see men advanced to worldly honours that they enjoy such honours and dignities or if they see people beautifull or gorgeously apparel'd they cannot it may be say they have so faire a face or rich cloaths c. Saints think they are rich enough honourable enough that they are very faire and gallant if like Jesus Christ In respect of many worldly injoyments that the sons of men possessed 't is probable the sons of Zion could not say they were like them yet this was their comfort that they had the witnesse of the spirit Rom. 8.16 that they could say they were like God they were holy souls like the holy God union with God brought forth likenes to God 1 John 4.15 16 Deus charitas est quid pretiosius Et qui manet in charitate in Deo manet quid securius Et Deus in eo quid jucundius Haec gloria christianorum magna est a blessed God dwelling in them makes them blessed souls Exceeding blessed and ever happy are they that from in-dwellings of Father Son and Spirit in them can say God is holy Christ is holy the Spirit holy and we as Saints delight to be holy and so to be like Father Son and Spirit The Apostle speaks largely in his own and Saints commendation in uttering a few words saying As he is so are we in this world He had spoken much of God and of the Son of God 1 Joh 4.16 and of Gods dwelling in Saints and of Saints being born of God 1 Joh. 4.7 and knowing God and having laboured with his Divine and Heavenly Rhetorick he endeavoured to give God the honour due unto him and he would not let slip an opportunity of magnifying the grace of God in Saints 1 Joh. 3.1 1 Joh. 5.12 and how much they were dignified by enjoying God and as to extol their greatnesse and goodnesse in the world so to chear up themselves that had received such kindness of God and that they might with boldnesse stand up pleading their own dignity and blessedness 1 Pet. 4.14 against all the reproaches disgraces and scorns of the world he holds out God and then himself and Saints As he is so are we in this world We shall look upon the Text as it hath relation mainly to God as making out himself to us in Jesus Christ Loquitur hic de conformitate in puritate innocentia vitae Hem. 1 Pet. 1.15 2 Cor. 5.21 Luk. 6.36 and to Saints through grace enjoying God within and by that enjoyment striving to be like God in holinesse righteousnesse mercy love patience longsuffering goodnesse gentlenesse c. And although 't is impossible for Christians to be such as God for purity and perfection Haec conformitas nostri cum Deo in imitatione conaâ—u omni puritate perfectione posita est Rom. 8.29 yet through the Spirits help may they imitate God and for the manner of living holily strive to be conformable to the Lord So that as God is a God of love Christians are Christians of love that love that is in a Christian to God it is but a son it is but a fruit of the love that is in God to a Christian 't is but the springing forth of somewhat of God himself planted within in the soul Eccles 1.7 't is but a stream running back to that Sea from whence it came returning God his due like for like love for love a Saint knows love deserves love Gods love is love 1 Jo. 4.19 In this way of love he acts freely 1 Pet. 5.2 and so is like God it is as ordinary for a Christian to love as to live for what maintains his being as a Saint produceth love to the ornament of his being As it rejoyceth in having the life of a Saint Gal. 2.20 Act. 4.20 Psal 40.8 so it is pleased in doing the work of a Saint laying out it self in what is pleasing to the Lord Joh. 7.18 God cannot but act what is good and what tends to his own glory take a Saint as having God living in it 1 Joh. 3.18 19. and from that living of God in it acting it doth what is good and also tends to the glory of God 1 Cor. 15.58 It knows 't is not lost labour to be doing for God and that it is not in vaine There is infinite good in God and there is some good in a Saint Infinitnesse in God enables God for infinite worke God is able to do like himself beyond what a soul can think or conceive A soul that enjoyes somewhat that this all-good-God gives out in his love through Christ 1 Cor. 15.10 is in his actings according to what he receives and as that receiving springs and sprouts out Omnia gratiae divinae tribuit A spark of fire will do what a spark can do and a drop of water what a drop may indeed it cannot do so much as the Sea or Element of fire can do 'T is a Christians joy that of Christs heavenly fulnesse it receives some grace Joh. 3.34 Christ hath what he hath without measure a Christian in measure a Christian is glad that it finds Christ saying 1 Cor. 15.48 As is the heavenly such are they that are heavenly and that by the spirits work 't is fashioned to be like Christ now 't is in the world and so chang'd into the same Image from glory to glory 2 Cor. 3.18 And though it live in a wicked world amongst wicked men yet it is not like them but it is like him that is heavenly it is not conformable to those it lives withall without in the body but to him that lives within in his soul Dearly beloved what are you what can you now say for your selves can you say