is not the grossest Protestant or Papist but pretends to the Spirit of God yea that horrid Monster Mahomet blusht not to avouch that in the Forme of a Dove the holy Spirit of God did whisper in his eare from Heaven Now blessed is that Spirit publike or private who is truly willing and joyfull to lye downe in the Ballances of the Lords weighings Hitherto tend these Experiments of personal Communion with God in the Spirit of Holinesse Rom. 1. 3. 'T is true all publike and private Christian Spirits pretend the Spirit of Holinesse yea how great a part of the World pretend to be Christendome the Christian world that is anointed with the Spirit of Christ Jesus But was it Death in Moses Rites to counterfeit that ceremoniall and figurative Ointment Exod. 30. what shall it be to counterfeit the Spirit of Life and Holiness it self What I beleeve therefore as David and Paul once spake I freely speak Yea who can but speak saith Peter and John the Things they have seene and heard I confesse I spake these first but in a private Letter in America and thought not that the light in Europe should have seen them But a two-fold desire hath prevailed with me to expose these Tryalls to the Trying of all men 1. The earnest desire of some Godly Friends 2. Mine owne desire of sowing a little handfull of spirituall seed while the short Minute of my seed-time the opportunity of life lasteth My scope is to fill each truly Christian soule with triumphing and rejoycing I speak peace and joy to the Weakest Lamb and Child in Christianity that is so low so weake so litle so poor in its owne eyes that it sometimes saith it hath no Christ no Spirit no Faith no Love no nor true Desire in it selfe To this poore weake one I speak peace and joy and say this spirituall poverty is blessed and is the first step or round of that spirituall Ladder Mat. 5. Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdome of Heaven Secondly I sound joyfull Alarums of Encouragement to the strong to grow as Peter exhorteth in the Grace and Knowledge of the Lord Jesus T is true the communion of Saints is sweet and joyfull strong and powerfull eternally gainfull and profitable and holy and blessed is that Spirit that makes the Saints who are the Excellent of the Earth its Delight and after that blessed hour of the Saints uniting in one Heart one Spirit one Worship let all that love Christ Jesus mourne and lament and breath and pant And yet the weakest and the faintest Lamb that comes but stealing in the Crowd to touch the hemb of the Lord Jesus his garment that is content to be esteemed a Dog and to wait for crums of mercy under the Table of the Son of God let them I say rejoyce also for he that hath begun that blessed work by his owne free and eternall Spirit will by the same his owne holy Arme gloriously finish it I end Deare Christian with the proposall of two Christian knots or Riddles not unsuitable to these present Times and Spirits First Why is the Heart of a David himself Psa. 30. more apt to decline from God upon the Mountaine of Joy Deliverance Victory Prosperity then in the dark Vale of the shadow of Death Persecution Sicknesse Adversity c. Secondly Why is it since God worketh freely in us to doe and to will of his owne good pleasure that yet he is pleased to command us to work out our owne Salvation with Feare and Trembling Let us all humbly beg the Finger the Spirit of the Lord to untie these Knots for us I. desire to be thine unseighned in Christ Jesus R. W. The Contents of this Discourse The Heads are three UNder the first are contained the Arguments of Spirituall Life wherein the Weakest and the Sickest Child of God may finde its Spirituall Life apparent though over-cast and eclipsed with spirituall Weaknesse and Distempers Under the second Head Arguments of the strength and vigour of the Spirit of Life and Holinesse In which the strongest and the eldest in Christ may find Experiments of Spirituall Health and Christian Activity and chearfullnesse These Experiments respect 1. The Souls private correspondenâ—…y with the Lord himselfe 2. Converse and correspondency with Men 3. Private Retirednesses with it selfe Under the third Head are proposed some Means wherein the Spirit of God usually breatheth for the preserving and maintaining of a truly Spirituall and Christian Health and Chearfullnesse The Letter which the Author sent with this Discourse to his Wife M. W. upon her recovery from a dangerous sicknesse My Dearest Love and Companion in this Vale of Tears THy late sudden and dangerous Sicknesse and the Lords most gracious and speedy raising thee up from the gates and jawes of Death as they were wonderfull in thine own and others eyes so I hope and earnestly desire they may be ever in our thoughts as a warning from Heaven to make ready for a sudden call to be gone from hence to live the rest of our short uncertaine span more as strangers longing and breathing after another Home and Country To cast off our great cares and fears and desires and joyes about this Candle of this vaine life that is so soon blowne out and to trust in the living God of whose wonderfull power and mercy thou hast had so much and so late experience which must make thee sing with David Psal. 103. Blesse the Lord O my Soul and all that is within me blesse his holy Name Blesse the Lord O my Soul and forget not all his benefits who forgiveth all thy sins and healeth thine infirmities who redeemeth thy life from destruction and crowneth thee with mercy and loving kindnesse My dear Love since it pleaseth the Lord so to dispose of me and of my affairs at present that I cannot often see thee I desire often to send to thee I now send thee that which I know will be sweeter to thee then the Honey and the Honey-combe and stronger refreshment then the strongest wines or waters and of more value then if every line and letter wâ—…e thousands of gold and silver Hezekiah upon his recovery from his sicknesse made a writing Isai. 38. as an everlasting monument of his praise unto God and as a Goad or spur to himselfe and others in the wayes of godlinesse for the future Thy holy and humble desires are strong but I know thy writing is slow and that thou wilt gladly accept of this my poore helpe which with humble thankefulnesse and praise to the Lord I humbly tender to his holy service and thine in him I send thee though in Winter an handfull of flowers made up in a little Posey for thy dear selfe and our dear children to look and smell on when I as the grasse of the field shall be gone and withered Wee know how it pleaseth the spirit of God to distinguish between
