holy place with him also that is of a contrite and humble Spirit to revive the Spirit of the humble and to revive the Heart of the contrite ones for I will not contend for ever neither will I be always wroth for the Spirit should fail before me and the Souls which I have made Isa 57.15 16. From whence we may have these two Lessons First A Lesson of Caution Humiliation and Watchfulness to the Godly and Penitent Secondly An advice against censoriousness and rash judging of others First As to Godly and Penitent hast thou upon serious enquiry into thine own Heart Affections and Conversation found that Godly sorrow and repentance for sin spoken of 2 Cor. 7.9 10 11. And explained in this ensuing Discourse Page And hast found Faith warranting thee to believe that Christ Jesus who knew no sin is made sin for thee 2 Cor. 5.21 And thou made the Righteousness of God in him and that the Hand-writing of Ordinances of Gods Justice as to thee is by him blotted out Col. 2.13 14. Then consider First What thou art called unto That as ye have learned Christ Jesus so walk ye in him Hath he made thee Righteousness who was dead in trespasses and sins not by thine own work of Righteousness but of his Grace and by his Power of Regeneration art thou justified not by the Law of thy Works but by Grace and Faith in Jesus Christ Romans 3.27 28. T hy works are only Obedience Faith and Holiness which are given to thee by him and though they neither have justified nor can justify thee they are thy duties and what thou canst do is but duty and thou shouldst account thy self an unprofitable Servant as to God Luke 17.10 And though in the acceptance of God through Jesus Christ thou art accounted Righteous thou must continue in holy duties in all manner of conversation and must not continue in Sin that Grace may abound but as being dead to sin and crucified in Christ thou shouldest walk in newness of life to the destruction of the body of Death that we may live with Christ Let not therefore Sin reign in your Mortal bodies that you should obey it in the lusts thereof neither yield ye your Members as Instruments of unrighteousness to Sin but yield unto God as those that are alive from the dead and your Members as Instruments of Righteousness unto God and sin not because thou art not under the Law but under Grace Rom. 6. to 16. Secondly Art thou in thy apprehensions renewed to God and hast a loathing sense of Corruptions is the Bond-woman of Sin and Satan cast out by the power of Regeneration and Grace leave not thy house empty but get it freshly stockt with increase of Grace consider what Christ saith of the Man out of which the Devil was cast out that if he find the House empty he will return with seven Devils worse than himself and the last state of that man will be worse than the first Luk. 11.24 25 26. Be instant therefore in Prayer to God for increase of Grace and Guard against old favourite Lusts and Corruptions that they return not again to entangle thee to Folly take the Apostles advice be sober be vigilant because your Adversary the Devil as a roaring Lion walketh about seeking whom he may devour whom resist stedfast in the Faith 1 Pet. 8.9 Thirdly Art thou Righteous to God by Christ Jesus not by thine own works and power be humble in the sense of thy own incapacity and insufficiency for any good in thy self and say with that holy Apostle For I know that in me that is in my Flesh there dwelleth no good thing for to will is present with me but how to perform that which is good that I know not for the good that I would I do not but the evil which I would not that I do for I find a Law that when I would do good evil is present with me O wretched man that I am Who shall deliver me from the Body of this death Rom. 7.18 to 25. And be deeply sensible of the weakness and imperfection of all thy Graces and Attainments as rotten Garments and menstruous Clouts as in and from thee and that in thy self there is no soundness but uncleanness from the sole of the Foot to the top of the head Isa 1.6 Ch. 64.6 Secondly As to censoriousness and rash judging the Scripture tells us that offences must come but wo to them by whom they come Luke 17.1 And as none are more obnoxious to be slandered reviled and evil reported of and be treated censoriously and uncharitably than the Godly this they may remember for their Comfort and Patience that the Disciple must not expect better entertainment than his Master nor the Servant than his Lord and as Christ was reviled with being a friend to Publicans and Sinners a Wine-bibber and a Drunkard and that he did cast out Devils by Belzebub the Prince of Devils Luke 7.32 33 34. So may the Children of God contentedly sit down under the uncharitable constructions of the Enemies of Truth after the example of Christ who when he was reviled reviled not again when he suffered he threatned not but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously 1 Pet. 2.21 22 23. As the Children of God when they do well and suffer for it are called to suffer patiently as following Christs example in the foregoing Scripture so the uncharitable and censorious Rabsecahs whose business is to ridicule the Truth of God disparage Religion and load the zealous for God with reproach and infamy Isa 36. Chap. 37.8 to 14. should do well to remember that uncharitable censoriousness is a great sin against God and to take on them to charge the Professors of Religion with Hypocrisy is assuming to themselves the Prerogative of God of knowing mens Hearts which alone is the peculiar power of God Jer. 11.20 ch 17.9 10. Psal 7.9 1 Sam. 16.7 Man looketh on the outward appearance but the Lord looketh on the Heart No Man can charge another with any Sin but if he search into his own Heart and Ways he may find himself guilty of that same or worse Sins wherewith he chargeth his Brother wherefore he should take Christs directions first To take the beame out of his own Eye before he challenge the Mote in his Brothers Eye and not to Judge least he be Judged Mat. 7. to 6. Let such consider how much a narrow uncharitable and censorious Spirit is contrary to that love tenderness and charity which is commanded and recommended in Scripture Rom. 2. all and that if any brother or professor of truth be fallen under any sin that he be reclaimed in the Spirit of meekness and not treated with bitter invectives and reproaches 2 Cor. 2.7 and that self-humiliation is the best means of anothers conviction and the true Christian duty For whoso exalteth himself shall be abased and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted Luk. 14.11 Let such consider
63.5 The Sheepheard of Israel is that tender hearted Physitian who sympathiseth with his People In all their Afflictions he was afflicted and the Angel of his Presence sayed them In his Love and his Pity he Redeemed them and bore them all the days of old Isa 63.9 His compassion is great his Bowels yearn and are turned for them how shall I give thee up Ephraim how shall I deliver thee Israel how shall I make thee as Adma how shall I set thee as Zeboim my heart is turned within me my repentings are kindled Hos 9.8 Is Ephraim my dear Son is he a pleasant Child for since I spoke against him I do earnestly remember him still therefore my Bowels are troubled for him I will surely have mercy upon him saith the Lord Jer. 31.20 Am I a God at hand and not a God afar off Jer. 22.23 The Lord cannot forget his People though the Cloud of darkest afflictions may hinder their apprehensions of his love and care of them I have even called thee by thy name though thou hast not known me I am the Lord and there is none else besides me I guarded thee though thou hast not known me I Form the Light and Create Darkness I make peace and create evil I the Lord do all these things Isa 45.4 5 7. He healeth the broken in heart and bindeth up their wounds wherefore although the pale and dark side of the Cross should look grim upon the Christian he is by Faith and Patience to look thorough the Cloud to the Conquerours and lay hold of him in his Promises though the Vision tarry wait for it it will speak at last and he that will come shall come and will not tarry Hab. 2.3 No Man did look thorough a paler Cloud than this Prophet Although the Fig-tree shall not blossom neither shall fruit be in the Vine though the labour of the Olive and the Fields shall yield no meat the flock shall be cut off from the fold and there shall be no Heard in the Stall yet will I rejoice in the Lord and joy in the God of my Salvation the Lord is my strength and he will make my Feet like Hinds Feet and he will make me to walk upon my High Places Hab. 3.17 18 19. The holy Prophet Micah after he had viewed the folly of all humane expectations weakness and deceitfulness of friends relations and all other Men puts his confidence alone in God and thereby takes great courage and resolution and seems to make Inference of Faith upon the view of humane vanities Therefore I will look unto the Lord I will wait for the God of my Salvation my God will hear me rejoyce not against me O mine Enemy when I fall I shall arise when I sit in darkness the Lord shall be a light unto me He will bring me forth to the light and I shall behold his Righteousness Mic. 7.1 to 11. The second branch of Gods Promises to his People is of his great Mercy Love and Reconciliation under the greatest Sins the Lord doth not measure his dispensations as Men do their benevolences by scanty measures and do pardon lesser and not greater offences for that Sins of the deepest dye are no bar to his Mercy He came not to call the Righteous but Sinners to Repentance In the Language of his Mercy the whole need no Physitian but the Sick Luke 5.31 32. His Invitation is look unto me and be you saved all the Ends of the Earth Isa 45.22 And come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy