit of meeknesse improved that a man never blesseth God for these the Lord Jesus is pulled down from his throne when not done according to the ability time and place that the Lord affords And this I wish the Churches mourn not for another day For my own part I do adjudge my self before God and men as most guilty of this that I enjoy many sweet Ordinances and we improve them not and hence the glory of the Lord fils not his Tabernacle abides not on his Churches either to draw others to them or to make others abundantly blesse God for them Now here I will shew you the causes of this 1. Not gaining much in private duties in Prayer Meditation Reading and daily Examination of a mans own heart And hence they cannot do good because they receive none or very little themselves they have not a treasure within hence they can spend little have no heart or ability to exhort instruct comfort He that keeps not his shop his shop will never keep him As Psal 41. 6. His heart gathereth iniquity to it self when he goeth abroad he telleth it 2. A low spirit which makes a man to have low thoughts and endeavours I mean not an humble but a narrow spirit not inlarged to hold much or to do much hence it doth little As take a plain Countrey-man he neither seeks or regards the affaires of the State in publick because his spirit and condition is low but Princes do mind and attend to the affaires of the Kingdome to advance it because their condition is high and they know it Moses he suffered reproach with the people of God losse of all the honour and pleasure of Pharaâ—hs out feared not Pharaoh nor losse of life for their sakes For he saw that God which is invisible like Saul when once a Ringdome comes to be in his eye he leaves off to seek the Asses 3. Sloth There are Thornes Prov. 15. 19. and Lions Prov. 26. 13. in a sluggards way There be many difficulties businesses occasions and objections when as if once he were resolved to break thorough them then the work would go on Like a man when he is in his warm bed he is loth to rise but when he is up he would not be in his bed again if he might be hired again to put off his clothes I shall get no good saith one nor do none saith another and when these businesses are past and occasions over and at another time I will seek God and go about Gods work and thus a slothfull spirit hinders 4. Want of Faith 2 Cor. 4. 13. We believe and hence we speak Faith empties us most and hence fils us with Spirit and Life of Christ Jesus hence Steven full of faith and the holy Ghost A lively Christian when he comes in another Christians company it may be he knows not what to speak but he looks up to Christ and sayes Now Lord here is an opportunity in doing or receiving some good and therefore now Lord help 5. Want of fear of God and consolation of the spirit of God from the sense of Gods love Acts 9. 31. They walâ—â—◠〈◊〉 the fear of the Lord and consolations of thâ— Holy Ghost the Church was edified by the consolations of the Holy Ghost A man that 's wounded keeps within and stirs not but when he is in health and strength now hard work is his meat he cannot live except he work 1 Cor. 15. ult 6. Not considering the shortnesse of our time of sowing Heb. 10. 25. Whereas if men were on their death-bed they would wish Oh that I had walked more
is Apostolicall power and an intrusion and cuts asunder the force of the argument of Master Ball his Book of power for Presbytery c. 2. What is their power affirmatively Answ. 1. They have a power given them of ruling and governing from Christ by the people hence they are called Rulers and such as rule and are over Gods Church hence they have strict charge and command from the Lord to do it Hence Paul at Ephesus When he was with them three years yet had Rulers there and vers 28. Feed Gods stock bought by bloud over which not men but the holy Ghost hath made you Overseers Christs Church being like sheep apt to stray and perish unlesse these watch against wolves and these the Apostle at his last parting left hence also they are to give an account of it at the last day Heb. 13. Hence thâ—se cast off the Lords government over them who will have no Rulers or Governours in Churches who shall either speak it or think it but leave all to themselves and their liberty to teach baptize to order things in Church and so by this means they are not only single Members or Officers but Pastor and Teacher and Elder and all This generation of men sons of Korah are risen up in these latter times especially amongst Anaâ—aptists Familists and rigid Separatists and who are privily crept into New-England Churches Whose condemnation sleeps not Satan carrying them to extreams and pride lifting them up above themselves above Men above Officers above Ordinances and above God That look as Common-wealths are under greatest bondage where there is an Anarchy where every one must be a slave because every one must be a Master So in the Churches no greater bondage can come than this the foundation of all confusion and the scandâ—ll of the wayes of God which through mercy his people here enjoy 2. This power is more than any one private Member hath in the Church who is not an Officer it would be a most simple ridiculous thing if there should be Election Ordination many Prayers much triall of men for to rule and guide and govern separation from the rest and yet not to have any more power than one private Member Hence the Apostle sayes Submit to them that are over you 1 Thessalonians 5. 12. and Hebrews 13. 17. Obey them â—â—at guide you or rule over you Hence those that do acknowledge Governours in the Church for names sake but they are such as have no more power than a private Brother they do but allow the name but deny the thing Hence say they they are to watch so are private Members they are to admonish so is every private Member they are to rule the word signifies to guide and go before another Answ. 1. The word to rule 1 Thes. 5. 