18. and making them two fold more the Children of Hell than themselves Mat. 23. 15. Thus Corruption with the temptations of Honour Wealth Pleasure wins natural men to the service of sin All these will I give thee Mat. 49. But it sings them to the Rock and smiles them to Ruine For What wages doth it pay them at the last Destruction Death Hell The wages of sin is death Rom. 6. 23. Obs Natural men are by their Corruption led on insensibly unto Hell They are led Texts Eph. 2. 3. Among whom also we had our conversation c. Fulfilling the desires of the flesh Rom. 6. 17. Ye were the servants of sin Inst. The Colossians walked in Fornication Uncleanness and other vile sins when they lived in them Col 3. 7. The Romans had yielded their Members servants to Uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity Rom. 6. 19. They are led on insensibly Texts Prov. 4. 19. The way of the wicked is as darkness they know not at what they stumble Eph. 5. 8. Ye were somtimes darkness Inst The simple young man goeth after the harlot as an Oxe goeth to the slaughter or as a Fool to the correction of the Stocks Prov. 7. 22. St. Paul before his Conversion thought verily that he ought to do many things contrary to the Name of Jesus Acts 26. 9. Unto Hell Texts Rom. 8. 6. To be carnally minded is death Jam. 1. 15. When lust hath conceived it bringeth forth sin and sin when it is finished bringeth forth death Inst The Malefactor on the Cross but a little before his death reviled Christ Mark 15. 32. St. Paul and the Romans when in the Flesh the motions of sin did work in their Members to bring forth fruit unto death Rom. 7. 5. Reas 1. The God of this world hath blinded their minds 2 Cor. 4. 4. 2. It wars against the Soul 1 Pet. 2. 11. Use 1. Think on its wages Rom. 6. 23. 2. Resist it betimes Psal 137. 9. 3. Bless God that though sin doth somtimes captivate thee yet it doth no longer lead thee Rom. 7. 22 23. Resol I will strive to be spiritually minded for that is life and peace Rom. 8. 6. Ejac. What fruit had I then in those things whereof I am now ashamed and whose end is death Rom. 6. 21. Paral. III. Circ The Apprehender Jaylor Prison Obs God hath his Ministers of Justice and his Prison for Punishment EArthly Princes have their rewards for their faithful and loyal Subjects 1 Sam. 22. 7. And as for the disloyal they have Inferiour Ministers of Justice so they have their Sergeants at Arms or armed Troops to fetch in Grand Delinquents and Prisons where to punish them Thus God the great Monarch of the world whose Kingdom ruleth over all Psal 103. 19. as he hath His Paradise to reward So His Prison to punish The good and faithful Servants had the Joy of their Lord to enter into Mat. 25. 21 23. For the wicked sloathful and unprofitable Servant there was a place of utter darkness Mat. 25. 30. Gods Children are an afflicted people Zeph. 3. 12. a weeping lamenting sorrowful people John 16. 20. Often under chastisement Psal 73. 14. For wicked men though in comparison of them They have no Changes Psal 55. 19. The â—od of God is not on them Job 21. 9. They are not plagued as they Psal 73. 5. Yet how often even in this life doth God execute his just pleasure upon them by his inferiour Officers The unbribed Beadle of their Conscience gives them many a secret jerk and stinging lash Rom. 2. 15. He makes man his Rod Isa 10. 5. Or He sends his great Armies of Caterpillers Canker-worms c. to take free quarter upon their fâ—uits of the earth Jocl 2. 25. He gives them up to Satan 1 Cor. 5. 5. To their own vile Affections Rom. 1. 26. But if he spare them as to these and seem to keep silence Psal 50. 21. Yet Death at length will find them â—ut often cutting off the number of their Moneths in the midst Job 21. 21. And when Christ shall appear in his Glory His Angels shall bring them forth to the day of wrath to which they are reserved Job 21. 30. At which day Christ will be a swift witness against them Mal. 3. 5. In a moment bringing to their memories all their wickedness here committed by them for which being accused and condemned By their own Conscience Rom. 2. 15. And so the Judge cleared from all Injustice Psal 51. 4. Immediatly after the Sentence is pronounced His good Angels shall cast them Into a Furnace of fire Mat. 13 42. Into his Prison of Hell there everlastingly to be punished With the Devil and his Angels Mat. 25 46 Probably not by them For there shall be no Order Job 10. 22. And all Authority shall cease 1 Cor. 15. 24. Obs God hath his Ministers of Justice and his Prison for Punishment He hath his Ministers of Justice Here Hereafter Here Temporal Spiritual Temporal Texts Joel 2. 15. The Locust Canker-worm c. my great Army which I sent among you Psal 103. 21. Bless the Lord all ye his Hosts ye Ministers of his that do his Pleasure Inst The Assyrian was the Rod of Gods Anger Isa 10. 