Selected quad for the lemma: spirit_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
spirit_n	answer_v	people_n	zion_n	21	3	8.5398	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
B25425	Troposchēmalogia: Tropes and figures; or, A treatise of the metaphors, allegories, and express similitudes, &c. contained in the Bible of the Old and New Testament To which is prefixed, divers arguments to prove the divine authority of the Holy Scriptures wherein also 'tis largely evinced, that by the great whore, mystery Babylon is meant the Papal hierarchy, or present state and church of Rome. Philologia sacra, the second part. Wherein the schemes, or figures in Scripture, are reduced under their proper heads, with a brief explication of each. Together with a treatise of types, parables, &c. with an improvement of them parallel-wise. By B. K; Tropologia. Book 4.	Keach, Benjamin, 1640-1704.; De Laune, Thomas, d. 1685. Tropologia. aut	1682 (1682)	Wing K101A; ESTC R7039	690,855	608

the inward Man both to do for God and to suffer for his sake they go from Strength to Strength in Zion David was too strong for Goliah and overcame him he coming against him in the Name of the Lord. Also they are not so easily corrupted by the Pollution of the Sins of the Times and evil Example of the Wicked as others are they having a glorious Principle of Life in them that preserves them from Soul-Putrefaction He that is born of God cannot commit Sin 1 John 3. IV. The Cedar is a very profitable Tree 't is excellent to build an House withal 1 Kings 6.15 16. Solomon therefore made use of it in building the Temple which we have shewed was a Type of the Gospel-Church IV. The Saints are fit Trees to build God's spiritual House The Beams of the Church are said to be of Cedar Cant. 1.17 which notes the Excellency and Duration of her principal Members V. The Cedar is a Tree full of Sap it also bears a sort of Fruit And it shall bring forth Boughs Ezek. 17.23 and bear Fruit and become a goodly Cedar and under it shall dwell all Fowls of every Wing The Shadow of this Tree it appears is very refreshing V. The Trees of the Lord are said to be full of Sap the Cedars of Lebanon which he hath planted Christ is their precious Root who supplies them with abundance of Grace and inward Vertue Of his Fulness all we receive Joh. 1.14 16. and Grace for Grace And by this means also they are made very fruitful abounding in Holiness and good Works And as they are fruitful to God so likewise they are profitable to Men. How happy is that People or Nation that sit under the Shadow or Protection of a righteous Government when Righteousness and Judgment shall be administred by the Saints All will seek for Shelter under them Which is promised and shall certainly be accomplished in the latter Days Inferences THis may put us upon the Search If the Saints are like goodly Cedars excellent above others well rooted strong durable and useful to God and Men we may hereby try our selves Do we excell do we grow up high Heaven-ward do we grow in Humility Are our Hearts lowest when our Estates are highest When we are most honoured in the Eyes of Men are we most humble in the Sight of God 2. It may also afford Comfort to the Godly What Decays soever they seem now to be under yet they shall return again grow and send forth their Roots as the Cedars in Lebanon Hos 14.6 3. Remember that that Tree which takes the deepest Root spreads its Branches furthest out and brings forth most Fruit. 4. Let it also be remembred that the more the Saints grow like the Cedar and put forth their Roots as Lebanon the more they manifest and clearly shew their being rooted in Christ whose Countenance is as Lebanon excellent as the Cedars Cant. 5. 5. How wonderfully are they mistaken that think to tear up by the Roots or throw down God's tall and strong Cedars for notwithstanding the many terrible Blasts and violent Winds that hath most fiercely blown upon them yet they have stood do and will stand The Highest himself shall establish her Saints compared to Myrtle-Trees Isa 41.19 I will plant in the Wilderness the Cedar the Shittah and the Myrtle-Tree c. Isa 55.13 In the stead of the Thorn shall come up the Fir-Tree and in stead of the Bryar shall come up the Myrtle-Tree c. Zech. 1.8 11. I saw by Night and behold a Man riding upon a red Horse and he stood among the Myrtle-Trees that were in the Bottom THe wise God who best knows the Nature and Properties of all Things that his Hands hath made compares the Ungodly oftentimes in holy Scripture to Trees and other Things that are of a hurtful and evil quality or are of such a Nature that He sees will sutably set them forth They are compared to Bryars Thorns Nettles c. And also the Godly are set forth by and compared to several Sorts of Trees as to the Palm-Tree the Cedar the Willow c. and in these Places as many understand to the Myrtle-Tree the Nature of which together with an useful Parallel take as