shall not break my head David was glad of a reproof Suppose a man were in the mouth of a Lyon and another should shoot the Lyon and save the man would not he be thankful So when we are in the mouth of sin as of a Lyon and the Minister by a reproof shoots this sin to death shall not we be thankful A gracious soul rejoyceth when the sharp Lance of the word hath let out his Imposthume he wears a reproof as a Jewel on his ear Pro. 30. 12. As an ear-ring of gold so is a reprover on an obedient ear To conclude 't is convincing â—reachâ—ng must do the soul good a nipping reproof prepares for comfort as a nipping frost prepares for the sweet flowers of spring SECT X. 10. A godly man hath the Spirit of God residing in him 2 Tim. 1. 14. The Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us The Schoolmen move the question whether a man receive the Holy Ghost himself or no Montanus held that the godly have so Gods Spirit in them that they partake of his Essence and are become one person with himself but this amounts to no less than blasphemy then it would follow that every Saint were to be worshipped I conceive the spirit is in the godly per modum influxus they have the presence and receive the sacred influences of it When the Sun comes into a room not the body of the Sun is there but the beams that sparkle from it Indeed some Divines have thought that the godly have more than the influx of the spirit though to say how it is more is ineffable and is fitter for some Seraphique Pen to describe than mine The Spirit of God discovers its self in a gracious soul two wayes 1. By its motions These are some of that sweet perfume the spirit breaths upon the heart whereby it is raised into a kind of Angelical frame Quest. 1. But how may we know the motions of the Spirit from a delusion Answ. The motions of the Spirit are always consonant to the word the word is the Chariot wherein the Spirit of God rides which way the tyde of the word runs that way the wind of the spirit blows Quest. 2. How may the motions of the Spirit in the godly be distinguished from the impulses of a Natural Conscience Answ. 1. A Natural Conscience may provoke sometimes to the same thing that the spirit doth but not from the same principle Natural Conscience is a spuâ— to duty but it puts a man upon doing duties for fear of hell as the Gally tugs at the Oar for fear of being beaten whereas the spirit moves a Childe of God from a more Noble Principle it makes him serve God out of choice and esteem duty his priviledge 2. The impulses of a Natural Conscience put men only upon more facil duties of Religion wherein the heart is less exercised as perfunctory reading or praying but the motions of the spirit in the godly go further causing them to set upon the most irksome duties as self-reflection self-humbling yea perillous duties as confessing Christs Name in times of danger Divine motions are in the heart like new wine which will have vent When Gods Spirit possesseth a man it carries him full-sail through all difficulties 2. The Spirit discovers it self in the godly by its virtues These are various 1. Gods Spirit hath a teaching virtue the spirit teacheth convincingly Ioh. 16. 8. It doth so teach as it doth perswade 2. Gods Spirit hath a sanctifying virtue the heart naturally is polluted but when the spirit comes into it it works sin out and grace in The Spirit of God was represented by the Dove Embleme of Purity the spirit makes the heart a Temple for pureness and a Paradise for pleasantness The holy Oyl of Consecration was nothing else but a prefiguring of the spirit The spirit sanctifies a mans fancy causing it to mint holy meditations it sanctifies his will byassing it to good so that now it shall be as delightful to serve God as before it was to sin against him sweet powders perfume linnen so Gods Spirit in a man perfumes him with holiness and makes his heart a Map of Heaven 3. Gods Spirit hath a vivifying virtue 2 Cor. 3. 6. The Spirit giveth life As thâ— blowing in an Organ makes it sound so thâ— breathing of the spirit causeth life and moâ—on When the Prophet Elijah stretcheâ— himself upon the dead Childe it revived 1 Kin. 17. 22. so Gods Spirit stretching self upon the soul infuseth life into it As our life so our liveliness is from thâ— spirits operation Ezek. 3. 14. The Spirit lifted me up When the heart is bowed dowâ— and is listless to duty the Spirit of God lift it up it puts a sharp edge upon the affectionâ— it makes love ardent hope lively the spirâ—â— takes off the weights of the soul and gives wings Cant. 6. 12. Or ever I was aware 〈◊〉 Soul made me like the Chariots of Amminâ—â—i The wheels of the soul were before pulleâ— off and it did drive on heavily but wheâ— the spirit of the Almighty possesseth a maâ— now he runs swiftly in the ways of God anâ— his soul is as the Chariots of Amminadib 4. Gods Spirit hath a Jurisdictive virtue it rules and governs Gods Spirit sits paramount in the soul it gives check to thâ— violence of corruption it will not suffer man to be vain and loose as others The Spâ—rit of God will not be put out of office exerciseth its authority over the heart bringing every thought to the obedience of Chriâ—â— 2 Cor. 10. 5. 5. The spirit hath a mollifying virtue therefore it is compared to fire which softens the wax The spirit turns flint into flesh Ezek. 36. 