him it may be he doth not presently answer all our requests It may be with Paul thou and I have some thorn in the Flesh that we have sought God for the taking of it away and we begin to be impatient and to say we have waited and prayed and looked long and yet 't is not taken away we looked for peace and behold no good we looked for healing and behold trouble and we begin to fret and say as Jehoram King of Israel did when trouble began to arise and the Famine increase 2 Kings 6.33 Behold this evil is of the Lord what should we wait for the Lord any longer Ah poor soul whoever thou art I pitty thee that hast been at any time in this sad temper but stay thy self soul with this that Christ waited tell his head was wet with the Dew c. And to what end did he and doth he wait but to be gracious so he saith Is 30 18 And therefore doth the Lord wait that he may be gracious unto you Note the force of that word therefore for that very end that he may be gracious Oh! how long hath he waited for you it may for some ten twenty thirty fourty years and yet he saith he will wait Therefore will the Lord wait not onely hath but will wait Oh why then should not we wait then for him I but dost thou find after all this waiting that Jesus Christ is come in thou wilt say it may be I would have Christ for my Saviour First Hast thou received him for thy Priest the Priest's under the Law were changed by reason of mortallity but this man because he continueth for ever hath an unchangeable Priesthood but art thou able to say thou art willing to cast thy self on him to bear away thy iniquities I tell thee he is able to bear them there is help laid on one that is mighty and he is able to save to the utmost all that come to God by him Heb. 7.25 And he is not one that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities but was tempted as we are that he might the better succour them that are tempted and because of this Priest-hood We may come boldly to the Throne of Grace Heb. 4.15 Heb. 2.8 Alas we durst not have looked God in the Face had not Christ been our Priest and undertaken this but now we may come boldly and plead Christ with him Oh who shall condemn 't is Christ that dyed Rom. 8.34 Yea when he let Angels go those noble Creatures yet he condescended to take on him the Seed of Abra'm he would be a Priest for poor lost man Heb. 2.16 Yea he by this bare our iniquities into the Wilderness of forgetfulness Lev. 16.21 And truly we had need of one to bear away not only the iniquity of our transgression but to bear the iniquities of our services he is the Antitipe of Aaron the Priest to bear away the iniquity of our Holy things Exod. 28.38 When poor Believers are troubled with vain thoughts and their Spirits are wandring in Prayer or Hearing or Meditation or Reading These Worm eaten services the worms of evil thoughts will be creeping in and eating out the heart of our prayers yet Christ will bear away the iniquity of these Holy things yea when not only vain but wicked thoughts come in as in Prov. 5.14 I was almost in all evil in the midst of the Congregation Yea thy very secret sins which made David cry out Cleanse me from my secret sins Psal 19.12 Yet he is a Priest to bear away all sorts of sins The blood of Christ cleanseth from all sins Now Soul try thy self art thou willing to have Christ for thy Priest do not deceive thy self 't is not so easie to take Christ for thy Priest 't is no small matter to come of from thy self Secondly Hast thou received Christ for thy Prophet to teach thee All Gods Children shall be taught of the Lord Isa 54.13 And a Prophet shall the Lord thy God raise up unto thee of thy brethren him shall ye hear in all things Acts 3.22 And this was of old Prophesied by Jacob Gen. 49.13 The Scepter shall not depart from Judah nor a Law-giver from between his feet until Shiloh come and to him shall the gathering of the people be this Shiloh was Christ and this gathering of the people to hear him begun to be fulfilled Luke 19.48 For all the people were very attentive to hear him or as some margins have it they hanged on him Now art thou willing to hear him and to hang on his lip to be taught by him and none other and to hear no other Doctrine then what he Teaches dost thou indeed take him for thy Prophet and with the Apostle Gal. 1.9 Dost account him accursed that brings any other news of Salvation This is a second way we should receive Christ But I proceed to the next Thirdly Dost thou receive Christ for thy King to Rule and give thee Laws as well as teach thee Isa 33.22 The Lord is our Law-giver the Lord is our King not only King to save us but our Law-giver to rule us He is our King and he will save us we must not think to be Kings our selves Alas what can we do but he will save us save us from sins Matth. 