but sleepeâ—h and God by a moral perswasion dâ—es onely awaken us and then the will can obâ—y Gods call and move of it self to its own conversion To this I answer Every man is by sin bound in â—etters Acts 8.23 I perceive thou art in the bond of iniquity A man that is in fetters if you use arguments and perswade him to go is that sufficient there must be a beating off his fetters and setting him free before he can walk So it is with every natural man he is fettered with corruption now the Lord by converting grace must file off his fetters nay give him legs to run too or he can never obtain salvation CHAP. XIII Exhorting to the heavenly Calling 2. LAbour to clear this to your own souls that you are savingly called 2 Pet. 1.10 Give diligence to make your calling sure This is the great business of our lives to get sound evidences of our effectual calling Acquiesce not in ouâ—ward priviledges do not cry as the Jews The Temple of the Lord rest not in Baptism what is it to have the Water and want the Spirit Be not content that you were born within the sound of Aarons Bells that Christ hath been preached to you Satisfie not your selves with an empty profession all this may be and yet you are no better than blazing Comets but labour to evidence to your souls that you are called of God Be not Athenians to enquire News what is the state and complexion of the times what are the effects of such an Eclipse what changes are like to happen in such a year what is all this if you are not effectually called what if the times should have a fairer aspect what though glory did dwell in our Land if grace doth noâ— dwel in our hearts Oh my Brethren when things aâ—e daâ—k without let all be clear within Give diligence to make your calling sure 't is both feasible and probable God is not wanâ—ing to them that seek him let not this great business hang in hand any longer If there were controverâ—â—e about your Land you would use all means to clear your Title and is salvation nothing will not you clear your Title here Consider how sad your case is if you are not effectually called 1. You are strangers to God The Pâ—odigal went into a far Country Luk 15.13 to imply that every sinner before conveâ—sion is a far off from God Ephes. 2.12 At that time ye were without Christ strangers to the Covenants of Promise Men dying in their sins have no more right to Promises than strangers have to the right Privileges of free-boâ—n Ciâ—izens If you are strangers what language can yo expect from God but this I know you not 2. If you are not effectually called you are enemies Col. 1.21 Alienated and enemies There is nothing in the Bible you can lay claim to but the threatings you aâ—e heirs to all the plagues written in the Book of God Though you may resist the Commands of the Law you cannot flye from the Curses of the Law Such as are enemies to God let them read their doom Lukeâ—9 â—9 27 But those mine enemies which would not that I should reign over them bring hither and slay them before me Oh therefore how nearly doth it concern you to make your calling sure How miserable and damnable will your condition be if Death call you before the Spirit call you Quest. 1. But is there any hope of my being called I have been a great sinner Answ. Great sinners have been called Paul was as bloody a persecutor as ever Domitian or Iulian yet he was called Some of the Jews who had an hand in crucifying Christ were called God loves to display the Flag of Free-grace to sinners Therefore be not discouraged you see a golden Cord let down from Heaven for poor trembling souls to lay hold upon Quest. 2. But how shall I know that I am effectually called Answ. 1. He who is savingly called is called out of himself not onely sinful self but righteous self he denies his duties and moral endowments Phil. 3.9 Not having mine own righteousness He whose heart God hath touched by his Spirit lays down the Idol of Self-righteousness at Christs feet for him to tread upon he useth morality and Duties of Piâ—ty but doth not trust to them Noah's Dove made use of her wings to flye but trusted to the Ark for safety This is excellent when a man is called out of himself This self-renunciation is as Austin saith Primus ad fidem aditus the first step to saving faith 2. He who is effectually called hath a visible change wrought not a change of the faculties but of the qualities he is altered from what he was before his body is the same but not his mind he hath another spirit he is alter idem Paul was so changed after his conversion that people did not know him Acts 9.21 Oh what a Metamorphosis doth grace make 1 Cor. 6.11 And such were some of you but ye are sanctified but ye are justified Grace is the true Verticordia it turns the heart In effectual calling there is a threefold change wrought 1. There is a change wrought in the Vnderstanding Before