of the things of God and of the great concernments of your Soul and of Eternity Let me give you some good counsel before we part it may be you and I shall never meet again and as we never saw the faces one of another for ought we know before this day so possibly we never may see each other again till the day of Judgments that great and terrible day of the Lord. Let me advise you and the Lord persuade your heart 1. To make Conscience of secret Prayer begging of God for Christ his sake that he would make you sensible of the ignorance of the blindness of the mind of the hardness and impenitency of the heart of the carelesness and mindlesness of the spirit in the great things of grace and salvation be earnest with God to give you knowledge and consider that the soul be without knowledge is not good Prov. 19.2 As also for repentance from dead Works and a true saving faith in Jesus Christ Beg of God an heart to seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and that you may be of those who strive to enter in at the strait gate and of those violent ones who take the Kingdome of Heaven by force c. 2. Be careful to hear good Ministers preach remembring what most concerneth you in what you hear 3. Be much in searching the Scriptures and reading of good Books Catechisms and such like 4. Make choice of good Company of such as fear God and walk precisely holily righteously and soberly in this present evil world and improve such acquaintance by good conference with them putting such questions to them as may make for your edification and they let me tell you will be as glad of your society as you of theirs 5. Be sure if you have a Family to set up the worship of God in your Family reading the Scriptures and praying morning and evening with the houshold Catechizing and instructing your Children and Servants if you have aâ—y 6. And lastly be strict in sanctifying the Sabbath spend that day well though the rest of the Neighbours be loose and careless therein and though men ungodly men hate you mock and persecute you it matters not so long as God loveth you Remember that 2 Tim. 3.12 All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution And that of Christ Matth. 5.10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake for theirs is the kingdom of God And ver 11 12. Blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute you c. And now Friend fare you well and the Lord bless you Stranger And you also good Sir I hope I shall remember you and some of your words to me as long as I live onely let me desire one favour of you that I may know your name and where you live Minister That you shall Friend my name is so and so and I live at such a place and if your occasions call you thither I shall be glad to see you and let me know your name and where you live and possibly if I come that way I may see you Once more Farewell FINIS TREATISE OF Christian Conference MY design being to bear up the honour the necessity and usefulness of Christian Conference too much neglected even by the best of men it will not be wholly impertinent to bear down some of that unruliness and irregularity The Tongues Vnruliness which the Tongues of too many are too much guitly of The Apostle James as it were bores the black tongues of men with a red hot Iron of sharp but just rebuke vers 6. The Tongue is a Fire a world of iniquitie setteth on fire the course of Nature and it is set on fire of Hell For every kind of beasts and of birds and of Serpents and things in the Sea is tamed and hath been tamed of mankind But the Tongue can no man Tame it is an unruly evil full of deadly poyson It s untamedness and unruliness appears in its great miscarriage and that both in reference to God and man 1 In reference to God in speaking In reference to God we are too tongue tied in speaking both to God in Prayer Praises and Confessions and of God with others To God He was a great man 1 To God and you will say as good as great who being a man of few words and of much prayer was thought to speak more to God than men Possibly that man after Gods own heart was such a one who saith very truly though of himself Ps 119.164 109.4 Seven times a day do I praise thee and again I give my self unto prayer Possibly some Popish Votaries in a superstitious way possibly also a man may be found in our dayes who is very slow to speak but of a musing medirabundous spirit in holy ejaculations Colloquies and Soliloquies betwixt God and himself much also in prayer by himself and with others but such a man where-ever he dwells I believe he dwells alone by himself is a very great rarity one of many thousands who speaks more to God than to men Again 2 Of God and for God We are all born and live too much tongue-tied as to our Speech of God to and with others 1 Omission though we have a large and spacious field very pleasant Fragrant flowery and Odoriferous for our Discourse to walke up and down and expatiate it self in to wit God in his essence and subsistencies the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost God in his Decrees in his works of Creation and Providence God in his Covenants made with man that of Works and that of Grace God in his Word Law and Gospel in his commands promises and threatnings Againe touching Christ his person natures and offices his humiliation and Exaltation As also touching the Holy Ghost his beginning and carrying on the work of God in the Elect from the first to the last Adde hereunto the many and great priviledges and benefits which the effectually called ones are and shall be made partakers of by Christ in life at death at the Resurrection and to Eternity I might inlarge but one would think in what is said there were room enough and enough for all the nimble â—â—ngued in the world to busy tire and weary themselves in O how sad then is it to have so little of God in our Mouths to observe how people who have their faces Zion-ward can spend hour after hour together it may be day after day and yet scarce have a word concerning God Christ the Spirit or the great affairs of their soules and of Eternity from one end of the prattle to the other This fruit indeed is bad and bitter but yet the root is worse The true and onely reason The reason God is little in our hearts Mat. 12.34 35. I know of is this God is not much in our hearts and therefore but little in our Mouths for out of the
Person were rarely once only but twice in one day Thus this good man in labours more abundant in the morning sowes his seed and in the evening withholds not his hand so liberal he was of his spiritual Almes not knowing whether should prosper this or that or whether they both might not be alike good Eccl. 11.6 so that in imitation of the great Apostle by the power of the Spirit of God he even from Jerusalem round about to Illyricum fully Preached the Gospel of Christ So this excellent Minister of our Lord Jesus from Rickmersworth even round about unto the utmost borders of the County and into the neighbouring Counties also he was spending and being spent in the service of his great Lord and Master By all this the Reader may gather that our Doctor had not layne idle in the University 'till he was rusted and cankered away and fit for no further use in the house of God but as it was said of Joseph that his bow still abode in strength so it was with his parts memory and with his affections also and he was constant untill the act of uniformity imposed that general silence upon all nonconformist August 24. 1662. But yet neither after this time was he willing to be idle every week almost keeping one day as a private fast in his own or else in some other godly Ministers or Christian Family as to humble himself for his own sins so for the abominations that were in the midst of the land and it cannot be easily forgotten with what brokenness of spirit and with what a dissolved soul he would still take up some hours himself on those extraordinary occasions either in the word or prayer or both for indeed he was mighty in prayer as well as in the Scriptures as it is said of Apollo Having passed I think some two yeares his wife now labouring under some weaknesses and being weary with the burden of houshold affairs he retired to a Chamber or two in a private Family some miles distant where he was very useful he much inlightned and quickly leavened the habitation his Ministerial Gifts and graces were such as that indeed he perfumed the whole house As long as he lived there there was a Church alwayes in that house and I presume the govenour and children and servants do bless God for his presence and conference and exemplary conversation to this day and may they never loose the savour of the knowledg of Christ and the sense of the power of the world to come that he manifested and they were under during his abode with them From thence he removed to another private family and I believe his frequent removes were that he might have renewed opportunity of doing more good and God more service where he was entertained as an Angel of God This Family was near S. Albans in which Town from that time he was a great instrument in the hand of God for good to correct some extravagancies amongst some people there by his sober principles and great moderation of spirit and the noble exercises of self-denial and charity being no burden unto any but being crafty catching them with guile 2 Cor. 12.16 His last remove was to a place called Bovingden a little village and I question whether ever it had been mentioned in any story if this good man had not liv'd and ended his days there he was led thither by the invitation of a religious and very kind Gentleman freely accommodating him with all the conveniences of an habitation of his in that place But he once told me that whatsoever was saved that way he still expended proportionably in charitable uses making conscience to give it either in mony or books to the poor to this and the neighbouring places and I believe he hath destributed several hundreds of short Catechisms besides some dozens of little books of that great light of our age Entitled The call to the Vnconverted During his abode here he continued daily to attend the duty of the Family wherein he was instructing the souls belonging thereunto And if one or more of the poor of that place chanced to come in he would say they were welcome and that God came along with them and the poor have the Gospel preached unto them In this place he enjoy'd great privacy which he greatly priz'd and had be been born for himself alone he could alwayes have chosen to have liv'd thus alone How many worthy's in the world have prefer'd