the most mighty Lord of all Psal 2. 11. Psal 89. 6 7. things and a poor Worm so it is requisite to preserve a reverence for his awful Majesty and not to think or speak of him as an equal It is the constant stile of the Old Testament and also a Gospel precept Fear God Luke 12. 4. 1 Pet. 2. 7. We are likewise obliged to be somewhat fearful concerning our own Salvation Heb. 4. 1. Rom. 11. 20. Phil. 2. 12. 1 Pet. 1. 17. To do this is not Tormenting but stirs up carefulness and puts upon all things to secure it Happy is the Man that feareth always Prov. 28. 14. From which proceedeth a good Life thence a good Conscience and then is no fear none that is Slavish or hath Torment A third Passion is Joy which word denotes Happiness and is often Of Joy. enjoyned in Scripture for thou commandest all things which may do good O thou Lover of Souls Let the Righteous be glad let them rejoyce before the Lord yea let them exceedingly rejoyce Psal 68. 3. Behold my servants shall rejoyce Behold my servants shall sing for joy of heart Isa 65. 13. Thou shalt rejoyce before the Lord thy God in all that thou puttest thine hand unto Deut. 12. 18. This joy is not taken away but increased under the Gospel The ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with Songs and everlasting joy shall be upon their heads Isa 35. 10. This the Prophet who saw his coming foretold and so it was at the first appearing of Christ our Lord Luke 2. 10 11. He having now accomplished the work for which he was sent into the World there is sufficient matter of gladness Many righteous Men have desired to see these days The whole Gospel by which is established a better Covenant imports what the Apostle doth repeat in his exhortation as if it could never be pressed enough Rejoycing in the Lord always and again say rejoyce Phil. 4. 4. This is the Lord we have waited for we will be glad and rejoyce in his Salvation Isa 25. 9. Which is the happiness of Heaven the clear manifestation thereof to the World and the possibility we are put in to partake of it As then it will be a delight to remember how we came through this dark and troublesome Vale so whilst we are here we should lift up our hearts with expectation thereof Accordingly the good Men of old time did who had but the Glimmering whereof we have the fuller Light If the heir of a Kingdom or a good Estate is so transported with conceits and fancies of future good it cannot be thought absurd that who have the evidence and hope of such an exceeding eternal blessedness which will be one day revealed should be proportionably pleased with the foresight and John 16. 22. Gal. 3. 22. assurance thereof Accordingly that Christian who hath a real interest hath also a sensible rejoycing therein which doth exceed all the pleasures and imaginations here What results from gross and sensual things is not worthy to be compared with pure and spiritual yet God as a most Bountiful Master to his Servants hath given them many things here for recreation and delight He doth deny nothing which is good and convenient for us We are all to admire and comply with the Riches of his Mercy and Love who hath placed into our frame this affection of joy and hath provided things proper for it and hath done as much as lieth on his part to compleat the great end of our being happy How then came Sorrow in God made it not neither hath he pleasure in the grief of the living but it came in through Sin and Of Sorrow Transgression Gen. 3. 15 16. It was the effect of mans own disobedience and was justly inflicted on him as a Punishment so it is continued of every sin besides As such God ordained it but in the beginning when he made Male and Female he did not implant it into our nature we now come into the World crying for we fell and were corrupted with our fore-father Sin is interwoven into our very flesh and as the necessary consequent thereof sorrow also The Conception and Birth of our Lord was different from ours in him was no sin yet when he came into the World to make his Soul an offering for sin He was a Man of Sorrows and acquainted with Grief The Lord hath laid on him the iniquity Isa 53. Mark 14. 34 of us all yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him he hath put him to grief so great that he poured out his Soul unto Death and bore the sins of many But now since he hath borne our grief and carried our Sorrows O astonishing goodness of the Son of God we are so far from sinking under them that these also I speak Mysteries tend to our Happiness Whilst we look on him whom we have Pierced and Mourn for him as one Mourneth for his only Son Zec. 12. 10 Isa 63. 9. 1 Thes 1. 10. even then considering how in his love and in his pity he hath redeemed us and hath delivered us from the wrath to come an holy joy will arise When we reflect that he who did drink of the Brook in the Way hath now lifted up his head above Angels Principalities and Powers Wherefore God hath highly exalted him and given him Phil. 2. 9. a Name which is above every Name Our Sorrow is turned into Joy for the exceeding and glorious condition Jesus whom our Soul Heb. 12. 1. loveth is in at this time If ye loved me ye would rejoyce because I Cant. 1. 6. said I go unto the Father This he said before his bitter Death John 14. 28. and Passion and now may seem to speak to all the World what he did once to the Daughters of Jerusalem Weep not for me but for your selves Are you troubled at those cruel sufferings I have undergone My Fathers indignation is past they are all over and the remembrance is not in the least grievous now I am crowned with Glory and Honour But weep for your selves who are in the Wilderness for the tribulation in the World and more especially weep for those sins which occasioned what I did suffer forsake them and come to me If ye pretend to be sorry for me and this doth not follow that is to cry out Hail King of the Jews and crucifie him afresh and put him to open Shame He hath instituted an holy Feast for the continual remembrance of his Passion the reasons thereof are to stir up our love towards him and the hatred of our own Sins God hath manifested his displeasure against them by the Death of his own beloved Son who came out of his Bosome yet when he took sin upon him had the full Vials of wrath poured forth as is evident by his Agony and bloody Sweat by the pains he endured on the Cross His sufferings were so exceeding that
If they will come they shall be kindly received but if they make light of all these Messengers going their Wayes one to his Farm another to his Merchandize at their peril be it The reason why they did Mat. 22. was because they had some present business which they thought of more concern then the Wedding Dinner In like manner Men will not entertain the offers of Grace and Salvation made to them out of the Gospel because they have some lusts and covetous desires to gratifie which they think tend more to their Happiness then the others That these have some delight they are sure for they have it in hand but they cannot conceive any in the other it is to be revealed hereafter they know not when so in their Opinion they make the better choice because they are certain of something whereas others expose themselves to self-denial and present losses and live upon imaginary expectancies There is no time like the present a slight vanity now is to be prefered before a substantial Glory hereafter Most excellent reasoning and agreeable to the Wisdom of this World that come to nought 1 Cor. 2. 6. It is worthy of and such as could be expected from Men who have no foresight of things to come in other things it is prudence to have an eye forward but in this which is of greater Moment then all things put together to pass on and be punished is reckoned the wiser way Then it will be discerned otherwise but this is the misery when they shall come to be throughly convinced of their foolishness it will be past remedy This objection against the things of God because they are to come hath been already answered And for the delight of the sins most in esteem and pâ—actice Ch. 3. if God permit shall be fully examined in the ensuing Chapters It may appear very small and inconsiderable for which a Man must lose Temporal Comfort and Eternal Joyes endure the manifold evils and inconveniencies of sin in this present time and afterwards suffer endless Torment To be excluded from Peace here and Glory hereafter to be made subject unto sorrows now and hence forwards Eternal anguish of mind must be prejudicial to Mans Happiness or nothing is All this is to lay stronger engagement on us to observe Gods Laws In keeping of them there is great reward Psal 19. 11. There is happiness to be found but in transgression is exceeding punishment there only misery is felt The way of God is a way of Peace as long as any one walks therein he is safe but if he turns his foot aside he presently falls into trouble and danger Obedience and Happiness are met together Righteousness and Peace have kissed each other As again Sin and Misery are coupled Wickedness and Punishment are joyned hand in hand The Heavens declare the Glory of God and the Firmament sheweth his handy work Day unto Day uttereth Speech Night unto Night Of Scripture sheweth Knowledge There is no Speech nor Language where their voice is not heard Psal 19. 1 2 3. The astonishing Works of creation proclaim aloud to all the World there is a God who made them The excellent contrivance of this glorious Fabrick doth shew forth his great Power and infinite Understanding But they do not make known what the Lord requireth of us they do not reveal in what relation we stand towards him they cannot discover our imperfection or how we may please and become like unto him they do not shew the errour of our crooked and perverse wayes or manifest the true Happiness or how we may run towards it and not at uncertainty Neither doth they prescribe how to remedy our natural folly and blindness But the Law of the Lord is perfect converting the Soul the Testimony of the Lord is sure making wise the simple The Statutes of the Lord are right rejoicing the Heart The Commandment of the Lord is pure enlightning the Eyes It doth what all the World cannot direct into the way of perfect Peace which leads up to everlasting Glory The Prophecy came not in Old time by the Will of Man but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the holy Ghost 2 Pet. 1. 21. God who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the Fathers by the Prophets hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son Heb. 1. 1 2. Who whilst he dwelt amongst us made known the Will of his heavenly Father chusing unto him Disciples to go and teach likewise He instructed them until the time of his Suffering To whom he shewed himself alive after his Passion by many infallible Proofs being seen of them forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God. And being assembled together with them commanded that they should not depart from Jerusalem but wait for the Promise of the Father which saith he ye have heard of me Acts 13. 4. It was the Comforter which is the holy Ghost whom my Father will send in my Name he shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you John 14. 26. Many things Christ did and said which are not written by the Evangelists some whereof the Apostles have delivered And other things they have laid down out of his Doctrine by infallible inference and deduction They could not be mistaken for they received the Promise John 16. 13. The Spirit of Truth will guide you into all Truth and for a manifest Testimony thereof they foretold things to come which have been and are to be fulfilled In the old Testament the Law of Moses the Prophets and the Psalms so summed up Luke 24. 44. In the New the Writings of Evangelists and Apostles are given to make us wise unto Salvation By these God will judge us at the last day I saw the Dead small and great stand before God and the Books were opened and another Book was opened which was the Book of Life and the Dead were judged out of those things which were written in the Books according to their Works Rev. 20. 12. The Bible is the Lords Statute Book containing those Laws for the Government of the world and according as People have observed oâ— transgressed them he will proceed to acquital or Condemnation In Christ's Sermon on the Mount before he comes to speak as to the Commandments he doth premise Think not that I am come to destroy the Law or the Prophets I am not come to destroy the Law but to fulfill For verily I say unto you till Heaven Earth pass one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the Law till all be fulfilled Mat. 5. 17 18. As for the Types and Ceremonies they were but Prefigurations of him that was to come so they vanish when all was finished on the Cross Other Statutes did relate to the Jews in their politick capacity which Moses did ordain from God who was to them
this shews him where it is My heart and my flesh faileth but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever Psal 72. 26. We know him as yet by Faith and our rejoycing in him is according to the measure of that Whatever good and comfort is in pure and undefiled Religion in an universal and constant complyance with it which is much every way as may be partly seen by what hath been and is to be said but much more would be perceived by him who makes a through experience of it all this comes in by repentance which is the beginning thereof for it forsakes sin and keeps the Commandments This was the first Doctrine John the forerunner and Christ himself Preached Mark. 1. 4 15. And it was also the message in which the Prophets before came Moses speaks very little thereof He that despised Moses Law died without Mercy Heb. 10. 28. God gave his people at first severe and strict Commandments without making so full a discovery of Pardon and Forgiveness but then those who became obnoxious to the guilt and judgment of the Law did not know how to escape The Lord who is rich in Mercy did in time reveal it more and more to those who would turn from their evil doing Before the last threatning there goes out another warning and invitation to submit Thus saith the Lord Behold I frame evil against you and devise a device against you return ye now every one from his evil way and make your ways and your doings good and they said there is no hope but we will walk after our own devices and we will every one do the imagination of his evil heart Jer. 18. 11 12. Strange Stubbornness that Men should be thus provoking to God and act so madly against themselves we see what a mighty force there is in Lust and Pride They sinned yet more in not believing his wonderful offer they incensed him yet more in not being overcome by his goodness but he abounded in this as they did in iniquity confirming the truth of the Prophet Let favour be shewed to the wicked yet will he not learn Righteousness Isa 26. 10. All Gods doings are gradual and successive both his Works of Nature and Grace The most inestimable and accomplishment of all Mercies was in the Redemption of the World by our Lord Jesus Christ of this discovery was made to the Fathers by little and little If I may so speak with the greatest reverence and adoration with thanksgiving for such his gracious Methods God shewed himself the most hard Master at first The Law given Gen. 2. 17. was peremptory and penal then he begins Gen. 8. 21. Gen. 9. to release off his severity and then to Moses he proclaims himself Merciful and Gracious long Suffering Exod. 34. 6. But yet did not so fully make known to him the Doctrine of Repentance as he did afterwards to the Prophets Then comes John the Baptist Mat. 3. 2 3. Afterwards He who was bringing into the World so long before and to whom all the Old Testament hath Relation came Preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and saying the time is fulfilled and the Kingdom of God is at hand Repent ye and believe the Gospel Mark 1. 14 15. And now it is established for all persons times and places as appears Luke 24. 46. Man must not presume to sin yet more upon hopes of more Mercy For as Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto Salvation Heb. 9. 28. So for those who despise and sin wilfully there is a dreadful threatning Heb. 10. 26 27 28 29. God now commandeth all Men every where to repent Because he hath appointed a day in the which he will judge the World in Righteousness by that Man whom he hath ordained whereof he hath given assurance unto all Men in that he hath raised him from the dead Acts 17. 30 31. The whole Counsel of God is contained in Faith and Repentance compare Acts 20. vers 20 21. with vers 26 27. To believe and to do is the substance of all That is Faith and Repentance puts upon the second Cease to do Evil learn to do VVell It is not only to be sorry for the past or a little displeased for Of Obedience the present but shews it self by Obedience for the future To this the promises belong If thou wilt enter into life keep the Commandments Mat. 19. 17. said he VVho though he were a Son yet learned he Obedience by the things which he suffered And being made perfect he became the Author of Eternal Salvation to all them that obey him Heb. 5. 8 9. The Book of Deuteronomy is wholly on this subject there is scarce one Chapter throughout the Law of Moses the Psalms Prophets Gospel and Epistles but hath somewhat relating to this Every where is line upon line line upon line precept upon precept precept upon precept here a little and there a little and all to this purpose that Man should obey God for he hath an absolute Dominion over us all by Creation Preservation and Redemption Ye shall do my Judgments and keep mine Ordinances to walk therein I am the Lord your God Ye shall therefore keep my Statutes and Judgments which if a Man do he shall live in them I am the Lord Lev. 18. 4 5. So in the Preface to the Ten Commandments I am the Lord thy God and as he was the God of the Israelites by bringing them out of the Land of Aegypt so he is of us Christians by redeeming us from Spiritual Aegypt the Bondage of Satan Sin and Death Even we require Obedience and Service from the Horse and Ox nay from the very same Creatures as our Selves Children Mal. 1. 6. and Servants and they do such things only because we command them and think it no shame or discredit And we may allow our selves to be ten thousand degrees more inferiour to Almighty God then they are unto us neither should we be unwilling or ashamed to do such things purely and principally for his Commandment This is properly Obedience and no other God will accept of When ye fasted and mourned on the fifth and seventh Month did yet at all fast unto me even to me Zech. 7. 5. Observe the patheticalness thereof in that it is twice repeated and this is applicable to all the actions of our life do we this or that thing only 1 Cor. 10. 31. to glorifie God thereby and have we no other motive but in Subordination to that And when ye did eat and when ye did drink did ye not eat and drink for your selves vers 6. Some private ends of your own or moral considerations Do not dissemble for one knows the very secrets of your hearts There is a proud principle nourished by some who are willing to save their Soul and think if such a thing is done
