Moderation when he saw their Idolatry at Athens the Fire of his Zeal broke forth Acts 17.16 His Spirit was stirred in him 'T was good advice Calvin gave to Melancthon that he should not so affect the Name of Moderate as to lose all his Zeal To be cool and silent when God's Blessed Truths are undermined or adulterated is not Moderation but Luke-warmness which is to God a most hateful temper Rev. 3.15 I would you were cold or hot any thing but Luke-warm This is to shew Prudence and Holiness when we are Moderate yet Zealous 9. To Unite Serpent and Dove consists in this when we defend the Truth by Argument and adorn it by Life Defending the Truth is the Serpent's Wisdom An intelligent Christian can 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 convince Gainsayers This Wisdom of the Serpent was eminently in Stephen Act. 6.9 There arose certain of the Synagogue disputing with Stephen and they were not able to resist the Wisdom and the Spirit by which he spake We read in the Acts and Monuments of the Church Iohn Fryth Martyr being opposed by three Papists he like another Hercules fighting with all three at once did by his Wisdom so convince them that one of them turned from Popery and became a zealous Protestant Herein is the Wisdom of the Serpent not only to love them that profess the Truth but silence them that oppose it But with this Wisdom of the Serpent there must be joyned the Dove together with defending the Truth by Argument there must be adorning it by Life Tit. 2.10 That they may adorn the Doctrine of God our Saviour There are some who can dispute for the Truth but disgrace it by their bad living This is to act both the Serpent and the Dove when we not only plead for the Truth but walk in the Truth like Nazianzen of whom it was said he did Thunder in his Doctrine and Lighten in his Conversation 10. The uniting the Serpent and the Dove is to be Serious in Religion yet Cheerful Seriousness puts the Heart in an Holy Frame it fixeth it on God Seriousness is to the Soul as Ballast to the Ship it keeps the Soul from being overturned with Vanity The Heart is ever best when it is serious but this Seriousness in Religion must be mixed with Cheerfulness Cheerfulness conduceth to Health Prov. 17.22 it Honours Religion it proclaims to the World we serve a good Master Cheerfulness is a Friend to Grace it puts the Heart in Tune to praise God Psal. 71.23 Unchearful Christians like the Spies bring an evil report on the Good Land Others suspect there 's something unpleasant in Religion that they who profess it hang their Harps upon the Willows and walk so dejectedly Be serious yet cheerful Phil. 4.4 Rejoyce in the Lord always Why was Christ anointed but to give the Oyl of Joy for Mourning Isa. 61.1 Joy is as well a Fruit of the Spirit as Faith Gal. 5.22 One way of grieving the Spirit saith Heinsius is by Christians unchearful walking If you would render the Gospel lovely mix the Dove and the Serpent be serious yet chearful in God 11. The uniting of the Serpent and the Dove Wisdom and Holiness consists in this when we so lay up as we lay out 'T is a Duty to provide for our Charge 1 Tim. 5.8 If any provide not for his own he is worse than an Infidel To lay up for our Family here 's the Wisdom of the Serpent but we must lay out for the Poor two here 's the mixture of the Dove 1 Tim. 6.17 Charge them that are rich in the World that they do Good that they be rich in Good Works The Poor Man is as it were an Altar if we bring our Alms and lay upon it with such Sacrifices God is well pleased Faith though it hath sometimes a trembling Hand it must not have a withered Hand but must stretch forth it self to Works of Mercy There 's nothing lost by Charitableness Prov. 11.25 The liberal Soul shall be made fat Psal. 41.1 Blessed is he that considereth the Poor thou wilt make all his Bed in his Sickness While Men do so remember their Family that they do not forget the Poor they show both Prudence and Piety they unite the Serpent and the Dove 12. The Serpent's Wisdom and the Dove's Innocency is seen in this so to avoid Danger as not to commit Sin to preserve our Liberty yet keep our Integrity There 's a sinful escaping Danger namely when we are called to suffer for the Truth and we decline it But there 's an escaping Danger without Sin as thus when we do not betray our selves into the Enemies Hands by rashness nor yet betray the Truth by Cowardice we have a Pattern of this in our Saviour he avoided his Enemies in one place that he might Preach the Gospel in another Luk. 4.30 They brought him to the brow of the Hill that they might cast him down headlong but he passing through the midst of them went his way There was Christ's Wisdom in not betraying himself to his Enemy And ver 43. I must Preach to other Cities also There was his Holiness Christ's securing of himself was in order to the Preaching of the Gospel This is to mix Prudence and Innocency when we so avoid Danger as we do not commit Sin Thus I have as briefly and as clearly as I could shown you how we must unite these Two the Serpent and the Dove Prudence and Holiness For want of Coupling these two together Religion doth much suffer in the Christian World What Christ hath joyn'd together let no Man put asunder Observe these two Prudence and Holiness here is the Serpent's Eye in the Dove's Head When these Two Wisdom and Innocency like Castor and Pollux appear together they presage much Good and Happiness that will befall a Christian. Who in are Christ are New Creatures 2. Cor. 5.17 Therefore if any Man be in Christ he is a New Creature Old Things are passed away behold all Things are become New IN this Scripture consists the Essence and Soul of Religion I note here Two Things 1. Doctr. That the true Definition of a Christian is to be in Christ If any Man be in Christ. He may be in the Church Visible yet not in Christ. 'T is not to be baptized into Christ's Name makes a true Christian but to be in Christ that is to be grafted into him by Faith And if to be in Christ makes a Christian then there are but few Christians Many are in Christ nominally not really they are in Christ by Profession not by Mystical Union Are they in Christ that do not know him Are they in Christ who persecute them that are in Christ Sure such an Holy Head as Christ will disclaim such spurious Members 2. Doctr. That whosoever is in Christ is a New Creature For Illustration I shall shew I. What a New Creature is II. What a kind of Work it is I. What a New Creature is It is a
6.4 he sees in secret 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in impios habet Rivet As a Merchant enters down Debts in his Book so God hath his Diary or Day-Book and he enters down every sin into the Book He makes a Critical Discant upon Mens Actions Ieroboam's Wife disguised her self that the Prophet should not know her but he discern'd her 1 Kings 14.6 Why feignest thou thy self to be another The Hppocrite thinks to prevaricate and juggle with God but God will unmask him Eccles. 12.14 God shall bring every work into Iudgment with every secret thing Jer. 29.23 They have committed Villany in Israel even I know and am a witness saith the Lord. I but the Hypocrite hopes he shall colour over his sin and make it look very specious Absolom masks over his Treason with the pretence of a Religious Vow Iudas dissembles his Envy at Christ and Covetousness with a pretence of Charity to the Poor John 12.5 Iehu makes Religion a stirrop to his Ambitious Design 1 Kings 10.16 but God sees through these Figleaves You may see a Jade under his gilt Trappings Ier. 16.17 Their Iniquities is not hid from my eyes And he that hath an Eye to see will find an Hand to punish Use 2. of Exhortation Is God so infinite in his Knowledge then we should always set our selves as under his Omniscient Eye Sic vivendum est tanquam in conspectu Seneca Let us set David's Prospect before our Eye Psal. 16.8 I have set the Lord always before me Seneca counselled Lucilius that whatever he was doing he should imagine some of the Roman Worthies beheld him and then he would do nothing dishonourable The consideration of God's Omnisciency would 1. Be preventive of much sin The Eye of Man will restrain from sin and will not God's Eyes much more Esther 7.8 Will he force the Queen before me when I stand and look on Will we sin when our Judge looks on Would Men speak so vainly if they considered God over-heard them Latimer took heed to every word in his Examination when he heard the Pen go behind the Hangings So what care would Persons have of their words if they remembred God heard and the Pen is going in Heaven Would Men go after strange Flesh if they believed God were a Spectator of their wickedness and would make them do Pennance in Hell for it would they defraud in their Dealings and use false Weights if they thought God saw them and for making their Weights lighter would make their damnation heavier 2. The setting our selves as under the Eye of God's Omnisciency would cause Reverence in the Worship of God God sees the frame and carriage of our Hearts when we come before him How would this call in our stragling thoughts how would this animate and spirit Duty it would make us put fire to the Incense Acts 26.7 The Tribes instantly served God day and night 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 omnibus venibus with the utmost zeal and intensness of Spirit To think God is in this place he beholds us would add Wings to Prayer and Oil to the flame of our Devotion 2. Is God's Knowledge infinite study sincerity be what you seem 1 Sam. 16.7 The Lord looketh upon the heart Men judge of the Heart by the Actions God judgeth of the Actions by the Heart If the Heart be sincere God will see the Faith and wink at the failing Asa had his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his Blemishes but his Heart was right with God 2 Chron. 15.17 God saw his Sincerity and pardoned his Infirmity Sincerity in a Christian is like Chastity in a Wise which doth excuse many Failings Sincerity makes our Duties acceptable like Musk among Linen that perfumes it As Iehu said to Iehonadab 2 Kings 10.15 Is thy heart right with me and he said it is if it be saith he give me thy hand and he took him up into the Chariot So if God sees our heart is right that we love him and design his glory now saith he give me your Prayers and Tears now you shall come up with me into the triumphant Chariot of Glory Sincerity makes our Services to be golden and God will not cast away this Gold though it may want some weight Is God Omniscient and his Eye chiefly upon the Heart wear this Girdle of Truth about you and never leave it off Use 3. of Comfort Is God a God of infinite Knowledge then there is Comfort 1. To the Saints in particular 2. To the Church in general in three Respects 1. In case of Private Devotion Christian thou settest hours apart for God thy Thoughts run upon him as thy Treasure God takes notice of every good Thought Mal. 3.17 He had a Book of Remembrance written for them that thought upon his Name Thou enterest into thy Closet and prayest to thy Father in secret he hears every sigh and groan Psal. 38.9 My groaning is not hid from thee Thou waterest the Seed of thy Prayer with Tears God bottles every Tear Psal. 56.8 Put thou my Tears into thy bottle When the Secrets of all Hearts shall be opened God will make an honourable mention of the Zeal and Devotion of his People and he himself will be the Herauld of their Praises 1 Cor. 4.5 Then shall every man have praise of God 2. The Infiniteness of God's Knowledge is a Comfort in case the Saints have not so clear a Knowledge of themselves They find so much Corruption that they judge they have no Grace Gen. 25.22 If it be so why am I thus If I have Grace why is my Heart in so dead and earthly a frame O remember God is of infinite Knowledge he can spy Grace where thou canst not he can see Grace hid under Corruption as the Stars may be hid under a Cloud God can see that Holiness in thee which thou canst not discern in thy self He can spy the flower of Grace in thee though overtop'd with weeds 1 Kings 14.13 Because there is in him some good thing 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God sees some good thing in his People when they can see no Good in themselves and though they judge themselves he will give them an Absolution 3. It is Comfort in respect of Personal Injuries It is the Saints lot to suffer The Head being crowned with Thorns the Feet must not tread upon Roses if Saints find a real Purgatory 't is in this Life but this is the Comfort God sees what wrong is done to them The Apple of his Eye is touched and is not he sensible St. Paul was scourged by cruel Hands 1 Cor. 11.35 Thrice was I beaten with Rods as if you should see a Scullion whip the King's Son God beholds it Exod. 3.7 I know their sorrows The Wicked make wounds in the backs of the Saints and then pour in Vinegar God writes down their Cruelty Believers art part of Christs Mystical Body and for every drop of a Saint's Blood spilt God puts a drop of Wrath in his Vial. 2. Comfort
II. Such as have this Kingdom of God set up in them it calls for gratulation and thanksgiving What will you be thankful 〈…〉 not for a Kingdom Grace is the best Blessing it is the result and product of Gods electing love God in setting up his kingdom of grace hath done more for you â—han if he had made you Kings and Queens for now you are born of God and of the Blood-Royal of Heaven O admire and exalt free Grace Make Gods pâ—â—ise glorious Psal. 66.2 The Apostle seldom mentions the work of Grace but he joyns praise Col. 1.12 Giving thanks to the Father who hath made us meet for the inheritance of the Saints in light If God hath crowned you with the Kingdom of Grace do you crown him with your Praises 2. The Second thing intended by our Saviour in this Petition is That the Kingdom of Grace may encrease that it may come more into us And this may answer a Question Quest. Why do we pray Thy Kingdom come when the Kingdom of Grace is already come into the Soul Answ. Though the kingdom of grace be already come into us yet still we must pray Thy Kingdom come namely that grace may be encreased and that this kingdom may flourish still more in our Souls Till we come to live among the Angels we shall need to pray this Prayer Thy Kingdom come Lord let thy kingdom of grace come in more power into my Soul let grace be more augmented and encreased Quest. 1. When doth the Kingdom of Grace increase in the Soul when is it a flourishing Kingdom Answ. 1. When a Christian hath further degrees added to his graces there 's more oyl in the lamp his knowledge is clearer his love is more inflamed Grace is capable of degrees and may rise higher as the Sun in the Horizon It is not with us as it was with Christ who received the Spirit without measure Iohn 3.34 Christ could not be more holy than he was but our Grace is receptive of further degrees we may have more sanctity we may add more cubits to our spiritual stature 2. Then the kingdom of Grace increaseth when a Christian hath gotten more strength than he had Iob 17.9 He that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger Hebr. Iosiphometz He shall add to his strength A Christian hath strength to resist temptation to forgive his enemies to suffer affliction 't is not easie to suffer a Man must deny himself ere he take up the Cross The way to Heaven is like the way which Ionathan and his Armour-bearer had in climbing up a steep place 1 Sam. 14.4 There was a sharp rock on the one side and a sharp rock on the other It requires much strength to climb up this rocky way That Grace which will carry us through Prosperity will not carry us through Sufferings The Ship needs stronger tackling to carry it through a storm than a calm Now when we are so strong in Grace that we can bear up under affliction without murmuring or fainting here is the kingdom of grace increased What mighty strength of grace had he who told the Emperour Valentinian you may take away my Life but you cannot take away my love to the Truth 3. Then the Kingdom of Grace encreaseth when a Christian hath most conflict with Spiritual Corruptions he not only abstains from gross Evils but hath a Combat with inward hidden close Corruptions as Pride Envy Hypocrisy vain Thoughts carnal Confidence these are spiritual Wickednesses and do both defile and disturb 2 Cor. 7.1 Let us cleanse our selves from all filthiness of Flesh and Spirit Which shows there are two sorts of Corruptions one of the Flesh the other of the Spirit when we grieve for and combat with spiritual Sin as being the Root of all gross sins Now the Kingdom of Grace encreaseth and spreads its Territories in the Soul 4. Then the kingdom of grace flourisheth when a Christian hath learned to live by Faith Gal. 2.20 I live by the Faith of the Son of God There is the Habit of Faith and the drawing of this Habit into exercise For a Christian to graft his hope of Salvation only upon the stock of Christs Righteousness and make Christ all in Justification to live on the Promises as the Bee on the Flower and suck out the sweetness of them to trust God where we cannot trace him to believe his Love thorough a Frown to perswade our selves when he hath the Face of an Enemy yet he hath the Heart of a Father when we are arrived at this here is the Kingdom of Grace flourishing in our Souls 5. When a Christian is arrived at holy Zeal Numb 25.13 Phinehas was zealous for his God Zeal is the Flame of the Affections it turns a Saint into Seraphim A zealous Christian is impatient when God is dishonoured Rev. 2.2 he will wrestle with difficulties he will swim to Christ through a sea of blood Act. 21.13 Zeal loves truth when it is dispised and opposed Psal. 119.126 They have made void thy Law therefore I love thy Law Here is grace encreasing like the Sun in the Horizon Zeal resembles the Holy Ghost Acts. 2.2 There appeared cloven Tongues like as of fire and it sate upon each of them Tongues of fire were an Emblem of that fire of zeal which the Spirit poured upon them 6. Then the Kingdom of Grace encreaseth when a Christian is as well diligent in his particular Calling as devout in his general He is the wise Christian that carries things equally that doth so live by Faith that he lives in a Calling Therefore it is worth our Notice when the Apostle had exhorted the Thessalonians to encrease in grace 1 Thess. 4.10 he presently adds ver 11. And that ye do your own business and work with your hands This is a sign grace is encreasing when Christians go chearfully about their Calling Indeed to be all the day in the Mount with God and to have the Mind fixed on glory is more sweet to a Mans self and is an Heaven upon Earth But to be conversant in our Callings is more profitable to others I may allude to that of St. Paul To be with Christ is best for me yet to abide here is more needful for you Phil. 1.24 So to converse with God in Prayer and sweet Meditation all the Week long is more for the Comfort of a Man 's own Person but to be sometimes employed in the business of a Calling is more profitable for the Family to which he belongs 'T is not good to be as the Lillies which toyl not neither do they spin It shows the encrease of grace when a Christian keeps a due Decorum He joins Piety and Industry when zeal runs forth in Religion and Diligence is put forth in a Calling 7. Then the Kingdom of grace encreaseth when a Christian is established in the belief and love of the Truth The heart by nature is as a Ship without Ballast it wavers and fluctuates
