Breast of my Mother when shall I find Thee without Oh! I would have a Kiss of thee dear Jesus I would not be despised Oh! It is a choice Meeting indeed when Christ and a Christian meets together they are loath to part one from another Oh! this should teach us for to inquire out this pleasant path Cant. 3.4 that we might walk therein for it is a Christians Priviledge to walk with Christ whose Path is pleasant and lovely also So I come to Application The first Use of Information Is it true as hath been here laid down that the pretious Spirit of God is a Soul-Enlightning a Soul-Comforting a Soul-Quickning a Soul-Humbling a Sin-Destroying and a Grace-Inlarging Spirit this may teach us then for to have an high and honourable esteem of the Spirit of God Oh! make it the Man of thy Counsel take it in and give it royal Entertainment for the more entertainment we give it the more spiritual Advantage shall we gain by it Psa 34.9 Oh! it is a Salve for every Sore it will produce Light unto the blind Eye Comfort to the sad and dejected Soul it will quicken the dead and drousie Christian it serves for the molifiing of the proud hard and obstinate Heart and it will bring the Soul into a humble holy frame and put the Soul into a choice capacity to be serviceable for God Psal 25 9. Ephes 6 10. for The Meek will he guid in Judgement and the Humble will he teach his Way Oh! the Spirit will bring down the stoutest Lust or Corruption that is which makes a poor Christian to groan the Spirit will draw our Affections to a holy Conformity and blessed Subjection to the Will of Christ and it is the Spirit of God that causes Grace to bud and blosom in the Soul Zech. 12.10 2 Pet. 3.18 Psa 84.11 and to bring forth increase of Fruit for God Oh! it doth much concern us to set an high estimation of the Spirit therefore for it is the Messenger that brings us good news from Heaven continually Let us therefore bid it welcome and give it royal Entertainment when it shall come and let us open the doors of our Hearts to it for it is a Friend that will be mighty helpful to us in the puting of us forward unto the good Land Acts 20.32 it will give us an Inheritance with the Saints in Light for if any appear in the last day before Jesus Christ without the Seal and witness of the Spirit it will prove a sad day unto them they shall find the Gates of Heaven fast shut against them when the Bridegroom wiâ—h his Bride shall enter into the Kingdom and with his glorious Train and heavenly Attendance Isa 35.10 shall be singing of the Songs of Hallelujah in the heighth of Zion Therefore in a word let us make it our first and our choice Work to get a true Acquaintance with the Spirit of God and indeavour at all times to cherish the least appearance of it in our Souls and by no means at any time grieve it when it comes with its divine Message from its Master the Lord of Life 1 Thes 5.19 least the Spirit of God come in as a swift Witness against us in the Day of Christ saying Lord when I came with thy Message unto the creature they would upon no terms hearken unto it Pro. 28.10 Matt. 13.16 Matth. 13.22 Mark 4 19. Isa 28.10 1 Thes 5.19 but did stop their ears and set their Hearts against my Message at other times my Message was drowned by the confused noise of Carnal Reason and worldly care unlawful doubts and slavish fears at other times they did violence unto me by smothering my Powerful Raps that I made at the door of their consciences and would not hear a word if it were to save their Lives and Souls also Lord oftentimes I have come Line upon line and Precept upon precept with a little at one time and with a little at another time Oh! then they used all means for to squench my sweet Motions and grieve me till at last dear Lord I was fain to leave my message behind me as a testimony against them This charge amounts very high What remains now saith God but a fearful looking for judgment sinner notwithstanding all my Long-suffering forbearance Rom. 2.4 John 3.16 and my great love that I manifested unto you in sending of my Son to die for you and my sweet Spirit to manifest my Son to you Have you thus sinfully denyed me and shamefully rewarded me evil for good what may we expect now but the dreadful sentence from God to be uttered Matth. 25.41 Prov. 1.24 to 30. Depart from me ye Workers of Iniquity I know you not Nay God will say The time was that when I wo ed you and Intreated you by my Messenger early and late that you would not hearken unto my counsel and would hear none of my reproof I will mock when your fear cometh and then you shall call but I will not answer and though you shall seek me early you shall not find me Oh! let the consideration of these things therefore put us speedily upon the work of giving real and royal entertainment unto the Spirit when it comes and by no means turn it back least it be grieved and we wounded thereby so much may suffice for this Use The second Vse of Examination Is it true as you have heard that it is the work of the Spirit of God for to help the Soul to a true sight and sence of sin and to work the Soul out of love with sin and help a Soul to a sight of the Excellency of Christ and beget in the Soul a delight in Christ and direct the Soul to walk unto the Honour of Christ by which means it attains unto choice Communion with Christ Isa 3.9 Isa 5.18 Numb 32.23 Gen. 4.7 2 Cor. 7.11 Rom. 8.7 It is much our concernment for to make a strict and diligent search into our own Hearts to inquire whether we are sensible of what dishonour sin doth bring unto God besides a wound unto our own Souls for it is sin that breaks the Peace between us and our dear Lord Jesus it makes Christ and a Christian strange one to another Oh! how should this beget a Spiritual revenge in our Souls against this grand Enemy that is continually making war against us Oh! this should beget in us enmity against that which is a constant enemy unto the Lord come let us examine our selves whether we see sin in its right shape Oh! then it will beget a dislike in our Souls to it for when Satan that cunning deceiver comes for to deceive he puts a new face upon an old sin Gen. 3.4 vers 5. and gives it a new name to the end we may be taken with his Bates as covetousness is called by the name of Good Husbandry and drunkenness by the name of Good-Fellowship
the work of repentance has been wrought in his Soul I am one that have had very much familiar acquaintance with him with whom I do and for some season have walked in the Faith and Order of the Gospel and I hope in sincerity of heart I speak it I have not I say since the work of repentance was manifested known any thing but his Conversation his Life his Behaviour namely his whole Conversation is as becomes the Gospel of Jesus Christ And that he hath made it his whole work at all opportunities to propagate the Gospel to be instructing building up and helping forward of poor sinners in the pretious ways of dear Jesus and what he could not do by way of publick Preaching he hath laid hold of an opportunity by way of Writing not desiring to hide his talent in a napkin Further Reader know our lot is fallen in this last age of the world upon whom the ends of the earth is come in which the hour of temptation shall be which shall try all them that dwell upon the earth Rev. 2.10 Therefore 't is not a day for Ephraim to vex Judah nor Judah to vex Ephraim but every one of us in our places to meditate on the Royal Law of Love Jam. 2.8 and very profitable will it be for us to be looking into the Prophecies of the last times and to be learning of obedience that being fore-warned we may be fore-armed against the storm comes for who may abide when he appears Mal. 3.2 Rev. 14.1 but such who have been the faithful followers of the Lamb and they alone shall come to enjoy that glorious Paradise that was lost by our transgression in the first Adam and shall be restored again by the Lord Jesus into the primitive glory at his second and glorious appearance and Kingdom which God the Father will give unto his Son Jesus which is the man from Heaven whose heavenly Paradise will far exceed the Paradise of the Earth and be far more glorious it is that New Jerusalem the Wals thereof are garnished with all manner of pretious stones the Streets thereof are pure gold Rev. 21 18 19. as transparent glass which Paradise shall not be of the Earth nor from the Earth nor of a carnal mind as is shewn by the Author in this Book and yet it shall be placed upon the Earth for Rev. 21.2 Heb. 11 10. It shall come down out of Heaven from God being that City which the faithful Patriarchs look for which has a foundation whose builder and maker is God and it shall be the glorious habitation of Christ in the day of his reign The sight of this City by faith in the Promises of God made the holy men of old to acknowledge themselves to be but strangers and Pilgrims on the Earth and to seek a better Country ver 37 40. Heb. 11 24 25 26. It was that glorious Inheritance that Moses saw when he slighted Pharaoh's royal Court and Daughter choosing rather to suffer Affliction with the Lords People here than for to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season and so come short of the Inheritance hereafter From hence Observe That those who will follow God here must look for their Reward hereafter For our blessed Lord saith Behold I come quickly Rev. 22 12. and my reward is with me to give to every man as his work shall be Therefore one word unto the World to poor sinners for my Lord and Master had a tender love to such The time would fail me to tell you what he underwent for you who wept over Jerusalem saying Oh that thou hadst known in this thy day the things belonging unto thy peace Luk. 19 42. Sinner through grace it is yet thy day England it is yet thy day London it is yet thy day It is yet your day Rulers Oh that you would be perswaded to begin to learn those things that belong to your peace Ma. 3.2 break off your sins by repentance for it belongs to your peace Kiss the Son least he be angry with you for it belongs unto your peace Beg of God to give you faith in the Promises for it belongs to your peace For being justified by faith Ro. 5.1 we have peace with God Come learn obedience to Christ for it belongs to your peace Leave off breaking up the Meetings of the Saints and persecuting of them for it belongs to your peace Break off the banishment imprisoning and hard using of the People of God Isa 1.16 for it belongs to your peace Wash you make you clean and put away the evil of your doings cease from all these evils from blaspheming swearing reproaching and learn to do well for it belongs to your peace for God will reckon with you for it 'T will not be long before it be hid from your eyes and then you will call Prov. 1.24 25 26. but God will not hear you shall cry but God will not answer but will laugh at your calamity and mock when your fear cometh as desolation Therefore be invited to come and embrace the Lord Jesus and the Lord give you understanding in what is here presented or enclosed and in all the truths of God for you here will read what it is to be Carnally Minded Ro. 8.7 and how such as live in the Carnal Mind must never expect to live with Christ therefore examine try and learn to know how to be Spiritually Minded which will produce Eternal Life with Christ in that Kingdom here treated on and in the Father's Kingdom to all Eternity Which is the desire of him who is the meanest in God's House the lowest of all Saints yet through grace a lover of Righteousness and a friend to Zion and a well-wisher to all Truth a Brother to all that love Christ in sincerity John Glyde The 16th day of the 11th Month 1662. To all who love the Lord Jesus in sincerity and who desire to be Faithful followers of the Lamb Grace Mercy and true Peace be multiplyed Dearly beloved in the Lord AMong many of the Providential appearances of the Lord to me I judge this to be none of the least that I should speak by Epistle in Print which was the least of my thoughts Surely Saints the Lord is about to speak when he opens the mouths of Babes and Sucklings Psalm 8.2 And seeing God hath put this opportunity into my Hand I shall endeavour to deal Faithfully between God and you and my own soul And so I shall crave your patience to consider three or four things which the Lord hath put into my Heart to commend to your consideration Me-thinks I hear the Lords people speaking in the Language of them in Isa 21.11 Watchmen What of the Night Give me leave to whisper among you O ye Saints among the loud cry of your Watchmen that the Lord speaks at this Day four-fold that is to say four things God speaks to be our work