1.21 And he will save us from our enemies too the people of Israel did not save themselves by their own arm but by the Lords arm and by the Lords right hand Psal 44.3 so in Hos 1.7 I will have mercy on the House of Israel and will save them How by themselves by their own arm not so the Text tells you by the Lord their God and 't is Christ that is that horn of Salvation in Luke 1.69 71. That will save us from our enemies and from the hand of them that hate us and it is he in Isa 63.1 That is Mighty to save and as he will rule in the Salvation of his people so he will rule secondly in the destruction of his enemies Jam. 4.12 As he is able to save so likewise to destroy He shall Rule his enemies with a Rod of Iron Psal 2.9 Psal 110.2 God will send the Rod of his strength out of Zion and he shall rule in the midst of his enemies and Vers 6. He shall wound the heads of many Countries Though the proud ones of the World say this man shall not Reign over us yet he will bring them into subjection whether they will or no have but a little patience believer and it will come to pass but besides this Christ will be King in thy Soul to tread down Sin and Satan and art thou willing to have Christ King in thee to this end art thou willing he shall tread on the neck of every lust and corruption then dost thou receive him as King aright art thou willing he shall bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of himself 2 Cor. 10.5 Dost thou receive him
the devil hath not forget his old trade of transforming himself into an Angel of light he can tell them 't is lawful to provide for their Family they are worse then Infidels that do not but this Nehemiah might have as many excuses as thee who ever thou art and yet Nehemiah would not leave the Lords work no he preferred the Lords work and esteemed it a great work this Christ would have all his children do Matth. 6.33 Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness I and that 's the work that should be done in the first place before all other things try how 't is with thee if it be thus 't is a good sign thou art a child of God XXVI Hast thou in any measure overcome the World and dost thou seek the things above I put these together for they are of the same import 't is a sign thou art quickned with Christ if thou seek the things that are above and gett'st the world under thy feet this made Moses contenin the Treasures in Aegypt alas he valued it not Heb. 11.26 so John 1 5.4 He that is born of God overcometh the World and as they have overcome the World so they seek the things of another Paul would have the Corinthians live in the world like Men and Women of another World 1 Cor. 7.29 It remains that they that have Wives be as they that have none no why should they run away from them no that 's not the meaning but they should sit loose from them if God call for them be as willing to part from them in his fear without repining at Gods hand as if they had none at all And they that weep as though they wept not and they that rejoyce as though they rejoyced not and they that buy as though they possessed not and they that use this World as not abusing it Note well the Apostle doth not say you shall have no Wives nor you shall not weep nor receive nor buy nor use this World no but take heed how you have and do things in the World as if the Apostle should say I would not have your hearts set on these things We should use the World to carry us to our Fathers House but we must take heed you rest not here Arise arise Man this world is not thy rest Get wings man and fly up live like men of another world in this world such a life as this did Paul live when he said Our conversation is in Heaven Phil. 3.20 Why Paul are not you among the Saints on earth among men on earth yes but converse in Heaven I trade about Heavenly things my thoughts Heavenly my affections Heavenly my conversation Heavenly my words they are Heavenly too they are such as are a Paradox to the Men of this world the men of the world speak of the world the world hear them but said the Apostle We are of God and they that know God hear us and they that are not of God heareth not us no poor Creatures they know not what we say 1 John 4.5 if you speak of God the world know not what you say these are out of their reach therefore Christ said to the poor blind Jews You do not understand my speech why because you cannot bear my Word in John 8.43 'T was a mistery that he speak to them therefore Paul saith 3 Cor. 2.14 The natural man receiveth not the things of God