minds that wee cannot lift them up to divine and spirituall things May it not be said in a spirituall sense of most of our hearts and houses as the q Isa 47.14 Prophet speakes there is not a cole to warme it Vse 4 How should this humble and ashame us how should wee bewaile this wretched luskishnesse and sluggishnes of our spirits this indisposition this unactivenesse and unzealousnesse if it were possible with teares of blood The godly are wont to esteeme of life not according to that they find in their body but their soule when that wants a heavenly disposition to spirituall things they lament over it as a dead soule since herein stands the life of it to be stirring and active in our duties of love and obedience r Isa 38 15â—.16 O Lord by these things men live and in all these things is the life of my spirit saith that good King Hezekiah Let us view our selves in the severall relations wee stand towards others whether Magistrate Minister Parent Master of a Family Friend or Neighbour c. and then let us but stand a while and think what good might have beene done which now hath been fore-slowed in our owne hearts in our families and abroad if in our first setting out in our Christian race wee had thus bestirred our selves now that time is past and gone and spilt like water on the ground which can no more bee gathered up againe What prayers and Sermons have beene lost c. what sinne and evill might have beene avoyded what sinne might have beene restrained by us the guilt of which now stickes upon us But more especially should it abase us and throw us downe in our selves and make us blush within our selves that wee have bin so vilely wanting to the Lord and his grace that we have not stirred up our selves according to the grace given and abilities bestowed upon us in that wee have not done that which we might have done and was in our power to do both in regard of resisting sins and temptations and performing duties of piety and mercy Whether a man may do more then he doth with that ability which he hath Quest But here it may be demanded Whether a man may doe more than he doth with that ability which he hath Answ 1 For the answering of this question I shall lay downe these severall positions First it is granted that an unregenerate man can do no good Spirituall without grace Å¿ Mat. 12.33 the tree must be good before the fruit can be good As t Iohn 15.4 the branch beareth not fruit but in the Vine Iohn 15.4 Secondly Yet a naturall man may doe more then he doth towards the attainment of a better state and to the good of other men they might use meanes as Hearing reading prayer as it is an outward action so giving to the poore c. Thirdly a regenerate Christian as in his first regeneration he is only passive God infusing new habits of grace new qualities into every faculty so after regeneration hee cannot doe u Rom. 7.15 Gal. 5.17 all the good he would nor when he would nor as hee would Fourthly A regenerate Christian after grace received standeth in need not onely of generall ayd * It is Gods free grace his voluntary influence which habituateth and fitteth al our faculties which animate thus unto a heavenly being which giveth us both the strength and first act whereby we are qualified to work and which con curreth with us in astu secundo to all those works which we set ourselves about As an instrument even when it hath an edge cutteth nothing till it be assisted and moved by the hand of the artificer so a Christian when he hath a will and an habituall fitnesse to worke yet is able to doe nothing without a constant supply and assistance and eoncomitancy of the grace of Christ exciting moving and applying that habituall power unto particular Actions E. R. but of supply of new grace to put forth every spirituall act of grace partly for the working out of his owne salvation and partly for the more spirituall and lively performance and accomplishment of the worke it selfe Hee standeth in need of 1. Preparing grace that whereby God prepared the heart of Titus to receive Pauls exhortation 2 Cor. 8.17 By this grace the hearts of Gods people are prepared to pray Psal 10.17 2. Exciting or awakening or quickning grace Isa 30.4 in the latter end of the verse Hee wakeneth morning by morning hee wakeneth my eare to heare as the learned So Psal 143.11 3. Assisting and strengthning grace 1 Pet. 5.10 4. Enlarging grace Psal 119.32 5. Directing grace 2 Thes 3.5 6. Protecting or preserving grace keeping off prevailing interruptions Esay 27.3 7. Perfecting grace 1 Pet. 5.10 Fifthly Though a regenerate Christian cannot by his owne abilities excite or prepare or enlarge his owne heart to any Spirituall duty yet by the grace he hath received he may and ought to use the meanes which God hath appointed for the stirring up of the heart towards God for 1. Hee may walke in a conscionable care not to live in any knowne sinne or after the flesh for to live after the flesh deadeth and dulleth the Spirit Rom. 8.13 2. He may abstaine from the constant abundant use of sensuall comforts for such though lawfull will secretly choake the heart of a Christian as they did Salomons 3. Hee may diligently use the holy Ordinances of God especially the hearing of the Word where it is Preached with power in the use whereof a regenerate Christian by grace received exceedeth a naturall man in that a naturall man can onely heare but not upon a right ground nor for a right end but a regenerate Christian by grace received may heare in obedience to Gods ordinances and for his edification seeking and waiting upon God for a blessing Cant. 3.1 4. He may discerne the dulnesse and deadnesse of his owne heart to all spirituall duties and may * Isa 63.17 complaine thereof unto God in prayer Isa 63.17 Sixtly for want of the use of these means he may justly be said not to prepare his owne heart 2 Chron. 12.14 not to stir up himselfe to take hold of God as in the Text and so therby to x Ephe. 4.30 grieve the holy spirit of God y 2 Cor. 6.1 and to receive the grace of God in vaine and therfore may justly be reproved hereof and complained of as in the Text. Besides this the constant experience of all the children of God wil beare them witnesse that there be no sinnes that lye more heavy upon them or under which they doe more deepely grone and mourne than their walking unworthy of those precious mercies and graces they have received z Verum heu mihi studium ellud meum et zelus si hoc nomine dignus est adeo remissus languidus fuit ut innu mera mihi ad munus meum preclarè
