we are here we are complaining of our wants weeping over our sins but there we shall be praising God How will the Birds of Paradise chirp when they are in that Caelestial Country There the Morning Stars will sing together and all the Saints of God shout for joy O what should we aspire after but this Country above Such as have their eyes opened will see that it doth infinitely excel An ignorant man looks upon a Star and it appears to him as a little silver spot but the Astronomer who hath his Instrument to judge of the dimension of a Star knows it to be many degrees bigger than the earth So a natural man hears of the heavenly Country that it is very glorious but it is at a great distance and because he hath not a spirit of discerning the world looks bigger in his eye but such as are Spiritual Artists who have the Instrument of Faith to judge of Heaven will say it is far the better Country and thither will they hasten with the Sails of desire SECT XV. 15. A godly man is a zealous man grace turns a Saint into a Seraphim it makes him burn in holy zeal zeal is a mixed affection a compound of love and anger it carries forth our love to God and anger against sin in the most intense manner Zeal is the flame of the affections a godly man hath a double baptism of water and fire he is baptized with a spirit of zeal hee is zealous for Gods honour truth worship Psal. 119. 139. my zeal hath consumed me it was a crown set on Phineas his head hee was zealous for his God Numb 25. 13. Moses being touched with a coal from Gods altar in his zeal hee breaks the Tables Exod. 32. 19. our blessed Saviour in his zeal whips the buyers and sellers out of the Temple Ioh. 2. 17. the zeal of thy house hath eaten me up But there is a Praeternatural heat something looking like zeal which is not a Comet looks like a Star I shall therefore show some differences between a true and a false zeal 1 A false zeal is a blinde zeal Rom. 10. 2. They have a zeal of God but not according to knowledge this is not the fire of the spirit but wild-fire The Athenians were very devout and zealous but they knew not for what Acts 17. 23. I found an Altar with this Inscription 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 To the unknown God Thus the Papists are zealous in their way but they have taken away the key of knowledge 2 A false zeal is a self-seeking zeal Iehu cries come see my zeal for the Lord 2 King 10. 16. but it was not zeal but ambition he was fishing for a Crown Demetrius pleads for the Goddess Diana but it was not her Temple but her Silver shrines he was zealous for Such zealots Ignatius complains of in his time that they made a Trade of Christ and Religion thereby to enrich themselves 'T is probable many in King Henry the eights time were forward to pull down the Abbies not out of any zeal against Popery but that they might build their own houses upon the ruines of those Abbies like Eagles which fly aloft but their eyes are down upon their prey If blind zeal be punished seven fold hypocritical zeal shall bee punished seventy and seven fold 3 A false praeposterous zeal is a misguided zeal it runs out most in things which are not commanded It is the sign of an hypocrite to be zealous for traditions and careless of institutions The Pharisees were more zealous about washing of their cups than their hearts 4 A false zeal is fired with passion Iames and Iohn when they would call for fire from heaven were rebuked by our Saviour Luk. 9. 54. Yee know not what spirit yee are off it was not zeal but choller many have espoused the cause of Religion rather out of faction and humour than out of zeal to the truth But the zeal of a godly man is a true and holy zeal which evidenceth it self in the effects of it 1 True zeal cannot bear an injury done to God zeal makes the blood rise when Gods honour is impeached Rev. 2. 2. I know thy works and thy labour and patience and how thou canst not bear them which are evil hee who zealously affects his friend cannot hear him spoken against and be silent 2 True zeal will encounter with the greatest difficulties when the world holds out a Gorgons head of danger to discourage us zeal casts out fear it is quickned by opposition Zeal doth not say there is a Lyon in the way zeal will charge through an Army of dangers it will march in the face of death Let news be brought to Paul that he was way-laid in every City bonds and imprisonment did abide him this sets a keener edge upon his zeal Acts 21. 13. I am ready not only to bee bound but to dye for the name of the Lord Iesus as sharp frosts do by an antiparistasis make the fire burn hotter so sharp oppositions do but inflame zeal the more 3 True zeal as it hath knowledge to go before it so it hath sanctity to follow after it Wisdome leads the van of zeal and holiness brings up the rear an hypocrite seems to be zealous but he is vitious the godly man is white and ruddy white in purity as well as ruddy in zeal Christs zeal was hotter than the fire and his holiness purer than the sun 4 Zeal that is genuine loves truth when it is despised and opposed Psal. 119. 