at this Day First The Voice of God at this day bespeaks you Oh ye Saints to Act Faith 2 Chron. 20.20 And hear O ye Saints pray as the Disciples Luke 17.5 Lord increase our Faith for if we believe all things shall be possible Mark 9.23 Hard things shall be made easie Heb. 11. from the 33. to the 38. Yea the crooked wayes shall be made streight rough wayes smooth and whilest we are going in this Wilderness to comfort us Faith will give us a view of the Good Land Heb. 11.1 Yea it will lead us up to the top of Mount Nebo yea let me say as David Psal 145.11 12. Consider Faith is that which Honours God that God hath engaged himself to honour them who honour him 1 Sam. 2.30 Faith will tell us He will never leave us nor forsake us Faith will prevent despair in our Souls Psalm 27.13 We should faint if we did not believe to see the goodness of the Lord in the Land of the Living Faith will teach us that all things shall work for good Rom. 8.28 Faith will help us to know that our Redeemer lives John 19.25 and to say with Thomas My Lord and my God John 20.28 What should I say more it is pretious 2 Pet. 1. yea it is very necessary Heb. 11.6 Secondly The Voice of God speaks us to be patient and therefore O ye Saints beg patience let it have its perfect work in your Souls James 1.4 Patience will gain thee a look from God when frowardnesse will make him stand a-loofe off it is that will make a long way short James 5.7 8. The Spirit of patience is opposite to a murmuring frame of Spirit Mark Israel got nothing by a murmuring Spirit Psal 106.23 29. Patience will prevent from tempting God and limitting of God it will help thee to submit to the Lord and it will teach thee to know that the Lord is just in afflicting Mich. 7.9 Remember the Counsel of your Lord Luke 21.19 In your patience possess ye your Souls Thirdly The Voice of God speaks us to love And O ye Saints How ought you to love one another Oh! that this Grace of love might abound in your Souls John saith Love is of God 1 John 4.8 Yea he that loves not his Brother hath not the love of God in him Consider O ye Saints it become the Servant to be obedient to his Master hark Christians it is the command of your Lord to love one another John 15.12 Would you be accounted the Friends of Christ then love one another Saints there lies the greatest engagement in the World upon you to love 1. The Father hath loved you he chose you out of love Ephes 1.5 Hos 14.4 John 3.16 2. The Son hath loved you Oh! height of love Christ's love to us was self-abasing love Phil. 2.7 compared with Prov. 8. from 22. to 31. it was wrath-appeasing love Ephes 2.14 it was a Justice-satisfying Love Mat. 27.46 It was bleeding Love Luke 22.44 Heb. 9.12 It was dying Love Rom. 5.6 8. 3. The Spirit Loves you 1 Cor. 3.16 What shall I say more they all wrought equally in the Work of our Redemption and Salvation and this was Love again Oh ye Saints consider The World hates you John 15.18 19 20. Oh! therefore love one another it is enough Saints the Lord whips you but that is love too Heb. 12.6 But consider the Enemy hates therefore do you love let not Saints he smiting one another that is the work of the unprofitable Servant Oh! let not Saints come under this reproof to afflict the afflicted Zach. 1.15 Sion is now in the Furnace and Saints it is the great design of God to burn up this dross the want of love Zeph. 3.8 9. What shall I say more O love the Lord all ye his Saints and ye who love the Lord love one another Fourthly The Voice of God at this day speaks Saints to be Humble Dost thou hope to be exalted Saint then be Humble Psal 113.7 8. Numb 12.3 Wouldst thou have the Commendation of God then lie low humility will help thee to say less then the least of all Saints Ephes 3.8 Would you O ye Saints be taught of God be Humble Would you have God to dwell with you be Humble he takes care to revive the Humble I shall have done onely beging that God would imprint that word upon all our Souls Phil. 2.3 4. Let nothing be done through strife or vain-glory but in lowliness of Mind let each esteem others better then themselves A Word to the Faithful Unbyassed Reader as to the ensuing Treatise Friend Thou wilt find those things contained in this Treatise very soundly and sollidly handled thou wilt find but little of the inticing words of mans Wisdom but doubtless thou mayest find much of the Teachings of God in plainness of Speech As to the Author of it I have this to say That he hath been in the Furnace wherein I hope he hath lost much dross and so is become a Vessel more fit for his Masters use Reader What thou readest weigh in the Ballance of the Sanctuary and thou wilt find God speaks much by it If thou gettest nothing blame thine own heart for the Heart of man is deceitful If thou art a gainer give God the Glory and let the Author have thy Prayers The Treatise discovers the Carnal Mind what it is and to what it leads If thy Heart be Carnal tremble and be timely warned if by it thou findest thy self in a Spiritual Frame beg of the Lord to keep thee so To conclude be like the Noble Bereans which were more Noble than they of Thessalonica why because they searcht the Scriptures to see if those things which were spoken by Paul were so Now the God of Grace fill you with streams from that full Fountain the Lord Jesus Christ So prayes he who is the least of all Saints begging as he stands in need of a great part of your Prayers Benjamin Minzes The 16th day of the 11th Moneth 1662. The AFFLICTED and RETIRED Mans Meditations Concerning the EXCELLENCY of the SPIRIT c. A Discovery of the Carnal Mind ROMANS 8.5 To be Carnally minded is Death but to be Spiritually minded is Life and Peace I Shall omit what might be spoken unto the Verses going before my Text and immediately come unto the Words here mentioned to be spoken unto From whence two Things may be observed for the opening of the Words First The blessed Apostle makes mention of a twofold Mind and the Events thereof First he speaks of the Carnal Mind and tells us that tends to Death Secondly And when he comes to speak or make mention of the Mind truly Spiritual he tells us that tends unto Life yea such a kind of Life which is attended with Peace From the first Branch of the Text this general Position I shall lay down to be soberly and seriously weighed and considered Doct. 1. That such Persons who live in or feed upon the Carnal