retirement to the greatest preferments in Church or State and have thought Scepters and Myters not worthy to be compared with it But he could not thus satifie himself that of Paul was often in his mouth Wo be to me if I preach not the Gospel he was of Calvins mind who would not his Lord should come and find him idle Wherefore he rode often to St. Albans or some other adjacent place and once or twice a year to London and Kingston and seeing he could not preach in a Church to many he would preach in a Chamber to a few T is not the place or company that commends our preaching to God What excellent Sermons have been preacht to despicable auditories and in very ordinary and contemptible places Pauls meeting place in Macedonia was the River side Acts 16.13 and his hearers a few of the weaker Sex Our Lord himself preacht a long Sermon once to one timorous man John c. 3. c. 4. and at another time in the open aire he preacht at large to one silly woman Thus this eminent servant of God like a torch or candle with lighting others consumed and wasted himself On the eighth of July Anno Dom. 1671. aetatis suae 71. he was seiz'd all on one side with the dead palsy by reason of which his speech much faild him so that he spake little and seldome A friend coming to visit him and asking him how he did he answered in the words of the Prophet In measure God debateth with me and in the day of the East-wind he stayeth his rough wind A while after he said to a friend that stood by him I neither fear death nor defire life but am willing to be at Gods disposal At another time he uttered these words very audibly I know that my redeemer liveth and by and by he repeated the fifth verse of the one and thirtieth Psalme in Meter Into thy hand Lord I commit My spirit which is thy due For why thou hast redeemed it Oh Lord my God most true He prest the by-standers so long as he was able to many wholsome duties As to make sure of Heaven in the time of health to keep their evidences fair and unblotted To remember and keep holy the Sabbath day of which he himself as you l find hereafter was a most careful observer When he could not speak himselfe he would desire others to read the Scriptures to him directing to the places which he most desired which were for the most part
the Psalmes of David Quid sentit crus in nervo quum animus in coelo Tertull. He either was without pain or without any great feeling of it On the tenth of July his speech was quite taken from him but yet his understanding and memory continued with him and for the space of four dayes he lay as all about him might perceive in a very comfortable condition lifting up his eyes and hands towards Heaven with a smiling and cheerful countenance Qualis vita finis ita An upright life doth usually end in a peaceable death When a Minister a little before his departure pray'd with him he shew'd great affection all the while and when prayer was ended he took him by the hand and held it fast expressing by outward signes his inward joy in God and thanks to him The 14 of July this shining light went out Oh for young Timothys to stand up in the room of such aged Pauls He was buried the seventeenth day of the same moneth at Bovingden aforesaid And is this all may some say Is this such a rare and exemplary life read on and you 'l find the best wine is kept till last to do right to the memory of this blessed man as also to help the memory of the reader I have chosen a new way and though it be unusual yet I judge it very useful that is methodically and orderly in the close of all to set down the imitable graces and practises of this worthy person it may be the reader will better heed and remember them then if they had been confusedly scattered up and down the preceding Narrative I shall begin with 1. His care and diligence in self examination This duty of self-examination is much out of date with many yea I fear most Ministers and Christians and yet how frequently is it urg'd both in the old and New Testament Psal 4.4.13.5 1 Cor. This holy man would often press it upon others and did much practise it himself I judg'd it would tend greatly to edification if I did transcribe some passages out of his forementioned Manuscript to this purpose Pardon me if I am somewhat large upon this head it is intended Reader for thy good Thus then he Writes Evidences for heaven which if my heart deceive me not are in me through the gracious workings of Gods spirit upon are me 1. Effectual calling That this is a good evidence appears from Rom. 8.30 2 Pet. 1.10 The Calling I had was about the year 1620. and so he relates as in page of this Narrative 2. Change of Company choosing the society of the Godly shuning the society of the wicked Psal 1.1 Psal 26.4 5. Ps 119.115 Acts 9.26 To this my heart answers affirmatively Feb. 4. 1629. And doth so still Apr. 3. 1663. still so May 2. 1666. and again April 2. 1668 c. 3. Vniversalty of obedience Ps 119.6 and Psal 139. the two last verses To this my heart answers affirmatively Feb. 4. 1629. doth so still April 3. 1663. as before 4. Love to the Godly as such 1 John 3.14 To this my heart answers affirmatively Feb. 4. 1629 c. 5. Sincerity desiring more to approve my heart to God then my wayes to men aiming more at Gods glory then my own profit applause c. 2 Cor. 1.12 My heart answers affirmatively ut supra 6. Kindly meltings and mournings for sin upon the sence of Gods free-love in Christ Zach. 12.10 2 Cor. 7.9 10. My heart answers affirmatively c. Goeing to Hempsteed to preach as I was meditating on the rode neer Langley on the love of God in calling such a one as I am when thousands more noble more mighty more wise and learned c. lye in ignorance and prophaness I burst out into a fit of weeping and my heart was by and by fill'd with abundance of joy and rejoycing 7. Zeal for God and against sin John 2.17 2 Cor. 7.11 My heart answers affirmatively c. 8. A love and a longing for Christs appearing 2 Tim. 4.8 Heb. 9.6 Rev. 22.17 20. I cant say there hath been such a longing in me after Christs coming at least not so full and frequent as in many others yet in prayer and meditation the thoughts of a future estate wherein I should never sin more but be satisfy'd with Gods likeness have been very sweet and comfortable to me Once on the rode in a day of my greatest rejoycing as to outward comforts and mercies it lightned thundred and rained much my thoughts were what if this should be the day of judgment What if I should see Christ coming presently in the Clouds the answer of my soul was welcome welcome welcome this fill'd me with much peace and comfort 9. Speech gracious or with grace Prov. 10.21 Eph. 4.29 My heart answers affirmatively Feb. 4. 1629. when I have met with any ignorant persons willing to be instructed it hath been my manner to God be the glory and praise of it ta put good discourse on foot and to foward it when others have begun it 10. Blessing God for and rejoycing in the gifts and graces of others Joh. 29.30 My heart answers affirmatively Feb. 4. 1629. c. Though my heart is apt enough the Lord humble and help me to envy and detract from others yet through mercy I find 1. A heart blessing God for others gifts and graces out shining mine 2. Rejoycing that others do God greater and better service and bringing more glory to him then I do or can 11. The spirit of prayer Acts 9.11 Rom. 8.15 my heart answers affirmatively Feb. 4. 1629. c. Cum sublatum e conspectu lumen est conticuit uxor moris jam mei conscia totum diem mecum scrutor facta ac dicta mea remetior nihil mihi abscondo nihil transeo Quare enim quid quam inerroribus meis timerem cum possum dicere vide ne istud amplius facias nunc tibi ignosco Sen. lib. 3. de Ira. 12. A careful sanctificatiof the Sabbath Comman 4. Isa 56.4 5. 58.13 14. My heart answers affirmat Feb. 4. 1629. c. But here I will take up although he adds fourteen evidences more with other considerable enlargements and descants upon these already mentioned This is enough yet I hope the Reader will not think it too much to shew what was his constant practise in this particular Onely let this be added that according to the Psalmists Councel and other good mens custome he was wont to commune with his heart in the night season then there is the greatest silence and the least interruption May the Relater and Reader write after this Copy 2. His keeping a Journal or Diary of Gods mercies A second imitable practise in this man of God was his keeping a Journal or Catalogue of the mercies of God Gen. 32.10 11. 1 Sa. 17 36. Ps 103.2 2 Ti. 4.17.18 Three things we are apt to forget the word we hear the sins we commit
their studies so to see it reverently performed and that the whole Society came duly together Every Lords day in the Evening when the whole House met to offer up their Sacrifice of praise and prayer he examined the younger sort calling them to account about what they had heard that day which was a likely means to engage them to the greater attention in hearing and to make the truths by their pondering them sink the deeper into their hearts He took great pains to instruct them of the lower rank in the grounds of Religion calling them one day in the Week into the Chappel where he opened and explained the great and weighty Truths of Christianity to them endeavouring still not only to inform their judgments but to make the truths reach their hearts Whereas the Founder required that the Fellows and Scholars should at such a standing as was said before be ordained to the Ministry he with the consent of such of the Fellows as were impowered by Statute to make orders for the good of the Society decreed That all of such a standing or above should preach every Lords day in the morning by course in the College Chappel before the publick Sermon in the Vniversity By this means they who were designed for the Work of the Ministry might first prove and improve their own abilities And secondly approve themselves to others to be men apt to teach which is one of the qualifications required in the Apostolical Canons in them that are to be called to the Pastoral office Fifthly and lastly besides the Conference which he had often in his own Lodgings about Soul-matters and Communion in the Lords Supper in the College Chappel where he himself did administer and many of the House with others from abroad were partakers he was often discoursing with such of the Society as came to him about any business in such a manner as tended to the promoting of Holiness for he seldom let them depart without some instruction admonition or hearty counsel They especially who by reason of their place and