they would find mercy Prov. 28.13 The wicked must forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts and turn to the Lord and then he shall have pardoning mercy abundantly Isa. 55.7 When men cease to do evil and learn to do well then though their sins have been as scarlet they shall be white as snow though they be red like crimson they shall be like woâ—ll Isa. 1.16 17 18. Sinners turn from your evil waies you have done iniquity do so no more you have gone on hitherto in a way of sin proceed no further it is the way to Hell turn out of it Let him that hath stoln steal no more and him that hath been filthy be filthy no more and him that hath been unjust be unjust no more Drunkards forbear your drinking swearers refrain swearing lyars teach your tongues to speak truth Break off your course of sin turn from all gross sins as to the practice and turn from all sins as to the affection Direction 4. You must believe in the Lord Iesus Christ if you would be saved This is the direction which Paul gave to the Jaylor when under conviction of sin he came in to him and cryed What shall I do to be saved he saith to him Believe in the Lord Iesus Christ and thou shalt be saved Act. 16.30 31. So in Peter's Sermon Act. 10.43 To him gave all the Prophets witness that through his Name whosoever believeth in him should receive remission of sins There is no Saviour but by Christ and there is no salvation by Christ bâ—t by faith and therefore we are said to be saved through faith Ephes. 2.8 As faith is the instrument to apply the merits and righteousness of Jesus Christ. Let me then exhort you to get faith which is absolutely necessary unto salvation Get faith of the right kind there is a general common historical temporary hypocritical dead and ineffectual faith but do you labour after a special lively unfeigned effâ—ctual justifying and saving faith and that you may not be mistaken in this great point on which your salvation doth depend I shall describe that faith which is of the right kind and will certainly save you if you obtain it Faith is a grace wrought in the heart by the Spirit of God whereby a poor sinner being made sensible of the guilt and power of his sins and the utter insufficiency of himself or any creature in the world to give him any help or succour and having in the Gâ—spel a discovery and proffer made unto him of the Lord Iesus Christ as an all sâ—fficient most merciful and faithful Advocate and Saviour doth go quite out of himself and accâ—pt lay hold rely and rest vpon him and him alone for pardon and grace and eâ—erlasting happiness Or more brâ—efly thus Faith is a grace of God wherâ—by the humilâ—d sinner doth accept and rely upon Christ alone for salvation as he is held forth in the Promises of the Gospel If you would attain this grace of Faith take these Directions 1. You must be fully perswaded that the Scriptures which reveal Christ are indeed the word of God this is the foundation of all faith therefore I shall briefly suggest some Arguments to prove the divine Authority of the Scriptures As 1. Because of that majesty purity holinâ—ss heavenliness which doth appâ—ar in the Sâ—râ—ptures beyond all other writings 2. Because of the design and drift of the Scriptures to debase man and exalt God and his glory above all 3. Because of the admirable contexture and contrivance and sweet harmony of the Scriptures in all the parts thereof though written by so many several men in several ages and places which sheweth that they were all acted by the same Spirit of God 4. Because of the wonderfull work of mans Redemption there set forth at fiâ—st more darkly afterwards more clearly which no mortal bâ—ain could have invented much less could any created power have effected 5. Because of the great power which this word hath to convince convert and comfort 6. Because of the confirmation of the Scriptures by miracles 7. Because of the acknowledgement of the Scriptures to be Gods Word in all ages 8. Because of the many millions of Martyrs who have sealed the Truths of the word with their blood 9. Because of the witness of the Spirit in and with the word which doth bear testimony to the hearts of Gods people that the Scriptures are his Word and were indiâ—ed by his Spirit Whence it followeth that the Scriptures are true because God the Author of them is true and cannot lye and whatever is there revealed is as certain as those things which are most demonstrable to sense or reason This is the first step to your believing in Christ who is made known in the Scriptures to believe that the Scriptures are Gods Word 2. If you would attain a saving faith in Christ you must be convinced and fully pâ—rswaded of your lost estate without Christ and your absolute need of him of which before 3. You must be perswaded that it is not in your own power to believe that it is not of your selves but is the gift of God Ephes. 2.8 and therefore must apply your selves to God that he would not only give you his Son but also give you the hand of faith to lay hold on him that he would work in you this grace of faith by his Spirit 4. You must consider those Arguments of Scripture which encourage faith As for instance I shall mention four heads of Arguments for faith from the consideration 1. Of God 2. Of the Promises 3. Of Christ. 