so neer to these heavenly copies as we approach the stronger we are in the grace of God in Christ And doubtless it cannot be but it is in the desire of every true childe of God not onely to enjoy a prettie moderate health of spirituall life but to be as strong in faith as Abraham in meekness as Moses in patience aâ—…Job in affâ—…ction to God aâ—…David and as zealous for the Lord and his glory as were this blessed pair of zealous servants of the most high Paul and Moses I Am now come dear Love to the third and last Head proposed which is some few means of recovering and preserving of â—…hristian health and cheerfulness and the preventing of spirituall sicknesses and diseases In this I shall desire to be brief left by too long a discourse I discourage thy reading and hinder thy use and improvement of it First then holy consideration of our estate a deep and frequent examination of our spirituall condition is an excellent means of Christian health and temper Thus teacheth us the holy Spirit of God by Jeremie Lam 2. Let us search and try our ways and turn unto the Lord This searching and examining of our ways in Gods presence is as it were a casting up of our accounts between God and our souls wherein we truly verifie that true saying That often reckoning makes God and our souls true friends This dutie is hard and therefore we must often crie tâ—…God with David Psal. 139. Search me O God and try my heart and see if there be any wicked way in me and lead me in the way â—…verlasting This holy practice ought to be frequent but then especially when the hand and Rods of the Lord are upon us For then as Iob saith God sofâ—…neth our Hearts and we are most like then to be as the ground mollâ—…fied upon a Thaw fit to be broken up or like the Ground moistned with storms and showers froâ—… Hâ—…aven then in some hopefull turn for the Lords most gracious seed and heavenly planting Secondly maintain an earnest longing and endeavour to enjoy Christ Iâ—…sus who is our souls life in every holy Ordinance which he hath appointed If it be possible with true satisfaction to our consciences and doubts in Gods presence let us never rest from being planted into the holy society of Gods children gathered into the order of Christ Jesus according to hiâ—… most holy will and Testament Remembring that Christian health grouth and flâ—…urishing are promised to the Trees planted in Jehovahs house And that the holy Ordinances are the Lords provisions and soul meals and Breasts which he hath graciously appointed for his children of all sorts and ages Especially be much in holy prayer and fasting before the Lord this is an Ordinance of which neither Pope nor Devill could ever deprive a child of God If it be possible practice this duty with others however before the Lord in secret remembâ—…ing how frequent the children of God in holy scripture were in this duty Daniel is an heavenly pattern and so is David who wept and chastised his soul with fasting although he was reproached for it Psal. 69. Our holy Bridegroom the Lord Iesus tels us that the Bridegroom shall be taken away and then his servants fast as if he had â—…xpresly named the times of the Antichristian bondage wherein the followers of Iesus like the blessed Womeâ—… John the 20. weeping cry out they have taken away my Lord and I know not where they have laid him This holy Ordinance is of such admirable use among the Saints that even in the first and purest times of Chrisâ—…ianity we read of Christan yoak fellows consenting to a seperation from each other for a time that they may give themselves to prayer and fasting 1. C. 〈◊〉 Obj. But some say fasting as it seems to be more proper to the Old Testaâ—…ent so seems it not so usefull in the New Covenant when more spirituall worship and spirituall joys seem more suitable and seasonable I answer all the former Scriptures declare it to be an Ordinance of the New Tâ—…stament as well as a prayer it self And for the use of it it is most admirable for the seperating and abstracting of the mind and spirit from earthly occasiâ—…ns and comforts for the devoting of the soul to heavenly consideration and examination of our wayes for the pouring forth of prayers and cries to God in the many greâ—…t and mighty straights which Gods people passe through in this vale of tears and Lamentation And indeed it is as I may say the taking of a soul sweat or soul purge for the avoiding and cleansing out our spirituall Humâ—…urs and corruptions Thirdly as ever we would preserve our spirituall health let us carefully take heed of spirituall colds and obstructioâ—…s For as it is in the naturall man a cold it self is a great distemper and the ground and â—…eginning of others when the warm streams of blood and spirits are stopt up and obstructed So is it and much more in the spirituall when our heavenly spirits are stopt by damp colds and â—…bstructions of unnecessary frequenting of cold societies and places destitute of the life of the Sun of Righteousnes Christ Jesus The Lord Jesus is a Christians Garment O let us keep that blessed garment always close about us and in all places and in all companies and upon all occasions expresse the life and power of Christ Jesus longing to know and to follow his blessed words and examples in life and death Fourthly take heed of spirituall surfets that the feeding too much upon the comforts of â—…oak fellows children credit profit though sweet and wholsome as hâ—…ny â—…urn not to bitternes and loathing Gods children as travailers on the Land as Passengers in a ship must use this world and all coâ—…forts of it with dead and weaned and 〈◊〉 affâ—…ctions aâ—… if they used them not If Riches iâ—…Childâ—…en iâ—…Cattel if Friends if whatsoever increase let us watch that the Heart fly not loose upon them But as we use salt with raw and frâ—…sh meats let us use no worldly comfort without a savoury Remembrance that these worldly Goods and comforts are the common portion of the men of this perishing woâ—…ld who must peâ—…ish together with them Let us muse upon their insufficiency to content and fill our Hearts upon their uncertain coming and going with Eagles wings upon their anxiety and perplexednes full of Thorns vexation upon their certainty of departing how soon we know not O leâ—… us therefor beg graâ—…e from Heaven that we may use earthly comforts as a stool or ladder to help uâ—… upward to heavenly comforts profits pleasures which are only true and lasting even eternall in God himself when these Heavens and earth are gone Fifthly to maintain spirituall health and 〈◊〉 is of no small use as Paul writes to Timothie sometimes to help our cold stomacks with a little wine or strong