26. I will give you an heart of flesh How shall this be effected Ver. 27. I will put my spirit within you While the heart is hard it lies like a log and is not wrought upon either with judgements or mercies but when Gods Spirit comes in it makes a mans heart as tender as his eye and now it is made yielding to Divine Impressions 6. The spirit of God hath a corroborating virtue it infuseth strength and assistance for work it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a spirit of Power 2 Tim. 1. 7. Gods spirit carries a man above himself Eph. 3. 16. Strengthened with might by his spirit in the inner man The spirit confirms faith animates courage it lifts at one end of the Cross and makes it lighter to be born The spirit gives not only a sufficiency of strength but a redundancy Quest. How shall we know whether we act in the strength of Gods Spirit or in the strength of our own abilities Answ. 1. When we do humbly cast our selves upon God for assistance as David going out against Goliah did cast himself upon God for help 1 Sam. 17. 45. I come to thee in the Name of the Lord. 2. When
our duties are divinely qualified we do them with pure aims 3. When we have found God going along with us we give him the glory of all 1 Cor. 15. 10. This doth clearly evince that the duty was carried on by the strength of Gods Spirit more than by any innate abilities of our own 7. Gods Spirit hath a comforting virtue disconsolacy may arise in a gracious heart as the Heaven though it be a bright lucid body yet hath interposition of Clouds this sadness is caused usually through the malice of Satan who if he cannot destroy us he will disturb us but Gods Spirit within us doth sweetly chear and revive he is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Comforter Ioh. 14. 16. These comforts are real and infallible Hence it is called the Seal of the Spirit Eph. 1. 13. When a Deed is sealed it is firm and unquestionable so when a Christian hath the seal of the spirit his comforts are confirmed every godly man hath these revivings of the spirit in some degree he hath the seminals and initials of joy though the flower be not fully ripe and blown Quest. How doth the Spirit give comfort Answ. 1. By showing us that we are in a state of Grace A Christian cannot always see his riches the work of Grace may be written in the heart like short-hand which a Christian cannot read the spirit gives him a Key to open these dark Characters and spell out his Adoption whereupon he hath joy and peace 1 Cor. 2. 12. We have received the Spirit which is of God that we might know the things which are freely given to us of God 2. The spirit comforts by giving us some ravishing apprehensions of Gods love Rom. 5. 5. The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost Gods love is a box of precious oyntment and it is only the spirit can break open this box and fill us with the sweet perfume of it 3. The spirit comforts by carrying us to the Bloud of Christ as when a man is weary and ready to faint carry him to the water and he is refreshed so when we are fainting under the burden of sin the spirit carries us to the Fountain of Christs Bloud Zac. 12. 1. In that day there shall be a Fountain opened c. The spirit inables us to drink the waters of Justification which run out of Christs sides The spirit applyes whatever Christ hath purchased it shows us that our sins are done away in Christ and though we are spotted in our selves we are undefiled in our head 4. The spirit comforts by inabling Conscience to comfort the Childe must be taught before it can speak The spirit opens the mouth of Conscience and helps it to speak and witness to a man that his estate is good whereupon he begins to receive comfort Rom. 9. 2. My Conscience bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost Conscience draws up a Certificate for a man then the Holy Ghost comes and sets his hand to the Certificate 5. The spirit conveys the Oyl of Joy through two Golden Pipes 1. The Ordinances 2. The Promises 1. The Ordinances As Christ in prayer had his countenance changed Luk 9. 29. There was a glorious lustre upon his face so often in the use of Holy Ordinances the godly have such raptures of joy and soul-transfigurations that they have been carried above the world and despised all things below 2. The Promises The Promises are comfortable 1. For their sureness Rom. 4. 16. God in the Promises hath laid his truth to pawn 2. For their suitableness being calculated for every Christians condition The Promises are like a Physick-garden there is no disease but some herb may be found there to cure it but the Promises of themselves cannot comfort only the spirit inables us to suck these Honey-combs The Promises are like a Limbeck full of herbs but this Limbeck will not drop unless the fire be put under So when the spirit of God which is compared to fire is put to the Limbeck of the Promises then they distil Consolation into the soul. Thus we see how the spirit is in the godly by its virtues Object But is this the sign of a godly man to be filled with the Spirit Are not the wicked said to partake of the Holy Ghost Heb. 6. 4. Answ. Wicked men may partake of the spirits working but not of its in-dwelling they may have Gods spirit move upon them the godly have it enter into them Ezek. 3. 24. Object But the unregenerate taste of the Heavenly Gift Heb. 6. Answ. It is with them as Cooks who may have a smack and taste of the meat they dress but they are not nourished by it Tasting there is opposed to eating The godly have not only a drop or taste of the spirit but it is in them as river of living water Iohn 7. 38. Use 1. It brands them for ungodly who have none of Gods spirit Rom. 8. 