after much searching and prying whether they be sound and sufficient you receive not gold carelesly but after tryall whether it is currant coine and of sufficient weight You take not silver hand over head but you first see whether it is payable money you turne and tosse rub and ring each suspected piece least you take brasse for lawfull silver And deale you thus with your faith Do you examine whether you are in the faith Do you try by the touch-stone of the Word whether it is of the right kind not that of Divels not that of temporizers not that of wicked ones but that of the Elect making them endeavour good and shun sinne I would you did 2. Is faith thus excellent Then you who wish well to your selves prise and use all sanctified meanes whereby it 's gotten kept and increased This is a pearle of price the tryall whereof is better then gold 1 Pet. 1. 7. The least degree whereof is better then a world of earthly contentments benefiting the enjoyer when all worldly vanities stand in no stead not forsaking him till he hath received the end of his faith the salvation of his soule 1 Pet. 1. 9. This is a precious jewell in the esteeme of God and godly men in regard of the giver worker object meanes and use 2 Pet. 1. 1. By this we are united unto we receive vitality from and have familiarity with the Lord Iesus Or in a word this is an astringent tye joyning us into this union so neare true and admirable this fellowship so celestiall and inseparable which is with Gods Sonne Iesus Christ CHAP. X. The third Marke and Duty Such have Christs Spirit abiding in them HAve we or desire we fellowship with Christ Iesus We 3. Marke Duty must have the Spirit of God inhabiting within us Rom. 8. 9. But ye are not in the flesh but in the Spirit if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his If we have fellowship with Christ we already have if we desire communion with Christ we must get to have the Spirit of God to dwell in us To like purpose is that 1 Cor. 3. 16. Know you not that you are the Temple of God and that the Holy Ghost dwelleth in you As 1 Cor. 6. 19. And 2 Tim. 1. 14. By the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in you Of such absolute necessity is the having of Christs Spirit Mot. 1. abiding in us That without it no saving faith no sound hope no true love no happy peace no solid joy no new birth no new life no spirituall adoption no reall ingrafting into Christ no union or communion with him these all being graces works and fruits of Gods Spirit Those who have not the Spirit of Christ abiding in them are none of Christs 1. Souldiers therefore the Dragons there being but two sides and therefore shal be overcome Rev. 12. 9. 2. Servants therefore slaves to sinne and Sathan therefore to be paid the wages of eternall death Rom. 6. 23. 3. Subjects therefore rebels and traitours against the king of heaven therefore to be slaine Luc. 19. 27. 4. Sheepe therefore Goates whose end is to be accursed Math. 25. 41. 5. Braunches abiding in him therefore withered castawayes to be burned Ioh 15. 6. 6. Acquaintance friends familiars therefore strangers to heare that dolefull farewell depart I know you not Math. 7. 25. 7. Brethren therefore bastards children of this world and the Devill therefore no inheritours 8. Brides therefore harlots and strumpets therefore divorced and cast out 9. Members of his mysticall body therefore limbes of the Devill to be consumed Therefore if we have not the Spirit of God abiding in us there is no possibility of fellowship with Iesus Christ while so we continue The unspeakable motions and operations of Gods Spirit manifest the truth of this abundantly 1. Whence is our regeneration or new creation From the Spirit Ioh. 3. 5. Borne of the Spirit 2. Whence is our justification From the Spirit 1 Cor. 6. 11. You are justified in the name of the Lord Iesus and by the Spirit of our God 3. Whence is our holinesse and sanctification From the Spirit Acts 15. 8 9. Giving the Holy Ghost purifying c. 4. Whence is our Christian loue whereby we love Christ for his owne sake and Christians for his From the Spirit Rom. 5. 5. The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given us 5. Whence is our obsignation whereby we are ascertained that we are the Sonnes of God From the Spirit Rom. 8. 16. It beares witnesse with our spirits that we are the Sonnes of God 2 Cor. 1. 22. Who hath sealed c. 6. Whence is our direction how to live From the Spirit Rom. 8. 14. Led by the Spirit 7. Whence is our corroboration or spirituall strength From the Spirit Eph. 3. 16. Strongthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man 8. Whence our supplication or ability to pray From the Spirit Rom. 8. 15. Whereby c. 9. Whence our consolation From the Spirit Acts 9. 31. Comfort of the Holy Ghost 10. Whence our incorporation into and inhabitation in Christ From the Spirit Eph. 2. 22. In whom you are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit Saint Chrysostome saith well That Spirit doth make holy sanctifie Ergò iste Spiritus consecrat sanctificat benedicit honorificat guberuat protegit consolatur producit ad santam Ecclesiam 1. Expos Symboli Tom. 5 pag. 1147. blesse honour governe protect comfort and doth bring to the holy Church All those therefore who have these speciall and heavenly prerogatives of regeneration justification c. and communion with Christ Iesus they have necessarily the Spirit of God abiding in them 1. Ponder with advisement and deliberation how lamentably dreadfull their condition is who have not the Spirit of God abiding in them for although the conversation of many of them is plausible and to admiration in regard of their upright civill carriage yet wanting the Spirit of God they are none of Christs and therefore have no interest in this communion 2. Commiserate the Maniacque folly and braine-sicke bedlam madnesse of all such scorners which scoffe at this as if there were no cohabitation of Gods Spirit in the hearts of godly men These blinded beetles thinke none see because themselves do not are perswaded none have Gods Spirit because they want it The glorious Sun is in the firmament giving comfortable light to all seeing creatures although born-blind Moles never behold the least glimpse of its shining rayes The blessed Spirit of God is dwelling and abiding in the holy ones of God although such deriding scorners hood-winkt by the Devill with the scales of blockish ignorance and damned infidelity are altogether unexperienced and unacquainted in such Divine and heavenly enjoyments 3. Looke O you sonnes of men whether this Spiritof God
101. c. 3. Christ Iesus or Gods Son p. 202 Therefore 1. They hurt themselves who harme them pag. 209. c. 2. All should be disswaded from wronging them pag 126. c. 3. All are perswaded to joyne in this communion pag 129 c. 4. They who have fellowship with Christ are comforted pag. 224. c. 5. And perswaded to 1. To imitate Christ pag 257. c. 2. Have true faith pag. 265. c. 3. Have Gods Spirit pag 269. c. 4. Be Christs sheepe pag. 276. 5. Be branches grafted into Christ pag. 276. 6. Be Christs spouse pag. 276. 7. Members joyned to him pag. 276. 8. And stones built on him pag. 276. 2. These goodfellowes have God to be their Father pag. 41 c. Therefore they ought to 1. Love God pag. 46. c. 2. Shunne sinne pag. 53 c. 3. Depend upon the Lord. pag. 65. c. 4. Honour the Lord. pag 72. c. 5. Doe Gods will pag 88 c. 6. Be content with Gods allowance pag. 98 c. OF THE SOCIETIE OF THE SAINTS the first Booke CHAP. I. Shewing the Summe and Occasion of this Discourse 1 IOHN 1. 