there was ignorance darkness was upon the face of the deep but now there is light Eph. 5.8 Now ye are light in the Lord. The first work God made was light so it is in the new Creation he who is savingly called saith as that man in the Gospel Iohn 9.25 Whereas I was blind now I see He sees that evil in sin and excellenty in the ways of God as he never saw before Indeed this light which the blessed spirit brings may well be called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a marveleus light 1 Pet. 2 9. That ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you into his marvelous light It is a marvelous light in six respects 1. Because it is strangely conveyed it doth not come from the Caelestial Orbs where the Planets are but from the Sun of Righteousness 2. It is marvelous in the effect This light doth that which no other light can it makes a man see himself blind 3. It iâ— a marvelous light because it is more penetrating other light may shine upon the face this light shines upon the heart and enlightens the Conscience 2 Cor. 4.6 4. It is a marvelous light because it sets those that have it a marveling they marvel at themselves how they could be contented so long without it they marvel that their eyes should be opened and not others they marvel that notwithstanding they hated and opposed this light yet it should shine in the Firmament of their souls This is that the Saints will stand wondring at to all eternity 5. It is a marvelous light because it is more virtual than any other it doth not onely enlighten but quicken it makes alive those who were dead in trespasses and sins therefore it is elegantly
called Lumen vita the light of life Iohn 8.12 6. It is a marvelous light because it is the beginning of the everlasting light The light of grace is the morning-star which ushers in the sun-Sun-light of glory Now then Christian Canst thou say that this marvelous light of the Spirit hath dawned upon thee when thou wert inveloped in ignorance and didst neither know God nor thy self suddenly A light from Heaven shined round about thee This is one part of that blessed change which is wrought in the effectual calling 2. There is a change wrought in the Will Rom. 7.18 To will is present with me The Will which before opposed Christ now embraceth him the Will which was an Iron Sinew now is like melting Wax it readily receives the stamp and impression of the holy Ghost The Will as the Primum Mobile moves heavenward and carries all the Oâ—bs of the affections along with it The regenerate Will answers to every call of God as the Eccho answers to the voyce Acts 9.6 Lord what wilt thou have me to do The Will now becomes a Volunteer it lifts it self under the Captain of Salvation Oh what an happy change is wrought here before VVill kept Christ out now it keeps sin out 3. There is a change in the Conversation He who is called of God walks directly contrary to what he did before he walked before in envy and malice now he walks in love before he walked in pride now in humility The Current is carried quite another way Acts 23.1 I have lived in all good Conscience As in the heart their is a New-birth so in the life a New Edition Thus we see what a a mighty change is wrought in such as are called of God How far are they from this effectual call who never had any change They are the same they were forty fifty years ago as proud and caâ—nal as ever they have seen many changes in the times but they have had no change in their hearts Let not men think to go to Heaven per saltum to leap out of the Harlots lap into Abrahams bosome either they must have a gracious change while they live or a cursed change when they dye 3. He who is called of God esteems of this call as the highest blessing A King whom God hath called by his grace esteems it more that he is called to be a Saint then that he is called to be a King he values his High-Calling above his High-Birth Theodosius thought it a greaâ—er honour to be a Christian than to be an Emperour A carnal person can no more value spiritual blessings than a child can value a knot of Diamonds he perfers his wordly grandure his ease plenty titles of honour before conversion he had rather be called Duke than Saint a sign he is a stranger to effectual calling He who is enlightened by the Spirit counts holiness his best Heraldry and looks upon his effectual calling as his preferment when he hath taken this degree he is a Candidate for Heaven 4. He who is effectually called is called out of the World it is an Heavenly Calling Heb. 3.1 He that is called of God minâ—s the things of an Heavenly aspect he is in the world but not of the woâ—ld Naturalists say of precious stones though they have their matter from the earth yet their sparkling lustre is from the influence of the Heavens So it is with a godly man though his body be from the earth