make a Will and settles his Estate upon such Persons as he names in the Will none else but they can lay claim to the Will so God makes a Will and Testament but it is restrained and limited to such as are sanctified and it is high presumption for any else to lay claim to the Will 4. There is no going to Heaven without Sanctification Hebr. 12.14 Without holiness no man shall see the Lord. God is an holy God and he will suffer no unholy Creature to come near him A King will not suffer a Man with Plague-sores to approach into his Presence Heaven is not like Noah's Ark where the clean Beasts and the unclean entred no unclean Beast comes into the Heavenly Ark. Though God suffer the Wicked to live a while on the Earth he will never suffer Heaven to be pestered with such Vermin Are they fit to see God who wallow in wickedness will God ever lay such Vipers in his bosom Without holiness no man shall see the Lord. It must be a clear Eye that sees a bright Object only an holy Heart can see God in his Glory Sinners may see God as an Enemy not as a Friend may have an affrighting Vision of God but not a beatifical Vision They may see the flameing Sword but not the Mercy Seat O then what need is there of Sanctification 5. Without Sanctification all our holy things are defiled 1 Tit. 1.15 Unto them that are defiled is nothing pure Under the Law if a Man who was Unclean by a dead Body had carried a piece of holy Flesh in his Skirt the holy Flesh had not cleansed him but he had polluted that Hag. 1.12 13. An Emblem of a Sinners polluting his holy Offering A foul Stomack turns the best Food into ill Humours An unsanctified Heart pollutes Prayers Alms Sacraments this evinceth the necessity of Sanctification Sanctification makes our holy things accepted an holy Heart is the Altar which sanctifies the Offering his Duties tho' they are not to Satisfaction yet to Acceptation 6. Without Sanctification we can show no sign of our Election 2 Thes. 2.13 Election is the cause of our Salvation Sanctification is our Evidence Sanctification is the Ear-mark of Christ's Elect Sheep Quest. What are the Signs of Sanctification Resp. 1. Such as are sanctified can remember a time when they were unsanctified Tit. 3.3 We were in our Bloud and then God wash'd us with Water and anointed us with Oyl Ezek. 16.9 Those Trees of Righteousness that blossom and bear Almonds can remember when they were like Aaron's dry Rod not one Blossom of Holiness growing A sanctified Soul can remember when he was estranged from God thro' Ignorance and Vanity and then Free-grace planted this Flower of Holiness in him Second Sign of Sanctification is the in-dwelling of the Spirit 2 Tim. 1.14 The Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us As the Unclean Spirit dwells in the Wicked and carries them to Pride Lust Revenge the Devil hath entred into these Swine Acts 5.3 So the Spirit of God dwells in the Elect as their Guide and Comforter The Spirit possesseth the Saints God's Spirit sanctifies the Fancy causing it to mint holy Thoughts it sanctifies the Will putting a new Byass upon it whereby it is inclin'd to Good He who is sanctified hath the Influence of the Spirit tho' not the Essence Third Sign of Sanctification is an Antipathy against Sin Ps. 119.104 An Hypocrite may leave Sin yet love it as a Serpent casts its Coat but keeps its Sting but a sanctified Person can say he not only leaves Sin but loaths it As there are Antipathies in Nature between the Vine and Laurel so in a sanctified Soul there is an holy Antipathy against Sin and Antipathies can never be reconciled Because he hath an Antipathy against Sin he cannot but oppose it and seek the Destruction of it Fourth Sign of Sanctification is the Spiritual Performance of Duties viz. with the Heart and from a Principle of Love The sanctified Soul prays out of love to Prayer he calls the Sabbath a Delight Isa. 58.13 A Man may have Gifts to Admiration he may speak as an Angel drop'd out of Heaven yet may be carnal in spiritual things his Services do not come from a renewed Principle nor is he carried upon the Wings of Delight in Duty A sanctified Soul worships God in the Spirit 1 Pet. 2.5 God doth not judge of our Duties by the length but by the love Fifth Sign A well-order'd Life 1 Pet. 1.15 Be ye holy in all manner of conversation Where the Heart is sanctified the Life will be so too the