to the end he may the better carry on his design for to deceive but the Spirit is an excellent help unto us for to find out the cunning deceit of Satan and where ever it comes Psal 51 7. it will never leave the Soul till it hath made it out of love with sin Come let us examine our selves Is that sin which was before our love and delight become now our great burthen Is that sin which was as a right eye Mat. 5.29 or as a right hand to us that was so near and dear once that it must be dandled in the lap of our Affections and lie in our Bosome Is it now turned out and discovered as the great disturber of the Family and by no means must have aboad therein Oh! then it is plainly known and understood who hath the full possession of the House namely the Spirit who brings Joy and Peace along with it for the Messenger of the Spirit Gal. 5.22 is an Embassador that makes Peace Oh! hast thou a sight of Christ and art thou not made thereby in love with Christ for a true sight of Christ doth oftentimes beget a true love to Christ Soul hast thou heard his Voice and seen his Face Cant. 2.14 tell me what is thy approbation concerning him then Is he not excellent in Beauty and Virtue Is not he become your Lord as well as your Love to rule you as well as to comfort you Examine is it not your joy when you can but hear from him and much more your joy when you can get a sight of him O! is not his company your delight is not his absenting the cause of your lamenting Oh! is dear Jesus so much become your joy and delight that you can say None but his presence will content you Phil. 3.7 that if you have the injoyment of all things and have not Christ it will not content you In truth can we say he is so much loved by us that upon no terms would we do the thing that may displease him Cant. 3.5 Eph. 4.1 Eph. 5.15 Col. 1.10 Col. 2.6 Col. 4.5 Gen. 5.22 Prov. 3.13 Cant. 3.4 or grieve him Oh! do we make our study so to walk that we may be an Honour unto Christ a credit unto the Gospel and a comfort to our souls can we say That path where Christ is not I find no content to walk therein Doth our walking conduce unto the promoting of Christ's Honour and Glory Oh! then let sin or Satan rap at our door for entertainment they shall find none Nay though Satan should be very solicitous to have a lodging in the room of our Hearts yea but for one night the Soul will sharply give him his answer with a flat denyal the Reason is saith the Soul My Lord is at home as for sin and Satan they must be gone here is no entertainment can be had no not for a night for our dear Lord hath took full possession and where Christ hath took full possession in a Soul sin nor Satan cannot have a Habitation Soul hast thou Communion with Christ Oh! happy art thou then prize thy Communion what ever thou dost let not Christ and thee part but labour to set thy heart upon that which will conduce to the enlargement of thy Communion Oh! the more acquaintance thou getest with the Spirit of God the higher thou shalt be in Communion with Christ Eph. 4.30 Art thou very tender of the Spirit for it is a tender thing soon grieved and soon gone and if once the Spirit takes its leave of thee then farewel Christ and Communion too for it is the Spirit of Christ that maintains our Peace and Communion with God this doth much concern us for to secure the Spirit and keep it in our possession Rom. 8.9 or else all is like to run to ruine then Satan will make a prey of us is the Spirit active and at work within examine Soul danger is near when the Spirit hath lost its Motion it is not like to go well with that Soul in whom the Spirit is clouded by sin therefore if we intend to take our fill of Christ let us take our fill of the Spirit Ephes 5 18. and drink deep draughts thereof yea then shall we be fit and free to serve the Lord and witness choice eminent sweet and constant Communion with Christ Oh! let us set an high and Honourable esteem on the Spirit therefore for it will prove ouâ— friend in the time of need Rom. 8.26 and be a help to us when all other helps shall fail us The third Use of Exhortation Oh! doth God give forth his choice Spirit as his gift by virtue of his Promise in the way of the New Covenant Then here is blessed encouragement for poor sinners for to make out after Christ Isa 55.6 for it is his delight for to do them good in order for their good he gives down his Spirit for their further encouragement Soul remember it comes as a free gift it is not what you have Isa 55.1 2. or can have shall buy it for our dear Lord is resolved for to give it freely God requires no more but ask and you shall have it Oh! let but Christ know thy mind and he will supply thy wants he will bestow upon thee such a Spirit as shall Administer help and Spiritual relief to thy poor distressed Conscience in all straits be they never so bad if thou art blind he will annoint thy Eyes with Eye-salve that thou mayest see Rev. 3.18 if thou art cast down under the sight and sence of sin by which thou art ready to cry out Thou art undone The Spirit will bring a Promise of the pardon of sin for thy comfort Isa 43.25 26. John 6.63 Rom. 8.11 Eze. 11 19. Rom. 6.14 if thou complainest of deadness in Holy Duties or Spiritual Gospel Ordinances the Spirit of God serves for the quickening of thy heart therein Soul if thou lyest under the bitter complaints of a hard Heart the Spirit of God will soften it for thee and make it new in a moment and humble thy Heart for thee and if thou findest sin too hard for thee and thy iniquities too many for thee to incounter with the Spirit will conquer thy sins for thee Soul if thy complaint be Graces are dead and thou art undone the Spirit will renew Grace in thee and keep it alive in thy Soul and make thee live a comfortable life indeed Remember Soul when ever thou goest to God in the true sence of the want of the Spirit to put God in mind of his own promise for he hath ingaged by promise Joel 2.28 for to give down the Spirit a Christians Excellent Help and forget not to put God in mind how he hath bound himself by covenant by the confirmation of an Oath to give down the spirit All which doth much conduce to our encouragement to wait at the
Throne as the Disciples did Wait at Jerusalem for the Promise of the Spirit and if thou hast but the least dram of it consider Acts 1.4 it is a rich Favour and the way to gain more of the spirit is for to make good improvement of what we have already attained if the Lord see that we do improve what we have unto his Honour it will not be long before we shall injoy more to our comfort wait therefore for the Promise of the spirit for it will assuredly come and though it seem to tarry wait for it Hab. 2.3 for that God who hath ingaged himself by Promise Oath and Covenant will perform his ingagement to a tittle This know for thy comfort poor soul our God is a God keeping Covenant Exo. 20 6. Gal. 6.9 with thousands of them that love him and keep his Commandments therefore wait upon the Lord the Blessing is at hand For we shall reap if we faint not wait I say on the Lord. Oh! learn to get thy heart much affected with the choice and excellent things of Heaven Col. 3.1 which will conduce much to thy spiritual advantage the inlarging of the Heart of Christ to thee and he will cause thee to feed upon Divine contentment then no food will be digested by the Spiritual pallat but that Manna that comes from above and therein thy soul shall much delight the sweet Meditations of the Glory of Heaven will rap thee up that no room shall be left for Carnality but the Heavenly Habitation shall be thy Scituation for ever Oh! let the great and grand endeavour of our souls be to see vanity writ upon all our creature comforts short of Christ Eccles 12.8 the consideration of this if it be much pondred on will abundantly weaken our love unto the world 1 John 2 14. and much strengthen our love unto our dear Lord Jesus Oh! it will much ingage our Hearts to God and disingage our Hearts unto all short of him Then yea and not till then shall we be in a fit frame to Honour Christ when the great clog of Worldly injoyments shall be removed out of the way Oh! then let dear Jesus come when he will he shall be welcome unto that soul and then if Christ request the soul for to take up the Cross Luk. 9.23 he will do it freely and be contented therewith yea if Christ his Love or Beloved call him into the Wilderness or where his Honour will or to what work he please the soul having an injoyment of the spirit will not be daunted at it Oh! no work shall seem a burthen or grievous to him but he will chearfully undergo it with joy and delight and glad he is that he can any way serve his Lord Rev. 22 12. or be serviceable to him Oh! this will prove a blessed frame indeed in the end when our dear King shall come with the Crown of Reward Oh! let us strive to get and also attain unto a heart much inlarged for God let it not content us that we have a heart ingaged but much inlarged for God Oh! let not a day content us in the Courts of God but let us learn to take up our abode there Psa 27.4 that with the Prophet we may chuse to dwell in the House of God all our Dayes Oh! that we may at all times be imployed in that service that may tend unto the Honour of our Lord that we might not be at leasure when sin Satan or the World would put in or croud in upon us in a croud of Worldly concernments that we may give the enemy his Answer and acquaint him that we are so busie in the high concernments of our Lord that we cannot spare so much time as to hearken unto their unreasonable demands much less do what is desired by them Oh! this would be a much becoming frame indeed to be wholly taken up with God and Godliness then shall we triumph in the spirit Psal 84 10. and walk to the Praise and Honour of God In a word let us make it our business also for to look into the Holy Law of God and make it the Object of our Meditations In that Law we shall find directions sufficient to inform us how we may set forth the praise of our Emmanuel and then shall we come in a feeling experience to find out the sweetness of the spirits excellency Mat. 13 11. 2 Cor. 10.4 which will unfold to us the deep Misteries of the Kingdom of God that are wrapt up in his Law and then shall we also be taught skill and understanding to bring forth the Weapons of the Sanctuary to encounter with the Enemy of all sorts Oh! then it will be that Christ and a Christian shall be better acquainted Psal 34 8. Psal 119.127 when once we get a taste of the incomparable sweetness of God's Love to us we shall prize it at a high rate yea as the Prophet did above Gold The Law of God will then be so near and dear unto us that it will not onely take up our Hearts but time also the night as well as the day will be little enough for us to Meditate therein the Lord help us Psal 1.2 for to come unto a true knowledge of this by blessed experience So much as to this Use also The fourth Vse of Consolation Soul Is Christ thy Life this may Administer unto us choice comforts in as much as the Living Streams and choice springs of Divine Consolations are running forth to us Psal 46 4. from the Pretious Fountain for our relief if Christ be thy Life he will be the Life of thy Graces yea all that we have is preserved and maintained by him and because he lives thou shalt live also thy life is a hidden life there is no enemy can prevail against thee Rom. 8.33 because Christ thy life is ingaged in the Front of the Battel yea our Lord Jesus the Captain of thy Salvation is usually first in the Field and before the Enemy can get into Battel Array our Captain is upon them Heb. 2.10 and puts them to the rout before thy are aware of him at his return he comes off with the Victory with his Colours displaying and if at any time the Enemy makes any bold attempt to rally up notwithstanding before they can do any thing in order to their design Christ a Christians Captain the Man of Gods Right Hand is upon them and fall they must before the Bow Sphear and Sword of the Almighty for our dear Lord Jesus is greatly concerned in the behalf of a Christian for a Christians Life is in the Hand of Christ safe and secure all the Potent Enemies in the World are in no capacity to take away his Life or Portion from him Joh. 10.28 and this doth much tend unto a Christians great consolation and that which doth further contribute unto a Christians consolation there Life