of the Army will pity him and bind up his Wounds But if he be wilfully foil'd and proves treacherous he must expect no Favour So if a Christian fight it out with Satan but is foil'd for want of Strength as it was with Peter God will pity him and do him good by his being foil'd But if he be foil'd wilfully and runs into a Temptation as it was with Iudas God will shew him no Favour but will execute Martial Law upon him The Vses Remain Vse 1. See in what continual Danger we are Satan is an exquisite Artist a deep Headpiece he lies in Ambush to ensnare he is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Tempter it is his Delight to make the Saints sin and he is subtil in tempting he hath 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ways and Methods to deceive First He brings a Saint into sin by making him Confide in his habitual Graces Satan makes him believe he hath such a stock of Grace as will Antidote him against all Temptations Thus Satan deceiv'd Peter he made him trust in his Grace he had such a Cable of Faith and strong Tacklings that tho' the Winds of Temptation did blow never so fierce he could weather the Point Tho all men forsake thee yet I will not as if he had more Grace than all the Apostles thus he was led into Temptation and fell in the Battle a man may make an Idol of Grace Habitual Grace is not sufficient without Auxiliary The Boat needs not only Oars but a Gale of Wind to carry it against Tide so we need not only habitual Grace but the blowing of the Spirit to carry us against a strong Temptation Secondly Satan tempts to sin by the Baits and Allurements of the World Foenus Pecuniae funus Animae one of Christ's own Apostles was caught with a silver Bait. Such as the Devil cannot debauch with Vice he will corrupt with Money All this will I give thee was his last Temptation Mat. 4.9 Achan was deluded by a Wedge of Gold Silvester the Second did sell his Soul to the Devil for a Popedom Thirdly Satan tempts to sin sub specie boni under a mask and shew of good his Temptations seem gracious Motions 1. He tempts Men to Duties of Religion you will think this strange that Satan should tempt to duty but it is so 1. he tempts Men to duty out of sinister Ends. Thus he tempted the Pharisees to Pray and give Alms That they might be seen of men Mat. 6.5 Prayer is a Duty but to look a squint in Prayer to do it for Vain-glory this Prayer is turn'd into sin 2. He tempts to duty when it is not in season Numb 28.2 My Offering and my Bread for my Sacrifices shall ye offer unto me in their due season Satan tempts to duty when it is out of season He tempts to read the Word at home when we should be hearing the Word He will so tempt to one duty as it may hinder another 3. He tempts some to duty out of design that it may be a Cloak for sin He tempts them to frequency in duty that they may sin and be less suspected He tempted the Pharisees to make long Prayers That they might devour widows houses under this pretence Mat. 23.14 Who would suspect him of false Weights that so oft holds a Bible in his hand Thus cunning is Satan he tempts to duty 2. He tempts men to sin out of a shew of Love to Christ. You will think this strange but there 's truth in it Many a good Heart may think what he doth is in love to Christ and all this while he may be under a Temptation Christ told Peter he must suffer at Ierusalem Peter took him and rebuked him Be it far from thee Lord Mat. 16.21 as if he had said to Christ Lord thou hast deserved no such shameful death and this shall not be unto thee Peter as he thought did this out of love to Christ but Peter was all this while under a Temptation What had become of us if Christ had hearkened to Peter and had not suffered So when Christ wash'd his Disciples Feet Peter was so mannerly that he would not let Christ wash his Feet Ioh. 13.8 Thou shalt never wash my Feet This Peter did as he thought out of Love and Respect to Christ Peter thought Christ was too good to wash his Feet and therefore would have put Christ off but this was a Temptation the Devil put Peter upon this sinful Modesty he struck at Peters Salvation insomuch that Christ saith If I wash thee not thou hast no part in me So again when the Samaritans would not receive Christ the Disciples Iames and Iohn said Lord wilt thou that we command fire from Heaven to consume them Luke 9.54 They did this as they thought out of Love to Christ they would wish for fire to consume his Enemies But they were under a Temptation it was not Zeal but the Wild-fire of their own Passion Ye know not saith Christ what spirits ye are of Fourthly Satan tempts to that sin which a mans Heart is naturally most inclinable to he will not tempt a civil Man to Gross sin this is abhorring to the light of Nature Satan never sets a dish before men that they do not love but he will tempt a civil man to Pride and to trust in his own Righteousness and to make a Saviour of his Civility The Spider weaves a Web out of her own Bowels the civil Man would weave a Web of Salvation out of his own Righteousness See then in what danger we are when Satan is continually lying in Ambush with his Temptations Inference 2. See mans Inability of himself to resist a Temptation Could he stand of himself against a Temptation this Prayer were needless Lead us not into Temptation no man hath Power of himself to resist a Temptation further than God gives him Strength Ier. 10.23 O Lord I know that the way of man is not in himself If Peter who had True Grace and Adam who had Perfect Grace could not stand against Temptation much less can any stand by the Power of Nature which Confutes the Doctrine of Free-will what freedom of Will hath man when he cannot resist the least Temptation Infer 3. Here is Matter of Humiliation that there is in us such an Aptitude and proneness to yield to Temptation Nitimur in vetitum we are as ready to swallow a Temptation as the fish to swallow the Bait. If the Devil tempt to Pride Lust Envy Revenge how do we symbolize with Satan and embrace his snares Like a Woman that hath a Suitor come to her and she doth not need much wooing she presently gives her Consent Satan comes a wooing by Temptation and we soon yield he strikes fire and we are as dry Tinder that catcheth the first spark He knocks by temptation and it is sad to think how soon we open the door to the Devil which is as if one should open the door to a
Book against Wrath Anger Et ipse mihi irascitur yet he falls into a Passion of Anger with me So this Minister preacheth against Drunkenness yet he will be drunk he preacheth against Swearing yet he will swear this reproacheth God and makes the Offering of the Lord to be abhorred 3. Masters of Families do you glorifie God season your Children and Servants with the Knowledge of the Lord your Houses should be little Churches Gen. 18.19 I know that Abraham will command his children that they keep the way of the Lord. You that are Masters know you have a Charge of Souls under you for want of the Bridle of Family-discipline Youth runs wild Well let me lay down some Motives to glorifie God 1 Motive It will be a great Comfort in a dying hour to think we have glorified God in our Lives it was Christ's Comfort before his Death Ioh. 17.3 I have glorified thee on earth At the hour of Death all your earthly Comforts will vanish if you think how Rich you have been what Pleasures you have had on Earth this will be so far from comforting you that it will but torment you the more What is one the better for an Estate that is spent But now to have Conscience telling you that you have glorified God on Earth what sweet Comfort and Peace will this let into your Soul how will this make you long for Death The Servant that hath been all day working in the Vineyard longs till Evening comes when he shall receive his Pay They who have lived and brought no Glory to God how can they think of dying with Comfort they cannot expect an Harvest that never sowed any Seed How can they expect Glory from God that never brought any Glory to him O in what Horrour will they be at Death the Worm of Conscience will gnaw their Souls before the Worms are gnawing their Bodies 2 Mot. If we glorifie God he will glorifie our Souls for ever by raising God's Glory we encrease our own by glorifying of God we come at last to the blessed Enjoying of Him and that brings me to the second The Enjoying of God Secondly Man's chief End is to Enjoy God for ever Psal. 73.25 Whom have I in heaven but thee Quasi What is there in Heaven I desire to enjoy but thee Ibi Angeli musculus There is a twofold Fruition or enjoying of God the one is in this Life the other in the Life to come 1st An enjoying of God here in this Life The enjoying of God's Presence it is a great matter to enjoy God's Ordinances a Mercy that some do envy us but to enjoy God's Presence in the Ordinances is that which a gracious Heart aspires after Psal. 63.2 To see thy glory so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary This sweet enjoying of God is when we feel his Spirit co-operating with the Ordinance and distilling Grace upon our Hearts 1. When in word the Spirit doth quicken and raise the Affections Luke 24.32 Did not our hearts burn within us 2. When the Spirit doth transform the Heart leaving an impress of Holiness upon it 2 Cor. 3.8 We are changed into the same Image from glory to glory 3. When the Spirit doth receive the Heart with Comfort it comes not only with its Anointing but its Seal it sheds God's Love abroad in the Heart Rom. 5.5 this is to enjoy God in an Ordinance 1 Joh. 1.3 Our fellowship is with the Father and his son Iesus In the Word we hear God's Voice and in the Sacrament we have his Kiss this is enjoying of God And what infinite Content doth a gracious Soul find in this The Heart being warm'd and inflamed in a Duty this is God's answering by Fire When a Christian hath the sweet Illapses of God's Spirit these are the first Fruits of Glory when God comes down to the Soul in an Ordinance Now Christ hath pull'd off his Veil and showed his smiling Face now he hath led a Believer into the Banqueting-house and given him of the spiced Wine of his Love to drink he hath put in his Finger at the hole of the Door he hath touch'd the Heart and made it leap for Joy Oh how sweet is it thus to enjoy God! The Godly have in the use of the Ordinances had such Divine Raptures of Joy and Soul-transfigurations that they have been carried above the World and despised all things here below Use 1. Is the enjoying God in this Life so sweet how prodigiously wicked are they that prefer the enjoying their Lusts before the enjoying of God 2 Pet. 3.3 The lust of the flesh the lust of the eye the pride of life is the Trinity they worship Lust is an inordinate Desire or Impulse provoking the Soul to that which is evil there is the revengeful Lust and the wanton Lust Lust is like a feaverish Heat it puts the Soul into a Flame Aristotle calls sensual Lusts bruitish because when any Lust is violent Reason or Conscience cannot be heard the Beast rides the Man These Lusts when they are enjoyed do besot and dispirit Persons Hos. 4.11 Whoredom and wine take away the heart They have no heart for any thing that is good how many make it their chief end not to enjoy God but to enjoy their Lusts As that Cardinal said Let him but keep his Cardinalship of Paris and he was content to loose his part in Paradise Lust first bewitcheth with Pleasure and then comes the fatal Dart Prov. 7.23 Till a dart strike through his liver This should be as a flaming Sword to stop Men in the way of their carnal Delights who would for a Drop of Pleasure drink a Sea of Wrath Use 2. Let it be our great Care to enjoy God's sweet Presence here which is the Beauty and Comfort of the Ordinance Enjoying spiritual Communion with God is a Riddle and Mystery to most People every one that hangs about the Court doth not speak with the King We may approach to God in Ordinances and as it were hang about the Court of Heaven yet not enjoy Communion with God we may have the Letter without Spirit the visible Sign without the invisible Grace it is the enjoying of God in a Duty we should chiefly look at Psal. 42.2 My soul thirsteth for God for the living God Alas what are all our worldly Enjoyments without the enjoying of God What is it to enjoy a great deal of Health a brave Estate and not to enjoy God Job 30.28 I went mourning without the sun So maist thou say in the Enjoyment of all Creatures without God I went mourning without the sun I have the Star-light of outward Enjoyments but I cannot enjoy God I want the Sun of Righteousness I went mourning without the sun This should be our great Design not only to have the Ordinances of God but the God of the Ordinances The enjoying God's sweet Presence with us here is the most contented Life he is an Hive of Sweetness a Magazine of Riches
a saying of Luther Quos Deus vult perdere c. whom God intends to destroy he gives them leave to play with Scripturre Use 3. of Exhortation If the Scripture be of Divine Inspiration then be exhorted 1. to study the Scripture it is a Copy of God's Will be Scripture Men Bible Christians I adore the fulness of Scripture saith Tertullian In the Book of God are scattered many Truths as so many Pearls Iohn 5.39 Search the Scriptures Search as for a Vein of Silver This blessed Book will fill your Head with Knowledge and your Heart with Grace God wrote the two Tables with his own Fingers and if God took pains to write well may we take pains â—o read Apollos was mighty in the Scriptures Acts 18.24 The Word is our Magna Charta for Heaven shall we be ignorant of our Charter Col. 3.16 Let the word of God dwell in you richly The Memory must be a Table-Book where the Word is written To make us read the Word consider 1. There is Majesty sparkling in every Line of Scripture Take but one Instance Isa. 63.1 Who is this that cometh from Edom with died garments from Bozrah this that is glorious in his apparel travelling in the greatness of his strength I that speak in righteousness mighty to save Behold here a lofty magnificent stile what Angel could speak after this manner Iunius was converted by reading one Verse of Iohn he beheld a Majesty in it beyond all Humane Rhetorick 2. There is Melody in Scripture This is that blessed Harp which drives away sadness of Spirit Hear the sounding of this Harp a little 1 Tim. 1.15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation that Iesus Christ came into the World to save sinners he took not only our Flesh upon him but our Sins And Matth. 11.28 Come unto me all ye that are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest How sweetly doth this Harp of Scripture sound what heavenly Musick doth it make in the Ears of a distressed sinner especially when the Finger of God's Spirit toucheth upon this Instrument 3. There is Divinity in Scripture It contains the Marrow and Quintessence of Religion The Scripture is a Rock of Diamonds a Mystery of Piety the Lips of Scripture have Grace poured into them The Scripture speaks of Faith Self-denial and all the Graces which as a Chain of Pearl adore a Christian. The Scripture excites to Holiness it treats of another World it gives a prospect of Eternity Oh then search the Scriptures Make the Word familiar to you Had I the Tongue of Angels I could not sufficiently set forth the Excellency of Scripture It is a spiritual Optick Glass in which we behold God's Glory it is the Tree of Life the Oracle of Wisdom the Rule of Manners the heavenly Seed of which the New Creature is formed Iames 1.18 The two Testaments saith Austin are the two Breasts which every Christian must suck that he may get spiritual Nourishment The Leaves of the Tree of Life were for Healing Rev. 22.2 so these Holy Leaves of Scripture like those Leaves are for the healing of our Souls The Scripture is profitable for all things If we are deserted here is the spiced Wine that cheers the heavy heart If we are pursued by Satan here is the Sword of the Spirit to resist him If we are diseased with Sins leprosy here are the Waters of the Sanctuary both to Cleanse and Cure Oh then search the Scriptures There is no danger in tasting this Tree of Knowledge There was a Penalty laid at first that we might not taste of the Tree of Knowledge Gen. 3.17 In the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die But there is no danger of plucking this Tree of Holy Scripture if we do not eat of this Tree of Knowledge we shall surely die Oh then read the Scriptures Time may come when the Scriptures may be kept from us Quest. How should we so search the Scriptures as to find Life Answ. 1. Read the Bible with Reverence think every Line you read God is speaking to you The Ark wherein the Law was put was over-laid with pure Gold and was carried on Barrs that the Levites might not touch it Exod. 25.14 And why was this but to breed in the People Reverence to the Law 2. Read with Seriousness 'T is Matter of Life and Death By this Word you must be tried Conscience and Scripture are the Jury God will proceed by in Judging of you 3. Read the Word with Affection Get your Hearts quickned with the Word go to it to fetch fire Luke 24.31 Did not our hearts burn within us Labour that the Word may not only be a Lamp to direct but a Fire to warm Read the Scripture not only as an History but as a Love-Letter sent to you from God which may affect your Hearts 4. Pray that the same Spirit that wrote the Word may assist you in the reading of it that God's Spirit would show you the wonderful Things of his Law Go near saith God to Philip joyn thy self to this Chariot Acts 8.29 So when God's Spirit joyns himself with this Chariot of the Word then it becomes effectual 2. Be exhorted to prize the Word written Iob 23.12 David valued the Word more precious than Gold What would the Martyrs have given for a Leaf of the Bible The Word is the Field where Christ the Pearl of price is hid In this Sacred Mine we dig not for a Wedge of Gold but a Weight of Glory 1. The Scripture is a Sacred Collyrium or Eye-salve to illuminate us Prov. 6.23 The Commandment is a Lamp and the Law is Light 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Clem Alexandrinus The Scripture is the Card and Compass by which we Sail to the New Ierusalem 2. The Scripture is a Soveraign Cordial in all Distresses What are the Promises but the Water of Life to renew fainting Spirits Is it sin troubles there is a Scripture Cordial Psal. 65.3 Iniquities prevail against me as for our Transgressions thou shalt purge them away or as it is in Hebrew Te eapperem Thou shalt cover them Is it outward Affliction disquiets there is a Scripture Cordial Psal. 91.15 I will be with him in trouble not only to behold but to uphold Thus as in the Ark was laid up Manna Promises are laid up as Manna in the Ark of Scripture 3. The Scripture will make us wise Wisdom is above Troubles Psal. 119.104 By thy Precepts I get understanding What made Eve so desire the Tree of Knowledge Gen. 3.6 It was a Tree to make one wise The Scriptures teach a Man to know himself they discover Satan's 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 snares and stratagems 2 Cor. 2.11 They make one wise to Salvation 2 Tim. 3.15 O then highly prize the Scriptures I read of Queen Elizabeth at her Coronation she received the Bible presented to her with both her Hands and kissing it laid it to her Breast saying That that Book
hath made it intelligible and hath stamped upon it his Likeness not his Essence Quest. But is it not said That we are made Partakers of the Divine Nature Resp. By Divine Nature there is meant Divine Qualities 2 Pet. 1.4 We are made Partakers of the Divine Nature not by Identity or Union with the Divine Essence but by a transformation into the Divine Likeness Thus you see how God differs from other Spirits Angels and Souls of Men. He is a Spirit of transcendent Excellency the Father of Spirits Object Against this Vorstius and the Anthropomorthites object That in Scripture an Humane Shape and Figure is given to God he is said to have Eyes and Hands Resp. It is contrary to the Nature of a Spirit to have a Corporeal Substance Luke 24. â—9 Handle me and see me for a Spirit hath not Flesh and Bones as ye see me have Bodily Members are ascribed to God not properly but metaphorically and in a borrowed sence he is only set out to our Capacity By the right Hand of the Lord is meant his Power by the Eyes of the Lord are meant his Wisdom Now that God is a Spirit and is not capable of Bodily Shape or Substance probatur 1. A Body is visible but God is invisible Therefore he is a Spirit 1 Tim. 6.16 whom no man hath seen nor can see not by an Eye of sence 2. A Body is terminated can be but in one place at once but God is ubique in all places at once Therefore he is a Spirit Psal. 139.7 8. God's Center is every where and his Circumference is no where 3. A Body being compounded of integral Parts may be dissolved Quicquid divisibile est corruptibile but the God-head is not capable of dissolution he can have no End from whom all things have their Beginning So that it clearly appears God is a Spirit which adds to the Perfection of his Nature Use 1. If God be a Spirit then he is impassible he is not capable of being hurt Wicked Men may set up their Banners and bend their Forces against God they are said 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to fight against God Acts 5.39 But what will this fighting avail what hurt can they do to the Deity God is a Spirit and therefore cannot receive any hurtful impression wicked Men may imagine Evil against the Lord Nahum 1.9 What do ye imagine against the Lord But God being a Spirit is impenetrable The wicked may Eclipse his Glory but cannot touch his Essence God can hurt his Enemies but they cannot hurt him Iulian might throw up his Dagger into the Air against Heaven but could not touch the Deity God is a Spirit invisible how can the Wicked with all their Forces hurt him when they cannot see him Hence all the Attempts of the Wicked against God are foolish and prove Abortive Psal. 2.3 4. The Kings of the Earth set themselves against the Lord and against his Anointed He that sits in the Heavens shall laugh He is a Spirit he can wound them but they cannot touch him Use 2. If God be a Spirit then it shows the folly of the Papists who worship him by Pictures and Images Being a Spirit we cannot make any Image to represent him by Deut. 4.12 The Lord spake to you out of the midst of the fire ye heard the voice of the words but saw no similitude 1. God being a Spirit is imperceptible cannot be discerned how then can there be any Resemblance made of him Isa. 40.18 To whom then will ye liken God or what likeness will ye compare unto him How can you paint the Deity can we make an Image of that which we never saw Ye saw no similitude God is a Spirit It were a folly to go to make the Picture of the Soul because it is a Spiritual Thing or to Paint the Angels because they are Spirits Object Are not the Angels in Scripture represented by the Cherubims Resp. There is Imago Personae Officii there is the Image of the Person and the Image that represents the Office The Cherubims did not represent the Persons of the Angels but their Office The Cherubims were made with Wings to show the swiftness of the Angels in discharge of their Office and if we cannot Picture the Soul nor the Persons of the Angels because they are Spirits much less can we make an Image or Picture of God who is Infinite and the Father of Spirits 2. God being a Spirit is Omnipresent he is present in all places Ier. 23.24 Do not I fill Heaven and Earth saith the Lord Therefore being every where present it is absurd to worship him by an Image Were it not a foolish thing to bow down to the King's Picture when the King is present So to go to worship God's Image when God himself is present Quest. But how then shall we conceive of God being a Spirit if we may make no Image or Resemblance of him Resp. We must conceive of him Spiritually viz. 1. In his Attributes his Holiness Justice Goodness which are the Beams by which his Divine Nature shines forth 2. We must conceive of him as he is in Christ Christ is the Image of the invisible God Col. 1.15 Set the Eyes of your Faith on Christ God-man In Christ we see some Sparklings of the Divine Glory in him there is the exact Resemblance of all his Fathers Excellencies The Wisdom Love and Holiness of God the Father shine forth in Christ Iohn 14.9 He that hath seen me hath seen the Father 3. Infer If God be a Spirit it shows us that the more spiritual we grow the more we grow like to God To be earthly is to be unlike God How do Earth and Spirit agree Phil. 3.19 Earthly ones may give for their Crest the Mole or Tortoise that live in the Earth What Resemblance is there between an Earthly Heart and him who is a Spirit The more Spiritual any one is the more like God Quest. What is it to be Spiritual Resp. To be Refined and Sublimated to have the Heart still in Heaven to be thinking of God and Glory and to be carried up in a fiery Chariot of Love to God this is to be Spiritual Psal. 73.25 Whom have I in Heaven but thee on which Beza paraphraseth thus Apage Terra utinam tecum in Coelo essem O that I were in Heaven with thee A Christian who is taken off from these Earthly Things as the Spirits are taken off from the Lees hath a noble Spiritual Soul and doth most resemble him who is a Spirit 4 Infer It shows us what that Worship is God requires of us and is most acceptable to him viz. such a Worship as is suitable to his Nature Spiritual Worship John 4.24 They which worship him must worship him in Spirit and Truth Spiritual worship is the Virgin-worship Though God will have the Service of our Bodies our Eyes and Hands lifted up to testifie to others that Reverence we have of God's Glory
