life be so deare that as the devil could say all that a man hath will he give for his life Iob 2.4 how much dearer is spiritual life And how can you once imagin that you have either this spiritual lâ—ght or life in you if you have no care to shew forth the praises of him who hath called yâ—u out of darkness into his marvellous light 1 Peâ— 2.9 where we have another of the true Israelites high priviledges spâ—cifiâ—d 3. Vocation effectuall vocation whâ—reby they are called to be Saints and to have fellowship with Jâ—su Christ our Lord 1 Cor. 2.9 for which Gâ—d who is fâ—ithfull by whom they aâ—e called and will also confirme them unto the end that they may be blameless in the day of the Lord esus Christ can never sufficiently be admired â—nd adored v. 8. Eternity wil be filled with praises for this with other mercies How unspeakable a praerogative is our â—doption 4 Adoption who may say with the prodigal that we are not worthy to be called his sons or daughters Luk. 15.19 yet as many as receive him to them he giveth this right or prerogative to become the sons of God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 even to them who believe on his name Joh. 1.12 5 Faith And for this end to them it is given to believe Phil. 1.29 For should God give Christ and not give us faith to receive him Christ would profit us nothing faith is termed precious 2 Pet. 1.1 yea the very trial of faith is more precious then that of gold that perisheth though it be tryed with fire 1 Pet. 1.7 How precious then is faith it selfe whereby we lay hold on and have an interest in all the exceeding great and precious promises of the Gospel that by these we might be partakers of the divine nature having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust 2 Pet. 1.4 Now suppose a beleever be poor in the world yet is he rich in faith and an heir of the kingdom which God hath promised to them that love him Jam. 2.5 1 Wrought Rom. 10.15 For this end again God furnisheth and sendeth his messengers whose very feet are beautifull to his chosen with the fulnesse of the blessings of the Gospel of Christ Rom. 15.29 to beget faith in their hearts For Faith commeth by hearing and hearing by the word of God verse 17. verse 17. And although other persons may hear the same word yet to them it is but a savour of death to death even to as many as perish whilst it is a savour of life unto life to them that are saved 2 Cor. 2.16 2. 2 Workeing in them This Grace of Faith being once wrought in their souls it purifieth the heart and this speaks of them blessed for Blessed are the pure in heart saith our blessed Savour for they shal see God Math. 5.8 Faith also is attended with all the traine of saving graces as Vertue Knowledge Temperance Patience Godlynesse Brotherly-kindnesse and Charity 2 Pet. 1.6 7. and it brings forth in them all the fruits of righteousnesse which are by Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God Phil. 1.11 and to the exceeding great benefit of others even to their conversion and salvation as is prophesied of them Esai 19.24 25. In that day shall Israel be the third with Aegypt and with Assyria even a blessing in â—he middle of the Land Whom the Lords of hosts shall blesse saying Bâ—essed be Aegypt my people and Assyria the work of my hands and Israel mâ—ne inheritance They are blessed of God and become blessings to others round about them not to some few in a corner or two but in the middle of the Land O the blessednesse of these persons as the Hâ—brew word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 imports 6 Reconciliation Tâ—ey only are reconciled to God by Jesuâ— Csirist who were before as all others are still alienâ—ted and enemies in their minds by wicked works C lâ—ss 1.20 What a change is here By nâ—ture they were châ—ldren of wrath even as others Eph. 2 3 But now of enemies they are made the friends of Gâ—d yea his favourites as our Saviour declareth John 15.15 Hâ—nceforth I call you not servants * Theodosi s accounted it a fâ—r gre ter honour to â—erve Christ then o be Empe or of the whole world though that wâ—re an high honour for to serve God is to reigne for the servant knoweth not what his master doth bâ—t I have called you friends for all things that I have heard of my father I have made known to you They are as neer and dear to him as children to their Parents the beloved spouse to the husband and members to the head To him they are united and made one with the Father by him John 17.21 Iohn 17.21 with whom as also with the spirit of grace they have communion as St. John asserteth 1 Iohn 1.3 Truely our fellowship is with the Father and with his son Jesus Christ and St. Paul maketh mention of their communion with the holy Ghost 2 Cor. 13 14 They are of Christs flesh of his bones Eph. 5.30 they are one spirit 1 Cor. 6.17 partakers of the divine