presence How was Saul distressed for want of Gods presence 1 Sam. 28. 15 16. Wo wo to such from whom God departs Hos. 9. 12. Use 2. Is God with us so great a priviledge and so much to be desired Then examine Is God with us Are we priviledged with his presence To know take these signs of Gods gracious presence First A praying frame of heart is a sign of Gods favourable presence God is a God hearing Prayer Psal. 65. 2. and prepares the heart to pray where ever he is Psal. 10. 17. and pour's out a spirit of prayer Zâ—ch 12. 10. Jerem. 31. 9. which spirit helps our Infirmities and prayes in us Rom. 8. 26. God sets them with whom he is a praying 1. In all places in the closet and family yea and in the field Ruth 2. 4. The Lord be with you said Boaz to his Reapers in the field 2. At all times in the Evening and Morning at Noon and at Midnight Psal. 55. 17. 119. 62. God was with Moses David and Daniel and they pray with Jabez and he prayes 1 Chron. 4. 10. with Ephraim Jerem. 31. 18. and he prayes with Paul and he prayes Act. 9. 11. and when with us we shall pray also Psal. 91. 15. Secondly A penitent frame of heart where God is there is weeping and mourning for sinning against him How werâ— Joseph's guilty brethren troubled at h 〈…〉 presence Gen. 45. 3. So shall guilty wâ— be at the presence of God we shall loâ—k on him whom we have pierced and mouâ—â— Zâ—ch 12. 10. Jâ—r 31. 9 18 19. where you have an instance of a mourning frame of heart when God vouchsafed his presence Thirdly An humble frame of heart God dwells with such and none but such sa 57. 15. Fourthly An obedient frame of heart inclined to God to walk in all his wayes If the Lord our God be with us he will incliâ—e our hearts to keep his Testimonies 1 Kings 8. 57 58. Where he comes he puts his spiriâ— into them and causeth them to walk in his Statutes Ezek. 36. 27. See Joh. 8. 29. Fifthly Strength in the Soul Psal. 138. 3. whom God is with he strengthens Isa. 41. 10. both to do and suffer to do business and bear burdens Psalm 55. 22. Sixthly Warm affections heat and life in the service of God whilst Christ was with and talked with his Disciples their hearts burned within them Luke 24. 32. Seventhly A spirit stirred up to promote the worship and service of God I am with you saith the Lord Hag. 1. 13. And the Lord stirred up their spirits and they came and did work in the house of the Lord of hosts their God v. 14. Eighthly Preservation from evil from the evil of sin especially Oh that thou wouldst be with me and keep me from evil was the request of Jabez 1 Chrâ— 4. 10. where God is he delivers from every evil work 1 Tim. 4. 18. Ninthly Victory over enemies Surely I will be with thee saith God to Gideon Judg. 6. 16. and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man If God be with us enemies will be subdued 1 Chron. 22. 18. world fâ—esh and Devil too will be subdued Through the spirit the deeds of the flesh will be mortifâ—â—d Rom. 8. 13. Tenthly Profiting by afflictions Hâ—b 12. 10. Eleventhly Fruitfulness under means of grace If the spirit come and blow upon our garden the spices thereof will flow out Cant. 4. 16. If Christ be in us and abide in us we shall bring forth much fruit Joh. 15. 5. Twelfthly Fixedness unmoveableness from God and his truth God is in the midst of her she shall not be moved Psal. 46. 5. Because he is at my right hand I shall not be moved Psal. 16. 8. Because he is with us the Gates of Hell shall never prevail against us Christ our Sampson as one sayes hath flung them off their Hinges We shall not be greatly moved Psal. 62. 2. Use 3. Of Exhortation Sirs get God to be with you Gods gracious Presence is the principal thing therefore with all thy getting get it Gold in the purse or coffer will not stead or avail you like God with you God answers more then money Wealth when gotten moth and rust may corrupt it Thieves may break through and steal it But God is out of the reach of all there is no fear or danger of loosing him when once you have gotten him He therefore is worth the getting Some have found by experience that such and such things have not been worth their getting not worth their sitting up late and rising betimes for them not worth their running and riding and venturing for them How earnest have some been to be possessed of and to enjoy such and such persons and things and having obtained them have they not found them by wofui experience not worth the cost and pains laid out for them But God will over and above make amends for what is laid out for him A shadow is not worth the following but substance is Chaff is not worth heaping up but Corn is Dross is not worth the seeking but Gold is and God much more then Gold And farther you may seek the Creature and never be able to get it You may seek and not find You may wish O that I had wealth and yet never have it and O that I had credit and repute in the World and possibly never have it But who ever sought God and found him not who ever sought the presence of God and was denied it shall any Soul ever have cause to say Lord I did desire thy presence but could not have it I did chuse to have thee with me rather then to have all the World with me and yet I could not have thee with me Do you think there will ever be cause for such a Reflection upon God the God of love shall it ever be said this poor Soul would have had the presence of God but God would not afford it O no! shall any person be ever able to say I would have had God to be my God and to be with me as a Father Friend and Husband but he would not or shall ever any person be able to say I would have had Jesus Christ to be with me as a Prophet Priest and King but he would not I would have had him to be my mediator Advocate Surety and Saviour but he would not I would have had his righteousness imputed to me and his Spirit imparted to me but could not have it or shall any person be ever able to say I would have had the holy Spirit to be with me to convince me of my sin and misery to enlighten me in the knowledge of Christ and to renew my will and to perswade and enable me to imbrace Christ Jesus freely offered to me but he would not be with me to do any of those things for me no for then how should God be the faithful God as he is stiled Deut. 7. 9.
