as all other graces bee called Gods worke because it is hee which doth all the worke his spirit making his ordinances effectuall and therefore is that spirit called n Zach. 12.10 the spirit of mourning and supplieation and promised to all the faithfull yea put in the forefront of that blessed new Couenant which the eternall makes with his people o Ezec. 36.26 A new heart will I giue them and a new spirit will I put in their bowels and I will take away their stonie heart and giue them an heart of flesh And this spirit apparantly manifests it selfe in godly sorrow by refasolating and comforting the heart strengthning quieting and refreshing the soule with sweete showers and influences from the head Christ with vnspeakeable secret ioy peace and contentation as also affecting so the heart as it bendeth the desires thereof to the obedience of God in all things in trueth though not in perfection Yet this wee are not to suppose the Spirit doth without meanes miraculously and extraordinarily but by such ordinary meanes as God in wisedome hath appointed to the same purpose as 1. The ministery of the word is the principall as appeares in these 3000. Conuerts Dauid Iosiah and others When they heard it saith the Text p Act. 2 41â— They were pricked in their hearts c. When Nathan sent by God himselfe to preach to Dauid and had deliuered his message cried out q 2. Saâ— 1 â—0 13. I haue sinned against the Lord r 2. King 22 11. When Iosiah heard Shaphan read the Booke of the Law he rent his clothes and wept c. And saith Ieremie Å¿ Ier. 23.29 Is not my word like a hammer that breakes the hard stone 2. The sacrament of the Supper is another meanes for by it saith the Apostle t 1. Cor. 11. We remember Christ his death and both these are intended I doubt not by Paul when hee saith to the u Galat. 3.1 Galatians that Christ was before them crucified and slaine in the ministerie of the word to the eare and in the Sacrament of the Lords Supper crucified and slame by the eye to the vnderstanding in the breaking of the bread and powring out of the wine visibly before the people and thus is this godly sorrow wrought ordinarily in the heart both by the word Sacrament that blessed sweet grace of consideration wrought by the spirit of God making both the other effectuall for this purpose that a man now bethinkes himselfe my sinne is the cause of all this torment which Christ the blessed Sonne of God indured and therefore affectes the heart with godly sorrow for it Yet doth it not immediately breake forth but the Word Sacraments sometimes inject certaine scintillutae or sparkles which lye hid sometimes in the heart a good space euen in the childe of God and therefore the Lord vseth another meanes 3. Afflictions which are his rod which though they are not able to conuert a soule no more then the Sacrament yet are afflictions preparatory meanes to set the word on worke as in w 2. Chrâ— 33 11. Manasseh he questionlesse had oft heard the word in the time of his good Father the Paragon of all the Kings of Israel and Iudah but it little helped him therefore God bound him in chaines and sent him to Babell and when he was in prison and fetters hee bumbled himselfe greatly before the God of his fathers c. This also is manifest in x 2. King 20 2. Hezekiah and especially in the y Act. 16.29 Iayler when hee saw the Earthquake and opening of the prison doores he cryed out What shall I doe c. So that I say not that afflictions can conuert a soule to GOD for then mee thinkes Pharaoh must of necessitie haue beene a conuert who had tenne fearefull plagues and yet drowned and likely damned but I say sometimes they make way for conuersion by preparing the soule to attend and hearken to the word and also when men haue heard the word and the immortall seede is sowen there as a graine of corne sowen in a field lyes somtimes long vntill a ground raine moysten it and then springs as in Physicke a pill or potion lyes in the stomacke an houre or two and neuer stirres the party yet let him drinke warme broth or posset-ale which haue no facultie of themselues to purge yet setteth the Physicke on worke so doth afflictions the word preached and the seed sowen tenne twentie or thirty yeares before and it may be affected the heart therewith at the present but it blowes ouer againe with thorny cares or pleasures then comes the rodd of God and sets all that word on worke and brings forth not an Embrio or abortive birth but this blessed grace of godly sorrow which when it once seazeth vpon the heart eateth vp all worldly and carnall sorrowes as z Exod. 7.12 Moses his rod did eate vp all the inchaunters roddes and Serpents yea the least scruple of this godly sorrow would weigh downe a pound of carnall or legall sorrow and end in sweete true ioy and contentment Consider this yee that spend dayes weekes Moneths and yeares in worldly sorrowes without ease or