of wicked men shal be Thinke of this you Saint-haters you Sermon-despisers you wicked mockers and scoffers at goodnesse you that are the wretches prophesied of that should be brought forth and come into the world in the latter daies that should appear unholy and that should be haters of such as are good 2 Tim. 3.1 2 3. What is it that some of you would do to the conscionable imbracers of holiness were they in your power would you not imprison them famish them slay them shew much cruelty to them and would you not pluck down the pure preaching of Jesus Christ and obstruct the perfect and upright walking of Saints are not your hearts now against such men and such doings and do you not wish your hands at liberty to act some enterprises against what is holy good against that which you cal Sects and Factions and against such as you say bring all out of order that turn the world upside down I know not your thoughts within you are privy to what dwels in your own breast Paul was once as violent against goodnesse and goodmen as any of you and doubtlesse had he been then asked what Saul dost thou think wil become of thy soul dost thou think thou shalt go to heaven that thou shalt dwell with the ever-living God with holy Angels and blessed Saints he would have said he hoped he should go to heaven as soon any man living but had the Lord let him go on in his way not shewed him mercy what had he come of his soul Let this be disgested in your souls and know that glory and eternal happiness is provided for such that are washed for such that are sanctified for such that are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus by the spirit of our God and such must you be if ever brought to heaven You are by nature vile filthy and naked Nuda erat sponsa nec poterat ad regale caelestis regni palatium ita nuda introduci Ipse induit eam vestimentis salutis justitiae Juimicum erat sponsae genus caelesti patri sed ipse illud per acerbissimam passionem patri reconciliavit Cant. 5.21 Erit ibi praesentia omnâ—s mali erit aâ—â—â—tia omâ—â—boni you must be clothed as Saints with the robes of righteousnesse and garments of salvation if brought into the Palace of glory the dweling of the great God where he sits on his Throne and all his blessed Saints about him I have this comfort yet of such that are enemies to God and what is good That it is in the power of the Lord for to change them he can instruct them to repentance and call them to holinesse and reconcile them to himself but should not the Lord thus work upon you that are revilers slanderers persecutors and the like you shall not inherit the Kingdome of God but you would be cast away into utter darknesse into unspeakable torments to be tormented with the Devil and his Angels into such a place of suffering where you should have no mercy no good no comfort no ease no friend no pitty Miserable miserable beyond expression miserable shall they be in torments for ever that now torment the holy ones of the Lord and the blessed members of Christ by their evill speakings and evill doings such shall be punished with everlasting destruction 2 Thes 1.9 and be deprived of all mercy and comfort I speak not these things to trouble you but in pitty to admonish you and my prayer shall be thaâ— the Lion may lie down with the Lambe that from Comings in of truth into your soules you may be overcome of truth and so submit to it that you may sweetly accord and friendly agree with the children of truth and all that in truth professe truth That you may speak and act the same things and that there may be no divisions amongst you as you hope to dwell with the Prince of peace and with the Saints of peace now live peaceably follow after peace and what may make for quietnesse in the waies of God Seeing you are apt to say you have hopes to be saved do like them that shal be saved harme not but help such that are beloved of him that must save you if ever saved Consider of what hath been said the Lord give you aright understanding of al things that may make you holy gentle courteous peaceable in life and also honourable blessed happy and glorious for ever Vse 4 The life of Saints upon earth is a rare life an excellent holy and heavenly being a being that tends to the glory honour and praise of God to the exalting of his great mercy and goodnes and declaring his name and power 't is a life wherein men that are holy labour to improve themselves with all that is theirs in a way of duty to be serviceable to the God of holines As they have beginnings of the life of glory in the kingdome of grace so according to what is begun and the gift given do they act here in grace sutable to what is done in glory They are not perfect here they have their failings yet by the comings in of God they strive to be like God and according to the gifts of the Spirit are they spiritual exercis'd they are spiritual in their prayers spiritual in their preaching spiritual in their hearing spiritual in their conversation striving to walke after the Spirit endeavouring to give up their all to Christ that is all and in all All their wisedome all their might all their strength all their endowments all their places all of soule all of body all of liberty riches honour in a word all Christ hath done so much for them that they thinke they can never do enough for him they think they can never praise him enough nor extol him as they ought nor give the honour that is due to him They are alwaies complaining of deadnes and darknes and weaknes and inability to behold to admire to commend to advance the sweetnes goodnes mercy and comforts that Christ gives out to them they are longing for more abilities to serve the Lord Jesus Faine would they do as they in glory do and they wait daily earneastly exspecting to be brought to glory that they may enjoy that in fulnes which here they have in part and that fulnes being injoy'd employ it to the honour and praise of the giver Soules they are not common men that live the life of Saints neither is their life a common life Saints are jewels jewels are excellent things there is that in a jewel that is not in ordinary and common stones jewels have an excellency in them so have Saints and this excelency is useful to Christ and what Christ adviseth The Excellency in Saints is given into them from Christ and as is comes from Christ it is altogether for returning to Christ Christ in giving out his Excellency to Saints doth open his heaet to Saints
was imputed that all believers may be reputed before God by vertue of Christs righteousnesse holy and perfect as righteousnesse it selfe Thus you see how souls may be said to be sinners take them as in themselves and in the flesh so sinners take them as reconcil'd to God as having Christs righteousnesse imputed to them and beheld of God in that so without sin without guile no sinners but holy pure undefiled beloved of God blessed Saints 3. They are precious souls precious in this filthy ungodly sinful wicked world that from grace coming in act in wayes of grace and holines without that let the inhabitants of the world be wicked follow their Prince the Devil yet they wil walke in holines following the Lord Jesus Christ the Prince of peace and King of righteousnesse God in all ages hath some to witnesse to his glorious truths so in this age some that are taught of the Spirit led of the Spirit that minde the things of the Spirit that have the Spirit of God dwelling in them and by the power of that Spirit in dwelling doe mortifie the deeds of the body and are raised up and quickned by the Spirit of God within to walke in righteousness true holines to serve God and own his cause though the world with them that dwel therein oppose they are excellent souls that appear for God in bad times in the worst of times yea when 't is not alone a hazarding their names to disgrace and shame but their bodies to be torne in pieces to be burnt to ashes You that are acquainted with scripture and history may see every age every