are united unto him abiding in him and he in us John 15. 4. There the soul is cleansed from sin and the new life of Grace is begun in it Col 2. 12. as to habit by the holy Spirit then â— B. D. in Col. given unto it Acts 2. 38 39. This Habit doth not act it cannot presently in Infants it doth not in any though baptized at ripeness of years until the Spirit which worketh where when and how it listeth John 3. 8. pleaseth to stir it up For which he takes his own time Luke 16. 17. Mat. 20. 1 3 5 6. It is then stirred up when being drawn by the Father we come unto Christ John 6. 44. Gods ordinary way of drawing is by teaching and instructing of man by the preaching of the Word John 6. 45. Rom. 10. 14. The Word Preached is the ordinary means to beget and stirre up Faith and all other Graces in the heart Rom. 10. 14 17. Faith stirred up begins to work by Love in an holy Life Gal. 5. 6. And when it thus works in any answering Gods call with a good Conscience 1 Pet 3. â—1 then is Christ actually received into the soul John 1. 12. then is it evident that he is effectually called 2 Pet. 1. 5 6 7 8 10. That his Baptism was unto him a Laver of Regeneration and that then he was renewed by the Holy Ghost Tit. 3. 5. The Word preached however hath not this power in it self though delivered by one never so holy never so able never so zealous It is but the Instrument of the Spirit 2 Cor. 3. 8. Who by it Instructs the Understanding John 6. 45. Moves the Affection Acts 16. 14. Inclinâ—â— the Will 2 Cor. 4. 7. Man propounds the Doctrine of Faith Rom. 10. 17. The Spirit stirs up the assent of the heart to embrace it Acts 16. 14. The Preaching of the Word then being Christ's only ordinary way to change the heart to stirre up Faith as also to encrease it and all other Graces 1 Pet. 2. 2. My Bowels cannot but yern over my poor Brethren throughout the Kingdom and I cannot but heartily pity beâ—oan and pray for the return unto Christ's Fold of those his wandring sheep those â—educed souls who being miâ—led by blind Guids stumble in their waies from the ancient paths to walk in paths in a way not cast up Jer. 18. 15. Refusing to walk in the old paths where is the good way Jer. 6. 16. Forsaking the Fountain of living waters for broken Cisterns Jer. 2. 13. Leaving the healthful Pool John 5. 4. For stinking Sinks and Puddles Withdrawing from and slighting the Preaching of the Word and despising the lawful Ministers thereof â— As for their deceiving deceived Teachers 2 Tim. 3. 13. St. Paul shews Whose Ministers they are 2 Cor. 11. 15. What their Practise is v. 13. What their Aim Col. 2. 18. What their present Desert Gal. 5. 12. What without repentance their future Reward â— 2 Cor. 11. 15. When the lawful Ministers of Christ faithfully dispensing of the Mysteries and winning souls unto him shall shine as the stars for ever and ever Dan. 12. 3. Obs The Word Preached by a Lawful Minister is Christ's ordinary way for changing of the heart Texts Rom. 1. 15 16. The Gospel preached is the power of God unto Salvation to every one that beleeveth Heb. 4. 12. The Word of God preached v. 2. is quick and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit and of the Joynts and Marrow and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart Inst. Lydia hearing Paul preach the Lord opened her heart that she attended unto the things which were spoken by him Acts 16. 14. Three thousand were converted at Peter's Sermon Acts 2. 41. Reas 1. God hath appointed that it shall be so Isa 55. 11. 2. It is the only ordinary means to beget Faith in the soul Rom 10. 14 17. 3. It is the Instrument of the Spirit 2 Cor. 3. 8. 4. For the Glory of Gods Wisdom and Power in confounding the wise by foolish things mighty things by weak things things that are by the base and despised things of the world yea by things which are not 1 Cor. 1. 27. 28. Use 1. Wouldst thou be hired into the Vineyard Stand in the Market place Mat. 20. 3. Wouldst thou be cured Wait at the Pool Joâ—n 5. 3. Attend upon the Means If God hath given thee to Christ thou shalt come unto him John 6. 37. but in his time and way 2. Pray unto God that the door of thy heart may be opened otherwise the door of utterance opened to the Minister will be in vain Col. 4. 3. 3. Barrenness under the Means is dangerous Heb. 6. 7. 4. Slight not Preaching God is pleased by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe 1 Cor. 1. 21. 5. They who will not hear Moses and the Prophets will not be perswaded though one rose from the dead Luke 16. 31. 6. Account the Feet of them that preach the Gospel of Peace beautiful Rom. 10. 15. Esteem them very highly in love for their works sake 1 Thes 5. 13. 7. They that despise them despise Christ and God himself Luke 10. 16. Resol I am but thy earthen Vessel the excellency of the Power is of thee O God I will as my duty is present thy Treasures unto thy people not handling thy Word deceiâ—fully but by manifestation of the truth commend my self unto every ones Conscience in thy sight 2 Cor. 4. 2 7. Of whom is all my sufficiency 2 Cor. 3. 5. Ejac. O let thy holy Spirit work in me mightily that with all Faithfulness preaching Christ the hope of Glory I may labour and strive according to his working to warn those whom thou hast entrusted me with and to teach them in all wisdom that I may present them perfect in Christ Jesus Col. 2. â—8 29. Paral. The Vision in General Obs Heavenly Visions are to be observed OUR Lord Christ when he lived upon the earth his constant way of teaching was by Parables Mat. 13. 34. This way before his Inâ—arnation he frequently used Numb 12. 6. In Dreams and Visions of the night and now still he useth it though not so commonly Acts. 2. 17. For a Vision is nothing else but a Parable or certain visible words in an Emblematical way represented before the eye of the mind when the outward senses are bound up with sleep It is an acting of that before the eye of the soul for its clearer Information and that it may there take the deeper impression which spoken to the â—ar awake would not so much be minded and attended unto by reason of the multiplicity of diverting cares business passions c. A Parable in it self being only the first part of a similitude is aenigmatical and dark but add the Interpretation it is plain to an easie capacity Of Visions there are three sorts Natural usually arising
