is right but I do not well understand you I pray tell me what you mean by Titles Attributes Ordinances Word and Works Min. Friend I like this inquiring of yours well and I will tell you 1. By the title of God is meant Lord Jehovah Jah c. 2. An Attribute of God is that which is spoken of God as that he is a Spirit infinite eternal and unchangeable that God is Almighty most wise most holy most merciful just faithful c. 3. By Ordinances I understand every part of that worship which God hath appointed as Prayer Preaching Reading Hearing Singing Psalms the Sacraments c. 4. By the Word I mean the Scriptures wherein God revealeth his Will and maketh himself known to the children of men 5. By Works I understand the works of Creation and Providence whereby God revealeth much of himself to men who eye God in them Stranger What is it then to break this Commandment Minister It is to prophane or abuse any thing whereby God makes himself known Str. I hope Sir you will tell me something also out of the fourth Commandment Min. Friend why is that day we keep holy call'd the Lords day and the Sabbath for these are names which the Scriptures give that day Rev. 1.10 Gen. 2.23 Stranger Sir I never heard that question put before Minister Friend it is called the Lords day because the Lord appointed it to be kept holy and that in remembrance of the Lord Jesus Christ and the great work of Redemption wrought by him And it is called the Sabbath which signifieth rest because it is to be kept by us as an holy rest unto the Lord. Str. What must we do on the Sabbath day Min. Friend we must spend the whole day in worshipping God publickly and privately Str. Sir may not works of mercy and necessity be done that day Min. Yes Friend if they be indeed works of necessity and mercy and not so in pretence only Str. Sir you said the whole day must be kept holy what mean you by the whole day Min. Friend by the whole day I mean full Four and twenty hours for the Sabbath must be as long as any other day of the week besides Stranger I pray Sir what must we not do on the Sabbath Minister Friend we must not make that day 1. A day of idleness barely resting from labour as our Beasts do 2. Nor a day of worldly business in buying selling or the like 3. Nor a day of sports and recreations much less 4. Nor a day of sinning especially as in drunkenness stealing and the like 5. Nor a day only of outside devotions but we must labour to worship God in spirit also and to enjoy some spiritual communion with God in his holy Ordinances Str. Sir but am I not at liberty as to my thoughts and words that day Min. No Friend for God is a Spirit his day and worship spiritual so that we ought to lay aside all unnecessary thoughts and words that day as well as works about worldly employments and recreations Isa 58.13 Not speaking thine own words on the Sabbath Str. Sir I hope you will say something to me also concerning the other Commandments Minister Yes Friend but more briefly lest our time should fail us what think you is meant by Father and Mother in the fifth Commandment Stranger Sir I think my Father that begot me and my Mother that bore me Min. Friend that is true you say but there is more in it by Father and Mother we must understand Magistrates and Ministers and all our Superiours in any kind whatsoever Str. Sir and what is it to honour my Superiours Min. Friend it is to give them that inward and outward respect which is due to them and to obey the lawful commands of those who are over us Str. Sir doth this command require only our duty to Superiours Min. Yes it injoined also the duties of Superiours to Inferiours Str. Sir I pray tell me what the sixth seventh eighth and nine Commandments require of us Min. Briefly thus the sixth Commandment enjoineth all lawful endeavours for good of the life the seventh of the chastity the eighth of the wealth and outward estate the ninth of the good name of our selves and others each Commandment forbidding whatsoever is contrary or opposite thereunto Stranger The tenth Commandment also I pray Sir speak to Minister The tenth Commandment Thou shalt not covet c. requireth not only a full contentment with our own condition but a right and charitable frame of heart toward our Neighbour and all that is his Str. Sir I thank you for all this good discourse of yours I have rid many a mile with some Ministers and never had half so much from them Min. Friend it may be so but was not you your self much in fault did you put questions to them such as I have now put to you and you to me Str. No Sir to speak the truth and I am afraid I am much to blame for it Min. One word more before we part I presume Friend you have been at the Sacrament and received the Communion Stranger Yes many a time at Easter methinks I have a mind to it Minister Friend and why not at other times also Is your foul an hungry and doth the spiritual appetite come to you but once a year Str. Sir that is the time we use to go and then the rest of my Neighbours receive Min. Friend then it seems you go much for custom and company but tell me did you ever get any good by the Sacraments Str. Sir I hope no hurt Min. Friend they who live ignorantly or scandalously eat and drink unworthily are guilty of the body and blood of the Lord and so eat and drink judgment or damnation to themselves 1 Cor. 11.27 29. Str. I hope I go better prepared than so Min. How do you prepare your self Str. Sir I give my name to the Minister aforehand I put on my best apparel I fast that morning lay the blessed bread and wine next my heart yea I am in love and charity with all men and forgive give those that have wronged me with all my heart Minister Friend that which in your answer fell last from you is quickly said not so soon done how can you say you are in love and charity with all men c. when your own heart tells you and all your Neighbours can testifie that for such and such a man you cannot give him a good word or a good look you express much joy when any evil befalls him or his where is your love then Stranger Sir you can't imagine what a deal of wrong he hath done me for many years together my heart cannot but rise against him whenever I see him but I hope to be eaven with him and to pay him all I owe him before I dye Min. Look you now Friend what is become of your charity and of forgiving with all your heart those words were but wind your
