we are here we are complaining of our wants weeping over our sins but there we shall be praising God How will the Birds of Paradise chirp when they are in that Caelestial Country There the Morning Stars will sing together and all the Saints of God shout for joy O what should we aspire after but this Country above Such as have their eyes opened will see that it doth infinitely excel An ignorant man looks upon a Star and it appears to him as a little silver spot but the Astronomer who hath his Instrument to judge of the dimension of a Star knows it to be many degrees bigger than the earth So a natural man hears of the heavenly Country that it is very glorious but it is at a great distance and because he hath not a spirit of discerning the world looks bigger in his eye but such as are Spiritual Artists who have the Instrument of Faith to judge of Heaven will say it is far the better Country and thither will they hasten with the Sails of desire SECT XV. 15. A godly man is a zealous man grace turns a Saint into a Seraphim it makes him burn in holy zeal zeal is a mixed affection a compound of love and anger it carries forth our love to God and anger against sin in the most intense manner Zeal is the flame of the affections a godly man hath a double baptism of water and fire he is baptized with a spirit of zeal hee is zealous for Gods honour truth worship Psal. 119. 139. my zeal hath consumed me it was a crown set on Phineas his head hee was zealous for his God Numb 25. 13. Moses being touched with a coal from Gods altar in his zeal hee breaks the Tables Exod. 32. 19. our blessed Saviour in his zeal whips the buyers and sellers out of the Temple Ioh. 2. 17. the zeal of thy house hath eaten me up But there is a Praeternatural heat something looking like zeal which is not a Comet looks like a Star I shall therefore show some differences between a true and a false zeal 1 A false zeal is a blinde zeal Rom. 10. 2. They have a zeal of God but not according to knowledge this is not the fire of the spirit but wild-fire The Athenians were very devout and zealous but they knew not for what Acts 17. 23. I found an Altar with this Inscription 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 To the unknown God Thus the Papists are zealous in their way but they have taken away the key of knowledge 2 A false zeal is a self-seeking zeal Iehu cries come see my zeal for the Lord 2 King 10. 16. but it was not zeal but ambition he was fishing for a Crown Demetrius pleads for the Goddess Diana but it was not her Temple but her Silver shrines he was zealous for Such zealots Ignatius complains of in his time that they made a Trade of Christ and Religion thereby to enrich themselves 'T is probable many in King Henry the eights time were forward to pull down the Abbies not out of any zeal against Popery but that they might build their own houses upon the ruines of those Abbies like Eagles which fly aloft but their eyes are down upon their prey If blind zeal be punished seven fold hypocritical zeal shall bee punished seventy and seven fold 3 A false praeposterous zeal is a misguided zeal it runs out most in things which are not commanded It is the sign of an hypocrite to be zealous for traditions and careless of institutions The Pharisees were more zealous about washing of their cups than their hearts 4 A false zeal is fired with passion Iames and Iohn when they would call for fire from heaven were rebuked by our Saviour Luk. 9. 54. Yee know not what spirit yee are off it was not zeal but choller many have espoused the cause of Religion rather out of faction and humour than out of zeal to the truth But the zeal of a godly man is a true and holy zeal which evidenceth it self in the effects of it 1 True zeal cannot bear an injury done to God zeal makes the blood rise when Gods honour is impeached Rev. 2. 2. I know thy works and thy labour and patience and how thou canst not bear them which are evil hee who zealously affects his friend cannot hear him spoken against and be silent 2 True zeal will encounter with the greatest difficulties when the world holds out a Gorgons head of danger to discourage us zeal casts out fear it is quickned by opposition Zeal doth not say there is a Lyon in the way zeal will charge through an Army of dangers it will march in the face of death Let news be brought to Paul that he was way-laid in every City bonds and imprisonment did abide him this sets a keener edge upon his zeal Acts 21. 13. I am ready not only to bee bound but to dye for the name of the Lord Iesus as sharp frosts do by an antiparistasis make the fire burn hotter so sharp oppositions do but inflame zeal the more 3 True zeal as it hath knowledge to go before it so it hath sanctity to follow after it Wisdome leads the van of zeal and holiness brings up the rear an hypocrite seems to be zealous but he is vitious the godly man is white and ruddy white in purity as well as ruddy in zeal Christs zeal was hotter than the fire and his holiness purer than the sun 4 Zeal that is genuine loves truth when it is despised and opposed Psal. 119. 126. They have made void thy law therefore I love thy commandements above gold the more others deride holiness the more we love it what is Religion the worse for others disgracing it doth a Diamond sparkle the less because a blinde man disparageth it the more outragious the wicked are against the truth the more couragious the godly are for it When Mical scoffed at Davids religious dancing before the Ark if saith he this be to be vile I will yet be more vile 2 Sam. 6. 22. 5 True zeal causeth fervency in duty Rom. 12. 11. fervent in spirit Zeal makes us hear with reverence pray with affection love with ardency God kindled Moses his sacrifice from heaven Lev. 9. 24. There came a fire out from before the Lord and consumed upon the Altar the burnt offering when we are zealous in devotion and our heart waxeth hot within us here is a fire from heaven kindling our sacrifice how odious is it for a man to be all fire when he is sinning and all yâ—e when he is praying A pious heart like water seething hot boils over in holy affections 6. True zeal is never out of breath though it be violent 't is perpetual no waters can quench the flame of zeal it is torrid in the frigid zone The heat of zeal is like the natural heat coming from the heart which lasts as long as life That zeal which is not constant was
never true Use 1. How opposite are they to godliness who cry down zeal and count it a Religious phrensie They are for the light of knowledge but not for the heat of zeal When Basil was earnest in preaching against the Arrian Heresie it was interpreted folly and dotage Religion is a matter requires zeal the Kingdom of heaven will not be taken but by violence Mat. 12. 11. Object But why so much fervour in Religion what becomes then of Prudence Answ. Though Prudence be to direct zeal yet not to destroy it because sight is requisite must the body therefore have no heat If Prudence be the eye in Religion zeal is the heart Quest. But where is moderation Answ. Though moderation in things of indifferency be commendable and doubtless it would much tend to the setling the peace of the Church yet in the main Articles of Faith wherein Gods glory and our Salvation lie at stake here moderation is nothing else but sinful neutrality It was Calvins advice to Melancthon that he should not so affect the name of moderate that at length he lost all his zeal Object But the Apostle presseth moderation Phil. 4. 5. Let your moderation be known to all Answ. The Apostle speaks there of moderating our passion the Greek word for moderation signifies candour and meekness opposite to rash anger and so the word is rendred in another place Patient 1 Tim. 3. 