to have apprehended but this one thing I do forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forth unto those things which are before I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus This duty of walking in the wayes of Gods commandments is required of all who have the spiritual life of grace If we live in the spirit let us walk in the spirit Although the estate of grace doth free us from the Law as it was a covenant of works to man in the estate of innocency Rom. 6.14 Ye are not under the law but under grace yet we are not fred from it as the fixed and perpetual rule of the duty of thankfulness to God both upon the accompt of our creation and redemption Rom. 3.31 Do we then make void the law through faith yea we establish it The Gospel addeth a new obligation from the glade tidings of our redemption through the blood of Christ 1 Cor. 6.20 For ye are bought with a price therefore glorifie God in your body and in your spirit which are Gods To this we are called by the Gospel of grace Tit. 2.11 12. 1 Pet. 2.24 Christ bare our sins in his own body on the tree that we being dead to sin should live unto righteousness To this walking in newness of life we are engaged by solemn profession in Baptism wherein we are said to put on Christ Gal. 3.27 and these who put on Christ should walk in newness of life Rom. 13.14 Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ and make not provision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof And Christ giveth salvation only to them who labour to obey him by walking in newness of life Heb. 5.9 And being made perfect he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him There be three evident symptoms of natural life to wit 1. Appetite toward the means of life 2. Growth and increase of stature And 3. Motion and walking In like-manner there are three signs of spiritual life 1. Appetite and desire after the word and means of Salvation 1 Pet. 2.2 As new born babes desire the sincere milk of the Word Although the renewed children of God do not know sometimes by the reflex act of knowledge and faith that they live by the Spirit yet others experienced Christians do know they live by perceiving their spiritual appetite after the means of the life of grace 2. Growth in Grace and Sanctification is a sign of the life spiritual infused into them by the Spirit for the Ministry of the Word is given for the perfecting of the Saints for the edifying of the body of Christ till we all come in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man unto the meâ—sure of the stature of the fulness of Christ Eph. 4.11 12 13. 3. Moving and walking in newness of life with all respect to all the holy Commandments is a sign undoubted that we live in the Spirit because these two are joyned together Ezek. 36.27 I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes As Lazarus raised from death to life did come forth from the sepulchre wherein he was laid and walked in the sight of others so a soul quickened by the Spirit doth rise from his sins wherein he was dead and buried and walketh before God and men in newness of life There is a walking after the flesh directly opposit to walking in the Spirit Rom. 8.1 There is now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh but after the spirit We must beware of such walking because the end of it is eternal destruction for he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption but he that soweth to the spirit or walketh after the spirit shall of the spirit reap life everlasting Gal. 6.8 Such walkers after the flesh are profane men walking presumptuously in the imaginations of their own evil hearts and yet thinking to get Heaven in end as if a man walking toward the west should think in end to come to the east Of this profane and presumptuous walking and the severe punishment of it we read Deut. 29.19 This is not to walk in the power of the Spirit of God but in the strong delusion of their own deceived spirit such walkers are these spoken of 2 Pet. 3.3 There shall come in the last dayes scoffers walking after their own lusts And all such also who walk in a course of life fulfilling the sinful desires and lusts of their own hearts It is true the godly though renewed by the Spirit of God have flesh and corruption in them but they walk not aftr the flesh as their ordinary guide and counsellour The holy Scripture holds forth the manner of our walking in the Spirit in these following qualifications 1. In walking humbly with God Micah 6.8 What doth the Lord require of thee but to do justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with thy God By keeping upon thy spirit the impressions of his greatness and holiness this will make thee to walk humbly this made Isaiah humble after he had seen a visible representation of the Majesty and Holiness of God Isai 6.5 Then said I Wo is me for I am undone because I am a man of unclean lips c. This impression will make the soul obedient to the will of the Lord as Isaiah also was Isa 6.8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord saying Whom shall I send and who will go for us then said I Here am I send me This impâ—ession of the greatness and holiness of God will make the renewed man to shine in his conversation before the world as Moses his face did shine before the people after he had conversed with God in the mount 2. It is a spiritual and heavenly-minded walking having the way and haunt of the heart far above the things of the world Prov. 15.24 The way of life is above to the wise that he may depart from hell beneath Such walking keepeth the heart free from the bondage of many temptations and snares wherein the earthly-minded man is taken and detained as the Eagles who soar in a high way are not so easily shot and fell'd by the Fowler as the greedy Cormorants that flutter upon the surface of the earth or the vain Stanchel that hovers in the air and embraceth the wind In like manner heavenly-minded men are not so easily taken with the baits of the world as greedy and ambitious men who mind earthly things 3. It is a circumspect walking Eph. 5.15 Whereof hereafter in Serm. on that place 4. It is a sincere and upright walking Psal 84 11. No good thing will the Lord God withhold from them that walk uprightly It is a walking with a respect unto all the Commandments of God as David walked Psal 119.6 with active endeavours to keep a good conscience toward
As also having sincere love in your hearts toward all the Saints 1 Joh. 3.14 We know that we have passed from death unto life because we love the brethren 6. Be thou prepared as these faithâ—ul servants Luk. 12.36 who trussed up their garments that they might be the more expedit and ready to open the door to their Lord at his return In like manner do thou retire thy heart in time from the excessive love of the things of this present world that it be not entangled thereby but set thy heart upon God and things above for as Plenishing or Houshold-stuff fixed fast in the wall is ordinarily broken before it can be removed so a worldly-minded man his heart is broken with grief and worldly sorrow when he is removed from his present enjoyments his spirit is rather taken from him against his will then by him freely commended and chearfully put over into the hands of his Heavenly Father Luk. 12.20 Conclus 2. The future glory of the bodies of the Saints in Heaven is not only sure and certain in it self in respect of the object promised by God but also in respect of the subject to wit believers on the Lord Jesus Christ who may and should be assured of it for it is said here by the Apostle not only in his own name but also in the name of all believers on Jesus Christ We know we have an house c. It is expressed in the present tense 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 we have to signifie the certainty of it in a believer so Joh. 3 36. He that believeth in me hath everlasting life This assurance Job had Job 19 27. Whom I shall see for my self and mine eyes shall behold and not another c. And David Psal 17.15 As for me I will behold thy face in righteousness I shall be satisfied when I awake with thy likeness The reasons are 1. Because not only the soul but also the body of a believer is a part of the mystical Body of Christ who is the Saviour of his whole body Eph. 5.23 2. As the body of believers is an instrument and vessel of honour to God in this life so these same bodies shall be vessels of glory in the other life that they may receive there according to their service done unto God here in the body 2 Cor. 5.10 3. The bodies of the Patriarchs do now rest in their graves and as we may be assured they shall be raised unto glory Matth. 22.32 Joh. 5 28 29. So all true believers on Jesus Christ may be assured that their own bodies also shall be raised in glory unto eternal life As we would be assured of glory to our bodies in heaven let us use our bodies here as temples to the Holy Ghost Rom. 8.11 If the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you Now the body is used as a temple to the Holy Ghost 1. by separating it from the service of sin and iniquity as the temple of Jerusalem which sometime was a threshing-floor before it became a Temple to God it was separate from that common use So our bodies must be separat from the service of iniquity before it can be consecrat to the service of God 2 Cor. 6.16 17. And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols for ye are the temple of the living God c. wherefore come out from among them and be ye separat saith the Lord and touch not the unclean thing and I will receive you 2. As the temple of Jerusalem was not only separat from a profane or common use but was also dedicat and consecrat unto the service of God and spiritual employments in like manner our bodies should be presented and dedicat to the service of God according to the duty of our Christian calling Rom. 12.1 I beseech you therefore brethren by the mercies of God that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice holy acceptable unto God which is your reasonable service As all the vessels in the Temple whether great or small were holy so should all the members of our body be employed unto righteousness Rom. 6.13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin but yield your selves unto God as those that are alive from the dead and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God Our eyes should be turned away from beholding vanity and imployed to behold the power and wisdom of God in the works of Creation and Providence our ears should be circumcised and tuâ—ned away from hearing profane or obscene speeches and turned to hear what may be profitable for our edification our tongues should be turned away from all unsavoury communication and should minister grace to the hearer 3. The Temple was guarded and kept by the Porters lest any thing should enter or creep into the Temple which might defile it 2 Chron. 23.19 In like-manner should we watch over the Ports of our eyes and ears that nothing enter in by them which may defile the soul which is the very sanctuary within the temple of our body No stranger was admitted unto the temple of Jerusalem Act. 21.28 so we should not admit willingly any strange thought or stragling motion which would turn the heart away from God Ps 119.113 I hate vain thoughts but thy law do I love If through our inadvertence such motions creep in or through violence rush into the soul and molest the body then as our blessed Lord in his zeal did scourge out the buyers and the sellers out of the Temple we should in a holy indignation and commendable self-revenge cast out these thoughts that would sell our bodies and the members thereof unto iniquity If thus ye be careful to use your bodies as a temple to the Holy Ghost then may ye be assured the Holy Gâ—ost who dwelled in the soul and over-ruled the body in the day of resurrection will fill his temple with glory even as the temple of Jerusalem was first built by Gods command and thereafter filled with the cloud and sensible presence of God himself But these who dishonour God in the body and members thereof as by blaspheming the Name of God by uncleanness by drunkenness or other sins acted by the subserviency of the body can such persons or dare they say We know we have an eternal house in heaven Yea do they not know and are convinced from the threatnings of God and from their own conscience bearing witness to the truth and justness of the same that if they live and dye in their sins without repentance and amendment of life there is a bottomless dark prison with torments everlasting prepared both for their soul and for their body Gal. 6.8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption Conclus 3. There is a great difference and opposition between the bodies
perswasion of divine and supernatural truths Go to him for light and knowledge the spirit of knowledge rested on him Prov. 1.23 Prov. 2.3 4 5. Rev. 3.18 He is by Office the great Doctor of Israel and will give his Spirit to perswade the heart to receive and imbrace the precious truths revealed in the Word even unto all who seek to him for instruction and humbly submit to his discipline and correction Hast thou a prophane loose and godless heart void of the fear of God go to him on whom was poured the spirit of the fear of the Lord that he may put the fear of God in thy heart that thou mayest be sanctified throughout in spirit soul and body in a conformity to him on whom the spirit of the fear of the Lord did rest To this end he died that he might ratifie and confirm that promise of the new Covenant I will put my fear in their hearts that they shall not depart from me Jer. 32.40 Vse 2. Seing these graces and gifts of the Spirit were given to Jesus Christ the Mediator for the benefit of his Church it is our duty to search our selves and try if we have received of the spirit of Christ because if any man have not the spirit of Christ he is none of his Rom. 8.9 And hereby know we that we dwell in him and he in us because he hath given us of his spirit 1 Joh. 4.13 As a member of the body not animated by the soul is not formally and properly a member thereof so a man not quickened by the Spirit of Christ is not an actual member of his Mystical Body the Church His Spirit is a Spirit of understanding If thou understand the fundamental and necessary saving truths and followest Christ by saith as a Schollar following and maintaining the opinion of his Teacher and if thou set thy heart to follow him by obedience in the way of his holy Commandments as a Servant following the direction of his Lord For a good understanding have all they that do his Commandments Psal 111.10 If thy understanding be seconded with an hatred of every false way Psal 119.104 then mayest thou be assured the Spirit of Christ is in thee even the spirit of sound judgement and understanding The Spirit of Christ is a Spirit of spiritual and heavenly wisdom which is pure without guile and peaceable without faction and sedition Jam. 3.17 It is true there is a wisdom that passeth under that name in this present world but it is foolishness with God 1 Cor. 3.19 there are many wise in their own generation but are fools in the great business of Regeneration such as put forth all their wit and pains for attaining the deceitful pleasures of sin which is called a plowing of iniquity Job 4.8 a sowing to the flesh Gal. 6.8 a drawing of iniquity with cart-ropes Is 5.18 a travelling with iniquity Ps 7.14 and making provision for the flesh Rom. 13.14 Such as lay forth all their wit and pains for attaining uncertain riches or unconstant honour of a present world these men are like unto stupid Idiots preferring base mettal to the Pearl of price and the others are like to mad men running with all their speed into a precipice or gulph for their own destruction Such men are worldly wise who lay all the stress of their trust upon the uncertain insufficient and perishing things of this world as that miserable worldling Luk. 12.20 Such also who are nimble wits to meddle in all business except the business of their own salvation of such fools we read Prov. 20.3 And there be also too many hypocritical fools that have a frame and set form of some good holy words without any foundation of new obedience in their heart and without good works in their life and conversation such a man was that foolish builder Mat. 7. and the foolish Virgins Mat. 25. But has thou that wisdom which is from above which appears in the choice of the best thing Mat. 13.46 in active intentions for attaining the chief end even Gods glory and thine own salvation which appears also in strong desires following after the means of salvation Ps 27.4 One thing have I desired and that I will desire c. It appears in an heavenly conversation and minding things that are above Prov. 15.24 The way of life is above to the wise that he may depart from hell beneath and in providing wisely for the time to come by doing works of piety and charity 1 Tim. 6.19 If thou be wise in this manner then thou mayest be assured thou hast received of the Spirit of wisdom that rested on Christ thy Head The Spirit of Christ was a Spirit of sound counsel if thou has received of that Spirit thou wilt not give pernicious counsel to others as Jonadab did to Ammon to further them in any sinful course nor wilt thou give counsel against others to their hurt or ruine as Achitophel did against David But thou wilt give good counsel as Daniel did to Nebuchadnezar Dan. 4.27 If thy counsels be according to the Word of God as the testimonies of God were Davids faithful counsellers Ps 119.24 then mayest thou be assured thou art of the Spirit of Christ who according to the Word of God did delight to do the will of the Father Ps 48. If thou rejectest with an holy indignation evil counsel and suggestion though given by a friend when he would disswade thee from duty to God or to men in God this is an evidence thou art of the Spirit of Christ who rejected such evil counsel Matth. 