Inst Ananias laid his hands on Paul and gave him Instructions Acts 9. 6 17. He was separated unto the Gospel of God Rom. 1. 1. Timo by is warned to be wary in laying of his hands upon any before due trial of his sufficiency 1 Tim. 5. 22. For a setled Ministry Texts 1 Thes 5. 12. We beseech you Brethren to know them which labour among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you and to esteem them very highly in love for their work sake Heb. 13. 17. Obey them that have the rule over you and submit your selves for they watch for your souls as they that must give account Inst Epaphras was a Faithful Minister of Christ for the Colossians Col. 1. 7. The Seven Churches of Asia had each its several star Angel or Minister Rev. 1. 20. Reas 1. Christ is the God not of Confusion but of Order and will have all things done in order in his Church 1 Cor. 14. 33 40. 2. He would have people to love their Ministers Propriety is a strong Motive to love Col. 1 7. 3. He would have his Ministers to be faithful in their several Charges Acts 20. 28. Use 1. Take heed to all the Flock over which the Holy Ghost hath made thee Overseer Acts 20. 28. 2. Remember the account thou must give Heb. 13. 17. Wo be unto thee if thou preach not the Gospel whereof a dispensation is committed unto thee 1 Cor. 9. 16 17. 3. Serve God with thy Spirit in the Gospel of his Son Rom. 1. 9. Jer. 48. 10. 4. Obey them that have the rule over you for they watch for your souls Heb. 13. 17. 5. Beware of false Prophets which come unto you unsent by Christ they are ravening Wolves Mat. 7. 15. 6. Turn away From House-creepers They will lead thee captive 2 Tim. 3. 6. From such as separate themselves They are sensual having not the Spirit Jude 19. From wandring Stars They go in the way of Cain and run greedily after the Error of Balaam for reward Jude 11 13. From Gatherers of Congregations They gather not with Christ but are Scatterers Mat. 12. 30. Resol Being set over this his Houshold according to the dispensation of the great Lord thereof my care shall be as becomes a faithful and wise Steward to give unto them their portion of wholsom Food in due season Luke 12. 42. Ejac. Blessed is that servant whom his Lord when he cometh shall find so doing Luke 12. 43. Paral. III. Circ The Change in my Soul was first wrought upon hearing of a Sermon preached by a lawful Minister Obs The Word preached by a lawful Minister is Christ's ordinary way for changing of the heart WHen I first entered into the Ministry God knows I was a most unfit man for so high and Holy an employment and so continued until I came unto this Place The Sermons which I then preached before my Change it is possible might be a means to open the Gate of Heaven to others while I my self stood without Being setled here my Lord Christ was pleased as he dealt by his chosen Vessel St. Paul Acts 9 6 15. by a rough breaking to put my heart into a new frame and in part to fit me for the great Work to which he had called me I had now attained to the top of the Hill of man's age and was descending The sixth hour of my day was past yet then was I sent into the Vineyard Math. 20. 5 No time while the day of life continues can bar man from mercy 10. 9. 4. Being in the City I would needs on the Lord's day go to the new Church in Covent-garden whose inside I had never seen I went I confess more out of novelty then devotion My end was not to seek God Yet there I happily found him and was found by him Rom. 10. 20. The Minister was unknown to me His Text was about the unclean Spirit 's returning to his House c. and taking to him seven other Spirits more wicked than himself c. Math. 12. 43 44 45. Although for some time I did not much mind him yet at length upon his well-handling of his Matter I was perswaded with an attentive ear to listen unto him and before the conclusion of his Sermon somewhat was delivered by him which the Spirit was pleased to carry home to my heart and to make use of it as an Hammer to break that Rock in pieces Ier. 23. 29. I was there rouzed out of my security and began to think what a dangerous condition my Soul was in and could not forbear saying to the servant of the Inn who at night lighted me up to my Chamber We that teach others to be good should be good our selves which he departing answered with a curse My terrours increased upon me to the disturbance of my Reason and so I continued for some weeks after my return home Being somewhat come to my self upon the perswasion of a Neighbour-Minister my living being not many miles from the University I went to the Colledge of which I was yet a Fellow hoping there better to recollect my self and to shake off my melancholy amongst my old pleasant Companions And the truth is my thoughts by conversing with them were soon taken off from where they should have been fixed The Lord called to mourning and there followed indeed A Sermon of repentance A just restitution A weak dislike of my bad wayes A discovery of some tenderness in my Soul which one of my Companions a Minister slighting I forbear to say in what words afterwards came to a sudden and sad end But I found carnal men to be a means sooner to extinguish the smoaking flax then to inflame it which danger the Lord was pleased to prevent by withdrawing me from thence and bringing me back hither where my amendment following but slowly he saw it fit for the perfecting of the Work he had begun to wound me in my Soul and since his former rod when the sorrows of many temporal deaths compassed me had done but little good sharply to chastize me with his Scorpions The fear and horrours of Hell taking hold upon me Psal 116 3. The weight for the time was very heavy but I was Powerfully supported Graciously delivered Most richly recompenced They and onely they whom God by his eternal Decree hath freely predestinated unto Glory shall certainly enjoy it and be brought unto it by those means which to that end he hath fore-appointed Rom. 8. 30. The principal of these means are effectual Calling and Justification as there to which all others do refer To effectual Calling are required an offering of Christ a receiving of Him Christ is off râ—d in the Word Col. 2. 28. He is received by Faith 10. 1 12. The receiving of Christ is passive or active He is received passively in Baptism where he is put on Gal. 3. 27. We are ingraffed into him Iohn 15. 5. And becoming Members of his Body 1 Cor. 12. 12 13.
delivered from the wrath to come 1 Thessal 1. 9 10. Reas 1. They are justified and so at peace with God Rom. 5. 1. 2. They are true lovers of God and there â—s no fear in Love 1 John 4. 18. 3. They are partakers of the first Resurrection and so assured that the second death shall have no power over them Rev. 20. 6. Use 1. Sin being forgiven the punishment is removed Jer. 31. 34. Pardon is a not imputing the fault unto punishment 2. Get assurance that thou art justified Two principal grounds of this Assurance are Peace in the Soul Rom. 5. 1. An holy Life Rom. 6. 22. 3. Be sure that thou truly lovest God 1 John 2. 5. 4. Beware of security Fear Gods Temporal wrath Heb. 12. 28 29. Resol Being freed from all fear arising from the Spirit of Bondage and having received the spirit of Adoption which beareth witness with my spirit that I am thy Son I will confidently yet with humble reverencâ— come unto thy Throne of Grace and cry Abba Father Rom. 8. 15 16. Ejac. My Love is yet but weak Lord so perfect it that all fear being cast ouâ— I may here without fear serve thee in holiness and righteousness and may have boldness in the Day of Judgment 1 John 4. 17 18. Paral. XI Circ I cast mine eye to the Top of the Tower Obs The effectually-Called are to set their Affections upon Heavenly things THE Lord washeth away the silth of the Daughter of Zion by the Spirit of Judgment and by the Spirit of burning At and from the Prison until set in the Tower the Spirit of Judgment wrought At the Prison gate I was made sensible what I had deserved and was liable unto The sense of my danger begat fear in me Fear putting me on to seek out for a means to escape brought me to Humiliation Humiliation with Fear and Faith brought me to Christ the Foundation of the Building Being now in him the Spirit of Burning began to work in the Tower For having Removed the Love of the world that my heart might be free to the love of Heavenly things And Banished my Fear that with Confidence and Chearfulness I might affect them By its heat it sweetly warmed and enflamed my heart with a sense and love of and desire after them By its light having first by the reward encouraged and quickned me to all diligence in the way to attain them It directed me to and in that way It discovered unto me those secret way layers whom I was to keep a watchful eye over Faith the soul's eye beholding these things though but darkly saith there are precious things laid up above Heb. 11. 1. Hope the souls Ankor as yet but weakly fastned upon the Promises of these things saith they are laid up for me Heb. 6. 18 19. Love the yet feeble feet of the Soul longing for them saith I run that I may obtain them Phil. 3. 14. The Souls eye is cleared by abounding in Grace 2 Pet. 1. 9. Her Ankor becomes more sure and stedfast by being fixed upon the immutability of Gods Counsel and his Oath Heb. 6. 17. Her feeble knee are strengthened and she is quickned in her pace by assurance that in those precious things she shall have Fulness of satisfaction and Perpetuity of enjoyment Which two things although the ancient Philosophers in their diligent search after the chief good could never find them in any worldly thing Yet they are to be had in God and in the enjoyment of him In his Presence is fulness of joy at his right hand pleasures for evermore Psal 16. 11. God then is to be the principal Object of our Love which For the manner of it must be A love of good will we must love him for himself Mat. 22. 37. A love of Union longing for the enjoyment of him Psal 42. 1. A love of delight taking pleasure In his Service Psal 122. 1. In his Children Psal 16. 3. For the measure of it it must be with all the heart soul mind strength Luke 10. 27. The utmost power of the whole soul must be employed in it We must do what we are able with a Will to do more if we were able His Greatness Psal 113 6. Our Meanness Rom. 9. 11. His preventing us with his love 1 John 4. 10. The greatness of it John 3. 13. It s Freeness Eph 2. 4 5. Our Unworthiness Rom. 5. 10. should quicken us thereunto And we may then assure our selves that we do love him when We are obedient unto his Will John 14. 23. And when We beat his rod with Patience 1 Cor. 13. 4. Obs The effectually Called are to set their Affections upon heavenly things Texts Phil. 3. 20. Our Conversation is in Heaven from whence we look for the Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ Col. 3. 1 2. If ye be risen with Christ seek those things which are above Set your affections on things above and not on things on the earth Iâ—st Aâ—raham looked for a City which hath Foundations whose Builder and Maker is God Heb. 11. 10. David longing after God saith Whom have I in Heaven but thee and there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee Psal 73. 25. Reas 1. They alone are satisfying and lasting Psalm 16. 11. 2. Thou art risen with Christ and so endued with a power to affect them Col. 3. 1. 3. Christ thine Head is above sitting at the right hand of God Col. 3. 2. Where should the Members be but with their Head Use 1. First seek the Kingdom of God and the righteousness thereof Mat. 6. 33. 2. Put thy power in execution wherewith by vertue of Christ's Resurrection thou art endued Rom. 6. 4. 3. Imitate Christ he being risen ascended into Heaven Rom. 6. 5. 4. Long to be with him thine Head Psal 1. 23. Resol My Treasure is in Heaven there shall my heart be Mat. 6. 21. There my Conversation Phil. 3. 20. Ejac. As the Hart panteth after the Water-Brook so panteth my soul after thee O God Psalm 42 1. Paral. XII Circ I cast mine eye up to the Top of the Tower where my sight was limited by a Cloudy Resemblance Obs God hath an invisible Paradise to reward his Servants which in his Service they may have a respect unto GOD is immense and cannot be consined to place 1 Kings 8. 27. However his chief residence is in Heaven above the Clouds above the stars Job 22. 12. Where he holdeth back the face of his Throne by spreading his Cloud upon it Job 26. 9. The semi-Atheist though denying the workings of his Providence over man yet acknowledgeth this Job 22. 13 14. And thither the Disciples knew and by the Angels were assured Acts 1. 11. that Christ was ascended though by reason of the intercepting cloud they could follow him no further with the eye Acts 1. 9 10 11. The heart of the effectually-Called being taken off from the world and freed from the fear of Hell is now
and delighteth in his Commandments shall not want an honourable regard in life and an honourable remembrance after death Ps 112. 1 2 9. However in our way to Heaven our Affections must be taken off from all honour and all other worldly things Col. 32. Use them we may but not abuse them 1 Cor. 7. 31. and our selves in our earnest pursuit of them and resting in them Luke 12. 19. The enjoyment of God is the only satisfying and lasting happiness of the soul Psal 16. 11. Without Holiness no man shall see him Heb. 12. 14. He that loves him not cannot be holy John 14. 24. We cannot love him if we love the world or the things that are in the world 1 John 2. 15. The things of the world are The lust of the flesh or pleasure The lust of the eyes or wealth The pride of life or Honour 1 John 2. 16. The Vices attending upon these are Luxury Covetousness Ambition the three Spring heads whence flow all sins whatsoever And that man whose heart is taken up with the love of these hath no room left for the entertainment of the Love of God Which being excluded let him enjoy all worldly things in the greatest height in the most plentiful affluence with the most possible desired Freedom yet what shall it profit him to gain the whole world and lose his own soul Mat. 16. 26. Obs All worldly things are to be trampled upon in the way to Heaven Texts Col. 3. 1 2. If ye be risen with Christ set your Affections on things above not on things on the earth 1 John 2. 15. Love not the world neither the things that are in the world Inst Moses refused to be called the Son of Pharaoh's Daughter and chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches then the Treasures in Egypt Hebr. 11. 24 25 26. Paul counted all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus hâ—s Lord for whom he suffered the loss of all things and counted them but dung that he might win Christ and be sound in him Phil. 3. 8 9. Reas 1. Thou art dead to them Col. 3. 3. 2. They keep from the great Supper prepared for the Soul Luke 14. 18 1â— 20. 3. They choak the Word and make it unfruitful Mark 4. 19. 4. The love of them cannot consist with the Love of God 1 John 2. 15. 5. They are of no continuance 1 John 2. 17. Use 1. Have a low esteem of them Phil. 3. 8. 2. Think of thy greatness by thine Adoption which sets thee far above them John 1. 12. 3. Set thine Affection on things above Col. 3. â— Resol The World being crucified unto me and I unto it Gal. 6. 14. I will be no more a friend unto it For whosoever is a friend of the world is the enemy of God Jam. 4. 