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
and takes off its true relish of spiritual sweetness The Manna ceased assoon as the Israelites had eaten of the old corn of the Land of Canaan Josh 5. 1â— To extirpate the Affections man must be unman'd where they have an over-ruling power he becomes a Beast Psal 49. 20. At least he is brought down to the lowest degree of servitude There is no such slavery as his who is not Master of himself Against violent Temptations the soul is armed by Fortitude by Temperance against alluring This moderates Mans Love of them His desire after them His delight in them His Grief in the absence of them This Grace of Temperance being the Guardian of all other Vertues the Spirit among others upon a Christians effectual Calling adornes the soul withal thereby so restraining the Passions and confining of them within their bounds that in the Fruition of vain Pleasures the moderate use whereof is not denied 1 Cor. 6. 12 Or in their absence he is still the same Let him enjoy them he is as if he enjoyed them not 1 Cor. 7. 29. 30 31. Let him be without them he is as if enjoying of them 2 Cor. 6. 10. Upon his Change he is now set far above them having his soul filled with new and spiritual delights Though his heart be taken off from the vain Comforts of the world yet Christ leaves him not comfortless Joh. 14. 18. The Joy of the Lord is his strength Nehem. 8. 10. His Comforts delight his soul Psal 94. 19. In whom he rejoyceth continually Phil 4. 4. His Delight is in Gods Law Psal 1. 2. Which is most sweet unto him Psal 119 103. His delight is in the Saints and in the excellent Psal 16. 3. He takes pleasure in the waies of wisdom Prov. 3. 17. He is filled with all joy and peace in believing Rom. 15. 13. Yea with joy unspeakable and full of Glory 1 Pet. 1. 8. The Promises those satisfying Breasts of Comfort Isa 66. 11. afford him strong Consolation Heb. 6. 17 18. He rejoyceth that his Name is written in Heaven Luke 12. 20. Thus whereas formerly when enslaved to worldly pleasures in laughter his heart was sorrowful as well it might the end of that Mirth being heaviness Prov. 14. 13. Now he enjoyes that sweet peace in his soul which guards and keeps up his spirit under the heaviest afflictions Acts 5. 41. Which he bears with patience rejoycing in hope of the Glory of God Rom 5. 2. And longing for that day when he shall enter into the joy of his Lord Mat. 25. 23. Obs Upon effectual Calling the Spirit usually first weakens Corruption by taking the heart off from all affected Vanities and Pleasures Texts Heb. 12. 1. Let us lay aside every weight 1 Pet. 3. 3 Whose adorning let it not be the outward adorning of plaiting of the hair and of wearing of Gold and of putting on of Apparel c. Inst St. Peter exhorts those who had obtained the precious Faith to add thereunto Temperance 2 Pet. 1. 6. Mary Magdalen upon her Conversion her eyes formerly allurements to lust now shed Tears with which she washed Christ's feet and wiped them with the hairs of her head with whose nicely set Curles she was wont to entangle her Lovers She bestowed her Kisses upon them and anoynted them with her precious Oyntment before used to set off her Beauty to make it the more enticing Luke 7. 38. Reas 1. They hinder the soul in its search after Gods Kingdom and the righteousness thereof Mat. â— 31 32. 2. They choak the Word and make it become unfruitful Luke 8. 14. 3. They retard the souls pace in her race toward the Mark Heb. 12. 1 4. They harden the heart Amos 6. 1 4 5 6. Use 1. Set thine Affections on things above not on things on the earth Col. 3. 2. 2. Seek first the Kingdom of God and the righteousness thereof Mat. 6 33. 3. Rid thy self of whatsoever may hinder thee in thy spiritual Race Heb. 12. 1. 4. Adorn thy soul with the Ornament of a meek and quiet spirit 1 Pet. 3. 4. with sobriety and good works 1 Tim. 2. 9 10. 5. Account not that thy Glory which is thy shame Phil 3. 19. 6. Draw not on Iniquity with Cords of Vanity Isa 5. 18. Resol All things are lawful for me but I will not be brought under the power of any 1 Cor. 6. 12. Ejac. Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity and quicken thou me in thy way Psal 119. 37. Paral. X. Circ After the staying and beating of my Pursuer I heard no more of him Obs The Power of Corruption being once broken It shall never again recover it over the effectually-Called so as to hinder them from Glory I cannot but begin this Parallel with a triumphant exultation in my soul and say Thy right hand O Lord glorious in power hath dashed in pieces the enemy In the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown those that rose up against me Thou in thy Mercy hast redeemed me and led me forth and wilt guid me in thy strength unto thy holy Habitation Exod. 15. 6 7 13. Where my hope is laid up with thee Col. 1. 5. Even that Crown of righteousness which my Lord Christ the righteous Judge will give unto me at that day 2 Tim 4. 8. This thou hast assured me of and none shall take it from me John 10. 28. Who is like unto thee O Lord Who is like thee glorious in Holiness fearful in Praises doing wonders Exod. 15. 11. No man cometh unto Christ unless the Father draw him John 6. 44. We are led willingly drawn with reluctancy Rom. 5. 10. But God of unwilling maketh us willing working Grace in the heart by the secret Operation of the Spirit upon the Preaching of the Word which is his ordinary way of dâ—awing John 6. 45. Rom. 10. 14 15. In the Word preached Christ is offered to the soul 1 Cor. 1. 23 24. And they who receive him thus offered have put him on Gal. 3. 27. and dwell in him Eph. 3. 17. and so are effectually called Effectual Calling is a certain evidence of a Christian Election Rom. 8. 30. And these two draw after them all those other Links of the Golden Chain reaching from Gods Decree of Predestination unto the enjoyment of that Glory to which he is predestinated and mentioned by St. Peter 2 Pet. 1. 1 3 4. He is redeemed from his vain Conversation 1 Pet. 1. 18. From the Dominion of sin and all other his enemies Luke 1. 71. Having escaped the Corruption that is in the world through lust v. 4 He is regenerated and become a new creature 2 Cor. 5. 17. Having all things given unto him that pertain unto life and godliness or to a godly life v. 3. He is justified having obtained the precious Faith through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ v. 1. And so assured of the pardon of his sins and of Gods Favour unto him in his
Son He is adopted Eph. 1. 5. by vertue of his Son-ship being interessed in the exceeding great and precious promises v. 4. Christ is made unto him sanctification 1 Cor. 1. 30. Communicating his Grace unto him so making him partaker of the Divine Nature v. 4. He is assured of Glory to which he is called as also to that way of Vertue in which he is and which leadeth thereunto v. 3. It is a sad truth that that sweet comfort which ariseth from this assurance may for a time be shaken and interrupted upon the prevailing of Corruption which while it abideth in us cannot but often be Our Enemies being so subtil We so weak Occasions of falling so many But though we fall yet we shall not be utterly cast down Psal 37 24. While God continues unchangeable Rom. 8. 30. While his Seed remaineth in us 1 John 3. 9. While Christ continues faithful John 10. 28. While his Prayer for us is effectual John 11. 42. While God continues a God of Almighty Power John 10. 29 30. Obs The Power of Corruption being once broken it shall never again wholly â—ecover it over the effectually-Called so as to hinder them from Glory Texts John 8. 36. If the Son shall make you free ye shall be free indeed Rom. 8. 30. Whom he did predestinate them he also called and whom he called them he also justified and whom he justified them he also gloriâ—ied Inst The Church with each true Member thereof is assured by Christ that the Gates of Hell shall not prevail against her Mat. 16. 18. Paul assures those in Rome beloved of God and called to be Saints Rom. 1. 7. That being dead unto sin and so under Grace sin should no more have dominion over them Rom. 6. 11 14. Reas 1. As to inchoation they are in present possession of eternal life John 3. 36. 2. As to Consummation of their happiness they have Gods Decree for it Rom. 8. 30. Christs Promise of it John 10. 28. His Prayer for it John 17. 24. Which his Father alwayes hears John 11. 42. His Assurance that they shall never perish that none shall pluck them out of his Hand John 10. 28. God's and Christ's Power to keep them against whomsoever shall endeavour it John 10. 29 30. Use 1. God's love is unchangeable John 13. 1. 2. Give diligence to make thy calling and Election sure 2 Pet. 1. 10. 3. Get an assurance that thou art united unto Christ and then thou art sure of Heaven 1 John 5. 11 12. The Bonds of the Union between Christ and the Soul are The Holy Spirit Rom. 8. 9. Faith John 6. 35. 4. Lead an holy Life and thou shalt never fall 2 Pet 1. 10. Resol Being now made free from sin and become thy Servant O Lord I will with an assured confidence having my fruit in holiness rely upon thy Love and Faithfulness for the end eternal life Rom. 6. 22. For thy Love wherewith thou hast drawn me is everlasting Jer 31. 3. And thou hast promised that the Mountains shall depart and the Hils be removed but never thy kindness from me nor the Covenant of thy Peace Is 54 10. Ejac. What shall be able to separate me from the love of my God which is in Christ Jesus my Lord Rom. 8. 39. The Duties Paral. I. Circ I ran down a pair of Stairs at the Savoy Obs The effectually-Called are to humble themselves for sin THE Duties to be performed by the effectually Called do either Accompany effectual Calling Or Follow it They that accompany it are Repentance Faith Acts 20. 