Spirit of God enabled to perform that shall receive Remission of sins by Christ They that shall be made partakers of that great and inestimable benefit the Remission of all their sins by Christ are effectually called and enabled by the assistance of his Grace unfeignedly to believe the Gospel heartily to repent of all their sins seriously to give up their souls unto him resting and relying on the Redemption and Ransome of his Blood for their Pardon and Reconciliation with God And taking him for their onely Lord Saviour and yielding themselves up in sincere obedience to him and to be guided and governed by his Grace and Holy Spirit they do depend on him alone for Justification Sanctification strength to persevere in the ways of Holinesse and at last to be brought to eternall Life And to as many as are thus drawn by the Holy Ghost savingly to repent of their sins and believe in Christ being truly united to him and made branches in him the true Vine and members of his mystical body the true Church whereof himself is the Head God hath promised pardon and Remission of all their sins to write his Law in their Hearts to subdue their Corruptions by his Grace that sin shall not have Dominion over them to bestow on them all such outward blessings as he in his infinite wisdome shall see good for them And when they die their souls shall be received into everlasting blisse and their bodies shall be raised again by the power of Christ at the last day and made partakers of the same Glory And this is Called the Covenant of Grace But such as go on in their sins refusing to accept of Christ for their Lord and Saviour Redeemer and Sanctifier and to give up themselves in sincere obedience to him when they die their Souls shall be adjudged to everlasting punishment and their bodies shall be raised again at the last day and made partakers with their Souls of Everlasting Torments RIGHT KNOVVLEDGE Or the chief things to be Known and Believed in order to Salvation They are reducible to these three Heads Concerning God Man The Mediator between God and Man CHAP. I. Concerning GOD. COncerning God we are to Know three things First His NATURE That there is One onely true God who is a Spirit infinitely glorious and being one in nature is yet three in Persons or Subsistences The Father The Son and the Holy Ghost These are three and one after a wonderful and mysterious manner The Father God the Son God and the Holy Ghost God And yet not three Gods but One God Psal 14.1 The fool hath said in his heart there is no God Psal 10.4 The wicked through the pride of his Countenance will not seek after God God is not in all his thoughts 1 Cor. 15.34 Some have not the Knowledge of God I speak this to your shame Heb. 11.6 But without Faith it is impossible to please him For he that cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him Isaiah 44.6 Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel and his Redeemer the Lord of Hosts I am the first and I am the last and besides me there is no God Isai 45.5 I am the Lord and there is none else There is no God besides me 1 Cor. 8.4 As concâ—rning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in Sacrifice to Idols we know that an Idol is nothing in the World and that there is none other God but One. V. 5. For though there be that are called Gods whether in Heaven or in Earth as there be Gods many and Lords many V. 6. But to us there is but one God the Father of whom are all things and we in him and one Lord Jesus Christ by whom are all things and we by him Deut. 4.35 Unto thee it was shewed that thou mightest know that the Lord he is God And there is none else besides him Deut. 6.4 Hear O Israel the Lord our God is One Lord. Jer. 10.10 But the Lord is the true God He is the living God and an everlasting King At his wrath the Earth shall tremble and the Nations shall not be able to abide his Indignation 1 Thes 1.9 For they themselves shew of us what manner of entring in we had unto you And how ye turned to God from Idols to serve the living and true God Job 11.7 Canst thou by searching find out God canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection Joh. 4.24 God is a Spirit and they that worship him must worship him in Spirit and in Truth Luke 24.39 A Spirit hath not flesh and bones Rom. 1.23 And they changed the Glory of the Incorruptible God into an Image made like unto corruptible man and to birds and to four-footed beasts and Creeping things V. 25. And worshipped and served the Creature more than the Creator who is blessed for ever Amen Concerning the Trinity Mat. 28.19 Go ye therefore and teach all Nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost 1 John 5.7 There are three that bear Record in Heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Ghost and these three are One. Mat. 3.16 And Jesus when he was baptized went straightway up out of the water and Lo the Heavens were opened unto him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a Dove and lighting upon him V. 17. And Lo a voice from Heaven saying this is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased 2 Cor. 13.14 The Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the Love of God and the Communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all Amen Concerning God the Father Luke 23.34 Then said Jesus Father forgive them for they know not what they do Eph. 1.3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who hath blessed us with all spirituall blessings in heavenly places in Christ Eph 3.14 For this cause I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ Concerning God the Son John 1.14 And the word was made flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld his Glory the Glory as of the Onely begotten of the Father full of Grace and Truth V. 18. No man hath seen God at any time The Onely begotten Son which is in the bosome of the Father he hath declared him Heb. 1.2 He hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son whom he hath appointed heir of all things by whom also he made the world V. 3. Who being the brightnesse of his Glory and the express Image of his person and upholding all things by the word of his power when he had by himself purged our sinnes sate down on the right hand of the Majesty on high V. 8. But unto the Sonne he saith thy Throne O God is for ever and ever a Scepter of righteousness is the Scepter of thy Kingdome John 10.30 I and my Father are One. 1 John 2.22 Who
is a Lyar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ He is Anti-Christ that denieth the Father and the Son V. 23. Whosoever denieth the Son the same hath not the Father but he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also Rom. 9.5 Whose are the Fathers And of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came who is over all God blessed for ever Amen Phil. 2.6 Who being in the form of God thought it not robbery to be equal with God Acts 7.59 And they stoned Stephen calling upon God and saying Lord Jesus receive my Spirit V. 60. And he kneeled down and cried with a loud voice Lord lay not this sin to their Charge 2 Thess 2.16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himselfe and God even our Father which hath loved us and hath given us everlasting Consolation and good hope through Grace V. 17. Comfort your hearts and stablish you in every good word and work Concerning God the Holy Ghost Acts 5.3 But Peter said Ananias why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost V. 4. Thou hast not lied unto men but unto God John 14.16 I will pray the Father and he shall give you another Comforter that he may abide with you for ever V. 26. But the Comforter which is the Holy Ghost whom the Father will send in my name he shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you John 15.26 But when the Comforter is come whom I will send to you from the Father even the Spirit of truth which proceedeth from the Father he shall testifie of me Gal. 4.6 And because ye are sons God hath sent forth the Spirit of his son into your hearts crying Abba Father Phil. 1.19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer and the supply of the spirit of Jesus Christ 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 Eph. 4.30 And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God whereby ye are sealed to the day of Redemption 1 Cor. 2.13 Which things also we speak not in the words which mans wisdome teacheth but which the Holy Ghost teacheth comparing spiritual things with spiritual Acts 7.51 Ye stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears ye do alwaies resist the Holy Ghost As your Fathers did so do ye 2 Pet. 1.21 For the Prophecy came not in old time by the will of Man but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost Rom 8.26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities for we know not what we should pray for as we ought but the Spirit it self maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered V. 27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit because he maketh intercession for the Saints according to the will of God Acts 13.2 As they ministred to the Lord and fasted the Holy Ghost said Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have Called them Titus 3.5 Not by works of righteousnesse which we have done but according to his Mercy he saved us by the washing of Regeneration and Renewing of the Holy Ghost 1 Cor. 3.6 Know ye not that ye are the Temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you 1 Cor. 6.19 What know ye not that your body is the Temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you which ye have of God and ye are not your own Rom. 5.5 And hope maketh not ashamed because the Love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us Mat. 12.31 Wherefore I say unto you all manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men V. 32. And whosoever speaketh a word against the son of man it shall be forgiven him but whosoever speaketh a word against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven him neither in this world neither in the world to come Secondly His PROPERTIES or ATTRIBUTES God is Eternal or without any Beginning or End Omnipotent or Almighty Omnipresent or every where present Omniscient or All-knowing Infinitely Wise Holy Just Mercifull Eternall Psal 90.2 Before the Mountains were brought forth or ever thou hadst formed the earth or the world even from everlasting to everlasting thou art God Deut. 33.27 The Eternal God is my refuge and underneath are the everlasting armes Omnipotent Gen. 17.1 And when Abram was Ninety years old and nine the Lord appeared to Abram and said unto him I am the Almighty God walk before me and be thou perfect Isa 40.17 All Nations before him are as nothing and they are counted to him lesse than nothing and vanity Rev. 1.8 I am Alpha and Omega the beginning and the ending saith the Lord which is and which was and which is to come the Almighty Rev. 19.6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude and as the voice of many waters and as the voice of mighty thunderings saying Allelujah for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth Omnipresent 1 Kings 8.27 But will God indeed dwell on the earth behold the Heaven and Heaven of Heavens cannot contain thee how much lesse this house that I have builded Jer. 23.24 Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him saith the Lord do not I fill Heaven and Earth saith the Lord Psal 139.7 Whither shall I go from thy Spirit or whither shall I flee from thy presence V. 8. If I ascend up into Heaven thou art there If I make my bed in Hell behold thou art there V. 11. If I say surely the darknesse shall cover me even the night shall be Light about me V. 12. Yea the darknesse hideth not from thee but the night shineth as the day the darkness and the light are both alike to thee Omniscient 1 Chron. 28.9 And thou Solomon my Son know thou the God of thy Father and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind for the Lord searcheth all hearts understandeth all the Imaginations of the thoughts if thou seek him he will be found of thee but if thou forsake him he will cast thee off for ever 1 King 8.39 Then hear thou in Heaven thy dwelling place and forgive and do and give to every man according to his ways whose heart thou knowest for thou even thou knowest the hearts of all the children of men Heb. 4.13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight but all things are naked and open to the eyes of him with whom we have to do Psal 139.2 Thou knowest my down-sitting and my up-rising thou understandest my thoughts afar off V. 3. Thou compassest my path and my lying down and art acquainted with all my waies V. 4. For
Gospel heartily to repent of all their sins seriously to give up their souls unto him resting and relying on the Redemption and Ransome of his Blood for their Pardon and Reconciliation with God And taking him for their onely Lord Saviour and yielding themselves up in sincere obedience to him and to be guided and governed by his Grace and Holy Spirit they do depend on him alone for Justification Sanctification strength to persevere in the ways of Holinesse and at last to be brought to eternall Life And to as many as are thus drawn by the Holy Ghost savingly to repent of their sins and believe in Christ being truly united to him and made branches in him the true Vine and members of his mystical body the true Church whereof himself is the Head God hath promised pardon and Remission of all their sins to write his Law in their Hearts to subdue their Corruptions by his Grace that sin shall not have Dominion over them to bestow on them all such outward blessings as he in his infinite wisdome shall see good for them And when they die their souls shall be received into everlasting blisse and their bodies shall be raised again by the power of Christ at the last day and made partakers of the same Glory And this is Called the Covenant of Grace But such as go on in their sins refusing to accept of Christ for their Lord and Saviour Redeemer and Sanctifier and to give up themselves in sincere obedience to him when they die their Souls shall be adjudged to everlasting punishment and their bodies shall be raised again at the last day and made partakers with their Souls of Everlasting Torments Concerning effectual Calling Rom. 1.6 Among whom are ye also the Called of Jesus Christ Rom. 8.28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God to them who are the Called according to his purpose V. 30. Moreover whom he did predestinate them he also Called and whom he Called them he also justified and whom he justified them he also glorified 2 Tim. 1.9 Who hath saved us and Called us with an holy calling not according to our works but according to his own purpose and Grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began Heb. 3.1 Wherefore holy brethren partakers of the Heavenly Calling Consider the Apostle and high Priest of our profession Christ Jesus Eph. 1.18 The eyes of your understanding being inlightened that ye may know what is the hope of his Calling and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the Saints V. 19. And what is the greatnesse of his power to us-ward who believe according to the working of his mighty power Acts 16.14 And a certain woman named Lydia a seller of purple of the City of Thyatira which worshipped God heard us whose heart the Lord opened that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul 1 Pet. 2.9 But ye are a chosen generation a royall Priesthood an holy Nation a peculiar people that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darknesse into his marvellous Light Eph. 4.1 I therefore the Prisoner of the Lord beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called 1 Thes 2.12 That ye would walk worthy of God who hath called you to his Kingdome and Glory John 6.44 No man can come to me except the Father which hath sent me draw him and I will raise him up at the last day V. 45. It is written in the Prophets and they shall be all taught of God every man therefore that hath heard and hath learned of the Father cometh to me V. 65. And he said therefore said I unto you that no man can come unto me except it were given unto him of my Father John 6.37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out John 5.25 Verily verily I say unto you the hour is coming and now is when the dead shall hear the voice of the son of God and they that hear shall live 2 Thes 2.13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you brethren beloved of the Lord because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the Truth V. 14. Whereunto he called you by our Gospel to the obtaining of the Glory of our Lord Jesus Christ Ezek 36 16. Moreover the word of the Lord came unto me saying V. 17. Son of man when the House of Israel dwelt in their owne Land they defiled it by their owne way and by their doings their way was before me as the uncleannesse of a removed woman V. 26. A new heart also will I give you and a new Spirit will I put within you and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh and I will give you a heart of flesh V 27. And I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes and ye shall keep my judgements and do them Eph. 2.13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who somtimes were afar off are made nigh by the blood of Christ Rom. 8.2 For the Law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the Law of sin and death V. 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 John 3.8 The wind bloweth where it listeth and thou hearest the sound thereof but canst not tell whence it cometh and whither it goeth so is every one that is born of the Spirit Acts 26.18 To open their eyes and to turn them from darkness to Light and from the power of Satan unto God that they may receive forgiveness of sins and inheritance among them which are sanctified by Faith that is in me Concerning believing the Gospel 1 Cor. 2.12 Now we have received not the Spirit of the world but the Spirit which is of God that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God V. 14. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishness unto him neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned Eph. 1.16 Making mention of you in my prayers V. 17. That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ the Father of Glory may give unto you the Spirit of wisdome and revelation in the knowledge of him V. 18. The eyes of your understanding being enlightened that ye may know what is the hope of his Calling and what the riches of the Glory of his inheritance V. 19. And what is the exceeding greatnesse of his power to us-ward who believe according to the working of his mighty power John 8.24 I said therefore unto you that ye shall die in your sins for if ye beleeve not
