Law-Courts where there are Indictments against such Malefactours sealed up in a Bag and are produced at the assizes When God shall open his black book wherein mens Names are written and his bag wherein their sins are written then their Hearts will tremble and their knees smite one against another Every Lye a sinner tells every Oath he Swears every drunken bout God writes it down in his book of Remembrance and woe to him if the book be not crossed with the Blood of Christ. 3. See the Mercifulness of God to his Children who blots their sins out of his book of Remembrance and writes their good deeds in his book of Remembrance Isa. 43.25 I even I am he that blotteth out thy Transgressions 't is a Metaphor borrow'd from a Creditor who takes his pen and blots out the debt owing him so saith God I will blot out thy Transgressions Or as the Hebrew carries it I am blotting them out God in forgiving sin passeth an act of Oblivion Jer. 31.34 I will remember your sins no more God will not upbraid his People with their former offences We never read after Peter repented that Christ upbraided him with his denial of him O the Heavenly indulgence and kindness of God to his People he remembers every thing but their sins He writes down their good Thoughts and speeches in a Merciful book of Remembrance but their sins are as if they had never been they are carried into the Land of Oblivion If God records our services then let us record his Mercies let us have our Book of Remembrance A Christian should keep two books alwayes by him one to write his sins in that he may be humble the other to write his Mercies in that he may be thankful David had his book of Remembrance 1 Chron. 16.4 He appointed certain of the Levites to record and thank and praise the Lord God of Israel We should keep a Register-book of Gods Mercies though I think it is hard to get a book big enough to hold them At such a time we were in straits and God supplied us at such a time under sadness of Spirit and God dropped in the Oyl of gladness at such a time near death and God Miraculously restored us If God be mindful of what we do for him shall not we be mindful of what he doth for us Gods mercies like Jewels are too good to be lost get a Book of Remembrance It is Comfort to the Godly 1. In case of friends forgetting them Ioseph did Pharaoh's Butler a kindness yet did not the chief Butler remember Ioseph but forgat him Gen. 40.23 'T is too usual to remember Injuries and forget Friends but God hath a Book of Remembrance where he writes down all his old friends Near Relations may sometimes be forgetful the tender Mother may forget her infant Isa. 49.15 Can a Woman forget her sucking child yea she may but I will not forget thee a Mother may sooner be unnatural than God forgetful Christ our High-priest hath the Names of the Saints written upon his Breast-plate and all their good deeds written in his Book of Memorials Let this be as Bezar stone to revive the Hearts of Gods people though friends may blot you out of their Mind yet God will not blot you out of his Book 2. This is a consolation to the Godly the Lord keeps a Book of Remembrance for this end that he may at the last day make a publick and solemn mention of all the good which his Saints have done God will open his Book of Records and say as Mat. 25.35 I was an hundred and ye gave me meat thirsty and ye gave me drink c. God will make known all the memorable and pious actions of his People before men and Angels he will say here are they who have prayed and wept for Sin here are they who have been Advocates for my Truth here are they who have laid to Heart my dishonours and have mourned for what they could not reform These are my renowned ones my Hephzibahs in whom my Soul delights What a Glorious thing will this be to have God divulge the Encomium of his Saints when Alexander saw the Sepulcher of Achilles he cryed out O happy Achilles who hadst Homer to set forth thy praise what an honour will it be to have the Names and worthy deeds of the Saints mentioned and God himself to be the Herauld to proclaim their praises CHAP. XVI Shewing the Third Good Effect of the Saints Piety 3. THE third Good effect of the Saints Piety was God rewarded it vers 17. And they shall be mine saith the Lord of Hosts in that day when I make up my Iewels The reward is threefold 1. Gods owning them they shall be mine saith the Lord of Hosts where observe 1. The Person speaking the Lord of Hosts 2. The Reward it self they shall be mine 1. The Person speaking the Lord of Hosts This is too great a word to be passed by in silence God is often in Scripture stiled Dominus exercituum the Lord of Hosts Psalm 46.11 Isa. 1.24 That is he is the Supream General and Commander of all Armies and forces and gives Victory to whom he will Why is this Name The Lord of Hosts given to God Not that God needs any Hosts to protect himself or Suppress his enemies Earthly Princes have Armies to defend their Persons from danger but God needs none to help him he can fight without an army God puts strength into all Armies other Captains may give their Soldiers Armour but they cannot give them Strength but God doth Psalm 