their carnal mirth making them grow mellancholicke and mopish and so expose them to the scorne of the world or their companions and carnall friends 5. In some it is from worldlinesse and earthly-mindednesse they will not afford so much time being carried along with such great intention and vehemency of Spirit they cannot be at i As if a sicke man should say I have no leisure to be cured leisure for this businesse But canst thou be at leisure to eat drinke and sleepe Canst thou finde a time to looke upon thy Cattell corne and bagges To laugh and be merry nay to lye sweare drinke c. Be thou assured that so continuing God will not be at leisure to forgive thee thy sins or save thy soule Vse 2 Try therefore what businesse hath beene dispatched this way with thy selfe about thy Spirituall estate what peace procured what occasions of sinne prevented what corruptions mastered what watch kept what reckonings cast up what doubts cleared what graces increased what duties practised what temptations resisted what provision made for aeternity what time thou hast spent by thy selfe about these things be ashamed for thy failings and blesse God hartily for any time spent or thoughts had or progresse made about these things Vse 3 Bee exhorted to set thy selfe to this worke thy hand to this plough study thy selfe read thy selfe reason much with thy selfe and converse frequently with thy selfe consult and advise with thy selfe about thy Spirituall estate be ever ready to returne into thy selfe upon all occasions what ever befals thee comforts or crosses mercies or miseries When fallen into any sinne traverse quickly those k 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Iam. 1.22 false reasonings of thy hart which drew thee into it Say to thy selfe how came this to passe As Absolon said to Thamar when shee came weeping with dust upon her head l 2 Sam. 13.20 Hath Ammon bin with thee So Hath Satan beene with thee Hath passion over-born thee Hath Pride swelled thee Have worldly cares choked thee c. How came this about To move us further to this duty take these few helps Motives 1. This of all other actions of life is the most Noble and tends most to the perfecting of the soule which is the most excellent part this perfects a man as hee is a Christian Other thoughts and discourses of thy Spirit may perfect thee as a man a Scholler a states-man and Common-wealths man c. but this as a Christian This being the most noble worke and businesse of the minde puts a lustre and beauty upon the soule This is the speciall part of wisdome and makes a man the wisest man All other thoughts and actions without this returning into a mans selfe m Ier. 17.11 Pro. 5.13 14 leave a man at last in the midst of folly and misery 2. This makes the soundest and most setled Christian sound in heart in judgment and life the neglect of this causeth so many errours both in life and judgement 3. This keepes the soule and conscience in a quiet and peaceable state sweet cleane and comfortable as often sweeping keepes the house cleane and often reckoning keepes long friends This will make thee rejoyce in thy owne bosome and the n Pro. 14.10 shranger from this worke shall not meddle with thy ioy Otherwise the soule must needs be a loathsome place and a cage for every uncleane lust and sinfull vanitie CHAP. V. About this Christian Duty of stirring up our selues and what it is to stirre up ones selfe in Christian duties NOne that stirre up themselves This is the second Duty neglected they did not stirre up themselves to take hold on God there was a neglect of the very indevour after it which is here charged upon them whence we have the Observation lying plaine before us It is our duty seriously to excite and stirre up our selves in all exercises of piety and Godlinesse with all intention of spirit to our uttermost For the further opening of the point two things are to be explained 1. What it is to stirre up ones selfe 2. The things about which this duty is to bee conversant and exercised For the first to stirre vp a mans selfe hath these two things in it 1. The awaking of our selves the shaking off that dulnesse and drowsinesse which cleaves to us To this the Apostle hath reference Rom. 13.11 o 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Excitari Expergisci It is high time to awake out of sleepe he speaks to such as were already converted Now this awakening is a freeing of our grace from the oppression it was under by worldly cares carnall feares or some sinfull lusts which cause a neglect of universall piety and the workes of the light and day of regeneration unto which wee had our new Creation The Beleevers in their p Ferventior esse solet qui rem primùm aggreditur first setting out are commonly more earnest and fervent in following God calling them the first apprehensions and sense of their blessed change affect more which may bee gathered from the reproofe of the Church of Ephesus in the losse of their first love and calling her to remember from whence she was fallen to do her first works Rev 2.4 5. That seemes to be like it Ier. 2.2 I remember for thy sake the kindnesse of thy youth though that doth more principally declare the kindnesse of God in taking that people to himselfe before all other as an argument of conviction that for no cause against all obligations of duty they contrary to their first beginnings forsooke the Lord As in processe of time men grow colder in their affections to him at least though they utterly forsake him not the Prophet therefore cals upon them and useth divers arguments in the verses following to put them upon the duties enjoyned them Though Gods children are called out of the world yet they have much of the world in them still and therewith are miserably enthralled many times so that we need awaking and stirring up In which respect it is that the Lord hath provided as well goads to pricke forward the dull as nailes to fasten them that are inconstant Eccles 12.11 See also for this these following Scriptures 1 Cor. 15.34 Revel 3.2 Heb. 10.24 The second thing in the stirring up a mans selfe is not onely the awaking up of our selves but the setting aworke that grace bestowed together with the employing of our faculties in their sanctification to their uttermost abilities This may appeare by Saint Paul his exhortation to Timothy I put thee in remembrance that thou stirre up the gift of God that is in thee as if he should have said Considering thou hast an unfained faith and because of my great affection to thee whereby I am carefull of thee I with great confidence put thee in remembrance that thou q 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 Tim. 1.6 Sicut ignis indiget lignis ita gratia alacritate
SOME HELPES TO STIRRE UP TO CHRISTIAN DVTIES Wherein is explained the Nature of the Dnty of stirring vp our selves Instances are given in the most necessary Christian Duties Some Questions about this Subiect are profitabâ—y resolved By Henry Whitfeld B D. â—reacher of Gods Word at Ockley in Surrey The second Edition Corrected and enlarged LONDON Printed for Jâ—hn Bartlet and are to be sold at his Shop at the Gilt-Cup in Cheape-side 1â—34 TO THE RIGHT HONOVRABLE ROBERT GREVIL Lord BROOKE of Beauchamp-Court encrease of Grace Right Honourable COnsidering how hard a thing it is by reason of that fraile and corrupted nature we carry about with us to profit by praise and finding moreover a Vt quisquis est laude dignissimus ita minime lib enteâ— suas audite solet laudes Buchol that the more deserving and worthy any are of it the lesse desirous they are to heare it Iudging your Lordship to be of the same minde I resolved not to detaine you with matter of that nature neither indeed dare J give b Iob 32.22 flattering Titles fearing the secret reproofe and stroke of God in my owne Conscience I have adventured to addresse this Dedication to your Lordship partly for the shrowding and sheltring this little Booke under your Honours name and protection which I humbly crave and partly because J deemed your Lordship a fit patron of it the Lord having added this to al his other favors as to give you a hart stirred up in duties of his Service Honour which is the subiect of this Treatise I conceived also some hopes that you might see something in it whereby you might be farther provoked and stirred up in the earnest Love and open profession of the Truth wherof you have given abundant Testimony before many