16.24 Hast thou power and might to resist the onsets and bickerings of inward corruption It is an evidence thou art partaker of the vertue of the Spirit of Christ Rom. 8.37 We are more then conquerors through him that loved us Gal. 5.24 They that are Christs have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts Hast thou power and ability to walk equally and evenly both in prosperity and in adversity humble and moderat in that and patient in this thou art partaker of the Spirit of Christ who was of a moderat and sober mind when they would have made him a King he withdrew himself Joh. 6.15 he was patient in adversity as a sheep before the shearer Is 53. Art thou able through his grace to do Christian-duties with some measure of sincerity fervency and cheerfulness then art thou of the Spirit of Christ for it was his meat and drink to do the will of the Father Joh. 4.34 If the Spirit of sound and heavenly knowledge be in thee not only wilt thou have the knowledge of simple apprehension in thine uptaking the literal sense of Scripture truths but also thou wilt have a knowledge of discerning the sublime majesty the admirable simplicity and infallibility of Divine Truths both in promises and threatnings far above all humane Writings that thou wilt say from perswasion never man spoke as he spoke and thy knowledge will be
for I have sinned against thee We should use the outward means ordained by God for healing our souls such as are the hearing of the Gospel receiving the holy Sacrament of the holy Supper and daily Prayer these are through Gods blessing strengthning and healing Ordinances but we must not rest on the outward performances or on the abilities of the Minister thereof as if there were any Intrinsecal vertue in them for healing a sick and fainting Soul The Word was preached by Christ himself and yet no healing followed Matth. 23.37 Luke 19.42 The Sacrament of Baptism was ministred by Philip the Evangelist to Simon Magus and yet there was no healing of that gall of iniquity in his heart when a people look too much to the instruments who preach the Word or minister the Sacraments it provokes our jealousie God many times to withhold assistance from the Ministers and a blessing from the outward means to the people for all these outward Ordinances are but empty cisterns till they be filled by an influence of power and life from himself Joh. 6.63 It is the spirit that quickeneth the flesh profiteth nothing The outward Ordinance without the Lords special presence and blessing is like the staff of Elisha in the hand of Gehazi they do not quicken a dead soul nor awake the sleepy and secure soul 2 Kings 4.31 Therefore inusing the outward means for healing our souls we should go by Prayer to the great Physician himself that by his Spirit he would go along with the outward Ordinances If thou go to him thou needest not despare of healing for in his own due time he will heal all that come to him Jer. 17.14 Heal me O Lord and I shall be healed There is no soul-disease incureable to him though in it there were a complication of infirmities and distempers Isai 1.16 18. Wash ye make you clean put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes cease to do evil Though your sins be as scarlet they shall be as white as snow c. Though thy sins were inveterat through custom from thy child-hood like the Lunatick child Mark 9.21 Though incurable through all the counsel of friends like the disease of that sick woman Luke 8.43 Therefore come your selves to him and let parents bring their stubborn children in their prayers to Him the great Physician who can heal perverse spirits and make crooked things straight even when parents and friends has despared of their recovery from their soul-distempers and evil wayes In all distempers and wounds of spirit from outward grievous afflictions come to this Soveraign Physician though creatures neither can nor will heal thee yet he will come near to the afflicted who under affliction bodily are most afflicted in their spirit for their sins Psal 27.10 Jer. 30.17 Hos 2.14 I will allure her and bring her into the wilderness and speak comfortably unto her When the godly are in a desolat and wildernesse-like condition and few or none to comfort then the Lord in an acceptable time comes in to the soul with comfort all the moral Instruments of our comfort and healing are but as an Apprentice who can do nothing without their masters secret information and direction therefore the broken-hearted would come to Jesus Christ who had a calling from the Father Luke 4.18 to bind up and heal the broken in heart he healed Inveterat bodily diseases as one of twelve years one of eighteen and one of thirty eight years for the comfort of all poor humbled sinners who formerly have accustomed themselves to do evil He is a skilful Physician to apply several Medicines for healing several diseases He has Corrosives to awake these who are in a spiritual Lethargy even the spirit of burning and judgement Isai 4.4 He has sharp afflictions as a scourge to tame and daunt proud and vain men who are in a spiritual Phrency and distempered with an heady conceit of their own righteousness Job 36.8 9. If they be bound in fetters and be holden in cords of affliction then he sheweth them their work and their transgressions that they have exceeded He has Lenatives and Restauratives to poor fainting Souls even the sweet promises of the Gospel Isa 57.11 Matth. 5.3 4. Matth. 11.28 Though this great Physician the Lord Jesus Christ in the Humane Nature be locally in Heaven yet he can heal broken hearts on earth by the vertue and presence of his Spirit through the power of hiâ— Intercession at the Fathers right hand 1 Joh. 2.1 2. If any man sin we have an Aduocat with the Father Jesus Christ the Righâ—eous and he is the Propitiation for our sins He healed the Centurions sick servant at a distance Matth. 8. And the Son of that Noble man Joh. 4.51 at a distance also As the Sun in the Firmament though at a distance from the Earth doth quicken and revive the Creatures by the influence of light and heat so the Sun of Righteousness the Lord Jesus Christ doth by the influences of his Spirit and Vertue quicken and revive a soul fainting under the burden of sin 2. The Patient under Gods Cure is the broken in heart or wounded in spirit The broken heart is called also in Scripture a contrite spirit Ps 51.13 Is 57.15 When the heart that was sometime whole and hard like a stone is broken into pieces like a grain bruised between the upper and nether milstone so the heart of a truly humbled sinner is crushed between the sense of divine justice displeased with its sins and the sense of divine love manifested in the Gospel it is called a bruised spirit Isa 42.3 When the heart is bruised and bowed down so with the burden of many and manifold sins that from the deep sense of greif and shame for them they have not the confidence to look up to God Psal 40.12 Mine iniquities have taken hold upon me so that I am not able to look up c. It is called a wounded spirit Prov. 18.14 because the Lord of hosts provoked by our sins doth justly wound the guilty conscience with pain that the wounded spirit can get no rest Psal 38.3 There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin It is called a soft and tender heart sensible of the danger and vileness of sin Josiah his heart was tender and humbled at the hearing of the Law 2 Chron. 34.27 A rent heart Joel 2.12 When the love of sin is emptied out of the heart by repentance as water out of a rent vessel and it is called an heart of flesh plyable and yeelding to walk in the commandments of God Ezek. 36.26 27. The necessity of a broken heart is evident from the text because it is the broken heart only that God healeth 1. God taketh speci-notice of the broken in heart Psal 56.8 Ezek. 9.4 2. He preserveth the broken in heart in the midst of common calamities Psal 34.18 Ezek. 9.4
heart is ready to every good work and commanded duty with the Apostle Paul Acts 9.6 saying Lord what wilt thou have me to do For the Doctrine of Justification by Faith obligeth believers the more strictly to the duties of Sanctification for knowing they are justified in the blood of Christ which is the price of our redemption therefore should they glorify God in their body and in their spirit which are God's not only by the right of creation and temporal preservation but also by the right of redemption and everlasting salvation 1 Cor. 6.20 Seing they have the promises of free grace ratified in the blood of Christ they should cleanse themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit perfecting holiness in the fear of God 2 Cor. 7.1 See more 2 Cor. 5.15 Tit. 2.11 12 14. So that the Doctrine of Justification by faith in Jesus Christ doth not make void the Law but establisheth the Law Rom. 3.31 Though it make the Law void as to Justification by it Rom 8.3 yet it doth not make it void or cancell it from being a fixt rule for our direction Now to the Lord Jesus Christ the Author and Finisher of our faith with the Father and Holy Ghost be all praise c. Amen Spiritual Life and Spiritual Walking SERMON V. GAL. 5.25 If we live in the Spirit let us also walk in the Spirit THe Apostle having spoken in vers 22 23 24. of the seveâ—al fruits of the Spirit in the soul wherein he hath planted the life of grace he inferreth this conclusion If we live in the Spirit c. that is if we be quickened by the Spirit of God and raised to a new life of grace let it be seen in the course and actions of our life Let us walk by the Spirit that is by the guidance and direction of the Spirit according to the Word of God which was inspired into the Prophets and Apostles by the Holy Spirit In the words we have 1. A benefit supposed If we live in the Spirit 2. A duty proposed Let us walk in the Spirit For clearing the benefit supposed we would know 1. The nature and condition of this life which we are said here to have by the Spirit what it is 2. We would know the necessity of this life 3. The excellent quality of it in excelling all other kinds of life 1. As for the nature of this life it hath three effects or operations 1. Our Justification whereby our sins are forgiven and we are absolved from the sentence of damnation through the perfect obedience and satisfaction of our Mediator the Lord Jesus Christ as a man sentenced to death for some hainous crime is called a dead man even before the execution of the sentence and when he is absolved he is said to be a living man so by nature through sin and guiltiness we are children of wrath and dead in sins and trespasses obnoxious to eternal death and damnation but being justified by faith in Jesus Christ we are said to live in Christ and have the hope to live with him for ever This life is purchased to us by the merit of the death of Christ and is applyed by the Holy Spirit working faith in us whereby we are united to Christ and receive in and through him remission of sins offered to us in the preaching of the Gospel and sâ—aled in the holy Sacraments 1 Cor. 6.11 But ye are washed but ye are sanctified but ye are justified in the Name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God 2. The act also and operation of the life of grace is our Sanctification wrought in us by the Holy Spirit mortifying in us the deeds of the body Rom. 8.13 If ye through the Spirit do mortifie the deeds of the body ye shall live to wit the life of glory in Heaven and it is a quickening of us to live here unto righteousness as a man pincing away in sickness is said to be a dead man in respect of his fast approaching unto death and when he is in the way of recovery he is said to be a living man because there are pregnant hopes of his better health and life This life of Sanctification purchased also by Christ is applyed and wrought in us by the Holy Spirit through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost Tit. 3.5 3. There is the life of comfort and spiritual chearfulness it 's said of old Jacob Gen. 44.30 His life is bound up in the lad's life because he was much comforted in his son Joseph When sin and judgement is set before us our heart is dead and comfortless like the heart of Nabal whose heart at the report of David's wrath against him died within him through fear 1 Sam. 25.37 But when the Spirit of the Lord in our fears and faintings doth revive us by the sweet and piercing smell of the cross of Christ received by faith into the soul then we live a comfortable life and our soul rejoyceth in God our Saviour 2 Cor. 4.11 For we which live are alwayes delivered unto death for Jesus sake that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh that is that the life of comfort and inward strength from Christ might be manifested in our sufferings 1 Pet. 1.8 Whom having not seen ye love in whom though now ye see him not yet believing ye rejoyce with joy unspeakable and full of glory This life of inward comfort and strength purchased also by the merit of the death of Christ is applyed and wrought in us by the Holy Spirit Eph. 3.14 15 16. I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ c. that he would grant you according to the riches of his glory to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner-man This life is called our life in Christ Col. 3.3 4. For ye are dead and your life is hid with Christ in God It is purchased by him hid and preserved in him and with him as the life of the branches is preserved in the root Joh. 14.19 Because I live ye shall live also It is called the life of the Spirit or by the Spirit in this place because by the Holy Spirit we are united and joyned unto the Lord our Head and Saviour 1 Cor 6.17 He that is joyned unto the Lord is one spirit and because we are renewed to a new life by the Holy Spirit Joh. 3.5 Except a man be born of Water and of the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God It is called the life of faith Gal. 2.20 because by faith we receive the life of Justification Sanctification and of inward comfort from Jesus Christ 2. This life of grace is absolutely necessar as a midst and necessar antecedent unto eternal life 1. As the natural life is a necessar foundation of natural actings and operations dead Trees grow not dead Animals walk not dead men discourse not so the life