because they are Spiritually discerned Talk to him of Meat and Drink and Sleep and ease and the pleasures and sports of this life and this he heareth and knoweth this is sensual not spiritual Jude 19. This his sence understandeth talk to him of a Kingdom that consisteth of Meat and Drink this he is willing shall be his Heaven but alas poor carnal man thou art mistaken The Kingdom of God consisteth not in Meats and Drink Rom. 14.17 But now soul hast thou overcome these sower things and is thy heart set on Heaven hast thou thy heart soaring aloft I am afraid the most professors of this age are great strangers to this and many other things that are the life of Christianity what ever specious pretences they may make yet their very practices speak it out to loud but if thou art one whose life is in Heaven then thou art one of wisdoms children For the way of life is above to the wise Prov. 15.22 XXVII Art thou a new creature then 't is a sign thou art in Christ Are all old things done away the old Companions the old lusts the old love of the folly of this world is turned into the love of Heavenly things 2 Cor. 5.17 It may be thou canst not shed tears so plentifully why man repentance doth not so much consist in that but is thy nature changed and dost thou abhor thy self as Job 42.6 Dost thou find in thee a hatred to thee way of wickedness that thou wast wont to love and a love to the things of God that of old thou wast wont to hate dost thou loath sin and loath thy self for sin 't is a good sign thou art in Christ it may be formerly thou wouldst not have this man to reign over thee but now give me Christ or else I dye formerly thou wer 't alive and active in sin But now thou art dead to sin and alive to God Rom. 6.11 Now you do not alow your selves willingly in any known sin Oh soul is well with thee thou art pure in heart though not perfect yet in part XXVIII Hast thou a spirit of prayer and supplication poured out upon thee when Paul was converted to Christ whom before he persecuted Ananias was bid to go and enquire for Saul of Tarsus for behold he prayeth why did he never pray before possible he might utter words before but he had not the Spirit of Prayer before there be many from the invention of memory or in a form seem to pray excellently that yet do not pray in the Holy Ghost Acts 9.11 And you know Jude speaks of praying in the Holy Ghost Jude 20. So that men cannot pray but by the Holy Ghost Men may as I said mumble over a form of words it may be I but a man cannot pray but by the Holy Ghost 't is the Spirit of God that will help souls to pray to confess sin and to plead promises the Spirit helpeth our infirmities with groans that cannot be uttered he that hath the Spirit can come to God as a Friend and say Father I have need of such and such mercies I have need of strength against sin and such and such corruptions are like to overcome me he that hath the Spirit of God is the Friend of God as Abraham was called the friend of God often times take one place for the rest that comes next to my hand 2 Jam. 23. Now a friend of God can go and plead with God and say Lord such and such sins and corruptions are to hard for me
but Lord thou hast said Micab 7.19 20. Thou wilt subdue our iniquities and cast our sins into the depth's of the Sea Oh Lord perform the truth to Jacob and the mercy to Abraham that thou hast promised yea sworn to our Fathers in the days of old Now soul if thou dost find in thee a Spirit of Prayer and Supplication that thou canst plead with God in his promises as I have instanced here in one why then 't is a good sign thou art thy self called of God and precious in his sight but I would hasten toward an end of these things XXIX 'T is a good sign thou thy self art in Christ if thou art willing to bring others into Christ grace is of a diffusive nature it will spread it self Peter saith Christ when thou art converted strengthen thy Brethren Luke 22.23 It may be this is of a second conversion and you know Paul speaks of travelling in Birth again till Christ be found in the Gallatians Gal. 4.19 It seems to intimate they were born before but were turned aside to crooked pathes for saith Paul Verse 20. I stand in doubt of you but I will not dispute it here but leave it to the sober wise but however When thou art converted strengthen thy Brethren that is do what thou canst to convert and confirm others in their most Holy Faith Wherefore Brethren edifie one another as also ye do 1 Thess 5.11 Grace will beget and strengthen as many as it can it will draw others what may be to the good ways of God Come saith David and I will tell you what God hath done for my soul His spirit