meanes whereby Christ may bee put on 2 is this when the soul is once made naked then Faith takes the Robe this glorious Robe of Gods grace and brings it home to the heart for faith is not onely a hand that layes hold on Christ for justification but it is a shield also that receives vertue from Christ for our farther sanctification Christ is the fountaine of all grace and faith is the Conduit which conveyes grace from Christ to the soule How faith puts on Christ Now faith helpes us in these three particular actions First 1 it is Faith that closes with the spirit of grace in every promise of God there is the spirit of grace truly and constantly accompanying the same My Word and my Spirit both goe together as our Saviour said The words that I speak are spirit and life Now when the soule of a Christian can close with the promise it closeth also with the grace in the promise They that are in Christ are one spirit with him Rom. 8.10 If the Spirit of Christ bee in you the body is dead because of sin but the Spirit is life for righteousnesse sake saith the Apostle Wee have most great and precious promises given to us that by them wee should be partakers of the Divine nature Where we see that the Spirit of Christ accompanies the promises therefore laying hold upon the promises we close with the Spirit and hereby come to bee partakers of the Divine nature I compare the Spirit of grace to the Seale and the soule to the Waxe and Faith is the hand which sets on this Seale By faith we cause the spirit to worke and fit its particular aide and reliefe for the leaving of any impression of grace upon the soule The next worke of Faith is this 2 it not onely closeth with Gods Spirit in the promise but it looks at that particular grace in Christ which we stand in need of that it may bee wrought in our hearts as if a man want patience or love wisdome humilitie or the like Faith closeth with the promise and brings the same stampe into the soule which is in the promise as in those two places Iohn 1.16 Of his fulnesse have wee all received grace for grace Ioh. 1.16 that is whatsoever grace is in Christ we doe receive the same from him As hee was patient he makes us so as he was wise and meeke and holy he makes us so as in a Seale looke how many letters be upon the Seale so many stampes will be left upon the waxe Faith lookes at all the particular graces that are in Christ As the same power that is in the head is also in the eare and eye and hand So the same Holy GHOST which wrought grace in the humanity of Christ workes patience in adversity and courage to beare persecution and in ignorance it enlightens a mans eyes and makes him looke to Heaven That is a notable place 2 Cor. 3. where the Apostle saith 2 Cor. 3.18 We all behold as in a mirror the glory of the Lord with open face and are changed into the same Image from glory to glory as by the Spirit of the Lord. The glory of the Lord is nothing else but the glorious grace of God and beholding it is when we see the glorious grace given to Christ and againe the same Spirit that made Christ meeke and wise and holy the same Spirit makes us poore in spirit and meeke-hearted like to him Therefore looke not onely on Christ for grace in generall but for particular strength and assistance in every performance 3. The last act of Faith is 3 it not onely closeth with the promise and the Spirit in the same it not onely lookes at that particular grace which is in Christ but faith drawes vertue from the Lord Jesus that so grace may be imprinted in and conveyed into the soule therefore saith the Prophet With joy shall yee draw water from the Well of salvation Esay 12.3 He doth not onely say there is water therein but we may draw water from thence and faith doth it thus when a sinner with full perswasion settles himself with what God hath promised it shall be done to the soule for the good therof as in Ezech. 36. A new heart will I give you Ezech. 36.26 27. and I will put my Spirit into your hearts and cause you to walk in my wayes He doth not onely give grace but quickens that grace and causes men to walke holily and sweetly Nay further if Faith findes the heart dejected and unfit to pray see how it gripes and layes hold on the promises saying Lord I finde my soule dead in the performance of duty and marvellous untoward and awke to a holy life Lord thou hast said thou wilt cause thy people to walke boldly in thy way oh give mee courage and life and quickening As that poore woman by touching the Hemme of Christs garment drew vertue from him so faith layes hold upon the hemme of Christs garment and gaines refreshment 3. The third and last meanes to put on Christ 3 is this having thus denyed our selves our owne lusts and sufficiency and having closed with the promise and the spirit of grace in the same the last meanes is meditation that is when the soule turned it selfe wholly to that grace which is in Christ it pores not altogether upon sinne and corruption for then you goe of from Christ This meditation keepes the soule upon the streame as faith casts it upon the streame As the branch cannot bring forth any fruit Ioh. 15.4 except it abide in the Vine no more can yee except yee abide in me Now wee abide in Christ when the eye is set upon Christ when the tongue talkes of Christ and the minde museth of him and the affections are setled towards him but when the minde is taken off the promise and the comforts that are therein and wholy puzzels it selfe by thinking of temptations or inward corruptions then men are soone prevailed against and overcome If the Devill can pluck your mindes from the promise and cast your thoughts wholy upon your corruptions hee hath enough Suppose there be two fountaines the one full of puddle water and the other full of cleare water and there are two cocks for these fountaines if a man bee alwayes turning the cocke that comes from the puddle fountaine can hee looke for any other than foule water So there is a fountaine of grace in Christ and in the promise and there is a fountaine of corruption in our selves and meditations is as the cockes comming from these Now if we be ever meditating what wee are and what we have and what we doe and what we deserve there is nothing but feare and horror and discouragement and the puddle water comes amaine The nature of meditation is excellent in this kinde and it shewes it selfe in these three particulars First hereby we bring Christ and
