go near unto the Saints when labouring under the burâ—en of sin they seek for him whom their soul loveth and he is gone and not to be found This this stâ—ikes deep and makes a wide gash and wound in the Soul Yet this is not all the misery the Lords pâ—ople find and feel when fallen inâ—o the folly of heinous sins For beside this of losse they undergo 2. The fear of wrath another smarting wound upon the soul Wrath or Vengeance or Punishmâ—nt follow sin as the shadow doth the body A wicked world called for a deluge of water Gen. 6. 5. The loud crying and grievous sins of Sodom and Gomorrah fetched fire and brimstone from Heaven upon them Gen 18 20. 19. 24. Job by a question sets it beyond all doubt oâ— dispute that destruction is to the wicked and a strange punishment to the workers of Iniquity Job 31. 3. Evil saith the Psalmist shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him Psal 140. 11. It follows a wicked man upon the sent like a Bloud hound and shall never leave till it overtake him And the Saints know that the Lord is just that though he delights not in the destruction or punishment of his Creature yet he delights in his Justice according to which punishment is executed upon sinners They know that God who is the God of Order suffers nothing to be out of order and therefore that he will bring their sins which in themselves are nothing but Aâ—axy and disorder that he will bring them into order by punishment By sin they have run out and broken out of the order of his Mercy and now they cannot but fear that he will force them into the order of his Justice For there is no respect of persons with him but every soul that doth evil must expect tribulation and anguish Rom. 2. 9. Thus in the former wound of losse God hides his face from them and now in this they are as ready to flee from and hide themselves from him For though the eternal and secret bond of his Love of good will depending upon their Election cannot be broken Yet that of Friendship which depends upon Faith and Holiness as to sense and exercise is for the time dissolved So that while thâ—y continue in their sins God deals with them as with enemies and they cannot apprehend him under any other Notion then as an incensed provoked God Nor can they look for any thing from him but the dreadful effects of enmity and wrath Thus they are not only troubled with the hiding of his face from them but they likewise suffer his terrors with a troubled mind being in a manner distracted under them and cut off by them while his fierce wrath goeth over them Psal 88. 14 15 16. Ob. But if the Lord deal thus with his people Saints how doth he spare them as he promiseth Mal. 3. 17. Are these the effects of his Fatherly pity towards them Answ I answer The Lord deals thus with them for their good his punishments are unto them medicinal â—e wounds them for the health of their souls he hides himself from them That they may know what it is to want him That they mourn for his absence That being lost they may seek him with the more diligence and having found him May prize his presence May cleave more closely unto him May take heed how they lose him again He makes them sensible of his wrath That they may the more detest and more warily shun the folly of sin for the time to come which drew his wrath upon them That they may set the higher esteem upon their Peace when he hath spoken it unto their souls Use 1. Here then we may have a guesse at the infinite sufferings of the Lord Christ which in his soul he underwent for sinful man For doth the Lord deal thus sharply with his people and Saints to lay load upon them to wound them to hide himself from them to affright them with terrors and that but for some few sins it may be but for one or two What then did the King of Saints himself in our Nature undergo when he had the weight of the sins of an whole woâ—ld lying heavy upon him when he was wounded for thâ— transgressions of an whole world of sinners When in his Agony in the Garden he sweat many great drops of blood When on the Crosse his Father had so hid his Face from him upon the Divinities momentany withdrawing the sense of its support from the Manhood that he cried out My God my God why hast thou forsaken me When he had such a true sense of his Fathers wrath due to man for sin that he might well take up those words of his Prophet Lam. 1. 12. O all you that passe by behold and see if ever sorrow were like unto my sorrow wherewith the Lord hath afflicted me in the day of his fierce wrath Did he undergo thus much for us Let not us then think any thing too bitter or sharp which we may undergo for him or for our own sins Alas our woundings are but gentle stroakings to what our Lord Christ suffered who is pleased in wounding of his people to conform them in some measure to his own sufferings that afterwards they may reign with him in Glory Rom 8. 17. Use 2. When therefore you see any of the Lords people in this distressed condition labouring and languishing under the burden of their sins passe not your censures upon them rashly as if they were distempered and beside themselves but know That they are under Gods sore pressing hand that he hath wounded them for the health of their Souls that he hath cast them into the hot Furnace of his fiery indignation that being purged and purified from the drosse they may come forth like refined Gold fit to make Vessels of honour for himself Use 3. Here let us be taught to walk warily to work out our salvation with fear and trembling to serve our God with fear and trembling to serve our God with reverence and godly fear knowing that he is a consuming fire and that it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God Use 4. Doth the Lord deal thus severely with his people and Saints when fallen into the folly of heinous sins to raise such tempests in their souls Yet let them not when brought low under his heavy hand despair of Mercy The Lord is pleased somtimes to bring his own people even to the brink of despair as I could instance in a Gentlewoman I suppose the Grand-mother to a Family of good note and worth in Essex I had the Relation from a true servant of God who at that time or not long after lived in the Family And therefore I do confidently believe it and so set it down for a known truth This Gentlewoman labouring under the burden of her sins had so far cast away all hope of Mercy that having a pure Venice-Glass in her hand in
5. Thou hast long mourned and gasped for peace Wouldst thou be sure that it is spoken unto thee thou maist know whether it be or not by these discoveries Marks 1. There will be by degrees an improvement in thy knowledge of spiritual things The eyes of thine understanding will be more and more enlightned thou wilt be more acquainted with the secrets of God and with his Covenant Psal 25. 14. And thou wilt find a clearer manifestation of Christ in thy soul John 14. 21. 2. Thou wilt walk more chearfully uprightly more firmly and stedfastly in the wayes of God The Holy Spirit will stablish and uphold thee Psal 51. 12. It will set thee in the way of his steps v. ult of this 85th Psal Or as the old Translation hath it it shall direct thy going in the way 3. If the Lord hath spoken peace unto thee thou wilt exceedingly rejoyce in this Mercy there will follow an exulting and triumphing in the soul as here beneath in the Text Mercy and Truth are met together The Soul will say with Joy I was under the sad effects of Gods Justice but the Lord in Justice hath remembred Mercy Mercy and Truth are met together and Mercy hath gotten the upper hand Righteousness and Peace have kissed each other The Lord hath looked upon my sincerity in my humiliation he hath looked upon the Righteousness of the Lord Christ which in the Promises I have made mine by a particular application and thereupon hath embraced me with Peace and filled me with all sweet manifestations of his Love Mercy and Truth are met together Righteousness and Peace have kissed each other 4. There will follow a forwardness in teaching of others and winning them unto God a teaching of Gods wayes unto the wicked that sinners may be converred unto him Psal 51. 13. An acquainting them with what the now setled and recovered soul hath experimentally found the danger of the Folly of sin the Lords readiness to forgive it and to speak peace upon a sinners true Repentance and Faith in Christ To acquaint them with his faithfulness and Justice how faithful he is in performing of his Promises how Just in requiring no more of a poor sinner having accepted the Lord Christs satisfaction for his sins Such I have found him and such you will find him if you will make Trial and do as I have done Thus the sinner that hath now peace spoken to his soul endeavours to perswade others and to convert others by his own experience of Gods mercy in speaking peace unto him 5. Upon peace spoken there will â—ollow in the soul a great enlargement of its love towards God Much was forgiven her for she loved much Luke 7. 4. To hear that comfortable speech in the soul Thy sins are forgiven thee it may be heinous often repeated exceedingly aggravated yet to hear These thy sins are forgiven thee the soul cannot but with all dearness of affection answer such a Mercy The Lords way to wash away the filth of the Daughters of Zion is by the Spirit of Judgment and by the spirit of Burning Isa â— 4. By the spirit of Judgment he wounds the Soul and brings it low for its filth and follies of sin And after upon its true humiliation and Faith speaking peace unto it by the spirit of burning he heats and enflames it with a true sense and exceeding love of his Goodness and Mercy towards it 6. There will follow true thankfulness where peace is once-spoken When the soul haâ—h found â—he Lord thus gracious and merciful in delivering it from its disturbances in curing of its wounds and speaking peace unto it as it will break forth into free proâ—essions of its love and say I love the Lord because he hath dealt so and so with me Psal 16. 1. So it will proceed to a quid retribuam What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits towards me v. 12. And because it can find nothing else to render but Praise and Obedience it will give him the glory of his Mercy by â—elling those that fear him what he hath done for â—t Psal 66. 6. And in lieu of its Mercy it will give up its self with its body as a living sacrifice unto him in its reasonable serving of him Rom. 12. 1. 7. Lastly Where Peace is spoken to the soul and the Lord is again united to it in love there will be an earnest desire of a nearer union with him To this end as there will be a careful shunning of whatsoever may dissolve this Union principally under that Notion as it may cause a separation between God and the soul so there will be a diligent use of all Means which may bring him nearer to us and us to him Eâ—pecially there will be an earnest longing â—or the full enjoyment of him in Heaven there will be a desiring to be with Christ which is best of all a wishing for the day of his appearing and the hastning thereof Even so come Lord Jesus come quickly Rev 2. 20. Thus you have heard how the Lord upon the unfaigned humiliation of his people and their Faith in Christ will in his good time most certainly speak peace unto them for the resetling and recovery of their disturbed and wounded Spirits Who now would not hear such a God who would hear any other but him Who would not be very slâ—y lest he again provoke him Which is the Doct 3. That when the Lord upon their unfaigned Humâ—atâ—on and Faith speaks peace unto his people and Saâ—nâ—s they are to hear him and him alone And Peace being spoken they are to be very wary how they turn again unto â—olly This Point hath two Branches 1. That in speaking peace unto the Soul God the Lord alone is to be heard 2. That peace being spoken his People and Saints ought to be very wary how they turn again unto folly The first Branch That in speaking peace unto the unsetled and wounded soul God the Lord alone is to be heard When the Lords people are labâ—uring and languishing under his heavy hand under those fore mentioned smarting wounds of Loss of wrath the Devil useth all his skill to bring them if possibly he may to despair of Mercy and Peace When he finds that he cannot prevail that way but that the Lord doth still uphold the Soul though under a weighty burden he sets on the World which he hath at his Command to offer them Peace and that very freely and liberally to give it unto them without any conditions proviso's or reservations and he secretly suggests unto the carnal part that peace and settlement is there to be had and perswades them to accept of it The world comes and makes a very free tender of it And at the same time the Lord he offers Peace likewise but upon condition that they must humble themselves by true repentance for their â—ollies and must by Faith apply unto themselves the Promises of Pardon and peace made unto
that wrestled with him desired him to let him go said I will not let thee go except thou bless me and he blessed him there Gen 32. 24 26 29. Elias prayed earnestly that it might not rain and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six moneths and he prayed again and the Heavens gave rain Jam. â— 17. â—eas 1. God hath tied himself by promise to hear such Prayers Mat. 7. 7. 2. Such Prayers are put up in the Name of Christ John 16. 23. 3. Christ maketh Intercession for us Rom. 8. 34. and his Father alwaies heareth him John 11 42. 4. Christ presents our Prayers unto his Father with the Incense of his merits Rev. 8. 3. 5. The Spirit maketh Intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered Rom. 8. 26. Use 1. Prayers to Saints are vain they are ignorant of us Isa 63. 16. 2. Go confidently to God in the alone Name of Christ and thou art sure to speed John 16. 23. 3. Though thine infirmities in Prayer be many yet be not discouraged the holy Spirit helps them and intercedes for thee Rom. 8. 26. Resol Whatsoever my wants are I will ask in the name of Christ and then I am certain I shall receive and my joy shall be full John 16 24. Ejâ—c I love the Lord because he hath heard my voice and my supplications because he hath enclined hiâ— ear unto me therefore will I call upon him as lonâ— as I live Psal 116. 1 2. Paral. V. Circ The Mercy was discovered to me but new â— humbled by a wounded Spirit Obs God recompenseth the great afflictions of hâ— Children with greater mercies SOme years before this great affliction was laid upâ—â— me I had often called my waies to remembrance and humbled my self for my sins but there were soâ—â— yet behind undiscovered which indeed some of the at least I thought not to be such Notwithstanding it was the Lords pleasure whatsoever to that time I had thought of them to make me throughly sensible that they were sins and of so high a nature as called for a low Humiliation To this end he took the same course with me as he did with David in a third person setting them before me and after a most sharp sentence by me pronounced against them secretly saying unto me within my self Thou art the man 2 Sam. 12. 7. Then began Conscience Gods Attorney-General to accuse and condemn Then did the Word applied unto my past actions like a two edged sword cut on both sides making two deep wounds in my soul In The apprehension of the loss of my God Isa 59. 2. In The Fear of the dreadful effects of his vengeance Gal. 3. 10. O the horrours of the wounded spirit my then present condition Who can bear their weight Prov. 18. 14. Who is able to express the anguish Yet the Lord was pleased to support me though his wrath lay heavy upon me and he afflicted me with all his waves almost to distraction while I suffered his terrours Psal 88. 7. 15. After some dayes being a little come to my self I bath'd my wounds with the tears of true repentance and Faith poured in the balm of Christs Merits And when the Lord saw that I did bear his Rod as became his humble child that I was brought so lon that I was now in a sit capacity for mercy then did the great Physitian of my Soul the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in his wings Mal. 4. 2 Not despising my contrite heart Psal 51. 17. But healing my broken spirit and with his own hand gently binding up my wounds Psal 147. 3. Speaking peace unto my soul and raising me again by a clear sense of his Love and Presence O the sweetness of his Mercy Psal 34. 8. Then did he soon after afford unto me these great and gracious vouchsafings O the riches of his Mercy Eph. 2. 4. Obs God recompenseth the great Afflictions of his Children with greater Mercies And that In this Life In the Life to come In this Life Texts Isa 61. 7. For your shame you shall have double For confusion they shall rejoyce in their portion Mar. 10. 28. There is no man that hath left House or Brethren c. for my sake and the Gospels but he shall receive an hundred fold now in this time Inst. Job for what he had lost had twice as much at his latter end Job 42. 12. Joseph from the Dungeon was raised to highest honour in Pharaoh's Court Gâ—n 41. 40 43. After this Life Texts Isa 54. 8. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment but with everlasting kindness I will have mercy on thee 2 Cor. 4. 17. Our light affliction which is but for a moment worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of Glory Inst Christ assures his Disciples that they who had forsaken all and followed him when he should sit in the Throne of his Glory they should sit upon twelve Thrones judging the Twelve Tribes of Israel Mat. 19. 28. They who came out of great tribulation here in Heaven are arrayed in white Robes and are before the Throne of God c. and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes Rev. 7. 13 14. c. Reas 1. The Lord is rich in Mercy Eph. 2. 4. 2. He would have his Children to bear his Rod with Patience Heb. 11. 9 10 11. Use 1. Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted Mat. 5. 4. 2. Count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations Jam. 1. 2. The Recompense will sufficiently countervail the Trial. 3. Hearken to Christ He is sent to proclaim Liberty to the Captives the opening of the Prison to them that are bound Isa 61. 1. Resol I will greatly rejoyce in the Lord my soul shall be joyful in my God for he hath put off my Sackcloath and girded me with gladness Psal 30. 11. He hath cloathed me with the garments of salvation he hath covered me with the Robe of Righteousness Isa 61. 10. Ejac. O thou that bindest up the broken-hearted Appoint unto the Mourners in Zion give unto them beauty for ashes the Oyl of Joy for mourning the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness Isa 61. 3. Paral. VI. Circ The discovery as touching those missed secular preferments was onely craved but much more granted Obs The Lord often grants more then his Servants sue unto him for THE Lord is good and plenteous in mercy to all that call upon him Psal 86. 5. Had he onely heard me in what I craved the condescension had been greater then unworthy dust and ashes might expect My desire was to be setled as touching those missed expectations whether God in mercy had withheld me from their enjoyment The assurance of this had been a gracious return of my Prayer But O! I am rapt with the contemplation of the magnificence of his Bounty and Goodness That to this assurance he should