21. Mark 1. 15. The first of these I was put in mind of by my running down the stairs By stairs we descend downwards In Humiliation for sin the soul is brought down even to a putting of the mouth in the dust Lam 3. 29. All mountains and hills in Christ's way are brought low Luke 3. 5. All Imaginations and every high thing which formerly exalted it self against the knowledge of God is cast down and every thought brought into captivity to the obedience of Christ who is now upon effectual Calling received into the soul 2 Cor. 10. 5. Christ is received into the soul by Faith John 1. 12. Of this Faith Repentance wrought in the heart at the same time by the same means 2 Tim. 2. 25. is an inseparable Companion The Will which in Faith is turned to the enjoyment of the true Good being in repentance turned to the doing of what is truly good with an hatred of and turning from the contrary evil There is a repentance which may be in the unregenerate arising from the Terrour of the Law having Gods Wrath alone for its Object This is but a compunction or pricking at the heart accompanied with fear of punishment such as was in Peters Auditors Acts 2. 37. However this as it did in them may dispose and prepare the heart for Faith But that repentance which is proper to the effectually-called is a turning from sin partly out of fear but chiefly as sin is an offence against and violation of Gods revealed Will Psal 51. 4. And where this is there will follow in that man A free Confession of sin 1 John 1. 9. Attended with shame Dan. 9. 8. An hearty sorrow for sin 2 Cor. 7. 11. Which will shew it self in Carefulness to shun it Indignation against it Fear of falling again into it Desire to be strengthened Zeal against it Revenge upon himself for it A constant and irreconcileable hatred against all sin Psal 119. 104. And that with all vehemency Rev. 2. 2. Fixed resolutions to avoid all sin Psal 39. 1. As also upon a Course of Godliness for the time to come with a diligent care in the use of all good means which may further him and in removing and avoyding all Impediments which might hinder him in such his course 1 Pet. 2. 1 2. This duty of Humiliation for sin although the fear and grief which accompany it be not alâ—ke in all yet without such humiliation none are effectually called at ripeness of years Luke 15. 17 18 21. From which time of effectual Calling unto our lives end it is vertually to be continued and often to be renewed Mat. 6. 12. Obs The effectually Called are to humble themselves for sin â—exts Psal 51. 17. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit a broken and a contrite heart O God thou wilt not despise Joel 2 13. Rent your heart and not your garments and turn unto the Lord your God Inst David acknowledgeth his Transgressions and beseecheth God according to the multitude of his tender Mercies to blot them out Psal 51. 1 3. St. Paul rejoyceth that the Corinthians sorrowed to repentance that he made them sorry after a godly manner 2 Cor. 7 9. Reas 1. Because sin separates from God Isa 59. 2. 2. It is inconsistent with our effectual Calling 1 Thes 4. 7. 3. Gods goodness shâ—uld lead us to repentance Rom 2. 4. 4. It is the only means with
way of Instance by which you may judge of the choyceness Priviledges of Saints and preciousness of the rest The Lord is their King Rev. 15. 3. He keeps their feet from falling 1 Sam. 2. 9. He preserves their Souls Psal 97. 10. He preserves them for ever Psal 37. 28. Their death is precious in his sight Psal 116. 15. He will spare them Mal. 3. 17. The Lord Christ prayes for them John 17. 9. The Holy Spirit prayes for them Rom. 8. 27. God admits them into the number of his Children 1 John 3. 1. And being so they have Him their Father The Church their Mother The Lord Christ their Brother Kings and Queens their Nurses The Holy Spirit their Tutor The Angels their Guardians All the Creatures their servants The Bread of life their Food Christ's Righteousness their Cloathing Heaven their Palace A Kingdom of Glory their Inheritance Such many many such Priviledges have the Lords People Such Honour have all his Saints Use 3. Doth the Lord own those only for his people who are true Saints true believers truly obedient Let us labour to gain an assurance to our selves that we are such and then we may confidently build upon it that we are Gods people That you may know whether you have true Faith take these three Marks of true Marks of Faith Faith in stead of many 1. True Faith is accompanied with a sweet peace in the soul arising from the assurance that our sins are pardoned and Christ's Righteousness made ours Being justified by Faith we have peace with God Rom. 5. 1. 2. True Faith purifies the heart Acts 15. 9. He that hath true Faith will still be cleansing himself from all filthiness of flesh and spirit perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord 2 Cor. 7. 1. 3. True Faith where it is begets love towards God appâ—â—hending him as the Chief Good Hence the faithful have this Character in Scripture that they are lovers of God Rom 8. 28. It stirs up likewise love unto all Gods Children as bearing his Image 1 John 5. 1. That you may know whether your Obedience Marks of Obed. be true or not take these Marks of true Obedience True Obedience prefers Gods Will before our own or any Commands of men Acts 4. 19. 2. True Obedience is universal unto all and every part of Gods Will Psal 119. 6. 3. True Obedience is alwayes accompanied with fear of offending God Heb. 12. 28. 4. It is sincere and hearty Rom. 6. 17. 5. It is zealous in good duties Tit. 2. 14. Now examine thy self by these Marks Hast thou true peace in thy soul Dost thou strive to cleanse thy soul from sin Dost thou love God and his Children Thou hast true Faith Dost thou prefer Gods Will before thine own or before mans Hast thou a respect to all his Will Art thou afraid to offend him Art thou sincere and zealous in the Service of him Thine Obedience is true And thy Faith and thine Obedience being true thou art a true Saint thou art of the number of Gods people and interessed in all those Priviledges which belong unto them Use 4. Doth the Lord own the Saints for his people Let wicked men take heed how they despise them how they oppress vex and persecute them The Lord whose they are is very tender over them They who touch them touch the Apple of his eye Zech. 2. 8. They that persecute them persecute Christ himself Acts 9. 4. They who vex and persecute them vex and persecute those who shall be their Judges 1 Cor. 6. 2. Who shall one day wash their feet in their blood Psal 58. 10. and shall break them in pieces as a Potters Vessel Rev. 2. 27. Not by way of avenging of themselves that belongs not to them but in approving of the just Sentence of Christ against them and rejoycing in the justness of that Vengeance which according to that Sentence they shall see exâ—cuted upon them at that day when the great Judge of the world will be so far from owning such as dye in their Infidelity and disobedience that he will deny them before his Father and the holy Angels Mat. 10. 33. Use last This may serve much for the Comfort of all Gods truly Faithful obedient servants and keep their spirits under the worlds Contempt and Despight What though the World hate and reject them and count them as the Off scowring of all things Yet the Lord owns them they are his people and so interessed in those sweet Promises and high Priviledges wherein they that hate them shall not be sharers Here likewise the Lords People to their exceeding Comfort may as St. Peter adviseth 2 Pet. 1. 10. make their Calling and Election sure For thus they may argue upon Infallible Grounds If I am a Saint whereof by my true Faith and Obedience I am assured then am I effectually called For I am what I was called to be Rom. 1. 7. If I am a Saint then I am sure I am elected For I am what I was elected unto Eph. 1. 4. If I am elected then I am predestinated to Glory and shall most certainly enjoy it For he that elected me predestinated me Eph. 1. 4. And whom he predestinated them he also called and whom he called them he also justified and whom he justified them he also glorified Rom. 8. 30. In his eternal Decree which in his good time he will most certainly accomplish From hence I say may the Lords people draw exceeding Comfort However these sweet Comforts of theirs cannot but be much allayed by their sense of their weakness and frailty For though they are Saints though the Lord ownes them for his People yet are they subject unto sin and are prevailed over by it and fall into the Folly of it Which is the next Particular in this Second Branch of the Point Partic. 2. That the Lords own people his Saints may and do fall into the Folly of sin This is clear from the Text they could not turn again to it unless formerly fallen into it Which is the present sad condition they are now in guilty of the folly of some hainous sins for which they under-lye the sharp sense of Gods high displeasure I do not say that they live or walk in sin as do the Children of disobedience but they may and do fall into it and that often seven times a day Prov. 24 16. In many things Jam. 3. 2. And many many wayes By Omission Commission Ignorance Forgetfulness Infirmity by sinning against knowledge Motions Checks Vows Promises Blessings Patience Chastisements Mercies Judgments by Rashness Inconsiderateness Inconstancy Negligence Beside their other-mens-sins whereof they become guilty by Commanding Exhorting Provoking Conâ—enting Commending Concealing Conniving Parâ—aking Defending not Reproving and other wayes That this is a most certain and sad truth is evident by those many â—xâ—mples of the Lords own people and Saints recorded in the Scripâ—ure who have been thus overtaken and thus fallen and some of them