take notice of it you account the blood of Christ as an unholy thing and make a mocke at sanctification you care not though you be never sanctified I tel thee then thou shalt receive judgement without mercy nay you doe despight the Spirit the Spirit saith the Apostle makes request for us with groanes that cannot bee uttered and it teacheth the Saints to pray and wretch that thou art thou wilt never pray at all If you have any of these bublings in your hearts then you may conclude what your course wil be You would not know the Lord nay you despited the Spirit of grace when you saw him praying in the Saints certainly you shall perish this is the next step to the sinne against the Holy Ghost Doe you see a man that is not able to endure the power of the Gospell in the plainnesse and efficacy of it but still hee is snarling and catching against the truth and carping against the man that delivers it and if hee can heare any false tale of the Minister he will bee sure to blaze it Doth this man now provide for the love of the truth or for the profession of the Gospel no no he provideth for persecution he hath a malicious and envious heart and is full of venome and violence against God his grace and if opportunity come he will prove a fierce and devilish persecutor Doe you see a light-headed and a wanton-hearted womā wandring out of he owne house at nine or tenne a clocke at night using unseasonable houres like Toades that alwayes crawle frō their holes when it is darke what doth this woman provide for doth shee provide for holinesse modesty mercy Nay that would make her stay at home in her owne house if it were for Religion she would not be abroad at that time she provides for nothing else but whoredome and drunkennesse for a prophane light heart and therefore these guests will come afterward If there bee any such here the God of heaven speake to their hearts Shall people hate holinesse and scoffe at the exactnesse of a blessed course and scarre such as feare God and labour to draw weake beginners from grace What say they will you turne a tame foole Will you bee ruled by these precise fellowes and have your head under their girdle Well I hope your guests are come by this time the case is cleare hee that doth thus provide for sinne will surely bee overcome of sinne You that are the Saints of God doe not wonder though you bee despised and hated by these wicked worldlings let these dogges bark and the Lyons roare and let these wretches hate you still they provided not for you but for their lusts and corruptions and malice and therefore they are overcome by them Thus you see the danger of hearkening to fleshly inticements how it inthralled us in Sathans bondage and hinders the worke of grace in our hearts nothing more How then might I get my heart divorced from sinne Object so as to abhorre every deed of darknesse Labour for a teachable spirit Ans 1 An honest heart gladly embraceth the least notice of any evill it hearkens to any information of what is amisse in him by any person or meanes whatsoever It is a signe a man begins to dislike his courses when hee is ready to heare any thing against them A gracious heart desires to be freed not onely from the dominion of sinne but from the presence of it and is ready to take the least inckling from any occasion or speech of the meanest Saint of GOD to that purpose when any one tels him such a course is sinfull such a practice is unlawfull hee is very carefull to attend thereunto and be advised thereof Nay if an enemy out of malice and spleene shall cast any thing as a matter of scandall upon him that will make his heart shake within him and hee begins to consider whether such an action bee warrantable yea or no and he thinkes with himself Such a man dares not doe it if it bee sinne why should not I reforme it as well as another and if it be not sin why should hee abridge himselfe of that liberty which is lawfull and the soule is never quieted till it is throughly informed what is good and may bee performed and what is evill and must bee abandoned What I know not Iob 6.24 teach thou mee saith Iob and I will hold my tongue Hee doth not quarrell with the man that counsels him or wrangle with the man that adviseth him but teach thou mee and I will heare readily If I have done iniquity I will doe so no more Hee is willing to understand of any failing and will not put off a godly reproofe with matter of scorne saying I know as well as you let every tubbe stand upon his owne bottome and the like A gracious heart is suspicious of himselfe and seekes direction from God that hee may more clearly perceive his miscariages and avoid them He lookes up to heaven and saith Lord thou know'st the secrets of my heart let me know it too thou knowest the winding of the soule of man let mee understand the frame of my owne spirit that I may not sinne against thee 2 In the second place thou must begge of God a submissive minde to his will so as to sit downe convinced and yeeld quietly to the authority of the power of the truth A gracious heart will not invent tricks to defeate the Word of Life when it is evidently and plainely brought home to the conscience Happily it may a little quarrel at the first but when he sees the Reasons are sound and Scriptures undenyable when it sees that it cannot answere the argument it will bee content to bee framed thereunto When the Lord came to schoole Iob Iob 40 4. and had informed him of his own Majesty and excellency together with his vilenesse and misery he presently yeeld up the Bucklers saying Once have I spoken but I will hold my peace yea twice but I will proceed no further As who should say I have spoken foolishly but I will say it no more Famous is that example of the Canaanitish woman when Christ was hot upon her and said shee was a dogge Truth Lord saith shee but the dogges may eate of the crummes that fall from their Masters table As who should say I confesse I am as bad as thou speakest I deny not what I am I am a dogg I yeeld it yet the dogges may lie under the table that is all I crave and aske that I may but lie under the table for a crumme of mercy You know how it was with Peter when hee denyed our Saviour hee wrangles it out and thinks to colour the matter but the very looke of Christ made him goe out and weepe bitterly So a gracious soule rejects no light to discover his wayes he doth not winke with the eye and stoppe the eare or gainsay the truth but
place and seeke for respect in the world No no this is the next way to bee overcome of corruption rather say Lord it is not in this sinfull heart of mine to bee humble it is not in my power to put up an injury but Lord there is an infinite power in thee Oh blessed Redeemer let that good Spirit that wought humility in thee worke the same in mee and give me a meeke and heavenly heart And if the promise come not suddenly yet looke up once againe and say Lord thou hast said thou wilt make thy servant to walk humbly before thee is it not a free constant and faithfull promise Hold here thy holy meditation and at last grace and ayde will come to make us humble You must not put on Christ as your holy day cloathes a man must put on Christ not onely in the morning in prayer time as he confesseth and bewaileth his sinnes and then leave Christ in his house or closet no no you have as much need of your garmēts abroad as in the house therefore weare Christ all the day long and goe clad with him continually and bee able to converse and trade in Christ Put on Christ in every thing in buying and in selling in eating and in drinking and in all things When you have any duty to bee done consider what grace is most needfull and repaire to him for the same Would you put on Christ in eating drinking then say thus O Lord it is not in my soule to be thankfull and sober therefore give me that Spirit of thine which wrought secretly upon others Oh blessed Redeemer let that good Spirit worke also in mee that I may take all from thy hand and receive strength from all and honour thee by all If this were once in us how comfortably should wee live As