the children of God present Christ in the Arms of their Faith 2. The prayers of Gods children indited by the Spirit are ardent prayers Ye have received the Spirit whereby we cry Abba Father Rom. 8.15 Father that implies Faith we cry that implies fervency The incense was to be laid upon burning coals Lev. 16.12 The incense was a type of prayer the burning coals of ardency in prayer Elias prayed earnestly Jam. 5.17 In the Greek it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Verbis addita verbalia apud Hebraeus vehementiam significant Grot. IN PRAYING HE PRAYED that is he did it with vehemency †in prayer the heart must boyle over with heat of affection Prayer is compared to groans unutterable * Rom. 8.26 it alludes to a woman that is in pangs We should be in pangs when we are travelling for mercy such prayer commands God himself Isa 45.11 3. The prayers of Gods children are heart-cleansing prayers they purge out sin many pray against sin and sin against prayer Gods children do not only pray against sin but pray down sin 3. The Spirit of God hath a witnessing work in the heart Gods children have not only the influence of the Spirit but the witness Rom. 8.16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God There is a three-fold witness a child of God hath the witness of the Word the witness of Conscience the witness of the Spirit the Word makes the major Proposition He who is in such a manner qualified is a childe of God Conscience makes the minor but Thou art so divinely qualified the Spirit makes the conclusion therefore Thou art a child of God The Spirit joyns with the witness of Conscience Rom. 8.16 The Spirit witnesseth with our spirits The Spirit teacheth Conscience to search the Records of Scripture and finde its evidences for heaven it helps conscience to spell out its name in a promise it bears witness with our spirit Quest Quest But how shall I know the witness of the Spirit from a delusion Answ Answ The Spirit of God always witnesseth according to the Word as the Eccho answers the voyce Enthusiasts speak much of the Spirit but they leave the Word That inspiration which is either without the Word or against it is an imposture The Spirit of God did indite the Word 2 Pet. 1.21 Now if the Spâ—rit should witness otherwise than according to the Word the Spirit should be divided against it self it should be a spirit of contradiction witnessing one thing for a truth in the Word and another thing different from it in a mans conscience 4. The fourth sign of Gods children is Zeal for God they are zealous for his Day his Truth his Glory they who are born of God are impatient of his dishonour Moses was cool in his own cause but hot in Gods when the people of Israel had wrought folly in the golden Calf he breaks the Tables When Saint Paul saw the people of Athens given to Idolatry his spirit was stirred in him Acts 17.16 In the Greek it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his spirit was imbittered or as the word may signifie he was in a Paroxysme or burning fit of zeal He could not contain but with this fire of zeal dischargeth against their sin As we shall answer for idle words so for sinful silence it is dangerous in this sense to be possessed with a dumb Divel David saith the zeal of Gods house had eaten him up Psal 69.9 Many Christians whose zeal once had almost eaten them up now they have eaten up their zeal they are grown tepid and neutral the breath of preferment blowing upon them hath cooled their heat I can never believe that he hath the heart of a childe in him that can be patient when Gods glory suffers Can an ingenuous childe endure to hear his father reproached though we should be silent under Gods displeasure yet not under his dishonour When there is an holy fire kindled in the heart it will break forth at the lips zeal tempered with holiness is the white and sanguine which gives the foul its best complexion Of all others let Ministers be impatient when Gods glory is impeached and eclipsed A Minister without zeal is like salt that hath lost its savour Zeal will make men take injuries done to God as done to themselves It is reported of Chrysostom that he reproved any sin against God as if he himself had received a personal wrong * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Let not Ministers be either shaken with fear or seduced with flattery God never made Ministers to be as false glasses to make bad faces look fair for want of this fire of zeal they are in danger of another fire even the burning lake Rev. 21.8 into which the fearful shall be cast 5. Those who are Gods children and are born of God are of a more noble and celestial spirit than men of the world they minde 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 things above * Col. 3.2 1 John 5.4 Whatsoever is born of God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 overcometh the world The children of God live in an higher Region they are compared to Eagles Isa 40.31 in regard of their sublimeness and heavenly-mindedness their souls are fled aloft Christ is in their heart Col. 1.27 and the world is under their feet Rev. 12.1 Men of the world are ever tumbling in thick clay they are terrae filii not Eagles but Earth-worms the Saints are of another spirit they are born of God and walk with God as the childe walks with the father Noah walked with God Gen. 6.9 Gods children shew their high Pedigree in their heavenly Conversation Phil. 3.21 6. Another sign of Adoption is love to them that are children Gods children are knit together with the bond of love as all the members of the body are knit together by several nerves and ligaments If we are born of God then we love the brotherhood 1 Pet. 2.17 Idem est motus animae in imaginem rem he that loves the person loves the picture The children of God are his walking pictures and if we are of God we love those who have his Effigies and Pourtraiture drawn upon their souls If we are born of God we love the Saints notwithstanding their infirmities Children love one another though they have some imperfections of nature a squint-eye or a crooked back We love gold in the Oar though it have some drossiness in it the best Saints have their blemishes We read of the spot of Gods children Deutr. 32.5 A Saint in this life is like a fair face with a scar in it If we are born of God we love his children though they are poor we love to see the image and picture of our father though hung in never so poor a Frame we love to see a rich Christ in a poor man And if we are children of the Highest we shew our love to Gods children 1. By prizing their persons
Basil calls anger drunkennesse and Hierom saith there are more drunken with passion than with wine Seneca calls anger brevis insania a short fit of madnesse sometimes it suspends the use of reason in the best things we are coole enough in Religion we are all yce in contention all fire How unbeseeming is rash anger how doth it disguise and disfigure Homer saith of Agamemnon that when he did moderate his passion he resembled the gods he was like Jupiter in feature like Pallas in wisdom but when he was in his fury he was a very Tyger nothing of Jupiter did appear in him as Plato counselled the great Revellers and drinkers of his time that they should view themselves in a glasse when they were in their drunken humour and they would appear loathsome to themselves So let a man disguised with passion view himself in the glasse and sure he would ever after be out of love with himself Ora tument ira nigrescunt sanguine venae Ephes 4.26 27. Let not the Sun go down upon your wrath neither give place to the Divel Oh saith one he hath wrong'd me and I will never give place to him but better give place to him than to the Divel an hasty spirit is not a meek spirit Caution Caution Not but that we may in some cases be angry There is an holy anger that anger is without sin which is against sin meeknesse and zeal may stand together in matters of Religion a Christian must be cloathed with the spirit of Eliah and be full of the fury of the Lord Jer. 6.11 Christ was meek Mat. 11.29 yet zealous John 2.14 15. The zeal of Gods house did eat him up 2. Meekness is opposed to malice malice is the Divels picture John 8.44 Malice is mental murder 1 John 3.15 it unfits for duty How can such a man pray I have read of two men that lived in malice who being asked how they could say the Lords prayer one answered he thank'd God there were many good prayers besides The other answered when he said the Lords prayer he did leave out those words As we forgive them that trespass against us But Saint Austin brings in God replying Because thou dost not say my prayer therefore I will not hear thine * Quia tu non dicis meam ego non audiam tuam Were it not a sad judgement if all that a man did eat should turn to poyson to a malicious man all the holy Ordinances of God turn to poyson the table of the Lord is a snare he eats and drinks his own damnation a malicious spirit is not a meek spirit 3. Meekness is opposed to revenge malice is the scum of anger and revenge is malice boyling over malice is a vermin lives on blood revenge is Satans Nectar and Ambrosia * Nihil Diabolo gratius Luth. this is the savoury meat which the malicious man dresseth for the Divel the Scripture forbids revenge Rom. 12.19 Dearly Beloved avenge not your selves this is to take Gods office out of his hand who is called the God of recompences Jer. 51.56 and the God of vengeance Psal 94.1 This I urge against those who challenge one another to Duels indeed spiritual Duels are lawful it is good to fight with the Divel James 4.7 Resist the Divel 'T is good to Duel with a mans self the regenerate part against the carnal Blessed is he that seeks a revenge upon his lusts 2 Cor. 7.11 Yea what revenge but other Duels are unlawful Avenge not your selves The Turks though a barbarous people did in Ancient times burn such as went to Duel in their sides with hot coals of fire they who were in heat of revenge were punished sutably with fire Object But if I am thus meek and tame in bearing of injuries and incivilities I shall lose my credit it will be a stain to my reputation Answ 1. To pass by an injury without revenge is no Eclipse to a mans credit Solomon tells us it is the glory of a man to pass over a transgression Prov. 12.11 'T is more honour to bury an injury than revenge it and to slight it than to write it down †* Melius est injurias ignoscere quam vindicare The weakest creatures soonest turn head and sting upon every touch the Lyon a more Majestick creature is not easily provoked the Bramble tears the Oak and Cedar are more peaceable passion imports weakness a noble spirit over-looks an injury Answ 2. Suppose a mans credit should suffer an impair with those whose censure is not to be valued yet think which is worse shame or sin Wilt thou sin against God to save thy credit surely it is little wisdom for a man to adventure his blood that he may fetch back his Reputation and to run into hell to be counted valorous 1. Not but that a man may stand up in defence of himself Caution 1 when his life is endangered Some of the Anabaptists hold it unlawful to take up the sword upon any occasion though when they get the Power I would be loth to trust them their river-water often turning to blood but questionless a man may take up the sword for self-preservation else he comes under the breach of the sixth Commandment he is guilty of self-murder in taking up the sword he doth not so much seek anothers death as the safe-guard of his own life his intention is not to do hurt but prevent it self-defence is consistent with Christian meekness the Law of Nature and Religion justifie it that God who bids us put up our sword Matth. 26.51 yet will allow us a buckler in our own defence and he that will have us innocent as Doves not to offend others will have us wise as serpents in preserving our selves Caution 2 2. Though revenge be contrary to meekness yet not but that a Magistrate may revenge the quarrels of others indeed 't is not revenge in him but doing justice The Magistrate is Gods Lieutenant on earth God hath put the sword in his hand and he is not to bear the sword in vain he must be in terrorem for the punishment of evil doers 1 Pet. 2.14 Though a private person must not render to any man evil for evil Rom. 12.17 yet a Magistrate may the evil of punishment for the evil of offence this rendring of evil is good Private men must put their sword into the sheath but the Magistrate sins if he doth not draw it out As his sword must not surfeit through cruelty so neither must it rust through partiality Too much lenity in a Magistrate is not meekness but injustice for him to indulge offences and say with a gentle reproof as Eli 1 Sam. 2.23 24. Why do you such things nay my sons for it is no good report that I hear This is but to shave the head that deserves to be cut off such a Magistrate makes himself guilty 4. Meekness is opposed to evil-speaking Eph. 4.31 Let all evil-speaking be
THE BEATITUDES OR A DISCOURSE Upon part of CHRISTS Famous Sermon ON THE MOUNT Whereunto is added Christs various fulnesse The preciousnesse of the Soul The Souls Malady and Cure The Beauty of Grace The Spiritual Watch. The Heavenly Race The Sacred Anchor The Trees of Righteousnesse The Perfume of Love The good Practitioner By THOMAS WATSON Minister of the Word at Stephens Walbrook in the City of London 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Menand LONDON Printed for Ralph Smith at the Bible in Cornhill near the Royal Exchange 1660. TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE JOHN EARLE of CLARE And his Vertuous and Pious Consort ELIZABETH Countesse of CLARE Right Honorable THE many civilities and favors received from your Honours have laid no small obligations upon me and I knew not wherein I might better testifie my gratitude to you both than by presenting you with something of this kinde as a specimen of that solemne respect and service which I owe to you My Lord the soul being a blossome of eternity what should so preponderate and bear sway with us as those things which help to raise the soul to its full 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of happinesse and set it off in its orient splendor Blood may enoble learning may adorn but Religion puts the Garland of salvation upon a man In this consists true Wisdom 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 My Lord the study of this subject which I here offer to your view will with the blessing of God much expedite and help forward the true progress of Religion For the Author of this Sermon on the Mount behold a greater than Solomon is here Christ himself is the Preacher as his lips did ever drop like an hony-comb so most eminently in these Divine Aphorismes The duties here enjoyned are weighty the rewards annexed glorious Here we may see a Christian clothed in his white linnen of purity and scarlet-robe of Blessednesse Here we may see grace and glory meeting together and kissing each other Let no man ever think to get heaven who doth not ascend this Jacobs ladder * Gratia divina necessario requiritur ad beatitudinem consequendam Aquin. Would he be rich he must be poor in spirit would he enjoy happinesse he must espouse holinesse My Lord I could not be so exact as I desired in discussing this subject having much other work lying on my hands but I know such is your noble candour that you will rather cover than censure what you see amisse I will not farther Preface it but craving your Lordships patrociny and favourable acceptance of these impolite labours of mine I shall continue an earnest Oratour at the throne of grace for the distillation of all heavenly benedictions upon you and your nobly descended family and remaine Your Lordships humble Servant in Christ THOMAS WATSON From my Study at Steph. Walbrook July 6. 1660. Mr. Watson's Beatitudes TO THE Reader Christian Reader I Here present thee with a Subject full of Sweet Variety This Sermon of Christ on the Mount is a piece of Spiritual Needle-work wrought about with divers Colours here is both Utile Dulce In this portion of Holy Scripture thou hast a Breviary of Religion the Bible Epitomized Here is a Garden of Delight set with Curious Knots where thou mayest pluck those Flowers which will deck the Hidden man of thy heart Here is the Golden Key which will open the gate of Paradise Here is the conduit of the Gospel running Wine to cheer such as are Poor in spirit and Pure in heart Here is the Rich Cabinet wherein the Pearl of Blessedness is lock'd up Here is the Golden Pot in which is that Manna which will feed and refocillate the Soul unto Everlasting life In a word here is away Chawlked out to the Holy of Holyes Reader how happy were it if while others take up their time and thoughts about Secular things which Perish in the using thou couldest minde Eternity and be guided by this Scripture-clue which leads thee to the Beatifical vision Hoc patens unum miseris asylum Boetius de Consol If after God hath set life before thee thou shalt indulge thy sensual appetite and still Court thy lusts how inexcusable will be thy neglect and how unexpressible thy misery The Lord grant that while thou hast an opportunity and the wind serves thee thou mayest not lye idle at anchor and when it is too late begin to hoyse up Sailes for Heaven Ob now Christian let thy Loines be girt and thy Lamps burning that when the Lord Jesus thy blessed Bridegroom shall Knock thou mayest be ready to go in with him to the Marriage-supper which shall be the Prayer of him who is Thine in all true affection and devotion Tho. Watson ERRATA Reader be pleased diligently to Correct these mistakes in the Printing else the sense cannot be clear Page 76. margent for plungenda read plangenda p. 84. line 30. for donatus r. Novatus p. 100. l. 17. for that he may be saved r. that thinks he may be saved p. 116. marg for Naturam agens r. naturam agentis p. 127. l. 18. for deny r. envy p. 132. l. 3. for in r. it p. 148. l. 5. for judicial r. juridical p. 215. l. 2. for bemercified r. bemercied p. 223. l. 33. for soil r. soul p. 285. marg for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 238. l. 24. for straine r. stream p. 331. l. 13. for world r. word p. 384. l. 10. for least r. last p. 435. l. 17. for obnoxious r. obvious p. 454. l. 1. for rig r. ring p. 495. l. 9. for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 513. l. 24. for of another r. to another p. 553. l. 13. for Hannibal r. Cannibal p. 570. l. 25. for must be saved r. may be saved 580. l. 7. for transforms him r. transforms us p. 584. l. 10. for purifying r. purifieth p. 617. for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 615. l. 11. for scriptural r. spiritual p. 625. l. 9. for zeal of the spirit r. seal of the spirit p. 619. marg for charitatum r. charitatem p. 623. l. 26. for should r. would p. 639. l. 11. for laid r. lead THE BEATITVDES Or a Discourse upon Christs Sermon ON THE MOUNT MATTH 5.1 2. And seeing the multitudes he went up into a mountain and when he was set his disciples came unto him And he opened his mouth and taught them CHAP. I. The Introduction into the ensuing Discourse THE blessed Evangelist Saint Matthew the Penman of this Sacred History was at first by profession a Publican or gatherer of Toll * Publicani aut vectigaliarii Cael. Rhod. Antiq. and Christ having called him from the Custom-house made him a gatherer of souls This holy man in the first Chapter sets down Christs birth and Genealogy in the second his dignity a Starre ushers in the Wisemen to him and as a King he is presented with Gold and