loaden and I will give you rest Mat. 11.28 My Thoughts are not as your Thoughts neither your Ways my Way saith the Lord for as the Heavens are higher than the Earth so are my Thoughts higher than your Thoughts c. Isa 55.8 9. Come now let us reason together saith the Lord though your sins be as Scarlet they shall be made white as Snow though they be red like Crimson they shall be as Wool If you be willing and obedient ye shall eat the good of the Land but if ye refuse and rebel ye shall be devoured with fire Isa 1.18 19 20. Christ makes a free Market of Mercy and puts no limitation to his bounty but offers freely upon the Sinners acceptance by Faith and Repentance Ho every one that thirsteth come to the Waters buy Milk and Honey without price c. Isa 55.1 2. his satisfaction is for all and for all manner of Sins upon Faith and Repentance God so loved the World that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever should believe in him should not die but have eternal Life John 3.16 17. Christs love is free and respects not the greatness of Sin but the sincerity of Faith and Repentance yea When we were Enemies and without strength Christ died for us Rom. 5 6 7 8. Davids uncleanness and Murther of Uriah was no bar to Divine Mercy 1 King 21.29 Nebuchadnezzar on Repentance found Mercy Dan. 4. Manasses Idolatry Witchcraft and other great Abominations received Mercy on Repentance and When He was in great affliction he sought the Lord and humbled himself greatly before the God of his Fathers and Prayed unto him and he was intreated of him and heard his supplication and brought him again to Jerusalem and into his Kingdom Then Manasseh knew that the Lord he was God 2 Chron. 32.12 13. Thirdly His Promises upon Relapses although it is ill complexion to sin after receipt of Mercies as with the Dog to the Vomit and the Sow to the Mire yet Repentance in its due qualifications gives a rise to Mercy The Lord had to do with the most stubborn People on the whole Earth who revolted from God in most heinous manner And yet how often did he renew his Mercies to them the whole tract of the Israelites Life was Rebellion and Revolts nevertheless he regarded their afflictions when he heard their cry see their backslidings and the Lords wonderfully renewed Mercies towards them Psal 106. Psal 107. all The Lords wonderful free and early Mercies were eminently manifested to Israel nevertheless see their stupid revolt and ingratitude but they rebelled against him and converted all his kindness and mercies to the feeding of their lusts and abominations of Idolatry Ezek. 16. from 15 to 37. Wherefore the Lord in his Justice sends them under severe punishments to verse 60. and then the Lords anger is pacified towards them and he remembers his Covenant with them when they are ashamed of their sins and abominations and return to the Lord by Repentance to the end of the chapter That thou mayest remember and be confounded and never open thy mouth any more because of thy shame when I am pacified towards thee for all that thou hast done saith the Lord. The Lords Ear is always open to the cry of a Penitent sinner The Lord is nigh to all that call upon him in Truth Psal 145.18 Repent and turn your selves from all your transgressions so iniquity
I have not appointed the Ordinances of Heaven and Earth then will I cast away the Seed of Jacob and David my Servant I will not take away any of his Seed to be Rulers over the Seed of Abraham Isaac and Jacob for I will cause their Captivity to return and have mercy on them Heaven and Earth shall pass away but one Jot of my word shall not pass away Jer. 33.25 26. Thirdly The third and main point in this Covenant are the qualifications given by God to man to perform this Covenant for He it is that works all our works in us in him we live move and have our Being and without him we can do nothing These qualifications are principally Faith and Holiness Faith by the Apostle is defined The Evidence of things not seen the Substance of things hoped for Heb. 11.1 Faith by the same Apostle elsewhere is thus described If thou wilt confess with thy Mouth the Lord Jesus Christ and believe with thy Heart that God hath raised him up from the Dead thou shalt be saved for with the Heart man believeth unto Righteousness and with the Mouth Man's confession is made unto Salvation Rom. 10.9 So that Faith is the giving credit to the Word of God in all his Judgments Threatnings Promises and disengaging our affections to sin and lusts of the flesh and turning to God with all our Souls Hearts Minds and resting confidently and quietly on the Accomplishment of what is promised patiently waiting for the same and this grace of Faith is accomplished and wrought in the Hearts of his People by the Spirit of God by Grace you are saved not of Works lest any should boast but by Faith in Jesus Christ not of your selves it is the gift of God Eph. 2.7 8 9. and this Grace of Faith hath he promised in his New Covenant they shall be my People and I will be their God and I will give them one Heart and one way that they may fear me for ever for the good of them and their Children after them Jer. 32.38 39. this qualification also hath he promised to give his People in that often mentioned Scripture of the New Covenant A New Heart a New Spirit will I give them I will take away the Stony Heart and give you a Heart of Flesh and put my Spirit in you and cause you to walk in my ways and ye shall keep my Judgments and do them Eze. 26.25 to 29. of this grace and qualification of Faith we have spoken elâ—ewhere The Second qualification to those in this Covenant is Holiness for without Holiness it is impossible to please God of this grace and qualification of Godliness we have spoken elsewhere The Fourth excellency of this Covenant are the many Advantages attending it which may briefly be summed up in these four First To these within this Covenant belong an universal Inheritance of all things Secondly The certainty of that Inheritance Thirdly The excellencies of the Companions of that Covenant Fourthly The many Priviledges belonging to those within this Covenant Although the whole Scriptures are full of the great excellencies of the Heavenly Inheritance and that place herein is verified Eye hath not seen nor Ear heard neither hath it entred into the Heart of Man to conceive besides thee O Lord what he hath prepared for those that wait on him Is 64.4 Ps 31.19 however they may be thus hinted at The first is it is an universal Inheritance He that spared not his own Son but freely gave him up for us all how shall he not also with him freely give us all things Ro. 8.32 All Monarchs Princes and Propriators of the Earth have certain Confinements and limits to their Territories and some enjoy what others cannot pretend unto either in respect of the extent of their Countrys or Qualities or Wealth thereof but none can pretend in the right of their Inheritance or Possessions to that unlimitted Interest of fulness of right that the Partners of this Covenant may for in Christ Jesus all things are theirs and they are Heirs of all things and shall Inherit all things Rev. 21.5 6. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus who of God is made to us Wisdom Righteousness Sanctification and Redemption 1 Cor. 1.30 Let no Man glory in Man all things are yours whether Paul Apollos Cephas or the World Life or Death or things present or things to come all are yours and ye are Christs and Christ is Gods 1 Cor. 3.21 to 24. Secondly this Covenant is certain all pretentions of right or possession of Earthly things are uncertain and ambulatory and in the experience of most admit of their Eclipse in this Life witness David Solomon Haman Mordecai Herod and all the great Heroes of this Life who had their ebbings and flowings and have not been exempted from the fate of changes and with Solomon have found all but vanity and vexation of Spirit and that often repeated place the 1 John 2.15 16 17. describes the uncertainty and perishing condition of the things of this Life and doth ascertain the Interest and certain condition of the fellows of this New Covenant as is more plainly expressed elsewhere and if they continue in this Life they leave a Man at best at his Grave For we brought nothing into the World with us and it is certain we shall carry nothing out 1 Tim. 6 7 17. Thirdly The third excellency of this New Covenant is in the Company Fellowship and Society the fellows of this Covenant have by vertue thereof Men may have Honour Wealth and all other Human Delicacies and all this may be marred and imbittered to them by the uneasiness unsuitableness and disagreeableness of their Companions or unavoidable Society but the Companions of this New Covenant are all desirable grateful acceptable and advantagious the Soul of Lot was vexed by the wickedness of Sodom Job in his Affliction was Tempted by his own Wife and heavily grieved by his three Friends David Sojourned in Mesech and dwelt in the Tents of Kedar and this marred and lessened their quiet and deprived them of that content they could have had in more agreeable Society but the Blessed Harmony of the Saints increased the Comfort of all their Enjoyments they are all so framed qualified and adorned with Holiness Righteousness Love and Unanimity as they all mind the same things and cannot jar or disagree and their joynt song is Holy Holy Lord God of Sabaoths the whole Earth is full of thy Praise for through him we both have an Access by one Spirit unto the Father now therefore ye are no more Strangers and Forraigners but fellow Citizens with the Saints and the House-hold of God and are built upon the Foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ himself being the chief Corner Stone in whom all the Building fitly framed together groweth into an Holy Temple in the Lord in whom also ye are built together for an Habitation of God through the Spirit Eph. 2.18 to