of them O what strong Consolation doth it draw from them Hâ—b 6. 17 18 How doth it suck and satisfie it self with those bâ—easts of Consolation How doth it milk out and delight it self with their soul-setling soul-ravishing sweetness Isa 66. 11. 5. This particular Promise-applying Faith it most highly prizeth a Pâ—omise O they are truly precious Promises to the faithful soul 2 Pet. 1. â— He esteems these unsearchable riches of Christ as they are called Eph. 3. 6 8. to be most precious In their Author God Rom 1. 2â— In their Ground the Lord Christ by whom we obâ—ain them who paid his most precious Bloud to purchase them 1 Pet. 1. 19. In their Fountain Gods Love Psal 36. 7. In the means of Apprehension of them namely precious Faith 2 Pet. 1. 1. In their end that we may be partakers of the Divine Nature in Grace and holiness 2 Peter 1. 4. In the excellency of the thing promised all things pertaining to life and Godliness to Glory and Vertue 2 Pet. 1. 3. In that sweet Comfort that strong Consolation they afford unto the Soul Hâ—b 6. 18. But most precious in their accomplishment and enjoying 2 Cor. 1. 20. Will the Heir-Apparent to a great Estate slight and undervalue it So the Faithful who are the Heirs of the Promises Rom. 9. 8. cannot but most highly esteem them and would not exchange or give up their right in them for all the honour and wealth in the world 6. Lastly The â—urest Mark of this particular Promise-applying Faith is Peace and settlement in the Soul Faith is a means to obtain Peace and peace a sure discovery of Faith Yet it is not every Peace upon which a man may build his assurance of Faith Thâ— Conscience may be peaceable yet bad as it is in those who have â—â—ared and sâ—upâ—â—â—â—d Conscienâ—es sencâ—less of sin But it is the tender Conscience and the peace therein when a mans Conscience doth faithfully perform its Office checking the Soul when it gives way to sin If such a Conscience be in a man and is notwithstanding for the general calm and setled and peaceable out of its own Consciousness that it applies unto it self the precious Promises of Pardon of Christ's Righteousness in which two our Justification doth consiâ—t that is the Conscience and the peace and settlement therein upon which a man may considently build his assurance that he hath true Faith But the unsetled Soul cannot have this Peace until the Lord hath spoken it unto it â—t will be sufficient if it can find the other Marks in iâ— self Until this other of Peace come whâ—ch shall certainly be in Gods time they may serve to conâ—irm it in the assurance that it hath Faith and such a Faith as prepares the way for Peace Now that Repentance and Faith are the Means to settle and recover the perplexed and wounded Spirit is evident â—â—as 1. Because they are the way which God himself 〈◊〉 â—ppointed for the turning away of his wrath and â—â—gaining of his Favour For Repentance we have that clear place Jâ—el 2. 12 13. Where the Lord having threatned fâ—aâ—ful Judgments against his People prâ—â—â—â—bâ—â— unto them this way of repentance for the averâ—ing and pâ—eventing of those Judgments For Faith It is that which â—pens our way of access to find Grace Eph 3 12. It is that that is â— means to â—ill the Soul with Peace as Sâ— Paul pâ—ayes for the Romans that they might be filled with peace â—n belâ—â—vâ—ng Rom. 1â— 13. And therefore men are 〈…〉 upâ—â— to believe to have Faith in Christ 2. Repentanâ—e and Faith are the means to obtaâ—n pardon and that being obtained and he â—â—ulthâ—reof assured presently peace and settlâ—ment fâ—llows thereupon Our Justification consists in the pardon of our sins and Christs righteousness made ours by 〈◊〉 When sin is pardonâ—d and with the white raiment of Christ's Righteousness the shame of our nakedness it hid then do we appear holy and unblameable and unreprovable in the eyes of God and he can no longer be displeased with us Now it is Faith that doth this it is Faith that applies unto the soul the Merits of Christs active and passive Obedience whereby he hath deserved at his Fathers hands that he should forgive us and look graciously upon us upon which applâ—cation a sweet peace follows in the Soul For being justified by Faith we have peace with God Rom 5. 1. Repentance that by the Tears of godly sorrow and it s other acts cleanâ—eth the soul from sin and sin being removed Gods face which sin had hidden doth again shine upon his people The soul being cleansed from sin the Provocation is taken away and so Gods wâ—ath ceaseth To this we shall refer that Isa 1. 16. Wash you make you clean put away the evil of your doings cease to do evil learn to do well c. Come now saith the Lord though your sins be as Scarlet they shall be white as snow though they be red as Crimson they shall be as Wool 3. Peace is not to be obtained by any other means Not by outward Sacrifices God delights not in them Psal 51. 16. They cannot take away sin Heb. 10. 4. Not by humane wisdom none can be too crafty for God Job 5. 13. Not by Power the Lord is Almighty with whom a poor sinner is to deal a great Lord of great power Psal 147. 5. No Reward can remove wrath Riches avail nothing in the day of wrath Prov. 11. 4. Neither canst thou blind Gods eye by thy Gifts Exod. 23. 8. No friend can do it be they never so holy they can but deliver their own souls by their righteousness Ezâ—k 14. 14. No other good Duty Not Fasting Jer. 14. 10 12. Not Alms-giving 1 Cor. 13. 3. Not Prayer not many Prayers Isa 1. 15. Nor any thing else There is no other way to resettle the disturbed soul and to regain its peace but by turning from the folly of sin by true repentance and faith in the Lord Christ Use 1. Here then that Errour is confuted that the Lords People need no repentance It may as well be said that they need no Faith When the Soul hath lost its peace and is wounded by the apprehension of losse by the fear of wrath how shall its wounds be cured how shall wrath be removed how shall the Lords Favour be regained but by these fore-mentioned Means But it is said the Lords people cannot sin and therefore they need no repentance Sin is a transgression of the Law but the Saints are no longer under the Law but under Grace That the Saints do sin and how they are said to sin I have shewed formerly Now how they are under the Law The Law hath a twofold power A Condemning Power and A Directing Power The condemning Power the Lords People and Saints are no longer under There is no Condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus Rom. 8. 1. But they are still under its diâ—â—cting power It hath
them through Christ in the Gospel Of these two Offerers or Givers of Peace mention is made John 14. â—7 Peace I leave with you my peace I give unto you not as the world giveth give I unto you God giveth Peace the world giveth peace The world gives it freely God upon terms and conditions Whether of these two now are the Lords people to hear Flesh saies the World that stands not upon terms and reservations that ties not to any conditions of bewayling confessing hating resolving applying here needs no breaking or rending of the heart or changing of the mind the dear price which they must pay who have their peace from God But the Spirit sayes beware take heed how you listen to the World hearkâ—n unto God the Lord and to him alone For he is God the Lord and ye are his people he speaks peace and he speaks peace unto his people and Saints In which words are couched and contained a threefold reason why in speaking of peace the Lords people and Saints are to hear him and him alone 1. Because he is God the Lord and they are his People He loves them he knows and pities the sad condition the wounded Spirit is in and is alone able to help it 2. Because he will most certainly speak peace unto the soul He will assure it that he is at peace with it 3. Because he speaks peace that which the soul shall find to be truly such He neither gives what the world gives nor as the world gives 1. The first Reason is taken from that near relation between God and his People and from those two titles God the Lord and so it is taken from his Power his Knowledge his Love He is the Lord and therefore able to cure the wounded Spirit He is a Lord of great power such that as he can work by weak means by contrary means so without means He can create peace for the unsetled soul Isa 45 7. He can make it of nothing and indeed so he doth there being no prepared prejacent matter in the soul out of which it should be prâ—duced He is God he knows the soul in iâ—s adversity Psal 31. 7. He it is who wounded it and therefore knows the anguish and danger of its wounds what remedy is fittest for it and when and how it is to be applyed And the Saints though in this sad condition yet are his people whom he loves Col. 3. 12. Towards whom he is tender-hearted very pitiful and of tender Mercy Jam. 5. 11. He pitieth those that fear him as a Father pitieth his Children Psal 103. 13. And therefore as he is able and skilful so he is most ready and willing to help them to settle them to cure their wounds The World is a Physition of no value a meer Empyrick a bold Mountebank that neither is able to compose any Soveraign Remedy nor knows how to apply it being altogether ignorant of the state of the soul in its distress Beside the Lords people and Saints are most hateful unto it Jo. 15. 19. And shall they believe that their deadly enemy if it were able and had skill would be willing to settle and recover them 2. The second Reason why in speaking peace the Lord alone is to be heard is taken from that assurance which the Lord rayseth in the soul that he is at peace with it For he speaks peace to it He makes the soul as strongly perswaded of peace and as confidently to build upon it as if it heard the Lord himself speak it immediatly from Heaven The Grounds whereon this assurance is built in the soul are His Decree which is stable unchangeable Heb. 6. 17. His Promise which is Yea and Amen 2 Cor. 1. 20. His Oath which he will not break Heb. 6. 17. His Hand for it in his written Word which he will not deny Rom. 15. 4. His Seal to it his Spirit which he cannot but own â— Cor. 1. 22. His Delivery of this Assurance which he will not revoke John 14. 27. The Witness to all this his Spirit which cannot lye Rom. 8. 18. Thus the Lord speaks peace unto the Soul by thus assuring of it that he is no more an enemy or a stranger unto it which must needs settle it and fill it with strong Consolation Heb. 6. 18 When the World can afford to the unsetled and wounded Spirit such grounds of assurance of Peace and Settlement it may then hope the Lords people may be perswaded to hearken unto it till then it may forbear its frank but empty Tenders 3. The Third Reason is taken from the quality of that Peace which the Lord speaks to the Soul He speaks unto it which is truly such being 1. A solid Peace 2. A satisfying Peace Peace fourfold 3. A Fortifying Peace 4. A lasting Peace 1. It is a solid Peace grounded upon Christ who is our peace Eph 2 14. Who hath made peace for us and reconciled us unto his Father Col. 1. 20. Having purchased peace for us at a dear raâ—e by the bloud of his Cross being wounded for our Transgressions the chasâ—â—sement of our peace being upon him and he healing our wounds by his stripes Isa 53. 5. He is both our propitâ—ation and our advocate for peace unto his Father 1 John 2. 1 2. My Peace I give unto you John 14. Well may he call it his which he hath bought so dear The greatness of the Price speaks the Truth and Solidness of the Peace It is Christ's Peace dearly bought His Father gives it at his request it is the peace of God Phil. 4. 7. And from him proceeds nothing but what is true real and solid The Peace which from it the world would have the soul to accept of it deserves not the name of peace being but a light flash but a shadow of Peace The World cries Peace where there is none Jer. 6. 14. And so if its tender might be accepted would it heal the hurt of Gods People slightly And indeed what more is to be expâ—ctâ—d from the World when it hath but one Receipt or Remedy consisting of three Ingredients which like a bold unskilful Empyrick it applyes to every Mâ—lady What these Ingredients are St. John tells us 1 John 2. 16. All that is in the World are the Lusts of the flesh or Pleasures the Lust of the eyes or Wealth the Pride of life or Honour And alas What can these do to the recovery of a wounded Spirit which cannot prevent or remove a disease from the body or in the least measure abate its Pain The Vermin seized upon Herod and devoured him alive though a great King who had Wealth and Pleasure at his Command Acts â—2 23. 2. The peace which God speaks unto the wounded Spirit it is a satisfying peace Upon the speaking of this the before-disturbed soul returns unto its rest and settlement It hath now its desire it was wounded with the apprehension of losse and fear of wrath and its
desire was that God would cause his face to shine upon it and it should be saved or be whole as the old Translation hath it Psal 80. 3. The Lord now upon its Humiliation and Faith looks graciously upon it causeth his face to shine upon it in the peace of Love of Joy which he speaks unto it in which with a full satisfaction it rests it self and is setled Thus it sucks this Breast of Consolation and is satisfied Isa 66. 11. But that Peace which the World is so free in its tender of doth not cannot satisfie and settle the soul but still it must necessarily be full of Troubles and Perplexities which neither the Worlds Pleasure Wealth nor Honour can remove In Laughter the heart will be sorrowful Proverbs 14. 13. Abundance pierceth the heart with many sorrows 1 Tim 6. 10. Haman for all his honour and Greatness was vexed and troubled that Mordâ—cai would not bow to him Hest. 3. 5. If it be thus with the Worlds own darlings whom it strives with all tenderness to settle and compose how can its Peace satisfie and settle the Lords People when wounded in their souls 3. The Peace which the Lord speaks it is a fortifying Peace the peace of God c. shall keep your hearts 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 muniet it doth as it were set a strong guard about the heart to defend it from Satans Assaults and Temptations Phil. 4. 7. It makes a man to walk more advisedly more considerately it makes him diligent and constant in that which is good that so he may as much as possibly he can deel â—â— the wayes of sinful Folly whereby formerly he lost his Peace into which wayes the Devil endeavours again to bring him And indeed the Worlds peace should a Saint listen to it and accept of it would presently carry him into those wayes and lay him open and expose him more to Folly and so under pretence of peace make God more his Enemy So breaking his head and heart too with her precious Balm Psal 141. 6. and wounding it more with the piercing sword of her soft and oyly words Psal 55. 21. For Is not pleasure attended with hard-heartedness Amos 6 6 Doth it not put a man into a condition of spiritual death 1 Tim. 5. 6. Doth not Wealth make a man apt to forget and deny God Prov. 30. 9. Is not the love of it the root of all evil 1 Tim 6. 10. Doth not honour make men apt to rebel against God and to slâ—ght his Commands Ye shall be as Gods how easily did it win our first Parents to disobedience Gen. 3. 5 6. At the great Supper Luke 14. 16 c. a Wife Oxen a Mannour it is Villam emi by which three is meant Pleasure Wealth Honour These three kept back those who were invited from coming to the Feast though all things were prepared May we not then well say of the World and its Peace as in another sense Jâ—hâ— concerning Jezebel 2 Kings 9. 22. What peace so long as thy Whoredoms and Witchcrafts are so many What Peace canst thou give unless it be a prostituting bewitching peace not a soul-setling or salving peace 4. The Peace which the Lord speaks it is a lasting Peace As it is solid satisfying and fortifying so it is continuing His Wrath is but little but his gathering Mercy is great His hiding of his face is but momentany but his kindness is everlasting Isa 54. 7 8. New Follies may cast a dark Cloud over it for the time that it cannot be discerned but the Lord is still the same and whom he loves he loves unto the end John 13. 1. As for the Worlds peace that can be but of short continuance For the World it self and the Lust thereof whereupon its seeming peace is grounded it passeth away 1 John 2. 17. These Late Times have given a real and to many sad discovery of the Transitoriness of all worldly things Pleasure it is but a sudden flash Wealth makes it self wings and the puffed up glittering Bubble of Honour is soon blown away and broken If these can neiâ—her sâ—â—ure their Masters nor themselves how shall they be able to salve and settle the disturbed and wounded Spirit You see how little how nothing the World is able to do for resetling and recuring of the Wounded Spirit Use Whosoever then is or shall be brought into this sad condition let them not send to Reâ—â—zebub the god of Ekron while there is a God in Israel 2 Kings 1. 2. Though the World make a free tender of peace yet hear it noâ— It is the Saints deadly enemy pretending much Curtesie and Care of them when it intends the worst of Mischieâ—s untâ— them Hearken unto God the Lord and unto him alone he is able skilful and ready to help â—hee in thy distress to settle and recover thee he will assure thee of true Peace of a solid satisfying fortifying lasting Peace such as the world can neither give nor take away But when he hath spoken such peace unto thee it will deserve thy best care to preserve it Thou must be very shy of a new Breach Thou must beware that thou turn not again to Folly Which is the 2 Branch of the Point Branch 2. That when the Lord hath spoken Peace unto his people and Saints they are to be very wary that they turn not again to Folly The Lord is good unto all Psal 145 9. even to those whom he doth not own for his though they mind not his goodness towards them But the lately wounded and disturbed but now recovered and setled soul may experimentally say truly God is good to Israel to those that are of a pure heart Psal 73. 1. And as to that condition he was in and is now freed from he cannot but take notice of the Lords exceeding goodness toward him He is good unto his People and Saints in their lesser Follies of Ignorance Infirmity c. in passing them by as if they were not when the least of them hath guilt enough to plunge the soul into Hell He is good to them in his Patience towards them in their grosser Follies in waiting for their amendment and using all fair and gentle wayes to win them home when they will not prevail He is good to them in wounding of them and making of them smart for those their Follies He is good to them even in hiding his face from them and affrighting of them with Teâ—â—ours He is good to them in discovering of those Follies unto them for which he wounds them in making them sensible how heinous they are He is good to them in enclining their hearts to confess them to bewayl them to detest them to resolve against them to apply the Promises for pardon He is good to them even in deferring of their settlement and recovery notwithstanding such Humilâ—ation and Application He is most good and sweet and gracious to them in their restoring and speaking peace unto them in becoming