i. e. in spiritual exercises and Meditations and by meanes thereof in spiritual raptures and elevations of soul VIII The Church succeeding the Apostles held her seâ—f obliged to the same observation For even in times of persecution before any either Imperial Edict or Canon of Council enjoyned it the observation of this day was so taken notice of by the Heathen that it became a constant interrogatory to the Christians in their examining Have you kept the Lords day To which their answer was ever ready I cannot intermit it for I am a Christian and the law of God prompts me to it Baron 30.3 Memb. 5. Now if any man shall enquire how the Sabbath came to be translated into the Lords day I answer Christ in the fourty daies he staied upon the earth after his resurrection did sundry times appear to his Disciples teaching them the things appertaining to the Kingdome of God Acts 1.3 Therefore 't is probable the Apostles were instructed by Christ concerning the change of the day from the seventh to the eighth and had special order immediatly from himself concerning it 'T is evident Christ is Lord of the Sabbath Mark 2.27 And therefore had power not only to abrogate the old Sabbath but to surrogate and substitute the new in its room But whether this day were instituted immediatly by Christ himself or by his Apostles guided and infallibly inspired by his holy Spirit after his ascention still the day will be of Divine Institution And this Act of theirs will appear but the execution of a particular Command from the Spirit of Christ to that purpose For consider how Christ sent these Apostles As my Father sent me so send I you John 20.21 He that heareth you heareth me Luke 10.16 Go Mat. 28.19 There is their mission Teach all Nations There is their Commission What Why What things I command you and to assist and help you Lo I am with you alwaies to the end of the world not in corporal presence but by my Spirit the Comforter whom I will send you John 15.26 And he shall bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you John 14.26 This Spirit of Truth shall not speak of himself but whatsoever he shall hear that shall he speak He shall receive of mine and shew it you Thus we see the Apostles were undoubtedly inspired by the Spirit of Christ who revealed his will unto them And that they were thus acted by the holy Ghost they themselves testifie in their first Council It seemed good to the holy Ghost and to us Acts 15.28 Thus we see there are two things whereon the Divine right of the Lords day is founded Upon the morality of the fourth Commandement and upon Evangelical Institution either by Christ himself or his Apostles And what the Apostles delivered by the dictate of the holy Ghost is as firm and indefeizable saies Cyprian de ablut pedum as what Christ himself Our Church reduceth the institution of this day as a weekly day to the fourth Commandement and as the first day of the week she foundeth it upon Apostolical practise and tradition I shall conclude this with the words of the judicious Hooker in his Eccles Pol. Book 5. parag 17. We are bound saies he to account the sanctification of one day in seven a duty which Gods immutable Law doth exact for ever although with us the day be changed in regard of a new revolution begun by our Saviour Christ yet the same proportion of time continueth which was before by way of a perpetual homage never to be dispensed withal nor remitted I come now to the second Particular The manner how we ought to observe this day 1. We ought to prepare for the Sabbath before it comes by a prudent care so disposing and dispatching our worldly businesses and affairs that they may be off our hands and out of our minds as much as is possible on that day that so our hearts may be more free and fit for those spiritual duties then required of us The Jewes before the Sabbath had a time of preparation Luke 23.54 Why should not we 2. We ought to sanctifie the Lords day not only by resting from worldly employments and recreations on other daies lawful but consecrating that rest unto God making it our delight to spend the whole time excepting so much of it as is to be taken up in works of necessity and mercy and such as are needful for the comfortable passing of the Sabbath in the publick and private exercises of Gods Worship and Service Such as Prayer Reading the Scripture Preparing for the publick duties Attending on the Word Singing the praises of God Private meditation on that which hath been preached Repetition thereof in the Family and religious conference to make the publick Ordinances the more profitable Take heed therefore of being found a slighter of those duties the neglect whereof cannot consist with any true vigour and power of Religion or any due care of our own or others soules that we ought to have a care of Consider God hath blessed and sanctified this day not only as a day of service to himself but as a time wherein he will confer blessings on the conscionable observers of it It is his special day of proclaiming and sealing pardons to penitent sinners 'T is a blessed day to the careful observers of it and sanctâ—fied to many gracious purposes The Sabbath was made for man said our Saviour Mark 2.27 i. e. For mans great benefit and advantage It would not be for the good and benefit of mankind to be dispensed with from the religious observation of it How much then are they to blame that make it a day of carnal rest a day of Idlenesse and jollity of feasting and pastimes which more alienate the mind from God than ordinary labours and take away the tast of spiritual things Some people if they have any visit to make or any odd businesse to do they refer them to this day Some keep the Sabbath as the Oxe they rest from their labours but serve not the Lord that day They are weary of the duties of the Sabbath they do not call the Sabbath a delight as it is Isa 58.13 Delight sweetens any labour How will people toyl at their sports and pleasures O had we spiritual hearts we should account the celebration of the Sabbath not only our duty but our priviledge By observing the Sabbath we continue a thankful remembrance of the two great benefits of Creation and Redemption which contain a short abridgment of true Religion The Sabbath duly observed is a type of the everlasting rest that remaines for the people of God Heb. 4.9 How then can those ever think to come to Heaven and to keep an everlasting Sabbath in praising and adoring God to whom the celebration of a weekly Sabbath is so tedious and irksom here 3. Every true Christian is to take care not onâ—y to sanctifie the Lords day himself but that
V. 68. Saying Prophecy unto us thou Christ who is he that smote thee Luke 22.65 And many other things blasphemously spake they against him Mat. 27.1 When the morning was come all the chief Priests and Elders of the people took Councel against Jesus how to put him to death V. 2. And when they had bound him they led him away and delivered him to Pontius Pilat the Governour V. 17. Therefore when they were gathered together Pilate said unto them whom will ye that I release unto you Barabbas or Jesus which is called Christ V. 20. But the chief Priests and Elders perswaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas and destroy Jesus V. 22. Pilat saith unto them what shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ they all said unto him let him be crucified V. 23. And the Governour said why what evil hath he done but they cried out the more saying let him be crucified Luke 23.23 And they were instant with loud voices requiring that he might be crucified and the voices of them and of the cheif Priests prevailed Mat. 27.27 Then the Souldiers of the Governour took Jesus into the common Hall and gathered unto them the whole band of Souldiers V. 28. And they stripped him and put on him a Scarlet robe V. 29. And when they had platted a Crown of Thornes they put it upon his head and a reed in his right hand and they bowed the knee before him and mocked him and said Hail King of the Jews V. 30. And they spit upon him and took the reed and smote him on the head Mark 15.15 And so Pilat willing to content the people released Barabbas unto them and delivered Jesus when he had scourged him to be crucified Luke 23.24 And Pilat gave sentence that it should be as they required V. 25. And he released unto them him that for sedition and murder was cast into Prison whom they had desired but he delivered Jesus to their will Mat. 27.31 And after they had mocked him they took the robe off from him and led him away to crucifie him John 19.17 And he bearing his Crosse went forth into a place called the place of a skull which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha Luke 23.33 And when they were come to the place which is Called Calvary there they crucified him and the malefactors one on the right hand and the other on the left Mark 15.24 And when they had crucified him they parted his Garments casting Lots upon them what every man should take Mat. 27.46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice saying Eli Eli Lamasabachthany that is to say My God My God why hast thou forsaken me John 19.30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar he said it is finished and he bowed his head and gave up the Ghost Luke 23.46 And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice he said Father into thy hands I commend my spirit and having said thus he gave up the Ghost John 19.33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was dead already they brake not his legs V. 34. But one of the Souldiers with a speare pierced his side and forthwith came there out blood and water Isa 53.3 He is despised and rejected of men a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief and we hid as it were our faces from him he was despised and we esteemed him not V. 5. He was wounded for our transgressions he was bruised for our iniquities the chastisement of our peace was upon him and with his stripes we are healed V. 10. Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him he hath put him to grief when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin he shall see his seed he shall prolong his daies and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand V. 11. He shall see of the travel of his soul and shall be satisfied by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justifie many for he shall bear their iniquities 1 Pet. 2 24. Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree that we being dead to sins should live unto righteousnesse by whose stripes we are healed Phil. 2.8 And being found in fashion as a man he humbled himself and became obedient unto death even the death of the Cross Acts 10.39 And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the Land of the Jews and in Jerusalem whom they slew and hanged on a tree Acts 2.36 Therefore let all the House of Israel know assuredly that God hath made that same Jesus whom ye have crucified both Lord and Christ Heb. 9.28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation Heb. 12.2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our Faith who for the joy that was set before him endured the Crosse despising the shame and is set down at the right hand of the Throne of God 1 Cor. 15.3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures Gal. 3.13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law being made a curse for us for it is written Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree Heb. 9.22 And almost all things are by the Law purged with blood and without shedding of blood is no remission V. 26. Now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself Heb. 10.12 But this man after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever sat down on the right hand of God V. 19. Having therefore brethren boldnesse to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus V. 20. By a new and living way which he hath consecrated for us through the vail that is to say his flesh V. 26. If we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins 1 Cor. 6.20 For ye are bought with a price therefore glorifie God in your body and in your spirit which are Gods 1 Pet. 3.18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins the just for the unjust that he might bring us to God being put to death in the flesh but quickned by the Spirit Eph. 5.2 And walk in love as Christ also hath loved us hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour Col. 1.14 In whom we have redemption through his blood even the forgivenesse of sins V. 20. And having made peace through the blood of his Crosse Eph. 1.17 In whom we have redemption through his blood the forgivenesse of sins according to the riches of his Grace Col. 2.14 Blotting out the hand writing of Ordinances that was against us which was contrary to us and took it out of the way nailing it to his Crosse Rev. 13.8 And all
Lord hath enabled me in any measure to be serviceable to you in the furthering of your salvation And that you may the better know how to make use of this Treatise I shall acquaint you in brief with the whole designe thereof In the first part I have couched together in three Chapters the chief and necessary things that are to be known and believed concerning God our selves and the Mediator between God and man That so those that have a mind to know may in short be informed of the main things they are so deeply concern'd to be acquainted with And because 't is of exceeding great consequence that people should well understand how the things they profess to believe are grounded on Gods Word I have collected together most of those Scriptures that are scattered up and down in the Book of God upon which the Articles of our Faith are founded and have reduced them to several heads and printed them at large that so they may be as several constellations or clusters of Stars giving you the more light and clearer assurance of the things they are brought to prove This course I have taken also in the second Part in reference to the things that are to be practised My intent herein being that my Book should fully inform you what is Gods mind and revealed will concerning those particulars I treat of which may be of singular use to you in several respects 1. To strengthen and confirm your own belief of the Articles of the Christian Faith to awe your Consciences with the authority of Gods Word and to engage your hearts to the practise of those things that shall appear to be your duty 2. To enable you to instruct your children and servants in the Principles of Faith and obedience from the Scriptures here set down to your hands which every one is not able readily to find out that has not some such help 3. To secure you against Errors now so rise among us Seeing you may hereby defend the Faith once delivered to the Saints and confute the enemies of truth as our Saviour did the Devil by alledging the Sacred Scriptures for the things you believe and practise In the Second Part I treat of the things that concern your practise And because consideration of our waies and examining the state of our souls to God-ward is a matter of so exceeding great use that scarce any thing undoes Mankind more than the neglect of it I begin with that And oh that I may prevail with you to a conscientious Practise of it I have heard of a Gentleman that uPon his Death-bed laid this one command upon his wild Son and engag'd him to the performance of it by a solemn promise that he should every day of his life be half an hour alone Which this young man constantly observing and spending his half hours retirement at first in any kind of vain thoughts at last he began to ponder with himself why his Father should enjoyn him this penance and the Spirit of God suggesting to him that his intent therein could be no other but to bring him to consider of his evil waies and whither they tended and what would become of him hereafter if he went on it pleased the Lord so to set those thoughts home upon his heart that he became a new man Of so much advantage is consideration and frequent taking our selves in private to think of the state of our souls In the three next Chapters I handle the Doctrines of Repentance Faith and a new nature and reformed life being indeed the main things wherein the power and life of Godlinesse consists And therefore I intreat you give the more heed unto them In the Fifth Chapter I treat of maintaining a daily close communion with God and shew 1. How we should awake with God in the morning and so begin the day well 2. How we should pour forth our souls in secret prayer and thanksgiving unto him private prayer being every ones duty and a great help to Holiness And that people may not be slight and formal in these duties and so offend in the manner of doing them I give some Directions for the right performance of them 3. I shew how we should diligently read the Scriptures the Oracles of God which are able through the operation of the Spirit to make us wise unto salvation 4. How we should live continually as in the sight and view of God 5. How we should live by Faith in ten particulars 6. How we should be diligent observers of the Providence of God that so we may order our services of prayer and praise accordingly 7. How we should practise the great duty of daily watchfulnesse continually watching 1. Over our thoughts that we lodge not sinful thoughts in our minds 2. Over our Affections that we allow not any sinful motions and stirrings in our hearts but labour speedily to suppress them 3. Over our words that we offend not as we are exceeding apt with our tongues 4. Over our actions that they may be such as proceed from a right Principle are conform'd to a right Rule and are directed to a right end These are the things we must watch over Next I set down what are the things we must watch against In the general all sin whatever But in particular 1. Those sins we are most inclin'd unto by our own temper and naturall constitution 2. The sins we are most exposed to by reason of our calling condition state and course of life 3. The sins of the times and places where we live 4. Against all occasions and temptations that we foresee are like to endanger our souls 5. Against dishonouring God by the immoderate and undue use of lawful things 6. Against Errour where the danger of it is shewed and some preservatives are given against it In the next place is shewed how we should watch for opportunities of doing and receiving good And some Motives to watchfulness are propounded and the Chapter shut up with these two Directions 1. That we should besides our solemn prayers send up frequent mental ejaculatory prayers unto the Lord for his Grace help and assistance 2. That every night we should retire and reflect upon all our actions and whole behaviour in the day past and so set all at rights between God and our souls before we go to sleep And because whoever desires to grow in Knowledge and Grace must conscientiously make use of and improve the means of Grace that God affords him therefore in the Sixth Chapter I treat 1. Of the careful observation of the Lords day Shewing why we should observe it and how For my part I never saw true Religion and the power of Godlinesse thrive in any person family or Parish where the religious and conscientious observance of that day was neglected 2. Concerning heaâ—ing the Word where directions are given 1. How we are to prepare our selves before we go to hear 2. How we are to behave our selves in time of
