so farre forth as it is in Scripture expressed what the eternall God is according to His infinite Essence or being place and I knew it not But that this first point may yet become more cleare unto devout soules namely for whom preparation is now to be made according to the doctrine of this heavenly crying voice there is also to be signified in some wise what the Scripture saith That the eternall God is And so the minde of man seeking the Lord may be introducted to see though as through a glasse the e Isa 33.17 King in his beauty and to behold the Land that is very farre off as Jsaiah speaketh The Lord Jesus Christ having said to the woman of Samaria f Joh. 4.23 24 See 2. Cor. 3.17 18. and the marginall reading there 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God is Spirit The houre commeth and now is when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in Spirit and in truth for the Father seeketh such to worship him declareth That God is a Spirit and that they which worship him must worship him in Spirit and in truth Where he teacheth us that God is Spirit S. John saith This then is the message which we have heard of him and declare unto you that God is g 1. Joh. 1.5 God is Light Light and in him is no darknesse at all He also saith Beloved let us love one another for love is of God and every one that loveth is borne of God and knoweth God He that loveth not knoweth not God for God is h 1. John 4.7 8 16. God is Love love God is love and hee that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God and God in him So that here is plainely expressed what God is namely that he is Light and Love Now that this most blessed Spirit of light and love may have his gracious presence in us to his i Prov. 8.31 delight and our unexpressable k Deut. 10.13 good His said crying voice is unto us that we in our wildernesse and desart do prepare a way and make straight a path for Him Now the second point is to be considered to wit The second point In what place to prepare the way of the Lord. in what place the preparation is to be made The Text saith In the wildernesse in the desart And what a spirituall wildernesse or desart is it may appear out of the Apostles words unto the Ephesians describing what they were before they became l See Rom. 1.5 and 16.26 Acts. 6.7 obedient unto the Faith He saith unto them m Eph. 2.12 that at that time yee were without Christ being aliens from the common-wealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise having no hope and without God in the world But he describeth a worse wildernesse in that his exhortation where he saith n Eph. 4.17 18 19. This I say therefore and testifie in the Lord that yee henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk in the vanitie of their mind having the understanding darkened being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them because of the blindnesse of their heart who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousnesse to worke all uncleannesse with greedinesse Now it is to be considered how man and woman are become such wildernesses and desarts whereas in the beginning they were created glorious o See Cantic 8.13 and 5.1 and 6.2 and 4.12 gardens for the Lord. Solomon saith p Eccles 7.29 Loe this only have I found that God made man upright but they have sought out many inventions It is said in Genesis When the woman saw q Gen. 3.6 that the tree of knowledge of good and evill was good for food and that it was pleasant unto the eyes and a tree to be desired to make one wise she took thereof and did eate and gave also to her husband with her and he did eate Then became they to be r Gen. 3.7 Rom. 3.23 naked in soul and came short of the glorie of God They from being afore Gods gardens and paradises now became to be wildernesses and desarts And that every one of mankind growing up in this world and fast abiding in the fall not truly endeavouring to enter into the change of minde and life prescribed and required by the Gospel for to proceed duly in the same is a ſ Jsa 32.15 16. Jer. 4.26 Gen. 6.5 Rom. 3.12 13 14 15 16 17 18. wildernesse and a desart it needeth no confirmation with many Texts being acknowledged and confessed even by all The Hebrew word for wildernesse is observed to signifie a place remote from speech or talk And in a setled spirituall Wildernesse there is scarfe any gracious speech heard Yea Christ saith t Mat. 12.34.35 How can ye being evill speak good things For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh The Wildernesse within man which ought to be prepared is the heart My sonne saith God u Prov. 23.26 give me thine heart It is said concerning Rehoboam That he did evill because hee prepared not his * 2. Chron. 