again their Friend and affording them a continual Feast of Joy in their souls He is good to them in admonishing of them for the time to come to beware of turning again to Folly so to prevent a new and wider breach which such relapses might cause Let them not turn again to Folly O It is a dangerous thing for the Lords People when having been in such a wâ—ful condition under the smarting wounds of loss and wrath and the Lord hath graciously spoken peace unto their souls and hath assured them of his Love and Presence It is I say a most dangerous thing for them after Peace spoken to turn again to the Mire to the Vomit to the Folly of sin For so doing they make themselves justly liable to a severer punishment by more highly provoking the Lords wrath against them by a new and greater guilt which now they have drawn upon their souls If you ask the skilful Physitian why in the diseases of the body a Relapse is so dangerous as it is commonly said and found to be I suppose he will say Because the malâ—gnity of the humour which formerly nourished the disease returning upon a new distemper finds a readier entertainment in the parts and the spirits are so weak and unable to resist and struggle with it that if it do not wholly oppress the heart and so bâ—reave the life Yet it renders a second recovery far more difficult So is it with the soul after its recovery upon peace spoken to it If it relapseth and turns again to the folly of sin sin finds a more welcome entertainment in the carnal part and the spiritual part is so weak that it is not able to resist it So that though it do not nor can bereave the soul of spiritual life yet the recovery will be the more difficult and it will cost such a man many a heart-pang many a sad sigh and bitter Tear before he can again be â—id of it I might uâ—ge this as one reason why the Lords people are to be waâ—y how after peace spoken they fall into the folly of sin because upon such their backsliding they will find it an hard matter to shake it off and to rid the soul of it But the main Reason which I intend to speak of is because by their turning again unto Folly after Peace spoken they draw a greater guilt upon their souls and so do more provoke the Lords wrath against them and thereupon cannot but justly fear and expect to be corrected with a more stinging rod with a sharper and more smarting punishment Now the guilt of the soul turning again unto the Folly of sin after peace spoken unto it is heightened and enlarged exceedingly by the concurrence of many grievous sins committed in such backsliding For Aggrav Here is a falling back from those resolutions in Repentance wherein the soul in its distress did bind it self by promise and vow unto God that it would for the time to come abhor and decline the wayes of sinful Folly and walk before him in better Obedience If it did but barely resolve so yet not to keep up such resolutions and so to cherish them that they may be derived into act this failing and falling from them discovers a want of due care and diligence the neglect whereof after peace spoken renders the soul more guilty But if to such resolutions there were added a Promise and Vow so to walk before God which it was but meet the Soul should do surely it is meet to be said unto God I have born Chastisement I will not offend any more If I have done Iniquity I will do so no more Job 3â— 31 32. It is meet the soul should say thus in its distresse and if it hath and I am confident that whosoever haâ—h been under the horrours of a wounded spirit hath thus promised and vowed unto God if the soul hath thus said thus promised and thus vowed and yet breaks such Promise and Vow by relapsing and backsliding it must needs lay a greater guilt upon it selâ— For What is it but to mock God What but to take his Name in vain And so to do is it not a new and high provoking Folly Will the Lord hold such an one guiltless Pay that thou hast vowed God hath no pleasure in Fools Eccles 5 4. 2. The guilt is aggravated by forgetfulness of that deliverance which the Lord hath wrought David in Psal 103. cals upon his soul at the beginning of the Psalm and all that is in him to bless God to remember his Benefits who forgiveth saith he all thâ—ne Inâ—quity and healeth all thy diseases Thine Inâ—quity was high yet God hath forgiven it Thy Diseases and Wounds were painful and dangerous yet he hath healed them He hath restored thy peace he is become thy Friend thy near Friend dwelling in thy soul he hath delivered thee from all thy Fears and Terrours and hath crowned thee with loving kindness and tender mercy and canst thou so soon forget him who hath dealt thus by thee It was an high aggravation of Israels sin that they forgat God their Saviour Deliverer Ps 106 21. The Lord hath saved thee he hath delivered thee he hath had a regard to thine affliction he hath heard thy cry when thou wast brought low for thine Iniquity and yet dost thou forget him Dost thou provoke him again with new Follies 3. The guilt is aggravated by despising of Gods Rod by slâ—ghting and setting lâ—ght by it lâ—ke Pharaoh who returned to his Râ—bellion against God asâ—oon as the Plague was but removed Hath God corrected thee as his Son whom he loves in whom he delâ—ghts Prov 3. 11. And dost thou despise his Chastisemâ—nt Is that man happy whom God correcteth Jâ—b 5. 7. And dost thou slight the Chastening of the Almighty They who despise the reproof of Wisdomâ— can they expect other then to eat of the fruit of their own wayes and to be filled with their own devices Prov 1 31. 4. The guilt is aggravated and heightened by Presumption of new Peace or of the former to be continued It is a good â—â—m that is given Ecclus 3. Be not without fear after the sin is pardoned Neither add sin unto sin Say not Gods Mercy is great he will have mercy upon the multitude of my sins Is it not a bold wickedness springing from that root that beareth Gall and Wormwood for a man to bless himself and to say God is a God of Mercy and I shall have Peace though I walk in the Imagination of mine own heart adding Drunkenness to Thirst Deut. 29. 19. For a man so to say it is an high Provocation much more to add sin to sin upon such Presumption For what is it but a tempting of God in an high degree Had Christ cast himself down from the Pinacle of the Temple when there were stairs to come down by he had tempted God Wouldst thou have Peace use the Means forbear the Folly of sin if
18. and making them two fold more the Children of Hell than themselves Mat. 23. 15. Thus Corruption with the temptations of Honour Wealth Pleasure wins natural men to the service of sin All these will I give thee Mat. 49. But it sings them to the Rock and smiles them to Ruine For What wages doth it pay them at the last Destruction Death Hell The wages of sin is death Rom. 6. 23. Obs Natural men are by their Corruption led on insensibly unto Hell They are led Texts Eph. 2. 3. Among whom also we had our conversation c. Fulfilling the desires of the flesh Rom. 6. 17. Ye were the servants of sin Inst. The Colossians walked in Fornication Uncleanness and other vile sins when they lived in them Col 3. 7. The Romans had yielded their Members servants to Uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity Rom. 6. 19. They are led on insensibly Texts Prov. 4. 19. The way of the wicked is as darkness they know not at what they stumble Eph. 5. 8. Ye were somtimes darkness Inst The simple young man goeth after the harlot as an Oxe goeth to the slaughter or as a Fool to the correction of the Stocks Prov. 7. 22. St. Paul before his Conversion thought verily that he ought to do many things contrary to the Name of Jesus Acts 26. 9. Unto Hell Texts Rom. 8. 6. To be carnally minded is death Jam. 1. 15. When lust hath conceived it bringeth forth sin and sin when it is finished bringeth forth death Inst The Malefactor on the Cross but a little before his death reviled Christ Mark 15. 32. St. Paul and the Romans when in the Flesh the motions of sin did work in their Members to bring forth fruit unto death Rom. 7. 5. Reas 1. The God of this world hath blinded their minds 2 Cor. 4. 4. 2. It wars against the Soul 1 Pet. 2. 11. Use 1. Think on its wages Rom. 6. 23. 2. Resist it betimes Psal 137. 9. 3. Bless God that though sin doth somtimes captivate thee yet it doth no longer lead thee Rom. 7. 22 23. Resol I will strive to be spiritually minded for that is life and peace Rom. 8. 6. Ejac. What fruit had I then in those things whereof I am now ashamed and whose end is death Rom. 6. 21. Paral. III. Circ The Apprehender Jaylor Prison Obs God hath his Ministers of Justice and his Prison for Punishment EArthly Princes have their rewards for their faithful and loyal Subjects 1 Sam. 22. 7. And as for the disloyal they have Inferiour Ministers of Justice so they have their Sergeants at Arms or armed Troops to fetch in Grand Delinquents and Prisons where to punish them Thus God the great Monarch of the world whose Kingdom ruleth over all Psal 103. 19. as he hath His Paradise to reward So His Prison to punish The good and faithful Servants had the Joy of their Lord to enter into Mat. 25. 21 23. For the wicked sloathful and unprofitable Servant there was a place of utter darkness Mat. 25. 30. Gods Children are an afflicted people Zeph. 3. 12. a weeping lamenting sorrowful people John 16. 20. Often under chastisement Psal 73. 14. For wicked men though in comparison of them They have no Changes Psal 55. 19. The â—od of God is not on them Job 21. 9. They are not plagued as they Psal 73. 5. Yet how often even in this life doth God execute his just pleasure upon them by his inferiour Officers The unbribed Beadle of their Conscience gives them many a secret jerk and stinging lash Rom. 2. 15. He makes man his Rod Isa 10. 5. Or He sends his great Armies of Caterpillers Canker-worms c. to take free quarter upon their fâ—uits of the earth Jocl 2. 25. He gives them up to Satan 1 Cor. 5. 5. To their own vile Affections Rom. 1. 26. But if he spare them as to these and seem to keep silence Psal 50. 21. Yet Death at length will find them â—ut often cutting off the number of their Moneths in the midst Job 21. 21. And when Christ shall appear in his Glory His Angels shall bring them forth to the day of wrath to which they are reserved Job 21. 30. At which day Christ will be a swift witness against them Mal. 3. 5. In a moment bringing to their memories all their wickedness here committed by them for which being accused and condemned By their own Conscience Rom. 2. 15. And so the Judge cleared from all Injustice Psal 51. 4. Immediatly after the Sentence is pronounced His good Angels shall cast them Into a Furnace of fire Mat. 13 42. Into his Prison of Hell there everlastingly to be punished With the Devil and his Angels Mat. 25 46 Probably not by them For there shall be no Order Job 10. 22. And all Authority shall cease 1 Cor. 15. 24. Obs God hath his Ministers of Justice and his Prison for Punishment He hath his Ministers of Justice Here Hereafter Here Temporal Spiritual Temporal Texts Joel 2. 15. The Locust Canker-worm c. my great Army which I sent among you Psal 103. 21. Bless the Lord all ye his Hosts ye Ministers of his that do his Pleasure Inst The Assyrian was the Rod of Gods Anger Isa 10. 5. Wicked men are his Sword his Hand Psal 17. 13 14. Spiritual Texts Psal 103. 20. His Angels that excel in strength which do his Commandments 2 Thes 2. 11 12. God shall send them strong delusions Inst God hardned Pâ—araoh's heart Exod. 7. 3. He sent â—vil Angels among the Egyptians Psal 78. 49. Hereafter Texts Mat. 5. 25. Lest the Judge deliver thee to the Officer Mark 9. 44. Where their worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched Inst. They who have transgressed against God their worm shall not die Isa 66. 24. Dives was tormented in Hell-flames Luke 16. 24. He hath his Prison Texts Isa 30. 33. Tophet is ordained of old he hath made it deep and large Psal 9 17. The wicked shall be cast into Hell Inst Dives was in Hell Luke 16. 23. The fearful unbelieving abominable murderers whore-mongers sorcâ—reâ—s Idolaters Liars shall have their portion in the Lake which burneth with fire and brimstone Rev. 21. 8. Reas 1. For the glory of his Power and Justice upon the Vessels of wrath Rom. 9. 17. 22. 2. To make known the riches of his Glory upon the Vessels of Mercy Rom. 9. 23. Use 1. God will render to every man according to his Deeds Rom. 2. 6. 2. Glorifie God in his Power and Justice Rev. 2. 23. 3. Gloriâ—ie him in the riches of his Mercy Remember what thou hast deserved Eph. 2. 7 8. 4. Tremble in the commission of sin Isa 33. 14. Resol Though the love of my Lord Christ doth chiefly constrain me 2 Cor. 5. 14. Yet I will serve God with reverence and godly fear because he is a consuming fire Heb. 12. 28 29. Ejac. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first Resurrection on such the
second death hath no Power Rev. 20. 6. Paral. IV. Circ The Gates wide and open the Grates before the Windows Obs The number of the damned will be great their punishment endless ALthough Christ's Flock be said to be a little one Luke 12. 32. Though but a remnant according to the Election of Grace Rom. 11. 5. Yet of those who shall be saved the number will be great An hundred forty and four thousand were sealed and a numberless multitude stood before the Throne Rev. 7. 4 9. However in comparison of them who shall be damned they are but few As a Cottage in a Vinâ—yard as a Lodge in a Garden of Cucumbers as a besieged City a very small remnant Isa 1. 8 9 As the gleaning grapes after the Vintage as two or three Beâ—ries left in the top of the uppermost Bough when the Olives are gathered Isa 17. 6. Where but few are to enter a narrow passage sufficeth where multitudes are to go the way had need to be broad and the Gate wide Such is that which leadeth to destruction and many there be which go in thereat Mat. 7. 13 14. From the Creation to Christ's time how few Worshippers of God were there And among them how few true His own people were a sinful Nation laden with iniquity a seed of evil doers The whole body was corrupted there was no soundness in it Isa 1. 4. 6. In Christ's time how had they made his House a den of Thieves Mat. 21. 13. How few were they that received him and believed in him John 1. 11. Since the spreading of the Gospel how straight is that place where it is proâ—essed in comparison of the rest of the world Among Professors how few sincere ones How many that bear the Name of Christians that yet as if aâ—raid that Hell-gates should be shut against them do hasten thâ—ther with speed and earnestness How swift are they to evil Prov. 1. 16. How do they do evil with both hands earnestly Micah 7 3. How do they work all uncleanness with greediness Eph. 4. 19. How do they drink Iniquity like Water Job 15. 10. Drawing of it on with Coards Isa 5. 18. Wearying themselves therein Jer. 9 5. So laying wait for their own Blood and lurking for their own lives Prov. 1. 18. And with hard and impenitent hearts treasuring up unto themselves wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God At which day from him who will render to every man according to his deeds they shall certainly receive that wrath which they have treasured up Rom. 2 5 6 8. and be enforced to undergo it unto all eternity For as Heaven-gates have their Barrs which the Lord doth so strengthen that no enemy can enter there to interrupt the happiness of his Saints Psal 147 13. So he hath fixed such a gulfe about the gates of his Prison of Hell into which all who die out of Christ shall be cast that they can never come from thence Luke 16. 26. Had the damned the least hope of making an escape or that their torments should have an end this their hope would be no little mitigation of their pain But into this Lions Den all the steps are inwards none returning Tophet is deep the gates and grates strong the Gulfe great and impassâ—ble And The Worm will gnaw as long as there is guilt and envy to sharpen its teeth And The fire cannot but burn as long as the breath of the Lords just wrath continues like a floud of Brimstone to kindle it Isa 30. 33. Obs The number of the damned will be great their punishment endless The number will be great Texts Isa 5. 14. Hell hath enlarged her self and opened her mouth without measure and their glory and their multitude shall descend into it Mat. 7. 13. Wide is the Gate and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction and many there be which go in thereat Inst Of the whole Nation of the Jews God had reserved to himself but seven thousand that had not bowed the knee to Baal 1 Kings 19. 18. Only just Lot and his Family were delivered out of Sodom when that City with Gomorrah were turned into ashes and condemned with an overthrow being made an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly 2 Pet. â— 6 7. Their punishment will be endless Texts Mat. 25. 46. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment Rev. 14. 11. The smoak of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever Inst The rich man prayed only for mitigation of his torment not for release from it whereof he knew there was no hope Luke 16. 24. The Beast and false Prophets shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever Rev. 20. 10. Reas For their great number 1. Gods Decree of Predestination Many are called but few chosen Mat. 20. 16. 2. All are liable unto wrath in Adam Eph. 2. 3. But few freed from it 1 Thes 1. 10. Reas Why their punishment endless 1. Gods Decree There is a great Gulfe fixed Luk 16. 26. 2. Punishment is to be proportioned to the guilt oâ— sin Deut. 25. 2. Which is infinite being committed against an infinite Majesty 3. A will to sin continues Psal 74. 23. Therefore the punishment continues Use 1. Go not in the way of evil men Prov. 4. 14. They way of the ungodly shall perish Psal 1. 6. 2. Do thy best to save them with fear and to pul them out of the fire Jude 23. 3. Strive to enter in at the straight Gate Luke 13. 24. and to find the narrow way which leadeth unto life Mat. 7. 14. 4. Agree with thine Adversary quickly while thou art in the way with him Mat. 5. 25. Make thy peace with God while thou art here 5. Watch and pray that thou maist be accounted worthy to escape all these things and to stand before the Son of man Luke 21. 36. Resol Though the way to the Kingdom of God be by manifold tribulations made thorny and rough Acts 14. 20. yet shall my foot hold his steps His way will I keep and not decline there-from Job 23. 11. Ejac. O my dear Lord Jesu thou hast freed me from the wrath to come 1 Thes 1. 10. Thou hast shewed me the path of Life Psal 16. 11. Inable me to walk therein unto the end Paral. V. Circ The Jaylor in black apparel Obs Satan is the Prince of Darkness THE inward quality of the mind is often in the Scripture set forth by the outward habit of the Boâ—y As Eph. 4. 22. 24. Put off the old man which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts Put on the new man which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness Somtimes by the colour As Rom. 13. 12 Cast off the works of darkness put on the armour of Light Rev. 3. 18. The white raiment of Christs righteousness imputed Psal 30. 11. Thou hast put off my Sackcloath Thus in this dark resemblance the Lord was pleased