followeth Metaphor Parallel THe Myrtle-Tree is a rare and most excellent Tree a Tree of very great account hardly any one Tree was more accounted of amongst the Romans as Pliny observes the Jews highly esteemed of it THe Saints are a choice People God esteems highly of them As the Myrtle-Tree excells the Thorn and the Bryar so do the Godly excell the Wicked Isa 41.19 Isa 55.13 Isa 43.4 Since thou hast been precious in my Sight thou hast been honourahle c. II. There are divers Sorts of Myrtle-Trees some white and some black Plin. lib. 15. p. 451. some tame and others wild as Historians have noted II. So there are divers Sorts of Christians some more shining in Grace and Holiness than others some by reason of an evil and crooked Nature Grace hardly appears in them c. We read of Fathers young Men and Children III. The best Sorts of Myrtle-Trees were used to be planted in Gardens and were a great Ornament to them their Branches being very green and amiable to look upon III. The Godly those spiritual Trees which God plants in his Church which is his Garden and the most holy and mortified Ones of them such whose Conversation and Profession is amiable whose Branches and spiritual Leaves wither not are a great Ornament to God's Garden IV. The Myrtle-Tree yields most choice and excellent Fruit nay more may be said of it than of any other Tree for it yields two Sorts of Fruit both Oil and Wine Nature saith Pliny sheweth her wonderful Power touching this Tree especially in the Juice considering that of all Fruits it alone doth yield two Sorts both Oil and Wine IV. The Saints of God are a People that yield two Sorts of Fruit to the Honour of God and the Profit of their Neighbour answering to the two Tables In this they excell all other People There are some that are morally righteous they make Conscience of their Duties to Men but do not bring forth the Fruits of the Spirit in answering a good Conscience towards God Herein do I exercise my self c. Acts 24.16 V. The Myrtle-Trees are said to stand in the Bottom Zech. 1.8 11. V. The Saints of God are a People of a lowly and humble Spirit and hence they are compared to the low Vallies whereas the Wicked are compared to lofty Mountains Also the Myrtle-Tree in the Bottom may signify the low and persecuted State of God's People and in that the Angels are said to be amongst them it holds forth the gracious Presence of God with his Saints whilst they are in a low dark and persecuted Condition Yea Psal 23 4. tho I walk saith David through the Valley of the Shadow

Scarcity better than weak or poor Christians will only God hath for their Comfort and Encouragement promised to supply their Wants Phil. 4.19 and will if sincere also relieve them Psal 84.11 that they shall not faint or perish in the Years of Famine XIX Some Cities tho rich yet are in a comparative sence but small but little Cities XIX The City of God in comparison of great Babylon is but a small City notwithstanding all her Glory Grandure Luke 12.32 Eccles 9.14 Rev. 17.18 and Greatness as you have heard she is but little There was a little City and few Men in it This City is the Church of God c. Babylon is a great City In comparison of the Wicked Christ's Flock is but a handful of People as it were XX. A City tho very strong yet is sometimes besieged and hath many Enemies XX. The City of God this little City is besieged Isa 1.8 The Daughter of Zion is left as a Cottage in a Vineyard as a Lodge in a Garden of Cucumers as a besieged City And marvellous it is so small a City should hold out so bravely unto this Day especially considering what mighty Enemies have and do besiege her Object But here it may be objected Hath it not been overcome is it not said The Holy City was trodden under foot Rev. 11.2 Answ It is only the outward Court God hath had his Church in all Ages tho forced for a time to flie into the Wilderness from the Face of the Dragon Rev. 12 6. Quest By whom is this City besieged Answ 1. By the Devil called a great King and the King of the Bottomless Pit Eccles 9.14 Rev. 12. 2. By Antichrist the First-born of Satan He hath for above twelve hundred Years laid Siege against it using all manner of Engines Craft and Cruelty to batter her down and finally to destroy her 3. She is besieged by the World by wicked Men Men of earthly and carnal Principles who abhor Zion and say Let her be defiled raze her Psal 137.7 even to the Foundation thereof 4. She is besieged by Sin and the Flesh a secret Enemy who fain in a clandestine way would betray her this Enemy doth her the most Mischief 5. She is besieged by a Multitude of false Teachers 2 Pet. 2.1 2. these likewise have done great Hurt and Dammage to the Church of God who labour by evil Doctrine to poyson all her Inhabitants 6. And besides all this there have been sad Divisions within her also she has been as a City divided and yet she stands 7. There have been sad Breaches made in her Walls so that many have been let in