126. They have made void thy law therefore I love thy commandements above gold the more others deride holiness the more we love it what is Religion the worse for others disgracing it doth a Diamond sparkle the less because a blinde man disparageth it the more outragious the wicked are against the truth the more couragious the godly are for it When Mical scoffed at Davids religious dancing before the Ark if saith he this be to be vile I will yet be more vile 2 Sam. 6. 22. 5 True zeal causeth fervency in duty Rom. 12. 11. fervent in spirit Zeal makes us hear with reverence pray with affection love with ardency God kindled Moses his sacrifice from heaven Lev. 9. 24. There came a fire out from before the Lord and consumed upon the Altar the burnt offering when we are zealous in devotion and our heart waxeth hot within us here is a fire from heaven kindling our sacrifice how odious is it for a man to be all fire when he is sinning and all yâ—e when he is praying A pious heart like water seething hot boils over in holy affections 6. True zeal is never out of breath though it be violent 't is perpetual no waters can quench the flame of zeal it is torrid in the frigid zone The heat of zeal is like the natural heat coming from the heart which lasts as long as life That zeal which is not constant was
never true Use 1. How opposite are they to godliness who cry down zeal and count it a Religious phrensie They are for the light of knowledge but not for the heat of zeal When Basil was earnest in preaching against the Arrian Heresie it was interpreted folly and dotage Religion is a matter requires zeal the Kingdom of heaven will not be taken but by violence Mat. 12. 11. Object But why so much fervour in Religion what becomes then of Prudence Answ. Though Prudence be to direct zeal yet not to destroy it because sight is requisite must the body therefore have no heat If Prudence be the eye in Religion zeal is the heart Quest. But where is moderation Answ. Though moderation in things of indifferency be commendable and doubtless it would much tend to the setling the peace of the Church yet in the main Articles of Faith wherein Gods glory and our Salvation lie at stake here moderation is nothing else but sinful neutrality It was Calvins advice to Melancthon that he should not so affect the name of moderate that at length he lost all his zeal Object But the Apostle presseth moderation Phil. 4. 5. Let your moderation be known to all Answ. The Apostle speaks there of moderating our passion the Greek word for moderation signifies candour and meekness opposite to rash anger and so the word is rendred in another place Patient 1 Tim. 3. 3. By moderation then is meant meekness of spirit and that is clear by the subsequent words The Lord is at hand As if the Apostle had said avenge not your selves for the Lord is at hand he is ready to avenge your personal wrongs but this doth not at all hinder but that in matters of Religion a Christian should be zealous 2 What strangers are they to godliness who have no zeal for the glory of God they can see his ordinances despised his worship adulterated yet their spirits are not at all stirred in them How many are of a dull lukewarm temper zealous for their own secular interest but have no zeal for the things of heaven hot in their own cause but cool in Gods The Lord doth most abominate lukewarm professours I had almost said hee is sick of them Rev. 3. 15. I would thou wert cold or hot any thing but lukewarm but because thou art neither cold nor hot I will spue thee out of my mouth A lukewarm Christian is but dough-baked just like Ephraim Hos. 7. 8. Ephraim is a cake not turned To keep up a form of Religion without zeal is to be like those bodies the Angels assumed which mooved but had no life in them I would ask these Tepid neutral professors this question If Religion be not a good cause why did they undertake it at first if it be why do they go so faintly about it why have they no more holy ardours of soul these persons would fain go to heaven in a soft bed but are loath to bee carried thither in a fiery Chariot of zeal Remember God will be zealous against them who are not zealous he provides the fire of hell for those that want the fire of zeal Use 2. As you would be found in the catalogue of the godly labour for zeal as good bee of no religion as not to be zealous in religion Beware of carnal policy This is one of those three things which Luther feared would bee the death of Religion Some men have been too wise to bee saved Their discretion hath quenched their zeal beware of stoth which is an enemy to zeal be zealous and repent Rev. 3. 