unless to settle Temporal Affairs from the Example of Hezekiah in the Text which as it will by and by appear in the further prosecution of our Discourse theâ—eon hath a further Meaning and Intention herein there is little said concerning Preparation for Death The Holy Ghost thereby signifying that the only Preparation for Death is by an Obedient and Holy Life by ordering our Conversation aright Psal 50. 23. and as it becometh the Gospel of Christ Phil. 1. 27. according to the tenour and requiring of all the words contained in the Bible Blessed is he that readeth and they that hear the words of this Prophecy and keep those things which are written therein for the time is at hand Rev. 1. 3. But if thou wilt enter into life that is the Future and Eternal Life keep the Commandments Mat. 19. 17. which Commandments Statutes and Judgments we should observe to do in the Land which the Lord God of our Fathers giveth us to possess it all the days that we live upon the earth Deut. 12. 1. Besides this the Scriptures make mention of no other Preparation for Death I have read that it is a Proverbial Saying among the Jews and there is a great deal of Truth contained in those old Proverbs The Sacraments and Death require one and the same preparation that is in the Language and Direction of the Gospel to trim our Lamps Mat. 25. 7. that is to put them in a readiness and posture of little more Brightness and Burning for there was Oyl in them before for want whereof the Foolish Virgins were condemned and excluded from entring in with the Bridegroom even so we should not have Grace and Holiness for to get then but have them gotten before and only furbish up and make a little more Bright and Eminent the Graces and Gifâ—s of God that were long bâ—fore in us But now we are just ready to come forth to meet with our God they should be a little more furbished and made brighter than ordinary for to have the acceptation and well pleasing of God The fine Linnen the Righteousness of Saints Rev. 19. must be sure to be gotten and had long before yea and it is there said It should be kept clean and white But if it can be washed and made cleaner and whiter than ordinary just as we meet the Lord our Righteousness this will be comely and convenienâ— And so we should be sure to be cloathed with the Gâ—rment of Salvation and with the Robe of Righteousness all along but because this Garment and Robe will be apt to gather some dust and filth whilst we are amidst the Corruption and Pollution in the World through Lust therefore it will be here meet and congruous to get them brushed up scoured and rubbed just as we appear before the Lord God who hath cloathed us with them And as a Souldier should always have his Arms by him but perhaps they may contract Rust or Foulness therefâ—re they are to be scoured up just as he goes forth to Exercise and Use them even so it should be as to our having and putting on the whole Armour of God A Christian should always have by him and on him the Breast plaâ—e of Righteousness and the Shield of Faâ—â—h and the Helmet of Salvaâ—ion and the Sword of thâ— Spirit Eph. 6. 14 16 17. But then more especially is he to look to it that all this Armour be good and serviceable or at least it should be rendred so when he comes to withstand with it in the evil Day Truly this is a Point of great Weight and had need be very well observed and attended unto For the general Mistake among People is which hath destroyed Thousands and Ten Thousands just like that of the Foolish Virgins in Mat. 27. which take their Lamps but no Oil with them and whilst the Bridegroom tarries they all slumber and sleep and then they are awaked on a sudden by the Bridegroom 's coming and then they have their Oil to get And whilst they go to buy the Bridegroom comes and they that were ready wenâ— in with him to the Marriage and the door was shut Afterwards when it was too late came also the other Virgins saying Lord Lord open to us But he answered and said Verily I say unto you I know you not Watch therefore for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of Man cometh And so is the common Errour of many People every one would â—ain be saved buâ— then they would work out their own Salvation when they have not Time for it and when it is too late Whereas they might yea and they should have done it before I testifie unto all such see to it that ye be wise in time Whereas Jesus Christ saith I must work the works of him that sent me while it is called to day the night cometh when no man can work But these foolish and deceived People would contradict and reverse that for they neglect working whilst it is Day and put it off to that time when they cannot work In truth Satan who works with all deceivableness in them that perish doth suggest those false Thoughts and Imaginations in those mistaken and miserable Souls I am sure the words of our Text doth advise and direct them otherwise if they will give through heed and consideration thereto For besides that Heaven is very well worth labouring all the Days of our Life for and there can never be too much done to avoid Hell They might this know that when their strength is firm Psal 73. 4. they are sick unto Death And they must dye one time or another as sure as they now live And so they might have taken and done throughout all their foregoing Life according to the exhortation in the close of our Text Set thine House in order for thou shalt dye and not live To use a not much unlike Reafoning as is in Rom. 10. 6 7 8. Deut. 30. 11 12 13. The plain Doctrine and Instruction which is delivered here it is not hidden from thee neither is it afar off that there is need only of some extraordinary Prophet who can foretel future Unseen Unthought of Unexpected Events For such a message as this Thou shalt dye and not live the meanest Laick or most common Person knows altogether as well as well as the greatest Prophet or Preacher or to exprâ—ss it according to those titles wherein some are now a days dignified and distinguished as the greatest Bishop Dean or Doctor or as the most learned Person And as we sensibly find that things are apt to be in a confusion or some disorder upon the death or departure of any Person So the natural Inference or Thought arises yea common reason teacheth the same even to set them in order and prevent as much before-hand that disorder which otherwise would follow and ensue thereupon There is no great need of another immediate Revelation from Heaven for this for God hath already