9. If any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his And if he be none of Christs then whose is he to what Regiment doth he belong 'T is the misery of a sinner he hath none of Gods spirit Me thinks 't is very offensive to hear men say Take not thy holy spirit from us who never had Gods spirit will they say they have Gods spirit in them who are drunkards and swearers Have they Gods spirit who are malicious and unclean It were blasphemy to say these have the spirit Will the blessed spirit leave his Caelestial Palace to come and live in a prison A sinners heart is a Gaol both for darkness and noysomness and will Gods free spirit be confined to a prison A sinners heart is the Embleme of Hell what should Gods spirit do there Wicked hearts are not a Temple but an Hogâ—sty where the unclean spirit makes his abode Ephes. 2. 2. The Prince of the power of the Ayr the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience We would be loath to live in an house haunted with eviâ— spirits a sinners heart is haunted Ioh. 13 27. After the sop Satan entred Satan venter upon the godly but enters into the wicked when the Devils went into the herd of swine they ran violently down a steep place into thâ— Sea Mat. 8. 32. Whence is it men run so greedily to the Commission of sin but because the Devil hath entred into these Swine 2. This cuts them off from being godly who not only want the spirit but deride it Like those Iews Acts 2. 13. These men are full of new wine And indeed so the Apostles were they were full of the wine of the spirit How is Gods spirit scoffed at by the sons of Belial These say they are men of the Spirit O wretches to make those tongues which should be Organs of Gods praise instruments to blaspheme Have you none to throw your squibs at but the spirit Deriding of
good ignorant persons cannot give God a reasonable service Rom. 12. 1. 'T is sad that after the Sun of Righteousness hath shined so long in our Hemisphere yet that persons should be under the power of ignorance Perhaps in the things of the world they are knowing enough none shall out reach them but in the things of God they have no knowledge Nahash would make a Covenant with Israel that he might put out their right eyes 1 Sam. 11. 1. The Devil hath left men their left eye knowledge in secular matters but he hath put out their right eye they understand not the Mystery of Godliness it may be said of them as of the Jews To this day the vail is upon their heart 2 Cor. 3. 15. Many Christians are no better than baptized Heathens What a shame is it to be without knowledge 1 Cor. 15. 34. Some have not the knowledge of God I speak this to your shame Men think it a shame to be ignorant in their Trade but no shame to be ignorant of God there 's no going to Heaven blindfold Isa. 27. 11. It is a people of no understanding therefore he that made them will not have mercy on them Surely ignorance in these daies is affected 't is one thing nescire another thing nolle scire 't is one thing not to know another thing not to be willing to know Iohn 3. 19. They loved darkness rather than light 'T is the Owle loves the dark Sinners are like the Athlantes a people in Aethiopia which curse the Sun Wicked men shut their eyes wilfully Mat. 13. 15. and God shuts them judicially Isa. 6. 10. 2. Are they godly who though they have knowledge yet they know not as they ought to know they know not God experimentally How many knowing persons are ignorant they have Illumination but not Sanctification their knowledge hath not a powerful influence upon them to make them better If you set up an hundred Torches in a garden they will not make the flowers grow but the Sun is influential Many are so far from being better for their knowledge that they are worse Isa. 47. 10. Thy knowledge hath perverted thee the knowledge of most makes them more cunning in sin these have little cause to glory in their knowledge Absalom might boast of the hair of his head but that hanged him so these may boast of the knowledge of their head but it will destroy them 3. Are they godly who though they have some glimmering of knowledge yet no fiducial applying of Christ Many of the Old World knew there was an Ark but were drowned because they did not get into the Ark Knowledge which is not applying will but light a man to hell it were better to live an Indian than to die an Infidel under the Gospel Christ not believed in is terrible Moses Rod when it was in his hand did a great deal of good it wrought Miracles but when it was out of his hand it became a Serpent So Christ when laid hold on by the hand of Faith is full of comfort but not laid hold on will prove a Serpent to sting Use 2. As we would evidence our selves godly let us labour for this good knowledge of the Lord What pains will men take for the atchievement of Natural Knowledge I have read of one Benchorat who spent forty years in finding out the motion of the Eighth Sphere what pains then should we take in finding out the knowledge of God in Christ There must be digging and searching for it as one would search for a vein of silver Pro. 2. 3. If thou seekest her as silver Et pluteum coedit dimorsos sapit ungues This is the best knowledge it doth as far surpass all other as the Diamond doth the Christal no Jewel we wear doth so adorn us as this Pro. 3. 15. She is more precious than Rubies Iob 28. 12 13. Man knows not the price thereof the depth saith it is not in me it cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir with the precious Onyx or the Saphire The dark Chaos was a fit Embleme of an ignorant Soul Gen. 1. 2. but when God lights up the Lamp of Knowledge in the mind what a new Creation is there How doth the Soul sparkle as the Sun in its glory This knowledge is comfortable we may say of the Knowledge of Nature as Solomon Eccles. 