you will deem your selves you will be â—ost about with every wind of Doctrine your Heads and Hearts too will be strongly possest by the evil Spirit and having run through all Forms of Religion you may at length cast off the very Profession and Form of Godliness and degenerate even into the rankest Atheism living and oh dreadful dying also without God! 2. Take heed of those who charge the written Word of God with Impersection whatever pains such may take to make Proselytes of you certainly they are not likely to turn you to God who endeavour to instill a prejudice into you against his Word They that disparage the Holy Scripture as unnecessary as obscure as onely occasionally written and not fully declaring the Mind of God whatever they pretend really the Scripture is against them and their false Opinions and carnal Interest and that 's the true ground of their quarrel with it Open the door for unwritten Traditions and at that Door the foulest Heresies will presently enter and pretend to great Antiquity nay to Divine Authority St. Cyprian Epist 74. Vnde est ista Traditio utrum de dominica evangelica auctoritate descendens an de Apostolorum mandatis atque epistolia â—eniens Eâ—â—nim facienda quae scripâ—â—◠〈◊〉 Dâ—â—â— testatur Si ergo in Evangelio praecipitur aut in Apostolorum 〈…〉 Actibus contiâ—â—tur observetur hac divina 〈◊〉 sanctae traditio Cyprian Epist 74. Pompeio fratri tells us plainly That that is to be allowed as an holy and divine tradition that is commanded in the Gospel or contained in the Epistles or Acts of the Apostles This Man was a Father very Ancient and a Martyr too for the Faith of Christ Keep stedfast and attentive to the Word of God. They who would lead you into Paths no where in Scripture to be found would mislead you Christ is to be heard and 't is in his Word that his voice sounds his own sheep know his voice and follow him but a Stranger they will not follow but will flee from him for they know not the voice of Strangers Joh. 10. 4 5. The Apostle signifies that they who teach a voluntary humility the worshipping of Angels the neglect of the body or any other Will-worship though there be never so great a shew of wisdom in it they do but go about to beguile others and are vainly puft up with a fleshly mind themselves because these things have no warrant from the Word of God Col. 2. 18. 23. 3. Take heed of of a profane contempt of this Word of God which is such a perfect Remedy and which you all do so much need What are you more afraid of the Medicine than the Malady More afraid of that VVord which is such a means to turn you than of Sin which is ready to ruine you To throw your Silver and Gold about the Streets to burn your Houses down to the ground setting Fire to them with your own hands to cast your Food which you should live upon unto the Dogs is nothing neer so pernicious a madness as to contemn the Word of God the great Means of Conversion and Salvation Preferr not the Curse before the Blessing when both are set before you Chuse not death when if you are but willing to live Holily and Happily Eternal Life will be your own Esau is branded as a profane and foolish Wretch who for one morfel of Meat sold his Birth-right Heb. 12. 16. And what folly and profaneness will you discover if you mind only the vanities of this World the fashion of which passes away and neglect all that Grace and Glory whereof in the Word of God you have so full and compleat a discovery Where is the Faith where is the Reason where is the Self-love of that Man who despiseth a perfect Word which perfectly shewes the way to an everlasting Kingdom Consider this and shew your selves Men O ye Transgressors VSE II. Of Counsel and that in several particulars 1. Take notice of the Divinity of the Word in its Perfection God himself is Perfect his works are perfect and so is his VVord The Words Perfection shews its Original Divine Wisdom Holiness Grace and Mercy how illustrious are they in the Scripture The Laws from Mount Sinai are such in both the Tables as speak more than what is Humane more than the disposition of Angels and evidently shew that the Wise the Good the Righteous Jehovah was the Legislator The Mysteries of the Gospel are the deep things of God 1 Cor. 10. 11. which could never have entred into Mans Heart and Understanding if the Spirit of God had not revealed them Here is a Depth of counsel and knowledg an highth of Love which was from Eternity which shall never change in time and which will continue unalterable to Eternity Precepts are plain and full Promises precious threats though severe yet needful One God is made known and one Mediator between God and Men the Man Christ Jesus 1 Tim. 2. 5. Distinctions ubi lex non distinguit where the Word distinguishes not are in no wise to be admitted It is through the Son not by Angels and Saints in Heaven that we have access by one Spirit unto the Father Eph. 2. 