A Divine Legacy Bequeathed unto all MANKIND OF ALL Ranks Ages and Sexes Directing How we may live Holily in the Fear of God and how we may die happily in the Favour of God both which Duties are of Universal Concern The Rules here are how to be Truly Valourous in warring a good Warfare and in fighting the the good Fight of Faith while we Live and to be Blessedly Victorious when we Die By Christopher Ness Minister of the Gospel in London Exitus Acta probat Finis Coronat Opus saith the Philosopher Our Last Works should be our Best Works saith our Lord Rev. 2.19 London Printed by T. S. and sold by T. Parkhurst at the Bible and Three Crowns in Cheapside and J. Robinson at the Golden Lion in St. Paul's Church-yard 1700. The Epistle to the Reader Candid Christian I Have been now through the Grace and Mercy of my good God a Labourer in my Lord's Harvest and a Vine-dresser in my Master's Vineyard almost Threescore Years wanting but a very little of it and in the space of those last Twenty Years I have through the good hand of my God upon me as Ezra's phrase is Chap. 7.6,9 been enabled to publish to the World this following Catalogue of Books little and great As 1. The Crown and Glory of a Christian in the Year 76. 2. A Christian Walk and Work on Earth till he come to Heaven in the Year 77. 3. The Chrystal Mirror or Christian's Looking-Glass shewing the Treachery of the Heart in the Year 78. 4. An Antidote against the Poison of Popery in the Year 78 79. 5. A Discovery of Antichrist in his Rise Reign and Ruine in the Year 79. 6. The Devil's Patriarch in the Life of Pope Innocent XI in the Year 80. 7. A Spiritual Legacy to Young Ones in the Year 81. 8. A Church-History from Adam to this Day and a Scripture-Prophecy to the End of the World in the Year 81 82. 9. A New-Years Gift for Children in the Year 83. 10. The Wonderful Signs of Wonderful Times in the Year 84. 11. An Half Sheet upon the Comet or Blazing-Star 12. Three Sheets inlarged upon the same Subject 13. A Whip for the Fools Back who did Ridicule God's Holy Ordinance of Marriage c. 14. A Key with the Whip unsolding the Intreagues of Absalom and Achitophel both these latter are writ in Satyrical Verse 15. Advice to the Painter about the Earl of Shaftsbury's enlargement from the Tower in smoother Verse 16. An Astrological and Theological Discourse upon the great Conjunction ushered in with a great Comet c. 17. A Strange and Wonderful Trinity or Triplicity of Stupendious Prodigies namely consisting of a Wonderful Eclipse of a Wonderful Comet and of a Wonderful Conjunction all these without Date were written between the Year 82 and 89. 18. My First Volume in Folio called a Compleat History and Mystery of the Old and New-Testament both Logically discussed and Theologically improved beginning at Adam and ending at Moses 19. The Second Volume in Folio having the same Title with the first begins with Joshuah and ends at Solomon's Birth 20. The Third Volume in Folio with the same Title begins at Solomon's Life and ends at the end of the Old-Testament 21. The Fourth Volume in Folio with the same Title begins at the Birth of Christ and ends at the Death of John the Divine which is an Exposition of the whole New-Testamen All these Four Volumes are now commended to the World by Three of our Learned and Judicious Divines namely Mr. Matthew Barker M. George Griffith and Mr. Samuel Slater which Testimonial is printed at the bottom of the Dedicatory Epistle to the Fourth Volume under their own Three Hands Tria sunt omnia instar omnium c. this Work hath taken me wholly up from the Year 89 to this Year 99. And now 22. This Divine Legacy which is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 multum in parvo much in a little Isocrates wrote his best Book the last and Plato died at 81 with his Pen in his Hand and Demosthenes desired to do so c. Yet have we better Examples than those Philosophers for Joshuah when he was going the way of all the Earth and stricken in years Josh 23.2 and 14. did then give most grave and godly Counsel to the Old-Testament Church Chap. 23. and 24. And Paul the Aged wrote the more effectually to young Philemon under that Title of Veneration Philem. ver 9. And the Beloved Disciple John who while Young leaned upon his Lord's Bosom Joh. 13.23,25 did under the Venerable Name of Elder 2 Joh. 1. and 3 Joh. 1. write his first General Epistle to Children Young Men and Fathers in the New Testament 1 Joh. 2.12,13,14 but above all God himself thunders out threatnings against Children Young Men and Aged Jer. 6.11,12,13 In congruity to those perfect Patterns I an Old Servant of Christ have drawn up this Directory talis qualis est to all Ages especially to us that are Old adding only 1. That Old Age is a dead weight 'T is then a difficult Duty to turn unto God when we have been turning and running from him all our former Days No Spur can move a Founder'd Horse and Hard Wax takes no impression When the Body is weak and Presumption is strong to say God is merciful is said truly but not safely Therefore 2 All must be careful to live well while Young and then shall we die well whether Young or Old 3. When we have seen an end of all worldly Perfections then may we best see that God's Commands are exceeding broad and all our Obedience to be exceeding narrow Psal 119.96 The Good Lord grant that this Legacy may come to you in the fulness of the blessing of the Gospel of Christ Rom. 15.29 Amen THE CONTENTS OF THIS Divine Legacy CHAP. I. COntains faln Man's Malady and Danger pag. 1. to 42. CHAP. II. Faln Mam's Remedy and Deliverer p. 43 to 63. CHAP. III. The Redeemed are Conquerors by their Strong