35. A living sacrifice dead indeed unto sin but alive to God Rom. 6. 11. being quickned by his spirit that we might not live to our selves but to him who died for us 2 Cor. 5. 15. Holy not regarding but hating iniquity in our hearts for if iniquity be regarded we cannot be accepted Psalm 66. 18. Acceptable to God well pleasing to him through Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 2. 5. through faith in him without which we cannot please God Heb. 11. 6. Which is your reasonable service 1. Your service of God which consists not in the offering up of unreasonable Beasts as heretofore but in the offering up of your reasonable selves Or Your service which is agreeable to the Rules of true Reason And be not conformed 1. Take not upon you the form or fashion of this wicked world make not the Manners and Pleasures of worldly men your rule to walk by But be ye transformed changed altered 1. More and more By the renewing of your mind understanding will and affections That ye may prove 1. Discern understand 2. Approve 3. Give proof by a Godly life that you do understand and approve That good acceptable and perfect will of God 1. Good which teacheth and leadeth to that which is good and makes good 2. Acceptable nothing being acceptable to God but what is according to his will 3. Perfect comprehending all things necessary to salvation 2 Tim. 3. 16. These words And be not conformed to this world are a Dehortation Wherein 1. The Persons Dehorting Paul a servant of Jesus Christ called to be an Apostle one that well understood the mind of his Lord and Master and would give nothing in charge but what he had received 1 Cor. 11. 23. 2. The Persons Dehorted The believing Romans beloved of God called to be Saints Rom. 1. 7. Yea eminent Saints Rom. 1. 18. Such as had obeyed from the heart Rom. 6. 17. 3. The thing they are Dehorted from viz. Conformity to this world which you who are Saints and called to the Kingdom and Glory of God should look upon with contempt and trample under foot 4. The Mode of the Dehortation t is in a beseeching way I beseech you 5. The Motive By the mercies of God Doct. 'T is the will of the most holy God that they who are called to be Saints should not conform to sinners They that are called out of the world must not be conformed to this world I shall shew you 1. What is meant by the World 2. What meant by conformed 3. What of the World must not be conformed unto 4. That it is so 5. Why. 6. The Use. First What is meant by the World By the world understand The Men of the world Psal. 17. 14. Worldly minded Men and Women who have their hearts inheritance and happiness here their portion in this life The wicked of the world Joh. 14. 17. These are called the World 1. Because they are ruled by the God of this world 2 Cor. 4. 4. Eph. 2. 2. 2. Because they have received onely the spirit of the world that spirit which teacheth worldly things and placeth its happiness in worldly things 1 Cor. 2. 12. 3. Because they are satisfied and contented with the things of this world Psal. 4. 6. 17. 14. Phil. 3. 19. 4. Because they are the major part of world Secondly What meant by Conformed By conforming to the world understand fashioning our selves according to it resembling the world and being like to it making the men of the world our Pattern our Example and Copy to write after When we approve imitate and follow the sinful fashions and practices of this world then we conform to it Now not to be Conformed to this world is not to approve not to imitate not to follow the sinful vain foolish fashions and practices of this world Not to put on their form and shape in our behaviour Thirdly What of the world it is wherein we must not be conformed unto it 1. Not in that wickedness the world lies in 1 Joh. 5. 19. Not in that unrighteousness it is filled with a Catalogue whereof is set down Rom. 1. 29 30 31. Not in those works of darkness it delights in Rom. 13. 12 13. Not in those works of the flesh set down Gal. 5. 19 20 21. Not in the walk of the Gentiles Ephes. 4. 17 18 19. 1 Pet. 4. 3. Not in its lustings 1 Joh. 2. 16. We must not be conformed 〈…〉 in it s sinful Customs Dispositions Practices We must not be conformed to the practice of worldly men in Natural Civil and Religious actions We must not eat and drink as they do for they feed themselves without fear Jude 12. We must not buy and sell as they do for therein they walk not by that rule Mat. 7. 12. We must not carry our selves in Religious matters as they do We must not hear as they do for they hear without preparation before hearing Attention at hearing Affection at hearing Application at hearing Practice after hearing See Ezek. 33. 31. We must not pray as they do For 1. They make light of Prayer Job 21. 15. 