taught it unto us by that common knowledge which he hath given unto us as his reasonable Creatures But yet God willing more abundantly to acqnaint us with a lesson of so very great Importance as indeed it is to every one of us And seeing that the same hath a much further meaning and requiring than to order the Disposition of our Lands Houses Money and Goods For it hath a much more Noble even a Spiritual Sence and Signification to set our Souls which dwell in this Earthly House of the Body in order for we shall dye or yet more properly we shall leave these Habitations of Clay Therefore I say that God hath ordered the same for further security and to bring it yet more to our Knowledge and Remembrance to be written in his Statute Book the Bible as also we may find the same Engraven in the Word that is nigh us even in our Heart for we may also perceive a still Voice speaking from thence Set thine House in order for thou shalt dye and not live Isaiah the Prophet the Son of Amos came unto him and said From hence we may also consider How God who at sundry Times and in divers Manners spake in time past unto the Fathers by the Prophets hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son For in those days it was not so much Isaiah but God himself who spake this by Isaiah unto Hezekiah To which agree those words of our Saviour unto his Apostles and Disciples For'tis not yeÌ„ that speak but the Spirit of my Father which speaketh in you Mat. 10. 20 And so God spake by Moses David Job and by all the Prophets But now he speaks by Christ who is the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God in whom all the others do meet and concenter Searching what or what manner of Time the Spirit of Christ whâ—â—h was in them did signify 1 Pet. 1. 11. The Spirit of Christ in them In whom Why In the Prophets mentioned in the foregoing Verse Whose Spirit did actuate them all just like as the Soul doth actuate the Body Although Christ was than in Heaven and they were here on Earth in their several Generations long before God did send his Son in the fulness of Time for to become Flesh The Spirit of God and of Christ are near one and the same and so God and the Word of God are one and the same according to that common Maxim Nothing is in God but what is God himself So that we are not to look upon those words which we find written in the Bible as the words of Moses Samuel Job David and the Prophets or those in the New Testament as the words of the Evangelists and Apostles who yet did write and speak them but we should consider of it higher and further as the word of God and Christ which God and Christ spake by them As when we send a Letter to one at a Hundred Miles distance whom we have known or heard of we do by that same Letter speak to him in effect yea and as much to their knowledge and understanding as if we were in the same Room together and we did talk to them face to face So I have often thought that the Scriptures are as the Letter or Epistle of the Most High God which is sent unto us the Inhabitants of this Earth for hereby God doth speak unto us from Heaven the Habitation of his Holiness which is more than a Thousand or a Million of Miles distance from us all one as if we heard outwardly his Voice which in that sence no Man hath seen God at any time nor heard his Voice or as if the Lord did dwell Visibly amongst us which he doth not Is it so Yes verily Then this is a mighty Argument and terrible Consideration against those who refuse to Read or Hear the Word of God See that ye refuse not him that speaketh for if they escaped not who refused him that spake on Earth much more shall not we escape if we turn away from him that speaketh from Heaven Heb. 12. 25. It was the Angel on Mount Sinah and Moses and the Prophets that spake on the Earth but it is Christ the Son of God that now speaketh from Heaven For though Jesus Christ is long since ascended on High and Sits on the Right Hand of the Father yet he speaketh to us from Heaven even now in his Word and in the Preaching and Ministry thereof For as Moses of old time hath in every City them that Preach him being Read in the Synagogues every Sabbath Day Even so now Christ hath those who continually Preach him as Moses had â— by how much he is not only greater than Moses but even greater than the very Angels of God And who will not hear the Ministers of Christ who preach him or who Preach the Word of God for whosoever Preacheth the Word of God Preacheth Christ in as much as Christ is the Word of God Neither would such be perswaded if Christ should come once again into the World after the same manner as he did which will not be so for his next coming will be unto Judgment which Will be in Glory and in Power and in flaming Fire taking Vengeance on them that know not God and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ But in the mean while he hath gave the Word and there are those who Preach it He hath sent forth Labourers into his Harvest with full Power and Commission He that heareth you heareth me and he that despiseth you despiseth him that sent me Luke 10. 16. Even the Great God himself who made the World and all things therein What do ye think will become of those who despise God As they who despise his Word either preached or spoken written or printed do despise God himself Why God hath fortold us what will become of such They that despise me shall be lightly esteemed 1 Sam. 2. 30. This is not all neither for God will answer requite and punish them in very like manner They shall go forth and look upon the Carkasses of the Men that have Transgressed against Me and they shall be an abhorring unto all Flesh Isa 66. 24. Observe here the slighting kind of Phrase Carkasses the Holy Ghost makes use of That such little despicable and vile Beings who even in the midst of Life are but Men and Women in Carkasses Notwithstanding some have Jolly and Red looks Aâ—e inclosed in their own Fat according to the Psalmiâ—â—'s Phrase or are arrayed in fine Cloaths should ever behave themselves contemptuous or disdainful towards a most Excellent Infinite and Glorious Majesty as the Invisible God is If there should come any Letter to me or any order concerning me under the Great Seal of England with the Royal Signet and Arms and I would not Read nor look into it nor hear what it was but take and stamp it under my Feet or Burn
