thy Law 4. In evil times when a man is made an offender for a rash and inconsiderat word Isa 29.21 then preserve thy self by silence except thou have a call from God to speak Psal 39 1. I said I will take heed to my wayes that I sin not with my tongue I will keep my mouth with a bridle while the wicked is before me Amos 5.13 Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time for it is an evil time And pray often to God to set a watch before thy mouth not to suffer thy heart to comply with the workers of iniquity and that the Lord would preserve thee from being taken with their worldly baits and allurements Psal 141.3 4. Set a watch O Lord before my mouth keep the door of my lips encline not my heart to any evil thing to practise wicked works with men that work iniquity and let me not eat of their dainties 5. In evil times of wrath and imminent judgement by reason of impiety and iniquity abounding in the land draw near to God by repentance and faith in Jesus Christ Zeph. 2.1 2. Gather your selves together yea gather together O nation not desired before the decree bring forth before the day pass as the chaff before the fierce anger of the Lord come upon you before the day of the Lords anger come upon you Be humble and tremble in time at the threatning of wrath that ye may have rest in your souls in the day when the cup is poured forth Hab. 3.16 When I heard my belly trembled my lips quivered at the voice rottenness entred into my bones and I trembled in my self that I might rest in the day of trouble when he cometh up unto the people he will invade them with his troops They who tremble not in the time of a threatned judgement yet when the judgement is poured forth even these who were stout-hearted sinners in the day of wrath poured forth they become like Pashur Magor-missabib fear round about When thou hast repented of thy sins which together with the sins of others have provoked the Lord to great wrath then flee by faith in to the mercy of God manifested in Jesus Christ who is the only Ark of Propitiation Heb. 11.7 Noah being warned of God of things not seen as yet moved with fear prepared an ark to the saving of his soul When the evil day of wrath is come and the judgement is incumbent then humble your selves under the mighty hand of God 2 Chron. 7.14 If my people which are called by my Name shall humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked wayes then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land 2 Chron. 30.8 Now be ye not stiff-necked as your fathers were but yeeld your selves unto the Lord and enter into his sanctuary which he hath sanctâ—fied for ever and serve the Lord your God that the fierceness of his wrath may turn away from you Thus Rehoboam and the Princes did humble themselves and the Lord gave them some deliverance 2 Chron. 12.6 7. 6. That thou may not faint in evil times wherein sin persecution and misery do abound guard thy heart with the hope of that eternal rest when thou shalt rest from all thy labours 2 Cor. 4.16 17 18. For which cause we faint not c. For our light affliction which is but for a moment worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory while we look not at the things which are seen but at the things which are not seen Heb. 10.34 Ye took joyfully the spoiling of your goods knowing in your selves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance Which is purchased to us by the merits of the sufferings of Jesus Christ our Lord to whom with the Father and the Holy Ghost be everlasting praise honour and glory for now and ever Amen The Believer his Prospect through the dark Valley of Death SERMON VII 2 COR. 5.1 2. For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved we have a building of God an house not made with hands eternal in the heavens For in this we groan earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven THe Particle For points at the connexion of these words with the last verse of the preceeding Chapter wherein the Apostle gave the reason of his not fainting under all the pressures and afflictions he suffered in the body because he looked not so much by present sense to the things he suffered here as by faith and hope he looked to things eternal in heaven to wit unto an eternal rest and an immortal Crown of Glory which not seen by sense yet he believed was reserved for him in heaven Now faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen Heb. 11.1 And the light afflictions in this present life are not to be compared with these eternal things not seen nor perceived by sense Rom. 8.18 What these eternal things are the Apostle describes in part in the two first verses of this Chapter even an immortal and glorified body in the day of the resurrection therefore he faints not but hath Christian courage in all the pain and shame he suffereth at the hand of men now in his frail and mortal body for we know saith he although our earthly house of the tabernacle of the body shall be dissolved when all the pins and joynts will be dissolved yet we have a building of God and we look for an house even a glorified body not of mans making and giving though our frail body be framed in the womb by the Lord yet the glorified body is of the Lords making and giving in a more special manner because in the day of our resurrection he shall change our vile body that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body Phil. 3.21 It is an house eternal and well situat in the heavens where it will not be subject to storms and tempests as it is in this life my assured knowledge saith he of that future happy condition stirreth up in my soul an earnest desire and longing to remove out of the body that I may be clothed upon with glory in my soul after death and with immortal glory both in soul and body at the day of resurrection By earthly house here is meant our body called an house of clay Job 4.19 because the body of the first Adam of whom by propagation we have our bodies was formed out of the red earth from which man was called Adam it is underpropped for a time by meat drink sleep and sometimes by medicine to fill up the breaches and to repair the decayes of this house of clay which in end will fall down to the dust of the earth It is called a tabernacle because the soul dwells in the body for a time as the Ark did reside in the Tabernacle built for
God and man as Paul walked Act. 24.16 To have a good conscience and to be alwayes willing in all things to live honestly as the Apostle did Heb. 13.18 It is a constant walking at least in respect of a fixed purpose and resolution Psal 84 7. They go from strength to strength Phil. 3.12 Not as though I had already attained either were already perfect but I follow after if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus The impediments of walking are 1. Want of light for if a man walk in the night he stumbleth because there is no light in him Joh. 11.10 Therefore said our blessed Lord to the Pharisees Ye erre not knowing the Scriptures Mat. 22.29 Therefore as we would walk in a right way toward the Kingdom of Heaven we would labour to understand the holy Scriptures which shew us the way of truth and righteousness and we should daily pray with the holy Prophet Psal 43.3 O send out thy light and thy truth let them lead me let them bring me unto thy holy hill and to thy Tabernacles And we should pray with holy David Ps 143.10 Teach me to do thy will for thou art my God thy spirit is good lead me into the land of uprightness 2. Fetters are a great impediment to walking so our unruly and excessive passions as the excessive fear of creatures excessive desires of worldly good things excessive joy and delight in worldly pleasures are a great impediment to spiritual and heavenly walking as servants gazing and fixing their eyes upon some Pictures in their way are stayed in their walking and in going about their business Against this impediment we would pray to God for liberty and enlargement of spirit from that bondage to our masterful affections and we would turn David's resolution Psal 119.32 into a supplication O Lord enlarge thou my heart and then shall I run the way of thy Commandments It should be our daily prayer to the Lord with holy David Psal 119.37 Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity and quicken thou me in thy way 3. A heavy burden is a great impediment to walking so when men over-burden their spirits with the care of worldly things they walk not in the way of righteousness but many times step aside after the wages of unrighteousness the love of the world hindered the rich young man to walk after Christ Luk. 18.23 Therefore that we may walk readily and chearfully in the wayes of Gods Commandments we should cast all our care upon him for he careth for us 1 Pet. 5.7 And we should pray daily as Psal 119.36 Encline my heart unto thy Testimonies and not to covetousness 4. Fainting is a great impediment to walking Jonathan fainted in his way till he tasted of the honey Great difficulties and discouragments in the way of Holiness and uprightness are like the Sons of Anak that discouraged greatly the people of Israel from walking up the hill that thereafter they might enter into the promised Land Against this impediment of fainting in the good and perfect way from the many troubles and discouragements thou meetest with therein recollect thy self and be encouraged from the Lords faithful promise Isai 40.29 He giveth power to the faint and to them that have no might he increaseth strength In all the bitter mockings thou meetest with from profane men who not only mock thee but speak evil of thee because thou wilt not run with them to the same excess of riot yet be thou resolute and stedfast in thy spiritual and Christian walking as David did Psal 119.51 The proud have had me greatly in derision yet have I not declined from thy Law Yea walk the more sincerely and spiritually in conversing with God by prayer Psal 69.12 13. I was the song of the drunkards but as for me my prayer is unto thee O Lord in an acceptable time When the child of God has least acceptance or communion with profane men then is he most acceptable to God and hath most of his countenance which preserves his soul from fainting at their bitter scoffings look often unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith who endured such contradiction of sinners lest we looking too much to men who wrong us should faint in our minds Heb. 12.2 3. Be encouraged in all thy faintings from the hope of that Crown of Righteousness laid up for all these who walk with God as Enoch did Walk with God in heavenly meditations and walk thou before God as Abraham did in faith and obedience the hope o◠that Crown strengthened the heart of Paul against fainting 2 Cor. 4.16 17. For which cause we faint not but though our outward man perish yet the inward man is renewed day by day For our light affliction which is but for a moment worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory Therefore seing there is an infallible connexion between spiritual life by the Spirit and spiritual walking in the strength and by the direction of the Spirit according to the Word as there is a conjunction of the stream with the fountain if we live in the Spirit let it be manifested by our walking in the Spirit and if the Spirit dwell in us the Spirit will quicken our mortal bodies and raise them up to follow the Lamb where-ever he goeth To him with the Father and Holy Spirit be all praise honour and glory for now and ever Amen Circumspect walking SERMON VI. EPHES. 5.15 See then that ye walk circumspectly not as fools but as wise VERS 16. Redeeming the time because the dayes are evil AS Salvation is the end of faith on the Lord Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 1.9 Receiving the end of your faith even the salvation of your souls So our walking in the way of holiness and good works is the way to salvation the Lord Jesus Christ is properly the living way that leadeth and guideth believers to salvation and good works are the meeths and evidences that we are in Christ the Captain of Salvation Eph. 2.10 For we are the workmanship of God created in Christ Jesus unto good works which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them The Christian walking is discribed here 1. Positively See that ye walk circumspectly 2. Negatively not as fools 3. By way of opposition to the walking of fools in two qualifications required in circumspect walking But as wise redeeming the time 4. The motive to a Christian and circumspect walking is taken from the evil of the times Because the dayes are evil To walk circumspectly signifieth as the original word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 importeth an accurat and exact walking like a man walking upon the ridge of a mountain without declining to the one hand or to the other Deut. 5.32 Ye shall observe to do therefore as the Lord your God hath commanded you you shall not turn aside to the right hand nor to the left 1. In our zeal we would walk circumspectly not
that whether present or absent we may be accepted of him for we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ that every one may receive the things done in his body according to that he hath done whether it be good or bad Not as fools The Apostle speaketh more particularly of our Christian walk and that negatively that we walk not as fools 1. Not as the atheistical and profane fool who walketh without any serious thoughts of God in his heart Ps 14 1. The fool hath said in his heart there is no God they are corrupt they have done abominable works there is none that doth good Ezek. 8.12 They say the Lord seeth us not Psal 94 8 9. Vnderstand ye brutish among the people and ye fools when will ye be wise He that planted the ear c. Therefore be not profane and godless fools but fear God and depart from evil Prov. 3.7 2. Be not vain and arrogant fools walking in the imaginations of your own evil hearts Prov. 12.15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes 3. Walk not in the way of the licentious fool aâ—ter the lusts of uncleanness or drunkenness Prov. 7.7 The young man that followed the strange woman is said to be simple and void of understanding he is a mad fool running in the way of riot and uncleanness to his own destruction Walk not in the way of drunkenness and excess for the Scripture saith that drunkards are benummed and besotted fools Hos 4.11 Whoredome and wine take away the heart 4. Walk not in the way of worldly-minded and covetous men who set up their rest upon the things of this world and make no conscience of their purchase for the Scripture calleth such men fools Jer. 17.11 As the partridge sitteth on eggs and hatcheth them not so he that getteth riches and not by right shall leave them in the midst of his dayes and at his end shall be a fool Luk. 12.20 But God said unto him Thou fool c. 5. Walk not in the way of strise and contention for such men are in the Scripture-phrase fools Prov. 20.3 Every fool will be medling Prov. 26.17 He that passeth by and medleth with strife belonging not to him is like one that taketh a dog by the ears he doth at first rashly engage himself into the quarrel and is afraid how he shall come off fairly without prejudice to his credit or estate 6. Walk not in the way of malice for the Scripture calleth malicious and wrathful men fools Eccles 7.9 Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry for anger resteth in the bosome of fools 7. Walk not wilfully and obstinatly in any evil custom or way for such men the Scripture calleth fools who will not be reclaimed by the rods of God upon their backs Prov. 27.22 Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a morter among wheat with a pestel yet will not his foolishness depart from him Jer. 5.3 4. But they have refused to receive correction they have made their faces harder than a rock they have refused to return therefore I said surely these are poor they are foolish 8. Walk not in the way of malicious dissimulation though such dissemblers may be esteemed witts and active men in this present world yet in Gods account they are fools Prov. 10.18 He that hideth hatred with lying lips and he that uttereth slander is a fool 9. Walk not in the way of slothful men who delay from time to time to go about the great business and work of their own salvation such persons in holy Scripture are compared to the foolish Virgins Mat. 25. 10. Walk not in the way of bare formality resting upon the performance of some outward duties only because such men are compared to the foolish builder who built upon the sand such fools are these who rest on the hearing of the Word but prepare not themselves to do it Mat. 7.26 11. Walk not here and there departing from a known and received truth in the matter of Religion for such wavering and unconstant men are called fools Gal. 3.1 O foolish Galatians who hath bewitched you that you should not obey the truth before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth crucified among you But as wise The Apostle 1 Cor. 3.18 speaketh of a twofold wisdom an heavenly wisdom when a man preferreth his duty to God unto all things worldly such was the wisdom of Paul Act. 20.23 24. The Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city saying that bonds and afflictions abide me but none of these things move me neither count I my life dear unto my self so that I might finish my course with joy and the Ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus to testifie the Gospel of the grace of God This wisdom is thought foolishness to the worldly man whose mind and heart is fixed on things earthly And there is a worldly wisdom when men in their practice and endeavours do prefer the good things of this life unto the best things of the life to come as Demas did this wisdom is foolishness in Gods account for what avails it a man to gain all the world and lose his own soul This Christian Heavenly wisdom standeth 1. In mens proposing to themselves a good and happy end of their actions when they propone to themselves as the great and supreme end of all their actions the glory of God of whom through whom and for whom are all things 1 Cor. 10.31 Whether ye eat or drink do all to the glory of God when in the next place they propose to themselves that subordinat end to wit the salvation of their own souls Phil. 3.14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus and when they propose to themselves the good of others by following their own example in well-doing Mat. 5.16 Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorifie your Father which is in Heaven 2. True Christian-wisdom stands in a serious deliberation and search out of Gods Word what are the fitest means for attaining these ends as by well-doing and suffering for well-doing to glorifie God 1 Pet. 4.14 If ye be reproached for the Name of Christ happy are ye for the Spirit of Glory and of God resteth upon you on their part he is evil spoken of but on your part he is glorified When we search and consider from the Word of God that true repentance lively faith and sincere obedience are the means whereby we attain salvation Acts 3.19 Acts 16.31 Rom. 2.6 7. 3. It stands in a careful and timous applying of the means necessary for these great ends So if ye be truly wise Christians ye will be diligent and active in using the means whereby God may be glorified and your souls saved Jam. 3.13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge amongst you let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of
