Read 1 Tim. 2.1 where you will find that the chosen Vessel of God St. Paul doth exhort That first of all Deprecations Supplications Intercessions and giving of Thanks be made for all Men for Kings and for all that are in Authority that we may lead a quiet and peaceable Life in all Godliness and Honesty Again Phil. 4.6 he says Be careful for nothing but in all things let your Petitions be manifest unto God in Prayer and Supplications with giving of Thanks by which places of Scripture we are not only pricked forward to the holy Exercise of Prayer but taught also that there are four kinds thereof all necessary to be used every day First Deprecation whereby we beg at the hands of Almighty God either altogether to turn away his heavy displeasure conceiv'd against us through our Sins or at least to mittigate the Punishment due for our Offences Secondly Supplications are Prayers whereby we crave such things as are necessary either for the Sustentation of this present Life or for our everlasting Comfort in the World to come Thirdly Intercessions are Prayers made in the behalf of others And lastly Thanksgiving is when we Praise God and celebrate his holy Name for all the Benefits confer'd both upon our Souls and Bodies Some short Ejaculations and Prayers according to Scripture Rules I Give thee most hearty thanks O Eternal God Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for that it hath pleased thee of thy unspeakable Mercy and Goodness in all Ages succesfully to send into the world Men wonderfully endow'd with thy Gifts and adorn'd with the knowledge of thy Will to be Revivers and Preachers of thy Word of Truth Mat. 23.34 Ephes. 4.2.1 2. I likewise render most hearty thanks unto thy most Sacred Majesty for sending thy only Son that great Shepherd of thy Church to make known thy Word to such as thou thinkest fit to teach thy People the Truth of thy Written Word for the gathering together thy Church out of all Mankind to the building up of the Body of Christ. I humbly beseech Thee most gracious God to continue always amongst us thy pure Word and through thy Ministers gather to thy self an infinite and everlasting Congregation and so instruct my heart with thy Spirit of Truth that I may unfeignedly assent to thy wholesome Word whereby I may prove a lively Member of thy Body and be incorporated into that Society which doth in this World sincerely confess thee and in the next World for ever enjoy thee evermore extolling the holiness of thy Name preserve in safety the Ministers and Teachers of thy Word and give them the certain knowledge of thy Blessed will that by thy Word they may from time to time open unto us thine intent concerning the repairing of Mankind to the Saving and Redeeming of our Souls thro' thy free Mercy and also teach us here to live in new obedience and to withstand the violence and allurements of our carnal desires which fight against the Soul 1 Pet. 2.12 Inspire the Preachers of thy Word with the Divine Breathings of thy holy Spirit that they may utter thy Will with the Purity they receive from thy Mouth retaining the form of wholesome Words and sounding none but the Doctrine manifested by thy Son out of thy Bosom 2 Tim. 1.13 Ioh. 1.18 for by departing from the order of the Faith and Rule of thy Word they will greatly obscure the light of thy Doctrine and obtrude upon us the Vanity of their own Inventions for thy holy Inspirations therefore let them speak thy Word not deceitfully but sincerely as from thee and in thy sight 2 Cor. 4.2 Grant also that by transforming thy Divine Ministry into Earthly Policy they Lord it not over thine Elect neither proudly contend about Superiority and Primacy in thy Church 1 Pet. 5 3. But only seek the Glory of thy Name and the Salvation of themselves and us committed by thy Providence to their Charge give them liberty of Speech boldly without fear to blame and rebuke all false Doctrine Blasphemous Superstitions and abuses in thy Church Ephes. 6.19 Open unto them the door of utterance that they may speak the Mysteries of Christ and manifest them as they ought to do so shall their doings be profitable to the Godly Colos. 4.3 Assist them also with thy especial Grace that they disgrace not the Doctrine which they Teach and Preach by impurity of Life 1 Tim. 3.2 4. but especially assist the Shepherd under thee whom I hear for the good of my Soul from whose Mouth I learn thy Blessed Will keep him O Lord I heartily Pray in Religion sincere and pure from enormous Offences in his outward Conversation endow him with a long and healthful Life if it be thy Will that he may live to Convert many by Preaching thy Word of wholesome Doctrine and then we shall be Converted because thou art our God and being Converted we will do Penance shew us our Offences that we may have a true sense and hearty sorrow for our Sins O Son of God who art the Lord and head Shepherd of all thy Flock work thou effectually by thy Preachers and speak thou also within us to our hearts the blessed Will of thy Eternal Father and confirm thy Doctrine in our Minds by thy holy Spirit and grant I beseech thee that we may truly know and discern the same from the howling of Wolves and from the Inchanting Songs of Hirelings Ioh. 10.12 and 17.15 and grant that we may know thee even as thou knowest thy Heavenly Father and walk Religiously and Righteously in thy Sight showing our selves to be that holy Seed which praiseth thy Name for evermore Come Holy Spirit open my Heart and Ears that I may conceive the profit of thy wholesome Doctrine and the sweet Comfort revealed in thy Holy Words by the Preaching of the Gospel I beseech thee pour into us Godly Cogitations that we may never imagine as the Wicked do that the Miseries and Afflictions of this Life fall upon u◠〈◊〉 Chance and against thy Will but that we may 〈◊〉 believe that thy Church is govern'd by thy Pâ—â—vidence and that without thy Permission no Evil 〈◊〉 Punishment cometh for thou Lord sendest the sâ—me Amos 3.6 Then grant I beseech thee that we may suffer all Injuries and Adversities with quiet Minds and never attempt that which is contrary to thy Commandments but by an humble acknowledgment and submission to thy Will bear all sorts of Calamities with calling for thy Assistance Psal. 50.15 Tit. 22. Most Gracious God keep I beseech thee the power of Mans immortal Enemy the Prince of Darkness under that he compel not Consciences loaded with the weight of Sins to fall into fatal Desperation either by heaping up and aggravating their Offences or by extenuating thy Mercy enhance too much their own guilt or lessen thy Power of forgiving but grant that all Sinners that are heavy laden may with a true and lively Faith come unto thee for Ease and
by an holy Covenant ingrossed in the Word of God sign'd with the Blood of his Son and Seal'd with his Divine Spirit and Holy Sacraments O how immense will our happiness be when our Life shall be an inseparable Communion with the Blessed Trinity our Joy the Eternal Presence of our Lord our Exercises Singing harmonious Halalujahs our Consorts Saints and Angels where Youth flourisheth and never waxeth Old where Beauty lasteth and never fadeth Love aboundeth and never cooleth Health continueth and nâ—ver slacketh life remaineth which never endeth O Man how happy and blessed thy Estate is being truly reconciled to God in Christ who will resâ—ore in thee God's Image and give thee power to reassume thy Soveraignty over other Creatures Thou art in this Life inferior to the Angels but in the next thou wilt be equal with them for in spiritual Graces and everlasting Glory thou wilt become their Brother yea thou in respect of thy Nature exalted by a personal Union to the Son of God and through him joyned to the Trinity shall become Superior even to Angels themselves Since thou O Man hast seen and heard how glorious and perfect an Entity God is and since the Zenith of Bliss and Happiness consists in having an Eternal Communion with his Majesty now therefore I intreat thee in the Bowels of Christ Jesus as thou tenderest thy Salvation seriously with me to consider the vanity of these things which screen from us the favour of God and the hope of Eternal Life Therefore all the insignificant Gaities of the World without true and undefiled Religion are but as Flowers about a dead Corps But the knowledge of Christ is the excellence of a Christian I mean knowledge reduced to Practice for Knowledge without Practice is like gaudy Feathers alâ— for shew and nothing for use 't is by this Practiâ—al Knowledge we may attain a Crown of Glory Therefore let us rouse up our Spirits to a diligent â—ndeavour after true Piety the noble effect of true knowledge which will direct us rightly to manage those parts God has endow'd us with for though the depravedness of our Nature makes these gifts of our mind Rebel yet Piety will reduce them to Obedience and make them pay their homage to the King of Saints I will next speak a word or two about Doctors Now the word Doctor as some say is deriv'd frâ—m Doâ—or and Doâ—or signiâ—iâ—s a Giver But God is the Giver of every good and perfect Gift Hence perhâ—ps it was that our Saviour