2. They Pray with the lip onely and not with the heart Isa. 29. 13. Mat. 15. 18. 3. They continue not in Prayer they grow weary 4. They think to be heard for their much speaking Matth. 6. 7. 5. They turn away their ear from heari◠〈…〉 whom they Pray Prov. 28. 9. 6. They aim amiss in Prayer Jam. 4. 3. We must not come to the Lords Table as they do for they come unpreparedly Nor observe Sabbaths as they do for they trifle them away Nor sing Psalms as they do for they sing not with the heart but voice onely Nor fast as they do for they abstain onely from food not from sin Fourthly That it is so That Saints must not conform to sinners Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil Exod. 23. 2. After the doing of the Land of Egypt and Canaan shall ye not do neither shall ye walk in their ordinances Levit. 18. 3. Thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of the Nations Deut. 18. 9. Walk not in the way of sinners refrain thy foot from their path Prov. 1. 15. Enter not into the path of the wicked go not in the way of evil men Avoid it pass not by it turn from it and pass away Prov. 4. 14 15. If sinners entice thee consent thou not Prov. 1. 10. Thus saith the Lord Learn not the way of the Heathen Jer. 10. 2. Though Israel play the Harlot yet let not Judah offend Hos. 4. 15. This I say therefore and testifie in the Lord that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk in the vanity of their mind Ephes. 4. 17. Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness but rather reprove them Ephes. 5. 11. Ye are children of the light and of the day not of the night nor of darkness Therefore let us not sleep as do others but let us
her widdows garment and put on something the better to allure her Father in Law See Prov. 6. 10. But I beseech you who make profession of Religion by the mercies of God be not conformed to such There are that Burn in lust one toward another men with men working that which is unseemly Rom. 1. 27. abusing themselves with mankind 1 Cor. 6. 9. These shall not inherit the Kingdom of God Wherefore I beseech you by the mercies of God be not conformed to these There are that Cast their Eyes on beautiful objects after the example of Iosephs Mistriss Gen. 39. 7. But I beseech you by the mercies of God be not conformed to such Feed not your Eyes with such objects Give not your eyes leave to look for that may prove very dangerous As 't is said in another case Remember Lots wise So I say in this Remember David what his looking on a beautiful woman cost him 2 Sam. 11. 2. with Psal. 51. And Sampson â—udg 14. 1 2. 16. 1. what his looks cost him Yea and our Grandmother Eve what lâ—oking on the forbidden fruit cost her Gen. 3. 6. Pray therefore as David Psal. 119. 37. Turn away mine â—yes from bâ—holding vanity And do as Job chap. 31. 1. Make a covenant with your eyes There are that Drink waters out of their own Cesterns as they are allowed Prov. 5. 15. but they Drink immoderately and unseasonably out of their own 1 Cor. 7. 5. and onely to please themselves not that they may be the fitter to serve God thereby But I beseech you by the mercies of God be not conformed to these There are that Eat and drink too much too much for their Health Estates Reason Work and Imployment For their Health impairing that thereby Prov. 23. 29. For their Estates wasting them thereby Prov. 23. 20 21. For their Reason weakning that thereby For their Work and Imployment hindering that thereby These must look for woe and sorrow Read Prov. 23. 29. to end 1 Cor. 6. 9. Wherefore I beseech you that make profession by the mercies of God be not conformed to such There are that Frequent Stage-plaies There are that Gaze on wanton Pictures which provokes to lust See Ezek. 23. 14 to 18. Hearken to wanton Songs and Ballats Idle out their time This was Sodoms sin Ezek. 16. 49. And Davids too when Joab was besieging Rabba 2 Sam. 11. 12. and an occasion of his uncleanness Other evils of it see Prov. 19. 15. Eccles. 10. 18. Wherefore I beseech you be not conformed to these Keep company with suspected persons contrary to the charge Prov. 5. 8 9 10 11. Remove thy way far from her and come not near the door of her house But I beseech you that make profession be not conformed to these but do as Joseph Gen. 39. 10. who would not be with his Mistriss There are that Love Pleasures more then God 2 Tim. 3. 4. such shall be poor Prov. 21. 12. Wherefore be not conformed to these But seeing some Pleasures and Recreations are lawful wherein does the world offend in and about them Answer They offend in and about them in respect of the Matter Time and End of them First In respect of the Matter The world makes that the matter of Sport and Recreation which should be the matter of Devotion and Humiliation 1. That which should be the matter of Devotion as Scripture Lots First Scripture phraze and story This is a taking of Gods name iâ— vain which God will not suffer to go unpunished Exod. 20. To have the Scripture is a rich mercy Psal. 147. 19 20. Rom. 3. 1 2. 9. 4. Wherefore I beseech you by this mercy of God be not conformed to the world in sporting your selves with Scripture Secondly Lots A lot is a Religious ordinance of God because it is an apâ—ealing to Divine providence what ever the matter be about which 't is conversant Prov. 16. 