yet the sparkling of his affections is from Heaven his heart is drawn into the upper Region as high as Christ. He doth not onely cast off every wicked work but every earthly weight he is not a Worm but an Eagle 5. Another sign of our effectual calling is diligence in our ordinary calling Some brag of their high calling but they lie idle at Anchor Religion doth not seâ—â— Warrants to idleness Christians must not be as the Leviathan which is made to play in the Sea Psal. 104.26 Idleness is Balneum Diaboli the Devils Bath a slothfull person becomes a prey 〈◊〉 every tentation Grace while it cures the heart doth not make the hand lame He who is called of â—od as he works for heaven so he works in his trade Now if upon seaâ—ch you can find that you are effectually called I have three Exhortations to you CHAP. XIV Three Exhortations to them who are called 1. ADmire and adore Gods free-grace in calling you that God should leap over so many that he should pass by the wise and noble and that the lot of free-grace should fall upon you That he should take you out of a state of vassalage from grinding at the Devils Mill and should set you above the Princes of the Earth and call you to inherit the Throne of Glory fall upon your knees break forth into a thankful triumph of praise Let your hearts be ten-stringed Instruments to sound forth the memorial of Gods mercy None so deep in debt to Free-grace as you and none should be so high mounted upon the Pinacle of thanksgiving Say as the sweet Singer Psal. 145.2 I will extol thee O God my King every day will I bless thee and I will praise thy name for ever Those who are Patterns of mercy should be Trumpets of praise Oh long to be in Heaven where your thanksgivings shall be purer and shall be raised a Note higher 2. Pity those who are not yet called Sinners in Scarlet are not objects of envy but pity they are under the pâ—wer of Satan Acts 26.18 They tread every day on the Banks of the bottomless pit and what if death should give them a jog Oh pity uncoverted sinners If you pity an Ox or an Ass going astray will not you pity a Soul going astray from God who hath lost his way and his wits and is upon the precipice of damnation Nay not onely pity sinners but pray for them Though they curse do you pâ—ay You will pray for persons destracted Sinners are distracted Luke 15.17 When he came to himself it seems the Prodigal before conveâ—sion was not himself Wicked men are going to execution Sin is the halter which strangles them Death turns them off the Ladder and Hell is their buring place will not you pray for them when you see them in such danger 3. You who are effectually called honour your high calling Ephes. 4.1 I therefore beseech you that you would walk worthy of the vocation whrewith you are called Christians must keep a Decorum they must obâ—erve the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 what is comely This is a seasonable advice when many who profess to be called of God yet by their loose incautelous walking they cast a blemish on Religion whereby the ways of God aâ—e evil spoken of It is Salvians Speech What do Pagans say when they see Christians live scandalously Sure Christ taught them no better Will you reproach Christ and make him suffer again by abusing your Heavenly calling 'T
whence is it that notwithstanding all my unworthiness a fresh Tyde of mercy comes in every day The mercies of God make a sinner proud but a Saint humble 2. The mercies of God have a melting influence upon the soul they dissolve it in love to God Gods Judgments make us fear him his mercies make us love him How was Saul wrought upon by kindnesse David had him at the advantage and might have cut off not only the skirt of his Robe but his head yet he spares his life This kindness melted Sauls heart 1 Sam. 24.16 Is this thy voyce my son David and Saul lift up his voyce and wept Such a melting influence hath Gods mercy it makes the eyes drop with tears of â—ove 3. The mercies of God make the heart â—ruitful When you lay out more cost upon a â—â—eld it bears a better crop A gracious soul honours the Lord with his Substance he doth not do with his mercies as Israel with their Jewels and Ear-Rings make a Golden Calfe but as Solomon did with the money thrown into the Treasury build a Temple for the Lord. The Golden showres of mercy cause fertility 4. The mercies of God make the heart thankful Psal. 116.12 13. Quid retribuam Domino What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits towards me I will take the Cup of salvation David alludes to the people of Israel who at their Peace-Offerings did use to take a Cup in their hands and give thanks to God for Deliverances Every mercy is an Alms of Free Grace and this enlargeth the soul in gâ—atitude A good Christian is not a Grave to bury Gods mercies but a Temple to sing his praise If every