out by time it is everlasting endures for ever Isa 54.7 8. It is not wearied with multitude Exod. 34.7 Luk. 1.50 Exod. 20.6 It cannot be too scant for all their miseries and fins that seek it God is rich in mercy unto all that call upon him Rom. 10. With him is plenteous redemption Psal 130.7 Abounding above sin Rom. 5.20 And his pleasure is in them that hope in his mercy Psal 147.11 Object His saving mercy is limited by his will to a certain number of persons whom as by name he hath chosen to be Vessels of his mercy how can I tell that I am one of them to whom mercy belongs in Gods purpose Sol. Leave secret things to God and walk by things revealed Deut. 29.29 Your shutting out from Gods mercy is no where revealed why then will you carry such an evil suspition of God as that he hath not willed mercy to you He hath revealed his Son and his promise of mercy in him to you and given you commandment to believe it It is said to your face Believe thou in the Lord Jesus and thou shalt be saved In both the Sacraments not onely Christ with his benefits of the mercy of God is offered to you but the Application of him represented in the signs and believe God dealeth seriously with you You are forbidden such prejudice and putting flumbling blocks before your Faith Isa 56.2 3 6. To them that believe to them that repent and would finde grace and favor with God God hath opened a Fountain for sins even for sins of separation Zach. 13.1 Practical Graces COL 3.13 Forbear forgive as Christ forgave you so do ye THe exercise of long suffering is in forbearing and forgiving our Brethren Doct. It is our duty to hold and not to lose our meekness and calmness of soul for continuance of afflictions or injuries God commands long-suffering a continued calmness of minde in moderation of anger slow to wrath Jam. 1. Our affections should be all at Gods command to move or rest at his will Our anger must be set on work as the executioner is by the Magistrate as the servant by the Master by appointment with the known will of God at that to come and go Anger may be of good use as fire but when it is in our power to call it up and suppress it that we use no more of it then is needful Fire in the top of the Chimney is dangerously out of place Use anger like quick-silver well tempered with love or else it will eat in dangerously We have Gods example in the reprobate to whom he is kinde bountiful Rom. 2.4 Rom. 9. and long in patience suffering their manners also in the elect unto whom his long-suffering is salvation 2 Pet. 3.15 in waiting to have compassion upon them Isa 30.18 It is a great part of our comfort to be as he is in this world evidence of our adoption and filiation that we have the godly nature Luk. 6.35 and express his vertues This is one of the fruits of the Spirit by which we know whether he dwell in us and whether the Law have left his cursing force in us or no Gal. 5.22 23. by which Gods servants approve themselves 2 Cor. 6.6 It is a great glory to a man First of discretion and wisdom Prov. 14.29 19.11 Whereas an hasty spirit deals foolishly yea exalts folly Prov. 14.17 29. Lifts it up that all may see it Secondly It is his glory in power above a mighty man that wins a City Prov. 16.32 for he conquers and leads in triumph not onely flesh and blood but devils full of malice Eph. 6. Let patience have her perfect work Jam. 1.4 where ye lack this wisdom and power pray consider how long you have been suffered and waited for do you so also to others especially in seeking their conversion 2 Tim. 2.25 And amendment of some manners in the weak Christian forbearing one another This belongs to the Elect and sanctified the beloved of God to exercise their love to their brethren in bearing with the weak in faith or practise 1 Thes 5.4 and that long and forbearing and supporting them Ephesians 4.2 We must bear one anothers burthen Gal. 6.2 Such manners and infirmities as are either of natural constitution and disposition or over-sight of ignorance or prevailing of corruption which in some degree is mortified that are grievous and troublesome to bear as burdens we must pass over divers offences and not take notice of every act of infirmity Some if we take notice of them for admonition and amendment yet we must so bear as we alienate not our mindes nor cast them out of our friendship for them seeing the root of the matter may be in them not persecute them with our suspition and censure rigorously Job 19.19 22 28. nor suffer our first exactions of them to be so strict and merciless as to bear nothing but give them time to profit Phil. 3.15.16 and wait for them Consider the difference of age in Christians some are as Babes in Christ some yong men some old men Babes have the true nature of men and may have strength meet for Babes though weak compared with Men so Babes in Christ have the true parts of Nature of Christianity though not strength of spiritual faculty whereby corruption more shews it self 1 Cor. 3. 