from the multitude of business Eccles 5. 3. Not to be heeded but by the Physitian as they may somtimes be caused by the temper of the Body Diabolical which are filthy superstitious deluding forbidden as by no means to be observed Deut. 13. 1 3. Heavenly proceeding from God Acts 26. 19. Known to be such by their agreeableness unto his Word and whereby he is pleased more evidently to manifest his Will touching things past present to come Such was this which was now represented before the eye of my soul That every one is bound to believe and diligently to endeavour to gain a particular assurance unto himself of his salvation is evident 2 Pet. 1. 10. 2 Cor. 13. 5. This Assurance is to be attained By the Light of Faith John 3. 36. By the Presence of the Spirit in the Soul 1 John 4. 13. By the Testimony of the Spirit Rom. 8. 16. By applying of the Promises with Comfort Hebr. 6. 18. By Confidence in Prayer Heb. 10. 22. Which Assurance when in some measure attained the Lord by special Revelation if he so please may make it yet more evident and more strongly confirm it as he did To Peter 2 Pet. 1. 3. To Paul 2 Tim. 4. 8. as Augustine observes on that place To the Apostles Luke 22. 29 30. To the Seventy Disciples Luke 10. 20. To my self in this Vision Or he may reveale unto man his Salvation without a former assurance of it as To Mary Magdalen Luke 7. 47 48 50. To the Malefactor on the Cross Luke 23. 43. I was never a waiter for Revelations The Scripture is full and contains enough to bring us to Heaven â— Tim 3. 16 17. Nor have I been an Observer of Dreams I know that in them are divers Vanities Eccles 5. 7. This how long and how much I slighted it I have before set down But being now so freshly and strangely brought back unto my memory I could not but take special notice of it as I do of the way of Gods dispensation in discovering of its meaning First He only in an evident way manifested unto me so much of it as in answer to my Prayer served to settle me touching those missed expectations My entertainment whereof with due thankfulness and blessing of his Name prepared the way for a further discovery For many moneths after having upon his former lateâ— great Mercies a perswasion raised in me that as to my soul I was in a happy condition and being desirous to attain a more evident assurance thereof I purposely made choice of that text to preach upon both to my self and my people 2 Pet. 1. 10. Wherefore the rather give diligence to make your Calling and Election sure Wherein I took some pains and before I had fininished it I was made clearly to understand the meaning of my Apprehenders hand being taken off me at the Prison Gate of my descent into the Building those most material things in the Vision touching my soul which before I had not so much as minded The faithful Witness who cannot lye in whom all Gods Promises are Yea and Amen 2 Cor 1. 20. so making good those unto me Seek and ye shall â—ind Mat 7. 7. To them that seek for Glory Honour and Immortality he will render eternal life Rom. 2. 7. And that with such a strong undoubted and full perswasion that nothing can ever move me from it Which unspeakeable Mercy I trust by Gods powerful support and assistance I shall alwaies be so far from abusing that as thereupon the Comforts of my soul are unutterable so I shall strive to the utmost in my power earnestly beseeching his help without whom I can do nothing John 15. 5. To proportion my Love and Thankfulness to the greatness of it Luke 7. 47. To purifie my soul from sin 1 John 3. 3. To walk holily and without blame before my God Eph. 1. 4. To fear and serve him in truth with all my heart 1 Sam. 12. 24. To go on chearfully and confidently in mine obedience unto his Will Psal 119. 32. With all diligence putting in practise those duties as all other to which he hath now directed me from Heaven This high favour for which I can never sufficiently magnifie my Gracious Lord was revealed To me seeking for assurance of mine effectual Calling Do thou seek and trust the Lord Christ upon his Promise To me who had been so wicked a man O with me give God the Glory of the riches of his Mercy And whosoever thou art that readest this though thy sins be never so â—ainous despair not of it To me a lawfully called setled Minister maintained by Tithes O slight not this eye-salve from Heaven Rev. 3. 28. Open your eyes poor blinded people The Lord open them for you that you may see and return from the errours of your waies Obs Heavenly Visions are to be observed Texts Joâ— 33. 14. In a dream in a Vision of the night c. Then he openeth the ears of men and â—ealeth their instruction c. Acts 2. 17. Out of Joel 2. â—t shall come to pass in the last daies I will pour out of my spirit upon all flesh c. and your young men shall see Visions and your old men shall dream Dreams Inst Peter thought on the Vision of the great Sheet wherein were all manner of Beasts creeping things and Fowls and doubted in himself what it should mean Acts 10. 17 19. The Lord spake to Paul in the night by a Vision be not afraid c. Acts 18. 9. Reas 1. God calls by them to repentance Job 33. 14 c. 2. They are a means of enlightning Acts 10. 28. 3. They are given to profit withal 1 Cor. 12. 7. Use 1. Compare them with the Word that thou maist be sure they are from God Acts 2. 2 3 4 16. 2. Mind diligently what Gods end is in them Acts 10. 28. 3. Pray to God to enlighten thee that thou maist understand them Mat. 13. 36. 4. Improve them for thine own for others benefit 1 Cor. 12. 17. Resol Sâ—nce thou hast given me O Lord this manifestation of thy Spirit to profit withal as I am stedfastly purposed to obey thy will as to my self thy Grace assisting so I will and cannot but speak those things unto others for the good of their souls which I have seen and heard Acts 4. 24. O Lord for thy Servants sake and according to Ejac. thine own heart hast thou done all this Greatness in making known all these great things O Lord there is none like thee neither is there any God beside thee 1 Chron. 17. 19 20. The Vision AT London I was apprehended by a shag-hair'd Fellow without an Hat of a deformed Countenance He led me on I knew not whither untill we came unto a Prison scituated where Westminster-Hall stands at the Entrance into the Hall The Front of the Prison was toward the Thames The Gate was wide and stood wide open The chief Prison-House was
