Selected quad for the lemma: spirit_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
spirit_n	father_n	ghost_n	son_n	36,902	5	6.3305	4	true

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A56309	The weavers shuttle displayed and the swiftness thereof unfolded, or, The words of a dying man to a dying people, in the midst of a dying nation wherein is held forth I. That the time is short, the way is narrow, the prize is great, the runners are many, the obtainers few, II. That repentance and turning to God is not in one call or command, wherefore wait upon the means appointed by God to work it, and that diligently and constantly this work deferred will be still greater, the time to do it wil[l] be shorter, the strength to do it by wil[l] be less, III. If we endeavour to the uttermost to improve the present opportunity and ability that the Almighty gives us, we shall, for ought I know, live with more comfort here and die in full assurance hereafter, for the greatest evil threatned or feared, may through wisdom be timely prevented / by Robert Purnel.	Purnell, Robert, d. 1666.	1652 (1652)	Wing P4244; ESTC R32258	54,417	168

one of the greatest engagements to engage a Christian to walk in all well-pleasing to God to consider he is always in the presence of God 1. That he is present in all places at all times beholding all actions will appear by these Scriptures Prov. 15. 3. The eye of the Lord is in every place beholding the evil and the good Jer. 23 23 Am I a God at hand saith the Lord and not afar off Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him saith the Lord do not I fill heaven and earth 2 Chr. 16. 9 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth c. Psal 139. 7. Whither shall I go from thy Spirit or whither shall I flee from thy presence If I ascend up unto Heaven thou art there if I make my bed in Hell behold thou art there v. 8. If I take the wings of the morning and flie to the uttermost parts of the earth even there shall thy hand lead me and thy right hand hold me If I say surely the darkness shall cover me even the night shall be light about me v. 11. Yea the darkness hideth not from thee but the light shineth as the day the darkness and the light are both alike to thee c Thus we see the Lords presence is every where and yet where is there a man or woman that doth believe it or see him The men and women yet in the state of darkness which is the greatest part these neither see it nor believe it And then for the Saints which are but few a little flock I dare say not one of ten of them have so set to their seals to this truth that the Lord God Almighty is present in all places at all times beholding all actions whatsoever Gen. 28. 16. And Jacob said Surely the Lord is in this place and I knew it not Job 9. 11. Lo he goeth by me and I see him not He passeth on also and I perceive him not And as he is by us and we do not see him so he speaketh often unto us and we do not hear him Sometimes he speaketh to us by a voice Isa 30. 21. sometimes he speaketh to us by the motions of the Spirit within us sometimes he speaketh to us by men in our own likeness Luk. 10. 16. Sometimes he speaks to us when we be asleep on our beds Iob 33. 14 15 16. God speaketh once yea twice yet man perceiveth it not In a dream in a vision of the night when deep sleep falleth upon man then he openeth their ears and sealeth their instructions Oh let us then see his face and hear his voice for sweet is his voice and his countenance is glorious c. 2. Let us consider that it is one of the greatest engagements to engage a Christian to walk in all well pleasing to God to consider he is always in the presence of God I have kept thy precepts saith David How so David why saith he All my wayes are before thee Psal 119. 168. Psal 16. 8. I have set the Lord alwayes before me and because he is at my right hand I shall not fall Psal 26. 3. Thy loving kindness is before mine eyes so I have walked in thy truth Now these men that do not behold the presence of the Lord still before them are ready upon all occasions to rebell against him Psal 86. 14. The proud men the malitious violent men are risen against me for they do not set the Lord before them As of God in the sight of God speak we in Christ 2 Cor. 2. 17. As if he had said When we come to do any thing we do it so as knowing the all-seeing eye of God is taking notice not only of the action that we do but also of the principle from which we act he endeavours in all his actions to have the same ends in all he doth as God hath commanded him to have When a soul apprehends it self to be in the presence of his Maker it labours to compose it self as beseeming the presence before whom it is So it endeavours to make the will of God his rule and the glory of God his greatest design and his word and Spirit his guide It comes to God for direction saying O Lord lead me in thy way It expects from God protection And do thou protect me in this way of thine And so it depends upon God for assistance in what it doth and for a blessing upon all it doth Exod. 33. 14 15. The Lord said unto Moses My presence shall go with thee and I will give thee rest Moses was so taken with that word that he breaks forth v. 5. If thy presence go not with us carry us not from hence In a word the Lord even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ is always present and the holy Ghost is always present I fill heaven and earth with my presence saith the Father Jer. 23. 