12.14 heart to seek the Lord. But whereas the Holy Ghost doth here use two words wildernesse and desart and the Hebrew word for desart hath in it the signification of x. In Ps 68.4 in the plurall number heaven may it not intimate the superiour facultie in man the understanding or the minde And then by wildernesse may also be meant the inferiour facultie in man the will or the affections Jeremiah speaking concerning many in his time saith My people is foolish they have not known me they are sottish children and they have no understanding they are wise to do evill but to do good they have no knowledge I beheld the earth and loe it was without forme and void and the y Ier. 4.22 23. heavens and they had no light In which place also the word heaven appeareth to signifie mans mind or understanding The z Heb. 4.12 Luke 1.46 47. Isa 26.9 Scripture hath in sundry places the expression of soule and spirit to be in man But saith the Apostle to the Thessalonians a 1. Thess 5.23 The very God of peace sanctifie you wholly and I pray God your whole spirit and soule body bee preserved blameles unto the comming of our Lord Jesus Christ Preparation is to be made thereunto in the whole man and as inwardly so outwardly also And to the Corinthians he saith b 1. Cor. 6.19.20 The Vulgar Latine Text there hath Glorificate portate Deum in corpore vestro what know ye not that your body is the Temple of the holy Ghost which is in you which ye have of God and ye are not your own For ye are bought with a price therefore glorifie God in your body and in your spirit which are Gods Now the next point is to be considered The third point The manner of preparing
preach Him among the Heathen c. And afterward he saith They glorified God t verse 24. in me To the Romanes hee writeth For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed * Rom. 8.18 in us Peter also intimateth it where he saith v 2. Pet. 1.19 untill the Day-starre arise in our hearts Which Starre truly is the glory of the Lord Christ according to His Divine nature as Himself saith I Jesus am the bright and Morning * Rev. 22.16 starre Peter also signifieth where the Revelation of Christ is in that counsell given unto women concerning whom he saith x 1. Pet. 3.4 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Whose adorning let it be the hidden man of the heart It is in the Syrian Text Adorne your selves with the Sonne of man the hidden one of the heart And that Christ becomes to be within his people according to his Spirit is often declared in the writings of the Apostles S. Paul said to the Corinthians y 2. Cor. 13.5 Col. 1.27 Know ye not your own selves how that Jesus Christ is in you except ye be reprobates The Gospel teacheth that God the z Eph. 4 6. Father is in his people likewise God the a Col. 3.11 Sonne and also God the b 1. Cor. 6.19 and 3.16 and 2. Cor. 6.16 Rom. 8.9 11. Holy Ghost Hence it is said c Ps 45.13 The Kings daughter is all glorious within d Luke 17.21 The Kingdome of God is within us e 2. Cor. 4.6 God who commanded the light to shine out of darknesse hath shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ There is thirdly to be considered The third thing to be considered Who shall behold this glory of the Lord. The words of the Text are All flesh And this is not meant concerning universall humane flesh but only of that which beareth in it the true circumcision the fear of the Lord. It is said in Ezechiel f Ezechiel 36.26 I will give you an heart of flesh And the Chaldee interpretation there is to this effect 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Et dabo vobis câ—rtimens coram me ad faciendum voluntatem meam That it is such an heart as is in awe of God and is inclined to do his will Also in a most ancient booke of the Jewes there is a saying concerning what presently followeth circumcision which being understood of the circumcision of the heart is a very memorable sentence 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 g Zohar 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That is Wee have learned that at what time soever wherein a sonne of man shall be marked with the holy signature of this signe from thence he after some manner seeth God and the holy soul becommeth united with him But Christs words do make the matter plain where he saith He that hath my