19. Christians what do you reserve your zeal for is it for your gold that perisheth or for your lusts that will make you perish can you bestow your zeal better than upon God how zealous have men been in a false religion Isa. 46. 6. They lavish gold out of the bag and weigh silver in the ballance The Iews did spare no cost in their idolatrous worship nay Ier. 32. 35. They cause their Sons and Daughters to pass thorow the fire to Molech They were so zealous in their idol-worship that they would sacrifice their Sons and Daughters to their false Gods how far did the purblinde Heathens go in their false zeal 〈◊〉 the Tribunes of Rome complained they wanted gold in their Treasurâ—es to offer to Apollo the Roman Matrons plucked off their chains of gold and rings and bracelets and gave them to the Priests to offer up sacrifice were these so zealous in their sinful worship and will not you bee zealous in the worship of the true God can you loose any thing by your zeal shall it not bee super-abundantly recompenced what is heaven worth what is a sight of God worth was not Jesus Christ zealous for you he sweat drops of blood hee conflicted with his Fathers wrath how zealous was hee for your redemption and have you no zeal for him is there any thing you your selves hate more than dulness and slothfulness in your servants you are weary of such servants do you dislike a dull temper in others and not in your selves what are all your duties without zeal but non entia meer fancies and nullities Do you know what a glorious thing zeal is it is the lustre that sparkles from grace it is the flame of love it resembles the Holy Ghost Act. 2. 2. There appeared cloven tongues like fire which sat upon them and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost Tongues of fire were an Emblem to represent that fire of zeal which the spirit powred upon them Zeal makes all our religious performances prevalent with God When the iron is red hot it enters best and when our services are red hot with zeal they soonest pierce heaven SECT XVI 16. A godly man is a patient man Iam. 5. 11. Ye have heard of the patience of Iob. Patience is a star which shines in a dark night There is a twofold patience 1. Patience in waiting 2. Patience in bearing 1. Patience in waiting A godly man if he hath not his desire presently he will wait till the mercy be ripe Psa. 130. 6. My soul waiteth for the Lord. Good reason God should have the Timing of our mercies Isa. 60. 22. I the Lord will hasten it in his time Deliverance may tarry beyond our time but it will not tarry beyond Gods time Why should not we wait patiently upon God 1. We are servants it becomes servants to be in a waiting posture 2. We wait upon every thing else we wait upon the fire till it burns we wait upon the seed till it grows Iam. 5. 7. Why cannot we wait upon God 3. God hath waited upon us Did not he wait for our repentance How often did he come year after year before he found fruit Did God wait upon us and cannot we wait upon him A godly man is content to stay Gods leisure though the Vision tarry he will wait for
the spirit comes very neer to the despighting of it How can men be sanctified but by the spirit therefore to reproach that is to make merry with their own damnation Use 2. As you would be listed in the number of the godly labour for the blessed indwelling of the spirit pray with Melancthon Lord inflame my soul with thy holy spirit and with the Spouse Awake O North-wind aad come thou South blow upon my garden Cant. 4. 16. As a Mariner would desire a wind to carry him to Sea so beg the prosperous gales of the spirit and the Promise may add wings to prayer Luke 11. 13. If ye being evil know how to give good gifts unto your children how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Spirit to them that ask him Gods spirit is a rich Jewel go to him for it Lord give me thy spirit where is the Jewel thou didst promise me When shall my soul be as Gideons Fleece wet with the dew of heaven Consider how needful the spirit is without it we can do nothing acceptably to God 1 VVe cannot pray without it 't is a spirit of Supplication Zac. 12. 10. It both helps the invention and the affection Rom. 8. 26. The spirit helps us with sighs and groans 2. We cannot resist temptation without it Act. 1. 