than to look after Christ Some do add a third necessity viz. of custom Luke 23.17 but this is not pertinent here CHAP. V. Sect. 1. The truth of this Doctrine appeareth 1. BY the intentness of worldlings thoughts more upon earthly than heavenly things Their inward thought is that their houses shall continue for ever c. Psal 49.11 one would think it a Tautology to say Their inward thoughts for there are no thoughts but inward all thoughts are wrought in the secret shop of the heart But there is an elegancy in the phrase The inward for the very inmost of their thoughts Their most retired thoughts and recesses of the soul are about these things which evidenceth that these things lie nearest their hearts 2. By placing their choice upon earthly before heavenly things They chuse their own ways before God's ways Isa 66.3 they had rather cherish their bodies in the enjoyment of the creature than solace their souls in the enjoyment of God 3. Dives qui fieri vult citò vult fieri Juvenal By the fixedness of their resolution upon earthly things before heavenly The will of a worldling is fully set upon the world 1 Tim. 6.9 but how wavering is he about Religion If he hath any faith it is but temporary if he make profession of Religion it is but while the Sun shines and he prosecutes some worldly design when he prosecutes Religion 4. By the pursuit of their practice after earthly things more than after heavenly Their endeavours are more to enlarge themselves outwardly than to enrich themselves spiritually Luke 12.18 Psal 127.3 5. By the delight they take in earthly things before heavenly They are better pleased in the bare possessing and keeping these things than in the using and spending them As the phrases of the Text import of going and seeing the ground They are better pleased in fetchâ—ng a wâ—lk to or taking a view of their Land than in spending the Revenue of it to their own and others comfort for the glory of God They must needs go to it This denotes their giving themselves to these things which God gives unto them Though at that time they might go to prayer or to hearing of the word yet they will be going to their worldly enjoyments They must needs see it This denotes their glutting themselves with these things The lust of the eyes 1 John 2.16 The most part of that a worldling hath is but meerly to look upon and yet the eye is not satified with seeing Eccles 1.8 6. By the grief of their hearts for the loss and want of earthly things more than of heavenly sorrowing without hope for the loss of worldly friends 1 Thes 4.13 sorrowing without measure many times for the want of some earthly trifles The danger of the soul's loss is not so grievous to be born as some petty loss in their outward estate Sect. 2. This cometh to pass I. Through that perverseness that is in man's nature whence it comes to pass 1. That earthly things best suit with man's sensual appetite Jam. 3.15 these low things agree with mens low and base lâ—sts Creatures that creep upon the earth delight to feed upon the earth 2. Heavenly things are not discerned by mans natural understanding 1 Cor. 2.14 there is a maim not only in the sensual appetite but in the intellectuals and higher faculties so that man cannot see the worth of grace by the light of nature II. Through that deceitfulness which is in the world which is as a false Medium that represents things otherwise than they are The word is as a Looking-Glass Jam. 1.23 which hath but one side and represents all faces as they are But the world is as a Perspective-Glass which hath two ends with the one it makes things shew nearer and bigger than they are with the other it makes things shew farther and less than they are The world makes earthly things shew bigger than they are and heavenly things shew less than they are III. Through the malice which is in Satan the God of this world who blinds the eyes of men that they cannot see things as they are 2 Cor. 4.4 No wonder men do no better seeing they know no better CHAP. VI. Use 1. THis informs us that worldly men are most erroneous in their principles and most preposterous in their practices whilst they look upon earthly things as more necessary than heavenly when heavenly things are the only necessary Luke 10.42 with these we may do well enough without other things without these all other things are nothing Malum est in necessitate vivere sed in necessitate vivere necessitas nulla est Sen. Epist 12. 