them through Christ in the Gospel Of these two Offerers or Givers of Peace mention is made John 14. â—7 Peace I leave with you my peace I give unto you not as the world giveth give I unto you God giveth Peace the world giveth peace The world gives it freely God upon terms and conditions Whether of these two now are the Lords people to hear Flesh saies the World that stands not upon terms and reservations that ties not to any conditions of bewayling confessing hating resolving applying here needs no breaking or rending of the heart or changing of the mind the dear price which they must pay who have their peace from God But the Spirit sayes beware take heed how you listen to the World hearkâ—n unto God the Lord and to him alone For he is God the Lord and ye are his people he speaks peace and he speaks peace unto his people and Saints In which words are couched and contained a threefold reason why in speaking of peace the Lords people and Saints are to hear him and him alone 1. Because he is God the Lord and they are his People He loves them he knows and pities the sad condition the wounded Spirit is in and is alone able to help it 2. Because he will most certainly speak peace unto the soul He will assure it that he is at peace with it 3. Because he speaks peace that which the soul shall find to be truly such He neither gives what the world gives nor as the world gives 1. The first Reason is taken from that near relation between God and his People and from those two titles God the Lord and so it is taken from his Power his Knowledge his Love He is the Lord and therefore able to cure the wounded Spirit He is a Lord of great power such that as he can work by weak means by contrary means so without means He can create peace for the unsetled soul Isa 45 7. He can make it of nothing and indeed so he doth there being no prepared prejacent matter in the soul out of which it should be prâ—duced He is God he knows the soul in iâ—s adversity Psal 31. 7. He it is who wounded it and therefore knows the anguish and danger of its wounds what remedy is fittest for it and when and how it is to be applyed And the Saints though in this sad condition yet are his people whom he loves Col. 3. 12. Towards whom he is tender-hearted very pitiful and of tender Mercy Jam. 5. 11. He pitieth those that fear him as a Father pitieth his Children Psal 103. 13. And therefore as he is able and skilful so he is most ready and willing to help them to settle them to cure their wounds The World is a Physition of no value a meer Empyrick a bold Mountebank that neither is able to compose any Soveraign Remedy nor knows how to apply it being altogether ignorant of the state of the soul in its distress Beside the Lords people and Saints are most hateful unto it Jo. 15. 19. And shall they believe that their deadly enemy if it were able and had skill would be willing to settle and recover them 2. The second Reason why in speaking peace the Lord alone is to be heard is taken from that assurance which the Lord rayseth in the soul that he is at peace with it For he speaks peace to it He makes the soul as strongly perswaded of peace and as confidently to build upon it as if it heard the Lord himself speak it immediatly from Heaven The Grounds whereon this assurance is built in the soul are His Decree which is stable unchangeable Heb. 6. 17. His Promise which is Yea and Amen 2 Cor. 1. 20. His Oath which he will not break Heb. 6. 17. His Hand for it in his written Word which he will not deny Rom. 15. 4. His Seal to it his Spirit which he cannot but own â— Cor. 1. 22. His Delivery of this Assurance which he will not revoke John 14. 27. The Witness to all this his Spirit which cannot lye Rom. 8. 18. Thus the Lord speaks peace unto the Soul by thus assuring of it that he is no more an enemy or a stranger unto it which must needs settle it and fill it with strong Consolation Heb. 6. 18 When the World can afford to the unsetled and wounded Spirit such grounds of assurance of Peace and Settlement it may then hope the Lords people may be perswaded to hearken unto it till then it may forbear its frank but empty Tenders 3. The Third Reason is taken from the quality of that Peace which the Lord speaks to the Soul He speaks unto it which is truly such being 1. A solid Peace 2. A satisfying Peace Peace fourfold 3. A Fortifying Peace 4. A lasting Peace 1. It is a solid Peace grounded upon Christ who is our peace Eph 2 14. Who hath made peace for us and reconciled us unto his Father Col. 1. 20. Having purchased peace for us at a dear raâ—e by the bloud of his Cross being wounded for our Transgressions the chasâ—â—sement of our peace being upon him and he healing our wounds by his stripes Isa 53. 5. He is both our propitâ—ation and our advocate for peace unto his Father 1 John 2. 1 2. My Peace I give unto you John 14. Well may he call it his which he hath bought so dear The greatness of the Price speaks the Truth and Solidness of the Peace It is Christ's Peace dearly bought His Father gives it at his request it is the peace of God Phil. 4. 7. And from him proceeds nothing but what is true real and solid The Peace which from it the world would have the soul to accept of it deserves not the name of peace being but a light flash but a shadow of Peace The World cries Peace where there is none Jer. 6. 14. And so if its tender might be accepted would it heal the hurt of Gods People slightly And indeed what more is to be expâ—ctâ—d from the World when it hath but one Receipt or Remedy consisting of three Ingredients which like a bold unskilful Empyrick it applyes to every Mâ—lady What these Ingredients are St. John tells us 1 John 2. 16. All that is in the World are the Lusts of the flesh or Pleasures the Lust of the eyes or Wealth the Pride of life or Honour And alas What can these do to the recovery of a wounded Spirit which cannot prevent or remove a disease from the body or in the least measure abate its Pain The Vermin seized upon Herod and devoured him alive though a great King who had Wealth and Pleasure at his Command Acts â—2 23. 2. The peace which God speaks unto the wounded Spirit it is a satisfying peace Upon the speaking of this the before-disturbed soul returns unto its rest and settlement It hath now its desire it was wounded with the apprehension of losse and fear of wrath and its
The Only SOVEREIGN SALVE FOR THE Wounded Spirit Approved by the Author in himself Delivered by him in several Sermons after his Recovery And now Published for the Glory of his most Gracious Restorer and for the Comfort and Settlement of any Afflicted Soul that doth or may labour under that weighty Burden By Richard Wortley Minister of Christ in his Church in Edworth in Bedfordshire This is a Faithful saying and worthy of all Acceptation that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners of whom I am chief 1 Tim. 1. 15. LONDON Printed for J. Rothwel at the Fountain in Goldsmths Row in Cheapside 1661. To the Reader Courteous Reader ST Paul who had the Spirit of God 1 Cor. 7 40. having by and from that Spirit assured us 2 Tim. 3. 16 17. that all Scripture is given by Inspiration of God that it is profitable for Doctrine Reproof Correction Instruction that the man of God may be perfect throughâ—â— furnished unto all good works 〈…〉 16. That â—â— Gospel is the power of God unto Salvatioâ—◠〈…〉 â—e that believeth â—pon the Spirit 's such assurance by him I do rely with â—â—sidence And as in my soul I do believe the Scripâ—â—â—es to be the very Word of God so as I boldly may 〈◊〉 ought taking heâ—d unto that sure Word of Proâ—â—ie 2 Pet. 1. 19. I do teach the Truths which there I â—â— as Parts of that inspired powerful perfecting and â—very good work throughly-furnishing Word not â—ting to seek further or to wait for the revelation of â—â— Truths not there set down lest I be found in the â—â—mber of the blasphemous adders thereunto and so beâ—â—e liable to that fearful punishment threatned against â—â—h Rev. 22. 18. Moses and the Prophets are to be heard Lu. 16. 29 The Scriptures are to be searched John 5. 39. However sinâ— as the natural man cannot aâ—◠〈…〉 â—â—ings wanting a spiritual eye to discern 〈…〉 â—evealed unto them 1 Cor. 2. 14. â—â— the â—â—generate though diligent hearers and searchers cannot clearly discern them unless revealed unto them Luke 24. 45. The Lord is pleased in such a measure as he sees fitting to give unto them the Spirit of wisdoâ— and revelation in the knowledge of him and to enlighten the eyes of their understandings Eph. 1. 17 18. and by the spirit of Truth to guid them into all needful Truths as he hath promised John 16. 13. This ordinary way of the Spâ—rit of Truth 's enlightening to the glory of the same Spirit I speak it I have experimentally found in my soul from the time that with a total resignation I have given my self up to bâ—led by it Which further to encouâ—â—◠〈…〉 a confident and chearful going on in the service of my Lord Christ in his Ministry hath lateâ—◠〈◊〉 an extraordinary and not so usual a 〈…〉 most unworthy dust and ashes of so low 〈◊〉 â—â—â—â—cention of my great God! been pleased not only to assure me That I have escaped the Corruption that is in the world through Lust 2 Pet. 1. 4. A blessed and most sweet assurance but likewise Clearly to manifest unto me The dangerous estate of the Natural man while such The manner of the great work of his Conversion To instruct me in the right understanding of many Scripture-truths relating thereunto To shew unto me and to all that are effectually called the path of life and by way of guiding of my steps to Heaven-ward secrâ—tly to say unto my soul this is the way walk in iâ— Isa 30. 