joyned with an high estimation of Divine Truths more then men has of thousands of gold of honey and of spoil or plunder as was in David Then mayest thou be assured thou art partaker in some measure of that Spirit of knowledge that was poured forth and rested on Christ thine Head Ps 119.72 103 162. Thou art one of his sheep effectually called and elected to be set on his right hand for his sheep know his voice Joh. 10.4 If the Spirit of the fear of the Lord be in thine heart a fear with humble submission to the will of God both for doing and suffering his will Is 50.10 a fear joyned with hope and confidence on his mercy Ps 145.11 a fear joyned with reverence in his holy worship Ps 5.7 a fear joyned with zeal provoking others by word and good example to worship and fear the Lord Act. 10.2 3. Then mayest thou be assured thou art of the Spirit of Christ for the Spirit of the fear of the Lord rested on him there was in him a fear joyned with submission in the day of his sad affliction for he said not my will but thine be done there was in him a fear joyned with active and passive obedience Philip. 2.8 a fear joyned with confidence even in his greatest desertion and sad complaint my God my God c. a fear joyned with reverence in prayer Luk. 22.44 and a fear joyned with zeal provoking others to fear the mighty God above all things Mat. 10.28 Vse 3. Here is sure ground of unspeakable comfort to the Church and company of Believers against all their fears from the worldly wisdom and power of the enemies of the Kingdom of Christ there is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the Lord Pro. 21.30 The spirit of wisdom in him who is set over the house of God doth far surpass and over-reach all their wisdom falsly so called the enemies of the people of God said Let us deal wisely with them Exod. 1.10 but the Lord in the depth of his wisdom turned their cruel policy to the good and increase of his Church and People it was as the heavy weight unto the Palm-tree to raise them the higher and as the inundation of Nilus to make them the more fruitful in every good work there is no counsel against the Lord for he throughly sees the devices and plots even in the heart of the enemies Is 10.7 He is the stone with the seven eyes Zachar. 3.9 he can discover their secret designs as he did to his servant Elisha 2 King 6.12 He discovered the secret conspiracy against Paul Act. 23.16 The power of the wicked is finit and limited but his power being God is infinit and there is no proportion between finit and infinit He can limit their power and say as to the proud waves come no farther though he permit them to come to the neck yet they shall not drown them Is 8.8 Their Head the Lord Jesus Christ is now far above all the waters of affliction and persecution he can restrain their malice he cuts the horn of the wicked he breaks their teeth Ps 3.7 although they bark yet they bite not or if he permit them to bite yet their bite is not deadly like that of some mad dogs he can put a bridle in the jaws of Sennacherib he can defeat their counsels and contrivances as he did that of Achitophel turned it to folly and ruine to himself he did defeat and wonderfully disappoint the counsel of Haman against Mordecai according to that of Job 5.13 He taketh the wise in their own craftiness and the counsel of the froward is carried head-long and in his unsearchable wisdom he turns their malice to the praise of his great Name who is mighty to save his people maugre all opposition Ps 76.10 Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee There is no might nor power worldly that can overthrow the Church of Christ The gates of hell shall not prevail against it Mat. 16.18 Because it is built on him who is the Rock of Ages and is the strength of all who by faith are built on him they are kept by the Father Joh. 10.29 and by the power of God through saith 1 Pet. 1.5 The Church and company of Believers is compared to a strong City fortified with strong Walls and with a deep and broad Ditch Isa 26.1 Isa 33.21 because the mighty Lord is in the midst of them It is true the Lord doth not alwayes shew his might in holding off the trouble from them yet he makes manifest his might and power in upholding them under troubles and in strengthning them to patience and long-suffering with joyfulness they are cast down but not destroyed persecuted but not forsaken perplexed but not in despair 2 Cor. 4.9 Psal 46.5 He that dwells in the bush though he suffer fire to enter into it yet he keeps it from being consumed because he strengthens his own children to bear afflictions Isa 41.10 Fear thou not for I am with thee be not dismayed for I am thy God I will strengthen thee yea I will help thee yea I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness Likeas a Physician holding his Patient by the hand doth encourage him under the present pain and throws from a bitter potion by confirming him in the hope of better health thereafter Joh. 16.20 2 Cor. 4.17 Sometimes he comforts them with a sense of his love shed abroad in their hearts by the Holy Ghost which as a cordial doth preserve and revive them that they faint not altogether in times of great trouble 2 Cor. 1.3 4. As a tender father speaketh more kindly to his sick child then he was wont to do formerly in time of his better health so the Lord speaketh comfort to them by his Spirit according to the word of promise when they are in a desolate condition like unto a wilderness wherein they have none or few to speak a word of comfort unto them Hos 2.14 Stephen the Martyr had never such a manifestation of Gods gracious presence as in the day of his greatest affliction and persecution Acts 7.56 And the young Confessor Theodorus as testifies Eusebius felt never more sweetness then in the time he was upon the rack Consider the merciful Lord moderats their afflictions in the specie or kind in not sending alwayes his sorest plagues Sometimes in the number he lays not on all his rods he stayeth his rough wind in the day of the east-wind Isa 27.8 Sometimes in the degree and measure in not afflicting them in extremity The Lord hath chastised me sore saith David but he hath not given me over to death Psal 118.18 And he moderats the afflictions in respect of the time and endurance Psal 125.3 The rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity The Lord by the spirit of wisdom and power turns all their afflictions in end
after we have once received it this provokes God to leave us to our own managing of grace received and we being left to our selves do soon and easily miscarry in the exercise of grace Peter failed in the exercise and confession of faith after he had been very confident of his own strength Matth. 26.33 he denyed the Lord at the voice of a damsel 2. Excessive worldly fears make our saith greatly to abate in respect of the degrees of it at one time and another Mark 4.40 3. Ingratitude when we neglect or forget to praise God for his assistance and help in our former gracious actings and when we begin to sacrifice to our own dragg then it faireth with us in any new occasion of acting as with Samson after his strength had departed from him We imagine from former experience of Gods help notwithstanding our unthankfulness that we shall be able to act and exercise grace as in former times but we find in our sad experience that God to punish our ingratitude doth leave us to our own counsels and miscarryings in duties as he did leave Samson Judg. 16.20 4. Our inadvertance unto the first beginnings of a decay in grace makes us insensible untill the decay become visible to others and in end sensible to our selves as it was with Ephraim Hos 7.9 Gray hairs are here and there upon him yet he knoweth not till there was a visible change upon all the hairs of his head Quest 2. What shall be done for preveening a decay in the degrees of grace Ans 1. The exercise of the graces and gifts of the Spirit is a blessed mean to preveen such a decay this mean Paul did use Act 24.16 and all that are strong in the faith should do the same Heb. 5.14 Who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil because sluggishness and carelesness to do spiritual duties when God gives occasion and opportunity doth make us more and more remiss till in end we are overcome with a spirit of slumber 2. Be not discouraged from setting about commanded duties because possibly at first thou finds not such vigor or quickness of spirit as is requisit it was strange and strong delusion in some in these latter times that they would not pray to God till first they should find an impulse of the Spirit for prayer but should not the precept of God commanding the duty be sufficient for moving us to endeavour after it Were it not a folly in a weak sick person that had little or no appetite to meat to resolve he would forbear to eat untill he should get sharpness of appetite such forbearing were the ready way to make him lose all appetite and in end his life but as eating little and little brings forward appetite so thy doing duty from conscience to Gods Commandments brings forward and increases thy desire to spiritual duties and in end procures thy delight in them Have not the children of God many times at the beginning of prayer been sad and heartless and yet before they have ended as the countenance of our blessed Lord was changed in prayer so their hearts and countenances have been changed to joy and cheerfulness as we see Ps 6. and Ps 13. by comparing the end of the Psalm with the beginning thereof Therefore though thou find not such an impulse and strong motion for the duty as thou would yet make conscience of obedience to the holy Commandment and go about duty trusting to him who hath promised to bless the diligent and when God besides the Commandment calls thee forth to duty by strong motions upon thy spirit neglect not the call of such invitations but let thine heart come forward to the duty lest otherwise thou provoke the Spirit of God both to withdraw those good motions and also his assistance which thou mightest have had for doing the duty if thou hadst embraced the opportunity Cant. 5.1 2 3. 3 Observe well the beginnings of a decay and fainting in duty and at first run by prayer to Christ for quickening thee to duty and for preventing a farther decay as Peter did when he began to sink notwithstanding he was in the way of duty he cryed to Christ and was helped Mat. 14.32 4. Whenever thou enters upon commanded duty pray for the assistance of the Spirit for without him we can do nothing Joh. 15.5 because an habit or stock of grace is not sufficient without the assistance of his Spirit impowering and enabling us to mannage the stock of received grace 1 Cor. 15.10 His grace which was bestowed on me was not in vain but I laboured more abundantly then they all yet not I but the grace of God which was with me As it is not enough that the Ship be furnished with Tacklings and Sails unless there be a prosperous gale of wind upon the Sails there is no progress VERSE III. And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord. SOme read it God shall make the Messias to be of a sweet smell to all who believe among whom he shall be preached in the Gospel according to that 2 Cor. 2.16 We are a savour of life unto life to those that are saved And so they take the words in a passive signification that Believers and the fearers of the Lord shall receive from him a sweet and pleasant sent of his excellencies and bounty through the Preaching of the Gospel Others whom we follow rather understand the words in an active signification to wit that God shall make him of a quick sentiment and sagacity of judgement to discern who fear God and serve him uprightly Thus our blessed Lord did discern Hypocrites and Pharisees notwithstanding all their fair outward pretences of gravity in their smooth speeches He did also discern a true Nathanael before he had seen him with his bodily eyes Joh. 1.48 Likewise he discerned the hypocrisie of many fair professors Mat. 22.18 John 2.24 By the fear of the Lord we understand all things that concern the service and worship of God as ordinarily in holy Scripture the fear of the Lord is taken if we compare Deut. 6.13 with Matth. 4.10 Observ 1. Spiritual discretion in the matters of God is from the Spirit of God for it is said he shall make him c. As the Lord Christ the King of Saints had that gift in a special and superexcellent manner from the Spirit of God so all his subjects in the Church have in some measure the gift of discerning truth and error good and evil from the same Spirit 1 Cor. 2.14 15. The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishness unto him neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned but he that is spiritual judgeth all things This is evident by induction 1. It is the Spirit of the Lord which openeth the understanding to perceive and discern heavenly truths Mat. 13.11 Mat. 16.17 Luk. 24.44 As it
Lead bowing down the soul it is inconsisting with sincere love toward God 1 Joh. 2 15. And it makes a man unwilling to die Luk. 12.19 20. as the Jews who were joyned in marriage with the Babylonians had no will to come out of Babylon in like manner earthly-minded men whose hearts are espoused to this present world have no will to depart out of it at their death Quest 1. Whâ—t call ye earthly-mindedness Answ A man may and should be diligent in seeking the good things of this world because we are commanded of God to be diligent in our lawful Callings and Imployments Prov. 27.23 1 Thes 4.11 It is commended 2 Cor. 12.14 1 Tim. 5.8 It consists well with true devotion and with the fear of God Rom. 12.11 Not slothful in business fervent in spirit and serving the Lord Joseph was a man fearing God and diligent in his business Gen. 41.48 Such was Shecaniah Neh. 7.12 and Daniel Dan. 8.27 But we must not labour for the things of this present world only without any regard to our immortal condition in the world to come as these Epicures did Isai 22.13 who said Let us eat and drink for to morrow we shall die 2. We must not labour for them principally as our chief and supreme good Joh. 6.27 by preferring them as profane Esau did unto spiritual blessings by preferring worldly profites and emoluments to the precious truths of God and to a good conscience as Demas did nor by preferring honour and praise from men to our honouring of Christ and his truth in time of persecution as many of the chief Rulers amongst the Jews did Joh. 12.42 Because temporal things are to be sought alwayes in order to the great end which is the glorifying of God by these things which we seek after 1 Cor. 10.31 Yea our life and all things belonging to this life are to be desired and imployed toward that great and chief end Psal 80.18 Psal 119.175 3. We must not labour for them anxiously by tormenting our spirits about the event and success of our labours in our lawful imployments Phil. 4.6 but we should cast all our care for the event and success upon God 1 Pet. 4.7 4. We must not labour for them in an unlawful manner by covetousness and immoderate desire of them Heb. 13.5 because the Lord doth abhor the covetous man Ps 10.3 We must not labour for them by fraud and circumveening of the simple 1 Thes 4.2 6. nor by violence and oppression Mic. 2.2 Such men the Lord punisheth with great terrors in their consciences when in his fury he doth awake them out of their secure stattering of themselves in their wayes of oppression and one time or other spoils them or their postesterity of their unjust and violent purchases Job 20.19 20. c. Quest 2. What difference is there between an earthly-minded man and a frugal Christian Ans They differ 1. in their desires of the things of this world the earthly-minded man his heart is set on the things of this world as his chief good and place of rest Luk. 12.14 but the frugal Christian though he may desire them with submission to the good-will of God yet his heart is most set upon heavenly blessings Ps 4.6 Lord lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us The earthly-minded man in his desires worldly is immoderat and insatiable Eccl. 5.10 but the frugal Christian is moderat and sober Pro. 30.8 9. 