clear to understand good and evil and in respect there was a positive prohibition against such offence it must imply knowledge and therefore makes it a wilful breach and offence against a known Law Secondly It cannot be called the Sin of Infirmity or surprize as Adam would have excused himself by the Womans giving of the fruit to him and the Womans Apology of the Serpents beguiling her for that they were foretold that they should not Eat of that Fruit and forbid the eating thereof under the Penalty of Death Gen. 3.12 13. and that the knowledge they had of good and evil and that to break the Commandment of God was evil it self although it had not been under the Penalty expressed and therefore having in themselves sufficient knowledge to understand and strength to defeat and resist the force and arguments of Satans Insinuations this Sin was a vehement and bold presumption against the Justice and Authority of God Thirdly This Sin was of the greatest Pride and Ambition imaginable for that God had endowed Man with knowledge sufficient in every respect to make him happy in understanding all things to complete his satisfaction and delight in God and the Creatures nevertheless upon Satans Insinuation that by eating of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil they should become more knowing and be like Gods knowing Good and Evil they wilfully in the Pride and Ambition of their Hearts lusted after knowledge to be equal with God and by disobedience broke Gods Law Fourthly This Sin was of greatest unbelief and impeachment of Gods Truth and Justice in believing Satans Lye you shall not surely die Gen. 3.4 and not believing Gods word thou shalt surely die Whereby to their own ruin and ruin of their Posterity they yeilded to a deceitfully and did not obey the Truth and righteousness Gen. 2.17 Fifthly This eating of the Tree of Knowledge implyed the greatest Murmuring Repining and Ingratitude for that God had given to Man the Use of and Dominion over all the Creatures and had only reserved one single Tree with a Prohibition from meddling with it nevertheless man is not Content but must have all not remembring or willfully forgetting that he had his beginning and being of God and what he had was of and from him and that he had what was sufficient to make him happy yet was his Covetousness without bounds Sixthly This Sin was of the greatest Sloth imprudence and inadvertence in that while God had endowed Man with Knowledge Righteousness and Holiness when Satan did accost him with a Ly to break the Command he should have reflected on the Righteousness and Hoilness of God that it was impossible for God to Lie and thereby should have resisted Satans Suggestions founded on a Ly from the Holyness and Goodness of God in giving man all things he should have reasoned that it was not just in him to murmur at his pleasure in mans being restrained from some thing and upon Satans first Suggestion of a Ly against God he should not have listned further to him but rested in the Credit of Gods truth and continued in his Obedience Seventhly From the Method of Committing this Sin all manner of Sin seems to be employed in it the Text saith And when the Woman saw that the Tree was good for Food and that it was pleasant to the Eyes and a Tree to be desired to make one wise She took of the Fruit thereof and did eat and gave also to her Husband with her and he did eat Gen. 3.6 From hence we see when Satan by a lying Suggestion had tampered with the Woman ay and got her to listen to his temptation from her ambition of being as Gods she lets her thoughts out to a further survey of the apparent excellencies and advantages to be had in the eating of that fruit and thus ambition kindleth lust and one lust begetteth another so the heart swelling with ambition of further Knowledge and that ambition runs to the Eyes and from the Eyes to the Sensual Appetite and thus the whole Mass is tainted and defiled and let out to the gluttinous poysoning of the Soul to the Rebellion of Disobedience This seems to be that same thing which the Apostle calls the Lust of the Flesh the Lust of the Eyes and the Pride of Life Which is an entire Mass of all pollution so that it was not only the eating of that fruit which was the Sin only but the Infection that was got into the Heart and Affections whereby the goodly frame of Righteousness Holyness and true Knowledge became all tainted and infected with the deceitful Appetites and Lusts of the Flesh 1 Joh. 2.15 16. First By distrusting of God and then by a Covetous lusting after what was set apart from them by Gods prohibition and so breaking the limits of Obedience le ts the Lust swing after a carnal propension or forwardness to satiate their desires and thus disorders the righteous frame of Justice Holyness and Knowledge lately erected by God in them so that this Sin was not only that actual and only act of eating the fruit but the Corruption of the whole faculties run into disorder from God expressed by that rebellious act of eating the forbidden Fruit of the Tree of Knowledge This also seems to be proved and explained in many places of Scripture especially those of the Apostle Paul I had not known Sin but by the Law I had not known lust except the Law had said thou shalt not Covet Rom. 7.7 Where by the word Lust rendred most properly in the Original Concupiscence and the word Covet there Exod. 20.17 is properly meant a desire of what is more than our own and allowable in Justice and in that place For the Iniquity of his Covetousness Isa 57.17 Where by Covetousness is meant the lustful Inclinations and by the Apostle in that place Rom. 7.7 By lusts he means not so much the polluted actions of the Flesh as the polluted fountain of them Non pravas Cupiditates sed illarum fontem and the Soul is well called Sedes Nativae illius labis the seat of that Natural Corruption and this seems likewise to be confirmed by that Scripture and God saw that the wickedness of man was greater in the Earth and that every Imagination of the thoughts of his heart was evil and only evil continually Gen 6.5 Where God chargeth mans heart with this Sin as being the Fountain of the Corruption That of the Psalmist The Fool hath said in his heart there is no God Psal 14.1 Seems to be to the same purpose for none were openly such professed Atheists as to deny the being of God but the Prophanity of their Conversation leads the Psalmist to charge them with denying of God whereby he chargeth the heart with the pollution and brings the act of Sin as Instance and proof of it Christ himself also in that Scripture But those things which come out of the mouth come from the heart and they do defile
they said to be of that Pedigree we see Christ would not suffer the Scribes and Pharisees amongst the Jews to claim to Abraham because they did not his works we see the Prophet Isaiah chargeth the Jews to be an adulterous race and that they were of a Mother divorced from her Husband where is the Bill of your Mothers Divorcement whom I have put away behold for your Iniquities have you sold your selves and for your transgressions is your Mother put away Isa 51.1 What glory is it to be of noble blood which for the worst of Crimes was attainted and to be of Illustrious birth when the Issue is Adulterous and Spurious this is the Fountain and Spring of the Blood and Pedigree of all Mankind of higher or lower degree on Earth and this cross bar is inherent in the Scutcheon of all Mortals this is that Mené Tekél Dan. 5.25 the Motto of all the natural Issue of Adam and this stain is not to be blotted out but by the Blood of that Scape Goat the Lamb Jesus Christ who must blot out the Hand-writing of Ordinances that was against us contrary to us and took it out of the way nailing it to his Cross Col. 2.14 Secondly This Sin having such Complication of all manner of sin in it and being the Fountain from whence came all manner of Corruption look not on it as one single act to be extenuate with that excuse of eating only a little of forbidden Fruit but look on it as a poysoned Fountain in which were lodged all enchantments to sin and that deliberate contraction of enmity against God an evil Heart of unbelief stuffed with malice glutted with covetousness swellen with pride cankred with envy fretted with discontent and boundless in desire Thirdly When by Providence Affliction or Chastisement for sin cometh consider that before Sin came there was no sorrow that Justice and Judgment must attend Iniquity and as Sin was first punished by a deluge of misery on Mankind so the Continuance must not escape the like fate and look on all acts as coming from that Fountain of Corruption and make not the single act of any one transgression the sole cause of mourning repentance and reformation but run the act to the spring of the Heart and fix on the Soul that vehement desire fear zeal indignation and revenge in the act and corruption in the fountain what Indignation yea what fear what vehement desire yea what zeal yea what revenge and never meet with any sin or temptation to it but with an Eye of Jealousie as over a Pit of Destruction Fourthly When Providence deprives thee of any Earthly enjoyment for the reasons in Divine Wisdom murmur not to be denied some of thy desires but remember thou wast guilty in Adam of grudging God the reserving of the Tree of Knowledge and by thy impatient bearing of losses thou makest the old sore of Adams transgression bleed afresh in discontent but rather let the memory of Original Sin oblige thee to submission contentment sorrow and repentance Fifthly Are all men guilty of Adams transgression and are of the same corrupted and degenerate blood and some by course of Providence raised to Wealth and Honour above others what reason then hath