calls when he will Caesar when he saw Alexanders Statue wept having though young done so much when himself had done so little Dost thou see a green one in the way to Heaven when thou a gray one art in the way to Hell Here 's cause for mourning but not for despairing because God who can have mercy on whom he will will have mercy when he will 2. To those in a state of Grace 1. Art gray but gracious make then death familiar There are few that have much familiarity with Christ when they die but those that have made death familiar before they die That 's the soul that goes singing home when he dies that makes death familiar while he lives That 's the soul that can laugh death in the face when he dies that makes death familiar while he lives This is the soul that through grace can say Oh death where is thy sting Oh grave 2 Tim. 4.6 where is thy victory Paul had not only a knowledge that he should not long live before he died for he could say I know the time of my departure is at hand Phil. 1.23 but he had made death very familiar while he lived for he could say I desire to depart and to be with Christ which is far much better Man is a Mass of Mutabilities be daily therefore reading Lectures upon thy mutability Man is but a wink of life be daily therefore reading Lectures upon thy mortality the Heathens Embleme for life Oculus apertus oculus clau 〈◊〉 was an eye opâ—n and for death an eye shut as if there were no more difference between the living and the dying but the twinkling of an eye 2. Art gray and gracious multiply cries then for thy children if thou hast children Thus Abraham did Oh that Ishmael might live in thy sight Now he having such a spirit of Prayer would not only pray for the life of his body but also for the life of his soul according to my Charity towards him Thus David did for the child he had by Bathsheba at first the child was sick He prayed and fasted and lay upon the earth all night Now David 2 Sa. 12.16 having such a spirit of Prayer such is my charity concerning him also did not only pray for the life of the body but also for the life of the soul Have not many sick children and some sinful children multiply cries then for these Oh Lord make this Ishmael an Isaac Oh Lord make this Esau a Jacob Oh Lord make this Cain an Abel Oh Lord make this Benoni a Benjamin this son of sorrow a son of my right hand Oh Lord make this Dinah a daughter of Abraham this wandring daughter a believing daughter 3. Art gray and gracious and hast children concern thy soul then with their Education Good Parents good Masters good Tutors and good Guardians are many times great Blessings to Children Now that Parents are to look after the Education of their Children ther 's both Precept and President Precept Commands are Obligatory the Commands of God and Christ are not to be Dispenced with these are to be Dispatched not Disputed a Dispensation from the Italian-Monster is altogether Insignificiant as to these Commands Now that there is a Parental obligation for a filial Education is evident And ye Fathers provoke not your Children to wrath lest they be discouraged Eph. 6.4 but bring them up in the Nurture and Admonition of the Lord. Nutriment of Soul as well as Nourishment of Body should be in the Parents Eye If the Father be desirous that the Body of the Child should grow bigger he is to be more then desirous that the soul of the Child should grow better Only take heed to thyself Deu. 4.9.10 and keep thy soul diligently lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen and lest they depart from thy heart all the dayes of thy life but teach them thy Sons and thy Sons Sons Specially the day that thou stoodst before the Lord thy God in Horeb when the Lord said unto me Gather the people together and I will make them hear my words that they may learn to fear me all the dayes that they shall live upon the Earth and that they may teach their Children This is still evident by what follows These words which I command thee this day Deu 6.6 7. shall be in thy heart And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy Children and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house and when thou walkest by the way and when thou liest down and when thou risest up Once more Isa 38.9 The Fathers to the Children shall make known thy Truth 2. President How careful were the Heathen that Chidren might have Education Morally good Now not Christian Parents Believing Parents endeavour an Education Spiritually good An Vnbroken heart and an Vnchatechised head Gen. 18 19. will keep distance enough between a Sinless Creator and a Sinfull Creature Is there not sufficient President for this Practise Did not Abraham read Divinity Lectures to his Family Take the Testimony of God himself For I know him that he wlll Command his Children and his Household after him and they shall keep the way of the Lord to doe Justice and Judgment c. Thus Abraham did and did there not grow upon the Stalk of his Instructions as as eminent