and ingrafted in the Body before we die because the end of Holiness is Everlasting Life 3dly By those Words Set thy House in order is denoted and shewn forth that we set our Souls in order The Phrase set thine House in order is a Metonomy for by the Name of the thing containing is meant the things contained in that House like as when mention is made of the Cup which Jesus a little before He was betrayed took Bâ—ead and gave thanks and gave it to them saying Drink ye all of this Mat. 26. 27. Thereby is intended not the bare outward Cup but the Wine contained in that Cup. And so in liâ—e manner this Phrase of the Spirit of God delivered by the Mouth of Isaiah doth not so much signifie that Hezekiah should set the outward Walls of his Palace or dwelling House in Order but rather his Houshold concerns which were contained in that House nay further that Tenement of Clay wherein Himself did inhabit his Flesh and Body this He should set in Order Nay to come yet closer and nearer to himself He should not so much set the earthly House of his Body in Order this should be done but yet much more He should set the Inhabitant of that earthly House viz. His Soul in Order Now what was commanded to Hâ—zekiah is the Duty of us all severally upon whom the ends of the World are come The Soul is not our House but the Inhabitant of our House and from the like Analogy and Reason of Things by the very same Interpretation and opening out of the Scriptures which the Eternal Spirit in the penning and giving them forth hath designed therein when He expresses the things contained therein by the Word or Name of the thing containing Therefore of necessity the Spirit of God did mean and intend thereby when He saith set thine House in Order set thy Soul in Order because that this Soul of ours is the Principal and I may say the only Thing that is most Immaterial and Substantial which is contained in this earthly House of ours If we compare Mat. 16. 26. For what is a Man proâ—â—â—ed if He shall gain the whole World and lose his Soul together with Luke 9. 25. where instead of his own Soul it is thus written What is a Man profited if He gain the whole World and lose himself Now put both theâ—e places together and from them both it will undeniably follow that the Soul is the Man himself Man fest Reason I will go on to add yet further evâ—n very Sense teacheth the same for we may understand and perceive that the Body is just enlivened and 〈◊〉 sensible but is as it were a meer Trunk or Engine for the Soul to Act in It is evidently seen that the Body upon the Decease or Departure of the Soul from out of it is just like an empty House Tenement or Cottage without any Inhabitant at all in it which as that thereupon doth fall into Ruin and Decay without any one to mind or look after it so the Body yet much sooner Moulders into Corruption Stink and Dust Fear and the Pit and the Snare are upon thee O Inhabitant of the Earth Isa 24. 17. This is a most proper and apposite Expression of the Holy Ghost to call us Inhabitants of the Earth From whence I will go on to Remark yet further that just like as Snails carry their Houses upon their Backs even so we carry about the Houses of our Habitation I mean this little Tenement of Clay the Body all along and every where with us We are wrapt up and covered all over with it And it is a moveable walking House that hath not Foundations Heb. 11. 9. which herein is opposite unto and distinct from that City which hath Foundations there mentioned in the next following Verse And also herein it is opposite unto and distinct from that House Eternal in the Heavens spoken of 2 Cor. 5. 1. Now what we must do or how to behave our selves to set our selves who inhabit and are contained within this earthly House in Order proceed we to shew according to that measure of Knowledge which our Creator hath given unto us To set in Order in one Sence is a kind of Speech which is used when from out of a great mixed and confused Multitude of Men these are Marshalled and put in order of an Army And indeed it is observed of a well Disciplined Army that it is one of the most orderly things in the World when each Officer and Souldier notwithstanding their vast Multitude knows and stands in his proper Place Rank and File not moving one Hands breadth from out of it to the Right Hand or to the Left and they do move and act nothing without Command or Order And so when we read in Joel 2. 7 8. And they shall March every one on his ways and they shall not break their Ranks neither shall one thrust another they shall walk every one in his Path Observe all this for these things being so written and dictated by his Spirit hereby we are shewn and instructed how God is infinitely pleased and delighted with this thing of Order in his Army and in the very great Camp for so it is there called verse 11. as indeed it is of his Creatures or Created Beings And from hence I would observe and make kâ—â—wn though it may seem a little Digression yet I shall soon again return to our subject Matter that when the Scripture stiles God in manifold Places of the Old Testament the Lord of Hosts It hath a much larger and more comprehensive meaning and signification herein that as He was King in an especial Manner over the Children of Israel for that Government was a more immediate Theocracy then over the other Nations so He was their Chief Captain or General of their Armies or Hosts and that He did fight their Baâ—tels in dispossessing their Enemies from out of it and giving them the Land of Canaan In Truth in this Sence He was the Lord of their Hosts as He did lead forth the Children of Israel by their Hosts from out of the Land of Egypt and gave them Possession of the promised Land And so in another Sence inasmuch as we are to Publish the Name of the Lord ascribe ye greatness unto our God Deut. 32. 3. And forasmuch as an Host or Army is one of the greatest and most terrible things here living on the Eaâ—th therefore when the Spirit or Spiritual Men would ascribe greatnâ—ss unto God they do in this manner express it by his being Lord which signifies Chief Ruler and that He hath Dominion and Authority over them and that He is greater in Power Strength and Multitude than all of them put together But cheifly the largest highest and most comprehensive meaning and signification of these Words the Lord of Hosts seems to be taken from that great Place in Isa 40. 26. Lift up your Eyes on high and behold who hath created