God and man as Paul walked Act. 24.16 To have a good conscience and to be alwayes willing in all things to live honestly as the Apostle did Heb. 13.18 It is a constant walking at least in respect of a fixed purpose and resolution Psal 84 7. They go from strength to strength Phil. 3.12 Not as though I had already attained either were already perfect but I follow after if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus The impediments of walking are 1. Want of light for if a man walk in the night he stumbleth because there is no light in him Joh. 11.10 Therefore said our blessed Lord to the Pharisees Ye erre not knowing the Scriptures Mat. 22.29 Therefore as we would walk in a right way toward the Kingdom of Heaven we would labour to understand the holy Scriptures which shew us the way of truth and righteousness and we should daily pray with the holy Prophet Psal 43.3 O send out thy light and thy truth let them lead me let them bring me unto thy holy hill and to thy Tabernacles And we should pray with holy David Ps 143.10 Teach me to do thy will for thou art my God thy spirit is good lead me into the land of uprightness 2. Fetters are a great impediment to walking so our unruly and excessive passions as the excessive fear of creatures excessive desires of worldly good things excessive joy and delight in worldly pleasures are a great impediment to spiritual and heavenly walking as servants gazing and fixing their eyes upon some Pictures in their way are stayed in their walking and in going about their business Against this impediment we would pray to God for liberty and enlargement of spirit from that bondage to our masterful affections and we would turn David's resolution Psal 119.32 into a supplication O Lord enlarge thou my heart and then shall I run the way of thy Commandments It should be our daily prayer to the Lord with holy David Psal 119.37 Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity and quicken thou me in thy way 3. A heavy burden is a great impediment to walking so when men over-burden their spirits with the care of worldly things they walk not in the way of righteousness but many times step aside after the wages of unrighteousness the love of the world hindered the rich young man to walk after Christ Luk. 18.23 Therefore that we may walk readily and chearfully in the wayes of Gods Commandments we should cast all our care upon him for he careth for us 1 Pet. 5.7 And we should pray daily as Psal 119.36 Encline my heart unto thy Testimonies and not to covetousness 4. Fainting is a great impediment to walking Jonathan fainted in his way till he tasted of the honey Great difficulties and discouragments in the way of Holiness and uprightness are like the Sons of Anak that discouraged greatly the people of Israel from walking up the hill that thereafter they might enter into the promised Land Against this impediment of fainting in the good and perfect way from the many troubles and discouragements thou meetest with therein recollect thy self and be encouraged from the Lords faithful promise Isai 40.29 He giveth power to the faint and to them that have no might he increaseth strength In all the bitter mockings thou meetest with from profane men who not only mock thee but speak evil of thee because thou wilt not run with them to the same excess of riot yet be thou resolute and stedfast in thy spiritual and Christian walking as David did Psal 119.51 The proud have had me greatly in derision yet have I not declined from thy Law Yea walk the more sincerely and spiritually in conversing with God by prayer Psal 69.12 13. I was the song of the drunkards but as for me my prayer is unto thee O Lord in an acceptable time When the child of God has least acceptance or communion with profane men then is he most acceptable to God and hath most of his countenance which preserves his soul from fainting at their bitter scoffings look often unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith who endured such contradiction of sinners lest we looking too much to men who wrong us should faint in our minds Heb. 12.2 3. Be encouraged in all thy faintings from the hope of that Crown of Righteousness laid up for all these who walk with God as Enoch did Walk with God in heavenly meditations and walk thou before God as Abraham did in faith and obedience the hope o◠that Crown strengthened the heart of Paul against fainting 2 Cor. 4.16 17. For which cause we faint not but though our outward man perish yet the inward man is renewed day by day For our light affliction which is but for a moment worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory Therefore seing there is an infallible connexion between spiritual life by the Spirit and spiritual walking in the strength and by the direction of the Spirit according to the Word as there is a conjunction of the stream with the fountain if we live in the Spirit let it be manifested by our walking in the Spirit and if the Spirit dwell in us the Spirit will quicken our mortal bodies and raise them up to follow the Lamb where-ever he goeth To him with the Father and Holy Spirit be all praise honour and glory for now and ever Amen Circumspect walking SERMON VI. EPHES. 5.15 See then that ye walk circumspectly not as fools but as wise VERS 16. Redeeming the time because the dayes are evil AS Salvation is the end of faith on the Lord Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 1.9 Receiving the end of your faith even the salvation of your souls So our walking in the way of holiness and good works is the way to salvation the Lord Jesus Christ is properly the living way that leadeth and guideth believers to salvation and good works are the meeths and evidences that we are in Christ the Captain of Salvation Eph. 2.10 For we are the workmanship of God created in Christ Jesus unto good works which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them The Christian walking is discribed here 1. Positively See that ye walk circumspectly 2. Negatively not as fools 3. By way of opposition to the walking of fools in two qualifications required in circumspect walking But as wise redeeming the time 4. The motive to a Christian and circumspect walking is taken from the evil of the times Because the dayes are evil To walk circumspectly signifieth as the original word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 importeth an accurat and exact walking like a man walking upon the ridge of a mountain without declining to the one hand or to the other Deut. 5.32 Ye shall observe to do therefore as the Lord your God hath commanded you you shall not turn aside to the right hand nor to the left 1. In our zeal we would walk circumspectly not
creature yea not to the Son of man Mark 13.32 This knowledge in the Humane Nature of Christ was intrinsecal communicat from the personal union for it is said He knew in himself to wit from the God-head dwelling in him personally Luk. 8.46 Joh. 6.61 but the knowledge of the Prophets and Apostles was extrinsecal by inspiration and extraordinary revelation By the spirit of the fear of the Lord we understand that heavenly grace of unspotted holiness and purity in his Humane Nature for such an High Priest became us who is holy harmless undefiled c. Heb. 7.26 therefore is he called by way of singularity and excellency 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that Holy Thing Luk. 1.35 The words being thus explained two things may be observed 1. The variety of the graces and gifts powred forth upon our Lord Jesus Christ for the good of his Church 2. The permanency and continuance of these graces and gifts in vigor and exercise it is said The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him Observ 1. Variety of graces and gifts were poured forth upon Jesus Christ our Head for the good of all the members of his mystical body the Church this is evident from this place as also from Joh. 1.14 16. He was full of grace and truth and of his fulness have we all received and grace for grace As the ointment poured forth upon the head of Aaron the High Priest did flow down to the skirts of his garment Psal 133.1 in like manner the vertue of the graces of the Spirit poured forth on Jesus Christ our great High Priest doth descend to the meanest member of his mystical body for sanctifying them throughout and for gladning their hearts with that oyl of gladness spoken of Psal 45.7 8. It is said Eph. 4.10 He asscended up far above all Heavens that he might fill all things It is true believers were filled in some measure with grace through him before his ascending into Heaven yet a greater measure of the Spirit was poured forth upon them after his ascension Acts 2.33 as the Sun after its rising fills the earth with light but the higher it ascends in its course the earth is filled with more of light so there is a greater measure of spiritual knowledge and grace in believers after the ascension of Christ then was before his birth or during the time of his abode upon the earth in the time of his humiliation Vse 1. Seing the Lord Jesus Christ received all these graces and gifts of the Spirit as Mediator for the good of his Church we should in all our wants and spiritual indigencies have our recourse by prayer to him that out of his fulness we might receive grace for grace It is a sure ground of our confidence and comfort that he received all these graces and gifts for our benefit therefore we should go to him as Children of the Family to the Stewart sealed and appointed by the Father who to their certain knowledge hath got provision both of grace and glory for all of the houshold of Faith and we may be assured he is faithful in all the House of God to give unto the children their Fathers allowance Joh. 6.27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life which the son of man shall give unto you for him hath God the Father sealed Art thou dull in understanding and hath little or no sharpness of wit to understand and discern spiritual and supernatural truths no more then a blind man has sight to discern colours Go to the Lord Jesus Christ in whom was and is the spirit of understanding be thou humble under the sense of thy spiritual blindness and by prayer seek that eye-salve which is called the Vnction from the holy One 1 Joh. 2.20 and is called the Spirit of revelation Eph. 1.17 Seek it with a sincere purpose of heart to improve thy understanding of the truth revealed unto practice and doing what thou shalt understand to be Gods will and thy duty Go with confidence to the Lord Jesus Christ who is both able and willing to open thy understanding and to give a heavenly faculty to perceive and understand divine truths He not only taught the Disciples going to Emmaus by word of mouth but also opened their understandings Luke 24.44 And if thou have an honest purpose of heart to do revealed duties thy Lord will mak thee to understand and discern the truths that are necessary for the saving of thy soul Joh. 7.17 If any man will do his will he shall know of the doctrine whether it be of God or whether I speak of my self Wouldst thou have spiritual wisdom and prudence for ordering thy conversation and doing of revealed duties Go to him upon whom was poured the spirit of wisdom by prayer seek it of him who gives liberally Jam. 1.4 Make conscience of frequent hearing and reading the Word of God which is the book of heavenly wisdom making men wise to salvation 2 Tim. 3.15 16. In difficulties and perplexities wherein thou knows no more what to do then Jehoshaphat did in a great strait 2 Chron. 20.12 go to him for counsel Prov. 8.14 Counsel is mine And here it is said The spirit of counsel was upon him He is called by way of excellency The Counseller Isai 9.6 He hath promised to give counsel to our hearts in times of greatest difficulties Luk. 21.15 and accordingly he did so to his faithful servants as to Stephen Act. 6.10 and to Paul Act. 23.6 In an hour of temptation from the power of thine own corruption from Satan and from the world go to the Lord Jesus Christ for obtaining might and power to resist and in end to overcome thy spiritual enemies thus did Paul in an hour of darkness and temptation 2 Cor. 12.9 remember the spirit of might was poured on him he is able to save to the uttermost all that come unto God by him Go to him for strength and protection in times of great trials and persecutions keep fast the word of his patience that is his direction for carrying thy self in such a time humbly patiently and peaceably Rev 3.10 Go to him in a time of fainting that from him thou may get quickening and might to run the ways of his Commandments Because the spirit of might was poured forth upon the Captain of our Salvation to help forward poor willing souls now and then fainting in the way of their Christian race it is not enough in your regeneration at first to be quickened unto a new life but in respect of your faintings in the race and course of Sanctification ye have need of daily quickening and up-stirring to the duties of the new life Therefore it is that David a man according to Gods heart being already in the state of grace and partaker of the new life prayeth frequently for quickening unto duty Psal 119.25 37 88 107 159. and Psal 143.3 Wouldst thou have the knowledge and
For comfort to the poor who are despised and oppressed let them not be altogether discouraged nor despair of redress but let them quietly without tumult noise or sedition make their address and appeal to the supreme Judge and Lord who judges righteously Ps 10.14 The poor leaveth himself upon thee thou art the helper of the fatherless Thus did our blessed Lord 1 Pet. 2.23 not cry bitterly against the oppressor but cry quietly to God who will comfort the oppres'd and redress the wrongs done to them Job 35.9 10 14. Although thou sayest thou shalt not see him yet judgement is before him therefore trust thou in him Observ 2. God avenges the cause of the meek and humble in spirit for it is said here he shall reprove with equity for the meek of the earth David was meek and silent when foul-mouthed Shimei railed against him and was confident God would do him good for his cursing and one time or other give to the insolent and insulting railer a sad reproof as the Lord did afterward by Solomon punishing him In like manner the people of Israel were silent at the blasphemous railing of Rabshekah and God gave a sad reproof both to him and his Master by that extraordinar and visible judgement upon that great Army Vse 1. For admonition to proud insolent brawlers not to injure and affront the meek and therefore insult over them as silly base-spirited men because they are quiet and do not render evil for evil although they are sensible of the wrong done to themselves yet they are sensible of their duty to God and his holy Commandment Rom. 12.19 Avenge not your selves but rather give place unto wrath for it is written Vengeance is mine and I will repay saith the Lord. And from sense of the wrong done they lay it forth in secret before the Lord who will reprove for them and speak by his judgements in their behalf as many times he has plagued the wicked who oppress the meek of the earth yea sometimes he punishes even the godly when they out of a fit of envy do wrong to the meek God gave a sad reproof by a visible judgement to Miriam when out of envy she spoke against meek Moses Numb 12. Vse 2. For admonition to these who are wronged and oppressed in any manner or measure let them study to be of a meek spirit and of a quiet deportment avenge not thy self by contumely or injury for if thou do so God will look on and suffer thee to be doing but in so doing thou wilt spoil and marr thy own cause not unlike to some poor ignorant Countrey-men who presuming to speak for themselves at the Bar of Justice do oft-times marr their own Cause But if thou be meek and patient God will stand up in his own good time he will plead thy cause and make thy just possession of thy good name and estate to out-live the unjust calumny oppression or violent intrusion of thine adversaries Ps 37.6 11. He shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light and thy judgement as the noon day the meek shall inherit the earth and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace Mat. 5.5 Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth VERSE IV. And he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked WE have heard of our Lords wisdom and sagacity for governing his subjects we have heard also here of his justice and equity now he speaketh of his power and faithfulness in governing In these words and he shall smite c. we have 1. a description and designation of the Word of God the rod of his mouth 2. The power of the Word preached and applyed he shall smite c. 3. The subject matter or object that he shall smite the earth 4. The sad judgement of God upon such as continue obstinat in their evil wayes he shall slay the wicked By the rod of his mouth is meant the Word of God inspired into the Prophets and Apostles by the Spirit of God as men do communicate their mind and thoughts one to another by the expression of the tongue So God in an extraordinary manner did communicate his mind and counsel by the inspiration of the holy Ghost 2 Tim 3.15 2 Pet. 1.19 Justine Martyr compares the inspiration of the Spirit unto a quill or pen descending from heaven and he compares the Prophets and Apostles unto a Sittern or Lute touched by it and sending forth the sound of heavenly Doctrine therefore what they spoke the mouth of the Lord is said to have spoken it Is 1.20 because the Spirit of God did direct them both in the matter and manner of expression Observ 1. The word of God is fitly called a Rod 1. in respect of its usefulness for describing and pointing forth to us our heavenly inheritance Jer. 51.19 Israel is called the rod of his inheritance men measured their earthly inheritance with a measuring rod or with a line or cord In like-manner the Word of God but more especially the Holy Gospel doth point forth to us our heavenly inheritance in and with Christ for which cause it is called the Gospel of the Kingdom Mat. 4.23 2. The Word of God is compared to a rod for direction as a man by a rod in his hand points out the way wherein the passenger should walk So the word of God sheweth unto us in this time of our sojourning the way wherein we should walk toward our Countrey that is above to wit the way of repentance of faith in Christ and of new obedience Act. 3.19 Act. 16.31 Heb. 5.8 3. It is compared to a rod for correction as the shepherds rod serveth to smite the sheep when they go astray So the Word of God doth sharply convince the understanding and withall smites the heart with sorrow for erring and departing from the Lord Isa 58.1 2 Tim. 3.15 4. It is compared to a rod because it strengtheneth and comforteth the fainting spirit and weary heart as a weak or weary man leaneth upon his rod or staff the sweet promises of the Gospel are like unto the honey touched and applyed by Jonathans rod it did revive him and quicken him unto the pursuit of his enemies therefore it is called the rod of his strength Ps 110.2 The promises of the Gospel do minister comfort to Believers in their greatest extremities Ps 23.4 Ps 119.92 as the rods Gen. 30. laid before the sheep in the troughs or gutters made them to conceive with young So the promises of God laid forth in the Word before believers in their weak and feeble condition maketh them to conceive with comfort in the hid man of the heart Vse 1. For admonition not to despise the holy Word which is called here the rod of his mouth although it be spoken by weak men who carry this heavenly treasure in earthen vessels who would refuse precious gold though offered in a