absent nothing but good is to be spoken He that would not speak ill of any will not dares not curse the deaf Levit. 19. 14. There is but one of them that I hear of yet living for whom I pray heartily as Moses did for his Sister Miriam Heal her now O God I beseech thee Numb 1â— 13. Could outward Performances set up Christ's Throne there wanted not here discoveries enough of a ready submission to his Laws The Incense of Prayer private secret ascending Morning and Evening Constant hearing of the Word on the Lords day on week-dayes at home abroad Penning of Sermons Reading them or some Divine Tractate every day twice at set hours An open hand to the poor c. And yet notwithstanding all this when I was brought by my Apprehender to the Gate there the Jaylor was found as Master of the House and there I left him when I fled for my safety Charity teacheth me to hope the best 1 Cor. 13. 7. This is that I shall only say God would not hide his purpose from Abraham concerning Sodom because he knew that he would command his Children and his Houshold after him to keep the way of the Lord Gen. 18. 19. And I tremble to think of the sharp punishment inflicted upon too-indulgent Eli and his Sons 1 Sam. 4. 17 18. What other Title Satan had for possession if he had any other I leave it to God the alone-searcher of the heart Use Let David be thy President for the ordering of thy Family Psal 101. Resol As for me I and my House we will serve the Lord Josh 24. 15. Ejâ—c I am now of his Houshold Eph. 2. 19. And one day in thy Courts is better then a thousand Let me rather be a door-keeper in the House of my God then dwell in the Tents of wickedness Psal 84. 10. Paral. VII Circ The Prisonstood at the Entrance of Westminster-Hall Obs The Course of the Law to some is the mouth of Hell THere is no Calling though never so lawful but it may be abused In ours some have preached Christ even of envy and strife Phil 1. 15. The Profession of the Law in it self is honest and honourable but boâ—h the Law and its Profession may be unlawfully used when that which was given for a Rule is made for a Snare It is hard that men cannot walk by it but they must be intangled in it It is mans Corruption that makes it necessary and indeed in case of necessity it would only be used When no other means will serve to preserve Life and recover health then the Physitian will venture to minister Poyson For my self though God from the beginning had kept up in my soul an averseness unto that course yet it being by my Parents looked upon as the then rising way they would needs put me into it I had often before had warnings enough to shun it and this was now the fifth time of my being taken off from it In those few years which I had spent in it I was too forward a proficient in bad wayes More I saw and more I should soon have learned It is opportunity and secrecy that invâ—tes and makeâ— a Thief Had the offered Favour been accepted I had not wanted plentiful temptations which with security confidence and thanks might have been put in practise to my exceeding great advantage But my infinitely merciful God when my soul was upon those Confines of ruine kept me from falling into the Pit whose very brink I was upon O what a seared Conscience in short time I should have had How crusty How callous How hardned in the wayes of deceit That course would have been no other unto me then the very mouth and entrance into Hell And when I had lost my Soul what would wealth and Honour which would have been heartily endeavoured for me and it is possible might have followed What would these have profited Mat. 16. 26. What it would have been to me it is I fear to too many others Obs The Course of the Law to some is the Mouth of Hell Texts Prov. 6. 16. These six things the Lord hates c. a proud look a lying tongue c. and him that soweth discord among Brethren Gal. 5. 15. If ye devour one another take heed ye be not consumed one of another Inst Tertullus the Orator with a bad tongue defended the bad cause of the Jews against Paul charging him with many things that were false Acts 24. 1. 5. Reas The temptations are stroâ—g They that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare and into many foolish and hurtful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition 1 Tim. 6. 9. Use 1. Wickedness is somtimes in the place of Judgment and iniqâ—ity in the place of righteousness Eccles 3. 16. 2. Let Judgment run down as waters and righteousness as a mighty Stream Amos 5. 24. 3. With God is strength and wisdom the deceived and the deceiver are his He leadeth Counsellers away spoyled and maketh the Judges Fools Job 12. 16 17. 4. Set your Children in such wayes where they may be least exposed to Temptations 5. Endeavour to keep the Unity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace Eph. 4. 3. â— 6. Forbear one another and forgive one another if any man have a quarrel against any even as Christ forgave you so also do ye Col. 3. 13. 7. If any hath a matter against another let it be referred to the Saints who shall judge the world 1 Cor. 6. 1 2 3. Resol Thou hast O Lord in great mercy taken me off from that soul-endangering course of the Law I will now meditate in thy Precepts I will delight my self in thy Statutes and encline my heart to perform them alwayes even unto the end Psal 119. 15 16 112. Ejac. Encline my heart unto thy Testimonies and not unto covetousness Psal 119. 36. Blessed are the Peace-makers for they shall be called the Children of God Mat. 5. 9. Paral. VIII Circ The Voice saying It was the Gate-house Obs The Lord is most ready to satisfie the doubtings of his Servants THE in-each-partâ—cular likeness of the Prison unto the House wherein I had lived with that Noble Personage in the Gaâ—es Lodge inward Buildings Windows excepting the Grates and that grated one on the side of the Gate house placed there so near mine eye that I might be sure it was a Prison as also in the Court-Yard in the Front toward the River was enough to have assured me that that was likewise intended in the Visson I began notwithstanding to sâ—â—ple at the distance in respect of their scituation being a good way off asunder Mans weak Belief is too apt to raise needless doubts Joseph interpreting the Butlers Dream made no scruple at the Vine's budding blossomming and bearing ripe Grapes at the same time Gen. 40. 10. Upon my former unsettlement touching those missed secular expectations Gods Will was that I should first pâ—ay unto him in this he was pleased
and takes off its true relish of spiritual sweetness The Manna ceased assoon as the Israelites had eaten of the old corn of the Land of Canaan Josh 5. 1â— To extirpate the Affections man must be unman'd where they have an over-ruling power he becomes a Beast Psal 49. 20. At least he is brought down to the lowest degree of servitude There is no such slavery as his who is not Master of himself Against violent Temptations the soul is armed by Fortitude by Temperance against alluring This moderates Mans Love of them His desire after them His delight in them His Grief in the absence of them This Grace of Temperance being the Guardian of all other Vertues the Spirit among others upon a Christians effectual Calling adornes the soul withal thereby so restraining the Passions and confining of them within their bounds that in the Fruition of vain Pleasures the moderate use whereof is not denied 1 Cor. 6. 12 Or in their absence he is still the same Let him enjoy them he is as if he enjoyed them not 1 Cor. 7. 29. 30 31. Let him be without them he is as if enjoying of them 2 Cor. 6. 10. Upon his Change he is now set far above them having his soul filled with new and spiritual delights Though his heart be taken off from the vain Comforts of the world yet Christ leaves him not comfortless Joh. 14. 18. The Joy of the Lord is his strength Nehem. 8. 10. His Comforts delight his soul Psal 94. 19. In whom he rejoyceth continually Phil 4. 4. His Delight is in Gods Law Psal 1. 2. Which is most sweet unto him Psal 119 103. His delight is in the Saints and in the excellent Psal 16. 3. He takes pleasure in the waies of wisdom Prov. 3. 17. He is filled with all joy and peace in believing Rom. 15. 13. Yea with joy unspeakable and full of Glory 1 Pet. 1. 8. The Promises those satisfying Breasts of Comfort Isa 66. 11. afford him strong Consolation Heb. 6. 17 18. He rejoyceth that his Name is written in Heaven Luke 12. 20. Thus whereas formerly when enslaved to worldly pleasures in laughter his heart was sorrowful as well it might the end of that Mirth being heaviness Prov. 14. 13. Now he enjoyes that sweet peace in his soul which guards and keeps up his spirit under the heaviest afflictions Acts 5. 41. Which he bears with patience rejoycing in hope of the Glory of God Rom 5. 2. And longing for that day when he shall enter into the joy of his Lord Mat. 25. 23. Obs Upon effectual Calling the Spirit usually first weakens Corruption by taking the heart off from all affected Vanities and Pleasures Texts Heb. 12. 1. Let us lay aside every weight 1 Pet. 3. 3 Whose adorning let it not be the outward adorning of plaiting of the hair and of wearing of Gold and of putting on of Apparel c. Inst St. Peter exhorts those who had obtained the precious Faith to add thereunto Temperance 2 Pet. 1. 6. Mary Magdalen upon her Conversion her eyes formerly allurements to lust now shed Tears with which she washed Christ's feet and wiped them with the hairs of her head with whose nicely set Curles she was wont to entangle her Lovers She bestowed her Kisses upon them and anoynted them with her precious Oyntment before used to set off her Beauty to make it the more enticing Luke 7. 38. Reas 1. They hinder the soul in its search after Gods Kingdom and the righteousness thereof Mat. â— 31 32. 2. They choak the Word and make it become unfruitful Luke 8. 14. 3. They retard the souls pace in her race toward the Mark Heb. 12. 1 4. They harden the heart Amos 6. 1 4 5 6. Use 1. Set thine Affections on things above not on things on the earth Col. 3. 2. 2. Seek first the Kingdom of God and the righteousness thereof Mat. 6 33. 3. Rid thy self of whatsoever may hinder thee in thy spiritual Race Heb. 12. 1. 4. Adorn thy soul with the Ornament of a meek and quiet spirit 1 Pet. 3. 4. with sobriety and good works 1 Tim. 2. 9 10. 5. Account not that thy Glory which is thy shame Phil 3. 19. 6. Draw not on Iniquity with Cords of Vanity Isa 5. 18. Resol All things are lawful for me but I will not be brought under the power of any 1 Cor. 6. 12. Ejac. Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity and quicken thou me in thy way Psal 119. 37. Paral. X. Circ After the staying and beating of my Pursuer I heard no more of him Obs The Power of Corruption being once broken It shall never again recover it over the effectually-Called so as to hinder them from Glory I cannot but begin this Parallel with a triumphant exultation in my soul and say Thy right hand O Lord glorious in power hath dashed in pieces the enemy In the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown those that rose up against me Thou in thy Mercy hast redeemed me and led me forth and wilt guid me in thy strength unto thy holy Habitation Exod. 15. 6 7 13. Where my hope is laid up with thee Col. 1. 5. Even that Crown of righteousness which my Lord Christ the righteous Judge will give unto me at that day 2 Tim 4. 8. This thou hast assured me of and none shall take it from me John 10. 28. Who is like unto thee O Lord Who is like thee glorious in Holiness fearful in Praises doing wonders Exod. 15. 11. No man cometh unto Christ unless the Father draw him John 6. 44. We are led willingly drawn with reluctancy Rom. 5. 10. But God of unwilling maketh us willing working Grace in the heart by the secret Operation of the Spirit upon the Preaching of the Word which is his ordinary way of dâ—awing John 6. 45. Rom. 10. 14 15. In the Word preached Christ is offered to the soul 1 Cor. 1. 23 24. And they who receive him thus offered have put him on Gal. 3. 27. and dwell in him Eph. 3. 17. and so are effectually called Effectual Calling is a certain evidence of a Christian Election Rom. 8. 30. And these two draw after them all those other Links of the Golden Chain reaching from Gods Decree of Predestination unto the enjoyment of that Glory to which he is predestinated and mentioned by St. Peter 2 Pet. 1. 1 3 4. He is redeemed from his vain Conversation 1 Pet. 1. 18. From the Dominion of sin and all other his enemies Luke 1. 71. Having escaped the Corruption that is in the world through lust v. 4 He is regenerated and become a new creature 2 Cor. 5. 17. Having all things given unto him that pertain unto life and godliness or to a godly life v. 3. He is justified having obtained the precious Faith through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ v. 1. And so assured of the pardon of his sins and of Gods Favour unto him in his
Faith to obtain pardon Isa 1. 16 17. 18. Use 1. Think on Gods goodness to thee Psal 145. 7. 8. 2. Do that which is so pâ—easing to thy good God Psal 51. 19. 3. There is Mercy for the truly penitent Prov. 28. 13. 4. Repent not thy repentance 2 Cor. 7. 10. 5. Beware of Impenitence it hardens the heart and treasures up wrath Rom. 2. 5. Resol I will go to my Father and say unto him Father I have sinned against Heaven and before thee and am no more worthy to be called thy Son Luke 15. 18 19. Ejac. God be merciful to me a sinner Luke 18. 13. Paral. II. Circ I ran down a pair of stairs at the Savoy Entrance Obs The Lord gives unto his Children oblique Memento's of their sins O My most Gracious Lord how infinite hath thy Mercy been towards me Me so sinful a wretch so deserving of the full Vials of thy wrath to have been poured forth upon me in the extremity of thy Fury How much did my Lord Christ suffer for me How long did thy Patience wait for me What Pains hast thou taken to new-make me How have thy blessed Ministring Angels been troubled about me And yet since my reforming How often have I and yet do I grieve thy good Spirit wherewith thou hast sealed â—e unto the day of redemption Eph. 4. 30. Thy Memorial O Lord endureth for ever Psal 135. 13. The Memorial of the riches of thy goodness towards me As for my high Provocations against thee their memorial is perished with them For though I have made thee to serve with my sins and wearied thee with mine Iniquities yet thou hast blotted them out and wilt not remember them Isa 43. 25. However it is thy pleasure that the remembrance of them should continue with me The Descent and Place have a very significative though secret reference to this Observation which I do verily believe was of prime intention in the Visâ—on My Conscience cannot accuse me of any hainous sin there committed yet by them the Lord was pleased to put me in mind of those my former wayes whereof I am now ashamed Many such Monitors I had in my first distemper by which as by this I am dayly warned to look back upon my former life with blushing yet thankful reflexions Is it good unto God that he should oppress that he should despise the work of his hands Job 10. 3. God taketh not pleasure in afflicting of his humbled Children with unwelcome exprobrations yet he would have them to remember their sins To which end he is pleased by the by to mind them of them Thus he dealt with his people under the Law though their many Ceremonies seemed to promise an expiation of their sins yet they were rather tacit Memento's of them on Gods part and confessions of them on theirs and so are said to be against them Col. 2. 14. Thus with David Peter and others Thus now with my â—lf Upon a mans first Conversion if as he had with me he hath a Rock to break Jer. 23. 29. he usually in the Glass of the Law presents a wicked mans sins unto his eye and sets them in order before him in their true affrighting horrour and deformity to send him unto Christ Afterwards not so directly but oft times by certain gentle overtures and circumstantial Items The least hint is sufficient to the tender Conscience which he who is wise for his Soul will observe and ponder and therein understand the loving kindness of the Lord Psal 107. 