3. By moderation then is meant meekness of spirit and that is clear by the subsequent words The Lord is at hand As if the Apostle had said avenge not your selves for the Lord is at hand he is ready to avenge your personal wrongs but this doth not at all hinder but that in matters of Religion a Christian should be zealous 2 What strangers are they to godliness who have no zeal for the glory of God they can see his ordinances despised his worship adulterated yet their spirits are not at all stirred in them How many are of a dull lukewarm temper zealous for their own secular interest but have no zeal for the things of heaven hot in their own cause but cool in Gods The Lord doth most abominate lukewarm professours I had almost said hee is sick of them Rev. 3. 15. I would thou wert cold or hot any thing but lukewarm but because thou art neither cold nor hot I will spue thee out of my mouth A lukewarm Christian is but dough-baked just like Ephraim Hos. 7. 8. Ephraim is a cake not turned To keep up a form of Religion without zeal is to be like those bodies the Angels assumed which mooved but had no life in them I would ask these Tepid neutral professors this question If Religion be not a good cause why did they undertake it at first if it be why do they go so faintly about it why have they no more holy ardours of soul these persons would fain go to heaven in a soft bed but are loath to bee carried thither in a fiery Chariot of zeal Remember God will be zealous against them who are not zealous he provides the fire of hell for those that want the fire of zeal Use 2. As you would be found in the catalogue of the godly labour for zeal as good bee of no religion as not to be zealous in religion Beware of carnal policy This is one of those three things which Luther feared would bee the death of Religion Some men have been too wise to bee saved Their discretion hath quenched their zeal beware of stoth which is an enemy to zeal be zealous and repent Rev. 3. 19. Christians what do you reserve your zeal for is it for your gold that perisheth or for your lusts that will make you perish can you bestow your zeal better than upon God how zealous have men been in a false religion Isa. 46. 6. They lavish gold out of the bag and weigh silver in the ballance The Iews did spare no cost in their idolatrous worship nay Ier. 32. 35. They cause their Sons and Daughters to pass thorow the fire to Molech They were so zealous in their idol-worship that they would sacrifice their Sons and Daughters to their false Gods how far did the purblinde Heathens go in their false zeal 〈◊〉 the Tribunes of Rome complained they wanted gold in their Treasurâ—es to offer to Apollo the Roman Matrons plucked off their chains of gold and rings and bracelets and gave them to the Priests to offer up sacrifice were these so zealous in their sinful worship and will not you bee zealous in the worship of the true God can you loose any thing by your zeal shall it not bee super-abundantly recompenced what is heaven worth what is a sight of God worth was not Jesus Christ zealous for you he sweat drops of blood hee conflicted with his Fathers wrath how zealous was hee for your redemption and have you no zeal for him is there any thing you your selves hate more than dulness and slothfulness in your servants you are weary of such servants do you dislike a dull temper in others and not in your selves what are all your duties without zeal but non entia meer fancies and nullities Do you know what a glorious thing zeal is it is the lustre that sparkles from grace it is the flame of love it resembles the Holy Ghost Act. 2. 2. There appeared cloven tongues like fire which sat upon them and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost Tongues of fire were an Emblem to represent that fire of zeal which the spirit powred upon them Zeal makes all our religious performances prevalent with God When the iron is red hot it enters best and when our services are red hot with zeal they soonest pierce heaven SECT XVI 16. A godly man is a patient man Iam. 5. 11. Ye have heard of the patience of Iob. Patience is a star which shines in a dark night There is a twofold patience 1. Patience in waiting 2. Patience in bearing 1. Patience in waiting A godly man if he hath not his desire presently he will wait till the mercy be ripe Psa. 130. 6. My soul waiteth for the Lord. Good reason God should have the Timing of our mercies Isa. 60. 22. I the Lord will hasten it in his time Deliverance may tarry beyond our time but it will not tarry beyond Gods time Why should not we wait patiently upon God 1. We are servants it becomes servants to be in a waiting posture 2. We wait upon every thing else we wait upon the fire till it burns we wait upon the seed till it grows Iam. 5. 7. Why cannot we wait upon God 3. God hath waited upon us Did not he wait for our repentance How often did he come year after year before he found fruit Did God wait upon us and cannot we wait upon him A godly man is content to stay Gods leisure though the Vision tarry he will wait for
love to the Word by conforming to it the Word is his Sun-Dial by which he sets his life the balance in which he weighs his actions he copies out the Word in his daily walk 2 Tim. 4. 7. I have kept the Faith St. Paul kept the Doctrine of Faith and lived the life of Faith Quest Why is a godly man a lover of the Word Answ. 1. Because of the excellency of the Word 1. The word written is our pillar of fire to guide us It shows us what Rocks we are to avoid it is the card by which we sail to the new Hierusalem 2. The word is a Spiritual Optick Glass through which we may see our own hearts The Glass of Nature which the Heathen had discovered spots in their Conversation but this Glass discovers spots in the Imagination that Glass discovered the spots of their unrighteousness this discovers the spots of our righteousness Rom. 7. 9. When the Commandment came sin revived and I died when the word came as a Glass all my opinion of self-righteousness died 3. The word of God is a Soveraign comfort in distress while we follow this Cloud the Rock follows us Psal. 119. 50. This is my comfort in my affliction for thy word hath quickned me Christ is the Fountain of Living water the word is the Golden Pipe through which it runs what can revive at the hour of death but the Word of Life 2. A godly man loves the word because of the efficacy it hath had upon him this day-star hath risen in his heart and usher'd â—n the Sun of Righteousness 2. A godly man loves the Word Preached which is a Commentary upon the word written The Scriptures are the Soveraign oyls and balsoms the preaching of the word is the powring of them out The Scriptures are the precious spices the preaching of the word is the beating of these spices which causeth a wonderful fragrancy and delight The word preached is the Rod of Gods strength Psal. 110. 2. and the breath of his lips Isa. 11. 4. What was once said of the City Thebes that it was built by the sound of Amphius his Harp is much more true of Soul-Conversion it is built by the sound of the Gospel Harp therefore the preaching of the Word is called the power of God to Salvation 1 Cor. 1. 24. By this Christ is said now to speak to us from Heaven Heb. 12. 