which number was Mr Staunton he was of his mind that said Praestatar are quam saltare die sabbathi Aug. It was better to work them sport to plow then Dance on the Sabbath Day he would rather loose his place then countenance such a practise amongst his people During his suspension he took his degree of Doctor in Divinity in Oxford which he did to use his own words that he might put the greater honour upon his sufferings when he answered in Comitiis and opposed in Vesperiis he was wonderfully applauded by all that were present There were several Doctors in the University whose fingers did itch to be dealing with him because he was a Country Minister and a Puritan amongst which was a Doctor whose name I shall conceale though a man of great note amongst them who was so miserably nonplust by Staunton that the Auditors hiss'd at him and one call'd out for a Candle that the Doctor might see his Arguments of this good Providence Staunton himself takes thankful notice giving all the glory to God making use of that Scripture him that honoureth me I will honour At that time also he Preacht in the University upon those words of Christ in Mar. 8.36 What will it profit a man to gain the whole world and loose his own soule c. of which Sermon he sayes He was call'd on to preach several times before the Parliament and his sermons ordered to be Printed That God did both graciously assist him in the Preaching of it and wonderfully prosper it when Preacht When the Assembly of Divines was call'd at Westminster Dr. Staunton was chosen one of that Reverend Assembly and was in good esteem amongst them insomuch that he was nominated for one of the six the Pâ—â—â—cht that useful Lecture morning by â—…ng in Westminster Abby In the year 1648 there were Visitors appointed for the University of Oxford who discharg'd Dr Newlin from his headship in C. C. C. and no man was thought so fit to succeed in that place as Dr. Staunton That Colledge had been happy in an eminently Learned and Godly President before the famous Doctor John Reynolds and now it was blest againe with the residence and regency of this excellent person what Colledge in either of the Universities can shew such another pair of Governours Here he continued above twelve years in all which time his behaviour was very exemplary not onely to those that were of his own Colledge but to the heads of other Colledges in that University Be pleased to take a short account of his Conversation from the Pen of one that was Scholar and Fellow of the House the greatest part of the time that he was President Thus he Writes At his first coming to the Colledge he put in execution and that vigorously all such Statutes as tended most to the advancement of Learning and Religion and was frequently himself present at all Lectures and other Exercises to encourage the Studious and reprehend the negligent He set up a Divinity Lecture every Lords Day early in the Morning in the Colledge Chappel for the initiating and exercising the Elder Students in order to the work of the Ministry He constantly Catechis'd the younger sort publiquely in the Chappel every Saturday He preacht once or twice every Lords Day to the edification and comfort of many besides his constant course in the Vniversity Church and Colledge Chappel and several lectures in the Country whereunto he was alwayes most ready rather seeking opportunities then declining them He had every week a meeting at his own lodgings for prayer and spiritual Conference as well of the members of the Colledge as others wherein himself alwayes bore the principal part bringing forth out of his store of experimental knowledg things new and old He was constantly present in publique duties of worship in the Chappel morning and evening observing all and reproving any that were negligent and remiss He took great care to introduce and elect into the Colledge such as he either saw or heard to have some appearances of grace at least such as were docible and inclineable towards that which is good Spiritual discourse was his meat and drink and when he sat at meals in the Colledge Hall his constant course was either from the Chapter then Read or from some occasion or other to speak that which might tend to the instruction of those who were present and to call up their minds to some heavenly contemplation In the year 1660. Being discharged from the Colledge where he had been so eminent a blessing by his prudent government and Pious example and none know this so well as such whose lot was cast to live there under his constant instruction and discipline 2 Tim. 3.10 11. both which were so far effectual that Religion and Learning scarce flourished more in any one Society in the whole Vniversity then in that little Nursery he reckoned it adviseable to withdraw also from the City in which he had sown many handfuls of precious seed and he always well watered it with his tears few that I ever heard of Preached with greater Affection and less Affectation But when the time of his departure came there are living that still know and remember with what sad hearts his dear Friends Scholars and Citizens parted with him Some have assured me it was much-what like Paules departure from Ephesus taking his last leave of the Elders Acts 20. latter end Where they all wept fore and fell on Pauls neck and kissed him sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake that they should see his face no more and they accompanied him out of the City From the Famous University and City Recommending of himself unto the Divine Providence to fix the Bounds of his habitation for him his first flight was to Rickmersworth a small Market Town in Hertfordshire where he had not been long but he had a very kind welcome both from the Gentry as a Gentleman and other good Christians of inferiour rank as a Minister of Jesus Christ His first and chief design when a little acquainted in the place was to make way for the settlement of an able Minister of the New Testament there reckoning that one of the best accommodations of a house was wanting when such a Minister was wanting and he used to say That Rickmersworth were a good place if there were better water meaning a better Minister there and that the design took no effect was not through any default of his all means being used on his part for the bringing that purpose to pass but however he quickly found the way to that Pulpit himself and because the entrance being narrower there then in some places he sought out a wider door and more effectuall and I believe it may be affirmed he found above twenty more scarce one Sabbath passing wherein he Preached not the Gospel of the kingdome in a new Pulpit and his paines though an old man and somewhat infirm in
younger years chosen Scholar of Corpus Christi College in Oxford and not long after Probationer Fellow of the same viz. before he came to be Batchelor of Arts a thing seldom known in that house There Men finding him to be not only Ingenious Ingeniosus Ingenuus but Ingenuous also did shew him great respect bestowing one token thereof after another And there God not for any desert in him but out of his own mercy and grace did set his eye upon him there did the kindness and love of God which a great while before had run like water under ground break forth and appear Saving him by the washing of Regeneration Tit. 3.5 and renewing of the Holy Ghost In Corpus Christi College as he told me it â—â—leased the Lord first to open 〈◊〉 eyes causing him to see his wretched condition which did greatly and deeply humble him and made him put up strong cryes with tears to him that was able to save him from death and was heard in that he feared Hebr. 5.7 for at length he had his Conscience sprinkled with the blood of Christ by whom he received the atonement and the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus Rom 8.2 made him free from the law of sin and death And now he became a Member of the most ancient honourable and durable Society in the world being first chosen and then admitted Fellow of Sion College where an innumerable company of Saints and Angels were his Collegues Herb. 12.22 Having received this grace he found himself strongly inclined to make others partakers of the same Wherefore having taken his degree of Master of Arts after some few Years he left the College and addicted himself to the work of the Ministry He spent most of his time and labours at