said to â—is Disâ—iples Be yâ— not called Doctors And again he said The Whole need no Phâ—sician intimating hereby that his Apostles were as well Physicians as Divines and in both respects they were forbid to bear the Name of Doctors Likewise they were order'd as Divines and Physicians to take no Money eiâ—her for Curing the Diseases of the Poor or for Preaching the Gospel to them These things and his miraculous Feasting of the Multitude made Thousands follow him and his Apostles who preach'd and did all good Works gratis when as before that time the Poor paid the tenth of all they had only for hearing the Law repeated nay Decimation thâ—n run so high that even Speer-Mint Annâ—â—â—ed c. were diligently tyth'd 'T is an Abusâ— in some places for the Priesâ— to impose upon the ignorant a Bâ—lief that except they give Heaven's Porter a Peny the greatest Righteousness will not be able to gain â—hem admittance into those Heavenly Mansions but they must for defaâ—lt bâ— fâ—â—xed in Purgâ—tory till that Pâ—ny and much morâ— be paid by their surviving Friends in getting Intercâ—ssioâ— and Prayâ—rs offered up for their Souls but Iob said Naked came I into the World and naked I shall go out by which it appears that as we have no Money when we come into the World so we shall have no Occasion for any when we go out Besides the Scripture informs us that the Twelve Gates belonging to that Holy City are never shut Day nor Night bâ—t are always open to all true Believers of God's Word and Observers of the Precepts thereof so tâ—at be that so believes and so doth as God's Word dirâ—cts shall undoubtedly be fed with the Tree of Life even Christ Jesus who would have all Men that get Wealth in this World to do good and distribâ—te part of what they have to cloth and feed the Poor relieve Prisoners c. with such Sacrifices God is well pleased and be assured that whatever Deeds of Charity you do to such as stand in need of your Help it is the same as if they were done to Christ himself Hence I thiâ—k my self obliged to do my best to recovâ—r all who are pleas'd to make use of me as â—n â—â—strument under God and if any ask such as have been recover'd by my Means who restor'd them to Health let them answer that it was God by D. Irish his Instrument and so in this as in all other things give the Honour and Thanks to Almighty God especially for making his Word known to the meanest Capacity through all Nations I have elsewhere in part given my Opinion touching â—he Vnderstanding of Variety of Languages and will here only add that tho Multiplicity of Tongues have been generally held as a gentile Accomplisâ—ment yet were they never absolutely necessary till the World was to be Gospelliz'd Matth. 28.19 whâ—ch we gather from several following Circumstancâ—s For the Apostles were commanded onâ—e and again to stay at â—â—rusalem till Christ should send the Promise of his Father upon them And they waiting for Abilities to their Work till Whitsunday or Pâ—â—tecost was come they were all with one accord in one place and sâ—ddenly there camâ— a sound from Heaven as of a râ—shing mighty Wind and it filled all the House wherein they Sate and there appeared Cloven Tongues like unto Fire and sate upon each of them Acts 2.1 2 3. Tongues appeaâ—ed the chief Instrument of their work which was to disciple all Nations and to Prâ—ach Repentance and Remission oâ— Sins Luk. 24.47 Cloveâ— Tongues because they were to divide the Word arâ—â—â—t that every one in all Nations and Languages might have his Portion They were as of Fire to shew the Zeal Light Efficacy and Success of their Endeavours and therefore was this strange Miracle usher'd in with such a rushing mighty Wind because none should be able tâ— resist the Power by which they spoke Act 6.10 and 24. and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and then they spoke Apothegms serious Sayings and sacred Sentences And they might well be amazed vers 11. when near twenty Nations of several Languages affirmed they heard them speak in their own â—anguage the wonderful Works of the Lord every Man in his Tongue where they were born Indeed Christianity was to speak all Languages aâ— first because it was to be preached to all Nations the Gospel only is able to make all Nations wise unto Salvation 2 Tim. 3.15 if they would
to allure Professors for what are many Hereâ—ies but the Scum of Judaism and Paganism yet like in growth to the River Nilus which is famous and well known for its overflowing Streams though hidden and obscure as to its Fountain It 's the Justice of God to deliver them over to believe Lies who will not obey the Truth You are here put to understand what diffeâ—ence of days there is betwixt the Christians Jewish and Turkish Sabbaths The Christians keep theirs the first day of the Week call'd Sunday The Jews on Saturday and the Turks on Friday in Scorn of Christ who was on that day Crucified The true Church is an Assembly or such a congregation as Believes things which do not appear neither may be comprehended in the Mind that is â—t depends only on God's Word what the same saith the true Church Believes without any addition giving honour to God and taking that to be true which in the Word is delivered unto them Isa. 5.3 As to the place where this true Church is I answer 'T is wheresoever God's Word is purely taught and the head Shepheard of this Church is Christ Jesus Since nothing more provokes the Wrath of God against us than the breaking and prophaning of his holy Sabbâ—th the observance thereof can never be sufficiently inculcated intâ— Mens minds for said the spirit of the Lord to our Fore-fathers If you will noâ— heaâ—ken unto my words and keep my Sabbath holy then wiâ—l I kiâ—dle a fire which shall devour the Palaces of Jerusalem and none shall quench iâ— Jer. 17. Ezek. 2â— 26.31 God's severity has â—een remarkable on Jerusalem and upon the disobedient and wicked Prophaners of his Sabbath as may appear by many Instances The first Blow given to the German Church was on the â—ord's Day which they carelesly observ'd the day of the Lord will be a dreadful day to them that despise the day which Christ has set apart for the Zealous performancâ— of Religious Duties It is Mark'd with a Memento above all other Commandments Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy On the Lord's Day we should go into God's sanctuary and Reverence the same see Levit. 19.30 We have God's hand and seal for our observing it see Actâ— 20.7.1 Cor. 16. â— 2. Rev. 10. God is pleased to esteem it his Glory to have many Beggers such are all Men in respect of him to meet at his House or Temple to pay their duty of Thanks and holy Worship for their all since they have all things of him Mat. 18.20 Psal. 42.4 Christ himself went often into the Synagogues and Peter and John went up into the Temple at the hour of Praper Acts 3.1 and 13.23 4. The Day which is to be Sanctify'd is not the seventh but the first day of the week for the Jews Sabbath was Buried in Christ's Grave so that the first day of the week is of Divine Institution and honoured with the Name of the Lord's Day in regard of its Author who rose that day in the Morning from finishing the amazing work of our Redemption upon 〈◊〉 day he brought forth his Living Water On this day he gave his Bread of Life his Body On this day hâ— met his two Disciples 'T was on this day that the Saints which slept arose out of their Graves On â—hâ—s day the Holy Ghost descended on the Apoâ—tlâ—â— On this day Christ brought forth the light of his â—â—ew Heavens and Earth by his powerful Resurrection On this day St. Iohn â—â—d his glorious Revelatiâ—n containing the Churches state till the dissolution of the World On this day Christ visited his deaâ— Apostles saying Peace bâ— unto you behold my 〈◊〉 and feet On this day he burst asunder the Bonds of Death and broke the Gates of Hell led captivity Captive trampled upon Principalities suddued Powers triumph'd over the Grave conquer'd Sin absolv'd the curse of the Law and trod down Satan Upon this day he still rides Triumphantly in the Chariot of his Ordinances conquering all Profane â—pposition cutting down high Thoughts and â—â—bduing Sinners to himself Blessed is the Man that â—eeps the Sabbath unpolluted Isa. 56. vers 2. It iâ— likewise thought that his second coming will â—e on this day called The Lords Sabbath Day and blessed is that Sâ—rvant whom he â—inds well doing when he cometh and since we know not in what hour of â—he Watch he will come whether at the dawning of â—he Day at Noon or at Midnight we ought thereâ—â—re with more care keep our selves upon the Watch â—â—st he come upon us unawares and find us sleeping â—â—r neglecting our Duty for which we may be cast â—nto â—nquenchable fire as unprofitable Servants and â—o be for ever shut out of Gods favour and presence â—or if on Earth we do not frequent his Divine preâ—ence by assembling our selves together for the reâ—erent performing the Duty of Prayer he so oft has commanded us to observe 't is in vain to flatter ouâ— sâ—lves with the expectation of being admitted iâ—to his Presence hereafter Therefore lâ—t us here make our