S. Paul saith It is the Lord Iesus that liveth in me so we should say It is the Lord Christ that doth all things in mee Little children 1 Ioh. 2.28 dwell in GOD as the Apostle saith Doe you desire any grace goe to the Lord Christ then and put him on hee will take measure of al your wants he will enable you to doe whatsoever is commanded He that thus walkes with Christ here shall live with him for ever hereafter Many a man in his death knowes what he hath in the world and knowes how to dispose them but he knowes not what shall become of himselfe when he is gone from hence oh what a comfort will this be that as he hath ever conversed with Christ here so he shall enjoy everlasting society with him in heaven he shall goe to his Saviour that hath beene in him and hath walked with him hee had communion with CHRIST here and shall have fulnesse of joy at his right hand for ever Thus much of the first meanes The second is this 2 we must not give any advantage to Sathan or our own flesh By flesh is meant originall corruption or that unframeablenesse of the body and soul which hath taken possession of the whole man By the lusts of the flesh is meant that inclination which it hath to any evill and that which with-draws a man from any good These are lustings of pride and malice and worldlinesse putting forward the soule to the commission of evill By fulfilling the lusts of the flesh is meant when wee bring these inward lustings of the heart forth into outward practice as when pride saith wee must doe this or that presently wee doe it and when covetousness saith Doe this and straight we doe it and so in other things Make no provision for the flesh From this later clause of the Verse wee may observe these foure points 1 The best of GODS children though they are spirituall and holy have flesh and corruptions in them 2 This corruption stirres up many inclinations to sinne it hath many provocations to draw us to commit evill and hinders us from much good These I shall passe over and pitch onely upon the two last 3. The third doctrine is this wee must not bee provident for our corruptions as a good husband will doe for his outward estate or thus wee must not give way to the practice of these sinnes which wee are prone to by reason of corrupt nature This is plainly laid downe by the Spirit of God in many places as Deuter. 12.28 and Prov. 23.27 Looke not thou upon the Wine when it is red when it giveth the colour in the cup. Hee doth not onely say Thou shalt not drink too much but thou must not looke upon the rednesse of the Wine thou must withdraw thy selfe from the inticements of any sinne God is so carefull this way when hee would fence thy soule against any sinne as that hee will not give way to the least enticement to it specially in the point of Idolatry You shall not marry with them nor live amongst them but breake downe their Images and burne downe their Groves Nay thou shalt not make mention of Idolatry in thy mouth Wee must not maintaine the monuments of Idolatry Nor name them giving them any honor But here the question will bee asked Quest What it is then to make provision for the flesh that wee may know whether wee doe make provision for it or no This implies three particulars especially Ans 1. When a man bestowes his meditation upon those sinfull corruptions that stirre within him and is alwayes poreing upon them by meditation wee warme our wicked hearts As the Adulterer thinkes of his dalliances and the occasions of them and even sucks out the sweetnesse of those sinnes by meditation so the wrathfull man blows up his impatience increaseth it by meditation Oh saith he he hath bin beholding to mee and yet hee hath wronged mee thus and thus so the heart is all in a light flame with anger When the heart settles its thoughts upon a mans lusts he hath never done as a poore man poares upon this and that misery and of the dangerous hazard he and his may come to So meditations fastens upon some sinne and this breeds consent delight and desire and at last hee resolves he will have it as in a family if the master doe provide for it hee sets his meditation upon what hee will have so much of this and so much of that this is one part of provision for his house his meditation 2 The second worke of provision lies in Consultation as when the soule hath resolved to have his lusts as to doe an injury and to vent his malice it sits as it were at Counsell Table how to contrive that which the soule longs after Hee consults of the time when the place where and the meanes by which his lusts may bee attained as may appeare in some passages that way 1 Kings 21.9 Ahab was sick for Naboths Vineyard and Iezabel would provide it for him Ahab had the first part of provision his heart was set upon it and he
THE SOVLES POSSESSION OF CHRIST Shewing how a Christian should put on Christ and bee able to doe all things through his strength Whereunto is annexed A SERMON Preached at the Funerall of that worthy Divine Mr. Wilmott late Minister of Clare in Suffolke By T. H. LONDON Printed by M. F. for Francis Eglesfield at the sign of the Marigold in Pauls Church-yard 1638. Imprimatur THO WYKES Novemb. 11. 1637. THE SOULES POSSESSION OF CHRIST Rom. 13.4 The Text. Put yee on the Lord Iesus Christ and take no thought or make no provision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts of it THE intendment of these words is to suggest into the hearts of the Romanes The intent of the words a saving meanes whereby they might bee cheared up to the performance of such duties as were required at their hands and this the Apostle doth from the eleventh Verse to the end of the Chapter He had told them before that they ought to put off the old man and that they should no longer walke in rioting and wantonnesse but that they should put on the armour and walke as Children of the light Now because the matter was difficult either to get more grace or to performe the duties required of them oh might some say we know we should labour to subdue this sin and it becomes Christians to walke comely holily agreeable to Gods will but it is a hard matter to get grace to doe the same For answer hereunto the holy Apostle in this Verse suggests a double means saying 1. A double meanes to subdue sin Put on Christ 2. Put off all base occasions and provide not for pride and lust and malice by these you shall bee strengthened to performe whasoever duty the Lord requires at your hands and to overcome any corruption In the first means there is 1. The description of the party that must be put on The Lord Iesus Christ 2. The application of this party Now if any man aske what is meant by putting on the Lord Iesus Christ What is meant by putting on Christ I answere to put on Christ is to be conceived in a double sense 1. Wee must put on Christ by faith 1 in justification when we beleeve in Christ that our debts are laid upon his score and his merits are applyed to us but this is not meant here The Reason is because this had beene spoken of long before and it is presumed that these Romanes to whom hee wrote had beleeved in Christ already 2. To put on Christ is spoken in regard of sanctification 2 as when we finde both many weaknesses and much want of grace in us and unfitnesse for duties then wee put