1. 18. He that encreaseth knowledge encreaseth sorrow The knowledge of Arts and Sciences is gathering of straw but the knowledge of God in Christ is gathering of Pearl This Knowledge ushers in Salvation 1 Tim. 2. 4. Quest. But how shall we get this Saving Knowledge Answ. Not by the power of Nature Some speak of Reason well improved how far it will go but alas the plumb-line of Reason is too short to fathom the deep things of God A man can no more by the power of Reason reach the Saving Knowledge of God than a Pigmy can reach the Pyramides The Light of Nature will no more help us to see Christ than the light of a Candle will help us to understand 1 Cor. 2. 14. The natural man receives not the things of God neither can he know them What shall we do then to know God in a Soul-saving manner I answer let us implore the help of Gods Spirit Paul never saw himself blind till a light shined from heaven Act. 9. 3. God must anoint our eyes ere we can see What needed Christ have bid Laodicea to come to him for eye-salve if she could see before Revel 3. 18. Oh! let us beg the Spirit which is a Spirit of Revelation Eph. 1. 17. Saving Knowledge is not by speculation but by inspiration Iob 32. 8 The inspiration of the Almighty giveth understanding Narrat Cassianus de Theodoro quodam qui notitia Scripturarum praeclare emicuit quam ei non tam studium lectionis contulerat quà m Spiritus Sancti Gratia siquidèm vix ipsius Graecae Linguae perpauca verba vel intelligere poterat vel proloqui quae Sancti Patris Oratio inquit Acosta non eò pertinere putanda est ut studium humanum floccipendamus sed ut hoc nobis eluoeat Divini Spiritus dono interdùm fieri ut homo plura de Sacris Scripturis Saluificè intelligat vel nuda lectione quam magna vallatus copia commentariorum alioqui assequi possit We may have excellent notions in Divinity but the Holy Ghost must inable us to know them after a spiritual manner A man may see the Figures upon a Dial but he cannot tell how the day goes unless the Sun shine We may read many Truths in the Bible but we cannot know them savingly till Gods Spirit doth shine upon us 1 Cor. 2. 10. The Spirit searcheth all things yea the deep things of God The Scripture discovers Christ to us but the Spirit reveals Christ in us Gal. 1. 16. The Spirit makes known that which all the world cannot do namely the
the spirit comes very neer to the despighting of it How can men be sanctified but by the spirit therefore to reproach that is to make merry with their own damnation Use 2. As you would be listed in the number of the godly labour for the blessed indwelling of the spirit pray with Melancthon Lord inflame my soul with thy holy spirit and with the Spouse Awake O North-wind aad come thou South blow upon my garden Cant. 4. 16. As a Mariner would desire a wind to carry him to Sea so beg the prosperous gales of the spirit and the Promise may add wings to prayer Luke 11. 13. If ye being evil know how to give good gifts unto your children how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Spirit to them that ask him Gods spirit is a rich Jewel go to him for it Lord give me thy spirit where is the Jewel thou didst promise me When shall my soul be as Gideons Fleece wet with the dew of heaven Consider how needful the spirit is without it we can do nothing acceptably to God 1 VVe cannot pray without it 't is a spirit of Supplication Zac. 12. 10. It both helps the invention and the affection Rom. 8. 26. The spirit helps us with sighs and groans 2. We cannot resist temptation without it Act. 1. 8. Ye shall receive power after the Holy Ghost is come upon you He who hath the tyde of corrupt nature and the wind of temptation must needs be carried down the stream of sin if the contrary wind of the spirit doth not blow 3. VVe cannot be fruitful without the spirit Aureus imber sitientia caelo â—orda rigans VVhy is the spirit compared to dew and rain but to show us how unable we are to bring forth a Crop of Grace unless the dew of God fall upon us 4. VVithout the spirit no Ordinance is effectual to us Ordinances are the Conduit-Pipes of Grace but the spirit is the Spring Some content themselves that they have a Levite to their Priest but never look any further as if a Merchant should content himself that his ship hath good tackling and is well manned though it never have a gale of wind The Ship of Ordinances will not carry us to heaven though an Angel were the Pylot unless the wind of Gods Spirit blow The Spirit is the Soul of the Word without which it is but a dead letter Ministers may prescribe Physick but it is Gods spirit must make it work Our hearts are like Davids body when it grew old they covered him with cloathes but he gat no heat 1 King 1. 1. So though the Minister of God ply us with prayers and counsels as with hot cloathes yet we are cold and chill till Gods spirit comes and then we say as the Disciples Luke 24. 32. Did not our hearts burn within us Oh therefore what need have we of the spirit 3. You who have the blessed spirit manifested by its energy and vital operations 1. Acknowledge Gods distinguishing love the spirit is an ear-mark of Election 1 Iohn 3. 4. Christ gave the bag to Iudas but not his spirit The spirit is a Love-token where God gives his spirit for a pawn he gives himself for a portion The spirit is an Epitomizing blessing it is put for all good things Mat. 7. 