24. So I am with you to the end of the world saith the Son But the manifestation of this is by the Spirit and there are but very few that have this Spirit and so no wonder that men are so ignorant of Gods presence the Spirit would have discovered it but men what lieth in them do either quench it or resist it My friends we live in an Age wherein men are talking much of perfection behold here is the way to attain it to put thy self always in the presence of God and let all thy walks be before him Gen. 17. 1. I am God Alsufficient or the Almighty God walk before me and be thou perfect If we walk not in the presence of God then we walk in darkness and do the works of darkness Now God is light and in him there is no darkness at all those then that set the Lord always before them are in the light and so do walk in the light as children of the light 2. The second thing to be considered that so we might be taken off the world and make Religion our business is That we have but a few days to live in this world and they flie away faster and swifter then the weavers Shuttle Job 7. 6. Wherefore if we do think or judge that there be any thing for us to do either for God or our selves do it presently work whiles it is day for the night cometh in which no man can work Joh 9. 4. If thou wilt hear his voice let it be as in Heb. 3. 13. 15 To day c. Thou knowest not whether thou shalt have another day for none of us do know what a day may bring forth but because I have written so long of this subject in the first part of this Book called The Weavers Shuttle displayed or the swiftness thereof unfolded I shall in this place only cite a few Scriptures that speak of our frailty and so pass this point over Job 7. 6. Isa 38. 12. and Isa 64. 6. Isa

thy after-services are but like Cain's Sacrifices procuring a curse rather then a blessing In a word we were not made to serve the world the world was made to serve us and we were made to serve God Let every creature especially Man continue in his place for man is the most excellent creature of all on earth Let him then transcend all in his holy obedience to his Maker We are not our own we ought not to live to our selves we have forfeited our lives many a time the wages of the least sin is death and cursedness and yet our lives have been restored to us again For what end why saith the Scripture that we might not live to our selves but unto God Oh how often times doth he call how earnestly doth he knock at the door of our hearts how powerfully doth he strive how long doth he wait upon us to get us to yield unto him namely to have our hearts dis-ingaged from all things beneath himself and yet such wretches as we are we will not yield What is become of that frame of Spirit that was upon the Saints in former days Nathan used but one parable to David and he was converted Jonah preached but few days to Nineveh and they repented Christ looked back once upon Peter and he wept bitterly but there is such a spirit of slumber fallen upon most of the people in these days that nothing will prevail unless it be that place Rev. 21. 11. He that is unjust let him be so still and he which is filthy let him be filthy still And so they make good this place as it is spoken by way of precept and not by way of caution never considering what will become of them in the end thereof O ye sons and daughters of men did not our tender loving Lord God make us Lords of the Creation and are not we become Servants unto it Did not he make man the wisest of all Creatures and is there any Creature under the whole Heaven so unwise as man Did he not put a fear and a dread upon every creature Gen. 9. 2. And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth and upon every fowl of the ayr and upon all that moveth on the earth and upon all the fishes of the sea into your hands are they delivered But how is poor silly man afraid of and become a Servant to the meanest of all these Creatures in a Spiritual sense These were made our servants and have been faithfull in their service to us we were Created in the Image of God and appointed by him to be serviceable unto him and yet the whole Creation are more serviceable unto him and do not dishonour him as man doth Jer. 8. 6 7. I hearkened saith the Lord and heard but the most excellent piece of my workmanship man spake not aright no man repented him of his wickedness saying what have I done So I was fain to repent my self that ever I made man for every one runneth into sin as the horse rusheth into the battel Yea the Stork in the heavens knows her appointed times and the Turtle and the Crane and the Swallow observe the time of their coming but my People know not the judgments of the Lord. Man that was made the wisest of all is become the variest fool of all And oh that we saw it 1 Cor. 3. 18. Let no man deceive himself If any man among you seemeth to be wise let him become a fool that he may be wise We like fools take a great deal of pains to make our selves miserable We forsake the Fountain of living endurable waters and ride and run through thick and thin labour and toyl dig and hew unto our selves Cisterns yea broken Cisterns that will hold no water Jer. 2. 12 13. If John were to write an Epistle to the Professors of our dayes as once he did to Gaius 3 Ep. Joh. v. 1 2. Beloved I wish above all things that thou mayst prosper be in health even as thy soul prospereth I say if he were to write to us he would undoubtedly change his voice and say O ye Professors now extant in the English Nation I wish above all things that ye may prosper in your souls even as your bodies prosper O thou hast a flourishing body but a starved soul thy eyes stare out with fatness thou hast more then heart can wish thou art like the green Bay tree or the Willows by the water side thou hast given thee thy hearts desire but thou hast a lean famished starved soul and I could wish above all things that thy soul prospered as thy body prospereth Oh is it not better to go to Heaven with poor Lazarus then to Hell with rich Dives Is it not better O sons and daughters of men to be often saying with our head Christ The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head then to be saying in effect as most do at this day with that rich man Luk. 12 17. 