the work of repentance has been wrought in his Soul I am one that have had very much familiar acquaintance with him with whom I do and for some season have walked in the Faith and Order of the Gospel and I hope in sincerity of heart I speak it I have not I say since the work of repentance was manifested known any thing but his Conversation his Life his Behaviour namely his whole Conversation is as becomes the Gospel of Jesus Christ And that he hath made it his whole work at all opportunities to propagate the Gospel to be instructing building up and helping forward of poor sinners in the pretious ways of dear Jesus and what he could not do by way of publick Preaching he hath laid hold of an opportunity by way of Writing not desiring to hide his talent in a napkin Further Reader know our lot is fallen in this last age of the world upon whom the ends of the earth is come in which the hour of temptation shall be which shall try all them that dwell upon the earth Rev. 2.10 Therefore 't is not a day for Ephraim to vex Judah nor Judah to vex Ephraim but every one of us in our places to meditate on the Royal Law of Love Jam. 2.8 and very profitable will it be for us to be looking into the Prophecies of the last times and to be learning of obedience that being fore-warned we may be fore-armed against the storm comes for who may abide when he appears Mal. 3.2 Rev. 14.1 but such who have been the faithful followers of the Lamb and they alone shall come to enjoy that glorious Paradise that was lost by our transgression in the first Adam and shall be restored again by the Lord Jesus into the primitive glory at his second and glorious appearance and Kingdom which God the Father will give unto his Son Jesus which is the man from Heaven whose heavenly Paradise will far exceed the Paradise of the Earth and be far more glorious it is that New Jerusalem the Wals thereof are garnished with all manner of pretious stones the Streets thereof are pure gold Rev. 21 18 19. as transparent glass which Paradise shall not be of the Earth nor from the Earth nor of a carnal mind as is shewn by the Author in this Book and yet it shall be placed upon the Earth for Rev. 21.2 Heb. 11 10. It shall come down out of Heaven from God being that City which the faithful Patriarchs look for which has a foundation whose builder and maker is God and it shall be the glorious habitation of Christ in the day of his reign The sight of this City by faith in the Promises of God made the holy men of old to acknowledge themselves to be but strangers and Pilgrims on the Earth and to seek a better Country ver 37 40. Heb. 11 24 25 26. It was that glorious Inheritance that Moses saw when he slighted Pharaoh's royal Court and Daughter choosing rather to suffer Affliction with the Lords People here than for to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season and so come short of the Inheritance hereafter From hence Observe That those who will follow God here must look for their Reward hereafter For our blessed Lord saith Behold I come quickly Rev. 22 12. and my reward is with me to give to every man as his work shall be Therefore one word unto the World to poor sinners for my Lord and Master had a tender love to such The time would fail me to tell you what he underwent for you who wept over Jerusalem saying Oh that thou hadst known in this thy day the things belonging unto thy peace Luk. 19 42. Sinner through grace it is yet thy day England it is yet thy day London it is yet thy day It is yet your day Rulers Oh that you would be perswaded to begin to learn those things that belong to your peace Ma. 3.2 break off your sins by repentance for it belongs to your peace Kiss the Son least he be angry with you for it belongs unto your peace Beg of God to give you faith in the Promises for it belongs to your peace For being justified by faith Ro. 5.1 we have peace with God Come learn obedience to Christ for it belongs to your peace Leave off breaking up the Meetings of the Saints and persecuting of them for it belongs to your peace Break off the banishment imprisoning and hard using of the People of God Isa 1.16 for it belongs to your peace Wash you make you clean and put away the evil of your doings cease from all these evils from blaspheming swearing reproaching and learn to do well for it belongs to your peace for God will reckon with you for it 'T will not be long before it be hid from your eyes and then you will call Prov. 1.24 25 26. but God will not hear you shall cry but God will not answer but will laugh at your calamity and mock when your fear cometh as desolation Therefore be invited to come and embrace the Lord Jesus and the Lord give you understanding in what is here presented or enclosed and in all the truths of God for you here will read what it is to be Carnally Minded Ro. 8.7 and how such as live in the Carnal Mind must never expect to live with Christ therefore examine try and learn to know how to be Spiritually Minded which will produce Eternal Life with Christ in that Kingdom here treated on and in the Father's Kingdom to all Eternity Which is the desire of him who is the meanest in God's House the lowest of all Saints yet through grace a lover of Righteousness and a friend to Zion and a well-wisher to all Truth a Brother to all that love Christ in sincerity John Glyde The 16th day of the 11th Month 1662. To all who love the Lord Jesus in sincerity and who desire to be Faithful followers of the Lamb Grace Mercy and true Peace be multiplyed Dearly beloved in the Lord AMong many of the Providential appearances of the Lord to me I judge this to be none of the least that I should speak by Epistle in Print which was the least of my thoughts Surely Saints the Lord is about to speak when he opens the mouths of Babes and Sucklings Psalm 8.2 And seeing God hath put this opportunity into my Hand I shall endeavour to deal Faithfully between God and you and my own soul And so I shall crave your patience to consider three or four things which the Lord hath put into my Heart to commend to your consideration Me-thinks I hear the Lords people speaking in the Language of them in Isa 21.11 Watchmen What of the Night Give me leave to whisper among you O ye Saints among the loud cry of your Watchmen that the Lord speaks at this Day four-fold that is to say four things God speaks to be our work
his Carnal Mind the deeper he falls into sin and the more he sins the higher he aggravates his misery and if his Carnal Mind is not changed and so leave him before Death seize on him the man is for ever undone without recovery Now all these things considered it should make us dread the thoughts of being Carnally minded So I proceed to the second Particular namely to lay down some Particular Helps which may with the Blessing of God prevent a Carnal frame of Heart The first Means to prevent a Carnal Frame of Heart First Soul wilt thou prevent a Carnal frame of Heart from seizing on thee Labour and likewise endeavour to get thy heart in Heaven whil'st thou art upon earth It is that which is much the concernment of a Christian to settle his Heart upon his Treasure Now where is a Christians Treasure but in Heaven therefore a Christians Heart should be in Heaven Oh! this was the Blessed Doctrine that flowed from the Lips of our dear Lord Jesus Where your Treasure is Luk. 12 34. there will your hearts be also It is usually seen in things Temporal that where mens Treasure is there is their Hearts as for example the Rich mans Treasure is his Riches where is the mans heart upon his Riches The Honourable mans Honour is his Treasure