12. is the same word with 1. Tim. 3. 4 5. He that rules his own house which is a little more than they that are besides him in the Family though this be not such a paternall power yet it is somewhat more than that of private Members And that Heb. 13. 17. is a word which is the same with that in Matth. 2. 6. Governour particularly spoken of Christs government to feed otherwise than private Members Answ. 2. 'T is true they are to watch and admonish in way of Christian duty but others in way of Christs authority as being his Ambassadors and sent of him as in a family one servant should watch over another but the chief Steward he is to do it with authority in the absence of his Lord. And hence doth it with more majesty and power and it takes or should take deeper impression so it is in Elders of a Church Hence also when men shall cry for liberty to speak an Elder forbids it What may not the Church have liberty true but you are not a Church An Elder reproves and they will reprove again What shall not the Church have liberty An Elder gives reasons strong and unanswerable for some thing to be done a young fellow shall step up and say without ground or shew of it that 's your light and mine is otherwise What may not the Church have liberty Yes but you are not the Church this is very sad and hath been a root of greatest scandall that ever Gods wayes had If Elders sin openly 't is another case and somewhat also is there to be done Submit your selves one to another much more to an Elder c. 3. In the execution of their office according to Christ they are over the whole Church Their persons indeed ase under them in case they sin and sin in the execution of their office they are to be subject not only to the whole but to the last Member of the Church Suppose the sin be not only suspected or reported or apprehended by one but two or three witnesses at least as 1 Tim. 5. 19. but whiles they execute it according to Christ they are therein above the Church and 't is bound to be subject therein and not to be subject is to refuse to be under Christs government Hence Heb. 13. Obey them that rule you he speaks to the whole Church which was not in evill but in good things according to God and yet in evill things look on them as those over them Exempli gratiâ A Minister in the execution of his office let him preach Christs eternall truth deliver it and prove it What ever humane weaknesses there be in him what ever darknesse there is in others yet he is therein above Churches Kings or Angels and they shall answer it at the great day that do not submit In regard of my person said Luther I 'le fall down before any but in regard of the truth I administer I look on the Kings of the earth as nits nay dust c. ad Regem Angl. So in the power of the Keys in opening and shutting out Members they have tried and proved such a one if they sin as they may then give them reasons but if not they are bound to submit And that not as unto other Christians but as unto an Ordinance stampt with an authority of God upon them in â—eed they are not to do any such thing without the presence consent and judiciary power of the Church and the Church may not submit to what Elders propose to be Christs mind but then they cast â—ff the Lords power which they are to answer for another day 1 Cor. 12. 28. they are called Governours Now as a Ruler of a Ship is to order it though a King be in it over him in that respect and the King is to be guided by him whiles he guides it right but if not the King hath power over him to command others to take the place or cast him over board 'T is true they are but servants to the Church because they are by the Church for the Church and to help the Church 2 Cor. 1. 24. and are subject to them if they
sin but yet they are servants unto Christ and in exercising his power according to him above the Church 2 Cor. 4 5. We preach Christ and our selves your servants for Christ yet therein above them Hence being their servants if they sin they are under the censure of the Church and the Church may cast them by So being Christs servants if not submitted to the Lord doth account himself cast off 1. Because their power thus rightly executed is the power of Christ Jesus Hence refuse it you refuse to be subject to him If men wil not be ruled by Gods Ordinances but will rule Ordinances they go about to tule Christ. 2. Because if there shall be no subjection here 't is profest licentiousnesse and not liberty in Churches You have liberty but what liberty to be subject to Christs power in pure liberty and that in his servants Now when men will not and shall refuse without shewing reason or convicting Elders of sin this is to cast off the Government of Christ. 3. Elders are helpers of people and there is no people but will stand in need of such helps if humble and able to discern to attend the publick good to teach and convince c. Hence when there is no sin appearing in the execution of their office they should with a holy â—ear submit and say if ye be faithfull watchmen what am I that I should be unsatisfied my ignorance may mislead others c. 4. They have power to over-see when they see cause Acts 20. 28. and to see into and enquire into the estate of the stock of God to know their spirituall condition so far as is fit to be known that so they may be comforted in the work of Christ though there be no sin break out not they come to them 1. Thes. 3. 