Word of God and if disagreeable thereto the Conclusion must be that the Fountain is corrupt for as a bad Tree cannot bring forth good Fruit so a good Tree bringeth forth good Fruit for the Tree is known by its Fruits and it is no Justification of an Action bad in it self that it is intended well for we must not do evil that good may come of it Secondly As the Actions must be in themselves good they must also be directed to the right end that is to wit the glory of God for what is not levelled so are sinful before God Col. 3.17 1 Cor. 10.31 From what hath been said may plainly appear that though the Christian as a New Man in Christ Jesus is an excellent Creature as made partaker of the Divine Nature Nevertheless he is and must be intangled in a continual Warfare whilst in the Body and therefore not to be idle or lazy but to stand always upon guard against Enemies within himself and without Be strong in the Lord and in the Power of his Might for we wrestle not against Flesh and Blood but against Principalities and against Powers against the Rulers of Darkness in this World against Spiritual Wickednesses in high places wherefore take unto you the whole Armor of God your Loyns girt about with Truth the Breast Plate of Righteousness your Feet shod with the Gospel of Peace the shield of Faith the Helmet of Salvation the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God praying and watching so that the Work of a Christian is not over even when he hath attained newness of Life in Christ Jesus but of necessity must continue in a fighting State while in a Body Eph. 6.10 to 19. As you have received Christ Jesus so walk you in him Christians must fight offensively to subdue the continued growing of Lusts Defensively to withstand continued Temptations and persevere to the further Conquest of Enemies within themselves and without in the World Watch and Pray lest ye enter into Temptation in this case three things are to be considered First Perseverance and continued Stedfastness is the Christians commanded Duty Secondly Gods Promises to his People to uphold and strengthen them in their Duties and Conflicts Thirdly The experience of Christians that they thrive and grow when in pursuit of and continuance in their Duties As to the first it plainly appears as the Christians Life is a continued warfare so must he not be lazy or draw back but be still in Arms ready to fight He that putteth his Hand to the Plough must not draw back and if any Man draw back my Soul hath no delight in him Luke 9.62 Heb. 10.38 The whole Book of Holy Writ is full of this Command we are not to stop or rest in our Course but chearfully in imitation of Christ to run the Race that is set before us without regard to the difficulties in our way but with Courage to continue our progress till we come to the end of our Stage even Eternity Heb. 12.1 2 3. This is Christs express Command we must take up our Cross and daily follow him Mat. 10.16 to end Nothing must stop our course however so dear to us Honour Wealth Relations nor Life it self we must give up and Sacrifice all upon the Altar of Obedience Mat. 16.24 25 26 27. Ch. 24.42 to end Mark 13.33 to end Let us fear a promise being left us of entring into his Rest lest any of you should come short of it let us labour therefore to enter into that rest lest any Man fall by unbelief seeing then we have a great High Priest that is passed into the Heavens Jesus the Son of God let us hold fast our profession Heb. 4.1 11 14. Be ye stedfast unmoveable always abounding in the Work of the Lord knowing that your Work is not in vain 1 Cor. 15.58 Let us not be weary in well doing for in season we shall reap if we faint not Gal. 6.9 As ye have received Christ Jesus so walk ye in him rooted and built upon him and established in the Faith abounding therein with Thanks giving Eph. 6.10 to 19. Indure Hardness as a good Soldier of Christ Jesus no Man that Warreth entangleth himself wiâ—h the affairs of this Life that he may please him who choose him to be a Soldier if a Man strive for Mastery yet is he not Crowned except he strive lawfully 2 Tim 2 1 7. Be sober be vigilant because your Adversary the Devil as a roaring Lyon walketh about seeking whom he may devour whom resist stedfast in the Faith knowing that the same Afflictions are accomplished in your Brethren 1 Pet. 5.8 9. giving all diligence add to your Faith Vertue and to your Vertue Knowledge and to your Knowledge Tempeaance and to Temperance Patience and to Patience Godleness and to Godliness Brotherly Kindness and to Brotherly Kindness Charity for if these things be in you they shall make you that you shall never be barren or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ 2 Pet. 1.5 6 7 8. Hence we see how incumbent it is to Christians to be upon their Duty of Perseverance and as the state of the Militant Church is Laborious and full of Hazards and exposed to Difficulties insuperable as to Man and the Adversaries in themselves powerful Nevertheless as no Man goeth to War at his own Charge but at the charge of him whose Soldier he is neither hath the King of Kings whose Soldiers Christians are left his People without assurances of sure pay and constant supplies out of the Treasury of Omnipotency whose word we believe I will open to you the Windows of Heaven and give you a blessing that ye shall not have room to receive it Mal. 3.10 The vision is for an appointed time if it tarry wait for it it will speak at last and he that is to come shall come and will not tarry Hab. 2.3 And for the Encouragement of the Faith and Patience of the People of God the Scriptures are full of fresh and sure clusters of consolatory promises for Comfort Relief Support and Delivery which is the second thing considerable The Evangelical Prophet Isaiah hath stored his Book with legions of Consolations fear not I have redeemed thee thou art mine I will be with thee in fire and in water they shall have no power over thee thou art Honourable and Pretious in my sight I will restore thy Captives I am thy Redeemer when thou hast no help I will be a Saviour and Provisor Is 43. to 26. I will pour water on him that is a thirst and floods on the dry ground I will pour my Spirit upon thy Seed and my Blessing upon thine Ofspring thou shalt not be forgotten of me I have blotted out as a Cloud thy Transgressions and as a thick Cloud thy sins return to me for I have Redeemed thee Is 44 3 21 23. Hearken unto me ye House of Jacob which are born by me from the Womb
him and by the Apostle James's Doctrine know ye not that the Friendship of the World is Enmity with God whosoever therefore will be a Friend to the World is the Enemy of God James 4.4 These words must be meant in the second Sense as when the World by Adams Transgression was accursed and as it were Escheated and put in Bondage Ro. 8.20 21. to Satan the Prince of the Power of Darkness and not when it stood straight with God and was all good in his Sight and by these words the Love of the Father is not in him seems an Anathema and Curse to all the Lovers of the World as the Apostle elsewhere pronounceth a Curse if any Man love not the Lord Jesus Christ let him be Anathema Marenatha 1 Cor. 16.22 so that the love of the World as it is under the Dominion of Satan in the second Sense cannot be consistent with the Love and Honour of God It cannot be doubted that the Father having given his Son for a Ransom for Sinners but with him also he will give them all things and that they have in his right a surer and better Title to the World and lawful use of the things thereof than the Wicked can pretend to for that the Godly are Heirs of all things and the Wicked only Usurpers of what they have in possession without right therefore by the Doctrine of Mortification Holiness and Contempt of the World they are not forbid and not only permitted but commanded a lawful Enjoyment of the Worlds good but in these different respects First That they shall use the World as not abusing it that is they shall use it as Pilgrims for the present sober and moderate subsistance to carry them on in their Journeys Heaven-ward and not to sit down under the shadows of Worldly Pleasures as the wicked do whose Portion it is with a Curse upon it to them Wo to you that are Rich for you have received your Consolation Luke 6.24 but the Godly are not to sit down with the Rich Husbandman to Solace their Souls only in the things of this Life lest with him they share of his Judgment Thou fool this Night will I require thy Soul at thy Hand then whose shall all these these things be which thou hast Luke 12.16 to 22. Secondly The Children of God do not nor should rely only on the visible Enjoyments of the Creature as capable of themselves to give satisfaction but on God by Faith and on his Blessing to make them useful Mans Life consisteth not in the abundance of what a Man hath Man liveth not by Bread alone but by every word that proceedeth out of the Mouth of God Luke 4.4 Behold the Lillies who take no care and spin not how they are Cloathed above Solomon in all his glory the Ravens Sow not and yet are fed Luke 12.22 to 32. All the Power of the Creation is in Gods Hands as he hath the Power to restrain and suspend or give a Blessing upon the Creatures so hath he the Store-house of Heaven in his Hands and he can send such plenty as there may not be room to store it up in Mal. 3.10 See all the great and Manifold Promises to his People in Poverty Streights and Wants Is 41.17 18. Is 45.3 I will give thee the Treasures of Darkness and the Hidden Riches of Secret places Thirdly The People of God do and ought to use their Enjoyments vertuously and do not squander them on unlawful Lusts and Pleasures but Moderately use them for their lawful and sober Subsistance or in Charity and do