Lord had not knowne thee thou had'st not knowne thy selfe not knowne him not knowne heaven If the Lord had not seene thee first with the eye of mercy thou hadst never seene him with the eye of faith So beloved before Gods messengers call us from the darknesse of sinne and ignorance to the marveilous light of Grace and truth the Lord saw us in our danger lying as it were at the gate of hell full of sores full of sinnes uncovered uncured unpityed according to that of David Ps 142 4. there was no man that would know me no man that cared for my soule He then saw us with the eye of mercy and had compassion on us and decreed concerning us to give deliverance according to that charge to his messenger Iob 33.24 Deliver him that he goe not downe into the pitt for I have received a reconciliation If then the Lord know us if the Lord see us with this preventing gift of Grace whilst we imbrace the same wee are so moved that wee doe not onely come to see Christ with Nathaniel nor long only with the Greekes saying Wee would faine see Iesus Ioh. 12 21. But as the faithfull soule speakes Ca. 1.3 wee runne after him in the sweet savour of his Oyntments and so runne that wee obtaine the Saviour yet having obtained we humbly remember that saying of the Apostle Paul what hast thou that thou hast not received 1. Cor. 4 7. O tu ecclesia saith Saint Austine O thou Church S. Au. in pri cap. O thou Israel without fraud if thou art now an holy people and hast knowne Christ by the Word of the Prophets and Apostles as Nathaniel knew him by the guidance of Philip yet miserecordia sua ante te vidit quam tu eum cognoseres cum sub peccato jaceres with his mercy he saw thee before thou knew'st him when thou layest under the burthen of thy sinne where this is not confessed and the Glory of our Convertion not given to the preventing Grace of Christ there is not the true Isralite but the fraudulent and proud-hearted Pelagian An injurious ingratefull fraud it is to arrogate that to our selves which wee have of the meere goodnesse of our Lord therefore in the feeling of the Lords mercy upon us remembrance of our desperate and lost estate Let us thankefully say with the Prophet David Not unto us Ps 115.1 Lord not unto us but to thy Name bee the glory 2. His Direction AS yee have heard how Nathaniel was prevented by a mercifull Call from God so next heare how hee was directed by Philip as a faithfull guide In which two things are remarkable 1 The Power of his Direction 2 The Manner of his Direction For the power of it wee are to know that God hath appointed the ministeriall direction as an Order for the working of faith sanctifying the preaching of the Word to bee the Power and Wisedome of Christ to salvation according to that in St. Iohns gospel Ioh. 17.17 sanctifie them in thy truth thy word is the Truth and to that in the Acts spoken by St. Paul I commend you to God Act. 20.32 and the word of his grace which is able to build further who therefore cals the Gospel the word of Gods grace not onely because it is a gracious word full of comfort to the penitent contrite and borken heart but because it is the Instrument or meanes whereby God conveies his grace to the faithfull hearer Hence Saint Peter exhorteth 1. Pet. 2 2. As new borne babes desire the sincere milke of the word that ye may grow thereby and Saint Iames having said that God of his owne will begat us by the word of truth inferrs presently therefore let every man bee swift to heare Ia. 1.9 And Saint Paul by that question of his How shall they beleeve unlesse they heare Ro. 10.14 Doth manifestly approve the word as the Instrument of faith And therefore in his Epistle to the Galatians Gal. 3.2 he calls the ministry of the word the hearing of faith saying received ye the Spirit by the worke of the Law or by the hearing of faith Let us then acknowledge Gods Order for salvation and that the Church is tyed to the direction of the word let us magnifie Gods Ordinance and not basely esteeme an Instrument so powerfull and divine Next let us not dreame of any other Course from God for our Conversion Lastly let us know that the Spirit of God in that ministration truely effectually infallibly moveth the minds of men and enclineth them to faith and good workes whilst the word is heard of them read and thought upon So that God is never wanting to blesse this his order of ministring the word and our labour in hearing never lost so that we take heed how we heare and neglect not so great salvation For as in receiving the holy Sacrament of our Lords body and bloud if wee doe not set a barre against the grace of that by a purpose to continue in sin we doe infallibly partake of the spirituall food to eternall life So in the hearing of the word we have assured certainety to receive the gift of faith unlesse by our idle and wanton neglect it falls out that the Pearle is cast before swine Mat. 7.6 2. The manner of the Direction HAving