the exalted or brother of high degree to dispise him on whom the deceitful Riches of this World have not smiled this Man who dispiseth his Brother is forgetful of himself as if not of the same blood with the other he is like a man beholding his natural Face in a glass he beholdeth himself and goeth away and forgetteth what manner of Man he was Jam. 1.23 24. The Riches and Honour of this Life should not raise a Man in esteem of himself above his brother for what he hath is given to him of God who can as equally level him with his Brother and thereby make him remember his own Pride and that the other is of the same Blood with him See the Instance of this in Nebuchadnezzar and many others I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of Heaven all whose Works are Truth and his ways Judgments and those that walk in Pride he is able to abase Dan. 4.29 to the end Consider what the Apostle James saith of Carnal partiality of preferring the Rich in Gay Clothing with a goodly Gold Ring and despising the poor Brother and what arguments he useth to the contrary Are ye not then partial in your selves and are become Judges of evil thoughts hath not God chosen the Poor of this World Rich in Faith Heirs of the Kingdom which he hath promised to those that love him and ye have dispised the Poor do not Rich Men oppress you and draw you before the Judgment Seats do not they blaspheme that worthy name by which ye are called if ye fulfil that royal Law according to the Scripture thou shalt love thy Neighbour as thy self ye do well but if you have respect to persons ye sin Jam. 2. to 10. Here by strong arguments he proves the partial preferring the Rich before the poor to be sinful First For that the Godly though poor in this World is the worthier person in Gods esteem in that he is chosen of God an heir of the Kingdom of Glory Secondly That Great and Rich Men are Enemies to the Godly they bring them before Judgment Seats and oppress them Thirdly Rich Men are not Enemies only to Godly Men but to God and Blaspheme his Holy Name Fourthly That the royal Law of God commands the Duty of equal love love thy Neighbour as thy self Wherefore since Pride and Ambition was a cheif ingredient of that first Fountain of sin let none through Pride dispise him who was of the same blood with himself though not in that equal Worldly Splendor or Glory but consider as Pride did ruine Adam and abased all his Posterity so Justice will take the like vengeance upon all the Race of Adam guilty of the same Crime Whoso dispiseth the poor reproacheth his Maker Prov. 17.15 God is Maker of poor and rich Prov. 22.2 Sixthly Are all men of one Blood and Family and so Brethren and Members one of another Eph. 4.24 This calls all men to mutual Sympathy mutual Assistance and supply of one another this is that express Command of Christ that ye love one another as I have loved you John 13.34 And the Apostle presseth this most vehemently Whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God neither he that loveth not his Brother 1 John 3.10 We have passed from Death to Life if we love the Brethren and he that loveth not his Brother abideth in Death he that hateth his Brother is a murderer and hath not Eternal Life We ought to Lay down our Life for the Brethren 1 Joh. 3.14 15 16. This Love consists not only in the Airy Compliment of professed and pretended Friendship but First In a general Sympathy Fellow-feeling and Compassion in all Conditions and Circumstances Spiritual and Temporal like Christs Love to
which was since the Law maketh his Son who is consecrated for evermore for Christ is not entered into the Holy Places made with Hands which are the figures of the true but into Heaven it self now to appear in the Presence of God for us Heb. 9.24 Heb. 7.23 24 25 28. And by the Holy Apostle John If any man sin we have an Advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the Righteous 1 John 2.1 From these Scriptures we have a clear proof of this consolatory Doctrine that Christs Priesthood continueth when mens cease for his is Eternal theirs are but while they are on Earth but on the other Hand Christ hath entered into the Heavens to make Intercession for us and although he hath once for all fulfilled the Sacrifice to Justice for Sinners nevertheless he is still at a post of Intercession in Heaven with the Father to make our requests known and to procure the answer to our Petitions and as at his leaving of the World he told his Disciples he was going to the Father and told them Whatsoever ye ask in my name that I will do that the Father may be glorified in the Son and if ye ask anything in my name I will do it Joh. 14.13 14. It clearly appears his Mediatory Office is not determined but continueth and will continue until the restitution of all things and he give up the Kingdom to his Father As this Doctrine affords great consolation to all Believers that in all their wants Spiritual and Temporal while in their Pilgrim state they are assured of an Advocate to make Intercession for them so we have a clear confutation of that errour of the Church of Rome who set up the Doctrine of Invocation and Intercession of Saints which exceedingly derogates from the Prerogative of Jesus Christ who is that great High Priest and only Mediator for Sinners for the Apostle is most positively clear that Priests amongst men are not suffered to continue because of Death but this man continueth for ever so as nothing can be clearer than that their Office determines with their Lives and his continueth in Heaven making Intercession for Sinners What can be a greater contradiction of Scripture and more derogatory to the sole Prerogative of Jesus Christs Mediation than to allow the power of Intercession to any Saint or Angel whose Office is extinguished when they yield up the Ghost Fourthly Priests amongst Men offer Sacrifices of corruptible things at the charge of others but this great High Priest hath made a Sacrifice of his own blood for the sins of others But Christ being come an High Priest of good things to come by a greater and more perfect Tabernacle not made with hands that is to say neither by the blood of Goates and Calves but by his own blood he entred in once into the Holy Place having obtained eternal Redemption for us for if the blood of Bulls and Goates and of the Ashes of an Heifer sprinkling the Unclean sanctifieth to the purifying of the Flesh how much more shall the blood of Christ who through the Eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God purge your Consciences to serve the living God Heb. 9.11 12 13 14. and elsewhere Looking for the blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the Great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all Iniquity and purify to himself a peculiar people zealous of good works Tit. 2.13 14. Who gave himself for our sins that he might deliver us from this present evil World according to the Will of God and our Father Gal. 1.4 being justified freely by his Grace by the Redemption that is in Christ Jesus whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through Faith in his Blood to declare his righteousness for the Remission of Sins that are past through the forbearance of God to declare at this time his Righteousness that he might be just and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus where is boasting then it is excluded by what Law of Works nay but by the Law of Faith therefore we conclude that a Man is justified by Faith without thee deeds of the Law Rom. 3.24 to 29. Hence then have we this great Doctrine of Christs satisfaction for Believers plainly discovered and proved unto us in which we see the contrivance of Heaven for Mans Eternal Redemption freely justified that is without merit or reward on our part but of Bounty and Grace whom God hath set forth by the joint Council of the Godhead through Christ Jesus here the Sole Mediatory office lodged in him through Faith in his blood this is the duty and condition on Believers part for remission of Sins that are past this is the full satisfaction to Justice through the forbearance of God the consent of Heaven and Indemnity for Sinners that he might be just that Justice might be satisfied and sin expiated by the Blood of Jesus and the Justifier of him that believeth in Jesus that Christs Blood be imputed as satisfaction for Sin without farther satisfaction from Believers or other Mediators From all which and almost in express words we have the confutation of that impious Doctrine of Rome viz. of Merit Mediation of Saints Purgatory after Death all sins being done away by the Blood of Jesus God being the justifier of him that believeth in Jesus what room then is there for Purgatory Another difference between our great High Priest and Priests on Earth is that they offered often but he offered up himself once for all a Propitiation for Sin and thereby at once satisfied Justice as in the foregoing and other Scriptures By the which Will we are sanctified through the offering of the Body of Jesus once for all and every Priest standeth daily ministring and oftentimes offering the same sacrifices which can never take away Sin but this Man after he had offered one Sacrifice for sin for ever sate down on the Right Hand of God for by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified Heb. 9.11 12. He entred in once into the holy Place having obtained Eternal Redemption for us Heb. 10.11 12 14. From this plain Doctrine of Christs once offering himself a Sacrifice for Sinners believers may comfort themselves in assurance of Salvation from that Sacrifice of his Blood and may come boldly to the Throne of Grace that we may obtain Mercy and find Grace to help in time of need Heb. 4.16 And may have a strong consolation who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us which hope we have as an Anchor of the Soul both sure and stedfast and which entreth into that within the Vail whether the forerunner is for us entred even Jesus made an High Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedeck Heb. 6.18 19 20. This Doctrine also plainly reproves that Judaick Idolatrous and vain opinion of the Popish Mass in crucifying a fresh the Lord of Glory and so