Religion the means is to perform such religions duties and services as God hath appointed for the attaining this end Now if we rest in the means i. e. in a bare performance of religious duties without desiring to enjoy God in them or labouring to get our hearts into a better frame by them and aiming at those higher ends to which they were appointed our services are rather a mocking of God than a true and sincere worshipping of him It will do us no good to be of the right Religion as to external profession if we be slight and formal and perfunctory in the duties of that Religion Take heed therefore of having only a form of Godlinesse and denying or secretly hating the power thereof What will it profit any man to be thought godly and religious if God know him to be ungodly Our Saviour hath told us that except our righteousness exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees and yet theirs was outwardly a very strict religiousness we cannot enter into the Kingdom of God Mat. 5.20 6. Take heed of contenting your selves with meer civil honesty and a fair just outward conversation This is very commendable yea and necessary but this is not sufficient to salvation Without regeneration and true conversion there is no salvation to be expected Not only loose livers but meer civil persons need a further change There are many people that applaud themselves in their own righteousnesse they give every one their own they defraud no man they pay what they owe to all men Do they so I am glad of it But let us a little examine whether they be so just as they pretend Possibly they give every man his due and would not defraud any man willingly or knowingly of any thing I commend them for it But do they give God his due They owe their hearts to him They owe sincere obedience and spiritual worship to him They are bound to love him above all and delight in communion with him and to make Conscience of the duties and services he requires They ought to fear and reverence his holy Name to delight in his Word to sanctifie his day to attend upon his Ordinances to be tender of his honour to decline all waies of sinning against him either by wicked thoughts irregular affections sinful words evil actions Their whole life ought to be a living unto God and his Glory ought to be their end and aim in all their undertakings They ought to renounce the devil the world and the flesh and to serve him faithfully all their daies Now then come and let us consider Do they do thus Do they indeed give every one his own Do they give unto God what of right is due unto him They make Conscience of being just towards men and they do well in it but are they careful also of paying God what they owe to him And what kind of righteousnesse call you this to be righteous towards men and unrighteous and unjust toward God Is this a righteousnesse any man dare stand upon and plead for his justification before Gods Tribunal You see then there is more required than an honest outward fair conversation to save the soul 7. Take heed of deceiving and ill-grounded hopes of Heaven Secure your state in Grace and then your title to Glory is unquestionable Look to your evidences for Heaven Take heed of mistakes about the great work of repenting and believing in Christ Many think they have those Graces when indeed they have only a shadow of them Examine your selves whether ye be in the Faith Prove your selves Whoever is in Christ is a new Creature old things are passed away old carnal principles old sinful inclinations old wicked practises old ungodly company are passed away and left by them that are true converts Ask your selves whether your repentance be a repentance unto life whether your Faith be a saving Faith What the true characters of Repentance and Faith are you may find in the 2d and 3d Chapters of the second Part of this Treatise 'T is carnal hopes that deceive the world and hinder people from looking after a saving conversion Content not your selves therefore to say you hope you shall be saved but prove and try whether you are such persons as God hath promised salvation to Prove by marks of Grace in your souls that you are true converts and then hope for salvation and spare not and the Lord confirm your hopes Great things and of everlasting consequence should be made as sure as is possible Ask your selves what evidences you have you are converted 'T is proof must carry it and not confident presumption Take God in Christ for your only happinesse and end And Christ as Mediatour for your only Lord and Saviour Accept him for your Sovereign as well as for your Saviour Be sensible of your continual need of his Bloud Spirit and intercession and give up your selves sincerely to him to be justified sanctified guided directed and everlastingly saved by him Let his Interest be uppermost in your souls and you are blessed for ever 8. Pray earnestly unto the Lord to be established in the truth and to be preserved from Errour giddinesse and apostacy which is the sin and shame of these times Let not the different Opinions that are now going be an offence unto you Remember that though men are mutable and change from one opinion to another and grow wanton and wild-headed yet God and Christ and the Scripture and Heaven and the way thither are still the same These change not Mind you these things Take heed of that threefold Apostacy that this age is too guilty of Namely 1. Of Judgment from the Truths of God 2. Of Affection from the Ordinances of God 3. Of Conversation from that sober humble and circumspect walking which all true Christians should make Conscience of Let not the treachery of false brethren dishearten you He is the right Souldier that is not discouraged by those that run away but still presseth on to victory In a word lay not out your zeal on externals or opinions and the smaller matters of Religion Look to it that there be in you an unfeigned and fervent love to God his Truth and children Let most of your daily care be about the right ordering and governing of your hearts and affections Labour to mortifie lusts and advance Grace To conclude this separate speedily from the sins of Christians but never from the Ordinances of Christ 9. Count those your best friends that lovingly and faithfully admonish you of any sin or evil they see you going on in If you were going ignorantly into a house infected with the plague you would think that man your friend that pluckt you back and acquainted you with your danger What a madnesse then is it for any man to be offended and angry with him that out of true good will and charity to his soul desires to preserve him from everlasting perdition Can it be thought by any sober man
of the Lord because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and beliefe of the Truth Rom. 8.1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit V. 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 Col. 2.11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the Circumcision made without hands in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the Circumcision of Christ 1 Cor. 6.11 And such were some of you but ye are washed but ye are sanctified but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God Rom. 6.5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death we shall be also in the likenesse of his resurrection V. 6. Knowing this that our old man is crucified with him that the body of sin might be destroyed that henceforth we should not serve sin V. 14. For sin shall not have dominion over you for ye are not under the Law but under Grace Eph. 5.26 That he might Sanctifie and Cleanse it with the washing of water by the word Gal 5.24 And they that are Christs have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts Rom. 8.13 For if ye live after the flesh ye shall die but if ye through the Spirit do mortifie the deeds of the body ye shall live Eph. 3.16 That he would grant you according to the riches of his Glory to be strengthened with might by the Spirit in the inner man V. 17. That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith that ye being rooted and grounded in love V. 18. May be able to comprehend with all Saints what is the breadth and length and depth and height V. 19. And to know the Love of Christ which passeth Knowledge that ye might be filled with all the fulnesse of God 2 Cor. 7.1 Having therefore these promises dearly beloved let us cleanse our selves from all filthinesse of flesh and spirit perfecting holinesse in the fear of God Heb. 12.14 Follow peace with all men and holinesse without which no man shall see the Lord 1 Thes 5.23 And the very God of peace Sanctifie you wholly and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ Gal. 5 16. This I say then walk in the Spirit and ye shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh V. 17. For the flesh lusteth against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh and these are contrary the one to the other so that ye cannot do the things that ye would V. 25. If we live in the spirit let us also walk in the spirit 1 Pet. 2.11 Dearly beloved I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul 2 Pet. 3.18 But grow in Grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to him be Glory both now and for ever Amen 2 Cor. 3.18 But we all with open face beholding as in a glasse the glory of the Lord are changed into the same Image from Glory to Glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord. Phil. 2.13 For it is God that worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure He commanded his Disciples to preach the Gospel and instituted the two Sacraments viz. Baptism and the Lords-Supper Mark 16.15 And he said unto them Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature V. 16. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved but he that believeth not shall be damned 1 Cor. 4.1 Let a man so account of us as of the ministers of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God John 4.1 When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more Disciples than John V. 2. Though Jesus himself baptized not but his Disciples Mat. 28.19 Go ye therefore and teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy Ghost V. 20. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you and Lo I am with you alway even to the end of the world Amen Mark 1.4 John did baptize in the wildernesse and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins Rom. 6.3 Know ye not that so many of us as were baptized into Christ were baptized into his death V. 4. Therefore we are buried with him by baptisme into death that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the Glory of the Father even so we also should walk in newnesse of life Mat. 3.11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance but he that cometh after me is mightier than I whose shoes I am not worthy to bear he shall baptize you with the holy Ghost and with fire John 1.33 And I knew him not but he that sent me to baptize with water the same said unto me upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending and remaining on him the same is he which baptizeth with the holy Ghost Tit. 3.5 Not by works of righteousnesse which we have done but according to his mercy he saveth us by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the holy Ghost 1 Pet. 3.21 The like figure whereunto even baptisme doth now save us not the putting away the filth of the flesh but the answer of a good conscience towards God by the resurrection of Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 12.13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body whether we be Jews or Gentiles whether we be bond or free and have been all made to drink into one Spirit 1 Cor. 10.1 Moreover brethren I would not that ye should be ignorant how that all our Fathers were under the Cloud and all passed through the Sea V. 2. And were all baptized unto Moses in the Cloud and in the Sea V. 3. And did all eat the same spirituall meat V. 4. And did all drink the same spirituall drink for they drank of that spirituall Rock that followed them and that Rock was Christ Rom. 4.11 And he received the signe of Circumcision a seal of the righteousnesse of the Faith which he had yet being uncircumcised that he might be the Father of all them that believe though they be not Circumcised that righteousnesse might be imputed to them also V. 12. And the Father of Circumcision to them who are not of the Circumcision onely but also walk in the steps of that faith of our Father Abraham which he had being yet uncircumcised Col. 2.11 In whom also ye are Circumcised with the Circumcision made without hands in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the Circumcision of Christ V. 12. Buried with him in baptisme wherein also ye are
the world he declared that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his Name among all Nations beginning at Jerusalem Luke 24.47 3. The Angels in Heaven rejoyce at the repentance of a sinner Luke 15.10 Likewise I say unto you there is joy in the presence of the Angels of God over one sinner that repenteth 4. Consider who are for thy repentance and who are against it God the Father Son and holy Ghost good Angels and glorified Saints all good Ministers and sincere Christians are for it None but the Devil and his Instruments are against it And which of these two parties wilt thou encline unto 5. Consider 't is not onely a Gospel duty but a Gospel priviledge The Law allowes no place for repentance 'T is an high favour God will pardon us upon our repentance and Faith in his Son 6. Consider All will sooner or later commend true repentance Be not thou one of them that will commend it when it is too late 7. Consider there is no other remedy For Without RepentaÌ„ce t is not consistent 1. With Gods justice we should be pardoned though repentance does not satisfie his justice yet sins unrepented of continued in cannot be pardoned without injustice 2. With his Mercy God is very merciful but 't is to penitent humbled sinners not obdurate impenitent transgressours 3. With the undertaking of Christ who came to call sinners to repentance to seek save those that were lost in their own eies He was exalted to be a Prince a Saviour to give repentance remission of sins Act. 5.31 8. If thou dost seriously and in good earnest repent of all thy sins it will be a great foundation of comfort to thee in time of distress If the Devil in time of temptation or the hour of death shall bring thy sins to thy remembrance and charge them upon thy Conscience to drive thee to despair O what a comfort will it be if thy Conscience can then truly answer though I have been guilty of such and such sins yet through the riches of Gods Grace I have in time of my health particularly humbled my soul for them I have retracted and undone them again by a serious repentance Believe it he that has truly repented of all his sins and has the bent of his heart turned towards God and is walking in a new course of life a steady course of Godlinesse has a surer foundation of comfort in his own soul than if an Angel should come from Heaven and tell him he should be saved Upon all these considerations let me advise thee begging the assistance of the Spirit of God to set upon the speedy practise of this so great so necessary yea so comfortable a duty Let not the deceitfulnesse of sin the cunning of Satan the hope of long life a vain presumption on the Mercy of God or any mistakes or prejudices against the Doctrine of repentance keep the off but laying aside all pretences excuses demurs whatever set upon it seriously and speedily and thou wilt find thereby through the blessing of God abundance of ease comfort satisfaction and settlement to thy Mind and Conscience Psal 32.5 I acknowledged my sin unto thee and mine iniquity have I not hid I said I will confesse my transgression unto the Lord and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin Prov. 28.13 He that covereth his sins shall not prâ—sper but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy 1 John 1.8 If we say that we have no sin we deceive our selves and the truth is not in us V. 9. If we confesse our sin he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousnesse Psal 19.12 Who can understand his errours cleanse thou me from secret faults Psal 90.8 Thou hast set our iniquities before thee our secret sins in the light of thy countenance Jam. 3.2 For in many things we offend all Job 13.26 For thou writest bitter things against me and makest me to possesse the iniquities of my youth Psal 38.4 For mine iniquities are gone over my head as an heavy burdeÌ„ they are too heavy for me Job 34.32 That whiâ—h I see not teach thou me if I have done iniquity I will do no more Psal 51.1 Have mercy upon me O God according to thy loving kindnesse according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions V. 2. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity and cleanse me from my sin V. 3. For I acknowledge my transgressions and my sin is ever before me V. 5. Behold I was shapen in iniquity and in sin did my mother conceive me V. 7. Purge me with hysop and I shall be clean wash me and I shall be whiter than snow V. 9. Hide thy face from my sins and blot out all mine iniquities V. 10. Create in me a clean heart O God and renew a right spirit within me V. 11. Cast me not away from thy presence and take not thy holy Spirit from me V. 16. Thou desirest not sacrifice else would I give it thou delightest not in burnt offering V. 17. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit a broken and a contrite heart O God thou wilt not despise See more Scriptures concerning repentance pag. 102. CHAP. III. Of Faith in Christ. UPon serious consideration of the evil and danger of thy sins renouncing all Confidence in thy self or any thing thou canst do to procure thy pardon and peace with God deliberatly and advisedly betake thy self unto Christ Jesus the only Mediatour and Peace-maker between God and man who once offered up himself a sacrifice on the Crosse for sin and is now in Heaven making intercession and presenting the Merits of his Obedience Sufferings and Death in the behalf of all such who being lost and undone in themselves do flie to him for help and relief and take him for their only Lord and Saviour With judgment and understanding give up thy self to this Saviour Cast thy penitent soul at his feet Rest and rely on him wholly and alone to be justified acquitted and discharged of all thy sins by his Merits to be sanctified by his Spirit to be commanded and disposed of by him and to be enabled by his Grace to persevere in the waies of Truth and Holinesse all thy daies and at last to be brought to Eternal life Intrust all thy hopes of pardon only on him Enter into a real Covenant with him to be for ever his resolving to live and die his faithful Disciple and servant And because really to close with Christ and savingly to believe on him is a matter of such exceeding high Concernment I shall 1. Explain the Nature of it 2. Lay down some Conclusions about it 3. Give some Motives and Incouragements to it Know therefore there is a two-fold Act of Faith 1. Of Adherence 2. Of Assurance I. When a poor sinner doth cast himself wholly on Christ crucified for pardon and life upon the warrant of