animae here the soul doth rest Psal 116.7 Now that only in which the soul doth acquiesce and rest can make it blessed The Globe or Circle as is observed in Mathematicks is of all others the most perfect figure because the last point of the figure ends in that first point where it began So when the soul meets in God whence it sprang as its first original then it is compleatly blessed That which makes a man blessed must have six Qualifications or Ingredients in it and these are found no where but in God the chief good 1. In true blessedness there must be Meliority that which fills with blessedness must be such a good as is better than a mans self If you would ennoble a piece of silver it must be by putting something to it which is better than silver as by putting gold or pearle to it So that which doth ennoble the soul and enrich it with blessedness must be by adding something to it which is more excellent than the soul and that is God the World is below the soul it is but the souls foot-stool therefore cannot crown it with happiness 2. Another Ingredient is Delectability that which brings blessedness must have a delicious taste in it such as the soul is infinitely ravished with there must be in it spirits of delight and quintessence of joy and where can the soul suck those pure comforts which do amaze it with wonder and crown it with delight but in God In Deo quadam dulcedine delectatur anima immò rapitur * Ang. The love of God is an honey-comb which drops such infinite sweetness and satisfaction into the soul as is unspeakable and full of glory 1 Pet. 1.8 A kiss from Gods mouth puts the soul into a Divine Extasie so that now it cries out It is good to be here 3. The third Ingredient into blessedness is Plenty that which makes a man blessed must not be too scanty it is a full draught which quencheth the souls thirst and where shall we find Plenty but in Deity Psal 36.8 Thou shalt make him drink of the River of thy pleasures not Drops but Rivers The soul baths it self and is laid as it were a steeping in the water of life the River of Paradise over-flows and empties its silver streams into the souls of the blessed 4. In true blessedness there must be Variety Plenty without variety is apt to nauseate in God there is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all fulness Col. 1.19 What can the soul want but it may be had in the chief good God is bonum in quo omnia bona he is a Sun a Shield a Portion a Fountain a Rock of Strength an Horn of Salvation In God there is a complication of all excellencies there are every moment fresh beauties and delights springing from God 5. To make up blessedness there must be perfection * Beatitudo est status omnium honorum aggregatione perfectus Boetius Cicero the joy must be perfect the glory perfect Hebr. 12.23 Spirits of just men made perfect Bonum constat ex integro if there be the least defect it destroys the nature of blessedness as the least symptom of a disease takes away the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and right temperature of the body 6. True blessedness must have Eternity stamped upon it Blessedness is a fixed thing it admits of no change or alteration God saith of every child of his I have blessed him and he shall be blessed As the Sunshine of blessedness is without clouds so it never sets Joh. 10 28. I give unto them eternal life 1 Thes 4.17 And so shall we ever be with the Lord. Eternity is the highest link of the Chain of blessedness Thus we have seen that this Diamond of blessedness is only to be found in the Rock of Ages Blessed are the people whose God is the Lord. SECT V. Use 1 IF there is such a blessedness in Reversion be Use 1 convinced of the truth of this set it down as an Article of your faith We live in times wherein many are grown Atheists they have run through all opinions and now of Professors they are turned Epicures they have drunk in so much of the poyson of Error that they are quite intoxicated and fallen asleep and begin to dream there is no such thing as a state of blessedness after this life and this opinion is to them above the Bible When men have the spiritual staggers it sadly presageth they will dye Oh it is a dangerous thing to hesitate and waver about fundamentals like Pythagoras who doubted whether there was a God or no! so whether there be a blessedness or no. Doubting of principles is the next way to the denying of principles Let it be a Maxim with every good Christian There is a blessedness in Reversion there remains a rest for the people of God Hebr. 4.9 Use 2. Revolve this truth often in your mind there Use 2 are many truths sâ—im in the brain which do not sink into the heart and those do us no good Chew the Cud Let a Christian think seriously with himself There is a blessedness feasible and I am capable of enjoying it if I do not lay bars in the way and block up my own happiness Though within I see nothing but guilt without nothing but curses yet there is a blessedness to be had and to be had for me too in the use of means The serious meditation of this will be a forcible Argument to make the sinner break off his sins by Repentance and sweat hard till he find the golden Mine of blessedness I say it would be the break-neck of sin how would a man offer violence to himself by Mortification and to heaven by supplication that at last he may arrive at a state of blessedness What is there a Crown of blessedness to be set upon my head a Crown hung with the Jewels of honour delight magnificence a Crown reached out by God himself and shall I by sin hazard this can the pleasure of sin countervail the loss of blessedness what more powerful Motive to Repentance than this Sin will deceive me of the blessing If a man knew certainly that a King would settle all his Crown-Revenues on him after such a Term of years would he offend that Regal Majesty and cause him to reverse and alter his Will There is a blessedness promised to all that live godly 1 John 2.25 This is the promise that he hath promised us even eternal life We are not excluded but may come in for a childs part now shall we by living in sin provoke God and forfeit this blessedness O what madness is this Well may the Apostle call them foolish and hurtful lusts 1 Tim. 6.9 because every lust doth what in it lies to cut off the entail of mercy and block up the way to happiness every sin may be compared to the flaming Sword which keeps the heavenly Paradise that the sinner cannot enter Use 3. Let
of price is only precious to the poor in spirit he that wants bread and is ready to starve will have it whatever it cost he will lay his garment to pledge bread he must have or he is undone So to him that is Poor in spirit that sees his want of Christ how precious is a Saviour Christ is Christ and grace is grace to him he will do any thing for the bread of life therefore will God have the soul thus qualified to raise the price of his Market to inhance the value and estimate of the Lord Jesus Reason 3 3. Till we are Poor in spirit we cannot go to heaven Theirs is the Kingdom of heaven this doth tune and prepare us for heaven By nature a man is big with self-confidence and the gate of heaven is so strait that he cannot enter now poverty of spirit doth minorare animam it doth lessen the soul it pares off its superfluity and now he is fit to enter in at the strait gate The great Cable cannot go through the eye of the Needle but let it be untwisted and made into small threads and then it may Poverty of spirit untwists the great Cable it makes a man little in his own eyes and now an entrance shall be made unto him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Richly into the Everlasting Kingdom 2 Pet. 1.11 Through this Temple of Poverty we must go into the Temple of Glory SECT 1. Use 1 Use 1 IT shews wherein a Christians riches do consist namely in poverty of spirit Some think if they can fill their bags with gold then they are rich but they who are poor in spirit are the rich men they are rich in poverty This poverty entitles them to a Kingdom How poor are they that think themselves rich how rich are they that see themselves poor I call it the Jewel of poverty There are some Paradoxes in Religion that the world cannot understand for a man to become a fool that he may be wise 1 Cor. 3.18 to save his life by losing it Matth. 16.25 and by being poor to be rich Reason laughs at it but blessed are the poor for theirs is the Kingdom Then this poverty is to be striven for more than all riches under these rags is hid cloth of gold out of this carcasse comes hony SECT 2. Use 2 IF blessed are the poor in spirit then by the rule of contraries Cursed are the proud in spirit Prov. 16.5 There is a generation of men who do commit idolatry with themselves no such idol as self They admire their own parts moralities self-righteousnesse and upon this stock graft the hope of their salvation There are many are too good to go to heaven they have commodities enough of their own growth and they scorne to live upon the borrow or be beholding to Christ These bladders the Divel hath blown up with pride and they are swell'd in their own conceit but it is like the swelling of a dropsie-man whose bignesse is his disease thus it was with that proud Justiciary Luke 18.11 The Pharisee stood and prayed God I thank thee that I am not as other men are extortioners unjust adulterers or even as this Publican I fast twice in the week I give tythes c. Here was a man setting up the top-sail of pride but the Publican who was poor in spirit he stood a far off and would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven but smot upon his brest saying God be merciful to me a sinner This man carried away the Garland I tell you saith Christ this man went down to his house justified rather than the other Saint Paul before his conversion thought himself in a very good condition Touching the Law blamelesse Phil. 3.6 He thought to have built a Tower of his own righteousnesse the top whereof should have reached to heaven but at last God shewed him there was a crack in the foundation and then he gets into the Rock of ages Phil. 3.9 That I may be found in him There is not a more dangerous praecipice than self-righteousnesse this was Laodicea's temper Rev. 3.17 because thou sayest I am rich and have need of nothing and knowest not that thou art wretched and miserable c. She thought she wanted nothing when indeed she had nothing How many doth this damne we see some ships that have scaped the rocks yet are cast away upon the sands so some who have scaped the rocks of grosse sins yet are cast away upon the sands of self-righteousnesse and how hard is it to convince such men of their danger they will not believe but they may be help'd out of the Dungeon with these rotten rags they cannot be perswaded their case is so bad as others would make it Christ tells them they are blind but they are like Seneca's maid who was born blind but she would not beleeve it Ait domum esse coecam The house saith she is dark but I am not blind Christ tells them they are naked and offers his white robes to cover them but they are of a different perswasion and because they are blind they cannot see themselves naked how many have perished by being their own saviours O that this might drive the proud sinner out of himself a man never comes to himself till he comes out of himself and no man can come out till first Christ come in SECT 3. Use 3 IF poverty of spirit be so necessary Trial. How shall I Use 3 know that I am poor in spirit Answ By the blessed effects of this Poverty which are 1. He that is poor in spirit is weaned from himself Psalm 131.2 My soul is even as a weaned child 't is hard for a man to be weaned from himself The Vine catcheth hold of every thing that is near to stay it self upon There is some bough or other a man would be catching hold of to rest upon how hard is it to be brought quite off himself The poor in spirit are divorced from themselves they see they must to hell without Christ My soul is even as a weaned child 2. He that is poor in spirit is a Christ-admirer he hath high thoughts of Christ he sees himself naked and flies to Christ that in his garments he may obtaine the blessing He sees himself wounded and as the wounded Deere runs to the water so he thirsts for Christs blood the water of life Lord saith he give me Christ or I die conscience is turned into a fiery Serpent and hath stung him now all the world for a brazen serpent he sees himself in a state of death and how precious is one leaf of the tree of life which is both for food and medicine The poor in spirit sees all his riches lye in Christ wisdome righteousnesse sanctification c. In every exigence he flies to this magazine and store-house he adores the all-fulnesse in Christ They say of the oyle in Rhemes though they are continually almost spending it yet it never wasts
And such is Christs blood it can never be emptied he that is poor in spirit hath recourse still to this fountain he sets an high value and appreâ—iation upon Christ he hides himself in Christs wounds * In vulacribus Christi dormio securus requiesco intrepidus Aug. he bathes himself in his blood he wraps himself in his Robe he sees a spiritual dearth and famine at home but he makes out to Christ Shew me the Lord saith he and it sufficeth 3. He that is poor in spirit is ever complaining of his spiritual estate that look as it is with a poor man he is ever telling you of his wants he hath nothing to help himself with he is ready to be starved so it is with him that is Poor in spirit he is ever complaining of his wants I want a broken heart a thankful heart he makes himself the most indigent creature though he dares not deny the work of grace which were a bearing false witness against the Spirit yet he mourns he hath no more grace This is the difference between an hypocrite and a child of God the hypocrite is ever telling what he hath a child of God complains of what he wants the one is glad he is so good the other grieves he is so bad the poor in spirit goes from Ordinance to Ordinance for a supply of his wants he would fain have his stock increased Try by this if you are poor in spirit while others complain they want children they want Estates do you complain you want Grace this is a good sign there is that maketh himself Poor yet hath great Riches Prov. 13.7 Some beggers have died rich the poor in spirit who have lain all their lives at the gate of mercy and have lived upon the Alms of free-grace have dyed rich in faith heirs to a Kingdom 4. He that is Poor in spirit is lowly in heart Rich men are commonly proud and scornful but the poor are submissive the poor in spirit rowle themselves in the dust in the sense of their unworthiness I abhor my self in dust Job 42.6 He who is poor in spirit looks at anothers excellencies and his own infirmities he denies not only his sins but his duties the more grace he hath the more humble he is because he now sees himself a greater debtor to God if he can do any duty he acknowledgeth it is Christs strength more than his own Phil. 4.13 as the Ship gets to the Haven more by the benefit of the wind than the sail So when a Christian makes any swift progress 't is more by the wind of Gods Spirit than the sail of his own indeavour the poor in spirit when he acts most like a Saint he confesseth himself the chief of sinners he blusheth more at the defect of his graces than others do at the excess of their sins he dares not say he hath prayed or wept he lives yet not he but Christ lives in him Gal. 2.20 He labours yet not he but the grace of God 1 Cor. 15.10 5. He who is poor in spirit is much in prayer he sees how short he is of the standard of holiness therefore begs for more grace Lord more faith more conformity to Christ A poor man is ever begging you may by this know one that is Poor in spirit he is ever begging for a spiritual Almes he knocks at heaven-gate he sends up sighs he poures out tears he will not away from the gate till he have his dole God loves a modest boldness in prayer such shall not be non-suited 6. The poor in spirit is content to take Christ upon his own terms the proud sinner will article and indent with Christ he will have Christ and his pleasure Christ and his covetousness but he that is poor in spirit sees himself lost without Christ and he is willing to have him upon his own terms a Prince as well as a Saviour Phil. 3.8 Jesus my Lord. A Castle that hath been long besieged and is ready to be taken will deliver up on any terms to save their lives he whose heart hath been a Garrison for the Divel and hath held out long in opposition against Christ when once God hath brought him to poverty of spirit and he sees himself damn'd without Christ let God propound what Articles he will he will readily subscribe to them Acts 9.6 Lord what wilt thou have me do He that is poor in spirit will do any thing that he may have Christ he will behead his beloved sin he will with Peter cast himself upon the water to come to Christ 7. He that is poor in spirit is an Exalter of free-grace none so magnifie mercy as the poor in spirit the poor are very thankful When Paul had tasted mercy how thankfully doth he adore free-grace 1 Tim. 1.14 The grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it was super-exuberant he sets the crown of his salvation upon the head of free-grace as a man that is condemned and hath a pardon sent him how doth he proclaim the goodness and clemency of his Prince so Saint Paul displays free-grace in its orient colours he interlines all his Epistles with free-grace as a Vessel that hath been perfum'd makes the wine taste of it so Paul who was a Vessel perfum'd with mercy makes all his Epistles to taste of this perfume of free-grace they who are poor in spirit bless God for the least crumb that falls from the Table of free-grace SECT 4. Use 4 LAbour for poverty of spirit Christ begins with this Exhort and we must begin here if ever we be saved poverty of spirit is the foundation stone on which God layes the superstructure of glory There are four things may perswade Christians to be poor in spirit 1. This poverty is your riches you may have the worlds riches and yet be poor you cannot have this poverty but you must be rich poverty of spirit intitles you to all Christs riches 2. This poverty is your Nobility * Nobilis inâ—pia mentis humilitas Austin God looks upon you as persons of honour he that is vile in his own eyes is precious in Gods eyes * Tanto eris apud Deum reciosior quaâ—to fueris in oculis tuis despectior Isiod the way to rise is to fall God esteems the Valley highest 3. Poverty of spirit doth sweetly quiet the soul when a man is brought off himself to rest on Christ what a blessed calm is in the heart I am poor but my God shall supply all my need Phil. 4.19 I am unworthy but Christ is worthy I am indigent Christ is infinite Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I Psal 61.2 A man is safe upon a Rock when the soul goes out of it self and centers upon the Rock Christ now it is firmly setled upon its Basis this is the way to comfort thou wilt be wounded in spirit till thou comest to be poor in spirit 4. Poverty of