2. They differ in their indeavours The earthly-minded man has a conscience as large as his desires he maketh haste toward his worldly ends and adviseth not with God and a good conscience Pro. 28.20 1 Tim. 6.9 but the frugal Christian in using means and endeavours doth consult with God and a good conscience if he perceive the thing to be against justice and prejudicial to his neighbour he saith as Joseph How can I do this and sin against God for he knoweth that a little with righteousness is better than great revenues without right Prov. 16.8 3. They differ in their affections of joy and sorrow in order to the things of this present world the earthly-minded man through his ignorance of better things doth rejoyce most in things worldly like young children rejoycing and glorying in Crystal or Lamber-beeds for they know not yet the worth and excellency of Pearls but the frugal Christian though he rejoyce in things worldly as some common tokens of the love of God yet he rejoyces most in spiritual and heavenly commodities Ps 119.72 The law of thy mouth is better unto me then thousands of gold and silver The earthly-minded man being disappointed of his hope or deprived of the possession of the things of this world he howls like Micah robbed of his idol Judg. 18.24 like Nabal his heart is dead within him But the frugal Christian in disappointments or losses doth reverence the good and wise providence of God Job 1.21 and taketh joyfully all his osses which he suffers for keeping a good concience Heb. 10.34 4. In using the things of this present world which are called by the Apostle 1. John 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the earthly-minded man doth want in reâ—pect of a sober and honest use even what he enjoyes by possession Eccl. 6.2 He has neither a heart to bestow upon himself for honesty nor for others for their supply But the frugal Christian takes his own sober use of his worldly enjoyments he blesseth God for them and refresheth the bowels of the needy 5. The earthly-minded man trusts in his worldly goods but the frugal Christian doth not so Job 31.24 Job did not make gold his hope neither said he to the fine gold thou art my confidence 6. The earthly-minded man is proud of his worldly enjoyments Ps 49.6 They boast themselves in the multitude of their riches but the frugal Christian is the more humble as Jacob was Gen. 32.10 I am not worthy said he of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth which thou hast shewed unto thy servant for with my staff I passed over this Jordan and now I am become two bands For he knows well the greater his receipt be his reckoning will be the greater in that day Obser 4. The sad judgement of God will overtake one time or other such as are wicked and obstinat in their evil wayes for it is said he will slay the wicked by the breath of his lips that is by his Word he shall destroy the wicked and obstinat sinners which he doth 1. by blinding and hardening them judicially by his Word Is 6.9 10. And he said go and tell this people hear ye indeed but understand not and see ye indeed but perceive not Make the heart of this people fat c. Like as clay which in its own natural temper is hard yet is more hardened by the heat of the Sun So wicked men though by nature of a hard heart unless God preveen them with his rich mercy and mighty
manner how he will quicken and raise the body out of the dust we leave that to the unsearchable wisdom and infinit power of our Lord who will do it according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself Philip. 3.21 Though we cannot conceive the special manner how Original sin is propagat yet we assent to the truth of the thing it self upon his testimony Joh. 3.6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh And Rom. 5.17 18. By the offence of one judgement came upon all men to condemnation c. Augustine saith well We should not so much enquire about the manner how Original concupiscence hath entred into us which we feel in our selves by daily experience as about the manner how it may be extinguished And Lib. 2. de Nup. Concupis Cap. 21. Why ask ye did he answer to Julian the Pelagian who stifly denied any Original sin because he could not by human reason comprehend the manner of transmitting it to the posterity by what secret gap or crevice it hath entred into man seing ye have an open gate By one man saith the Apostle sin entred And Lib. 5. de Morib Eccles Cap. 21. Nothing is more notour than that sin is propagat from the parents to the children but nothing is more obscure than the manner how it is propagat Therefore saith he elsewhere In humane truths intelligam ut credam let me understand the matter that I may believe but in divine truths credam ut intelligam let me believe that God hath spoken it and then I shall understand it to be a most certain and irrefragable truth That ye may be the more confirmed in this Doctrine which giveth glory to the truth and faithfulness of Jesus Christ against unreasonable men though they call themselves most rational pleading from humane reason to the weakening of the testimony of God which is the supreme reason Consider 1. It is against all sound reason to measure the infinit Being and his operations with the same rule of humane reason and Philosophy by which we measure finit beings and their operations Were it not an absurd solly to measure a tall man with the same measure we measure an infant this were as the binding of Samson with cords of flax 2. Yea it is most agreeable to sound reason that most credit and faith should be given unto the supreme reason to wit the testimony of God who is the prime verity for the more famous the person testifying be we esteem the more of his testimony 3. We believe some natural truths from our own sense and experience though we cannot give a natural and evident reason of our knowledge of such things as of the ebbing and flowing of the Sea of the influence of the Planets upon the inferiour and sublunary Bodies of the attractive vertue of the Adamant or Load-stone c. And is not the testimony of God a more sure ground for faith to rest on than our own experience and sense which many times may be and oftentimes is subject to mistakes That one passage Eccles 11.5 is sufficient to stop our curiosity and to make us acquiesce without gainsaying to the testimony of God As thou knowest not what is the way of the Spirit nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all Conclus 2. From our blessed Lord his faithfulness and diligence in doing the duties of his Mediatory-office whereunto he was called by the Father we have a fair pattern and copy for our instruction and imitation to be faithful and diligent in our lawful Callings His mind and his time was all taken up in his faithful and diligent discharge of the Office of Mediator committed to him by the Father Luk. 2.49 Wist ye not that I must be about my Fathers business And for the better up stirring of you to follow his example in your lawful Callings and Employments Consider 1. God blesseth the diligent and faithful Prov. 28.20 but he that is diligent or rather fool-hasty in using unlawful means and so having no calling to that effect from God cannot expect a blessing Prov. 22.29 But he that maketh haste to to be rich shall not be innocent 2. Zeal in Religion and spiritual duties doth well consist with diligence in our lawful employments Rom. 12.11 Not slothful in business fervent in spirit serving the Lord. Yea this fidelity and diligence in our particular Callings doth adorn our Christian profession but unfaithfulness and negligence is the reproach of it Tit. 2.9 10. 3. Idleness is a breach of the eighth Command Thou shalt not steal as is evident Eph. 4.28 Because the sluggard stealeth away much precious time from the right use of it As theft is an usurpation of that which belongs to another so the slothful man eats his bread without any allowance or blessing from God 2 Thes 3.10 4. The slothful man is a waster of much precious time and a great impediment to himself in what he might have had if he had been diligent Prov. 18.9 He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster 5. Idleness and slothfulness is a great in-let to that evil one and to many temptations with him The unclean spirit entred into the empty house with a train of other evil spirits Mat. 12.42 Cato said truly Men by doing nothing learn to do evil And the Heathen Poet could say Otia si tollas c. Take away idleness so shall you take away the fewel of many noisome lusts Conclus 3. From his faithfulness and care in keeping what is committed to his trust is inferred our duty 1. Every one to be faithful in their trust in imitation of him who was faithful in keeping all who were committed to his trust by the Father especially men in publick places as Magistrates to whose trust God hath committed his people as Pupils to their Tutors and there is a day coming wherein the supreme Lord and everlasting Father will call them to make their Tutors-accounts therefore they should be faithful careful and tender Nursing-fathers to protect them by their power but no wayes by oppression or subtilty to prey upon the simplicity and weakness of their Pupils Likewise the Spiritual Guides in the Church should learn from him who was faithful in all the house of God to dispense the bread of life faithfully to the children of God as these who are Stewards of the mysteries of God 1 Cor. 4.1 and must give an account to God for the souls committed to their trust Heb. 13.17 And as men in publick places would be faithful they should labour for a deep impression of the fear of God upon their spirits 2 Chr. 19.9 Neh. 5.15 2. Let us take comfort from his faithfulness and care to keep what is committed to him let us cast all our care on him who careth for us 1 Pet. 5.7
I can be changed into that state of glory in that other life but seing this change is not ordinarily upon a sudden as was that of Paul what shall I do as previous in order to such a change Ans 1. Thou would be first from the threatnings of the Law convinced of thy extreme danger if thou be not changed from thy former evil wayes Psal 7.11 12 13. and thou must believe the faithful promises of such benefits as will attend thy change to wit peace of conscience in this life Psal 119.165 Gal. 6.16 and eternal happiness in the life to come Ezek. 18.21 Rom. 8.13 2. Thou wouldest observe according to the threatnings of God his sad judgements accordingly falling upon some sinners that were obstinat and would not change from their former evil wayes some drunkards have been taken away suddenly others cloathed with rags and made visible documents of the revenging justice of God against excess and riot Likewayes some unclean persons have been seen pyning away in vile diseases and others of them brought to a morsel of bread through the whoorish woman Thou who art a drunkard or harlot observe this and change thy way lest a worse thing befall thee who has the advantage of such a severe warning from others it was said to Belshazzar Dan. 5.22 And thou his son O Belshazzar hast not humbled thine heart though thou knewest all this 3. Observe also some changes in thine own outward condition It may be thou hath met with some sad dispensations from providence when thou was running in the excess of riot which were like the Angels opposition unto Balaam in his way to Balaak make good use of such sad occurences before wrath be poured forth upon thee in the great day even to the uttermost and harden not thine heart against such warnings Job 9.4 God is wise in heart and mighty in strength who hath hardened himself against him and prospered If God at any time has changed thine adversity into prosperity observe it and let the riches of his bounty lead thee to Repentance and to a change from thy former evil wayes and say as Ezra 9.13 14. Seing that thou our God hath punished us less then our iniquities deserve and hath given us such deliverance as this should we again break thy commandments 4. Be thou resolute against all the impediments of a future change especially against the bitter mockings of such as sometimes were thy prosane companions in iniquity who will speak all manner of evil against thee after thy change because thou wilt not run with them to the same excess of riot 1 Pet. 4.4 they will possibly call thee a vile hypocrite but labour thou to be of a sound and honest heart in all manner of conversation exercising thy self as Paul did Act. 24.16 to keep a good Conscience void of offence both toward God and man in all things willing to live honestly Heb 13.18 then shalt thou not need to be ashamed of thy fair profession Ps 119.80 let my heart be sound in thy statutes that I be not ashamed 5. Be thou also resolute against the counsels of the evil men who would pervert the right ways of the Lord and draw away thine heart from entring into them as Elimas the sorcerer would have drawen away Sergius Paulus the Deputy from the way of the Christian Faith Act. 13.10 but resist thou such evil suggestions at the very first as our blessed Lord did the counsel of Peter Mat. 16.23 6. Be thou resolute against discouragements suggested by worldly men to hinder thee from the way of Godliness and going forward into that heavenly Canaan as the unfaithful spies did discourage the Israelits from going to that earthly Canaan Num. 13.32 They alledge the way of Godliness is a melancholious and comfortless course of life whereas on the contrary true joy and mirth comes to the soul after our change and conversion Luk. 15.32 It was meet that we should make merry and be glad for this thy brother was dead and is alive again and was lost and is found The Eunuch after his conversion to the Christian Faith went on his way rejoycing Act. 8.39 7. In order to thy future change thou must believe that infallible proposition If we change from our former evil ways God will turn from his wrath and pardon the iniquity of our former evil wayes Isa 55.6 7. Jer. 18.7 for a man will not change his way unless he think to be the better and happier by the change 8. Lastly thou must be frequent in prayer to God that he would produce this happy change in thee for though a man by a general concourse of divine help may do some Acts previous to the special change and conversion from the state of Nature into Grace yet can he not without the concourse and strong influence of the special help of supernatural Grace change himself from the state of nature into the state of grace Jer. 13 23. Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard his spots then may ye also do good that are accustomed to do evil Although some previous dispositions be ordinarly antecedent in order of time yet are they not the causes of our change and conversion which is wrought and brought forth by the invincible grace of God changing and inclining our will to the obedience of his holy will Jer. 17.14 Heal me O Lord and I shall be healed save me and I shall be saved August citing this place saith well In vain do vain men say I will heal my self no saith he let us say heal me O Lord and I shall behealed Jer. 31.18 Turn thou me and I shall be turned He preveens us by his grace and makes us willing and thereafter followeth us also with his grace lest we should will in vain Observ 3. A true and real change from the state of corrupt Nature unto a state of Grace is visible and evident in these four effects held forth in the text 1. A communion and fellowship with the godly already converted They shall dwell with the Lamb c. 2. A chearful submission to the Word of God though preached by weak men A little child shall lead them 3. Honesty and righteousness in their purchase and contentment with their own portion The Lyon shall eat straw like the Ox. 4. Peaceable-mindedness and a meek conversation They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain 1. Evidence Sincere and real Converts will delight themselves most in the society of the godly because they are forbidden to have any intimat fellowship with the ungodly 1 Cor. 5.11 If any man that is called a brother be a fornicator or covetous or an idolater or a railer or a drunkard or an extortioner with such an one no not to eat 2 Thes 3.14 If any man obey not our word by this Epistle note that man and have no company with him that he may be ashamed It was the care of the Saints on earth to shun