on Christ to overcome our corruptions and to quicken up our hearts for the performance of such services as God requires of us This is plaine for St. Paul having enjoyned them to lay aside all sin as pride malice riotous living and all the workes of the old mā he exhorts them to put on the Lord Jesus Christ that they may the better overcome these sinnes and corruptions and be quickened up to every needfull duty Hence I observe this Doctrine They that have received Christ and are neare to salvation and that have good proofe from Gods word that the night is past and the day hath dawned in their hearts even these I say have daily need to fetch succour from Christ and grace for the performāce of every spirituall service which God requires at their hands Our Saviour Christ must be put on Doct. hee is to be conceived of as of a garment and that in two respects as when a man puts on a garment 1. he must have it fitted for him and 2. put it on and apply it to his body so it is in this place Note The Lord Jesus Christ takes measure of all the infirmities of his children and applyes sutable grace according to every mans severall necessities as in Psa 21.5 Psa 21.5 our Translation hath it Glory and comely honour hast thou laid upon him or as it is in the Originall Glory and honour thou hast fitted for him And againe Christ not onely takes measure of our infirmities but also he gives sutable grace fitting for our conditions as in time of injury hee gives patience in time of persecution he gives courage to stand for his truth and wisedome to carry themselves aright yea he shapes out mercy and seasonable helpe for every estate The Lord gives not only a fit grace to his children but also he gives a present aide strength to apply that grace as a man not onely makes his garment fit but hee puts it on close to his body and then he is ready for any employment So it is here when the grace is applyed then a Christian is fit to walke with God in a holy course as Luke 24.40 Luke 24.40 Acts 2.3 4. verses compared with the second of the Acts 3 4. we shall see that the Lord gives a supply of seasonable grace according to our necessities In Luke the Text saith Stay you in Ierusalem till you be clad with the Spirit from above and in the Acts the Evangelist gives the meaning of the former place and saith The Spirit sate upon each of them that is GOD gave them abundance of grace to fit them for their workes the Spirit spake in them and they spake as the Spirit gave them utterance The Apostles had need of much wisedome and courage and therefore GOD gave them abundance of spirituall assistance as in that place is plaine The issue of the point is this Those that are in the Lord Jesus Christ have need every day to receive grace and quickening power from him to enable them to discharge such duties as the Lord requires of them 1. God is the Author of all grace Reas 1. and we have it not of our selves 2. None of us can maintaine that grace which we have Reas 2. further than God will enable us 3. Neither can any man put forth his grace further than GOD will stand by him Reas 3. So then if the grace bee Gods gift and if none can maintain and keep his grace when he hath it further than God enables him nor can exercise or put forth and use his grace aright without divine assistance then it is needfull that wee depend upon God for what we have or doe And if grace and aide to performe any duty comes onely from the Lord Jesus then it is very necessary that wee have daily recourses to him for the same The Vse is Vse to shew us how humble wee ought to be in our owne eyes and with what feare and dread we should walke before God Can we doe nothing without Christ then walke tremblingly before him lest hee take away his Spirit from thee and withdraw the comfort of his grace from thy soule for the Lord hath scourges enough for thee The Apostle saith Phil. 2.12 13.
on Christ Answ The meanes to put on Christ they are three especially 1. Wee must put off something 1 and bee uncloathed before we can be cloathed upon Now there are two things to be put off First put off all thy bosome abominations Put off all sinnes and all those menstrous clothes which Esay speakes of we must not listen after our own lusts nor be carryed away by the power of corruption though temptation within comes and occasions without arise bee not overswayed to any sinne For by these meanes you withdraw your selves from the assistance of the Lord Jesus and his Spirit cannot take any place in your hearts his grace will not worke because you set sinne on worke Therefore let us put off all our darling lusts and corruptions and whē we have casheered them wee shall be fit to receive grace The Angell spake to Ioshua Zach 3.3 4. Put off thy filthy garments and I will give thee change of raimēt that is abundance of grace to carry thee on in a good course If wee live in the spirit Gal. 5.25 26. let us walke in the spirit How is that Let us not be desirous of vain glory provoking one another and envying one another As if hee had said If you listen to pride and vain-glory you cannot walke in the spirit Christ Jesus must bee next the heart hee will not give you outward honours and the like that you may keepe your secret lusts No no grace and Christ must bee nearest the soule of all The second thing that must be put off is this 2 We must deny our selves we must renounce our selves What is that Wee must renounce all sufficiency and ability that is in us that wee may bee under the power and assistance of the Spirit He that will trust to himselfe and his owne ability never can nor shall receive any such supply of grace from Christ to strengthen him as otherwise God would give and hee might enjoy therefore the Apostle wisheth Oh that I might bee found in him Phil. 3.9 not having mine own righteousnesse Before Paul boasted that he was a Pharisee If any man saith hee hath whereof hee might rejoyce much more I circumcised the eight day of the kindred of Israel and the like He had a gay coate and he was marvellously proud of it but when the Lord Christ came to save him he rent it all in peeces hee counted his former garments and all his furniture as nothing and cast all under his feet No souldier puts two Helmets on his head at once and no man weares two shooes on one foot It is pretty to consider it even in nature as it is with a boate that stands partly upon the streame and partly upon the ground so long as it is thus the streame cannot carry it but commit the boat wholy to the streame and then it glides along easily So it is with our souls while wee rest partly upon Christ and partly upon our owne strength and what our parts and wit can doe the power of our Lord Jesus Christ will never carry us nor enable us so chearefully to goe on in a Christian course as otherwise wee might doe It is true the Lord hath given us power to doe what hee requires but the first moving of grace is not in our selves the Fountaine is in Christ and to him we must first goe and from him have our graces supplyed and strengthened Here is the cause why many a Christian finding himselfe weake and his corruptions strong is much daunted because hee lookes onely to himselfe and when any temptation stirres and his lusts move presently hee begins to quarrell