and his heart is upon it Another mans Treasure is his Pleasure and his Heart is setled there so a true Christians Treasure is in Christ and his heart is affected with none but Christ It was the Fathers pleasure to enrich his Son with the Treasure of Wisdom and Knowledge to the end that we might be enriched by him Col. 2.3 For of his fulness shall we all receive Grace for Grace Do we live by him and shall we not be in love with him Joh. 1.16 Shall all our comforts and special enjoyments of Grace and Happiness flow from him and shall not we live to him Shall Dear Jesus protect us and also bless us with Spiritual Blessings in Heavenly places and shall we not own him to be our Soveraign Lord the King Oh! shall Christ manifest love to us and shall we manifest unkindness unto him Shall Christ set his Heart upon us and shall we set out Hearts upon any besides him Oh! shall Dear Jesus be willing to give Royal entertainment to us and shall we be unfree for to entertain him Oh! what an unbecoming frame is this that the Lord of Life shall vouchsafe for to stoop unto us and what shall we not bow unto him Shall the Prince of Darkness have entertainment by us and shall not the Prince of Peace have room in out Hearts What Soul is Christ free to die that thou mayest live and wilt not thou live to him that died for thee If this should be true doth it not plainly appear our Hearts are not where they should be on Christ a Christians Treasure Soul learn to live more in the sence of his Love to thee and then it will grieve thee that he is not more loved by thee labour to keep in remembrance the excellency of his love Rom. 8.32 Ho 14 4. Jer. 31.3 the freeness of his Grace the fulness of his Bowels and Affection and the everlastingness of his kindness towards thee and then see whether or no he will not be the object of thy love and delight continually To get our hearts in Heaven will conduce much to the weaning of our hearts off from the Earth The more we exercise our thoughts upon Heaven and Heavenly things the more we shall loath those things that are Carnal Yea the more we exercise our minds upon those things that are Spiritual the less we shall mind the things that are Carnal and the more we set our affections on things that are above the less we shall affect the things beneath In a word Soul wouldst thou enjoy more the Spiritual and less of the Carnal mind Labour for to carry thy self a stranger to that which is a stranger to Christ and be not a companion for those that will not keep company with Christ The second Means to prevent the Carnal Mind If thou wouldst be set free or delivered from a Carnal Frame of Heart exercise thy self then in those things that tend much unto the Honour of God Prov. 3.9 1 Sam. 2.20 1 Thes 4.4 Study more the Honour of God than thy own good let God be Honoured by thee what ever becomes of thee If thou wouldest have thy Heart kept from a Carnal Frame be active for God labour for to promote the Works of Holiness let every opportunity be improved for Christ and let our works be so managed that in what we do let us propound unto our selves such aims and ends that may tend to the advancing of the Name and Glory of Christ Jer. 13.16 Acts 12 23. 1 Cor. 1.31 that it may evidently appear to the view of all that our minds in such proceedings are not Carnal If we would Honour God in what we would do for God let nothing be attributed unto the creature but let us set the Crown upon the Head of Christ If any thing be done that savours of the Spiritual Mind know that it is Gods own Work and Stamp in thy Soul therefore ascribe all Glory to him are we redeemed from the Carnal Mind in any measure the work of the flesh or the old Nature then here is no cause of boasting for us For it is not by Works of Righteousnesse that we have done but according unto his mercy he hath saved us by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit which is richly shed on us Tit. 3.5 6. through Jesus Christ our Lord. So that God hath left nothing to feed the Carnal Mind with but if we have any thing to Glory in it is in the Free and Rich Grace of God in Christ for it is by his Grace that we are justified and not by our works Tit. 3.7 It is by the Grace of God in Christ we become Heirs according to the Hope of Eternal Life It doth much tend unto the Glory of God and the preventing of the Carnal Mind to give that Honour to Christ that is due unto him and then it will appear that we so do when we can lay our own Righteousoness or what ever it is that we can call ours at the Foot of Christ and be found in him not having our own Righteousness which is by the Law Phil. 3.9 and to be found in the Righteousness of God by Faith Oh! this is that which tends to the Glory of God when we thus advance Christ and make him the top of our Glory and not our own Righteousness yea this is that which is a great means to prevent the Carnal Mind The third Means to prevent a Carnal Frame of Heart Thiâ—â—ly The third Means by which we may prevent a Carnal Frame of Heart is For to fix our eyes upon Spiritual Objects
true sence of the same Secondly As the Spirit works up the Soul to a true sight and sence of sin so it makes the Soul out of love with sin Joseph without all doubt did injoy much of the assistance of the Spirit when he met with that sore temptation that was presented unto him by his Mistris who tempted him to uncleanness see Joseph's modest Answer to her wicked desire How shall I do this great evil Gen. 39 7 8 9. and sin against God An evident Testimony to prove the man out of love with sin for by no means can he condescend unto that which tends not unto the Glory of God We find David to be out of love with sin in as much as he doth declare his sorrow for sin Psal 38 18. The more we are in love with the Spirit the more we shall be out of love with sin the more the Spirit of God is at work in us the more sin shall be bewailed by us Poor Job makes a sad out-cry about his sin he cries out I have sinned what shall I do unto thee Job 7.20 O thou preserver of men Why hast thou set me as a mark against thee so that I am a burthen unto my self Mark Sin is to the Soul truly Spiritual become a burthen here is an evident Character of a Soul out of love with sin and such a Soul will say unto sin Hos 14 8. as Ephraim said unto his Idols Get ye hence sin get you out of my sight for there is a great contrariety between the Flesh and the Spirit the Spirit proclaimes open war against sin in the Soul the Spirit gives the first Onset and never leaves fighting till it comes away a Conqueror and so gets the Day Rom. 8.37 Job 33.27 28. and the Lord will preserve the Soul from going into the Pit and his life shall see the light if he shall say he hath sinned and perverted that which is writ and it profiteth me not all which must be by the help of the Spirit and if once the Spirit of God doth but enter the Castle of the Soul then all thy Carnal enemies must lay down their Arms and march out for the spirit will