yeare bring forth some such gallant spirits that were ready to lay down their lives to undergoe any cruel vile shameful death for the name of Christ and the testimony of Jesus 4. They are precious for they that are faithful and chosen that are such as Christ is continue good let all the world be bad A precious soule is an excellent Theophilus and wil appeare so let others be never so bad let them be enemies to God fighters against God Times are bad now and like for a while to be worse yet there are pretious Christans so some there wil be as long as the world continues that shal shine out as lights in the world Phil. 2.15 that wil be without rebuke in the midst of a crooked and perverss nation that wil run right on towards glory let whose wil run crosse that wil keep their garments white though others be soyl'd I commend such to you souls for precious Christians for precious Saints that abstaine from all appearance of evil that in heart and soul and life clear to and follow after what is good Vse 3 Love those precious souls that Christ esteemes precious nay that Christ hath made precious that are before God precious that are the dearely belov'd of his soul that are honourable ones that are borne of the wil of God that are attended on by Angels that are for a short time plac'd in the world and shal ere long be received into glory let your delight be plac'd on those excellent ones let your eyes be on them that Gods eyes are on your heart towards those that Gods heart is towards good children are apt to respect those they see their parents love if you be true children rightly descended of the Royal line of heaven you wil eye the outgoings of your fathers love and as Bees settle where the Queen settles so wil you where God upon what family or soul the Lord hangs his love you wil hang yours where God delights to be you wil delight to be all so Consider I pray who you love what sort of people it is you most affect whether it be carnal worldly unregenerate men or holy heavenly regenerate Saints Do you now desire to know Gods jewels Vse 4 to be able to discern of these precious ones to say such are Gods children such are the friends of Christ like Christ you must have the life spirit wisdome knowledge of Christ you must be taught of God to know who are Gods like God Paul persecuted the precious Saints of Christ and was a deadly foe and enemy to them til such time as he was endued with wisdome from on high til God shone upon him yea into him and then knowing Saints he associated himself with them and was no longer hurtful but helpful Many a soul is a sore and grievous enemy to the people of God I am perswaded much of their enmity ariseth from this because they know not Saints they are ignorant what glorious ones they are in what a high esteem they are with God how God wil punish them that wrong them Ignorance of Saints makes them slighted reviled defam'd accounted as the filth of the world and the off scouring of all things T is want of knowing the worth of a Jewel that makes it not prized so of a Saint that is a member of Christ a child of God The God of wisdome give you wisdome to know such that are holy that are Princes of the bloud-Royal of heaven and to give them such respect that is due and reverence as belongs to them This none can do but such as have the spirit this you wil do if the Lord give out the spirit of truth to guide you in all truth if heavenly light shine into you that light shining in wil discover and manifest to you the children of light and whosoever you can find walking heaven-ward you wil be glad of their company Ignorance had a hand in killing Christ and it hath some hand in all the wrong is done to Saints the Lord free you all from it least ye should through ignorance harme the darlings of God and bring swift damnation on your selves God hath grievous threatnings in Scripture against Saint-wrongers and there are recorded some heavy punishments that have been inflicted on them that harme the righteous God keep you from the sin and so from the suffering I might ad how beneficial 't is for you to know who are Saints and how much for your souls advantage to be acquainted with them but I omit it Happy are you that are of the number of these jewels of God of these preciout Vse 5 ones I do not know what your condition is in respect of outward things and creature-enjoyments but I can safely say you are a happy people if precious if such as Christ you shal all be laid up in glory shortly God wil not lose one of his jewels for a world Heaven and earth shal perish but no Saint never a precious soul not a jewel that belongs to the crown Royal of glory These rare souls these souls to whom Angels do service that are carried in the armes in the bosome in the heart of God that are singular souls chosen out from among thousands by royal favour sâ—ch in whom the eye of God can see nothing amisse no defect no excesse no presence of sinne no
12.15 Act. 7.57 Summa mundi ingratitudo the more a Saints spirit in pitty is for their good the more are their spirits in rage against Saints to their hurt 3. They have yearnings of soule after such that deviate from truth that goe astray in the wildernes of sin striving to reclaime them and to bring them into the way of the Lord to walke towards holynes Act. 17.23 Paul was employ'd in such a busines as this at Athens amonst a people that were wandering after an unknowne God that went they knew not whither Luk. 15.4 that worshipped they knew not what As a man lookes after a wandering beast to bring it home so doth Christ a wandering soul and this is part of the employment of such that can say As he is so are we in this world Ezech. 34.6 7 8 9. Christ is highly displeased with such that should looke after scattered soules and are negligent they walke contrary to him but such please him that are painfull in preserving those are his that undertake any employment for the recovery of soules from error to truth from out of the Devils common to Christs sold They are deare friends to Christ that to their utmost are helpful to the purchased possession of Christ you that are good servants to Christ you shall find him a good Master to you be like him in action and he will make you like himselfe in the reward he that works in his vineyard shall have faire wages Blessed are you that now serve not your selves but the Lord Jesus Christ this busines will make Christ honour you your striving to reclaime such that wander from the commandements of the Lord Dan. 12.3 They that be wise shall shine as the brightnesse of the firmament and they that turne many to righteousnesse as the starres for ever and ever God will honour them that strive to save others Jam. 5.20 How like Christ are they that strive to convert a sinner from the error of his way and to save a soul from death Is not such work Christs worke do not they follow him that works thus When Christ works in us for making us like him we will worke abroad to bring soules unto him 3. They loath sinne they that are like Christ they detest and abominate what Christ detests Sin is a devil and who can abid him unlesse wretches that are like him Sin will eat up a soul can any unlesse a mad-man love that which will utterly undoe him Sinne brings plagues upon a mans selfe and all he hath entertain not a guest that hath such ill attendants thou canst not embrace sin but thou must wound Christ wilt thou shew so much hard-heartednes as to wound him that hath suffered so much already Isa 52.14 yea such sufferings as never any suffered besides him besides you cannot sinne against Christ but you must hurt your selves yea your best part Pro. 8.36 your souls but to cast such weeds aside and to speak of men and practises fiting the place and time and that is Saints their behaviour in this particular towards sin they abhorre sin upon the same reasons and grounds that Jesus Christ abhorres it 't is indeed Christ in them that makes them dislike it if their dislike be such as it should be there