the promise although he hath no assurance in himself how the Lord will dispose of him This is commonly called Faith of Adherence or Recumbency II. When a soul that hath thus cast himself on Christ reflects upon what he hath done and comparing it with the Gospel promises becomes by the assistance of the Spirit bearing witnesse with his Spirit confidently perswaded of his interest in Christ and that he shall be saved by him This is call'd Faith of Assurance Now the former is that Faith which is the Condition of the new Covenant by which a sinner is freely acquitted of all his sins and accounted as a righteous and just person in Gods sight To this Faith there are these six things required 1. A real firm belief of the truth of the Gospel a true historical Faith concerning Christs person undertaking and performance and that he came to be a Mediatour and Peace-maker between God and man 2. A deep sense and feeling of the heavy burden of sin with true sorrow and humiliation â—hereupon The soul is brought to see its undone condition by sin before it closes with Christ 3. A firm perswasion that there is no other way of salvation but by Christ alone 4. A clear knowledge that Christ is able to save to the uttermost all that come to God by him and willing to save and ready to receive such as do own him for the true Messias and unfeignedly give up themselves unto him 5. An earnest desire a real thirsting after an Interest in this Saviour 6. An actual giving up the soul to Christ depending on him wholly and alone for pardon and life firmly trusting in him to be justified sanctified and everlastingly saved by him This is the soul truly and really united unto Christ And being by Faith and Love thus joyned to the Lord as the Apostle speaks 1 Cor. 6.17 is one Spirit i. e. is governed by one and the self-same Spirit The Scripture sets forth this admirable spiritual union by these four earthly resemblances By the union 1. Of the Husband and Wife Eph. 5.23 The husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the Church and he is the Saviour of the body 2. Of the Head and Members Eph. 1.22 23. Hath put all things under his feet and given him to be head over all things to the Church which is his body 3. Of the stones in the bullding with the foundation whereon they rest and are built Eph. 2.22 In whom you also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit 1 Cor. 3.11 4. Of the Vine and the Branches John 15.5 I am the Vine ye are the Branches So that when we do willingly betroth our selves to Christ and consent to take him for our Lord and Husband and to be his loyall spouse when we are willing to be in subjection to him and to be ruled by him as the members of the body are by the head when we depend and rest and rely on him alone for our salvation as the stones rest on the foundation Lastly when we derive Grace and Holinesse from him as the branches derive juice vertue and sap from the root and stock and do bring forth fruits in him and to him then is there a real and spiritual union wrought between Christ and our soules Thus much concerning the Nature of saving Faith The Conclusions I shall lay down concerning it are these 1. Though Christ hath paid down a sufficient price on the Crosse for the ransoming and buying in of lost and undone sinners yet we are not justified and absolved from the guilt of our sins till we do actually close with him by Faith 2. True saving Faith is not a strong perswasion that all a mans sins are pardoned by Christ's Merits and that he is in Gods Favour and in a good state and condition For 't is evident many of Gods dear servants are exercised with doubts and feares concerning themselves and many Gracelesse wretches that never felt the burden of sin nor ever made much Conscience of walking holily are most confident of their own good condition Therefore this confident ungrounded perswasion cannot be true Faith for then hardnesse of heart would make the best Faith and he that could presume most and be most secure and free from doubts would be the truest believer For a man to be confident of his good condition while he lies under the power and reign of sin is the grossest unbelief in the world 'T is to believe the flat contrary to what God hath revealed in the Word 1 Cor. 6.9 Know ye not saith the Apostle that the unrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdome of God Be not deceived neither fornicatours nor Idolaters nor adulterers nor effeminate nor abusers of themselves with mankind nor thieves nor covetous nor drunkards nor revilers nor extortioners shall inherit the Kingdom of God Therefore a confident resting on Christ for salvation if it be not a resting according to the Word will not serve the turn 3. Fiducially and savingly to believe on Christ is not an act of mans power but wrought in the soul by the Spirit of God who doth effectually enlighten perswade and draw the heart and assist and enable the soul to give up it self unto Christ Beg therefore the assistance of this blessed Spirit whom God hath promised to give to them that ask him Luke 11.9 And in the aid of his Grace give up thy self unfeignedly unto Christ to be justified sanctified and everlastingly saved by him 4. A true believer may fear and be in doubt that he hath not given up himself to Christ unfeignedly and this fear may proceed from the abundance of his love to Christ and earnest desire to be assur'd of an interest in him which makes him think he can never be certain enough of him Love is sollicitous and full of fears lest it should misse the person beloved 5. They that truly close with Christ do take him for their Lord as well as for their Saviour None come to Christ by Faith and savingly believe on him but they cleave to him by love also and live to him by obedience True Faith on Christ will beget love to Christ and love will bring forth obedience 6. The surest mark of true believing in Christ is a new and holy life 'T is the property of Faith to purifie the heart and so to work a change in the life and conversation Dost thou make Conscience therefore of all Christ's commands And art thou careful to refrain thy feet from every evil way Who ever is in Christ is a new Creature 2 Cor. 5.17 Hath the love of Christ shed abroad in his heart and that love constraines him to yeeld sincere obedience Hath the Spirit of Christ Rom 8.9 not only to comfort him but to counsel and direct him to lead him in the paths of truth and holinesse and to uphold him from taking any desperate and irrecoverable falls either in matter of judgment
not hid I said I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin Selah V. 6. For this shall every one that is Godly pray unto thee in a time that thou maist be found surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him Psal 17.1 Hear the Right O Lord attend unto my Cry give ear unto my Prayer that goeth not out of feigned lips Phil. 4.6 Be careful for nothing but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God Psal 65.2 O thou that hearest Praiers unto thee shall all flesh come Mich. 7.18 Who is a God like unto thee that pardoneth iniquity and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his Heritage He retaineth not his anger for ever because he delighteth in Mercy Psal 145.18 The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him to all that call upon him in truth V. 19. He will fulfill the desire of them that fear him he also will hear their cry and will save them Psal 50.15 And call upon me in the day of trouble I will deliver thee and thou shalt glorifie me Dan 9.14 Therefore hath the Lord watched upon the evil and brought it upon us for the Lord our God is righteous in all his works which he doth for we obeyed not his voice Mat. 7.7 Ask and it shall be given you seek and ye shall find knock and it shall be opened unto you V. 21. Not every one that saith unto me Lord Lord shall enter into the Kingdome of Heaven but he that doth the will of my Father which is in Heaven 1 John 5.13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the Name of the Son of God that ye may know that ye have eternall life and that ye may believe on the Name of the Son of God V. 14. And this is the Confidence that we have in him that if we ask any thing according to his will he heareth us V. 15. And if we know that he hear us whatsoever we ask we know that we have the petitions we desired of him Psal 10.17 Lord thou hast heard the desire of the humble thou wilt prepare their heart thou wilt cause thine ear to hear Eph. 6.18 Praying alwaies with all praier and supplication in the Spirit and watching thereto with all perseverance and supplication for all Saints 1 Tim. 2.1 I exhort therefore that first of all supplications praiers intercessions and giving of thanks be made for all men V. 2. For Kings and for all that are in authority that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all Godlinesse and Honesty Jam 5.16 Confesse your faults one to another and pray one for another that ye may be healed the effectual fervent praier of a righteous man availeth much Maâ— 5.44 But I say unto you love your enemies blesse them that curse you do good to them that hate you and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you 2 Sam. 7.29 Therefore now let it please thee to blesse the House of thy Servant that it may continue for ever before thee for thou O Lord hast spoken it and with thy blessing let the House of thy servant be blessed for ever 1 John 5.16 If any man see his Brother sin a sin which is not unto death he shall ask and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto unto death there is a sin unto death I do not say he shall pray for it Gen. 18.27 And Abraham answered and said behold now I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord which am but dust and ashes Luke 18.13 And the Publican standing afar off would not lift up so much as his eies unto Heaven but smote upon his breast saying God be merciful to me a sinner V. 14. I tell you this man went down to his house justified rather than the other for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted Psal 51.17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit a broken and a contrite heart O God thou wilt not despise Job 22.27 Thou shalt make thy praier unto him and he shall hear thee aad thou shalt pay thy vowes 1 Sam. 1.15 And Hannah answered and said no my Lord I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink but have poured out my soul before the Lord. 1 Cor. 14.15 What is it then I will pray with the Spirit and will pray with understanding also I will sing with the Spirit and I will sing with the understanding also Mark 11.24 Therefore I say unto you what things soever ye desire when ye pray beleeve that ye receive them and ye shall have them Jam. 1.6 But let him ask in Faith nothing wavering for he that wavereth is like a wave of the Sea driven with the wind and tossed Psal 145.18 The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him to all that call upon him in truth 1 Tim. 2.8 I will therefore that men pray every where lifting up holy hands without wrath and doubting Mat. 26.39 And he went a little farther and fell on his face and praied saying O my Father if it be possible let this Cup passe from me neverthelesse not as I will but as thou wilt Luke 11.13 If ye then being evil know how to give good gifts unto your Children how much more shall your Heavenly Father give the holy Spirit to them that ask him Rom. 8.15 For ye have not received the Spirit of bondage again to fear but ye have received the Spirit of adoption whereby we cry Abba Father Acts 12.5 Peter therefore was kept in prison but praier was made without ceasing of the Church unto God for him Mat. 6.9 After this manner therefore pray ye Our Father which art in Heaven hallowed be thy Name Luke 11.2 And he said unto them when ye pray say Our Father which art in Heaven hallowed be thy Name Thy Kingdome come Thy will be done as in Heaven so in earth Thanksgiving Col. 3.17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks to God and the Father by him Heb. 13.15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually that is the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his Name Psal 67.2 That thy way may be known upon earth thy saving health among all Nations V. 3. Let the People praise thee O God let all the People praise thee Psal 86.12 I will praise thee O Lord my God with all my heart and I will glorifie thy Name for evermore V. 13. For great is thy mercy towards me and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest Hell Psal 103.1 Blesse the Lord O my Soul and all that is within me bless his holy Name V. 2. Blesse the Lord O my Soul and forget not all
his benefits Psal 47.7 For God is the King of all the Earth Sing ye praises with understanding Col. 4.2 Continue in praier and watch in the same with Thanksgiving Psal 116.12 What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits towards me V. 13. I will take the Cup of salvation and call upon the Name of the Lord. Psal 115.1 Not unto us O Lord not unto us but unto thy Name give Glory for thy mercy and for thy Truths sake Psal 106.21 They forgat God their Saviour which had done great things in Egypt Psal 66.16 Come and hear all ye that fear God and I will declare what he hath done for my Soul Psal 105.2 Sing unto him Sing Psalmes unto him talk ye of all his wondrous works Psal 22.10 I was cast upon thee from the womb thou art my God from my mothers belly Luke 17.17 And Jesus answered and said were there not ten cleansed but where are the nine V. 18. There are not found that returned to give Glory to God save this stranger Psal 69.30 I will praise the Name of God with a Song and will magnifie him with Thanksgiving V. 31. This also shall please the Lord better than an Oxe or Bullock that hath hornes and hoofes Psal 50.13 Will I eat the flesh of Buls or drink the blood of Goats V. 14. Offer unto God thanksgiving and pay thy vows unto the most High Eph. 5.20 Giving thanks alwaies for all things unto God and the Father in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Thes 5.17 Pray without ceasing V. 18. In every thing give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you Eph. 1.3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ Psal 57.7 My heart is fixed O God my heart is fixed I will sing and give praise Psal 146.2 While I live I will praise the Lord I will sing praises to my God while I have my being Isa 1.3 The Oxe knoweth his owner and the Ass his masters Crib but Israel doth not know my people doth not Consider Psal 147.19 He sheweth his word unto Jacob his statutes and his Judgments unto Israel V. 20 He hath not dealt so with any Nation and as for his Judgments they have not known them Praise ye the Lord. Gen. 32.10 I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth which thou hast shewed unto thy Servant for with my staffe I passed over this Jordan and now am become two bands 1 Chron. 29.14 But who am I and what is my people that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort for all things come of thee and of thine own have we given thee Rev. 7.9 After this I beheld and lo a great multitude which no man could number of all Nations and Kindreds and People and Tongues stood before the Throne and before the Lamb cloathed with white robes and palmes in their hands V. 10. And Cried with a loud voice saying Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the Throne and unto the Lamb. V. 11. And all the Angels stood round about the Throne and about the Elders and four beasts and fell before the Throne on their faces and worshipped God V. 12. Saying Amen Blessing and Glory and Wisdome and Thanksgiving and Honour and Power and Might be unto our God for ever and ever Amen Rev. 19.1 And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in Heaven saying Alleluja Salvation and Glory and Honour and Power unto the Lord our God V. 3. And again they said Alleluja V. 4. And the four and twenty Elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sate on the Throne saying Amen Alleluja V. 5. And a voice came out of the Throne saying Praise our God all ye his Servants and ye that fear him both small and great Thirdly Be frequent and diligent in reading the holy Scriptures When thou readest the Commands the Promises the Threatnings therein contained think God speaks to thee in them And God must needs be true he cannot lie nor deceive Now there is sufficient evidence that the Scripture is his Word and written by the especial inspiration of his holy Spirit and that will appear if we consider these three things 1. The internal Light of its own perfection The holinesse and heavenlinesse of the matter the Majesty of the Stile the Consent of all the Parts the Scope of the whole which is to give all Glory to God and the full discovery therein made of the only way of mans salvation and reconciliation with God Which is a suitable way both to Gods Glory and mans Necessity 2. The many providential attestations and confirmations of the Truth of the things therein contained by real and undeniable miracles such as could not be wrought but by the power of God And surely if the Scripture had been only the device of men God would some way or other have disowned it ere this as a notorious abuse put upon him and not so constantly have preserved it in spight of the Devil and all his instruments who have laboured to banish it out of the world and to weaken the authority of it 3. The great and wonderful efficacy of the doctrine therein delivered to enlighten convince and humble sinners to drive them out of themselves and to draw them to Christ to conform them to the Image of God to subdue them to his will to strengthen them against temptations and corruptions to build them up in Grace to establish their hearts in holinesse and lastly to comfort them through Faith unto salvation As therefore the holy Ghost by special inspiration was the author of the Scripture and by extraordinary endowments was the author of the miracles wrought for its confirmation so also he is the author of the Faith of him that truly and unfeignedly believes it Yet he doth not cause us to believe by Enthusiasm without any reason or evidence but he enlightens the understanding removing the blindnesse and depravednesse thereof and shews us the credibility of the thing and the evidence of the truth that is to be believed and so perswades the heart to a belief thereof Indeed an historical belief of the Scripture which is true in its kind we may come to by rational perswasions without the special Grace or illumination of the Spirit of God but not that deep and firm belief which shall carry over the will effectually to God in Christ and captivate the whole man to the obedience of the Truth And when such a Faith and belief of the Scripture as this attended with sanctification is wrought in the soul the effect is a good argument to confirm the truth and excellency of such a Faith and belief 1. Labour therefore to work thy heart to a high and reverent esteem of the Word when thou goest to read it We should read it
