I confesse 't is a very sad thing to see any that seemed Lights in the Firmament to prove Meteors and falling stars But though some fall yet through Grace many stand and continue faithful to the end There was a Judas among our Saviours own Disciples and yet it followes not from thence that any of the rest were such The fals of some professors should teach us not to be high-minded but continually jealous over our own hearts We should be exceeding humble and cease from trusting in our selves and put all our trust in God to be kept by his power through Faith unto Salvation The Devil aimes all he can to foil professors If he can but foil one of them he blurs their profession makes others shie of it and so advances his own Kingdom mightily Therefore the fall of some should not discourage us but make us more humble and watchful and cause us often to examine our hearts whether Gods Glory be our aim and end and whether we do in humility and integrity walk before him Obj. 8. God is merciful We see Mercy was afforded to the thief on the Crosse a little before his death Sol. 1. 'T is an example without a promise Here is an example of a late repentance but where have we a promise that God will give repentance at last to such as go on in a long course of sin 'T is not examples but the promises of God that is a foundation for Faith to build upon 2. This was an extraordinary time What if our Saviour on this extraordinary occasion was pleased by this rare Miracle of Mercy to honour his Crosse will this afford any ground of hope that he will do so ordinarily and especially to wilfull sinners 3. We do not find that this thief had ever known Christ before or had ever neglected or refused any offers of Grace made unto him Thou hast little reason to plead this who sittest daily under the calls and intreaties of the Gospel This case will minister little comfort to thee if thou goest on in thy sins I come now in the third place to give some Directions to such as are willing to be advised in this matter of so much concernment to them I Let them take heed of those things that usually undo young people Such are 1. Carelesnesse want of consideration and laying to heart the things that most concern them going on in a dissolute negligence without ever asking themselves what their state and condition to God ward is 2 An eager following youthful lusts and sensual pleasures Therefore the Apostle exhorts 2 Tim. 2.22 To flee youthful lusts 1 Pet. 2.11 As pilgrims and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul Let them consider that the feet of those lusts that have carried away and buried millions of other young persons in perdition stand ready to carry them the same way if preventing Grace come not in to deliver them 3. Pride of wit parts strength beauty c. 4. A headinesse and wilful obstinacy against good counsel Carnal reason flesh and blood are usually young mens counsellors and very bad Ones 5. Slighting religion and whatever is serious as too strict for them 6. Putting the day of death far from them and flattering themselves with hopes of long life 7. Ill company that great snare of the Devil 8. Comparing themselves with such as are worse than themselves thinking that an excuse for them that others are worse II. Let them be especially careful to be well grounded in the Principles of Christian Religion If there be a good foundation of saving knowledge laid in their minds betimes so that they throughly understand how the Religion they professe is grounded on the Scriptures they will not be like children easily tossed to and fro with every wind of Doctrine as too many now a daies are And for this purpose I refer them to the first Part of this Treatise containing the Principles of right Knowledges III. Let them labour to understand betimes wherein the chief happinesse of man consists namely in the pardon of his sins a gracious frame of heart and communion with God Every one naturally desires to be happy but people commonly mistake the way to it Therefore it highly concerns all young persons to be early acquainted and deeply possessed how they may steer a right course both to be happy here and hereafter IV. Let them acquaint themselves well with the Scriptures be much in secret prayer and self-reflexion keep close to the publick Ordinances and listen to the awakenings of Gods Spirit they shall meet with in them V. Let them take heed of sinning against Conscience When Conscience saies do it not let them listen to that voice let them labour to keep their Consciences tender VI. Let them decline such occasions and temptations as they foresee are like to ensnare them and especially ill company which hath ruin'd Thousands VII Let them acquaint themselves with serious sober minded and experienced Christians From such they may reap exceeding great benefit VIII And Lastly Let them take heed of Spiritual pride which hath thrown down many young professors from a great hopefulnesse Let them remember the Devil will attempt if it be possible to foil them by drawing them either into some erroneous Doctrines or some scandalous practices Let them therefore be sure to set the Glory of God before their eyes and endeavour to walk humbly with God suspecting themselves and leaning on his goodnesse to preserve them from falling Eccles 12.1 Remember now thy Creatour in the daies of thy youth while the evil daies come not nor the years draw nigh when thou shalt say I have no pleasure in them Prov. 8.17 I love them that love me and those that seek me early shall find me Prov. 22.6 Train up a child in the way which he should goe and when he is old he will not depart from it Psal 119.9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way by taking heed thereto according to thy Word Tit. 2 6. Young men likewise exhort to be sober-minded 2 Tim. 2.22 Flee also youthful lusts but follow righteousness faith charity peace with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart 1 Kings 18.12 But I Obadiah thy servant fear the Lord from my youth 2 Chron. 34.3 For Josiah in the eighth year of his reign while he was yet young began to seek after the God of David his Father c. 2 Tim. 3.15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto salvation 2 John v. 4. I rejoyced greatly that I found of thy children walking in the Truth as we have received a Commandment from the Father Psal 32.9 Be ye not as the Horse or as the Mule which have no understanding whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle lest they come neer unto thee Jer. 22.21 I spake unto thee in thy prosperity but thou saidst I will not
hear this hath been thy manner from thy youth that thou obeyedst not my voice Prov. 1.24 Because I called and ye refused I have stretched out my hand and no man regarded V. 25. But ye have set at nought all my counsel and would none of my reproof V. 26. I also will laugh at your calamity I will mock when your fear cometh Lev. 19.32 Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head and honour the face of the old man and fear thy God I am the Lord. Isa 3.5 And the people shall be oppressed every one by another and every one by his Neighbour the child shall behave himself proudly against the ancient and the base against the honourable So much of the Duties belonging to Young persons I come now to speak to the Ancient The main and principal care of those that are in years should be to make all strait and even between God and their own soules to secure their state in Grace and their Title to Glory For their Sun is setting their race is almost run Though the younger may die yet the old must die and after death comes judgment Let all ancient persons therefore take these following Particulars into their serious consideration I. The case of all old people that are yet in an unconverted state is very sad and dangerous For 1. This world and the contentments thereof are in a manner done with them The evil daies are come upon them wherein they must needs say they have no pleasure in them 2. Usually they labour under many weaknesses and bodily infirmities If they have not the comfort of a good Conscience to support them and to be the staffe of their age how exceeding miserable must they needs be 3. If they have lived long under the means of Grace and continued unconverted till old age 't is a hundred to one whether they ever be converted or no. 'T is rare to hear of any that have gone on in a long course of carelesseness and security and been habituated and hardned in sin that in their old age have turned to God See the Reasons before mentioned p. 510. 