Kingston upon Thames where the pleasure of the Lord did prosper in his hands From thence he was called in the time of the late Troubles to take upon him the government of the College of which he had been before a Member As soon as he came upon the place he manifested an earnest desire after the welfare of the Society in every respect exciting and by his example leading such as were to assist him to endeavour the same His Government savoured more of lenity and mildness than of sharpness and severity yet he kept the College in very good Order and Discipline Though the House before his time had been much troubled with divisions he by his moderation and Christian prudence kept them all of a piece and in the enjoyment of great peace and concord He was indeed naturally of an exceeding good temper and disposition gentle affable and courteous to all which being embellished with grace made him exceeding amiable and very useful in all his conversation His great care was to promote Religion and Learning in the College which he did with both his hands earnestly Divine knowledge and Humane Learning are the right and left eye of the World as the Sun and Moon are to the Vniverse the eclipsing of either of them leaves the World in darkness One thing there was that made him the more desire to see Religion and Learning meet together in conjunction in all such as were to be chosen Scholars of the House or if that could not be obtained to have them joined together afterward It was the Founders Will expressed in one of his Statutes That all the Fellows and Scholars of the Foundation should about a year or two after they became Masters of Arts be ordained to the Holy Ministry one only excepted who ad arbitrium might be deputed to the study and practice of Physick Parts and Learning without grace make a man capable of doing very good service in the Commonwealth but both in conjunction are more requisite in one who is to make manifest the savour of the knowledge of Christ in every place Alludit ad Sacerdotum unctioneâ— Sacrificiorum suffitus Junius in locum 2 Cor. 2.14 Knowledge puffeth up but charity edifieth 1 Cor. 8.1 A man of Learning without grace is like a ship without ballast the least blast of applause is ready to drive him upon the Quick-sands of Pride or carry him on the Rocks of opposition to others and sometimes to the truth it self to his own great danger if not ruine and the prejudice of others If such a man see another not to sail altogether by his Compass but to be carried by a side-wind to some distance from his judgment he finds it a hard matter to forbear making up to him and can scarce hold his hands from letting flie at him Difficile est Satyras-non scribere Hence have flown those great heats Animosities and perverse Disputings which have so much troubled the Church of God Unsanctified Parts and Learning have been the sharpest Tools that the great Adversary of Mankind and of the Church especially could ever lay hold on to do mischief withall as the Histories of all Ages do abundantly testifie Upon such accounts as these this godly wise man was careful to prevent if it might be an error in the first concoction knowing how hard it might prove to amend it in the second Therefore when any Scholars place became void if there appeared many Candidates for it he appointed them some time before the Election to attend him at his Lodgings where he examined them privately and set down in a Paper the age standing and proficiency in learning of every one of them He noted also what Testimonials he had received from persons of Integrity concerning the good conversation of any of them and their hopefulness as to Godliness with his own apprehensions about them upon his examination as to that matter also And if such a number of the Electors as was requisite could not after publick examination agree upon one of them he upon whom the election was in that case devolved if there appeared to him an equality or near an equality in other respects would alwayes let Piety have the honour to turn the scale His next care was to have these Twins parts and Piety fostered and cherished and by all wayes and means improved and heightned to the utmost of his power To this purpose he came ordinarily to all College Exercises held every one to the duties of their several places and observed every ones growth and progress in Learning by which he was the better able to judge whom to prefer when any of them came to be Competitors for a Fellowship He was no less careful to see Religion thrive and prosper among them For first he made choice of the fittest persons he could find to perform the duty of Prayer Morning and Evening such as might with reverence seriousness and warm affection engage the hearts of others in the duty At this holy exercise he was present himself as constantly if not more constantly than the younger Scholars as to join in the duty to bring down a blessing from above upon them and
heart deceives you you have expressed a great deal of malice and hatred in what you said last Str. Sir I am sorry if I have offended you Minister Alas Friend you do not offend me it troubles me indeed to see how you offend God and delude your own soul and how the Devil cheats you makes you to have better thoughts a great deal of your self than there is any cause for Stranger Sir I hope for all this that I live in charity and do as I would be done by Min. Friend it is well if your hope do not make you ashamed if any man had wronged you would you not have him to acknowledge his fault to you and to make restitution for all the wrong you sustained Str. Yes Sir you may be sure I think it all the reason in the world I should Min. Now Friend let Conscience speak out did not you at such and such a time defraud and go beyond such and such a man working upon his simplicity or necessity have you not put off bad wares and bad money many a time have not you spoken an untruth told many a lye in bargaining and did you ever yet go to them whom you wronged did you ever make them satisfaction and where is now your doing as you would be done by Stranger I must confess my heart smites me upon what you say Minister Friend if your heart condemns you God is greater than your heart and knoweth all things by you 1 John 3.20 And look to it least the Devil and your heart deceive you with shews and shadows of faith repentance love and charity instead of the graces themselves in truth and reality Str. I thank you Sir for the good counsel you give me and I pray God I may follow it Min. Friend I remember in the beginning of our discourse you told me of your saying over the Ten Commandments Lords Prayer and I believe in God c. every morning and every night Str. Sir I did so and would you would say something to me concerning the Lords Prayer and I believe in God c. as you have concerning the Ten Commandments Minister Say you so Friend I cannot withstand so good a motion tell me therefore do you think that the bare saying over these words Our Father c. is acceptable service to God Stranger Sir I hope so why else did our friends teach it us when we were children Min. Friend your Parents and friends did well to teach you to say the words by heart but it had been better if they had also taught you the meaning of them that so when you came to years of discretion you might have been able to go it over with understanding Str. That is true Sir