OF HAPPINESS WHEREIN It is Fully and Particularly Manifested that the greatest Happiness of this Life consisteth in the Fear of God And keeping His COMMANDMENTS IN Opposition to the Pleasures of Sin or the pretended conveniency of Disobedience By RICHARD STAFFORD There be many that say Who will shew us any Good Lord lift thou up the Light of thy Countenance upon us Psal 4 6. Let thy work appear unto thy Servants and thy Glory unto thy Children And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us and establish thou the work of our hands upon us yea the work of our hands establish thou it Psal 90. 16 17. London Printed and Sold by Andrew Sowle at his Shop at the Sign of the Three Keys in Nags-Head-Court in Grace-Church-street And by Abel Roper at the Bell over against the Middle-Temple-Gate near Temple Bar 1689. THE CONTENTS Chap. I. OF Happiness in General p. 1 Chap. II. Of Man considered in his threefold Condition Original Corrupted and Restored Of his Thoughts Words and Actions Infancy Youth Manhood therein of Company and Marriage Of Old Age Body Senses and Sensual Pleasure Of the Soul Vnderstanding Will Affections as Love Fear Joy Sorrow Anger Hope Of Temptations The Close p. 17 Chap. III. Of Kings The necessity of Government in order to Preservation and outward Peace Of the Person of Kings wherein it is particularly shewed that all their Enjoyments cannot make them Happy but their Happiness is to be had in God only with an Exhortation and Direction thereto p. 136 Chap. IV. Of the Nobility and Gentry An Exhortation for them to serve God A Caution against mistakes in matters of Religion The unreasonableness of some particular Reproaches Of Humility and the way to Greatness The Description of a Good Man p. â—68 Chap. V. Of the Common People It is the Duty of all to be in some Calling An Exhortation to serve God Against Ignorance and Vnbelief Some Considerations of living in the World and further drawn from the four last things Of different Communions Of Deceits A Description of the Wicked and Godly in this World p. 216 Chap. VI A Survey in General of those Sins which hinder the Happiness of Mankind as contrary to Scripture and from the Nature of Things p. 265 Chap. VII Of Gluttony and Drunkenness p. 277 Chap. VIII Of Adultery Fornication Vncleanness Lasciviousness p. 301 Chap. IX Of Covetousness p. 322 Chap. X. Of Anger Wrath Hatred Malice Envy p. 340 Chap. XI Of Fear p. 361 Chap. XII Of Religion Faith Repentance Obedience against Vngodliness Of Preaching Prayer Praise the Sacrament That Religion doth not consist only in the outward Ordinances but a Divine inward Frame and Disposition which if universally complyed withal will give Peace and Rest to the Soul p. 409 Chap. XIII Of Wisdom and Prudence p. 545 Chap. XIV Of Righteousness and Justice p. 567 Chap. XV. Of Temperance in Meat Drink Apparel Recreation Of the passing away of Time p. 582 Chap. XVI Of Courage p. 602 Chap. XVII Of Humility and Pride p. 617 Chap. XVIII Of Afflictions in General A Digression concerning Words Of Sorrow Melancholy Sickness Pain Poverty and other Adversities p. 635 Chap. XIX An Exhortation to Obedience and the Fear of God The Conclusion of the whole p. 690 A DISCOURSE OF Happiness c. CHAP. I. Of Happiness in General HAppiness is the desire and aim of all Men and as the several good things are to be had by labour and right means so this being the comprehension of the whole is to be attained likewise There is no accomplishing of worldly projects and designs without succession of time and endeavour things being asâ—it were hidden that they may be sought afar off so they must go who will have them and commonly future to exercise our diligence and expectation Let the same be done immediately toward the great and principal end as to the lesser and subordinate and none shall labour in vain but the like care and constancy as is used in ordinary matters then any person may be assured of the chiefest good All other things are coveted after in order to Happiness though it be under the name of Pleasure and Conveniency there is an impatient thirst after it from the Beginning for besides those natural cravings after the necessaries of Life Meat Dâ—ink Raiment yet this is not all there must be some delight There is Play and Divertisment and then changing that from one kind to another from Childish to the more Manly though too often mistaken enjoyments There is an eager inclination after sensual Pleasure and outward Mirth As to these the means must be first had Money or Estate which are to be gotten and then to reap the Fruit of his Labours or who hath them already he is not to lye or sit still but must rise and go forth to gather those present and visible good things still this is but the Happiness of half the Man the Body only and yet to be acquired somewhat more requires also a satisfaction The worst part hath its desires and is not fed with Husks or Pebbles but things convenient sufficient here is already found out both for use and delight Now let the nature of the Soul be considered according to her first excellency and just inclination as she came out of God's hand and for what designed whether there be any Objects proper for her that they may be had also Take the whole Man in conjunction his spiritual part if not â—hoaked and 〈…〉 led seeks after Happiness as the other doth Health Nourishment and sensible gratification Whether the Soul is in growth or puts it self forth according to the capacity and increase of the Organs shall not be curiously inquired but it seems to partake of the Imperfection and would come up towards Perfection It hath an ignorance and blindness which should be taken away by degrees A stubbornness and lâ—st through original corruption which is to be subdued and regulated It is certainly capable of bettering and improvement by right means and so may arrive at Happiness all one as the Body doth its conveniency The great Question all along will be what the right means are for we are in a world of intermixture where is Right and Wrong Good and Evil Truth and Falshood Apparent and Real and therefore must narrowly discern the one from the other A right Knowledge carries through all and acting according to that Knowledge There is an established and fixed nature of things pertaining to us Men the visible we know by sence and experience the invisible by certain Reason and the full assurance of Faith. Amongst the various and seemingly perplext they may be reduced unto two general ways That of Gods Commandment according to his prescribed order and use of them shewed forth in his Word or in disobedience and transgression He made them all at first very good Gen. 1. 31. but evil corruption vanity and falâ—hood came in and now hath sent his
Heart are It is no matter now for his business may be as well done at another time the longer it is staved of so much the better for then there will be the less time to serve him and if they can so much as to get Heaven it is soon enough Are these the secret Imaginations which some keep so close to themselves But they do not in the mean while throughly consider how all things are naked and opened unto the Eyes of him with whom we have to do Heb. 4. 13. so he knoweth these innermost Thoughts all one as if they were wrote legibly upon the Forehead of those who conceive them How disingenuous is this And will he not so judge of it As if he must have those things put on him which they would not suffer from their Servants For would they like those who will do just enough to receive Wages but no more and less if they could Can it be reasonably expected God will reward those base and Mercenary People who do not esteem of him but only the good things he hath prepared Who would willingly receive his Gifts but have neither Love nor Reverence for the Giver If thou wilt enter into Life keep the Commandments said he who is to judge every Mans work What those are himself hath likewise told us they are two The first is Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy Heart and with all thy Soul and with all thy mind and all thy Strength How can he do this who hath such unworthy Thoughts Such an one unless he repents of the Evil will never be judged a Lover of God and then notwithstanding all his Policy he may come short of his Expectation God doth confound the Wisdom of the Wise and taketh them in their Craftiness Those which fancy and propose to themselves some new fine and â—asie way to Heaven of their own invention it is a thousand to one but they perish in their Projects for Men must not think any way to avoid the force and obligation of Gods Commandments Indeed they may choose whether they will observe them or not but then they must not choose to themselves the reward that is promised for keeping of them Neither let them imagine to draw up new Articles of Agreement besides that Covenant of Grace God hath been pleased to establish with Man for that is only of his own making and it is merciful enough it is not come to such Familiarity that he should accept what sinful Creatures would give him It is most just that God who made us without ourselves never asked our Advice whether we should be formed Vessels to Honour or Dishonour should also give us what Laws he please making his own Terms and Conditions upon which we are to receive the Happiness whereof himself is the only Giver We are not to frame any out of our own Brain and offer them unto him for seeing he hath created us to serve him shewed us how lent us Life for a time to do it We are not to seek out new Devices or to Parcel out this time as we see best for doing thereof This is here mentioned that those may beware who think it sufficient if they allot the least Portion nay the last moment for doing that wherefore the whole was given them These are the Statutes and Judgments which ye shall observe to do all the days ye live upon the Earth Deut. 12. 1. which is not taken away but rather more confirmed under the Gospel as appears from Luk. 1. 75. Who then would be saved We learn from the Prodigal Son the Publicans and Sinners the joy over them that repent those many gracious Texts concerning it that if we do go astray and come home again we shall be received to Grace and Favour But if Men from hence take occasion to spend their days in wickedness and their Life in disobedience if they turn the Grace of God into wantonness it is an horrible abuse and who thus pervert the ways of the most High may notwithstanding their vain purposes perish for ever If they go on in their wicked Course they may unawares be given over to a reprobate mind and all their Thoughts whereby they intended to be reconciled unto God at such a time come to nothing It is both unworthy and sinful to put him of from day to day and he who doth not Love to be mocked or despised may reward such after their deservings withdraw his Grace and let them go on in their own imaginations What if one should come into the Vineyard a little sooner then needs must Is not Heaven worth Labouring all the day for And can too much be done to avoid Hell Is it not better in a thing of so great moment to come more early and to wait for your Lord that when he cometh and knocketh you may open immediately Luke 12. 36. then to â—arry till the Critical time of his coming for you know not when this will be Who knoweth That certain day that is limited after so long a time Heb. 4. 7. Who can tell exactly how far and how long he may go in the way of wickedness and return The utmost bounds are not set down But this we are assured of the further we go the more way is to come back which will require so much the more Labour and Pains Hast thou any degree of the Love of God Wouldst thou not trifle with him Dost thou seriously expect to inherit his Promises and avoid his Threatnings Hast thou any regard to the eternal Welfare or Misery of thy own dear self Art thou so Wise as not to hazard when there is no need such an exceeding good set before thee and on the other hand so great an evil Break of presently thy Sins by Repentance Turn you Turn you and then Iniquity shall not be your ruin That ye put off concerning the former Conversation the old man which is corrupt according to the deceitful Lusts And be renewed in the Spirit of your mind And that ye put on the new man which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness Eph. 4. 23 24. Then the Fruits of the Spirit recited Gal. 5. 22 23. and other practical Duties are as agreeable to our Nature as before the Works of the Flesh were When men are transformed by the renewing of the mind they prove what is that Good that acceptable and perfect Will of God. It seems so even to their real Sense and Disposition they find more Comfort and Happiness in what is good then formerly they did in evil Be not doubtful or suspicious you are in no wise required to go softly all your years in the Bitterness of your Soul But you are invited forth to what Is a Tree of Life to them that lay hold upon her and happy is every one that retaineth her Prov. 3. 18. As those can further assure you out of their own experience who sought her early Who being partakers of
more upon their own Head. We see how far the Corruption in us would go if not hindred even to all manner of Evil and iniquity like a mighty Torrent would bear down all before it If Men were left to themselves and might do what was right in their own eyes as they were once in such a Condition when there was no King in Israel as is declared before the most horrible Judg. 19. Relation ever done under the Sun there would be nothing but Tribulation and Anguish Weeping and Lamentation through the Earth continual Fears would arise from the strivings of the People But Blessed be our God who stilleth the noise of the Waves when they arise and ruleth the raging of the Sea and the madness of the People If that had no bounds it would quickly over-spread the Face of the Earth and the other if not kept in would bring an universal Dâ—lâ—ge not only upon the Vngoaly but the Servants of God and the Compass of this lower World would be one entire Aceldama a Field of Blood. He hath sent Kings and Governours for the Punishment of evil doers and for thâ— praise of them that do well 1 Pet. 2. 13 14. The Word which God sent unto the Children of Israel preaching Peace by Jesus Christ he is Lord of all Acts 10. 36. Amongst other Dâ—ties doth Command submission to Kings and Magistrates and forbids the contrary No Rebellion whatsoever is lawful A real good end will not sanctifie it much less those false and specious Ones wherewith it is often accompanied It is a slanderous Report of the Gospel That some affirm thereof as if it did allow to do evil that good may come Rom. 3. 8. God revealed himself otherwise of Old. He is the Rock his Work is perfect for all his ways are judgment a God of truth and without iniquity just and right is he Deut. 32. 4. Thou art of purer eyes then to behold evil and canst not look on iniquity Hab. 1. 13. For I the Lord love judgment I hate Robbery for Burnt-offering Isa 61. 8. Will ye speak wâ—â—kedly for Gâ—d and talk deceitfully for â—im Job 13. 7. The Lord is righteous in all his ways and holy in all his works Psal 145. 17. More Texts might be alledged to manifest that his Glory is not to be advanced by sinful means Indeed this cannot be for it would be contrary to his infinite purity and uprightness with whom dwells no shadow of Evil. But Experience hath discovered that when some have designed Rebellion for their own Ambition Interest and Revenge they must have a Fig-leave to hide it from simple People whom they 2 Sam. 15. 8. 11. draw on their side And what can be better then Absoloms Vow Religion and the Glory oâ— God as hath been the method of former Ages this hath been made use of as a Pretence to further their own damned Enterprizes Good God! That thy Name should be so abused by vile Miscreants that thou who dost abhor and hast revealed thy Wrath against all unrighteousness of Men shouldst Rom. 1. 18. be made use of to Patronize it as if thou werâ— such an one thy self I am astonished to think of this horrible perverting of thy Ways and Nature Men would not dare do thus but thou holdest thy Tongue Hab. 1. 13. Otherwise there could be no Tryal whither they would do thus or not But notwithstanding all the Practices of wicked Hypocrites through which Strangers and the Ignorant may mis-apprehend the God whom we serve thou wilt be justified when thou speakest and clear when thou judgest at the last and great day And even now thou art in this and all other Matters as thou speakest in thâ— Word The Author of the New Testament observed by his own Example what he taught and commanded to others when he was betraâ—ed into the hands of wicked Men though he could have had more then twelve Legions of Angels yet made â—ot the least opposition He was the Son of God King of Kings and Lord of Lords and consequently exempt from paying of Tribute to Mat. 17. them yet rather then he would give offence he wrought a Miracle for the Payment thereof And hath left this standing Commandment to all his Followers Render unto Cesar the things which are Cesars Mat. 22. 21. which is more particularly explained Rom. 13. Render therefore to all their Dues Tribute to whom Tribute is due Custom to whom Custom Fear to whom Fear Honour to whom Honour Ye must needs be subject not only for Wrath but for Câ—â—science sake These things are as much due to the Supreme Magistrate as it is from a Child to a Parent he hath Right to them from his Subjects as they have to their own Goods or Estate The Doctrine of Loyalty and Obedience to Governors is laid down in as plain Terms as any other Duty in the Gospel and are sufficient to convince him who Acts in Sincerity and Truth But those which are Presumptuous Self-willed 2 Pet. 2. 10. of turbulent and factious Spirits have found out some little and trifling Evasions against these express Texts There is a way in the World of putting Interpretations when there is no more need of them then of the most plain obvious Expression But this is a Trick either to wrest or make the Commandments of God of none effect The wicked thus vindicate or palâ—iate their Transgression and others in alike manner justifie Rebellion Let all Men in general remember and take heed that the great â—aw-giver when every one comes to give Account before him will not be trifled with Such ways and devices will not now pass in Humane Courts and Judicatories They have so much the more to Answer for by prevaricating the way of the Most High making his Word as it were a Nose of Wax some have Blasphemously called it so to stamp any Impression and mould it to any shape as serves their base Sinister turns In the end such Men will find that the All-wise God will not be outwitted by them The Criminals are not to make their own Construction of the Laws against which they have offended but must receive according to his righteous Judgment when what is written Rom. 1. 18. Rom. 2. 8. Shall be executed and found true Thus some who seem to be Religious Confess Men ought to pay Obedience unto Governours but then they say these Commands extend only to those Kings who love Christ and themselves live obedient to his Law. And whether they do or not private Persons are made Judges and if they think such an one doth not Subjects may lawfully disobey and rebel against him If this should be granted No King howsoever good or righteous would be safe in his Person for so apt are Men in judging the worst especially of those above them that they would censure him to be a prophane Prince or Hypocrite If he was another David a man after Gods own heart why he was hated and spoken