4. If they die in their sins they will receive a greater condemnation The furnace will be hotter for them than for young sinners They have contracted a greater debt The heap of their sins is greater Certainly it will be more tolerable in the day of judgment for Er and Onan who were cut off betimes in their sins than for sinners that are threescore or fourscore years old If the Judge at the Assizes do meet with an old theef or an old cut purse that have had many warnings and still go on in their wickednesse they seldom scape Let all old impenitent sinners think of this How may God say of such Heer 's an old covetous worldly-minded man an old swearer or drunkard an old hater of Godlinesse and slighter of Religion an old ignorant carelesse wretch a neglecter of Family-duties one that should have instructed his children and servants and bred them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord but in stead thereof has given them an ill example and done me a great deal of dishonour c. I have forborn him fourty fifty sixty years He has often quenched the good motions of my Spirit my Ambassadors could never prevail with him to leave his sins Now therefore O ye evil Angels this day this week this year require his soul of him and bring him to judgment O how exceeding sad is the case of an old unconverted man or woman II. Nothing is more to be admired at than that ancient people should go on in their sins not minding speedily and seriously to turn to God For 1. The lease of their lives is almost expired And is it not a strange madnesse they should make no provision for another world 2. They have many warnings they must go hence dim eyes feeble legs trembling joynts Eccles 12.3 The Sun and the Light is darkned the keepers of the house tremble the strong men bow themselves the grinders cease c. Their bodily weaknesses warn them they must not ftay long here 3. They have but a little time to watch and the Bridegroom will come and if they get not Oyl into their lamps now they will be for ever shut out III. Though their condition be very sad and dangerous yet it is not desperate if they will yet bestir themselves For let them consider these four things 1. God hath declar'd a greater delight in the conversion of sinners whether young or old than in their destruction and damnation Ezek. 33.11 Say unto them as I live saith the Lord God I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked but that the wicked turn from his way and live turn ye turn ye from your evil waies for why will ye die O House of Israel 2. The promises of God do stand in force and will be made good to repenting returning sinners whether young or old True Repentance is never too late but late repentance is seldom true All sorts of sins are pardonable to reall penitents and true believers 3. There is efficacy and vertue enough in Christs blood to cleanse not only young but old sinners from all their sins 4. Christ is willing to accept old sinners if they will repent and forsake their sins and really turn to him and close with him on his own terms being willing to take him not only for their Saviour but for their Lord and King and to yield up themselves in sincere obedience to him and to be guided and governed by his Grace and holy Spirit Christ did not come to save men by bringing them to Heaven in their ungodlinesse or to Glory in their sins but to destroy their sins that would keep them out of Glory IV. Though ancient people that have gone on in a long course of ignorance carelessness neglect of God and the concernments of their souls should be convinced they are at present in a bad condition in an unconverted state yet it does not thence follow they must needs so continue and utterly and finally despair but they should awaken themselves delay no longer and speedily set themselves to get out of this miserable condition while there is a possibility of escaping the danger of it 'T is no folly to be wise for their souls to be wise for Eternity at last Therefore let them remember now if ever V. They should be exceeding careful they do not deceive themselves with ill grounded hopes of Heaven peesuming it will go well with them in the other world when they have no reall foundation for such a confidence A false ungrounded hope is but a dream of a waking man If a condemned Malefactor should frame a pardon for himself in the prison and think to be saved by that would it not prove a miserable cheat put upon himself Does it not concern every one therefore to consider whether the hope of pardon and forgiveness they pretend unto
there is not a word in my tongue but Lo O Lord thou knowest it altogether Acts 15.18 Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world Infinitely Wise 1 Tim. 1.17 Now unto the King eternal immortal invisible the Only wise God be Honour and Glory for ever and ever Amen Rom. 11.33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God How unsearchable are his judgements and his waies past finding out Rom. 16 27. To God Only wise be glory through Jesus Christ for ever Amen Infinitely Holy Isa 6.3 And one cried unto another and said holy holy holy is the Lord of Hosts the whole earth is full of his Glory Rev. 4.8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him and they were full of eyes within and they rest not day and night saying Holy Holy Holy Lord God Almighty which was and is and is to come Isa 57.15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth Eternity whose Name is holy I dwell in the high and holy place with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit to revive the spirit of the humble and to revive the heart of the contrite ones 1 Pet. 1.16 Because it is written be ye holy for I am holy Just Job 34.10 Therefore hearken unto me ye men of understanding far be it from God that he should do wickednesse and from the Almighty that he should commit iniquity V. 11. For the work of a man shall he render unto him and cause every man to find according to his waies V. 12. Yea surely God will not do wickedly neither will the Almighty pervert judgment Jer. 9.23 Thus saith the Lord let not the wise man glory in his wisdome neither let the mighty man glory in his might let not the rich man glory in his riches V. 24. But let him that glorieth glory in this that he understandeth and knoweth me that I am the Lord which exercise loving kindnesse Judgement and Righteousnesse in the earth for in these things I delight saith the Lord. Deut. 32.4 He is the Rock his work is perfect for all his waies are Judgment a God of truth and without iniquity just and right is he Gen. 18.25 Shall not the judge of all the earth doe right Merciful Psal 119.68 Thou art good and doest good teach me thy Statutes Psal 147.11 The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him in those that hope in his mercy Nehem. 9.17 And refused to obey neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst among them but hardened their necks and in their rebellion appointed a Captain to return to their bondage but thou art a God ready to pardon gracious and merciful slow to anger and of great kindnesse and forsookest them not V. 31. Neverthelesse for thy great mercies sake thou didst not utterly consume them nor forsake them for thou art a gracious and a merciful God Psal 103.8 The Lord is merciful and gracious slow to anger and plenteous in mercy Jer. 3.12 Go and proclaim these words towards the North and say return thou backsliding Israel saith the Lord and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you for I am merciful saith the Lord and I will not keep anger for ever Exod. 34.6 And the Lord passed by before him and proclaimed the Lord the Lord God merciful and gracious long-suffering and abundant in goodnesse and truth V. 7. Keeping mercy for thousands forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin and that will by no means clear the guilty visiting the iniquity of the Fathers upon the Children and upon the Childrens children unto the third and fourth generation Psal 145.7 They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodnesse and shall sing of thy righteousnesse 1 John 4.8 He that loveth not knoweth not God for God is love V. 16. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us God is love and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God and God in him Micah 7.18 Who is a God like unto thee that pardoneth iniquity and passeth by the transgressions of the remnant of his heritage he retaineth not his anger for ever because he delighteth in mercy Isa 28.21 For the Lord shall rise up as in Mount Perazim he shall be wroth as in the valley of Gibeon that he may do his work his strange work and bring to passe his act his strange act 2 Cor. 1.3 Blessed be God even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ the Father of mercies and the God of all Comforts Isa 30.18 And therefore will the Lord wait that he may be gracious unto you and therefore will he be exalted that he may have mercy upon you for the Lord is a God of judgement blessed are all they that wait for him Psa 78.38 But he being full of compassion forgave their iniquity and destroyed them not yea many a time turned he his anger away and did not stir up all his wrath Luke 6.36 Be ye therefore merciful for your heavenly Father is merciful Thirdly His WORKS which are principally two 1. Creation 2. Providence I. Creation Concerning which we must know 1. That God made the world and all the Creatures therein both visible and invisible by his Almighty power and Created them all very good 2. The chief of his Creatures are Angels Men. 3. All the Angels were at first made holy and happy Spirits Some continued in their obedience to God and are still Angels of Light Others fell from God through Pride or some other sin and are become Devils of Darknes Concerning the Creation of Man see farther in the next Chapter Creation Col. 1. â—6 For by him were all things Created that are in Heaven and that are in Earth visible and invisible whether they be Thrones or Dominions or Principalities or Powers all things are Created by him and for him V. 17. And he is before all things and by him all things consist Nehem. 