that time had acquired obtained But be it granted that the habit cannot be decreased yet the acts without doubt may be remitted being by some strong enemie from within or without vs opposed the Sunne may be eclipsed his beames restrained when his bodie remaines perfect nothing wasted So is it here However though we thus write we are of opinion that were this Spirituall cessation of long duration it would greatly in danger the habit For as we haue sayd it growes by vse decayes by disvse as we find by experience that naturall habits doe by naturall operations relaxations Obserue further that this decay of the habit and acts of grace be Totall Habituall falling subdivided Partial Totall When the habit is wholy destroyed or all the acts of it vniversally suspended the former befell Adam of speciall grace at the creation Rom. 5.14 And Alexander of common after mans redemption But this kind of fall we take it is not in this place by our Apostle intended 2. Tim. 4.14 nor incident to them who are vnto Christ Iesus by the Spirit vnited Partiall is for the habit of grace may be decreased and its acts remitted in the most regener at person Now this latter kind Is Inward Outward Inward in Iudgment then in the will and affections For the vnderstanding may not only be weakned from the cleare appreheÌ„ding of the truth formerly obtained but also Gal 3.1 as in the Galatians with errour corrupted For they fel froÌ„ the doctrine of iustification in the true rule ground of it mixing their owne workes with the obiect matter of it which is Christ and his obedience actiue passiue This was their iudiciall fall Againe in the will and affections Rev. 2.4 Video meliora c. there may be partiall decay This was the fall of the Church of Ephesus which is sayd to haue left her first love And a truth it is that a man may hold the doctrine sound in respect of iudgment and yet fall from it in regard of practise For the hahit of grace in the vnderstanding is distinct from that in the wil affections whence spring these various declinings And as inwardly So outwardly may we fall from the acts of grace the which in time past we haue performed Dauid doubtlesse was sound in iudgment when he fell so foully in his practise And a man may haue a will to do well when the externall effects may be blasted Psal 39.1.3 as of Peter in the deniall of his master The Prophet purposed to looke to his waies not to offend with his tongue 2 Cor. 16.10 But this was too painful for him therfore he spake vnaduisedly with his lips When that Godly king imprisoned the Seer his iudgment was sound yet his practise corrupt But ordinarily when the inward asts be remitted then the outward are stinted II. Thus having finished the first thing proposed we proceed to the second the causes of these declinings And they be Within vs. Without vs. Causes from within vs. Melancholie for its a true axiom that the soule followes the disposition and temperature of the body the forenamed humour hath various and strange operations drawing a blacke and mournefull curtaine over the New-man casts hidious conceits into the minde and presenteth to the eye of reason the manifold mishapen ougly formes of approaching death burnes and consumes the purest spirits the immediat instrument of the soules acts Or so clogges them with thicke fumes that she cannot lift vp the wing and soare into the third heaven but like a weather-beaten or limed fowle falls downe and makes her motion on the earthie Center creepes on the Globe And Dailie hourly raiseth such cogitations as these Loue why thou art but passion zeale furie ioy madnesse hope a groundlesse conceit And all the graces of the spirit but the operations of meere nature or a more pure disposition of corporall temperature whence it often comes to passe that such who be pestered with the forenamed peccant malady complaine of the soules corruption when it s nothing else but the bodies bad indisposition grow thereby to be out of heart cease from spirituall action and so consequently fall from their former setlednesse He who is ignorant of this thing well may he be an aged person but I am sure no expert Christian. 2. Some raging lust vnmortified affection When such a passenger is in the ship of mans soule like another Ionah it will vnsettle all Was not David strong in the grace of God How came it to passe then that he in some degree fell from his former stedfastnes Why he was of an hot Sanguine complexion which provoketh much to the sinne he committed 2. Sam. 11. now being not carefull enough to curbe that natural pronenesse of certaine was an internall cause of his foule declining Gen. 39.12 Ioseph in this it seemes out-stript him For he resisted though strongly tempted was likely as yong as David had none he six wiues as appeareth And had he disputed with flesh and bloud as forcible arguments to haue allured him What a broade differeÌ„ce was this for David a king to goe in to a subiect and Ioseph a servant to runne from his mistris had noe more bin mentioned Was not his sonne Salomon Neh. 13.26 in his youth a rare yong man Yet in his elder yeeres carried away with outlandish women Why so in plaine english his lust was let loose his affection not mortified He trod not in the steps of holy Paul who laboured with his hands 1. Cor. 9. vlt. fasted often brought his body into subiection that the flesh might not over-master the spirit The like might be the fore-runner to Noahs drunkennesse Lots incest and his wiues looking backe to Sodome If the reines hang vnder his feete the strongest readiest footed beast may stumble catch a fall Cut all the feet equall the table stands stedfast else not 3. Vnbeleefe this workes greater woundes in the soule than ever any mountebanke profest to cure in the bodie It as a moth the garment eates vp the glosse of grace like the worme the Gourd of Ionah smits faith at the roote causeth it to wither and makes the acts thereof feeble liuelesse What mists will this Iugler raised in our vnderstandings Earthquakes within vs Blinde the eie of reason to question common principles Doubt of what we haue knowne by experience How subtilly will this Sophister argue Dispute What Are not all things alike from the beginning Where is the promise of Christs câ—mming 2. Pet. 3 4. When shall the Iewes be called Rome ouerturned Gog and magog destroyed And all Israel saved Mala. 3.14 Are not the wicked advanced Isa 59.15 They who tempt God delivered And he that refraineth from evill made a prey What profit is there in serving the Almightie Seeking the kingdome of heaven Calling vpon the name of the Lord Art thou not poore Despised Psal 37.1.2 c. Persecuted Who flourish