you are like Christ have you a life like Christ have you a conversation like Christ are you cloath'd like Christ Col. 3.12 have you put on as the Elect of God holy and beloved bowels of mercies kindnesse humblenesse of mind meeknesse long suffering forbearing one another and forgiving one another if any man have a quarrel against any Christus non tantum nobis est donum verum etiam exemplum Miraculosae actiones Christi mentem nostram de veritate doctrinae ipsius confirmabunt Peculiares actiones quae sunt ipsius officii propriae hae ut expiatoriae peccati nostri fuerunt ita salutis fiduciam in nobis alent confirmabunt even as Christ forgave you so also do yee The actions of Christ should be instructions of christians yet consider rightly of Christs actions some were miraculous as fasting forty daies raising the dead c. these are not to be immitated because they cannot yet these may help to strengthen our faith and confirme us concerning the truth of the Doctrine of Christ Some are peculiar actions belonging to his office as to redeem or make intercession c. these also are
proper to Christ onely Morales actiones quibus legi morali satiisfecit hae nostram vitam mores ad dilectionem Det proximi excitabunt Some are morall these last are onely imitable you may take all thus some actions there are of Christ which he did as God some as Mediator some as man The last are binding to us to follow every action of Christs is for our instruction some way or other and carefull ought we to be to make use of it as we should that so none of Christs doings do not passe by us un-observ'd and taken notice of but that we rightly ponder them Omnis Christi actio nostra est instructio sed diversimode c. that what is to be admired and wondred at we may admire and wonder what invites to praise let them have it and what is to be imitated let them be set before us and strive to imitate and though we cannot act to perfection yet let us act with affection and though we cannot do as we should yet let us desire to do it and though the bodies pace be slow yet may your souls be nimble Paul though he could not take hold on yet did he reach out to those things that were before And be sure to send love to Christ and let that tell him that all of soul and body is following after And that whatsoever your doings are yet your desires are right for they are to please him and glad would you be to be comprehended in that saying of the Apostle As he is so are we in this world Blame none for desiring this to be like Christ He that is like Christ is very excellent and the more this likenesse is perfected the nearer is the soul to glory 'T is an excellent discovery of a vertuous soul to see it continue good let the times places and people be never so bad and so doubtlesse it manifests a heavenly excellency within when a soul that lives in this wicked ungodly world appears in life and conversation heavenly shines out in a dark world though not with so clear a light as Christ yet is his light shining out like Christ A handsome imitation from some is as pleasing as great action from others Lord thou art not strict to mark what is done amisse look not on our actings which are imperfect but Lord consider what our desires are how we desire to conform to thee and help Lord with thy spirit As thou art a loving God let us be loving christians as thou art a glorious Husband let us be a glorious Spouse as thou art a soul-pittying-Saviour let us be soul-obedient Saints As thou art a fountaine a Sea let us be streams at least drops and though we are not of such worth as thou O Christ Quantum unusquisque est inâ—oculis Dei tantum est c. yet let us be true coine and as pounds and pence may have one stamp and the least though not of so great a value as the best yet of some value Mark us sweet Jesus for thine though the mark be never so small that so what the Pharisees messengers answered thee concerning the Image and superscription upon the Tribute-money saying it is Caesars so Lord let the Image and stamp upon our souls be Christs That so our life our love our actions may be such as Christs Christ and us may have one way one will one affection one mind our bent and purposes the same with Jesus Christ Now the work goes on now is the mirth now thriving when all agree in one when all the Souldiers do like the Captaine all the servants like the master all the followers like the leader all the members as the head directs and that there are no divisions commands answere with obedience examples sutable to the pattern learners like the teacher Saints like the Saviour As he is so are we c. Doct. Obs True Saints are such that are very like Jesus Christ There is some speciall singular thing in Saints that is not in men of the world there is a singular vertue in a Jewell that is not in another stone which makes it esteemed there is a peculiar choice excelling in Saints that makes them so extold there is somewhat in them that others have not seen nor known 1 Cor. 2.10 which is manifest to them by the spirit they are begotten of God and so come to be like Christ as children of one father are like one another A