Psal 51 4. and our uneven walking before him and this spirit of God will present objects sufficient enough to us for the true humbling of us Fifthly As the Spirit of God is a Soul-Humbling so it is a sin-destroying Spirit Where the Spirit hath took up its abode in a Soul to rule every thing must be brought into subjection to it the Spirit of God must and will have the preheminence 1 Cor 1.30 God wiâ—l make all our corruptions bow and bend when once he hath given commission unto his Spirit to take dominion of the Soul for as Conscience is Gods Vicegerent on Earth Ps 119 59. v. 113. and speak it will for God So the Spirit will bear Rule and Sway for God and will never leave working in the Soul where it is until it hath brought the thought as well as the heart of man into subjection to our Lord Jesus The Spirit of God makes thorow work when it comes it is that which purifies the heart The Spirit begins at the root of the matter and if the root be good it is like the fruit will not be bad Acts 15.9 Rom. 6.12 Jam. 4.8 when the Spirit purifies the heart it proves death to our Sins and Life unto our Graces The Spirit of God will admit by no means sin to Rule in that Heart that God doth Reign in The old Man must be turned out and the new man must be received in the least sin must not have entertainment by the consent of the Spirit upon any terms for as much as sin is an enemy to Christ and a Christan Oh! Jer. 5.25 it is that which robs Christ of his Honour and a Christian of his Crown yea sin is that which keeps Christ and a Christian at a distance also and makes Christ and a Christian strange one to another Rom. 8.16 2 Cor. 3 17. As it is sin that breaks a Christians communion it is the Spirit that Reconsiles Christ to the Soul and makes up the breach again and produces peace unto the Soul where the Spirit of the Lord is there is Liberty no Liberty is or can be allowed unto sin but Liberty in the Spirit for to serve Christ By this we see the Spirit of God is a Sin-destoying Spirit Sixthly As the Spirit of God is a Sin-destoying Spirit so it is a Grace-inlarging Spirit in the Soul too When the Soul lives in the injoyment of the Spirit oh then it is Graces bud forth and blossom in the Soul and bear lovely Fruit John 6.63 2 Cor. 3.6 Luk. 7.30 Rom. 5.3 Joh. 16.33 1 Cor. 3.21 Rev. 2.10 for the Spirit is that which gives life and being unto all Graces where the Spirit is wanting Graces are dying Oh! it is the Spirit of God that supplies the Soul with good things and inriches the Soul with the Glorious Treasures of Heaven with pretious Faith in the Day of straits with patience in the hour of Tryal and Temptation with Spiritual joy in the midst of worldly sorrow In a word the Spirit will furnish the Soul with the injoyments of all things in the midst of wants What shall I say of this excellent Spirit may not I say it is Gods Messenger and a Christians Friend Oh! when ever the Spirit comes into a Soul it comes with a Message from God sometimes it hath a Commission from God to comfort and encourage us and then its Language is Be faithful to Death and I will give thee a Crown of Life At another time it is like the Message of the Spirit is for to instruct and Counsel the Soul that is when it shall hint such a thing as this to us secretly to inform us to be careful that we do not grieve it least we displease it Mark Grieve not the Holy Spirit Ephes 5 30. by which we are sealed unto the Day of Redemption Oh! let the Message the Spirit comes with be royally entertained and bid it welcome sometimes the Spirit comes with a glorious promise of Grace and Love from God and then it comes with such like language as this to the Soul Jer. 33.3 I have loved thee with an everlasting love and with my loving kindness have I drawn thee A Blessed Message and a Blessed Messenger See the work of the Spirit a Christians Help Secondly How the Spirit is a Christians Excellent Help The Spirit is an excellent Help unto a Christian at all times and in all places a true Christian knows not how to live without the Spirit he knows not how to love without it nor how to walk without it If we live in the Spirit Gal. 5.16 we shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh therefore we must conclude the Spirit is a Christians Help For the proof hereof observe these following observations First It is the work of the Spirit to help the Soul unto a true sight and sence of sin It was by the help of the Spirit the Noble Apostle of the Gentiles namely Paul came to a sight of sin Sin sayes he Rom. 7.13 14. that it might appear sin worketh death in me by that which is good meaning the Spirit of God is that thing that is good and thereby sin becomes exceeding sinful unto him it makes him cry out when he was sensible of his present state The Law is Spiritual but I am Carnal sold under sin Mark The Spirit of God doth declare the Rice and Race of sin James 1 15. for when lust is conceived it brings forth sin and sin when it is finished it brings forth Death so we see it is the Spirits work to make a clear discovery of sin unto the Soul and when once the Soul comes by the help of the Spirit unto this pitch of attainment to see sin as it is in its own appearance the Soul will not onely confess sin but bewale himself for it as David did crying out in the bitterness of his Spirit when he had a true sence upon him of it Psa 51.4 Against thee and thee onely have I sinned and done this evil in thy sight In a feeling sence doth he speak it When he is awakened by the Spirit he points at the very sin the like presidence we have in the Prodigal son when the Spirit of God gave him a sight with the sence oâ— sin the man cries out now of going unto his Father and he is resolved to say Father I have sinned against Heaven Luk. 15 18. he falls upon sin immediately and before thee though we are prodigal yet the Spirit of God it will make such fall down upon the knee of confession of sin and help them to witness sorrow for the same Luk. 15 19. And though I am not worthy to be called thy Son let me be a Servant a Token of Humility By this you may see what Blessed Work the Spirit of God makes when it comes into a Soul that it doth not give a bare sight of sin but a