9.6 Thou even thou art Lord alone thou hast made Heaven the Heaven of Heavens with all their Host the earth and all things that are therein the Seas and all that is therein and thou preservest them all and the Host of Heaven worshippeth thee Rom. 1.20 For the invisible things from the Creation of the world are clearly seen being understood by the things that are made even his Eternal power and Godhead so that they are without excuse Rev. 15.3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of god and the song of the Lamb saying great and marvellous are thy works Lord God Almighty just and true are thy waies thou King of Saints Heb. 3.4 For every house is built by some man but he that built all things is God Psal 145.10 All thy works shall praise thee O God and thy Saints shall blesse thee Rev. 4.11 Thou art worthy O Lord to receive Glory and Honour and Power for thou hast Created all things and for thy pleasure they are
unto the woman what is this that thou hast done And the woman said the Serpent beguiled me and I did eate V. 16. Unto the woman he said I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception in sorrow shalt thou bring forth children and thy desire shal be to thy husband and he shall rule over thee V. 17. And unto Adam he said because thou hast hearkened to the voice of thy wife and hast eaten of the tree of which I commanded thee saying thou shalt not eate of it cursed is the ground for thy sake in sorrow shalt thou eate of it all the dayes of thy life V. 18. Thornes also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee and thou shalt eate the hearb of the field V. 19. In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eate bread till thou return unto the ground for out of it wast thou taken for dust thou art and unto dust shalt thou return 1 Tim. 2.13 For Adam was first formed then Eve V. 14. And Adam was not deceived but the woman being deceived was in the transgression V. 15. Notwithstanding she shall be saved in Child-bearing if she continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety 2 Cor. 11.3 For I feare least by any meanes as the Serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ Gen. 5.3 And Adam lived an hundred and thirty yeares and begat a Son in his own likeness after his Image and called his name Seth. Gen. 6.5 And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was onely evill continually Gen. 8.21 And the Lord smelled a sweet savour and the Lord said in his heart I will not again curse the ground any more for mans sake for the imagination of mans heart is evill from his youth neither will I again smite any more every thing living as I have done Rom. 5.12 Wherefore as by one man sin entered into the world and death by sin and so death passed upon all men for that all have sinned V. 18. Therefore as by the offence of one Judgement came upon all men to condemnation even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life V. 19. For as by one mans disobedience many were made sinners so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous Psal 51.5 Behold I was shapen in iniquity and in sin did my mother conceive me Job 15.14 What is man that he should be clean and he which is borne of a woman that he should be righteous V. 16. How much more abominable and filthy is man which drinketh iniquity like water Job 14.4 Who can bring a Clean thing out of an unclean Not one Rom. 3.9 What then are we better then they no in no wise for we have before proved both Jewes and Gentiles that they are all under sin V. 10. As it is written there is none righteous no not one V. 23. For all have sinned and come short of the Glory of God 1 Cor. 15.22 For as in Adam all die even so in Christ shall all be made alive Acts 26.18 To open their eyes and to turn them from darknesse to light and from the power of Satan unto God that they may receive forgiveness of sins and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me 2 Tim. 2.26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the Devill who are taken Captive by him at his will Rom. 8.6 For to be carnally minded is death but to be spiritually minded is life and peace V. 7. Because the carnall mind is enmity against God for it is not subject to the Law of God neither indeed can be 1 Cor. 2.14 But the naturall man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishness to him neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned Rom. 7.14 For we know that the Law is spirituall but I am carnall sold under sin V. 18. For I know that in me that is in my flesh dwelleth no good thing for to will is present with me but how to performe that which is good I find not V. 23. But I see another Law in my members warring against the Law of my minde and bringing me into Captivity to the Law of sin which is in my members V. 24. O wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from the body of this death Jer. 17.9 The Heart is deceitful above all things and Desperately wicked who can know it Jam. 4.5 Do ye think that the Scripture saith in vaine The Spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy Eph. 2.1 And you hath he quickned who were dead in trespasses and sins V. 2. Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world according to the Prince of the power of the Aire the Spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience V. 3. Among whom also we all had our Conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind and were by nature the Children of wrath even as others Gal. 3.10 For as many as are of the works of the Law are under the curse for it is written Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the Law to do them Gal. 5.17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh and these are contrary the one to the other so that ye cannot do the things that ye would Eph. 4.18 Having the understanding darkened being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them because of the blindness of their heart 1 John 1.8 If we say that we have no sin we deceive our selves and the truth is not in us V. 10. If we say that we have not sinned we make him a liar and his word is not in us Jam. 3.2 For in many things we offend all if any man offend not in word the same is a perfect man and able also to bridle the whole body Eccles 7.20 For there is not a just man upon earth that doth good and sinneth not Hos 14.1 O Israel return unto the Lord thy God for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity Eph. 4.22 That ye put off concerning the former Conversation the old man which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts V. 23. And be renewed in the Spirit of your mind V. 24. And that ye put on the new man which after God is Created in righteousnesse and true holinesse 1 Cor. 15.49 And as we have born the Image of the earthly we shall also bear the Image of the heavenly John 3.3 Jesus answered and said unto him verily verily I say unto thee except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdome of God V. 4. Nicodemus saith unto him