3. That you also may have fellowship with us and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Sonne Iesus Christ GOodfellowship the times favorite is so generally applauded that most men are almost enchaunted with its clamorous bruite Insomuch that many ample patrimonies and great reuenewes by goodfellowship are wholly exhausted many extravagant enormities are sleighted over because committed not by some simple sot or rude rusticke but by some goodfellow Yea it is esteem'd a sufficient protection with many against reprehensions and condigne punishments for blaspheming the names of God so sacred excessive drinking more then brutish rotten communication so contagious scurrulous jests so offensiue mis spending time so precious scandalizing the wayes of men better then themselves so holy and for many like execrable abominations to plead goodfellowship Goodfellowes I doe intimately love and with such intirenesse affect goodfellowship that I deeme my selfe too too unfit to decipher such an heauenly association Yet perceiving slavish Hagard mineering over princely Sarah hellish vice jet about varnished over with the title of vertue impiety that disguised anticke to dis-franchise true society of its due renowne endeavouring to make it ridiculous with satyricall mocks cynicall girds and hellish reproaches and striving to soare higher then is meet for such ignoble and illegitimate counterfeits I cannot but desire curiosity to curbe this copped monster yet with no wrongfull obtrectations and adorne true goodfellowship not with any Hyperbolicall praises a naked tale most truly setting forth the naked truth it shining most bright when it is in the least bravery Neither with any borrowed paintings painting being more meet for ragged wals then precious marble But with its owne ineffable beauty and inestimable splendour faire countenances needing no colours To this end I have chosen our Apostles words which snew vs an excellent fraternity and endeauour to agglutinate vs into that so sweet Societie which is with the Saints with the Father and with his Sonne Iesus Christ which is the true goodfellowship yea such that whosoever is in this is a goodfellow indeed Whosoever is not in this Society is in truth no good-fellow Yea so precious is this that we all should labour to have fellowship with the Saints the Father and his Sonne Iesus Christ This fellowship or communion is threefold 1. Of the members amongst themselves You with us 2. Of the children with the Father Truly our fellowship is with the Father 3. Of the members with the Head And with his Sonne Iesus Christ CHAP. II. Saints have fellowship together Doct. 1 FRom the first observe this generall ground or Doctrine All the Saints and Servants of God have fellowship one with another although never so farre distant in place different in condition or aliens by nation The scattred Apostles and dispersed Christians The pious Prince and upright peasant The beleeving Iew and converted Gentile have all communion each with other you with us 1 Cor. 10. 17. Wee that is all true Christians are one bread shewing the union and Society of the Saints partaking in one bread 1 Cor. 12. 12 13 20 27. Now you are the body of Christ and members in particular Eph. 4 4. There is one body 5. 23. Col. 1. 18. Heb. 13. 3. Being your selves also in the body Zach. 3. 8. Thou and thy fellowes Reason 1 1. All members of one and the selfesame body have mutuall Society But all the Saints although distant different c. are members of one and the selfe same body Ephes 3. 6. The Gentiles fellow heires and of the same body Therefore c. 2. All stones of the same building have communion one with another All the Saints c. are stones of the same building Ephes 2. 20 21 22. 1 Pet. 2. 4 5. 3. All branches of the same vine have fellowship one with another But all Saints are branches of the same vine Ioh. 15. 15 of which vine Christs Godhead is the root his manhood the stock his graces the sappe his servants the branches and good works the grapes 4. All such who are children of the same parents have fellowship each with other But all the Saints are children of the same parents having all one Father Rom. 8. 14. Eph. 4. 6. One Mother Gal. 4. 26. One elder Brother Christ Iesus Heb. 2. 11. All being begotten by the same immortall seed 1 Pet. 1. 23. And nourished by the same milke 1 Pet. 2. 2. 5. All those who are heires of the same kingdome have fellowship one with another But all the Saints are heires of the same kingdome All being Heires of promise Heb. 6. 17. Of an eternall inheritance Heb. 9. 15. Of Gods kingdome Iam. 2. 5. And same kingdome Mat. 25. 24. 6. All such who are souldiers of the same band have fellowship one with another But all Saints are souldiers of the same combate against the same enemies Eph. 6. 12. With the same weapons Eph. 6. 12 13. Vnder the same Captaine Christ Iesus 2. Tim. 2. 3. For the same Crowne and Conquest 7. All those who are the one and onely spouse of Christ have fellowship one with another But all the Saints are the one and onely spouse of Christ Rev. 19. 7. 8. All sheep of the same flock and fold have fellowship one with another But all Gods Saints are sheepe of the same flocke and fold Luke 12. 32. Ioh. 10. 4. 16. 9. Those amongst whom is unity in Religion unanimity in affection and mutuall charity have fellowship one with another But Gods Saints are such amongst whom is unity in Religion Eph. 4 4 5 6. Sympathy in affection Rom. 12. 15 16 10. And mutuall charity Rom. 12. 13. 10. Those who have the selfe same grace and glory have 10. fellowship one with another But all the Saints have the selfe same grace and
remission of sinnes how and by whom wherein every sincere Christian may behold clearely the unparalel'd love of Christ Iesus freeing him by his owne painefull passion from the guilt and guerdon the due desert and dominion the power and punishment of his sinnes 5. Let it be upon the inheritance which is incorruptible undefiled not fading away reserved in the heavens c. And I think it wil be granted without contradiction that such like meditations make the godly soule to leape for joy 6. Let it be upon dismall death and mouldring mortality even this will comfort the heavenly minded soule loving the appearing of Christ longing after the same with the Bride in the Revelation certifying him that these miseries are but momentany and that this miserable mortality shal be swallowed up of glorious immortality 7. Let it be of the judgements of God denounced or inflicted upon others or upon himselfe even these contemplations want not matter of consolation to that soule which considereth Gods infinite love sending no greater he deserving the extreamest enabling him to make a good use of them and to beare them christianly This I suppose is a commodious and profitable necessary and warrantable Christian not Iewish resolution to abstaine from those worldly and wanton words workes and thoughts and to be wholly imployed and that delightfully in those holy and heavenly contemplations communications and actions And that I may stirre you up to put in practice this so laudable sweet and profitable resolution to those former reasons and motives I have intermingled in my former passages give me leave to adde these following reasonings and pious arguings 1. Is the Lords Day the queene of dayes yea the Lords market day for our soules wherein we are to buy Isa 55. 2. without money or mony worth the heavenly and celestiall bread water wine and milk of Gods sacred Word and saving graces the golden gifts and precious merits of Christ to inrich our faith Rev. 3. 18. The eye-salve of true wisdome and the Spirit of light to illuminate our spirituall blindnesse and the white raiment of Christs righteousnesse that we may be clothed and that the shame of our nakednesse do not appeare and shall we passe it away in wanton delights in fruitlesse and hurtfull discourses in distrustfull and distracting musings or in needlesse and dunghill actions And not rather spend this Day in buying such peerelesse traffique not onely in the publique assemblies but also before and after the same by Divine contemplations heavenly communications fervent and faithfull prayer and other such like pious Lords Dayes practices 2. Is this the Lords Day not mine his Holy Day no common or prophane one therefore to be sanctified therefore to be kept holy and shall we shew such intolerable ingratitude as to deny so small use of time to him that gives to us so much and so large use of time 3. Is it a matter of duty and not of curtesie of charge and not of choice of allegiance and not of liberty of necessity and not of indifferency not permitted but commanded to sanctifie the Lords Day and keepe it as holy as we can and shall not wee use our utmost endeavour to doe the same 4. Do those who conscionably sanctifie the Lords Day imitate the prime and purest examples walking in those paths which have beene traced out by David Nehemiah and such like ones by Iesus Christ such a Sonne such a Saviour by the Lord Iehovah who rested the seventh Day from his worke of creation although as easie to him as to speake and cause it to be created And shall we be drawne into unwarranted courses or omit necessary pious duties upon Gods Day because many who are great Schollers good Preachers great men the wealthiest in our parish and many honest men make no bones of worldly discoursings unneedful actions nor are very forward in those other substantiall duties Learning they may have wisdome greatnesse yea goodnesse yet may their example be erroneous no sufficient patterne for imitation in many things we offend all yea and good St. Paul would be followed no otherwise then he followed Christ 1 Cor. 11. 