11. What were you without the spirit but as so many carkasses Without this Christ would not profit you the Bloud of God is not enough without the Breath of God Oh then be thankful for the spirit this Loadstone will never leave drawing you till it hath drawn you up to heaven 2. If you have this spirit do not grieve it Eph. 4. 30. Shall we grieve our Comforter Quest. How do we grieve the Spirit Answ. 1. When we unkindly repel the motions of it The spirit sometimes whispers in our ears and calls to us as God did to Iacob Gen. 35. 1. Arise go to Bethel So saith the spirit Arise go to prayer retire thy self to meet thy God Now when we stifle these motions and entertain temptations to vanity this is a grieving of the spirit if we check the motions of the spirit we shall lose the comforts of the spirit 2. We grieve the spirit when we deny the work of the spirit in our hearts if one gives another a token and he should deny it and say he never received it this were to abuse the love of his friend So Christian when God hath given thee his spirit witnessed by those meltings of heart and passionate breathings after heaven yet thou deniest that thou ever hadst any renewing work of the spirit in thee this is high ingratitude and is a grieving the good spirit renounce the sinful works of the flesh but do not deny the gracious work of the spirit SECT XI 11. The godly man is an humble man he is like the Sun in the Zenith which when it is at the highest shows lowest St. Austin calls Humility the Mother of the Graces but ere I show you who is the humble man I shall lay down three distinctions 1. I distinguish between being humbled and humble a man may be humbled and not humble a sinner may be humbled by affliction his condition is low but not his disposition a godly man is not only humbled but humble his heart is as low as his condition 2. I distinguish between outward humility and inward there 's a great deal of difference between an humble carriage and an humble spirit a person may carry it humbly 1. Towards others yet be proud who more humble than Absalom in his outward behaviour 2 Sam. 15. 5. When any man came neer to do him obeysance Absalom took him by the hand and kissed him But though he had an humble carriage he aspired after the Crown ver 10. As soon as ye hear the sound of the Trumpet ye shall say Absalom reigneth in Hebron Here was Pride dressed in Humilities Mantle 2. A person may behave himself humbly towards God yet be proud 1 King 21. 27. Ahab put on sackcloth and fasted and went softly but his heart was not humble A man may bow his head like a bull-rush yet lift up the Ensigns of Pride in his heart 3. I distinguish between Humility and Policy many make a shew of Humility to work their own ends The Papists seem to be the most humble mortified Saints but it is rather subtilty than humility for by this means they get the Revenues of the earth into their possession all this may be and yet no godliness Quest. How may a Christian know that he is humble and consequently godly Answ. 1. An humble soul is emptied of all swelling thoughts of himself Bernard calls Humility a Self-annihilation Iob 22. 29. Thou wilt save the humble In the Hebrew it is Him that is of low eyes An humble man hath lower thoughts of himself than others can have of him
Their houses are unhallowed houses 't is made the note of a Reprobate he calls not upon God Psal. 14. 4. Doth that indigent creature think to have an Alms who never asks it Do they think to have mercy from God who never seek it Truly then God should befriend them more than he did his own Son he offered up prayers and supplications with strong cryes Heb. 5. 7. None of Gods Children are tongue tyed Gal. 4. 6. Because ye are sons God hath sent forth the spirit of his son into your hearts crying Abba Father Creatures by the instinct of Nature cry to God Psal. 147. 9. The young Ravens which cry Psal. 104. 21. The Lyons seek their meat from God Not to cry to God is worse than bruitish 2. Others pray but it is seldome like that prophane Atheist Heylin speaks of who told God he was no common begger he never troubled him before and if he would hear him now he would never trouble him again 3. Others pray but not in the Holy Ghost Iude 20. They are rather Parrots than weeping Doves their hearts do not melt in prayer they exercise their invention more then their affection Use 2. As you would evidence the New-birth cry Abba Father be men of prayer pray at least twice a day In the Temple there was the Morning and Evening Sacrifice Daniel prayed three times a day nay so did he love prayer that he would not neglect prayer to save his life Dan. 6. 10. Luther spent three hours every day in prayer Object But what needs prayer when God hath made so many promises of blessings Answ. Prayer is the condition annexed to the Promise Promises turn upon the hinge of prayer Ezek. 36. 37. I will yet for this be enquired of by the house of Israel A King promiseth a pardon but it must be sued out David had a promise that God would build him an house but he sues out the promise by prayer 2 Sam. 7. 25. Christ himself had all the promises made sure to him yet he prayed and spent whole nights in prayer Therefore if you would be counted godly be given to Prayer Prayer sanctifies your mercies 1 Tim. 4. 5. prayer weeds out sin and waters Grace That I may encourage Christians and hold up their heads in prayer as Aaron and Hur held up Moses hands let me propound these few considerations 1. Prayer is a seed sown in Gods ears other seed sown in the ground may be picked up by the Birds but this seed especially if watred with tears is too precious to be lost 2. Consider the power of prayer The Apostle having set down the whole Armour of a Christian brings in prayer as the chief part Eph. 6. 