whipping from him In patience therefore possesse thy soul Solomon saies If the Iron be blunt put the more strength to it Eccles 10.10 So say I if the affliction be strong put the more patience to it Let patience have its perfect work not only its half work in thee Patience meets God in such an humble way as discreet Abigail met David let not my Lord be angry Impatience and fretting against the Almighty is just as if a man should beat his shinnes against an iron bar or as if he should throw a stone against Heaven that will be sure to fall on his owne head And further consider the way to have what thou desirest is to submit to God and lay thy self at his feet When thy soul is wrought to that perfect submission that thou canst truly say here I am let the Lord do with me what seemeth him good Let the Lord please himself and he shall please me thou hast conquered the difficulty of living in this world Thou hast got that precious art of chimistry that will extract gold out of any thing Thou wilt be able in some measure with blessed Paul to say I have learned in all estates to be content O labour and pray for this happy posture of Spirit and that thou maist attain unto it be especially careful to secure thy interest in his favour who is the great Governour of the world and disposer of all events What a strong consolation will it be to thee if this God be thy God thy reconciled Father in Christ thou maist then be assured all things shall work together for thy good Let the wind blow from what point of the compasse it will it shall blow thee on towards thy haven Thou needst not fear the bitterest potion if it come from the hand of a loving Father The Cup that my Father hath given me shall I not drink it saies our Saviour John 18.11 What my Father prescribes I have no reason to fear any hurt from If God be thy Father and thou his adopted child th u maist comfort thy self with this that whatever he takes from thee or deprives thee of he will supply to thee again as one saies either in kind or in kindnesse some way or other he will make it up to thee Kindnesse is Gods sure pay to his children if he takes all and gives himself to thee he makes thee an abundant amends 'T is want of Faith that we cannot find all in God And as this consideration will exceedingly becalm thy mind in afflictions so when God dispenses himself in a way of mercy to thee it will exceedingly raise and quicken thy heart to thankfulness Thou wilt give God the Glory of all his mercies Thou wilt not sacrifice to thine own net to thine own wit wisdom industry friends or any second cause much lesse to chance fortune or good luck as ignorant people speak but thou wilt cast the Crown of all thy mercies at his feet humbly ascribing all Honour and Glory unto him He will be owned and acknowledged by thee as thy chief Lord. Thou wilt look upon thy self as holding all from him and to be but his tenant at will and therefore obliged to pay him his rent duly and faithfully And what is the rent he requires of thee but only to give him the Glory of all his mercies and to honour him and magnifie him in the use of them In a word to love him and thank him to serve him and obey him and to walk humbly before him all thy daies Psal 135.6 Whatsoever the Lord pleased that did he in Heaven and in Earth in the Seas and in all deep places Isa 5.12 And the harp and the viol the tabret and the pipe and wine are in their feasts but they regard not the work of the Lord neither consider the operation of his hands Psal 10.4 The wicked through the pride of his countenance will not seek after God God is not in all his thoughts Mat. 10.29 Are not two Sparrowes sold for a farthing and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father V. 30. But the very haires of your head are all numbred V. 31. Fear ye not therefore ye are of more value than many Sparrowes Prov. 16.33 The lot is cast into the lap but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Prov. 21.1 The Kings heart is in the hand of the Lord as the rivers of water he turneth it whithersoever he will Jer. 10.23 O Lord I know that the way of man is not in himself it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps Hab 1.16 Therefore they sacrifice unto their net and burn incense unto their drag because by them their portion is fat and their meat plenteous Lam. 3.37 Who is he that saith and it cometh to pass when the Lord commandeth it not Isa 45.7 I form light and create darknesse I make peace and create evil I the Lord do all these things Amos 3.6 Shall a Trumpet be blown in the City and the people not be afraid Shall there be evil in the City and the Lord hath not done it Psal 46.11 The Lord of Hosts is with us the God of Jacob is our refuge Selah Psal 39.9 I was dumb I opened not my mouth because thou didst it Micah 7.9 I will bear the indignation of the Lord because I have sinned against him untill he plead my cause and execute judgment for me he will bring me forth to the light and I shall behold his righteousnesse 1 Sam. 3.18 And Samuel told him every whit and hid nothing from him and he said it is the Lord let him do what seemeth him good Job 1.21 And Job said naked came I out of my mothers womb and naked shall I return thither the Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away blessed be the Name of the Lord. 2 Sam. 16.10 And the King said what have I to do with you ye sons of Zerviah so let him curse because the Lord hath said unto him curse David who shall then say wherefore hast thou done so 2 Sam. 15.25 And the King said unto Zadok carry back the Ark of God into the City if I shall find favour in the eies of the Lord he will bring me again and shew me both it and his habitation V. 26. But if he thus say I have no delight in thee behold here am I let him do to me as seemeth good unto him Deut. 8.10 When thou hast eaten and art full then thou shalt blesse the Lord thy God for the good land which he hath given thee V. 11. Beware that thou forget not the Lord thy God in not keeping his Commandements and his Judgments and his Statutes which I command thee this day V. 12. Lest when thou hast eaten and art full and hast built goodly houses and hast dwelt therein V. 13. And when thy heards and thy flocks multiply and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied and all that thou hast is multiplied
those under his charge do the like Every Governour of a Family should resolve with pious Joshuah Josh 24.15 But as for me and my house we will serve the Lord. Observe it True Religion and the power of Godliness hath there usually most flourished where the Lords day hath been most conscientiously observed And many direful judgments have befallen the violators and prophaners of it Gen. 2.2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made and he rested on the seventh day from all the work which he had made V. 3. And God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made Lev. 23.3 Six daies shall thy work be done but the seventh day is the Sabbath of rest an holy convocation ye shall do no work therein it is the Sabbath of the Lord in all your dwellings Nehem. 13.19 And it came to passe that when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the Sabbath I commanded that the gates should be shut and charged that they should not be opened till after the Sabbath and some of my servants set I at the gates that there should no burden be brought in on the Sabbath day Isa 58.13 If thou turn away thy feet from the Sabbath from doing thy pleasure on my holy day and call the Sabbath a delight the holy of the Lord honourable and shalt honour him not doing thine own waies nor finding thine own pleasure nor speaking thine own words Luke 23.54 And that day was the preparation and the Sabbath drew on V. 56. And they returned and prepared spices and ointments and rested the Sabbath day according to the Commandement Exod. 23.12 Six daies shalt thou do thy work and on the seventh day thou shalt rest that thine Oxe and thine Asse may rest and the son of thine hand-maid and the stranger shall be refreshed Ezek. 22.26 Her Priests have violated my Law and have prophaned mine holy things they have put no difference between the holy and prophane neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean and have hid their eies from my Sabbaths and I am prophaned among them Ezek. 23.38 Moreover this they have done unme they have defiled my Sanctuary in the same day and have prophaned my Sabbaths Amos 8.4 Saying when will the New Moon be gone that we may sell corn and the Sabbath that we may set forth wheat c. Lam. 1.7 Jerusalem remembred in the daies of her affliction and of her miseries all her pleasant things that she had in the daies of old when her people fell into the hand of the enemy and none did help her the adversaries saw her and did mock at her Sabbaths Ezek. 20.20 Hallow my Sabbaths and they shall be a sign between me and you that ye may know that I am the Lord your God Isa 56.2 Blessed is the man that doth this and the son of man that layeth hold on it that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it and keepeth his hand from doing evil V. 4. For thus saith the Lord unto the Eunuches that keep my Sabbaths and chuse the things that please me and take hold of my Covenant V. 6. Also the sons of the stranger that joyn themselves to the Lord to serve him and to love the Name of the Lord to be his servants every one that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it and taketh hold of my Covenant V. 7. Even them will I bring to my holy Mountain and make them joyful in my house of prayer their burnt Offerings and their Sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine Altar for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people Mark 2.27 And he said unto them the Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath V. 28. Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath Psal 92. Title A Psalm or Song for the Sabbath day Mat. 5.17 Think not that I am come to destroy the Law or the Prophets I am not come to destroy but to fulfill Luke 4.16 And he came to Nazareth where he had been brought up and as his custome was he went into the Synagogue on the Sabbath day and stood up for to read Acts 20.7 And upon the first day of the week when the Disciples came together to break bread Paul preached unto them ready to depart on the morrow and continued his speech untill midnight 1 Cor. 16.1 Now concerning the Collection for the Saints as I have given order to the Churches of Galatia even so do ye V. 2. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay up in store as God hath prospered him that there be no gatherings when I come Rev. 1.10 I was in the Spirit on the Lords day Psal 118.24 This is the day which the Lord hath made we will rejoyce and be glad in it 2. Hearing the Word We live in an age wherein through the rich mercy of God there is much good preaching but 't is a general complaint there is so little profiting We see not those gracious effects of the Word that were to be desired and wished And certainly one main reason of it is few take care to hear in a right manner as they ought to do That therefore thou maist so hear as to profit I shall shew thee 1. What thou art to do before thou hearest by way of preparation 2. What thou art to do in time of Hearing 3. What after thou hast Heard For the First Thou must prepare thy heart before thou comest to hear Rash entring on duties is seldom successeful If the ground be not prepared the seed is lost that is sown therein Plow up the fallow ground of your hearts saies the Prophet Jer. 4.3 and sow not among thorns In a fallow piece of ground you know thorns and briers weeds and thistles use to grow And such a thing is mans heart naturally which if let alone and no paines taken with it will quickly be overgrown with hurtful cares stinking lusts and distempered affections And therefore St. James adviseth Jam. 1.21 That before we go to hear the Word we should lay apart all filthinesse and superfluity of naughtinesse i. e. all evil frames of heart And how hard a matter that is I appeal to the experience of every true and sincere Christian That holy man Gerson professes he many times spent some hours before he could get his heart in tune for solemn duties Gods children have entred comfortably on duties â—hen they have been serious and careful in their preparations for them To help thee therefore to prepare thy heart for the Word take these Directions 1. Lay aside as much as possibly thou canst all worldly thoughts cares and businesses that thy mind may be free for God and the impressions of his Word and holy Spirit On Saturday night shut up the gates of thy heart against the world as Nehemiah Chap. 13. v. 19.20 did the
10 41. He that receiveth a Prophet in the name of a Prophet shall receive a Prophets reward c. CHAP. XVI Of Christian and Brotherly Reproof THat excellent and Christian Duty of reproving and admonishing an offending Brother is in these daies too much neglected and grown out of use though it be the reallest good turn that can be done from one man to another Men are forward enough to scoffe and deride the sinful miscarriages of others behind their backs but few there are that make Conscience of reproving them seriously and soberly to their faces When people fall out and are angry then ordinarily out comes all that they know and perhaps more too in a rude and passionate manner to disgrace each other But how seldom do they admonish one another in love in order to their amendment and the saving of their souls Being therefore to treat of this duty in this Chapter let me premise that there is a double admonition 1. Paternal or authoritative 2. Fraternal or charitative Of this latter onely I intend to discourse here and I shall shew 1. What great and pressing Arguments there are for it 2. Shall endeavour to remove the main prejudices and objections that lie against it 3. Shall shew how and in what manner it is to be performed 4. Give some reasons why it ought to be exceeding kindly taken by those to whom it is performed and whose benefit is thereby intended Of the first the Arguments for this Duty I. We have Commands for it both in the old and new Testament Levit. 19 17. Thou shalt not hate thy Brother in thine heart thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour and not suffer sin upon him Mat. 18.15 Moreover if thy Brother shall trespass against thee go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone if he shall hear thee thou hast gained thy Brother Eph. 5.11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darknesse but rather reprove them II. Hereby we may much advance Gods Glory may discountenance sin may promote Piety in the world Many sins may be suppressed if standers by would but bear witnesse against them and give check unto them by a wise and mild reproof If we can but perswade men to break off their sins and embrace the waies of Holinesse we shall thereby bring much honour and glory unto God And what should not we poor Creatures do to advance the Glory of so Gracious a Father III. 'T is the most blessed and charitable work we can possibly be employed in viz. the rescuing of precious souls out of the hands of Satan and saving them from everlasting perdition Jam. 5.20 He which converteth the sinner from the errour of his way shall save a soul from death and shall hide a multitude of sins We read Exod. 23.4 If thou meet with thine enemies Oxe or his Asse going astray thou shalt surely bring it back to him again V. 5. If thou see the Asse of him that hateth thee lying under his burden and wouldst forbear to help him thou shalt surely help with him Should we take pity and care of our neighbours Oxe or Asse yea though it were our very enemies and not of his Soul If thou hearest men swear tosse Gods Name vainly and lightly in their mouths jest with his Word talk filthily deride Holinesse slander good men plead for prophannesse or seest them walk in unconscionable courses Oughtest thou not to admonish such men and to intreat them to bethink themselves and to consider whither such courses tend If thou shouldest see a man tottering on the brink of some deep and dismal pit where he must needs perish if he fall in hadst not thou a hard heart if thou wouldst not catch hold of him and endeavour to stay him Alas Why do not men consider then what it is to fall into the bottomlesse pit of Hell and to lie there in everlasting burnings IV. We shall hereby keep our selves from partaking in other mens sins By neglect of this Duty we may become accessary to mens going on in sinful courses and dishonouring God and so draw upon our selves the guilt of their sin and ruine But if we faithfully admonish offenders we shall hereby deliver our own soul and if they perish they perish to themselves Paul could not have said Acts 20.26 I am pure from the bloud of all men if he had not been a faithful reprover as well as a diligent instructer V. If this Duty were conscientiously practis'd it would rob Satan of one of his greatest advantages to destroy souls which is the fashionablenesse and creditablenesse of Sin It would discredit sin and bring Christianity into reputation It would drive away that frivolous impertinent empty Conversation that wanton noisom discourse that passes for the only entertainment of this corrupt world It would drive away backbiting judging censuring rejoycing in the folly and shame of others which are the very bane and shame of converse and society VI. The advantage is great that will acrue unto us if we discharge this Duty faithfully Dan. 12.3 They that be wise shall shine as the brightnesse of the firmament and they that turn many to righteousnesse as the Stars for ever and ever Prov. 24.25 To them that rebuke the wicked shall be delight and a good blessing shall come upon them A great delight will arise in their souls from the testimony of their Consciences that they have endeavoured to discharge their Duty and a good blessing from the Lord will come upon them for it So much of the Arguments for this Duty I come now to the second thing Namely to remove the prejudices and answer the Objections that are conceiv'd against it Obj. 1. 'T is hard and painful and uneasie to flesh and bloud to practise this Duty I shall be thought uncivil rude impertinent in most companies where I come I shall be laughed at for my pains or jeer'd for my precisenesse and 't is hard to bear disgrace or I shall get ill will and anger from the party I reprove and I am fearful of giving offence c. Sol. Hath God commanded thee a Duty and wilt thou not do it for fear of offending man Is it not a sad case we should more fear to displease a sinful creature by admonishing him of his sin than to offend God by neglecting our duty This Objection supposes a man loath to serve God or his brother of that which costs him any thing Art thou to let him drop into Hell quietly for fear of angring him or deriving some of his displeasure upon thee Art thou out of fearfulnesse or bashfulnesse out of a sluggish cowardize and want of zeal to the Glory of God and the good of thy brother to be silent and to comply with him in his sin and let him go undisturbedly to Hell The civility of not reproving a brother when there is need amounts to this to have the heart to see him be poison'd and not dare present