commandements and keepeth them he it is that loveth me and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father and I will love him and h Joh. 14 21. manifest my self unto him So that saying unto the true Jerusalem Arise be enlightned for thy light is come and the i Isa 60.1 2. glory of the Lord is risen upon thee For behold the darknesse shall cover the earth and grosse darknesse the people but the Lord shall arise upon thee and his glory shall be seen on thee S. Paul expresseth the matter shewing how God is perceived by his people saying k 2. Cor. 3.18 But we all with open face beholding as in a glasse the glory of the Lord are changed into the same image from glory to glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord. A soule l Ezech. 18.21 repenting for all the sinnes which it hath committed and m Luke 13.24 striving to observe obediently n Ps 119.6 Luke 1.6 all Gods everlasting commandements o Gal. 3.23 Heb 10.36 37. at length attaineth to have a p Phil. 1.9 See the Marginall reading Heb. 6.4 5. feeling of the holy Spirit working q Eph. 3.20 Col. 1.29 within it and the r Eph. 1.18 The fourth thing to bee considered eye of the understanding being enlightned it perceiveth what is the hope of His calling and what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the Saints The fourth matter to be considered is the manner or if it may be so expressed posture wherein all shall see the revealed Glory of the Lord which labour in the worke of due preparing the way of the Lord into them And it is said Together But the Hebrew word thereof seemeth to import asmuch as to say Å¿ See Schindlers Lexicon and Buxtorfs Sintaxis Every one together Also the same word in a certain Psalme is interpreted for to signifie Unity as where it is said t Ps 133.1 Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity Whereas therefore the promise is that all truly holy ones shall see together or in unity it declareth that Gods revealing of his heavenly light extendeth unto Unity unto the bringing of all and every one of them into Christian unity of minde and understanding and also into uniformity of life and conversation namely to be more and more of the mind and life of Jesus Christ For it is written u Phil. 2.5 1 Cor. 2.16 Let this mind be in you which was in Jesus Christ And it is also written * 1 Joh. 2.6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk even as he walked And to endeavour for to be in such Unity was the profession of the ancient ones in the house of God as it may appear from what is said namely Walked wee not in the x 2 Cor. 12.18 same Spirit Walked we not in the same steps Yea also S. Luke recordeth y Acts. 4.32 That the multitude of them which believed were of one heart and of one soule It is the promise of God to blesse his obedient people with the spirit of Unity He saith And I will give them z Jer. 32.39 one heart and one way that they may feare me for ever for the good of them and of their children after them He saith also a Jer. 31.33 34 I will put my Law in their inward parts and write it in their hearts and I will be their God and they shall be my people And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour and every man his brother saying Know the Lord for they shall all know me from the least of them unto the greatest of them saith the Lord. Also saith Christ b Joh. 17.22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them that they may be one even as we are one Furthermore as there is c Zeph. 3 9. Zech.
if any difference doth chance will it not soon be composed when as none seeketh his owne honour or by-respects but only the honour and glory of God None the doing of his owne will and mind but only the doing of Gods i Deut. 29.29 Acts. 13.22 Joh. 1.12 13. 1 Pet. 4.1 2. Mat. 3.15 Col. 1.25 revealed will in every thing Such fellow-servants will still remember What is enjoyned by the Gospel where it is said k Gal. 6.1 2. See Phil. 2.1 2 3. Brethren if any man be overtaken in a fault ye which are spirituall restore such a one in the spirit of meeknesse considering thy self lest thou also be tempted Beare ye one anothers burdens and so fulfill the Law of Christ Now heare some causes why such difference is among some zealous persons And the saying is That when causes do cease the effects will cease more and more It is a great cause of difference where there is minded but l 1 Cor. 13.4 5 6 7 8. Causes of difference among many religious persons The first mentioned cause part of Christs Gospel and not the whole