1. Be it they be wise or wealthy honourable or honest who give or take liberty yet sure we are we take the surest and safest course yea the most commodious and comfortable having Gods precept for our warrant and his example for our encouragement Powerfull they may be but he is omnipotent wise they may be but he is wisdome it selfe honest they may be he goodnesse it selfe 5. Since the Lords Day is a blessed Day so called either 1. Because it is instituted to Gods service 2. Or because the Lord gave it a singular priviledge to be a Day of rest and holinesse a Day of delight and heavenly feasting to the world 3. Or because the Lord doth blesse more effectually all such who conscionably keepe it holy on that Day then any other so that then they enjoy after an extraordinary manner this transcendently sweet and lovely fellowship with the Father We for our parts will alienate and estrange our soules tongues and bodies so farre forth as in us lieth from such workes such words and thoughts which withdraw the mind from God and endeavour to spend those little parcels of time which remaine to us exempt from the publique assemblies of the Saints and the doing of some few necessary actions in Divine contemplations Christian communications such pious and holy actions that so the Lord may suppe with us and we with him Rev. 3. 20. We feasting him with the fruit of our true repentance 2. With our faith beleeving and applying the Word and promises of God 3. By serving God faithfully giving up our soules and bodies holy and acceptable sacrifices to him he feasting us in his Word and Sacraments That so he may dwell in us and we in him and to conclude that we may obtaine if still we want communion with God or get if already we have a more perfect and full assurance of our fellowship with the Father CHAP. XIII The eight Meanes and Duty Chusing the things which please God What those things be Diverse chusers Which are best HAve we or desire we fellowship with the Father Shew 8. Meanes Duty it and seeke it by chusing the thing which pleaseth the Lord This chusing being both a marke and meanes of mans communion with the Father Isa 56. 4. Where and who is he that would not be a chuser might the choice tend to his reall and seeming contentment With what greedy graspings would some possesse mountaines of gold silver pearles and precious stones and worlds of wealth With what enraged bloudy and implacable cruelty would some bathe their hands and glad their hearts in the last groanings and effusion of the most warme and in most hearts bloud of their enemies How would some ingrosse kingdome after kingdome yea one world after another How would some plunge themselves into a bottomlesse Ocean of voluptuous delights
his Church with such entire and ardent love that he gave himselfe for his Church But because I will not stay upon conjugall duties in briefe I say that no husband ever nay if the excellency of all the most melting affectionatenesse and other chiefe vertues could be drawne out of all mankind that have beene are or shal be and infused into some Angelicall body yet could not this imagined excellent husband love with such a sincere and perpetuall love cleave so closely and compactedly unto give such honor or due benevolence unto consolate with such ravishing comforts graunt more willingly the honest and reasonable requests governe guide and direct more prudently a wife lovely beyond imagination as Christ Iesus doth the Church or true believers Saints or faithfull Christians his Spouse That all true believers are the Spouse of Christ is perspicuously transparent Rev. 19. 7 8. 21. 9. 22. 27. Iohn 3. 29. And in this that they owe the selfesame duties to Christ Iesus which wives do owe to their husbands sc Subjection reverence obedience c. Therefore all true believers have fellowship with Iesus Christ c. All those which are ingrafted and inoculated into Iesus Christ have fellowshippe with Iesus Christ the Sonne of God But all true believers Saints or faithfull Christians are ingrafted or inoculated into Iesus Christ Therefore all true believers c. have fellowship with Iesus Christ the c. The latter Proposition I prove out of Ioh. 15. 1 2. 1. There is a husbandman who is the Father justly called the husbandman for 1. He hath a rightfull interest unto and an absolute Soveraigne authority over his spirituall vine vineyard and branches his is the right not by Law but by nature not from any superiour but from himselfe and he may do with it what he will 2. In regard of affection the affection that he beares to this vine vineyard and branches is transcendent he loves them tenderly and delights in them wonderfully 3. In regard of his actions for 1. He doth plant i. e. joyne the elect taken out of the rotten stocke of old Adam unto Christ and his Church by the spirit Psal 92. 13. Rom. 6. 5. 2. He doth water with the true doctrine of his Word the holy spirit and saving graces Ezek 36. 15. 3. He doth expect as earnestly fruit from his vineyard as the husbandman doth from his Isa 5. 2. 4. He doth prune and purge out blindnesse by the word of Knowledge errour by the Word of Confutation desperation by the word of Consolation c. and he preserves c. and on the contrary he rejects the fruitlesse branches that so they may wither and be burned Iohn 15. 2. 4. 6. 2. There is also a Vine and there are branches abiding in that vine Iohn 15. 4. Christ is a vine giving life of grace to all his members as a vine gives juyce and life to all its branches he ministreth to Christians the sappe of his grace and spirit whereby they live grow and bring forth good workes even as a vine doth minister to the branches moysture sappe and juyce whereby they live flourish and beare fruit In this vine the roote is Christ his God-head the stemme his Manhood the sâ—ppe his graces the branches true beleevers and the grapes good workes Neither is this contradicted where the Church is called a vine Psal 80. 9. 14. Isa 5. 1. 2. 3. A vine it is whose sense is Gods protection whose preachers are its watchmen their doctrines and exhortations as a winepresse to wring out good duties as sweet iuyce and whose grapes are good workes as pleasant fruite Nor where Christ is called a branch as he oftentimes is Ier. 33. 15. Zach. 3. 8. 6. 12. for when Christ is a branch his Church is the vine himselfe the Head or chiefe branch his Saints inferiour twigs his graces sappe blossome bud and grapes When the Church is a vine Christ wholy is the roote and stock true beleevers the branches whose obedience is the fruits or pleasant grapes which way soever they are ingrafted into Christ Therefore have fellowship with Iesus Christ the Sonne of God Those who being knit together by the spirit are laid as living stones upon Christ the foundation or head corner stone to be an habitation of God have fellowship with Iesus Christ the Sonne of God because they are stones of that building whereof he is the foundation But all true beleevers are built together or laid upon Christ Iesus the foundation c. Ephes 2. 20 21 22. 1. Pet. 2. 5. 6 7. Therefore Christ Iesus is 1. That stone in Daniel 2. 43. cut out of the mountaines without hands being not set up by man but sent by God 2. A stone of offence 1. Pet. 2. 8. to unbeleevers and misbeleevers they perishing by refusing to be laid upon this stone 3. A pretious stone 1. Pet. 2. 6. hee being of exceeding great value more worth then millions of worlds 4. A living stone 1. Pet. 2. 4. preserving the faithfull in the life of grace to the life of glory 5. A stone with seaven eyes Zach. 4. 10. in regard Gods providence watcheth graciously over all such who are built upon this stone 6. Yea the foundation of his Church and chosen 1. Cor. 3. 10 11. Other foundation can no man lay then that is layd which is Iesus Christ Ephes 2. 20. Iesus Christ himselfe being the chiefe corner stone 1. Pet. 2. 6. True it is that the decree of Gods election grounded upon his everlasting love is a foundation 2. Tim. 2. 19. because the godly are stayed upon this as a house upon the foundation 2. Christian doctrine is a foundation also Heb. 6. 1. It being a meanes to build men upon Christ the foundation 3. Christian princes and Magistrates are thus stiled Psal 82. 5. because the quiet of the Church doth rest upon them as a house on the foundation 4. The Apostles and Prophets Ephes 2. 20. Not onely Peter those who make Peter the foundation whereon the Church is built 1. Falsifye the Text which is not Vpon thee Peter but Vpon this Rocke 2. Deale reprochfully with Christ lifting Peter into the roome of his Master 3. Injuriously with the Church building it upon so weake a rocke which so often failed but the Apostles and Prophets all of them as well as he are foundations viz. second and subordinate because by their doctrien they lay the elect upon Christ the true foundation which is the true foundation of the Church in regard of his person and office 1. Hee being the corner stone or firme foundation whereon his Church is built 2. He supporting and bearing it Vp as a foundation against the gates of hell that they cannot prevaile against it As Christ is the foundation so Gods faithfull Ministers are the builders 1. Cor. 3. 10. laying the Elect upon Christ as builders doe one stone upon another and all upon the foundation And the Saints are the stones 1. Called lively 1. Pet.