use vertuous endeavours and improvements but the Wicked feed their Lusts upon Gods bounty wherefore the Lord in his Justice often Blasts their Enjoyments and either takes them away from them or makes them a Curse in the Enjoyment thereof Ye Eat and have not enough because ye spend on your Lusts James 4.1 2 3. and in that other place therefore I will return and take away my Corn in the time thereof See Hosea 2. all The People of God use all the Dispensations of God to them in Sobriety and vertuous Industry and depend upon God for a Blessing to their Indeavours but the Wicked live voluptuously in their Enjoyments and do not principally ascribe to God the success of their Husbandry nor depend on him for it and therefore in the Justice of God he either takes from them what they have or Blasts their Enjoyments in the success of it see the Parrable of the sluggish Servant in mis-improvement of the Talent which was taken from him and he punished with utter Darkness see Gods Judgment upon such as do not trust God with a Blessing upon their Labours Mat. 25. Because thou hast forgotten the God of thy Salvation and not remembred the Rock of thy Strength therefore shalt thou Plant pleasant Plants and set them with strange Slips in the Day shalt thou make thy Plant to grow and in the Morning shalt thou make thy Seed to flourish but the Harvest shall be a heap in the Day of grief and of desperate Sorrow Is 17.10 11. See that other Eminent place for this purpose they Hatch Cockatrice Eggs and weave the Spiders Webb he that Eateth of their Eggs Dyeth and that which is crushed braketh out into a Vyper their Webbs shall not become Garments neither shall they cover themselves with their Works their Works are Works of Iniquity and Violence is in their Hands Is 59.5 6. See farther to this purpose Ye shall Sow your Seed in vain and your Enemies shall eat it I will make your Heaven as Iron and your Earth as Brass and your strength shall be spent in vain for your Land shall not yield her increase neither shall the Trees of your Land yield their Fruit Lev. 26.16 to 22. They shall eat and not have enough they shall commit Whoredom and not bring forth because they have left off to take heed to the Lord See Job 8.11 to end Hosea 4.10 Consider that further Judgment upon the Wicked who trust to the Flesh and not to God ye have Sown much and bring in little ye eat but ye have not enough ye drink and are not satisfied ye Cloath you but there is none warm he that earneth Wages earneth to put in in a bag that hath holes Haggai 1. to 11. See the Manifold Judgments of God Denounced against Vanity Pride and Prodigality and it shall come to pass instead of a sweet smell there shall be a stench and instead of a girdle there shall be a rent and instead of well set Hair baldness and instead of a stomacher a girdle of Sackcloath and burning instead of Beauty Is 3.16 to end Fourthly The Wicked spend and use the Creatures to their own Pleasures and live in the delight of them but the Godly are Dead to the World and delight in nothing but in Christ I am Crucified to the World and the World to me nevertheless I live and yet not I but Christ that
my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts Is 55.8 9. And while musing what the Spirit meant in these Expressions I was carryed back to review the fatal Record of mans Condemnatory Sentence for his Rebellion in which I found written And I will put Enmity between thee and the Woman and between thy Seed and her Seed it shall bruise thy Head and thou shalt bruise his Heel Gen. 3.15 And being yet more in the dark as to the meaning of that Scripture I was led to that of Gods Covenant with Abraham and I will Establish my Covenant between thee and me and thy Seed after thee in their Generations for an everlasting Covenant Gen. 17.7 8. and to that other Word of God to Moses I will raise them up a Prophet amongst their Brethren like unto thee and will put my words into his mouth and he shall speak unto them all the words which I have commanded him Deut. 18.18 And being led a little further to understand the meaning of this I met with that Word of the Lord to David by the Prophet Samuel And thine House and thy Kingdom shall be Established for ever before thee and thy Throne shall be Established for ever 2 Sam. 7.11 to 17. And that of David himself The Lord hath Sworn in Truth unto David he will not turn from it of the Fruit of thy Body will I set upon thy Throne Ps 132.11 And the Lord hath said to my Lord sit thou at my Right Hand until I make thine Enemies thy Foot-stool Ps 110.1 and that other place of the same Prophet David And thou wilt not leave my Soul in Hell neither suffer thy Holy one to see Corruption Ps 16.10 And thus being led to the view of these Scriptures and being yet more Anxious to understand their meaning I was at last by the Blessing of God led to that of the second of the Acts verse 22 to 37. And that of the 7th of the Acts And to these words Of this mans Seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour Acts 13.15 to 42. By all which I found plainly laid open that before the Foundations of the Earth were laid 2 Tim. 1.9 God according to his own purpose had provided the means of mans Redemption and that all the foregoing Scriptures under the Old Testament were Prophetical of his Eternal purpose and good Will and that in the fulness of time he should send one even Jesus Christ to take upon him the Nature of man with whom God entred into an everlasting Covenant and that for Sin Sin should be Condemned in the flesh and that Everlasting Covenant with Abraham and the Prophets spoken of by Moses and Establishing of Davids Throne for ever are all meant of that Everlasting Covenant between God and Jesus Christ the Second Adam by which Covenant Christ was to come in the flesh and suffer death as he did and that he should obtain Eternal Life for all such as should believe in him Jo. 3.16 And thus being instructed that the manifold promises and priviledges spoken of in the Old and New Testament do belong to Believers and that as well Salvation as Faith to lay hold on Jesus Christ are freely of God as a gift Jam. 1.17 Hence I found the Truth of that of Gods Word My thoughts are not your thoughts our thoughts are narrow and run only after the lesser things and would de satisfied with the Restoration of man to his first Estate in the first Adam and considering this new and Second Covenant in the Second Adam not only of things Temporal but also of things Eternal and that this Second Covenant is Everlasting sure and not subject to the fatal Apostacy as was that in the first Adam And as in Contemplation of the Happy State of man in his First Creation the Heart was raised to rejoyce in God and magnifie his goodness and could not but take pleasure in so choice a Speculation and as on reflection upon the dismal and decayed condition of man upon his degeneracy the Soul must needs be dejected with melancholy and grievous thoughts how highly may the Soul be Elevated with Admiration of that infinite love of God to mankind in Christ Jesus who hath in him chosen of the Seed of Abraham before the Foundation of the World Eph. 1.4 5. having predestinated them unto the Adoption of Children to himself and properly apply that of the Holy Prophet Eye hath not seen nor Ear heard neither hath it entred into the Heart of Man besides thee O Lord what good things he hath laid up for them who wait on him Is 64.4 Thus Christian Reader being led unto the meditation of these three material Concerns of mans everlasting condition I have Collected these ensuing Sheets in which I have first considered mans condition in the First Creation and Secondly under his Apostacy wherein I have examined that original Sin in Adam in the several Ingredients thereof and how far the Posterity are guilty and affected with the Evil Consequences of the same upon which are made some practical Inferences Thirdly I have considered the Covenant of grace in the Second Adam wherein I have touched on all the Duties incumbent on Believers under that Covenant and have met with all the emergent Cases of Affliction incident to Believers in the militant State such as spiritual desertion Afflictions by Sickness Imprisonment Poverty Reproach loss of and being forsaken by Friends and Relations and have collected and applyed the several promises to the respective cases and in the close have examined the Duty of Christian Patience and Perseverance with the promises suitable thereunto and lastly have drawn a large Series of Christian Duties and Truths in short Heads with the Scriptural Proofs thereof so as in two or three Pages the marrow of the whole is comprehended and as I dare averr in all Christian Sincerity these Sheets were only Collected for Private and Domestick use without any intention of sending them to publick view by which means they are in a more naked and rude dress without the Curiosity of Eloquence or Artificial patching and as by the importunity of some Friends I was induced to send them abroad I shall only desire thus much in Christian Charity that thou mayest believe that these are the effects of serious enquiry into the Holy Scriptures with Meditation and Prayer and narrowly searching into Truth with what strength I could obtain by grace and that neither in Ostentation or for secular ends they are sent abroad but in all Humility if it may be that others may find therein that Light and Establishment in the way of God which I hope I have and shall find and conceiving this to be a Duty according to that of the Holy Apostle Look not every Man on his own things but every Man also on the things of another Phil. 2.4 and that thou mayest have the Truths of grace Sealed on thy Soul and that