are soules that may have some dislike of sin yet they may not with a Saints spirit loath it 1. Some there are that stand aloofe from sin when it allures because should they yeeld it may cause some disgrace to them it may make some cast them off that now they have favour withall and whose favour it may be is more beneficial for present then their sin can be they are sollicited unto These deserve no thankes from God for love to God makes them not dislike sin 't is the upholding of some reputation and credit amongst men that for present restrains them They say not I have receiv'd mercy from Christ how can I sin against him that hath been so good to me but I have a reason of mine own saith the carnal soule and therefore I may doe this or that not but that he loves the sin but it stands not with his end for present to meddle with it 2. Some are kept off from sin as the dog from the bone with the cudgel the feare of the Law deters them faine they would be doing but then they feare suffering they thinke it might be beneficiall to steale but they like not hanging the money might help them but the halter would hurt them Christ is not beholding to these nor to any such for love to him prevailes not with them Mat. 14.5 these are kept from evil as Herod at first from killing John for feare of the people Luk. 22.2 as the Chief Priests Scribes from killing Jesus or the Captain and Officers from offering violence to the Apostles Act. 5.26 That many are not more vile wee may thanke their feare of the Law not their love nor likenesse to Christ 3. Some are kept from some sins for fear of hell Hell is not seen and therefore not much feard men think strangly of hell take heed you never know it this place of Torments is not much considered of now or if it be men think they are far enough from it and may escape If love to Christ keepe not from sin fear of hell will not 't is the mercies of Christ that Paul presents as a bait to allure to holinesse and drawe men off from the world Rom. 12.1 Significans cogitionem miserecordiae Dei debere nobis esse stimulum ad vitam Deo placentem transigendam mercies are very invitive especially the mercies of Christ that are such sweet precious mercies mercies that had never any like them the world had never such another in it for mercy as Christ Mercies drawe Saints to abhorre evill and as God shall call you to be Saints you will do likewise Sin is offence to Christ and goodnesse is pleasing to him Saints are acquainted with him and know it and strive it should be so to them Christ and inside Christians have but one object of their love but one of their hatred viz good and all good and that they effect together evill and all evill and that they reject a like you may conceive of such to be Saints that go so right with Christ 4. Saints indeed soules like Christ they are such that aime at the glory of God in all their undertakings it was Christs meat and drinke to do the will of his father so 't is theirs that are Christs if men will be pleas'd seeing them in Gods businesse they rejoyce but if they will not they neverthelesse continue doing There was a Gallant courage in Christ to glorify his Father so is there in Saints they will honour God if they die in the action Act. 5.19 they if oppos'd durst bidt heir opposers judge whether it be better to obey
not preached the name Christian nothing if Christ be not in the soul The sum of the sum of all is Christ 'T is a common fault God weed it out of mens hearts for men to vatut in some outward thing and glad many are if they can denominate themselves of this or that opinion or judgement or of this or that man as a hearer follower or of his Congregation or got into some attainement that bears high amongst professours I shall onely say this beware you do not deceive your selves Christ is all and all you must have Christ or you will perish eternally I might have added severall Reasons why Saints are so wary who they take into their fellowship as that they will not take in such that bear a name onely and in life and conversation are sensuall carnall heathenish devilish nor such as barely beleeve only a Christ without that can speake of the letter of scripture and the history of Christ but have not a Christ manifested within but I shal not stay here much for Saints them already and for others they as Swine pearles will tread them under their foot they will scorn them as that they savour of over much strictnesse and novelty it may they will say of Independencie and Anabaptisme But a word of them 1. It is uncomfortable to Saints to take them into fellowship that have not a Christ within Is it not uncomfortable living for a living man to be yok'd to a dead body and to have dead men for his Company What are men without Christ but dead men Eph. 2. 1. Joh. 1.22 souls without life stincking rotten loathsome souls that have no comlinesse 2. It is dangerous to Saints to joyn in any intimate fellowship with such by reason they are infectious persons a body infected with the plague is not more apt to infect mens bodies then sinfull vile souls are such that nourish fellowship with them ps 18.29 Men are very apt to fashion themselves like those with whom they converse and live to imitate their words and actions and to be confederate in their doings and so allured or enticed from what is right and agreeable to the perfect rule of the word 3. It is scandalous for if such be taken into fellowship and church society that are vile or that have but a form of Godlinesse and so adorn not the profession of the Gospell how doth it give ungodly men occasion to speak evil and to open their mouths against the way of the Saints and to stand out so much the more stifly by way of oppossition against truth because of some bad ones got into outward society that have not the inward enjoyment of truth Saints had need beware upon this consideration who they take into church-fellowship that so it be not such that by falling off from holinesse give offence but such that are held in by the power of truth to the credit of truth and truths professors with whom they are in communion Souls you that know Christ look about you consider of men rightly take a serious consideration of them Sanctam vitam cum ip so amant Discite a me quia mitis sum humilis corde Sivis esse adoptivus Dei filius vide quomodo conversetur filius ille unigenitus take them for Saints that are like Christ such that are like holy as Christ is holy pure as Christ is pure precious as Christ is precious sweet lovely comely beautiful as Christ gentle lowly as Christ they that are Christs are like Christ The adopted sonnes of God like the only begotten sonne of God the younger brothers like the Elder Saints like their Saviour Christ is humble gentle loving merciful full of bowels of kindnes and goodnes they that are Saints indeed are like him he it is they strive to imitate he they look vnto as their rule Sancta Christi vita est perfecta vitae nostrae regula he is the patterne they have always before them I guide you not to this or that forme attainment opinion judgment or the like to find Saints but I point out to you Christ and if you see any like him esteem them if you find any that have the same spirit as Christ vbi spiritus vnus ibi eadem voluntas ubi voluntas eadem ibi etiam actiones eaedem that have the same will the same actions look on them love them and for Christs sake esteem them because they are like Christ the very image of Christ The main resolution of their souls and actings of the body is to know God and promote his glory to ascribe praises to him to do good to Saints to put forward whatsoever is agreeable to his wil with all their might Si propter Christum proprio honori proprio amori propriae voluntati in hac vita renuncias Christus in futura sui honoris sui amoris compotem te faciet 'T is not mens frownes t is not allurements 't is not losses 't is not Crosses can deter them from the work of God they know if they deny themselves seeking here not