'T is not necessary that we be rich but necessary that be righteous Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God 1 Cor. 6.9 'T is not necessary that we be honourable but 't is necessary that we be holy for without holiness no man shall see the Lord Heb. 12.14 Here also see the difference between the worldly man and the Godly man The Godly man looks upon spiritual things as more necessary than earthly Job esteemed the Word of God as more than his necessary food Job 23.12 our Saviour said Contemptus est a me favor furor it was his meat to do the will of him that sent him John 4.34 David lookt upon the word better than gold Psal 19.10 So did Luther to whom Vergerius was sent by the Pope to offer him a Cardinals Cap if he would relinquish his opinions Luther answered I neither care for the favour nor fury of Rome Vse 2. Though worldly men do now account earthly things more necessary than heavenly yet one day they will know the contrary by woful experience they will find they were miserably deceived when they shall see all these things dissolved 2 Pet. 3.11 the thought of which should make us more careful about heavenly things and less sollicitous about earthly Use 3. Live contrary to worldly men in reference to earthly and heavenly things I. Account earthly things no better than they are 1. Account them but as necessâ—ry in some respect not as absolutely necessary They are but convenient supplies for your bodies and that during this life The soul hath no need of them here and the body will have no need of them hereafter 1 Tim. 6.7 2. Account them whiles ye have need of them not so necessary by far as heavenly things The earth is the lowest of creatures and made to be trampled under our feet And the Primitive Christians laid the price of their possessions at the Apostles feet Act. 4. ult Gold and silver are fitter to set our feet than our hearts upon 3. Account these earthly things nothing for present use without the word of God's blessing Matth. 4.4 how is it possible that dead things should sustain our lives without the power of the living God 4. Account all these things as nothing without Christ
but as a Cypher without a Figure therefore look upon the sweetness of these things as they come flowing from a God in Covenant Hos 2.21 22. the love of the giver is more than the gift II. Account heavenly things as good as they are 1. Account them real and substantial though future and invisible Heb. 11.1 Christ's flesh is meat indeed and his bloud is drink indeed John 8.36 2. Account them suitable to your present wants and desires Rev. 3.18 The Rabbines say of the Israelites Manna it was according to every ones taste this we may say of that Manna that comes down from above it is according to every ones relish that savoureth the things of the spirit it is food it is physick it is water wine milk 3. Account them full and satisfactory Psal 16.11 Think O Saints of what you will and wish for what you will in an orderly way here is enough to make supply In heaven God will fully manifest himself and the soul will fully receive him 4. Account them as everlasting not as perishing look upon them as above the reach of Thief and moth Matth. 6.20 They are neither exposed to violence from others nor yet to vanity in themselves Wherefore live above earthly things let not your hearts be glued to the world 'T is against the order of nature for Heaven and Earth to be joyned together and 't is against the order of grace for a spiritual soul to be glued to earthly things The mole that liveth much within the earth was an unclean creature under the Levitical Law So were those creatures that did creep upon the earth Levit. 11.30 41. Live up to heavenly things set your affections on them Col. 3.1 Spiritualize the worldlings speech in my Text by turning it thus When worldly temptations come say Christ hath purchased a possession for me my heavenly father hath given an inheritance to me and I must needs go see it Then mount upwards in your affections and meditations and take a view of heaven in the exercise of faith and hope and longing desires CHAP. VII I pray thee have me excused IN these words we have the hypocrisie in colouring the excuse Seria hypocrisis est quae rogat Marlor Humilitas sonat in voce superbia in actione Greg. Magn. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ab 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Quasi plus vereatur Servum quam dominum Salmer and a very serious piece of hypocrisie it is Humility sounds in the voice but Pride in the action of this Recusant Guest I pray the Greek word signifies lovingly to entreat That is I desire thee in all loves that thou wouldest excuse my denyal as well as possibly thou canst I pray thee as if he did more fear the Servant than the Master Have me excused Give in for me as good a reason as you can I have told you how full I am of secular affairs and therefore cannot so attend upon your Master as you would have me and as others do who have no such affairs to hinder them Hence I note Observ That worldlings would fain be exempted from closing with that Gospel-provision unto which they are invited Luke 8.33 57. This appeareth I. By mens covert-waving of truth when they do not openly gainsay it Thus Felix refused St. Pauls Doctrine not by denying the truth of what he spake but by procrastinating the convenience of the season Act. 24.25 others when they appear open gainsayers of truth yet will they do it in civil terms and carriage Thus the Gadarens besought Christ to depart out of their Coast Luke 8.37 they did not persecute or thrust him out II. By their desiring others to excuse them for not accepting Gospel-invitation as 1. By what they would have others speak to them viz. smooth things Isa 30.10 that is flattering words Sermons of peace and prosperity which are pleasing to people which the false Prophets or falshearted hearers did delight in Or General things like arrows at rovers not like arrows at a mark they cannot endure to have their consciences touched with any particular or close application 2. By what they would have others speak of them As they desire that peace may be spoken to them so they desire that good may be spoken of them They would be accounted and declared better than they are But for any so to speak of them what is it but to speak wickedly for God and to talk deceitfully for him Job 13.7 8. 3. By what they would have others speak from them and that to the Lord. When God's hand lies heavy upon them then they would have others stretch forth their hands in prayer to God for them confessing what they are and promising to be better though their practice declares they mean not as they speak Exod. 9.27 28. III. By their living contrary to this Gospel-provision Though they profess they know God yet in works they deny him Tit. 1.16 as 1. By halting in their lives as doubtful what to chuse whether the broad or the narrow way 1 King 18.21 the wavering of their judgment appearing in the unevenness of their practice the giddiness of their heads appearing in the unsteadiness of their feet They that dare not openly to conâ—ess Christ they venture secretly to deny Christ 2. By loitering in their lives as if they had no mind to go on in the way of Religion contenting themselves with a dull formal Laodicean temper like an Horse in a Mâ—ll that joggs on without any meâ—tle 3. By falling off from a strict course of life Rev. 2.5 leaving off the duties and neglecting the ordinances which once they were in frequent use of leaving off the practice of Religion 4. By wallowing in their lives in that from which they were reclaimed 2 Pet. 2 22. returning to their impure practices and turning the grace of God into lasciviousness living as bad as the worst in all dissoluteness and profaneness CHAP. VIII THe reason why it is so is because the closing with Gospel-provision requireth that practice of Religion which crosseth a worldly interest and is unpleasing to flesh and bloud 1. Such practice as is difficult to the mind as self-examination 1 Cor. 11.28 a strange work to a worldling who is always in such a hurry of worldly business that he knows not how to be intent upon this close employment 2. Such practice as is irksome to the body as suffering Heb. 12.11 no chastening is joyous but grievous 3. Such practice as is disparaging to the name as hating our nearest relations Luke 14.26 which is accounted barbarous cruelty and unnaturalness The hating them is the not permitting them to hinder us in the exercise of our love to Christ 4. Such practice as is chargeable to the estate as the maintaining of those in the work of the Ministry 1 Cor. 9. the relieving of those in necessity 2 Cor. 9. 5. Such practice as is expensive of time as constant attendance upon means of grace Act. 26.7 visiting others watching
gifts they may be instrumental to the bringing of others unto heaven 3. They may be made partakers of the Holy Ghost as the extraordinary gifts of the Holy Ghost in working of miracles as those cast-aways make it their plea Matth. 