which they shall injoy by Christ is Life Eternal Oh! it is an endless Life and though they die before they live they die in order unto a better life such a life as none can deprive them of Secondly Is Christ a Christians Prince and is this Prince a Prince of Peace This may add unto a Christians comfort also They serve a most Noble Prince 1 Tim. 6 15. Rev. 17 14. one that will not onely make their Life comfortable but Honourable also who will not onely invest them with Peace but also will furnish them with Grace and such as attend on Christ the Prince of Peace shall wear the Livery of the Spotless Robes of the Righteousness of our dear Lord Jesus and their Wages will be Phil. 3.10 Eternal Life and Glory and they shall have choice varieties to feed upon yea fare delicately every day the best Provision in their Fathers House the Prince of Peace they shall be welcome unto and their drink shall be on the Fountain of Living Waters the Living Streams that makes glad the City of God we shall find our dear Lord our Protection as well as our Consolation Oh! such shall drink their fill at the Fountain and be very high in his estimation for he will not suffer any to do them harm such shall find this Prince and his Court attended with Holiness 2 Chron. 16. ver 20 21 22. Holiness is in his Borders yea round about his Dominions Oh! this is our King who is called Salem the Prince of Peace The consideration of all these things may afford us Divine comfort and choice consolation in abundance Thirdly Hath God called thee and blessed thee with Peace who is a God of Peace Rom. 15 33. 1 Cor. 7.15 come let us then follow our calling and Spiritual Vocation and much rejoyce that we are called to Peace Oh! let us endeavour for to promote Peace in all we set our hand unto to do and do nothing that may not tend to Peace Oh! then shall we have much cause for to rejoyce when our Peace with God is maintained Job 22.21 when our dear Lord and we are one when we find it our joy for to be with God then it will be evident God is with us Oh! it is matter of great joy Psal 29 11. for to come under the Fathers Blessing who doth use to bless his children with Peace therefore let us much rejoyce in our Portion namely our Fathers Blessing and that we are acquainted with the God of Peace and know him to be our Peace-maker who was graciously pleased for to make himself one with us Ro. 5.8 who was enemy to him Oh! this is matter of great consolation indeed Fourthly Hath God made with us a Covenant of Peace and therein hath ingaged himself for to lead us in the Path of Peace Oh! bless the Lord who hath in his Râ—â—â— Love provided food for thy Faith for here is much communicated to us by God for to strengthen our Faith in God for God is ingaged in the Covenant of Grace to be our God Jer. 31.33 Ps 144 15. and hath entred into a League of Peace with us Oh! Happy is that People whose God is the Lord yea happy is that People that is in such a case Soul thou hast no cause to mourn let what times will come though never so bad or never so sad Man God is thine and he is much concerned to own thee to protect thee to feed thee Ps 121 15. Joh. 21 15. Rev. 3.18 Psal 34 15. Isa 59.1 Psal 23 2. to cloath thee and for to have an Eye and Heart of love to thee at all Times and Seasons Oh! here is matter of joy and comfort to such indeed he will lead thee into no condition but his Eye of Love shall be upon thee our dear Lord will walk with thee and he will not venture thee alone in the World he will not onely cast an eye of love upon thee but will also stretch forth his hand of love to thee for thy relief yea he it is that will guide thee with his Eye and with his Hand and will bring thee into the green Pastures and lead thee besides the still Waters where thy Soul shall meet with the feedings and fillings of Divine consolation where no beast of prey shall ever have their will upon thee any more but our dear Lord in rich Love will be a wall of defence unto thee Psal 59 9 10 16. and none shall come at thee to do thee harm and then he will make the Paths of Peace very pleasant Paths unto thee wherein thy Soul shall walk with much delight for there it is that Christ thee must walk live together yea there it is where thee and thy Love must imbrace each other Oh! it is in the Pleasant Path of Peace Prov. 3.17 that thee and thy Love shall converse together upon the high and choice and mighty things of his Royal Law Oh! this Path of Peace will prove a Path of Grace All these things cast up and put together it will easily be made appear there is ground sufficient for a true Christian for to be rejoycing in as much as Christ is his Portion his Crown his All and in all Lam. 3.24 for Christ and a true Christian never meets but he meets with a Blessing although a Christians communion with Christ is oftentimes attended with a cloud Exo. 40 36 37. yet our dear Lord will vouchsafe for to speak choicely unto him yea though it be through a cloud as he was pleased for to speak unto his Servant Moses in the Mount and for as much as God is a God in Covenant with us Heb. 13 5. Psal 73.24 he will never leave us nor forsake us but will be a choice good to us in all our straits and difficulties and will guide us by his Counsel and afterwards receive us into his Glory MEDITATIONS By Way of OBSERVATION Observation I. Mat. 15.36 Mat. 26.39 COme immitate the Lord of Life this Day In Holy fear let 's walk and talk alway Mat. 3.13 vers 17. Oh! follow Christ's Example choice and rare In God's appointment walk and do not fear Hosea 2.14 vers 15. Though in the Wilderness our Lord doth go Let us attend him there and we shall know The Canaan Fruit his Manna and choice dew Rev. 2.27 Injoy we shall and feed thereon a new God's poor let 's love and to them now be kind James 2.5 For such he 'l own his presence they shall find Unto the Cross come bend and bow also Mat. 10.38 Then have the Crown at last we shall I know Psal 110.3 Isaiah 1.19 And willingly let us obey his Voice Come serve our Lord our King our onely choice Rom. 12.8 2 Cor. 9.7 And chearfully in his choice works let 's go His streams of Love to us shall overflow Luk. 19.48 Rev.
at this Day First The Voice of God at this day bespeaks you Oh ye Saints to Act Faith 2 Chron. 20.20 And hear O ye Saints pray as the Disciples Luke 17.5 Lord increase our Faith for if we believe all things shall be possible Mark 9.23 Hard things shall be made easie Heb. 11. from the 33. to the 38. Yea the crooked wayes shall be made streight rough wayes smooth and whilest we are going in this Wilderness to comfort us Faith will give us a view of the Good Land Heb. 11.1 Yea it will lead us up to the top of Mount Nebo yea let me say as David Psal 145.11 12. Consider Faith is that which Honours God that God hath engaged himself to honour them who honour him 1 Sam. 2.30 Faith will tell us He will never leave us nor forsake us Faith will prevent despair in our Souls Psalm 27.13 We should faint if we did not believe to see the goodness of the Lord in the Land of the Living Faith will teach us that all things shall work for good Rom. 8.28 Faith will help us to know that our Redeemer lives John 19.25 and to say with Thomas My Lord and my God John 20.28 What should I say more it is pretious 2 Pet. 1. yea it is very necessary Heb. 11.6 Secondly The Voice of God speaks us to be patient and therefore O ye Saints beg patience let it have its perfect work in your Souls James 1.4 Patience will gain thee a look from God when frowardnesse will make him stand a-loofe off it is that will make a long way short James 5.7 8. The Spirit of patience is opposite to a murmuring frame of Spirit Mark Israel got nothing by a murmuring Spirit Psal 106.23 29. Patience will prevent from tempting God and limitting of God it will help thee to submit to the Lord and it will teach thee to know that the Lord is just in afflicting Mich. 7.9 Remember the Counsel of your Lord Luke 21.19 In your patience possess ye your Souls Thirdly The Voice of God speaks us to love And O ye Saints How ought you to love one another Oh! that this Grace of love might abound in your Souls John saith Love is of God 1 John 4.8 Yea he that loves not his Brother hath not the love of God in him Consider O ye Saints it become the Servant to be obedient to his Master hark Christians it is the command of your Lord to love one another John 15.12 Would you be accounted the Friends of Christ then love one another Saints there lies the greatest engagement in the World upon you to love 1. The Father hath loved you he chose you out of love Ephes 1.5 Hos 14.4 John 3.16 2. The Son hath loved you Oh! height of love Christ's love to us was self-abasing love Phil. 2.7 compared with Prov. 8. from 22. to 31. it was wrath-appeasing love Ephes 2.14 it was a Justice-satisfying Love Mat. 27.46 It was bleeding Love Luke 22.44 Heb. 9.12 It was dying Love Rom. 5.6 8. 