holy Christ the Son of God and holy Saints children of God Heb. 2.11 all of one for which cause Christ is not ashamed to call Saints brethren and from this brotherhood it is that Christ and christians are good friends that there is so much union peace and affinity that they can speak together confer together dwell together feed together lodge together and live together the God of Christ the God of Saints the Father of Christ the Father of Saints 't is the words of Christ the soul-delighting words of the Elder brother to the Younger sent by Mary as a message of comfort to the Disciples Ad perturbatos Discipulos accurre Io. 20.17 Go to my brethren and say unto them I ascend unto my Father and your Father and to my God and your God Here 's a cordial the Disciples were troubled at their Masters being crucified and 't is likely were very much grieved Christ forgets them not but sends them news of his Resurrection and of his Ascending into glory and that they should ascend likewise for his Father would not entertain him alone but them also The inheritance of glory belongs to Saints as well as Christ all Gods children shall partake in this kingdom Rom. 8.17 The spirit it self beareth witnesse with our spirit that we are the children of God Donorum patris caelestis sunt participes And if children then heirs heirs of God and joynt-heirs with Christ Christ had bled freely for them and his message is sweet to them willing his should know what glory is provided for them 1 Joh. 3.2 Phil. 3.21 Rev. 3 21 and therefore tels them they should be like him their vile bodies made like his glorious body and sit with him in his Throne those that are like him in grace shall be like him in glory they that are partakers with him in bearing the crosse shall be partakers with him in wearing the crown Christ is fashioning his daily for himself and when he hath brought his work to that perfection here that they come unto the measure of the stature of the fulnesse of Christ and to perfect man Eph. 4.13 he will remove them to glory for the church is heavens nursery and as Christ sees fit he draws out those precious plants that are like himself and sets them with himself Small pieces of gold are look'd to and kept safe if like Christ you are well enough souls 't is no matter who you are unlike if
God or man he acts right that bids his enemy be judge of his doings if any spy faults enemies will Saints are for pleasing God that 's their aime they are company for such whose journey is heaven-ward Christ is gone before they follow after He goes fastest to heaven that goes on most speedily in Gods worke that as it tends to Gods glory so to the actors glory A soul will soone be glorified it selfe that glorifies God they that are for God shall be with God heavenly work is recompens'd with good wayes Christ did his work is entred into his joy doe yours and enter also like doers shall have like pay 5. Christ is for fellowship and communion with his people Mat. 18.20 where two or three are gathered together in his name there he is in the midst of them so Saints the friends of Christ desire fellowship with those that are Christs christians this Lesson hath not been well learn'd of late outward appearances like our selves t is feard have drawne us many times more then Christ in Spirit dwelling in souls That part of Arethmeticke division hath beene in use too much at least Numeration too little we should be more like Christ were we more for society I meane with Saints Davids Spirit was gratious and was much affected with such company if like Christ sociable but 't is with Saints 6. Christ delights to see men holy embracing truth in this Saints are like Christ Saint John rejoyced greatly that he found the children of the Elect Lady walking in truth Epist Ioh. 2.4 so this exercise was pleasing to Paul Col. 1.3 4. We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ praying alwayes for you since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus of the love which ye have to all the Saints As he rejoyced to see this amongst the Colossians for it pleased him to see others followers of the Lord 1 Thes 1.6 and embracing that truth which the churches of God embraced 1 Thes 1.14 to the exceeding growth of faith and the abounding of charity each towards others 2 Thes 1.3 They that were holy amongst the Jews rejoyced at the Gentiles conversion And at this day there is no greater joy to Saints then to hear of others turning to the truth and living holily That which makes carnal men displeas'd which is newnesse of life pleaseth those that have received of the same life Ezech. 