4. Of the Saints 1. From the consideration of God who hath given his Son to save sinners it is an encouragement to â—aith to consider 1. That God is mercifull and therefore willing to pardon and save otherwise he would not have sent his Son he doth not delight in the death of sinners Ezek. 18.23 but delighteth to shew mercy see Micah 7.18 19. Exod. 34.6 7. Psal. 103.8 9 c. 2. That God is faithfull in his Promises of salvation which he hath made through his Son in his Covenant of Grace God needed not have made the Covenant nor promised mercy to any sinners but having made the Covenant he is engâ—gâ—d to make it good 3. That it is for his glory to save sinners through his Son the glory of his free grace yea and justice too which hath been fully satisfied by Christs death 2. You have encouraging Arguments for faith from the consideration of the Promises which are 1. Large made to all sorts of persons and all sorts of sinners none are excluded 2. Full they extend to all sorts of sins though never so many and great Isa. 55.7 3. Free nothing is required on your part but accepting 4. Sure being the Promises of God in Christ. 3. You have encouragement to believe in Christ for salvation from the consideration of Christ the proper object of faith 1. The quality of his
eternal death and wrath which they have deserved and by sin are exposed unto Moreover you may here learn the reason why so many people especially those who most seriously and earnestly desire and endeavour their salvation choose to hear Ministers preach rather than others because they are commissioned by the Lord to preach the Word of salvation and their Ministry is most likely to be effectual Others may preach without a Commission the same words and do no good for want of Gods blessing It is not the bare speaking the words of salvation that will bring salvation but the revelation of Gods arm and operation of his Spirit with the Ministry of the Word As when our Saviour raised Lazarus from the dead he cryed with a loud voice Lazarus come forth and he that was dead received life and came forth Ioh. 11.43 44. Others could have spoken the same words as our Saviour and cryed over the grave with as loud a voice Lazarus come forth but with no effect the dead man would have remained still in the state of the dead whatever any man could have spoken or done but when our Saviour spake the words the dead man was quickened there went forth a vertue and efficacy a divine power and spirit with our Saviours words which raised him from the dead so uncommissioned persons may entrench upon the work of the Ministry and preach the Gospel speak words of salvation and cry to sinners to leave their sins to arise from their spiritual death to come forth from their graves they may exhort them to repent and believe that they may be saved and yet none of their words be likely to take impression and effect a saving change in the heart because being out of Gods way they cannot expect Gods blessing but Ministers are qualified and commissioned for the work and through Gods blessing there is a life and power goeth along with their preaching which maketh it effectual for salvation no wonder then if such as are led by the Spirit do choose to hear Ministers preach refusing others that they may be safely guided by them in the way of life and salvation SECT XIII Vse 2. FOR Reproof 1. Of Ministers 2. Of People 1. Are Ministers to tell people words whereby they may be saved this then reproves such Ministers 1. As do not preach at all 2. As do not preach soul-saving Truths 3. As do not preach in such a Way as is likely to do good But my business being chiefly to speak unto People I shall pass by this Use. 2. People are here to be reproved unto whom the Lord sends faithfull Ministers to tell them such words whereby they may be saved 1. It reproves such as persecute such Ministers that are of such a spirit as the wicked Iewes of old spoken of 1 Thess. 2.15 16. Who both killed the Lord Iesus and their own Prophets and persecuted us and they please not God and are contrary unto all men forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved to fill up their sin alway for wrath is come upon them to the uttermost Some there are that persecute Ministers with the tongue by reproaching of them others persecute Ministers with the hand by imprisoning of them and many other wayes afflicting of them seeking the extirpation of them as persons not fit to live upon the face of the earth thus ungratefully they endeavour the ruine of them that desire and seek their salvation and foolishly endeavour to blow out the light which would shew them the way to Heaven 2. It reproves such who if they do not persecute Ministers yet hate them bear a secret spight and enmity in their hearts against them and the reason is because they testifie that their works are evil upon which account our Saviour was hated Ioh. 7.7 they hate them because they reprove them for their sins and disturb their Consciences sometimes by sounding peals of Judgement in their ears that they cannot sin with that freedom and security as they desire Poor souls how will they endure the pains of Hell themselves that cannot endure the sore-thoughts of them and hate them which bring such sad thoughts into their mindes though it be in order to their escape Would any of you hate a neighbour that should cry aloud in the dead of the night Fire fire and bounce at your doors and awaken you out of your sleep to warn you of a Fire drawing neer to your habitation which if not prevented would burn house and goods and persons together And what do Ministers more than cry Fire fire and tell you of your near approach to everlasting burnings in which without some speedy course taken for prevention will certainly seize upon you and consume you everlastingly And have any reason to be troubled and offended and hate Ministers for awakening them upon such an account as this when their souls lie at stake and are in such danger A Physician