's the proper object of hatred it 's against God and from the Devill pag. 130. c. They who have or desire to have fellowship with God must avoid the society of sinners 4. disswasives whose children what beasts and filthy persons they be They are dirt chaffe dust smoake and scumme pag. 13◠c. They must labour to be like God wherein and why p. 138. c. They must pray to God Prayerlesse persons wofull what faults hinder prayer How to pray aright pag. 140. c. They must heare Gods Word Lets removed Motives to heare Directions how to heare to obtaine fellowshippe with God pag. 142. c. They must seeke the Lord what it is to seeke how by what meanes and why we should seeke the Lord. pag. 146. c. They must sanctifie the Lords Day the name of the Day the judgement of diverse Divines of the Sabbath whether workes then lawfull what workes meant disswasives whether sports lawfull reasons disswasives objections answered whether worldly words 4. reasons whether worldly thoughts 3. reasons Meditation of Gods Workes Word and why conference for the Lords Day workes for the Lords Day sc reading singing and how prayer deeds of mercy their kinds and manner of doing them Recreation for the Lords Day foure motives to practice pag. 149. c. They must choose the thing which pleaseth God diverse choosers which are the best pag. 177. c. They must take hold of Gods Covenant the foundation and frame of this Covenant how the same to the justified Iewes formerly as to the justified Christians now and how not we must enter into and keepe this Covenant outwardly and how inwardly and how how the Law binds how not against Antinomists 6. motives to keepe covenant with God p. 178. c. They must cleave to the Lord what it is to cleave to God manner meanes and motives pag. 189. c. They must serve God what it is to serve God How we are free from the Law how not against Antinomists and others we must serve God with feare objections answered disswasives from serving foure evill masters the excellencie and manner of Gods service pag. 191. c. IIII. Booke ALL Saints have fellowship with Christ because they are his fellowes spouse branches building members and linkt to him in the nearest ties pag. 202. c. Reprehending those who harme them pag. 209. c. Disswading from hurting the Saints why the world is enrag'd against them who are their greatest enemies how holily they live how neare and deare they are to Christ pag. 211. c. Perswading all to joyne in fellowship with Christ This is the sweetest most honourable the firmest richest the most joyfull and peacefull society pag. 217. c. Comforting those who have fellowship with Christ from Christs names against feare Christ loves such with all loves such are justified what justification is its causes How faith justifieth how not sixe notes of happinesse all in the justified Such are sanctified and how difference betwixt justification and sanctification how sanctified persons are cleane how once justified alwaies justified pag. 228 c. They have Christian liberty a fourefold false liberty disclaimed Christian liberty frees not from obedience of the Morall Law what conscience is what binds conscience the Law binds the conscience to obedience wherein this liberty consists its excellencie a threefold use from this liberty pag. 242. c. Exhorting and directing to this society Scripture truths trier sinnes of former times as bad as now why they seeme worse now pag. 253. c. They who have fellowship with Christ do and ought to imitate Christ wherein we must imitate Christ actively passively and why prophane livers fashion followers and followers of men censured how men may be imitated how not what we must doe if we imitate Christ 3. motives to imitate Christ pag. 256. c. They have and must have faith and what faith its excellencie three sorts faulty concerning faith our duty concerning faith pag. 265. c. They have Gods Spirit abiding in them its necessity who faulty our duty to examine our selves who have who want Gods Spirit duties of such who have Gods Spirit and of such who want the same pag. 269. c. They who have fellowship with Christ be and must be his sheepe braunches spouse members building their duties hence pag. 276. c. The Conclusion shewing the drift of all pag. 278. c. Courteous Reader pardon I pray smaller faults escaped in printing and amend these greater as following Page 13. line 5. for comsorts reade consorts p. 21. l. 1. correcting 1. converting p. 31. l. 28. openly r. onely p. 38. l. 19. of r. as p. 49. l. 28. leading r. loading p. 64. l. 33. stayng r. staining p. 70. l. 16. alike r. alive p. 80. l. 12. it r. in P. 100. l. 4. where r. whence Ibid. l. 5. Bubus r Subus p 108. l 33. money r. many p. 178. l. 19. feele r. seeke p. 183 l 17. Iudaicall r. iudiciall p. 227. l. 17. we and all r. woe and alas p. 245 coniunction r. conviction p. 225. l. 33 dissoluble r. indissoluble Marginall faults Pag. 13. for tunica quem r. quam p. 23. bonum r horum p. 100. comitatu r. comitatum Ibid contratius r. contraria p. 110. it appeareth r in apparell p. 245 exemple r Epist p. 253. virtutis r. veritatis p. 154. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 256. limices r. limites Information for the meanest Reader Where you shall find these following this is their signification e. g. For example to wit viz. sc that is i. e. i. Ibid. there or in the same place 1. True good fellowes have fellowshippe with 1. All Saints pag. 3 c. Therefore they must 1. Avoid wicked mens society pag. 6. c. 2. Love all especially the Saints and all those pag. 9 c. 3. Relieve each other pag. 12. c. 4. Communicate gifts and graces pag. 18. c. 5. Conceale each others frailties pg. 23. c. 6. Reprove one another pag. 32 c. 7. Strive for the peace of the Saints pag. 34. c. 8. Forgive each other pag 37 c. 2. The Lord or God the Father pag. 115. c. Therefore 1. Themselves are comforted pag. 118. c. 2. They who wrong them and neglect this communion are reproved pag. 125. c. 3. All are perswaded to this communion p. 129 c. To this end they must 1. Shunne sinne pag 130. c. 2. Shunne society of sinners pag. 135. c. 3. Imitate God pag. 138. c. 4. Pray to God rightly pag 140. c. 5. Heare Gods Word delightfully pag. 142 c. 6. Seeke the Lord. pag. 146 c. 7. Sanctifie the Lords Day pag. 14. 9 c. 8 Choose that which pleaseth God pag 177 c. 9. Keepe Covenant with God pag 178 c. 10. Cleave to God pag 189. c. 11. Serve God Pag
die that sacrifices by this meanes are made abominable new moones and Sabbaths hatefull and prayers not sufferable It is most unlike Gods workes Sinne is a worke of the flesh Gal. 5. 19. His of the Spirit Sinne is a worke of Sathan 1 Iohn 3. 8. Sinne is a worke of the body Rom. 8. 13. His of the Spirit It is that which Christ Iesus his Heavenly Husband soules Saviour by whose meanes it is that the Lord is become his gracious Father came to destroy 1 Ioh. 1. 7. 22. 3. 5. And that upon good grounds It being against his Fathers glory the salvation of his Elect it being contrary to his Fathers works and advancement of his kingdome CHAP. IIII. Duty 3. Saints must depend on Gods providence IF God be our Father we ought to cast our care upon him Duty 3. depending upon his fatherly providence for food rayment and the supply of all outward things This truth being a maxime surely confirmed in those sacred lines written by the heavenly Majesty and generally assented unto by all men I supposing there is not a man to be found either so unexperienced or brainlesse as not to consent that childrens sole dependance is on parents wise and carefull providence I shall not need long to insist in the confirmation of this Thesis In a word David Psal 55. 22. hath these words Cast thy burden upon the Lord q. d. If there be any thing which troubleth thee or that thou thy selfe standest in need of commit the care thereof into Gods hand staying thy selfe altogether upon his providence He shall sustaine thee i. God will play the part of a good Father St. Peter 1 Pet. 5. 7. Casting all your care upon him for he careth for you Let it be the badge and character of all gold-sicke Mammonists and earthly-minded worldlings in whose catalogue I include not onely greedy inclosers cut-throat usurers unjust getters but also swil-bellyed drunkards lascivious wantons riotous spend-thrifts c. For although these in their owne apprehensions and the worlds conceipt are free from avarice Yet it 's evident that they are notable Mammonists as thus 1. Those are truly covetous whose desire of other mens goods is such that for the obtaining thereof they sticke not to use meanes indirect and unlawfull Eph. 5. 