the company of the ungodly Psal 26.4 Psal 101.7 The holy Evangelist John would not go into the same Bathe where were the blasphemous Hereticks Ebion and Cerinthus but contrariwise it was their custom to frequent and delight in the company of such as feared God Psal 16.2 Psal 119.63 Act. 9.19 Then was Saul to wit after his conversion certain days with the Disciples which were at Damascus Quest 1. Is it unlawful in any case to keep communion and company with wicked men Ans 1. It is not simply and altogether unlawful for then must we needs go out of the world 1 Cor. 5.10 A natural communion with them in things necessary for this present life is very lawful Abraham and Isaac went to Gerar and Egypt in time of famine and our blessed Lord sent to Sihar a village of the Samaritans for bread 2. A civil communion in things necessary for our well-being is also lawful as commerce and trading with wicked men thus Solomon 1 King 9.26 did keep a communion and commerce of trade with the Heathens of the Eastern India Likewise a communion and association in war for defence and self preservation or for the recovery of things unlawfully taken by usurpers and oppressours is very lawful for the Magistrate and Ruler of the people Abraham joyned in confederacy with Aner Eshcol and Mamre though Canaanites for the rescuing of Lot Gen. 14. It is lawful also for the preserving of the publick peace and their own privat peace Isaac made a Covenant of peace with that Heathen King Abimelech Gen. 26.31 And Nehemiah sought a Pass for safe conduct and protection from Artaxerxes Neh. 2.7 Providing alwayes such confederacies be without any condition prejudicial to Religion or to common honesty It must not be on such like conditions as were these whereupon peace was offered to Israel by Nahash the Ammonite 1 Sam. 11.2 3. There is a lawful outward Church-communion with wicked men in the outward ordinances as in hearing the Word praying praising and receiving the Sacrament Ishmael was circumcised as well as Isaac and Simon Magus was baptized as others also were in Samaria We may not separat from the Church because possibly through the negligence of the Spiritual Rulers profane and scandalous persons are admitted to the holy Sacrament The Angel of Pergamos and Thyatira is reproved for tolerating vile and scandalous persons notwithstanding the people of these Churches are not required to separat from the Church Rev. 2. Cyprian Lib. 3. Epist 3. Although saith he there seem to be tares in the Church yet thou must not separat from it but labour by all means that thou thy self may be good grain August Epist 48. to Vincent Good men saith he are not to be forsaken for evil mens sake but evil men are to be tolerat for good mens sake And this he proveth 1. From the example of the Prophets who spake much against the people of Israel and yet did communicat with them in the holy Ordinances 2. From the example of Christ whō did tolerat Judas 3. From the example of holy Cyprian who did tolerat the covetousness of his Colleagues and yet not forsake communion with them in the sacred Ordinances Such toleration is not an approbation of these whom they tolerat it is simply unvoluntar as the toleration of the tares Mat. 13. but voluntar only in respect of a care to preserve the wheat Thus David for preserving the publick peace did tolerat the sons of Zerviah but did not approve them in their head-strong courses It is true we must have no communion with wicked men and workers of iniquity as such in their evil works Eph. 5.11 Though we should not have communion even with the godly in their sinful infirmities yet we must not for these break off fellowship with them Gal. 6.1 And we should follow them and their example in all things wherein they are followers of the Lord Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 11.1 Quest 2. Wherein stands our spiritual Church-communion with the godly Ans It stands 1. in our partaking the same outward holy Ordinances Heb. 10.24 25. Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works not forsaking the assembling of our selves together 2. In having the same common priviledges as one heavenly Father one Head one Spirit renewing them one common inheritance purchased and reserved in Heaven for them for which cause all believers are said to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 kinsmen 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of one mystical body 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fellow-heirs Eph. 2. 3. In mutual Christian-duties as in loving one another Gal. 5.13 Eph. 4.2 Forbearing one another in love not breaking fellowship for infirmities Paul reproved Peter to his face boldly but did not break off Christian communion with him Gal. 2.14 Cornelius and Cyprian lived in Christian fellowship and communion all the days of their life notwithstanding some difference in judgement The spiritual duties of Christian love for mutual edification we have set down 1 Thes 5.11 14. 4. In a sympathy and fellow-feeling 1 Cor. 12.26 As in the natural body there is a sympathy between the brain and the sinews between the stomack and the reins so there is a mutual sympathy between the members of the mystical body of Jesus Christ they will be pained at the heart with godly sorrow for the failings of one another 2 Cor. 11.29 Who is weak and I am not weak Who is offended and I burn not They will rejoice in the spiritual good of one another Joh. Epist 3.4 There will be a sympathy of sorrow in their outward calamities by condoling one with another 1 Pet. 3.8 A rejoycing and congratulation in outward prosperity Phil 2.27 28. 5. In a mutual supply of spiritual wants and defects 1 Pet. 4 10. As every man hath received the gift even so minister the same one to another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God He that hath more of zeal will stir up another that hath more of knowledge but less of zeal and he that hath more of knowledge and prudence will advise another that hath more of zeal but less of knowledge and prudence Likewise there will be according to their abilities a supply in bodily wants 2 Cor. 8.14 as was seen in godly Cornelius Acts 9.10 otherwise there is not any sincere love of God notwithstanding any great show in profession 1 Joh. 3.17 But whoso hath this worlds good and seeth his brother have need and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him how dwelleth the love of God in him Vse 1. For admonition as ye would show your selves true converts bewar of intimat and frequent fellowship with profane and ungodly men 1. Because evil company corrupts good manners 1 Cor. 15.33 Joseph learned in the Court of Egypt to swear by the life of Pharaoh It is said Prov. 22.24 25. With a furious man thou shalt not go lest thou learn his ways and get a snare to thy soul As contagion
his dealings and bargains with others will forsake these former evil ways and make conscience of lawful purchase in time coming this was manifestly seen in Zacheus who before his conversion was an extortioner and exactor of more than was due but after his conversion he restored four fold and made conscience of his purchase in all time coming Luke 19.8 The reasons why true Converts do so are 1. Because such men know that as they should walk humbly with God so they should walk honestly and justly with men Mic. 6.8 1 Thes 4.3 6. This is the will of God that no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter 2. They know that God threatens severe judgements against extortioners and defrauders 1 Cor. 6.10 1 Thes 4.6 3. They know that faithfulness and uprightness in our particular Callings and Employments doth adorn their holy profession and stops the mouths of such as are adversaries to it 1 Pet. 2.15 For so is the will of God that with well-doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men And they know also that unrighteousness in our particular stations and employments doth open the mouths of adversaries to speak evil of our profession thereby profane men within the visible Church are hardened in their sinful practices and they say Why may not they do as such and such great professors do Thereby men without the Church visible are hardened in their errour and alienation of heart from a communion with the Christian Church therefore Augustine unto this question well answereth if it be lawful to a Christian to spoil and rob a Jew who is an obstinat adversary to the Christian Religion he answers It is no way lawful because thou who art a Christian by so doing hardens the Jew in his errour and infidelity and hinders him to become a Christian Therefore it is our duty to walk in wisdom and uprightness toward them that are without the Christian Church Col. 4.5 remembring alwayes the second Table of the Divine Law is the sure Test according to which is tried the sincerity of men in the duties of the first Table Luk 18.19 20. Acts 10.35 He that feareth God and worketh righteousness is accepted of God Such was the practice of sincere Converts recorded in holy Scripture Simeon was just and devout Luke 2.25 And Paul did exercise himself to keep a conscience void of offence both toward God and men Acts 24.16 Vse 1. For conviction of many who have an outward form of godliness and would be esteemed sincere Converts and yet make no conscience of righteousness in their dealings with men Mic. 6.11 Shall I count them pure with the wicked ballances The Apostle Paul 1 Cor. 6.7 8. will have all those who profess their conversion to the Christian faith rather to remit of the rigor of their own right in particular debates with others than to disgrace their holy profession by litigious pleaes much less should Professors disgrace it by injustice in their dealings with their neighbours The God of truth cares not for words and phrases of piety or for commending the Minister and his Sermon when in the mean time their works and doings are the fruits of unrighteousness Our blessed Lord said to that woman who lift up her voice and said unto him Luke 11.27 28. Blessed is the womb that bare thee and the papes which thou hast sucked but he said yea rather blessed are they that hear the Word of God and keep it Holy and humble Angustine on a time hearing the people highly commending a Sermon preached by himself said We tremble at your praises these are but leaves we seek fruits from you And certainly righteous dealing with men is a fruit of true piety toward God Vse 2. For exhortation to make conscience of your purchase 1. Consider the evil and danger if ye do otherwise Prov. 28.20 He that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent Jer. 17.11 As the partridge sitteth on eggs and batcheth them not so he that getteth riches and not by right shall leave them in the midst of his days and at his end shall be a fool Wicked Ahab made haste to get Naboth's Vineyard but he possess'd it not long 2. Unlawful purchase like a noisome morsel in the stomack doth pain and torment the conscience when God awakes it with terrour Job 20.20 Surely he shall not feel quietness in his belly 1 Tim 6.9 They that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare and into many foolish and hurtful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition 3. Unlawful purchase makes a man unwilling and afraid to die as a thief taken with the sang is unwilling and afraid to come before the just Judge the unrighteous purchaser cannot leave his evil-gotten goods with any confidence of a blessing upon them from God to his children and heirs for he may know from the very light of nature that the righteous Judge of all the earth doth not approve the malefactors evil deeds yea though the children should prove good and upright men not walking in the ways of their father yet they being possessors of his evil-gotten goods are in mala fide unjust usurpers and the righteous Lord and Judge of all the earth doth oftentimes punish them or rather the memory of the unrighteous purchaser their Progenitor by taking the cursed thing out of their possession Therefore the Heathen Greek Poet Hesiod from the very light of Nature said well 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. be not given to unlawful gain for such gain is alike to great losses Because the unrighteous purchaser in so doing loseth far more to wit a good conscience and peace therein which is better than gold or silver On the contrair consider the good and benefit of a lawful and righteous purchase 1. There is much peace in the enjoyment of it though it be but a little thing Prov. 16.8 Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right Prov. 15.17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a stalled ox and hatred therewith 2. Though men in this world should neglect or take little notice of a deserving man in publick employment who keeps a good conscience in all his ways yet his honesty in his particular actings toward men comforts and upholds him as it did Samuel when the people neglected him 1 Sam. 12.3 and as the Apostle Paul 2 Cor. 7.2 3. The righteous purchaser doth at his death leave and bequeath his lawful purchase with confidence of a blessing with it from God as Jacob at his death said to Joseph Gen. 48.21 22. Behold I die but God shall be with you and bring you again unto the land of your fathers moreover I have given to thee one portion above thy brethren c. Vse 3. For direction of our deportment in our particular Callings and Employments in order to the purchase of our livelihood 1. I recommend diligence in your lawful Imployments Rom. 12.11 Not
worthy godly men Joseph and Daniel did not reject the great favours offered and conferred on them by heathen Princes Quest 2. May a true convert be displeased with â—ad afflictions lying on him for the present and if he may How can he be said to be content with his present condition with which he is displeased Answ He may be displeased with affliction as a thing bitter and hurtful to his natural condition and yet be content with it as it is an act of his heavenly Father's will the sick patient is displeased and hath no contentment in the potion of Medicine being considered simply yet is he well pleased and content with it as being prescribed by the skilful Physician in order to his better health Although impatient desires to be delivered out of adversity are inconsistent with Christian contentment under it yet humble desires of a delivery with submission to the good will of God do well consist with it as we see in our blessed Lord. Luk. 22.42 He said Father if thou be willing remove this cup from me nevertheless not my will but thine be done but we may not use any unlawful means for our own delivery out of affliction as wicked Ahaziah did 2 King 1. yea far rather we should say with Job shall we receive good at the hand of God and shall we not receive evil Quest 3. Is it a sin not to rest content with the measure of knowledge and grace bestowed by God upon us already and may we not desire to have more of knowledge and grace than we have for the present Answ 1. It is a sin if our discontentment with our small measure of knowledge and grace or our desire to have more proceed from the bitter root of vain glory or envy to the end we may have praise with men as we see others of more eminent gifts have thus Simon Magus desired the extraordinary gifts of the Holy Ghost 2. As the children of God do not desire increase of gifts and graces from any fretting discontentment at what they want but rather from an humble desire to have more of spiritual gifts that thereby they may glorifie God the more and edifie others So they humbly submit the measure of these gifts and graces unto the wisdom and will of God they are thankful for the little they have already received and praise his free grace with Paul 1 Cor. 15.10 by the grace of God I am what I am and withall they reach forth unto these things which are before Phil. 3.13 2. The chief ground of true contentment is the favour of God Psal 4.6 7. Psal 30 5. Psal 63.3 Hab. 3.17 18. And that the favour of God is a soul-satisfying portion is evident from these reasons 1. That which satisfies the soul of man must be a good universal to give contentment unto all the faculties of the soul pleasant sounds delight the ear but not the eye and pleasant colours delight the eye but not the ear but a soul receiving God and his favour hath an universal satsifaction to wit of light to the mind of love to the will and of delight and joy to the affections they have as much of the enjoyment of God as they are capable of in this life and would have more if they were more capable 2. The soul-satisfying good must be such as is intimat to the soul worldly and sensual objects stick for the most part in the sense and imagination but do not affect the reason with any solid contentment they are as Saul's armour unto David loose and shuffling but the sense of Gods loving kindness is united to the understanding and ravishes the heart with joy so that ouâ— of the abundance of the heart they say as Psal 103.1 My soul and all that is within me or that is in the midst of me bless his holy Name 3. The soul-satisfying good must be that which is the supreme good because any inferiour good cannot fully satisfie the desire so long as the soul knoweth of one superiour and better as Moses was not satisfied with what he saw on this side of Jordan until he was at the top of Pisgah so there is not a full and compleat satisfaction unto the soul till we come to mount Sion that is above our greatest satisfaction in this life is to enjoy God by faith by love by peace in the Conscience and joy in the heart which are the first fruits of eternal life 4. The soul-satisfying good must be permanent because the very apprehension of a change doth interrupt our present contentment as may be seen in the intervals of chronical diseases the fear of returning fits disquiets the heart even in time of health all worldly objects are like a summer flood passing away Prov. 27.24 Riches are not for ever and doth the Crown endure to every generation But the gracious presence of God is like unto the Sun shining more and more unto the perfect day of our full happiness in heaven Psal 89.33 My loving kindness will I not utterly take from him nor suffer my faithfulness to fail Jer. 32.40 I will not turn away from them to do them good Joh. 4.14 Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up unto eternal life John 13.1 he loved them unto the end 3. The means to attain unto true contentment are 1. Withdraw thy heart from seeking oâ— placing thy contentment in the things of this present world because worldly pleasures are deceitful riches are uncertain and worldly honour doth evanish like smoke for worldly glory shall not descend after a man into the grave Psal 49.17 2. Make God and his favour your portion then whatsoever be your present condition or portion in this world ye shall have inward contentment because God himself is a full unchangeable and everlasting portion Lam. 3.24 The Lord is my portion saith my soul therefore will I hope in him that is depend on him alone for satisfaction Psal 73.26 My flesh and my heart faileth but God is the strength of my heart and portion for ever In all thy wants or losses worldly thou mayest and shouldest rest content in him who is thy alsufficient portion Hab. 3.17 18. Although the fig tree shall not blossome neither shall fruit be in the vines yet I will rejoyce in the Lord I will joy in the God of my salvation As a man who hath lost a small portion put to adventure at Sea doth yet rest content and rejoyceth in the stock he hath abiding sure at land 3. Be moderat in your worldly desires of things worldly Prov. 30.8 feed me with food convenient Heb. 13.5 Let your conversation be without covetousness c. Nature is content with little Job 6.5 Doth the ox low over his fodder And grace is content with less even in tribulations and worldly wants it can rejoyce in God alone Rom. 5.3 We