33. And therefore that distinction of Lots into Religious Civil and Indifferent will not salve the business as some Divines think All lots being Religious as they are an appealing to Divine providence Quest. If the Question should be asked whither Card-playing and Dice-playing be a sin Answ. I answer That as Carding and Dicing are commonly used it is sin and I think I have good ground so to answer for as 't is commonly used 't is a swerving from Scripture rules To Instance in some known Rules First Whatsoever is not of faith is sin Rom. 14. 23. Now will any say that Carding and Dicing as commonly used is done in faith with assurance that it is pleasing to God in Christ. Secondly Whatsoever ye do in word or deed do all in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks to God and the Father by him Col. 3. 17. Now who can say that Carding and Dicing as commonly used is thus done Thirdly Whether ye eat or drink or whatsoever else ye do do all to the glory of God 1 Cor. 10. 31. Now do you think in your Consciences that Carding and Dicing as commonly used is done to the glory of God Fourthly In every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God Phil. 4. 6. Now is it thus used and if not is it according to the rule Fifthly Give no offence to Jew or Gentile or the Church of God 1 Cor. 10. 32. Is no offence given by it Sixthly Whatsoever is of Good report think of and do Phil. 4. 8. Is Carding and Dicing of good report Seventhly Abstain from all appearance of eâ—il 1 Thes. 5. 22. Sure Carding and Dicing hath the appearance of evil Eighthly Avoid all occasions of sin Prov. 23. 21. 4. 14 15. 58. Doubtless 't is the occasion of much sin Ninthly Thou shalt not covet any thing that is thy neighbours Exod. 20. 17. Now as commonly used sure there is covering in it Tenthly Thou shalt not go beyond or defraud thy Brother in any matter 1 Thes. 4. 6. As 't is commonly used 't is a breach of this Rule also Secondly That which should be the matter of Humiliation the world makes matter of Sport and Recreation viz. Sin and the Judgments of God First Sin As 1. Mens living without a calling to make sport 2. Mens wearing womens apparel 3. Mens playing the fool and acting to make sport as if they had no understanding Thus to do is sin and sin is matter of sorrow and humiliation and to take pleasure in that which is matter of sorrow must needs be sin Secondly The Judgments of God As 1. Foolishness and madness 1 Sam. 21. 14 15. 2. The enmity between the creatures caused by mans sin Now to take pleasure in these is to take pleasure in those things which are matter of sorrow and humiliation Now I beseech you that are professors by the mercies of God be not you conformed to the world in these things Thus you see the world offends in and about Pleasures and
in sickness and in health in peace and in trouble in all Adversity and in all Prosperity The Lord be with you with all kind of Aids Helps and Assistances variety of Aids and Assistances we need This is the sence and meaning of this vale dictory Prayer the Lord be with you all The observation that I shall commend to you is this Doct. God with us is a priviledge greatly to be desired and much to be prayed for The Apostle makes this Prayer for the Thessalonians whom he dearly loved who were his hope and joy and Crown of Rejoycing 1 Thes. 2. 19. Could he have thought of a greater mercy he would have wisht it to them In speaking to this great Truth I shall shew 1. That there is a presence of God with his people 2. That this presence of God is a great priviledge 3. That this great priviledge is much to be desired and prayed for 4. The reasons of it 5. And after this apply it 1. There is a presence of God with his people I speak not of the general presence of God whereby he is not far from every one of us Act. 17. 27. For in him we live move and have our being v. 28. not only as we had our being from him at first but we have our being in him as the Beam has its Being in the Sun Of this presence of God you read Psal. 139. from which there is no fleeing v. 7. he is every where v. 8 9 I fill Heaven and Earth saith the Lord Jer. 23. 24. and Isa. 66. 1. Thus saith the Lord Heaven is my Throne and the Earth my foot stool This general presence of God if seriously considered and believingly apprehended would be of great use But 't is the special presence of God that I am to speak to his favourable and gracious presence such as that wished and desired by Aaron and his Sons of old Num. 6. 24 25 26. The Lord bless thee and keep thee the Lord make his face shine upon thee and be gracious unto thee the Lord lift up his Countenance upon thee and give thee peace This blessing is saith Ainsworth expounded by the Apostle 2 Cor. 13. 14. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all Thus the first branch of the blessing v. 24. The Lord bless thee and keep thee implieth the love of the Father The second branch v. 25. The Lord make his face shine upon thee and be gracious unto thee implieth the grace of the Son And the third branch The Lord lift up his Countenance upon thee and give thee peace implieth the communion with the Holy Ghost Now this Loving Gracious Communicative presence of Jehovah Father Son a 〈…〉 Holy Ghost is that Presence of the Lord which is so great a priviledge and so much to be desired The Lords presence with us to bless us with all Spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. Eph. 1. 3. And to keep us from evil Joh. 17. 15. And to make his face shine upon us that we may be saved Psal. 80. 3. 7 19. And to be gracious to us through Christ Jesus Eph. 2. 7. And to lift up his countenance upon us that Gladness may be in our hearts Psal. 4. 