5. This Ministery of the word is to be preferred before the Ministry of Angels A godly man loves the word preached partly from the good he hath found by it he hath felt the dew fall with this Manna and partly because of Gods Institution the Lord hath appointed this Ordinance to save him the Kings Image makes the Coyn go currant the stamp of Divine Authority upon the word preached makes it an Engine conducible to mens Salvation Use. Let us try by this Character whether we are godly Are we lovers of the word 1. Do we love the word written What sums of money did the Martyrs give for a few leaves of the Bible Do we make the word our familiar As Moses had often the Rod of God in his hand so should we have the Book of God in our hand when we want direction do we consult with this sacred Oracle when we find corruptions strong do we make use of this Sword of the Spirit to hew them down when we are disconsolate do we go to this Aqua vitae bottle for comfort then we are lovers of the word But alas how can they say they love the Scriptures who are seldome conversant in them their eyes begin to be sore when they look upon a Bible The two Testaments are hung by like rusty Armour which is seldome or never made use of The Lord wrote the Law with his own finger but though God took pains to write men will not take pains to read they had rather look upon a pair of Cards then upon a Bible 2. Do we love the word preached Do we prize it in our judgements Do we receive it into our hearts Do we fear the loss of the word preached more than the loss of peace and trading Is it the removal of the Ark that troubles us Again do we attend the Word with Reverential Devotion when the Judge is giving his Charge upon the Bench all attend when the word is preached the great God is giving us his Charge do we listen to it as to a matter of life and death this is a good sign we love the word Again do we love the Sanctity of the word Psal. 119. 140. The word preached is to beat down sin and advance holiness Do we love it for its spirituality and purity Many love the word preached only for its eloquence and notion they come to a Sermon as to a Musick-lecture Ezek. 33. 31. or as to a garden to pick flowers but not to have their lusts subdued or their hearts bettered These are like a foolish woman which paints her face but neglects her health Again do we love the convictions of the word Do we love the word when it comes home to our Conscience and shoots its arrows of reproof at our sins 'T is the Ministers duty sometimes to reprove He that can give smooth words in the Pulpit but knows not how to reprove is like a sword with a fine hilt without an edge Titus 2. 15. Rebuke them sharply Dip the nail in oyl reprove in love but strike the nail home Now Christian when the word toucheth upon thy sin and saith Thou art the man dost thou love the reproof Canst thou bless God that the sword of the Spirit hath divided between thee and thy lusts This is indeed a sign of grace and shows thou art a lover of the word A corrupt heart loves the comforts of the word but not the reproofs Amos 5. 10. They hate him that rebuketh in the gate Igne micant oculi Like venomous creatures that upon the least touch spit poyson Act. 7. 54. When they heard these things they were cut to the heart and gnashed upon him with their teeth When Stephen touched them to the quick they were mad and could not endure it Quest. How shall we know that we love the reproofs of the word Ans. 1. When we desire to sit under an heart-searching Ministry who cares for Physick that will not work A godly man chuseth not to sit under such a Ministry as will not work upon his Conscience 2. When we pray that the word may meet with our sins if there be any traiterous lust got into our heart we would have it found out and Execution done upon it we would not have sin covered but cured we can open our breast to the bullet of the word and say Lord smite this sin 3. When we are thankful for a reproof Psa. 141. 5. Let the righteous smite me it shall be a kindness and let him reprove me it shall be an excellent oyl which
the spirit comes very neer to the despighting of it How can men be sanctified but by the spirit therefore to reproach that is to make merry with their own damnation Use 2. As you would be listed in the number of the godly labour for the blessed indwelling of the spirit pray with Melancthon Lord inflame my soul with thy holy spirit and with the Spouse Awake O North-wind aad come thou South blow upon my garden Cant. 4. 16. As a Mariner would desire a wind to carry him to Sea so beg the prosperous gales of the spirit and the Promise may add wings to prayer Luke 11. 13. If ye being evil know how to give good gifts unto your children how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Spirit to them that ask him Gods spirit is a rich Jewel go to him for it Lord give me thy spirit where is the Jewel thou didst promise me When shall my soul be as Gideons Fleece wet with the dew of heaven Consider how needful the spirit is without it we can do nothing acceptably to God 1 VVe cannot pray without it 't is a spirit of Supplication Zac. 12. 10. It both helps the invention and the affection Rom. 8. 26. The spirit helps us with sighs and groans 2. We cannot resist temptation without it Act. 1. 8. Ye shall receive power after the Holy Ghost is come upon you He who hath the tyde of corrupt nature and the wind of temptation must needs be carried down the stream of sin if the contrary wind of the spirit doth not blow 3. VVe cannot be fruitful without the spirit Aureus imber sitientia caelo â—orda rigans VVhy is the spirit compared to dew and rain but to show us how unable we are to bring forth a Crop of Grace unless the dew of God fall upon us 4. VVithout the spirit no Ordinance is effectual to us Ordinances are the Conduit-Pipes of Grace but the spirit is the Spring Some content themselves that they have a Levite to their Priest but never look any further as if a Merchant should content himself that his ship hath good tackling and is well manned though it never have a gale of wind The Ship of Ordinances will not carry us to heaven though an Angel were the Pylot unless the wind of Gods Spirit blow The Spirit is the Soul of the Word without which it is but a dead letter Ministers may prescribe Physick but it is Gods spirit must make it work Our hearts are like Davids body when it grew old they covered him with cloathes but he gat no heat 1 King 1. 1. So though the Minister of God ply us with prayers and counsels as with hot cloathes yet we are cold and chill till Gods spirit comes and then we say as the Disciples Luke 24. 32. Did not our hearts burn within us Oh therefore what need have we of the spirit 3. You who have the blessed spirit manifested by its energy and vital operations 1. Acknowledge Gods distinguishing love the spirit is an ear-mark of Election 1 Iohn 3. 4. Christ gave the bag to Iudas but not his spirit The spirit is a Love-token where God gives his spirit for a pawn he gives himself for a portion The spirit is an Epitomizing blessing it is put for all good things Mat. 7. 11. What were you without the spirit but as so many carkasses Without this Christ would not profit you the Bloud of God is not enough without the Breath of God Oh then be thankful for the spirit this Loadstone will never leave drawing you till it hath drawn you up to heaven 2. If you have this spirit do not grieve it Eph. 4. 30. Shall we grieve our Comforter Quest. How do we grieve the Spirit Answ. 1. When we unkindly repel the motions of it The spirit sometimes whispers in our ears and calls to us as God did to Iacob Gen. 35. 1. Arise go to Bethel So saith the spirit Arise go to prayer retire thy self to meet thy God Now when we stifle these motions and entertain temptations to vanity this is a grieving of the spirit if we check the motions of the spirit we shall lose the comforts of the spirit 2. We grieve the spirit when we deny the work of the spirit in our hearts if one gives another a token and he should deny it and say he never received it this were to abuse the love of his friend So Christian when God hath given thee his spirit witnessed by those meltings of heart and passionate breathings after heaven yet thou deniest that thou ever hadst any renewing work of the spirit in thee this is high ingratitude and is a grieving the good spirit renounce the sinful works of the flesh but do not deny the gracious work of the spirit SECT XI 11. The godly man is an humble man he is like the Sun in the Zenith which when it is at the highest shows lowest St. Austin calls Humility the Mother of the Graces but ere I show you who is the humble man I shall lay down three distinctions 1. I distinguish between being humbled and humble a man may be humbled and not humble a sinner may be humbled by affliction his condition is low but not his disposition a godly man is not only humbled but humble his heart is as low as his condition 2. I distinguish between outward humility and inward there 's a great deal of difference between an humble carriage and an humble spirit a person may carry it humbly 1. Towards others yet be proud who more humble than Absalom in his outward behaviour 2 Sam. 15. 