bind them on thee as a Bride doth I will contend with them that contend with thee and I will save thy Children I will feed them that oppress thee with their own flesh and they shall be drunk with their own blood as with sweet Wine Isa 49.17 18 25 26. And in that famous place of the Holy Apostle There hath no temptation taken you but what is common to men but God who is faithful will not suffer you to be tempted above what ye are able but will with the temptation also make a way to escape that you may be able to bear it 1 Cor. 10.13 And in that other famous place Thus saith the Lord refrain thy voice from weeping and thine eyes from tears for thy works shall be rewarded and they shall come again from the Land of the Enemy and there is hope in thine end that thy Children shall come again to their own border Jer. 31.16 17. And as he is King so is he that merciful High Priest subject to the like infirmities of his Brethren and Sympathiseth with them and succors them under their temptations Heb. 2.17 18. chap. 4.15 chap. 5.2 And is able to save them to the uttermost Chap. 7.24 25 26. and in fine is universally concerned in all their troubles and difficulties in all their afflictions he was afflicted and the Angel of his presence saved them in his love and in his pity he redeemed them and bare them all the days of old Isa 63.9 And this his power and protection is not only in general but in all particular Cases of Afflictions and Troubles as shall be more particularly expressed in handling of the Priviledges of the New Covenant The third Branch of Princely power over Subjects is expressed in the exercise or extent of his bounty towards them and no King or Prince ever exercised such bounty or goodness towards his Subjects as Christ hath done and still doth to all such as believe in him and that in two respects First By shewing his free pardon of all their transgressions and sins by a full and general act of oblivion entered into the Records of Heaven by the Blood of Jesus I even I am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake and will not remember thy sins Isa 43.25 I have blotted out as a thick Cloud thy transgressions and as a Cloud thy sins return unto me for I have redeemed thee Isa 44.22 And that famous record of free love bounty and absolution from sin And you being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh hath he quickned together with him having forgiven all trespasses blotting out the hand writing of Ordinances that was against us and contrary to us and took it away nailing it to his Cross Col. 2.13 14. And not only by the pardon of Sin and thereby delivering from wrath to come and eternal misery But Secondly By raising lost man from the miserable state by Nature and Sin Ez. 16. To the highest pitch of honour glory and eternal happiness in making them Heirs of eternal Life and joynt heirs with Christ in Glory as many as received him he gave power to become the Sons of God even to them that believe in his Name Joh. 1.12 13. and if Children then Heirs and Joint Heirs with Christ Rom. 8.17 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them that they may be one even as we are one Joh. 17.22 What greater bounty can there be and what higher love can be expressed or can be equalled to that of Christ to Believers Greater love hath no man than this that a Man lay down his life for his friend but God commendeth his love to us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us Rom. 5.6 to 11. All which is more particularly insisted on in the Doctrine of the New Covenant Thus when we see what a happy state is that of a Christian who can find themselves within that everlasting and sure Covenant of Peace and Eternal Happiness with Christ who is that infallible Prophet to teach his People and lead them in the way wherein they cannot err Isa 35.8 and that merciful High Priest who hath offered himself once for all a Sacrifice for Believers and is able to save to the uttermost and is that only Potentate and bountiful Prince rewards the Faith and Obedience of his People with Eternal glory from whence may be these clear uses and inferences of consolation to all such as believe in Jesus First Is Jesus Christ that infallible Prophet the Way the Truth and the Life John 14.6 to lead and instruct his people Is he wisdom himself Prov. 8.1 and all things are revealed unto him of the Father Is the Spirit given to him to bring glad tydings to his People even to the Prisoners of Hope Isa 61.1 2 3. doth he instruct and give Wisdom and Knowledge to all that asketh Jam. 1.5 Then what person can be so ignorant in any of the matters of God or between God and their own Souls but here they may have a promise of supply he who to Believers is all and in all is to them in the darkest circumstances their God and they are commanded to trust to him who is among you that feareth the Lord and obeyeth the voice of his Servant and walketh in darkness and hath no light let him trust in the name of the Lord and stay upon his God Isa 50.10 And he is to them Wisdom Righteousness Sanctification and Redemption 1 Cor. 1.30 Secondly Is Christ that glorious High Priest who once for all by his own blood hath entered into the holy place and obtained eternal Redemption for sinners Heb. 9.11 12. what reason is there for disquietude or doubting seeing he hath sacrificed himself for Believers even though the black Cloud of their Iniquities be as crimson and scarlet Isa 1.18 and though they may under temptation with Jacob and Israel say their way is hid from God and my Judgment is passed over from my God Isa 40.26 27 28. to end yet in him they ought to comfort themselves in this that the everlasting God the Creator of the ends of the Earth fainteth not neither is weary there is no searching of his understanding he giveth power to the faint and to them that have no might he increaseth strength Isa 40.28 29 30 31. And should under the Apostles consideration That we have not an High-Priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our Infirmities but was in all points tempted like as we are without sin comply with his exhortation let us therefore come boldly unto the Throne of Grace that we may obtain Mercy and find Grace to help in time of need Heb. 4.15 16. And with the same Apostle triumph in a holy rejoycing There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect It is
1 Tim. 6.7 8 9 10. This Blessed Lord Jesus Christ who is the only Wisdom Light and truth it self teacheth his People to a dependance on himself by Faith and Submission in all Providences and as in the foregoing Scriptures we are taught the emptiness of all other supports besides himself and the emptiness of all other Enjoyments his purpose therein is to wean our Hearts from thence and fix them on himself by Faith and Submission in all Providences he tells us that a Mans Life consisteth not in the abundance of what a Man hath in the foregoing Instance of the Rich Husband-Man and that Man liveth not by Bread alone but by every word that proceedeth out of the Mouth of God this was the Doctrine of Moses to the People of Israel when in the Wilderness they murmured for want of Bread and when they were shut up from expectation of help and all probabilities of supply were hid from their Eyes he minds them of the great wonders God had wrought for them in their Deliverance from Pharaohs Servitude and designing to wind up their thoughts to God by Faith that he would as well relieve them in that straight as well as he had done from under former difficulties and therefore tell them Man liveth not by Bread alone but by every Word that proceedeth out of the Mouth of God Deu. 8.3 Implying that the sole pleasure of God influences all the Creatures and that God in his Omnipotence and Wisdom is not confined to the Methods and Appearances of Men but can in his own way accomplish his purpose at his own pleasure his Blessing on the Creature can Augment them to such a Pitch as he designs he can make a little Pot of Oyl swell to many Barrels when he designs to manifest his Power and good Will to Man 2 Kings 4. to 8. he can make one or two single Meals feed and refresh for forty Days and forty Nights he can make five Loaves and two small Fishes feed five thousand Men and cause the Fragments left to exceed the first bulk Luke 9.12 to 18. he can open the Windows of Heaven and give a Blessing so as no room is for it to be stowed Mal. 3.10 he Cloaths the Lillies and feeds the Ravens without their Care or Industry so that Faith and Submission to his Blessed Will and Care will answer all things He it is that Commands seek and ye shall find knock and it shall be opened whatsoever ye ask the Father in my Name believe ye have it and ye shall receive it Math. 7.7 to 13. Now as Christs Doctrine is full and without Parallel so his Sufferings are without example as being without Sin not only against God but upright also and perfect so as he could not offend against Mans Law and that all his sufferings were voluntary of pure love not for Friends but for Sinners and Enemies wherefore such as believe in him and have the Hope of eternal Life ought chearfully and patiently to endure Temptations and bear their Afflictions in the Flesh and willingly take up and bear the Cross and more paraicularly for these Reasons First To bear the Cross is Christs Command Secondly For this we have the Example of Christ his Prophets Saints and Martyrs Thirdly We have his Manifold promises of Assistance Fourthly The