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A02741 Tvvo treatises I. The purchase of Grace, shewing the excellency of Christ, and the graces of his spirit. II. The soules delight in Gods tabernacles, shewing the excellency of time, spent in duties of God's solemne service. Instances in the chiefe, viz. prayer, word, and sacraments. Motives and directions for right performance. Lastly, the chiefe usurpers of time discovered, with apt remedies against each of them. The contents of the booke are methodically exprest in the margent, which to the diligent reader may serve instead of a table. By William Harrison, Mr. of Arts, and minister of the Gospell at Canwicke neare Lincolne. Harrison, William, minister at Canwick. 1639 (1639) STC 12871; ESTC S103879 208,196 400

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day and night So this was Davids constant practice Psal. 119. 97. Oh how I love thy Law it is my meditation continually But what are the speciall things whereof wee must meditate if wee desire to further our growth in grace I answere they are especially these foure First Let us seriously consider the worth and excellency of true saving grace which appeareth in the Text it is like gold tryed in the fire the most pure and most precious jewell that is in the whole world all earthly things in the want of this are but drosse and dung Phil. 3. 8. But for your more full satisfaction as touching the worth of true grace consider the second Chapter of this Treatise being the first Vse of the poynt And surely if men did but once see the beautie and truely understand the worth of true grace they could not choose but bee exceeding desirous of it They would covet after it if they were once perswaded that it is the best and rarest jewell in the world Secondly The necessitie of true grace it is absolutely necessary to the very being of a Christian and not to his well-being onely Oh then let us labour for grace and growth in grace because it it so necessary that a man is no Christian that is without it and it is also so necessary that it is impossible to be saved without it They must have their fruit unto holinesse that will have the end everlasting life Rom. 6. 22. Holinesse must needs goe before if happinesse follow after grace and glorie are inseparable yea they are the same as some Divines observe for grace is glorie inchoate and glorie is grace consummate It is so necessary that it is impossible to see God without it Heb. 12. 14. Follow peace with all men and holinesse without which it is impossible to see God Blessed are the pure in heart for they and they alone shall see God sayth our blessed Saviour see Psal. 24. 4 5. Revel 22. 14 15. c. Thirdly Consider the equitie of it it is very fit and equall that we that doe professe our selves to be Gods children shall labour to become like unto our heavenly Father He is the God of all grace oh let us therefore labour to grow in grace that we may be like him Ephes. 5. 1. Be yee followers of God as deare children and walke in love c. 2 Pet. 1. 17. As he that hath called you is holy so be yee holy in all manner of conversation for it is written be yee holy for I am holy Yea we should labour to be perfect in holinesse 2 Cor. 7. 1. Perfecting holinesse in the feare of God that herein especially wee may resemble our heavenly Father who is the God of all grace and holinesse Be yee perfect as your Father which is in heaven is perfect sayth our Saviour Mat. 5. last So that the more holinesse the more like to God and the better evidence and assurance that we are his children Fourthly Let us meditate and seriously consider of that great measure of grace that hath beene in Gods Saints of old and how farre we come short of them There is Abraham renowmed for his faith yea he was even strong in the faith Rom. 4. 20. Samuel for integritie Moses for meeknesse the meekest man upon the earth Numb 12. 3. Iacob for wrestling with God in prayer Hos. 12. 4. Iob for his patience Iames 5. 11. David for sinceritie A man after Gods own heart in all things save onely in the matter of Vriah and Paul for courage and all the graces of Gods Spirit whatsoever c. Now alas how farre short doe wee come of these Saints of God in all these What a small measure of faith have we in respect of Abraham How farre short are wee of Jacob for a gift in prayer and a spirit of supplication How farre doe wee come behinde Iob for his patience David for sinceritie and Paul for every thing Oh how this would whet us on to labour for more grace when wee see how farre the Saints of God have out-stripped us and gone before us Oh how this would increase our diligent endeavour to grow in grace if wee would forget such as are behinde us and looke earnestly at those that have gone before us it would make us to presse earnestly for the price of the marke of the high calling of God in Christ Iesus Phil. 3. 13 13. These are the chiefe meanes that wee must use that we may be rich in the golden graces of Gods Spirit Thus now for the first sort to whom the Exhortation is directed sc. such as have true grace in some measure alreadie Let such first be thankfull and blesse God for it that hath given them the graces of his Spirit to enrich them secondly let them labour to grow in grace and thrive more and more in this spirituall wealth and riches Secondly For such as have no grace for the present let such be exhorted to labour for it let them see the worth of it is like gold tryed in the fire that it is the onely meanes to make them truely and spiritually rich onely such as are truely godly are truely rich rich indeede rich towards God wicked rich men are wretched that are in the middest of all their wealth and riches Oh therefore you that want true grace labour for it Ioh. 6. 