18. This is the true Worship this is the right way keep in it and be safe There are several external motives of credibility and there are intrinsick evidences in the word it self that 't is of God and among the rest its Perfection is a great one And 't is observable that they who deny its Perfection do make its Authority to be dependent and precarious 2. Admire the Perfection and fulness of the written Word It was a noble saying of * Scriptuâ— esse doceat Hermogenis officina si non est scriptum timeat Vae illud adjicientibus aut detrahentibus destitiatum Tertul. lib. adversus Hermog cap. 22. Tertullian Adoro Scripturae plenitudinem I adore the fulness of the Scripture We need no more than what is there upon record to bring us to the true knowledg of God and to make us increase in spiritual understanding and the more we look into the Scripture we shall still see more and more in it to raise our admiration to take our Hearts and our Affections The Scripture is a Mine out of which comes nothing but what is Sound and Pure helps to understand it are to be valued But by these helps we must take heed of being drawn off from it self This Mine is farther and farther to be searched into for we are to be growing in Grace and Knowledge all our days 2 Pet. 3. ult And Solomon tells us that this searching will not be lost labour Prov. 2. 4 5 6 7. If thou seekest her as Silver and searchest for her as for hid treasure then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord and find the Knowledg of God for the Lord giveth wisdom out of his Mouth cometh Knowledge and Vnderstanding he layeth up sound wisdom for
Opera Dei s◠pius Considerator advertat perhibent testimonium Creatori quid autem borum est quod non sit mirabile si unumquodque ratione metiamur Augustin Euarrat in Psal 118. The Heavens Preach to Men on Earth and plainly Declare their Creators Glory they utter a Voice which all of all Languages may understand here are such lines in which every Eye may read the eternal Power and Godhead of Him of whom and through whom and to whom are all things and who is to be glorifified for evermore Among the other Works of God the Psalmist takes special notice of the Sun in the Firmament whose light and influence is so great and beneficial and then makes a transition to the Law and Word of God whose Light in a sense obscures that glorious Luminary giving such a clear manifestation and affecting knowledge to Man concerning his Maker as turns his Heart to him though naturally blind and foolish alienated and estranged from Him. The Law of the Lord is perfect Converting the Soul. This weighty Argument of Conversion I begin to insist on this day Conversion to God is the Epitome of Religion it is the Summe of Law and Gospel in a few Syllables it is fallen Man's recovery and rising again and the new making of that which Sin had marr'd and spoyled it is the shutting of Hell and is exceedingly opposed by the evil Angels that are there it is the opening of the gate of Heaven There is no Flaming Sword to keep the true Convert from the Tree of Life he shall have entrance into the Paradise of God and be crown'd with Righteousness and Immortality But is not the Tongue of an Angel fitter to be employed in calling to Conversion than that of a mortal Man Is there not need of the loudest Thunder or such an amazing sound as was heard when the Law was delivered on Mount Sinai of old How unlikely alas how unlikely are humane endeavours to be successful since where Conversion is the Power of Satan must be vanquisht the Dominion of Sin unto which the whole World almost is subject must be thrown down the Deaf must be made to hear the Blind must be made to see and the Dead must be raised to the highest Life in this World and that is Life Spiritual and Nature it self must be changed and of Old become New. Lord what is Man that he should be employed in such a work as this the earthen Vessel is weak or rather nothing the Treasure is the Word of God and the Excellency of its Power is of the Lord himself The Law of Lord is perfect Converting the Soul. In the Text there are four things observable 1. The Word of God is called the Law of the Lord. The Law comprehends not only the Preceptive part but also the whole Doctrine revealed in the Holy Scriptures The very Gospel it self is styled the Law of Faith Well may the Word of God be called a Law since its Author is the great Law-giver who has Power to save and to destroy and considering the deep Obligation it layes Man under A principal part of the Word are the Commands of it the Promises and Threatnings are Appendices to the Precepts and the Examples in which both Promises and Threatnings are in some measure fulfilled may strongly excite unto Obedience 2. Here is an excellent Property of this Word of God 't is Perfect though some most impiously make bold with it and eke it out with their own Traditions which they make to be of equal Authority with it yet the Word of God is