5. But these riotous 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fraudater alioni avidâ—â— avarâ—â— Eph. 5. 5. roisters for the generall have desires enlarged as bell after their neighbours goods little regarding how they get so they may have to spend upon their lusts hence it is that they 'le be usurers make no scruple of oaths lyes or any such like sinister means to minister fewell to the consuming fire of their insatiable and ravenous lusts 2. Those who desire worldly things before and above any 〈◊〉 Col. 3. 5 thing are covetous persons Col. 3. 5. But these jolly follows desire wordly things before above any thing For they pursue with such enraged thirsting appetites carthy drosse that they will not refraine upon the Lords Day from plodding and pratling about their adored God They cannot spare the Lord a fragment of their time to pray with their families or in private They cannot when God by his judgements soveraigne authority by commandement the necessities of their brethren and their owne duty in joynes sanctity dayes of humiliation and fasting least they should be undone 3. They who are lovers of mony are covetous persons as appears 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by coÌ„paring He. 13. 5. 1 Tim. 6. 10. In both which places the word is the same and translated in the one love of mony in the other covetousnesse But these men are lovers of money preferring it before the glory of God their soules health and their poore brother And therefore although they stick not bravingly to defray large expences at some drunken sitting and lash out in trimmer attyre perhaps then their neighbours yet are not to be excluded the lists of covetous persons Let it be I say the note of such to distrust Gods gracious providing for them From which mistrustfull diffidence Insoelicissimi pâ—uperes sic sunt quasi inter concertantes procellas in medio mori positâ— nunc istcrum 〈◊〉 nunc all num stictibus â—bruuntur Salv. lib. 5 pag. 514. their in humane depopulations unnaturall usuryes purloynings lying defrauding and an innumbred swarme of such unconscionable kinds of gettings whereby they teare in pieces their poore brethren contrary to the lawes of grace nature and charity doe streame forth But let not the least thought of diffident distrustfulnesse seaze upon the innobled soule of any in Gods family No not of such whose drooping soules are ready to saint and sinke under the pressures of poverty and scantnesse 1. For be it that inregard 1. Of the inhumane practices The poore mans hurters of madded and irreligious depopulatours an order of men more worthy banishment from our English Coasts in my apprehension then the jesters juglers loyterers vagabonds and fooles which Marcus the Emperour shipped from Rome these being in my conceipt the greatest bane to our Common-wealth robbing 1. Our Dread Soveraigne of many able subsidy men so of maintenance Of many able fighting men so of safety Lessening the number of his subjects so of honour 2. Our country of its native commodities corne and cattell the towne in tillage maintaining farre more cattell then the same inclosed And of the fruitfull endeavours of many able bodies there being a necessary dependance of the greatest number of trades upon the tilled towne and the tilled towne besides the many benefits other wayes affoords imployment to as many if not more shepheards then the same inclosed 2. And in regard of the never satisfied thirsting appetites of greedy gripes of this world whose hunger after golden vanities cannot be satisfied with any additions to their former sufficiencies Which unquenchable humour causeth them to get into their hands as much as possibly they can little considering that the Common-wealth is benefited most by distribution of its imployments into as many families as is possible and to ingrosse in these scarcer times more corne then is fitting to turne the staffe of bread excessively into a drunken commodity for their owne inrichment no price being ever great enough to satiate their greedy appetite to be wasted by the sons of Belial upon their quaffingale-benches whose vicious humour is so patronized That what with Officers unwillingnesse to displease their drunken neighbours nothing regarding God King conscience and the present calamity What with the many proctours such have in private and publique some in pulpit daring to exclaime against those who disease these drunken Divels Except Iustice deales wisely and resolutely it wil be as great a waster as I know any Be it I say in regard of these two evils it is a matter of great difficulty if not of impossibility to have befitting subsistence for the greatest part of the poorer sort of people The former depriving them
and from former signes and sense of Gods favour Of graces some are principall and absolutely necessary to salvation as faith hope love these may be lessened decayed and covered in regard of operation Psal 51. 10. Create in me a new heart Some are lesse principall yet requisite and very profitable as the feeling of Gods favour chearefulnesse in prayer joy in the Holy Ghost which lesser graces may be quite lost for a time Me thinkes such like considerations as these following may sufficiently incourage all of this society against feare of not continuing in the love and favour of God 1. Such are the gifts of God the Father to his onely Sonne Christ Iesus Which Donatives he will not lose Iohn 6. 39. Neither shall any take them out of his hands 10. 28. 2. Such are the precious purchase of the invaluable bloud of the immaculate Lambe the Sonne of God more worth then millions of worlds Acts 20. 28. Things dearely bought are dearely beloved dearely beloved are carefully kept and not willingly lost 3. Such have Christ Iesus praying for them Luke â—â— 32. That their faith faile not Iohn 17. 9. That his Father would keepe them Verse 11. from the evill one Verse 24. Heb. 7. 25. That they may be with Christ 4. Such are kept by the invincible power of God through faith unto salvation 1 Pet. 1. 5. 5. To such the Lord hath promised and his promises are yea and Amen 2 Cor. 1. 20. eternall life 1 Iohn 2. 24. 6. Such are sealed by the Spirit of God to the day of redemption Eph. 4. 30. Therefore it is as possible 1. For Iesus Christ that invincible Lion of the Tribe of Iuda victoriously conquering sinne Sathan death and damnation 2. For the Lord of Hosts whose hosts and armies are all creatures from the most contemptible flyes and lice to the mightiest Angels whose omnipotencie is such that he effecteth what he will all things being alike possible to him It 's as possible I say for the Sonne and Father to be overcome as for the Saints being kept and preserved by them both 3. It 's as possible for Gods decree to suffer mutation and change and so for that Lambes Booke of Life for so is the Decree of Gods Election called continually to be mutilate subject alwayes to defacing by having the names of some of Gods Elect blotted out of the same and yet there is no variablenesse with the Lord nor the least shadow of changing Iam. 1. 17. 4. For the ingraven seale of Gods sanctifying Spirit to be blotted out and so to be more uncertaine then those of the Medes and Persians 5. For the inestimable bloud of the immaculate Lambe Christ Iesus to be as water spilt upon the earth 6. For the purest and most prevailing prayers that ever ascended to the Lord of Sabbaths the meritorious petitions of Gods owne Sonne to be of no force and yet the Prayers of one righteous man availeth if it be fervent Iames 5. 17. 7. For Gods promise to be unfaithfull as for those who have fellowship with the Father to fall from grace finally totally But the one therefore the other are altogether impossible I know the Prophet Ezek. 18. 24. saith when the righteous Ob. c. But as Mr. Yates and others say well Those words are a commination or warning to keepe the elect from falling to make the reprobate inexcusable 2. The words are generally spoken to all in the Church therefore the worser part may fall away â—his ad Casarem pag 110. Zanch. Tom. 7. page 340 341. Contra Rem in Collat. Hagien Thes 5. 