and ingrafted in the Body before we die because the end of Holiness is Everlasting Life 3dly By those Words Set thy House in order is denoted and shewn forth that we set our Souls in order The Phrase set thine House in order is a Metonomy for by the Name of the thing containing is meant the things contained in that House like as when mention is made of the Cup which Jesus a little before He was betrayed took Bâ—ead and gave thanks and gave it to them saying Drink ye all of this Mat. 26. 27. Thereby is intended not the bare outward Cup but the Wine contained in that Cup. And so in liâ—e manner this Phrase of the Spirit of God delivered by the Mouth of Isaiah doth not so much signifie that Hezekiah should set the outward Walls of his Palace or dwelling House in Order but rather his Houshold concerns which were contained in that House nay further that Tenement of Clay wherein Himself did inhabit his Flesh and Body this He should set in Order Nay to come yet closer and nearer to himself He should not so much set the earthly House of his Body in Order this should be done but yet much more He should set the Inhabitant of that earthly House viz. His Soul in Order Now what was commanded to Hâ—zekiah is the Duty of us all severally upon whom the ends of the World are come The Soul is not our House but the Inhabitant of our House and from the like Analogy and Reason of Things by the very same Interpretation and opening out of the Scriptures which the Eternal Spirit in the penning and giving them forth hath designed therein when He expresses the things contained therein by the Word or Name of the thing containing Therefore of necessity the Spirit of God did mean and intend thereby when He saith set thine House in Order set thy Soul in Order because that this Soul of ours is the Principal and I may say the only Thing that is most Immaterial and Substantial which is contained in this earthly House of ours If we compare Mat. 16. 26. For what is a Man proâ—â—â—ed if He shall gain the whole World and lose his Soul together with Luke 9. 25. where instead of his own Soul it is thus written What is a Man profited if He gain the whole World and lose himself Now put both theâ—e places together and from them both it will undeniably follow that the Soul is the Man himself Man fest Reason I will go on to add yet further evâ—n very Sense teacheth the same for we may understand and perceive that the Body is just enlivened and 〈◊〉 sensible but is as it were a meer Trunk or Engine for the Soul to Act in It is evidently seen that the Body upon the Decease or Departure of the Soul from out of it is just like an empty House Tenement or Cottage without any Inhabitant at all in it which as that thereupon doth fall into Ruin and Decay without any one to mind or look after it so the Body yet much sooner Moulders into Corruption Stink and Dust Fear and the Pit and the Snare are upon thee O Inhabitant of the Earth Isa 24. 17. This is a most proper and apposite Expression of the Holy Ghost to call us Inhabitants of the Earth From whence I will go on to Remark yet further that just like as Snails carry their Houses upon their Backs even so we carry about the Houses of our Habitation I mean this little Tenement of Clay the Body all along and every where with us We are wrapt up and covered all over with it And it is a moveable walking House that hath not Foundations Heb. 11. 9. which herein is opposite unto and distinct from that City which hath Foundations there mentioned in the next following Verse And also herein it is opposite unto and distinct from that House Eternal in the Heavens spoken of 2 Cor. 5. 1. Now what we must do or how to behave our selves to set our selves who inhabit and are contained within this earthly House in Order proceed we to shew according to that measure of Knowledge which our Creator hath given unto us To set in Order in one Sence is a kind of Speech which is used when from out of a great mixed and confused Multitude of Men these are Marshalled and put in order of an Army And indeed it is observed of a well Disciplined Army that it is one of the most orderly things in the World when each Officer and Souldier notwithstanding their vast Multitude knows and stands in his proper Place Rank and File not moving one Hands breadth from out of it to the Right Hand or to the Left and they do move and act nothing without Command or Order And so when we read in Joel 2. 7 8. And they shall March every one on his ways and they shall not break their Ranks neither shall one thrust another they shall walk every one in his Path Observe all this for these things being so written and dictated by his Spirit hereby we are shewn and instructed how God is infinitely pleased and delighted with this thing of Order in his Army and in the very great Camp for so it is there called verse 11. as indeed it is of his Creatures or Created Beings And from hence I would observe and make kâ—â—wn though it may seem a little Digression yet I shall soon again return to our subject Matter that when the Scripture stiles God in manifold Places of the Old Testament the Lord of Hosts It hath a much larger and more comprehensive meaning and signification herein that as He was King in an especial Manner over the Children of Israel for that Government was a more immediate Theocracy then over the other Nations so He was their Chief Captain or General of their Armies or Hosts and that He did fight their Baâ—tels in dispossessing their Enemies from out of it and giving them the Land of Canaan In Truth in this Sence He was the Lord of their Hosts as He did lead forth the Children of Israel by their Hosts from out of the Land of Egypt and gave them Possession of the promised Land And so in another Sence inasmuch as we are to Publish the Name of the Lord ascribe ye greatness unto our God Deut. 32. 3. And forasmuch as an Host or Army is one of the greatest and most terrible things here living on the Eaâ—th therefore when the Spirit or Spiritual Men would ascribe greatnâ—ss unto God they do in this manner express it by his being Lord which signifies Chief Ruler and that He hath Dominion and Authority over them and that He is greater in Power Strength and Multitude than all of them put together But cheifly the largest highest and most comprehensive meaning and signification of these Words the Lord of Hosts seems to be taken from that great Place in Isa 40. 26. Lift up your Eyes on high and behold who hath created
outside Acts of Worship and Religion if the inward parts thereof are not joyned with them Let them put away their Whoredom and the Carcases of their Kings far from me and I will dwell in the midst of them for ever Ezek. 43. 9. Lip-labour in Prayer is properly Whoredom for it takes away the Heart from God who is the right beloved and places it upon another wrong beloved And so meer and only outside Worship may be truly called the Carcases of Worship that is without any Soul Life or Spirit therein Now as we here learn and read all this must be put away for God to dwell in us and accept of our Worship Our Matters must be Good and Right exactly according to the great Rule of Righteousness in Scripture if ever they will find the least Acceptance or Approbation from God For He is an Holy God He is a God of Knowledge and by him Actions are weighed And so our Worship is to be in Spirit and in Truth for the Father seeketh such to Worship him But all the Worship besides in the World whether Worship in Tongue or in Body which is all as nothing and profits as nothing without the Heart and Spirit going along with it or any Worship in which there is a mixture of Errour Idolatry or Superstition is an Abomination unto the Lord and obtains no good from him but rather brings Wrath and Punishment on the deluded Worshipper One false Expression in a Prayer Sermon or Service spoils the whole Burnt-offering or Sacrifice as to him that offers it up I mean as to the Preacher or Minister but the Hearers may separate the Precious from the Vile and not assent unto but dissent from it if any falshood should drop out of his Mouth The same holds alike and equally true as to good Works As to which the Lord seeth not as Man seeth for Man looketh on the outward Appearance but the Lord looketh on the Heart Suppose we instance in the Duty or good Work of Almsgiving whereof many good things are spoken and as to which many precious Promises are made in Scripture Now here it often so happens that an High-way-Man or one who hath abundance of Goods unjustly gotten or a Prodigal Spenthrift do now and then by chance or by way of vain Humour inconsiderately give a Crown or a Pound to a Poor Body when perhaps a real Servant of God or a good Christian doth not give moâ—e than a Penny because of his impoverishment and low Estate The greatest summ doth the most good to the poor Object because it is a means to furnish him with more necessaries whereas the last is the better Work and more acceptable in the sight of God who seeth the Heart and with what Mind it is As the latter is done only out of a sence of Duty and in Obedience to his Commandments but the former sort is done at random or by chance Or perhaps because even in the most Ungodly and Wicked seeing that they must unavoidably die and meeâ— with God and every one doth more or less fear some