Nature 2 Pet. 1.4 Whereas all others have fellowship with devils and the unfruitfull works of darknesse 1 Cor. 10 20. Eph. 5.11 and not with God for what communion can light have with darknesse or unrighteousnesse with righteousnesse or Belial with Christ or an infidel with him that believeth 2 Cor. 6.14 15. They may perhaps think and say they have but if we walk in darkness and say we have fellowship with him we lye and doe not the truth 1 Iohn 1.6 But ere we pass from this part of the Saints preheminence a few things are necessary to be advertised for prevention of mistakes which some have made of most dangerous consequence 1. Whereas it is said by our Saviour that they who believe on him are one with the Father as he is John 17.21 Here we must know that the particle as denoteth a quality not an equality for Christ is one with his Father immediately but we by meanes of Christ this union being wrought by the Spirit Eph. 4.4 2 We are not in the same kind or degree nor in so high and glorious a manner one with the father as he for in Christ the human nature is united to the divine yet the union is not naturall but supernaturall and mysticall Againe the persons of believers are united to Christ yet is not that a personal or essential union as Christ with his Father is Lastly we must distinguish between 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 rightly attributed to Jesus Christ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the divine Nature whereof all are partakers who have the Image of God renewed in them consisting in wisedome holiness and true righteousnesse If these things had been duly known and weighed by some they would never have blasphemously usurped to
chosen that there is none like him among all the people 1 Sam. 10.24 Why These are they whom Christ hath washed in his blood and made Kings and priests to God his father Rev. 1.5 6. These are his favourites Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem Jer. 5.1 and see now and know saith the Lord by Ieremiah and seek through the broad places thereof if you can find a man if there be any that executeth judgment that seeketh the truth and I will pardon it 2. Do not we deeme men eminent for wisdom worthy to be viewed and reviewed How far came the Queen of Sheba to see Solomon upon this account Our Saviovr informeth us Luk. 11.31 even from the utmost parts of the earth Now wisdome maketh the faces of these whom we speak of to shine Eccl. 8.1 as Stephen's did when all that sat in the council looking stedfastly on him saw his face Act. 6.15 as if it had been the face of an Angel And wisdom and truth it self termeth all these children of wisedom Mat. 11.19 and of them may be truely affirmed that which we read of Job the eare that heareth them cannot but blesse them Job 29.11 and the eye that sees them cannot but give witness to them Job 29.11 3ly what flocking together is there to behold great conquerors yea how desirable are their very statues and pictures to such as by distance of place are debarred from the sight of their persons It is recorded that the king of Sodom yea and Melchizedek king of Salem went both out to meet Abraham after the slaughter of Chedorlaomer and of the kings that were with him Genes 14.17 18. Behold I present unto your view such as scripture language styleth more then conquerors Rom. 8.37 Such are all true beleevers through Christ who loves them Fortior est qui se quà m qui fortissima vincit These resist the Devill and put him to flight Jam. 4.7.2 They subdue their own spirit which is a more signal victory then the taking of a strong city Pro. 16.32.3 Christ giveth them victory over death which hath vanquished the noblest conquerors of the world 1. Cor. 15.57.4 Strange and rare shews never want spectators The sacred Chronicle relateth and therefore it desreveth our observation that Solomons ships brought from Tarshish apes and peacocks for their rarity as well as ivorie gold and silver for their value 2 Chron. 9.21 But true converts are most rare New creatures in whom old things are passed away BEHOLD all things are become new Eph. 2.1 2 Cor. 5.17.2 They are raised from death to life you hath he quickned saith the Apostle to the Ephesians who were dead in trespasses and sins This is a more admirable work then the raising of Lazarus from the grave which notwithstanding drew a great concourse of people to Jesus who had raised him Joh. 12.9 Who came not for Jesus sake only but that they might see Lazarus also whom he had raised from the dead 5. Multitudes have ever used to gaze upon persons sumptuously apparrelled Luk. 7.25 what went you out saith our Saviour to the people into the wilderness to SEE a man cloathed in soft raiment BEHOLD they which are gorgeously apparrelled are in kings courts But St John Rev. 12 1. discovereth to us a greater matter of