Temple had Gold without as well as within As in a Piece of Coyn there 's not only the King's Image within the Ring but his Superscription too without So where there is Sanctification there is not only God's Image in the Heart but a Superscription of Holiness written in the Life Some say they have good Hearts but their Lives are Vitious Prov. 30.12 There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes yet is not washed from their filthiness If the Water be foul in the Bucket it cannot be clean in the Well Psal. 45.13 The king's daughter is all glorious within There is Holiness of Heart her Garments are wrought of wrought Gold Holiness of Life Grace is most beautiful when its Light doth so shine that others may see it this adorns Religion and makes Proselites to the Faith Sixth Sign Stedfast Resolution he is resolved never to part with his Holines let others reproach it he loves it the more let Water be sprinkled on the Fire it burns the more He saith as David when Micol reproach'd him for Dancing before the Ark 2 Sam. 6.22 If this be to be vile I will yet be more vile Let others persecute him for his Holiness he saith as Paul Acts 20.24 None of these things move me He prefers Sanctity before Safety and had rather keep his Conscience pure than his Skin whole He saith as Iob My integrity I will hold fast and not let it go Cap. 27.6 He will rather part with his Life then his Conscience Use 1. See what is the main thing a Christian should look after viz. Sanctification this is the Unum necessarium Sanctification is our purest Complexion it makes us as the Heaven bespangled with Stars it is our Nobility by it we are born of God and partake of the Divine Nature it is our Riches therefore compar'd to rows of Jewels and Chains of Gold Cant. 1.10 It is our best Certificate for Heaven what Evidence have we else to show have we Knowledge so hath the Devil Do we profess Religion Satan oft appears in Samuel's Mantle and transforms himself into an Angel of Light But here is our Certificat to show for Heaven Sanctification Sanctification is the first Fruits of the Spirit the only Coyn will pass currant in the other World Sanctification is the Evidence of God's Love we cannot guess at God's Love by giving us
did not only leave his Harlots but did arise and go to his Father Luke 15.18 In true Repentance the Heart points directly to God as the Needle to the North-Pole Vse Let us all set upon this great Work of Repentance let us repent sincerely and speedily Let us repent of all our Sins our Pride rash Anger Unbelief Without Repentance no remission It is not consistent with the Holiness of God's Nature to pardon a Sinner while he is in the Act of Rebellion O meet God not with Weapons but Tears in your Eyes And to stir you up to a melting penitent Frame 1. Consider What is there in Sin that you should continue in the Practice of it It is the accursed thing Iosh. 7.11 It is the Spirits of Mischief distilled 1. It defiles the Souls Glory it is like a Stain to Beauty 'T is compar'd to a Plague-Sore 1 King 8.38 Nothing so changeth ones Glory into Shame as Sin 2. Without Repentance Sin tends to final Damnation Peccatum transit actu manet reatu Sin at first shows its Colour in the Glass but afterwards it bites like a Serpent Those Locusts Rev. 9.7 were an Emblem of sin On their Heads were Crowns like Gold and they had Hair as the Hair of Women and their Teeth were as the Teeth of Lions and there were Stings in their Tails Sin unrepented of ends in a Tragedy Sin hath the Devil for its Father Shame for its Companion and Death for its Wages Rom. 6.23 What is there in sin then that Men should continue in it Say not it is sweet Who would desire that Pleasure which kills 2. Repentance is very pleasing to God to Sacrifice like a broken Heart Psal. 51.17 A contrite and a broken Heart O God thou wilt not despise St. Austin caus'd this Sentence to be written over his Bed when he was sick When the Widow brought empty Vessels to Elisha the Oyl was poured into them 2 Kings 4.6 Bring God the broken Vessel of a contrite Heart and he will pour in the Oyl of Mercy Repenting Tears are the Joy of God and Angels Luke 15. Doves delight to be about the Waters And surely Gods Spirit who once descended in the likeness of a Dove takes great Delight in the Waters of Repentance Mary stood at Iesus Feet weeping Luke 7.38 She brought two