3. They are conditionall like Rom. 8. 13. Luke 19. 40. Scriptures and reasons against this are learnedly answered by Mr. Bernard in his Rhens against Rome When therefore that roaring Lyon who seekes by all meanes to devoure shall use such like temptations against the assurance of thy perseverance as these following O thou who hast fellowship with the Lord and so furnished with true saving faith thou art mutable fraile and weake 2. Thou art uncertaine of thy salvation 3. Thy first parents in Paradise could not stand 4. Their strongest Children have fallen witnesse David Salomon Paul Peter c. and dost thou thinke to continue Thine enemies are not few but many not meane but mighty not malecontent alone but also malicious not tractable but truculent not lither but laborious not simple but subtile not negligent but vigilant and dost thou dreame of perseverance Enliven thy selfe after this or the like manner I confesse mine owne imbecillitie the fall of my first parents in Paradise in their innocency and their posteritie neither am I ignorant of the number nature and properties of mine enemies What then Must I therefore of necessitie fall away No such matter 1. I am weake and seeble True But I doe not rest upon my selfe but upon the Lord who keeps me who is greater then all neither is any able to pluck me out of my Fathers hands Iohn 10. 29. 2. I am uncertaine But how In regard of my selfe but God hath established me in Christ 2 Cor. 1. 21. 3. Neither did Adam stand in innocency nor Sathan in glory True they stood by their owne strength so do not I by Christ I stand and am kept by the power of God to salvation 4. The strongest of Adams posterity have fallen yet not finally Peter was winnowed Paul buffeted But they rose againe their faith did not faile Gods grace was sufficient for them Winnowed I may be buffeted I may be overcome can I not be for my life is hid with Christ in God 5. Mine enemies are many yet more with me then against mee 2 Reg. 6. 6. They are malicious But God is mercifull They are not so strong but God is more strong and although they are watchfull yet I know to my comfort that he that keepeth Israel doth neither slumber nor sleepe and therefore I shall continue Moreover 1. Since it is Gods will to save me Iohn 6. 39. 2. And Gods will shal be done Psal 115. 3. For he can do what he will although he will not doe all he can 4. Since the faithfull formerly beleeved this 2 Tim. 1. 12. For I am perswaded that he is able to keepe that which I have committed to him against that day 4. â—8 Will preserve me c. 5. And warrantably The Apostles and Prophets preaching it 2 Tim. 2. 10. The foundation of God standeth sure having this seale the Lord knoweth who are his 6. Since the gifts and callings of God are without repentance Rom. 11. 29. And so the graces of God are irrevocable in regard of the seed substance and habite of them although not in regard of the actions fruits feeling measure and degrees Psal 51. 9 10 11 12 1â— 7. Since the Lord will finish and perfect his workes of grace once begun Phil. 1. 6. 8. Since in a word I have fellowship with the Father and so intimate that he vouchsafeth to dwell
Majestie and Lords of the Parliament Pag. 216. Lawes therefore saith he are in these loose dayes most requisite to set bounds unto our backe and belly which are even mad with vanitie Whole bookes might be written of our metamorphoses both of diet and apparell And not to flatter you we are the most infamous changelings that are in the world prodigall yea prodigious are the expences that our Nation is at to make it selfe the by-word of other Nations 3. What and if many ignorant and unacquainted in the wayes of righteousnesse consider onely the cariages and conversations of erring men making their thwart and crooked by-paths the rule and square of their imitation deeming their condition safe enough if they can warrant their wayes by the practises of men especially of Preachers thinking themselves to be as good Saints as need be if they can but say such Preachers who are learned men are usurers or drunkards or swearers c. aswell as we they allow of this and that although so much abhorred of the preciser sort and practice the same and therefore we both may and will And will you be covetous cursers of Gods people because the Prophet Balaam was so Will you be trecherous betrayers of the Sonne of God and incarnate Devils because the Apostle Iudas was so Will you be Apostaticall worldings because Demas a Preacher was so Is this to imitate Christ To be as he was in this world To be followers of Paul as he was of Christ But all examples are written for our learning True Yet Ob. An. Ob. Answ not for our observation and imitation But are not the examples of men to be imitated I say not so If pismires if locusts and such like creatures much more is man for imitation so be these examples are followed 1. With choyce selecting those of pious and godly men 2. With judgement imitating the holy ones of God First In their ordinary not extraordinary actions sc such which were done either 1. By singular commandement as Abrahams offering his sonne Gen. 22. 2. By extraordinary instinct as Phinees Num. 25. And Eliah 2 Reg. 1. 10. 3. Or by miracle as Peters walking upon the water 4. Or by custome of countrey as fashions in apparell Zeph. 1. 8. Secondly in their vertues onely not in their vices We must be followers of Saint Paul so of other the Saints of God as they were of Christ 1 Cor. 11. 1. Thirdly with limitation sc as this imitation may stand with our callings and Gods commandements Yet all you who already are ingrafted into this unparalel'd communion and you which desire admittance into the same do you imitate Christ Iesus punctually and precisely in those forenamed particulars living godlily after the rule of Christ suffering patiently after the example of Christ Which if you do you must of necessity resolve 1. To abominate and abandon sinne kill and crucifie the lusts of the flesh and all carnall corruptions 1. There being no agreement twixt light and darknesse 2. God not abiding Sathans image upon his coine 3. There being no possibilitie of serving such dissenting masters 4. These all much disagreeing from our glorious patterne they being the workes of the Devill which hee came to destroy 2. To make progresse in piety and grow in grace For 1. Babes in Christ must grow 1 Pet. 2. 2. Gods Spirit cannot be idle but causeth the just like the shining light to shine more and more unto the perfect day Prov. 4. 18. 3. Christianity is a race wherein they must run 1 Cor. 9. 24. Wherein not to goe forward is to goe backward And Non progredi est regredâ— 4. Christ our patterne increased in wisdome and stature and in favour with God and man Luc. 2. 52. 3. To endure confiscation of goods like those Heb. 10. 34. Defamation of your credit like those 1 Cor. 4. 9. 13. And the losse of life like many thousand Martyrs for Christs sake He endured them all for us we must suffer them all for him Luc. 14. 26 27. And do not reply like the fleshly Capernaites this is a hard saying who can beare it For to suffer the spoyling of these not long lasting transitorie trashy riches to have in heaven a better and an induring substance is no losse but extraordinary advantage To be disgracefully derided and shamefully reproched by men blinded by the God of this world out of their wits starke fooles and of a brutish nature for the confession of Christ and his truth and to have an honourable esteeme from the worlds Creatour the Elects Saviour the Saints Sanctifier the glorious Guarders of Gods Iewels and all Gods people is not any disparagement but great renowne To endure Martyrdome or to suffer death for the Faith of Christ be it after the most ignominious and opprobrious manner and with the most hellish and horrible tortures Sathans agents and himselfe can invent and inflict is pronounced a blessing by the Spirit of Truth Rev. 14. 13. That I may perswade you to this imitation of Christ Iesus I will propound some few sc three inducements or allurements There is nothing more equall just or convenient then for Mot. 1. Christians to imitate Christ He is our unerring King Maister Head and Husband we his subjects servants members and spouse and can any thing better beseeme us then imitation He our Captaine and Commander we his souldiers and is it not reasonable that we should follow him Ioh. 10. 