From the corruption of the Fountain Secondly From Scripture Thirdly From daily experience First From the corruption of the Fountain of our actions or performance of Duties It being already proved that Man having wilfully polluted and disordered the frame of Holiness Integrity and Knowledge in which he was created and poysoned the Heart and Affections from whence actions and performances do flow how can pure and full performances or duties be expected from thence Man being in his Heart and Thoughts polluted his Actions must be suitable to the pure all things are pure but unto them that are defiled is nothing pure but even their Mind and Conscience is defiled Tit. 1.15 This is of necessary consequence who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean not one Job 14.4 Wherefore we must conclude that so long as the Fountain of the Heart is defiled so must the actions and performances coming from thence be impure and weak and until Man be renewed in the Spirit of his Mind by regeneration in Jesus Christ he still remains corrupt and polluted until he be again revested with that holy Spirit and that a new heart be given to him by which again he may be enabled to walk in the Statutes of God to do them by vertue of that promise I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my Statutes and ye shall keep my Judgments and do them Ezek. 36.26 27. Secondly Scripture is most clear that all the Actions of a Carnal Man such as are all the Issue of Adam until restored by Regeneration are sinful and unacceptable with God First His Thoughts are polluted and defiled and God saw that the wickedness of Man was great in the Earth and that every Imagination of the Thoughts of his Heart was only evil continually Gen. 6.5 Secondly His words are defiled and sinful but unto the wicked God saith what hast thou to do to declare my Statutes and take my Covenant in thy Mouth seeing thou hatest Instruction and casteth my Words behind thee Psal 50.16 17. Thirdly His Actions are all evil the Ploughing of the Wicked is sin Prov. 21.4 Fourthly The very Religious Actions or Performances of Duties of the Wicked are sinful The Sacrifice of the Wicked is an abomination to the Lord Prov. 15.8 He that turneth away his Ear from hearing the Law even his Prayer shall be an abomination Prov. 28.9 When ye spread forth your hands I will hide mine Eyes from you yea when ye make many Prayers I will not hear your hands are full of blood Isa 1.11 to 16. This point we may thus conclude that whatever flows from a Carnal Man whose Mind and Heart is defiled must be impure and unacceptable to God for that the Carnal Mind is enmity against God and is not subject to the Law of God neither indeed can be Rom. 8.7 Wherefore until the Fountain be purified and the imbred prejudice of the Heart be taken away and man be reconciled to God in Christ Jesus nothing coming from him can be acceptable with God Thirdly Experience clearly proves such disability in every performance Religion for most part is wrapt up in a bare exercise of outward actions of Devotion Formality Ceremony and customary performances are come in such repute that men easily deceive themselves and sit down at ease in these performances without searching into the frame of the Spirit towards God or examining the spring and motive of these Duties or scope and end of their Devotion not regarding whether these duties be undertaken and performed in obedience of the Command in Faith in Sense of Sin in Eye to the Glory of God or remorse for Sin in sense of self pollution and in a desire of renovation and assistance to perform and in every thing to deny our selves and depend on God by Faith but lull their Consciences for most part secure by having done what was customarily reputed religious performances Let a Man pretending to religion more than ordinary examine himself impartially he shall find such disorder of Thoughts in religious duties such narrow and scanty apprehensions of God such invasion of his Thoughts and Affections diverting him from the right and leading him to improper objects unruly interruptions such scanty performances and such uneasiness under these duties that Custom rather than Conscience and Conscience for Self if not carnal Interest at best than for Gods Glory and Salvation is the chief Impulse or Spring of such actions But as to the arraigning of the Affection before God whether placed on God or Lusts Faith on Christ for Justification and Salvation the work of Mortification unfeigned Repentance Christian Patience Charity Brotherly Love and new Obedience are Riddles not only hid from Carnal apprehensions and made mens duties but rather thought nusancies scare crows and enmity to the World and the flesh so that we must conclude that in nature we are without strengâ—h for any Righteous performances and that until the Law of the Members be brought under the Law of the Spirit we can do no good thing Rom. 8.6 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 perform that which is good I find not Rom. 7.18 For I see a Law in my Members warring against the Law of my Mind and bringing me into Captivity to the Law of sin which is in my Members Chap. 7.23 Here we have a clear description and proof of mans natural Incapacity for doing any good and this Incapacity we must ascribe to the corruption of the Heart Affections which had its rise from sin in Adam Having cleared what Original Sin in Adam was and how his Posterity was tainted therewith and made liable to the fatal Consequences thereof we come in the third place to make some practical Inferences from thence First If from the premises it be an unquestionable truth that Adam was created in Perfection and Integrity and that he fell under the most detestable Apostacy and that in his Transgression were complicated all manner of Sins that Nature was polluted in him that all after Posterity are tainted with his guilt and made liable to the consequences of his Sin How little reason have the greatest and richest Men of the World to boast and how great reason have they to humble themselves upon reflection of their Pedigree For that their descent was from him who once was the most glorious absolute richest and only Soveraign on Earth who for his Pride Covetousness Ingratitude and Murmuring was forfeit degraded made miserable and debased That they are at best of corrupted adulterate and degenerate blood and extraction Scripture doth clearly explain this Cause Jerusalem to know her abominations thy Birth and thy Nativity is of the Land of Canaan thy Father was an Amorite thy Mother a Hittite Ezek. 16 23. This People was lineally of Abraham but had followed the Idolatry and wickedness of the Amorites and Hittites therefore are
shall not be your ruine why will you dye O House of Israel for I have no pleasure in the Death of him that dieth saith the Lord wherefore turn your selves and live Ezek. 18.25 to 33. chap. 26. As the Lord doth exercise the Patience of his People in Spiritual Promises for Spiritual things so also to trust his Promises in reference to temporals and these may be branched out in these two First His Promises to the People of God in general without reference to particular cases of suffering and these comprehend God's complex or full purpose to his People Secondly These Promises may relate to the several cases or exigence of Gods People First For Gods Promises in general not relating to particular cases the Scriptures are so full that it 's impossible to collect them however we shall touch some of the most obvious In all their afflictions he was afflicted and the Angel of his Presence saved them in his Love and in his Pitty he remembred them and carried them all the days of old Isa 63.9 His Anger endureth but for a moment sorrow may be at Evening but Joy cometh in the morning Psal 30.5 For thou Lord wilt bless the Righteous with favour wilt thou compass him as with a Sheild Psal 5.12 The Lord will be a refuge for the oppressed a refuge in time of trouble for they that know thy name will put their trust in thee for thou hast not forsaken them that seek thee Psal 9.9 10. Though you have lyen among the Pots yet shall ye be live a Dove whose Wings are covered with Silver and their Feathers with yellow Gold Psalm 68.13 For thou Lord wilt save the afflicted People but wilt bring down high looks he is a buckler to all those that trust in him Psal 18.22 30. unto the upright there ariseth light in darkness surely he shall not be moved for ever the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance he shall not be afraid of evil tidings his Heart is fixed trusting in the Lord Psal 112.4 6 7. Alas for that day is great there is none like it it is the day of Jacobs troubles but they shall be delivered out of them all Jer. 30.7 The Prophet Isaiah sets down in many places Gods universal care over his People O Israel fear not for I have redeemed thee I have called thee by thy name thou art mine when thou passest through the Waters I will be with thee and through the Rivers they shall not overflow thee when thou walkest thorough the Fire thou shalt not be burned neither shall the flames kindle upon thee Isa 43. all The Lord will be a Sun and a Sheild he will give Grace and Glory and no good thing will he with-hold from them that walk uprightly Psal 84.11 Psal 86.5 13 15. The holy Psalmist is full of Prophetical Promises of Gods universal good to his People he that dwelleth in the secret of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty I will say of the Lord he is my Refuge and my Fortress my God in him will I trust surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the Fowler and from the noisome Pestilence he shall cover thee with his Feathers and under his Wings shalt thou trust his truth shall be thy shield and buckler Psal 91. all And of the numerous