service and obedience to the Father of flesh and to the Father of spirits as ever was was not Isaac willing to offer his Throat to the sacrificing Knife was not Isaac's faith great as well as Abrahams the sons as well as the fathers And was not the son's life as dear to him as the fathers son was to him Once more and no more as to this I will open my mouth in a Parable I will utter dark sayings of old which we have heard and known and our Fathers have told us we will not hide them from their childrer shewing to the generation to come the Praises of the Lord c. for he established a Testimony in Jacob and appointed a Law in Israâ—l which he commanded our fathers that they should makâ— them known to their children that the generation to come might know them even the children which should be born who should arise and declare them to their children Ps 78.2 3 4 5 6 7. That they might set their hope in God and not forget the Works of God but keep his Commandments Question 1. But what Reasons may be given besides Precept and President why Parents should Concern their Souls with the education of their Children Solution 1. Because of its ordinary Tendency Train up a Child in the way he should goe what then and when he is old he will not depart from it In which words Pro. 22. â— you have the Fathers Duty and the Childs Mercy the one to train up when young the way he should goe the other to be trained up when young the way he
â—zek 18. â—0 so iniquity shall not be your ruine Now Soul is sin thus and wilt thou make a mock at it 5. Ther 's but one thing in all the world contrary to the Image of God and that 's sin Grace and Holiness stampt upon the soul is the Image of God upon the soul God made Man in his own likeness that is in righteousness and holiness for so the Apostle wordeth it And put on the new man which after God is created in righteousness â—ph 4.24 and holiness of truth Now Sin is as contrary to holiness as deformity to beauty as darkness to light as death to life as Hell to Heaven Sin is the Devils Image Grace is Gods Image Sinners are like Satan â— Jo. 3.8 He that committeth sin is of the Devil He is not only a servant but a child of the devil â—ohn 8 44 Ye are of your Father the devil said a sinless Jesus to the sinful Jews Never was a child more like a father then a sinner is like Satan Now wilt thou make any longer a mock at sin 6. Ther 's but one thing in all the world that 's opposite to the people of God and that 's Sin 'T is Sin and Sin onely that wars against the seed of God and of Grace in them 〈◊〉 5.17 The flesh lusteth against the Spirit 'T is true Sin and Satan cannot hate thee so much as God loves thee nor do thee so much hurt as God can do thee good but Sin and Satan too will do their worst Dearly beloved 2 Pet. 2.1 I beseech you as Pilgrims and Strangers abstain from fleshly lusts Why which war against the soul Now wilt thou any longer make a mock at sin 7. There 's but one thing in all the world that 's contrary to the Nature of God and that 's Sin God is holy his Name is holy his Nature is Holiness As his Name is so is He Holy all holy yea he is so and cannot but be so God is without compare for holiness Who is like unto thee Jehovah among the Gods Ex. 15.11 who is like unto thee glorious in holiness fearful in Praises doing wonders Now as God is holy all holy altogether holy alway holy so sin is sinful all sinful altogether sinful alway sinful In me that is Ro. 7.18 in my flesh in my corrupt nature dwelleth no good thing As in God there is no evil so in sin there is no good As God is the chiefest of Goods so sin is the chiefest of evils As no good can be compared with God for goodness so no evil can be compared with sin for evil Now wilt thou any longer make a mock at sin 8. Ther 's but one thing in all the world that 's an enemy to the Trinity and that 's sin As God is the greatest enemy to sin so sin is the greatest enemy to God Sin is against the very essence and existence of God Sin is an enemy to the Father Son Spirit 1. Sin that 's an enemy to the Father They are Sinners that say Depart from us for we desire not the knowlâ—dge of thy wayes Iob 21.14 2. Sin that 's an enemy to the Son They were Sinners that said Crucifie him crucifie him Io. 19.6 3. Sin that 's an enemy to the Spirit They are Sinners that resist the holy Spirit As your Fathers did Acts 7.51 so do ye Thus Sin is an enemy to Father Sin Spirit Though Sin be against all good yet not so much against any good as against God and that because he is the chiefest good Now wilt thou any longer make a mock at Sin But as I did begin so I must end Oh soul hug no longer this Monster this Monster of Monsters Play no longer with this bait Oh do not any longer play with Hell and sport with the Devil Oh flee from Sin as from a most Pestilential plague Oh let this Text and Truth ring in thine eares whensoever and whithersoever thou goest Fools make a mock at Sin Fools make a mock at Sin but with the Righteous there is favour 