8. And to give us peace that peace which passeth all understanding and that which may guard our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus Phil. 4. 7. This this is the presence of God which is so desireable and of which I am to treat That there is such a presence of God with his people appears thus 1. God Asserts it 2. Promises it 3. Hath evidenced it 4. Gods people have acknowledged it 1. God Asserts that there is such a presence of His with his people Isa. 41. 10. Fear thou not saith God for I am with thee And Ezek. 48. 35. The name of the City from that day shall be The Lord is there 2. God hath promised it Ezek. 26. 11 12. I will set my Tabernacle among you and my Soul shall not abhor you And I will walk among you and will be your God and ye shall be my people 3. God hath evidenced it by Preservations Assistances Deliverances and Suâ—cesses vouchsafed to his people What a mighty Gracious pardoning presence oâ— God was with Moses and the Children of Israel in bringing them out of Egypt through the Red Sea and through the Wilderness into Canaan Read the story of it in the Book of Exodus especially the Song of Moses Exod. 15. What a presence of God was with David Spiâ—iting Prospering and Preserving him when hunted like a Partridge upon the Mountains Whence was it that he was not Caught there were Skilful Hunters yet he escaped the Snare for the Lord was with him What a mighty presence of God was there with Daniel He will pray that he will though he be torn in pieces for it He will not cease to make his Supplications to God three times a day though there were a Law made against it Daniel would not fail to be with God and God would not fail to be with Daniel VVhat would Daniel be with God to the Hazard of his life Yes And was not God with him for his Preservation Daniel is cast into the Den of Lions Was he torn or hurt by them No The Lions were muzled their Mouths were shut God shut them Dan. 6. 22. My God saith Daniel hath sent his Angel and hath shut the Lions mouthes that they shall not hurt me Though men will not be obedient yet Lions will touch not my Servant Daniel saith God to the Lions and they are as quiet as Lambs Touch not mine anointed saith God to men and do my Prophets no harm yet men will not obey What a presence of God was there with those three noble Jews when threatned if they would not bow they should burn They will bow to none but God Dan 3. 17 18. They will not loose their interest in God to gain an Interest in the greatest Then the King commanded that they should be bound and cast into the Fiery Furnace v. 20. being cast into it the Fire burned their executioners and the bonds wherewith they were bound but had no Power on their Bodies nor was there a Hair of their Head singed neither were their Coats changed nor had the smell of Fire passed on them Dan. 3. 27. and how came this to pass God was with them What a presence of God had Paul with him At my first Answer saith he no man stood with me but all men forsook me I pray God that it may not be laid to their Charge notwithstanding the Lord stood with me and strengthened me and I was delivered out of the mouth of the Lion 2 Tim. 4. 16 17. What a presence of God was there with those that had trial of cruel Mockings and Scourgings of Bonds and Imprisonments of Stoning and Sawing asunder of wandering Wants Afflictions and Torments
and parts of their Bodies be still the same if their understandings be as dark as ever if their wills be as stubborn as ever if their affections be as carnal and eartâ—ly as ever If their Eyes Ears Tongues Hands and Feet be as forward to sin as ever they cannot please God If therefore you would please God you must not rest satisfied in that Estate wherein you were Born and wherein you were Bred and wherein you have Liâ—ed You must get out of the flesh out of your Natural estate You must be born again and be renewed You must be quite another person and be able to say I am not I. I was darkness but now I am light in the Lord Ephes. 5. 8. I was dead but now I am quickned Ephes. 2. 1. I was such and such but now I am washed 1 Cor. 6. 11. You must put off the Old man and put on the new Ephes. 4. 22 23. You must put off bad and put on better if you will please God Col. 3. 8 9 10. Old things must pass away and all things must become new 2 Cor. 5. 17. You must be new Creatures else you cannot be God-pleasers 2. Get into Christ. We are accepted only in the beloved Ephes. 1. 6. 'T is in Christ that God is pleased with any Mat. 3. 17. Accept of Christ for your Prophet Priest and King and God will accept of you for his Children Spouse Friends Direct 3. Prize Christ and use him 1. Prize Christ. Leave all and cleave to him See Psal. 45. 10 11. Christs Spouse must shave her head pair her Nails and bewail her Father and Mother 1. Her Natural inbred evils and corruptions for Christs sake and then she will please See Deut. 21. 11 12 13. You must part with your Hair and Nails and Fathers House if you will so please Christ as to be his Spouse You must rejoyce in Christ and have no confidence in the flesh Phil. 3. 3. and say as Isa. 45. 24. In the Lord I have righteousness and strength if you will please God Count all things but Loss and Dung in comparison of Christ. Phil. 3. 8. If Christ be not precious in your Eyes you will be but vile in Gods but if Christ be prized God will be pleased Sell all you have and buy this Pearl Mat. 13. 46 This will please God 2. Use Christ. It hath pleased the Father that in him all fulness should dwell Col. 1. 