with his owne heart and saith Never any man had such a heart as I have by which meanes he is more troubled than before and pores only upon his sins whereas hee should goe to Christ for grace Sinne in our soules is too hard and strong for the power that is in our selves but it is not too hard for the grace that is in Christ hee is the fountaine of holinesse and if we looke to our selves wee goe to a wrong place as a child though hee have life in him yet he cannot walk except his father lead him so we are all such children even the best of Gods people though we have some grace yet Christ must quicken us by his Spirit and raise us up and support us by his grace and then wee can walke chearfully This is the reason why many a poore weake Christian walkes comfortably and sweetly when many an old stander fals often because when an old Christian hath gotten a little wisedome and grace hee thinkes then hee can goe of himselfe and then his peace is forgotten and therefore many times the Lord withdraws his Spirit and here he fals into this sinne and that sinne gets the upper hand of him whereas a poore soule that seeth his owne weaknesse and mournes under it seekes earnestly to Christ that hee would raise up his heart and that hee would strengthen him with his grace and this man walkes chearfully While little children are under the Nurse they never fall but are safe enough but when they are gone from the Nurse then here they fall and there they fall sometime into the fire sometime into the water So it is with us while wee goe into the hands of Christ and look for grace from him all this while though never so feeble in our selves we receive much strength and succour from above but when wee begin to trust to our selves say What need we looke up to Christ now God hath enlightned us and pardoned our sinnes and given us grace now we can goe of our selves then we fall most shamefully then we are much distempered and lose all our peace and all our assistance from Christ Suppose a childe and old man bee swimming the childe that knowes how to doe it he commits himselfe to the Streame and so he swims easily but the strong man thinkes hee can doe it of himselfe and so he strikes with his foot and will not suffer the water to carry him he stands with one foot on the ground and strikes the water with the other this is not swimming but going till at last hee sinkes and is drowned So it is with a poore soule when hee commits himselfe to the streame of Gods grace hee goes on comfortably in a Christian course but when wee rest upon our own ability and on what we can doe the Spirit of grace doth not carry us nor the promise ever assist us and how can wee then subsist Ier. 10.23 for it is not in man to direct his owne wayes S. Paul saith I live and yet not I but Christ liveth in mee That is I must first bee as dead in my selfe before I can live in Christ so should every childe of God say It is not I that have zeale and quickening of my selfe it must bee given me from above The second
upon feare and doubting and discouragement and were all making provision for them and in the meane time faith lay as dead in the soule This is very considerable in reason though faith work in the soule yet it must use the soule and all the affections of it as the memory understanding and desires and cannot worke without these The soule of a man being a finite creature cannot settle its affections upon many objects at once if he bestow his minde upon sin and the occasions thereof hee cannot meditate upon Christ and the promise he cannot have a Streame running fully in two Channels all at once when a man lets out the streame of his desire judgement and endeavour wholy for the flesh and the world there is nothing left for Christ and grace and the cause of God David was a wise man and yet when Nabal had wronged him 1 Sam 25.21 22. see what wronged him see what provision hee made for his anger Surely in vaine have I kept this fellow and all that hee had in the wildernesse saith hee So and more also doe God unto the enemies of David if I leave of all that pertaines to him by the Mornings light any that pisseth against the wall I will requite the old churle and slay him and all his Well Abigal meets him and saith Let not my Lord I pray thee regard this man of Belial even Nabal for as his name is so is hee Nabal is his name and folly is with him And thus shee pacified the King in so much that David said to her Blessed be God and blessed be thou and blessed be thy counsell to me Why may some say Object was not David as able to counsell himselfe as shee was to doe it I answer yes Answ hee was a marvellous wise man and understood the law of God and the Law of Nations but hee had so given over his heart to wrath that hee had no roome for any worke of wisdome or patience to take place and therefore now stood in need of a counsellor And as the worke of grace is dead in the soule because the strength of all is imployed another way 2 so secondly we deprive our selves of the comfort and vertue of the promise that were might enjoy The Spirit and promise of God is that which must helpe a Christian in all his straights Now the work of the Spirit of grace dies in the heart by meditatioÌ„ of sinne our forgetting of Gods promise stops the streame of his goodnesse so as we receive not that grace that we might doe for the strengthening of us In common reason we know this GOD doth communicate grace to us from his promise but we must looke up to it and turne our minde and thoughts towards it Now when a man hath turned his meditations upon the world and the occasions thereof hee is gone cleane off from the promise and not meditating upon the promise and the meanes of grace hee can receive no strength nor comfort from the same Heb. 12.3 the Text saith Consider him that endured such contradictions of sinners against himselfe lest ye be wearied and faint in your mindes Here are two passages observeable First the Lord Jesus Christ is able to make us strong and resolute in minde that wee shall not faint at the opposition of sinners Secondly we must consider him that is set our hearts and our affections upon him as if he had said You are unable to bee patient and to put up injuries but consider him that did it and then you shall receive strength and power to suffer patiently Thus much of the proofe and reasons of the point now I come to the Uses which are of great waight and therfore read them carefully It is a point of marvellous use Vse and of great power and excellency to reforme us in things that are amisse to guide us in the way to happinesse Is it so that whosoever makes provision for the flesh shall certainly be overcome by it TheÌ„ this is a ground of direction whereby a man may perceive what his owne and the practices of other men are and what will become of himselfe and others judge it thus see what provisioÌ„ they make and what course commonly they undertake If a man use meanes that tend to his lusts it is a heavy suspition he will be overtaken by his lusts If wee see a man eate ill meats excessively wee use to say questionlesse he will surfet would any man have done so except he did provide for sicknesse So if our meditations doe runne upon any sinfull courses or base lusts a man may