Salvation suâ—e that we may of his Goodness gaiâ— admiâ—tancâ—â—ereafter into his glorious Presenâ—e which is only to be obtain'd through Chrisâ— oâ—â— Lord our only Saviour and Râ—deemer by oâ—ten asseâ—â—â—â—ng â—ur selves togetheâ—â—o give Thanks and offer â—ervâ—nt Prayers to the Lord in Christ's Name this I â—aâ— will be the only way to obtain our desire which God grant we may all Enjoy and Live and Râ—igâ—â—or ever with him to give Praise and Gloâ—y to his Holy Namâ— for his gracious Goodness in Redeeming us to himself O! how happy will our statâ—â—hen be we shall only be employed to Sing Praise and Glory and Honour world without End therâ— we shall possess the fullness of Joys and never fading Pleasureâ— resting for ever from our Labours anâ— singing with Sainâ—s and Angels new Praises to hiâ— Holy Name 'T was the charming hopes of thesâ— Contâ—ntmâ—â—ts which mâ—de tâ—e Apostles so oâ—â— conclude With a Come Lord Iesus Câ—me quickly Amen Teâ—tullian was of Opinion that no Souls did enjoy the Beatifical Vision till the Resurrection at whicâ— time he supposed the order of Rising would be according to the degrees of Holiness Men had attainâ—d to in this Life And to make his Opinion thâ— more plausible he affirm'd the Resurrection woulâ— continue the Thousand Years of Christ's Reign upoâ— Earth so that the highest Rank of Christians in hiâ— opinion shall riâ—e in the beginning of the said Term and all others Rise in their turn according to theiâ—â—legâ—â—es of Piety and Wickedness and therefore 〈◊〉 said The most sloathful and negligent would be dâ—fer'â— to the Conclusion being â—o be held in Prison till they pay the utmost Farthing for this Parable he ascribes to the Morae Resurrectionis that is They are not to rise from the Dead till towards the end of the Thousand Yâ—ars 1 Cor. 15. vers 23.24 The whole Chapter gâ—ves a large Account thereof Besides St. Iohn in his Revelations
tells us That the last Truâ—pet is the Seventh Trumpet that is a mâ—â—â—â—rious Number in which as by many instances â—â—â—ht be proved God seems peculiarly to delight Sâ— that the Sixth Trumpet as it is expressed in the Revelations soundeth before this shewing that the â—aâ—t end of all will not â—e till the last Trumpet but yet there will be a vast tract of Time within the time of the last Trumpet many things being to be performed within its Compass so that at the first beginning of the last Trumpet the Enemies of God so fall that the Kingdoms of this World becomes the Kingâ—oms of the Lord and of his Christ c. Revel 11. vers 15.16 17 18. which is a Summary Preface or a Prefationary Sum to the Catastrophe or upshot of the Revelations to follow unto the End And in â—evel 20. and the first seven Verses is expressed how lâ—ng this visible Kingdom of Christ on Earth shall continue and consequently so long is the last Trumpet viz. As the Learned conclude a Thousand years but the last end of all and ultìmate Period shall not be till the last end of the last Trumpet Rev. 20.12 c. and thus 't is probable the Resurrection will continue the Thousand Years of Christ's Reign upon Earth touching this see Isa. 16.19 cap. 19.20 and cap. 25 vers 6 7 8. and Daniel 12. vers 5. where it is said Go thy way unto the End and rest and awake in thy lot in the End of Days for the Lord hath spoken it The Lord will then remove the Vail of Ignorance which is now cast over the faces of all people so as they shall clearly see the great and woâ—derful Mistery of Man's Salvation Now touching the place where Christ shall sit in Judgment the Scripturâ—s make it out that it shall be in the Air over the Valley of Iehosaphâ—t by Mount Olivet near unto Ierusalem then wâ—ll Chrisâ— set forâ—h magnificently his holy Spouâ—e the Church Triâ—â—phant First all things will be made New sitting for the Merits of so Beautiful a Bride Secondly there will appear the Glory and Excellency of â—he Lambs Wife Thirdly the earnest desire of the Elect who will say Come Lord Iesus to whom the Fountain of Mercy will answer Behold I come quickly see Revel 3.11 This will be a glorious Spectacle repleat with Rareties far beyond what our weak fancies can imagine it will not be like our transitâ—ry Pageantry for a day but such as will for ever fully employ the most pierâ—ing eyes of oâ—r Souls with ravishing satisfaction Herâ— have we first the Precursor a Iohn Baptist going before and giving Warning Ecce Behold he is coming who hath been oft foretold and long the darling expectation of all Nations even Christ the only begotten Son of the Father Venio I come Thirdly the manner of his Coming will be Wonderful he will not come leasurely as he Rode to Ierusalem upon a slow Beast but Riding upon the Wings of the swiftest Wind born up as it were by a bright Cloud of Angels Venio cito I come saith the Lord quickly Now the many comings of Christ which are dispersedly related in the Holy Bible I will set down in the order following His first Coming was Virtual from the beginning of thâ— World full of the Vigour and Power of Redâ—â—ption as he was a Lamb slain from the begining of the World and thus Abraham saw him as com◠〈◊〉 his day as present His other comings were Actual namely in Carne when he came to Man by assuming his Nature when he came ad suos to the Iews and they received him â—ot this Coming was in Humility and Debasement 〈◊〉 â—orma Servi in the form of a Servant to make us 〈◊〉 by his Sufferings and Bondage His Coming to Ierâ—salem was Local being both a Preparative to his câ—â—el Passion and a Prefiguration of his glorious Exaltation venit â—ex was the Proclamation which was fâ—llowed by the Royal Acclamations Hosanna being Sung to him With a Blessed be he that cometh in the Name of the Lord. He also has a spiritual and invisible Coming into â—he secret recesses of our Souls by Grace and â—he power of his Holy Spirit which doth raise us from the Grave of Sin and Spiritual Death This Coâ—ing is in Misericordia in Mercy But his last Coming is in Justice in Majesty and in Glory to Judge the Quick and the Dead and to render to every one according to his Works whether they be Good or Evil and to Transform the Church Militant into the Church Triumphant And this Câ—ming is called by St. Paul the Glorious Appearance of our great God and only Saviour Jesus Christ and himself has foretold that he the Son of Man shall come Cloathed with a Triple Glory that is in his own Glory in his Fathers and in that of the Holy Angels Now of the several Comings I have hitherto spoken some are past some to come and others are daily coming and ever present as his coming â—o his Chosen by moving and changing their Hearts by renewing their Spirits by comforting and instruâ—â—ing their Souls present also in his coming to thâ— Wicked and Reprobate in such mannâ—r as he camâ— to Pharaoh But the last and most Universal Comâ—ng is that which is not yet come and is promised in thâ—se words Behold I come Rev. 5.6 and this is usually call'd his Second Coming which will be visible and proper wherein it is suitâ—ble to his coming by Inâ—arnation and yet it much differs from that first in manner that being in the Depth of Humâ—â—iation this in the Height of Exaltation that in Reâ—roach and Infirmity thiâ— in Glory and pâ—â—fection oâ— Health then he came to Die and bear a Crown of Thoâ—â—s now to wear a Crown of Life in that he came to bâ— dispised and spit on by his Enemies in this to bruise his Adversaries like a Potters Vessel and to make his Foes his Footstool Secondly in Time that being in the fulness of Time yet iâ— Time when the Vail of Mosaical Tipes and Ceremonies was to be pull'd off and yield to the Substance Gal. 4.4 This Future in the very End of Time when the whole frame of the Earth is to be broke in sunder the Curtains of the Heavens to be wâ—thdrawn and all things sublimated and purified by Fiâ—e then shall Men see the Lord Christ coming in the Clouds with omnipotent Power and infinite Glory with Millions of Angels and all Souls whom he knows to be his by Faith and good Works each of which will than move in an Orb of Glory far surpassing the brightness of the Suns Meridian Beâ—â—â—s and yet the Glory of Christs Body will infinitely exceed them all then will the joyful Elect say The â—ime is come of Singing Eternal Halalujahs and the Voice of Christ and his Holy Angels will be â—eard over the whole World in a Diapason of most Revishing Notes which will awaken and raise up all that are in