do many delude themselves both in the nature of Repentance and Faith never rightly understanding what a repenting frame of heart means nor what it is savingly to beleeve in Christ I desire them therefore to read over once and again those two Chapters concerning Repentance and Faith which are the second and third in this part of the Treatise and to examine themselves thereby that so they may not think they are true penitents and true beleevers when indeed they are not And let them take heed of building their hopes of Heaven upon such deceiving foundations as these now mentioned VI. Ancient persons should redeem the time that yet remaines unto them for the working out of their salvation They have but a little while to stay here and they have a great deal of work to do to retract the sins of a long life and to secure their interest in Christ. They should not content themselves with a little formal devotion and the performance of some few religious duties as too many old people are apt to do They should rid themselves of worldly employments and businesses and the cares of this life as much as they can that so they may have the more time to bestow upon their soules Bernard saies Time were a good commodity in Hell if it were there to be bought Oh how much would the damned give for a little time wherein they might have liberty and power to recover themselves out of that woful state How much then should all of us both young and old prize and improve the time now allowed us to settle the great affairs of our soules before we go hence and be seen no more VII If they have not been well instructed before they shou'd think it no disparagement to apply themseâ—ves to their Minister or some faithfull spiritual guide to be shewed and taught what they must do to be saved If a traveller hath most part of the day been travelling out of his way though it may trouble and vex him at length to understand his errour and wandring yet there is no remedy for it he must enquire and labour to get into the right way at last Let old persons consider knowledge they must have or they will die in a sad condition And therefore let them not stand upon their terms and think instruction only belongs to young people If the old be ignorant the old must be instructed or they will die in their sins And therefore it will be wisdom in all ancient people to associate themselves with the most knowing and experienced Christians that they may thereby benefit their soules and daily grow both in knowledge and Grace VIII They should study to bring much honour and glory to God in their latter daies Tit. 2.1 2. But speak thou the things which become sound Doctrine That the aged men be sober grave temperate sound in Faith in Charity in patience 1. They should be exemplary in piety and goodness contrary to other trees bringing forth most fruit in their old age Psal 92.14 They shall bring forth fruit in old age they shall be fat and flourishing They should like old Noah be preachers of righteousness to the younger sort exhorting them earnestly to consecrate their youth and best daies to God Multitude of years should teach wisdom as t is Job 32.7 2. They should be very charitable according to the proportion of their estates And not as too many old covetous misers do grasp the world with a dying hand Dan. 4.27 Wherefore O King let my counsel be acceptable unto thee break off thy sins by righteousness and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor c. Luke 11.41 But rather give almes of such things as you have and behold all things are clean unto you IX And Lastly They should be often meditating on the four last things and the life to come and make it their great businesse to prepare for their dissolution Tit. 2.1 But speak thou the things which become sound Doctrine V. 2. That the aged men be sober grave temperate sound in Faith in Charity in patience V. 3. The aged women likewise that they be in behaviour as becometh holinesse not false accusers nor given to much wine teachers of good things V. 4. That they may teach the young women to be sober to love their husbands to love their children V. 5. To be discreet chast keepers at home good obedient to their own husbands that the Word of God be not blasphemed Prov. 16.31 The hoary head is a Crown of Glory if it be found in the way of righteousnesse Job 32.7 I said daies should speak and multitude of years should teach wisdom Job 5.26 Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age like as a shock of Corn cometh in in his season Psal 71.9 Cast me not off in the time of old age forsake me not when my strength faileth V. 18. Now also when I am old and gray headed O God forsake me not c. Isa 46.3 Hearken unto me O House of Jacob and all the remnant of the House of Israel which are born by me from the belly which are carried from the womb V. 4. And even to your old age I am he and even to hoary hairs will I carry you I have made and I will bear even I will carry and will deliver you Job 20.11 His bones are full of the sin of his youth which shall lie down with him in the dust Psal 25.7 Remember not the sins of my youth nor my transgressions according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodnesse sake O Lord. Job 13 26. For thou writest bitter things against me and makest me to possesse the iniquities of my youth 2 Sam. 19.35 I am this day fourscore years old and can I discern between good and evil can thy servant tast what I eat or what I drink can I hear any more the voice of singing men and singing women wherefore then should thy servant be yet a burden to my Lord the King Acts 21.16 There went with us also certain of the Disciples of Cesarea and brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus an old Disciple with whom we should lodge Psal 92.14 They shall bring forth fruit in old age they shall be fat and flourishing 2 Cor. 4.16 For which cause we faint not but though our outward man perish yet the inward man is renewed day by day Isa 40.31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength they shall mount up with wings as Eagles they shall run and not be weary they shall walk and not faint 2 Tim. 4.6 For I am now ready to be offered and the time of my departure is at hand V. 7. I have fought a good fight I have finished my course I have kept the Faith V 8. Henceforth there is laid up for me a Crown of righteousness which the Lord the righteous Judge shall give me at that day and not to me only but unto all them also that love
evil fancies roving and ranging lusts and covetings of that which is our neighbours arising from our corrupted natures and accompanied with delight and pleasure though our wils do not consent to the accomplishing of them Before in the other Commandments the deed was condemned that was hurtful and injurious to our neighbour as also the setled will and resolved determination to act it but here evil thoughts and stirrings in the soul the first bublings of concupiscence the very desire and lust and loose hankering after any thing that is our neighbours is forbidden though there be no full consent given thereto 3. Envying and grieving at the good of our neighbour and rejoycing at his sufferings 4. All inordinate motions affections and desires of heart after any thing that is his 5. Not endeavouring to suppresse evil thoughts and the first motions to sin but favouring and entertaining them rouling them with delight in our minds not labouring to keep our hearts with all diligence and to subdue lust and concupiscence which is the root and fountain of all sin and wickednesse The sins against the Gospel are reducible to these two Heads Unbelief Impenitency Unbelief hath several degrees I. Not labouring to acquaint our selves with the History of the Gospel nor with the duties promises and priviledges thereof though it contains the best glad-tidings and of the greatest consequence to us that can be imagined II. Not assenting to it so firmly as we should but being apt to be carried about with every wind of Doctrine with any new erroneous phansie and so to have our minds corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ and to prove unsound in the Faith III. Not so loving esteeming and highly valuing of it as we should not sufficiently admiring that miracle of Divine bounty wherein the love of God was so wonderfully manifested towards us in sending his only begotten sonne into the world that we might live through him IV. Making light of Christ and undervaluing the great love of our blessed Redeemer treading