almost conclude wee will surfet upon the same If a man will provide for the world the world will overtake him and if hee provide for his pleasures they wil certainly insnare him Doe you finde a man that hath a secret kinde of dislike at the purenesse and truth of God and that doth despise good counsell and the spirit of grace his provision will tell you what guests will come to his house If wee see what provision is in a mans house we may easily conjecture what his guests will bee As it is in house-keeping just so it is in heart-keeping when wee see what provision a man makes for his lusts wee may know what his course will bee Rom. 12 8 The Apostle saith When men did not like to retain God in their knowledge God gave them to a reprobate mind to doe those things which are good in their owne eyes That soule that sets it selfe against the spirit of grace would if he could pluck God from heaven Oh wretched man what dost thou despight the Spirit if thou hast no spirit then thou art a damned man and as thou dost not like to approve of God in thy knowledge God will ere-long give thee up to a reprobate sense It is a signe that a man is devoted to destruction and even sealed unto condemnation that undervalues the knowledge wayes of God and hath no delight in Jesus Christ but despights the Spirit and the meanes of grace it is just that thou should'st be ridde of this holinesse and blessed presence for ever and therefore God gave them up saith the Text As if hee should say take him a mind that shall never know God that shal never taste grace and goodnesse harden that mans heart hee shall never receive vertue nor comfort thereby provision was made before hand and therefore the Guests come accordingly And so it is Heb. 10.28 If hee that despised Moses Law dyed without mercy of how much sorer punishment is he worthy which treadeth under foot the Sonne of God There are two things to be noted in these words 1. Hee that knowes Gods Law and breakes the same wilfully dies without mercy 2. What will become of him saith the Apostle that opposeth the mercy of Jâ—sus Christ and tramples his blood under his feet and makes a mock at sanctification Brethren for the Lord Christs sake
every lust and wickednesse that lodges within you and lay them downe at Christs feet be content to part with all that you may enjoy him that is more than all who would not leave a sinne for a Saviour exchange darknesse for light or part with an empty contentment to be satisfied with the true never-fading good But if profit cannot prevaile with you let danger force you hereunto know there is a great misery in the neglect hereof if you will not have GOD take away your sinnes the truth is God will take away his grace and holy Spirit from you if you ever had it Nay you shall never have it upon these termes Was there ever a man such a baby in nature that hee would not part with the wound that will kill him Was ever any man so foolish that hee would not let the Physitian purge him when hee was sure to recover upon it Consider it seriously you must either take part with sinne or with your souls either suffer God to deprive you of your lusts or deprive you of heaven Psal 5.3 Thou art a God that lovest not wickedness saith David If you will have sin dwell in your hearts God will not dwell with you nor you with him If you will harbour and hold your sinnes you must hold fast shame and sorrow too A stranger to grace and a stranger to God Gratifie your lusts and you gratifie the devill Without holinesse no happinesse Heaven is too pure a place for any uncleane thing to have admission into Consider what I say and the Lord give you understanding in all things FINIS Spirituall MUNITION A FVNERALL SERMON Psal 20.7 Some put their trust in Chariots and some in horses but wee will remember the Name of the Lord our God LONDON Printed for Robert Dawlman at the Signe of the Brazen Serpent in Pauls Church-yard 1638. Spirituall MUNITION 2 KINGS 2.12 And Elisha saw it and he cryed My Father my Father the Chariots of Israel and the Horsemen thereof WHen the Lord had revealed that hee would take away Eliah in a whirlewinde as appeares in the first verse of this Chapter you shall observe that Elisha one that lived with him and was trained up by him did two things 1. He followed him marvellous closely while he lived And 2. he mourned for him at his death The Lord sent post-haste for Eliah to heaven and in a fiery Chariot suddenly transports him thither Now when Elisha could see him no more nor enjoy him any longer then he cryeth out O my Father my father As though he had said Eliah is now gone he is past all recovery yet though he be a gainer we are all losers having lost a maine prop and support unto us therefore I cannot but breath and pant after him O my Father my Father In the verse I have read you may observe two things 1. The affection of Elisha to his Master 2. The commendation or description of Elijah The words repeated imply his passion as that of David O Absolom 2 Sam. 18.33 my sonne my sonne would God I had dyed for thee O Absolom my sonne my sonne 1. The affection of this holy man appeareth in three things 1. 1. His honourable esteeme of him Father 2. His humble subjection to him My Father 3. His lamentation and mourning for him O my Father wherein the great griefe and passion of his soule appeares by rending and tearing his clothes apieces as you may see in the Chapter I beginne with the first The word Father is sometimes taken for a word of nature as a naturall father sometimes it signifies a terme of time discovering Antiquity as Fathers in Israel that is such as are aged of long continuance and standing in the Church The point hence is this Doct. 2 King 6.21 The Ministers of God should be as Fathers to the people And this appeares in three things 1 1 They should have a stayednesse and gravity both of spirit and life 1 Tim. 4.12 Let no man despise thy youth saith Paul to Timothy but be an example in life and doctrine If thou livest holily without exception and yet men will speake against thee thine heart tells them they lie let them raile their fill 2 2 In regard of the power and authority committed unto them by God Paul had a rod as well as meeke words Ministers must bee Fathers not cockerers nor flatterers of men 3. 