and large Promises of God to his People and of the Halcyon days of Zion all the Prophets abound for the Law shall go forth of Zion and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem he shall judge many people and the Nations afar off and they shall beat their Swords into Plough-shears and their Spears into pruning hooks Nation shall not lift up a Sword against Nation neither shall they learn War any more but they shall set down every man under his own Vine and under his own Fig tree and none shall make them afraid for the Mouth of the Lord of Hosts hath spoken it I will assemble her that halteth and her that is driven out and her that I have afflicted and I will make her that halted a Remnant and her that was cast far off a strong Nation And the Lord shall reign over them in Zion from henceforth and for ever thou shalt go even to Babylon and there thou shalt be delivered there the Lord shall redeem thee from the hand of thine Enemies Arise and thresh O Daughter of Zion for I will make thy Horn Iron and thy Hoofs Brass and thou shalt beat in pieces many People and I will consecrate their gain and their substance to the God of the whole Earth Mic. 4. all Awake awake stand up O Jerusalem which hast drunk at the hand of the Lord the Cup of his fury thou hast drunk the dregs of the Cup of trembling and thou hast wrung them out there is none to guide her amongst all the Sons whom she hath brought forth neither is there any that taketh her by the hand of all the Sons whom she hath brought up these two things are come unto thee who shall be sorry for thee desolation and destruction the Famine and the Sword by whom shall I comfort thee thy Sons have fainted they lye at the head of all the Streets they are full of the fury of the Lord thy God therefore now hear this thou afflicted and drunken but not with Wine Thus saith the Lord the God and thy God that pleadeth the cause of his People behold I have taken out of thy hand the cup of trembling even the dregs of the Cup of my fury thou shalt no more drink it again but I will put it into the hands of them that afflicted thee who have said to thy Soul bow down that we may go over and thou hast laid thy body as the ground and as the street to them that went over Isa 51.17 to end Is Ephraim my dear Son is he a pleasant Child for since I spoke against him I do earnestly remember him still my bowels are troubled for him Jer. 31.20 Thus saith the Lord because the Enemy hath said against you a hah made you desolate and swallowed you up for a possession to the Heathen and ye are taken up in the lips of talkers and are in Infamy to the People and are a prey and derision I have spoken in my Jealousie and my fury because ye have born the reproach of the Heathen ye shall shall shoot forth your branches and yield your fruit for behold I am for you and ye shall be tilled and sown I will multiply you and settle you after your old Estates and I will do better to you than at your beginning and ye shall know that I am the Lord I will take you from among the Heathen whether I have driven you and I will bring you into your own Land then will I sprinkle you with clean Water and you shall be clean from all your filthiness and from all your Idols a new Heart also will I give you and a
both He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords and all power is given to him in Heaven and in Earth he hath the Keys of Hell and Death he openeth and no man shuts and he shutteth and no man openeth Rev. 1.18 He executeth Judgment for the oppressed who giveth food to the hungry the Lord looseth the Prisoner Psal 146.7 The Lord upholdeth all that fall and raiseth up all that be bowed down Psal 145.14 He made them to be pittied of those that carried them away Captives Psal 107.10 Then they cried unto the Lord and he delivered them out of their distresses such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of Death being bound in Afflictions Irons he brought them out of Darkness and the Shadow of Death and broke their Bonds asunder he sent his Word and healed them and delivered them from their destructions Psal 107.6 10 14 20. The Lord heareth the Poor and despiseth not the Prisoners Psal 69.33 Thus saith the Lord I will bring again the Captivity of Jacobs Tents and have mercy on his dwelling place and the City shall be built upon her own heap and the Pallace shall remain after the manner thereof Behold I will bring them from the North Country and they shall come with weeping and with supplication will I lead them I will cause them to walk by the Rivers of Waters by a straight way wherein they shall not stumble for I am a Father to Israel and Ephraim is my first born he that scattered Israel will gather him as a Shepherd doth his Flock for the Lord hath redeemed Israel and ransomed him from him that was stronger than he Jer. 30.18 A Voice was heard in Rama Lamentation and bitter weeping Rachel weeping for her Children refusing to be comforted because they were not thus saith the Lord refrain thy Voice from Weeping and thine Eyes from Tears for thy Work shall be rewarded and they shall come again from the Land of the Enemy there is hope in thine end that they shall come again to their own Borders Jer 31 8 to 23. And the Heathen shall know that the House of Israel went into Captivity because they trespassed against me therefore hid I my Face from them therefore thus saith the Lord now will I bring again the Captivity of Jacob and have mercy upon the whole House of Israel I will be jealous for my Holy Name after that they have born their shame and all their trespasses that they have trespassed against me when they dwelt safely in their own Land and none made them afraid And I am Sanctified of them in the sight of many Nations Then shall they know that I am the Lord their God which caused them to be led into Captivity among the Heathen but I have gathered them into their own Land and have left none of them any more there neither will I hide my Face any more from them for I have poured out my Spirit upon the House of Israel Ezekiel 29.23 c. Behold I will gather them out of all Nations and all Countries whether I have driven them in mine anger and in my fury and in great wrath and will bring them again to this place and will cause them to dwell safely and they shall be my People and I will be their God and I will give them one Heart and one Way that they may fear me for the good of them and their Children after them Yea I will rejoice over them to do them good and I will most assuredly plant them in this Land with my whole Heart and with my whole Soul for as I have brought all this great evil upon this People so will I bring upon them all the good that I have promised them Jer. 32.37 to end Turn ye to the strong hold ye Prisoners of hope even to day do I declare unto you that I will render double unto you they shall be as the Stones of a Crown lifted up as an Ensign upon his Land for how great is his goodness how great is his beauty Corn shall make the Young Men chearful and the new Wine Maids Zach. 9.12 to the end Thus saith the Lord after seventy years be accomplished at Babilon I will visit you and perform my good words towards you and cause you to return to this place for I know the Thoughts that I think towards you Thoughts of Peace and not of Evil to give you an expected end you shall call on me go and pray and I will hearken unto you ye shall seek me and find me when ye seek me with all your Heart I will be found of you and turn away your Captivity and gather you from all the Nations and all places whither I have driven you and bring you again to the place whence I caused you to be driven away Captive Jer. 29.10 to 15. And the ransomed of the Lord shall return to Zion with everlasting Songs and Joy upon their Heads they shall obtain Joy and Gladness and Sorrow and Sighing shall fly away Isa 39.10 That thou may'st say to the Prisoners go forth to them that are in darkness shew your selves the Captives of the mighty shall be taken away and the Prey of the terrible shall be taken away Isa 49.5 25 26. read Isaiah 52. to 7. and Psal 102.19 and Isa 20. God setteth the solitary in Families and bringeth out those that are bound with Chains but rebellious are in a dry Land As we see from the foregoing Scriptures the manifold Promises of God for the delivery of his Prisoners of hope the same instruct us also of the Lords great Power and goodness in his delivering of his People in these respects First By giving to them a more lively appearance and discovery of himself under their confinement than formerly and affords them more patience and courage to bear their Afflictions and Confinements Prisons or places of Retirement and as at all times we should examine our case as to peace with God and seeing all afflictions are from God and Confinements especially for the good of such as wait on him we ought in Prison Houses to search our Hearts and try our Ways and seek out the Causes of Gods so dealing with us and by this means he maketh the darkest Prisons the happiest Lodgings by the effects it works on such as therein walk with God and seek reconciliation with him in Jesus Christ we see what clear revelations Jeremiah had when shut up in closest Prisons and Dungeons and with what undaunted Zeal and Courage for God he delivers the Message of God when he was most severely dealt with being supported by God against all discouragements see Jeremiah 32.2 and 3. chap. 33. and 1. ch 37.16 ch 38.4.5 and 6. chap. 39.16 17 18. ch 42.10 See the constancy of Zeal and Courage of the three Children when they knew the Law against them was irrepealable Be it known to the oh King we will not obey thee nor worship the Image which thou hast set up