33 7. Jesus Christ hates sin in every one yet no mans person he pitties their persons Why will you die O house of Israel He loath'd Jerusalems sin yet he wept over the city as pittying the people sorrowing through foreseeing of the misery that was coming towards them ' and did afterwards befal them They that are like Christ are thus qualified they hate sin in all men yet hate not the persons of any no not of their deadly enemies but with Stephen they can desire eternal life for those that will not let them enjoy a temporal life a crown for their enemies that hale them to the crosse There 's much of the image of Christ in those that to the utmost do good to the men whose sins they hate And though they seek the death of their sin yet desire life the life of Christ for their souls Christ shewed man most mercy when he shewed sinne none he kill'd sin and quickn'd man A man may be merciful to his neighbour yet strive to be a slaughter-man to his sin They must needs be like Christ that from a gratious pitty are helpful to others and omit no meanes to do them any kindnesse furthering the salvation of their souls and good of their bodies helping them in any thing or way but what is sinful 'T is the calling of Saints to do good yea to all you have none of a more free spirit then they they go up and down on this imployment 't is the errand that Christ sends them on Like Master like Servants all good and their actions like themselves The master cannot erre the servants may but they shall be set right again These are no cheats that do good to all as much as possible they may harm none no not enemies render to none evill for evil but contrariwise blessing 8. Saints are very much like Christ in that they are couragious souls couragious in what is good not bad some men have too much courage in an evil way but to what is good they have no heart 'T is not so with the children of God they die rather then yield to any basenesse shall such a one as I flie a gallant speech of a noble soul Neh. 6.11 of one that believed God had given commandment to save him Psa 71.3 Salvum me facias ab inimicis meis Daniel would not omit his duty though he knew the Lions den was to be his punishment God should have his honour whatsoever he suffered The three children feared not the wrath of the King nor the fiery Furnace God should not be dishonoured by them they would die rather Tyrants may kill Saints but not conquer them Christ was slaine but not overcome so it may be with those are Christs That 's good mettal will endure the fire a good Ship that holds sound and firm in all storms good cloth that shrinks not in wetting wel-grounded colours that fade not brave souls that nothing can daunt discourage or turn from the truth one of these is better then a thousand that have great words but when hardship comes to be undergone prove low and weake he 's a friend that owns a man in need and in a strait he 's a Saint that from inward grace is made so couragious that nothing shall separate him as from the love of Christ 2 Tim. 1.7 so from the worke of Christ The Mettall of a souldier is tried in the Battel the spirit of a Christian in times of opposition 9. Christ is all for drawing souls to himself Joh. 12.32 if he be lifted up from the earth he will draw men to him he is not a scatterer but a gatherer I mean of souls His businesse is to seeke and to save to find and preserve he woes and willing he is to marry soules that they might be his for ever christians in this are spirited like Christ they endeavour to drive a trade for Christs gain they are for their masters profit they love Christ find exceeding benefit by him and they think others should love him also Pretious Christ is pretious to them and faine would they have him so to others They have an enlarg'd heart and an open mouth crying to souls oh love the Lord all ye people turne in hither souls come buy wine and milke without noney and without price we have found Excellent entertainment from Christ come he will shew you kindnesse good soules will not conceale the bountifull mercy of the Lord 2 Chro. 7.9 if they neglect to publish
was imputed that all believers may be reputed before God by vertue of Christs righteousnesse holy and perfect as righteousnesse it selfe Thus you see how souls may be said to be sinners take them as in themselves and in the flesh so sinners take them as reconcil'd to God as having Christs righteousnesse imputed to them and beheld of God in that so without sin without guile no sinners but holy pure undefiled beloved of God blessed Saints 3. They are precious souls precious in this filthy ungodly sinful wicked world that from grace coming in act in wayes of grace and holines without that let the inhabitants of the world be wicked follow their Prince the Devil yet they wil walke in holines following the Lord Jesus Christ the Prince of peace and King of righteousnesse God in all ages hath some to witnesse to his glorious truths so in this age some that are taught of the Spirit led of the Spirit that minde the things of the Spirit that have the Spirit of God dwelling in them and by the power of that Spirit in dwelling doe mortifie the deeds of the body and are raised up and quickned by the Spirit of God within to walke in righteousness true holines to serve God and own his cause though the world with them that dwel therein oppose they are excellent souls that appear for God in bad times in the worst of times yea when 't is not alone a hazarding their names to disgrace and shame but their bodies to be torne in pieces to be burnt to ashes You that are acquainted with scripture and history may see every age