osbcure places sad and heavy oft museth imagining and speakiâ—â— many ridiculous things but usuallâ— fixes upon 〈◊〉 trifle he will not be perswaded from what he fancie â—or tho' he fancy himself a King a Prince or Prophâ—â— or indeed any thing else he will industriously imâ—â—tate the Person or Character he puts upon himseâ—â— Some that are afflicted with Melancholy are weary 〈◊〉 their Lives have ill thoughts talk idly or withoâ—â— any order or coherence they also take pleasure 〈◊〉 Solitude are subject to Weep and are often takâ—â— with a suddain dislike of what they formerly 〈◊〉 affected they are so jealous that they think eveâ—â— body cheats and lays snares for them they are afrâ—â—â— of being Poysoned their sleep is but little and 〈◊〉 troubled with strange frightful Dreams some have a silly foolish Laughter and these are the most geneâ—al Signs But to lay open all the Symptoms and their Causes would take up too much Room they ought to refrain from Wines Spirits and hot Cordials likewisâ— strong Beer is hurtful tho' they complain of a coldâ—â—ss iâ— their Stomach or elsewhere yet such liquoâ—s muâ—â— be deny'd them and indeed as to strong â—rink I would have all Men remember the Ancient â—bservaâ—â—on of the Heathen in drinking to the Hoâ—our of their Gods the first Bowl was they sâ—id â—o Iupâ—tâ—â— Olympus the second to the Heroes and the â—hird to Iupiter Sospiter Or take it thus The first to â—heir Health â—he second to their Friend and the â—hird to their Rest what was more than this they â—eckoned Madness and injurious to their Health â—n likâ— manner we Physicians usually attribute the â—â—rst Glass to the quenching of our Thiâ—st the second â—o Plâ—â—sure the third to Drunkenness and the fourâ—hâ—o Mâ—dness but if â—hey drink more you need not â—oubt but they 'l make as bad a Bussel and Noise as the â—oudest graduate in Moorfiâ—lds College alias Bedlam â—or as a â—oaded Ship in a great Storm when the Pilate â—s a Sleep or when her Ruddeâ— is lost cannot Steeâ— â—ighâ— so â—hose that have their Senses overwhelm'd â—ith Wine or other strong Liquors or their Minds â—pprest with strange imaginations and disorders â—un against the Rocks of Folly 'T was Pythagoras his Opinion that all disorders of the Mind or Body are â—o many causes of Madness Therefore let all People â—ndeavour to be moderate in all â—hings as well in all â—inds of Studies as in Meats and Drinks which supply â—he four Humours of the Body for if any of them do â—â—per abound Diseasâ—s follow at best if not some sort â—f Madâ—ess or other For 't is no Wonder if that Liquors can Transform and Change the fickle mind of Man As the ordinary cure of all Diseases and ways 〈◊〉 help Infirmities are to be begun with removing suâ—â— Causes as first procured the Malady even so the 〈◊〉 thing to be done in restoring Melancholy Men is 〈◊〉 fortisie the Brain and Heart and so bring them to better state of mind and chear and this is to be effâ—cted by removing such causes that first procur'd theâ—â— Indisposition but for perfecting the Cure if thoâ—â— that are Afflicted with this or any other Disease dâ—sire a Physitian that will truly and justly procâ—ed 〈◊〉 the Cure of what he undertakes without any frauâ— this is then to certifie such That if they think â—it 〈◊〉 make use or choice of Me I will honestly and expâ—ditiously do my endeavour to restore them to thâ—â—â— former state of Health Strength and Tranquility But now it is time to shew the difference betwiâ—â— the aforesaid Melancholy and a Distressed Conscienâ—â— First then whatsoever molestation ariseth directly 〈◊〉 a proper Oâ—ject of the Mind the same is not in 〈◊〉 respect Melancholy but hath a further ground thâ—â— Fancy and if the Molestation proceed from a conâ—â—deration of things done that are really sinful in themselves such Trouble has its â—rigen from Conscienâ—â— condemning the Guilty Soul according to those Eâ—graven Laws of Nature which no Man is void of 〈◊〉 he never so Mean Illiterate or Rude This takeâ— nothing of the Body nor intermeddleth with Hâ—mours but giveth a direct Wound with those 〈◊〉 Darts which many thus Afflicted most sensibly 〈◊〉 and complain of Nay This Infirmity is of so 〈◊〉 Latitude since all Men are Sinners that there is one but what more or less betimes labour under it â—nd some being highly culpable of the breach of â—ods Laws incur the Punishment of Condemnation â—nd thro' the sense of that miserable Condition fall â—â—to deep Despair Such say that they feel the Wrath â—f God kindled against their Souls their anguish of â—onscience is so intollerable that they find no releasâ—ent tho' Prayers and Supplications are made unto â—â—e Lord for them by reason that in their own agâ—ravating Judgment they stand as Reprobates to God â—s excluded from his Covenant and void of all hopes â—f inheriting the Kingdom of Heaven and rest assuâ—ed that the termination of their Life will be the â—eginning of a Condemnation which will never have â—nd I pray you dear Melancholy Christian consider Godâ— â—ercies of old and your own former Experience of his â—avours call to mind those holy Testimonies of â—lection which no doubt but some of you have in â—â—mes past found in your selves this done consider â—hether you are not under some Temptation than â—as you imagine God's Anger for Satan tempteth 〈◊〉 in the very utmost recesses of our hearts for he â—eing a Spirit it is not to be doubted but that he hath 〈◊〉 Spiritual access into our Spirits to trouble them and â—isorder their Operations by a spiritual or subtile conference whereby he bears too great a sway in â—hem this may seem the more probable because 't is â—bseâ—v'd that these in this sad Condition alter the â—ccent of their Speech and shew grâ—at disorder in â—heâ—r discourse it being far otherwise than what iâ—â—as before Nay it may seem that their whole Nature is at Satan's beck and their utterance wholly â—as he suggesteth but as to these Speculations and Instructions in this matter I refer you to the Judgments and Resolutions of Divines whose Provincâ— it is to consider and who no doubt will put you iâ— mind how the Spirit of God calleth Satan the Tempter the Deceiver of the World the Accuser of the Faithful the Dragon and Old Serpent and in sine a Lyar and the Father of Lyes Now if the condition of your Affliction be onlâ— some kind of Temptation which I doubt not but to make manifest and plain then ought you to esteeâ— of your Case as more Comfortable than thro' Erroâ— you do and to attend with Patience the Issue whicâ— in such as have been in like Circumstances have afterwards given evident Testimonies of Salvation Nay such have not only felt a spiritual Joy and Comforâ— in themselves but in the end have also become ablâ— to confirm others both by their own Examples and words of great Consolation from their
Creatures which if I may so speak people the Elements are the handy works of God Man tho' the chief yet perhaps to teach him Humility was made of the mould of the Earth and as some think Adam the first Man was made on a Friday about 3 of the Clock in the Afterâ—oon and out of him Eve his Wife who bare several Children and here I cannot but observe that the first War was about Religion for Cain slew his Brother Abel by reason of his more acceptable Sacrifice Thus we may see that in the Worlds Infancy as well as now Goodness the Mark that Envy aim'd at and Innocence Persecuted by the greatest Guilt and Religioâ— suffer by the hand of Hypocrisie and Cruelty from which Good Lord deliver Vs. Tho' as you have heard God at first made all thingâ— good yet besides the mighty defection among thâ— Angels there grew also great Iniquity amongst Men so that God resolving to wash away the abominations of the World by Wâ—ter commanded Noah tâ— build an Ark into which according to God's appointment all living Creatures entred by Coupleâ— to replenish the Earth anew but note â—ere that 〈◊〉 some sorts there entred more than two that Noâ—â— might not want proper Sacrifices to offer to the Lord And thus much of Noahs Flood The Scriptures both in the Old and New Testament plainly and copiously declare the uncommunicable Attributes of the Lord being the Heraulds of his Truth and the Witnesses of his Mercies the Instances they exhibit of his ample performing the Tenure of his comfortable Promises are as sufficieâ—â— Testimonies of his Infallible Truth as the sending oâ— his only Son is of his Mercy who as his last Prophet Sealed up all the written Verities and Commandâ—we are Bound to Believe and observe This is the Son of Righteousness whose refreshing Beams 〈◊〉 Mercy shine upon our Souls to eternal Happiness Here it will not be amiss to give an Idea or Notion of God as far as the weakness of our understanding 〈◊〉 able to perform for none can say what the Essence of God is or which is the same give a true and adequate Definition of this infinitely perfect Essenâ—e because he is in all his Perfections Inâ—inite â— Spiritual Entity whose Exisâ—ence is Eternally of himâ—elf independent of all other Beings dwelling in Orbs 〈◊〉 inaccessable Light hence the Message which we have heard of God in the first Epistle of â—ohn Chap. 1. v. 5. tells us That he is of a most Pure Simple Holy Perfect and glorious Nature resembled by no Creature â—o much as by Exquisite Light in which there is nothing but clear and exact Brightness without any â—he least mixture of Darkness He is Incomprehensible therefore none but himself can give an Account what he is He had no Beginning nor can he ever have an End all times and things whether past or to come are ever present to him so that as I often inculcate it is impossible to speak him fully yet so far as it hath pleased his Divine Majesty out of his unspeakable Goodness to Reveal himself in his Word to us we may to the utmost of our capacity express as that he is a