Dan. 3.16 17 18. How did Peter filled with the Holy Ghost being in Prison maintain the Cause of Christ when being forbid to Preach any more in the Name of Christ thus reasoned Whether it be better to obey God or Man judge ye for we cannot but speak the things that we have seen and heard Acts 4.3 9. How joyful and chearful were Paul and Sylas in Prison after they had been soundly whipt for Preaching in the Name of Jesus by Praying and Singing of Psalms in the hearing of other Prisoners how are all the Books of the Histories of the Christians Persecutions as well under Heathenish as Roman Tyranny full of the chearfulness of Christians in their Imprisonment for Truth so as many have been offered their Lives who rather did chuse to suffer Death than to live and be under greater Temptation Secondly By making Enemies Mediators for his People and Instruments of their Deliverance the Lord put it in the Heart of Cyrus King of Babylon whose Ancestours had kept the Israelites Captive seventy years to send them back to Jerusalem with Instructions to rebuild the Temple at his Charge and restored to them the Vessels took out of the Temple Jeremiah was enlarged and delivered by the King of Babylon when he was imprisoned by his own Native Prince Jer. 39.11 12 15. Paul and Sylas were brought out of Prison by the same persons by whom they were shut up and the Jailor washed their wounds and entertained them in Prison Act. 16.26 Thirdly By delivering of his People by his own immediate Hand And the Angel of the Lord opened the Prison Doors and brought them forth and said to them go forth and preach to all People the words of this Life Act. 12.13 The same Apostle also delivered by an Angel the Doors and Iron Gates opening of themselves and his Chains falling off and he and Sylas delivered by an Earth-quake all which shew the Lords special care over his Prisoners of Hope which invites all such to a patient waiting on God Believing the Vision is for an appointed time and he that shall come will come and will not tarry He made them to be pittied of those that carried them captive Ps 106.46 The third case wherein Gods Promises do support his People is Poverty or which the Scriptures abound the Holy Jesus who is truth it self tells us That Man liveth not by Bread alone but by every Word that proceedeth out of the Mouth of God Mat. 4.4 And that his special Providence and care is the only supply of his People as he câ—reth for the Lillies provides for the Ravens and Sparrows so taketh he care of his People however the Lords Promises to his People in Poverty are large When the Poor and needy seeketh Water and there is none and their Tongue faileth for thirst I the Lord will hear them the God of Israel will not forsake them I will open Rivers in high places and fountains in the midst of the valleys I will make the Wilderness a Pool of Water and the dry Land springs of Water Isa 41.17 18. I will give thee the Treasures of Darkness and hidden Riches of Secret Places that thou mayest know that I the Lord which call thee by thy name am the God of Israel Isa 45.3 Ho every one that thirsteth come ye to the Waters and he that hath no money come ye buy and eat without money and without price Isa 55.1 2. The Lord shall guide thee continually and satisfy thy Soul in drouth and make Fat thy Bones and thou shalt be like a Watered Garden and like a Spring of Water whose Waters fail not Isa 58.11 Though Poverty pincheth and Straights are sore Trials yet consider and believe Gods Providence and Care of his People at all times either in supplying their wants in his own time and way or blessing what they have and increasing a little to a great deal First In supplying their wants see the Lords supply of Ishmael when his Mother laid him out of her sight not willing to see him dye for want of Drink Gen. 21.16 to 21. The Lords feeding his People with Manna for Bread and Quales for Flesh from Heaven Exod. 16. The Lords making Water to arise out of the Jaw-bone of an Ass to preserve Sampson's Life Jud. 15.9 The Lords feeding of Elisha by sending of food to him by a Raven 1 Kin. 17. The Lords wonderful relieving the City of Samaria strongly besieged and opprest with Famine when Women did eat their own Children and in one Night brought it great plenty by his wonderful Providence 2 Kin. 7. all Secondly By blessing and encreasing a little to a great deal The little that a Righteous Man hath is better than the Riches of many wicked Psal 37.16 The wonderful encreasing of the Widow of Sarepta's Oil and Barrel of Meal to the feeding her self her Son and the Prophet Elisha many days when she thought to have starved for want 1 Kin. 19. The Lords preserving Elisha forty days and forty nights by two single Meals 1 Kin. 19. The Lords making a small quantity of Oil to encrease to many Barrels and thereby relieved the Widows two Sons who were to have been soâ—d for the payment of their Fathers debt 2 Kin. 4 all The Lord Jesus Christ his feeding of five thousand Men besides Women and Children with five Loaves and two small Fishes and after all were satisfied twelve Baskets full of Fragments were taken up Mark 6.42 43 44. And to conclude this point see what Omnipotency saith Prove me now saith the Lord if I will not open the Windows of Heaven and pour out a Blessing that you shall not have room to receive it Malachy 3.10 Fourthly The fourth Affliction or Trial of Christians in which God assisteth his People by his Promises is the unkindness unnaturality or changeableness of friends as this is a great trial yet it is the frequent Lot of Christians Christ the Lord of Glory was not only forsaken of his Friends but also betrayed by one of his own Disciples Job was charged with Hypocrisy by his three Friends and tempted by his Wife to Curse God David had his Throne Usurped by his own Son and his Wives defiled by him in the sight of the Sun Moses was accused of usurpation by his Brother Aaron and Sister Miriam Numb 11.4 and daily experience proveth that a Mans Enemies are those of his own House however the Lords Promises for Comfort and Support of his People under this Trial are many and almost numberless See that early Mercy of God to the Church as representing the state of all men by Nature in that often repeated place No Eye pittied thee to do any â—f these things to thee nevertheless he proves that kind Samaritan who takes pity and care when the Priest and Levite whose profession was to shew Charity passed by without Pitty or Care and sufficiently provides for the poor wounded Man Luke 10.30 to 39. See the Psalmists Case Thou hast put
My Brethren have dealt deceitfully with me as a Brook John 13.18 This also was the sad Condition of the Church Thou hast heard their reproach O Lord their Imaginations against me the Lips of those that rise up against me their devices against me all the day long behold their sitting down and their rising up I am their Musick Lam. 3.6 62 63. David was as among Lions their Teeth were as Spears against him and their Tongues as sharp Swords they wrested his words Psal 57.4 Psal 56.2 5 6. He was the Song of the Drunkards Reproach hath broken my Heart I am full of heaviness I looked for some to take pity but there was none and for comforters but I found none Psal 69. all Our Soul is exceedingly filled with the scorn of those that dwell at ease and with the contempt of the Proud Psal 123.4 The sixth reason why God thus chastiseth his People is to make them sensible of the different measures by which he deals with his People in their Afflictions and with the wicked by his Judgment upon them and that consists in these six respects First He chastiseth his People in love and for their good but his Judgments on the Wicked are to their Everlasting Loss and Condemnation Secondly He unwillingly and with reluctance corrects his People but taketh pleasure in his Justice upon the Wicked Thirdly He corrects his People in measure and moderation but Rains down the Vials of his displeasure upon his Enemies Fourthly The Chastisements of his People are but for a moment and not to make an end of them but the Wicked are totally cut off without expectation or hope of recovery Fifthly The Godly though afflicted are comforted by Gods presence they have communion and fellowship with the Father and holy Trinity but the Wicked have no hope in their end or punishments Sixthly The Godly by their afflictions are taught to know the difference between Spiritual and Carnal enjoyments Temporal and Eternal Mercies First The Godly's Chastisements are for their good although all Trials Afflictions and Temptations are a dark Cloud and carry a pale Face yet when the Godly do search out the purpose of God in this and are desirous to know his Intentions therein they will see this to be in love when the Godly enjoy all sensual pleasures without any intermission they are apt to surfeit upon Mercies and turn lazy and forget God as the slothful Man by luxuriant feeding ease and gluttony contracts a Lethargy so are the best of men apt to forget the Fountain of Mercies and wax wanton against God as the People of Israel in their quiet and plenteous enjoyments Exod. 15 ch 17. Num. 11. ch 16. Deut. 11. Therefore the Lord visits his People with Rods to rouse them out of their laziness to make them turn to their rock for their good and safety Psal 106. Before I was afflicted I went astray but now have I learned to keep thy Word blessed is the Man whom thou chastiseth and teacheth out of thy Law Psal 119.67 71. This is the end to the Godly to take away his sin Isa 27.9 Whom the Lord loveth he chastneth and scourgeth every Son whom he receiveth If ye endure chastning God dealeth with you as with Sons for what Son is he whom the Father chastneth not but if ye be without Chastisement whereof all are partakers then are ye Bastards and no Children we had