4. Such interest he hath in us that he may justly challenge that of us all which Abimelech commanded his souldiers Iudg. 9. 48. What you have seene me do make hast and do as I have done Other conformity is dangerous and hurtfull Be it to that cunning tempter malicious accuser of the brethren adversary Devill in any his workes Be it to sinne the cause of Devils hell and all judgements and the fore-runner of Damnation Be it to those stigmaticall impes and agents of the Devill who are of their Father Sathan and will do his workes Be it to the world it being enmity to God and not to be beloved of the Saints 1 Ioh. 2. 15. And conformity to it being forbidden Rom. 12. 2. And I thinke most men will conclude that such conformity is dangerous if not damnable Be it to the Saints in such things wherein they have swerved from this heavenly patterne and even this conformity is unallowable and abominable Nothing more commodious and gainefull then to imitate Christ 1. How can they go astray who follow Christ which never did amisse 2. How can they walke in darknesse who follow the true light Ioh. 1. 8. 3. How can they be deceived who follow Christ the truth 4. How can they misse of heaven who follow him which is the way Ioh. 14. 8. 5. How can they wander who follow Christ the light to guide them the way to conduct them and the truth to direct them 6. How can they displease God who imitate his Sonne in whom
abide in you or not For not onely Fantastique Familists Anabaptisticall dreamers and such like factious sects and Sectaries but many other children of Beliall who in truth are as yet habitations for the uncleane spirit and the seven other spirits more wicked to dwell in Math. 12. 43 44. Boast and glory of the happy fruition of Gods Spirit like the false Prophet Zedekiah who notwithstanding was possessed with a lying spirit 1 Reg. 22. 23 24. Search therefore the Scriptures for they testifie of these things and from them you may learne what spirit you are of The Scriptures tell us 1. That where Gods Spirit abideth there is the Spirit of Prayer Rom. 8. 15. We have received the Spirit of adoption whereby we crie Abba Father Verse 16. The Spirit maketh intercession for us 2. Where Gods Spirit abideth there is a new birth regeneration a new creation Ioh. 3. 4. Borne of the Spirit 3. Where Gods Spirit abideth there is holinesse and sanctity 1 Pet. 1. 2. Sanctification of the Spirit Rom. 1. 4. Spirit of holinesse 4. Where Gods Spirit is there is knowledge of all things sc Necessary to salvation 1 Ioh. 2. 20. 5. Where the Spirit of God abideth there must needs be sincerity or uprightnesse 6. Where the Spirit of God abideth there is a testification to a mans owne spirit that he is the child of God Rom. 8. 16. The Spirit beares witnesse with our Spirits that we are the children of God From which grounded Maximes and undeniable Theses drawne from the Word of truth these following inferences must necessarily be concluded 1. That the prayerlesse person sc such a one who prayes not at all or not so with such graces which Gods Spirit prescribes in the Word as necessary companions of pious prayer viz. Knowledge faith sincerity zeale c. in some measure 2. That the unregenerate not converted man who is the same he was ever no changeling having the same mind will affections c. And he who is changed from one evill to another as bad or worse neither of these being truly converted so as to become new creatures 2 Cor. 5. 17. New men Eph. 4. 24. To have new hearts Ezek. 11. 19. And new lives yea all things new 2 Cor. 5. 17. sc wils lives affections sc love hatred c. New eyes Eph. 1. 18. Eares Psal 40. 6. And tast Rom. 8. 5. 3. That the meere civill honest man although he walke as inoffensively as did ever any Heathen Worthy and as plausibly as those justiciary Pharisees being no oppressour paying every man to the mint and anniseed Much lesse therefore the prophane Belial which wallowes in all wickednesse wholly regardlesse of piety of God and righteousnesse to man 4. That the man ignorant and unacquainted in those truths which are necessary to be knowne and the man who although he hath plenty of knowledge floting in the braine and flowing from the tongue yet wants the necessary practique knowledge So that although he is able to discourse learnedly and profoundly yet doth he not believe that he knowes is to be believed love that he knowes is to beloved and do that he knowes is to be done c. in some measure 5. That the flourishing Formalist performing those many excellent and praise-worthy duties he doth onely outwardly for by-ends without the pith marrow and substance of Christianity uprightnesse of heart 6. That the man wholly and altogether wanting the testimony of his owne conscience grounded upon the testimony of Gods Spirit that he is the child of God and he who in stead of the testification of Gods Spirit which ever agreeth to the Word glads and contents himselfe with the wicked spirit of presumption for his living willingly constantly and contentedly in those wicked wayes the Word of God condemnes to hellish torments argues an absence of the testimonie of Gods Spirit for is it possible that Gods Spirit should peremptorily affirme in the Word that no drunkard covetous person hypocrite c. shall inherite the kingdome of heaven and yet testifie to the conscience of a drunkard covetous person hypocrite c. that he is Gods child and shall go to heaven That none of these have the Spirit of Christ abiding in them and therfore no fellowship with Iesus Christ may safely must necessarily be inferred from the forenamed propositions First all you of the former ranke which have the Spirit of prayer true conversion holinesse saving knowledge sincerity of heart and a warrantable assurance in your owne consciences that you are the children of God consequently have the Spirit of God abiding in you and therefore fellowship with the Lord Iesus 1. Be perswaded highly to praise and glorifie the Lord so loving and liberall who hath bestowed such an inestimable treasure upon you as is the Spirit of the Lord the Spirit of wisdome and understanding to teach you the Spirit of counsell to counsell and advise you the Spirit of might to protect and defend you the Spirit of knowledge to instruct you Isa 11. 2. The Spirit of the Lord inabling you to pray and making your prayers acceptable Rom. 8. 26. Bringing you to liberty 2 Cor. 3. 17. Helping your infirmities enlightening your understandings rectifying your judgements reviving your spirits stirring your affections sanctifying all inward gifts and seasoning the use of all outward things unto you assuring you of all the rich treasures in Iesus Christ This being the gift of gifts the head the height the depth the bredth and length of all good things 2. Not to grieve this Holy Spirit of God whereby you are sealed to the day of redemption Eph. 4. 30. By doing any thing contrary to the light which is set up in your consciences by the Word of God and this Spirit least if you vexe him he turnes to be your enemie Isa 63. 10. 3. Not to quench the Spirit 1 Thes 5. 19. Doe not therefore by your security and negligence lose the fruits and effects of the Spirit nor abate the working of grace To lose wholly the saving graces of the Spirit which a man once had as if a man should extinguish fire wholly is not possible the Spirit abiding with such for ever Ioh. 14. 16. But to lose some fruits and effects of the Spirit and to abate the working of grace as if a man should slacke the heate and lose the light of fire doth oft befall the Saints by meanes of their carelesnesse and security 4. To walke after the Spirit Rom. 8. 1. Which are in Christ walke after the Spirit Gal. 5. 25. If you live in the Spirit walke in the Spirit i. By minding liking wishing desiring and affecting the things of the Spirit Rom. 8. 5. And by endeavouring in the whole course of your lives and callings to order your selves according to the will and Word of God for that which is commanded in the Word is enjoyned by the Spirit and to leade a mans life according to the Word is to walke after the Spirit