5. When any man came neer to do him obeysance Absalom took him by the hand and kissed him But though he had an humble carriage he aspired after the Crown ver 10. As soon as ye hear the sound of the Trumpet ye shall say Absalom reigneth in Hebron Here was Pride dressed in Humilities Mantle 2. A person may behave himself humbly towards God yet be proud 1 King 21. 27. Ahab put on sackcloth and fasted and went softly but his heart was not humble A man may bow his head like a bull-rush yet lift up the Ensigns of Pride in his heart 3. I distinguish between Humility and Policy many make a shew of Humility to work their own ends The Papists seem to be the most humble mortified Saints but it is rather subtilty than humility for by this means they get the Revenues of the earth into their possession all this may be and yet no godliness Quest. How may a Christian know that he is humble and consequently godly Answ. 1. An humble soul is emptied of all swelling thoughts of himself Bernard calls Humility a Self-annihilation Iob 22. 29. Thou wilt save the humble In the Hebrew it is Him that is of low eyes An humble man hath lower thoughts of himself than others can have of him
David though a King yet looked upon himself as a worm Psal. 22. 6. I am a worm and no man Bradford a Martyr yet subscribes himself a sinner Iob 10. 15. If I am righteous I will not lift up my head Like the Violet a sweet flower but hangs down the head 2. An humble soul thinks better of others than of himself Phil. 2. 3. Let each esteem others better than themselves An humble man values others at an higher rate than himself and the reason is because he can better see his own heart than he can anothers he sees his own corruption and thinks sure it is not so with others their Graces are not so weak as his their corruptions are not so strong sure thinks he they have better hearts than I An humble Christian studies his own infirmities and anothers exellencies and that makes him put an higher value upon others than himself Pro. 30. 2. Surely I am more bruitish than any man And Paul though he were the chief of the Apostles yet he calls himself the least of Saints Eph. 3. 8. 3. An humble soul hath a low esteem of his duties Pride is apt to breed in our holy things as the worm breeds in the sweetest fruit and forth comes from the most generous wine An humble person doth not only deny his sins but his duties when he hath prayed and wept alas saith he how little have I done God might damn me for all this he saith as good Nehemiah Chap. 13. 22. Remember me O my God concerning this and spare me Remember Lord how I have poured out my soul but spare me and pardon me he sees that his best duties weigh many grains too light therefore he desires Christs Merits may be put into the Scales The humble Saint blusheth when he looks upon his Copy he sees he cannot write even nor without blotting this humbles him to think that his best duties run dregs he drops poyson upon his sacrifice Oh saith he I dare not say I have prayed or wept those which I write down for duties God might write down for sins 4. An humble man is ever preferring Bills of Indictment against himself he complains not of his condition but his heart O this evil heart of unbelief Lord saith Hooper I am hell but thou art heaven An hypocrite is ever telling how good he is an humble soul is ever saying how bad he is Paul that high-flown Saint who was caught up into the third heaven how doth this bird of Paradise bemoan himself for his corruptions Rom. 7. 24. O wretched man that I am c. Holy Bradford subscribes himself the hard-hearted sinner The more knowledge an humble Christian hath the more he complains of ignorance the more Faith the more he bewails his unbelief 5. An humble man will justifie God in an afflicted condition Nehem. 9. 33. Howbeit thou art just in all that is brought upon us If men oppress and calumniate the humble soul acknowledgeth Gods righteousness in the midst of severity 2 Sam. 24. 17. Lo I have sinned Lord my pride my barrenness my Sermon-surfeiting hath been the procuring cause of all these judgements when Clouds are round about God yet righteousness is the habitation of his Throne Psa. 97. 2. 6. An humble soul is a Christ-Magnifier Phil. 1. 20. he gives the glory of all his actions to Christ and Free-grace King Canutus took the Crown off his own head and set it upon a Crucifix so an humble Saint takes the Crown of honour from his own head and sets it upon Christs and the reason is from that 〈◊〉 he bears to Christ Love can part with 〈…〉 to the object loved Isaack loved 〈…〉 and he gave away his Jewels to 〈…〉 humble Saint loves Christ intirely therefore can part with any thing to him he gives away the honour and praise of all he doth to Christ let Christ wear those Jewels 7. An humble soul is willing to take a reproof for sin a wicked man is too high to stoop to a reproof The Prophet Micaiah used to tell King Ahab of his sin and saith he I hate him 1 Kin. 22. 8. Reproof to a proud man is like powring water on lime which grows the more hot a gracious soul loves him that reproves Pro. 9. 8. Rebuke a wise man and he will love thee The humble-spirited Christian can bear the reproach of an Enemy and the reproof of a friend 8. An humble man is willing to have his name and parts eclipsed so Gods glory may be more encreased he is content to be out-shined by others in gifts and esteem so that the Crown of Christ may shine the brighter This is the humble mans Motto Let me decrease let Christ encrease 'T is his desire that Christ should be exalted and if this be effected let who will be the instrument he rejoyceth Phil. 1. 15. Some preach Christ of envy They preached to get away some of Pauls hearers Well saith he Christ is preached and I therein do rejoyce ver 8. An humble Christian is content to be laid aside if God hath any other tools to work with which may bring him more glory 9. An humble Saint likes that condition which God sees best for him a proud man murmures he hath no more an humble man wonders he hath so much Gen. 32. 10. I am not worthy of the least of all thy mercies when the heart lies low it can stoop to a low condition A Christian looking upon his sins wonders it is no worse with him he doth not say his mercies are small but his sins are great he knows the worst piece God carves him is better than he deserves therefore takes it thankfully upon his knees 10. An humble Christian will stoop to the meanest person and the lowest office he will visit the poorest member of Christ Lazarus his sores are more precious to him than Dives purple he doth not say Stand by come not neer to me for I am holier than thou but condiscends to men of low estate Rom. 12. 16. Use 1. Is Humility the inseparable Character of a godly man let us try our hearts by this Touch-stone Are we humble alas where doth their godliness appear who are swelled with pride and ready to burst But though men are proud they will not confess it This Bastard of Pride is born but none are willing to father it therefore let me ask a few questions and let Conscience answer 1 Are not they proud who are given to glorying 1 Cor. 5. 6. Your glorying is not good 1 VVho glory in their riches their hearts swell with their estates St. Bernard cals Pride the rich mans couzen Ezek. 28. 5. Thy heart is lifted up because of thy riches 2 VVho glory in their apparel Many dress themselves in such fashions as they make the devil fall in love with them Black-spots gaudy attire naked breasts what are these but the flags and banners which Pride doth display 3 VVho glory in their beauty