the outward and the inner man 2 Cor. 4. Though our outward man perish yet our inner is renewed day by day It hath pleased the most high to cast downe thy outward man and againe graciously to lift him up and thereby to teach us both to examine and try the health and strength and welfare of the inner I will not now enter upon the Disputes about that question what is the Inner-man whether Christ himselfe as some say or an Image or likenesse of Christ Jesus as others say That is a Candle or Torch to me which is written Ephes. 3. That Christ may dwell in your Hearts by faith unto which agrees that of the first of John As many as received him that is received Christ Jesus into the house of their hearts to dwell there by beleiving and obeying of him they are borne of the Spirit and are the Sons of God This Inner man this new-man which after God is created in holinesse and righteousuesse I say this Inner-man hath his tempers and distempers his health and sicknesse as well as this outward-man this body of Clay Hence we hear so often mentioned the renewing of the inward-man the growing and increasing of Faith and Love and other breathings of Gods Spirit the losse that is in a measure of the Ephesians first love Hence the many falls of the Lords best Servants recorded in Scripture and the sleep of the Spouse of Christ Jesus although her heart wake in the truth of marriagelove which can never wholly dye in her and be extinguished The holy Scripture mentioneth a three-fold persoâ—… in all that are borne againe First the body of Flesh and clay this outward naturall being which must be dissolved and dye then rise againe to Glory The second is the body of corruption or old man which being deadly wounded by the Son of God alreadie in all that are his shall shortly give up the ghost and rot and never rise again The third is this holy heavenly inner man of whose health and daily renewing I now discourse who is born of an immortall seed and therefore can no more die then Christ himself Rom. 6. Now as this outward man desires not onely life and being but also health and cheerfulness in all the living motions and actions thereof So and much more ten thousand fold requires the inward and spirituall man an healthfull and cheerfull temper For as the Lord loveth a cheâ—…rfull giver So loves he also a cheerfull Preacher a chearfull hearer a chearfull prayer and a chearfull sufferer for his Name sake He loves that the fhoes of preparation be on our feet ready to run all wayes and weathers the paths of his Command â—…ents That like a vessel our leaks be stopt and our whole soul be ready in an holy trim and tightness for all his holy employments of us in the greatest tempests â—…hat like heavenly souldiers our Arms be fixt or like an Instrument the strings of our affâ—…ctions and parts be all in tune to make heavenly musick in the holy ears of our heavenly Lord and King T is true as it is between a loving couple and as it was in the Church at Ephesus it is not easiâ—… to keep in the first flame of Love fresh and equall although the fire of the truth and sinceritie of marriage love never die or be extingnished It is true that Paul cries out how much more may we O wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from this body of death T is true that sometimes corruption and Satan surprize and carry away the stâ—…ongest champions of Christ Jesus as slaves and captives for a time untill Christ Jesus rescue redeem and ransome by giving repentance unto his Israel as he did to David Peter c. as Abraham rescued Lot and as David recovered all his precious captives led slaves away from Ziklag I am far therefore from passing the sentence of death upon the least of the little ones of Jesus notwithstanding their spirituall weaknes and sicknesses in whom the leaâ—…spâ—…rk or breathing of the spirit of Life can be discerned And I desire to see and lament the spirituall sicknesses and diseases of mine own and others Spirits which yet are not unto death as Christ Jesus spake of Lazarus but for the glory of God in the fall and rising of his servants Yea as Paul distinguisheth of Gods afl cting hand on his Saints at Corinth so must I distinguish between these three death sicknes and weakness Every sicknes of Gods Children is not a death for the inner man cannot die no more then Christ himself Rom 6. Again every weaknes is not a sicknes for some are weak little ones in the knowledg and love of Christ while others are grown to be strong and aged in Christ Jesus Yea the strongest and oldest Souldiers of Christ Jesus who have not thought their dearest Heart blood to dear for such a Lord and Master have yet been troubled with some weaknes and fits of spirituall distempers Weaknes in their Eyes is not discerning aright the mind of Christ Jesus weaknes in their hands and Feet hindring their spirituall chearfulnes and activity in Christs wayes which weaknesses yet have not brought them to a down right halting in Christianity I propose therefore with the assiâ—…tance of Gods holy spirit to examine these three particulars First what a ethe Arguments of that measure of spirituall life in Chrâ—…st which yet may stand with great spirituall weaknesses and diseases 2ly What is that 〈◊〉 of the grace of Christ Jesus which may be called the health and chearfull temper and disposition of the inner man 3dly What are those spirituall preservatives which may keâ—…p the Soul in an healthfull temper free from spirituall sicknesses and dâ—…stempers In these Examinations I professe two thinâ—… First not to oppresse thy thoughts and memory with any long discourse intending only to send thee after thy sicknes a little posey fit and easie for thy meditation and refâ—…shing 2ly All my Flowers shall be some choice example or speech of some son or daughter of God pickt out from the Garden of the holy Scriptures for our spirituall refreshing and consolation I begin therefore with such trialls and arguments as declare the true life of the inner man notwithstanding spirituall weaknes sicknes and distempers First then when the Spirit of the Lord in 1 Job 2. describeth the severall Ages and grouths of this inward man to wit a child a strong man and an old man it pleasath him to describe the young or little one by this difference that He knows the Father to wit that he knows the Lord so as to look upon him in his measure as to a Father that he fears him loves him obeys him and calls upon him as on a Father according to that of Gal 4. Because you are sons he hath sent forth the spirit of his Son crying in your Hearts Abâ—…a Father Father pardon me Father help