and Majesty yet chiefly he will have the worship of the Soul 1 Cor. 6.20 Glorifie God in your body and in your spirit Spirit-worship God prizeth because it comes so near to his own Nature who is a Spirit Quest. What is it to Worship God in the Spirit Resp. 1. To worship him without Ceremonies The Ceremonies of the Law which God himself ordained are now abrogated and out of date Christ the Substance being come the Shadows flie away and therefore the Apostle calls the Legal Ceremonies Carnal Rites Heb. 9.10 and if not use those Iewish Ceremonies which God did once appoint then not those which he did never appoint Resp. 2. To worship God in Spirit is to worship him 1. With Faith in the Bloud of the Messiah Heb. 11.9 And 2. to worship him with the utmost Zeal and Intensness of Soul Acts 26.7 Our twelve tribes instantly serving God day and night 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with Intensness of Spirit not only constantly but instantly This is to worship God in the Spirit The more Spiritual any Service is the nearer it comes to God who is a Spirit and the more excellent it is the spiritual part of Duty is the Fat of the Sacrifice it is the Soul and Quintessence of Religion The richest Cordials are made of Spirits and the best Duties are such as are of a Spiritual Nature God is a Spirit and will be worshipped in Spirit It is not Pomp of Worship but Purity which God accepts Repentance is not in the outward Severities used to the Body Pennance Fasting and Chastising the Body but it consists in the Sacrifice of a broken Heart Thanksgiving doth not stand in Church-Musick the Melody of an Organ but rather making Melody in the Heart to the Lord Eph. 5.19 Prayer is not the Tuning of the Voice into an heartless Confession or telling over a few Beads but it consists in Sighs and Groans Rom. 8.26 When the Fire of Fervency is put to the Incense of Prayer now it ascends as a sweet Odour that is the true Holy Water not which the Pope sprinkles but what is distilled from the Limbeck of a Penitent Eye Spirit-worship best pleaseth that God who is a Spirit Ioh. 4.23 The Father seeks such to worship him to shew the great acceptance of such and how God is delighted with Spiritual-worship This is the savoury Meat God loves How few mind this worshipping him who is a Spirit in the Spirit they give him more Dreggs then Spirits they think it enough to bring their Duties but not their Hearts which hath made God disclaim those very Services he himself appointed Isa. 1.12 Ezek. 33.31 Let us then give God Spirit-worship this best suits with his Nature a Soveraign Elixar full of Vertue may be given in a few drops a little Prayer if it be with the Heart and Spirit may have much Vertue and Efficacy in it The Publican made but a short Prayer God be merciful to me a sinner Luke 18.13 but it was full of life and spirit it came from the Heart therefore was accepted Use 2. of Exhortation Pray to God that as he is a Spirit so he will give us of his Spirit The Essence of God is incommunicable but the Motions the Presence and Influences of his Spirit When the Sun shines in a Room not the Body of the Sun is there but the Light Heat and Influence of the Sun God hath made a Promise of his Spirit Ezek. 36.27 I will put my Spirit within you Turn Promises into Prayers O Lord thou who art a Spirit give me of thy Spirit I Flesh beg thy Spirit thy enlightning â—anctifying quickning Spirit Melancthon's Prayer Domine accende animam meam Spiritu tuo Lord inflame my Soul with thy Holy Spirit How needful is his Spirit we cannot do any Duty without it in a lively manner when this Wind blows upon our Sails then we move swiftly towards Heaven Pray therefore that God will give us of the Residue of his Spirit Mal. 2.15 that we may move more vigorously in the Sphere of Religion Use 3. of Comfort As God is a Spirit so the Reward that he gives is Spiritual that is the Excellency of it as the chief Blessings he gives us in this Life are Spiritual Blessings Eph. 1.3 not Gold and Silver he gives Christ his Love he fills us with Grace so the main Rewards he gives after this Life are Spiritual a Crown of Glory that fades not away 1 Pet. 5.4 Earthly Crowns fade but the Believer's Crown being Spiritual is Immortal a never-fading Crown It is impossible saith Iulius Scaliger for that which is Spiritual to be subject to Change or Corruption This may comfort a Christian in all his Labours and Sufferings he lays out himself for God and hath little or no Reward here but remember God who is a Spirit will give Spiritual Rewards a sight of his Face in Heaven white Robes a weight of Glory Be not then weary of God's Service think of the Spiritual Reward a Crown of Glory which fadeth not away GOD is INFINITE Quest. WHat kind of Spirit is God Resp. He is Infinite so he differs from all created Beings which are Finite Though Infinite may be applied to all God's Attributes he is infinitely Merciful infinitely Wise infinitely Holy yet if we take Infiniteness properly so implies 1. God's Omnipresency the Greek word for Infinite 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies without Bounds or Limits God is not confined to any place he is Infinite and so is present in all places at once His Centre is every-where Divina essentia nusquam inclusa aut exclusa Aug. 1 Kings 8.27 Behold the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee This the Turks have a Notion of they build their Temples open on the top to show that God cannot be confined to their Temples or circumscribed but is in all places by his Presence God's Essence is not limited either to the Regions above or to the Terrestrial Globe but his whole Essence is every-where This is to be Infinite As Philosophers say of the Soul it is Tota in toto tota in qualibet parte The Soul is in every part of the Body in the Eye Heart Foot so we may say of God he is Ubique his Essence is every-where his Circuit is in Heaven and Earth and Sea and he is in all places of his Circuit at once This is to be Infinite God who bounds every thing else is himself without Bounds He sets Bounds to the Sea Huc usque Hitherto shalt thou come and no further He sets Bounds to the Angels they like the Cherubims move and stand at his appointment Ezek. 10.16 but he is Infinite without Bounds He who can span the Heavens and weigh the Earth in a pair of Scales must needs be Infinite Isa. 40.12 Object Vorstius That God is in all places at once but not in regard of his Essence but Virtute potentia by his Vertue and
and upbraideth not Jam. 1.5 Wisdom is in God tanquam in fonte as in the Fountain his wisdom is imparted not impaired his Stock is not spent by giving Go then to God Lord do thou light my Lamp in thy Light ' I shall see Light give me wisdom to know the fallacies of my heart the subtilties of the old Serpent to walk jealously towards my self religiously towards thee prudently towards others guide me by thy Counsel and afterwards receive me to Glory Of GOD's Power THE next Attribute is God's Power Iob 9.19 If I speak of strength lo he is strong In this Chapter is a magnificent Description of God's Power So he is strong The Hebrew word for strong ammytz signifies a conquering prevailing strength He is strong the Superlative Degree is intended here viz. He is most strong He is call'd Elshaddai God Almighty Gen. 17.1 His Almightiness lies in this he can do whatever is feasible Divines distinguish between 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Authority and Power God hath both 1. He hath a Soveraign Right and Authority over Man He may do with his Creature as he please Who shall Dispute with God who shall ask him a Reason of his doings Dan. 4.35 He doth according to his Will in the Army of Heaven and among the Inhabitants of the Earth and none can stay his Hand or say unto him what dost thou God sits Judge in the highest Court he calls the Monarchs of the Earth to the Barr and is not bound to give a reason of his proceedings Psal. 75.5 7. He putteth down one and raiseth up another He hath Salvation and Damnation in his power He hath the Key of Justice in his hand to lock up whom he will in the fiery Prison of Hell and he hath the Key of Mercy in his hand to open Heaven's Gate to whom he please This is the Name engraven upon his Vesture King of Kings and Lord of Lords Rev. 19.16 he sits Lord paramount and who can call him to account Isa. 46.10 I will do all my pleasure The World is God's Diocess and shall not he do what he will in his own Diocess He it was that turned King Nebuchadnezzar to grass and threw the Angels to Hell when they sinned that broke the head of the Babylonish Empire Isa. 14.12 How art thou fallen from Heaven O Lucifer thy pomp is brought down to the grave Who sets bounds to the Sea and bridles the proud Waves Job 38.11 God is the Supream Monarch all Power is seated originally in him and the powers that be are of God Rom. 13.1 Kings hold their Crowns from him Prov. 8.15 By me Kings reign 2. As God hath Authority so he hath Infinite Power What is Authority without Power He is mighty in strength Job 9.4 This Power of God is seen 1. In the Creation To Create requires an Infinite Power all the World cannot make a Fly God's Power in Creating is evident 1. Because he needs no Instruments to work with 't is proper to God to work without Tools 2. He needs no Matter to work upon first he creates Matter and then works upon it 3. He works without labour Psal. 33.9 He spake and it was done 2. The Power of God is seen in the Conversion of Souls Surely a mighty Power went to raise Christ from the Grave 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Eph. 1.20 The same power goes to draw a Sinner to God as drew Christ out of the Grave to Heaven Greater Power is put forth in Conversion than in Creation 1. When God made the World he met with no opposition as he had nothing to help him so he had nothing to hinder him But when he comes to convert a Sinner here he meets with opposition Satan opposeth him and the Heart opposeth him a Sinner is angry with Converting Grace 2. The World was the work of God's Fingers Psal. 8.3 Conversion is the work of God's Arm Luke 1.5 3. In the Creation God wrought but one Miracle he Spake the word but in Conversion he works many Miracles The Blind is made to see the Dead is raised the Deaf hears the Voice of the Son of God O the infinite Power of Jehovah Before his Scepter Angels vail and prostrate themselves Kings cast their Crowns at his Feet Amos 9.5 He toucheth the Mountains and they melt Job 9.6 He removes the Earth out of her place An Earthquake makes the Earth tremble upon her Pillars but God shakes it out of its place he can remove the Earth from its Center God can do what he will his Power is as large as his Will Were Men's power as large as their will what work would they make in the World God's Power is of equal extent with his Will God can with a word un-pin the wheels and break the Axle-tree of the Creation He can do 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 more then we can think Eph. 3.20 He can suspend natural Agents he sealed up the Lions mouth made the Fire not burn he made the waters stand upon an heap he caused the Sun to go ten Degrees backward in Ahaz his Dial Isa. 38.8 What can pose Omnipotency The Lord cuts off the Spirit of Princes Psal. 76.12 He Counter-works his Enemies he pulls down their Flags and Banners of Pride infatuates their Counsels breaks their Forces and he doth it with ease with the turning of his hand Psal. 81.14 with his breath Isa. 40.24 with a look That is all it needs cost God to destroy his Enemies a look a cast of his eye Exod. 14.24 The Lord looked into the hoast of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and troubled their hoast Who shall stop him in his March God commands and all Creatures in Heaven and Earth obey him Xerxes the Persian Monarch threw Fetters into the Sea when its Waves swelled as if he would have chained up the Waters but when God speaks the Wind and Sea obey him if he say but the word the Stars fight in their course against Sisera if he stamp with his Foot an Army of Angels shall presently be in a Battalia What cannot Omnipotent Power do The Lord is a Man of War Exod. 15.3 He hath a mighty Arm Psal. 89.13 God's Power is a glorious power Col. 1.11 1. It is an irresistible power Rom. 9.19 Who hath resisted his will To contest with him is as if the Thorns should set themselves in Battel aray against the fire or as if an infirm Child should fight with an Arch-Angel If the Sinner be once taken in God's Iron Net there is no escaping Isa. 43.13 There is none that can deliver out of my hand 2. God's Power is an inexhaustible power it is never spent or wasted Men while they exercise their strength weaken it but God hath an everlasting spring of strength in him Isa. 26.4 though he spends his Arrows upon his Enemies Deut. 32.23 yet he doth not spend his strength Isa. 40.28 He fainteth not neither is weary Object Can God do
that we may not pray to Angels is clear from Rom. 10.14 How shall they call upon him in whom they have not believed We may not pray to any but whom we may believe in but we may not believe in an Angel ergo we may not pray to him There is but one God and it is a sin to invocate any but only God 5. If there be but one God who is above all Ephes. 4.6 then he must be loved above all 1. We must love him with a love of Appreciation set the highest estimate on him who is the only Fountain of Being and Bliss 2. We must love him with a love of Complacency Amor est complacentia amantis in amato Aquin. Our love to other things must be more indifferent some drops of love may run beside to the Creature but the full stream must run towards God the Creature may have the Milk of our love but we must keep the Cream of our love for God God who is above all must be loved above all Psal. 73.25 There is none on earth whom I desire in comparison of thee Use 2. of Caution If there be but one God then let us take heed of setting up more Gods then one Psal. 16.4 Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another God their Drink-offerings of Blood will I not offer nor take up their Names into my lips God is a jealous God and he will not endure that we should have other Gods 'T is easie to commit Idolatry with the Creature 1. Some make a God of Pleasure 2. Tim. 3.4 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Lovers of pleasure more then lovers of God Whatever we love more then God we make a God 2. Others make Money their God The Covetous Man worships the Image of Gold therefore is called an Idolater Eph. 5.5 that which a Man trusts to he makes his God but he makes the wedge of Gold his Hope He makes Money his Creator Redeemer Comforter 'T is his Creator if he hath Money then he thinks he is made It is his Redeemer if he be in danger he trusts in his Money to redeem him out It is his Comforter if at any time he be sad the golden Harp drives away the Evil Spirit So that Money is his God God made Man of the Dust of the Earth and Man makes a God of the Dust of the Earth 3. Another makes a God of his Child sets his Child in God's room and so provokes God to take it away If you lean too hard upon a Glass it will break many break their Children by leaning too hard upon them 4. Others make a God of their Belly Phil. 3.19 Whose God is their Belly Clemens Alexandrinus writes of a Fish that hath its heart in its Belly an Emblem of Epicures their Heart is in their Belly they mind nothing but indulging the Sensual Appetite they do sacrificare lari their Belly is their God and to this they pour Drink-offerings Thus Men make many Gods The Apostle names the wicked Man's Trinity 1 John 2.16 The lust of the flesh the lust of the eye the pride of life The lust of the flesh Pleasure the lust of the eye Money Pride of Life Honour O take heed of this whatever you Deifie besides God will prove a Bramble and Fire will come out of this Bramble and devour you Iudges 9.15 Use 3. of Reproof If the Lord Jehovah be the â—â—ly true God then it reproves those who renounce the true God I mean such as seek to familiar Spirits this is too much practised among them that call themselves Christians 'T is a sin condemned by the Law of God Deut. 18.11 There shall not be found among you any that consults with familiar Spirits How ordinary is this If People have lost any of their Goods they send to Wizards to know how they may come by their Goods again What is this but consulting with the Devil and so you renounce God and your Baptism What because you have lost your Goods will you lose your Souls too 2 Kings 1.6 Thus saith the Lord Is it not because there is not a God in Israel that thou sendest to enquire of Baal-zebub so is it not because you think there is not a God in Heaven that you ask Counsel of the Devil If any here be guilty be deeply humbled you have renounced the true God better be without the Goods you have lost then have the Devil help you to them again Use 4. of Exhortation If there be but one God as God is Oâ—â— so let them that serve him be One. This is that Christ prayed so heartily for Iohn 17.21 That they all may be One Christians should be One 1. in Iudgment the Apostle exhorts to be all of one mind 1 Cor. 1.10 How sad is it to see Religion wearing a Coat of divers Colours to see Christians of so many Opinions and going so many different ways It is Satan hath sown these Tares of Division Matth. 13.39 he first divided Men from God and now divides one Man from another 2. One in Affection They should have one Heart Acts 4.32 The multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul. As in Musick though there be several strings of a Viol yet all make one sweet harmony so though there are several Christians yet there should be one sweet harmony of Affection among them There is but one God and they that serve him should be one There is nothing would render the true Religion more lovely or make more Proselytes to it than to see the Professors of it tied together with the heart-strings of love Psal. 133.1 Behold how good and pleasant a thing it is to see brethren live together in unity It is as the sweet Dew on Hermon and the fragrant Ointment poured on Aaron's Head If God be one let all that profess him be One of one mind and one heart this fulfils Christ's Prayer that they alâ— may be one 2. If there be but one God let us labour to clear the Title that this God is ours Psal. 48.14 This God is our God What Comfort can it be to hear that there is a God and that he is the only God unless he be our God What is Deity without Propriety O let us labour to clear the Title beg the Holy Spirit the Spirit works faith by faith we are one with Christ and through Christ we come to have God for our God and so all his glorious fulness is made over to us by a Deed of Gift Use 5. What Cause have we to be thankful that we have the knowledge of the only true God How many are brought up in blindness some worship Mahomet divers of the Indians worship the Devil they light a Candle to him that he should not hurt them Such as know not the true God must needs stumble into Hell in the dark O be thankful that we are born in such a Climate where the Light of the Gospel hath shined To