Wrath and Punishment from him for their former Sins and evil Deeds So they have some inward wishes and wouldings also to be at Peace with God but they suffer it no more to grow furâ—her unto Salvation then an addle Egg is to a live Chicken And so such may give Alms and that plentifully too like him in Micah thousands of Rams and ten thousand Rivers of Oyl for the Sin of his Soul as hoping thereby to make Atâ—onement for it or Commâ—tation or hereby to make some Recompence and Restitution for Goods unjustly gotten What manifold and vain Imaginations do lurk and lye hid in the Heart of Man And yet all this is besides the Mark for it is not right in the sight of God How fain would they be at Peace with him and yet they are not at Peace with him because they do not go the right way nor do things throughly and wholly but only by halves and in Part. Nor do they receive Instructions from the Word of God where they might see how they ought to walk to please him I have seen it quoted out of the Turkish History that the Great Emperour once took some goods wrongfully from the Merchants and being troubled in Conscience for the same upon his Deaâ—h bed He sends for the Mufti who is their Higâ—-Priest and tell him the Case and consults with him about building Alms-Houses for the Poor with the same Money The Mufti rather advises and it was done so accordingly to restore and give it back again to the right owner or to their Children and Kindred Now here it may be thought had not the poor Reason to curse the Mufti for had not they more need thereof than the Merchants who are commonly Rich and could better bear the loss No for all that in this the Mufti shewed himself a good Man For whether the Alcoran dâ—th so direct or not I know not but I am sure that herein He did speak and dictate according to the Law of God in the Bible If a Soul Sin and commit a trespass against the Lord and lie unto his Neighbour in that which was delivered unto him to keep or in fellowship or in a thing taken away by Violence this was the Turkish Emperours Case as to the Merchaâ—t or deceiveth his Neighbour then it shall be because He hath sinned and is guilty that He shall restore that which He violently took away or the thing which He hath deceitfully gotten Lev. 6. 23. Or if the Party be dead then to his Kinsmen or if there is no Kinsman then let the trespass be recompenced to the Lord even to the Priest Numb 5. 8 9 and so on If neither the Parties themselves â—or thâ—ir Children nor Kindred were alive for to whom Restitution was to be made then Alms was to be done in the very last place of all From whence it appears that as Mâ—rcy is before Sacrifice â—o Justice and Restitution is more pleasing and acceptable in the sight of the Lord then Almsgiving for assuredly He who hath commanded Thou shalt not bring the hire of a Whore or the price of a Dog into the House of the Lord thy God for any Vow For even both these are an abomination unto the Lord thy God Deut. 23. 18. even He will not accept of Alms out of Goods or an Estate unjustly gotten or holden For I the Lord love Judgement I hate Robbery for Burnt-offering Isa 61. 8. And so God hates Robbery for Almsgiving Will you speak wickedly for God and talk deceitfully for him Job 13. 7. And so will you lie or rob or steal or oppress or grasp too much because it is in the Power of your Hand and practice and devise iniquity Micah 2. 1. and pretend it is all for God which is Abomination and Hypocrisie And so it holds in like Cases for where is the same Reason and approves it self so to the
SIX SEVERAL SERMONS Preached on Isaiah 38. 1. WHEREIN THAT GREAT DUTY OF Setting our BODY and SOUL in Order For we shall Die is at large opened and Explained Wherein also many DIVINE TRUTHS ARE Made known relating to the same Matter And now Published because of the exceeding Importance and Concernment of this Subject unto all People whatsoever For Man also knoweth not his time as the Fishes are taken in an evil Net and as the Birds that are caught in the Snare so are the Sons of Men snared in the evil time when it falleth suddenly upon them Eccles 9. 12. For Precept must be upon Precept Precept upon Precept Line upon Line Line upon Line here a little and there a little Isa 28. 9. London Printed and are to be sold by Ralph Simpson at the Harp in St. Paul's Church-Yard 1696. TO THE READER IF I were to Judge of all others by my self I should think that all People of whatever Age or Condition of Life should earnestly catch at and be very desirous to look into and read all Books concerning Death and Mortality if perhaps they might light upon any thing therein which may either mitigate or lessen that fear of Death which even in the midst of and throughout their Life is sensible in all Mens minds Which same fear hath Torment and doth afflict them But more especially if they may find any thing in their reading of this kind which may Teach Instruct and Direct them what they must do to be Happy after Death and to make sure of it all one as it is desired to live comfortably and happy before Death for if People are so very much concerned as we see they are what they sâ—all eat and what they shall drink and wherewithal they shall be clothed for this short time because these things are present and sensible they should also take care beforehand nay they must and will unavoidably think when the end is come the end is come Ezek. 7. 6. which is doubled because the thing is established by God and for the certainty thereof whether it shall go well or ill with them throughout all Eternity for then these things will be present and sensible also And it being the highest Wisdom to do those things whilst living especially since those things are to be only done in our Life-time I must work the Works of him that sent me whilst it is day the night cometh when no Man can work which we shall wish and desire we had done when we come to die this should influence and actually persuade People even in the midst of their Youth Health and Vigour when they are Lusty and Strong yea throughout all their Life here on Earth to be continually employed about this one thing needful of setting their Soul in Order against the time it shall go out of this Body and to make sure that when their Earthly House of this Tabernacle shall be dissolved they may have a Building of God not made with Hands Eternal in the Heavens This is the difference between the Godly and Sinners between Wise Men and Fools the Godly and Wise do only those things in time besore it be too late or the Door is shut which the Sinners and Fools do at last bethink themselves and wish it is the part of Fools to say I never thought it would come to this when it is too late and the time is over and past As Christ said the People of Nineveh will rise up in Judgment against the People of this Generation and condemn them So I testifie in this my day that the Heathen may rise up in Judgment against the People of this Generation and condemn them For they especially the wiser sort some of them defining Wisdom to be a Meditation of Death did search and enquire diligently and think continually what should become of them after Death albeit they knew nothing certainly concerning Immortality and future Life but they had only a little glimmering and conjecture thereof And yet this did put them upon the practice of Moral Virtue and the doing of Good Actions that thereby they might be Happy after Death But now in this Christian Countrey there is a most clear Gospel-Light and Revelation concerning it yet to most People herein Death is like a Damp which puts out all their Lights of Pleasure and through Satan's acting with all deceivableness in them that perish the greatest part of Men and Women do concern themselves but very little about it But notwithstanding their Supineness and Negligence which is the miscarriage of the whole Woâ—ld the Children of God the Heirs of Life and Immortality in all their several Generations and Countries were always and all along even in the midst of Life Health and Prosperity great Meditators of Deaâ—h O that I my self might be of their number but as some little Hope and Evidence thereof I did always as for my part even from my Tender Years think very much of Death and what would follow thereon I now call to remembrance my Thought and searching of Heart which was in the days of old when I was but a Stripling I did then Commune with mine own Heart and my Spirit made diligent search What will becâ—me of me after that this Body of mine which I carry about me is laid in the Earth For I did â—ind then that my Spirit would live and abide elsewhere as truly God hath shewn this unto me from within my self ever since I was a Child and had the least Knowledge of Good and Evil that there was another Life and a succeeding State which People should enter upon and go into after they were gone off from this Earth I was all along for the greater part and I am still as verily persuaded and ascertained of it as I am sure of this Life which I now live or that I now write down these words And thereupon revolving and pondering many things in my mind how that all here is but vain little and passing away as a Shadow and doth not signifie much afterwards fâ—in would I be Happy and Safe as to that succeeding and Eternal State of things into which my Soul must be launched forth out of this Body Accordingly I have made it my business to read all Books and Sermons that I could light upon which treat of this matter But especially I have searched and enquired diligently into the Scriptures in the which we think that we have Eternal Life But we know assuredly that the way to Eternal Life is taught and shewed therein And I desire that what things I have in the following pages brought forth out of that Treasury of Heavenlâ— Truths may be published for the Benefit and Instruction of others For I do not write these things out mine own Head nor yet from mine own Imagination and Invention but only from the Scripturâ—s which are given to make us wise unto Salvation and what is rightly inferred from Truth is Truth likewise And although this
