have a Pastoral power to dispense the Mysteries of salvation administer the Word and Sacraments Non sequitur it follows not besides teaching and admonishing is either 1. Publick expounding the Oracles of God revealing the whole Councel of God to men for their salvation 2. Private By catechizing our Families conferring with others repeating what men have learned from the Scripture from other good Books and good Preachers advising encouraging reproving comforting as occasion is Ap. And is all this nothing to exercise our zeal upon but that the fire must needs burn besids the hearth the proper place and be upon the house top to destroy the whole building Object 3. But Eldad and Medad Numb 11.27 prophesied in the camp Saul also 1 Sam. 10.9 among the Prophets And Philips daughters Acts 21.9 prophesied i.e. did tell things to come by the instinct of the Spirit not teach in the Church against those prohibitions 1 Cor. 1434. And Amos a Herds-man Amos 14.15 And the Lord said to him Go prophesie c. Peter and others Fisher-men Mat. 4.18 And Paul a Tent-maker did so Acts 18.3 4. Ergo Trades-men may preach if they be gifted but let ours shew such an extraordinary Call and consider that Answ 1. Extraordinary instances must not be brought in as Presidents For if so then false Prophets may expect Asses to reprove them as it befel Balaam Num. 22.28 and Soldiers may make use of Priests Rams horns to scale Walls in a Siege as Josh 6.3 and lamps and pitchers to subdue enemies Judg. 7.16 2. True predictions of future things speaking strange tongues which the Speakers never learned and miraculous cures were the wondrous effects of an extraordinary Calling Ap. Let our Sectaries shew the like Call and the fruits thereof and the Day is theirs we will yield what they desire else not 3. But now none are born Priests or Ministers but admitted by order to that Office and publick imployment We condemn not all Trades-men eo nomine from being orderly admitted into the Ministry in some cases Some mens Parts are too broad for their Callings and some mens Callings for their Parts Parents are sometimes mistaken in the Genius of their Children and sometimes at first do place out their Children and dispose them to what proves not to be suitable with them ☞ These Children dislike betake themselves to learn and study then are approved and orderly admitted such we condemn not but we blame those men 1. That take upon them the Honour and Office of a Minister and Preacher not being called thereunto as was Aaron 2. And despise the regular Ordination of the Church by the imposition of hands 3. That mangle instead of handle the Holy Scriptures with unwashen and unadvised hands 4. That presume they have those gifts and graces of the spirit which indeed they have not 5. That usurp upon the Place and Function of a Minister of the Gospel which they are very unfit for 6. That undervalue the cure of souls which is ars artium saith Gregory a marvellous piece of skil and wisdom 7. Which cross the grave and serious Question of the Apostle 2 Cor. 2.16 But now who are not sufficient Mechanicks are able Minsters and dare exercise ut dicunt per famam populum in great Assemblies to the great dishonour of God prophanation of his Ordinances and scandal of reformed Churches ☞ The good Lord rectifie these things that we may be compleatly shod with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace Amen The Apostle you know is instructing us concerning the spiritual Warfare of a Christian In which you have the War and the Weapons or the Ability and Art wherewith the War is managed Verses 10 11 12 13. The Armour with which the Conflict and Combate of the same is acted and performed Vers 14 15 16 17 18. The parts or pieces of this Armour are seven 1. a Belt 2. a Breast-plate 3. Shooes 4. a Shield 5. an Helmet 6. a Sword 7. Frayer and Supplication Ap. Of the first three I have spoken and you know how ill this Girdle of Truth doth agree with Falshood and this Breast-plate of Righteousness with the Unrighteousness of men and this preparation of Shooes to profess practise and preach the Gospel doth suit with meer formal Professors and presumptuous intruding Preachers ☞ I do now proceed to the fourth particular viz. A Shield or Buckler which stands in the midst of the rest like the tree of life in the midst of the Garden Gen. 2.9 or a mighty Champion in the midst of an Army which is ushered in with a Preface Above all or principally put off with the Praise and Eulogy of admirable and wonderful effects viz. wherewith ye shall be able to quench c. Exp. In the words are little difficulty yet accept of this Explication 1. Above all i.e. in our account or esteem Whatsoever other Armour defensive or offensive we have or want let us be sure we want not this 2. Above or over all in the first place and principally in reference to all the whole man whom it is ready to defend in every part or all the rest of the Armour of all which it is both defensive of all our other Armour all which the Shield or Buckler is ready to save from harm and comprehensive of all the rest for that it is impossible to be armed her with without Truth and Righteousness and the profession and practise of the Gospel or without hope of salvation of which it is the substance and evidence or the Word of God by which it cometh or Prayer which it produceth to perfection So as that if we have true Faith we have all these in some proportion though each of them also have their proper place in our defence and do mutually concur with this and not one of them can be in sincerity without this Faith 2. Taking the shield or Buckler you may note that these two words are promiscuously and indifferently used one for another for the substance shape Dimensions and use of them with horse and Foot I might acquaint you out of Polysbius Livy and other Authors vid. Mat. Mart. p. 35 15 35 16. ☞ But to let that pass they were Weapons of special defence and use in war and they were made of Gold 1 Kings 10.17 by Solomon or Brass 1 King 14.27 as by Reheboam or Wood 1 Chron. 12.8 wrought by some artificial workman to the use and purpose before named and the word Shield in Scripture is used properly and figuratively in a fourfold sense viz. for a Shield 1. Artificial made by man for a defence of the body against an enemy and so had Goliah 1 Sam. 17.7 and those mentioned 1 Chron. 12.8 and I think all do easily apprehend this 2. Political so Rulers Magistrates and Governours are styled Psalm 47.9 Hos 4.18 signifying that they are or ought to be for defence and protection of the body politick not destruction like the Rump 3. Spiritual against the
art now hungry which doth not befall to God nor the son of God But I will grant that thou art so Then turn these stones into bread for God can change the nature of things at his own pleasure But if thou canst not do this thou art neither God nor the Son of God 1. Mark how the devil strikes at the Deity of Christ and at our Faith by raising such a doubt Answ But mark now the Answer and Resistance of Christ to this Temptation 1. He doth not say I am God and so drive him away 2. But he takes up the sword of the spirit Deut. 8.3 and therewith drives him away for having granted that Bread and bodily food is the usual remedy against hunger Yet saith our Saviour There is no necessity for me to do so For if I be the Son of God know thou That God is not bound to support by bread only as Nature is and men are by the ordinary way of provision Ap. But he hath many other ways and means to sustain and nourish us withall Though here be no bread yet know it is not Bread only or other ordinary food that doth nourish any man but by Gods appointment of it to that end and blessing upon it Besides God can support and supply us miraculously He can nourish us without any food or put the vertue of food into other things and can make poyson to be both meat and medicine Mark 16.18 and Ergo Vpon him will I wait saith Christ and so let us do also Exit Satan he hath done with this shape and this Temptation 2. The Devil acts the part of a seeming Saint a devout Zelot He will go next to the holy City and try what he can do there He taketh up Christ and carrieth him as Gods Spirit did Philip Acts 