also Selfâ—Righteousness denoted by this Phrase of the Holy Ghost our Righteousness are the two pâ—iâ—cipal Garments and so must be done of whatever is like unto them which the Soul must be stripped of before she goes out of the Body that she may be set in Order and to the intent that she may be found comely meet and acceptable in the â—ight of God when this Spirit of ours is to return to the God that gave it It is commonly and truly said That it is a great thing to die And so indeed it will appear notwithstanding that the most and generality of People who are in the broad way that leadeth unto Destruction make no more of it than barely to undergo it when it comes as if there was no more than to yield up the Ghost and surrender up their Breath when they can no longeâ—â—old it in In truth there is no great matter to die as People usually die to slip and descend down into Hell But to die as indeed we ought to die sed Revocare Gradum superasque ascendere ad Auras hiâ— labor hoc opus â—st that we may ascend up above and be received up into the Mansions above here is labour and work here is matter enough for all our life foregoing let us do and endeavour and labour as much as ever we can If I should here go about to describe what it is to strip off these Garments spotted with the Flesh to put away the unclean thing and to renounce all our self-Righteousness I am apt to think that I shall pencil and set it forth in higher Perfections and Attainments than People will reach and arrive unto And yet let me say what I can concerning it even according to the Ability and Knowledge God hath given me it will come â—â—â— short of what is the meaning and requiring of God concerning it whereby also it will be seen Thy Word is very pure therefore thy Servant loveth it Psal 119. 140. The consequent to which is to hate yea and strip off the Garment spotted by the Flesh Some may here be apt to say such a State of Holiness Christianity and fear of the Lord is too wonderful for me it is high I cannot attain to it If none will go to Heaven but such Precise Mortified and Self-denying People Lord have mercy upon us For what will become of us Notwithstanding this or the like imagination and saying so frequent in the Mouths of People when they hear strict and hard sayings drop from the Preachers Mouth who can bear them Yet I say and testifie again there is no making our Calling and Election sure Heaven is such a great and lasting Good that we can never make too sure of it and Hell is so sore and abiding an Evil that nothing can be done too much to avoid it without coming up to these Perfections and Excellencies and higher degrees of Grace and Knowledge of Holiness and Innocency which the Scriptures do any where speak of or set forth And truly we should purchase to our selves a good degree and great proficiency in the Christian life and in the Faith which is in Christ Jesus if we have already used the Office of a Deacon well 2 Tim. 3. 13. That is if we did learn and behave our selves well enough in the lower Forms of Christ's School as to be still coming up and making towards the higher yea the top and highest of all As indeed the very top and highest pitch of Christianity and Faith attainable here on this Earth is set forth by those kinds of words that lie before us of hating even the Garment spotted by the Flesh of laying aside every weighs and the sin that doth so easily beset us of resisting unto Blood stirring against sin Shew me any stricter Gospel Precepts or higher Advancements towards the likeness of God and of Christ For this is certain the more like unto God any one becomes the more he doth love Good and the more he doth hate Evil. Ye that love the Lord hate Evil Psal 97. 10. Now this is an hating of Evil with a perfâ—ct hatred when we do not only hate loath and have indignation against Evil but we hate every thing that is in the least stained tinctured and spotted with the Evil. Nay yet further this is true hating of Evil when although the Flesh is not simply and absolutely evil yet it being the Ground or Soil where this Evil the Poysonous Herb grows and springs up we do not only hate the Poysonous Herb it self but even the very Ground that bears it and round about for its sake Wâ—eâ— in our Thoughts and Soul the Ground is by us accursed for its sake That although no Man hates his own Flesh but loves and cherisheth it as the Scripture witnesseth and God would have it so in the State of Innocency yet because of the Body of Sin dwelling therein and because that Evil and Corruption doth root settle and spread it self foâ—th there we hate our own Flesh therefore and could almost destroy it which we must not neither though here we are Commanded also Mortifie your Members which are on the Earth If â—hy righâ— Hand offend thee cut it off if thy right Eye offend â—â—ee pluck it out And even we are to loath and detest those Members which have been yielded Servants to â—ncleanâ—ess and to Iniquity unto Iniquity The Flesh lusteth and striveth against the Spirit and the Spirit against the Flesh as may be seen in the seventh and eighth Chapter to the Romans For when we were in the Flesh the motions of sins which were by the Law did work in our Members and by the like consequence of that of 〈◊〉 of hating even the Gaâ—ment spotted by the Flesh we â—ught to hate our Members because of the motions of â—â—s in them to bring forth Fruit unto death But now we are delivered from the Law that being dead wherein we â—â—e held that we should serve in the nâ—wness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the Letter Rom. 7. 5 6. For they that are after the Flesh do mind the things of the Flesh but they that are after the Spirit do mind the things of the Spirit Because the carnal mind is enmity against God for it is not subject to the Law of God neither indeed â—an be So then they that are in the Flesh cannot please God There is no need of citing more places of Scripture these being sufficient and express to the purpose to shew that the Flesh is distinct contrary and opposite unto the Spirit And also the reason of not only hating but even stripping off the Garment spotted by the Flesh to set the Soul in Order before she goes out of the Body will easily appear By the way it is not proper nor yet a true expression to say that the Soul doth die when it goes out of the Body for indeed it doth not die but depart But this is certain and evident that when