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rom. 6.23 FINIS Books Printed and are to be sold by John Hancock at the Sign of the Three Bibles in Popes-Head-Alley in Cornhil TWelve Books lately published by Mr. Thomas Brooks late Preacher of the Gospel at Margarets New Fish-street 1. Precious Remedies against Satans Devices Or Salve for Believers and unbelievers sores being a Companion for those that are in Christ or out of Christ that slight or neglect Ordinances under a pretence of living above them that are growing in spirituals or decaying that are tempted or deserted afflicted or opposed that have assurance or want it on 2 Cor. 2.11 2. Heaven on Earth Or A serious discourse touching a well-gâ—ounded Assurance of Mans everlasting happiness and blessedness discovering the nature of Assurance the possibility of attaining it the causes Springs and Degrees of it with the resolution of several weighty Questions on Rom. ch 8. v. 32 33 34. 3. The Vnsearchable Riches of Christ Or Meat for strong men and milk for babes held forth in two and twenty Sermons from Eph. 3.8 Preached on his Lecture-nights at Fish-street-hill 4. His Apples of Gold for Young Men and Women And A Crown of glory for Old Men and Women Or the happiness of being good betimes and the Honour of being an Old Disciple clearly and fully discovered and closely and faithfully applied With the young mans objections answerd and the old mans Doubts resolved 5. A String of Pearls Or The best things reserved till last delivered in a Sermon preached in London June 8. 1657. at the Funeral of that triumphant Saint Mrs. Mary Blake late Wife to his worthy friend Mr. Nicholas Blake Merchant 6. The Mute Christian with sovereign Antidotes against the most miserable Exigents Or A Christian with an Olive-leaf in his mouth when he is under the greatest afflictions the sharpest and forest trials and troubles the saddest and darkest Providences and changes with Answers to divers Questions and Objections that are of great importance all tending to win and work souls to be still quiet calm and silent under all changes that have or that may pass upon them in this world c. lately printed and dedicated to all afflicted distressed dissatisfied disquieted and discomposed Christians throughout the World 7. An Ark for all Gods Noahs in a stormy day Wherein is shewed the transcendent Excellency of a Believers Portion on Lam. 3.24 8. The Crown and Glory of Christianity Or Holiness the only way to Happiness discovered in 48 Sermons on Heb. 12 14. 9. The Privy Key of Heaven Or A Discourse of Closet-Prayer Twenty Arguments for it with the Resolutions of several considerable Questions c. 10. A Heavenly Cordial for all that have had or escaped the Plague c. 11. A Cabinet of Precious Jewels or a Box of Precious Oyntments 12. Londons Lamentations Mr. Calamy's Godly Mans Ark. Christ Communion with his Church Militant by Nicholas Loâ—kver Sin the Plague of Plagues by Ralph Venning The Accurate Accomptant or London Merchanâ— â—eing Instructions for keeping Merchant Accounts by â—homas Brown Accountant Short-writing the most Easie Exact Lineal and â—peedy Method that hath ever yet been obtained by Thomas Metcalf Also a Book called a School-master to it explaining the Rules thereof A Copy Book of the newest and most useful Hands Bridges Remains being Eight Choice Sermon 's by â—hat Reverend Divine Mr. William Bridges heretofore Minister at Yarmouth A Discourse of Christs coming by Theophilus Gale King James his Counterblast to Tobacco A Brief Deâ—cription of New York The Shepherds Legacy or forty years Experience of the Weather Venninâ—'s Remains or Christ School consisting of four Classis of Christians viz. Babes Children Young-men and Fathers being the substance of many Sermons by Ralph Venning Prepared for the Press by him self before his Death A Disswasive from Conformity to the World as also Gods severity against Impenitent Sinners with a Farewel Sermon by Henry Stubs Minister of the Gospel Baxters poor mans Family-Book Luthers 84 special and Choice Sermons Comae Berenices or the Hairy Comet The Young mans Conflict with and Victory oveâ— Devil by Faith or a True and Perfect Relation of thâ— Experiences of Thom. Powel begun in the fifteenth anâ— Continned till the seventeenth Year of his Age Gospel-Love heart-prurity atd the Flouishing oâ— Righteous being the Last Sermons of the Late Reverend Mr Joseph Caryl All sold by John Hancock as aforesaid FINIS