spirit paves a Cawsey for blessedness Blessed are the poor in spirit Are you poor in spirit you are blessed persons happy for you that ever you were born If you ask Wherein doth this blessedness appear Read the next words Theirs is the Kingdom of heaven CHAP. V. Shewing that the poor in spirit are enriched with a Kingdom Matth. 5.3 Theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven A 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Here is high preferment for the Saints they shall be advanced to a Kingdom there are some who aspiring after earthly greatnesse talk of a temporal reign here but then Gods Church on earth should not be Militant but Triumphant but sure it is the Saints shall reign in a glorious manner Theirs is the Kingdom of heaven a Kingdom is held the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and top of all worldly felicity and this honour have all the Saints so saith our Saviour Theirs is the Kingdom of heaven All Christs subjects are Kings By the Kingdom of heaven is meant that state of glory which the Saints shall enjoy when they shall reign with God and the Angels for ever sin hell and death being fully subdued For the illustration of this I shall show first wherein the Saints in heaven are like Kings SECT 1 Wherein the Saints glorified may be compared to Kings KIngs have their insignia or regalia their ensignes of Royalty and Majesty 1. Kings have their Crowns so the Saints after death have their Crown-royal Rev. 2.10 Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life Believers are not only pardoned but crowned * Corona insignem habet praeceteris ornamentis dignitatem Bern. the Crown is an ensigne of honour A Crown is not for every one it will not fit every head it is only for Kings and persons of renown to wear Psal 21.3 The Crown which the poor in spirit shall wear in heaven is an honourable Crown God himself installs them into their honour and sets the Crown-royal upon their head And this Crown the Saints shall wear which is divinely orient and illustrious exceeds all other 1. 'T is more pure Other Crowns though they may be made of pure gold yet they are mixed mettal they have their troubles A Crown of gold cannot be made without thornes * Non ita corona circundat caput sicut animam sollicitudo it hath so many vexations belonging to it that it is apt to make the head-ache Which made Cyrus say did men but know what cares he sustained under the Imperial Crown ne humi diadema tollerent he thought they would not stoop to take it up But the Saints Crown is made without crosses it is not mingled with care of keeping or fear of losing What Solomon speaks in another sence I may say of the Crown of glory it addes no sorrow with it Prov. 10.22 This Crown like Davids Harp drives away the evil spirit of sorrow and disquiet there can be no more grief in heaven than there is joy in hell 2. This Crown of glory doth not draw envy to it Davids own son envied him and sought to take his Crown from his head A Princely Crown is oftentimes the mark for envy and ambition to shoot at but the Crown the Saints shall wear is free from envy one Saint shall not envy another because all are crowned and though one Crown may be larger than another yet 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 every one shall have as big a Crown as he is able to carry 3. This is a never-fading Crown Corona haec non fit ex rosis aut gemmis * Tertul. c. Other Crowns quickly wear away and tumble into the dust Prov. 27.4 Doth the Crown endure to all generations Henry the sixth was honoured with the Crowns of two Kingdoms France and England the first was lost through the faction of his Nobles the other was twice plucked from his head The Crown hath many heirs and successors The Crown is a withering thing death is a worm that feeds in it but the Crown of glory is immarcessible it fadeth not away 1 Pet. 5.4 'T is not like the Rose that loseth its glosse and vernancy this Crown cannot be made to wither but like the flower we call Semper vivens it keeps alwayes fresh and splendent Eternity is a Jewel of the Saints Crown 2. Kings have their Robes The Robe is a garment wherewith Kings are arayed The King of Israel and the King of Judah sate cloathed in their robes 2 Chron. 18.19 The Robe was of scarlet or velvet lind with Ermyn sometimes of a purple colour whence it was called Purpura sometimes of an azure brightnesse Thus the Saints shall have their Robes Rev. 7.9 I beheld a great multitude which no man could number of all Nations and kindreds clothed in white Robes The Saints Robes signifie their glory and splendor and white Robes that is to denote their sanctity they have no sin to taint or defile their Robes in these Robes they shall shine as the Angels 3. Kings have their Scepters in token of Rule and Greatness King Ahashuerus held out to Esther the golden Scepter Esth 5.2 and the Saints in glory have their Scepter and Palms in their hand Rev. 7. It was a custome of great Conquerors to have Palm-branches in their hand in token of victory So the Saints those Kings have Palms an Emblem of victory and triumph they are Victors over sin and hell Rev. 12.11 They overcame by the blood of the Lamb. 4. Kings have their Thrones When Caesar returned from conquering his enemies there were granted to him four Triumphs in token of honour and there was set for him a Chair of Ivory in the Senate and a Throne in the Theatre Thus the Saints in heaven returning from their victories over sin shall have a Chair of State set them more rich than Ivory or Pearl and a Throne of glory Revel 3.21 This shall be 1. An high Throne 't is seated above all the Kings and Princes of the earth nay 't is far above all heavens Ephes 4. There is 1. the Aery heaven which is that space from the earth usque ad spheram lunae to the sphere of the Moon 2. The Starry heaven the place where are the Stars and those superiores Planetae as the Philosophers call them Planets of the higher elevation as Saturn Jupiter Mars c. 3. The Empyraean heaven which is called the third heaven 2 Cor. 12.2 In this glorious sublime place shall the Throne of the Saints be erected 2. It is a safe Throne Other Thrones are unsafe they stand tottering Psal 73.18 Thou hast set them in slippery places but the Saints Throne is sure Rev. 3.21 He that overcomes shall sit with me upon my Throne The Saints shall fit with Christ he keeps them safe that no hand of violence can pull them from their Throne O ye people of God think of this though now you may be called to the Bar yet shortly you shall
give them a Kingdom above all the Princes of the earth nay far above all heavens God thinks nothing too good for his children We many times think much of a tear a prayer or to sacrifice a sin for him but he doth not think much to bestow a Kingdom upon us How will the Saints read over the Lectures of free-grace in heaven and Trumpet forth the prayses of that God who hath crowned them with loving kindness Infer 3 3. It shews us that Christianity is no disgraceful thing Wise men measure things by the end what is the end of godliness it brings a Kingdom a mans sin brings him to shame Prov. 13.5 Rom. 6.21 What fruit had ye in those things whereof you are now ashamed but Religion brings to honour Prov. 4.8 it brings a man to a Throne a Crown it ends in glory it is the sinners folly to reproach a Saint 't is just as if Shimei had reproached David when he was going to be made King it is a Saints wisdom to contemn a reproach say as David when he danced before the Ark I will yet be more vile 2 Sam. 6.22 If to pray and hear and serve my God be to be vile I will yet be more vile This is my excellency my glory I am doing now that which will bring me to a Kingdom O think it no disgrace to be a Christian I speak it chiefly to you who are entring upon the wayes of God perhaps you may meet with such as will reproach and censure you binde their reproaches as a Crown about your head despise their censure as much as their praise remember there is a Kingdom entailed upon godlinesse Sin draws hell after it grace draws a Crown after it 4. See here that which may make the people of God Infer 4 long for death then they shall enter upon their Kingdom Indeed the wicked may fear death it will not lead them to a Kingdom but a Prison hell is the iayle where they must lie rotting for ever with the Divel and his Angels To every Christlesse person death is the King of terror but the godly may long for death it will prefer them to a Kingdom When Scipio's father had told him of that glory the soul should be invested with in a state of immortality why then saith Scipio do I tarry thus long upon the earth why do I not hasten to die * Tully in Somn. Scip. Believers are not perfectly happy till death When Croesus asked Solon who he thought happy he told him one Tellus a man that was dead a Christian at death shall be compleatly installed into his honour the anointing oyle shall be poured on him and the Crown-royal set upon his head The Thracians in their funerals used musick The Heathens as Theocritus observes had their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Funeral banquet because of that felicity which they supposed the parties deceased were entred into The Saints are now heirs of the Kingdom James 2.5 Doth not the heir desire to be crowned Truly there is enough to weane us and make us willing to be gone from hence The Saints eate ashes like bread they are here in a suffering condition Psalm 141.7 Our bones are scattered at the graves mouth as when one cutteth and cleaveth wood upon the earth When a man hewes and cuts a tree the chips flie up and down here and there a chip so here a Saint wounded there a Saint massacred our bones flie like chips up and down for thy sake are we killed all the day long Rom. 8.36 But there is a Kingdom a coming when the body is buried the soul is crowned Who would not be willing to saile in a storm if he were sure to be crowned as soone as he came at shore How is it that the godly look so gastly at the thoughts of death as if they were rather going to their execution than their Coronation though we should be willing to stay here awhile to do service yet we should with Saint Paul desire to be dissolved and be with Christ The day of a believers dissolution is the day of his inauguration SECT 5. Containing a scrutiny and tryal whether we belong to this Kingdom Use 2 BUT how shall we know that this glorions Kingdom shall be setled upon us at death Trial. 1. If God have set up his Kingdom within us Luke 17.21 The Kingdom of God is within you by the Kingdom of God there is meant the Kingdom of Grace in the heart Grace may be compared to a Kingdom it swayes the Scepter it gives out Lawes there is the Law of love Grace beats down the Divels garrisons it brings the heart into a sweet subjection to Christ Now is this Kingdom of Grace set up in thy heart Do'st thou rule over thy sins Canst thou binde those Kings in chaines * Psal 149.8 Art thou a King over thy pride passion unbelief Is the Kingdom of God within you While others aspire after earthly greatnesse and labour for a Kingdom without them do'st thou labour for a Kingdom within thee Certainly if the Kingdom of Grace be in thy heart thou shalt have the Kingdom of glory If Gods Kingdom enter into thee thou shalt enter into his Kingdom But let not that man ever think to reign in glory who lives a slave to his lusts 2. If thou art a believer thou shalt go to this blessed Kingdom James 2.5 Rich in faith heirs of the Kingdom Faith is an heroical act of the soul it makes an holy adventure on God by a promise this is the crowning grace Faith puts us into Christ and our title to the Crown comes in by Christ By Faith we are borne of God and so we become children of the blood-royal By Faith our hearts are purified Acts 15.9 and so we are made fit for a Kingdom rich in faith heirs of the Kingdom Faith paves a Causey to heaven believers die heirs to the Crown 3. He that hath a noble Kingly spirit shall go to the heavenly Kingdom set your affection on things above Col. 3.2 Dost thou live in mundo supra mundum in the world above the world The Eagle doth not catch flies she soars aloft in the aire dost thou superna anhelare pant after glory and immortality Hast thou a brave majestick spirit an heavenly ambition dost thou mind the favour of God the peace of Sion the salvation of thy soul Dost thou abhor that which is sordid and below thee Alexander would not exercise at the Olympick-games Canst thou trample upon all sublunary things Is heaven in thy eye and Christ in thy heart and the world under thy feet He who hath such a Kingly spirit that looks no lower than a Crown he shall dwell on high and have his throne mounted far above all heavens SECT 6. A serious exhortation to Christians Use 3 USE 3. Exhortation And it hath a double aspect it looks Exhort 1. towards the wicked Is there a Kingdom to be had a
that could finde out a new pleasure but the comforts of the Spirit are satisfactory they recruit the heart Psal 94.19 Thy comforts delight my soul There is as much difference between heavenly comforts and earthly as between a banquet that is eaten and one that is painted on the wall 6. The comforts God gives his Mourners in this life are glorious comforts 1 Pet. 1.8 Joy full of glory 1. They are glorious because they are a prelibation and fore-taste of that joy which we shall have in a glorified estate * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrys These comforts are an handsel and earnest of glory they put us in heaven before our time Ephes 1.13 14. Ye were sealed with that holy Spirit which is an earnest of the inheritance the earnest is part of the sum behind so the comforts of the Spirit are the earnest the cluster of grapes at Eshcol * Num. 13.23 the first-fruits of the heavenly Canaan 2. The joyes of the Spirit are glorious 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in opposition to other joyes which compared with these are inglorious and vile A carnal mans joy as it is aery and flashy so it is sordid he sucks nothing but dregs Amos 6.13 Ye rejoyce in a thing of naught A carnal spirit rejoyceth because he can say this house is his this estate is his but a gracious spirit rejoyceth because he can say this God is his Psal 48.14 For this God is our God for ever and ever The ground of a Christians joy is glorious he rejoyceth in that he is an heir of the promise the joy of a godly man is made up of that which is the Angels joy he triumphs in the light of Gods countenance his joy is that which is Christs own joy he rejoyceth in the mystical union which is begun here and consummate in heaven Thus the joy of the Saints is a joy full of glory 7. The comforts which God gives his Mourners are infinitely transporting and ravishing so delightful are they and amazing that they cause a jubilation which as some of the Learned speak is so great that it cannot be expressed * Jubiliatio dicitur cum cordis laetitia oris efficacia non expletur of all things joy is the most hard to be deciphered 't is called laetitia inenarrabilis joy unspeakable 1 Pet. 1.8 You may sooner taste honey then tell how sweet it is the most pathetical words can no more set forth the comforts of the Spirit then the most curious Pensil can draw the life and breath of a man the Angels cannot express the joyes they feel some have been so overwhelmed with the sweet raptures of joy that they have not been able to contain but as Moses have dyed * Plurimis mortem attulit gaudium ingens Gell. with a kiss from Gods mouth Thus have we seen the glass oft breaking with the strength of the liquor put into it 8. These comforts of the Spirit are powerful they are strong cordials so the Apostle phraseth it Hebr. 6.18 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 strong consolation Divine comfort 1. Strengthens for duty Nehem. 8.10 The joy of the Lord is your strength Joy whets and sharpens industry a man that is steeled and animated with the comforts of Gods Spirit goes with vigour and alacrity through the exercises of Religion he believes firmly he loves fervently he is carried full sail in duty the joy of the Lord is his strength 2. Divine comfort supports under affliction 1 Thes 1.6 Having received the Word in much affliction 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with joy The wine of the Spirit can sweeten the waters of Marah * Amaritudines mundi dulces reddit Aug. They who are possessed of these heavenly comforts can gather grapes of thorns and fetch honey out of the Lyons carcass They are strong consolations indeed that can stand it out against the fiery tryal and turn the flame into a bed of Roses How powerful is that comfort which can make a Christian glory in tribulation Rom. 5.3 A believer is never so sad but he can rejoyce the Bird of Paradise can sing in Winter 2 Cor. 6.10 As sorrowing yet alwayes rejoycing Let sickness come the sense of pardon takes away the sense of pain The Inhabitant shall not say I am sick Isa 33.24 Let death come a Christian is above it O death where is thy sting 1 Cor. 15.55 At the end of the Rod a Christian tastes honey these are strong consolations 9. The comforts Gods Mourners have are heart-quieting comforts they cause a sweet acquiescence and rest in the soul * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Arist Ech. The heart of a Christian is in a kind of ataxy and discomposure like the Needle in the Compass it shakes and trembles till the Comforter comes Some creatures cannot live but in the Sun a Christian is even dead in the Nest unless he may have the Sun-light of Gods countenance Psal 143.7 Hide not thy face from me lest I be like them that go down into the pit Nothing but the breast will quiet the child 't is only the breast of consolation quiets the believer 10. The comforts of the Spirit are abiding comforts as they abound in us so they abide with us John 14.16 He shall give you another Comforter that he may abide with you for ever Worldly comforts are still upon the wing ready to flie they are like a land-flood or a flash of lightning Mart. Saepe fluunt imo sic quoque lapsa sinu All things here are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but the comforts with which God feeds his Mourners are immortal 2 Thes 2.16 Who hath loved us and hath given us 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 everlasting consolation Though a Christian hath not always a full beam of comfort yet he hath a dawning of it in his soul he hath still a ground of hope and a root of joy there is that within him which bears up his heart and which he would not on any terms part with Use Use Behold the Mourners priviledge he shall be comforted David who was the great Mourner of Israel was the sweet singer of Israel The weeping Dove shall be covered with the golden feathers of comfort O how rare and superlative are these comforts Quest But may not Gods Mourners want these comforts Answ Spiritual Mourners have a title to these comforts yet they may sometimes want them God is a free Agent he will have the timing of our comforts he hath 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a self-freedom to do what he will The holy one of Israel will not be limited he will reserve his Prerogative to give or suspend comfort pro libitu and if we are awhile without comfort we must not quarrel with his dispensations for as the Mariner is not to wrangle with Providence because the wind blows out of the East when he desires it to blow out of the West nor is the Husbandman to murmure when God stops the bottles of heaven in