18. Without this saith Zanchy all the rest are little worth By prayer Moses divided the Red Sea Ioshua stop'd the course of the Sun and made it stand still Iosh. 10. 13. Nay prayer made the Sun of Righteousness stand still Luke 18. 40. And Iesus stood still Prayer is the in-let to all blessings spiritual and temporal When Aurelius Antonius went against the Germans he had in his Army a Regiment of Christians who upon their earnest prayer obtained Rain for the refreshment of his Army and because of the power of their prayers he called them the Thundering Regiment Prayer hath a power in it to destroy the insolent Enemies of the Church We read the two Witnesses have a flame at their lips fire proceeds out of their mouths which devoures their Enemies Rev. 11. 5. This fire is certainly to be interpreted of their prayers David prayed Lord turn the counsel of Achitophel into foolishness 2 Sam. 15. 31. This prayer made Achitophel hang himself Moses prayer against Amalek did more than Ioshua's Sword Prayer hath a kind of Omnipotency in it it hath raised the dead overcome Angels cast out Devils it hath influence upon God himself Iacobs prayer held God Gen. 32. 26. I will not let thee go till thou bless me Prayer finds God free but leaves him bound 3 Jesus Christ prays over our prayers again he takes the dross out and presents nothing but pure gold to his Father Christ mingles his sweet odours with the prayers of the Saints Rev. 5. 8. Think of the dignity of his person he is God and the sweetness of his Relation he is a Son Oh then what encouragement is here for us to pray Our prayers are put in the hand of a Mediator though as they come from us they are weak and imperfect yet as they come from Christ they are mighty and powerful 4. The sweet promises which God hath made to prayer Isa. 30. 19. He will be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry Ier. 29. 13 14. Then shall ye go and pray unto me and I will hearken unto you and ye shall seek me and find me when ye shall search for me with all your heart And Isaiah 65. 24. Before they call I will answer and while they are yet speaking I will hear These promises keep the head of prayer above water God is bound with his own promises as Sampson was bound with his own hair Let us then double our files and with our Saviour pray yet more earnestly Luke 22. 44. Let us be importunate Suitors and resolve with S. Bernard that we will not come away from God without God prayer is a Petarr which will make heaven gates fly open Quest. How shall we do to pray aright Answ. Implore the Spirit of God Iude 20. Praying in the Holy Ghost The Holy Ghost both Indights prayer and inflames it God understands no other language but that of his spirit pray for the Holy Ghost that you may pray in the Holy Ghost SECT XIII 13. A godly man is a sincere man Iohn 1. 47. Behold an Israelite indeed in whose spirit there is no guile The word for sincere 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies sine plicis without pleats and folds A godly man is plain-hearted having no subtil subterfuges Religion is the Livery a godly man wears and this Livery is lined with Sincerity Quest. Wherein doth the godly mans Sincerity appear Answ. 1. The godly man is that which he seems to be he is a Iew inwardly Rom. 2. 29. Grace runs through his heart as silver through the veins of the earth The hypocrite is not what he seems Fronte positus Astutam vapido servans sub pectore vulpem A picture is like a man but it wants breath The Hypocrite is an Effigies a picture he doth not breathe forth Sanctity he is but like an Angel on a Sign-post A godly man answers to his profession as the Transcript to the Original 2. The godly man labours to approve himself to God in every thing 2 Cor. 5. 9. We labour that whether present or absent we may be accepted of him 'T is better to have God approve than the world applaud They that did run in the Olympick Race laboured to
never true Use 1. How opposite are they to godliness who cry down zeal and count it a Religious phrensie They are for the light of knowledge but not for the heat of zeal When Basil was earnest in preaching against the Arrian Heresie it was interpreted folly and dotage Religion is a matter requires zeal the Kingdom of heaven will not be taken but by violence Mat. 12. 11. Object But why so much fervour in Religion what becomes then of Prudence Answ. Though Prudence be to direct zeal yet not to destroy it because sight is requisite must the body therefore have no heat If Prudence be the eye in Religion zeal is the heart Quest. But where is moderation Answ. Though moderation in things of indifferency be commendable and doubtless it would much tend to the setling the peace of the Church yet in the main Articles of Faith wherein Gods glory and our Salvation lie at stake here moderation is nothing else but sinful neutrality It was Calvins advice to Melancthon that he should not so affect the name of moderate that at length he lost all his zeal Object But the Apostle presseth moderation Phil. 4. 5. Let your moderation be known to all Answ. The Apostle speaks there of moderating our passion the Greek word for moderation signifies candour and meekness opposite to rash anger and so the word is rendred in another place Patient 1 Tim. 3. 