5. Wicked men are his Sword his Hand Psal 17. 13 14. Spiritual Texts Psal 103. 20. His Angels that excel in strength which do his Commandments 2 Thes 2. 11 12. God shall send them strong delusions Inst God hardned Pâ—araoh's heart Exod. 7. 3. He sent â—vil Angels among the Egyptians Psal 78. 49. Hereafter Texts Mat. 5. 25. Lest the Judge deliver thee to the Officer Mark 9. 44. Where their worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched Inst. They who have transgressed against God their worm shall not die Isa 66. 24. Dives was tormented in Hell-flames Luke 16. 24. He hath his Prison Texts Isa 30. 33. Tophet is ordained of old he hath made it deep and large Psal 9 17. The wicked shall be cast into Hell Inst Dives was in Hell Luke 16. 23. The fearful unbelieving abominable murderers whore-mongers sorcâ—reâ—s Idolaters Liars shall have their portion in the Lake which burneth with fire and brimstone Rev. 21. 8. Reas 1. For the glory of his Power and Justice upon the Vessels of wrath Rom. 9. 17. 22. 2. To make known the riches of his Glory upon the Vessels of Mercy Rom. 9. 23. Use 1. God will render to every man according to his Deeds Rom. 2. 6. 2. Glorifie God in his Power and Justice Rev. 2. 23. 3. Gloriâ—ie him in the riches of his Mercy Remember what thou hast deserved Eph. 2. 7 8. 4. Tremble in the commission of sin Isa 33. 14. Resol Though the love of my Lord Christ doth chiefly constrain me 2 Cor. 5. 14. Yet I will serve God with reverence and godly fear because he is a consuming fire Heb. 12. 28 29. Ejac. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first Resurrection on such the
The Only SOVEREIGN SALVE FOR THE Wounded Spirit Approved by the Author in himself Delivered by him in several Sermons after his Recovery And now Published for the Glory of his most Gracious Restorer and for the Comfort and Settlement of any Afflicted Soul that doth or may labour under that weighty Burden By Richard Wortley Minister of Christ in his Church in Edworth in Bedfordshire This is a Faithful saying and worthy of all Acceptation that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners of whom I am chief 1 Tim. 1. 15. LONDON Printed for J. Rothwel at the Fountain in Goldsmths Row in Cheapside 1661. To the Reader Courteous Reader ST Paul who had the Spirit of God 1 Cor. 7 40. having by and from that Spirit assured us 2 Tim. 3. 16 17. that all Scripture is given by Inspiration of God that it is profitable for Doctrine Reproof Correction Instruction that the man of God may be perfect throughâ—â— furnished unto all good works 〈…〉 16. That â—â— Gospel is the power of God unto Salvatioâ—◠〈…〉 â—e that believeth â—pon the Spirit 's such assurance by him I do rely with â—â—sidence And as in my soul I do believe the Scripâ—â—â—es to be the very Word of God so as I boldly may 〈◊〉 ought taking heâ—d unto that sure Word of Proâ—â—ie 2 Pet. 1. 19. I do teach the Truths which there I â—â— as Parts of that inspired powerful perfecting and â—very good work throughly-furnishing Word not â—ting to seek further or to wait for the revelation of â—â— Truths not there set down lest I be found in the â—â—mber of the blasphemous adders thereunto and so beâ—â—e liable to that fearful punishment threatned against â—â—h Rev. 22. 18. Moses and the Prophets are to be heard Lu. 16. 29 The Scriptures are to be searched John 5. 39. However sinâ— as the natural man cannot aâ—◠〈…〉 â—â—ings wanting a spiritual eye to discern 〈…〉 â—evealed unto them 1 Cor. 2. 14. â—â— the â—â—generate though diligent hearers and searchers cannot clearly discern them unless revealed unto them Luke 24. 45. The Lord is pleased in such a measure as he sees fitting to give unto them the Spirit of wisdoâ— and revelation in the knowledge of him and to enlighten the eyes of their understandings Eph. 1. 17 18. and by the spirit of Truth to guid them into all needful Truths as he hath promised John 16. 13. This ordinary way of the Spâ—rit of Truth 's enlightening to the glory of the same Spirit I speak it I have experimentally found in my soul from the time that with a total resignation I have given my self up to bâ—led by it Which further to encouâ—â—◠〈…〉 a confident and chearful going on in the service of my Lord Christ in his Ministry hath lateâ—◠〈◊〉 an extraordinary and not so usual a 〈…〉 most unworthy dust and ashes of so low 〈◊〉 â—â—â—â—cention of my great God! been pleased not only to assure me That I have escaped the Corruption that is in the world through Lust 2 Pet. 1. 4. A blessed and most sweet assurance but likewise Clearly to manifest unto me The dangerous estate of the Natural man while such The manner of the great work of his Conversion To instruct me in the right understanding of many Scripture-truths relating thereunto To shew unto me and to all that are effectually called the path of life and by way of guiding of my steps to Heaven-ward secrâ—tly to say unto my soul this is the way walk in iâ— Isa 30. 