2. Among the strong all are not alike some are in health and hold their strength some are sick and the disease troubles their constitution God tenders the weak and spares them Mal. 3. as a man spares his son that serves him bears the Lambs in his bosome Isa 40.11 and gently leads them that are with young takes care of the sick Ezek. 34.4 16. And so do his servants tender the weak 2 Cor. 11.29 The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak but of weak beginnings will Christ bring forth his Kingdom victoriously Matth. 12. and encrease their power Isa 40.31 Rigor is a dangerous mastership Jam. 3. and is of pride and ignorance of a mans self Gal. 6.3 All need Gods forbearing and may need the forbearing of the Brethren they may be tempted It is much for Unity and Peace to forbear Eph. 4.23 in Church Common-wealth Family Forgiving one another This is also in long-suffering required of the beloved of God to forgive one another where they have manifest cause to complain This is of necessity to hold assurance of Gods forgiving us Matth. 18.35 Luke 6.37 it is commanded Eph. 4.32 Because we are forgiven it is nothing to give unless we forgive Oughtest thou not to have had compassion of thy fellow-servant as I had compassion on thee Christ forgiving us must be our pattern as well as our motive As Gods rule is Levit. 19.18 to forgive in three degrees First The revenge not recompencing evil for evil 1 Thes 5. it belongs to God Say not I will do to him as he hath done to me Proverb Secondly The grudge upon the
A BUNDLE OF MYRRHE OR Several sweet Truths Spiritually unfolded under these following Heads 1. Mercy magnified 2. Practical Graces 3. Christs Humiliation 4. Certainty of Salvation Published by H. P. Minister of the Gospel 2 Pet. 1.16 We have not followed cunningly devised fables Psal 138.2 Thou hast magnified thy Word above all thy Name Col. 3.16 Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly London Printed by R. I. for Livewell Chapman and are to be sold at his shop at the Crown in Popes-head-alley 1653. TO The much Honored Gentlewoman Mris Prudence Thorold at Her House at Clapham Grace and Peace in our Lord. TRuly Honored I here present you with a few small peeces observing that smaller Tractates have been of greater use among many and still are especially such as speak Scripture to us in power and plainness The lesser peeces of Mr. Perkins viz. His grain of Muster-seed Golden Chain Government of the tongue like to Pearls even much desired and esteem'd as bearing the more lively impression of the strength and spirit of their Maker And such is that little Book which for Honors sake I mention entituled Christ set forth an entire peice worth its weight in Gold wherein the Author upon that Argument the cheif of all desirable Truths hath satisfied his Reader more abundantly even to the ful It was told me once that Aquinas being asked What if all Paris were his answered I had rather be the Author of the imperfect work of Chrysostom a small and broken Tractate Also greater Volumns have their use such as Mr. Foxes Book of Martyrs a Volumn composed for the good of England if ever any a Book that can never be out of date and I believe is of the Cabinet with most wise men for seldom any work of industry and eminency appears but savors much of the spirit and rich experience Treasured in those Aâ—â—â—lles I mention this the rather because perceiving the English of this age to be under a very rich blessing of an encrease of Sacred Knowledge next unto the Sacred Scriptures the Wells of Salvation those of our Nation would come and draw here rejecting the watry Pamphlets so much abroad enfeebling mens spirits yea our choicest wits have bin most infected by them As for those thicker and grosser sort of souls amongst us I mean the prophane and ignorant multitude I am much at a loss in my thoughts for them and yet I think again had we such provision on foot as would reach them I cannot think but a good account might be given of them as there hath been of late of the like in some parts of Wales even to admiration for as I dare not entertain such a thought as if God had appointed these poor people we speak of all of them to misery so I hope in due time it will not be found impossible to rescue them out of Satans power of whom they are taken at his pleasure For when those prophecies shall be fulfilled which say That the veil shall be taken off from all hearts and the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Son Christ and the sinners of the Nations both Gentiles and Jews shall have the Spirit of Grace poured upon them and shall look upon him whom they have peirced and mourn after him in that day there shall be a Fountain opened for them to wash in even from sins of separation Truly Honored I know you are of the Bride chamber and do expect the