3. The Spirit Loves you 1 Cor. 3.16 What shall I say more they all wrought equally in the Work of our Redemption and Salvation and this was Love again Oh ye Saints consider The World hates you John 15.18 19 20. Oh! therefore love one another it is enough Saints the Lord whips you but that is love too Heb. 12.6 But consider the Enemy hates therefore do you love let not Saints he smiting one another that is the work of the unprofitable Servant Oh! let not Saints come under this reproof to afflict the afflicted Zach. 1.15 Sion is now in the Furnace and Saints it is the great design of God to burn up this dross the want of love Zeph. 3.8 9. What shall I say more O love the Lord all ye his Saints and ye who love the Lord love one another Fourthly The Voice of God at this day speaks Saints to be Humble Dost thou hope to be exalted Saint then be Humble Psal 113.7 8. Numb 12.3 Wouldst thou have the Commendation of God then lie low humility will help thee to say less then the least of all Saints Ephes 3.8 Would you O ye Saints be taught of God be Humble Would you have God to dwell with you be Humble he takes care to revive the Humble I shall have done onely beging that God would imprint that word upon all our Souls Phil. 2.3 4. Let nothing be done through strife or vain-glory but in lowliness of Mind let each esteem others better then themselves A Word to the Faithful Unbyassed Reader as to the ensuing Treatise Friend Thou wilt find those things contained in this Treatise very soundly and sollidly handled thou wilt find but little of the inticing words of mans Wisdom but doubtless thou mayest find much of the Teachings of God in plainness of Speech As to the Author of it I have this to say That he hath been in the Furnace wherein I hope he hath lost much dross and so is become a Vessel more fit for his Masters use Reader What thou readest weigh in the Ballance of the Sanctuary and thou wilt find God speaks much by it If thou gettest nothing blame thine own heart for the Heart of man is deceitful If thou art a gainer give God the Glory and let the Author have thy Prayers The Treatise discovers the Carnal Mind what it is and to what it leads If thy Heart be Carnal tremble and be timely warned if by it thou findest thy self in a Spiritual Frame beg of the Lord to keep thee so To conclude be like the Noble Bereans which were more Noble than they of Thessalonica why because they searcht the Scriptures to see if those things which were spoken by Paul were so Now the God of Grace fill you with streams from that full Fountain the Lord Jesus Christ So prayes he who is the least of all Saints begging as he stands in need of a great part of your Prayers Benjamin Minzes The 16th day of the 11th Moneth 1662. The AFFLICTED and RETIRED Mans Meditations Concerning the EXCELLENCY of the SPIRIT c. A Discovery of the Carnal Mind ROMANS 8.5 To be Carnally minded is Death but to be Spiritually minded is Life and Peace I Shall omit what might be spoken unto the Verses going before my Text and immediately come unto the Words here mentioned to be spoken unto From whence two Things may be observed for the opening of the Words First The blessed Apostle makes mention of a twofold Mind and the Events thereof First he speaks of the Carnal Mind and tells us that tends to Death Secondly And when he comes to speak or make mention of the Mind truly Spiritual he tells us that tends unto Life yea such a kind of Life which is attended with Peace From the first Branch of the Text this general Position I shall lay down to be soberly and seriously weighed and considered Doct. 1. That such Persons who live in or feed upon the Carnal
Oftentimes it is that the eye affects the Heart something we may conclude was in the way Job 31.1 that made Job enter into a League or Covenant with his eye often it is so and by experience we find that if the eye be affected with Spiritual Objects the heart is engaged to those things that are truly Spiritual and Honourable As for Example When once the Spouse had got a true sight of Christ Cant. 3.4 She holds him fast and upon no terms will part with him A true sight of Christ doth produce Spiritual desires in the Soul after Christ that incomparable Object that you may see is evident by what she doth express Cant. 1.2 Let him kiss me with the kisses of his Mouth the Reason is at hand for his Love is better than Wine A sight of the Excellency of Christ indears her heart much to him and nothing short of Christ her dear Love will give her content that makes her to cry out Oh my Dove whose dwelling is in secret Cant. 2.14 let me see thy Face and hear thy Voice her Reason is for his voice is sweet and his countenance is comely Such is her Love to him that she glories in him And when she comes to speak of her Beloved Cant. 5.10 she gives this relation of him That he is the chiefest of ten thousand and if you come to comparisons there is none to be compared with him among all the Sons of men Christ is so beautiful to the Soul truly Spiritual that there is not so much as a spot for to be found about him Cant. 4.7 Oh! when the Soul comes for to cast up his accounts concerning him it amounts to this That Pretious Jesus the onely Object of its hearts delight is altogether lovely Cant. 5.16 full of beauty from head to foot That we may rightly understand who it is she has such an excellent approbation of her language is This is my Beloved yea this is my Friend Here is a lively Charactar of a Soul freed from the Carnal Mind whose Affections are setled and Heart is seated upon an Object very rare for delights Whose Honour and Beauty is unparalel'd Cant. 6.1 4. And that Soul that doth thus fall in love with Christ will fall out of love with all things short of Christ so that this is the onely means to come up unto this Blessed Attainment to have the mind freed from carnallity and truly exercised on things that are Spiritual The fourth Means to prevent a Carnal Frame of Heart Fourthly The fourth Means prescribed by which we may get into a spiritual Frame of Heart is to exercise our Thoughts on Spiritual Concernments Let us be much thinking upon what Christ hath done for us and likewise considering what we should be doing for him Jer. 31.3 Eze. 16 3. the thoughts of Christs enlarged Bowels of Love and Mercy to us should be as food to us that our minds might be feeding thereon and the more we exercise our thoughts thereon the more we shall take delight therein Christ's Love to us clearly seen and understood is that which will draw out our love to him We love him 1 John 4.19 sayes the knowing Apostle because he first loved us the love of Christ is a drawing love and when once Christ doth begin to draw by the cords of his Divine Love the Soul will be then ingaged to run after him Draw me and I will run after thee Cant. 1.4 Oh! when he comes to witness Divine drawings from above then will the Carnal Mind be banished out of the Soul and the Soul is ingaged in a new and better work it minds now a close pursuit after Christ who is pretious to him and in his esteem 1 Pet. 24. and by Faith sees him so to be for to them that believe Christ is Pretious If any should call this Truth into question the Answer is nigh wherein it doâ—h appear that Christ is Pretious First Christ is Pretious in his Person as was before expressed and sufficiently proved Secondly Christ is Pretious in his Power and glorious works in the Soul and it pleaseth the Father Col. 1.19 that in him should all fulness dwell In Christ is fulness of Love fulness of Light fulness of Peace fulness of Liberty fulness of Grace and fulness of Glory In a word all fulness is in him the onely Beloved of the Father who is full of Grace and Truth 1 John 17. So it is clear that Christ is Pretious Thirdly Christ is Pretious in his Promises there are given unto us exceeding great and pretious Promises that we may be thereby made partakers of the Divine Nature 2 Pet. 1.4 Luk. 12 33. such promises that gives us a â—ight and title unto the Kingdom Oh Pretious indeed Fear not little Flock it is your Fathers good pleasure for to give you the Kingdom Fourthâ—y Christ is Pretious in his Blood Oh! it is pretious Blood for it serves for the doing away of sin For we were not redeemed with corruptible things as Silver and Gold from our vain conversation received by tradition by our Fathers 1 Pet. 1.18 19. but with the Pretious Blood of Christ as of a Lamb without blemish or without spot Fifthly Christ is Pretioâ—s in his Word so it is Recorded The Word of the Lord was pretions in the dayes of Samuel the Prophet when there was no open Vision 1 Sam. 1.3 Sixthly Christ is Pretious in his Ordinances Oh! it was that which made the Prophet David so much desire them and long after them Psal 84 10. I had rather be a door keeper in the House of my God then dwell in the Tents of wicked men And this pretious Prophet wâ—s so much in love therein that he tells us his experience further in this matter One thing have I desired of the Lord Psal 27 4. and that will I seek after that I may dwell in the House of the Lord all the dayes of my life to behold the Beauty of the Lord and the Glory of his Temple And the more we injoy communion with God in his Pretious Ordinances the more shall we long and desire after them as this Servant of the Lord did Seventhly Christ is Pretious in his Rod so when he comes to afflict us his end is to try â—s that we might be found to praise and Honour for the Tryal of our Faith being much more pretious then of Gold that perisheth 1 Pet. 1 7. 1 Cor. 3.12 and though God try us by fire it shall prove for our good and advantage for by fire every mans work must be tryed of what sort it is The end of God is that we might be found to Praise and Honour and Glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ Eighthly Christ is not onely pretious in his Rod but in his Staff also as he sees it good with his Rod for to correct us so he hath his Staff also
consider what is our duty by no means fret but with patience wait for God will soon put an end unto their Carnal Honour and Glory and though they seem to flourish like the grass the Lord will cut them down Psal 37 2. and they shall wither like the green hearb so that the Carnal Mans Honour is here to day but gone to morrow grudge them not their Portion for alas it is their all and that all which is soon blasted and gone It is true the Carnal Man is in Honour but he understanding not the Honour of God Psa 49.20 he is like the beast that perisheth so take the Carnal Honourable man at the best he is but like a beast and though he hath that which the world calleth Honour in the little time of his Life he must have that which is in the account of God called dishonour in the hour of his death namely his Portion will be perishing take then the man whose Honour is Carnal at the best it must perish and the man shall go away like a blast and the best account the Prophet can give of Worldly Honour is this Psa 62.9 Surely men of low degree are vanity and when he comes for to speak of men of high degree the best he can say of them or their Honour is They are a lie and when he had gone the best way for to find them out putting of them in the Ballance there he finds them altogether lighter than vanity that so make the best of that Honour that some men will have though they lose their Souls with the gain thereof it is but a vain thing for God himself writes death upon it and then I pray tell me what is the state of that man but misery The third Dreadful State of the Carnal Minded man Thirdly As God doth send a blast upon the Carnal Mans Honour God will likewise write Death upon the Carnal Mans Pleasure A pleasurable or delicate Life so called by some is a dangerous kind of living apprehended by others that which by some is counted outward pleasure by others is witnessed to produce inward danger for to speak best or the most we can of such as make pleasure their Life are but dead while they live for so saith the Apostle She that liveth in pleasure 1 Tim. 5.6 or may be read delicate is dead while she liveth worldly pleasure is that which tends unto sorrow ye have lived in pleasure on the earth â—nd been wanton Oh but man mind the end of such a kâ—nd of Life and then tell me what men get by their pleasure when they have nourished their hearts as in the day of slaughter Jam. 5.5 if such who swim in worldly pleasure while others are oppressed and their Conciences burdened would consider James 5 8. the coming of the Lord draws nigh sure it may induce them to some serious and sober consideration of what will become of them in this Day of the Lord when they shall be Arreigned at the Bar of his Judgment Seat and there be charged by the