18 19 20. Soul thou hast much goods laid up for many years take thine ease eat drink and be merry but God said unto him Thou fool this night shall thy soul be required of thee c. We have forgotten those words 1 Joh. 2. 15. Love not the world neither the things of the world if any man love the world the love of the Father is not in him O how few such can we find in a whole Parish in a whole City in a whole Shire nay how many think you are there in a whole Nation that love the world and so have not the love of the Father abiding in them In this Epistle of John the Spirit of the Lord in the mouth of his servant cals to all the sons of men and craves their diligent attention I have written to you Fathers I have written to you Children I have written to you Young men Why what is the Spirit of the Lord about to make out unto us Only here is the sum ver 15. Love not the world nor the things of the world for if any man love the world the love of the Father is not in him Object But some will be apt to say We do love God we do not love the World Answ How shall that appear If I should try thy practice by the Scriptures I shall find that thou dost love the world and not God 1 Ioh. 3. 17. Whoso hath this worlds good and seeth his brother in need and shutteth up his bowels of compassion how dwelleth the love of God in him That thou hast faith shew it to me by thy works and if thou hast love shew it by its fruits Indeed there is abundance of Faith and Love in the Nation but I can find but little in my self and others in the powerful operation The Power of Godliness is but here and there in a corner and when it doth

earth 2. Because at the best we are but earth 3. Because we shall speedily return to the earth which is our proper Center Man is born to trouble as the sparks flie upward and all these troubles come in thick one after another like Iobs Intelligencers Iob 1. 13 14 15 16 17 18 19. And each of these summons the soul to come forth of that rotten house the body when thy tooth doth ake one of the best beams in thy house doth begin to crack and soon after some incurable disease or other fastens upon thy body and then the Spirit ascends upward and thy body downward even to the earth thy mother Job 17. 14. I have said to corruption thou art my father to the worm thou art my mother sister and brother So the earth returns to its earth the fire to its center the water to its water the air to its own place and so that which was dust at first becomes dust again Gen. 3. 19. For dust thou art and unto dust thou shalt return And that speedily for thy dayes be not only as swift but swifter then the Weavers shuttle Consider how many thousand soules had their being in this life many weeks yea many moneths yea many yeares since thou hadst thy being and they be already turned to the dust from whence they came and thou doest yet remain going up and down thy Mother the Earth Let this teach thee two things First Admire the pleasure of God and say What should be the cause that I remain upon the earth surely the Lord expecteth something to be done by me Oh let me do it speedily before I die and be no more seen Secondly consider That although thou art yet alive thy time is even at an end for thou must cut off like a Weaver and be no more seen Isa 38. 12. Now if if it be so that our dayes are swifter then the Weavers shuttle and our life so short that the swiftest and shortest things we read of in Scripture are not swift short and frail enough to compare mans life unto I say if this be true then by way of Use there be many considerable things for us to know and doe Vse 1. First then the serious consideration of these foregoing things doth bespeak our care and diligence immediatly to setabout the doing of that which most men do wish they had done when they lie a dying saying Oh that I were to live again how circumspectly would I walk how careful vigilant and diligent would I be saith the dying soul Wherefore whatsoever thy hand findeth to do do it quickly with all thy might If ever you will give attendance to Reading Exhortation and Doctrine do it faithfully throughly and presently If ever you will be pittiful and charitable to the poor sow plentifully and presently If ever you will declare your self to be a true Disciple of Christ by manifesting your love to Saints and Siners do it presently If ever thou intendest to examine whether thou art in Christ and to give all diligence to make thy calling and election sure or to run the race that is set before thee or to strive to enter in at the strait gate set about it presently do not so much as eat or drink or sleep until thou hast begun the work for thou doest not know whether ever thou shalt live one year one month one day one hour one minute Time past cannot be recalled Time to come is uncertain Time present is only thine To day then if thou wilt heare his voice harden not thy heart before the silver-cord be loosed or the golden-bowl be broken or the pitcher be broken at the fountain or the wheel broken at the cistern Eccl. 12. 6. Work while it is day the night cometh in which thou canst not work Turn turn presently to the Lord with thy whole heart while it is called to day hearken to his voice lest thou art hardned through the deceitfulness of sin as in Heb. 3. 