3. By moderation then is meant meekness of spirit and that is clear by the subsequent words The Lord is at hand As if the Apostle had said avenge not your selves for the Lord is at hand he is ready to avenge your personal wrongs but this doth not at all hinder but that in matters of Religion a Christian should be zealous 2 What strangers are they to godliness who have no zeal for the glory of God they can see his ordinances despised his worship adulterated yet their spirits are not at all stirred in them How many are of a dull lukewarm temper zealous for their own secular interest but have no zeal for the things of heaven hot in their own cause but cool in Gods The Lord doth most abominate lukewarm professours I had almost said hee is sick of them Rev. 3. 15. I would thou wert cold or hot any thing but lukewarm but because thou art neither cold nor hot I will spue thee out of my mouth A lukewarm Christian is but dough-baked just like Ephraim Hos. 7. 8. Ephraim is a cake not turned To keep up a form of Religion without zeal is to be like those bodies the Angels assumed which mooved but had no life in them I would ask these Tepid neutral professors this question If Religion be not a good cause why did they undertake it at first if it be why do they go so faintly about it why have they no more holy ardours of soul these persons would fain go to heaven in a soft bed but are loath to bee carried thither in a fiery Chariot of zeal Remember God will be zealous against them who are not zealous he provides the fire of hell for those that want the fire of zeal Use 2. As you would be found in the catalogue of the godly labour for zeal as good bee of no religion as not to be zealous in religion Beware of carnal policy This is one of those three things which Luther feared would bee the death of Religion Some men have been too wise to bee saved Their discretion hath quenched their zeal beware of stoth which is an enemy to zeal be zealous and repent Rev. 3. 19. Christians what do you reserve your zeal for is it for your gold that perisheth or for your lusts that will make you perish can you bestow your zeal better than upon God how zealous have men been in a false religion Isa. 46. 6. They lavish gold out of the bag and weigh silver in the ballance The Iews did spare no cost in their idolatrous worship nay Ier. 32. 35. They cause their Sons and Daughters to pass thorow the fire to Molech They were so zealous in their idol-worship that they would sacrifice their Sons and Daughters to their false Gods how far did the purblinde Heathens go in their false zeal 〈◊〉 the Tribunes of Rome complained they wanted gold in their Treasurâ—es to offer to Apollo the Roman Matrons plucked off their chains of gold and rings and bracelets and gave them to the Priests to offer up sacrifice were these so zealous in their sinful worship and will not you bee zealous in the worship of the true God can you loose any thing by your zeal shall it not bee super-abundantly recompenced what is heaven worth what is a sight of God worth was not Jesus Christ zealous for you he sweat drops of blood hee conflicted with his Fathers wrath how zealous was hee for your redemption and have you no zeal for him is there any thing you your selves hate more than dulness and slothfulness in your servants you are weary of such servants do you dislike a dull temper in others and not in your selves what are all your duties without zeal but non entia meer fancies and nullities Do you know what a glorious thing zeal is it is the lustre that sparkles from grace it is the flame of love it resembles the Holy Ghost Act. 2. 2. There appeared cloven tongues like fire which sat upon them and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost Tongues of fire were an Emblem to represent that fire of zeal which the spirit powred upon them Zeal makes all our religious performances prevalent with God When the iron is red hot it enters best and when our services are red hot with zeal they soonest pierce heaven SECT XVI 16. A godly man is a patient man Iam. 5. 11. Ye have heard of the patience of Iob. Patience is a star which shines in a dark night There is a twofold patience 1. Patience in waiting 2. Patience in bearing 1. Patience in waiting A godly man if he hath not his desire presently he will wait till the mercy be ripe Psa. 130. 6. My soul waiteth for the Lord. Good reason God should have the Timing of our mercies Isa. 60. 22. I the Lord will hasten it in his time Deliverance may tarry beyond our time but it will not tarry beyond Gods time Why should not we wait patiently upon God 1. We are servants it becomes servants to be in a waiting posture 2. We wait upon every thing else we wait upon the fire till it burns we wait upon the seed till it grows Iam. 5. 7. Why cannot we wait upon God 3. God hath waited upon us Did not he wait for our repentance How often did he come year after year before he found fruit Did God wait upon us and cannot we wait upon him A godly man is content to stay Gods leisure though the Vision tarry he will wait for