8. Ye shall receive power after the Holy Ghost is come upon you He who hath the tyde of corrupt nature and the wind of temptation must needs be carried down the stream of sin if the contrary wind of the spirit doth not blow 3. VVe cannot be fruitful without the spirit Aureus imber sitientia caelo â—orda rigans VVhy is the spirit compared to dew and rain but to show us how unable we are to bring forth a Crop of Grace unless the dew of God fall upon us 4. VVithout the spirit no Ordinance is effectual to us Ordinances are the Conduit-Pipes of Grace but the spirit is the Spring Some content themselves that they have a Levite to their Priest but never look any further as if a Merchant should content himself that his ship hath good tackling and is well manned though it never have a gale of wind The Ship of Ordinances will not carry us to heaven though an Angel were the Pylot unless the wind of Gods Spirit blow The Spirit is the Soul of the Word without which it is but a dead letter Ministers may prescribe Physick but it is Gods spirit must make it work Our hearts are like Davids body when it grew old they covered him with cloathes but he gat no heat 1 King 1. 1. So though the Minister of God ply us with prayers and counsels as with hot cloathes yet we are cold and chill till Gods spirit comes and then we say as the Disciples Luke 24. 32. Did not our hearts burn within us Oh therefore what need have we of the spirit 3. You who have the blessed spirit manifested by its energy and vital operations 1. Acknowledge Gods distinguishing love the spirit is an ear-mark of Election 1 Iohn 3. 4. Christ gave the bag to Iudas but not his spirit The spirit is a Love-token where God gives his spirit for a pawn he gives himself for a portion The spirit is an Epitomizing blessing it is put for all good things Mat. 7. 11. What were you without the spirit but as so many carkasses Without this Christ would not profit you the Bloud of God is not enough without the Breath of God Oh then be thankful for the spirit this Loadstone will never leave drawing you till it hath drawn you up to heaven 2. If you have this spirit do not grieve it Eph. 4. 30. Shall we grieve our Comforter Quest. How do we grieve the Spirit Answ. 1. When we unkindly repel the motions of it The spirit sometimes whispers in our ears and calls to us as God did to Iacob Gen. 35. 1. Arise go to Bethel So saith the spirit Arise go to prayer retire thy self to meet thy God Now when we stifle these motions and entertain temptations to vanity this is a grieving of the spirit if we check the motions of the spirit we shall lose the comforts of the spirit 2. We grieve the spirit when we deny the work of the spirit in our hearts if one gives another a token and he should deny it and say he never received it this were to abuse the love of his friend So Christian when God hath given thee his spirit witnessed by those meltings of heart and passionate breathings after heaven yet thou deniest that thou ever hadst any renewing work of the spirit in thee this is high ingratitude and is a grieving the good spirit renounce the sinful works of the flesh but do not deny the gracious work of the spirit SECT XI 11. The godly man is an humble man he is like the Sun in the Zenith which when it is at the highest shows lowest St. Austin calls Humility the Mother of the Graces but ere I show you who is the humble man I shall lay down three distinctions 1. I distinguish between being humbled and humble a man may be humbled and not humble a sinner may be humbled by affliction his condition is low but not his disposition a godly man is not only humbled but humble his heart is as low as his condition 2. I distinguish between outward humility and inward there 's a great deal of difference between an humble carriage and an humble spirit a person may carry it humbly 1. Towards others yet be proud who more humble than Absalom in his outward behaviour 2 Sam. 15. 5. When any man came neer to do him obeysance Absalom took him by the hand and kissed him But though he had an humble carriage he aspired after the Crown ver 10. As soon as ye hear the sound of the Trumpet ye shall say Absalom reigneth in Hebron Here was Pride dressed in Humilities Mantle 2. A person may behave himself humbly towards God yet be proud 1 King 21. 27. Ahab put on sackcloth and fasted and went softly but his heart was not humble A man may bow his head like a bull-rush yet lift up the Ensigns of Pride in his heart 3. I distinguish between Humility and Policy many make a shew of Humility to work their own ends The Papists seem to be the most humble mortified Saints but it is rather subtilty than humility for by this means they get the Revenues of the earth into their possession all this may be and yet no godliness Quest. How may a Christian know that he is humble and consequently godly Answ. 1. An humble soul is emptied of all swelling thoughts of himself Bernard calls Humility a Self-annihilation Iob 22. 29. Thou wilt save the humble In the Hebrew it is Him that is of low eyes An humble man hath lower thoughts of himself than others can have of him