things to Christ Tears and Oyntment her Tears were more precious to Christ than her Oyntment 3. Repentance ushers in Pardon therefore they are joyned together Acts 5.31 Repentance and Remission Pardon of Sin is the Richest Blessing it is enough to make a sick Man well Isa. 33.24 The Inhabitant shall not say I am sick the People that dwell therein shall be forgiven their Iniquity Pardon settles upon us the rich Charter of the Promises Pardoning Mercy is the Sauce that makes all other Mercies relish the sweeter it sweetens our Health Riches Honour David had a Crown of Pure Gold set upon his Head Psal. 21.3 But that which David did most bless God for was not that God had set a Crown of Gold upon his Head but that God had set a Crown of Mercy upon his Head Psal. 103.4 Who crowneth thee with Mercies But what was this Crown of Mercy You may see ver 3. Who forgiveth all thy Iniquity David more rejoyc'd that he was Crown'd with Forgiveness than that he wore a Crown of pure Gold Now what is it makes way for pardon of sin but Repentence When David's Soul was humbled and broken then the Prophet Nathan brought him that good News 2 Sam. 12.13 The Lord hath put away thy Sin Obj. But sure my Sins are so great that if I should repent God would not pardon them Resp. God will not go from his Promise Ier. 3.12 Return thou back-sliding Israel saith the Lord and I will not cause my Anger to fall upon you for I am merciful If thy Sins are as Rocks yet upon thy Repentance the Sea of God's Mercy can drown these Rocks Isa. 1.16 Wash ye make ye clean Wash in the Laver of Repentance Ver. 18. Come now and let us reason saith the Lord tho' your Sins be a Scarlet they shall be as white as Snow Manasseh was a Crimson Sinner but when he humblâ—d himself greatly the Golden Scepter of Mercy was held forth when his Head was a Fountain to weep for Sin Christ's Sides were a Fountain to wash away Sin 'T is not the greatness of Sin but Impenitency destroys The Jews some of them that had an hand in Crucifying Christ upon their Repentance the Blood they shed was a sovereign Balm to heal them When the Prodigal came home to his Father he had the Robe and Ring put upon him and his Father kissed him Luke 15. If you break off your Sins God will become a Friend to you all that is in God shall be yours His Power shall be yours to help you his Wisdom shall be yours to counsel you his Spirit shall be yours to sanctifie you his Promises shall be yours to comfort you his Angels shall be yours to guard you his Mercy shall be yours to save you 4. There 's much Sweetness in Repenting Tears The Soul is never more enlarged and inwardly delighted than when it can melt kindly for Sin Weeping Days are Festival Days The Hebrew Word to Repent Nicham signifies Consolari to takâ— Comfort Iohn 16.21 Your Sorrow shall be turned into Ioy. Christ turns the Water of Tears into Wine David who was the great Mourner in Israel was the Sweet Singer And the Joy a true Penitent finds is a Prelibation and Foretaste of the Joy of Paradise The Wicked Man's Joy turns to Sadness the Penitents Sadness turns to Joy Tho Repentance seems at first to be thorny and bitter yet of this Thorn a Christian gathers Grapes All which Considerations may open a Vein of Godly Sorrow in our Souls that we may both weep for Sin and turn from Sin If ever God restores Comfort 't is to his Mourners Isa. 57.18 And when we have wept let us look up to Christ's Blood for Pardon Say as that holy Man Lavae Domine lachrimas meas Lord wash my Tears in thy Blood We drop sin with our Tears and need Christ's Blood to wash them And this Repentance must not only be for a few days like the Mourning for a Friend which is soon over but it must be the Work of our Lives The Issue of Godly Sorrow must not be stopt till Death After Sin is pardoned we must repent We run afresh upon the Score we sin daily therefore must repent daily Some shed a few Tears for Sin and when their Tears like the Widows Oyl have run awhile they cease Many if the Plaister of Repentance begin to smart a little pluck it off whereas this Plaister of Repentance must still lie on and not be plucked off till Death when as all other Tears so these of Godly Sorrow shall be wiped away Quest. What shall we do to obtain a Penitential Frame of Heart