27. Labour not for the meate that perisheth but for durable riches Pro. 3. 16. which that you may attaine unto attend with reverence unto the next poynt which is to buy it of Christ Buy of me c. CHAP. VII Containing the third generall point I Counsell thee to buy of me gold tryed in the fire that thou mayest be rich And so I come to the third and last lesson that we are to learne from hence which is That all those that would have the precious gold of true saving grace must buy it of Christ. Buy of me sayth our Saviour this gold tryed in the fire that thou mayest be rich In handling this point I will run this course First I will speake some thing by way of confirmation that wee may beleeve it Secondly By way of explication and application that wee may understand and make a right use of it First For confirmation observe a double proofe for this purpose first Testimonies secondly Reasons and Arguments to enforce the Doctrine First For Testimonies observe it in these few particulars first Pro. 23. v. 23. Buy the truth and sell it not sayth the Wise man Truth of grace must be bought at any rate but sold at no rate True saving grace is a precious commoditie to bee bought by all those that desire to enjoy it To the like purpose is that we have Isa. 55. 1. Hoe every one that thirsteth come yee to the waters buy wine and milke without money and without price the water and wine and milke of true saving grace must come
him so busie at their returne that he had forgotten both his hunger and thirst in so much that they were enforced to urge him saying Master eate ver 31. Now marke the sweet answer of our blessed Saviour I have meate to eate that yee know not of ver 32. And see how he doth farther expresse his full meaning Ver. 34. Iesus sayd unto them my meate is to doe the will of him that sent me and to finish his worke Oh admirable patterne Oh heavenly example such was his delight in doing Gods will that hee preferreth it before his meate and drinke in the time of his greatest hunger and thirst Now for the perfecting of this point to quicken our affections and to set the better edge upon our appetites let us consider these three particulars First That we may love Gods Ordinances the better and delight to spend more time in the exercises of Religion let us consider whose Ordinances they are They are the Lords Ordinances of divine authoritie they come from above they are tokens of love sent from our heavenly Father the Word preached is Gods Word the Sacraments are his broad Seales of Righteousnesse and prayer is a dutie expresly required by God himselfe and therefore they are worthy of all due regard and esteeme for his sake that hath sent them Now a token sent from a deare friend O how welcome a Letter a Booke a Ring c. these finde speciall regard with us And shall the Lords Word that gracious Epistle sent from the King of heaven to us shall that be accounted as a strange thing God forbid Oh let us love the Word faithfully preached because it is the Lords Word It is the Gospel of Iesus Christ. This is the Apostles Argument Rom. 1. 16. I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ for it is the power of God unto salvation Yea it is the very Word of Gods grace Act. 20. 32. And now brethren I commend you to God and to the Word of his grace which is able to build you up farther and to give you an inheritance amongst them that are sanctified Yea the Word preached is a speciall fruit of his favour peculiar to those that are Gods people so that wheresoever he sendeth it he hath a purpose to save some there See how this is mentioned as a speciall priviledge to the Iewes which were then the onely people of God under heaven Psal. 147. 19 20. He sheweth his Word unto Iacob his Statutes and Ordinances unto Israel He hath not dealt so with any Nation Oh how we should value the Lords goodnesse herein to us if this were rightly and throughly considered This was the Iewes chiefe priviledge that they had the Lords Word in speciall for their direction when all Nations besides were left in darknesse Deut. 4. 8. For what Nation is there so great that hath Statutes and Judgements so righteous as all this Law which I have set before you this day So marke how the Apostle setteth out the Iewes priviledge above all other Nations which he sheweth consisted in this that they had the Lords lively Oracles for their Direction Rom. 3. 1 2. What advantage then hath the Jew and what profit is there of Circumcision Much every way chiefely because unto them were committed the Oracles of God They were the Lords Oracles and therefore the more to be esteemed and their priviledge was so much the greater that did enjoy them So againe setting out the Iewish priviledges see how the Apostle reports the matter Rom. 9. 