Bird in its Kind as Ambrose speaks doth chirp forth thankfulness to its Maker much more will an ingenious Christian whose life is enriched and perfumed with mercy 5. The mercies of God quicken As they are Load-stones to love so Whet-stones to obedience Psal. 119.9 I will walk before the Lord in the Land of the living He that takes a review of his blessings looks upon himself as a person engaged for God he argueâ— from the sweetness of mercy to the swiftnesse of duty he spends and is spent for Christ he dedicates his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to God Among the Romans when one had redeemed another he was ever afterwards to serve him A soul encompassed with mercy is zealously active in Gods service 6. The mercies of God woâ—k compassion to others A Christian is a temporal Saviour he feeds the hungry cloaths the naked visits the Widow and Oâ—phan in their distresse the backs and bellies of the poor aâ—e the surrows where he sows the golden Sâ—eds of his Charity Psal. 112.5 A good man sheweth favour and lendeth Charity dâ—ops from him freely as Myrth from the Tree Thus to the godly the mercies of God woâ—k for good they aâ—e wings to lift them up to Heaven 2. Spiritual mercies woâ—k 〈◊〉 gâ—od The blessed Oâ—dinances 1. The Word Preached works for good it is a savour of life it is verbum cum uâ—ctione it is a soul-transforming Word iâ— assimilates the heart into Christs likeness it is the breeder of Assurance 1 Thes. 1.5 Our Gospel came to you not in word only but in power and in the Holy Ghost and in much assurance It is vehiculum salutis the Charet of Salvation 2. Prayer works for good Prayer is the Bellows of the affections it blows up holy desires and ardouâ—s of soul Prayer hath poweâ— with God Isa. 45.11 Command ye me It is a Key that unlocks the Treasury of God's Bowels Prayer keeps the heart open to God and shut to sin it aâ—â—wageth the intemperate heats and swellings of lust It was Luther's counsel to a friend when he perceived a tentation begin to arise to betake himself to Prayer Prayer is Bombarda Christianorum the Christians Gun which they discharge against their enemies Prayer is the Pancreston the Soveraign Medicine of the soul Prayer sanctifies every mercy 1 Tim. 4.5 it is the dispeller of sorrow by venting the grief it easeth the heart When Hannah had pâ—ayed she went away and was no more sad 1 Sam. 1.18 And iâ— it hath these rare effects then it woâ—ks for good 3. The Lords Supper works for good It is an Emblem of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb Rev. 19.9 and an Earnest of that Communion we shall have with Christ in Glory it is a feast of fat things it gives us bread from Heaven such as doth not only preserve life but prevent death It hath glorious effects in the hearts of the Godly it quickens their Affections strengthens their Graces mortifies theiâ— Corruptions revives their Hopes encreaseth their Joy Luther saith It is as great a work to comfort a dejested soul as to raise the dead to life yet this may and sometimes is done to the souls of the Godly in the blessed Supper The Sacrament hath a peculiar excellency above the Word preached In the Word there is the Breath of God in the Sacrament the Blood of God in the Word we hear his Voyce in the Sacrament we have his kisse The Word proceeds out of Gods mouth the Sacrament out of his sides 4. The Graces of the Spirit work for good Grace is to the soul as light to the eye as health to the body Grace doth to the soul as a vertuous wife doth to her husband Pro. 31.12 She will do him good all the dayes of her life How incompaâ—ably useful are the Graces Faith and Fear go hand in hand Faith keeps the heart cheerful Fear keeps the heart serious Faith keeps the heart from sinking in despair Fear keeps it from floating in presumption all the Graces display themselves in their beauty Hope is the Helmet 1 Thes. 5.8 Meekness the Ornament 1 Pet. 3.4 Love the Bond of perfectness Col. 3.14 The Saints Graces are Weapons to defend them Wings to elevate them Jewels to enrich them Spices to persume them Stars to adorn them Cordials to refresh them And doth not all this work for good The Graces are our Evidences for Heaven is it not good to have our Evidences ready at the hour of death 5. The Creatures of God work for good to the Godly 1. Creatures inanimate Judg. 5.20 The Stars in their course fought against Sisera the Stars as the Host of God gathered in a Battalio and by their influences raising terrible tempests did as it were conspire the ruine of Sisera and his Army 2. Creatures animate The Angels those noble Citizens and Princes of Heaven work for the good of the Saints The good Angels are ready to do all offices of love to the people of God Heb. 1.14 Are they not all ministring Spirits sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation Some oâ— the Fathers are of opinion that every Believer hath his â—uâ—elar Angel it needs no hot debate it may suffice that we know the whole Hieraâ—chy