Judge himself as one that is a lover of pleasures more then a lover of God 2 Tim. 3.4 wilt not thou be forced to cry Guilty my Lord and so pass under the Dreadful Sentence of Eternal Death without remedy as being one that is Convicted Judged and Condemned whose portion will be misery to all Eternity Oh! should not the consideration of these things that will certainly come to pass sooner or later disingage our hearts from Worldly Pleasure to be seeking after the Heavenly Treasure I shall close this Particular with the seasonable words of the Evangelical Prophet Isaiah which is pertinent to this Case the Lord grant it may he cordially imbraced and entertained by us Isaiah 47.8 Therefore hear now this thou that art given to pleasure that dwelest carelesly that sayest in thy heart I am and none else besides me I shall not sit as a Widow neither shall I know the loss of Children Oh! that we may candedly consider the Answer of God in this Matter to such created Comforts that we heap up unto our selves But these two things shall come unto thee in a moment in one day the loss of Children and Widow-hood vers 9. they shall come upon thee in their perfection for the multitude of thy sorceries and for the great abundance of thy enchantments ver 10. For thou hast trusted in thy Wickedness thou hast said None eye seeth me Thy Wisdom and thy Knowledge it hath perverted thee and thou hast said in thy heart I am and none else besides me ver 11. Therefore evil shall come upon thee thou shalt not know from whence it riseth And mischief shall fall upon thee thou shalt not be able for to put it off And desolation shall come upon thee which thou shalt not know All these things considered it must needs be concluded the câ—â—dition of such whose state is Carnal to be sad and Dreadful â—he fourth Dreadful State of the Carnal Minded man Fourthly As the Lord doth write the Sentence of Death upon the Carnal mans pleasure so he doth likewise write death upon all the Carnal Mans gain The Carnal Rich Man begins to settle his abode in what he hath and begins to lay down his Resolution what he is intended for to do his Riches flowes in upon him and the mans Intentions are for to build up but Gods Design is for to pull down the Carnal Man concludes to settle his Heart upon what he hath got or incroached unto himself Lu. 12.16 ver 17. ver 18. ver 19. ver 20. but God is resolved in the midst of all his Jollatry to summons in his Soul by the messenger of death and then the poor man must be gone and leave all his Wealth behind him and the man is like to be at a dreadful loss Soul Body and Carnal Gain all at one clap and God's approbation in this matter is He that layeth up Treasure for himself is not Rich towards God And he that will be rich who ever is poor ☜ and make no conscience how he gets his Riches shall be Poor when others are Rich that with a good Conscience have got their Riches That Person that gets outward gain with the loss of a good Conscience will find when he comes to cast up his accounts ☜ that he is a great looser by the bargain and his losse will not prove small but very great namely the losse of the best Commodity he hath namely his pretious Soul our dear Lord doth reason out the matter with us For what is a man profited Matt. 16.28 if he gain the whole World and lose his own Soul That man that gains the whole world with the loss of his Soul the man will prove an emenent loser in the end a broken Merchant who will never be able to trade more for if the Soul be lost the man 's quite undone
for ever whose Condition must needs be dreadful The fifth dreadful State of the Carnal minded Man Fifthly In a word God writes Death or a Curse upon all the Carnal mans Injoyments Let the carnal Man be in the City he is cursed there Deut. 28.16 ver 17. ver 18. ver 19. ver 20. if he be in the Field he meets with a curse there if his Basket and Store should Increase it 's attended with a curse yea though he should injoy the fruit of his Body and the fruit of his Land the increase of the Kine with the flocks of Sheep yet a curse â—s writ upon them all yea what ever he shall set his hand unto for to do the man meets with a curse That on the man who is in this Estate may be writ Magor Missabib that is Jer. 2 3 4. fear round about For behold I have made thee a Terror unto thy Self 1 Sam. 4.20 or this man may be called Ichabod which signifies There is no Glory or the Glory of God is departed from thee Woe unto that People or Nation from whom God is departed the Ark of God was the strength and glory of Israel and while the Ark was missing Israel could not conquer his and God's Enemies So the Ark of God's Promiâ—es is our Strength and Glory in which God is ingaged to us and we ingaged to him so long as we can find the Promises with us Isa 41.10 we shall conquer over our potent Enemies but if the Promise stand in right opposition against us then woe to us that man then may be said to be in a state of misery that doth live and die in the Spirit of Carnallity and the man must die to all Eternity Now all things considered argues the carnal minded Mans end to be sad and dreadful when God shall pronounce a Curse instead of an Everlasting Bless upon him The first Use of Exhortation Is it Death to be Carnally Minded be exhorted then oh poor Sinners for to make out after Christ to the end he may spirituallize thy Affections John 6.37 Oh! take not up thy Rest and abode short of Christ he 'l teach thee to settle thy Affections upon better Objects than the beggarly things of this Life upon the Soul-innobling Object namely himself who will be thy help and supply in all Conditions Oh! let us consider what is there here below that our hearts should so much delight therein all the Honour Riches and vain Pleasures of this Life or whatever the world can afford cannot procure one dram of true Peace or Refreshment upon a death-bed or in the great and dreadful day of the Lord Oh! Why is it we should delight in that which will not redound unto our good this may be a means for to help us for to think upon the pretious things of Eternity Mat. 25.34 the Honour and Glory that our Lord Jesus will invest his with in his heavenly Kingdom the Riches of Eternal Life with the unsearchable Pleasures of Heaven for ever The meditation of these things may conduce to the begetting of a better frame of heart Psa 16.11 than yet we have attained unto with the blessing of God Oh! then shall we have our Minds run forth unto the honour of God and the promoting of his Kingly Power and Dignity Oh! let us labour for to get our eyes fixed upon those Objects that are truly spiritual then at last we shall attain to a true delight in spiritual things we then shall be set free from the bondage of a Carnal Mind and have our Thoughts free for God to promote him as our Lord and King Oh! 1 Pet. 2.11 then we shall witness the Carnal Mind our burthen and we shall then imploy our selves on heavenly matters and heavenly concernments then we shall not give our Affections that scope and liberty to run as afore-time but they shall come up unto the bonds and limits of the Spirit Rom. 13.14 Oh! we shall then every day feel the living streams of heavenly Refreshments come in with such power and authority that the filthy Mud and Mire of the Carnal Mind shall be washed quite away and driven out with the Stream or Tide of God's divine Floods which shall come in his sanctifying Spirit which will be our guide to leade us into the lovely path of true Holiness where we shall meet with entertainment from the King of Glory who will bid us welcome into his Dominions and make us Citizens of his Metropoliton City the new Jerusalem Eph. 2.19 Heb. 12 22. being set free from our Carnal Mind we shall then be trading in a new Calling for Heaven where we shall get Riches in abundance in an honest Mind such kind of Wealth that none can rob us off Oh then Who would abide in the Carnal State to be undone for ever when there is such free trading for Heaven for all that are made free by Christ For John 8.36 if the Son shall make you free then are you free indeed Oh come Dear Heâ—rts let us use all lawful endeavours for to get our Hearts in Heaven more and then we shall affect the perishing things of this world less Oh! let us walk more to the honour of God and then we shall wound our poor Souls less let us fix our Eyes upon those things that will redound un o our Spiritual advantage and then we shall feel the Carnal Mind departing and giving up the ghost Come let the sweet and choice Concernments of our dear Lord take up our Hearts more and then we shall be intangled with the Carnal Mind-less Let us strive to walk in the lovely Path of Holinesse more and then we shall count it an undervalument to us to venture the hazard of our pretious Souls in the crooked path of the Carnal Mind where there is nothing but a wound to be had and Death at last Oh then it is that we shall bid farewel unto Carnal Friends and Carnal Things when God comes to take up his aboad in us and shew to us the danger thereof Oh! let this be much upon our Hearts to find out some way by which we may be enabled to shake off this Beast namely the Carnal Mind that makes us to swell up with the Poyson of Sin of all kind and in danger to die for ever Oh! come unto Jesus Christ and he will be thy help in this great Work and will set you free from the bondage you meet with by the Carnal Mind The second Use of Information This may inform us of the dismal State and miserable Condition of such who live and die in the Carnal Mind although God doth lend them outward Wealth yet he writes Death upon it and Woe also That Man is in a sad State that is Rich but not Rich towards God Prov. 23.5 alas Riches makes themselves Wings and in a moment flie away Oh! where is the poor man then left in
the mire his Riches will stand him in no stead in the day of Wrath Prov. 11.4 when God shall pass the dreadful Sentence of Death upon him Oh! how should this be as an Alarm before the judgment Day unto us all it may serve for the beating up of the Quarters of the Carnal Men of this World Oh! that it may be a means for to drive us out of our Carnal Security to make sure of a right grounded Evidence for heaven for no Evidence will pass in the day of the Lord but that which is sent by the hand of Christ and sealed by the Spirit What Christ said unto Jerusalem Luke 19.42 I shall say unto the Carnal Men of this World Oh! that you would consider in this your Day the things that tend unto your Peace before they be hid from your Eyes Oh! when will it once be that thou mayest shake hands wiâ—h all thy Carnal Wealth and bid adew unto it all yea with a cheâ—â—ful Heart say unto it farewel and say I have found out a better Friend that will stand me in more stead Oh! a Pearl of great worth that will make me rich for ever and oh that thou wert once forced for to say I would not be without Christ for a thousand Worlds Oh! that this might be the Language of a Carnal Man when he finds his Heart Running out to Carnallity giving of himself an heavenly check What is thy meaning Soul what undo thy Soul for a triffle what for a little Honour and Worldly Estimation when thou hast done all wearied out thy Body and hazzared thy Soul to all Eternity and when thou hast got all thou canst get of the World why thou hast got that which will melt away like Snow yea let me tell thee also upon the best of worldly Injoyments God hath writ Woe thereon Oh! What good will our outward Honour do us Jam. 5.1 when we must look the Judge in the Face and be accountable unto him how we came by it with our Consciences flying in our Faces as a swift witness against us in the Day of