neather springs both which fal into one river and make glad the City of God both these fields yield a plentiful harvest of comfort to the godly Quest. But here the godly soul is oft troubled and saith when shall this promise bee fulfilled this vision is for many dayes to come When will this Sun arise Answ. Though the Sun keep a certaine houre of his arising knowne to all yet of this day and hour knoweth no man when this Sun of righteousnesse will arise The operation and course of nature is much alike The dispensations of grace and peace are various more different then any other actings of God therefore nothing can be set downe certainly as a constant rule There are four notable dayes of the coming of Christ two in this life two after all alike unknowne 1. When Christ will come with his fanne in his hand refiners fire and fullers soap at conversion to purifie an elect unconverted 2. When with healing under his wings to cheer and satisfie the Elect converted yet unsatisfied soule 3. The third great and notable day of the Lord is at death when he comes as a Bridegroome his reward with him to make perfect the elect converted comforted soule yet never perfected And the fourth is the greatest of all when he cometh in the clouds to render to all according to their deeds None of these four dayes of the Lord are like the Lords day which is knowne and kept by all alike and we know that after every six dayes another will certainly follow but as the thiefe by night or the lightning not the sun by day come suddenly unexpected or as the dayes of Noah and of Lot were so shall all these comings of the Son of man be 1. Those dayes came but once 2. Came of a sudden 3. Came to put a mighty difference between them and others yet had we not need bee as the world was then Eating drinking sinning singing c. but as Noah and Lot fearing waiting praying preparing Samuel had the Sunne breaking out in the morning he was called young and it shined all day to his old gray â—ayres Abraham had no sun nor â—ight of heaven â—â—il he was seventy five years old and had a sad houre of darknesse before the covenant made The Lord had said hee would be a shield to him before he shewed himselfe to be his Sun Job had a glorious morning Sun in his younger age It was sadly overclouded at Noon but brake out again ere night Solomon the like or more glorious morning and noone waded toward evening and set in a cloud Moses had frequent familiarity with God as a friend forty dayes entertained by him as his Ghest and one day above all the rest had into the banquetting house as his onely favourite hee saw the similitude of the Lord heard his Name proclaimed beheld his glory and had this superadded I know thee by thy name and thou hast found favour in my sight Jacob was twenty whole years kept in suspence about his sonne Joseph ere he knew what was become of him and full twenty years it was betweene his first vision at Bethel and that at Penuel where he saw God face to face Thomas was but eight dayes under that uncomfortable fit of incredulity then full satisfaction Manoahs wife had two heavenly apparitions not long between the one and the other no more all her life Solomon had his two also The Son of God bad only one transfiguration and twice that testimony Thou art my Beloved Son the rest of his life was all Humiliation Heman and Ethan haply never saw the sun of righteousnesse shine out all their dayes never got higher then faith of Adherence yet dyed in faith not having received the promises But first usually the Promise is made good when the Christian is conscientiously attending on Gospel ordinances to meet God in his way when we wait to receive God wayteth to bestow grace 1. The Lords day is usually the day of the Lord the desired day of the Son of man on that day John being in the spirit had that communion with Christ and the Revelation of so great mysteries The Sabbath sanctified is also blissed The house of prayer is the place where God will make his people joyfull and where God records his name in any place hee will there meet and blesse his people Upon every dwelling place of mount Syon and upon her assemblies the Lord hath promised to creaete a cloud and smoak by day and a pillar of fire by night for upon all the glory shall bee a defence Where was Christ to bee found but in the Temple And when did he appear to his Disciples but on the Lords day one day after another It is observed if there be any wind at all stirring it is about the Church and if any breath of the spirit it is within the Church Sometimes Christ sets this fruit on the Preachers lips and there you must gather it Sometimes and as usually in and after prayer Cornelius had his and Peter his vision when both at prayer Christ had both those famous testimonies by audible voyce on the day of the holy Ghosts Transfiguration into a dove and his owne Transfiguration after when at prayer When did Jacob see the face of God but when he wept and made supplication Often at the Sacrament when wee set to our seals and avouch God for our God he sets to his seal and doth avouch us for his people Christ at Baptism received that first testimony from the Fathers mouth and the spirits descending upon him And how many doe we read of that have together with the water Baptisme received that also of the holy Ghost So for that other Sacrament how many can say in experience the Lord hath been known to them in breaking of bread when not till then discovered Abraham had the covenant first made and sealed at that first and notable Sacrament or Sacramental sacrifice so solemnely celebrated When Hezekiah and his people prepared themselves to a religious celebrating the Passeover their prayer came up to heaven God heard and healed his people Wait then upon God in the way of his owne ordinances And if thou know not yet where Christ is to be found goe thy way forth by the foot steps of the flock and feed thy kids besides the shepherds tents 2. Sometimes God revealeth himselfe in an extraordinary manner when we have been seeking him in a more extraordinary manner when Jacob was more importunate then ever had wrestled and wept all night he saw Gods face in the morning 3. Often before some singular tryall to be undergone and some hard service to bee performed Jacob had that laetificall vision at Bethel when he was to enter on Labans hard service Joseph had his divine dreame before hee was sold that he might have somewhat to live upon in
tippling some were great husbands building planting buying selling Both perished together The interposition of the earth eclipseth the Moon depriving it of the light of the Sun If the world get between Christ and thy heart all is gone 3 Pride is a blasting East wind which destroyes Grace and breeds those Caterpillars which destroye both leaf and blossom This is to the soul not as a Disease but poison Diseases stop growth poison takes away life though taken in meat or Cordials Pride is poison to Grace death to the soul though it be taken in the best Duties and parts This destroyed the Angelical nature when spiritual pride got into heaven It infected the humane till then in innocency It is a â—anker oft bred in the fairest rose but destroys it The Divel seeks to get into his service the best wits choicest parts greatest Scholers and by pride he makes them sure What drew Arius Paulus Samosatenus Novatus c. into their Schismes and pestilent Heresies but their pride and arrogancy 4. Evil company is as great a hinderance to growth in Grace as any of the former We may compare these four to those four devourers That which the palmer worm of idlenesse hath left hath the Loâ—ust of worldly activenesse eaten that which that Locust hath left hath the Canker of Pride eaten and what that Cankerworm hath left hath this Caterpillar of ill company quite eaten Or else to those four destroyers the Sword Famine Pestilence and this ill company worst of all the evil Beasts Oh Inimica Amicitia Austin cryes out upon it Judas took no hurt in the Apostles society yet among the High Priests he was undone Peter sitting by the High Priests fire fell in and burnt himself Loâ— had perished in Sodom had he not hasted out Nothing brings the Plague so soon as eating drinking and conversing with the Infected Nebuchadnezzar became a Beast by conversing with Beasts and man turns to earth lying in the earth Such as the company such is or shortly will be the man Worldly company will make thee worldly profane profane corrupt company opinionative and erroneous Satan and his black Retinue come out in dances to meet this their great Champion singing Pride and other Commanders have slaine their thousands but good fellowship otherwise called ill society hath slain his ten thousands Other sins send men single to hell this as Phinehas Javelin strikes two dead at one stroke or as Samsons Jaw-bone layes heaps upon heaps 5 Any raigning sin hinders growth If the Worshipper comes with Idols in his heart his inquiry after God will not profit Many complain of the Minister they cannot profit by him their Idols cause it Ahab could neither proâ—it by Elijah nor Micajah not one good Sermon from them both Judas might be with Christ all his dayes yet not profit he was a Thief and a Hypocrite Nor could Herod profit by John Baptist. Herodias the right eye that caused him to offend should have been plucked out It is the Physicians Aphorisme Corrupt Bodyes the more they are fed the more they are corrupted Therefore Peters prescript is to lay aside all malice guile hypocrisies c. before you come to the sincere milk of the Word if you would grow thereby 6 An ill dyet or an ill Ministry Would you grow without meat or by eating unwholsom flatulent or poisoned meat Take â—eed oâ— such a Ministry and fix thy selfe under that godly Minister whom God hath set over thee in the Lord. We will not have our child suck every nurse nor doth the often changing the Nurse benefit but endanger the child Be not carryed about with divers and strange Doctrines But take heed how and what and whom you hear 7 Intermitting Duties Pray without â—easing quench not the spirit despise not prophecying neglect not the gift that is in thee forsake not the assembling of your selves together Intermitting Duties for two or three dayes is like intermitting meat for as long a time The Amalakitish servant was taken up fainting but when he had eaten againe his spirit came to him again We need Duties to keep grace and soul together as much as meat to keep life and soul together When the candle is