Many onely mind what Christ hath done for us but nothing or very little what he m Mat. 23.23 Micah 6.8 Rom. 8.12 13. Mat. 5.20 Rom. 8.4 Luke 13.3 5. Mat. 18.3 Luk. 14.26 27 33. Job 3.5 6. and 12.24 25 26. requireth to be done by us It is true we ought to learn every particular matter mentioned in any holy Scripture concerning what the Lord Jesus Christ hath done for his Church and to understand the same according to the mind of God But withall we are also to learn every particular duty which is taught in any place of the holy Gospel and with helpe of his holy spirit to strive for to perform every of the same n Joh. 15.14 Saith not Christ Ye are my friends if ye do whatsoever I command you Did he not charge his Ministers to teach all nations for to observe o Mat. 28.20 all things whatsoever he hath commanded Is not he the Prophet to be heard in p Acts. 3.22 23. all things whatsoever he shall say unto us * In all ages there hath bin much unitie among all persons which have aswell minded every duty in life and conversation which the Gospel prescribeth as the matters which it signifieth to bee beleeved It is still observed that there is much unitie among all such as mind aswell what the Gospel teacheth to be done as what is to be believed but among such as mind only points of faith and do neglect the matters concerning life and conversation prescribed therein the discord is much and manifold It is written that the Angel of the Lord said unto the Apostles q Acts. 5.20 Joh. 10.10 and 12.50 Go stand and speak in the Temple to the people all the words of this life Which giveth us to understand that true Christianity for a great part consisteth in matter of life and conversation The Holy Ghost saith r Jam. 1.27 Pure Religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this To visit the fatherlesse and widowes in their affliction and to keepe himself unspotted from the world The * It is in the ancient larger notes called the Geneva ones See 1 Cor. 4.20 Rom. 14.17 Rom. 2.6 7 8 9 10 11 13. 1 Joh. 3.18 19. Geneva note thereon is The true service of God standeth in charity toward our neighbours especially such as need others help as the fatherlesse and widowes and purity of life The parenthesis being left out the sentence is The true service of God standeth in charity toward our Neighbours and purity of life Micah saith Å¿ Micah 6.8 See the marginall reading there also the Geneva Translation of that verse The second mentioned cause of difference Whereas many take no notice of the benefits which the Scripture signifieth that the truly godly doe enjoy now in the body within their soules and mindes hence is it that they hope for no such spirituall blessings now neither endeavour the prescribed preparation for them And so setting not the said spirituall marke before them for to aime thereat to approach neerer and neerer unto it they come not into such a comfortable measure of Christian unity as others doe See Job 22.21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29. And the marginall readings there See 2 Cor. 6.16 17 18. and 27.1 Rev. 2.7 17 26 27 28. and 3.5.12 He hath shewed thee O man what is good and what doth the Lord require of thee but to do justly and to love mercie and to * 1 Cor. 6.17 humble thy self for to walk with thy God Another cause of so much difference is That many bear not in mind the marke at which they should now aime and hope for to attain unto in this life and world For the Apostle signifieth That Godlinesse hath aswell promises benefits and blessings t 1 Tim. 4.8 now to be enjoyed besides what hereafter unto all eternitie And for that those spirituall comforts are not now pressed hard after minds become divided and u Ier. 50.6 Isa 53.6 scattered farre apart If archers go forth to shoote and every one shooteth which way soever he adventureth their arrowes do commonly fall down farre apart but if they all doe aime at one and the same marke then are they all found about the mark though some neerer to it than other It is a mark whereat we should now aime to be joyned * Eph. 2.6 sheweth an high degree in Christian unitie wherunto some of the Ephesians had through Divine grace then attained unto the Lord and so to become one spirit with him as farre forth as he now vouchsafeth unto his servants If then I thou he and innumerable more become so one spirit with him what discord can long continue between us then The neglect therefore of the study of attaining now Union with Gods holy Spirit is a cause of so much variance among