and I hope I understand it Min. Friend what do you pray for or ask at Gods hands when you say Hallowed be thy Name Str. Why Thy Kingdom come Min. Friend Thy Kingdom come is another part of the Prayer but what is the thing you beg for and would have when you say Hallowed c. Str. Truly Sir I cannot tell you Minister Friend you have said over the words 100 and 100 times but it seems never said them with understanding and surely that is not right for Paul saith 1 Cor. 14.15 I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the understanding also That is so that others who join with us may understand us much more we understand our selves and our own meaning Stranger Sir what should I think of and pray for when I say those words Hallowed c Min. Friend you should pray and desire of God that he would order all things in the world for his own honour and glory and that he would enable you and others to glorifie and honour him in a due and right use of his Ordinances Word and Works or whatever he maketh himself known by Str. Truly Sir to deal plainly with you I never thought of or desired any such thing as oft as I have said those words Min. Friend I cannot conveniently go over the other Petitions in the Lords Prayer with you What hath been said already in discourse about the first Petition Hallowed c. may abundantly convince you of your saying you knew not what and in a very ignorant and formal way Stranger Truly Sir I am I confess ignorant yet I am willing to learn Minister Friend I believe you are or else you would not have held on the discourse so long and so freely with me for I fall in company with some upon the Road who will by no means speak one word with me concerning God and the things of God and if I motion such talk a little they are either altogether dumb and silent or shift out of my company saying They must ride faster that their business requireth haste or they will lagg behind or go out of the way to speak with a friend and some fall a quarrelling saying What have you to do to Catechize me I will not learn of you every Tub must stand upon its own bottom c. Str. Sir If I had in my younger dayes been so willing to learn as I should have been I had not been so far to seek in these things as now I am nor so ignorant as you find me to be Minister Well said Friend that was a savoury speech of yours I like it very well and therefore am willing to have a word or two with you about the Creed I believe in God c. before we part though much of our former discourse hath been about things to be believed Stranger I thank you Sir I pray speak on I will hear you Min. Friend I hope you remember what I told you even now that this form of words I believe in God c. is not Scripture though it be agreeable to the Word of God and that it is not a Prayer not to be said for a Prayer Let me now hear you say your Belief Str. I believe in God c. and I believe the Holy Catholick Holy-Church c. Min. Friend What is that you say Holy Catholick Holy-Church you mistake the words I fear therefore you know not the meaning of them it is not Holy Catholick Holy-Church but the word is Catholick and what mean you by Catholick Stranger Sir I cannot tell it is a hard word methinks Minister Friend it is so but you that say it over and over day by day should have asked the meaning of it that you might have known what you had said Str. I pray Sir what is meant by it Min. Friend it is originally a Greek word and signifieth Universal or General so that to believe the Catholick Church is to believe that there is an Universal Church and that God hath a people up and down scattered in several places and in all ages of the world Str. Sir I never understood so much before Min. Friend you perceive again by this that you have lived very ignorantly mindless of knowledge and
evil in the sight of God Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his maker and he that is glad at Calamities shall not be unpunished Prov. 17.5 Reprocheth his Maker to wit his own Maker or the poor mans Maker not owning his soveraignty and wisdome in his various allotments of some to wealth of others to poverty and in not answering God's Holy and gracious ends in his different distributions of things below Thou art rich thy neighbour's poor why not that he should be despised but releaved by thee God made him not to be the object of thy scorne but of thy love pitty and bounty This sin of rejoycing in the hurt or harmes of others hath much of inhumanity in it makes men like that sycophantizing Doeg who betrayed David as he thought into the hands of Saul glorying in it Psal 52.1 Why boastest thou thy self in mischief O mighty man or like to the accursed Children of Edom who in the day of Jerusalem to wit Jerusalem's distress said raze it raze it even to the foundation thereof Psal 137.7 Obad. 10.9 Or like to the bloudy Jewes who Crucifying the Lord of Glory did it with most horrid revilings and barbarous insultations Matth. 27.40 Or last of all which is worst of all this sin makes men as like the Devil as ever they can look who if he could rejoyce would rejoyce in nothing more than in making men like himself sinful and miserable 4 Double Tongued 4. And lastly the double-Tongue speaking one thing to this body another to that must needs be a false and faultering tongue on the one side or on the other To be double tongued is blame-worthy in all as well as Deacons as speaking hot and cold 1 Tim. 3.8 with the same breath The reason why it is so bad is because it argues a double heart in the breasts and bosomes of men The heart doubles first and then the Tongue A double minded man is unstable in all his wayes Jam. 1.8 and in his words also and Cogitations This double minded man is either the dissembler in discourse who speaks one thing but thinks another or rather a sceptick in judgment as a learned Expositor carries it Beza in locum a man unsetled of a doubtful mind now inclining to this opinion or way and then to that not being established in the true Religion many such were in the primitive times and are in our dayes also Yet dissembling in discourse and talke is the evil which I am here striking at an evil so prevailing and reigning in Davids dayes as it made him cry out Help Lord why They speak vanity every man with his neighbour with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak or an heart and an heart As of old to have an Ephah and an Ephah unjust weights and measures was a great Crime and is so still so to have a Tongue and a Tongue an heart and an heart is highly displeasing to God and man and to both very injurious It was the commendation of the Children of Zebulun 1 Chr. 12.33 That they were not of a double heart or a heart and a heart Let it be our temper and our commendation also I might adde that brawlers and liers are as bad as any But no more of this 3 In reference to ourselves 3. Having spoken hitherto touching the Tongues unruliness in reference to God and to our neighbours I shall say a little of its miscarriage in reference to our selves and that very briefly 1. In self-praising 1. Self-praising magnifying our selves what we are as to our birth or breeding our parts and abilities what we have said or done or will do Prov. 20.6 And all the while the Tongue is wandring from that excellent way of Charity which vaunteth not it self 1 Cor. 13.4 is not puffed up to wit as a bladder with wind is blown up