4. To whom pertaineth the adoption and the glory and the Covenants and the giving of the Law and the service of God and the promises The Lords Covenants the Lords Law the service of God and his promises this should make us esteeme them Yea it is the Lord that sendeth Prophets and Apostles and Pastors to teach and instruct his people in this Word that he hath given us Ier. 3. 15. I will give you Pastors according to mine owne heart that shall feede you with knowledge and understanding It was the Lord Jesus Christ himselfe that sent the Apostles to preach the Gospel Mat. 28. 20. Goe and teach all Nations c. teaching them to observe all things that I command you and loe I am with you alwayes unto the end of the world Yea and this sending of Ministers to preach the Word unto us is a fruit of Gods singular love towards us it argueth the Lords fatherly pitie and compassion towards us according to that we reade in 2 Chron. 36. 15. And the Lord God of their fathers sent unto them by his Messengers rising early and sending because he had compassion on his people and on his dwelling place Now lay up all these together If the Word preached be an Ordinance of Gods appointing if he send the Ministers to preach it if their com●●● to doe this be a fruit of his love yea 〈◊〉 compassion towards us then surely if this 〈◊〉 rightly considered wee cannot choose ●ut love it it is the Lords doings and therefore it is marvellous in our eyes The like may be said of prayer and the Sacraments they are also of Gods ordaining Secondly Consider the worth excellency of these Ordinances in themselves The Word of God faithfully preached is an excellent Ordinance of God and so is prayer and so are the Sacraments matters of speciall and exceeding worth now yee know men love and delight in things that are most excellent This is one reason that David giveth why he delights in the societie of Gods Saints sc. because they were excellent persons Psal. 16. 2. My goodnesse extendeth not unto thee sayth he to God v. 3. but to the Saints that are in the earth and to the excellent in whom is all my delight Doest thou delight in those things that are excellent O then delight thy selfe in Gods Ordinances which are most excellent The Word of God faithfully preached is a most sweet and excellent Ordinance of GOD. See how highly David that man of GOD commends and extolleth it Psal. 19. 7. The Law of the Lord is perfect converting the soule the Testimony of the Lord is sure making wise the simple and ver 10. More to be desired are they then gold yea then much fine gold sweeter also then honey and the honey-combe Oh the transcendent excellency of the Word of God faithfully preached Had I the tongue of men and Angells I could not expresse it to the full Take notice of a Testimony or two to this purpose in the new Testament 2 Cor. 10. 4. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnall but mightie through God to the pulling downe of strong holds yea it is able to make Sathan fall downe from heaven like lightening This is the Lords great Ordinance to batter the strong holds of sinne and Sathan they are excellent things for the demolition of Sathans Ammunition this casteth out the strong man armed and taketh away his armour wherein
of profitable and excellent use for Gods people that have occasion to joyne together in the celebration and participation of them First For publike prayer in the Congregation see how expresly the Apostle requireth it 1 Tim. 2. 1. I exhort that first of all prayer and supplication and intercession and giving of thankes be made for all men for Kings and such as are in authoritie Let no man despise the publike Lyturgie of our Church and the prayers that are used there as if God regarded not such prayers as are read upon a booke for certainly the most godly learned and wisest men that I have heard or read of have approved of set forme of prayers yea one of the wisest and ablest even of those that have disliked the Ceremonies of our Church hath yet highly esteemed of the prayers which are appointeh to be read in our publike Lyturgie yea and doth professe publikely that in his opinion no wise man will dislike such kinde of prayers eyther because they are read upon a booke or for their length or the multitude of them yea ye sheweth plainely that it hath beene the practice and custome of the best Churches to have bookes of publike prayers and approveth of and justifieth the practise of Gods Church in that regard yea see how highly that pious man hath approved of the Booke of prayers appointed by Authoritie for the keeping of publike Fasts concerning which this reverend Divine sayth thus concerning the sayd Booke of prayers That they are as ample holy effectuall and fit for the present occasion as ever were in any Lyturgie that he had seene Having therefore cleared this in the first place give me leave to shew you the worth and excellency of publike prayers in the Congregation in some respect above any prayers that are made in secret in our Closets or in private amongst our people in our families See it in foure particulars First In regard of the excellency of the company that is present there in a speciall manner which I will manifest unto you in these three particulars First The Church and people of GOD are present there in a most speciall manner and readie to joyne with us in these publike prayers Now it must needs be an excellent thing and very beneficiall unto us in this regard This made David delight in the duties of Gods publike worship and service yea and cary his whole hous-hold a multitude with him to the House of God because he was sure to meet with the Saints of God there in whom next under God himselfe was all his delight Psal. 42. 