8.39 He caught him away Doct. Mark what the Devil can do if God permit he can carry away wicked men quick into hell And wonder not that Christ suffered the Devil to carry him who suffered his Instruments to crucifie him When he had brought Christ thither he sets him upon a Pinacle of the Temple a place as fit as dangerous to serve his turn to tempt our Saviour The City the Temple all here minded men of piety of the true worship of God and here the Devil will turn Deceiver and because Christ had foil'd him with Scripture before he will cite Scripture too and perswade Christ to leap down upon the Reason alledged in Psalm Psal 91.11 12. Doct. Note 1. We must take heed of Temptations in the Church in holy places and duties in great Assemblies as well as in the Wildernesse The Devil did not cast Christ down but bid him cast himself down Doct. Note 2. The Devil may tempt and perswade to evil he cannot compel Hoc tantum pertinet quod egit in principio Seducere c. Iraeneus The Devil cites Scripture but withal he adds and concealeth at his pleasure viz. Cast thy self down and to keep thee in all thy ways misinterpreteth and misapplieth averteth all as impious Hereticks his Disciples do Mendacium abscondens per Scripturam quod faciunt omnes Haeretici saith Irenaeus Note 3. That no Temptation of Satan is more pernicious and dangerous than that which is coloured with misapplied Scripture and shew of sanctity But beware the Devil and his Ministers when they are like Angels of Light 2 Cor. 11.14 15. Ap. Thus the Devil perswaded Christ to tempt God hoping to find him either to be an Imposter if he received hurt by the fall or the Son of God by preserving himself in the fall Answ But mark how Christ with the same Weapon this Sword foils him again by producing a general prohibition that concerneth all men Deut. 6.16 Ye shall not tempt the Lord q. d. It becomes none to tempt God much less him whom I know and thou doubtest to be the Son of God ☞ And then is God tempted when ordinary means are neglected besides and against the Counsel and Warrant of Almighty God Ap. And so should I do if neglecting the stairs by which I may descend with safety I should Sponte non jussus a Patre solum aâ—te provocatus praecipitem me dare vellem freely at thy provocation without my Fathers command cast my self down head-long Exit Satan the second time 3. He acts the part of a mighty Monarch and will try what great gifts will do and they use to do much Deut. 16.19 1. He takes him up into an exceeding high mountain a fit place for ostentation and to take the prospect and view of many excellent Things 2. There he shews him all the kingdomes of the world and the glory of them i.e. The Excellency Riches Splendor Beauty and whatsoever is admirable in them and these he presents to Christs senâ—es by Vision at least else he could not do it 3. All these he impudently claims as his own and in his power to dispose of promiseth to give them all to Christ 4. His only demand was Prostratus adora me do but fall down and worship me and all shall be thine Ap. A dangerous tentation and made up of lies and mischief how thâ—nk you would such a Promise have prevailed with many a Worldling Doct. Note That the glory of the world is a choice bait of the devil to catch and ensnare mens souls But mark how Christ doth answer this his most abominable presumption 1. To his Person 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Abi Satana Get thee hence Satan be gone blasphemous Devil This he spake with such Authority that he durst stay no longer 2. Then to his Temptation he takes up the same Weapon the Sword of the Spirit as before and out of those Scriptures Deut. 6.13 and 10.12 20. and 13.4 which Christ citeth thus Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and him only shalt thou serve Thou thinkest that if I do not worship thee then I am the Son of God but if I do then thou knowest I am not the Son of God Be gone Devil and know you that it is an universal Precept and Command upon every Creature To give divine honour unto God their Creator Ap. Thus the Devil by a threefold Temptation tryes to know who Christ is whether the Son of God or not and when all is done he is forc'd to be gone as wise as he came to him without any satisfaction Thus did he do by Christ viz. He did act as a friend in the wilderness or divine in the Temple a mighty Monarch in the world with great promises but prevailed not Ap. And if he did thus by our Saviour what will he not do by us he will try all his wiles and shapes Hence is the great difficulty of our right using welâ—ing arming this weapon well against him For sometimes he acteth as the Prince of Darkness then as the red Dragon as an Angel of light one while he tempteth to desparation then to presumption now he frights with Terrours the
frowns of men loss of preferment Then with promises of the worlds glory if you will worship him and of all desirable things as he did by our Saviour He tryes every way to seduce and destroy us and therefore we had need to learn the use of this Weapon very well to be ready to repel his manifold and various Temptations Take therefore the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God to resist the Devil that he may flee from you Jam. 4.7 II. The second Enemy to withstand with this Sword of the Spirit was the sins of great Men. How plain were the Prophets of old with Kings and Princes Samuel with Saul Nathan and Gad with David about Bathsheba and numbring the people Elijah with Ahab and with Jehoram also so also was Micaiah with Ahab and Jehu with Jehoshaphat for helping Ahab so Eliazer also for his joyning with Ahaziah Shemaiah with Rehoboam and a Prophet with Jeroboam and Amos also Hanam the Seer with Asa and another Prophet Amaziah Zechariah King Joash and Elisha with choram Jeremiah with Jehoiakim and Ezekiel with Zedekiah and John Baptist with wicked Herod Ap. Thus Kings and Princes of old did hear and bear the Rebukes of Prophets and those that did obey and reform according to their Counsel did fare the better And those that resisted and misused the Prophets for their labour did but resist to their own ruine and destruction Now the only thing that makes it so difficult to manage this sword against the Mighty is ☞ Because they do so harden themselves against Reproof and will endure no controul They are strait in Asas fit of anger 2 Chron. 16. for which he smarted Or else in Ahabs fury 1 Kings 22. Or like the Princes in Ieremiah's time that would never let him be quiet but vexed him with one thing or other Ier. 18.18 3. The Errours Heresies and evil Opinions of all ages and times These are another Enemy to be dealt with with this Weapon These are those Gordian knots that have always been cut asunder with this sword For this peruse the Rise and Ruine of Errours and Heresies out of the Antients and so from time to time 1. Yet these strengthen themselves mightily with that resolution mentioned by Augustine Nondum persuadebis etiamsi persuaseris They will not be converted though they be sufficiently convinced 2. They plead the Spirit as much as any but without trial though it be as much of delusion as confusion of which we have much experience 3. They cite Scripture this sword abundantly though miserably maimed perverted misinterpreted and misapplied to that purpose yet they will not see wherein they fail though their defects and mistakes be discovered with the clearest eye and doomed to silence by the most impartial judgement ☞ But it hath been their usual course to run themselves out of breath in their own endless Mazes till they fall asunder dissolve and vanish to nothing 4. The next enemy to encounter with this Sword is Self-seeking self-interests and Unrighteousness of men This practise is point-blank opposite and cross to that Grace of Self-denial so much recommended to us by our Saviour Christ Luke 9.23 If any man will come after me and practised by the Worthies of all ages who have denyed themselves in their own Will Mind and sinful Affections In the cases of Pleasure Profit Honor and Preferment 1. Thus did Abraham Gen. 13.8 In his Son as well as in his seniority to Lot his Nephew 2. Moses Exod. 32.10 When God promised him so and yet he did