and could we have shed Rivers of Tears offered up Millions of Holocausts and Burnt-Offerings we could never have pacified an angry Deity therefore Christ must dye that God's Justice might be satisfied It is hotly debated among Divines Whether God could not have forgiven Sin freely without a Sacrifice Not to dispute what God could have done but when we consider God was resolved to have the Law satisfied and to have Man in a way of Justice as well as Mercy then I say it was necessary that Christ should lay down his Life as a Sacrifice 1. To fulfil the Predictions of Scripture Luke 24.46 Thus it behoved Christ to suffer 2. To bring us into Favour with God 'T is one thing for a Traytor to be pardoned and another thing to be made a Favourite Christ's Bloud is not only called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Sacrifice whereby God is appeased but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Propitiation whereby God becomes gracious and friendly to us Christ is our Mercy-seat from which God gives Answers of Peace to us 3. Christ dyed that he might make good his last Will and Testament with his Bloud There were many Legacies which Christ bequeathed to Believers which had been all null and void had not he dyed and by his Death confirm'd the Will Heb. 9.17 A Testament is in force after Men are dead The Mission of Spirit the Promises those Legacies were not in force till Christ's Death but Christ by his Bloud hath sealed them and Believers may lay claim to them 4. He died that he might purchase for us Glorious Mansions Therefore Heaven is called not only a promised but a purchased Possession Eph. 1.14 Christ dyed for our Preferment He suffered that we might reign he hung upon the Cross that we might fit upon the Throne Heaven was shut c. Crux Christi clavis Paradisi The Cross of Christ is the Ladder by which we ascend to Heaven His Crucifixion is our Coronation Use 1. In the Bloudy Sacrifice of Christ see the horrid Nature of Sin Sin it is true is odious as it banish'd Adam out of Paradise and threw the Angels into Hell but that which doth most of all make it appear Horrid is this it made Christ vail his Glory and loose his Bloud We should look upon Sin with Indignation and pursue it with an Holy Malice and shed the Bloud of those Sins shed Christ's Bloud The sight of Caesar's Bloudy Robe incensed the Romans against them that slew him The sight of Christ's bleeding Body should incense us against Sin let us not parly with it let not that be our Joy which made Christ a Man of Sorrow Use 2. Is Christ our Priest sacrific'd see God's Mercy and Iustice displayed I may say as the Apostle Rom. 11.27 Behold the goodness and severity of God 1. The Goodness of God in providing a Sacrifice Had not Christ suffered on the Cross we must have lain in Hell for ever satisfying God's Justice 2. The Severity of God Though it were his own Son the Son of his Love and our Sins were but imputed to him yet God did not spare him Rom. 8.32 but his Wrath did flame against him And if God were thus severe to his own Son how dreadful will he be one day to his Enemies Such as dye in wilful Impenitency must feel the same Wrath as Christ did and because they cannot bear it at once therefore they must be enduring it for ever Use 3. Is Christ our Priest who was sacrificed for us then see the endeared Affection of Christ to us Sinners The Cross saith Austin was a Pulpit in which Christ preached his Love to the World That Christ should dye was more then if all the Angels had been turned to Dust And that Christ should dye as a Malefactor having the weight of all Mens Sins laid upon him That he should dye for his Enemies Rom. 5.10 The Balm-tree weeps out its precious Balm to heal those that cut and mangle it Christ shed his Bloud to heal those that crucified him And that he should dye freely it is call'd the Offering of the Body of Jesus Heb. 10.10 And though his Sufferings were so great that they made him sigh and weep and bleed yet they could not make him Repent Isa. 53.11 He shall see of the travel of his soul and be satisfied Christ had hard travel upon the Cross yet he doth not repent of it but thinks his Sweat and Bloud well bestowed because he sees Redemption brought forth to the World O infinite amazing Love of Christ a Love that passeth Knowledge Eph. 3.19 That neither Man or Angel can paralel How should we be affected with this Love if Saul was so affected with David's Kindness in sparing his Life How should we be affected with Christ's Kindness in parting with his Life for us At Christ's Death and Passion the very Stones did cleave asunder Matth. 27.5 The rocks rent Not to be affected with Christ's Love in dying is to have Hearts harder then the Rocks Use 4. Is Christ our Sacrifice then see the Excellency of this Sacrifice 1. It is perfect Heb. 10.14 By one offering he hath perfected them that are sanctified Therefore how impious are the Papists in joyning their Merits and the Prayers of Saints with Christ's Sacrifice They offer him up daily in the Mass as if Christ's Sacrifice on the Cross were imperfect this is a Blasphemy against Christ's Priestly Office 2. Christ's Sacrifice is meritorious he not only died for our Example but to merit Salvation The Person who suffered being God as well as Man did put Vertue into his Sufferings and now our sins are expiated and God appeased No sooner did the Messengers say Uriah is dead but David's Anger was pacified 2 Sam. 11.21 No sooner did Christ dye but God's Anger is pacified 3. This Sacrifice is beneficial out of the dead Lyon Sampson had Honey it procures Justification of our Persons Acceptance of our Services Access to God with Boldness Entrance into the Holy Place of Heaven Heb. 10.19 Per latus Christi paâ—escit nobis in coelum Israel passed through the Red Sea to Canaan so through the Red Sea of Christ's Bloud we enter into the Heavenly Canaan 2. Use of Exhortation Branch 1. Let us fiducially apply this Bloud of Christ All the Vertue of a Medicine is in the applying though the Medicine be made of the Bloud of God it will not heal unless by Faith applyed As Fire is to the Chymist so is Faith to a Christian the Chymist can do nothing without Fire so there is nothing done without Faith Faith makes Christ's Sacrifice ours Phil. 3.8 Christ Iesus my Lord. It is not Gold in the Mine enricheth but Gold in the Hand Faith is the Hand receives Christ's Golden Merits It is not a Cordial in the Glass refresheth the Spirits but a Cordial drunk down Per fidem Christi sanguinem sugimus Cypr. Faith opens the Orifice of Christ's Woundâ— and drinks the precious Cordial of
Lion of the Tribe of Judah whose Eyes are as a Lamp of fire and the Rocks are thrown down by him Nahum 1.6 He shall cut off the spirit of Princes Psal. 76.12 Use 3. If Christ be a great King submit to him Say not as those Iews We have no King but Caesar no King but our Lusts. This is to choose the Bramble to rule over you and out of the Bramble will come forth a fire Iudg. 9. Submit to Christ willingly all the Devils in Hell submit to Christ but 't is against their will they are his Slaves Not his Subjects Submit cheerfully to Christ's Person and his Laws Many would have Christ their Saviour but not their Prince such as will not have Christ to be their King to rule them shall never have his Blood to save them Obey all Christ's Princely Commands if he commands Love Humility Good Works be as the Needle which points which way soever the Load-stone draws Branch 2. Let such admire God's Free-grace who were once under the Power and Tyranny of Satan and now Christ hath made them of Slaves to become the Subjects of his Kingdom Christ did not need Subjects he hath Legions of Angels ministring to him but in his Love he hath honoured you to make you his Subjects O! how long was it e're Christ could prevail with you to come under his Banner How much opposition did he meet with e're you would wear this Prince's Colours but at last Omnipotent Grace overcame you When Peter was sleeping between two Souldiers an Angel came and beat off his Chains Acts 12.7 So when thou wert sleeping in the Devil's Arms that Christ should by his Spirit smite thy heart and cause the Chains of Sin to fall off and make thee a Subject of his Kingdom O admire Free-grace Thou who art a Subject of Christ art sure to Reign with Christ for ever Christ's Humiliation in his Incarnation 1 TIM 3.16 Great is the Mystery of Godliness God manifest in the flesh Quest. XVII WHerein did Christ's Humiliation consist Resp. In his being born and that in a low condition undergoing the Miseries of this Life the Wrath of God and the cursed Death of the Cross. Christ's Humiliation consisted in his Incarnation his taking Flesh and being Born It was real Flesh Christ took Not the Image of a Body as the Manichees erroniously held but a true Body therefore Christ is said to be made of a woman Gal. 4.4 As the Bread is made of the Wheat and the Wine is made of the Grape so Christ was made of a Woman his Body was part of the Flesh and Substance of the Virgin This is a glorious Mystery God manifest in the flesh In the Creation Man was made in God's Image in the Incarnation God was made in Man's Image Quest. How it came about that Christ was made flesh Resp. It was by his Fathers special designation Gal. 4.4 God sent forth his Son made of a Woman God the Father did in a special manner appoint Christ to be Incarnate which shews us how needful a Call is to any business of weight and importance to act without a Call is to act without a Blessing Christ himself would not be Incarnate and take upon him the work of a Mediator till he had a Call God sent forth his Son made of a Woman Quest. But was there no other way for the restoring of fallen Man but this that God should take flesh Answ. We must not ask a Reason of God's Will it is dangerous to pry into God's Ark we are not to dispute but adore The wise God saw this the best way for our Redemption that Christ should be Incarnate it was not fit for any to satisfie God's Justice but Man none could do it but God therefore Christ being both God and Man he is the fittest to undertake this Work of Redemption Quest. Why Christ was born of a Woman Resp. 1. That God might fulfil that promise Gen. 3.15 The Seed of the Woman shall break the Serpents head 2. Christ was born of a Woman that he might roll away that reproach from the Woman which she had contracted by being seduced by the Serpent Christ in taking his flesh from the Woman hath honoured her Sex that as at the first the Woman had made Man a Sinner so now to make him amends she should bring him a Saviour Quest. Why Christ was born of a Virgin Resp. 1. For Decency It became not God to have any Mother but a Maid and it became not a Maid to have any Son but a God 2. For Necessity Christ was to be an High Priest most pure and holy Had he been born after the ordinary course of Nature he had been defiled all that spring out of Adam's Loins have a tincture of sin but that Christ's Substance might remain pure and immaculate he was born of a Virgin 3. To answer the Type Melchisedeck was a Type of Christ he is said to be without Father and without Mother Christ being born of a Virgin answered the Type he was without Father and without Mother without Mother as he was God without Father as he was Man Quest. How could Christ be made of the flesh and blood of a Virgin yet without sin The purest Virgin that is her Soul is stained with Original sin Answ. This Knot the Scripture unties Luke 1.35 The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee and overshadow thee therefore that holy Thing which shall be born of thee shall be caled the Son of God The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee that is the Holy Ghost did consecrate and purifie that part of the Virgins flesh whereof Christ was made As the Alchymist extracts and draws away the dross from the Gold so the Holy Ghost did refine and claritie that part of the Virgins flesh separating it from sin Though the Virgin Mary her self had sin yet that part of the flesh whereof Christ was made was without sin otherwise it must have been an impure Conception Quest. What is meant by the power of the Holy Ghost overshadowing the Virgin Answ. St. Basil saith It was the Holy Ghost's blessing the flesh of that Virgin whereof Christ was formed But there is a further Mystery in it the Holy Ghost having framed Christ in the Virgins Womb did in a wonderful manner unite Christ's Humane Nature to his Divine and so of both made one person This is a Mystery which the Angels pry into with Adoration Quest. When was Christ incarnate Answ. In the fulness of time Gal. 4.4 When the fulness of time was come God sent forth his Son made of a Woman By the fulness of time we must understand Tempus à Patre praefinitum so Ambrose Luther Cornâ—à Lap. the determinate Time that God had set More particularly this fulness of time was when all the Prophesies of the coming of the Messiah were accomplished and all Legal Shadows and Figures whereby he was tipified were abrogated in the fulness of time God sent his Son And
meliorates and sweetens his Services and makes them come off with a better relish Heb. 11.4 By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice then Cain 3. It must be done to a right End Finis specificat actionem The end of Obedience is glorifying God That which hath spoil'd many glorious Services is when the end hath been wrong Matth. 6.2 When thou dost thine alms do not sound a trumpet as the hypocrites do that they may have glory of men Good Works should shine but not blaze If I give my body to be burned and have not charity it profits me nothing 1 Cor. 13.3 The same I may say of a sincere aim if I obey never so much and have not a sincere Aim it profits me nothing True Obedience looks at God in all Phil. 1.20 That Christ may be magnified Though a Child of God shoots short yet he takes a right Aim 2. True Child-like Obedience is Uniform A Child of God makes Conscience of one Command as well as another Quicquid propter Deum fit aequaliter fit All God's Commands have the same Stamp of Divine Authority upon them and if I obey one Precept because my Heavenly Father commands me then by the same Rule I must obey all As the Bloud runs through all the Veins of the Body and the Sun in the Firmament runs through all the Signs of the Zodiack so true Child-like Obedience runs through the First and Second Table Psal. 119.6 When I have respect to all thy commandments To obey God in some things of Religion and not in others shows an unsound Heart Like Esau who obeyed his Father in bringing him Venison but not in a greater matter viz. the Choice of his Wife Child-like Obedience moves towards every Command of God as the Needle points that way which the Load-stone draws If God call to Duties which are cross to Flesh and Bloud if we are Children we obey our Father Quest. But who can obey God in all things Ans. An adopted Heir of Heaven though he cannot obey every Precept perfectly yet he doth evangelically 1. He approves of every Command Rom. 7.16 I consent to the law that it 〈◊〉 good 2. A Child of God delights in every Command Psal. 119.97 O how I love thy precepts 3. His desire is to obey every Command Psal. 119.5 O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes 4. Wherein he comes short he looks up to Christ's Bloud to make supply for his Defects This is Evangelical Obedience which though it be not to Satisfaction it is to Acceptation 3. True Child-like Obedience is constant Psal. 106.3 Blessed is he that doth righteousness at all times Child-like Obedience is not like an high Cholor in a Fit which is soon over but like a right Sanguine Complexion it abides it is like the Fire on the Altar which was kept always burning Lev. 6.13 Second Sign of Adoption To love to be in our Father's Presence the Child who loves his Father is never so well as when he is near his Father Are we Children we love the Presence of God in his Ordinances In Prayer we speak to God in the preaching of his Word he speaks to us And how doth every Child of God delight to hear his Father's Voice Psal. 63.1 2. My soul thirsteth for thee to see thy glory so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary Such as disregard Ordinances are not God's Children because they care not to be in God's Presence Gen. 4.17 Cain went out from the presence of the Lord. Not that he could go out of God's Sight but the meâ—ning is Cain went from the Church and People of God where the Lord gave vissible Tokens of his Presence Third Sign of Adoption To have the Conduct of God's Spirit Rom. 8. â—4 As many as are led by the spirit of God are the sons of God It is not enough that the Child have Life but it must be led every step by the Nurse so the adopted Child must not only be born of God but have the Manuduction of the Spirit to lead him in a Course of Holiness Hos. 11.3 I taught Ephraim also to go taking them by their arms As Israel were led by the Pillar of Fire so God's Children are led by the Conduct of his Spirit the adopted Ones need God's Spirit to lead them they are apt to go wrong The fleshy Part inclines to sin the Understanding and Conscience are to guide the Will but the Will is imperious and rebels therefore God's Children need the Spirit to check Corruption and lead them in the right way as the wicked Men are led by the Evil Spirit The Spirit of Satan led Herod to Incest Ahab to Murder Iudas to Treason so the good Spirit leads God's Children into Vertuous Actions Object But Enthusiasts pretend to be led by the Spirit when it is an Ignis Fatuus a Delusion Ans. The Spirit 's Conduct is agreeable to the Word Enthusiasts leave the Word The word is truth Joh. 17.17 And the spirit guides in all truth Joh. 16.13 The Word 's Teaching and the Spirit 's Leading agree together Fourth Sign If we are adopted we have an intire love to all God's Children 1 Pet. 2.17 Love the brother-hood We bear Affection to God's Children though they have some Infirmities There are the spots of God's Children Deut. 32.5 But we must love the beautiful Face of Holiness though it hath a Scar in it If we are adopted we love the Good we see in God's Children we admire their Graces we pass by their Imprudencies if we cannot love them because they have some Failings how do we think God can love us can we plead Exemption By these Signs we may know our Adoption Quest. What are the benefits which accrue to God's Children Ans. They have great Immunities King's Children have great Priviledges and Freedoms they do not pay Custom Mat. 17.6 God's Children are priviledged Persons they are priviledged from the hurt of every thing Luke 10.19 Nothing shall by any means hurt you Hit you it may not hurt you Psal. 91.10 There shall no evil befal thee God saith not no Affliction shall befal his Children but no Evil the Hurt and Poison of it is taken away Affliction to a wicked Man hath Evil in it it makes him worse it makes him curse and blaspheme Rev. 16.9 Men were scorched with great heat and blasphemed the name of God But no Evil befals a Child of God he is better'd by Affliction Heb. 12.10 The Furnace makes Gold purer Again no Evil befals the Adopted because no Condemnation Rom. 8.33 It is God that justifieth who is he that condemneth What a blessed Priviledge is this to be freed from the Sting of Affliction and the Curse of the Law to be in such a Condition that nothing can hurt one When the Dragon hath poison'd the Water the Unicorn with his Horn doth extract and draw out the Poison so Jesus Christ hath drawn out the Poison of every Affliction that it cannot