Redemer p. 54 120. CHAP. IV. Advice to Young and Old to war a good Warfare in God's Armour and Watching unto Prayer p. 130 to 177. CHAP. V. The Characters of True Conquerors through the strength of Christ p. 177 to 232. CHAP. VI. Advice to the Aged for saving the Soul p. 232 to 319. CHAP. VII The Holy Means for making Old Age to become a Good Age p. 320 to 357. CHAP. VIII Contains both Counsel and Comfort 1. Against the Evils of Old Age. 2. Against the Fears of the Hour of Death And 3. Against the Terrors of the Day of Judgment p. 358 to the last CHAP. I. Man's Malady and Danger MAN's Life is a Warfare Job 7.1 Margin which the Septuagint reads 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to signifie a place of Pirates as Paul was in perils often both by Sea and Land 2 Cor. 11.26 so are we all while in this lower World for Satan is both a Robber by Land that seeks not for Straw but
Burden but entertain it chearfully with God-praising hearts 'T is true tho' Old Age be a rich Blessing of God in it self as is largely demonstrated before and yet is called an Evil Age for Reasons afore-named Notwithstanding God hath not left it comfortless as 't is said John 14.18 But the Spirit who is the Comforter hath left upon Scripture-Record so many Cordials as are truly Soveraign against all the Evils that attend it insomuch as Old Age may be an easie Age a calm and quiet Harbour if Youth hath done it no disservice in filling its bones with the sins of Youth before-hand and if Intemperance which is like the Thief in the Candle wasting it away hath not weakned its Head or Feet c. In this case Old Age hath cause to complain of the evil of the Man and not the Man to murmure at the Evils of Old Age. Thus Old Job oft complains of the Misery of his Old Age saying Lord thou changest our Countenances and sendest us away Job 14.20 and many myriads of such Sighs too long to relate do ever and anon issue out of his Mouth And he himself tells us the ground of all his grief was that God made him to possess the sins of his Youth Job 13.26 therefore says he thou writest bitter things against me c. Thus likewise Old David complained I am become like a Bottle in the Smoak Psal 119.83 and much more in many other Psalms c. which drove him to groan out that Petition Lord remember not against me the Transgressions of my Youth for thy tender Mercies have been of old c. Psal 25.6,7 Both those Instances were Holy Persons who after those and many more such Complaints were both of them comforted by the God of all Comforts 2 Cor. 1.3 and had their Old Age marvelously sweetned to them and had their best Wine at the last both those Good Men had remembred their Creator in the days of their Youth Eccles 12.1 and tho' their Youth-Time had been a very rough Voyage through a surging stormy Sea yet their last Years were their best Years as it was to Good Old Jacob who after a long Life of manifold Miseries did enjoy seventeen Years of sweet Tranquility and Comfort c. But alas this Mercy can never be expected by those who never had God neither in their Heads Psal 10.4 nor in their Hearts Psal 14.1 nor in their Words Psal 12.4 no nor in their Works Tit. 1.16 and such as drive a Through-Trade all their Lives in Weaving the Web of Wickedness having been twice dipped in the Devils Dye-Tub as the Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for Scarlet Sins doth sigâ—ie namely in the Wool of their Youth and in the Web of their Elder Years those can never expect any comfort in Old Age. Pliny tells us Serpens Serpentem devorans fit Draco as that Serpent which commonly devoureth other Serpents becomes to be a Dragon at last So a long swallower of many Sins becomes at the length a most Monstrous Sinner c. that Old and true saying that if Persons prove not Fair at twenty Strong at thirty Wise at forto Rich at fifty and Religious at sixty Years of Age such will never prove either Fair or Strong or Wise or Wealthy or Holy Ones all the days of their Lives This ancient Adage holds a most apt congruity with that saying of Solomon such as seek me early shall find me Prov. 8.17 Whereas the Habitual Sinner to whom God hath given the Space of Repentance many times but never the Grace of it Rev. 2.21,23 leads the Life of sin Thoughts beget Delight Delight begets Consent Consent begets Action Action begets Custom and lastly Custom begets Necessity so that he brings himself under a Law of an unavoidable Sinning against his maker and as David tells Saul wickedness proceedeth from the wicked as naturally as Water from the Fountain 1 Sam. 24.13 Satan is not satisfied to have Men Sinners only but he will have them also to abound in sin and to be like the Crocodile that grows while it lives in growing greater and grosser Sinners to the end of their Lives Alas this is but the laying of a bad and not a good foundation for the time to come As we are commanded to lay up a better store against Old Age and Death and to lay hold on Eternal Life 1 Tim. 6.19 NB. Note well Our Lord tells Peter what Miseries he should meet withal when he came to be Old John 21.18 He had the manner of his Death foretold him that he should glorifie God by Martyrdom ver 19. and observe what an holy Improvement he made of this Precaution he had made his Solemn Appeal to an All-knowing Lord saying thou knowest all things thou knowest that I love thee ver 17. and to testifie his Love to his Lord in feeding his Lambs he wrote those two famous Epistles General to the Churches of Christ and in the latter of them he saith I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance c. Yea I think it meet while I am in this Tabernacle