perfect sufficient as a Means to attain the End whereunto 't is designed turning Sinners to God and making them wise unto Salvation He does most truly consult his own Eternal Peace and Safety and is indeed the wisest Man who refuses 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to be wise above what is written 3. Here is a notable Effect of the Word of God and that is Conversion The Hebrew has it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and signifies redire faciens making to return some Interpreters referr this to the restoring and comforting Power of the Word of God which brings as it were the Man to life again who was ready to dye away and to sink under the burthen of Sin and Misery But this Consolation supposes Conversion and Repentance and it seems unlikely that the Psalmist enumerating the more remarkable effects of the Word of God should omit this of Conversion which is one of the chiefest among them all 4. The Sincerity of Conversion is signified when the Soul is said to be Converted The Soul is sometimes taken for the Person for the whole Man The whole Man is by Sin corrupted and depraved and strongly inclined to depart from God there is need that the whole should be renewed and reduced Sometimes the Soul is taken for the spiritual and immortal part of Man and when this is enlightned and inclined and turned to God then the very Heart which he so often calls for is given him and the Change that is wrought is inward real saving I raise four Doctrines from the Text. First Conversion to God is of absolute necessity and the great thing he requires of Man. Secondly Conversion to God is then sincere when the Soul is Converted to him Thirdly The Word of God is the great Means of Conversion Fourthly In the Word of God which is the Means of Conversion there is a Perfection and Sufficiency Doct. I. I begin with the first of these Conversion to God is of absolute necessity and the great thing he requires of Man 'T is spoken of in the Text as that which is Man's Duty Man's Benefit and that which is inexpressibly for Mans Interest Converting the Soul is really Saving it and without Conversion there can be no Salvation He that turns from his evil wayes shall live he that is resolved against turning is in effect resolved to ruine himself Death he wills Death he chuses and 't is a strange choice that the Will makes Ezek. 33. 11. As I live saith the Lord God I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked but that the wicked should turn from his way and live Turn ye turn ye from your evil wayes for why will you dye O house of Israel In the handling of this Doctrine I shall First Speak of the preparative Antecedents of Conversion Secondly Explain the Nature of Conversion Thirdly Tell you what are the Properties of Conversion Fourthly Demonstrate the necessity of Conversion and the reason why God does so much require it Fifthly Answer the Arguments which the carnal minds of Men object against Conversion the body of Sin may be more and more destroyed 4. In Conversion there is a turning from the power of Satan Unconverted ones are of their Father the Devil and the lusts of their Father they will do but Converts are no longer at his beck they are not led Captive by him at his will
The Ministers of the Gospel as they are instrumental to seed the Flock so they are instrumental to make the Flock too for the Spirit of God doth accompany their Ministry and makes it effectual to alter corrupted Nature so that those that were before like Dogs like Swine like VVolves like Lyons are changed and they become the Lambs and the Sheep of the Lord Jesus VVhatever kindness is done for the Preachers of the Gospel it is not comparable unto the kindness they do when they are made instrumental unto the Conversion of any Theodosius that wore an Imperial Diadem was sensible of this when he said I thank God more that I have been a member of Christ than that I have been the Emperour of the VVorld The Ministry of the Gospel is the Gift of Christ and if this Gift be despised Christ the giver is contemned and the Father which hath sent him too Luk. 10. 16. He that heareth you heareth me he that despiseth you despiseth me and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me 7. How earnestly should Preachers pray that the Word in their Mouths may be effectual to Conversion Ay and they should call in the help of others Prayers too that they may succeed in the preaching of the Gospel of Reconciliation 2 Thes 3. 1. Finally Brethren pray for us that the word of the Lord might have free course and be glorified even as it is with you Every Sermon that the Preacher makes should be the Gift of Heaven it should be the return of Prayer and both before and after preaching having Heaven and Hell and Precious Souls all in his Eyes together being in a holy agony he should pray with all possible earnestness that precious Souls may not be irrecoverably lost and ruined Memorable is the passage of the Apostles Acts 6. 