Selected quad for the lemma: spirit_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
spirit_n	lord_n	people_n	word_n	7,267	5	4.0951	3	false

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
B06642	A sermon, preached at Edinburgh in the Parliament-House, November 17th, 1700, before his Grace, James, Duke of Queensberry, his Majesties High Commissioner; and many of the nobility, barrons, burrows, members of the High Court of Parliament, / by David Williamson minister of the Gospel, at West-Kirk.	Williamson, David, d. 1706.	1700 (1700)	Wing W2797B; ESTC R186602	30,727	24

for us when Law Satan and Conscience accuse he rises up and appears for the poor Sinner to answear what can be charged upon him Heb. 9.24 And this is sweet that he never losed a cause he took in hand John 11.42 The Father hears him always he was never denyed a sute Then we should know him in his Kingly Office a Glorious King Psal 24.7 who choises the Officers of his own house Ephes. 4 -11 12 he subdues and captivats Souls to his obedience Cor. 2.10.4.5 he rules by his Word and Spirit and defends by his power and can dash the Pot-Shards in pieces that are his Enemies Ps 2.9 We most receive whole Christ in all his Offices if we be not ruled by his Law we cannot be saved by his death Some will not have this Man to reign over them Luke 19.14 5ly we must know him in his Love 1st in the freedom of it We have nothing to engage his love but much in us to provock his Loathing He loved Jacob freely Rom. 9.11.14 2ly The speciallity of this Love in two respects 1st in respect of the kind Men chosen and loved no fallen Angels Heb. 2.16 he took not on him the nature of Angels their execution was as quick as their fall cast out of favour for ever 2ly in respect that he makes a choice among fallen Men and loves not all alike all-though all be of the same mass This makes every Beleiver a wonder to himself and to say what wonder he made choise of me 3ly in the antiquity of it from everlasting every Beleiver is the birth of eternal love before he made the Earth or the World or laid the foundations thereof his delights were with the Sons of Men Prov. 8.29 c. then in the duration of it his mercy and love is everlasting Ps 103.17 As it had no begining it knows no end whom he loves he loves to the end outthorrow Jo. 13.1 I have loved thee with everlasting loving kindness Jerm 31.3 and we would know wherein his Loye appeared especially in his death which though it was a painful shamful cursed death yet was he a volunteer in it not forced to it he had power to lay down his Life and power to take it up again Yea he was earnest to give a proof and vent his Love thus Luke 11.50 I have a Baptism to be Baptised with meaning of his dath and O how am I straitned or pained till it be accomplished and Ps 40. verse 8. I delight to do thy will as if he had said Father I will not debate nor prig anent the Ransom of the Elect I will come in your will for what you can charge on them I am willing to undergo We are ready to prig with him so much we would do but no more so far we would go in his way and no further if he had stood so in our matters we had perished eternally 6ly We should know the purchase of his Death 1. Justification He has procured a Righteousness to cover us and that is our peace Rom. 5.1 We have no covering of our own but that which is too narrow to wrap us in Isa 28.20 If we should walk in the light of our own Fire and the sparks of our own kindling Isa 50.11 We should lye down in sorrow 2dly He has procured the Noble priviledge of Adoption to all that embrace him Jo. 1.12 which secures Gods Peace Pardon and Love 3dly Sanctification 1 Cor. 1.30 which is the Image of God 1 Pet. 1.16 4ly Salvation is the purchase of the Blood of God shed as man Acts 20.28 doth not the heart affecting knowledge of all these tend to our peace 3. Head We must have the knowledge of the Spirit of Jesus there is a necessity for it Rom. 8.9 If any man have not the Spirit of Chist he is none of his We must know him in his Influences 1. His inlighting influences revealing to us the deep things of God making us know the things freely given us of God 1 Cor. 2.10 12. 2dly In his comforting influences he bears this Style the Comforter the Holy Ghost Jo. 14.26 and Psal 94.19 In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts shall delight my Soul Then in his Mortifying influences whereby he mortifies the Deeds of the Body That our Souls may live Rom. 8.13 how desirable is this to these wrestling with the power of Lust Then in his assisting influences to the Exercise of all Graces and Duties He is called the Spirit of Faith 2 Cor. 4.13 The Spirit of Holiness and Obedience Rom. 1 4.5 The Spirit of Prayer and Mourning Zecha 12.10 The Spirit of wisdom and understanding Council and might the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord Isai 11 2 He makes Ordinances Lively without whose shining they signifie no more than a Dyal where the Sun