â—hings of this World and of the Flesh we cannot obtain which we would and if we could we cannot hold or continue to have them for we die and go away Or if we could yet they are not worth the holding because as yet God doth not commit unto us the true Richâ—s Luke 16. 11. that is the true and abiding Happiness for it is not to be had in this World but in the World to come wherein we seek and do expect it Here then is the mind that hath Wisdom to draw off our desires not only from the Sin and Evil for we should be perfectly listless and dead as to them And if Christ be in you the Body is dead because of Sin Rom. 8. 10. But also our desires should be drawn off utterly even from the lawful necessary and indifferent things of this World We should be as if we used them not temperate in all things and get above them We are commanded not only to commit any unclean thing But not so much as to touch the unclean thing Which is standing as much at a distance from it as well as we can So the Word of God which is very pure hath provided against all manner of Sin and to abstain from all appearance of Evil to take this care even as to prevent the first beginnings rise and occasion of Sin or Evil. Thus to Hate and Strip off the Garment spotted by the Flesh as is before explained and to lay aside every weight and the Sin that doth so easily beset us and to resist unto Blood striving against Sin all those Expressions come to one and the same thing That is to set up again Innocency and Holiness in the Soul after it had by the fall of Adam by whose Transgression many were made Sinners lost and defaced them And this is to set the Soul in Order before we die or before she goes out of the Body It being a taking care that nothing is wanting in her as indeed it would be a very great want if she was not renewed again after the Image of him who created her that is in Righteousness and true Holiness It hath been aforesaid That to set our Bodies in Order was that they might be made free from Sin for an Holy Body is an orderly Body Even so it is here an Holy Soul is an orderly Soul or to get Holiness which is the Image of God ingrafted and implanted in her is to set the Soul in order for then it is meet for his Acceptance who is the Father of Spirits and Lover of Souls Inasmuch as Holiness is the Image of God and every like loves its like With the pure thou wilt shew thy self pure What sets the Body in Order as Holiness doth that the same Holiness doth set the Soul in Order also for they are both united in one and make up the same Man and they desire the same end which is Happiness The High way to which is the way of Holiness The Body indeed must go through more Alterations and it shall be raised up again to partake of Happiness of Misery According to this very same Truth and Observation Paul prays by the Spirit And the very God of Peace sanctifie you wholly and I pray God your whole Spirit and Soul and Body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ Faithful is He that calleth you who will do it 1 Thess 5. 23 24. Good God What comfortable and encouraging Words are here From this Place of being preserved blameless and from what we read in Rom. 6. 22. Of being made free from Sin ye have your Fruit unto Holiness We see hence that Sin and Holiness are as Incompatible Things as Darkness and Light They are perfectly and properly contraries the Nature of which is to expel one another and one succeeds the other for as when the Sun sets and the Light goes off from the Earth then Darkness comes and succeeds And so when the Sun arises again it drives off Darkness from the Face of the Earth so it is as to Sin and Holiness There is no arriving at Holiness without being made free from Sin As again when Holiness goes off or is defaced then Sin succeeds and creeps in of course It is â—onsence and a contradiction to say that People lead an Holy Life and Conversation although they seem outwardly Religious when they are yet in their Sins or when they serve divers Lusts and Pleasures For Darkness may be as truly called Light which would be a great absurdity and impâ—ssibility as to think or say â—uch are an Holy People Woe unto them that call Evil Good and Good Evil that put Darkness for Light and Light for Darkness that put Bitter for Sweet and Sweet for Biâ—ter Isa 5. 20. And whereas the divinely inspired Prophet goes on to add Woe unto them that are wise in their own Eyes and prudent in their own sight vers 21. Hereby He seems to meet tacitely with a fort of People which are common and many now in the World They make up nine parts in ten in the visible Church Who do not care nor heartily endeavour to come clearly out of Sin nor yet can they gainsay and renounce Holiness quite inasmuch as glorious things are spoken of it and precious Promises are made and annexed unto it And therefore they are for a kind of Life which is made up as they fashion and imagine to themselves of a mixt medly of Sin and Holiness as twilight is made up of Darkness and Light and thâ—y think that this will serve their turn with God so as they hope for his acceptance of them although they are sinful also because they do love and esteem of Holiness But God answers such by his Spirit Woe unto them that are wise in their own Eyes and prudent in their own sight as to think to compound the matter with God No such matter For He that commanded Thou shalt not sow thy Land with divers kinds of Seeds nor yet make a Garment of Linsey Woolsey when such a judicial Law was given forth of old Time the Holy Ghost hereby signifies even in these days that God will never accept of such a medly or mixt kind of Goodness or Righteousness as is made up of Sin and Holiness which is properly no Goodness or Righteousness at all As it is written But they like men have transgressed the Covenant Hos 6. 7. That is it was like and such as could be expected from them Even so this sort of mixt medly Goodness or Righteousness is like Mans Goodness and Righteousness which is a corrupt and imperfect thing at best and that our Righteousness spoken of in Isa 64. 6. which is as filthy Rags which People are to be stripped utterly off to set their Souls in Order before they die or otherwise God will not accept them For that is an offence unto him and He commands to get behind him what savours of Men. But God hath yet much