21. Of which great Mercies with soâ—e other vouchsafed to him not worthy to be beloved not worthy to be minded this following Narration will more fully inform thee The Narration IN my younger years being bred up in the University and having taken a Degree there I was admitted into one of the Inns of Court Where having spent about two years Means now failing for my support and continuance in that course I was received into the Family of an Honourable Personage mine Employments being in the way of a Scholar as to write Letters to read Divinity to pen Sermons to pray with the Family in the Chaplains absence c. It pleased God so to dispose the heart of the Honourable Governour toward me that great secular preferments were endeavoured for me But none of them succeeding I was at length by Mandate from his then Majesty procured by the means of that Noble Personage replanted into my old Nursery a Fellow of a Colledge there I yearly payd mine acknowledgment by attendance where I had received so much Favour the good will and endeavour of worldly preferments for me still continuing One at last was freely offered unto me of such a nature as I most desired with visible almost certainties of great wealth and temporal advancement had it been accepted but Providence had otherwise disposed of me For when upon the offer my answer of acceptance was expected I was surprized with a sudden amazement and standing silent like a Statue had not one word to speak by way of acknowledgment of mine own unworthiness or of the greatness of the intended Favour much less to express my ready acceptance thereof and due thankfulness for it and so for some time continuing was dismissed for the present and within shorttime after became a stranger to those Relations Having after this as I esteemed it unhappy rejection spent some years in the Colledge vainly and idly enough God knows it was the Lords pleasure to transplant me into his Church abroad And having by a remarkable manuduction brought me unto the Living which I now hold he was pleased at my first enâ—rance by a great though not total distemper in the right use of my Reason to break and fit me in some measure for his Service there and to prepare the way for that great Work which he had to do many years after I could here tell thee how in that distemper God did set me before my self aâ—ter a strange manner presenting to my view my hainous sins to that time and shewing me how many deaths I had deserved by them But I have acknowledged and humbled my self for them unto him who hath graciously assured me of his Pardon Upon my recovery I had some good motiâ—ns and faint stirrings in my soul toward God and Goodness which so long I had forgotten and indeed flighted My first Subject which I handled was the broken heart Psal 51. 17. The way which I should have taken but neglecting it the work was not throughly wrought Though I proceeded so far as to a just restitution as near as I could call to mind where I had wronged any and I remember the fâ—ax begâ—n to smoak in some weak dislike often stiâ—ring in my heart against those sins in which formerly I hâ—d livâ—d and wherewith it was over-run and I began by degrees to break off from them I had now continued at my Living five or six years or more when I do not remember that the day before or
unsought unto to confirm me Then he shewed me my duty to call upon him Now he manifested his own goodness in accepting of the Preparations of my heart Thus dealt he with David in his repentance He did out say I will confess my Transgressions unto the Lord and he forgave him the iniquity of his â—n Psal 32. 5. Thus with the Prodigal He had but said I will go unto my Father and say unto him Father I have sinned c. And his Father saw him aâ—ar off and had compassion and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him Luke 15. 18 20. O how gracious a God do we serve Who not only readily enclines his ear unto our Prayers and opens his liberal hand in granting more than we crave but casts a favourable eye even upon the praying disposition of our souls answering of us before we call upon him Isa 65. 24. and preventing us with the belssings of his goodness Psal 21. 3. Obs The Lord is most ready to satisfie the doubtings of his Servants Texts Psal 62 11. God hath spoken once twice have I heard this that Power belongeth unto God also unto thee O Lord belongeth Mercy Acts 10. 10 11 c. And Peter fell into a Trance and saw Heaven opened and a certain Vessel descending unto him wherein were all manner of Beasts c. And there came a Voice to him Arise Peter kill and eat c. This was done thrice Inst. Gideon had a double sign that God would save Israel by him The Fleece was only wet the earth dry The Fleece was dry and the ground wet Judges 6. 