Health Riches Success but by drawing his Image of Sanctification on us by the Pensil of the Holy Ghost Branch 2. It shows the Misery of such as are destitute of a Principle of Sanctification they are spiritually dead Eph. 2.1 Though they breathe yet they do not live The greatest part of the World remain Unsanctified 1. Ioh. 5.19 The World lies in Wickedness that is the major Part of the World Many call themselves Christians yet blot out the word Saints you may as well call him a Man who wants Reason as him a Christian who wants Grace Nay which is worse some are boy'd up to such an height of Wickedness that they hate and deride Sanctification 1. They hate it 't is bad to want it it is worse to hate it they embrace the Form of Religion but hate the Power The Vulter hates sweet smells so do they the Perfume of Holiness 2. Deride it these are your Holy Ones To deride Sanctification argues an high Degree of Atheism and is a black Brand of Reprobation Scoffing Ishmael was cast out of Abraham's Family Gen. 21.9 Such as scoff at Holiness shall be cast out of Heaven 2. Use of Exhortation Above all things pursue after Sanctification seek Grace more then Gold Prov. 4.13 Keep her for she is thy life Quest. What are the chief Inducements to Sanctification Resp. First it is the Will of God that we should be Holy In the Text This is the will of God your sanctification As God's Word must be the Rule so his Will the Reason of our Actions This is the Will of God our Sanctification Perhaps it is not the Will of God we should be rich but it is his Will that we should be holy God's Will is our Warrant 2. Jesus Christ hath died for our Sanctification Christ shed his blood to wash off our impurity The Cross was both an Altar and a Lavor Tit. 2.14 Who gave himself for us to redeem us from all iniquity If we could be saved without holiness Christ needed not have died Christ died not only to save us from wrath but from sin 3. Sanctification makes us resemble God It was Adam's sin that he aspired to be like God in Omnisciency but we must endeavour to be like him in Sanctity It is only a clear Glass in which you can see a face it is only an holy Heart in which something of God can be seen there is nothing of God to be seen in an unsanctified Man you may see Satan's Picture in him Envy is the Devil's Eye Hypocrisie his cloven Foot but nothing of God's Image can be seen in him You can see no more of God in him then you can see a Man's face in a Glass that is dusty and foul 4. Sanctification is that God bears a great love to Not any outward Ornaments high blood or worldly grandure draws God's love but an heart embellished with holiness Christ never admired any thing but the beauty of holiness he slighted the glorious buildings of the Temple but admired the Womans Faith O woman great is thy faith Amor fundatur similitudine A King delights to see his Image upon a piece of Coin where God sees his likeness there he gives his love The Lord hath two Heavens he dwells in and the holy Heart is one of them 5. Sanctification is the only thing doth difference us from the wicked God's People have his Seal upon them 2 Tim. 2.19 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 The Godly are sealed with a double Seal 1. a Seal of Election The Lord knoweth who are his 2. a Seal of Sanctification Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity This is the name by which God's People are known Isa. 63.18 Gnam Kodsheca the people of thy holiness As Chastity distinguisheth a vertuous Woman from an Harlot so Sanctification distinguisheth God's People from others 1 Ioh. 2.27 Ye have received an unction from the holy one 6. It is a shame to have the Name of a Christian yet want Sanctity as to have the Name of a Steward yet want Fidelity the Name of a Virgin yet want Chastity It exposeth Religion to reproach to be baptized into the Name of Christ yet unholy to have Eyes full of Tears on a Sabbath and on a Week-day Eyes full of Adultery 2 Pet. 2.14 To be so devout at the Lord's Table as if Men were stepping into Heaven and so prophane the Week after as if they came out of Hell To have the Name of Christians yet unholy is a Scandal to Religion and make the ways of God evil spoken of 7. Sanctification fits for Heaven 2 Pet. 1.3 Who hath called us to glory and vertue Glory is the Throne and Sanctification is the Step by which we ascend to it First you cleanse the Vessel and then you pour in the Wine First God cleanseth us by Sanctification and then pours in the Wine of Glory Solomon was first anointed with Oil and then he was King 1 Kings 1.39 First God anoints us with the holy Oil of his Spirit and then he sets the Crown of Happiness upon our Head Pureness of Heart and seeing God are link'd together Matth. 5.8 Quest. How may Sanctification be attained to Resp. 1. Be conversant in the Word of God Iohn 17.17 Sanctifie them through thy truth The Word is both a Glass to shew us the Spots of our Soul and a Lavor to wash them away the Word hath a transforming vertue in it it irradiates the mind and consecrates the heart 2. Get Faith in Christ's Blood Acts 15.9 Having purified their hearts by faith She in the Gospel that touched the hem of Christ's Garment was healed a touch of Faith purifies nothing can have a greater force upon the heart to sanctifie it then Faith If I believe Christ and his Merits are mine how can I sin against him Justifying Faith doth that in a Spiritual sense which miraculous Faith doth it removes Mountains the Mountain of Pride Lust Envy Faith and the love of sin are inconsistent 3. Breathe after the Spirit it is called the sanctification of the Spirit 2 Thess. 2.13 The Spirit sanctifies the Heart as Lightning purifies the Air as Fire refines Metals Omne agens generat sibi simile The Spirit stamps the impress of its own Sanctity upon the Heart as the Seal prints its Effigies and Likeness upon the Wax The Spirit of God in a Man perfumes him with Holiness and makes his Heart a Map of Heaven 4. Associate with sanctified Persons They may by their Counsel Prayers holy Example be a means to make you holy As the communion of Saints is in our Creed so it should be in our Company Prov. 13.20 He that walketh with the wise shall be wise Association begets Assimilation 5. Pray for Sanctification Iob propounds a Question Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean
we have lost our Spiritual Appetite A Consumptive Person hath not that Stomach to his Meat as formerly Perhaps Christian thou canst remember the time when thou didst Hunger and Thirst after Righteousness thou didst come to Ordinances with such a Stomach as to a Feast but now it is otherwise Christ is not so prized nor his Ordinances so loved a sad presage Grace is on the declining Hand thou art in a deep Consumption A sign David was near his Grave when he covered him with Cloaths and he got no heat 1 Kings 1.1 So when a Person is plyed with hot Cloaths I mean Ordinances yet he hath no heat of Affection to Spiritual things this is a sign he is declining in Grace Sign 2. When we grow more Wordly Perhaps once we were mounted into higher Orbs we did 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 set our Hearts on things above and speak the Language of Canaan but now our Minds are taken off of Heaven we dig our Comfort out of these lower Mines and with Satan compass the Earth A sign we are going down the Hill apace and our Grace is in a Consumption It is observable when Nature decays and People are near Dying they grow more stooping and truly when Mens Hearts go more stooping to the Earth and they can hardly lift up themselves to an Heavenly Thought if Grace be not Dead yet it is ready to Dye Rev. 3.2 Sign 3. When we are less troubled about Sin Time was when the least Sin did grieve us as the least Hair makes the Eye weep but now we can digest Sin without remorse Time was when a Christian was troubled if he neglected Closet-Prayer now he can omit Family-Prayer Time was when vain Thoughts did trouble him now he is not troubled for loose Practices Here is a sad declension in Religion and truly Grace is so far from growing that we can hardly perceive its Pulse to beat 2. The Signs of our growing in Grace 1. The First Sign of our growth is when we are got beyond our former measures of Grace A sign a Child thrives when he hath out-grown his Cloaths his Cloaths are too little for him That Knowledg which would serve us before will not serve us now we have a deeper Insight into Religion our Light is clearer our Spark of Love is encreased into a Flame there is a sign of growth That competency of Grace we once had is now too scanty for us we have out-grown our selves 2. When we are more firmly rooted in Religion Col. 2.7 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 rooted in him and established the spreading of the Root shews the growth of the Tree When we are so strongly fastned on Christ that we cannot be blown down with the Breath of Hereticks a blessed sign of growth Athanasius call'd Adamas Ecclesiae an Adamant that could not be removed from the love of the truth 3. The Third sign of growth when we have a more Spiritual frame of Heart First We are more Spiritual in our Principles we oppose Sin out of love to God and as it strikes at his Holiness Secondly We are more Spiritual in our Affections we grieve for the first risings of Corruption for the bubling up of vain Thoughts the Spring that runs under Ground We mourn not only for the penalty of Sin but the Pollution It is not only a Coal that burns but blacks Thirdly we are Spiritual in the Performance of Duty we are more serious reverent fervent we have more Life in Prayer we put Fire to the Sacrifice Rom. 12. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Fervent in Spirit We serve God with more Love which Ripens and Mellows our Duty and makes it come off with a better rellish 4. The Fourth sign of growth when Grace gets ground by Opposition The Fire by an Antiperistasis burns hottest in the Coldest Season Peter's Courage encreas'd by the opposition of the High Priest and the Rulers Acts 4.8 11. The Martyrs Zeal was encreased by Persecution Here was Grace of the first Magnitude Quest. 6. What shall we do to grow in Grace Resp. 1. Take heed of that which will hinder growth the love of any Sin The Body may as well thrive in a Fever as Grace can where any Sin is cherished 2. Use all means for growth in Grace First Exercise your selves to Godliness 1 Tim. 4.7 the Body grows stronger by Exercise Trading of Mony makes Men grow Rich the more we Trade our Faith in the Promises the richer in Faith we grow Secondly If you would be growing Christians be humble Christians 'T is observ'd in some Countries as in France the best and largest Grapes which they make their Wine of grow on the lower sort of Vines the Humble Saints grow most in Grace 1 Pet. 5.5 God giveth Grace to the Humble Thirdly Pray to God for Spiritual growth Some pray that they may grow in Gifts It is better to grow in Grace than Gifts Gifts are for Ornament Grace is for Nourishment to edifie others to save our selves Some pray that they may grow rich but a Fruitful Heart is better than a full Purse Pray that God will make you grow in Grace though it be by Affliction Heb. 12.10 the Vine grows by Pruning God's Pruning Knife is to make us grow more in Grace Quest. 7. How may we comfort such as complain they do not grow in Grace Resp. They may mistake they may grow when they think they do not Prov. 13.7 There is that maketh himself Poor yet he is rich The sight Christians have of their Defects in Grace and their Thirst after greater measures of Grace makes them think they do not grow when they do He who covets a great Estate because he hath not so much as he desires therefore he thinks himself to be Poor Indeed Christians should seek after the Grace they want but they must not therefore overlook the Grace they have Let Christians be thankful for the least growth if you do not grow so much in Assurance bless God if you grow in Sincerity If you do not grow so much in Knowledg bless God if you grow in Humility If a Tree grows in the Root it is a true growth if you grow in the Root Grace of Humility it is as needful for you as any other growth Of PERSEVERANCE 1 Pet. 1.5 Who are kept by the Power of God through Faith unto Salvation THE Fifth and Last Fruit of Sanctification is Perseverance in Grace The Heavenly Inheritance is kept for the Saints 1 Pet. 1.4 and they are kept to the Inheritance in my Text Who are kept by the Power of God through Faith unto Salvation The Apostle asserts a Saints stability and permanency in Grace The Saints Perseverance is much oppugned by Papists and Arminians but it is not the less true because it is opposed A Christians main Comfort depends upon this Doctrin of Perseverance take away this and you much prejudice Religion and cut the Sinews of all chearful Endeavours Before I come to the full handling
Pet. 1.5 Who are kept by the power of God through Faith unto Salvation Use 1. SEE the Excellency of Grace it perseveres Other things are but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for a Season Health and Riches are sweet but they are but for a Season but Grace is a Blossom of Eternity The Seed of God remains 1 Iohn 3.9 Grace may suffer an Eclipse not a Dissolution It is called Substance for its Solidity Prov. 8.21 and durable Riches for its Permanency Prov. 8.18 It lasts as long as the Soul as Heaven lasts Grace is not like a Lease which soon expires but it runs parallel with Eternity 2. See here that which may provoke in the Saints everlasting Love and Gratitude to God What can make us love God more than the fixedness of his love to us he is not only the Author of Grace but finisher his love is perpetuated and carried on to our Salvation Iohn 10.27 My Sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow me And I give unto them eternal Life My Sheep there is Election hear my voice there is Vocation and I know them there is Justification and I give unto them eternal Life there is glorification How may this make us love God and set up the Monuments and Trophies of his Praise How much have we done to cause God to withdraw his Spirit and suffer us to fall Finally yet that he should keep us let his name be Blessed and his Memorials eternized who keepeth the Feet of his Saints 1 Sam. 3.9 3. See whence it is that the Saints do persevere in Holiness it is solely to be ascribed to the power of God we are kept by his power 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 kept as in a Garison It is a Wonder any Christian perseveres if you consider 1. Corruption within The Tares are mingled with the Wheat there is more Sin than Grace yet Grace is habitually predominant Grace is like a Spark in the Sea a wonder it is not quenched a wonder Sin doth not destroy Grace that it doth not do as sometimes the Nurse to the Infant overlay it and it dies so that this Infant of Grace is not smothered by Corruption 2. Temptations without Satan envies us Happiness and he raiseth his Militia stirs up Persecution he shoots his fiery Darts of Temptation they are called Darts for their Swiftness Fiery for their Terribleness we are every day beset with Devils As it was a wonder Daniel was kept alive in the midst of the Roaring Lions so that there are so many Roaring Devils about us and yet we are not torn in pieces Now whence is it we stand against these powerful Temptations We are kept by power of God 3. The Worlds Golden Snares Riches and Pleasure Luke 18.24 How hardly shall they that have Riches enter into the Kingdom of God How many have been cast away upon these golden Sands 2 Tim. 4.10 as Demas What a wonder any Soul perseveres in Religion that the Earth doth not choak the Fire of all good Affections Whence is this but from the power of God We are kept by his power Use 2. Consolation This Doctrin of Perseverance is as Bezar stone 't is a Sovereign Cordial to keep up the Spirits of the Godly from Fainting There is nothing doth more trouble a Child of God than this he fears he shall never hold out these weak Legs of mine will never carry me to Heaven But Perseverance is an inseparable Fruit of Sanctification Once in Christ and for ever in Christ. A Believer may fall from some degrees of Grace but not from the State of Grace An Israelite could never wholly fell or alienate his Land of Inheritance Lev. 25.23 A Type of our Heavenly Inheritance which cannot be wholly alienated from us How despairing is the Arminian Doctrin of falling from Grace To day a Saint to morrow a Reprobate to day a Peter to morrow a Iudas This must needs cut the Sinews of a Christians endeavour and be as the boaring an hole in the Vessel to make all the Wine of his Joy run out Were the Arminian Doctrin true how could the Apostle say The Seed of God remains in him 1 Iohn 3.9 and the anointing of God abides 1 Iohn 2.27 What comfort were it to have ones name written in the Book of Life if it might be blotted out again But be assured for your Comfort Grace if true though never so weak shall persevere Though a Christian hath but little Grace to Trade with yet he need not fear breaking because God doth not only give him a Stock of Grace but will keep his Stock for him Gratia concutitur non excutitur Aug. Grace may be shaken with Fears and Doubts but it cannot be pluck'd up by the Roots Fear not falling away if any thing should hinder the Saints Perseverance then it must be either Sin or Temptation but neither of these 1. Not the Sins of Believers That which humbles them shall not Damn them but their Sins are a means to humble them they gather Grapes of Thorns from the Thorn of Sin they gather the Grape of Humility 2. Not Temptation The Devil lays the Train of his Temptation to blow up the Fort of a Saints Grace but this cannot do it Temptation is a Medicine for Security the more Satan tempts the more the Saints Pray When Paul had the Messenger of Satan to buffet him 2 Cor. 12.8 For this besought I the Lord thrice that it might depart from me Thus nothing can break off a Believer from Christ or hinder his Perseverance let this Wine be given to such as are of an heavy Heart This Perseverance is Comfort 1. In the loss of worldly Comforts When our Goods may be taken away our Grace cannot Luke 10.42 Mary hath chosen the better part which cannot be taken from her 2. In the Hour of Death When all things fail Friends take their farewel of us yet still Grace remains Death may separate all things else from us but Grace A Christian may say on his Death-bed as Olevian once Sight is gone Speech and Hearing are departing but the loving kindness of God will never depart Quest. 1. What Motives and Incentives are there to make Christians persevere Resp. 1. It is the Crown and Glory of a Christian to persevere In Christianis non initia sed fines laudantur Prov. 16.31 The hoary head is a Crown of Glory if found in the way of Righteousness When gray Hairs shine with golden Virtues this is a Crown of Glory The Church of Ihyatira was best at last Rev. 2.19 I know thy patience and thy works and the last to be more than the first The Excellency of a Building is not in having the first stone laid but when it is finished The Glory and Excellency of a Christian is when he hath finished the work of Faith 2. You are within a few Days march of Heaven Salvation is near to you Rom. 13.11 Now is our Salvation nearer than when we believed
Willingness You love to see your Servants go chearfully about your Work Under the Law God would have a Free-Will-Offering Deut. 16.10 Hypocrites obey God grudgingly and against their Will they do facere bonum but not velle Cain brought his Sacrifice but not his Heart 'T is a true Rule quicquid Cor non facit non fit What the Heart doth not do is not done Willingness is the Soul of Obedience God sometimes accepts of Willingness without the Work but never of the Work without Willingness Chearfulness shews that there is Love in the Duty and Love doth to our Services as the Sun doth to the Fruit Mellow and Ripen them and make them come off with a better Relish 2. Obedience must be Devout and Fervent Rom. 12.11 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Fervent in Spirit c. Quae ebullit prae ardore It alludes to Water that boils over So the Heart must boil over with Hot Affections in the Service of God The Glorious Angels who for their burning in Fervour and Devotion are called Seraphims these God chooseth to serve him in Heaven The Snail under the Law was unclean because a dull Sloathful Creature Obedience without Fervency is like a Sacrifice without Fire Why should not our Obedience be lively and Fervent God deserves the Flower and Strength of our Affections Domitian would not have his Statue carved in Wood or Iron but in Gold Lively Affections make Golden Services It is Fervency makes Obedience acceptable Eliah was fervent in Spirit and his Prayers opened and shut Heaven And again he pray'd and fire fell on his Enemies 2 Kings 1.10 Eliah's Prayer fetch'd Fire from Heaven because being fervent it carried Fire up to Heaven Quicquid decorum ex Fide proficiscitur Aug. 3. Obedience must be extensive it must reach to all Gods Commands Psal. 119.6 Then shall I not be ashamed or as it is in the Hebrew lo Ebosh blush when I have respect to all thy Commandements Quicquid propter Deum fit aequaliter fit There is a Stamp of Divine Authority upon all Gods Commands and if I obey one Precept because God Commands I must obey all True Obedience runs through all the Duties of Religion as the Blood through all the Veins or the Sun through all the Signs of the Zodiack A good Christian makes Gospel Piety and Moral Equity kiss each other Herein some discover their Hypocrisie they will obey God in some things which are more facile and may raise their Repute but other things they leave undone Mark 10.21 One thing is lacking Unum deest Herod would hear Iohn Baptist but not leave his Incest Some will Pray but not give Alms others will give Alms but not Pray Matt. 23.23 Ye pay Tithe of Mint and Anise and have neglected the weightier things of the Law Iudgment Mercy and Faith The Badger hath one foot shorter than the other So these are shorter in some Duties than in other God likes not such partial Servants that will do some part of the work he sets them about and leave the other undone 4. Obedience must be sincere viz. We must aim at the Glory of God in it Finis specificat actionem In Religion the end is all The end of our Obedience must not be to stop the Mouth of Conscience or to gain Applause and Preferment but that we may grow more like God and bring more Glory to God 1 Cor. 10.31 Do all to the Glory of God That which hath spoiled many glorious Actions and made them lose their Reward is when Mens aims have been wrong The Pharisees gave Alms but blowed a Trumpet that they might have Glory of Men Matt. 6 2. Alms should shine but not blaze Iehu did well in destroying the Baal-worshippers and God commended him for it but because his Aims were not good he aim'd at setling himself in the Kingdom therefore God look'd upon it no better than Murder Hos. 1.4 I will avenge the blood of Jezreel upon the House of Jehu O let us look to our Ends in Obedience it is possible the Action may be right and not the Heart 2 Chron. 25.2 Amaziah did that which was right in the sight of the Lord but not with a perfect Heart Two things are chiefly to be eyed in Obedience the Principle and the End A Child of God though he shoots short in his Obedience yet he takes a right Aim 5. Obedience must be in and thorough Christ Eph. 1.6 He hath accepted us in the Beloved Not our Obedience but Christs Merits procure acceptance we must in every part of Worship tender up Christ to God in the Arms of our Faith Unless we serve God thus in Hope and Confidence of Christs Merits we do rather provoke God than please him As when King Uzziah would offer Incense without a Priest God was angry with him and struck him with Leprosie 2 Chron. 26.16 So when we do not come to God in and thorough Christ we offer up Incense to God without a Priest and what can we expect but severe Rebukes 6. Obedience must be Constant Psal. 106.3 Blessed is he who doth righteousness Be Col Gnet at all times True Obedience is not like an high Colour in a Fit but it is a right Sanguine It is like the Fire on the Altar which was always kept Burning Lev. 6.13 Hypocrites Obedience is but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for a Season It is like plaistering Work which is soon washed off but true Obedience is constant Though we meet with Affliction we must go on in our Obedience Iob 17.9 The Righteous shall hold on his way We have vowed Constancy We have vowed to renounce the Pomp and Vanities of the World and to fight under Christ's Banner to the Death When a Servant hath entred into Covenant with his Master and the Indentures are sealed then he cannot go back he must serve out his time There are Indentures drawn in Baptism and in the Lords Supper The Indentures are renewed and sealed on our part that we will be Faithful and Constant in our Obedience Therefore we must imitate Christ who became obedient to the Death Phil. 2.8 The Crown is set upon the Head of Perseverance Rev. 2.26 He that keeps my works unto the end to him will I give the morning Star Use 1. This indicts such who live in a Contradiction to this Text they have cast off the Yoke of Obedience Ier. 44.16 As for the word which thou hast spoken to us in the Name of the Lord we will not hearken unto thee God bids Men pray in their Family they live in the total Neglect of it He bids them Sanctifie the Sabbath they follow their Pleasures on that day God bids them abstain from the Appearance of Sin they do not abstain from the Act They live in the act of Revenge in the Act of Uncleanness This is an high Contempt of God 't is Rebellion and Rebellion is as the Sin of Witchcraft Quest. Whence is it Men do not obey God They know their Duty