every yeare bring forth some such gallant spirits that were ready to lay down their lives to undergoe any cruel vile shameful death for the name of Christ and the testimony of Jesus 4. They are precious for they that are faithful and chosen that are such as Christ is continue good let all the world be bad A precious soule is an excellent Theophilus and wil appeare so let others be never so bad let them be enemies to God fighters against God Times are bad now and like for a while to be worse yet there are pretious Christans so some there wil be as long as the world continues that shal shine out as lights in the world Phil. 2.15 that wil be without rebuke in the midst of a crooked and perverss nation that wil run right on towards glory let whose wil run crosse that wil keep their garments white though others be soyl'd I commend such to you souls for precious Christians for precious Saints that abstaine from all appearance of evil that in heart and soul and life clear to and follow after what is good Vse 3 Love those precious souls that Christ esteemes precious nay that Christ hath made precious that are before God precious that are the dearely belov'd of his soul that are honourable ones that are borne of the wil of God that are attended on by Angels that are for a short time plac'd in the world and shal ere long be received into glory let your delight be plac'd on those excellent ones let your eyes be on them that Gods eyes are on your heart towards those that Gods heart is towards good children are apt to respect those they see their parents love if you be true children rightly descended of the Royal line of heaven you wil eye the outgoings of your fathers love and as Bees settle where the Queen settles so wil you where God upon what family or soul the Lord hangs his love you wil hang yours where God delights to be you wil delight to be all so Consider I pray who you love what sort of people it is you most affect whether it be carnal worldly unregenerate men or holy heavenly regenerate Saints Do you now desire to know Gods jewels Vse 4 to be able to discern of these precious ones to say such are Gods children such are the friends of Christ like Christ you must have the life spirit wisdome knowledge of Christ you must be taught of God to know who are Gods like God Paul persecuted the precious Saints of Christ and was a deadly foe and enemy to them til such time as he was endued with wisdome from on high til God shone upon him yea into him and then knowing Saints he associated himself with them and was no longer hurtful but helpful Many a soul is a sore and grievous enemy to the people of God I am perswaded much of their enmity ariseth from this because they know not Saints they are ignorant what glorious ones they are in what a high esteem they are with God how God wil punish them that wrong them Ignorance of Saints makes them slighted reviled defam'd accounted as the filth of the world and the off scouring of all things T is want of knowing the worth of a Jewel that makes it not prized so of a Saint that is a member of Christ a child of God The God of wisdome give you wisdome to know such that are holy that are Princes of the bloud-Royal of heaven and to give them such respect that is due and reverence as belongs to them This none can do but such as have the spirit this you wil do if the Lord give out the spirit of truth to guide you in all truth if heavenly light shine into you that light shining in wil discover and manifest to you the children of light and whosoever you can find walking heaven-ward you wil be glad of their company Ignorance had a hand in killing Christ and it hath some hand in all the wrong is done to Saints the Lord free you all from it least ye should through ignorance harme the darlings of God and bring swift damnation on your selves God hath grievous threatnings in Scripture against Saint-wrongers and there are recorded some heavy punishments that have been inflicted on them that harme the righteous God keep you from the sin and so from the suffering I might ad how beneficial 't is for you to know who are Saints and how much for your souls advantage to be acquainted with them but I omit it Happy are you that are of the number of these jewels of God of these preciout Vse 5 ones I do not know what your condition is in respect of outward things and creature-enjoyments but I can safely say you are a happy people if precious if such as Christ you shal all be laid up in glory shortly God wil not lose one of his jewels for a world Heaven and earth shal perish but no Saint never a precious soul not a jewel that belongs to the crown Royal of glory These rare souls these souls to whom Angels do service that are carried in the armes in the bosome in the heart of God that are singular souls chosen out from among thousands by royal favour sâ—ch in whom the eye of God can see nothing amisse no defect no excesse no presence of sinne no