Scripture way of writing is not so much liked of and received by the Wise and Disputer of this World or by those who would be thought â—earned according to Mode and Fashion Yet all other Books and Sermons whether they steal every Man his word from his Neighbour and borrow it from other Mens Writings or if it be the meer Product of their own Wit and Knowledge if it doth not arise from and is bottomed on this Pillar and Ground of Truth it is all but as so much Chaff in comparison to the Wheat I have more Vnderstanding than all my Teachers for thy Testimonies are my Meditation I understand more than the Antients because I keep thy Precepts Many People think that they have the least need of Books of any thing in the World but they must necessarily have Food and Raiment for the Body or Physick against or in the time of Sickness But if such had Faith and Knowledge they would apprehend that when the Commandment of God is Buy the Truth and sell it not also Wisdom and Instruction and Vnderstanding Prov. 23. 23. It was equally and alike necessary to buy such Books which contain Propositions of Truth and Wisdom and Instruction and Vnderstanding as to buy Food and Raiment for the Body or the things which Minister unto sensual Pleasure For the Incorruptible Seed of the Word doth all one feed up the Soul unto Eternal Life and is as necessary for her unto this end as Meat and Drink doth feed and nourish the Body and preserve it in Temporal Life The Word and Truth of God being that Bread which cometh down from Heaven and giveth Life unto the World So that it is the best way of laying out our Money for that which is Bread indeed As so it will appear when People must give account for every Talent received and how they used and expended the same Hereby also may be justified the Wisdom of our Nation in giving a settled and established Maintenance to such as Preach Sermons and also herein the Labourer is worthy of his Hire Luk. 10. 7. If they did divide the Word of Truth aright giving to every Man his Portion Tho' here again is need of a distinguishing Judgment which can separate between the Precious and the Vile But he that is Spiritual Judgeth all things To know and discern between what Books are really Good to the Use of Edifying and what are not so as to receive the one and reject the other He that hath my Word let him speak my Word faithfully What is the Chaff to the Wheat saith the Lord Jer. 23. 28. As all Scripture is profitable so all Divine Truth is profitable and such Books as contain most of this sort and affect the Heart and Conscience Instructing and Exhorting the Soul to the Things which belong to her Peace and how to make her Calling and Election sure these are to be preferred before all others and accordingly those People do think so who are renewed in the Spirit of their Mind and take delight in the Things of God I had rather be faithful to him that appointed yea and employed me in the Ministration of his Word as Moses was faithful in all his House As we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the Gospel even so we speak not as pleasing Men the but God who trieth the Hearts although for this cause my Books should be rejected by the Multitude of this Hypocritical and Corrupt World for the Time is now come when they will not endure sound Doctrine Then seek to please Men for if I yet pleased Men I should not be the Servant of Christ and so have my Writings received and approved off by them But I do not altogether so much Regard the Censure of Men for surely my judgment is with the Lord and my work with my God Isa 49. 4. which Work may be nevertheless Good and Right and Acceptable in his sight although as to the outward and visible success thereof I have seemed to labour in vain I have spent my strength for nought and in vain It is one thing to be worldly wise but another to be wise unto Salvation As Balaam said Behold I have received Commandment to Bless and he hath blessed and I cannâ—t reverse it So we ought to assert the Commandments and Sayings of God in the very same manner as they stand Recorded in his Statute Book the Bible and not otherwise However too many do corrupt and handle the Word of God deceitfully by their Prophesying not right Things but smooth Things and Deceits Yet stiâ—l they cannot Revâ—rse it So as to alter the Truth and Signification thereof nor yet to make one titâ—le of the Law to fail T is not so much what true Prophets or Writers preach or make known not yet at all what false Prophets or Writers preach or pretend to make known but whom the Word of God who is judge himself Psal 50. 6. Blesseth they are Blessed and he or they whom the Word of God Curseth they are Cursed THE CONTENTS The Contents of the First Sermon ALL People in the midst of Health and Age are Sick unto Death Page 3. The true and right preparation for Death is by a constant course of Righteousness and Holiness all the Days of our Life p. 7. From that Branch of the Text Isaiah the Prophet the Son of Amos came unto him and said It is discoursed against the Non-hearers or Rejecters of the Word of God p. 12. Grace and Holiness are Principles of Immortality and Eternal Life abiding in us whilst we are in this dying Body p. 19. The Vse and Application of this Sermon is If we have served God a little in the foregoing part of our Life to serve him much towards the close and period thereof p. 21. The Contents of the Second Sermon To set our House in Order doth denote to set our Outward Estate in Order to set our Body in Order but chiefly to set our Soul in Order p. 25. The Resurrection clearly proved from those words of dying Joseph God shall surely visit you p. 29. To set the Body in Order is to have it ordered according to God's Word which requires directs and enables that it become free from sin and that Holiness be engrafted into it p. 36. A Digression wherein is shewed the very Reason why God Almighty is so often stiled the Lord of Hosts in the Old Testament especially The Greatness of God and of his Works of Creation is somewhat described p. 42 43. To set the Soul in an Order is that it be in a readiness and that nothing be wanting in her p. 46. The Contents of the Third Sermon Throughout which is Discoursed of that Principal and Essential Thing wanting in the Souls of Men that they do not lay aside every Weight and the Sin that doth so easily beset them and that they do not Resist unto Blood striving against Sin And that they do not strip themselves off from
Self-righteousness and be clothed with the Righteousness of Jesus Christ p. 50 65. Of Mixt Holiness P. 63. The Contents of the Fourth Sermon Herein is shewed how it is with us from our first Conception and Birth until our Death p. 81. The manner whereof is shewed and may be most clearly conceived from those several Words whereby it is expressed in Scripture of Dying Deceasing Departing Yielding up the Ghost Gathering to his Fathers Falling asleep p. 83. Of seeing Death p. 88. In which there is nothing dreadful to such as are indeed the Children of God P. 96. The Contents of the Fifth Sermon Of seeing the Lord 's Christ or rather of having Christ formed within us and that not in part only but wholly and throughout before we see Death p. 98. How to order our Good Works or Alms-giving that they may be acceptable with God p. 119. What may be thought of the different Sorts and Sects of Religion now in the World and concerning the Salvation of such of the Heathen as are indeed Good and Vertuous p. 124 125. The Contents of the Sixth Sermon Herein is shewed what mighty Force Reasoning and Exhortation is in this Consideration Thou shalt die and not live to set our Body and Soul in Order p. 132. Some Brief Remarks concerning Rich People p. 141. The whole is concluded with Two Practical Vses and Inferences p. 148 153. God hath at this Day Three Ways of Speaking Manifesting and Revealing himself unto Mankind viz. by his Written Word by his Spirit in the Heart and Conscience of each Person and by his Ministers Here also a difference is shewed between the true and false and what God will at length do as to the latter sort p. 154 155. The End of all the Parts and Ordinances of Religion and of all Books and Sermons if they be managed and composed aright is to set the Soul in Order against the time it shall go out of the Body p. 158. ERRATA PAge 24. line 4. for Charity read Chastity P. 54. L â— for summoned r. summed p. 53. l. 4. r. They know not I. 32. for Minstry r. Ministry p. 101. l. 33. for Mal. 3. 8. r. Mal. 3. 