4. Ejac. Whom have I in Heaven but thee and there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee Thou O Lord art the strength of my heart and my portion for ever Psal 73. 25 26. Paral. X. Circ Being set in the Tower of the Temple-Church where the Effigies lie all fear of my Pursuer and the Prison immediatly ceased Obs Each true Member of the Church upon his heart being taken off from the world is freed from the fear of Hell THE Natural man while he so continues is subject unto Bondage Heb. 2. 15. God is his enemy Col. 1. 21. Upon which account he doth and cannot but fear the effects of enmity from him Christ came to deliver man from this fear Heb. 2. 15. When he by Faith is received into the Soul it is banished and in stead thereof the spirit of Adoption succeeds Rom. 8. 15. Although the Bond-woman be cast out yet her son for so Initial fear though arising from Love yet as it hath wrath for its Object may be esteemed remains still to be ejected Gal 4. 30. While it remains it performs a twofold Office in the soul It restrains from sin Prov. 3. 7. It afflicts and torments that the soul may seek more and more unto Christ for peace and ease 1 John 4. 18. and so helps on towards the perfecting of Love Love once perfected this fear is likewise cast out 1 John 4. 18. Love is perfected as By keeping the Commandments 1 John 2. 5. By the Love of our Brethren 1 John 4. 12. By sollowing of Christ's Example 1 John 4. 17. So especially When the heart is wholly taken off from the world 1 Jâ—hn 2. 15. Not that here such a Perfection of our Love is to be attained as will admit no further perfecting That is not to be expected until we arrive at ouâ— Heavenly Countrey Our forgetting of those things behind and reaching forth to those before is the perfection of our Love here The perfection of this Perfection will then be when we shall lay hold upon the Prize Phil. 3. 13 14 15. Our Love thus perfectâ—d and that fear which as the Needle hath drawn it in being now removed this our Love constraineth us to what that our fear before did awe us 2 Cor. 5. 14. The Believer thus rid of his fear of wrath begins to have his soul filled with exceeding Comfort upon his now confident assurance That God is at peace with him Rom. 5. 1. This he could not have did the least fear of punishment remain That he is the Adopted Son of God Rom. 8. 15. and thereupon That his Father will grant his Requests Romans 8. 15. That he will make a temporal Provision for him Mat. 6 32 33. That the Spirit is and shall continue his Guide and Director Rom. 8. 14. That he is an Heir of Glory Rom. 8. 17. Which sweet Comforts though upon the prevailing of the Carnal part they are by doubtings sometimes interrupted Psal 51. 12. yet these new Fears are soon scattered by Faith sumly adhearing to the Promises Initial fear is now cast out However God will not have our Love to be fearless Filâ—al reverential Fear must still accompany it To mind us of our Imperfection Prov. 28. 14. To keep the heart from hardning Prov. 28. 14. To keep us from security Cant. 3. 1. To quicken us to Perseverance Jer. 32. 40. Obs Each true Member of the Church upon his heart being taken off from the world is freed from the Fear of Hell Texts Rom. 8. 1. There is no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus Rom. 5. 9. Being justified by his Blood we shall be saved from wrath by him Inst Zacharias blesseth God for making good his Oath c. That we being delivered out of the hands of our enemies might serve him without fear all the dayes of our life Luke 1. 68 74 75. The Thessalonians are asâ—ured by St. Paul that they with all others that serve the living God and wait for his Son from Heaven are by that his Son
at any time for some years then past I had had such thoughts as might minister matter to my Fancy so to work The Lord was pleased in a Dream and Vision of the night thus to seal Instruction unto my soul Job 33. 15 16. The Vision AT London I was apprehended by a shag hair'd Fellow without an hat of a deformed countenance He led me on I knew not whither until we came unto a Prison scituated where Westminster Hall stands At the entrance into the Hall The Front of the Prison was toward the Thames The Gate was wide and stood wide open The chief Prison-house was in view a cross-building within at the end of a Court-yard There was a window on the right hand of the Gate-house which had a strong Iron grate before it as had the windows on the side-buildings on the left hand toward the chief Prison house through which I could discern mens faces At the entrance of the chief Prison-house stood the Jaylor a grim man in black He seeing of us presently comes to us to the gate and turning my Apprehender a little aside to whisper with him As they were whispering my Apprehender let go his hold I perceiving his hand off thought it best to run for my safety and betook me to my heels My Apprehender pursues me But having the start of him I was gotten so far before him that I could not hear him following Having now ran almost as far as the Savoy and looking back to see at what distance I had left him I could see a good way off a Gentleman who had stopped him in his pursuit and by the hair of his head having pulled him down upon his knees was beating of him with a Battoon I still fearing that he might get loose and follow me ran on until I came at the Savoy where I ran down a pair of stairs Which stairs delivered me on to a square Brick building raised one Story from the ground left so that the work might be continued having Beams and Jyces laid ready for a Floor and second Story In this Building I waâ— perswaded I might hide my self from my Pursuer Whereupon attempting to get down between two of the Jyces there were men below within the Building who endeavoured by thrusting at me with an Halberd and long staves to hinder my Descent But the danger I fled from made me so resolute that putting by their thrusts I got down in spight of them I was no sooner below but they were all vanished From hence I was immediatly transferred into the Tower of the Temple-Church and standing where the Essigies of the Knights-Tâ—mplars lie then not to be seen all fear of being again taken by my Pursuer was now ceased I cast mine eye up to the top of the Tower where my sight was limited by a Cloudy resemblance Round about on the sides the Tower was scaffolded up from the Pavement as in a Theater Under the Scaffolds I observed certain men as if lurking there to hinder people in their ascent I awaked and musing upon the Vision in my mind and finding that it had a kind of orderly dependance one part upon another assoon as I arose I wrote it down and gave I know not what Interpretation of it The writing unminded lay among my loose Papers many years until which I believe was nine or ten years after the Lord was pleased to lay upon me the heavy burden of a wounded Spirit In mine extremity which was so high that I feared death having over-looked my loose Papers and this Vision cursorily among the rest I cast them into the fire The Occasion of recalling of the Vision AFter some dayes the Lord having been pleased to resettle me and to speak Peace to my soul as I have shewed in my salve for the Wounded Spirit reflecting my thoughts upon my time spent in that before-mentioned Family as also upon the great secular preferments which I then missed of I was not a little troubled at my supposed loss Yet when I remembred that I stood a long time silent as amazed c I had a strong perswasion in me that the Lord in Mercy had with-held those pâ—eferments from me I sued unto him by earnest Prayer that if it were so he would be pleased to discover it unto me that upon my sense of his Mercy I might bless his Name for it It was not long after my Prayer was ended before the Lord afforded me this gracious return thereof bringing freshly to my by my late illness much weakned memory the Vision which I had so long and so much slighted Which a little pondering upon I called to mind whereof I was afterwards in another dream assured by a voyce saying It was the Gatehouse That the Gate-house of that Prison to which I was brought with the inward Prison-house windows and side-buildings thereof were just like unto the Gate-house or Lodge the inward Buildings windows and side-Buildings of that House wherein I had lived with that Noble Personage whcih also being scituate in a Town upon the River on the same side had its Front towards the Thames Whereupon by him to whom alone they do belong Gen. 40. 8. I was presently enabled to give this Interpretation That the Apprehender was my Corruption That it had brought me to the mouth of Hell in bringing me to that Family and so near unto the Law the course I must have returned to and gone on in had the offered Favour been accepted That the man in black at the entrance of the Chief Prison-House was the Devil ready to seize upon me That the Gentleman beating of my Pursuer was the Holy Spirit restraining of my Corruption That the Stairs put me in mind to humble my self for my sins The Building I interpreted to be the Building of Grace begun in my Soul The men within to be my spiritual Enemies violently opposing of me The Scaffolds in the Tower of the Temple-Church a direction for a gradual improvement in Grace The men under them my spiritual enemies watching advantages to hinder mine Improvement This more general Interpretation served then to settle me in what I sued to be satisfied in with much comfort assuring me dayly more and more that I was delivered from the mouth of Hell as to those Relations and to that course But since upon more serious consideration and throughly weighing of each particular circumstance in the Vision I find that I have great cause to bless God in the super abundant riches of his Mercy in that when I sued only for satisfaction â—n that forementioned Particular he not only shewed me what he had done for me as to that But likewise That he had freed me from the slavery of my Corruption which so long and so powerfully had prevailed ever me and so had delivered me from the power of darkness and had translated me into the Kingdom of his Dear Son Col. 1. 13. Directing of me what now I was to do To humble my self
for my sins To be stedfast in the Faith Couragiously to resist my Spiritual enemies To take off my heart from the things of the world To mind Heavenly things To improve in all Grace by degrees and to persevere therein To keep a diligent watch over my spiritual enemies To prepare my self for afflictions Acquainting me with many other instructing comforting directing Truths observable both from the Occasion and from the several Particulars of the Vision Which Truths the manifestation of the Spirit being given to profit withal 1 Cor. 12. 7. I have parallel'd with those material Circumstances whence they are collected I have set down in Doctrinal Conclusions I have further cleared and confirmed by Scripture by Instance by Reason as they would bear them I have drawn from them some Uses which I commend to thy Practise in thy Life to a confident and chearful diligence wherein thou hast here an encouragement from Heaven even from him whose Secret is with them that fear him and to whom he will shew his Covenant Psal 25. 14. Glory be to God on High The Observations From the occasion of recalling of the Vision 1. GOds negative Mercies are great Pag. 1 2. God takes the fittest time for Mercy p. 5. 3. God will be sued unto p. 9. 4. Rightly qualified Prayer hath a prevailing Power p. 15. 5. God recompenceth the great Afflictions of his Children with greater Mercies p. 18. 6. The Lord often grants more then his Servants sue vnto him for p. 22. By way of Introduction to the Vision 1. OUR Lord Jesus Christ approves of humane Learning in his Ministers p. 24. 2. Christs way is for an orderly-called setled Ministry in his Church p. 28. 3. The Word preached by a Lawful Minister is Christs ordinary way for changing of the heart p. 34. From the Vision in general 1 Heavenly Visions are to be observed Pag. 41. From the Branches of the Vision From the Danger 1. REigning Corruption renders a sinner vain bold in sin and loathsom in the eyes of God p. 51. 2. Natural men are by their Corruption led on insensibly unto Hell p. 56. 3. God hath his Ministers of Justice and his Prison for punishment p. 59. 4. The number of the Damned will be great their punishment endless p. 63. 5. Satan is the Prince of Darkness 67. 6. A seeming Godly House may be Satans Habitation p. 73. 7. The Course of the Law to some is the mouth of Hell p. 75. 8. The Lord is most ready to satisfie the doubtings of his Servants p. 78. 9. Satan and Corruption conspire against the soul p. 81. From the Deliverance 1. VVHen the Lord Christ pleaseth to free Corruption can no longer enslave p. 84. 2. Effectual Calling is of Gods free Grace p. 87. 3. The Lord hath Mercy on whom he will have Mercy p. 90. 4. God somtimes effectually calls men when they are at the very mouth of Hell p. 92 5. Man effectually called hath a will and power to flee from sin p. 95. 6. Corruption pursues the effectually called to re-enslave them 99 7. The Effectually-Called may discover and ought to observe how sin is weakned in them and how far they are improved in Grace p. 102. 8. The holy Spirit restrains Corruption in the effectually-Called p. 105. 9. Upon Effectual Calling the Spirit usually first weakens Corruption by taking the heart off from all affected vanities and pleasures p. 108. 10. The power of Corruption being once broken it shall never again recover it over the Effectually-Called so as to hinder them from Glory p. 112. From the Duties accompanying Effectuall Calling 1. THE Effectually-called are to humble themselves for sin p. 116. 2. Tbe Lord gives unto his Children oblique Memento's of their sins p. 119. 3. The Church of Christ is aptly resembled by a square Brick-Building c. p. 123. 4. Upon Effectual Calling the Fear of Hell is a principal means to bring the soul unto Christ p. 129. 5. Upon Effectual Calling Faith is necessarily required as the only Instrumental Means to unite the Soul unto Christ. p. 133. 6. The Souls Enemies upon Effectual Calling are most violent against its Faith p. 138. 7. The Souls Enemies resisted with Courage will flee away p. 142. From the Duties to be performed after Effectual Calling 8. AS for all other Mercies so especially for Soul-deliverances God expects that man should be thankful p. 145. 9. All worldly things are to be trampled upon in the way to Heaven p. 149. 10. Each true Member of the Church upon his heart being taken off from the World is freed from the fear of hell p. 253. 11. The Effectually-Called are to set their Affections upon Heavenly things p. 157. 12. God hath an invisible Paradice to reward his Servants which in his Service they may have a respect unto p. 161. 13. The Effectually-Called are to grow in all Grace by degrees and to persevere therein p. 165. 14. Our spiritual Enemies are to be watched with diligence lest they hinder us in our improvement in Grace p. 171. 15. Each true Member of the Church in his way to Heaven must expect afflictions and prepare himself with Patience to undergo them p. 175. The Occasion of Recalling of the Vision Paral. I. Circ When the Favour was offered unto me I was surprized with a sudden Amazement and stood silent c. and soon after became a stranger to the Family Obs Gods Negative Mercies are great VVHat could be required more to Enjoyment then A Real Intention to confer An unquestionable ability to effect A Chearful freedom in offering An earnest desire of what was offered A most willing readiness to accept And yet fail by a successeless Miscarriage What should be the reason God was lefâ— out I am certain he was on my part I fear on the other and so all doated upon expectations and byassed Designs were blasted Although the Semi-atheist confines God unto Heaven as not minding not knowing what is done here below Job 20. 13 14. Yet the undoubted Word of Truth teacheth that as all other things so the actions of men are ordered and disposed by the Divine Providence which stoopeth even to those lesser things of making of our Beds Psal 41. 3. of numbring of the hairs of our heads Mat. 10. 30. The River or Brook that it runs on with a free and constant Channel this it hath from the continual Supply from the Fountain That it runs this or that way it hath it from the ordering of the skilful Deriver God doth not impose a fatal necessity upon mens actions but leaves them to their own Freedom However he that knows mans Thoughts before he thinks them Psal 139. 2. who fashioneth the hearts of men Psal 33. 15. hath them so in his hand yea the heart of him who is most free and least subject to the power of any Prov. 21. 1. that he can and doth most wisely incline and order them as he pleaseth for the effecting of those ends which he