absence of grace Oh precious souls These shal be preserv'd Christ hath been at much cost about such souls at more cost then about any thing at more cost then about all the world besides he made the world and lost never a drop of bloud it caus'd him never a groane but to make souls such as they ought to be holy it cost him many a sad suffering he spent his heart bloud in the work he took a great deal of paines to perfect them happy you that are the workmanship of Christ his workmanship as a Redeemer that have your souls fashioned by him to be like himself but are made new creatures holy souls blessed Saints 6. Christians you that heare me consider part of your duty as Christians as men of God as Saints you should labour for a Spirit of discerning to be able to judge between men and men to know the holy and profane asunder to know a Saint and a Devil a gracious soule and a carnal wretch a jewel from a common stone a true Diamond from a counterfeit God laid this as a necessary thing to be acted by Jeremiah Jer. 15.19 to know yea to separate the precious and the vile asunder the not doing this was charg'd as a sin upon the Priests in Ezekiel Ezek. 22.26 Her Priests have violated my law and have profaned mine holy things they have put no difference between the holy and profane neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean this may be laid at the doores of the ministers of the Gospel also that put no difference between sheep and goats lambs and wolves Saints and sinners are they parishioners let them be drunkards swearers gamesters whoremasters all are admitted to the Sacrament never considering whether the word warrants it and whether within the list of Christ 't is enough their houses stand within such a bundary of ground Looke to it you that must give account to God take heed what you doe how you cast Pearls before swine give the childrens bread to dogs admit them to your Masters table that are not of his family it concerns you much all of you that are Godly to know men rightly that so you may not associate your selves with the enemies of God but with the Saints of God not joyne your selves with the assembly of mockers but with such that praise God not go in company with such that are Traitors to the heavenly King but with his obedient subjects not frequent the society of enemies of truth but with the friends of truth skil is required in all worke especially in Gospel work 'T is needful for men to know the mistery of their trade to know what ware is good what bad so is it needful to be such experienc'd Christians as to know what is for the good of our souls what for their hurt to know their friends and foes asunder We strive to know good money and bad asunder a true jewel from a counterfeit gold from drosse why then should we not strive to know precious souls from sinful wretches lillies from thornes hearbs from weeds Christians 't is your duty to looke to what may tend to the welfare of your souls let it appeare in this that you are careful by having no fellowship with the workers of iniquity but as much as may be with the precious sons of Zion with such that are precious Saints I might speake more of this Use shewing how you ought to labour for a spirit able to discern between tares and wheat between the children of Christ and the children of Satan between them that feare God and them that feare him not and all this In respect of God In respect of Good men In respect of Wicked men In respect of Your selves God guide you into all knowledge by that spirit that searcheth all things and is able to reveale all things I have now but one Doctrine more to present to you and I have finished what I shal at this time speak from the Text in hand it is this Let the places and times be never so bad Doct. yet they that are Christs are like Christ wheresoever truly gracious Saints shal come what times soever they may meet withal whatsoever shal befal them yet they loose not their vertue they are Saints still take a jewel weare it upon your finger or in your bosome 't is a jewel lay it up in a box it remaines a jewel let it lie in the dust 't is a jewel nay if it should be cast ouâ—â—o the dunghil it would be a jewel there thogh covered with neis ver so much filth So may I say of a wherein Christian a blessed Saint one that the Image of Christ A little tablet Christ is drawn if it be set on high 't is a Saint there if imprison'd a Saint if cast out as the ofscouring of al things 't is as vertuous then as at any time Non abiicit aminum 't is the same for vertue for worth for excellency when t is abas'd as when it was exalted it looseth nothing by evill times by sufferings or disgraces or any thing befalls it Non cedendum malis Acts 14. Glod wil be gold in the fire in drosse amongst counters Paul is Paul when at Lystra they would have honoured him as one of their Gods he is the same when in prison the same in his bands and fetters as when free and at libertie the same before the Magistrates as with mean men in every place gracious and striving to magnifie the Lord. Daniel is as holy as excellent in the court as in the Lions den and in the Lions den as in the court Mordecay is not altered within though his habit be changed without he had the same grace within when he walked a foot and was cloth'd in sackcloth as when he rode