prefer the people before himself chusing affliction c. esteeming the reproach of Christ c. 3. And Iob 1.20 In the loss of all he submits and blesseth God 4. Wise Agur Prov. 30.2 I am more bruitish c. and know not 5. And the three Children Dan. 3.16 upon the utmost danger 6. The Prophets 1 King 13.7 That the man of God Jeroboams reward or Micaiah Ahabs threatnings Instance in Daniel Dan. 5.17 whom Belshazzars rewards could not divert from right Counsel vers 22. Dan. 6.10 Nor fear of Lions from the service of God by prayer 7. The Apostles Mat. 19.27 That forsook all to follow Christ Take St. Paul for instance Phil. 3.7 Less then the least of Saints Gal. 1.16 He conferred not with flesh and blood c. Rom. 9.1 He could wish himself accursed c. respective 8. Yea and Iesus Christ himself Phil. 2.6 who in the form of God c. Mat. 26.39 Not as I will but as thou wilt in his Agony 9. Besides The Widow of Sarepta 1 King 17.12 by her meal and oyl 10. And Esther the Queen Esth 4.16 By her life if I perish I perish 11. The Macedonians 2 Cor. 8.1 Who beyond their power 12. And those Hebrews Heb. 10.34 Who took joyfully the spoiling of their goods With many others which might be added to this Roll Martyrs and Confessors c. Who sought not themselves but the Lord Iesus Christ and loved not their lives unto the death Ap. But alas for grief how many of our times have walked quite contrary to this Precept and Practise who have sought rebelliously after higher places as Korah Numb 16.10 Absalom and Zimri did with many others And Bloodily after the life of others as Saul did 1 Sam. 20.1 And the Philistims 2 Sam 5.17 Absalom 2 Sam. 17.3 And Herod did Mat. 2.13 And Covetously after the Estates of others as Ahab and Iezabel did ☞ And by these I mean the Church and State-Robbers and Plunder-masters of our times 1. Who made a Self-denying Ordinance yet minded and practised nothing less but acted the contrary 2. Who did enrich themselves with their own unrighteousness and the Ruine of the Nation whilst they pretended nothing but the Common good if you would believe them and never would have a settlement but have continued our confusions to their advantages Ap. But now if you draw out this Sword and whet it against such These will ward off their blowes and shelter themselves and say You aim amiss to strike thus at them for they are innocent and their intentions were good that they had nothing but pay providence success lawful prize and due rewards for their service Their drift was to advance the Kingdom and Scepter of Jesus Christ and to make a thorow reformation when they acted and effected the deformation of all that is called Good Was ever any Nation thus beguiled c. These are just like those in Jeremiahs time who pleaded innocence and called themselves the Temple of the Lord Jer. 2.35 35. Nothing but innocence and piety when they were a cage of every unclean and hateful bird Rev. 18.2 A very den of Dragons to say no worse 5. The last Enemy we have to encounter with this Falchon the Sword of the Spirit is ☞ The unruly wickedness and head-strong transgressions of all sorts especially the Rude multitude and vulgarity of the people this Bellua multorum capitum multitudes who
lawful imployment the safer he is Diligence in Duty is our safety and Satan hath the less advantage against us The Bird upon the wing in flight is safe from Gun-shot till she stoop to the lure the Bait laid for her then she is in danger ☞ David in his Wars and Solomon whilest in pious Works of building the Temple were very right in their way But when at ease and out of good imployments each of them met with a fiery dart of the devil The first by anothers mans wife 2 Sam. 11. And the second by a multitude of Wives 1 King 11.1 which made a wound and left a scar almost indelible which before they were free from 3. It is by the instruction of this sword the word of God that Kings reign and Princes decree justice c. Prov. 8. That Kingdoms are established and prospered yea the very foundations of the earth were laid and the heavens established and all things governed by this Word Thit is the best sword of defence for any Countrey Nation or Kingdom yea and for the whole world Where this is wanting there is no safety but all goes to wrack The Nations are naked and exposed to all kind of Trouble Danger and Destruction 2 Chron. 15.3 to 7. ☞ In this lies the hope of Englands happiness and the misery and confusion of Infidels and Indians through the want of this 4. It hath a great influence upon life it self For by it our dayes are prolonged Deut 32.46 47. And the years of our life increased Prov. 9. By this our ways are made safe and our sleep secured Prov. 3.23 24. And our life it self is given and defended hereby Eccles 7.12 Wisdom is a defence and money is a defence but the excellency of knowledge is That wisdom giveth life to them that have it 5. By this Sword we do defend our selves in our best parts and abilities For by this our Souls are converted Understandings enlightned Thoughts purged Affections sanctified Wills confirmed to the Will of God Memories stored Consciences cleared Hearts changed cheared and comforted which before were as flint or Adamant 6. With this Sword we defend all our Graces Faith Hope Charity Patience Perseverance 7. With this Sword we do defend our selves from and against Idolatry Infidelity Heresie Strange Religions Mens Traditions Carnal security Presumption in iniquity Desperation of Mercy Idleness Evil Company Pride and vain Glory all manner of ungodliness and wickedness of Conversation usually practised by men in several kinds as you may see more at large in Mr. Tho. Becons Book intituled The Governance of Vertue printed above an hundred years ago 2. These things lead me to a second Use of Exhortation For since this sword of the Spirit is so exceedingly useful both for offence and defence 1. Let us be perswaded to let the Word of God dwell in us richly or plentifully as Col. 3.16 2. And let us labour to be like Apollo mighty in the Scriptures Acts 18.24 28. 3. And to use this sword so well in our several Stations Vocations and Occasions as that according to our ability and opportunity we may become instrumental that ignorant men may be instructed disordered men reformed dull Memories quickned cold zeal inflamed the afflicted comforted and the distressed relieved that errour may be convinced vice corrected death may be avoided and life eternal through Christ obtained In a word to conclude by this Word the righteousness of God is revealed the Church is sanctified and at last everlastingly saved and glorified in heaven so that we may well conclude with the wise man Prov. 8.34 35. He is a blessed man that heareth attendeth upon and gaineth wisdom by this word And with the Kingly Prophet his father Psal 19.11 That in the keeping and making a right use of this word there is true true safety as well as a great reward 7. This verse leads me to and gives us in the last piece viz. the 7th of our spiritual Armour wherewith to resist these mighty enemies before cited And this seventh piece of Armour is propounded last yet not as the least and most useless piece of the rest but of great concernment in reference to all the rest For we are commanded before Vers 10 11 13. To be strong in the Lord to take unto us and to put on the whole armour of God and how shall this be done without prayer to God to help us herein Besides how shall we get any good either in the way of offence or defence by all the former pieces viz. Truth Righteousness Gospel Faith Hope and the sword before named if God do not furnish us with them and give us wisdom and strength to make use of them aright until we have gained the victory Thefore to all these to bring up the rear and also to arm you compleatly add this seventh and last piece of our spiritual armour viz. Prayer and Supplication betwixt which I think you need not make use of that nice distinction betwixt them viz. That Prayer is put for Deprecation of some evil or temptation that it might not overtake us And Supplication is an earnest request to God for his help and grace against the evil of Temptations that may befal us 1 Cor. 10.13 There hath no temptation taken you c. So Paul did 2 Cor. 