admiration There appeared saith he a great wonder in heaven a woman the Spouse of Christ whereof every true beleever is a member cloathed with the Sunne Oecumen in Apoc. cap. 33. Ecclesia Sole justitiae Christo stipata est the righteousness of Jesus Christ whom shee hath put on Gal. 3.27 for uxor fulget radiis mariti with the Moone under her feet that is worldly things which are mutable like the moone are by her little accounted of and upon her head is a crown of twelve starres the doctrine of the 12. Apostles whereon she is founded Revel 21.14 and this her raiment is like the Isralites garments in the wilderness which waxed not old Neh. 9.21 but groweth more and more glorious by wearing as faith encreaseth by exercise 6. Exquisite beauties have an attrative force over mens eyes and mindes When David espied from the roof of his house Bathsheba who was very beautifull to look upon washing her selfe he sent messengers to fetch her to him 2 Sam. 11.2 But lo here is an incomparable beauty as the Lord himselfe describeth it Ezec. 16.13 14. Thou wast exceeding beautifull saith hee to Israel and thy renown went forth among the heathen for thy beauty for it was PERFECT through my comlinesse which I had put upon thee These are indued with perfect beauty neither are they snowt-faire for the Proverb foras Helena intus Hecuba hath no room here but they are all glorious within Psalm 45.13 neither is this a decaying beauty like Naomies Ruth 1.20 who in a few yeares was metamorphosed into Marah as herself complaines nor yet is it like Ephraims glorious beauty which became like a fading flower Isa 28.1.4 neither doth that proverb take place here at all Isa 28.1.4 Fair in the cradle fowle in the saddle for this is a permanent yea an increasing beauty like the olive trees Hos 14.6 Jam. 2.3 Lo 7. Riches win respect among men Lo their riches are correspondent to their raiment and beauty It cannot be said of them which is too truly of some others averred that they have gold and silver on their backs and copper in their purses for they are a peculiar treasure unto the Lord above all people Exo. 19.5 and though they may be poor in the world yet are they heires of the kingdom of Heaven Jam. 2.5 yea all things here below are theirs as they are Christs Christ is Gods 1 Cor. 3.22.23 Esth 6.8 9. 8. Observance attendeth honour Their honour is equivalent to their riches 1. Chron. 4.9 Iabez was more honourable then his brethren the reason hereof is rendred vers 10. He called on the God of Israel God honoureth them Isa 43.4 Since thou wast precious in my sight saith he to Israe thou hast beene Honourable and I have loved thee In them dwelleth the spirit of God 1. Cor. 3.16 and can we find such a man as this is said king Pharoah of Joseph in whom the spi◠t of God is Genes 41.38 And by the Spirit of the Lord are they changed into the image of the Lord from glory to glory 2. Cor. 3.18 and for this cause the holy angels according to to their charge readily vouchsafe their attendance night and day upon them the least among them not excepted Mat. 18.10 Heb. 1.14 Mat. 18.10 The godly also who only among men know the true estimate of persons make high account of them In whose eyes a vile person be he never so highly advanced in the world is contemned but they honour all that feare the Lord Psal 15.4 Lastly Christ himself is the glory of his people Israel Luk. 2.32 Sect. 3 Use
1. Serveth for exhortation Since then Christ our Lord inviteth you to behold an Israelite indeed imitate ye God Angels and good men turne the eyes of your mindes towards these excellent ones on the earth Psal 16.3 Gen. 23.6 princes of God children of wisedome the most glorious conquerors in the world rare new creatures cloathed with the Sunne perfect in beauty transcendently rich endued with honour and the spirit of glory partakers of the divine nature 2 Pe. 1.4 Having the glorious angels for their attendants This your sight will be well pleasing to God Motives for as all the works of Gods creation and providence are to be minded by us Ps 143.5 so especially are these first fruits of his creatures whom he hath begotten with the word of truth Psal 143.5 Eph. 2.10 Jam. 1.18 who are His workmanship created in Christ Iesus unto good works Eph. 2.10.2 There can be no danger in the contemplation of this beauty as there may be and too often is in gazing upon other faire objects as David found by experience and the sons of God in seeing the daughters of men that were faire Gen. 6.2 for he that looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart as our Lord witnesseth Mat. 5.28 But thirdly this sight wil bring great profit with it to the spectators Here we shall see the beauty of holiness which will enflame our hearts with the love of it * Cic. offic l. 1. as the heathen said vertue would do if it could be seen with the eyes and