So the proud hearts of men swell with a windy conceit of their excellencies bragging and exalting themselves upon all occasions and in all companies whereas alas if they were weighed in the ballance of the Sanctuary they would be found but light and empty yea possibly wretched and miserable Creatures 2. In self-Cursings 1. Self-Cursings wishing this or that evill may befall them yea that all the Plagues of God light upon them and theirs if things be not so and so But having already harped upon this string when I spake concerning the Tongues unruliness in Cursing I touch no more upon this or any other of the Tongues Unruliness and irregularities but hast forward to what is most in my design and wherein I must crave leave somewhat to enlarge shewing the Lord assisting the necessity and usefulness of Christian Conference with several directions for the right management and improvement thereof so as that God thereby may be glorified our selves and others edified and all be upon account with Comfort in that great day of the glorious appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ The necessity and usefulness of Christian Conference is evincible and demonstrable by arguments 1. In reference to God 1. There 's a necessity of precepts upon this commanded duty command upon command from God himself enforcing it by Moses to Israel in Deâ—â—â—nomy which is a repetition of the Lâ—â—â— particularly and expresly of the Ten Commandments which being dâ—â—â—vered he stirs up and excites attention Hear O Israel Deu. 6.3 4 5 6. and again Hear O Israel what must Israel hear Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and what else These words which I command thee this day shall be in thine heart and where else why in thy mouth Deut. 4.10 And thou shalt teach or whet them and sharpen them as Mowers and Barbers do their Instruments diligently unto thy Children and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thy house and when thou walkest by the way and when thou lieft down and when thou risest up Deut. 11.18 19. Yea there is the inculcation of this duty again and again intimating man's natural aversness and backwardness thereunto and withall the infinite wisdome and goodness of God to man in his thus reinforcing it for their good here and for ever This God commands by Solomon the wisest of Kings or men Train up or Catechize a Child in the way 〈◊〉 should go Pr. 22.6 or in his way Now thâ—â—raining up or Catechising work is carried on principally if not only by â—â—â—ferring with Children and talking to them about the things of God and matters of Religion Yet farther the Lord our God presseth this duty of Christian Conference more then once in the New Testament by the Apostle as upon the Ephesians and that both negatively and positively Eph. 4.29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth but that which is good to the use of edifying that it minister grace to the hearers No Corrupt or rotten putred communication alluding to meats rotten and putrified stinking and unsavoury
Conference with them I say their abundant experience of good success may save me the labour of farther enlargements herein Yet let me drop my mites and give an instance or two in the case Though I have been very very remiss and negligent in taking and improving opportunities in this kind for which I desire to be humbled in the sight of God and men yet my being through grace sometimes a little active herein hath not been altogether in vain I have had occasionally discourse with Papists about Justification by works with more touching Salvation by living up to the light within them with more yet who hoped to be saved by their good Prayers serving of God leading a good life doing as they would be done by and the like several of them in each sort well-meaning people I hope yet all split upon the same rock works works whereas the Scriptures say expresly By the deeds of the Law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight Rom. 3.20 And again By grace are ye saved through faith and that not of your selves it is the gift of God not of works least any man should boast Eph. 2.8 9. Not to multiply quotations so well known to all who search the Scriptures take but one more Tit. 3.5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done but according to his mercy he saved us by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the holy Ghost It is by as the way not for as the deserving and meritorious cause of salvation that is Christ and none but Christ Act. 4.12 But to instance a little for Papists I know not any by me reduced I hope many are by others and I rejoyce therein and bless the Lord for it For the second sort who expect Salvation by living up to the light within them a generation of men as much to be pittied prayed for and tenderly dealt with as any who by reason of some opinions and practices lie under the wrath of men and for others without breach of Charity we may say lie under the wrath of God onely one I can speak of a fellow passenger with my self and others in an hackny Coach from St Albans to London who after long and warme disputes at length ingeniously confessed that no righteousness but the righteousness of Christ imputed to us could availe for satisfaction to God the Father nor for our justification and salvation or to this effect For the third sort those who hope to be saved by their good prayers their serving God and so forth think and profess they think their repentance and good deeds for time to come will make amends for their bad deeds in time past and make satisfaction to God for all that formerly hath been done amiss by them I hope by the good hand of God upon weak endeavours the whole of glory be the Lords many have been plucked out of this snare of the Divel I perceive this work groweth upon my hands take but one instance therefore There was some few years since a young gentlewoman who waited on a Lady in a Noble mans family who passing by Coach with others and my self from Barnet to London upon discourse I soon found that this young woman had a devotion and a zeale for God cared not for vain frothy Company gave her self to reading Scriptures and good Books she was well read talked willingly and understandingly at last discoursing with her and putting questions to her touching Justification I perceived she built much upon works and a legall righteousness whereupon my bowels yerned towards her and I told her in plain termes I feared she was not yet in the way of life and Salvation and I spake as seriously and pertinently as I could shewing the insufficiency of all our own righteousnesses and the impossibility of justification life and salvation to be had by the deeds of the Law and withall opened the Covenant of grace to her how that it was Christ and he alone that was made under the Law to redeem them who were under the Law of the fulness and sufficiency and also willingness and readiness in him to save us and to this effect I discoursed about half an hour together and perceiving that she had pulled her hood over her face and was weeping I held my peace dropping a few words sometimes at length she breaks out in expressions to this purpose Now Sir I see the mind of God towards me this day which is to bring me off from that sandy foundation of works which I have been building upon this many a day and to bring me to free grace in Jesus