18.39 Thou hast Girded me with strength unto battel Why then is God said to have Hosts and Armies if he needs them not 1. It is to set forth his Soveraign Power and Grandure all Armies and Regiments are under his command 2. It is to shew us that though God can effect all things by himself yet in his Wisdom he oft useth the Agency of the Creature to bring to pass his will and purpose What are these Hosts or Armies of which God is the Soveraign Lord 1. God hath an Army in Heaven Angels and Arch-angels 1 King 22.19 I saw the Lord sitting on his Throne and all the Host of Heaven standing by him By the Host of Heaven is meant the Angels they being Spirits are a Puissant Army Psalm 103.20 Ye Angels which excell in Strength We read of one Angel who destroy'd in one Night an hundred fourscore and five thousand 2 King 19.35 If one Angel destroy'd such a vast Army what can a Legion of Angels do a Legion consisted of six thousand six hundred sixty six saith Hesychius how many of these Legions go to make up the Heavenly Host 2 The Stars are Gods Army Deut. 4.19 These were set in Battalia and fought against Gods enemies Iudg. 5.20 The Stars in their courses fought against Sisera That is the Stars did charge like an Army raising
the love of many to the Truth Though only Christs blood doth Save yet the blood of Martyrs may strengthen St. Paul's Prison Chain made Converts in Nero's Court two of which were afterwards Martyrs as History relates Mr. Bradford's holy advice and example so confirmed Bishop Farrar that he would not touch with the Roman Pollution 4. How sad will it be for Christians to fall off from their former Profession and espouse a novel Religion Iulian Bathed himself in the blood of Beasts Offered in Sacrifice to the Heathen Gods and so as much as in him lay wash'd off his former Baptism In the time of Iulius Cesar this Prodigy happened after a plentiful Vintage there were wild Grapes appeared upon their Vines which was looked upon as Ominous When men seemed to bring forth the Fruits of Righteousness and afterwards bring forth the Wild Grapes of Impiety it is a sad Omen and Prognostick of their Ruine 2 Pet. 2.21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of Righteousness than after they have known it to turn from the Holy Commandment Let all this make us maintain the power of Holiness in the worst Times Though others wonder we do not sin after the rate that they do yet remember it is better to go to Heaven with a few than to Hell in the Crowd How may we keep up the briskness and fervour of Grace in times of Apostacy 1. Let us beware of having our hearts too much linked to the World The World damps zeal as Earth chokes the fire We are bid to love our Enemies but the World is such an Enemy as we must not love 1 Iohn 2.15 Love not the World The World bewitcheth with her Blandishments and kills with her silver Darts He who is a Demas will be a Iudas a lover of the World will for a piece of Money betray a good Cause and make Shipwrack of a good Conscience 2. Let us be Voluntiers in Religion that is Choose God's service Psal. 119.30 I have chosen the way of truth It is one thing to be good out of Design and another thing to be good out of Choice Hypocrites are good only out of worldly design they embrace the Gospel for secular advantage and these will in time fall away The Chelidonian Stone keeps its Vertue no longer than it is inclosed in Gold take it out of the Gold and it loseth its vertue False Hearts are good no longer than they are inclosed in golden Prosperity take them out of the Gold and they lose all their seeming Goodness But if we would retain our Sanctity in Backsliding times we must serve God purely out of Choice He who is good out of Choice loves holiness for its beauty and adheres to the Gospel when all the Jewels of preferment are pulled off 3. Let us be inlaid with sincerity If a piece of Timber begin to bend it is because it is not sound Why do any bend and comply against their Conscience but because their hearts are not sound Psal. 78.37 Their hearts were not right with him neither were they stedfast Sincerity causeth stability When the Apostle exhorts to stand fast in the evil day among the rest of the Christian armour he bids them put on the Girdle of truth Ephes. 6.19 Stand fast therefore having your loins Girt about with truth The Girdle of Truth is nothing else but sincerity 4. Let us get love to Christ. Love is an holy transport it fires the affections steels the Courage carries a Christian above the love of life and the fear of death Cant. 8.7 Many waters cannot quench Love Love made Christ suffer for us If any one ask what Christ died off it may be answered he died of Love If we love Christ we will own him in the worst times and be like that Virgin Basil speaks of who not accepting deliverance upon sinful terms cried out Let Life and Money go welcome Christ. 