37 38 c. Beside this further to encourage him he is sent down to the Host of the Midianites to hear a dream of one of them told unto his Fellow with the Interpretation Upon hearing whereof all his fear was removed and his hands were strengthened Judges â— 10 11 c. Peter was assured by the sheet thrice let down and the Voyce saying thrice What God hath cleansed that call not thou common that he might freely go unto Cornelius as to any other of the Gentiles to instruct him God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean Acts 10. 11 16 28. Reas To confirm and encourage them For that the Dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice it is because the thing is established by God Gen. 41. 32. Use 1. Go to God in thine unsettlements Psal 25. 15. 2. Thus emboldened let nothing daunt thee in his Service Prov. 28. 1. Resol Thou hast given me this Encouragement O Lord I will therefore serve thee with Confidence I will open my mouth boldly to make known the Mystery of the Gospel Eph. 6. 9. and will not fear though Briars and Thorns be with me and though I dwell among Scorpions Ezek. 2. 6. Ejac. Open unto me the door of utterance that I may manifest thy Mystery as I ought to speak Col. 4. 3 4. Paral. IX Circ The Jaylor and my Apprehender whispering Obs Satan and Corruption conspire against the Soul EVery Son of Adam while in the State of Nature is dead Eph. 2. 1. Dead as to Gods Image lost Eph. 4. 24. Dead as to the Soul wholly perverted Psal 14. 3. Dead as to wrath deserved Eph. 2. 3. Of this Death inbred Corruption is the Cause Rom. 5. 12. Which being by Satans subtilty upon Adams disobedience planted in mans Nature Every one at his birth brings it into the world with him Psal 51. 6. It dwels in his Members Rom. 7. 23. It wars against his Soul 1 Pet. 2. 11. Yet but as an inferiour Commander under Satan â—rom whom as from its Superiour beside its own toill disposing Malignity Gen. 6 5. it receives Orders Acts 5. 3. according to which it acts Can a man carry fire in his bosom and not be burnt Can he carry a Serpent there and not be stung Can he be secure from treachery whose own house harbours his enemy Such is Corruption unto man a persidious Trayâ—or which we continually carry about with us and whereof till death we cannot rid our selves Satan is the Father as of lyes John 8 44. so of all sin whatsoever but our Corruption is the Dam oâ— Mother of them and a fruitful one is she Gal. 5. 19. He conveyes his Suggestions into the soul Corruption Entertains them Thinks of them Delights in them Consents unto them Thus he tempts Lust draws away and enticeth an so sin is conceived and brought forth Jam. 1. 14 15. And hence it is that wicked men in whom by theâ— Corruption he reigns are said To conceive Mischeif To travel with iniquity To bring forth Falshood Psal 7. 14. And Their Bellies to prepare deceit Job 15. 35. Being now under the power of this my dangerous enemy he brought me where his General held his Quaâ—ters Who seeing of us presently came and witâ— this his officious servant entred into secret Consultation Whether it were to take an account of his diligent and successeful service or to give him new directions for the yet further entangling and making sure of me already sufficiently enough wrapped in his Snares oâ— what it was I could not over hear This may be concluded upon nothing but ill to mâ— soul was intended by them or to be expected froâ— them whose malice runs so high against all Mankind that I cannot but look upon their whispering as a devising of my hurt Psal 41. 7. as a further conspiracy had not a seasonable and powerful rescue prevented for my speedy and utter ruine Obs Satan and Corruption conspire against the Soul Texts Psal 83. 3. They have taken crafty counsel against thy people and consulted against thine hidden ones Luke 11. 25. The unclean Spirit saith I will return unto my house whence I came out and when he cometh he findeth it by Corruption swept clean from Grace and garnished with vices Inst. Satan presented to Achan's eye a goodly Babylonish Garment among the spoyles c. and a wedg of Gold and his Corruption stirred him up to covet and take them Josh 7. 21. Bathsheba was presented by Satan to David as a fit Object for his Lust which his Corruption stirred up 2 Sam. 11. 2. 4. Reas Satans envy radically contained in his Pride it being its proper passion and first shewing it self against man assoon as he saw him created to the enjoyment of that happiness which he by his pride had lost and still in the greatest height continued against all Adam's Posterity John 8. 44. With 1 John 3. 15. Pride affecteth a singularity of Excellency Envy opposeth whatsoever doth ecclipse it Use 1. Stand continually upon thy guard thine enemies are subtil thy danger great Eph. 6 12 18. 2. Pray for assistance 2 Sam. 15. 31. 3. Fear them not they shall not cannot hurt those whom Christ loveth Rom. 8. 37 c. 4. Lay aside envy 1 Pet. 2. 1. Resol Mine enemies intended evil against me they imagined a mischievous device which they were