under foot the Merits of the Sonne of Gâ—d and prophaning the blood of the Covenant and thereby labouring to render Christs passion of none effect not counting all things losse and dung in comparison of the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord not counting him all in all not rejoycing and glorying in him and him crucified by whom alone we receive atonement not esteeming his favour and loving kindnesse better than life it self V. Not living by Faith in all estates and conditions not embracing the promises of the Gospel with so much readinesse and adhering to them with so much stedfastnesse as the excellency and certainty of them does require not improving nor applying this rich treasure of Gospel-promises unto the various occasions of this temporal life not looking upon them as our Heritage and esteeming them the joy of our hearts VI. Being apt to rely on our own righteousnesse our own services or Graces and thereby endeavouring as much as in us lies to deprive Christ of his Saviourship VII Not owning Christ in all his offices not being willing to accept of him as well for our Lord as our Saviour for our Prophet to guide us as well as for our Priest to make atonement for us not being willing to be obedient to his Lawes and Precepts to be sanctified by his Grace and holy Spirit as well as to be saved by his merits this heart of unbelief does prove many times a root of apostacy and departure from the living God The second sin against the Gospel is Impenitency which hath several degrees also I. When notwithstanding God hath in some measure discovered to us our miserable and lost condition by reason of the Covenant of works which admitted of no repentance we have not yet humbled our selves in any proportion to the multitude and greatnesse of our sins though the Gospel and Covenant of Grace call us to it and require it of us as that without which we are not to expect pardon II. Not being inquisitive after our sins nor endeavouring to examine and find out our particular failings but rather to hide and excuse them III. Not being humbled and grieved for them considering the great injustice folly unkindnesse we have expressed by them IV. Not resolving and striving against them not improving advantages for the avoiding and subduing of them V. Refusing to repent though God vouchsafe time and means hardning the heart by a custome and delight in sin being prone to maintain justifie or extenuate sin And thus much of the sins against the Law and against the Gospel Upon these Heads not only sick persons but such as are in health also should examine themselves when they intend more solemnly to humble their soules before the Lord. And they may have further helps herein from Dr Wilkins's discourse concerning the gift of prayer When sick persons therefore have advanced thus far let them then in the next place ask themselves Thirdly Whether they do indeed rightly understand and firmly believe the history of the Gospel who Christ was what manner of person what were his Offices what he did and suffered for what ends and purposes he came into the world Whether they understand that he came not only to save and deliver from Hell and everlasting punishment but also to destroy sin undo the works of the Devil to crucifie and subdue our lusts mortifie our earthly members turn us from darkness to light to illuminate our mind to give repentance to work Faith to make us alive to God to enable us to serve him in righteousness and holinesse to recover Gods interest in us and to bring us back to him again And let them consider how their hearts have been affected with these things Fourthly Whether they have and how long they have in truth and sincerity applied themselves to Christ to receive from him these great and glorious benefits namely to have their pardon procured by his Merits and intercession to have a supply of all Grace from him and their natures sanctified Whether they have sought to him as to a Physitian to heal their soules and rid them of their distempers Whether they have accepted him as their Prophet to guide them as their Lord and King to govern them as well as their Priest to make atonement for them Whether they do not believe in him and trust in him groundlessely and presumptuously as carnal people do only to be delivered and freed from Hell and wrath to come without yielding up their hearts in sincere obedience to him desiring unfeignedly to be guided and governed by his holy Spirit and to be sanctified by his Grace Fifthly Whether they have received power and strength from Christ by the effectuall operation of his holy Spirit to mortifie the old man the old Adamical nature to crucifie the flesh with its affections and lusts to fight with and to subdue pride earthly-mindedness sensuality self-love malice envy and other vile affections so that they
disposition in every man We are very prone to harden when the storm is over 3. Let them renew often upon their souls the remembrance of the sharpness and bitterness of their afflictions Let them call to mind their sad discourses and reasonings their fears and tremblings the mis-givings of heart and sad apprehensions they had in time of their distresse Let them remember their aptnesse to impatience and to hard thoughts of God Let them recall how happy they thought those that were free from their troubles and paines These remembrances kept alive will make them humble and thankful 4. Let them remember their vowes and promises made to God in time of their sicknesse and distresse Let them labour to be such out of sicknesse as they promised God themselves and possibly others they would be when they were in it The Emperor Sigismond demanded of King Alphonsus what was the directest course to be happy Perform saies he when thou art well what thou promisedst when thou wert sick 'T is very remarkable what is recorded of the mariners Jonah 1.15 16. And the Sea ceased from her raging then the men feared the Lord exceedingly and offered a sacrifice unto the Lord and made vowes Then when the Sea ceased here is the wonder Had they made vowes in the midst of the tempest the matter had not been great but now when the tempest was over then to make vowes is worthy of our observation and worthy of our imitation One vow made and kept after the tempest is worth a thousand promised in the same 5. Let them pity and pray for those that are under affliction Lord teach them as well as correct them that they may be blessed let them come forth out of affliction as Gold purified seven times let them lose nothing in that furnace but their drosse let them be purified from their sins and purged from their iniquities strengthen their Faith and Patience and in thy due time if it be for thy Glory and their good vouchsafe them a gracious deliverance Psal 119.67 Before I was afflicted I went astray but now I have kept thy Word V. 71. It is good for me that I have been afflicted that I might learn thy Statutes Isa 27.9 By this therefore shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged and this is all the fruit to take away his sin Zach. 13. ult And I will bring the third part through the fire and will refine them as silver is refined and will try them as Gold is tried they shall call on my Name and I will hear them I will say it is my people and they shall say the Lord is my God Heb. 12.11 Now no chastning for the present seemeth to be joyous but grievous neverthelesse afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousnesse unto them which are exercised thereby Prov. 24.10 If thou faint in the day of adversity thy strength is small Rev. 13.10 Here is the patience and the Faith of the Saints Heb. 6.12 Be ye followers of them who through Faith and patience inherit the promises Psal 9.10 And they that know thy Name will put their trust in thee for thou Lord hast not forsaken them that seek thee Lam. 3.26 It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord. V. 27. It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth Psal 146.5 Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help whose hope is in the Lord his God Psal 56.3 What time I am afraid I will trust in thee Psal 112.7 He shall not be afraid of evil tidings his heart is fixed trusting in the Lord. 2 Cor. 5.6 Therefore we are alwaies confident knowing that whilst we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. V. 7. For we walk by Faith not by sight John 18.11 The cup which my Father hath given me shall I not drink it Luke 21.19 In your patience possesse ye your souls Job 13.15 Though he slay me yet will I trust in him 2 Chron. 