not able to perform I will therefore trust in the most High through whose Mercy it is that I have not been moved Psal 21. 7 11. Ejac. How safe is the Heritage of thy Children O Lord whosoever shall gather together against them shall fall for their sakes Isa 54. 15. 17. The Deliverance Paral. I. Circ My Apprehenders hand was taken off me Obs When the Lord Christ pleaseth to free Corruption can no longer enslave THat they who are ordained unto eternal life to that glorious Inheritance of the Saints in light may be partakers thereof there is pre-required a certain meeâ—ness in them Col. 1. 12. This they have not neither can have while in the state of nature 1 Cor. 15. 50. That therefore they may be â—itted for it it is necessary That they be drawn out of their natural estate That they be set in the state of Grace They are drawn out of the state of Nature by being freed from the power of Darkness Col. 1. 13. They are set in the state of Grace by being translated into the Kingdom of Christ Col. 1. 13. To whom it belongs to work these great works for them he alone being able to do them Luke 11. 22. That he had wrought them for me he was now pleased clearly to manifest unto me In my Apprehender's hand being taken off me he shewed me that he had freed me from the power of darkness from the power of reigning sin and so from the power of Satan of Hell In my descent into the Building which soon after followed he shewed me that I was now become a Member of his true Church and so set in the state of Grace His first great work for me was to deliver me from the power of darkness It cannot be believed that these mine enemies in whose snares I was taken out of a willingness now to be rid of me did of themselves offer me this opportunity to escape Their Consultations certainly were not so deep nor they so secure that they minded not him whom they concerned Corruption doth more value his pains and diligence and the huâ—gry Lion doth not so easily part with his prey whereof he is seized How came I then to be set at liberty They were out-witted and out powered The Lord Christ the great Counsellour the mighty God Isa 9. 6. defeated all their Contrivances enervated their strength and in despite of them rescued and wrested me out of their hands Powerfully as to them Col. 2. 15. In a way of Justice as to his Father Col. 1. 20. Innocent He had payed his precious Blood for my soul 1 Pet. 1. 19. His Innocency redeemed me being guilty His rich Price which he payed impoverished Satan His Bonds â—ettered him freed me Thus the Serpents head was broken Gen. 3. 15. by him to whom it was deâ—ervedly granted that he should divide the spoil with the strong because he poured out his soul unto death Isaiah 53. 12. But shall the Prey be taken from the mighty or the lawful Captive be delivered Yes it shall it was it could not be otherwise when now the Lord my Saviour my Redeemer the Mighty one of Jacob was pleased to contend with those that oppressed me and to save me The Captive of the Mighty was taken away and the prey of the Terrible was delivered Isa 49. 24 25 26. Obs When the Lord Christ pleaseth to free Corruption can no longer enslave Texts Luke 11. 21 22. When a strong man armed keepeth his Palace his goods are in peace but when a stronger than he shall come upon him and overcometh him he taketh from him all his Armour wherein he trusted and divideth his Spoyles John 6. 37. All that the Father giveth me shall come to me Inst Zacheus though Chief of the Publicans men esteemed by Christ no better than Heathen Mat. 18. 17. Though a rich man and such shall hardly enter into the Kingdom of Heaven Mat. 19. 23. Yet when Christ called him he made hast and came down and received Christ joyfully Luke 19. 2 6. Saul when breathing out Threatnings and slaughter against the Disciples and going purposely to Damascus with authority to bind and bring those to Jerusalem that he should find there of that way upon the Apparition and Voice from Heaven waâ— changed and submitted himself to Christ's Will Acts 9. 1 2. Reas 1. The Holy Spirit by whom the Soul is freed is a God of irresistible power A rushing mighty Wind filled the House c. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost Acts 2. 2 4 2. The Debt being discharged the Prisoner is to be released Col. 2. 14. Use 1. The Godhead of the Spirit proved 1 Cor. 2. 10. 2. Bless him who hath paid thy Debt Col. 2. 14 3. Take heed of running upon a new Store Psal 85. 8. Resol Thou hast given Commandment to save me wherefore my mouth shall be filled with thy Praise and Honour all the day For they are confounded and brought to shame that sought my hurt Psal 71. 3 8 24. Ejac. Into thine hand I commit my Spirit thou hast redeemed me O Lord God of Truth and hast not shut me up into the hand of the Enemy but hast set my Feet in a large room Psal 31. 5 8. Paral. II. Circ My Apprehenders hand was taken off unexpected Obs Effectual Calling is of Gods Free Grace THat God alone is able to change the Heart is Clear Grace is a participation of the Divine Nature And who can communicate the Divine Nature unto man but only a Divine Power 2 Pet. 1. 3 4. There is nothing in the Soul out of which it may be produced as therein potentially contained Mans recreation then must necessarily be effected by that Almighty Power that at the first made him of nothing Ezek. 11. 19. But may not man deserve this Change May he not walk so exactly by Natures Rule as that God in equity cannot deny his Grace unto him No This Grace is free this Love undeserved What is in the sick Patient to deserve that the Physitian should seek him out to cure him What in an Enemy to deserve Reconciliation from him to whom he hath given just cause to hate him Yet when I was sick and languishing my Physitian sought me to recover me My highly provoked God when I was his Enemy was pleased freely to be reconciled unto me Col 1. 19 10. My Apprehender had hold of me The Jaylor was ready to take me into his Custody The Prison gaped for my Entertainment The Grates were strong to secure me No visible help to rescue me Nothing in me to deserve Compassion Deliverance Yet then was the Lord pleased not for my sake but for his own Holy Names sake to pity me to put a new Spirit in me to save me from all mine Enemies from all mine uncleannesses Isa 31 21 26 31. Well may I now to the Glory of my Almighty and Compassionate Redeemer take up those words of his Church whereof I am now