Fathers of the Flesh who chastised us after their own pleasure and we gave them reverence shall we not much rather be in subjection to the Father of Spirits and life for they for a while corrected us according to their own pleasure but he for our profit that we may be partakers of his holiness now no chastning for the present seemeth joyous but grievous but afterwards it bringeth forth the perfect fruit of Righteousness to them that are exercised thereby Heb. 12.5 to 12. But see the Issue of the wicked and ungodly they shall be like the chaff which the Wind driveth away Ps 1.4 5 6. Secondly The Lord doth not afflict his People willingly but with great reluctancy How shall I give thee up Ephraim how shall I deliver thee Israel how shall I make thee as Adma how shall I set thee as Zeboim my Heart is turned within me my repenting is turned together Hos 11.8 Is Ephraim my dear Son is he a pleasant Child for since I spoke against him I remember him still earnestly my Bowels are troubled for him I will surely have mercy upon him saith the Lord Jer. 31.20 Repent and turn your selves from your transgressions so Iniquity shall not be your ruin cast away all your transgressions and make you a new Heart and a new Spirit for why will you dye O house of Israel for I have no pleasure in the death of a sinner therefore turn your selves and live See Ezek. 33.11 Luk. 13.34 35. Ezek. 18.30 31 32. Thirdly The Lord corrects his People in measure and not in extremity as he doth the wicked hath he smitten him as he smote those that smote him or is he slain according to the slaughter of them that are slain by him in measure when it shooteth forth thou wilt debate with it he stayeth his rough Wind in the day of his East-wind Isaiah 27.7 8. Fourthly The Afflictions of the Godly are but for a short time for a small moment have I forsaken thee but with great mercy will I gather thee in a little wrath I hid my self from thee for a moment but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy upon thee Isa 5 4.7 8. They shall go into Babilon until I deliver them I will visit them there and restore them to this place Jer. 27.22 Refrain thy voice from weeping and thine eyes from tears for thy work shall be rewarded and they shall come again from the Land of the Enemy and there is hope in thine end and thy Children shall come again in their own border Jer. 31.15 16 17. Thus though the Lord deals severely with his People nevertheless it is but for a time and in moderation and giveth them a happy delivery and eternal rest with himself in the end but he deals otherways with his Enemies never withdrawing his Judgments from them until he hath accomplished their destruction and avenged their malice against his People Wherefore it shall come to pass when the Lord hath performed this whole work upon mount Sion I will punish the stout-heart of the King of Assyria and the glory of his high looks Isa 41.15 16. I was wroth with my People I have polluted mine Inheritance and given them into thy hands thou didst shew them no mercy upon the antient hast thou very heavily laid thy yoak thou saidst I will be a Lady for ever for that thou didst not lay these things to thy Heart neither didst remember the latter end of them therefore hear thou this thou that art given to pleasure that dwellest carelesly that sayest in thy Heart
and made them white in the Blood of the Lamb therefore are they before the Throne of God and serve him day and night in his Temple and he that sitteth on the Throne shall dwell among them they hunger no more neither thirst any more neither shall the Sun light on them or any heat for the Lamb which is in the midst of the Throne shall feed them and lead them into living Fountains of Waters and God shall wipe away all Tears from their Eyes Rev. 7.14 15 16. Is not here a fair recompence for all possible tribulations losses crosses and sufferings And on the other hand see the end of all the voluptuous pleasures and enjoyments of the Wicked If any man worship the Beast and his Image and receive his mark in his forehead or in his hand the same shall drink of the Wine of the wrath of God which is poured out without mixture into the Cup of his Indignation and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the Holy Angels and in the presence of the Lamb and the smoak of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever Rev. 14.9 10 11. And they shall go forth and look on the Carcasses of men that have transgressed against me for their worm shall not dye and their Fire shall not be quenched and they shall be an abhorring to all flesh Isa 66.2 4. But on the other hand we have the further comfort of the Godly Hear ye the Word of the Lord ye that tremble at his Word your Brethren that hated you that cast you out for my names sake said let the Lord be glorified but he shall appear to your joy and they shall be ashamed Isa 66.5 And then shall the Godly see the accomplishment of these evangelical Prophecies My Servants shall sing for joy of Heart but ye shall cry for sorrow of Heart and howl for vexation of Spirit and leave your name for a Curse to my chosen Isa 59.18 to 22. chap. 65.14 15. and have all the other comfortable Promises and Prophecies made clear to them Isa 50. all chap. 60. chap. 61 chap. 62. chap. 63. chap. 65. chap. 66. As we have viewed mans state from the beginning and traced the steps of his toilsom Pilgrimage to his reconciliation to God by Jesus Christ and placed him in the state of Adoption by the Covenant of Peace we come in the next place to consider the difference of mans estate in the first Adam and his sure and happy condition in the second Adam Jesus Christ the Mediator Man in his first Creation while in obedience was the Darling of God Head and Lord of all the Creatures on Earth and had the priviledge of self pleasing in all the Creatures under restriction of the Command but lusting against the command and exceeding his bounds broke the Chain of obedience and fell under the Curse and thus soon after his being made Lord over the Creatures his concupiscence and ambition of enjoying more and knowing more than what was allowed to him by the Justice of God for his presumption he is deprived of his soveraignty over the other Creatures whereas before they were subject to him he and they also are subjected to the Curse of Enmity I will put enmity between thy Seed and her Seed it shall bruise thy Head and thou shalt bruise its Heel Cursed be the Ground for thy sake in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life Gen. 3.14 to 20. Whereas upon the other hand such who have obtained mercy to be within the new Covenant of Peace through Jesus Christ are founded upon surer terms of an everlasting Covenant that cannot fail or be broken and those within it cannot miss of having the priviledges and advantages thereof and these principally are four First This Covenant is everlasting not subject to change or alteration Secondly He is Faithful with whom it is made and cannot fail in his performances Thirdly As God who Covenants with his People is faithful able and willing to perform on his part so he fits his People to perform on their parts Fourthly The great benefit and advantages annexed to this Covenant eternal Life and all Happiness First This Covenant is everlasting how great a consolation must it be to Believers that they are not only reconciled to God and the Curse for Disobedience taken off by Jesus Christ in his blood but also to be within an everlasting Covenant with God and have the Mediator Jesus Christ to make continual Intercession for them for when we were without strength Christ in due time died for the ungodly when we were yet Sinners Christ Died for us much more being now justified by his Blood we shall be saved from wrath through him if when we were Enemies we were reconciled by his Death much more being reconciled we shall be saved by his Life Rom. 5.6.7 8 9. Wherein God willing more abundantly to shew to the Heirs of Promise the Immutability of his Counsel confirmed it by an Oath by two Immutable things in which it was impossible for God to lye that we might have a strong consolation who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us wh ch hope we have as an Anchor of the Soul both sure and stedfast and which entreth into that within the Vail whether the fore-runner is for us entred even Jesus made an High Priest for ever after the Order of Melchisedeck Heb. 6.17 18 19 20. For this cause he is the Mediator of the New Testament that by means of his Death for Redemption of the Transgressions that were under the first Testament they which are called may receive the Promise of Eternal Inheritance for Christ is not entered into the Holy Places made with Hands which are the figures of the true but into Heaven it self now to appear in the presence of God for us Heb. 9.15 25. If any Man sin we have an Advocate with the Father even Jesus Christ the Righteous 1 Joh. 2.1 The whole Scriptures are a series of testimonies of this everlasting Covenant with Believers I will betroath thee unto me for ever in righteousness in judgment in loving kindness and mercy I even will betroath thee unto me in faithfulness and thou shalt know the Lord. Hos 2.19 20. This shall be my Covenant not after the manner of their Fathers but a new Covenant and I will put my Law in their inward parts and write it in their Hearts and they shall be my People and I will be their God Jer. 30.31 to 38. They shall be my People and I will be their God and I will give them one heart and one way that they may fear me for ever for the good of them and their Children after them Jer. 32.38 39. Secondly God is faithful therefore this Covenant founded upon his Promise cannot sail The gifts and calling of God are without Repentance Rom. 11.29 If my Covenant be not with Day and Night and if