4. VVe will give our selves continually unto Prayer and unto the Ministry of the word Prayer is first mentioned If by Prayer the Preachers can prevail with God the VVord of God in their Mouths is the more likely to be prevalent with Men. A Preacher should be a man of Bowels and because his own are Marble he should long after the Conversion and Salvation of Souls in the Bowels of Jesus Christ Phil. 1. 8. Alas the Souls that are before him if they won't hear they can't live if they won't repent Destruction is at the door if they won't believe they must be damned and there is no remedy How therefore should we cry to the God whose VVord we preach that he would give Grace to repent Grace to believe Grace to turn to him for though a Paul be the Planter though an Apollo be the Waterer both are nothing but God that gives the increase he is all 1 Cor. 3. 7. 8. If the Word of God be the great means of Conversion then hence I inferr that that Society and Church is to be avoided that takes away this Word from the common People The true Church it doth concern you to know and I will tell you how it may be known it is built upon the Foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ himself being the chief Corner Stone Eph. 2. 20. There is an agreement between the Doctrine of the Apostles and Prophets This Doctrine sets forth Christ as the Foundation of a Christians Faith and Hope sets forth Christ as the only Saviour and as a Saviour to the utmost If therefore this Doctrine be decryed by any those that do decry it are to be avoided It is certainly Hellish cruelty unto Souls to take away the means of Conversion and Salvation from them That can't be the Kingdom of Christ the props of which are Ignorance of the Word of God and an implicite Faith in men The Apostle Paul speaks plainly 2 Cor. 4. 3 4. If our Gospel be hid it is hid to them that are lost and v. 6. God who commanded the Light to shine out of darkness hath shined in our Hearts to give the Light of the Knowledge of the Glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ But the Practice of many plainly shew that they are of another mind and their mind is this that if the Gospel be revealed it is revealed to them that are lost and that God instead of commanding the Light to shine into the minds of those that are saved doth command darkness to abide there still But here is an Objection that must be removed out of the way Say some If the common People are permitted to look into the Word of God instead of being turned to God they are but likely to mistake his Mind and to run into abundance of errour and so to hurt and poyson themselves An ordinary Objection but it is easily answer'd 1. This is plainly to charge the God of Heaven foolishly and blasphemously as if he had given such a dangerous VVord to his Church as that it is not fit or safe for them to make use of The Objectors don't take notice that God hath with such Goodness Wisdom and care compiled the Holy Scripture that it is a Means to prevent running into Errour and the truest Knowledge is derived from hence Hark to the Psalmist Psal 119. 105. Thy VVord it is a Light unto my Feet and a Lamp unto my Path. Wo to them that put Darkness for Light and Light for Darkness And before v. 104. the Psalmist said Through thy Precepts I get understanding therefore I hate every false way 2. I answer to this Objection That the Jewish Church though in a State of Minority had not the VVord of God withheld from them All were to read it all were to meditate upon it and yield obedience to it Nay observe that even the Children were not to be Ignorant of the Scripture Deut. 6. 6 7. These VVords that I command thee this day shall be in thine Heart and thou shalt teach them diligently to thy Children and thou shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thy house and when thou walkest by the way and when thou liest down and when thou risest up If the Jewish Church which was a Church in Minority had the Word of God generally vouchsafed certainly the Christian Church ought not to be denyed it which are arrived unto a State of greater Maturity as the Apostle intimates Gal. 4. 1 2 3. Lastly Whereas it is said that if the common People read the Scriptures and study the Word of God they will be in danger of running into Errour I answer How much Errour how much mistake is there in gross Ignorance Besides those men that have been the great broachers of Errour and Heresie in the Church of Christ have been men of great parts and men of profound Learning as Arrius and Pelagius and the rest So that if there was any force in this Objection the Word of God must not be medled with by any at all Blessed be God that the humble have a Promise of Guidance and Instruction from Heaven Psal 25. 9. The meek