not but do lye Behold I will make them to come and worship before thy Feet Inst Mary Magdalen so notoriously drowned in voluptuousness that she is branded with the name of sinner Luke 7. 37. as if all others had been Saints to her Yet she had seven Devils cast out of her Mark 16. 9. Her sins which were many were forgiven her Luke 7. 47. The Thief on the Cross a wicked Malefactor though he had but newly mocked Christ Mat. 27. 44. and reviled him Mark 15. 32. Yet but a little before his death had his heart changed and was received to Mercy Luke 23. 40 43. Reas 1. To shew his Almighty Power Eph. 4. 8. 2. To shew forth his Long suffering towards sinners 1 Tim. 1. 16. 3. For the greater Glory of his superabundant Grace Rom. 5. 20. 4. To lay the greater obligation unto Love and Thankfulness upon that soul so recovered Luke 7. â—2 Use 1. Let not the most wicked cast away all hope The day of Mercy lasts till death Luke 23. 43. John 9. 4. 2. Sin not that Grace may abound Rom. 6. 1. 3. Defer not thy Repentance Hear Gods Call to day Psal 95. 7. Presumptuous delaies are dangerous Mat. 24. 48 50. 4. Strive to proportion thy thankfulness to the greatness of the Mercy vouchsafed unto thee Luke 7. 47. Resol I will praise the Lord my God with all my heart I will glorifie his Name for evermore for great is his Mercy toward me who hath delivered my Soul from the lowest Hell Psal 86. 12 13. Ljac Much hath been forgiven me O that I could love thee answerably to thy great Mercy Lord thou knowest I love thee John 21. 15. Paral. V. Circ I ran from my Apprehender Obs Man effectually called hath a Will and Power to flee from sin AS it was not in me to free myself from my Apprehender so neither was it in me as of myself to flee from him That alone Divine Power which secretly and unexpectedly had freed me did both stir up my Will and enable me to make an escape Such is Christs goodness to sinful man that he is so faâ— from taking pleasure in his death that his desire is that he should turn from his wicked ness and live Ezek. 33. 11. He prayes and beseecheth him by his Ambassadors to be reconciled unto God 2 Cor. 5. 20. He stands at the door of the heart and knocks that He may be entertained Rev. 3. 20. He waits there with much patience until his head Is filled with dew and his Locks with the drops of the night Cant. 5. 2. In a word What can be done more than he doth to bring him to himself Isa 5. 4. And yet how few are there that open at his knock that answer to his Call What 's the Reason They are while in their natural estate so foundly asleep in sin Eph. 5. 14. So dead in it Eph. 2. 1. that they cannot hear they cannot open 2 Cor. 3. 5. There is no way then but for himself to open the heart to receive him to open the ear of the heart to hearken unto him This he doth but not unto all The Reprobate is outwardly called but it is only to leave him without excuse John 15. 22. His Elect Children they with the outward Call of the Word receive the inward and effectual Calling of the Spirit Acts 16. 14. Whereby Faith is infused for the enlightning of the before-darkned Understanding Eph. 1. 17 18. Grace is conferred for the changing and healing of the before-depraved Will Eph. 4. 24. The Will thus changed God's Image in which man was created and which by his own negligence he had lost is again restored in the sanctification of all the powers and inclinations of the Soul and in their conformity to the Will of God Eph. â— 24. To which Will he now yields all ready obedience Acts 9 6. Flying from sin and doing what is acceptable unto him Col. 1. 10. For the performance whereof he hath received upon his Change not only a will but a power having a new spiritual being infused into him 2 Cor. 5. 17. He lives a new life and hath in him a new Principle upon which follow new operations A new Principle not inbâ—ed Concupiscence but infused Grace New Operations or Fruits not those works of the Flesh Gal. 5. 19. But the Fruits of the Spirit v. 22. In which he now lives v. 25 and walking after it doth no longer fulfil the lusts of the Flesh v. 16. But dayly mortifies them more and more Col. 3. 5. Being thereunto assisted by a continual Supply of Grace from above John 15. 4 5. Which special assistance though Adam needed it not in his state of integrity being wholly void of Corruption yet the effectually-called by reason of the continual importunities and assaults of the Flesh can do nothing without it John 15. 5. Let it be withdrawn how weak is man David Peter and other of the Saints have â—ound the sad experience hereof My self unworthy to be numbred amongst them even while studying of this Parallel was taught to know the necessity of it Our endeavours in goodness are none unless stirred up and vain when stirred up unless he please to assist from above who worketh all our works in us and for us Isa 26. 12. Who worketh in us both to will and to do of his good pleasure Phil. 2. 13. Obs Man effectually called hath a Will and Power to flee from sin He hath a Will Texâ—s Luke 15. 17 18. And when he came unto himself he said c. I will arise and go to my Father and say to him c. Make me as one of thine hired Servants John 6. 44. No man can come to me except the Father draw him Inst Peters Auditors being upon his Sermon pricked at their hearts said unto him and to the rest of the Apostles Men and Brethren what shall we do Acts 2. 37. The Jaylor upon his Conversion came trembling and fell down before Paul and Silas and said Sirs What must I do to be saved Acts 16. 29 30. He hath a Power to flee from sin Texts 1 Cor. 15. 10. Not I but the Grace of God which was with me 2 Cor. 6. 1. We as Workers together with him beseech you that ye receive not the Grace of God in vain Inst Timothy is commanded to â—lee youthful lusts 2 Tim. 2. 22. The Colossiâ—ns are exhorted to mortifie their earthly Members Col 3 5. Reas He is a new Creature 2 Cor. 5. 17. He hath a new spiritual being infused into his soul and with it new Powers and Faculties by which he is enabled to will and act according to that new life that is in him Gal. 5. 25. Use 1. Man is not able to change his own Will John 1. 13. 2. Be diligent in exercising of that Power wherewith thou art indued 2 Pet. 3. 18. 3. Pray for assisting Grace that thou mayest be strengthened with might by the Spirit in the inner