many which yet notwithstanding have some good affections and laudable beginnings But all Wordlings bear the mind of x Num. 23.10 Balaam They would willingly die the death of the righteous ones and that their last end be like theirs but whiles they live in bodily health and outward prosperity they are willing to retain within them the spirit of the world and to y Acts 7.51 shut out of their hearts the spirit which is of God They consider not on that saying of the Gospel * If wee would have our soules long to prosper in our bodies let us not now shut out of our soules God the Spirit of heavenly light and of heavenly love Prov. 8.31 If any one have not the spirit of Christ he is none of his Wherefore Solomon signifieth That Christs Spirit now on earth dwelleth in his gardens as it is written a Cant. 8.13 The third mentioned cause of difference which ceasing true Christian concord will daily increase Thou
satis queam admirari In annal Baron exers 136. The Title of the said portion of Scripture key of true holie knowledge for who so doth rightly apprehend the minde of the Lord signified in this Oracle he shall thereby through Divine help be enabled much to perceive of the mysterie which is throughout the whole word of God And that it may be the easier comprehended let meditation be thereon in this order First to consider for whom preparation is here prescribed to be made Secondly in what place it is to be Thirdly the mentioned particular works of the said preparation And fourthly the benefit which now commeth in a true endeavour to perform the same But afore entrance be into the explanation of these points it is meet in briefe to note the Title of this Fundamentall Sacred Text. And literally according to the Hebrew it is A voice crying or a crying voice or a voice of a Crier the * The Hebrew accent over the word for Crier maketh a comma but the accent over the word for wildernesse is said to be one of those which make an halfe Comma point of Distinction being made at the word crying For so it ought to be by vertue of the Hebrew accent unto the said word in the Originall * It is also so pointed or dissinguished in their Translation Printed anno 1624. Mr. Tindall in his Translation hath there made the distinction also See the Translation used in the Reign of King Edward the sixt as in the annotation on this place it is delivered which is unto the translation set forth by Tremellius and Junius Now this most great matter thus from Almighty God delivered by Isaiah is called a voice crying to wit unto us in the name of the Lord for to signifie that every d Mar. 6.12 2 Tim. 4.2 true Minister of Christ is a teacher of this Doctrine in effect and fervently presseth the same Also as the Prophet Isaiah preached it so did John the e Luk 3.3 4 5 6. Baptist Yea f Mat. 4.17 Christ and His g Acts 20.21 Apostles did in substance publish the same It appeareth to be said Crying because the world is fallen into a great h Isa 56.10 Mat. 25.5 Luke 17.34 1 Thes 5.6.7 sleep of ignorance yea innumerable lie i Eph. 2.1 1 Pet. 4.6 dead in trespasses and sinnes Whereupon God commandeth every of his Ministers saying k Jsa 58.1 Cry aloud spare not lift up thy voice like a Trumpet c. Also there is said l Eph. 5.14 Awake thou that sleepest and arise from the dead and Christ shall give thee light The first point for whom preparation is to be made Let us now consider the first point namely for whom preparation is here prescribed to be made The Text saith For the Lord For our God And the name here rendred m 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 See Shi nalerus and Buntorfias in their Lexicons at 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Lord is observed to contain in it the signification Was Is Will be And so in Rev. 1.8 and 4.8 even such an expression is delivered And the name rendred n 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ex 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 et 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God is noted to signifie a Mightie Being and is here considered also to have in it the signification of the blessed * Being in the Text in the plurall number Trinitie And the word our being added thereunto declareth Him to be the God whom the holie Prophet enjoyed And saith David o Ps 144.15 and 33 12. Happy is that people whose God is the Lord. Now that this Lord God may be continually with us according to His gracious p Exod. 33.13 14 15. presence this Oracle instructeth us what we for our parts are to do