not corrupt themselves Moses knew how prone the Children of Israel were to do thus therefore he wrote the Words of the Law in a Book that they might be a witness against them and hinder their growing stiff-necked and rebellious against the Lord Deut. 31. 24 26 27. Finally the Word was written that Religion it self might not be corrupted nor that go under Gods name which is none of his Were it not for the Holy Scriptures how easily might falshoods and fables and humane inventions be imposed upon us and called the Mind of Christ by men of corrupt minds and dostitute of the Truth Now certainly the Lord has caused so much to be written that may be sufficient to attain his end in writing and if so then it follows that all Doctrines of Faith and Precepts both for the ordering of our Hearts and Lives are sufficiently declared in the Scripture If the Scripture is given to prevent Corruption in Religion the Scripture is perfect that that Corruption may be prevented If we should suppose part of the Doctrines and Precepts of the Gospel never to have been written why was less care taken of these than of the other How easily would these be forgotten and corrupted and how could we be satisfied in their being truly and sincerely conveyed to us 3. Adding to the VVord of God is most severeby forbidden therefore the VVord is perfect Prov. 30. 6. Add thou not unto his VVord least he reprove thee and thou be found a liar Those that are thus presumptuous to add are liars and therefore not to be believed by others and they have reason to be afraid themselves for the Reproof and Rebukes of the Almighty are terrible To instamp the Kings Head upon counterfeit Coyn is no less than Treason VVhen Doctrines and Ceremonies which make gain to be godliness and are inventions of Men shall have Divinity stampt upon them and pretend to be from Heaven this is a daring Treason against the highest Potentate the great Lawgiver who has Power to save and to destroy In the last book of Canonical Scripture just at the close plagues are threatned to be added to any man who shall add thereto and he that shall take away from it God says he will take away his part out of the Book of Life Rev. 22. 18 19. 4. It is another proof of the VVords perfection that all Spirits are to be tried by it Satan himself can transform himself into â—â— Angel of light and his Ministers can look like the Ministers of Righteousness There is great need then of Caution 1 Joh. 4. 1. Beloved believe not every Spirit but try the Spirits whether they are of God. Now 't is the VVord they are to be tried by The Spirit of Truth and this VVord always agree 't is not a subjecting the Holy Ghost to the Scripture when we observe the agreement between his Instructions his Motions and the Scripture but we follow his own Direction in the case It would not be a subjecting a Prince unto those general Instructions which he himself has given whereby his mind might be known but to examine messages even from the Prince by those Instructions would be VVisdom and Obedience in the Subject The Spirit of errour and falshood may seem to agree with the VVord but if the VVord be diligently heeded the difference will be apparent If the VVord were not perfect but much of the Mind of God were really unwritten the written VVord would be insufficient to be a trial and standard of right Doctrine and it would not have been said To the Law and to the Testimony if they speâ—â— not according to this VVord it is because there is no light in them Isa 8. 20. 5. The Word of God is perfect for wisdom to eternal Salvation is derived from it Indeed the Wisdom is from the Father of Lights but the written Word is the Means of conveying it 2 Tim. 3. 14 15. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of knowing of whom thou hast learned them And that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto Salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus What the Apostles taught was committed to writing the great Doctrine of Faith in Christ Jesus is here mention'd and this written Word must needs be perfect which was able to make those that received it wise unto Salvation The Wisdom in the Gospel is so accounted by them that are perfect for this VVisdom excells the policy of Princes that come to nought and is ordained unto the Glory of Believers 1 Cor. 2. 6 7. Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect yet not the wisdom of this World nor of the princes of this World which come to nought but we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery even the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the VVorld to our Glory 6. The Effect of the VVord of God proves its perfection for it makes us perfect throughly furnished unto all good works here is right Doctrine to inform the Judgment of what is true here is reproof and conviction of what is errour and falshood Here is correction for miscarriages in practice and instruction in the way of righteousness 2 Tim. 3. 