to stir you up c. knowing that shortly I must put off this Tabernacle even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me 2 Pet. 1.12,13,14,15 He knew that his Tent or Tabernacle must soon be taken down his Earthly House as Paul who was a Tent-maker calls the Body a Tent 2 Cor. 5.1 So both these two great Apostles did truly and duly endeavour to magnifie and to glorifie Christ both in Life and at Death John 21.19 and Phil. 1.20 Thus both Peter the Elder and Paul the Aged as they stile themselves 1 Pet. 5.1 and Phil. ver 9. were well in-laid and fortified before-hand to undergo the Evils that attended them both in their Old Age c. May we but get Hearts to own God while we are Young then God will not forget us but own us when Old and as our days are so shall our strength be Deut. 33.25 Now more particularly the Comforts against the Evils of Old Age are First That then the Law of our Members cannot so easily lead us into captivity unto sin Rom. 7.23 as formerly in the Heat and Vanity of our Youth Indeed the Witty Fable runs thus Cupid that Pagan God of Love and Mors that is Death happened to meet together and to lodge all Night both of them in one and the same Inn but in the Morning they chanced to mistake each others Quivers filled with Darts Hereupon Cupid after this shot the frozen Darts of Death at many Young People in their briskest time of their Loving and Lusting whereby many Young Gallants and Tempting Ladies were brought unto an untimely Death c. But on the contrary Mors did shoot the Fiery Darts of Cupid at the Aged Persons who in the Course of Nature were hastening to the Grave and hereby arose that wantonness of Old People for Marriage c. by which means it may be said as
you comfort you yea I will carry on the Work of Grace in you and at the last Crown you with Glory All this and more is included in this precious Promise c. Now having dispatched the first Demonstration shewing how it is made manifest in a manifold manner namely in a fourfold Respect both in Heaven and upon Earth both in his Person and in his Spirit c. that Christ is the stronger Man and too strong for this strong Man Satan tho' he be armed Cap-a-pee from head to foot Now I come to the Second Demonstration to shew the Reason why it must be so The first Reason is The Creator must be too strong for the Creature Now that Christ was the Devil's Creator appeareth by many Scriptures as by John 1.3 and by Col. 1.16 and by Heb. 1.2,3 All which places do declare the Deity of Christ for none can have a Creating-power save only the Omnipotent God who can bring all things out of nothing Now all things whether Visible or Invisible whether they be Thrones or Dominions or Principalities which is one of Satan's names Eph. 6.12 or Powers all things were created not only by him but also for him Col. 1.16 and if so it must follow that the Devil is one of Christ's Creatures and not only made by him but also for him that is for accomplishing the ends of Christ's Glorious Will or as it is expressed all were created for the Pleasure of Christ Revel 4.11 Now should the Devil be too strong for Christ this could not be Christ's Pleasure but his Pain and Torment to be mastered by another and brought into Subjection c. This the Adversary himself doth acknowledge in his saying to Christ Art thou come to Torment us before the time Mat. 8.29 wherein he owned not only that Christ was over-powerful for him but also that to be over-powered and to be dispossessed too could not be accounted any pleasure to him but his great torment to be cast out of his Palace and to lose the place of his pleasure Thus it may easily be concluded that Christ must be stronger than his Creature otherwise the Creature would not be for his Pleasure it must be Pain for a Superior to be subdued by an Inferior A noble Prince by a base Peasant a Prisoner c. The second Reason why Christ must be stronger than Satan is because Christ is likewise the Upholder of all created Beings 't is said Christ upholdeth all things by the Word of his Power Hebr. 1.3 As 't is said The Father made the Worlds by his Son ver 2. and without him nothing was made that was created John 1.3 The Son of God was not idle or unconcerned in the first Creation but was a Co-Agent with the Father and the Spirit in that Almighty Work c. So here he is brought in as an upholder of all things by the Word of his Power in the Almighty Works of his Providence and he upholds all created Things both Secundum suum esse secundum suum operari as the Schoolmen's Phrase is that is Christ upholds all things both as to their Beings and Essence and as to their Actings and Operations So that the Fire cannot burn c. without the Divine Concourse of Christ as both in the Case of Moses Bush which burned but was not consumed Exod. 3.2 And in the Case of those three Nobles of Babylon who were cast into the exceeding hot fiery Furnace but the Fire had no power over their Bodies nor was one Hair of their Head singed c. Dan. 3.23 c. How came this to pass We are told there that the Son of God made the fourth Man among them and restrained the fury of those Flames so that not any smell of burning was upon them Ver. 24 25 26 27. Where we are told how Nebuchadnezzar heard the three Men praising God in the Fire as the Septuagint saith there and he saw the fourth as their Redeemer All which do clearly declare That the Devil but a Creature is upheld by Christ both in his Being and in his Acting He could not harm an Hog without asking leave from his Lord suffer us to go c. Matth. 