shines not it is he who by his power decides controversies as that 1 Kings 18 21 c. We should crave and cherrish this Spirit who is freely given to the poor as well as to the Rich who seek him in earnest Luke 11 11. c. 4 Head We should know the Covenant of Grace in the Blessed terms of it 1st To know it in its freeness God was not hired to make it no Money nor price required only Hunger and Thirst Isai 55 1. Secondly in the fulness of it all that the poor Sinner needs Ephes 1.3 All Spiritual Blessings in Heavenly places in Christ all things pertaining to Life and Godliness 2 Pet 1.3 And what can be more desired Thirdly The Sureness of it the heart affecting knowledge of it tends to peace First No one promise shall fail because He is Faithfull he will not break his Covenant nor alter the thing that 's gone out of his Lips Psalm 89 33 34. Josua 21 45. Appeals to the People that there failed not ought of any good thing which the Lord had spoken unto the House of Israel all came to pass it is a well ordered Covenant and is a Cordial at Death David among his last words had this 2 Samuel 23 5. He hath made with me an Everlasting Covenant well ordered in all things and sure and this is all my Salvation and all my desire Secondly It is sure the Stock is in a good hand Jesus's Hand the surity of the better Testament we would soon have played the Bankrupt but Christ makes all good 2 Cor. 1.20 all the promises are in him yea and Amen Thirdly This Covenant smells the more of Grace in that Christ engages to help us to do our part Heb. 8.10 He puts His Laws in the minds of his People and Writs them in their Hearts Ezekiel 26.27 The Lord Saith I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes and ye shall keep my Judgements and do them Fourtly consider the influence that the knowledge of this Covenant should have upon our Heart and Life not to make us loose and wanton but having

things work together for Good to all that love God even the Cross payes a Custom of Advantage to them and Christs says John 14.21.23 He that loveth me shall be loved of my Father and I will love him and will manifest my self to him and we will come and make our abode with him 4tly We should exetcise our selves to Godliness 1 Tim 4.7.8 This would clear our Title to the Promises of this Life and of that which is to come Which would yeild much peace 5tly We should be in the Exercise of Heavenly Mindedness and have our Conversation in Heaven Philip 3 20. And our Affections above Col. 3.2 The greatest Serenity is in the highest Regions Clouds and Storms are below 6tly We should be in the Exercise of a well grounded hope which would make us rejoyce in Tribulation Rom 2 3. This is the Anchor of the Soul that keeps the Vessel calm in a Storm Heb 6 19. The Helmet or Head-piece that wairds off the Stroaks of Satans smarting Temptations Ephes 6 17. 7tly It conduces much to our peace to have the sense of our Spiritual Poverty Psal 9 18. The needy shall not always be forgotten nor the Expectation of the Poor perish for ever And David sayeth Psal 40 17. I am poor and needy but the Lord thinks on me Math 5 3. Blcssed are the poor in Spirit Theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven The word is Beggars in Spirit who are put oft to the throne of Grace for an Alms Proverbs 1823 The poor use Intreaties Heb 4 16. Through Christ we have Access with boldness to the throne of Grace that we may sind Mercy and obtain Grace Philip 4 6.7 Who make their Request known to God get the peace of God which passeth natural Understanding to guard their Heart and Mind and Hanna 1 Samuel 1 15 18 Who pouered out her Soul to the Lord went away and her Countenance was no more sad 8tly We would study Sincerity in the performance of all Dutys which makes much for peace both in the greatest Extremity of our Life 2 Cor 1 9 12. When they had the Sentence of Death against them this was their rejoyceing the Testimony of their Conscience That in Simplicity and Godly Sincerity not with fleshly Wisdom they had their Conversation in the World and it yeilds peace in the laft Extremity of Death Ezekiah sayeth Isiah 38 3. Lord Remember how I have walked before thee in Truth and with a perfect heart 7 Head We should know and consider some things in Reference to Crosses and Afflictions as we would consult our Peace 1st That they are covenanted Mercies and no token of Fead but consistent with God's Loving Kindness Psal 89 30 to the 34. Psalm 119 75. I know O Lord that in Faithfulness thou hast afflicted me that quiets the heart The Saints bear not the Cross alone Christ takes the heavy lift that makes the Yoke easie Isiah 63 9. In all our Afflictions He is afflicted and is still a Simpathser 2dly The Saints have had their best days under the Cross as John when banished to the Isle of Patmoss Revel 1.10 Paul and Silas were made to sing in the Stocks Acts 16 24. The Lord cohses some in the Furnace of Affliction Isiiah 48 10. There was a Godly Minister