glorious Spirit full of Truth and must therefore be Worshipped in Spirit and in Truth Now there is no way but by consulting his Written Word to know in what particular manner we ought to Honour and Serve him Though as is said whatsoever we can say or conceive of God comes far short of his Excellency yet it is lawful as far as our weakness can reach to say or rather lisp what he is still regulating our discourse by the Line of his Word therefore I say he is an Independent Being existing of himself Ego sum qui sum Exod. I am that I am saith the Lord that is he is alone of himself for all other things are not but by him nay in him we live move and have our Being saith St. Paul He is most Perfect because he is the Fountain and Origin of all Perfection Be ye Perfect saith Christ even as your heavenly Father is Perfect He is One. See saith the Lord that I am alone nor is there any other besides me And again Thou shalt have no other Gods but me according to which we say in the Belief I Believe in one God He is simple â—or Ioh. 4.24 He is called a Spirit now a Spirit is a simple Being or a Being void of Material Composition therefore God who is in all that he is Superlative is consequently most Simple He is Eternal for saith the Lord Vivo ego in aeternum I live for ever Deut. 22. And the Kingly Prophet cries out Thou art the vâ—ry same and thy years have no end He is Immutable as he speaks in Malachy 3. I am God and not changed which is agreeable to Reason thus That is Immutable which neither can be augmented nor diminished but God cannot be augmented because most Perfect nor diminished because most Simple Therefore he is most Immutablé He is Immense as the Wise Man speaks Wisdom 1. The Spirit of the Lord hath filled all the World He is Infinite for that is Infinite which has no Bounds according to David The Lord is great and of his greatness there is no End besides he must needs be Infinite whose Perfections are all Vnlimited He is Omniscient as appears from that of the Psalmist Thou hast understood my Cogitations afar off and hast foreseen all my ways and knowest all things before they are done He is Iust according to that of David Iust is the Lord and he hath-loved Iustice. He is most Merciful for the Mercies of the Lord arâ— above all his Works Psalm He is most Good because the Fountain of all Goodness He is most True because the first Truth He is Omnipotent because he can do all that is possible and from him is all Power both in Heaven and Earth by me Kings Reign Wisdom He is lastly most Blessed because he is the Felicity of himself and of all things whatsoever 'T is from the consideration of these Divine Attrites that multitudes of Reasons may be drawn to courage us in our Duties For Example The conâ—ering of God's Justice and Power will stir up-in us â—ear of offending a Being both Iust and Omnipotent 〈◊〉 this fear will prove the beginning of the best of â—isdom I mean of an indefatigable endeavour to 〈◊〉 his Written Laws and Commandments and â—â—ese Attributes will make us know that from and in 〈◊〉 by him we enjoy Health Live Move and have 〈◊〉 Being and that all we Possess descends from the â—ther of Light see Iam. 1.17 Hence we â—ie under obligation of giving him hearty and frequent â—hanks for the daily benefits we receive from his â—â—unty Begin therefore every work in God that â—â—ereby it may by him be Perfected and for his Hoâ—â—ur and Glory ended Rely on Jesus Christ as the 〈◊〉 Foundation that can be laid for us to Build upon testiâ—ieth both
known to all Men in all Nations But here I desire and earnestly admonish every good Christian that he slight not the plain and simplâ— manner of Stile in many places found in the Bible â—ince they are Evidences of Truth and not Patterns of Rhetorick There is no doubt but what we find â—n the holy Scripture is true though sometimes it apâ—ears in a mean dress which indeed is one of the Priâ—iledges of Truth when Falsities covet the flowers â—f Eloquence to hide their Shame The Bible conâ—ains the Words Works Acts and Judgments of the â—ost High 't is a Book that makes Fools of the crafty â—nd wise of the World when yet it is understood by â—he plain and simple as our Saviour saith The â—criptures are most high and precious Relicks a â—ountain which can never be Exhausted in them â—hou findest the Swadling-Cloaths wherein Christ lyeth to which the Angels directed the poor and simple Shepheards Indeed they seem to be mean silly Clouts but dear and precious is the Treasure in them for we have in them many Promises and God is faithful in fulfilling them in Christ from whom we have forgiveness of Sins and are delivered from everlasting Death God's Word is a Light that Shines in Dark places so that those that are shadowed by the greatest Cloud of Sin and Ignorance cannot miss being found out by its penetrating Beams and by them directed to the paths of Glory We see in the Example of Adams eating the forbidden Fruit how easie it is to be drawn into Sin and to forget God's Word and how hard a work it is to get hearts of Repentance by the long and hard task our Saviour had to make a Reconciliation with God for our Offences and if we were to be sav'd by our own Deeds and not by the Works of Christ we â—hould never attain Salvation Therefore Christ makes our task more easie saying Whosoever relies on me and believes in my Word shall have everlasting Life Some may ask what is here meant by his Word I Answer It 's Christus est Spiritualiter in Sacramenâ—â—â— The same that he spake at his Administring his last Supper when he said The words which I spake are Spirit and Life the flesh profiteth nothing whosoever eats thereof shall live for ever He Seal'd it with his Blood therefore it must be Truth Some may say How can we Eat this his Word Answer By laying it up with Faith in our hearts and leading our Lives answerable thereto which done after this life is ended we shall neveâ— Hunger noâ— Thirst more but shall Live and Reign with him foâ— Ever The same is to be understood in Baptism but the Administring of the Sacrament of the lasâ— Supper doth shew forth his Death till he comes again at which time he will Judge the World then happy will those be who hear his Welcome With a well done true and faithful Servant enter into thy Masters Ioy And now let us cry out Come Lord Iesus come quickly The Holy Scripture makes mention of sundry things done at certain hours of the day not agreeing with the hours of our Account as in Iohn 't is said The Rulers Son being healed of his Sickness at the Seventh hour his Ague leâ—t him And the Labourers that came into the Vineyard came at the Eleventh hour And in the Passion of Christ 't is Recorded That at the Sixth hour there was darkness over all the whole Earth And about the Ninth hour he cried with a loud Voice and so gave up the Ghost In which is couch'd some think a Mystery for Adam was Created as 't is supposed on a Friday about the same hour of the day as our Saviour Suffer'd Now to understand what hours these were know that the Iews divided their Artificiâ—l days into four quarters allowing to every quarter 3 hours and so began the first hour of the first quarter at the rising of the Sun and as they followed in order they call each hour of each quarter the first second or third hour so that the third hour of the first quarter they caâ—led the third hour and the third hour of the second quarter they called the sixth hour whiâ—h was Mid-day called by us Twelve a Clock and the third hour of the third quarter they called the Ninth hour and the second hour of the fourth quarter they called the Eleventh hour and they called the Twelfth and last hour Eventide So that the Rulers Son healed at the Seventh hour with us called One of the Clock in the Afternoon and the Sixth houâ— when Darkness was over the whole Earth was Mid-day called by us Twelve a Clock and their Ninth hour when Christ yielded up the Ghost is called with us Three a Clock in the Afternoon The Labourers that came into the Vineyard came at the Elenth hour about five a Clock in the Afternoon or an hour before Sun-set Likewise they divided each Night into four quarters called by them the four Watches of the Night the first three hours was the â—irst Watch during which time all the Soldiers both Young and Old of any fortified Town or Garrison were us'd to Watch. The Second three hours tâ—ey call'd the second Watch which was about Midâ—ight at which time the young Soldiers only Watched And the third quarter of the Night containing also three hours was called the third Watch in it the middle aged Soldiers kept Watch. And the last three hours called the fourth Watch was about break of day in which the old Soldiers only Watched The day is accounted with us for payment of Money between Sun and Sun but for Indictments of Murder the day is accounted from Midnight to Midnight and so are Fasting days and Festival days as Sundays c. I will now give you after this Digression some Examples which fully prove the Omnipotence the Wisdom and Mercy and some other Attributes of God The first shall be an Instance of three most famous Conjunctions which the Scripture relate and which are all worthily wonderfully wondred at the like shall never happen again all being occasioned by the second Person of the Blessed Trinity his assuming Humanity which is a mystery wonderfully singular and singularly wonderful even to that degree that the very Angels saw it with Amazement The first Conjunction is of God and Man in Christ The second of a Mother and a Virgin in the Blessed Virgin Mary The third of Faith and the heart of Maâ— in every Christian who truly Believe that a Virgin brought forth and became a Mother and though â— Mother yet that she notwithstanding remain'd a Virgin Another instance is God's fourfold bringing forth of Man as Learned Anselmus a holy Bishop of Canterbâ—ry Notes First he brought forth Man without the help either of Man or Woman in Creating Adam Secondly a Woman out of Man without the help of a Woman in making Eve Thirdly By the help of Man and Woman seen in the natural Production of Man Fourthly and lastly