more clearly answered all these Imaginations and Devices of Men in that Gospel Command and Direction As He which hath called you is Holy so be ye Holy in all manner of Conversation 1 Pet. 1. 15. Be sure to take in here the Particle As and then as to this Point we will pursue the same Reasoning which the Apostles uses in the following Verses forasmuch then as ye know that God is Holy without the least mixture or tincture of Sin or evil As Christ the Lamb was without Blemish and without Spot verse 19. it must follow of consequence that none is Holy as He which hath called you is Holy if there be a mixture or tincture of Sin therein and as the same Holy God our Father who without respect of Persons judgeth of every Mans Works it follows of necessity also that He will never accept of such a kind of Holiness in any Man or Woman whatever where Sin or Evil make up any part thereof Though here also if in our Holiness there should not be any tincture or savour of Sin or Evil which also will be washed away in the Blood of the Lamb without spot and blemish before it is right and meet for the acceptance of God we may be indeed amazed and afraid and ask the Question who then will be saved Remember this I bâ—seech the Reader Sin must in no wise make a part or ingredient in that kind of Holiness without which no Man shall see the Lord. Or if a Man or Womans Holiness at the best hath a tincture smell or taste of Sin Corruption or Evil here He or She are to hate even the Garment spotted by the Flesh They are to wish it were otherwise though of themselves they cannot quite rinse and wash it out but here pray unto God Wash me throughly from my Iniquity and cleanse me from my Sin Psalm 51. 2. And though something may be done towards that here on this Earth by their working together with the Grace of God which He gives unto them till they in a manner empty all the Lees and Sedement out of the Vessels But as to the taste smell and scent of the Cask here with Reverence be it spoken Christ must give his own immediate helping hand that the Soul may appear before God cloathed in the Righteousness of his Son And be found in him not having mine own Righteousness which is of the Law but that which is through the Faith of Christ the Righteousness which is of God by Faith not as though I had already attained either were already perfect but I follow after Phil. 3. 9 12. And so in the Name of God Let us go on to Perfection Heb. 6. 1. â—et us attain as far as ever we can in this Life and on this Earth and follow afâ—er whatever we can apprehend more Wherefore we labour that whither present or absent we may be accepted of him 2 Cor. 5. 9. Resolving still to do our Duty in all things and to fulfil all Righteousness and whatsoever we can conceive or think off confirming all the Words of his Law and Gospel by our doing of them that we may have the favour and acceptance the Peace and Reconciliation of our God Vnto which Promise our Twelve Tribes instantly serving God Day and Night hope to come Acts 26. 7. And where in any other places of Scripture we read of the more strict Rules Directions and Precepts there to Copy them out by our own Example Am I such an one or do I thus and thus as is there wriâ—ten As for instance when we find Paul speaking in this wiâ—e I know nothing by my self yet I am not hereby justified Can we say this of our particular selves also And so when David makes his appeal unto God Search me O God and know my Heart try me and know my Thoughts and see if there be any wicked way in me and lead me in the way Everlasting Psalm 119. 23 24. What earnestness of Expression is here as much as if He should have said do thou discover to me any Sin or Errour in me and I will resolve to get out of it So fain would I to be in the way Everlasting As thou hearest or readest this commune with thy self and examine thy self Whâ—â—her the same Mind Desire and earnest Endeavour be in thee also And so when wâ— read that Paul trembling and astonished said Lord what wilt thou have me to do Acts 9. 6. This carries Instruction to thee also to be in the fear of the Lord all the day long with a great awe and dâ—ead of him continually upon thy Heart and to wait upon him in thy Spirit to know and receive from him what the Invisible God our Creator and Governour would have thee O Man or Woman to do And where He answers and makes known unto thee there always from time to time to instantly and forthwith set upon doing the â—ame And so on of whatever thou canst apprehend more for as long as thou dost this there will be nothing wanting in thee which indeed is to set the Soul in Order before we die It is a great thing and well-pleasing and acceptable unto the Lord to answer all his requirings in thy Heart and Conscience and to make this return The Lord opened my Ears and I was not Râ—bellious Where He speaks in the still Voice of his Word and Spirit there to obey and do accordingly And so indeed we might run through all Scripture the Book oâ— Life which is given to make us wise unto Salvaâ—ion â—o apply all the sayings therein to our selveâ— and to ask our own Souls How they peâ—form or do the same To return back to that aforementioned Let us lay aside every weight and the Sin that doth so easily beset us Ye have not resisted unto Blood striving against Sin Here commune with thy self prove and examine thy self O Man Doth thy Soul or my Soul imitate the practice and usage of Footmen and Racers as to lay aside every weight of Sin Guilt and Corruption yea the very Motions Inclinations and Liableness to Sin For these last also are some weights which do hinder and retard the moving of our Souls and their making towards God They are as some clippings of her wings and entanglements and prâ—ssings down as she would fly and lift up her self towards Heaven the Habitation of the Father of Spirits The Footmen and Racers will sometimes strain so hard for to obtain the Prize and win the Wager especially when they come near to the end of the Race that is set before them that they will break or burst a Vein till they spit Blood or it gushes forth All this Carries Instruction and Exhortation that we should do as much and the same for to obtain an Incorruptible Crown which they do to obtain a Corruptible Crown even to resist unto Blood striving against Sin Which is to part even with our Hearts Blood which is the very best and choicest of