heard of the Power now consider the manner of Nathaniels direction wherein wee may observe these three things 1 The Charity of Nathaniels guide 2 The Prudēcy of Nathaniels guide 3 The Fidelity of Nathaniels guide His Charity appeares in desiring speedily to impart unto others of that good which hee himselfe had received Philip was no sooner cal'd himselfe but hee cal'd Nathaniel no sooner had hee experience of the heavenly and incorruptible treasure and tasted how gracious the Lord was but he endeavoured to communicate the same to Nathaniel thas hee also might rejoyce in God his Saviour And it is observable how Cheerefully Philip proceeds in this businesse as a man surpriz'd with Ioy ravisht with Contentment in the voyce of exultation his heart as it were leaping for joy at his new-found treasure breaks forth into these words Iohn 1.45 We have found him of whom Moses spake and the Prophets Iesus the son of Ioseph of Nazareth It is a specious mark of Gods children to be cheerfull in speaking good of the name of Christ and Carefull to acquaint others with that happy good which themselves have found And like as the leprous men having eate and drunke and enrich't themselves 2. Kin. 7.9 when they considered the multitude of the City of Samaria ready to dye for hunger they having enough were touched in their hearts and said one to another Wee doe not well this day is a day of good tidings and we hold our peace So the Messengers of God and every true Convert having bread enough in their fathers house considering the multitude of sinfull
simplicitas Israels plainnesse upright simplicity which appeares Gen. 27.12 who being advised by his Mother to prevent his brother Esau of the blessing answered My Father may possibly feele me and I shall seeme to him to bee a mocker and so bring a curse upon me and not a blessing Art thou a true Israelite behold here examine thine owne soule and descry thy Heart The true Israelite cannot endure to seeme a mocker and that of his Father of whom hee expects the blessing O Beloved we are all come into the presence of GOD for a blessing of peace and love in CHRIST what a reverend regard should we have in our hearts that we appeare not as mockers and dissemblers before him Gal. 6.7 remembring that saying of the Apostle Be not deceived GOD is not mocked We bring a fearefull curse upon us and not a blessing if we equivocate with the LORD in the matter of our profession Let us not say perhaps our Father will feele us it is most certaine that our thoughts and affection and intention is open and manifest in the sight of him with whom we have to doe Heb 4.13 and no cunning covert can hide us from GOD. Of the true Israelites plainnesse speakes the Prophet David Psal 32.2 Blessed is the man in whose Spirit is found no guile and againe be joyfull all ye that are true of Heart and of this the Apostle Paul 2 Cor. 11.3 I feare least as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety so your minds should bee corrupt from the simplicity that is in CHRIST JESUS But foolish wantons are not afrayd to make a lye a mockery of their profession in the Church of God in the presence of GOD and his Angels Away with such Meteors such falling such false planets they are no true but seeming stars in the heaven of the Church No Israelits indeed but the shadow of Israel Secondly Israelis 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Israels religious reverence in the house of GOD which appeares Gen. 28.16 GOD having manifested himselfe unto him by a vision Israel no sooner observed the LORDS presence but breaks forth into a reverend admiration of the place saying How fearefull is this place This is no other but the house of God this is the gate of heaven O see the property of a true Israelite he hath indeed an heavenly vision though worldlings count it a foolish dream in which hee seeth the spirituall ladder the word of Faith the doctrine of the Crosse by which alone accesse is made to the presence of GOD on top of which alone and no where else the LORD of mercy standeth to receive those that clime up thereby and to give a gracious voyce to the true Israelite as he did to Israel Loe I am with thee I will not leave thee nor forsake thee which hee no sooner comfortably cōsidereth in the house of God where this Ladder is set this vision appeares this voice is heard but he acknowledging Gods presence reverently useth and esteems that Place as the Gate of heaven Away then with these wantons these slow-bellyes that make the Gate of heaven a sleeping roome a place of outward gazing no inward vision these are no Israelites indeed they are Idolls in the Church they have eyes and see not Thirdly Israelis votum Israels vow is to bee observed Gen. 28.20 If God saith he will be with me and keepe mee in this journey and will give me bread to eate and cloaths to put on so that I come againe to my Fathers house in safety then shall the