comfort learne this lesson and practise it and my soule for thine thine end will bee peace and invaluable consolation 2 Signe of this godly sorrow not onely that it is fruitefull but brauncheth forth into variety of good happy fruit and therefore not onely true beleeuers in Scriptures are compared to t Psal 1.4 trees planted by the riuers which bring forth fruite in due season and in euery season as the tree of life bearing twelue sorts of fruit euery moneth but especially true mourners whose sorrow ends in joy u Is 61.5 To appoint vnto all that mourne in Zion and to giue them beauty for â—shes the oyle of ioy for mourning the garment of gladnes for the spirit of heauines that they night be called true of righteousnesse c. And thâ—se parties and these graces are not such as are obnoxious sterility and barrennesse or to beare euill fruite but such as by nature are fertile and beare good fruite as w Psal 30. â— 14. Psal 52.8 Iames 3.12 vines oliues figges and such like Therefore in such trees barrennesse or vnfruitfulnesse alone is cause enough to make them fewel for the vengeance and wrath of the Almighty and so not onely the x Is 5.4 wilde vine that bare wilde grapes and bad fruite contrary to the expectation of the Husbandman y Zach. 15.2.3.4 Luke 1 6.7 but the barren vine and fruitlesse figge and z Mat. 3.10 7.19 euery tree that beareth not good fruite is hewen downe and cast into the fire Now let vs see what fruites this grace bringeth forth that by the branches and fruites wee may know it to be right and a plant of sauing grace planted by the finger of God a Mat. 7.16 for by
the fruite it shall be knowne These are of two sorts 1. Speciall or respecting our owne particular 2. Generall or respecting others Those that are speciall respect our selues are of fiue seuerall sortes 1. For corruption of nature 2. For speciall sinnes after calling 3. For hardnesse of heart 4. For the absence of Christ 5. For want of the meanes Generall or respecting others 1. For the dishonour of God in publique abominations 2. For the miseries of the Church 3. For Gods anger threatning 1. Point For the corruptioÌ„ of nature thus Paul cryeth out a Rom. 7.24 O wretched man that I am who shall deliuer me from this body of death And Dauid b Ps 51.5 I was conceiued in sinne and warmed in iniquity this like a loathsome leprosy gangrene harh spread it selfe ouer the whole man howsoeuer not in the substance yet in all the faculties of soule and body and made vs as a tainted seede poysoning and contaminating euery thought word and action and is the bell-damme of all the euils that proceede from vs as our Sauiour sayth c Mark 7.20 21.22.23 from the heart proceedes adulteries murthers thefts euill thoughts c and these defile a man yea it so defiles vs that vntill we be washed effectually in the bloud of Christ al our thoughts speeches actions naturall ciuill are sin our best actions are as the fathers speake but beautiful sins after our regeneration and effectuall calling it puts a stainâ— vpon our best seruices euen ouâ— prayers hearings readings c that we had need to returne anâ— aske forgiuenesse pardon foâ— the defects of them and these robes must be tinct and washed c Apâ—â— 7.14 white in the bloud of the Lambeâ— that they may appeare amiably in the eyes of God withouâ— which there is pollution enough vpon them to cause the Lord to abhorre and detest them this wee doe and must carry abouâ— with vs so long as the soule inhabits these earthly tabernacle Oh where are these mourners that lament and bewayle this spawning and mischieuous sin if a man should poyson the fountaines and springs of waters all men would cry out against such a monster but this is infinitely more vile yet who complaines of it is sorrowfull vnder the sence feeling thereof or cryes for the crucifying power of the Lord Iesus to subdue it Yet this depraued condition is the estate of euery mothers childe as well hee that sitteth vpon the Throne as hee or shee that grindeth at the mill d Iob 15.15 what is man that he should bee cleane or hee that is borne of a woman that he should be iust beholde he found no stedfastnes in the Angels and the beauens are vncleane in his sight how much more abominable is man c. This Paul proues out of the Psalme e Rom. 3.10.11 Ps 14.1.3 There is none that doth good All are gone astray c. Oh that men would throughly consider this how would it cause all the jovall Laddes of this world to turne their tunes from songs drinkings merry-meetings and healthings into howlings lamentations and sorrowes and it would change our sorrowes that bee Ministers into rejoycings and thankes-giuings to see them with humbled hearts cheeks bedewed with brinish teares inquiring after wholesome Physicke for the quieting of their crasie wounded consciences and saluation of their soules Oh that God would open the eyes of this blinde foolish world that they