take our Flesh nay that Christ â—hould take our Nature when it was in disgrace being stained with sin this was the wonder of humility Look upon an humble Saviour and let the plumes of Pride fall 2 Study Gods Immensity and Purity a sight of glory humbles Elijah wrap'd his face in a Mantle when Gods glory passed before him 1 King 19. 13. The Stars vanish when the Sun appears 3 Let us study our selves First our dark side by looking our faces in the glass of the Word we see our spots what a world of sin swarms in us We may say as Bernard Lord I am nothing but peccatum aut sterilitas either sinfulness or barrenness Secondly Our light side Is there any good in us 1 How disproportionable is it to the means of Grace we have enjoyed There is still something lacking in our Faith 1 Thess. 3. 10. O Christian be not proud of what thou hast but be humble for what thou wantest 2 The Grace we have is not of our owâ— growth We are beholding to Christ anâ— free Grace for it as he said of that Axâ— which fell in the water 2 King 6. 5. Alâ— master for it was borrowed So I may say 〈◊〉 all the good and excellency in us it is boâ—rowed Were it not folly to be proud of Ring that is lent 1 Cor. 4. 7. For 〈◊〉 maketh thee to differ from another and whâ— hast thou that thou didst not receive Thâ— Moon hath no cause to be proud of 〈◊〉 light when she borrows it from the Sun 3. How far short do we come of others perhaps other Christians are Gyants in Grace they are in Christ not only before us but above us We are but as the foot in Christs Body they are as the eye 4. Our beauty is spotted The Church is said to be fair as the Moon Cant. 6. 10. which when it shines brightest hath a dark spot in it Faith is mixed with infidelity a Christian hath that in his very grace may humble him 5. If we would be humble let us contemplate our mortality Shall dust exalt it self The thoughts of the grave should bury our pride They say when there is a Tympany in the body the hand of a dead man stroaking that part cures the Tympany The serious meditation of death is enough to cure the Tympany of Pride SECT XII 12. A godly man is a praying man This is in the Text Every one that is godly shall pray unto thee As soon as Grace is powred in prayer is powred out Psa. 109. 4. But I give my self to prayer in the Hebrew it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but I prayer Prayer and I are all one Prayer is the Souls traffique with heaven God comes down to us by his Spirit and we go up to him by prayer Caligula placed his Effigies in the Capitol whispering in Iupiters ear prayer whispers in Gods ear A godly man cannot live without prayer A man cannot live unless he takes his breath not can the Soul unless it breathes forth its desires to God As soon as the Babe of Grace is born it cryes no sooner was Paul converted but behold he prayeth Act. 9. 11. No doubt he prayed before being a Pharisee but it was either superficially or superstitiously but when the work of Grace had passed upon his soul behold now he prays A godly man is every day upon the Mount of Prayer he begins the day with prayer before he opens his shop he opens his heart to God We use to burn sweet perfumes in our houses a godly mans house is domus aromatum an house of perfume he ayrs it with the incense of prayer he ingageth in no business without seeking God Scipio never entred into the Senate House but first he ascended the Capitol where he did his devotion A godly man consults with God in every thing he asks his leave and his blessing The Grecians asked counsel at their Oracles so doth a godly man enquire at the Divine Oracle Gen. 24. 12. 1 Sam. 23. 3 4. A true Saint continually shoots up his heart to heaven by sacred ejaculations Quest. Is Prayer a sign of a godly man may not an hypocrite pray eloquently and with seeming devotion Answ. He may Isa. 58. 2. they seek me daily but an hypocrite doth not pray 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the spirit Eph. 6. 18. A man may have the gift of prayer and not have the spirit of prayer Quest. How shall we know that we have the Spirit of Prayer Answ. When the prayer which we make is spiritual Quest. What is it to make a Spiritual Prayer Answ. 1. When we pray with knowledge under the Law Aaron was to light the Lamps when he burned the Incense upon the Altar Exod. 30. 7. Incense did typifie prayer and the lighting of the Lamps did typifie knowledge when the Incense of prayer burns the Lamp of knowledge must be lighted 1 Cor. 14. 15. I will pray with the understanding We must know the Majesty and Holiness of God that we may be deeply affected with reverence when we come before him we must put up such Petitions as are exactly adequate and agreeable to Gods will Eccles. 5. 2. Be not rash with thy mouth to utter any thing before God The Lord would not have the blind offered to him Mal. 1. 8. How can we pray with affection when we do not pray with judgement The Papists pray in an unknown tongue Christ may reply to them as he did to the Mother of Zebedees Children Mat. 20. 22. Ye ask ye know not what He that prays he knows not how shall be heard he knows not when 2. A spiritual prayer is when the heart and spirit pray there are not only words but desires 'T is excellent when a man can say Lord my heart prays 1 Sam. 1. 13. Hannah prayed in her heart The sound of a Trumpet comes from within and the excellent Musick of Prayer comes from within the heart if the heart doth not go along in duty it is speaking not praying 3. A spiritual Prayer is a fervent Prayer Iam. 5. 16. An effectual fervent prayer prevails much The heart like the Primum Mobile should carry the affections in a most zealous and rapid manner fervency is the wing of Prayer by which it ascends to heaven Prayer is expressed by sighs and groans Rom. 8. 26. It is not so much the gifts of the spirit as the groans of the spirit God likes Prayer is called a wrestling Gen. 32. 24. and a powring out of the Soul 1 Sam. 1. 15. Prayer is compared to Incense Psa. 141. 2. Incense without fire makes no sweet smell Prayer without fervency is like Incense without fire Christ prayed with strong cryes and tears Heb. 5. 7. crying Prayer prevails When the heart is inflamed in Prayer a Christian is carried as it were in a Fiery Chariot up to heaven 4. A Spiritual Prayer is such as
comes from a broken heart Psa. 51. 17. The Sacrifices of God are a broken spirit The Incense was to be beaten to typifie the breaking of the heart in Prayer 'T is not the voluble tongue but the melting heart God accepts Oh saith a Christian I cannot pray as others as Moses said to the Lord I am not eloquent But canst thou weep and sigh Doth thy soul melt out at thy eyes God accepts broken expressions when they come from broken hearts I have read of a Plant that bears no fruit but it weeps forth a kind of Gum which is very costly So though thou dost not flourish with those gifts and expressions as others yet if thou canst weep forth tears from a contrite heart these are exceeding precious to God and he will put them in his bottle Iacob wept in prayer and had power ever the Angel Hos. 12. 4. 5. A spiritual Prayer is a believing Prayer Mat. 21. 22. Whatever ye shall ask in prayer believing ye shall receive The reason why so many Prayers suffer shipwrack is because they split against the Rock of unbelief Praying without Faith is shooting without bullets When Faith takes Prayer by the hand then we draw neer to God we should come to God in Prayer as the Leper Mat. 8. 2. Lord if thou wilt thou canst heal me 'T is a disparagement to Deity to have such a whisper in the heart that Gods ear is heavy and cannot hear What is said of the people of Israel may be applyed to Prayer It could not enter in because of unbelief 6. A Spiritual Prayer is an holy Prayer 1 Tim. 2. 8. Wherefore lift up pure hands Prayer must be offered upon the Altar of a pure heart sin lived in makes the heart hard and Gods ear deaf sin stops the mouth of Prayer it doth as the Thief to the Traveller puts a Gagg in his mouth that he cannot speak sin poysons and infects prayer A wicked mans prayer is sick of the Plague and will God come neer him The Loadstone loseth its virtue when it is bespread with Garlick so doth prayer when it is polluted with sin Psa 66. 