of the body is not hated that tells his Patient that his disease is dangerous which if let alone without taking such a remedy will certainly be his death And have any reason to hate Ministers who are Physicians of the Soul because they tell men of the disease of sin which if not cured by the blood of Christ will certainly and may suddenly bring eternal death 3. It reproves such who if they do not so deeply hate Ministers yet will not be perswaded to hear them such as are so drencht in the World and so over head and ears in worldly business that they minde nothing else If any could tell them of a good bargain or some notable way of thriving in their Estates such a one they would visit and hear and O how would they relish such discourses But though Ministers give notice of the best bargain that ever was made and bring tydings of the most notable way of thriving namely of the way of thriving in spiritual and heavenly riches and shew men how they may gain pardon and peace and the favour of God and the graces of the Spirit and escape future misery and attain salvation and everlasting happiness yet like Gallio they minde none of these things they will not step over the threshold to hear Ministers preach the Gospel of salvation and how shall they escape who neglect so great salvation Heb. 2.3 4. It reproves such who if they do hear Ministers yet do not understand them that are so dull of hearing that they know not what Ministers say nor whereof they affirm that gather about a Minister as beasts about a Man that sounds a Trumpet and stare upon him but know not what the meaning of the sound is so they hear Ministers and look and stare upon them some strange things are brought to their ears which they know not the meaning of and are like words of another language to them because their eyes are closed and they want spiritual sense and discerning and a great reason is because they do
state of salvation 2 Cor. 13.5 Know ye not your own selves that Iesus Christ is in you except ye be Reprobates Such as have not Christ and are not themselves in Christ they are for the present in a state of Reprobation It is Christ only can save those that are without Christ that are not united to him by Faith and the Spirit that are Unbelievers without Faith and carnal without the Spirit they cannot whilest such be saved 6. Vnsanctified persons are not in a state of salvation Heb. 12.14 Without holiness none shall see God Such as are unholy such as live after the flesh shall die none but those that through the Spirit do mortifie the deeds of the body shall live Rom. 8.13 7. And in a word Disobedient persons are not in a state of salvation Heb. 5.9 He became the author of Eternal Salvation to all them that obey him to none else and Eph. 5.6 The wrath of God cometh upon the Children of disobedience Such as walk in a course of disobedience as live and allow themselves in the practice of known sins whatever they be they are children of wrath because children of disobedience The Scriptures are so plain that I need without many words of mine only lay them before you as a Glass wherein you may discern your spiritual state Try your selves by these places these Texts will reach all that are not in a state of salvation SECT XV. II. THE second words shall be to move you to endeavour after your Salvation The Motives to stir up you to endeavour your salvation may be drawn 1. From the consideration of your selves Whom you should endeavour the salvation of 2. From the consideration of the salvation which you should endeavour to obtain 3. From the consideration of the Damnation of all such as do not obtain salvation Motive 1. From the consideration of your selves whom you should endeavour the salvation of It is the salvation of your selves which I would press you unto It was the exhortation of the Apostle Phil. 2.12 Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling and this is my exhortation of you this day Labour after your own salvation If I were to perswade you to do some great kindness for another were it a difficult thing and like to cost you much labour and trouble I should not likely prevail but when I am perswading you to do a kindness for your selves and the greatest kindness in the World even to endeavour after the salvation of your selves methinks the natural Love which you bear to your selves should induce you to hearken and do whatever is requisite in order hereunto though it cannot be done without difficulty and trouble How far will carnal self-love carry carnal men what difficulties will they go thorow what expences of time and pains and strength will they be at how will some rise up early and sit up late deny themselves food and rest and many comforts of this 〈◊〉 how will others compâ—ss Sea and Land and hazzard life it self and all to get an estate in the woâ—d for themselves and should not spiritual 〈◊〉 which is the only reall self-love carry yâ—â— nâ—â—â—ow difficulties should you think much of exâ—â—â—nding time and pains that you may get salvation for your selves carnal self-love will bring destruction and misery upon such as are swayed by it and in the issue will prove self hatred as you really love your selves as you would escape the most dreadful misery and obtain the chiefest happiness for your selves labour after salvation for your selves Your self your Persons do consist of two parts namely Soul and Body it is the salvation of both which I exhort you unto 1. Consider it is the salvation of your Souls which I would have you endeavour after the salvation of your precious souls your souls are more precious than your bodies and they are more precious