heard a a Sermon in their Life as there is hardly any one in this Nation who hath not heard a Sermon unless some ignorant Papists who are next door to Atheists Whither they do Hope to go to Heaven Every one will say that they do But the Scripture here saith Every Man presseth into it To explain the very sence and meaning of that Word it will be necessary to use this instance and similitude suppose that we did see or word was brought unto us that all such an House wherein was a great Assembly of People were on Fire what running and scampering would there be to the doors And each one would press upon another who could get out first The Parallel place in Mat. 11. 12. especially the Marginal Reading thereof confirms this very same Acceptation and Signification of the Word for there it is on this wise And from the Days of John the Baptist until now the Kingdom of Heaven suffereth violence and the violent take it by foâ—ce In the Margent there it is gotten by force and they that thrust Mâ—n Which last is as much as to say that People are for all by Nature luggish so that they would not run and press enough of themselves in such a Case of Necessity and Danger But we Ministers and Preachers of the Word must also thrust them on For so it is the door of the Kingdom of Heaven stands and is held open by the Preaching and Ministry of the Word But in as much as the Fathers where are they and do the Prophets live for ever Both Preachers and Hearers must dye the Death So that the door is not always open to them And as to this again the rule iâ— certain that if any one doth not in this Life which is the time oâ— Probation and Trial on this account do things worthy to stand before the Son of Man or to which Heaven is promised unless He doth the Commandments of God that He may have right to the Tree of Life and may enter in through the Gates into the City unless People bring forth fruits meet for Repentance and so except People do things meet for Heaven before they die they will never go to Heaven after that they die As to that important Question What we must do to be saved or how much we must do to be saved Or to get into Heaven In these two foregoing Texts it is said The Kingdom of Heaven suffereth Violence and the violent take it by force Every Man presseth into it Strive to enter into the streight Gate Luke 13. 24. It hath been observed by the learned in that Language that the Word strive in the Original Greek doth require to put forth the utmost Strength even until we break a Vein and the Blood gusheth forth which none of the Lazy Formalists meer outward Worshippers and nominal Christians can pretend unto and so again we read That the Righteous shall scarcely be saved And indeed throughout the Scriptures and the Gospel especially there are scattered up and down so many true sayings of God concerning the exceeding difficulty danger and fear of disappointment herein that they who have enquired and searched diligently therein of the very Terms and Condiâ—ions of this Salvation do truly make this return upon their whole search and enquiry of this matter That the Kingdom of God is a Pearl of great Price which if a Man would buy and obtain he must sell all that he hath and give for it Who knows this better than our Saviour Jesus Christ who is the Author of this Salvation and understands upon what Terms it is to be had So we must sell all that we have all Sin Evil and Wickedness which is properly our own We must part with all the Guilt and Corruption that is in our Nature all that savours of Sin or of our selves and so all that savours of the World or of the Devil is to be renounced utterly and we are to dispossess our selves thereof in order to have that Pearl of great Price For less than this cannot be to make room for Christ to be formed in us Forasmuch as he will not dwell with any Evil or with a Body that is leavened or tainted with Sin Now if People will not bid up to the Price which the Lord hath put upon it they must go away without it they have neither Part nor Lot in this matter for their Heart is not right and whole in the sight of God Behold I have told you before and I do hereby warn People of as much before hand against the Time they shall see it fulfilled and found true in the valley of Derision that all People will not go to Heaven who now seek to go to Heaven For many now-a-days talk of Heaven who will never go there For there will be rejected at the last day those who have Prophesied in Christ's Name and in his Name have cast out Devils and in his Name have done many wonderful Works One may Preach throughout all his Life unto others and be a cast-a-way for all that For it is equally possible for a Preacher or Minister for a Priest or Clergy-Man to be damned as for any other Person I am to look to this and to take heed to my self least the Devil deceive me also O the exceeding subtlety of the old Serpent even whiâ—â—â— I am laying down Rules out of the Scriptures of Truth to prevent his deceiving of others See ye well to it therefore all that shall hear or read this that now the Kingdom and Word of God is a Preaching unto you that every one of ye do press in thereat and now in these days the Kingdom of Heaven suffereth Violence and the violent take it by force Looking diligently least any Man fail of the Grace of God left there be any Fornicator or Profane Person as Esau and so it is applicable in like manner if there be any Sinner in any kind who for one Morsel of Meat sold his Birthright for ye know how that afterward when he would have inherited the Blessing he was rejected for he found no place for Repentanâ—e though he sought it carefully with Tears And so when your Souls are shut under Hatches by Death then if ye would labour for Hâ—aven and strive for Heaven and ye would then do the Will of God yet ye would be rejected and not accepted Ye will find no place for Repentance no room for seeking nor yet striving to enter in at the strait Gate though ye should seek it carefully with Tears Ye may cry out and howl to all Eternity Lord Lord open to us when the door is shut for ye should have pressed and strove and run yea we Ministers of the Gospel do push and thrust ye on dull Beasts as ye are with the Prick and Goad of the Word which is committed to our Ministration to enter in thereat whilst the door was open I have read of one who was converted and brought over to a