glory in tribulations also But conceit is insatiable it must have this and the other thing also Immoderate desire of things worldly doth procure much grief and discontentment if either we be disappointed or deprived after some enjoyment how grieved was Ahab when Naboth refused to give him his vine-yard which he did covet with too much eagerness how did Micah howl Judg. 17. when he was robed of his Idol which he coveted with so much blind zeal when Aristotle was asked By what means one might become rich his answer was if he were poor in his desires 4. Consider how many better possibly every way than thy self are in a worse worldly condition many of the dear children of God are shut up in prison when thou with thy poverty enjoyest outward liberty many of them are under languishing diseases when thou art in health Vriah was well content to lodge in the open fields when he saw the chief commander Joab thus lodged 5. As thou wouldest have some contentment in thy worldly enjoyments look well to the way of thy purchase and coming by them Prov. 16.8 Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right Peace in the Conscience is like health in the body as a man in health can be content with course fair so peace in the Conscience maketh an easie digestion of worldly wants and crosses God blesseth the diligent and giveth him contentment in the enjoyment of that little he hath purchased with a good Conscience Prov. 10.22 The blessing of the Lord it maketh rich and he addeth no sorrow with it But a man made rich with an evil Conscience can have no true inward contentment in all his abundance as at a funeral feast there may be plenty of meat but there is no mirth nor musick with it neither God nor their own Conscience makes them welcome to their evil-win goods 6. Consider what good things thou enjoys yet from God as well as what thou wanteth what thou hast is far more than thou deservest therefore be thankful to God and thy wants are much fewer than thou deservest therefore be content and submit to his wise dispensation 7. Consider thy interest in that great gift the Lord Jesus Christ himself to which all thy worldly wants are infinitly inferior and from thence thou may be assured that thy want of any desirable good thing in this world doth not proceed from want of love in God unto thee but from the riches of his wisdom and love who knoweth what is best for his own children Rom. 8.32 He that spared not his own Son but delivered him up for us all how shall he not with him also freely give us all things 1 Cor. 3.22 23. All are yours and ye are Christs and Christ is Gods The consideration of that everlasting Covenant of Grace in Jesus Christ the Son of God made holy David content though he knew it would not be well with his house and posterity in their worldly condition 2 Sam. 23.5 Although my house be not so with God yet he hath made with me an everlasting Covenant ordered in all things and sure for this is all my salvation and all mdy esire although he make it not to grow 8. Consider what thou looks for in heaven and be content with the little thou enjoyest here in the time of thy minority all our afflictions and wants here are not to be compared with our abundance there and with the glory that shall be revealed in us Rom. 8.18 This consideration and great to look by faith did quiet and content the hearts of the children of God when they saw the prosperity of the wicked and the adversity of the godly in this present world Psal 17.14 15. Thou fillest the belly of the men of this world with thy hid treasure they are full of children and leave the rest of their substance to their babes as for me I will behold thy face in righteousness I shall be satisfied when I awake with thy likeness 2 Cor. 4.16 18 For which cause we faint not c. while we look not at the things which are seen but at the things which are not seen 9. Labour thou to be truly godly keeping a good conscience toward God and man for godliness that hath contentment an inseparable companion alwayes with it is great gain 1 Tim. 6.6 10. Lastly and above all pray earnestly to God to instruct thy soul in that mystery and secret of contentment in whatsoever estate for in it the Apostle Paul was instructed and initiated by the Holy Spirit and the good Word of God Phil. 4.11 12. Therefore let it be thy daily prayer Psal 4.6 Lord lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon me Vse 1. For admonition to bewar of that fretting discontentment with our present condition though never so low 1 Tim. 6.8 Having food and raiment let us therewith be content Because 1. this fretting discontentment with our present condition provokes God in his justice to put us oftentimes to more of disquietness The people of Israel were discontent and loathed the Manna which they had for the present therefore they were disquieted with the fiery flying Serpents Num. 21. 2. Discontentment and secret grudging for disappointment of our worldly desires and hopes especially when we think we are in the way of duty doth provoke God many times to continue yea and to increase our afflictions The people of Israel were in their duty having left Egypt at Gods command yet when they repined against the holy command in their apprehending of great toyl and labour in going up the hill they were kept in the wilderness for the space of fourty years whereas if they had not fretted and repined they might have come to their expected end and rest within the space of fourty days Numb 13.34 3. Although God should grant unto a man his desire in the time of his impatient discontentment yet it is oftentimes given with a curse Numb 11.33 While the flesh which they so impatiently desired was between their teeth the Lord smote them with a great plague Therefore it should be our prayer to God to give us repentance of our frettings in times of affliction and to recover us from these paroxisms and then if it be his good pleasure to ease or deliver us 4. This discontentment like a fretting cancer brings men oftentimes into dangerous and hainous sins as to fraud deceit and oppression Ahab not content with his own possessions oppressed and murthered innocent Naboth Proud ambitious men discontent with the condition of being privat subjects and not so respected according to their fancy are easily tempted to sedition and rebellion as was Absalom Men discontent and fretting under a great and long sickness have been sometimes tempted to consult with wizzards and witches as was Ahaziah 2 King 1.2 yea sometimes they have been tempted to self-murther as was arrogant Ahithophel because his counsel which he thought an oracle was rejected Vse 2. For
true Converts is a growing light and knowledge Phil. 3.13 14. I count not my self to have apprehended c. I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus And although the child of God possibly doth not grow much in that knowledge of simple apprehension of things that may and should be known yet he groweth in the knowledge of appretiation and estimation of the Lord Jesus Christ and of these unsearchable and durable riches treasured up in Him to whom with the Father and the holy Ghost be immortal praise honour and glory for now and ever Amen THE TRUE LIVING WAY TO SALVATION SERMON I. JOHN 14.6 Jesus saith unto him I am the way the truth and the life IN these words is contained our Lords answer to his Disciple Thomas his question How can we know the way to the Father In which answer we have an excellent and comfortable description of our blessed Lord. I am the way saith he wherein men walk to the Father for reconciliation and peace in this life and for glory in the other life I am so the way that I am the truth and also the guide of all them who walk in me and I am life to them in all their faintings in their way to heaven to sustain and uphold them till they come to the end of their faith even the salvation of their souls Three things are here attributed to our Lord 1. That he is the Way 2. That he is the Truth 3. And that he is the Life 1. Our blessed Lord is called the Way 1. Because as a way leadeth men unto a place of rest so the Lord Jesus Christ by the merit of his death hath prepared and leadeth believers on him to a place of eternal rest in Heaven and giveth us access to the Father by faith in him while we are in the world and after death everlasting rest in and with him in the Kingdom of Heaven Col. 1.20 Joh. 14.2 I go to prepare ae place for you 2. As men must walk in the way and set their feet therein that so they may in end come to the place of their rest so we must fasten our hearts on Jesus Christ that walking in him by faith and after him as our great pattern by imitation we may in end come to the possession of eternal life 3. He is called the Way because he is our forerunner in the way to Heaven Heb. 6.20 Not only he hath made the way clear and passable for us to Heaven in removing the wrath of God which was like the flaming sword that kept man out of Paradise this he hath done by the satisfaction made by his death to Divine Justice for our sins but also by his example he hath shewed us the way of sanctification wherein we should walk and now by his intercession in Heaven he applyeth to us that promise made in the Covenant of free Grace Ezek. 36.26 27. I will cause them to walk in my statutes Christ is called the new and living way Heb. 10.20 He is called the new way not that believers before the Law or under the Law went by any other way than by faith in the Messiah to come unto the Kingdom of Heaven because all of them were saved by vertue of the Covenant of Grace made in him in whom believers of all Nations at all times are saved Acts 15.11 We believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved even as they Heb. 13.8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday and to day and for ever Rev. 13.8 he is called The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world But he is called the new way in opposition to the way of the Covenant of Works made with the first Adam which Covenant man through his fall made himself unable to keep and so to be justified thereby and get eternal life Rom. 8.3 For what the Law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin condemned sin in the flesh It is called the living way because believers in Christ are quickened by his Spirit to walk in him and by him to attain eternal life The Lord Jesus Christ is called the Way because by him only we come to eternal life Acts 4.12 Neither is there salvation in any other for there is none other name under Heaven given among men whereby we must be saved And there is no coming to the Father for reconciliation but by him as the one and alone Mediator Joh. 14.6 No man cometh unto the Father but by me Object Is not Sanctification and good works called also the way to Heaven Ephes 2.10 God hath before ordained that we should walk in good works And afflictions are also called the strait and thorny way through which we must enter into the Kingdom of God Act. 14.22 Ans The Lord Jesus Christ is properly the living way that quickens us and leads us to eternal life Sanctification and good works are comfortable mithes and evidences that we are in Christ the way 2 Cor. 5.17 Therefore if any man be in Christ he is a new Creature Joh. 15.5 I am the Vine ye are the branches He that abideth in me and I in him the same bringeth forth much fruit Sanctified afflictions are as hedges to keep us close with Christ the way that we do not debord nor depart from him and the way of his Commandments Psal 119.71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted that I might learn thy statutes Object But I have wandred long and far in the broad way will I be welcome to him who is the only way to get me accesse to the Father and being reconcilled to bring me to glory Ans If thou forsake thy former evil ways he will receive thee and by his Spirit lead thee in the way to eternal Life 2 Cor. 6.17 Wherefore come out from among them and be ye separate saith the Lord and touch not the unclean thing and I will receive you Thou has his own gracious promise if thou wilt turn from thy former evil wayes and by faith come to him he will accept thee Joh. 6.37 Him that cometh unto me I will in no wayes cast out He accepted of many who had walked in the way of curious and unlawful arts Act. 19.19 He accepted of some vile and abominable unclean Persons among the Corinthians when they by repentance turned from their former unclean wayes 1 Cor. 6.11 And such were some of you but ye are washed but ye are sanctified but ye are justified in the Name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God Doth not our blessed Lord invite all sinners pressed and wearied under the burden of their sins Mat. 11.28 And albeit at thy first coming to him thou has not so much ease and rest in thy conscience as thou wouldest yet thou may have some case and begining of satisfaction from
and refreshed out of the fulness of the merit of his death Mat. 24.28 For wheresoever the carcase is there will the Eagles be gathered together Augustine in his Tractat. on this place â—aith It is a drawing as the shepherd going before draweth the sheep after him by holding forth a green branch in his hand so our blessed Lord worketh in the hearts of the elect that gracious disposition of his own sheep to hear and follow his voice and thereafter by the sweetness of the object propounded to them to wit Christ the Branch of Righteousness and by the inward operation and strong impulse of the Spirit he maketh them follow the outward call of the Word Joh. 10.4 When he putteth forth his own sheep he goeth before them and the sheep follow him for they know his voice 5. It is an invincible and irresistable drawing it is not only by moral swasion of motives taken from benefit or prejudice to their souls but it is by a powerful perswading and efficacious inclining of the heart Gen. 9.27 God shall perswade Japheth and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem. Hos 2.14 Therefore behold I will allure her and bring her into the wilderness and speak comfortably unto her or to her heart Although there is in all men a corrupt principle of resistance to the will of God yet when God is pleased to exert that exceeding greatness of his power toward them that believe Eph. 1.19 Actual resistance is overcome by the insuperable grace of God Jer. 17.14 Heal me O Lord and I shall be healed save me and I shall be saved Jer. 31.18 Turn thou me and I shall be turned for thou art the Lord my God Augustine calleth the operation of grace in our conversion to the wayes of God victrix delectatio an overcoming delight like a sweet and strong smell overcoming and bearing down corrupt vapours and exhalations this grace of God in conversion is rejected by no hard heart because willingness to resist is taken away as Augustine speaketh well to this purpose Therefore humble penitents should look up by faith to Christ on the Cross as he is held forth to them in the Gospel The persons stung in the wilderness looked to the brazen serpent and were healed so whatever thy sins hath been and whatsoever be the sting of thy guilty conscience confess thy sins with purpose and active endeavours for amending thy wayes draw near by faith to Jesus Christ and thou shalt be healed Joh. 3.14 15. As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness even so must the Son of man be lifted up that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have eternal life Although thy faith be weak yet if convinced of thy sins and mourning for them thou look to Christ alone for salvation thou shalt be saved Isai 45.22 Look unto me and be ye saved all the ends of the earth for I am God and there is none else which place speaketh expresly of Christ if we compare vers 23. with Phil. 2.11 All that looked to the brazen serpent in the wilderness were not alike quick-sighted yet all who looked were healed So all stung with sorrow in their hearts for their sins if they fix their eye and heart upon Christ crucified they shall be saved though faith be weak in the measure for our salvation doth not depend upon the strength of our faith but upon the strength and power of Christ in whom we believe And if thou be truly drawn by faith to Christ then Christ and his Cross will be great in thine eyes and estimation far above all things here below As a man lifted up to an high mountain esteems things below in the valley to be but small so a soul elevated by saith to Christ and to things that are above esteems little of all things on earth in comparison of Christ and his unsearchable and durable riches Phil. 3.8 I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord for whom I have suffered the loss of all things and do count them but dung that I may win Christ And the true believer glorieth most in the Cross of Christ who endured the Cross and despised the shame to save us poor souls from extreme and everlasting pain and shame Gal. 6.14 As we believe the merit of the Cross of Christ so let us labour to feel more and more of the power of his Cross crucifying sin in us and drawing our hearts from the vanities of this present world and quickening us to serve and honour him who spared not his life but gave it to the death of the Cross for us To him with the Father and the Holy Spirit be all praise c. Amen Soul-healing vertue in Christ to the broken in heart SERMON III. PSAL. 147.3 He healeth the broken in heart and bindeth up their wounds THe holy Prophet stirreth up his own heart and the hearts of others from the consideration of the glorious attributes and works of the Lord to praise his great Name and amongst these works for the manifestation of his compassion and mercy toward poor mourning sinners because he healeth the broken in heart and bindeth up their wounds This our blessed Lord applyeth to himself as a work of mercy common to him with the Father Luk. 4.18 He hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted As in healing the diseases and wounds of the body there be these three considerable 1. The Physician 2. The Patient 3. The Cure it self So it is in healing the diseases of the soul and wounds of the spirit of man We have all these three in these words 1. The Physician is the Lord himself Jehovah He. 2. The Patient The broken in heart and wounded in spirit 3. The Cure He healeth The Lord God is the soveraign Physician who according to his good pleasure healeth all distempers He healeth a distempered civil State by restoring civil Peace Psal 46.9 Psal 147.14 A distempered Church by restoring Unity Peace and Love Isa 30.26 Jer. 30.17 Jer. 32.39 He healeth breaches in families by restoring domestick Peace and Amity He healeth distempers through bodily diseases Ezod 15.25 2 Kings 20.5 He healeth Souls distempered through the guilt and sting of an evil conscience Psal 103.3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities who healeth all thy diseases Jer. 3.22 Return ye backsliding Children and I will heal your backslidings In all our distempers it is our wisdom and duty to go to God and to his Son Jesus Christ the Soveraign Physician for healing sick Souls Psal 61.2 From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee when my heart is overwhelmed lead me to the rock that is higher then I. Psa 60.2 Thou hast made the earth to tremble thou hast broken it heal all the breaches thereof for it shaketh especially when the soul is in an high fever and distemper of grief and fear through bypast sins Psal 41.4 I said Lord be merciful unto me heal my soul