his own good time can easily recompense all our temporal losses even in this world if it seem good in his eyes Is 61.7 For your shame you shall have double and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion therefore in their land they shall possess the double But certainly in that day of restoring all things all losses shall be recompenced though not in specie yet in value exceeding them very far therefore reckon with thy self that all the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us Rom. 8.18 Object 4. The faithful Lord hath promised to deliver out of temptation 1 Cor. 10.13 yet I am daily infested with sinful thoughts and sometime brought into bondage with my own consent Ans Yet it is the better that such thoughts are a grief to thy spirit as Hagar was to Sarah be of good courage the Lord in his own good time will cast out the bond-woman and her child even thy in-dwelling corruption and all the off-spring of it reverence the wisdom of God in suffering thy soul to be molested with these incursions and bickerings of that impure spirit he permits it that the grace of humility and prayer mâ—y be the more exercised by thee all the Canaanites were not driven out of the land of Canaan by the wise providence of God permitting and ordering it for good that the wilde beasts should not multiply in the land So the Lord in his wisdom permits the in-dwelling and stirrings of corruption within thy soul to preveen the encrease of pride and to keep thee humble and watchful and to stir thee up unto daily prayer for encrease of strength in the inner man Therefore give it not over but resist daily trusting to that promise Rom. 16.20 The God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly Thou art engaged into a good cause to fight against thy lusts although through the wiles of Satan at a time thou mayest be brought into bondage yet despair not of victory in end mourn as Peter did after his denyal in the high Priests Hall and if thou mournest bitterly for thy bondage it is not altogether voluntary when thou mourns for it there is some resistance to it from grace in thy will and he that gives grace to resist shall give victory in end Rom. 7.24 25. O wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from the body of this death I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. The father of the possessed child brought his son who had been infested and molested from his childhood and when the child was a-coming to Christ the unclean spirit did vex him and rent him but he went forward to our blessed Lord who charged that soul spirit to come out of him and enter no more into him Mark 9.17 c. So it may be thou art never more infested than when thou hast a resolution to go to Christ and walk after his Commandments yet rise up by repentance and resolution of new obedience who knows but thy mighty Lord will rebuke that unclean motion and say as he did to that unclean spirit I charge thee to come out of him and enter no more into him Object 5. But in the mean time my soul faints within me under great afflictions and desertions because there is neither appearance of comfort nor out-gate Answ As faithfulness cleaveth to his loins as a girdle so let faith in thine heart cleave to him and his promises for as the lungs like bellows do cool and refresh the heart that it faint not through much heat and labour so faith breathing the faithful and gracious promises of God into the fainting soul doth revive the same Psal 27.14 Psal 42.5 Psal 119.81 When the Mariners in the Ship with Paul Acts 27. saw no light outward for directing their course they did cast out their Anchors and waited for the day so when thou who fears the Lord walkest in darkness and hath no light trust in the Name of thy faithful Lord and stay thy self upon thy God Isai 50.10 Remember for thy encouragement thy blessed Lord is faithful and compassionat Mat. 15.32 he had pity on the multitude who had continued with him three days without any bodily refreshment and would not send them away fasting lest they should faint in the way much more thy Lord full of compassion will not suffer a poor humble soul that hath been waiting on him by sincere obedience and for him by a lively hope purifying the heart and thirsting more and more for righteousness to depart out of this life without some refreshment in the inner man but as he did to that old expectant Simeon Luk. 2. he will give him Christ his Saviour into the arms of his faith that he may depart in peace in the hope of salvation VERSE VI. The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb and the leopard shall lie down with the kid and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together and a little child shall lead them FRom this vers to the 10. is set down the great and admirable effects of Christs powerful government by his Spirit and Word to wit a strange change and metamorphosis of persons who before the light of the glorious Gospel did shine in their hearts were of a sensual and brutish disposition and of a wild and savage conversation who were rebellious against God and had an antipathy one against another who were like Wolves in oppression like Leopards and young Lions in fierceness like the Asp and Cockatrice in bitterness of spirit and venomousness in conversation but these after their conversion by the light of the Gospel shall live in obedience and peace with God and in concord with others who before them were in a state of grace The wolf shall dwell with the Lamb and the leopard shall lie down with the kid and the calf and the young lion c. that is they shall be so daunted by the power of grace with the Gospel that they shall live in a sweet communion and fellowship with these who were in Christ before them and also with these who sometimes were also bitter and malicious enemies to the godly even such as had been like Asps and Cockatrices shall be converted and made partakers of the meek and lowly Spirit of Christ The cause of all this change will be the light of the glorious Gospel as it is said in the end of vers 9. For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea As at the Sun-rising the wild beasts do return to their dens and caves so the light of the Gospel in such as are effectually called according to the eternal purpose of God will make their wild and beastly affections to hide themselves for shame and they shall have no pleasure in the unfruitful works of darkness and they shall cast away all their idol-lusts Isai 31.6 7. Hos 14.8 Observ
in our blessed Lord his time did contract dust and fuilÈie and their feet had need of daily washing so our affections are not so closly united to God but many times they are open and enlarged toward the world which defiles the heart and puts even men converted unto a daily necessity of repentance and cleansing from all uncleanness of the flesh and the spirit 2 Cor. 7.1 But in Heaven there will be perfect purity of heart like Angels not a wandering motion there we will be far above the world which defiles the heart and far above the vain shadows of this present world which now and then interveening draws our eye and heart off God but at our change into glory nothing can or will interveen between God and us our minds and our hearts then will be wholly and unchangeably set upon him 4. Though now after conversion there may be some calmness in the conscience yet it continues not alwayes alike some of the godly do say as Job 7.4 I am full of tossing to and fro as David Ps 42.7 All thy waves and thy billows have gone over me and as Hezekiah Is 38.13 As a lyon so will he break all my bones c. But at our last change to glory in heaven there will be a perfect and an everlasting calm like that of men tossed at Sea when they come within a safe Harbour for the salvation of God will be a perpetual bullwark unto them 5. The body of the godly in this life is subject many times as a drudge unto a corrupt and imperious will but at our last change as the will of the godly will be wholly and sweetly subordinat unto the will of God so in the day of resurrection the body with all its members shall be a Temple filled with the Holy Ghost then there shall not be a wrong look in the eye nor an impertinent word in the tongue nor a wrong step in all the course of our bodily motion and conversation the body now is weak and sickly but then it will be ever healthful and strong now it is weary and subject to fainting but then it will be agile as Augustine speaketh it will be in an instant of time wheresoever the spirit shall desire to be then shall our bodies and tabernacles of clay be conform to the pattern shown in the mount when our blessed Lord was transfigured Philip 3.20 Vse 1. For conviction of many who think they are in a state of grace when in the mean time they are carryed away with sense and masterful passions like brute-beasts toward the fulfilling of their sinful lusts some are like Lyons in fierceness some like Bears in their inconsiderat wrath some like evening Wolves in their cruel covetousness some like the Asps in the venom of their tongues and others like the Crocodiles in dissembling their cruelty with false shews of pity that the more easily they may destroy the simple ones but such men would consider in time how far they are from being of the meek Spirit of Jesus Christ now if any man have not the spirit of Christ he is none of his Rom. 8.9 Vse 2. For exhortation to all such who are yet the old men like Moab not changed from their Lees consider 1. in Gods accompt ye are compared to Beasts before this happy change spoken of here be wrought in you and as it is truly said it is better to be a beast than truly compared to a beast 2. Ye can have no evidence that ye are in Christ but from this change If any man be in Christ he is a new creature 2 Cor. 5.17 and if any man be not a new creature he is not yet actually in Christ and it is not possible to be with him in glory after this life except ye be in him first as new creatures in this life for as there is no condemnation to them that are in him so there is no salvation to them that are not in him who is the Saviour only of his mystical body Eph. 5.23 3. If there be no change from thy state of corrupt nature death in its approach will be terrible like a Serjeant at Armes to apprehend a rebel in his act of rebellion and straightwayes to hale him before the Kings Bench Psal 7.12 13. 4. There is no coming to heaven without this change as lepers under the Law were not admitted into the assemblies of the people of God before they were cleansed from their leprosie So there will not be admission into the assembly of the first-born in heaven untill you be cleansed from your sins and all your presumptuous thoughts of salvation without cleansing the heart and conversation are but vain imaginations and groundless phantasies Jer. 4.14 O Jerusalem wash thine heart from wickedness that thou mayest be saved how long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee Vse 3. For confort to all such in whom God by his Word and Spirit has wrought a real change from their former vain and sinful conversation be of good comfort he who has begun the good work of grace in thy soul will finish it untill the day of Jesus Christ Phil. 1.6 he is the wise builder and will perfect his work of free grace begun in thee in this life though thy knowledge of God and of thy happiness in him be but in part yet in the other life it will be full like the light of the Sun at noon-day 1 Cor. 13.12 Now thy knowledge is mediat as through a lattesse then shall it be immediat and intuitive 1 Joh. 3.2 we shall see him as he is In this state of grace our will is not only mutable by nature but also of a mutable condition even after we are in a state of grace and has a proneness and liberty unto evil but in heaven our will shall be of an immutable condition fixed alwayes upon God and subordinat unto his will necessarily yet most freely without all force and co-action for then it will be our meat and drink to do the will of our heavenly Father then there will be perfect purity in the affections we shall be presented to the Father altogether faultless Jude Epist 24. then shall there be full joy and everlasting delight in God himself the supreme good There will be an everlasting calm in the conscience not so much as an air of temptation or whisper of any inordinat motion and all the members of the body will be weapons of righteousness like vessels in the temple above wholly consecrat to God Therefore let the children of God in all the outward changes they see in this unconstant world and in some inward changes they feel now and then in themselves in respect of their spiritual condition yet hold fast their confidence in God and rejoyce in the hope of that unchangeable condition that abides them in heaven Quest Some will say I have a purpose to change and have some wishes for it as a thing necessar in this life before