13. Lest it be said to thee and I as in Rev. 22. 11. He that is unjust let him be unjust still Oh Ierusalem Ierusalem saith Christ Luk. 13. 34. how often would I have gathered thy children together as a Hen doth gather her chickens under her wings and you would not Behold your house is left unto you desolate So again Prov. 1. 24 25 26. Because I have called and ye refused I have stretched out my hand and no man regarded but ye have set at naught all my counsel and would none of my reproof I also will laugh at your calamity and mock when your fear cometh when they shall call upon me I will not answer they shall seek me early but shall not finde me ver 30. They would none of my Counsell they would none of my reproof ver 31. Therefore shall they eat of their own doings and be filled with their own devices For the further confirmation of this see Heb. 12. 16 17. Nay further if thou lookest upon thy self as one elected by the Father Redeemed by the Son sanctified by the Spirit and so canst not fall finally from God yet if thou improve not the present inch of time thou wilt loose abundance of thy sweet consolation and bring thy self into great straits and it may be die in despair of mercy and so loose the manifestion apprehension and enjoyment of thy interest in God for many days at least Cant. 5. 1. 2. Christ he comes and calls saying Open to me my sister my love my dove my undefiled one well the Spouse answereth I have put off my coat how shall I put it on I have washed my feet how shall I defile them well Christ immediatly withdraws himself then the Spouse sought him but could not finde him she called him but he gave no Answer Well what follows she seeks him sorrowing but could not finde him ver 7. The watchmen that were about the City smote her and wounded her as in Cant. 5. 7 8 9 10 11 So also one of the Apostles Thomas by name would not embrace the present opportunity neither believe the report that he heard of the Resurrection of Christ Joh. 20. 25. well Thomas he lost the sight of Christ for many days Joh. 20. 26 27 28. If ever thou intendest then to believe in Christ and to relieve Christ in his Members do it presently for if thou stay till to morrow either thy house and all that thou hast may be burned or it may be thou mayst not have an opportunity to give or else thou wilt have but little mind to do it thou mayst not live till to morrow seeing thy days are swifter then a weavers Shuttle surely this relieving of poor Saints is acceptable with God although it be so neglected by men this duty would not be so slighted if these four things were well considered 1. First make their case thy case their necessity thy necessity Matth. 7. 12. Whatsoever that ye would that men should do to you do ye

died and rose again even so them also which sleep in Iesus will God bring with him The Holy Ghost in this place forbiddeth not Christian sorrow for the dead but Heathenish sorrow not moderate but excessive and immoderate either in respect of time or measure of our grief we may water our plants for our deceased Friends but not drown them 7. Let us consider the priviledges of Believers after death for death is unto them but a Porter opening a door into a dark entry or a servant of thy Fathers sent to put thy dear friend to bed for a little while till corruption shall have put on incorruption and mortality shall have put on immortality Death is but a sleep and the grave a bed and all things that be on the other side death are taken away by Iesus Christ Death openeth the great gate that leadeth to thy Fathers house that so thou mayest go home for we are but Sojourners Pilgrims and Strangers here in this World it is true unbelievers are at home whiles they live here they be called the inhabitants of the earth and dwellers upon the earth when they die they do not go home as thou doest it is true they go to their own place and to their own Father so that death to them is the King of Terrours but to thee and thy believing deceased Friend death should be looked upon as the Messenger of glad tidings which is come only to crack the clay walls which is our Prison that you may flie home and be at rest and when thou comest home to enjoy the presence of thy Father and Saviour Christ and to be filled with the Spirit and to be with all the holy Saints of Heaven thou wilt then rejoyce with joy unspeakable and full of glory 8. Let us consider that although I and thee be like to loose our own lives or else have lost some of our nearest and dearest friends yet let this comfort us this also shall work together for our good Rom. 8. 28. Wherefore let us not so fear death but hearken what death doth whisper in thy ears saying fear not me I came from the Father and have no Commission to hurt you although my countenance be grim my message is sweet and pleasing Christ your beloved husband hath taken my sting from me before he would let me come to you I am come without a sting to tell you that God and Christ loves you and hath sent me on purpose to invite you into their presence where is fulness of joy and pleasures at his right hand for evermore only you must put off your filthy garments that the earth may return to its earth the fire to its fire the water to its water the aire to its aire for these were the Elements thy body was made of and so thou must endure a little pain in putting off these cloaths they be somewhat little and strait but thou must with Paul put off this earthly Tabernacle for that must be dissolved before thou canst be with Christ in whose presence there is fulness of joy where all relations will be made up in God there is no complaining in the Streets of this new Ierusalem no want of Relations God will be a Father Christ will be a Husband Saints gloryfied our Brethren Sisters and associates so we shall want no Relation neither shall any Relation want Perfection There is but a breath between thee and this condition 9. Let us consider that the Scripture doth pronounce them blessed that die in the Lord Rev. 14. 