thorow everie one of his conduits then vse all for who can tell what the least may bring foorâ—h 4 Entertaine every good motion open the gates let them in bid them well-come feede them cherish them as the best guests that ever came to thy soule Many sparkes make a fire sundry drops Isa 30.21 fill the bankes Hearest thou this voyce whispering in thine eare Acts. 5.9 This is the good way Listen to it Heb. 10.29 vnderstand its errand and doe what and as it inioynes thee Acts 7.51 Know that resisting makes way to grieving 1 Thess 5.19 grieving to despiting And despiting to quenching the little sparke of grace within vs And if that goe out we are vndon Should I enlarge the time would be too short therefore we will winde vp all according to the Spirituall condition of everie person in a round particular exhortation 1. And first I will begin with thee who hast not reaped any the least fruits of the spirit Ier. 4.3 in the soyle of whose soule this seed was never scattered I say to all such plow vp your fallow grounds sow not among thornes For it s now high time to seeke this graine What 's the man without grace but a dead dog A verie Devill And firebrand of hell Never was any blessed without it Cursed who did possesse it What shall I or can I say of it It s the water of life which raiseth the dead the honie that opens each Ionathans eyes the tree which makes the bitter rivers sweete whose leaues heale all wounded spirits This oyle will make him see clearely who was borne blinde to speak the language of Canaan distinctly being dumbe from his mothers wombe It boareth the deafe eare to heare what the spirit speaketh to the Churches setteth an hungrie appetite on the stomacke of the soule seasoneth its palate And giues a pleasant rellish to all heavenly nourishment It stops the bloudie issue of sinne dries vp that fountaine which all the Physitians in the world could never cure And looseth the anklebones of the aged creeple to stand leape and runne with ioy the paths of Gods commands O grace What shall I say of thee How should I commend thee Thou art a wonder-worker in this present world strange things bringest thou to passe everie day And O ye sons of earthie Adam how should I intreat you a graine of this mettall is worth a million of gold a stemme of this tree all the Cedars in Lebanon And a drop of this water all the baulme in Gilead Yea were the hugest hils the choycest pearles the mightiest rockes the most pretious stones And the vnfathomde Globe a shining Chrysolite yet one corne of this sand more than the Sunne a Candle in brightnesse and goodnesse exceeds them all As the wise man of money I say of it that bread nourisheth wine refresheth but grace is all in all Wouldest thou purchase Plant Build Why grace will doe it It will make thee a glorious temple of Gods sacred Spirit the adopted child of God the father And a coheire with the Lord Iesus of earth of heaven In trouble it will comfort thee in bondage free thee and being faint put valour into thee Yea when the gracelesse man shall tremble at a paper-Canon quake at the wagging of a leafe lagge like a starcht ruffe in a showre of raine And wish he had never bin bornâ— Then shall the gracious man hoyse vp his saile lance into the deepe cut the swelling waues passe by al shelues and sands salute death the King of terrors with an holy scorne and put in safe at the key of Canaan the land of everlasting life II. And now let me turne my speech to thee who hast laid the foundation of grace begunne to build goe thou on perfect the worke of thy Sanctification faine would I adde to thy mite and winde thee vp a pegge higher Haue I not told thee that graces increase is commendable Profitable for all things Men of great stocke trade to the east Indies when they of lesse store but barter with their doore neighbours a candle inlightneth a narrow roome the Sunne a whole world A single coat keepes backe a weake shot a double one the most fierie piercing bullet A child shrinkes vnder a cushion and a feeble bodie stumbles at a straw Want of water makes the Mill to stand a sparke sets not the pot a boyling And a drop of wine refresheth not the Spirits Our greene harâ—s are not easily inflamed our stiffe wills bent to action And our frozen affectioÌ„s need much blowing Our sacrifices are but offered vp with smoake our corruptions are not quite licked vp and the cursed worke of Sathan is not thorowly dissolved in vs. Wherefore wouldest thou not revolt Shrinke backe And fall from thy former stedfastnes Why grow in grace Wouldest thou with ease performe holy actions With patience beare all kindes of crosses Doe much good Haue fullnesse of ioy And be a shining light A burning candle Then let grace haue her perfect growth Strong men stand fastest long-winged Hawkes fly swiftest larg-sailed ships runne speediest great Planets shine brightest full purses make merriest And big-boned bodies beare easiest Grace to a Christian is as mettall to the horse mainner to the earth And the Moons to the tyde As feathers to the fowle wheeles to the charriot And the soule to the body So that want grace and we are but feeble liuelesse creatures bring forth no crop beare lanke eares if any and that very seldome Many complaine that they are in good duties cold in prayer slow to heare empty of coÌ„fort stagger in faith question their salvation impatient in troubles And shrug at the remembrance of death But where lies the fault Who is blamworthy Any except thy selfe Knowing thou hast a present help A speedy remedy to redresse all but striues not for it What a shame is it that we living in so good daies In a land which floweth with milk hony Levits in most corners on 't The kingdom of heaven come to our doores And maÌ„na falling with in our tents morning evening should complaine of feeblenes Weakenes Had we cruel wars garmeÌ„ts tumbling in bloud our Cities sackt besieged as Samaria that we were constrained to eate the fruit of our loynes to preserue our natural liues Or had we a Ieroboham to rule over vs who would repaire the high places make Priests of the basest people consecrat to Baall pull downe Bethel build Babel and cause all the Lords Prophets to fall on the sword why then to complaine to be a yong plant an Infant in grace were somewhat more tollerable Me thinkes I like Ionah doe well to be angrie when I consider how long how wonderfully we haue enioyed great means to be strong men and women in the Lord and we can hardly keepe soule and body together We looke like spirits pinde sterved And not living fresh growne Christians I may in respect of spirituall food fitly
light I walked thorow darknesse 3. And if thou rouze not vp thy spirit be assured that thou shalt be awaked For fearefull dreames may fall vpon thee strange visions in the night present themselues vnto thee and crosses thicke and threefold follow thee close vntill thou returne to thy former tast For shall God lose his labour And his child his soule May not the Lord shut thy wombe Slay thy posteritie Call for a famine Send the sword to wound thee The Pestilence to kill thee Grant thou escapest all these may not a worse arrest thee What if he correct thy sin with sinne That the Church cast thee off Excommunicate thee What pleasure canst thou take in all thy priviledges Maist thou not rather suspect every moment to be swallowed vp of overmuch heavinesse 2. Cor. 2.7 4. But let it be admitted all these might be avoided Yet will not Sathan tempt thee Bend the strong bow of his malice feather his firie darts Set them in the nocke loosse them from the finger of envie strike thee to the hart Hast thou bin his but in the months past When thy eye was first opened And thy corrections sealed Then let the bitternes thou at that day feltest cause thee to awake Eph. 5.14 and stand vp from the dead Suppose in this declining condition thy soule should be taken from thee However it might land safe yet would not the passage be fearefull What flesh but will tremble to die in a sleepe To awake on the suddaine at its everlasting home And to depart in a spirituall decay what is it else Mat. 25.5 but the foresaid evill Wherefore O thou declining Christian Present these obiects to the eie of thy minde take a strict view of them meditate thereon continually and let them never slip out of thy remembrance When they would wander call them backe tye them to thee binde them fast And that with the coards of a solemn Promise Vow Oath vntill they haue wrought thy perfect cure recovered thy wonted health let them never leaue thee forsake thee If thy eie as