Christ I leave it unto the Right Honourable that are so titled in this World to consider This may inform all Carnal men that take pleasure in all Worldly Delights and Pleasure that God hath writ wo upon that also Oh Soul What a miserable man wilt thou be when thou shalt swim in thy Pleasures to Hell It is not thy Wealth Honour nor thy good Friends that thou hast boasted in in the Day of the Lord will stand thee in any stead Oh! if thou dost not make Christ thy Friend here thou art undone man for ever when God shall accuse thee thy Conscience Condemn thee and thou lying under the sentence of a Severe Judge Oh! of what use will any thing that the World can afford be unto thee Oh! let a word of Counsel be acceptable unto thee then and make hast after dear Jesus and cleave and cling about him for a better Heart and better Pleasures or else Soul thou must go into the Pit where there will be no ransom found for thee Psal 9.17 whilst thou remains in the Carnal Mind thou art going thither a pace in a full career to Hell Oh man thou art near the end of that uncomfortable journey and not sensible whither thou art a going The Lord awaken such with the powerful Raps of his Spirit and give them the Portion of an awakened Conscience with the gift of a better Heart and then it is that thou shalt attain unto a better Mind Alas man upon all thy ill-gotten goods and unlawful gain that thou hast got with a defiled Conscience God writes Death yea upon the Posts of thy Doors Isa 33.15 Gen. 3.8 Rev. 6.16 Numb 32.23 And where art thou then man What will become of all thy Gain of Oppression then when God shall enter into judgement with thee when thou shalt go about to hide thy self with thy Father Adam God will find thee out There is no Mountain will hide thee from the presence of the Lord then nor when thou betakes thy self unto the Rocks shalt thou find them a sufficient shelter to thee for go where thou wilt thy sin will find thee out Poor man thou hast got a very bad bargain of it for thy rising up early and going to bed late and eating the bread of carefulness when at last thou must by Gods everlasting decree turn down to Hell for ever Truly that man is but a miserable poor man that is outwardly rich but inwardly poor that hath for many years took care to feed his Body and live deliciously and in the mean time hath starved his Soul Oh! that the Lord would awaken such persons that they might not sleep the sleep of death but consider the Day that will overtake them as a Thief in the night Rev. 16 15. before it be too late Oh! that such would go to Christ and intreat his favour to reconcile them unto the Father and as a token of his love be very earnest with him for to bestow upon them the earnest of the Spirit as a Pledge and Token of his Favour which will prove an excellent help unto them to conquer and overcome the Carnal Mind a Rock upon which thousands have split themselves in the world a Sand that hath sunk many into perdition Oh! it doth much concern all persons that live in the Carnal Mind to make no stay but run with all speed with the blind man of the Gospel to Christ as he brought his blind eyes to Christ so do thou bring thy blind Mind and intreat the Lord Jesus to enlighten thee and help thee to a true sight of himself Jer. 29.13 to the end thou mayest have thy mind stayed upon him without doubt if thou seekest aright thou mayest obtain thy desire yea wo and misery to the Carnal Man for let him injoy what he will it is sent him with a curse as you have already heard Oh! this should teach us for to be careful how we come nigh the dwellings of such who are Carnal and to have no more to do with them then necessity requires Learn to love their Persons but to hate their sins pitty them pray for them and do them any good to help them forward to Christ if thou canst but let thy Soul abhor their wayes come not near their secrets and learn to Honour that God that sent his Son to die for thy good Oh! Learn to be out of love with thy Carnal Mind thy Carnal Heart thy Carnal Wealth thy Carnal Honour thy Carnal Pleasure thy Carnal Gain in a word all thy Carnal Injoyments yea every thing that hath the Stamp of Carnality upon iâ— Rom. 6.23 Oh! let us seriously take the words of Paul into consideration and I shall conclude The wages of sin is Death but the Gift of God is Eternal Life through Jesus Christ our Lord. A DECLARATION Of the EXCELLENCY
true sence of the same Secondly As the Spirit works up the Soul to a true sight and sence of sin so it makes the Soul out of love with sin Joseph without all doubt did injoy much of the assistance of the Spirit when he met with that sore temptation that was presented unto him by his Mistris who tempted him to uncleanness see Joseph's modest Answer to her wicked desire How shall I do this great evil Gen. 39 7 8 9. and sin against God An evident Testimony to prove the man out of love with sin for by no means can he condescend unto that which tends not unto the Glory of God We find David to be out of love with sin in as much as he doth declare his sorrow for sin Psal 38 18. The more we are in love with the Spirit the more we shall be out of love with sin the more the Spirit of God is at work in us the more sin shall be bewailed by us Poor Job makes a sad out-cry about his sin he cries out I have sinned what shall I do unto thee Job 7.20 O thou preserver of men Why hast thou set me as a mark against thee so that I am a burthen unto my self Mark Sin is to the Soul truly Spiritual become a burthen here is an evident Character of a Soul out of love with sin and such a Soul will say unto sin Hos 14 8. as Ephraim said unto his Idols Get ye hence sin get you out of my sight for there is a great contrariety between the Flesh and the Spirit the Spirit proclaimes open war against sin in the Soul the Spirit gives the first Onset and never leaves fighting till it comes away a Conqueror and so gets the Day Rom. 8.37 Job 33.27 28. and the Lord will preserve the Soul from going into the Pit and his life shall see the light if he shall say he hath sinned and perverted that which is writ and it profiteth me not all which must be by the help of the Spirit and if once the Spirit of God doth but enter the Castle of the Soul then all thy Carnal enemies must lay down their Arms and march out for the spirit will not admit of any under its command but such 〈◊〉 be obedient thereto oh then sin will not be thy love or deâ—ight but thou shalt see it an open enemy against God and the good of thy soul all no quarter shall it have from thee or entertainment by thee Rom. 8.7 when the spirit of God is upon thee Thirdly As it is the Work of the Spirit for to make us out of love with sin so it is the work of the Spirit to inform the Soul fully and freely of Christ It is the spirit of God that doth acquaint us with Christ's readiness to give it entertainment for the spirit in the Bride faith Come and drink of the Water of Life freely Rev. 22 17. it is the Word of God that tells us we may be welcome but it is the spirit of God that makes all welcome the free and full spirit of God is that which conveys life into the soul and makes the bitter waters that sometimes we meet with in the way to Heaven prove sweet Oh! it is the spirit that leads the soul unto the Water streams of Christs Divine Love and gives it a taste of his Excellent sweetness and begets a longing desire after Christ Oh! on such it is Christ intends to bestow his choisest Gift upon Rev. 21 6. I will give unto him that is a thirst of the Waâ—ers of Life freely such in whom the spirit doth beget this thirsting frame in the soul shall have the priviledge for to taste of the Living Water of Christ himself who is Living Water and what Christ doth he will do it freely the soul shall have the injoyment of the Living streams and his fill thereof if he will but come for it Oh! it is the spirit of God that will enjage a soul for to come unto Christ and it doth likewise beget a Holy Admiration in the soul of Christ that it cries out with David How excellent is thy loving Kindness Psal 36 7 8 9. O God Therefore the Children of Men put their trust under the shadow of thy Wings they shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy House and thou shalt make them drink of the Rivers of thy Pleasures for with thee is the Fountain of Life and in thy Light we shall see Light Such is the excellency of the spirit when it comes that it doth maintain the soul at a high rate with God the provision and royal entertainment that the soul finds in the House of God begets in the soul a dislike unto Carnal Inâ—oyments And if any person desires to be fed at this rate he must come unto Christ John 7.37 by the help of the spirit the way lies open for if any man thirst let him come unto me and drink and he shall witness in him the overflowings of Christ's sweet streams in his soul By this time you may plainly see the spirit gives us a full and free description of Christ the Excellency of his Love to us Fourthly As it is the Spirits work for to inform us of Christ so the Spirit doth beget in us a choice delight in Christ After the spirit hath given us a sight of Christ it begets in the soul a love or delight in Christ Oh! the spirit of God makes the soul in love with the very Courts of God and then it cries out with great Admiration Psal 84 1 2. How aimiable are thy Tabernacles O Lord of Hosts my Soul longs yea fainteth for the Courts of the Lord My Heart and my Flesh cryeth out for the Living God The spirit sets the soul in a holy flame yea in a longing frame after God and in an excellent frame to Praise God in a word it makes the soul for to esteem of God as its chief good Fifthly As the Spirit works up the Soul for to take delight in Christ so it helps the Soul for to walk unto the Honour of Christ Oh! the spirit is an excellent help unto a Christian to help him forward in the work of holy walking Psal 31 21. Blessed be the Lord said David for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness The spirit of God will direct a Christian in the way and not suffer him to walk out of it the spirit will also support him and comfort him in his Journey and make his way pleasant in the midst of all discouragements it meets with John 16 13. the spirit will not leave us in the dark in dubious matters it will teach the soul what course it must steer that it may arrive at the right Port at last the spirit will beget in us a still and quiet frame of Heart in all our storms we pass through that we may be in a fit capacity to hear what