21. Of which great Mercies with soâ—e other vouchsafed to him not worthy to be beloved not worthy to be minded this following Narration will more fully inform thee The Narration IN my younger years being bred up in the University and having taken a Degree there I was admitted into one of the Inns of Court Where having spent about two years Means now failing for my support and continuance in that course I was received into the Family of an Honourable Personage mine Employments being in the way of a Scholar as to write Letters to read Divinity to pen Sermons to pray with the Family in the Chaplains absence c. It pleased God so to dispose the heart of the Honourable Governour toward me that great secular preferments were endeavoured for me But none of them succeeding I was at length by Mandate from his then Majesty procured by the means of that Noble Personage replanted into my old Nursery a Fellow of a Colledge there I yearly payd mine acknowledgment by attendance where I had received so much Favour the good will and endeavour of worldly preferments for me still continuing One at last was freely offered unto me of such a nature as I most desired with visible almost certainties of great wealth and temporal advancement had it been accepted but Providence had otherwise disposed of me For when upon the offer my answer of acceptance was expected I was surprized with a sudden amazement and standing silent like a Statue had not one word to speak by way of acknowledgment of mine own unworthiness or of the greatness of the intended Favour much less to express my ready acceptance thereof and due thankfulness for it and so for some time continuing was dismissed for the present and within shorttime after became a stranger to those Relations Having after this as I esteemed it unhappy rejection spent some years in the Colledge vainly and idly enough God knows it was the Lords pleasure to transplant me into his Church abroad And having by a remarkable manuduction brought me unto the Living which I now hold he was pleased at my first enâ—rance by a great though not total distemper in the right use of my Reason to break and fit me in some measure for his Service there and to prepare the way for that great Work which he had to do many years after I could here tell thee how in that distemper God did set me before my self aâ—ter a strange manner presenting to my view my hainous sins to that time and shewing me how many deaths I had deserved by them But I have acknowledged and humbled my self for them unto him who hath graciously assured me of his Pardon Upon my recovery I had some good motiâ—ns and faint stirrings in my soul toward God and Goodness which so long I had forgotten and indeed flighted My first Subject which I handled was the broken heart Psal 51. 17. The way which I should have taken but neglecting it the work was not throughly wrought Though I proceeded so far as to a just restitution as near as I could call to mind where I had wronged any and I remember the fâ—ax begâ—n to smoak in some weak dislike often stiâ—ring in my heart against those sins in which formerly I hâ—d livâ—d and wherewith it was over-run and I began by degrees to break off from them I had now continued at my Living five or six years or more when I do not remember that the day before or
that wrestled with him desired him to let him go said I will not let thee go except thou bless me and he blessed him there Gen 32. 24 26 29. Elias prayed earnestly that it might not rain and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six moneths and he prayed again and the Heavens gave rain Jam. â— 17. â—eas 1. God hath tied himself by promise to hear such Prayers Mat. 7. 7. 2. Such Prayers are put up in the Name of Christ John 16. 23. 3. Christ maketh Intercession for us Rom. 8. 34. and his Father alwaies heareth him John 11 42. 4. Christ presents our Prayers unto his Father with the Incense of his merits Rev. 8. 3. 5. The Spirit maketh Intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered Rom. 8. 26. Use 1. Prayers to Saints are vain they are ignorant of us Isa 63. 16. 2. Go confidently to God in the alone Name of Christ and thou art sure to speed John 16. 23. 3. Though thine infirmities in Prayer be many yet be not discouraged the holy Spirit helps them and intercedes for thee Rom. 8. 26. Resol Whatsoever my wants are I will ask in the name of Christ and then I am certain I shall receive and my joy shall be full John 16 24. Ejâ—c I love the Lord because he hath heard my voice and my supplications because he hath enclined hiâ— ear unto me therefore will I call upon him as lonâ— as I live Psal 116. 1 2. Paral. V. Circ The Mercy was discovered to me but new â— humbled by a wounded Spirit Obs God recompenseth the great afflictions of hâ— Children with greater mercies SOme years before this great affliction was laid upâ—â— me I had often called my waies to remembrance and humbled my self for my sins but there were soâ—â— yet behind undiscovered which indeed some of the at least I thought not to be such Notwithstanding it was the Lords pleasure whatsoever to that time I had thought of them to make me throughly sensible that they were sins and of so high a nature as called for a low Humiliation To this end he took the same course with me as he did with David in a third person setting them before me and after a most sharp sentence by me pronounced against them secretly saying unto me within my self Thou art the man 2 Sam. 12. 7. Then began Conscience Gods Attorney-General to accuse and condemn Then did the Word applied unto my past actions like a two edged sword cut on both sides making two deep wounds in my soul In The apprehension of the loss of my God Isa 59. 2. In The Fear of the dreadful effects of his vengeance Gal. 3. 10. O the horrours of the wounded spirit my then present condition Who can bear their weight Prov. 18. 14. Who is able to express the anguish Yet the Lord was pleased to support me though his wrath lay heavy upon me and he afflicted me with all his waves almost to distraction while I suffered his terrours Psal 88. 7. 15. After some dayes being a little come to my self I bath'd my wounds with the tears of true repentance and Faith poured in the balm of Christs Merits And when the Lord saw that I did bear his Rod as became his humble child that I was brought so lon that I was now in a sit capacity for mercy then did the great Physitian of my Soul the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in his wings Mal. 4. 2 Not despising my contrite heart Psal 51. 17. But healing my broken spirit and with his own hand gently binding up my wounds Psal 147. 3. Speaking peace unto my soul and raising me again by a clear sense of his Love and Presence O the sweetness of his Mercy Psal 34. 8. Then did he soon after afford unto me these great and gracious vouchsafings O the riches of his Mercy Eph. 2. 4. Obs God recompenseth the great Afflictions of his Children with greater Mercies And that In this Life In the Life to come In this Life Texts Isa 61. 7. For your shame you shall have double For confusion they shall rejoyce in their portion Mar. 10. 28. There is no man that hath left House or Brethren c. for my sake and the Gospels but he shall receive an hundred fold now in this time Inst. Job for what he had lost had twice as much at his latter end Job 42. 12. Joseph from the Dungeon was raised to highest honour in Pharaoh's Court Gâ—n 41. 40 43. After this Life Texts Isa 54. 8. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment but with everlasting kindness I will have mercy on thee 2 Cor. 4. 17. Our light affliction which is but for a moment worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of Glory Inst Christ assures his Disciples that they who had forsaken all and followed him when he should sit in the Throne of his Glory they should sit upon twelve Thrones judging the Twelve Tribes of Israel Mat. 19. 28. They who came out of great tribulation here in Heaven are arrayed in white Robes and are before the Throne of God c. and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes Rev. 7. 13 14. c. Reas 1. The Lord is rich in Mercy Eph. 2. 4. 2. He would have his Children to bear his Rod with Patience Heb. 11. 9 10 11. Use 1. Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted Mat. 5. 4. 2. Count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations Jam. 1. 2. The Recompense will sufficiently countervail the Trial. 3. Hearken to Christ He is sent to proclaim Liberty to the Captives the opening of the Prison to them that are bound Isa 61. 1. Resol I will greatly rejoyce in the Lord my soul shall be joyful in my God for he hath put off my Sackcloath and girded me with gladness Psal 30. 11. He hath cloathed me with the garments of salvation he hath covered me with the Robe of Righteousness Isa 61. 10. Ejac. O thou that bindest up the broken-hearted Appoint unto the Mourners in Zion give unto them beauty for ashes the Oyl of Joy for mourning the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness Isa 61. 3. Paral. VI. Circ The discovery as touching those missed secular preferments was onely craved but much more granted Obs The Lord often grants more then his Servants sue unto him for THE Lord is good and plenteous in mercy to all that call upon him Psal 86. 5. Had he onely heard me in what I craved the condescension had been greater then unworthy dust and ashes might expect My desire was to be setled as touching those missed expectations whether God in mercy had withheld me from their enjoyment The assurance of this had been a gracious return of my Prayer But O! I am rapt with the contemplation of the magnificence of his Bounty and Goodness That to this assurance he should