of the Spirit of GOD. ROMANS 8.6 But to be Spiritually Minded is Life and Peace Doct. 2. That Mind which is truly and throughly Spiritual doth produce Life and Peace FOr the clearing of this Truth observe these following Particulars in the General First What the Spirit of God is Secondly How the Spirit is a Christians Help Thirdly How a Christian comes to attain unto the Spirit Fourthly The Characters of a true Spiritualized Christian Fifthly The Glorious priviledges of a Heavenly Christian First What the Spirit of God is First The Spirit of God is a Soul-enlightning Spirit The Creature in its first state was in a state of Darkness Ephes 5 8. Eze. 11 19. Zech. 12.1 For ye were sometimes darkness but now are you Light in the Lord walk as Children of the Light It is evident till Christ appears in the Soul the Soul is in a State of Darkness and the Way that God doâ—h usually appear is bâ— his Spirit for his Personal Presence is in Heaven but his Spiritual Presence is in the Believer This is seen by his Promise he made unto his Disciples Acts 1.11 while he was Personally among them and taking his leave of them when they expressed their trouble at the sayings of Christ when he spoke of taking of his leave of them John 16 5 6. our dear Lord is pleased for to encourage them with the Promise of his Spirit as if Christ should say though I be absent in my Person yet I will make it up with the Presence of my Spirit John 19 7. I tell you the Truth it is expedient for you that I go away for if I go not away the Comforter will not come unto you but if I depart I will send him unto you And this Spirit of Truth that shall come â—â—â—m the Father shall be an excellent Guide to us Joh. 16.13 it shall lead us 〈◊〉 â—o all Truth so the Spirit in man is called the Candle of the Lord it is that which giveth Light to man and inlightens our dark understandings the Spirit of God is that which makes a discovery of the Deep things of God 1 Cor. 2.10 Jer. 31.33 Rom. 1.16 to the Soul which cannot be understood but by such as have the Spirit yea it gives the Soul an insight into the deep Things of his Law and it is by the Spirit of God that we come to have a knowledge of our intrest in Christ and our Priviledges that we injoy by him for it is the Spirit it felf that bears witness with our Spirits that we are the Sons of God Yea it is the Golden Key of the Spirit that doth unlock the Cabinet of the Heavenly Treasure unto us till we have the Spirit we know not where our Wealth is or what it is 1 Cor. 2.9 for Eye hath not seen nor Ear heard neither hath it entred into the Heart of man the things that God hath prepared for them that love him To the end that the glorious things of God might not lie hid from us God in rich Love hath sent his Spirit for to reveal his pleasure unto us 1 Cor. 2.10 By this we may see that the Spirit of God is a Soul-enlightning Spirit Secondly As the Spirit of God is a Soul-enlightning Spirit so it is a Soul-Comforting Spirit also In the forementioned place in John our dear Lord Jesus is pleased for to put that Honourable Title upon his Spirit and calls it the Comforter Joh. 15.26 whom he did upon his word engage to send into the World the Comforting Spirit of God is a Christians Companion and the truth is let the work be never so excellent and the duty never so choice yet if the Soul meets not with the Spirit as its guide and assistant therein Psal 51 12. it comes off with loss with the want of Comfort and Refreshments from God in the duty Oh! it is the Spirit of God applying of the Promises of God in the hour of Temptation that proves a true comfort unto a Christian yea Ps 119 50. it is the Spirit of God that proves a comfort unto a Saint in all straits and difficulties if in a state of Bondage the Spirit of God procures him liberty if the World frown on him Psal 51 12. the Spirit of God will smile upon him if the Soul doth meet with inward trouble the Spirit will convey inward peace if thou lyest under the state of unbelief the Spirit will convey Faith unto thee In a word Ps 119 156. Psal 34 9. let thy wants be never so many this pretious Spirit will supply all thy wants for thee a Comforter indeed the Lord teach us to prize it Thirdly As the Spirit of God is a Soul-Comforting Spirit so it is a Soul quickening Spirit likewise It is the Spirit that quickeneth the flesh profiteth little Oh! John 6.63 that duty proves for comforting in which the Spirit appears for quickening It is the Spirit of God that makes us active for God it is the Spirit that brings us to be truly acquainted with the Word and then it is the Word that quickens us Ps 119 50. when we meet with afflictions from God And this is the comfort of a Christian in the hour of his affliction Fourthly As it is a Soul-quickening so it is a Soul-humbling Spirit That Soul that lives under the teachings of the Spirit is taught for to be humble and that soul that hath by the help of the Spirit attained unto humility is a fit Habitation for God in whom God will take delight for to dwell in and the more God doth dwell in us the more we shall live to him Isa 57.15 and the more we live to him the more we shall be free from sin and if at any time sin should get the upper hand of us it will conduce to a humbling of us if God dwell in us the work of humility is the proper work of the Spirit and the more we have of the Spirit the more we shall be in love with it Gal. 5.22 and the more humble in the enjoyment of it for it is the work of the Spirit for to keep the Creature low under the highest enjoymen s of God that Christian that knows much and boasts little in his knowledge of God it argues Col. 3.12 he hath obtained much of this humble frame of heart and lives in the enjoyments of the Spirit of God that doth prove for humbling the Soul in the sight of God the true spirit of God admits of no boasting but brings â—he Soul into a dayly sence and feeling of its own insufficiency Jer. 9.23 24. and to a sight of Christ the Fountain from whence his â—â—eams come Gal. 4.6 Oh! it is the Spirit that brings Christ and the Soul to be acquainted and the more we are acquainted with Christ the more we shall be humbled at every remembrance of our unworthiness to him