pitch of attainment he is inabled to see a vanity in the love of the World a vanity in Worldly Riches Worldly Pleasures in a word the man who is annointed with the Eye-salve of Christ's love Rev. 3.18 sees all things short of Christ to be but vanity that give him what you will you give him nothing to his content except you give him Christ Character 3. To be Spiritually Minded is for to have an inlarged Heart for God and Godliness The very bent and intent of such a soul runs after the Lord and whatever things are True Phil. 4.8 whatsoever things are Honest whatsoever things are Just whatsoever things are Pure whatsoever things are Lovely whatsoever things are of good Report you shall have the spiritual man thinking of them and walking in them and that is the Path in which he doth delight to walk in Luke 1.6 if he can promote the Honour and Glory of God in what he doth it will be his great joy if not his great trouble Let him be in any Company whatsoever he will be giving out something that will tend unto the promoting of a Godly Life and if it cannot be digested the man is gone and if you would demâ—nd a Reason for the mans absenting he will tell you He hath but a little time for to Trade in and he must Trade for God The man truly Spiritual will tell you That the time past is enough and too much Gal. 5.16 that he hath spent in the lusts of the flesh and the pride of Life and if the Commodities of Heaven cannot go off with you and be digested by you he will of a suddain bid you adieu he will acquaint you what those Commodities are and will not leave you in the dark in the matter but you shall have very fair dealing from his hands the Commodities of Heaven are these Love Joy Peace Gal. 5.22 Long-suffering Gentleness Goodness Faith Meekness Temperance and the like What say you man Will you trade in these things time is pretious I must be gone Mat. 25 15. ver 16. ver 17. for I must be careful how I spend my golden opportunities he will tell us The Lord hath intrusted him with a Talent the which if he doth not improve God will deprive him of it therefore you must give in your result without delay What say you Soul Are you for Heaven if not farewel I must be gone here is no staying for me for all talking is a burthen to me that doth not tend to the promoting of God and Godliness Character 4. To be Spiritually Minded is for to have our Hearts much carried forth in the Meditation of the Law of God In this the Prophet David was an excellent and choice president when he speaks of the Law of God he tells us Psa 1.2 It was his Meditation Day and Night Oh! here is a man of Renown of a singular Spirit so much swallowed up with Heaven or the Heavenly Law that the Night as well as the Day Ps 119 97. must be taken up with the Meditations thereof When this good man had digested this Spiritual Art of Heavenly Meditations on the Holy Law of God Ps 119 72. Ps 119 127. he comes to give us a taste of the Excellency of it to the end that he might get the like affection in our Souls to God's Law as was in his own when he comes to give us an account of God's Law he tells us That it was more choice then Gold nay as if he had come short to set forth the worth of Gods Law he farther sayes of it It is more choice then fine gold Nay David doth acquaint us further of the time when he came to have such a choice tast and experience in God's Law Oh! in the hour of affliction it was for this account he gives us of his affliction Ps 119 67. Ps 119 71. saying It was good for me that I was afflicted or else I had gone a stray but now have I learned for to keep thy Law as if the onely time for to come unto a right understanding of Gods Law was in the hour of affliction This may teach us then not at any time to be afraid of affliction or Gods afflicting Hand for many times affliction doth prove an excellent help unto Christians for the inlarging of their Hearts for Heaven and that Soul who doth much Meditate upon the Law of God making it his daily delight is one that may be truly called a Spiritual Minded man who feeds on and dwells upon the things of the Spirit Fifthly Wherein is discovered the profit and Spiritual advantage that doth redound unto a Spiritual Minded man which is two-fold namely Life and Peace The first Priviledge of a Christian First To be Spiritually Minded is for to have a Knowledge of Christ and such as have a true Knowledge of Christ have life Eternal Joh. 17.3 This is Life Eternal that they may know thee the onely true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent The Knowledge of Christ being ours will prove profitable and comfortable in the Day of Christ Phil. 1.7 Luk. 1.47 Psal 23 1. Psal 28 7. Psal 84 11. Pro. 30.5 yea to know him for to be our Lord and the Son of God that dyed for us for we may know him and confess him to be the Son of God and yet go to Hell for all that for the Devils went so far but to have a true Knowledge of Christ is for to know him as Paul and the rest of the Worthies of Christ knew him that is to know him our Lord our Saviour our Shepherd our Rock our Shield our Buckler our strong Tower Oh! this knowledge doth Administer Comfort and Divine Consolation unto the Soul it makes Trouble sweet Prisons sweet nay Death it self sweet unto the Soul Oh! when it considers I am now going unto Christ my Saviour to reign with him for ever where I shall never grieve the Spirit more where I shall never offend my God more where I shall never have my Communion with Christ eclipsed more where I shall never witness the loss of Grace more where I shall never tast of Death more Psal 16 11. where I shall never witness Christs absence more Oh! this is a blessed knowledge that conducts the Soul into Life Eternal The second Priviledge of a Christian Secondly To be Spiritually Minded is to be free from sin and such are the Servants of God who brings forth the fruit of Holiness whose end tends to Life Such may be termed Christ's Free-men John 8.36 Rom. 8.2 Rom. 6.22 who trade in the rich Commodities of the things above such are in a great measure freed from sin finding of it such a drug that they will have no dealings with it upon any terms it being a Commodity that redounds unto them no profit but will lie upon their hands to their great prejudice and disadvantage it lying dead upon
good to manifest thy Light Christ Ezek. 16.4 John 14.16 John 15.10 My Skirt of Love I spred on thee thy nakedness to hide That my sweet prensence thou might'st see and with me might'st abide Christian Thy eye of pitty to me was made known at a high rate In washing me from filth that day and life thou did'st create Christ When I past by and saw the lie Eze. 16.6 7 polluted in thy blood In love to thee I did draw nigh and holp thee for thy good Christian Oh! praised be thy great high Name for what thou didst for me Thy tender Love I must proclaim and what of thee I see Christ A conversation choice and sweet Phil. 1.27 Amos 4.12 will honour me indeed Oh! then I will thy poor Soul meet on Manna thou shalt feed Christian Oh! help me Lord to live to thee a Godly Holy Life And in Communion let me be indeed thy married Wife Christ Isa 54.5 John 6.37 Cant. 7.10 A Husband then I 'le be to thee for none I will cast out That doth in truth now come to me thine I am without doubt Christian How shall I know Lord thou art mine and I am one with thee The perfect Union let me find and now united be Christ Isa 43.1 Jer. 31.33 Jer. 31.3 I know thy name Oh! thou art mine in Covenant we be My love indeed shall not decline more of it thou shalt see Christian Of Covenants two Lord we do read In thy most Blessed Word Which of them Lord hast thou now made to me O Blessed God Christ My Covenant that I have made Jer. 31.31 Heb. 8.10 Jer. 31.32 is new and choice also Not like to that of Israel's said they brake yea long agoe Christian What difference pray may there be between the Old and New The difference Lord Oh! let me see let 's know what we must do Christ The Old it comes from Mount Sina Gal. 4.24 Mich. 4.2 Gal. 4.26 a Covenant of Works The New it comes from Mount Zion a Covenant of Grace Christian Doth God require no works of me that by them I may live That by my works may Heaven see Or for my works he 'l save Christ No works at all do I require Ephes 2.9 Tit. 3.5 Rom. 5.1 1 John 1.7 nor can they produce Life But Faith in me doth God require it 's I must end the strife Christian The terms of thy sweet Covenant dear Lord What may they be Let 's understand Oh! out of hand come let us know of thee Christ The Covenant of Grace it is conditions on my part Jer. 31.33 Heb. 8.10 Wherein I am ingag'd to thee to write upon thy Heart My Royal Law of Grace indeed and be to thee a God Psal 32.8 Luke 1.97 Thou unto me a People be I 'le also be thy guide As for thy sins and transgressions no more will I remember Jer. 33.34 Isa 43.25 But will make known to thee I own a blotting out for ever Christian My Love my Lord my King my Choice thy path let me behold And daily hear thy lovely voice thy love to me unfold Christ Cant. 2.4 Into my banquetting-house come and take thy fill my Love Cant. 4.8 Of Flagons sweet I will thee meet and there embrace my Dove Cant. 2.6 The banner of my love display I will on thee indeed Cant. 2.5 And quickly come I 'l not delay on apples thou shalt feed Christian My Love my Dove my Joy my Crown oh come oh come away The Foxes spoil thy Church renown make hast and do not stay Rev. 21.2 My Bride I come with motions swift my Vineyard to maintain Cant. 2.15 Psal 2.6 The Fox I 'l slay my crowning day my Kingdom I shall gain Christian Oh Bridegroom dear when thou appear my robes do thou put on And cause my Lamp to burn most clear and with thee make me one Christ 1 Joh. 2.20 My Bride the unction thou shalt have that will thy Lamp here trim Mat. 25.4 Joel 2.28 And cause thy Light to shine most bright this oyl I will put in Mat. 25.10 The door against thee shall not shut but entrance thou shalt have Mat. 25.12 Mat. 25.8 When other Virgins be kept out for oyl they then will crave When they for oyl shall make a-do Mat. 25. thy Bridegroom then will come And in the kingdom thou shalt be when oyl they shall find none Christian Dear Lord oh hear the cries and groans that the oppressed make And hearken to the daily moans their bonds oh do thou break Psal 23.4 Christ My present rod shall prove for good to humble them thereby Deut. 8.16 Then privy search I 'l make for blood Rev. 6.10 and all my foes shall dy Isa 10.10 The work on mount Sion must be before that I will come Then will I break Assyrians heart and ruine Babylon Christian Come Lord and purge thine own people by thy refining fire Let affliction refine us clean as thou dost now desire Christ That is my end in what I do in love I do chastise Rev. 3.19 Micah 6.8 Isa 48.18 That better fruit you may bring out and learn for to be wise Christian Thy wisdom Lord oh from above let me enjoy I pray Then love I shall the Turtle Dove and him obey this day Christ My wisdom pure and peaceable Jam. 3.17 thou shalt possess indeed That teaches thee gentle to be Jam. 3.17 and on it thou shalt feed Christian How long thy absence shall I see thy presence I desire Oh when in Canaan shall we be and walk with thee entire Christ My Love the glorious land is near 2 Sam. 22.19 Isa 52.9 10 my presence thou shalt see And in my bosom thou shalt ly there thee and I will be Christian It is my grief and sorrow great that a stranger I be That I indeed cannot relate what I would have of thee Christ Rev. 22.1 2 Psal 36.8 Psal 46.4 Thy wants I know supply shall come yea from the living tree The Rivers of my love shall run and comfort thou shalt see Christian When thou dost speak I do forget thy message choice and sweet Therefore to me afford some help oh Lord I do intreat Christ John 14.26 Luk. 1.78 79. Luk. 1.75 I am at hand poor soul indeed thee memory I will give Yea by the hand I will thee lead as long as thou dost live Christian My burthen Lord is very great that earthly things I mind Oh help me Lord I do intreat thy presence let me find Christ Col. 3.3 Psal 94.19 Psal 27.4 Isa 35. last On things above oh thou my love delight thou shalt therein And live with me yea day by day and Hallelujah sing Christian Dear Lord arise and manifest thy power and thy might Pull Babel down and wear the Crown put Babylon to flight Christ Rev. 3.11 Rev. 18.4 Rev. 14.1