me Father give me c. Obj. But may not the Hypocrites call upon God and sometime more boldâ—…y then Gods little ones Lord Lord Almighty and most mercifull Father c. An. I answer an Hypocrite hath many Lords and many Fathers besides and joyned with their pretended heavenly Father Whereaâ—…Gâ—…ds little ones cry out Isa. 63. Doubtles thou art our Father though Abrah m be ignorant of us as if they had said Thou art our only Father above all Fathers c. 2ly The Hypocrite saies Lord Lord but cares for no more of the will of the Lord hen may serve his own turne But a child of God declares his child like submissiâ—…n to an heavenly Fathers will in all things according to the difference proposed by the Lord Jesus Mat 7. Not every one that saith unto me Lord Lord but he that doth the wil of my Father which is in Heaven The difference lies not in the words but in the Heart in the upright submission of a child of God to all that he believes to be the will and pleasure of his heavenly Father For a second triall therefore Where spirituall life is notwithstanding weaknes or distempers there is always a professed willingnesse to get more and more knowledg of this heavenly Father of his name of his works of his wotd of his Christ of his Spirit his Saints and Ordinances Hence Beleevers in Jesus both Men and Women are called Disciples or Scholars of Christ Jesus professing continually to learn more and more of this heavenly teacher Hence his Disciples or Scholars petition to Christ Jesus Lord teach us to pray Lord increase our Faith c. Hence they ask him many Questions and are by little and little instructed though for a while they were ignorant of the mystery of his Death and Resâ—…ction Obj. But may not an Hypocrite defire to know more and more of God of Christ c. Ans. I answer although an Hypocrite out of an itching desire of knowledg of novelty and out of self love to make use of so much of God and of Christ as may serve his own ends may desire and attain and profefse and preach much of God and Câ—…rist yet will he pick and choose as Saul did while David and all Gods children uprightly desire to have respect to all the Commandements of God in Christ Jesus Again the obedience of Hypocrites is but the task of a slave or Hireling when the obedience of a child of God is that of a dutifull child to his Father or an endeared Wife to her Husband not caused by terrour or wages but hearty Reverence and Affection Hence follows a third triall of spirituall life though accompanied with much weaknes to wit a vehemeâ—…t hunger and longing afâ—…er the Ordinance of the word preached Hence that similitude by Peter Aâ—…New born Babes desire the sincere milk of the word that you may grow thereby 1. Pet 2. Obj. But may not Hypâ—…crits and counterfeits both affectionately hear and preâ—…ck c Ans. I answer no question but false worshippers and false Christians may easily satisfie themselves and stop the mouths of their conscieâ—…es with any formal performance of a Sermon by an houre-glasse or other traditions or customes oâ—…Fathers or the times But a child of God desires to be as well carefull according to hisight for tâ—…e true Mothers-Breasâ—… a true Ministrie as for a Womans Milk the opening of the word by any in any way c. And therefore cries the Spouse to Christ Jesus Oh thou whom my soul loveth shew me where thou feâ—…dest for why should I be as one that turns afide to the flocks of thy companions 2ly A true child of God though weak looks chiefly at God and Châ—…ist himself in the Ministry and dispensation of the word and therefore saith Cant 1. Let Him kifse me with the kisses of his mouth for his love is better then wine 3. While the Hypocrites find their natural delight in the word as in musick while yet they obey not The child of God comes to the breasts of the Church as a child hangs upon the Mothers Breast not only for the delight of sucking but out of a vehement painfull longing to have its soul satisfied and its strength of spirituall life and grace increased in the ways of God according to that in 1. Pet 2. That you may grow thereby A 4th Argument of the life of the inner man though in much weaknes oâ—…sicknes is a true and unsained desire to do that which it finds it cannot do but falls short in doing or suffering the will of God So Nehemiab pleads with God from the uprightnes of their hearts that they desired to fear his Name when a soul can say uprightly in Gods presence I desire that is unfainedly longing to know his will although I am much ignorant I desire to believe though I find an unbeleeving heart I desire to be willing and able to suffer though I find much fearfulnesse c. Ob. May not an Hypocrite desire to know and love God c. I answer an Hypocrite may desire to know so much of God and to have so much of his grace and so much of his power against some sins as may serve to save his soul when he sees he cannot be saved without it But a child of God only can desire God for himself and desire to be like unto God in his holy Nature and to have every thought brought under the obedience of Christ Jesus Hence though an Hypocrite may weep as Esau and Saul and others have done yet a true child of God can only in truth cry out with the Father of the possessed child in an humble sence of his own weaknes and spirituall poverty Lord I believe help thou my unbelief that is help me against my unbelief against my passions against my uncleanesse against my pride against my covetousnes c. A 5th triall of a true life though in weaknes or sicknes is a constant resisting and fighting against all known sin as sin He that is born of God 1. John 5. keepeth himsef that the evill one toucheth him not unles he be suddenly surprised or violently forced by mighty temptations or câ—…usoned and deceived by the deceitfulnesse of sin he can no more willingly touch it then fire or poison or the Devill himself Hence is there a continuall war between the flesh and the spirit Gal 5. The law of the mind wars against the law of the members The New-man against the old c. For instance although good Jacob was overcome by his Mothers powerfull perswâ—…sion yet suspecting a sin he â—…st strugled against it my Father saith he will feel me and I shall bring a curse instead of a Blessing Obj. But may not an Hypocrite resist temptation and fight against sin I answer No not against sin as sin but as it is dangerous and hurtfull to soul to body to purse to credit So