not admit of any under its command but such 〈◊〉 be obedient thereto oh then sin will not be thy love or deâ—ight but thou shalt see it an open enemy against God and the good of thy soul all no quarter shall it have from thee or entertainment by thee Rom. 8.7 when the spirit of God is upon thee Thirdly As it is the Work of the Spirit for to make us out of love with sin so it is the work of the Spirit to inform the Soul fully and freely of Christ It is the spirit of God that doth acquaint us with Christ's readiness to give it entertainment for the spirit in the Bride faith Come and drink of the Water of Life freely Rev. 22 17. it is the Word of God that tells us we may be welcome but it is the spirit of God that makes all welcome the free and full spirit of God is that which conveys life into the soul and makes the bitter waters that sometimes we meet with in the way to Heaven prove sweet Oh! it is the spirit that leads the soul unto the Water streams of Christs Divine Love and gives it a taste of his Excellent sweetness and begets a longing desire after Christ Oh! on such it is Christ intends to bestow his choisest Gift upon Rev. 21 6. I will give unto him that is a thirst of the Waâ—ers of Life freely such in whom the spirit doth beget this thirsting frame in the soul shall have the priviledge for to taste of the Living Water of Christ himself who is Living Water and what Christ doth he will do it freely the soul shall have the injoyment of the Living streams and his fill thereof if he will but come for it Oh! it is the spirit of God that will enjage a soul for to come unto Christ and it doth likewise beget a Holy Admiration in the soul of Christ that it cries out with David How excellent is thy loving Kindness Psal 36 7 8 9. O God Therefore the Children of Men put their trust under the shadow of thy Wings they shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy House and thou shalt make them drink of the Rivers of thy Pleasures for with thee is the Fountain of Life and in thy Light we shall see Light Such is the excellency of the spirit when it comes that it doth maintain the soul at a high rate with God the provision and royal entertainment that the soul finds in the House of God begets in the soul a dislike unto Carnal Inâ—oyments And if any person desires to be fed at this rate he must come unto Christ John 7.37 by the help of the spirit the way lies open for if any man thirst let him come unto me and drink and he shall witness in him the overflowings of Christ's sweet streams in his soul By this time you may plainly see the spirit gives us a full and free description of Christ the Excellency of his Love to us Fourthly As it is the Spirits work for to inform us of Christ so the Spirit doth beget in us a choice delight in Christ After the spirit hath given us a sight of Christ it begets in the soul a love or delight in Christ Oh! the spirit of God makes the soul in love with the very Courts of God and then it cries out with great Admiration Psal 84 1 2. How aimiable are thy Tabernacles O Lord of Hosts my Soul longs yea fainteth for the Courts of the Lord My Heart and my Flesh cryeth out for the Living God The spirit sets the soul in a holy flame yea in a longing frame after God and in an excellent frame to Praise God in a word it makes the soul for to esteem of God as its chief good Fifthly As the Spirit works up the Soul for to take delight in Christ so it helps the Soul for to walk unto the Honour of Christ Oh! the spirit is an excellent help unto a Christian to help him forward in the work of holy walking Psal 31 21. Blessed be the Lord said David for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness The spirit of God will direct a Christian in the way and not suffer him to walk out of it the spirit will also support him and comfort him in his Journey and make his way pleasant in the midst of all discouragements it meets with John 16 13. the spirit will not leave us in the dark in dubious matters it will teach the soul what course it must steer that it may arrive at the right Port at last the spirit will beget in us a still and quiet frame of Heart in all our storms we pass through that we may be in a fit capacity to hear what
it sayes when it doth direct its speech unto us Jer. 10.23 our God doth well know the unfitness that is in us to do him service therefore in rich love he sends his spirit abroad for our help and assistance This we may conclude upon if we have the help of the Spirit 1 Sam. 2.30 we shall then walk to the Honour of God such that Honour him shall be Honoured by him Oh! it is our living in and walking by the spirit that makes our Lives Honourable and also Comfortable for the Spirit will not admit of any work but that which tends to the promoting of the Honour of God if we walk according unto the spirit we must walk according to Rule John 14 6. and observe what direction the spirit gives the spirit may be tearmed Gods Overseer or the Fore-man of the work for nothing must be done without its Direction Consent or Approbation and if we do not observe the spirits Direction we shall soon be turned out of our Imployment but in case it be observed then will our walking tend unto the Honour of God and without doubt for our everlasting good Lastly It is the Spirit of God that helps a Christian to a choice and sweet communion with Christ Such indeed as injoy the spirit 1 John 1.3 have fellowship with the Father and the Son It is the work of the spirit to acquaint the soul with the Father and the Son and the more we live under the conduct of the spirit the more we shall in joy Communion with the Father and the Son for as a Father takes delight in his children so doth the Lord delight in them that fear him As the Lord doth take delight in us so likewise the spirit will inable us for to delight in him and his Ordinances by which means our Communion with Christ is inlarged Mark what the Apostle layes down The Cup of Blessing which we bless 1 Cor. 10.16 is it not the Communion of the Blood of Christ The Bread which we break is it not the Communion of the Body of Christ By which we may see that Gospel Ordinances doth present Christ to us and sweetness doth redound from them to us also by the help of the spirit which doth plainly demonstrate unto us that we are not onely related to God 2 Cor. 6 16 but God is also related unto us as we have God to be our God so we are his People and Temple in whom his Honour dwells Oh! that Communion must of necessity appear to be choice where God himself hath the management of it Have we fellowship with God Eph. 5.11 This may teach us then For to have no fellowshlp with the unfruitful works of Darkness but rather reprove them So I have done with this Particular also Thirdly How or by what means doth a Christian come for to attain the Spirit of God First A Christian comes unto the injoyment of the Spirit as a free Gift that is bestowed upon him by God The spirit is Gods own gift which he sends forth freely to all such who are of the Blood Royal that have been made partakers of the Divine Nature the Royal Nation that are of the Royal Priesthood 2 Pet. 1 4. 