4. Psal. 16. 3. My goodnesse O Lord extendeth not to thee but to the Saints which are on the earth and to the excellent in whom is all my delight This made him so glad when he was exhorted by any to goe to the house of God sc. in regard of the good company that he was sure to finde there Psal. 122. 1. 4. I was glad when they sayd unto me let us goe up to the house of the Lord. Why so That yee shall see ver 4. Thither the Tribes goe up the Tribes of the Lord c. to give thankes to the Name of the Lord and ver 8. For my brebren and companions sake I will now say peace be within thee Loe this is one strong Motive that should perswade us not onely duely to frequent the house of God our selves but to exhort and stirre up others to joyne with us therein sc. because of the people of GOD that are there present in a speciall manner Secondly Not onely Gods people are there present but also the holy Angells of God are present in our Church assemblies As they are at all times fent forth for the good of them that shall be heires of Salvation Heb. 1. 14. so especially then when we are the most seriously imployed in the duties of Gods publike worship and service they then pitch their tents about us to defend us Psal. 34. 7. and keepe us in all our wayes much more when we walke in the wayes of God they are then present with us in a most speciall manner This the Apostle intimateth in ●hat direction which he giveth to women ● Cor. 11. 10. For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head that is to have her head covered in token of sujection because of the Angells i.e. The Angells are in a most speciall manner present in our Church assemblies and will dislike such disorders Yea this was also figured to Gods people in Salomons time and hence it was that the walls of Salomons Temple were full of Cherubims round about 1 King 6. 29. to intimate unto Gods people that the holy Angells of God were in a speciall manner present in the Church assemblies This should perswade us to make great account of the publike prayers in the Congregation Thirdly Not onely the Saints and Angells but also the Lord himselfe is in a most speciall manner present at our publike prayers in the Congregation Loe I am with you alwayes to the end of the world sayth our Saviour Mat. 18. 20. Especially at publike prayers for of such kinde of assemblies our blessed Saviour speaketh Mat. 18. 20. Where two or three are gathered together in my name there am I in the middest of them Oh how this should perswade us not onely to spend time in Gods service our selves but also exhort others to doe so too in regard of the excellent company that we are there sure to meete withall the holy Saints and the Angels of God yea and the Lord himselfe Secondly Because publike prayers that are presented to God in the Congregation are usually most prevalent and powerfull and likely to prevaile with God eyther for the obtaining of some speciall blessing that we want or preventing or removing some heavie judgement eyther felt or feared for the Lord loveth the gates of Zion more then all the dwellings of Iacob Psal. 87. 2. Such prayers do usually finde speciall acceptance with him See what a promise our Saviour hath made to such prayers Mat. 18. 19. Againe I say unto you if two of you much more if two hundred shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall aske it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven For there the Lord commandeth his blessing and life for evermore sayth the Text Psal. 133. 3. Yea the Lord himselfe directeth to these publike and solemne prayers as those that of all others are the most effectuall to prevaile with God as appeareth in Joell 2. when he foretelleth a judgement future see what the Lord prescribeth as the meanes to prevent it V. 15. Blow the Trumpet in Zion sanctifie a Fast call a solemne assembly V. 16. Gather the people sanctifie the Congregation assemble the Elders yea gather the children yea the bride and bridegroome the Priests and Ministers of the Lord all must bestirre
grace because wee ma● be assured of our vocation election 2. Reason 2. Of our justification Certitudo spei 3. Reason Because we may be assured of our Adoption 4. Reason Because we may be assured of our Redemption We may be assured of our Redemption 5. Reason That when wee die wee shall goe to heaven 6. Reason That Gods goodnesse and mercy shall follow us all our dayes 4. Motive The comfort that will redound to the soule when the worke is once throughly performed The Nature and Markes of true grace 1. Marke True grace will make a mans face to shine in every condition 2. Marke True grace gotten by Gods Ordinances 3. Marke True grace is full weight and will make a man universall in his obedience 4. Marke True grace will abide the fiery tryall will make a man hold out in time of persecution Quest. Answ. Causa non poena facit Martyr●●● S. August 3. Vse Of consolation to such as have true grace 1. Signe He that hath true grace will use it to Gods glory the good of others 2. Signe Hee that hath true grace is still desirous of more 3. Signe Hee that hath true grace 〈◊〉 the Word ●f grace 〈…〉 begotten e●creased Doctrine 1. All that have true grace are most truly and spiritually rich 1. Reason Because it doth entitle a man to Christ all h●s riches 2. Reason Hee that hath true grace hath the God of heaven for his portion 3. Reason Hath a true right and title to heaven 4. Reason Hee that hath a comfortable right and title to the things of this life * Theophyl in loc Gal. 4. 