afforded me alwayes praying reading doing good and working out my salvation with fear and trembling But alas there is no more time there are no more seasons of grace afforded me God is departed from me in respect of any future mery for ever hell hath shut her mouth upon me and therefore O that I had to my everlasting comfort complyed and hearkened to the voice of the spirit contending with me That I had walked up to the light of the spirit then it had been otherwise with me to my perpetual joy then it is now to my eternal misery Thus the wretched sinner laments it self when it is too late and wishes it had never been unless he had been better because he improved not those talents and walked not up to that light which God had given him Reasons why every soul ought to walke up according to its Light 1. Because God judgeth every one according to his light Rom. 2.12 For as many as have sinned without Law shall also perish without Law and as many as have sinned in the Law shall be judged by the Law that is those that are without the moral Law written upon tables of stone but have onely the Law of nature written upon their hearts though the moral Law is nothing but what is founded upon nature as appears in the 15. verse For the Gentiles which have not the Law i. e. the moral Law do by nature the things contained in the Law if they sin against the Law written in their consciences shall onely be judged according to that Law and those that have the moral Law shall be judged according to the moral Law but those who have the light of the Gospel shall be judged according to the light of the Gospel 16. v. In the day when God shal judge the secrets of mens hearts according to my Gospel And those that have sinned against the light of conviction and the strivings of the spirit shall be judged according to that light and according as our light is so will be our condemnation Mat. 11.22 It will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgement then for us who live under the light of the Gospel and the spirits convictions because our light is the greater And for those who live under Gospel light it will be more tolerable for those at the day of judgement who have lived under a powerful Ministery all their dayes and have had more influences of the spirit upon their hearts and have had the spiritual Manna continually falling round about their houses as the inhabitants of the famous City of London have who are blessed above all other Nations with spiritual blessings then those who are less watred with showers of Grace from heaven if they shall let slip their opportunities and sleep out the day of visitation which is afforded them The Lord takes notice of every Sermon we hear and of every prayer we have prayed of every time we have received the Sacrament of every impression we have had upon our spirits of all those counsels exhortations admonitions reproofs corrections instructions we have had of all that naturall knowledge we had with the improvements of it of all the prayers and beseechings others have made and put to God for us of all those secret checks of conscience of all those various acts of providence in the course of our lives marvellous deliverances from dangers from sicknesses from imprisonments in providing for us when all other helps and means have failed of all those resolutions we have made of better obedience upon some notable conviction upon our spirits of all our services performed unto him in private and in publick and of all that conference and communion we have had with the Saints of all that progress we have towards heaven and that if we had gone but a step or two further we might have been happy and according to the severall gradations of our spirituall advantages upon the neglect of them so shall our condemnation be God will judge us for every Sermon wherein we have not met him in a Sermon for every prayer wherein we have not met him in a prayer for every receiving of the Sacrament wherein we have not met Christ in that Sacrament We are then said to meet God in a duty when upon the right improvement of it God comes nigher to us in waies of further discoveries upon our hearts or our hearts are drawn nigher to God and to Jesus Christ in way of heavenly mindedness and son-like obedience 2. We ought to walk up to that light which we have because God hath to this end given this light unto us that our evil deeds being made manifest we may loath our selves for them and avoid them for the time to come Wicked men they hate the light Joh. 3.20 because their deeds are evil they know that it is the nature of light to make manifest and thereupon if they should come to the light their consciences would be awakened and the peace of their besotted spirits lul'd asleep in gross ignorance carnall security the pleasures of sinne and by the devil would be disturbed But the godly on the other side they rejoyce in the light in the light of the Word in the light of the Spirit and bless God for the time that ever they were acquainted with the evil nature of their sinnes and with the experience of Gods infinite goodness unto them in Jesus Christ A righteous man fears not the terrours of the Law 1 Tim. 1.9 for the Law was not made for him but for the rebellious disobedient murtherers of fathers and murtherers of mothers And he rejoyceth in the glad tidings of the Spirit He desires to be taught by the Spirit and daily to be nurtured up in the School of Christ till he shall come to the