newly blown out you may easily blow it in again but when the fire is out no blowing can light it When wee goe from Duty to Duty the heart is kept burning when we let grace dy for want of present blowing up we are insensibly hardned and Grace decayes 8 Self sufficiency There is more hope of a fool then of him that is wise in his own conceit He that thinks he hath already attained seeks to go no further He that thinks he hath Learning Wisdom Riches enough to serve his turne gives over the wise mans seeking and intermeddling with all wisdom The emptiest Vine brings forth most fruit to it self 3 Helps to Growth 1 Thou must be the plant which God hath planted He is the only Husbandman we are Gods Husbandry Every plant which his right hand hath not planted at length is rooted up Nature Art Education Industry all moral perswasions make not a heavenly plant Flesh and bloud did nothing to Peter but the Father which is in Heaven 2 As planted by the Fathers hand so ingrafted into Christs root Therefore is the branches fruitfulnesse ascribed to a double cause 1 The Fathers pruning and purging Every branch that beareth fruit heâ— purgeth that it may bear much fruit 2 To our Insition into and abiding in Christ. Hee that abideth in me and I in him the same bringeth forth much fruit for without me ye can doe nothing Those parts of the tree which are nearest the root are biggest those twigs which furthest off least 3 The Spirit of God hath the third hand in a Christians growth When the Spirit breathed on the dry bones they stood up and became an Army Saul when the Spirit came upon him had another heart became another man The Apostles were well grown before but when the holy Ghost came upon them then they grew mightily Pray Blow O North wind and breath thou South wind that the Spices of my garden may flow 4 To hold communion with the body as well as with the head that being knit together by those mystical bonds and joynts there may be an increase in the body to the edifying of it self in love Yea that it may increase with the increase of God a Divine and admirable increase The branch cut off from the arm of the tree is cut off from the root also and withers The sheep straying from the flock is devoured safe when it abides with his fellowes then the Shepherds eye is upon it 5 To attend upon living and lively Ordinances The tree of life growes close by the River of the water of life no where else 6 A good depth of Mortification to begin withal The ground deep ploughed retaineth the
their all they have his all they can never have The Seas treasure cannot be exhausted when all Rivers Springs and other vessels are filled We have but our measure no fulness He no measure the Father giveth not the spirit by measure to him But all fulnesse of whose fulnesse we all receive and grace for grace Ob. Are not the godly said to be full Stevenful of faith Paul of the Holy Ghost the Romans of all goodnesse Answ. Christ hath his fulnesse and the Saints their kind of fulnesse but with great difference their 's the fulnesse of a smal vessel his of a fountain their 's of a member his of a head their 's of men and manhood his the fulnesse of the Godhead their 's of a Riveâ— his of the Sea their 's of a Brook or River after much raine causing a land-flood his an abiding undecaying fulnesse Such a land-flood was that fulness Acts 4. 31. after they had prayed the place was shaken and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost c. 2. As there are these good and pleasing lights so are there other sad and uncomfortable lights 1. Such as were the old false Apostles who did put themselves into the forme of Angels of light pretending to more communion with God insight into his Word and Worship more choice revelations extraordinary Holinesse Mortification purely Spiritual perfect enemies to Antichrist and all received formes that would bring in a new Christ and a new Creed into the world These much troubled the Apostles and obstructed the spreading of the Gospel at first and this Age seeth the sad effect of such new Angels of Light pretending to new Truths new Light These would purge out in their Reformation all the Old leaven not only that of the Pharisee and of Antichrist but that of the Gospel and of Christ for the Kingdome of Heaven hath his leaven too because all old things must pass away and all things must become new But is the new Wine better then the old Can any new light bee so good as the old Sun Are not the old paths the good paths All Truths hairs are as Christs white Truths glory is to be as ancient as God himselfe Gods glory to be the ancient of dayes yet a God not changed 2. There are others who are as prodigious blazing Stars who draw the gazing multitude after them New lights these are indeed but true Stars they are not a while they blaze but are ever of malignant Aspect The Vulgar looks upon them with admiration the Judicious with horror They outshine in appearance the fixed Stars for the present but after a while they are extinct being not made up of Heavenly but combustible matter and are ominous forerunners of sad calamities Such are those whom Jude and Peter described in their Epistles who would make their way by new coyned phrases speaking Great high sounding swelling words of vanity yet are but wells without water clouds without rain trees without fruit full of rage at what they know not till they fome againe Raging waves of the Sea foming out their owne shame walking in the wayes and treading in the very steps of Caine Balaam and Corah eminent for all Impiety Uncleanness and Opposition 3. There are others who are as Wandring Stars as Saint Jude termes them Gods Ministers are fixed Stars Satans are Hâ—raâ—iâ—k unfixt wandring 1. They have no steadiness in their Doctrines of one opinion to day another to morrow as they receive new light they say changing their faith and leaving their Congregations as oft as the Nomades and Tartars their Pastures 2. Unfixt in their Orb and Stations of one Calling to day another to morrow Heri catechumenus hodie Pontifex heri in Amphitheatro hodie in Ecclesia vesperi in Circo mane in Altari Yesterday Tradesmen Sword-men to day Church-men at a Play house Tavern Quarrel overnight in the Pulpit next morning 3. Most of all wandring in their Practices began Religiously end Impiously â—epent of their repenting praying hearing â—ast off Duties Holiness Morality and â—re translated into Swine that returne after outside washing to wallow in the mire Luthâ—r wittily compares these ignorant Teachers to unskilful Physicians and saith The new Doctor sends his Patient a new way to the Church yard and these new Teachers their followers a new way to hell 4. There are others who are called falling Stars of which sort divers are foretold who shall arise and fall in the last dayes Matth. 24. 22. Before the coming of Christ there shall be putting out of the lights the Sun shall be darkned and many Stars shall fall from Heaven from their former profession Godly Ministers and Professors are fixed Stars never shall fall Non est quae cecidit stella cometa fuit But these never were fixed in the Firmament of Election or sound Profession were but blazing Stars or Planets at the best These may fall and prove woful Apostates and which is worse one falls and fills all with wormwood occasions bitter wormwood divisions Separations Censures at last bitter Persecutions Waters once turned into Marah easily are after turned into Bloud Another Star falls and he hath the Key of the Bottomless pit given him none so fit to bee trusted with Hells Keyes to let out those multiformed Locusts and to give a free toleration to all Satans Agents and Emissaris as a fallen Star Fixed Stars have Keyes of Heaven fallen Stars of Hell 5. There is another foolish light ignis fatuus which sometimes appearing to the simple Country man affrights him leads him out of his way into boggs and pits and aâ— length hee is conceited it is some ill Spirit Such are those Imps of Hell the Fortune-telling Astrologer c. who mutters and peeps for hee will deliver nothing plainely A man of such an age statute hair saith he hath stole your Horse Money Plate c. Why doth he not name the man and bring you to the Goods lost but he mutters and peepes that is all the Wizard and Familiar Spirit do Yet do the simple people go from the living to the dead from God afâ—er Satan by these These pick the â—redutous Vulgars purse lead him into a world oâ—â—Errors destroy his dependance upon God hee undertakes nothing but he first enquireâ— of Baalzebub Shall I recover of this sicknesse Shall I go up and prosper 6. The last of these ill Lights is the eâ—â— Magistrate who as the good Magistrate â—â— deservedly put in the first place so these â—â— they be not put out of all place deserve the lowest that suffers all those forenamed dangerous Lights in Church and State tâ— so wtheir Seeds while he connives or sleeps The good Magistrate beareth Gods Sword which hath two edges with one wounding Disturbers of Civil Peace with the other Corrupters of Religion The evil Magistrate beareth Satans Buckler who protects all wounds none But to return