its apt enough be once off them say to it Gen. 3.9 as God to Adam where art thou In what be thy thoughts imploied Is not â—his one thing necessarie Thinke and thinke often how thy companions begin to whisper thy God to gâ— beyond the vail thine enemies to insult Sathan to arme himselfe and be thou awaked Consider that the sword is in varnishing the palgue descending famine approching Iob. 28.14 and death the king of feare hasting to kil thy body carrie away thy soule Say at the morning in thy setled thoughts why may not my life set before the Sun When thou liest down my bed be my graue And my sleepe my death Let this cry still sound in thine eares that a declining estate is woefull fearefull and the extreamest of all extremitiâ—s to a beleeuer Doe this and thus then shalt thou returne from the Chambers of hell thy spirit lift vp the wing mount on high and soare aboue all the swelling waters of iniquitie Thy brethren say vnto thee the Lord is with thee Iudg. 6.12 thou valiant man and blessed art thou among many Thine adversaries shut their black mouths spit their venom in vaine And wish that their last end might be like vnto thine Numb 23.20 Yea thy God shall descend from heaven scatter the black cloudes breake thorow them all and smile in thy face say well done my servant my sonne giue his Angels a second charge over thee put his spirit with more power into thee And as with David be with thee whithersoever thou goest 2. Sam. 8.6 Thou shalt tread on the adder and yong Dragon Psal 19.12.13 walke in the valley of death feare no evill nor tremble at the mâ—st terrible tydings But as astately ship vnder saile having a fresh gale her colours spred swiftly and yet securely hast to the shore and cast anchor at the road of eternall rest And that when back-sliding professoâ—s shall either shipwrack their consciences split all a pieces sinke the fraight of their soules in the bottomlesse gulfe or like a distressed barke which hath spent her maine maste sprung a plank cut her tackling and cast it over boord with great hazard and terror put in and saue themselues Vse 5 Here let him who standeth take heed lest he fall For a spirituall stedfastnes 1 Cor. 10.12 we see in some degree may be fallen from decayed And then why should it not cleaue vnto thee What priviledge hast thou to avoide it Aboue thy brethren Haue not the tallest Ceders in Gods Sanctuarie been shaken The strongest sometime staggered And is this any new thing in the world Wherefore take thou heed to thy standing eye well thy foot steps keepe a strict watch ouer all thy waies that this evill doe not overtake thee ceize vpon thee And to prevent it practise these subsequent particulars as remedies 1. Be humble in thine owne eie Haue a low conceipt of thine owne worthines Helpes to support him who standeth When men like leaven begin to swell or as the Pharisee to boast set the best side out such without controversie are not farre from a fall Was not this the fore-runner of Peters deniall Pro. 16.18 And good Ezekiahs backsliding So true is it that pride goeth before a slip Luk. 1.53 and an high minde leads to destruction God giueth grace to the poore in Spirit but sendeth the conceited-rich emptie away Low growing trees escape the storme stand vp right when such as shoot vp mount a loft with a small gust are often shaken sometimes overturned Carrie a meane saile and never feare shipwracke of grace and faith For so long God sits at the helme 2. Rather question thy selfe suspect thy standing Feare is a bad getter yet a sure keeper And who sooner catch a fall than they that runne without regard Many haue bank't at vnawares when good-take-heed was not their factor The best Physition our kingdome had D. Butler dyed say some of a consumption And being demanded why he did not prevent it his answere was he never feared it Our proverb is that death comes oft at vnawares And retchlesse people dye poore Sure I am graces decay may be sudden the soules exchequor well neere emptie Pro. 10.4 when treasurer providence takes a nap a wakes to play A diligent hand maketh rich an evill fore seene is halfe avoyded Wherfore alwaies feare to fall but chiefly when the meanes of standing are neglected 3. Shunne the rash censure of weake and declining brethren The Iew was neerest to apstatize when he the most scorned the Gentile The dog which daily licketh others sores soonest sometimes catcheth a surfeit He who without pittie visits the poore may perhaps fall into the like disease and himselfe become a patient Those who reiected Iphtah not long after were his sutors Iudg. 11.7 1. Cor. 12.21 and made him Iudge Say
the forme of godlines 2. Tim. 3.5 they cry out against such as the Edomites of the Israelites Psal 137.7 downe with them down with them even to the ground But let these know that though their consciences be growne sencelesse God shall bring vpon them swift damnation For 2. Pet. 2.1 he is wise in heart mightie in power Iob. 9.4 who ever grew fierce against him and hath prospered And we haue an evill beast a slow-belly growne vp among vs how should we define him He is one who selleth time vseth his money as though he vsed it not striues to prevent the contingent acts of Gods prouidence And rather than the forfeiture of a band will forfeit his freedome in the kingdome of heaven And if you demand why he doth so he replies like him who being found breaking of his neighbours hedge and reprooued answered is it not better to doe thus than to be idle Certainely if David the which he never will prooue not a lyer Psal 15.5 a vsurer shall never inherit the mountaine of holinesse And what Is not the weaker sex growne mightily in wickednesse Haue we not some so masculine that they walke in their doublets Ride in their coates And salute with their caps Were but their hearts answerable to their habits their spirits proportionable to their apparell why might they not at our common musters be prest foorth for souldiers I will nor can giue such any precise precepts for cloth or colour forme or fashion yet take this in generall Suppose that now thou wert to come vnto iudgement to hold vp thy hand before the ancient of daies And to receiue thy last doome thy finall sentence of life or death eternally Wouldest thou appeare in a pointed body With embroydered haire A curled head A painted face A French ruffe And a naked brest Then as the Prophet to Naaman the Syrian 2. King 5.19 I say vnto thee goe in peace But if thou wouldst not change thy garments alter thine attire lest death on the sudden strike thee the Iudge come in an houre thou art not a ware of weigh thee in the ballance of the sanctuarie strip thee naked and cloath thee with shame eternall Shall not the husband grow iealous of that wise who at his returne is abaâ—hed to meete him in her daily habit I appeale vnto thee But alas For all that can be said according to the Apostles prediction we grow worse and worse 2. Tim. 3.13 deceiving and being deceiued The truth is we are so growne that the heavens grow blacke the earth barren and the whole frame of nature groanes for our growth Rom. 8.22 What should I tell you of the late Famine The blazing starre The invndations of waters The bloudie warres The late Plague wherein so many thousands haue vealed the head and given vp the Ghost Yea doth not the spirit grieue and groane for our vnnaturall growth Eph. 4.30 Wherefore let vs by vnfeined repentance and new obedience ease him of this burden or we shall groane vnder the direful wrath of the most high for ever Psal 50.22 ever O coÌ„sider this you who forget God lest he teare in pieces there be none