12.8 9. both the words being promiscuously used and usually taken for the same thing Now this last piece of our armour is both offensive and defensive it subdues our enemy and supports our selves and this Prayer and Supplication 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Oratio Obsecratio Arias Mont. Thus conjoyned together do intimate to us the very nature of Adoration when any one doth humble himself before God and doth ask any thing of him and doth imply 1. An acknowledgement of the Omnipotency c. of God and Christ and Ergo doth adore and obsecrate him as the only God and Saviour 2. And of his own Indigence which sets him upon supplication for help and this is the first condition of true prayer The conditions of Prayer are divers you have had the first And 2. The next is when you must pray 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Always i. e. in every opportunity as ost as necessity requires When Evils and Enemies invade and assail vs we had need fly to God and have recourse to Christ for help Psalm 50.15 Call upon me in the day of trouble I will deliver Luke 18.1 7 8. That men ought alwayes to pray Note That he speaks of free voluntary prayers and occasional Not of the ordinary prayers of the Church or several Families nor in favour of them that are ever babling as the Euchitae praying Hereticks who rejected all Ordinances Vocations Alsted Dr. Sclat p. 508. III. Prayer must be in the Spirit the holy Spirit is the procreant cause of our prayers and our own spirits must be set to work also it must not be only with our lips or in Hypocrisie as they did Esay 29.13
To prevent these miserable miscarriages consider well what and how you hear receive as our Saviour adviseth Luke 8.18 Take heed how c. Do as these noble Bereans did Acts 17.11 Receive c. with readiness of mind and search the Scriptures c. and try the spirits 1 Joh. 4.1 By the Touch-stone of Gods Word as Christ commands us John 5.39 Search the Scriptures and we must prove all things 1 Thes 5.21 And the Angel of Ephesus did try them that said They were Apostles but were not so but only liars Rev. 2.2 Thus must you do you must not believe every Teacher which will tell you he hath a Revelation c. For false Teachers will boast of the spirit but try whether they be of God by inspiration revelation or any lawful mission or commission try all by the rule of the Word and you shall be safe Thus much for the first great fault concerning giving and receiving in matter of Doctrine and publick instruction The next fault which is of very great concernment is in the Education of youth The miscarriage in which is almost incurable Education often mends or marres the man for ever What a charge doth God give frequently to the Jews concerning the Education of their Children How they should season them with the principles of true Religion and teach them what the Mysteries of God in their Sacraments Sacrifices c. did mean and what these things upon them by catechizing from time to time 2. And how doth Solomon carry on all the Counsel of his Book of Proverbs in the way of a Fathers instruction to a son Besides there have been Volumes written by worthy men concerning this Subject of the Education of youth yet nevertheless all that hath been commanded written or done in this case how great is the neglect of all sorts of persons generally in the performance of this good work to posterity whereby often times it befalls that multitudes of youths do receive in their tender yonger years and contract such habits as are very difficult to be cured by the best advised counsels reproofs or corrections that can be given so that oft it becomes their own destruction Look a little amongst the several ranks and degrees of men even the most eminent have been to blame in this As K. David was in the Education of an Absolom Adonijah His too much tenderness bred his grief and their smart in the end See 2 Sam. 14.25 1 King 1.6 He was in all likelihood affected with their beauty that he neglected his duty to rebuke them for their faults and you know what befel them both in the end This also was old Elies fault though otherwise a good man 1 Sam. 2.22 29. 3.13 Yet he said more to them then many in these times will do Look upon our Gentry and let them consider what Education Some they devote to travel in which for want of a good Tutor or Remembrancer sometimes they loose their Religion and perhaps Morality too See Bishop Hall's Quoâ—vadis c. Others being bred idle at home because ordinary imployments are thought too low and other things are too high for them to reach These may say Nos numeri sumus fruges consumere nati Some Gentry I doubt not do see and rue this miscarriage As for the Vulgarity for the most part they give such Education that the Children can only say I received and learned of my Parents to curse and smear and lye and steal c. and to be Telluris inâ—tile pondus good and fit for nothing but destruction a sad account this is but too true of multitudes so far are Men from acting the part of Timothies Ancestors O that this might be mended among us and we should be happy Most men are very apt to make great provision for their posterity and to leave rich portions of these earthly Treasures and Possessions to their Children But how few are solicitous to see the Image of Christ the Truth and growth of Grace the power of godliness imprinted and stamped upon and really ingrafted into their off-spring and posterity those under their Charge as the Apostle did Gal. 4.19 who did travel in birth of them until c. Men look upon Earthly Portions and possessions as things very desirable durable and of long continuance But heavenly graces the true Treasure and things of that Nature they look upon them as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as meer Notions vapors and vanishing Clouds and are ready to question whether there be any Reality or durable substance in them yea or no. Ap. Yet Experience doth instruct us daily how changeable and perishable the portions and possessions of this world have been and still are For how many mighty ones both in place and state in great dignity and abundance of superfluity of all things that you might think nothing could impair them have been brought down whilest mean men by the blessing of God have been Advanced not as many of late were but upon good ground and just desert To conclude When Pastors and Parents and all others concerned in this way of giving Councel and Instruction Education and Directions for the right ordering of Life when all these I say can give a clear account to God that all that they have done and given in that kind hath been right and according to Rule and hath been received and accepted accordingly O how good is it and comfortable both to Givers and Receivers and how bad is it when it is otherwise When Evil hath been given and Evil received and the Evil of eternal misery is the event of all Be we all warned each man do his duty and we all shall be happy The Pastors Labour Love have been handled in the two former parts of this Verse we are now upon the third particular viz. the peoples duty in which are four considerable particulars viz. a giver a receiver a walk and the manner and end of walking I have conjoyn'd the two first because Relative actions into one point Doct. Giving and receiving are mutual actions quae ponunt tollunt se invicem And Christians must take great care in both This was proved by Reasons drawn from the Giver end of giving gift it self and the danger of not receiving c. Vses were of Instruction to be very cautious in giving and receiving for lamentation in mis-giving and receiving especially in two Cases 1. Of doctrine and publick instruction and exhortation which hath marvellously miscarried of late and that because although the Doctrine delivered and given forth to others be never so vain and Erroneous and the Teacher never so inconsiderable or unreasonable yet multitudes of people drink in the doctrine of such Teachers as the thirsty earth doth Rain how hurtful and banefull soever it be to their poor deluded and dead souls 2. In the case of education of Youth which is miserably neglected in these our Times by almost all degrees ranks and sorts of