their own honour nor self advancings but following the advice of Christ observing his will doing his work laying out themselves wholly for him he will reward them by giving out unto them of his honour of his love and the like in the world to come I shall leave you now to the search and finding out of Saints by the wisdome of Christ owning and esteeming such for Saints that are like Jesus Christ they that know Christ may know Saints And so much shall suffice to be spoken of that second Doctrine We shall as God shall enable us by his spirit give out somewhat more from the Text that may be of further use comfort to souls which is this Saints brought to heaven shall not have another being Doct. 3 onely a perfecting of what is begun on earth They have a glory already in them upon them Joh. 17.22.23 even the glory that was given to Christ in heaven they shall have more abundant glory They have Somewhat for breeding as heirs under age not come to their full inheritance yet growing to a ripenesse of years and so to a possession of the inheritance even a knowledge of the excellencies of God and Christ fully and clearly yea and of their own excellency by vertue of union and communion with Father and sonne For then shall that glory be manifest and apparant above which is not so manifest and apparent below Christians have some light now though but small they have part of what they shall enjoy in perfection they now see though but darkly then face to face clearly They enjoy visions of God though in a cloudy and darke manner God and glory are reveal'd but in part to Saints whilst here on earth and all they see and know is but dark and imperfect to what they shall see and know God communicates and makes out of his
see men advanced to worldly honours that they enjoy such honours and dignities or if they see people beautifull or gorgeously apparel'd they cannot it may be say they have so faire a face or rich cloaths c. Saints think they are rich enough honourable enough that they are very faire and gallant if like Jesus Christ In respect of many worldly injoyments that the sons of men possessed 't is probable the sons of Zion could not say they were like them yet this was their comfort that they had the witnesse of the spirit Rom. 8.16 that they could say they were like God they were holy souls like the holy God union with God brought forth likenes to God 1 John 4.15 16 Deus charitas est quid pretiosius Et qui manet in charitate in Deo manet quid securius Et Deus in eo quid jucundius Haec gloria christianorum magna est a blessed God dwelling in them makes them blessed souls Exceeding blessed and ever happy are they that from in-dwellings of Father Son and Spirit in them can say God is holy Christ is holy the Spirit holy and we as Saints delight to be holy and so to be like Father Son and Spirit The Apostle speaks largely in his own and Saints commendation in uttering a few words saying As he is so are we in this world He had spoken much of God and of the Son of God 1 Joh 4.16 and of Gods dwelling in Saints and of Saints being born of God 1 Joh. 4.7 and knowing God and having laboured with his Divine and Heavenly Rhetorick he endeavoured to give God the honour due unto him and he would not let slip an opportunity of magnifying the grace of God in Saints 1 Joh. 3.1 1 Joh. 5.12 and how much they were dignified by enjoying God and as to extol their greatnesse and goodnesse in the world so to chear up themselves that had received such kindness of God and that they might with boldnesse stand up pleading their own dignity and blessedness 1 Pet. 4.14 against all the reproaches disgraces and scorns of the world he holds out God and then himself and Saints As he is so are we in this world We shall look upon the Text as it hath relation mainly to God as making out himself to us in Jesus Christ Loquitur hic de conformitate in puritate innocentia vitae Hem. 1 Pet. 1.15 2 Cor. 5.21 Luk. 6.36 and to Saints through grace enjoying God within and by that enjoyment striving to be like God in holinesse righteousnesse mercy love patience longsuffering goodnesse gentlenesse c. And although 't is impossible for Christians to be such as God for purity and perfection Haec conformitas nostri cum Deo in imitatione conaâ—u omni puritate perfectione posita est Rom. 8.29 yet through the Spirits help may they imitate God and for the manner of living holily strive to be conformable to the Lord So that as God is a God of love Christians are Christians of love that love that is in a Christian to God it is but a son it is but a fruit of the love that is in God to a Christian 't is but the springing forth of somewhat of God himself planted within in the soul Eccles 1.7 't is but a stream running back to that Sea from whence it came returning God his due like for like love for love a Saint knows love deserves love Gods love is love 1 Jo. 4.19 In this way of love he acts freely 1 Pet. 5.2 and so is like God it is as ordinary for a Christian to love as to live for what maintains his being as a Saint produceth love to the ornament of his being As it rejoyceth in having the life of a Saint Gal. 2.20 Act. 4.20 Psal 40.8 so it is pleased in doing the work of a Saint laying out it self in what is pleasing to the Lord Joh. 7.18 God cannot but act what is good and what tends to his own glory take a Saint as having God living in it 1 Joh. 3.18 19. and from that living of God in it acting it doth what is good and also tends to the glory of God 1 Cor. 15.58 It knows 't is not lost labour to be doing for God and that it is not in vaine There is infinite good in God and there is some good in a Saint Infinitnesse in God enables God for infinite worke God is able to do like himself beyond what a soul can think or conceive A soul that enjoyes somewhat that this all-good-God gives out in his love through Christ 1 Cor. 15.10 is in his actings according to what he receives and as that receiving springs and sprouts out Omnia gratiae divinae tribuit A spark of fire will do what a spark can do and a drop of water what a drop may indeed it cannot do so much as the Sea or Element of fire can do 'T is a Christians joy that of Christs heavenly fulnesse it receives some grace Joh. 3.34 Christ hath what he hath without measure a Christian in measure a Christian is glad that it finds Christ saying 1 Cor. 15.48 As is the heavenly such are they that are heavenly and that by the spirits work 't is fashioned to be like Christ now 't is in the world and so chang'd into the same Image from glory to glory 2 Cor. 3.18 And though it live in a wicked world amongst wicked men yet it is not like them but it is like him that is heavenly it is not conformable to those it lives withall without in the body but to him that lives within in his soul Dearly beloved what are you what can you now say for your selves can you say you are like Christ have you a life like Christ have you a conversation like Christ are you cloath'd like Christ Col. 3.12 have you put on as the Elect of God holy and beloved bowels of mercies kindnesse humblenesse of mind meeknesse long suffering forbearing one another and forgiving one another if any man have a quarrel against any Christus non tantum nobis est donum verum etiam exemplum Miraculosae actiones Christi mentem nostram de veritate doctrinae ipsius confirmabunt Peculiares actiones quae sunt ipsius officii propriae hae ut expiatoriae peccati nostri fuerunt ita salutis fiduciam in nobis alent confirmabunt even as Christ forgave you so also do yee The actions of Christ should be instructions of christians yet consider rightly of Christs actions some were miraculous as fasting forty daies raising the dead c. these are not to be immitated because they cannot yet these may help to strengthen our faith and confirme us concerning the truth of the Doctrine of Christ Some are peculiar actions belonging to his office as to redeem or make intercession c. these also are