witnesses which this Treatise cals for and gives some light unto Blessed be the Divine Maiesty who notwithstanding the great severity of that Sentence in Holy Writ 1 Cor. 1.20 That not many wise men after the Flesh not many mighty not many Noble are called hath in your fresh and florishing times amidst the confluences of many worldly blessings and contentments looked upon you and made choice of you for himself to doe him service and hath taught you to esteeme the world as it is when he hath passed by so many of high birth and of great ranke and quality who are mightily enthralled and lye prostrate adoring the seeming felicities of this present world What remains then but that you advance forward and doe still more Nobly worthily improving those singular endowments bestowed on you to the best advantage of the giver of them Thus shall the Lord still goe on to performe his promise 1. Sam. 2.30 That such as honour him he will honour The truth and comfort of which I doubt not but your Lordship hath already found and felt the greater more excellent part of which remaines to be fulfilled to you when your earthly honour is layed in the dust and your soule advanced to that hoped for perfection For the full accomplishment whereof hee shall ever pray who rests Your Lordships to be commanded in all Christian Service Henry Whitfeld The Epistle to the READER Christian Reader OVr spirituall life being the most choyce and precious treasure that we carry about us in these our earthen vessels in the lively sense and operations of which consists the very life of our lives and the the height of our comfort and solace here below How needfull is it that we consider of all meanes and wayes by which this life may be preserved and inlarged that we may have it in more abundance And this we should the rather doe both in regard of those inward annoyances which flowing from our corrupt nature doe cause many faintings and decayings even in the best as also in regard of those evils which comming from without and breaking in upon this life do wondrously waste weaken and hinder the operations of it Now as it fares with our naturall life that stirring and exercise proves specially helpefull for the preservation of it so that which makes our spirituall life more lively and fils it with stronger spirits and activenesse is the exercising of the severall powers and faculties of it the severall gifts and graces of it in all those acts and wayes in which it is to put forth it selfe The serious thought of which hath caused me Christian Reader to make this Eslay and to come to thy helpe in what I might in this short discourse following The matter I know is necessary and of generall use for all Gods people though the manner of handling of it will not be found so notionall accurate or judicious yet finding none as I could call to minde that had travelled in this Subject I thought my weaknesses in this kinde might bee sheltered under my desire of a more generall good I considered also I had many of my Christian friends and neerest kindred farre removed from mee who being part of my care I was willing to put somewhat into their hands which might not onely bee as a pledge of my love to them and some direction for them but might also by Gods blessing have somewhat in it to quicken them up in their Christian course I saw my glasse running out apace and I knew it would bee a griefe of heart unto me if either they or I had beene called for hence before I had left with them some proofe of my care and love which I conceived might best be effected this way I viewed also the way and course of many professours of Religion even of such as are counted of the forwarder sort where I found much sloth lukewarmenesse and backsliding I thought if I could throw but a sparke into the heart of any such who did know what a fire it might kindle In many also though well minded there is plainly to be seene a lownesse and flatnesse of spirit together with a contentednesse to goe an easie and ordinary pace in their Duties and performances Now if I could but a little heighten the affections desires and endevours of such and cause them somewhat to advance and put forward it would bee abundant recompence for what-ever paines I could bestow in this kind I found also I had a dull and sluggish heart of my owne which by this meanes might haply be quickned up and that thus setting rules and lawes to my selfe what I had written might be of further use for me for the time to come Some fruit also and acceptance I found amongst such where I preached over these Notes in a shorter manner All which layed together have now prevailed with me to doe that which I never intended to do viz. to give way to the publishing of them and bringing them into a more open light What-ever I have done I offer it unto thy view and submit it to thy loving censure hoping that if thou gaine ought by what is written thou wilt remember him
presence The Lord knowes these evils have not wanted complaining against In quantum non pepâ—â—â— ceris tibi in tantum tibi Deus parâ—et Tertul. de poenit secret though they be I have often spread them before the Lord as my sores and sorrowes CHAP. III. How Gods Children should seek unto God in evill times when hee gives tokens of his displeasure THere is none that calleth upon thy Name This is the first thing they charge themselves withall not that they were altogether praierlesse as the Heathen or prophane but it grieved them that this their service had not beene according to the Law of prayer they had not intended their inward affections to apprehend the Lord to keepe him with them in their affliction they were sluggish and did not seeke to stay Gods wrath before the judgment came Hence we may observe In evill times when the Lord gives tokens of his displeasure then not to call upon him with intention of spirit increaseth sinne and wrath This appeares whether it be an evill time with a mans selfe or with a Land and Nation The Hypocrites in heart saith Elihu in Iob put to wrath or heape it up Iob 36.13 because they cry not when God bindeth them having wilfull and rooted stubbornnesse in them habituall contempt of God without all reverence of his word or Rod that even in adversity they will not submit themselves to God but obfirme and harden themselves under the evils Of this also the Prophet Ieremy complains Ier. 5.3 Thou hast stricken them but they have not grieved The people striving and stomacking against God they intreat not his mercy and favour therefore their curse is augmented more and more Vers 6. vers 6. This the Prophet Esay affirmed of the people of his time The people turneth not to him that smiteth them Isay 9.13 neither doe they seeke the Lord of hoasts therefore the Lord will cut off from Israel head and taile branch and rush in one day So in Zephany the Lord threatens the neglecters of his worship not only Idolaters and those that mingled their Religion with superstitions but those that have not sought the Lord Zeph. 1.6 nor enquired for him iâ— e. not sought him by prayers and intreated his helpe in such a declining and corrupt time Vse 1 What cause then have men to feare Gods hand going out against them whose course and practise if it were searched with a candle it would bee found that they had never opened their mouthes nor lifted up one petition this way seeing what desolations have beene wrought in forraine parts what tokens of his displeasure amongst our selves in the land wee live in nay when