Christ so setting me upon that rock which is higher then I and I bless the Lord that I saw your face this day that I fell into your company the good I hope I have received from you will stick by me and comfort me as long as I live I hear and believe that her Conversation ever since hath not been a dishonour to her profession and that she hath not hinder'd the advance of Religion at all in that noble family but a means to promote it rather 3 Rebellious converted 3. That Christian Conference may be useful and availeable even for the Conversion of obstinate and rebellious sinners I make no question the place forecited aboundantly proves it for whereas the Apostle saith Jam. 15.19 20. He that converteth a sinner from the errour of his way by sinner we must needs take in such as are vicious and flagitious in life and conversation as well as one erring from the truth persons erronious and Heretical Again Pauls injuction Eph. 4.29 Let no rotten communication proceed out of your mouth but such as may Minister grace to the hearers and why not Converting grace ministred and regeneration work wrought even by Christian Conference This I may safely say that the Ministers of Christ have been not only by the publick Preaching of the word but by private Conference very instrumental under God in the converting many souls to righteousness and the ground hereof to me is plain and abvious because Christ setteth them apart on purpose for that work and gave gifts to men Eph. 4.11 12 13. He received gifts even for the rebellious that the Lord God might dwell among them Ps 68 18. And though private Christians and Ministers speak the same words yet there 's this difference that what private Christians say in Conference comes from fraternal Charity what the messengers of Christ say comes from speciall ministerial authority and their discoursing about matters of Religion is properly enough preaching and hath been eminently instrumental for the Conversion of many from darkness to light and from the Kingdome of Satan unto God Experiments herein I believe are frequent and usual through the blessing of God and his Christ who by promise hath freely and graciously engaged himself to be with his Gospel-ministery to the worlds end Mat. 28.19 20. Let me leave you but one instance which may by the Lords
or rather God and his Christ our shield and buckler In the fourth and last place 4. Arg. Honour and Credit Christian Conference is not onely beneficiall in point of peace and safety but in point of honour also many a carnall man having heard or overheard spiritual discourse among the Saints and Servants of God though this language of Canaan he neither understandeth nor relisheth much yet it leaves an honourable conviction upon his spirit and he is half perswaded that these men have something of God in them more then he hath But surely all who are really good themselves cannot but put an high value and estimation upon the persons and practices of those who are much in holy and heavenly Communication Yet if all men should disregard to be sure the holy and gracious Lord our God will have regard and to have honour of him and with him is the highest honour desireable or imaginable was of a communicative spirit very ready and resolute in the imparting good to others in any way of counsel and Conference and maketh this expresly the ground why he honoureth Abraham in the revealing of Secrets unto him Gen. 10.17 19. And the Lord said shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do for I know him that he will command his Children and his houshold after him and they shall keep the way of the Lord. It is an high honour to be a Privy Councellor to Kings and Princes O then what an honour is it to be admitted and advanced as it were to be of Councel to the King of Kings whose Supremacy and Soveraignty is over Heaven and Earth Before I go off let me hint this by way of Caution that when we speak or rather Scripture it self speaketh of Councel in reference to God or of Gods acting upon Counsel it is not to be understood properly for to act upon Counsel that implies Consultation and Consultation a defect in knowledg which to fancy concerning God would be high and horrid Blasphemy but to be understood of God after the manner of men the wisest of men act upon Counsel now because all that God doth is infinitely well and wisely done therefore he is said to act by Counsel as men do But I have done with this great Argument to press Christian Conference drawn from its profitableness and usefulness it 's beneficial to the heads of our selves and others in the augmentation of gifts and parts to the hearts of our selves and others in the communication of and receiving of spiritual good several ways beneficial in regard of inward peace at home in our own Consciences and outward peace abroad with men amongst whom we live which crowns all it hath a marke of honour set upon it by the hand of God himself he whom God honours is honourable indeed Hitherto the Arguments exciting to Christian Conference have been deduced from the duty we owe to God and man our selves and others and so from the ten Commandements some other arguments may fairly be drawn from the Creed or the Articles of our Christian Faith As first 1. Arg. The Communion of Saints We profess we believe the Communion of Saints Now Christian Conference rightly managed is a considerable part of that Communion so that to deny or neglect Holy Conference is to deny or neglect one of the Articles of our Faith and so farr to Unchristian our selves Christian Conference is a Gospel duty as it hath been proved by express testimonies out of the word of God and it 's a Gospel priviledge none indeed but such as receive the Gospel are savingly wrought upon by the Gospel Mat. 11.6 can carryon discourse or Conference which for matter and manner is truly Christian and in truth society is scarce desireable without mutual Colloquy and speaking one to another to have a company of people meet together and be as mutes and dumb all in deep silence methinks is a very uncomfortable meeting and irrational Solitariness and being alone fits best for meditation and musing Society and being in Company calls for speech and language What humane Society can be among men as men without Conference or what Christian society among Saints as Saints without Christian Conference to what end hath God and nature given us Tongues speech and language but to glorifie him therewith and to edifie one another and that 's mainly done in the way of Christian Conference Yet farther it 's one of the branches of the Communion of Saints to keep others in the right ways of truth and holiness and a likely means conducing thereunto is to be much in good discourse with others It 's hard to keep the way when one's alone for man by nature is apt to wander Many Travellers together may help to guide one the other to keep from falling or to raise up if fallen Two are betten then one saith the Preacher Eccl. 4.9 10. for if they fall the one will lift up his fellow but wo to him that is alone when he falleth for he hath not another to help him up Great is the benefit of Society from that natural helpfulness which thereby one man affordeth to another When the Lord imployed his servants in high works he usually sent them Two by Two Moses and Aaron Joshua and Zerubbabel in reference to whom we read of Two witnesses and our