5. ibidem l. 24. r. To be obeyed p. 35. l. 33. r. We shall with them the better serve God SERMON I. Isaiah 38. 1. In those Days was Hezekiah sick unto Death and Isaiah the Prophet the Son of Amos came unto him and said unto him Thus saith the Lord Set thine House in Order for thou shalt die and not live A Serious and thorough Consideration concerning Death and Immortality was the principal Inducement which did first bring me acquainted with the Ways of God for I have thought much thereon from my Tender Years And now as I approach Day after Day nearer in Time towards it so I ought to have it yet much more in Remembrance with continued Thought and Searching of Heart how I may grapple with that last Enemy how either to pluck out or blunt the Edge of the Sting of Death that the Grave may not have the Victory over me that is so far overcome me as to consign me over unto the Second Death I would not therefore by mine own good will Preach one Sermon nor yet make one Prayer unto God wherein I did not mention somewhat or other of this Wisdom as the Holy Ghost calleth it that we may understand this that we would consider our latter end Deut. 32. 29. For indeed this is the Will of God and of Christ concerning us dying Creatures as also it doth teach and instruct us what Mind and Temper we should be in now we are for a very little while Breathing as yet on this Earth Let your Loins be girded about and your Lamps burning and ye your selves like unto men that wait for their Lord observe that when he will return from the Wedding that when he cometh and knocketh they may open unto him immediately blessed are those Servants whom the Lord when he cometh shall find watching And so we should every one of us wait and watch for the coming of the Lord our God and especially for his Haâ—binger Death which he sends before for to bring our Souls unto himself the God unto whom shall all flesh come Psal 65. 2. or rather what inhabits in Flesh shall come At the Death or Departure of each Person the Body or Dust returns to the Earth as it was and the Spirit to God that gave it Saith the Apostle Whatsoever things were written asoretime were written for our Learning that we through Patience and Comfort of the Scripture might have hope Rom. 15. 4. And so this great place of Isa 38. 1. which was written three or four Thousand Years ago is written for our Learning who live almost Seventeen Hunâ—dred Years after Christ Yea as Christ himself saiâ— upon another occasion This Day is this Scripture fuâ— filled in your Ears so I testifie unto all that shall heâ— or read these Lines This Day is this Scripture mean this very Text of Isa 38. 1. fulfilled in youâ— Ears for instead of what is there said In those Daâ— waâ— Hezekiah sick unto Death now it may be read 〈◊〉 this wise In these Days are such an one and such a one naming the several People by their respective Names and so it is of all the Dwellers in England yeâ— and of all the Habitable Parts of the Earth They are all sick unto Death For though indeed it was thus originally said upon the account of an extraordinary Ulcer or Disease which was then upon Hezekiah and by that phrase in the Gospel This sickness is not unto Death John 11. 4. we must distinguish between health and sickness and again between that kind of sickness which is Recoverable and Curable and that sickness which indeed is Mortal or a sickness unto Death how then can it be here truly said when many are in Health Youth Vigour Lusty and Strong that they are all sick unto Death Nevertheless I will prove and make out what I afore-affirmed Common Reason sheweth that a growing Tree is equally alive in the midst of Winter although it doth seem as a barren dead and dry Tree because then it doth not run in Sap nor shoot forth in green Leaves even so by the very same similitude by supposing it contrariwise it may be conceived that in the midst of Youth Health Life and Vigour which are the Spring and Summer of our Age we are all the while sick unto Death or as it is appositely and properly expressed in the Office of Burial In the midst of Life we are in Death because that we do all along carry about us in our Body the Seeds of this sickness unto Death or the Seeds of Mortality According as it is expressed in the Book of Job The Root of the matter is in you so as soon as we are Born the Root of sickness which is the usual forerâ—nner thereof the Root of Death is in
unless to settle Temporal Affairs from the Example of Hezekiah in the Text which as it will by and by appear in the further prosecution of our Discourse theâ—eon hath a further Meaning and Intention herein there is little said concerning Preparation for Death The Holy Ghost thereby signifying that the only Preparation for Death is by an Obedient and Holy Life by ordering our Conversation aright Psal 50. 23. and as it becometh the Gospel of Christ Phil. 1. 27. according to the tenour and requiring of all the words contained in the Bible Blessed is he that readeth and they that hear the words of this Prophecy and keep those things which are written therein for the time is at hand Rev. 1. 3. But if thou wilt enter into life that is the Future and Eternal Life keep the Commandments Mat. 19. 17. which Commandments Statutes and Judgments we should observe to do in the Land which the Lord God of our Fathers giveth us to possess it all the days that we live upon the earth Deut. 12. 1. Besides this the Scriptures make mention of no other Preparation for Death I have read that it is a Proverbial Saying among the Jews and there is a great deal of Truth contained in those old Proverbs The Sacraments and Death require one and the same preparation that is in the Language and Direction of the Gospel to trim our Lamps Mat. 25. 7. that is to put them in a readiness and posture of little more Brightness and Burning for there was Oyl in them before for want whereof the Foolish Virgins were condemned and excluded from entring in with the Bridegroom even so we should not have Grace and Holiness for to get then but have them gotten before and only furbish up and make a little more Bright and Eminent the Graces and Gifâ—s of God that were long bâ—fore in us But now we are just ready to come forth to meet with our God they should be a little more furbished and made brighter than ordinary for to have the acceptation and well pleasing of God The fine Linnen the Righteousness of Saints Rev. 19. must be sure to be gotten and had long before yea and it is there said It should be kept clean and white But if it can be washed and made cleaner and whiter than ordinary just as we meet the Lord our Righteousness this will be comely and convenienâ— And so we should be sure to be cloathed with the Gâ—rment of Salvation and with the Robe of Righteousness all along but because this Garment and Robe will be apt to gather some dust and filth whilst we are amidst the Corruption and Pollution in the World through Lust therefore it will be here meet and congruous to get them brushed up scoured and rubbed just as we appear before the Lord God who hath cloathed us with them And as a Souldier should always have his Arms by him but perhaps they may contract Rust or Foulness therefâ—re they are to be scoured up just as he goes forth to Exercise and Use them even so it should be as to our having and putting on the whole Armour of God A Christian should always have by him and on him the Breast plaâ—e of Righteousness and the Shield of Faâ—â—h and the Helmet of Salvaâ—ion and the Sword of thâ— Spirit Eph. 6. 14 16 17. But then more especially is he to look to it that all this Armour be good and serviceable or at least it should be rendred so when he comes to withstand with it in the evil Day Truly this is a Point of great Weight and had need be very well observed and attended unto For the general Mistake among People is which hath destroyed Thousands and Ten Thousands just like that of the Foolish Virgins in Mat. 27. which take their Lamps but no Oil with them and whilst the Bridegroom tarries they all slumber and sleep and then they are awaked on a sudden by the Bridegroom 's coming and then they have their Oil to get And whilst they go to buy the Bridegroom comes and they that were ready wenâ— in with him to the Marriage and the door was shut Afterwards when it was too late came also the other Virgins saying Lord Lord open to us But he answered and said Verily I say unto you I know you not Watch therefore for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of Man cometh And so is the common Errour of many People every one would â—ain be saved buâ— then they would work out their own Salvation when they have not Time for it and when it is too late Whereas they might yea and they should have done it before I testifie unto all such see to it that ye be wise in time Whereas Jesus Christ saith I must work the works of him that sent me while it is called to day the night cometh when no man can work But these foolish and deceived People would contradict and reverse that for they neglect working whilst it is Day and put it off to that time when they cannot work In truth Satan who works with all deceivableness in them that perish doth suggest those false Thoughts and Imaginations in those mistaken and miserable Souls I am sure the words of our Text doth advise and direct them otherwise if they will give through heed and consideration thereto For besides that Heaven is very well worth labouring all the Days of our Life for and there can never be too much done to avoid Hell They might this know that when their strength is firm Psal 73. 