did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son God predestinates us to Christs image which image consists in righteousnesse and true holinesse Ephes 4.24 So that till thou art holy thou canst not shew any signe of election upon thee but rather the Divels brand-mark 5. Purity is the end of our redemption if we could have gone to heaven in our sins Christ needed not have died Why did he shed his blood but to redeem us from a vain conversation 1 Pet. 1.18 19. and Titus 2.14 Who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purifie unto himself a peculiar people Christ shed his blood to wash off our filth the Crosse was both an Altar and a Lavor Jesus Christ died not only to save us from wrath 1 Thes 1. ult but to save us from sin Matth. 1.21 Out of his sides came water which signifies our cleansing as well as blood which signifies our justifying 1 John 5.6 The truth is it were to make the body of Christ monstrous if the head should be pure and not the members 2. Reasons for heart-purity 2. Why Purity must be chiefly in the heart 1. Because if the heart be not pure we differ nothing from a Pharisaical Purity the Pharisees holinesse did consist chiefly in externals their 's was an outside Purity they never minded the inside of the heart Matth. 23.25 Wo unto you Scribes and Pharisees Hypocrites for ye make cleane the outside of the cup and of the platter but within ye are full of extortion and verse 27. Ye are like unto whited Sepulchres which indeed appear beautiful outward but are within full of dead mens bones The Pharisees were good only in superficie they were not Albi but dealbati whited over not white they were like a rotten post laid in Vermilion colour like a fair Chimny-piece guilded without but within nothing but Soot O such Hypocrites Salvian complains of who had Christ in their mouths but to no purpose we must go farther be pure in heart like the Kings daughter all glorious within Psal 45.13 Else ours is but a pharisaical purity and Christ faith Matth. 5.20 Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven 2. The heart must especially be kept pure because the heart is the chief seat or place of Gods residence God dwells in the heart he takes up the heart for his own lodgings Isa 57.15 Ephes 3.17 therefore it must be pure and holy A Kings Palace must be kept from defilement especially his Presence-chamber The heart is Gods Presence-chamber How holy ought that to be If the body be the Temple of the holy Ghost †* 1 Cor. 6.19 the heart is the Sanctum Sanctorum Oh take heed of defiling the room where God is to come let that room be washed with holy tears 3. The heart must especially be pure because it is the heart sanctifies all we do if the heart be holy all is holy our affections holy our duties holy The Altar sanctified the gift * Mat. 23.19 the heart is the Altar that sanctifies the offering The Romans kept their springs from being poysoned the heart is the spring of all our actions let us keep this spring from poyson be pure in heart SECT 1. Shewing the true beauty of the soul 1. SEE here what is the beauty that sets off a soul in Use 1 Gods eye viz. Purity of heart Inform. Thou who art never so beautiful art but a spiritual Leper till thou art pure Branch 1 in heart God is in love with the pure heart for he sees his own picture drawn there Holinesse is a beam of God it is the Angels glory They are pure virgin-virgin-spirits take away purity from an Angel and he is no more an Angel but a Divel thou who art pure in heart hast the Angels glory shining in thee thou hast the Embroydery and Workmanship of the Holy Ghost upon thee The pure heart is Gods Paradise where he delights to walk 't is his lesser heaven the Dove delights in the purest Aire the Holy Ghost who descended in the likeness of a Dove delights in the purest soul God saith of the pure in heart as of Sihon Psal 132.14 This is my rest for ever here will I dwell God loves the fairest complexion the pure in heart is Christs Bride decked and bespangled with the jewels of holiness Cant. 4.9 Thou hast ravished my heart with one of thine eyes Thine eyes that is thy graces these as a Chain of Pearl have drawn mine heart to thee of all hearts God loves the pure heart best Thou who dressest thy self by the glass of the Word and adornest the hidden man of thy heart * 1 Pet. 3.4 art most precious in Gods eyes though thou mayst be blear-eyed as Leah lame as Barzillai yet being pure in heart thou art the mirrour of beauty and mayst say Yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the Lord Isa 49.5 How may this raise the esteem of purity this is a beauty that never fades and which makes God himself fall in love with us SECT 2. That Christians must not rest in out-side purity Branch 2 2. IF we must be pure in heart then we must not rest in outward purity civility is not sufficient a Swine may be washed yet a Swine still civility doth but wash a man grace changeth him civility like a Star may shine in the eyes of the world but it differs as much from purity as the Chrystal from the Diamond civility is but strewing flowers on a dead corps a man may be wonderfully Moralized yet but a tame Divel how many have made civility their saviour Morality may as well damn as Vice a Vessel may be sunk with gold as well as with dung Observe two things 1. The civil person though he will not commit gross sins yet he is not sensible of heart-sins he discerns not the Law in his members Rom. 7.23 He is not troubled for unbelief hardness of heart vanity of thoughts he abhors Jayle-sins not Gospel-sins 2. The civil person hath an aking tooth at Religion his heart riseth against holiness the Snake is of a fine colour but hath a deadly sting The civil man is fair to look to but hath a secret antipathy against the ways of God he hates grace as much as vice zeal is as odious to him as uncleanness so that civility is not to be rested in The heart must be pure God would have Aaron wash the inwards of the Sacrifice Lev. 9. Civility doth but wash the out-side the inwards must be washed Blessed are the pure in heart SECT 3. Shewing the signs of an impure heart LET us put our selves upon the Trial Trial. whether we are Use 2 pure-hearted or no. Here I shall do two things to shew the signs of 1. An impure heart 2. A pure heart 1. An ignorant heart is an impure
Altar or Sacrifice the Altar had not cleansed him but he had defiled the Altar A foul hand defiles the purest water an impure heart defiles Prayers Sacraments he drops poyson upon all A pure stream running through muddy ground is polluted the holiest Ordinances are stained running through an impure heart A sinners works are called opera mortua dead works Hebr. 6.1 And those works which are dead cannot please God a dead wife cannot please her husband 2. Heart-purity is necessary in respect of God God is holy purity is the chief Robe wherewith God himself is cloathed Hab. 1.13 Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil And will this holy God endure to have an impure heart come near him will a man lay a Viper in his bosome the holy God and the sinner cannot dwell together None can dwell together but friends but there is no friendship between God and the sinner both of them being of a contrary judgment and disposition An impure heart is more odious to God than a Serpent God gave the Serpent its venome but Satan fills the heart with sin Acts 5.3 Why hath Satan fill'd thy heart The Lord abhors a sinner he will not come near him having his plague-soars running Zach. 11.8 My soul loathed them 3. Heart-purity is necessary in regard of the Angels they are pure creatures The Cherubims which typified the Angels were made of fine gold to denote the purity of their Essence no unholy thought enters into the Angels therefore there must be purity of heart that there may be some resemblance between us and them What should unholy hearts do among those pure angelical spirits 4. In regard of the Saints glorified They are pure being refined from all lees and dregs of sin Their title is spirits of just men made perfect Heb. 12.23 Now what should profane spirits do among spirits made perfect I tell you if you who wallow in your sins could come near God and Angels and spirits of men made perfect and have a sight of their lustre you would soone wish your selves out of their company as a man that is dirty and in his rags if he should stand before the King and his Nobles and see them glistering in their cloth of gold and sparkling with their jewels he would be ashamed of himself and wish himself out of their presence 5. There must be heart-purity in regard of heaven heaven is a pure place it is an inheritance undefiled 1 Pet. 1.4 No unclean beasts come into the heavenly Ark there shall not enter into it any thing that defileth Rev. 21.27 The Lord will not put the new wine of glory into a musty impure heart all which considered shows the necessity of heart-purity 2. It is the will of God that we should be pure in heart 1 Thes 4.3 This is the will of God your sanctification Are you low in the world perhaps it is not the will of God that you should be rich but it is the will of God that you should be holy This is the will of God your sanctification Let God have his will by being holy and you shall have your will in being happy Gods will must either be fulfilled by us or upon us 3. Purity of heart is the characteristical note of Gods people Psal 73.1 God is good to Israel even to such as are of a clean heart Heart-purity denominates us the Israel of God It is not profession which makes us the Israel of God it makes us of Israel indeed but all are not Israel which are of Israel Rom. 9.6 Purity of heart is the jewel which is hung only upon the elect As chastity distinguisheth a vertuous woman from an Harlot so the true Saint is distinguished from the Hypocrite by his heart-purity This is like the Noblemans star or garter which is a peculiar ensign of honor differing him from the vulgar when the bright star of purity shineth in a Christians heart it doth distinguish him from a formal professor 4. Purity of heart makes us like God it was Adams unhappinesse once he aspired to be like God in omnisciencie but we must endeavour to be like God in sanctity Gods image consists in holinesse those who have not his image and superscription upon them he will say I know you not* Chrysost God delights in no heart but where he may see his own face and likenesse You cannot see your face in a glasse when it is dusty Gods face cannot be seen in a dusty impure soul a pure heart like a clean glasse gives forth some idaea and representation of God There is little comfort in being like God in other things besides purity Are we like God in that we have a being So have stones Are we like him in that we have motion So have stars are we like him in that we have life so have trees and birds Are we like him in that we have knowledge so have Divels there is no likenesse to God will prove comfortable and blisseful but our being like him in purity God loves the pure in heart lovers founded upon likenesse 5. The excellency of the heart lies in the purity of it Purity was the glory of the soul in innocency the purer a thing is the better the purer the aire is and the more free from noxious vapours the better it is the spirits of water distill'd are most precious the purer the gold is the more valuable the purer the wine is when it is taken off from the lees and dregs the more excellent it is the more the soul is clarified by grace and taken off from the lees and dregs of sin the more precious account God makes of it the purer the heart is the more spiritual it is and the more spiritual the more fit to entertain him who is a Spirit 6. God is good to the pure in heart Psal 73.1 God is good to Israel even to such as are of a clean heart We all desire that God should be good to us 't is the sick mans prayer the Lord be good to me God is good to such as are of a clean heart Quest Quest But how is God good to them Answ Answ Two wayes 1. To them that are pure all things are sanctified Titus 1.15 To the pure all things are pure Estate is sanctified Relations are sanctified as the Temple did sanctifie the gold and the Altar did sanctifie the offering To the unclean nothing is clean their Table is a snare their Temple-devotion is sin There is a curse entailed upon a wicked man †but holiness removes the curse * Deut. 28.16 and cuts off the entail to the pure all things are pure 2. The pure-hearted have all things work for their good Rom. 8.28 Mercies and afflictions shall turn to their good the most poysonful drug shall be medicinable the most cross Providence shall carry on the design of their salvation * Ista quae putatur poena fit medicina Hier. who then would not be pure in heart
society of the wicked Quest Quest But what hurt is in this did not Jesus Christ converse with sinners Luk. 5.29 Answ 1 Answ 1. There was a necessity for that If Jesus Christ had not come among sinners how could any have been saved He went among sinners not to joyn with them in their sins but to heal them of their sins He was not a Companion of sinners but a Physitian of sinners * Ut si accusetur medicus quod in domum aegroti intraverat Austin 2. Though Christ did converse with sinners he could not be polluted with their sin his Divine Nature was a sufficient Antidote to preserve him from infection Christ could be no more defiled with their sin then the Sun is defiled by shining on a Dunghill Sin could no more stick on Christ than a Bur on a glass of Chrystal the soil of his heart was so pure that no viper of sin could breed there But the case is altered with us we have a stock of corruption within and the least thing will encrease this stock therefore it is dangerous mingling our selves among the wicked If we would be pure in heart let us shun their society He that would preserve his garment clean avoids the dirt the wicked are as the mire Isa 57.20 The fresh waters running among the salt taste brackish 6. If you would be pure walk with them that are pure as the communion of Saints is in our Creed so it should be in our company Prov. 13.20 He that walketh with the wise shall be wise and he that walketh with the pure shall be pure The Saints are like a Bed of spices by intermixing our selves with them we shall partake of their savouriness association begets assimilation sometimes God blesseth good society to the conversion of others 7. Wait at the posts of Wisdoms doors Reverence the Word preached the Word of God suck'd in by faith * Hebr. 4.2 transforms the heart into the likeness of it Rom. 6.17 The Word is an holy seed * Jam. 1.18 which being cast into the heart makes it partake of the Divine Nature * 2 Pet. 1.4 8. Pray for heart-purity Job propounds the question Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean Job 15.14 God can do it out of an impure heart he can produce grace make that prayer of David Psal 51.10 Create in me a clean heart O God Most men pray more for full purses than pure hearts we should pray for heart-purity fervently it is a matter we are most nearly concerned in without holiness no man shall see the Lord. Our prayer must be with sighs and groans Rom. 8. There must not only be elocution but affection Jacob wrestled in prayer Gen. 32.24 Hannah poured out her soul 1 Sam. 1.15 We oft pray so coldly our Petitions even freezing between our lips as if we would teach God to deny * Ludit Deum qui ore petit quod corde negligit We pray as if we cared not whether God heard us or no. Oh Christian be earnest with God for a pure heart lay thy heart before the Lord and say Lord Thou who hast given me an heart give me a pure heart My heart is good for nothing as it is it defiles every thing it toucheth Lord I am not fit to live with this heart for I cannot honour thee nor to dye with it for I cannot see thee oh purge me with Hysop let Christs blood be sprinkled upon me let the Holy Ghost descend upon me Create in me a clean heart O God Thou who biddest me give thee my heart Lord make my heart pure and thou shalt have it MATTH 5.8 They shall see God CHAP. XVII The blessed priviledge of seeing God explained THESE words are linked to the former and they are a great incentive to heart-purity the pure heart shall see the pure God There is a double-sight which the Saints have of God 1. In this life that is spiritually by the eye of faith Faith sees Gods glorious Attributes in the glass of his Word faith beholds him shewing forth himself through the Lattice of his Ordinances Thus Moses did see him who was invisible Hebr. 11.27 Believers see Gods glory as it were vailed over they behold his back-parts Exod. 23.33 2. In the life to come and this glorious sight of God is meant in the Text 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they shall see God A pleasant prospect this Divines call the beatifical vision * Inspectio sola divinitatis efficit ut beatius nihil esse potest Cassiodor at that day the Vail will be pull'd off and God will shew himself in all his glory to the soul as a King on a day of Coronation shews himself in all his Royalty and Magnificence This sight of God will be the heaven of heaven we shall indeed have a sight of Angels and that will be sweet but the quintessence of happiness and the Diamond in the Ring will be this we shall see God If the Sun be absent it is night for all the Stars The Angels are called Stars Job 38.7 But it would be night in heaven if the Sun of righteousness did not shine there it is the Kings presence makes the Court Absalom counted himself but half alive unless he might see the Kings face * 2 Sam. 14.32 Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God This sight of God in glory is 1. Partly mental and intellectual we shall see him with the eyes of our mind If there be not an intellectual sight of God how do the spirits of just men made perfect see him 2. Partly corporeal not that we can with bodily eyes behold the bright essence of God Indeed the Anthromorphites and Vorstians erroneously held that God had a visible shape and figure as man was made Gods image so they thought God was made in made in mans image but God is a spirit John 4.24 and being a Spirit is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 invisible 1 Tim. 1.17 He cannot be beheld by bodily eyes whom no man hath seen 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 nor can see 1 Tim. 6.16 A sight of his glory would overwhelme us this wine is too strong for our weak heads But when I say our seeing of God in heaven is corporeal my meaning is we shall with bodily eyes behold Jesus Christ through whom the glory of God his wisdom holiness mercy shall shine forth to the soul Put a back of steel to the glass and you may see a face in it so the humane nature of Christ is as it were a back of steel through which we may see the glory of God * 2 Cor. 4.6 in this sense that Scripture is to be understood Job 19.26 with these eyes shall I see God SECT 1. Setting forth the excellency of the Beatifical vision NOW concerning this blessed sight of God it is so sublime and sweet that I can but draw a dark shadow of it we shall better understand it