coming of the Bridegroom as all the wise Virgins do May it therefore ever be your Care and Crown to have your Lamp trimmed and your Vessel filled I mean an abundant encrease of Heavenly Wisdom and Watchfulness so shall that day be to you as the Hinde of the Morning an early day of entrance upon an eternity of rest and refreshing Such is the desire of him that honoreth you and is your servant in our Lord H. Prime Mercy Magnified LUK. 17.13 Have mercy on us THey would be healed that required power they crave mercy whereby Christ might be moved to use his power for their help Doct. Mercy is the fountain of all the help of mans misery of temporal or spiritual good common or special mercy is that which moves God His goodness wherewith the Earth is filled is called his mercy Psa 119.64 And that which all his Creatures partake of Psal 145. his tender mercies that his own people are not consumed Lam. 3.22 recover out of sickness or have their sorrows moderated it is of his mercy Phil. 2.27 that they have the blessing of marriage in children of their labors in stock Gen. 32.10 33.5 Spiritual blessings are of his mercy as election to salvation and the means of it It was his mercy to Jacob that he loved him and not Esau who will shew mercy on whom be will Rom. 9.28 23. the elect are therefore called Vessels of mercy That which moved him to send his Son that the world might live by him was his tender mercy Forgiveness of sins Luk. 1.78 Acceptation in Christ 1 Tim. 1.16 Quickning or regeneration Eph. 2.4 5. 1 Pet. 1.4 The whole work of our salvation is of his mercy Tit. 9.3 5. Eternal life is not of works which we work but of the mercy that God sheweth 2 Tim. 1.18 Take the best of the sons of men he needs mercy at the day of judgement Wo to the holiest life judged without mercy Psal 130.3 4. Vse 1 This may move in all the help we finde from God in any of our miseries in all the good we receive temporal or spiritual to give God the glory of his mercy which moved him and nothing either had or hoped for from us He doth good to them that love him Exod. 20.6 To them that fear him Psal 103.13 To them that seek him and fall down at his feet Matth. 18.27 That shew mercy to their Brethren Matth. 5. But it is not of the merit of their love fear humility mercy for all these are so defective and stain'd with sinful pollution that without mercy they cannot have acceptance with him But it is his mercy that pardons all their sins that love him and keep his Commandments and rewards them here and hereafter with admiration they glorifie his mercy Mic. 7.18 Vse 2 It may encourage us notwithstanding the sense of much wretchedness and unworthiness to seek the Lord for our help trusting in his mercy He is the Father of mercies mercy is his unseparable property Exod. 34.7 He delighteth in shewing mercy that men will give place to it Jer. 9.24 Mic. 7.18 He waits that he may be gracious and will be exalted that he may have mercy on his people Isa 30.18 He cannot forget to be merciful Isa 49.15 With the knowledge whereof David upholds his soul in a temptation of despair Psal 77.7 8. It cannot be corrupted by the contrary his wrath Psal 77.9 In wrath he remembers mercy Hab. 3.2 It cannot be worn
sanctification of the Spirit And this study God works in their hearts unto whom he reveals their election unto life for the accomplishing of his counsel that they may witness their thankfulness to him that they may be counted worthy of his Calling and of his Kingdom For howsoever none be worthy of the inestimable felicity in Heaven yet God doth fit all Col. 1.12 and makes them meet for himself and their inheritance in light for whom he hath prepared it and useth their own study care and labor to apprehend that holiness and happiness for which they have been apprehended of him To this purpose are the Exhortations to walk worthy of God and of their Calling and Prayers to be counted worthy to escape the things that come upon the Earth and worthy of his Calling 2 Thes 1.11 Vse 1 When we are tempted to unbeleef to self-love to dispair to cleave to earthly things with neglect of spiritual graces we should thus reason God hath not appointed us to perdition and therefore we must not yeeld to motions stirring us to such things as bring perdition but to obtain Salvation which he hath declared in his calling of us therefore we must and we will flee these things and follow after Faith Love Godliness Righteousness Gentleness c. Fighting the good fight of Faith till we lay hold on eternal life whereunto we are called 1 Tim. 6.11 12. If we do these things we shall never fall but abundant entrance shall be ministred unto us into the everlasting Kingdom of God 2. If sin have prevailed in some act let it move us to repentance to purging our selves reasoning thus This is not the way from election to salvation but from reprobation to damnation I will up therefore and turn my feet