perfection of the Saints in glory He that doth truth cometh to the light Joh. 3.21 that his deeds may be made manifest that they are wronght in God 3. Because if a mans spirit gives him in that such a thing is a duty though it be nor or such a thing is a sinne though in it self it be not a sinne yet if he walk not up according to that verdict his conscience gives in of it unless the Word of God speaks directly against it and it be directly opposite to the analogy and proportion of faith he sinnes in not so doing Saith the Apostle Whatsoever is not of faith is sinne Rom. 14.23 that is whatsoever we do doubtingly and ambiguously being in distrust whether the thing ought to be done or no if we do it we sinne in so doing We should do nothing but what we verily believe ought to be done In these two cases we may follow the light of our own consciences 1. In things indifferent which are neither simply commanded nor simply for bidden 2. In things which do not positively contradict the doctrine of faith and piety and the express Word of God or a direct and an immediate consequence plain to the capacity of all understanding men void of any prejudice against the truth drawn from solid and evident places of Scripture pat to the purpose we have in hand But if any man shall pretend a Tenet or a Custom or a Doctrine to be received believed performed and practised because his own conscience gives him in it is so or ought to be believed and practised though he hath an express command to the contrary in Gods Word I say that this mans heart is full of Atheism and unbelief and grosly deluded by the devil and though his erroneous conscience gives him in it must be so yet he sinnes if he doth it because it is directly contrary to the Word of God Now if a man sinnes if he walks not up to the light of his conscience in some cases though it may be erroneous then much more he walks not up to the light of the Word and of the Spirit these are infallible lights without the least errour and deceit Lord God we beseech thee that seeing our hearts are so apt to deceive us and to be deceived the world to flatter us and the devil to beguile us and because we live in unstable times full of delusions wherein the mystery of iniquity begins to work and Satans agents are now transformed into Angels of light that our hearts might not be bewitched with these meer phantasmes and ghosts of piety with these shadows in stead of substance but give us that spirituall eye-salve whereby we may discern the cunning sleights of men who lye in wait to deceive and that Christian prudence to foresee the evils that are coming upon the earth Psal 43.3 Send forth thy light and thy truth we beseech thee thy light is a true light and thy truth is light that by thy light we may see light and by the teachings of thy Spirit upon our hearts we may be so established in the waies of God that neither the Errours Heresies and Blasphemies that are abroad in the world may taint us nor that desolation which is coming upon us for our sinnes unless they be washed away with the tears of repentance and with amendment of life may drive us from our hope and confidence of God but that patiently enduring the chastening of the Lord because we have sinned against him by that witnessing act of thy Spirit evidently teaching us that we are thy children in the midst of all these heart-quaking times we may rejoyce in the expectation of future happiness FINIS
They are inward teachings 3 Evident teachings 4 Irresistible teachings 5 Arbitrary teachings 6 Determinating fixing and quieting teachings 7 They are consonant to the Word of God 8 Effectuall powerfull transforming teachings 9 Quiet and comfortable teachings 10 Abiding teachings 11 Uniform teachings 12 Only teachings 6. Prove the conclusion that only those that know the things of God can have the teachings of the spirit upon their hearts Where that place of Scripture is opened 1 Cor. 2.14 The naturall man receiveth not the things of the spirit of God because they are spiritually discerned Because all the men that have not the spirit are either bewitched or besotted or overcome with the power of some domineering lust or drunken with the pleasures of sin or have no other light to judge by but that little sparke which is left within them since the fall which is overpressed with the corruptions of sin or are guided by sense which is not able to judge aright of spiritual things 7. Make application 1. By way of insormation to shew that the greatest part of Christians are void of the spirit from that place of Scripture 2 Cor. 3 17. Where the spirit of the Lord is there is liberty Now most Christians are in a state of bondage Wherein you have three respects how the spirit is called a spirit of liberty 2. By way of exhortation to stir you up to seek after the spirits teachings upon a three fold account 1. It is a singular blessing to be taught by the spirit 2 The teachings of the spirit are better then all other teachings and the wisedome of the spirit is better then all other wisdom whatsoever for these reasons 1. All other knowledge it breeds distraction of mind and pierceth the soul through with many sorrows 2. A little knowledge with true grace is better then all the knowledge in the world without the light of the spirit 3. Other knowledge it puffeth up but the light of the spirit it humbleth 4. All other knowledge it doth but furnish a man that he might be a more able instrument for the Divel and to carry on his