1 Pet. 2.9 a people of a peculiar stamp as God gave his Son for us so he gives his spirit to us that is very freely so that the spirit is our due Oh! it is the Fathers Legacy that he hath left behind him to put us in mind of him till he and we meet by this gift we may come to see what right and propriety we can claim in Christ Gal. 4.6 Because we are Sons he hath sent the Spirit of his Son into our Hearts whereby we are able to cry Abba Father The knowledge of the in-dwelling presence of the spirit of Christ in our Hearts helps us to a sight of our Relation to him 1 John 4.13 Hereby we know that we dwell in him and he in us because he hath given us of his Spirit Mark that word without controversie then the spirit is Gods gift Oh! it is a pretious gift indeed for it doth not onely discover Christ to us but to be in us Mark farther If the spirit were to be gained by our good works or what ever it is in the power of our hand to do it would not come to us as a free gift but as our due so we should claim a Right to the spirit for our work which is not to be for God will give it freely and leave no room for our boasting James 4 16. for were it to be obtained by works we have whereof to boast so then we may conclude upon it the spirit comes in as Gods gift a pretious gift indeed for it doth not onely discover our dwelling with God but Gods dwelling with us and in us also John 3.33 And that Soul that hath received this testimony hath set to his Seal that God is true Such as live in the spirit can tell you that it was given them by the Father as a Token of his special Love and Favour and they can set to their Seal the truth of it Query But if the soul should query Must I do nothing at all fot it that I may injoy it Answer To this I answer Nothing doth God require of thee but ask and you shall have it seek and you shall find it for it must come as his free gift Luk. 11 13. Observe what Christ saith to this case If you who are evil know how for to give good things unto your Children how much more shall your Heavenly Father give his Holy Spirit to them that seek it That you may see it is but ask and have let but God know your wants he will send down supplies from himself his spirit shall come as his gift Objection I have saith the soul sought the Lord but I have no answer neither can I obtain the thing I desire and sure it is but in vain for to wait any longer Answer To this I answer It may be soul the reason is why you seek and cannot obtain because you do not seek in the right way nor in the right spirit it may be you ask James 4 3. but you ask amiss to spend it upon your lusts such ends God will not answer therefore when thou seekst for the spirit inquire into thy own heart whether thy end be to Honour God with it or whether thou wouldst have it to get thy self a name or applause by it It is true Simon Magus did make after the spirit Acts 8.18 but could not obtain unto it because his ends was unsound and instead of having of it must hear his own Doom read unto him ver 19. ver 20. ver 21. ver 22. ver 23. that is the man was in the Gall of Bitterness and in the Bond of Iniquity Oh! when thou comest to God consider with thy self what doth
Spiritually Minded are united unto Christ and such as are made one with Christ are blessed with Peace The man truly Spiritual and Christ are one that can say in truth I am my beloveds and my beloved is mine Cant. 6.3 they lie together yea and they live together there is no parting of them that it is with Christ and a Believer as it was with Naomi and Ruth Ruth 1.14 15. ver 16. ver 17. That when Orpah shall part with her Mother in Law with a Kiss Ruth shall cleave unto her So the man that is Spiritual but in pretence shall put off Christ with a complement or a kiss the man truly Spiritual shall cleave fast unto Christ and no Arguments that can be produced shall make him leave Christ's company or to return from following of him for where Christ goes he will goe and where Christ lodges he must lodge Christ's People shall be his People and Christ's God his God and nothing must part Christ and that Christian but Death nor that neither for after death Christ and a Christian renews their acquaintance and are better acquainted then ever Oh! Psal 27 11. here is a Soul truly United unto Christ and shall go away with the Blessing for God will bless his people with peace The tenth Priviledge of a Christian Tenthly To be Spiritually Minded is to know the Works of Righteousness and such know them for to be works of Peace Holy Words and Holy Works doth tend much to the promoting of the Honour of God yea they are such Works that do produce comfort unto the Soul and helps a Soul unto a true sight of Christ For without Holiness Heb. 12 14. no man shall see the Lord. Mark I pray Good works doth not serve for the justifying of our persons but for the justifying of our Faith before God Jam. 2.26 For Faith without Works is dead We are not Holy to the end we might be happy for we are first made happy and then holy we are not justified because we are called but we are first called and then justified that so good works do not go before justification Rom. 8.28 but follow after we do not work that we might live but work because we do live that it is plain we do not work for Life but from a Principle of Life that take works in the right sence they tend to Peace the sayings of the Prophet lie plain The Works of Righteousness shall be Peace Isa 32.17 and the Effects of Righteousness Quietness and assurance for ever Those Works that are performed from a right Principle to a right end they tend to God's Honour and our Spiritual advantage The eleventh Priviledge of a Christian Eleventhly Such as are Spiritually Minded do know God to be in Covenant with them And such as know the Covenant of Grace know it to be a Covenant of Peace To know the Covenant of Grace a right is for to know our selves intrusted therein and United to Christ by it that is to know God our God in Covenant with us and to have our ear open to hear what God shall say unto us Isa 55.3 Hear and your Souls shall live and I will make an everlasting Covenant with you even the sure Mercies of David The Covenant of Grace is a firm Covenant there is no breaking of it it abides for ever though God for good Reasons may hide his Face for a time from a Soul in Covenant with him yet God will not hide his Face continually for he is obliged in his Covenant not to depart for ever Isa 54.7 vers 8. For a small Moment have I forsaken thee but in great Mercy will I gather thee In a little wrath have I hid my Face from thee for a moment but with everlasting kindness will I have Mercy on thee saith the Lord thy Redeemer Mark Is God gone he hath ingaged himself upon the word of his Faithfulness for to come again though God may for a moment withdraw yet he and a Covenanted