of Angels is employed for the good of the Saints The good Angels do service to the Saints 1. In life The Angel did comfort the Virgin Mary Luke 1.28 The Angel did stop the mouths of the Lyons that they could not hurt Daniel Dan. 6.22 A Christian hath an invisible Guard about him the Tutelage and Guardian-ship of Angels Psal 91.11 He shall give his Angels charge over thee to keep thee in all thy wayes The Angels are of the Saints Life-guard yea the chief of the Angels Are they not all ministring spirits The highest Angels take care of the lowest Saints 2. At death The Angels are about the Saints sick-beds to comfort them As God comforts by his Spirit so by his Angels Christ in his Agony was refreshed by an Angel Luke 24.45 So are Believers in the agony of death And when the Saints breath expires their souls are carried up to Heaven by a Convoy of Angels Luke 16.22 3. At the day of Iudgement 1. The Angels shall open the Saints Graves and dig away the earth from their bodies and shall conduct them into the presence of Christ when they shall be made like his glorious body Mat. 24.31 He shall send his Angels and they shall gather together his Elect from the four winds from the one end of Heaven to the other 2. The Angels at the day of Judgement shall rid the Godly of all their enemies Here the Saints are plagued with enemies Psal. 38.20 They are mine adversaries because I follow the thing that good is well the Angels will shortly give Gods people a Writ of ease and set them free from all their enemies Mat. 13.38 The tares are the children of the wicked one the harvest is the end of the world the reapers are the Angels as therefore the tares are gathered and burnâ—â—n the fire so shall it be in the end of the world the Son of man shall send forth his Angels and they shall gather out of his Kingdom all things which offend and them which do iniquity and east them into a furnace of fire At the day of Judgment the Angels of God will take the wicked which are the Tares and will bundle them up and throw them into Hell-furnace and then the Godly will not be troubled with enemies any more Thus the good Angels work for good See here the honour and dignity of a Believer he hath Gods name written upon him Rev. 3.12 the Holy Ghost dwelling in him 2 Tim. 1.14 and a Guard of Angels attending him Insuper nostro lateri ministros caelitus addis 6. The Communion of Saints works for good 2 Cor. 1.24 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 We are helpers of your joy One Christian conversing with another is a means to confirm him As the stones in an Arch help to strengthen one another one Christian by imparting his experiences doth heat and quicken another Heb. 10.24 Let us provoke one another to love and good works How doth Grace flourish by holy conference a Christian by good discourse drops that oyl upon another as makes the Lamp of his Faith burn the brighter 7. Christs intercession works for good Christ is in Heaven as Aaron with his golden plate upon his foreâ—head and his precious incense and he prays for all Believers as well as he did for the Apostles Ioh. 17.20 Neither pray I for these alone but for all them that shall believe in me When a Christian is weak and can hardly pray for himself Jesus Christ is praying for him and he prays for three things 1. That the Saints may be kept from sin vers 15. I pray that thou shouldest keep them from the evill We live in the world as in a Pest-house Christ prays that his Saints may not be infected with the contagious evill of the times 2. For his peoples progresse in holinesse vers 17. Sanctifie them Let them have constant supplies of the Spirit and be anointed with fresh oyl 3. For their glorification vers 24. Father I will that those which thou hast given me be with me where I am Christ is not conâ—ent till the Saints are in his armes This prayer which he made on Earth is the Copy and Pattern of his prayer in Heaven What a comfort is this when Satan is tempting Christ is praying this works for good Christ's prayer takes away the sins of our prayers As a child saith St Ambrose that is willing to present his father with a Posie goes into the Garden and there gathers some Flowers and some Weeds together but coming to his mother she picks out the Weeds and binds up the Flowers and so it is presented to the Father Thus when we have put up our prayers Christ comes and picks away the Weeds the sin of our prayer and presents nothing but Flowers to his Father which are a sweet smelling savour 8. The joynt stock of the Saints prayers work for good to the Godly The Saints pray for all the Members of the body Mysticall their prayers prevail much 1. They prevail for recovery out of sickness Iames 