true sence of the same Secondly As the Spirit works up the Soul to a true sight and sence of sin so it makes the Soul out of love with sin Joseph without all doubt did injoy much of the assistance of the Spirit when he met with that sore temptation that was presented unto him by his Mistris who tempted him to uncleanness see Joseph's modest Answer to her wicked desire How shall I do this great evil Gen. 39 7 8 9. and sin against God An evident Testimony to prove the man out of love with sin for by no means can he condescend unto that which tends not unto the Glory of God We find David to be out of love with sin in as much as he doth declare his sorrow for sin Psal 38 18. The more we are in love with the Spirit the more we shall be out of love with sin the more the Spirit of God is at work in us the more sin shall be bewailed by us Poor Job makes a sad out-cry about his sin he cries out I have sinned what shall I do unto thee Job 7.20 O thou preserver of men Why hast thou set me as a mark against thee so that I am a burthen unto my self Mark Sin is to the Soul truly Spiritual become a burthen here is an evident Character of a Soul out of love with sin and such a Soul will say unto sin Hos 14 8. as Ephraim said unto his Idols Get ye hence sin get you out of my sight for there is a great contrariety between the Flesh and the Spirit the Spirit proclaimes open war against sin in the Soul the Spirit gives the first Onset and never leaves fighting till it comes away a Conqueror and so gets the Day Rom. 8.37 Job 33.27 28. and the Lord will preserve the Soul from going into the Pit and his life shall see the light if he shall say he hath sinned and perverted that which is writ and it profiteth me not all which must be by the help of the Spirit and if once the Spirit of God doth but enter the Castle of the Soul then all thy Carnal enemies must lay down their Arms and march out for the spirit will not admit of any under its command but such 〈◊〉 be obedient thereto oh then sin will not be thy love or deâ—ight but thou shalt see it an open enemy against God and the good of thy soul all no quarter shall it have from thee or entertainment by thee Rom. 8.7 when the spirit of God is upon thee Thirdly As it is the Work of the Spirit for to make us out of love with sin so it is the work of the Spirit to inform the Soul fully and freely of Christ It is the spirit of God that doth acquaint us with Christ's readiness to give it entertainment for the spirit in the Bride faith Come and drink of the Water of Life freely Rev. 22 17. it is the Word of God that tells us we may be welcome but it is the spirit of God that makes all welcome the free and full spirit of God is that which conveys life into the soul and makes the bitter waters that sometimes we meet with in the way to Heaven prove sweet Oh! it is the spirit that leads the soul unto the Water streams of Christs Divine Love and gives it a taste of his Excellent sweetness and begets a longing desire after Christ Oh! on such it is Christ intends to bestow his choisest Gift upon Rev. 21 6. I will give unto him that is a thirst of the Waâ—ers of Life freely such in whom the spirit doth beget this thirsting frame in the soul shall have the priviledge for to taste of the Living Water of Christ himself who is Living Water and what Christ doth he will do it freely the soul shall have the injoyment of the Living streams and his fill thereof if he will but come for it Oh! it is the spirit of God that will enjage a soul for to come unto Christ and it doth likewise beget a Holy Admiration in the soul of Christ that it cries out with David How excellent is thy loving Kindness Psal 36 7 8 9. O God Therefore the Children of Men put their trust under the shadow of thy Wings they shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy House and thou shalt make them drink of the Rivers of thy Pleasures for with thee is the Fountain of Life and in thy Light we shall see Light Such is the excellency of the spirit when it comes that it doth maintain the soul at a high rate with God the provision and royal entertainment that the soul finds in the House of God begets in the soul a dislike unto Carnal Inâ—oyments And if any person desires to be fed at this rate he must come unto Christ John 7.37 by the help of the spirit the way lies open for if any man thirst let him come unto me and drink and he shall witness in him the overflowings of Christ's sweet streams in his soul By this time you may plainly see the spirit gives us a full and free description of Christ the Excellency of his Love to us Fourthly As it is the Spirits work for to inform us of Christ so the Spirit doth beget in us a choice delight in Christ After the spirit hath given us a sight of Christ it begets in the soul a love or delight in Christ Oh! the spirit of God makes the soul in love with the very Courts of God and then it cries out with great Admiration Psal 84 1 2. How aimiable are thy Tabernacles O Lord of Hosts my Soul longs yea fainteth for the Courts of the Lord My Heart and my Flesh cryeth out for the Living God The spirit sets the soul in a holy flame yea in a longing frame after God and in an excellent frame to Praise God in a word it makes the soul for to esteem of God as its chief good Fifthly As the Spirit works up the Soul for to take delight in Christ so it helps the Soul for to walk unto the Honour of Christ Oh! the spirit is an excellent help unto a Christian to help him forward in the work of holy walking Psal 31 21. Blessed be the Lord said David for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness The spirit of God will direct a Christian in the way and not suffer him to walk out of it the spirit will also support him and comfort him in his Journey and make his way pleasant in the midst of all discouragements it meets with John 16 13. the spirit will not leave us in the dark in dubious matters it will teach the soul what course it must steer that it may arrive at the right Port at last the spirit will beget in us a still and quiet frame of Heart in all our storms we pass through that we may be in a fit capacity to hear what