proper to Christ onely Morales actiones quibus legi morali satiisfecit hae nostram vitam mores ad dilectionem Det proximi excitabunt Some are morall these last are onely imitable you may take all thus some actions there are of Christ which he did as God some as Mediator some as man The last are binding to us to follow every action of Christs is for our instruction some way or other and carefull ought we to be to make use of it as we should that so none of Christs doings do not passe by us un-observ'd and taken notice of but that we rightly ponder them Omnis Christi actio nostra est instructio sed diversimode c. that what is to be admired and wondred at we may admire and wonder what invites to praise let them have it and what is to be imitated let them be set before us and strive to imitate and though we cannot act to perfection yet let us act with affection and though we cannot do as we should yet let us desire to do it and though the bodies pace be slow yet may your souls be nimble Paul though he could not take hold on yet did he reach out to those things that were before And be sure to send love to Christ and let that tell him that all of soul and body is following after And that whatsoever your doings are yet your desires are right for they are to please him and glad would you be to be comprehended in that saying of the Apostle As he is so are we in this world Blame none for desiring this to be like Christ He that is like Christ is very excellent and the more this likenesse is perfected the nearer is the soul to glory 'T is an excellent discovery of a vertuous soul to see it continue good let the times places and people be never so bad and so doubtlesse it manifests a heavenly excellency within when a soul that lives in this wicked ungodly world appears in life and conversation heavenly shines out in a dark world though not with so clear a light as Christ yet is his light shining out like Christ A handsome imitation from some is as pleasing as great action from others Lord thou art not strict to mark what is done amisse look not on our actings which are imperfect but Lord consider what our desires are how we desire to conform to thee and help Lord with thy spirit As thou art a loving God let us be loving christians as thou art a glorious Husband let us be a glorious Spouse as thou art a soul-pittying-Saviour let us be soul-obedient Saints As thou art a fountaine a Sea let us be streams at least drops and though we are not of such worth as thou O Christ Quantum unusquisque est inâ—oculis Dei tantum est c. yet let us be true coine and as pounds and pence may have one stamp and the least though not of so great a value as the best yet of some value Mark us sweet Jesus for thine though the mark be never so small that so what the Pharisees messengers answered thee concerning the Image and superscription upon the Tribute-money saying it is Caesars so Lord let the Image and stamp upon our souls be Christs That so our life our love our actions may be such as Christs Christ and us may have one way one will one affection one mind our bent and purposes the same with Jesus Christ Now the work goes on now is the mirth now thriving when all agree in one when all the Souldiers do like the Captaine all the servants like the master all the followers like the leader all the members as the head directs and that there are no divisions commands answere with obedience examples sutable to the pattern learners like the teacher Saints like the Saviour As he is so are we c. Doct. Obs True Saints are such that are very like Jesus Christ There is some speciall singular thing in Saints that is not in men of the world there is a singular vertue in a Jewell that is not in another stone which makes it esteemed there is a peculiar choice excelling in Saints that makes them so extold there is somewhat in them that others have not seen nor known 1 Cor. 2.10 which is manifest to them by the spirit they are begotten of God and so come to be like Christ as children of one father are like one another A holy Christ the Son of God and holy Saints children of God Heb. 2.11 all of one for which cause Christ is not ashamed to call Saints brethren and from this brotherhood it is that Christ and christians are good friends that there is so much union peace and affinity that they can speak together confer together dwell together feed together lodge together and live together the God of Christ the God of Saints the Father of Christ the Father of Saints 't is the words of Christ the soul-delighting words of the Elder brother to the Younger sent by Mary as a message of comfort to the Disciples Ad perturbatos Discipulos accurre Io. 20.17 Go to my brethren and say unto them I ascend unto my Father and your Father and to my God and your God Here 's a cordial the Disciples were troubled at their Masters being crucified and 't is likely were very much grieved Christ forgets them not but sends them news of his Resurrection and of his Ascending into glory and that they should ascend likewise for his Father would not entertain him alone but them also The inheritance of glory belongs to Saints as well as Christ all Gods children shall partake in this kingdom Rom. 8.17 The spirit it self beareth witnesse with our spirit that we are the children of God Donorum patris caelestis sunt participes And if children then heirs heirs of God and joynt-heirs with Christ Christ had bled freely for them and his message is sweet to them willing his should know what glory is provided for them 1 Joh. 3.2 Phil. 3.21 Rev. 3 21 and therefore tels them they should be like him their vile bodies made like his glorious body and sit with him in his Throne those that are like him in grace shall be like him in glory they that are partakers with him in bearing the crosse shall be partakers with him in wearing the crown Christ is fashioning his daily for himself and when he hath brought his work to that perfection here that they come unto the measure of the stature of the fulnesse of Christ and to perfect man Eph. 4.13 he will remove them to glory for the church is heavens nursery and as Christ sees fit he draws out those precious plants that are like himself and sets them with himself Small pieces of gold are look'd to and kept safe if like Christ you are well enough souls 't is no matter who you are unlike if
God or man he acts right that bids his enemy be judge of his doings if any spy faults enemies will Saints are for pleasing God that 's their aime they are company for such whose journey is heaven-ward Christ is gone before they follow after He goes fastest to heaven that goes on most speedily in Gods worke that as it tends to Gods glory so to the actors glory A soul will soone be glorified it selfe that glorifies God they that are for God shall be with God heavenly work is recompens'd with good wayes Christ did his work is entred into his joy doe yours and enter also like doers shall have like pay 5. Christ is for fellowship and communion with his people Mat. 18.20 where two or three are gathered together in his name there he is in the midst of them so Saints the friends of Christ desire fellowship with those that are Christs christians this Lesson hath not been well learn'd of late outward appearances like our selves t is feard have drawne us many times more then Christ in Spirit dwelling in souls That part of Arethmeticke division hath beene in use too much at least Numeration too little we should be more like Christ were we more for society I meane with Saints Davids Spirit was gratious and was much affected with such company if like Christ sociable but 't is with Saints 6. Christ delights to see men holy embracing truth in this Saints are like Christ Saint John rejoyced greatly that he found the children of the Elect Lady walking in truth Epist Ioh. 2.4 so this exercise was pleasing to Paul Col. 1.3 4. We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ praying alwayes for you since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus of the love which ye have to all the Saints As he rejoyced to see this amongst the Colossians for it pleased him to see others followers of the Lord 1 Thes 1.6 and embracing that truth which the churches of God embraced 1 Thes 1.14 to the exceeding growth of faith and the abounding of charity each towards others 2 Thes 1.3 They that were holy amongst the Jews rejoyced at the Gentiles conversion And at this day there is no greater joy to Saints then to hear of others turning to the truth and living holily That which makes carnal men displeas'd which is newnesse of life pleaseth those that have received of the same life Ezech. 