43. Obs The Lord gives unto his Children oblique Memento's of their sins He gives them Memento's Texts Rom. 6. 19. As you have yielded your Members to Uncleanness and to Iniquity unto Iniquity So c. 1 Cor. 6. 11. Such were some of you Inst The Ephesâ—ans are to remember what their condition was while Gentiles in the flesh Eph. 2. 11 12. The Colossians are put in mind that they had walked in heinous sins Col. 3. 7. He gives them oblique Memento's Texts Psal 51. 3. My sin is ever before me 1 Tim. 5. 1. Rebuke not an Elder but intreat him as a Father Inst Absalom after his murdering of his Brother Amnon 2 Sam. 13. 29. His presence was a constant remembrancer to David of his Murder of Uriah When he beheld Bathsheba he could not but call to mind what he had done to her Husband and to her self 2 Sam. 11 4 17. Christ by his thrice saying unto Peter Lovest thou me John 21. 15 16 17. put him in mind of his thrice denying of him Mat. 26. 70 72 74. Reas Why he gives them Memento's 1. That they may be ashamed of their sins Deuter. 9. 6 7. 2. That they may be thankful unto him who hath forgiven them 1 Tim. 1. 23 3. That they may not insult over others in their falls Tit. 3. 2 3. Reas Why oblique Memento's Because he is most unwilling to grieve them Lam. 3. 33. Use 1. Blush at the remembrance of thy Follies Rom. 6. 21. 2. Bless God that thou art freed from thy former â—lavery Rom. 9. 17. 3. Speak evil of no man but shew all Meekness to all men remember what thou thy self hast been T it 3. 2 3. 4. Take notâ—ce of and glorifie God in the sweetness of his Mercy to thee Psal 34. 8. Resol It is of thy great Mercy O Lord that thou hast given me warning I will think on my ways and turn my feet into thy Testimonies Psal 119. 59. Ejac. Though thou causest grief yet wilt thou have Compassion according to the multitude of thy Mercies For thou dost not afflict willingly nor grieve the Children of men Lam. 3. 32 33. Paral. III. Circ The Stairs delivered me on to a square Brick-Building left imperfect having Beams and Jyces laid ready for a Floor and Second Story Obs The Church of Christ is aptly resembled by a square Brick-Building c. GRace begun in the Soul may well for many of the reasons following be meant by this Resemblance as I understood it in my first general Interpretation of the Vision However upon more mature thoughts I now look upon it as chiefly pointing out the Church whereunto by humiliation and Faith the effectually called are initiated The Church in Scripture is set forth by several similitudes As by 1 An Army in Battelarray Caâ—â— 6. 4. In respect Of its General Obedience Order Terribleness Preparedness to encounter the Enemy c. 2. A Kings Daughter Psal 45. 13. In respect Of Her high Extract from Heaven Her Beauty Inward being glorious in the sincerity of her Graces Outward in her Rich Attire As to Order External Performances c. 3. A City Psal 122. 3. In respect Of Unity Laws Priviledges c. 4. A Flock of sheep Acts 20. 28. In respect Of Meekness Innocency The Necessity of a Shepherd to watch it Feed it 5. A Vine Psal 80. 8. In respect Of Fruitfulness Pruning Weakness c. 6. A Body Eph. 5. 30. In respect Of Life
and delighteth in his Commandments shall not want an honourable regard in life and an honourable remembrance after death Ps 112. 1 2 9. However in our way to Heaven our Affections must be taken off from all honour and all other worldly things Col. 32. Use them we may but not abuse them 1 Cor. 7. 31. and our selves in our earnest pursuit of them and resting in them Luke 12. 19. The enjoyment of God is the only satisfying and lasting happiness of the soul Psal 16. 11. Without Holiness no man shall see him Heb. 12. 14. He that loves him not cannot be holy John 14. 24. We cannot love him if we love the world or the things that are in the world 1 John 2. 15. The things of the world are The lust of the flesh or pleasure The lust of the eyes or wealth The pride of life or Honour 1 John 2. 16. The Vices attending upon these are Luxury Covetousness Ambition the three Spring heads whence flow all sins whatsoever And that man whose heart is taken up with the love of these hath no room left for the entertainment of the Love of God Which being excluded let him enjoy all worldly things in the greatest height in the most plentiful affluence with the most possible desired Freedom yet what shall it profit him to gain the whole world and lose his own soul Mat. 16. 26. Obs All worldly things are to be trampled upon in the way to Heaven Texts Col. 3. 1 2. If ye be risen with Christ set your Affections on things above not on things on the earth 1 John 2. 15. Love not the world neither the things that are in the world Inst Moses refused to be called the Son of Pharaoh's Daughter and chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches then the Treasures in Egypt Hebr. 11. 24 25 26. Paul counted all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus hâ—s Lord for whom he suffered the loss of all things and counted them but dung that he might win Christ and be sound in him Phil. 3. 8 9. Reas 1. Thou art dead to them Col. 3. 3. 2. They keep from the great Supper prepared for the Soul Luke 14. 18 1â— 20. 3. They choak the Word and make it unfruitful Mark 4. 19. 4. The love of them cannot consist with the Love of God 1 John 2. 15. 5. They are of no continuance 1 John 2. 17. Use 1. Have a low esteem of them Phil. 3. 8. 2. Think of thy greatness by thine Adoption which sets thee far above them John 1. 12. 3. Set thine Affection on things above Col. 3. â— Resol The World being crucified unto me and I unto it Gal. 6. 14. I will be no more a friend unto it For whosoever is a friend of the world is the enemy of God Jam. 4. 4. Ejac. Whom have I in Heaven but thee and there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee Thou O Lord art the strength of my heart and my portion for ever Psal 73. 25 26. Paral. X. Circ Being set in the Tower of the Temple-Church where the Effigies lie all fear of my Pursuer and the Prison immediatly ceased Obs Each true Member of the Church upon his heart being taken off from the world is freed from the fear of Hell THE Natural man while he so continues is subject unto Bondage Heb. 2. 15. God is his enemy Col. 1. 21. Upon which account he doth and cannot but fear the effects of enmity from him Christ came to deliver man from this fear Heb. 2. 15. When he by Faith is received into the Soul it is banished and in stead thereof the spirit of Adoption succeeds Rom. 8. 15. Although the Bond-woman be cast out yet her son for so Initial fear though arising from Love yet as it hath wrath for its Object may be esteemed remains still to be ejected Gal 4. 30. While it remains it performs a twofold Office in the soul It restrains from sin Prov. 3. 7. It afflicts and torments that the soul may seek more and more unto Christ for peace and ease 1 John 4. 18. and so helps on towards the perfecting of Love Love once perfected this fear is likewise cast out 1 John 4. 18. Love is perfected as By keeping the Commandments 1 John 2. 5. By the Love of our Brethren 1 John 4. 12. By sollowing of Christ's Example 1 John 4. 17. So especially When the heart is wholly taken off from the world 1 Jâ—hn 2. 15. Not that here such a Perfection of our Love is to be attained as will admit no further perfecting That is not to be expected until we arrive at ouâ— Heavenly Countrey Our forgetting of those things behind and reaching forth to those before is the perfection of our Love here The perfection of this Perfection will then be when we shall lay hold upon the Prize Phil. 3. 13 14 15. Our Love thus perfectâ—d and that fear which as the Needle hath drawn it in being now removed this our Love constraineth us to what that our fear before did awe us 2 Cor. 5. 14. The Believer thus rid of his fear of wrath begins to have his soul filled with exceeding Comfort upon his now confident assurance That God is at peace with him Rom. 5. 1. This he could not have did the least fear of punishment remain That he is the Adopted Son of God Rom. 8. 15. and thereupon That his Father will grant his Requests Romans 8. 15. That he will make a temporal Provision for him Mat. 6 32 33. That the Spirit is and shall continue his Guide and Director Rom. 8. 14. That he is an Heir of Glory Rom. 8. 17. Which sweet Comforts though upon the prevailing of the Carnal part they are by doubtings sometimes interrupted Psal 51. 12. yet these new Fears are soon scattered by Faith sumly adhearing to the Promises Initial fear is now cast out However God will not have our Love to be fearless Filâ—al reverential Fear must still accompany it To mind us of our Imperfection Prov. 28. 14. To keep the heart from hardning Prov. 28. 14. To keep us from security Cant. 3. 1. To quicken us to Perseverance Jer. 32. 40. Obs Each true Member of the Church upon his heart being taken off from the world is freed from the Fear of Hell Texts Rom. 8. 1. There is no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus Rom. 5. 9. Being justified by his Blood we shall be saved from wrath by him Inst Zacharias blesseth God for making good his Oath c. That we being delivered out of the hands of our enemies might serve him without fear all the dayes of our life Luke 1. 68 74 75. The Thessalonians are asâ—ured by St. Paul that they with all others that serve the living God and wait for his Son from Heaven are by that his Son
as a Lion with violence now he lurks slily as a Serpent What he could not do by strength shall be done by subtilty 2 Cor. 11. 3. He hath first his small Cords of vanity to draw on Iniquity and then his Cart-ropes of strong twisted bold sins whereby he endeavours to bind and hold men fast Isa 5. 18. He wrought upon Peter First To follow afar off Next to deny his Master Then to forswear him At last to curse himself if he knew him Mat. 26. 58 70 72 74. He Assaults By Objects 2 Sam. 11. 2. By Suggestions Acts 5. 3. The World one of his Under-Captains by honour wealth Pleasure 1 John 2. 16. The Flesh another by its lusts 1 Pet. 2. 11. By them Indisposing to what is good and Inclining to what is evil Rom. 7. 19. His end in thus doing is To strip the soul of its Garments of Grace Rev. 16. 15. And at length To devour it 1 Pet. 5. 18. Doth it not then stand us in hand to watch him with all diligence and wariness A duty for which none so unfit as The Intemperate man and He whose heart is overcharged with worldly Cares Luke 21. 34. In a siege a strict examination doth pass upon all comers in and goers forth of the City so being so beset it concerns us to watch and examine What passeth in by our senses Psal 119. 37. What passeth forth Our Thoughts Prov 4. 23. Our words Prov. 4. 24. Our Actions Prov. 4. 26 27. In a word we must so watch our selves and our enemies that notwithstanding their subtil Attempts to hinder us we may take care for the things that belong unto the Lord how in them we may please him 1 Cor. 7. 32. To this our Watch we must add Prayer Matth. 26. 41. That he who neither slumbreth nor sleepeth would keep us Psal 12. 1. 4. That he would watch for uâ— and over us That he would not lead us into temptation Matth. 6. 13. That he would not leave us to our selves Luke 22. 32. That since Temptations cannot be avoyded they may rather surprize and take us against our wills 1 Cor. 10. 13. than we wittingly enter into them Mat. 26. 41. That if it be his pleasure that we be led into them he would make a way to escape and bring us back again 1 Cor. 10. 13. Our own weakness Mat. 26. 41. Our enemies subtilty 2 Cor. 11 3. The uncertainty of our Lords Coming Luke 12. 40. If we seriously consider these we need no other quickners to this duty Obs Our spiritual enemies are to be watched with diligence lest they hinder us in our improvement in Grace Texts Cant. 5. 2. I sleep but my heart waketh Luke 12. 39. If the good man of the House had known what hour the Thief would come he would have watched and not have suffered his House to be broken through Iust The Corinthians are exhorted to watch to stand fast in the Faith to quit themselves like men 1 Cor. 16. 13. The Church of Sardis and the Angel Overseer or Minister thereof are threatned that if they watch not Christ will come upon them as a Thief Rev. 3. 3. Reas 1. They are very subtil 2 Cor. 11. 3. 2. They seek the ruine of thy soul 1 Pet. 5. 8. 3. Watchfulness is a means to preserve Grace Rev. 16. 15. to recover it when decayed Rev. 3. 2. 4. Security exposeth to their power Luke 12. 39. Use 1. Stand continually upon thy Guard Mark 13. 37. 2. Pray to God to keep thee and to watch for thee Psal 127. 1. 3. Be sober Intemperance drowzeth the soul and renders it unfit for the duty 1 Pet. 5. 8. 4. Let not thy heart be overcharged with cares of this Life Luke 21. 34. 5. Have alwayes in mind the uncertainty and suddenness of thy Lords Coming Rev. 16. 15. Resol Though the Spirit be willing yet the Flesh is weak I will therefore watch and pray that I enter not into Temptation Mat. 26. 41. Ejac. Blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth his Garments lest he walk naked and they see his shame Rev. 16. 15. Paral. XV. Circ The Savoy at the Entrance whereof the Building was represented and the Tower of the Temple-Church are both of them seated by the River side Obs Each True Member of the Church in his way to Heaven must expect Afflictions and prepare himself with patience to undergo them THE Reason of the Prisons being set so nigh unto the River I have touched before The Savoy where the Building was represented and the Tower of the Temple-Church were made choyce of standing not far from it to shew me what in my way to Heaven I must expect and preparemy self for Afflictions are usuall in Scripture signified by waters as Psal 18. 16. Psal 1 2 c. These every one that will live godly in Christ Jesus must look to undergo 2 Tim. 3. 12. They are the Badge of Gods People Zeph. 3. 12. Of Christs Disciples Luke 14. 27. We must look for them in the world John 16. 33. as being the way which we must pass through to our Heavenly Countrey Acts 14. 22. Our Lord Christ was a man of sorrows Isa 53 3. His whole life was a continued Cross and Martyrdom He suffered those five dreadful things as the Philosopher called them Shame and Reproach often in his Life at and after his death Heb. 12. 2. Mat. 27. 63. Poverty Luke 9. 58. Sickness and Infirmities Mat. 8. 17. out of Isa 53. 4 5. Enmity John 15. 18. Death Mat. 27. 50. Heb. 12. 2. The great Captain of our salvation being thus made perfect Heb. 2. 10. after these his Sufferings sate down at the right hand of the Throne of God Heb. 12. 2. He is our Head we his Body and being predestinated to be conformable to his Image Rom. 8. 29. Before we shall be glorified with him we must look to suffer with him Rom. 8. 17. For we are to fill up that which is behind of his Afflictions Col. 1. 24. Whose Sufferings though as to his own Body they were most perfect Heb. 10. 14. Yet as to his mystical Body they remain to be perfected until that day when with joy we shall lift up our heads because our Redemption from them draweth nigh Luke 19 28. Afflictions then we must expect to undergo which When being sensible of the misery of our condition they cause us to long for that day when we shall be freed from them Rev. 21. 4. When being exercised by them we bring forth the Fruits of righteousness Heb. 12. 11. When we bear them with patience Rom. 5. 3. God hath then his end in part in laying them upon us whose Justice being fully satisfied by that one Oblation of his Son upon the Cross Hâ—b 10. 14. His Chastisements now unto his Children are Medicinal and not penal Look for Afflictions we must and must prepare our selves for them that we may patiently bear them Patience is an effect of our