that way who should have been kept out 8. Many that seemed to be for her have deserted her and joined with the Enemy and yet still she holds out 9. And which is worst of all few of those who have been in the City have bravely acquitted themselves by Zeal and Holiness to defend her and yet she holds out still Quest From whence is it that she is helped to bear up against all these sore and grievous Assaults Batteries and Calamities Answ 1. This City as you have heard is built upon a Rock it has a sure Foundation which cannot be removed Mat. 16.18 2. The Lord of Hosts hath fought for her 't is he that hath been on her side he hath defended Mount Zion and the Hill thereof he hath took part with her Psal 125.2 Isa 31.4 5 and doth at this day 3. She holds out because God hath decreed her Standing Zech. 12.8 9. and that her Enemies shall not prevail 4. She is defended because she is the Place which the Lord loveth Psal 74 2. and hath purchased with the Blood of his own dear Son 5. Because it is the Place where God's Honour dwells Psal 26.8 I have loved the Habitation of thy House the Place where thy Honour dwells 6. Again she still remains because she is tho a little City yet a strong City We have a strong City She hath strong Fortifications strong Walls and Bulwarks Isa 26.1 Psal 31.21 135.21 Zech. 2.5 7. 'T is because God's own Habitation as you have heard is in her God is a Wall of Fire round about her and the Glory in the midst of her 8. She is defended by reason of the Strong-Tower she hath in her so long as her Tower stands how can she be battered down And her Tower is impregnable The Enemy may sooner pull the Sun out of the Firmament than undermine or batter down deface or demolish the Tower of Zion which is the Name of the Lord. Prov. 18.10 See Strong-Tower 9. She is defended because in her are the Laws Statutes Ordinances Isa 2.3 and holy Institutions of her King the Lord Jesus where he is worshipped and adored in Spirit and Truth Inferences HEnce all that dwell in Zion may be provoked to a diligent Improvement of their great Privileges to the end they may be enriched with all those spiritual Riches and dignified with that Honour that appertaineth to a true Denizen thereof 2. Take Comfort and Encouragement also whatever the Attempts of the Enemies are yet about all her Glory shall be a Defence All those whose Feet stand within her Gates may read Honour Safety Isa 4.5 and Salvation as it were written upon her Walls 3. Let it be your Delight to prefer her above your chiefest Joy as she is called the holy City so be ye also holy Psal 137.6 that you may declare your selves unto what City it is you do belong 4. How may this call home all those that are gone astray and invite all that profess good Will unto Sion to let their Feet stand within her Gates for the Lord hath desired it for his Habitation Holy David made this his one thing desirable Psal 27.4 viz. to dwell in God's House to be a Denizen of this City and why should not you 5. Let it be a Warning to all Sion's Enemies to take heed how they lift up their hands against her or reproach God and them that dwell in Heaven let them lay down their Arms and fight against her no more The Lord shall roar also out of Zion Joel 3.16 and utter his Voice from Jerusalem and the Heavens and Earth shall shake But the Lord will be the Hope of his People and the Strength of the Children of Israel So shall ye know that I am the Lord your God dwelling in Zion my holy Mountain c. The Church compared to the Moon Cant. 6.10 She is fair as the Moon THe Moon is called in Hebrew Lebanah of her Whiteness and bright Shining The State of the Church all Expositors agree is signified hereby The Church may in many respects be compared to the Moon Simile Parallel NAturalists affirm the Moon receiveth her Light from the Sun THe Church hath all her Light from Christ the Sun of Righteousness

your Bounds the Garden of Christ must not be opened into other Men's Fields Keep your Communion entire remember you are bounded by Christ's Laws and Institutions take heed you do not with Ephraim mix your selves with other People The Church compared to a Lilly Cant. 2.2 As the Lilly among the Thorns so is my Love among the Daughters CHrist calleth his Church his Love and compareth her to a Lilly among Thorns By Daughters are meant as some conceive other Churches who pretend themselves to be the Spouse of Christ Daughters saith the Learned Wendelin are either Nations Strangers to the Church of Christ which nevertheless are joined to us by the common Ligaments of Humanity and descend from the same Creator and therefore called Daughters or else such as profess their Names among the Citizens of Zion the Church of Christ But as the Church is compared to a Lilly so with the greatest Elegancy the Daughters are compared to Thorns Simile Parallel A Lilly is a very sweet Flower so fragrant that Naturalists tell us a Man's Senses will be easily turned with the