people of what condition soever they be neverthelesse the manifold Commands of God and the abundant Councel and Advice which is given in this particular Case I shall no longer insist upon this Point in any other instances or further Inlargements Only I shall pray heartily for the amendment of these fore-mentioned Faults which are of so much concernment to Church and Kingdom and to the right ordering of all publick affairs I do now descend to the rest of the peoples duty consisting in the walk and the manner and end of such walking Here in as in the former Point I shall conjoyn both these particulars into one main point of doctrine for our use which will make the Doctrine full and Use offectual Touching the walking in this Text you must understand that walking is appliable to God and man 1. To God and so it notes his presence Gen. 3.8 as in the Garden c. and providence for good or evil towards us Levit. 26.12 28. 2. To men it signifies the motion of the Body from one place to another in which is terminus à quo ad quem via per quam c. The whole progresse of mans Life in matters of Faith and Manners Gen. 5.24 Enoch Psalm 119.1 pasfim And hence observe this Doct. Every mans life is a walk and but a walk it begins at our Birth and ends at our Death and is but short at the longest In every life there are Terms viz. à quo ad quem via per quam and these terms do differ ex Diametro are quite crosse one to another according to the way in which we do walk For if our way be good then our Terms are from Satan to God Sin to Grace Hell to Heaven But if it be bad then our Termes are contratrary For this Walk is appliable to good and bad in their several wayes and this leads me to take in the rest viz. the manner and end of thus walking viz. so as to please God for this is the Consolation and this will be the perfection of a Christian and this makes the Point full being conjoyned together viz. Doct. Every mans life is to be ordered so that we may please God in our generation and in the course of our conversation This the Apostle prayes earnestly for viz. Thut we may walk worthy of the Lord to all well-pleasing Col. 1.10 This all will easily grant that we should all live to please God but the Businesse is not so easily done and upon due search we shall find it is a very hard work to live as we ought and here you may Dicotomize the world and all the ways terms of all men walking in the world all which are either pleasing or displeasing to Almighty God and this puts us upon one main Inquiry viz. Quest How should we so walk that we may please God and wherein doth this walking consist that we may discern for this being known we shall easily see who they be that displease God in the course of their life and practise Now in answer to the grand Question observe that the distinctive Notes and Characters of such as walk and do please God are such as these 1. They are such as walk with God as Enoch and Noah did in their Generations Cen. 5.22 and 6.9 And you know how God translated the one from Earth to Heaven so that he never saw death Heb. 11.5 and preserved the other with his whole Family in the general Deluge when the whole world besides was drowned Heb. 11.7 And all because they had this Testimony that they pleased God 2. And that walk before God as Abraham and David did in their time in integrity and uprightnesse Gen 17.1 24 40. 1 Kings 9.4 and David made use of all deliverances to this end Psalm 56.12 13. of his soul from death and feet from falling that I may walk before God c. ☞ These were men that so walked with and before the Lord that they made a progresse as Travellers do in a Journey in their holy path they were neither idle nor stood still much lesse were Retrograde or apt to Retreat they ran to the Goal and gained the Garland of Glory This is our duty God expected it and if we perform it God will crown it accordingly These walked not inordinately c. but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 exactly and according to Rule Eph. 5.15 Not after their own Fancies Imaginations inventions as many ignorant superstitious ceremonious Formalists and Fanaticks do to the great danger of their Souls and these men in their walk way and practice aimed not so much at the applause of men as the approbation and acceptation of Almighty God 1. Enoch walked not with the world but with God and God took him out of the world as too good to live in the same with such men 2 Noah was a Preacher of Righteousnesse in a most unrighteous Age when the earth was filled with violence as our Land was of late the old world did neither love him nor would hearken to him or Regard his preaching though for their own good the result of all was the Lord preserved him when the rest perished 3. Abraham believed in God in a most Idolatrous Age and walked before God when others forsook him the Result God blessed him abundantly called him his Friend Jam. 2.23 and gave him the honourable title of the Father of the faithfull Rom. 4.11 16. 4. And David was much afflected with the evils of his time insomuch that his Eyes gushed out with Rivers of water because men kept not Gods Law Psalm 119.136 These Evils he endeavoured to Represse as he was able Psalm 101. and God gave him the testimony of an upright heart 1 King 9.4 5. Many others did the like Princes Prophets Apostles the care of those men was to please God Had those men learned to smooth and slick to temporize humour and concur with the times c. sure they might have had the favour of the World in a very high measure for the World will love her own John 15.19 But this they sought not after it was besides and below them and hereupon this Record of Honour lyes upon all their Graves as well as upon Enochs that they pleased God Heb. 11.5 the reward of wel-doing is with them whereas had they walked with they had perished with the world 1. And those men that walk so with and before the Lord as those men Enoch c. did are said ever since to walk in Gods Lawes and Commandements in his Judgements Ordinances wayes and Pathes Psalm 119. passim in the name of the Lord Micah 4.5 not only in external profession but in the true Faith and Knowledge sincere Worship and Service of God Idolaters walked in the name of their Idols as Papists and others do but without any truth of faith or worship In the Spirit Gal. 5.16 i.e. By the directions of the Spirit of God suitable with the holy Scriptures
which were dictated by the same Spirit 2 Pet. 1.21 Many in our Times pretend to the Spirit marvellously and strangely but they lay the Scriptures aside By this you may know their Spirit to be a Spirit of Errour not of God but a delusion of the delusion of the Devil In newnesse of life Rom 6.4 Having Received a new life of Regeneration from Christ in whom they are ingraffed and now as graffs in the true stock do bring forth fruit accordingly In good works Eph. 2.10 which God hath ordained that we should walk in them Here try your works whether good or no All is not gold that glisters Hypocrisie vain-glory boasters bad ends are such as spoyl our seeming good works as with man these have been and are too frequent amongst us 2. These men that so walk as Enoch c. did are also said to walk in the old in the good way Jer. 6.16 Many pretend to Antiquity but are much mistaken as Papists for their Religion which indeed Statu quo Is but an upstart Sect a Novel invention Many Protestants also in respect of somethings which are now accounted old are much mistaken also Many would have things to be good because they be old but except you unite goodnesse to the oldnesse you say nothing The old mans hoary head is a Crown of Glory to him Prov. 16.31 Yea but how if it be found in the way of Righteousnesse but the old sinner of an hundred years old is accursed Esay 65.20 ☞ It is not simply the oldnesse but the goodnes of any thing that doth really commend it else sin is very old viz. from our fall in Paradise in the beginning all vice violence is very old viz. from before the Flood the old world was sick of it and God was sick of them for it and you know what befell them Gen. 6. Capitibus sequent Yet in Solomons sence all vice is but a new invention Eccl. 7.29 But mark his ground viz. because God made man