drink of the hope of the joyesâ—…o come Lay hold saith Paul to Timotbie of eternall life and as the Souldier meditates upon the glory of his victories The sick passenger at Sea upon his sweet refreshings on shore the Traveller upon his journeys end and comforts at his home the Lâ—…bourer and the Hireling on his wages the Husbandman on his harvest the Merchant on his gain the woman in travail on her fruit so let us sometimes wâ—…rm and revive our cold hearts and fainting spirits with the assured hope of those victories those crowns those harvests those refreshings and fruits which never eye hath seen nor ear hath heard nor never entred into mans heart the things which God hath prepared for them that love him Of which however it pleaseth God to give his servants a taste in this life yet the harvest and the vintage are to come when they that suffer with Christ Jesus shall reign with him and they that have sown in tears shall reap the never ending harvest of inconceiveable joyes Sixthly as it is in the restoring of the body to health or in the preserving of it in an healthfull condition it is often necessarie to use the help of sharp and bitter things bitter pils bitter potions bitter medicines sweatings purgings vomitings blood-lettings c. So is it with our souls and spirits and preservation of the health and chearfulness of the spirituall and the inner man The sharp and bitter things which it pleaseth God to make use of in these cases are of two sorts First such as himself is pleased to use towards us in the way of his fatherly afflictions of all sorts on our spirits our bodies our yoak fellows children servants cattel goods c. out of which yea also out of the injurious and slanderous and persecuting dealing of others yea and out of our own sins and failings his most holy and infinite wisdâ—…m fetcheth all sorts of cleansing and purging yea and sometimes cordiall and healing physick The second sort of sharp and bitter means are such as we voluntarily use anâ—…apply our selves unto our selves for the slaying and the purging out of the filthy humeurs and corruptions of pride securitie uncleanness self-love covetousness and what ever else remains behinde of the body of deaâ—…h in us It is true that the word of God and all his holy Ordinances they are not only of a feeding and nourishing but also of a purging and cleansing Nature of a preserving and a restoring Quality and therefore out of these we must take direction for all our spirituall Remedies against those soul distempers unto which our spirituall and inuer men are subjâ—…ct First then it is an wholsome though bitter pill often to call to mind our many our great our known our unknown transgressions against the Lord as a Creatour against the Lord as a Father against the Lord as a Redeemer against Christ Jesus against his holy Spirit against his Ordinances against his Saints against our selves c. Yea the sins and severall corruptions of our Natures callings and conditions to which we yet are subject and lye open and without supply of Grace and strength from Heaven we shall fall and tumble into as well as the strongest of Gods servants of whose wofull falls we read of in holy Scripture Obj. It is a part of the Lords New Covenant that he will forgive our sins and remember our iniquities no more I answer unto all the promises of all sorts Ezek. 36. it pleaseth the Lord to adde this Gospel Proviso For all this I will be sought unto saith the Lord according to that most holy direction of the Lord Jesus to pray daily not only for daily Bread but also for daily forgivenes Obj. The Lord hath forgiven them already in Christ what need to pray for forgivenesse of them again I answer We must marke the Lords Ordinance for all this I will be sought unto Prayer and other spirituall Ordinances hath the Lord appointed for our souls good as well as corporall meanes for our bodily comfort Hence the many examples of the servants of God throughout the whole Scripture both before Jesus Christ and since David Peter Mary Magdalen breaking forth into heavenly showres of godly teares Hence the Paschall Lambe the figure of Christ Jesus was appointed by the Lord to be eaten with bitter herbs implying and teaching that Jesus Christ himselfe his blood pardon of sin Life and Salvation and all the spirituall and eternall sweets that here below we finde in Christ Jesus they have not their native and proper rellish without the helpe of such sharpe and bitter hearbs What though therfore in Gods councel before the world was all his works of creation and redemption vocation justification glorification are knowne to him and acted by him I say in the most inconceiveable deep councels of his will according to which he worketh all things Ephes. 1. 11 yet were it presumptuous madnesse in us and a tempting of the jealous eyes of the most High to neglect the wayes and meanes and paths of mercy for Soul or Body which his most holy Wisedome out of infinite Grace and goodnesse hath appointed to us A second sharp and bitter pill to puâ—…ge out spiritual corruption is a due and serious pondering of the nature of the justice of the most High notwithstanding all the infinite sweetnesse of thâ—…Ocean of his mercy and not withstanding all thâ—…colours and pretences which we poor sinners invent to our selves to hide from our eyes the greatnesse and dreadfulnesse and terrours of it Well therefore might Job say therefore am I troubled at his presence and when I consider I am afraid of him and David Psal. 119. My Flesh trembleth for fear of thee and I am afraid of thy judgements Object But John saith perfect love casteth out fear I answer The true love of God never casteth out the true feare of God but only that which is false and counterfeit that which is the fear of a Beast of slaves and Devils Hence it is that the Spirit of the fear of the Lord was poured upon the Lord Jesus himself This feare is an holy awe or reverence proper to a true and heavenly ingenuous child of God even first and chiefly to Christ Jesus the elder Brother in a sence of all the children of God To cherish which holy fear of God let us cast our eyes upon the fiery flashes of his severe justice revealed unto us in a three-fold time the time past present and to come For the time past how dreadfull is that we finde of the rejection and ejection of so many glorious heavenly Spirits the Angels tumbled downe for their sin of Pride from the heigth of Heaven and their glorious attendance upon God to the depth of Hell in horrible slavery to everlasting sinnes and torments How dreadfull was that dolefull Sentence upon the whole race of mankinde for the Sin of the first root our