it 2. Patience in bearing This patience is twofold 1. Either in regard of man when we bear injuries without revenging Or 2. In regard of God when we bear his hand without repining A good man will not only do Gods will but bear his will Mica 7. 9. I will bear the indignation of the Lord. This patient bearing of Gods will is not 1. A Stoical Apathy Patience is not insensibleness under Gods hand we ought to be sensible 2. It is not patience upon force to bear a thing because we cannot help it which as Erasmus saith is rather necessity than patience But patience is a cheerful submission of our will to God Act. 21. 4. The will of the Lord be done A godly man doth acquiesce in what God doth as being not only good but best for him The great quarrel between God and us is whose will shall stand Now the Regenerate will falls in with the will of God â—here are four things opposite to this patient â—ame of soul. 1. Disquiet of spirit When the soul is discomposed and pulled off the hinges insomuch that it is unfit for holy duties when the strings of a Lute are snarled the Lute is not fit to make Musick so when a Christians spirit is perplexed and disturbed he cannot make melody in his heart to the Lord. 2. Discontent which is a sullen dogged humour When a man is not angry at his sins but at his condition this is different from patience Discontent is the daughter of pride 3. Prejudice which is a dislike of God and his ways and a falling off from Religion Sinners have hard thoughts of God and if he doth but touch them in a tender part they will presently be gone from him and throw off his Livery 4. Self-vindication when instead of being humbled under Gods hand a man justifies himself as if he had not deserved what he suffers A proud sinner stands upon his own defence and is ready to accuse God of unrighteousness which is as if we should tax the Sun with darkness this is far from patience A godly man subscribes to Gods wisdome and submits to his will he saith not only good is the Word of the Lord Isa. 3â—â—8 but good is the Rod of the Lord. Use. As we would demonstrate our selves godly let us be eminent in this grace of patience Eccles. 7. 8. The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit There are some Graces which we shall have no need of in heaven we shall have no need of Faith when we have full Vision nor patience when we have perfect joy but in a dark sorrowful night there is need of these stars to shine Let us show our patience in bearing Gods will patience in bearing Gods will is two-fold 1. When God removes any comfort from us 2. When God imposeth any evil upon us 1. We must be patient when God removes any comfort from us Doth God take away any of our Relations Ezek. 24. 16. I will take away the desire of thine eyes with a stroak yet it is our duty patiently to acquiesce in the Will of God The loss of a dear Relation is like the pulling away a Limb from the body Homo toties moritur quoties amittit suos But grace will make our hearts calm and sedate and work us to an holy patience under such a severe dispensation I shall lay down eight considerations which may be as spiritual Physick to kill the worm of impatience under the loss of Relations 1. The Lord never takes away any comfort from his people but he gives them that which is better The Disciples parted with Christs corporal presence and he sent them the Holy Ghost God eclipseth one joy and augments another he doth but make an exchange he takes away a Flower and gives a Diamond 2. Godly friends dying are in a better condition they are taken away from the evil to come Isa. 57. 1. They are out of the storm and are gotten to the Haven Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord Rev. 14. 13. The godly have a portion promised them upon their marriage with Christ but the portion is not paid till the day of their death The Saints at death are preferred to Communion with God they have that they so long hoped for and prayed for why then should we be impatient at our friends preferment 3. Thou that art a Saint hast a friend in heaven which thou canst not lose The Jews have a saying at their Funerals Let thy consolation be in heaven Art thou a close Mourner look up to heaven and fetch comfort thence thy best kindred are above Psa 27. 10 When my Father and Mother forsake me then the Lord will take me up God will be with thee in the hour of death Psa. 23. 