quench much light God doth not thus for a great deal of smoak he will not quench a little light he sees the sincerity and over-looks many infirmities the least sparks of grace he cherisheth and blows them gently with the breath of his spirit till they break forth into a flame 2 If Christ will not quench the smoaking flax then we must not quench the smoaking flax in our selves if grace doth not increase into so great a flame as we see in others therefore to conclude we have no fire of the spirit in us this is to quench the smoaking flax and to bear false witness against our selves as we must not credit a false evidence so neither must we deny a true fire may be hid in the embers so may grace be hid under many distempers of soul some Christians are so skilful at this in accusing themselves for want of grace as if they had received a fee from Satan to plead for him against themselves This is a great mistake to argue from the weakness of grace to the nullity it is one thing to be wanting in faith and another thing to want faith he whose eye-sight is dim is wanting in his sight but he doth not want sight a little grace is grace though it be smothered under much corruption 3 If the least spark of grace shall not bee quenched then this follows as a great truth that there is no falling from grace if the least dram of grace should perish then the smoaking flax should be quenched grace may be shaken by fears and doubtings but not blown up by the roots I grant seeming grace may be lost this wilde-fire may be blown out but not the fire of the Spirits kindling Grace may be dormant in the soul but not dead as a man in an Appoplexy doth not put forth vital operations Grace may be eclipsed not extinct a Christian may lose his comfort like a tree in Autumn that hath shed its fruit but still there is sap in the vine and the seed of God remains 1 Ioh. 3. 9. Grace is a flower of eternity This smoaking flax cannot be quenched by affliction but like those trees Pliny writes of growing in the red Sea which being beaten upon by the waves stand immoovable and though they are sometimes covered with water flourish the more grace is like a true orient Diamond that sparkles and cannot be broken I confesse it is matter of wonder that grace should not be wholly annihilated especially if we consider two things 1 The malice of Satan he is a malignant spirit and laies bars in our way to heaven the Devil with the wind of temptation labours to blow out the spark of grace in our hearts if this will not do he stirs up wicked men and raiseth the Militia of Hell against us what a wonder is it that this bright Star of grace should not be swept down with the tail of the Dragon 2 It is an amazing thing that grace should subsist if we consider the world of corruption in our hearts sin makes the major part in a Christian there is in the best heart more dregs than spirits The heart swarms with sin what a deal of pride and Atheism is in the soul now is it not admirable that this Lilly of grace should be able to grow among so many thorns it is as great a wonder that a little grace should be preserved in the midst of so much corruption as to see a Taper burning in the Sea and not extinguished But though grace lives with so much difficulty as the infant that struggles for breath yet being born of God it is immortal grace conflicting with corruption is like a Ship tossed and beaten with the waves yet it weathers out the storm and at last gets to the desired Haven If grace should expire how could this Text be verified The smoaking flax he will not quench Quest. But whence is it that grace even the least degree of it should not be quenched Answ. It is from the mighty operation of the Holy Ghost the Spirit of God who is origo originans doth continually excite and quicken grace in the heart He is every day at work in a believer he powres in oyl and keeps the Lamp of Grace burning Grace is compared to a river of life Ioh. 7. 38. The river of grace can never be driâ—d up for the Spirit of God is the Spring which feeds it Now that the smoaking flax cannot be quenched is evident from the Covenant of Grace Isa. 54. 10. The Mountains shall depart and the Hills be removed but the Covenant of my peace shall not be removed saith the Lord. If there be falling from grace how is it an immoveable Covenant If grace die and the smoaking flax be quenched wherein is our state in Christ better than it was in Adam The Covenant of Grace is called A better Covenant Heb. 7. 22. How is it a better Covenant than that which was made with Adam Not only because it hath a better Surety and contains better priviledges but because it hath better conditions annexed to it It is ordered in all things and sure 2 Sam. 23. 5. Such as are taken into the Covenant shall be as stars fixed in their Orb and shall never fall away If grace might die and be quenched then it were not a better Covenant Object But we are bid not to quench the spirit 1 Thes. 5. 19. which implies that the grace of the Spirit may be lost and the smoaking flax quenched Answ. We must distinguish between the common work of the spirit and the sanctifying work the one may be quenched but not the other The common work of the spirit is like a picture drawn upon the yce which is soon defaced The sanctifying work is like a Statute carved in gold which endures The gifts of the spirit may be quenched but not the grace there is the enlightning of the spirit and the anointing the enlightning of the spirit may fail but the anointing of the spirit abides 1 Ioh. 2. 27. The anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you The hypocrites blaze goes out the true believers spark lives and flourisheth thâ—â— one is the light of a Comet which wastes and evaporates the other is the light of a star which retains its lustre From all that hath been said let a Saint of the Lord be perswaded to these two things 1. To believe his priviledge 2. To pursue his duty 1. To believe his priviledge This is the incomparable and unparallel'd happiness of a Saint that his coal shall not be quenched That grace in his soul which is minute atâ— languid shall not give up the Ghost but recover its strength and encrease with the encrease of God The Lord will make the smoaking flax a burning lamp It were very sad that a Christian should be continually upon the Tropicks one day a member of Christ and the next day a limb of Satan one day to have