we read that many who beheld Lazarus after he was raised frâ—m death believed and thereby themselves were raised from the death of sin John 12.9.11 Joh. 12.9.11 St Peter affordeth us two remarkable instances of this the former is of Christians even under persecution living among heathens whom he counselleth to have their conversation honest among them that whereas some speak against them as evil doers others by their good works which they shall behold may glorifie God in the day of visitation yea by this meanes the very persecuters themselves may become true professors 1. Pet. 3.12 The other is of wives though the weaker vessels whose pious and meek demeanor may be an occasion of converting their ignorant and unbeleeving husbands on whom the word as yet cannot work 1 Pet. 3.1 2. Likewise ye wives saith he be in subjection to your own husbands that if any obey not the word they also may without the word be wonne by the conversation of the wives while they behold your chast conversation coupled with fear Vse 2 Secondly this serveth for our direction in two things 1. What are we chieffly to behold in this true Israelite Answ 1. his original he was borne in Zion the city of God whereof glorious things are spoken and which the highest himself shall establish Selah Psal 87.2.5 He is of the seed royal begotten not of corruptible but incorruptible seed the word of God which liveth and abideth for ever 1. Pet. 1.23 borne not after the flesh but after the spirit Joh. 3.5 more then a servant even a son and if a son then an heire of God through Christ Gal. 4.7 2. Observe his life and conversation Brethren saith Saint Paul mark them which walk so as you have us for an ensample Phil. 3.17 3. Mark him in his sufferings and the issue thereof Behold saith the Apostle we count them happy which endure ye have heard of the patience of Job and have seen the end of the Lord Jam. 5 11. How couragious have some been even under persecution daring and provoking their tormentors and crying out to them as Tertul. l. ad Scapulam Magis damnati quà m absoluti gaudent Tertull. relateth Crudelitas vestra est gloria nostra 4. View wel his catastrophe or the end of his life as it is in Psal 37.37 Mark the perfect man and behold the the upright for the end of that man is peace Again This directeth us concerning the manner how he is to be observed namely 1. with an eye of recognition he is to be known and acknowledged by us Isa 61.9 All that see them shal acknowledge that they are the seed which the Lord hath blessed 2. With an eye of complacency and love As David was accepted in the sight of all the people and also in the fight of Sauls servants 1 Sam. 18.5 3. With a respectful eye as the prophet Elisha regarded the presence of king Jehosaphat who professed that had it not been for his sake he would not have somuch as looked upon Jehoram king of Israel nor have seene him 2 King 3.14 4. With a joyfull eye as they that feared God were glad when they saw David Psal 119.74 5. This fight ought to be joyned with a desire of adhesion as when Jonathan saw Davids valour his soul clave to him 1 Sam. 18.1 and when Judah and Benjamin and many other saw that the Lord was with Asa the king they fel to him out of Israel 2 Chro. 15.9 6. It must be accompanied with a desire of imitation in that which is right Those things saith St Paul which ye have both learned and received and heard and seen in me doe and the God of peace shal be with you Phil. 4.9 Lastly we should looke upon them with an eye of sympathy 1. If they be regular in their lives it should afford us occasion of joy as Paul absent in the flesh yet was present with the Colossians in the spirit and rejoyced to behold their order and stedfastnes of their faith in Christ Col. 2.5 2 If they be in prosperity we should congratulate with them so the Psal mâ—st prayeth Lord let me see the good of thy chosen that I may rejoyce in the gladness of thy nation that I may glory with thine inheritance Psal 106.5 3 If any of them be at any time in distress we must cast an eye of compassion and pitty upon them Heare all people and behold my sorrow saith the church in captivity Lam. 1.18 So when the father saw the penitent prodigal he had compassion and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him Luk. 15.20 Vse 3 Thirdly this may serve for discovery how purblind or squint-eyed the men of this world are who can see no excellency in the children of God The reason hereof is rendred 1. Joh. 3.1 the world knoweth them not because it knoweth not the father yea it was prophesied of Jesus Christ that he should be fairer than the children of men Psal 45.2 yet when he cometh into the world he hath no forme nor comeliness and when we shall see him there is no beauty that we should desire him which is spoken of the very elect as well as of others before they become beleevers 1 Pet. 2.7 and then is Christ indeed precious to them and not before How then can the unbeliever spie any beauty in the members of Christ