might know feele this wofull misery and Oh that it would please his Highnesse to giue his poore Messengers occasion of labour and rejoycing this way 2. Point For speciall sins after effectuall calling for which there is in the childe of God a large measure of sorrow and griefe for diuerse causes 1. Because God hath vouchsafed more mercies then to the world or to themselues before their calling to common ordinary blessings hee hath added supernaturall spirituall and celestiall fauours and therefore lookes for better fruits Å¿ Mat. 25 29 for to whom much is giuen of them much is required 2. Because hee hath giuen his Spirit and all the graces thereof so that as the Apostle sayth f 1 Cor. 1.7 they are not destitute of any grace and therefore of more abilitie to resist tentations then formerly the sinners of Sion are the most offensiue to his blessed Majestie the sinnes of the world euen their grossest abominations as drunkennesse whooredomes oathes blasphemies are not so vile as the sinnes of his owne people they haue more knowledge of his righteous wil of the stratagems of Sathan deceitfulnesse of their owne heart and the danger of sin Oh that therefore we would be admonished to beware of theÌ„ for time to come and to bewaile such as are already passed vs in the superabundant patience of God 3. g Ephes 4.30 They grieue the Spirit of God by which they are sealed vp to the day of redemption that blessed Guest hauing taken vp their hearts to bee his habitation h Ephes 3.17 by faith when they open the doores to let in rogues and villaines his enemies to robbe and spoyle his habitation to defile and like swine to lay-staule it is there not great cause of griefe to that sacred and blessed Spirit who could indure this indignitie If any man should offer it to a Kings Pallace would it bee tollerable and shal the Eternall God suffer it without speciall correction and chastisement thereof especially considering the good motions daily of this sweet Guest and his combating and resisting against them is it any wonder if hee visite them with terrors of conscience want of the sence of his presence and joy of his saluation such like buffetings 4. These awaken the conscience who hath admonished them against those sinnes being sanctified by the holy Spirit now set on fire with clamours and out cryes against the offendors that wheresoeuer they ride or come they carry this tormentor about them a wofull condition and it will neuer bee quiet to rest or bee silent except it bring them vpon the knees of soule and body to seeke reconciliation or else bee husht stilled with buffetings and ill vsage to benumme it a medicine worse then the disease 5. These cause the Enemies of God to blaspheme the way of righteousnes euery base Varlet will exclaime against such a man yea the floud-gates of blasphemy wil bee opened against not only him but against all that professe the same truth and against the profession the roaring Laddes and society of drunkards and the riffe-raffe will make songs of him as they did of Dauid as himself speaks i Psal 69.12 the drunkards and abiect slaues made their songs of me and all the country will be on a hurry that the people of GOD hang the head with griefe and sorrow to behold heare these things and in all these respects is there not great cause thinke you that a good heart should
his natiue Countrey and though not ignorant of that blessed promise which GOD makes to his Church when they were in captiuity that h Ezech. 1.16 hee would bee a little Sanctuary to theâ— in the countries where they shall come yet his blessed heare breaks forth into that patheticall acclamation i Psal 84.1.2 3. O Lord of hostes how amiable are thy Tabernacles That his soule fainted for the courts of the Lord. as also that the sparrow swallow were happy that might build their nests and lay their young by his Altars c. This liuely affection is in euery one of Christs blessed members O that it were in the same degree but it is in some measure and that for these causes 1. They are spirituall fathers k 1 Cor. 1.15 to beget men to God by the effectuall and powerfull preaching of the Gospel as instruments making vs of children of the Deuill l 1 Pet. 2.2 new borne babes the sons of God in Christ And as spirituall mothers trauaile in birth of vs m Gal. 4.19 till Christ be formed in vs vndergoing great paines to bring vs forth to God and whereas other mothers beare children into misery these into a blessed condition After they haue begotten them thus they doe not as the n Iob 39.13 Estridge which leaues her eggs in the sand to bee scattered by the foote o 1 Thess 2.7 but as gentle spirituall nurses cherish these children p 1 Pet. 2.2 and therefore as new borne babes they desire and in want thereof will cry for the sincere milke of the word that they may grow thereby as euery creature doth in nature They know that this is the food of