yet do it not Resp. 1. The not obeying of God is for want of Faith Isa. 53.1 Quis credidit Who hath believed our Report Did Men believe Sin were so bitter that Hell followed at the Heels of it Would they go on in Sin Did they believe there were such a Reward for the Righteous that Godliness were Gain Would they not pursue it But they are Atheists not fully captivated into the Belief of these things Hence it is they obey not This is Satan's Master-piece His Draw-net by which he drags Millions to Hell by keeping them in Infidelity He knows if he can but keep them from believing the Truth he is sure to keep them from obeying it 2. The not obeying God is for want of Self-denial God commands one thing and Mens Lusts command another and they will rather dye than deny their Lusts. Now if Lust cannot be denied God cannot be obeyed Use 2. Obey Gods Voice 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 This is the Beauty of a Christian. Quest. What are the great Arguments or Incentives to Obedience Resp. 1. Obedience makes us precious to God we shall be his Favourites Exod. 19.15 If ye will obey my Voice ye shall be a peculiar Treasure to me above all People you shall be my Portion my Jewels the Apple of mine Eye I will give Kingdoms for your Ransom Isa. 43.3 2. There is nothing lost by Obedience To obey Gods Will is the way to have our Will 1. Would we have a Blessing in our Estates Let us obey Deut. 28.1 3. If thou shalt hearken to the Voice of the Lord to do all his Commandments Blessed shalt thou be in the field Blessed shall be thy Basket and thy store To obey is the best way to thrive in our Estates 2. Would we have a Blessing in our Souls let us obey Ier. 7.23 Obey and I will be your God My Spirit shall be your Guide Sanctifier and Comforter Heb. 5.9 Christ became the Author of eternal Salvation to all them that obey him While we please God we pleasure our selves While we give him the Duty he gives us the Dowry We are apt to say as Amaziah 2 Chron. 25.9 What shall we do for the hundred Talents You see you lose nothing by obeying The obedient Son hath the Inheritance setled on him Obey and you shall have a Kingdom Luke 12.32 It is your Fathers good pleasure to give you a Kingdom 3. What a Sin Disobedience is 1. It is an irrational Sin 2. We are not able to stand it out in Defiance against God 1 Cor. 10.22 Are we stronger than he Will the Sinner go to measure Arms with God He is the Father Almighty who can command Legions If we have not strength to resist him it is irrational to disobey him 2. It is irrational as it is against all Law and Equity We have our daily Subsistence from God in him we live and move Is it not equal that as we live by him we should live to him That as God gives us our Allowance so we should give him our Allegiance 2. It is a destructive Sin 1 Thess. 7.8 The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from Heaven with his mighty Angels in flaming Fire taking Vengeance on them who obey not the Gospel He who refuseth to obey Gods Will in commanding shall be sure to obey his Will in punishing The Sinner while he thinks to slip the knot of Obedience twists the Cord of his own Damnation He perisheth without excuse he hath no Plea or Apology to make for himself Luke 12.47 The Servant which knew his Lords will but did it not shall be beaten with many stripes God will say why did ye not obey You knew to do good but did it not therefore your Blood is upon your own Head Quest. What means shall we use that we may obey Resp. 1. Serious Consideration Consider Gods Commands are not grievous He commands nothing unreasonable 1 Iohn 5.3 It is easier to obey the commands of God than Sin The Commands of Sin are Burdensome Let a Man be under the power of any Lust How doth he tire himself What Hazards doth he run even to the endangering his Health and Soul that he may satisfie his Lust What tedious Journeys did Antiochus Epiphanes take in persecuting the Jews Ier. 9.5 They weary themselves to commit Iniquity and are not Gods commands more easie to obey Chrysost. saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Virtue is easier than Vice Temperance is less Burdensome than Drunkenness Some have gone with less pains to Heaven than others have to Hell Consideration 2. God commands nothing but what is Beneficial Deut. 10.12 13. O Israel what doth the Lord require of thee but to fear the Lord thy God and to keep his Statutes which I command thee this day for thy good To obey God is not so much our Duty as our Privilege His commands carry Meat in the Mouth of them He bids us repent and why That our Sins may be blotted out Acts 3.19 He commands us to believe And why That we may be saved Acts 16.31 There is love in every command As if a King should bid one of his Subjects dig in a Gold Mine and then take the Gold to himself 2. Earnest Supplication Implore the help of the Spirit to carry us on in Obedience Gods Spirit makes Obedience easie and delightful If the Loadstone draw the Iron now it is not hard for the Iron to move If Gods Spirit quicken and draw the Heart now it is not hard to obey When a Gale of the Spirit blows now we go full Sail in Obedience Turn that Promise into a Prayer Ezek. 36.27 I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my Statutes The Promise encourageth us the Spirit inables us to Obedience Of LOVE THE Rule of Obedience being the Moral Law comprehended in the Ten Commandements the next Question is Quest. What is the Sum of the Ten Commandements Resp. The Summ of the Ten Commandements is to love the Lord our God with all our Heart with all our Soul with all our Strength and with all our Mind and our Neighbour as our selves Deut. 6.5 Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy Heart and with all thy Soul and with all thy might The Duty call'd for is Love yea the strength of Love with all thy Heart God will lose none of our Love Love is the Soul of Religion and that which goes to the right constituting a Christian Love is the Queen of the Graces it shines and sparkles in Gods Eye as the precious Stones did on the Breast-plate of Aaron Quest. 1. What is Love Resp. It is an Holy Fire kindled in the Affections whereby a Christian is carried out strongly after God as the Supreme Good Quest. 2. What is the antecedent of Love to God Resp. The Antecedent of Love is Knowledge The Spirit shines upon the Understanding and discovers those Orient Beauties in God his Wisdom Holiness Mercy and these are the
gives Sleep nay sometimes he gives a Song in the Night Psal. 42.8 And he hath Mercies for the Morning Lam. 3.23 His Compassions are fresh every Morning Thirdly God hath Mercies for all sorts Mercies for the Poor 1 Sam. 2.8 He raiseth the Poor out of the Dust. Mercies for the Prisoner Psal. 69.33 He despiseth not his Prisoners Mercies for the Dejected Isa. 54.8 In a little Wrath I hid my Face from thee but with great Mercies will I gather thee God hath old Mercies Psal. 25.6 Thy Mercies have been ever of old And new Mercies Psal. 40.3 He hath put a new Song in my Mouth Every time we draw our Breath we suck in Mercy God hath Mercies under Heaven and those we taste of and Mercies in Heaven and those we hope for Thus Gods Mercy is superabundant 4. The Mercy God shews is abiding Psal. 103.16 The Mercy of the Lord is from Everlasting to Everlasting Gods anger to his Children lasts but a while Psal. 103.9 but his Mercy lasts for ever Gods Mercy is not like the Widows Oyl which ran a while and then ceased 2 Kings 4.6 Over-flowing Ever-flowing Gods Mercy as it is without Bounds so without Bottom Psal. 136. His Mercy endures for ever God never cuts off the Intail of Mercy from the Elect. Quest. 2. How many ways is God said to shew Mercy Resp. 1. We are all Living Monuments of Gods Mercy God shews Mercy to us in dayly supplying us First He supplies us with Health Health is the Sawce which makes our Life relish Sweeter How would they prize this Mercy who are Chain'd to a Sick-bed Secondly God supplies us with Provision Gen. 48.15 The God who hath fed me all my Days Mercy spreads our Table it carves us every bit of Bread we eat we never drink but in the Golden Cup of Mercy 2. God shews Mercy in lengthening out our Gospel-Liberties 1 Cor. 16.9 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 there are many Adversaries many would stop the Waters of the Sanctuary that they should not run We enjoy the sweet Seasons of Grace we hear joyful Sounds we see the goings of God in his Sanctuary we enjoy Sabbath after Sabbath the Manna of the Word yet falls about our Tents when in divers parts of the Land they have no Manna Here is God shewing Mercy to us he spins out our forfeited Liberties 3. God shews Mercy to us in preventing many Evils from invading us Psal. 3.3 Thou O Lord art a Shield for me God hath restrained the Wrath of Men and been a Screen between us and Danger When the Destroying Angel hath been abroad and shot his deadly Arrow of Pestilence God hath kept off the Arrow that it hath not come near us 4. God shews Mercy in delivering us 2 Tim. 4.17 And I was delivered out of the Mouth of the Lion viz. Nero. God hath restored us from the Grave May we not write the Writing of Hezekiah Isa. 38 9. when he had been sick and was recovered of his Sickness When we thought the Sun of our Life had been setting God hath made it return to its former Brightness 5. God shews Mercy in restraining of us from Sin Lusts within are worse than Lions without The greatest sign of Gods Anger is to give Men up to their Sins Psal. 81.12 So I gave them up to their own Hearts Lusts let them Sin themselves to Hell But God hath laid the Bridle of restraining Grace upon us As God said to Abimelech Gen. 20.6 I withheld thee from sinning against me So God withheld us from those Exorbitancies which might have made us a Prey to Satan and a Terrour to our Selves 6. God shews Mercy in guiding and directing us Is it not a Mercy for one that is out of the way to have a Guide First There is a Providential guiding God guides our Affairs for us Chaulks out a way he would have us to walk in he resolves our Doubts unties our Knots appoints the bounds of our Habitation Acts 17.26 Secondly A Spiritual guiding Psal. 73.24 Thou shalt guide me with thy Counsel As Israel had a Pillar of Fire to go before them so God guides us with the Oracles of his Word and the Conduct of his Spirit He guides our Head keeps us from error and he guides our Feet keeps us from Scandal O what Mercy is it to have God to be our Guide and Pilot Psal. 31.3 For thy Name 's sake lead me and guide me 7. God shews Mercy in Correcting us God is Angry in Love he smites that he may save Gods Rod is not a Rod of Iron to break us but a Fatherly Rod to Humble us Heb. 12.10 He for our profit that we may be partakers of his Holiness Either God will mortifie some corruption or exercise some grace Is there not Mercy in this Every Cross to a Child of God is like Paul's Cross Wind which though it broak the Ship it brought Paul to Shoar upon the broken Pieces Acts 27.44 8. God shews Mercy in Pardoning us Mic. 7.18 Who is a God like thee that pardonest Iniquity 'T is Mercy to Feed us Rich Mercy to Pardon us This Mercy is spun out of the Bowels of Free Grace this is enough to make a Sick Man well Isa. 33.24 The Inhabitant shall not say I am Sick the People that dwell therein shall be forgiven their Iniquity Pardon of Sin is a Mercy of the first Magnitude God seals the Sinners Pardon with a Kiss This made David put on his best Cloaths and anoint himself his Child newly Dead and God had told him the Sword should not depart from his House yet now he falls Anointing himself the reason was God had sent him his Pardon by the Prophet Nathan 2 Sam. 12.13 The Lord hath put away thy Sin Pardon is the only fit Remedy for a troubled Conscience What can give ease to a Wounded Spirit but pardoning Mercy Offer him the Honours and Pleasures of the World 't is as if you bring Flowers and Musick to one that is condemned Quest. How may I know my Sins are pardoned Resp. Where God removes the guilt he breaks the power of Sin Mic. 7.19 He will have Compassion he will subdue our Iniquities With Pardoning Love God gives Subduing Grace 9. God shews his Mercy in Sanctifying us Lev. 20.8 I am the Lord that sanctifie you This is the partaking of the Divine Nature 2 Pet. 1.4 Gods Spirit is a Spirit of Consecration though it Sanctifies us but in part yet in every part 1 Thes. 5.23 This is such a Mercy that God cannot give in Anger if we are Sanctified then we are Elected 2 Thes. 2.13 God hath chosen you to Salvation through Sanctification This doth disponere ad Coelum it prepares for Happiness as the Seed prepares for Harvest When the Virgins had been Anointed and Perfumed then they were to stand before the King Esther 2.12 So when we have had the Anointing of God then we shall stand before the King of Heaven 10. God shews Mercy
and Abihu Lev. 10.2 IV. We take Gods Name in vain when we worship him with our Lips but not our Hearts this is to abuse God 'T is the Heart which God calls for Prov. 23.26 My Son give me thy Heart the Heart is the chief thing in Religion it draws the Will and Affections after it as the Primum Mâ—bile the other Orbs along with it The Heart is the Incense that perfumes our Holy things it is the Altar that sanctifies the Offering Now when we seem to worship God but withdraw our Heart from him we take his Name in vain Isa. 29.13 This People draw near me with their Mouth and with their Lips do honour me but they have removed their Heart from me First Hypocrites take Gods Name in vain their Religion is a Lye they seem to Honour God but they do not Love him their Hearts go after their Lusts Hos. 4.8 They set their Hearts on their Iniquity Their Eyes are lifted up to Heaven but their Hearts are rooted in the Earth Ezek. 33.31 These are Devils in Samuel's Mantle they take Gods Name in vain Secondly Superstitious Persons take Gods Name in vain They bring God a few Ceremonies which he never appointed they bow at Christs Name and cringe to the Altar but hate and persecute Gods Image These take his Name in vain V. We take Gods Name in vain when we pray to him but do not believe in him Faith is the great Grace that Honours God Rom. 4.20 Abraham being strong in Faith gave Glory to God but when we pray to God but do not mix Faith with our Prayer we take his Name in vain I may Pray saith a Christian but I shall be never the better I question whether God doth hear or whether he will grant This is to dishonour God and take his Name in vain this is to make God either an Idol that he hath Ears and hears not or a Liar who promiseth Mercy to the Penitent but will not make good his Word Iohn 5.10 He that believeth not hath made God a Liar When the Apostle saith How shall they call on him whom they have not believed Rom. 10.14 The meaning is how shall they call on God aright and not believe in him But how many do call on God who do not believe in him they ask for Pardon but Unbelief whispers their Sins are greater than can be forgiven Thus to Pray and not Believe is to take Gods Name in Vain and is an high dishonouring of God as if he were not such a God as the Word represents him Plenteous in Mercy to all that call upon him Psal. 86.5 VI. We take Gods Name in vain when we in any kind abuse and prophane his Word Now the Word of God is prophaned First In General when Prophane Men meddle with it It is unseemly and unbecoming a Wicked Man to talk of Sacred things of Gods Providence and the Decrees of God and Heaven it was very distastful to Christ to hear the Devil quote Scripture It is written To hear a Wicked Man that wallows in Sin talk of God and Religion is offensive it is the taking Gods Name in vain When the Word of God is in a Drunkards Mouth it is like a Pearl hung upon a Swine Under the Law the Lips of the Leper were to be covered Lev. 13.45 The Lips of a Prophane Drunken Minister ought to be covered he is unfit to speak of Gods Word because he takes Gods Name in vain But Secondly More particularly they prophane Gods Word and take his Name in vain 1. That speak Scornfully of Gods Word 2 Pet. 3.4 Where is the Promise of his Coming For since the Fathers fell asleep all things continue as they were from the beginning of the Creation As if they had said here is much adoe the Preachers make about the Day of Judgment when all must be called to account for their Works but where is the appearing of that Day We see things keep their Course and continue as they were since the Creation thus they speak scornfully of Scripture and did take God's Name in vain If Sentence be not speedily executed Men scorn and deride but Prov. 19.29 Iudgments are prepared for Scorners 2. That speak Jestingly Such are they who sport and play with Scripture 't is playing with Fire Some cannot be merry unless they make bold with God they make the Scripture an Harp to drive away the Spirit of Sadness Eusebius relates of one who took a piece of Scripture to jest with God struck him with Phrensie To play with Scripture shews a very prophane Heart Some will rather lose their Souls than lose their Jest These are guilty of taking God's Name in vain Tremble at it Such as mock at Scripture God will mock at their Calamity Prov. 1.26 3. They abuse Gods Word and take his Name in vain that bring Scripture to countenance any Sin The Word which was written for the suppressing of Sin some bring it for the defending of Sin For instance First If we tell a Covetous Man of his Sin that Covetousness is Idolatry he will bring Scripture to maintain his Sin Hath not God bid me live in a Calling Six Days shalt thou Labour Hath not God said that He who provides not for his Family is worse than an Infidel Thus he goes to support his Covetousness with Scripture Resp. It is true God hath bid thee take pains in a Calling but not hurt thy Neighbour he hath bid thee provide for thy Family but not by oppression Lev. 25.14 Ye shall not Oppress one another He hath bid thee look after a Livelihood but not with the neglect of thy Soul He hath bid thee lay up thy Treasure in Heaven Mat. 6.20 He hath commanded thee to lay out as well as lay up to sow Seeds of Charity on the Backs and Bellies of the Poor which perhaps thou neglectest So that to bring Scripture to uphold thee in thy Sin is an high prophaning of Scripture and a taking of Gods Name in vain Second Instance if we tell a Man of his inordinate Passions that he may be Drunk as well with rash Anger as Wine he will bring Scripture to justifie it Doth not the Word say Be Angry and Sin not Ephes. 4.26 'T is true that Anger is good which is mixed with Zeal then Anger is without Sin when it is against Sin But thou dost Sin in thy Anger thou speakest unadvisedly with thy Lips thy Tongue is set on Fire of Hell and to bring Scripture to defend thy Sin is to prophane Scripture and to take Gods Name in vain 4. They abuse the Word and take Gods Name in vain who adulterate the Word and wrest it in a wrong Sense Such are Hereticks who put their own gloss upon Scripture and make it speak that which the Holy Ghost never meant For instance First When we expound those Texts Literally which are meant Figuratively Thus the Pharisees were guilty when God said in the Law Thou shalt bind the