standing were most about him received great benefit by conversing with him For his heart taught his mouth and added learning to his lips When a portion of the Scripture was read at Dinner as is usual he did not only cause altum silentium and reverent attention through the Hall that all might feed their Souls while they were feeding their Bodies but the Chapter ended if there were any difficult places in it he either propounded them to the Fellows that sate at the Table with him to be unfolded by them or else opened and unfolded them himself if it contained practical matter it was a pleasant thing to see and hear how he who applied his heart to the knowledge of God and kept his words and Laws within him had them withall fitted in his lips He lived to see some fruit of his Labours to his great joy and contentment for a competent number of them who were educated ab origine under his care became Learned well-disposed and pious men I cannot refrain but must mention one of them viz. Mr. Joseph Alleine late Minister of the Gospel at Taunton in Somersetshire for as he was a great comfort to this holy man while he continued in the College so it did revive him to hear for he was often enquiring after such as had been of his House as a father after his children that he proved so eminently pious and useful a man in the Church of God But had he lived to see the Relation of his Life now published since his Death he would have fallen into an extasie of joy And I have so much charity for some that were instrumental about his great Sufferings and often Imprisonments as to believe that if they would please to read the Relation aforesaid wherein both Conformists and Nonconformists agree to give him an high testimony for his great parts Learning peaceable spirit quiet deportment zeal of the right kind with ardent love to God and man extending to the worst of his enemies their hearts would smite them for giving so good a man so much trouble however he is now where the weary are at rest Job 3.17 We have seen how vigilant and industrious a Governour this worthy man was in his College he was also one who in compassion to mens souls took every opportunity when at home to Preach in or near the City One of the Impropriations belonging to the College about seven Miles distant having but a small stipend before his time not sufficient to afford a subsistence to an able man to labour and watch among the people for the good of their souls he first went himself afterward he desired some of the Senior Fellows to go over by course and Preach unto the people which desire of his they readily complied with for some time till the Lease of the Impropriation came to be renewed when upon the Presidents proposal the Fellows consented either much to abate or wholly remit the Fine requiring in lieu thereof a competent Sum to be paid yearly to encourage an able man to labour constantly among them When the Affairs of the College called him forth into places remote from the Vniversity he was alwayes ready to take any opportunity to do good to the souls of men One who hath rode many hundred Miles in company with him hath alwayes observed his deportment in all places and toward all persons to be such as became an heavenly minded Christian and a true Minister of Christ When he was riding on the way Deut. 6.7 he entertained his company with heavenly discourse and as variety of Objects did present themselves to him he alwayes drew excellent matter out of them glorifying God for the power wisdom and goodness which appeared in the Works of Greation and Providence Psal 104.24 As he passed by such as were about their occasions in the Fields he would many times make an halt and enter into a short discourse with them He would first ask them some ordinary question such as Travellers use to ask and then take an occasion from their answer to ask them other questions of more weight and concernment to their Souls leaving alwayes some serious word with them at parting for them to ruminate upon And I am persuaded that there are many who never saw his face nor he theirs but thus in transitu that have blest God for him When he came to his Lodging either in a publick or private house as he had a better advantage there so he constantly made good use of it for the glory of God and the edification of whatever company he was cast upon He had an excellent gift and rare faculty beyond what I did ever observe in any man beside to improve discourse so as to make it not only pleasant to those with whom he did converse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but very profitable to their souls aiming still at the last as the mark which
2.34 He is set for the fall and for the rising again of many in Israel Rom. 9.2 Though the children of Israel be as the sand of the Sea yet a remnant onely shall be saved Str. I shall never be beaten off from it but that Christ dyed for me as well as others Min. Friend but what if Christ did not dye for you Your conceit that he did dye for you will not serve your turn can you be saved by believing that which is not true that 's but the presumption and vain confidence which you have no ground for for ought I can perceive by you Stranger Sir you are the strangest man that ever I met with in my life you tell me that to believe that Christ dyed for sinners will not save me and that to believe that Christ dyed for me in particular will not save me I pray for God's sake tell me what 's that faith which will save me Minister Friend it 's true I am a stranger to you but what I have spoken to you is nothing but the truth and the way the onely way to be saved is by faith true faith in Jesus Christ Str. Sir what 's that you call true faith whereby we are joined to Christ justified and saved Min. Friend I 'll tell you it 's not a believing that Christ dyed for sinners for that the Devils do it 's not a believing that Christ dyed for me in particular for that 1. Multitudes of ungodly men and reprobates do and may do in a way of presumption and 2. Many a doubting Believer wanting assurance dare not say I believe that Christ dyed for me in particular now that conceit or presumption which an ungodly man may have and a godly man may want can't possibly be that faith which is justifying and saving Stranger Pray what is it then Minister Faith is Friend a receiving of Christ as God the Father offers him in the Gospel as our King to rule us our Prophet to teach us as well as our Priest who made satisfaction and now makes intercession for us it is also out of a sense of our lost estate in our selves a resting on him alone for salvation John 1.12 As many as received him to them gave he power to become the sons of God even to them that believe on his Name Str. Why Sir do not I do all this Min. Friend I fear not for had you taken Christ as your King you would not dare to allow your self in sinful courses as Swearing and the like which you cannot deny but you are deeply guilty of had you taken Christ as a Prophet you would have been taught by Him by his Word and Spirit and have gotten some knowledge at least in these principles and fundamentals of Christianity Had you rested upon Christ alone for salvation you would not have told me as you did even now that you hoped to be saved by your serving God your good prayers and the like not mentioning a word of Jesus Christ which makes me fear that as yet you are a meer stranger to Christ and faith in Christ Stranger Sir you say enough to make me despair and drive me out of my wits Min. Friend Despairing Yea that 's it I would have I 'd have you to despair in your self that so you might come to believe and hope aright in Jesus Christ And whereas you speak of driving you out of your wits no Friend I would onely drive you out of your sins your vain presumptions and carnal confidences a man is never indeed in his right wits never comes to himself as the Prodigal did Luk. 15.7 till he repents and believeth aright in Jesus Christ Stranger Sir what would you have me to do Minister This is a good question indeed were you pricked in the heart as those Acts. 2.37 were you truly and throughly sensible of sin and misery were you troubled in mind but then you must unsay what you said before that you never in your life questioned your spiritual estate and that you have been alwayes of a strong faith towards God c. Str. Sir what if it should be so with me what if I should be troubled Min. I 'll tell you Friend what you should do and what you will certainly do if through the rich grace of God to you your troubles be in order to conversion and salvation Str. What I pray Sir Min. Friend were you troubled indeed to some good purpose you would put two questions to your self What have I done And what shall I do to be saved What have I done look backward upon the former part of your life with shame and sorrow for what you have done with an unfeigned purpose of heart of turning unto God as David saith Psal 119.59 I thought on my wayes and turned my feet unto thy testimonies And Jer. 8.6 No man repented him of his wickedness saying What have I done Stranger Sir for that other question What shall I do what will that put me upon Minister Friend this question What shall I do looks forward and if it be in earnest will put you upon sollicitous and careful thoughts how you may get out of that state of sin and misery which you find your self intangled and involved in will put you upon going to good Ministers and experienced Christians inquiring of them the way to be saved will put you upon searching the Scriptures and the reading good Books upon casting off your old company and acquainting your self with the people of God whom before you hated and cared not for upon secret and earnest prayer to God according to your spiritual wants and necessities will indeed make you to be a new creature Stranger Well Sir I see then when all is done I must mend my life and become a new man Minister Friend you have said well hold there but do you think by your mending your life and becoming a new man to satisfie God for what 's past and that your good deeds shall make amends for your bad Str. I hope so Sir Min. See how you have forgot what even now I told you no Friend satisfaction for what is past or what is to come is made to God the Father onely by Jesus Christ by what he hath done and suffer'd not by any thing we can do or suffer When we have done all we must say we are unprofitable servants we have done that which was our duty to do Luke 17.10 Str. But Sir how shall I come to have all this you speak of any part and share in the satisfaction made by Christ and how shall I become a new creature Minister Friend this is a good question I like it very well and will tell you how 1. You must know and acknowledge that you can do nothing of your self by your own strength neither believe nor repent or the like 2. You must by faith relie upon Christ and Christ alone who hath fulfilled the Law satisfied his Fathers justice and and paid the uttermost