oath and say Lord I have many enemies too strong and subtile for me but be thou my strong rock I have a deceitfull backsliding heart but thou art a true God purge out mine hypocrisie and heale all my backslidings Thou requirest that I should serve thee in holiness and righteousness without feare but thou hast bound thy self as wel to me as mee to thy self grant me thy grace and power to do thy will Da Domine quod jubes jube quod vis and banish far from me all slavish feare by planting thy love in mine heart for perfect love doth cast out slavish feare 1 Joh. 4.18 2. This covenant is established in the hand of a mediator Jesus Christ who hath paid our whole debt Heb. 12.24 though we cannot satisfie for the least farthing and he is able to work all our works in us and for us Isa 26 12. Adam indeed soon brake his covenant though he were in innocency because he stood by his owne strength but the second Adam God and man is our upholder who is bound in the covenant of grace with us and for us to whom the Lord hath said In an acceptable time have I heard thee and in a day of salvation have I helped thee and I will preserve thee and give thee for a covenant of the people to establish the earth to cause to inherit the desolate heritages that thou maist say to the prisoners go forth to them that are in darknes shew yourselves Isa 49.8.9 God promiseth to help and preserve him that he may help and uphold us Are we in darkness he will be our light Are we weak he the Lord Jehova wil be our everlasting strength Do we fall he will raise us up Psal 37.24 Though we break the covenant he hath kept it to the utmost Thirdly To render us yet more secure Act. 2.38 39. God hath confirmed this covenant that he wil be our God and guide unto death by outward seals commonly called Sacraments Baptisme and the Lords supper as circumcision is called the seal of the righteousness of faith Rom. 4.11 As also by the inward seal of his holy Spirit who beareth witnesse with our spirits that we are the children of God Rom. 8.16 as the Apostle saith 2 Cor. 1.21 22. Now he which establisheth us with you is God which words with you are added lest some weaker Christians should demur and surmise that the Apostle and strong christians may well say so but we may not be so bold Yes saith the Apostle you may avouch somuch as well as I or any other He who establisheth us with you in Christ and hath annointed us is God who hath also sealed us and given the earnest of the spirit in our hearts Here is a seal and an earnest both mentioned and annexed to Gods covenant and oath that we might have strong consoâ—atiâ—n who have fled for refuge to lay hold upâ—n the hope set before was Heb. 6.18 Argumen 2 Secondly That which mov d God to enter into covenant with them was his love God loveth them for the love of God is the original and fountaine of all the Saints blessedness and dignâ—â—y which two may all along be distinguished but cannot be separated The primary product of this love is our election from all eternity Eph. 1.4 which is therefore called the election of grace Rom. 11.5 The object of this grace is the Israel of God as appeareth by the Lords compellation Isa 44.1 2. Heare now O Iacob my servant and Israel whom I have chosen Thus saith the Lord that made thee who will also keep thee Feare not O Iacob my servant and thou Jesurun Whom I have chosen The consideration hereof emboldened David against all his ranting enemies Psal 4.2 3. O ye sons of men said he to them how long will you turne my glory into shame But know or be it known to you that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself These only have their names written in the Lamb's book of life Rev. 21.27 whereas all others who have forsaken the Lord the fountain of living waters shal be written in the Earth Jer. 17.13 They are built upon the rock of ages the foundation of God which stands suâ—e 2. Tim. 2.19 all others shal be like the chaff which the winde driveth to and fro Psal 1.4 Secondly This love moved God to send his onely begotten son in the fulness of time into the world to die for them that whosoever beleeve on him might not perish but have eternal life Joh. 3.6 Here we have the privative part of our happiness they shall not perish but be delivered from hell and the positive part they shall have eternal life Reader stand here and meditate what the terrors and torments of hell are from whence Christ by his death hath freed us and what the joyes and glory of Heaven be which he hath purchased and prepared for us And when you can fully conceive how great these two are or how great Christs love is who hath done both these for us then and never before will you be able to conceive how