balm and wine Parchment perfume apparel cord and line His wood for fire his harder leaves are fit For thousand uses of invencive wit Sometimes thereon they grave their holy things Laws Lauds of Idols and the gifts of Kings Sometimes conjoyned by a cunning hand Upon their roofs for rowes of tiles they stand Sometimes they twine them into equal threds Smal ends makes needles greater arrow heads His upper sap the sting of serpents cures His new sprung bud a rare Conserve endures And they extract from liquor of his feet Sharp vinegar pure hony sugar sweet 2 No mans sin or misery can make his case desperate where Christ is Physician The Leprosie dead Palsie Stone in the heart Bloudy Issue heart Ruptures Plague in the heart the stinging of Serpents strokes of divine vengeance or whatsoever else is incurable by men or Angels Christ doth perfectly cure without difficulty or danger 3 Oh how then are we bound to God for sending such a Doctor from heaven when mans case was desperate How much to Christ Jesus who voluntarily undertook such a low Imployment to be master of the society of Crâ—pples lame blind impotent persons When Charles the Great had perswaded Aygâ—â—andus an Affrican King â— Mahometan upon his voluntary promise to become a Chri stian to receive Baptism he entertained him at his Court placed there a company of poor and lame people at whom the barbarous King wondring the Emperor told him they were the servants of our Master Jesus Christ at which he grew offended and refused to be a Christian because he saw Christs servants to be in so mean condition But it is the glory of Christ to have the greatest respect to such What a speech is that Heaven is my throne and earth my footstool but to this man will I look who is of a contrite spirit and poor God will leave heaven and earth to look after a poor distressed soul. As a mother that hath other children whom she leaveth her maâ—ds to look after but one is sickly whom she saith I le look to this my self I 'l trust none of you'all I 'l sit up with it stay by it I 'l not stir from it So Christ chargeth the Angels to look after other of his Servants but him that is poor and contrite in heart saith Christ I 'l look to that poor soul all you Angels have not skil nor care nor compassion enough I 'l not from him but look to him and he is wel looked to whom Christ looks to 4. Here is then a singular encouragement for all distressed souls to go to Christ. To whom did he ever say Thy case is past cure Whom did he ever cast out and reject with repulses and denyals And now he is not absent though invisibly present His passion he hath put off but not his compassion Therefore wouldst thou bee made whole observe these five Directions 1 Before all other means used come to Christ Aâ—a was never cured because he only used meanes The Haemorrâ—oesse never mended while she used means and came not to Christ. But it must be 1. A coming with Faith The Centurions and the Lepers coming Lord if thou wilt thou canst make mee clean 2 With Prayer importunate Prayer as that father who besought Christ for his son and put Omnipotency upon it If thou canst do any such thing as ever thou didst help poor Creature as ever thou wilt have compassion on us and help us This was the coming of the Canaanitesse who when she had begg'd and waited for an answer and at length was called dog or little better shee retorts the terme Lord I am a dog But as ever kind Master threw crumb to dog or as ever thou scatteredst the least crumb of mercy to poor unworthy creature think upon mee Her faith and importunity prevailed 3 With Repentance This Mary Magdalens coming and thus came the penitent Thief at the last hour and was saved but the impenitent Thief dyed at the foot of Christ. Impenitency damnes while Christ looks on and is trodden downe while it looks on the plenty that it self never tastes of Were Christ to dye a thousand times he would not save one Impenitent person 2. Direction After coming to Christ then use of means not before Then must we go and wash in five waters 1. In the water of Repentance This was Magdalens wash and wash seven times in this Jordan with Naaman David washt seven times making so many Penitentiall Psalmes upon his Penitential washings and was cleansed In this sense we must be all Anabaptists yea Hemerobaptists God commanded divers Baptisms or washings Heb. 9. 10. So oft as any touched a dead body or any thing unclean he was to wash againe so we so oft as we are defiled by any dead works as they are called In which respect we may say with Tertullian I am born to dayly repentance 2. In the water of Baptisme a more sacred laver which we may not despise or neglect it is a Gospel fountaine of Christs own opening This our Poole of Siloam to which all Christs are sent Arise why tarâ—yest thou and be baptized and wash away thy sins This washing is but once there is one Lord and one Baptism 3. In the water of the Word This is the Churches wash wherewith Christ hath after Baptism further cleansed his Church That he may sanctifie and cleanse it by the washing of water with the word The Word is as the water of the Sanctuary Healing water Wherewith shal the young man cleanse his way By thy Word This is the Churches Holy water 4. In the Bloud of Christ. This the most precious Bath above all the rest the Kings Bath Herein those sealed Saints had washed their long robes and made them so white in the Bloud of the Lamb. 5. After all these the last washing is in the Sanctifying water of the Spirit Christs Bloud fetcheth out the guilt the Spirit the staine This the Apostle calls the Laver of Regeneration and Renovation of the Holy Ghost Christ Jesus comes with water and bloud This was shadowed ouâ— in the Ceremonious cleansing of the Leper where there was the bloud of a slain bird applyed with another living bird and running water and the person was pronounced clean Besides the blood of a dead Saviour there must be the application of running water and a living spirit Therefore beg after all the former washings another dipping of the spirit Lord wash me throughly from mine Iniquities and cleanse me from my sin If we be not thus Anabaptized our first baptisme is null as to salvation Except a man be born of water and of the spirit he cannot enter the Kingdome of God 3. Direction Then to Duties here is their proper place not before take up thy bed and walk expect not Christ to say thy sins are forgiven goe in peace be whole And that he should carry thy bed after
out of a hard soil ever do man only made worse by such removes Man cannot abide in Honour Man when exalted is corrupted The lowest and darkest Cellars keep our Beer fresh Wine quick meat sweet which would corrupt in upper roomes or in the Sun Jeroboam in the dust more industrious then any other in the Throne more impious then any that ever came after they all might go to him to learn And he that before had been in the Garden of Eden and was looked on as a holy Angel the Annointed Cherub to whom Daniel and all the Men of God were as no body had the most iniquity found in him after he was perfect in his wayes and had by his Policy made all fit to his hand as he would have it Good men when Great resemble God with whom Mercy is sweetly matched with Majesty and Grace with Glory But the wicked are like Satan who when ever he gaineth more power employs it to do more mischief He riseth up saith Job and no man is sure of his life No man can say what he hath and what is his own speaking of the wicked man armed with Power 4. How great is the folly of the sons of men who toil sweat fret sue go to Law go to War yea venture to go to Hell to get these earthly things and when they have done what have they got but their labour for their pains in this life and after this worse pains for their labour Why dost thou set thine eye on that which is not What are these to Heaven The Sun is nothing in comparison of the Heaven of Heavens the Earth nothing to the Sun thy Farme or Lordship nothing to the Earth thy Cottage or Manner is nothing to England and England it self an inconsiderable nothing to the Earth Thy Lordship is not mentioned nor to bee found in the Map of the Earth and if by seeking it thou losest heaven too how miserable art thou They are beg'd for fooles who have a fair estate befallen them and sport themselves with Rattles How many wise Worldlings may bee beg'd for Fooles We count it childishnesse to see our boyes to run after painted Butter-flyes wrangle for a Top and fight for a Ball We are the more children who pant as if out of breath for the dust of the Earth The Philosopher on this Meditation of the Heavens Magnitude and Earths meanness breaks out into a Passion That men like children strive for an atom And hereupon Du Bartas excellently For though a King by wile or war had won All the round earth to his subjection Lo here the guerdon of his glorious pains A needle point a mote a mite he gaines A nit a nothing did he all possess Or if then nothing any thing be less O Lord said Austin Thou art and besides thee nothing of which nothing thou hast made Heaven and Earth those two the one of which is next to thee the other next to very nothing The highest heaven yet thou art higher the Earth so low as nothing lower Heaven is great but Earth little CHAP. XI The Glory of the Sun the second Property THe Sun is the most glorious Body in the World from whose Glory light is borrowed to set out the greatest Glory whatsoever 1. The Church Militant in her greatest Glory and richest Robes is described to be cloathed with the Sun 2. And which is far higher the Saints Triumphant in that great day of Gods greatest glory and mans when Christ shall be glorified in the Saints and the Saints in him shall have their glorified Bodies shining as the Sun 3. Yea which is more then either when Christ himself had that great promise fulfilled That the Kingdome of Heaven should come with power and was transfigured His face then shined as the Sun That was a glorious day when two Suns shone together But what will that be said famous Mr Bolton when there shall be so many Saints so many Suns There is one glory of the Stars another of the Moon but a far other of the Sun said the Apostle There is one Glory of Saints another of Angels but another far greater of this Sun Moses had much glory in his countenance such as Israel could not behold til his Vaile was on but he needeth a Vaile when he comes into the presence of this Sun to hide his defects Solomons glory was such that the fame astonished a Queen but the â—ight dazeled and struck her dead There was no more spirit in her it is said Angels have a far greater measure of glory Daniel the greatly beloved Prophet and Mary the greatly beloved Virgin could not stand before it He fainted she feared But Christ is above all Thus saith the Lord the Redeemer of Israel and his Holy One to him whom man despâ—seth to him whom the Nation abhorreth to a servant of Rulers Kings shall see and arise Princes also shal worship because of the Lord that is faithful and the Holy Ore of of Israel and he shall chuse thee Yea the Angels themselves cover not their feet only but their faces when they come before Christ. The Sun is exceeding glorious though it dwelleth in that Light accessible so that his glory doth superare visum our eye is so weak we cannot see and see but Christ who dwelleth in that Light Inaccessible his glory doth superare Intellectum we cannot see and live 1. Therefore admire and adore this glorious Sun of righteousnesse This is no creature worship to worship Christ it is the Fathers wil the same Divine Honour should be given to the Son as to himself Worshâ—p this Rising this Warming this Healing Sun Angels Principalities and Powers stoop and submit themselves to him Do to Christ as the Philosopher who viewed and gazed on the Sun as long as he was able then not able to comprehend his glory could have wish'd himself with the Sun that he might know it perfectly If Erastus was so in love with Learning that he could gladly have dyed to have his questions resolved which he could not satisfie himself in Why should not the Christian desire to be with Christ in whom though he doth believe and joy with joy unspeakable and glorious yet hath he never seen him nor can he know him as he is 1 Pet. 1. 8. 2. Pry not then into the Ark nor presse beyond those bounds set us below at the foot of the Mount to comprehend those unconceivable mysteries of Christ his Deity Personality Hypostatical Union which the busie wits of the world studying to reach by their humane reason have fallen into the most monstrous heresies of the world Faith must begin where Reason ends What vessel can contain the Sea or what visible eye can see â—n â—nvisible Deity The Suns beams in reflection are delightfull but the Sun directly looked upon doth blind thee it must be an Eagle-eye can endure it It is no wonder