13 For from henceforth they rest from their labours See Eccles 4. 2. Job 3. 17. The greatest evil death can bring unto us is but a more speedy way to happiness Lastly let us consider that our dear beloved brother David although he mourned fasted and prayed whilst his Child was sick yet as soon as it was dead he arose and began to comfort himself saying I shall go to it ere long for my dayes are swifter then the Weavers shuttle saith Job Then shall the dust return to its earth saith Solomon Eccles 12. 7. The dust that is the body to shew the original of it Gen. 2. 7. and the weakness of it Dust is the weakest part of the earth Psal 103. 14. the basest and vilest of it Job 4. 19. Phil. 3. 21. Job 30. 19. Our original from the dust our return unto the dust This should humble us in our own eyes and should warn us to improve all our ability and every opportunity to make our calling and election sure that there might be nothing wanting in us to secure a better life before this be ended and not to put off the endeavours towards it as most do unto old age which haply we may never attain unto and if we do it will bring it self work enough for us to do Death comes swift and uncertain Sin the longer lived in doth the more harden Repentance is not in our call or command when we please it is a work of the whole man and of the whole life this work deferred will be greater the time to do it in will be shorter the strength to do it by will be less bodily infirmities will disinable spiritual actions God will have less honour and service from us and we our selves shall have more sorrow and less comfort For my own part I can speak something by woful experience of the sad effect of not imbracing the present opportunity and ability that God hath given me I am assured that I have lost much of my comfort here for hearkening to the motions of my own spirit and slighting the motions and strivings of the Lords Spirit by which means I have deprived my self of manifestations and apprehensions of heavenly and spiritual things that the Lord begun to pour out upon me And now if I would give all the world I cannot recall one day that is past nor one of those blessed opportunities that I have lost Only I desire if the Lord will to redeem this little inch of time yet remaining like an idle servant that hath loitered all the forenoon begins to work twice as hard in the afternoon I have two Requests within me to make unto thee whosoever thou art that readest these lines If there be in thee any consolation in Christ if any comfort of love if any fellowship of the Spirit if any bowels and mercy then my first Request is I do beseech thee beg thee in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ if thou mindest his glory or thy own good that thou wouldst seek the Kingdom of Heaven in obedience to his command in the first place for in so doing the Lord will be glorified thy light shining before men that they seeing thy obedience to him may glorifie thy Father which is in heaven that so while the whole World with Martha are troubled about many things thou mayst with Mary choose the better part That so while some are giving all diligence to get

earthly treasure thou mayst give all diligence to get heavenly And while some are spending their time in vanity one endeavouring to exceed another in folly thou mayst redeem precious time for spiritual ends endeavouring to excel others in piety That so while others that have great possessions are with the Young man in the Gospel going from Christ sorrowfull thou mayst with Zacheus receive Christ joyfully and be willing to part with some of thy goods cheerfully My second Request is That in thy addresses to the Father and approaches to the Throne of Grace in the name of the Son by a lively faith in him in whom are all our springs from whom are all our supplies that among all thy requests to the Lord of Hosts both for a supply of spiritual things and natural things for thy self and friends that thou daily standest in need of thou would'st have one request one ejaculation one sigh one breathing or one petition for me also That the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ the Lord of glory would give unto me a more full cleer powerful knowledge of his will in all wisdom spiritual understanding that I might walk worthy of the Lord being fruitful in every good work that he would pour out upon me that Spirit of Faith spoken of in the Gospel which was once given to the Saints which we are commanded to contend for and that Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him the Spirit of councel and might the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord that I might act for God from a pure principle of love to God that so not onely sinful self might be denied in me but that also natural self and religious self might be laid at the feet of the Lord Jesus Christ as dung and dross in point of justification and salvation which is all of free grace That so when I come to cut off my life like a Weaver for my dayes flie away swifter then his shuttle I may say with Simeon Luk. 2. 29 30. Lord let thy servant depart in peace for mine eyes have seen thy salvation Or at least I might say with Hezekiah Isa 38. 3. Remember now O Lord I beseech thee how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart or else that I might say in the sincerity of my soul with Paul 2 Tim. 4. 