the Lord hath knock'd at their owne dores brought it home to them and the very markes and signes of his anger have been upon themselves their wives or children yet then to have the heart so sinke and fall and to be so over-growne with senselesnesse as not to be able to commend the case of themselves or theirs to the Lord this shewes the Atheisme of the heart for in what degree a man is praierlesse in that degree hee is godlesse Vse 2 How may it humble Gods owne children How may it goare our very hearts and make them bleed that wee have beene so wretchedly wanting both to God our owne soules the good of others and the good land in which God hath planted us How justly may we take up the confession of the Prophet Daniel Dan. â— 13 14 All this evill is come upon us yet made wee not our prayer before the Lord our God Therefore hath the Lord watched upon the evill and brought it upon us How may they call and cry to us out of the Palatinate Bohemia and other places say Some of you have seene and most have heard of the grievous evils that have befallen us Lam. 1.12 Behold and see if there were ever sorrow like unto our sorrow to have the glorious Gospell of Christ taken from us the Arke displaced and Dagon set in his roome our Ministers banished and our people betrayed unto Antichristianisme our Country laid wast and desolate mâ—ny a Family driven from house and home not knowing where to lay their heads many of us seldome going to bed with dry eyes confidering the many pressures straights and necessities of our selves and ours O then why were your prayers and teares wanting to helpe to extinguish the flame of Gods wrath broken out against us May not many amongst our selves of this land cry against us when Gods hand hath been upon them by the Pestilence Psal 91.6 which walked in the streets at noone-day by Famine and other miseries yet our prayers have not bin with the Lord with intention O we put not forth our selves as wee ought to have done by strong cryes in the behalfe of the distresses of our bretheen What may we thinke is justly owing us to this day for our great neglects herein the Lord grant it be not laid to our charge Vse 3 Let us hence be exhorted to be more frequent and intent in this service in the behalfe of our selves Gods Church and people To make amends in time to come plying the Throne of grace with all earnestnesse whilest we see the judgment hanging in the threatning or already executed upon others lest this stare thee in the face another day and thy conscience upbraid thee when the day of thy calamity hath overtaken thee or thou art enwrapt in the common judgement and say unto thee Remember the time was when thou sawest Gods judgements on the Land the Church c. and thou heldest thy peace and didst not helpe by thy prayers as thou oughtest to have done see now how heartlesse and shiftlesse thou art and it is just with God it should bee so O this will adde to the bitternesse of the crosse and strike the stings of it deeper into thy Spirit On the other side if thou hast disâ—harged thy conscience this way if the worst fal Zeph. 2.2 yet either thou shalt be hid in the day of Gods wrath or with Noah Ezech. 14.14 Daniel and Iob thou shalt deliver thine owne soule or thou shalt be mightily assisted and furnished with faith and patience to undergoe the present affliction and thy prayer shall returne into thy owne bosome like Noah his Dove into the Arke with an Olive branch of peace in its mouth and God who hath beene a witnesse of thy heart and waies will looke to it that thou shalt not lose thy reward CHAP. IIII. That the worke of a Christian in respect of his spirituall estate lyes most with himselfe OR that stirreth up himselfe This is the second part of their complaint they had beene sluggish and drowsie they had not beene dealing with themselves nor labouring with their owne hearts for quicknance and stirringnesse they did not stirre up themselves Hence observe The businesse of a Christian in regard of his spirituall estate should
lye much with himselfe A Christian hath of all others the greatest businesse and this lies in many places in heaven in the Church in the Family in the Closet c. and though God set him his worke and give abilities to doe it yet in regard of the transacting and perfecting this worke it hath speciall and primary relation to a mans selfe and specially to that part of a mans sâ—lfe which wee call the Inner man as his minde and thoughts wil and affections and Conscience God being a Spirit with whom our principal businesse lieth and the service being Spirituall in which we are to addresse our selves unto him it s the ordering and managing of our spirits that lyeth upon us as the chiefest of our imployment See it in some Instances First in the great businesse of Repentance and turning to God we shall finde this in Scripture to be called a Luk. 24 1â— A comming to a mans selfe To make this farther to appeare let us take the whole order and course of this worke It pleaseth the Lord at some time of a mans life such an one whom he purposeth to save by the Ministery of the Word together with the helpe of the Spirit to meet in his way to Hell where there is discovered unto him the vilenesse and horriblenesse of his sinnes and the fearefull estate the sinner is cast into by reason of these The conscience is now a wakened the books are opened hee sees sinne clearely and is convinced of them so that he cannot shift hee cannot deny them his thoughts also beginne to be troubled and to beat one against another with unsavory perturbations finding all is not well he goes alone by himselfe begins to search reads his sinnes as in a story his conscience tels him I am sent unto thee with heavy tydings and one messenger followes another to tell him of his lost and condemned estate b Dan. 5.27 To thee be it spoken thou art weighed in the ballance and found too light these be thy sinnes and these will be thy sorrowes Being thus perplexed he begins to cast about and to consider what way hee were best to take to extricate and unwind himselfe out of these Mazes and Labyrinths of sinne and misery He lookes upward and sees heaven shut against him he lookes downward and findes hell opened for him he lookes round about him and sees no helpe in any creature men or Angels he lookes into himselfe and findes innumerable sinnes coÌ„passing him about which stare upon him and having every one as it were a chain in their hands they are binding him hand and foot to cast him into utter darknesse Being cast into these great streights such thoughts beginne to rise in his minde God being mercifull to him Is there not mercy with the most High Will hee cast off any poore sinner that comes unto him And therfore resolves and saith Sure c Luk 15.18 I will arise and goe and I will say to the Lord I have sinned against heaven and before thee who can tell but the Lord may shew mercy to as great a sinner as I am He comes therfore and casts himselfe downe before the Throne of grace and saith d Iob 7.20 What shall I say unto thee O thou preserver of men I have no arguments to plead no excuses to make no reasons to defend my selfe withall my sighes are my best Apologies and my teares are my best arguments O that thou wouldest pitty O that thou wouldst spare O that thou wouldst have mercy upon a poore worme a wretched and forlorne sinner Thus all alone he humbleth himselfe hee e Psal 32.5 confesseth his sinnes and spreadeth them before the Lord f Eze. 20.43 