16 17. All Scripture is given by Inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine for reproof for correction for instruction in righteousness That the Man of God may be perfect throughly furnished unto all good works If by the Man of God you mean the godly Man the Scriptures Perfection is evident in being a Means so throughly to furnish him with Light and Grace to do all the good works his Lord requires If by the Man of God you understand the Minister of Christ the Perfection of the Scripture is the more evident For those that are called Stars in Christs hand Angels of the Churches Labourers in the Lords Vineyard may from the written word be throughly furnished both to teach and to do what is required to save themselves and those that hear them In the third place I am to give you the Reasons why the Perfection of the Word is mentioned when Conversion is spoken of 1. To intimate the Imperfection of the Light of Nature This Light discovers many things and to do those things which are contrary to the Light of Nature is to do very wickedly but can it be said that this Light of Nature is perfect working Grace and converting the Soul The Heathens that had onely this Light and were without Supernatural Revelation did speak several things excellently concerning God they had a Notion of another World of the Souls Immortality and of Rewards and Punishments hereafter and they give remarkable Counsels as to Wisdom and Folly Vice and Vertue But those of them that had the greatest Parts and Learning the sharpest and most piercing eyes to see most they saw nothing of God manifested in the Flesh they understood nothing
the righteous he is a Buckler to them that walk uprightly 3. You that live under the New Testament Dispensation be very thankful that the written Word is so very copious and so large To have such a compleat Declaration of the Mind of God by his own Son was a Priviledge which the Old Testament Believers wisht for but did not enjoy What Moles are they who are onely busie and working in the Earth and for Earthly things and regard not the clear shining of the Sun of Righteousness To be deaf and regardless when God speaks so much to us not to understand when he speaks so fully and so plainly is inexcusable but to have Knowledg and to sin against it and to detain the truth in unrighteousness is inexcusable much more here is Ingratitude and Presumption together and the more stripes are threatned and deserved Luke 12. 47. And that Servant that knâ—w his Lords will and prepared not himself neither did according to his will shall be beatâ—◠〈◊〉 many stripes Search the VVord of God be much that you may be mighty in the Scriptures By this weapon you may defend your selves against the subtilest Enemies of the truth nay against the old subtle Serpent himself It was not an unwritten but a written word that Christ produced when he was assaulted by the Tempter Mat. 4. 4 7 10. It was an Injunction of our Lord himself Joh. 5. 39. Search the Scriptures for in them ye think ye have eternal Life It was a right thought that the Scriptures direct unto Life Eternal but it was a presumptuous thought in the Pharisees to imagine Eternal Life was theirs since instead of building upon the Foundation Stone in Sion they stumbled at it But the Injunction it self is of great Moment The Scriptures are Gods own Books and the onely Books he has in the World. Longâ assiâ—uâ meditatione Scripturaram prâ—tus suun fecerat Bibliothicam Chriâ—â—â— Hyeronym de Nepotiano Every ones Breast should be like Nepotian's Bibliotheca Christi A Library in which these Books should be kept safely To be acquainted more intimately with the Word is the way to be better acquainted with God and the consequent of this acquaintance is Peace Job 22. 21. Acquaint now thy self with him and be at peace thereby good shall come to thee By Searching of the Scriptures the Understanding is improved the Heart is purified the Life is regulated This Book is indeed the thankful Glass that mends the Eyes of all that rightly look into it It was an honest Distich of one Ex aliis paleae viles hinc grana leguntur Aurea tu paleas linquito grana lege Which another thus Englishes Mens Books with worthless chaff are stor'd Gods Scripture Golden grains afford Reject the chaff and spend thy pains In gleaning up these golden Grains 5. Pray for the Spirit who endited the Word that he may interpret it and lead you into the understanding of it He is called the Spirit of wisdom and Revelation Eph. 1. 17. He reveals the Gospel he enlightens the eyes of the Understanding True Wisdom is the special Gift of the Holy Ghost It is an encouragement in Prayer that the best things may be asked with the greatest confidence The Gift of the Spirit comprehends the best things of all doubt not of Gods willingness to bestow it Luk. 11. 13. If ye then being evil know how to give good gifts to your Children how much more shall your heavenly Father gave the holy Spirit unto them that ask him It is not a notional Knowledge which many Hypocrites excell in that you should content your selves with Such Knowledge being alone puffs up him that has it 1 Cor. 8. 