Strength thereof SO there is nothing sweeter to Christ than the Church the Spouse Ca●t 4.7 10 14. Thou art all fair my Love there is no Spot in thee The Smell of thy Ointment is better than all Spices Spikenard and Saffron Calamus and Cinamon with all Trees of Frankincense Myrrh and Aloes with the chief Spices The Church and faithful Children of God are unto Christ a sweet Savour And 't is said Noah built an Altar to the Lord and took of every clean Fowl Gen. 8.40 41. and offered Burnt-Offerings on the Altar and the Lord smelled a sweet Savour II. A Lilly is an exceeding white Flower nothing more pure nothing whiter saith the same Author than a Lilly II. So nothing is more fair and white or purer in Christ's Sight than the Church My Vndefiled is but one she is the only one of her Mother she is the choice one of her that bare her Thou art all fair my Love and there is no Spot in thee Hence said to be cloathed in fine Linnen clean and white Christ her blessed Bridegroom gave himself for her Eph. 5.25 26 27. that he might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of Water by the Word that he might present her to himself a glorious Church not having Spot or Wrinkle or any such thing but that she should be holy and without Blemish III. The Lilly is a very fruitful Flower Plin. lib. 21. cap. 5. one Root saith Pliny often yielding fifty Pods The Dew of Heaven the Heat of the Sun and Fatness of the Soil make it fruitful III. The Church is fruitful nothing more fruitful saith Wendelin The which being planted in the Field of one Jerusalem in the Days of old watered by the Apostolick Men with the Dew of the Word and Miracles the Sun of Righteousness shining upon it Mal. 4.2 and infusing of his Divine Heat into it In what part of the World See Vine in the space of a few Years hath it not taken Root In the former Age after the Roman Winters of the Alpine Snow had for some Ages depressed this Flower and reduced its Leaves to admirable Paucity insomuch that they were scarcely visible to the World and had circumscribed its Roots into a narrow Space how great and swift were the Increasings of it the Heavens which before seemed shut again bedewing of it Then that Word saith he we saw fulfilled which was promised in Times past to Israel Hos 14 4 5. I will be as the Dew unto Israel and he shall grow as the Lilly and cast forth his Roots as Lebanon His Branches shall spread and his Beauty shall be as the Olive-Tree and his Smell as Lebanon Germany England France Italy Spain Poland Hungary Denmark Sweden hath and what Country of Europe hath not within a few Years seen the Roots and Branches thereof spread and smelt its Odor The Popish Waves Flames and Axes could neither suffocate burn nor cut up the Flower Leaves nor Roots of this Lilly The Shadow of the Highest hath restrained the Flames his Spirit bound up or constrained the Waves his Right-hand with-held the Axes that grinning and grinding Dragon that the Beast and false Prophet could do nothing c. IV. The Lilly is a very tall Flower few Flowers as Pliny observes are higher than the Lilly IV. So the Church and People of God are the tallest or highest People in the World they dwell on high Isa 33. Christ's Spouse is secure in that most high and Heaven-threatning Rock Mat. 16.18 not to be overthrown by any of the Enemies battering Rams nor to be reached by any Power of the Dragon This is that chosen Generation 2 Pet. 2 9. royal Priesthood holy Nation peculiar People who are said to dwell on high And tho they now seem to creep low upon the Ground and wander as it were in Darkness yet dwelling in God they rest secure c. Mich. 4.1 2. and shall in due Time be exalted above the Hills and the highest Mountains of the Earth V. The Lilly is a Flower most gloriously adorned and lovely to look upon so that our Saviour saith Solomon in all his Glory was not adorned like one of these It is furnished with beauteous Accomplishments its Form is excellent with six Leaves curiously set and within are seven Grains and all within of the Colour of Gold hanging down their Head much of the Glory of the Lilly is inward V. The Church and Spouse of Christ is very glorious her Clothes are said to be wrought Gold Psal 45. She shall be brought to the King in Raiment of Needle-Work Hence said to be as fair as the Moon as clear as the Sun The Church with every sincere Soul is gloriously adorned furnished with beauteous Accomplishments 1. With the imputed Righteousness of Christ a transparent and sparkling Ornament 2. The Gifts of the Holy Spirit which may answer to the Leaves of the Lilly 3. The Graces of the Spirit which may answer to the Grains within the Lilly 2 Pet 1.5.6 7 8. which as St. Peter layeth them down are seven Yet notwithstanding all this Glory with which Christ's Spouse is adorned and beautified she is not proud but as taught by the seven Grains of the Lilly or Graces of the Spirit doth humbly hang down her Head Psal 45. Her chiefest Beauty is internal The King's Daughter is all glorious within VI. The Lilly is a Plant that as Naturalists tell us doth shoot up suddenly nay and that it doth grow very much in the Night VI. So God's Church when his Blessing is upon it thrives marvellously in a short time To make this appear consider in the Primitive Time when the Dew of Grace fell upon the Christian World what abundance of Lillies sprung up suddenly Three thousand converted by St. Peter at one Sermon Acts 2.40 VII The Lilly is among