My day is near oh do not fear for Babel that shall down And gloriously I will appear in glory and renown Christian When Lord shall I behold the day that Zion shall rejoyce And Judah then the Scepter sway come let us hear thy voice Christ Isa 32.1 Jer. 31.7 Isa 51.1 Behold the day is very nigh my kingdom I must have Zion shall sing and eke rejoyce the Captives I will save Christian Come Jesus come come quickly Lord we long to see thy Face Oh! do not stay we do the pray and furnish us with Grace Christ My Grace to you I will afford Psal 84.11 2 Cor. 1.3 Cant. 1.13 and comforts of all kind For you with me shall bed and board and know more of my mind Christian Oh! take me up in ravishment and let me take my fill That die I may to earth this day and witness Heavenly skil Christ Soul take thy fill abundantly Cant. 5.1 Isa 40.11 Hab. 3.18 on Heaven feed then more And in my Father's Bosom lie and joy in him therefore Christian To Heaven Lord how shall I get there do I long to be That with my Father I may sit the Earth no more may see Christ I am the way by which you may obtain to your desire John 14.6 Psal 37.4 1 Cor. 3.13 And if to Heaven you go this day you must pass through the fire Christian That would I do rather than lose my Fellowship indeed With Father Son and Angels choice and Manna Angels food Christ Come Soul then follow me this day a Kingdom thou shalt gain Mat. 16.24 Luk. 12.32 Isa 1.19 If that thou do my Law obey the Father's Love obtain And liberty thou shalt in joy Rev. 12.8 9 Rev. 20.2 Rev. 14.3 from sin and Satan too Then my high Praises thou shalt sing and taste of Heavenly dew Where joyes there are for evermore Isa 35.10 sighing shall fly away Rev. 21.4 Psal 65.1 Come of this joy now taste therefore and praises sing alway Rev. 19.6 Isa 42.8 2 Tim. 2.12 Yea Hallelujah you shall sing this Glorying none shall stain And you shall be ever with me and with me you shall reign CHRIST THE Afflicted Christians RELIEF Christ COme thou afflicted Soul to me Psal 18.27 Ps 119.71 Num. 20.12 and I will thee relieve I 'le make afflictions sweet to thee if in me thou believe Afflicted Dear Lord I come make hast to help on thee I do depend My God thou art come cleanse my heart and also me defend Christ Psal 34.15 Ps 119.67 Hos 11.4 Rom. 5.5 Soul I am nigh to hear thy cry and sanctifie I will Thy affliction and will make known my Love come take thy fill Afflicted Oh! Pretious Lord now grace afforâ— to me I do thee pray And let thy Rod now prove for good that I may thee obey Christ Afflicted Soul hold up thy head Luke 21.28 John 16.13 Psal 37.11 my Grace it is at hand By my sweet Spirit thou shalt be led thou shalt injoy the Land Afflicted Sweet Lord Oh! When wilt thou begin my wearied Soul to chear Come me revive and make alive Oh Jesus now appear Christ I come dear heart for to impart Rev. 22.12 Lam. 3.24 Isa 53.3 a Portion choice and sweet Thy Soul I 'le chear Oh do not fear though troubles thou do meet Afflicted My Portion Lord Oh! wilt thou be that on thee I might stay Come signifie Lord unto me my God thou art this day Chr. Afflicted Soul I have made choice Hos 14.4 Isa 48.10 Deut. 8.16 of thee to love indeed In the Furnace of Affliction for of it there is need Afflict True Lord afflictions are needful by them teach me to mend My life that I reform'd may be yea now unto the end Chr. My Spirit on thee will I bestow Joel 2.28 Mal. 3.2 Hos 2.20 John 16.13 that doth reform indeed Then to the end thou shalt me know my Spirit shalt thee lead Afflict Dear Lord Oh come now give it out the Clouds gather a pace And put an end unto all doubt come help me run thy race Chr. Afflicted Soul I come I come Rev. 3.11 the Clouds they shall dispel Cant. 2.17 Resolve I will thy doubts Oh then Rev. 21.3 and with thee I will dwell Oh! welcome Lord thou art to me let thee and I not part The more of thee that I now see is Joy unto my Heart Chr. All Troubles hear come do not fear Psal 34.6 Luk. 12.32 Psa 118.8 I 'le put them to an end My reigning day is very near on me therefore depend Afflicted Dear pretious Lord on Earth there 's none that trust I can put in But only thee and thee alone who art indeed my King Chr. Soul do not fear I will draw near Rev. 3.11 Rev. 19.7 Psa 115.1 my Kingdom for to take If thy trust be alone in me of it thou shalt partake Afflicted It is my Burden Lord indeed and sore Affliction too That more on thee I do not feed and witness thy sweet dew Chr. Come my Table is richly deck'd Psa 36.8 Rev. 22.17 James 4.8 with Dainties of all kind And welcome thou may'st be to me and my sweet Presence find Afflicted Thy Presence Lord is that I want I fain would it obtain Thy Dainties choice I relish not makes me for to complain Chr. Come Soul and taste a little then Psal 34.8 Psal 36.7 Psal 30.5 for sweetness thou shalt find In what I give and thou shalt live and to thee I 'le be kind Afflicted Lord to my Sorrow my Soul loaths thy Honey and thy Combe And with thy Food I cannot close nor think thou wilt me own Chr. A hungry and a thirsting frame Psa 42.1 2. Cant. 5.1 Cant. 7.11 on thee I will bestow My pleasant Meat thou then shalt eat and with me thou shalt go Afflicted Lord let me feel now Nourishment in Bonds and Misery Let me not sink but on thee think who art true Liberty Chr. I will arise for thy relief Psa 9.9 Isa 41.10 and free thee in due Season Uphold I will thy Soul now still and bring thee out of Prison Psal 146.7 Afflicted Darkness dear Lord in me dispel come manifest thy Power And in sweet Canaan let me dwell in this afflicting hour Chr. My Light shall come waite for me then and Canaan thou shalt see Psa 97.11 Rev. 21.4 Rev. 21.25 Then Affliction quite shall be gone thy night then day shall bee Afflicted Thou day Star when wilt thou arise my Soul for to revive And with thy Wisdom make me wise that I may daily thrive Chr. Out of the Rod Sweetness shall come my Teaching choice also Prov. 29.15 Psal 23.4 Mal. 4.2 I will arise for thee my Son the Nations shall it know Afflicted Prepare O Lord thine Afflicted that ready we may be Thee to attend and us defend From Satans Cruelty Chr. I will you
keep as my dear Sheep Satan shall not you harm Isa 49.11 Psal 121.5 vers 7. And you shall be preserv'd by me in the most dreadfull storm That on the Earth shall surely come before that I appear Joel 3.16 Rev. 2.10 Isa 41.10 To try all those that I have chose you have no cause to fear Afflicted Our trouble is that thou seems strange unto thy Heritage And lets them be a daily Prey to Beasts that are savage Chr. Isa 54.7 8. Deut. 8.16 Isa 3.12 Isa 61.1 Though for a time I do seem strange that humble they may be I will appear their Souls to chear and bring sweet Liberty Isa 54.11 The Afflicted and tossed Ones with tempest very high vers 12. Shall comfort find I will be kind vers 13. and they shall magnifie Luk. 1.46 vers 47. Psa 20.7 My great and glorious name indeed for in me they shall trust And in Canaan they then shall be I am their God most just Isa 54.1 Zeph. 3.14 verse 15. Rev. 3.21 Then the Afflicted shall rejoyce and never more complain But hearken will unto my voice then they with me shall reign A WORD to the REMNANT OF THE VVomans Seed 1. OH Virgin Daughter of Zion Zeph. 3.14 rejoyce in thy dear King The marriage Day is nigh at hand verse 15. then Praises thou shalt sing Rev. 19.7 2. Thy Bridegroome choice thou shalt behold Mat. 25.6 and in his Bosome be His tender Love he will unfold Isa 40.11 Oh! thou his Bride shalt see Rev. 21.9 3. Though Clouds are here come do not fear Isa 42.16 thy Lord he is at hand Jam. 5.9 And gloriously he will appear though we are at a stand Col. 3.4 4. Come do not doubt for you shall shout because of Zions King Isa 12.6 Zech. 9.9 Ps 72.9 11 His Foes shall bend though they are stout and Praises you shall sing 5. The Lamb is nigh come magnifie Rev. 21.23 his Name and Works Oh! then His glorious Cause shall never die Psa 74.22 Hab. 2.3 but will revive again 6. Though in the Grave it seem to lie Psa 72.7 Psal 2.6 Psal 89.27 Psal 72.8 the day is nigh at hand That God his Cause will magnifie for Christ must rule the Land 7. Ps 2.2 3.4 5. Ob. 15.17 18 21 Rev. 18 8 9 10 11 Though Christ's Foes plot and do contrive his Cause for to prevent Yet sure it will at last revive his Foes shall then lament 8. The Resurrection Day is nigh Mat. 28.1 5 6. with Mary wait oh then And at the sweet Sepulchre lie till you hear of your King 9. Gen. 22.15.9 Rev. 1.7 Cant. 5.10 For in the Mount God will be seen all clouds shall pass away On this God sets an high esteem Oh! Israel this day 10. Though Bonds Imprisonments befal Psal 69.33 Psal 79.11 Psal 146.7 God's Heritage this day A loud unto the Lamb let 's call for Liberty I pray 11. Psal 9.12 Psal 34.15 Ps 145.19 Let bitter cries attend the Throne Oh Remnant of the Lord And never let our God alone until our cries are heard 12. Come be in pain and travel then Oh Zion in this day Mich. 4.10 Isa 62.6 7. And no rest take till God create deliverance I pray 13. Isa 66.7 8. Isa 9.6 Psal 45.6 7 When travelling throws do come a-pace conclude the Mercy nigh The Man-child then he shall be King his Name let 's Magnifie 14. Psa 132.18 Psal 45.3 4 Psal 72.11 Upon his heâ—d the Crown shall sit and flourish too also In Tryumph and in Glory let this all the Nations know 15. Dan. 2.44 Dan. 7.26 vers 15 17. 2 Sam. 18.9 Then Govern shall the King of Kings in opposition to Usurpers all and they shall fall with Absolon his crew 16. Psalm 2.6 Pfal 72.2 Christ's Crowning Day is very nigh lift up your heads oh then His Majesty now Magnifie Oh Children of the King vers 15 17. 17. The Adonijah's they must down King Solomon must reign 1 Kin. 1.13 Zech. 3.9 For Christ alone must wear the Crown their Glory he will stain 18. The Royal Robes Christ must put on and on the Throne shall sit Rev. 1.13 Isa 61.10 Rev. 3.21 Rev. 4.4 Before his Majesty shall stand his chosen and Elect. 19. Upon his Royal Throne shall sing Mat. 24.30 31. Rev. 11.15 Re 19.4 5 6 his Angels round about His chosen then to him shall bring a Hallelujah shout 20. And magnifie his Statute Law Isa 2.2 3. Psal 45.11 Zeph. 3.8 vers 17. That from Sion shall come Him thou obey our King alway who is the Holy One. 21. His Law proclaim set forth his fame in all the Earth throughout Psal 45.2 Psal 27.8 Psal 31.23 And evermore love Christ therefore with Hallelujah shout 22. Babel shall down Christ our renown Tryumphingly shall reign Gen. 11.8 9 Ps 45.3 5 6 Ps 71.8 9. Pharaoh must die his crew shall fly before King Solomon 23. The rightful Heir unto the Crown Psal 89.27 28. Psal 2.6 8. Zach. 9.9 of all the Nations here His Majesty up now let 's cry our Lord the King is near 24. The Scarlet Whore shall not no more deceive the Nations then Rev. 17.1 vers 4 8. Her Cup of Gold Christ will unfold poyson to be within 25. Babylon shall fall her Merchants call Rev. 29.2 vers 15 16. Ps 146.10 for help when there is none Dagon shall down Christ in renown shall reign upon his Throne AN EXHORTATION to SAINTS AS SAINTS To Love one another 1. COme all you chosen of the Lord Ps 133.1 vers 2 3. that on the Lamb attend Oh! learn to walk with one accord unto Christ's Scepter bend 2. Oh! let the Golden Rule of Love now square our Actions here Gal. 6.16 Col. 3.2 Come learn the art to live above till Christ our King appear 3. And in the lovely Path of Love Isa 30.21 Ephes 5.1 let us delight to walk Oh! imitate dear Christ our dove yea of sweet Canaan talk 4. Jer. 9.24 Ephes 4.2 vers 3. 13 Love is indeed God's great delight come walk in Love Oh then And learn in truth for to unite it is a comely thing 5. It doth adorn our profession Gal. 5.13 John 14.16 1 John 5.3 that of the Lamb we make And makes us free yea day by day his work to undertake 6. 1 Cor. 3.7.6 Gal. 5.22 Rom. 12.9 Col. 3.4 If love indure it will procure great joy and peace also If it be pure we shall be sure to live with Christ the Roe 7. Love is the thing that doth fulfil 1 Pet. 1.22 Rom. 13.18 Rom. 10.10 1 Cor. 13.7 the Royal Law of God And doth ingage the Soul now still to bear the Fathers Rod. 8. Oh! love is that which doth adorn John 13.34 1 Cor. 13.7 Gal.