1. and disturbing Strife and contention follows upon Pride and High-mindedness such Knowledge aggravates Sin in the careless and carnal Professor and will exceedingly inflame his Reckoning in the day he must give account of himself to God. It is true wisdom a Spiritual understanding of the Scriptures that you should cry for When the Spirit of God discovers a truth to you with what Satisfaction will your Mind receive it When the Spirit shews you your Duty how Righteous how reasonable and what a Priviledge does it appear The Spirits Light and Strength go together so that the Will is inclined to a compliance when the enlightned Soul does understand the Will of God. When the Spirit applies a Promise to you how will your Faith be confirmed how will you abound in Hope and how full of sweetest peace will your hearts be while you securely rest on the God of Truth whose VVord will endure when Heaven and Earth shall pass away Isa 26. 3 4. Thou wilt keep him in perfect Peace whose mind is stayed on thee because he trusteth in thee Trust ye in the Lord for ever for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting Strength 6. Let your Knowledge of the Word of God be more perfect Alas how little do we know of what may be known and what we do know how much better may we know it Though the Children of God are Children of Light and Children of the Day yet there are great remainders of darkness in some of them and some remainders in all This remaining Ignorance is both their Sin and Misery by reason of which Satan their subtle enemy has many times great advantage against them Labour after a more perfect Knowledge of God his Son his Truth his Will his Word informs you of all If the Happiness of Heaven lies so much in a beatifical seeing Oh use all possible intention of mind that you may see more and more even while you are here on Earth True Knowledge will debase the idolized World and make it nothing in your eyes and it wil humble you and make you perceive that really you are worse than nothing How does a clearer Knowledge of God make holy Job much more humble than ever Job 42. 5 6. I have heard of thee by the hearing of the Ear but now mine Eye seeth thee wherefore I abhorr my self and repent in Dust and Ashes The better you know the Lord the more you will Love and Fear and Praise him The better you know his Christ you cannot chuse but still more highly prize him and your Hearts will cleave to him with the fuller purpose The 〈…〉 er you know his Commands the more they 〈◊〉 be your Counsellours your longing your delight and your Songs in the house of your Pilgrimage The better you know the Cross of Christ you will be the less offended 〈…〉 heaviest Afflictions will be made light of 〈◊〉 compared with a far more exceeding and eternal weight of Glory 2 Cor. 4. 17. 7. Let your Love be greater and more perfect to this perfect VVord of God. The World indeed hates this VVord because it testifies against them that their works are evil and will have an ill end True love to it will argue spiritual Life by it and that it has been effectual to turn and
change our very Hearts Love to the Word distinguishes the true Church from the Antichristian Society Of these 't is said because they received not the love of the Truth that they might be saved God shall send them strong delusion that they should believe a lye that they all might be damned who believed not the Truth but had Pleasure in Vnrighteousness 2 Thes 2. 10 11 12. All the excellent properties of the Word and the wonderful effects of it should take your Hearts and still be increasing your affection to it and the stronger your love is the greater will be your care to keep it Psal 119. 167. My Soul hath kept thy Testimonies and I love them exceedingly Love will make you labour hard in the work which the Word commands and yet it will so overcome the difficulty that hard labour shall become easie It was a saying of Bernard Is rectè divinas Scripturas legit qui verba vâ—rtit in opera He rightly reads the Holy Scriptures who turns VVords into VVorks Love will mightily constrain you to this 't will make you doers and blessed in your deed Love the Word of God as a Malefactour would love to read his pardon after the Sentence of Death has been past upon him Love the Word as a Debtour would love to read his general and full discharge which delivers him out of Prison and secures him from the danger of being arrested any more Love the Word as a Sick man would love to read a Receipt prescribing a medicine that would certainly cure his distemper and save his Life Finally love the Word as an Heir would love to read over a Testament in which is left him a rich Estate a most plentiful Inheritance In the VVord of God you find a pardon a discharge from all debts by your great your sufficient Surety here is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Souls universal remedy And the Psalmist says Psal 119. 