5 6. The Apostle enquired into their faith charity and prayer vers 7. and hence was comforted c. And this Paul doth not as an extraordinary man but leaves his example as a president to the Elders of Ephesus to go from house to house and enquire to teach and exhort Acts 20. for Elders are to prevent scandals as well as to remove them left when they come they say Oh that I had known this before especially where they see need Now hence it is that men cast off the government of Christ when they will not have their spirituall condition searched into the Elders foot is now too great for his shoe I am to give an account to God so are they also of thee now thou canst not give it if thou enquirest not how thy condition stands neither can they with comfort unlesse thou tellest them how it stands with thee 'T is true there are many secret things they can never find out yet they are to attend their duty The Ministers charge is to cast the seed the Elders duty is to enquire after the fruit in the husbandry of Christ it is a sad condition when a man hath such a wound that he will not go to the Lord for help because hee loves it and will not have man to know it at because hee is ashamed of it But you shall know it the last day that the Lord would have healed you and you would not but can quarrell and snap at the Elders when they come to enquire of your condition and why do ye inquire you take too much on you 5. They have power to guide and counsell and warn the Church at least in all weighty affaires which may concern them and their common good hence they are called guides and leaders to the people Heb. 13. 17. Mal. 2. 7. I do not mean in all personall things Acts 20. 31. I warned you of wolves c. Hence 1. For members in matters of great and weighty affaires which concern the good of the whole Church may all Churches never to enquire at Abel is casting off the Lord as in election of Offices in Church and Magistrates in the Common-wealth c. 2. Hence to receive any opinion different from all the Elders in the Church and never â—o much as speak much lesse come to a sad debate about it is to cast off this yoke and contrary to covenant and Elders would never have undertook the care of the Church without it and it sads their hearts that they do their work feebly 3. Hence to propose a doubtfull question to the Church which may trouble or bring an offenders sin to the Church without counsell of the Elders who may encourage them if of God and ripen it for the Church or discourage it if not of God Christ when he writes to the Churches he superscribes his Epistles to the Angels and if one man may propose a doubtfull opinion another may and a third and one may side with another and so much confusion will follow 4. Hence when men shall not take warning of evils to come upon evident grounds it 's casting off the Lords yoke and when they come on thee thou mayest say it is because I have refused to hearken to my watchers they warned me of this and it may be you will find else such evils which the Seripture notes according to the word of the Lord by his servant Elisha so will the Lord make good the words and threatnings of his faithfull servants 5. They have power of publick reproof of any member of the Church in case of plain open and publick offences others without leave cannot nor ought not although others may tell them Reproofs are part of the power peculiar to the governours in any society where governours are present especially and at hand as now in a Family no wise man will suffer brawles amongst his children or servants but sayes he tell me 1. Tim 5. 20. Now this is sad when a man cannot forbear reproof of others nor hear reproofs of Elder but turns again and will be judge in his own cause though never so grosse a sign of an extream froward high spirit Hosea 4. 4. which makes the Lord to take away Elders as soon as any sin is committed and stop their mouths Exod. 2. Who made thee a Iudge c. And when afflictions come and you then enquire what is the cause of it you may be sure this is one even by the confession of the blindest deboist ones Prov. 5. 12. How have I hated Instruction and not obeyed the voice of my teachers 6. They are to feed with power as the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifieth every one in their places publickly instructing exhorting comforting and privately also which though private men may do yet here is the stamp of authority also and so the more power the more blessing usually if God be acknowledged therein Acts. 20. 28. Hence 1. When men despise their food they are poor things they speak and they can see no matter in them and that after study prayers and tears c. and so cast it by this is to cast off the Lord. 2. When men
shal grace reign unto eternall life Rom. 5. 21. He will bestow on you the sure mercies of David by an everlasting Covenant Isa. 55. 5. Quest. But wherein should I submit to the Lord Answ. None have power to rule conscience but Christ give him therefore this glory that wherein he bindes conscience conscience not out of fear but love may indeed submit I have instanced the particulars formerly yet more distinctly There be two great commands or charges of Christ that lye upon all mens consciences to whom the Gospell comes and therein lyes our service of him generally Which two I name because there we think we are free or do not know our liberty First The command of Christ is that every one to whom the Gospell comes and is preached do believe i. e. receive Christ Jesus in all his fulnesse in the Gospel Iohn 1. 12. For that is to believe in which command lies Gods offer 1 Iohn 5. 23. This is his commandment that ye believe John 6. 25 37 38. This is the work of God that ye believe Now here men think they are free 1. They say they are unworthy and hence they say Depart from me Lord I am a sinfull man as if Gods grace was built on mans worthinesse 2. Because unhumbled whereas Gods grace calls in men unhumbled Rev. 8. 