5.15 The prayer of faith shall save the sick and the Lord shall raise him up 2. For victory over enemies Isa. 37.4 Lift up thy prayer for the remnant that is left vers 36. Then the Angel of the Lord went forth and smote in the Camp of the Assyrians an hundred and fourscore and five thousand 3. For deliverance out of prison Acts 12.5 Prayer was made without ceasing of the Church unto God for him vers 7. And behold the Angel of the Lord came upon him and a light shined in the prison and he smote Peter on the side and raised him up and his chains fell off The Angel fetched Peter out of prison but it was prayer fetched the Angel 4. For forgiveness of sin Iob 42.8 My servant Iob shall pray for you for him will I accept Thus the prayers of the Saints work for good to the Body Mystical And this is no small priviledge to a Child of God that he hath a constant Trade of Prayer driven for him When he comes into any Town or Corporation he may say I have some Prayer here nay all the world over I have a stock of prayer going for me when I am indisposed and out of â—â—â—e others are praying for me who are quick and lively Thus the best things work for good to the people of God CHAP. IV. Shewing that the worst things work for good to the Godly 2. THe worst things work for good to the Godly Misâ—ake me not I do not say of their own nature they are good for they are a fruit of the curse but though they are naturally evill yet they are morally good the wise over-ruling hand of God disposing and sanctifying As the Elements though of contrary qualities yet God hath so tempered them that they all work in an harmonious manner for the good of the Universe Or as in a Watch the wheels seem to move contrary one to another but all
dedolency Or 2. A withdrawing in regard of Comfort when God with-holds the sweet manifestations of his favour he doth not look with such a pleasant aspect but vails his face and seems to be quite gone from the soul. God is just in all his withdrawings we desert him before he deserts us We desert God when we leave off close communion with him when we desert his Truths and dare not appear for him when we leave the guidance and conduct of his Word and follow the Ignis fatuus of our own corrupt affections and passions We usually desert God first therefore we have none to blame but our selves Desertion is very sad for as when the light is withdrawn darknesse follows in the aire So when God withdraws there is darknesse and sorrow in the soul. Desertion is an Agony of Conscience as Alstead calls it God holds the soul over Hell Iob 6.9 The Arrows of the Almighty are within me the poyson whereof drinks up my spirits It was a custom among the Persians in their wars as Drusius notes to dip their Arrows in the poyson of Serpents to make them more deadly Thus did God shoot the poysoned Arrow of desertion into Iob under the wounds whereof his spirit lay bleeding In times of desertion the people of God are apt to be dejected they dispute against themselves and think that God hath quite cast them off therefore I shall prescribe some comfort to the deserted soul. The Marriner when he hath no star to guide him yet he hath light in his Lanthorn which is some help to him So when the poor soul is sailing in the dark of desertion and wants the bright morning star I shall lay down four Consolations which are as the Mariners Lanthorn to give some light 1. None but the Godly are capable of desertion Wicked men know not what Gods love means nor what it is to want it they know what it is to want health friends trading but not what iâ— is to want Gods favour Thou fearest thou art not Gods child because thou art deserted whereas none but the Godly are deserted The Lord cannot be said to withdraw his love from the wicked because they never had it The being deserted evidenceth thee to be a Child of God How couldest thou complain that God hath estranged himself if thou hadst not sometimes received smiles and love-tokens from him 2. There may be the seed of grace where there is not the flower of joy The earth may want a crop of Corn yet may have a Mine of Gold within A Châ—istian may have grace within though the luscious fruit of joy doth not grow Vessels at Sea that are richly fraught with Jewels and Spices may be in the dark and be â—ossed in the storm A soul enriched with the treasures of grace may yet be in the dark of desertion and so tossed as to think it shall be cast away in the storm David in a state of disconsolacy prays Take not away thy holy Spirit from me Psal. 51.11 He doth not pray saith Austin Lord Give me thy Spirit but Ne tollas spiritum Take not away thy Spirit so that still he had the Spirit of God remaining in him 3. These deserâ—ions are but for a time Christ may go into the withdrawing â—oom and leave the soul a while but he will come again Isa. 54.8 