and engraving of the Holy Ghost upon the Soul The new born Christian is bespangled with the Jewels of the 〈◊〉 which are the Angels glory Regeneration is the spring of all true joy At our first birth we come weeping into the World but at our new birth there 's cause of rejoycing for now God is our Father and we are begotten to a lively hope of glory 1 Pet. 1.3 We may try by this our relation to God Hath a regenerating work of Gods Spirit passed upon our Souls Are we made of another Spirit Humble and Heavenly This is a good sign of Son-ship and we may say Our Father which art in Heaven 3. By having the conduct of the Spirit We are led by the Spirit Rom. 8.14 As many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the Sons of God Gods Spirit doth not only quicken us in our Regeneration but leads us on till we come to the end of our Faith Salvation It is not enough the Child have Life but he must be led every step by the Nurse Hos. 11.3 I taught Ephraim to go taking them by their armes Their Armes as the Israelites had the Cloud and Pillar of Fire to go before them and be a guide to them so Gods Spirit is a guide to go before us and lead us into all truth and counsel us in all our doubts and influence us in all our actions Psalm 73.24 Thou shalt guide me by thy counsels None can call God Father but such as have the conduct of his Spirit Try then what Spirit you are led by Such as are led by a Spirit of Envy Lust Avarice these are not led by the Spirit of God it were blasphemy for them to call God Father These are led by the Spirit of Satan and may say Our Father which art in Hell 4. By having the Witness of the Spirit Rom. 8.16 The Spirit it self beareth witness with our Spirit that we are the Children of God This Witness of the Spirit suggesting that God is our Father is not a Vocal Witness or Voice from Heaven The Spirit in the Word witnesseth The Spirit in the Word saith he who is so qualified who is an hater of Sin and a lover of Holiness is a Child of God and God is his Father if I can find such qualifications wrought here is the Spirit witnessing with my Spirit that I am a Child of God Besides we may carry it higher the Spirit of God witnesseth to our Spirit by making more than ordinary impressions upon our hearts and giving some secret hints and whispers that God hath purposes of Love to us Here is a concurrent witness of the Spirit with Conscience that we are Heirs of Heaven and God is our Father This Witness is better felt than expressed this Witness scatters doubts and fears silenceth temptations but what shall one do that hath not this Witness of the Spirit If we wâ—â—t the Witness of the Spirit let us labour to find the Work of the Spirit if we have not the Spirit testifying labour to have it sanctifying and that will be a support to us 4. If God be our Father we are of Peaceable Spirits Matth. 5.9 Blessed are the peace-makers they shall be called the children of God Grace infuseth a sweet amicable disposition it files off the ruggedness of Mens Spirits it turns the Lion-like fierceness into a Lamb-like gentleness Isa. 11.7 They who have God to be their Father follow Peace as well as Holiness God the Father is called the God of Peace Heb. 13.20 God the Son the Prince of Peace Isa. 9.6 God the Holy Ghost is a Spirit of Peace It is called the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace Eph. 4.3 The more peaceable the more like God It is a bad sign God is not their Father 1. Who are fierce and cruel as if with Romulus they had sucked the Milk of a Wolf Rom. 3.17 The way of peace have they not known they sport in mischief these are they who are of a persecuting Spirit as Maximinus Dioclesian Antiochus who as Eusebius took more tedious journeys and run more hazards in vexing and persecuting the Iewes than any of his Predecessors had done in getting of Victories These Furies cannot call God Father if they do they will have as little comfort in saying Father as Dives had in Hell when he said Father Abraham Luke 16.24 2. Who are makers of division Rom. 16.17 Mark them which cause divisions and avoid them Such as are born of God are makers of Peace what shall we think of such as are makers of Division will God Father these The Devil made the first division in Heaven they may call the Devil Father they may give the Cloven Foot in their Coat of Armes their sweetest Musick is in Discord they unite to divide Sampsons Fox-tails were tyed together only to set the Philistians Corn on fire Iudg. 15 4. Papists unite only to set the Churches Peace on fire· Satans Kingdom goes up by Divisions St. Chrysostome observes of the Church of Corinth when many Converts were brought in Satan knew no better way to dam up the current of Religion than to throw in an Apple of Strife and divide them into Parties one was for Paul and another for Apollos but few for Christ. Would not Christ have his Coat rent and can he endure to have his Body rent Sure God will never Father them who are not Sons of Peace Of all them who God hates he is named for one who is a sower of discord among brethren Prov. 6.19 5. If God be our Father then we love to be near God and have converse with him An ingenuous Child delights to approach near to his Father and go into his presence David envyed the Birds that they built their Nests so near Gods Altars when he was debarred his Fathers house Psal. 84.3 True Saints love to get as near to God as they can In the Word they draw near to his Holy Oracle in the Sacrament they draw near to his Table a Child of God delights to be in his Fathers presence he cannot stay away long from God he sees a Sabbath day approaching and rejoyceth his heart hath been often melted and quickened in a Ordinance he hath tasted the Lord is good therefore he loves to be in his Fathers presence he cannot keep away long from God Such as care not for Ordinances cannot say Our Father which art in Heaven Is God their Father who cannot endure to be in his presence VSE I. Of Instruction See the amazing goodness of God that is pleased to enter into this sweet relation of a Father God needed not to adopt us he did not want a Son God did not want a Son but we did a Father God showed Power in being our Maker but Mercy in being our Father When we were enemies and our hearts stood out as garrisons against God that he should conquer our stubbornness and of enemies make us children and write his
give him high honour and veneration and render his Name sacred We can add nothing to Gods Essential Glory but we are said to honour and sanctifie his Name when we lift him up in the World and make him appear greater in the eyes of others When a Prince is crowned there is something added really to his Honour but when we go to crown God with our Triumphs and Hallelujahs there is nothing added to his Essential Glory God cannot be greater than he is only we may make him appear greater in the eyes of others Quest. 3. When may we be said to hallow and sanctifie Gods name Answ. 1. When we profess his Name our meeting in this holy assembly is an honour done to Gods Name this is good but it is not enough All that wear Gods livery by profession are not true servants there are some Professors Christ will at the last day profess against Matth. 7.23 I will profess I never knew you Therefore to go a little further 2. We hallow and sanctifie Gods Name when we have an high appretiation and esteem of God we set him highest in our thoughts The Hebrew word to honour 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies to esteem precious We conceive of God in our minds as the most super-excellent and infinite good we apprehend in God a constellation of all beauties and delights we adore God in his Glorious Attributes which are the several beams by which his Divine Nature shines forth we adore God in his Works which are bound up in three great Volumes Creation Redemption Providence we hallow and sanctifie Gods Name when we lift him highest in our Souls we esteem him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a super-eminent incomprehensible good 3. We hallow and sanctifie Gods Name when we trust in his Name Psal. 33.21 We have trusted in his holy name No way can we bring more revenues of Honour to God or make his Crown shine brighter than by confiding in him Rom. 4.20 Abraham was strong in faith giving glory to God there was an hallowing of Gods Name As unbelief stains Gods honour and eclipseth his Name 1 Iohn 5.10 He that believeth not makes God a lyar so Faith doth glorifie and hallow Gods Name The Believer trusts his best Jewel in Gods hands Psal. 3.5 Into thy hands I commit my Spirit Faith in a Mediator doth more honour and sanctifie Gods Name than Martyrdom or the most sublime acts of Obedience 4. We hallow and sanctifie Gods Name when we never make mention of his name but with the highest reverence Gods Name is Sacred and it must not be spoken of but with veneration The Scripture when it speaks of God gives him his Titles of Honour Gen. 14.20 Blessed be the most high God Neh. 9.5 Blessed be thy glorious name which is exalted above all praise To speak vainly or slightly of God is a profaning his Name and is a taking his Name in vain Let his Name be Hallowed By giving God his venerable Titles we do as it were hang his Jewels on his Crown 5. We hallow and sanctifie Gods Name when we love his Name Psal. 5.11 Let them that love thy name be joyful and that Love which is honouring Gods Name must be a special discriminating Love the cream and flower of our Love such a Love as we give to none besides As the Wife honours her Husband by giving him such a Love as she gives to none else a Conjugal Love so we hallow Gods Name by giving him such a Love as we give to none else a Love joyned with Worship Psal. 45.11 He is thy God and worship thou him 6. We hallow and sanctifie Gods Name when we give him an Holy and Spiritual Worship 1. We give him the same kind of Worship that he hath appointed Lev. 10.3 I will be sanctified of all that come nigh to me that is I will be sanctified with that very Worship I have appointed It is the purity of Worship God loves better than the pomp It is a dishonouring of Gods Name to bring any thing into his Worship which he hath not instituted as if God were not wise enough to appoint the manner how he will be served Men will go to prescribe him and super-add their inventions This God looks upon as offering strange fire and it is an high provocation 2. We give God the same Heart devotion in Worship as he hath appointed Rom. 12.11 Fervent in Spirit serving the Lord. The word for fervent 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is a Metaphor that alludes to Water that seeths and boyls over so our Affections should boyl over in holy Duties To give God outside Worship and not the Devotion of the Heart is instead of hallowing and sanctifying him in an Ordinance to abuse him as if one call for Wine and you give him an empty Glass It is to deal with God as Prometheus did with Iupiter who did eat the Flesh and present Iupiter with nothing but Bones covered over with Skin then we hallow Gods name and sanctifie him in an Ordinance when we give him the vitals of Religion an Heart flaming with Zeal 7. We hallow and sanctifie Gods Name when we hallow his day Ier. 17.22 Hallow ye the Sabbath day Our Christian Sabbath which comes in the room of the Iews Sabbath is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Lords day Rev. 1.10 This was antiently called dies lucis a day of light wherein Christ the Sun of Righteousness shines in an extraordinary manner It is an honour done to God to hallow his Sabbath 1. We must rest on this day from all secular works Ier. 17.21 Bear no burden on the Sabbath day As Ioseph when he would speak with his Brethren thrust out the Egyptians so when we would have converse with God on this day we must thrust out all earthly employments It is observable Mary Magdalen refused to anoint Christs dead Body on the Sabbath-day Luke 23.56 She had before prepared her Oyntment and Spices but came not to the Sepulchre till the Sabbath was past She rested on that day from civil Work though it were a commendable and glorious Work the anointing of Christs dead Body 2. We must in a solemn manner devote our selves to God on this day We must spend this whole day with God Some will hear the Word but leave all their Religion at Church they do nothing at home they do not pray or repeat the Word in their houses and so they rob God of a part of his day 't is to be bewailed to see how Gods day is profaned Let not Men think Gods Name is hallowed while his Sabbath is broken 8. We hallow and sanctifie Gods Name when we ascribe the honour of all we do to him Psal. 96.8 Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name Herod instead of hallowing Gods Name stain'd the honour of his Name in assuming that praise to himself which was due to God Acts 12.23 We ought to take the honour from our selves and give it to God 1
replyed Dilexi dilexi I have loved I have loved and strait-way he was by a convoy of Angels translated to Glory Love is a sacred Fire kindled in the breast in the flames of this Fire the devout Soul ascends to Heaven 10. If we would obtain this Heavenly Kingdom let us labour for Sincerity Prov. 28.18 Whosoever walketh uprightly shall be saved The sincere Christian may fall short of some degrees of Grace but he never falls short of the Kingdom God will pass by many failings where the heart is right Numb 23.21 True Gold though it be light hath grains of allowance Psal. 51.6 Thou desirest truth in the inward parts Sincerity is the sauce which seasons all our Actions and makes them savoury it is the ingredient into every Grace It is called Faith unfeigned 2 Tim. 1.5 and Love 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in sincerity Eph. 6.24 Coyn will not go currant that wants the Kings stamp Grace is not currant if it be not stamped with Sincerity Glorious Duties sowred with Hypocrisie are rejected when great Infirmities sweetned with Sincerity are accepted If any thing in the World bring us to Heaven it is Sincerity Sincerity signifies plainness of heart Psal. 32.2 In whose Spirit there is no guile The plainer the Diamond is the richer 1. Sincerity is when we serve God with our heart we do not only worship him but love him Cain brought his Sacrifice but not his Heart This is Gods delight a Sacrifice flaming upon the Altar of the Heart A sincere Christian though he hath a double principle in him Flesh and Spirit yet he hath not a double heart his heart is for God 2. Sincerity is when we aim purely at God in all we do The Glory of God is more worth than the Salvation of all Mens Souls A sincere Christian though he comes short in Duty yet he takes a right aim As the herb Heliotropium turns about according to the motion of the Sun so a Godly Mans actions do all move towards the Glory of God 11. If we would obtain the Heavenly Kingdom let us keep up fervency in Duty What is a dead form without the power Rev. 3.16 Because thou art luke-warm neither hot nor cold I will spue thee out of my mouth Fervency puts life into Duty Rom. 12.11 Fervent in Spirit serving God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Boyling over Christ prayed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 yet more earnestly Luke 22.44 When the Fire on the Golden Censer was ready to go out Aaron was to put more Coals to the Incense Praying with Devotion is putting more Coals to the Incense 't is not Formality but Fervency will bring us to Heaven The Formalist is like Ephraim a Cake not turned hot on one side and dough on the other In the external part of Gods Worship he seems to be hot but as for the Spiritual part of Gods Worship he is cold Oh if you would have the Kingdom of Heaven keep up heat and fervour in Duty Eliah was carried up to Heaven in a fiery Chariot if you would go to Heaven you must be carried thither in a fiery Chariot of Zeal 'T is violence takes the Kingdom of Heaven 12. If we would arrive at the Heavenly Kingdom let us cherish the motions of Gods Spirit in our hearts The Marriner may spread his Sails but the Ship cannot get to the Haven without a gale of Wind so we may spread the sails of our endeavour but we cannot get to the Haven of Glory without the North and South-wind of Gods Spirit blow how nearly therefore doth it concern us to make much of the motions of Gods Spirit motions to Prayer motions to Repentance 2 Sam. 5.24 When thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry-trees that then thou shalt bestir thy self for then shall the Lord go out before thee So when we hear as it were a voice within us a secret inspiration stirring us up to good Duties we should then bestir our selves while the Spirit works in us we should work with the Spirit Many Men have Gods Spirit striving with them he puts good motions in their hearts and holy purposes but they neglecting to prosecute these good motions the Spirit is thereby grieved and being grieved withdraws its assistance and that assistance being gone there is no getting to Heaven Oh make much of the motions of the Spirit it is as much as your Salvation is worth The Spirit of God is compared to fire Acts 2.2 if we are careful to blow this spark we may have fire to inflame our affections and to light our feet into the way of peace If we quench the Spirit by our neglecting and resisting its motions we cut our selves off from Salvation The Spirit of God hath a drawing-power Cant. 1.4 The Blessed Spirit draws by attraction as the Loadstone the Iron In the preaching of the Word the Spirit draws the heart up to Heaven in holy longings and ejaculations Now when the Spirit is about thus to draw us let us take heed of drawing back left it be to perdition Heb. 10. We should do as Noah when the Dove came flying to the Ark he put forth his hand and took it into the Ark so when this sweet Dove of Gods Spirit comes flying to our hearts and brings a gracious impulse as an Olive-branch of Peace in its mouth O take this Dove into the Ark entertain the Spirit in your hearts and it will bring you to Heaven Quest. But how shall we know the motions of the Spirit from a delusion Answ. The motions of the Spirit are alwayes agreeable to the Word If the Word be for Holiness so is the Spirit The Spirit perswades to nothing but what the Word directs which way the tyde of the Word runs that way the Wind of the Spirit blows 13. We obtain the Kingdom of Heaven by uniform and chearful Obedience Obedience is the Road through which we travail to Heaven many say they love God but refuse to obey him doth he love the Princes Person who slights his Commands 1. Obedience must be uniform Psal. 119.6 Then shall I not be ashamed Lo Eboth I shall not blush when I have respect to all thy Commandments as the Son goes through all the signs of the Zodiack so must we through all the duties of Religion If a Man be to go an hundred Miles and he goes ninety nine Miles and there stops he comes short of the Place he is to travel to if with Herod we do many things that God commands yet if we lye in the total neglect of any duty we come short of the Kingdom of Heaven for Instance If a Man seem to make Conscience of duties of the first Table and not the duties of the second if he seem to be religious but is not just he is a Transgressor and is in danger to lose Heaven a good heart is like the Needle which points that way which the Loadstone draws so he moves that way which the Word
when they are oyled with the Oyl of Gladness 2. Peace in Death VVhen Hezekiah thought he was about to dye what gave him Comfort this that he had done the will of God Isa. 38.3 Remember O Lord I beseech thee how I have walked before thee in truth and have done that which is good in thy sight 'T was Augustus his wish that he might have an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an easie Death without much pain If any thing make our pillow easie at Death it will be this we have endeavoured to do Gods will on Earth Did you ever hear any cry out on their Death-bed that they have done Gods will too much no hath it not been that they have done his will no more that they come so short in their Obedience Doing Gods will will be both your Comfort and your Crown 10. If we are not doers of Gods will we shall be looked upon as contemners of Gods will Let God say what he will yet Men will go on in Sin this is to contemn God Psal. 10.13 Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God To contemn God is worse than to rebel The Tribes of Israel rebelled against Rehoboam because he made their Yoak heavier 1 King 12.16 But to contemn God is worse 't is to slight him to contemn God is to put a Scorn upon him and affront him to his Face and an Affront will make God draw his Sword Thus I have answered that Question why doing Gods will on Earth is so requisite 'T is as necessary as Salvation 4. Quest. In what manner are we to do Gods will that we may find acceptance The manner of doing Gods Will is the chief thing the Schoolmen say well Modus rei cadit sub praecepto the manner of a thing is as well required as the thing it self If a Man build an House if he doth not do it according to the mind of the Owner he likes it not but thinks all his Charges lost so if we do not Gods will in the right manner it is not accepted we must not only do what God appoints but as God appoints here lies the very Life-blood of Religion So I come to answer this great Question in what manner are we to do Gods will that we may find acceptance Answ. 1. We do Gods Will acceptably when we do Duties Spiritually Phil. 3.3 We worship God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the Spirit To serve God spiritually is to do duties ab interno principio from an inward Principle The Pharisees were very exact about the external part of Gods worship how zealous were they in the outward observation of the Sabbath charging Christ with the breach of it but all this was but outward Obedience there was nothing of Spirituality in it then we do Gods will acceptably when we serve him from a renewed Principle of Grace a Crab-tree may bear as well as a Pear-main but it is not so good fruit as the other because it doth not come from so sweet a Root An unregenerate Person may do as much external obedience as a Child of God he may pray as much hear as much but his Obedience is harsh and sowre because it doth not come from the sweet and pleasant Root of Grace the inward principle of Obedience is Faith therefore it is called the Obedience of Faith Rom. 16.26 But why must this silver thread of Faith run through the whole work of Obedience Answ. Because Faith looks at Christ in every Duty it toucheth the Hem of his Garment and through Christ both the Person and the Offering are accepted Ephes. 1.6 2. We do Gods Will acceptably when we prefer his Will before all other if God wills one thing and Man wills the contrary we do obey Mans will rather than Gods Act. 4.19 Whether it be right to hearken unto you more then unto God judge ye God saith thou shalt not make a graven Image King Nebuchadnezzar set up a Golden Image to be worshipped but the three Children or rather Champions resolve Gods Will shall take place and they would obey him though with the loss of their Lives Dan. 3.18 Be it known unto thee O King that we will not serve thy Gods nor worship the Golden Image which thou hast set up 3. We do Gods Will acceptably when we do Gods Will as it is done in Heaven that is as the Angels do it To do Gods Will as the Angels similitudinem notat non aequalitatem Brugensis denotes thus much that we are to resemble them and make them our Pattern though we cannot equal the Angels in doing Gods Will yet we must imitate them a Child cannot write so well as the Scrivener yet he imitates the Copy in particular 1. We do Gods VVill as the Angels do it in Heaven when we do Gods Will Regularly sine deflexu we go according to divine Institutions not Decrees of Councils or Traditions this is to do Gods Will as the Angels they do it regularly they do nothing but what is commanded Angels are not for Ceremonies as there are Statute-Laws in the Land which bind so the Scripture is Gods Statute-Law which we must exactly observe the Watch is set by the Dial then our Obedience is right when it goes by the Sun-dial of the Word If Obedience hath not the Word for its Rule it is not doing Gods Will but our own it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Will-worship Deut. 12.32 The Lord would have Moses make the Tabernacle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 according to the Pattern Exod. 25.40 If Moses had left out any thing in the Pattern or added any thing to it it would have been very provoking to mix any thing of our own devising in Gods worship is to go beside yea contrary to the Pattern Gods worship is the Apple of his Eye that which he is most tender of and there is nothing he hath more shewed his displeasure against then the corrupting his worship How severely did God punish Nadab and Abihu for offering up strange Fire Lev. 10.2 that is such Fire as God had not sanctified on the Altar whatever is not divinely appointed is offering up strange Fire There is in many a strange itch after Superstition they love a gawdy Religion and are more for the Pomp of Worship then the Purity this cannot be pleasing to God for as if God were not wise enough to appoint the manner how he will be served Men will be so bold as to prescribe him To thrust humane Inventions into sacred things is a doing our own will not Gods and he will say quis quaesivit hoc who hath required this at your hand Isa. 1.12 Then we do Gods Will as it is done in Heaven when we do it regularly we reverence Gods Institutions and observe that Mode of Worship which hath the Stamp of divine Authority upon it 2. We do Gods Will as it is done by the Angels in Heaven when we do it intirely sine mutilatione we do all Gods Will the Angels in Heaven