against he would not be after their liking Then they would not have this Man reign over them they will outwardly conclude him to be an Enemy to Jesus and pronounce it as lawful to destroy him as Bears and Wolves Whether he is so or not an uncharitable Opinion or false Accusation is sufficient ground with them to kill the Lords Anointed against whom none could lift up his hand and be guiltless This hath been the Divinity of some and mischievous in its effects but let it be examined by that word which is to try the Doctrines whether they be of Men or no. Christ delivered that command of Obedience to Magistrates at that very time when an Heathen Emperor was in the Throne when Herod and Pontius Pilate were subordinate Governours when he was Sentenced to Death by unjust judgment Peter would have hindred the execution but was commanded to put up his Sword in the Sheaf His Apostles Preached the same Doctrine after the Kings of the Earth stood up and the Rulers were gathered together against the Lord and against his Christ which doth manifest that some have interpreted the Gospel contrary to what the first Founders of it intended and have put that restriction which they never designed O ye perveâ—ters of the meaning of the Holy Ghost What authority have ye to do these things By your expositions and glosses you have diminished from the universal obligation of the commands Wherefore do you make distinctions where the Law maketh none To come to the Old Testament wherein ye so much trust what do ye think of Saul from whom God had rent the Kingdom and gave it to one better then he and though Saul did seek after his life yet Davids faithfulness and duty to him may be seen 1 Sam. 24. 5 6. 2 Sam. 1. There were many wicked Kings in Israel yet to none did the people hence take occasion to rebel or refuse their lawful injunctions neither is the least intimation from Gods Word so to do It was not because they were Jews and so the anointed of the Lord but even Cyrus a Gentile is thus called Isa 45. 1. And unto Nebuchadnezzar God gave the Kingdom Dan. 2. 37. So they are indefinitely called Gods Ministers Rom. 13. 6. It is not said of that single one but all in general The Kings rule several Countrys but over them all is the Great King or the whole Earth the Lord and Governour of the World. Thou shalt not speak evil of the Ruler of thy People Acts 23. 5. Upon no account although he doth what he should not In the original place Exod. 22. 28. It is doubtly forbid to lay on greater enforcement How can Men over-look such plain places when they are quick enough to spie out any thing that may be wrested to serve their wrong designs When they meet with such they have set their brains on work for a pâ—â—â—sible interpretation to delude the hearts of the simple They neglected to put them in mind to be subject to Principalities and Powers to obey Magistrates Tit. 3. 1. Whereas if they could bring any thing out of the Old Testament of zeal for the Lord of Hosts and â—ighting his Battles this was managed with all their skill and dexteritâ— to stir up Sedition and Rebellion but for those against them they did either omit or fasten their own sence quite turning that of the Holy Spirit To apply Maâ— 2. 7 8. The Priests lips should keep knowledge and they should seek the Law at his Mouth for hâ— is the Messenger of the Lord of Hosts But thâ—se departed out of the way they have caused many to stumble at the Gospel by Preaching contrary thereunto they have corrupted the covenant of race and been partial in the Law otherwise they could not turn Religion into Rebellion for this doth not allow the least Wickedness so neither that which is the greatest sin that is ordinarily committed against Man. It is against the immediate Oâ—dinance of God which he doth commonly punish and defeat in this life One would think Men might have taken warning by them that perished at the gain-saying Jude 11. of Core how the Earth opened and swallowed them up as if not â—it to live above ground who would have disturbed that order and government there Though this was set forth for an Example for all that hereafter should act rebelliously yet the Spirit of disobedience hath so worked in the minds of Men that they have not refrained from doing the same things Every Age since hath produced instances of those who â—ave not dâ—ed a death common to Men It would be endless to Number all the Traytors that have been in our own Nation I am unwilling to accuse mine own Country Men but I am afraid we are a reproach to Ezza 4. 15. our Neighbours that we are a rebellious Country and Enemies to Kings as by our Records and Histories it doth appear If we consult them we find that several have came to a miserable and untimely end If the business of Dathan and Abiram was afar of and long since these are later and come home What if in our our Memory some have been destroyed in a rebellious War others dyed like Dogs and had their Carcases hanged up for a Spectacle The Apostle 1 Cor. 10. mentioneth the punishment which fell upon the Jews to dehort others from those sins which were the occasion thereof so that may be here represented according to Truth which fell upon them that we may not commit Rebellion as some of them committed and fell and became as the dung of the Earth All these things happened for ensamples and are written for the admonition of those that come hereafter One must be moved with indignation to hear the Enemies of the Lord Blâ—spheme and the way of Truth evil spoken of to which nothing hath given greater occasion then the carriage of the pretended Religious especially in two things Disloyalty to the State and knavery between Man and Man. Then which nothing is more forbidden in Scripture which if rightly understood and obeyed would make the best Men and the best Subjects in the World he who lives accordingly is an Enemy to none much less to him whom God hath placed over his people Government is as necessary to the well being of the body politick as health to the Natural The ligatures and strings do hold together the several parts so that doth joyn the Members of the Common-wealth dependant and subordinate one to the other and prevents that confusion which would otherwise ensue Every Man enjoys his own his Person Fame and Estate are preserved from wrong and injury he hath all the outward good which can be desired in this World. God hath in a wonderful manner from time to time been pouring forth his benefits upon the undeserving Sons of Men he hath given all his Law to make us happy and excellently contrived that part which relaâ—es to keepâ—ng up that order which he did first
accept of an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that fadeth not away reserved in Heaven for you 1 Pet. 1. 4. if you perform the conditions required As for that you have already must fade away for if you think the Lands are yours for ever yet your selves are not so they may remain somewhat longer but you shall be taken away before Their inward thought is that their Houses shall continue for ever and their dwelling places to all Generations they call their lands after their own Names this their way is their folly yet their posterity approveth their sayings Psal 49. 11 13. When many times they do not long enjoy their lands for these change owners and seldom continue in the same Family for two or three hundred years much less for ever Nay if they were secured from Folly Prodigality Forfeiture Injustice as that is in defeating the 1 Kings 21. 3. next Heir of the Blood of the inheritance of his Fathers and of firm Title and furthest from Inundation of the Sea yet this would not endure for ever for the time draweth near when the Earth shall be burnt up and all the Works thereof so the goodliest Estate now seen is but temporal which fades away He that hath the best tenure and most indefeasible right yet hath no perpetuity but himself is tenant at will to the great Landlord of Heaven and Earth now t is the wisest way of such an one to feather his nest to provide well against the time he shall be turned out Agreeable hereunto is the Counsel of the Lord Jesus And I say unto you make to your selves Friends of the mammon of Vnrighteousness that when ye fail they may receive you into everlasting habitations Luke 16. 9. It is strange that those who have such an advantage of Worldly outward prosperity of which they must be one day eternally deprived should not take care against that fails to be provided of an Happiness in the highest Heavens for evermore especially if they miss thereof they must fall down into opposite Misery One of these two must be your condition there is no avoiding of it if you should be miserable it will be in a worse degree then the common sort of mankind because of your manifold transgressions and mighty sins Amos 5. 12. They are against great Love and Mercy and when those which should have been Examples unto others of obedience and righteous living have most of all sinned and contemned the Almighty Vengeance may be taken upon them seven-fold and when the day of their calamity is come that pride and pleasure in which now they so much trust shall be all vanished and gone and serve to torment them yet more by sad reflections of what they have been For as the benefit is great if they use Riches and Honour as instruments to set forth the Glory of God and maintain good Works so likewise is the danger great if thence they be proud and rebellious turning them into an occasion to fulfill the lusts of the â—â—esh it would have been better not to have had then thus to have abused them It is not only because such an one is in a higher Seat in the World therefore he shall be so in that to come for there will be changes and those that are exalted shall be abased Yet to him that rightly managed the ten Talents authority was given over ten Cities and he that did five had proportionably So Luke 19. 17 18. contrariwise he that is unfaithful in most shall receive the greater condemnation and if he that received but one Talent went and digged in the Earth and hid his Lords Money was cast into outer Darkness as an unprofitable Servant What will become of him who received ten or five and used them to rebel against his Lord Of how much sorer punishment suppose ye shall he be thought worthy Now things are so set that extremity and eternity of joy or sorrow must be the final condition of every one it may seem impertinent to bid him choose whether he will have as if ten thousand Talents were laid on an heap and the other side a single farthing to make long perswasion that he would be sure to make choice of the first Or if there was offered unto him a glass of the most pleasant Wine and a cup of deadly Poyson and he knew before which was so Neither of these come up to the present Case for the good of the one is more beyond the evil of the other then in any two things that can be compared Although there is such a vast difference yet commonly the evil part is chosen and those who call themselves Men yea Men of Honour and Renown are worse then Children in understanding They greedily catch at toyes and trifles they are careful to learn all the punctilios of Honour niceties of Pride modes of Breeding and things which belong to their Quality but in the mean while are negligent of the things that belong to their peace They run after every imaginary pleasure are for every thing which hath the name of it yet they will not seek after true and real Happiness they run on still in their course not considering for what end they came into the World or what will become of them when gone out This is not a Gentlemans business he is to go in the Fashion carry himself obligingly in Company understand his Estate this is sufficient for him What should he mind any thing else for Let him do what his inclinations lead him unto such is the language of Pride and Modishness But what saith the Holy Spirit thereto Do ye thus requiâ—e the Lord O foolish People and unwise is not he thy Father that hath bought thee Hath he not made thee and established thee Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful and hast forgotten God that formed thee Deut. 32. 6. 18. Wilt thou obliterate the notions of him who hath spread thy Table and made thy Cup to overflow Is this the return he is to make to his Almighty Benefactor He may turn Mercies into Disobedience yet he shall not go unpunished forsooth it is not his business to work the work God hath sent him to do he is too good for it in his own conceit The Lord saith them that honour me I will honour and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed 1 Sam. 2. 30. Some may not care if they are so for as yet they find no harm come by it but what will become of the most scornful and exalted Sinner when God shall pluck thee out of the land of the living and there shall be none to deliver thee Even here though thine house of defence be very high he can bring thee down make thee a mock and by-word as he hath done by some but he doth generally suffeâ— Mens evil Deeds in this World letting them go on as they will as he did the manners of the Israelites fourty years in the Wilderness Acts
13. 18 Yet they shall be sure to receive the just recompence of them in that which is to come There is no holding the Spirit in it will fly out there do what thou canst and least it should be then nothing but shivering and horrour Repent therefore of thy Wickedness if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee Acts 8. 22. Cast down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth it self against the knowledge of God. When this is done thou 2 Cor. 10. 5. wilt think it as much thy duty and business to obey God as it is of the poorest Man. To the Poor the Gospel is Preached Luke 7. 22. Those who are rich and high in their own conceits will not receive it so far as to obtain the benefits thereof Christ is a Prince and a Saviour they are both joyned together and his government reaches to the inward Man to allay those swelling thoughts and order them aright Blessed are the poor in Spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven Mat. 5. 3. They are meet partakers thereof for 't is not riches but trusting in them that hinder from thence Neither need they fear from Luke 16. 19. For poor Lazarus was in rich Abrahams Bosome so there are of both sorts If they that buy be as though they possessed not and they that use this world as not abusing it although they have never so much thereof yet through the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ they shall be saved as well as others They may still conceive themselves to be so as who have not such abundance and with what remains over deducting for the necessity and conveniency of their Families out of which also a portion is to be laid aside for the Poor give Alms and maintain gook Works This seems to be the design of the Gospel as appears by the several precepts and the practise of primitive Christians not only of those Acts 2. 45. for that community was not then of necessary obligation Acts 5. 4. but those further on for some centuries who if they were rich did mightily abound in Liberality and Alms giving for relief of Christs poor Brethren I am moved with indignation as often as I think of that Emperor who in a pious disposition resigned the Throne or hear of any other who by a single and imprudent refusal at once deprives himself of Ability for exercising a thousand Acts of Charity and opportunity of well doing and consequently of a greater reward Whereas the higher station Men are in they may do God more service and their goodness be exemplary If we search to the bottom this mistaken way doth rather proceed from pride then self-denial for the reason thereof seems to be that they could not so well come down to those base things of the World and the things which are despised 1 Cor. 1. 28. Which they rightly think themselves in Conscience bound to do but they can better do it once for all then several repeated times whereas Humility is more acceptable the more often it is used and from those of more exalted condition That thing of Gentility if strictly examined is but a vain Word according to the judgment of reason and therefore people need not be so offended because the Christian Profession requires not to have the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ the Lord of Glory with respect of Persons Jam. 2. 1. The Apostle doth not design to confound all the order that is in the World but chiefly intends those rich Men who were Heathens and without the Church as appears vers 6. 7. For such a Character could not belong to Christians at that time But still it is so far obligatory that we are not to give reverence as the World gives only upon the account of their fine clothes or wealth Nor are they hence to take liberty to wax proud and despise their poor Brethren whom God hath chosen rich in Faith and Heirs of the Kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him and therefore others should not keep them of Nor are they to imagine the distance between God and themselves is not quite so great as between him and the Poor for what now makes the difference Will â—e esteem thy Riches no not Gold nor all the forces of strength Job 36. 19. That accepteth not the person of Princes nor regardeth the Rich more then the Poor for they are all the work of his hands Job 34. 19. so Psal 62. 9. He seeth not as Man seeth for Man looketh on the outward appearance and if there be gayety without hath a wonderful conceit of him as some goodly one but the Lord looketh on the Heart and if that be evil notwithstanding the fine out-side Amos. 6. 8. such an one is as odious in his sight as the most abject contemptible person is in ours Let none say in his heart My obedience is so much the more acceptable and I deserve better of Gods hands because I am Noble or Rich in the World and I come to serve him when I could serve divers lusts and pleasures What then It is thy bounden duty so to do as well as it is of the meanest What thanks doth he deserve who doth only what is Luke 17. his duty to do As our Lord hath told us in a familiar instance but thou sayest thou canst do otherwise as others of like Condition do So likewise can your Servants do contrary to what you Command them but what must they expect then To incur thy Displeasure and be turned out of thy Service and it may be thou mayest Command him to be beaten and kicked off this is all thou canst do And if thy self dost not obey our Master which is in Heaven but do thine own Will his Indignation and Punishment will be worse then all this Thou mayest enjoy the Pleasures of sin for a Season if thou wilt but in so doing thou shalt not only lose the recompence of Reward but procure to thy self never ending Pains and then what wilt thou get by the Bargain Some will surmize this to be strange Doctrine to Gentlemen especially whose peculiar priviledge it is to be devoted unto Pleasure if it were not for this they would not differ from others But are not all under the same God and equally obliged to do according as he requires And surely also it is their principal design to be Happy both now and hereafter all one as they desire to live pleasantly next Year as well as this They are whether they think of it or not Strangers and Pilgrims on Earth as their Fathers were So the present Condition is not to be accounted of for it is nothing in Comparison of what shall succeed and therefore it should be ones whole business to neglect this and do all things to secure a future Happiness for this in a short time will be done away and seem all one as if it had never been Even at this instant it may be observed