5. If we would keep up the sprightly Vigour of Grace in evil times let us harden our Hearts against the taunts and reproaches of the wicked David was the Song of the Drunkards Psal. 69.12 A Christian is never the worse for reproach The Stars are not the less Glorious though they have ugly names given them the Bear the Dragon c. Reproaches are but Assulae Crucis the Chips of the Cross. How will he endure the Stake who cannot bear a Scoff Reproaches for Christ are Ensigns of Honour Badges of Adoption 1 Pet. 4.14 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Let Christians bind these as a Crown about their Head Better have men reproach you for being good than have God Damn you for being wicked Be not laughed out of your Religion If a Lame man laugh at you for going upright will you therefore halt 6. If we would keep up the Vigour of devotion in a General Epilepsy let us beg of God confirming Grace Habitual Grace may flag Peter had habitual Grace yet was foyled he lost a single Battel though not the Victory We need exciting assisting corroborating Grace not onely Grace in us but Grace with us 1 Cor. 15.10 Auxiliary Grace which is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a fresh gale of the Spirit will carry us undauntedly through the Worlds blustering storms Thus shall we be able to keep up our Heroick zeal in corrupt times and be as Mount Zion which cannot be moved CHAP. II. Shewing the Character in general of the Godly and what the Fear of God is 1. HAving done with the frontispiece of the Text I begin 1 with the Character in General of the Godly they are Fearers of God they that feared the Lord. What Fear is meant here 1. Negatively It is not meant 1 of a natural Fear which is a tremor or palpitation of Heart occasioned by the approach of some imminent danger Eccles. 12.5 Fears shall be in the way 2. It is not meant of a sinful Fear which is twofold 1. A Superstitious Fear An Hare crossing the way is by some more dreaded than an Harlot lying in the Bed 2. A Carnal fear this is the Ague of the Soul which sets it a shaking He who is timorous will be treacherous he will decoy his friend and deny his God Three times in one Chapter Christ cautions us against the fear of Men Mat. 10. Vers. 26 28 31. Aristotle saith the reason why the Camelion turns into so many colours is through excessive fear Fear makes men change their Religion as the Camelion doth her Colours 1. Carnal Fear is discruciating 1 Ioh. 4.18 Fear hath torment in it the Greek word for Torment is sommetimes put for Hell Mat. 25.46 Fear hath Hell in it 2. It is Pernitious 1. It Indisposeth for Duty The Disciples under the power of Fear were fitter to Fly than to Pray Mat. 26.56 2. It puts men upon indirect means to Save themselves Prov. 26.25 The Fear of man bringeth a Snare what made Peter deny Christ and
Profession to lose Heaven What think you of the Foolish Virgins They are called Virgins because they were not tainted with any gross Sin yet these Virgin-Professors were shut out Mat. 25.10 Balaam a Prophet Iudas an Apostle both cashiered We have seen some Ships have had glorious names given them the Good-speed the Hope the Safe-guard yet cast away at Sea 2. It is possible to come near to Heaven yet fall short of it Mark 12.34 Thou art not far from the Kingdom of God yet he was not near enough Men may countenance the Ministry of the Word have their Affections moved at an Ordinance and in outward show out-go the Children of God yet not having the Oyl of Sincerity in their Vessels they may be frustrated of happiness And how dismal is that to lose God to lose their Souls to lose their Hopes The Millions of Tears shed in Hell are not sufficient to bewail the loss of Heaven Well may such as have Heaven in them Fear their coming short of it Thus much for the Use of Trial. How shall we arrive at this Blessed Fear 1. Let us set God ever in our eye study his Immensity He is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God Almighty Gen. 17.1 He gives laws to the Angels binds the Consciences of men cuts off the Spirit of Princes Psalm 76.12 The Thoughts of Gods incomprehensible Greatness would strike an Holy awe into our Hearts Elijah wrap'd his face in a Mantle when Gods Glory passed by The reason men Fear not God is because they entertain slight thoughts of him Psalm 40.21 Thou thoughtest I was such an one as thy self 2. Let us pray for this Fear of God which is the Root of all Holiness and the Mother of all Wisdom Psalm 86.11 Vnite my Heart to Fear thy Name the Lord hath Promised to put his Fear in our Heart Ier. 32.40 Let us pray over this Promise while some pray for Riches and others for Children let us pray for an Heart to Fear God To conclude this you who have this Fear planted in your Souls bless God for it Psalm 135.20 Ye that Fear the Lord bless the Lord. God hath done more for you than if he had made you Kings and Queens and caused you to ride upon the High places of the Earth He hath enriched you with that Jewel which he bestows only upon the Elect. O stand upon Mount Gerizim blessing The Fear of God is an Immortal Seed springing up into Glory Psalm 22.23 Ye that fear the Lord praise him Begin the Work of Heaven now be Spiritual Quiristers sound forth Holy Doxologies and Triumphs say as David Psalm 71.8 Let my Mouth be filled with thy Praise and with thy Honour all the day God hath but little praise in the world Who should pay him this Quit-rent if not they that