Lord be my God this stone shall be Gods house and of all that thou shalt give me will I give the tenth unto thee Loe by the way first how Israel dedicates his tenth unto God in the Law of Nature before Moses Law that the true Israelite might know wherein commendably to imitate that necessary devotion next see how hee cares that God may be with him how hee rests upon God for his bread and cloath and guidance giving unto God the glory of the provision of his outward meanes according as St. Paul acknowledgeth Gal. 2.20 That I live in the flesh I live by faith in the Sonne of God See Israels contentment having bread to eate cloaths to put on protection in his Journey and the Lord with him he desires no more and need not truly For he is too covetous that cannot be content with God See Israels thankefulnesse hee hath vow'd himself to the Lord and the Lord is his God his heart cannot brooke a desolation of the place where the name of God is cal'd upon nor that they which serve at the Altar should sterve at the Altar In this descry the true Israelite from the counterfeit Many saith Solomon would be counted good doers Prov. 20.6 but where shall a man finde a faithfull man an Israelite indeed that will stand to the Vow that Israel hath made Away with those earth worms those catch-polls those caterpillers which make no reckoning neither of an house for God nor of a Tenth for God nor of themselves for God His house they make a denne of theeves his Tenth a sacrilegious pray and themselves the servants of Corruption and their Mammon their God Are these Israelites indeed Indeed they are the shame of Israel Fourthly observe Israels confession his humble acknowledgement expressed Gen. 32.10 O God saith he I am not worthy of the least of the mercies and truth which thou hast shewed unto thy servant Loe how the true Israelite in the feeling of his owne unworthinesse is lowly in his owne eyes and humbles himselfe before the Lord The true Israelites that were found mourning for the abominations of the people were signed with a letter the last in the Hebrew Alphabet to signifie that in humility they take the lowest roome Ezech. 9.4 See how Israel heere makes God his onely refuge his mercy and truth his onely stay that we may discerne the true Israelite to relye nothing upon merit nor expect due recompence of desert but only as Saint Basil saith hath his hope in the mercies of God If thou wilt carry thy Light safe cover it with both thy hands if thou wilt preserve the treasure of grace let it be Thesaurus absconditus a hid treasure lest either the puffe of vaine-glory blow out thy light or ostentation of pride bereave thee of thy treasure if thou wilt have the Spirituall fire preserved in the hearth of thy heart cover it with the ashes of Israels humility I am not worthy of the least of Gods mercies A way then with the proud Iusticiary Romanist the ostentant Pharisie the enemies of Israels humility the disturbers of Israel Fifthly observe Israels resolution Gen. 32.26 who wrastling with the Angel resolved saying I will not let thee goe before thou blesse mee Behold the true Israelite wrastling with GOD by Faith by Prayer by Patience having taken sure hold of him cannot be divided he is resolved that neither gaine nor
these but words of course if thy heart beleeves this doctrine Deceive not thy selfe by secure presumption Marke what the Apostle addeth and such were some of you but ye are washed ye are sanctified ye are justified in the Name of the Lord Iesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God he doth not say and such are some of you and yet ye are justified but such were some of you giving us to understand that such sinnes cannot stand with the grace of Iustification and Sanctification of the Spirit I but yet such a person may bee elect saith one We doe not now dispute what he may be or what Gods purpose is to worke in him hereafter but this wee are bound to teach and the people beleeve that men so long as they continue in such sinnes are not in the state of salvation and if they dye without repentance they are certainly damned Neither must men deceive themselves with a conceit of hidden grace and presence of the Spirit during the continuance of such sins for these sinnes being contrary to the Holy Ghost doth so quench the divine motions and so pollute the soule that Saint Iohn speaking of one of such sinnes affirmes flatly 1 Ioh. 3.15 Wee know that no man-slaier hath eternall life abiding in him He doth not deny but that a man-slaier repenting may have eternall life but he concludes against this fraud of presumption maintaining that such an one during his sinne without repentance hath not eternall life abiding in him but by his sinne hee hath lost the Spirit of GOD and the comfort of salvation by Christ untill he be againe renewed by repentance And therfore men that continue in such sinnes ought to bee so farre from beleeving that they