in this Nation I heard him say upon Death-Bed his Suffering times were sweeter to him than his most solemn Communion Days 4tly A well improven Cross is a piece of a Saints happiness Psal 94.12 Blessed is the Man whom the Lord chaftiseth and teacheth out of his Law 5tly The Cross is needful to prevent Sin Hosea 2 6. To purge out and take away Sin Isia 27 9. To make us more like God in holyness Heb 12 10. To give us Errands to the Throne of Grace Psal 50 15. And to make us walk in fear and be watchful to discover the Truth and Strength of Grace to stir up Grace to Exercise in order to the produceing of the peaceable fruits of Righteousness Heb 12 11. The Lords design is to distinguish betwixt the Wilderness and Canaan and that we may Glorify His rich and free Grace upholding and delivering us and to make us Instrumental to Comfort others 2. Cor. 1 4. And to draw our heart Heavenwards to know these things tend to peace Head 8. We should know the way how the Lord brings in poor Sinners to Christ first he kills and then makes alive wounds and then heals Deuter 32 39 1 Sam 2 6. Hosea 6 1. He convinces of the lost undone Self-destroyed Case by nature and course a law work in some degrees passes on the Soul Gal 3 24. The Law is a School-Master to lead to Christ thus the Sinner is made to enquire after a Deliverer Rom 7 24 Who shall deliver me says Paul 2dly A new light is broken up that discovers Sin in its black Colours smelling rank of Hell and a Beautie in Holyness and discovers the Necessity Excellency Willingness and Ability of Christ to save to the uttermost all that come to God in him Heb 7 25. He is seen to be the Chief of ten Thousands and altogether lovely Cantic 5 10 16 Him hath God the Father sealed John 6 27. Paul tells us he was sent upon this Errand to open peoples eyes and turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God that they might receive the forgiveness of Sins and Inheritance among them which are sanctified by Faith that is in Christ Acts 26 18. Thus Sinners are called from darkness to his marvelous light 1 Peter 29. 3dly Then the heart is prepared by the Arm of Jebovah to receive the Impressions of Mercy in a through Renovation the stony heart is removed a plyable melting frame is given Hezek 26 26. 4tly The Soul is brought over to give Consent to the Bargain and to take Christ on Gospel Terms and say Cantic 2 16. My beloved is mine and I am his In all which the exceeding greatness of his power cyths workinging in them that beleive Ephes 1 19. Head 9. If you would have peace you must have a practical knowledge of the wayes these ought to walk in that come home to Christ I fear many mistake it first in the difioulty of it some think nothing but they may go easily to Heaven and yet plump in to the Pit lying down with a lie in their right Hand Isas 44.20 The Apostle sayes the Righteous are scarcely faved 1. Pet. 4.18 and Christ sayes the way is strait Mathew 7.14 therefore we should suive to enter in at the sttrait Gate for many will seek to enter in that shall not be able Luke 13.24 Secondly this way is mistaken in the Singularity of of it It 's not the common Road and Broad-Way the whole World lyeth in Wickedness 1 John 5 19. Be not conform to the World says the Apostle Rom 12 2. Follow not the multitude to do evil says Moses Exod 23 2. And Christ sayeth except your

in their Lusts and loves Elbow-Room to Sin without Control Right Honourable and well-beloved ye would be wise to your selves to befriend the Church in all her Concerns for the Arks sake God blessed Obededom in his person Family and Friends 1 Cron 13 You would be careful the Churches Revenues be neither embazled misimproven or missaplyed That Rulers of all Ranks should endeavour knowledge and understanding to discern Good and evil rightly to time and circumstantiat Actions is clear Deut 1 13. Eccles 8 5. And it is threatned as a Judgment when Princes are Babes in Understanding Isiah 3 4 5 David prays for Understanding to Solomon 1 Cronities 29 19. And likeways Solomon for himself 1 Kings 3 9. There be Three Reasons why Magistrates should labour to have Understanding 1st The figure they bear by their Office imported in their Styles being called Gods Saviours Fathers Eyes Pillars heads of the Body and Overseers 2dly God severly threatens Magistrates that misbehave as being neither above Instruction nor Correction if they fail Job 12 21. He poures Contempt upon Princes and weakens the Strength of the Mighty Psal 110 5. He strikes through Kings in the day of his wrath Psal 76 12. He is terrible to the Kings of the Earth he shall cut off the Spirits of Princes 3dly Because they are lyable to many Difficultys and Dangers great is their Task to know the State of the People to repress the Insolencies of the proud to minister Justice to all I would warn both Magistrates and people to know and watch against these evilly which threatens both Church and State with Judgements as namely 1st When Men