18. If I regard iniquity in my heart the Lord will not hear me 'T is foolish to pray against sin and then to sin against prayer a spiritual prayer like the spirits of Wine must be refined and taken off the Lees and dregs of sin Mal. 3. 3. That they may offer to the Lord an offering in righteousness If the heart be holy this Altar will sanctifie the gift 7. A spiritual prayer is an humble prayer Psa. 10. 17. Lord thou hast heard the desire of the humble Prayer is the asking of an Alms which requires humility Luke 18. 13. The Publican standing afar off would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven but smote upon his breast saying God be merciful to me a sinner Gods incomprehensible glory may even amaze us and strike an holy consternation into us when we approach nigh to him Ezra 9. 6. O my God I blush to lift up my face to thee 'T is comely to see a poor nothing lye prostrate at the feet of its Maker Gen. 18. 27. Behold I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord which am but dust and ashes The lower the heart descends the higher the prayer ascends 8. A spiritual prayer is when we pray in the name of Christ To pray in the name of Christ is not only to name Christ in prayer but to pray in the hope and confidence of Christs mediation as a Childe claims his Estate in the right of his Father who purchased it so we come for mercy in Christs Name who hath purchased it for us in his bloud unless we pray thus we do not pray at all nay we rather provoke God as it was with Uzziah when he would offer Incense without a Priest God was angry and struck him with Leprosie 2 Chron. 26. 16. So when we do not come in Christs Name in prayer we offer up Incense without a Priest and what can we expect but to meet with wrath 9. A spiritual prayer is when we pray out of love to prayer A wicked man may pray but he doth not love prayer Iob 27. 10. Will he delight himself in the Almighty A godly man is carried upon the wings of delight he is never so well as when he is praying he is not forced with fear but fired with love Isa. 56. 7. I will make them joyful in my house of prayer 10. A spiritual prayer is when we have spiritual ends in prayer There is a vast difference between a spiritual prayer and a carnal desire the ends of an Hypocrite are secular and carnal he looks asquint in prayer it is not the sense of his spiritual wants that moves him but rather lust Iam. 4. 3. Ye ask amiss that ye may consume it upon your lusts The sinner prays more for food than Grace this God doth not interpret praying but howling Hosea 7. 14. They howled upon their beds they assemble for corn and wine Da modo lucra mihi Prayers which want a good aim want a good answer A godly man hath spiritual ends in prayer he sends out his prayer as a Merchant sends out his Ship that he may have large returns of spiritual blessings his design in prayer is that his heart may be more holy and that he may have more communion with God A godly man drives the Trade of prayer that he may encrease the stock of Grace 11. A spiritual prayer is accompanied with the use of means there must be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as well as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 When Hezekiah was sick he did not only pray for recovery but he laid a lump of figs to the boyl Isa. 38. 21. Thus it is in case of the soul when we pray against sin and avoid temptations when we pray for Grace and improve opportunities this is the laying a fig to the boil which wil make us recover To pray for holiness and neglect the means is like winding up the Clock and pulling off the weights 12. A spiritual prayer is that which leaves a spiritual frame behind upon the heart a Christian is better after prayer he hath gotten more strength over sin as a man by exercise gets strength The heart after prayer keeps a tincture of holiness as the Vessel savours and relisheth of the Wine that is put into it Moses having been with God on the Mount his face shined so having been on the Mount of prayer our Graces shine and our lives shine This is the sign of a godly man he prays in the spirit This is the right kind of praying the gift of prayer is ordinary like Culinary fire but spiritual prayer is more rare and excellent like Elementary fire which comes from heaven Use 1. Is a godly man of a praying spirit then this excludes them from being godly 1. Who pray not at all
Their houses are unhallowed houses 't is made the note of a Reprobate he calls not upon God Psal. 14. 4. Doth that indigent creature think to have an Alms who never asks it Do they think to have mercy from God who never seek it Truly then God should befriend them more than he did his own Son he offered up prayers and supplications with strong cryes Heb. 5. 7. None of Gods Children are tongue tyed Gal. 4. 6. Because ye are sons God hath sent forth the spirit of his son into your hearts crying Abba Father Creatures by the instinct of Nature cry to God Psal. 147. 9. The young Ravens which cry Psal. 104. 21. The Lyons seek their meat from God Not to cry to God is worse than bruitish 2. Others pray but it is seldome like that prophane Atheist Heylin speaks of who told God he was no common begger he never troubled him before and if he would hear him now he would never trouble him again 3. Others pray but not in the Holy Ghost Iude 20. They are rather Parrots than weeping Doves their hearts do not melt in prayer they exercise their invention more then their affection Use 2. As you would evidence the New-birth cry Abba Father be men of prayer pray at least twice a day In the Temple there was the Morning and Evening Sacrifice Daniel prayed three times a day nay so did he love prayer that he would not neglect prayer to save his life Dan. 6. 10. Luther spent three hours every day in prayer Object But what needs prayer when God hath made so many promises of blessings Answ. Prayer is the condition annexed to the Promise Promises turn upon the hinge of prayer Ezek. 36. 37. I will yet for this be enquired of by the house of Israel A King promiseth a pardon but it must be sued out David had a promise that God would build him an house but he sues out the promise by prayer 2 Sam. 7. 25. Christ himself had all the promises made sure to him yet he prayed and spent whole nights in prayer Therefore if you would be counted godly be given to Prayer Prayer sanctifies your mercies 1 Tim. 4. 5. prayer weeds out sin and waters Grace That I may encourage Christians and hold up their heads in prayer as Aaron and Hur held up Moses hands let me propound these few considerations 1. Prayer is a seed sown in Gods ears other seed sown in the ground may be picked up by the Birds but this seed especially if watred with tears is too precious to be lost 2. Consider the power of prayer The Apostle having set down the whole Armour of a Christian brings in prayer as the chief part Eph. 6. 18. Without this saith Zanchy all the rest are little worth By prayer Moses divided the Red Sea Ioshua stop'd the course of the Sun and made it stand still Iosh. 10. 13. Nay prayer made the Sun of Righteousness stand still Luke 18. 40. And Iesus stood still Prayer is the in-let to all blessings spiritual and temporal When Aurelius Antonius went against the Germans he had in his Army a Regiment of Christians who upon their earnest prayer obtained Rain for the refreshment of his Army and because of the power of their prayers he called them the Thundering Regiment Prayer hath a power in it to destroy the insolent Enemies of the Church We read the two Witnesses have a flame at their lips fire proceeds out of their mouths which devoures their Enemies Rev. 11. 5. This fire is certainly to be interpreted of their prayers David prayed Lord turn the counsel of Achitophel into foolishness 2 Sam. 15. 