8.30,31,32 much less any Lamb of Christ who lends him his leave c. Now the Borrowing-power can never be too strong for the Lending-power c. CHAP. III. The Redeemed are Conquerors THis Third Chapter doth demonstrate that Christ is still the stronger Man by his Spiritual Presence in all his Redeemed making them more than Conquerors through his Love to them Rom. 8.37 and he will continue to be so with them to the end of the World Matth. 28.20 The Reason whereof is rendred For he that is in us is greater than he that is in the World 1 John 4.4 The Greek word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is greater in Strength of the same Sense with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the stronger Man Luke 11.22 Who enabled the Apostle to say 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me Phil. 4.13 And thus our Lord out of love doth strengthen all his Members as he is their Head to conquer and overcome all those Difficulties that they meet withal in running their Race which is set before them Hebr. 12.2 That no man nor Devil may take their Crown Rev. 3.11 The first Enquiry is What be the cases of Difficulty wherein the strong Redeemer doth assist his weak redeemed Ones to become Conquerors by his assisting Love Answer This Work of Love he worketh for us in Seven several Cases As First Christ enables us for performing of Duties which should be wrought in God John 3.21 both quoad fontem from a right Principle and quoad finem for a right End yea and quoad regulam by a right Rule also otherwise while we write up Service God may write up Sin splendida peccata shining Sins in a silken Suit c. Zech. 7.8 When we go not forth in the strength of the Lord to Preach Pray c. Psal 71.16 The Lord helpeth the Levites to bear the Ark c. 1 Chron. 15.26 And God's Spirit helps our Infirmities in praying-work Rom. 8.26 The word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is translated only helpeth signifies much more namely to bear up the heavier end of our praying-work And where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty and freedom for performing of Duty 2 Cor. 3.17 If Christ free us we are free indeed John 8.36 Secondly For exercising of Graces 't is not enough for us to have the Habits of Grace but 't is Christ's work to actuate them and to draw them forth into acts and exercises not one grace can suspirare breathe forth any fragrancy unless Christ's Spirit do inspirare breathe upon them Alas all Habits of Grace do lay dormant in us in the case of Divine Desertion as those in holy David did while God was departed from him during his ten Months
The word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies that the Scriptures are God's breath God made them as well as the Heavens c. Heb. 11.10 with the Breath of his Mouth The Second Reason is because the word of God is sharper than any two edged Sword and pierceth to the dividing of the Soul and Spirit c. Heb. 4.12 the Greek words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies 't is quick lively cutting powerful and energetical when the power of the Spirit goeth along with it as Luke 5.17 c. It will then ransack the hearts even of wicked men as it did to Herod Luke 9.7 it made him stick fast in the mud as the original word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies and as it did to Foelix who was made to tremble thereby Acts 24.25 But as to the Godly who tremble at his Word and Judgments as David did Psal 119.120 God promiseth to lend a look of Love towards them Isai 66.3 The Third Reason why the Word is called a Sword is because this Weapon of our Warfare is not weak as Flesh oft called the old man for weakness is but it is mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds and casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth it self against the knowledge of God and bringing into Captivity every Thought to the obedience of Christ 2 Cor. 10.4,5 Therefore Alexander's Sword wherewith he could cut the Gordian Knot as it is famous in History is nothing comparable to this Spiritual Sword that can work all those Wonders before mentioned We must say the same of this Sword what David said of Goliah's Sword there is none like it let it be given to us 1 Sam. 21.9 But the Fourth Reason above all is this was the Weapon wherewith our Lord Christ did defeat and discomsit the Devil himself when he warred this good Warfare against Satan's very Person and that upon the Devil 's own Dunghil as he is called the God of this World 2 Cor. 4.4 We find in Matt. 4. and in the other Evangelists likewise how our Lord in his Duel with the Devil made use of no other Weapon but this Sword of the Spirit the word of God wherewith in three several assaults of Satan upon him he repelled his Antagonist three sundry times one after another and that by answering all the three Temptations of the Tempter only with scriptum est it is written three times over and which is remarkable all those three Scriptures wherewith our Saviour conquered Satan were drawn out of the Fifth Book of Moses called Deuteronomy This even this was the great and strong Sword wherewith our Lord slashed and cut in pieces that lofty Leviathan that old and crooked piercing Serpent as Isai 27.1 As David our Lord's Father and Figure did choose some smooth Stones out of the Water-brooks wherewith he fought the good fight of Faith against that monstrous Philistin c. 2 Sam. 17.40 and he slings these Stones out of the Sling of Faith also at the very Face of the Great Goliah and God himself going along with the Stone it gave him a mortal wound and made him fall flat down to the ground so that the weight of his bulky Body especially so loaded with so much heavy Armour must make an horrible