The AFFLICTED and RETIRED Mans Meditations Concerning the EXCELLENCY of the SPIRIT With a Discovery of the Twofold-Mind the Danger of the one the Comfort and safety of the other First Here is observed what it is for to be Carnally minded Secondly Means to suppress a Carnal frame of Spirit Thirdly The dreadful state of a Carnal minded Man Fourthly How the Spirit is a Christians Help Fifthly Means to obtain the Spirit Sixthly The Characters of a Spiritualized Christian Seventhly The glorious Priviledges of a Spiritual minded Man And a few Meditations by way of Observation With a Dialogue between Christ and a Sinner Christ and a Christian Christ and the Afflicted Person As also a Word to the Remnant of the Womans Seed With a Loud Call to all Saints to Love one another upon the account of Son-ship and not onely upon the account of Fellowship Written by SAMUEL BRADLEY who hath Love for all that love the Lord Jesus in sincerity who prayes for Zions Unity Rom. 8.13 For if ye live after the Flesh ye shall die but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the Body ye shall live For as many as are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God John 13.35 By this shall all men know that ye are my Disciples if ye Love one another Printed for the Author in the year 1663. TO THE Impartial Reader READER FOr the satisfaction of many or any who desire to follow the Lord Jesus in sincerity I am here engaged to write a small Epistle to the furtherance propagating and owning of this following Treatise wherein is contained and couched many glorious Truths which did concern all persons to look after in former Ages of the World but now more especially we that live in this last Age wherein Errors do abound and great Mistakes do arise in many whom I desire the Lord would be pleased to help to understand between Truth and Error by his own Spirit Mat. 22.29 which is the best Teacher in the world though at this day it is much slighted and little looked after by the sons of men Christian Reader my desire is that thou wouldest be pleased carefully to read and seriously consider this following Treatise with a single heart and eye 1 Chron. 12.33 Acts 2.46 and impartial affections then doubtless in the conclusion thou wilt not think thy time ill spent I do further desire that thou mayest daily search the Scripture and bring the things contained in the ensuing Treatise to the Touchstone of God's Word to the end thou mayest with the noble Bereans of old Acts 17 11. be enabled to discern between Truth and Error between Life and Death to know wherein thy Life lieth yea wherein it doth consist 1 Thes 5.21 and labour to be obedient unto that command Try all things and hold fast that which is good And also remember my dear Friend that the Bereans were counted more noble than them of Thessalonica they hearing the words of Paul which were cried up for strange Doctrine yea Heresie at that day they searched the Scriptures daily to see whether those things Paul asserted and preached were truth or not Even so although many things herein contained may be counted rediculous or erroneous Yet courteous Reader let me desire thee to prove thy self a Berean in this matter Search the Scripture and see whether it be so or not Further my desire is that the Message may not be slighted by reason of the meanness of the Messenger but rather look upon him that sends this Message into the World observe when the great Men of the world have a Token to send unto a Friend they do not alwayes make use of rich great or noble Men to conveigh it but many times employ the meanest Servant of the family in that service to give out the token though it be never so rich a gift or pretious a jewel Rev. 17 14. 1 Tim. 6.15 Rev. 19 16. Heb. 12 25. So many times it is with the great God of Heaven and Earth who is the King of kings and Lord of lords he hath in this little Cabinet a token of his choice love for to present to you his friends nay further it is presented to you that are yet Enemies if you will but imbrace it the imbracing of it tends to Life the rejecting of it tends unto Death though sent by a mean servant and think it not strange if it be refused slighted or counted erroneous And you my Friend the Messenger be not discouraged in your labour for consider the best Doctrine the truest Doctrine the gloriest Tidings and rarest Sermon that ever was preached by the mouth of our dear Lord Jesus himself was by the Scribes and Pharisees rejected and also questioned where he had his Doctrine and said He had a Devil and was Mad. The blessed Apostle Paul was also counted and called a Pestilent fellow a teacher of strange Doctrines a Ringleader of Sectaries a Turner of the World upside down Acts 17 6. vers 18 Acts 24 14. and what not yet after that way which they called Heresy did this blessed Apostle worship the God of his Fathers believing all that was written Reader if in this little Treatise you meet with any thing doth not agree with the Word of God and the doctrine according to godliness after diligent search and due enquiry into the Scripture the pretious word of God renounce it as not worthy the owning or imbracing I shall speak by way of allusion to the noble Apostle in another case I do judge the Author hath the Spirit of God by which this ensuing Discource was penned I speak the truth of God I lie not Though true it is the dearest of Gods children are subject to miscarry yea many failings and temptations doth attend them and the Lord did formerly suffer the Author hereof in measure to fall yet through mercy not totally nor finally but he is recovered out of the horrible pit and out of the miry clay and the Lord hath set him upon a rock Psal 40 2 3. and established his goings and put a new song into his mouth in making of him since instrumental in turning many souls to righteousness notwithstanding those foul Jer. 20.10 false and scandalous reports are gone forth concerning him yea many hard speeches thoughts have arisen not only from the world but from many who I hope Job 19.2 vers 3. vers 4. are the pretious Sons of Sion This one thing as one who doth tender the Cause of Christ and much honour the pretious Sons and Daughters of Sion do I beg of you Let no hard thoughts or evil reports any more take place in your affections without good enquiry of the same This I urge the more for that tender love I bear unto Christ and his Truths Cause Kingdom and People and I dare not speak or write more then I do know or can affirm concerning the Author Mark since