things from the wise and prudent and hast revealed them unto babes A father will teach his children the childe goes to his father Father Teach me my Lesson so David goes to God Psal 143.10 Teach me to do thy will for thou art my God The Lord glories in this title Isa 48.17 I am the Lord thy God which teacheth thee to profit Gods children have that anointing which teacheth them all things necessary to salvation they see those mysteries which are vail'd over to carnal eyes as Elisha saw those Horses and Chariots of fire which his servant did not see 2 Kings 6.17 The adopted see their own sins Satans snares Christs beauty which they whom the god of the world had blinded cannot discern whence was it that David understood more than the Ancients Psal 119.100 He had a Father to teach him God was his Instructer Psal 71.17 O God thou hast taught me from my youth Many a childe of God complains of ignorance and dulness remember this thy Father will be thy Tutor he hath promised to give his spirit to lead thee into all truth John 16.13 And God doth not only inform the understanding but incline the will he doth not only teach us what we should do but enable us to do it Ezek. 36.27 I will cause you to walk in my statutes What a glorious priviledge is this to have the star of the world pointing us to Christ and the load-stone of the Spirit drawing 7. If we are children this gives boldness in prayer Privi ∣ ledge 7 the childe goes with confidence to his father and he cannot finde in his heart to deny him Luke 11.13 How much more shall your heavenly Father give his holy Spirit to them that ask him All the father hath is for his childe if he comes for money who is it for but his childe If thou comest to God for pardon for brokenness of heart God cannot deny his childe Who doth he keep his mercies in store for but his children And that which may give Gods children holy boldness in prayer is this When they consider God not only in the relation of a Father but as having the disposition of a Father Some parents are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of a morose rugged nature but God is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Father of mercies 2 Cor. 1.3 He begets all the bowels in the world in prayer we should look upon God under this notion a Father of mercy sitting upon a Throne of grace we should run to this heavenly Father in all conditions 1. In our sins as that sick childe 2 Kings 4.19 He said unto his father my head my head assoon as he found himself not well he ran to his father to succour him So in case of sin Run to God My heart my heart O this dead heart Father quicken it this hard heart Father soften it Father my heart my heart 2. In our tentations A childe when another strikes him runs to his Father and complains so when the Devil strikes us by his temptations let us run to our Father Father Satan assaults and hurles in his fiery darts he would not only wound my peace but thy glory Father take off the Tempter 't is thy childe that is worried by this red Dragon Father wilt not thou bruise Satan under my feet What a sweet priviledge is this when any burden lies upon our spirits we may go to our Father and unload all our cares and griefs into his bosome Privi ∣ ledge 8 8. If we are children then we are in a state of freedom Claudius Lysias valued his freedom of Rome at an high rate a state of son-ship is a state of freedom this is not to be understood in an Antinomian sense that the children of God are freed from therule of the Moral Law this is such a freedom as Rebels take Was it ever heard that a childe should be freed from duty to his parents But the freedom which Gods children have is an holy freedom they are freed ab imperio carnis from the Law of sin Rom. 8.2 This is the sad misery of an unregenerate person he is in a state of Vassaladge he is under the tyranny of sin * Quamobrem dignitatem tuam abjicis teque servum peccati constituis Bern. Justin Martyr used to say It is the greatest slavery in the world for a man to be subject to his own passions A wicked man is as very a slave as he that works in the Gally look into his heart and there are Legions of lusts ruling him he must do what sin will have him a slave is at the service of an usurping Tyrant if he bid him dig in the Mine hew in the Quarries tug at the Oar he must do it Thus every wicked man must do what corrupt nature inspired by the Divel bids him if sin bids him be drunk be unchaste he is at the command of sin as the Ass is at the command of the Driver sin first enslaves and then damns But the children of God though they are not freed from the in-being of sin yet they are freed from the Law of sin all sins commands are like Laws repeal'd which are not in force though sin live in a childe of God yet it doth not reign Rom 6.14 Sin shall not have dominion over you Sin hath not a coercive power over a childe of God there is a principle of grace in his heart which gives check to corruption This is a believers comfort though sin be not removed yet it is subdued and though he cannot keep sin out yet he keeps sin under the Saints of God are said to crucifie the flesh Gal. 5.24 Crucifying was a lingring death first one member dyed then another every childe of God crucifies sin some limb of the old man is ever and anon dropping off though sin doth not dye perfectly it dyes daily this is the blessed freedom of Gods children they are freed from the Law of sin they are led by the Spirit of God Rom. 8.14 This Spirit makes them free and chearful in obedience 2 Cor. 3.17 Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty 9. If we are children then we are heirs apparent to Privi ∣ ledge 9 all the promises the promises are called precious 2 Pet. 2.4 The promises are a Cabinet of jewels they are breasts full of the milk of the Gospel the promises are enriched with variety and are suited to a Christians present condition Doth he want pardoning grace there is a promise carries forgiveness in it Jer. 31.34 Doth he want sanctifying grace there is a promise of healing Hos 14.4 Doth he want corroborating grace there is a promise of strength Isa 41.10 And these promises are the childrens bread the Saints are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Heirs of the promise Hebr. 6.17 There is Christ and heaven in a promise and there is never a promise in the Bible but an adopted person may lay a Legal claim to it and say This
we suffer for the truth and espouse the quarrel of Religion this is to suffer for righteousness sake Acts 28.20 For the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain 2. When we suffer with a good conscience A man may have a good cause and a bad conscience he may suffer for righteousness sake yet he himself be unrighteous Saint Paul as he had a just cause so he had a pure conscience Acts 23.1 I have lived in all good conscience to this day Paul kept a good conscience to his dying day a good conscience will make a man suffer with comfort it hath made the Saints go as chearfully to the stake as if they had been going to a Crown look to it that there be no flaw in conscience A ship that is to sail upon the waters must be preserved from leaking when Christians are to sail on the waters of persecution let them take heed there be no leak of guilt in their conscience he who suffers though it be in Gods own cause with a bad conscience suffers two hells an hell of persecution and an hell of damnation 3. When we have a good call Matth. 10.18 When ye shall be brought before Kings c. There is no question but a man may so far consult for his safety that if God by his Providence open a door he may flie in time of persecution Matth. 10.23 But when he is brought before Kings and the case is such that either he must suffer or the truth must suffer here is a clear call to suffering and this is reckon'd for Martyrdom 4. When we have good ends in our suffering viz. that we may glorifie God set a seal to the truth shew our love to Christ Matth. 10.18 When you shall be brought before Kings for my sake The Primitive Christians did burn more in love than in fire when we look at God in our sufferings and are willing to make his Crown flourish though it be in our ashes this is that suffering which carries away the Garland of glory 5. When we suffer as Christians 1 Pet. 4.16 If any man suffer as a Christian let him not be ashamed To suffer as a Christian is to suffer with such a Spirit as becomes a Christian which is 1. When we suffer with patience Jam. 5.10 Take my Brethren the Prophets for an example of suffering affliction and of patience A Christian must not repine but say Shall I not drink the cup of Martyrdom which my Father hath given me There should be such a spirit of meekness in a Christians suffering that it should be hard to say which is greater his persecution or his patience When Job had lost all he kept the breast-plate of innocency and the shield of patience an impatient Martyr is a Solecism 2. To suffer as Christians is when we suffer with courage Courage is a Christians Armour of proof it steels and animates him The three children or rather the three Champions were of brave heroick spirits they do not say to the King we ought not serve thy gods but we will not Dan. 3.18 Neither Nebuchadnezzars Musick nor his Furnace could alter their resolution Tertullian was called an Adamant for his invincible courage Holy courage makes us as one of the Fathers saith edomita fronte ad Crucis opprobrium have such faces of brass that we are not ashamed of the Cross this is to suffer as Christians when we are meek yet resolute The more the fire is blown the more it flames so it is with a brave-spirited Christian the more opposition he meets with the more his zeal and courage flames forth What a spirit of gallantry was in Luther who writing to Melancthon If saith he it be not the cause of God we are imbarked in let us desert it if it be his cause and will bear us out why do we not stand to it * Si piam justam causam defendimus cur Dei promissis non confidimus 3. To suffer as Christians is to suffer with chearfulness Patience is a bearing the Cross chearfulness is a taking up the Cross Christ suffered for us chearfully his death was a free-will offering Luke 12.50 * Sanguinem suum patri obtulet tanquam sacrificium 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He thirsted to drink of that cup of blood such must our sufferings be for Christ Chearfulness perfumes Martyrdom and makes it the sacrifice of a sweet-smelling savour to God Thus Moses suffered chearfully Hebr. 11.24 25. Moses when he was come to years chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season Observe 1. When he was come to years it was no childish act it was not in his non-age but when he was of years of discretion 2. He chose to suffer affliction suffering was not so much his task as his choice the Cross was not so much imposed as embraced this is to suffer as Christians when we are Volunteers we take up the Cross chearfully nay joyfully Acts 5.41 They departed from the presence of the Council rejoycing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his Name Or as it is more emphatical in the Original 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they rejoyced that they were so far graced as to be disgraced for the Name of Christ Tertullian saith of the Primitive Christians they took more comfort in their sufferings than in their deliverance * Magis damnati quam absoluti gaudentes Tert. Apol. And indeed well may a Christian be joyful in suffering * 2 Cor. 4.7 because it is a great favour when God honours a man to be a witness to the truth Christs marks in Saint Pauls body were prints of glory * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrys the Saints have worn their sufferings as ornaments Ignatius his chains were his jewels never have any Princes been so famous for their Victories as the Martyrs for their sufferings 4. We suffer as Christians when we suffer and pray Matth. 5.44 Pray for them which despightfully use you and persecute you There are two Reasons why we should pray for our persecutors 1. Because our prayers may be a means to convert them Stephen prayed for his persecutors Acts 7.60 Lord lay not this sin to their charge and this prayer was effectual to some of their conversions Austin saith the Church of God was beholding to Stephens prayer for all that benefit which was reaped by Pauls Ministry 2. We should pray for our persecutors because they do us good though against their will they shall encrease our reward every reproach shall adde to our glory every injury shall serve to make our Crown heavier as Gregory Nazianzene speaks in one of his Orations Every stone which was thrown at Stephen was a precious stone which enriched him and made him shine brighter in the Kingdom of heaven Thus I have shewn what that suffering is which makes us blessed and shall wear the Crown of Martyrdom SECT 6. Inferences drawn
the recompence of reward not all the silks of Persia the spices of Arabia the gold of Ophir can be compared to this glorious reward How should the thoughts of this whet and steel us with courage in our sufferings when they threatned Basil with banishment he comforted himself with this that he should be either under heaven or in heaven * Aut sub coelo aut in coelo It was the hope of this reward which did so animate those Primitive Martyrs who when there was incense put into their hands and there was no more required of them for the saving of their lives but to sprinkle a little of that incense upon the Altar in honour of the Idol they would rather dye than do it this glorious reward in heaven is called a reigning with Christ 2 Tim. 2.12 If we suffer we shall reign with him First Martyrs then Kings Julian honoured all those who were slain in his battels so doth the Lord Jesus after the Saints Crucifixion follows their Coronation they shall reign The wicked first reign and then suffer the godly first suffer and then reign The Saints shall have an happy reign it shall be both peaceable and durable who would not swim through blood to this Crown who would not suffer joyfully Christ saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 be exceeding glad Ver. 12. The Greek word signifies to leap for joy * Gâ—sticulationem sonat laetantis Erasm Christians should have their spirits elevated and exhilarated when they contemplate the weight of glory 11. If you would be able to suffer pray much beg of God to cloath you with a spirit of zeal and magnanimity Phil. 1.29 To you it is given in the behalf of Christ not only to believe on him but also to suffer for his sake It is a gift of God to be able to suffer 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 pray for this gift do not think you can be able of your selves to lay down life and liberty for Christ Peter was over-confident of himself John 13.37 I will lay down my life for thy sake but Peters strength undid him Peter had habitual grace but he wanted auxiliary grace Christians need fresh gales from heaven pray for the Spirit to animate you in your sufferings as the fire hardens the Potters Vessel which is at first weak and limber so the fire of the Spirit hardens men against sufferings pray that God will make you like the Anvil that you may bear the stroaks of persecutors with invincible patience 1 JOHN 5.3 His Commandments are not grievous CHAP. XXII Containing an Appendix to the Beatitudes YOU have seen what Christ calls for Poverty of spirit Purity of heart meekness mercifulness chearfulness in suffering persecution c. Now that none may hesitate or be troubled at these commands of Christ I thought good as a closure to the former Discourse to take off the surmises and prejudices in mens spirits by this sweet mollifying Scripture His Commandments are not grievous The censuring world objects against Religion that it is difficult and irksome Mal. 1.13 Behold what a weariness is it therefore the Lord that he may invite and encourage us to obedience draws Religion in its fair colours and represents it to us as beautiful and pleasant in these words His Commandments are not grievous This may well be called a sweetning ingredient into Religion and may serve to take off that asperity and harshness which the carnal world would put upon the wayes of God For the clearing of the terms let us consider 1. What is meant here by Commandments Answ By this word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Commandments I understand Gospel-precepts faith repentance self-denial c. 2. What is meant by not grievous The Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies they are not tedious or heavy to be born there is a Meiofis in the words His commands are not grievous that is they are easie sweet excellent Doctr. Hence observe Doctr. That none of Gods commands are grievous when he calls us to be meek merciful pure in heart these Commandments are not grievous Matth. 11.30 My burden is light the Greek word there for burden 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies properly the ballast of a ship which glides through the waves so swiftly and easily as if the ship had no weight or pressure in it Christs Commandments are like the ballast of a ship useful but not troublesome all his precepts are sweet and facil therefore called pleasantness Prov. 3.17 To illustrate and amplifie this consider two things 1. Why Christ layes commands upon his people 2. That these commands are not grievous 1. Why Christ layes commands upon his people there are two Reasons 1. In regard of Christ it is sutable to his dignity and state he is Lord Paramount this name is written on his Thigh and Vesture King of Kings Rev. 19.16 And shall not a King appoint Laws to his subjects it is one of the jura regalia the flowres of the Crown to enact Laws and Statutes what is a King without his Laws And shall not Christ by whom Kings reign * Prov. 8.15 put forth his Royal Edicts by which the world shall be governed 2. In regard of the Saints it is well for the people of God that they have Laws to binde and check the exorbitancies of their unruly hearts how far would the Vine spread its luxuriant branches were it not pruned and tyed the heart would be ready to run wilde in sin if it had not affliction to prune it and the Laws of Christ to binde it the precepts of Christ are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a yoke Matth. 11.30 The yoke is useful it doth keep the Oxen in from stragling and running out so the precepts of Christ as a yoke do keep the godly from stragling into sin whether should we not run into what damnable opinions and practises did not Christs Lawes lay a check and restraint upon us Blessed be God for precepts That is a blessed yoke which yokes our corruptions we should run to hell were it not for this yoke The Lawes of Christ are a spiritual hedge which keeps the people of God within the pastures of Ordinances some that have broken this hedge and have stragled are now in the Divels pound Thus we see what need the Saints have of the Royal Law 2. The second thing I am to demonstrate is That Christs commands are not grievous I confess they are grievous to the unregenerate man to mourn for sin to be pure in heart to suffer persecution for righteousness sake Durus hic sermo this is grievous to flesh and blood therefore â—hrists commands are compared to bands and cords Psal 2. because carnal men look upon them so Gods commands restrain men from their excess and binde them to their good behaviour therefore they hate these bonds and instead of breaking off sin say Let us break their bands asunder and cast away their cords from us Psal 2.3 A carnal man is