nothing to deliuer you Vse 3 The vse of this doctrine also serues soundly to lesson some of the better sort For doe they grow in grace increase in goodnesse I wish the Lord had not iust cause to say of our nation Rev 2.4 I haue somewhat against thee Haue we not them amongst vs who haue bin as zealous as Peter in appearance but now haue cooled their harts in warming their hands at â—aiaphas his fire Others who seemed as strong and vpright as an oake are growne weake fitting themselues to everie forme and figure in the congregation like water in a vessell Haue we not many who in times past put foorth their fingers to all pious vses But now plucke them backe draw them in as the slug her hornes Ranne well and now are letted Began in the spirit end in the flesh It s a disputable question whether we haue more Bankers in goods or grace Prodigalls who haue mispent their corporall or spirituall portioÌ„ England as Ephesus hath left though not lost her first loue Our affections were hardly kindled but soone cooled our coale glowes a while and anon ends in smoake and smother 1. King 1.1 We resemble David in his olde age little heat is within vs not any will begot into vs. Few like Caleb Iosh 14.11 are at this day as able to fight the battailes of the Lord as in former time What a weake pulse beats in all places Scarse sensible We are like a forc't peece of land whose second crop is worse then the former We heare and reade much yet in shape as Pharaohs cattell are lanke and leane deformed and ill favoured But beloved this should not ought not to be so Let but a man lye speechles fall into a consumption and become a bankrupt Oh! this like a passing bell in the eares of the world rings a dolefull sound And all who heare it smite their hands shake their heads at it send foorth deepe sighes heavie groanes But the meane while Prayer may be tongue-tyed Faith ship-wrackt and a good Coâ—science split in shivers yet few for these things haue the least thoughts of heart no sorrow doth pierce vs losse of this kind pinch vs. What the Apostle forewarned in these last daies is come to passe for we are plucked away with the errour of the wicked and are fallen from our owne stedfastnesse Vse 4 Are Christians to grow in grace Let vs all then looke about vs weigh the proficiencie we haue made in this Schoole Hast thou no grace It s high time to gather some Anie Striue to increase it Art thou declined Recover thy losse Hitherto hast thou growne Why adde to thy stocke still augment thy store For this dutie concernes all and therefore we will presse the point so as every person may reape profit by it You well know that a thing must be had before it can be increased For who prunes a liuelesse plant Waters a dead stake Tryall then is in the first place necessarie if we haue any seeds of grace at all 1. Signes of found grace Dost thou find and feele an emptinesse of grace in thy selfe A great want of it Then in truth tho not in full measure thou hast it For blessed are the poore in spirit Mat. 5.3 And what is this povertie but an act arising from grace whereby we sensiblie apprehend an emptienesse thereof in our soules By grace we feele grace as with one hand we doe the other Dead men perceiue no want when living persons behold their penurie Let him who is truly gracious cast his eye whither he will he seeth a vacuitie of grace in all creatures an insufficiencie to relieue him Iob. 28.14 To the depth he saith it s not to be found in thee
applie the Apostles phrase 2. Cor. 6.12 We are not made straight in God but in our owne bowels David could pen more Psalmes in time of warre than we haue leisure to read in these daies of peace Luk. 7.9 The Centurion in gleaning gathered more faith than we reape who haue the full harvest I speake it to thy shame henceforward make no such complaints but see what God doth for thy soule and let thy growth and the meanes be equall He who thus doth Rom. 2.4 doth well And whereunto the Lords bountifullnesse should I am sure ought to induce him III. Neither will I omit thee O thou decaied and declin ng Christian who hast wasted part of thy stocke diminished thy store What merchandise of more worth What gaine to the increase of grace Shall not then the losse be equall The dammage proportionable Will it not grieue the husbandman to see his tenderest plants wither The rankest corne become blasted Doth not a consuming body breed sorrow Presage death and what patient in such a case if not growne desperat seekes not recoverie The Prodigall Gamster doth he not sigh at his losse And with an eager mind play at get againe Shalt thou then suffer this precious treasure to waste Permit the buds of grace to pine Perish O see thou doe not so but seeke to the Physitian betimes take restoratiues to recover thy former health thy wonted strength Hos 2.7 Returne to thy first husband For at that time was it not better with thee than now What content comfort canst thou finde in praier that 's cold Short And not mixed with fervencie Will flesh halfe boyled delight the palate Nourish the body Hath not the Lord threatned Rev. 3.16 to spue the luke-warme Christian out of his mouth Can he away with a sluggard A non-proficient in his service Doth not our master expect to receiue his talents with advantage And shall not the idle servant be condemned Awake therefore Eph. 5.16 thou who sleepest stand vp from the dead And Christ shall giue thee light more increase of grace Consider how thou art fallen into what a pittifull case thou hast plunged thy soule And tye thy selfe to thy ancient taske vse a constant course in holy actions every day reade some portion of Christs loue-letters See his great affection how friendly he invites thee and be allured Psal 119.25 Call and cry Lord quicken me cause thy face to shine giue me the spirit of life and power restore me to the wonted ioy of thy salvation Psal 80.3 Psal 51.12 Wash thee seven times in the river Iordan bath thy selfe in the poole of repentance sing Psalmes in secret And get thee into the company of the strongest hotest Christians So shall thy flesh become as a childs the leprie of sinne weare away thy vigour returne thy hart waxe warme burne within thee Loue-songs no more inflame lust than the song of songs increase stirre vp grace What bangling kite with a loftie flier mendes not her pitch What fainting beleeuer with one who staggers not but will grow in fa th Suppose thou findest in thy selfe a backwardnesse to good duties Shall not the omission thereof make thee more vnfit the next season Vse limmes and haue limmes is our English proverbe vse grace haue grace a Christians experiment But if all this moue thee not to recouer thy decaied stock to do thy former workes then thus reason why may not I shrinke backe Retyre Proue an Apostate Or Iob. 31.14 how shal I answer God when he returns to iudgement Sure I am that if thou be his he will not long suffer thee to sit on thy lees but remoue thee from vessel to vessell How long Ier. 48.11 thinkest thou will the Lord indure thy lingring Brooke thy wambling Take heed lest one of these daies he boyle thee vp by some sharpe schorching fire of afflictioÌ„ What if the spirit of feare should re-fall thee 1 Sam. 16.14 The sword of thine enemie pierce thee The spreading plague infect thee The food of thy soule be taken from thee Or thou Amos. 8.11 by some foule publicke offence left to scandalize thy profession Then hast thou not spunne a faire threed Will not thy ill husbandrie prick thy fingers Shalt thou not goe mourning all thy life long And at the last leaue a weake evidence a feeble testimonie of thy