17 18. For Gods call and offer is generall though none but the humble will hearken to it But there are none but it may be said to them If they can believe let them 3. Because Christ is not theirs are they bound to believe he is Whereas the first act of faith is not to believe Christ is mine then men were bound to believe a lie But to receive Christ as a woman her husband that he may be mine by saith and so a man may know and say he is mine The Gospell doth no where say to any man Christ is thine but if thou receive him he is thine and consequently the Spirit speaks so also 4. Because they cannot believe unlesse they should presume as if the Gospell bound the conscience of none to believe but them that were able to believe it and receive Christ in it yet 't is otherwise for it binds all to receive Christ Jesus to go up and possesse him to feed eat 〈◊〉 and live for ever And I will leave this one 〈◊〉 argument If men are liable to eternall conâ—â—â—mation at the great and last day and to bear the 〈◊〉 wrath of God and Christ also for disobeying the Gospell for refusing Christ and the offer of his grace therein Then those mens consciences are bound to obey the Gospell i. e. to believe and receive Christ now in this life But all that have the Gospell preached to them are liable to eternall condemnation for disobedience to it Iohn 3. 18 19. Psal. 2. 12. Kisse the Son lest he be angâ—y So. 2 Thes. 2. 8 9. He comes to render vengeance on them that obey not the Gospell Rom. â— 10. The Lord shall judge the secrets of all hearts by my Gospell That is where ever the Gospell comes for they that have no law having no law shall not by judged by it But men that have had the Gospell shall be judged by it and therefore are bound to obedience thereunto The serious consideration of which one truth is enough to draw all 〈…〉 from the power of unbelief especially they that say I cannot or ought not believe For the reason why meâ— do not come is 1. They think the Gospell concerns not them what doth the Lord say to me come so vile and sinfull yes that he doth if there was no such law there could be no transgression or condemnation 2. They think they shall presume No if conscience be bound to it 't is no prefumption to keep a Sabbath aright or to receive Christ as God offers him Oh this quiets conscience 3. The Lord layes his chain on the most tender place of conscience as it will answer it at the great day or will have any peace take heed you refuse not so great salvation 4. 'T is a chain not of bondage but of liberty and mercy and love Come and receive not a Kingdome but Christ Peace pardon and grace freely which may draw the heart as it will at the great and last day Come ye blessed take a Kingdome take a Christ prepared for you from before the foundation of the world Oh that this might sound in your eares This is the first and chiefest without this all your obedience is hypocrisie and abominable but this will please and then all poor obedience shall please Secondly Love unto the whole will of Christ especially to that part of it to love those that be the members of Christ. Some Christians they believe and feeling a heart so crosse to Christ and the will of God think they are from under the government of God and Christ so from under the grace of Christ and the argument is strong if true but why not under his government because they find daily a spirit so crosse to the will of Christ and hence under continuall fears of condemnation Oh but consider hast thou no love to the will of Christ and law of God for if any believe this is found in him if so then under Christs Government Rom. 8. 2. The Law of the spirit of life hath made me free What is that Law See Chap. 7. 23 24. Spirit of delight in the Law in the inner man and mourning for contrary captivity Know therefore though you cannot do all yet love the whole will of God and mourn where you do not and then say Now no condemnation Do not say 'T is impossible Oh here is mens wo and tryall of subjection to Christs will How do you love it love his Sabbaths and Ordinances because of his love to you How do's this constrain you In particular Love the people of God that is his speciall commandment 1 Iohn 3. 23. Iohn 13. 34. But now the want hereof or the contrary hereto As when a man shall become 1. A Distaster 2. A Contemner 3. A Censurer and whisperer 4. A Sooffer 5. If met on a Bridge an opposer of the Truths or servants of God This is that which kindles wrath and wherein the inward venome of hypocrisie appears There 's many duties neglected and not that spirit of prayer and holy conferences amongst Christians yet do you keep love to them that what you cannot do your selves yet you love others that can do it and account it your blessednesse to be like them and daily mourn under your neglects that in every thing the Gospel is not adorned by you on the other side although you have many duties Sabbaths and good acts yet if not love all is vile I fear 't is not mens joy sweetnesse delight to hear the least good word that falls from a good mans lips but rather the truths and things of God despised if so then look for
under the ground and the tombitâ—ne is laid upon them If Christ spake he would make the dead to hear and the blind to see Vse 2. Hence see why the Saints find such changes and alterations in themselves when they come to hear sometimes their hearts are quickned fed and cherished healed and comforted relieved and visited sometime again dead and senselesse heavy and hardned Mark 8. 17 18 21. How is it ye do not understand Nay which is more that the same truth which they hear at one time should affect them and at another time doth not the same thing which they have heard a hundred times and never stirr'd them at last should The reason is they heard the Word of God spoken at one time but not God speaking and they heard the Lord speaking that same Word at another time the Lord is in his Word at one time the Word goes alone at another time as in Eliah the Lord was not in the whirlwind but he spake in the still voice and hence there he was to Elijah Luke 24. 