of salvation Inst Jerusalem had her day wherein she might have known the things which belonged unto her peace Luke 19. 42. Chorazin Bethsaida Capernaum had their time for repentance Mat. 11. 21 23. For Mercy Conferred Texts Exod. 12. 41. And it came to pass at the end of the Four hundred and thirty years even the self-same day it came to pass that all the Hosts of the Lord went out from the Land of Egypt Gal. 4. 4. When the Fulness of the time was come God sent forth his Son made of a woman c. Inst. Mordecai was advanced Hest 6. 10. When Haman had prepared the Gallows to hang him Hest 5. 14. The Snare was broken and the Church escaped when her proud Enemies were ready to swallow her up quick Psal 124. 3 7. For Mercy discovered Texts Eph. 3. 8 10. Unto me is this Grace given that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ c. to the intent that now unto the Principalities and Powers in Heavenly places might be known by the Church the manifold wisdom of God Col. 1. 26. The Mystery hid from ages and generations is now made manifest unto the Saints Inst. When Jacob was under heavy affliction for his Son Joseph whom he believed to be dead for Simeon who was in bonds for his Darling Benjamin who was taken from him Gen. 42. 36. Then was that joyful Message brought unto him that Joseph was alive and Lord of all Egypt Gen. 45. 26. When Peter was in doubt whether he might go unto Cornelius it being unlawful for a Jew to converse with a Gentile then did the Lord reveal unto him the meaning of the Vision of the great sheet c. Shewing him that he should not call any man common or unclean Acts 10. 11. 28. Reas 1. God would be glorified in his Omniscience Rev. 2. 23. 2. He would have man to set a due value on his Mercies Psal 86. 12 13. 3. He would have them chearfully entertained Psal 35. 9 10. Use 1. Let not God fail of his end Psal 139. 1 17. 2. Accuse him not of delayâ—ng Psal 13. 1 2 3 Slight not the day of Grace Psal 95. 7 8. 4 Wâ—lk wisely and redeem the time Col. 4. 5. Purchase opporâ—unities so the word signifies for goodness at any rate Resol Though Mercy be deferred yet will I never think that long which once I shall certainly enjoy so sweetned and made welcome by its seasonableness when it comes Mark 16. 7. Ejac. Hear thy Servant who takes pleasure in the stones and favours the dust of thy Zion Arise Lord and have Mercy upon her for the time to favour her yea the set time is come Psal 102. 13 14. Paral. III. Circ The Mercy was not discovered until I prayed Obs God will be sued unto GOd is our Father ready to supply our wants He is our Heavenly Father able to supply them knowing what we have need of before we ask him Mat. 6. 8. My condition was not unknown unto him he could have setled me though I had not prayed unto him But it was his pleasure to be sought into Prayer is the souls conversing with God Being the Interpreter of those holy Desires therein stirred up by the Spirit of Supplication Zech. 12. 10. That the Lord is pleased to admit dust and ashes to speak unto him is an high honour Gen. 18. 27. Yet higher to be assured of his ear that he will hear and grant whatsoever we sue unto him for Mat. 21. 22. As it is a dignity to man so is it an honour to God himself which is the chief end why he would have man to pray unto him In Prayer we serve him Luke 2. 37. In Prayer we worship him Therefore is it compared to Incense Psal 141. 2. Sending up an acceptable savour unto him and sweetning all our other Services In Prayer we glorifie him in his Majesty Power Goodness Love and other his Gracious Attributes In our eyes waiting upon him Psal 123. 2. For the kinds of Prayer they are Four Deprecation of evil That it may be averted Dan. 9 16. That being upon us it may be removed Psal 25. 22. Or That it may be mitigated Psal 85. 4 5. This kind best suits the time of Affliction Jam. 5. 13. Petition of what is good That it may be conferred Psal 119. 34. That it may be established Psal 68. 28. That it may be encreased Luke 17. 5. Here the Rule must be that our Prayer be according to Gods Will 1 John 5. 14. Otherwise we are not like to speed Jam. 4. 3. Intercession for others For all men 1 Tim. 2. 1. For the Church Psal 122. 6. For Kings and all in authority 1 Tim. 2. 2. For the Ministry Rom. 15 30. For Sinners 1 John 5. 16. For our Enemies Mat. 5. 44. For this we have our Saviours Form Our Father c Give us Forgive us c. Which whosoever hath wholly laid by it is to be feared that with it he hath laid by true Christian Charity Thanksgiving For benefits received Psal 116. 12 13. Upon craving of new ones Col. 1. 3. When they are deferred When they are denied 1 Thes 5. 18. And this that the abundant Grace may through our Thanksgiving redound to Gods Glory 2 Cor. 4. 15. Our Infirmities in Prayer are such That we know not what to pray for as we ought Rom. 8. 26. That we know not how to pray Luke 11. 1. But the Spirit helps our Infirmities Directing us what to pray for in our Lords Form prescribed to his Disciples which we are to use either in those very words Luke 11. 2. Or framing all our Petitions according thereunto Mat. 6. 9. Assisting us in the manner of our Prayers helping Our backwardness by disposing of the heart unto the duty 2 Sam 7. 27. Our want of words by opening of our lips Psal 51. 15. Our wandring thoughts by scattering of them and keeping the heart attent unto Prayer Psal 68. 1. Our coldness By heating of the heart Psal 39. 3. By the Spirits making Intercession for us in others with groanings which cannot be uttered as some understand that Rom. 8. 16. By Christ's tears shed over his Church Luk. 19. 41. By his strong Cries offered up unto his Father in the daies of his flesh Heb. 5. 7. By his now interceding for us Rom. 8. 34. As for posture I speak of secret Prayer that is best so for the voice or silence which most may quicken devotion 1 Kings 18. 42. For Place holy hands are to be lifted up every where 1 Tim. 2. 8. Especially when thou art withdrawn from Company Devout Soliloquies have More of the Spirit Less of Temptation A Secret Observer An Open Rewarder Mat. 6. 6. For time Let it be the Key of the day the Bar of the night Let it ascend morning and evening as the Incense Psal 141. 2. Pray without ceasing whensoever occasion shall be offered 1 Thes 5. 17. The sense of our wants
that wrestled with him desired him to let him go said I will not let thee go except thou bless me and he blessed him there Gen 32. 24 26 29. Elias prayed earnestly that it might not rain and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six moneths and he prayed again and the Heavens gave rain Jam. â— 17. â—eas 1. God hath tied himself by promise to hear such Prayers Mat. 7. 7. 2. Such Prayers are put up in the Name of Christ John 16. 23. 3. Christ maketh Intercession for us Rom. 8. 34. and his Father alwaies heareth him John 11 42. 4. Christ presents our Prayers unto his Father with the Incense of his merits Rev. 8. 3. 5. The Spirit maketh Intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered Rom. 8. 26. Use 1. Prayers to Saints are vain they are ignorant of us Isa 63. 16. 2. Go confidently to God in the alone Name of Christ and thou art sure to speed John 16. 23. 3. Though thine infirmities in Prayer be many yet be not discouraged the holy Spirit helps them and intercedes for thee Rom. 8. 26. Resol Whatsoever my wants are I will ask in the name of Christ and then I am certain I shall receive and my joy shall be full John 16 24. Ejâ—c I love the Lord because he hath heard my voice and my supplications because he hath enclined hiâ— ear unto me therefore will I call upon him as lonâ— as I live Psal 116. 1 2. Paral. V. Circ The Mercy was discovered to me but new â— humbled by a wounded Spirit Obs God recompenseth the great afflictions of hâ— Children with greater mercies SOme years before this great affliction was laid upâ—â— me I had often called my waies to remembrance and humbled my self for my sins but there were soâ—â— yet behind undiscovered which indeed some of the at least I thought not to be such Notwithstanding it was the Lords pleasure whatsoever to that time I had thought of them to make me throughly sensible that they were sins and of so high a nature as called for a low Humiliation To this end he took the same course with me as he did with David in a third person setting them before me and after a most sharp sentence by me pronounced against them secretly saying unto me within my self Thou art the man 2 Sam. 12. 7. Then began Conscience Gods Attorney-General to accuse and condemn Then did the Word applied unto my past actions like a two edged sword cut on both sides making two deep wounds in my soul In The apprehension of the loss of my God Isa 59. 2. In The Fear of the dreadful effects of his vengeance Gal. 3. 10. O the horrours of the wounded spirit my then present condition Who can bear their weight Prov. 18. 14. Who is able to express the anguish Yet the Lord was pleased to support me though his wrath lay heavy upon me and he afflicted me with all his waves almost to distraction while I suffered his terrours Psal 88. 7. 15. After some dayes being a little come to my self I bath'd my wounds with the tears of true repentance and Faith poured in the balm of Christs Merits And when the Lord saw that I did bear his Rod as became his humble child that I was brought so lon that I was now in a sit capacity for mercy then did the great Physitian of my Soul the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in his wings Mal. 4. 2 Not despising my contrite heart Psal 51. 17. But healing my broken spirit and with his own hand gently binding up my wounds Psal 147. 3. Speaking peace unto my soul and raising me again by a clear sense of his Love and Presence O the sweetness of his Mercy Psal 34. 8. Then did he soon after afford unto me these great and gracious vouchsafings O the riches of his Mercy Eph. 2. 4. Obs God recompenseth the great Afflictions of his Children with greater Mercies And that In this Life In the Life to come In this Life Texts Isa 61. 7. For your shame you shall have double For confusion they shall rejoyce in their portion Mar. 10. 28. There is no man that hath left House or Brethren c. for my sake and the Gospels but he shall receive an hundred fold now in this time Inst. Job for what he had lost had twice as much at his latter end Job 42. 12. Joseph from the Dungeon was raised to highest honour in Pharaoh's Court Gâ—n 41. 40 43. After this Life Texts Isa 54. 8. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment but with everlasting kindness I will have mercy on thee 2 Cor. 4. 17. Our light affliction which is but for a moment worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of Glory Inst Christ assures his Disciples that they who had forsaken all and followed him when he should sit in the Throne of his Glory they should sit upon twelve Thrones judging the Twelve Tribes of Israel Mat. 19. 28. They who came out of great tribulation here in Heaven are arrayed in white Robes and are before the Throne of God c. and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes Rev. 7. 13 14. c. Reas 1. The Lord is rich in Mercy Eph. 2. 4. 2. He would have his Children to bear his Rod with Patience Heb. 11. 9 10 11. Use 1. Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted Mat. 5. 4. 2. Count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations Jam. 1. 2. The Recompense will sufficiently countervail the Trial. 3. Hearken to Christ He is sent to proclaim Liberty to the Captives the opening of the Prison to them that are bound Isa 61. 1. Resol I will greatly rejoyce in the Lord my soul shall be joyful in my God for he hath put off my Sackcloath and girded me with gladness Psal 30. 11. He hath cloathed me with the garments of salvation he hath covered me with the Robe of Righteousness Isa 61. 10. Ejac. O thou that bindest up the broken-hearted Appoint unto the Mourners in Zion give unto them beauty for ashes the Oyl of Joy for mourning the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness Isa 61. 3. Paral. VI. Circ The discovery as touching those missed secular preferments was onely craved but much more granted Obs The Lord often grants more then his Servants sue unto him for THE Lord is good and plenteous in mercy to all that call upon him Psal 86. 5. Had he onely heard me in what I craved the condescension had been greater then unworthy dust and ashes might expect My desire was to be setled as touching those missed expectations whether God in mercy had withheld me from their enjoyment The assurance of this had been a gracious return of my Prayer But O! I am rapt with the contemplation of the magnificence of his Bounty and Goodness That to this assurance he should