I could if not match him yet closely follow him in his humiliation and amendment By the Grace of God I am what I am Which Grace of his to new mould and make me what I am hath most richly yet strangely wrought Some heaâ—ts are by the Holy Spirit gently softned for gracious Impressions some dealt with more roughly that they may be new made and reformed God hath his Oyl and his Hammer to work upon those who are ordained to Eternal Life to bring them home What the one doth not dissolve the other shall break This last way the Lord was pleased to use towards me First and that some years since by a great and long distemper in the right use of my Reason from which in much mercy he released me The work upon that being not throughly wrought hath given him just occasion now lately to visit me by laying upon me the weighty burden of a wounded spirit whereof by a sweet and I trust lasting peace in my Soul he hath at length graciously eased me Lord What is man What sinful man What I the chief among all sinful men That thou shouldst so mind me so wait for my Amendment and use so many means for my Reclaiming Thy Justice which with a remarkeable retaliation hath often paid me in my own coâ—n might long since have made a quick dispatch and have cast me into Hell But if ever any I may experimentally say thy Mercy is above thy Justice That thou O â—ord maist receive the due Glory of thy Mercy O come hither all you that fear God â—nd I will tell you what he hath done for my Soul I was under his smarting Rod under the without his support as-to the-soul-intollerable burden of a wounded spirit for some sins whereof some of them at least I knew not formerly though I had often called my wayes to remembrance my self to be guilty But the Lord was pleased after a wonderful manner not only to set them before me but to make me so sensible of their heinousness of my desert by them of his terrours then upon me for them that I was exceedingly troubled in my spirit almost to distraction while his fierce wrath went â—ver me I humbled my self low before the Lord for them and thereupon expected Peace and settlement but for some dayes could not find or feel any tâ—ough earnestly with Tears I often sued for it At length taking into my hands that rich cellar of Cordials for the sin-sick Soul the Book of Psalmes and beginning at the First I read on until I came unto the 8 v. of the 85th Psalm at those words I will hear what God the Lord will speak for he will speak Peace unto his People and to his Saints but let them not turn again to Folly At which it was the Lords pleasure I should stay and fix my thoughts upon them Which I had not loâ—g done but I found a river of unspeakaâ—le comfort flowiâ—g into my Soulâ— Which I then â—â—uld not but entertain with nor can I now mention without abundance of Tears of unfeigned Thankfulness and exceediâ—g Joy I found that Bâ—east of Consolation full of sweetness And that I might suck it to satisfaction I made choyce of the word of the next Suâ—jâ—ct which I would insist upon by way of discharge of my Pastoâ—al Office when the Lord should please in such a measure to restore me to my self that I might in some degree be though most most unworthy yet not unfit as to the right use of my Reason to appear again to serve my Lord Christ in his Ministry Having now finished my weak Meditations upon them I should be most unthankful to my Great and Gracious Restorer should I nâ—t tâ—us render unto him the due Glory of the Riches of his exceeding Mercy toward me by communicating them unto you mâ— Brethren that you may know whithâ—r to go for Peace if ever the Lord should please to bring any of you into the like Condiâ—ion I have been in O blesse the Lord with me who of very Faithfulnesse brought me into iâ— by his Glorious power suâ—ported me under it and of his abundant Goodnesse led me out of it Blessed be the God of all Comfort who haâ—h comforted us in our Tribulation that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble with the comfort wherewith we our selves have been comforted of God 2 Cor. 1. 3 4. Yours For Ye are Christs R. W. put them into the like or a worse condition Let them not turn again to Folly The Text consists of three Clauses in every of which each word hath its weight I shall by way of Illustration touch upon each of them and after a brief Paraphrase for their further clearing I shall propound the Doctrines The first Clause is I will hear what God the Lord will speak I will hear what he will speak to the distressed Soul by his Word by his Spirit I will hear what he will speak for I know it will be Comfort and Caution I will hear what God the Lord will speak He sees knowes and pities his people in their distresse and is most ready and able to help them I will hear God the Lord and him only I will hear him I will attend diligently to his Will that I may know it obey it acquaint others with it I will hear him My Resolutions are fixed to hear him against all gainsayers I will hear him My Greatness though a King exempts me not from this duty My holiness as a Saint and his true Servant binds me thereunto I will hear him I will give good example unto others I will teach exhort encourage pray for them But if notwithstanding all this they neglect their duty yet I will hear c. For c. In these two last Clauses are set down a twofold reason why the Psalmist in behalf of the Saints is so resolvedly set upon it to hear God the Lord and him alone The first being taken from that Comfort which the Lord would afford unto the Soul in speaking Peace to it The second from that good which might redound thereunto by his Fatherly Caution and Admonition He will speak Peace unto his People and to his Saints Unto his People not to the world not to stubborn impenitent sinners And to his Saints such are all his People and he owns none other for his but those who are truly such He will speak Peace Comfort Settlement Reconciliation Pardon Acceptance He will speak Peace by a full assurance thereof in the Soul He will speak Peace when his People shall have turned from their sins by true repentance and Faith in Christ He will speak Peace if not presently upon their humiliation and Faith yet most certainly in his good time But â—et them not turn again to Folly But let them not c. How tender is the Lord over his People How unwilling that they should provoke him Let them not turn again to Folly to the Folly of sin Let
way of Instance by which you may judge of the choyceness Priviledges of Saints and preciousness of the rest The Lord is their King Rev. 15. 3. He keeps their feet from falling 1 Sam. 2. 9. He preserves their Souls Psal 97. 10. He preserves them for ever Psal 37. 28. Their death is precious in his sight Psal 116. 15. He will spare them Mal. 3. 17. The Lord Christ prayes for them John 17. 9. The Holy Spirit prayes for them Rom. 8. 27. God admits them into the number of his Children 1 John 3. 1. And being so they have Him their Father The Church their Mother The Lord Christ their Brother Kings and Queens their Nurses The Holy Spirit their Tutor The Angels their Guardians All the Creatures their servants The Bread of life their Food Christ's Righteousness their Cloathing Heaven their Palace A Kingdom of Glory their Inheritance Such many many such Priviledges have the Lords People Such Honour have all his Saints Use 3. Doth the Lord own those only for his people who are true Saints true believers truly obedient Let us labour to gain an assurance to our selves that we are such and then we may confidently build upon it that we are Gods people That you may know whether you have true Faith take these three Marks of true Marks of Faith Faith in stead of many 1. True Faith is accompanied with a sweet peace in the soul arising from the assurance that our sins are pardoned and Christ's Righteousness made ours Being justified by Faith we have peace with God Rom. 5. 1. 2. True Faith purifies the heart Acts 15. 9. He that hath true Faith will still be cleansing himself from all filthiness of flesh and spirit perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord 2 Cor. 7. 1. 3. True Faith where it is begets love towards God appâ—â—hending him as the Chief Good Hence the faithful have this Character in Scripture that they are lovers of God Rom 8. 28. It stirs up likewise love unto all Gods Children as bearing his Image 1 John 5. 1. That you may know whether your Obedience Marks of Obed. be true or not take these Marks of true Obedience True Obedience prefers Gods Will before our own or any Commands of men Acts 4. 19. 2. True Obedience is universal unto all and every part of Gods Will Psal 119. 6. 3. True Obedience is alwayes accompanied with fear of offending God Heb. 12. 28. 4. It is sincere and hearty Rom. 6. 17. 5. It is zealous in good duties Tit. 2. 14. Now examine thy self by these Marks Hast thou true peace in thy soul Dost thou strive to cleanse thy soul from sin Dost thou love God and his Children Thou hast true Faith Dost thou prefer Gods Will before thine own or before mans Hast thou a respect to all his Will Art thou afraid to offend him Art thou sincere and zealous in the Service of him Thine Obedience is true And thy Faith and thine Obedience being true thou art a true Saint thou art of the number of Gods people and interessed in all those Priviledges which belong unto them Use 4. Doth the Lord own the Saints for his people Let wicked men take heed how they despise them how they oppress vex and persecute them The Lord whose they are is very tender over them They who touch them touch the Apple of his eye Zech. 2. 8. They that persecute them persecute Christ himself Acts 9. 4. They who vex and persecute them vex and persecute those who shall be their Judges 1 Cor. 6. 2. Who shall one day wash their feet in their blood Psal 58. 10. and shall break them in pieces as a Potters Vessel Rev. 2. 27. Not by way of avenging of themselves that belongs not to them but in approving of the just Sentence of Christ against them and rejoycing in the justness of that Vengeance which according to that Sentence they shall see exâ—cuted upon them at that day when the great Judge of the world will be so far from owning such as dye in their Infidelity and disobedience that he will deny them before his Father and the holy Angels Mat. 10. 33. Use last This may serve much for the Comfort of all Gods truly Faithful obedient servants and keep their spirits under the worlds Contempt and Despight What though the World hate and reject them and count them as the Off scowring of all things Yet the Lord owns them they are his people and so interessed in those sweet Promises and high Priviledges wherein they that hate them shall not be sharers Here likewise the Lords People to their exceeding Comfort may as St. Peter adviseth 2 Pet. 1. 10. make their Calling and Election sure For thus they may argue upon Infallible Grounds If I am a Saint whereof by my true Faith and Obedience I am assured then am I effectually called For I am what I was called to be Rom. 1. 7. If I am a Saint then I am sure I am elected For I am what I was elected unto Eph. 1. 4. If I am elected then I am predestinated to Glory and shall most certainly enjoy it For he that elected me predestinated me Eph. 1. 4. And whom he predestinated them he also called and whom he called them he also justified and whom he justified them he also glorified Rom. 8. 30. In his eternal Decree which in his good time he will most certainly accomplish From hence I say may the Lords people draw exceeding Comfort However these sweet Comforts of theirs cannot but be much allayed by their sense of their weakness and frailty For though they are Saints though the Lord ownes them for his People yet are they subject unto sin and are prevailed over by it and fall into the Folly of it Which is the next Particular in this Second Branch of the Point Partic. 2. That the Lords own people his Saints may and do fall into the Folly of sin This is clear from the Text they could not turn again to it unless formerly fallen into it Which is the present sad condition they are now in guilty of the folly of some hainous sins for which they under-lye the sharp sense of Gods high displeasure I do not say that they live or walk in sin as do the Children of disobedience but they may and do fall into it and that often seven times a day Prov. 24 16. In many things Jam. 3. 2. And many many wayes By Omission Commission Ignorance Forgetfulness Infirmity by sinning against knowledge Motions Checks Vows Promises Blessings Patience Chastisements Mercies Judgments by Rashness Inconsiderateness Inconstancy Negligence Beside their other-mens-sins whereof they become guilty by Commanding Exhorting Provoking Conâ—enting Commending Concealing Conniving Parâ—aking Defending not Reproving and other wayes That this is a most certain and sad truth is evident by those many â—xâ—mples of the Lords own people and Saints recorded in the Scripâ—ure who have been thus overtaken and thus fallen and some of them
is a sad sign of a Soul yet under the Dominion of Satan of one in whom sin reigns that is ready to take any occasion to obey it in the Luâ—ts thereof I must tell such that as yet they are not of the number of the Lords people that they are none of his Saints If they were they would make a better use of the fals of their Brethren they would pity them mourn over them and pray for them and that not only out of a sense of their weakness but likewise and chiefly out of a sad apprehension of those disturbances and unsettlements which they cannot but know will follow in their souls upon such their follies upon such their fals which is the Third Branch of the Point Branch 3. That when the Lords people and Saints do fall into the folly of hainous sins they lose their Peace and great disturbances perplexities unsettlements do thereupon arise in their souls This is clear out of v. 6. a little above the Text Where you may perceive that the Lords hand was so heavy upon his people that they were brought down even to the very gates of death Wilt thou not revive us again Reviving is a restoring to life as if they had been in a manner stricken dead with the sense of the Lords wrath upon them they were so distracted so disturb'd and unsetled They lâ—ved as to the natural life but as to Gods Favour in I which alone is true life Psal 30. 5. to this they were dead as to their sense and apprehension It is not thus with men of Brawny benummed Consciences Custom in sin hath beâ—eft them of all sense either of it or of wrath deserved by it But the Lords people their souls are of a more tender and soft temper and as in all known sins so especially in sins of an hainous nature in devouring sins that lay the Conscience wast their Conscience faithfully performs its Office and tels them thus and thus hast thou done Whereupon their former peace vanisheth and their souls are filleâ—â—ith peâ—plexities and perâ—urbations upon application of the Word unto their actions Reas The Word that sets down thâ— sentence of God against such and such sins so and so wâ—ll I deal saith God with such and such sinners The soul assumes by acknowledgment of its own wicked state accusing it self as guilty of those sins And thereupon it cannot but conclude and pass Judgment upon it self that it is justly liable unto the punishments threatned And hence upon serious consideration of what it hath done and what it hath deserved it becomes much troâ—bled perplexed unsetled Somtimes indâ—ed it so fals out that the Lords people do not presently upon their fals make this application by reason they do not presently consider their actions and weigh them and compare them with the Law of God as it was with David 2 Sam. 2. 5. 6. Who was quick and sharp in his sentence agaiâ—st the rich man that had taken away the Ewe-lamb from the poor man but considered not what he had done to Uâ—iah in taking away his wife and his life nor what he had deserved by it But whensoever the Application is made and it shall be at some tâ—me or other the soul loseth its former peace and becomes exceedingly troubled perplexed unsetled even to the breaking of the bones Psal 51. 8. to the wounding of the spirit Prov. 18 14. the smart whereof is insusterable and the weâ—ght insupportable O! unlâ—ss the Lord himself uphold the soul in this sad condition under this pain and pressure who can endure it Who can bear it or who is able to express it The heart knows its own grief as to temporal sufferings or its sorrow for sin but for that pain and load and trouble and horrour that accompanies the wounded spirit it is as its contrary peace past utterance past understanding Yet that I may in part acquaint you with the wofulness of that condition which the sin-burdened soul lies groveling and labouring under Know That when it is brought into this condition by the Application of the Word unto its actions the Word hath truly performed the Office of a sharp two-edged sword to which it is compared Heb. 4. 12. cutting on both sides and making two great gashes or deep wounds in the heart Two wounds In the apprehension of the losse of God In the fear of his Wrath. We have both of them before the Text. Wilt thou not revive us There is the Apprehension of the losse of Gods Favour the life of the soul v. 6. Shew us thy Mercy and grant us thy salvation ver 7. There they deprecate wrath and sue to have it removed from the seizure whereof they knew that without Mercy they could not be saved But it would burn against them and be drawn out and continue upon them 1. Then the Lords people and Saints when fallen into the Folly of hainous sins they lose their Peace and are disturbed and unsetled in their Souls and deeply wounded with the Apprehension of losse Of the losse of God Christ the Spirit God hides his Face and they are troubled Their Faith in Christ is seemingly dead and his Blood to them as a Fountain sealed up They cannot find any effectual workings no not so much as those discoveries of life the least stirrings of the Spirit in their souls They cannot pray with Confidence They cannot as formerly rely upon and shrowd themselves under Gods wing for Protection their hedge of defence is broken down and the Tents of those heavenly Guardians the Angels formerly pitched about them for their safety are overthrown So that in this regard they are in a worse-estate for the time then when first freed from the power of Darkness Then they were wounded and pricked at their hearts and had fearful apprehensions of wrath But now beside that they feel the smart of this wound of losse And this is all the good we get by sin it robs us of our God it makes a separation between him and us and causeth him to hide his Face from us Isa 59. 2. Happy is that people whose God is the Lord Psal 144. Ult. He is all-sufficient the Saints enjoy all things in him while they are his and he theirs all things are theirs and they are Christ's and Christ is Gods 1 Cor. 3. 22. 23. But on the other side when he is lost Christ is lost the Spirit is lost all is lost and gone And the loss is yet the greater and the wound the deeper and more smarting according to the Saints love towards God It goes to the heart of a man to lose what he loves Take away the worldly mans wealth which is his god you rob him of his life Micha thought he had lost all when he had lost his Idol Judges 18. 24. Mary Magdalen loved much and when she could not find the body of her beloved Lord in the Sepulcher how â—adly doth she mourn John 20. 15. Much more must it needs