which he encreaseth by degrees 2 Cor. 10. 15. There is a passing on from strength to strength Psal 84. 7. Gods righteousness is revealed from Faith to Faith Rom. 1. 7. And this improvement ought to be observed and may with ease be known First we are Babes 1 Pet. 2. 2. And so grow up observeably when grown towards perfection of Manhood in Christ Ephes 4. 13 14 16. Obs The effectually-called may discover and ought to observe how sin is weakned in them and how far they are improved in Grace Texts 2 Cor. 4. 16. Though our outward man perish yet the inward man is renewed day by day 2 Cor 6. 1. We beseech you that you receive not the Grace of God in vain Inst St. Paul counted himself not to be perfect not to have apprehended Phil. 3. 12 13. The Church of Thyatira is commended in that her last works were more than the first Rev. 2. 19. Reas 1. That they may be thankful to him by whom they are bettered Rom. 6. 17. 2 Thes 1. 3. 2. That they may be quickned to a further improvement Eph. 5. 8. 2 Tim. 1. 6. Use 1. There is no perfection here Sin may dayly be more weakned Grace more improved Phil. 3. 12. 2. Reach forth to those things that are before Phil. 3. 13. 3. Bless God for thine Improvement It is he that worketh in thee to will and to do of his good pleasure Phil. 2. 13. 4. Fall not from thy first love Rev. 2 4. Resol I will go from strength to strength until I appear before my God in Zion Psal 84. 7. Ejac. Remember not O Lord the sinful barrenness of my Youth O grant that being now planted in thine House I may still bring forth fruit in mine age and that I may be fat and flourishing Psal 92. 13. 14. Paral. VIII Circ Looking back I saw a Gentleman who having stopped my Pursuer was beating of him Obs The Holy Spirit restrains Corruption in the effectually-Called ALthough I had made an escape and he who had brought me forth into a large place was pleased to make my way perfect to enlarge my steps under me that in my flight my Feet did not slip Psal 18. 32 36. And though I had gotten some way before my Apprehender yet he followed hard after me saying unto himself I will pursue I will evertake saying of my soul there is no help for him in God Psal 3. 2. God hath forsaken him I will persecute and take him for there is none to deliver him Psal 71. 11. But behold as formerly enlargement so help unexpectedly did arise unto me from him who had commanded deliverances for me Psal 44. 4. He who at first had taken his hand off me did now withhold him and would not suffer him again to lay it upon me Such is the weakness of a Christian though effectually called that in the course of his life Corruption doth often captivate him Rom. 7. 23. and endeavours what in him lies to reduce and subject him again to the Dominion of Satan But in these his Assaults and prevailings yet here is our Comfort here our Help We have an High Priest who in all points was tempted like as we are though without sin and so is touched with a feeling of our Infirmities Heb. 4. 15. Who in that himself hath suffered being tempted is able to succour those that are tempted Heb. 2. 18. And according to this his Power he doth succour them in time of need He takes off the edges and Points of whatsoever weapons are formed against them Isa 54. 17. He hath given his Angels charge over them to keep them in all their waies Psal 91. 11. He ever liveth to make Intercession for them and is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him Heb. 7. 25. He strengthens them with all might according to his Glorious power Col. 1. 11. He backs and encourageth them by his Spirit John 15. 26 He communicates his Victory unto them John 16. 33. He will shortly bruise Satan and their Corruption under their feet Rom. 16. 20. And through him that loves them they shall in the end be more than Conquerers Rom. 8. 37. Thus he that abideth under the shadow of the Almighty none evil shall befal him The Lord shall cover him with his Feathers he shall trust under his wings his Truth shall be his shield and buckler Psal 91. 1. 4. 10. Obs The Holy Spirit restrains Corruption in the effectually-Called Texts Psal 118. 13. Thou hast thrust fore at me that I might fall but the Lord helped me 1 Cor. 10. 13. God is faithful who will not suffer you to be tempâ—ed above that yeare able to bear but will with the temptation also make a way â—â— escape Inst. The Lord troubled the Egyptians and took off their Chariot-wheels that they drave them heavily Exod. 14. 24 25. Elisha said unto his Servant fear not for they that be with us are more then they that be with them c. And behold the Mountain was full of Horses and Chariots of fire round about Elisha 2 Kings 6. 16 17. Reas 1. He knows we have to deal with a powerful enemy Eph. 6. 12. 2. He knows and pities our weakness Heb. 4 15. Use 1. The effectually called are weak unable of themselves to master their Corruption Rom. 7. 18. 2. Pity thy weak Brother when fallen and restore him in the spirit of meekness Gal. 6. 1. 3. Fear not thine enemy God is on thy side Rom. 8. 31. 4. Pray for assistance Exod. 17. 11. 5. Trust in God he will make perfect his strength in thy weakness 2 Cor. 12. 9. Resol I will lift up mine eyes unto the Hills whence cometh my help my help cometh from the Lord which made Heaven and Earth Psal 121. 1 2. Ejac. Stand up for my help O Lord stop the way against them that persecute me Say unto my soul I am thy salvation Psal 35. 2 3. Paral. IX Circ The Gentleman beating of my Pursuer had pulled him down upon his knees by his long Hair Obs Upon effectual Calling the Spirit usually first weakens Corruption by taking the heart off from all Affected Vanities and Pleasures THE Hair too short is superstitious or servile too long the shameful shameless dotage of the Times as much unmanly 1 Cor. 11. 14. This of my Pursuer as before I look upon as a cautionary Item against that and all other Vanities and Pleasures whatsover With this about the hair amongst many in my younger years I was much transported at the time of my last happy unsettlement with others more prevailing But the great work being done my heart was wholly taken off from them and set upon those better things from which they had been too long too powerful avocations No man can serve two Masters Mat. 6. 24. How can Gods Service but be neglected by him who serves his own pleasure 2 Tim. 3. 4. The tast of it dulls the souls Appetite