than the whole world 1. Your souls are more precious than your bodies they are by far your more excellent part the original of your soul is more immediately from God he formeth the spirit of man within him Zach. 12.1 they are beams they are streams that issue forth immediately from God moreover they carry more of the impress and image of God upon them as they are invisible spiritual rational free immortal they have also more high and excellent operations than the body is capable of as of the understanding conscience memory will affections and I may add that if there be any lustre upon the body it doth receive it from the soul when the soul is gone the beauty is gone whatever motion or use there is in the body it doth depend on the soul when the soul is departed the body can neither hear nor speak nor see nor walk nor do any business the body is a rotten stinking carkass without the soul and whilest the soul doth abide in it the body is the inferiour part the body is but the Cabinet the soul is the Jewel the body is but the house of clay the soul is the living inhabitant the body is as it were the beast as one saith Corpus homini jumentum which the soul doth make use of to carry it from one place to another the body is the servant it is the soul that rules O labour then after the salvation of your souls which are your most excellent part what care do some take to preserve their bodies much more reason have you to endeavour the salvation of your souls when London's Fire was burning the houses those who could not save all their goods took care to save those which were the most precious especially their money and jewells O whatever become of your bodies here whatever sickness or hardship they be exposed unto labour to save your jewels your precious souls the Cabinet will be spoilt the clay and mudd-wall will be broken down and the soul will survive the body O take heed that when your souls come forth of their houses of clay that they be not cast into the deep and dark prison of Hell 2. Your souls are more precious than the whoâ—e world our Saviour esteem'd them so and he best knew the worth of souls who knew the makâ—ng of them and made purchase of so many lost souls see Matth. 16.26 What is a man profited if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul Suppose that you had your hearts-desire in the world that your baggs should throng in your Coffers till there were no more room your gold and silver should encrease without number suppose you had great possessions abroad large revenues stately houses fruitful gardens and orchards pleasant groves and walks spacious fields and meadows which as the Poet saith would weary the wings of a Kite to fly over in a day suppose that you had sweet and beautiful wives at home like loving Hindes and pleasant Roes unto you like fruitful Vines about your houses
and then say Shall not I shall not I and O what a miserable wretch shall I be if I should be damned if I should get only to the gate of Heaven and not get thorow if I should come only to the borders of the Heavenly Canaan and dye in the Wilderness if I should be found in the number of the negligent seekers which will miss of salvation What grounds have I to think that I shall be saved there are but few can I think that I am in the number of the few Methinks this consideration of the Rarity of salvation should awaken you to give earnest heed that with the most that seek it you may not miss of it 3. This salvation is a necessary salvation the great difficulty of obtaining some precious things discourageth the endeavours of the most in seeking after them especially when they may be well enough without them but this salvation is necessary you cannot be without it it is of absolute and universal necessity some things you may have this you must have without it you are undone you will be irrecoverably and eternally miserable there is no medium no middle condition between salvation and damnation of which more by and by some things are necessary to the body but salvation is necessary to your happiness without it there is no possibility in this fallen state of obtaining the chief end the chief good which you are capable of without this no coming neer to God in whom your chiefest happiness doth consist no vision or fruition of him either in part here or in full and eternally hereafter Some men have need of one thing and some of another but all the men and women in the world have need of salvation because all are sinners all are children of wrath by nature There is not one person amongst you all but have been guilty of sin for the whole world is guilty before God Rom. 3.19 and every moment of your lives you are exposed unto the punishment of sin in Hell unless you are brought into a state of salvation It is necessary therefore that all of you should above all things seek after your salvation 4. This salvation is a possible salvation though there were never so much worth and excellency in never so much necessity of this salvation yet if there were an impossibility of obtaining it all arguments would be used in vain to press any to endeavour after it but this salvation is possible it is possible that you should attain it that the meanest of you the vilest of you yea that every one of you that hear these words may attain it 1. The meanest of you may attain this salvation and that 1. Such of you as are of the meanest parts though you have neither humane learning nor capacity or ability for it though your judgement be shallow your fancy and invention dull your memory weak and so could never understand and retain the many Arts and Sciences in Philosophy and the divers kinds of Languages which learned men have written their books in yet you are capable of being made the Schollars and Disciples of Jesus Christ and he can teach the dullest and shallowest of you all the deep mysteries of salvation by his Spirit yea and he can give you a greater understanding in them than the wisest and most learned men that are without the Spirit do attain unto For he hideth those things from the wise and prudent which he revealeth unto babes Matth. 