EXPERIMENTS OF Spiritual Life Health And their PRESERVATIVES In which the weakest Child of God may get Assurance of his Spirituall Life and Blessednesse And the Strongest may finde proportionable Discoveries of his Christian Growth and the means of it By Roger Williams of Providence in New-England London Printed in the Second Month 1652. To the truly Honorable the Lady Vane the Younger Madam YOur favourable and Christian respects to me both of former and latter date your Godly and Christian Letters to me so many thousand miles distant in America And your many gracious Demonstrations of an humble and Christian Spirit breathing in you are a three fold Cord which have drawn these lines into your presence While I have sometimes mused how to express a Christian gratitude I am at last perswaded to crave your Ladyships acceptance of these poore Experiments of each true Christians personall union and communion with the Father of Spirits It is true I have been sometimes prest to engage in controversies but I can really and uprightly say my Witnes is on high how harsh and dolesul the touch of those strings are especially against such Worthies both in old and new-England in whom I joyfully before the world acknowledge in many heavenly respects a lively character and Image of the Son of God This broken piece is a breath of a still and gentle voice none but the God of this world and the men of this world can I lightly at this turne expect my opposites At other times I have been drawne to consider of the little flock of Jesus his Army his body his building that for these many hundred years have been scattered routed and laid wast and desolate At present I onely examine who are the personall and particular Sheep of Jesus Christ his Souldiers his living materials though scattered divided and not compos'd and ordred at their souls desire I confess Madam it was but a private and sudden discourse sent in private to my poor Companion and Yoak-fellow occasioned by a sudden sickness threatning death into which and from which it pleased the Lord most graciously to cast and raise her The forme and stile I know will seem to this refined age too rude and barbarous And the truth is the most of it was penn'd and writ so as seldom or never such discourses were in the thickest of the naked Indians of America in their very wild houses and by their barbarous fires when the Lord was pleased this last year more then ordinarily to dispose of my abode and travell amongst them And yet is the Language plaine it is the liker Christs Is the composure rude such was his outward Beauty Are the tryals seemingly too close such is the two edged Sword of his most holy Spirit which pierceth between the very Soul and Spirit and bringeth every thought into the obedience of Christ Jesus Amongst the many Crowns of mercy Madam which it hath pleased the Father of mercies to crowne your soul with as David speaks of his Psal. 103. there are two which justly challenge and your Ladiship I know doth humbly acknowledge them to be the fairest The first That he himselfe most high most holy who makes his common choice the poor Jam. 2. and chooseth few Lords few Knights few Ladies few wise few noble few mighty hath freely chosen you Madam in so gracious and blessed a measure to desire to feare his Name A second That for your dearest Companion and Guide in this vale of tears amongst the famous Worthies of this age he hath graciously guided you to such a blessed choice of such an Husband on earth who beares so bright an Image of your Husband in the Heavens and in whose most holy and gracious hand he hath been such a mercifull and faithfull Instrument for both the freedoms both of the outward and inner man I doe humbly acknowledge that upon an absolute account all is mercy and yet I am also humbly confident that in a respect as he graciously remembred his old friend Abraham and tels us of a speciall love he yet bears the Jewes for Abrahams sake even so he hath graciously vouchsafed at this present an honorable remembrance to the NAMES of some of his more eminent former friends and witnesses How hath he â—…rowned the memory of those his 2 zealous Servants in K. Henry the 8th his days * with a most eminent and blessed succession of such names and spirits at this day and in a gracious remembrance of his love to that blessed daughter and witnesse of his the Lady Vane in Q. Maries dayes how hath it pleased his wisedom and goodnesse to remember and to honour that Name both in your Ladiship and so many otherways with so many loving kindnesses at this day My humble cry Madam to the Lord shall never cease those all those your many obligations of both temporall and eternall mercies may like chaines of Adamant draw and bind your precious Soul more and more to resolve by his grace assisting to make his name great who hath made your so and so to love his Name his Son his Spirit his Truth his Children that others at the Torch of your exemplary meeknesse and fear of God may light and kindle theirs That your Souls-eye more and more brightly may see him who is invisible and may so experimentally resent those invisible and internal Honors pleasures and profits that are in him that in comparison thereof the visible and worldly may be accounted by you but dreams of shadows c. That your great desire may be a likenesse of so high and holy and so dear a Saviour and as in other excellencies so in that especially of a desire of saving others your Children Kindred Servants Friends yea Enemies that neither the pleasing calme of prosperity nor the dreadfull storms of changes may quench or dampe that holy fire of your Souls love in Life and Death to Him whom your Ladyship hath so much infinite cause to love but never yet saw in whom and for ever I desire to be Your HONOURS unfeinedly faithfull R. W. To every truly Christian Reader AS it is in the Earthly so it is in the Heavenly Marriage of a poor Sinner to his Maker There useth first to passe a private kindling of Love and a private consent and pomise which sometimes are long before the open solemnity and the publikâ—… profession of a Married life together This is my present designe not to controvert the matters of publike Order and Worship but to present some poor Experiments of those Personall excellencies of each true beleeving soule and spirit The Holy Spirit in Isaiah tels us of Ballances wherein the most High weighs the Hills and Mountains As also in Solomon of Ballances wherein hee weighs the very Spirits even of men whose way is right in their owne eyes And in John 14. he commands us to try the Spirits pretending to come from Christ Jesus whether they be of God or no There