In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment but with everlasting kindnesse will I have mercy on thee When it is dead low water the Tyde will come in again Isa. 57.6 I will not be alwayes wroth for the spirit should fail before me and the souls which I have made The tender Mother sets down her child in anger but she will take it up again into her arms and kisse it God may put away the soul in angeâ— but he will take it up again into his dear embraces and display the banner of love over it 4. These desertions woâ—k for good to the Godly and that seaven manner of wayes 1. Deseâ—tion works a cure upon the soul. 1. It cures sinful somnolency We find the Spouse fallen upon the bâ—d of sloath Caâ—t 5.2 I sleep and pâ—eâ—ently Châ—ist was gone Vers. 6. My beloved had withdrawn himself Who will speak to one that is drowsie 2. Desertion cures inordinacy of affection â—o â—he world 1 Iohn 2.15 Love not the world We may hold the world as a Posie in our hand but it must not lye too near our heart we may use it as an Inne where we take a bait but it must not be our home Perhaps these secular things steal away the heart too much Good men are sometimes sick with a Surfeit and drunk with the luscious delights of prosperity and having spotted their silver wings of grace and much defaced Gods Image by rubbing it against the earth the Lord to recover them of this hides his face in a Cloud this Eclipse hath good effects it darkens all the glory of the world and causeth it to dis-appear 2. Desertion works for good as it makes the Saints prize Gods countenance more than ever Psal. 63.3 Thy loving-kindnesse is better than life yet the commonnesse of this mercy abates the price of it When pearls grew common at Rome they began to be slighted God hath no better way to make us value his love than by withdrawing it a while If the Sun did shine but once a year how would it be prized when the soul hath been long benighted with desertion Oh how welcome now is the return of the Sun of Righteousnesse 3. Desertion works for good as it is a means to imbitter sin to us Can there be a greater misery than to have Gods displeasure what makes Hell but the hiding of Gods face and what makes God hide his face but sin Iohn 20.13 They have taken away my Lord and I know not where they have laid him So our sins have taken away the Lord and we know not where he is laid The favour of God is the best Jewel it can sweeten a prison and unsting death Oh how odious then is that sin which robs us of our best Jewel Sin made God desert his Temple Ezek. 8.6 Sin causeth him to appear as an enemy and dress himself in armour This makes the soul pursue sin with an holy malice and seek to be avenged of it The deserted soul gives sin Gall and Vinegar to drink and with the Spear of mortification le ts out the heart-blood of it 4. Desertion works for good as it works these three gracious effects 1. It sets the soul a weeping for the losse of God When the Sun is gone the dew falls and when God is gone tears drop from the eyes How was Micah troubled when he had lost his gods Iudg. 18.24 Ye have taken away my gods and what have I more So when God is gone what have we more It is not the Harp and Viol can comfort when God is gone Though it be sad to want Gods
of Diamonds Heb. 11.35 Not accepting deliverance They refused to come out of Prison on sinful terms they preferred their innocency before their liberty By this let us try our love to God have we a spirit of Martyrdome Many say they love God but how doth it appear they will not forgoe the least comfort or undergo the least crosse for his sake If Jesus Christ should have said to us I love you well you are dear to me but I cannot suffer I cannot lay down my life for you we should have questioned his love very much and may not Christ suspect us when we pretend love to him yet will endure nothing for him They who bear true affection to God will according to their vow in Baptisme fight under his Banner to the death and make Christs Crown flourish in their ashes 12. He who loves God will endeavour to make him appear glorious in the eyes of others Such as are in love will be commending and setting forth the amiablenesse of those persons whom they love The Love-sick Spouse describes Christ in all his beauty Cant. 5.11.13 His head is as the most fine Gold his cheeks are as a bed of Spices If we love God we will spread abroad his excellencies that so we may raise his fame and esteem and may tempt others to fall in love with him Love cannot be silent we shall be as so many Trumpets sounding forth the freenesse of Gods Grace the Transcendency of his Love the Glory of his Kingdom Love is like fire where it burns in the heart it will break forth at the lips it will be elegant and pathetical in setting forth Gods praise Love must have vent 13. The Thirteenth Fruit of love is To long for Christs