an unworthy Member rejoycing in her unlikely unhoped return from her captivity and say When the Lord turned again the Captivity of Zion we were like them that dream The Lord hath done great things for us whereof we are glad Psal 126. 1 3. Obs Effectual Calling is of Gods free Grace Texts Isa 65. 1. I am sought of them that asked not for me I am found of them that â—ought me not Ezek. 11. 19. I will put a new spirit within you I will take the stony heart out of their flesh and will give them an heart of flesh Inst The Ephesians when dead in sins were quickned together with Christ c. to shew the exceeding riches of Gods Grace in his kindness toward them Eph. 2. 5 6 7. The Word of Truth or the Gospel came to the Colossians not they to it Col. 1. 6. Reas Gods great love to man Eph. 2. 4. Proceeding from the good pleasure of his Will Eph. 1. 5. Use 1. Attribute nothing to thine own will or to thy wary walking according to Natures rule Rom. 9. 16. 2. Give God the praise of the glory of his Grace Eph. 2. 6. Resol I will never boast of any works of mine It is by Grace I am saved through Faith not of my self it is the gift of God Eph. 2. 8. Ejac. Turn thou me and I shall be turned Jer. 31. 18. Lord let thy Kingdom come to me For I am not able by any strength in my self to come to it Mat. 6. 10. Paral. III. Circ My Apprehender's Hand was taken off me when others were within the Grates Obs The Lord hath mercy on whom he will havâ— Mercy THE Losse of the sight of God and The Sense of Pain are the torments of the damned in Hell Isa 66. 24. Infinite in extention as to time Mat. 25. 46. Mitigated in their intention and extremity as tâ— the Sufferers desert Psal 145. 9. These the condemned wretches within the Grates did and shall for ever undergo And What had I deserved that I should be freed froâ— them Nay what had I not deserved that I shoulâ— have felt them in the greatest height and horrour They who appeared at the grates were it may be oâ— those strict moral Ancients of whom we read who liveâ— most exactly according to Natures Rule Or of thosâ— who in Christs Name had prophesied cast out Devils done many wonders Mat. 7. 22. As for me I remember my own evil waies and my doings that were not good and cannot but be ashamed and confounded and loath my self in mine own sight for mine iniquities and abominations Ezek 36 31 32. Yet these are condemned to eternal torments tâ— me polluted in mine own bloud yea in my bloud it was said unto me Live Ezek. 16. 6. These are Vessels of wrath fitted unto Destruction I a Vessel of mercy prepared unto glory The Potter hath power over the Clay to make one Vessel unto honour another to dishonour Ro. 9. 21 22 23. Two shall be in the field the one shall be taken and the other left Two women shall be grinding at the Mill the one shall be taken and the other left Mat. 24. 40 41. Obs The Lord hath Mercy on whom he will have Mercy Texts Exod. 33. 19. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy Rom. 19 18. Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy and whom he will he hardneth Inst I loved Jacob and I hated Esau Mal. 1. 2 3. The Malefactors on the Cross the one of them was received to mercy the other died in his sin Luke 23. 40. Reas God is a free Lord Rom. 9. 21. Having from before the foundation of the world by his unchangeable decree predestinated Some to eternal happiness for the manifestation of the glory of his Mercy Eph. 1. 5 6. Others to eternal punishment for the manifestation of the glory of his Justice Prov. 16. 4. Use 1. Despair not thou maist belong unto Gods Election 2. Judge not any to his own Master he standeth or falleth Rom. 14. 4. 3. Give diligence to make thy Calling and Election sure 2 Pet. 1. 10. 4. Rejoyce that thy Name is written in Heaven Luke 10. 20. Resol Thou hast predestinated me to be conformable to the Image of thy Son Rom. 8. 29. Thou hast noâ— effectually called me I will therefore strive more and more to put on the new man which after God is created in righteousness and true Holiness Eph. 3. 24. Ejac. O the depth of the riches both of the Wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his Judgments and his wayes past finding out Rom. 11. 33. Paral. IV. Circ My Apprehender's hand was taken off me at the Prison-Gate Obs God sometimes effectually calls men when they are at the Mouth of Hell O Daughter of Babylon who art to be destroyed c. Happy shall he be that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones Psal 137. 