in Christ partakes of Christ's spiritual Nature John 3.6 That which is born of the Spirit is Spirit or spiritual IV. A Babe is formed by the mighty Power of God in the Womb. IV. A Saint is formed or created by the mighty Power of Christ and by the Spirit We are his Workmanship Eph. 2.10 created in Christ Jesus to good Works V. A Babe is born or brought forth into the World V. A Saint is born of God Psal 87.5 And of Zion it shall be said this and that Man was born in her Ministers are said to travail to bring forth Children to Christ VI. A Babe hath all the Parts and Lineaments of a Man if it be a perfect Birth VI. A Babe in Christ hath all the Essentials of a true Christian he hath all the Parts and Lineaments of a new Creature There is a Formation or a gracious Work in every Faculty a partaking of every Grace tho at first forming not come to full Growth and Perfection VII A Babe when born is observed to come into the World crying VII A Babe in Christ when first born again or spiritually brought forth cries to God is much in Prayer God hath no Children that are born dumb Behold Acts 9. he prayeth which was a clear Demonstration that he was born again or a new Creature VIII A Babe new-born desires the Milk of its Mothers Breast VIII A Babe in Christ desires the sincere Milk of the Word viz. the sweet saving and comfortable Doctrine of the Gospel IX Babes are harmless free from Malice IX Babes in Christ are or should be harmless concerning Malice as Children X. A Babe when first born if not diseased is observed to grow much in a little time its Growth is then more visible than afterwards X. A Babe in Christ or a true Christian when first converted if not spiritually distempered grows much We read of some of the Saints who soon after they received the Word of Truth grew exceedingly tho afterwards a Saints Growth in Grace is not so visible XI A Babe needs much tending must be carefully look'd after or it may suffer much It is carried in the Arms dandled upon the Knees and laid in the Bosom and hath many a Kiss from the Father and Mother XI Babes in Christ need also much spiritual Tendence and looking after Christ as well as his Church and Ministers takes much care of them Isa 40 10 11. He carrieth these in his Arms and layeth them in his Bosom They have many a gracious Kiss of Christ's Mouth or Promise of his Word whereby he seals up his Love to them XII Babes after they are grown up are taught to speak plain not to chatter and cry only but to talk and speak intelligibly and also to go XII A Babe in Christ is taught by Christ also to pray and speak in Prayer more plainly or to express it self and make known its Wants more intelligibly and also how to go and walk in the Ways of God's Commandments Hos 11.3 I taught Ephraim to go taking him by the hand XIII Babes are weak in Knowledg and Understanding When I was a Child 1 Cor. 13. I thought as a Child I understood as a Child From hence they many times are froward peevish and soon take distaste small things will offend them XIII A Babe in Christ is usually weak in spiritual Understanding or in the Mysteries of the Gospel and from hence are very subject also to be offended with this thing and that thing which strong Christians can bear Many of the young Disciples in the Primitive Time were offended at those that did eat Meat c. XIV A Babe after it is grown up doth not expect that its Father or Mother should dandle it upon their Knees or seem visibly to shew that Love to it as at first when it was very young XIV So Christians when they are grown to some degree of Ripeness in Understanding should not expect to be always dandled upon the Knee of Promises or lie in the Arms and Bosom of Christ I mean have such visible Expressions or Manifestations of his Love knowing they are his Children and in his Covenant in his Family and under his Care Eye and gracious Provision and Protection XV. A sweet Babe one that is very quiet and good-conditioned is greatly delighted in and wonderfully beloved by its Parents when others tho their Parents cannot but have Parental Affection to them yet have not so great a Love as to him or her that is so pleasant in their Eye XV. So a young Christian that is of a humble sweet and contented Disposition not cross and froward under the Hand and Providence of God but takes all patiently is mightily prized and beloved by Jesus Christ Is not Ephraim my dear Son Is he not a pleasant Child c. How did