25. with 32. not that you are to lay blame on the Lord for he blows where he listeth but to make us see 't is not in outward means nor 't is not in our own spirits to quicken our selves and to make us ashamed of our own darknesse that when he speaks yet we cannot hear there is so much power of spiritual death and Satan yet within us only out of his pitty he speaks sometimes not that you should despise the outward word No no the Lord is there shining in Perfection of glory and that which doth thee no good the Lord makes powerfull to some others But prize the Spirit of God in that Word which alone can speak to thee Vse 3. Of dread and terrour to all unregenerate men Hence see the heavy wrath of God against them they have indeed the Scriptures and the precious Word of God dispensed to them but the Lord never speakes one word unto them If any one from whom we expect and look for love passe by us and never speak What not speak a word and we call to him and he will not speak we conclude he is angry and displeased with us You look for love do you not you that hear every Sabbath and come to Lectures and you must out t is well yes you will say His love is better than life frowns more bitter than death Love wo to me if the Lord do not love me better never been born I hope he loves me Happy I if the mountains might fall on me to crush me in pieces if he loves me not c. but consider if he loves he will then speak peace unspeakable to thy conscience when humbled life to thy heart joy in the Holy Ghost Isa. 57. 19. Iohn 6. 63. 1 Thes. 1. 6. but look upon thy soul and see this day in the sight of God whether ever the Lordspake one word to thee outwardly indeed he hath but not inwardly inwardly also but not effectually to turn them from darknesse to light and the power of Satan to God c. The voyce of God is full of Majesty it shakes the heart 't is full of life it quickens the dead and light and peace and gives wisdom to the simple Ps. 119. Opening of thy word gives light to the eyes How many women ever learning and never knowing and many men learning and knowing what is said but never hear God speak Then know the wrath of the Lord see and go home mourning under it There is a fourfold wrath in this 1. 'T is the Lords sore wrath and displeasure Zach. 1. 2. with vers 4. If one should expect love from another to do much for him and he did not it may be he would not take it as a signe of displeasure but if he will not do a small thing not speak a word to him oh this is bitter what will not the Lord speak a word not one word especially when thy life lies on it thy soul lies on it eternity lies on it especially the Lord that is so mercifull and and pittifull this is a sign of sore anger 2. 'T is a token of Gods old displeasure eternall displeasure I know you cannot hear hence though God speaks you hear him not but why doth not the Lord remove that deafnesse you old hearers that have ears fat with hearing but heavy he never intended love else he would speak there would be some time of love Rom. 11. 7 8. The Elect have had it others are blinded as 't is written God hath given them the spirit of slumber eyes that they should not see and ears that they should not hear to this day 3. 'T is the Lords present displeasure When a man looks for love and speech and he doth not speak at those times he is not wont to speak one may take it as no sign of anger but when the Lord shall speak usually and then he speaks not this is a sad sign 1 Sam. 28. 6 15. He cries out of this He answors me not by Urim nor dreams nor thee by the Gospel nor Law neither where he useth to answer If this anger were to come it were some comfort but when 't is now upon thee even that very Sermon and Word whereby he speaks to others but not a word to thee 4. 'T is his insensible anger for a fat heart and an heavy ear ever go together for you will say I feel no hurt in this I have heard and been never the better but yet that hath made me never the worse Oh poor creature 't is because you feel it not but when the time of misery shall come you will say This is wo and load enough for the Lord to give no answer Psal. 71. 9. We see not our Prophets nor any to tell us how long so you that despise means you shall then lament and say none can tell how long Oh therefore lament this thy condition now that the Lord may hear some of your cries c. Vse 4. Hence examine whether ever you heard the Lords voice or no not only outwardly for that you know you have often done but inwardly and not only so for so ye may do and yet your eares heavy but effectually that if it be not so you may be humble and say Lord how have I spent my time in vain and if it be so you may be thankfull and say Lord what am I that the infinite God should speak to me There is great need of trial of this for a man may read hear and understand externally what ever another may and yet the whole Scripture a sealed Book There are therefore these three degrees by which you shall discern the effectuall voice of God you must take them joyntly 1. The voice of God singles a man out and though it be generally written or spoken speaks particularly to the very heart of a man with a marvellous kind of Majesty and glory of
speak so suitably to him But as soon as he is gone out again this is the complaint of the soul all is lost again now the soul it sals a mourning again It is not for the glory of God to give the soul such peace out of his Ordinances as he doth in them the soul it would not prize the Ordinances of the Lord so much yet there it is and when they come again the Lord he either gives them the same refreshings again or else there is a new spring 3. The eternall efficacy of the word and voyce of God it may be preserved in an internall spirit of prayer for the continuance of it while he hath it and for the return of it when it is lost Psalm 119. 4 5. Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently David he knew his own weakness yet he intimates with what power it came on his heart Oh that my soul were directed to keep thy statutes When the soul sees the beaâ—ty of a command and the good will of God how sweet it is and how amiable the way and work of God is Oh that my heart were directed to keep thy statutes And so when it is gone Psal. 63. 