was full it was ready to break before it had vent and thus it was with the Woman of Samaria when she had once heard Christ She run into the City and saith Come oh come and see a man that told me all that ever I did She was willing they should know all that ever she knew of Christ and so saith Paul I would thou wer 't such as I am except these hods Acts 26.29 Oh how did his soul long for the conversion of others in Rom. 10.1 My hearts desire and prayer for Israel is that they may be saved Soul is it thus with thee dost thou know thy friends and relations to be in an unconverted estate and dost thou long and pray they may be converted Is thy fellowship with the Father And dost thou desire their fellowship may be with you with the Father and the Son Jesus Christ and dost thou declare to others what thou hast seen and heard of Jesus Christ that thou mayest draw them into fellowship with Jesus 1 John 1.3 If so 't is a good sign thou art one in Christ XXX And lastly If thou art in Christ thou lovest the Saints of Christ not love them barely as they are men but as they are Saints a man may love another but not upon the account as he is a Christian man he may love him as he is of a sweet behaviour and carriage or as he is a relation or as an aquaintance or as a friend that may be profitable to a man in the World I but I speak of love to a Saint as he is a Saint and therefore Christ saith He that giveth to a Prophet not as he is a man or a friend But as in the name of a Prophet shall receive a Prophets reward Matt. 10.41.42 Now I say if thou lovest Christ's Disciples thus thou art in Christ and Christ saith by this shall all men know that ye are my Disciples how so why If you love one another John 13.35 This Spirit was in Moses which made him say If thou wilt not forgive their sin blot me out of thy Book Exod. 32.32 Which Book we would with submission say 't is the Book of his Temporary Life and truly this was great love that he would lay down his life for Israel in this he was a Type of our Lord so David had a great love to the Saints and a delight in the Saints Psal 16.3 To the Saints and to the excellent in the Earth in whom is all my delight Had David nothing else to set a little of his delight upon yes David was a King he had a Crown and many things else to have delighted in but to the Saints and to the excellent in whom is all my delight Davids delight was all on the Saints and that with good reason because they were most excellent Why had not David many mighty Men of Valour that were excellent ones you may see a whole Catalogue of Davids Worthies in the 1 Chron. 11.10 to the end and were none of these Noble Princes of valor that were in his Court his delight no saith David to the Saints in whom is all my delight and it will appear by the delight he had in the company of them that fear the Lord Psal 119.63 I am a companion of all them that fear thee Not of Nobles and great Men of whom then Of all that fear thee why David there be some poor Men that fear God dost not thou think scorn David being a King to company with poor Men no saith David I am a companion of all that fear thee and 't is so with others too saith David Vers 74. They that fear thee will be glad to see me or when they see me the Saints be glad to see one another therefore David saith again Verse 79. Let those that fear thee turn unto me be they poor or rich be they those that fear thee Oh let them turn unto me be they Servants or any I 'le keep them company that fear the Lord I but David would it not credit thy Court to keep Ranters and Swearers for the World saith he is no Gentleman that cannot swear no saith David I 'le keep no such as they are My eye shall be on the Faithful in the Land they shall dwell with me Psal 101.6 7. But for those that work deceit they shall not dwell in my house nor he that telleth lyes shall not tarry in my sight This was the Spirit that was in David he loved the Saints let them be poor or rich be they Masters or Servants All that fear thee I am a companion toe by the way give me leave one word to those one 's of this age we live in Sirs how many will Davids practice condemn he was a companion of all that fear God he was a King and it may be thou art some Trades man and yet thou thinkest scorn to converse with the poor Saints if he be some of the great ones of the City then thou art a companion of such but if a poor Saint come to thee then thou art in hast or some one or another stay for me this is a sad Spirit that is crept in among us in these days And from this also may Ministers themselves be rebuked and that sharply too truly among you men of low estate are low in esteem for ought I