his bringing forth of Man with the help of Woman and withouâ— the help of Man observ'd in the Blessed Virgin Mary bearing our Redeemer Christ Jesus who neveâ— laughâ—d but as we read in the Scripture three times Wâ—pt First when Lazarus was Dead Secondly over Ierusalem And Thirdly upon the Cross where he delivered up his Spirit to his Heavenly Father and these things all prove the said Attributes of God There are four Duties incumbent upon Man which above others he ought diligently to perform that is to say To God Fear To his Country Love To his Parents Honour and to his Neighbours favour If we duly consider these Duties we shall look towards Heaven despise the World and prepare a Mansion for our selves in Heaven There are three especially Miserable First he that knows and teacheth not Secondly he that teacheth and doth not Thirdly he that is ignorant and yet lâ—arneth not Among the several Commands our Saviour hath laid upon us that seems not to be the least where he warns us Not to Iudge lest we be Iudged for 't is said With what measure you meet the same shall be measured to you again Besides nothing iâ— more unreasonable than to impute the fault of one Man to another but let us proceed in all cases with Clemency and Mildness remembring that we all sprang from our Grandfather Adam and consâ—quently are all a Kin to one another which the Minister confirms in his Office for the Burial of the Dead though to the meanest Person in these words Forasmuch as it hatâ— pâ—â—â—sed Almighty God of his greaâ— Mâ—rcy to take unto â—imself the Soul of our dear Brother here departed c. So that it plainly appears that we are related to â—ach other Now some of these Kindred live in the fear of God and by honest and industrious means procure a Livelihood for their Families others take ill Courses and become Reprobates hated both of God and Mâ—n and in this Case why should any thinâ— ill of another for his Brothers misdeeds though he be so nearly Allied I think he ought rather to be pittied by â—very good Christian for that he hath so wicked a Relation And since every one must answer for his own Offences and not those committed by Father Brother or Friend let us abstain from rash Censures and fly from Evil and do the things that are good thaâ— we may live for evâ—r Psal. 37.27 Again remember thâ— last day when only the Just shall be Saved then on thy Right hand shall thy crying Sins be accusing thee and on thy Left hand infinite numbers of Devils expecting thee and under thee the Sulphurous Furnace of Hell burning and above thee an angry Judge giving Sentance within thee thy Conscience tormenting without thee the World flaming whenâ—e to fly is Impossible and to continue Intollerable This will be the sad condition of every one that while Living do not refrain from Sin or having Sin'd do not truly Repent of their Iniquities thereforâ— it is said Agree with thy Adversary while thou art â—n â—he way and while time is prevent that which othâ—rwise in time will be For as one saith If it be noâ— prâ—vented it will be Repented It is thought by some that there was no Writing to instruct the â—eople before the Flood Baptised the Earth to wash away the Curse which God laid upon it for the disobedience of our first Parents yet others subscribe not to this Opinion of the want of Writing but more wisely adhere to St. Iude and to the Learned Iosephus who writ that Enoch Eâ—ected two Pillers the one of Brick and the other of Stone wherein he wrote of the Two-fold destruction of the World the one by Water and the other by Fire Some Notion of this was by Tradition as some Writers relate preserv'd even to the days of the Apostles Iude 14. The next thing I shall speak to is the final end of the World which will be effected by the fiery destruction abovementioned We read in Mat. 24. That the Apostles asked our Lord Christ about this matter the Event was that as for the day and hour he would not have them to be curiously Inquisitive because it is a Secret not disclosed to the very Angels in Hâ—aven but reserv'd in the hidden Councel of God yet Christ gave them some intimation of the condition and circumstances of the time wherein it should be viz. That as it was in the days of Noah before the Universal Deluge swept away Mankind so shall it be in that time wherein Christ shall come to Judge the World in Fire see Ioh. 1.3 and Rev. 1. vers 3.7 But as to the time when it will happeâ— we are altogether in the dark and have nothing to say but the conjectures of the Learned who suppose it may continue 6000 years from the Creation which if true yet would not the time of the World's end or last Confâ—agration be known because we have nothing but uncertainties touching the time of the Worlds beginning The World was at first a formless Chaos till God out of the abundance of his Goodness sent forth his holy Spirit which Dove-like with mighty out-spread Wings sate Brooding on the vast Abyss and made it pregnant of the World then Darkness gave place to Light and all the fulgent Lamps of Heaven appear'd as they truly are Glorious all Creatures receiv'd their Being and every Plant Tree Herb and Flower sprung from the verdant Earth which was raised above the Waters every thing of use had Seed in it self or other means to preserve its kind that a second Creation should never be requisite but as yet Man the Lordly Creature whose Province was to Rule and Govern the other Creatures was wanting He was framed with more Solemnity than all his inferior Creatures being as it were the Product of mature Council and deliberation stamp'd after the Divine Similitude inspir'd with the Breath of Life and Honour'd with many advantages beyond what any other Animal can pretend to the contemplating of which long since made the Royal Prophet break out into this Rapture What is Man that thou art mindful of him and the Son of Man that thou visitest him Thou madest him lower than the Angels to Crown him with Glory and Worship Thou madest him to have Dominion over the works of thy hands and thou hast put all things in Subjection under his Feet Psal. 8.4 Moses sets forth plainly that this glorious Universe bespangled with sparkling Fires every where adorn'd with wonderful objects Proclaming the Wisdom and Omnipotence of its great Workman or Creator was in Six days made out of an Eternal Privation of Matter by the Omnipotent Fiat of God Hence because that in Six days the World and all that therein is was Created and because God rested the Seventh day it is probably Collected that in Six Thousand years which are but as Six days in God's Account the World shall â—gain be Dissolved When as is said God had Created
Blind or both but let such Rich men remember that if they would be partakers with the Poor in Heaven they must let the Poor partake with them of their good things on Earth for to feed the Poor cloath the Naked relieve Prisoners is the same as if such works of Mercy were done to Christ. The safest way of laying up Treasure is thus to make a Store-house of Heaven which at last day will afford no less than a Crown of Glory Make O Lord the way pleasant to me that leads to such an End 't is no matter what Raggs or Colours I wear with Men so I may walk with my Saviour in White and Reign with him in Glory Luk. 13.3 We must Love oâ—e another which is the very distinguishing mark of a Disciple of Christ as Malice Hatred and Revenge are the badges of an Antichristian Mind We must in all things be reform'd from the Evil of our ways especially from our neglecting God's Service and the Duties we owe to him nor must we be remiss in our Duties to our King to our Coâ—ntry and to our Neighbours if we be we may fall short of our glorious Expectations Indeed all Ordinances of God are as it were the very face of God and they who worship him therein do solemnly â—ppear before him therefore at such Seasons all Men are Bound to be holy and recollected especially Ministers when they Read or Preach God's Word God requires an exactness of Deportment of them in his Courts and 't is no wonder for do but observâ— under the Law how choice he was about all thingâ— relating to his Worship The Tabernacle was madâ— of thâ— best