Cross is the inevitable Path and Way by which he leads his People to the Kingdom of Heaven Fifthly It is the means by which he fits his People by Holiness for that eternal Union and Communion with himself Sixthly The Reward of Eternal Life at the end of the Race is exceeding great First Patient suffering and bearing the Cross is Christs Command Christ Jesus the Word of God by whom is forgiveness of Sins and Redemption through his Blood who made our Peace through the Blood of his Cross Preacheth this Doctrine come unto me all ye that Labour and are Heavy Laden and I will give you rest take my Yoak upon you and learn of me for I am Meek and Lowly in Mind my Yoak is easy and my Burthen is Light Math. 11.28 29 30. When he sends out his Disciples to Instruct and Convert the World he tells them he sends them as Sheep in the midst of Woolves he Commands them to be wise as Serpents and harmless as Doves and that they shall be brought before Kings and Governors and hated of all Men for his sake and that they could not expect better Entertainment than he their Master that they must deny Father and Mother and all other Relations and things dear to them for his sake and if they loved their Lives or any thing else better than him they should loose them and he that taketh not up his Cross and followeth not him was not worthy of him Math. 10.10 to end This also hath been the strain of all the Prophets and Apostles to Preach up Patient bearing of the Cross to you it is given saith the Apostle not only to believe but also to suffer Phi. 1.27 to 31. let us go forth therefore saith the same Apostle unto him bearing his Reproach Heb. 13.12 to 16. Count it all Joy saith the Apostle James when you fall into divers Temptations knowing that the Trial of your Faith worketh Patience but let Patience have her perfect works that ye may be entire wanting nothing James 1. to 6. take the Prophets saith the same Apostle for an example of suffering affliction and Patience ye have heard of the Patience of Job and have seen the end of the Lord that the Lord is very pittiful and of tender Mercy Jam. 5.7 to 12. For even hereunto are we called saith the Apostle Peter because Christ also suffered for us leaving us an Example that ye should follow his Steps who did not Sin neither was guile found in his Mouth who when he was reviled reviled not again when he suffered he threatned not but committed himself to him that Judgeth Righteously 1 Pet. 2. to end ch 3 14 25. Whos 's own self bore our sins in his own Body on the Treâ— that we being Dead to sin should cleave unto Righteousness by whose Stripes we are healed see further of this 1 Pet. 4.12 to end Secondly We have the Sufferings of Christ and his Prophets Apostles Saints and Martyrs for our Examples the Holy Scriptures give an account of the Opprobious usage of Christ his patient Sufferings his Ignominious death who willingly gave up his Life for Enemies see this more particularly under four heads elsewhere These Holy Scriptures Isa 51.6 chap. 53. all Psalm 22. all John 14.31 Mat. 27. all give the fuller history of the Particulars The whole book of Holy writ offers to our view a large Catalogue of the sufferings of Prophets Saints and Martyrs with their patient deportment therein how patiently did Moses the mildest of Men bear the revilings of Aaron and Miriam and prayed for Miriam Numb 12. so the Lord healed her How humble was David under his Son Absolom's Usurpation
of man were evil and only evil continually So we find Thoughts Affections and Actions concurring in that first transgression the rebellious Thoughts mutining against the Command the lustful affections after the fruit that was good to eat and pleasant to the Eyes and to be desired to make one wise and the actions in eating thereof Now as by this degeneracy in our first Parents the whole Nature of Man in Adams Apostacy was corrupted that thenceforth their thoughts were evil and only evil continually So that whatsoever mans estate was at his Fall he must now have a new life by Jesus Christ and as his Nature and whole Man was corrupted so must he be wholly framed a new by being transformed into that holy frame after the Spirit and Image of him that created him and that in all his thoughts affections and actions and whether it be so or not let every man search and try himself and First In his Thoughts If any man be in Christ he is a new Creature in his Thoughts let the same mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus saith the Holy Apostle and a right regulation of a mans thoughts consists First In placing of them on proper objects Secondly In the right Government of them directed to these objects Man in his degeneracy and state of Nature is as in a Feaver the whole Mass of Blood being so disordered and infected that nothing is regular with him much less his Thoughts for that he is of the Earth Earthly and in that natural darkness that he neither knoweth or can understand the things of God like the blind Mole always working and walking about the Earth and Earthly things and in his ferment of affection to the Creatures is hurried with frantick raptures after them and finding in them no satisfaction flys from one vanity to another like Noah's Dove can find no rest and as Solomon saith finds all vanity and vexation of Spirit so as he hated all his labour the Wicked Man is unstable in all his ways but these renewed are made partakers of the Divine Nature and place their desires on Heavenly objects have the same mind in them that was in Christ Jesus as Christ came into the World to do the Will of his Father in the Redemption of Man and did behave himself as his Kingdom not being of this World even so Christians are in this World as Sojourners and must not look on the things of this Life as the objects of their delight or objects of their inheritance and therefore must be Spiritually minded For to be carnally minded is Death but to be spiritually minded is Life and Peace Rom. 8.6 Now the objects of the Spiritual Man must be Spiritual and nothing can with satisfaction or delight contemplate any thing but what it hath a resemblance unto or affinity with it so that if the Thoughts be Spiritual they will be fixed on Heavenly and Spiritual objects which are only two First One God in the Trinity Secondly The benefits accrewing to man from thence First On God as that only essential and omnipotent Being by whom the World was made and subsists in his Infinite Power Isa 9.6 In his holiness of purer Eyes than can behold Iniquity In his Justice to reward the upright and condemn the guilty In his Wisdom As Wisdom it self and who giveth Wisdom to all Men Prov. 8.1 Jam. 1.5 In his Love He is love and dwelleth in love God so loved the World that he sent his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have Eternal Life John 3.15 16 17. In his Mercy Witness his long forbearance and forgiveness of Sins through Christ Jesus with the merciful thou wilt shew thy self merciful and with the froward thou wilt shew thy self froward Ps 18.25 26. and so through all the Attributes of God where there is an Ocean of Delight to pitch upon and swallow up and drown all the most longing desires and fill the greatest appetite on which are spent the eternal breathings and delight of the Angels and Saints in Heaven Therefore shall they be before the Throne of God and serve him day and night in his Temple and he that sitteth on the Throne shall dwell amongst them Rev. â— 15.16 17. Secondly On Christ that Ocean of Consolation to Believers who shall have from him fulness of Joy and Pleasures for evermore who humbled himself to death to see them on the Throne of Glory who was made Sin though he knew no Sin that Sin might not be imputed to them 1 Pet. 2.20 21. Who brought them from being slaves of Sin to the Inheritance of Sonship and Glory with himself and made them heirs of all things John 17.21 22. who is made to Saints Wisdom Righteousness and Sanctification and Redemption and all and in all to them 1 Cor. 1.13 3dly On the Holy Ghost the Comforter who shall dwell and abide with them for ever and teach them all things and who shall uphold them in all their ways to guide them in all truth against all dangers and temptations Psalm 91. all John 14.16 17 26. Secondly The second object on which the thoughts of the renewed Christians are to be exercised are the things of great advantage which flow to them from the bounty of God in Christ Jesus but especially that inexpressible dignity honour and happiness of being made partakers of the Divine Nature and being made one with the Father and the Son in mind will and glory and to be where God is for ever in that often repeated place John 17. They shall feed on the Tree of Life in the Paradise of God Rev. 2.7.17 have the white Stone and in it a new name and have power over the Nations Rev. 3.12 21. they shall sit On the Throne of Glory before God and shall serve him day and night shall hunger no more nor thirst any more neither shall the Sun light on them or any heat and God shall lead them unto living fountains of Water and wipe away all Tears from their Eyes and there shall be no more sorrow Rev. 7.15 16 17. The thoughts of Believers being thus directed to their proper objects as they are yet in the Valley of Tears and obnoxious to the temptations of the Flesh and subject to so many incident distractions their thoughts are frequently diverted from their proper course the means thereof to fix them right when any temptation occurs whether from the Lust of the Eyes Lusts of the Flesh or Pride of Life is to compare the object offered with that on which the Thoughts should center and bringing infinite beauty glory and power that which is infinitely full of all perfection and above what eye can see or ear hear or heart apprehend how easily may this parrallel eclipse dazzle and confound the insinuations of Fleshly Lusts which perish in the using Secondly The second part of the renewed man is his affections which also must be spiritualized and renewed for if a man