The right hand or right eye if they offend must not be spared but cut off or pulled out That soul that can mince its sins is it not a little one that can excuse its Sins it doth not truly hate them When a man can say to his before dailing sin as the Prophet commands to be said to Idolatrous Relicks get thee hence or as Ephraim repenting of his Idolatry What have I to do with Idols It discovers a hearty vehemency and earnestness in his hatred against sin 3. The Saints in their hatred of sin must beware of Inconstancy they must never again be reconciled unto it or so much as enter into a Truce or Parly with it St. Augustine in his Confessions saith of himself that his old Favourites his sins which he had left pulled him by the sleeve of his Flesh suing to be re-entertained but he shook them off There must be no more turning to the vomit of sin not only as to act but not so much as in the least unchecked reflexion of the thought Where true hatred of sin is it will be universal vehement constant Act 4. The last Act of true Repentance is contained in the changing of the mind and it is resolution against sin and for better Obedience for the time to come Without such Resolutions the mâ—nd is not changed but continues the same and so long it is impossible that the soul should be setled Gods Favour regained and Peace obtained This changing of the mind St. Paul cals transforming or renewing of the mind Rom. 12. 2. A being renewed â—n the spirit of our minds Eph. 4. 23. It is called a coming to a mans self Luke 15. 17. When the Prodigal came to himself he said I will arise and go unto my Father When he came to himself there was the change of his mind till then he went on in his folly and madness of sin and upon this his change he resolves within himself and saith I will arise and go c. And until it cometh to this that a mans Will is let and bent against sin and for holiness that he would not do that which is evil and would do that which is good as St. Paul speaks Rom. 7. 19. Till it be thus there is no settlement no peace to be expected A man may know whether he hath entertained such resolutions or not in his heart by these discoveries Marks 1. By the sâ—mness and fixedness of his resolutions He is stedfast and unmoveable 1 Cor. 15. ult He that is thus resolved it is not an easie temptation that shall unsettle him He will break through all difficulties and go on notwithstanding any opposition whatsoever No Adversaries 1 Cor. 16. 9. Not a Lion in the way Prov. 22. 13. shall daunt him to turn him back Thus Joshua was resolved I and my House will serve the Lord. So David here in the Text I will hear what the Lord will speak 2. Where the mind is thus resolved there will be a cherishing of such resolutions A wicked man may somtimes have thoughts of leaving such or such a sin but finding that it will not consist with his profit or pleasure so to do such his thoughts are soon smothered and do quickly vanish But the truly penitent soul whose mind is changed and he resolved against sin and upon better obedience he will as Paul exhorts 1 Thes 5. 19. take heed how he quencheth the Spirit in him from which he knows such resolutions do proceed 3. He will be very watchful over his enemies For he knows that though while he continued in his Folly of sin they let him alone and did not trouble him Yet now having shkaen them off he shall not be so rid of them but that they will use all the means they can to regain him into their power The Devil will tempt the Flesh dispose and the World allure and therefore he knows he must stand upon his Guard continually and watch them and their wayes of assault lest he be again foyled by them 4. A man that is thus resolved there shall hardly a word thought or action pass from him without strict examination Did I not offend God in it in such a Company at such a time did I not neglect a fair opportunity of doing good of glorifying God Did I not give occasion of scandal to the weak Did I not seem to countenance such a sin c. Thus the truly penitent soul that is resolved against sin and for holiness will call his wayes to remembrance and will sift and winnow them that if he hath done evil he may be humbled for it and may walk more waâ—ily and circumspectly for the time to come 5. He will endeavour faithfully and speedily to put these his resolutions in exâ—cution and to derive them into act For he knows that all a mans purposes and resolutions they are but empty nothings without practise without fruitfulness The Moralist directs that upon just and irreconcileable distast between friends they should as it were unpick their love by a gentle withdrawing of their affections from each other We must not deal so by our beloved sins but must rend our affections from them and break off from them by righteousness Dan. 4. 21. 6. He that is thus resolved being sensible of his own weakness and how easily he is foyled and overthrown unless the Lord help him he directs his Prayer unto him with all earnestness beseeching him to work for him and in him by his good Spirit to support and uphold him by his Almighty power to enable him by his Grace to do and act according to his resolutions that for the time to come he may discover temptations resist sin and walk more holily before God 7. Lastly He is exceedingly grieved that he is no better that he can â—o no better that he is so weak and so easily prevailed over He is assured that his Will is rightly disposed to will is present with him but because he finds that notwithstanding the Spirit is willing yet the Flesh is weak and he hath no power in himself to do according as he will this makes him mourn and bewail his weak condition Means 2. The second Means for resetling and recovering the wounded Spirit and obtaining its peace is Faith in Christ Sin estrangeth from God By Faith we come unto him Heb. 11. 6. By sin our Souls are defiled By Faith they are purified Acts 15 9 By sin we provoke God By Faith we please him Heb. 11. 6. By sin we make God our Enemy By Faith we are at peace with him Rom. 5. 1. Yet it is not every kind of Faith that makes our peace with God A general assent unto whatsoever God hath revealed in his Word which is called an Historical Faith For a man to believe that the Word is the very Word of God and proceeded from him that Christ came into the world to save sinners that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish c. to