thereunto But forasmuch q Isa 1.3 Ezek. 8.12 Ps 73.27 28. few doe understand that the said presence may be enjoyed now whilest we are in the body in this life and in this present world it is necessarie to endeavour for to help mans weak apprehension herein God is every where though most mind it not There is no place where Hee is not according to his Essence or immense Spirit Wee are to believe that thus God is Heb. 11.6 Acts 17.27 Ps 139. Nos verò omnibus non modo factu sed etiam cogitationibus et sermonibus nostris tum nocta nâ—n interdiu Deum adesse scimus Eumque et totum esse lumen et quae in cordibus nostris latent videre Athenagoras in legatione pro Christianis Wherefore let there be first considered that the eternall God blessed for ever according to His Essence infinite spirit or immense Being is perpetually every where in the universall world It is an ancient saying Enter praefemer Deus heic ubique potenter He saith r Isa 66.1 Heaven is my throne and the earth is my foot-stoole And can any Å¿ Ier. 23.24 See Acts. 7.49 50. 2. Chro. 6.18 Isa 43.2 hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him saith the Lord Doe not I fill heaven and earth saith the Lord There is also written t Wisd 1.7 The Spirit of the Lord filleth the world and that which containeth all things hath knowledge of the voice u Wisd 12.1 Thine incorruptible spirit is in all things Moreover according to the aforesaid manner he is continually within every one of us although * Job 9.11 Joh. 1.5 undiscerned by us This incomprehensible God was unknown to the x Acts. 17.23 27 28. Prope Deus est tecum est intus est Ita dico Lucili sacer intra nos spiritus sedet bonorum malorumque nostrorum observator et custos Hic prout à nobis tractatur ita et nos tractat ipse Seneca ad Lucilium Athenians and therefore Paul preached Him unto them and signified That they should seeke the Lord if haply they might feele after him and find him though he be not farre from every one of us For in him wee live and move and have our being And David hath written almost a whole y Psa 139. Psalm for to teach that the Spirit of God Gods presence was continually with him and that he could go no whither where the Lord was not And in conclusion he said z verse 18. When I awake I am still with thee When one duly considereth what hath operation within him and becomes sensible that in him somewhat a Col. 1.29 Prov. 1.23 Acts 7.51 mooveth him towards the observing of the ten Commandements and what else is that everlasting Law of Almighty God he then thus awaked saith with David b Ps 73.23 I am still with thee O God and thou art c Ps 23.4 with mee It is written that Jacob being awaked out of his sleep at a certaine time said Surely the Lord is in this d Gen. 28.16 It is necessary to understand
Eph. 2.2 2 Tim. 2.25 26. Luke 11.21 22 24. spirit of the World Satan reigning with his power therein The Apostle saith c Rom 6.16 Know ye not that to whom ye yeeld your selves servants to obey his servants ye are to whom ye obey Can such be in a safe condition which will passe their time as the Apostle saith d without Christ being aliens from the common-wealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise having no hope and without God in the world Hath not Christ said But those mine enemies which would not that I should e Luke 19.27 reigne over them or have my kingdome of grace f Luke 17.21 The third use for correction within them bring hither and slay them before me A Third use is for Correction of most persons which passe their time in this world not minding this one necessary thing namely to bee now an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob. O what paines do most take all their life long some in one humane g Ier. 9.23 24. learning some in another some in the h Ps 39.6 Hab. 2 6. getting or i 1. Tim. 6.10 Luke 12.19 loving of worldly wealth some in following their own k 1. Cor. 10.7 2. Tim. 3.4 Job 21.13 See the marginall reading there earthly pleasures others in l Col. 3.2 Phil. 3 19. The Summum Bonum in this world setting their hearts on other matters according to their severall affections and neglect the Summum Bonum the Soveraigne or Supreme good in this present world to wit the m 1. Joh. 1.3 4. and 4.16 17. Eph. 3.19 and 4.13 Song 3.4 Joh. 14.21 23. enjoying of Gods gracious presence within ones soule n Gen. 5.22 Micah 6.8 walking with God o 1 Cor. 6.17 Joh. 17.21 joyning to the Lord and becomming one spirit with him The Apostle saith p Rom. 8.9 If any one have not the Spirit of Christ hee is none of his Of whose Spirit the fruit is q Gal. 5.22 23 24. love joy peace long-suffering gentlenesse goodnesse faith meeknesse temperance and it is in r Eph. 5.9 all goodnes and righteousnesse and truth They which are wholly for Å¿ Col. 2.8 Acts 17.18 humane learning or for the t 2. Tim. 3.5 Mat. 23.2 3. and 5.20 Ier. 22.16 17. 