There are many Lights we see such as they are some better some worse But Christ is the Light the true light the Sun in divers respects 1. The Suns light is the only day light All other Lights of Moon Stars Fire Candle are but night lights when all is done somewhat they relieve in the Suns absence Christ makes the perfect day in his Light eternal Light to be seen without Ministers Scriptures Ordinances which are of use only till we come to heaven 2. Suns light at first appearance drives away the nights darknesse and Christ his first Work is to deliver out of ignorance and from the darknesse of Error and ungodlinesse If we say we have fellowship with Christ and walk in darknesse we lye and do not the Truth And the first effects of Christs influence upon the Ministers labor is to open mens eyes and to turne them from darkness to light c. 3. Light discovers every thing that was hid That which maketh manifest is light and discovers things in their right shape and colours bee they beauties or deformities Christ is this light whose appearance chaseth darknesse and maketh a new discovery of an unknown world of sin in the heart before hid and swept behind the door I was alive before the Law once Concupiscence I had but knew it not before the Law came then sin revived and I dyed Christ appearing the deformity of sin loathsomenesse of Nature defects and spots of Duties and Righteousnesse are discovered never seen before and the beauty of Grace excellency of Holinesse is laid open to enamour the soul. Christ is the only light that discovers to us the deep things of God hid in darknesse till he revealed them and the deep things in men both the hidden mysteries of unknown wickedness and the great mysteries of Grace and Godlinesse 4. The Light directs us how to walk and keep our wayes and keeps from stumbling and falling into danger If any man walk in the day he stumbleth not because he seeth the Light of this world But if a man walk in the night he stumbleth because there is no light in him And Solomon The way of the wicked is as darkness they know not at what they stumble When Israel followed the Pillar of fire they took no hurt When Judas and Peter followed the Light kept neer to Christ they stumbled not but Peter leaving Christ dasht his foot against a stone in Petram scandali a stumbling stone and bruised himself but Judas into a Precipice and broke his neck 5 The Sun is sent to call us out of our beds and to invite man to go out to his labour The Sun ariseth and man goeth forth to his work and to his labour until the Evening And this Sun is sent not that wee should play out our Damnation with negligence and security but work out our Salvation with fear and trembling Yet a little while the light is with you walk while ye have the light lest darknesse come upon you for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth 6. How sweet is light to the sight and how pleasant it is for the eyes to behold the Sun No sight so delightful as the Light and the Sun is the heart-cheering light But no sight of the Sun it selfe so cheering the soul as the light and sight of Jesus Christ. His countenance is as Lebanon excellent as the Cedars His mouth is most sweet yea he is altogether lovely This is my Beloved saith the Church ravished with his beauty Cant. 5. 15 16. 1. If Christ be the light of the world what cause have we to bless God for Christ. We are excited to praise God again and againe by the Psalmist that God made the great lights and to say His Mercy endures for ever The Sun to rule by day and the Moon and Stars by night But what praise is to be given for Christ who hath delivered us from the powers of darkness The world had been a dungeon if it had not been for the Sun and the Church a Hell without Christ. 2. See what need we stand in of Christ much more then of the Sun Satius solem non lucere quam Chrysostomum non dâ—cere quam Christum non lucere Better not see the Sun then not know Christ. Better without eyes then without faith Can we not walk but stumble without light nor rise to work till Sun riseth that we may go forth to labour We can neither walk nor work nor pray without Christ Without me ye can do nothing but err wander stumble fall perish Doth Sun withdraw and darkness follow Darkness come and Beasts of Prey come forth of their Dens What darknesse followes when Christ withdraws and then are wee assaulted with Satan and his Temptations Do wee open our windowes to let in Sun light open thine eyes and Christ shall give thee light Is this light cheerful to the Traveller Lord what is the light of thy countenance Blessed are they that know thy joyful sound They shall walk in the light of thy countenance all the day long Do we daily need the renewed light of the Sun and do wee not daily need a fresh supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ None but the blinde undervalue the benefit of light none but of weak eyes are offended at it none but Thieves and Murderers hate and fly it None but very ignorant or very wicked take offence at Christ and are weary of him 3. This may sadly warne us who yet a little while have the light amongst us to walk as children of light lest darknesse come upon us God either taking away his Gospel from us or us from it or his blessing from it and us both The longest day hath his night and the brightest day of Gospel grace abused ends in the grossest darknesse The children of the Kingdome are above all others cast into utter darkness They who were lifted up highest to heaven by enjoying most light are thrown lowest into Hell for abuse of Light and this Title of condemnation written over their heads These loved darkness better then light because their deeds were evil Was it not sad the Egyptians should follow the Cloud and Pillar of Fire into the deep and perish How many go loaden with Mercies and lighted with Sermons into the Chambers of Hell How sad the Samaritans should bee led blindfold into their enemies hands More sad if wee will go with open eyes into Perdition and with the Decii leap headlong into the gaping Gulph at noon day But much more sad those Samaritans should be stricken blind by the Prophet sent of God to be a Seer and to make the blind to see How sad was it that the Sodomites should bee stricken with blindnesse by an Angel of Light Sad if Satan the God of the World blind thee but nothing so sad as when Christ shal
take away thy sight and God shall blind thine eyes For this great judgment came I into the world that they who see not may see and that they who wil not see when they see should be made blind The case of none so sad as those who go to hel with Balaam after their eyes are opened and wilfully perish as did that obstinate thiefe in the presence of a Saviour 4. Though Christ be the great light and Sun yet remember that Ministers Scriptures and Ordinances are not to be cast aside God created the Stars and placed them in their orbs as wel as the Sun they have their measure of light and place for use though all of them united equal not the Suns light and he present they of little use Christ holds the Stars in his right hand both to present and preserve them the Church takes them as from Christs hand and sets them on her head to honour them They are Christs charge and the Churches Crowne in vain is the Arrow shot against the Sun or Stars it may recoile and wound the shooter it cannot reach those lights of heaven Wicked men may be used as Gods snuffers to top and overtop his lights the Ministers but shall not extinguish them God hath set them up to give light to his house he wil not suffer them to be buried under a Bushel It is our duty therefore stil to attend to the Scriptures and to the Ministry of the Word 1. To attend to the Scriptures we have also a more sure word of Prophecie said the Apostle whereunto ye do wel that you take heed as to a light that shineth in a dark place Here the Apostle cals Scripture-Light our most sure rule to walk by The most extraordinary Revelations are not to be equalled to them The most solemn clear and infallible Revelations are lesse then Scripture We saith the Apostle were with Christ on the Mount and were eye witnesses of the glorious transfiguration and were ear witnesses of that Divine testimony Thou art my beloved Son Yet you that have none of these Revelations have that which is as sure more sure 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the holy Scriptures whereto ye do well to attend c. Obj. But the Antiscripturist objects that we must attend to this light of the written word till the day star arise and the day dawn in our hearts but when we have once the spirits teaching we neede no more the Letter of the Scripture Answ. Here this Scripture is mis-applyed upon a double mistake 1. Of what is the meaning of the day dawning and day star arising in your hearts which is to be understood of the state of glory when we shall no more see in a glasse darkly but while we are here we are in the dark and in comparison of clear and perfect vision we may say now it is night and then day This is the first mistake 2. If you understand it of the Revelation of Christ here who is the day-star whose discovery of himself by his spirit to the believers soul is the day dawning then is there another mistake in the word Til it is not a til of termination but of provocation rather and so of continuation stil Til I come give attendance to Reading Did Paul mean Timothy should read no more after his coming to him The leaven is put into the Meale and it sowres the Dough