loathing himselfe in his owne sight g Luk. 15.21 accuseth himselfe h 1 Cor. 11.31 iudgeth himselfe worthy to be destroied He now beholds i Iohn 3.14 Christ lifted up to him as the brazen Serpent in the wildernesse which he sees with his own eyes embraceth with the armes of his owne faith applyes him to himselfe for his owne everlasting comfort And thus his sinnes pursue him to the Sacrifice of Christ to this City of refuge giving him no rest till Christ speake peace to his soule and all this is done by a man with himselfe Secondly as it is thus in regard of Initiall Repentance so is it in regard of renewed Repentance when a man falls into sinne after calling to get up againe and recover the businesse lies with a mans k Psal 4.4 selfe Thus we l 1 Kin. 8.47 read in 1 King 8.47 When Gods people are carryed captive into their Enemies Land the promise is that yet if they shall bethinke themselves and repent and make supplications c. then God would heare them He speakes it of renewed Repentance of them who are already Gods people and this hee cals a bethinking themselves or a bringing backe a mans heart a going downe into a mans selfe and answerable to this is the other expression in the same Chapter ver 36. When they shall know every man that is particularly the soare and plague of his owne heart Thus also Levit. 16.29 the children of Israel were to afflict their soules and to make bitter to themselves the remembrance of former sinnes they were m Eze. 16.62 63 36.31 voluntarily to cast themselves into heavinesse so Peter n Luk. 22.32 went out by himselfe and wept bitterly As it is with a man in times of taking Physicke to recover health hee betakes himselfe to his chamber takes the potion prescribed and is contented to be pained and made sicke So in this Repentance which is Spirituall Physicke the worke lyes by ones selfe as it is in Zach. 12.11 They went apart the Land shall mourne every Family apart and their wives apart Thus wee see it in the businesse of Repentance It is the same also in the work of Mortification How doth it lye with a mans selfe as the severall phrases in Scripture pointing to this import when a man is to o Grandis virtutis est tecum pugnare quotidie etinclusum hostem centum oculis observare Hieron ad Fur. fall out with himselfe and to have great p 2 Cor. 7.11 indignation against himselfe to q Gal. 5.24 crucifie his lusts and corruptions to r Mat. 18.8 cut off as it were the parts and members of ones owne body as to pull out our eyes to cut off foot or hand to Å¿ 1 Cor. 9.27 keepe under the body to t Mat. 8.34 deny a mans selfe all which seeme terrible and bloody words to corrupt nature and carnal reason yet about this must a Christian be exercised and that by himselfe Againe when feares and doubts rise in that great and weighty matter whether we have any part or right in Christ or no this question must be resolved by u 2 Cor. 13.5 proving and trying a mans owne selfe by a private search
ut fervère perpetuò possit Chrysost ad loc quicken up the holy fire that is in thee and blow it up use the grace thou hast with courage and strength of Spirit So againe the same r 2 Tim. 2.1 Apostle Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Iesus Now as there is required great wisdome and circumspection in ordering the graces given and setting them in their right place and station and so giving them their due worke and exercise When one saith knowledge bee you ready to discerne what Gods will is Faith be you ready to beleeve what God promiseth Hope be you ready to expect what is promised Patience be ready to beare what the Lord inflicteth Obedience be you ready to goe about what God commandeth I say as there is required this wisedome in ordering grace so there is required great intention of Spirit in intending al instruments of motion all faculties and powers of body and soule for the keeping these in their due height that they slacke not nor abate not of their former strength and vigour Thus you see what it is to stirre up ones selfe and wherein it stands CHAP. VI. What the maine things are about which we are to stirre up our selves SEcondly we are to shew whereabout we are to stir up our selves and what the duties are to speake as the truth is these are of large extent and beare an equall latitude with all duties of Religion and godlinesse there being no duty unto which this is not required it being as the fire to kindle the Sacrifice and Å¿ Mark 9. â—9 as Salt to season it I shall give instance in some particulars such as are of great concernment which doe call for our utmost care and intention of spirit Section 1. Of stirring up our selves in the weighty businesse of our owne and others salvation FIrst concerning the most weighty businesse of our Salvation and our everlasting estate it is our duty that wee mightily stirre up our selves and tend to the good of our precious soules above al things in the world beside about this three things are specially to bee heeded by us 1. To take hold of all seasons and opportunities for the furthering and advancing this worke For this end wee are to take a serious view of the times and places where wee live to consider what they afford and bring with them what confluence and concurrence of meanes more than at other times or in other places The Apostle cals upon and stirres up the Corinthians with this Argument t 2 Cor. 6.2 Can. 2.10.13 Ester 5 2 Behold saith hee now is the accepted time now is the day of Salvation that is whilst the light of the Gospell shines whilst the Ministers call whilst the Lord like Ahasueros holds forth his golden Scepter his promises of mercy and pardon to all such as come to him especially when he begins to stirre the heart with touches and remorses for sinne and desires of mercy and pardon The people that were stirred by the Ministry of Iohn the Baptist how wonderfully eager were they in the pursuit of their Salvation u Mat. 11.12 From the dayes of Iohn Baptist untill now saith our Saviour the kingdome of heaven suffers violence and the violent take it by force that is * Quidam ad omnia viae vita huâ—us exerâ—itâ—a non Solum â—mbulant sed et câ—rrunt iâ—â—o poâ—ius vâ—lâ—nt Bern Serm. 3. de â— s Dom they would have no nay they were set upon it as if they should have said What a time is this What dayes be these of light and grace Who ever perish wee will not Who ever goe to Hell wee will not As long as there was grace and mercy to bee had as long as such gracious offers were tendred unto them they resolved to refuse no labour nor paines rest they cannot have it they must whatever it cost them Oh the strong and restlesse desires Oh the unwearied endevours of such whose hearts God hath truly touched with a care of their owne Salvation 2. For our going forward in this blessed worke and bringing of it to its height and full perfection it is our duty to stirre up our selves To this the x Phil. 2.12 Apostle exhorts that we should worke out our salvation with feare and trembling As Salvation is a great worke which should take up our whole man so it is still to be wrought out that if at any time wee were questioned what we were a doing we might answer we were working out our Salvation with all our strength as the fountaine workes out the mudde and as Physicke workes out the disease so to be throwing out all that hinders to bee still y Sapiens quaÌ„diu vivit tamaâ—u addit adding to this worke one grace to another one duty to another according to that of the z 2 Pet 1.5 