Lord Jer. 17. 5. He gives even unto them all that they have and can do thy self more good then all the Men of the World. Though this is as it were hidden for Tryal whether they will draw off from him and others would run unto them Indeed the Kingdom of God is not meat and drink Rom. 14. 17. but things as will better satisfie then they do now For you eat and drink and hunger and thirst again But if you would seek after that in the mean time you would be quieted with the hopes and Faith thereof till you come actually to sit down at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. A Supper to which all the Dainties of the World are as stinking Carrion It doth infinitely exceed both in Delight and Continuance all the most pleasant things here What would you not do at present if you could get such an Estate as some of thy rich Neighbours have you would think nothing too hard many a Sleepless Night and laborious Day you would suffer with all your Heart if you might attain it But thou seest no way or possibility if thou wouldst never so much desire to do it Well be contented nevertheless and assure thy self that if thou art not slothful but come unto him who will meet thee in the way of Righteousness and then follow hard after him thou shalt undoubtedly come to Heaven when the Great Ones if wicked and disobedient shall be thrust down with Shame and Confusion Or if they fear God do thou endeavour to exceed them in Graces and Well-doing and so be more had in Honour by him who rewards every Man according to his work not so Luke 16. 10. much for what Rank and Degree he was in the World. If thou dost obey the Lord thou wouldst with Patience and Quietness of Spirit endure whatever low Condition thou art in and be rather the more thankful because thereby quickned and stirred up to a Godly Life Sometimes to hunger Prompts to strive the more earnestly to come to that place where you shall be filled You have the less Temptation to take up a Rest here but should more seek after that which is to come It is an hard Case indeed never to do any thing but to take Pains to be like the Ox or Ass to live to no other end but that of Labour but it is not so with you for God hath provided better things if you would accept them He hath ordained a Rest and a Promise is left us of entring Heb. 2. 8. 3. into it And we are Commanded to fear least any of us should come short of it Some we read of Who could not enter in because of unbelief And this same is an hindrance to Men now adays for what makes them who do nothing but toil and yet are unmindful of this true Rest unless it is because they do not believe any such thing But if Men are unbelievers whilst they live they shall not be so when they die for there will succeed a certain fearful Expectation of Judgment and Condemnation The unbelievers shall have their part in the Lake which burneth with Fire and Brimstone Rev. 21. 8. Saith the same Divine Witness I heard a voice from Heaven Saying unto me Write Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth yea saith the Spirit that they may rest from their Labours and their Works do follow them Rev. 14. 13. All do not so but only those who die in the Lord. That Saying so common in the mouth of Country People When such an one is dead he is happy because freed from the Pains and Miseries of Life is false when applyed to all indifferently good and bad for this Blessing belongs only to those who have led a Godly Life By Death we fall into the hands of the living God and then he may deal with us as seemeth good in his sight however being a God of Truth he will do so with all of us as is declared in his Word which is Truth And therefore it will be so with us according as we order our Conversation in this present World by the words written in that Book Seeing the Case is thus it must be the more excellent way to fit our selves accordingly We often provide for those things which never happen and if they should are but of small moment Shall we not much more prepare against that which will certainly come and is of greater Concern to every one of us then any thing now in the World is All our Care now is to keep Life for the present and shall no Care be had to live for ever We can never do too much to preserve Health and keep of sullen Death as long as we can And shall not we do the same to escape the second Death that wretched Condition in which Men shall seek for Death and it shall flee from them With all our Pains we cannot hold of temporal Death and yet we would we may by the Grace of God preserve our selves from eternal Death and there we will not Oh strange madness O unspeakable Folly O ye Sons of Men who hath bewitched you to Act so Preposterously Death in it self is not more grievous then Pain or Sickness now is nay not so much for as in Health we fall asleep when we do not perceive it so then those violent Pangs destroy the Sence and Feeling but that which comes to the wicked after renders it exceeding terrible and that should be most dreaded which would not be in vain because it would make us flee from the wrath to come Would we take as great heed least we die after Death as now we do to save our selves from Death then Death should have no Dominion over us it shall not bring Evil but Good unto us The sting of Death is sin but Command is given to pluck that out Cast away from you all your Transgressions whereby ye have Transgressed and make you a new Heart and a new Spirit for why will ye die O house of Israel for I have no Pleasure in the Death of him that dieth saith the Lord God. Wherefore turn your selves and live ye Ezek. 18. 31 32. Here you are taught and also enjoyned how though you die you may live again Look a little further then this present Life It is of few days and full of trouble Who would place his Confidence in that which is uneasie and must an end Time hasteneth away Death is coming on Every Man must at length close with it He must either lye down in Peace which is the Portion of the righteous or dye as the wicked do in Horrour and Anguish of mind or in a stupid Condition as is the Case of most However some admire this sort of Death for they say he dies liâ—â— a Lamb yet there is no Peace saith my God to the wicked Isa 57. 21. Such a Death is like a drunken Mans falling down a steep Rock his Sottishness hath cast him
the way of Truth Do ye not therefore err because ye know not the Scriptures said our Lord to the Sadducees Mark 12. 24. But who call themselves his followers of the Roman Church fallaciously conclude therefore Men err because they know the Scriptures But this happens only through the abomination of the wicked which stumble at the word being disobedient 1 Pet. 2. 8. Whereas no truly honest minded Soul was ever deceived by it I do not mean in every little Question which Ministers unto strife rather then Godly Edifying or in matters of doubtful disputation but what is necessary to build up in our holy Faith and make for good Life As long as we keep our heart whole with God and continue stedfast in his Covenant we are safe but if we once let in a sinful gain or lust then foolish imaginations come in and we are in danger to miscarry in the errour of our own ways If our Selves will take heed both pray and endeavour to hold up our goings in Gods paths this is to keep from the paths of the destroyer If there be no wicked way in us we shall be in the way everlasting Those which turn aside are Sin and Satan but this is the Covenant performed in these dayes That he would grant unto us that we being delivered out of the hands of our Enemies might serve him without fear in Holiness and Righteousness before him all the dayes of our Life Luke 1. 73 74. It can be no little satisfaction to be freed from danger and then if it be any comfort to have true quietness of Spirit Joy in the Holy Ghost firm hopes of Eternal Life such have all these When those who cherish themselves with deceits may be like the rest of Sleep whereof nothing is perceived but interruptions They have no delights in the inward Man no rejoycings in God but feed upon groundless expectations which shall perish with them If any man think himself to be something when he is nothing he deceiveth himself He may indeed with slight cursory thoughts conclude his condition to be well enough this a self deceiver may do Whereas the true servant of God can descend into the bottom of his heart can prove his own work and find rejoycing in himself alone which the other cannot Be not deceived God is not mocked for whatsoever a man soweth that he shall also reap He that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting Gal. 6. 3 6 7 8. Many people intend well but the Enemy doth try all means to hinder His first attempt is to keep off from coming into the way of Righteousness at all but if he doth not succeed there he will try to turn them aside into the By-paths of errour or wickedness Is God to be Worshipped He represents such an Idolatry or Heathen Superstition which he hath got to be retained by one half of those who are called Christians Is the truth to be sought after There is such a false light go after that Hath the Lord commanded to do all his Statutes Deut. 6. 24. He knoweth such a thing to be for your Happiness and why should he restrain you from that Beloved do not give credit to him who after this manner beguiled our first Parents in whose loyns we fell and became subject to all those evils and dangers that now beset us Submit your selves therefore to God resist the Devil and he will flee from you Jam. 4. 7. Ignorant people are apt to be frightened at him but he is a meer Coward he cannot conquer any one unless he will himself Though he is full of mischief and maliciously set against us yet he can do no harm unless our selves give way unto him Draw nigh to God and he will draw nigh unto you Jam. 4. 8. What a stir do men make before they give up themselves to his Obedience How many arguments and beseechings must they have Though he is the God of their being and well-being yet what a work is it to bring them unto his service It is their greatest Happiness and Security yet with what difficulty are they perswaded unto it They do not think so then let them consider throughly the different state of the Wicked and Godly in this World as they are both in the same low degree The former cares not for God neither hath he any regard to Psal 10. keep his Commandments and perhaps may think himself happy Of the different state of wicked and Godly because he is his own Man and doth follow his own humour Who can controul him He is not troubled with the fears of Religion He doth not stand in dread of an Oath but loves and dares to talk big When he can spare time from his work he is for any diversion or Merriment whether sinful or not is no matter unto him he lives as comfortably as he can dies when his time is come and there is an end of him But now the Lord saith they that despise me shall be Lightly esteemed 1 Sam. 2. 30. Whatever such say in their heart concerning the holy one of Israel they dare not talk after this rate to the Governour of their Country and they will find that they had better curse the King to his face then conceive such iniquity but in thought against the Great King of all the Earth Foresooth they will not keep his Commandments then they shall lose Eternal Life and for Disobedience be cast into a Furnace of Fire Who think it such an advantage to have full liberty and follow their own humour in all things how will they like to be tied down in Chains of Darkness and to pine a whole Eternity in desires which shall not be granted God will not force them or any else tho' he might to his obedience but will compel transgressors to undergo the severity of his just judgment In the midst of sinning they have a secret dread and horrour thereof which unless they did endeavour to stifle would be intolerable to them let them pretend or talk what they will or conceal it still none fear so much as those who do not fear God. They being kept in from the World to come wherein he will suffer their evil deeds no longer only by this vail of flesh they are afraid of every least Evil or Sickness which may endanger that and yet by prophaning his Name they increase their own sad expectation They imagaine they talk big but do not consider he is a Great God. It is a sad thing to consider that an Ostler Porter or other common Person who dare not give a Saucy Word to their Superiours on Earth for fear of having his bones broke yet should be so bold with the most High God who can tear him in pieces and there is none to deliver him If it can be no sport or pleasure to teaze a Lion of the Forrest much less
that follows What can be more unreasonable then not to endeavour to avoid that which every one may and is called upon to do Cast away from you all your Transgressions whereby ye have transgressed and make you a new Heart and a new Spirit For why will ye die O House of Israel Ezek. 18 31. The purpose of God is fully Ratified and Confirmed whether Men believe or not Revelation and Reason do make it the more known and manifest unto us Life and immortality are brought to Light through the Gospel 2 Tim. 1. 10. and also there is an assured Testimony within us Witnessing the same Both which are sufficient to leave us without excuse to clear Gods Justice and aggravate our own Folly and Condemnation if we do not take notice and provide accordingly There have already came Messengers from God to make the Careless Ethiopians afraid Ezek. 30. 9. to make the negligent World look about themselves Christ hath those which declare the same every Lords-day So there is none living in this Countrey but either hath or might have heard of these things And yet can they shew themselves unconcerned When immortality and endless Life are discoursed of are they so stupid to care for none of these things Who are so busied with the little Affairs of this present time which shortly shall end and to be unmindful of that long Tract of Eternity which will quickly begin but never end Whether you shall take up your everlasting Habitation in Heaven or Hell doth as nearly concern you as now what you shall eat or drink how to obtain such a Profit or such a Pleasure and avoid a loss or inconvenience If you will not have to do with these things have to do with nothing at all for nothing comes more near or is more worthy of your serious regard If you are Wise you will take heed to your selves in Worldly Matters for some mâ—schief may otherwise fall upon you which by Caution might have been prevented And suffer your selves to be forewarned that only the Breath in your Nostrils holds you as yet from being plunged into the greatest Evil and deprived of the greatest Good. You will be liable to this as long as you remain inconsiderate and that you cannot long neither for you must die that is certain as you now live and the time thereof will be as surely here as the present Day is and after that you will be mindful of the things we are speaking of do what you can All negligence will instantly vanish in the other World. When you are once shut under Hatches by Death you will sufficiently lament for your former Carelessness and Stupidity and will be infinitely more vext that you did give way to that with which you now please your selves In the place of Darkness it will be no small Addition of Misery to remember that Light which you despised and was offered you that you might noâ— come there What can be said more to that universal destroyer of Souls Stubbornness and Negligence There hath been too much said already for it hath a present Answer to all which may be alledged to the contrary I will not read I will not mind it all that can be written may signifie no more then blank Paper But yet others may know and themselves will find that whatsoever is delivered by necessary Consequence from Scripture will be fulfilled Truth is Gods and bears his Image and Superscription And who despises the one will be as much despised by him If People will stamp the Kings Coyn under foot or are wilfully resolved not to receive it he will resent and punish the Affront The Lord and Governour of the World will not suffer without Punishment himself to be dis-regarded by Earth-Worms who are as nothing in Comparison of him Judge your selves whether it is equal When he acquaints Men of Heaven and Happiness shewing them the way to it that they should scorn the pleasant Land and give no Credence unto his Word When he would set up his Kingdom in the Hearts of Men that they should thrust him out and will not have to do with him Consider he is God and you are but Men what vast difference these two import Is it not meet to pay as much respect to him as we do to our Superiors on Earth The King who rules over us hath the Subjection of the outward Man in things pertaining to the Welfare and Peace of his Kingdom and it is freely given him though there is no other benefit but to live for a while safely under his Protection and that we think as it is indeed sufficient The Government of God reaches further to the Thoughts and Intents of the Heart all one as Words and Actions even the whole Man But then it is for his present Peace and he will reward him with eternal Happiness hereafter which none of our Masters upon Earth would or can do As much as God is greater then Man so it is just his Command should extend further and yet if the Monarchs of several Nations were so despised by their respective Subjects as God is by us to our shame be it spoken but more especially by the ungodly part of mankind how would they take it And God is pleased to declare that he will deal so with us as we do with one another The abomination of iniquity is set forth in Scripture by those who say unto God Depart from us for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways Job 21. 14. By not regarding his Work and despising his Word Isa 5. 12 24. so Psal 50. 17. and such like which plainly declares that he resents it all to the utmost If we did not conceive of Sin this way by Mens behaving themselves Contemptuously and stubbornly against an infinite and Glorious God we should think hardly of his Justice in preparing such exceeding Punishments for what are called light offences but as great as despising of him who doth so much excel the Stout Inhabitants of the Earth If there was but a Probability Mal. 3. 13. as we have full Evidence and Demonstration of his Reigning over us yet we should not carry our selves in a slighting manner towards him I tremble to think seriously of our demeanour and Arrogancy towards him whom we call the Lord our God. Such usage might be befitting a Baal and Ashtaroth Heathen idols and the work of our own hands but in no Wise to the Living Lord The Great King upon all the Earth the HOLY Psal 130. 3 4. WISE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY If thou O Lord shouldst mark iniquities O Lord who shall stand Lord help our unbelief help our ignorance help our infirmities We are in a World of sensible things which betray us too often to forget thee but we will not always do thus wickedly or put thee off with Scorn and Neglect â—or a willing and continued Transgression after this manner there is no excuse When God sends a Message to take no notice of
was for enjoying the Pleasures of Sin as long as he could and when they leave him to come in just soon enough as he imagines will save his Soul all for himself and nothing for God shall find how it will be accepted If we had right knowledge of the Godhead it would prevent abundance of mistakes and deceits in Masters of Religion Consisider him as All wise All-knowing with whom is Majesty and Honour Goodness and Power It is the wickedness of the wicked to Think that God was altogether such an one as himself Psal 50. 21. But whatever is of good report amongst Men there seeing himself is pleased to make such resemblances we may conclude that he will deal so with us as one Superiour dealeth with his Inferiour for which he is not blamed but commended in the sight of the World. The Prophet Mal. 1. argues after this manner very much to the present purpose and concludes the Chapter for I am a great King saith the Lord of Hosts and my Name is dreadful among the Heathen Conceive him therefore so and we are obliged to do as much to please him and make way for his Acceptance as any Earthly Monarch whatsoever Is it irksome It would indeed have been better not to have sinned but seeing thou hast thou must suffer the difficulty of Repentance or that which is worse Put on a good resolution and the irksomness will wear of Be encouraged by what the Lord Jesus saith I am not come to call the Righteous but Sinners to repentance Mat. 9. 13. Joy shall be in Heaven over one sinner that repenteth more then over ninety nine persons which need no repentance Luke 15. 7. When any increase is mace to Christs fold besides those they had before Our nature is something aukward and averse to repent What to undo and recant to accuse our selves of fault folly and shame seems hard in our natural proud state Yet it is not unreasonable to confess what we cannot deny our imperfection and want of foresight It is an act of prudence to return from an errour and of such an one who is able to discern what is really good and profitable It is an advancement to a better state Was it not more unreasonable to do those things at first then it is now to leave them when they are discovered to be false and evil But chiefly which should have been mentioned in the first place seeing we have offended against a Great and Good God we are required Only acknowledge thine iniquity that thou hast transgressed against the Lord thy God Jer. 3. 13. What is more just and equal What hath God deserved at our hands that we should be so Rebellious against him Whatever pride may suggest it is no undervaluing for us poor Worms to fall low on our Faces before his Foot-stool to lie down in confusion and our shame hath covered us to make our Sabmission unto him He is worthy of the greatest prostration from far more excellent Creatures and they pay it accordingly Whatever the prophane foolish and scornful Men think of Religious Sneakes yet the God whom we serve is of such Greatness and Glory that ten times greater reverence is most due unto him then either we do or can give but the day will come when they shall more creep before the Holy One of Israel When God shall tread down his Enemies Let them inwardly laugh or smile at our crying peccavi they do the same unto their Superiours who are but Earth Worms and they shall further take up the very same voice when it will be disinal and fruitless When they shall be rejected and find no place for repentance though they seek for it carefully with Tears Heb. 12. 17. We do buâ—â— now what through the goodness and Mercy of God may avail to his forgiveness and reward what they shall be forced to in vain to turn from themselves Gnilt and Condemnation We have no reason to upbraid or look little upon one another for so doing for it is the case of us all we have sinned and are worthy of punishment he alone is Happy and Wise who useth this means to prevent it It is just that the Soul should be in the utmost subjection to the Father of Spirits that it should both pray and endeavour to be turned at the command of him who fashioned it to comply with the will of him who did both create and also would renew it The first was done without our consent and power the second will not seeing God is to be glorified by our free obedience and himself hath enabled us to give it without our working together with him who transforms the hearts of Men. Because we can just refuse must we necessarily do so He hath ordered the heart so that it may turn either way and should not it go towards its first mover turn unto the Lord our God Turn thou me and I shall be turned for thou art the Lord my God Jer. 31 8. Turn unto me and I will turn unto you saith the Lord of Hosts Zech. 1. 3. There must be some work of our own to concur with Gods Act and be partaker of his gracious Promise The heart is re â—less and dissatisfied until fixed on its proper Object which is God alone It covers after this or that thing but still doth not find content wandring up and down in its pursuit after Happiness but never meets with it Every least appearance and shadow is catched at but the only true and chiefest good is not minded nor sought after My people hath been lost sheep they have gone from Mountain to Hill they have forgot their resting place Jer. 50. 6. As the Soul hath a natural desire to know God not in those who have defaced it with sensuality and brutishness but who exert the operations thereof as they should so when it comes to be acâ—uainted with him is in peace It can be contented for the present and wait some time for the full enjoyment of him When it is once sensible God is willing of his Creatures Happiness hath placed them here only to try them and all his dealings are Wisdom Truth and Righteousness When it comes throughly to know the order of divine affairs then it both admires and is satisfied with the whole will and good pleasure of our God sits down contented and patiently bears with the things of this present time and hopes for nay is assured of good things to come But however hath not the least doubt or fear of future Evils which is a very considerable difference between the Righteous and the Wicked Repentance first brings into this happy state frees from the Spirit of errour and giddiness makes him to leave off those unsatisfactory Vanities suffers him not to be still deluded with false Imaginations tedious travel and after all Vexatious disappointment When by reason of the pain and insufficiency that is in all things of this World there is an utter despair of Happiness