great the beleevers honour and happiness shall be Thirdly As the love of the Father induced him to give us his Son Isa 9.6 so the love of the Son moved him to give himselfe for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour Eph. 5.2 and that he might redeeme us from all iniquity Tit. 2.14 and consequently from hell Now might the damned Spirits be certified that they should at last be released out of those intolerable torments which they suffer and we have deserved and in the end be invested in celestial glory thought it should be graâ—â—ed them not til after some thousand of yeares first expired what a great mercy would even they account it And will not you seek to know this how you may escape hell and attain everlasting glory Sect. 3 Argument 3 Thirdly On these his bâ—loved hath Iesus Christ conferred his Sâ—cred spirit a gift of gifts that thereby we may know that he dwelleâ—h â—n us and we in him 1 Illumination 1 Joh. 3.24 By whom we 1. are enligh ened to know what is the hope of his calling and what are the riches of the glory of his inhâ—ritance in the Saints Eph. 1.18 How earnest was bl ssed Paul who rightly apprehended this mercy of illumination in praying for others that they might have it who waâ—ted it and in rendering thanks for them who had obtaâ—ned it And will not you be affâ—cted therewith to seek it till you find it and to bless God for it when you have it 2 Vivification 2. By the operation of this Spirit are they qâ—ickâ—ned who were dead before in trespasses and in sins Joh. 6.63 Now put these two together Prov. 15.30 If the light of the body be so pleasant as Solomon averreth how much more delightfull is the light of the soul and if temporall
sweare even under the Gospel for to those times the Apostle applyed that Text Rom. 14.11 and St. Paul used oaths for confirmation of his doctrine sometimes Rom. 9.1 Gal. 1.20 Obj. But doth not Christ forbid us to sweare at all Mat. 5.24 Ans Christ forbids all swearing by creatures which the Pharisees Lyra since them held to be no sin which is also condemned James 5.12 Above all things swear not neither by heaven nor earth but if you must needs sweare let it be by the God of truth Isa 65.16 1. They that sweaâ—e by any but God are unlike to Iacob in practice 2. So are all common and rash swearers who take the name of God in vaine and may be sure he will not hold them guiltlesse 3 for oaths the Land mourneth Jer. 23.10 how much more cause have they to mourn who make the earth to mourne 4 All that swear by the name of God without due reverence to his sacred Majesty are distinguished from the righteous and ranged among the wicked Eccles 9.1 2. As is the good saith the Preacher so is the sinner and he that sweareth as he that feareth an oath The good man feareth even when he sweareth what he knoweth to be truth 5 He therefore that sweareth falsely is on the dark side of the cloud and the flying Roul full of curses shall find him out and shall remaine in the midst of his house who sweareth falsely by the name of the Lord and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof Zach. 5.2 3. Yet there is hope in Israel concerning this if the party offending repent of his sinne with Peter speedily and seriously Levit. 6.5 If he that hath found that which was lost and lyeth concerning it and sweareth falsely restore that which he hath deceitfully gotten in the principall shal add a fifth part more thereto give it to whom it appertaineth shall bring his trespasse offering unto the Lord the Priest Jesus Christ shall make an atonement for him before the Lord and it shall be forgiven him vers 5 6. Instance 10 Israel was very mindfull of his mortality reputing himselfe a Pilgrim and stranger in the world as may be easily gathered from his answer to Pharaoh demanding of him how old he was Gen. 47.9 The dayes of the yeeres of my Pilgrimage are 130 years few and evill have the yeers of my life been I have not obtained unto the dayes of the years of the life of my fathers in the dayes of their pilgrimage out of which speech of his the Apostle gathereth that he sought a better countrey even Heavenly According to this our president let us account our selves strangers and sojourners with God as all our fathers were so did holy David Psalm 39.12 and let the Apostle's loving obtestation sink deep into our hearts 1 Pet. 2.11 Dearely beloved I beseech you as strangers and Pilgrims abstaine from fleshly lusts which war against the soule and since we have no continuing place here let us lay a good foundation for eternity 1 Tim. 6 19. But alas how few are there who write after this copy many put the evil day far from them Amos. 6.3 and so live as if they should live here for ever and not see corruption Psal 49.9 yea the very thoughts of death make too many more profane and dissolute who say to themselves and others Let