his Carnal Mind the deeper he falls into sin and the more he sins the higher he aggravates his misery and if his Carnal Mind is not changed and so leave him before Death seize on him the man is for ever undone without recovery Now all these things considered it should make us dread the thoughts of being Carnally minded So I proceed to the second Particular namely to lay down some Particular Helps which may with the Blessing of God prevent a Carnal frame of Heart The first Means to prevent a Carnal Frame of Heart First Soul wilt thou prevent a Carnal frame of Heart from seizing on thee Labour and likewise endeavour to get thy heart in Heaven whil'st thou art upon earth It is that which is much the concernment of a Christian to settle his Heart upon his Treasure Now where is a Christians Treasure but in Heaven therefore a Christians Heart should be in Heaven Oh! this was the Blessed Doctrine that flowed from the Lips of our dear Lord Jesus Where your Treasure is Luk. 12 34. there will your hearts be also It is usually seen in things Temporal that where mens Treasure is there is their Hearts as for example the Rich mans Treasure is his Riches where is the mans heart upon his Riches The Honourable mans Honour is his Treasure and his heart is upon it Another mans Treasure is his Pleasure and his Heart is setled there so a true Christians Treasure is in Christ and his heart is affected with none but Christ It was the Fathers pleasure to enrich his Son with the Treasure of Wisdom and Knowledge to the end that we might be enriched by him Col. 2.3 For of his fulness shall we all receive Grace for Grace Do we live by him and shall we not be in love with him Joh. 1.16 Shall all our comforts and special enjoyments of Grace and Happiness flow from him and shall not we live to him Shall Dear Jesus protect us and also bless us with Spiritual Blessings in Heavenly places and shall we not own him to be our Soveraign Lord the King Oh! shall Christ manifest love to us and shall we manifest unkindness unto him Shall Christ set his Heart upon us and shall we set out Hearts upon any besides him Oh! shall Dear Jesus be willing to give Royal entertainment to us and shall we be unfree for to entertain him Oh! what an unbecoming frame is this that the Lord of Life shall vouchsafe for to stoop unto us and what shall we not bow unto him Shall the Prince of Darkness have entertainment by us and shall not the Prince of Peace have room in out Hearts What Soul is Christ free to die that thou mayest live and wilt not thou live to him that died for thee If this should be true doth it not plainly appear our Hearts are not where they should be on Christ a Christians Treasure Soul learn to live more in the sence of his Love to thee and then it will grieve thee that he is not more loved by thee labour to keep in remembrance the excellency of his love Rom. 8.32 Ho 14 4. Jer. 31.3 the freeness of his Grace the fulness of his Bowels and Affection and the everlastingness of his kindness towards thee and then see whether or no he will not be the object of thy love and delight continually To get our hearts in Heaven will conduce much to the weaning of our hearts off from the Earth The more we exercise our thoughts upon Heaven and Heavenly things the more we shall loath those things that are Carnal Yea the more we exercise our minds upon those things that are Spiritual the less we shall mind the things that are Carnal and the more we set our affections on things that are above the less we shall affect the things beneath In a word Soul wouldst thou enjoy more the Spiritual and less of the Carnal mind Labour for to carry thy self a stranger to that which is a stranger to Christ and be not a companion for those that will not keep company with Christ The second Means to prevent the Carnal Mind If thou wouldst be set free or delivered from a Carnal Frame of Heart exercise thy self then in those things that tend much unto the Honour of God Prov. 3.9 1 Sam. 2.20 1 Thes 4.4 Study more the Honour of God than thy own good let God be Honoured by thee what ever becomes of thee If thou wouldest have thy Heart kept from a Carnal Frame be active for God labour for to promote the Works of Holiness let every opportunity be improved for Christ and let our works be so managed that in what we do let us propound unto our selves such aims and ends that may tend to the advancing of the Name and Glory of Christ Jer. 13.16 Acts 12 23. 1 Cor. 1.31 that it may evidently appear to the view of all that our minds in such proceedings are not Carnal If we would Honour God in what we would do for God let nothing be attributed unto the creature but let us set the Crown upon the Head of Christ If any thing be done that savours of the Spiritual Mind know that it is Gods own Work and Stamp in thy Soul therefore ascribe all Glory to him are we redeemed from the Carnal Mind in any measure the work of the flesh or the old Nature then here is no cause of boasting for us For it is not by Works of Righteousnesse that we have done but according unto his mercy he hath saved us by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit which is richly shed on us Tit. 3.5 6. through Jesus Christ our Lord. So that God hath left nothing to feed the Carnal Mind with but if we have any thing to Glory in it is in the Free and Rich Grace of God in Christ for it is by his Grace that we are justified and not by our works Tit. 3.7 It is by the Grace of God in Christ we become Heirs according to the Hope of Eternal Life It doth much tend unto the Glory of God and the preventing of the Carnal Mind to give that Honour to Christ that is due unto him and then it will appear that we so do when we can lay our own Righteousoness or what ever it is that we can call ours at the Foot of Christ and be found in him not having our own Righteousness which is by the Law Phil. 3.9 and to be found in the Righteousness of God by Faith Oh! this is that which tends to the Glory of God when we thus advance Christ and make him the top of our Glory and not our own Righteousness yea this is that which is a great means to prevent the Carnal Mind The third Means to prevent a Carnal Frame of Heart Thiâ—â—ly The third Means by which we may prevent a Carnal Frame of Heart is For to fix our eyes upon Spiritual Objects