4. Though I walk in the valley of the shadow of death thou art with me Other friends thou canst not keep God is a friend thou canst not lose he will be thy Guide in life thy Hope in death thy Reward after death 4 Perhaps God is correcting thee for a fault and it so it becomes thee to bee patient it may bee thy friend had more of thy love than God and therefore God did take away such a relation that the stream of thy love may run bak to him again A gracious woman having been deprived first of her Children then of her Husband Lord saith she thou hast a plot upon me thou intendest to have all my love God doth not like it to have any Creature set upon the throne of our affections hee will take away that comfort and then he shall lye nearest our heart If an Husband bestow a jewel upon his Wife and she doth so fall in love with that jewel as to forget her Husband hee will take away the jewel that her love may return to him again a dear relation is this jewel if we begin to idolize it God will take away the jewell that our love may return to him â—gain 5 A Godly Relation is parted with but not lost that is lost which wee are out of hope ever of seeing again religious friends are but gone a little before A time will shortly come when there shall bee a meeting without parting 1 Thes. 5. 10. How glad is one friend to see another that hath been long absent Oh what glorious acclamations shall there bee when old relations shall meet together in heaven and be in each others embraces when a great prince lands at the shore the guns go off in token of joy when godly friends shall be all landed at the heavenly shore and shall congratulate one anothers felicity what stupendious joy will there be what musick in the quire of Angels how will heaven ring of their praises and that which is the crown of all they who were here joyned in the flesh shall bee joyned nearer than ever in the mystical body and shall lye together in Christs bosome that bed of
so desirable at death why should we not pursue after it now godliness is as needful now and would bee more feasible 5 There are but few godly they are as the gleanings after vintage most receive the Mark of the Beast Rev. 13. 17. The Devil keeps open house for all comers and hee is never without ghuests this may prevail with us to be godly if the number of the Saints be so small how should we labour to be found among these pearls Rom. 9. 27. but a remnant shall be saved it is better going to Heaven with a few than to Hell in the crowd 6 Consider how vain and contemptible other things are about which persons void of godliness busie themselves men are taken up about the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 things of this life and what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind Eccles. 5. 16. can the winde fill what is gold but dust Amos 2. 8. which will sooner choak than satisfie pull off the mask of the most beautiful thing under the Sun and look what is within there is care and vexation and the greatest care is yet behinde and that is account The things of the world are but as a bubble in the water or a Meteor in the air But godliness hath a real worth in it if you speak of true honour it is to be born of God if of true valour it is to fight the good fight of faith if of true delight it is to have joy in the Holy ghost Oh then espouse godliness here is reallity to be had of other things we may say as Zac. 10. 2. They comfort in vain CHAP. VII Prescribing some helps to Godliness Quest. But what shall we do that we may be godly Answ. I shall briefly lay down some rules or helps to godliness 1 Be diligent in the use of all means that may promote godliness Luke 13. 24. strive to enter in at the straight gate what is purpose without pursuit when you have made your estimate of godliness prosecute those mediums which are most expedient for obtaining it 2 If you would be godly take heed of the world 't is hard for a clod of dust to become a star 1 Ioh. 2. 15. love not the world many would be godly but the honours and profits of the world divert them where the world fills both head and heart there is no room for Christ he whose minde is rooted in the earth is likely enough to deride godliness when our Saviour was preaching against sin the Pharisees who were covetous derided him Luk. 16. 14. The world eats out the heart of godliness as the lvy eats out the heart of the Oak the world kills with her silver darts 3 Inure your selves to holy thoughts serious meditation represents every thing in its native colour it shews an evil in sin and a lustre in grace By holy thoughts the head grows clearer and the heart better Psa. 119. 59. I thought on my waies and turned my feet unto thy testimonies Did men step aside a little out of the noise and hurry of business and spend but half an hour every day in thinking upon their souls and eternity it would produce a wonderful alteration in them and tend very much to a real and blessed conversion 4 Watch your hearts it was Christs watch-word to his Disciples Mat. 24. 42. Watch therefore the heart will praecipitate us to sin before we are aware a subtil heart needs a watchful eye watch your thoughts your affections the heart hath a thousand doors to run out at O keep close sentinel in your souls stand continually upon your Watch-tower Hab. 2. 