til all is leavened but doth the woman take it out or doth the sowrnesse cease when all is leavened It stil continues Attend to the Scripture searching til the day star arise and then you wil see much more of the use and excellency of the Seripture then you now imagine And very observable it is that our Saviour at his departure after his Resurrection having breathed on his Apostles and given them his spirit bids them not be above Scripture and lay it by But he opened their understandings that they might understand the Scriptures 2. To attend on the Ministry of the Word for Christ hath given not only Apostles Prophets and Evangelists extraordinary officers but Pastors and Teachers to perfect the Saints to work in the Ministry to build up the body of Christ til we come to a state of perfection and the whole Church be compleatly gathered and made one perfect man or body in Jesus Christ viz. to the end of the world Ob. Is it not said they shal not teach every man his neighbour and every man his brother therefore there is an end of the calling of the Ministry Answ. 1. Therefore there is a bar to the teaching of the uncalled Artificer They shal not teach every man his neighbour that have no more cal then any of his neighbors It is no where said that the Minister shall not teach his neighbours 2. This is meant there shall be so much of heavenly knowledge by means of the Scripture Ministers and Ordinances when the spirit of God goes along that they shall not need every man to teach his neighbour not so much need his meaning is Not teach at all he means not for he bids them in this Epistle to Exhort one another Provoke one another and suffer the words of exhortation All which he would not have done if there needed not one man to teach his neighbour at all The Particle not is in many places not to be taken absolutely but comparatively not negatively but diminutively we wrestle not against flesh and bloud saith the Apostle not only not so much he meaneth labour not for the meat that perisheth He means not we should not labour at all but not only or not so much as for that which endureth to eternal lise To conclude This place of Heb. 8. 11. is best opened by considering such a place as that of Christ. At that day ye shall ask in my Name and I say not unto yo◠that I wil pray the Father for you for the Father loveth you He meaneth not that he wil forbear his Intercession but besides it they shal find the Father bearing a particular propensity of good wil to them So here they shal not need to teach one another as if that was all but God wil give in his spirit so that it shal become more effectual they shal all know me from the least to the greatest Obj. 3. Against Scripture and Ministry both 1 John 2. 27. But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you and ye need not that any man teach you but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things c. Ans. The same answer to this that to the former You may with comfort attend on Scriptures and Ministry of the word because you have the spirit to anoint your eyes with eye-salve and lead you into all truth and to teach you all things not all things simply or all things by inspiration without use of means but all written things all necessary things But he meaneth not they
flash as the fire of Thorns but joyes maintained with joyes joy leading to joy a standing boundless joy an ending endless Joy whereas the wicked mans joy is brewed with sorrow compassed with it tends to it and ends in it but hath it self no end 8. Unmixt others muddy impure mixt with sin guilt gripes of conscience and when ready to run over cooled with the hand-writing upon the wall the remembrance of his sin the apprehension of Gods wrath But Spiritual joy is the purest thing in the world as the light of the Sun light without darkness as his warmth pure without smell or smoak 9. Permanent never eclipsed not by any disease or danger threatning death 2 Cor. 1. 12. not any distress 2 Cor. 16. 10. as sorrowing but alway rejoicing John 16. 22. Your joy shall no man take from you They must needs swim in Joy whom Christ holds up by the chin And as Josephs bow so the Christians joy must needs abide in strength when hee hath such a wall at his back and such a well at his foot At this Beer-la-hai-roi Hagar may fill her empty bottle as oft as she will and thirst no more 3. This directs what to do when wee complaine wee cannot profit and do not thrive The heart yeilds not the sin decayes not Go to Christ desire to be under the direct beames of the Sunne Trees thrive not in the shady side Cry Blow O North wind and breath O South wind distil O raine and look out thou Sun upon my Garden that the Spices thereof may flow out Let my Beloved come into his Garden and eat his pleasant fruits Hast thou a heart that will not yeild under Judgments his Love can melt it The Manna dissolved by the Suns gentle heat that was hardned and dryed in the Oven or boiling pot Whom the furnace of Judgments burn and the Oven heated with wrath doth bake and harden the melting love of Christ doth mollifie The last and â—orest Vyal upon sin which ends the mystery of iniquity and finisheth Satans Kingdom is poured from the Sunne The brightnesse of Christs appearing is the destruction of Antichrist and is that which alone distroyes the works of the Divel in the heart Cry out therefore with the Church Oh that thou wouldst rent the Heavens and come and make this Mountaine melt and this rock flow at thy presence as when the melting fire burneth the fire causeth the waters to boyle As thou didst of old at Mount Sinai when thou didst terrible things that wee looked not for Is my heart harder then the rock higher then Mount Sinai break this Rock cast down this Mountain Though I have had my part of Terroâ—s and been brayed with the pestle of afflictions though I have not wanted for light yet my heart yeilds not my heart freezeth in the shade in midst of noon day light as in the depth of Winter There is one thing only remains and the work is done Shine out thou Sun of Righteousnesse and with the warme beams of thy favour melt those Rocks of Ice and bring downe these Mountaines of snow Thou causest thy Spirit and warmer breath to blow and the waters flow Psal. 147. 18. 4. Comfort to them that have Christ near to them They are like those Countries near the Line they shall have a perpetual Spring no Autumn A constant Summer no Winter in their year but a renewed and successive harvest These shall never want Grace sufficient and peace necessary Their tree casteth not leaf nor loseth fruit Christ will be both Sun and Shield he will go with you in trouble In the fire go with you and be a Sheild to keep you from burning in the water be a Sun to warm you and keep you from shaking So he was to Jacob Sun by day burnt him not and frost by night starved him not The Lord will create upon every dwelling place in Mount Sion and upon her Assemblies a cloud and smoak by day and the shining of a flaming fire by night for upon all the glory shall be a defence and there shall be a Tabernacle in the day time for a shadow from the heat and for a place of Refuge and for a covert from storm and from rain When the worldlings heart is cold in his belly as Nabal who became as cold as a stone and when like old David thy native heat is decaied so far that no cloathes nor fire can keep thee warm Christ the Shunamite shall lye in thy bosom and cheer thy heart that thou shalt say for joy Aha I am warm the world is well amended with me The Winter is past the rain is over and gone the Flowers appear on the earth the singing of Birds is heard in the air and the voice of the Turtle soundeth and the Spring is come CHAP. XIIII The Suns Regency ANother Property of the Sun is his Regeâ—cy herein a shadow of Christ and his Regal Office The Lord gave the Sun to rule by day 1 His Rule is Monarchical The Sun hath no Peer but is an absolute Monarch So is Christ the sole King and Lawgiver in his Church who will admit of no Compartners in his Government 2. His Dominion is the largest Christ and the Sun no third both the universal Monarchs of the World whose Dominion is without bounds from Sea to Sea and from East to West 3. The Suns Dominion is the most ancient we read of began before mans The Suns the fourth day mans not till the sixth Christ is the everlasting Father who had a Kingdom in Heaven before there was man on Earth Our ancient Families are but of yester day to him The Princes of Zoan are Fools the Counsellors of Pharaoh are brutish How say ye to Pharaoh I am the son of the Wise the son of ancient Kings Egypt above other Nations had ever gloried in her Antiquity 4. For Duration both shall continue to the worlds end These two Monarchs have out lasted all others have seen the fatal dissolutions of royal Families and the Translation of all other Monarchies And both shall determine together when the Sun resigneth his then shall Christ also resigne his Kingdome into the Fathers hands 5. For Power the greatest Potentates Other Kings and Commanders are only titular many times these have uncontroulable commands The Sun hath power over all Creatures the earth aire seas it raiseth stormes and doth allay them gives Law to day and night the worlds first subdividers to winter and summer le ts in both frost and snow by his withdrawing and by his looking out dissolves them The Sun of Righteousnesse hath like but greater power hath all nations times seasons in his dispose He hath for the nations an Iron rod for Antichrist his Vyals and for his Church sharp storms sometimes he permits hereticks le ts lose persecutors and at his pleasure bindeth them up The Dragon he let loose three hundred years the Beast one thousand two