are united unto him abiding in him and he in us John 15. 4. There the soul is cleansed from sin and the new life of Grace is begun in it Col 2. 12. as to habit by the holy Spirit then â— B. D. in Col. given unto it Acts 2. 38 39. This Habit doth not act it cannot presently in Infants it doth not in any though baptized at ripeness of years until the Spirit which worketh where when and how it listeth John 3. 8. pleaseth to stir it up For which he takes his own time Luke 16. 17. Mat. 20. 1 3 5 6. It is then stirred up when being drawn by the Father we come unto Christ John 6. 44. Gods ordinary way of drawing is by teaching and instructing of man by the preaching of the Word John 6. 45. Rom. 10. 14. The Word Preached is the ordinary means to beget and stirre up Faith and all other Graces in the heart Rom. 10. 14 17. Faith stirred up begins to work by Love in an holy Life Gal. 5. 6. And when it thus works in any answering Gods call with a good Conscience 1 Pet 3. â—1 then is Christ actually received into the soul John 1. 12. then is it evident that he is effectually called 2 Pet. 1. 5 6 7 8 10. That his Baptism was unto him a Laver of Regeneration and that then he was renewed by the Holy Ghost Tit. 3. 5. The Word preached however hath not this power in it self though delivered by one never so holy never so able never so zealous It is but the Instrument of the Spirit 2 Cor. 3. 8. Who by it Instructs the Understanding John 6. 45. Moves the Affection Acts 16. 14. Inclinâ—â— the Will 2 Cor. 4. 7. Man propounds the Doctrine of Faith Rom. 10. 17. The Spirit stirs up the assent of the heart to embrace it Acts 16. 14. The Preaching of the Word then being Christ's only ordinary way to change the heart to stirre up Faith as also to encrease it and all other Graces 1 Pet. 2. 2. My Bowels cannot but yern over my poor Brethren throughout the Kingdom and I cannot but heartily pity beâ—oan and pray for the return unto Christ's Fold of those his wandring sheep those â—educed souls who being miâ—led by blind Guids stumble in their waies from the ancient paths to walk in paths in a way not cast up Jer. 18. 15. Refusing to walk in the old paths where is the good way Jer. 6. 16. Forsaking the Fountain of living waters for broken Cisterns Jer. 2. 13. Leaving the healthful Pool John 5. 4. For stinking Sinks and Puddles Withdrawing from and slighting the Preaching of the Word and despising the lawful Ministers thereof â— As for their deceiving deceived Teachers 2 Tim. 3. 13. St. Paul shews Whose Ministers they are 2 Cor. 11. 15. What their Practise is v. 13. What their Aim Col. 2. 18. What their present Desert Gal. 5. 12. What without repentance their future Reward â— 2 Cor. 11. 15. When the lawful Ministers of Christ faithfully dispensing of the Mysteries and winning souls unto him shall shine as the stars for ever and ever Dan. 12. 3. Obs The Word Preached by a Lawful Minister is Christ's ordinary way for changing of the heart Texts Rom. 1. 15 16. The Gospel preached is the power of God unto Salvation to every one that beleeveth Heb. 4. 12. The Word of God preached v. 2. is quick and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit and of the Joynts and Marrow and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart Inst. Lydia hearing Paul preach the Lord opened her heart that she attended unto the things which were spoken by him Acts 16. 14. Three thousand were converted at Peter's Sermon Acts 2. 41. Reas 1. God hath appointed that it shall be so Isa 55. 11. 2. It is the only ordinary means to beget Faith in the soul Rom 10. 14 17. 3. It is the Instrument of the Spirit 2 Cor. 3. 8. 4. For the Glory of Gods Wisdom and Power in confounding the wise by foolish things mighty things by weak things things that are by the base and despised things of the world yea by things which are not 1 Cor. 1. 27. 28. Use 1. Wouldst thou be hired into the Vineyard Stand in the Market place Mat. 20. 3. Wouldst thou be cured Wait at the Pool Joâ—n 5. 3. Attend upon the Means If God hath given thee to Christ thou shalt come unto him John 6. 37. but in his time and way 2. Pray unto God that the door of thy heart may be opened otherwise the door of utterance opened to the Minister will be in vain Col. 4. 3. 3. Barrenness under the Means is dangerous Heb. 6. 7. 4. Slight not Preaching God is pleased by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe 1 Cor. 1. 21. 5. They who will not hear Moses and the Prophets will not be perswaded though one rose from the dead Luke 16. 31. 6. Account the Feet of them that preach the Gospel of Peace beautiful Rom. 10. 15. Esteem them very highly in love for their works sake 1 Thes 5. 13. 7. They that despise them despise Christ and God himself Luke 10. 16. Resol I am but thy earthen Vessel the excellency of the Power is of thee O God I will as my duty is present thy Treasures unto thy people not handling thy Word deceiâ—fully but by manifestation of the truth commend my self unto every ones Conscience in thy sight 2 Cor. 4. 2 7. Of whom is all my sufficiency 2 Cor. 3. 5. Ejac. O let thy holy Spirit work in me mightily that with all Faithfulness preaching Christ the hope of Glory I may labour and strive according to his working to warn those whom thou hast entrusted me with and to teach them in all wisdom that I may present them perfect in Christ Jesus Col. 2. â—8 29. Paral. The Vision in General Obs Heavenly Visions are to be observed OUR Lord Christ when he lived upon the earth his constant way of teaching was by Parables Mat. 13. 34. This way before his Inâ—arnation he frequently used Numb 12. 6. In Dreams and Visions of the night and now still he useth it though not so commonly Acts. 2. 17. For a Vision is nothing else but a Parable or certain visible words in an Emblematical way represented before the eye of the mind when the outward senses are bound up with sleep It is an acting of that before the eye of the soul for its clearer Information and that it may there take the deeper impression which spoken to the â—ar awake would not so much be minded and attended unto by reason of the multiplicity of diverting cares business passions c. A Parable in it self being only the first part of a similitude is aenigmatical and dark but add the Interpretation it is plain to an easie capacity Of Visions there are three sorts Natural usually arising
not able to perform I will therefore trust in the most High through whose Mercy it is that I have not been moved Psal 21. 7 11. Ejac. How safe is the Heritage of thy Children O Lord whosoever shall gather together against them shall fall for their sakes Isa 54. 15. 17. The Deliverance Paral. I. Circ My Apprehenders hand was taken off me Obs When the Lord Christ pleaseth to free Corruption can no longer enslave THat they who are ordained unto eternal life to that glorious Inheritance of the Saints in light may be partakers thereof there is pre-required a certain meeâ—ness in them Col. 1. 12. This they have not neither can have while in the state of nature 1 Cor. 15. 50. That therefore they may be â—itted for it it is necessary That they be drawn out of their natural estate That they be set in the state of Grace They are drawn out of the state of Nature by being freed from the power of Darkness Col. 1. 13. They are set in the state of Grace by being translated into the Kingdom of Christ Col. 1. 13. To whom it belongs to work these great works for them he alone being able to do them Luke 11. 22. That he had wrought them for me he was now pleased clearly to manifest unto me In my Apprehender's hand being taken off me he shewed me that he had freed me from the power of darkness from the power of reigning sin and so from the power of Satan of Hell In my descent into the Building which soon after followed he shewed me that I was now become a Member of his true Church and so set in the state of Grace His first great work for me was to deliver me from the power of darkness It cannot be believed that these mine enemies in whose snares I was taken out of a willingness now to be rid of me did of themselves offer me this opportunity to escape Their Consultations certainly were not so deep nor they so secure that they minded not him whom they concerned Corruption doth more value his pains and diligence and the huâ—gry Lion doth not so easily part with his prey whereof he is seized How came I then to be set at liberty They were out-witted and out powered The Lord Christ the great Counsellour the mighty God Isa 9. 6. defeated all their Contrivances enervated their strength and in despite of them rescued and wrested me out of their hands Powerfully as to them Col. 2. 15. In a way of Justice as to his Father Col. 1. 20. Innocent He had payed his precious Blood for my soul 1 Pet. 1. 19. His Innocency redeemed me being guilty His rich Price which he payed impoverished Satan His Bonds â—ettered him freed me Thus the Serpents head was broken Gen. 3. 15. by him to whom it was deâ—ervedly granted that he should divide the spoil with the strong because he poured out his soul unto death Isaiah 53. 12. But shall the Prey be taken from the mighty or the lawful Captive be delivered Yes it shall it was it could not be otherwise when now the Lord my Saviour my Redeemer the Mighty one of Jacob was pleased to contend with those that oppressed me and to save me The Captive of the Mighty was taken away and the prey of the Terrible was delivered Isa 49. 24 25 26. Obs When the Lord Christ pleaseth to free Corruption can no longer enslave Texts Luke 11. 21 22. When a strong man armed keepeth his Palace his goods are in peace but when a stronger than he shall come upon him and overcometh him he taketh from him all his Armour wherein he trusted and divideth his Spoyles John 6. 37. All that the Father giveth me shall come to me Inst Zacheus though Chief of the Publicans men esteemed by Christ no better than Heathen Mat. 18. 17. Though a rich man and such shall hardly enter into the Kingdom of Heaven Mat. 19. 23. Yet when Christ called him he made hast and came down and received Christ joyfully Luke 19. 2 6. Saul when breathing out Threatnings and slaughter against the Disciples and going purposely to Damascus with authority to bind and bring those to Jerusalem that he should find there of that way upon the Apparition and Voice from Heaven waâ— changed and submitted himself to Christ's Will Acts 9. 1 2. Reas 1. The Holy Spirit by whom the Soul is freed is a God of irresistible power A rushing mighty Wind filled the House c. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost Acts 2. 2 4 2. The Debt being discharged the Prisoner is to be released Col. 2. 14. Use 1. The Godhead of the Spirit proved 1 Cor. 2. 10. 2. Bless him who hath paid thy Debt Col. 2. 14 3. Take heed of running upon a new Store Psal 85. 8. Resol Thou hast given Commandment to save me wherefore my mouth shall be filled with thy Praise and Honour all the day For they are confounded and brought to shame that sought my hurt Psal 71. 3 8 24. Ejac. Into thine hand I commit my Spirit thou hast redeemed me O Lord God of Truth and hast not shut me up into the hand of the Enemy but hast set my Feet in a large room Psal 31. 5 8. Paral. II. Circ My Apprehenders hand was taken off unexpected Obs Effectual Calling is of Gods Free Grace THat God alone is able to change the Heart is Clear Grace is a participation of the Divine Nature And who can communicate the Divine Nature unto man but only a Divine Power 2 Pet. 1. 3 4. There is nothing in the Soul out of which it may be produced as therein potentially contained Mans recreation then must necessarily be effected by that Almighty Power that at the first made him of nothing Ezek. 11. 19. But may not man deserve this Change May he not walk so exactly by Natures Rule as that God in equity cannot deny his Grace unto him No This Grace is free this Love undeserved What is in the sick Patient to deserve that the Physitian should seek him out to cure him What in an Enemy to deserve Reconciliation from him to whom he hath given just cause to hate him Yet when I was sick and languishing my Physitian sought me to recover me My highly provoked God when I was his Enemy was pleased freely to be reconciled unto me Col 1. 19 10. My Apprehender had hold of me The Jaylor was ready to take me into his Custody The Prison gaped for my Entertainment The Grates were strong to secure me No visible help to rescue me Nothing in me to deserve Compassion Deliverance Yet then was the Lord pleased not for my sake but for his own Holy Names sake to pity me to put a new Spirit in me to save me from all mine Enemies from all mine uncleannesses Isa 31 21 26 31. Well may I now to the Glory of my Almighty and Compassionate Redeemer take up those words of his Church whereof I am now
which he encreaseth by degrees 2 Cor. 10. 15. There is a passing on from strength to strength Psal 84. 7. Gods righteousness is revealed from Faith to Faith Rom. 1. 7. And this improvement ought to be observed and may with ease be known First we are Babes 1 Pet. 2. 2. And so grow up observeably when grown towards perfection of Manhood in Christ Ephes 4. 13 14 16. Obs The effectually-called may discover and ought to observe how sin is weakned in them and how far they are improved in Grace Texts 2 Cor. 4. 16. Though our outward man perish yet the inward man is renewed day by day 2 Cor 6. 1. We beseech you that you receive not the Grace of God in vain Inst St. Paul counted himself not to be perfect not to have apprehended Phil. 3. 12 13. The Church of Thyatira is commended in that her last works were more than the first Rev. 2. 19. Reas 1. That they may be thankful to him by whom they are bettered Rom. 6. 17. 2 Thes 1. 3. 2. That they may be quickned to a further improvement Eph. 5. 8. 2 Tim. 1. 6. Use 1. There is no perfection here Sin may dayly be more weakned Grace more improved Phil. 3. 12. 2. Reach forth to those things that are before Phil. 3. 13. 3. Bless God for thine Improvement It is he that worketh in thee to will and to do of his good pleasure Phil. 2. 13. 4. Fall not from thy first love Rev. 2 4. Resol I will go from strength to strength until I appear before my God in Zion Psal 84. 7. Ejac. Remember not O Lord the sinful barrenness of my Youth O grant that being now planted in thine House I may still bring forth fruit in mine age and that I may be fat and flourishing Psal 92. 13. 14. Paral. VIII Circ Looking back I saw a Gentleman who having stopped my Pursuer was beating of him Obs The Holy Spirit restrains Corruption in the effectually-Called ALthough I had made an escape and he who had brought me forth into a large place was pleased to make my way perfect to enlarge my steps under me that in my flight my Feet did not slip Psal 18. 32 36. And though I had gotten some way before my Apprehender yet he followed hard after me saying unto himself I will pursue I will evertake saying of my soul there is no help for him in God Psal 3. 2. God hath forsaken him I will persecute and take him for there is none to deliver him Psal 71. 11. But behold as formerly enlargement so help unexpectedly did arise unto me from him who had commanded deliverances for me Psal 44. 4. He who at first had taken his hand off me did now withhold him and would not suffer him again to lay it upon me Such is the weakness of a Christian though effectually called that in the course of his life Corruption doth often captivate him Rom. 7. 23. and endeavours what in him lies to reduce and subject him again to the Dominion of Satan But in these his Assaults and prevailings yet here is our Comfort here our Help We have an High Priest who in all points was tempted like as we are though without sin and so is touched with a feeling of our Infirmities Heb. 4. 15. Who in that himself hath suffered being tempted is able to succour those that are tempted Heb. 2. 18. And according to this his Power he doth succour them in time of need He takes off the edges and Points of whatsoever weapons are formed against them Isa 54. 17. He hath given his Angels charge over them to keep them in all their waies Psal 91. 11. He ever liveth to make Intercession for them and is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him Heb. 7. 25. He strengthens them with all might according to his Glorious power Col. 1. 11. He backs and encourageth them by his Spirit John 15. 26 He communicates his Victory unto them John 16. 33. He will shortly bruise Satan and their Corruption under their feet Rom. 16. 20. And through him that loves them they shall in the end be more than Conquerers Rom. 8. 