And a so running so run that ye may obtain It is as true Mat. 24.46 1 Co. 9.24 Acts 8.30 there is a so reading Understandest thou what thou readest Now that thou mayst not only read but so read Gods Book and Mans Book if the Book of Man be according to the Book of God take these following Directions Be conscientious in reading Direct 1. 'T is not enough to own Duty but we must be one with the Duty which we own 'T is not cursory but a cordial and conscientious reading 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Col. 3.23 that 's promising for an advantagiâ—ous issue Whatsoever ye do do it heartily from the heart from the very soul 2. Let not one Duty justle out another There 's hearing as well as reading and praying as well as hearing pray before thoâ— readest and pray over what thou readest Not only reading but also exhortation and doctrine were at the same time anâ— with the same breath imposed by Paul upon Timothy Give thy self to reading to exhortation 1 Tim. 4.13 and to doctrine 3. Engage the Spirits Influence and Impress It will be to little purpose and profiâ— to engage in this work without the Spirit 'T is the Spirit that searcheth all things 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Co. 2.10 yea the Depths of God so the Greek 4. Let thy heart be a Cabinet for what thou readest Jewels are not onely to bâ— looked upon but also to be locked up Bâ— in a holy imitation of that holy Matronâ— who kept the sayings of her Son Luk. 2.51 yea of heâ— Saviour in her heart 5. Make Faith of what thou readest Therâ— must be believing as well as reading Forâ— as the Precept is a Rule for Obedience 〈◊〉 the Promise is a Ground for faith ' Tâ—â— â—ike to be with Reading as it was with Preaching not profiting Heb. 42. not being mixed with faith 6. Look unto Jesus There 's no going about this work without Christ For without him we can do nothing Look unto him therefore as the Actor as well as the Author of Grace Ioh. 15.7 Now that this Christ may be with Thee and signally bless reading unto Thee cordially prays Reader Thy Friend and Servant for Jesus sake RI. MAYHEW THE CHILD'S DUTY ECCL 12.1 first part thereof Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy Youth THAT Solomon Israels Sage is the Pen-man of this Book of Ecclesiastes or the Preacher appeareth both from the Style thereof and from the Title thereof In this Book ye have the Inscription of it and then 〈◊〉 general Proposition about it 1. An Inscription The Words of the Preacher Eccl. 1.1 Son of David King in Jerusalem Now in this Inscription you have a Description of Solomon in a threefold Relation 1. In his natural Relation the Son of David 2. In his Civil Relation King in Jerusalem And that this is Solomon is evident for David had no other Son King in Jerusalem 3. In his spiritual Relation A Preacher The words of the Preacher Son of David King in Jerusalem 2. A general Proposition This sets forth the utter insufficiency of all things under thâ— Sun to make a man truly happy and blessed together with the extream vanity which is in them in order to such an end Now this is proved two ways 1. From the Mortality of man One Generation passeth away and another Generation cometh Eccl. 1.4 but the Earth abideth for ever 2. From the Instability of all other Creatures 1. In respect of their weakness to minister satisfaction to so noble a creature as man Thâ— Sun ariseth goeth down and hasteth to thâ— place where he arose The wind goeth towarâ— the South Eccl. 1.5 6 7. and turneth about unto the North it whirleth about continually and returneth again to its Cireuits All the Rivers run into the Sea yet the Sea is not full unto the placâ— from whence the Rivers come they return 2. In respect of the restless and fruitlesâ— labour which is taken in seeking satisfaction from such things as only affect the senses All things are full of labour man cannot utter it Eccl. 1.8 the eye is not satisfied with seeing nor thâ— ear filled with hearing 3. In respect of the continued Vicissitudes and Returns of the same things The thing that hath been it is that which shall be and that which is done is that which shall be done and there is no new thing under the Sun Eccl. 1.9 10 11. c. 4. From Solomons own Experience in these â—hings Vauity of vanities saith the Preacher â—â—ll is vanity This also is vanity and vexation â—f spirit Not onely vanity Eccl. 1.2 chap. 2.26 and so unâ—ble to satisfie the soul but also Vexation â—ausing much sorrow of heart to those that â—â—re inordinately conversant about them But to the Text Remember now thy Creâ—tor in the days of thy youth Now rememâ—er now In the Greek and vulgar Latin â—now is and And remember thy Creator in the â—ays of thy youth 'T is well read either way This Text is an Exhortation unto a timely â—nd youthful remembring of God and so â—ook like an Inference drawn from the vanity â—f Childhood Eccl. 11.10 and youth with which the â—ormer Chapter ends for childhood and â—outh are vanity Remember now thy Creaâ—or in the days of thy youth Wherein you â—ave the Object the Act and the Season for that Act upon thee 1. The Object Creator or Creators Father â—on and Spirit the first purposing the second â—urchasing the third Perfecting 2. The Act Remember This word hath vaâ—ious significations but properly it signifies to â—all to mind or keep in mind yea to call to mind â—nd keep in mind Thus Peter remembred the â—ords of the Lord. He reflected what he had â—een a doing and resorded what he had done So then a remembrance