31. This prayer made Achitophel hang himself Moses prayer against Amalek did more than Ioshua's Sword Prayer hath a kind of Omnipotency in it it hath raised the dead overcome Angels cast out Devils it hath influence upon God himself Iacobs prayer held God Gen. 32. 26. I will not let thee go till thou bless me Prayer finds God free but leaves him bound 3 Jesus Christ prays over our prayers again he takes the dross out and presents nothing but pure gold to his Father Christ mingles his sweet odours with the prayers of the Saints Rev. 5. 8. Think of the dignity of his person he is God and the sweetness of his Relation he is a Son Oh then what encouragement is here for us to pray Our prayers are put in the hand of a Mediator though as they come from us they are weak and imperfect yet as they come from Christ they are mighty and powerful 4. The sweet promises which God hath made to prayer Isa. 30. 19. He will be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry Ier. 29. 13 14. Then shall ye go and pray unto me and I will hearken unto you and ye shall seek me and find me when ye shall search for me with all your heart And Isaiah 65. 24. Before they call I will answer and while they are yet speaking I will hear These promises keep the head of prayer above water God is bound with his own promises as Sampson was bound with his own hair Let us then double our files and with our Saviour pray yet more earnestly Luke 22. 44. Let us be importunate Suitors and resolve with S. Bernard that we will not come away from God without God prayer is a Petarr which will make heaven gates fly open Quest. How shall we do to pray aright Answ. Implore the Spirit of God Iude 20. Praying in the Holy Ghost The Holy Ghost both Indights prayer and inflames it God understands no other language but that of his spirit pray for the Holy Ghost that you may pray in the Holy Ghost SECT XIII 13. A godly man is a sincere man Iohn 1. 47. Behold an Israelite indeed in whose spirit there is no guile The word for sincere 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies sine plicis without pleats and folds A godly man is plain-hearted having no subtil subterfuges Religion is the Livery a godly man wears and this Livery is lined with Sincerity Quest. Wherein doth the godly mans Sincerity appear Answ. 1. The godly man is that which he seems to be he is a Iew inwardly Rom. 2. 29. Grace runs through his heart as silver through the veins of the earth The hypocrite is not what he seems Fronte positus Astutam vapido servans sub pectore vulpem A picture is like a man but it wants breath The Hypocrite is an Effigies a picture he doth not breathe forth Sanctity he is but like an Angel on a Sign-post A godly man answers to his profession as the Transcript to the Original 2. The godly man labours to approve himself to God in every thing 2 Cor. 5. 9. We labour that whether present or absent we may be accepted of him 'T is better to have God approve than the world applaud They that did run in the Olympick Race laboured to
idle person is the Devils Tennis-ball which he bandies up and down with temptation and at last the Ball falls into the Hazzard 4 A godly man sets bounds to himself in things lawful he abates in matters of recreation and diet hee takes only so much for the recruits of nature as may the better dispose him for Gods service Hierom lived abstemiously his diet was a few dried Figs and cold water And Austin in his Confessions saith thus Lord thou hast taught me to go to my meat as to a medicine If the snaffle of reason much more should the curbing-bit of grace check the appetite the life of a Sinner is bruitish the glutton feeds without fear Iude 2. and the drunkard drinks without reason Too much oyle choaks the Lamp whereas a lesser quantity makes it burn brighter a godly man holds the golden bridle of temperance and will not suffer his Table to be a snare 5 A godly man is careful about moral righteousness he makes conscience of equity as well as piety the Scripture hath linked both together Luk. 1. 75. That wee might serve him in righteousness and true holiness Holiness there is the first Table Righteousness there is the second Table Though a man may be morally righteous and not godly yet no man can be godly but hee must be morally righteous This moral righeousness is seen in our dealings with men a good man observes that golden maxim Mat. 7. 12. Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you do ye even so to them There is a threefold injustice in matters of dealing 1 Using of false weights Hos. 12. 7. The ballances of deceit are in his hands men by making their weights lighter make their sin heavier Amos 5. 8. They make the Ephah small the Ephah was a measure they used in selling they made the Ephah small they gave but scant measure a godly man who takes the Bible in one hand dares not use false weights in the other 2 Imbasing a commodity Amos 8. 6. They sell the refuse of the wheat they would pick out the best grains of the wheat and sell the worst at the same price as they did the best Isa. 1. 22. Thy wine is mixed with water they did adulterate their wine yet make their customers beleeve it came from the pure grape 3 Taking a great deal more than the commodity is worth Lev. 25. 14. If thou sell ought to thy neighbour ye shall not oppress one another a godly man deals exactly but not exactingly he will sell so as to help himself but not damnifie another His motto is A conscience void of offence towards God and towards men Act. 23. 16. The Hypocrite separates these two which God hath joyned together Righteousness and Holiness he pretends to be pure but is not just This brings religion into contempt when men hang forth Christs colours yet will use fraudulent circumvention and under a mask of piety neglect morality a godly man makes conscience of the second Table as well as the first 6 A godly man will forgive them that have wronged him revenge is sweet to nature 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A gracious spirit passeth by affronts forgets injuries and counts it a greater victory to conquer an enemy by patience than by power This is truly heroical To overcome evil with good Though I would not trust an Enemy yet I would endeavour to love him though I would exclude him out of my Creed yet not out of my prayer Mat. 5. 4. Quest. But doth every godly man arrive at this to forgive yea love his Enemies Answ. He doth it in a Gospel-sense that is 1. Quoad assensum he subscribes to it in his judgement as a thing which ought to be done Rom. 7. 18. With my mind I serve the Law of God 2. Quoad dolorem A godly man mourns that he can love his Enemies no more Rom. 7. 24. O wretched man that I am O this base canker'd heart of mine that have received so much mercy and can show so little I have had Talents forgiven me yet I can hardly forgive Pence 3. Quoad votum A godly man prays that God will give him an heart to love his Enemies Lord pluck this root of bitterness out of me perfume my soul with love make me a Dove without gall 4. Quoad conatum A godly man doth in the strength of Christ resolve and strive against all rancour and virulency of spirit This is in a Gospel-sense to love our Enemies a wicked man cannot do this his malice boils up to revenge 7. A godly man lays to heart the miseries of the Church Psal. 137. 1. We wept when we remembred Sion I have read of certain Trees whose leaves if cut or touched the other leaves begin to contract and shrink up themselves and for a space hang down their heads Such a spiritual sympathy is there among Christians when other parts of Gods Church suffer they feel themselves as it were touched in their own persons Ambrose reports that when Theodosius was sick unto death he was more troubled about the Church of God than about his own sickness When Aeneas would have saved Anchises his life saith he Absit ut excisa possim supervivere Troiâ Far be it from me that I should desire to live when Troy is buried in its ruines there are in Musick two Unisons if you strike one you shall perceive the other to stir as if it were affected When the Lord strikes others a godly heart is deeply affected Isa. 16. 