Wood purest Gold and finest Linnen In short every part of it was done according to God'â— Prescription and Order Such as offer Sacrifice musâ— be without Blemish God expects to be serv'd bâ— holy Men in the purest and holyest Manner purâ— must be the Person and pure the Performance foâ— Men carry the Temple of God about them and therefore ought to keep their Hearts and Spirits clean foâ— the Reception of God ought they not then to bâ— very watchful over themselves when they are abouâ— Religious Duties espâ—cially those whose duty it is to lead and enlighten others to obtain the Peace of God and Everlasting Rest But I 'le pursue this Subject no farther least I should too much râ—semble a Sheep that leaps out of the Fold to lead the Shedheard I know well every one has his Infirmity the Green-sickness is the Maids and Covetousness the Disease of some Teachers who Preach up hospitality and other virtues to the People but will not go to the cost of putting their own Doctrine in Practice On the other hand every thing has its Virtue the Bee gathers Honey out of every stinking Weed and every Weed is of more value and use than to be thrown on a Dunghill 'T is the Apostles advise That we do all things for the Edification of others hence those that can ought to Read the Scriptâ—res and other good Books while those that cannot ought attentively to give ear and lead their lives according as the Word directs see Dâ—ut 6.11 And to incite the Minds of People to a more strict degree of Piety it would not be amiss for Ministers to Write or if there be enough already Written to buy some Books of Instructions according to Scripture Rules and give away once a year to their Parishoners By this means the Sheep will know the voice of their Shepherd from the howling of devouring Wolves and also to keep them from wandring from Christs Fold and runing astray after Novelties thro' the Wilderness of this World of Errors I know there are many well-meaning People who make a Coâ—science of their doings and are free from the folly of those that run to several places that are not tost with every wind of Doctrine as those commonly are that like any Preacher better than their own whom God by his Providence hath set over them These would willingly Read what was thus given â—hem by their own Shepherd or Pasture nay some of the other fickle headed Men would also Read their Pastors gift purely out of Curiosity this I say would be a ready way to lead them to the house of the true Shepherd I mean not where Christ was Born at Bethlehem to Sing Gloria in excelsis but where Christ now is at God's Right Hand interceeding for all his Servants 'T is chiefly the Ministers Office to take care of Christs Flock who have the Power of the Keys the Power to remit Sins by teaching the Truth of Christs Word and daily Administring the Sacraments left as Conduit-pipes to convey his Grace to our hearts the doing of which being omitted by Preachers is the retaining of Men in their Sins for if Men be so wicked that they will not â—elieve in Christ Crucified after he hath been Preach'd unto them then their Sins are retained and the Truth is not in them Good Ministers have the Keys to open and shut Heaven by Preaching and Administring the Sacraments to their Flock all that truly Believe in Gods Word which is the only Rule we ought to follow shall undoubtedly be Saved It is not every one that can Pray or Preach hath Power to remit Sins no it is the Undefiled Faithful Godly Ministers who lead their lives answerable to the true Doctrine deliver'd in God's Word that can do it they open and shut Heaven as many good Prophets did by pouring out their fervent Prayers to God Almighty do perform great things One by Prayer staid the course of the Sun another by Prayer put it back and when the Clouds withheld from Raining three Years a third offer'd up his Prayers to Heaven for Rain and God was pleased to send dowâ— Rain to refresh the Earth that all things grew and great Plenty of all things made glad the heâ—rt of Man These instances make it appear what I before asserted and that Man has power with God to Theologize Astrology that is to put by or prevent by Prayers offer'd up to God what the Stars foreshew to Ensue by the Phaenomena's whereof Astrologers were wont to deter and frighten People from doing ill Let us fear God obey his Commands and Love one another and believe in his Word who promised that whatsoever his true and faithful Ministers should ask in his Name should if necessary be granted according to that gracious saying in the Holy Writ That â— what time soever a Sinner doth Repent of his Sins he shall have Pardon with this Proviso he become a New Creature by the amendment of his Life such may come in favour with Christ the head Shepherd of Souls who makes intercession with his Father for all those that Believe in him and observe his Commandments And now to comprise all in a little remember our Saviours great Commandment which was Thaâ— you Love one another and whatsoever you would that Men should do unto you that do you
establish'd here by the Royal â—uccession of One and Twenty Kings descended from â—he Loins of this Royal Prophet Sin whose proper wages is Death brought many Calamities strange Revolutions and in the End a â—â—nal Destruction to Ierusalem The Convulsions and â—roubles of this City were many and violent before 〈◊〉 was utterly Ruin'd as namely by this Hake King â—f Egypt in Rehoboams days at which time the Conâ—ueror carry'd away much Treasure By Ioas King â—f Israel who in the time of Amazias brake down â—00 Cubits of the Wall it was besieg'd by Resin and â—ekek King of Aram and Israel whom God put back 〈◊〉 the Reign of wicked Ahaz By Zenecher King of â—ssur whose Host in Hezekiahs days the Angel of God â—estroyed By the Assyrians who took Manasia Capâ—â—ve By Pharaoh Necho who carried Iehoazar Priâ—oner into Egypt And lastly it was Besieged by â—he Caldeans who both Burnt the Temple and defaâ—ed the City see Kings 23.25 It was after the Captivity Rebuilt by the returned â—ews yet so that in the days of Christ it rather seemed a place of Slaughter and a Den of Thieves than the Royal Seat of a King or the place of Holy Worship for having Slain their Prophets and Persecuted the Saints they lastly filled the measure oâ— their Iniquity by shedding the Blood of that greaâ— One even Jesus the Lord of Life who by sufferinâ— Death in Ierusalem sealed the Redemption of thâ— World fulfilled the Law changed their Sabbath and in a word put an end to the glory of the Place Soon after by the Sedition of the Citizens and thâ— Caesars cruelties it became so desolate that one Stonâ— was not left standing upon another but as in thâ— Destruction of Sodom so was it all Destroy'd 〈◊〉 Walls removed Mount Sion excluded and Calvaâ—â— taken the Name Ierusalem was changed for that oâ— Aelia an unclean Swine set over the chief Gate and the Iews forbid on pain of Death to look back upon the City In this state the Romans held it till the year oâ— Christ 615 from whose Empire the Persians â—ore iâ— and kept it the space of Twenty Two Years Thâ— Sarazens were the next that Conquer'd it in the yeaâ— 637 and possest it 372 years till in the year 100â— the Turks took it and immediately lost it to the Sultan of Egypt who enjoy'd it the space of 90 yearâ— at which time being in the year 1099 the Christianâ— under their General Godfrey Bulloigne Conquer'd 〈◊〉 and under the Government of several Christiaâ— Princes one of which was Richard the first King oâ— England who was King of Ierusalem it continued 〈◊〉 years that is till the year 1187 at which time it waâ— Surpriz'd by Soladine King of Persia and by the Persians held 330 years when in 1517 it was invadâ—â— and won by the Victorious Solimo the Turkish Emperor and in it to this day the abomination of Mahomâ—â— is set up Thus is Sion become a plunged Field and Ierusalem a heap of Stones the Holy Land laid wast under the feet of the Heathen and the place of Divine Prayer made a Den of Dragons so that as it was foretold Neither in the Mountain of Samaria nor in Jerusalem is the place of holy Worship see Isa. 66.1 2. But every Spiritual heart retaining the Ark or Testament of God's Covenant in Christ is the Ierusalem and Temple wherein the Lord will dwell and where â—his Spiâ—it with ours as the two Cherubins on the Mercy Seat looking each towards the other will witness our Reconciliation by Christ our High Priest who is entred before us into the Holy of Holies even the highest Heavens into which Divine Mansion may he whom my Soul loveth say come In the mean while let us consider what the Angel said â—o the Women when he sent them away from looking into the Sepulcre with He is Risen he is not here did he not thereby dehort them and us from Burying ouâ— affections in Christ's Grave and admonish us rather to seek him where he is to be found At this day a gracious heart maketh every place a Ierusalem where God may as well and as acceptably 〈◊〉 Worshipped as upon Mount Olivet or Christ's Mount so Named because it was his Pulpit as the whole Land was his Text when he made that famous Sermon on the Mount This