into Gods Commandments and forsaking the way of destruction keep the way of life for I am not appointed to wrath but to salvation 3. In them it appears election takes place that make the love and mercy and unchangeable decree of God a motive to follow Heavenly graces and to give themselves to God They that share in the mercies Rom. 12.1 move their resolution thereby to sacrifice themselves to God 2 Cor. 5.14 that partake of Christs love to work an addicting of themselves to Christ c. Where therefore this is wrought it is a sign of our sharing in this grace of election when from the thought of it we fight for our deliverance from sin the world and the devil and arm our selves with grace unto the fight Then it is evident Paul hath his part in the love of Christ dying for him when for Christ he dieth to the world Gal. 2.19 20. that he may live to God She loveth much therefore her many sins are forgiven her her affection argueth in her devout actions to Christ that she hath her part in his merit Hath not appointed or put us unto death In this exemption of the Apostle and the believing Thessalonians from ordination unto wrath there is not darkly insinuated That some are ordained to wrath by the Lord. Some mens destruction not onely in general but in particular not onely simply but in comparison this man not that Cain not Abel Esau not Jacob Judas not Peter decreed c. He will shew mercy on whom he will shew mercy and whom he will he hardneth There are Vessels of wrath prepared to destruction not onely by themselves sinning but by God ordaining their end according to his absolute power and his prerogative as the Potter hath to appoint his clay to the end and use of honor or dishonor and so to frame it out of the lump Rom. 9. I have hated Esau I have loved Jacob without foresight of their works as Christ is set for the ruine of many in Israel Luke 2.34 so some stumble at the stumbling stone Rom. 9.32 33. they stumble at the Word 1 Pet. 2.8 being disobedient unto the which they were even ordained or also appointed Fore-written unto this destruction or condemnation Jude v. 4. Prov. 16.4 He hath made all things for himself even the wicked for the day of evil In appointing to wrath three things are signed Rejection from grace and glory deputation to sins ordained to destruction 1. For clearing God Though we could not finde out his justice in this yet we must hold the principle God is righteous Jere. 12.1 Rom. 9.14 Is there unrighteousness with God God forbid Reject such thoughts with abomination 2. God may be cleared First in respect of his absolute liberty and right or prerogative by the similitude of the Potter He is not unrighteous in his action whose will executes but lawful power Secondly God in his liberty and prerogative may be cleared in his ends of his action He appoints none to damnation for damnation sake he delights not in the destruction of his Creature he respects his glory of power of wrath of justice of patience in bearing long with sinners and at last punishing them powerfully and righteously and declaring his rich glory in the Vessels of Mercy As all things are of him and through him so all things are for him Rom. 11.36 It is just for God to will his own glory by that of which he hath absolute power 3. He is cleared in his obtaining of this end of the glory of his justice and power in that he condemns and destroyeth none in his wrath but the material cause of their condemnation is found in themselves He created all righteous left man in the power of his will by his own free-will he sinned against God and so lost himself and his freewil his minde set on evil his wisdom contrary to God and cannot be subject to God He suffers them with patience giveth means of Repentance and Salvation for many and many gifts not onely worldly but spiritual makes them taste of the excellencies of the life to come doth what he can do for them excepting the new creating of them which is not unto just proceeding required He causeth not but permitteth their sin or in justice makes latter sins punishments of former blinding them that will not see but wink at the light hardning them that harden and obstinate their own hearts against his motions delivering them to their own hearts lusts that will not hear his counsel till they fulfil their full measure of sin rejecting them without purpose of ever reclaiming them And this is just And howsoever they cannot now but sin yet they sin with freedom without constraint from him with delight that they are said to love death Prov. 8.36 and to seek death Vse 1 1. For that there is an appointment of some to wrath it must stay us in our wondering at the ineffectualness of the Word in many to whom it is preached and that in a diverse manner or degree some continue enemies and disobedient being enraged by it some hear gladly yet go back offended at something All are not of God all have not faith