1 Joh. 2.3 4. Gen. 3.6 meere historicall knowledge of what is contained in Divine writ that they may proceed so farre therein as is possible and do make such understanding their glory and endeavour to have it for the greatest contentment of the minde are not in the right they have not the u Prov. 9.10 Job 28.28 Ps 111.10 and 119.98 99 100. perfect wisdome For it is the Gospels doctrine * 1. Cor. 13.1 2. See the Geneva Translation of 1. Cor. 13.2 and the Greeke Text. Though I speake with the tongues of men and of Angels and have not charity I am become as sounding brasse or a tinkling Cymball And though I have the gift of prophecie and understand all mysteries and all knowledge and though I have all faith so that I could remove mountains and have not Charity I am nothing It is said also else where x 1. Joh. 4.7 8 8 16. Deut. 4.6 7 and 32.29 and 5.29 1 Cor. 8.3 Joh. 15.10 14. Let us love one another for love is of God and every one that loveth is borne of God and knoweth God He that loveth not knoweth not God for God is love God is love and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God and God in him And what the said lovers nature and properties are it is plainly expressed in the thirteenth chapter of the first Epistle to the Corinthians where sixteen qualities thereof are reckoned up that there may be no mistake concerning the charity or love which the holy Gospell prescribeth and requireth The fourth use for instruction A fourth use is for Instruction That seeing our Creatour willeth that we z Ps 119.166 174. 1 Pet. 1.13 14 15. 1 Thess 1.10 1. Cor. 1.7 9. zealously endeavour the aforesaid preparation and then waite for the Revelation there promised that we a Jer. 7.5 Lam. 3.40 Consider the importance of the Hebrew Text. See Junius his Translation thereof throughly search and try our waies and turne home quite unto the Lord as Jeremiah maketh exhortation Wherewithall saith David shall a young man b Ps 119.9 2 Cor. 13.5 1 Thess 5.21 22. cleanse his way By taking heed thereto according to thy word We are therefore to consider all the word of the Lord for to see what valleys mountaines and hils crookednesses and roughnesses it doth discover to be in us that so with help of his holy Spirit we may put them all away more and more We are also often to pray as David did c Ps 63.1 2 8. Wee are to pray continually for Gods helpe hereunto O God Thou art my God early will I seek thee My soule thirsteth for thee my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirstie land where no water is to see thy power and thy glory so as I have seen thee in the Sanctuarie My soule followeth hard after thee d Ps 143.10 and 25.5 Teach me to doe thy will for thou art my God Thy Spirit is good leade me into the Land of uprightnesse * Ps 43.3 O send out thy light and thy truth let them lead me let them bring mee unto thy holie Hill and to thy Tabernacles The said worke of preparation is not to bee deferred Moreover the said worke of preparing a way for the Lord to come into us is not to be deferred untill old age or untill there be perill of death or of some great misery but as the Holy Ghost saith e Heb. 3.7 8 13 15. To day if yee will hear his voice harden not your hearts as in the provocation in the day of temptation in the wildernesse The Apostle there saith Exhort one another daily whiles it is called to day lest any of you be hardned through the the deceitfulnesse of sinne Continuall observation declareth a certain counsell to be wholesome which saith f Sirach 5.7 Deut. 29.10 21. Rom. 2.4 5 6. Ps 119.59 60. 1 Thess 5.2 3. Maledictus qui florem juventutis suae diabolo et faecem senectutis Deo reservat Augustinus Make no tarrying to turn unto the Lord and put not off from day to day for suddenly shall the wrath of the Lord come forth and in thy securitie shalt thou be destroyed and perish in the day of vengeance g Isa 55.6 Isaiah saith Seeke ye the Lord while he may be found call ye upon him while he is neere Christ saith h Luke 13.25 26 27. When once the master of the house is risen up and hath shut to the doore and ye begin to stand without and to knock at the door saying Lord Lord open unto us and he shall answer and