believe this is not enough to settle the soul and to make its peace with God For notwithstanding such Faith a man may go to Hell And indeed such Faith is in the Devils themselves they believe and tremble James 2. 19. No it is a particular applying Justifying Faith which is the Soul setling and Peace obraining Faith The truth of the Word or the Word â—f Truth is the general Object of Faith But that Faith which must settle the soul and obtain its Peace must be fixed upon and eye a more particular Object namely the free Promises of Grace and Pardon in Christ which promises it layes hold upon and brings home to the soul by a particular application in assurance that the soul is a sharer and interessed in them upon which assurance all the tempests in the wounded spirit are allayed all the disturbances removed all the Fears of enmity and wrath do vanish and a sweet calm settlement and peace do follow thereupon in the soul Where I touched before upon Faith I spake of it as in its dayly exercise in the fruits of true Obedience and having its residence in a soul at peace with God which is the constant Attendant upon such Faith I now speak of it as reâ—iding in an unsetled soul and by reason of the folly of sin inâ—errupted in the exercise which notwithstanding the soul stretcheth forth as its yet benummed hand to lay hold upon the promises of the Gospel for the re obtaning of its lost Peace though it do nor as yet can apply them with the like strength of assurance as when it was more lively and the Spirit did more evidently act in it However it is living and true and may be known to be such and to be in the soul by these Discoveries Marks 1. He that hath it though it continues so weak and benummed as I said that it is not able to apply a promise yet such a man believes that his sins and follies be they never so heinous yet are pardonable that Gods Mercy to poor sinners is not limited to the number or quality of their sins but be they never so many never so heinous of never so deep a slain or loud a cry committed with never so high a hand yet the Lords Mercy is above them all And as he believes that they are pardonable so he gaspes and longs and earnestly desires that they may be pardoned and he sends up earnest and strong cries to the Throne of Grace that the Lord would pardon them Now these Gaspings Groanings Longings Desires and Cries of his soul do discover the Spirit of God to be in such a man For they proceed from the Spirit Rom 8. 26. It is the Spirit which in the sinners soul makes Intercession for him Postulat id est postulare facit It makes him send up unutterable cries and Groans unto the Throne of Grace for Mercy So S. Augusline interprets the place Now where Christs Spirit is there Christ himself is And where Christ and the Spirit are there must necessarily be Faith though but in a weak measure for they dwell not in a faithlesse soul 2. A man may know whether he hath true Faith or not by the Testimony of the Spirit which bears witness to his spirit that he is the Child of God Rom. 8. 16. This Spirit he is sealed with Eph. 1. 14. And it makes him to cry Abba Father The Spirit bears witness It perswades him to an assurance that he is Gods Child and hath Faith As if the Spirit were pleased to say to the weak Believer that doubts of his Faith Dost thou question whether thou hast Faith or not Be assured that thou hast I tell thee so who know thy heart better then thou thy self dost I tell thee so who am the Seal of thine Adoption God knows thee to be his Child by this his Mark and Seâ—l which he hath set upon thee even mee his Spirit without which he would never own thee as his Son Now it is thy Faith which made way for this thy Sonship Christ upon thy receiving of him upon thy believing in his Name gave thee power or priviledge and it is no mean one to be the Son of God He is however he now beholds thee with an eye of displeasure he is I say thy Father therefore go unto him and call him so and by that name sue unto him for mercy say Abba Father I have sinned against Heaven and against thee I am unworthy to be called thy Son Yet I beseech thee to have mercy upon me according to thy Fatherly goodness God delights that thou shouldst call him Father He is the Father of Mercies and will not deny Mercy to his now humbled Child 3. This Faith is known by that Confidence and boldness in a man to approach unto the Throne of Grace for the obtaining of Mercy and finding Grace to help in time of need Heb. 4. 16. The soul never stands in more need of Mercy of Grace of Help then when it lieth groaning under the burden of sin under the deep Wounds of the Apprehension of loss and fear of wrath it is then a sit Object for Mercy and Grace Now if in this distressed condition a man can come with boldness to God for Mercy and Help it is a most certain and strong evidence of true Faith When a man can take a Promise suppose this in the Text and spreading it before the Lord can press him with it and say Lord thou seest my sad condition thou knowest my soul in this mine adversity thou seest how it is perplexed and troubled I am now come unto thee for peace and settlement and I come with an assured Confidence that I shall obtain it â—or here is thy Promise of it this I lay claim to and thou canst not but perform it For thou art not as man that thou shouldst lye O be pleased then to make good this thy Promise unto me O speak peace to mine unsetled Soul and make the bones which thou hast broken to rejoyce He that can come unto God with such boldness and confidence he may assuâ—e himself that he hath true Faith For it is that which makes way for the souls access unto God It is that which makes the soul thus bold confident in its approaches and assurance of obtaining of what it sues for See a clear place for it Eph. 3. 12. In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the Faith of him 4. This particular Promise-applying Faith is known by thâ—t delight which a man takes in the Word wherein the Promises are contained It is sweeter then honey or the hony Comb to the truly Faithful Soul Ps 19. 10. There it tasts truly the sweetness of the Lord Christ Ps 3â— 8. The sweetness of his Grace and Favour 1 Pâ—t 2. 3. in those Promises which there it â—inds and meets withal When turning over the sacred Pages it lâ—ghts upon â— Promise and the Book of God is full