retired alone to private prayer and sometimes spent the whole night in prayer to God with strong cries tears and supplications And therefore is it that all true Christians are the spirituall Israelites that is wrastlers and strivers with God in prayer like unto their Father Jacob who wrastled all night in prayer with God wiâ—…h weeping and supplications and would not let the Angel go untill he blessed him and therefore his name was called Israel a wrastler or prevailer with God as well as Jacob a supplanter and prevailer with men Ob. But may not Hypocrites be frequent and fervent in prayer to God Did not the Pharisees and Iews pray and fast often Do not the very Turks solemnly pray five times each 24-houres And the Papists not onely keep their solemn morning and evening times of prayer but many other solemn prayers unto which the severall orders of Friars Monks and Nuns bind themselves And how easie is it by worldly engines to wheel about the Indians of America to become frequent prayers unto God c. I answer Many are the differences between the true prayers of Gods children and the false of dissemblers and hypocrites I will name a few for instance First then hypocrites pray but in a form and lip-labour as a tâ—…sk and work to be done for carnall respects to merit at Gods hand or to stop the mouth of conscience which tels them they cannot be Gods children except they pray But true prayer is the pouring out of the heart to God the true breathing of the soul to God arising as Incense and perfume unto God Hence no doubt although Paul before his conversion prayed much unto God for he was a Pharisie yet he never praid indeed untill his great change and the descending of the holy Spirit of prayer upon him And therefore the Lord sends Ananias with this incouragement unto Paul Behold the prayeth Act. 9. Hence Gods children find a kind of holy pleasure and delight in prayer whatever be the event or issue it pleaseth God to give like as a man finds delight in casting off an heavy burthen from his shoulder or in the unbosoming of a grief into the bosome of a friend Thus Hanna opprest with grief weeps no more when she had powred forth her supplication before the Lord And the Lord Jesus pâ—…wred forth his prayers and tears in the bosome of his Father and then rostâ—… quiet in his Fathers pleasure as touching the passing by or drinking of the bitter cup Oâ—…j Bâ—…t may not the children of God want holy pleasure and delight in prayer and depart from Gods presence as heavy as they came I answer some spirituall distempers may hinder and obstruct the operations of the Spirit of prayer nevertheles the soulâ—…nd spirit praies and mourns for the absence of holy pleasure and delight in this holy exercise Hence Davids mourning as a Turtledove in his prayers and Jeremies lamentings for the obâ—…ructions between the Lord and their souls in this holy Communion The second difference is the Hypocrites prayers more respect the ears of men then God as the Lord Jesus tells us They pray that men may know so much and esteem them Religious Gods children like true lovers delight to be private and fervent with their heavenlâ—…Father and Husband Thirdly Hypocrites in their prayers most commonly respect earthly things and therefore Hos. 7. they cry and howl upon their Beds for corn wine or at the best they respect but themselves c. although it be in the pardon of their sins and saving of their Souls But the prayers of Gods children chiefly eye heavenly things Hence the wonderfull spirituallity of Christs prayer to his Father John 7. for the glorifying of his name and spirituall Grace and mercy in the souls of Beleevers Hence the admirablâ—…spirituallity of Davids prayers for spirituall and soul mâ—…rcies Psal 119. And the fervent prayers of Paul in all his Epistles for heavenly and spirituall mercies to the Saints oâ—…God Hypocrites like Dogs howl and fawn for bones and crusts c. But Gods children beg the proper tokens and characters of a spirituall Father to his spirituall children and Beloved 4thly Hypocrites will not always cry unto God Jâ—…b 27. but at last with Saul if God answer not they run tothe Devill in evill means murmur and despair But Gods children can no more cease to cry unto God then to live a spiritual life and therefore resolve to give God no Rest untill they receive an answer and therefore also wait for his holy pleasure and leasure and at last are satisfied with the Lords holy pleasure and sentence alâ—…hough it seem crosse add bitter to flesb and blood So Moses in respect of his suit to God for his going into the land of Canâ—… So David praying for his child So Christ Jesus in respect of his bitter cup So Paul praying against hiâ—… great temptation Obj. But may not Hypocrites pray long and also wait upon God I answer they may yet at last out of â—…nbelief and anger like an angry Dog or sturdy Beggar they cry out in murmur and wrath as the unbelieving King of Israel wâ—…at should I waiâ—… upon God any longer But Gods children never give over for when they grow weary they like Moses beg help to their fainting hands in prayer and desire their eyes may never cease trickling tears unto God untiâ—… he look down from Heaven Lament: 2. A 5th Argument of spirituall health and strength is a constant holy sence of our own unwortbines vilenes and â—…asenes in Gods presence Hence Jacob professeth himself lâ—…sse then the least of Gods mercies that is then the least crum or drop or rag or look of mercy Hence the Centurion professeth himself not worthy that Christ should come under his Roof Hence Elizabeth her holy wonder whence is it saith â—…he that the Mother of my Lord should come unto me Hence Mephiboseth wonderâ—… that David should look upon such a dead Dog Ob But may not Hypocrites professe they are not Papists that they can deserve nothing at Gods hands that if they had their deserts it were woe wiâ—…h them I answer Hypocrites may say so but yet are angry when God seems not to deal with them as he deals with others Hence they quarrell with God as if that God seemed not to respect their offerings of prayer and fasting Isa 58. But Gods children conâ—…essing themselves Beggars at Gods door and Dogs under his Table they wait for and are humbly thankfull for every crum of grace and mercy So Christ Jesus teacheth us to give thanks for the mercy of a little bread and then for a little Fish Maâ—…k 6. So after most heavy and wonderfull aflâ—…ctions Jeremie cries out Jehova is righteous and professeth it is mercy that it is not worse and that they were not burnt up and consumed A 6th Argument of the spiritual health and temper is when the affections work strong and lively after God after