3 In regard of the instruction that they give unto the people which must bee according as their necessity and ability requireth They must be eyes to the blind eares to the deafe Isa 40.11 and feete to the lame First Vse 1. this should teach the Lords watchmen to shine as burning lamps to be examples of piety and strict obedience in their severall places Alas what is it to have the highest place and the basest practise the best calling and the worst kinde of living Secondly Vse 2. it should instruct you that are hearers to deale with the Ministers of Gods word as with Fathers you must not despise them in a captious censorious manner undervaluing the Lords Worthies 1 Tim. 5.1 as many doe Rebuke not an Elder saith S. Paul but intreat him as a Father It is not for a childe to call the father to his tribunall Doe wee see any thing in the Minister that is faulty wee should mourne for it and wisely suggest it to him Say to Archippus saith S. Paul he doth not bid you controule Archippus But here mistake me not It is a point of Popery to beleeve and doe in all things as the Minister saith or doth but wee must search the Scriptures and try mens doctrines whether they bee according to God or not This is one passage My father Here is further set down the deare and respectfull carriage of Elisha unto Eliah whence observe 2 That loving subjection is that which all people ought to give unto those that are in the place of the Ministery Doct. 2. Heb. 13.17 Submit yourselves What Elisha himselfe did all the sonnes of Elisha will likewise doe Now this appeares in three things 1 1 They must have a reverend esteem of them and the places unto which God hath called them they must entertaine them as Ambassadors Gal. 4.14 as Co-workers with the Sonne for their salvation 1 Thes 5.13 to bring the poore creature and his Creator together that they may be one Men are apt to say Ministers are weak and passionate and full of failings Why brethren who is not so It is our happinesse that we have this heavenly treasure in earthen vessels Should God speake to us face to face who were able to abide him Secondly 2. submitting subjecting of our selves to the truths delivered Tell not me of intertaining a Minister or bidding him to your Table Thou must subject thy soule to the word and labour to bee under the power of divine truths revealed Otherwise
that hee put up to the Lord in the dayes of his humiliation If any sins were stirring or any iniquity abounding hee laboured by fasting and prayer to oppose the same I knew him sometimes in Cambridge in his younger dayes at which time the Lord had wonderfully inriched him with spirituall gifts In the exercise whereof he was so industrious that hee did weary himselfe and even consume his spirits by reason of his constancy in holy duties Hee was so taken with love of the Lord Jesus and his blessed truths that hee was faine to bee checked and by many good friends to bee hindered in his pious service and indeavours How oft hath hee stood in the gap and laboured by fervent prayers to avert Gods wrath and remove his heavy judgements Witnes his strong cries and intercessions to the Almighty in the time of common calamitie when the pestilence raged so violently amongst us Witnesse also those painefull imployments that hee tooke up in season and out of season exhorting rebuking with all long-suffring and patience Some times alluring the heart with sweet promises otherwhile denouncing vengeance threatning judgement against obstinate sinners Preaching ordinarily every Lords day and extraordinarily upon the weeke as occasion was offered for the good of his people Witnesse also and I pray brethren thinke of that the many sweet comforts and heavenly consolations wherewith hee refreshed and supported many a fainting soule Thus this blessed Saint weakned his body and wasted his spirits out of love to Christs little flock which now he enjoyes the fruit and comfort of For though our griefe cannot bee expressed having sustained so great a losse yet it cheereth my heart me thinks how now he resteth from all his labours Oh the sweet repose that hee enjoyes Now his eyes that were full of teares and his tongue that did almost cleave to the roofe of his mouth for the good of the Church doe all cease and lie still We leave his pretious soule in the hands of his Maker and his body to bee laid in the dust there to sleep in a bed of downe untill the Trump shall awake both him and us all at the great day of appearing Againe Vse 2. Are faithfull Ministers the helpe and fortresse of a Nation then the losse of an able true hearted Minister is to bee greatly mourned for O my Father my Father saith good Elisha So though we must leave this our deare brother yet let us look after him as hee did Hee looked wishly on him had his eye fixed constantly towards him and when he could see him no more hee cryeth out O my father my father Why should not wee bewaile this great losse of ours in like manner Me thinks every one of us should take up this sorrowfull complaint mee thinks your spirits should relent and mourne at such an object Yea I am perswaded many here present doe so Mee thinks I heare one say O my father by whom I was converted and another O my father by whom I was directed a third O my father by whom my soule was comforted and the little children that are left fatherlesse they cry O my father by whom I was begotten maintained and nourished in spirituall things Brethren let us looke after him though wee must now part with him yet let us call to minde all his prayers and humiliation and fasting and supplications to the throne of Grace All his teares are now dried up all his complaints are now finished all his paines and labours are now accomplished and hee to receive a plentifull reward of them Let us mourne for our neglect of the means of salvation whiles he lived amongst us O his labour and teares and painfull studying are now all gone they are now in heaven whither he himself is gone before us The Lord give us to follow his steps that we finishing our course as he did our latter end may be like unto his To conclude briefly Vse 3 Is one of the Horsemen of Israel gone Are the Charrets of Israel taken away What must wee then do Certainly we should double our forces now and make a new presse because a Generall is slain The Lord hath brought us hither at this time O let us lay this dolefull spectacle to heart and be affected therewith as we ought I should speak as if I were never to speake more You should heare as if you were never to heare more Men Fathers and Brethren what hath befallen this Saint before you may be any of our portions ere long wee know not how soone Death may knock at our doores Our times are in Gods hand who can take us to himselfe when hee pleaseth Happily this day may be thy last day and this very season the last opportunity that ever thou maiest have to meet GOD in his Ordinances Oh therefore bee encouraged to adde one prayer more Goe home I beseech you and consider with the departure of this our deare Friend how many prayers and teares are departed with him How did hee importune the Lord for the good of the whole Land in generall and for the Country and place wherein he lived in particular Thinke you all his earnest striving with God was in vaine Or seemeth it a small thing in your eyes to lose so many fervent effectuall supplications I beseech you lay it to heart and every man in his place put to his helping hand for repairing of so great a losse Now make a presse of prayers raise up armies of petitions Goe your wayes home bee humbled pray one praier more that the Army may be increased still You that were of his Parish and enjoyed the worke of his Ministery Oh you have lost a good Pastor a faithfull Labourer in Gods harvest one that had a longing desire after your salvation But know this how ever your provocations are increased yet the Lord who for your sins hath made this breach among you hath further blessings in store if you seeke to him He can supply your place againe with a faithfull able Minister and with a couragious Generall Therefore brethren if ever you pray pray now if ever you fast now fast if ever you humble your selves now bee humbled in dust and ashes before the Lord never more need never greater want By this meanes the Land will be strengthened and our peace and safety continued What though our enemies are many and our sinnes great fervent prayer hath to doe with a God stronger and mightier then they all This will undermine the most subtill underminers of Gods truth and children therefore set your selves seriously upon the work however the flesh is awkward yet stirre up and provoke your spirits hereunto It will never repent you upon your death beds of your prayers and teares put up unto God It will bee a great refreshment to your drooping soule at that day if you can say in truth as Hezekiah did Good Lord remember how I have walked uprightly before thee This is that which will continue a mans comfort and support his soule in the greatest extremity An unpraying heart is a dismall thing Therefore be incouraged to the duty Pray pray pray FINIS