for I have sinned against thee We should use the outward means ordained by God for healing our souls such as are the hearing of the Gospel receiving the holy Sacrament of the holy Supper and daily Prayer these are through Gods blessing strengthning and healing Ordinances but we must not rest on the outward performances or on the abilities of the Minister thereof as if there were any Intrinsecal vertue in them for healing a sick and fainting Soul The Word was preached by Christ himself and yet no healing followed Matth. 23.37 Luke 19.42 The Sacrament of Baptism was ministred by Philip the Evangelist to Simon Magus and yet there was no healing of that gall of iniquity in his heart when a people look too much to the instruments who preach the Word or minister the Sacraments it provokes our jealousie God many times to withhold assistance from the Ministers and a blessing from the outward means to the people for all these outward Ordinances are but empty cisterns till they be filled by an influence of power and life from himself Joh. 6.63 It is the spirit that quickeneth the flesh profiteth nothing The outward Ordinance without the Lords special presence and blessing is like the staff of Elisha in the hand of Gehazi they do not quicken a dead soul nor awake the sleepy and secure soul 2 Kings 4.31 Therefore inusing the outward means for healing our souls we should go by Prayer to the great Physician himself that by his Spirit he would go along with the outward Ordinances If thou go to him thou needest not despare of healing for in his own due time he will heal all that come to him Jer. 17.14 Heal me O Lord and I shall be healed There is no soul-disease incureable to him though in it there were a complication of infirmities and distempers Isai 1.16 18. Wash ye make you clean put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes cease to do evil Though your sins be as scarlet they shall be as white as snow c. Though thy sins were inveterat through custom from thy child-hood like the Lunatick child Mark 9.21 Though incurable through all the counsel of friends like the disease of that sick woman Luke 8.43 Therefore come your selves to him and let parents bring their stubborn children in their prayers to Him the great Physician who can heal perverse spirits and make crooked things straight even when parents and friends has despared of their recovery from their soul-distempers and evil wayes In all distempers and wounds of spirit from outward grievous afflictions come to this Soveraign Physician though creatures neither can nor will heal thee yet he will come near to the afflicted who under affliction bodily are most afflicted in their spirit for their sins Psal 27.10 Jer. 30.17 Hos 2.14 I will allure her and bring her into the wilderness and speak comfortably unto her When the godly are in a desolat and wildernesse-like condition and few or none to comfort then the Lord in an acceptable time comes in to the soul with comfort all the moral Instruments of our comfort and healing are but as an Apprentice who can do nothing without their masters secret information and direction therefore the broken-hearted would come to Jesus Christ who had a calling from the Father Luke 4.18 to bind up and heal the broken in heart he healed Inveterat bodily diseases as one of twelve years one of eighteen and one of thirty eight years for the comfort of all poor humbled sinners who formerly have accustomed themselves to do evil He is a skilful Physician to apply several Medicines for healing several diseases He has Corrosives to awake these who are in a spiritual Lethargy even the spirit of burning and judgement Isai 4.4 He has sharp afflictions as a scourge to tame and daunt proud and vain men who are in a spiritual Phrency and distempered with an heady conceit of their own righteousness Job 36.8 9. If they be bound in fetters and be holden in cords of affliction then he sheweth them their work and their transgressions that they have exceeded He has Lenatives and Restauratives to poor fainting Souls even the sweet promises of the Gospel Isa 57.11 Matth. 5.3 4. Matth. 11.28 Though this great Physician the Lord Jesus Christ in the Humane Nature be locally in Heaven yet he can heal broken hearts on earth by the vertue and presence of his Spirit through the power of hiâ— Intercession at the Fathers right hand 1 Joh. 2.1 2. If any man sin we have an Aduocat with the Father Jesus Christ the Righâ—eous and he is the Propitiation for our sins He healed the Centurions sick servant at a distance Matth. 8. And the Son of that Noble man Joh. 4.51 at a distance also As the Sun in the Firmament though at a distance from the Earth doth quicken and revive the Creatures by the influence of light and heat so the Sun of Righteousness the Lord Jesus Christ doth by the influences of his Spirit and Vertue quicken and revive a soul fainting under the burden of sin 2. The Patient under Gods Cure is the broken in heart or wounded in spirit The broken heart is called also in Scripture a contrite spirit Ps 51.13 Is 57.15 When the heart that was sometime whole and hard like a stone is broken into pieces like a grain bruised between the upper and nether milstone so the heart of a truly humbled sinner is crushed between the sense of divine justice displeased with its sins and the sense of divine love manifested in the Gospel it is called a bruised spirit Isa 42.3 When the heart is bruised and bowed down so with the burden of many and manifold sins that from the deep sense of greif and shame for them they have not the confidence to look up to God Psal 40.12 Mine iniquities have taken hold upon me so that I am not able to look up c. It is called a wounded spirit Prov. 18.14 because the Lord of hosts provoked by our sins doth justly wound the guilty conscience with pain that the wounded spirit can get no rest Psal 38.3 There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin It is called a soft and tender heart sensible of the danger and vileness of sin Josiah his heart was tender and humbled at the hearing of the Law 2 Chron. 34.27 A rent heart Joel 2.12 When the love of sin is emptied out of the heart by repentance as water out of a rent vessel and it is called an heart of flesh plyable and yeelding to walk in the commandments of God Ezek. 36.26 27. The necessity of a broken heart is evident from the text because it is the broken heart only that God healeth 1. God taketh speci-notice of the broken in heart Psal 56.8 Ezek. 9.4 2. He preserveth the broken in heart in the midst of common calamities Psal 34.18 Ezek. 9.4
yet the infinite worth of the Person being the Son of God gave infinite worth and value to his sufferings for a short time for taking away the eternal punishment and for procuring to us an eternal and exceeding weight of glory according to that of Heb. 9 14. How much more shall the blood of Christ who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God Purge our Conscience from dead works to serve the living God As our blessed Lord was lifted upon the Cross so let us lift up our minds and hearts to him and as Paul had the Philippians alwayes in his heart Philip. 1.7 So let us carry Christ crucified alwayes in our hearts 1. This should be our great care and study with the Apostle Paul who studied nothing so much as the knowledge of Christ and him crucified 1 Cor. 2.2 And Philip. 3.10 That I may know the fellowship of his sufferings For this end the holy Sacrament of the Supper was institute to bring often to our remembrance the death of the Lord Jesus 1 Cor. 11.26 2. Serious and frequent thoughts of his Cross will mortifie sin in us Gal. 2.20 I am crucified with Christ Thoughts of the great grief and shame brought upon the Innocent Lamb of God by our sins should pierce our hearts should we rejoyce in that which made him cry out My Soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death God forbid we should glory in that which procured the shame of the Cross to him The thoughts of his Cross will mortifie our impatience in all our afflictions when we look to him who with so great patience endured the Cross and with insuperable courage despised the shame of the World This will mortifie our love to the perishing vanities of this present world Gal. 6.14 God forbid that I should glory save in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ by whom the world is crucified unto me and I unto the world As a dead man is not affected with the pleasures of the world and the world is crucified to him as a man has no pleasure to look upon the limbs of a malefactor hanged up in the high way 3. Thoughts of the cross of Christ have an active and attractive Vertue they will quicken our Faith and draw us nearer to Christ where the carcase is there will the eagles be gathered Matth. 24.28 The sweet smell of the cross of Christ draweth Believers to him It will quicken our love to Christ and our obedience Can. 1.3 4. Thy name is as oyntment poured forth therefore do the Virgins love thee draw me and we shall run after thee A thankful man cannot but love his servant that has suffered much for him how much more should we love our blessed Lord who suffered so much for us who by an evil Nature are born enemies to God The consideration of his death will quicken our hope and dependance upon God for all things needful in time coming Rom. 8.32 He that spared not his own Son but delivered him up for us all how shall he not with him also freely give us all things It will quicken our love to all who belong to Christ especially in the time of their distress as the love of David to Jonathan in the remembrance of his great kindness did make him enquire after these that belonged to Jonathan that he might shew kindness to them 2 Sam. 9.1 The consideration of this great love of Christ in dying such a death for us by the power of his Love will subdue our sinful lusts and make us by patience to overcome difficulties and afflictions in suffering for his Name Rom. 8.37 Nay in all tbese things we are more than Conquerours through him that loved us This Heavenly fire of his Love in our hearts like lightnings will quench that earthly fire and exhalations of unclean lusts 4. Serious and deep thoughts of the cross of Christ will comfort and encourage us against all our enemies whether devils or wicked men because Christ upon thâ— câ—oss hath spoiled principalities and powers Col. 2 15. Satan our arch-enemy is both bound and spoiled by the Captain of our Salvation He may and will molest us like an enemy besieging a City and making frequent assaults but he shall not prevail to get possession John 10.28 They shall never perish neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand The true Believers may and will be molested by wicked men tempting them to sin and persecuting them with tongue or hands because they will not run with them in the excess of riot 1 Pet. 4.4 But be of good comfort for even all the wicked in the world are subiected to him by the merit and power of his Cross Phil. 2.8 9 10. Joh. 16.33 These things have I spoken unto you that in me ye might have peace in the world ye shall have tribulation but be of good chear I have overcome the world The thoughts of the death of Christ will comfort us against the severe charge and sharp challenges of a guilty and accusing Conscience Rom. 8.34 Who is he that condemneth It is Christ that died yea rather thâ—t is risen again who is even at the right hand of Gâ—d who also maketh Intercession for us It will comfort and encourage against the fear of death seing our blessed Lord by his death on the Cross hath taken away the sting and curse from our death 1 Cor. 15.57 But thanks be to God which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ 4. The necessity of the death of Christ upon the Cross even so must the Son of man be lifted up It was necessary our Lord should die 1. There was a necessity of immutability in respect of Gods decree to save lost man by the sufferings and death of Jesus Châ—ist Heb 2.10 For it became him for whom are all things and by whom are all things in bringing many sons unto glory to make the Captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings 1 Pet. 1.20 Who verily was fore-ordained before the foundation of the world but was manifest in these last times for you 2. There was a necessity in respect of infallibility to fulfil the Prophesies concerning his death for our sins Isa 53.12 He hath poured out his soul unto death Dan. 9.26 The Messiah shall be cut off but not for himself 3. To fulfil and to be answerable by his death and bloody sacrifice to the typical sacrifices Heb. 10.4 5 6 7. For it is not possible that the blood of Bulls and Goats should take away sins c. And Rev. 13 8. he is called The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world to wit in these mystical and typical sacrifices before and under the Law 4. There was a necessity for him to die this kind of death on the Cross whereof see more in Serm. Joh. 12.32 Though there was a necessity for our blessed Lord to die yet he submitted to it most willingly he poured out his soul unto death and frequently
it is said in the New Testament he emptied himself and gave himself to the death Gal. 1.4 Eph. 5.2 Tit. 2.14 This kind of necessity agreeth well with a spontaneous willingness though not with a liberty of indifferency toward the opposit act And seing our blessed Lord submitted himself willingly to this necessity in order to our salvation let us also when-ever in a necessity of divine providence we are called to undergo this or that cross willingly and chearfully submit our selves to the necessity of his wise providence Let us say as our Lord did Not my will but thine be done Let us say as David did 2 Sam. 15.26 Behold here am I let him do to me as seemeth good unto him And with these loving Professors Acts 21.14 When Paul would not be perswaded we ceased saying the will of the Lord be done 5. There is a resemblance in the consequent and effect of their looking to the brazen Serpent and of believers their looking to Christ on the Cross 1. These Serpents in the wilderness were deadly the Septuagint Interpreters calls them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so in sin there is the bite of the old Serpent when a temptation to sin is fastned on our hearts and we give consent to it Jam. 1.15 When lust hath conceived it bringeth forth sin and sin when it is finished bringeth forth death The bite of the Serpents was painful before they looked up to the brazen Serpent there was a burning inflammation and pain from the sting so it is in sinneâ—s after they have sinned the sting of an evil conscience remains burning and tormenting them from the sense of guiltiness and the fear of wrath to come and fear hath torment 1 Joh. 4.18 2. They were pained at the heart before they looked to the brazen Serpent so before a sinner can look by faith to Jesus Christ and so be healed there must be pain and grief at his heart in some measure of sincerity for offending the just and gracious God Mat. 9.11 12. Jesus said unto them they that be whole need not a Physician but they that are sick Two sorts of persons are not healed at the first to wit those that are lethargick or phrenetick sensless of sin or conceitful of their own righteousness The Church of Laodicea is convinced first of her security and vain imaginations before she be invited to be healed Rev. 3.19 And the Pharisee conceited of his own righteousness returned to his house not justified Luke 18. As the lethargick is ordinarily cured by casting him into a fever and then he being sensible of his distemper is healed by the Physician so our great Physician puts secure and sensless sinners oftentimes to a sharp fever and exercise of conscience by discovering covering sin and wrath to them and thereafter heals them as he did the Jaylor Act. 16.30 31. The Phrenetick and conceity soul the Lord heals by beating them with the sharp rods of affliction Job 36.8 9 10. If they be bound in fetters and be holden in cords of affliction then he sheweth them their work and their transgressions that they have exceeded he openeth also their ear to discipline and commandeth that they return from iniquity They were healed by looking up to the brazen Serpent so by faith in Christ Jesus we are healed from our sins Act. 16.30 Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved He is the only Physician that is both able and willing to heal the broken in heart As the People stung were