Breast of my Mother when shall I find Thee without Oh! I would have a Kiss of thee dear Jesus I would not be despised Oh! It is a choice Meeting indeed when Christ and a Christian meets together they are loath to part one from another Oh! this should teach us for to inquire out this pleasant path Cant. 3.4 that we might walk therein for it is a Christians Priviledge to walk with Christ whose Path is pleasant and lovely also So I come to Application The first Use of Information Is it true as hath been here laid down that the pretious Spirit of God is a Soul-Enlightning a Soul-Comforting a Soul-Quickning a Soul-Humbling a Sin-Destroying and a Grace-Inlarging Spirit this may teach us then for to have an high and honourable esteem of the Spirit of God Oh! make it the Man of thy Counsel take it in and give it royal Entertainment for the more entertainment we give it the more spiritual Advantage shall we gain by it Psa 34.9 Oh! it is a Salve for every Sore it will produce Light unto the blind Eye Comfort to the sad and dejected Soul it will quicken the dead and drousie Christian it serves for the molifiing of the proud hard and obstinate Heart and it will bring the Soul into a humble holy frame and put the Soul into a choice capacity to be serviceable for God Psal 25 9. Ephes 6 10. for The Meek will he guid in Judgement and the Humble will he teach his Way Oh! the Spirit will bring down the stoutest Lust or Corruption that is which makes a poor Christian to groan the Spirit will draw our Affections to a holy Conformity and blessed Subjection to the Will of Christ and it is the Spirit of God that causes Grace to bud and blosom in the Soul Zech. 12.10 2 Pet. 3.18 Psa 84.11 and to bring forth increase of Fruit for God Oh! it doth much concern us to set an high estimation of the Spirit therefore for it is the Messenger that brings us good news from Heaven continually Let us therefore bid it welcome and give it royal Entertainment when it shall come and let us open the doors of our Hearts to it for it is a Friend that will be mighty helpful to us in the puting of us forward unto the good Land Acts 20.32 it will give us an Inheritance with the Saints in Light for if any appear in the last day before Jesus Christ without the Seal and witness of the Spirit it will prove a sad day unto them they shall find the Gates of Heaven fast shut against them when the Bridegroom wiâ—h his Bride shall enter into the Kingdom and with his glorious Train and heavenly Attendance Isa 35.10 shall be singing of the Songs of Hallelujah in the heighth of Zion Therefore in a word let us make it our first and our choice Work to get a true Acquaintance with the Spirit of God and indeavour at all times to cherish the least appearance of it in our Souls and by no means at any time grieve it when it comes with its divine Message from its Master the Lord of Life 1 Thes 5.19 least the Spirit of God come in as a swift Witness against us in the Day of Christ saying Lord when I came with thy Message unto the creature they would upon no terms hearken unto it Pro. 28.10 Matt. 13.16 Matth. 13.22 Mark 4 19. Isa 28.10 1 Thes 5.19 but did stop their ears and set their Hearts against my Message at other times my Message was drowned by the confused noise of Carnal Reason and worldly care unlawful doubts and slavish fears at other times they did violence unto me by smothering my Powerful Raps that I made at the door of their consciences and would not hear a word if it were to save their Lives and Souls also Lord oftentimes I have come Line upon line and Precept upon precept with a little at one time and with a little at another time Oh! then they used all means for to squench my sweet Motions and grieve me till at last dear Lord I was fain to leave my message behind me as a testimony against them This charge amounts very high What remains now saith God but a fearful looking for judgment sinner notwithstanding all my Long-suffering forbearance Rom. 2.4 John 3.16 and my great love that I manifested unto you in sending of my Son to die for you and my sweet Spirit to manifest my Son to you Have you thus sinfully denyed me and shamefully rewarded me evil for good what may we expect now but the dreadful sentence from God to be uttered Matth. 25.41 Prov. 1.24 to 30. Depart from me ye Workers of Iniquity I know you not Nay God will say The time was that when I wo ed you and Intreated you by my Messenger early and late that you would not hearken unto my counsel and would hear none of my reproof I will mock when your fear cometh and then you shall call but I will not answer and though you shall seek me early you shall not find me Oh! let the consideration of these things therefore put us speedily upon the work of giving real and royal entertainment unto the Spirit when it comes and by no means turn it back least it be grieved and we wounded thereby so much may suffice for this Use The second Vse of Examination Is it true as you have heard that it is the work of the Spirit of God for to help the Soul to a true sight and sence of sin and to work the Soul out of love with sin and help a Soul to a sight of the Excellency of Christ and beget in the Soul a delight in Christ and direct the Soul to walk unto the Honour of Christ by which means it attains unto choice Communion with Christ Isa 3.9 Isa 5.18 Numb 32.23 Gen. 4.7 2 Cor. 7.11 Rom. 8.7 It is much our concernment for to make a strict and diligent search into our own Hearts to inquire whether we are sensible of what dishonour sin doth bring unto God besides a wound unto our own Souls for it is sin that breaks the Peace between us and our dear Lord Jesus it makes Christ and a Christian strange one to another Oh! how should this beget a Spiritual revenge in our Souls against this grand Enemy that is continually making war against us Oh! this should beget in us enmity against that which is a constant enemy unto the Lord come let us examine our selves whether we see sin in its right shape Oh! then it will beget a dislike in our Souls to it for when Satan that cunning deceiver comes for to deceive he puts a new face upon an old sin Gen. 3.4 vers 5. and gives it a new name to the end we may be taken with his Bates as covetousness is called by the name of Good Husbandry and drunkenness by the name of Good-Fellowship