4. they are sick unto Death And they must dye one time or another as sure as they now live And so they might have taken and done throughout all their foregoing Life according to the exhortation in the close of our Text Set thine House in order for thou shalt dye and not live To use a not much unlike Reafoning as is in Rom. 10. 6 7 8. Deut. 30. 11 12 13. The plain Doctrine and Instruction which is delivered here it is not hidden from thee neither is it afar off that there is need only of some extraordinary Prophet who can foretel future Unseen Unthought of Unexpected Events For such a message as this Thou shalt dye and not live the meanest Laick or most common Person knows altogether as well as well as the greatest Prophet or Preacher or to exprâ—ss it according to those titles wherein some are now a days dignified and distinguished as the greatest Bishop Dean or Doctor or as the most learned Person And as we sensibly find that things are apt to be in a confusion or some disorder upon the death or departure of any Person So the natural Inference or Thought arises yea common reason teacheth the same even to set them in order and prevent as much before-hand that disorder which otherwise would follow and ensue thereupon There is no great need of another immediate Revelation from Heaven for this for God hath already
also Selfâ—Righteousness denoted by this Phrase of the Holy Ghost our Righteousness are the two pâ—iâ—cipal Garments and so must be done of whatever is like unto them which the Soul must be stripped of before she goes out of the Body that she may be set in Order and to the intent that she may be found comely meet and acceptable in the â—ight of God when this Spirit of ours is to return to the God that gave it It is commonly and truly said That it is a great thing to die And so indeed it will appear notwithstanding that the most and generality of People who are in the broad way that leadeth unto Destruction make no more of it than barely to undergo it when it comes as if there was no more than to yield up the Ghost and surrender up their Breath when they can no longeâ—â—old it in In truth there is no great matter to die as People usually die to slip and descend down into Hell But to die as indeed we ought to die sed Revocare Gradum superasque ascendere ad Auras hiâ— labor hoc opus â—st that we may ascend up above and be received up into the Mansions above here is labour and work here is matter enough for all our life foregoing let us do and endeavour and labour as much as ever we can If I should here go about to describe what it is to strip off these Garments spotted with the Flesh to put away the unclean thing and to renounce all our self-Righteousness I am apt to think that I shall pencil and set it forth in higher Perfections and Attainments than People will reach and arrive unto And yet let me say what I can concerning it even according to the Ability and Knowledge God hath given me it will come â—â—â— short of what is the meaning and requiring of God concerning it whereby also it will be seen Thy Word is very pure therefore thy Servant loveth it Psal 119. 140. The consequent to which is to hate yea and strip off the Garment spotted by the Flesh Some may here be apt to say such a State of Holiness Christianity and fear of the Lord is too wonderful for me it is high I cannot attain to it If none will go to Heaven but such Precise Mortified and Self-denying People Lord have mercy upon us For what will become of us Notwithstanding this or the like imagination and saying so frequent in the Mouths of People when they hear strict and hard sayings drop from the Preachers Mouth who can bear them Yet I say and testifie again there is no making our Calling and Election sure Heaven is such a great and lasting Good that we can never make too sure of it and Hell is so sore and abiding an Evil that nothing can be done too much to avoid it without coming up to these Perfections and Excellencies and higher degrees of Grace and Knowledge of Holiness and Innocency which the Scriptures do any where speak of or set forth And truly we should purchase to our selves a good degree and great proficiency in the Christian life and in the Faith which is in Christ Jesus if we have already used the Office of a Deacon well 2 Tim. 3. 13. That is if we did learn and behave our selves well enough in the lower Forms of Christ's School as to be still coming up and making towards the higher yea the top and highest of all As indeed the very top and highest pitch of Christianity and Faith attainable here on this Earth is set forth by those kinds of words that lie before us of hating even the Garment spotted by the Flesh of laying aside every weighs and the sin that doth so easily beset us of resisting unto Blood stirring against sin Shew me any stricter Gospel Precepts or higher Advancements towards the likeness of God and of Christ For this is certain the more like unto God any one becomes the more he doth love Good and the more he doth hate Evil. Ye that love the Lord hate Evil Psal 97. 10. Now this is an hating of Evil with a perfâ—ct hatred when we do not only hate loath and have indignation against Evil but we hate every thing that is in the least stained tinctured and spotted with the Evil. Nay yet further this is true hating of Evil when although the Flesh is not simply and absolutely evil yet it being the Ground or Soil where this Evil the Poysonous Herb grows and springs up we do not only hate the Poysonous Herb it self but even the very Ground that bears it and round about for its sake Wâ—eâ— in our Thoughts and Soul the Ground is by us accursed for its sake That although no Man hates his own Flesh but loves and cherisheth it as the Scripture witnesseth and God would have it so in the State of Innocency yet because of the Body of Sin dwelling therein and because that Evil and Corruption doth root settle and spread it self foâ—th there we hate our own Flesh therefore and could almost destroy it which we must not neither though here we are Commanded also Mortifie your Members which are on the Earth If â—hy righâ— Hand offend thee cut it off if thy right Eye offend â—â—ee pluck it out And even we are to loath and detest those Members which have been yielded Servants to â—ncleanâ—ess and to Iniquity unto Iniquity The Flesh lusteth and striveth against the Spirit and the Spirit against the Flesh as may be seen in the seventh and eighth Chapter to the Romans For when we were in the Flesh the motions of sins which were by the Law did work in our Members and by the like consequence of that of 〈◊〉 of hating even the Gaâ—ment spotted by the Flesh we â—ught to hate our Members because of the motions of â—â—s in them to bring forth Fruit unto death But now we are delivered from the Law that being dead wherein we â—â—e held that we should serve in the nâ—wness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the Letter Rom. 7. 5 6. For they that are after the Flesh do mind the things of the Flesh but they that are after the Spirit do mind the things of the Spirit Because the carnal mind is enmity against God for it is not subject to the Law of God neither indeed â—an be So then they that are in the Flesh cannot please God There is no need of citing more places of Scripture these being sufficient and express to the purpose to shew that the Flesh is distinct contrary and opposite unto the Spirit And also the reason of not only hating but even stripping off the Garment spotted by the Flesh to set the Soul in Order before she goes out of the Body will easily appear By the way it is not proper nor yet a true expression to say that the Soul doth die when it goes out of the Body for indeed it doth not die but depart But this is certain and evident that when