loath not their own hearts for unprofitableness under Ordinances but weary of them 2dly When Men professing the fear of the same God are mutually contentious 3ly Breaking of Vows to the Lord not cleaving to his Ordinances 4ly Peoples going to Ordinances and not going to the God of Ordinances for the Blessing 5tly When Christ is not received in Ordinances nor the Motions of his Spirit cherished 6tly When people are grossly prophane in Talk and walk and come to that hight of Sin as to cast off all reproof all Dread and Aw of God 7tly Peoples frequent familiar and needless haunting with persons perverse in Principles and Practices whereby they partake of their Sins receive of their Plagues and get a Snare to their Soul Revel 84. Proverbs 22 24.25 This has been the neck-break of this Generation especially to the younger sort Companions of Fools shall be destroyed Proverbs 3 20. Solomon sayeth Eccles 10 8. He that breaks an hedge a Serpent shall bite him there is a hedge of a six fold Prohibition Proverbs 4 14 15. Enter not into the path of the Wicked and go not in the way of evil Men avoid it pass not by it turn from it and pass away They who leap over this hedge may lay their account to smart for it I would add a few things people should know as their Bound Duty to Magistrates 1st To pay them all due Respect and Honour 2dly All due obedience in the Lord. 3dly Fidelity to their persons and Authority 4tly Aid and Help and that 1st By Faithful Counsel and Advice when called and the Discovery of secret Enemies and Plots 2ly By rich Rebates without a grudge paying Custom and Tribute and giving all needful Re●●●●●● for the Safety of the King the Security of the Government the safety of the Common Wealth which was long since reckoned a Law above all Laws 3dly We should give Aid by our persons both against Country Rebels and forraign Enemies venturing our Lives for them both in Peace and War 2. Samnel 21 16 and 23 6. 4tly By our prayers 2 Tim 2 2. That we may live under their Government a peaceable and quiet Life in all Godlyness and honesty for Magistrates neither stand nor fall to themselves especially Soveraigns because they are the Pillars of the Kingdom Let me smite King Saul but this once said Abishas and the Kingdom shall be thine and the Victory thine 1. Samuel 26.8 so said Achitopbel let me Smite King David and all Israel shall be gathered unto the and 2 Samuel 17.2.3 When Alexander Died the Army was but on Man less but it was compared by the wise to the Cyclops which had its only Eye Bored out the Supream Magistrate carrys about not only his own Life but the Life of Thousands depends on his safety 2. Samuel 18.3 2. Samuel 21.17 Thou shalt not go forth any more with us to battle said the People least thou quench the light of Israel for thy life is worth a Thousand of ours Shall not our Hearts be enlarged in blessing of God for our Gracious King whom he sent to be a deliverer to save these Lands from Popery and Slavery and us also from Prelacie a yoke which neither we nor our Fathers were able to bear and shall not our Souls be lifted up in servant supplicatious to God for him in whose Safety the safety of the three Kingdoms is so much bound up who ventured his all for us when we were upon the brink of Perishing It is good our part to beg of God to give him a large and understanding Heart and to multiply blessings of all sorts upon him blessings both of the right and left Hand to give him length of Days and make him a lasting blessing to those Nations to give hin both the upper and neather Springs and that his Crown may florish on his head and all his Enemies Cloathed with shame we are concerned to Pray for the King and Magistrats of all ranks that they may be truely religious because of the power os their example to good or evil their vices pass current for vertues and soon becomes a fashon be their Commands never so great they Command most by their example Exhort My last Exhortation to you all Right Honourable and well Beloved is that ye acquaint your Selves with the Word of God which makes the simple wise many of you are too great Strangers to it some are branded Jerem. 10.6 the Word of the Lord is to them a reproach they have no delight in it they mock Piety and the Scriptures the rule of piety such are in the highest Class of Sinners in the Seat of the scornful Psalm 1.1 Which is rendered by the Septuagint the seat of Pestilence such are plagued in their Spirits and are the Plague of their Generation and alas too rife amongst us God will make their Bonds strong Ilas 28 22. he will cast a chain of his wrath about them which if mercy and repentance prevent not will grip and smart them to all Eternity You would observe the Word in all the parts of it 1. In the promises to believe them to encourage you to Piety and Virtue such as these Psalm 84 11. The Lord God is a Sun and Shield he will give Grace and Glory and withhold no good thing from them that walk uprightly Jerem 32 40.