Son of Righteousness had all Palestine for his Zodiack and the Twelve Tribes for his Signs St. Hierom observeth as the Two Tribes which were first carried into Captivity so Redemption was first Preached in their Countries Likewise in former Ages there were the greatest Examples of God's Justice shown upon disobedient Sinners for Example Lots Wife for one farewell glance at Sodom was turned into a Pillar of Salt which may teach us to measure a Sin by the inâ—iniâ—eness of God who forbiddeth it 'T is observed the Land of Iudea became Barrenouâ— afâ—er ouâ— Saviours Passion of bringing â—orth their principle Commodities as Balm c. Whether because the Tipe was to cease when the Truth was come or because that Land was unworthy to have so Soveraign Bodily Physick grow in her where the Phisitian of the Soâ—l was put to Death Another wonderful remarkable thing shown â—pon all the outward formal Jewish Worshippers soon after our Saviours Ascention as he had foretold was the destruction of that City and Land by which we are made sensible that there was never sorrow like the sorrow of that Land who made the Messiah a Man of sorrow If we consider the Siege of Jerusalem began at the time of the Passover when in a manner all Judea was inclosed in Jerusalem all private Synagogues doing their Duties to the Mother Temple so that the City then had more guests than Inhabitants Thus the Passover which was at first Instituted by God in Mercy to save the Israelites from Death was then used by him in Justice to hasten their Destruction and to gather the Nations into a bundle to be cast into the fire of his Anger as our Saviour had foretold them besides those who had bought our Saviour for Thirty Pence were themselves sold Thirty for a Penny whilst this Storm fell among the Unbelieving Jews it was calm among the Believing Jews that is those that were become Christians who forewarn'd by Christs Predictiâ—â—â— fled betimes out of the City to Pella a private place beyond Jordan which serv'd them instead of a little Zore to save them from the eminent Destruction of Sodom And now the chief Head of the scattered unbelieving Jews keep the meaner sort as well as themselves â—rom the use of the New Testament nay they will â—oone Curse it than look into it the which thing is the hindrance of their Conversion and Salvation And thus we leave them in a state most lamentable and much to be pitied Lastly It may justly seem admirable how senseless religions should gain so much ground on Christianity such having neither substance in their Doctrine nor winning Behaviour in their Ceremonies
believe the same We should also truly call upon God successively to send Christian good and godly Governours that they earnestly may stand for the Christian Châ—â—ch and true Religion which God hath caused to be taught among us that the same may continue manfully to resist erroneous and false Doctrine and now in our time God hath raised up certain high and mighty Heads and Princes which have been Nurses and Protectors of the Church God preserve them mercifully for the same and send continually Men able and willing so to do who shine with the Beauty of acquired and natural Parts and arâ— free to impart theâ—r Knowledge by explaining the true Sence and Meaning of God's Word to all Rational People so as thereby they may come to the true Knowledge of God and his only Son our Blessed Saviour Jesus Christ so as all Nations may be led by the Word of tâ—at one Shepherd who gave his Life for a Ransom â—or all those that believe his Word which is the true â—ight that enlightens every Man in the way to Eterâ—al Life So God grant that his Gospel may for â—ver flourish amongst all Nations to the End of the World Let me in the next place exhort all Men to remember to crave a Blessing of God and be thankful to him for whatsoever they eat or drink since it all â—omes from his Bounty which affords us what his Wisdom thinks fit and necessary For such gratis and gracious Gifts as â—e daily confers upon us let us if we would avoid the just Imputation of the greatest Ingratitude give his Divine Majesty thanks How thankful was our Blessed Saviour for two Loaves and a few Fisâ—es when he blessed God his Heavenly Father for them the Issue was a miracuâ—oâ—s Encrease to show us that if we were thankful to God for a little he would give us much yet we daily see how wonderfully forgetful Thousands are when they sit down to plentiful Tables and mind not before nor after they eat to return the Giver Thanks for their nourishing Varieties I fear it will go bad with such one Day through their neglecting â—he Duâ—y of Thankfulness for what they daily receive from Heaven's Liberality 'T is God that gives or at least â—ends us all we have can we then do less than thank him for the same which undoubtedly he expects even from our Hearts as well as in formal verbal 〈◊〉 which are but signs of our inward Gratitude What are such I pray better than Heathens whâ— knowing their Duties herein rise from Meat uâ—sanâ—tified We ought not only to be thanâ—ful but also â—o bestow some part of what we have on the Pooâ— according to the Directions found â—n Sacred Writ Such as fail herein must expect God's Iâ—dignation and Rebuke when he â—alls them to an account for their Stewardship Repentance then will be too late for our now Forgetfulness Now is the acceptable Time to seek the Lord whilst he may be found for in this Life whenever we call upon him he will hear and grant our request Let the Words of my Mouth and the Meditations of all Mens Hearts be now and ever acceptable in thy Sight O Lord God our Redeemer Most Great and Glorious Lord our God thou art and there is no other God besides Thee in Heaven nor in Earth for the Heavens are thy Throne and the Earth is thy Footstool and the Heaven of Heavens is not able to contain Thee the whole Earth is full of the Glory of thy Majesty O what miserable Creatures are we Dust and Ashes not worthy of the least of thy Mercies How dare we then present our selves before Thee who art so pure and holy a God yet still through thy Mercy we have here our Being whereas thou mightest have placed us in the Abyss of Hell for ever where there is nothing but weeping and wailing and gnashing of Teeth where the Fire burns and never goes out and where the Worm namely the lost Soul never dies Let us all then with Humility jointly say We have sinned against Heaven and against Thee Let us honouâ— our Callings with the Practice of good Works and fâ—llow Pâ—acâ— with all Men. Help us O Lord now to press forward to make our Election sure and â—hâ—t we may live every Day as piously as if it were oâ—r last since we know not how soon thou may'st summon us to appear before the Tribunal Seat of Jesus Christ to give an account of all our Works dâ—ne here in the Flesh. Purge us with Hyssop and wâ— shall be clean Wash us in the Blood of the Lâ—mb and then we shall be whiter than Snow Take all our Sins and cast them in a Cloud behinâ— thy Back where they may be remembred no more Crâ—ate in us new Hearts and new Spirits so as we may walk in Newness of Life according to thy Holy Will and Commandments And if it be thy Blessed Will pity all those that sit in Darkness and under the Shadow of Death that they may come at thy appointed time to the miraculous Light of thy Gospel dispenced to all true Christians by thy true and only Son our Blessed Saviour who sitteth at thy right hand making Intercession for all those that put their trust in thee Grant if it be thy Blessed Will that we may all be taught by that Head Shepherd of thy Church who said When you pray say Our Father c. Such as would know more concerning their Duties in Prayer Publick or Private by the way of Form or would attain to pray by the Spirit according to their present Necessities or Wants let such read the incomparable little piece set out by Robert Russell 1700. 't is the Third Edition in it are Seven Sermons Price Bound 1 s. 6 d. In a word I earnestly exhort all my Readers to be piously mindful of their Duties to God and Man if you fail not in this Christian Reader God will remember you and after this Life in Eternal Bliss you will live with him at Rest. Take but a serious prospect by a powerful Imagination of all the several conditions observablâ— amongst worldly Men and you will find that not one of them sits easie upon its Possessor for the natural Man is ever a Repining and a perpetual succession of Doubts and Fears compleat the measure of his Inquietudes sometimes he câ—mplains of the Acâ—â—ons of his Superiors and Governors and if they iâ— the end should prove â—greeable to his Fancy he will yet keep up thâ— height of his Misfortunes by grieving at the unobâ—â—ging deportment of his Inferiors nor will it ever be otherwise with those that seâ—k Contâ—nt below hence those that are circled with the greateâ—t Splendoâ— find not their Perturbations at all lessened by it but think they might be mucâ— more happy and therefore strain themselves afresh in the eagâ—r puâ—suit of other Worldly advantages which if obtain'd bring â—ot the desired Content and the reason is because they look for it in the things of