11.25 And the natural man let him be never so learned a man receiveth not the things of the Spirit neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned 1 Cor. 2.14 And therefore when not many wise men afâ—er the flesh are called God chooseth the foolish things of the world to exalt the riches of his free grace in their salvation 1 Cor. 1.26 27 31. Surgunt indâ—cti rapiunt coelum quum nos cum omni doctrinà in Gehennam detrudimur saith one The unlearned arise and take Heaven by violence when we with all our learning are violently thrown down into Hell So that you who are of no learning and but mean natural abilities have encouragement to seek after this salvation of the Gospel seeing the Lord can teach you by his Spirit and it doth better suit with his design of glorifying his free grace in bestowing it upon such as you rather than on the wise and learned men of the world who would be apt to ascribe the glory unto themselves 2. Such of you as are not only of the meanest parts but also of the meanest condition in the World may attain this Salvaâ—ion the poor have the Gospel preached unto them Matth. 11.5 If with poverty in regard of Estate you are also poor in spirit the riches of grace and salvation are tendered freely unto you read for your encouragement what the Apostle saith Iam. 2.5 Hearken my beloved Brethren hath not God chosen the poor of this World rich in Faith and Hâ—irs of the Kingdom which he hath promised unto them that loâ—â— him If you were to seek some great favour from an Earthly Prince your mean attire and condition might keep you at a distance and you might have no regard given to your request should it have a hearing The Petitions of the great and rich are heard in Courts on Earth when the poor and mean are despised but the King of Heaven doth regard the rich no more than the poor Iob 34.19 And if you seek diligently after this Salvation you may have as free access to the Lord as any and your Petitions shall be heard in the Court of Heaven and you shall certainly obtain this Salvation which you seek after 2. The vilest of you all may attain Salvation Some of you it may be have been notorious sinners your consciences do accuse you of such great sins with such hainous aggravations that you may be discouraged and out of hope that such as you should be saved you have offered such high affronts and indignities unto the highest Majesty that you think he can never put them up you have run so deep and so long upon the score that you think the scores can never be wiped off if they had been smaller faults or more ordinary slips or you had sought after Salvation sooner you might have hoped to speed but now you fear the door of mercy is shut and the day of Grace is spent and there is no pardon and salvation for such vile sinners as you But let me tell you that the vilest of you all may attain Salvation the door of mercy is not so fast shut as yet but by knocking hard it may be opened and so long as the day of your life is continued and the means of grace are continued you cannot say that the day of grace is quite 〈◊〉 there is salvation attainable by the worst of you all if you will look after it our Saviour tells us of Publicans and Harlots that entred into
Calling unto our eternal Glorification 2. A second great Promise of the Covenant of Grace is That God will be mercifull unto our unrighteousness and that he will remember no more our sins and iniquities it is a promise of mercy in the free pardon and forgiveness of all our sins this is an exceeding great and precious promise without which there were no access for us unto God no attaining eternal happiness no escaping eternal misery guilt would shut us out of Heaven and sink us into Hell without a pardon This Promise is of vast extent it reacheth to all sort of sins Unrighteousness Sins Iniquities no sin is too great for God to pardon if the sinner doth believe 3. A third Promise of the Covenant of Grace is that God will give us the knowledge of himself they shall not teach every man his Neighbour and every man his Brother saying Know the Lord for they shall all know me from the least to the greatest they shall not teach one another the knowledge of God that is they cannot or they shall not be able to do it they may and ought to teach one another instrumentally it is the duty of some to teach and the duty of others and they have need to learn but they shall not be able to teach effectually they may give instructions to one another concerning God and his wayes but they cannot give light they may set the light before them but they cannot set up the light in them they may open Truths but they cannot open the Understanding this is the work of God only to do and this he hath undertaken by Promise to do they shall all know me they shall be taught of God by his Spirit the knowledge of himself he teacheth by men instrumentally but he will teach us by his Spirit effectually 4. A fourth Promise of the Covenant of Grace is that God will put his Laws into our hearts and write them in our minds the Law was written before on Tables of Stone but here he promiseth to write them on fleshly Tables of the heart which