Psal 16.8 I have set the Lord alwaies before me because he is at my right hand I shall not be moved Gen. 5.24 And Enoch walked with God and he was not for God took him Heb. 11.5 By Faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death and was not found because God had translated him for before his translation he had this testimony that he pleased God Gen. 6.9 Noah was a just man and upright in his generation and Noah walked with God Prov. 5.20 And why wilt thou my Son be ravished with a strange woman and embrace the bosome of a stranger V 21. For the waies of a man are before the eies of the Lord and he pondereth all his goings Gen. 39.9 There is none greater in this house than I neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee because thou art his wife how then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God Gen. 42 18. And Joseph said unto them the third day this do and live for I fear God Job 34.21 For his eies are upon the waies of man and he sees all his goings V. 22. There is no darknesse nor shadow of death where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves Job 27.6 My righteousnesse I hold fast and will not let it go my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live Isa 38.3 And Hezekiah said remember now O Lord I beseech thee how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart and have done that which is good in thy sight and Hezekiah wept sore 1 John 3.20 For if our heart condemn us God is greater than our heart and knoweth all things V. 21. Beloved if our heart condemn us not then have we confidence towards God 2 Cor. 1.12 For our rejoycing is this the testimony of our Conscience that in simplicity and Godly sincerity not with fleshly wisdome but by the Grace of God we have had our conversation in the world but more abundantly to you-wards Psal 32.2 Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity and in whose spirit there is no guile Psal 78.34 When he slew them then they sought him and they returned and enquired early after God V. 35. And they remembred that God was their Rock and the high God their Redeemer V. 36. Nevertheless they flattered him with their mouth and they lied to him with their tongues V. 37. For their heart was not right with him neither were they stedfast in his Covenant Gen. 17.1 And when Abraham was ninety yeares old and nine the Lord appeared to Abraham and said unto him I am the Almighty God walk before me and be thou perfect Eph. 6.24 Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity Amen Fifthly Labour daily to live by Faith Having given up and committed thy penitent Soule into the hands of Christ to have thy pardon and peace procur'd by his merits and intercession learn also daily to trust and depend on the goodnesse of God and his gracious promises for a supply of all such blessings both spiritual and temporal as thou standest in need of I shall shew thee what it is to live the life of Faith in these ten particulars 1. Seek unto the Lord and daily trust and depend on him for the assistance of his holy Spirit for Grace and strength effectually to enable thee to subdue thy corruptions and to mortifie all sinful vile affections in thee Luke 11.9 And I say unto you ask and it shall be given you seek and ye shall find knock and it shall be opened unto you V. 10. For every one that asketh receiveth and he that seeketh findeth and to him that knocketh it shall be opened V. 11. If a Son shall ask bread of any of you that is a Father will he give him a stone or if he ask a fish will he for a fish give him a Serpent V. 12. Or if he ask an egge will he offer him a Scorpion V. 13. If ye then being evil know how to give good gifts unto your children how much more shall your Heavenly Father give the holy Spirit to them that ask him Jam. 4.5 Do ye think the Scripture saith in vain the Spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy V. 6. But he giveth more Grace wherefore he saith God resisteth the proud but giveth Grace to the humble 2 Cor. 12 9. And he said unto me my Grace is sufficient for thee for my strength is made perfect in weakness most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me Rom. 6.14 For sin shall not have dominion over you for ye are not under the Law but under Grace 2. Trust in him to enable thee to resist and overcome the temptations wherewith thou shalt be assaulted from the Devil or the world Mat. 6.13 Lead us not into temptation 2 Chron. 32.31 Howbeit in the businesse of the Ambassadours of the Princes of Babylon who sent unto him to enquire of the wonder that was done in the Land God left him to try him that he might know all that was in his heart 1 Pet. 5.8 Be sober be vigilant because your adversary the Devil as a roaring lion walketh about seeking whom he may devour V. 9. Whom resist stedfast in the Faith Jam. 4.7 Resist the Devil and he will flee from you 1 John 2.15 Love not the world nor the things that are in the world if any man love the world the love of the Father is not in him V. 16. For all that is in the world the lust of the flesh the lust of the eies and the pride of life is not of the Father 1 John 5.4 Whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world and this is the victory that overcometh the world even our Faith John 17.15 I pray not that thou shouldst take them out of the world but that thou shouldst keep them from the evil V. 20 Neither pray I for these alone but for them also which shall believe on me through their word 3. Humbly depend on him to assist and enable thee to perform all the duties both of thy general and particular calling with sincerity diligence and delight 2 Cor. 3.5 Not that we are sufficient of our selves to think any thing as of our selves but our sufficiency is of God Phil. 4 13. I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me Psal 87.7 All my Springs are in thee 4. Trust in him to enable thee to bear all the afflictions he shall please to lay upon thee with patience affiance in his mercy and submission to his will Col. 1.11 Strengthened with all might according to his glorious power unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulnesse 1 Cor. 10.13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man but God is faithful who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able but with the temptation will also make a way
to escape that ye may be able to bear it Rom. 5.3 But we glory in tribulations also knowing that tribulation worketh patience Rev. 13 10. Here is the patience and the faith of the Saints 5. As thou must continually depend on God for a supply of all those Graces and comforts thy soul stands in need of so likewise thou must depend daily on his Fatherly care to be furnished and supplied with all such outward mercies as thou standest in need of for this life Mat. 6 11. Give us this day our daily bread Psal 84.11 For the Lord is a Sun and a shield the Lord will give Grace and Glory no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly 1 Tim. 4.8 For bodily exercise profiteth little but Godliness is profitable to all things having the promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come 2 Pet. 1.3 According as his divine power hath given us all things that pertain unto Life and Godlinesse through the knowledge of him that hath called us to knowledge and vertue 6. Humbly depend on him for direction and guidance in all thy lawful waies and to be counsell'd in difficult cases and matters of great concernment to thee Prov. 3.5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding V. 6. In all thy waies acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths Psal 55.22 Cast thy burden upon the Lord and he shall sustain thee he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved Jer. 10.23 O Lord I know that the way of man is not in himself it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps Prov. 16.9 A mans heart deviseth his way but the Lord directeth his steps Psal 32.8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go I will guide thee with mine eie Psal 17.5 Hold up my goings in thy paths that my footsteps slip not Psal 73.24 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel and afterwards receive me to Glory Jam. 1.5 If any of you lack wisdome let him ask of God that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not and it shall be given him V. 6. But let him ask in Faith nothing wavering c. 7. Daily trust in him to be protected and preserved from dangers evils and mischiefes as far forth as he shall see it good for thee and that his holy Angels may have charge over thee and may perform all those good offices for thee which he hath appointed them to do for those who shall be heirs of Salvation Heb. 1.14 Are they not all ministring Spirits sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of Salvation Psal 34.7 The Angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him and delivereth them Mat. 18.10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones for I say unto you that in Heaven their Angels do alwaies behold the face of my Father which is in Heaven Psal 91.1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most high shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty V. 4. He shall cover thee with his Feathers and under his Wings shalt thou trust V. 10. There shall no evil befall thee neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling V. 11. For he shall give his Angels charge over thee to keep thee in all thy waies V. 12. They shall bear thee up in their hands lest thou dash thy foot against a stone 8. Trust in him to be blessed and made successeful in all thy lawful endeavours For though man do his endeavour yet successe is only his to give Psal 37.5 Commit thy way unto the Lord trust also in him and he shall bring it to passe Psal 62.5 My Soul wait thou only upon God for my expectation is from him Psal 127.1 Except the Lord build the house they labour in vain that build it except the Lord keep the City the watchman waketh but in vain V. 2. It is in vain for you to rise up early and to sit up late to eat the bread of sorrowes for so he giveth his beloved sleep 9. Look up to him and humbly depend on him to have all lawful enjoyments and possessions sanctified to thee that they may be sweetned to thee with a sense of his love and favour in Christ and then they will be blessings indeed Prov. 10.22 The blessing of the Lord it maketh rich and he addeth no sorrow with it Psal 37.16 A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked Prov. 15.16 Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith Heb. 13.5 Let your conversation be without covetousnesse and be content with such things as ye have for he hath said I will never leave thee nor forsake thee 10. Humbly trust in him for the assistance of his holy Spirit to enable thee daily to grow in Grace and to persevere and hold out in the waies of truth and holinesse till thou attainest the end of thy Faith even the salvation of thy soul 2 Pet. 1.5 And besides this giving all diligence adde to your Faith vertue and to vertue knowledge V. 6. And to knowledge temperance and to temperance patience and to patience Godlinesse V. 7. And to Godlinesse brotherly kindnesse and to brotherly kindnesse charity 2 Pet. 3. ult But grow in Grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to him be Glory both now and for ever Amen 1 Cor. 10.12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall Rom. 14.4 Who art thou that judgest another mans servant to his own Master he standeth or falleth yea he shall be holden up for God is able to make him stand Jude 24. Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling and present you faultlesse before the presence of his Glory with exceeding joy V. 25. To the only wise God our Saviour be glory and majesty dominion and power now and ever Amen 1 Cor. 1.8 Who shall also confirm you unto the end that ye may be blamelesse in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ V. 9. God is faithful by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Pet. 1.5 Who are kept by the power of God through Faith unto Salvation Luke 22.32 But I have praied for thee that thy Faith fail not and when thou art converted strengthen thy Brethren Jer. 32.40 And I will make an everlasting Covenant with them that I will not turn away from them to do them good but I will put my fear in their hearts that they shall not depart from me Heb. 12.2 Looking unto Jesus the authour and finisher of our Faith c. John 17.24 Father I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am that they may behold my Glory which thou hast given me for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world
corrupt wills no guide but their own blind passions and humours But if thou wouldst order thy actions aright take the Word of God for thy Rule 3. Look to thy aim and end Thy main and ultimate end must be Gods Glory A Christians whole life should be a living unto God Gal. 2.19 All that is done be it an act of Piety Justice Temperance or Charity it should be done with this aim that God might be glorified thereby In all thy actions therefore whether natural civil or spiritual thou must still designe the Glory of God But of this we have spoken more under the fourth particular of this Chapter Jam. 2.12 So speak ye and so do as they that shall be judged by the Law of Liberty 1 Pet. 1.15 But as he which hath called you is holy so be ye holy in all manner of conversation 2 Pet. 3.11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and Godlinesse Mat. 7.22 Many will say to me in that day Lord Lord have we not prophesied in thy Name and in thy Name have cast out Devils and in thy Name done many wonderful works V. 23. And then will I professe unto them I never knew you depart from me ye that work iniquity Heb. 12.14 Follow peace with all men and holinesse without which no man shall see the Lord. Tit. 2.14 Who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purifie unto himself a peculiar people zealous of good works 1 John 3.3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself even as he is pure Eph. 5.15 See then that ye walk circumspectly not as fooles but as wise V. 16. Redeeming the time because the daies are evil Col. 4.5 Walk in wisdom towards them that are without redeeming the time 2 Cor. 1.12 For our rejoycing is this the testimony of our Conscience that in simplicity and Godly sincerity not with fleshly wisdome but by the Grace of God we had our conversation in the world and more abundantly to you wards Isa 38.3 And Hezekiah said remember now O Lord I beseech thee how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart and have done that which is good in thy sight and Hezekiah wept sore Acts 24.16 And herein do I exercise my self to have alwaies a Conscience void of offence toward God and toward men Jam. 1. ult Pure Religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this to visit the fatherlesse and widowes in their affliction and to keep himself unspotted from the world Jam. 2. ult For as the body without the spirit is dead so Faith without workes is dead also Mat. 5.16 Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorifie your Father which is in Heaven Prov. 16.17 The high way of the upright is to depart from evil he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul Ezek. 36.27 And I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes and ye shall keep my Judgments and do them 1 Cor 6.20 For ye are bought with a price therefore glorifie God in your body and in your spirit which are Gods 1 Tim. 1.5 Now the end of the Commandment is charity out of a pure heart and of a good Conscience and of Faith unfeigned 2 Tim. 2.19 Neverthelesse the foundation of God standeth sure having this seal the Lord knoweth them that are his and let every one that nameth the Name of Christ depart from iniquity Eph 4.1 I therefore the Prisoner of the Lord beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called Luke 3.8 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance 2 Cor. 5.10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ that every one may receive the things done in his body according to that he hath done whether it be good or bad Rom. 12.2 And be not conformed to this world but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind that ye may prove what is that good that acceptable and perfect will of God Phil. 2.15 That ye may be blamelesse and harmlesse the sons of God without rebuke in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation among whom ye shine as Lights in the world Phil. 4 8. Finally Brethren whatsoever things are true whatsoever things are honest whatsoever things are just whatsoever things are pure whatsoever things are lovely whatsoever things are of good report if there be any vertue and if there be any praise think on these things Having now dispatched those four things thou must watch over namely thy Thoughts thy Affections thy Words and thy Actions I come now in the second place to speak of those six things thou must especially watch against 1. Against those sins thou art most enclined to by temper and natural constitution The weakest part of the City must have the strongest guard Some Affections are predominant in one Age some in another There are youthful lusts 2 Tim. 2.22 as well as infirmities proper to old Age. 