healed by their looking up as a condition appointed and required by God But they were not healed for their looking up as a cause meritorious of healing so Faith is appointed and required as an instrument or condition without which there is no Justification and Salvation but it is not the cause meritorious but looks to Christ alone as the procurer of our Justification and Salvation in his blood The sick Woman was healed of her bloody flux through her touching of Christ but not by any vertue in her touching for the healing vertue came from Christ himself alone Mark 5.30 Luke 6.19 He healeth us of all the stings that disquiet and torment our spirits of which there be four 1. The sting of a guilty and tormenting Conscience spoken of Job 20.12 2. The sting of outward great afflictions not only in the Wicked but also in the Godly to wit a fear and apprehension of wrath in the affliction Job 6.4 The arrowes of the Almighty are within me the poyson whereof drinketh up my spirit the terrours of God do set themselves in array against me 3. The sting of temptation 2 Cor. 12.7 There was given to me a thorn in the flesh 4. The sting of death 1. Cor. 15.56 At that time our sins that were quiet from tormenting us as the viper was for a time Act. 28. at death they leap on our Consciences to torment them with fear of the second Death Therefore let us look to Christ crucified that we may be healed of all these stings Isai 45.22 Look unto me and be ye saved all the ends of the earth Look to him who shed his blood for the remission of sins who has reconciled us in the blood of his Cross and this look will calm the Conscience from the sting of guiltiness Rom. 5.1 Being justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ 2. When thou art disquieted with the sting of afflictions look to Christ who by the merit of his sufferings hath taken away the curse and wrath from thy sufferings and maketh them medicinal and profitable for thy soul Heb. 12 10. He chastiseth us for our profit that we may be partakers of his holiness 3. Against the sting of temptations and sharp tryals look to his rich and free Love Rom. 8.37 He will give strength to resist 2 Cor. 12.9 He will give outgate 1 Cor. 10.13 4. Against the sting of death look by Faith to Jesus Christ who is the Saviour of his body Rom. 8 1. There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus Look by Faith to him interceeding at the right hand of God for preserving us Believers unto eternal Life Rom 8.34 Joh. 10.28 As by his death he purchased our peace with God so by his Intercession he perpetuats that peace Heb. 7.25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the outermost that come unto God by him seing he ever liveth to make Intercession for them 4. All that looked to the brazen Serpent were healed although in such a great number of men all were not alike quick-sighted so all Believers though not alike strong in Faith by looking to Christ crucified are saved from their sins There is no exception of infants in the life of Faith although in the estate of Grace and for the time they be not able by a reflex act to discern their own estate as infants are refreshed with bodily food although their hand be not so
sending him the love of the Son in coming into the world that by the merit of his death we may be justified and saved and the love of the Holy Ghost in anointing and qualifying him for these great effects as the Bee passeth thorow many flowrs in the Garden but stayeth longest on these where it getteth most hony so we should often meditate upon the mystery of Gods free love in Jesus Christ All the Scriptures are faithful sayings and worthy of all acceptation yet this saying is eminent above all 1 Tim. 1.15 Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners We should turn away our eyes from looking to any thing as meritorius of justification and salvation but we should look unto Christ alone and his righteousness for the salvation of our souls because life eternal is the gift of God through Jesus Christ our Lord Rom. 6.23 And we are saved by grace through Faith in him Eph. 2.8 This doctrine from the force of truth upon the Conscience and for quieting the heart in the remembrance of our own unrighteousness the learned and worthy reformed Divines have maintained according to the holy Scriptures and the learned Bishop Andrews in his Serm. on Jer. 23.6 saith piously and soundly That if men would set God before them in his justice and their own souls in their guiltiness they would interpose nothing between the revenging justice of God and their guilty souls but the alone righteousness of Jesus Christ yea some of the Roman Church have acknowledged that justification and salvation is to be sought only in the Lord Jesus Christ as was evident from that directory for visitation of the sick reprinted at Venice one thousand five hundred seventy six the priest is directed to propone this question to the sick person Believest thou that none can be saved by their own merits or any other way than by the merit of our Lord Jesus Christ And the Priest is directed to instruct the sick person that there is no other way of salvation but by Faith on Jesus Christ alone Bellarmin lib. 3. of Justif after a long debate he concludes It is safer for the uncertainty of our own righteousness and for shunning the danger of vain glory to put our confidence only in the righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ Ferus a learned and moderat Divine commenting upon the parable of the Labourers in the Vine-yard Mat. 20. speaketh to this purpose God promised freely and he rewardeth freely therefore if thou wouldest keep Gods favour toward thee make no mention of thy own merits for he will give all things out of his own mercy nevertheless thou must not be the slower to do good works yea rather thou shouldest be the more zealous of them seing we have so bountiful a Lord. Quest Is there no more required for justification but only Faith in Jesus Christ Is there no more required for inheriting eternal life but to receive him and to rely on him Answ Some of late even Divines of the reformed Church have spoken very rashly to say no worse of some eminent and Orthodox learned men of the Reformed Churches as if they did not require in the believer new obedience and sanctification It is true they require according to the Scriptures that by Faith alone in Christ and his righteousness they should look for justification but they require new obedience and sanctification in the believer as a necessary antecedent unto eternal life The Harmony of learned Divines of the reformed Church in the Doctrine of justification See in learned Hornbeck his Institut Theolog. Cap. 11. and they affiâ—m that as our sins were imputed to Christ the Surety and Mediator of the New Covenant so his Righteousness is imputed to believers for justification therefore it is not as some in their expressions complying with the Papists have spoken a fancy or Justitia Putativa a supposed righteousness but it is real of God the Father accompting his Sons Righteousness unto the sinner and by that accompting making it his to all effects as if the sinner himself had performed it as speaketh the learned and famous Arch. B. Vsher in his Sum of Christian Religion upâ—n this Subject Because saith he this Righteousness is in Christ not as in a person severed from us but as in the head of the Church the second Adam from whom therefore it is communicated unto all who being united as members unto him do lay claim thereunto and apply it unto themselves Rom. 5.19 Rom. 10.4 And though saith he it be not fit to measure heavenly things by the yard of reason yet it is not unreasonable that a man owing a thousand pound and not being able to pay it his Creditor may be satisfied by one of his â—riends And answering to that question how then doth the soul reach after Christ in the act of justifying Even as a man saith he fallen into a river and like to be drowned as he is carried down with the flood espyeth the bough of a tree hanging over the river which he catcheth at and clingeth unto with all his might to save him and seeing no other way of succour but that ventureth his life upon it This man so soon as he had fastned upon this bough is in a safe condition though all troubles fears and terrours are not presently out of his minde until he come to himself and seeth himself quit out of danger then he is sure he is safe but he was safe before he was sure Even so it is with a believer Faith is the espying of Christ as the only means to save and the reaching out of the heart to lay hold upon him God hath spoke the word and made the promise in his Son I believe him to be the only Saviour and remit my soul to him to be saved by his Mediation So soon as the soul can do this God imputeth the righteousness of his Son unto it and it is actually justified in the Court of heaven though it is not presently quieted and pacified in the court of conscience that is done afterwards in some sooner in some later by the fruits and effects of justification Quest Is there an infallible and inviolable connexion between true faith on Jesus Christ and salvation by him Ans Yea for it is said here That whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have eternal life And it was said â—y the Apostle Paul unto the Jaylor Acts 16. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt he saved Christ is said to dwell in the heart by faith Eph. 3.17 As there is a local union between a man and the house wherein he dwells and resides so there is a spiritual and real union between Christ and a believer and there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ and to assure believers on Christ of the certainty of their salvation it is said in the present tense Joh. 3.36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life Believers are as sure
heart is ready to every good work and commanded duty with the Apostle Paul Acts 9.6 saying Lord what wilt thou have me to do For the Doctrine of Justification by Faith obligeth believers the more strictly to the duties of Sanctification for knowing they are justified in the blood of Christ which is the price of our redemption therefore should they glorify God in their body and in their spirit which are God's not only by the right of creation and temporal preservation but also by the right of redemption and everlasting salvation 1 Cor. 6.20 Seing they have the promises of free grace ratified in the blood of Christ they should cleanse themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit perfecting holiness in the fear of God 2 Cor. 7.1 See more 2 Cor. 5.15 Tit. 2.11 12 14. So that the Doctrine of Justification by faith in Jesus Christ doth not make void the Law but establisheth the Law Rom. 3.31 Though it make the Law void as to Justification by it Rom 8.3 yet it doth not make it void or cancell it from being a fixt rule for our direction Now to the Lord Jesus Christ the Author and Finisher of our faith with the Father and Holy Ghost be all praise c. Amen Spiritual Life and Spiritual Walking SERMON V. GAL. 5.25 If we live in the Spirit let us also walk in the Spirit THe Apostle having spoken in vers 22 23 24. of the seveâ—al fruits of the Spirit in the soul wherein he hath planted the life of grace he inferreth this conclusion If we live in the Spirit c. that is if we be quickened by the Spirit of God and raised to a new life of grace let it be seen in the course and actions of our life Let us walk by the Spirit that is by the guidance and direction of the Spirit according to the Word of God which was inspired into the Prophets and Apostles by the Holy Spirit In the words we have 1. A benefit supposed If we live in the Spirit 2. A duty proposed Let us walk in the Spirit For clearing the benefit supposed we would know 1. The nature and condition of this life which we are said here to have by the Spirit what it is 2. We would know the necessity of this life 3. The excellent quality of it in excelling all other kinds of life 1. As for the nature of this life it hath three effects or operations 1. Our Justification whereby our sins are forgiven and we are absolved from the sentence of damnation through the perfect obedience and satisfaction of our Mediator the Lord Jesus Christ as a man sentenced to death for some hainous crime is called a dead man even before the execution of the sentence and when he is absolved he is said to be a living man so by nature through sin and guiltiness we are children of wrath and dead in sins and trespasses obnoxious to eternal death and damnation but being justified by faith in Jesus Christ we are said to live in Christ and have the hope to live with him for ever This life is purchased to us by the merit of the death of Christ and is applyed by the Holy Spirit working faith in us whereby we are united to Christ and receive in and through him remission of sins offered to us in the preaching of the Gospel and sâ—aled in the holy Sacraments 1 Cor. 6.11 But ye are washed but ye are sanctified but ye are justified in the Name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God 2. The act also and operation of the life of grace is our Sanctification wrought in us by the Holy Spirit mortifying in us the deeds of the body Rom. 8.13 If ye through the Spirit do mortifie the deeds of the body ye shall live to wit the life of glory in Heaven and it is a quickening of us to live here unto righteousness as a man pincing away in sickness is said to be a dead man in respect of his fast approaching unto death and when he is in the way of recovery he is said to be a living man because there are pregnant hopes of his better health and life This life of Sanctification purchased also by Christ is applyed and wrought in us by the Holy Spirit through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost Tit. 3.5 3. There is the life of comfort and spiritual chearfulness it 's said of old Jacob Gen. 44.30 His life is bound up in the lad's life because he was much comforted in his son Joseph When sin and judgement is set before us our heart is dead and comfortless like the heart of Nabal whose heart at the report of David's wrath against him died within him through fear 1 Sam. 25.37 But when the Spirit of the Lord in our fears and faintings doth revive us by the sweet and piercing smell of the cross of Christ received by faith into the soul then we live a comfortable life and our soul rejoyceth in God our Saviour 2 Cor. 4.11 For we which live are alwayes delivered unto death for Jesus sake that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh that is that the life of comfort and inward strength from Christ might be manifested in our sufferings 1 Pet. 1.8 Whom having not seen ye love in whom though now ye see him not yet believing ye rejoyce with joy unspeakable and full of glory This life of inward comfort and strength purchased also by the merit of the death of Christ is applyed and wrought in us by the Holy Spirit Eph. 3.14 15 16. I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ c. that he would grant you according to the riches of his glory to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner-man This life is called our life in Christ Col. 3.3 4. For ye are dead and your life is hid with Christ in God It is purchased by him hid and preserved in him and with him as the life of the branches is preserved in the root Joh. 14.19 Because I live ye shall live also It is called the life of the Spirit or by the Spirit in this place because by the Holy Spirit we are united and joyned unto the Lord our Head and Saviour 1 Cor 6.17 He that is joyned unto the Lord is one spirit and because we are renewed to a new life by the Holy Spirit Joh. 3.5 Except a man be born of Water and of the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God It is called the life of faith Gal. 2.20 because by faith we receive the life of Justification Sanctification and of inward comfort from Jesus Christ 2. This life of grace is absolutely necessar as a midst and necessar antecedent unto eternal life 1. As the natural life is a necessar foundation of natural actings and operations dead Trees grow not dead Animals walk not dead men discourse not so the life