Grace in them Had they no Grace the Devil would not disturb them where he keeps possession all is in peace Luk. 11.21 his Temptations are to rob the Saints of their Grace a Thief will not assault an empty House but where he thinks there is Treasure A Pyrate will not set upon an empty Ship but that is full fraught with Spices and Jewels so the Devil most assaults the people of God because he thinks they have a rich treasure of Grace in their Hearts and he would rob them of that What makes so many Cudgels be thrown at a Tree but because there is so much fruit hanging upon it the Devil throws his temptations at you because he sees you have so much fruit of Grace growing upon you Tho to be tempted is a trouble yet to think why you are tempted is a comfort 3 The third Rock of support or comfort is that Jesus Christ is near at hand and stands by us in all our temptations Here take notice of two things 1. Christs sympathy in temptation 2. Christs succour in temptation 1. Christs Sympathy in our temptations Nobis compatitur Christus Heb. 4.15 We have not an High-priest who cannot be touch'd with the feeling of our Infirmities Jesus Christ doth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sympathise with us he is so sensible of our Temptations as if he himself lay under them and did feel them in his own Soul As in Musick when one string is touched all the rest sound So Christs Bowels sound we cannot be Tempted but he is touched If you saw a Wolf worry your Child would you not pity your Child You cannot pity it so as Christ doth tempted ones Christ had a fellow feeling when he was upon Earth much more now in glory Quest. But how can it stand with Christs glory now in Heaven to have a fellow-feeling of our miseries and temptations Answ. This fellow-feeling in Christ ariseth not from any infirmity or passion but from the mystical union between him and his Members Zach. 2.8 He that toucheth you toucheth the Apple of mine Eye Every injury done to a Saint Christ takes as done to him in Heaven every temptation is a striking at Christ and he is touch'd with the feeling of our temptations 2. Christs succour in temptation as the good Samaritan first had compassion on the wounded Man there was Sympathy then he poured in Wine and Oil there was succour Luke 10.34 So when we are wounded by the Red Dragon Christ is first touched with compassion and then he pours in Wine and Oil Heb. 2.18 in that he himself hath suffer'd being tempted he is able to succour them that are tempted The Greek word to succour 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies to run speedily to ones help so fierce is Satan so frail is Man that Christ who is God-man runs speedily to his help When Peter was ready to sink and said Lord save me Christ presently stretched forth his hand and caught him So when a poor Soul is tempted and cries to Heaven for help Lord save me Christ comes in with his Auxiliary Forces Noscit Christus our Lord Jesus knows what it is to be tempted therefore is so ready to succour such as are tempted it hath been an observation that child-bearing Women are more pittiful to others in their Travails than such Women as are Barren So the Lord Jesus having been in Travail by Temptations and Sufferings is more ready to pity and succour such as are tempted Concerning Christs succouring the Tempted consider two things 1. Christs Ability to succour 2. His Agility to succour 1. Christs Ability to succour Heb. 2.18 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he is able to succour them that are tempted Christ is call'd Michael Rev. 12.7 which signifies Who is like God Tho' the Tempted Soul is weak yet he fights under a good Captain The Lion of the Tribe of Iudah When a tempted Soul fights Christ comes into the Field as his Second Michael will be too hard for the Dragon when the Devil lays the Siege of a Temptation Christ can raise the Siege when he please He can beat through the Enemies quarters and can so rout Satan that he shall never be able to rally his forces any more Jesus Christ is on the Saints side and who would desire a better Live-guard than Omnipotency 2. Christs Agility in succouring As Christ is able to succour the tempted so he will certainly succour them Christs power inables him his love inclines him his faithfulness engageth him to succour tempted Souls This is a great comfort to a Soul in Temptation he hath a succouring Saviour as God did succour Israel in the Wilderness among fiery