turn away from him that speaketh from Heaven Heb. 12. 25. Who though he is long since ascended on High and sits at the right hand of the Father yet speaks to us even now by his Word He that rejecteth me and receiveth not my Words hath one that judgeth him the VVord that I have spoken the same shall judge him at the last day John 12. 48. And if we will not hear them neither would we be perswaded if Christ should come once again into the World after the same manner as he did He hath sent forth Labourers into his Harvest with full Power and Commission He that heareth you heareth me And he that despiseth you despiseth me and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me Luke 10. 16. These are to do the Work of their Great Master to seek them that are lost and endeavour according to their utmost Power to bring many unto Life And he shewed me Joshua the High Priest standing before the Lord and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him Zech. 3. 1. When any thing is designed for the good of mankind he will be sure to hinder it as much as he can And it is observable among all the parts of Religion None hath been so much stifled refused or corrupted as the Ordinance of Preaching Nothing is more muttered against or endeavoured to be put off as the Faithful handling and Application of the Word The great prejudice against it is Lust and Consequent to that an affected ignorance Seeing Men will not do accordingly they think it the better the less they know or hear of the things of God whereas this being wilful and out of a wicked mind makes their Disobedience yet worse because they add this as the beginning and cause of all They desire not the knowledge of Gods ways Job 21. 14. Thou hatest instruction and casteth my words behind thee Psal 50. 17. This is the principal Device Satan makes use of to deceive the whole World by false and sly Suggestions he keeps them off from being acquainted with the Way and Truth of God and thence springs up a secret Enmity in the first place against the Word and those who divide it aright giving to every one his Portion There is none grown up to that height of wickedness as to belch out Blasphemies against Heaven or speak openly against Scripture yet in the Heart of the natural Man doth lie hid an Hatred and this shews it self by opposing them who are set in defence of the Gospel The real cause is concealed but then he Picks some little Exceptions or seeks out for occasion as that may easily be done by an evil mind to Speak or Act against them Miserable infatuation That Men should set themselves against those who in good Conscience and the greatest Earnestness endeavour to lead them up to the Holy Hill. It can be no harm to rescue any from the place of Torment to pull him though never so much against his Will like a Brand out of the Fire Now go write it before them in a Table and note it in a Book that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever That this is a Rebellious People Lying Children Children that will not hear the Law of the Lord Which say to the Seers see not And to the Prophets Prophesie not unto us right things speak unto us smooth things Prophesie Deceits Isa 30. 8 9 10. for they can hear and approve of such and too many are carried away with this Temptation The Prophets Prophesie falsly and my People Love to have it so Jer. 5. 31. It is not so much taken notice of because it sutes with their Humours and Inclinations For want of Love they think his Commandments grievous when delivered aright and pressed home to the Conscience It is observable the Spirit of God speaks very much of the above-mentioned Corruption but little or nothing against those severe and rigid Men against whom the World crys out so much See Isa 9. 16. Isa 58. 1. Jer. 14. 14. Jer. 23. throughout Ezek. 13. 34. Chap. Lam. 2. 14. Jer. 48. 10. Mal. 2. 8 9. Mal. 3. 3 4. Luke 20. 21. 2 Cor. 4. 1 2. Gal. 1. 10. 1 Cor. 4. 1 2. 2 Tim. 2. 14 15 16. Tit. 2. 1 6 7. 1 Pet. 4. 11. Mat. 15. 14. There are more Texts concerning this horrible abuse and for the Remedy thereof all which are fulfilled in these days and should be amended That which moved Pilate to deliver our Saviour doth move these to betray his Heritage They are willing to content the People Mark 15. 15. and therefore suffer them to lie still in their Ignorance and Disobedience Her Prophets are light and treacherous Persons Zeph. 3. 4. they betray the Cause of God for they do not enforce it with that Power they might Some as if they were ashamed of his Office do not deliver his Message do not use the Arguments he hath given but are Foolish Prophets that follow their own Spirit Ezek. 13. 3. as if their Whims and Notions were better and more perswasive then the Oracles of God. He would be reconciled unto the World as they would willingly be at Peace with him And what hinders this blessed Accommodation I have not sent these Prophets yet they ran I have not spoken to them yet they Prophesied But if they had stood in my Counsâ—l and had caused my People to hear my VVords Mark that Then they should have turned them from their evil way and from the evil of their doings Jer. 23. 21 22. If they would insist on those Motives which flow from the Word of Truth and let them run with their due Cogency we see here what would have been the Effect of it The foregoing words are In the latter days ye shall consider it perfectly In the end of time many will reflect that if those set over them had done as they should and their own Conscience did stir them to do such Evils might have been escaped Thy Prophets have seen vain and foolish things for thee and they have not discovered thine iniquity to turn away thy Captivity Lam. 2. 14. They have not used their utmost diligence to keep off from that threatning which is now manifested under the Gospel What could God have done more for his Vineyard then he hath done His Decrees and Dispensations concerning mankind are righteous He hath done things sufficient for them to be Happy and avoid Misery Only he hath permitted them as free and reasonable Creatures to Act of themselves He doth move and stir up their Wills to that which is good Those whom his Providence suffers to be Pastors He prompts by his Spirit to be faithful in that Trust reposed in them To the hearers are committed the lively Oracles their own Conscience there is the opportunity of good Books and Conversation with other helps and advantages which might be improved for the benefit of mankind But the only thing is they are not
believe the Scriptures not only by saying so with the Tongue but in Reality let them see Ezek. 3. 17 18. Heb. 13. 17. Which should oblige them to act accordingly by making it their principal business to Turn people from Darkness unto Light and from the power of Satan unto God. If they would insist earnestly upon the word of Exhortation do all things to perswade making use of the Arguments that God hath given that people might do also the things well pleasing in his sight As the Scriptures are indeed the Word of God so respect is to be had to them accordingly as the Holy Ghost hath consulted for all times Persons and Places so application is to be made The reason of things is general and God is dishonoured in alike instances as those there particularly spoken against The Law of God is perfect Psal 19. 17. Reaching to all the Thoughts Words and Actions his Government extends over the whole Man and there is no action exempt from his Commandments As we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the Gospel even so we speak not as pleasing Mâ—n but God which â—rieth the hearts 1 Thes 2. 4. Not handling the Word of God deceitfully 2 Cor. 4. 2. Which is either done by concealing the cogent arguments or not pressing them home but superficially There are further directions from Acts 20. vers 20 26 27 28. 2 Cor. 10. 4 5. Heb. 4. 12. Isa 58. 1. Jer. 26. 2. If all this and much more which every Teacher knows and is convinced to be his Duty were carefully observed it would tend more towards the reformation of the World. The Church hath ordained Prayers to be used before the Solemn times of Ordination That God would give his Holy Spirit to them that shall be called to serve in the Ministery that they may set forth his Glory and set forward the Salvation of all Men which words if according to their part they did turn into faithful and diligent endeavours if they did their utmost according to the power and means given them more would be done towards it then now is Iâ— they would shew themselves as much concerned as an Embassadour is in a Negotiation for his Prince Men are reasonable Creatures and they might at length yield to the good-will of God who would have all to be saved And though all have not Faith which is the ground-Work for Spiritual Exhortation to be builded upon yet they have Judgment and Understanding to consider the probability of those things which are required to be believed But to this great and good Work there are amongst others two hindrances Pride and want of Resolution If they should use this kind of Preaching expressed by a * Canting and Fanatical disdainful contemptible Term they should lose their Reputation and Good-will with the People and they could not shew their learning The VVord of the Lord was made a reproach unto me and a dâ—â—ision daily Jer. 20. 8. Said the Prophet in his times And it may be a Question Whether it was not by some like saying as that so common in ours Whatsoever shift and meaning they pretend yet he who knows the secrets of the heart is judge himself Men shew their contempt towards him accordingly as they use his Word or Servants which he resents as immediately upon himself And therefore all should have a care how they take into their Moâ—th any Proud or Scornful expression of what relates unto him Neither should others be discouraged by it if they would learn what their great Master saith John 7. 18. The Doctor of the Gentiles hâ—d as eminent Gifts and Natural Accomplishments as any now amongst us yet he did use the foolishness of Preaching But he saith the foolishness of God is wiser then Men 1 Cor. 1. 26. So in his Word are contained greater Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge then in all humane Writings whatsoever There is the Wisdom of God in a Mystery even the hidden Wisdom which God ordained before the VVorld unto our Glory 1 Cor. 2. 7. Which by degrees hath shined forth and still there is more to be seen and so will be unto the end of the World. The well is deep and there is much Water our Fore-fathers have not drained it there is something left for us our Children and for all Posterity for evermore There lie * Isa 45. 15. hid many Inferences and Deductions by which God may be more known to the World his Works and manifold Wisdom more discovered All hath not nor is manifested to past or present Generations there is left for succeeding ones to exercise themselves withall And had all Learned Men applyed their study time and Prayer more closely unto this Book of Divine Revelation there had been much more made known then is now amongst us Whatsoever things are true Whatsoever things are honest Whatsoever things are just Whatsoever things are pure Whatsoever things are lovely Whatsoever things are of good report Whatsoever tends to the real happiness and good of Mankind are here contained the which cannot be said of that vast Multitude of Books in the World taken all together In them are things false meerly conjectural impertinent when here all is true certain and very proper to the great end of Man. Since he is beholden to God for his Being and for discerning those things in himself which is properly Knowledge Where can he better improve that then by the immediate help given in his Word This being Divine and for the assistance of all Men should noâ— set up so much as to be called Rabbi when all are Brethren and Fellow helpers Where they deliver any thing that necessarily flows from the Word and is Truth there we ought to receive it and be thankful unto God who hath made it known by such an instrument for it is one of the Raâ—es which comes down from the Father of Lights and leads up where we shall see Light Psal 36. 9. But if it is meer fancy and opinion if it neither rises from the Fountain of Life nor hath any taste of it such as gratifies an itching Ear or curious Humour this is not to be â—ed principally on nor to keep off from wholesome food The goodness of a thing is measured by the end and what hath the most sublime object God and immortality and that which conduces to present and future Happiness must necessarily excel that which delights only while it is read and perishes in the using for which none is more happy in knowing or if he doth meet with any benefit it is small and signifies nothing beyond this vain transitory life But the VVord of Life 1 John 1. 1. should affect us much more then those little and paultry things we now grasp of which we must in a very little while be bereaved for ever when those great astonishing things shall be both present and visible and so remain to Millions of Ages It tends to those things which always endure
and infallible Promise of Eternal exceeding and perfect Happiness The unbelieving Senseless World are enraged at this which Heb. 3. 10. may be thought Non-sense and Contradiction yet they are at the means which God hath established to bring them to obtain it The time will come when they will not endure sâ—und Doctrine but after their own Lusts shall thâ—y heap to themselves Teachers having itching Fars and they shall turn away their Ears from the Truth and shall be turned unto Fables 2 Tim. 4. 3 4. Which hath been sufficiently and continues to this day to be fulfilled They do noâ— like any thing that is the very Truth or convinces of Sin Job 34. 32. but are for quaint idle Notions which signifie nothing but to please Men and not so much neither but as they divert from that which they most ought and are afraid to know But however the Teachers should consider what is written Ezek. 3. 17 18. Chap. 33. If the Watch man sleeps and gives no warnning or if he seeth the Enemy coming and will not â—ound the Alarm because he will not disturb out of their beloved Sleep and so through his negligence the Enemy kills or takes Captive we know what all Men think of such unfaithfulness or foolish Pity Themselves as well as indifferent Persons would be displeased thereat and would not trust unto him It may be observed of that peculiar manner of Penning this Command And what I say unto you I say unto all Watchâ— Mark 13. 37. Every particular Person is to take diligent Care unto himself besides those Instructers set over him for the Word of Truth saith Be sober be Vigilant because your Adversary the Devil as a roaring Lyon walketh about seeking whom he may devour 1 Pet. 5. 8. Satan which deceiveth the whole World is come down unto us Rev. 12. 9. 12. He uses all imaginable Tricks to keep People off from the good set before them When a strong Man armed keepeth his Palace his Goods are in Peace Luke 11. 21. By observing his methods of wilful ignorance and carnal security his principal Device appears to lead People quietly and undisturbedly to Hell. Now iâ— those Commanded by God to rouze others out of the Spirit of sloth and slumber that they may see and avoid the Danger and not fall into it But they neglect this for fear of displeasing If they will not teach knowledge and how to build up a well-grounded Hope because it will be irksome to lay open their silly Fancies and Deceits How do these in the mean while observe what is written Acts 20. 26 27 28. If the People love to have it so now they will wish otherwise hereafter as Contrariwise who were so enraged against faithful Teachers then will have the best Opinion of them and desire exceedingly that they had hearkened unto them It is one principal Stratagem of the Enemy of mankind to procure a liking unto his ways and a secret Hatred to what is contrary to hate everlasting Happiness and love Destruction or if that is impossible yet thus they do to the way and means of one and the other And thereupon he represents those as Troublers of Israel as their Enemy who tells them the Truth Gal. 4. 16. as Tormenters of the Inhabitants of the Earth Rev. 11. 10. Whereas indeed their own Sins and Enmity through wicked Works their own deadness in Trespasses and Sins which cannot endure to be quickened is the occasion of this disturbance which also would cease if they were truly repented of and forsaken But if retained there Springs up Hatred unkind usage to the true Ministers of the Gospel not caring for their Company speaking Evil of them fancying them as Tyrants who are Men of like Passions with our selves that are willing to take part with the Condition of mankind and have a Compassionate resentment of it But they dare not be unfaithful and turn against him who hath sent them They know and endeavour to appease the living God They must declare whatever he Commands in his Word They carefully seek for Mens Salvation every way and try the utmost to accomplish it yet these for their Love have their Adversaries And have evil rewarded for good Psal 109. 4 5. They meet with Evil intreaty by lying Stories Separating from Company Reproaches Luke 6. 22 23. They have the imputation of Moroseness ill Nature Envy Pride Self-conceit Willingness to find fault and such like Indeed there is nothing in the World to which a saying may not be affixed for Malice and uncharitableness runs of both sides as may be seen Mat. 11. 18 19. But to avoid the foresaid Inconveniences and Temptations without which there could be no Tryal too many have been carried along with the Generality though it be in Corruption and Wickedness Who cannot endure to recede from common use to molest mankind to see others shy and afraid of their Conversation to be slandered and spoken against The like excuses without question had those four 1 Kings 22. 6. hundred in Ahabs time and the false temporizing Teachers in the several Generations Isaiah Jeremiah Ezekiel Hosea Malachy speak of Sin and Corruption have always since the Word began had the Majority and Fashion on its side even when there was as much of the outward Worship and Service of God as at this day and then they had the like Plea. This is the great unhappiness that God and the World though he hath done all things for his part towards a Reconciliation have not yet been agreed for as he would come unto them so they fall off from him And he saw that there was no Man and wondred that there was no Intercessour Isa 59. 16. Very few or none at all that would stand up for the Cause and Honour of God. But notwithstanding as he Ezek. 22. 30. is most essentially Good and Righteous and so approves himself in all his doings towards the Children of Men it is better to endeavour rather to please him then a wicked Apostate World. Especially those ought not to be evil surmised of who are to build up the Old waste places to raise up the Foundations of many Generation and thou shalt be called the Repairer of the Breach The restorer of Paths to dwell in Isa 58. 12. Who are purposely sent by him to turn iniquity from Jacob to remove that which hath separated God and us and have hindred good things from us Who is a God like unto thee that pardoneth iniquity and passeth by the Transgression of the reâ—nant of his Heritage He retaineth not his Anger for ever because he delighteth in Mercy Mic. 7. 18. He might caâ—â— off his People for being Rebellious punish them and have no more to do with them But he sendeth Prophets his only begotten Son Scribes Wise-men to the several Generations and places to be reconciled unto him Now it is evident they should be faithful in this Work of the Lord and also discover what