sometimes to afford it but man in expectation thereof may not neglect the means he hath appointed 1 Tim. 4. 13 15. 2. Let all light affected ornaments be shunned Gal. 1. 10. 3. As long as this Hand-maid will submit and be subject she is not to be rejected if she rebel and presume to domineer and dictate cast her out Col. 2. 8. 4. Beware of itching Ears as after new Doctrines so after Eloquence 2 Tim. 4. 3. 5. Desire the sincere milk of the Word that thou maist grow thereby 1 Pet. 2. 2. Resol I do not slight nor will I neglect that small portion of humane learning which my Lord Christ hath conferred upon me as it may in any way for his Glory be sub-servient in the great work of his Ministry However my chief care shall be that my Speech and my Preaching may be not with enticing words of man's wisdome but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power 1 Cor. 2. 4. Ejac. Who is sufficient for these things 2 Cor. 2. 16. Paral. 2. Circ From the University being in Orders I was removed to the Living which I now hold Obs Christs way is for an orderly-called setled Ministry in his Church MY Lord Christ intending me for his Ministry was pleased from the University by a remark able manuduction to lead me to this place I was presented by the then Lord Keeper upon a Lapse by Simony committed by the former Incumbent To let pass many former Passages of special note my Presentation was sealed within few hours after his decease though he died here above thirty miles distant from the City My Evidence was then but weak Yet beforâ— my trial which the Patron to vindicate his Title and to keep off the imputation from his Progenitors who had bought the Estate and Advousion after the Simoniacal Contract did put me unto the Lord was pleased though the Simony was contrived above eight and twenty years before to discover unto me many material witnesses and having so ordered that the business should be heard before that Judge noted for the most searching Head of those times into Cases of that nature to give me the day upon an old trampled-upon scrap of Paper wherein the Contract was mystically set down which I found under foot neglected by him who upon the like aim had the perusal of the deceased Incumbents Writings before me The whatsoever Light they pretend to blind seduced Proselytes in gathered Congregations or among those possessed with a dumb I fear a proud spirit or in any other Fraternity Family Fellowship or Combination withdrawn from Christs Church and Way are absolved from their fetters though never so seemingly fast intangling by his Who required this at your hands Isa 1. 12. And so may unless resolved to be blind still shake off as Paul did the venomous beast into the fire Acts 28. 5. that usurped Authority with those their blind Leaders who exercise it over them and return with welcom to the Fold of Christ from which till then they are lost His setled Ministers unless in case of notorious scandal not to be judged by the people though the late times did shake their Titles are not ought not so to be laid by and lifted out of their Candlesticks They hold by the same Law for life as others for Inheritance Christ hath set them over his Flock to rule them in spiritual things and to watch for their souls as they that must give account Heb. 13. 17. From their Ruling their Charges of Cures where they are fixed are called Rectories and as Rulers they are to be obeyed Who can rule who hath none to govern Who will obey who knows not whom he is to submit unto And Who will watch where a trust is not reposed an account not feared not required The means for their subsistence necessarily follows on their fixing and employment The mouth of thâ— Oxe which treadeth out the Corn must not be muzzled 1 Cor. 9 9. Who goeth a warfare at his own charges 1 Cor. 9 7. For the Proportion of it They have Christ's irrevokable Ordinance thâ— it shall be so much that they may live of iâ— 1 Cor. 9 14. They have the Higher Powers Act being thâ— Act of the whole Kingdom whom they represent until by the same power repealed that it shall be and continue in such a measure as now it doth For the Justness of it it is the Labourers hire he is worthy of it â— Tim. 5. 18. If his Hire how voluntary If he worthy of it why is it envied why withheld For the Quality What passeth in exchange for it exceeds it at a vast dâ—stance They sow spiritual things and reap carnal things 1 Cor. 9 11. But they must be Labourers else they may not eat Gal. 6. 6. 1 Tim. 5. 17 18. Yet every one that will may not labour in the Word may not take upon him to be a Labourer in Christ's Harvest but only such whom the great Lord of the Harvest is pleased to send forth Mat. 9. 38. Christs Ministers are his Stewards of his Mysteries 1 Cor. 4. 1. And it is the Lord of the Family that appoints them to that Office Luke 12. 42. They take not this Honour to themselves Heb 5. 4. St. Paul was made a Minister according to the Dispensation of God Col. 1. 25. The great Shepherd of the sheep though filled with the Spirit above measure John 3. 34. So much pretended to by Intruders was pleased to manifest his Calling to his great Office of Preaching of the Gospel by outward sensible signs as By the Spirit in likeness of a Dove resting upon him at his Baptism By an audible voice then Mat. 3. 16 17. And at his transfiguration commanding to hear him Mat. 17. 5. As his Father sent him so sent he his Apostles He breathed upon them and said unto them Receive ye the Holy Ghost John 20. 20. Which on the day of Pentecost in a fuller measure descended down upon them by certain outward signs both to the ear and eye Acts 2. 2 3. Thus sent they their Disciples The hands of the Presbytery were laid upon Timothy 1 Tim. 4. 14. Who is commanded not to lay hands suddenly on any 1 Tim. 5. 22. And thus in all times since hath it been used in all well ordered setled Churches That by such outward sensible signs the Church may take notice that such a one is called and set apart and hath now received his Commission to preach the Gospel Whereupon people knowing that in spiritual things they are not bound to obey any other have still been ready to yield obedience unto such as being in Christ's own way called to their Function and set over their Charge Obs Christ's way is for an orderly-called setled Ministry in his Church For an orderly-called Ministry Texts Mat. 28. 19. Go and teach all Nations John 20. 21. As my Father sent me so send I you and he breathed on them and saith Receive ye the Holy Ghost
to represent unto the eye of my soul the horrible nature Of a by sin-darkned understanding the condition of Satan and of all his Subjects Eph 4. 18. Of the works of darkness in a wicked life Eph. 5. 11. Of the blackness of utter darkness their reward Jude 13. my then guilt and just desert That there are Angels though it be denied by Atheists and Sadduces Acts 23. 18. is evident Psal 104. 4. Col. 1 16. and in many other places That they are intellectual Substances endued with most excellent knowledge in a great measure is clear otherwise they could not perform the Offices to which they are assigned Psal 91. 11. Heb. 1. 14. They were all created with a possibility of falling but the elect ones 1 Tim. 5. 21. fell not and are now confirmed by Christ which is their Redemption and reconciliation Col. 1. 20. The Reprobate Angels fell among whom Lucifer their Chief was full of wisdom and perfect in beauty perfect in his waies from the day that he was created till iniquity was found in him Ezek. 28 12 15. But his heart being lifted up because of his beauty hâ— pride affecting no less then a likeness to God Is 14. 1â— his wisdom was corrupted and he cast as prophane oâ— of the Mountain of God Ezek. 28. 16 17. His wisdom was but corrupted he was not wholly deprived of it For so He would not have known his own Misery which would be a lessening of his punishment Yea The Integrity of his Nature must necessarily have been dissolved He yet retains a proportion of knowledge which by reason of the excellency of his nature and of his long and indefatigable experience must needs be great He is very subtil 2 Cor. 11. 3. which he could not be without it He knows God his eternal Power and Godhead Man doth so by the works of Creation Rom. 1. 20. Much more he He hath a speculative knowledge of Divine things he believes and trembles Jam. 2. 19. But in many things which he ought to know and which as to his intellectual Nature he might know he is utterly ignorant To let pass his Ignorance Of Future Contingencies Isa 41. 23. Of the thoughts of mans heart Jer. 17. 10. Of the Mysteries of Grace Eph. 3. 10. Of the Number of the Elect 2 Tim. 2. 19. Of the Day of Judgment Mat. 24 36. All of them unknown to the good Angels and alone proper unto God He hath no knowledge of God that is productive of love 1 John 2. 3. 4. 5. He knows not who serves God sincerely Job 1 9. 2 4 5. He knows not the success of his Temptations which such is his pride that he would not attempt any with them did he know they would be in vain Matth. 4. 11. He knew not that his Kingdom should be destroyed by the death of Christ 1 Cor. 2. 8. And as thus in himself he is especially deprived of the light of Grace so as the God of this world he blinds mens mind that the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ should not shine unto them 2 Cor. 2. 4. By a strong fascination casting as it were mists before their eyes that they should not discern and obey the truth Gal. 3. 1. Stirring up mingling and ordering of the Phantasms in the Fancy and Working upon the Passions in the sensitive Appetite as in Judas John 13. 