these precious promises we should cleanse our selves from all filthiness of the Flesh and Spirit perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord 2 Cor. 6.16 and 7.1 as you tender your Peace get this bargain made This is the first and best way to peace some spend their time tampering about duties not puting a close to this on every new emergency of trouble They are in hazard to raze the Foundation It would be a strong Pillar of peace to have that to say I know my Covenanted God is faithfull and hates putting away That is a brave word Isai 44.5 One shall say I am the Lords another shall call himself by the name of Jacob and another shall Subscrib with his Hand unto the Lord and surname himself by the name of Israel I know not if ye have taken time and lasure to consider and put this great matter to a point upon reflection on your own sinfull self destroyed case and the offer of Christ in Gospel terms to say it from your heart and subscrib it with your hand that you are and will be the Lords and his Christs a back look of this I know has been a Cordial in a dying hour when they have thought upon the time place and manner of their Covenanting with God I wish you would all without delay lay this matter to Heart 5. Head We should know the rule of the Commands Gal 6.16 As many as walk according to this rule peace be on them and mercy and upon the Israel of God first we should know the Commands and extent of them first as to the object his Commands are exceeding broad Psalm 119.96 they reach to all stations relations and conditions Secondly as to the subject they reach the whole Man Soul and Body we must obey from the Heart Rom. 6.17 Thirdly we must know we daily breake the Commandments Jam. 3.2 in many things we offend all and every breach deserves death Deut. 27.26 Rom 6.23 this tends to peace chassing the Sinner into a Mediator the Prince of Peace who is the end of the Law for Rightousness Rom. 10.4 Fourtly as you regaird your peace allow not your self in the breach of any Command say not it is but this it is but that if it be a Sin it 's that which may cost your Life and and may go betwixt you and your part of Heaven Psalms 66.18 if I regaird iniquity in my heart sayes he the Lord will not hear my Prayer and sayeth Christ Math. 5.19 whosoever breaks one of these least Commandments and shall teach Men so he shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven we showld have equal respect to all the Commands Psalm 119 6 6. 128 Fifthly we should know the Command is in the promise there are many severe Commands and as many sweet promises O how much tends this to peace sayeth the poor Sinner he hath Commanded us to love him and he has promised to Circumcise my Heart to love him Deut. 30.6 he has Commanded me to fear him and he has promised to put his fear in my heart That I may not depart from him Jer. 32.40 he has Commanded me to repent mourn and obey and Pray and he has promised his Spirit to all these effects Ezek. 26.27 Zechariah 12.10 he has Commanded me to beleive and he is the auther and finisher of that Grace So we must look from the Command to the promise and turn the promise to a Prayer God will turn it to a performance who works in hit People both to will and to do of his good pleasure Philip 2 13. let us say Lord give what thou Commands and Command what thou wilt 6. Head We must know Graces and duties Graces I call them as they come from God duties as exercised by us and in the exercise of them first we would be fervent cordial and affectionate the heart is the fat of the Sacrifice without which the Lord abhorrs it Rom 12.11 Be fervent in Spirit serving the Lord And David sayeth Psalm 25.1 Unto thee O Lord do I lift up my Soul and Hanna 1 Samuel 1 15. Was a Woman of a sorrowful Spirit pouering out her Soul unto the Lord. 2dly We should be frequent in performance of Duties Psalms 62 8. Trust in him at all times Proverbs 28 14. Happy is the Man that feareth always 1 Thess 1.15 Pray without ceasing which imports 1st We should have set Meals for prayer David had three times a day for ordiuar Psal 55 17. Evening and Morning and at noon time of Day will I pray and call aloud Danul 7.10 Thrice a day was his use and Wont David had his extraordinaries seven times a day Psal 119.164 2dly It imports we should have our hearts ay in frame ready to pray on all occasions 3dly That we should by frequent in Ejaculations which would hinder no Bussiness 3dly We should be denyed to Duties when done when we have done all things which are commanded We should say we are unprofitable Servants and have done but our Duty Luke 1710 a spice of conceit spoils the Best Dutys as the dead flee doth the precious ointment Eccles 10 1 Paul who abounded more in labours than others laid no strels on them Philip. 3 7 8. 