4. His motion as it is certain and steady so it is uniform equal not Tardior et velocior not uneven sometime slower sometime swifter but it ever keeps the same pace So is it with God his way is perfect Psal. 18. 30. His waies are equall Ezek. 18. 29. Let ours be so Evennesse of the way commends the way of the thred the cloth Josiah was an even walker kept his way without deviation or turning to the right hand or to the left all his daies Caleb kept on going slacked not his pace but fulfilled to follow the Lord. Wicked men are like a land-flood or as Jordan in the time of harvest that overflowes all his banks at sometimes afterwards all is dry land Godly men are like a fountain that runs not so impetuously but is alwaies running Pharaoh once sent for Moses in haste another time by night too violent to hold long his usual answer was Tomorrow The heavy weight of judgment made this wheele move so fast when it was taken off he stands stock still You see Saul on a sudden rapture prophesying There is a morning cloud Ahab humbling himselfe there is an early dew But true grace moves not per saltum is not a fit flash a start and stop and Retrograde hot cold feaverish as he who was acted by the evil spirit now in the fire anon in the water Grace is not a morning cloud an evening dew some noon â—eat drops but a set rain a morning-Sun that shines more and more to a perfect day Not he that labours in his calling and sometimes is idle and spending at the Ale-house is the good husband but he who is stil at his business and keeps doing Isaack grew great and went forward the Hebrew is he went going and grew til he became very great and rich He went on getting and gathering every day and became a great man at last So saith Job the righteous shall hold on his way and he that hath clan hands shal be stronger and stronger 5. Irresistible The Sun is not to be stayed or diverted in his course this Gyant breaks all the opposition of clouds which vanish in his sight they strive in vaine who would make it stand or goe back 1. Then vain is the force of persecutors who arm themselves against Christ and his members Christum regem occidire nolite timere bonum est Betray kil crucifie bury seal the stone set a watch he wil rise slay the Witnesses they wil rise again This little stone must become a great mountain and shal fill the earth he that falls against this stone shall be broken but on whom it shall fall it wil grind him to powder They who would oppose the Gospel Solem sistunt Deo resistunt they say to the heavens move not to the Sun shine not and kick against the Pricks The Beast indeed hath his seven heads and ten horns much craft more malice The Lamb hath seven eyes and seven horns much wisdome as much power with the breath of his nostrils he wil make the man of sin the son of perdition When Antichrist is in the saddle and Satan or the Jesuite holds the stirrup yet the Churches comfort is Christ holds the Bridle I 'le put my Bridle into thy jawes And saith so farre shalt thou goe no further 2. As vain is the crafty attempt of the Heretick and Impostor The three great enemies of the Christian name shall fare alike the three unclean spirits the Dragon Beast and false Prophet who take their turns one after another The Dragon the first 300 years making waâ—re upon the Saints under the heathen Emperors Then the Beast by name a Christian and hating the Dragon yet indeed that great Antichrist who alone exalteth himself above all that is called God and worshipped or every one who is called a God and worshipful every Authoritie Degree not only Sacerdotal or Ecclesiastical but Regal and Imperial a more dangerous and Saint-bloud-drinking enemy for a greater space of 1260 years In the end and taile of whom comes the false Prophet under the name of a Saint defying both the former detesting Idols more then uncleannesse and hating the Antichristian Garment and name more then the Nicolaitans nakedness or deeds The most dangerous enemy of all the three The uncleanest frog of all the fry who under the name of a separated Saint or another Christ or a better inspired spirit hath his Prophesies Revelations new discoveries new heavens but hateth the old Saint Ministry Baptism Supper Belief Prayer Doctrine Holinesse as Antichristian This also is of the Three and goeth into perdition 6. Unwearied But after almost six thousand years restlesse motion is as fresh and lively as the Bridegroom Mobilitate viget viresque acquirit eundo An emblem of Christ whose arm is not shortned but is able to save to the ut most all that come still unto him Hast thou not heard that the Creator of the ends of the earth fainteth not The youths may faint and be weary the young men may utterly fail Samson after a great victory may faint for thirst Eliazar the Son of Dodo the second of the Worthies his hand clave to the sword after a great slaughter he could not now open his hand again he needs some rest But Christ is the same his motion care might the same and as the Sun that hath lightned the world now so many ages is as able for that service stil as ever So Christ who hath governed the world and preserved his Church for this six thousand years his skil power and care is not now to be questioned But as old Caleb said he was as strong when he was fourscore and five years old as when but forty Aâ—my strength was then so is it now for warre both to go out and to come in So years and time make no impression on the Captain of our salvation who is the same yesterday to day and for ever 7. This motion is twofold 1 Ordinary and Quotidian every day doth rise run set keep his course scattering the darknesse and removing the cold of the night past and giving light for the present use of that day yesterday's light serveth not for to day but there is the same need every day of the Suâ— continued or renewed light as there was the first day of his creation to dispel the darknesse which was upon the face of the unformed world And do not we daily need the fresh supply and the renewed influence of the spirit of Christ as we did at first conversion Sun is not set one houre but darknesse comes Christ leaves not one houre but then comes on the power of darkness Auxiliary grace is as necessary as Habituall Subsequent as Preventing While the spirit moved the wheels moved no longer Goe then to Christ daily in him are our fresh springs begge to be anointed with new oyle from this Olive
branch which through the two Golden Pipes of his Spirit and his Ordinances empties his oyl of grace into the hearts his people 2. Extraordinary and Anniversary if the Sun see thee not every day as the remoter parts yet wil it ere the yeare go about if it hath ever shined in that clime So if Christ gives thee not a daily visit stay thou at the appointed time the Vision wil speak The Redeemer wil return out of Sion If thou hast ever tasted that the Lord is gracious or canst say thou hast feared the name of the Lord then though thou walkest in darkness and hast no light yet trust in the name of the Lord and stay thy self on thy God Say with the Church in hope of his coming when I fal I shal rise againe though I sit in darkness the Lord shall be a light unto me and with the Prophet I wil wait upon the Lord who hideth his face from the house of Jacob and I wil look for him CHAP. XVI The fourth thing wherein there is a likenesse between Christ and the Sun is their effects AMong the many like effects I shall content my self to name a few Having among the Properties touched on divers already and finding this discourse begin to swel beyond my first intention 1. The Suns appearance makes the day puts an end to night not all the staâ—s conjoyned so it is Christ his appearance which makes the Christians day when he appeared to Saul and Silas at midnight in the dungeon they could see to sing praise God and when to Paul before at mid-day his eyes were dazeled not with the Suns but with that light of Christ appearing far above the brightness of the Sun 2. The Suns first appearance bringeth day his neerer approach the spring his hotter beams the Summer his longer continuance brings on the harvest So is it with the Soul to whom after the first day of grace caused by Christ his first appearance the neerer approach of his Vernal rising with his Healing-wings-embrace causeth the growth or spring The walking in the light of his countenance all the day long makes the long summers day and his abiding with us makes ouâ— harvest and our joy to be full 3. The Sun departing night comes on his longer absence brings on winter in the one so much darknesse in the other so much of cold wet and dirt as if it been never had either day or Summer What a night of darknesse came upon Lot and Peter Christs back once turned but what a longer winter for cold and mire and dirty waies on David upon that sad dereliction The actings of Saints in such cases differing little from the most vile actings of gracelesse men if they were to be judged by such single exorbitances But Sunne ariseth and returneth those then awake by repentance and come to themselves again 4. It is the Sun which makes that difference in climes and countries makes one more sweet and delightful another more sad and not inhabitable those neer both Poles makes one more fertile others more barren And what is it but Christs presence which makes the Church differ from the rest of the world he makes it a Goshen whereas they have a perpetual night and winter What was it wherein Israel might glory above all other nations but this they had God so neer to them in all which they called to him for His cloud and pillar was continually among them 5. The Sun is the great Restorer of the world Redintegrates the Universe once in the yeare at the Spring as some conceive at Autumn as others puts the world into the same condition wherein it was created Herein a great Resemblance of Christ who is the worlds great Restorer and Renewer who hath put lost mankind into the same condition of happiness wherein hee was at first created as if he had never fallen or sinned Behold I make all things new saith Christ. 