'T was a great Argument of Davids sincerity that he could truly say Psal 18 23. I was upright before thee and kept my self from mine iniquity Study therefore thy heart and consider what sins thou art most prone unto All sins fight against the soul but thy Master sin is the Goliah endeavour through the aids of Grace to slay that and the whole Army of the Philistines will be easily vanquished 2. Against the sins thou art most obnoxious to by reason of thy particular Calling Condition State and Course of life A man by reason of his calling or condition of life may have more frequent and stronger inducements to some sins than to others which he is therefore the more especially to keep watch against 2 King 5.18 In this thing the Lord pardon thy servant that when my Master goeth into the house of Rimmon to worship there and he leaneth on my hand and I bow my self in the house of Rimmon when I bow down my self in the house of Rimmon the Lord pardon thy servant in this thing 3. Against the sins of the times and places wherein thou livest We must be careful of being carried away with the evil of the times 'T is a description of wicked men Eph. 2.2 that they walked according to the course of this world i. e. according to the Age as the manner of the times went But of righteous Noah we have another kind of Character Gen. 6.9 Noah was a just man upright in his generation Noah walked wtih God And so in 2 Chron. 17.3.4 We read that the Lord was with Jehosaphat because he walked in the first waies of his Father David and sought not unto Baalim but sought to the Lord God of his Father and walked in his Commandments and not after the doings of Israel And the Apostle exhorts the Philippians Chap. 2. v. 15. that
they should be blamelesse and harmlesse the sons of God without rebuke in the midst of a crooked and a perverse nation among whom saies he ye shine as Lights in the world 'T is a high point of Grace not to be snared with the evils of our own times 4. Against all occasions and temptations thou foreseest are likely to endanger thy soul We that pray to God not to lead us into temptation must not run our selves into it A prudent man should therefore forethink and consider in the morning what temptations he is like to be encountred with that day that so he may if possible decline them or else set his guards the stronger against them A weak temptation that takes us unawares will prevail more than a stronger forseen A prudent man saith Solomon Prov. 22.3 foreseeth the evil and hideth himself but the foolish go on still and are punished 'T is a point of true spiritual wisdom to foresee sin afar off in the occasions and temptations that lead to it and by avoiding the one to prevent the other 'T is easier and safer for the Fowl to passe by the snare while she is yet out than it is to wind her self out again when she is once in Watch and pray saies our Saviour to his Disciples Mat. 26.41 that ye enter not into temptation If ye do rashly enter the lists of temptation a thousand to one such is mans naturall weaknesse you will not come out without some foil 5. Against dishonouring God in the use of lawful things such as meat drink apparel lawful refreshments c. Remember that 't is in the use even of things indifferent that Satan most usually setteth his snares for Gods servants for here the snare is not so visible as in grosser sins and he prevaileth more often against those that be not grossely prophane and ungodly by the immoderate or undue use of things in themselves lawful than by drawing them to such things as are simply evil and unlawful The Devil knowes well that he that will do all he may do will soon be drawn to do somwhat he ought not to do 'T is dangerous to come near the borders and confines of sin Those that will go to the utmost extent of their Christian Liberty and venture themselves so near the brink do many times fall into the pit of sin All things saith the Apostle are lawful unto me but all things are not expedient 1 Cor. 6.12 and 10.23 All things i. e. not all things absolutely but all things in their own nature indifferent are lawful to me yet all such things are not alwaies expedient 'T is better for us many times to forbear many things we may do it will never be grief or offence of heart to us as was said to David in another case 1 Sam. 25.31 than be once overtaken in what we should not do 6. Watch against Errour As thou must be careful to keep thy heart from sinful lusts and thy life from being spotted and stained with sinful practises so thou must be vigilant also to keep thy judgment sound and thy mind from being tainted and fly-blown with Errour Thou must take heed of a corrupt judgment as well as a rotten heart and a wicked life 'T is a great judgment to be given up either to an erroneous mind or to vile affections Some there are that seem very strict in their lives and pretend as much tendernesse in matter of morality as Lot did of his guests Gen. 19. yet are very loose as to their judgments exposing them as he his Daughters to be defiled with any corrupt Doctrine that comes to their doors Julian the Apostate was a just temperate strict man but a bitter enemy to Christ Some that are sober in their lives are yet drunk with Errour But let such consider that as they say of fish they begin to stink at the head so a corrupt judgment is very frequently a beginner and introducer of a depraved conversation Men in this age are wanton and play with opinions but believe it 't is not of small moment what opinions we hold and whether we be sound in the Faith or no. Grace and Truth use to thrive together The way of truth is the way of life and errour tendeth to death The Apostle tels us of pernicious Doctrines and damnable Heresies 2 Pet. 2.1 that bring swift destruction Truth in the mind preserveth an awe of God in the heart But false Doctrines blind the mind harden the heart deprave the conversation destroy the Churches peace and provoke the Lord to have a controversie with a people where they are tolerated Rev. 2.14 15 20. And we should be the more watchful over our selves in this particular because Errours are so agreeable to corrupt Nature and Conscience does usually lesse regret a man for Errour than for unholinesse and many times also they sute a corrupt interest namely profit and worldly advantage and then people are in great danger to be caught by them To keep thee therefore from Errour take these few Directions 1. Labour to be well-grounded in the truth Let the foundation be laid sure else the building with every ruffling wind will be apt to totter Ungrounded Christians who never understood the true grounds of the Religion they have taken up and how it is built on the Scriptures when they meet with Arguments against it which they never heard of before and which they through their unskilfulness cannot answer they presently yield to errour and think because they cannot answer them therefore no body else can But if thou wouldst not be carried away with every wind of Doctrine Labour rightly to understand the true grounds of Christian Religion And to this end study the Scriptures with humility and be much in prayer that God would guide thee by his holy Spirit into all saving truth and keep thee from falling into errour And remember that what has been commonly received by the people of God and embraced and practised by the Saints in all ages is not lightly to be rejected and deserted Can any rational man think God would leave the generality of his people to errour and seduction of mind Consider with thy self therefore whether it be not safer to follow the footsteps of the flock of Christ than to be led away by pretenders to new light the Scripture having given so many cautions to beware of seduceâ—s 2 Pet. 3.17 18. 2. Rest not in a bare knowledge of the truth but reduce thy knowledge into practise Be sincere in the Religion thou professest and let the truths of God like leaven season thy mind will and affections and have a powerful influence on thy life When men are in love with Gospel-truths for the goodnesse sweetnesse and benefit they tast in them they will labour to hold them fast Those that have any experience in their own hearts of the comfort and efficacy of the Doctrines of Repentance Faith in Christ and daily watchfulness will not easily throw them
erroneous yet we are to be sensible how God is dishonoured and thousands of soules endangered by their pernicious errours And therefore it deeply concerns us to have a care of our selves to preserve our owne soules from this infection and not of our selves only but to have a regard to our posterity also that we transmit truth down to them We would be willing to leave our estates to our children And shall we not be more careful to leave them truth Believe it we are to perform the part of faithful Trustees and to keep the Doctrine of salvation pure and unmix'd as much as in us lies and so to leave it to those that are to come after us 8. and Lastly Consider how the Scripture has forewarned us there must be Heresies 1 Cor. 11.19 Now there is a twofold necessity Absolute Conditional 1. Absolute when a thing cannot possibly be otherwise as God must needs be just 2. Conditional when a thing must be supposing such another thing to be before As suppose the Sun be risen it must be day so here upon supposition of these two things 1. Satans malice 2. Mans Corruption there must be Heresies Far be it from us ever to think that God imposes a necessity on any to be Hereticks but he permits them suffers them to spring up in the Church and that for these three reasons 1. That his glorious truths may be the more cleared up and evidenced and strongly confirmed and maintained Many parts of true Doctrine have been but slenderly guarded till assâ—ulted by Hereticks then old evidences have been searched and found out Many truths have been occasionally most cleared and setled by the opposition of the Adversary 2. That they that are approved may hereby be made manifest This is an effect the Devil never intended by raising Heresies But 't is the Chimistry of Heaven to bring good out of evil That is pure gold that endures the trial of the fire A quick smart wind severs the solid grain from the chaff They are but chaff who are blown away with every wind of Doctrine The good wheat remaines still in the floor of the Church When you see an Army march you know not who is valiant and who not when the enemy approaches then is the trial 3. That the obstinate may be rendred inexcusable who wilfully shut their eies against these more open manifestations and greater clearings up of the Truth which occasionally by the opposition of the adversary God is pleased to afford his Church Jude v. 3. Beloved when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation it was needful for me to write unto you and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the Faith which was once delivered unto the Saints V. 4. For there are certain men crept in unawares who were before of old ordained to this condemnation ungodly men turning the Grace of our God into lasciviousnesse and denying the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ 2 Pet. 2.1 But there were false Prophets also among the people even as there shall be false Teachers among you who privily shall bring in damnable Heresies even denying the Lord that bought them and bring upon themselves swift destruction V. 2. And many shall follow their pernicious waies by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of V. 3. And through Covetousnesse shall they with feigned words make marchandise of you whose judgment now of a long time lingreth not and their damnation slumbreth not 1 Tim. 4.1 Now the Spirit speaketh expresly that in the latter times some shall depart from the Faith giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils V. 2. Speaking lies in hypocrisie having their Consciences seared with a hot Iron 2 Tim 2.17 And their word will eat as doth a Canker of whom is Hymeneus and Philetus V. 18. Who concerning the truth have erred saying the Resurrection is past already and overthrow the Faith of some 2 Tim. 4.3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves Teachers having itching eares V. 4. And they shall turn away their eares from the truth and shall be turned unto fables Acts 20.29 For I know this that after my departure shall grievous wolves enter in among you not sparing the Flock V. 30. Also of your own selves shall men arise speaking perverse things to draw away disciples after them 2 Tim. 3.6 Of this sort are they which creep into houses and lead captive silly women laden with sins led away with divers lusts V. 7. Ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth V. 8. Now as Jannes Jambres withstood Moses so do these also resist the truth men of corrupt minds reprobate concerning the Faith V. 13. Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse deceiving and being deceived Mat. 7.15 Beware of false Prophets which come to you in sheepes clothing but inwardly they are ravening wolves V. 16. Ye shall know them by their fruits Mat. 24.11 Many false Prophets shall arise and shall deceive many V. 24. There shall arise false Christs and false Prophets and shall shew great signes and wonders in so much that if it were possible they shall deceive the very elect 1 John 4.1 Beloved believe not every spirit but try the spirits whether they are of God because many false Prophets are gone out into the world 1 John 2.18 Little Children it is the last time and as ye have heard that Anti-Christ shall come even now are there many Anti Christs whereby we know it is the last time V. 19. They went out from us but they were not of us for if they had been of us they would no doubt have continued with us but they went out that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us Rom. 16.17 Now I beseech you Brethren mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the Doctrine which ye have learned and avoid them V. 18. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ but their own belly and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple Gal. 4.17 They zealously affect you but not well yea they would exclude us that you might affect them Tit. 1.10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers especially they of the circumcision V. 11. Whose mouths must be stopped who subvert whole houses teaching things which they ought not for filthy lucres sake Tit. 3.10 A man that is an Heretick after the first and second admonition reject V. 11. Knowing that he that is such is subverted and sinneth being condemned of himself 2 Cor. 11.3 But I fear lest by any meanes as the Serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity which is in Christ V. 4. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus whom we have not preached or if ye