37. Thus he that abideth under the shadow of the Almighty none evil shall befal him The Lord shall cover him with his Feathers he shall trust under his wings his Truth shall be his shield and buckler Psal 91. 1. 4. 10. Obs The Holy Spirit restrains Corruption in the effectually-Called Texts Psal 118. 13. Thou hast thrust fore at me that I might fall but the Lord helped me 1 Cor. 10. 13. God is faithful who will not suffer you to be tempâ—ed above that yeare able to bear but will with the temptation also make a way â—â— escape Inst. The Lord troubled the Egyptians and took off their Chariot-wheels that they drave them heavily Exod. 14. 24 25. Elisha said unto his Servant fear not for they that be with us are more then they that be with them c. And behold the Mountain was full of Horses and Chariots of fire round about Elisha 2 Kings 6. 16 17. Reas 1. He knows we have to deal with a powerful enemy Eph. 6. 12. 2. He knows and pities our weakness Heb. 4 15. Use 1. The effectually called are weak unable of themselves to master their Corruption Rom. 7. 18. 2. Pity thy weak Brother when fallen and restore him in the spirit of meekness Gal. 6. 1. 3. Fear not thine enemy God is on thy side Rom. 8. 31. 4. Pray for assistance Exod. 17. 11. 5. Trust in God he will make perfect his strength in thy weakness 2 Cor. 12. 9. Resol I will lift up mine eyes unto the Hills whence cometh my help my help cometh from the Lord which made Heaven and Earth Psal 121. 1 2. Ejac. Stand up for my help O Lord stop the way against them that persecute me Say unto my soul I am thy salvation Psal 35. 2 3. Paral. IX Circ The Gentleman beating of my Pursuer had pulled him down upon his knees by his long Hair Obs Upon effectual Calling the Spirit usually first weakens Corruption by taking the heart off from all Affected Vanities and Pleasures THE Hair too short is superstitious or servile too long the shameful shameless dotage of the Times as much unmanly 1 Cor. 11. 14. This of my Pursuer as before I look upon as a cautionary Item against that and all other Vanities and Pleasures whatsover With this about the hair amongst many in my younger years I was much transported at the time of my last happy unsettlement with others more prevailing But the great work being done my heart was wholly taken off from them and set upon those better things from which they had been too long too powerful avocations No man can serve two Masters Mat. 6. 24. How can Gods Service but be neglected by him who serves his own pleasure 2 Tim. 3. 4. The tast of it dulls the souls Appetite
Son He is adopted Eph. 1. 5. by vertue of his Son-ship being interessed in the exceeding great and precious promises v. 4. Christ is made unto him sanctification 1 Cor. 1. 30. Communicating his Grace unto him so making him partaker of the Divine Nature v. 4. He is assured of Glory to which he is called as also to that way of Vertue in which he is and which leadeth thereunto v. 3. It is a sad truth that that sweet comfort which ariseth from this assurance may for a time be shaken and interrupted upon the prevailing of Corruption which while it abideth in us cannot but often be Our Enemies being so subtil We so weak Occasions of falling so many But though we fall yet we shall not be utterly cast down Psal 37 24. While God continues unchangeable Rom. 8. 30. While his Seed remaineth in us 1 John 3. 9. While Christ continues faithful John 10. 28. While his Prayer for us is effectual John 11. 42. While God continues a God of Almighty Power John 10. 29 30. Obs The Power of Corruption being once broken it shall never again wholly â—ecover it over the effectually-Called so as to hinder them from Glory Texts John 8. 36. If the Son shall make you free ye shall be free indeed Rom. 8. 30. Whom he did predestinate them he also called and whom he called them he also justified and whom he justified them he also gloriâ—ied Inst The Church with each true Member thereof is assured by Christ that the Gates of Hell shall not prevail against her Mat. 16. 18. Paul assures those in Rome beloved of God and called to be Saints Rom. 1. 7. That being dead unto sin and so under Grace sin should no more have dominion over them Rom. 6. 11 14. Reas 1. As to inchoation they are in present possession of eternal life John 3. 36. 2. As to Consummation of their happiness they have Gods Decree for it Rom. 8. 30. Christs Promise of it John 10. 28. His Prayer for it John 17. 24. Which his Father alwayes hears John 11. 42. His Assurance that they shall never perish that none shall pluck them out of his Hand John 10. 28. God's and Christ's Power to keep them against whomsoever shall endeavour it John 10. 29 30. Use 1. God's love is unchangeable John 13. 1. 2. Give diligence to make thy calling and Election sure 2 Pet. 1. 10. 3. Get an assurance that thou art united unto Christ and then thou art sure of Heaven 1 John 5. 11 12. The Bonds of the Union between Christ and the Soul are The Holy Spirit Rom. 8. 9. Faith John 6. 35. 4. Lead an holy Life and thou shalt never fall 2 Pet 1. 10. Resol Being now made free from sin and become thy Servant O Lord I will with an assured confidence having my fruit in holiness rely upon thy Love and Faithfulness for the end eternal life Rom. 6. 22. For thy Love wherewith thou hast drawn me is everlasting Jer 31. 3. And thou hast promised that the Mountains shall depart and the Hils be removed but never thy kindness from me nor the Covenant of thy Peace Is 54 10. Ejac. What shall be able to separate me from the love of my God which is in Christ Jesus my Lord Rom. 8. 39. The Duties Paral. I. Circ I ran down a pair of Stairs at the Savoy Obs The effectually-Called are to humble themselves for sin THE Duties to be performed by the effectually Called do either Accompany effectual Calling Or Follow it They that accompany it are Repentance Faith Acts 20. 21. Mark 1. 15. The first of these I was put in mind of by my running down the stairs By stairs we descend downwards In Humiliation for sin the soul is brought down even to a putting of the mouth in the dust Lam 3. 29. All mountains and hills in Christ's way are brought low Luke 3. 5. All Imaginations and every high thing which formerly exalted it self against the knowledge of God is cast down and every thought brought into captivity to the obedience of Christ who is now upon effectual Calling received into the soul 2 Cor. 10. 5. Christ is received into the soul by Faith John 1. 12. Of this Faith Repentance wrought in the heart at the same time by the same means 2 Tim. 2. 25. is an inseparable Companion The Will which in Faith is turned to the enjoyment of the true Good being in repentance turned to the doing of what is truly good with an hatred of and turning from the contrary evil There is a repentance which may be in the unregenerate arising from the Terrour of the Law having Gods Wrath alone for its Object This is but a compunction or pricking at the heart accompanied with fear of punishment such as was in Peters Auditors Acts 2. 37. However this as it did in them may dispose and prepare the heart for Faith But that repentance which is proper to the effectually-called is a turning from sin partly out of fear but chiefly as sin is an offence against and violation of Gods revealed Will Psal 51. 4. And where this is there will follow in that man A free Confession of sin 1 John 1. 9. Attended with shame Dan. 9. 8. An hearty sorrow for sin 2 Cor. 7. 11. Which will shew it self in Carefulness to shun it Indignation against it Fear of falling again into it Desire to be strengthened Zeal against it Revenge upon himself for it A constant and irreconcileable hatred against all sin Psal 119. 104. And that with all vehemency Rev. 2. 2. Fixed resolutions to avoid all sin Psal 39. 1. As also upon a Course of Godliness for the time to come with a diligent care in the use of all good means which may further him and in removing and avoyding all Impediments which might hinder him in such his course 1 Pet. 2. 1 2. This duty of Humiliation for sin although the fear and grief which accompany it be not alâ—ke in all yet without such humiliation none are effectually called at ripeness of years Luke 15. 17 18 21. From which time of effectual Calling unto our lives end it is vertually to be continued and often to be renewed Mat. 6. 12. Obs The effectually Called are to humble themselves for sin â—exts Psal 51. 17. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit a broken and a contrite heart O God thou wilt not despise Joel 2 13. Rent your heart and not your garments and turn unto the Lord your God Inst David acknowledgeth his Transgressions and beseecheth God according to the multitude of his tender Mercies to blot them out Psal 51. 1 3. St. Paul rejoyceth that the Corinthians sorrowed to repentance that he made them sorry after a godly manner 2 Cor. 7 9. Reas 1. Because sin separates from God Isa 59. 2. 2. It is inconsistent with our effectual Calling 1 Thes 4. 7. 3. Gods goodness shâ—uld lead us to repentance Rom 2. 4. 4. It is the only means with
late commission as inconsistent with Faith This is quenched with It is written I have prayed for thee that thy Faith fail not Luke 22. 32. Thus by his Example hath our great Captain instructed us how to use the Sword of the Spirit at the point whereof if we keep our enemy though his Assaults be never so violent against our Faith yet he shall not be able to overthrow it Obs The Souls Enemies upon effectual calling are most violent against its Faith Texts 1 Pet. 5. 8. Your Adversary the Devil as a roaring Lion walketh about seeking whom he may devour whom resist stedfast in the Faith Rev. 12 12. Wo to the Inhabiters of the earth and of the Sea for the Devil is come down unto you having great wrath because he knoweth he hath but a short time Inst The evil Spirit being charged by Christ to come out of the young man and to enter no more into him cried and rent him sore and came out of him Mat. 9. 25 26. The Dragon stood before the Woman which was ready to be delivered for to devour her child assoon as it was born Rev. 12. 4. Reas 1. His Hatred of God whose Glory upon mans effectuall calling and Adoption being much enlarged Eph. 16. He endeavours what in him lyes to hinder it 2. His Pride he would have all to be his Subjects even Christ himself Mat. 4. 9. 3. His Malice against Mankind which he seeks to devour 1 Pet. 5. 8. 4. His Envy at the Joy of the Blessed Angels who rejoyce at the conversion and repentance of a sinner Luke 15. 7. Use 1. Be not entangled in the affairs of this life otherwise thou wilt be unfit for the spiritual Warfare 2 Tim. 2. 4. 2. Be sober and watchful 1 Pet. 5. 8. 3. Be strong in the Lord and in the power of his Might Eph. 6. 10. 4. Put on the whole Armour of God that thou maist be able to stand against the Wiles of the Devil Eph. 6. 11. 5. Be stedfast in the Faith 1 Pet. 5. 9. 6. Call to God for Help Eph. 6. 18. Resol I will take unto me the Shield of Faith wherewith I shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked Eph. 6. 16. Ejac. O my most dear Lord Christ Thou knowest what it is to be tempted Mat. 4. 3. c. Thou art able to succour them that are tempted Heb. 2. 18. O teach my hands to war and my fingers to fight Psal 144. 1. Communicate thy Victory unto me and then through thee who hast loved me I shall be more than Conqueror Rom. 8. 37. Paral. VII Circ Getting down into the Building in despight of mine Opposers they presently dis-appeared Obs The Souls Enemies resisted with Courage will flee away IN War it is no mean Point of wisdom in a General before he engage to consider the strength of the Enemy whether with his Troops he be able to encounter him if not that a Treaty and Terms of Peace may in time be propounded Luke 14 31 32. Had I had this respite and freedom yet these mine enemies were such as with whom a covenant of Peace was not to be expected but upon Nahash's dishonourable conditions to have put out the right eye of my Faith which they with such violence opposed 1 Sam. 4. 2. But I was in a great straight and had no time to parly I fled from a Lion and a Bear met me Amos 5. 19. I fled from the Egyptians the proud Waves were ready to overwhelm me Exod. 14. 2 10. My Pursuer was behind me these mine Opposers before me who having the advantage of Number Arms place did thrust â—orely at me How was it then that I prevailed against them to put them to flight The Lord fought for me He who at the Prison Gate had rescued me had stopped my Pursuer when following of me was pleased still to carry on the work and in the greatness of his excellency to overthrow those who rose up against me Exod. 15. 7. The Holy Spirit is the Power of God Luke 24. 49. and it is a Glorious Power Col. 1. 11. Glorious carrying alwayes with it an assurance of victory where it assisteth Rom. 8. 37. It were not Glorious if overpowered by any Glorious in perfecting his own strength in mans weakness 2 Cor. 12. 9. It doth not immediatly of it self confound our Adversaries but enables weak sinful man to master Principalities Powers spiritual Wickednesses and to get the Victory over their most violent Assaults With this his Glorious Power the Lord doth strengthen all his Servants and it is derived unto them By Christ's Donation John 16. 7. By his Intercession John 14. 16. Do thou make God thy Refuge and the most High thine Habitation and in thy greatest Straits thou shalt not want this Helper who will so protect that none evil shall befall thee and so encourage that undaunted thou shalt tread upon the Lion and Adder and shalt trample the young Lion and Dragon under feet The Lord will be with thee in trouble and deliver thee and shew thee his Salvation Psal 91. 9 10 13 15 16. Obs The Souls Enemies resisted with courage will flee away Texts Luke 4. 13. And when the Devil had ended all the temptation he departed from him for a season Jam. 4. 7. Resist the Devil and he will slee from you Inst Christ though strongly assaulted by Satan yet ovâ—râ—ame him and drave him away Maâ— 4. 11. St. Paul was enabled by the sufficiency of Gods Grace though not to remove yet to master the Messenger of Satan that was sent to buffet him 2 Cor. 12. 7 9. Reas 1. They are overpowered by the assistance of the Spirit Eph. 3. 6. 2. They withdraw that they may return upon the greater advantage Mat. 12. 45. Use 1. Give God the Glory of thy Victory over whatsoever temptation Psal 115. 1. 2. Have Faith in Chrisâ—'s Victory John 16. 33. 3. Oppose them with courage 1 Cor. 13. 16. 4. Stand continually upon thy Guard they will return Mat. 12 44. 5. If they prevail over thee it is thine own fault Jam. 1. 14. Overcome thy self and thou hast overcome them Resol Thou hast given me the shield of thy Salvation thou hast girded me with strength by thee I have run through a Troop and leaped over a Wall Thou art my God my strength in whom I will trust Psal 18. 2. 29 32. 35. Ejac. Lâ—t God arise and mine enemies shall be scattered and they that hate me shall â—lee before me and as smoak shall be driven away at his Presence Psal 68. 1 2. Paral. VIII Circ The Duties in General to be performed after Effectual Calling Obs As for all other Mercies so especially for Soul-deliverances God expects that man should be thankful THE best are unworthy of the least of all Gods Mercies Gen. 32. 10. Yet for his Children the Lord hath Tender Mercies Psal 25. 6. Great Mercies 2 Sam. 24. 14. Very great Mercies 1 Chron.