us eat and drink for to morrow we shall dye Isa 22.13 little minding that after death comes judgment Heb. 9.27 Instance 11 11. Israel is an exemplar to Christian souldiers he was valiant in fight Genes 47.22 with his sword and with his bow he took a portion out of the hand of the Amorite which he gave to his son Joseph above his brethren yet in times of peace none more harmless quiet and patient in suffering injuries then he As Hamor and Shechem confessed of him and his sons These men are peaceable with us Genes 34.21 and to avoid the fury of Esau his brother for quietness sake he fled into the countrey of Syria Hos 12.12 And when Shechem had defiled his daughter Dinah and he heard of it He held his peace Genes 34.5 which declareth that he had great power over his owne Spirit But when his two sons Simeon and Levi had without his privity slaine the Shechemites for deflouring their sister how did he abhor their bloody fact and condemne them for it v. 30. Jacob said to Simeon and Levi Ye have troubled me to make me to stink among the inhabitants of the Land yea till his dying day he could not forget it for when he blessed his sons a litle before his death coming to these two in their order he calleth them Genesis 49.5 6 7 brethren in evil and detesteth with an execration their horrid crime saying The instruments of cruelty are in their habitations O my soule come not thou into their secret unto their assembly mine honour be not thou united for in their anger they slew a man and in their selfe will they digged down a wall Cursed be their anger for it was fierce and their wrath for it was cruel Againe let us view Jacobs admirable meekness and patience when Laban his father in law put blear-eyed Leah into his bed instead of beautifull Rachel for whom he had served seven yeares all that he sayd to him was this What is this thou hast done to me did not I serve with thee for Rachel wherefore then hast thou beguiled me here neither railing nor cursing proceeded from him and when at his departure Laban of whom he had deserved exceeding wel pursued him as a thiefe he was provoked to wrath and chod with Laban yet he brake not out into any passionate distempers but mildly expostulateth the matter with him yea after the unjust man had changed his wages dearly-earned ten times he committed the matter to God They therefore 1. who can beare no indignities or injuries nor will part from their right in the least sort for peace and concords sake contrary to the Christians rule which injoyneth us that if it be possible as much as in us lyeth we should live peaceably with all men Rom. 12.18 but 2ly upon small provocations break out into bitter maledictions sclanders and railings as Micah's mother when her eleven hundred shekels of silver were taken from her brake out into cursings though it were her owne son who had taken them Judg. 17.2 or 3ly who upon any occasion small or great study and endeavour revenge and so take Gods office out of his hand as the Apostle teacheth Rom. 12.19 Dearly beloved avenge not your selves but rather give place unto wrath for it is written vengeance is mine I will repay saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemie hunger feed him and if he thirst give him drink 4ly Such as are so far from taking wrong that they do wrong to others like some of the Corinthians sharply taxed by the Apostle 1. Cor. 6.8 5ly Above all they
him who readeth or heareth them Motives truely he is unworthy to have any more spoken to him but before I can hope to perswade men I must begin with God who onely can perswade the heart O thou great Captain of the host of Israel who hast the key of David that openeth and none can shut and shutteth and none can open be graciously pleased to exercise thy great power and infinite mercy in working upon the hearts both of the writer and reader of this treatise to answer this thy call that of wild olives by nature we may be graffed into Jesus Christ and may become trees of righteousness the planting of the Lord that thou mayst be glorified in us and by us and we with thee Alas Lord what can a weak mans words availe where the word of the â—â—ving God is rejected The arguments â—re full of power but the hearts of the â—hildren of men are full of obstinacy â—nless thou raisest the dead and creaâ—est clean hearts no good can be done â—end therefore thine irresistible Spirit â—o convince and convert us give new â—yes and new eares and renew a right â—pirit within us then shall we heare â—nd see and run to joyne ourselves who have formerly beene sons of the â—â—ranger to the Lord and to thy people â—hou who gatherest the out casts of Isâ—ael remember thy promise to gather â—thers to thee besides those that are alâ—eady gathered Save us O Lord our â—od and gather us from among the â—eathen to give thanks unto thy holy â—ame and to triumph