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Linking them hand in hand Apostle Giving all diligence adde to your faith vertue to vertue knowledge c. Be stil going onward to perfection as the a Heb. 6.1 Apostle Saint Paul teacheth us Therefore leauing the principles of Christ let us goe on to perfection and againe b 2 Cor. 7.1 Having these promises let us perfect holinesse in the feare of God so never slaking our pace or giving over our care till wee had brought it to its full maturity and this is to bee done with feare and trembling noting that great seriousnesse of going about this worke what a c Acts 7.32 feare should fall upon our hearts considering the great Majesty of God with whom wee have to deale and our owne unworthinesse and great insufficiency as of our selves to goe forth in so great and weighty a worke Neither is this feare a blinde or a servile feare but such as is accompanied 1. with Humility and lowlinesse of minde opposed to high mindednesse and self-confidence as Rom. 11.12 Be not high minded but d Timor virtutum omnium â—usios est Hierony feare 2. With an awful and child-like reverence of God opposed to wantonnesse and carnall security as Hebr. 12.28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdome which cannot bee moved let us have grace wherby we may serve God with reverence and godly feare When we doe things in faith and obedience and in great love to God and his holy Commandements for his truth and goodnesse sake Hos 3.5 Instance might be given in preaching the Word by which Gods people are gathered to him I was with you saith the e 1 Cor. 2.3 Apostle to the Corinthians in weakenesse in feare and in much trembling So in hearing thus the f 2 Cor. 7.15 Corinthians received Titus with feare trembling And the Lord g Isay 66.5 Ezra 5.4 saith he looks to such that is with the eye of pitty and favor that tremble at his Word So for prayer and other duties which help forward this worke and this wee must take for an everlasting truth
that they alwaies speed best and have most assistance and enlargement of heart in duties that set to them in most Humilitie and tremblingnesse of Spirit 3. To grow up to more and more full Assurance of our salvation unto which we are exhorted Give all diligence to make your calling and election sure Diligence here implieth 1. Care of the heart so rendred 2 Cor. 7.11 2. Earnest indevour which hath in it speed instantnesse painefulnesse putting forth our best strength thereunto taking paines for God and our soules to make our calling and election sure that is that we be not disappointed or doubt or distrust of it the former is the assurance of the things in themselves i Certitudo obiecti the other is in regard k Certitudo subiecti of us This duty is to bee done 1. by building our hope of both not upon the Sand that is either upon l Ephes 2.3 good nature or m Matth. 3.9 Gods outward Covenant or n Maâ— 7.21 22 23. common graces and duties for these will deceive us but upon the Rocke which is Christ Mat. 7.24 and in him upon his promise of Word Oath Heb. 6.18 2. By gathering certaine signes of our safe estate in him as from our chusing him for our God Psal 73.25 a sure signe he o Ioh. 1â— 19 first chose us 1 Iohn 4.19 so of our effectuall calling and the like 3. Eschewing such evils as might darken or dampe our Assurance and breake the bones and strength of it 4. By adding grace to grace and linking one to another as you heard before Thus you see what things are required of us about this great worke and businesse of our Salvation and unto this wee should the rather hasten with all our might as in many other respects so in that priority in enjoying the benefits of God in Christ is a great prerogative and every one should stir up themselves about it To be first in Christ hath speciall privileges Rom. 16.7 Salute Andronicus and Iunia saith Saint Paul who were in Christ before me So is Epinetus recorded to be the first fruits of Achaia The sooner we get out of the world which lyes in wickednesse unto Christ the safer we are what ever befals us and the more sins and pollutions of the world shall we be freed from and so the sooner shall wee provide for the peace of our consciences and the comfort of our lives Thus also are we to stirre up our selves according to our places and callings p Pecora fratris tuo errantia iubel ut reducas fratri tuo nedum ipsum sibi Tertul. about the salvation of others and to further the same with all earnestnesse of intention by all the wayes and meanes we can as they stand in relation unto us Thus Cornelius taking the opportunity when Peter was to come to his house to Preach the Word unto him q Acts 10.24 he gathered together his kinsmen and meere friends So Andrew cals his brother Simon and r Ioh. 1.40 41 tels him We have found the Messiah and so brought him to Iesus This being an infallible note of a good man that hee cannot tell how to goe to heaven alone This care and deare affection should specially be found in Ministers of Gods Word how should they stirre up themselves when they come to perform this worke Before them sit the blinde and ignorant the proud profane and rebellious sinner Å¿ 2 Tim. 2.20 held under the power of the Devill and led captive by him according to his will who are making hast and fetch large strides to the fiery Lake which is but a little before them What tender compassions should they put on to bring home wandring sinners and t Heb. 5.2 such as are out of the way that if it were possible u Acts 20.28 not one soule should perish committed to their charge When the Lord is pleased to call home a lost sinner and beginnes to lay a foundation of his blessed change in his soule wee should stirre up our selves by all signes of joy and rejoycing As it was when God put to his hand to lay the foundations of this glorious frame of the world the Lord himselfe tels us * Job 38.7 that the morning starres sang together and the Sonnes of God that is * Vid. Ion. ad loc the Angels shouted for ioy much more when he begins x Amos 9.6 to build his stories of grace and mercy in the soule of any it being a greater and a harder worke to save one sinner than to make the world because in that work there was no resistance for he did but y Psal 33.9 Gen. 1.3 speake and it was done he said Let there be light and it was so but in the soule of man there is great resistance who stands out as long as ever hee can and God hath much adoe with us before hee can bring us home therefore are wee to make it matter of great joy even as it is to the holy Angels themselves Who reioyce over one sinner that repenteth Luk. 15.10 Thus doth the Father of the prodigal child in the same Chapter a Luk. 15. ult It is meet saith he that we should make merry and be glad for this thy brother was dead and is alive againe Luke 10.21 Jesus reioyced in Spirit he was lost and is found and good cause have wee to rejoyce one soule more being pulled out of the Divels clawes and kingdome one more is added to the Church one more of a child of wrath death and hell is made an heire of grace and salvation Section 2. Of stirring up our selves against our owne sinnes THe second thing about which this duty of stirring up our selves is to bee exercised is in regard of sinne and Gods offence whether in regard of our selves or others 1. In regard of our selves and our owne sinnes 1. First in regard of our inbred and inherent corruption wee are to stirre up our selves b Incentiva vitiorum statim in mente iugulabis et parvulos Babilonis allides ad Petram Hieron in opposing and resisting the inward motions stirrings and provocations of it it is our duty to set our selves against them with all our might to sharpen our eyes against them we should labour to see Death Hell Wrath and Gods curse in the least risings and motions unto them we should looke upon Lust Pride Malice Revenge thoughts of blasphemy c. as upon the Divell himselfe we should be no otherwise affected with the stirrings of these then as if thou didst feele a Toad or Serpent stirring crawling in thy bosome O in what a case wouldst thou then think thou wert How wouldst thou shake thy selfe and never be at quiet till thou hadst got forth that loathsome and venemous creature So and much more shouldst thou c Dum in cogitatione voluptas non reprimitur etiam in actione dominaetur strive and