to the Palat loathsome to the stomack and hurtfull to the body so unsavory talke is lothsome to God and good men and of it self hurtful to the soules of all the hearers It corrupts the head with errors the heart with vile affections and the life with sinful practises 1 Cor. 15.33 Be not deceived evil communication corrupts good manners It seems we are apt to be deceived herein therefore the Spirit prefaceth thus Be not deceived Positively but that which is good c. and hath a tendency for good to the heads hearts lives and Conversations of the hearers in it's own nature and our designe for the advance of knowledg and grace in heads and hearts holiness and righteousness in the life and conversation of others To the same purpose command is given to the Colossians Col. 4.6 Let your speech be alway with grace Learned Davenant on the place seasoned with salt As Salt is a preservative against putrefaction so is gracious speech against errors and sins in the heads hearts and lives of the hearers Salt on meats draweth out drieth up some think noxious humors and renders them more apt for digestion and wholsome for nourishment This grace in speech is that pious prudence flowing from the Spirit of God which sanctifieth first the heart and then guides and directs the Tongue and words and makes them sound and solid suitable and seasonable to the Cases and Conditions of others with whom we converse Remember salt must be rubbed in thrust into holes and corners so speech must be set on with life and warmth by the speaker But what must our speech in reference to Children also be with grace and seasoned with salt yea why not to Children so farre as they are subjects capable and recipient of what is spiritual and good What though the understandings and memories of Children be little narrow vessels yet they are every day growing bigger and wider and they are vessels of God's making and therefore good and for good ends and purposes and if parents and friends do not labour to fill these small vessels and to season them with the good liquor of Divine and wholsome truths the Devil and his Instruments wicked ones will bestir themselves to drop store great I can't say good store of venome and poison into them possibly for the tainting sowring and infecting them as long as they live It 's God's command that Parents do bring up their Children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord Eph. 6.4 To bring up that 's natural even the beasts of the field and fowles of the aire bring up feed their young and cherish them In the Nurture that moral and rational men as men if prudent will doe they keep their Children in awe and order therefore the Apostle adds and admonition of the Lord that 's Christian and spiritual Christians indeed will instruct their Children in the Principles of Religion will put good things into their minds as the word imports so farr and so fast as their capacities will take in and their memories retain If any demand what Children at what age must they be instructed All the answer that I will give is this the Original word is large and Comprehensive takes in all that be born and why should I straiten or narrow it Common reason will suggest that the Childs capacity must be the parents guide and rule therein nor is this the taking the Name of God in vain as some ridiculously may fancy it 2 Arg. God taketh delight therein 2. Argument for the promoting of holy conference among Christians is that the Lord our God takes much delight to speak of him as he speaks of himself after the manner of men in a gracious condescension to our weakness and pleasure in the spiritual and heavenly communications of his people And this argument depends as a consequent upon the former Gods command Parents are never better pleased with their Children nor masters with servants then when they are upon the work injoyn'd them to do Yea each glorious person in the God head Father Son and Holy Ghost seem to be much taken with the good language of his people when met together 1 The Father Mal. 3.16 1. The Father himself loves and likes it and takes special notice of it as in the days of Malachi Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another and the Lord hearkened and heard it and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord and thought on his name Mal. 3.16 Then in Malachi's days which were none of the best as his Prophecy declares In that it is said The Lord hearkened and heared is implied a kind of delight and complacency which he found therein as men listen to Musick vocal or instrumental which is melodious and harmonious Again in that A book of remembrance is written it imports Gods taking delight in the words of his people as men addicted to learning what they read and hear which they take delight and pleasure in they 'l book it down for after use as occasion shall serve And probably this place is an allusion to Kings and Princes who have their State-Scribes and Secretaries to make Records as of bad services done against them so of good services done to them and for them as Ahasuerus did Mordecai's Esth 6.1 There 's not a word spoken for God his truth ordinances day his ministers or people that shall fall to the ground and be lost for God hath an Ear to hear all and an hand to register and record all so that all will be upon the account of believers with Comfort in life and death at judgment and to eternity 2 The Son 2. God the Son our dear Lord Jesus Christ holy conference to him is welcome and very acceptable What Christ said to his Church concerning her voice in prayer and praises is true also concerning her voice in holy speech and Conference O my dove let me hear thy voice for sweet is thy voice Can. 2.14 and 4.3 11. And if Christ had not found much content in conferring with Company why did he the very same day in which he rose again from the dead associate himself and that by choice with the two disciples going to Emmans he knew full well they were ingaged in good discourse and whiles they were communing Jesus himself drew near and went with them Luk. 24.15 And to shew how he liked their company and approved their discourse he gave them signal tokens of his love towards them vers 27. He beginning at Moses and all the Prophets expounded to them in all the Scripture the things concerning himself vers 32. the best Divinity Lecture or exposition that ever was made or heard unless such another made by himself Yea he spake to them with authority and power so that their hearts did burn within them He condescended to their entreaties and made some considerable abode with them at Emmans vers 29
30 31. He went in to tarrie with them sat at meat with them took bread and blessed it and brake and gave to them and their eyes were opened and they knew him and he vanished out of their sight How they came to know him and how he vanished I 'le not curiously enquire It is enough to my purpose that Christ gave so ample testimony of his approbation of the two disciples ingaged in their holy talke and conference 3 The Holy Ghost 3. That the Holy Ghost also is well pleased with Christian Conference among believers as occasionally they meet together there 's no question Are not good thoughts the motions good words the language of the Spirit in believers and can it be imagined that the blessed Spirit is not delighted in and well pleased with his own work with the thoughts he himself puts into the hearts and words he puts into the mouthes of his Saints and Servants Again the Spirit of God all along in Scripture setting a Crown of honour and highest commendations upon the head of Holy Conference is sufficient demonstration of that delight and contentment which he takes therein take a few expressions among many Pro. 10.20 21. The Tongue of the just is as choice Silver Gartwright in locum The lips of the righteous feed many These metaphorical expressions are significant and emphatical as Choice Silver Silver refined again and again seven times refined Silver in it self is precious but the more purified the more precious Feed many alluding to famous house-keepers men of renowned hospitality who keep open house feed many so the lips of the righteous by words of sound doctrine of correction of instruction feed the souls of others which is the best hospitality There is Gold saith Solomon Prov. 20.15 and a multitude of rubies but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel And our dear Lord Jesus Christ setting forth the graces of the Church saith Thy lips are like a thred of scarlet and thy speech is comely Song of Solomon 4.3 11. Once more in that glorious eminent and promised effusion of the Spirit upon the Apostles Act. 2.3 Why was the apparition in Cloven Tongues like as of fire which sat upon each of them so that they were filled with the holy Ghost and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance The main and principal design no doubt was the publication and propagation of the Gospel among the Nations for every man heard the Apostles speak in his own language vers 5.8 9 10 11. Yet a subordinate design might be to provoke all believers who though they have not the miraculous gift of Tongues as the Apostles had yet they all have their measure of the Spirit and should speak with other Tongues new Tongues be a people of a pure language or lip Zeph. 3.9 and their Tongues should be Cloven Tongues dividing in their talk between truth and error good and evill administring comfort to whom comfort and terrour to whom terrour belongeth Severing between the precious and the vile Jer. 15.19 Not sadding the hearts of the Righteous whom God would not have sadded nor yet strengthning the hands of the wicked by promising them life Ezek. 13.22 Yea fiery Tongues also inflamed with love to God zeal for his glory indignation against sin in our selves or others as that because unto God it is so highly displeasing Surely this heavenly fire of love and zeale in our communication and conference is kindled from above by the Spirit and therefore must of nenessity be very grateful unto and acceptable with that blessed Spirit And so much for the second argument enforcing Christian Conference upon this ground because it is so delightful to the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost 3 Argument Remuner ation of it 3. This duty of Christian Conference finds great remuneration from God and that both here and hereafter First in general as it is the keeping of a command of God for in keeping them is great reward not onely upon and after but in keeping them 1 Inward peace Obedience to the commands is an evidence of grace and for glory carries with it in the very act oftentimes an holy and heavenly tranquillity and serenity of spirit a cheariness of heart as it were wages in the work Hannah prayeth 1 Sam. 1.15 18. that 's her duty and her countenance was no more sad that 's her reward in hand presently I knew a young Minister who being at a wedding feast Instance where was much mirth and Musick also the Fidlers singing Songs lascivious scurrilous and profane enough the young man being sensible that God was thereby highly dishonoured had great trouble in his spirit wonder'd that none would stand up and appeare to rebuke and give check to that disorder still the jolly Fidler plays and sing on and the young mans perploxity and indignation goes on still and was as a fire in his bones whereupon he whispered in the care a Minister by him of more gravity then himself and one that had more relation to and authority with the company then he himself had intreating him to stop that prophaness but in vaine the Aged Minister held his peace the young mans troubles within increased as fire kindling and then he break out to this purpose You Musicians I am not against your Musick by instruments or by voices but the matter of your songs is such as dishonours God may probably corrupt and debauch some of the hearers and doth sad others he said moreover still with some heat and fervour probably zeal for God I do not see any body giving you any thing for your Musick but if you will be still and gone I 'le give you something for your silence whereupon the Musicians withdrew and the young man had tides and flouds of peace and comfort flowing in upon his spirit the impressions whereof were as I have heard him say more then once a refreshing to him many yeares after and possibly are if he be yet alive to this very day Yea the same Minister oft professed and is to be believed so far as humane Faith and Charity which believeth all things will carrie us 1 Cor. 13.7 that he found such delight and contentment in Christian Conference that when upon the Road he fell into company which was willing to discourse and though ignorant yet were willing to learn it was as pleasing to him as theives or high-way-men please themselves when they meet with a prey or booty and seldome mentioned he this but he gave God alone all the glory This is a great and a good reward which the Lord oft gives into the breasts and bosomes of such as speak oft one to another concerning the things of God even joy and peace That peace which the world cannot give nor take away a kind of touch or tast of that peace which passeth all understanding Phi. 4.7 And thus this good man is satisfied from himself
blessing be an incouragement to this too much neglected duty of Christian Conference There is an honest able Minister who within these two years told me it for a piece of News and indeed it was welcome newes to me and it was this That in the Knights Family with whom he liveth the Knight is of good quality and repute there was a maidservant he verily believed fearing God in that family which to use his own words dated her Conversion from my discourse with her walking up Highgate Hill together whereupon I remember'd that about four years since I came from London in an Hackny-Coach for St. Albans and there was a Gentlewoman I 'le spare her name with this her maid and others the Gentlewoman was able and willingly maintained good discourse on the way and it being a cold morning I at the bottom of the Hill went out of the Coach to walk up the Hill and warm my self thereby when I was out the Maid asked leave of her Mistriss who stayed in the Coach that she being cold might go up the Hill also which she did and we talked together as we went and I think the summe of my discourse was our misery by nature our disability to help our selves by any thing we could do or suffer that there was an absolute indispensable necessitie of getting an interest in Christ who was infinitely able and willing to save every poor lost soul that came unto him by believing and to this purpose both in Coach and in walking which the onely wise and infinitely gracious Lord God it blessed for the Spiritual and Eternal good of this poor handmaid for which let his Holy Name be for ever glorified and let all good Christians take from hence incouragement to be yet more and more abounding in holy talk and Conference sowing this seed in the morning and in the evening not withholding their hands who knoweth but the gracious Lord our God may bless and prosper both the one and the other The weak strengthened And fourthly if the Holy Word of God rightly managed in Christian Conference be efficacious for the inlightning of the ignorant the reducing the erronious and the converting of stout-hearted sinners then by necessary and undeniable consequence it must be also soveraignly efficacious for the strengthening of the feeble minded and comforting of such as are cast down 1 Thes 5.14 Brethren comfort the feeble minded concernes all and how can this be better done then in Christian Conference and again in the same place support the weak is the common duty of all believers but how support even as a Crutch doth a lame body or as a beame doth a ruinated and tottering house the word significantly imports the holding up one that 's ready to fall by a hand reached out to help him or the assisting any who are lifting and heaving at what 's weighty but have not sufficient strength to move or remove it as they desire Thus by Christian Conference many gracious soules full of doubts and fears ready to fall into dreadfull despairs of mercy have been held up and cheared sometimes by laying before them the precious promises or the great ability and willingness of Christ to save sometimes by imparting to them our own experience how we were cast down and raised up again telling them what God hath done for our Soules or for the soules of others in the like sad and dejected condition as they are in I 'le leave one instance in this case also It 's near twenty years since that several Travellers of us passing between Oxford and London supped together at an Inne in Great-Wickham one of the company carried himself so untowardly and offensively that others at the Table wondered at me for my not rebuking him whether thinking it prudence to forbear at supper time or rather through my want of zeale for God I know not but supper being fully ended I addressed my self as well as I could to speak to this vaine person which accordingly I did laying first the Law before him and the sadness of his condition at present and that if he died impenitently he was like to perish eternally after which I opened the Gospel to him with as much tenderness and compassion as I possibly was able acquainted him with the readiness that is in God and Jesus Christ to receive penitent sinners and how those that came to Christ he would in no wise cast out and many such expressions to this purpose that grace discovered might win and allure him to Christ and to repentance Yet what impression all that was spoken had upon that vain person I know not It seems that there was a Scholler in the Company whom I think then I was altogether unacquainted with he is now an honest able Minister who lay under a spirit of bondage had great feares and troubles upon him he hearken'd attentively and I have cause to be perswaded that by the wise and gracious providence of God much of the Gospel Consolations fell upon his spirit to his great refreshing not unlike that spirit of Adoption which teacheth believers to Cry Abba Father you shall have his own words in a late letter to me This I can unfeignedly say that amongst my spiritual benefactours I do heartily bless God for you and do look upon it as a very good providence I was cast into your Company at that time 5. The strong quickend In the fifth and last place That Christian Conference hath been and still is very beneficiall not only for strengthning those who are weak in the faith but for edifying and quickning even the strongest and most grown in Christianity the Holy Scriptures right reason and sweet experience give in abundant testimony thereunto It 's a Soveraign antidote against Apostacy and defection in Religion and that both as to understanding and affections The Apostle prescribes it Heb. 312.13 Take heed brethren least there be in any of you an evill heart of unbeliefe in departing from the living God But how shall it be prevented he answers Exhort one another dayly while it is called to day least any of you be hardned through the deceitfulness of sin Exhort one another The duty is mutual concerneth Christians of all sexes and sizes dayly that is frequently not by fits and starts while it is called to day to wit presently and speedily delayes in this case are dangerous do not put off for a month a fortnight a week no not for a day and the reason is weighty from the danger of the hearts obduration by the deceitfulness of sin It deceiveth the understanding with errour for truth darkness for light the will with evil for good the heart and affections with what 's loth some and to be abhorred insteed of what 's lovely and to be desired And again the same Apostle to the same purpose Heb. 10.23 25. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith Not forsaking the assembling of our selves together as the manner of some is