1. when you have prayed against sin watch against tentation most wickedness in the world is committed for want of watchfulness watchfulness maintains godliness it is the selvedge which keeps religion from ravelling out 5 Make Conscience of spending your time Eph. 5. 16. redeeming the time Many persons fool away their time some in idle visits others in recreations and pleasures which secretly bewitch the heart and take it off from better things What are our golden hours for but to mind our souls Time mis-improved is not time lived but time lost Time is a precious commodity a peece of wax in it self is not much worth but as it is affixed to the label of a Will and conveyes an estate so it is of great value Thus time simply in it self is not so considerable but as salvation is to be wrought out in it and a conveyance of heaven depends upon the well improvement of it so it is of infinite concernment 6 Think of your short stay in the world 1 Chron. 29. 15. Our daies on the Earth are as a shaddow and there is none abiding There is but a span between the Cradle and the Grave Solomon saith there is a time to bee born and a time to dye Eccles. 3. 2. but mentions no time of living as if that were so short it were not worth naming and time when it is once gone cannot be recalled the Scripture compares time to a flying Eagle Io◠9. 6. yet herein time differs from the Eagle the Eagle flies forward and then back again but time hath wings only to fly forward it never returns back fugit irrevocabile tempus The serious thoughts of our short abode here would be a great means to promote godliness what if death should come before we are ready what if our life should breathe out before Gods spirit hath breathed in he that considers how flitting and winged his life is will hasten his repentance when God is about to make a short work he will not make a long work 7 Possess your selves with this maxim that godliness is the end of your Creation God never sent men into the world only to eat and drink and put on fine cloathes but that they might serve him in righteousness and holiness Luk. 1. 75. God made the world only as an attiring room to dress our souls in he sent us hither upon the grand errand of godliness should nothing but the body the bruitish part bee looked after this were basely to degenerate yea to invert and frustrate the very end of our being 8. Be often among the godly they are the salt of the earth and will help to season you Their counsels may direct their prayers may quicken Such holy sparks may be thrown into your breasts as may inkindle devotion in you It is good to be among the Saints to learn the trade of godliness Pro. 13. 20. He that walketh with wise men shall be wise CHAP. VIII Exhorting such as have made a Profession of Godliness to persevere Use 2. MY next Use is to exhort those who wear the Mantle and in the judgement of others are looked upon as godly that they would persevere Heb. 10. 23. Let us hold fast the profession of our Faith This is a seasonable Exhortation in these times
quench much light God doth not thus for a great deal of smoak he will not quench a little light he sees the sincerity and over-looks many infirmities the least sparks of grace he cherisheth and blows them gently with the breath of his spirit till they break forth into a flame 2 If Christ will not quench the smoaking flax then we must not quench the smoaking flax in our selves if grace doth not increase into so great a flame as we see in others therefore to conclude we have no fire of the spirit in us this is to quench the smoaking flax and to bear false witness against our selves as we must not credit a false evidence so neither must we deny a true fire may be hid in the embers so may grace be hid under many distempers of soul some Christians are so skilful at this in accusing themselves for want of grace as if they had received a fee from Satan to plead for him against themselves This is a great mistake to argue from the weakness of grace to the nullity it is one thing to be wanting in faith and another thing to want faith he whose eye-sight is dim is wanting in his sight but he doth not want sight a little grace is grace though it be smothered under much corruption 3 If the least spark of grace shall not bee quenched then this follows as a great truth that there is no falling from grace if the least dram of grace should perish then the smoaking flax should be quenched grace may be shaken by fears and doubtings but not blown up by the roots I grant seeming grace may be lost this wilde-fire may be blown out but not the fire of the Spirits kindling Grace may be dormant in the soul but not dead as a man in an Appoplexy doth not put forth vital operations Grace may be eclipsed not extinct a Christian may lose his comfort like a tree in Autumn that hath shed its fruit but still there is sap in the vine and the seed of God remains 1 Ioh. 3. 