set upon God and the most certain Evidence of its love towards him being an holy life in a ready obedience unto his Will John 14. 23. to which by the Scaffolds as in the next I was directed the Lord was pleased first to encourage me to a forward chearful constancy therein by that glorious reward prepared for me above whereof by this cloudy resemblance I was now put in mind Are the blind able to discourse of Light How much less is man able to speak of that Glory of which we have him who saw it testifying that it is unutterable 2 Cor. 12. 4. inconceivable 1 Cor. 2. 9. The Holy Spirit is pleased notwithstanding in part to withdraw this Cloud in the Word by affording a weak glimpse of this Glory in the holy Jerusalem described Rev. 21. from v. 10. to 24. in assuring the faithful Citizens thereof who are written in the Lambs Book of life that they shall be adorned with white Robes of Glory Rev. 7. 9. 14. as to their souls and bodies As to their Souls Their Faith whereby here they see but as through a Glass darkly shall be changed into a manifest Vision of God whom they shall see face to face 1 Cor. 13. 12. Their Hope whereby here they patiently wait for this reward Rom. 8. 25. shall be changed into Fruition into the perfect enjoyment of him who shall fully satisfie their longing desires and wipe away all tears from their eyes Rev. 7. 16 17. Their imperfect love of God here shall be heightned to such a perfection as shall be incapable of enlargement 1 Cor. 13. 8. Thus that which is perfect as to all these being come that which is imperfect shall be done away 1 Cor. 13. 10 Their Bodies though sown in dishonour shall be raised in Glory 1 Cor. 15. 43. Which Glory shall consist In Clearness and Brightness they shall shine as the Sun Mat. 13. 43. In Impassibility and Freedom from Corruption this corruptible shall put on incorruption this mortal immortality 1 Cor. 15. 53. In swiftness of motion they shall be like the Angels Mat. 22. 30. In a word they shall be changed that they may be fashioned like unto the glorious body of Christ Philip. 3. 21. This Glory they shall enjoy in all fulness and to all Eternity which is set forth by the figure of a Crown Rev. 2. 10. Which is circular a circle being a Figure of the largest capacity and without end Whatsoever we perform in our obedience unto Gods Will He worketh it for us Phil. 2. 13. He is not benefitted by it Psal 16. 2. It is our duty Luke 17. 10. It is most disproportionable to this Glorious Reward Isa 64. 6. and therefore far from deserving of it Which however that in Gods Service it may be eyed We have God enjoyning of it Mat. 6. 33. We have the Saints Practise for it Heb. 11. 26 c. It is one end why Godliness hath the Promises of it 1 Tim. 4. 8. Obs God hath an invisible Paradise to reward his Servants which in his Service they may have a respect unto He hath an invisible Paradise for them Texts 1 Cor. 2. 9. Eye hath not seen nor ear heard neither have entred into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love him 1 John 3. 2. Now are we the Sons of God and it doth not yet appear what we shall bâ— but we know that when he shall appear we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is Inst. Paul being caught up into Paradise heard unspeakable words which it is not lawful or possible for a man to utter 2 Cor. 12. 4. The Holy Jerusalem described Rev. 21. 10 c. They may have a respect to this reward Texts Psal 119. 12. I have enclined my heart to perform thy Statutes alway even unto the end or for the reward Col. 1. 5. Since we heard of your Faith in Christ Jesus and of the love which ye have to all the Saints for the hope which is laid up for you in Heaven Inst Moses had respect unto the recompence of the reward Heb. 11. 26. Paul pressed toward the Mark for the price of the high Calling of God in Christ Jesus Phil. 3. 14. Reas For thâ— invisible reward 1. To shew the riches of his Bounty Mat 25. 23. 2. To encourage us to serve him with Chearfulness 1 Tim. 48. 3. To encourage us to bear the Cross with Patience Rom. 8. 18. 4. That we may patiently wait for it Rom. 8. 25. Reas For having a respect unto the reward 1. The Example of the Saints Heb. 11. 26. Phil. 3. 14. 2. It is Gods Command Mat. 6. 33. 3. It is the end of our Faith 1 Pet. 1. 9. Use 1. Be chearful in Gods service and stedfast therein thy labour shall not be in vain 1 Cor. 15. 58. 2. Bear afflictions patiently If thou suffer with Christ thou shalt reign with him Rom. 8. 17. 3. Attribute no merit to thy self the reward is his free gift Rom. 6. 23. 4. Cleanse thy soul from sin He that hath this hope purifieth himself 1 John 3. 3. Resol I will fight the good fight I will finish my course I will keep the Faith and so doing I am assured there is laid up for me a Crown of righteousness which the Lord the righteous Judge will give unto me 2 Tim. 4. 7 8. Ejâ—c O how great is thy goodness which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee Psal 31. 19. Paral. XIII Circ Round about the Tower were Scaffolds equi-distant one above another Obs The effectually-Called are to grow in all Grace by degrees and to persevere therein THE Heart set upon God will manifest its love by Obedience John 14. 23. To Obedience are required The Knowledge of Gods Will Eph. 5. 17. The doing or practising of his Will John 13. 17. Gods Will is put in practise in the exercise of holy Graces 1 Thes 4. 3. Wherein there must be an universal gradual constant Improvement 2 Pet. 3. 18. To an improvement in all Grace the Ascent of the Scaffolds directs To an Improvement in Grace the Scaffolds round about To an improvement by degrees the equi-distance of each step from other Constancy or perseverance to which the closing Parallel likewise gives direction is implied in the improvement which ceaseth if we hold not out unto the end 1 Cor. 15. 58. Improvement in Grace St. Peter compares to the growth of an Infant 1 Pet. 2. 2. To the Souls growth in Grace is required Food This Food is the Word 1 Cor. 3. 2. Which must be wholsom 1 Tim. 6. 3. Sincere Milk 1 Pet. 2. 2. Not sweetned by affected Eloquence 1 Cor. 2. 4. Not corrupted with humane Inventions Mark 7. 7. Not poysoned with wrested Interpretations 2 Pet. 3. 16. Proportionable seasonable Luke 12. 42. Administred by a lawful Nurse 1 Thes 2. 7. Or Steward appointed to
Love to God Active Love brings forth Obedience John 14. 23. Passive Love brings forth Patience 1 Cor. 13. 4. This arms a Christian against that evil that is upon him as Fortitude arms him against evil invading of him It s Object is Afflictions to which it hath a double respect To their weight To their continuance And we have great need of it Heb. 10. 36. as for other reasons so especially in reference to all other Graces Which being the Materials of the spiritual Building in the soul 1 Cor. 3. 9. to which that I referred that at the Savoy though chiefly pointing ouâ—â—he Church I erred not in the Interpretation Faith in Christ is their Foundation Patience their Roof Faith gives them firmness Mat. 7. 14 15. Patience gives them continuance Rom. 2. 7. Faith strengthens them against the storms of afflictions that they fall not Patience shelters them from the storms that they decay not And it will the better be able thus to secure them when it hath its perfect work Jam. 1. 4. Which it then hath When we suffer for righteousness sake Mat. 5. 10. When we glory in afflictions not in the Object of our Patience which both by weight and continuance causeth grief Heb. 12. 11 Yet In its Act Heb. 10. 34. In its Fruit Heb. 12. 11. In its end 2 Cor. 4. 17. When which is the Ridge of the Roof so perfectly and entirely compleating the Building that nothing is wanting Jam. 1. 4. we endure and faint not under them Jam. 5 11. And now when it pleaseth our Father to lay afflictions upon us why should we not thus bear them Knowing That we suffer not alone 1 Pet. 5. 9. That our afflictions are discoveries of our Fathers Love Rev. 3. 19. That it is an high honour to suffer for Christ Acts 5. 41. That they will be a means to better us Heb 12. 11. That they shall not long continue upon us 1 Pet. 5 10. That our Father will support us under them 1 Cor. 10. 13. That their end shall be Glory Matth. 5. 10. As the water ebbs so it flows Gods Children may somtimes have their Intervals of Comfort some respite from the Rod. Psal 30. 5. But the Tide will turn again When it doth and the Rod is upon thee bear it as thou art directed with an humble and silent submission unto thy Fathers hand Psal 39. 9. And so according to Samsons Riddle thou shalt fetch meat out of the eater and out of the strong sweetness Judges 14. 14. Obs Each true Member of the Church in his way to Heaven must expect Afflictions and prepare himself with patience to undergo them He must expect â—fflâ—ctions Texts Acts 14. â—2 We must thâ—ough much Tribulation enter into the Kingdom or God 2 Tim. 3 12. All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer Persecution Inst. David was plagued all the day long and chastened every morning Psal 73 14. Christ â—els the Sons of Zebâ—dee that they shall drink of his Cup and be bapâ—ized with his Baptism Mat. 20. 23. He must prepare himself with Patience Texts â—am 58 Bâ— patiâ—nt stablâ—sh your hearts for the Coming of the Lord draweth nigh Iuk 21 19 In your Patience postless yâ— your souls Inst The Angel of the Chuâ—ch of Ephâ—sus with thâ— Members thereof are commended in that they had born and had patience and for Christ's Name sake had laboured and had not faintâ—d Râ—v â— 3. Paul took pleaâ—ure in Infirmities in reproaches in necessities in persecutions in distresses for Christ s sake 2 Cor 2 â—0 Reas Why God afflicts his Children 1. For Chastisement to manifest his Justice Psal 89. 30. 2. For Trial and for the exercise of their Graces 1 Pet. 1. 7. 3. That they may be conformable unto Christ in his Sufferings Phil. 3. 10. 4. That God may bâ— glorified 1 Pet. 4. 14. 5. That their râ—ward may be â—nlarged 2 Cor. 4 17. 6. That it may appear that they serve God not for temporal things Job 2. 3. Reas Why they must prepare themselves with patience 1. Otherwise they cannot continue in well-doing Rom. 2. 7. 2. Otherwise Satan will get possession of the Soul Luke 21. 9. 3. Patienâ—e will overcome their enemies Jud. 8. 3. 4. It will make their enemies their Servants to wreath a Crown of Glory for them Mat 5. 10. Use 1. Look not for a life of Pleasure John 16. 33. The way to Heaven is strowed with thorns Hos 2. 6. 2. They are Bastards not Sons who are without Chastisement Heb. 12. 8. 3. Keep possession of thy soul Luke 21. 19. 4. Despise not Gods Rod neither faint under it Heb. 12. 5. 5. Let Patience have its perfect work Jam. 1. 4. Resol I will glory in Tribulations knowing that tribulation worketh patience and patience experience and experience hope and hope maketh not ashamed because the Love of God is shed abroad in my heart by the Holy Ghost which is given unto me Rom. 5. 3 4 5. Ejac. Blessed is the man that endureth temptation for when he is tried he shall receive the Crown of Life which the Lord hath promised to them that love him Jam. 1. 12. Rev. 5. 13. Blessing Honour Glory and Power be unâ—o him that sitteth upon the Throne and unto the Lamb for ever and ever AMEN To all those that fear God SAint Paul blushed not to acknowledge to the world that he had been a Blasphemer a Persecuter injurious 1 Tim. 1. 13. That he had been foolish disobedient Deceived serving divers Lusts and Pleasures living in Malice Envy Hatred T it 3. 3. That he had been a Child of Wrath That his Conversation among others the Children of disobedience had been in the Lusts of the Flesh fulfilling the desires thereof Eph. 2. 3. And indeed why should he The yet guilty soul may have its Face filled with shame But that which is renewed by the Holy Spirit though as to it self it will upon their remembrance have secret Blushings Yet need not as to others be cast down for any former sins from which the Lord Christ hath washed it in his Blood It is now cleansed and Innocency and Purity are alwaies accompanied with an holy Confidence With such I now tell you my Brethren who I am assured will glorifie God in me for the Glory of the riches of whose Grace I now publish this that the wayes of the former part of my life were so far from being according to Gods wayes that more truly then that blessed Saint who out of the lowliness of his Spirit and sincerity of his Repentance and to magnifie Gods exceeding Grace towards him was willing to aggravate his sins I may say I am the chief of sinners For I could add to his summe charged upon himself thousands of Talents many many heinouâ— sins committed with an high hand of long continuance which may justly give me the priority In Sin I have the precedence O Lord thou knowest the groanings of my spirit O that