8 9. So should sin be dealt with This Cockatrice should be crushed in the Egge resisted in it's beginning I way be given unto it it grows and gathers strength and in time contracts an hardness upon the Soul and What is then to be expected but ruine For wheâ— Lust hath conceived it bringeth forth sin and sin when it is finished bringeth forth death James 1. 15. Sin is not finished on a sudden Neither doth it bring unto death by an hasty and violent precipitation But it hath certain steps and degrees by which as by stairs it sâ—iely leads down thâ— Soul unto the Mouth of the Pit It begins by Suggestion Upon that follows delight Delight wins to Consent Consent proceeds unto Act. The Act brings on Custom Custom Necessity Necessity is attended with Blindnesse Blindnesse by hardnesse And the Close of all is an utter Exclusion from Gods Eternal Rest Psal 95. 8 11. I was now full ripe for Hell and had not great unexpected Mercy intervened I had for ever been one of those unhappy Exiles But He who with groaning in himself and crying with a loud voice thereby shewing the difficulty of the work as to the Soul to recover a customary sinner raised Lazarus when stinking in the Grave He was pleased to manifest his Almighty Power in raising me long long dead and stinking in my sins and trespasses and thereby deserving that with loathing he should have turned his face from me He who of stones is able to raise up Children unto Abraham Mat. 3. 9. was pleased to break my rocky heart to take away my heart of stone and to give unto me an heart of flesh Ezek. 36. 26. Obs God somtimes effectually calls men when they are at the very Mouth of Hell Texts Mat. 20. 6. And about the eleventh hour he went out c. And he saith unto them go ye also into the Vineyard c. Rev. 3. 9. Behold I will make them of the Synagogue of Satan which say they are Jews and are
at any time for some years then past I had had such thoughts as might minister matter to my Fancy so to work The Lord was pleased in a Dream and Vision of the night thus to seal Instruction unto my soul Job 33. 15 16. The Vision AT London I was apprehended by a shag hair'd Fellow without an hat of a deformed countenance He led me on I knew not whither until we came unto a Prison scituated where Westminster Hall stands At the entrance into the Hall The Front of the Prison was toward the Thames The Gate was wide and stood wide open The chief Prison-house was in view a cross-building within at the end of a Court-yard There was a window on the right hand of the Gate-house which had a strong Iron grate before it as had the windows on the side-buildings on the left hand toward the chief Prison house through which I could discern mens faces At the entrance of the chief Prison-house stood the Jaylor a grim man in black He seeing of us presently comes to us to the gate and turning my Apprehender a little aside to whisper with him As they were whispering my Apprehender let go his hold I perceiving his hand off thought it best to run for my safety and betook me to my heels My Apprehender pursues me But having the start of him I was gotten so far before him that I could not hear him following Having now ran almost as far as the Savoy and looking back to see at what distance I had left him I could see a good way off a Gentleman who had stopped him in his pursuit and by the hair of his head having pulled him down upon his knees was beating of him with a Battoon I still fearing that he might get loose and follow me ran on until I came at the Savoy where I ran down a pair of stairs Which stairs delivered me on to a square Brick building raised one Story from the ground left so that the work might be continued having Beams and Jyces laid ready for a Floor and second Story In this Building I waâ— perswaded I might hide my self from my Pursuer Whereupon attempting to get down between two of the Jyces there were men below within the Building who endeavoured by thrusting at me with an Halberd and long staves to hinder my Descent But the danger I fled from made me so resolute that putting by their thrusts I got down in spight of them I was no sooner below but they were all vanished From hence I was immediatly transferred into the Tower of the Temple-Church and standing where the Essigies of the Knights-Tâ—mplars lie then not to be seen all fear of being again taken by my Pursuer was now ceased I cast mine eye up to the top of the Tower where my sight was limited by a Cloudy resemblance Round about on the sides the Tower was scaffolded up from the Pavement as in a Theater Under the Scaffolds I observed certain men as if lurking there to hinder people in their ascent I awaked and musing upon the Vision in my mind and finding that it had a kind of orderly dependance one part upon another assoon as I arose I wrote it down and gave I know not what Interpretation of it The writing unminded lay among my loose Papers many years until which I believe was nine or ten years after the Lord was pleased