righteous Gen. 1.27 Innocency was first and Christ the antient of dayes in the beginning Sin came in afterwards an egg of our own hatching Esay 59.5 So that Tertullians Rule is very true Quod antiquissimum est verissimum God is Truth it self who is from Eternity and innocency is of the Truth which was the first state of man Ap. Thus every thing the nearer it is to the Fountain the Original the truer it is in its own Nature Thus it is with Religion the way of our walk of old that Religion which kept closest to God his Word and Precept was best and this the idolatrous Israelites rejected So in the New Testament that Religion which is nearest to the Doctrine and practice of Christ his Apostles and primitive purity is the best which many Christians do marvellously swerve from Ap. Popish additionals and ostentous ceremonies c. do not add to but impair not beautifie but deform and deface the goodnesse of true Christian Religion power And thus we must reason with all Papists Idolaters and superstitious persons in the world whose Ceremonies and vanities are meer Novel Inventions and the very Ground-plot of all their novel Fancies and erroneous Opinions that have so pester'd the Church in our times For say they in effect If the Pope may propound what Rules he pleases and press them as lawes to be inviolably observed why saith the Pastor or principal person of each particular Assembly may not I do the same upon a better principle as they speak and by the Dictates of the Spirit though without the Word of God To close this this old way is applyable to divers things but I have given you Gage enough to judge of antient things by their goodnesse but not of their goodnesse by their Antiquity Choose the eldest things that be the best and as you are wise in your Choise so shall you be happy in the fruition of old and excellent things Thus much for the old way 2. Now next such are said to walk in the way of good Men in the paths of the Righteous Pro. 2.20 Phil. 3.17 i.e. after the best pattern and Presidents Men worthily Renowned and most fit to be imitated by others This Rehoboam did a little while viz. three years 2 Chron. 11.17 and so long he prospered but he soon grew weary of it and then many changes came upon him But Josiah that Renowned Reformer of Religion he clave more conscionably and constantly to the good wayes of David and walked in them irreversibly for which he is Renowned for ever and that upon Record to all Generations 2 Chron. 34.2 3. The men that walked as Enoch c. did are also said to walk or live by faith not by sight 2 Cor. 5.7 i.e. in belief and hope of things promised by God in his Word And to walk in Faith for else no pleasing God Heb. 11.6 Love Eph. 5.2 And in all things circumspectly Ephes 5.15 And in Truth 3 John 4. as the truth of Gods Word prescribes sincerely and constantly according to the Rule prescribed by the Apostle Gal. 6.16 peace shall be on them c. and after his Example Phil. 3.17 4. And lastly These men that thus Walk are said to walk worthy of their Vocation Eph. 4.1 and worthy of the Lord Col. 1.10 1 Thes 1.12 and that in all Wisdom Col. 4.5 and with all the Heart 1 King 8.2 3. i.e. in sincerity and integrity both objectivè and subjectivè the Rule and our selves They that walk otherwise may justly be said to walk by sence things obvious to sence are the utmost object of their care Not in faith towards God resting wholly upon him Nor in love towards others or themselves Heedlesly and at Random without circumspection and after their own Fancies Not in the Truth nor by the Rule or good Example further then they please Neither can they be said to walk worthy of either their Vocation or the Lord but crosse to both or wisely but foolishly that are only taken with toyes and trifles Or in integrity but in much partiality both in respect of the Rule of the Word some of which only they will make use of and of themselves some parts or powers they are content to employ for God and sometimes for some ends but not their whole selves either intirely or constantly And for the manner of these mens walking they walk honestly Rom. 13.13 1 Thes 4.12 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 decenter as well becomes us Vprightly and shall ascend Gods holy Hill and God will be their Sun Psalm 15.2 and a Buckler Pro. 2.7 and Gods Word doth them good Micah 2.2.7 Do not my words do good to him that walks uprightly in integrity Psalm 26.11 Pro. 19.1 and bumbly Micah 6.8 with their God so also they are said to walk At liberty Psalm 119.45 Not in sin but as freed from sin c. Surely Pro. 10.9 Upon sure ground Others on Quick-sands Safety Pro. 3.23 Under good wings of protection
Nature appear in time and succession so have their errours done yet to answer directly we are not ignorant when their Principal Deformities befel them the Councel of Trent with many Acts before and since fay enough to this but I wave this at present only this much let me say He is no studied Scholler that is not acquainted with the grounds of an unreconcilable difference betwixt us and Rome See Bishop Hall Dr. Gauden c. Thus let old Rome take the Glory of Religion as of old but now statu quo as it is a Religion made up only of Heathenism Judaism and antient Heresies they are become more then the parallel of Scribes and Pharisees whom yet they do much resemble in many things 1. None pretend to more piety and devotion and to the honour of Christ then they None perform less or do more dishonour Christ then they 2. The reject the Commandment of God to observe the Popes Decretals What he saith must be good though against the express Word of God 3. The Pharisees were very quarrelsome about their Ceremonies and superstitious observations so are these to the height 4. They presecuted the Lord Jesus the great Shepherd of the Sheep and at last put him to death as an Imposter Deceiver These persecute the Pastors of Christs Flock and slaughter the sheep of Christ from Generation to Generation in the most cruel and barbarous manner imaginable Thus do they imitate the Jewes the persecuting Priests the hypocritical vain-glorious Scribes and Pharisees of those times But yet our Papists stay not here but having rejected the Scriptures the word of God and betaken themselves to their unwritten verities as they call them c. To gain credit to these they have recourse as much as any to Dreams and Visions to Apparitions and Revelations to Extasies and Enthusiasms yea and Diabolical Delusions for many amongst them have been and are the most skilful and exquisite Conjurers and Necromancers in the world And all this is only by such tricks and lying Miracles to gain credit and reputation to their own inventions and de 〈…〉 These things do sufficiently evidence to all that and how the Romanists are fallen from being amongst the first of Christians To be the prime Fanaticks of the world and indeed the principal Authors Patrons and Incouragers of all those kind of people wheresoever For if Fanaticks do pretend much piety and devotion reject the Holy Scriptures be zealous of their own Superstitions and be very violent against them that oppose them and persecute them to the utmost and if they do lean to visions revelations strange miracles c. more then to the Word of God The persecuting Popish Priests c. do act all these things to the utmost ☞ And yet further if I should descend to their Devotions and Religions Performances c. I should lead you into an endless Labyrinth of Idol-imaginations and ridiculous inventions in which they out-strip the very Pagans c. there you shall see such Congies and Crowching such Beads and Babies such Altar-worship and Image-worship such Crossings and Cursings with book bell and candle such advancement of mans and abatements of Christs merits such Adoration of holy Reliques of I know not whom for they have their holy bones and holy stones holy rags and holy bags holy wells and holy bells c. holy graves and holy knaves For some of their Saints were never men and others no better then monsters of men surely never honest men at the best In a word for why should I be endless in this they have so much Vanity and Foppery in their divine service as doth far exceed either Pagan Jew or Hereticks other