be in Christ he hath mortified the Flesh and the Lusts thereof and if the Thoughts be duly placed on God and the blessings flowing from him it may be the more easy to regulate the affections It is certain while we are in the Body there is an unavoidable conversation with the Creature upon us and the degeneracy hath so much prevailed that even in the renewed there is a law of the Members against the Law of the Mind and therefore our Life is a constant Warfare Rom. 7.23 and for this reason great care must be taken to govern the affections and although it is impossible in some respects to keep the affections from carnal objects however the renewed man must mortify the Flesh and Affections thereof and as helps thereunto we must First Distinguish between giving our Affections wholly to any Creature as resting on that as our chief good and so delighting in it and between letting out our desires to any Creature in subordination to the Creator in some lawful end and in this consideration we are to love nothing intensively with our whole delight and satisfaction except God who alone is able to fill the desires of our Heart but we may in moderation use and take some complacency in the Creature as helps from God to assist us in our Pilgrim state to advance his Honour and discharge our Duty to him Secondly We must consider that since the Apostacy in Adam the Judgment of the Curse is fallen on all Creatures and the Creation is brought under the Bondage of Corruption and the Creatures are fallen under the King of this World as a forfeiture for Sin and the Devil made Prince of the Power of the Air and this World put under his Dominion though under restraint from God and that the Natural Man or Love of the World is enmity to God He that loveth the World the love of God is not in him John 1.2 15. and by the Apostle James the friendship of the World is enmity with God whosoever therefore will be a Friend of the World is the Enemy of God Jam. 4.4 Thirdly We must consider that Christs Errand to the World was to reconcile God to Man and therefore he humbled himself by taking upon him the Nature of Man and restored it from the vanity and impurity of Sin to all such as shall believe in him for though the whole Creation was subjected to servitude for Sin nevertheless Christ by his coming and suffering hath paid the Ransom for Believers and for them removed the Curse from the Creatures Because the Creatures also shall be delivered from the Bondage of Corruption into the glorious Liberty of the Children of God for we know that the whole Creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now Rom. 8.21 22. Hence then measures may be taken to regulate our Affections First We ought to love God and set our affections on him above all things and in loving of him we cannot go the due length much less be in excess Secondly We should love nothing beneath Christ but in subordination to him and in reference to his glory and that we may the better serve him Thirdly In our use of the World we must remember the Worlds degeneracy and as in that state it is accursed and the love thereof is enmity to God so that if we be not our selves reconciled to God all the Creatures are accursed to us and we usurpers of them so that we must use them as purified to us from the impurity of the Curse by the Mediator and all in a mortified manner according to the Will of God Be not conformed to this World but be ye transformed by the renewing of your minds that ye may prove what is the good perfect and acceptable Will of God Rom. 12.2 In the use of the Creatures We must use them without sensual affectation as things that have a stamp of danger in them with fear lest we be again enticed to sin against God in our delight in any thing more or so much as in God and that we be with the Apostle mortified to all things I am crucified to the World and the World to me in that often repeated place Gal. 2.20 Thus then must mans Affections be regulated as a new Man and doing away the old Lusts of the Flesh and knowing nothing after the Flesh the Children of God are all incorporated into a new society in Christ Jesus and must needs have their Conversation different from the World Ye are no more Strangers and Forreigners but Fellow Citizens with the Saints and of the Household of God Ephes 2.19 Therefore they must love and delight in Holy and Spiritual things They are no more under the Law of Sin to Death but under the Law of the Spirit unto Life they are not to walk after the Flesh but after the Spirit Rom. 8.1 2 12 13 14. Christ himself knowing how mans Affections are apt to incline to Earthly Vanities and sink under the delight of the Creatures Commands to lay up Treasure in Heaven Where your Treasures are there your Hearts will be also Seek first the Kingdom of God and his Righteousness let us follow that choice directory for Holiness and Heavenly mindedness Luke 12.31 to 35. If ye be risen with Christ seek these things which are above where Christ sitteth at the Right Hand of God set your Affections on things in Heaven and not things on Earth for ye are Dead and your Life is hid with Christ in God Mortifie therefore your Members which are on Earth Fornication Uncleanness Inordinate Affections Evil Concupiscence and Covetousness which is Idolatry seeing you have put off the Old Man with his Deeds and have put on the New Man which is renewed in Knowledge after the Image of him that Created him put on therefore as the Elect of God Bowels of Mercy Kindness Humbleness of Mind long Suffering forbearing one another forgiving one another put on Charity which is the bond of perfectness Col. 3. all See the Instructions for our Holy and Heavenly Conversation Ephe. 2. all Chap. 4.22 to end Chap. 5. all Rom. 6. all they that are in Christ have Crucified the flesh and the Lusts thereof if we live in the spirit let us also walk in the spirit Gal 5.24 and 25. Thus then we see how Christians are to govern their affections next we come to consider their Actions As the Christian is and must be a New Creature and Holy in all manner of Conversation so must he be in his Actions in two respects First They must be all Just and Holy in themselves Secondly They must be directed to proper ends First As a Mans Thoughts ought to be pure and Affections clean so must his Actions for one piece polluted defileth the whole Lump and a good Tree produceth good Fruit and there can be no pretence of uprightness in any Man where the Actions or Conversation is Corrupt so that all Actions of a Man must be squared by the
of his Heart he hanged himself 2 Sam. 17.23 The fourth difference of Gods dispensations to the Godly and Wicked is That the Godly are directed and assisted of God to level all their actions and apply all that is dispensed to them for the Glory and Honour of God but the Wicked apply all to the gratifying of their Lusts the Godly believe that all things as well in prosperity as in adversity work together for their good therefore they level all their purposes and actions at his glory Romans 8.28 Deborah though by God made eminently instrumental in that great victory over Gods Enemies takes not the glory thereof to her self but ascribes it to God Judg. 5. all The great Steward of Heaven dispenseth the blessings of this Life as the Lord in the Gospel gave forth his Talents to such as did profit by them he trusted them with more and gave them Eternal Life as the reward of their care for their Masters Honour and Profit but the slothful and unprofitable Servants are cast into utter darkness where they shall meet with nothing but weeping and gnashing of Teeth Mat. 25.14 to 31. Having thus cursorily made enquiry into the emptiness of all humane enjoyments and discovered that no happiness can be found therein we come next to inquire into that compleat felicity of Eternal Life which is the fourth thing treasured up in that bank of Mercy for Believers and that under these considerations First The freedom of it Secondly The fulness of it First of the freedom as all temporal Mercies are of God as we have already discovered so also all Spiritual allowances are of him and from him he is the Father of Spirits and of his free will he hath begotten us by regeneration in Christ Jesus who hath purchased us with the price of his Blood God so loved the World that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have Eternal Life John 3.17 When we were without strength Christ died for us God commendeth his Love to us in that while we were yet Sinners Christ died for us That as Sin reigned unto Death even so might Grace reign through righteousness unto Eternal Life through Christ Rom. 5.6 to end It is not of him that willeth nor of him that runneth but of God that sheweth Mercy Rom. 9.16 For by Grace ye are saved through Faith not of your selves it is the gift of God not of works lest any Man should boast Eph. 2.8 9. In hope of Eternal Life which God that cannot lye promised before the World began Tit. 1.2 Having Predestinated us unto the Adoption of Children by Jesus Christ unto himself according to the good pleasure of his Will in whom we have Redemption through his Blood the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of his Grace Ephes 1.5 7. Thus we plainly see the freedom of this gift of Eternal Life though purchased by the Death of Christ yet freely given to us by him The second thing we are to consider of is the fulness of this great gift and for the clearer discovery thereof we shall compare the excellencies of it with the things of this Life in all the advantagious circumstances of the same whereby we shall find the excellencies thereof incomparably excel all that can be pretended