fellowship 219 c. Grace how like 4. Its spreading nature and excellencie 19 c How it may be lost how not 118 c. We must labour to worke it in others and why 19 c. We must grow in grace if we wil be like Christ 262 263. H HAte sinners and how 10. Sinne and why 39 Hearing of Gods Word needfull and excellent 142 c. Obiections against it answered 143 How to heare and faulty hearers 14â— c. How we must heare and why 172. 181. Heaven hoped for in vaine by many 88. Holinesse See sanctification How the Saints are holy Honour due to God How God is honoured Why with soule and body both Why with the soule especially How with the tongue and life 72 c. Motives to honour God 84 c. Honour of the Saints 198. And of their communion See glory Hope of Saints its excellency 236. Hosts are Gods 122. Husbands duty 203. Saints husband transcendent 46 203. Hypocrites how hurtfull 26 55. I IGnorance hurtfull its fruits 97 273. Inheritance of Saints unparalel'd 45. Inhabitation in Christ See Christ Whence it is 270 271. Ingrossers of corne censured 67. Imitation of God wherein 138 c. Of Christ wherein and why 257. Of men wherein 262. Imprecations to be shunned though Saints have imprecated and why 76. Imputation of Christs righteousnesse 235. Ioy of the Saints 129 192 224. Why they reioyce 239. Iustice of God by whom abused Obiections against it answered 77. Iustification handled with its causes and fruits 233 c. Whence it is how it differs from sanctification 237. How once iustified are alwayes 240. K KNowledge saving honoureth God 73. It is needfull to do Gods will 97. and necessary to enioy Gods Spirit 272. L LAbour in lawfull callings commendable 24. When not to be taxed of covetousnesse 68 103. Labour on the Lords Day See workes Lords Day why so called 150. Duties of the Lords Day See Sabbath Law how it is kept by the Saints 187. It binds How Christians are under the Law how not 184 192. How free from the Law 243 c. Liberalitie See mercy It s excellency 224. Liberty of Christians frees not them from Gods service 192. Not from authority gives not liberty to sinne Frees not from sinne 243. Not from the obedience of the Morall Law 243 c. Wherein Christian liberty consists and its excellency 248 c. Life godly honoureth God 83. Love of God to us how great Gods lovelinesse 49 c. We ought to love God Who truly love him 46 c. Their paucity 47 c. Love to God greatly rewarded the first and great commandement and how 49 c. It honoureth God 74. By it we cleave to God 190 The rule of love 194 c. What the Saints do love 239. Motives to love God 49 c. Love all men why and how all Saints and how 9 c. Love of Saints whence M MAn an excellent creature 85. Serves himselfe sinfully served sinfully how Disswasives Meditation for the Lords Day 165. Delightfull meditations 173. See thoughts Mercy of God what 79 60. To whom it belongs no incouragement to sinne 60 79. By whom it is abused 79. Mercifull workes of diverse sorts Their excellency 170 c. Who must give when how much of what how 13 c. N NEw creatures How Saints have all parts new 238 c. O OAths haÌ„dled by creatures 81. Rashnes Disswasives 81. Excuses answered 82. See swearing Obedience to Gods Law part of the Covenant of mans part 182. P PEace of Saints excellent with them necessary 34 c. What we must yeeld to for peace 36. It s excellency 235. Wicked have no peace 226 c Perfection how Saints perfect how not 139 242. Obiections answered 55. Persecutors of good men wofull 126 c. 209 c. Pharisees what who like them in these dayes 56. Piety a cause of persecution 212. Please God what pleaseth God that is to be chosen 177. Poore of two sorts 68. They must depend upon God 68. Be content 109. Poverty not to be feared 123. Christs poverty 222. Prayerlesse persons woefull 140. What prayers are fruitlesse 140. What kind of prayer is prevailing 141. It is a duty for the Lords Day 170. Yea delightfull 172. It is part of the covenant 182. Needfull 272. Whence it is 270. To pray for earthly things lawfull 103. Preachers are builders 207. Their faults may not keepe us from hearing 143 c. Priviledges of the Saints 218 c. Prophanest people usually the greatest persecutours 212 Profession is good though some Professors are bad 29 c. Providence good and lawfull 68 103. See depend on Gods providence Pure how Saints are pure 141 242. Puritanes what meant 29 212 No Pharisees 56. Not covetous 69. Not of wicked life 214. Scarce any of them begge 70. Or come to the gallowes 113. R REading Scripture and good Bookes a Sabbath duty and how to read 169. Recreation for the Lords Day 171. What is unlawfull 160. Redemption for Gods honour 80 86. It s excellency 86. Regeneration whence 270. It s necessity Danger of its want â— 72. Reliefe See mercy Remission of sinnes a great favour to whom it belongs 224. See forgivenesse Repentance late very dangerous 61 c. Reproofs how to be used who faulty Why we should reprove 32 c. Restitution 17 39. Riotous persons usually covetous 66. Revenge a great sinne 39. Reproches for Christ should not discontent 110. Not to be feared 123. Riches uncertainty 105. Vanity 106. Of the Saints 222 c. S SAbbath Day to be kept holy the name is Morall it s many names Motives to keep it holy and what then lawfull and unlawfull 149 c. Sacraments of the Iewes and ours how the same how differ Excellency of ours 181 c. Saints fellowship See fellowship Their excellency 127. Their portion to be afflicted 126 210 Sanctification handled with its fruits how it differs from iustification 237 c. It is necessary 272. Whence it is 270. Sathan not to be feared 124. His obiections against perseverance answered 119. Scripture though alledged by Hereticks decides controversies 2â—6 Seeking of God a needfull duty what it is manner and meanes of seeking and motives to seeke God 146 c. Servants of God who who not Services of God and of others How to serve God and why bad Masters hindering this service of God 191 c. Sicke persons duty 170 Visiting them a Sabbath duty 170. How to visit who faulty in visiting 170. Sincerity needfull 92 272. Its signes 93. 〈…〉 a Sabbath 〈…〉 ing 〈…〉 Sinnes 〈◊〉 be concealed 23. And why 28. Sinne 〈◊〉 shunned 53. Yea secret sinnes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 57 9â— Least degrees of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all sinne and why sweet sinner 9 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sins of Saints and wicked men 57 c. How good men sinne ibid. What they do having sinned 59. How they are free from sinne 124 245. Their sinnes no incouragements to sin 62 c. 〈◊〉 encouragements answered 60 c. Disswasives from sinne 63 136 c. Sinne must be shunned if we imitate Christ 262. How sinne is infinite 78. God no author of sinne 77. It is an evill master by whom it is served disswasives from serving it 198. Sinnes of former times â—s great as now 254 255. Why seeme greater now 255. Sheepe of Christ their duty 276. Sonnes of God who 201. Their duty See Father Society See fellowship Soule is to honour God and first 73. Sparing how commendable 25. Spirit of God dwels in Saints Its fruits in them their miserie who want and scorne this co-habitation 270 271. Who falsly boast of the Spirit Who have who want the Spirit 272 273. Duties of both 274. How the Spirit is grieved how quenched how gotten how kept 275. Sports whether lawfull on the Lords Day Reasons Disswasives 160 c. Strength Spirituall whence 207. Swearing now an honour to God 80 Anabaptists confuted Disswasives from all evill kinds of swearing 80 c. Excuses answered 81 c. Sorrow of Saints 239. Sufferings See afflictions T TOngue is to honour God 74. Many wayes 74 c. Thoughts unlawfull on Gods Day 164. Time-serving hurtfull 93. V VIsiting the sicke a Sabbath duty How who faulty 170 Vsury a filthy sinne 92 100. W VVAnts temporall how supplied to the Saints 123. Will of God must be done 88. It s reward 88. It must be done totally 90 Faithfully 92. Timely 93. Continually 95. Meanes motives let removed 96 c. Mans will contrary to Gods 97. Word of God a Word of faith grace salvation reconciliation life 142. It s excellency 75 172. It is to be talked of 74. Not to be iested with 75. No to defend vice nor disâ—hearten vertue 75. Not to be used in charmes 76. Words not fit for the Lords Day 163. What then commendable 167 c. Workes of God for his glory mans good 165. Workes unlawfull for the Lords Day with disswasives 157. World by whom served disswasives from serving it 197. Wrath a great sinne 39. Wicked men are fooles 128. Their society to be shunned and why 6 c. 135 c. Y YOung people should do Gods will and why 93.