33 7. Jesus Christ hates sin in every one yet no mans person he pitties their persons Why will you die O house of Israel He loath'd Jerusalems sin yet he wept over the city as pittying the people sorrowing through foreseeing of the misery that was coming towards them ' and did afterwards befal them They that are like Christ are thus qualified they hate sin in all men yet hate not the persons of any no not of their deadly enemies but with Stephen they can desire eternal life for those that will not let them enjoy a temporal life a crown for their enemies that hale them to the crosse There 's much of the image of Christ in those that to the utmost do good to the men whose sins they hate And though they seek the death of their sin yet desire life the life of Christ for their souls Christ shewed man most mercy when he shewed sinne none he kill'd sin and quickn'd man A man may be merciful to his neighbour yet strive to be a slaughter-man to his sin They must needs be like Christ that from a gratious pitty are helpful to others and omit no meanes to do them any kindnesse furthering the salvation of their souls and good of their bodies helping them in any thing or way but what is sinful 'T is the calling of Saints to do good yea to all you have none of a more free spirit then they they go up and down on this imployment 't is the errand that Christ sends them on Like Master like Servants all good and their actions like themselves The master cannot erre the servants may but they shall be set right again These are no cheats that do good to all as much as possible they may harm none no not enemies render to none evill for evil but contrariwise blessing 8. Saints are very much like Christ in that they are couragious souls couragious in what is good not bad some men have too much courage in an evil way but to what is good they have no heart 'T is not so with the children of God they die rather then yield to any basenesse shall such a one as I flie a gallant speech of a noble soul Neh. 6.11 of one that believed God had given commandment to save him Psa 71.3 Salvum me facias ab inimicis meis Daniel would not omit his duty though he knew the Lions den was to be his punishment God should have his honour whatsoever he suffered The three children feared not the wrath of the King nor the fiery Furnace God should not be dishonoured by them they would die rather Tyrants may kill Saints but not conquer them Christ was slaine but not overcome so it may be with those are Christs That 's good mettal will endure the fire a good Ship that holds sound and firm in all storms good cloth that shrinks not in wetting wel-grounded colours that fade not brave souls that nothing can daunt discourage or turn from the truth one of these is better then a thousand that have great words but when hardship comes to be undergone prove low and weake he 's a friend that owns a man in need and in a strait he 's a Saint that from inward grace is made so couragious that nothing shall separate him as from the love of Christ 2 Tim. 1.7 so from the worke of Christ The Mettall of a souldier is tried in the Battel the spirit of a Christian in times of opposition 9. Christ is all for drawing souls to himself Joh. 12.32 if he be lifted up from the earth he will draw men to him he is not a scatterer but a gatherer I mean of souls His businesse is to seeke and to save to find and preserve he woes and willing he is to marry soules that they might be his for ever christians in this are spirited like Christ they endeavour to drive a trade for Christs gain they are for their masters profit they love Christ find exceeding benefit by him and they think others should love him also Pretious Christ is pretious to them and faine would they have him so to others They have an enlarg'd heart and an open mouth crying to souls oh love the Lord all ye people turne in hither souls come buy wine and milke without noney and without price we have found Excellent entertainment from Christ come he will shew you kindnesse good soules will not conceale the bountifull mercy of the Lord 2 Chro. 7.9 if they neglect to publish
state and also honourable c Ans I may say because they have not receiv'd of the heavenly gift are not by heavens hand polished Besides 't is not the fashion of the world To be holy is exceedingly out of fashion in these times to be holy is to be singular the last is to be wondred at if not disdain'd it sets all men a wondering to behold the assemblies of Saints Psal 38.5 Some-times besides wondring they are enrag'd against them Reges terrae inito inter se consilio congregati sunt contra hanc Dei civitatem ejusque cives pariter ad nos expugnandos convenerunt I shal spare any further discourse upon such that differ so much from Christ I am sure if they never be made like Christ they will wish they had if they be chang'd into the like Image I need not bid them their own graces will quicken them to praise the Lord. The first Doctrine is left to your meditation I desire you may be as like Christ as the Doctrine is like truth the next thing to present to your soules is this Doct. 2 They that know Jesus Christ may know Saints I know many questions might be propounded about this Doctrin but I omit them what may be said of two men that are much a like he that knows one may know the other so he that knowes Christ may know Saints I know no one surer way to try men by then this looke well upon Christ consider his graces and all his endowments â—mor Dei est illud sigillum quo Deus electos credentes obsignat taste his sweetnes smell his savour where you find that is like what you find in Christ conclude they are Saints Men know their goods by the mark their leases by the seale servants by their livery so may Saints be known by Christ Study Christ well and thou wilt say such are Saints let their appearances bee what they will let them be by name Jew or Gentile circumcis'd or not circumcis'd if Saints their graces will discover what they be Christians judge not according to the flesh and formes but according to the Spirit a gracious soul is lovely to a gracious spirit let it be of never so different judgement in some low things that are subject to vanish They are children of one Father Reas descended of one Royal stock Know the Eldest child well you may know the Younges consider of Christs comlines the Saints 〈◊〉 may the better appear know the righteousness of Christ and you may know holy Saints the voice of Christ and the voice of Saints God gifts and cloths his children much alike what the eldest hath the youngest hath the same indeed the eldest is larges and the difference is onely in the measure not in the manner Al grace is in Christ and some in Saints There 's grace in al head and members have life every part of the body its ornament so whole Christ and this in holines Their employment is a like Reas Do you know the busines of Christ can you say this is the work of Christ and herein he is excercis'd Consider who acts like him and then judge Compare things together the holy and heavenly work of Christ let that be the pattern esteem and commend those souls whose workings are most like the pattern Children are commended that write most like the Copy and so is the Limner whose draught is most like the body whose picture agrees best with the life Suffer a word of exhortation Eph. 5.1 Be ye therefore followers of God as