Christ delight in John that sweet and precious Disciple XVI Children need good and careful Education to be kept under good Discipline and have good Instruction Train up a Child when he is young in the Way wherein he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it XVI Young Christians need also good Instruction many things they are to learn that they may wisely behave themselves in the House and Family of God They must more especially be taught the good Discipline of God's Church that they may know how they ought to go in and out before one another See Dear Children XVII Some Babes or young Children if their Parents do not give them what they would have of this or that presently throw away what they have and are angry and think they do not love them XVII So some young Christians because God doth not give them such l●rge Knowledg and Experience of Himself and other good Things of the Spirit they slight all God hath been pleased to bestow upon them and conclude God doth not love them XVIII Babes for these and other Faults often feel the Rod. XVIII So Christians are oft-times under the Rod of God for their Faults Saints compared to Children Rom. 8.17 If Children then Heirs c. Gal. 3.16 For ye all are the Children of God by Faith in Christ Jesus Eph. 5.1 Be ye Followers of God as dear Children SAints are God's dear Children not only Children but dear Children Dear Children hath reference to two things 1. To that high Esteem their Parents have of them 2. To that gracious and sweet Disposition such Children are of Children Parallel CHildren are begotten of their Parents and brought forth into this World THe Saints are begotten of God Of his own Will begat he them Every one that ●●veth him that begat 1 John 5.1 loveth him also that is begotten of him They are also brought forth by him into a State of Grace II. Children partake of the Nature of their Parents even of their very Flesh and Bone II. The Saints by their being begotten of God through Faith In a

to Salt Mat. 5.13 Ye are the Salt of the Earth but if the Salt have lost its Savour wherewith shall it be salted It is henceforth good for nothing but to be cast out and trodden under Foot of Men. BElievers as well as Ministers are called by our Saviour the Salt of the Earth for Christ preached this Sermon not only to his Apostles but to all the Disciples it is not appropriated to Ministers alone but to all Believers Why the Godly are and may be compared to Salt is briefly opened in the following Parallel Metaphor Parallel SAlt is very profitable it keeps and preserves Meat from putrifying which would soon stink corrupt and perish was it not for it Salt as one saith is the Blossom of Nature it is mingled with all mixed Bodies and preserves them from Corruption SO the Godly are most profitable in all the Earth 1. They keep the World from being totally corrupted by evil and pestilent Errors and Heresy 2. From being spoiled by Prophaneness and Hellish Debauchery They by their holy Lives Doctrine and gracious Deportment put a check to the over-spreading Wickedness of those Places where they live The World would soon grow much worse than it is were it not for the Saints and People of God it would stink and be so abominable in God's sight that he would not endure it any longer And besides God many times spares a People Family and Nation for the sake of the Righteous who dwell among them The Godly are the Interest of People and Nations as is elsewhere shewed Had there been but a little more of this spiritual Salt in Sodom viz. but ten righteous Ones it might have continued to this day And he said O let not the Lord be angry and I will speak yet but this once Gen. 18.32 Peradventure Ten shall be found there c. And He said I will not destroy it for Ten 's sake Nay tho there was scarce ever a godly Soul in it but righteous Lot yet what said the Angel Haste thee escape thither for I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither Gen. 19.22 As Zoar was saved for Lot's sake so Sodom could not be set on fire till he was out of it Again was not Joseph the Interest of Potiphar's House was not his Master blessed for his sake And was not Laban and what he had blessed for Jacob's sake And was not the whole House of Israel and Judah preserved and saved from utter Ruine for the sake of a holy Remnant that was amongst them ●sa 1.9 Except the Lord of Hosts had left us a very small Remnant we should have been as Sodom and been like unto Gomorrah II. Salt draws putrifying Humors out of Meat it is of a purging and cleansing quality II. So gracious Christians Blackwood by their Doctrine and holy Example and in particular Preachers draw out Rottenness and Filth from the Hearts and Tongues of Men. III. Salt seasons Meat and makes it savoury III. The godly Christian by his Wisdom seasons the Minds of good Men. Hence Sapientia is derived à Sapore from Savour The Latines express wise and witty Speeches pleasant Discourse a