Earthquake by his fall Even so our mystical David here doth choose those three smooth Stones out of the Silver Streams of the Sacred Scriptures and with these being slung by a Divine Art and Hand he likewise knocks down the Great Goliah of Hell All this doth teach us that the Books of the Holy Scriptures are a blessed Armory far beyond that of Solomons Cant. 4.4 The Tower of David was famous for a fully furnished Armory as the Tower of London is now accounted the most famous Armory in the World for all sorts of Armour so comly fixed in a most beautiful order which my Eyes have beheld with admiration whither we ought to hasten in an hour of Temptation and there we shall be furnished with this Sword to defeat the Devil c. NB. Note well 1 st That this Sword may have saving effects for our Souls good we must learn from David to draw the Sword out of its Sheath as he did 1 Sam. 17.51 that is we must draw this Sword of the Spirit out of the Sheath of the Letter and not make a Charm of the bare words thereof for 't is said the Letter killeth but 't is the Spirit that giveth life 2 Cor. 3.6 Yet 't is the Foppery of Popery to use only a wooden Dagger and a leaden Sword in undertaking to drive away the Devil by making Spells of some certain Syllables of the Scripture and by crossing themselves with the sign of the Cross and by being sprinkled with their Holy Water yea and by ringing their Baptized Bells c. Whereas alas 't is not the dead sign of the Cross but the living Word of the Cross 1 Cor. 1.23,24 the power of God c. that drives away the Devil 't is our being sprinkled with Water of Life even with Water and the Spirit Joh. 3.3,5 and it is the ringing of Aaron's Bells which typified the preaching of the Word of God and which the Devil can no more abide than the Owle can abide the Light of the Sun because he is a Bird of Darkness This was very apparent in New England as Mr. Elliot relateth the story that when the Sun-shine of the Gospel first came into that Country it so molested the Devil in his former quiet Habitations that he departed thence with most horrible signs of his Displeasure and thus it is said that God smites the Earth with the Rod of his Mouth Isa 11.4 and likewise that the man of Sin shall be destroyed with the Breath of Christ's Mouth and with the Brightness of his Coming 2 Thess 2.8 't is the Breath or Spirit both which are of the same signification of Christ that goes along with his Word which destroys the Devil and his Works Heb. 2.14 and 1 Joh. 3.8 Luk. 5.17 N B. Note well 2 ly How highly doth it concern us all to comply cordially with that Apostolical command let the Word of Christ dwell in you Richly Col. 3.16 The Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 there doth intimate that we ought to have an Holy Covetousness of heaping up an hoard of the Sacred Scriptures and locking them up in the Cabinet of a Sanctified Memory c. as we all naturally can be careful and covetous enough for heaping up the Coin of Gold and Silver and securing the same under Locks and Bolts c. As we do this latter that we may duly and daily fetch out of our Treasure so much thereof as will supply all our wants for Mony answers all things Eccles 10.19 even so we all ought to be as Appollos was Acts 18.24 mighty in the Scriptures we should have a mighty stock of the knowledge of them that so when-ever a busie Devil comes to
the strongest Oaks c. it maketh the Hindes to Calve which is the most difficult Birth of all Females Job 39.1 they being so narrow-made Creatures c. And the Voice of the Lord stilleth the Rage of Rivers and Seas by sitting upon the Floods and keeping them under his Call Psal 29.4,5,6,7 to 11. The Third Character is The Voice of Christ reacheth the Heart it maketh manifest the Secrets of the Hearts of Unbelievers at a Sermon-hearing and causeth them to fall down and worship God and to say that God is in his Prophets of a truth 1 Cor. 14.24,25 Thus when Christ speaketh with a strong hand as he did to the Prophet Isa 8.11 to any person then Christ opens the Heart as he did the Heart of Lydia Acts 16.14 tho' it be called a small still Voice 1 Kings 19.12 yet having the Lord in it it is mighty in its Operations for pulling down of the strong holds of Satan and casting down every high thing that exalts its self against God in us 2 Cor. 10.4,5 Christ's Voice hath Spirit and Life in it John 6.63 and therefore is it only effectual to break the heart for sin to dissolve the Stone and to mortifie sin in it and to quicken it for God and to change it into the Image of God c. 2 Cor. 3.18 The Fourth Character is Christ's Voice calleth from evil to good from ways of wickedness to ways of holiness it always cries come up hither to God Rev. 11.12 but never go down thither to sin this latter is the Voice of an Egyptian and when we meet it we must with Moses slay it but the former is an Hebrew Voice which we must save alive as he did Exod. 2.11,12 Christ's Breath or Spirit is called a Spirit of Holiness Rom. 1.3 and always calls us to be Holy as he is Holy 1 Pet. 1.15 and 2 Pet. 3.11 Truth calls to forsake the Foolish Prov. 9.6 but Error calls to Fleshly Delights ver 15 16 17. therefore we must reject that Voice which promotes not the power of Godliness The Fifth Character is Christ's Voice is alway consonant to the Light and Law of Nature This is the remainder of God's Image in faln mankind some sherd whereof do still remain after Adam's fall whereby Cain knew that Murther Joseph that Adultery his Brethren that Theft c. were all heinous sins long before the Law was given by Moses Hereby likewise the Gentiles who have not the Law do