16.12 And Asa in the nine and thirtieth year of his reign was diseased in his feet untill his disease was exceeding great yet in his disease he sought not to the Lord but to the Physitians Psal 41.4 I said Lord be merciful unto me heal my soul for I have sinned against thee Psal 107.17 Fools because of their transgression and because of their iniquities are afflicted Neh. 9.33 Howbeit thou art just in all that thou hast brought upon us for thou hast done right but we have done wickedly Psal 119.75 I know O Lord that thy judgments are right and that thou in faithfulnesse hast afflicted me Micah 7.9 I will hear the indignation of the Lord because I have sinned against him Hab. 3.2 O Lord in wrath remember mercy Job 34.31 Surely it is meet to be said unto God I have born chastisement I will not offend thee any more Psa 94.12 Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest O Lord and teachest him out of thy Law Job 34.32 That which I see not teach thou me if I have done iniquity I will do no more Heb. 12.6 For whom the Lord loveth he chastneth and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth Prov. 3.12 For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth even as a Father the son in whom he delighteth Rev. 3.19 As many as I love I rebuke and chasten be zealous therefore and repent 2 Cor. 4.16 For which cause we faint not but though our outward man perish yet the inward man is renewed day by day V. 18. While we look not at the things which are seen but at the things which are not seen for the things which are seen are temporal but the things which are not seen are eternal Psal 41.1 Blessed is he that considereth the poor the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble V. 3. The Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of his languishing thou wilt make all his bed in his sicknesse 2 Chron. 32.24 In those daies Hezekiah was sick to the death and prayed unto the Lord and he spake unto him and he gave him a sign V. 25. But Hezekiah rendred not again according to the benefit done unto him for his heart was lifted up therefore there was wrath upon him and upon Judah and Jerusalem Jonah 2.6 Thou hast brought up my life from corruption O Lord my God V. 7. When my soul fainted within me I remembred the Lord and my prayer came in unto thee into thine holy Temple V. 9. I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving I will pay that that I have vowed salvation is of the Lord. Psal 50.14 Offer unto God thanksgiving and pay thy vows unto the most High Psal 66.13 I will go into thy House with burnt offerings I will pay thee my vows V. 14. Which my lips have uttered and my mouth hath spoken when I was in trouble Psal 56.12 Thy vows are upon me O God I will render praises unto
move with great agility and nimblenesse We shall not be clogg'd as now but shall be able as the Learned think to move upwards and downwards freely like a bird in the aire 3. Or Lastly Our bodies after the resurrection may be termed spiritual because they will then be more fitted and disposed for spiritual uses for the enjoyments and employments of Grace 4. Our bodies shall be made powerful They are sown in weakness but shall rise in power The power and strength that glorified bodies shall have will be wonderful In this life the eye is dazeled at the brightnesse of the Sun but then it shall be strengthened to behold glorious sights and not be dazeled at them The body shall be enabled and strengthened by God to bear that exceeding and eternal weight of Glory that shall be allotted to it 5. Unto all these glorious perfections and endowments we may add this one more the great priviledge and happiness we shall have to behâ—ld with our bodily eyes our blessed Saviour as man That we shall see our Redeemer with these eyes Job plainly testifies Job 19.25 For I know that my Redeemer liveth and that he shall stand at the later day upon the earth V. 26. And though after my skin worms destroy this body yet in my flesh shall I see God V. 27. Whom I shall see for my self and mine eyes shall behold and not another c. And that this sight will add much to our happinesse we need not doubt The sight of Christ as man is the next object as one saith well to the beatifical Vision Mr Calamy in his Serm at Dr Boltons Funeral For the fulnesse of the God head dwells in him bodily and doth as it were radiate through his body Hence there must needs arise much joy to the beholder both from the eminency of and our interest in this Object Christ in Glory and Christ in Glory ours As much of the Creator as is possibly visible in the Nature of man will be to be seen in Christ As much contentation as the Creature can be made partaker of by the sight of any visible Object will be the portion of the beholders of Christ as he is man See Mr. Nortons orthodox Evangelist So much for the blessedness of the Body II. The Saints in Heaven shall be blessed in their Souls Let us enquire wherein this blessednesse consists 1. The understanding being enlarg'd and widened shall have a right knowledge a clear sight and vision of God Now we see through a glasse darkly 1 Cor. 13.12 but then face to face now we know but in part but then we shall know even as we are known our knowledge of God now is very imperfect but then we shall see him as he is 1 John 3.2 2. The will shall be perfected with absolute and indefective holinesse with exact conformity to the will of God and perfect freedom from all servitude to sin 3. The affections shall be set right by an unalterable regularity There shall be a constant cleaving of heart to God a constant loving of him without satiety or wearinesse Here are many startings aside to the creature but in Heaven there will be an eternal fixed delight and complacency in God 4. The Soul will enjoy a full immediate uninterrupted communion with God and fruition of him Whilst we are here at home in the body we are absent from the Lord saies the Apostle 2 Cor. 5.6 Here our comforts come in by the ministry of Ordinances but there God will be all in all to us immediatly 1 Cor. 15.28 III. The Saints in Heaven shall be blessed in their Company Oh what blessed company is there in the new Jerusalem There is God and Christ and Angels and Saints How will God the Father welcome us Well done good and faithful servants enter into your Masters joy How will our Redeemer welcome us How joyful will he be to receive us who shed his blood to bring us thither How will the Holy Angels welcome us They delight in the good of men When man was created those Morning Stars sung together and those Sons of God shouted for joy Job 38.7 When Christ came to redeem man an Heavenly host of them praysed God Luke 2.13 When man is converted there is joy in Heaven among those blessed Spirits Luke 15.10 How much more rejoycing will there be when we come to be glorified Lastly How will the blessed Saints welcome us Our old acquaintance with whom we have prayed suffered familiarly conversed Memory is not abolished in Heaven as one observes but perfected Mr. Manton in his Sermon at Mrs. Blackwels Funeral Therefore those whom we knew here we shall know again A Minister shall see his Crown and the fruit of his labours 1 Thes 2.19 Those that have been relieved by us shall welcome us into Heaven who therefore are said according to some Interpreters to receive us into everlasting habitations Luke 16.9 Yea we shall know those whom we never saw Why else is it made a part of our priviledge to sit down with Abraham Isaac and Jacob Mat. 8.11 In the transfiguration Peter knew Moses and Elias dead many hundred years before So shall we as 't is more than probable know one another O what blessed company shall we converse with in the City that is above IV. And Lastly The Saints in Heaven shall be blessed in this They shall have the perpetual enjoyment of all this blessednesse secured to them without any fear of ever losing it or being deprived of it The Saints shall never put off their glorious robes after they have once put them on Their state is a sure eternal state of actual delights Though there be several degrees of glory in Heaven yet he that enjoyes the least degree is fully satisfied with what he enjoyes He desires not one degree of Glory above what he possesses What now remaines but that we presse this duty upon our selves frequently to meditate on this coelestial Glory Many great benefits will accrue to us thereby 1. This will abate our thirst after earthly things One houres serious musing on the glory that is above would cause the soul to be as a weaned child to the glory that is here below 2. It will make sufferings light Rom. 8.18 For I reckon saies the Apostle that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the Glory which shall be revealed in us 3. It will make us serious in Duties It will make us pray earnestly hear attentively walk circumspectly Serious thoughts of Heaven will make us shake off lazinesse and sloth and with fervency of Spirit to serve the Lord. 4. It will stirre us up to an earnest desire of that righteousnesse to which such a Glory appertaines and to a careful and constant performance of those commands to which such a reward is so graciously promised Without holinesse no man shall see the Lord. Men do but deceive themselves who think to passe immediatly from a