is properly a call to mind and keeping in mind Art thou câ—â—â—â— to call my sin to remembrance and to slay son 3. The Season Now or in the days of tâ—â— Youth Here 's the Season for the Act 〈◊〉 on the Object Seaeson in the days of thy Youth 〈◊〉 not said in the Years of thy Youth but in 〈◊〉 days of thy Youth It is not said in the Tâ—â—â— of thy Youth but in the days of thy Youâ—â— to intimate that our life is but a few day it 's but a vapour a span a flower a shadowâ— dream Though Death be before the 〈◊〉 Mans face yet Death may be behind tâ—â— young Mans back In the days thereforâ— of thy youth while thou art yet young veâ—â— young in the beginning of thy days rememâ—â—â— thy Creator yea Creators Father Son aâ—â— Spirit Remember the VVill of the first tâ—â— Worth of the Second the Work of the Thirâ—â— To the making of Man a Council was call in Heaven Gen. 1.26 Come let us make man Remeâ—ber the Father so as to know him and 〈◊〉 inwardly yea intimately acquainted wiâ—â— him
should goe that when he is old he may not depart from it God who wills all men to be saved is pleased to bless the Fathers Duty and make it the Childs Mercy Soul Education in Childhood is often and Ordinarily though not alway blessed to Children 'T is true Joash King of Jerusalem was Seemingly Religious 2 Chro. 24. 2.17 18. so long as Jehoiada lived but Jehoiada dying the Religion of Joash seemed to be laid in the same Grave with him no sooner did Jehoiada dye but the Religion of Joash dyed also Thus possibly it may be that old age may out-live Education in Childhood but 't is not Vsually so at least 't is not alway so let Parents therefore Concern their Souls with the Education of Children 2. Because all Children are Children of Wrath by Nature Paul writing to the Saints at Ephesus and to the faithful in Christ Jesus tells them in words at length That they had in times past their Conversation in the lusts of the flesh fulfilling of the desires or according to the Greek the wills of the flesh Eph. 1.1 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Eph. 2.30 and of the mind and were by nature Children of wrath even as others Now are Children Naturally Children of wrath Are they Obnoxious to the pouring out of the Vials of infinite and unmixed wrath Are they in a desperate state in a dangerous state in a damnable state Oh how Incumbent then is it upon Parents to look after their Education 3. Because a mans Children are himself Children are Parents Multiplyed Children are neer unto Parents The Apostle hath a lofty Expression Concerning the Relation between a Husband and a Wife Husbands love your Wives even as Christ loved the Church Eph. 5.25 26 27 28. and gave himself for it That he might Sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word that he might present it to himself a Glorious Church not having Spot or Wrinkle or any such thing but that it should be holy and without blemish So ought men to love their Wives as their own bodyes he that loveth his Wife loveth himself Thus ther 's a neer Relation between a Father and a Child a Mother and a Child and do not one come out of the Bowels of the other Let Parents therefore look to the Education of their Children Cameliâ— the Mother of the Gracchi Haec sunt Ornamenmea 4. Because Children are a mans Cheifest and Choicest Chattels I have read of a Matron of Campania who laying before Camelia her pearls with her costly Attires and Furnitures Camelia held her in discourse till her Sons came home and then Pointing to her Sons said These are my Ornaments these are my Jewels Children are the greatest Jewels and the richest goods in a mans worldly Inventory The Spirit therefore staging the Suffering of Job begins with his Children There were born unto him seven Sons and three Daughters Job 1 2. The man had no less then ten Children And more Sons then Daughters he had seven Sons and three Daughters Children if Beautifyed and Blessea with Grace are a great blessing the Greatest blessing for a Mutable and a Mortal blessing let Parents therefore look to the Education of their Children 5. Because the real Change of a Child and that in Childhood makes Musick upon Earth Oh what Musick was there upon the return of the Prodigall Bring hither said the Father the best Robe what shall he who probably had scarcely a Rag to his back have a Robe now yea the best Robe now put upon him Put a Ring on his Finger What shall he who possibly had not a Glove for his hand have now a Ring for his Finger Put shooes on his Feet Luke 19.22 23. Is the man Shooe-less and shall he have Shooes Put upon his feet now Bring hither also the Fatted Calf and kâ—ll it What shall he who fed upon Husks at best before eat of the Fatted Calf now Bring hither the Fatted Calf and kill it and let us eat and be merry My Son was dead and is alive again and was lost and is found and they began to be merry Ther 's Musick upon Earth for the change of a Child let Parents therefore look to the Education of Children 6. Because the