God himself So St. Paul aggravates his sins calling himself the chief of sinners That he that had been so bred and knew so much that he should be such a cruel Persecuter and Blasphemer O I have sinned against knowledge Mercies Patience Chastisements Vows Promises Means Motions Checks after this manner doth the soul aggravate its sinful Follies in its Confession 5. In true Confession there will be shame A Saint will blush in secret to think that his soul which Christ hath married to himself in righteousness should be so polluted and defiled What fruit had you then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed Rom. 6. 21. Sin is alwaies attended with shame either with a reproachful shame from others or a penitent shame in secret or a confounding shame in the end Some indeed are so hardned that as Jeremy speaks Jer. 3. 3. They have Whores Forheads and refuse to be ashamed But the truly penitent soul in its Confession acknowledgeth with Daniel Dan. 9. 7. That righteousness belongeth unto God but unto us Confusion of Face because we have sinned against him 6. Lastly In true Confession there will be an acknowledgment of our unworthiness Jacobs Language is I am not worthy of the least of all thy Mercies Gen. 32. 10. The Prodigals I am not worthy to be called thy Son Luke 15. 21. St. Pauls I am not meet to be called an Apostle 1 Cor. 15. 9. The soul casts it self low at the Foot-stool of God with humble thoughts of it self The confessing Penitent calling himself dust and ashes with Abraham a worm with David a dog with the Syro-Phenician thinking that he never keeps distance enough or is low enough in his Acknowledgments Act 2. The second Act of true Repentance is sorrow for sin This with the next of hatred of sin is included in the word rending which the Prophet Joel useth alluding therein to the practise of the Jews who did use to rend their Garments upon the sight or hearing of any sad or loathsom thing as Jacob did for the loss of his Son Joseph Gen. 37. 34. and the High Priest at the supposed Blasphemy of Christ when he said he was the Son of God Mat. 27. 65. Wouldst thou then have thy wounded soul recovered and thy lost Peace restored rend thine heart in unfaigned sorrow for thy sinful Follies Sorrow in it self is a grief of the mind arising froâ— a mans suffering by that which he abhors as hurtful to him In relation to sin it is twofold Vâ—cious Sorrow And Godly Sorrow The first hath only respect to that punishment which sin hath deserved Such was that in Cain in Judas and is in many wicked men who have somtimes a kind of sorrow and remorse but it is not so much for the sin it self or indeed not at all for â—hat but in respect of that punishment whereunto by sin they have made themselves liable Such doubtless is in the Damned in Hell who are grieved for the punishment which they feel but not for the sâ—n â—hat dâ—served it The second namely Godly â—orrow is such as is in the Lords people upon their Repentance after their Falls Which may have a subordinate respect unto the punishment unto the wrath of God who is a consuming fire as St. Pauls exhortation thereupon makes it clear Heb. 12. ult And so likewise his perswading of men upon his knowledge of the Terrors of the Lord 2 Cor. 5. 11. But the principal Object which godly sorrow hath a prime and special respect unto is the offence against God as it is a violation of and transgression against his most holy Will O the Saint of the Lord grieves and mourns in his soul that by his Follies he hath offended his good God his loving Father so gentle so merciful so gracious so patient so slow to anger so ready to pardon This goes near him this doth exceedingly afflict him Though it may be the temper of his Body is such that not a Tear fals from his eye yet he would willingly if he could that his heart should weep tears of Bloud for those his sinful Follies whereby he hath provoked such a God such a tender and loving Father This Sorrow is known to be true and unfaigned by those six effects of Godly Sorrow which the Apostle sets down 2 Cor. 7. 11. Which are Marks 1. Carefulness 2. Indignation 3. Fear 4. Zeal 5. Desire 6. Revenge The Apostle there adds a Seventh Effect of the godly Sorrow in the Corinthians which he cals defending or clearing of themselves in the Greek it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies defence which I conceive was an act pâ—oper only unto them in reference to the incâ—stuous persons sin which they by way of defence cleared themselves of as not being guilty of approving thereof much less of glorying therein as they are charged and so cannot be taken in as a constant Mark of true godly sorrow in whomsoever 1. Then True sorrow for sin makes a man careful to shun all sin for the time to come especially that or those late Follies wherewith he was overtaken He will with all wariness shun the occasions which may draw him again into it He that hath once fallen into a dangerous Pit and is escaped out of it will take heed how he comes near the Brink of it again The sorrowful Soul will not only be shy of known sins which he knows to be such but he will abstain from all appearance of evil 1 Thes 5. â—2 If he hath but the least suspition of it he carefully declines and avoyds it 2. The Second Effect is Indignation which in it self is a grief at the prosperity of those whom we think unworthy of it In reference to sin it is a mixture of grief and anger against a mans own Corruption that it should so prevail over him and enslave him that he should be compassed about with such a body of death from which he knows not which way to be delivered Such a mixture of Passion was doubtless in St. Paul stirring against his cross Flesh or Corruption that warred against the Law of his mind and was still at his Elbow and present with hâ—m to hinder him in doing good and to put him on to do that which he hated his indignation was â—o stirred against it that he cries out O wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from this body of death What a wretched condition am I in Is there no way for me to be freed from it Rom. 7. 24. 3. True sorrow for sin is fearful of falling again The Saint of God upon his Follies which he now bewayles is made sensiâ—le of his own weakness he hath fallen and may again and therefore he walks in continual fear He knows his carnal part is as treacherous as ever and the Devil as malicious against him as ever and his Assaults as violent and he knows not how soon the Lord may leave him to himself and then in what case he shall
be his late experience of disturbances perplexities troubles wounds losse wrath can tell him a sad story 4. He that is truly sorry for sin his desire is vehement and earnest that he may please God for the time to come What would he not now do to win his Favour His own corrupt will hath formerly misled him to the provoking of his God but now he submits it unto Gods Will in all things Let him command what he will he is ready to obey it Let him restrain him in any thing he declines it Let him lay upon him what he pleaseth he patiently undergoes it Let him defer to answer his Prayers he waits Gods time In a word the vehement and earnest desire of his soul is that he may walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing by a dayly improving in the knowledge of him and by a further fruitfulness in every good work 4. He that is truly sorry for sin he becomes zealous against sin as that which is so offensive unto his God Thus David's zealous sorrow appeared in his Tears For his eyes ran down with Rivers of water because men kept not Gods Law Psal 129. 136. Lot's righteous soul was vexed with the filthy Conversation of the Sodomites Eâ—pecially he iâ— zealous against sin in himself He is zealous of good works he takes delight in them The wayes of Wisdom or of Christ they are pleasantness unto him Prov. 3. 17. He is diligent in good duties he is fervent in spirit serving the Lord Rom. 12. 11. He is often thinking and talking of that which is good and rejoyceth to see others do that which is good He remembers whence he is fallen to what a fair degree in Grace he had formerly attained and now he strains himself to the utmost to recover it and to go beyond it 6. He takes revenge upon himself for his former follies by watching fasting praying by denying himself in those Contents which otherwise without offence he might freely enjoy This Effect of Revenge some Commentators would find in the broken heart Psal 51. 17. Where the word is Cor confractum contribulatum that is say they fractum tribulatum cum corpore broken or ground or threshed with the body The body therefore as thence they would infer must be a sufferer with the heart in true Confession Whether the word will bear such a meaning or not I contend not It is enough we have St. Pauls example for it 1 Cor. 9. 27. We may nay ought to keep under our bodies and bring them into subjection that so they may be the fitter to joyn with our souls in Gods Service though by so doing we cannot satisfie for the least of our sinful follies Act 3. The heart must be rent in the hatred and detestation of sin And the High Priest rent his cloaths saying he hath spoken Blasphemy That sin is most loathsom and hateful is evident from those Comparisons by which its Loathsomness is set forth in Scripture It is compared to the Leprosie to menstruous rags to pollutions of the Birth to vomit to mire c. And because it is so loathsom and abominable therefore doth the Lord hate and abhor it as is to be seen Prov. 6. Psal 5. Psal 45. and in many other places The Lord is in his Essence and Nature most pure and therefore doth he naturally and essentially hate all filthiness and impurity And as he hates sin so do his people and Saints from the first moment of their Conversion of their beginning to be his people Indeed their hatred against it at first is not so manifest as afterwards The Heifers will low after their Calves Yet there is a secret dislike in the soul against it the Will bâ—gins to be set against it and their dislike gathers strength and increaseth by degrees until it doth become a down right hatred Then they can truly â—ay I hate every false way with David Psal 119. 104. I do the thing that I hâ—te with St. Paul Rom 7. 15. And because they themselves know it to be so hateful therefore do the Saints so earnestly exhoâ—t others to hate and abhor it Thus David Psal 97. 10. See that ye haâ—e the thâ—ng that is evil So Jude 23. Hate the garment spotted with the Flesh And this because upon their Conversion their Souls being united unto God they begin to love him and so cannot but abhor that which he abhors and hates Thus David takes his Motive to stir up the Saints to hate evil from their love of God Psal â—7 10. O ye that love the Lord see that ye hate the thâ—ng that is evil And much more now do the Saints hate and abhor it upon their repentance after their fals For thâ—y know that now a greater Oblâ—gation lies upon them to please God and thâ—y have had the experience that sin is a deadly enemy unto their souls wounding them robbing them of their God and exposing them to his fierce wrath And hereupon they cannot but exceedingly loath and abhor it as that which seeks and by all means endeavours their utter ruine and destruction Now that hatred against sin in others and especially in themselves may be carried on by the Lords people in such a way as may manifest the truth of their Love unto God and the unfaignedness of their repentance they are to be very cautious that they stumble not at these rubs Marks 1. As to others there must be no tolerating and bearing with their sins It was the commendation of the Church of Ephesus they could not bear those that were evil Rev 2. 2. Asa would not bear with Idolatry in his own Mother but unqâ—eened her for that her sin 1 King 15. 13. He that winks at sin â—n others will soon be blind to it in himself Yet the Saints must be sure that this their hatred of sin be perfect Psal 139. 22. wanting neither Knowledge nor Justice They must know what and why they hate and their hatred must be fastned upon the sin not upon the Person He that can dispense with the sin for the man or hates the man for the sin his hatred savours more of vicious Passion then of a vertuous Perfection 2. As to themselves there are three Rubs or stumbling-blocks at which the penitent Saint may trip and stumble if not very wary and so his hatred against sin may fail and fall short of its due Requisites these are 1. Partiality there must be an hating of all sin of every false way Psal 119. 104. The Church of Ephesus hated the deedâ— of the Nicholaitans viz. Promiscuous Whoredomes and Idolatry but decayed in Zeal they grew cold in the reprehension of these sins The truly penitent will not only hate the great Blotches and deep stains of the soul in gross and scandalous sins but evâ—n every little sin likewise the Garment that is but spotted by the Flesh Jude 23. 2. They must beware of Lenity they cannot be too vehement in their hatred against sin
performed the Office of a Schoolmaster to drive them to Christ and now it is become their Coâ—nsellor Psal 119. 24. It ceaseth to be a Rod but continuâ—s to be a Rule according to which they are to walk and when they err from this Rule thâ—y sin and it may be fall into gross hâ—inouâ— scandalous sins whereof the soul being convâ—cted and bâ—come sensiblâ— of what thereby it hath desâ—rved it becomes perplexâ—d and unsetled and depâ—ived â—or the time of its â—nward peace for the regaining whereof there is none other way but by true repentance and Faith in Christ applying the Promises of Pardon in and through him made unto poor sinners in the Word Usâ— 2. Here the sin burdened soul coming to God for Peace is directed how its Humiliation and Repentance is to be qualifiâ—d For it is not enough to confess sin but there must be a godly sorâ—ow for sin an hearty detestation of sin with fixed reâ—olutions against it and for better obâ—dience Unless all these go together its repentance is imperfect and defectâ—ve and will rather provoke the Loâ—d to further wrath then pâ—evail with him for Peace Neither will Repentance alone be sufficient but Faith must go along wâ—â—h it which is so nâ—cessary that it must make way fâ—r the accâ—ptance oâ— the Sacrifice of our broken hearts for sin Without it â—ll our Confessions our â—ears our Resolvings will be in vain For without Faith it is impossible that we or any thing we do should please God Heb. 11. 6. Without it we cannot be justâ—fiâ—d and if not justified there is no peace to be had Rom 5. 1. 3. Thâ— Lord only knows how soon some of his own pâ—ople may be brought inâ—o this sad condition to lye groaniâ—g and languishâ—ng under the Burden of a wounded spiâ—it â—oâ— their sinful follâ—es Whosoever is or may be in this case let me exhort them with all speed to hasten to this only Soveraign Remedy for the recovery of their souls and regaining of their lost Peace Break rend thine heart change thy mind confess bewayl detest resolve against thy Follies and upon better Obedience Apply unto thy Soul the precious Promises of pardon by true Faith in Christ Perform these duties heartily and as near as thou canst punctually in every particular and then set open every passage of thy soul to let in that sweet and exceeding Comfort which will certainly follow in the Lords speaking peace unto thee whâ—ch is the 2 Branch of the Point Branch 2. That when the Lords people and Saints do turn from their folly of sin by true Repentance and Faith in Christ the Lord in his good time will most certainly speak peace unto them The sinner hatâ— had experience what the sad effects are of the folly of sin disturbances unsettlements perplexities wounds Now he is about to find and feel the comfortable effects of Grace and holâ—ness For having by true Repentance and Faith in Christ turned from the wayes of sinful Folly into the wayes of Holiness and true spiritual wisdom he finds in them a sweet settlement of his soul and restoring of his Peace all the wayes of wisdom are such Prov. â— 17. that is the wayes of Christ of Grace of Holiness they are all peace and full of Comfort Now the Loâ—d is making good unto the truly humbled and faithful Soul what he pâ—omiseth Isa 54. 7 8. With great Mercy he is gathering of it which for a moment he had forsaken and though in a littlâ— wrath he had hid his face from it for a moment yet now in speaking of peace unto it he is about to make it truly sensible of his everlasting kindness wherewith he hath mercy upon it giving unto it beauty for ashes the Oâ—l of Joy for Mourning and the Garment of Praise for the Spirit of Heavâ—ness Isa 61. 3. While the Soul was under the pain of its smarting wounds gasping for peace and settlement it bewayled its condition in the Prophet Jeremy's words Jer. 8. 22. Is there no Balm in Gilead Is there no Physician there But now it may forbear its mourning and change it into Songs of Joy For behold the great Physitian of the Soul with healing under his wings is present and vouchsafes to put to his own hand to bind up the broken heart Isa 61. 1. And for the perfecting of the Cure to heal it and bind up its wounds Psal 147. 3. He will speak peace unto it He will extend peace unto it as a River Isa 66. 12. Which River divides it self into two streams or Currents 2 Partic. In the Nature of this Peace And In the Certainty of this Peace 1. For the Nature of this Peace it is A Peace of Love Peace twofold A Peace of Joy For the Lord who for a moment had in a little wrath hâ—d his face from the sinner now returns unto his soul As a Friend As a Guest or Inhabitant As a Friend banishing all fear of Enmity and Wrath. As an Inhabitant by his sweet Presence dispelling the late sad apprehensions of losse Thus the â—ouls great Physitian skilfully applyes unto each wound its proper healing Salve perfecting the cure Of the wound of Enmity by the Union of Love Of the wound of Losse by the Comfort of his Presence 1. The Lord speaks peace unto the truly penitent and faithful soul in the Union of Love in raising an assurance therein that he is become its Friend To have the great Lord of Heaven and Earth whose Vassals the greatest Princes are to have him to stoop so low as to admit a poor sinner to that high dignity to be his Friend and so to be esteemed and used by him this must needs cause a sweet peace and settlement in the Soul The Father of the Faithful is honoured with this Title Isa 41. 8. And Christ gives the same to all the obedient Sons of his Faith Ye are my Friends if ye do whatsoever I command you John 15. 14. Where you see that Obedience to Christ's Commands amongst which true Faith is one as they make a man a true Saint as I have other where shewed and so of the number of the Lords People so they bring him to that nearness of intimacy to be his Friend And what it is to have God our Friend see briefly in these Particulars Friends as near as they can will live together The Lord dwells with the humble and contrite heart Isa 57. 15. Friends communicate their Counsels to each other The Lords secrets and Covenant are with his Friends Psal 2â— 14. All things that I have heard of my Father I have made known to you my Friends John 15. 15. Friends communicate their goods to each other So the Lord all things to his friends He affrords them his Truth for their security his love for their Comfort his Power for their protection his Wisdom for their direction All that is in Christ is theirs his Love Graces Merits The Holy Ghost is their Comforter teacheth them