to lay upon me the heavy burden of a wounded Spirit In mine extremity which was so high that I feared death having over-looked my loose Papers and this Vision cursorily among the rest I cast them into the fire The Occasion of recalling of the Vision AFter some dayes the Lord having been pleased to resettle me and to speak Peace to my soul as I have shewed in my salve for the Wounded Spirit reflecting my thoughts upon my time spent in that before-mentioned Family as also upon the great secular preferments which I then missed of I was not a little troubled at my supposed loss Yet when I remembred that I stood a long time silent as amazed c I had a strong perswasion in me that the Lord in Mercy had with-held those pâ—eferments from me I sued unto him by earnest Prayer that if it were so he would be pleased to discover it unto me that upon my sense of his Mercy I might bless his Name for it It was not long after my Prayer was ended before the Lord afforded me this gracious return thereof bringing freshly to my by my late illness much weakned memory the Vision which I had so long and so much slighted Which a little pondering upon I called to mind whereof I was afterwards in another dream assured by a voyce saying It was the Gatehouse That the Gate-house of that Prison to which I was brought with the inward Prison-house windows and side-buildings thereof were just like unto the Gate-house or Lodge the inward Buildings windows and side-Buildings of that House wherein I had lived with that Noble Personage whcih also being scituate in a Town upon the River on the same side had its Front towards the Thames Whereupon by him to whom alone they do belong Gen. 40. 8. I was presently enabled to give this Interpretation That the Apprehender was my Corruption That it had brought me to the mouth of Hell in bringing me to that Family and so near unto the Law the course I must have returned to and gone on in had the offered Favour been accepted That the man in black at the entrance of the Chief Prison-House was the Devil ready to seize upon me That the Gentleman beating of my Pursuer was the Holy Spirit restraining of my Corruption That the Stairs put me in mind to humble my self for my sins The Building I interpreted to be the Building of Grace begun in my Soul The men within to be my spiritual Enemies violently opposing of me The Scaffolds in the Tower of the Temple-Church a direction for a gradual improvement in Grace The men under them my spiritual enemies watching advantages to hinder mine Improvement This more general Interpretation served then to settle me in what I sued to be satisfied in with much comfort assuring me dayly more and more that I was delivered from the mouth of Hell as to those Relations and to that course But since upon more serious consideration and throughly weighing of each particular circumstance in the Vision I find that I have great cause to bless God in the super abundant riches of his Mercy in that when I sued only for satisfaction â—n that forementioned Particular he not only shewed me what he had done for me as to that But likewise That he had freed me from the slavery of my Corruption which so long and so powerfully had prevailed ever me and so had delivered me from the power of darkness and had translated me into the Kingdom of his Dear Son Col. 1. 13. Directing of me what now I was to do To humble my self
man Eph. 3 16. 4. Give God the glory both of thy willing and acting what is good Phil. 2. 13. It is not of him that willeth nor of him that runneth but of God that sheweth mercy Rom 9. 16. 5. If sin be not more and more weaâ—ned in thee it is thine own Fault James 1. 14. Resol Old things are past away and all things are become new 2 Cor. 5. 17. I will now exercise that power wherwith I am endued in dayly mortifying of the old man with his Members and putting on the new man with his Graces Col. 3. 5 12. Ejac. To will is present with me but how to perform that which is good I find not Rom. 7. 18. O my Lord Christ do thou assist me For without thee I can do nothing John 15. 5. Paral. VI. Circ My Apprehender pursued me Obs Corruption pursues the effectually-called to re-inslave them THis brings to mind a Passage in my first distemper which may here not unseasonably be related I was walking by an hedge side and not far before me perceiving a Snake to draw back into an out growing shrub when I came at it I looked down and espying of her put down the end of my staffe upon her head and thought I had dispatched her Returning that way again and looking in to see what was become of her she being come to her self dâ—rted out and striking at my foot had bitten and spoyled me had I not been there well fortified Thus Corruption though Christ by his death hath bruised and broken his head yet assaults and would sting the soul were it not strengthened against its attempts by a stedfast Faith in him Eph. 6. 