by Nature the things contained in the Law these are a Law to themselves which shew the work of the Law written in their Hearts their Conscience bearing witness and either excusing or accusing c. Rom. 2.14,15 Therefore that Voice which crosseth the Voice of an awakened Conscience is not Christ's Voice The Sixth Character is the Voice of Christ is alway congruous to the Light and Law of the Holy Scripture for Christ who is called the word John 1.1 cannot contradict himself He is not Yea and Nay but in him was Yea c. 2 Cor. 1.17,18,19,20 He is the same both in his Voice that is spoken and in his Word that is written therefore our Lord saith to the Law and to the Testimony if any speak not according to this word it is because they have no Light in them Isa 8.20 The Word written must be the Rule of our Lives because it shall be our Judge after Death as our Lord saith the word that I have spoken the same shall judge you at the last day John 12.48 Rom. 2.16 according to my Gospel So that if any pretended Voice of Christ come to us which holds not congruity with the Scipture of Truth Dan. 10.21 1 Joh. 4.1 we must look on it as a Delusion c. The Seventh Character is The Voice of Christ always calls to weighty matters and that in order c. but never to trifling Deeds and in disorder and confusion Thus Nehemiah perceived it was none of God's call that called him from God's work no fewer than five or six times to trifling discourses with them in private c. Neh. 6.4,5,6,12 and thus Paul was exasperated against the Divining Damsel for disturbing them many days from their Praying work c. Acts 16.16,17,18 The Eighth and Last Character to mention no more for brevity sake is Christ's Voice doth put the Right Hearer of it into an acting frame and doing posture for thus he saith Why call ye me Lord Lord and do not the things that I say Luke 6.46 'T is not Hearers but Doers whom God respects Rom. 2.13 Hearers only and not Doers deceive themselves Jam. 1.22 'T is not the hearing and talking but the walking and working Christian that Christ loveth c. Inferences from hence 1 st That we may hear the Voice of Christ we must come to every Ordinance in publick and to every Duty in private in an hearkning posture I will hearken what the Lord will say c. Psal 85.8 Speak Lord for thy Servant heareth 1 Sam. 3.19 To hearken is better than the fat of Rams 1 Sam. 15.22 To day if you will hear his Voice harden not your hearts Heb. 3.7 but listen and hearken with bored Ears Psal 40.6 c. 2 dly Pray for a Discerning Spirit 1 Cor. 12.10 that we mistake not the Younger for the Elder as blind Isaac did Gen. 27,21,22 The Voice may be Jacob's when the Hands may be like the rough Hands of Esau c. and we may think that we are embracing our beloved Rachel all the night when in the morning-light it proves a Blear-eyed Leah as it was imposed upon Jacob by churlish Laban Gen. 29.25 and therefore must we pray for God's Spirit to lead us into all truth John 14.26 if it do witness with our Spirits Rom. 8.16 This is the ultimum or last appeal then may we say with the Apostle I have the mind of Christ 1 Cor. 2.16 and with the Prophet If I be deceived my God hath deceived me Jer. 20.7 For the Spirit of Truth doth not only assure us of our interest in Christ but also of the truth of the Voice of Christ to us to prevent mistakes c. 3 dly Prove all things and hold fast that which is good 1 Thes 5.21 Try before we trust take nothing upon trust he was a fond Philosopher that said he had rather err with Plato than follow the Truth with others whereas we should follow any that follow Christ 1 Cor. 11.1 Wo to them that call evil good c. Isa 5.20 therefore should we say with Isaac Come near my Son that I may feel thee Gen. 27.21 And John turned to see the Voice of him that spake to him Rev. 1.12 And the same Apostle saith our Hands have handled of the word of Life 1 John 1.1 the Ear tryeth words c. Job 12.11 As Timothy must lay hands sudddenly on no man 1 Tim. 5.22 So we on no Thing no Voice c. for we may hear a noise only of
the manifest works of the Flesh are many There be no fewer than seventeen of them reckoned up Gal. 5.19,20,21 and yet not all by much for Paul comes off with and such like c. Yea the same Apostle calls our Adversary A Body of Sin Rom. 6.6 because it wars against us in a full Body made up of many of Satan's Warriors a very great Army Now if we go out in the strength of the Lord as David did Psal 71.16 and take the Captain of our Salvation Heb. 2.10 along with us who teacheth our hands to war and our fingers to fight Psal 144.1 then are we made able to run through a Troop with David Psal 18.29 and to leap over the Wall yea and to break even a Bow of Steel by our Arms ver 34. Alas we have all cause to cry as Leah did Gen. 30.11 behold a Troop cometh yea such a Troop of fleshly Lusts as overcomes Gad for a while but this is our comfort that Gad doth overcome at last Gen. 49.19 If we can but break the Ranks of our Spiritual Enemies so that they cannot come up in a full Body against us as formerly then is there hope in Israel concerning this thing that we shall better conquer them one after another when they are scattered asunder divide impera divide and rule said Machiavel but vis unita fortior est strength united is strong especially having God's promise of a Conquest as the King of Babylon had to conquer Egypt in whose behalf God saith I will put my Sword into his Hand and will strengthen his Arms but I will break Pharaoh's Arms and he shall groan before him with the groanings of a deadly wounded man Ezek. 30.24 accordingly if we can but say that the Lord hath put his Sword into our Hands even the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God Ephes 6.17 wherewith our Saviour himself conquered Satan in all his three Assaults Matth. 