how shall this be helped he answereth but exhorting one another c. Christian Conference well ordered is an excellent preservative of truth and peace in the Church or Churches of Christ and good talke be it Table-talke or High-way talk hath been is and by the blessing of a gracious God will be as a golden Pipe of Conveyance of much spiritual good from one to another until time run up into Eternity and grace into glory Having somewhat largly discovered the profitableness of Christian Conference in that thereby believers abundantly Communicate spiritual good things one to another let me add 3 Arg. It 's peaceableness 3. It 's peaceableness It 's a teeming Mother bringing forth peace at home and abroad within doores and without 1 Peace at home 1. Peace at home Christian Conference is attended usually with sweet inward peace and an heavenly tranquillity of spirit I appeal to your Consciences herein When you lie down in an evening and reflect upon your selves look inward and make inquiry what have the thoughts of my heart the words of my mouth and the actions of my hands been this day as I presume they who keep their watch do and some Heathens by Natures light have done when you find your language and discourse hath been to this person or that holy and spirituall and that upon this design to edifie and minister grace to the hearers surely the fruit thereof hath been a Calme in thy soule and serenity in thy spirits Peace also not alone at the end of each day but at the end of life It was a chearing a reviving Cordial to that good King Hezekiah when he lay as he thought a dying to be able to say Remember now O Lord I beseech thee how I walked before thee in truth Isa 38.1 2 3. And so to be able to say and that from the heart sincerely Remember O Lord how I have talked before thee and for thee in thy despised truths ordinances and Ministers how I have in discourse at least and by example also contended for thy holy Sabboths so profaned by a sinfull generation and in brief I have as all sanctified ones and called of God are exhorted earnestly contended for the faith or doctrine of faith once delivered to the saints Jude v. 3. The word is emphaticall and imports such eagerness in contention as is among wrestlers and racers striving for victory Remember O Lord how I have contended with thee by Faith in Prayer for that faith the true Christian faith by thee delivered and how I have contended with erronious persons and Hereticks by arguments an by practice bearing up those truths and ordinances which they pull down surely the remembrance hereof when we go to bed night after night or when we are going to make our beds in the durst to be no more seen will speak much peace and comfort to us And the reason hereof is strong and weighty because good conference if right in the spring flowing from an heart fired with zeal for God and love to my neighbour and right in the ends it designes Gods glory and the good of the hearers is a cleare evidence of a good and gracious heart and grace makes way for peace as the needle for the thred so that those who much lay out themselves in Christian Conference have or may expect to have yea be sure first or last shall have much inward peace and tranquility of spirit Who would not sow good seed when he knows it will grow who would not be scattering words of grace when he knoweth that every such word hath a seed of peace yea of eternal peace in it 2. 2 Peace abroad Christian Conefrence not onely brings forth inward peace and quiet in our breasts and bosomes but also outward peace with men and safety in all places and companies whatever Set you on foot good discourse or run it on and whoever is present there 's no great danger unless it be of a taunt or flout from a prophane Esau or a scoffing Ishmael and that a good honest soul may weare as a Crown of honour as Job speaks of himself Job 31.35 36. My desire is that my adversary had written a book surely I would take it upon my shoulder and bind it as a Crown to me Vpon my shoulder not as a burden but as an honour as standard-bearers carry their ensignes and colours that all may see them Tongue-persecution such as Ismael's was of Isaac breaks no bones but brings under the blessing of God and the promise of a great reward Gal. 4.29 Gen. 21.9 Mat. 5.11 12. No no the danger in discourse is not whilest we are talking of God or of Christ or of the Spirit or of regeneration and the like but the danger comes when you begin to talk of persons this body or that either highly and hyperbolically praising one and that smells of flattery and is possibly by some who are present so accounted or dispraising another and that 's presently suspected of uncharitableness if not of malice The danger is farther heightned when in your discourse course you 'l needs be medling with Authority and State-affairs how soon then may the Tongue be found tripping and you thereby but trip up your own heels and catch a fall possibly such a fall as may break your bones if not your neck So the wisest of Kings tels us Pro. 13.3 21 23. He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction Wherein he seemeth to compare man to a City besieged with enemies round about the safety whereof consisteth much in the well ordering the gates duly and wisely opening and shutting them Man is this City his mouth the gate prudently open'd by speech or shut by silence is his protection and safety negligence and imprudence therein oft proves his ruin and destruction That natural principle of self-love should make this argument from self-preservation and safety to be of force and prevalency with us The better and more spiritual our discourses and conferences are the more 's our safety It concernes us at all times to weigh our words well but especially when the company we are in is bad or somewhat dubious and to be suspected Ps 39.1 Thus holy David I said I will take heed to my ways that I sinne not with my Tongue I will keep my mouth with a bridle or a Muzzle while the wicked is before me To conclude this Argument Ainsw I have heard of a Sect called Trapanners unknown I presume to our honest Forefathers both name and thing men skilful and active to intangle and ensnare others in their talke I would hope that they are now dead and gone but if hundreds of them should be yet alive and with you and me in a room and hear us discoursing of nothing but faith repentance love and good works and the like methinks we need not much to fear them innocence would be our protection
or rather God and his Christ our shield and buckler In the fourth and last place 4. Arg. Honour and Credit Christian Conference is not onely beneficiall in point of peace and safety but in point of honour also many a carnall man having heard or overheard spiritual discourse among the Saints and Servants of God though this language of Canaan he neither understandeth nor relisheth much yet it leaves an honourable conviction upon his spirit and he is half perswaded that these men have something of God in them more then he hath But surely all who are really good themselves cannot but put an high value and estimation upon the persons and practices of those who are much in holy and heavenly Communication Yet if all men should disregard to be sure the holy and gracious Lord our God will have regard and to have honour of him and with him is the highest honour desireable or imaginable was of a communicative spirit very ready and resolute in the imparting good to others in any way of counsel and Conference and maketh this expresly the ground why he honoureth Abraham in the revealing of Secrets unto him Gen. 10.17 19. And the Lord said shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do for I know him that he will command his Children and his houshold after him and they shall keep the way of the Lord. It is an high honour to be a Privy Councellor to Kings and Princes O then what an honour is it to be admitted and advanced as it were to be of Councel to the King of Kings whose Supremacy and Soveraignty is over Heaven and Earth Before I go off let me hint this by way of Caution that when we speak or rather Scripture it self speaketh of Councel in reference to God or of Gods acting upon Counsel it is not to be understood properly for to act upon Counsel that implies Consultation and Consultation a defect in knowledg which to fancy concerning God would be high and horrid Blasphemy but to be understood of God after the manner of men the wisest of men act upon Counsel now because all that God doth is infinitely well and wisely done therefore he is said to act by Counsel as men do But I have done with this great Argument to press Christian Conference drawn from its profitableness and usefulness it 's beneficial to the heads of our selves and others in the augmentation of gifts and parts to the hearts of our selves and others in the communication of and receiving of spiritual good several ways beneficial in regard of inward peace at home in our own Consciences and outward peace abroad with men amongst whom we live which crowns all it hath a marke of honour set upon it by the hand of God himself he whom God honours is honourable indeed Hitherto the Arguments exciting to Christian Conference have been deduced from the duty we owe to God and man our selves and others and so from the ten Commandements some other arguments may fairly be drawn from the Creed or the Articles of our Christian Faith As first 1. Arg. The Communion of Saints We profess we believe the Communion of Saints Now Christian Conference rightly managed is a considerable part of that Communion so that to deny or neglect Holy Conference is to deny or neglect one of the Articles of our Faith and so farr to Unchristian our selves Christian Conference is a Gospel duty as it hath been proved by express testimonies out of the word of God and it 's a Gospel priviledge none indeed but such as receive the Gospel are savingly wrought upon by the Gospel Mat. 11.6 can carryon discourse or Conference which for matter and manner is truly Christian and in truth society is scarce desireable without mutual Colloquy and speaking one to another to have a company of people meet together and be as mutes and dumb all in deep silence methinks is a very uncomfortable meeting and irrational Solitariness and being alone fits best for meditation and musing Society and being in Company calls for speech and language What humane Society can be among men as men without Conference or what Christian society among Saints as Saints without Christian Conference to what end hath God and nature given us Tongues speech and language but to glorifie him therewith and to edifie one another and that 's mainly done in the way of Christian Conference Yet farther it 's one of the branches of the Communion of Saints to keep others in the right ways of truth and holiness and a likely means conducing thereunto is to be much in good discourse with others It 's hard to keep the way when one's alone for man by nature is apt to wander Many Travellers together may help to guide one the other to keep from falling or to raise up if fallen Two are betten then one saith the Preacher Eccl. 4.9 10. for if they fall the one will lift up his fellow but wo to him that is alone when he falleth for he hath not another to help him up Great is the benefit of Society from that natural helpfulness which thereby one man affordeth to another When the Lord imployed his servants in high works he usually sent them Two by Two Moses and Aaron Joshua and Zerubbabel