good Grace in speaking and Salt by the same Word This agrees with that of the Apostle Let your Speech be always with Grace seasoned with Salt Col. 4.6 that ye may know how to answer every Man IV. Salt is of a hot and fiery Nature being cast into the Fire it sparkles and burns furiously IV. So Christ's Disciples are by the Spirit made hot fervent and zealous for God and his Truth yet this Heat should be mingled with Discretion lest they flie out Luk. 9.33 as those did who called for Fire from Heaven V. Salt stirs up Thirst V. So the good Example of Christians stir up others to thirst after Christ and heavenly Things Blackwood We should not so much look for Examples from others as give Examples our selves VI. Salt makes Meat fit for Food and meet to be received by such as want it VI. So by the Salt of a holy Conversation or a good Life in them that preach and profess the Gospel the Word becomes fit to be received This makes it relish and this way a Preacher or Professor may be said to season his own Doctrine And on the other hand how unsavoury doth that good Doctrine seem to be Rom. 2.21 22 23 24. and what little Relish is there in it that is preached by an unholy and unsanctified Person VII Salt may lose its Savour and become good for nothing but to be trodden under Feet of Men. It is not fit for the Land nor yet for the Dunghill but Men cast it out Naturalists tell us that Salt having lost its Savour being laid upon Land it causeth Barrenness VIII So Professors if they lose their Savour if they become vain vicious and carnal in their Conversations what are they good for A Christian to turn an Apostate he that seemed once savoury and serious in his Words and Behavior to become filthy unclean proud ambitious covetous c. is one of the worst of Men such are fit for nothing but to be cast into Hell Of these the Apostle speaks It is impossible to renew them again by Repentance c. Unsavoury Professors Heb 6 4 5 6. and wicked Apostates tend to make the Church barren they hinder the Increase thereof Inferences HOw unsavoury is the World Sinners by Nature are loathsom and stinking in God's Sight Their Throats are like open Sepulchers Rom. 3.13 2. It shews Saints their Duty which is to season others They should season the Place Town Family where they live 1. By good Doctrine 2. By a good Conversation 3. By good Counsel Jacob told his Sons Simeon and Levi Gen. 34.30 by their slaying the Sichemites they made him to stink among the Inhabitants of the Land The Speech as well as the Practice of Christians should be a seasoning and savoury Pattern that it may administer Grace to the Hearers and Observers thereof 3. O let it stir up every Christian as well Preachers as others to be savoury Ezek. 36.20 Rom. 2.24 How can we season others if the Salt hath lost its Savour Take heed of scandalous Sins 1. By these the Name of the Lord is blasphemed 2. Religion brought to Contempt and Reproach 3. The Hearts of all sincere Ones greatly grieved 4. The Conversion of Sinners hindred 5. Mens Damnation furthered Hence saith Christ Wo be to the World because of Offences But on the other hand 1. A holy and savoury Life makes a Man lift up his Head with much Boldness tho reproached Whose Ox have I taken or whose Ass Or of whose hands have I received a Bribe 2. It tends to stop the Mouths of the Wicked 1 Sam. 12.3 1 Pet. 3.16 3. It is many times not only a Means of Conviction but Conversion of others nay and of such as will not be won by the

III. A Heart of Flesh cannot bear a great Weight a heavy Burden will crush and mar it exceedingly Lay never so great a Weight upon a Stone and that will bear it you cannot crush that nor make the least Impression in it what Weight soever you lay upon it but a Heart of Flesh or that which is of a soft Substance is of another Nature a Weight will bruise crush and mar it immediatly So a tender-hearted Christian cannot bear the Weight of Sin he feels the Burthen so heavy that he is sorely crushed down and oppressed under the Guilt thereof and grievously bruised Thus it was with David Psal 38. I am sore broken I am bowed down greatly c. IV. A Heart of Flesh I mean a living Heart for 't is such a one of which the Text speaks is a sensible Heart So a tender-hearted Christian or a Man or Woman that hath a Heart of Flesh is very sensible Such are sensible of their own Vileness and loath themselves before the Lord cannot bear the Thoughts of God's Displeasure it goes to their very Heart to think that the holy and infinite God should be displeased and offended with them they are sensible of their own Sorrows and of the Sorrows and Miseries of others A tender-hearted Person will grieve for the Afflictions of his Brethren and Sisters if his Mother or any dear Relation is distressed and in great Misery O how sensible is he of it and how sorely troubled and disquieted in his Spirit And thus it is with a tender hearted Saint O how is he grieved for the distressed Saints