man Eph. 3 16. 4. Give God the glory both of thy willing and acting what is good Phil. 2. 13. It is not of him that willeth nor of him that runneth but of God that sheweth mercy Rom 9. 16. 5. If sin be not more and more weaâ—ned in thee it is thine own Fault James 1. 14. Resol Old things are past away and all things are become new 2 Cor. 5. 17. I will now exercise that power wherwith I am endued in dayly mortifying of the old man with his Members and putting on the new man with his Graces Col. 3. 5 12. Ejac. To will is present with me but how to perform that which is good I find not Rom. 7. 18. O my Lord Christ do thou assist me For without thee I can do nothing John 15. 5. Paral. VI. Circ My Apprehender pursued me Obs Corruption pursues the effectually-called to re-inslave them THis brings to mind a Passage in my first distemper which may here not unseasonably be related I was walking by an hedge side and not far before me perceiving a Snake to draw back into an out growing shrub when I came at it I looked down and espying of her put down the end of my staffe upon her head and thought I had dispatched her Returning that way again and looking in to see what was become of her she being come to her self dâ—rted out and striking at my foot had bitten and spoyled me had I not been there well fortified Thus Corruption though Christ by his death hath bruised and broken his head yet assaults and would sting the soul were it not strengthened against its attempts by a stedfast Faith in him Eph. 6. 16. Upon the account of their Baptism St. Paul salutes the Ephesians by the name of Saints Eph. 1. 1. The soul is sainted or sanctified in Baptism by being by vertue of Christs Death and Resurrection into which we are baptized Rom. â— 3. cleansed from sin and endued with an habit of Grace infused Acts 2. 38. Where foreseen Infidelity doth not interpose a Bar. When the Lord is pleased to stir up this habit to manifest it self in act and exercise for which he takes his own time Mat. 20. 1 3 5 6. then are we effectually called The Souls true Sanctification being the end of our effâ—ctual Calling Rom. 1. 7. consists in Faith Col. 1. 2. And Obedience Psal 50 5. With 1 Sam. 15. 22. These in the course of a Christians life from the time that he first begins to act do find great opposition from the carnal part from Corruption from which the soul is not so cleansed but that it still resides there It is purged out in Baptism That it may not hurt Not that it may not be The Soul is freed from it As to Dominion it reigns not Rom. 6. 14. As to Guilt it condemns not Rom. 8. 1. Yet it remains As to its Nature Rom. 7. 17. As to its rebellious Motions Rom. 7. 23. Between this and the Spirit there is a continual warring Gal. 5. 17. And it often gets the upper hand Rom. â— 23. However Where the Will is against it Rom. 7. 18. Where there is not an allowing of it but an hatred against it Rom. 7. 15. Where there is an earnest desire of its utter extirpation Rom. 7. 24. With a Constant Tenour of life according to Gods Will 1 John 3. 9. Although it doth pursue assault and often prevail yet it shall never wholly regain the soul under its power John 10. 28. Obs Corruption pursues the effectually Called to re-inslave them Texts Rom. 7. 20. If I do that I would not it is no more I that do it but sin that dwelleth in me Gal. 5. 17. The Flesh lusteth against the Spirit and the Spirit against the Flesh and these are contrary the one unto the other So that ye cannot do the things that ye would Inst The Lord hardned the heart of Pharaoh and he pursued after the Children of Israel who went out of Egypt with an high hand Exod. 14. 8. St. Paul found a Law in himself that when he would do good evil was present with him Rom. 7. 21. Reas 1. Satan is unwilling to lose his Prey Mark 9. 26. 2. His Malice continues though his Power be broken 1 Pet. 5. 8. Use 1. Escape for thy life look not behind thee with a lingring desire after thy former sins Stay not in all the Plain shun all occasions of falling again escape to the Mountain of Gods powerful Support and Protection Gen. 19. 17. 2. Delight in the Law of God after the inward man Rom. 7. 22. 3. Walk in the Spirit and thou shalt not fulfil the Lusts of the flesh Gal. 5. 16. 4. Return not to thy Vomit Prov. 26. 11. Resol I am now no longer in the Flesh but in the Spirit Rom. 8. 9. Wherefore though with the flesh against my will I somtimes serve the Law of sin yet with my mind I will serve the Law of God Rom. 7. 25. Ejac. There is no Condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the Flesh but after the Spirit Rom. 8. 1. Paral. VII Circ I looked back to see at what distance I had left my Pursuer and saw him a good way off Obs The Effectually-called may discover and ought to observe how sin is weakned in them and how far they are improved in Grace SIN in Scripture is compared unto darkness Grace unto light Isa 9. 2. Our great God whose first work in the Creation was to make light Gen. 1. 3. In mans recreation first infuseth the light of Faith into the soul 2 Cor. 4. 6. Darkness being but the privation of Light when the â—ight appears it withdraws and as the Light increaseth so it is more and more by degrees dispelled A Sinner upon his effectual Calling is translated out of the Kingdom of Darkness Col. 1. 13. And he is no sooner out of that but he is immediatly in the Kingdom of Christ in his marvellous Light 1 Pet. 2. 9. Upon his first Translation Light is but begun in him but he clears up more and more Mark 8 24 25. Sin decayes in him and Grace encreaseth The Path of the just is as the shining Light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day Prov. 4. 18. Though man knows not by what way the Light is parted Job 38. 24. How the Vayl of Darkness is put off how the Light gathers strength yet the perfect day is easily discerned from the Dawning Light is sown for the righteous Psal 97 21. It is sown The seed that is cast into the ground by the Husbandman though it springs and grows up he knows not how Mark 4. 26 27. Yet its growthâ—n few moneths iâ— plainly seen To every one is given Grace â—ccording to the measure of the Gift of Christ Eph. 4. 7. With his Blessing upon it Increase and multiply First he gives in a lesser proportion afterwards a larger James 4. 6. First a weak Faith