wisdom for God will have men to repent and turn that they may live in his sight Ezek. 33.11 As I live saith the Lord God I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked but that the wicked turn from his way and live Ye must believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for there is no salvation in any other neither is there any other name under Heaven given among men whereby we must be saved Act. 4.12 And ye must walk in obedience to his will because he became the Author of eternal Salvation unto all them that obey him Heb. 5.9 4. True Christian wisdom standeth in foreseeing impediments stumbling-blocks and snares in the way wherein â—e are to walk toward eternal life Prov. 22.3 A prudent man foreseeth evil 5. As the truly wise Christian foreseeth the danger so he wisely preveeneth or removeth every impediment out of the way that would hinder him to walk or run his race with patience 1 Cor. 9.27 But I keep under my body and bring it into subjection lest that by any means when I have preached to others I my self should be a cast-away Heb. 12.1 Let us lay aside every weight c. 6. The wise Christian walketh according to right reason in his worldly desires and not according to passion and sensual appetite which would be at the outmost point of his carnal desires for passions not guided and moderated by prudence and right reason do run into extremity of sinning as is spoken of Israel Jer. 3.5 Behold thou hast spoken and done evil things as thou couldest In so doing men become foolish to the destruction of their own souls like the Nightingale delighting so much sometimes in her own singing that she bursts 7. The truly wise Christian walketh wisely towards them that are without the Church and adversaries to the sacred truth Col. 4.5 Walk wisely toward them that are without 1 Cor. 10.32 Giving none offence neither to the Jews nor to the Gentiles nor to the Church of God because in so doing thou hinders so far as lyeth in thee the great end to wit Gods glory in their conversion to the faith and truth professed by thy self to this end the Apostle giveth sound advice to all who live in an outward civil society with others of a different perswasion in the matter of Religion 1 Tim. 6.1 Let as many servants as are under the yoke to wit of unbelieving masters count their own masters worthy of all honour that the Name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed 1 Pet. 3.1 2. Likewise ye wives be in subjection to your own husbands that if any obey not the word they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives while they behold your chast conversation coupled with fear Worldly and contentious wisdom is directly opposite to true Christian wisdom as is evident from Jam. 3.15 This wisdom that hath with it bitter envying and strife descendeth not from above but is earthly sensual and devilish It is called earthly from the object of it because it is imployed chiefly about things earthly of such wisdom speaketh Jer. 4.22 They are wise to do evil but to do good they have no knowledge wise to oppress others as Pharaoh Exod. 1.10 Let us deal wisely c. wise by wicked counsels to destroy the innocent such was the wisdom of Achithophel in his counsel against David It is a sensual wisdom to fulfill their own sinful lusts in taking the opportunities to do evil as the young man taking the opportunity of the twilight to go about the work of darkness and uncleanness Job 24.15 and the vile adulteresse taking the opportunity of her husbands absence for her shameful and sensual ends Pro. 7.19 It is the earthly wisdom of a covetous man by his speeches to deceive and defraud the simple Pro. 20.14 It is nought it is nought saith the buyer c. It is called a devilish wisdom from the Author of it the subtile old serpent and it is rather craftiness and subtile deceit than true wisdom The true signs and vive characters of the true Christian wisdom are 1. These given by the Apostle Jam. 3.17 It is pure without mixture of deceit peaceable without envy and malice gentle without desire of revenge full of mercy and charity without grudging to give unto them that are in distress and full of good fruits to wit of piety sobriety and righteousness 2. Where true heavenly wisdom is there will be teachableness and willingness to hear a word of reproof when we do amiss Pro. 1.5 A wise man will hear c. Pro. 9.8 Rebuke a wise man and he will love thee David loved Nathan and Gud the faithful Prophets who reproved him in the Name of the Lord. 3. A truly wise Christian will endeavour by his good example instruction and admonition to win others to God Prov 11.30 He that winneth souls is wise as a wise and faithful servant by his good example of diligence maketh other servants diligent and faithful in his Masters service 4. True Christian wisdom hath honest and harmless simplicity joyned with it Mat. 10 16. Be ye therefore wise as serpents and harmless as doves 5. The truly wise Christian like the wise Merchant preferreth Christ to all things and like the wise builder Mat. 7.24 he builds his comfort and confidence on Jesus Christ the rock of his salvation as Paul did Rom. 8.33 34 35. Gal. 6.14 God forbid that I should glory save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ 6. The truly wise Christian is an heavenly-minded man having his affections set upon things above Prov. 15.24 The way of life is above to the wise that he may depart from hell beneath The means and helps for attaining this heavenly wisdom are 1. Thou must be humble and denyed to thine own wisdom 1 Cor. 3.18 Let him become a fool that he may be wise Thou must captivat all thy thoughts and imaginations to the wisdom and will of God revealed in the holy Word 2 Cor. 10.4 5. 2. To this end thou must be well acquainted with the holy Scripture which only is able to make thee wise unto salvation 2 Tim. 3.15 3. Thou wouldst carefully observe the experiences thou has had of Gods mercies in time by-past this will make thee wise and resolute in times of new difficulties to depend on God and his help Ps 71.17 18. O God thou hast taught me from my youth c. Now also when I am old and gray-headed O God forsake me not for experience is the school-master of fools to make them wise thou wilt also observe the Lords chastisements upon thy self in the former time of thy deboarding and thou wilt be more wise in time coming Ps 119.71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted that I might learn thy Statutes Thou wilt observe the uncertainty and vicissitude of all things worldly and there-from learn to be humble and wise not trusting or insolently glorying in things uncertain
sleep till they had done evil How many have taken opportunity from the weakness of others of their cruel revenge as Simeon and Levi did How many have taken occasion from the simplicity of some or from the desolat condition of others as of Widows and Orphans to oppress them and by their ruines build up an estate to themselves Such men should redeem the time by repentance and restitution in time Prov. 23.10 11. Remove not the old land-mark c. for their Redeemer is mighty Job 20.19 20. Because he hath oppressed and hath forsaken the poor because he hath violently taken away an house which he builded not surely he shall not feel quietness in his belly he shall not save of that which he desired As for the present time we should improve it to well-doing without delay God in holy Scriptures urgeth the opportunity of the present time Joel 2.12 Therefore also now saith the Lord turn ye even to me with all your heart Psal 95.7 To day if ye will hear his voice c. 2 Cor. 6.2 Now is the accepted time c. The husband-man takes opportunity of the season for plowing and sowing so should we of plowing up and renting our hearts by repentance and of sowing in righteousness the sea-faringman taketh the opportunity of a fair wind so should we take the opportunity when the Spirit of God breatheth upon us by the Word without delay to depart from our sins and to advance toward the Port of eternal Salvation Because 1. The neglect of the opportunity given us for well-doing doth provoke God to withhold the like opportunity in time coming Joh. 7.34 Ye shall seek me and shall not find me Esau came not in time to get the blessing and he never got another opportunity for it Jerusalem would not in time know those things that belonged to her peace and therefore in time coming they were hid from her eyes Luk. 19.42 Felix made not good use of the opportunity he had for hearing Paul preach and he never got another convenient season Act. 24.25 2. Though thou may have afterward an opportunity of the outward Ordinances yet through thy former neglect of them thou provokes God to reject thy offerings and outward duties the Lord would not accept of the people of Israel their offer to come up the hill afterward because they had neglected the former opportunity of Obedience when he had commanded them to come up Numb 14.40 41 42. 3. The time is uncertain in respect of the opportunity of the means of grace for thou cannot tell how short a time the mercat and offer of free grace may endure the Lord may send a famine of hearing the Word of the Lord Amos 8.11 12. The time of thy life is uncertain how many have been well and in health the one Sabbath but removed by death before the other 4. Consider seriously though the Lord may be found of thee on thy sick and death-bed after the many slightings of opportunities in the dayes of thy health and prosperity yet shall it be to thee with much pain and wrestling as the people of Israel were put to the pains of fourty years abiding in the wilderness which might have been saved by the timous pains of fourty days Num. 14. As a man that neglects the opportunity of a fair and favourable wind for sailing may possibly wait on a long time before he have the like opportunity Yea though a man may repent truly and sincerely upon his death-bed yet it is not without much fear and jealousie that he hath not so much forsaken sin through any true spiritual aversness from it as from a meer want of power to act sin in the body as he was wont formerly to do A wise Christian should redeem and improve the time in order to time coming he should make timous provision for the time to come as Joseph in the time of plenty laid up provision for the time coming of famine There be four things especially we would make provision of 1. Of the word of the holy commandment and threatning against the time and hour of future temptations Psal 119.11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart that I might not sin against thee And when we are tempted to this or that sin we would make use of the commandment forbidding it and of the threatning against it we would lay up provision of the Word of gracious promises against a time of temptation to doubts and fears of acceptance as these promises Is 55.1 Mat. 11.28 Joh. 6.37 and against the fears of final Apostasie we would lay up provision from the word of promise Joh. 4.14 Joh. 10.28 We would lay up provision of gracious promises against temptations in an hour of daâ—kness and desertion as that Heb. 13.5 I will never leave thee nor forsake thee Isa 49.15 Can a woman forget her sucking child that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb yea they may forget yet I will not forget thee Psal 89 31 32.33 If they break my statutes c. Then will I visit their transgression with the rod and their iniquity with stripes nevertheless my loving kindness will I not utterly take from him nor suffer my faithfulness to fail And lay up the word of admonition against a time of senseless security 1 Cor. 10.12 Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall Lay up that word Phil. 2.12 Work out your own salvation in fear and trembling and that of 1 Joh. 5 18. He that is born of God keepeth himself 2. Make provision of good works though not as a ground of confidence yet as a matter of comfort for time coming Luk. 12.35 Provide for your selves bags which wax not old a treasure in the heavens that faileth not 1 Tim. 6.18 19. Charge them that are rich that they do good that they be rich in good works ready to distribute willing to communicate laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come that they may lay hold on eternal life For although good works do not make way and usher us into glory for Christ the Forerunner only doth that by the merit of his death Heb. 6.20 Yet they are attendants accompanying persons justified even unto eternal life Rev. 14.13 Blest are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth yea saith the spirit that they may rest from their labours and their works follow them 3. Lay up provision of thy observations of Gods sad dispensations upon men going on obstinatly in their sins Job 9 4. Who hath hardned himself against him and prospered as on Pharaoh Senacherib Antiochus Epiphanes Herod the great and Julian the Apostat Lay up this observation as provision against temptations to walk on in any course of rebellion against the known will of God Hezekiah advised the people of Israel well from the sad experience of great desolation brought upon their Ancestors by their great sins 2 Chron. 30.8 Now be ye
not stiff-necked as your fathers were but yeeld your selves unto the Lord and serve the Lord your God c. Lay up provision of thy own personal experience of sad afflictions upon thy self in a time of thy former strayings from God and of the good such afflictions did to thee in stopping thy course of defection Psal 119.67 Before I was afflicted I went astray but now have I kept thy word And in a time of renewed afflictions be patient and submit to God who chastiseth his own children to this end especially that he may make them partakers of his holiness Heb. 12.10 In time of great affliction lay up provision from thy experience of his strength supporting thee and of his wisdom and power in delivering thee that in time coming thy heart may be established by confidence and dependence on him in new troubles Psal 42.6 O my God my soul is cast down within me therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan and of the Hermonites from the hill Mizar 2 Cor. 1.9 10. But we had the sentence of death in our selves that we should not trust in our selves but in God which raiseth the dead who delivered us from so great a death and doth deliver in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us 4. Lay up provision of self-denial and resolution for evil times of persecution to come Mat. 16.24 If any man will come after me let him deny himself c. And he must be resolute as Paul Act. 21.13 I am ready not only to be bound but also to die at Jerusalem for the Name of the Lord Jesus From this Doctrine of Redeeming the time three sorts of persons are justly to be reproved 1. Slothful Idlers who redeem not the time but from day to day delay to put heart and hand to the work of their own salvation like the sluggard Prov. 6.10 Yet a little sleep a little slumber Such men are like to spend-thrifts who neglect the appointed time for redeeming their morgaged lands and afterward when they would they have not the opportunity Luk. 13.24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate for many I say unto you will seek to enter in and shall not be able 2. Such as trifle away their time as the Athenians did Act. 17.21 As these tatling widows did 1 Tim. 5.17 and as these busie bodies 2 Thess 3.11 Such also who spend more time in their excessive recreations and gaming 's than in their necessary and lawful employments especially such who spend much of their time in dycing and carding Such of old were severely fined by the laws both of Heathen and Christian Emperours and by the Canons of the Council of Eliberis were suspended from the holy Sacrament as witnesseth the learned Ductor dubitantium such prodigal triflers of precious time are like to some foolish persons who spend upon conceits and fancies the moneys that should have been imployed to redeem their morgages so these men play away their time which should be employed to redeem their former time that was ingaged to their former foolish courses 3. The debauched wasters of time in the works of darkness as uncleanness drunkenness oppression covetousness pride malice c. Such men redeem not the time but prodigally cast it away they are like unto profuse wasters who do not redeem the wodsett but take on more debt and in end bring themselves to sinful shameful and desperat poverty So these prodigal wasters and debauchers of their time bring themselves in end to an everlasting want of all comfort as the rich glutton did Luk. 16.23 24. Therefore let all sorts and conditions of men take with the warning to improve their time to the glory of God and to the advantage of their own salvation 1. Such as are in their adolescency and growing age they would improve their young years to the glorifying of their Creator Eccles 12.1 Remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth Offer the first fruits of your age unto God that your after-age may be sanctified and blessed of the Lord if the first-fruits be holy the whole lump of your time and age will be holy Rom. 11.16 Plato to this purpose speaketh indeed like a divine Philosoph in his first book of his Repub. Young age saith he pâ—st over in vertue and in honest imployments is a comfortable nurse to entertain and cherish their old age but he that wasteth and debaucheth his young years when he comes to old age the remembrance of his former miscarriages in the time of his youth doth greatly afright him as infants awaked out of their sleep by loud noises are greatly terrified and afrighted In like manner those men that sleeped sometimes securely in the sins of their youth shall be awaked in their old age with the terrours of an accusing conscience and afrighted with the dreadful found of death and judgement and shall not have rest to their souls until they repent of the sins of their youth and by â—aith rest on the Lord Jesus Christ whose blood cleanseth from all unrighteousness 2. Such as are in their prime and meridian of their time who are now in their full strength of body and mind Improve your time well honour God with the strength of thy body give not thy strength and the flower of thy time to uncleanness and drunkenness like these cursed men Isa 5.22 Wo unto them that are mighty to drink wine by so doing they weaken the spirit and consume the body they turn the good gifts of God unto rebellion against himself as if a souldier should employ his levy-mony to buy armes wherewith he might fight against his King who gave it Reuben the beginning of Jacobs strength abused his own time and strength therefore his dignity and excellency was taken from him but Joseph improved well his youth and strength of body therefore God blessed him and his bow abode in strength in despight of all that shot at him Now is the time wherein your senses and judgement are ripe and quick use your time and judgement well that ye may have comfort in old age when senses and judgement will fail as they did in old Barzillay but if your quickness be set on edge upon vain inventions ye will be forced in your old age to say as Rom. 6.21 What pleasure have we or fruits in those things whereof we are now ashamed 3. And such who are in their decrept old age stouping toward the earth and the grave let them not imploy their short time and their affections wholly upon the things of the earth when by the course of nature they are near to be removed from it Let them not be busie in the things of the world and careless of the work of their own salvation I say to them as the Lord of the Vineyard said to those Matth. 20. Why stand ye all day idle ye are come to your eleventh hour your time is near run the night of death is near hand wherein no