liveth in me and the Life that I live in the flesh is by the Faith of the Son of God that loved me and gave himself for me Gal. 2.20 From hence and other Scriptures and History of the Saints Lives we see the different usage of the Godly and Wicked the Saints are Dead to the World and their Delight and chief Satisfaction is in God the Wicked make the World their God and sole Delight and glut themselves with Satiety in it but the Godly can find no Contentment in the Creature but with Reference to God in Christ Jesus and make him their chief Delight and cry out none but Christ and this is the Prohibition of the Gospel that we should not love Father Mother Brothers or Sisters or our own Life more than God Mat. 10.37 38 39. but God doth not forbid the lawful use of the Creatures but only forbids using it in Vanity Superfluity and Prodigality Secondly In being of the same Mind with Christ is not only to Act Do and propose the same things with his Father but also to do all and suffer all for the Glory of God The Worldlings kiss their own Hand and Sacrifice to their own Net and say their own Hand hath done it and ascribe the glory of all the Enjoyments they have to themselves or to the Creatures in which they delight and say These are the Rewards which my Lovers and Companions have given me Hosea 2.12 13. Nebuchadnezzar ascribed all to his own Power and Glory Is not this great Babylon that I have built for the House of the Kingdom by the Might of my Power and for the Honour of my Majesty and see the Event and Gods Just Judgment upon him while the word was in his Mouth there fell a Voice from Heaven saying O King Nebuchadnezzar to thee it is spoken the Kingdom is departed from thee and they shall drive thee from Men and thy dwelling shall be with the Beasts of the Field they shall make thee to eat Grass as Oxen and seven times shall pass over thee until thou know that the most High Ruleth in the Kingdom of Men and giveth it to whomsoever he will Dan. 4.30 to 34. See the Pride of Herod and taking to himself the glory due to God and the fatal Judgment of God on him for it And immediately an Angel of God smote him because he gave not God the glory and was eaten of worms and gave up the Ghost Acts 12.21 22 23. On the other Hand Christ set the Fathers glory before him as the chief Scope and Design of all his Actions and Intentions When his supposed Father Joseph and his Mother sought him with Care and came back to Jerusalem and found him in the Temple disputing they told him they had anxiously sought him he answered not with Apology or Excuse but said How is it that you sought me wist ye not that I must be about my Fathers Business Luke 2.46 to 50. We see that he placeth all his Business in the Honour and doing of the Will of God yea he placeth his Esteem on all such and accounts such only to be his Relations as obey his Fathers Will And Jesus answered and said to them these are my Father Mother and Brethren which hear the Word of God and do it Luke 8.21 We see in all the Miracles and Wonders Christ wrought Curing Diseases and Raising the Dead he Exhorts to the giving of glory to God and more particularly in that Famous place Thus saith the Lord let not the Wise Man glory in his Wisdom nor the Rich Man glory in his Riches neither let the Mighty Man glory in his Might but let him that glorieth glory in this that he knoweth and understandeth me that I am the Lord which exerciseth loving Kindness Judgment and Righteousness in the Earth for in these things I delight Jer. 9.23 24. Thus then ought all the Followers of Christ to have the same mind that was in Christ Jesus that is to set Gods glory as the chief Scope of all Designs and Actions before them He that gloryeth let him glory in the Lord and whatsoever we do whether we Eat or Drink let us do all things to the glory of God 1 Cor. 1.31 The World was made by God and for his Honour therefore all should be ascribed to him hence we may find whether the same mind be in us which was in Christ Jesus if we do what he did and to the same end and glory of God therefore it behoveth us to bring all our Actions and Purposes to this Touch for if they be not of this stamp they are Reprobated Counterfeit and will not be allowed in the Ballance of the Sanctuary for all the Children of God are led by his Spirit wherefore we must try the Spirits whether the same mind be in us which was in Christ Jesus know ye not that Christ is in you except ye be Reprobates but ye are not in the flesh but in the spirit if so be that the spirit of God dwelleth in you now if any Man have not the spirit of Christ he is none of his and if Christ be in you the Body is Dead because of sin but the spirit is life Rom. 8.9 10 11. because of Righteousness but if the spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the Dead dwell in you he that raised Christ from the Dead shall also quicken your Mortal Bodies by his spirit that dwelleth in you Ro. 9.10 11. Thirdly Unity of Spirit is to be one in Knowledge there is nothing raiseth Mans thoughts more than desire of Knowledge and nothing Magnifieth Man more than Knowledge and herein doth Man most excel all other Creatures not only that God hath made them Lords over the Creatures but that he hat endowed him with a Rational Soul capable of understanding above other Creatures and in nothing is the Power Wisdom and Goodness of God more eminent than by the different measure of Knowledge bestowed on Mankind Man in general exceeds all other Creatures in Knowledge and Ingenuity but every Generation and Nation exceed others at such a Rate so as what in one Age or Generation is a Riddle and hid as a Mystery in another it is Perspicuous clear and easie so that the knowledge of things is the darling of Ages Although we have the Sun Moon and Stars the Fabrick of Heaven Earth and the Seas the indefatigable and daily Travels of Discoverers and the use of Reading and the Antients to inform us either of the parts of the Earth and Treasures thereof yet are we still to seek as well of the Parts as Treasures of things undiscovered The New Inventions of Mens Ingenuity or the secrets of Nature and Power of Art make it true which Solomon saith he that increaseth in Knowledge encreaseth in Sorrow because the Soul of Man is restless and the account of the Idolatry Wickedness and Rebellion of Man on Earth is just cause of Sorrow Grief and Mourning because of the
16. read all Sixthly Does the free Market of Grace Merit no Admiration Thankfulness and Credit Isa 55 1 2 3. Seventhly Are not these words of him that cannot lye Dissemble or Deceive As I live saith the Lord I desire not the Death of sinner but rather that he should repent and live Come and let us reason together saith the Lord though your sins be as Scarlet I will make them as Wooll though they be red as Crimson I will make them as Snow Come unto me all ye that Labour and are heavy Laden and I will give you rest Is 1.18 Mat. 11.28 Eighthly Is not this Christs own Voice Behold I stand at the Door and knock if any Man will open to me I will come in and he shall Sup with me and I with him And to him that overcometh will I give to sit with me in my Throne even as I overcame and am set down with my Father in his Throne Rev. 3.20 21. Now how great was the Stupidity and Folly not to believe these Fatherly Invitations and Comply with them that we may be Eternally Happy Inference Though Man by Nature in the above Description be inexpressibly Miserable yet not without Remedy by Faith in Jesus Christ who dyed for a sinner and Salvation and Eternal Life promised to Believers in him Rom. 5.5 6 7. Jo. 3.16 17 18. wherefore we should take Heart Courage and a patient waiting on him And for our Assistance and Encouragement First Under the deep Sense of Mans Misery in the condition of Natural sin as in the preceding Description of Man with a continual Lowliness and Humility of Mind as a check to Pride Self and Sin looking into Mans Character when any thing of Sin or Temptation offers and with the Apostle cry out O Wretched Man that I am who shall deliver me from this Body of Death Rom. 7.24 Secondly Have deep Admiration of the height and depth of the unsearchable Love of God in Christ Jesus who hath made Christ to Believers all and in all Eph. 3.17 18 19. Col. 3.11 Thirdly Be Reconciled to the Cross of Christ and Affliction as the happy means of Reconciling thee to God before I was Afflicted I went astray but now have I learned to know the Law I will return to my place and hide my Face until they acknowledge their Iniquities seek my Face in their Afflictions they will seek me early Hos 5.15 I have refined thee but not with Silver I have chosen thee in the Furnace of Affliction Is 48.10 I will bring her into the Wilderness and there I will allure her and speak Comfortably unto her Hos 2.14 I reckon that the present Afflictions of this Life which are but for a Moment are not worthy to be compared to that exceeding weight of glory that shall be revealed in us 2 Cor. 4.17 18. Fourthly Ly patiently under the Rod until the time of thy Deliverance come and quarrel not with the Instruments of thy Chastisement hear the Voice of the Rod and who hath appointed wait for the Vision though it tarry it will speak Hab. 2.3 Say with David Lo here am I let him do with me what seemeth good in his sight 2 Sam. 15.25 26. as with the Apostle I have learned in every condition therewith be content I know how to want and how to abound Phil. 4.11 12 13. I will bear the Indignation of the Lord until he plead my Cause and Execute Judgment for me Mic. 7.9 Fifthly Believe it to be a Truth and be Comforted in it that all things work together for good to such as wait for him and that the end is Eternal Life