guides them into all Truth seals the Promises unto them is the Pledge of their â—nheritance The Angels are appointed to guard them to minister for them Heb. 1. 14. They are afforded a free use of the Creatures for necessity for delight 1 Tim. 4. 3. All things are theirs 1 Cor 3. 22. Friends deny no lawful thing to each other The Lord grants all the lawful Requests of his friends John 15. 16. Friends rejoyce in the prosperity of each other The Lord takes pleasure in the prosperity of his Servants and friends Psal 35. 27. Friends suffer with one another The Lord accounts the sufferings of his friends as his own Zechariah 2. 8. Acts 9. 4. Friends do sometimes reprove one another Psal 141. 5. The Lord by his gentle rod doth smite and admonish his friends for their good Heb. 12. 6. There is such a near Union between Friends by reason of that Love which is between them that they are as it were half of each other as if but one soul did animate them A Friend is alâ—er idem another self So there is such a near Union between God and his friends that they are partakers of his Divine Nature 2 Pet. 1. 4. He dwels in them and they in him 1 John 3. 24. Now to have God thus to be our Friend the sense of this must necessarily be a sweet-settlement to the soul and fill it with abundance of Peace He who is assured that God is his friend fears not the enmity of all the world Let him be with us it matters not who is against us If he be for us who can be against us Rom. 8 31. 2. This Peace which the Lord speaks to the truly penitent and faithful soul it is a peace oâ— Joy and Comfort They that mourn shall becom◠〈◊〉 Mat. 5. 4. They that sow in tears shall reap in Joy Psal 126 5. This Peace of Joy it consists in the Presence of God of Christ and the Holy Spirit in the soul The languishing soul was wounded with the apprehension of the losse of God which wound he now bindâ— up with the assurance of his Presence which cannot but raise exceeding Joy and Comfort in the soul To know that God is not our enemy is some settlement to the soul but more to be assured that he is our Friend Yet more that he is a friend nâ—gh unto us Psal 34. 18. But in that he is pleased to come so nâ—gh as to be our familiar Friend to dwell with us and in us to make the humble soul his Palace his Heaven his constant Habitation Isa 57. 15. This must needs revive the spirit of the humble and the heart of the Contrite In this Presence of God in the soul and the assurance thereof with those other sweet Consequences depending thereupon doth consist that unutterable inconceiveable Peace which passeth all understanding Phil. 4. 7. A Glimpse whereof however the Spirit is pleased to afford us where it sets it soâ—th to us under the similitude of a conâ—inual Fâ—ast Prov. 15. 15. At a gâ—eat Feast there is provision usually made of whatsoâ—ver may pleâ—â—e the sense a richly hung and furnished Room to entertain the Eye Musick for the ear Peâ—sâ—mâ—s for the Smâ—ll all sorts of Dainties the Land Sea Ayr afford for the Fast soft Seats and sine Lâ—nnen for the touch which doth exceedingly cheer the Spirit for the present though it be but of short continuance How then must the soul be ravished with inconceiveable Joy to enjoy this in a spiritual manner and that continually within it self Where the Room is garnished with Grace and perfumed with Christ's Merits Where God and Christ and the Spirit are both the Guests and the Food where the Angels are Attendants and Cherubims and Seraphâ—ms the Choristers and Musitians What shall the Saints enjoy more in Heaven it self as to their souls but this begun happiness in a full accomplishment When for Faith they shall see face to face and for hope shall fully and satisfiedly enjoy and for imperfect Love shall perfectly and for ever love this great Feast-maker and Feast-continuer in the soul even the God of Peace and Prince of Peace and Spirit of Peace who thus upon their unfaigned Humiliation and Faith doth and will fill the souls of his People and Saints with Peace And that most certainly there is not the least question or doubt to be moved but that he will do it Which is The next Particular to be spoken to Partic. 2. That the Lord in his good time will most certainly speak peace unto the Soul He will speak peace unto his people and Saints This Certainty I ground upon a threefold Reason that the Lord will nay cannot but speak peace unto the truly penitent and faithful soul Reas 1. Because by its humiliation it s now become a spiritual vacuum or emptiness and so is fitly prepared and put into a capacity for the entertainment of Gods Favour in speaking peace unto it That which is full cannot receive another body but that which is voyd and empty may Now as it is in natural things Nature cannot endure a vacuity or emptiness but to avoyd such an Inconvenience doth ordinarily force bodies against their nature to fill it up So the Lord suffers not a spâ—ritual emptiness in the humble heart but sends a River of heavenly peace and comfort to fill it This Reason I confess is not so forcing But in respect of the other two which follow let me speak with all due reverence of his dreadful Majesty a kind of necessity lies upon God to speak peace to the truly humbled and faithful soul 2. Therefore God cannot but speak peace unto it because he hath given it such a prevayling power over himself I cannot do any thing till thou art come to Zoar. It is the Lords speech to Lot when about to destroy Sodom and the rest of the Cities Gen. 19. 22. to Moses likewise Let me alone Exod. 32 10. So to Jacob Let me go Gen. 32. 4. As if these Saints of his had so over-powered God and held his hands that he could not do what otherwise he would So the humbled and faithful soul may in reference to that power which the Lord hath given it over himself and to which he is pleased to submit his own Almightiness being conscious to it self of its unfaigned humiliation and faith in the Promises of the Gospel it may with an holy boldness say unto God I will not let thee alone I will not let thee go until thou speak peace unto my soul In respect of this power it was that David entitled the 51 Psalm wherein is set forth his Repentance and Faith Vincenti or provictoria To the Conqueror or for the Victory Because he was assured that the Lord would not despise Despise Nay could not but accept of the Sacrifice of his broken heart for his sins being offered up upon the Altar Christ 3. The Lord cannot but speak peace unto the humbled and
delivered from the wrath to come 1 Thessal 1. 9 10. Reas 1. They are justified and so at peace with God Rom. 5. 1. 2. They are true lovers of God and there â—s no fear in Love 1 John 4. 18. 3. They are partakers of the first Resurrection and so assured that the second death shall have no power over them Rev. 20. 6. Use 1. Sin being forgiven the punishment is removed Jer. 31. 34. Pardon is a not imputing the fault unto punishment 2. Get assurance that thou art justified Two principal grounds of this Assurance are Peace in the Soul Rom. 5. 1. An holy Life Rom. 6. 22. 3. Be sure that thou truly lovest God 1 John 2. 5. 4. Beware of security Fear Gods Temporal wrath Heb. 12. 28 29. Resol Being freed from all fear arising from the Spirit of Bondage and having received the spirit of Adoption which beareth witness with my spirit that I am thy Son I will confidently yet with humble reverencâ— come unto thy Throne of Grace and cry Abba Father Rom. 8. 15 16. Ejac. My Love is yet but weak Lord so perfect it that all fear being cast ouâ— I may here without fear serve thee in holiness and righteousness and may have boldness in the Day of Judgment 1 John 4. 17 18. Paral. XI Circ I cast mine eye to the Top of the Tower Obs The effectually-Called are to set their Affections upon Heavenly things THE Lord washeth away the silth of the Daughter of Zion by the Spirit of Judgment and by the Spirit of burning At and from the Prison until set in the Tower the Spirit of Judgment wrought At the Prison gate I was made sensible what I had deserved and was liable unto The sense of my danger begat fear in me Fear putting me on to seek out for a means to escape brought me to Humiliation Humiliation with Fear and Faith brought me to Christ the Foundation of the Building Being now in him the Spirit of Burning began to work in the Tower For having Removed the Love of the world that my heart might be free to the love of Heavenly things And Banished my Fear that with Confidence and Chearfulness I might affect them By its heat it sweetly warmed and enflamed my heart with a sense and love of and desire after them By its light having first by the reward encouraged and quickned me to all diligence in the way to attain them It directed me to and in that way It discovered unto me those secret way layers whom I was to keep a watchful eye over Faith the soul's eye beholding these things though but darkly saith there are precious things laid up above Heb. 11. 1. Hope the souls Ankor as yet but weakly fastned upon the Promises of these things saith they are laid up for me Heb. 6. 18 19. Love the yet feeble feet of the Soul longing for them saith I run that I may obtain them Phil. 3. 14. The Souls eye is cleared by abounding in Grace 2 Pet. 1. 9. Her Ankor becomes more sure and stedfast by being fixed upon the immutability of Gods Counsel and his Oath Heb. 6. 17. Her feeble knee are strengthened and she is quickned in her pace by assurance that in those precious things she shall have Fulness of satisfaction and Perpetuity of enjoyment Which two things although the ancient Philosophers in their diligent search after the chief good could never find them in any worldly thing Yet they are to be had in God and in the enjoyment of him In his Presence is fulness of joy at his right hand pleasures for evermore Psal 16. 11. God then is to be the principal Object of our Love which For the manner of it must be A love of good will we must love him for himself Mat. 22. 37. A love of Union longing for the enjoyment of him Psal 42. 1. A love of delight taking pleasure In his Service Psal 122. 1. In his Children Psal 16. 3. For the measure of it it must be with all the heart soul mind strength Luke 10. 27. The utmost power of the whole soul must be employed in it We must do what we are able with a Will to do more if we were able His Greatness Psal 113 6. Our Meanness Rom. 9. 11. His preventing us with his love 1 John 4. 10. The greatness of it John 3. 13. It s Freeness Eph 2. 4 5. Our Unworthiness Rom. 5. 10. should quicken us thereunto And we may then assure our selves that we do love him when We are obedient unto his Will John 14. 23. And when We beat his rod with Patience 1 Cor. 13. 4. Obs The effectually Called are to set their Affections upon heavenly things Texts Phil. 3. 20. Our Conversation is in Heaven from whence we look for the Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ Col. 3. 1 2. If ye be risen with Christ seek those things which are above Set your affections on things above and not on things on the earth Iâ—st Aâ—raham looked for a City which hath Foundations whose Builder and Maker is God Heb. 11. 10. David longing after God saith Whom have I in Heaven but thee and there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee Psal 73. 25. Reas 1. They alone are satisfying and lasting Psalm 16. 11. 2. Thou art risen with Christ and so endued with a power to affect them Col. 3. 1. 3. Christ thine Head is above sitting at the right hand of God Col. 3. 2. Where should the Members be but with their Head Use 1. First seek the Kingdom of God and the righteousness thereof Mat. 6. 33. 2. Put thy power in execution wherewith by vertue of Christ's Resurrection thou art endued Rom. 6. 4. 3. Imitate Christ he being risen ascended into Heaven Rom. 6. 5. 4. Long to be with him thine Head Psal 1. 23. Resol My Treasure is in Heaven there shall my heart be Mat. 6. 21. There my Conversation Phil. 3. 20. Ejac. As the Hart panteth after the Water-Brook so panteth my soul after thee O God Psalm 42 1. Paral. XII Circ I cast mine eye up to the Top of the Tower where my sight was limited by a Cloudy Resemblance Obs God hath an invisible Paradise to reward his Servants which in his Service they may have a respect unto GOD is immense and cannot be consined to place 1 Kings 8. 27. However his chief residence is in Heaven above the Clouds above the stars Job 22. 12. Where he holdeth back the face of his Throne by spreading his Cloud upon it Job 26. 9. The semi-Atheist though denying the workings of his Providence over man yet acknowledgeth this Job 22. 13 14. And thither the Disciples knew and by the Angels were assured Acts 1. 11. that Christ was ascended though by reason of the intercepting cloud they could follow him no further with the eye Acts 1. 9 10 11. The heart of the effectually-Called being taken off from the world and freed from the fear of Hell is now
set upon God and the most certain Evidence of its love towards him being an holy life in a ready obedience unto his Will John 14. 23. to which by the Scaffolds as in the next I was directed the Lord was pleased first to encourage me to a forward chearful constancy therein by that glorious reward prepared for me above whereof by this cloudy resemblance I was now put in mind Are the blind able to discourse of Light How much less is man able to speak of that Glory of which we have him who saw it testifying that it is unutterable 2 Cor. 12. 4. inconceivable 1 Cor. 2. 9. The Holy Spirit is pleased notwithstanding in part to withdraw this Cloud in the Word by affording a weak glimpse of this Glory in the holy Jerusalem described Rev. 21. from v. 10. to 24. in assuring the faithful Citizens thereof who are written in the Lambs Book of life that they shall be adorned with white Robes of Glory Rev. 7. 9. 14. as to their souls and bodies As to their Souls Their Faith whereby here they see but as through a Glass darkly shall be changed into a manifest Vision of God whom they shall see face to face 1 Cor. 13. 12. Their Hope whereby here they patiently wait for this reward Rom. 8. 25. shall be changed into Fruition into the perfect enjoyment of him who shall fully satisfie their longing desires and wipe away all tears from their eyes Rev. 7. 16 17. Their imperfect love of God here shall be heightned to such a perfection as shall be incapable of enlargement 1 Cor. 13. 8. Thus that which is perfect as to all these being come that which is imperfect shall be done away 1 Cor. 13. 10 Their Bodies though sown in dishonour shall be raised in Glory 1 Cor. 15. 43. Which Glory shall consist In Clearness and Brightness they shall shine as the Sun Mat. 13. 43. In Impassibility and Freedom from Corruption this corruptible shall put on incorruption this mortal immortality 1 Cor. 15. 53. In swiftness of motion they shall be like the Angels Mat. 22. 30. In a word they shall be changed that they may be fashioned like unto the glorious body of Christ Philip. 3. 21. This Glory they shall enjoy in all fulness and to all Eternity which is set forth by the figure of a Crown Rev. 2. 10. Which is circular a circle being a Figure of the largest capacity and without end Whatsoever we perform in our obedience unto Gods Will He worketh it for us Phil. 2. 13. He is not benefitted by it Psal 16. 2. It is our duty Luke 17. 10. It is most disproportionable to this Glorious Reward Isa 64. 6. and therefore far from deserving of it Which however that in Gods Service it may be eyed We have God enjoyning of it Mat. 6. 33. We have the Saints Practise for it Heb. 11. 26 c. It is one end why Godliness hath the Promises of it 1 Tim. 4. 8. Obs God hath an invisible Paradise to reward his Servants which in his Service they may have a respect unto He hath an invisible Paradise for them Texts 1 Cor. 2. 9. Eye hath not seen nor ear heard neither have entred into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love him 1 John 3. 2. Now are we the Sons of God and it doth not yet appear what we shall bâ— but we know that when he shall appear we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is Inst. Paul being caught up into Paradise heard unspeakable words which it is not lawful or possible for a man to utter 2 Cor. 12. 4. The Holy Jerusalem described Rev. 21. 10 c. They may have a respect to this reward Texts Psal 119. 12. I have enclined my heart to perform thy Statutes alway even unto the end or for the reward Col. 1. 5. Since we heard of your Faith in Christ Jesus and of the love which ye have to all the Saints for the hope which is laid up for you in Heaven Inst Moses had respect unto the recompence of the reward Heb. 11. 26. Paul pressed toward the Mark for the price of the high Calling of God in Christ Jesus Phil. 3. 14. Reas For thâ— invisible reward 1. To shew the riches of his Bounty Mat 25. 23. 2. To encourage us to serve him with Chearfulness 1 Tim. 48. 3. To encourage us to bear the Cross with Patience Rom. 8. 18. 4. That we may patiently wait for it Rom. 8. 25. Reas For having a respect unto the reward 1. The Example of the Saints Heb. 11. 26. Phil. 3. 14. 2. It is Gods Command Mat. 6. 33. 3. It is the end of our Faith 1 Pet. 1. 9. Use 1. Be chearful in Gods service and stedfast therein thy labour shall not be in vain 1 Cor. 15. 58. 2. Bear afflictions patiently If thou suffer with Christ thou shalt reign with him Rom. 8. 17. 3. Attribute no merit to thy self the reward is his free gift Rom. 6. 23. 4. Cleanse thy soul from sin He that hath this hope purifieth himself 1 John 3. 3. Resol I will fight the good fight I will finish my course I will keep the Faith and so doing I am assured there is laid up for me a Crown of righteousness which the Lord the righteous Judge will give unto me 2 Tim. 4. 7 8. Ejâ—c O how great is thy goodness which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee Psal 31. 19. Paral. XIII Circ Round about the Tower were Scaffolds equi-distant one above another Obs The effectually-Called are to grow in all Grace by degrees and to persevere therein THE Heart set upon God will manifest its love by Obedience John 14. 23. To Obedience are required The Knowledge of Gods Will Eph. 5. 17. The doing or practising of his Will John 13. 17. Gods Will is put in practise in the exercise of holy Graces 1 Thes 4. 3. Wherein there must be an universal gradual constant Improvement 2 Pet. 3. 18. To an improvement in all Grace the Ascent of the Scaffolds directs To an Improvement in Grace the Scaffolds round about To an improvement by degrees the equi-distance of each step from other Constancy or perseverance to which the closing Parallel likewise gives direction is implied in the improvement which ceaseth if we hold not out unto the end 1 Cor. 15. 58. Improvement in Grace St. Peter compares to the growth of an Infant 1 Pet. 2. 2. To the Souls growth in Grace is required Food This Food is the Word 1 Cor. 3. 2. Which must be wholsom 1 Tim. 6. 3. Sincere Milk 1 Pet. 2. 2. Not sweetned by affected Eloquence 1 Cor. 2. 4. Not corrupted with humane Inventions Mark 7. 7. Not poysoned with wrested Interpretations 2 Pet. 3. 16. Proportionable seasonable Luke 12. 42. Administred by a lawful Nurse 1 Thes 2. 7. Or Steward appointed to