Serpents they had the Rock set abroach the Manna the Pillar of Cloud the Brazen Serpent what was this but a Type of Gods succouring a poor Soul in the Wilderness of Temptation stung with the Devil that fiery Serpent Alexander being asked how he could sleep so securely when his Enemies were about him said Antipater is awake who is always vigilant So when our tempting Enemy is near us Jesus Christ is awake who is a Wall of Fire about us There is a great deal of succour to the tempted in the Names given to Christ. As Satans names may terrifie so Christs names may succour The Devil is called Apollyon the Devourer Rev. 9.11 Christ is called a Saviour the Devil is call'd 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Strong man Mat. 12.29 Christ is call'd el Gibbor the mighty God Isa. 9 6. the Devil is call'd the Accuser Rev. 12.10 Christ is called the Advocate 1 Ioh. 2.1 The Devil is called the Tempter Mat. 4.3 Christ is called the Comforter Luke 2.25 The Devil is call'd the Prince of Darkness Christ is call'd the Sun of Righteousness The Devil is call'd the Old Serpent Christ is call'd the Brazen Serpent that Heals Iohn 3.15 Thus the very names of Christ have some succour in them for Tempted Souls Quest. How and in what manner doth Christ succour them that are tempted Answ. Several ways 1. Christ succours them by sending his Spirit whose works it is to bring those promises to their mind which are fortifying Iohn 14.26 he shall bring all things to your remembrance The Spirit furnisheth us with promises as so many Weapons to fight against the old Serpent Rom. 16.20 the Lord will shortly bruise Satan under your feet 1 Cor. 10.13 God will not suffer you to be tempted 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 above that ye are able Gen. 3.15 The Seed of the Woman shall break the Serpents Head We are oft in times of Temptation as a Man that hath his House beset and cannot find his Weapons he hath his Sword and his Gun to seek now in this case Christ sends his Spirit and he brings things to our remembrance that help us in our Combat with Satan The Spirit of Christ doth to one that is tempted as Aaron and Hur did to Moses they put a Stone under him and held up his Hands and
then Israel prevailed So Gods Spirit puts the Promises under the Hand of Faith and then a Christian overcomes the Devil that spiritual Amalek The Promise is to the Soul as the Anchor is to a Ship which keeps it steddy in a Storm 2. Christ succours them that are tempted by his blessed interceeding for them When the Devil is tempting Christ is praying Of this the next timer 2. Christ succours his Saints by interceeding for them when Satan is tempting Christ is praying That prayer Christ put up for Peter when he was tempted extend◠to all the Saints Luk. 22.32 Lord saith Christ it is my Child that is tempted Father pitty him when a poor Soul lies bleeding of his wounds the Devil hath given him Christ presents his Wounds to his Father and in the virtue of those pleads for Mercy How powerful must Christs Prayer needs be He is a Favorite Iohn 11.42 He is both an High-Priest and a Son if God could forget that Christ were a Priest yet he cannot forget that he is a Son besides Christ prays for nothing but what is agreeable to his Fathers Will if a Kings Son Petitions only for that which his Father hath a Mind to grant his suit will not be denied 3. Christ succours his People by taking of the Tempter a Shepherd when the Sheep begins to straggle may set the Dog on the Sheep to bring it nearer the Fold but then he calls off the Dog again God will take of the Tempter 1 Cor. 10.13 He will with the Temptation make a way to escape 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he will make an Out-let Christ will rebuke the Tempter Zach. 3.2 The Lord rebuke thee O Satan This is no small support that Christ succours the Tempted The Mother succours the Child most when it is sick she sits by its Bed-side brings it Cordials So when a Soul is most assaulted it shall be most assisted Object But I have dealt unkindly with Christ and sinn'd against his Love and sure he will not succour me but let me perish in the Battel Answ. Christ is a merciful High-priest and will succour thee notwithstanding thy failings Ioseph was a Type of Christ. His Brethren sold him away and the Irons entered into his Soul yet afterwards when his Brethren