111. Thy Testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever for they are the rejoycing of my Heart 8. Never be ashamed of this Word of God which is so perfect and worthy to be owned VVith your Hearts believe it unto Righteousness with your Mouths Confess it to Salvation Be not concerned that the VVorld accounts the VVord foolishness fear not either their reviling or their rage their hands are weak considering how strong your helper is and their Judgments weaker Stand fast in the Faith and quit you like men be strong 1 Cor. 16. 13. Your Lord will be much pleased to see you valiant for the Truth and no less than a Crown of Life shall be the reward of Faithfulness unto the Death But if you are ashamed of Christ and of his word before Men he will be ashamed of you before his Father and all his Holy Angels Mar. 8. 38. And how great and everlasting then will your shame and confusion be VSE III. Of Exhortation Since the VVord is perfect let me exhort you all unto Perfection The legal Perfection of Adam in Innocency you cannot reach since the fall keeps all his Posterity short of it hear the Apostle confessing and bewailing Not as though I had already attained either were already perfect Phil. 3. 12. But evangelical Perfection is possible 't is necessary 't is actually found in all true Converts In legal Perfection it may be said 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 there is no Sin. In evangelical Perfection it may be said 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 there is no predominant Hypocrisie In the former there is no sin at all in the latter there is no Sin loved and allowed In the one every command is kept in the other there is grief when any command is broke and a true Desire after Grace to keep every Commandment better When I exhort you to Perfection I mean three things That you would be of a perfect Heart That you would walk in a perfect way That you would stand perfect and compleat in all the will of God. 1. Let your Hearts be perfect The Heart is the very Seat of Sincerity if it be not here 't is no where 't is not in the eye or tongue or hands or feet if the Heart remain as it was by Nature without a change and is still wicked sensual and earthly the VVords and actions though never so good signifie and avail nothing nay the better the VVords and Actions are the greater is the Hypocrisie and Dissimulation There are several excellent ingredients in this Perfection of Heart which I would press upon the Hearts and Consciences of All. 1. Let your Hearts shew themselves perfect by setting God alwaies before them Walk before me says God to Abraham and be perfect Gen. 17. 1. The perfect Heart is sensible that Gods eye looks into it and sees all that is in it therefore its eye is also upon God and as there is an holy awe of God upon it so 't is not satisfied without his approbation Upright David cryes out O Lord thou hast searched me and known me thou understandest my thoughts afar off Psal 139 1 2. Thoughts include all the affections workings and inclinations of the Heart all these were open and naked unto the Eye of Gad. And David looks to his Heart accordingly and he begs that the evil of his Heart might be more plainly discover'd to him that his Heart might be more throughly cleansed 2. Let your Hearts be perfect in being truely willing and very studious to please that God with whom you have to do The perfect Heart sees 't is highly reasonable that Mans Will in all things should be obedient unto Gods since the VVill of God is so righteous good and holy since He cannot be tempted with evil neither tempteth hâ— any man to any thing that is hurtful Jam. 1. 13. to please the Lord should be the Pleasure of your very Souls You should hate every abominable thing which he hates and what he delights in should always be chosen 3. Let your Hearts be perfect in refusing to have a liking respect and regard to any iniquity David manifested his uprightness and as a perfect man he was regarded and his Prayer heard because he did not regard iniquity in his Heart Psal 66. 18 19. Iniquity in the Heart is to be regarded so as to be humbled for it weary of it and bewail it and to endeavour by all means to mortifie and purge it away 't is not to be regarded so as to cover and excuse it so as secretly to delight in it and resolve to spare iâ— Especially let your Hearts set themselves with full bent against that which may be called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Sin that does most easily be set you Heb. 12. 1. from hence is the greatest guilt defilement danger the Sin that by reason of your Constitutions Callings Age and the bad Customs of the Places where you live have been most insinuating into your Affection and aptest to prevail should be abandon'd with a special and peculiar