2. in Ananias Acts 5. 3. So darkning their foolish hearts Rom. 1. 21. That he may alienate them from the life of God by that ignorance which is in them by reason of their darkned understandings Eph. 4. 18. Thus of an Angel of light he is now become the Prince of the power of the Air Eph. 2. 2. the Ruler of the darkness of this world Eph. 6. 12. Being condemned unto eternal darkness to which under the Chains of darkness he is reserved Jude 6. How art thou fallen from Heaven O Lucifer Son of the Morning How art thou brought down to Hell to the sides of the Pit Isa 14. 12 15. Obs Satan is the Prince of darkness In respect of Himself His Subjects Of himself Texts Luke 22. 53. This is your hour and the power of darkness Col. 1. 13. Who hath delivered us from the power of Darkness Inst He knew not whether Job were a true Servant of God or not Job 1. 9. He knew not that his Kingdom should be destroyed by the death of Christ 1 Cor. 2. 8. Which assoon as he had a glimmering of he endeavoured by Pilates Wives dream to prevent it Mat. 27. 19. Of his Subjects whom he blinds In their Understanding Practise In their Understanding Texts 2 Cor. 4. 4. The god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not 1 Cor. 2. 14. The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit for they are foolishnesse to him neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned Inst The foolish heart of the Gentiles was darkned Rom. 1. 21. The Ephesians were somtimes darkness Eph. 5. 8. In their Practise Texts John 3. 19. Men loved darkness more then Light 1 John 1. 6. If we say we have fellowship with him and walk in darkness we lie and do not the truth Inst The Gentiles were alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that was in them Eph. 4. 18. The Ephesians in time past walked according to the course of this world according to the Prince of the power of the Air Eph. 2. 2. Reas His sin of Pride Thou hast said in thy heart I will ascend into Heaven c. I will be like the most High Isa 14. 13 14 15. Use 1. Blesse God who hath made thee meet to be partaker of the Inheritance of the Saints in light Col. 1. 12. 2. Have no Fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness Eph. 5. 11. 3. Walk as a Child of Light Eph. 5. 8. Resol I as are all the Sons of Adam was born in the Umbrage of his Gloomy Dominions Eph. 2. 2. and lived long a Subject under his Tyranny but now being translated out of them by him in whom there is no darkness at all I do and alwaies will submit my self to the right Scepter of his Kingdom Psal 45. 6. Ejâ—c Blesse and praise him my soul who hath called me out of darkness into his marvellous Light 1 Pet. 2. 9. After the Discourses concerning the Prison and Jaylor I conceive this the proper place for inserting of these three following Parallels though otherwise relating only to my Prayer for settlement as touching those missed secular Preferments Paral. VI. Circ The Prison was like unto that House wherein I had lived c. the Jaylor stood at the entrance of the Chief Prison-House as Master of the House Obs A seeming godly House may be Satans Habitation THE Honourable Governour with all or most of the then Members of that Family are in their graves and having been before Christs impartial Tribunal know their doom Of the dead or
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
particular perswasion in the soul of the Believer that his sins are pardoned and that God accepts of him as righteous in his Son Who By his Passive Obedience having undergone what we had deserved hath reconciled us unto his Father Col. 1. 21 22. And By his Active Obedience having fulfilled the Law for us this his Righteousness being imputed unto us we by and for it are reputed righteous and so are justified in the sight of God Isaiah 53. 11. Which Faith though it be the alone Instrument of Justification Rom. 3. 28. yet it works by Love in whomsoever it is Gal. 5. 6. From which it cannot be separated Because the Soul by Faith apprehending God as the Author of its Salvation by Christ cannot but with Love answer so great a Mercy Luke 7. 47. Because by Faith the heart is purified Acts 15. 9. Which without Love it cannot be Because the faithful have a just Title unto Heaven John 3. 36. Which without Love they cannot have This Faith at first is but weak Mat. 6. 30. Yet where there is A Desire of Union with Christ Phil. 3. 9. A Longing after the Word as its spiritual Food 1 Pet. 2. 2. A Cleansing of the soul from sin Acts 15 9. True Love towards God 1 John 4. 19 and towards his Children 1 John 5. 1. It is unquestionably true Faith which Gathering strength by degrees Rom 1. 17. grows up dayly towards a fulness of Perswasion Rom. 4. 21. Being furthered in the way thereunto By the Spirit assisting 1 John 2. 27. By stedfastness in the Faith Eph. 4. 14. By the Word 1 Pet. 2. 2. By the Sacrament John 6. 56. With John 15. 5. By Prayer Luke 17. 5. Obs Upon Effectual Calling Faith is necessarily required as the only Instrumental Means to unite the Soul unto Christ Texts John 15 4 5. Abide in me and I in you c. For without me ye can do nothing 1 John 5. 12. He that hath the Son hath Life Inst Abraham staggered not at the Promise of God through unbelief but was strong in Faith giving Glory to God being fully perswaded that what he had promised he was able to perform Rom. 4. 20 21. Paul counted all things but â—â—ung that he might win Christ and be found in him not having his own righteousness which is of the Law but that which is through the Faith of Christ the righteousness which is of God by Faith Phil. 3. 8 9. Reas 1. Without Faith we cannot partake of that Redemption which Christ hath wrought for us Eph. 1. 7. 2. Without Faith we are not justified Rom. 5. 1. Not adopted John 1. 12. We cannot be saved 1 Pet. 1. 9. 3. They who by Faith abide in Christ and he in them bring forth much Fruit John 15. 5. 4. They who abide not in Christ are fruitless branches fit only for the fire John 15. 6. Use 1. By Faith man is justified without the deeds of the Law Rom. 3. 28. 2. Get assurance that thou art united unto Christ 1 John 3. 24. 3. There is no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus Rom. 8. 1. 4. They who by Faith are united unto Christ are sure to have their Prayers granted John 15 7. 5. Pray that thy Faith may be encreased Luke 17. 5. 6. All Unbeleevers and temporary Beleevers are excluded from partaking in the Benefits of Christ John 3. 36. Rom. 11. 22. Resol Thou who hast begun the good work wilt perform it until the day of thine appearing Phil. 1. 6. I will therefore with a conâ—ident assurance look unto and wait upon thee O my Lord Christ for the perfecting of my Faith who art the Author and finisher of it Heb. 12 2. Ejâ—c Lord I beleeve help thou mine Unbeleef Mark 9. 24. Paral. VI. Circ Attempting to get down into the Building upon my Perswasion of being there secured from my Pursuer I was strongly opposed by men within it who thrust at me with an Halberd c. Obs The Souls Enemies upon Effectual Calling are most violent against its Faith I Was now upon the building and for my security was resolved to get down into it but met with strong opposition from those within it My resolution proceeded from my fear My Perswasion of safety there to be had was my Faith and this was it that mine enemies so violently opposed Faith is the souls chief defence under Christ Eph. 6. 16. It is the Soul's Life Heb. 10 38. If Satan can overthrow this the Soul sinks with it This he thrust sore at in Peter but he was assisted by Christ's Prayer for him Luke 22. 32. In Christ who beat him off with It is written Mat. 4. 3 4. So teaching us how to defend our selves Our Adversary chuseth out the most piercing and deadly of his â—iery darts which with all his force he casts against the faith of the effectually called upon his change Charging him Thon art an hainous sinner and therefore caâ—st not have faith This fiery dart is quenched with It is written Though your sins be as Scarlet they shall be as white as snow though they be red as crimson they shall be as Wool Isa 1. 18. But thou art an inveterate sinner This is quenched with It is written Lazarus was raised though he had lyen in the grave four dayes until he stank Luke 11. 39 44. But thou art Gods enemy whom he hates This is quenched with It is written And you that were alienated and enemies yet now hath he reconciled Col. 1. 21. But all thy sins are not pardoned such and such are still upon the Score This is quenched with It is written He will cast all our sins into the depths of the Sea Mich 7. 19. But thou hast no share in the obedience of Christ This is quenched with It is written Christ it made unto us of his Father Wisdom Righteousness Sanctification and Redemption 1 Cor. 1 30. But thou art still blind in spiritual things This is quenched with It is written The path of the Just is as the shining Light that shineth more unto the perfect day Proverbs 4. 18. And these his endeavours to over throw our Faith though not with the like violence as upon effectual Calling yet are continued against it through our whole Lives Somtimes he chargeth it with Barrenness This fiery dart is quenched with It is written Walk in Christ stablished in the faith Col. 2. 7. Fruitfulness will follow where faith is stedfast Somtimes he would perswade us that we have no Faith because we are under the effects of Gods displeasure This is quenched with It is written That the Son of his Love yet cried out My God! why hast thou forsaken me Mat 27. 46. Gods favour and the effects of his wrath may consist together Rev. 3. 19. Somtimes in that our Faith doth not encrease This is quenched with It is written The Seed springs and grows up the Husbandman knows not how Mark 4. 27. Somtimes he chargeth with hainous sins of