God to beautifie thee and the blood of God to redeem thee Christ was the Priest his Divine Nature the Altar his blood the sacrifice which he did offer up as an atonement for our souls Now reckon what a drop of Christs blood is worth and then tell me what a soul is worth 2. Satan doth value souls he knows their worth he saith as the King of Sodom did to Abraham Give me the persons and take the goods to thy self So saith Satan Give me the Persons He cares not how rich you are he doth not strive to take away your estates but your souls Give me the persons saith he take you the goods whence are all his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his warlike stratagems his subtile snares but to catch souls Why doth this Lyon so roar but for his prey he envies the soul its happiness he layes the whole train of tentation to blow up the whole Fort-royal of the soul Why doth he lay such sutable baits he allures the ambitious man with a Crown the covetous man with a golden apple the sanguine man with beauty why doth he tempt to Dalilah's Lap but to keep you from Abrahams bosome Latet anguis in herba The Divel is angling for the precious soul to undo souls is his pride he glories in the damnation of souls it is next to victory to dye revenged If Sampson must dye it is some comfort that he shall make more dye with him if Satan that Lyon must be kept in his hellish Den it is all the heaven he expects to reach forth his paw pull others into the Den with him 2. Having shewed you the souls preciousness the next thing to be demonstrated is that the soul is more precious than a world 't is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The world is made of a more impure lump Rudis indigestaque moles The world is of a courser make of an earthly extract the soul is heaven-born of a finer spinning of a more noble descent the world is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Origen calls it a great Book oâ— Volume wherein we read the Majesty and Wisdom of him that made it but the soul is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Image of God Gen. 1. The soul is a studied piece when God made the world it was but fiat let it be and it was done but when he made the soul all the persons in the Trinity sate together at the Councel-table Gen. 1.26 Come let us make man in our own likeness The soul is a Glass wherein some Rayes of Divine Glory shine much of God is to be seen in it though this glass be cracked by the fall yet it shall one day be perfect we read of spirits of just men made perfect Hebr. 12.23 The soul since the fall of Adam may be compared to the Moon in its conjunction very much obscur'd by sin but when it is sanctified by the Spirit and translated from hence it shall be as the Moon in the full it shall shine forth in its perfect glory 1. If the soul be so precious see then what that Use 1 worship is that God doth expect and accept namely Inform. that which comes from the more noble part of the soul Branch 1 Psal 25.1 To thee O Lord do I lift up my soul David did not only lift up his voyce but his soul though God will have the eye and the knee the service of the body yet he complains of them that draw near with their lips when their hearts were far from him Isa 29.13 * Neque enim in Sacrificiis munera eorum sed corda intuebaâ—ur Deus Cypr. The soul is the jewel David did not only put his Lute and Viol in tune but his soul in tune to praise God Psal 103.1 Bless the Lord O my soul his affections joyning together in worship made up the consort The soul is both Altar Fire and Incense it is the Altar on which we offer up our prayers the Fire which kindles our prayers and the Incense which perfumes them Gods eye is chiefly upon the soul bring an hundred dishes to Table he will carve of none but this this is the savoury meat he loves He who is best will be served with the best when we give him the soul in a duty now we give him the flowre and the cream by an holy Chymistry we still out the spirits A soul inflamed in service is the cup of spiced wine and the juyce of the Pomgranate which the Spouse makes Christ to drink off * Cant. 8.2 without the worship of the soul all our Religion is but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 bodily exercise 1 Tim. 4.8 which profits nothing without the soul we give God but a carcass What are all the Papists Fastings Pennance Pilgrimages but going to hell in more pomp and state What are the Formalists prayers which do even cool between his lips but a dead devotion It is not sacrifice but sacriledge he robs God of that which he hath a right to his soul Branch 2 2. If the soul be so precious then of what precious account should Ordinances and Ministers be 1. Ordinances they are the golden ladder by which the soul climbs up to heaven they are conduits of the water of life O how precious should these be to us they that are against Ordinances are against being saved 2. Of how precious account should Ministers be whose very work is to save souls their feet should be beautiful 1. Their labours should be precious they are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 Cor. 6.1 They labour with God and they labour for your souls all their sweat their tears their prayers are for you they woe for your souls and oftentimes spend their lives in the suit 2. Their liberties should be precious Constantine was a great honourer of the Minstry if indeed you see any of them who are of this holy and honourable function like that drug the Physitians speak of which is hot in the mouth but cold in operation if you see them either idle or ravenous if they do not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 divide the Word rightly and live uprightly censure and spare not God forbid I should open my mouth for such In the Law the lips of the Leper were to be covered that Minister who is by office an Angel but by his life a Leper ought to have his lips covered he deserves silencing A good Preacher but a bad liver is like a Physitian that hath the plague though his advice and receits which he gives may be good yet his plague infects the Patient so though Ministers may have good words and give good receits in the Pulpit yet the plague of their lives infects their people If you finde a Hophni and Phineas among the sons of Levi whose unholy carriage makes the offering of God to be abhorred you will save God a labour in ejecting them but be sure you distinguish between the precious and the vile
world as the Diamond to the Ring it doth bespangle and beautifie A soul decked with grace is as the Dove covered with silver wings and golden feathers Excellency 4 4. Grace hath a soul-cleansing excellency By nature we are defiled sin is an impure issue 't is a be filthying thing 2 Cor. 7.1 A sinners heart is so black that nothing but hell can pattern it but grace is lavacrum animae a spiritual lavor therefore it is called the washing of regeneration Tit. 3.5 The grace of Repentance cleanseth Maries tears as they washed Christs feet so they washed her heart faith hath a cleansing vertue Acts 15.9 Having purified their hearts by faith Grace layes the soul a whitening it takes out the Leopards spots and turns the Cypriss into an azure beauty Grace is of a Celestial nature though it doth not wholly remove sin it doth subdue it though it doth not keep sin out it keeps it under though sin in a gracious soul doth not dye perfectly yet it dies daily Grace makes the heart a spiritual Temple which hath this inscription upon it Holiness to the Lord. 5. Grace hath a soul-strengthning excellency it enables a Excellency 5 man to do that which exceeds the power of nature it hath 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Arist Grace teacheth to mortifie our sins to love our enemies to prefer the glory of Christ before our own lives Thus the three children by the power of grace marched in the face of death neither the sound of the Musick could allure them nor the heat of the Furnace affright them Dan. 3.17 They did bear up infracto animo prorsus chalybeo Grace is a Christians Armour of proof which doth more than any other Armour can it not only defends him but puts courage into him Tertullian calls Athanasius Adamas Ecclesiae an invincible Adamant * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrys in Gen. hom 3. grace makes a Christian not only bear suffering but glory in suffering Rom. 5.3 A soul steeled and animated with grace can tread upon the Lyon and Adder Psal 91.13 and with the Leviathan can laugh at the shaking of a Spear Job 41.29 Thus doth grace infuse an heroick spirit and derive strength into a man making him act above the Sphere of nature Excellency 6 6. Grace hath a soul-raising excellency it is a divine sparkle that ascends when the heart is divinely touch'd with the load-stone of the Spirit it is drawn up to God Prov. 15.24 The way of life is above to the wise Grace raiseth a man above others he lives in the altitudes while others creep on the earth and are almost buried in it a Christian by the wing of grace flies aloft the Saints mount up as Eagles Isa 40.31 A believer is a Citizen of heaven there he trades by faith grace shoots the heart above the world Psal 139.17 Phil. 3. ult Grace gives us conformity to Christ and communion with Christ 1 John 1.3 Our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus A man full of grace hath Christ in his heart and the world under his feet grace humbles yet elevates Excellency 7 7. Grace hath a perfuming excellency it makes us a sweet odour to God Hence grace is compared to those spices which are most odoriferous and fragrant Myrrhe Cinamon Frankincense Cant. 4.13 There is a double perfume that grace sends forth 1 It perfumes our names Hebr. 11.2 By faith the Elders obtained a good report Grace was the spice which perfumed their names How renowned was Abraham for his faith Moses for his meekness Phineas for his zeal what a fresh perfume do their names send forth to this day The very wicked cannot but see a splendent Majesty in the graces of the Saints and though with their tongues they revile grace yet with their hearts they reverence it Thus grace is aromatical it embalms the names of men a gracious person when he dies carries a good conscience with him and leaves a good name behinde him 2. Grace perfumes our duties Psal 141.2 Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense Noahs sacrifice was a perfume Gen. 8.21 The Lord smell'd a sweet savour The sighs of a wicked man are an unsavoury breath his solemn sacrifice is dung Mal. 2.3 There is such a noisom stench comes from a sinners duties that God will not come near Amos 5.21 I will not smell in your solemn Assemblies Who can endure the smell of a dead Corps but grace gives a fragrancy and redolency to our holy things Heb. 11.4 By faith Abel offered a more excellent sacrifice than Cain God testifying of his gifts Abels sacrifice was better sented God smell'd a sweet savour of it for he testified of his gifts If it be asked what this testimony was God gave of Abels sacrifice Hierom saith Deus inflammavit God set his sacrifice on fire * 1 King 18.38 so from heaven testifying his acceptance of Abels offering and if grace doth so perfume you wear this flower not in your bosomes but your hearts 8. Grace hath a soul-ennobling excellency it doth ennoble Excellency 8 a man Grace makes us vessels of honour * Summa apud Deum nobilitas clarum esse virtutibus Hier. it sets us above Princes and Nobles Theodosius thought it more dignity to be Christs servant and wear his Livery laced with the silver graces of the Spirit than to be great and renowned in the world Isa 43.4 Since thou wert precious in my sight thou hast been honourable Sin doth debase a man Christ tells wicked men their Pedigree John 8.44 Ye are of your father the Divel They may put the cloven foot in their Scutchion an ungracious person is a vile person Nahum 1.14 I will make thy grave for thou art vile the Hebrew word for vile 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies to be lightly esteemed There is nothing so vile but an ungracious man will do he is ductil and facil to any thing like wire which will be bent awry he will snare his conscience stain his credit run as a Lackey after the sinful injunctions of men but grace ennobles he who is divinely inspired as he is high-born 1 John 3.1 so he acts sutably to his birth he hates whatever is disingenuous and sordid The Saints are Called Kings and Priests for their dignity Rev. 1.6 and jewels for their value Mal. 3.17 Excellency 9 9. Grace hath a soul-securing excellency it brings safety along with it You all desire to be safe in dangerous times if sword or pestilence come if death peep in at your windows * Jer. 9.21 would you not now be safe nothing will secure you in times of danger but grace grace is the best life-guard it sets Christians out of Gun-shot and frees them from the power of hell and damnation Prov. 10.2 Righteousness delivers from death Do not righteous men dye yes but righteousness delivers from the sting of the first death and the fear of the second It was the
falling away from grace would make a believer wear Cains mark which was a continual shaking and trembling in his flesh they would spill a Christians cordial and break a link of the chain of salvation 2. Let us try whether our grace be true There is something Use 2 looks like grace which is not Chrysostom saith the Divel hath a counterfeit chain to all the graces Trial. and he would deceive us with it Lapidaries have wayes to try their precious stones let us try our grace by a Scripture touchstone the painted Christian shall have a painted Paradise 1. The truth of grace is seen by a displacency and antipathy against sin Psal 119.104 I hate every false way Grace sets it self against complexion-sins Psal 18.23 and against the sins of the Times Rev. 2.2 2. Grace is known by the growth of it growth evidenceth life Dead things grow not a picture will not grow An hypocrite who is but a picture of Religion doth not grow a good Christian grows in love to Christ in humility in good works Psal 92.12 Hos 14.5 He shall grow as the lilly his branches shall spread and his beauty shall be as the Olive-tree and his smell as Lebanon When the Spirit of God distills as dew upon the soul it makes grace flourish and put forth into maturity 3. True grace will make us willing to suffer for Christ Grace is like gold it will abide the fiery trial 1 Pet. 1.7 And if upon a serious scrutiny and trial we find that we have the right jewel the grace of God in truth Col. 1.6 this will be a death-bed cordial we may with Simeon depart in peace being assured that though we cannot resist death yet we shall overcome it Use 3 3. Let me lay down two or three directions for the attaining of grace Direction 1. If we would be enriched with this jewel of grace let us take pains for it we are bid to make an hue and cry after knowledge and to search for it as a man that searcheth for a vein of gold Prov. 2.2 3. Our salvation cost Christ blood it will cost us sweat 2. Let us go to God for grace * Incassum laborat qui aliunde virtutes sperat quam à Domino virtutum he is called the God of all grace 1 Pet. 5.10 We could lose grace of our selves but we cannot find it of our selves * Domine errare potui redire non potui Austin The Sheep can wander from the Fold but cannot return without the help of the Shepherd Go to the God of all grace God is the first Planter the Promoter the perfecter of grace God is the Father of lights Jam. 1.17 He must light up this candle of grace in the soul grace is in his gift it is not an impropiriation but a donative Oh then go to God in prayer lay thy heart before him Lord I want grace I want an humble believing heart and thou art the God of all grace all my springs are in thee Oh enrich me with grace deny me not this before I dye What is gold in the bag if I have no oyle in the Lamp Give me that anointing of God I read in thy Word of the fruits of the Spirit * Gal. 5.22 Lord my heart is a barren soile plant some of these supernatural fruits in me that I may be more useful and serviceable Lord I cannot be put off with other things Who wilt thou give grace to if not to such as ask and are resolved not to give over asking 3. If you would have grace engage the prayers of others in your behalf he is like to be rich who hath several stocks going he is in the way of spiritual thriving who hath several stocks of prayer going for him If you had a childe that were sick you would beg the prayers of others thou hast a soul that is sick sick of pride lust sick unto death oh beg the prayers of godly friends that God will heal thee with his grace a Moses and Jacob have much power with God Believers can prevail sometimes not only for themselves but for their friends Jam. 5.16 A godly mans prayers may do you more good than if he should bestow upon you all his lands of inheritance 4. If you would have grace frequent the means of grace lie at the pool of Bethesda wait at the posts of wisdoms door Inward grace is wrought by outward means the preaching of the Word is Gods Engine that he useth for working grace it is called the rod of his strength Psal 110.2 and the breath of his lips Isa 11.4 By this he causeth breath to enter out of this golden pipe of the Sanctuary God empties the golden oyle of grace into the soul the Ministry of the Gospel is called the Ministry of the Spirit 2 Cor. 8. because the Spirit of God ordinarily makes use of this to work grace this Ministry of the Spirit is to be preferred before the Ministry of Angels Quest Quest Why is the Word preached the ordinary means to convey grace why not conference or reading Answ Answ The reason is because God hath appointed it to this end and he will grace his own Ordinances 1 Cor. 1.21 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it pleased God What reason could be given why the waters of Damascus should not have as soveraign vertue to heal Naamans leprosie as the waters of Jordan only this because the Lord did appoint and sanctifie one to this work and not the other if therefore we would have grace let us wait where the Manna falls and there expect the dew of the Spirit to fall with Manna the power of God goes along with his Word How should we delight in Ordinances Sleidan saith there was a Church in France formerly which the Protestants call'd Paradise as if they thought themselves in Paradise while they were in the house of God those Ordinances should be our Paradise which are the power of God is salvation PROV 4.23 Keep thy heart with all diligence for out of it are the issues of life The spiritual watch THIS Book of the Proverbs is full of many Divine Aphorismes other parts of Scripture are like a golden chain the Verses are linked together by Coherence this Book is like an heap of gold Rings many precious sentences lie scattered up and down in it as so many jewels or sparkling Diamonds That title which some have given to Peter Lombard Solomon might justly challenge to be Master of the Sentences Solomon was the wisest of Kings as his Kingdom was a Map of the worlds glory so his Head was an epitome of the worlds wisdom He was endued with a Divine Spirit while he did write the Holy Ghost did dictate and surely among all his golden sentences none is more weighty and important than this Keep thy heart with all keeping for out of it are the issues of life Agitur de vitâ The Text is about matter of life and death the