bring upon themselves eternal judgement Luk. 19.27 Those mine enemies which would not that I should reign over them bring hither and slay them before me 2 Thess 1.6 7 8. It is a righteous thing with God to recompence tribulation to them that trouble you c. In flamming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ Vse 2. For exhortation both to esteem highly of the Gospel and to live a life suitable thereunto esteem highly of it as men do of gold and it is compared to the finest gold tryed in the fire Psal 19.10 because the truth and solid comfort of Gospel-promises is tryed especially in the fire of affliction Psal 119.81.92 Vnless thy law had been my delights I had perished in mine affliction Psal 94.19 In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul Therefore David esteemed more of it than of thousands of gold and silver Psal 119.72 2. It is compared unto a pearl of price Matth. 19.45 46. and men esteem much of precious pearls 3. It is called the doctrine of glad tydings Luk. 2.10 It brings to us the glad tydings of reconciliation of pardon and of true liberty through Jesus Christ such tydings of peace should be very acceptable to rebels and the tydings of true liberty should be much esteemed by us who by nature are bond-slaves to sin and in bondage to the fear of death and damnation therefore we should acquaint our selves more and more with the knowledge of this Gospel and if we esteem highly of it we will delight much in it as men delight much in these studies that are in great estimation with them 4. It is the golden charter of our heavenly inheritance therefore is it called the Gospel of the kingdom and men are very careful to preserve and understand their charters 5. It is called the New Testament 1 Cor. 11.25 and heirs portioners are very careful to understand what is contained in the Testament of their Legator 6. It is called Christs letter to the Church his Spouse and how earnest yea impatient is the dutiful loving wife to read and understand the letter sent from her absent husband 7. The Gospel is the main Subject and Theme of Ministers their preaching for which cause they are called in a special respect Ministers of the New Testament 2 Cor. 3.6 They have most of inward peace and comfort in a time of firy trial who have been building the gold of sound doctrine upon such a foundation but there will be no solid comfort from building the chaff of humane inventions or the mud of their own earthly passions and perturbations by the preaching of the Gospel men are called and brought unto Christ and to this end did our Lord appoint a Ministry to endure in his Church unto the end of the World Matth. 28.19 20. Eph. 4.11 12. This was the great business and work of the holy Apostles and of Apostolick men 2 Cor. 11.2 Col. 1.28 Act. 20.20 21. I grant they may and should preach the Law but principally in order to this end that men being convinced by the Law of their own unrighteousness may seek in to Christ for righteousness and life which is brought to light through the Gospel 2 Tim. 1.10 Ye are also to be exhorted to walk as becomes the Gospel for this is the special practicâ—l duty of sincere Christians Phil. 1.27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the Gospel of Christ 1. It is the Gospel of peace and by it we are called to live in peace one with another 1 Cor. 7.15 God hath called us unto peace 2 Cor. 13.11 Be of one mind live in peace and the God of love and peace shall be with you 2. It is the Gospel of grace and thereby we are called to holiness inward in our hearts and affections and to holiness outward in our conversations Eph. 5.3 But fornication and all uncleaness or covetousness let it not be once named amongst you as becometh Saints 1 Thess 4.7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness but unto holiness For the Gospel taketh not away the mandatory power of the Law which is the fixed rule of our thankfulness and obedience also under the Gospel Rom. 3.31 Do we then make void the Law through faith God forbid yea we establish the Law Tit 2.11 12. The grace of God that bringeth Salvation hath appeared to all men teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly-lusts we should live soberly righteously and godly in this present world Although believers under the Gospel be freed from the condemnatory power of the Law yet are they not freed from the directive and mandatory power of the Law yea the Gospel ties us more strictly to sincere endeavours of new obedience upon a new obligation from our redemption to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all the dayes of our life Luk. 1.74 75. and 2 Cor. 6.20 Ye are bought with a price therefore glorifie God in your body and in your spirit which are Gods 3. The Gospel is called light and therefore our conversation should be in some measure suitable to the opportunity of this heavenly light by walking for men walk in time of light in the wayes of Gods holy Commandments and by working out our own salvation in fear and trembling How unsuitable is it in the day-time for men to come abroad with their night-cloaths How unsuitable are the works of darkness and dishonesty whether secret or open unto the glorious profession of the light of the Gospel Rom. 13.12 13. Eph. 5.8 1 Thes 5.5 6 7 8. Vse 3. For trial if your knowledge of the Gospel be not only literal but also spiritual accompanied with a true and lively faith whose end is the salvation of your souls 1 Pet. 1.9 ye will discern it by these signs 1. Much of literal knowledge fluctuating only in the brain doth oftentimes puff up the mind with a Tympany and windy self-conceit but the spiritual and saving knowledge doth make the heart humble and the spirit sober Paul after he had embraced the Gospel esteemed himself the least of saints and chief of sinners 2. This saving knowledge will conform you to Christ 2 Cor. 3.18 The sincere Convert looks on Christ in the Gospel as his pattern for assimilation and conformity to him as he is set forth in the Gospel-promises and therefrom as your great copy ye would draw and delineat your conversation in holiness and righteousness 1 Pet. 2.21 3. This saving knowledge of Christ in the Gospel will obscure all things worldly and all secular knowledge in comparison of the precious Gospel and the truths revealed therein 1 Cor. 2.2 I determined saith Paul not to know any thing among you save Jesus Christ and him crucified Philip. 3.7 8. I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord c. 4. This saving knowledge in
and refreshed out of the fulness of the merit of his death Mat. 24.28 For wheresoever the carcase is there will the Eagles be gathered together Augustine in his Tractat. on this place â—aith It is a drawing as the shepherd going before draweth the sheep after him by holding forth a green branch in his hand so our blessed Lord worketh in the hearts of the elect that gracious disposition of his own sheep to hear and follow his voice and thereafter by the sweetness of the object propounded to them to wit Christ the Branch of Righteousness and by the inward operation and strong impulse of the Spirit he maketh them follow the outward call of the Word Joh. 10.4 When he putteth forth his own sheep he goeth before them and the sheep follow him for they know his voice 5. It is an invincible and irresistable drawing it is not only by moral swasion of motives taken from benefit or prejudice to their souls but it is by a powerful perswading and efficacious inclining of the heart Gen. 9.27 God shall perswade Japheth and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem. Hos 2.14 Therefore behold I will allure her and bring her into the wilderness and speak comfortably unto her or to her heart Although there is in all men a corrupt principle of resistance to the will of God yet when God is pleased to exert that exceeding greatness of his power toward them that believe Eph. 1.19 Actual resistance is overcome by the insuperable grace of God Jer. 17.14 Heal me O Lord and I shall be healed save me and I shall be saved Jer. 31.18 Turn thou me and I shall be turned for thou art the Lord my God Augustine calleth the operation of grace in our conversion to the wayes of God victrix delectatio an overcoming delight like a sweet and strong smell overcoming and bearing down corrupt vapours and exhalations this grace of God in conversion is rejected by no hard heart because willingness to resist is taken away as Augustine speaketh well to this purpose Therefore humble penitents should look up by faith to Christ on the Cross as he is held forth to them in the Gospel The persons stung in the wilderness looked to the brazen serpent and were healed so whatever thy sins hath been and whatsoever be the sting of thy guilty conscience confess thy sins with purpose and active endeavours for amending thy wayes draw near by faith to Jesus Christ and thou shalt be healed Joh. 3.14 15. As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness even so must the Son of man be lifted up that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have eternal life Although thy faith be weak yet if convinced of thy sins and mourning for them thou look to Christ alone for salvation thou shalt be saved Isai 45.22 Look unto me and be ye saved all the ends of the earth for I am God and there is none else which place speaketh expresly of Christ if we compare vers 23. with Phil. 2.11 All that looked to the brazen serpent in the wilderness were not alike quick-sighted yet all who looked were healed So all stung with sorrow in their hearts for their sins if they fix their eye and heart upon Christ crucified they shall be saved though faith be weak in the measure for our salvation doth not depend upon the strength of our faith but upon the strength and power of Christ in whom we believe And if thou be truly drawn by faith to Christ then Christ and his Cross will be great in thine eyes and estimation far above all things here below As a man lifted up to an high mountain esteems things below in the valley to be but small so a soul elevated by saith to Christ and to things that are above esteems little of all things on earth in comparison of Christ and his unsearchable and durable riches Phil. 3.8 I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord for whom I have suffered the loss of all things and do count them but dung that I may win Christ And the true believer glorieth most in the Cross of Christ who endured the Cross and despised the shame to save us poor souls from extreme and everlasting pain and shame Gal. 6.14 As we believe the merit of the Cross of Christ so let us labour to feel more and more of the power of his Cross crucifying sin in us and drawing our hearts from the vanities of this present world and quickening us to serve and honour him who spared not his life but gave it to the death of the Cross for us To him with the Father and the Holy Spirit be all praise c. Amen Soul-healing vertue in Christ to the broken in heart SERMON III. PSAL. 147.3 He healeth the broken in heart and bindeth up their wounds THe holy Prophet stirreth up his own heart and the hearts of others from the consideration of the glorious attributes and works of the Lord to praise his great Name and amongst these works for the manifestation of his compassion and mercy toward poor mourning sinners because he healeth the broken in heart and bindeth up their wounds This our blessed Lord applyeth to himself as a work of mercy common to him with the Father Luk. 4.18 He hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted As in healing the diseases and wounds of the body there be these three considerable 1. The Physician 2. The Patient 3. The Cure it self So it is in healing the diseases of the soul and wounds of the spirit of man We have all these three in these words 1. The Physician is the Lord himself Jehovah He. 2. The Patient The broken in heart and wounded in spirit 3. The Cure He healeth The Lord God is the soveraign Physician who according to his good pleasure healeth all distempers He healeth a distempered civil State by restoring civil Peace Psal 46.9 Psal 147.14 A distempered Church by restoring Unity Peace and Love Isa 30.26 Jer. 30.17 Jer. 32.39 He healeth breaches in families by restoring domestick Peace and Amity He healeth distempers through bodily diseases Ezod 15.25 2 Kings 20.5 He healeth Souls distempered through the guilt and sting of an evil conscience Psal 103.3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities who healeth all thy diseases Jer. 3.22 Return ye backsliding Children and I will heal your backslidings In all our distempers it is our wisdom and duty to go to God and to his Son Jesus Christ the Soveraign Physician for healing sick Souls Psal 61.2 From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee when my heart is overwhelmed lead me to the rock that is higher then I. Psa 60.2 Thou hast made the earth to tremble thou hast broken it heal all the breaches thereof for it shaketh especially when the soul is in an high fever and distemper of grief and fear through bypast sins Psal 41.4 I said Lord be merciful unto me heal my soul
For if they be taken away with the common calamity yet they get their souls for a prey Good Josiah is said to have been gathered to his grave in peace 2 Chron. 34.28 Although he was slain by the bloody sword of an enemy 3. It is evident from the contrary evil of an hard heart because man's wilful hardning of himself in his evil wayes against warnings from the Word of God from the rod of God upon himself or others and from the sharp checks of a guilty conscience doth provoke God judicially to harden him by giving him up to a Conscience past feeling to commit sin with greediness and so to obstruct their own healing because not the hardned but the broken in heart are healed Mat. 13.15 For this peoples heart is waxed gross c. Lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and should understand with their heart and should be converted and I should heal them For when wicked men do wilfully harden themselves in their evil wayes it is just with God to withdraw his former common restraints such as were the checks of a â—emording Conscience and a panick fear of wrath to come thereafter he casts the bridle on their neck then do they run wild in their own imaginations when they are given up in the just judgement of God to walk in the counsels of their own hearts Psal 81.11 12. The means and helps for breaking of the heart that in all men is naturally hard are 1. A laying to heart the severe threatnings of God against sin Jer. 23.29 Is not my word like an hammer Many men hear the word of threatning but are still hardned their heart is not broken because the threatning is not said to heart by Faith The old world Mat. 24.39 though they knew the threatning of the deludge by the preaching of Noah yet they knew not that is they laid it not to heart till the flood came The hammer breaks not the hard stone until it be laid to it with some pith but when it is laid to heart it doth in some measure begin the work of heart-breaking Jonah 3.5 They believed God in his threatning and proclaimed a fast which was a proclamation of their sorrow for their sins Faith to the threatning worketh fear in the heart and fear breaks the heart with present sorrow from a present apprehension of the wrath to come this was the cause of Ahab his sorrow and legal humiliation 1 Kings 21.27 but in the children of God this fear and brokenness of heart is so ordered in the wisdom and mercy of God that it prepareth them for the comforts of the Gospel in Jesus Christ as Noah moved with fear and apprehension of the threatned deludge prepared an ark to the saving of himself and his house Heb. 11.7 In like manner the children of God warned and wakened by the threatning of the Law flee in to Christ the only Ark and propitiation that covereth believers from the curse of the Law and eternal wrath 1 Joh. 2.1 2. If any man sin we have an Advocat with the Father Jesus Christ the righteous and he is the propitiation for our sins 2. Sad afflictions laid home with conviction to the Conscience is a mean oft-times ordered by God to break an hard heart as is seen in Manasseh who was humbled by his fetters and in the Prodigal who was humbled by great famine and want the unjust reproaches of enemies contrary to their intention like that man who opened the Apostem in the body of his enemy by a dart thrown at him are ordered by God to break the heart of his children with sorrow for by-past sins the reproaches of vile Shimei calling David a bloody man in the matter of Saul wherein he was most innocent yet it did break his heart with sorrow in remembrance of the matter of Vriah 3. A particular confession of our sins is a mean blest of God to the breaking of the heart when we consider the circumstances of their number and greatness against infinit Majesty infinitly just who will not clear the guilty when we consider the Omniscience and Omni-presence of God that we have done this and the other evil in his sight and so have been shamless in our sinning as the vile adulteress is shameless by intertaining the adulterer in the presence of her husband when we consider our wilfulness and obstinacy in sinning against the light of our own conscience as these men did Act. 7.51 When we consider our relapses like the Sow to the puddle the Dog to the vomit after many promises and resolutions in the day of affliction to the contrair when we consider our base ungratitude not only neglecting to render to the Lord according to his benefits bestowed upon us but also our rendring to him evil for good and so deserving that evil of punishment should never depart from us Prov. 17.15 4. A particular register remembrance of Gods former mercies in doing us good all our dayes by providing for us and preserving us from many visible and invisible dangers when we call to remembrance his patience and long-suffering in bearing with us in our sins this brake the hard heart of the Prodigal when he remembred the former bounty of his gracious father Luk. 15.17 18. 5. A serious and frequent meditation of death and judgement will be a mean to break an hard heart aâ— a man drowned in debt not aquainted with any that will be surety for him and knoweth assuredly the rude Messenger will take him personally at the Term arrest him and present him to the Judge then the irrevockable sentence will come forth Take him bind him hand and foot c. It broke the heart of Pauls companions that he said they should see his face no more Act. 20.38 So the fear of the day of death and of judgement should break the hard heart when they consider if they go on and die in their sins they shall be separate from God for ever and never shall see his face Therefore break thine heart with sorrow for bygone sins break off thy course of iniquity by righteousness make thine aquaintance in time with Jesus Christ the Surety and Mediator of the New Covenant and pray with Hezekiah Lord I am oppressed undertake thou for me If now he be thine Advocat thou needest not be afraid of that day of judgement because thy Advocat will be thy Judge repent of thy sins and by faith make application to him as thy Advocat and intercessour at the Fathers right hand be of good courage he that speaketh for thee now will not speak against thee in that day 6. Look oft by Faith and frequent meditation upon Christ crucified this is a special Medicine and Lenitive to soften the hard heart Zach. 12.10 This look to him by faith is like the blood of the goat which breaketh the hard Adamant look on him wounded for thy transgressions both in his body and spirit