4.4,7,10 saying Scriptum est it is Written against them all then the Devil will leave us as he did our Lord ver 11. at least for a Season Lâ—ke 4.13 and Angels came to bring Food to him after his forty days fasting Thus likewise if the Lord will strengthen our Arms also as well as put his Sword into our Hands yea and break the Arms of that Great Dragon Pharaoh as he is called Ezek. 29.3 then shall he lie groaning before us as in the example aforesaid with the groanings of a deadly wounded man According both to the Church's Prayer awake awake thou Arm of the Lord art thou not it that cut Rahab in pieces and wounded the Dragon Oh put on strength as in the days of old Isai 51.9 and 27.1 and according also to God's promise thou shalt tread upon the Lion and the Adder the young Lion and the Dragon shalt thou trample under Foot Psal 91.13 because he hath set his love upon me therefore will I deliver him c. ver 14. yea and according to Christ's promise likewise They shall take up Serpents and if they drink any deadly Poison it shall not hurt them c. Mark 16.17,18 NB. Note well This extraordinary Gift lasted until Christ was publickly professed in the World Indeed this great Red Dragon will be wrongful to the Woman the Church and to her Seed Rev. 12.3,4,7,9,16,17 until our Lord come and lay hold on him and chain him up c. Rev. 20.2,3 and tread down Satan under our Feet shortly Rom. 16.20 In the mean time we must endeavour to say with David even three times over tho' our Spiritual Enemies be as many as are all the Nations which compass us about even the Philistins Ammon and Amaleck c. yet in the Name of the Lord we will destroy them yea tho' they be so numerous as to compass us about yea and again they compass us round about yet in the Name of the Lord we will destroy them yet higher tho' they compass us about like a swarm of Bees that carry poisonful Stings with them which in revenge they will lose and oft their very lives together or at least become Drones ever after just so to Satan's Imps who matter not care not if they undo and damn themselves for ever so they may but spend their venemous Spight upon the poor Servants of God yet even of those also we must say on with David that in the Name of the Lord we will destroy them even three times over Psal 118.10,11,12 and that with David's faith likewise who saith before his Victory over them they are already quenched as the fire of Thorns ver 12. alluding to what he had before said of his Enemies before your Pots can feel the Thorns he shall take them away as with a Whirlwind both living and in his wrath Psal 58.9 This is here a Comparison taken from Raw-flesh which is pulled out of the Pot before it hath felt the full force of the Fire God's wrath shall sweep them away when they seem to be most vigorous and vivacious to look upon David foresaw their sudden destruction Oh that it were so with us as it was with David whose Faith was above his Fear and Oh that we could foresee the Fall of our Spiritual Enemies as he did his Temporal as it infallibly will be so if the Seed of God be but really in us Oh what a shame it is that a Pagan Dame Zeresh could foresee the future Fall of her haughty Husband Haman saying If Mordecai â—e of the Seed of the Jews before whom thou hast begun to fall thou shalt not prevail against him but shalt surely fall before him Esth 6.13 the Hebrew is falling thou shalt fall that is irrecoverably This she spake like a prudent Woman that had observed how the Jews were noted for a Nation which was very dear to God and which was oftentimes by an high hand delivered by him from their Enemies as from Pharaoh c. possibly the Devil might put this Prophecy into her Mouth as Satan in the similitude of Samuel had long before preached Saul's Funeral Sermon 1 Sam. 28. from ver 16 to 20. However she told Haman the truth tho' it might come from the old Lyar the Devil yet was it for Devilish ends for as she had been a bad Counsellor to her Husband heretofore so now she becomes a most sad and cold Comforter to him If this poor Pagan could argue thus aright from humane prudence how much more may true Christians who learn better Lessons in Christ's School Ephes 4.20 where we are taught to believe that whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin for the Seed of God remaineth in him and he cannot sin because he is born of God 1 John 3.9 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is he dare not drive the Trade of Sin the Seed will bring forth Fruit like it self so far as he is made a partaker of the Divine Nature 2 Pet. 1.4 He cannot sin sinningly so as to be transformed
have Food and Raiment convenient for you Prov. 30.8 Heb. 13.5 and ye shall have the best things of a better World in a way of Reversion seeing you are Christ's and Christ is God's And 't is no trifling part of this Inventory neither that Death is theirs for that is of great value with God himself as 't is said pretious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his Saints Psal 116.15 Nor is the Title the Term and the Tenure that the Christian holds this part of his Character and Inventory by but as the Apostle there observeth the fullest the longest and the surest of all others For 1. The Title is the fullest as 't is both by Purchase and by Conquest Also 2. The Term is the lastingest as it includes both time present and to come not only Possession but Reversion too And 3. The Tenure is the safest as it is the highest 't is a Tenure