fear him CHAP. V. Shewing the first Character in special of the Godly namely Speaking of God 2. HAving done with the Character of the Godly in General I proceed next to their Special Characters 1 They spake often one to another When the Wicked said It is Vain to serve God then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another The meaning of this word they spake often is they did discourse Religiously together their Tongues were Divinely tuned by the Holy Ghost Christians when they meet together should use holy Conference This is not only an advice but a charge Deu. 6.6 These words shall be in thy Heart and thou shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thy House and when thou walkest by the way and when thou lyest down and when thou risest up Indeed where there is Gratia infusa it will be effusa Grace changeth the Language and makes it Spiritual When the Holy Ghost came upon the Apostles they spake with other Tongues Act. 2.4 Grace makes Christians speak with Other Tongues A good Christian hath not only the Law of God in his Heart Psalm 37.31 but in his Tongue vers 30. The body is the Temple of God 1 Cor. 6.19 The Tongue is the Organ in this Temple which sounds in Holy discourse Prov. 10.20 The tongue of the Iust is as Choice Silver He drops Silver sentences enriching others with Knowledge Mat. 12.35 A Good man out of the Good treasure of his Heart bringeth forth good things In his heart is a Treasure of Goodness and this is not like a bag of Mony Sealed but he brings something out of the Treasure within to the enriching of others Grace is of the Nature of fire which will not be pent up like new Wine it will have Vent There is a principle within constrains to holy Conference Job 32.18 The Spirit within me constraineth me CHAP. VI. Containing the Applicatory part IT shews the Genius and temper of true Saints they speak often one to another their Lips drop as an Hony-comb A man is known what country he belongs to by his Language He who belongs to the Jerusalem above speaks the Language of Canaan none of Gods children are dumb their mouth is a well-spring of Wisdom Prov. 18.4 Here I may draw up a bill of Indictment against five sorts of Persons 1. Such as are silent in matters of Religion They would be counted Good but he must have good eyes that can see it I know not whether it be Ignorance or Bashfulness that makes good discourse waved Many are so mute in Religion as if their Tongues did cleave to the roof of their Mouth had they any love to God or had they ever tasted how sweet the Lord is their mouth would talk of his Righteousness Psalm 71.24 Friends what should we mind but Salvation what are the things of this world they are neither Entia nor Manentia Do not we see men heap up Riches and on a sudden death as Gods Serjeant Arrests them What should we talk of but the things Pertaining to the Kingdom of God Let this cause blushing among Christians that their meetings are so unprofitable they leave God out of their discourse Why is there no good conference Have you so much Knowledge that you need not have it encreased Have you so much Faith that you need not have it Strengthened Silence in Religion is a loud sin We read of one who was possessed with a Dumb Devil Mark 9.12 How many are Spiritually possessed with a Dumb Devil It is a rebuke to such as when they meet together instead of speaking of Heaven they have idle frothy discourse They do 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but no 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Plutarch said of Alcibiades Their Lips do not drop as an Honey-comb but run as a Spout their speaking is Just like a Childs scribling Psalm 12.2 They speak Vanity every one with his Neighbour If Christ should ask some as he did the two Disciples going to Emaus Luk. 24.17 What manner of Communications have you as you walk they could not say as they did concerning Jesus of
Honour for a Subject to have his Prince Visit him 1 John 3.3 Our 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Communion is with the Father and his Son Jesus The Rabbins say Moses had an Hundred and fifty conferences with God and died with a Kiss from Gods mouth What greater Honour for a Person than to have God keep him Company Exod. 33.11 3. In that God makes them Rich heirs Rom. 8.17 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 joynt heirs with Christ. For a man to adopt another and make him heir to his estate is no small honour done to him The Youngest Believer is an heir yea and an Heir of the Crown 1 Pet. 5.4 This Crown he hath in promisso in the Promise Rev. 2.10 And in primitiis in the first-fruits Rom. 8.23 4. In that God sends his Angels to be their Servitors Such as are Gods Servants have Angels to be theirs Heb. 1.14 Are they not all ministring Spirits sent forth to Minister for them who shall be heirs of Salvation Who would not be fearers of God this makes God have an honourable esteem of them all men saith Chrysostome are ambitious of Honour the true Honour comes from God John 5.44 If God doth so Honour his People let them Honour him Mal. 1.6 Where is my Honour let the Saints be God-exalters let them