in reference to whom we read of Two witnesses and our Lord Jesus Christ when he sent forth his Disciples they went Two and Two and why this Not onely that they might be joynt witnesses of the truth of the Doctrine and messages delivered but withall that they might with more ease and success carry on the Ministery and work wherein they were imployed and help mutually to strengthen to encourage and comfort one the other The instance given is pertinent to our purpose for if they fall the one will lift up his fellow What fall why society is helpful in all kinds of falls as corporal in a journey on foot or horse-back or falls into diseases dangers temptations sins errours the society of friends is useful to pitty to support to restore to convince to comfort and every way to Minister subtable supplies and relief To close up and strengthen this argument in that Christian Conference as it is a part of the Communion of Saints by special promise Psal 133.1 Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity Cohabitation or dwelling together is insignificant without Communication and Conversation becoming the Gospel and why so good so pleasant vers 3. For there the Lord commanded the blessing even life for evermore The illustration whereof the Psalmists gives in two lively and emphaticall similitudes vers 2. It is like precious ointment upon the head of Aaron It was not the ointment in the box or vial stopped but poured out that gave the fragrant savour and was so odoriferous it is not grace in the heart though that is saving but grace in the lips and life which makes a Christian indeed so sweet
deal with servants Charge them to obey their Masters in all things not with eye-service as men pleasers but in singleness of heart fearing God Not answering againe not purloining shewing all fidelitie Col. 3.22 Tit. 2.9 10. Yet again 15. Ignorance if you meet with them that are ignorant tell them That the soul be without knowledge is not good and the high aggravation of the gross ignorance of many is that they are willingly ignorant neither know nor desire or care to know the things of God Prov. 19.2 2 Pet. 3.5 If with men of knowledg 16. Knowing caution them to beware least their knowledg puffeth them up but rather being acted and managed by and with Charitie that it edifie being laid out for the good of others and their lips being the lips of the righteous let them feed many by Christian Conference and holy communication with others 1 Cor. 8. 1. Prov. 10.21 I might be very large and voluminous herein but to close up this direction be still furnished to speak to any persons whatsoever of such points as are of universal concernment as touching regeneration the absolute indispensable necessity of it to salvation as also touching our having a saving interest in Jesus Christ Christ told Nicodemus in plain terms Joh. 3.3 5. That except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdome of God And expresly as to the necessity of union with Christ He that hath the Son hath everlasting life and he that hath not the Son shall not see life but the wrath of God abideth on him vers 36. A third preparative direction 3 Direction for the promoting of Christian Conference in all places and companies where we come is to begin at home each Christian setting it up and keeping it up in his own house and Family that so wife Children and servants may gain an habit of good and savoury discourse to be acted and exercised when you or they go abroad as children mannerly or rude and unmannerly at home use so to carry themselves abroad also and such talk and discourse as is used at home by husbands and wives Parents and Children Masters and Servants is like to be their language abroad also The Lord by Moses gives his peremptory command as to good discourse in families These words which I command thee this day shall be in thy heart and thou shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thy house and in thy lying down and rising up Deut. 6.6 7. Such was wise King Solomons practice which gave occasion to Sheba Queen of the South in her Princely visit to him to say unto him Happy are these thy servants which stand continually before thee and that hear thy wisdome c. Custome is another nature use legs and have legs use memory and have memory use good discourse and you will have good discourse I have seen Children boyes and girles had to neighbour houses upon occasion of feasting visits or the like and when their parents call upon them for manners saying sirra where 's your hat and your leg and girle where 's your Cursy but no hat off no leg or Cursy made why not used to it at home So when we come into Christian Company and we provoke our selves to carry on good discourse and say Awake my glory Answer is given no sleep at home must sleep abroad also Acts frequent beget habits acquired and strengthen infused A dexterity in the managing of Christian Confernece aright as to matter manner principles and ends is I presume an infused habit a special gift of God Isa 50.4 The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary Given me that is me the Prophet in his measure or rather given me is meant of Christ on whom the Spirit is poured without measure yet so as that every believer hath his proportion of the Spirit and so of this gift and habit of Christian Conference to be used and so improved and strengthen by a frequent and vigorous acting of it for the glory of God and the good of our selves and others with whom we have occasion to converse Let it be one of thy Christian exercises to act and strengthen this habit day by day in this language and communication A fourth preparative direction may be repentance and humiliation for our great failing in our great neglect of so great a duty as Christian Conference is 4 Humiliation We spend little of our time and strength in this duty to wit in such discourse as hath a proper and direct tendency to the conversion or edification of the hearers we are much if not too much upon this talk what newes abroad speaking of persons this body or that magnifying some too high vilifying and depressing others too low possibly erring in a way of flattery on the one hand or of envy and hatred on the other blameworthy in both A fifth Direction I would give 5 Prayer is the pouring out a prayer to God in faith and love every morning that he would guide thy discourse all the day long It was Davids prayer Ps 141.3 Set a watch O Lord before my Mouth keep the door of my lips And again Ps 51.15 O Lord open thou my lips and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise and that thou mayst pray in faith plead the promise The Tongue of the dumb shall sing Isa 35.6 fulfilled in the Gospel Corporally and Spiritually Christ made and still makes the dumb to speak and that to his and his Father's glory when they brought a dumb man to Christ possessed of a Devil Christ cast out the Devil and the dumb spake c. Mat. 9.32 33. Then the promise was made good in the very letter of it and in the spirit of it also when the Children in the Temple cried saying Hosanna to the Son of David Mat. 21.15 16. and so fulfil'd that prediction in Psal 8.2 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praises Go to God in Christ and say what though a kind of dumb Devil possesseth me thou canst and do thou cast him out What though I be but a babe in Christ and a suckling in grace yet thou canst and O do thou out of the mouth of a babe and suckling as I am ordaine strength Pray in faith fervency and constancy and who knoweth but the gracious Lord thy God may loose and unty thy Tongue and create the fruits even of thy lips peace peace for his own glory the good of others and thy comfort here and for ever And in thy discourse let holy secret ejaculations be frequent and fervent also A sixth Direction is to be much in praises 6. In praises which also will make prayer more successful having found by sweet experience Optimum rogandi genus est gratia agere that God doth enable thee sometimes to let fall some good words in obedience to
not exclusive of mirth natural and civil for there was feasting The Jewes had joy Est 8.17 Neh. 8.10 and gladness a feast and a good day and in their feasts did eat the fat and drink the sweet And let me adde this that even civil mirth well ordered and regulated is a good natural preparative for rejoycing in a more sublime and holy manner And the reason is because of the Spirits which are in men natural animal and vital spirits ingendred in the Livers heads and hearts of men which being kept up lively and agil by civil mirth are as wings to the Souls even of Saints in their sublimer higher and nobler operations And herein I may appeal to the experience of the choicest servants of God who find when their spirits are down and low an indisposition in them thereby for holy duties The disciples themselves when they should have been watching and praying Jesus Christ found them sleeping for sorrow But when our Spirits are up lively Luk. 22.45 and cheary they dispose for duty and our heads and hearts as wheels oyled move more nimbly 2. As for the usefulness and expediency of mirth and lightsomness I say not levity of spirit 2 Vseful 1. Preservation of the bodies health It 's not only serviceable to the soul in its gracious actings and operations as I said before but to the body also for the preservation of health and strength vigor and activity by the multiplying and refining of spirits in us A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance It doth good indeed to the whole body Prov. 15.13 but the good it doth appears and shewes it self especially in the Countenance as being made thereby more amiable and lovely the eye more lively and sharp-slighted the Cheeks more ruddy the bloud more pure and sparkling Though the countenance onely is mentioned yet the whole body is to be understood as receiving good by the hearts cheeriness for though the soul and body differ in substance as spirit and flesh yet God having joyn'd them together in so close a union as to the making up of one person they mutually sympathize each with other a sickly body makes a sad heart and a wounded spirit makes a crasie bodie and I think the body is less able to bear the souls burdens then the soul is the bodys To return to what is in hand that a merry heart countenance appears by the example of Esau none of the best whose heart being gladded by the present sent by Jacob when they met his countenance was so cheerful that Jacob said Gen. 33.10 I have seen thy face as though I had seen the face of God And by Daniel and his associates none of the worst