deare childien and walk in love as Christ also hath loved us and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savour Christ yeel'ds a sweet savour in his love and in his obedience 2 Cor. 2.15 so do Saints they are unto God a sweet savour Study Christ soundly and when you have done see how men agree with Christ and accordingly let them have the repute of Saints Be not partial in your judging but judge righteous judgement Vuse You may now hint whence it is that Saints are no better known I conceive it is because Christ is not known Ignorance of Christ effecteth an ignorance of Saints 1 Cor. 2.8 Christ was kild by such that knew him not and so are Saints How many precious Jewels have been taken for drosse and so cast out how many gracious souls esteem'd not worthy to live and why because like Christ Act. 22.22 both Christ and they taken for evil doers for disturbers of the places where they come yea sometime for blasphemers you seldom see any reverence godly souls that yield not reverence to the God of souls Joh. 16.2 3. that respect Saints that honour not Christ Men that are farthest from Christ are the lap-children of wicked men if any have their respect they are such that are like themselves ungodly Good men you complain of your slightings wrongs and divers sufferings in the world and complain you may your sorrows are ungodly mens musick they never rejoyce more then when the Saints tears run down fastest This hath and will be the worlds pastime even good-mens sufferings Christ sufferings pleas'd the Jews heartily so doth the sufferings of Christs people Jewish natures to this day Men do they know not what in wronging the deare jewels of God and pluck on themselves a most heavy wrath from the God of Saints The works of wicked men now are such as the wicked generations that went before 1 Thes 2.15 for they killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and persecuted Saints and all was because they were blinded of Satan and the glorious Spirit of holines shone not into their souls to give them the knowledge of Jesus Christ How were it possible that men should be enemies to Christ or to Saints the friends of Christ did they know what he hath suffered and undergone for souls Amor è caelo ad terram eum traxit ad columnam ligavit cruciaffixit sepulchro clausit ad inferos atâ—raxit how out of love and pitty he came down from heaven underwent many a gracious suffering and all to do poor wretched man good but here is a sad sight al is slighted of many Is it not strange to hear a groaning Christ and sinners mocking a Christ wounded to the heart and souls mad at heart against him to see the everlasting Father dying and yet the children of that Father abus'd and that by such for whom the Father is suffering It was an ungratful act of Joash to slay the child of Johoiada that had holp him to the Kingdome but as the sufferer prayed God acted punished the wicked doer God is just wait his time and then see what he wil do to Christ and christian wrongers You have need of patience you Christ-like souls you are sufferers you will be so in this world you are not known neither is your
absence of grace Oh precious souls These shal be preserv'd Christ hath been at much cost about such souls at more cost then about any thing at more cost then about all the world besides he made the world and lost never a drop of bloud it caus'd him never a groane but to make souls such as they ought to be holy it cost him many a sad suffering he spent his heart bloud in the work he took a great deal of paines to perfect them happy you that are the workmanship of Christ his workmanship as a Redeemer that have your souls fashioned by him to be like himself but are made new creatures holy souls blessed Saints 6. Christians you that heare me consider part of your duty as Christians as men of God as Saints you should labour for a Spirit of discerning to be able to judge between men and men to know the holy and profane asunder to know a Saint and a Devil a gracious soule and a carnal wretch a jewel from a common stone a true Diamond from a counterfeit God laid this as a necessary thing to be acted by Jeremiah Jer. 15.19 to know yea to separate the precious and the vile asunder the not doing this was charg'd as a sin upon the Priests in Ezekiel Ezek. 22.26 Her Priests have violated my law and have profaned mine holy things they have put no difference between the holy and profane neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean this may be laid at the doores of the ministers of the Gospel also that put no difference between sheep and goats lambs and wolves Saints and sinners are they parishioners let them be drunkards swearers gamesters whoremasters all are admitted to the Sacrament never considering whether the word warrants it and whether within the list of Christ 't is enough their houses stand within such a bundary of ground Looke to it you that must give account to God take heed what you doe how you cast Pearls before swine give the childrens bread to dogs admit them to your Masters table that are not of his family it concerns you much all of you that are Godly to know men rightly that so you may not associate your selves with the enemies of God but with the Saints of God not joyne your selves with the assembly of mockers but with such that praise God not go in company with such that are Traitors to the heavenly King but with his obedient subjects not frequent the society of enemies of truth but with the friends of truth skil is required in all worke especially in Gospel work 'T is needful for men to know the mistery of their trade to know what ware is good what bad so is it needful to be such experienc'd Christians as to know what is for the good of our souls what for their hurt to know their friends and foes asunder We strive to know good money and bad asunder a true jewel from a counterfeit gold from drosse why then should we not strive to know precious souls from sinful wretches lillies from thornes hearbs from weeds Christians 't is your duty to looke to what may tend to the welfare of your souls let it appeare in this that you are careful by having no fellowship with the workers of iniquity but as much as may be with the precious sons of Zion with such that are precious Saints I might speake more of this Use shewing how you ought to labour for a spirit able to discern between tares and wheat between the children of Christ and the children of Satan between them that feare God and them that feare him not and all this In respect of God In respect of Good men In respect of Wicked men In respect of Your selves God guide you into all knowledge by that spirit that searcheth all things and is able to reveale all things I have now but one Doctrine more to present to you and I have finished what I shal at this time speak from the Text in hand it is this Let the places and times be never so bad Doct. yet they that are Christs are like Christ wheresoever truly gracious Saints shal come what times soever they may meet withal whatsoever shal befal them yet they loose not their vertue they are Saints still take a jewel weare it upon your finger or in your bosome 't is a jewel lay it up in a box it remaines a jewel let it lie in the dust 't is a jewel nay if it should be cast ouâ—â—o the dunghil it would be a jewel there thogh covered with neis ver so much filth So may I say of a wherein Christian a blessed Saint one that the Image of Christ A little tablet Christ is drawn if it be set on high 't is a Saint there if imprison'd a Saint if cast out as the ofscouring of al things 't is as vertuous then as at any time Non abiicit aminum 't is the same for vertue for worth for excellency when t is abas'd as when it was exalted it looseth nothing by evill times by sufferings or disgraces or any thing befalls it Non cedendum malis Acts 14. Glod wil be gold in the fire in drosse amongst counters Paul is Paul when at Lystra they would have honoured him as one of their Gods he