and for distressed Sion c. V. A Heart of Flesh i. e. a tender Heart will take any Impression you please So a tender-hearted Christian will take any Impression from God He is like Wax melted that will take the Impression of the Seal They are ready to take the Stamp of the Word the Image of God which is Righteousness and true Holiness The Spirit and Word of God can mould these Hearts into any Form or Fashion God pleaseth c. Saints compared to Stewards Luk. 16.2 Give an account of thy Stewardship c. 1 Pet. 4.10 As good Stewards c. Note Every Saint is the Steward of God Parallels I. A Steward is a Person that hath Goods or Moneys committed to his Charge So every Christian hath many Goods called Talents committed to him Mat. 25.14 15. both Spirituals and Temporals II. A Steward cannot say the Riches which are committed to him are his own no he is but the Steward of them in Trust they being the proper Right of another Man or his Lord's Goods So a Christian cannot say any thing he hath is his own all he is and hath is the Lord's III. A Steward ought to dispose of every thing committed to his Charge according to the special Command of his Master who possibly orders him to pay so much to such an one and so much to such an one and so much to such Poor that dwell in the Parish c. So every Christian ought to dispose of all his Lord's Goods according to his express Command laid down in his Word or he is no faithful Steward So much he is required to dispose of to the Ministers of the Gospel that may tend to make their Lives comfortable and free them from the perplexing Cares of this Life which greatly hinder them in their Ministry The true Minister's Maintenance is jure divino of divine Right So hath the Lord ordained 1 Cor. 9.14 that they that preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel Also they are required to give to the Poor that they may not want c. Their Charity ought to be according to their Ability and the Poor's Necessity and not only to give but to give cheerfully with a willing Heart c. IV. Stewards are required to improve their Lord's Money c. So Christians ought to improve all those spiritual Gifts and Graces Time and Strength Wisdom and Knowledg Whatsoever God hath given to them he expects they should improve it to his Glory and to the Profit of their Neighbours V. 'T is a great and horrible Evil in a Steward to mind his own Business and Concerns more than the Concerns of his Lord and Master So 't is an utter Fault and that which may justly call in question the Truth of his Sincerity and Christianity for a Christian to mind the World and his own private Interest more than the Interests and Concerns of Jesus Christ Some care not what becomes of Christ's Labourers or of the poor Saints nor of the Interest of the Gospel so that they have all things to their Hearts Content They eat the Fat and drink the Sweet and lay up great Store of Treasure for their own Children c. they have perhaps their Hundreds and Thousands by them and in the mean while many faithful Ministers hard put to it to get Bread Is it not an abominable Evil in a Steward to live like a Lord himself upon his Master's Goods and let his Master's Children want Bread and also to keep back the Right of his faithful and painful Labourers for whose sake he intrusted him with so much Substance VI. A Steward must expect to be called to an Account Give an Account of thy Stewardship c. So must every Christian expect to be called to an Account by Jesus Christ concerning his Stewardship and what will they have to say who have embezelled much of their Lord's Goods and converted the rest to their own private Use Let all take heed and so demean themselves that they may have their Accounts to give up with Joy Saints compared to Stones 1 Pet. 2.5 Ye also as lively Stones are built up a spiritual House an holy Priesthood c. THe Saints of God are compared to Stones to the Stones of a a Building c. Parallels I. SOme Stones that Men build with are very rough and rocky as they are taken out of the Quarry and therefore need much Hewing and Squaring before they are fit for the Building So naturally the Hearts of Sinners are rocky and like rough Stones Hos 6.5 and to this the Lord alludes I have hewed them by the Prophets Ministers are God's Tools by which He does his Work upon Mens Hearts II. Stones are fit Materials to build a House withal So God sees Believers are the only fit Materials to build his spiritual House III. Stones in a Building are well knit and united together So should the Saints in Love c. IV. Stones are durable so are the Saints Disparity I. NO Builder builds his House with preeious Stones But Believers are called precious Stones This notes the Richness and Excellency of the spiritual Building 1 Cor. 3.12 Now if any build upon this Foundation Gold Silver precious Stones c. II. No earthly Stones have Life in them they are not living but dead Stones But the Saints are living Stones Eph.