life And how should this fire us and put life and spirit into us who serve a better master and have better work to doe c Turpâ— est impios diabolâ— tam strenué servire nos Christo pro sanguinis pretio nihil rependere Cyp. lib. de opere et elemosy Why should not we do more for God and his honor than any in the world should doe for themselves or to promote Satans kingdome Let us resolve therefore with the Prophet d Mich. 4.5 Micah All people saith he will walke every one in the Name of his Grd Zach. 10.12 and we will walke in the Name of the Lord our God for ever and ever Secondly let it move us to consider how our blessed Savior Looke upon our Saviour how he stirred up himselfe in the great businesse of our Salvation in the great businesse of our Salvation stirred up himselfe and put forth himselfe to his e Heb. 7.25 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 uttermost for us he stirred up all his strength left nothing undone bare as much as hee could beare f Phil 2.7 Scipsum exmanivis went as low as he could go downe to the grave even to hell it selfe in paines and anguish of Spirit did what possibly he could doe which should fill us with strong desires and endevours to enforce our selves to our uttermost for so g Quid nos pro Domino tam bâ—no facere conveniet cum ille pro malis Servis tanâ—a seceret Salv. kinde a Redeemer as we have found him to be to love his person to prize his merits to obey his will to delight in his Ordinances to love his children to doe what wee may to advance his honour and service to h Gen. 3.15 tread hard upon the Divels head and to be professed enemies to his kingdome all our dayes Lastly this stirringnesse of heart The certainty and fulnesse of the reward as it is accompanied with much sweet peace and inward comfort and rest of heart and as it brings a good report and esteeme in the Churches of Christ causing one Christian of what degree calling and condition soever hee be to excell another and appeare higher even as Saul did amongst the people so it is attended with certainty and fulnesse of reward and that according to the quality of our worke as there hath bin more grace in it more reverence zeale fervency more faith and resting upon God so shall the h 2 Tim. 4.7 8 reward be more plenteous and abundant The more faithfull service wee have done the more welcome shall wee bee to him when hee cals for us As a faithfull Embassadour is welcomed home by his Prince and as a Factor that hath done his master good service in a farre Countrey is gladly received by him O when the faithfull soule being carried on Angels wings shall first set footing on the glorious pavement of heaven and the Lord shall say Welcome my deare and faithfull servant thou hast beene a good servant unto me i Mat. 25.23 Enter into the ioy of thy Lord this speech shall bee of more infinite refreshing then if ten thousand worlds and the glory of them had beene given unto it for what could bee spoken more by the Creator what could be desired more by the Creature This their faithfulnesse also with how much the more stirringnesse and advantage to the Lords honour it hath beene managed and discharged by so much the k Rev. 3.21 neerer in place it brings us to the Lord As Davids Worthies were admitted to have the nearest place about his person How many thousands are there of Saints at this day l Rev. 7.9.14 15. standing before the Throne of God with Palmes in their hands and Crownes on their heads who in this world have beene the Lords Worthies who have fought his battels and lifted up his Name to their uttermost Speake O ye blessed soules departed whether this bee not your glory and your joy that you have had your harts stirred for the Lord and if you were upon the earth againe whether you would not doe if it were possible a thousand times more for him that for such weake services such poore and imperfect performances hath rewarded you with the favours and joyes of eternitie m Rev. 15 3 O who would not feare and serve thee O Lord thou King of Saints glorifie thy name who makest all thy servants n Rev. 1.6 Kings and affordest them everlasting Communion with thy selfe It matters not deare brethren what wee are in this world how shunned despised and o 1 Cor. 5.13 made the off-scouring of all things nay though every one that meets us should spit in our faces revile and trample upon us if by this meanes any honour might redound to the Name of the Lord it is enough for us to bee happy when wee dye and to be set safe over that p Luk. 16.26 gulfe that parts Hell Heaven and to q Iob 33 26 see the face of God with ioy to all eternity O Eternity Eternity blessed Eternity this makes abundant amends for all though wee should live here thousands of yeers and in them all doe and suffer r Fredericke Danvile and Francis Rebezies after they had returned from the Torture to their fellowes in prison reioyced together comforted themselves with the meditation of the life to come and contempt of this world singing Psalmes together till it was day Eox. Act. Mon vol. 2. p. 160. hard things How should this fill our hearts with great thoughts our hands with all advantages how should wee with great courage goe forth to meet al opportunities What a spur should this put upon all our endevours How should we thinke our selves happy that ever we were borne that the Lord hath done us this honour as to put us into his service and that hee hath conferred upon sinners and poore wormes such as thou and I are Å¿ 1 Cor. 2.9 Such things as neither eye hath seene eare hath heard nor have at any time entredento the heart of man to conceive CHAP. X. Shewing some Meanes to attaine a stirring heart in duties NOw for our further help and light in so needfull a point I would lay downe some few helps and meanes by which we might the better attaine unto this stirringnesse of heart First we should endevor the removing of al those lets and hindrances The removing of all those impediments which damp and dead the heart which doe any way dampe and dead the heart keepe it under and lay bolts and fetters upon it Such are 1. Idlenesse slothfulnesse and carelesse mis-spending our time incogitancy letting the mind drive as a Boat or Ship that hath none to guide it but it floats up and downe uncertainely so living without a calling and the like 2. Barrennesse and unfruitfulnesse in our Christian course 3. Lusts and passions and such like sinfull distempers which are the