Christian must not part for ever he will manifest everlasting kindness which denotes to us God's unchangeable love Jer. 31.3 to such that he hath entred into Covenant with of his Love there is no end If God be thy Redeemer Mark he binds his Covenant with an Oath For this is as the Waters of Noah unto me for I have Sworn Isa 54.9 10. the Waters shall no more go over the Earth So have I sworn That I will not be wroth with thee nor rebuke thee For the Mountains shall depart and the Hills be removed but my Kindness shall not depart from thee neither shall the Covenant of my Peace be removed saith the Lord that hath Mercy on thee God's Covenant which he hath made with his People is called a Covenant of Peace Oh! blessed News to such indeed whom God hath taken into covenant with himself Christ and they shall never part but more of this hereafter God willing The last Priviledge that I shall lay down of a Christian The spiritual minded Man is one that walks in the pleasant Paths of Christ and such as walk therein shall find them Paths of Peace There is no Path so pleasant and profitable as the Paths of Christ are every step thou takest therein more or less thou shalt enjoy the sweet company of Christ he will not let his Spouse the spiritualized Christian walk alone Prov. 3.17 but Christ thy King will come and take a turn with thee for Wisdoms Wayes are called The Wayes of Peasantness and her Paths Peace The Wayes of God are attended with a Blessing that makes them pleasing Thou meetest him that rejoiceth and worketh Righteousnesse Isa 64.5 those that remembers thee in thy Wayes Oh! it will prove a sweet Soul refreshing Meeting Cant. 5.2 when Christ and a Christian meets Oh! what sweet greeting is there then with them then It is my Love my Dove my Faire one come away When Christ and a Christian meets in the way of wisdoms pleasant Paths Oh! Then it is I come into my Garden my Sister Cant. 5.1 my Spouse I have gathered my Myrrhe with my Spices I have eaten my Honey-comb with my Honey I have drunk my Wine with my Milk yea when Christ and a Christian meets then it is Eat my Friend abundantly and drink oh my Beloved Oh! What admirable Entertainment doth the Soul find here in wisdoms pleasant Wayes yea as Christ doth embrace the Spouse when they meet Cant. 1.2 Cant. 3.7 so the Spouse imbraces her dearly beloved and sets him forth choicely Let Him kiss me with the Kisses of his mouth for his Love is better than Wine Her Judgement of Christ is Thou art all Fair my Love there is no spot in Thee To such a Soul Christ is beautiful in the Cross as well as in the Crown Oh! when Christ and a Christian meets Oh! Cant. 8. â— then it is Thou art my Brother that sucked the
Throne as the Disciples did Wait at Jerusalem for the Promise of the Spirit and if thou hast but the least dram of it consider Acts 1.4 it is a rich Favour and the way to gain more of the spirit is for to make good improvement of what we have already attained if the Lord see that we do improve what we have unto his Honour it will not be long before we shall injoy more to our comfort wait therefore for the Promise of the spirit for it will assuredly come and though it seem to tarry wait for it Hab. 2.3 for that God who hath ingaged himself by Promise Oath and Covenant will perform his ingagement to a tittle This know for thy comfort poor soul our God is a God keeping Covenant Exo. 20 6. Gal. 6.9 with thousands of them that love him and keep his Commandments therefore wait upon the Lord the Blessing is at hand For we shall reap if we faint not wait I say on the Lord. Oh! learn to get thy heart much affected with the choice and excellent things of Heaven Col. 3.1 which will conduce much to thy spiritual advantage the inlarging of the Heart of Christ to thee and he will cause thee to feed upon Divine contentment then no food will be digested by the Spiritual pallat but that Manna that comes from above and therein thy soul shall much delight the sweet Meditations of the Glory of Heaven will rap thee up that no room shall be left for Carnality but the Heavenly Habitation shall be thy Scituation for ever Oh! let the great and grand endeavour of our souls be to see vanity writ upon all our creature comforts short of Christ Eccles 12.8 the consideration of this if it be much pondred on will abundantly weaken our love unto the world 1 John 2 14. and much strengthen our love unto our dear Lord Jesus Oh! it will much ingage our Hearts to God and disingage our Hearts unto all short of him Then yea and not till then shall we be in a fit frame to Honour Christ when the great clog of Worldly injoyments shall be removed out of the way Oh! then let dear Jesus come when he will he shall be welcome unto that soul and then if Christ request the soul for to take up the Cross Luk. 9.23 he will do it freely and be contented therewith yea if Christ his Love or Beloved call him into the Wilderness or where his Honour will or to what work he please the soul having an injoyment of the spirit will not be daunted at it Oh! no work shall seem a burthen or grievous to him but he will chearfully undergo it with joy and delight and glad he is that he can any way serve his Lord Rev. 22 12. or be serviceable to him Oh! this will prove a blessed frame indeed in the end when our dear King shall come with the Crown of Reward Oh! let us strive to get and also attain unto a heart much inlarged for God let it not content us that we have a heart ingaged but much inlarged for God Oh! let not a day content us in the Courts of God but let us learn to take up our abode there Psa 27.4 that with the Prophet we may chuse to dwell in the House of God all our Dayes Oh! that we may at all times be imployed in that service that may tend unto the Honour of our Lord that we might not be at leasure when sin Satan or the World would put in or croud in upon us in a croud of Worldly concernments that we may give the enemy his Answer and acquaint him that we are so busie in the high concernments of our Lord that we cannot spare so much time as to hearken unto their unreasonable demands much less do what is desired by them Oh! this would be a much becoming frame indeed to be wholly taken up with God and Godliness then shall we triumph in the spirit Psal 84 10. and walk to the Praise and Honour of God In a word let us make it our business also for to look into the Holy Law of God and make it the Object of our Meditations In that Law we shall find directions sufficient to inform us how we may set forth the praise of our Emmanuel and then shall we come in a feeling experience to find out the sweetness of the spirits excellency Mat. 13 11. 