soundnesse of thy salvation behind thee 1. Cor. 15.34 Awake therefore to do righteously Think and thinke againe of these things set them before the eye of thy soule Iudg. 16.3 So shalt thou as Sampâ—on when he saw the Philistines approach neere him gather thy forces together vp begâ—n and fâ—â—e for thy life IIII. Now in the conclusion I haue a word of exhortation vnto thee thou thou who hast kept what thou hast And nâ—t consumed the least mite of thy stocke Psal 87.4 Thinke not that this is all which Gâ—d requireth of thee but grow still Proceed from strength to strength be rooted deeply grounded in the grace of Christ Iesus Col 1.23 and 2.7 Spreade thy branches farre and wide shoote vp and sprout on high be strong as an ell-boare Let no vacuitie as nature admits not any be in thy vessel but be filled to the brimme Be a mightie valiant man exceed the godly 1 Sam. 10 23. as much in this spirituall growth as Saul the common subiects in corporall who was higher by the head and shoulders Christians should resemble the most honorable of Davids worthies equall the first three Yea 1. Chro. 11 21. like the brethren of Gedeon every one be as the child of a king Iudg 8.18 A waster of his stocke is much condemned So is a Dwarfe in stature derided Shall we then decrease our heavenly substance Or with the North-pole be still at a stand Let the motion of other men somewhat incite thee provoke thee who are never satisfied Eph. 5.18 When Drunkards are filled with wine be thou with the spirit When thou seest an Elimas a Sorcerer full of the Devill with Barnabas Acts 13.9.10 be thou filled with faith and the holie Ghost When worldlings whose portion is in this life ayme at stately buildings Large possessions great ruffes cuffes let thy care and scope be to excell in this one thing necessarie Luk. 10.42 exceed them as much in grace as they thee in the contrarie graine For thus to doe is acceptable to God Mat. 16.28 profitable for thee For all men What if a man could winne the whole world yet want grace would it be any benefit vnto him Whereto may I compare him who hath much many things yet without grace But to a peece charged with shot not equalled with powder Will Can such a person discharge his calling Be liberall to pious vses No no his coine lyes rusting in his chest Luk. 7.5.9 Acts. 9.39 2 Tim. 1. vlt. his corne rotting in
thy gracious stocke never once dreame of enough nor of being rich for that is the high way to bancke to loose all Came not Christ to lay the hilles equall And to raise vp the vallies Luk 3.5 To make the crooked pathes streight And to fill the emptie vessells was not the Church in an error which said shee was incrâ—ast Had all things Rev. 3.17 Nay was shee not poore 1. Cor. 5.7 Naked Blinde Miserable And wanted all things O that we could purge out the old leaven abstaine from all actuall sinnes be conversant in the vse of all Gods holy ordinances 1 Thes 5.22 entertaine all the motions of his spirit And be poore in our owne apprehension Then would grace grow Luk. 1.53 the new-man flourish And the old receiue his deaths-wound be pierced thorow his sides and broken in peeces Then then should we be rare Saints on earth shining lights in this darke world Phil. 2.15 leade our liues in righteousnesse Luk. 1.75 holinesse And doe more than gracelesse men imagine can be done by any created nature Wherefore when thou feelest thy soule to mourne thy Spirit to faint thy heart melancholy dumpish all a mort then looke vp to heaven rouse thy selfe fall to meditation minde the daies of old And call vpon thy God Cry Lord helpe me quicken me a wake my soule So shalt thou like the dead child neese seuen times 2 King 4.34.35 c. waxe warme and returne to thy former life and strength This course if thou constantly obserue the power feeling comfort and all the effects of grace in a short time by little and little will strangely grow wonderfully thriue vntill thou come to that period full perfection the Lord hath appointed for thee and promised to thee in Christ Iesus Incentiues to grow in grace And as no meanes are to be omitted neglected So all motiues inducing to this growth must be minded remembred thus therefore expostulate with thy selfe What Doe not plants grow Animats thriue And are the covetous or ambitious ever satisfied Will not Citizens aime at the most honorable place Merchants venture for the choicest commodities And all tradesmen desire the greatest gaine Shall not a Christian then striue for perfection Let theirs yea Pauls resolution be emulated imitated of thee Phil. 3.11 who if possible would haue attained to the resurrection of the dead As some will to haue bin as perfect as the glorified persons in the day of iudgement In the estate of nature wast thou not insatiable Did sinne ever giue thee full satisfaction I tell thee that champions of Sathan must be champions of Christ Such as haue bin full of corruption Eph. 5.18 must be filled with the Spirit And the more we grow in grace will not corruption the lesse burden vs Shall we not with the more ease if not wholly cast it off beare it The bird which hath the most feathers mounteth highest conserues her bodie from many brusings So surely by this increase we should soare vp to heaven be freed from innumerable heart-breakings Why haue we inioyed so great meanes Seene so many good dayes But to grow strong And grace Why should not thy excellencies allure all men to affect thee Procure thee What Art thou not of a soule-curing qualitie care in this present world And onely to be found in the vessels of honour Where thou pitchest thy Tent like a Priâ—ce thou art attended with royall companions as Wisdome Faith Hope Loue and what not As in the absence and presence of the planets all elementarie bodies heate and coole lighten and darken reviue and dye So by thy contrarie motion doth every christian Thou art as the spring and oyle which turne all the wheeles of soule and body to run the pathes of Gods precepts Rev. 22.2 the vine which beareth all kindes of fruits Thy branches feed the tender Roes being cropped thy iuyce wil heale all diseases when once applied Where thou fallest like the showers in May the barren fields grow fruitfull bring foorth in great abundance And multiplie the seed of the word to an hundred fold Never was covetouse chuffe when his garners were full of good graine more glad the Grasier having his lands stockt with the choicest cattell more merrie Nor the Prodigall with his purse extended with pieces more iocunde than the man is whose heart is replenished with grace O grace glorie is thy vnseparable companion as shame the inevitable consequence of sinne Where thou openest the eye all the divine attributes of God as his omniscience omnipresence omnipotence yea his very iustice smile vpon it are delectable vnto it For if grace be with vs who or what can be against vs Grace in thy soule will assure thee of mercie in Christ And if thou be secured of that what needest thou to feare What can be terrible or dreadfull vnto thee The more Wiâ—e Iust Potent thy friend 〈◊〉 will it not the more comfort â—hee Reioyce thee And is not El-shaddai the Lord of earth and heaven thy fast friend Thy everlasting Father Let them then feare who haue cause For thou hast none Grow in grace and thou maist goe thorow the world as a man whose minde is in a deepe studie Like Ahimahaz who had speciall hast of a waightie businesse gaze on nothing heare nothing 1. Cor. 7.30 31. vse it all things in it as though thou vsedst them not Thy conversation shall be in heaven thy thoughts on him who is invisible Phil. 3.20 that never man saw and