Lord Jesus Christ when he sent forth his Disciples they went Two and Two and why this Not onely that they might be joynt witnesses of the truth of the Doctrine and messages delivered but withall that they might with more ease and success carry on the Ministery and work wherein they were imployed and help mutually to strengthen to encourage and comfort one the other The instance given is pertinent to our purpose for if they fall the one will lift up his fellow What fall why society is helpful in all kinds of falls as corporal in a journey on foot or horse-back or falls into diseases dangers temptations sins errours the society of friends is useful to pitty to support to restore to convince to comfort and every way to Minister subtable supplies and relief To close up and strengthen this argument in that Christian Conference as it is a part of the Communion of Saints by special promise Psal 133.1 Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity Cohabitation or dwelling together is insignificant without Communication and Conversation becoming the Gospel and why so good so pleasant vers 3. For there the Lord commanded the blessing even life for evermore The illustration whereof the Psalmists gives in two lively and emphaticall similitudes vers 2. It is like precious ointment upon the head of Aaron It was not the ointment in the box or vial stopped but poured out that gave the fragrant savour and was so odoriferous it is not grace in the heart though that is saving but grace in the lips and life which makes a Christian indeed so sweet
born but legions of Devils got possession of them so many beloved lusts as bad or worse than so many Devils and how they were still born dead quite dead in Trespasses and Sins but now through the riches of Grace in Christ the Lepers are cleansed the Devils are cast out and the dead are quickned and raised to the life of grace and glory Eph. 2.1 To hasten shall Souldiers old Souldiers love to be talking of what battels they have been in what sharp Conflicts and hot disputes they have had with such and such enemies what victories obtained what spoils they have divided what joyful triumphs they have solemnized and shall not Old Disciples yea all experienced believers who are the good souldiers of Jesus Christ discourse and love to discourse what spiritual combats they have had with the Devil the world and the flesh the corruption of their own hearts their unbelief pride passions covetousness how they have conflicted with ungodly men their Cruel mockings and persecutions yea how they have gotten the victory have overcome the world by their faith Heb. 11.36 Gal. 4.29 Joh. 5.4 what spoils they are inriched with what answers to prayers what mortifying of such and such Corruptions what eminent growth in grace how faith hath been marvellously strengthen'd love inflamed zeal fired longing after communion with God heightened and the like and all this because they fought under such a Captain who puts spirit and life into all marching under his banners even Jesus Christ the Captain of their Salvation yea the Lord of Hosts himself mighty in battel Heb. 2.10 Jer. 50.34 Again shall wrestlers and racers speak much of their strength and swiftness And why not believers of their wrestling not against flesh and blood only but against principalities and powers Eph. 6.12 and of their running with patience the race set before them He. 12.1 and how they can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth them shall wise men be speaking Phil. 4.13 Je. 9.23 24. yea glorying in their wisdome mighty men glorying in their might and rich men in their riches which is their sin and their shame and shall not the Saints of the most high God each glory in this that he understandeth and knoweth me saith the Lord which glorying is their duty and honour also yea Gal. 6.14 glory in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ by whom or whereby the world is Crucified unto them and they unto the world shall men addicted to recreations who devote themselves to hunting and hawking fishing and fowling speak much of what delight and contentment they find therein one praising his pack of Hounds for being well mouthed hunting close and round as in a ring another commending his hawk for mounting high as an Eagle even to the Skies and when the fowle ariseth for falling and shooting down upon the prey like a thunder bolt out of the Cloudes and so forth Then surely the generation of believers have more cause to speak one to another and that not with a carnal and sensual delight as men in their sports and recreations but with a spiritual and heavenly cheariness of what contentment and satisfaction they have found in God delighting themselves in the Lord their God David speaks to all his fellow Saints Ps 66.16 Come and hear all ye that fear God and I will declare what he hath done for my soul to wit how he hath heard my prayers quickned me when dull and dead raised me up when I was brought very low delivered me from the hands of all mine enemies and from the Hands of Saul Psal 18. the Title He giveth us his judgment plainly A day in thy Courts O God is better then a thousand and backs it with the choice he made I had rather be a door-keeper in the house of my God then to dwell in the tents of wickedness Ps 84.10 Talk with men called of God according to his purpose who in their youth poured out their soules to vanities to all manner of sports and pastimes and they will ingeniously confess that they find more sweetness and hearts solace in one hours communion with God in secret prayer in one day of humiliation or thanksgiving in hearing a good Sermon or in being partakers of the Lords Supper and so sitting with the King at his Table Can. 1.12 then they did in all their youthfull games and recreations all their dayes To conclude shall the worst of men the cheating gamester the swinish drunkard the beastly adulterer be so bold as to talke and that in a jolly boasting way of their false Dice and coggings of their drinking down such and such laying them under the Table of their defiling Women or Maidens satisfying their lust to the full with them all glorying in their shame Phil. 3.19 and shall not Christians in their Conference speak freely with joy and thanksgivings ascribing all the glory to the Lord their God of their diligence and faithfulness in their lawful callings of their Temperance and Chastity yea farther how their hearts have bin raised up and ravished with holy Meditations and heavenly ejaculations how their spirits are got above the world whilst in the world how their fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ through the Spirit 1 Joh. 1.3 How the Father and the Son love them make their abode with them and manifest themselves unto their soules Joh. 21.23 How Jesus Christ is pleased Can. 1.2 to kiss them with the kisses of his mouth day by day O Friends what I say are not bare words and notions but things and realities and glorying herein is good for it is glorying in the Lord. But I fear my fancy and pen run too fast and too far in this argument possibly to the tiring of some faint and feeble readers Therefore in a word know the Devil drives a great and mighty though an ungodly and accursed Trade in the Tongues of Sinners they speak often one to another corrupting poisoning and debauching each other and how unwearied are they in this drudgery advancing and promoting to their uttermost the Kingdome of darkness and of the Devil as they are going toward Hell together and shall not our God and Father and our dear Redeemer Jesus Christ carry on an holy and blessed Trade if I may so phrase it in the mouths and lips of his Saints and Servants his sons and daughters to the convincing and converting of sinners if possible or at the least to the rendring them more inexcusable in that great and terrible day of the Lord and to the edifying strengthening and comforting one another speaking much of God and for God even with all their might striving and labouring to inlarge the Kingdome of Christ in grace here and so in glory hereafter Whilst we are Travellers here below in our present pilgrimage to be very busie active and toyling as it were in the work of the Lord will doubtless be upon our account to our safety comfort