to be Though hereby it may be perceived I had almost said seen that there is a Devil and Satan who deceiveth the whole World and turneth even them aside who would seem more wise and knowing than the common sort from the things that belong to their Peace or otherwise they would not as now they do only because forsooth they are waxen fat they are grown thick they are covered with fatness then Oh horrible degeneracy and ingratitude to forsake God which made them and lightly esteem the Rock of their Salvation Deut. 32. 15. nor yet would they lightly esteem the Word of God's Ministry by whomsoever or wheresoever it is faithfully and truly used and held forth the only drift and design whereof is to set forward the common Salvation of Mankind A third observable Scripture which is to confirm and establish the Truth and Reasoning of our whole present Discourse as indeed it all comes to one and the same thing even to be provided of a well-being elsewhere as soon and immediately after we are deprived of a Being at all as to this Life and on this Earth This Scripture is contained in all these three Verses put together Put not your trust in Princes nor in the Son of Man in whom there is no help His Breath goeth forth he returneth to his Earth in that very day his Thoughts perish And then it immediately succeeds Happy is He that hath the God of Jacob for his help whose Hope is in the Lord his God Psalm 146. 3 4 5. To say absolutely that there was no help in Man would seem false and untrue for many times Man our Fellow-Creature is helpful unto us in several instances He that giveth an Alms is helpful and instrumental to preserve Life But as the Spirit speaketh elsewhere Her Merchandize shall be for them that dwell before the Lord to eat sufficiently and for durable cloathing Isa 23. 18. so as to help sufficiently and proportionably to its need and for durable help in this sence there is no help in Man For in the Case here put when the Time comes that his Breath must go forth can all the Men or Physicians in the World help or hinder it I trow not Can all the Kings of the Earth with all their Armies protect any one whatever from a Mortal and inward Disease In no sort And then the help of Man is not durable He may help now and then for a Time but he cannot help always Now seeing that we have within us an enduring substance a Soul which may and will be happy or miserable which will be saved or damned after it is dislodged from the Body here if she should cry out as thâ— Woman of Tekoah did help O King or as another Woman cried unto the King of Israel saying Help my Lord O King and He said if the Lord do not help whence shall I help Or as it is said in the Book of Job to which of the Saints wilt thou turn thee And so if the Soul cry out for help to the Ministers or Saints of the Lord neither Rulers nor Ministers nor Saints can afford sufficient and durable help to the saving of the Soul See Psalm 47. 7 8. They can no more save her after she is gone out of the Body then they could preserve her from going out of the Body when the appointed and set Time is come Then Happy is He that hath the God of Jacob for his help In him alone is our help in him alone is our Salvation and whose Hope is in the Lord his God or who hath Hope well-grounded that God will save her to whom God will prove helpful and the Object of his Desire or Hope and not a punishing Judge or a Terrour to us in the Day of Evil. The short of the Matter is this and herein is the Happiness of the Mortal Creature if at the instant when his Breath goeth forth his Spirit is committed into thy Hands O God who art ever-living And if when his Thoughts perish as to this World his Soul is lodged in Abrahams Bosom the Father of the faithful from whose Loins we descended For assuredly the God of Abraham here called the God of Jacâ—b for both live â—nto him and are happy in him at this Day though to our thinking Abraham is dead and Jacob is dead will be that unto his Creatures Souls for all Souls are his both by Creation and Redemption what a Breast or Bosom is to a cold Infant newly come out of his Mothers Womb. The sum of all our Exhortation is to this Effâ—ct Sceing that we must all Dye and not Live I have had many a shrug at the lively apprehension thereof and at the sence of the near approach thereof both immediately after my Nights Sleep and my Noon-days Slumber and then we shall Live again and not Dye it is as reasonable and natural to desire to be Happy after Death all one as we desire to see good in these days of our Flesh and to pass through here as comfortably and as pleasantly as we may Is there any one that doth not desire to live comfortably and pleasantly in this World No every Mothers Son doth desire this If we would receive into our Minds the Knowledge and Faith thereof God hath implanted into every Man and Woman the same earnest desire after Heaven as now He or She hath after Life and Happiness For seeing that by the Decree of God and from the very order and establishment of Things we must live for ever for we shall always remain in Being although we must go through the valley and shadow of Death or through the Postern-Door or Gate of Death I say again it is altogether as natural and reasonable to desire to be Happy after Death all one as it is sensibly desired to be Happy before Death And as in order to this it is requisite to use such and such means so to be Happy after Death It is absolutely necessary to go in the way and to do all those things which God hath chalked out and shewed in his written Word and there is alike and greater Reason yea ten thousand times more as that is as much longer and of greater concern that we should comply with and do thereafter As the hungry craves after Food the ambitious Honour the sensualist Pleasure and every one desires Rest and Satisfaction and they will also use the common means in their Power towards having of them So there is a desire implanted in Man after those good things God hath promised And it is but reasonable that He should do so much towards the obtaining of them I say infinitely more as the Children of this World do for the things of this World or otherwise they will never be Children of Light and Heirs of Life and Immortality But they will come short of the future great and good things of God for these also are set forth by the very same things in a greater degree than