11. My bowels shall sound like an Harp Though it be well with a Childe of God in his own particular he dwells in an house of Cedar yet he grieves to see it go ill with the publick Queen Esther enjoyed the Kings favour and all the delights of the Court yet when a bloudy Warrant was signed for the death of the Jews she mourns and fasts and ventures her own life to save theirs 8. A godly man is contented with his present condition if provisions grow low his heart is tempered to his condition Many saith Cato blame me because I want and I blame them because they cannot want A godly man puts a candid interpretation upon Providence when God brews him a bitter Cup this saith he is my diet-drink it is to purge me and do my soul good therefore he is well content 9. A godly man is fruitful in good works Titus 2. 7. The Hebrew word for godly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies merciful implying that to be godly and charitable are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 one and the same A good man feeds the hungry cloathes the naked he is ever merciful Psal. 37. 6. The more devout sort of the Jews at this day distribute the tenth part of their Estate to the poor and they have a Proverb among them give the tenth and you will grow rich The hypocrite is all for Faith
grace shine in his soul and the next day his light put out in obscurity This would spill a Christians comfort and break asunder the golden Chain of Salvation but be assured O Christian he who hath begun a good work will ripen it into perfection Christ will send forth judgement unto victory he will make grace victorious over all opposite corruption If grace should finally perish what would become of the smoaking flax And how would that title properly be given to Christ Finisher of the Faith Object No question this is an undoubted priviledge to such as are smoaking flax and have the least beginnings of grace but I fear I am not smoaking flax I cannot see the light of grace in my self Answ. That I may comfort the smoaking flax why dost thou thus dispute against thy self What makes thee think thou hast no grace I believe thou hast more than thou wouldst be willing to part with thou valuest grace above the gold of Ophir How couldst thou see the worth and lustre of this Jewel if Gods Spirit had not opened thy eyes Thou wouldst fain believe and mournest that thou canst not believe are not these tears the Initials of Faith Thou desirest Christ and canst not be satisfied without him this beating of the pulse evidenceth life The iron could not move upward if the Loadstone did not draw it the heart could not ascend in holy breathings after God if some heavenly Loadstone had not been drawing it Christian canst thou say sin is thy burden Christ is thy delight and as Peter once said Lord thou knowest I love thee This is smoaking flax and the Lord will not quench it thy grace shall flourish into glory God will sooner extinguish the light of the Sun than extinguish the dawning light of his spirit in thy heart 2. Let a Christian pursue his duty There are two duties required of believers 1. Love 2. Labour 1. Love Will not the Lord quench the smoaking flax but make it at last victorious over all opposition how should the smoaking flax flame in love to God Psal. 31. 23. love the Lord all ye his Saints The Saints owe much to God and when they have nothing to pay it is hard if they cannot love him O ye Saints it is God who carries on grace progressively in your souls He is like a Father who gives his son a small stock of money to begin with and when he hath traded a little he adds more to the stock So God adds continually to your stock he is every day dropping oyl into the lamp of your grace and so keeps the lamp burning This may inflame your love to God who will not let the work of grace miscarry but will bring it to perfection The smoaking flax he will not quench How should Gods people long for heaven when it will be their constant work to breathe forth love and found forth praise 2. The second duty required of Christians is labour Some may think if Christ will not quench the smoaking flax but make it burn brighter to the Meridian of glory then we need take no pains but leave God to bring his own work about Take heed of drawing so bad a Conclusion from such good premises What I have spoken is to encourage Faith not to indulge sloath Do not think God will do our work for us and we sit still As God will blow up the spark of grace by his spirit so we must be blowing it up by holy endeavours God will not bring us to heaven sleeping but praying The Lord told Paul all in the Ship should come safe to shore but it must be in the use of means Act. 27. 21. Except ye abide in the Ship ye cannot be saved So the Saints shall certainly arrive at Salvation they shall come to shore at last but they must abide in the Ship in the use of Ordinances else they cannot be saved Christ assures his Disciples None shall pluck them out of his hand Ioh. 10. 28. But yet he gives that counsel Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation Mat 26. 41. The seed of God shall not die but we must water it with our tears the smoaking flax shall not be quenched but we must blow it up with the breath of our endeavour The second comfort to the godly is that godliness advanceth them into a near and glorious union with Jesus Christ But of this in the next CHAP. XII Shewing the Mystical union between Christ and the Saints CANT 2. 16. My beloved is mine and I am his IN this Book of the Canticles we see the love of Christ and his Church running toward each other in a full torrent The Text contains three general Parts 1 A Symbol of affection my beloved 2 A term of appropriation is mine 3 An holy resignation I am his Doct. That there is a conjugal union between Christ and beleevers The Apostle having treated at large of marriage he windes up the whole chapter thus Eph. 5. 32. This is a great mystery but I speak concerning Christ and the Church what nearer than union what sweeter there is a twofold union with Christ 1 A natural union this all men have Christ having taken their nature upon him and not the Angels Heb. 2. 16. but if there be no more than this natural union it will give little comfort thousands are damned though Christ be united to their nature 2 There is a sacred union whereby we are mystically united to Christ the union with Christ is not personal if Christs essence were transfused into the person of a beleever then it would follow that all which a beleever doth should merit But the union between Christ and a Saint is 1 Faederal my beloved is mine God the Father gives the bride God the Son receives the bride God the Holy ghost tyes the knot in marriage he knits our wills to Christ and Christs love to us 2 This union is vertual Christ unites himself to his spouse by his graces and influences Iohn 1. 16. Of his fulness have we all received and grace for grace Christ makes himself one with the spouse by conveying his Image and stamping the impress of his own holiness upon her This union with Christ may well be called mystical it is hard to describe the manner of it as it is hard to shew the manner how the soul is united to the body so how Christ is united to the soul but though this union be spiritual it is real Things in nature work often insensibly yet really Eccles. 11. 5. we do not see the hand move on the Dial yet it moves the Sun exhales and draws up the vapours of the earth insensibly yet really so the union between Christ and the soul though it be imperceptible to the eye of reason yet is real 1 Cor. 6. 17. Before this union with Christ there must be a separation the heart must be separated from all other lovers as in marriage there is a leaving of