all for it is the Viâ—al Blood wherein our Life consists and so willinâ—ly and by choice suffer every drop of Blood in ouâ— Body to be lost or shed as did the Captain of our Salvation who herein left us an Example that we should follow his steps rather then we will commit yield or consent unto Sin This is worthy and noble indeed not to love our Lives unto Death but Sacrifice up our Life even to God that gave it when it is in his service and to maintain and keep our own Integrity Uprightness and Innocency to preserve not so much our Honour and Reputation as that will follow also for the Righteous shall be had in everlasting Remembrance as our Conversation blameless without spot or blâ—mish Or the meaning hereof may be supposed to be to strive and fight against those Lusts which War in our Members till we fetch Blood of them It is commonly said that if you fetch Blood of a Witch she can never do you any harm Why each and every Lust is an Imp and Instrument of the Devil and if we can so far fetch Blood of that same Lust as to bring out and take away the Power of that same Lust or the thing wherein the strength of that Lust did lie this is to pluck out the sting so that the Lust cannot hurt us As also when the Blood thereof is drained and drawn out that same Lust will faint and die away When thou art tempted to a Lust here if thou wouldst not be led away and enticed by that same Lust then mind and observe wâ—ll wherein that Temptation is most tempting And then if thou wouldst resist and overcome the Temptation do thou apply all the Grace Strâ—ngâ—h and Knowledge that is in thee against it â—lf one was to fight against an Enemy and He would only flâ—â—t on the outside of the Hair of his Head or scare along and aside his Gâ—rments or now and then lightly touch his little finger it might be long enough before He would kill or destâ—oy that Enemy But if He would in good earnest with all his Strength and Power have at his Head and Heart â—nd to that aim and lay on the deâ—â—ly weapon then He may as soon dispatch him Just so as to the first kind of dallying is Peoples fighting with their Lusts They do not conquer and subdue thâ—m but had rather play with them or make a shew of fighting with them Thinking thereby to deceive God who hath commanded them to fight with these Amaâ—ekiâ—es and Canaanites within and destroy them utteâ—ly But they pretend they cannot wherâ—as they will not is the true cause As to these Lusts and sinful Desires and carnal Affections which War oâ— rather have Habitation in their Members when God Commands such to fight and drive them out but they do only sport with them and had rather that they tarry in them they being like a soft or pleasing Dalilah Here such will not escape from what is pronounced against them Cursed be he that doth the Work of the Lord dâ—câ—itfully and cursed be He that keâ—peâ—h back his Sword from Blood Jer. 48 10. Thou art Childish or in Love with thy first original corrupt state which is not haâ—ing even the Garment spotâ—ed by the Flesh if thou art afraid or unwilling by the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God to draw Blood of thy Sin or Corrupâ—ion that it may languish or die away And this thou must do notwithstanding all thy natural Inclinations to the contrary for this is to deny thy self if thou wouldest be a good Souldier of Jesus Christ And if thou wouldst willingly partake of Triumph and Exaltation when thy Soul is slipped and come out from this place of warfare here on Earth and thou wouldst wiâ—ingly be presented before the Lord of Hosts the God of the Armies of Israel this will never be without conqueâ—ing to receive his Acceptance and the Congratulatiâ—n of those who a little before had done the same things But the King of Syria commanded his thirty aâ—d two Captains that had Rule over his Chariots saying fight neither with small nor great save only with the King of Israel 1 Kings 22. 31. Besides the advice and directiâ—n aforesaid of not dallying or only making a shew to fight but to strike home at the Head or Heart This also is to be here learned and put in practice as among the Devils there is one Beelzebub or Prince of the Devils so among the Sins and Lusts the carnal Affections and Desires within our Members There is one commonly Predominant and Reigning which doth appâ—ar forth above all the rest and in this sence may be called King or Prince which signifies Chief of the other Sins and Lusts It is the very Sin that doth so easily beset us As every one doth or may know the Plague of his oâ—n Heart so they either do or may know what Sin it is especially above all the rest which they are most bent and inclined unto According as the Temper and Constiâ—ution of the Body which is a Seed-plot of Sin and Corruption in the General is whether it be excess of Eating secret Lust Covetousness Pride Passion or such like Here the Lord of Hosts commands Michael and his Angels which hath Rule over the Instruments of War He makes use of that is his Grace Word and Spirit which is within thee to fight with neither small nor great save only with the King of Israel that is to fight not so much with the Inferiour Sins and Lusts but especially aâ—d principally with the highest and chiefest â—f them to bring him down for we often hear and read as so it was here that to kill a King or General in the Battel this is to win the Fiâ—ld for thereupon all the rest are forthwith subdued and dispersed as Sheep without a Shepherd or as a Bâ—dy without a Head Even so here it is to vanquish or kill the chief Sin or Lust is to bring under and subdâ—e all the rest for then they will submit and fall of course For it we can once get the Mastery in one Point we shall sooner do it in another and so on to a third Till every Thought is brought into Captivity unto the Obedience of Christ If we can and also do by the Grace Strength and Power given us overcome the stronger much more shall we the weaker If we do once tame the most head-strong and unrâ—ly Beast in us we shall also quickly briâ—g into Subjâ—ction and due Order all the other wild bruâ—ish part of us I have pursued mine Enemies and overtaken them nâ—iâ—her did I turn again till â—hey were consumed I have wounded them that they were not able to rise they are fallen under my Feet Then did I beat them as small as Dust before the wind I did cast them out as the Dirt in the Street Psalm 18. 37 38 39 42. This is making through and effectual Work of it And though
there is implanted an Instinct Self-Preservation and Abhorrence of Dissolution From whence it appears on one hand how God our invisible Creator who during all our Infancy doth bind up and strengthen our Arms though too many know it not for it is not the Nurse or Mother but God only who gives that care and compassion to the Nurse or Mother in administring of help and doing of benefits God acts through the Creatures and even he acts through them whilst they are doing of it As he is Excellâ—nt in Counsel and Wonderful in working even so his Works are by little and little slow and gradual in succession of time and by degrees And as we could not hinder out life in its first beginning neither can we avoid the laying it down after the time appointed by our Father and Creator for we have received it of him for such a time Said Jesus Christ the Son of God the Image of the invisible God the first-born of every Creature for so Paul calls him by the Spirit who in all things hath the preheminence and who shall declare his Generation whereby is denoted the unconceivableness thereof No Man taketh my life from me I have Power to lay it down and I have Power to take it up again this I have received of the Father And so indeed no Maâ— can take our life from any of us let Men threaten oâ— say what they will as I my self have been sufficiently threatened but I have not feared them upon this consideration While they took Counsel together against me they devised â—o take away my life But I trusted in thee O Lord I said thou art my God my times are in thy hand Psal 31. 13 14 15. so thâ—t Men cannot so much as kill the Body unless God doth first suffer it for without his Will a Sparrow doth not so much as fall to the ground But none of have power of laying down our lives unless it be in a way of Duty and the Service of God in which it hath been sometimes suffered thus far Luke 22. 51. as to be taken away by the hands of wicked and violent Men Until the time that God sends for and Requires Luke 12. 20. this life of ours by Sickness outward Accident Old Age or such like But further as to any Power received by us of taking up our Life again here we must leave Jesus Christ for as to that we cannot follow him nor pretend to it none of us having received so much from the Father And therefore the Sâ—ripture doth so distinctly express it concerning him Declared to be the Son of God with Power according to the Spirit of Holiness whereby is shewn forth that Holiness did help and contribute towards it by the Resurrection from the dead Sometimes is said that God raised him up having loosed the pains of death Because it was not possible that he should be holden by it and sometimes it is so expressed that Jesus raised himself up Destroy this Temple and I will build it up in three days Observe by this Particle I that he would do it by his own Person and by his own Power which yet himself acknowledged to have received from the Father which he accordingly fulfilled in the Temple of his Body It is a wonderful yea a pleasant thing to consider throughly how that the invisible God our Creator doth deal with us his Creatâ—res and to observe the whole Order and Method thereof from the first â—eginning to the very last And call no Man your Father upon the Earth for one is your Father which is in Heaven Matth. 23. 9. Have we not all one Father Hath not one God Created us Mal. 2. 10. Thou O Lord art our Father we are the Clay and thou the Potter and we are all the work of thine hand Isa 64. 8. Hast thou not poured me out as Milk and crudled me like Cheese Thou hast clothed me with Skin and Flesh and hast fenced me with Bones and Sinews Job 10. 10. 