7.22 4. They may taste the good word of God by feeling some sudden flashes of joy and terrour under the word as Herod and Feâ—ix did and yet not nourished by it nor satisfied with it 5. They may taste of the powers of the world to come be taken up with the admiration and contemplation of the Saints happiness in heaven Thus Balaam desired by all means to die the death of the Righteous Use 3. Let not us be like the refusers of the Gospel who shall not taste of Gospel-provision But 1. Let us taste and see that the Lord is good Psal 34.8 Oh taste now lest God in anger for your contempt should say ye shall never taste of my Supper Meditate on his word and apply the promises therein contained how sweet are thy words to my taste saith David Psal 119.103 We should fix our thoughts upon Gods word Meditation is not a transient but a permanent act of the soul abiding where it fastens Meditation holds reason and faith to their work and blows the fire till it throughly burn a man must continue walking to get himself warm a few slight thoughts will not warm our hearts in God's service no that is the work of most intent meditation Let us also reflect upon our souls in a way of Christian experience We taste God's goodness in experimental and actual discoveries of his gracious working Oh how delightfully do Saints sit under this shadow and how sweet is this fruit unto their taste Cant. 2.3 2. Live as those that have tasted that the Lord is gracious 1 Pet. 2.3 by frequent tasting you will be more and more in love with this kind of Liquor Long for the perfection of grace in the fruition of glory and for that heaven upon earth the clear knowledge of your eternal good condition That glimpse you have of heaven should make you long for the beatifical Vision and your foretaste for the full draught Alexander the Great sailing in a boisterous sea discovered before the rest of his company the happy land of Arabia by the smell of those sweet odours which the wind conveyed to him Whereupon he and his company took heart perceiving they had not far to go Consider grace is as a smell of heaven before-hand Let your present scent set you a longing for all the sweet in heaven Let this fruit of the Tree of Life make you the more in love with heaven FINIS Books to be sold by Thomas Parkhurst at the Golden Bible on London-Bridge A Commentary on the Hebrews by J. Owen D. D. Mr. Sedgwick's Bowels of Mercy fol. An Exposition of Temptation on Matth. 4. verse 1. to the end of the eleventh By Thomas â—aylor A Learned Commentary or Exposition on the first Chapter of the second Epistle to the Corinthians by Richard Sibbs D. D. fol. A practical Exposition on the third Chapter of the first Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians By Anthony Burgess fol. The dead Saint speaking to Saints and sinners living in several Treatises By Samuel Bolton D. D. fol. The view of the Holy Scriptures By Hugh Broughton fol. Christianographia or a Description of the multitude and sundry sorts of Christians in the world not subject to the Pope By Eph. Pagitt fol. These six Treatises next following are written by Mr. George Swinnock 1. The Christian Mans Calling or a Treatise of making Religion ones business in Religious Duties Natural Actions his Particular Vocation his Family Directions The first Part. 2. Likewise a second Part wherein Christians â—e directed to perform their Duties as Husbands and Wives Parents and Children Masters and Servants in the conditions of Prosperity and Adversity 3. The third and last part of the Christian Mans Calling 4. The Door of Salvation opened by the Key of Regeneration 5. Heaven and Hell Epitomized and the True Christian Characterized 6. The Fading of the Flesh and the flourishing of Faith Or One cast for Eternity all these by George Swinnock M. A. Large Octavo's An Exposition on the five first Chapters of Ezekiel with useful observations thereupon by Will. Greenhil 4to The Cospel Covenant or the Covenant of Grace opened Preached in New-England by Peter Bulkeley 4to Gods Holy Mind touching Matters Moral wh ch himself uttered in ten words or ten Commandments Also an Exposition on the Lords Prayer by Edward Elton B. D. 4to Christ and the Covenant the work and way of Meditation Delivered in ten Sermons L. Octavo's By William Bridge Heart-treasure or a Treatise tending to fill and furnish the head and heart of every Christian with soul-inriching treasure of truths graces experiences and comforts with an Epistle prefixed by John Chester Large Octavo A Glimpse of Eternity by A. Caley A Practical Discourse of Prayer wherein is handled the Nature and Duty of Prayer by Tho. Cobbet Of Quenching the Spirit the evil of it in respect both of its cause and effects discovered By Theophilus Polwheile Wells of Salvation opened or Words whereby we may be saved with advice to Young Men by Tho. Vincent The Re-building of London encouraged and improved in several Meditations by Sam. Rolles The sure way to Salvation or a Treatise of the Saints Mystical Union with Christ by R. Steedman M. A. The greatest Loss upon Matth. 16.26 By James Livesey Small Octavo's FINIS