3. My soul thirsteth after thee Lord saith David that I may see thy glory and power as I have seen thee in thy sanctuary He doth not say that I may see thy glory and power in thy sanctuary though that might be too no but that I may see thy glory and power as I have seen thee in the sanctuary David he did find a want of seeing him as he had done yet the vertue of it did remain in a spirit of thirsting and desire My soul thirrsteth for thee as in a dry land where no water is that I may see thee A Christian may have at some time such a glimpse in hearing the word of Gods grace of the exceeding riches of Gods grace and the love of God to him that he may be in a little heaven at that time ravished in the admiration of that mercy that ever God should look to him It is so and the word sayes so and the soul is ravished with wonderment at it yet God is gone again and the soul loses it Now the soul thinks I have lost the efficacy of Gods word but it is not so for thus it may be preserved Oh that I may see this God as I have done And all his life-time the soul may find the want of this yet it may be preserved in a spirit of prayer For whem the Lord hath given once a glimpse of his glory the soul it cannot be at rest but it breatheth for more of that mercy and presence a Christian may find his spirit marvellously refreshed at the word he may taste how good the Lord is and he may lose it again but this may be preserved in a spirit of longing after this God and presence again And I will say this Brethren A Christian may find no good by the word to his apprehension he sees the admirable blessed estate of the Saints and exceeding riches of God in Christ sees the sweetness of the waies of God goes home thinks within himself Happy they that are in this condition Blessed are they that can walk thus with God But I cannot saith the soul. I say it may find it thus when he cannot find the reall efficacy of the word as he would do he may receive the benefit of that word if the Lord do but only give him a heart to desire it Oh that the Lord would but thus manifest himself to me the soul may go away poor and hungry from the word and the Lord may yet reserve a spirit of thirsting after that good which a man desires to find and there is the efficacy of the word there As now there are two golden vessels one a man fills and it is every day dropping and he preserves it another vessel he do's not fill but with something that he hath He is every day widening of it So some Christians the Lord he 's a filling of them others the Lord he do's not fill them with such peace and joy ay but though the Lord is not filling of them he is a widening of them there is such a vertue that the Lord do's enlarge the heart with secret desires and longings after more of Gods grace and Christs The Lord he saith I intend to make this man a vessell of glory and I intend he shall have a great deal of glory and peace at the last The Lord he leaves such an impression of the word upon him as that thereby he enlargeth the heart Open thy mouth wide I will fill it 4. A Christian may have the everlasting efficacy of the word and voice of God preserved in a spirit of thankfulnesse and love to the Lord for those joys and good that it finds by the word sometimes When it feels that the sweet and savour of the word is gone a spirit of thankfulnesse and love to the word that doth remain The Lord he preserves the efficacy of the word in this way Psal. 119. 7. I shall saith David then praise thee with uprightnesse of heart when I shall have learned thy righteous judgements The Lord he may teach his people his righteous judgements and the savour and feeling and strength of them to their feeling may be gone and yet it is preserved in a spirit of thankfulnesse and praise that ever the Lord should shew it such mercy When the Spirit is gone the spirit of love and thankfulnesse remains As now a man hath heard the word the Lord he hath effectually wrought on him and changed his heart and drawn him to himself a Christian it may be he may lose those sorrows and humiliations and the remembrance of those things yet there remaineth to his dying day this Spirit he blesseth God and wondereth at God that ever he should make the word effectuall that he should leave so many thousands in the world and cast his skirt over him and say to him Live this do's remain still Brethren the Lord do's sometimes let light into a mans mind to discover his sin now this light it do's not sensibly overcome the power of sin But now the sâ—ul blesseth God for that word which hath convinced it had I never seen my sin saith the soul I should never a sought for power against it and pardon of it and this continues now and cannot but continue here is the efficacy of the word the word of Gods grace though the flower of it be gone yet there is an eternal power of the word that the soul can say It hath come to me and helped me against these sins and the soul wonders at the Lord it should be so much as it is So again a Christian he finds marvellous refreshings and affection whiles he is a hearing when he is gone away he finds not the same but he blesseth God for those affections he finds and