I could if not match him yet closely follow him in his humiliation and amendment By the Grace of God I am what I am Which Grace of his to new mould and make me what I am hath most richly yet strangely wrought Some heaâ—ts are by the Holy Spirit gently softned for gracious Impressions some dealt with more roughly that they may be new made and reformed God hath his Oyl and his Hammer to work upon those who are ordained to Eternal Life to bring them home What the one doth not dissolve the other shall break This last way the Lord was pleased to use towards me First and that some years since by a great and long distemper in the right use of my Reason from which in much mercy he released me The work upon that being not throughly wrought hath given him just occasion now lately to visit me by laying upon me the weighty burden of a wounded spirit whereof by a sweet and I trust lasting peace in my Soul he hath at length graciously eased me Lord What is man What sinful man What I the chief among all sinful men That thou shouldst so mind me so wait for my Amendment and use so many means for my Reclaiming Thy Justice which with a remarkeable retaliation hath often paid me in my own coâ—n might long since have made a quick dispatch and have cast me into Hell But if ever any I may experimentally say thy Mercy is above thy Justice That thou O â—ord maist receive the due Glory of thy Mercy O come hither all you that fear God â—nd I will tell you what he hath done for my Soul I was under his smarting Rod under the without his support as-to the-soul-intollerable burden of a wounded spirit for some sins whereof some of them at least I knew not formerly though I had often called my wayes to remembrance my self to be guilty But the Lord was pleased after a wonderful manner not only to set them before me but to make me so sensible of their heinousness of my desert by them of his terrours then upon me for them that I was exceedingly troubled in my spirit almost to distraction while his fierce wrath went â—ver me I humbled my self low before the Lord for them and thereupon expected Peace and settlement but for some dayes could not find or feel any tâ—ough earnestly with Tears I often sued for it At length taking into my hands that rich cellar of Cordials for the sin-sick Soul the Book of Psalmes and beginning at the First I read on until I came unto the 8 v. of the 85th Psalm at those words I will hear what God the Lord will speak for he will speak Peace unto his People and to his Saints but let them not turn again to Folly At which it was the Lords pleasure I should stay and fix my thoughts upon them Which I had not loâ—g done but I found a river of unspeakaâ—le comfort flowiâ—g into my Soulâ— Which I then â—â—uld not but entertain with nor can I now mention without abundance of Tears of unfeigned Thankfulness and exceediâ—g Joy I found that Bâ—east of Consolation full of sweetness And that I might suck it to satisfaction I made choyce of the word of the next Suâ—jâ—ct which I would insist upon by way of discharge of my Pastoâ—al Office when the Lord should please in such a measure to restore me to my self that I might in some degree be though most most unworthy yet not unfit as to the right use of my Reason to appear again to serve my Lord Christ in his Ministry Having now finished my weak Meditations upon them I should be most unthankful to my Great and Gracious Restorer should I nâ—t tâ—us render unto him the due Glory of the Riches of his exceeding Mercy toward me by communicating them unto you mâ— Brethren that you may know whithâ—r to go for Peace if ever the Lord should please to bring any of you into the like Condiâ—ion I have been in O blesse the Lord with me who of very Faithfulnesse brought me into iâ— by his Glorious power suâ—ported me under it and of his abundant Goodnesse led me out of it Blessed be the God of all Comfort who haâ—h comforted us in our Tribulation that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble with the comfort wherewith we our selves have been comforted of God 2 Cor. 1. 3 4. Yours For Ye are Christs R. W. put them into the like or a worse condition Let them not turn again to Folly The Text consists of three Clauses in every of which each word hath its weight I shall by way of Illustration touch upon each of them and after a brief Paraphrase for their further clearing I shall propound the Doctrines The first Clause is I will hear what God the Lord will speak I will hear what he will speak to the distressed Soul by his Word by his Spirit I will hear what he will speak for I know it will be Comfort and Caution I will hear what God the Lord will speak He sees knowes and pities his people in their distresse and is most ready and able to help them I will hear God the Lord and him only I will hear him I will attend diligently to his Will that I may know it obey it acquaint others with it I will hear him My Resolutions are fixed to hear him against all gainsayers I will hear him My Greatness though a King exempts me not from this duty My holiness as a Saint and his true Servant binds me thereunto I will hear him I will give good example unto others I will teach exhort encourage pray for them But if notwithstanding all this they neglect their duty yet I will hear c. For c. In these two last Clauses are set down a twofold reason why the Psalmist in behalf of the Saints is so resolvedly set upon it to hear God the Lord and him alone The first being taken from that Comfort which the Lord would afford unto the Soul in speaking Peace to it The second from that good which might redound thereunto by his Fatherly Caution and Admonition He will speak Peace unto his People and to his Saints Unto his People not to the world not to stubborn impenitent sinners And to his Saints such are all his People and he owns none other for his but those who are truly such He will speak Peace Comfort Settlement Reconciliation Pardon Acceptance He will speak Peace by a full assurance thereof in the Soul He will speak Peace when his People shall have turned from their sins by true repentance and Faith in Christ He will speak Peace if not presently upon their humiliation and Faith yet most certainly in his good time But â—et them not turn again to Folly But let them not c. How tender is the Lord over his People How unwilling that they should provoke him Let them not turn again to Folly to the Folly of sin Let
way of Instance by which you may judge of the choyceness Priviledges of Saints and preciousness of the rest The Lord is their King Rev. 15. 3. He keeps their feet from falling 1 Sam. 2. 9. He preserves their Souls Psal 97. 10. He preserves them for ever Psal 37. 28. Their death is precious in his sight Psal 116. 15. He will spare them Mal. 3. 17. The Lord Christ prayes for them John 17. 9. The Holy Spirit prayes for them Rom. 8. 27. God admits them into the number of his Children 1 John 3. 1. And being so they have Him their Father The Church their Mother The Lord Christ their Brother Kings and Queens their Nurses The Holy Spirit their Tutor The Angels their Guardians All the Creatures their servants The Bread of life their Food Christ's Righteousness their Cloathing Heaven their Palace A Kingdom of Glory their Inheritance Such many many such Priviledges have the Lords People Such Honour have all his Saints Use 3. Doth the Lord own those only for his people who are true Saints true believers truly obedient Let us labour to gain an assurance to our selves that we are such and then we may confidently build upon it that we are Gods people That you may know whether you have true Faith take these three Marks of true Marks of Faith Faith in stead of many 1. True Faith is accompanied with a sweet peace in the soul arising from the assurance that our sins are pardoned and Christ's Righteousness made ours Being justified by Faith we have peace with God Rom. 5. 1. 2. True Faith purifies the heart Acts 15. 9. He that hath true Faith will still be cleansing himself from all filthiness of flesh and spirit perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord 2 Cor. 7. 1. 3. True Faith where it is begets love towards God appâ—â—hending him as the Chief Good Hence the faithful have this Character in Scripture that they are lovers of God Rom 8. 28. It stirs up likewise love unto all Gods Children as bearing his Image 1 John 5. 1. That you may know whether your Obedience Marks of Obed. be true or not take these Marks of true Obedience True Obedience prefers Gods Will before our own or any Commands of men Acts 4. 19. 2. True Obedience is universal unto all and every part of Gods Will Psal 119. 6. 3. True Obedience is alwayes accompanied with fear of offending God Heb. 12. 28. 4. It is sincere and hearty Rom. 6. 17. 5. It is zealous in good duties Tit. 2. 14. Now examine thy self by these Marks Hast thou true peace in thy soul Dost thou strive to cleanse thy soul from sin Dost thou love God and his Children Thou hast true Faith Dost thou prefer Gods Will before thine own or before mans Hast thou a respect to all his Will Art thou afraid to offend him Art thou sincere and zealous in the Service of him Thine Obedience is true And thy Faith and thine Obedience being true thou art a true Saint thou art of the number of Gods people and interessed in all those Priviledges which belong unto them Use 4. Doth the Lord own the Saints for his people Let wicked men take heed how they despise them how they oppress vex and persecute them The Lord whose they are is very tender over them They who touch them touch the Apple of his eye Zech. 2. 8. They that persecute them persecute Christ himself Acts 9. 4. They who vex and persecute them vex and persecute those who shall be their Judges 1 Cor. 6. 2. Who shall one day wash their feet in their blood Psal 58. 10. and shall break them in pieces as a Potters Vessel Rev. 2. 27. Not by way of avenging of themselves that belongs not to them but in approving of the just Sentence of Christ against them and rejoycing in the justness of that Vengeance which according to that Sentence they shall see exâ—cuted upon them at that day when the great Judge of the world will be so far from owning such as dye in their Infidelity and disobedience that he will deny them before his Father and the holy Angels Mat. 10. 33. Use last This may serve much for the Comfort of all Gods truly Faithful obedient servants and keep their spirits under the worlds Contempt and Despight What though the World hate and reject them and count them as the Off scowring of all things Yet the Lord owns them they are his people and so interessed in those sweet Promises and high Priviledges wherein they that hate them shall not be sharers Here likewise the Lords People to their exceeding Comfort may as St. Peter adviseth 2 Pet. 1. 10. make their Calling and Election sure For thus they may argue upon Infallible Grounds If I am a Saint whereof by my true Faith and Obedience I am assured then am I effectually called For I am what I was called to be Rom. 1. 7. If I am a Saint then I am sure I am elected For I am what I was elected unto Eph. 1. 4. If I am elected then I am predestinated to Glory and shall most certainly enjoy it For he that elected me predestinated me Eph. 1. 4. And whom he predestinated them he also called and whom he called them he also justified and whom he justified them he also glorified Rom. 8. 30. In his eternal Decree which in his good time he will most certainly accomplish From hence I say may the Lords people draw exceeding Comfort However these sweet Comforts of theirs cannot but be much allayed by their sense of their weakness and frailty For though they are Saints though the Lord ownes them for his People yet are they subject unto sin and are prevailed over by it and fall into the Folly of it Which is the next Particular in this Second Branch of the Point Partic. 2. That the Lords own people his Saints may and do fall into the Folly of sin This is clear from the Text they could not turn again to it unless formerly fallen into it Which is the present sad condition they are now in guilty of the folly of some hainous sins for which they under-lye the sharp sense of Gods high displeasure I do not say that they live or walk in sin as do the Children of disobedience but they may and do fall into it and that often seven times a day Prov. 24 16. In many things Jam. 3. 2. And many many wayes By Omission Commission Ignorance Forgetfulness Infirmity by sinning against knowledge Motions Checks Vows Promises Blessings Patience Chastisements Mercies Judgments by Rashness Inconsiderateness Inconstancy Negligence Beside their other-mens-sins whereof they become guilty by Commanding Exhorting Provoking Conâ—enting Commending Concealing Conniving Parâ—aking Defending not Reproving and other wayes That this is a most certain and sad truth is evident by those many â—xâ—mples of the Lords own people and Saints recorded in the Scripâ—ure who have been thus overtaken and thus fallen and some of them
believe this is not enough to settle the soul and to make its peace with God For notwithstanding such Faith a man may go to Hell And indeed such Faith is in the Devils themselves they believe and tremble James 2. 19. No it is a particular applying Justifying Faith which is the Soul setling and Peace obraining Faith The truth of the Word or the Word â—f Truth is the general Object of Faith But that Faith which must settle the soul and obtain its Peace must be fixed upon and eye a more particular Object namely the free Promises of Grace and Pardon in Christ which promises it layes hold upon and brings home to the soul by a particular application in assurance that the soul is a sharer and interessed in them upon which assurance all the tempests in the wounded spirit are allayed all the disturbances removed all the Fears of enmity and wrath do vanish and a sweet calm settlement and peace do follow thereupon in the soul Where I touched before upon Faith I spake of it as in its dayly exercise in the fruits of true Obedience and having its residence in a soul at peace with God which is the constant Attendant upon such Faith I now speak of it as reâ—iding in an unsetled soul and by reason of the folly of sin inâ—errupted in the exercise which notwithstanding the soul stretcheth forth as its yet benummed hand to lay hold upon the promises of the Gospel for the re obtaning of its lost Peace though it do nor as yet can apply them with the like strength of assurance as when it was more lively and the Spirit did more evidently act in it However it is living and true and may be known to be such and to be in the soul by these Discoveries Marks 1. He that hath it though it continues so weak and benummed as I said that it is not able to apply a promise yet such a man believes that his sins and follies be they never so heinous yet are pardonable that Gods Mercy to poor sinners is not limited to the number or quality of their sins but be they never so many never so heinous of never so deep a slain or loud a cry committed with never so high a hand yet the Lords Mercy is above them all And as he believes that they are pardonable so he gaspes and longs and earnestly desires that they may be pardoned and he sends up earnest and strong cries to the Throne of Grace that the Lord would pardon them Now these Gaspings Groanings Longings Desires and Cries of his soul do discover the Spirit of God to be in such a man For they proceed from the Spirit Rom 8. 26. It is the Spirit which in the sinners soul makes Intercession for him Postulat id est postulare facit It makes him send up unutterable cries and Groans unto the Throne of Grace for Mercy So S. Augusline interprets the place Now where Christs Spirit is there Christ himself is And where Christ and the Spirit are there must necessarily be Faith though but in a weak measure for they dwell not in a faithlesse soul 2. A man may know whether he hath true Faith or not by the Testimony of the Spirit which bears witness to his spirit that he is the Child of God Rom. 8. 16. This Spirit he is sealed with Eph. 1. 14. And it makes him to cry Abba Father The Spirit bears witness It perswades him to an assurance that he is Gods Child and hath Faith As if the Spirit were pleased to say to the weak Believer that doubts of his Faith Dost thou question whether thou hast Faith or not Be assured that thou hast I tell thee so who know thy heart better then thou thy self dost I tell thee so who am the Seal of thine Adoption God knows thee to be his Child by this his Mark and Seâ—l which he hath set upon thee even mee his Spirit without which he would never own thee as his Son Now it is thy Faith which made way for this thy Sonship Christ upon thy receiving of him upon thy believing in his Name gave thee power or priviledge and it is no mean one to be the Son of God He is however he now beholds thee with an eye of displeasure he is I say thy Father therefore go unto him and call him so and by that name sue unto him for mercy say Abba Father I have sinned against Heaven and against thee I am unworthy to be called thy Son Yet I beseech thee to have mercy upon me according to thy Fatherly goodness God delights that thou shouldst call him Father He is the Father of Mercies and will not deny Mercy to his now humbled Child 3. This Faith is known by that Confidence and boldness in a man to approach unto the Throne of Grace for the obtaining of Mercy and finding Grace to help in time of need Heb. 4. 16. The soul never stands in more need of Mercy of Grace of Help then when it lieth groaning under the burden of sin under the deep Wounds of the Apprehension of loss and fear of wrath it is then a sit Object for Mercy and Grace Now if in this distressed condition a man can come with boldness to God for Mercy and Help it is a most certain and strong evidence of true Faith When a man can take a Promise suppose this in the Text and spreading it before the Lord can press him with it and say Lord thou seest my sad condition thou knowest my soul in this mine adversity thou seest how it is perplexed and troubled I am now come unto thee for peace and settlement and I come with an assured Confidence that I shall obtain it â—or here is thy Promise of it this I lay claim to and thou canst not but perform it For thou art not as man that thou shouldst lye O be pleased then to make good this thy Promise unto me O speak peace to mine unsetled Soul and make the bones which thou hast broken to rejoyce He that can come unto God with such boldness and confidence he may assuâ—e himself that he hath true Faith For it is that which makes way for the souls access unto God It is that which makes the soul thus bold confident in its approaches and assurance of obtaining of what it sues for See a clear place for it Eph. 3. 12. In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the Faith of him 4. This particular Promise-applying Faith is known by thâ—t delight which a man takes in the Word wherein the Promises are contained It is sweeter then honey or the hony Comb to the truly Faithful Soul Ps 19. 10. There it tasts truly the sweetness of the Lord Christ Ps 3â— 8. The sweetness of his Grace and Favour 1 Pâ—t 2. 3. in those Promises which there it â—inds and meets withal When turning over the sacred Pages it lâ—ghts upon â— Promise and the Book of God is full