to the end he may the better carry on his design for to deceive but the Spirit is an excellent help unto us for to find out the cunning deceit of Satan and where ever it comes Psal 51 7. it will never leave the Soul till it hath made it out of love with sin Come let us examine our selves Is that sin which was before our love and delight become now our great burthen Is that sin which was as a right eye Mat. 5.29 or as a right hand to us that was so near and dear once that it must be dandled in the lap of our Affections and lie in our Bosome Is it now turned out and discovered as the great disturber of the Family and by no means must have aboad therein Oh! then it is plainly known and understood who hath the full possession of the House namely the Spirit who brings Joy and Peace along with it for the Messenger of the Spirit Gal. 5.22 is an Embassador that makes Peace Oh! hast thou a sight of Christ and art thou not made thereby in love with Christ for a true sight of Christ doth oftentimes beget a true love to Christ Soul hast thou heard his Voice and seen his Face Cant. 2.14 tell me what is thy approbation concerning him then Is he not excellent in Beauty and Virtue Is not he become your Lord as well as your Love to rule you as well as to comfort you Examine is it not your joy when you can but hear from him and much more your joy when you can get a sight of him O! is not his company your delight is not his absenting the cause of your lamenting Oh! is dear Jesus so much become your joy and delight that you can say None but his presence will content you Phil. 3.7 that if you have the injoyment of all things and have not Christ it will not content you In truth can we say he is so much loved by us that upon no terms would we do the thing that may displease him Cant. 3.5 Eph. 4.1 Eph. 5.15 Col. 1.10 Col. 2.6 Col. 4.5 Gen. 5.22 Prov. 3.13 Cant. 3.4 or grieve him Oh! do we make our study so to walk that we may be an Honour unto Christ a credit unto the Gospel and a comfort to our souls can we say That path where Christ is not I find no content to walk therein Doth our walking conduce unto the promoting of Christ's Honour and Glory Oh! then let sin or Satan rap at our door for entertainment they shall find none Nay though Satan should be very solicitous to have a lodging in the room of our Hearts yea but for one night the Soul will sharply give him his answer with a flat denyal the Reason is saith the Soul My Lord is at home as for sin and Satan they must be gone here is no entertainment can be had no not for a night for our dear Lord hath took full possession and where Christ hath took full possession in a Soul sin nor Satan cannot have a Habitation Soul hast thou Communion with Christ Oh! happy art thou then prize thy Communion what ever thou dost let not Christ and thee part but labour to set thy heart upon that which will conduce to the enlargement of thy Communion Oh! the more acquaintance thou getest with the Spirit of God the higher thou shalt be in Communion with Christ Eph. 4.30 Art thou very tender of the Spirit for it is a tender thing soon grieved and soon gone and if once the Spirit takes its leave of thee then farewel Christ and Communion too for it is the Spirit of Christ that maintains our Peace and Communion with God this doth much concern us for to secure the Spirit and keep it in our possession Rom. 8.9 or else all is like to run to ruine then Satan will make a prey of us is the Spirit active and at work within examine Soul danger is near when the Spirit hath lost its Motion it is not like to go well with that Soul in whom the Spirit is clouded by sin therefore if we intend to take our fill of Christ let us take our fill of the Spirit Ephes 5 18. and drink deep draughts thereof yea then shall we be fit and free to serve the Lord and witness choice eminent sweet and constant Communion with Christ Oh! let us set an high and Honourable esteem on the Spirit therefore for it will prove ouâ— friend in the time of need Rom. 8.26 and be a help to us when all other helps shall fail us The third Use of Exhortation Oh! doth God give forth his choice Spirit as his gift by virtue of his Promise in the way of the New Covenant Then here is blessed encouragement for poor sinners for to make out after Christ Isa 55.6 for it is his delight for to do them good in order for their good he gives down his Spirit for their further encouragement Soul remember it comes as a free gift it is not what you have Isa 55.1 2. or can have shall buy it for our dear Lord is resolved for to give it freely God requires no more but ask and you shall have it Oh! let but Christ know thy mind and he will supply thy wants he will bestow upon thee such a Spirit as shall Administer help and Spiritual relief to thy poor distressed Conscience in all straits be they never so bad if thou art blind he will annoint thy Eyes with Eye-salve that thou mayest see Rev. 3.18 if thou art cast down under the sight and sence of sin by which thou art ready to cry out Thou art undone The Spirit will bring a Promise of the pardon of sin for thy comfort Isa 43.25 26. John 6.63 Rom. 8.11 Eze. 11 19. Rom. 6.14 if thou complainest of deadness in Holy Duties or Spiritual Gospel Ordinances the Spirit of God serves for the quickening of thy heart therein Soul if thou lyest under the bitter complaints of a hard Heart the Spirit of God will soften it for thee and make it new in a moment and humble thy Heart for thee and if thou findest sin too hard for thee and thy iniquities too many for thee to incounter with the Spirit will conquer thy sins for thee Soul if thy complaint be Graces are dead and thou art undone the Spirit will renew Grace in thee and keep it alive in thy Soul and make thee live a comfortable life indeed Remember Soul when ever thou goest to God in the true sence of the want of the Spirit to put God in mind of his own promise for he hath ingaged by promise Joel 2.28 for to give down the Spirit a Christians Excellent Help and forget not to put God in mind how he hath bound himself by covenant by the confirmation of an Oath to give down the spirit All which doth much conduce to our encouragement to wait at the