designs in the world 5. All other knowledge will but aggravate our condemnation because it is not sanctified by the spirit 6. All other knowledge it is subservient to the light of the spirit 7. All other knowledge will never make a man a good Christian 8 All other knowledge will never satisfie and quiet our souls 9. All other knowledge is but vanity and vexation of spirit 10. All other knowledge it rather hinders then promotes the salvation of men 11. God hath a time when he will blast upon all humane unsanctified knowledge 2. If thou art taught by the spirit it is an evident sign thou art the friend of God 3. If thou art taught by the spirit it is a true sign that thou art instated into the Covenant of grace 8. Give several signs whereby we may know we are taught of the spirit 1. He that is taught by the spirit of God is of an humble spirit 2. He is of a joyful spirit 3. He that is taught from above will not grudge at the dispensations of God to others but will do what lies in his power to teach others 4. He that is taught of the spirit is a man of another spirit then he was before 5. He is of a meek spirit Wherein you have the several kindes of meeknesse opened and what it is to be of a meek spirit 6. He that is taught of the spirit is one that seareth God Wherein you have the several kinds of fear declared and what it is to fear God aright 7 He that is taught of the spirit will still desire to have further discoveries of the spirit upon his heart 8 He that is taught of the spirit is of a heavenly mind and can perform all duties in a spiritual manner 9. Shew what are the extraordinary teachings of the Spirit from the ordinary 10. This head is discovered in four particulars Declare the times wherein the spirits teachings are most manifest 1. In times of affliction 2. Neer the time of death 11. Answer several doubts and questions arising from the spirits teachings 12 Declare that it is the duty of every Christian to walk up to that light which God hath given him 1 To the light of nature 2 To the light of conscience 3 To the light of naturall improvements morall education good examples 4 To the light of the word which includes both Law and Gospel 1 Those that have only the light of the Law ought to walk up to that light 2 It highly concerns all Christians to walk up to the light of the Gospel because of the nature of this most excellent light and the aggravations of their sins who sin against it 5 To the sight of the conviction of the Spirit of God Reasons 1 Because every one shall be judged according to what measure of light he hath received 2 From the nature of light which manifests to us our evil deeds that thereby they may be reformed 3 Because he that walks not up in some cases to the light of his conscience offends in not so doing Where is shewed in what cases we may walk according to the light of our own consciences The Teachings OF CHRIST'S SPIRIT Upon the Hearts of BELIEVERS 1 COR. 2.12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world but the Spirit which is of God that we might know the things which are freely given unto us of God IN the former Chapter the blessed Apostle of the Gentiles after his wonted salutation to this Church of Corinth in the 10th verse of the same Chapter he exhorts them to unanimity and concord of spirit to wit that there be no dissentions among them but that they be knit together in one minde and in one judgment And to bring them over to this oneness of spirit of being knit together in love he doth not come in a rigorous way pleading his authority as the Apostle of Christ or the power of the Keyes or Church censures or denouncing the threatnings of the Law and the curses of God but by a sweet and alluring compellation calling them brethren and befeeching them in the Name of Jesus Christ he winnes them over to the obedience of the truth Hence observe That the readiest way to win gainsaying bretheren to the obedience of the faith Note is not to be of a fiery spirit as James and John were and presently to count them as disjoyned and disunited from the body of Christ and to count them enemies to the power of godliness and to excommunicate and dismember them but as good spirituall bone-setters according to the Apostles word Gal. 6.1 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gal. 6.1 Metapho ra à Ghirurgis artus dissolu tos leviter connect entibus Mal. 3.2 3 To restore our fallen brethren with the spirit of meekness and to pray for them daily and to expect their re-union when the light
fruit of the spirit While they speak of perfection and living without sin in this life Phil. 3.13 14. they cry down the Apostle Paul who thought himself not prefect 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A Metaphor drawn from those who run in a race who when they approach the Goale press forward with all their might their Arms and Leggs to touch it but still prest on to the mark of the price of the high calling of Jesus Christ As long as we are of the Laodicean temper and think our selves rich and wanting nothing we are never like to come to Christ to buy raiment of him and to have that spiritual eye-salve whereby we may discerne the things of God but when we are like Christ meek and lowly then we shall finde rest unto our souls God deals with men as he finds them Psal 18. With the froward thou wilt shew thy self froward Mat. 11.29 and with the upright thou wilt shew thy self upright Many times Gods people are of crabbed and knotty