guides them into all Truth seals the Promises unto them is the Pledge of their â—nheritance The Angels are appointed to guard them to minister for them Heb. 1. 14. They are afforded a free use of the Creatures for necessity for delight 1 Tim. 4. 3. All things are theirs 1 Cor 3. 22. Friends deny no lawful thing to each other The Lord grants all the lawful Requests of his friends John 15. 16. Friends rejoyce in the prosperity of each other The Lord takes pleasure in the prosperity of his Servants and friends Psal 35. 27. Friends suffer with one another The Lord accounts the sufferings of his friends as his own Zechariah 2. 8. Acts 9. 4. Friends do sometimes reprove one another Psal 141. 5. The Lord by his gentle rod doth smite and admonish his friends for their good Heb. 12. 6. There is such a near Union between Friends by reason of that Love which is between them that they are as it were half of each other as if but one soul did animate them A Friend is alâ—er idem another self So there is such a near Union between God and his friends that they are partakers of his Divine Nature 2 Pet. 1. 4. He dwels in them and they in him 1 John 3. 24. Now to have God thus to be our Friend the sense of this must necessarily be a sweet-settlement to the soul and fill it with abundance of Peace He who is assured that God is his friend fears not the enmity of all the world Let him be with us it matters not who is against us If he be for us who can be against us Rom. 8 31. 2. This Peace which the Lord speaks to the truly penitent and faithful soul it is a peace oâ— Joy and Comfort They that mourn shall becom◠〈◊〉 Mat. 5. 4. They that sow in tears shall reap in Joy Psal 126 5. This Peace of Joy it consists in the Presence of God of Christ and the Holy Spirit in the soul The languishing soul was wounded with the apprehension of the losse of God which wound he now bindâ— up with the assurance of his Presence which cannot but raise exceeding Joy and Comfort in the soul To know that God is not our enemy is some settlement to the soul but more to be assured that he is our Friend Yet more that he is a friend nâ—gh unto us Psal 34. 18. But in that he is pleased to come so nâ—gh as to be our familiar Friend to dwell with us and in us to make the humble soul his Palace his Heaven his constant Habitation Isa 57. 15. This must needs revive the spirit of the humble and the heart of the Contrite In this Presence of God in the soul and the assurance thereof with those other sweet Consequences depending thereupon doth consist that unutterable inconceiveable Peace which passeth all understanding Phil. 4. 7. A Glimpse whereof however the Spirit is pleased to afford us where it sets it soâ—th to us under the similitude of a conâ—inual Fâ—ast Prov. 15. 15. At a gâ—eat Feast there is provision usually made of whatsoâ—ver may pleâ—â—e the sense a richly hung and furnished Room to entertain the Eye Musick for the ear Peâ—sâ—mâ—s for the Smâ—ll all sorts of Dainties the Land Sea Ayr afford for the Fast soft Seats and sine Lâ—nnen for the touch which doth exceedingly cheer the Spirit for the present though it be but of short continuance How then must the soul be ravished with inconceiveable Joy to enjoy this in a spiritual manner and that continually within it self Where the Room is garnished with Grace and perfumed with Christ's Merits Where God and Christ and the Spirit are both the Guests and the Food where the Angels are Attendants and Cherubims and Seraphâ—ms the Choristers and Musitians What shall the Saints enjoy more in Heaven it self as to their souls but this begun happiness in a full accomplishment When for Faith they shall see face to face and for hope shall fully and satisfiedly enjoy and for imperfect Love shall perfectly and for ever love this great Feast-maker and Feast-continuer in the soul even the God of Peace and Prince of Peace and Spirit of Peace who thus upon their unfaigned Humiliation and Faith doth and will fill the souls of his People and Saints with Peace And that most certainly there is not the least question or doubt to be moved but that he will do it Which is The next Particular to be spoken to Partic. 2. That the Lord in his good time will most certainly speak peace unto the Soul He will speak peace unto his people and Saints This Certainty I ground upon a threefold Reason that the Lord will nay cannot but speak peace unto the truly penitent and faithful soul Reas 1. Because by its humiliation it s now become a spiritual vacuum or emptiness and so is fitly prepared and put into a capacity for the entertainment of Gods Favour in speaking peace unto it That which is full cannot receive another body but that which is voyd and empty may Now as it is in natural things Nature cannot endure a vacuity or emptiness but to avoyd such an Inconvenience doth ordinarily force bodies against their nature to fill it up So the Lord suffers not a spâ—ritual emptiness in the humble heart but sends a River of heavenly peace and comfort to fill it This Reason I confess is not so forcing But in respect of the other two which follow let me speak with all due reverence of his dreadful Majesty a kind of necessity lies upon God to speak peace to the truly humbled and faithful soul 2. Therefore God cannot but speak peace unto it because he hath given it such a prevayling power over himself I cannot do any thing till thou art come to Zoar. It is the Lords speech to Lot when about to destroy Sodom and the rest of the Cities Gen. 19. 22. to Moses likewise Let me alone Exod. 32 10. So to Jacob Let me go Gen. 32. 4. As if these Saints of his had so over-powered God and held his hands that he could not do what otherwise he would So the humbled and faithful soul may in reference to that power which the Lord hath given it over himself and to which he is pleased to submit his own Almightiness being conscious to it self of its unfaigned humiliation and faith in the Promises of the Gospel it may with an holy boldness say unto God I will not let thee alone I will not let thee go until thou speak peace unto my soul In respect of this power it was that David entitled the 51 Psalm wherein is set forth his Repentance and Faith Vincenti or provictoria To the Conqueror or for the Victory Because he was assured that the Lord would not despise Despise Nay could not but accept of the Sacrifice of his broken heart for his sins being offered up upon the Altar Christ 3. The Lord cannot but speak peace unto the humbled and
5. Thou hast long mourned and gasped for peace Wouldst thou be sure that it is spoken unto thee thou maist know whether it be or not by these discoveries Marks 1. There will be by degrees an improvement in thy knowledge of spiritual things The eyes of thine understanding will be more and more enlightned thou wilt be more acquainted with the secrets of God and with his Covenant Psal 25. 14. And thou wilt find a clearer manifestation of Christ in thy soul John 14. 21. 2. Thou wilt walk more chearfully uprightly more firmly and stedfastly in the wayes of God The Holy Spirit will stablish and uphold thee Psal 51. 12. It will set thee in the way of his steps v. ult of this 85th Psal Or as the old Translation hath it it shall direct thy going in the way 3. If the Lord hath spoken peace unto thee thou wilt exceedingly rejoyce in this Mercy there will follow an exulting and triumphing in the soul as here beneath in the Text Mercy and Truth are met together The Soul will say with Joy I was under the sad effects of Gods Justice but the Lord in Justice hath remembred Mercy Mercy and Truth are met together and Mercy hath gotten the upper hand Righteousness and Peace have kissed each other The Lord hath looked upon my sincerity in my humiliation he hath looked upon the Righteousness of the Lord Christ which in the Promises I have made mine by a particular application and thereupon hath embraced me with Peace and filled me with all sweet manifestations of his Love Mercy and Truth are met together Righteousness and Peace have kissed each other 4. There will follow a forwardness in teaching of others and winning them unto God a teaching of Gods wayes unto the wicked that sinners may be converred unto him Psal 51. 13. An acquainting them with what the now setled and recovered soul hath experimentally found the danger of the Folly of sin the Lords readiness to forgive it and to speak peace upon a sinners true Repentance and Faith in Christ To acquaint them with his faithfulness and Justice how faithful he is in performing of his Promises how Just in requiring no more of a poor sinner having accepted the Lord Christs satisfaction for his sins Such I have found him and such you will find him if you will make Trial and do as I have done Thus the sinner that hath now peace spoken to his soul endeavours to perswade others and to convert others by his own experience of Gods mercy in speaking peace unto him 5. Upon peace spoken there will â—ollow in the soul a great enlargement of its love towards God Much was forgiven her for she loved much Luke 7. 4. To hear that comfortable speech in the soul Thy sins are forgiven thee it may be heinous often repeated exceedingly aggravated yet to hear These thy sins are forgiven thee the soul cannot but with all dearness of affection answer such a Mercy The Lords way to wash away the filth of the Daughters of Zion is by the Spirit of Judgment and by the spirit of Burning Isa â— 4. By the spirit of Judgment he wounds the Soul and brings it low for its filth and follies of sin And after upon its true humiliation and Faith speaking peace unto it by the spirit of burning he heats and enflames it with a true sense and exceeding love of his Goodness and Mercy towards it 6. There will follow true thankfulness where peace is once-spoken When the soul haâ—h found â—he Lord thus gracious and merciful in delivering it from its disturbances in curing of its wounds and speaking peace unto it as it will break forth into free proâ—essions of its love and say I love the Lord because he hath dealt so and so with me Psal 16. 1. So it will proceed to a quid retribuam What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits towards me v. 12. And because it can find nothing else to render but Praise and Obedience it will give him the glory of his Mercy by â—elling those that fear him what he hath done for â—t Psal 66. 6. And in lieu of its Mercy it will give up its self with its body as a living sacrifice unto him in its reasonable serving of him Rom. 12. 1. 7. Lastly Where Peace is spoken to the soul and the Lord is again united to it in love there will be an earnest desire of a nearer union with him To this end as there will be a careful shunning of whatsoever may dissolve this Union principally under that Notion as it may cause a separation between God and the soul so there will be a diligent use of all Means which may bring him nearer to us and us to him Eâ—pecially there will be an earnest longing â—or the full enjoyment of him in Heaven there will be a desiring to be with Christ which is best of all a wishing for the day of his appearing and the hastning thereof Even so come Lord Jesus come quickly Rev 2. 20. Thus you have heard how the Lord upon the unfaigned humiliation of his people and their Faith in Christ will in his good time most certainly speak peace unto them for the resetling and recovery of their disturbed and wounded Spirits Who now would not hear such a God who would hear any other but him Who would not be very slâ—y lest he again provoke him Which is the Doct 3. That when the Lord upon their unfaigned Humâ—atâ—on and Faith speaks peace unto his people and Saâ—nâ—s they are to hear him and him alone And Peace being spoken they are to be very wary how they turn again unto â—olly This Point hath two Branches 1. That in speaking peace unto the Soul God the Lord alone is to be heard 2. That peace being spoken his People and Saints ought to be very wary how they turn again unto folly The first Branch That in speaking peace unto the unsetled and wounded soul God the Lord alone is to be heard When the Lords people are labâ—uring and languishing under his heavy hand under those fore mentioned smarting wounds of Loss of wrath the Devil useth all his skill to bring them if possibly he may to despair of Mercy and Peace When he finds that he cannot prevail that way but that the Lord doth still uphold the Soul though under a weighty burden he sets on the World which he hath at his Command to offer them Peace and that very freely and liberally to give it unto them without any conditions proviso's or reservations and he secretly suggests unto the carnal part that peace and settlement is there to be had and perswades them to accept of it The world comes and makes a very free tender of it And at the same time the Lord he offers Peace likewise but upon condition that they must humble themselves by true repentance for their â—ollies and must by Faith apply unto themselves the Promises of Pardon and peace made unto