6. I might further also speak of the Productive and as it were the Creating effects of the Sun in bringing forth new Creatures yearly as well as of his reductive reviving and redeeming the plants and herbs before dead and gone as also of his nutritive and augmentative effects on all Vegetables his admirable Alterative vertue and operation on Metals and Minerals his Conservative Maturative and Consummative Vertue and Effects on the Fruits and living Creatures but I have touched on them already Herein is Christ his vigorous operations fully represented who besides his redeeming lost man maketh the new Creature createth grace de novo where none was recovereth what was lost reviveth what was decayed nourisheth what is weak increaseth what is small conserveth what is wrought hath a more admirable alterative force in an earthly or stony heart then the Sun in causing Gold and Silver to grow in the earth making flesh to grow where stone was spirit where flesh was grace where sin Heaven where Hell was turning a Swine-sty into an holy Temple and besides he ripeneth perfecteth consummateth whatever work of grace he hath wrought already 7. Sun rising man goes forth cheerfully to his labour but setting man comes home and gives over work What may not a weak man undertake Christ present and assisting I can do all things through Christ strengthening me said the Apostle but what caâ— the strongest do withour him Without me saith the Lord they shal bow down under the Prisoners and fall under the slaine The Chariot though it have four wheels and they all oyled yet moves not a step till drawne Our Wil though very active naturally and oyled with all the skill Art can use or with all the force Arguments can make stâ—rs not in any gracious manner till assisted by Grace and acted by Christ Draw me wee will run after thee and my soul shall be as the Chariots of Aminadib 8. The Sun present we see our way the Traveller stumbles not but when withdrawn hee loseth his way stumbles or falls into a pit gropeth as if blind is full of perplexed doubts and sadnesse of heart While Christ was with his Disciples he kept them though they were as sheep among wolves not one of them was lost but when he was seized on their light was taken away the same night they were all scandalâ—zed and fell Judas while he kept Christs company stumbled not Christ departed he fell into a pit and broke his neck Peter stumbled and got a foule fall When we follow the light of Christ his holy example or have the light of his Grace following us wee never fall but when wee leave his example or his spirit leaves us wee presently miscarry 9. Let me add one more We see all the Creatures how they are delighted with the presence of the Sun When the Sun approacheth the Elements change their habit and temper the Air growes more mild warm and pleasant and all those numerous tenants those daughters of Musick
together when danger is great but the doubts greater Help is little and their hopes lesse Against this the Godly are often encouraged cautioned charged to beware of it This is to bee resisted at least restrained to bee moderated if it cannot bee mortified 3 Religious fear Noahs 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 By faith Noah warned of God was moved with fear This is a Religious fear and for its excellency is put for the whole of Religion and Devotion 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 men fearing God translated Devout men Therefore whereas we are often charged against the two former that we have not too much of them we are as oft charged to get more of this which we can never have too much of 1 Sam. 12. 24. Exod. 20. 24. Matth. 10. 28. Fear not but fear again I say fear him Get a double measure of this holy fear to fortifie the heart against these two former fears This Religious fear hath a twofold object 1. Evil and is a fear of abhorrence 2. Good and is a fear of reverence 1 Evil is to be feared with fear of Horror 1 Evil of punishment 1 Temporary judgments I am afraid of thy Iudgment my flesh trembleth for fear of thee Destruction from God was a terror to me said Job and so a curb from sin The love of God is the only constraint to good and the fear of God to the Godly the onely restraint from evil 2 Spiritual Judgments I was afraid said Moses of the anger and hot displeasure of God 3. Most of all Eternal Judgments Knowing the terror of the Lord. How fearful is it to fall into the hands of the living Lord Our God is a consuming fire 2 Evil of sin yet more then all the former This is the mother of all these three fatal Sisters There were no cause to fear Temporal Spiritual or Eternal evil if not for this evil of sin Sin hath filled earth with bryars and thornes the body with Diseases the mind with grief head with cares soul with Terrors labors with toyl yea sin hath put that brimstone into hell and kindled that fire there yea hath carryed fire into Heaven and put wrath into God This is to be feared with a fear of abhorrence and abomination a wicked man may forbear sin the godly fears flyes hates â—in He feares an oath Iob feared God and eschued evil He feared God much but sin more God with fear of Reverence sin with fear of defiance both with a Religious fear This one fear well feared expels all other fears The heart full of this holy fear of sin hath no room to entertain any base tormenting fears 2 Reverential fear is the fear of God and is twofold 1. Of lower Saints proceeding from more weakness and arguing less perfection which fear hath pain doubt perplexity torment and is that we call the spirit of bondage that shuts out confidence and rejoycing And ariseth from these five causes 1 From the apprehension of Gods infinite holiness purity and therefore jealousie and indignation against sin and sinners 2. From the apprehension of the Lawes strictness rigor and severity 3. The dreadful threats of Gods wrath against sinners 4. Then the consideration of their own deep guilt great frailties manifold imperfections lastly which adds to all the rest the apprehension of God aâ— a distance to them and not yet in 1 Covenant relation 2 Of the higher Saints arguing lesse weaknesse and more Perfection therefore when this entereth the other endeth God hath not given us the spirit of fear but of power love and of a sound mind This fear argues perfection and the best constitution Job a perfect man fearing God This spirit of fear was upon our Saviour This ariseth from the apprehension of God in relation and in Covenant with us as our God These fear God 1. As a servant his Master whom he serveth as a son his father whom he honoureth as the Wife her Husband whom she loveth This is a most gracious fear timor amoris the fear of Love 2 They are said to fear his Word and to tremble at it Isai. 66. 2. Where Gods Word comes there comes power and causeth fear one rebuke thence shaketh and sweth the heart more then a thousand stripes doth a profane fool This is timor obedentiae fear of obedience 3. They fear his name They count Gods name the most holy reverend and fearful of all things in the world That thou maist fear that glorious and fearful name the Lord thy God Of this the Godly are very tender Joâ— feared God and therefore feared lest hiâ— sons might pollute Gods name in their hearts Others would not that their owne namâ— should suffer these that Gods This is timor honoris the fear of honor The first Reason of this Point why it iâ— the constant disposition of all the Godly even the least of them to fear the name of God is Because this fear is the initial grace the first grace that appears taketh heavens Alarum The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdome Before knowledg of God faith in God acquaintance with God dependance upon God delight in him comes fear The Spirit in his first approach injects fear as the first seed of Grace The Spirits businesse is first to be a spirit of Bâ—ndage afterwards of Adoption First to convince of sin afterwards to discover Righteousnesse and Judgement But fear is the holy porch at which all Grace enters In the first conversion of a stout and secure sinner Gods Spirit falls to undermining his hopes by strong convictions of his sin and misery then is Fear awakened Fear taketh the Alarum and calls up Conscience Conscience awakens Repentance Repentance Faith Faith calls up Prayer Prayer looks after the Promise Promise runs to Christ and awakens him as did the Disciples in their storm Lord save us we perish But Fear begins A little more fully to describe this conceive it thus Conviction calls upon a sinner Look well about thy self What meanest thou Oh sleeper Wilt thou dye in a sleep Up Fear see the danger hide thy self seek to escape for thy life now deliver thy selfe as the Roe Fear saith I exceedingly quake and tremble God is angry I am in great danger alone I cannot secure my self Now help Fear all you other Graces up Conscience Conscience saith I am troubled and would relieve Fear but thou must help me Repentance bestir thee Repentance break off sin without delay Repentance saith I would â—ase Conscience and secure Fear help Faith at a dead lift or I can do no good Faith saith I would help Repentance but thou must help me Prayer as Israel in their fear came to Samuel intreating him not to cease to cry to God for them so Faith saith Prayer cry aloud be not silent take no repulse pray not coldly but plead intreat beg for thy life Prayer saith How should I help if the Lord
help not out of the floor or â—ine presse of the Promises Now for a Proâ—ise to deliver Fear ease Conscience secure Repentance satisfie Faith and keep up Prayer Come some precious Promise how do â— long for a Promise Promise saith to Christâ—s â—s the Gibeonite to Joshuah Lord slack â—ot thy hand Lord remember thy Covenant and Word wherein thou hast caused thy serâ—ant to put his trust Or as David in anoâ—her case to Jonathan his bosome friend Thou hast brought thy servant into a Covenant of the Lord with thee deal thou kindly therefore with thy servant deliver me not up to thy Fathers displeasure but mediate for me hide nothing from me let me know whether thy Father be angry or pleased Here is nothing but fear all this while But then Christ answereth the poor soul in the words of Jonathan Fear not far be it from thee If I knew that evil was determined against thee I would tell thee Go in Peace He that seeketh thy life seeketh mine abide with me and thou shalt be in safety as David said to Abiathar Then is all quiet and Conscience secure But you see Fear stands Sentinel and procures this safety The Spirit of God is the Spring but holy Fear is the great wheel or else the weight that sets all a going No cares no prayers said Melancton no fears no hopes The second Reason As it is the initial first Grace so it is the last yea the lasting and standing Grace When we can speak but little of Faith Hope Love and nothing at all of Assurance Yet saith the soul I cannot deny this I fear God said Jonah though he fled from him or as the poor Egyptians in that sore famine fell down before Joseph We cannot hide this from thee we are ready to perish our store is gone money spent shall we dye at thy foot for want of bread Take our Lands make us Servants but let us live This fear is the lasting Grace therefore as it is called The beginning of wisdom Prov. 1. 7. so the fear of the Lord said Job that is wisdom it self And Eccles. 12. 