that my Blood you can apply 1 John 1.7 Jer. 31.3 Cant. 6.3 Cant. 7.11 by promise sweet and choice Then sure for you I then did die Oh! hearken to my Voice That calls you up into my Throne Rev. 21.9 2 Tim. 2.12 Rev. 14.7 Rev. 2.17 to reign with me indeed To Worship me and me alone and on my Dainties feed Sin A Rebbel I have been to thee wilt thou such Rebbels own From Rebellion I am not free nor have I thy Lawes known Chr. Oh! Psa 68.18 John 17.5 Ephe. 4.8 Isa 29.28 for Rebbels I did ascend unto my Father dear That gifts on them I might bestow that they might my Law hear Sin A Prodigal Lord I have been and wasted my Estate Guilty have been yea of all Sin thy sweet wayes I did hate Chr. If thou return I will thee meet Luk. 15.18 Luk. 15.20 vers 22. Heb. 12.1 with Kisses I 'l imbrace And tenderly I 'l thee intreat to run the Canaan Race The fatted Calfe I will prepare Luk. 15.32 Pro. 9.1 2 3 Rom. 5.1 Isa 65.1 and Dainties of all kind I 'l visit thee with Love most rare my Presence thou shalt find The best of Robes thou shalt put on Luk. 15.22 Psa 45.13 Psal 149.6 and cloathed be therein My rich Attire it is at band and Praises thou shalt sing Sin A Back-slider Oh! sure am I a Mighty one also And for Back-sliding I must die unto Hell I must go Chr. Come thy Back-slidings I will heal and love thee too also Hos 14.4 My Love is free come thou shalt see to thee thou shalâ— it know Sin Oh! 〈…〉 and sure undone there 〈…〉 me My misery is â—ureâ—â—â—un from it I cannot flâ—e Chr. For such as are judg'd to be lost Luk. 19.10 Heb. 7.25 I did come to seek out And will them save yea from the Grave John 17.12 of Hell without all doubt Sin My Sin is great yea unbelief Jesus what shall I do To Hell I go yea I do know to Heaven must goe but few Chr. Ephe. 2.8 Rev. 3.12 Heb. 9.28 Rev. 2.17 I 'le give thee Faith as my free gift and mark thee for my own Hell do not fear I will appear and give you the white Stone Sin But the new Name I do not know nor yet do understand How shall I then to Heaven go and with the Lamb there stand Chr. 2 Pet. 1.4 Rom. 8.17 Psal 23.6 The new Name and the Nature too thou shalt come for to know A better Name than Sons indeed my Love shall overflow Sin The old Nature seems to abide Jesus what shall I do It ofteâ—â—r 〈◊〉 thy Presence hide my Graces are but few Chr. The Divine Nature it shall come 2 Pet. 1.4 thy Vessel to possess The Presence of the holy One Psa 23.2 Cant. 5.1 with Grace shall thy Soul bless Sin How long O Lord will it then be before that thou wilt come That thy sweet Presence I might see Oh! thou the mighty One Chr. Behold I come yea like a Roe Cant. 2.17 Rom. 8.32 over the Mountains great My Father's Love you then shall know come to him I intreat Sin Will not my Sins prevent thee Lord and keep thy Presence out That thy sweet Voice may not be heard of this I am in doubt Chr. True Sinner Jer. 5.25 1 John 1.7 't is thy Sin that doth prevent the Lord of Life It hinders thy Communion sweet my Blood shall end the strife Sin Lord from my Sins I would depart come help me now I pray To follow thee with all my Heart and honour thee alway Jer. 32.40 Isa 43.25 Chr. My fear in thy Heart I will put from me thou shalt not part As for thy Sins I 'le blot them out Eze. 11.19 and give thee a new Heart Sin Oh! welcome Christ let Sin then die and never more now reign That I thy Name may magnifie also thy Love proclaim Chr. Sin shall not have dominion then but conquered shall be Rom. 6.14 Psal 71.8 Luk. 16.22 My Praises then Oh! thou shalt sing and in my Bosom be Thou shalt indeed then take thy fill of Joy for evermore Psal 16.11 Psal 47.7 Prov. 2.6 Luk. 24.45 And witness dayly heavenly skill my Praise set forth therefore Sin Sin still doth reign makes me complain therewith I burthened am Lord set me free in Bonds I be help me to see the Lamb. Chr. Rom. 6.12 vers 14. Rev. 13.8 1 John 29. Sin shall not reign Satain would fain a Captive make of thee I am the Lamb for thee was slain to set the Captive free Sin Lord let me know how for to go by Faith unto thy Son A promise fain I would obtain or else I am undone Chr. Ephes 2.8 Faith I 'le thee give and thou shalt live a promise it shall come Acts 1.4 I 'le the Unite thou shalt relate John 14.3 to 'th Father and the Son Sin One smile from thee Lord let me see and then I shall rejoyce Come set my soul at liberty that I may hear thy voice Chr. Soul I am nigh to hear thy cry Psal 34.15 vers 17. Psal 145.19 supply to thee shall come I 'le set the free from misery for thee I will then own Sin Unworthy Lord I am indeed of such choice favour to Injoy from thee Oh! let me see what for me thou wilt do Chr. I will present thy great complaint Heb. 7.25 Jer. 31.34 Jer. 32.40 unto my Father dear And thou shalt see that he will be thy God Oh! do not fear Rom. 6.6 Exo. 33.19 Exod. 34.6 2 Cor. 3.18 Thy sin shall die he 'l Magnifie his Rich his choice free Grace In setting thee at Liberty and thou shalt see his Face Sin Oh! pretious Lord do thou afford to me thy Grace most sweet Come cleanse my heart to me impart a change I do intreat Chr. I 'le cleanse thy heart I will impart Deut. 30.6 Luk. 11.13 Jer. 31.3 Phil. 2.13 Psal 110.3 Luke 1.79 Psal 16.11 Jer. 50.20 my Spirit thou shalt find I will thee give a cleansed heart and to thee I 'le be kind I 'le change thy will I will be still thy God and eke thy guide In my sweet presence thou shalt dwell and thy great sins I 'le hide A Pretious Conference BETWEEN CHRIST and a CHRISTIAN Christ COme take thy fill of Love most choice and Consolation high Cant. 5.1 Rev. 2.29 Cant. 1.13 And give attention to my Voice and in my bosom lie Christian True Lord thy love it is most rare Communion I would have Oh! give it down and do not spare thy bosom loves I crave Christ When thou an out-cast wert indeed Ezek. 16.5 Prov. 9.2 Cant. 2.4 I then did take thee in And at my Table made thee feed on dainties choice and sing Christian Yea Lord when unlovely I was yet lovely in thy sight I in my Blood thou seest it