7 8. I have fought the good fight I have finished my course I have kept the faith there is laid up for me a crown of glory O that our Parliament would consider with Job that although they have sate long yet now their days are swifter then the Weavers Shuttle and they shall shortly cut off like a Weaver Isa 38. 12. that so they might minde what David saith Psal 15. 4. He shall abide in Gods tabernacle and dwell in his holy hill that keepeth his word and Promises Oh that it might be your study so to do and that you would yet further improve the present opportunity in discharging the Trust reposed to you by God and his People for his Glory and their Liberty and this will bring you more comfort in the end then all your honour and estates which hath been now is and ever shall be my request to God for you O that our Armies whom God hath made so victorious would now pay their Vows that they made to the Lord of Hosts in the day of their distress and that speedily because their days are swifter then the Weavers Shuttle O that Magistracy and Ministry would consider how swift this Shuttle flies and yet their days flie swifter that so the one might not judge for Reward and the other teach for hire that so the first wheel that moves them to act might be out of conscience unto God and faithfulness to his People whose servants they are O that all men of all Opinions by what nick-name soever they be known viz. Episcopacy Presbyterie Independency Lutherans Socinians Arminians Anabaptists Antinomians would consider that their days are swifter then the Weavers Shuttle and give off that excessive contending about the garment of Religion and the Form in which they are to Worship which is but as paying Tithe of Commin and Annis and the while the Power of Religion is much abated and the weighty matters of the Law neglected Faith and Repentance Self-denial and an holy Conversation these by many are shut out of doors and so whiles we lie contending for the Form the Power of Religion is much abated and so the gravy marrow and sap of our souls is almost eaten out so that we had need and that speedily to take the Councell of Christ Rev. 3. 2. Be watchfull and strengthen the things that be ready to die for I have not found thy works perfect before God thou hast a name that thou livest but thou art almost dead for thou hast but a little strength ver 8. Now my Brethren let me tell you that I fear most of you instead of considering the great work that you have yet to do and the little time allotted you to do it and how swift that little time passeth away I say instead of considering this you all fall a weaving of the Spiders Web Isa 59 5. that is you are contriving Plots as may intangle others as the Spiders do the Flies to their dammage and detriment or to their utter undoing and destruction but let me tell you as in Isa 59. 6. Your Web shall not become garments which is your devices plots and practises though they may hurt and mischieve others yet they shall not help or avail your selves all the good or gain you gather by them shall stand you in no stead they will not be able to shelter you against Gods wrath no more then a coat of Cobweb is able to shelter you from a fierce storm or a thick volley of shot they shall all prove in conclusion as Cobwebs to your selves for any succour or benefit that you shall receive from them or reap by them See Isa 28. 15. 18. 20. Vse 5. Forasmuch as the soul is a more excellent piece then the body it is but reason that we should spend more time and pains in seeking the well being of the one before the other and if men did so indeed they would make Religion their business In seeking first the kingdom of heaven and the righteousness thereof knowing that all things that concern the well being of the body shall be added unto them But alas we serve the world which was made to serve us and so we become our servants servant Religion is not our business but the world and the things thereof is our business and Religion is a thing but by the by when we have nothing to do about our particular calling we will a little look after our general calling if we be called upon to hear such a Sermon to confer with such Christians about the business of our souls and our thriving in Spiritual things

him all the men and women in the world could not quench thy love to him thy love would be as strong as death many waters could not quench it and when once thou comest to love him purely for himself because he loved thee first then thou wilt cease loving the world knowing that if any man love the world the love of the Father is not in him and so while Martha is troubled about many things thou wilt with Mary choose the better part and as once he was satisfied and contented with the world without God so now he endeavors to be contented with God without the world The world was once thy portion now the Lord is thy portion Psal 16. 5. and Psal 119. 57. Lam. 3. 24. The loss of the things of this world did once trouble thee now thou canst suffer the spoiling of thy goods joyfully Heb. 10. 34. The glory and excellency of all things under the Sun are not so precious as the light of his countenance if all the world smile upon me and my Father seem to frown or hide his face I shall be troubled but if all things frown on me and He but a little smile I shall rejoyce with joy unspeakable and full of glory Let friends forsake me let enemies deride me let all worldly comforts leave me if thou hide not thy face O Father it is enough I shall say with Paul I have learned in whatsoever state I am in to be content therewith Phil. 4. 