shall the innocent Cautioner be wounded and sore distressed and shall not the Principal debtor be wounded with sorrow for the debt he himself contracted shall our spotless Cautioner suffer shame and reproach and shall not our hearts be broken with grief and shame for our sins which put the innocent Lamb of God to open reproach Psal 22.6 7. Psal 69.20 7. Pray to God for a soft and broken heart it is promised in the New Covenant Ezek. 36.26 27. Pray for the influence and insuperable operation of the grace of God upon thy hard heart that thou may know in thy self what is the exceeding greatness of his power to them who believe according to the working of his mighty power c. Ephes 1.19 The influence of his overpowering and overcoming grace will be as Aqua-fortis to cut and divide an heart of iron we are like little children within the house that can shut the door of the heart upon our selves but cannot open it Therefore we must cry to him who both opens the dark understanding Luk. 24.45 and also the heart and affections Act. 16.14 that he would open our hard hearts by his preveening grace and by his subsequent grace he would keep them open and enlarge them by love toward himself and his holy Commandments 3. The cure of the broken in heart he healeth them and bindeth up their wounds God healeth these that are of a broken heart with sorrow under great afflictions upon their persons or outward estate Hos 6.1 Come and let us return unto the Lord for he hath torn and he will heal us he hath smitten and he will bind us up The Lord healeth these that are thus wounded by giving them patience and strength in the inner-man to bear the visitation of the Lord in the day of their trouble Psal 138.3 In the day when I cryed thou answeredst me and strengthendst me with strength in my soul Sometimes he comforts them with inward peace and joy that exceeds the pain they have from outward tribulation 2 Cor. 1.4 5. Who comforteth us in all our tribulation c For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ and sometimes by delivering them in their greatest extremity 2 Cor. 1.9 10. But we had the sentence of death in our selves that we should not trust in our selves but in God which raiseth the dead who delivered us from so great a death and doth deliver in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us The Lord healeth also in a more special manner those whose hearts are broken with sorrow for their sins This is the healing we should desire most as David did in the time of his great sickness Psal 41.4 I said Lord be merciful unto me heal my soul for I have sinned against thee Our greatest care should be of soul-health 1. Because our care should be greater to have the soul healed than the body or outward estate This was David's first and greatest desire in the time of sore sickness Ps 39.8 13. he first prayes for deliverance from his sins and then with submission for deliverance from his bodily disease Deliver me from all my transgressions O spare me that I may recover strength before I go hence and be no more The soul is more precious than the body as men are more careful to have an Apostem in the inward and noble parts healed than a scratch in the skin of the body so our first and greatest care should be to have the diseases of our souls healed 2. If the spirit be healed and if a man have peace with God and his own conscience he will be able patiently to bear the infirmities of the body But a wounded spirit who can bear Prov. 18.14 As a man having an Ulcer in his back is much disquieted even with a little burden but if the back be sound and whole he can walk quietly under a great burden So when there is no health nor peace in the conscience a very small affliction doth disquiet and perplex our hearts but when we have inward health and peace in the conscience we are able through the Lord who strengtheneth us to walk patiently and quietly under a great affliction Psal 23.4 Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for thou art with me thy rod and thy staff they comfort me Psal 138.7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble thou wilt revive me 3. Unlese ye have a care of your souls-healing in this life there is no coming to perfect soul-health and salvation in Heaven as the Lepers under the Law were not admitted into publick meetings till first they were cleansed and healed so no unclean thing shall enter into the New Jerusalem Rev. 21.27 That we may the better understand what this soul-healing is and how the cure is performed we would consider that sin in Scripture is compared oftentimes to sickness Isai 1.5 and in many places to leprosie 1. In bodily sickness there is a privation and want of health so in sin there is want of Original Righteousness which was the sound constitution of man in the state of innocency 2. In bodily sickness there is a collision of humours like contrary waves making a commotion in the body so in our corrupt hearts there is a contrariety of unruly lusts one desiring this visible and sensual good and another lust carried after another sinful object 3. In sickness there is consumption and a tendency unto death unless it be preveened so in sin there is a tendency unto eternal death unless it be preveened by the pardon of our sins in the blood of Christ 4. In sickness bodily men oftentimes become weaker and weaker so unless they be restored by sanctification sinners grow worse and worse 2 Tim 3.13 Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse deceiving and being deceived Therefore by healing is meant specially these two 1. The forgiving of sin to these who are broken in heart with sorrow for it Isa 33.24 And the inhabitant shall not say I am sick to wit unto the second death the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity 2. The sanctifying of a broken-hearted man and healing him by degrees from in-dwelling corruption which many times over-mastered him these two acts of soul-healing are set down Psal 103.3 Bless the Lord who forgiveth all thine iniquities who healeth all thy diseases By the remission of sin the soul is healed and recovered from a state of guiltiness and obligation to punishment eternal and by sanctification it is recovered from pineing away in iniquity The impediments of soul-healing are 1. Waywardness and frowardness of men who cannot endure to have their wounds touched and ript up by the word of reproof Prov. 1.30 31. They would none of my counsel they despised all my reproof therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way and be filled with their own devices They cannot
in reason should be so to grieve the Kings Secretary that has past their gift gratis through the Seals 3. The Spirit of God is the comforter And shouldest thou grieve him who many a time has comforted and supported thee in the day of thy trouble and grief If thou grieve the Comforter to whom wilt thou go in the day of new troubles on thy spirit for comfort and strength Vse 1. Therefore grieve not the holy Spirit in whom ye live 1. By your unruly passions he is the Spirit of love and peace grieve him not by your envy and malice one against another it was a grief to Moses his spirit who was a man living in the Spirit to see the Hebrews at strife one with another the holy Spirit is a Spirit of purity and vile thoughts and motions in the heart entertained with delight grieveth him as the daughters of Heth did grieve Rebekah he is a liberal Spirit as he is called Psal 51.12 and our base nigardness and unmercifulness toward the poor doth much grieve him 2. Grieve not the Spirit by speaking or doing against the light of your conscience which being inspired by the Word of God is the counsel of the Spirit thus did Ananias grieve the Spirit Act. 5.3 4. and the Rulers Act 7.51 3. We grieve him by our unbelief in new exigents of trouble notwithstanding our former experiences of his power and bounty as the Disciples grieved our Lord Mat. 16.8 9. It is no small grief to thy friend if thou distrust him in a small matter when thou hast had experience of his kindness in great matters 4. We would by all means beware of mocking the work of the Spirit in others it was a great grief to Sarah that Ishmael mocked her son Isaac so this mocking of the work of mortification and holiness doth greatly grieve the Spirit of God any Artificer is grieved to hear the work of his hands to be undervalued and despised by others so the Spirit of God is greatly grieved and displeased to see holiness which is his own proper work in all who live in the Spirit to be undervalued and despised by the men of this present world who mind not the things of the Spirit but of the flesh Labour to be spiritual and like to the Spirit by whom we live we are said to be sealed by the Spirit Ephes 1.13 and there is an impression of the seal upon the wax so if we live by the Spirit and be sealed by him there will be an impression of holineâ—s and purity in some measure answering to the Spirit by which we are sealed Let us be spiritual in our intentions toward the honour of God with any gift of the Spirit bestowed upon us for our Lord saith of the Spirit Joh. 16.14 He shall glorifie me for he shall receive of mine and shew it unto you Let us labour to be spiritual and heavenly-minded often conversing in our hearts with God Phil. 3.20 Our conversation is in Heaven like Pilgrims who being abroad do often mind their own native country let us be spiritual in our delights for they that are after the Spirit mind the things of the Spirit Rom. 8.5 Let our delight be most in God and things heavenly as in spiritual benefits spiritual ordinances and spiritual duties let us labour to be spiritual and sincere in the worship of God for the Father seeketh such to worship him Joh. 4.23 Vse 2. The duty propoâ—ed walk in the Spirit that is walk by the power and grace of the Spirit according to the light of the Word inspired and dictated by the Spirit this Word in the original signifieth to walk foot for foot after the leading and teaching of the Spirit by the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as young children walk after the footsteps of their father in the same path though not with steps equal to the father or as School-boyes learn the A B C and first elements which are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 one letter after another In like manner we learn precept upon precept and thereafter do construct and set the actions of our life and conversation together aright according to the rule of the Word of God so that by walking in the Spirit is meant the course of sanctification and of new obedience required by God of us in the covenant of grace as it was said by God to Abraham the father of the faithful Gen. 17.1 Walk before me and be thou upright God promiseth in the new covenant of rich and free grace that he will both give unto his people power to walk in his commandments and also actual assistance in walking Ezek. 36.26 27. A new heart also will I give you and a new spirit will I put within you c. And I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes To this duty we engage our selves in the Sacraments of Baptism and the Lords Supper to walk in newness of life Rom. 6.4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father even so we also should walk in newness of life And in the Sacrament of the Lords Supper we renew our engagement made in Baptism The duty of new obedience is called a walking 1. Because in waâ—king there is a place from which we walk and turn fâ—om so in the course of new obedience we must forsake our former evil wayes Isa 55.7 Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts 2. There is the way wherein men do walk so the man renewed by the Spirit doth walk in the way of Gods commandments Ezek. 20.19 I am the Lord your God walk in my statutes 3. A light according to the which men walk so in ouâ— Christian walking the light is the Word of God Psal 119.105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path 4. In walking through a wilderness and dangerous places men have need of a skilful guide as Hobab was to the people of Israel in the wilderness So men renewed hath need of the holy Spirit to guide and lead them by his strength from one duty to another Therefore David prayeth so often for quickning in the wayes of Gods commandments for it is not enough that once we be quickned to a new life but we have need also to be quickned thereafter and stirred up to the duties of a new life Psal 119.37 Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity and quicken thou me in thy way 5. As in bodily walking there is an end and place toward which we walk so in our spiritual walking we walk from strength to strength aiming at perfection and the seeing and enjoying of God in mount Sion that is above 2 Cor. 7.1 Having therefore these promises let us cleanse our selves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit perfecting holiness in the fear of God Phil. 3.13.14 I count not my self
not stiff-necked as your fathers were but yeeld your selves unto the Lord and serve the Lord your God c. Lay up provision of thy own personal experience of sad afflictions upon thy self in a time of thy former strayings from God and of the good such afflictions did to thee in stopping thy course of defection Psal 119.67 Before I was afflicted I went astray but now have I kept thy word And in a time of renewed afflictions be patient and submit to God who chastiseth his own children to this end especially that he may make them partakers of his holiness Heb. 12.10 In time of great affliction lay up provision from thy experience of his strength supporting thee and of his wisdom and power in delivering thee that in time coming thy heart may be established by confidence and dependence on him in new troubles Psal 42.6 O my God my soul is cast down within me therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan and of the Hermonites from the hill Mizar 2 Cor. 1.9 10. But we had the sentence of death in our selves that we should not trust in our selves but in God which raiseth the dead who delivered us from so great a death and doth deliver in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us 4. Lay up provision of self-denial and resolution for evil times of persecution to come Mat. 16.24 If any man will come after me let him deny himself c. And he must be resolute as Paul Act. 21.13 I am ready not only to be bound but also to die at Jerusalem for the Name of the Lord Jesus From this Doctrine of Redeeming the time three sorts of persons are justly to be reproved 1. Slothful Idlers who redeem not the time but from day to day delay to put heart and hand to the work of their own salvation like the sluggard Prov. 6.10 Yet a little sleep a little slumber Such men are like to spend-thrifts who neglect the appointed time for redeeming their morgaged lands and afterward when they would they have not the opportunity Luk. 13.24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate for many I say unto you will seek to enter in and shall not be able 2. Such as trifle away their time as the Athenians did Act. 17.21 As these tatling widows did 1 Tim. 5.17 and as these busie bodies 2 Thess 3.11 Such also who spend more time in their excessive recreations and gaming 's than in their necessary and lawful employments especially such who spend much of their time in dycing and carding Such of old were severely fined by the laws both of Heathen and Christian Emperours and by the Canons of the Council of Eliberis were suspended from the holy