that we are related and the Objects of his Concern That 〈◊〉 doth and will punish the World for their Evil and the wicked for their iniquity Isa 13. 11. is manifested when his wrath is kindled a little for sometimes Punishment doth begin to seize on the ungodly Sinner even before he goes to receive the full recompence of his doings By that abundant Misery which is every where he doth let all the Earth know that he hath indignation against Sin and this the place thereof Again on the other hand By seeing the felicity of his Chosen by that little taste of Happiness he gives unto his dutiful Children He doth thereby assure that he designs to bring them unto greater to encourage here and reward hereafter Their affliction and trouble doth manifest the Sin even these have They are chastened of the Lord that they should not be Condemned with the World 1 Cor. 11. 32. That liberal Provision and plenty the Evil and unthankful have is for Tryal or Retribution for even these do some little good So that a Man shall say Verily there is a reward for the Righteous Verily he is a God that judgeth in the Earth Psal 58. 11. The Lord looketh from Heaven He beholdeth all the Sons of Men from the place of his Habitation he looketh upon all the Inhabitants of the Earth He fashioneth their Hearts alike he considereth all their VVorks Psal 33. 13 14 15. God doth care for us and we have to do with him Heb. 4. 13. notwithstanding his infinite Greatness for he hath been pleased to admit thereof The VVord Prayer and Praise do keep up this astonishing intercourse They expel the former Hatred Aversation and Strangeness Can two walk together except they be agreed Amos 3. 3. But they may when they are Acquaint now thy self with him and be at Peace Job 22. 21. Abraham was called the Friend of God Jam. 2. 23. Many like sayings the Holy Ghost makes use of as may create Humble Boldness and love to him There is nothing affrightful in him to good Men but perfect love casts out Fear 1 John 4. 8. When this once begins to be established and rooted it is no harshness to make mention of his name then to talk and think of him must be exceeding delightful The very reason why natural and disobedient people cannot endure to hear or speak of God is for want of what is here mentioned and they judge of others by themselves But examine your selves is there any torment to speak of what one loves There is such a thing as love of God if themselves would turn from every evil way and come nearâ—â— they might be happy partakers and not only conceive but be sensible thereof It is the whole required of Man to love God with all his Heart all his Soul all his Strength and all his Mind to love him better then any yea all things besides As much as he can and to use sincere endeavours to love him more The first thing to be done before any can come unto that is to hate evil Psal 97. 10. And then we may love the Lord which gives a delicate relish of every duty we owe unto him O how love I thy Law it is my Meditation all the Day Psal 119. 97. My Meditation of him shall be sweet I will be glad in the Lord Psal 104. 34. My Mouth shall be satisfied with Marrow and Fatness whilst my tongue praiseth thee with joyful lips Psal 63 5. Praise ye the Lord for it is good to sing praises unto our God for it is pleasant and praise is comely Psal 147. 1. But God commendeth his love towards us in that while were yet sinners Of the Sacrament Christ died for us Rom. 5. 8. Now it is just and reasonable that wonderful and gracious works should be had in remembrance To this end our Lord instituted the Sacrament of his Body and Blood that we may call to mind the one was broken the other shed for us to obtain the forgiveness of our sins This do in remembrance of me Luke 22. 19. Here is a positive command and the refusal is an act of Disobedience It is called by his own name the Communion of the body of Christ and the communion of the blood of Christ 1 Cor. 10. 16. The Psalmist seems to have intended it in a prophetick Spirit when he said I will take the Cup of Salvation and call upon the name of the Lord Psal 116. 13. So that it may be applyed to this Every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward Heb. 2. 2. Again He that despised Moses Law died without Mercy Heb. 10. 28. That Soul which did not receive the Passover was to be cut off from his people And ought not the Marke 12. 6. Son of God himself be as much reverenced in the Commandments he gave us Did he not work for us a greater Salvation then the other did for our Fore-fathers in delivering them from the Land of Aegypt May it not be fearfully expected that those who either contemn or wilfully neglect this divine institution shall not be admitted into that eternal inheritance Christ hath purchased for us And where I am there shall my Servant be John. 12. 26. But he is none who will not do the things Christ saith and commands Let all consider of this and fear and lay hold of opportunity for this duty That of 1 Cor. 11. 28 29. should not keep people away for this is a certain Rule That if one truly repents and discerns the Lords Body that is esteem it more then common Bread and Wine he can never eat or drink unworthily A common and ordinary capacity doth not judge of more then he sees or handles Indeed there are too many especially in Country Towns and Villages that are sunk into gross Ignorance and Darkness as to spiritual things who was in the fault will be judged at the last day There being throughout our Land like Priest like People both backward and unwilling the one to give the other to receive instruction Yet any one that is a Man and reasonable Creature otherwise he could not do the common business of life may conceive thus much that God is who made the World and all things therein The Bible is his Word and whatsoever is written therein is most true and certain When this is heard or read sincerely it will by degrees let in more Light into his Soul Especially if he goes to the place where it is Preached and Expounded He may come to understand the sence and meaning for the Scripture in necessary things is very plain and then to conceive thereof in his mind There he may learn that under the old Law God instituted many Ceremonies and required the punctual observation of them and though the beggarly Elements and carnal Ordinances are done away for they were Types of Christ our Passover who is now risen yet since his supper is ordained to be kept in
meer outward and feigned submission If all things were done only according to direction in Scripture if there was sound Preaching which maketh not ashamed we should see other effects of it even in this degeneracy and corruption of Times Notwithstanding the conceit of Humane * Isa 29. 14. Wisdom in opposition to the Divine yet those ways which are only of Gods ordaining are much better for carrying on his Work and Glory then the pretended helps Man fancies of his own invention Those who are concerned herewith may know what they have to do and remember that Judgment Seat of Christ they must appear before they are going out of the World as their predecessors already are O that Religion which hath been so long declining might flourish once again Ye that make mention of the Lord keep not silence and give him no rest till he establish and till he make Jerusalem a Praise in the Earth Isa 62. 6 7. That the Church Militant on Earth might be more Pure Universal Bright and excellent towards the consummation thereof for now it comes near to be Triumphant in Heaven We have the Grace and Word of God which are sufficient to accomplish it and it is left to us whether we will do thereafter as we might if we would Every one may sincerely strive for his part and to the utmost and then the whole will be done As it may by reducing the Ordinances of God to their right use purging out the Old leaven and taking away that corruption which hath been so long in them In our good undertakings God shall bless us and all the ends of the Earth shall sear him Psal 67. 7. By the help given and that is further offered us by the way shewed we might do great things if we would shake off unwillingness and Sloth Then labour and be diligent and the Blessed Work would begin Things may be brought to such a pass that all shall know the Lord from the least of them unto the greatest of them Jer. 31. 34. Heb. 8. 11. They may come to discern what is pleasing unto him and do thereafter that it may be well with them and their Children for ever Cry aloud spare not lift up thy Voice like a Trumpet and shew my people their Transgression and the House of Jacob their Sins Yet they seek me daily and delight to know my Ways as a Nation that did Righteousness and forsook not the Ordinance of their God they ask of me the Ordinances of Justice they take delight in approaching to God Isa 58. 1 2. Even at this time they go by Multitudes unto the House of God and are constant to hear his Will they are inquisitive after it and make a shew to observe it and as if they had not departed from that established order of things he hath set up There is as much Profession and Devotion in the World as ever But if it is out of a right Principle of glorifying God then they will hearken to any thing which tends to that Nay if it be out of meer selfish saving the Soul and are endued with real Wisdom and they would not be willingly amongst those many who will seek to enter in at the straight Gate and shall not be able Luke 13. 24. Then I say themselves would be gladly informed if there may be any mistake or deceit in this matter in those times of general backâ—sliding and revolt from God he speaks of by his Servants the Prophets there was as much of his visible and outward Worship as in these days They did cry out The Temple of the Lord the Temple of the Lord Jer. 7. 4. and did frequent it as now people are zealous to go to Church or such a Congregation But that stubbornness and disobedience in the heart their sinning which they would excuse and make atonement for by this way did justly make God angry and to abominate their Hypocrisie When the outward duties as it is with some do make up the whole of their Religion Who know not or do not practice any thing more then going to Church hearing Sermons using Prayer receiving the Sacrament all this is but vain and will signifie nothing for these are means of Grace and in order to something more Now it would be strange though common with many to be hearers of the VVord and not doers of it deceiving their own selves Jam. 1. 22. So is Praying to comply with Gods Will and yet not endeavouring to do so or to Remember the Covenant in Baptism and yet not observe it or only with slight purposes and resolution at that present time when the words thereof are to Obediently keep Gods Holy VVill and Commandments and walk in the same all the days of our Life It is mocking and dissimulation with God if they do not sincerely labour after what they seem unto him with their lips and outward gesture to desire Indeed the Ordinances are part of the Commandments of God we use them out of Obedience and Homage unto him He commands to hear his Will to call on Him and to receive his Sacraments but then there is a further reason of all to make ready a People prepared for the Lord. It can hardly be expressed how averse our Nature is God and the things of his Kingdom how hard it is to cleave unto him as he requires and how easie it is to fall away and start aside Only take heed to thy self and keep thy Soul diligently lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen Take heed unto your selves lest ye forget the Covenant of the Lord your God Deut. 4. 9. 23. The outward duties put in mind of this and are to be retained all the days of our life for whilst we are here in the body Temptations from without and Corruption from within would betray us into sin and forgetfulness unless prevented by that Grace which is conveyed through these means Our goodness would be as the morning Dew or as an early Cloud so soon passeth it away we should soon become Barren and Unfruitful unless God was pleased to instil more daily through his Word and Ordinances My Doctrine shall drop as the Rain My Speech shall distill as the Dew as the small Rain upon the tender Herb and as the Showers upon the Grass Deut. 32. 2. Otherwise the manifold Sollicitations and Objects of this World would be apt to scorch and make us fade even in our good Ways but that received in renders the Vineyard meet for our God. If his Word falls upon the dust of the VVilderness or Stony and dry places it may seem lost and ineffectual not for want of Worth and Excellency in it self for it is the same Rain there but the incapacity is in the subject which doth not profit because it is not mixed with Faith in them that hear it or they suffer it to run off again as useless Water But if it takes Root there succeed those accomplishments of the inward Man
he in for doing only what he is Commanded to do It is secretly conceived that Religion is prejudicial to the Happiness of mankind in that it is the disturber of Society and an hindrance to the Peaceableness thereof This medling vexing Humour spoils all What Reproof is to private Persons that is faithful Preaching to the publick They fancy it serves only to terrifie and disquiet Men. But as all Government and Community is founded on Religion the difference of Good and Evil right and wrong These would be meer Words only if not attended with Rewards and Punishments And these would not restrain neither if not for God and the Conscience of Men as also their Concern of a succeeding Eternity for otherwise Rapine and Injustice discontent and weariness of Life would Attempt strange things And therefore the Wise Politicians and ungodly Men of the World would just have so much Religion as to prevent this and no more But what unworthy thoughts have such People of Almighty God that his Service must be brought down only to their purposes his Kingdom and Dominion over Men must come under theirs whereas it is now in its due place of Subordination unto that of God. How do a small number of Grashoppers here in the Earth think of and would do towards the Great Lord of the World How do Men that shall die and must appear before him in Judgment demean themselves towards him now they are but a little while in the way It is strange there should be any such Pride or Rebellion of Heart in Christendom yet there is more here as may be perceived by the wicked Talk of some then in the Nations which have not known God. To silence the Blasphemy of these and to allay the thoughts of Heart Consider That all ungodly Deeds and all hard Speeches against Jude 15. the Lord are for want of a perfect understanding of him and his ways Let them reflect who it must be that made the World and all things therein and then speak lightly of him if they can Let them observe that great Order which is in every part thereof and then they can never conclude him to be a disturber of Affairs here below 'T is only the abuse and non complyance with Religion that is the disturber of the World. Those who do violence to the Law Zeph. 3. 4. and pervert the Gospel Gal. 1. 7. Bring in confusion and every evil work There is an inclination in the Nature of Man to accept of Gods terms to arise and be saved and he not giving way throughly unto that is vexed and troubled 'T is Hypocrites Partial Christians and those convictions of wicked ungodly Men not knowing what to do which is the Disturbance of the Inhabitants of the Earth Let God be true and every Man a Lyar surmise what we will all the evil is from our selves but we have that abominable disingenuous way of taking it off from our selves and would with our Fore-fathers impute it somewhere else by this owning we are the Children of him and partakers of his Corruption Whom would we plead Gen. 3. 12. with or excuse our selves before Are we not to supplicate to God for his Mercy And is this the way by false unjust insinuations to provoke him yet more At last these things will be discerned plainly as they may be at present known out of that Book by which all are to be judged Righteous art thou O Lord and true are thy Judgments they are ordained to give Peace on Earth and good-will towards Men. If it happens contrary it is because horribly abused or not observed It tends to the Happiness and benefit of Society for what doth more then those Duties of Love Justice and Mercifulness as they are strictly enjoyned by the Son of God What can be more endearing then to strive together and help one another forward to the common Salvation In the natural body each part is joyned and doth depend upon the whole and the good of this again upon the good and order of each part so in the Soul as to things invisible but to her sensible there is an happy connexion of them One tends to the good of her in this Capacity another to that according to its several workings and all together for the benefit of the whole Gods Power and Wisdom is to be seen in such a contrivance and order of things 1 Cor. 12. To Nature and the dictates thereof he hath superadded Grace and Commandments both to will and to do further He that hath done so far will certainly bring us to Happiness at last We can well judge of the goodness of his Nature by what he doth He who hath given Being and ordered all things for our well being if we do comply with and not resist his Will shall also perfect the same at last Lord thou wilt â—ordain peace for us for thou also hâ—st wrought all our Works in us Isa 26. 12. And whosoever doth not find it so in him it is by reason of what the Prophet adds further O Lord our God other Lords besides thee â—ave had dominion over us verse 13. There is some other reigning sin but whosoever will give up himself wholly to the guidance of our God shall find this blessed effect I say again he shall certainly find this blessed effect All his Commandments even as this present time belong to our Peace which is begun and imperfect here but will be finished and throughly consummated in Jerusalem that is above the vision of Peace CHAP. XIII Of WISDOM and PRUDENCE I need not spend many words to shew that Wisdom tends to the Happiness of Mankind for this is acknowledged but the enquiry will be Whether Religion be this true Wisdom or not and if this can be made to appear to them who know not much more then the talk and rumour thereof For there are some who think all is but prate and that things happen at all peradventure and therefore are for catching what good they can and bear the evil when it comes for there is no remedy But none reasons after this manner as to the Actions and what are esteemed Accidents of this Life It is evident that things are and may be obtained by prudent care and foresight and by a wise management So the miscarriages we fall into might have been avoided if we had done such and such things All Transactions and Affairs whether of greater or smaller moment depend upon sore going means It is the Office of Wisdom to make choice of the right and best and of Prudence to make diligent use of them accordingly He that discerns not thus much is a Fool and knows nothing and to go about to convince such an one with Arguments is what Solomon saith To bray a Fool in a Morter amongst What with a Pestil yet will not his foolishness depart from him Prov. 27. 22. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of Knowledge but Fools despise Wisdom