real Change of a Soul makes Musick in Heaven As Men so Angels Rejoyce at a Change of Sinners There shall be joy in heaven over one Sinner that repenteth Luk. 15.7 more then over ninety and nine just Persons which need no Repentance That is which see no need of Repentance There is joy in heaven in the presence of the Angels of God over one Sinner that Repenteth Lu. 15.10 Now if there be such Musick upon Earth and in Heaven too upon the real Change of a Sinner let Parents then look to the Education of their Children 7 Because of the Promise The promise it unto you and to your children and to all that are afar of Acts 2.39 But who are these to as many as the Lord our God shall call that is effectually call But what is the Promise The Promise is the gift of the holy Spirit Repent and be baptised Acts 2.38 every one of you in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and ye shall receive the gift of the holy Spirit That is if I mistake not a greater efflux of the Spirit I will peure water upon him that is thirsty and floods upon the dry Ground Isa 44.3 I will poure my Spirit upon thy Seed and my blessing upon thy Off-Spring Take one place more As for me this is my covenant with them saith Jehovah my Spirit that is upon thee Isa 59.21 and my words which I have put in thy mouth shall not depart out of thy mouth nor out of the mouth of thy Seed nor out of the mouth of thy seeds Seed saith Jehovah from henceforth and for ever Is not this a good Encouragement now and is there not strength of reason that Parents should look after the Education of their children 8. Because of the Times What reason the Apostle gives for Redeeming of time may I give for Educating children Redeeming the time why because the dayes are evil So Educate Children Religiously why Eph. 5.16 because the dayes are evil Is not the time evil evilly evil and shall not children be religiously educated Did ever any Age sin as this doth and ever any place sin as England doth where there was such a plentiful and powerful Preaching of the Gospel Oh the Madness and Murder now Oh the Prefaneness and Polygamy now Oh the Fornication and Adultery now Oh the Cursing and Swearing Cheating and circumventing now Oh the Carnality and Covetousness now Oh that Pestilential and Prodigious Atheism now Doth not Atheism begin to break her Banks What Foundation-truth almost is there that is not unbelieved now or Disputed now or opposed now Doth not all manner of Sin come in like an
greatest Tribulations and Temptations My grace is sufficient for thee As if Christ had said though thy Barrel be empty mine is not though thy Cruse be empty mine is not My grace is sufficient for thee Paul there is matter enough in the Ocean though thou hast but a little in thy Pitcher Of his fulness have we all received grace for grace Oh but though this Text be a truth Jo. 1.16 what is Text and truth to me unless mine This Text Objest and truth is made to Christians but I question whether I be a Christian There must be the Application of a Promise as well as the Apprehension of a Promise Others may apply themselves to promises but Christians only can apply the promises to themselves Oh I question whether I be a Christian Solu 1. 'T is possible for Christians to question whether they be Christians was it not strange and might it not have been ranked among the wonders of the world that John John the Baptist John the Forerunner of Jesus should send two of his Disciples to Christ and ask Art thou he that should come Mat. 11.23 Lam. 3.18 or do we look for another Is it not Strange that the Church should say My strength and my hope is perished from the Lord And is it not strange that the Church should also say not only forsaken but forgotten though doubting be sinning yet there may be doubting not only before but also after believing O thou of little Faith said Christ to Peter Wherefore didst thou doubt Isa 49 14. Mat. 14.31 2. A true Christian is truely in Christ As a Christian is from Christ so in Christ that is Actually in Christ he is one with Christ As the Branch is one with the Vine so is the Christian one with Christ As there is a time when the soul is out of Christ Eph. 2.12 At that time ye were without Christ So there is a time when the soul is in Christ But now in Christ Jesus Eph. 2 13. 