me good for his cursing this day quisquis deâ—rahit famae meae addet mercedi meae Aug. He that injuâ—es me â—hall add to my reward he that Clips my name to make it weigh lighter shall make my Crown weigh heavier Well might Stephen pray For his Enemies Lord lay not this sin to their charge Act. 7.60 he knew they did but encrease his Glory in Heaven every Stone his Enemies threw at him added a Pearl to his Crown 3. Lay up a stock of Faith Luk. 17.4 If thy Brother trespass against thee seven times in a day and seven times in a day â—urn again to thee and say I Repent thou shalt forgive him And the Apostles said to the Lord Encrease our Faith As if they had said We can never do this without a great deal of Faith Lord encrease our Faith Believe God hath pardoned you and you will pardon others only Faith can throw dust upon injuries and bury them in the Grave of forgetfulness 4. Think how thou hast sometimes wronged others and may it not be just with God that the same measure you mete to others should be measured to you again hast not thou wronged others if not in their Goods yet in their Name If thou hast not born false witness against them yet perhaps thou hast spoken falsly of them the consideration of this may make Christians bury injuries in silence 5. Get humble Hearts A proud Man thinks it a disgrace to put up an injury What causeth so many Duels and Murders as Pride Be cloth'd with humility 1 Pet. 5.5 He who is low in his own Eyes will not be troubled much tho others lay him low He knows there 's a day a coming when there shall be a Resurrection of Names as well as Bodies and God will avenge him of his Adversaries Luk. 18.7 And shall not God avenge his own Elect the humble Soul leaves all his wrongs to God to requite who hath said vengeance is mine Rom. 12.19 Vse of Comfort Such as Forgive God will forgive them You have a good argument to plead with God for Forgiveness lo I am willing to Forgive him who makes me no sactisfaction and wilt not thou Forgive me who hast received satisfaction in Christ my surety so ends the fifth Petition Mat. 6.13 And lead us not into Temptation but deliver us from Evil. THIS Petition consists of two parts First Deprecatory Lead us not into Temptation Second Petitory But deliver us from evil First Nenos inducas in tentationem Lead us not into temptation Doth God lead into Temptation God tempts no man to sin Jam. 1.13 Let no man say when he is Tempted I am tempted of God for God tempteth not any man God doth permit sin but not promote it He who is an encourager of holiness cannot be a Patron of sin God doth not Tempt to that which he hath an antipathy against what King will tempt his Subjects to break those Laws which he himself hath establiâ—hed Quest. But is it not said God tempted Abraham Gen. 22.1 Answ. Tempting there was no more than trying God tryed Abrahams Faith as a Gold-smith tries Gold in the Fire but there is a great deal of difference between Gods trying his Peoples Grace and exciâ—ing their corruption he tryeth their Grace but doth not excite their corruptions mans sin cannot be justly father'd on God God tempts no man Quest. What then is the meaning of this Lead us not into temptation Answ. When we pray Lead us not into Temptation the meaning is we desire of God that he would not suffer us to be overcome by temptation that we may not be given up to the power of a Temptation which is when we are trapann'd into sin Quest. 2. Whence do temptations come Answ. 1. Ab intra from our selves the Heart is Fomes peccati the breeder of all evil our own Hearts are the greatest Tempters quisque sibi Satan est Iam. 1.14 Every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust the Heart is a perfect decoy 2. Temptations come ab extrà from Satan he is call'd 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Tempter Mat. 4.3 he lies in Ambush to do us mischief stat in procinctu Diabolus the Devil lays a Train of Temptation to blow up the Fort of our Grace The Devil is not yet fully cast into Prison but is like a Prisoner that goes under Bail the World is his Diocess where he visits we are sure to find Satan whatever we are doing reading praying meditating we find him within how he came there we know not we are sure of his company uncertain how we came by it A Saints whole Life saith Austin is a Temptation Elias who could shut Heaven by Prayer could not shut his Heart from a Temptation This is a great molestation to a Child of God as it is a trouble to a Virgin to have her Chastity daily assaulted the more one is tempted to evil the more he is hindred from good we are in great danger of Satan the Prince of the Air and we had need often pray leads us not into Temptation that we may see in what danger we are of Satans Temptations Consider 1. His Malice in tempting This Hellish Serpent is swell'd with the Poison of malice Satan envies mans happiness To see a clod of Dust so near to God and himself once a glorious Angel cast out of the Heavenly Paradise this makes him pursue mankind with inveterate hatred Rev. 12.12 The Devil is come down to you having great wrath If there be any thing this Infernal Spirit of Hell can delight in it is to ruine Souls and bring them into the same condemnation with himself this malice of Satan in tempting must needs be great if we consider three things 1. That when Satan is so full of Torment yet that at such a time he should tempt one would think Satan should scarce have a thought free from thinking of his own misery yet such is his rage and malice that when God is punishing him he is tempting 2. Satan's Malice is great that he will tempt where he knows he cannot prevail He will put forth his sting tho he cannot hurt he tempted Christ Mat. 4.3 If thou be the Son of God He knew well enough Christ was God as well as Man yet he would tempt him Such was his malice against Christ that he would put an Affront upon Christ tho' he knew he could not conquer him He tempts the Elect to Blasphemy he knows he cannot prevail against the Eelect yet such is his Malice that tho' he cannot storm the Garrison of their Hearts yet he will plant his Pieces of Ordnance against them 3. Satan's Malice is great that tho' he knows his tempting men to sin will encrease his own Torment in Hell yet he will not leave off tempting every Temptation makes his Chain heavier and his fire hotter yet he will tempt Therefore Satan being such a malicious revengeful Spirit had not we need pray that God
the Soul as Angels as Heaven God hath laid out much Cost upon it and if it perish he should lose all his Cost When Xerxes destroyed the Temples in Greece he caused the Temple of Diana to be preserved for its beautiful Structure The new creature is God's Temple adorned with all the Graces which he will not suffer to be demolished Riches take Wings Kings Crowns tumble in the Dust Nay some of the Graces may cease Faith and Hope shall be no more but the new creature abideth for ever 1 Iohn 2.27 5. The Misery of the unregenerate creature Dying so I may say of him as Christ said of Iudas Mark 14.21 It were good for that Man if he had not been born Better have been a Toad a Serpent any thing if not a new creature The old Sinner must go into old Tophet Isa. 30.33 Damned Caitiffs will have nothing to ease their Torments not one drop of Honey in all their Gall. In the Sacrifice of Iealousie there was to be no Oil put to it Numb 5. In Hell there is no Oil of Mercy put to the Sufferings of the damned to lenifie them Therefore get out of the Wild Olive of Nature labour to be new creatures lest you curse your selves at last A sinful Life will cause a despairing Death Quest. What shall we do to be new Creatures Answ. 1. Wait on the Ordinances The Preaching of the Word is the Seed of which the new Creature is formed This is the Trumpet which must make the dead in Sin come out of their Grave 2. Pray earnestly for the new Creature Lord thou hast made me once make me again What shall I do with this old heart It defiles all it toucheth Urge God with his Promise Ezek. 36.26 A new Heart will I give you Say Lord I am as the dry Bones but thou didst cause Breath to come into them Ezek. 37.10 Do the same to me breath a supernatural Life of Grace into me Vse 4. Thankfulness Let such as are new creatures stand upon Mount Gerizim blessing and praising God Ascribe all to the Riches of God's Love set the Crown upon the head of free Grace God hath done more for you than if he had made you Kings and Queens Though you have not so much of the World as others you are happier than the greatest Monarchs upon Earth and I dare say you would not change with them The Apostles seldom speak of the new Creation but they join some thankful Praises with it 1 Pet. 1.3 Blessed be God who according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again to a lively hope Col. 1.12 Giving thanks to the Father who hath made us meet for the inheritance in light The new creature is a sign of Election a badge of Adoption What distinguishing Love is this that God should make any of us new creatures when he hath left the greatest part of the World to perish in their Sins Such as are Paterns of Mercy should be Trumpets of Praise Of the Government of the Tongue Jam. 3.6 And the Tongue is a Fire a World of Iniquity THE Apostle Iames in this Scripture describes the Evil of the Tongue The Tongue is a Fire a World of Iniquity 1. It is a Fire It burns with intemperate heat it causeth the Heat of Contention it sets others in a Flame 2. A World of Iniquity It was at first made to be an Organ of God's Praise but it is become an Instrument of Unrighteousness All the Members of the Body are sinful as there is bitterness in every Branch of Wormwood but the Tongue is excessively sinful full of deadly Poison vers 8. Doctr. The Tongue though it be a little Member yet it hath a World of Sin in it The Tongue is an unruly Evil. We put Bitts in Horses Mouths and rule them but the Tongue is an unbridled Thing It is hard to find a Curbing bitt to rule the Tongue There is a World of Sin in the Tongue The Devil makes use of Men's Tongues for the promoting most of the Wickedness which is in the World I shall show you some of the Evils of the Tongue I. The Evil Tongue travel a little over this World is the silent Tongue It is wholly mute in Matters of Religion it never speaks of God or Heaven as if it cleaved to the roof of the Mouth Men are fluent and discursive enough in other Things but in Matters of Religion their Lips are sealed up If we come into some People's Company we do not know what Religion they are of whether Iews or Mahometans for they never speak of Christ they are like the Man in the Gospel who was possessed with a Dumb Devil Mar. 9.17 II. The Evil Tongue is the earthly Tongue Men talk of nothing but the World their Wares and Drugs or their rich Purchace Son 's of the Earth they have the Serpent's Curse lick the Dust. Ioh. 3.31 He that is of the Earth speaketh of the Earth as if all their Hopes were here and they looked for an earthly Eternity these have Brutish Minds Seneca being asked of what Country he was answered that he was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Citizen of this World So many are Citizens of this World all their Discourse and Traffick is here Their Speech bewrays them III. The Evil Tongue is the hasty or angry Tongue They have no command of Passions but are carried away with them as a Chariot with wild Horses I know there is an Holy Anger when we are angry with Sin Christ had this Anger when they made the Temple a place of Merchandice Ioh. 2.15 That Anger is without Sin which is against Sin but that is an Evil Tongue which is presently blown up into exorbitant Passion this Tongue is set on Fire from Hell Isaiah's Lips were touched with a Coal from the Altar Isa. 6. His Tongue was set on Fire from Heaven but the angry furious Tongue is set on Fire from Hell When the Tongue is on Fire it is the Devil that lights the Match Eccles. 7.9 Anger rests in the Bosom of Fools It may be in a Wise Man but it rests in a Fool. More are drunk with Passion than Wine Hierome Water when it is hot soon boils over So when the Heart is heated with Anger it soon boils over in fiery and passionate Speeches 1 King 19.12 after the Earthquake a Fire but God was not in the Fire So I may say of the Fire of rash Anger God is not in this Fire Grace heats the Heart but cools the Tongue makes it meek and calm Passion transports it oft disturbs the use of Reason Brevis Insania and if Reason cannot act much less can Grace Rashness of Anger hinders Holy Duties Hot Passions make cold Prayers A wrathful Spirit is unsuitable to the Gospel It is a Gospel of Peace and it is sealed by the Spirit who came in the Form of a Dove a meek peaceable Creature Thou who art given much to Passion whose Tongue is often set
Sin 4. Prudence and Holiness is seen in this to know what we 〈…〉 and do what we know To know what we should do thereâ—â— the Wisdom 〈◊〉 â—he Serpent to do what we know there is the â—nnocency of the Dove Iohn 〈…〉 Knowledge is a Jewel 〈◊〉 him that wear◠〈…〉 is the 〈◊〉 and 〈…〉 of the Mind Knowledge i◠〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Eye of the Soul to guide it in the right way but this Knowledge must â—e joyn'd with holy 〈◊〉 To separate Practice from Knowledge is to separate the Dove from the Serpent Many illuminated Heads can discourse fluently in Matters of Religion but they do not live up to their knowledge This is to have good Eyes but to have the Feet cut off They know they should not break the Sabbath they should not defame or defraud but they do not practise what they know Here they separate the Dove from the Serpent Vertue from Knowledge How vain is Knowledge without Practice As if one should know a Sovereign Medicine and not apply it Satan is a knowing Spirit he hath enough of the Serpent but that which makes him a Devil is he wants the Dove he doth not practise Holiness 5. To mix the Serpent and the Dove is to keep two Trades going To understand worldly Affairs there is the Wisdom of the Serpent yet not neglect the Soul there is the Innocency of the Dove God hath said Six Days shalt thou Labour Exod. 20.9 Religion did never grant a Patent to idleness There is a Lawful Care to be had about Secular Things To have insight into one's Calling is a commendable Wisdom but with this wisdom joyn the Dove's Innocency so follow your Calling as not to neglect your Soul The Soul is a precious thing 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it would beggar the Angels to give half the price of a Soul Our greatest care should be to get Grace While you put Gold in your Bag do not forget to put Oil in your Vessel Trade beyond the East Indies Drive a Trade of Holiness This Merchandice is better than the Merchandice of Silver Prov. 3.14 Live in a Calling but especially live by Faith Look to the providing for your Families but especially to the saving of your Souls The Soul is the Angelical part the loss of this can never be made up again God saith Chrysostom hath given a Man two Eyes if he lose one Eye he hath another but he hath but one Soul if he lose that it is irrecoverable it can never be made up again O unite the Serpent and the Dove Prudence and Holiness use the World but love your Soul Trade on Earth but beware of breaking in your Trade for Heaven How many part these two the Serpent and the Dove they are wise for the World but Fools for their Souls 'T is too often seen that Men pull down their Souls to build up an Estate 6. To join the Serpent and the Dove Prudence and Innocency consists in this To know how to give Counsel and how to keep Counsel He hath the Wisdom of the Serpent that can give Counsel he knows how to advise another in difficult cases and speak a Word in due season 2 Sam. 16.23 The Counsel of Achitophel was as if a Man had enquired at the Oracle of God But this is not enough to have the Wisdom of the Serpent in being able to give Counsel but there must be the Innocency of the Dove too in keeping Counsel If a Friend's secret be imparted to us unless in case of Blood we are not to reveal it A Friend is alter idem as one's own Soul Deut. 13.6 And what he imparts of his Heart should be kept under Lock and Key Prov. 25.9 Discover not a Secret to another lest he that hear thee put thee to shame c. To disclose a Friend's secrets though it be not Treason it is Treachery it is most Unchristian a Word may be spoken in secret which when it is Trumpeted out may occasion Quarrels or Law-suits He that cannot keep a Matter committed to him is like a Vessel that runs out or a sick Stomach that cannot keep the Meat but brings it up again He that publisheth his Friends secret doth publish his own shame 7. To mix these two Prudence and Holiness is to know the Seasons of Grace and improve them To know the Seasons of Grace there 's the Wisdom of the Serpent 'T is Wisdom in an Husband-Man to know the fit time for pruning of Trees sowing of Seed so it is no less Wisdom to know the Golden Seasons of Grace While we hear the joyful Sound while we have praying Hours while the Spirit of God blows on our Hearts here is a Gale for Heaven The day of Grace will not always last the Shadows of the Evening seem to be stretched out Things look as if the Gospel tended a-pace to a Sun-setting Be Wise as Serpents to know what a prize is put in your Hands and with the Serpent joyn the Dove that is in improving the Seasons of Grace The Stork and Turtle not only know their Season but improve it they approach to the warmer Climate against Spring saith Pliny Here is the Serpent and Dove united knowing and improving the Day of Grace when we profit by Ordinances when we mix the Word with Faith when an Ordinance hath stamped Holiness upon us as the Seal leaves its print upon the Wax This is to improve the Seasons of Grace 8. The Serpent and the Dove Wisdom and Innocency is to be moderate yet zealous Moderation is good in some cases Phil. 4.5 Let your Moderation be known to all First Moderation is good in case of Anger When the Passions are up Moderation sits as Queen and Governess in the Soul it allays the Heat of Passion Moderation is Fraenum Irae the Bridle of Anger Secondly Moderation is good in case of Law-Suits so the Greek Word for Moderation 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is properly taken If there be a Dispute in Law between us and others we are not to take the Extremity of the Law but use Christian Equity and Mildness nay for Peace sake cedere de Iure rather part with some of our right than oppress them this much Honours the Gospel Thirdly Moderation is good in Things indifferent Things ought not to be rigorously imposed in God's Worship which are not of Divine Injunction God never made Governours of the Church to be like Pilots of a Ship to steer Men's Consciences which way they please Moderation and Christian Forbearance in Things indifferent would much tend to the Peace and Unity of the Church All this Moderation is commendable and shows the Wisdom of the Serpent but remember to joyn the Dove with the Serpent We must so exercise Moderation as withal to cherish Zeal St. Paul in some things was moderate he did not press Circumcision Act. 15.25 He was tender of laying a Yoke upon the Consciences of the Disciples but he had Zeal with his