Sacrament as witnesseth the learned Ductor dubitantium such prodigal triflers of precious time are like to some foolish persons who spend upon conceits and fancies the moneys that should have been imployed to redeem their morgages so these men play away their time which should be employed to redeem their former time that was ingaged to their former foolish courses 3. The debauched wasters of time in the works of darkness as uncleanness drunkenness oppression covetousness pride malice c. Such men redeem not the time but prodigally cast it away they are like unto profuse wasters who do not redeem the wodsett but take on more debt and in end bring themselves to sinful shameful and desperat poverty So these prodigal wasters and debauchers of their time bring themselves in end to an everlasting want of all comfort as the rich glutton did Luk. 16.23 24. Therefore let all sorts and conditions of men take with the warning to improve their time to the glory of God and to the advantage of their own salvation 1. Such as are in their adolescency and growing age they would improve their young years to the glorifying of their Creator Eccles 12.1 Remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth Offer the first fruits of your age unto God that your after-age may be sanctified and blessed of the Lord if the first-fruits be holy the whole lump of your time and age will be holy Rom. 11.16 Plato to this purpose speaketh indeed like a divine Philosoph in his first book of his Repub. Young age saith he pâ—st over in vertue and in honest imployments is a comfortable nurse to entertain and cherish their old age but he that wasteth and debaucheth his young years when he comes to old age the remembrance of his former miscarriages in the time of his youth doth greatly afright him as infants awaked out of their sleep by loud noises are greatly terrified and afrighted In like manner those men that sleeped sometimes securely in the sins of their youth shall be awaked in their old age with the terrours of an accusing conscience and afrighted with the dreadful found of death and judgement and shall not have rest to their souls until they repent of the sins of their youth and by â—aith rest on the Lord Jesus Christ whose blood cleanseth from all unrighteousness 2. Such as are in their prime and meridian of their time who are now in their full strength of body and mind Improve your time well honour God with the strength of thy body give not thy strength and the flower of thy time to uncleanness and drunkenness like these cursed men Isa 5.22 Wo unto them that are mighty to drink wine by so doing they weaken the spirit and consume the body they turn the good gifts of God unto rebellion against himself as if a souldier should employ his levy-mony to buy armes wherewith he might fight against his King who gave it Reuben the beginning of Jacobs strength abused his own time and strength therefore his dignity and excellency was taken from him but Joseph improved well his youth and strength of body therefore God blessed him and his bow abode in strength in despight of all that shot at him Now is the time wherein your senses and judgement are ripe and quick use your time and judgement well that ye may have comfort in old age when senses and judgement will fail as they did in old Barzillay but if your quickness be set on edge upon vain inventions ye will be forced in your old age to say as Rom. 6.21 What pleasure have we or fruits in those things whereof we are now ashamed 3. And such who are in their decrept old age stouping toward the earth and the grave let them not imploy their short time and their affections wholly upon the things of the earth when by the course of nature they are near to be removed from it Let them not be busie in the things of the world and careless of the work of their own salvation I say to them as the Lord of the Vineyard said to those Matth. 20. Why stand ye all day idle ye are come to your eleventh hour your time is near run the night of death is near hand wherein no
divine worship for a time in the wilderness until it got a settled residence in the Temple of Jerusalem in like-manner our souls in this time of our sojourning on the earth are lodged in frail bodies subject to many changes and to a continual flux By building or an house not made with hands is meant the immortal glorious body in Heaven here in this life the parents do minister the materials of our frail and natural bodies but the immortality and glory of the heavenly body will be only from God himself as is evident Phil. 3.20 21. It is said we groan 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as men straitned and pressed with a burden that hinders them to go so fast in their journey as they would therefore the holy Apostle groans and longs to be eased of that burden of the body which retards him in his motions toward his countrey that is above and he desires to be clothed upon with that heavenly house of incorruption and to be invested in that full glory when the soul will be re-united unto a glorious body for ever without separation as likewise the body will be ever with the soul and where-ever it desires to be for the desire of the soul will be satisfied in Heaven as August de Civit. Dei saith truly Protinus ubi volet spiritus ihi erit corpus where-ever the spirit will desire to be there incontinent shall the body be In the words we have 1. The Apostle his assured knowledge of that far better estate after this life vers 1. For we know that if our earthly house c. 2. The effect this knowledge wrought in the holy Apostle to wit an earnest desire after that eternal house vers 2. For in this we groan earnestly desiring c. From the words we draw clearly these four Conclusions 1. The dissolution of the body is certain Our earthly house will be dissolved 2. The glory of the bodies of believers in this life is certain in the life to come We have a building of God c. 3. There is a great difference and opposition between our present and future condition in the body now the body of believers is in this life earthly and hath need of earthly supports and propps but hereafter in Heaven it will be heavenly in respect of its qualities it will not be gross and heavy but subtile and agile it is now corruptible but then it will be eternal now it is on the earth as a poor cottage of clay in the wilderness then will it be in Heaven as a Pallace beautiful strong and unmoveable upon Mount Zion that is above 4. The assured knowledge of our interest and title through Christ unto that happy condition of glory both in soul and body will stir up in believers a vehement desire of that compleat happiness in Heaven for in this we groan c. Conclus 1. There will be a dissolution of the body by death For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved that is although it were dissolved as the particle which is also here 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is well rendered 1 Cor. 4.15 Though you have ten thousand instructers in Christ and the same particle is sometimes taken for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 when 1 Joh. 3.2 We know that when he shall appear c. and so it may be well rendered here also when our earthly house of this tabernacle shall be dissolved Certain it is it shall be dissolved Heb. 9.27 It is appointed for all to die Rom. 5.12 17. Sin came over all and by sin also death 1 Cor. 15.22 In Adam all die Rom. 6.23 The wages of sin is death If man had not sinned he had never died and of this immortality of the body upon the condition of his continuance in the estate of innocency the tree of life was a visible Sacrament and seal of assurance so as man was created with a possibility I do not say a power or inclination to sin or not to sin according as he should use the power of his own free will even so accordingly he was created with a body capable of mortality or immortality It is a gross errour of some who have it from the Pelagians denying Original sin That man would have died although he had continued in the estate of innocency by reason say they of the materials of the body made up of contrary qualities that by wearing one upon another would have made an alteration in the body and in end brought corruption But although mans body was composed of contrary qualities apt to war and wear one against another yet if man had continued in harmony and correspondence with his Creators will he would have kept these qualities in a just harmony one with another as he restrained the Lion and Wolf from devouring the Lamb and Kid in the Ark of Noah the Lion from doing any harm to the Prophets Ass 1 King 13.24 and the fire from finzing the hair of the head of the three Children Dan. 3.27 Is it not very probable the glorified Bodies in Heaven will have these same primitive natural qualities and yet they will be without any alteration or corruption is it not evident that the sentence of death was threatned only upon the condition of sinning against God The day thou eatest thou shalt die That this is not to be understood only of the spiritual death of the soul in being deprived of the favour of God is clear Gen. 3.19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread till thou return unto the ground for out of it was thou taken for dust thou art and unto dust shalt thou return So that the sentence formerly threatned is execute upon man after his failie and for his failie Seing this earthly house will be certainly dissolved our care of it should be moderat and not immoderat let us not torment our selves with vexatious care what we shall eat or what we shall put on if we have food and raiment in any competent measure let us be content therewith as sojourners are content with a small portion in the time of their sojourning Let your greatest care be of your immortal souls which are as a precious jewel inclosed in the body for a time Is it not a shame for many persons to have so much care and take such pains for adorning a mortal body and in the mean time to neglect their immortal soul Were it not a sensless folly in a man to put forth all his care upon the repairing of the outside of his house and yet to have no care of the precious stuff and plenishing within it Frequent meditations of the certainty of the dissolution of our bodies would keep our spirits more humble and sober in the dayes of prosperity and health to this end the very Heathens did often think upon their mortality a Lictor or Serjeant was put into the triumphal chariot beside the Conquerour to put him in mind of his mortality
of believers in this life and the condition of their glorified bodies in the life to come here the body is an earthly house mouldering down dayly but in heaven it will be fixt eternal and incorruptible This opposition is clearly set forth 1 Cor. 15.41 42 43. 1. Now the body of the Saints is subject to alteration and corruption It is sowâ— saith the Apostle in corruption but raised in incorruption The body now is in a continual flux and decay some pickles of our dust are running dayly our life is like a lamp within this pitcher of clay having need dayly to be recruited by fresh oyl but in heaven our bodies will be of a fixed condition without any need of reparation then the vital and animat spirits of the body will be pure and free from all superfluous humors and from all conflict of one bodily quality against another which like contrary tydes do make a great commotion within the body but in heaven there will be a perfect harmony amongst all the elementary qualities in the body and therefore no possiblity of alteration or declining to old age 2. There is an opposition in respect of the feature and beauty of the body The body is sown in dishonour but raised in honour Our body in this life is called a vile body Phil. 3.20 Saccus stercorum and the greatest on earth must carry about with them these monitories of humility A little time before death the face becomes pale and earth-like as wine near-run doth smell of the dreg after the soul is gone like an heavenly spark of fire out of a mud-house then the body becomes nasty and loathsome through stench Abraham desired to bury his some-time beautiful Sarah out of his sight But in the day of resurrection the bodies of the godly will be raised in honour like unto the glorious body of Christ As the tabernacle in the wilderness was made according to the pattern shown unto Moses in the Mount so the tabernacle of our body will be raised according to the pattern of Christs bâ—â—y shown in mount Tabor when he was transfigured Mat. 17. They will be raised in great comeliness both for splendor and proportion these bodies that had any defect or deformity in this life through want of any member shall have all made up in that day of restoring all things he that bringeth forth the lillie from under the ground in beautiful colours exceeding the glory of king Solomon and he that restored Malchus his ear will adorn the body with beauty and with integrity of members all doubts how such a thing can be are resolved by the Apostle Phil. 3.21 He will do it according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself 3. There is an opposition in respect of the healthful disposition and constitution of the body It is sown in weakness but will be raised in power The best constitution of the body now in comparison of that it had in the estate of innocency is at the best but weakness although all bodies now be not alike weak yet a sharp fit of an ague or of the stone will lay the strongest man on his back even the strongest bodies through much labour do become weak and feeble as a strong bow through much shooting becomes flug and remiss Sampson notwithstanding his great strength became weary and thirsty after his fight with the Philistines and on death-bed the strongest man is not able to carry a drink to his own head or to turn himself in his bed but in the day of resurrection the body will be raised in power and strength and so continue without all weariness for weakness in the body and weariness after labour is a consequent of mans fall and of original corruption if man had not fallen his labour in the garden would have been only a pleasant recreation without toil and sweat but in heaven there will be no remaines of corruption in the soul and therefore no weariness in the body 4. There is a great opposition between our body now and the glorified body in the resurrection in respect of exercise and operations It is sown a natural body but will be raised a spiritual body not of a spiritual Aerial or Etherial substance for the same individual body will be raised and it was not in this life Aerial or Etherial there will be a raising up of that same body which is fallen 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and that was a terrestrial body it is said demonstratively 1 Cor. 15.54 This corruptible and this mortal But the body will be raised up with spiritual qualities now it is a natural body and has need of natural means for preserving and continuing the spece and kind by Generation as also of meat drink and sleep for preserving the Individual by nutrition but after the resurrection the body will be abstract and retired from the use of these natural means and operations the glorified Saints will be like unto Angels neither giving in marriage nor taking in marriage Mat. 22.30 The number of the Elect and of the Church Triumphant will be compleat at the resurrection there will be no more enlargeing of the Church by posterity the whole desire and delight of the Saâ—nts glorified will be so â—ully taken up with the vision and fruition of the all-sufficient and unchangeable God that the beatifick vision will drown and swallow up any remembrance of natural desire or delight on the creature if Peter Matth. 17. was so deeply affected with a sight of that created glory he saw on mount Tabor that he forgot all his former contentments and enjoyments worldly below the mount when he said It is good for us to be here How much more will the Saints in heaven be ravished with the sight and knowledge of that increated glory of God himself in their souls when he shall be marvellous in his Saints 2 Thes 1.10 and when they shall also behold the glory of Jesus Christ the Sun of Righteousness in his humane glorified body The glorified body will not have any use or need of meat drink or sleep because the body then will be of a fixed and durable constitution and consistence without all possibility of alteration or decay Rev. 7.16 In heaven the body will be spiritual in respect of lucidity and agility in motion like unto the celestial Spirits and Angels who in a very short time make their motions through a vast space and interval as the Angel Gabriel did Dan. 9.23 In like manner our bodies then will be carryed quickly in an imperceptible moment of time wheresoever our souls shall desire to be 1 Thes 4.17 We shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air As for these members of the body which in this life serve for necessar and natural use they will serve in heaven for ornament and integrity of the body as the breasts of the woman come to old age who sometimes