13. it is called the sum and final conclusiâ—n of the whole matter So that when God â—romiseth his people shall not depart from â—im he puts his fear into their hearts Two â—hings make us safe engaging God and the â—oul reciprocally His Love to us that he â—ill not depart from us to do us good and our â—â—ar of him that wee shall not depart from â—im 3. This is the lowest and the abiding Grace â—hen Grace is at the lowest ebb As Chaâ—ity in Heaven so Fear on earth never fail 〈…〉 but when Prophesies fail and tongues 〈…〉 ase and faith languisheth fear remaineth â—s when the body is in a swoun there is no 〈…〉 ynt stirs the eye is shut or set breathing â—ot discerned pulse not felt yet there is 〈…〉 e because there is yet some warmth all 〈…〉 not cold and stiffe So when the soul is 〈…〉 he saddest desertion or under Tempta 〈…〉 on when there is no motion heavenward 〈…〉 ll to be discerned no affection no de 〈…〉 es no breathing as formerly in Prayer no 〈…〉 oving of the eye after a Promise or Christ 〈…〉 it Meat is refused Ordinances are un 〈…〉 oury yet well fare this precious grace of 〈…〉 ar the minimum quod sic the primum 〈…〉 ns ultimum moriens of the new Creaâ—e all is not dead the case is not desperate 〈…〉 keeps the soul warm from being stark cold and stiffe in sin I cannot say but yet I fear God I fear sin and I fear Hâ—â—â— This is the description of a Christian in the lowest ebb Who is among you that feareth the Lord and obeyeth the voice of his Servant that walketh in darkness and hath no light let him trust in the name of the Lord and stay upon his God 4. This is the constant frame of the new heart and the stamp of Gods workmanship in the new Creature I will put my fear into their hearts that they shall not depart from me There grace begins there it continues there it increaseth there it never departs nor ends This fear is to the soul as the pulse to the body Primum movens ultimum moriens moves with the first and to the last The least Infant strongest young man feeblest old man all have their pulse continually beating One hath no sight another no hearing another is lame another sleepeth and all the Senses fast bound but no living man but hath his pulse ever moving The godly soul sometimes mourneth sometimes rejoyceth sometimes believeth sometimes doubteth sometimes prayeth sometimes cannot pray but alwaieâ— feareth and blessed he that feareth alwayes Prov. 28. 14. We may say the same of this Grace oâ— Fear which the Philosopher of the Sense oâ— Feeling 1. It is ortu primus the firâ—â— thing that appears 2. Duratione ultimu 〈…〉 It continues longest begins with the beginning and endeth not til the end of life 3. Usu maximus sight hearing smelling tasting not so necessary to life without them there may be life but feeling gone life is gone so without many other gifts parts abilities and the exercise of other graces at present such may live never without this fear 4. Hominis optimus Man the best Creature hath the quickest touch other Creatures exceed man in the four other Senses and the best Christian the most fear 5. Yet as he saith of Tactus it is usu summus nobilitate ultimus it is the sense of the least Nobility We prefer an eye ear before it so this principal Grace of Fear is little esteemed it careth for us most we care for it least and we set it far behind Hope Joy Confidence when it may be better then them all 1. This informes us that all Christians are not of a stature nor are all Graces to be alwayes found in every Believer Some are Cedars in Lebanon some as the Hyssop by the wall or as bruised reeds Some as fatted Calves in the stall well fed well liking fat and fair and full of life and lightsomeness Some as chickens not fully hatched or as weak tender chickens that droop and hang the wing that need the warmth of the wing to cherish them Some godly souls are all their their life time subject to bondage and kept low with fears can never get over the fear of death yet the Apostle saith Christ hath delivered these Som 〈…〉 are shut up long in the Prison of unbelief y 〈…〉 God shuts them in and will let them out a 〈…〉 doth shut them up in Mercy God sh 〈…〉 them all up in unbelief that he may have mercy on all Unbelief is Gods Prison Presumtion Satans Palace better to be bound iâ— Gods prison then to dwel in Satans paâ—lace Gods people are called his Prisoners Prisoners of hope his flock a Poor flock flock of slaughter in their own
travel c David after his broken bones were set again could pray praise God believe resist sin performe any Duty as well as ever he could in all his life 5 Then the danger of death is over no danger to them that fear his name Christ hath undertaken your cure and yet never Patient dyed under his hand 6 When one is healed hee is restored to his perfect health to be as wel as ever he was yea some are made more healthful by Physick then ever they were before Christ whom he healeth maketh to be as wel as before they fell ill yes in as good condition for safety as Adam before his fall and in a better for Glory then could have been if Adam had not sinned Adams sin cast us out of Paradise Christ lets us into Heaven Adams sin drove him from the Typical Christ hath brought us to the Celestial tree of Life Therefore this Sanitas is vera salus Health and Salvation or saving health And Christ is not only 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And as the Prophet joyned them in his Prayer so Christ in his Promise Heal me and I shall be healed save me and I shall be saved Qu. 2. What are the means Christ useth in this healing Answ. Four especially 1 His Word He sendeth his word and healeth them He sends it and the Minister is he that brings it I create the fruit of the lips peace and I will heal him The waters issuing out of the Sanctuary are healing waters and the Sabbath day was oft the day of Cures The good word of a man makes the bones fat and cheeres a drooping spirit How forcible is the good Word of God then 2. His bloud By his stripes are we healed every blow given Christ was a blow to our sin every wound of Christ was health to our souls The bloud of Christ who through the eternal Spirit offered himself to God is only that which can ease the troubled purge the defiled and heal the wounded conscience Christs spittle could cure the blind his touch open the eares and mouth of the dumb and deaf his word could send home health to the Centurions servant his very garment stop an Issue of bloud but only a plaister of his bloud can heal a broken heart purge out old festered sores and allay the Inflammations of the soul. This is present remedy against the venemous stings of Satans rage and the poisoned Arrowes of Gods wrath It is not thy tears if thou shouldest weep out thine eyes nor thy bloud if thou couldst bleed out thy heart can heal thee but this bloud perfectly cleanseth us from all sin all without exception It is Soveraign against all sores sins blasphemies fear despair it self If Ahab and Saul yea if Cain and Judas had gone to this bloud they had been saved He whose sins are as Scarlet shall become being washed in this fountaine as white as Snow He that hath a bloudy Issue of bloudy crying Crimes Davids bloody Issue or Manassehs the blackest Malefactor he that hath a bloody-flux of Oathes or Blasphemies may be healed and saved Pauls bloody-flux of Blasphemy and Persecution Many Diseases are Opprobria Medici none Christi Many sinners are dangerously sick none can be desperately that he takes in hand The Divels case is desperate mans not There is an impossibility they should be saved but a possibility of every mans even the vilest sinner but a certainty of the Salvation of all that fear his name 3 The Spirit of Christ. This is the oyl the Samaritan applyed to the wounded man the former was the wine Christ with his bloud washeth the sore then with his Spirit softeneth suppleth closeth the wound Justification and Sanctification are of an even length to whom one to him both belong That is Purgative this Restorative that expels old ill humours this breedeth new spirits 4 His love and favour In his favour is life health Salvation This is Christs extreme unction which he useth after this the soul is ready and willing to depart The love-sick soul is only curable by the love of Christ shed abroad into the heart This healing is under the wings of Christ a Metaphor taken from birds who cherish their young under their wings It is the nearer approaches and warmer embraces of Christ that are our health David calls The help of Gods countenance Psal. 42. 5. the health of his own countenance ver 9. The sick child is half cured by lying in his Mothers bed and bosome As one whom his mother comforteth so will I comfort thee and thou shalt be comforted saith the Lord to his afflicted people Christ is said to have wings for four Reasons 1. The wings are to cover The Cherubims with their wings covered their bodyes Christs are covering sin covering wings 2 The dams wings with their warmth recover the drooping young Christs are sin-covering but soul-recovering wings 3 The wings are used to secure the young The Eagle carryes her young upon her wings she â—eareth nothing above but only from below and it must pieâ—ce her first if hurt her young The hen hideth her chickens under her wings nothing from below hurts them but the Kites above How safe are the Godly whom Christ doth secure both wayes beareth them on his wings as the Eagle hideth them under his wings as the Hen that whether Satan above strike at the chicken or the world below shoot at the young Eagle both are safe and Christ must bee first wounded ere wee are hurt 4. The wings are given to hasten the flight and speed the way Christ is said to have wings to shew when he comes how speedily he will come and will not tarry therefore is he for strength called a Gyant he travelleth in his strength mighty to save for his expedition likened to the Roe that is the swiftest Creature of foot and yet for more swiftnesse to the winged fowle whose motion is swifter then the Roes He is said to ride upon the Horses and Chariots of Salvation yea for more swiftnesse yet he is said to ride upon Cherubims or the wings of the wind yet swifter his pace is as the lightning Quest. But there is a sad and serious Question to be answered If Christ have promised to come with healing how is it that many fearing God remain uncured Ans. 1. It may be they are not healed and then it is their sin 2. It may be they are cured and then it is their Error 1. It may be they are not cured and then it is their sin 1 They go not to this Physician They go from Doctor to Doctor and from Duty to Duty as shee that spent all on Physicians and came to Christ in the last place These are not better but worse by Duties The Silkworm spends the first part of her life in eating and sleeping the latter in working and dyes in working out of