19. for our use that of his fulness we might receive what we want Job 1. 16. Seeing God has made Christ for use you cannot please God unless you make use of Christ. The Ark by Noah was made for use and so was the Brasen Serpent by Moses had neither been made use of God would not have been well pleased To make use of Christ for the end and purposes for which God has made him is the way to please him God has made Christ unto us Wisdoâ— Righteousness Sanctification and Redemption 1 Cor. 1. 30. Now to go to Christ to be cured of our folly to be cleared from our guilt to be cleansed from our filth to be redeemed out of bondage is the way to please God but if Christ be made light of and not made use of God will be displeased not a little Matth. 22. 5 7. Christ is meat and d 〈…〉 rk John 6. 55. feed on him by Faith Christ is rayment put him on Rom. 13. 14. Christ is the foundatiâ—n 1 Cor. 3. 11. build upon him Christ is the Rock 1 Cor. 10. 4. secure your selves in the clesâ—s of it Cant. 2. 14. Christ is the Fountain opened for sin and for uncleanness Zech. 13. 1. wath your selves in it Christ is the true Light John 8 12. come to it and follow it Christ is an Apple tree Cant. 2. 3. sit under the shadow of it with delight and eat of the fruit thereof This will please God to see his Son so much honoured by being so much used John 12. 26. Direct 4. Live by Faith Habak 2. 4. Walk by faith and not by sight 2 Cor. 5. 7. Look to the things not seen 2 Cor. 4. 18. This will please God Enoch had this Testimony that he pleased God Heb. 11. 5. and 't was by faith for Heb. 11. 6. without faith 't is impossible to please God Act faith in the power of God as Abraham did Rom. 4. 21. Heb. 11. 19. and in the faithfulness of God as Sarah did Heb. 11. 11. This will please God Be fully perswaded that what God hath promised he is able and faithful to perform This will please God Trust in God at all times Psal. 62. 8. Cast your burden upon him Psal. 55. 22. Thy care on him 1 Pet. 5. 7. Be careful for nothing Phil. 4. 6. but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God This will please God See what a blessing God has promised to such Jer. 17. 7. 8. Direct 5. Labour to be like God and Christ if you would please him for liking is founded in likeness and complacency in conformity What fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness or what communion hath light with darkness 2 Cor. 6. 14. Be ye holy as God is holy 1 Pet. 1. 16. and mercifull as he is Luke 6 36. Direct 6. Be not like the world Come out from among them and I will receive you and be so well pleased with you that I will be a Father to you and you shall be my sons and daughters 2 Cor. 6. 17 18. Come thou and all thy house sayes God to Noah Gen. 7. 1. into the Ark I am well pleased with thee and I will take care of thee and gives this for the Reason For thee have I seen righteous in this generation called by St. Peter The world of the ungodly 2 Pet. 2. 5. This Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord Gen. 6. 8. God saved him 2 Pet. 2. 5. To be blameless and harmless without rebuke in the midst of a crooked and perverse Nation and to shine as lights among them this will please God Phil. 2. 15. Walk not as other Genâ—iles walk in the vanity of their minds Eph. 4. 17. Sleep not as do others 1 Thes. 5. 6. Conform not to this world Rom. 12. 2. Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness but rather reprove them Eph. 5. 11. This will be acceptable to the Lord. What care God took of Lot who was righteous in wicked Sodom see Gen. 19. 16 22. Dir. 7. Be mourners for your own sins and the sins of others The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit wounded for sin a broken and a contrite heart O God thou wilt not despise but accept Psal. 51. 17. God will restore comfort to his mourners Isa. 57. 18. These mourners in Zion and for Zion Isa. 61. 3. 66. 10. who mouâ—n for the desolation of Zion and for their own sins and the sins of others as the
procuring causes thereof these are the persons that please God so that he takes double care of them in evil times Ezek. 9. 4 6 and pronounces them blessed and promises that they shall be comforted Mat. 5. 4. Dir. 8. Walk uprightly order your conversation aright without guile and hypocrisie in simplicity and godly sincerity have your conversations doing all your duties to please God and not for by-respects With this God will be so well pleased that he will be to you a Sun and a Shield that he will give you Grace and Glory that he will with-hold no good thing from you Psal. 84. 11. Prov. 2. 7. He will shew you his salvation Psal. 50. 23. God will give him a prospect of heaven here and hereafter a full fruition of it and no wâ—â—der for you are his delight Prov. 11. 20. Such as are upright in their way are his delight and what will not a man do for such in whom he delights Read Esther 6. 6. Dir. 9. Make the Christian Sabbath your delight be glad and rejoyce in it This will so please the Lord that he will cause you to ride upon the high places of the earth yea upon the heights of heaven where thou shalt keep an everlasting Sabbath and feed you with the heritage of Jacob your Father not only with the good things of the earthly Canaan but with the good things of the heavenly of which the earthly was a type with heavenly Manna such food as eye hath not seen ear heard or mouth of natural man ever tasted This you may build upon for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it Isa. 58. 