God and the care of all their concernments unto their wise Lord who can raise up a Joshua in the place of Moses and an Elisha in the place of Elijah and also enable them with the spirit of their Calling It is also a natural and pious desire of godly Parents to live that they may bring up their young children in the knowledge and the fear of the Lord and under God provide for them nevertheless when they perceive it is Gods will to remove them by death from their children they willingly submit themselves to the will of God and as they cast themselves and the care of their soul upon the God of their salvation so with confidence they commit their children to God who taketh this title unto himself to be the father of the fatherless And I know well the God of truth doth not assume empty titles but is fully answerable unto them in the work of his gracious and fatherly providence 3. A cause of their unwillingness to die is sometimes their want of full assurance of the remission of their sins and of the salvation of their souls but if they had this they profess they would be most willing to die For answer to this scruple I confess it is no wonder the child of God desire this full assurance because the more they have of a well-grounded assurance they have the more of inward peace and comfort yet though thou have not that full assurance which is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the full assurance of faith yet if by thy true repentance thou hast forsaken thy former evil wayes and hast brought forth fruits meet for repentance in the amendment of thy life and by faith cleavest to Christ and to the merit of his perfect righteousness I say unto thee as our blâ—ssed Lord said unto the Ruler of the Synagogue Mark 5.36 Be not afraid only believe Remember that of John 3.18 He that believeth on him is not condemned And Joh. 3.36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life That full assurance called in a borrowed phrase 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is like that of a Ship coming in to the Harbour with full Sails before the wind yet some Ships in time of a storm will come in safe also with a piece of a Cross-sail Bless thou God for thy faith of adherence to the Lord Jesus Christ and to the promises of salvation in him if with Job thou can say with an upright heart Job 13.15 Though he slay me yet will I trust in him Consider I beseech thee for thy comfort that God is more zealous of his own honour in performing his faithful promise made unto believers who depend upon him by faith and obedience than thou canst be of thine own salvation as he takes no pleasure in the destruction of a sinner so he takes much pleasure in thy turning and trusting in him if thou die leaning by faith on him and his promise of salvation then shalt thou be saved and carried by him out of this wilderness unto that Paradise which is above as it is said Cant. 8.5 Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness leaning upon her beloved If the Son of God the beloved of the Father be also thy beloved and if thou die leaning on him then shalt thou come out of the wilderness of this world and shalt be filled with his everlasting love and fulness of the purest joy and delight in the Kingdom of Heaven Quest What are the means and helps to make the children of God willing to remove out of the body Ans 1. A special mean is that set down here in the Text to wit the assured knowledge of a far better estate after this life Moses a little time before his death went up to the top of Pisgah Deut. 34. and there the Lord shewed unto him the pleasant and plentiful land of Canaan that was on the other side of Jordan after which sight he willingly died there in like-manner the Lord our God for their further encouragement elevats the minds of his children by the eye of faith toward their eternal rest in Heaven then their hearts are so affected with love and desire to be there with Christ that they say as Paul did Phil. 1.23 I desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ which is best of all Old Simeon a long expectant of glory waited for Christ the consolation of Israel and when he got him in his arms he said Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace for mine eyes have seen thy salvation Luk. 2.29 30. In like-manner faith embracing Christ the Saviour and the hope of salvation in him and with him doth depart in peace 2. The seal of the Holy Spirit in the work and course of our sanctification doth encourage and make us willing to die as the Seal of earthly Kings make sure to men their earthly possessions so the King of kings by the Seal of the Holy Spirit as our Sanctification is called Eph. 1.13 maketh sure unto believers their heavenly inheritance which is said to be among them which are sanctified by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ Acts 26. â—8 Therefore as ye would die willingly in the hope of that heavenly inheritance be very careful that your gift thereof pass not only through the Common Seal of the outward Ordinances of hearing the Word and receiving the holy Sacraments but also through the Privy Seal of purifying and sanctifying the heart for Blessed are they that are pure in heart they shall see God Mat. 5.8 and without holiness none shall see God Heb. 12.14 There is no coming unto the heavenly inheritance without regeneration as a child yet unborn cannot actually have the possession of an inheritance 3. The earnest of the Spirit which is also called The first fruits of the Spirit Rom. 8.23 maketh a man willing to die as a man receiving though a small earnest-peny out of the hand of one that is faithful and able to perform the whole bargain at the term doth trust to his faithful promise and withal having received some earnest of the promised sum the nearer the term of performance is he is the more joyful In like-manner the child of God having sometime received an earnest or first-fruits of his salvation in the sense of Gods love shed abroad in his heart by the Holy Ghost some peace in his conscience by faith in Jesus Christ the Saviour of sinners and some joy of the promised salvation from a lively hope to be with Christ the nearer he is to the term of his removal he is or may be the more joyful so it was with the Apostle Paul 2 Cor. 5 8. He also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit therefore we are confident and willing rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. These first fruits of the Spirit in the soul are like unto these few clusters Joshua and Caleb brought from the valley of Eshcol they
give some refreshment to the soul and withall encourage it to go forward to Heaven where they shall get no worse but much more of such fruits Although thou hast not such a measure of the sense of Gods love towards thee as thou desirest yet if there be in thine heart a true and sincere hatred of all sin and a true and deep sense of thine own love toward God that thou mayest say in humility and sincerity as Peter did Joh. 21. Lord thou that knowest all things knoweth I love thee then mayest thou die willingly because 1 Cor. 2.9 Eye hath not seen c. what God hath prepared for them that love him 1 Cor. 8.3 If any man love God the same is known and approven of him Peace in thy conscience from faith resting on Jesus Christ and his perfect righteousness is the earnest of thy full and everlasting peace in Heaven when thou shalt see God as he is Although thy peace of Sanctification may be interrupted now and then by thy sinning sometimes against thy light as it was in David Psal 51. yet in Heaven there will be perfect righteousness inherent for ever and the fruit thereof will be perfect and everlasting peace in the soul Spiritual joy which is called the joy of the Holy Ghost because he is the Author of it and is also called the joy of salvation because eternal salvation in Heaven is the object of it if at any time God hath given joy to thy heart after thy mourning in secret for thy sins and after thy believing in Jesus Christ who came into the world to save even the chief of sinners then look thou upon that joy as a love-token sent down to thee from Heaven and as an earnest of that full and everlasting joy in Heaven that shall never be taken from thee This consideration and joyful expectation maketh the children of God willing to be dissolved and to be with Christ at whose right hand is fulness of joy and pleasures for ever For if there be such joy from the earnest and first fruits that it is called 1 Pet. 1.8 Joy unspeakable and full of glory What will the joy be after this life when we shall receive the full sum of glory and shall reap the full harvest of joy in the kingdom of Heaven It is true some of the dear children of God who sometimes in their lifetime have had peace in their conscience and joy in their heart from the hope of salvation have been a little before their death under a cloud and great wrestlings against temptations to unbelief and despondency which were fierce as the sons of Anak at their coming out of this wilderness but before their dissolution that cloud evanished and they exprest their joy like the joy of the wise men when they saw the Star that led them to Christ appearing again Mat. 2.10 and they cried out Venit venit He is come he is come And then they say as Isa 25.9 This is the Lord we have waited for him we will be glad and rejoyce in his salvation Use For exhortation unto willingness at death to remove out of the body to this end we would seriously and frequently consider 1. This is the place and the time of our sojourning our rest is not here therefore let us pass the time of our sojourning here in fear 1 Pet. 1.17 Like unto loving and dutiful children in the time of their travels abroad who are afraid to do any thing in a strange countrey that may dishonour their loving father who sent them to their travels for a time and bare all their charges in the time of their absence this fear to dishonour our heavenly Father and our active care to honour him in this present world will make us willing and confident to return unto him at death who will make us welcome at our return and give us rest in these eternal mansions in our Fathers house this fear to offend God and care to please him in all things made the Apostle Paul willing and confident in the thoughts of his departure from this world 2 Tim. 4.7 8 I have fought a good fight c. henceforth there is laid up for me a Crown of righteousness which the Lord the righteous Judge shall give me at that day and not to me only but unto all them also that love his appearing 2. Consider often the place thou leavest at death and the place thou goest to after death and the vast difference between these two as the Heaven is distant from the Earth thou leavest a world of iniquity and misery but goest to that other world wherein dwelleth righteousness all happiness there is a vast difference between the earthly house thou flitts from at death and that eternal house and mansion to which thy soul flitts immediatly after death and shall rest from all thy labours Rev. 14.13 Thy soul dwelleth now in a dark house there is much ignorance even in the best of Saints here and any light or knowledge we have now in the body is but like the light unto a prisoner in the dungeon through crevices and slitts by the ministry of our outward senses our hearing and seeing but in that heavenly mansion whereto the believer goeth at death there is full light Ps 36.9 In thy light shall we see light 1 Joh. 3.2 We shall see him as he is There will be an identity in the object God himself seen by all the glorified Saints yet there is an infinit variety of all things desireable for our happiness to be seen and known in God himself infinit in excellency an goodness even as a man beholdeth diverse reâ—ractions frâ—m one and the self same sparkling precious Diamond his light and knowledge in the souls of glorified Saints wilâ— endure for ever Rev. 21.23 The city had no need of the Sun neither of the Moon to shine in it for the glory of God did lighten it and the Lamb is the light thereof This eaâ—â—thly house doth oft-times smoak and maketh our eyes to gush ouâ— with tears as smoak doth from a soaking fite not yâ—t put out so the many sinful motions and fumes arising from in-dwelling concupiscence in the body maketh the children of God here many times to mourn in secret before the Lord and in the bitterness of their spirit to cry out with the Apostle Rom. 7.24 O wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from the body of this death But at death the fire of concupâ—scence will be wholly quenched as at flitting the fire of the house wherein they formerly dwelt is wholly put out but after death we shall follow the Lamb in white robes not only without blame but also without all stain Now we dwell in a strait and narrow house here are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 great pâ—essures and oppressions of spirit with one affliction after another but after death we shall be enlarged from all trouble and pain then God shall wipe away all tears from our eyes Rev. 21.4 Now we dwell in a dropping house one defluction after another from our weak and distempered head do trouble this earthly body but after death in our eternal house there will be a perpetual influence of life health peace and joy from our strong and everlasting Head the Lord Jesus Christ Now we dwell among many evil and troublesome neighbours who make us oft-times cry out with David Wo is me that I dwell in the tents of Mesecb But in heaven there will be perfect peace a sweet harmony in minds and affections amongst all the fellow-citizens there we shall be in a perpetual communion with the blessed Angels and with the glorified Saints Yea that which crowneth all we shall be in an immediat full and perpetual communion with God himself infinit in glory Rev. 21.3 God himself shall be with them And at the resurrection of the body we shall live in a communion of the visible glory of Christ the Lord whom we shall see with our bodily eyes 1 Thes 4.17 3. Lastly consider what joy thou hast had at any time here from faith in Jesus Christ whom having not seen ye love in whom though now ye see him not yet believing ye rejoyce with joy unspeâ—kable and full of glory 1 Pet. 1.8 O what shall our joy be after death when we shall see him face to face If now thy joy be so great in seeing him only through the lattesse of his Ordinances and if some of the Saints have such joy in suffering for him here how great shall their joy be in reigning with him there If we have some peace and calmness in our conscience when we are in the sea of this world what shall be the peace and calmness when we shall be brought within that haven of â—he third heaven where the salvation of God shall be our perpetual bulwark Old Jacob when he considered the misery and famine of the Land from which he parted when he looked to the waggons and provision sent to him by his beloved Joseph and when he considered he was going to be with his own Joseph in honour and great plenty he departed willingly from the place of his former abode So let us consider this present world from which we part it is a place of sin and misery let us consider any provision of inward comfort God hath sent us at any time it should be as a waggon and fiery chariot to carry our hearts upwards toward God the fountain of all comfort and happiness Consider our dear Joseph the Lord Jesus Christ that was sold for our iniquities is now at the fathers right hand the great Steward and Dispenser of grace and glory by death we are going to him in whom and with whom we shall enjoy all happiness for ever If there be comfort sometimes from a drop of joy here how full ever-flowing and over-flowing will our joy be that shall proceed from the vision and fruition of God for ever These everlasting pleasures and purest joyes are that pure river of water of life clear as crystal proceeding out of the Throne of God and of the Lamb Rev. 22.1 I close with that of the Apostle Jude ver 24.25 Now unto him that is able to keep you â—rom falling and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy to the only wise God our Saviour be glory and majesty dominion and power now and ever Amen FINIS