the soule and therefore rather then they will want this blessed Manna they will as Iacob send into q Gen. 12.2 Egypt for food and knowing that when the Eternall God intends a plague with a witnes against a people he sends theÌ„ a famine Amo. 8.11 not of bread or a thirst of water but of his word that they shall trauaile from citty to citty to finde the word of the Lord and shall not finde it they will not willingly bring this curse vpon themselues as most of our Nobility and Gentry doe but if the Lord send this misery vpon them they mourne vnder it as a most bitter crosse Å¿ Mat. 5.14 They are the spirituall light of the world which without them lyes in palpable thick blacke Cymerian darknesse and therefore hauing receiued Å¿ Exod 28.20 Vrim and Thummim t Apoc. 1. 〈◊〉 as stars in the darkest night shine to others in the light of doctrine and good example and as candles torches spend and consume themselues in giuing light to this darke Egyptian world u Dan. 12.3 therefore shall as starres shine most resplendently in glory for euer and euer Besides God hath appointed them in Christ his stead to seeke and saue what is lost not health impaired as Physicians nor wealth controverted as Lawyers but the lost soule by applying the means appointed by Christ w Iob 33.24 To deliuer the man that he go not into the pit not by working the meanes which is the office of the Spirit but applying them pronouncing the sinners discharge which is the duty of the Minister These things considered is it possible that a true beleeuer should liue without the ministrie of the Word and not bee plunged into deepe heauinesse and sorrow in the want therof it is impossible Quest. But may not selfe-respects carry men along with desire after the hearing of the word preached and to complaine in the want of it Answ Yes verily they may I reduce these to three heads 1. They desire knowledge and indeauour to get it not to edifie themselues that were diuine heauenly wisedome as Salomon sayth x Pro 9.12 If thou he wise be wise for thy selfe nor to edifie others this were gracious loue indeed and a signe of sauing grace as our Sauiour said y Luke 22.32 when thou art conuerted strengthen thy brethren but these are like the butterflye which flyes froÌ„ flowre to flowre to adorne bespangle beautifie her wings so these goe from Sermon to Sermon to know something to be able to discourse finde table talke which is meere Vanity If the honour glory of the Highest were their ayme in the saluation of their soules and labouring to know the will of the Almighty that they might doe it our Sauiour pronounceth them blessed 2. Is worldly profite so long as there is hope that they shall gaine either credite or profite they will heare the Word joyfully b Acts 2.18 Simon Magus will follow the Apostles at the heeles professe he beleeues admire and desire to haue power to exhibite the visible gifts of the holy Ghost and offer large summes of money all for cursed lucre The Iewes after Christ had fed them with bread could neuer be rid of theÌ„ following him from place to place but wherefore was it thinke you was it for his doctrine miracles or himselfe no verily but because of the loaues Profites pleasures and preferments will make a man heare diligently professe openly and Ministers to preach painfully c Iob. 6.16 but if Christ bring no loaues he shall want auditors if the Minister be rich invite them to his table lend them money to answer their necessities and will be ready at euery turne to helpe them in their bodies with cure in Physicke in their estates to helpe them out of straites dangers troubles c. O then they cry out a blessed Minister who would not heare him but if hee be poore and neede their ayde then they forsake him d 2 Tim. 4.10 as Demas did Paul and if euer the complaint of the Apostle were just it is now of Professors e Phil. 2.21 al men seeke their owne and not that which is Christs If hee reproue their ill dealing covetousnesse tale-bearings whisperings hypocrisy they cry out f Amos 7.10 the earth is not able to beare his words if hee speake any thing against Diana g Acts 19.24 then Demetrius the siluâ—â— Smith raiseth tumults in defence of his shrines and cryes out great is Diana of the Ephesians we haue such spirits in our Congregations euery lame hypocrite and halting Professor can draw factions invent scandals aspersions and slanders secretly and therefore the more sinfully to detract from that Ministrie which sometimes they haue praysed admired magnified but this is no new thing and for mine owne part I expect no better seeing they did thus to a g Luke 23.31 greene tree euen the Son of righteousnes how much more to a dry 3. Curiosity and nouelty men haue itching eares A new Preacher if he come away with the olde he is then either too plaine or too eloquent or he hath ouer many points or ouer few or hee vseth to repeat ouer long or else