is the same when in prison the same in his bands and fetters as when free and at libertie the same before the Magistrates as with mean men in every place gracious and striving to magnifie the Lord. Daniel is as holy as excellent in the court as in the Lions den and in the Lions den as in the court Mordecay is not altered within though his habit be changed without he had the same grace within when he walked a foot and was cloth'd in sackcloth as when he rode upon the Kings horâ—… cloth'd with Royall apparell and the Crown Royall on his head and had his enemy that wicked Haman his herauld The three children were the same in the furnace as when they were over the affaires of Babylon Moses in the court and Jethros sheapheard when he was reverenc'd as Pharaobs Grandchild and when he was Jethros sonne in law was faithful though inwardly chang'd yet not outwardly he was the same Saint in the field and in the court The time would faile me to bring out what might be shewne unto you from the word of truth in the Scriptures and also from many unquestionable Histories concerning souls that have manifested their sincerity in all conditions both in exaltation and in abasement in honour and dishonour in good report and bad report when they have flourished in the world and when they have been at the place of execution fire and faggot hath not dismaied them the fire hath consumed the drosse the flesh not the pure part the soul Christ was Christ in them both in life and death There are some trees are greene all the year in summer and winter in heat and
over themselves especially when in bad company and as much as possibly they may refraine from their sosciety because many a good soul hath been spotted amongst such I need not bid wise men beware of houses infected with the plague nor good men of sinful places they know as the one is dangerous to the body so the other to the soul Remember it acquits not sinners to say that Adam sinn'd and had not he fallen they had not been thus tainted nor so prone to evil grace is offerd by Christ and they that wil be sav'd must by faith lay hold on his righteousnesse if not they wil be inexcusable at the last day and perish Eternally 1. 'T is not enough for men to say that they are flesh and that the flesh lusteth draweth to evil and over masters them Now wil that which the Devil prompteth into men help them when they must give up their accompt to God that 't is with them as with Paul it is no more we that do it but sin that dwelleth in us or as it fel out of David or Lot c first to Answer that of Paul consider who he was and of what sinnes he spake Paul was a holy and a Godly man a chosen vessel of God can you say you are so can you say Christ is reveald in you that you encounter all temptations to the utmost of your spiritual abilities besides 't is shameful to bring such a speech from Scripture to patronize a course of wickednes which is us'd by the Apostle concerning some secret and privie infirmities Do not deceive your selves God is not mocked Take heed of using Scripture as a stumbling-block and let not that which was left for the good of Saints hasten your damnation 2. As to the sins of David and Lot I shal not speake much now you may by them see how apt the best are to fal and so to take heed do not any of you cast your selves into the Sea because Jonah was not drown'd By them may comfort be spoken to Saints if God should let them be so farre fool'd by Satan as to fal into such faults Much more might be said as concerning them but I forbeare the Lord in mercy hold up our goings that our footsteps slip not 2. 'T is not safe turning our iniquities to the times and to the places where we live and the wickednesse of men with whom we converse this wil not make a passage to glory The worse the times and places are the more careful ought we to be the more cheats are abroad the more should we look to our purses If the aire be generally infected had we not need to be so much the more thisful of using preservatives But of care already 3. There are some that accuse their callings for what they do amiss they cannot reade and pray because of their callings and their callings make them breake the Sabbath Pray lay not the blame upon what deserves it not your callings if honest were never ordain'd for your soules hurt but for their good such that complaine of their callings yet can find time from their callings to eat and drink and sleep visit friends and follow recreations and the like that concernes their bodies 4. Some accuse their poverty saying we have not time to serve God all we can do is to provide for our families know this to be Godly helps towards thy family provision So they cannot shew themselves charitable they have not wherewithal Can you not remember the widdows two mites how accepted Besides these some lay the faultes upon their occasions upon the objects they meet withal upon Satan upon fortune any where rather then on themselves to be humbled Let this reprove you sin no more least God consume you for were you good nothing should draw you to wickednes you would say to all temptations how should I do this or that and sin against my God Would you know Christs people they Vse 2 are such that in bad times are good that owne truth when they must suffer for it that are willing to die clasping truth in their Armes or rather they clasp'd in truths Armes that let multitudes meet them going to hel they wil thorow the throng to heaven let wind and tide be against them they wil forwards that are dismaid with no frownes nor daunted with no sufferings That are no milksops of fearefulnes Oportet aut manentem vincere aut interire Lacedae monii hoc animo praelium inibant ut aut victores redirent domum aut victi occumborent but Champions of courage that wil not desert Christs cause but manfully fight the good fight of faith yea die in the battel rather then yield for so it becomes true Christians to conquer or die to go through in what they have a warrant from Christ to undertake or else for Christs sake and cause to lay down their lives 'T is reported of the Lacedemonians that when they went to wage war and joyn'd battel with any they did it with this resolution that they would go home conquerours or die conquer'd All true and gallant-spirited Christians are of such a spirit in whatsoever they undertake for Christ being cal'd to it by Christ Pons a tergo abruptus est they know there is no flying away without everlasting shame To desert Christs cause is an endangering of the soul to be deserted of Christ Besides to fly from Christ is to go from him that hath al safety from him that is strength from him that the Psalmist speaks highly of Psal 144. yet not as he deserves the words are these My goodnes and my fortress my high tower and my deliverer my shield and he in whom I trust Here are expressions holding out Christ according to what the soul could and as we are capable of hearing and understanding 'T is to shew that God is all in all to Saints he gives in comfort he guards and protects from dangers this is enough to make any man valiant to have divine power encouraging him divine power comforting divine power guarding divine power at all times and upon occasions to help how can such souls be conquer'd 'T is impossible for he that is so divinely accommodated is ready to venture all he hath in the cause of Christ A Christian endued with divine power is ready and able also to live and die with an Almighty Saviour Christ to him is enough Christ alone is all he lookes stil on Christ and observes him what Christ sayes he sayes what Christ does he does let all the world take what course they please do what they wil neglect Christ go contrary to Christ persecute Christ yet stil the Saint that hath God for his strength God for his shield God for his instructer shrinks not is not disheartned but holds on his way for truth in despite of al that oppose truth and though never so much slighted of truths foes it cares not 't is satisfaction and