spirits that God for the present is as it were at a stand what he should do with them O Ephraim what shall I do unto thee Hos 6.4 O Judah what shall I do unto thee Now as the Carpenter plains the peece of wood so the Lord plains their hearts mountains shall be turned into valleys and the Lords way shall be made straight before him and of rugged spirits they shall become smooth and the froward spirits become meek and quiet that the Lord Jesus by his spirit might be pourtrayed in their hearts as the peece of wood when it is plained and made smooth is apt to receive any form whatsoever the Carpenter pleaseth so our hearts when they are once softned by the Spirit and smoothed by the planer of affliction God can mould them and fashion them as he pleaseth A meek spirit is of a docible disposition ready to receive and most apt to retain most thankfull for what he hath and ever mindfull of its own unworthiness Now here for to prevent mistaking I should shew the nature of meekness to wit what this meekness is Severall kindes of meekness but I shall only shew the severall kindes of meekness which are four 1. A naturall meekness arising out of the constitution of a mans body 2. A morall meekness arising from good precepts instructions and examples 3. A stoicall meekness which is a sameness of spirit upon all occasions this is rather a stupidity then a meekness 4. An artificiall meekness which is when men can restrain their passions though their heart is as full of envy as it can hold Such was Esans meekness to Jacob. 5. A true meekness A true meekness what it is which is a spirituall frame of heart whereby a man gives no provocation and is ready to receive any and whereby a man moderates subordinates and governs all his anger to the glory of God and to the good of others Meekness is passions jaylor True meekness is not alwaies the same but when Gods glory is blasphemed or any waies diminished then it turns to zeal and an holy anger Exod. 32.20 21 22. Moses the meekest man upon the earth when he saw the idolatry of the Israelites he broke forth into an holy anger being grieved in his spirit for the dishonour done to God 6. If thou hast the Spirits teachings upon thy heart thou art one that fearest God Psal 25. What man is he that feareth the Lord Tiberius Gaesar thought no man fit to receive his secrets and yet the Lord vouchsafeth the godly his own secrets None but Noblemen Lords and Dukes might be made partakers of State-secrets the godly are heavenly Lords and Nobles and the privy States men of heavens Court Such honour have all the Saints to know the things of God him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him and he will shew them his Covenant Mal. 4.2 Vnto you that fear my name shall the sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings The fear of God it puts a bridle to our lusts and corrupt affections which choak the things of God As an unruly horse may be curb'd with a bit and a bridle so the fear of God it is as it were a bit and a bridle to curb the extravagancy and the breaking forth of sinne The fear of the Lord is to depart from evil As a brick wall keepeth in the waters from overflowing the ground and banks from breaking in upon the meadows so the fear of God puts a stop to the breaking forth of many a sin which otherwise we should commit Now when the strength and the power and the dominion of sinne is taken away the Spirit comes in with more freedom into the soul When Joseph was tempted by his Mistress unto uncleanness he having the fear of God before his eyes refused her with this saying How shall I do this great wickedness and sinne against my God! Gen. 39.40 41. Because of this he is clapt up by a false slander of his Mistress into prison But the Lord was with Joseph in prison and shewed him mercy And Joseph because he feared God had the spirit of revelation given him that he could interpret dreams He expounded the chief Butlers and Bakers dream and Pharaohs dream And the Lord honoured him in the sight of Pharaoh and all his servants By humility and the fear of the Lord come riches Pro. 22.4 honour and life Daniel because he feared God Dan. 9.24 and would not consent to worship other gods the Lord revealed unto him the expiration of the seventy years captivity which was at hand And Noah because he feared God Heb. 11.7 an hundred and twenty years before the overflowing deluge came had this secret committed unto him that God did intend to drown the world for that deluge of sinne which was then in it By faith Noah being Warned of God being moved with fear prepared an Ark for the saving of his house and thereby condemned the ungodly World The salvation of the Lord is nigh them that fear him that glory may dwell in our Land The fear of Gods glorious Majesty and unquestionable authority puts the soul into a fit capacity to be taught by the Spirit As long as a man is presumptuous self-confident and thinks himself somewhat when he is nothing there is no place for any doctrine of Jesus Christ God usually puts men into great fears and terrours and then raiseth them up before he communicates himself unto them Jer. 3.33 I will put my fear before them and write my law in their hearts Severall kindes of fear There is a fourfold fear 1. A naturall fear which in it self is not sinfull because God hath put this affection of fear into our hearts So Christ feared to die 2. A servile or a slavish fear when men fear God not for his goodness but only for his justice