2 Cor. 10.4 which will unfold to us the deep Misteries of the Kingdom of God that are wrapt up in his Law and then shall we also be taught skill and understanding to bring forth the Weapons of the Sanctuary to encounter with the Enemy of all sorts Oh! then it will be that Christ and a Christian shall be better acquainted Psal 34 8. Psal 119.127 when once we get a taste of the incomparable sweetness of God's Love to us we shall prize it at a high rate yea as the Prophet did above Gold The Law of God will then be so near and dear unto us that it will not onely take up our Hearts but time also the night as well as the day will be little enough for us to Meditate therein the Lord help us Psal 1.2 for to come unto a true knowledge of this by blessed experience So much as to this Use also The fourth Vse of Consolation Soul Is Christ thy Life this may Administer unto us choice comforts in as much as the Living Streams and choice springs of Divine Consolations are running forth to us Psal 46 4. from the Pretious Fountain for our relief if Christ be thy Life he will be the Life of thy Graces yea all that we have is preserved and maintained by him and because he lives thou shalt live also thy life is a hidden life there is no enemy can prevail against thee Rom. 8.33 because Christ thy life is ingaged in the Front of the Battel yea our Lord Jesus the Captain of thy Salvation is usually first in the Field and before the Enemy can get into Battel Array our Captain is upon them Heb. 2.10 and puts them to the rout before thy are aware of him at his return he comes off with the Victory with his Colours displaying and if at any time the Enemy makes any bold attempt to rally up notwithstanding before they can do any thing in order to their design Christ a Christians Captain the Man of Gods Right Hand is upon them and fall they must before the Bow Sphear and Sword of the Almighty for our dear Lord Jesus is greatly concerned in the behalf of a Christian for a Christians Life is in the Hand of Christ safe and secure all the Potent Enemies in the World are in no capacity to take away his Life or Portion from him Joh. 10.28 and this doth much tend unto a Christians great consolation and that which doth further contribute unto a Christians consolation there Life
on Earth he will bestow A Token of his Love his chosen shall it know 1 John 16. Yea as an earnest of Glory to come True saving Grace shall flow from Christ the Son Heb. 4.16 1 Cor. 15.55 Grace he 'l afford to help us in our Life And comfort us therewith in time of Death Rev. 21.4 The promise of his Grace will us revive And in the hour of death make us alive Joh. 14.18 2 King 2.9 His Spirit choice will us uphold in trouble If faithful we shall be on us he will it double While we do live a comfort it shall be Rom. 8.37 And take away the sting of Death you 'l see Mat. 25.34 The faithful shall the Presence of Christ find And after death to such he will be kind 1 Pet. 5.4 If faithful we do keep unto the Death Christ will bestow on us a Crown of Life Observation IV. Gen. 3.6 Gal. 5.1 Though Transgressors the Law doth say we be Dear Jesus will from Bondage set us free Gal. 3.13 2 Cor. 5.19 Yea from the curse redeem'd we are by him And from the Father's Wrath that 's due for sin Though Enemies we were unto the Lord of Life Ephes 2.1 Hos 2.19 By Faith united are and his espoused Wife Though to the Bond-Woman we did relate Gal. 4.22 By the Free-woman the promise we partake Now from the Pow'r of sin our Christ has set us free Rom. 6.14 Job 1.7 That by the power of Satan we cannot harmed be The World shall not then such insnare 2 Cor. 4.3 1 Cor. 7.29 That are Christ's Free-men do not fear The promises most sweet insured are to them 2 Pet. 1.4 Ephes 4â— That are made free by Christ the Son of man For Heaven such shall trade without control Pr. 3.13 And traffect in the rarest things more choice then Gold All rareties in Earth are not for to compare Prov. 8.28 Pro. 1â— 16 Unto the Merchandize of Heaven that is rare Those that are free to trade for Pearls indeed Are sealed ones of Christ and of the Royal Seed Prov. 4.5 Whose Freedom is confirm'd and that by him Ephes 1.14 Mat. 25.34 Who is indeed our Lord and eke our King Such as do trade for Christ now day by day Their needs to him they 'l tell yea every way Heb. 4.16 We may be free to tell our minds to him A promise of relief to us he 'l bring John 6.37 Your persons he 'l present without a spot To his Father our sins out he will blot Ephes 5.27 That full Communion sweet we may injoy Joh. 12.26 1 John 1.3 With Father Son and none shall us anoy The promise of the Spirit it shall flow in Acts 2.17 2 Cor. 3.6 Then our choice sweet communion will begin From Bondage yoaks our Lord will us Redeem Gal. 5.18 â—al 2.16 Unto the Law of Works let us not lean For the end of the Law Christ is to those That in him do believe and with him close Roâ— 10.4 From the Bondage of sin he 'l set such free 〈◊〉 6. â—4 Isa 43.25 And will produce to them their Liberty 1 Cor. 15.54 Rev. 21.4 Our Jesus dear from death will us deliver From that Bondage he will us free for ever Isa 26.19 Hos 13.14 Yea from the Grave he will also discharge His tender Lambs and set then then at large Job 6.4 The terror of the Lord it shall not come Near to afright all such that Christ doth own Cant. 1.13 But in Christ's bosom such indeed shall lie Their God their Guide Oh! they shall Magnifie Heb. 12.22 Gal. 4.26 In his Sweet Glorious Blessed Scituation The New Jerusalem the New Creation Ephes 2.19 1 Thes 4.17 Christ's Citizens Oh! then shall sing for ever The high praises of God and part shall never A DIALOGUE BETWEEN Christ and a Sinner Christ OH welcome Sinner thou may'st be to me and of my Fountain drink John 6.37 Rev. 22.17 Isa 55.1 2. Come take thy fill it nothing shall cost thee what ever thou dost think Sinner But Lord I am a Sinner great indeed not worthy for to come For I am one that made thee Bleed who art the holy One Christ What though thy Sins are of a Scarlet dye Isa 1.18 Luk. 22.44 Rev. 1.5 Heb. 9.12 or like the Crimson too My Blood upon the Cross it â—â—â—keth high a Pardon that will do Sinner It 's true dear Lord if La Pardon have I chearfully shall come A Pardon sealed therefore I do crave of thee the mighty One Chr. Come wait on me and on me now depend Isa 43.25 Isa 57.16 Mar. 11.24 your Sins I will blot out And from the Fathers Wrath I 'l thee defend If that thou dost not doubt Sin But Doubts and Fears dear Lord do me surprise I little Peace can have Corruptions greatly doth in me arise Thy help dear Lord I crave Chr. Eph. 2.8 Psa 86.11 Act. 15.8 9 Rom. 6.14 True Faith on thee poor Sinner I 'l bestow it shall dispel thy fear Faith as my gift shall come I 'l have thee know thy Sins shall not appear Sin How shall I know whether my Faith be true and of a Divine stamp That deceived I may not be anew for often I am damp Chr. Faith is the substance of things hoped for Heb. 11.1 Isa 26.3 1 Pet. 1.9 it makes forth things not seen Faith stills the Soul it makes no stir it feeds upon Gods Being Rom. 5.9 Psa 9.18 Psa 27.4 Psa 34.6 If Faith be true on Christ thou wilt depend for all things thou dost need And on this Christ alone thou wilt attend till he supply thy need Jam. 2.17 vers 21. Cant. 2.14 Psa 84.10 True Faith attended is with Works most choice according to God's Will It leads the Soul to hearken to Christ's Voice and in his Presence dwell Sin Christ doth indeed me now invite But Lord how must I come To come in truth the way aright to thee the pretious Son Chr. John 14.6 John 10.7 Luk. 12.32 Heb. 11.6 The way to come for to obtain the Fathers Love indeed And also the Kingdom to gain for Faith it must you lead Sin But in the Way we meet with that which doth us much dismay The thoughts of Sin doth lay us flat our Sins yea day dy day Chr. Isa 53.5 Luk. 22.43 It was my Father's Pleasure to bruise me for Sinners fault He caus'd my Blood forth for to Run 1 Pet. 2.22 though I did never halt Isa 53.11 Heb. 8.12 Upon my back he laid thy Sins and there condemn'd they be The Debt I paid and that to him Heb. 9.26 Mat. 27.27 which Jew and Gentile see Sin How shall I know Christ di'd for me and blotted out my Sins That his choyce Love I might now see when his Kingdom begins Chr. If