late commission as inconsistent with Faith This is quenched with It is written I have prayed for thee that thy Faith fail not Luke 22. 32. Thus by his Example hath our great Captain instructed us how to use the Sword of the Spirit at the point whereof if we keep our enemy though his Assaults be never so violent against our Faith yet he shall not be able to overthrow it Obs The Souls Enemies upon effectual calling are most violent against its Faith Texts 1 Pet. 5. 8. Your Adversary the Devil as a roaring Lion walketh about seeking whom he may devour whom resist stedfast in the Faith Rev. 12 12. Wo to the Inhabiters of the earth and of the Sea for the Devil is come down unto you having great wrath because he knoweth he hath but a short time Inst The evil Spirit being charged by Christ to come out of the young man and to enter no more into him cried and rent him sore and came out of him Mat. 9. 25 26. The Dragon stood before the Woman which was ready to be delivered for to devour her child assoon as it was born Rev. 12. 4. Reas 1. His Hatred of God whose Glory upon mans effectuall calling and Adoption being much enlarged Eph. 16. He endeavours what in him lyes to hinder it 2. His Pride he would have all to be his Subjects even Christ himself Mat. 4. 9. 3. His Malice against Mankind which he seeks to devour 1 Pet. 5. 8. 4. His Envy at the Joy of the Blessed Angels who rejoyce at the conversion and repentance of a sinner Luke 15. 7. Use 1. Be not entangled in the affairs of this life otherwise thou wilt be unfit for the spiritual Warfare 2 Tim. 2. 4. 2. Be sober and watchful 1 Pet. 5. 8. 3. Be strong in the Lord and in the power of his Might Eph. 6. 10. 4. Put on the whole Armour of God that thou maist be able to stand against the Wiles of the Devil Eph. 6. 11. 5. Be stedfast in the Faith 1 Pet. 5. 9. 6. Call to God for Help Eph. 6. 18. Resol I will take unto me the Shield of Faith wherewith I shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked Eph. 6. 16. Ejac. O my most dear Lord Christ Thou knowest what it is to be tempted Mat. 4. 3. c. Thou art able to succour them that are tempted Heb. 2. 18. O teach my hands to war and my fingers to fight Psal 144. 1. Communicate thy Victory unto me and then through thee who hast loved me I shall be more than Conqueror Rom. 8. 37. Paral. VII Circ Getting down into the Building in despight of mine Opposers they presently dis-appeared Obs The Souls Enemies resisted with Courage will flee away IN War it is no mean Point of wisdom in a General before he engage to consider the strength of the Enemy whether with his Troops he be able to encounter him if not that a Treaty and Terms of Peace may in time be propounded Luke 14 31 32. Had I had this respite and freedom yet these mine enemies were such as with whom a covenant of Peace was not to be expected but upon Nahash's dishonourable conditions to have put out the right eye of my Faith which they with such violence opposed 1 Sam. 4. 2. But I was in a great straight and had no time to parly I fled from a Lion and a Bear met me Amos 5. 19. I fled from the Egyptians the proud Waves were ready to overwhelm me Exod. 14. 2 10. My Pursuer was behind me these mine Opposers before me who having the advantage of Number Arms place did thrust â—orely at me How was it then that I prevailed against them to put them to flight The Lord fought for me He who at the Prison Gate had rescued me had stopped my Pursuer when following of me was pleased still to carry on the work and in the greatness of his excellency to overthrow those who rose up against me Exod. 15. 7. The Holy Spirit is the Power of God Luke 24. 49. and it is a Glorious Power Col. 1. 11. Glorious carrying alwayes with it an assurance of victory where it assisteth Rom. 8. 37. It were not Glorious if overpowered by any Glorious in perfecting his own strength in mans weakness 2 Cor. 12. 9. It doth not immediatly of it self confound our Adversaries but enables weak sinful man to master Principalities Powers spiritual Wickednesses and to get the Victory over their most violent Assaults With this his Glorious Power the Lord doth strengthen all his Servants and it is derived unto them By Christ's Donation John 16. 7. By his Intercession John 14. 16. Do thou make God thy Refuge and the most High thine Habitation and in thy greatest Straits thou shalt not want this Helper who will so protect that none evil shall befall thee and so encourage that undaunted thou shalt tread upon the Lion and Adder and shalt trample the young Lion and Dragon under feet The Lord will be with thee in trouble and deliver thee and shew thee his Salvation Psal 91. 9 10 13 15 16. Obs The Souls Enemies resisted with courage will flee away Texts Luke 4. 13. And when the Devil had ended all the temptation he departed from him for a season Jam. 4. 7. Resist the Devil and he will slee from you Inst Christ though strongly assaulted by Satan yet ovâ—râ—ame him and drave him away Maâ— 4. 11. St. Paul was enabled by the sufficiency of Gods Grace though not to remove yet to master the Messenger of Satan that was sent to buffet him 2 Cor. 12. 7 9. Reas 1. They are overpowered by the assistance of the Spirit Eph. 3. 6. 2. They withdraw that they may return upon the greater advantage Mat. 12. 45. Use 1. Give God the Glory of thy Victory over whatsoever temptation Psal 115. 1. 2. Have Faith in Chrisâ—'s Victory John 16. 33. 3. Oppose them with courage 1 Cor. 13. 16. 4. Stand continually upon thy Guard they will return Mat. 12 44. 5. If they prevail over thee it is thine own fault Jam. 1. 14. Overcome thy self and thou hast overcome them Resol Thou hast given me the shield of thy Salvation thou hast girded me with strength by thee I have run through a Troop and leaped over a Wall Thou art my God my strength in whom I will trust Psal 18. 2. 29 32. 35. Ejac. Lâ—t God arise and mine enemies shall be scattered and they that hate me shall â—lee before me and as smoak shall be driven away at his Presence Psal 68. 1 2. Paral. VIII Circ The Duties in General to be performed after Effectual Calling Obs As for all other Mercies so especially for Soul-deliverances God expects that man should be thankful THE best are unworthy of the least of all Gods Mercies Gen. 32. 10. Yet for his Children the Lord hath Tender Mercies Psal 25. 6. Great Mercies 2 Sam. 24. 14. Very great Mercies 1 Chron.
this Office by the Lord of the Family Luke 12. 42. A sharp Appetite 1 Pet. 2. 2. A Stomack purg'd from the clogging humours of sin 1 Pet. 2. 1. Improvement in all Grace is compared by St. Paul to the Fruitfulness of a Tree Col. 1. 10. To this universal Fruitfulness is required Seed in the soul disposing to such Fruitfulness Gal. 5. 22. Plentiful juyce or nourishment Psal 1. 3. Purging or pruning John 15. 2. Improvement by degrees is by our Saviour compared to the growth of Grain Mark 4. 26 27. To this is required A good soyl Luke 8. 15. Dews Rain and Influence from above 1 Cor. 3 7. Perseverance in Grace is compared by St Paul to a Race Phil. 3. 13 14. To this is required as there A Consideration of the richness of of the Price Fixing the eye upon the Mark of Perfection to which we must run Eph. 4. 13. An only serious and hearty minding of this A forgetting of our good deeds which are behind A reaching forth and pressing forward to the utmost of our power A careful shunning of the by-waies Of soft effeminatâ—ness or yielding upon a slight temptation 1 Cor. 6. 9. Of perverse stubbornness wilfully persisting in Error 2 Tim. 3. 8. Thus as St. Peter adviseth 2 Pet. 1. 5 c. the effectually-Called are with diligence to add to their Faith in which is included Hope as its life-blood Charity and so they have the three Theological Graces To these they are to add the four Cardinal or Mother-Vertues to which all other do refer namely Vertue or Fortitude a Branch whereof is Patience Knowledge or Prudence Temperance And Justice rendring To God his due in Godliness To our Neighbour his in Brotherly kindness Having these they have the whole Gold-Chain of Graces that precious Chain of the Spouses neck wherewith she ravished the heart of Christ her Beloved Cant. 4. 9. Which being in them and abounding will assure them of their effectual Calling and Election and doing of them they shall never fall but an entrance shall be ministred unto them abundantly into the everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ Obs The Effectually-Called are to grow in all Grace by degrees and to persevere therein They are to grow in Grace Texts 2 Cor. 10. 15. Having Hope when your Faith is en creased Rom. 5. 13. The God of Hope fill you with all joy that ye may abound in hope Inst He that had received the five Talents traded with them and made them other five Talents Mat. 25. 16. The Church in Thyatira is commended because her last works were more than the first Rev. 2. 19. They are to grow in all Grace Texâ—s 2 Pet. 3. 18. Grow in Grace Col. 1. 10. Being fruitful in every good work Inst The Ephesians are to grow up in Christ in all things Eph. 4. 15. Paul prayes that the Thessalonians may be sanctified wholly 1 Thes 5. 23. They are to grow by degrees Texts Prov. 4. 18. The path of the just is as the shining Light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day 2 Cor. 4. 16. Though our outward man perish yet the inward man is renewed day by day Inst He that delights in the Law of the Lord c. He shall be like a Tree planted by the Rivers of water that bringeth forth his fruit in his season Psal 1. 3. The good hearer that with an honest and good heart hears the Word keeps it and brings forth fruit with patience Luke 8. 