lift up his Name in the World and make his praise glorious Psalm 66.2 But I only glance at this 2 ly That Gods People are his Jewels in that day when I make up my Iewels Jewels are precious things the Hebrew word for Jewels 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies a treasure A treasure is made up of costly things Gold and Pearl and Rubies such a precious Treasure are the Saints to God In what sence are the Godly Jewels 1. They are Jewels for their sparkling quality Their Holiness shines and sparkles in Gods eyes Cant. 4.9 Thou hast ravished my Heart with one of thine eyes that is one of thy Graces 2. The Godly are Jewels for their Scarcity Pearls are not common so the Godly are scarce and Rare there are but few of these to be found there are many false Professors as there are Bastard Diamonds but few Israelites indeed Mat. 20.16 Few are Chosen Among the Millions in Rome there were but few Senators among the swarms of People in the World but few Believers 3. The Godly are Jewels for their Price Queen Cleopatra had two Jewels that contained half the price of a Kingdom Thus the Saints are Jewels for their Value God esteems them at an high rate he parted with his best Jewel for them Christs precious blood was shed to ransom these Jewels 4. The Saints are Jewels for their adorning quality Jewels adorn them that wear them the Saints are Jewels that adorn the World Their Piety mixed with Prudence honours the Gospel Hypocrites Eclipse Religion and make it evilly spoken of the Saints as Jewels render it illustrious by their Sanctity 1. See the worth of the Godly they are Jewels they are a Royal diadem in the hand of God Isa. 62.3 That is they are eminent above others as a Crown hung with Jewels is an ensign of the highest state and Honour The Saints are Gods Glory Isa. 46.13 As if Gods Glory did lye in them 2. See then that which may bring Holiness into repute and make us become Proselytes to it It casts a splendour upon us and makes God number us among his Jewels Some are loath to embrace Godliness for fear it will be a stain to their Reputation and bring them out of favour with great men you see how it doth raise a persons renown it makes him precious in Gods sight he is a Jewel Believers in regard of their mystical union with Christ have a preciousness above the Angels the Angels are Morning Stars Job 38 7. Believers are clothed with the Sun of Righteousness Rev. 12.1 See the different Opinion that God hath of the Godly and the Wicked the one he esteems precious the other vile Nahum 1.14 I will make thy Grave for thou art Vile this is spoken of King Senacherib though he was by Birth Noble yet he was by sin Vile The Hebrew word for Vile signifies of base esteem Though the Wicked are high in dignity and worldly grandure yet God slights them A dunghil may be higher than other ground but it sends forth noisom Vapours Psalm 14.3 They are altogether become filthy In the Original it is they are become stinking The Wicked are compared to Dogs and Swine 2 Pet. 2.22 to dross Ezek. 22.19 Dross is the filth of the Mettal Sinners are compar'd to Chaff Psal. 1.4 When a Wicked man dies there is only a little Chaff blown away A sinner is the most contemptible thing in nature there is no worth in him while he lives and no loss of him when he dies A sinner is worse than a Toad or Serpent A Toad hath nothing but what God hath put into it but a Wicked man hath that which the Devil hath put into him Act 5.3 Why hath Satan filled thy Heart to lye to the Holy-Ghost See what an high estimate we should set upon the Godly they are Jewels they are the Glory of the Creation they are compared to Stars for their beauty Rev. 1.20 to Spice Trees for their perfume Cant. 4.14 They are the Chariots and Horsmen of Israel they are the excellent of the Earth Psalm 16.3 The Lord would soon break up house in the World but that he hath some Jewels in it Prize the Saints though they are humbled with Poverty we esteem of a Pearl though it lye in the dust Iohn Baptist was girt with a Leathern Girdle yet he was a Jewel Mat. 11.9 He was the Morning Star to usher in the Sun of Righteousness into the World The Saints are precious for they are Gods lesser Heaven Isa. 57.15 3. See the Saints Safety they are Gods Jewels and he will have a care to preserve them A man is careful that he doth not lose his Jewels God often gives his people a temporal Salvation if a storm comes he knows how to hide his Jewels He hid an hundred Prophets in a Cave 1 Kin. 18.4 The Angel is commanded before he poured his Vial of curses on the earth to seal the Saints of God on their fore-heads Rev. 7.3 Which was signum salutare a mark of safety however God will look to the Spiritual safety of his Jewels Joh. 17.12 Not one of them is lost If the Saints are Gods Jewels then how incensed and enraged will God be against those who shall abuse these Jewels Theodosius counted them Traitors who abused his Statue what will become of them who persecute Gods Saints and tread upon his Jewels It goes near to God to see his Jewels sprinkled with blood what is done to them the Lord takes it as done to him self Act. 9.4 Why persecutest thou me When