11. I was once earthly in spiritual things I am now Spiritual in earthly things saith the sanctified Soul I did once hate the Saints I do now love them And I know that I have passed from death to life because I love the brethren 1 Epist Joh. 3. 14. I did lately delight in the company of sinners now all my delight is in the Saints that excell in vertue and the more spiritual any Christian is the more entirely do I love him saith the enlightened soul I did lately envy that man that did outstrip me in getting goods I could heartily wish how that all the Saints would double and trebble their diligence in getting this heavenly treasure I did esteem my self better then others I endeavour now to esteem others better then my self according to that 2 Phil. 3. And so much for answer to the first Objection or Quaere Object 2. How far is it lawfull for a Christian to use the world because to be diligent in ones Calling is Gods Command and idleness is forbidden as sinfull Ans Under correction and with submission to better judgements I humbly conceive that we having made it our great business to improve our Talent or Talents in working out the manifesta●ion of our salvation and having given all diligence to make our Calling and Election sure in waiting for the appearances of the love of God the Father through his son Iesus Christ by the Holy Spirit in the use of all the Ordinances and appointments of Christ having I say in the first place made this the main of our business not so much that we might be saved by him but rather that hereby we might appear more capable to answer that great end for which he gave us a being namely that his name might be glorified by Jesus Christ in us In the next place we are look to our bodies and in order thereto to betake our selves to labour that so we might in a sense get our livings by the sweat of our brows this made Paul labour working with his hands night and day that he might eat his own bread and not be chargeable to others and so make his glorying void And the same Almighty that bids us hear read meditate and pray bids us also to be diligent in our Callings and provide for our selves and Families or else we come short of Infidels And again Let him that hath stolne steal no more but work with his hands that he may have for himself and something over for him that needeth This is so known a thing that no man unless those that have renounced their reason and made nonsence the mother of their Devotion will deny it wherefore it will be needless to write any more for the probation of it only a word or two how far it is lawful for a Christian to be diligent in it For I suppose that a Christian may honour or dishonour the Almighty in the lawfull use or sinfull abuse thereof as well in his particular Calling as in his general Calling First then follow thy particular Calling and be diligent therein purely in obedience to the Command of God that so if thou wert to have no profit by it yet thou wouldst follow it because he commands it 2. Be diligent therein that so thy self and Family may eat your own bread pray and work for daily bread 3. Be diligent in your particular Calling that so you may be helpfull to others 4. Be sure that in following this earthly Calling thou do it with an Heavenly minde in every part of it I had thoughts to have been large in every one these because there be few that have learned this Lesson but I have a perswasion even now darted in upon my spirit to write but a little more of each 1. Then let us follow our particular Calling and be diligent therein purely in obedience to the Almighty that so if we were but to have our labour for our pains yet we would labour because the Lord Commands us Exod. 20. 9. Six days shalt thou labour c. See again Deut. 5. 13. and 2 Thes 3. 11. 1 Thes 4. 11. And to work with our own hands as we commanded you 2. Be diligent in your Callings that so your selves and families may eat your own bread Though not in the first yet in the second place thou mayst have respect to the recompence of reward 2 Thes 3. 11 12. For we hear that there be some that walk among you disorderly working not at all ver 12. Now them that be such we command that with quietness they work and eat their own bread and if they will not work let them not eat 2 Thes 3. 10. c. I have often considered what should be the cause that many men and women in some sense are in a worse condition then the beasts of the earth or the fowls of the ayr for most times they have plenty of food and to spare and man which is Lord of these things is often in want so that many steal for want and I have at last found that their poverty doth arise from these or the like things 1. Either from Covetousness There is that withholdeth more then is meet and it tendeth to poverty Prov. 11. 24. 2. Or else from wastefulness or excess in eating or drinking Prov. 23. 21. 3. Or from the oppression of the rich Jam. 5. 4. 4. Or else from idleness and slothfulness in their Callings Prov. 20. 4. The sluggard will not sowe because of the cold therefore he