then themselves in their Religious performances 4. If you add their most unwarrantable uniting the Apocriphal to the Canonical Books of holy Scripture a if of the same Authority and Spirit And that intollerable errour of Transubstantiation rightly styled A Subabomination above all other evils as being a complicated errour against Reason Sense the nature of subsistences and things real in being Against Faith Scripture and the limits of true Religion an Errour of Blasphemy Cruelty and abominable absurdity in changing the food of our souls into corporal food making us Cannibals and Deniers of the true humane nature of Jesus Christ with some antiekt Hereticks In a word The vanities of their divine service are innumerable and their abominations intollerable They have maimed the ten Commandments wounded the Sacraments turned prayer into vain babling and Preaching into legendical lying They defile whatsoever they touch Even the best things that remain amongst them what with their Additions Diminutions strange Interpretation and injurious concealment from the people they do plainly dicover themselves to be the right successors of those Hypocrites the Scribes and Pharisees that did shut up the Kingdom of Heaven against men so that they did neither go in themselves nor suffer them that would to go in Mat. 23.13 Thus have they lost their wheat corn in a heap of chaff their Needle in a bottle of straw or mow their Pearl in a Dung-hil their true first and best Religion in a Colluvies a Sink a Quagmire a Quick-sand of Ceremonies Superstitions and humane Inventions so that upon the whole matter they are the greatest Schismaticks Fanaticks yea and Hereticks now throughout the whole world Now to conclude with these whose Errours admit no period and their Superstition no conclusion If God be well pleased with such toyes and trinkets with such fine babies and rattles fit to please Children c. then no doubt they are in the best way to please God and far beyond any others whose Devotions are not so attended with Pageants and brave shews as these be 1. But if the Lord shall say as to them of old Isa 1.12 Who hath required this at your hands to do as you do to sacrifice and to serve me in such a strange manner and then shall proceed against them as there he did against Judah and Jerusalem see vers 21.25 of that Chapter How is the faithful City c. 2. And if Christ shall say of them as he did of those hypocritical Pharisees saying In vain they do worship me teaching for Doctrines the Commandments Decrees These things do sufficiently evidence and Traditions of men and turn them off with an Ironical speech a scorn saying Full well i.e. full ill ye do reject or frustrate the Commandment of God that ye may keep your own Tradition as it is in Mat. 15.9 Mark 7.9 And then proceed against them with all those woes thundred out against Scribes and Pharisees their Compeers by our Saviours own mouth and inflicted and executed accordingly Mat. 23. per totum Alas What will then become of all 1. Their Will-worship ceremonious and superstitious Devotions 2. Their Tantalogical repetitions of the name of Jesus c. 3. Their Innovation of Saints Images and holy Reliques all will then prove to be no better then vain-babling or
God jointly and together Such are the Acts of Invocation of God by prayer with fasting sometimes as Dan. 10.2 3. or by lawful oaths whether assertory or promissory affirming some needful truth or promising some lawful and useful thing as oaths of judgement or of Allegiance giving of thanks by a celebration of God and giving him glory in the approbation admiration and right estimation of all his works By a confession of him and one faith in him Vel voce vel martyrio in word and deed in expression or martyrdome By an observation of such Ecclesiastical Rites and of such holy times as have warranty in the Word of God as in the right use of the Ordinances of God his Word and Sacraments and the observation of his Sabbaths and the like but be sure we walk not nor make progress in these things of divine Worship without a divine Warrant 2. To our selves in the exercise of those divine Graces and Vertues with which God hath endued us viz. Our Wisdom Courage and Temperance in the several branches of it viz. Sobriety Chastity and Vigilance c. as is requisite And in the study of true Glory by vertue These are good works and in these we should be exercised And as our good works do refer to God our selves 3. So also to our Neighbour in divers respects which do reflect upon the soul as well as the body such are 1. Humanity 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 wherein we express our love and good will to men in gesture word and convenient offices Pol. p. 312. 2. Civility in the moderation of our external manners and gestures towards others and that both in our language actions shunning scurrility and unseemly things and using Urbanity in a civil and seeming way 3. Christian Charity which is the mother and root of I. Liberality which communicates both Counsel and Comfort 1. Counsel when we impart our gifts for the good of others in reproving instructing admonishing or incouraging and praying for others To reduce them from evil and to excite you to that which is good These are good works Jam. 5.19 20. For if any of them do err from the truth c. And no less good than to pull an infant or weak person out of the fire or water to save them from perishing Jude 23.2 Comfort by lending and giving cheerfully and liberally according to our Ability to the relief of our brethrens necessity and especially to such as are godand of the houshold of faith Psalm 41.1 2 3. Isa 58.6 to 13. Gal. 6.10 II. True Friendship and amity both publick and private and that for piety and vertues sake as was betwixt Jonathan and David 1 Sam. 18.1 Pol. pag. 318. III. A mutual Sympathy both by commiseration and congratulation of our Neighbours both in their sorrows and joyes Rom. 12.15 IV. A readiness to procure anothers good both in his fame and goods his reputation and ectate Phil. 2.4 1 Thes 5.11 Thus Humanity Civility and Christian Charity do produce excellent good works for our Neighbours Peace Solace comfort and advantage Let me name one or two more which are viz. 4. The Exercise of the common justice righteousness and equity which should be amongst men in their affairs and dealings and this is either universal which consists in the agreement of our whole life with the Law of God and obedience to all those Laws in special which do most concern and belong to us or particular in the performance of those things wherein we stand bound to others in some peculiar manner This is either privative concerning our own Calling and Station and that both in our lawful obtaining it not by money or unjust means as in Papacy c. And our care to discharge our duty in our places with that sedulity and diligence which is requisite Rom. 12.11 and with that fidelity and trust that we may give up a good account of the same as modest Moses was in his place Heb. 3.2 5. Or publick in the Administration and Dispensation of Justice both commutative and distributive This Justice is a Verue of large Extent and hath an influence into our whole Lives and is the very Bond of all publick Societies and Communities and Affairs of Nations But I hasten for I may not inlarge upon such an ample Subject V. Lastly A restraint and Moderation of such inordinate motions of mind as usually arise from pride anger or desire of wealth or honour the common Make-bates of the World vid. Pol. page 314 315. But Cure the first by modesty humility and teachableneffe The second by meeknesse longanimity placability The third by contentment in every condition Phil 4.11 and by a serious and due consideration of the uncertainty mutability and vanity of all earthly contentments Honours Riches Pleasures all are vanity and vexation of spirit You have had the Point the Proof Explanation Doct. Increasing in Grace and abounding in good works is a Christians excellency as well as his Duty This was the Point for which you have had Scripture Instances Arguments or Reasons As also a view of the Grace which you are to encrease in and of those good works in which you are so to abound Concerning