15. Vse Instruction Hence see how much the world is deceived in judging of the estate of Gods people Vse 2. Comfort Gods people in respect of the disgrace that is cast upon them 1. Ground Truely rich in Gods esteeme 2. Ground God regardeth no ma● simply for his outward wealth and riches 3. Ground God is ready to heare the prayers of godly poore men as soone as those that are r●ch 4. Ground A godly poore 〈◊〉 may goe to heaven as soone as the rich Vse 3. Exhortation to the first sort Such as have true grace must labour to be thankfull for it 2. Dutie To grow in grace 1. Motive To perswade us to labour to grow in grace 1. Because God commandeth it 2. Motive Because the Lord expecteth it 3. Motive Because the Lord commends it 4. Motive Because the Lord is much honoured by it 5. Motive Because the Lord will most freely and fully reward it 1. Benefits of growing in grace 1. It will assure us of our election 2. Benefit The better able to doe good to others 3 Benefit Assurance of interest in the kingdome of glorie 4. Benefit Non propter sed secundum opera The more grace here the more glorie in heaven Meanes of growth in grace 1. Meanes 1. The word preached the maanes to grow in grace 2. The Sacraments 3. Prayer 2. Meanes Meditations 1. Meditation Of the worth of true grace 2. Meditation The necessitie of it 3. Motive 3. The equitie of it 4. Motive To consider the admirable growth of grace that hath beene in the Saints of old 2. Sort. Such as have no grace must labour for it 3. Poynt 3. Doct. All that would have true grace must buy it of Christ. 1. Confirmation 1. Testimonies Reasons The excellency of the Chapman of whom wee must buy it who is 1. Reason 1. A Chapman of a most sweet disposition ● Reason Exceeding faithfull and one in whom is no guile 3. Reason Rich and wealthy and therefore hath great choice 4. Reason Because he hath no respect of persons but regards the poore more then the rich 5. Reason Free and kinde affoording good wares exceeding cheape Vse 1. Instruction To teach us how to bargain with Christ. All that would bargaine with Christ must be 1 Direction sensible of thei● want of true grace and poore in spirit 2. Direction See the worth of true grace 3. Direction An earnest desire or an hunger and thirst after it 4. Direction Diligence in frequenting the place of sale Davids love to Gods house and Ordinances 5. Direction Pay the full price 6 Direction Prepare a fit vessell to put it in 7. Direction A care to keepe it from loosing 8. Direction 2. Branches Make use of it for our selves Branch 2. Dispose of it for the good of others Vse 2. 1. Sort. Such as doe despite the place of sale or come not to the market 2. Sort. Such as mispend their i me there Sleeping at market dangerous 3. Sort. Some aske the price onely but b●d nothing 4. Sort. Some bid fairely but not the full price 5. Sort. Some promise the full price but doe after revoke it 6. Sort. Some want hearts to receive it 7. Sort. Loose their commoditie 8. Sort. Some are robbed of their commoditie as they returne home 9. Sort. Some are quarrelling Chapmen that fall out with the partie that felleth it 10. 〈…〉 Vse 3. For comfort to such as carnestly desire true saving grace It is Christ that felleth it who is so rare a Chapman as you have heard 4. Vse Exhortation and Direction to get grace for our selves And for others 1 Direction generall Bring them to the market 2. Direction In speciall prepare them before hand 3. Direction Bring them with thee left they trifle away their t●●e 4 Direction See that they ply their businesse and minde their markets 5. Direction Examine them when they come home what markets they have made 6. Directiō Pra●er unto God for his blessing upon the bargaine Division and parts of the Psalme The Coherence Doctrine 1. That time spent in Gods service is the best spent 1. Proofe By the practise of Gods people Davids piety Psalm 22. 2. Daniel Mary Magdale● Pauls diligence Lastly our blessed Saviour Reason In respect of God ● Wayes 〈…〉 spent with God To Gods pleasure For h●s glory 1 Cor. 15. ●ast Eccles. 2. Reason In respect of our selves Most for our credit For our pleasure M●ch sweet●nesse in Gods service Most profitable And safe for body Safety in Gods service example of it And Soule Most full of comfort in life and death c. In regard of others hereby wee may doe good to others Threefold proofe of it 1. The Testimony of God himselfe 2. The Testimony of the Church and State 3. Experience Vse 1. For Instruction The worst spent time 1. In respe●t of God 1. Without God 2. To his dishonour 3. Not to his pleasure but to his griefe 2. In regard of our selves 1. No profit but losse 2. No pleasure nor credit nor comfort Nor safety 2. Instruct. For Humiliation that wee have spent so little time in Gods service and so much in the service of sin and Sathan Not onely before our conversion 2. Consider But also even since our calling Seneca Epist 1. Nihil agendo aliud agendo male agendo Simile Vse 2. For Reprehension