upon the Kings horâ—… cloth'd with Royall apparell and the Crown Royall on his head and had his enemy that wicked Haman his herauld The three children were the same in the furnace as when they were over the affaires of Babylon Moses in the court and Jethros sheapheard when he was reverenc'd as Pharaobs Grandchild and when he was Jethros sonne in law was faithful though inwardly chang'd yet not outwardly he was the same Saint in the field and in the court The time would faile me to bring out what might be shewne unto you from the word of truth in the Scriptures and also from many unquestionable Histories concerning souls that have manifested their sincerity in all conditions both in exaltation and in abasement in honour and dishonour in good report and bad report when they have flourished in the world and when they have been at the place of execution fire and faggot hath not dismaied them the fire hath consumed the drosse the flesh not the pure part the soul Christ was Christ in them both in life and death There are some trees are greene all the year in summer and winter in heat and
encouragment enough to him that truth defendeth favours him Christ hath all his affection and he hath from Christ all power to do what Christ cals him to through Christ that strengthens him he can do all things By the power and strengh of Christ he is carried up on high above sense above reason above the world he is raised above feares above frownes his soul like Jehosaphats is lifted up in the wayes of God 2 Chro. 17.6 Christ puts in a holy magnanimity insomuch that in Christs cause it feares neither fire nor sword cross nor loss breaking of bones tearing of members men or Devils so it may be one with Christ In a word a soul that is truly Christs borne of him living to him is one whom neither poverty nor death nor bonds nor any outward Evils can terrifie Oh! souls you that this day heare me what wil you do in bad daies what in persecuting daies in the daies that fiery trials come wil you then owne truth wil love to Christ make you cleave to Christ suffer for Christ die for Christ if it doth then may it be said that you are Christs and that you are no changelings but true bred spirits children of God in bad places and times like Christ The Lord grant that though friends faile riches faile times alter peace should be remov'd yet your faith may not faile but that you may be baptiz'd with the baptisme wherewith Christ was baptiz'd though a bloudy baptisme and so being like Christ in life and death you may be like him in glory Vse 3 Were I in a more publique place I might speak a word to the Parliament the great counsel of the Kingdom exhorting them praying them to have a care of such that are godly of such that are like Christ to deal wel with them to preserve them make provision for them for they shal be sure of the help of them whilst they stick to Christ the Saints wil stick to them We have seen a miserable defection by abundance of men I will not say all but doubtlesse most have fallen off because they were not like Christ and did not cleave to Christ I shal forbear speaking in this place what I might were the auditory sutable Good men are too much slighted many times and bad men over much favoured Equidem Jehova contempum effudit in Principes God hath in a great measure cast them out with shame that were not friends to his precious Saints but rather to the adversaries I trust God wil give the Parliament a heart to cast their eies upon and have respect of such that are the called the faithful and chosen of Christ Whosoever deserts ths Parliament the Saints will never unlesse they forsake Christ which God forbid If the Parliament should be in straits Saints wil go in with them if they should be oppos'd Saints wil help them with body soul estate their purse prayers strength shall help If they should meet with bad times the Saints would stand with them in the storme I fear if the Parliament should have the need of any hereafter they wil finde few closing faithfully with them but what are the faithfully of Christ Methinks I hear a secret muttering amongst many that are ready to say if troubles come the Parliament wil have but few to take their parts few that wil joyn with them to such whisperings I shal give a loud answer if the Parliament follow Christ and take his part as I trust they wil they shal be sure of the Saints all Christs friends and have they these I beleeve they need not care who is against them or what opposition they meet withal no though all the people of the earth be gathered together against them Zach 12.3 Let the Parliament set up Christ and favour those are Christs and then if all the Nations of the world were gathered together against them they need not fear for Christ would help them and take part with them and if he be of their side they need not fear what man can do unto them for Christ wil make their enemies fall before them God wil make our Parliament-worthies such to all their enemies Isti incredibili ardore atque successu gentes omes de bell aâ—unt subjicient vel potius stirpitus cacindeut Zach. 12.6 as is spoken of the Governor