13 14. If you keep the Sabbath and chuse the things that please God Isa. 56. 4. God will be so well pleased as to give you 1. A place in his House v. 5. And a door-keepers place in Gods house is worth the having Psal. 84. 10. A place in Gods house is that one thing which David was so earnest for Psal. 27. 4. 2. A Name better then of sons and daughters of Princes even prerogative royal that heavenly honour to be the sons and daughters of God 2 Cor. 6. 18. John 1. 12. And so to be called 1 John 3 1. To have both the comfort and the credit of it for if sons then heirs Rom. 8. 16 17. 3. And make them joyful in his house of Prayer ver 7. By their free access unto him and good success in all their suits 4. And accept their sacrifices ver 7. Their sacrifices of Prayer Praise Alms and Obedience shall be accepted through Christ who is the true Altar that sanctifieth all that is offered on it Heb. 13. 10 15. Rev. 3. 4. Dir. 10. Watch at Wisdoms gates daily wait at the posts of her doors Prov. 8. 34 35. And there you shall find life Isa. 55. 3. And obtain the favour of God which is better then life There the Lord will meet you and bless you Exod. 20. 24. There he will teach you Isa. 2. 3. And there he will accept you Ezek. 20. 40. There you give him your loves Cant. 7. 12. And there he will give you his Loves If he sup with you you shall sup with him Rev. 3. 20. There you may get Faith more precious then Gold Rom. 10. 17. There you may have a call to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ 2 Thes. 2. 14. Dir. 11. Pray continually This pleases God The prayer of the upright is his delight Prov. 15. 8. 'T is sweet unto him Cant. 2. 14. He will be nigh to them that call upon him in truth Psal. 145. 18. Daniel's praying pleased God as appears by the event Prayers come up for a me norial before God Acts 10. 4. God is so well pleased with prayer that he will never turn it away Psal. 66. 20. Dir. 12. Meditate on Gods Law day and night Shew thy love to God and it thereby as David did Psal. 119. 97. O how I love thy Law it is my meditation all the day Let it be yours also and God will make you like a tree planted by the rivers of water that bringeth forth his fruit in his season and whose leaf shall not wither and whatsoever you do shall prosper Psal. 1. 2 3. Dir. 13. Worship God in spirit and in truth Sure this is pleasing to him for the Father seeketh such to worship him Joh 4. 23. He is greatly delighted with such worship God loveth the gates of Zion more then all the dwellings of Jacob Psal. 87. 2. The gates of Zion the place of his worship which he had chosen to dwell in more then all the Towns and Cities else which he had given Jacob to dwell in 'T is not all worship that God is so delighted with some worship is an abomination to him God complains of those that draw nigh to him with their mouths when their hearts are far from him Isa. 29. 13. Mat. 15. 8. 'T is the heart God calls for Prov. 23. 26. and truth in the inward parts that God desires Psal. 51. 6. 'T is worship in spirit and truth that pleases God Dir. 14. Love God heartily and seek him early God loves them that love him Prov. 8. 17. and will shew it John 14. 21 23. He that hath my Commandments and keepeth them he it is that loveth me and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father and I will love him and will manifest my self to him and we will come and make our abode with him Obedience to this first and great command of loving God is more then all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices Mark 12. 33. Therefore for certain it pleases God Delight thy self in the Lord and he will give thee the desires of thy heart Psal. 37. 4. And let the desire of thy soul be to his name and to the remembrance of him With thy spirit seek him early Isa. 26. 8 9. and he will be found of thee Jer. 29. 13. Dir. 15. Fear God greatly as Obadiah did 1 Kings 18. 3. On such the Sun of righteousness will shine Mal. 4. 2. The Lord will fulfil the desires of them that fear him he also will hear their cry and will save them Psal. 145. 19. Dir. 16. Chuse to suffer rather then to sin This was Moses's choice Heb. 11. 25. rather to suffer affliction with the people of God then to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season This pleaseth God highly Those three servants of the most high God Dan. 3. who did chuse to burn to ashes rather then to bow to an Image God was so well pleased with that he restrained the fire from burning of them Daniel chuses to be torn to pieces rather then not to pray Dan. 6. and God was so well pleased with his choice that he shuts the mouths of the Lions that they hurt him not v. 22. God also was so well ' pleased with the Martyrs choyce of sufferings rather then of sinning that he so wrought for many