9. Grace is a flower of eternity This smoaking flax cannot be quenched by affliction but like those trees Pliny writes of growing in the red Sea which being beaten upon by the waves stand immoovable and though they are sometimes covered with water flourish the more grace is like a true orient Diamond that sparkles and cannot be broken I confesse it is matter of wonder that grace should not be wholly annihilated especially if we consider two things 1 The malice of Satan he is a malignant spirit and laies bars in our way to heaven the Devil with the wind of temptation labours to blow out the spark of grace in our hearts if this will not do he stirs up wicked men and raiseth the Militia of Hell against us what a wonder is it that this bright Star of grace should not be swept down with the tail of the Dragon 2 It is an amazing thing that grace should subsist if we consider the world of corruption in our hearts sin makes the major part in a Christian there is in the best heart more dregs than spirits The heart swarms with sin what a deal of pride and Atheism is in the soul now is it not admirable that this Lilly of grace should be able to grow among so many thorns it is as great a wonder that a little grace should be preserved in the midst of so much corruption as to see a Taper burning in the Sea and not extinguished But though grace lives with so much difficulty as the infant that struggles for breath yet being born of God it is immortal grace conflicting with corruption is like a Ship tossed and beaten with the waves yet it weathers out the storm and at last gets to the desired Haven If grace should expire how could this Text be verified The smoaking flax he will not quench Quest. But whence is it that grace even the least degree of it should not be quenched Answ. It is from the mighty operation of the Holy Ghost the Spirit of God who is origo originans doth continually excite and quicken grace in the heart He is every day at work in a believer he powres in oyl and keeps the Lamp of Grace burning Grace is compared to a river of life Ioh. 7. 38. The river of grace can never be driâ—d up for the Spirit of God is the Spring which feeds it Now that the smoaking flax cannot be quenched is evident from the Covenant of Grace Isa. 54. 10. The Mountains shall depart and the Hills be removed but the Covenant of my peace shall not be removed saith the Lord. If there be falling from grace how is it an immoveable Covenant If grace die and the smoaking flax be quenched wherein is our state in Christ better than it was in Adam The Covenant of Grace is called A better Covenant Heb. 7. 22. How is it a better Covenant than that which was made with Adam Not only because it hath a better Surety and contains better priviledges but because it hath better conditions annexed to it It is ordered in all things and sure 2 Sam. 23. 5. Such as are taken into the Covenant shall be as stars fixed in their Orb and shall never fall away If grace might die and be quenched then it were not a better Covenant Object But we are bid not to quench the spirit 1 Thes. 5. 19. which implies that the grace of the Spirit may be lost and the smoaking flax quenched Answ. We must distinguish between the common work of the spirit and the sanctifying work the one may be quenched but not the other The common work of the spirit is like a picture drawn upon the yce which is soon defaced The sanctifying work is like a Statute carved in gold which endures The gifts of the spirit may be quenched but not the grace there is the enlightning of the spirit and the anointing the enlightning of the spirit may fail but the anointing of the spirit abides 1 Ioh. 2. 27. The anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you The hypocrites blaze goes out the true believers spark lives and flourisheth thâ—â— one is the light of a Comet which wastes and evaporates the other is the light of a star which retains its lustre From all that hath been said let a Saint of the Lord be perswaded to these two things 1. To believe his priviledge 2. To pursue his duty 1. To believe his priviledge This is the incomparable and unparallel'd happiness of a Saint that his coal shall not be quenched That grace in his soul which is minute atâ— languid shall not give up the Ghost but recover its strength and encrease with the encrease of God The Lord will make the smoaking flax a burning lamp It were very sad that a Christian should be continually upon the Tropicks one day a member of Christ and the next day a limb of Satan one day to have