good to manifest thy Light Christ Ezek. 16.4 John 14.16 John 15.10 My Skirt of Love I spred on thee thy nakedness to hide That my sweet prensence thou might'st see and with me might'st abide Christian Thy eye of pitty to me was made known at a high rate In washing me from filth that day and life thou did'st create Christ When I past by and saw the lie Eze. 16.6 7 polluted in thy blood In love to thee I did draw nigh and holp thee for thy good Christian Oh! praised be thy great high Name for what thou didst for me Thy tender Love I must proclaim and what of thee I see Christ A conversation choice and sweet Phil. 1.27 Amos 4.12 will honour me indeed Oh! then I will thy poor Soul meet on Manna thou shalt feed Christian Oh! help me Lord to live to thee a Godly Holy Life And in Communion let me be indeed thy married Wife Christ Isa 54.5 John 6.37 Cant. 7.10 A Husband then I 'le be to thee for none I will cast out That doth in truth now come to me thine I am without doubt Christian How shall I know Lord thou art mine and I am one with thee The perfect Union let me find and now united be Christ Isa 43.1 Jer. 31.33 Jer. 31.3 I know thy name Oh! thou art mine in Covenant we be My love indeed shall not decline more of it thou shalt see Christian Of Covenants two Lord we do read In thy most Blessed Word Which of them Lord hast thou now made to me O Blessed God Christ My Covenant that I have made Jer. 31.31 Heb. 8.10 Jer. 31.32 is new and choice also Not like to that of Israel's said they brake yea long agoe Christian What difference pray may there be between the Old and New The difference Lord Oh! let me see let 's know what we must do Christ The Old it comes from Mount Sina Gal. 4.24 Mich. 4.2 Gal. 4.26 a Covenant of Works The New it comes from Mount Zion a Covenant of Grace Christian Doth God require no works of me that by them I may live That by my works may Heaven see Or for my works he 'l save Christ No works at all do I require Ephes 2.9 Tit. 3.5 Rom. 5.1 1 John 1.7 nor can they produce Life But Faith in me doth God require it 's I must end the strife Christian The terms of thy sweet Covenant dear Lord What may they be Let 's understand Oh! out of hand come let us know of thee Christ The Covenant of Grace it is conditions on my part Jer. 31.33 Heb. 8.10 Wherein I am ingag'd to thee to write upon thy Heart My Royal Law of Grace indeed and be to thee a God Psal 32.8 Luke 1.97 Thou unto me a People be I 'le also be thy guide As for thy sins and transgressions no more will I remember Jer. 33.34 Isa 43.25 But will make known to thee I own a blotting out for ever Christian My Love my Lord my King my Choice thy path let me behold And daily hear thy lovely voice thy love to me unfold Christ Cant. 2.4 Into my banquetting-house come and take thy fill my Love Cant. 4.8 Of Flagons sweet I will thee meet and there embrace my Dove Cant. 2.6 The banner of my love display I will on thee indeed Cant. 2.5 And quickly come I 'l not delay on apples thou shalt feed Christian My Love my Dove my Joy my Crown oh come oh come away The Foxes spoil thy Church renown make hast and do not stay Rev. 21.2 My Bride I come with motions swift my Vineyard to maintain Cant. 2.15 Psal 2.6 The Fox I 'l slay my crowning day my Kingdom I shall gain Christian Oh Bridegroom dear when thou appear my robes do thou put on And cause my Lamp to burn most clear and with thee make me one Christ 1 Joh. 2.20 My Bride the unction thou shalt have that will thy Lamp here trim Mat. 25.4 Joel 2.28 And cause thy Light to shine most bright this oyl I will put in Mat. 25.10 The door against thee shall not shut but entrance thou shalt have Mat. 25.12 Mat. 25.8 When other Virgins be kept out for oyl they then will crave When they for oyl shall make a-do Mat. 25. thy Bridegroom then will come And in the kingdom thou shalt be when oyl they shall find none Christian Dear Lord oh hear the cries and groans that the oppressed make And hearken to the daily moans their bonds oh do thou break Psal 23.4 Christ My present rod shall prove for good to humble them thereby Deut. 8.16 Then privy search I 'l make for blood Rev. 6.10 and all my foes shall dy Isa 10.10 The work on mount Sion must be before that I will come Then will I break Assyrians heart and ruine Babylon Christian Come Lord and purge thine own people by thy refining fire Let affliction refine us clean as thou dost now desire Christ That is my end in what I do in love I do chastise Rev. 3.19 Micah 6.8 Isa 48.18 That better fruit you may bring out and learn for to be wise Christian Thy wisdom Lord oh from above let me enjoy I pray Then love I shall the Turtle Dove and him obey this day Christ My wisdom pure and peaceable Jam. 3.17 thou shalt possess indeed That teaches thee gentle to be Jam. 3.17 and on it thou shalt feed Christian How long thy absence shall I see thy presence I desire Oh when in Canaan shall we be and walk with thee entire Christ My Love the glorious land is near 2 Sam. 22.19 Isa 52.9 10 my presence thou shalt see And in my bosom thou shalt ly there thee and I will be Christian It is my grief and sorrow great that a stranger I be That I indeed cannot relate what I would have of thee Christ Rev. 22.1 2 Psal 36.8 Psal 46.4 Thy wants I know supply shall come yea from the living tree The Rivers of my love shall run and comfort thou shalt see Christian When thou dost speak I do forget thy message choice and sweet Therefore to me afford some help oh Lord I do intreat Christ John 14.26 Luk. 1.78 79. Luk. 1.75 I am at hand poor soul indeed thee memory I will give Yea by the hand I will thee lead as long as thou dost live Christian My burthen Lord is very great that earthly things I mind Oh help me Lord I do intreat thy presence let me find Christ Col. 3.3 Psal 94.19 Psal 27.4 Isa 35. last On things above oh thou my love delight thou shalt therein And live with me yea day by day and Hallelujah sing Christian Dear Lord arise and manifest thy power and thy might Pull Babel down and wear the Crown put Babylon to flight Christ Rev. 3.11 Rev. 18.4 Rev. 14.1