receive another spirit which ye have not received or another Gospel which ye have not accepted ye might well bear with him V. 13. For such are false Prophets deceitfull Workers transforming themselves into the Apostles of Christ. V. 14. And no marvel for Satan himself is transformed into an Angel of Light V. 15. Therefore it is no great thing if his Ministers also be transformed as the Ministers of righteousnesse whose end shall be according to their works Gal. 3.1 O foolish Galatians who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth before whose eies Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth crucified among you Gal 5.19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest c. V. 20. Idolatry Witchcraft Hatred Variance Emulations Wrath Strife Seditions Heresies 1 Cor. 11.19 For there must be also Heresies among you that they which are approved may be made manifest among you Heb. 13.9 Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines for it is a good thing the heart be established with Grace c. Eph. 4.14 That we henceforth be no more children tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine by the sleight of men and cuning craftiness whereby they ly in wait to deceive Gal. 1.6 I marvel ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the Grace of Christ unto another Gospel V. 7. Which is not another but there be some that trouble you would pervert the Gospel of Christ V. 8. But though we or an Angel from Heaven preach any other Gospel unto you than that we have preached unto you let him be accursed 1 Cor. 3.11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid which is Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 16.13 Watch ye stand fast in the Faith quit your selves like men be strong 2 Tim. 1.13 Hold fast the form of sound words which thou hast heard of me in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus Heb. 10.23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering 1 Tim. 1.19 Holding Faith and a good Conscience which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwrack 1 Thes 5.21 Prove all things hold fast that which is good Acts 17.11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica in that they received the word with all readinesse of mind and searched the Scriptures daily whether those things were so 2 Pet. 3.15 As our beloved Brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you V. 16. As also in all his Epistles speaking in them of these things in which are some things hard to be understood which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest as they do also the other Scriptures unto their own destruction Mâ—t. 4.5 Then the Devil taketh him up into the holy City and setteth him on a pinacle of the Temple V. 6. And saith unto him if thou be the Son of God cast thy self down for it is written He shall give his Angels charge concerning thee and in their hands they shall bear thee up lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone Jude v. 17. But beloved remember ye the words which were spoken before of the Apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ V. 18. How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time who should walk after their own ungodly lusts V. 19. These be they who separate themselves sensual having not the Spirit 2 Thes 2.10 Because they received not the love of the truth that they might be saved V. 11. For this cause God shall send them strong delusions that they should believe a lie V. 12. That they all might be damned who believed not the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousnesse Rev. 2.14 I have a few things against thee because thou hast them that hold the Doctrine of Balaam who taught Balak to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel to eat things sacrificed to Idols and to commit fornication V. 15. So hast thou also them that hold the Doctrine of the Nicolaitans which thing I hate V. 20. I have a few things against thee because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel which calleth her self a Prophetesse to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication and to eat things sacrificed unto Idols 2 Pet. 3.17 Ye therefore beloved seeing ye know these things before beware lest ye also being led away with the errour of the wicked fall from your omn stedfastnesse V. 18. But grow in Grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ Jude v. 24. Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling and to present you faultless before the presence of his Glory with exceeding joy V. 25. To the only wise God our Saviour be Glory and Majesty Dominion and Power now and ever Amen I have now dispatched the second Particular The things thou art to watch against I come now to the third the thing thou must watch for Thirdly Watch for and take all fit opportunities to glorifie God and to do good This is to be like our blessed Lord and Saviour who went about doing good and made every place where he came the better for him How much good may a seasonable word dropt for God do A sin wisely reproved and discountenanced a good hint well improved some good counsel seasonably given of how much advantage to the soules of others may these things prove This is to be on Gods side and true to his party We say A wise man makes more opportunities than he finds but a fool neglecteth those he has It should be our real design in all companies either to do good or to receive good And this will turn to a comfortable account in the day of recompences I come now to the Motives to quicken thee to this great and necessary duty of continuall watchfulnesse First Consider how naturally we are all prone to be secure and carelesse and want of watchfulnesse betraies us to most of the sins we fall into Secondly Consider the vigilancy of the tempter Shall he be so watchful to destroy us and shall not we be watchful to keep our selves from his malice 1 Pet. 5.8 Be sober be vigilant because your adversary the devil as a roaring lion walketh about seeking whom he may devour Eph. 6.11 Put on the whole armour of God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil Thirdly Consider the necessity of perseverance whereunto a concurrence of our care and diligence is required Whoso endureth to the end saith our Saviour Matth. 10.22 he and he only shall be saved Let us all run with patience saies the Apostle the race that is set before us Heb. 12.1 Now in worldly races none gaineth the prize but he that getteth first to the goal but in the spiritual race not only he that cometh first but whoso holdeth out to the last he is sure to win and obtain the prize Be faithful to the death and I
Psal 58.4 We read of some Zach. 7.12 That made their heart as Adamant stone that they might not hear 'T is a sad complaint the Prophet makes And yet many Ministers may in these daies make the same I have stretched out my hands all the day long to a disobedient and gainsaying people Isa 65.2 Rom. 10.21 3. The itching ear 2 Tim. 4.3 4. The Apostle speaks of some who having itching eares did turn away their eares from the Truth unto Fables When men affect only new things and another Gospel as Paul speaks Gal. 1. They are half gone into Heresie Plain Doctrines that tend to the conviction of sin that discover the necessity of conversion that shew mans lost and undone condition by nature his only remedy by Christ the necessity of Holinesse and new obedience these serious truths are too stale for many curious eares But remember they were carnal people who complained they had nothing but the old burden Jer. 23.33 34. II. Apply what thou hearest to thy self Job 5. ult Hear thou this and know it for thy self Do not ward off the blowes of the Word from thy self Do not say within thy self this reproof concerns such an one c. The Jewes being pricked in their hearts Acts 2.23 said What shall we do not what shall others do to be saved No plaister can do us good except it be applyed III. Lift up thy heart in frequent mental ejaculatory prayers unto the Lord to set the truths thou hearest home upon thy soul Lord help me to remember and practise this lesson Lord help me to forsake this sin Lord strengthen my Faith in the belief of this Truth As the Disciples when Christ told them how oft they should forgive an offending brother Luke 17.5 they instantly pray Lord increase our Faith IV. Mix Faith with the Word Heb. 4.2 The Apostle tels of some that the Word profited not bccause they did not mix it with Faith O cursed infidelity How many thousand souls hast thou destroyed How many thousand Sermons hast thou made unsuccesseful St. James tels us The Devils believe and tremble That is more than many a wicked man does Thus much of thy behaviour in time of hearing Thirdly After hearing practise these Directions 1. Labour to keep alive those good motions those good inclinations those Heavenly affections and stirrings of Spirit which thou foundest in time of hearing Thou wilt quickly cool when out of the Congregation if thou take not heed 2. When thou goest from the Congregation be willing to speak and confer of what thou hast heard labouring thereby to work those truths on thy own heart and on the hearts of others O how sad is it that people as soon as ever they are out of the Congregation fall a talking of any thing rather than the Sermon they have heard They are free to talk of bargains or news or any thing else But they are ashamed of such precise discourse as to speak of the truths they have heard though they concern them never so much 3. Let such as are governours of Families revive the truths they have heard in publick by repetition in their Families Our memories are weak and Commands had need be repeated to forgetful servants At first hearing many truths may be lost through distraction and wandring Paul in his Epistles does often repeat the same passages and renew the same exhortations And he tels the Philippians C. 3. v. 1. To write the same things to them was not to him grievous but for them safe 4. Retire thy self and meditate on the truths thou hast heard and labour to fasten them by prayer in thy heart Let thy Conscience in secret preach them over to thee again Luke 2.19 'T is said Mary pondered those sayings in her heart O how few will spend a secret hour on the Lords day to consider and meditate on what they have heard One main reason Sermons do no more good is because people so soon forget them And why do they forget them so soon But because they do not consider and meditate on them when they have heard them Heb. 2.1 Therefore saies the Apostle we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard lest at any time we should let them slip And 1 Tim. 4.15 Meditate upon these things give thy self wholly to them that thy profiting may appear unto all 5. Be not a bare hearer but a doer of the Word Speedily set upon the practise of what thou hast learned to be thy duty Be ye doers of the Word and not hearers only deceiving your own soules Jam. 1.22 Some do not care to hear because they have no mind to practise Some hear and rest in it 'T is practise that proclaims the sincerity of our profession In hearing we may look like Saints but in doing we live like Saints Practise is the best commendation of a Sermon Having thus shewed thee what thou must do 1. Before hearing the Word 2. In hearing the Word 3. After hearing the Word I come now to give thee some Motives to quicken thee to the practise of these Directions 1. Consider such as wilfully neglect to prepare their hearts before they come to hear do tempt God to withdraw the assistance and blessing of his holy Spirit from them when they are come Presume not on Gods assistance in an Ordinance if you neglect to prepare for it If the ground be not well prepared we do not expect a crop 2. Consider and remember the Devils care is not only to disturb thee at the Ordinance but to indispose thee for it before thou comest The Devil is stirring early on the Lords day morning He is at work betimes Be sure he hath a mornings draught for thee he will be presenting and suggesting something to thee to unfit and indispose thee for the duties of the day 3. Consider as thou art more or less careful to prepare so wilt thou ordinarily more or lesse tast the sweetnesse of the Ordinance Preparation is like exercise before a meal It will make thee come with the better appetite to the Word and relish it the better 4. Consider preparation is not only advantageous in order to the Ordinance but it brings advantage to us considered in it self By preparation we have communion with God We come to uâ—derstand our selves and the case of our own souls Whilst thou art preparing thy Graces are increasing the work of Heaven goes on 5. Consider If thou makest Conscience thus to behave thy self before in and after hearing of the Word as thou hast been directed thou wilt find it a great evidence of the sincerity and uprightnesse of thy heart Outward respects may make people come to Church but to take pains thus with their hearts beforehand argues a true desire after communion with God and a real willingnesse to profit by the Word and to grow in Grace 6. Consider what a choice mercy it is to enjoy the Gospel 'T is not a dish
Counsel of their Parents 2. By obeying their lawful Commands most gladly and chearfully doing those things that may bring joy and comfort to them and carefully avoiding what they apprehend will grieve or afflict them And that out of Conscience and in obedience to God who enjoyns it and not meerly from some outward advantages or benefits to themselves as too many children do This is not only contained in the fifth Commandment but expresly enjoyned in other places of Scripture Col. 3.20 Children obey your Parents in all things for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. Eph. 6.1 Children obey your Parents in the Lord for this is right In the former place 't is in all things In the other in the Lord i. e. If their commands are not contrary to Gods for in that case our duty to God must be preferred If any Parent shall be so wicked as to command his Child to steal or lie or do any wicked thing the Child does not offend against his Duty if he disobeys Only let him do it in such a modest and respectful manner that it may appear that 't is Conscience and not stubbornnesse that moves him to refuse Obedience 3. In bearing patiently their reproofs and submitting to their corrections and reforming thereupon what is amisse Prov. 29.17 Correct thy son and he shall give thee rest yea he shall give delight unto thy soul Heb. 12.9 Furthermore we have had Fathers of our flesh which corrected us and we gave them reverence Shall we not much more be in subjection to the Father of Spirits and live Prov. 13.1 A wise Son heareth his Fathers instruction but a scorner heareth not rebuke 4. In forbearing to do any thing of moment without craving their advice and counsel especially in the businesse of marriage For of all acts of disobedience that of marrying against the consent of Parents is one of the highest For as a late Author well observes Children are so much the goods possessions of their Parents that they cannot without a kind of theft giveaway themselves without the allowance of those that have such a right in them And therefore we see under the Law the Maid that had made any vow was not suffered to perform it without the consent of her Parent Numb 30.5 The right of the Parent was thought of force enough to cancell and make void the Obligation even of a vow and therefore surely it ought to be so much considered by Children as to keep them from making any Contract whereby that right is infringed III. Gratitude and Thankfulnesse which they must expresse 1. In a hearty affectionate acknowledgment of their love and care over them Certainly those Children that duly weigh how their Parents have been the Instruments under God not only of bringing them into the world but of susteining and supporting them after and do further consider the cares and fears that go to the bringing up of a Child will judge that thankfulnesse is but a moderate return for so great benefits 2. In ministring to their necessities of what kind soever whether weakness or sickness of body decayednesse of understanding poverty and lownesse of estate In all these cases the Child is bound according to his ability to relieve and help his Parents and thereby as much as in him lies to recompence their care love and kindness towards him As his Parent bare with him when a child so he must bear with his Parent though froward and twice a Child and though God should raise him in dignity above him yet that must not cancel his Duty towards him nor make him with some base disposition'd and wicked Children ashamed to own him In Gen. 47 12. we find that wealthy Joseph nourished his Father and Brethren in want and the same duty the Apostle enjoyns 1 Tim. 5.4 But if any widow have children or nephews let them learn first to shew Piety at home and to requite their Parents for that is good and acceptable before God And our Saviour himself when he left this world commended his Mother to the care of his Beloved Disciple Joh. 19.26 27. There is one thing more which I may couch under this Head wherein such children as are really good and truly religious themselves may expresse a high degree of Gratitude if the case so be as it sometimes happens that their Parents are as yet unacquainted with or negligent of the great concernments of their souls Now in such a case as this What a high Office of filial Duty is it for a child in a wise and humble manner to insinuate into his Parent such things as may with the blessing of God tend to his everlasting welfare and so be an instrument of his new birth who under God gave him his first birth and being in this world This is a Duty wherein some Children should take themselves more concern'd than usually they do 3. In praying for them The debt Children owe to their Parents is so great that they being not able to satisfie it themselves they ought earnestly to beg of the Lord that he would please to recompence it by multiplying his Graces in them and his blessings both spiritual and temporal upon them and to requite their care and love a thousand fold into their bosoms 4. In covering their infirmities 'T is the Duty and will be the endeavour of good and ingenuous children to cover and conceal the infirmities of their Parents with Shem and Japhet and not with cursed Cham to publish and disclose them Gen. 9.23 How detestable is it for Children to deride and scoffe at the infirmities of their Parents 5. And lastly By imitating their good example Whatever was good vertuous and commendable in their Parents let Children imitate But their vices and miscarriages let them decline and not entail them on their posterity Let them remember what a dismal sound is in those words Jeroboam the son of Nebat who made Israel to sin 2 King 3.3 There are two great Motives to presse Children to a careful observance of these things 1. 'T is right and just and that which should be Eph 6.1 And 't is well pleasing to the Lord Col. 3.20 2. It has a promise of reward Eph. 6.2 3. Honour thy Father and Mother which is the first Commandment with promise that it may be well with thee and that thou maist live long on the earth The words in Exod. 20.12 may be rendred Honour thy Father and thy Mother that they viz. By their prayers may prolong thy daies Parents prayers are great blessings to children And further consider what Solomon saith Prov. 10.27 The fear of the Lord prolongeth daies And Godlinesse hath the promise of this life and that which is to come 1 Tim. 4.8 If God take away some good and dutiful children betimes out of this life they are no losers by it For God is better to them than his promise In stead of a long lease in this life he gives them present possession of a free-hold