11. And indeed without an Almighty Power who worketh and we see him not that Ordereth it could never be that so Noble and Excellent a Creature should proceed from such a mean beginning The Fathers according to the Flesh do nothing at all towards the infusion of the Soul which is pure and only the Creation of God and as for the viler part the Body they do no more towards it by the act of Generation than the Husband-man doth to make the Corn grow by his scattering the Grain in the Earth They are but Instruments in the hands of God and by the meanness of them if the blinded World can see so much he doth the more magnifie his own Power He might have Created all Mankind as he did the first immediately out of the Earth in fulness of Stature or to grow up as Trees and Vegetables But by the same Wisdom whereby he made the Heavens he hath ordained this only way of coming into the World How it is with us in the Womb from the Conception unto the day of our Birth it is thus Written For thou hast possessed my Reins Thou hast covered me in my Mothers Womb. I will Praise thee for I am fearfully and wonderfully made marvelous are thy works and that my Soul knoweth right well My Substance was not hid from thee when I was made in secret and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the Earth Thine Eye did see my Substance yet being unperfect and in thy Book all my Members were written which in continuance were fashioned when as yet there was none of them Psal 139. 13 14 15 16. How it is with us in the very same day that we are born we may learn from what is written And as for thy Nativity in the day that thou was born thy Navel was not cut neither wast thou washed in water to supple thee thou wast not salted at all nor swadled at all none Eye pitied thee to do any of these unto thee to have compassion unto thee but thou wert cast out in the open Field to the loathing of thy Person in the day that thou wast born And when I passed by thes and saw thee polluted in thy own Blood I said unto thee when thou wast in thy Blood live yea I said when thou wast in thy Blood live Ezek. 16. 4 5 6. Behold the goodness of God herein And then how it is afterwards during and throughout those six Stages and Periods of life which we are to run through before we enter into Rest Infancy Childhood Youth Manhood Declining Years and old Age how we grow up by little and little and then waste and wither away by littlle and little For we all do fade as a leaf Isa 64. 6. All this we see and know we experience and feel so that there is no need to describe it farther But first 〈◊〉 after all we are created and made up as a Building oâ— a Tent to be set up for such a time
most Holy Precise and Religious kind of Life by the Dream of a Night Vision or by a Voice speaking unto him in his Sleep that such an Acquaintance of his naming him by his Name was really damned Now he that had this Vision was an outward Worshipper Religious at the common Rate Standard or Measure as it goes ordinarily in the World with the Generality and Multitude But the other Person whilst he lived was more religious and strict than People usuâ—lly are And if such an one should be really damned for his defects and comings short in matters of universal and inward Religion how should this quicken and exhort others and my self as yet living to the utmost preciseness and circumspect walking in all things For if I may so express it a little preciseness and circumspect walking in all things is much better and beyond the utmost and greatest preciseness and circumspect walking only in some things as the manner of too many is who seem to be Religious But if such an one whom the World accounted very Religious should perish Good God! What will become of us who are not Religious perhaps to the tenth degree as he was This should indeed stir us up so to run that we may obtain as we do desire it and foolish are they who do not endeavour all that they can after it to be in all things what God commandeth us very circumspect and to abound in all Holy Conversation and Godliness as is possible for Mortal Creatures whilst in the Flesh and in this Life to be For truly if we consider throughly the great displeasure God Almighty hath to Sin as is set forth in 2 Pet. 2. 4 5 6. He spared not the Angels that sinned And how that for one single Act of Disobedience he entailed a Curse on Adam and all his Posterity Of six hundred thousand of his own People whom he had brought out of the Land of Egypt there were but two only which went into the promised Land and Moses himself who before had so often stood in the gap between an enraged God and a provoking People yet He was not admitted into the promised Land of Canaan because he had provoked his Spirit and spoke unadvisedly with his Lips hereupon misgiving and fearful thoughts have arose in my Mind that if Moses such a precious Servant of God unto whom there arose not a Prophet since in Israel like unto Moses whom the Lord knew face to face Deut. 34. 10. yet if this very Man so familiar with and beloved of God was not admitted to enter into the promised Land for but one unadvised Speech of his Lips much more may I a sinful Creature and so may others also tremble and fear that after I have done all to get into Heaven which is the promised Land yet I may not be admitted there for really my self have and it is well if ye have not also done many more and worse things than to let fall one unadvised Speech of our Lips I have been guilty of an Omission of Duty which as I sensibly perceived at the very time did shut Heaven against me although at the very same time I went to Worship the Lord in the Congregation when at the very same time He commanded and directed me to give forth Testimonies of his Law and Truth unto the Rulers and chief of the People who were then met together in another Congregation for outward Worship But through my neglect and failure herein I had smitings of Conscience and Revelations of his Wrath against me in that manner as here spoken of Have a care of Sins of Omission for 't is these which shut Heaven against us as may be seen from the latter end of the twenty-fifth Chapter of Matthew Truly after all the things we have done in order to God throughout all this our Life after all our Prayers and hearing the Word preached after all our Acts of Publick Family and Private Worship and whatever we have done pertaining to Religion or what is câ—mmonly called good Works yet it is possible and to be feared that we may perish and miscarry for all throughout Eternity Where the Psalmist Prays by the Spirit Remember all thy Offerings and accept thy burnt Sacrifice Selah The Lord fulfil all thy Petitions Psalm 20. 3 5. Thereby is shewn forth and made known unto us that if the Lord should not remember nor accept nor fulfil as we are to strive earnestly with him in Prayer on this behalf and so it is of whatever we have done as pertaining to God and Religion it will not stand in stead nor avail to the saving of the Soul What shall we do then the safest way and rule is that as Christ our Saviour saith after ye have done all things that are commanded say that we are unprofitable Servants We have done only what was our Duty to do So in the Name of God let us do all things whatever we can instantly continually and diligently remember all these three Adverbs for to find Acceptance with our God and to get to Heaven and to say after we have done all this we deserve to be rejected by him and to be cast into Hell My Life for yours I will venture my immortal Soul upon this Point It shall never go one Jot the worse with us for thus speaking For after that the disobedient and Prodigal Child had said Father I have sinned against Heaven and am no more worthy to be called thy Son yeâ— the Father said unto his Servants bring forth the best Robe and put it on him and put a Ring on his Hand to diâ—tinguish him from and to put him into a Condiâ—ion above hired Servants and Shoes on his Feet It is no absurdity and contradiction in things pertaining to God though it may seem as a Paradox and strange Doctrine to the Proud Self-justifying and Ignorant Pâ—arisee to acknowledge and confess for so doth the Church in Isa 64. 6. that our Works are not meet for God's Acceptance and yet God will accept of them washed over with the Blood and covered with the Righteousness of his Son It is a great matter and very desirable but withal it is somewhat difficult to hit upon because that so many miss thereof Who seek to enter in and shall not be able Luke 13. 24. for to please and find Acceptance with Almighty God For we are not to think now as we shall see and know at last that either the much speaking of the Heathen nor yet the Superstition of the Jew nor yet the Mâ—mbling of the Papist over his Beads although all these do therein seek to please God will receive any thing from the Lord as to future Good and Salvation God looks and hath more respect unto the quality than the quantity of our Services how good they are and not so much to the length and number of Words And so it is of all meer formal Prayers Lip-labour when the Heart is far from God with all the