lived And having as Peter past the first and second watch thou shalt come to thy selfe in the presence of God Acts. 12.10.11 where is fulnesse of ioy Psal 16.11 al variety of pleasures at his right hand for evermore O thou who readest hearest these lines binde them to thee thinke often on them And till thou be stronâ— in Grace which is in Christ Iesuâ— let them never depart from theâ— Now if all that we haue said caâ— not allure thee I say no more vnto thee but wish when it is too late thy carelesse neglect of graces increase may not repent thee Whereas our Apostle exhorts to grow in grace vers 5.6 more is included then mentioned For what in the first chapter in particulars he named Gen. 3.2 and 4.20 here in the bulke are comprehended And as a tree is for trees chaâ—et for charets Psal 78.2 parable for parables So is Grace put for al the gifts of the spirit Mat. 13.35 Whence it will follow that Doct. 3 An increase of all graces is required of Gods children Name what grace you will and an augmentation is required vrged Rom. 1.17 1 Thes 4.10 Eph. 4.15 Are not the Romanes incited to grow in faith The Thessalonians in loue And the Ephesians in all things Paul in other places calls for it prayes for it Iude. 2. So doe his fellow-Apostles in their Epistles Reas 1 For is there
made And by him For the father worketh hither to and he worketh And for him Thou art worthie O Lord Rev. 4.11 to receiue honor and glorie and power For thou hast created all things and for thy pleasure they are Eccle. 12.1 and were created Haue we not a command to remember him who formed vs Psal 147.9 Doe not the Ravens looke vp vnto him The windes and Sea obey him And shall we Christians then be ignorant of him Certainely Mar. 4.41 this were a sinne Iob. 31.12 would eate vp all our increase a fire would devoure to destruction Reas 3 And what to be desired effects will this knowledge worke 1 Pet. 1.8 For who ever knew Christ but was inflâ—med with the loue of him Acts 9.6 Stood in great awe of him Psal 116.7 Humbled himselfe before him Put his confidence in him And said Soule returne vnto thy rest The Oxe Isa 1.3 knoweth his owner the Asse his masters cribbe and shall not man be acquainted with his Lord Is it not eternall life Io. 17.3 to know Christ Iesus Everlasting death to be ignorant of him Tell me What was the Gentiles misâ—ry but that they were strangers from him Eph 4.18 The Athenians sinne but that all their devotion was do e to an vnknowne God Acts. 17.23 The Lepers ingratefulnesse Luk. 17.17 except that they returned not thankes vnto him And what sets foorth Pauls praise more Phil. 3.9 than his earnest desire to know the Lord Iesus and to be found in him Reas 4 To conclude haue we not time and meanes to illighten our eyes that we might see Christ in open vision For doth not the Spirit thorow the whole Bible set him foorth in plâ—ine phrases Shining prophecies In tipes â—arables And similitudes What are the Scriptures but the subiect matter of him In each storie page verse may we not haue some hint some glympse of him Beloved all the lines in the holy letters meete in Christ as their proper Center And such as come short of that point are profitable for nothing He is the Alpha and Omega α. ω. Rev. 1.18 the beginning and end of all famous h stories noble acts and renowned persons the which are good before God Shall we then with the want root in the earth And haue no care to know Christ Iesus What if we know him a little Will that serue our turnes No no our eye spirituall is like his corporall who was borne blinde Mar. 8.24.25 but opened by degrees This obiect is profound deepe And the better we vnderstand it the more powerfully profitably will it produce the forenamed gracious eff cts Therefore as get so grow we must in the knowledge of Christ Iesus The knowledge of Christ distributed And here it is to be obserued that the knowledge of Christ is either intellectuall or experimentall When we doe with the act of our vnderstanding apprehend a thing be it what you will it is intellectuall knowledge But we purpose not to exceed our bounds We will confine our selues within the limits of our present Obiect Christ Iesus Now this intellectuall knowledge of Christ is of his person or offices For the former we are to consider these foure following particulars 1. In Christ we are to note his two natures the Divine and Humane both which concur and are hypostatically vnited to make one individuall Person Ioh. 1.14 Heb. 2.16 The word was made flesh he tooke not on him Mat. 1.23 the nature of Angels but he tooke on him the seed of Abraham Whence it is that he is called Emanuel Heb. 10.5 which being interpreted is God with vs. So that in the Person of Christ 1 Ioh. 5.20 was perfect manhood a body thou hast fitted me And perfect God-head this is the very God and eternall life 2. And in the manhood of Christ obserue a soule a body Luk. 23.46 A soule Father into thine hands I commend my Spirit And a body Behold my hands and my feet Luk. 24.39 that it is I my selfe handle me and see For a spirit hath not flesh bones as you see me haue Where note by the way Mat. 26.39 that Christ had a twofold will one from his Deitie another flowing from his Humanitie Therefore praying he sayd O my Father if it be possible let this cup passe from me neverthelesse not as I will but as thou wilt As he was God the will of the father and his were the same 3. Thirdly He was borne of a Virgin his mother knew not man Luk. 2.35 for the Holy-ghost came vpon her the power of the most high over-shadowed her And thus it must be For if he had proceeded by naturall proâ—agation Psal 51.5 he in his conception had bin polluted with orriginall corruption And then he couâ—d not haue bin a meet mediator and holy sacrificer to haue made an atoâ—ement for the sinnes of the people For such an high Priest it behoved vs to haue Heb. 7.26 as was holy harmelesse vndefiled separat from sinners and made higher than the heavens in truth Christs originall puritie is to equall Adams at his Creaâ—ion that the roote being holy all the braâ—ches may in like maner Heb. 7.3 Christ as man had no Father as God no mother And therâ—fore the true Melchizedek without father withâ—ut mother 4. The last thing is that in the very instant of Christâ— conception the two natures were inseparably knit together and in substance and actions ever remained distinct either from other conserving their proper qualities from all mixture or confusion And as the soule and body being vnited make one intire man so the two natures conioyned constitute but one individuall person For marke this Christ did not assume to his Deitie the person but the nature of man neither did the humaniâ—ie for a moment subsist by it selfe but in the very act of its conception was vnited to the Godhead so alwaies continued for ever after yea when Christs soule and body at his death were separated yet neither of them from the Deitie This vnion as it is wonderfull so is it eternally indissoluble Thus much of the intelectual knowledge of Christs person his Offices are now to be handled in order 1. And we will begin with his Priesthood Heb. 7.11 Levit. 10 2.3 Heb. 5.1.2 that Christ was a Priest the Scripture in many places speaketh evidently And who was shadowed out by Aaron and his succâ—ssors but the high Priest of our soules Christ Iesus For he was to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sinnes to haue compassion vpon the ignorant and to make a reconciliation for them who were out of the way And here we may note the differences betwixt the Priest-hood of Christ and that of others 1. He was of the tribe of Iudah they were all of Levi. 2. He was God-man but they meere men 3. He was without sin