of much better value in the Kingdom above Col. 3.20 Children obey your Parents in all things for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. Eph. 6.1 Children obey your Parents in the Lord for this is right V. 2. Honour thy Father and thy Mother which is the first Commandment with promise V. 3. That it may be well with thee and thou maist live long on the earth Prov. 23.22 Hearken unto thy Father that begat thee and despise not thy Mother when she is old Prov. 1.8 My Son hear the Instruction of thy Father and forsake not the Law of thy Mother V. 9. For they shall be an Ornament of Grace unto thine Head and chains about thy neck Luke 2.51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was subject unto them Heb. 12.7 If ye endure chastning God dealeth with you as with Sons for what son is he whom the Father chasteneth not V 9. Furthermore we have had Fathers of our flesh which corrected us and we gave them reverence shall we not much more be in subjection unto the Father of Spirits and live Mal. 1.6 A Son honoureth his Father and a servant his Master If I then be a Father where is mine honour and if I be a Master where is my fear saith the Lord of Hosts c. 1 King 2.19 Bathsheba therefore went unto King Solomon to speak unto him for Adonijah and the King rose up to meet her and bowed himself unto her Gen. 27.34 And when Esau heard the words of his Father he cried with a great and exceeding bitter cry and said unto his Father blesse me even me also O my Father Mat. 15.4 For God commanded saying Honour thy Father and Mother and he that curseth Father or Mother let him die the death Prov. 30.17 The eye that mocketh at his Father and despiseth to obey his Mother the ravens of the valley shall pick it out and the young Eagle shall eat it Lev. 20.9 For every one that curseth his Father or his mother shall surely be put to death he hath cursed his Father or his Mother his blood shall be upon him Exod. 21.15 And he that smiteth his Father or his Mother shall be surely put to death Prov. 20.20 Whoso curseth his Father or his Mother his Lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness Prov. 13.1 A wise son heareth his Fathers instruction but a scorner heareth not rebuke 1 Sam. 2.25 Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto the voyce of their Father because the Lord would slay them Gen. 47.12 And Joseph nourished his Father and his Brethren and all his Fathers houshold with bread according to their Families 1 Tim. 5.4 But if any widow have children or nephews let them learn first to shew Piety at home and to requite their Parents for that is good and acceptable before God Mat. 15.5 But ye say whosoever shall say to his Father or his Mother it is a gift by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me V. 6. And honour not his Father or Mother he shall be free thus have ye made the Commandments of God of none effect by your Traditions CHAP. XIV Of the Duties of such as are in Office and of Inferiours ALL those that are in any Office or place of publick trust ought to be very careful to discharge the duties of their respective places faithfully diligently and patiently with an upright heart and a right tempered zeal aiming at the Glory of God and endeavouring that Piety Justice and peace may be preserved and maintained among men They should consider how much more easie it is to bear the anger and displeasure of men for the conscionable discharge than the wrath of God for the unconscionable neglect of their Duties Exod. 18.21 Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men such as fear God men of Truth hating Covetousnesse and place such over them to be Rulers of Thousands and Rulers of Hundreds and Rulers of Fifties and Rulers of Tens 2 Sam. 23.3 The God of Israel said the Rock of Israel spake to me he that ruleth over men must be just ruling in the fear of God Deut. 1.13 Take ye wise men and understanding and known among your Tribes and I will make them Rulers over you Rom. 12.8 He that ruleth with diligence Rom. 13.3 For Rulers are not a terrour to good works but to the evil wilt thou then not be afraid of the power do that which is good and thou shalt have praise of the same V. 4. For he is the Minister of God to thee for good but if thou do that which is evil be afraid for he beareth not the sword in vain for he is the Minister of God a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doth evil 1 Sam. 2.30 Them that honour me I will honour and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed The Duties of Inferiours Inferiours ought to yeild all due subjection to those Magistrates and Governours God hath set over them remembring that Magistracy is Gods Ordinance and none but Libertines think that Religion freeth them from Subjection thereunto They are to consider how sharply the Apostle in 2 Pet. 2.10 Reproves those that despise Government that are presumptuous self-will'd that are not afraid to speak evil of Dignities Subjection 't is a hard duty to corrupt Nature Man naturally is like the wild Asses Colt as Zophar speaks Job 11.12 And that both for the rudeness of his mind and untamedness of his Affections He would fain be free and yokelesse Being proud he loves not the Superiority of others And being licentious loves not to be restrained by others He would neither have his heart subject to God nor his actions to man He would have none to be Lord over him as 't is Psal 12.3 But this despising of Dominions is flatly against the injunctions of Gods Word Rom. 13.1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers for there is no power but of God the powers that be are ordained of God Tit. 3.1 Put them in mind to be subject unto Principalities and Powers to obey Magistrates to be ready to every good work And 't is a trespasse against the common good of humane Societies Let all Inferiours therefore in obedience to God for the honour of true Religion and for the preserving Order and good Government in the world make Conscience of these three Duties 1. To pray for Magistrates 2. To honour their Persons 3. To yield all due Subjection and obedience unto them Jude v. 8. Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh despise Dominion speak evil of Dignities Rom. 13.7 Render therefore to all their dues tribute to whom tribute is due custom to whom custom fear to whom fear honour to whom honour 1 Pet. 2.13 Submit your selves to every Ordinance of man for the Lords sake whether it be to the King as Supream V. 14. Or unto Governours as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evil doers and for the
Ministers sow Spirituals the people should not begrudge them if they reap some of their temporals 1 Cor. 9.14 God hath ordained that they that preach the Gospel should live upon the Gospel 'T is but just and reasonable that they who by undertaking that holy Calling are taken off from the waies of gaining a livelihood in the world shouâ—d be provided for by them whose souls they watch over And seeing the people receive Spiritual things from them viz. Instruction and Assistance towards the obtaining eternal life 't is agreeable both to reason and Scripture they should receive temporals from the people Yet this ought not to be a Ministers chief end and aim in setting his hand to this plow but to Glorifie God in the saving of Souls For what will it profit a Minister to gain his peoples Tithes and by negligence and carelesnesse to lose his peoples Souls Ministers are to be Lights to their Flocks and both by their Doctrine and life to shew them the way to Heaven What a horrible ingratitude and unworthinesse is it then in those men who endeavour to extinguish those Lights either by withdrawing the Oyl of maintenance or blowing them out with the wind of persecution Prov. 29.18 Where there is no vision the people perish Hos 4.6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge Jer. 3.15 And I will give you Pastours according to mine heart which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding Mal. 2.7 For the Priests lips should keep knowledge and they should seek the Law at his mouth for he is the messenger of the Lord of Hosts Isa 30.20 And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more but thine eies shall see thy teachers Mat. 13.52 Then said he unto them therefore every Scribe which is instructed unto the Kingdom of Heaven is like unto a man which is an Housholder which bringeth forth out of his treasury things new and old Eph. 4.11 And he gave some Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastours and Teachers V. 12. For the perfecting of the Saints for the work of the Ministry for the edifying of the body of Christ. 1 Cor. 12.28 And God hath set some in the Church first Apostles secondarily Prophets thirdly Teachers after that miracles then Gifts of healings helps Governments diversities of Tongues 2 Cor. 3.6 Who hath made us able Ministers of the New Testament not of the Letter but of the Spirit 2 Tim. 2.15 Study to shew thy self approved unto God a workman that needeth not to be ashamed rightly dividing the Word of Truth Col. 1.28 Whom we preach warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus 1 Pet. 5.1 The Elders which are among you I exhort who am also an Elder and a witnesse of the sufferings of Christ and also a partaker of the Glory that shall be revealed V. 2. Feed the Flock of God which is among you taking the oversight thereof not by constraint but willingly not for filthy lucre but of a ready mind V. 3. Neither as being Lords over Gods Heritage but being ensamples to the Flock Col. 4.17 And say to Archippus take heed to the Ministry which thou hast received from the Lord that thou fulfill it 1 Thes 2.4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the Gospel even so we speak not as pleasing men but God which trieth our hearts V. 5. For neither at any time used we flattering words as ye know nor a Cloak of Covetousness God is witness V. 6. Nor of men sought we Glory neither of you nor yet of others when we might have been burdensom as the Apostles of Christ V. 7. But we were gentle among you even as a Nurse cherisheth her Children V. 8. So being affectionately desirous of you we were willing to have imparted unto you not the Gospel of God only but also our own souls because ye were dear unto us V. 10. Ye are witnesses and God also how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved our selves among you that beleeve V. 11. As you know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you as a Father doth his Children V. 12. That ye would walk worthy of God who hath called you unto his Kingdom Glory V. 13. For this cause also thank we God without ceasing because when ye received the Word of God which ye heard of us ye received it not as the Word of men but as it is in truth the Word of God which effectually worketh also in you that beleeve V. 19. For what is our hope or joy or Crown of rejoycing Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming V. 20. For ye are our Glory and Joy 1 Cor. 16.15 I beseech you Brethren ye know the house of Stephanas that it is the first fruits of Achaia and that they have addicted themselves to the Ministry of the Saints V. 16. That ye submit your selves unto such and to every one that helpeth with us and laboureth Heb. 13.17 Obey them that have the rule over you and submit your selves for they watch for your souls as they that must give an account that they may do it with joy and not with grief for that is unprofitable for you V. 24. Salute all them that have the rule over you and all the Saints They of Italy salute you 1 Tim. 5.17 Let the Elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour especially they who labour in the Word and Doctrine 2 Cor. 12.15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you though the more abundantly I love you the lesse I be loved 1 Cor. 9.7 Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges Who planteth a vineyard and eateth not of the fruit thereof or who feedeth a Flock and eateth not of the milk of the flock V. 8. Say I these things as a man or saith not the Law the same also V. 9. For it is written in the Law of Moses thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the Ox that treadeth out the Corn. V. 11. If we have sown unto you Spiritual things Is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnall things V. 13. Do ye not know that they which minister about Holy things live of the things of the Temple and they which wait at the Altar are partakers with the Altar V. 14. Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel Rom. 15.27 For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their Spiritual things their duty is also to minister to them in carnal things Gal. 6.6 Let him that is taught in the Word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things V. 7. Be not deceived God is not mocked whatsoever a man sowes that shall he reap c. Mat.
from and inconsistent with the nature of these Graces There is a great deal of danger in mistaking about these things Therefore let them ask themselves seriously whether they do indeed understand that true repentance follows upon a clear and full conviction of the evil odiousnesse and filthinesse of sin as that which is contrary to Gods holy Nature and is flat rebellion against his Lawes and Authority as that which defaces his Image depraves defiles pollutes the soul weakens its powers disenables it for holy operations and conforms it to the Image of Satan Whether they rightly apprehend the danger desert and mischievous effects and consequents of sin how it exposes the sinner to judgments spirituall temporal and eternal Whether ever they apprehended their own deep guiltiness both of Original and a huge number of actual sins Whether there ever has been wrought in them any deep contrition and hearty sorrow for their sins and that upon Gospel-grounds because they have so exceedingly dishonoured God pierced our dear Lord and Saviour grieved the holy Spirit brought a stain and defilement upon their soules and rendred themselves justly liable to the wrath and curse of God Whether their hearts have been wrought to a hatred and loathing of sin and to a forsaking of every known sin and are now really turned unto God Whether they have cleerly and without guile of spirit confessed bewailed their sins unto God their particular known sins particularly and all secret undiscovered unknown sins with a general confession And here that the sick person may the better examine himself and awaken his Conscience and may understand in some measure the number of his sins the several kinds of them and the various waies of offending God let him consider and ponder seriously of the duties commanded and sins forbidden in the Law or ten Commandments and the special sins against the Gospel For the more particular his repentance is the more pungent and afflictive it will be and so the more sincere and effectual Of the duties commanded and sins forbidden in the Law or ten Commandments The first Commandment requireth us to own and acknowledge Jehovah to be the only true God and our God and to adore worship and glorifie him accordingly The sins against this Commandment are 1. Atheism not believing there is a God or so living as if there were no God in the world to be obeyed and worshipped 2. Idolatry in having or worshipping more Gods than one or any with or in stead of the true God praying or giving any religious worship to Saints Angels or any other Creature 3. All compacts and consulting with the Devil all resorting to Witches and Conjurers which is in effect to go to the Devil himself 4. Making men the Lords of our Faith Consciences 5. Ignorance misapprehensions misbelief concerning God not labouring after the true knowledge of God nor endeavouring to understand aright his nature properties and works 6. Infidelity not believing his word or not believing it effectually practically so as to live according to our belief not beleeving his threatnings so as to be afraid of them nor his promises so as to be invited by them unto obedience and newnesse of life 7. Diffidence and distrust of his care and providence not depending on him for the supply of our wants not looking up to him for a blessing on our lawful endeavours tempting him by using unlawful means in stead of waiting his leisure Creature-confidence trusting in wit wealth friends c. and thereby withdrawing our hearts and dependance from God 8. Want of love to God Not cleaving to him with a fervent love apprehending him the chief good not loving him for his own infinite excellencies and for his goodnesse to us not loving him with all our affections and might but loving our selves our pleasures or profits or credit before him inordinate setting our minds and affections on other things besides God 9. Want of zeal and forwardnesse to promote his Glory Lukewarmnesse indifferency in the things of God not sorrowing for those raigning sins whereby his honour is eclipsed 10. Not fearing God so as to keep from any wilful offending of him timorousnesse fearing man more than God by committing sin to shun some outward suffering 11. Not rejoycing in God nor in his waies and Worship counting his waies grievous and burdensom Apostatizing from him forsaking his Worship and Service 12. Presuming groundlessely on his mercy while we go on in any wilful sin or despairing of it so as to neglect duty 13. Unthankfulnesse for those great mercies he hath so freely bestowed upon us not acknowledging them or letting them slip by without any regard or notice being too apt to ascribe Gods blessings to our deserts or endeavours sacrificing to our own net to our own wit or parts not ascribing all Glory to God 14. Insensiblenesse under his judgments or discontent at his dispensations Impatience under his Fatherly chastisements not accepting the punishment of our iniquities without murmuring or repining not amending by his corrections but either fainting despairing and charging God foolishly 15. Not yeelding such sincere and universal obedience to him as we ought both in heart and life 16. Not having a high and an adoring esteem of God not demeaning our selves humbly before him according as our vilenesse and his infinite surpassing excellencies do require The second Commandment shews the manner how the true God must be worshipped and requires the observing and keeping pure entire all such religious Worship and Ordinances as he hath appointed in his Word Inward Idolatry is opposed to the first Commandment outward to this The true God is to be worshipped only in that way that he himself hath appointed Therefore Idolatrous and superstitious Worshippers of him he cals haters of him and expresses a very fervent zeal for his own Worship and a revengefull indignation against all false Worship as being spiritual whoredom The sins against this Commandment are 1. All will-worship superstition or corrupting the Ordinances of God by mans inventions 2. Making any Images for a religious use either of the true God or of false 3. Making any representation of God of all or any of the Three Persons in the Trinity either inwardly in our minds or outwardly in any kind of Image or likenesse of any creature whatsoever or worshipping of it or God in it and by it 4. Worshipping of God any way not agreeable to his Nature and not warranted by his Word which requires he should be worshipped in Spirit and Truth with uprightnesse and sincerity he being a spiritual and most pure Being without any visible form or shape Therefore all formality unspiritualnesse and meer bodily Worship is that which he cannot away with The third Commandment requires we should honour and reverence the most holy and glorious Name of God and that all his Titles Attributes Ordinances or whatever else he is pleas'd to make known himself by be holily and reverently used by us This Commandment