preserve your own and your neighbours chastity in heart speech and behaviour This prayer for you is not without need too much unchaste behaviour is to be seen in our Congregations I cannot think that the exposing of your naked backs and breasts to the view of all can consist with chastity of heart I wish that some or other would do that office for you that Shem and Japheth did for their father Gen. 9. 23. and cast at least a Scarf or Handkerchief over your naked necks backs and breasts The Lord be with you aged women that you may be such as you are required to be Tit. 2. 3. That you may be in behaviour as becometh holiness not false accusers not given to much wine Teachers of good things The Lord be with you widowes to cause you to trust in God as 't is your duty Jer. 49. 11. and continue in prayer and supplications night and day 1 Tim. 5. 5. The Lord be with you Parents That you may bring up your children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord Ephes. 6. 4. and that you may not provoke them to anger lest they be discouraged Col. 3. 21. The Lord be with you Children that you may obey your Parents in the Lord and honour them that it may be well with you and that you may live long in the earth Ephes. 6. 1 2 3. The Lord be with you Masters that you may give unto your Servants that which is just and equal Col. 4. 1. and forbear threatning knowing that your Master also is in Heaven neither is there respect of persons with him Ephes. 6. 9. The Lord be with you Servants that you may be obedient to them that are your Masters according to the flesh with fear and trembling in singleness of heart as unto Christ not with eye-service as men-pleasers but as the servants of Christ doing the will of God from the heart Ephes. 6. 5 6. Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the Inheritance for ye serve the Lord Christ Col. 3. 24. Yea the Lord be with you that you may be subject not only to the good and gentle but also to the froward for this is thank-worthy if for conscience towards God you endure grief suffering wrong fully and acceptable with God if when you do well and suffer for it you take it patiently 1 Pet. 2. 18 19 20. The Lord be with you Husbands that you may love your wives and not be bitter against them Col. 3. 19. And that you may dwell with them according to knowledge giving honour unto them as unto the weaker vessels and as being heirs together of the grace of life that your prayers be not hindred 1 Pet. 3. 7. The Lord be with you wives that you may be in subjection to your own husbands that if any obey not the word they may be won by your conversation while they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear and that your adornin̄g may not be with outward adorning of plaiting the hair and of wearing of Gold or of putting on of apparel but that it may be the hidden man of the heart in that which is not corruptible even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit which in the sight of God is of great price 1 Pet. 3. 1 2 3 4. The Lord be with you poor and my request for you is double 1. That you may be poor in spirit and so blessed that yours may be the kingdom of heaven Mat. 5. 3. 2. That you may be rich in faith Jam. 2. 5. by which God has promised the just shall live Hab. 2. 4. The Lord be with you Rich that you may not be high-minded nor trust in uncertain Riches but in the living God who giveth us richly all things to enjoy 1 Tim. 6. 17. The Lord be with you that you may do good that you may be rich in good works ready to distribute willing to communicate that you may lay up in store for your selves a good foundation against the time to come that you may lay hold on eternal life 1 Tim. 6. 18 19. The Lord be with you young Disciples that having put your hands to the plough you may not look back lest you prove not fit for the kingdom of God Luk. 9. 92. The Lord be with you old Disciples that you may bring forth much good fruit and be fat and flourishing Psal. 62. 14. The Lord be with you All to deal well with you To hear your Prayers To direct your steps To give you rest To provide you necessaries To protect your persons To prevent trouble or to deliver out of it To assist in work To support under burdens To disappoint enemies To Animate against fear To comfort in tribulation To correct if need be To encline your hearts to God To give you wisdom To help you to finish your works and to effect difficult undertakings To hold you by your right hand To put a difference between you and toose that serve him not The Lord be with you All 1. With All of All of you 1. With your Hearts 1. To circumcise them Deut. 30. 6. 2. To write his Law in them Heb. 8. 10. 3. To new make them Ezek. 36. 26. 4. To soften them Ezek. 36. 26. 5. To strengthen them Psal. 31. 24. acchrding to his promise 6. To unite them Psal. 86. 11. 7. To enlarge them Psal. 119. 32. 8. To encline them to him and his Testimonies 1 King 8. 58. Psal. 119. 36. 9. To create them clean Psal. 51. 10. 10. To put gladness into them Psal. 4 〈…〉 2. With your heads 1. To lift them up Psal. 3. 3. 2. To make them waters Jer. 9. 1. 3. With your eyes 1. To open them that you may behold wonderous things out of Gods Law Psal. 119. 18. 2. To turn them away from beholding vanity Psal. 119. 37. 4. With your ears 1. To open them Psal. 40. 6. 2. To cause them to hear the word behind them Isa. 30. 21. 5. With your mouthes 1. To satisfie them with good things Psal. 103. 5. 2. That a deceitful tongue may not be found in them Zeph. 3. 13. 6. With your hands To hold them Isa. 41. 13. 42. 6. 7. With your feet To keep them 1 Sam. 1. 9. 1. The Lord be with you All 2. At all times 1. In the Morning when you awake that you may awake with God Psal. 139. 18. Psal. 55. 17. 2. At noon when you go to meat Psal. 55. 17. 3. At evening when you go to bed Psal. 55. 17. This was Davids practice Evening and Morning and at Noon will I pray and cry aloud and not in vain for it followes and he shall hear my voice 4. The Lord be with you even at midnight and in the night watches that even then you may meditate on Gods word and give thanks after the example of David Psal. 119. 62. 63. 6. 119. 148. 5. On the week dayes that you may do your work and all