16. Upon the account of their Baptism St. Paul salutes the Ephesians by the name of Saints Eph. 1. 1. The soul is sainted or sanctified in Baptism by being by vertue of Christs Death and Resurrection into which we are baptized Rom. â— 3. cleansed from sin and endued with an habit of Grace infused Acts 2. 38. Where foreseen Infidelity doth not interpose a Bar. When the Lord is pleased to stir up this habit to manifest it self in act and exercise for which he takes his own time Mat. 20. 1 3 5 6. then are we effectually called The Souls true Sanctification being the end of our effâ—ctual Calling Rom. 1. 7. consists in Faith Col. 1. 2. And Obedience Psal 50 5. With 1 Sam. 15. 22. These in the course of a Christians life from the time that he first begins to act do find great opposition from the carnal part from Corruption from which the soul is not so cleansed but that it still resides there It is purged out in Baptism That it may not hurt Not that it may not be The Soul is freed from it As to Dominion it reigns not Rom. 6. 14. As to Guilt it condemns not Rom. 8. 1. Yet it remains As to its Nature Rom. 7. 17. As to its rebellious Motions Rom. 7. 23. Between this and the Spirit there is a continual warring Gal. 5. 17. And it often gets the upper hand Rom. â— 23. However Where the Will is against it Rom. 7. 18. Where there is not an allowing of it but an hatred against it Rom. 7. 15. Where there is an earnest desire of its utter extirpation Rom. 7. 24. With a Constant Tenour of life according to Gods Will 1 John 3. 9. Although it doth pursue assault and often prevail yet it shall never wholly regain the soul under its power John 10. 28. Obs Corruption pursues the effectually Called to re-inslave them Texts Rom. 7. 20. If I do that I would not it is no more I that do it but sin that dwelleth in me Gal. 5. 17. The Flesh lusteth against the Spirit and the Spirit against the Flesh and these are contrary the one unto the other So that ye cannot do the things that ye would Inst The Lord hardned the heart of Pharaoh and he pursued after the Children of Israel who went out of Egypt with an high hand Exod. 14. 8. St. Paul found a Law in himself that when he would do good evil was present with him Rom. 7. 21. Reas 1. Satan is unwilling to lose his Prey Mark 9. 26. 2. His Malice continues though his Power be broken 1 Pet. 5. 8. Use 1. Escape for thy life look not behind thee with a lingring desire after thy former sins Stay not in all the Plain shun all occasions of falling again escape to the Mountain of Gods powerful Support and Protection Gen. 19. 17. 2. Delight in the Law of God after the inward man Rom. 7. 22. 3. Walk in the Spirit and thou shalt not fulfil the Lusts of the flesh Gal. 5. 16. 4. Return not to thy Vomit Prov. 26. 11. Resol I am now no longer in the Flesh but in the Spirit Rom. 8. 9. Wherefore though with the flesh against my will I somtimes serve the Law of sin yet with my mind I will serve the Law of God Rom. 7. 25. Ejac. There is no Condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the Flesh but after the Spirit Rom. 8. 1. Paral. VII Circ I looked back to see at what distance I had left my Pursuer and saw him a good way off Obs The Effectually-called may discover and ought to observe how sin is weakned in them and how far they are improved in Grace SIN in Scripture is compared unto darkness Grace unto light Isa 9. 2. Our great God whose first work in the Creation was to make light Gen. 1. 3. In mans recreation first infuseth the light of Faith into the soul 2 Cor. 4. 6. Darkness being but the privation of Light when the â—ight appears it withdraws and as the Light increaseth so it is more and more by degrees dispelled A Sinner upon his effectual Calling is translated out of the Kingdom of Darkness Col. 1. 13. And he is no sooner out of that but he is immediatly in the Kingdom of Christ in his marvellous Light 1 Pet. 2. 9. Upon his first Translation Light is but begun in him but he clears up more and more Mark 8 24 25. Sin decayes in him and Grace encreaseth The Path of the just is as the shining Light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day Prov. 4. 18. Though man knows not by what way the Light is parted Job 38. 24. How the Vayl of Darkness is put off how the Light gathers strength yet the perfect day is easily discerned from the Dawning Light is sown for the righteous Psal 97 21. It is sown The seed that is cast into the ground by the Husbandman though it springs and grows up he knows not how Mark 4. 26 27. Yet its growthâ—n few moneths iâ— plainly seen To every one is given Grace â—ccording to the measure of the Gift of Christ Eph. 4. 7. With his Blessing upon it Increase and multiply First he gives in a lesser proportion afterwards a larger James 4. 6. First a weak Faith