is done not with Pen and Ink but by the Spirit of the living God 2 Cor. 3.3 this Promise is very comprehensive it includes not only the giving of a spiritual discovery of the minde and will of God but also the giving of spiritual dispositions affections and strength to perform it and by consequence the removal of indispositions the purging out of corruptions the mortifying of lust the taking away the heart of stone and giving a heart of flesh the giving a new heart the putting the Spirit within us and causing us to walk in his Statutes and to keep his Judgements and do them as this Promise is branched forth Ezek. 36.25 26 27. These in brief are the chief Promises of the Covenant of Grace labour to understand them and apply them that you may be saved Direct 9. You must give up your selves in Covenant to God if you would be saved God hath put his hand and seal to the Covenant which he hath made through his Son with you and you should put your hand to the Covenant and engage your selves unto the Lord you were dedicated to the Lord by your Parents when you were bâ—ptized then you understood not what was done now you are arrived to years of understanding you should make it your own act and dedicate your selves to the Lord and the more solemnly you enter into Covenant with God the more strong Obligation it may be upon you to walk closely with God all your dayes Some have directed to do it under hand-writing subscribing the name and some have put words into your mouths which you may do it in if you are not so well able to express the terms your selves you have this done in Mr. Guthry and Mr. Allen's books if those Books be not at hand I shall set before you this Platform which you may make use of in entring solemnly into Covenant with God I A.B. do acknowledge my self to be the Creature and Subject of the great and glorious Majesty of Heaven and Earth in whom I live move and have my being and from whom I receive every good thing which I receive and therefore am obliged to conform my minde will and affections to order my words wayes and whole conversation according to his most wise and good most righteous and reasonable Laws Besides which natural Obligation however born in sin and thereby disenabled yet being born in the Church and Baptized in the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost and by my Parents dedicated unto God when I was an Infant I am further obliged by Covenant to be the servant of the Lord. But having proved a Rebel and Traytor against the Highest Majâ—sty breaking his Laws and Covenant-ties which have been upon me spending years of my life in a state of strangeness and enmity to God in the service of the Devil and my own Lusts I do now solemnly reâ—ew my Covenant with God that the breach may be made up which sin hath made between God and my Soul Being in the First place convinced of the guilt of my sins whereby I have affronted and offended the highest Majesty whose Iustice must be satisfied and withall convinced of my own utter inability to make the least satisfaction either by doing or suffering and that my Righteousnesses are as filthy rags and therefore altogether insufficient to procure for me the pardon of sin the favour of God and the peace of Conscience as also fully perswaded that no meer Creature is able to give unto me any help and relief in this case And being informed by the Word of God what the Lord Iesus is hath dâ—ne and suffered for poor sinners That there is no Name undâ—r Heaven given amongst men whereby we can be saved but only the Name of Iesus Christ that he is able to save all them unto the uttermost that come unto God by him seeing be ever liveth to make intercession for them that he is a mercifull and faithfull High-priest in things pertaining to God to make Reconciliation for the sins of the People that whosoever cometh unto him he will in no wise cast out and finding a Promise in the Covenant of Grace that God will be mercifull unto our unrighteousness and that our sins and iniquities he will remember no more which Covenant is of full force through the death of Christ the Testator thereof and having Christ set forth to be a propitiation through Faith in his blood and his Righteousness declared for the remission of sins which are past through the forbearance of God and this Christ freely tendered unto me and being invited earnestly yea entreated that I would be reconciled unto God through him and by the Spirit being perswaded of the truth of these things and hereby encouraged to apply my self unto Christ and the Promises through him unto my self I do now grieving that I have offended God groaning under the burden of sin renouncing
Scriptures let the Word of God be the only Rule of your Faith and having found the Truth keep it hold it fast labour to fix it in your mindes let it be as a girdle about your loins lay it up in your heart let it be rooted there apply your selves to Christ as a Prophet to lead you by his Word and Spirit into all Truth and to keep you from being deceived and deluded and keep close to the Ministery and Ordinances of Christs Institution which the Lord hath appointed to continue unto the end of the World for the edifying establishment and perfecting of the Saints Eph. 4.11 12 13 14. 2. You must be stedfast and persevere in the wayes of Gods Commandements you must patiently continue in well-doing if you would obtain immortal glory Rom. 2.7 you must endure to the end if you would be saved Matth. 