bring you blind lame and halt souls to Christ and trust to the free grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Work of the Lord it shall prosper in his hand so the Word of the Lord it shall prosper in his hand also Lastly so seek the Lord and so hear the Word so see the truth and so hear the truth as that you lay up your happinesse in this world in closing with the truth and with the word Brethren what is a mans happiness in heaven but to close with God and Christ I cannot come to God now the most that I can have of God now is in his word if it be happiness in heaven to close with God in Christ truly then it is a mans happinesse to close with God in his word on earth and if it be your happiness lay up your happiness in it My son saith Solomon if thou wilt hear my words let them not depart from thine eies keep them in thy middest of thy heart place thy happiness in them So shall they be life to thy soul. Neverthelesse Brethren let a mans soul be set upon anything in the world when he comes to hear besides the word if he lay not up his happinesse in closing with the word truly the word it will be like a song to him The Prophet Ezekiel tells them Their hearts were gone after their covetousness When a man comes to hear a Sermon there is a Sermon and the Market there is a Sermon and a friend to speak withall and so many young people will go abroad to hear Sermons What is the end of it It is that yee may get wives and husbands many of you but it is not your blessednesse to close with the Lord in his word I have known some men that have had a distaste against the truth of the Lord and I have known them for many a day they have not bee able to understand the truth of the Lord. When it shall be thus with a man that a mans heart is set on something else besides the word of the Lord that it is not my happinesse to close with the truth of the Lord such a man shall never understand the truth of the Lord. Though the word be sweet to you sometimes if your blessednesse do not lye in this to enjoy God Oh this Gospel of God and these Commands of God that your blessednesse do not lye in cleaving to the Lord in his word I say it is a certain truth you shall be blinded and harned by the word For here is a Rule Whatsoever a mans heart is set on as his chiefest good the presence of that good it comes with power So here the precious Gospell of Christ when the presence of it commands the heart nothing is good enough for it and it closeth with it and with Christ in it I beseech you therefore Beloved in Christ set upon the use of these meanes think within your selves What if the Lord had left me without the word I will tell you what ye would have been Look upon these poor Indians herds of Beasts look upon others on their Ale-benches enemies to the Lord such a one thou hadst been This blessed word and voyce of God every tittle of it cost the blood of Christ written all the lines of it in the blood of Christ. Oh make much of it and it will make much of you it will comfort you and strengthen you and revive you if the word come not with power ye shall be under the power of something else if not under the power of the word then under the power of some lust What is the reason that these poor creatures that are come to the tryall for life and death that have fallen into such sinnes as were never heard of What is the reason that they are under the power of their lusts I will tell you what Solomon saith My son if wisdome enter into thy heart and discretion be pleasant to thy soul it shall keep thee from the strange woman and sinful companion If it be pleasant here is the reason the word of Gods grace it never came with power or if it came with power powerless the word of Gods grace hath been to them and because it hath not come with power the Lord hee hath given them over to the power of their lusts and sinfull distempers Oh Brethren truly I cannot see how any man can maintain any evidence of Gods electing love that shall hear and hear and good dayes mend him not nor bad dayes pair him that can commend a Sermon and speak of it but that efficacy is not known to him neither doth he mourn for the want of it but the eternall efficacy thereof is a stranger to it 1 Thes. 1. 5. Knowing saith the Apostle your Election of God How did he know it For saith he Our Gospel came not to you in word but in power ye will rejoyce the hearts of your Ministers when the word comes with power Let me say this and so I conclude I remember the Lords threatning I will take away the staffe of bread and ye shall eat and shall not be satisfied When the Lord shall let men have the word when the Lord shall not take away the word but the staffe of the word Suppose you poor Parents Fathers and Mothers your Families should have good Corn but when you come to eat it no strength at all but ye dye and wear away and others that are about you they have planted the same Corn and eat and are satisfied What will ye do in this case You would set apart a day of fasting and prayer and say Good Lord what a curse is upon me my poor children are dying before me others have the staffe of Corn but my Family have no strength at all Ye would mourn if it were thus with your poor Cattell Oh for poor Creatures to have the word but the efficacy of it to be taken away no blessing no power at all Oh poor Creatures go and say Oh the curse of God that lies on me the wrath of God that lyes on my servants it is a heavy plague But Oh the sweetnesse and excellency of it when a Christian shall find everlasting vertue and efficacy conveyed to him by the word All you that are before the Lord this day ye shall see an end of all perfection but eternall things are not they worth something You shall see an end of all delights and contentments but this shall comfort you when you are a dying that the word which you attended upon the Lord in such peace and such consolations I have found by it and the efficacy of that word then remaines with you nay goes to heaven with you I commend you therefore to the word of his grace which is able to build you up unto an eternall inheritance amongst them that are sanctified Acts 20. 32. FINIS Doctr. 1. Quest. 1. Answ. Quest. 2. Answ. 1. Answ. 2. Reas. 2 Vse 1. Vse 2. Vse 3. Quest. Vse 4. Objection Answ. 1. Answ. 2 Answ. 3. Vse 5. Quest. Answ. 1. Psal. 133. ult Quest. Answ. Acts 5. 12. Quest. Answ. 1. Answ. 1. Answ. 2. Quest. Answ. Quest. 2 Answ. Object Answ. Quest. 3 Answ. Tit. 2. 9 10. 1 Pet. 3. 18 Eph. 6. 5. 1 Pet. 3. 18. Tit. 2. 9 10. Eph. 6. 5 Answ. 1. Answ. 1. Vse 6. Ier. 2. 20. Object Answ. Vse 7. Mot. 1. Mot. 2. Mot. 3. Mot. 4. Quest. Answ. Means 1. 〈◊〉 2. Quest. 1. Answ. Answ. Observ. Quest. 1. Answ. Reason 1. Reason 2. Rev. 12. 9. Rom. 1. 22. Reas. 3. Vse 1. Vse 2. Vse 3. Vse 4. Object Answ. 1. Vse 3. 1 Thes. 2. 3. Prov. 3. Vers. 22.