of Judah they shal be like a hearth of fire among the wood and like a torch of fire in a sheaf And they shall devour al the people round about on the right hand and on the left All that oppose them shall be but as a little wood laid on fire or straw put upon fire coales which would soon be consumed God grant the Saints may be favoured they that are truly godly be respected and car'd for by the Parliament then I doubt not of their flourishing and having friends to side with them for they shal have all the faithful and they are through Gods blessing many If this come to any of those worthies sights I pray God it may be a means to advise them to have a care of Christs people and then let them be sure those people of Christ wil have a care of them And though they must venture all nay die they wil stand with them God grant our Parliament-worthies may consid er that though they have not the most with them yet they have the best though the Saints be least for numebr yet they are the strongest for might and such that can though but a few subdue many five shall chase an hundred Lev. 26.8 and an hundred shall put ten thousand to flight Great hath been the experience that this Kingdome hath had of the Saints victories of those that went against their enemies 1 Sam 17.45 as David against Goliah in the name of the Lord of hoasts Keep close together Saints keep with the Parliament Deus favet justis piis consiliis and then I doubt not but all wil be wel for God wil blesse the proceedings of good-men in a good cause and what better cause can be taken in hand then what is now in hand in England the bringing Christ to his Throne Let me conclude all with a word of consolation to such that fear bad times and that have spirits troubled with the various tossings in the world and defections of men from truth and other molestations that are all ready in the world and that they fear wil come on to the further grief and suffering of Saints Indeed there are troubles the dayes are evil times bad and 't is likely may be worse yet be sure of this they that are Christs people wil continue his people they that are gracious there will be some good still in sad times in the worst times some that in assured hope and confidence of Gods mercy in all necessities and tribulations cleave to the truth knowing that Gods power is Allmighty his promises most true his mercies infinite and that 't is for their souls everlasting happinesse to follow Christ let what sufferings soever come yea though they loose their lives There are a remnant that are enlightened and from that enlightening they know what is best to be embraced they know that whatsoever of troubles come now yet to al that are in Christ that are like Christ that love his appearing there will berest there will be peace there wil be blessednesse there wil be glory Those that are engrafted really into Christ wil by vertue receiv'd from Christ flourish Bad times make not them bad they will be good in any times in any company in any place If exalted good if abased good if rich good if poor good if in distresse good if in prosperity good Christ was a precious Christ in every condition and they precious Saints in every condition I know not what the times may be but I know what they that are Christs will be they wil be like Christ As some trees continue green in every season of the year in winter and summer in heat and cold so some men good in all times they are no changelings they are stedfast unmoveable alwaies abounding in the work of the Lord. Immobiles sunt super solido fundamento Christo Dominum in ipsum sincera fide perfecta recumbertes Let others totter they stand others shake they are unmoveable others fal they rise others be idle they Labour others be against God they are for him Consider of this I pray and let it cheer up your spirits I know you are apt to say times are so bad you know not whom to trust al ready men are so deceitful wicked and if they should be worse you know not what to do nor what wil become of you Christ comfort you and encourage you and let what wil happen in the world and let whose wil desert you if he never leave you nor forsake you you wil do well enough you wil be brought at the last to glory You may receive comfort in hopes of meeting with some friendly souls some Saints in the most naughty times but suppose you be left alone and there be none to be found yet in this be glad in this rejoyce in this be comforted that you shall find Christ and he will be to you insteed of friends and helpers and companions he wil be all to you The Lord grant that none of you be disheartned nor fal backe nor asham'd of the Gospel of the Lord but that you may beare witnesse to the testimony of Jesus and of this be confident your labour wil not be in vaine nor any suffering unrewarded that is undergone for Christ and his truth Christian friends whatsoever may make for your comfort I pray God give it you let it be peace within good company without the benefit of ordinances any mercy that so you may be Christs and continue like Christ let places times men the world with what is therein be never so bad FINIS