in Capite entailed for greater security upon the Crown therefore is this Famous Clause added all are yours safe enough because you are Christ's and Christ is God's c. CHAP. VII Means for making Old Age to become a Good Age. NOW I come to the Third Particular after 1 st The 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that Old Age may be a Good Age. And after 2 dly The 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Or Reasons why it must be so c. Then 3 dly The 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Or the Means and Manner how this Age which is Evil in and of it self may be made a Good Age. In order hereunto we must First Consider the Dues which by a Divine Appointment ought to be duly paid unto Old Age. And Secondly We must consider the Duties which likewise by a Divine Appointment ought to be daily praâ—tised in our Old Age. NB. Note well The former of these two hath its Dependency upon the latter of them for if those Duties prescribed by God's Precept be not daily practised in our Old Age then those Dues of Honour and Reverence which are propounded also by God's Promise can never be duly paid to our Old Age but the contrary even Scorn and Contempt First Of the first of these namely the Dues that are the Due Homage and Divine Debt which God commands all Mankind to pay unto Old Age. As 1. In Levit. 19.32 which hath been spoken to before where God's Charge runs in this Sense Do thou Honour the Face of the Old Man if thou fearest God who will surely punish thee if thou dost it not And 2. God took it heinously at the Hands of the King of Babylon saying to him Upon the Ancients hast thou very heavily laid thy Yoke and shewed them no Mercy Isai 47.6 3. God did reckon it as a great and grievous Crime to have the Aged and Ancient Ones despised by the Younger Sort and therefore he threatens this as a punishment to the stubborn Jews that the Child shall behave himself proudly against the Ancient Isai 3.5 Such sins as are threatned for punishments are usually great sins and had not the sawcy Carriage of Children towards the Aged especially towards their own Aged Parents been a notorious injury unto Old Persons it would never have been threatned as a Curse and Punishment If it were a great wrong it was also a great sin and if it were a great sin it must expect a great Plague and Punishment Many more Scriptures might here be added with a short descant upon them but to be short this brief following Reference shall suffise As 4 Prov. 20.29 5. Lam. 5.12 6. Job 29.8 and 32.4,6,7 And 7. Rom. 16.3 Lastly 1 Tim. 5.1,2 All which Scriptures do plainly hold forth what Respect and Reverence ought to be given and is commanded by the great God to be given unto Aged Persons even in those Purest times of the Old and New Testaments and how can we learn to write after a more perfect Pattern and a more infallible Copy Yea and upon a brief search of the Ancient Fathers of the Church soon after those pure Scripture times I do find this grave and solid Testimony concerning this very Point of the Honour of Old Age in Clemens Alexandrinus his Book called Paedagogus written in the Year of our Lord 194 who in his Third Book of that before-named Title speaks thus Non est malum Senem videri cum hoc quod sis celare non possis Quo ergo magis Homo festinat ad finem tanto est vere Venerabilior ut qui Deum solum habeat se Seniorem nam ille quoque est Aeternus Sâ—nex qui est iis quae sunt Antiquior Antiquum Dierum illum vocavit Propheta That is in English thus It is no evil to seem Old seeing such as be so cannot conceal it with any Paintings as the same Father a little before this saith such painters of themselves cannot put off Old Age as the Serpent doth his Slough c. For by how much the more a Man hastneth unto his end by so much the more he becometh Venerable and the more to be Honoured as one who hath God alone to be more Ancient than he who is likewise Eternally Old and the Prophet Daniel calls him the Antient of Days And the same Father adds Senum Corona è multa experientia c. That the Crown of Old Men is much Prudence and Experience c. To omit the other Fathers for avoiding prolixity let me only add two more Testimonies to this great Truth The First is That Critick Philosopher who saith Cognata sunt 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The former word signifies Old Age and the latter Honour so these two are of â—ear a Kin in the Greek Language and agreeable hereunto is the Hebrew reading Isai 9.15 where the Ancient and the Honourable are joined together The Second Testimony is that of the great Historian Livy in his 26th Book speaking of an Army how the Younger Bands gave place to the Elder useth these words Vix ut verisimile est Parentum quoque hoc seculo vilis levisque apud Liberos Authoritas that is the Report of former purer golden Times when the Younger had such a Veneration for the Elder seems almost incredible for now we see this present Age is of another Mettal than Gold wherein we behold the disrespect that is commonly shewed not only to Old Men buâ— also to Old Parents whose Authority over their Children is oft vile and contemptible c. yea slighting them most when they should respect them most much unlike to young Joseph who nourished his Old Father Jacob in his Old Age and made the last Seventeen Yearâ— of his Life the best and most comfortable part of his whole Time that he lived in the World Nor is this all to wit disrespect to Old Parents c. buâ— there is likewise a disrespect to Old Pâ—stors who are thought by Young Noviceâ— to be no better than Fools whereas according to the vulgar saying the Old â—re sure