were ready to die in the Famine he forgot their injuries and succoured them with Money and Corn. I am saith he Ioseph your Brother so will Christ say to a tempted Soul I know thy unkindnesses how thou hast distrusted my Love grieved my Spirit but I am Ioseph I am Jesus therefore I will succour thee when thou art tempted 4. Rock of support The best Men may be most tempted A rich Ship may be violently set upon by Pyrats He who is rich in Faith yet may have the Devil that Pyrate set upon him by his battering pieces Iob an eminent Saint yet how fiercely was he assaulted Satan did smite his body that he might tempt him either to question Gods Providence or quarrel with it St. Paul was a chosen vessel but how was this vessel battered with Tentation 2 Cor. 12.7 Object But is it not said he who is born of God the Wicked one toucheth him not 1 Joh. 5.18 Answ. It is not meant that the Devil doth not tempt him but he toucheth him not that is tactu lethali Cajetan with a deadly touch 1 Joh. 5.16 There is a sin unto Death now Satan with all his Temptations doth not make a Child of God sin a sin unto Death Thus he toucheth him not 5. Rock of support Satan can go no further in tempting than God will give him leave The power of the Tempter is limited A whole Legion of Devils could not touch one Swine till Christ gave them leave Satan would have sifted Peter to have sifted out all his Grace but Christ would not suffer him I have prayed for thee c. Christ binds the Devil in a Chain Rev. 20.1 If Satans power were according to his malice not one Soul should be saved but he is a Chained Enemy this is a comfort Satan cannot go an Hairs breadth beyond Gods permission If an Enemy could not touch a Child further than the Father did appoint sure he should do the Child no great hurt 6. Rock of support It is not the having a Tentation makes guilty but the giving consent We cannot hinder a Tentation Elijah that could by Prayer shut Heaven could not shut out a Temptation but if we abhor the Temptation it is our burden not our sin We read in the old Law if one went to force a Virgin and she cried out she was reputed innocent If Satan would by temptation commit a Rape upon a Christian and he cries out and will not give consent the Lord will charge it upon the Devils score It is not the laying the Bait hurts the Fish if the Fish doth not bite 7. Rock of support Our being tempted is no sign of Gods hating us A Child of God oft thinks God doth not love him because he lets him be haunted with the Devil non sequitur this is a wrong conclusion was not Christ himself tempted yet by a Voice from Heaven proclaimed This is my beloved Son Mat. 3.17 Satans tempting and Gods loving may stand together The Goldsmith loves his Gold in the Fire God loves a Saint tho shot at by fiery Darts 8. Rock of support Christs Temptation was for our consolation aqua-ignis Jesus Christ is to be looked upon as a publick person as our Head and Representative and what Christ did he did for us His prayer was for us his suffering was for us when he was tempted and overcame the temptation he overcame for us Christs conquering Satan was to shew that every Elect Person shall at last be a Conqueror over Satan when Christ overcame Satans temptations it was not only to give us an example of Courage but an assurance of Conquest We have overcome Satan already in our Head and we shall at last perfectly overcome 9. Rock of support the Saints Temptations shall not be above their strength The Lutenist will not stretch the strings of his Lute too hard lest they break 1 Cor. 10.13 God is faithful who will not suffer you to be tempted 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 above that ye are able God will proportion our strength to the stroke 2. Cor. 12.9 My Grace is sufficient for thee The Torch-light of Faith shall be kept burning notwithstanding all the Winds of Temptation blowing 10. Rock of support these temptations shall produce much good 1. They shall quicken a Spirit of Prayer in the Saints they shall pray more and better Temptation is orationis flabellum the exciter of Prayer perhaps before the Saints came to God as cold suiters in Prayer they pray'd as if they pray'd not temptation is a Medicine for security When Paul had a Messenger of Satan to buffet him he was more earnest in Prayer 2 Cor. 12.8 Three times I besought the Lord the Thorn in the