10.22 you must be faithfull unto the death if you would gain the Crown of life Rev. 2.10 It is absolutely necessary unto salvation that you hold out in the wayes of God none but such which come to the end of the race will obtain the prize the Gate of Heaven lyeth at the further not the hither end of the Holy Path therefore you must stedfastly persevere in this way if you should fall down you must rise again and go on if you should fall back or through mistake turn aside you must return again and make the more haste but if you should fall off if you should fall away as some have done who have seemed very zealous and forward Christians as to the outward Profession you are lost you are cast-awayes and you will tumble and fall down into the bottomless Pit from whence there is no returning Be not then followers of them that draw back to perdition but of them that believe to the saving of the Soul Heb. 10.39 Be followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the Promises Heb. 6.12 It is a glorious Inheritance that is before you that is promised and prepared in Heaven let this encourage you to diligence and perseverance unto the end I shall conclude with the words of the Apostle 1 Cor. 15.58 Therefore my beloved Brethren be stedfast unmoveable alwayes abounding in the work of the Lord for asmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. Thus I have given you Directions What things you must do that you may be saved SECT XIX II. THE Second and last thing for your guidance in the way of Salvation is To shew you what Means you must make use of to help you in these things There are Ten Means to be used in order to the attaining of Salvation 1. Self-examination 2. Reading the Word of God and other good books 3. Hearing the Word Preached 4. Meditation 5. Prayer 6. Christian-conference 7. Watchfulness 8. Sanctification of Fasting-dayes 9. Sanctification of Sabbath-dayes 10. Improvement of Sacrament-dayes Means 1. Self-examination You must examine your selves if you would see your selves lost you may read the mistake of the Laodiceans Rev. 3.17 Thou sayest I am rich and encreased in goods and have need of nothing and knowest not that thou art wretched miserable and poor and blinde and naked You must examine and prove your spiritual state that you may have a right judgement thereof that you may perceive how poor and wretched and miserable you are whilest you are in a state of Nature You must examine your selves that you may get a sight and sense of sin Ier. 8.6 I hearkned and heard but they spake not aright no man repented him of his wickedness saying What have I done every one turned to his course as the Horse rusheth into the battel You must examine what you have done if you would repent of your sins you must search and try your wayes if you would turn from your evil wayes you must commune with your hearts and come to your selves with the Prodigal if you would return unto God and turn your feet unto his Testimonies Be serious then in this great duty of Self-examination and that you may be so I would advise that you would set apart time for it when your thoughts are most free and affections most sedate and quiet get out of the hurry of the world and lay aside other business for a while and withall separate your selves from company and retire into secret where you may be free from external disturbances and interruptions whatever indispositions and withdrawments of heart you finde force your selves to the work resist Satan who will endeavour to divert and discourage you Set your selves in the presence of God desire him to search you beg his help in the duty labour to keep your minde close to it if vain thoughts arise and would hurry you away look up to Christ to rebuke them and to bring them into captivity and obedience unto himself And then sit down and seriously consider what you have done ever since you came into the World and withall think with your selves what you will do when your life and this world shall come to an end Take a review of your sins they are noted down upon the book of your Consciences peruse this book and if you extracted a Catalogue of your sins it might be a help to you Note down your original sin your actual sins your transgressions of Gods Law in the first and the second Table thereof your disobedience to the Gospel the aggravations of your sins Means 2. Reading the Word of God and other good books The rule whereby you are to examine your selves is the Word this is like a Candle which will give light in dark corners this is like a Glass which will discover spots in the face you must search the Word and try your selves herâ—by if you would have knowledge of sin and your spiritual state and you must search the Word if you would have knowledge and acquaintance with God and his will You may arrive to some knowledge of God by reading the Book of Nature the whole world is full of God and every Creature doth represent him but the world is full of sin too and the more immediate representations of the Creatures are sensitive things which our sense layeth hold on first and is apt there to stick without further piercing and searching to finde out God and where we have one provocation from the Creatures to love and serve him through the bewitching temptations of the world meeting with the worldly lusts of our hearts we have a thousand incitements and allurements from them to sin against God but the Word is full of God and no incitement there to sin full of perswasives to holiness and obedience God is to be seen more easily and he setteth forth himself there most conspicuously In the Book of the Scriptures you have the most glorious discoveries of God in his greatness majesty power holiness love mercy and the like and the way made known of acquaintance and communion with him if you would