first Parents in Paradice How wonderfull those Plagues and Destructions upon Pharaoh and the land of AEgypt for their oppressing Gods people And before that how fearfull and horrible was that destruction and burning up of Sodom and Gomorrah and other Cities with fire and brimstone from Heaven And before both these how wonderfully fearefull and universall was the destruction of the whole world in that choaking and All-o'rewhelming flood or deluge How fearfull were the stroaks of Gods displeasure upon his owne people of Israel in their many Destructions and Captivities How fearfull the rejection of the tâ—…n Tribes wholly swallowâ—…d up and lost for so many agâ—…s and generations How lamentable were the destructions and especiall that by Titus and Vespasion of the holy City that glorious Jerusalem in the slaughter and captivity of 1100000 thousand Jewes men women and children How fearfull was the rejection of that whole Nation of the Jewes ever since but a curse and a scorne to all the rest of the Nations of the world to this day And above all who can but tremble at the impartiall flames of Gods justice on that green and innocent tree his owne and only begegotten son Christ Jesus when he stood surety in the room of sinners to make satisfaction for their transeressions Object Grant Gods justice and fierce wrath to be so hot so fiery and fearfull towards his enemies yet what need his children fear his justice since that it is satisfied and his wrath appeased towards his people by the sufferings and blood-shed of Christ Jesus I answer It is so evident that although Christ Jesus his blood hath quenched the fire of Gods eternall wrath toward his people and sweetned the bitter Cup of all present Judgements and afflictions yet for his Name and Justice sake in this world Gods children have temporally felt the fearful stroks of his displeasure and judgment must begin at the house of God Hence that dreadfull blow of Gods righteous hand upon our first Parents Adam and Eve cast out of Paradice with their posterity even the whole race of mankind notwithstanding their belief in the promised seed Christ Jesus Hence the heavy stroakes upon Lot upon Lots wife upon Moses upon Aaron upon Sampson upon Eli upon David upon Hezekiah upon Josiah c. Object But some may say God sees no sin in Jacob c. I answer Their calamities are Judgements that is righteous sentences of the most high Judgements though not eternall Judgements these vindicate Gods name and Justice before an unrighteous world and beare him witnesse of his impartiality even toward his owne children these humble and bring his people to repentance and confession and quicken their pace and their hearts to watch against future sins and provocations Hence saith the Spirit of God expresly 1 Cor. 11. For this cause that is for his childrens abuse of the Lords Supper many are weak and sick and some are falne asleep God chastiseth his own people true christian Churches for the abuse of his holy Ordinances and appointments In the second place let us cast our eyes abroad and behold the direfull signs and tokens of Gods severe Justice executed at this present in the world How lamentably doe we sce before our eyes the daily and continued effects of that first wrath upon mankind in so many sorrows of all sorts for the first transgression Let us consider of the great constant reproach and misery over all the Nations of the World by reason of Gods righteous Sentence in the division of so many Tongues and Languages O come and see saith David what Desolations Psal. 46. the Lord hath wrought in the Earth How many hundred thousands of men women and children have of late years been swept away in the world by wars famines and pestilencies And since we are commanded to weep with them that weep O that our heads were fountains and our eyes rivers of waters that wee might weep with Germany weep with Ireland yea weep day and night with England and Scotland to speake nothing of other remote Nations in laying againe and again to heart the stroakes of Gods most righteous judgements in their mosâ—… fearfull slaughters and desolations The effects and marks of these most dreadfull blowes every eye is forced to see but yet there are some stroakes more fearfull and yet not easily pâ—…rceived such are the righteous judgements of God giving up the Nations of the world to so many horrible and blasphemous worships idolatries and superstitions To speak nothing of whole Nations and Kingdomes that know not at all the true and living God how cold and hard is that stone that lyes upon the mouth of that wonderfull grave of unbeliefe wherein the Nation of Gods choice and love the Jewes lye buried ond o'rewheImed to this day Who can but wonder and tremble at so many hundreth thousand and millions of men given up for so long a time in so many and so mighty flourishing Nations of the world I say given up to those two monstrously bewitching Worships of Mahumatisme and Antichristianisme the dire effects of Gods most righteous judgements upon the Easterne and Westernâ—… professors of the knowledge of God in Christ Jesus Adde to these that most fearfull and deplorable captivity of the very soules and coâ—…sciences of Gods owne people for so many hundâ—…ed years under false and superstitious Worships A righteous judgement though not so easily discerned yet in it selfe most dreadfull and exceeding all the temporall calamities in the world But thirdly from these two times of past and present let us cast our eyes on the third which is yet to come as sure and wonderfull will shortly be thâ—…se two most wonderfull and dreadfull downfals of those two so mighty Monarchies so great enemies to Christ Jesus the Turkish and the Popish according to the Prediction of the holy Propheâ—…s How fearfull the effusion of the Viols in part fulfilled and yet to be powred forth in their season And not a little wondâ—…rfull is that mighty destruction of the Nations Gog and Magog gathered as the sand of the Sea against the camp of the saints of the holy City And to come to the full period and finall sentence of the most righteous Judge of the whole World with what horrours and terrours shall these Heavens and Earth passe away this Earth with the works thereof being consumed and burnt up How inconceiveably direfull will the last eternall judgement be when two worlds of men the former destroyed by water and this by fire shall appeare before the most glorious Tribunall of the Son of God When all the most secret sins shall be brought to tryal and an account shall be given for every idle word O who can conceive the terrours of that thundering sentence Goe yee cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his Angels where the worm never dyes and the fire never goes out Object