15. They are to persevere therein Texts Ezek. 18. 24. When the righteous turneth away from his righteousness and committeth Iniquity in his sin that he hath sinned he shall dye Rom. 11. 22. Behold the goodness of God towards thee if thou continue in his goodness otherwise thou also shalt be cut off Inst Paul finished his course and kept the Faith 2 Tim. 4. 7. The Angel of the Church of Smyrna with the Members thereof have a Crown of life promised upon their faithfulness to the death Rev. 2. 10 Reas For growing in Grace 1. There is food enough in thy Fathers House that thou maist grow Luke 15. 17. 2. Thou must aim at Perfection Phil. 3. 12. 3. Not to go forward is to go backward Rev. 2. 4. Reas For growing in all Grace 1. Gods Command 2 Pet. 3. 18. 2. The Seed of the Spirit disposeth to such fruitfulness Gal. 5. 22. Reas For growing by degrees 1. God will have man to wait upon him Phil. 1. 6. 2. Preproperous hast discovers want of Faith Isa 28. 16. Christians too hasty are rootless and will fall away in the day of temptation Luke 8. 13. Reas For persevering therein 1. Without Perseverance we cannot partake of Christs Benefits Col. 1. 23. 2. We are as much as in us lies to strive to proportion our Work to the reward which will continue for ever 1 Pet. 1. 4. 3. Without Perseverance we cannot be saved Mat. 24. 13. 4. They who want this mark shall be â—lain without pity Ezek 9. 5 6. Use 1. Get an assurance that thou hast the Spirit that maketh fruitful and is known by its Fruits Gal. 5. 22. 2. Let thine obedience be Universal Psal 119. 6. 3. Bear afflictions patiently by them thou art pruned that thou maist bring forth more Fruitâ— John 15. 2. 4. Think on the rich Price Phil. 3. 14. 5. Pray unto God to perfect thee and trust him upon his Promise Phil. 1. 6. 6. Fall not from thy first love Rev. 2. 4. 7. The wicked sloathful and unprofitable Servant shall be cast into utter darkness Mat. 25. 30. Resol I will strive to be fruitful in every good work and to encrease in the knowledge of God so shall I walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing Col. 1. 10. and continue stedfast in the Faith 2 Pet. 3. 17 18. Ejac. Thou O Lord who hast called me art faithful and wilt do it O sanctifie me wholly and let ' my whole Spirit and Soul and Body be preserved blameless unto the Coming of my Lord Jesus Christ 1 Thes 5. 23 24. Paral. XIV Circ I observed men under the Scaffolds as lurking there to hinder those that would ascend Obs Our spiritual Enemies are to be watched with diligence lest they hinder us in our Improvement in Grace BY the Assistance of that Mighty Power backing me in my Descent into the Building one would think mine enemies had been sufficiently baffled and discouraged Yet here they are ready again if not with violence to oppose yet subtilly to supplant Though the serpents head be broken yet if possible he will bruise the heel Gen. 3. 15. When he first set upon our Great Captain he shewed himself a bold Asâ—ailant who would not be beaten off with one or two Repulses Mat. 4. 8. He hath not his Name of Beelzebub for nothing This great flesh-fly for so the Word signifies flap him away as often as you will yet will light on again Before at the Building he assaulted
a carnal carking crafty solicitous wisdom Or as St. James sets it down Jam. 3. 15. It is an earthly sensual devilish wisdom But ours must be of another temper and otherwise qualified it must be pure peaceable gentle easie to be entreated full of Mercy full of good fruits without partiality without hypocrisie Such is the true wisdom that descendeth from above Such let us labour to attain Motives Our Lord Christ exhorts us earnestly to get it Prov. 4. 5. It is worth our having being of inestimable value Prov 3. 15. It is a main Part of Gods Image Col. 3. 10. Without it we walk in darkness Prov. 4. 19. It never comes empty handed but brings with it long life wealth honour Prov 3. 16. It preserves a man and keeps him from evil Prov. 2. 11 12. It is rewarded with a Glorious Inheritance Prov. 3. Ult. If these have any power with us we will with all diligence seek after it Means The Means to attain it are To disclaim our own wisdom We must become Fools that we may be wise 1 Cor. 3. 18. To submet our selves to the Instruction of Christ our great Counseller Isa 9. 6. In whom are hid all the Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge Col. 2. 3. To submit our selves to the guidance of his Spirit which he hath promised shall teach us all things John 14. 26. To ask it by fervent Prayer of God who gives it liberally Jam. 1. 5. Being furnished with this we shall be the better able to decline the folly of sin which otherwise even the best of Gods people are subject unto which is The second Branch of the Point viz. Branch 2. That Gods own people may be and are too often overtaken with and fall into the folly of sin Where 1. Of their Relation and Character 2. Of their Weakness Partic. 1. Their Relation is set down in those words his People But are not all men the Lords People by right of Creation of Conservation Have they not their Being from him And doth not he support them in that their Being They are and have Yea the Jews were the Lords People by Choyce out of all Nations Deut. 4. 2. By many extraordinary Priviledges Rom. 9. 4 5. Which were denied to all other Pople Psal 147. 20. Yet beyond all this there is a certain number of people whom the Lord owns in a more special manner in whom he hath a special and peculiar Propriety They shall be mine Mal 3. 17. Thine they are John 17. 9. These they are so the Lords People as they are exclusively his excludiâ—g all others whom in this Relation the Lord takes noticâ— of All are his people as they are his Creatures The Jews were his People as they were his Subjects But these are his People in the greatest nearness that can be as Friends as Sons as Members as Partakers of his Divine Nature Pet. 1. 4. Now this his special propriety and owning of them the Lord is pleased by certain Titles and Favours of extraordinary love toward them to manifest in his Word They are called His hidden ones Psal 83. 3. His known ones 2 Tim. 2. 19. His peculiar people Tit. 2. 14. His peculiar Treasure Psal 35. 4. His Jâ—wels Mal. 3. 17. A people near unto him Psal 1â—8 14. His beloved ones Col. 3. 12. His accepted chosen predestinated adopted ones Eph. 1. 4 5. For whom he reserves a Kingdom Luke 12. 32. But how shall it be known who these are The Psalmist gives us here in the Text an infallible Character of them they are the Saints his people and his Saints The word Saint signifies holy There is an holiness by Faith and an holiness by Obedience By Faith Saints and faithful Brethren Col. 1. 2. By Obedience Psal 50. 5. Gather my Saints together that have made a Covenant with me by Sacrifice by the Sacrifice of themselves and their Wills to me in their obedience which is better then all Sacrifices 1 Sam. 22. 10. That give up themselves souls and bodies as a living Sacrifice holy and acceptable unto God in their reasonable Service of him Rom. 12. 1. These two must go together and indeed they cannot well be parted the one being as the eye of the Soul the other as the hand In vain doth the eye direct where there is not an hand to work and as vain is it for the hand to set it self to work without an eye to direct Obedience without Faith is blind and Faith without Obedience is dead but joyn them together and that man that is thus holy truly faithful and truly obedient he is the true Saint and the Lord owns such and only such for his people Use 1. For a man then to be baptized and to make an outward Profession of the Faith of Christ this is not enough to make him a true Saint It is true St. Paul by his own example in Col. 1. 2. hath taught us to judge of all that are baptized and do make an outward Profession of the Faith to judge and hope of them according to the Rule of Charity and unless their notorious wicked lives do manifest the contrary to esteem them to be Saints Notwithstanding without all question many thou ands are baptized and are Christians by Profession who are far from being Saints and ever shall be Neither is it enough to make a true Saint for a man by vow to dedicate and give up himself to the Service of God as all do in their Baptism For are there not many sacrilegious wretches who though they have so done yet rob God of what by vow they have given unto him treacherously deserting of him and giving themselves up to the service of the Devil the World and their own corrupt Flesh Neither doth a man presently become a Saint assoon as he is admitted a Member of a Gathered Church As to their sincerity they may still be Hypocrites and as to holiness of life the practises of some of them after their immembring have been so abominable as I have been certainly informed by those whom I dare believe that that Proverb may well be taken up against them There are but few Saints in the Church when the Devil carries the Holy Water Much less is it enough to make a true Saint to be Canonized at Rome and have a day assigned in the Calendar Doubtless there are many in their Register whom the Lord will never number amongst his Saints No it is only true Faith and true Obedience that makes a true Saint Use 2. Are the Saints the Lords people Here let us take notice of that high dignity and those extraordinary priviledges to which the Saints are advanced and admitted They are the Lords people he owns them as his peculiar treasure and by such his owning they are interessed in all the Blessings all the Promises contained in the Word temporal spiritual eternal Their Priviledges are so many they cannot be numbred so precious they cannot be sufficiently valued Take a few by