which good works you have had a view of the Rules of good works by which they are to be ordered of the works in themselves and that in their nature and Definition Names Number Causes and Species or kinds of good works and that in Respect of God our selves our Neighbour In all which if we did abound we should be sure to have peace with God and abundant comfort in our own consciences in the evidence of our Faith and of our implanting into Christ and that we are fruitfull Branches in him and that we and our works are accepted of God as Cornelius was Acts 10.2 4. and that our good works will never leave us but will attend and follow us as Rev. 14.13 both in Life and Death even as the shadow doth the Body untill they bring us to the Reward of well-doing the joy of our Lord in the eternal life of glory Mat. 25.21 23 34 46. Of God in all acts of piety true Devotion towards him Our selves in the way of Regularity exact Walking Our Neighbour in the works of Christian Charity in all which c. I have done with the proof and clearing of the Confirmation and Explication of the Point I do descend to the sixth and last thing in the method propounded viz. the Application which is manifold in the several Uses of Lamentation Reprehension Exhortation Examination and Consolation 1. Use is of lamentation and that upon this occasion ☞ Me thinks whilest we have been viewing these good Works before-mentioned we have been with Saint Paul in Paradise and have heard and seen strange and wonderfull things But now being descended with him to the Earth in the Use and Application of these things and to see what is done among men we may say with him that
so rich powerfull and gracious as cannot be expressed give good things yea and that most excellent gift of all even the holy Spirit to them that ask him as v. 13. This is a great Encouragement And thus much for this second Direction to gain the Spirit viz. Prayer 3. And lastly Obey the Spirit in the Motions and Excitements of it This is the good voyce behind us saying This is the way walk ye in it c. Esay 30.20 21. The Spirit doth this by the Word and faithfull Teachers and this is a special means to keep the Spirit once gained and to continue the Spirit of God with you ☞ Take special care that you neither resist nor grieve nor quench the Spirit Of which see Esay 63.10 Acts 7.51 Eph. 4.30 1 Thess 5.19 The Spirit of God in Scripture is put for either the person the gifts and gracious Endowments and the Motions of the Spirit these Scriptures cited do extend to all the three Only note that the Gifts are of three sorts tending to particular Callings as in Saul 1 Sam. 10.6 c. A Spirit for Government which was lost after a while General graces tending to sà nctification such as Faith in some kind Remorse for sin And joy in the Gospel in some measure Also a tast of the good Word of God Heb. 6.4 5. Ap. But of all these Hymeneus and Alezander made ship-wrack 1 Tim. 1.19 20. Such like the Corn sown upon the Rock Luke 8.6 13 may make a shew for a time but in time of Temptation fall away Cain Judas and Herod c. did look a litlle this way and many others but all came to nothing suddenly There is the Root and Habits of heavenly graces which are in the godly and these cannot be lost the Gates of Hell cannot prevail against them Mat. 16.18 to overthrow them Ap. Now to apply these Gifts qualifying to particular Employments as it was in Saul 1 Sam. 10.6 c. may be lost So also the gifts disposing to Sanctification may be as in Hymeneus and Alexander before-namd And for the best gifts the exercise of them may be intermitted as in David about Vriah As Sense and Reason are in sleep and passion the heat and fervor of Gifts may be abated in some measure as in Ephesus Revel 2.4 Suggestions and particular motions of the Spirit may be repelled And thus although habitus non amittitur Yet Actus intermittitur gradus remittitur as it befals too often to the dear servants of God Therefore to keep our spiritual gifts in Life and Vigor the means are 1. Exercise and Employment 2. Good conscience and holy Obedience 1 Tim. 1.19.3 Humility that conservatrix virtutum Bern. 4. The use of holy Assemblies Heb. 10.25 Neglect no means sanctified to work Establishment These things understood you may easily perceive what it is to grieve resist or quench the Spirit viz. 1. Grieving and vexing the holy Spirit Eph. 4.30 Esay 63.10 doth specially refer to the person of the Spirit to the holy Ghost the third person in the blessed Trinity Not as if he could grieve c. as we do but it is so spoken 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to our understanding as weak men that we may know how much it is against him when we by our obstinacy and stubbornnesse our manifold sins and rebellious do inforce him to withdraw himself and comforts from us as Ps 51.12 Restore doth intimate and to make us feel the fruits of his anger as a Father doth with grief behold those evils in his Children for which he must needs though unwillingly correct them instead of embracing them Thus the Spirit is grieved by our sins and Misdemeanors 2. Resisting the holy Spirit as it is charged upon them Acts 7.51 doth specially refer to the Motions of the Spirit which motions and suggestions whether secretly or openly by the Word of God his Messengers or otherwise are obstinately resisted and withstood by wicked and ungodly men and too often in some things by the dear Children of God 3. Quenching the Spiit doth specially refer to the Gifts of the holy Spirit which are as Fire to give Light to our Understanding heat and fervour to our Affections ☜ This sire must not be quenched but maintained as the Fire of the Altar which was never to go out Levit. 6.12 13. neither by violence put out nor by Negligence We must not stop restrain or abate of these gifts and motions of the Use and Degrees or fervour of any of them lest they be lost intermitted or impaired and our selves undone But we must stir them up by all good means ordained to that end as 2 Tim. 1.6 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Paul advised Timothy neglect the Fire and it will go out of it self the Fewel must be put up together to keep the Fire burning Let us take heed that we neither stop the Motions of the Spirit in our selves nor restrain the gifts thereof in others But rather let us use all good means that this Fire of the Spirit may alwayes be kept burning in us with Zeal for the honour and glory of God till we all appear before and shine in his presence being cloathed with his Eternal and everlasting Glory And thus much for the first and principal meanes of growth and proficiency of encreasing and abounding in good viz. the gaining and keeping of the Spirit the Principle of Life Quest Only thus much more If any shall ask how the Motions of Gods Spirit may be distinguished from diabolical delusions Answ I answer 1. By way of concession It is true that Satanical suggestions are oft subtilly contrived and cunningly coloured For Satan can transform himself into an Angel of Light and that lying spirit dares sometimes to counterfeit the Spirit of Truth 2 Cor. 11.14 ☞ Scarce ever was Heretick so impudent but pretended guidance by the Spirit of God So Anabaptists and others though they despise Authority and Vilifie all Ordinances yet pretend to Instincts and Revelations from the Spirit of God So did Montanus of old for his damned Errours of Whoredom Incest c. for he affirm'd himself to be the holy Spirit But for distinction betwixt these suggestions I answer To the Law and Testimony Esay 8.20 let that be your Rule if they speak not according to it c. see Deut. 13.1 2 3. of lying Wonders all must be suitable with the Word Expect not extraordinary Inspiration that is ceased God deals not now as formerly but by his Word Revel 22.11 which must not be added to or impaired but carefully observed by us If the suggestions be to any evil thing in the whole kind or by circumstance it is no divine motion but either a concupiscential phantasie James 1.14 Or a diabolical delusion as it was in Judas Joh. 13.2 If any motions lead us beyond our Callings or measure of Gifts be we jealous of them our Rule is to be wise to sobriety Rom. 12.6 and not to meddle with things