sicknesses of the soule and keepe it in a low and weake estate 4. Unnecessary sadnesse and unchecrefulnesse 5. Vaine feares of what may befall us in regard of our Christian profession 6. The disswasion of worldlymen carnal friends and kindred which say Why cannot you content your selfe to doe as others doe Vulgar speeches against the earnessâ— profession of Religion but you must make all the Towne and Countrey to talk of you in being so strict and precise in running after Sermons and in saying as many praiers as would serve two or three besides there is a reason in all things and enough is enough Thus our Saviours kindred dealt with him who seeing him wonderfull earnest and painfull in Preaching to the people came to lay hold of him thinking he had bin t Mark 3â— 20 21. besides himselfe 7. Worldly cares and multitude of worldly businesse which u Mat. 13.22 choakes the heart 8. Sinfull pleasures too much carnall mirth or abusing of lawfull things which mightily * Anima dispersa fit minor weaken intenerate and emasculate the Spirit and draw out the vigour and vivacity of it 9. Consorting much with Civil and Carnal company these are as a continuall dropping which insensibly cooles the lively operations of the Soule A good man amongst such is like a sheepe amongst the briars he will come away a loser do what he can 10. Resting in thy present condition contenting thy selfe with the beginnings of Grace and with that measure thou hast 11. Discouragements in thy selfe at thy owne weaknesses and inabilities for want of parts and gifts For this God was angry with Moses who pleaded his inability to goe on Gods errand consider what the Lord said to him x Exo. 44.10 Who hath made mans mouth or who maketh the dumbe or deafe or seeing or blind have not I the Lord Who hath given thee that which thou hast Who can increase it Who also will expect no more then he gives Secondly seeke this of God by earnest prayer Earnest praier to God Iam. 1.19 from whom comes every good and perfect gift Let thy heart follow the Lord with uncessant requests leave him not till hee answer thee in this great suit of giving thee a stirring heart Iabez in the y 1 Chr. 4.10 first of the Chronicles makes this prayer to God saying O that thou wouldst blesse mee indeed and enlarge my coast and God granted him that which he requested So doe thou say O that thou wouldst blesse me indeed and enlarge my heart This is a blessing indeed if God would bee so gracious to thee as to grant thy request Thus z Psal 143.11 â—0 11 David often prayeth that God would quicken him and unite his hart to feare the Name of God a Cant. 1.4 Draw me saith the Church in the Canticles and wee will runne after thee These are the breathings of a faithfull soule and thus shouldst thou doe if thou hadst but one request to make next to the salvation of thy soule this O this should bee it That God would give thee a stirring heart for without this heaven it selfe would not be heaven and with this a very dungeon would seeme a corner of heaven In all thy prayers therefore put up one petition for this that God would keepe this Holy fire upon the hearth of thy heart all thy dayes Thirdly we must renew our b Ps 119.116 purposes and promises often Often to renew our former promises and purposes wee must lay more bonds and engagements upon our selves more Vowes and Resolutions c Ps 132.2.8 Psa 137 5 6 and charge our selves with them and to doe it solemnly with Prayer and Fasting if need require to bind our selves the more strongly to our duties even that wee will stand on the Lords side and give up our selves more for the publike good and for this end wee should often commune and reason with our owne harts chiding and reproaching our selves for our dulnesse and dejection of Spirit Why art thou cast down O my soule saith d Psa 42.5 6 David As if hee should have said O my God I doe lye downe overthrowne in the strength of my minde and I am ashamed of my selfe for it My soule hope thou in God I will yet praise him more I will remember him and all his promises and mercies and cleave unto them with more faith and greater confidence than ever yet I have done Fourthly wee should often set before us the examples of Gods Saints and servants To set before us the examples of Gods servants who have exceeded this way who have exceeded the common measure in their zeale and earnestnesse As the Apostle saith of the e 1 Thes â— 7 2 Thes 1.3 4 Thessalonians That they were patternes to all them which beleeved in Macedonia and Achaia and propounds them in their rare faith and patience with glorying f Luk. 7.44 Seest thou this Woman saith our Saviour to Simon compare her love to mee with thine and bee ashamed So also let us looke upon such who are now living who excell in this grace prize them highly rejoyce in their society resort unto them as to the g Psal 16.2 most excellent upon the earth When wee want fire wee use to goe to our neighbours and to light our Candle at anothers flame Seeke them out though it cost thee much travell and paines they will abundantly recompence all thy labour h Luk. 24.32 Did not our hearts burne within us say the two Disciples when they travelled together and talked with our Saviour O the communion of Saints what a blessing is folded up in it and goes along with it How doe the sparks flye abroad and how are our cold and dull hearts quickned and enflamed thereby How doe Gods servants many times part from each other blessing God in their hearts that ever they saw the faces or heard the voyces each of other having got such courage and strength one by another Lastly the carefull and frequent exercise of that grace we have in any kinde The frequent exercise of that grace we have helpes much to stirre up the heart Every act intends the habit and the more the acts of grace are iterated and repeated the more the grace is intended and enlarged the more spreading strong and active it growes The more wee lay forth our selves dresse and tend to every grace and gift bestowed the greater is the increase and fruit of them Simile As it is in a tree planted and plashed against a wall the more it is spread and laied forth in the branches even to the least twigge the more warmth and vigour it gets from the Sun-beames and the more fruit it beareth Thus when every grace is exercised and put to the best use and advantage it must needs make a stirring and a fruitful Christian And as men get warmth into their hands by rubbing them and as the wax is made fit for the seale by chafing it so i Quomodo sine exercitio doctrinae aut sine usu profectus Res omnis proprius ac domesticis exercitiis augetur Amb. offic 1. cap. 5. exercise of grace helpes to warme and kindle the heart and makes it fit for many Divine and heavenly impressions to bee put upon it Thus fervent prayer kindles the heart increaseth that grace by the often exercise of it stirres up other graces in us and shakes off all heavinesse and drowsinesse of soule k Exo. 24.39 When Moses had beene long with God in the holy Mount there was a brightnesse and shining put upon his face So our conversing much with God by prayer puts a greater light and brightnesse upon the soule Thus he that edifies another edifies himselfe and whilst he is imparting what grace hee hath to others it growes in his owne heart as the l Mat. 14.19.20 bread did in the Disciples hands whilst they were distributing it to the poore hungry people The more also wee put forth the fruits of Christian love towards others the more loving it makes us by giving we become more liberall and by shewing mercy on the distressed more pittifull besides that great comfort and refreshing of heart which followes upon well-doing FINIS