put upon their heads yet soon withered but Heaven and glory will be fresh and flourishing as at the first so to Eternity But I forget my self am as in a wood or wilderness wherein I may loose or tire my self and the Reader the hints and intimations given for transitions and passings from common discourse to spiritual and Christian conference being well nigh in as great variety as the turnes and occurrences of providence are so that a gracious heart somewhat fitted by natural ingenuity but especially strengthened edged and sharpen'd by the Holy Spirit abiding in it makes well nigh every story or tale told every turne of Providence or word spoken to be as a bridge or boat to carry or waft over from discourse natural or moral to what 's supernatural spiritual and Heavenly And why should we imagine that the Devil and carnal hearts should be more dextrous and active in the advancing of vain and sinful talk then the Spirit of God and believers hearts are in the promoting and advancing of holy and Christian Conference especially considering that greater and stronger is the spirit which is in us and so for us Saints then the spirit which is in the world and so against us Saints 1 John 4.4 God is stronger then the Devil 2. 2 From Providence Having touched upon Christian ingenuity in turning common talke though lawful into spiritual which might be more for the use of edifying let me direct also to raise up good conference from the voice of God in providences smiling or frowning providences be they personal national or oecomenical and Universal such as concerne all mankind as the wayes of God working in a tendency towards the fall of Babilon or towards the rise of Zion in the conversion of the Jewes or the residue of the Gentiles yet in darkness worse then that of Egypt Take a few instances which may serve for those many hundreds which might be given 1. Are great deliverances vouchsafed to and bestowed upon us or others from sore fits of sickness from the Plague of pestilence from dangerous falls from perils by fire or water from bonds of imprisonments or from unreasonable and absurd men or from enemies in any kind full of malice and cruelty then let us provoke our selves and others to gratitude with that holy man What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits towards me Psal 116.12 who made also a Psalm of praises when he was delivered from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul Ps 18. and excite our selves to answer those gracious ends which the Lord aimed at in delivering of us which was not to do abominations Jer. 7.10 but that we being delivered out of the hands of our enemies might serve him without fear to wit a slavish fear in holiness and righteousness before him all the dayes of our life Luk. 1.74 75. This is the use God expects we should make not alone of that grand deliverance from the wrath to come but of those lower and lesser deliverances we enjoy here 2. 2 Death of others Again when the newes comes such or such an one is dead or dying the bell toles or rings out for him one it may be young and strong as likely to live possibly as any one you know doth not now pale death as it were take us by the hand and lead us into a deep and due consideration of our latterends which is our wisdome Deut. 32.29 and withal into a serious minding and reminding of our selves and others of our mortality how it is appointed unto men once to dye and after that the Judgment Heb. 9.27 as also of those two Eternities a black eternity of woe and misery which is the portion of sinners and that white eternity of joy and glory which is the gift of God through Christ to all the righteous who are by the bloud of Christ justified and by the Spirit of Christ sanctified and say each of us within our selves when I die as die I must and that I know not how soon whither will my soul go to Heaven or Hell and whereas I am now well O where shall I be an hundred years hence or a thousand years hence where for ever and ever and when Christ comes to judge the world in righteousness shall I be found among the goates on the left hand or among the sheep on the right hand of Jesus Christ Shall I be under that sweet and joyful sentence Come ye blessed c. or under that dolefull doome Depart from me ye cursed c. Matth. 25.34 41. It must be the one or the other therefore let us all look to it 3. 3 Any smart afflictions If Providence frown upon us or others in smart and sore afflictions near and dear relations as husband wife father mother child or friend being taken away by death sore diseases as the Stone Gout Dropsie Consumptions or the like or suppose molestations in estates by oppression and injustice from the men of the world or defamations by lies slanders and cruel mockings blotting and blasting our names and reputations â—ea what if it comes to imprisonment banishment or any cutting evil whatsoever such Providences cry aloud to us and bid us cry and call upon others Let patience have her perfect work Jam. 1.4 Let us search and try our wayes and turn again to the Lord let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the Heavens Lam. 3.40 41. Let us get and keep that middle golden frame of spirit despise not or as the word imports do not little the chastening of the Lord neither faint when thou art rebuked of him Heb. 12.5 Let us not so much desire the rod may be laid aside as that it may bud and blossome that so God may have his ends his gracious ends upon us which are for our profit that we might be partakers of his holiness vers 10. Better the rod should lie on still in mercy then be laid aside in wrath and displeasure let not the bitter cup go out of thy hand 'till thou hast found the Sugar in the bottome to be sure it lies there because it 's a Cup in a Fathers hand 'T was an holy mans saying Sanctified afflictions are spiritual promotions It were easie to be very large and copious upon this subject not a woman delivered of a Child but it prompts to a discourse of regeneration and being born again and of Christ That Child which to us is born that Son which to us is given Isa 9.6 1665 1666 whose name is called wonderful Counseller c. We cannot call to mind that dreadful Plague of Pestilence one year and the dismal burning of the City the next our Childrens Children and after Ages cannot rehearse those black and horrid stories but that they must needs suggest to us and to generations to come how heinous and how abominable a thing sin is which incenseth the wrath of God who is the God