in Jesus Christ Ro. 8.28 Faith and Salvation are inseparable Companions as well from the Covenant of God in Christ Jesus as from the Fidelity Power Promise and good Will of God and this alone is able to answer all the Cavils of Malice and Disquiet or Discouragement which may arise from the Consideration of the meanness or misery by Nature or under the sense of Mans weakness under his sinful Condition in this that he that believeth shall have Eternal Life Jo. 3.16 17 18. for though Man in his best Condition by Nature without grace be a meer Picture Shadow Vapour Bubble and like a Bell upon the Water or dew on the Grass that withereth his whole Life Labour and Sorrow Vanity and lighter than Vanity so as he desireth Death rather than Life and at Death is the end of all his glory and his Misery is endless in Everlasting Destruction as in the foregoing Description hence is the unspeakable Consolation of Believers that the Covenant of God is everlasting not of the things of this Life only but also of the Life t come the gifts and calling of God are without Repentance and herein doth the excellency of the Covenant of grace exceed that of the Covenant of Works with Man in his first Creation First The first state and Condition of Man naturally considered was of the things of this Natural Life only but the New and second Covenant is of things of this Life and also of that which is to come so that the New Covenant which hath the promise of this Life and of that also which is to come is more valuable than the other Godliness is great gain 1 Tim. 4.8 c. Wherefore Christ adviseth us not to store up perishing things but rather the Kingdom of God and his Righteousness Mat. 6.19 to 24. Secondly We see in Natural Mans Description what a slippery thing he is and the meanness of his Condition and where all with him ends but the Enjoyments of the New Covenant is the Inheritance of all things which perish not nor change Ro. 11.29 Thirdly To this New Covenant belong Priviledges which make Happiness here and Eternally hereafter by all which the Fellows of this Covenant are endowed with the greatest priviledges and assisted with the Richest promises that infinite Wisdom and Goodness thought fit to make a happy State here and Eternally hereafter Fourthly The excellency of this Covenant is such that the priviledges thereto belonging qualifies and secures the Heirs of this Covenant against all vicissitudes in this Life and fits and moulds them for the Enjoyment of that Eternal State provided and secured by this New Covenant the infinite Wisdom and Goodness of God designing to make Believers Citizens of the New Jerusalem made without Hands eternal in the Heavens alters and changes the whole frame of Man from what it was formerly in Nature and squares him to that Heavenly building Although of Gods free Will and Pleasure for his own glory without the necessity of any further perfection Man was at first Created by God as the free love of God in Christ Jesus is the only Rise of Mans Eternal Happiness nevertheless it is not only compleated by Election but also by Regeneration and newness of Life in Christ Jesus and by being made Holy as God is Holy and therefore the whole frame of
This great promise of general and particular assistance and so many great priviledges being the first ground of Christian encouragement The second is That they have the example of Christ his Prophets and Saints in Heaven who have with undaunted courage chearfulness and patience fought that good fight and have received their reward As it is great happiness in any warfare to be under wise able and experienced Commanders and as the fame of the Captain raiseth Courage and hope of Victory so it is much more in this Christian warfare where Christ is General and the Saints in Glory are examples Whose Courage Wisdom or Power can be comparable to Christs who is Wisdom it self Prov. 1.20 chap. 8.1 who is power infinite Col. 1.15 16 17. and for his experience he is the antient of days First He is Wisdom it self wisdom is his stile and name and well it may be so for by his wisdom First He made all things and by himself he upholdeth all things He is the Image of the Invisible God and in whom dwelleth all Power and the Godhead bodily Heb. 1. to 14. Secondly He is infinite in Power and there is no searching of his understanding he hath measured the Waters in the hollow of his hand he metted out the Heaven with his Span and comprehended the Dust of the Earth in a Measure and weighed the Mountains in Scales and the Hills in a Ballance The Nations are before him as a drop of a Bucket and are counted as the small Dust of a Ballance he taketh up the Hills as a very little thing Job 32.8 ch 38. ch 39. Isa 40.12 to 16. Thirdly For Experience he is the Antient of days the First-Born of every Creature the Alpha and Omega see that Discription given him by Solomon the Wisest of Men Prov. 8. all Rev. 1.17 18. Col. 1.17 He is not only Wise and Wisdom himself but he is Wisdom diffusive to others gives them not only the precepts of Wisdom but doth infuse Wisdom into them and maketh them docile and quick in Understanding and in this he exceeds all other Captains and Teachers who may instruct but cannot form the understanding as he doth I will pour my Spirit on you I will make known my words unto you Pro. 1.23 John 1. to 6. Isa 61.1 He is the Spirit of Wisdom inlightning the World he is sent of the Father and hath of him received the Spirit to Communicate Wisdom to others The Spirit of the Almighty giveth him understanding this Wisdom is such as excelleth because it is of Christs own Spirit Pure Truth and tryed pure as Gold yea purer than much fine Gold see the excellent vertue of Gods Precepts and Instructions Converting the Soul Enlightning the eyes Clean True Righteous Sweet Instructing and in keeping of them there is great reward and endure for ever Ps 19.7 to 1. This Wisdom is the fear of God from whence it hath its rise and how excellent and desirous this is see Prov. 1.8 and all ch 8. all James 3.17 in which are made out all advantages both Spiritual and Temporal See what account the Holy Prophet makes of this Wisdom and Knowledge of God above all Human Knowledge or of things Earthly let not the Rich Man glory in his Riches nor the Wise Man in his Wisdom nor the Strong Man in his Strength but let him that glorieth glory in this saith the Lord that he understandeth and knoweth me that I am the Lord which exerciseth loving kindness Judgment and Righteousness in the Earth for in these things I delight saith the Lord Jer. 9.24 The Holy Evangelist testifieth of this Wisdom This is Life Eternal to know thee and whom thou hast sent Jesus Christ Jo. 17.23 24. The Holy Apostle also declares what this Wisdom is even Jesus Christ Who of God is made unto us Wisdom Righteousness Sanctification and Redemption 1 Cor. 1.30 Secondly The second qualification of this great Christian General in his power joyned with what is already said he is infinite in power He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords Rev. 17.14 he is the Blessed and only Potentate 1 Tim. 6.15 He is the most High and ruleth in the Kingdom of the Earth and giveth them to whomsoever he pleaseth of his Kingdom there shall be no end Dan. 4.17 25. Luke 1.33 He poureth Contempt on Princes and causeth them to wander in the Wilderness where there is no way yet setteth he the poor on High and maketh him Families like a Flock Ps 107.40 41. He can make Nations as stubble and Kings of the Earth as nothing he makes wast Mountains and Hills and dryeth up all the Rivers he can make Rivers Islands and dry upon the Pools he can lead the Blind the way they know not Is 42.15 16. He can make Darkness Light and Crooked things Straight he can form Light and Create Darkness he can make Peace and Create War Is 45.7 Thirdly The third quality of this great General is his great Experience Conduct and Valour Can the Antient of Days who hath Conquered and Subdued all he ever Encountered with be without Victory on his side had not he the better of the Old Enemy the Devil who beguiled Eve and for his lying and presumption Condemned him to perpetual Enmity and Contempt Did he not Conquer Pharaohs Pride and stubbornness by Plagues and overthrow him wholly at last Did he not signalize his Power Fame and Goodness towards his People of Israel in Destroying their Enemies and appearing for them in all the Exigencies of their afflicted Conditions see the great Series of his Care of them Did not he overthrow the Devil when under Temptation of Hunger and would not work a Miracle for his own Relief but Preached up Faith on the Word and Power of God Man liveth not by Bread alone but by every word that proceedeth out of the Mouth of God Mat. 4.2.3 4. Did not he when Tempted from Scripture to trust to Gods Protection in throwing of himself headlong reject that Insinuation of Satan by Scripture Thou must not Tempt the Lord thy God Ps 71.11 By which he Magnified the Soveraignty of God and would not Tempt Providence Mat. 4.9 10. And being Tempted to Worship the Devil for the gain of the World he defeated the Tempter from the Duty of Worshipping God only Thou shalt Worship the Lord thy God and him only shalt thou serve Mat. 4.9 10. And lastly by his Submission to the purpose and Will of God on the Cross he overcame Death the last Enemy Mat. 27.50 ch 28.60 and by his Resurrection Crowned Mans Eternal Happiness O Death I will be thy Plague O Grave I will be thy Destruction Repentance shall be hid from mine Eyes Hosea 13 14. Hence is this Admirable Instance of the Power of that Champion of our Salvation who through the vail of his own Flesh hath made Conquest of Eternal Life for us and by his free Love Power and good Will hath given them the Victory over all his