still act pursuant to it This suggests not to labour in vain not lightly to endeavour but surely to get the thing we aim at when it may be certainly had by giving all diligence to make our Calling and Election sure He that goes but half way will no more come to his Journeys end then he who doth not move one step towards it when he hath gone so far Reason prompts to go on throughly because there is so much behind and a little more will set him at the desired end What did induce to begin doth urge to press forwards still and to use those further helps which are necessary towards it He is an unthinking Fool who is regardless of his own Happiness or Misery especially when a slight appearance of the first and not enduring to be interrupted makes him willing to be thus but as he loves his own pleasure or ease let him endeavour to preserve it still by taking care against this shall fail what will be hereafter Every Soul must go into Heaven or Hell there is no avoiding of it We are invited to the first with Intreaties Solicitations gracious Methods and all good ways God would have all Men to be saved so there is a willingness in them to be saved likewise But the difference is He would have it only in the way of Obedience and Holiness they are for any other then that or not going or not continuing therein so much as they should Now when it is taking care for themselves or a fear of the Wrath to come they imagine less will preserve from that an indifferent outward Conversation and not open Ungodliness or abstinence from such scandalous Sins will set them safe as to all But had they a true love for God they would think nothing they could do too much for him The other thoughts will be quieted by Deceits and false Presumption But further when a Man sees a good set before him to be had at such a time there he goes on contentedly with such a course of action and endeavour as he knows before-hand is necessary to obtain it Neither is he impatient if not had sooner for he knew before it would not be until then The recompence of reward is much more valuable then all those little ends Men propose to themselves here and will abundantly answer for all seeming disadvantages it hath over present things But it is reserved in another World we must in a short time go out of this and in the mean while use those means which God who hath promised it in his Word hath there taught as necessary to be partaker of it What our Saviour advises of a King making War so we may consider of the terms on which we are to enter into Gods Service only Grace here and Glory hereafter necessary accommodations for our Pilgrimage but the true rest to come of which we have this assurance we must depart from this we are now in and he is as good as his word in what things he promised as to the present And therefore we may trust further on However if he should suffer us to continue in the dust of the Earâ—â— it is but what we were before we can lose nothing we have his Word that he will not leave us there but raise us up again and reward us Whoso is wise and will observe these things even they shall understand the loving kindness of the Lord Psal 107. 43. They shall see the Justice and Equity of his proceedings in that they shall certainly have what he hath promised only it belongeth to them to be meet partakers thereof The sure way to obtain is to have Faith in God and to love him with all our Heart Never any perished that had these Moses indeed came on Mount Pisgah he saw an earthly Canaan and never came into it but now is in a much beâ—ter viz. the Heavenly Men may be and are disappointed in their pursuits after earthly things though they used diligence and wisdom and were ready to lay hold on them but none that doth so as to Heaven who hath the Hope which enters within the Vail and such a 〈◊〉 thereof as to overlook present things who takes up this firm resolution for that will I labour and care all the days of my Life he shall not miss thereof Be ye stedfast unmoveable always abounding in the Work of the Lord forasmuch as you know your Labour is not in vain in the Lord 1 Cor. 15. 58. Willingness to be happy self-preservation and knowing the time to come will be as much present as what now is these set forward but then godly Discretion and the Wisdom from above make a perfect and a blessed Work to be such as to entitle to the promises to strive earnestly the first points at the good this puts in a certain way of having it It is one prejudice against Religion that Men may do much therein and yet all do not come to Heaven that propose this to themselves It is most certain that without Obedience to God there is no Salvation to be had For the Nation and Kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish Isa 60. 12. which is true as to every particular Soul. And though several bear Fruit for a season and go aside others continue longer in a blind course of partial Obedience and yet miscarry for all this is their want of consideration of what God doth sufficiently fore-warn them in his Word as Mat. 5. 20. and in other places They might do more if they would They might obey and follow the direction of Scriptures but some are for seeking Salvation any where else would work it out of their own wiâ— and fancies Surely it is convenient to stand beholden unto him for that which himself promises and shews the way and is the only Author of If the Man would please and get the favour of God it is requisite he should hearken and attend unto what is his Mind and Will. If he would not be mistaken in the only way to Happiness it is reasonable he should give up himself to this guide of the Lord. The Wisdom of the prudeâ—â— is to understand his way but the Folly of Fools is deceit Prov. 14. 8. There have many perished through the subtlety of Satan and the deceitfulness of their own Hearts through their wilfulness and inconsideratiou not suffering themselves to be instructed aright or they will not seek out true Information as all wise Men are very careful to do in their Titles to their Estate or making sure of any temporal good And they would do the very same in reference to the eternal if they did throughly exeâ—cise that Wisdom God hath given them which dictates to make use of his Grace and Means his Word and Truth In all those Fancies Excuses and Deceits which beguil so many if they would give their thoughts full scope something would come in to deâ—ect the falshood of them but they greedily take up with the
we abhor and dread God deals with us as Children he trains us on by little and little by what we do guess and understand he leads us on to know more things then these The Law was our School-Master to bring us to Christ it taught by rudiments and beggarly elements this was necessary to bring towards more Perfection By him we have more knowledge of God and more yet when we shall come to the sight and fruition of him Who did first think of Heaven by outward things may conceive that there they shall have that most compleat and satisfactory Happiness which these are a faint Shadow and Representation of Our Bodies and all Sensible things shall be made spiritual This Heaven and Earth shall be done away and a new one succeed more glorious Then spiritual and invisible things will be as perfectly known as what is carnal and we now see We begin with Sence then comes Reason and after succeeds Faith and further we cannot go whilst here in the Body then to conjecture and be able to act hereby after things unutterable Eye hath not seen nor Ear heard neither have entered into the Heart of Man the things which God hath prepared for them that love him But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit for the Spirit searcheth all things yea the deep things of God 1 Cor. 2. 9 10. What was at first esteemed Madness and Strange things will at length appear to him that shall attend and consider throughly the exaltation of our Understanding to be Wonderful indeed but yet most True. There is hardly any thing but hath an extream And though the Soul of Man be of large extent yet she hath her bounds now in the Prison of the Body It is possible she may transgress and go beyond them and so turn into Distraction Knowledge is her proper Work but herein she may exceed that is When she would find out something which neither is to be known from the Book of Creation nor Scripture neither Truth nor Reason neither from without of what shee sees nor from within her self Where is no foundation nor ground from any thing besides Of this sort are those wild Fancies and extravagant Notions unwarranted Revelations those portentous Opinions which like Monsters in nature serve for nothing but make manifest what is Perfect and True. When the strings of a Musical Instrument are scrued too hard they are next to be broken Even the Faculties and Powers of knowing may by the unadvised owners thereof be stretched so far as to lose themselves for if people will go further and besides what God hath revealed they will not be sooner amazed and confounded then at Divine things The smoke and thick cloud at Mount Sinai and the bounds there set Exod. 19. Clouds and darkness are round about him Psal 97. 2. The Habitation of his Throne being in Heaven and his discovering nothing more of his wonderful work of Creation then this Earth the least part thereof all these may instruct in that Lesson of Moses his Servant The secret things belong unto the Lord our God but those things which are revealed belong to us and our Children for ever that we may do all the Words of his Law Deut. 29. 29. Which is well worthy of consideration for this makes the way to Heaven so streight and narrow that it consists in the middle between two extreams which is easie to run out of one into the other and the Ignorant World willingly continue to abuse the aforesaid place for they cry out against vain curiosity as an excuse for their blindness But here may be plainly discerned the limits to confine all Knowledge unto that is in the things revealed The visible works of Creation Isa 42. 20. John 5. 39. are to be observed the Scriptures are to be searched and the Understanding within us to be looked into Whatever is contained in or may be manifestly inferred out of these and which may incline us unto universal Obedience to Almighty God all this ought to be known It is true what God saith by the Prophet My People are destroyed for lack of Knowledge because thou hast rejected Knowledge I will also reject thee that thou shalt be no Priest unto me Hos 4. 6. The Teachers may impart superficial slight Knowledge their own Opinions or enlarge upon and confine unto instruction of what is throughly understood already but wilfully put off the learning and communicating of more For the Priests lips should keep Knowledge but they have been partial in the Law Mal. 2. 7 9. So in the understanding thereof they think of many things which they do not speak out they may just consider of the whole but they do it not throughly If ye know these things happy are ye if ye do them John 13. 17. said our Lord to his Disciples Every one knows the Commandments of God more then he doth observe them but yet that must be before the other And one may have a slight apprehension of good and yet neglect it but if he would suffer himself fully to know and consider throughly all the reasons that perswade to it there he cannot so easily go back but would perform it as we find in things of daily use and experience If a Man would admit of that Knowledge of God and his Ways which he is commanded and required to have he would obey and walk in them Forty years long was I grieved with this Generation and said it is a People that do err in their Hearts and they have not known my Ways Psal 95. 10. so it hath been ever since the World began and the reason is here added That of Titus 3. 3 4. doth shew the very reason of their ceasing to be Foolish Disobedient Deceived serving divers Lusts and Pleasures But after that the Kindness and Love of God our Saviour towards Man appeared When they were informed of that and another Happiness provided they changed their former course There may be a Professing that they know God and in Works they deny him T it 1. 16 and a saying I know him and keepeth not his Commandments 1 John 2. 4. but if it is full and perfect This is life Eternal that they might know thee the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent John 17. 3. Again Destruction is threatned to them Who know not God and what is the consequent thereof Obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ 2 Thess 1. 8. so 1 Sam. 2 12. John 16. 3. 1 Cor. 2. 8. Acts 3. 17. and several like places do import that where is a true and full Knowledge there will be Obedience also as again upon the neglect and refusal of the first is Disobedience and every evil Work Indeed it is possible for a Man to act contrary to the best of his Knowledge but then he is a great Fool and Men do not usually thus so he may do a thing upon a little Knowledge and Inducement to it
now for this short time If both cannot stand together there the least must give place to the greater for more concern is to be had for a Year then for a Minute only Said one Who received the Spirit which did lead into all Truth Know ye not that the Vnrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdom of God nor Thieves nor Covetous nor Extortioners shall inherit the Kingdom of God 1 Cor. 6. 9 10. So what are accounted the ways of thriving in the World are an absolute hindrance to their Title unto that Men are to be judged by the Scriptures and according as they have done or transgressed are to be admitted or shut out Now this Book Condemns all the proposed Schemes of advantage What is a Man profited if he shall gain the whole World and lose his own Soul Or what shall he give in exchange for his Soul Mat. 16. 26. The Word of God is different from â—ain and common received Opinion The Tempter first instils those principles of Dishonesty Have they not read how he was a Liar from the Beginning He insinuated to our Parents that the forbidden Fruit should do them no harm he beguiled them with a promise and appearance of Good but we have found the contrary The Commandments of God have a shew of inconvenience and Transgression may seem expedient at first but examine things throughly and see how it will be then The great Objection against this Duty and therein it hath a shew of Folly that hereby we become liable to be imposed on suffer Loss and are deprived of opportunity of more Gain Our Lord's Counsel and Command is Be Wise as Serpents and Innocent as Doves Be cautious that you do not receive any Injury and be sure to do none Every Man may preserve his own and use a lawful redress where it is taken away by Wrong The fault found by the Apostle 1 Cor. 6. 6. is when they go to Law before Unbelievers but in the fore going verse he seems to admit thereof before a Christian Magistrate or rather in the first place they should refer it to an Arbitrator Or if it be for trifles there one may suffer himself to be defrauded and pass it over as not worth a wise Mans regard for that is not extended to little things Christianity and Prudence are not in themselves inconsistent but the Error is that some frame notions of Wisdom according to the Opinion and Practice of the World and by that would state the obligations of Duty whereby they make the Commandments of Christ of none effect or by distinctions would correct them But let nothing be done contrary to the least of them whatâ—ver inconveniences may ensue If we suffer Shame or Loss for the Doctrine of Jesus we may trust him a more enduring substance in Heaven will be a sufficient requital It doth seldom happen that any considerable disadvantage doth fall upon any for keeping stedfastly to his Laws when that only and no other is the Reason or if it should it would be made up another way here or hereafter The Meek shall inherit the Earth Mat. 5. 5. He dwells safely and none cares to molest or disturb him And though the baseness of some little poor Souls may extend so far as to Cheat Defraud and take Advantage over his simple Honesty as they phrase it yet this is done privately and in small instances which either he doth not know or not mind and so lives well and contented for all The Vnjust knoweth no Shame Zeph. 3. 5. He may come at length to be so brazen-faced that he doth not value the judgment of Men but so far only is kept in least humane Law take hold of him yet through restraining Providence he will sooner do Wrong to any one then the universally sincere and good Man. Who did ever want Food and Raiment convenient for him only by keeping Gods Commandments It is somewhat hard to Flesh and Blood but it is safe Blessed is the Man that trusteth in him O Fear the Lord ye his Saints for there is no want to them that fear him The young Lyons do lack and suffer Hunger but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing Psal 34 8 9 10. It is Gods Will that they shall comply with his Ordinance of Labour and not be slothful in Business so they being in some Calling and adding there to Honesty and Diligence do not want what is good or necessary for them The Eyes of the Lord are over the Righteous but then they must not tempt God or expect a Miracle that he should feed them as once he did the Prophet with Ravens but they are to use the means he hath appointed Though we do live by Faith and God is not willing that any thing should be made too evident for that would destroy this noble Principle and take off from the excellency of Obedience yet to establish our Trust and Dependance on him he discovers himself more then in any thing We may as it were see with our Eyes his Watchful and especial Providence over his own Servants Those peculiar ones redeemed from all Iniquity do get a livelyhood Or if they are disabled and hindred from Work or Imployment he provides some other way Still he acts most wisely who lives so in this World that he may live for ever He that walketh Righteously and speaketh uprightly He that despiseth the gain of Oppression that shaketh his hands from holding of Bribes Isa 33. 15. Who useth Lawful and prudent means according to the Trade and Occupation he is in and rejects whatever is of Craft and Evil. It is sometimes seen that he may prosper and increase in the World. His Seed shall be mighty upon Earth the Generation of the Vpright shall be Blessed Wealth and Riches shall be in his House Psa 112. 2 3. This was often fulfilled in old time under the Jewish Dispensation who had great measure of temporal Blessings At this time it may be observed whether for their Worship and Service of God or the favour he retains to the Children of Abraham the Sons of Jacob and Joseph or whatever Reason we may in Humility guess at yet they are generally in good estate and plenty though scattered in the World. But to us Christians are promises of better things of the Life that now is and that which is to come one in order to the other as the divine Wisdom thinks fit Those who are Heirs of Salvation for whom the greater things are reserved do commonly live by his Grace and good Providence here in expectation and pursuit after that More is not desired then sufficient for this They look further then barely to live but do something worthy of Life which is only towards that to come As they get means for the first they press forward to the high and eternal Calling There is much talk of living and living well in the World this is the principal Mark at which most aim to get in