in Gods favour are safe they that are bound to beleeve by the word of God that they shall never inherit the kingdome of Christ I but saith this deceiver doth not the scripture say Blessed is the man whose unrighteousnesse is forgiven Psal 32.1 and whose sinnes is covered if covered saith he then continuance in sin cannot hurt a beleever But the godly which know the comfortable sence of these words admits not this deceivers glosse All our former sins by repentance and faith in Christ are forgiven and so covered that they shall not appeare to our confusion but then we know also that repentance imports not onely a verball confession and acknowledgement that we sin but also a reall and true forsaking of such sins as are committed against conscieÌ„ce The grace of Christ then covers our infirmities as a cloath to hide them because they continue so long as wee live but it covers our impieties crimes as a plaister that draweth out the filth and healeth the sore We must not thinke that the Name and merits of Christ are a cloake for villanies or a covert for iniquities but as by the grace of Christ our weaknes is covered so our wickednes is cured so that a wicked man and a Christian are directly contrary 3. Fraus impia the wiced fraud in profession of Religion VVE have observed alreadie that fraud of Iniustice deceiving others that fraud of folly deceiving themselves now let us see that impious fraud in the profession of Religion deceiving the LORD of which we may briefly observe six kinds The FRAUD 1. Of Formall and Politicke 2. Of Faint and Negligent 3. Of Fained Counterfeit 4. Of Forced and Servile 5. Of Forged and Arbitrary 6. Of Flattering and Carnal RELIGION 1. Of Formall POliticke Religion admits no more of Gods service than may stand with the state serve the time and please men a ranke of men there are that so turn themselves to serve GOD that yet they have alwayes an eye therin to serve their own turne Aug. de civi dei ca. 20. l. 2. Hence come the principles of polititians Tantùm stet tantùm floreat copijs referta victorijs gloriosa pace secura Respublica et quid ad nos caetera Let but the state of the common wealth stand and flourish abundant with plenty glorious with victory secure with peace and we looke after no more Hence come their positions Conservatio Reip. status prior ac antiquior esse debet quam religionis causa Bâ—lloy pag. 2. The preservation of the Common-wealth ought to be more precious and more to bee respected than the matter of Religion Antiquisart p. 124. Hence comes this their brutish conclusion Virorum fortium hic scopus hoc studium haec cura primaria esse debet vitam laetam ac affluentem ducere This ought to be the drift the study and prime care of a generous man to live a jocund and delicious life Of which beasts yet Iob hath fearefully concluded Iob 21.13 They passe their dayes in pleasure and in a moment goe down to hell O how this polititian smiles to observe the true Israelites following their profession in earnest counting them therefore God Almighties fooles But well answered the Lady Paula the Polititians of her time nos stulti propter Christum sed stultum Dei sapientius est hominibus We are fooles for Christs sake but the foolishnes of God is wiser than men Inertiaese et otio dante c. saith Ierome whilst these Mammonists give themselves to idlenes and sloth they count those which seriously meditate in the Law of God day and night tanquam garrulos et inutiles as vaine and scripture-men Psal 14.6 and as David saith They have made a mocke at the Councell of the poore because the Lord is his trust This formalist is in the Church as a sword in the heart as a serpent in the bosome as a poyson in the stomack as a theefe in the house by him the righteous soule is grieved the plaine Israelite circumvented the weake infected the Church robbed From this fraud the true Israelites exempted who first seeks the Kingdome of God and his righteousnesse serves not the time but the Lord and their prime care is to worke their salvation with feare and trembling 2. The fraud of faint Religion THe second fraud in profession is Negligence when the professour is not inflamed with zeale and the love of God but with a remissnes and carelesnesse creeps about the workes of godlines This fraud the holy Ghost espied in the Angel of the Church of Laodicêa Reu. 3.15 saying I know thy workes that thou art neither cold nor hot and of this guile speaks the Scripture fearfully Ier. 48.10 Cursed is every one that worketh the worke of God negligently Free from this guile are all true Israelites Psa 42.2 So David that said my soule is a thirst for God 1 King 19.10 So Elias that protested saying I am zealous for the Lord God of Hostes though many times they which are at ease in Syon count Elias his zeale the maine disturbance of Israel T' is a fearefull commination of the Lord against neutralls these luke-warme professors in the Prophecy of