grace neare unto us and wee put on our communion upon every occasion 1 it makes the promise to be within a mans reach as I may say David saith Psal 119.98 99. Thou through thy Commandements hast made mee wiser than mine enemies for they are ever with me and I have more understanding than all my teachers for thy testimonies are my meditation Meditation makes the Commandements to bee ever with a man when troubles and temptation come Meditation brings Christ neare and the promise close to the soule If pride be neare us then meditation brings neare the humility of Christ and makes that to be ever with a man If covetousnesse be neare then meditation brings neare the heavenly mindednesse of Christ and that is ever with a man to aide him and so in all other things You poore people of God of whatsoever condition you are hold fast a cōstant meditation of the promise and at last you shall see that grace will come from heaven into your soules Secondly meditation gathers up all the power that is in the promise and daily findes a great deale of sweetnesse and power to come from the same as Heb. 13. He hath said Heb. 13.6 I will not faile thee nor forsake thee Now Meditation workes thus Hath God said so there is infinite mercy and wisedome compassion and goodnesse in him Will the Lord never leave me will he never forsake me It is enough it is a free gracious constant and faithfull promise I may safely rest upon it Thus the soule is fully contented and quieted though all other comforts in the world faile This is the reason why wee are taken aside so much and discouraged with every little crosse and trouble because wee consider not the freedome and excellency of the promise if we aske a poore soule whether this bee his promise or no and will you part with this promise in this cold blood he can say Yes I thank God it is mine and I would not be without it for any thing it is farre more sweet than any riches pleasures or profits whatsoever Oh brethren why should this trash delude us and why are wee so much dismayed at the losse of these things here below Sure it is because wee weigh not the excellency of the promise and the things are above When the devil saith Thou wilt be poore and the times are hard and thou and thine will come to great misery then Meditation goes to the promise and seeing the excellency of it saith If I be poore Christ is rich and hee is mine if I be a wretched creature in my self Christ is blessed and beloved of his Father hee is mine The earth is all the Lords and the fulnesse thereof and he hath said he will deny me nothing that is good If GOD bee mine in conclusion all is mine Looke as it is with a garment the more full it is the more comely it is so when Meditation brings all the promises home it is full I want power saith the soule there is abundance of power in the Lord Jesus saith Meditation I want mercy saith the soule then Meditation steps in and saith There is mercy enough in Christ and all his goodnesse from everlasting to everlasting is thine hereupon the soule goes away wonderfully contented and cheared See how comfortably the Martyrs passed through the very flames in consideration hereof Ps 16.8 I have set God ever before my eyes and because hee is at my right hand I cannot be moved That is God will give mee sufficient aide and assistance in all extremities When a man continually sets God before his eies and thinks talkes of nothing but Christ how joyous may such a one be but when the heart of a man is dazled and his minde either looking for some sufficiency frō within or some glory from without this withdrawes the power of the promise from him as if a Preacher did see nothing but the Lord and ayme at him onely and give himselfe wholy to his disposall and receive all his strength onely for him what need hee care what men thinke or say of him If you would do thus you should finde a bundance of peace and comfort from the Almighty The third worke of Meditation is this 3 It fastens the promise more strongly upon the soule and as it were rivets the soule to the promise and even fastens the promise into the heart as if a man doe alwayes meditate of some injury done to him and saith thus and thus he hath wronged me but I will requite him and as he hath done to me so I will deale by him againe such a man is even drowned in his misery he cannot sleep or speake eat or drink nor doe any thing but his minde is ever upon his injury This spirituall Meditation will as it were drowne a man in the promise so that at last hee thinkes and talkes of nothing but the promise still the Lord Jesus Christ is neare him and hee is so fastened to him that he walkes on chearily in all estates if any misery or temptation comes the promise is so chear full to him that hee regards them not That is the phrase of the Wiseman Pro. 4.14 Take hold fast of instruction let her not goe for she is thy life The devill the world and our sinnes would pluck away Christ and grace from us but let not the promise goe thinke and talke still of it pray and strive for the continuance of the same Now to worke this a little into your hearts Vse the Apostle saith Col. 2.6 that as you have received Christ so walke you in him I beseech you walke in the power and spirit of Christ and let the vertue received from him appeare in your lives and conversations It is a strange passage in the 2 Corinth 2 Cor. 13.3 13. If any man require a Testimony of Christ speaking in me c. The Lord Jesus indited all the words of S. Paul and Christ himself spake by all his faithfull servants Oh what a comfort would this bee to a poore childe of GOD that it may be hath not a ragge to cover his body withall yet he is cloathed with the robe of Jesus Christ Oh how holy our conversation would bee if Christ would speake in us and for us that when any temptation comes wee may have recourse to the Lord for succour If the soule bee troubled with pride and the heart begins to bubble up with revenge and malice against a man that hath done him wrong and men lye against all sense and reason and this begins to stirre a man how wil you help your selves Thus looke up to heaven and say Now I see the thing I must labour for is a humble soule Truth Lord it is not in mee to pull downe and tame mine owne heart Lord doe thou worke this grace in me It is a shame to pride our selves and say These are my parts and gifts I will know my