whereby we must be saved For such an one as Socrates who died a real Martyr for the One God in opposition to that Error of Polutheism so common among the Gentiles may be saved by the name of Christ at the last day And so such of the Gentiles which have not the Law but do by Nature the things contained in the Law Rom. 2. 14. although they were before or since Christ or in other Countries there is good ground of Hope from the Mercy Goodness and Truth of God for they are his Creatures as well as we that some of these will be actually saved by the name of Jesus Christ also whom as soon as they shall hear of they shall obey him Psal 18. 44 In the day when God shall judge the Secrets of Men by Jesus Christ according to the Gospel For indeed those Genâ—iles or Mahometans did obey Jesus Christ all along although they never heard of his outward Name when they did by Nature the things contained in the Law they having not seen any written Revelation But this I do Teach and Affiâ—m constantly That inasmuch as Christ is become the Aâ—thor of Eternal Salvation to all that obey him And to them only For God hath Anointed him to be a Prince and a Saviour to be a Prince to give Laws for us Subjects to obey as well as to save us from our sins by yielding and complying with him we do also obey him And inasmuch as the same Jesus Christ hath said If thou wilt enter into Life keep the Commandments Matth. 19. 17 from hence it appears that of all the Sorts and Sects of Christianity such of them and they only will be saved who confirm all the words of his Law which includes both the Law of God and the Law of Christ both the Old and New Testameâ—â— to do them Deut. 27. 26. Fâ—r as every one is cursed that doth not confirm all the words of the Law to do them And as the Prophet David saith They are cursed that err from his Commandments And so unless they confirm that particular Commandment of Christ to do it Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have Commanded you Matth. 28. 20. they will never be saved by Christ And so if they should break one of his least Commandments and teach Men so they will not be saved by Christ But whosoever shall do even to the very least and to every one of them the same shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven And this is to have Christ formed within them and not in part but throughout and both Body and Soul and Spirit may be preserved blameless unto the coming of Jesus Christ This is to take and receive Christ in all things and not in some things only as the manner of many is who call themselves Christians but they are not but do lye as all such do who name the name of Christ and yet do not depart from Iniquity I will make so far bold with those words of Scripture Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shait be saved which was said to the Penitent Jaylor as to affirm That to believe with an Historical Faith that Jesus Christ was the Messias sent by God will not save any one For suppose a Drunkard or an Unrighâ—eous Man or a Fornicator or any of that black Catalogue which are excluded from the Kingdom of God in Cor. 6. 9. 10. 11. should believe all that as none do commonly deny it will this Historical Faith save him In no wise This makes against that Error and Deceit of the Solifidians and some Dissenters among us have bordered upon and came near to the same Error and Deceit The bare name of Christ will not save any one but it is the thing for several name the name of Christ who have not Christ nor yet the thing signified by him SERMON V. Isaiah 38. 1. Set thine House in Order for thou shalt Die and not live IT was the saying of Abigal unto David Yet a Man is risen to pursue thee and to seek thy Soul but the Soul of my Lord shall be bound in the bundle of Life with the Lord thy God 1 Sam. 25. 29. So the case stands as to us all One is risen up to pursue us and seek our Souls even our Adversary the Devil of whom Saul was a kind of Type and Signification in Hunting after and Persecuting of David or rather the Devil acted through Saul in it As a roaring Lyon walketh about seeking whom he may devour And he hath Death and Hell for his Companions or as two Dogs the one to catch and the other to destroy or make miserable But here if we see the Lord 's Christ or have Christ formed within us he is appositely and truly stiled the Prince of Life So that then of certain consequence our Souls are bound in the bundle of Life with the Lord our God This is a great expression containing in it self an unspeakable benefit Then it is that we dying Creatures if we have seen the Lord's Christ or have Christ formed within us we are bound up in the bundle of Life with the ever-living God So that of necessity as fire warms all things that are next unto it and which are capable of warmth we must live also For with thee is the Fountain of Life and in thy Light shall we see Light So it may be truly reasoned also in thy life shall we have life Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the Clouds to meet the Lord in the Air and so shall we be with the Lord. But when we once see the Lord 's Christ or rather feel him formed within us and we thus have our Souls bound with the Lord our God in the bundle of Life with the Lord our God then we which are now dying and going off from the Stage of this Earth as soon as ever we move off from thence The Eternal God is our Refuge and underneath are the everlasting Arms and he shall thrust out the Enemy before thee Deut. 33. 27. This Enemy is the Devil who was afore spoken of to be risen to seek our Souls Behold how in a wonderful manner all Scripture is consonant to it self at the greatest distance of place and how the goodness of God provides beforehand for the safety and salvation of Israel that is his People and Servants For he hath provided everlasting Arms to reach receive and catch the Soul in just upon its flight and being let out from the Body And whereas it is said That be rideth upon the Heaven in thy help and in his Excellency upon the Sky so that he is above the Prince of the power of the Air who with his Evil Spirits hath his Residence or Habitation thereabouts But we shall also meet the Lord in the Air and so we shall ever be with the Lord To partake of his Life and Happiness his Good and Blefsedness And so
And so the Lord Guides and Commands the Ministry of his Word Comfort ye comfort ye my People saith your God speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem To be Sons of Consolation to some and to be Sons of Thunder unto others To speak such a suitable word to all the several and promisâ—uous Hearers that all may learn and all may be comforted Some may be convinced some converted some strengthened and builded up according to the several needs of his People and according to the several great ends for which he in Wisdom appointed the Ministry and Preaching of the Word As the Apostle Paul saith to the Thessalonians But aâ— touching Brotherly Love ye need not that I write unto you for ye your selves are taught of God to love one another So I need not draw any more Practical Uses and Inferences from Isa 38. 1. because that as Isaiah the Son of Amos came unto Hezekiah and said unto him Thus saiâ—h the Lord Thou shalt die and not live So the same God the Creator of all Generations and Persons of Mankind speaketh unto them in his written Word in his Spirit in their Hearts and Consciences and by his Ministers for by all these ways they are taught of God to set their Souls in Order against the time they shall go out of the Body Which will time after time opportunity after opportunity morning after morning morning after morning he wakeneâ—h me and all this will furnish ye with Practical Uses and Inferences enough on this Subject For all these ways God will teach you what shall be profitable for ye to know and give an inferring what ye have to do And so I have done with this Text telling ye withal that all your remaining business throughout your Life here on Earth and whatever other Sermons or Word of Exhortation and Instruction ye may ever hear or read if it is managed aright it is all to the same end and purpose that ye may set your Souls in Order for ye shall die that is they shall go out of the Body Do ye therefore so live and set your whole Body Soul and Spirit in Order that when ye die ye may live again in Happiness and Bliss and not in Misery and Punishment even that your Spirits may be severally saved in the day of the Lord Jesus Amen saith my Soul come Lord Jesus come quickly FINIS Practical Books Written and Published by Richard Stafford OF Happiness Wherein it is fully and particularly manifested That the greatest Happiness of this Life consisteth in the Fear of God and keeping his Commandments in oppoâ—â—tion to the Pleasures of Sin or the pretended conveniency of Disobedience Rules and Directions for the prevention of and Recovery out of Sickness A Discourse against Partial Obedience Or that dangerous Deceit so universal amongst them who call themselves Christians of keeping some of the Commandments of God and neglecting others Some Thoughts of the Life to Come With a brief account of the state of Religion as it is now in the World The great Benefits of Christ to all that Believe on and Obey him Being a Treatise on Hebrews 2. 15. Wherein it is shewed and made known how People may be freed and delivered from that slavish fear of Death whereby they are subject to Bondage throughout their Life-time And also how they may be saved and preserved from the Evil and Danger of Death when it shall approach nigh and come actually upon them An earnest Call to all the Inhabitants of the Earth to Turn immediately to the Lord their God An Exhortation unto all Dissenters however they are distinguished or named to return into the Communion of the Châ—â—ch of England Six several Seâ—mons Preached on Isaiah 38. 1. wherein that great Duty of setting our Body and Soul in order for we shall die is at large opened and explained