in thy praise Isa 56.7 8. â—sal 106.47 Now if after prayer to God teares â—ould move you whose good is here â—â—tended they should not be wanting beseech you by the teares and preciâ—s blood of Iesus Christ to grant me is desire not for any thing from you 〈◊〉 my self but for the salvation of your own soules that you lay these things deeply to heart Is it nothing to you to have lived so long 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 Eph. 2.12 Dare you continue in this estate sincâ— you know not how little time you havâ— to live before you goe hence and be nâ— more seen Is not God a portion wortâ— having is not his love worth imbracing feare you not the torments oâ— Hell doe you not value the joyes anâ— glory of Heaven Return a candid anâ— sober Answer to these Questions whicâ— God himselfe and not I propounâ— unto you Say in good earnest to him Lord enable us and we will becomâ— true Israelites and then I assure you 〈◊〉 his name and in the word of trutâ— God will be your God and the Goâ— of your seed he will love you freeâ— unto the end the second death shaâ— have no power over you feare not is your Fathers good pleasure to giâ— you the Kingdome Luke 12.32 whâ— shall I say of the blessed spirit of gracâ— he stands at the door of your hearts and knocks if you will hear his voyce and open the door he will come into you and sup with you and you with him Revel 3.20 And judge righteous judgment whether is it better to walk in that double Aegyptian darknesse of errors and manners or to be children of light 1 Thess 5.5 whether is it more eligible to be dead in trespasses and sin or to heare the voyce of the Son of God and live the life of grace here and the life of glory hereafter John 5.25 Whether is it safer to be the friends of God or his cursed enimes to have fellowship with God or devils yea to be Gods sons and daughters or children of the devill for you must needs be either of the former or the latter sort of these I call Heaven and Earth to record this day that I have set before you life and death blessing and cursing therefore choose life that you and your seed may live Deut. 30.19 Thus shall you be free indeed free from all evill and free to all good spiritual and eternal for Jerusalem which is above is free which is the mother of all true believers Gal. 4.26 what vast summs of money doe some forego to purchase freedome in some great City as the chiefe Captain did to be made free in Rome Acts. 22.28 But all the money in the world will not purchase any freedome in this City the spiritual Jerusalem you must either be born in Sion or you can never be free here againe men may confer political freedome as king Saul promised to make his house free in Israel who should kill Goliath 1 Sam. 17.25 but none can confer this spiritual freedome but the Son the great King of Heaven John 8.36 Lastly if the Queen of Sheba pronounced Solomons men happy and twice happy for standing continually in his presence and hearing his wisedome 2 Chron. 9.7 how much more happy is it for us to draw nigh to God Psalm 73.28 Herein the children of Israel surmount all people in the world besides for they onely are neere to him Psalm 148.14 and as dear as the Apples of his own Eye Zachary 2.8 And as they are neer and dear to him so is he nigh to them to hear them when they call Psalm 145.18 and to save them in all times of their distresse Psalm 85.9 Israel of old gloried in this priviledge Deut. 4.7 what Nation is there so great that hath God so nigh unto them as the Lord our God is to us in all things which we call upon him for and were it now impossible for us to have him as neere to us as he was to them our case were miserable but blessed be God as he hath commanded us to draw nigh to him so he hath promised to draw nigh to us also Jam. 4.8 But of all others shall we be most miserable if we would not obey this his Command of drawing nigh to him that he may fulfill his promise and draw nigh to us for they that say to him now depart from us shall heare him say to them at the last day Depart from me ye accursed into everlasting fire Sect. 12 For the Lords sake therefore remove all impediments that hinder you from becomming Israelites indeed Impediments What these lets and remoraes are I shal briefly lay down O! that you could as soon overcome them These impediments are either external or within your selves 1 Their smal number The 1. externall Let is the paucity or fewnesse of their number But doe not you know that ordinary stones are more rife than orient Pearls and is not a precious stone the more valueable and excellent by how much the more rare it is These are the Lords Jewels whereas all other are but like lumber in the house Mal. 3.17 They shall be mine saith the Lord of Hostes who best knoweth the true value of the children of men in that day when I make up my Jewels and