desireable in this Life in all their superlative state and condition The glory fulness and excellency of this World is laid down by the Apostle in the foregoing Scripture to consist in the Lust of the Flesh the Lusts of the Eye and the Pride of Life and these things perish in the using but he that doth the Will of God abideth for ever these being put in the Ballance with eternal Life and its excellencies we shall easily find there can be no parrallel when we consider and believe the Testimony of that Evangelical Prophet Eye hath not seen nor Ear heard neither hath it entred into the Heart of Man to conceive what great things he hath laid up for such as wait on him Isa 64.4 Hence we may see an inestimable difference seeing all the enjoyments of this Life are only sensual and vanishing and the others are all Spiritual and Lasting to Eternity Secondly If we consider the World as the Apostle describes it and that The Love of the World is not of the Father and by the Apostle James that it is enmity against God and that eternal life is the purchase of Christs Blood how much will this sink the Parrallel 1 Joh. 2.15 16. Jam. 4.4 Thirdly If we compare the Worlds Inventory that in it is only the Lusts of the Eyes the Lusts of the Flesh and the Pride of Life How soon is this cast out of the Scales by the Apostle The Kingdom of God consists not in eating and drinking chambering and wantonness but in Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost When all that is said or can be said of the World is summed up First In Eating and Drinking Secondly In Apparel to cloath our nakedness Thirdly In Friends or Relations And Fourthly In Riches or Wealth all which perish in the using as is often demonstrated what Parallel then can be imagined between these two For our better satisfaction we shall examine all these severally by themselves and those things which come in exchange of them First Cloaths of the best Richest or Gordious sort which can be invented afford no cause of glory pride satisfaction or content for at best they are but badges of our Sin and Misery and causes of grief mourning humiliation and repentance for that they were at first upon Adams Transgression invented to cover our nakedness discovered by sin which first brought shame and therefore they are but the cover of our shame and nakedness in which we should neither delight not glory but rather on sight thereof humble our selves in the sense of our original guilt and lost estate in Adam Gen. 3.7 to 12. Secondly The best of Garments have under them infirm Bodies tainted with natural weakness at best and sometimes the Richest cover the frailest Carcase tainted with noisome Distempers the sight of which may make the Garments and what is under them loathsome and abhorrent so that what we have for our necessity to cover our shame and hide our loathsomness should not be our Pride much less our Delight or Glory Thirdly Cloaths are often our Burthen when either by penury we cannot attain to them or the persons are so weak that they cannot bear them in Winter to defend the cold nor in Summer because of heat Fourthly The fashion changeth and frets the Indigent that they cannot have them and draws the richer to excess emulation and prodigality in foppish and unnecessary pomp in the change of fashions to the exciting of Lust and superflous wasting what better may be bestowed on the poor whom God recommends as objects of Charity This being the badge of our shame and sin and the superfluity thereof so much abounding now a days
Judge shall give me at that day and not only to me but to all them also that love his appearing 1 Tim. 4.7.8 What can or should hinder the Joy and rejoycing of the People of God who are so well secured and assured of their everlasting Interest in him There is therefore now no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit Rom. 8.1 If God be for us who can be against us Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect It is God that Justifieth who shall condemn Who is he that condemneth It is Christ that died yea rather that is risen again and sitteth at the right hand of God and maketh Intercession for us Rom. 8.1 31 to 35. Are there or can there be greater causes of Joy and Satisfaction than in the assurance of Eternal happiness given in Scriptures to Believers no casualty of condition in life or death can separate them from the love of God in Christ Jesus Heb. 2.9 to 15 Rom. 8.35 to 40. And whatever troubles or afflictions shall attend them in this World though their days may be spent in sorrow labour and tragical afflictions their end shall be joyous and comical He that soweth in Tears shall reap in Joy he that goeth forth and weepeth bearing pretious Seed shall doubtless come again with rejoycing bringing his Sheaves with him Psal 126.5 6. The condition of the Godly in the end shall certainly be happy Though you have lyen among the Pots yet shall ye be like the Wings of a Dove whose Feathers are covered with Silver and her Wings with yellow Gold Psal 68.13 Therefore to conclude all let us imitate the Holy Apostle Be ye stedfast unmoveable abounding in the work of the Lord for as much as ye know that your work is not in vain in the Lord 2 Tim. 4.7 8 1 Cor. 15 58. In all these things we are more than Conquerours Rom 8.35 to end and let us in thanksgiving acknowledge the Soveraign excellency of Christs love with Psalms 148. Psal 149. Psal 150. And lastly Let us come boldly to the Throne of Grace that we may obtain mercy and find Grace to help in time of need Heb. 4.16 Now unto him by whom the World was created and subsists who bounds the Seas who reveals to man his Thoughts who doth in the Armies of Heaven and Earth what he pleaseth and none dares say to him what dost thou Dan. 3.47 Who was dead and is alive and liveth for evermore who hath the Keys of Hell and Death Rev. 1.18 Who leads his people to the living Fountains of Water and wipes away all Tears from their Eyes and Crowns them with everlasting glory Rev. 7.16 17. Who is the way truth life light and resurrection John 14.6 Who shall come in the glory of his power to restore all the Kingdoms of the Earth from Antichristian tyranny and servitude of Sin and deliver up the Kingdom to his Father 1 Cor. 15.24 and who is now at the Right Hand of Glory be all Honour Power Glory Praise Majesty and Dominion from henceforth and for ever FINIS The Index of the Contents 1. § MAN was Created in Holiness Righteousness and knowledge and hath Dominion over the Creatures p. 2. by Righteousness is meant a Disposition to do good and shun Evil. p. 2. By Holiness Integrity of Life and Manners p. 3. By Knowledge Understanding of all things in reference to God Man and other Creatures p 3. Man in his happy State was a glorious thing and all the Creatures were pleasant and in unity one with another p 3 4 Man broke the Chain of Obedience is deprived of his Soveraignty the Earth accursed and Enmity sown p. 4. What Original Sin is 1. not of Ignorance but wilful 2. Not of Infirmity but against knowledge 3. Of great Pride and Ambition p. 5. 4. It was the Sin of Unbelief p. 5. 5. Of Murmuring and Ingratitude 6. Of Imprudence p 5 6. 7. Had in it the Lust of the Eyes Lust of the Flesh and Pride of Life p. 6 7 8. It was the Corruption of the whole Nature of Man which hath tainted the Blood to all Posterity p. 7 8 9 10. Man lately a Soveraign now Outlawed a Rebel and Slave p. 10. This Sin is charged on all Posterity by the Corruption of Nature of which all Men are come p. 10 11 12 13 14. Mans Posterity are thereby Subject 1. To Death 2. Disabled in Natural Enjoyment and Spiritual Capacities p. 14 15 16. proved from the Corruption of Nature from Scripture and from experience p. 16. 17. In Thoughts Words Actions and Religious Duties p. 17 18. 19. Many Inferences 1. All Men of one Blood the Nobler should not dispise the Base 2. All Men are of a bastard and defiled Blood so no Man hath cause to glory p. 19 20 21. 3. Look on this sin as a Fountain of all sins p. 21. 4. Murmur not at Losses because by this sin Man grudgeth God reserving from him the Tree of knowledge p. 22. 5. Let not the Richer dispise the Poorer he is his Brother of the same Family p. 22 23. 6. All Men are Brethren and Members of each other therefore should have Simpathy p. 24 25. From this are two Duties 1. We must seek Reconciliation in Christ p. 25. 2. We should seek for the second coming of Christ p. 26 27 Use of Lamenting Mans lapsed State p. 27 28 29 30. The Mistery of Mans Restoration by Christ p. 30 31. The Contrivance of Mans Redemption by the Covenant of Grace through Christ p. 32 33. The free The freedom of that Covenant p. 33 34 35. The difference between Christs becoming surety for Man and one Mans surety for another p. 36 37 38. Use of Watchfulness to the godly p. 39 40 41. Reproof of Censoriousness and Slandering 41 42 43 44 45. Advice for Compassion and Charity p. 46 47 48. The parts of the Covenant of Grace on Gods part a free Pardon p. 49. Christ to Man is a King Priest and Prophet and first a Prophet p. 50. 51 52. Christ a Priest and the difference between his Priesthood and Mans p. 52 53 54 55 56 57. Christ a King to Believers p. 58 59. To Rule by his Law p. 60. To protect his People p. 60 61 62. To reward by his bounty p. 62 63 64. Use of Comfort to Believers from Christs Mediation p 64 65. Use of Comfort from his being King p. 66. Mans part in the Covenant of Grace p. 67 68. As God requires performance he assists with Grace and Ability p. 69. He Rewards Obedience p. 70. The Difference between Christs bounty to Man and the kindness of one Man to another p. 70 71. Exhortation to mutual Charity p. 71 72. Five Duties incumbent to Man p. 73. 1. Trace Man from his beginning 2. Set originally sin before us p. 73 74. 3. Mortification p. 74. 75. 4. Repentance p. 75 76 77. 5. Search the Records