3. Art a Disciple of Christ then thou art a Christian The Disciples were called Christians first in Antioch Acts 1â— 26 But how shall I know that I am a Disciple of Christ Quest 'T is true if there be any Christians in the World they are the Disciples of Christ but how shall I know that I am a Disciple of Christ 1. A Disciple of Christ is under the teaching of Christ Sol. As none teacheth like unto Christ he is the Paragon and Prince of Prophets so those that are Christs are under the teaching of Christ. Eph. 4.21 But ye have not so learned Christ if so be that ye have heard him and have been taught by him as the truth is in Jesus 2. A Disciple of Christ is under the leading of Christ As taught by him and his Spirit Rom 8.14 so led by him and his Spirit As many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the Sons of God 3. The Disciples of Christ are believing ones 'T is said upon Christs Miracle in Cana of Galilee Jo. 2.11 that his Disciples believed on him 4. The Disciples of Christ are Observing ones Mat. 26.19 The Disciples did as Jesus appointed them and made ready the Passover Not only what but as 5. The Disciples of Christ are Persevering ones If ye continue in my word then are ye my Disciples indeed Jo. 8.31 6. The Disciples of Christ are Faithful ones We have forsaken all Mat. 19.27 and followed thee what shall we have therefore 7. The Disciples of Christ are Fruitful ones Herein is my father glorified that ye bring forth much fruit Io. 15.8 so shall ye be my Disciples That is so shall ye manifest your selves to be my Disciples 8. The Disciples of Christ are Lovers of Christ 'T is said of that John who appears an Evangelist in his Gospel an Apostle in his Epistles and a Prophet in his book of the Revelations that he was the Disciple which leaned on Christs breast As looking Io. 21.20 so leaning demonstrate loving 9. The Disciples of Christ are Lovers of those that are Christs By this shall all men know that ye are my Disciples Io. 13.35 if ye have love one to another But as I did begin so I must end Art in Christ Art a Christian Art a Disciple of Christ Art taught by Christ and led by Christ dost believe in Christ and obey Christ Dost persevere in the way and worship of Christ Art faithful to Christ and fruitful before Christ art a L ver of Christ and of those that are Christs then draw water out of this Well then manifest a holy and a Heavenly Triumph for there is a Sufficiency of grace in Christ for thee under all thy troubles and Trials under all thy Temptations and Tribulations And he said unto me My Grace is Sufficient for thee PSAL. 84.11 Jehovah God is Sun and a shield Jehovah will give grace and Glory SIN the Folly of Sinners Prov. 14.9 Part thereof Fools make a Mock at Sin That Solomon Israels Sage was the Author of this Book in general is generally acknowledged but so as David of the Psalmes for as all the Psalmes were not made by David so all those Proverbs were not made by Solomon but as the Psalmes are called Davids so the Proverbs are called Solomons Either 1 because he was the maker of a good and great part of them Or 2 because he was the Collector and Approver of the rest Now as the Author of this Book of the Proverbs is easily known by his Name Solomon the Son of David King of Israel so the Argument of this Book is as easily known by the Inscription it bears the Proverbs A Proverb and a Parable differ more in sound then in sense they are very neer Affinity They are the Speeches of Wisedome Prov. 1.1.6 They are the Extracts and Spirits of Wisedome These Proverbs are called Aenigmata dark sentences So that a Proverb properly signifie a Parable and a Parable properly signifie a Proverb Proverbs as well as Psalmes are like Islands that have little if any Neighborhood one with another which leads me to the words of the Text Fools make a mock at sin This Text is an entire proposition of it self wherein you have 1. The Person 2. A Description of these Persons 1. A Description of them by their Folly Fools 2. A Description of their Folly They make a mock at sin Fools make a mock at sin The meditation is made to my hand and 't is of the Spirits making now as who ought so who dares but a daring sinner go about to mend what the Spirit have made so then the meditation shall be word for word Meditation with the words of the Text. That Fools make a mock at sin Now if a Methodical discourse may not be blasted but blessed three things by way of method Method the explaining of it the
And Peter went out and wept bitterly Who would that is in his wits and have not given to his reason a bill of divorce disoblige a Friend and provoke a Foe As God therefore is the best Friend and should not be disobliged so he is the worst Foe and should not be provoked Stand in awe and sin not Psal Oh 't is better to suffer then to sin better to suffer a thousand times then to sin once and better to suffer a thousand Deaths if a man could suffer so many then to sin and suffer for sin the second death Oh soul get into a Closet while fools make a mock at sin and there cry Oh Lord let me be sick rather then sinning Oh Lord let me be sighing rather then any thing Oh let me rather dye to sin then live and sin Oh let me rather dye that I might not sin then live and sin 1. Dost make a mock at sin Tremble foul for God is not mocked 2. To the foolish Thou mayest deceive thy self and deceive others but thou canst not deceive God It is impossible to impose deceit upon God Be not deceived God is not mocked for whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap He that soweth to the flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption but he that soweth to the Spirit Gal. 6.7 