appearing 2 Tim. 4.8 Henceforth there is a Crowne of Righteousnesse laid up for me and not for me onely but for them which love Christs appearing Love desires union Aristotle gives the reason because joy flows from union When our union with Christ is perfect in glory then our joy will be full He that loves Christ loves his appearing Christs appearing will be an happy appearing to the Saints His appearing now is very comfortable when he appears for us as an Advocate Heb. 9.24 But the other appearing will be infinitely more when he shall appear for us as our Husband he will at that day bestow two Jewels upon us 1. His love a love so great and astonishing that it is better felt than expressed 2. His likenesse 1 Iohn 3.2 When he shall appear we shall be like him And from both these Love and Likenesse infinite joy will flow into the soul. No wonder then he who loves Christ longs for his appearance Doth not the Bride long for the Marriage-day The Spirit and the Bride say come even so come Lord Iesus Revel 22.17 By this let us try our Love to Christ. A wicked man who is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 self-condemned is afraid of Christs appearing he wisheth he would never appear but such as love Christ are joyful to think of his coming in the Clouds they shall then be delivered from all their sins and fears they shall be acquitted before men and Angels and shall be for ever translated into the Paradise of God 14. Love will make us stoop to the meanest offices Love is an humble grace it doth not walk abroad in state it will creep upon its hands it will stoop and submit to any thing whereby it may be serviceable to Christ. As we see in Ioseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus both of them Honourable Persons yet one takes down Christs body with his own hands and the other embalms it with sweet odours it might seem much for persons of their rank to be employed in that service but love made them do it If we love God we shall not think any work too mean for us wherein we may be helpful to Christs Members Love is not squemish it will visit the sick relieve the poor wash the Saints wounds The Mother that loves her child is not coy and nice she will do those things about her child which others would scorn to do He who loves God will humble himself to the meanest office of love to Christ and his Members These are the fruits of love to God Happy are they who can find these Out-Landish Fruits growing in their souls CHAP. X. An Exhortation to love God Vse 3. THe third Use is of Exhortation and it hath three Branches 1. Let me earnestly perswade all who bare the name of Christians to become Lovers of God Psal. 31.33 O love the Lord all ye his Saints There are but few that love God Many give him an hypocritical kisse but few love him 'T is not so easie to love God as most imagine The Affection of love is natural but the Grace is not Men are by nature 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God-haters Rom. 1.30 The wicked would flye from God they would neither be under his rules nor within his reach they fear God but do not love him All the strength in men or Angels cannot make the heart love God Ordinances will not do it of themselves nor Judgements it is only the Almighty and Invincible power of the Spirit of God can infuse love into the soul this being so hard a work it calls upon us for the more earnest prayer and endeavour after this Angelical grace of love To excite and inflame our desires after it I shall prescribe twenty Motives 1. Without this all our Religion is vain 'T is not duty but love to duty God looks at 't is not how much we do but how much we love If a servant doth not his work willingly and out of love it is not accepted Duties not mingled with love are as burdensom to God as they are to us David therefore counsels his son Solomon to serve God with a willing mind 1 Chron. 28.9 To do duty without love is not sacrifice but pennance 2. Love is the most noble and excellent grace it is a pure flame kindled from Heaven by it we resemble God who is love Believing and obeying do not make us like God but by love we grow like him 1 Iohn 4.16 Love is a grace doth most delight in God and is most delightful to him That Disciple which was most full of love lay in Christs bosome Love puts a verdure and lustre upon all the Graces the Graces seem to be eclipsed unlesse love shine and sparkle in them Faith is not true unless it work by love the waters of repentance are not pure unlesse they flow from the Spring of love Love is the savoury meat God loves it is the Incense makes all our Services fragrant and odoriferous it is Vinum aromaticum the Spiced Wine and the juice of the Pomgranate 3. Is any thing unreasonable that God requires 't is but our love if he should ask our estate or the fruit of our bodies could we deny him