the other doth also The Souls that God hath made may be compared to so many Rivers which as they all come from him so are they to run through the Earth and to disembody themselves again into that infinite Ocean of Being and Happiness Now there is one Labours to divert the Stream to make it run another way or stop its course The first is sinful Pleasures the second is Negligence and Sloth The Soul hath some fore-Knowledge which way she is to go and an Inclination towards the right and thence whatsoever doth hinder and seek to turn aside doth also disturb If she would keep to this first Principle carefully observing the Original tendencies of her Nature and suspect every thing that doth in the least thwart that all the Devils in Hell could never deceive her for she might know the Connexion of Sin and Sorrow Indignation and VVrath Tribulation and Anguish upon every Soul of Man that doth Evil Rom. 2. 8 9. This contradicts the Pure and Spiritual part of us which raises those several kinds of Sorrow So the cure for it is by taking heed against Sin which is the Troubler of the Man By Repentance as to the past and watchfulness for the future Sorrow doth arise from other Afflicting Objâ—cts of Body and Estate and is the resentment of them but confine it to the Soul and it is occasioned by Sin only as that is divided in Evil Falshood and Folly all which are contrary to that Good Truth and Wisdom wherewith she is â—ndued and is to improve thâ—se Talents to the glory of our Master who will give a Reward according as every one is found Meet and Faithful There is a Vexation all along which would be sensible if not smothered when we do not Trade to his Use So on the other hand there is Joy and Complacency when we do Great Peace have they which love thy Law and nothing shall offend them Psal 1. â—9 165. And the Raâ—soâ—ed of the Lord shall return and come to Sion with Songs and everlasting Joy shall be upon their Heads They shall obtain Joy and Gladness and Sorrow and Sighing shall flee away Isa 35. 10. That propension and natural tendency which is in Mans nature Of Melancholy to know God and to come into the way of his Commandments the workings of Grace and regrets of Conscience that Dissatissaction and Restlesness of mind for not doing what he ought and all those several things which incline to Repentance and Obedience do pass in the World for pure Melancholy It is an Aspersion cast upon sincere Religion where it hath an influence upon the Life and Actions where is universal carefulness against Sin and who will not comply with the meer outward Divertisment of Evil Lying and Foolish Talking he shall be Obnoxious to the Character of a dull and mâ—serable Soul. All Thoughts of God and the things pertaining to him are by the Ignorant and Ungodly thus esteemed and further are those Having a Form of Godliness but dâ—nying the Power thereof 2 Tim. 3. 5. Whatever is more then their size they would impute to the blackness of Blood an heavy flegmatick Constitution or such like This is one of the Devises of Satan to keep people off from Reliâ—ion in general then fâ—om the Truth and Sinceâ—ity thereof by raising such a Report which is commonly received and whilst he suggests not to give way to Melancholy he turns Men aside from the way of Peace Life and Blessâ—dness All Religion is irksome and tedious to those who are unaâ—quainted therewith and so it is with them who practice it a little but not throughly The Scripture is fulfilled as it speaks of that Enmity against God Rom. 5. 10. Rom. 8. 7. that Root of bitterness Heb. 12. 15. Acts 8. 23. that Aversâ—ess and Alienation Col. 1. 20 21. that Hatred and Opposition of Good the Stubborn and Perverse Spirit the Trouble and Restlesness those Fears and sad Expectations in the Wicked which are the cause of all this They may come to the Ordinances and outward Profession and yet remain the same still not transformed by the renewing of the mind The Word is found true as â—â—â—peaks of the reason of these things and why may it â—ot be believâ—d as it mentions the Love of God being râ—â—â—â—iled to him delighâ—ing in God and that which is Good that Joy Peace and Gladness of Heart those loving and familiar Appellations of Father â—riend Hâ—â—band the expressions of Kindness to us and our Thankfulness and Praise The Lord Reigneth let the Earth Râ—jâ—â—ce Psal 97. 1. Truly God is Goud to â—srael even to such as are of a clean Heart Psal 73. 1. Are all these written in Vain or for our Comfort Do others by sad Experience confirm the Truth of what is aforementioned and have none the happy feeling thereof Surely there are some whom the Scripture calls Blâ—ssâ—d who have the favour of God and are careful to preserve it in all Duty and Obedience It may be observed there are two manner of ways in the World Some in all their Actions have Conscience towards God others not The Scriptures declare the effect of both by Peace and Trouble one part is sensible of the disorder within And why may not others feel know and testifie of the good Promises For themselves might also if they would do the same things It were easie to make things clear if that Prejudice was taken away of judging by Examples and humane Sayings more then from divine Testimony and Truth Hypocrites and many who seem to be Religious but the Apostle by failure in one Christian Duty pronounces their Religion to be Vain Jam. 1. 26. do most oppose what is the Doctrine of Scripture They accuse their Brethren of Melancholy who abound in the Work of the Lord who spend their time in Meditation of his Law. They call Contempt of the World Stupidity the avoiding of sinful Compliances and appearances of Evil a sowre morose Temper not fit to live amongst Men The not running too much after sensual Pleasures is sencelesly stiled an heavy and sluggish Disposition which is not refined enough to receive thâ—m And what is done by the Grace and Fear of God are the effects of meer Melancholy Every avoiding of Sin and good Action to which a Misconstruction can be applied is by them censured It is not so much minded what the prophane Sinner saith but what comes from them who make â— fair shew in the Flesh yea the Teachers of the Law this is entertained by Inquisitive and Considering Men. It is dangerous for Numb 13. 32. any to bring an evil Report upon the good Land but worse for those who pretend to have searched it for though not in express words yet by manifest Conclusion they do the same as We must serve God and that so much which is pleasant but what is more is Melancholy for so are those Calumniated who go further and find more Benefit then themselves It is
11. 3. He gives preserves and continues our Health But yet what is corruptible and weak will wax old and decay Health consists in such an exact disposition of Humours which is easily disturbed by Violence from without Defect or Excess from within The Goodness and Wisdom above doth ordain Strength out of Weakness and continuance from tottering things otherwise it were to be admired that we are not Sick always instead of being so sometimes A Sparrow doth not fall to the ground without the Will of our heavenly Father Nor any Chastisment light upon the Sons and Daughters of Men without his Permission or Order He suffers such an one to fall under the harm of a second Cause or adverse Accident If we would search and examine to the utmost then confess and give Glory unto God we might many times find our Disease to be the natural effect of some Sin or Provocation We became at first subject unto Sickness by Sin only So if we reflect upon Gen. 2. 17. all our foregoing Actions and Circumstances There is some evil which insensibly alters and breaks the sound Constitution or brings it on Speedily and Violently The next thing is to be humbled for the same to accept the Punishment of our Iniquity Lev. 26. 43. I will bear the Indignation of the Lord for I have Sinned against him Mic. 7. 9. We must sincerely resolve if God should spare us this time to watch more carefully against the same for the future now to be unfeignedly sorry for it and to cry mightily unto God. The King of Israel is a Merciful King he will be Appeased and Reconciled Behold Happy is the Man whom God Correcteth Therefore despise not thou the Cbastening of the Almighty Job 5. 17. Then he fully perceives that false shew of Happiness with which Fools and Blind are deluded all along Which they might know in the mean while if they would consider it throughly as they do ever and anon slightly Outward things cannot give so much aid as they vainly promise They are all passed away as a Dream and cannot help in the greatest time of need My Flesh and my Heart faileth but God is the strength of my Heart and my Portion for ever Psal 73. 26. If the Conscience is accused by sin let the Sick Man cast it forth by Confession and Prayer and the Sea will cease from raging The mind will become more quiet Whether the Body dies or lives he is safe when he hath done all things to obtain the Mercy and acceptance of Almighty God. It is a sad Story of those who in time of Dangerous Sickness have made great shews of Reformation and Amendment and after Recovery have returned again unto Folly. And they have not cryed unto me with their Heart when they howled upon their Beds Hos 7. 14. Which word imports no true in ward Sorrow but an outward noise upon apprehension of Danger which goes off with it However God cannot be imposed upon he knows the Thoughts long before searches the Heart and tries the Reins discovers the bottom and inward reserves according to which he will judge So it is not what they pretend but what they will really be Those who have been for a superficial and slight Repentance which they did hope might avail if they should Die but if they Recover then to return to their former evil ways I say these should have done well to have considered What moved them to any Repentance at all the same should engage them to continue and perfect it For admit you should certainly live it is but a Reprieve only You will be Sick again or what is worse cut off suddenly And then things will appear exactly at the same manner again yea worse for the former Hypocrisie and Dissembling As also for that more Sin and Guilt is increased How many years may be added unto your Life is not known but it will be a sad thing to have lived Ionger to have committed more Iniquity and so Die hardened Impenitent or feigned at last At first recovery is uncertain for many have lulled themselves with hope thereof till Death hath been upon them Many things might be urged to disswade people from doing Foolishly and Presumptuously Their own Eternal Happiness or Misery lies at stake It is not a matter to trifle or deal deceitful with Be prevailed upon as you tender the good of Soul and Body to have your Repentance true and sincere By the Trouble or Pain of them think of the Worm which shall never die and the Fire which shall not be quenched and which are to be escaped from only this way Believe in God and Jesus Christ that all things contained in the old and new Testament are certainly true Faith and Repentance are necessary for all Men both in time of Health and Sickness which whoso hath according to Truth is sure for these intitle unto the Promises of him with whom we have to do Health doth consist in a regular Disposition and due Motion of each part of the Body None can see into himself or tell the exact manner how as to every particular I was made in secret and curiously VVrought in the lowest parts of the Earth Thine Eyes did see my Substance yet being imperfect and in thy Book were all my Members written which in continuance were Fashioned when as yet there was none of them Psal 139 15 16. None of us can look into the Womb or whilst in Life can see how all the Members and Parts within do work and move yet after the Body is dead we may perceive somewhat by Dissections which is guess and uncertain for if a number of Men should come into the Shop of an excellent Artist seeing his Tools and Instruments only One may think this another that and so may be divided but can never find out the exact manner of his Art. He that sees a dead Carkase unless he were put in mind by himself carrying about one of the same likeness would be at a stand to answer the Question Was this lump ever in Life He could never by his own Wit and Invention find out the way how it was He would also admire how each part both within and without did move and actuate So wonderful and fearful are Gods Works which puzzle the Understanding of Man. Whether it were to keep of Boasting or other causes yet God doth hold our Souls in Life by hidden and invisible Bands that whatever others pretend unto they cannot perfectly find out and see them The Lord Killeth and maketh Alive He bringeth down to the Grave and bringeth up 1 Sam. 2. 6. He hath kept this in his own Power All the ways he hath set out for Nature to go according unto are not yet known Indeed many of them have been searched after and some found but not all for then those Diseases would be Cured which were not first Mortal and Irrecoverable The prevention of and recovery out of Sickness doth depend upon
at them They had Learning and Wisdom and some dwelt in every Nation under Heaven yet there is little notice or mention made of them in other Writers In the Treatises of Idolatry and Superstition whilst knowing Men could confute the Folly and Falshood of that they could disprove that but yet not light upon the true Wisdom Many things might be shewn from the Succession of time to discover that Sulness Averseness Ignorance and Pride in the Heart of Man towards God for many would not confess whom they must know some would not mind at all others Groped for the Wall like the Blind Isa 59. 10. Others through their own self-Conceit and Knowledge which perverted them would not stand beholden to Gods Grace and Revelation but try to seek it out themselves The Reasons hereof may be conceived Mans Corruption who became weak and unable Satans Temptation who did befool him and also the excellency and wonderfulness of right Religion It is exceeding Holy and Spiritual so that Man could never attain unto the Knowledge thereof but by Gods help And he would not seek first after that and therefore deservedly received the error of his ways The Light shineth in Darkness and the Darkness comprehendeth it not John 1. 5. It is afraid and shrinks thereat We can look on this side or that side but not against the Sun shining in its brightness It is on high we must soar often and make many essayes before we can ascend up when there are so many things to press down But the principal Reason of the slow progress of Religion is that the Scriptures might be fulfilled It is a great Work whereby Acts 3. 17. 18. God is to be Glorified as to the Earth and all the Inhabitants thereof The Kingdom of God is like to a grain of Mustard Seed which a Man took and Sowed in his Field Which indeed is the leaft of all Seeds but when it is grown it is the greatest among Herbs and becometh a Tree so that the Birds of the Air come and Lodge in the Branches thereof Mat. 13. 31 32. Gods doings are not of a sudden Shall the Earth be made to bring forth in one day Isa 66. 8. The Fruits are growing up at full and perish by flow degrees within the Circumference of the Year So it is with Beasts and Man they increase and decrease by little degrees which are not perceived in the middle time though it is afterwards The Earth shall wax old like a Garment and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner but my Salvation shall be for ever and my Righteonesness shall not be abolished Isa 51. 6. This is the Tree of near Six Thousand Years growth that was Planted in the Earth and came up by little according as the tenour of divine Revelation came into the World And though that is finished more then Sixteen Hundred Years since yet it hath been and is yet again to be Col. 1. 23. Heb. 10. 13 16. Preached to the whole World And it is expected what Fruit it will yet bring forth Whether it will at length be universally received as it hath been heretofore rejected It will spread yet further Isa 60. Psal 80. and be more eminent in the Lives of Men. The hidden Wisdom of God will come forth and he will unfold the mystery of the Kingdom For he will finish the Work and cut it short in Righteousness because a short Work will the Lord make upon the Earth Rom. 9. 28. For I would Brethren that ye should not be Ignorant of this Mystery lest ye should be wise in your own conceits that blindness in part is happened unto Israel until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in And so all Israel shall be saved as it is written There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer and shall turn away Vngodliness from Jacob Rom. 11. 25 26. He is already come who gave the Word and shewed the Way who made invitation for all yet by what he hath done for us and the continuance of the Spirit which is to abide for ever and Searcheth all things yea the deep things of God 1 Cor. 2. 10. More heavenly Truths may be yet known which are brought forth out of the Treasure of his Word that People may more know and be added unto him As certain as the Earth is sufficient to maintain all its Inhabitants Psal 67. by the Tillage Industry and Improvement of Man and God blesseth them in their Endeavours for they do it accordingly So in his Kingdom of Grace the means are sufficient that every Soul Isa 61. 11. may come unto Glory if they were as carefully used faithfully put forth by humble Prayer and Diligence by labouring with the Faculties of the Mind as it is done the other way by members of the Body the like Food may be had to nourish all people up to Eternal Life If they hold fast to the Form of sound Words in Scripture and urge it with that Authority and Reasoning which flows from it things will be yet better then now they are The Word which is thought foolishness is wiser then Men and the weakness of God is stronger then Men. If it is not stronger then they Why are they afraid to encounter with it Why do they turn their Backs and flee from it What means that neglect and wilful Ignorance They must be unmindful or otherwise they cannot go on in sinning They cannot otherwise avoid going to the Pleasant Land then because they will not hear a true report thereof and the encouragements to it Not all the Ungodly and Wicked of the World can withstand those Arguments in Scripture against them That this is not a vain and forward Assertion it may be somewhat judged from these four ensuing 1. From Consideration of Wisdom and Folly. 2. The intrinsick Goodness of the things commanded and the Evil of what is forbidden 3. The Promise of Eternal Life 4. The Threatning of Eternal Death The first prepares the way for the Man is capable of receiving Good and subject unto Evil He hath a natural desire to one and abhorrence of the other So He is prompted to look about and order his Actions accordingly He is told how things stand Wisdom moves him to search and examine it being a more important Question for him to know then his Title to his Estate on which way to get a Livelihood because these thingâ— are greater Ionger and will as certainly be upon him as the little short and fading Conveniencies are now for he must aic And then do appear forth the things contained in Scripture all one as the things we now see handle and converse withal Inconsideration is the utmost Folly and Danger for we know that temporal Evils are the more grievous when they fall on us through our want of Care and Fore-sight much more must it be to Eternal for they are without end and remedy The Word is laid before Mankind They must either