things to the Church Eph. 1. 22. If they do then their government judgement and kingdome is the Lords in a speciall manner and hence break the yoak of subjection to any one of these you cast off Christ the Lords government and service and being so linked together in truth if you break one you break all and this will provoke the Lord to make you kisse the clink and to put your necks under iron bondage that refuse subjection to him Quest. 2. What is that bondage or other government to which the Lord gives over his people when they have cast off his government this will provoke the Lord if the Lord be cast off and the casting off the government of Christ will bring the most famous Kingdoms Churches and Families into bondage you will say what is this bondage when is it that the Lord takes his season for the execution of it A. 1. The Lord takes his own times to do it these were a 12. moneth before the Lord sent Shishak Here he was more quick Nebuchadnezzaâ— comes at last and many years 't is before the Lord doth it 2. The Lord is various in working as he is wonderfull and hath divers wayes or means of bondage he hath more prisons and chaines than one First sometimes the Lord opens the door of a Kingdom or State for the inrode of some forraign or it may be barbarous Enemy breaking in sometime by power comming in sometime by craft and then ruling like Lions which the Lord makes to vex and prick the people of God thus here their lives were spared but liberties lost Thus Iudg. 2. 13 14. They forsook the Lord and served Baal and Ashtaroth And in vers 14. The anger of the Lord waxed hot against Israel and he dilivered them into the hands of spoylers that spoyled them Ver. 15 Whithersoever they went out the hand of the Lord was against them for evill And this the Lord doth many â—imes suddenly that one would never think that ever the Lord should be so sudden the Lord can be as quick to punish as man to sin and that unexpectedly Eccl 9. 12. Man knows 〈◊〉 his time but are taken like fish in an evill net suddenly Lam. 4. 12. The kingdomes of the earth and all the inhabitants of the world would not have beleeved Judg. 5. 8. They set up new gods and war was in the gate â— Sometimes the Lord turns the edge of that lawfull authority God hath set over them against themselves to be a heavy scourge from God upon them Thus it was with Israel in Egypt Exod. 1. 8 9. there arose a King which knew not Ioseph and it 's said then they were oppressed Thus Ieroboam whom the ten Tribes chose Hos. 5. 11. he oppressed the people he will be in novating and this becomes their oppression Thus the people under the reign of degenerate Solomon though their complaint might be in part unjust Such is the venome of sin an unsubduednesse to the Kingdom God that the Lord turns light into darknesse and makes an aking head matter of sorrow to all the state and body of people Eccles. 10. 16. Wo to thee O Land when thy King is a child And one man shall do a world of hurt one Shebna or Amaziah and this the Lord doth in justice many times for casting off his government 3. Sometimes the Lord gives a people up into the hands of one another to be mutuall oppressors of each other that a man neighbour shall be his oppressor Zach. 11. 9 I will pitty no more the inhabitaents of the land I will deliver them every one into his neighbours hands I will feed you no more that which dyeth let it dye that which is cut off let it be cut off and let the rest eat every one the flesh of another Sometimes the Lord is pleased to send marvellous straits into a place that men are forced to imbondage themselves sometimes by words as bitter as death as sharp as arrows the Lord is pleased for the forsaking of his righteous wayes to make a mans self rip his own bowels the father against the childe the master shall be a scourage to the servant and the servant shall be a scourge to his master weary him of his lffe the government of the Lord in a mans heart or family being cast off Mic. 7. 4 5. Trust not in a friend No greater bondage in the world then for men professing the Lord to be desperately set one against another 4. By taking from a people all that righteous power of government the Lord hath set over them when a people despising the Lord and inward government first for there all begins and so not prizing what they have nor praying for them nor subjecting to them the Lord hereupon sends some sicknesse or some other evill that they are either suddenly taken away or gradually and when they are gone all sink or else such crosse carriages that as Moses said so say they I cannot bear this people Thus Iudges 21. 25. Men did what was right in their own eyes when there was no King in Israel No State so miserable as an Anarchie when every one is a slave because every one will be a Master Thus Isa. 3. 1 2. 6. Be a ruler to us No I 'le not undertake to rule So 2 Chro. 15. 3. 5. when without a teaching Priest then no peace at all men will not be under government of them you shall not have them they shall rest in peace and you shall then know the want of them 5. By giving them over to Satans and their own hearts lusts that seeing they will not serve the Lord they shall serve their lusts and their sins that now the Lord he hath left off chastising of men and conscience shall check no more prosper saith the Lord go on in thy sin Psal. 81. 12. So I gave them up to their own hearts lusts and they walked after their own counsels Rev. 22. 11. Let him that is filthy be filthy still When the Lord shall give a man over to Satan not only to window him to let out the chaffe and so to make the grain the purer or to buffet them as he did Paul but to insnare them and hold them that he shall not only tempt but his temptations shall take and not onely take but holds 2 Tim. 2. ult Who are taken captive by him at his will taken alive as a snare doth that now a man is beyond the reach of all means only peradventure God may give repentance Isa. 1. 5. Why should ye be stricken any more ye wiâ—â— revolt yet more and more The Lord leaves smiting and sayes Go on and prosper in thy sinne and which is the worst of all Satan shall so blinde him and harden him fill him with pride passion lying hatred of Gods people cavilling against the Lords wayes of grace slighting of his betters despising of wholesome counsell from his dearest friends that he knows not