Faith shows a Christian the land of promise Hope sails thither with patience Thus you see how Faith and Hope differ but these Twins must not be parted Faith strengthens Hope and Hope comforts Faith as Elm supports the Vine and the Vine loads the Elm with its fruit Faith is the Cable and Hope the Anchor and both these help to keep the soule steady that it doth not dash upon Shelves or sink in the Quick-sands Thus much for the first what hope is 2. What a Christian hopes for This is set down 1. Emphatically 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That blessed hope Hope here is put by a Metonymie for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The things hoped for That blessed hope is the hope of blessedness A Christians hope is not in this life then he were in the Forlone-hope here is nothing to be hoped for but viciscitudes all the world rings changes but looking for that blessed hope This is the difference between the Seamans Anchor and the Believers Anchor The Seaman casts his Anchor downwards the Believer casts his Anchor upwards in heaven looking for that blessed hope The Believer is a rich heir Hebr. 6.17 and he waits till the Crown-royal shall be set upon his head According to our Common Law there are two sorts of Free-holds There is a Free-hold in Deed and a Free-hold in Law a Free-hold in Deed is when a man hath made an entrance upon Lands and Tenements and is actually seized of them but a Free-hold in Law is when a man hath right to Lands but hath not yet made actual entrance upon them Heaven is a Believers Free-hold in Law he hath a right to it it is promised by the Father it is purchased by the Son it is assured him by the Holy Ghost but he hath not the Free-hold in Deed but waits Gods leasure and looks for that blessed hope till the time comes that he shall actually enter upon possession of the inheritance 2. The Object of a Christian hope is set down Specifically The glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Christ Where by the way the Deity and Godhead of Christ is strongly proved from hence against the Arrians as Hierom and Chrysostom well observe The Apostle shows who this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 this great God is it is saith he our Saviour Jesus Christ but that only in transitu To speak then of the Object of a Christians hope set down here Specifically 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour There is a threefold Epiphany or appearing of Christ 1. There is an appearing of Christ to us as when he was Incarnate Isa 9.6 To us a Child is born This was a happy appearing when this morning Star appeared then salvation appeared to mankind when Christ took flesh he did marry our humane nature to the divine nature The Virgins womb was the place consecrated for the tying that knot Great is this Mystery God manifest in the flesh 1 Tim. 3.16 'T is such an aenigma as the Angels adore 1 Pet 1.12 God said the man is become as one of us Gen. 3.22 but now we may say God himself is become as one of us he made 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the likeness of men Phil. 2.7 This was Christs first appearing 2. There is an appearing of Christ in us that is when he appears in our hearts which is called a forming of Christ in us Gal. 4.19 Christ is said to appear in us when by the operation of his grace he transforms him into his own image In the Incarnation Christ made himself like to to us by Sanctification he makes us like to him holy as he is holy and this is a comfortable appearing What are we better for Christs appearing in our flesh unless he appear in our hearts what are we the better for a Christ without us unless we have a Christ within us Col. 1.27 Christ in you the hope of glory 3. There is an appearing of Christ for us and that two wayes 1. Christ appears for us as an Advocate Hebr. 9.24 He is entred into heaven there to-appear in the presence of God for us 'T is a Metaphor borrowed from our Law-Courts where the Atturney pleads for the Client so Christ pleads as an Advocate for the Saints Satan is the accuser but Christ is the Advocate he answers all bills of Indictment brought in and he appears saith the Apostle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the presence of God for us the High Priests under the Law appeared before the Ark and the Mercy-seat which was but a Type of Gods presence but Christ appears in the very presence of God for us 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the face of God he spreads his merits before his Father and in the vertue of his bloody sufferings pleads for mercy and if Christ appear for us in heaven shall not we appear for him upon earth 2. Christ appears for the Saints as a Judge and this appearing is meant in the Text looking for the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Christs first appearing in the flesh was dark and obscure his beauty was vail'd over Isa 53.2 all that saw the Man did not see the Mesiah But his second appearing as our Judge will be a glorious appearing like the Sun breaking out of a Cloud * Tunc ejus sâ—lgor Majestas omnibus innâ—rescet Esti it will be a glorious appearing both in respect of Christ and the Saints 1. In respect of Christ himself and that thee manner of wayes 1. His Person will be glorious That light which shone upon Saint Paul surpassing the glory of the Sun Acts 26.13 was but a part of Christs beauty as a sparkle of the Sun of Righteousness what will it be when he shall appear in all his Spiritual embroidery 2. His throne will be glorious he shall sit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 upon the throne of his glory Matth. 25. he shall have his Chair of State set him more rich than Ivory or Pearl a Throne most sublime and magnificent 3. His attendants shall be glorious Matth. 25.31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory and all the holy Angels with him The Angels are the Courtiers of heaven they are compared to lightning Matth. 28.3 in regard of their sparkling lustre and these glorious sublimated spirits shall be Christi satellitium part of Christs Train and Retinue accompanying him to his Throne thus it will be a glorious appearing in regard of Christ 2. It will be a glorious appearing in regard of the Saints Christ will appear to do three things 1. Christ as a Judge will appear to acquit his people and that is by pronouncing the sentence Come ye blessed of my Father The debt-book shall be crossed in the blood of the Lamb. 2. Christ as a Judge will appear to vindicate his people The names of the godly many times lie buried in reproach but at that day they shall as
Experience worketh hope A Believer can bring in a Catalogue of experiences Psal 119.65 Thou hast dealt well with thy servant So can a Believer say God hath dealt well with him In several cases he hath had experiences of God when his sins and tentations have been strong God hath come in with Auxiliary Forces and his grace hath been sufficient When his heart hath been sinking under fears God hath boyed him up out of quicksands and lifted up his head out of deep waters Psal 3.3 Thou art O Lord my glory and the lifter up of my head When his heart hath been dead in duty the Spirit of God hath been sweetly tuning of his soul and now he makes melody in his heart to the Lord Ephes 5.19 A godly man hath many signal experiences of Gods favour to him and experience breeds hope So that a godly mans hope hath a foundation it is a well-built hope that hope must needs stand strong which stands with one foot upon a promise and with the other foot upon an experience But a wicked mans hope is tela aranea a Spiders Web he hath nothing to ground his hope upon his hope is an imposture a golden dream Isa 29.8 It is as when an hungry man dreameth and behold he eateth but he awaketh and his soul is empty The hope of a sinner is like a dying mans will that hath neither seal set to it or witnesses in the will he promiseth to bequeath such a Mannor and Lordship so many thousand pounds to such a one but the will being without seal and witnesses it is null and void in Law just such is the hope of a wicked man his hope promiseth him great matters that Christ is his and all the priviledges of heaven are his but alas it is a meer delusion of his false heart when things come to be examined he wants both seal and witnesses he wants the seal of the Word to confirm his Title and the witness of the Spirit Plurimi spe periclitantur * Aug. this is a sad thing for a man to go to hell with the hope of heaven 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 * Eurip. 2. The Spider spins the web out of her own bowels she fetcheth all from her self The Bee fetcheth all from without the matter of her Comb and Honey the sucks from the flower The Spider fetcheth all from within her self A true Christian like the Bee fetcheth all from without he sucks from the sweet flower of Christs Righteousness Isa 45.24 In the Lord have I righteousness and strength But a wicked man like the Spider fetcheth all his hope from within â—he spins the thread of his hope out of himself his duties and moralities thus his hope is like the Spiders Web. 3. The Spiders Web is but weak the least blast shakes it the least touch breaks it Such is the sinners hope the least terror of Conscience shakes it Job 8.14 whose hope shall be cut off commonly before a wicked mans life is cut off his hope is cut off The godly man hope is a good hope it is solid and scriptural the other is a spiders Web. 4. A true hope is a Persevering hope Heb. 3.6 Whose house are we if we hold fast the confidence of hope firm unto the end True hope doth not faint it is not broken with affliction it is an Adamantine grace 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hope makes us endure therefore it is compared to an Anchor which holds the ship in a storm and to an Helmet 1 Thes 5.8 The Helmet keeps off the blow of the sword or arrow from entring So hope as an helmet keeps off the stroke from a Christian that it shall not hurt or dismay him In time of publick calamities hope keeps the soul from sinking Joel 3.16 The Lord shall roar out of Sihon the heavens and earth shall shake but the Lord will be the hope of his people Though heaven and earth be ready to come together yet a Believers hope abides Sola spes in miseriis consolatur * Cicero A Believer doth never cast away his Anchor The Jews were prisoners in Babylon yet prisoners of hope Zach. 9.10 Turn to your strong hold ye prisoners of hope When a Christan is on his death-bed and all hope of life is taken away yet his hope in God is not taken away 3. What unspeakable comfort is this to a child of Use 3 God that upon a serious trial finds he hath a well-built hope * Solamen vitae mortalis est spes vitae immortalis Austin when Christ shall appear Consolation â—t will be a glorious appearing to a believer Credula vitam spes fovet A Christian is like a rich heir that hath great Lands in Reversion he hath much in hope Alexander having given away almost all he had in Greece and being asked what he had left for himself answered Hope his meaning was he had hope to conquer more Kingdoms as afterwards he did So if a Christians outward comforts were taken away and one should ask him what he had left he might say The Anchor of hope he hath a confident hope of those eternal Mansions which Jesus Christ is gone to prepare for him John 14.2 When Christ who is his life shall appear then shall he also appear with him in glory Col. 3.4 Oh what comfort is this how may this lighten and sweeten the crosse after the waters of Marah comes the wine of Paradise after a wet Spring a joyful Harvest Use 4 1. Be exhorted to chearfulness Rom. 5.2 We rejoyce in hope of the glory of God Exhort Timorâ— contristatur animum Branch 1 fear begets sorrow hope begets joy Spes non potest esse sine gaudio Divine hope saith Austin cannot be without some mixture of joy hath a Christian hopes of heaven and not rejoyce Prov. 10.28 The hope of the righteous shall be gladness Object Object But may some say It is long before we shall enter upon possession of heaven and hope deferred makes the heart sick Prov. 13.12 Answ Answ It is not long Rev. 22.12 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Behold I come quickly and my reward is with me This glorious reward we hope for is quickly in faiths account faith makes things future present what hope saith shall be faith saith it is already Christs coming is at hand the bright morning Star begins to appear as a Perspective glass makes those things which are a good way off seem near to the eye So faith makes Christ and heaven and the day of recompence seem to be near it gives a kind of possession of them in this life Oh then Christians rejoyce turn your lamentations into Halelujahs it is but a while and you shall be made partakers of those blessed things you hope for think of the certainty of Christs appearing Behold I come and think of the celerity I come quickly 2. Maintain your hopes against all discouragements Branch 2 either of fear or tentation Christians let
not the Divel dispute you out of your hopes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A Souldier that hath the higher ground and is gotten upon an hill he will not let the enemy beat him off his ground but will keep it to the last breath Hath God set you on the higher ground hath he raised your hopes as high as heaven be not beaten off your ground maintain your hopes to the last pray to God that he would further clear your Title to heaven that you may be as Mount Sihon which cannot be moved 3. How should this make us abound in the work of Branch 3 the Lord. Spes sulcis credit aratis Semina quae magno foenore reddet ager He who hath a well-grounded hope of heaven how fervent should he be in duty how zealous in the cause of God! the hope of glory should spirit and animate a Christian If there could be grief in heaven sure it would be that we have done God no more service what an infinite disproportion is there between our work and reward Let Divine Hope be as Oyle to the Lamp as Wind to the Sailes to excite and to blow us forward in holy activity for God we sow in hope Gal. 6.9 Let us not bâ— weary in well-doing for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in due season we shall reap if we faint not Branch 4 4. Let us live suitable to our hopes in an holy Angelical walking They who have heaven in their hopes should have heaven in their lives let us walk after that golden pattern whith Christ hath left us 1 Joh. 2.6 As we hope to have Christs death for our justification we must have his life for our imitation I will conclude with that Philip. 1.27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the Gospel of Christ The trees of Righteousness blossoming and bringing forth fruit Phil. 1.11 Being filled with the fruits of Righteousnesse which are by Iesus Christ unto the glory and praise of God THE blessed Apostle in this Chapter makes a solemn Prayer to God for these Philippians and among the rest he puts up two rare Petitions for them 1. That they might be sincere Ver. 10. 2. That they might be fruitful in the words of the Text Being filled with the fruits of Righteousness c. Where is observable 1. The Matter being filled with fruits 2. The Manner of Production by Jesus Christ 3. The End which are to the glory and praise of God Doctrine from whence this great truth doth result Doctr. That Christians should above all things endeavour after fruithfulness The Saints are called trees of Righteousness Isa 61.3 These rational trees must not only bring forth leaves but fruit Being filled with the fruits of righteousness For the further amplifying of this there are two things to be enquired into 1. How a Christian brings forth fruit 2. What is the fruit he brings forth 1. How a Christian brings forth fruit I answer he brings forth fruit in the Vine by nature we are barren there is not one good blossome growing on us but when by faith we are engraffed into Christ then we grow and fructifie Joh. 15.4 As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself except it abide in the Vine no more can ye except ye abide in me Jesus Christ is that blessed Root which shoots up that sap of grace into his Branches The Pelagians tell us we have sufficiency of our selves to bring forth good fruit but how improper is this doth not the Root contribute to the Branches is it not of Christs pretious fulness that we receive Joh. 1.16 Therefore it is observable Christ calls the Spouses grace his grace Cant. 5.1 I have gathered my Myrrhe with my Spice Christ saith not thy myrrhe but my myrrhe Emissiones istae bone Jesu sunt emissiones tuae Bern. in Cant. If the Saints bear any spiritual fruit they are beholding to Christ for it it is his wine it is his myrrhe Hose 14.8 From me is thy fruit found 2. What that fruit is which a good Christian brings forth Answer it is 1. Inward fruit 2. Outward fruit 3. Kindly fruit 4. Seasonable fruit 1. A Christian brings forth inward fruit Love joy peace long-suffering gentleness goodness faith c. Gal. 5.22 This fruit is sweet and mellows growing under the Sun of Righteousness this is that ripe fruit God delights to taste of Micah 7.1 2. A Christian brings forth outward fruit 1. The fruit of good discourse Prov. 15.4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life Gracious speeches fall from the lips of a godly man as fruit from a tree 2. The fruit of good works Col. 1.10 God will say at the last day show me thy faith by thy works Jam. 2.18 A true Saint doth all the good he can honouring the Lord with his substance he knows he is to be in the world but a while therefore lives much in a little time and crowds up a great deale of work in a little room it was Christs speech not long before his suffering I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do Joh. 17.4 How can they be said to finish their work that never yet began a good work 3. A Christian brings forth kindly fruit The godly man bringeth forth his fruit Psal 1.3 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That is he brings forth that fruit which is proper for him to bear But what is this kindly and proper fruit I answer when we are good in our Callings and Relations In a Magistrate Justice is kindly fruit Deut. 16.19 in a Minister Zeal Acts 17. â—6 In a Parent Instruction Deut. 4.10 in a Child Reverence Ephes 6.1 in a Master good example Gen. 18.19 Ephes 6.9 in a servant Obedience 1 Pet. 2.18 in the Husband Love Ephes 5.25 in the Wife Submission Ephes 5.22 in a Tradesman diligence Exod. 20.9 in a Souldier innocence Luke 3.14 A tree of Gods planting brings forth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his fruit that which is suitable and proper I shall never believe him to be good that doth not bear kindly fruit a good Christian but a bad Master a good Christian but a bad Parent doth not sound well That Minister can no more be good which wants zeal than that wine is good which wants spirits that Magistrate can no more be good which wants Justice than that Pillar is good which is not upright * Remota justitia quid sunt Regna nisi magna latrocinia Aug. That Child can no more be good who doth not honour his Parent than a Traitor can be said to be loyal When Absalom did rise up in rebellion against his Father the Mule which he rode upon as if she were weary of carrying such a burden resigns up her load to the great thick Oak and there left him hanging by the head betwixt Heaven and Earth as neither fit to ascend the one nor worthy to tread upon the other Let Christians be perswaded to bring forth proper and genuine fruit and shine forth in