8. shall of the Spirit reap life Everlasting Thou mayst make a mock at sin and make a mock at the grace of others as Ishmael did at the grace of Isaac but God cannot be mocked And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian which she did bear unto Abraham mocking 2. Dost make a mock at sin Tremble soul for as thou art mocking in a time of prosperity so God will be mocking in a time of adversity Because I have called â—v 1 2â—â— 26 27. and ye refused I have stretched ouâ— my hands and no man regarded but ye have set at nought all my counsel and would none of my reproof But what then I also will laugh at your calamity I will mock when your fear cometh when your fear cometh as desolation and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind To make a mock at sin is to sport with sin To this the Apostle speaks Sporting themselves with their own deceivings And to sport with sin 1.2.13 is to take pleasure and delight in sin As 't is the Spirit of Godliness to delight in God so 't is the spirit of sinfulness to delight in sin Sin is the element of a sinner That they all might be damned which believed not the truth â—hes 2. but had pleasure in unrighteousness The Fish is not more in its element when in the water then a sinner is in his element when he is sinning sinning with a high hand sining with both hands when he is adding Drunkenness to Thirst adding sin to sin To mock at sin is to sport with sin to sport with sin is to take pleasure in sin There are many and is it not pitty there should be any that do not onely take pleasure in their own sinning but also in the sinning of others but against these the Apostle thunders Who knowing the Judgment of God Rom. â— 32 that they which commit such things are worthy of Death not onely do the same but have pleasure in them that do them Now these are the Persons that are mockers at sin and these seem to me to be under a prodigious preparation and qualification for destruction and damnation 3. Dost make a mock at sin Go then and sin no more may not I say to thee as Christ did to the Adultress Go and sin no more May not I also say to thee as Christ did to the impotent man Sin no more least a worse thing come unto thee Io. 8 1â— Io. 5.14 Now that thou mayst not make any more a mock at sin take these following Considerations 1. Ther 's but one thing in all the World Considerations that 's opposite to the well-being of man and that 's sin Sin is against the well-being of man in this life 'T is true man was born to a great estate but by Sin which was and is Treason against God he forfeited all Paradise was Mans Inheritance but God for his sin dispossessed him of it Man was Emperour of Eden but God for his Sin banished him his native Countrey We brought nothing into this world 1 Tim. 6.7 and it is certain we can carry nothing out Man in this world is but a Tenant at will and seeing he deserves nothing he should be content with and thankful for any thing Now wilt thou make a woâ—k at sin 2. There 's but one thing in all the world that 's against the Being of man and that 's sin As sin would not suffer a man to be well in the world so not suffer a man to be long in the world Sin is not only against the well-being but also against the very being of man Sin would not only that man should not be well but also that he should not at all be Oh how many doth Sin strangle in the Womb Oh how many Abortives and Miscarriages doth Sin make Oh how many doth Sin send from the Cradle to the Grave that have run their race before they begin to go Man no sooner begins to live but he begins to die Sin hath reduced mans age to a very little pittance from almost a thousand years to a few years yea to a few days He that is born to day is not sure to live a day He that is born to day is old enough to die For what is our life it is even as a vapour which for a little time appeareth Jam. 4.1 and then vanisheth away Now wilt thou make a mock at sin 3. There 's but â—â—e thing in all the world that is a Reproach to Persons and that 's Sin Sin lays a person under infamy Sin is such a spot and stain as nothing but blood will wash out 'T is not properly a reproach for a person to be poor Poverty is not properly a reproach He that mocketh the poor Pro. 14.3 reproacheth his Makes The poor and the rich the Lord is the Maker of them all But now sin is a reproach to persons a Reproach to Nations Righteousness exalteth a Nation but sin is a reproach to any people or according to the Margent Nations Righteousness exalteth a Nation but sin is a reproach to Nations Now is sin thus and wilt thou make a mock at it 4. Ther 's but one thing in all the world that 's a ruine to persons and that â— Sin Ahaz would sacrifice to the gods of the King of Syriâ— that they might help him but they were the ruine of him and of all Israel Sin is not only the reproach of a person but the ruine of a person not only the reproach of a Nation but the ruine of a Nation Repent ye and turn from all your transgressions