for a peâ—rlâ— Act. 18.25 or the devill for holy water They thinke religion with Gallâ— 1 Pet. 3. â—5 to be buâ— a matter of â—ames and â—ords No reason can they render of their faith The best signe of their Christendome is that they were bâ—ptized and O that their liues would testifie so much But if thâ—y cry out they are no drunkards nor swearers no theeues nor vsurers nor Papists nor Puritans goe to Church heare a Sermon receiue as they call them their Easter rightings and contribute to a Preacher why then they imagine they haue strucke all dead We can say the best sort of such our Creed and our confession our ten Commandements and our Pater noster And what need we more Will not this serue our turne Who would not pittie these people And mourne for their miserie What heart so hard will not weepe over our Ierusalâ—m Luk. 19.41 And with Ieremie wish that his eyes were a fountaine of teares Ier. 9.1 to bewaile the slaâ—ne of the daughter of this ignoâ—aâ—t nation What sinne more dangerous More generall than this no knowledge of Christ Iesus And what lesse regarded Lamented Every man in his place strives to be his crafts-master ignoraÌ„ce of al kinds is hated condemned yet this we haue in hand is too much affectâ—d hath great many friends May not the Prophetâ— of these times cry with them of former ages Isa 49.4 we haue spent our strength in vâ—ine Hos 4.6 And the people perish for want of knowledge Heare this O ye sonnes of Adam 2 Thes 1.8 Will not God come in flaming fire to render vengeance vpon all who know him not Mat 15.14 And if the blind lead the blind shall not both fall into the ditch of condemnation Vnderstand this at the last that ignorance is the roade way to death and hell And whosoeuer treades her hidden steppes shall take vp his lodging in the land of everlasting darkenesse Be not deceiued God is not mocked For what a man soweth that shall he reape He therefore who scattereth the seedes of ignorance shall gather the ricke of endlesse perdition and destruction Vse 3 And you who haue so much knowledge of Christ as thorow the vnsearchable mercie of God may serue to saue your soules be not content therewith but be filled with Spirituall wisdome Col. 1 9. and vnderstanding The more thou seest into this mysterie the greater will be thy admiration Take a strict view of the secret worke of the whole frame of nature with the most skilfull and curiouâ— inventions of profoundest men alas the better we vnderstand them the lesser is our astonishment at them But it is not So with this and these thingâ— we haue in hand For as our knowledge increaseth â—f Christ and of his acts of old the more wonderfull will they appeare vnto vs because no found reason can be rendred of the forme of his person or manie of his proceed â—gs And truly as our â—nowlâ—dge is augmented our loue will be inflamed our faith confirmed And all the actions of grace the which flâ—w from vs bettered A man oâ— vnderstanding is of an excellent spirit Pro. 7 27. His affections burne within him his confidâ—nce is immoueable and his hope never faileth fainteth why was Paul so resolute to doe all things 2 Tim. 1.12 Suffer all things He knew him whom he had trusted that the Gospâ—ll was the power of God to salvation Rom. 1.16 the which he Preached professed O that we could tread in this mans stepps be like minded to him He would reioyce in nothing but Christ speake and spread nothing but him 1 Cor. 1.1 c. He was never wearie in naming of him and therefore in nine verses he ten-times makes mention of him Christ was the obiect of his vnderstanding will affections faith feare Col. 3.11 yea all in all How would he chant it with his tongue penne when he smelled this sweete savour Pleasant odour This sent like sugar did sweeten all the bitter sorrowes he sustained like a pretious graine of Muske perfumed his most stinking afflctions What marvaile then if he desired to know noâ—hing else but Christ Iesus and him crucified 1 Cor. 2.2 For what is the exactest knowledge without him But a blinde vnprofitable science Faith But a wild groundlesse confidence Patience Except a stupid sencelesse blockishnesse Or any internall habits Morall actions But sowre grapes Glistering vices And though vnto some this may seeme a paradox yet a Christians who hath a sound mind is a thorowly-well furnisht Artists A Logician For he can argue disput and render a reason of his religion by the never-erring dictate of the spirit A GraÌ„marian who speakes and that distinctly with a new tongue the language of Canaan as a Saint an Angell A Rhetorician for he is able by his pronunciation to pierce the highest heavens procure audience and prevaile with the King A Geometrician measuring the height depth and breadth of the best and greatest Globe the Loue of God An Arithmetician numbring the dayes of old and future ages sinnes pardoned prevented iudgements inflicted remooued favours conferred promised and all things how they are now ordered and in their due season for ever shall be established A deepe Eagle-eyed Philosopher that discernes betwixt grace and nature flesh and spirit And O great secret how the bodie followes the temperature of the soule in a regenerate Person Without controversie he who knowes Christ knowes all things he that is ignorant of him 1. Cor. 81.2 nothing as he ought to know And in this sence as many more Christ may be said to be all in all to Iew Gentile Col. 3.11 to Barbarian Scythian Vse 4 And O thou purblind want and dul-sighted moale get wisdome get vnderstanding of Christ and forget not Seeke into these mysteries search into these so profound depths for they are more pretious than pearles And all thou canst desire are not to be compared to them Meanes thou hast if thou haue an heart motiues strong and many if thou wilt be allured He who would be skilfull in any science wil he not read the choâ—cest authors Purchase the most ancient manu-scripts And be a companion to the cunning Artist Shall we not then doth is and more too for the gaining of so excellent knowledge What if it make not such a stirre and ratling in the world as others Is any like it To be equalled to it If thou wander in thy spirituall progresse Ioh 16 6. is not Christ thy leader Art thou in doubt Is not he the author Heb. 12.2 Finisher of thy faith Dost thou faint he is thy life and length of daies Deu. 30.20 Are not the holy letters the swadling-bands wherein the babe Iesus is wrapped That I say not the expresse image of his person 1 Cor. 9.22 Is he not made all things compared to all things that he might win some of each ranke