their Relations consider 1. He who is not good in his Relations goes under the just suspition of an Hypocrite let a man seem to be a penitent or Zelot yet if he bear not fruit proper to his station he is no tree of righteousness but some wild degenerate plant There are some will pray hear Sermons discourse well this is good but what means the bleating of the sheep they are not good in their Relations this discovers they are foundered and unsound A good Christian labours to fill his Relations and to go through all the parts of Religion as the Sun through all the Signs of the Zodiack I like not those Christians who though they seem to be travelling to heaven yet leave the duties of their Relations a as Terra incognita which they never come near 2. The excellency of a Christian is to bring forth proper fruit * Perfectum est quod propriam attâ—ngit virtutem wherein lies the goodness of a member in the body but to discharge its proper office The eye is to see the ear to hear c. So the excellency of a Christian is to bring forth that fruit which God hath assigned him what is a thing good for which doth not do its proper work what is a Clock good for that will not strike what is a ship good for that will not saile what is a Rose good for that doth not smell what is that Professor good for that doth not send forth a sweet perfume in his Relation the commendation of a thing is when it puts forth its proper vertue 3. Not to bring forth suitable fruit spoils all the other fruit which we bring forth If a man were to make a Medicine and should leave out the chief ingredient the Medicine would lose its vertue If one were to draw a Picture and should leave out an eye it would spoile the Picture there are many to whom Christ will say at the day of judgement as to the young man Luke 18.22 Yet lackest thou one thing Thou hast pray'd and fasted and heard sermons yet lackest thou one thing thou hast not been good in thy Relations 4. Relative graces do much beautifie and set off a Christian It is the beauty of a Star to shine in its proper Orbe Relative grace doth bespangle a Christian 5. A good Christian brings forth seasonable fruit Psal 1.3 he that bringeth forth fruit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in his season * Eccles 3.1 every thing is beautiful in his time Eccles 3.11 That may be good at one time which at another may be out of season There is a great deale of skill in the right timing of a thing duties of Religion must be perform'd in the fit juncture of time 1. Christian duties that relate to our Neighbour must be observed in their season 1. Our reproving others must be seasonable Reproof is a duty when we see others walk irregularly like souldiers that march out of Rank and File we ought mildly yet gravely to tell them of their sin Levit. 19.17 but let this fruit be brought forth in its season 1. Do it privately Matth. 18.15 Go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone 2. Do it when thou seest him in the best temper not when his passions are up that were pouring oyle on the flame but when his spirit is meekned and calm'd you put the seal on the wax when it is soft and plyable there is a time when mens spirits are more flexible and yielding now is the fittest season to stamp a Reproof upon them and it is likelyest to take impression When Abigail reproved Nabal it was in the right season not when he was in wine but when he was in his wits and was fit to hear a Reproof 1 Sam. 25.37 3. Another season for Reproof is in the time of affliction Affliction tames mens spirits and now a word of Reproof spoken prudentially may work with the affliction a bitter potion is not refused if in case of extremity of pain Affliction opens the ear to Discipline * Job 36.10 2. Our comforting others must be seasonable Prov. 15.23 A word spoken in due season how good is it when we see one fallen into sin and with Peter weeping bitterly oh now a word of comfort will do well The cestâ—ous Corinth being deeply humbled the Apostle calls for oyle and wine to be poured into his wounds 2 Cor. 2.7 Ye ought rather to comfort him and the reason is given lest perhaps such an one should be swallowed up of sorrow When the soul is wounded for sin now bring the mollifying oyntment of a promise Jer. 3.1 hang out free graces Colours display the glory of Gods Attributes his Mercy and Truth to the sinner when the spirit is broken a word of comfort spoken in season is the putting it in joynt again Gal. 1.6 this is to bring forth seasonable fruit when we give wine to them that are of a heavy heart Prov. 16.4 Pleasant words are as an honey-comb sweet to the soul Jobs friends pretended to comfort him but instead of pouring oyl into the wound they poured in vinegar 2. Duties of Religion that relate to God must be performed in their season 1. Mourning for sin is a duty God loves a contrite heart Psal 51.17 how powerful with God is the weeping Rhetorique that a poor sinner useth but yet there is a time when mourning may not be so seasonable when God hath given us some eminent signal deliverance and this mercy calls aloud to us to rejoyce but we hang our Harps upon the willows and sit weeping this sadness is fructus intempestivus fruit out of season there was a special time at the feast of Tabernacles when God called his people to rejoycing Deutr. 16.15 Seven dayes shalt thou keep a solemn feast unto the Lord thy God and thou shalt surely rejoyce Now if the Israelites had sat heavy and disconsolate at that time when God called them to rejoycing it had been very unseasonable like mourning at a wedding when we are called to thanksgiving and we mingle our drink with tears is not this to be highly unthankful for mercy God would have his people humble but not ungrateful 'T is the Divels policy either to keep us from duty or else to put us upon it when it is least in season 2. Rejoycing is a duty Psal 33.1 But when God by some special providence calls us to weeping now joy is unseasonable this is that which God complains of Isa 22.12 In that day did the Lord of Hosts call to weeping and behold joy and gladness c. Oecolampadius and others think it was in the time of King Ahaz when the signs of Gods anger like a blazing star did appear * Cum jam prae foribus esset inâ—â—tus now to be given to mirth was very unseasonable ver 14. Surely this iniquity shall not be purged from you till you die saith the Lord of Hosts In the Hebrew it is 〈◊〉
end of the Creature to bring glory to God better lose our lives than lose the end of our living 3. The fuller we are of Fruit the more we are like Christ who was full of grace and truth Joh. 1.14 he received Spirit without measure Joh. 3.34 This Tree of life was ever bearing and he brought forth several sorts of Fruit Wisdom Righteousness Sanctification c. The more we are filled with the fruits of righteousness the more we resemble the Sun of Righteousness We were elected to this end to be made like Christ Rom. 8.30 and then are we most like this blessed Vine when we bear full clusters 4. The more fruit a Christian brings forth the more will Christ love him Now saith Leah will my husband be joyned unto me because I have born him three sons Gen. 29.34 When we bear much fruit now will Christs heart be joyned to us If Christ builds a nest of comfort it is in those Trees which fructifie most though the Lord Jesus doth accept of the truth of grace yet he commends only the degrees of grace Matth. 8.10 I have not found so great faith no not in Israel he sets a trophy of renown upon that Faith Christ will pardon a weak Faith he will honour a great Faith It was not a sparckle of love Christ commended in Mary Magdalen but love flaming Luke 7.74 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 she loved much Christians would you be as that beloved Disciple which leaned on the bosome of Jesus would you have much love from Christ let him have much fruit from you 5. Bearing much fruit will usher in abundance of comfort into the soul in these two Exigences 1. In the hour of tentation Satan wiil be sure to besiege the weakest Christian all his darts fly that way and a strong tentation may overcome a weak faith but a flourishing Faith stands like a Cedar and is not blown down by the wind of tentation a strong Faith can stop the mouth of the Divel that roaring Lion 1 Pet. 5.9 2. Store of fruit will give comfort in the hour of death a little danger will make us above the danger of death but degrees of grace will make us above the fear of death O what joy will it be on the death-bed when a Christian can bring his sheaves full of Corn when he can show his five Talents that he hath gained by trading when there is not only a drop or two of Oyle but his Lamp full of Oyl what though the Divel show God our debts if we can show him our fruit O how sweet will death be it will not be interitus but introitus not a destruction but a deliverance * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrysost Death like a whirlwind may blow down the tree of the body but it cannot blast the Fruit of our graces The Trees of Righteousness carry their fruit with them Rev. 14.13 Their works follow them The Christian who abounds in holiness may say as Simeon Luke 2.29 Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace He who bears but a little fruit departs in safety but he who bears much fruit departs in peace 6. Consider what need we have to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 putting forth still more Fruit our graces are yet in their non-age indeed in heaven this Doctrine will be out of season we shall not need to hear it then we shall have done growing being arived at our full stature then our light shall be clear and our love perfect but while we live here there is something * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 lacking in our faith 1 Thes 3.10 therefore we had need encrease the stock of grace and bring forth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 more fruit Our grace is eclipsed with sin our Faith is full of unbelief now as when the Sun is Eclipsed it is by degrees getting out of the Eclipse and it shines brighter and brighter till it recover its perfect lustre so it must be with us we must be getting out of the Eclipse till we shall arrive at our perfect lustre in glory 7. He who doth not encrease to more fruitfulness will soon be on the losing hand he that hath not more faith will quickly have lesse non progredi est regredi Rev. 2.4 Thou hast left thy first love It is with grace as it is with fire if it be not blown up and encreased it will soon decay Such as thrive not in their spiritual estate we may perceive sadly to decline Though a Christian cannot lose the seed of grace 1 John 3.9 yet he may lose the actings of grace and the comfort therefore bring forth more fruit no sooner doth a Christian begin to stand still but you may perceive him going backward 8. The more your fruit is encreased the more your glory will be encreased he whose pound gained ten was made Ruler over ten Cities Luke 19.16 17. If you would have your Crown hung full of jewels let your boughs be hung full of fruit 4. The last use is of Direction I shall lay down some Use 4 means to fruitfulness Direction 1. Be sensible of unfruitfulness Many might have been fruitful in grace if they had not conceited themselves so he that thinks himself fruitful enough is barren enough be sensible of your wants 't is better to complain than presume 2. If you would be fruitful remove those things which will hinder fruitfulness 1. Cherishing any secret lust in the heart sin lived in is like Vermin to the tree which destroyes the fruit grace cannot thrive in a sinful heart In some soil plants will not grow the cherishing of sin is the withering of the Fruit. 2. The love of riches The cares of the world choaked the seed Matth. 13. The love of sin poisons the Fruit the love of riches choaks it This is like a blast upon trees it destroyes the pretious Fruits of godliness Love not the world 1 Joh. 2.15 3. The third means to fruitfulness is weeping for sin Moisture helps germination in trees holy tears do water the trees of God and make them more fruitful Mary Magnalen a weeping plant how fruitful was she in love to Christ moist grounds as your Marshes are more fertile the soul that is moistened and steeped in tears is most frugiferous never did Davids graces flourish more than when he watered his Couch with tears When the Plant hath been pricked whereby it lets forth gumm or tears it is fuller of Fruit and the Fruit is sweeter That Christian who hath been pricked at heart for sin whereby he lets forth plenty of tears beareth the sweetest Fruits of grace Moisture helps fruitfulnesse 4. If you would be fruitful often apply the blood of Châ—ist and the Promises 1. Apply the blood of Christ Naturalists say that blood applyed to the Root of some trees makes them bear better Sure I am the blood of Christ applyed to the heart makes it flourish more in holiness None so fruitful as a Believer
Fruit is that which God expects from us we are his plantation and Who planteth a Vineyard and eateth not of the fruit thereof 1 Cor. 9.7 Let us not be as Pharaohs kine which devoured the fat and yet still were lean let us not be still devouring Sermons yet never the fatter 2. Fruitfulness is one of the best distinctive Characters of a Christian Prov. 12.12 The root of the righteous yieldeth fruit Fruitfulness differeth a Saint from an Hypocrite the Hypocrite is all for show and pretence he hath fair leaves but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit fruit can no more be separated from faith than moisture from the Air it is the very definition of a branch in Christ it bears fruit Joh. 15.2 As a man differs from a beast by Reason a beast differs from a plant by sense a plant differs from a stone by vegetation so a good Christian differs from an Hypocrite by fruit Fruitfulnesse puts a difference between the sound tree and the hollow tree Quest But may not Hypocrites bring forth fruit Answ 1. They do not bring forth fruit in the Vine they bring forth in the strength of parts not in the strength of Christ 2. Hypocrites bring forth something like fruit but it is not the right fruit 1. The fruit they bear is not so sweet The Crab may bear fruit aswell as the Pearmain but this excells in sweetness The Hypocrite may pray and give alms as well as a child of God but there is difference in the fruit the fruit of the Regenerate is mellow it is sweetned with Faith it is ripened with love The Hypocrites fruit is sower and harsh he doth not bring forth Pomgranates but Crabs not Figs but wild Grapes 2. The seeming fruit of Hypocrites dyes and comes to nothing Joh. 15.6 He is cast forth as a branch and is withered The Hypocrites fruit is like the grass upon the house tops which withereth before it groweth up Psal 129.6 Matth. 13.6 3. Fruitfulness adorns a Christian the Fruit adorns the Tree a Fruit-bearing Christian is an Ornament to Religion the more fruitful the branch is the more fair to look on Jer. 11.16 The Lord called thy name a green Olive-tree fair and of goodly fruit A dead tree as it is unserviceable so it is uncomely A Christian decked with the Fruits of Righteousness is beautiful and glorious The fertil Christian is compared to the Lilly for pulchritude and fairness Hos 14.5 There are many strive to make themselves look fair by their dressing and attyre their chain of Pearl and Bracelets O would you be fair in Gods eye Then spread your Branches send forth your Spices as Aromatick Trees in Lebanon 4. Fruitfulness is a good evidence to show for heaven the fruits of love humility good works are as St. Bernard saith Seeds of hope signs of Predestination the happy presages of future glory The righteousness of faith * Rom 4.11 is alwayes accompanied with the fruits of Righteousness He that can show good fruit goes like a ship laden with Jewels and Spices full saile to Heaven 5. God delights in his fruitful trees when his Garden flourisheth he will walk there he who curseth the barren tree will taste of the fruitful tree Cant. 5.1 I am come into my Garden my sister my Spouse I have gathered my Myrrhe with my Spice 2. It Exhorts them that do bear fruit that they would Branch 2 bring forth more fruit do not think you have fruit enough but bring forth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 further degrees of sanctity Joh. 15.2 Every branch that beareth fruit he purgeth it that it may bring forth more fruit Grace is like the morning light which encreaseth more and more to the full meridian of glory Christians should be like that ground in the Parable which brought forth some sixty some an hundred fold Matth. 13.8 He who hath a little gold labours to encrease it and is not grace more precious than gold some Christians have a little fruit and they think that is well like Trees that have an Apple or two growing on them to show that they are of the right kind Isa 17.6 Two or three berries in the top of the uppermost bough They are like the Church of Philadelphia which had 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a little strength Rev. 3.8 so they have a little faith a spark of love Christ chides a little faith Matth. 14.31 Christians should encrease with the encrease of God Col. 2.19 Christ compares the breasts of his Spouse to Clusters of Grapes for fruitfulness Cant. 7.7 Oh labour to be Christians of degrees the Apostle prayes for the Philippians that their love might abound 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 yet more and more Phil. 1.9 Now that I may press Christians who have Fruit to bring forth more fruits of patience humility love c. Consider 1. This is the end why we have new cost laid out upon us that we should bring forth more fruit The Lord is still Manuring us not a week not a day but he is at new cost with us he rains down golden showers and why is God at all this charges with us but that we may bring forth more Fruit 2. The more fruit we bring forth the more glory we bring to God Joh. 15.8 Herein is my Father glorified that ye bear much fruit Though it is a blessed sight to see any Fruit I would not discourage such as bear but two or three Olive berries it is a signe they are not dead trees it is observable the ground in the Parable which brought forth more sparingly Christ calls it good ground Matth. 13.8 If the Husbandman sees a thin ear which hath but a little Corn in it yet he is glad to see some and he carries it into the Barn So though thou art a thin ear thou hast not so much grace as others God will not reject thee if there be any Fruit God will accept it he that gained but two Talents had his Euge bone serve Matth. 25.22 Well done thou good and faithful servant This I speak that I may not discourage the weak Christian though thou hast lesse Fruit growing on thee thou art too good a tree to be made fewel on thou shalt be transplanted into Paradise But I say you should not rest in small beginnings but labour to put more Oyle in the Lamp and be encreasing your stock of grace for the more Fruit you bring forth the more glory God hath herein is my Father glorified though the lowest degree of grace may bring salvation to you yet it doth not bring so much glory to God It is observable in the Text when the Apostle had said Filled with the fruits of righteousness he adds which are unto the glory and praise of God It is a praise to the Husbandman and commends his skill and industry when the plants in his Orchard thrive so when the plants of Righteousness flourish this is to the praise of Gods glory it is the highest