effects of sin are viperous Sin was the first founder of hell and laid the first stone thereof and is the sole cause of all the torments therein and yet all this is but the effect of sin the essence of it which is the cause of all these evils must needs be much more abominable hence sin is called poyson and sinners are called serpents sin is called mire sinners swine sin sinners are called darknes blindnes shame nakedness folly madness In a word whatsoever is filthy defective infective painful and hurtful proceeds from this nasty filthy and stinking fountain and one sin vertually more or less containeth in it the nature of all sin No sooner did one sin sit upon our father Adam his heart but he had all sin in him which infected him and all his posterity and so defiled him and all his posterity eternally so that as I said before nothing can wash away the stain thereof but the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ shall we then live in that for which Christ died shall that be our life which was his death shall we indeed enjoy the pleasure of sin and Christ undergo the torment of sin No no let us improve the present motions of the Spirit in us against sin least the Spirit of God cease striving with thee and me and so we shall fall to commit sin with greediness without any reluctancy O all ye sons and daughters of men put on all the armour of God stand on your guards make ready for your soul-murthering enemy whose name is Legion never be at peace with him maintain a continual war against him acquaint all the men and women in the world of his base deceitful cheating tricks that their ill savour in the nostrils of all men and women under the Sun may make them loath it and stand upon their guards to oppose it and if the love of Christ doth not constrain you yet let the fear of punishment compel you to refrain from that abominable thing called sin If thou canst not say with Joseph Gen. 39. 9. How shall I do this great evil and sin against my God Yet thou canst say with Thamar 2 Sam. 13. 12. 13. verses If I should commit this sin whither should I cause my shame to go So much shall serve at present to be written of the third particular to wit that if we made it our business to follow the Lord and were not wanting to our selves we might have our conversations in heaven even whiles we live upon the earth and be more then Conquerors over those sins that do often conquer us 4. That Religion may be our main work let us consider that the Lord that made us hath undertaken the care of us He commands us to wait on him and he will feed us and cloath us We have but a body and a soul and both we received from the Almighty God who hath undertaken to provid● for not only the being but also the wel-being of both only he requires of us to seek unto him and to wait upon him in the use of those means instituted by himself without too much carefulness 1 Cor. 7. 32. But I would have you without carefulness that is so to use this world as if we used it not ot not so using it as most do by too much doting upon it and cleaving unto it as Martha did but rather with Mary choose the better part and so much the rather because of those many promises of so many legacies left us by the Lord in his word as to instance in a few Psal 37. 5. Commit thy way unto the Lord trust in him and he shall bring it to pass Commit or roll thy way upon him Psal 55. 22. Cast thy burther upon the Lord. Prov. 16. 3. Commit thy works unto the Lord and thy thoughts shall be established 1 Pet. 5. 7. Cast all thy care upon him for he careth for thee and hath said that He will never leave thee nor forsake thee Heb. 13. 5. Some Expositors upon this Text do affirm that the Greek word hath five times together I will never never never never never fail thee nor forsake thee to assure us of the truth of this O my friends doth God take care for Oxen and feed Ravens and clothe Lillies and take care of Sparrows and will he not much more take care for Man whom he hath made Lord of all these creatures Read and well consider from the 19. to the 34. verse of Matth. 6. There we find in that one Chapter ten arguments that Christ hath laid down to assure us that he taketh care of us Psal 27 3. Trust in the Lord and do good and verily thou shalt be fed and so shalt thou dwell in the land See 1 Tim. 6 7 c. We brought nothing into the world and it is certain we can carry nothing out and having food and raiment let us be therewith content But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare and into many foolish and noisom lusts which drown men in perdition and destruction For the love of money is the root of all evil c. But thou O man of God flee these things and follow after righteousness godliness faith love patience meekness c. 5. Consider that this God that hath undertaken the care of us is a faithful God and will make good every tittle promised He hath not only said but sworn and sealed that oath with his blood to assure us that he will make good whatsoever he hath promised Besides that he is a faithful God keeping promise in every tittle to a hairs breadth both Old and New Testament doth abundantly declare and testifie so that we have not only witnesses but clouds of witnesses besides our own experiences and inward evidences that we have not only read but experimentally found him to be a God keeping covenant a God keeping promise yea a God giving more then we were able to ask or think so that we can truly say we never found him worse then his word but often better for he never said unto us Seek ye me in vain He hath often knocked at the door of our hearts and waited upon us to shew mercy to us there is no one thing that he hath promised either for soul or body for our being or well being but shall be made good to us in its time And that he hath promised to give us food and raiment and all things necessary for us you may see it doth cleerly appear in the foregoing head to wit the 4. particular And that he is faithful and true and will make it good doth clearly appear by these and the like Scriptures 1 Tim. 1. 15. Heb. 10. 23. Mat. 24. 35. Luk. 16. 17. Tit. 1. 2. 1 Cor. 10. 13. Deut. 7. 9. 1 Cor. 1. 9. 1 Thes 5. 24. 2 Thes 3. 3. 2 Tim. 2. 13. Heb. 11. 11. 1 Joh. 1. 9. 6. If we consider these five things seriously it