holdes 1 Ioh. 3.8 dissolued his cursed workes bruised his head and made frustrate his exploites So that we shall combat with conquer overcome him For doth not the Lambe take our part Rev. 17.14 4. The fourth is the guilt and sting of conscience whose worme would haue still knawed vs at the heart sucked our blood and haunted vs as the evill Spirit did Saul 1 Sam. 16.14 till the day of our dissolution A â—ounded Conscience who can beare it Pro. 18.14 A byde it It is the extreamest of all extremities not to be matched 5. A fifth is the manie vglie fearefull mâ—shapen form s of death Hath not the sight of this horrid monster made the stoutest strongest heartes to tremâ—le Was Phaâ—aoh thinke we a puling babe Exod 12.31 Balâ—hazzar and Naball Dan. 5 6. No bodies Yet hearing of this Sergeant 1 Sam 25. did not their spirits faile within them But thankes be to â—od we haue obtained victorie 1 Cor. 15.55 agaâ—nst this guest thorow Iesus Christ 6. The last is from hell Iob. 10.22 an house of darkenesse dread terrour Mat 8.12 where is weeping and gnashing of teeth Psal 120.5 Aegypt to this place might haue beene a Paradise Meshech and Kedar Cities of content Thus you see in parcells though but in part what we are saved from But consider Salvation in his largest latitude then this is not all For it is not onely a preservation from all evill of sâ—nne and punishment but a procuration of everie good thing and an everlasting tenure in respect of both For that which maketh mans Salvation compleate is the constant freedome from all the evills Rev. 21.4 with the fruition of all good things which can be mentioned Yea much more 1 Cor. 2.9 than eye hath ever seene eare heard or hath entred into the heart of man and that for ever and ever Psal 16.11 Obiect But it may be Obiected that we are not thus saved For originall sinne is not abolished actuall prevented nor the evill of punishment from mankind remooved we are also weake in grace of small abilitie to doe well and dwell among the Serpents seede in a land of warre Resol What of all this Consider that the Scripture calleth things which yet are not for the certainetie thereof as though they were alreadie consummat Psal 2.7 perfect Obiect Thou wilt further reply how can this stand with Gods iustice to deferre a discharge when by the Suretie his iustice is satisfied and the full debâ— discharged Why not 1. For when the Law was violated Resol the highest measure of Death and damnation was not immediatly inflicted but by degrees may not the Lord then for a season reserue the libertie of his mercie as he did of his iustice What letteth 2. Againe though Christ vndertooke the payment for mans ransome and was the Lambe slaine from the beginning Yet was it not actually discharged vntill Christ had actually suffered which was after mans fall many hundreds of yeeres Now if the Suretie deferre the payment why may not the Creditor the remotion of the punishment an equall season 3. Thirdly the promises as the threats of God for the times execution of them are with limitation reservation The threat runnes thus Thou shalt dye The promise thus Thou shalt liue no distinct time being mentioned Who then hath cause to complaine against Gods proceedings At the fulnesse of time which he with him selfe hath reserved man shall be saved 4. And Finally were we borne withour originall corruption kept from actuall transgression freed from all kindes of afflictions And should in a moment partake of the fulnesse of Salvation we should not so clearely apprehend the iustice and mercie of God the Father the loue and pâ—ttie of Christ our Suretiâ— nor the worth of our Salvation What if a father ransome his child is it amisse to let him lie a time in bondes Fetters No no his purchased freedome by that meanes will be in his apprehension the more worâ—h better welcome being afterwards inioyed Thus you haue a glympse as thorow a small crevise Ioh 13.17 of your Sauiour whom and of Salvation what they are Now blessed are ye if you make the true vse of them Prov 3 3. Wherefore set these things before thine eie presse them on thine heart And let them never slip out of thy minde Psal 1.2 Was it so great a favour for the Israelites 2 Sam. 18.3 to haue David for their King To be freed from the Law of the Medes and Persians Hest 8.16 Deliuered after seventie yeeres Captivitie out of Babilon Gen. 33.10 For Iacob to be reconciled to his angrie brother Esau Naaman to be cured of his Leprosie 2 King 5.15 The poore woman healed of her bloudâ—e issue And Nabuchadnezzar Mar. 5.2.5 to be restored to his kingdome Dan. 4.36 Than what is this we haue in hand What words can suffice to chalke out the worth of Christs Person Or mans salvation All mercies are miseries all miseries mercies to it and him May not a Christian vpon a farre better ground 2 Sam. 1 26. than David of his Ionathan say of Iesus verie kind hast thou beene vnto me Make inquirie is therâ— none of Gods familie 2 Sam. 9.1 to whom I may shew fauour for Iesus sake Exod. 15. Did Moses make a Psalme being deliuered out of the hands of Pharaoh Iudg. 5. Deborah sing a song when Sisera was slaine The people shout when the Arke came backe that the earth rang againe 1 Sam. 4.5 And old Iacob weepe for ioy Ioseph being yet aliue Gen 45.14 Will it then well become Christians to be sad dumpish melancholy seeing Christ and Salvation be come to their houses When I cast mine eye take a strict view of such as are accounted Christians would be reputed forward Professors how they hang the head fould their armes fetch deepe sighes and bitter thinke I then Iesus Thou art sure but a name salvation but a sound else why shold men be so dead So heauie-hearted May not worldlings who onely haue their portions in this life rise vp in iudgement against vs For are not they more merrie More iocund than we Christians Whence should this wrong to Christ this disparagement to salvation proceed Is the sacred bloud of the immaculate Lamb exhausted Heb. 12.24 Doth it not still speake better things than that of Abels What Is Salvat on worne away Growne worse in this last age of the world Or doe men imagine that now they are borne without soules as some of Hâ—ly-fax Nuttes grow ripe yet want kernels Surely we may feare there be some who thinke so For what doe our Gallants but sweare by Iesus Our poore the shame and staine of our nation except begge in his name O Iesus Thou art little knowne lesse regarded And Salvation Seldome talkt on nought set by But O thou man of God who by experience hast felt the worth of thy freedome runne to Iesus hugge him in thine armes Rom. 16 16 salute him with an holy-kisse make him the Crowne of thy ioy and thy onely Companion Builde him a Temple sing praises to his sacred person and consecrate thy whole selfe not a Leg or an Arme vnto him 1. Cor. 4.7 For what hast thou that from him and by him and for him Rev. 4.11 thou hast not received Christ to a Christian must be all in all all in all things What is wealth without Christ but rotten stinking dung Purple and fine linnen but polluted menstruous clouts A stately Pallace But a verie Pesthouse I say more how that all loue without Christ is but passion zeale furie ioy madnesse And hope but despaire All therefore he must be or we are nothing at all Wouldest thou be that wise Merchant Mat. 13. Then sell all the little that thou hast to buy this Pearle to compasse this Commoditie What wealth of more worth What gaine equall to this Wherfore goe get thee to Iesus for the matter of thy iustification Mixe not thy puddle with his Purple bloud thy ragges with his Kingly costly rayment thy best deedes with his vnmatchable dignitie Blend not thy Pigeon plumes with these Eagles feathers thy sowre gourd with this swtete Grape least thy garments defile thee thy food empoyson thee and death be found in the potte Flee to the fountaine Iesus to fill thy emptie vessell with the water of Sanctification Drinke heartily thereof and be satiate Shall he saue thee want power to Sanctifie thee Or is the Spirit vnable vnwilling to apply the whole purchase Is it safe to thinke that the second Adam hath not recouerd what the first lost And if he haue shall not we be partakers of it Then lay thy policie bend thy might and endeavour thy selfe to support his praise reserve his fame who hath Saved thy Soule But alas many esteeme prize value an Hawke an Hound a Cocke a Card a Ruffe and Cuffe before Christ and Salvatition I say no more of such or to such but I wish that another day it be not deepely layd to their charge Amen FINIS