who though they did eat pulse onely and had nothing but water to drink yet their countenances were fair and fat Deut. 12.15 Why they had merry hearts quiet consciences in their breasts and bosomes arising from their reconciliation and peace with God It 's not choice meats and drinks much less painting or dawbing with vermilions but a good conscience that makes a merry heart and so a cheerful countenance To the same purpose vers 15. He that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast By a merry heart he means not carnal mirth and jollity in eating drinking singing musick dancing this he elsewhere calls madness but the merry heart he commendeth is a good conscience sprinkled with the bloud of Christ his righteousness being imputed to us for our justification and so having peace with God Ecc. 2.2 and peace of Conscience which the Apostle expresseth by a pure heart a good conscience and faith unfained 1 Tim. 1.5 Once agâ—â—â—e the wise King tells us That a merry 〈◊〉 doth good like a medicine Prov. 17.22 and that because cheaâ—ness of spirit helps Nature's operations with its food and Physick whereas sadness and heaviness of heart hinders both I 'le close up this with a true story I was once in company at dinner where kindred and friends were met and among the rest one a learned and godly man was very merry in telling Tales breaking jests harmless and inoffensive Yet I was somewhat troubled to see and hear it and in some heat break out and asked him saying Sir I pray what is the meaning of those words of the Apostle Let your communication be that which is good to the use of edifying Eph. 4.29 to which he answered me to this purpose we have bodies to edifie as well as soules and harmless mirth doth good to both and so it doth if it be well and wisely ordered 2 Honour to Religion 2. This cheariness of spirit in Company hath its usefulness in reference to others even those without who are strangers to the work of grace and wâ—â—es of Christianity and are apt to 〈◊〉 up prejudices against the people of God as a morose and sour people and that the life they lead is but an uncomfortable life full of melancholy and they verily think that when any set their faces this way Zion-ward that they never have a merry day after but live mopishly and disconsolately all their dayes Now the harmless mirth and merriment in the communications and conversations of Christians is a practicall and reall confutation of this mistake and so is a removing of that stumbling block in their way and withall a fair invitation and allurement of them to come in and to ingage in a stricter and higher profession of Saintship when they are eye and eare-witnesses of its consistency with all possible civil mirth and merriment which is lawfull and commendable Instance Let me back this from my own experience I knew a Lawyer of good parts and practice who being naturally of a lepid and chearful spirit and possest with hard thoughts touching Religion in the strictness of it and exactness therein as necessitating the professors thereof to lay quite aside that kind of mirth which he was addicted to was thereby kept off from ingaging himself in any forwardness in Christianity but afterwards observing the carriage of some Ministers of note and eminency for piety and Ministerial abilities how pleasant they were how facetious in their discourse yet still keeping within the bounds which God in his Word had set them he changed his opinion embraced the Societie of the Saints walked with them in the wayes of God and died I believe a true servant of God and of his Christ our Jesus and that he is now in glory To strengthen this argument The mirth of a Christian life by Zac. Bogan printed at Oxford 1653. I 'le commend to the reading a little Treatise made by a learned holy man whom I knew both in his life and death 3. This cheariness of spirit hath this commendable vertue in it that it puts a shine and lustre upon duties and offered of love performed to men 3 Alustre upon duties and that in the eyes both of God and man God loveth a
up their wits and busying their minds to find out the meaning of his riddle that mirth which carries this design the profit of our selves or others is lawful and laudable 3. 3 To make way for what is serious To facilitate the passage for rebukes or advice serious and weighty which with some go down smoother in a merry word then in plain and downright language so that cheariness of speech helps to gild over and sweeten the bitter Pills of reproof and counsel which are therein swallowed down no stob made but taken better in a jest than in earnest This way of dealing with others in ironical language is frequent in the Scriptures of the old and new Testament Solomon Rejoyce O young man c. and since you are so wilful and heady heed no advice that is given to you go on take your course see what will come on it But know that for all these things God will bring thee to judgment Eccl. 11.9 Take one of many in the new Testament Paul saw the Corinthians were a proud conceited people though Christians and good for the main see how he taunts them 1 Cor. 4.8 Now ye are full now ye are rich ye have reigned as Kings without us and all in an holy loving ironie 3. 3 Attended with affections Our civil mirth as it must be well seasoned well designed so also must it be well attended with suitable affections and such Christian graces as the present occasion calls for To instance in a few particulars 1. 1 Fear There should be in our greatest and highest mirth an holy fear and awfull dread of God upon our spirits merriment is a kind of boiling liquor will soon run over if not well watched and looked unto we should rejoyce in the Lord yet with fear and trembling Psal 2.11 and when we express our inward joy by outward mirth be it in feasting and dayes of thanksgiving yet still with fear and trembling It is laid by the Apostle and charged as a crime upon those seducing teachers that they did feed themselves without fear Jude 12. To feed without any fear of God or reverence to the Church the Saints with whom they did eat all their Love Feasts is Bezas note upon the place 2. 2 Sympathy With Christian Sympathy being duely sensible of and deeply laying to heart the miseries of others especially the distresses of Zion at home or abroad Amos 6.5 6 7. To chant it to the sound of the viol and drink wine in bowles but not to be grieved for the afflictions of Joseph is a provocation threatned and plagued with desolation Therefore shall they go captive with the first that go Captive c. 3. 3 Sorrow With godly sorrow mourning for the sin whilst we rebuke the sinner Love to God and our neighbours and our selves will ingage us in both mourning and rebuking also and without this all our Civil mirth will end in heaviness Prov. 14.13 Having laid down directions for the well managing of Christian Conference in the actual exercise of it and that both negatively and positively let me adde 3 Direction in Transition A third Direction which is by witty yet wise transitions to pass and slip off from common discourse into discourses more serious and spiritual As 1. From the words of others of others Our Lord Jesus Christ hath pattern'd and fairly copied this out to us by his own example Joh. 4.6.15 He being weary sat down on Jacobs well and presently a woman of Samaria coming out to draw water Christ glides into a gracious discourse with her about living water the water of life which he himself was Again having rebuked his Carnal hearers who followed him for the loaves sake he passeth into a holy and large discourse touching the bread of life which he himself was so preaching the Gospel from place to place So when Simon Peter was astonished at the draught of Fishes Christ said to him From henceforth thou shalt catch men Luk. 5.9 10. I might be very large herein But why all this surely for our imitation that we might go and do likewise When others are speaking of buying and selling what good penny-worths they had mind them of buying the truth and not selling it and of buying wine and milk Christ his Spirit grace and glory and that without price and without mony Isa 55.1 the best bargain that can possibly be made and the best penniworth that Earth or Heaven it self affordeth If the talk be what good news is stirring put in saying the Gospel the glad-tidings of Salvation by Jesus Christ is the best newes which ever was told to or heard by mankind since the world was If the stream of discourses run concerning great feasts that any have made or been at what fat Venison they had what plenty of the best wines they drank of turn the stream and speak of that royal Princely feast made by the King of Kings and that for all his subjects by Christ for believers A feast of fat things full 〈◊〉 marrow of wine upon the lees well refined Isa 25.6 Math. 22.2 10. When we hear others talking of fair houses and stately buildings let it draw out our discourse concerning that building of God that house not made with hands eternal in the Heavens 2. Cor. 5.1 If of the Citie rebuilding which work the Lord prosper then speak of Abraham how he and all believers the spiritual seed of Abraham looked for a City which hath foundations whose builder and maker is God Heb. 11.10 If the discourse be touching the vast estate and revenues that such or such an one is possessed of or heir apparent to so many hundred or thousand pounds per annum then declare how the poorest Saint outvies and outweighs the greatest Prince King or Emperour yea all of them laid together for he is born to an inheritance incorruptible undefiled and that fadeth not away reserved in Heaven for tihm 1 Pet. 1.3 4 5. All worldly inheritances are corruptible as the world it self is but the inheritance of the Saints incorruptible and abideth for ever worldly â—â—heritances are usually much defiled both in the getting and keeping of them in ways sinful when restitution is not made of what was ill gotten when God is not honoured with their substance c. either for the maintenance of an able Ministery or for the relief of the poor but rather spending their estate upon their lusts pride gluttony drunkenness gaming whoring c. but still the inheritance of the Saints is undefiled both in the getting and keeping of it by the purchase and mediation of Jesus Christ and the Saints using of it which will be in the glorifying of God with it and for it for ever and ever yet again all worldly inheritances fade away but the inheritance of the Saints fades not away as flowers do or as the Laurels did with which the Victors in the Olympick games were crowned which though green when