1 Cor 1510 There is no peace to be expected otherways 4tly We must know that it is not Conscience but the Word of God that is the Rule of Duty Isiah 8.10 To the Law and to the Testimony if they speak not according to this word it is because they have nothing of light in them 't is not what you think must order you that you have an Impulse of mind James and John mistook themselves in this when they would have called for Fire from Heaven to consume the miscourtious Sammaritants it was not a good Spirit that did bear in that motion upon them Luke 9 52 c Therefore Christ rebuked them There are these particular duties you would exercise as you would have peace First you must be mourners and penitent as sure as I speak none will get peace but who lay the foundation in sorrow Isai 61.2 he Comforts all that mourn Math. 5.4 Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted Secondly you would be in the exercise of Faith which workes by love Rom. 15.13 peace and Joy comes by beleiving Habbac 2.4 The Just shall live by Faith Isai 26.3 The Lord will keep his mind in perfect peace whose heart is stayed on him because he trusts in him Thirdly we should be in the excrcise of Love to God and Love to our Neighbour which is the Sum of both Tables He that loveth not knoweth not God For God is love 1 John 4.8 We should love all persons and things that belong to God We should love all men with the Love of Benevolence the Saints with the Love of Delight Psal 16.2 Had we this love to God and for His Sake love to one another It would clear our Claim to two great Promises Rom 8.28 All

dipt in the Vinegar of his Wrath that shall peirce like a Dart through the Heart and the Liver 3ly some dream all will be well with them for they thrive in the World they have health and wealth and credit yet God may give thee thy Hearts desire in these things and send Leanness to thy Soul Psalm 106. 15. 4ly some think if they Perish they will have many marrows It will be no ease to you to go to Hell in a throng every one there will kindle anothers Fire and make it the hoter Math. 13 30. says Christ bind them in bundles and Burn them pack them to together the Unclean the Drunkard's the Drunkard will curse his Companions that ever he saw their Faces so will the Whore-Munger and Harlot Would you have the tokens of these that know the things that belong to their peace and are made wise by Christ unto Salvation First such are overawed with apprehensions of God he is their Fear and he is their dread Isai 8.13 Psaim 111.10 Genes 39.9 Joseph was truely wise 2ly they who prize things according to their worth and and make right choise as Paul Philip 3.72 8 who counted all things lofs and dung for the excellencie of the knowledge of Jesus Christ his Lord and David Psalm 4.6.7 who preferred the lifting up of the Lord's countenance on him to any other good 3ly such will not prig with Christ but will Sell all for the Field where the Pearle is Mat. 13 44. 4ly such will mannage time well that is a note of a sound understanding to consider the Latter end Deut. 22.29 so teach us to number our Dayes says Moses Psalm 90.12 that we may apply our Hearts to wisdom Job was wise 14.14 all the Dayes of my appointed time will I wait till my change come I know not when I rise at Morn if ever I see another Day it is wisdom to redeem time Ephes. 5.15.16 we have no more time we can call our own but the present time this Day yesterday is not ours it is gone and will not return and we are not sure of to Morrow Proverbs 27.1 we should the rather consider time because much work lyes undone and slighting of time puts many to the Fools repentance out of time they who know what belongs to their peace will study sound obedience and reduce knowledge to practice Psalm 111.10 A good understanding have all they that do his Commands John 13.17 If ye know these things sayes Christ happy are ye if ye do them this is the best proof a fruitful and shineing conversation Now I would speak to all Especially to Rulers and Judges as you would evidence your Knowledge and Consideration of what belongs either to your Souls Peace or the Peace of the Church and Land there are some things you would beware of and some things you would have and do 1. Beware of Rigour Tyranny and Oppression or Inyeighing with bitterness against People where there is no cause by inflicting punishment either unjustly where there is no Fault or immoderatly unseasonably and basely where there is a Fault There is an obligation on Rulers thus to make Conscience of Dutys to inferiors he Rules with most Comfort and Confidence who keeps most room in Peoples Affections and weakens them not and they are most likly to be the Men of the Promise to Build the Old waste places to raise up the Foundation of many Generations to be called the Repairers of Breaches the Restorers of Paths to dwell in who loose the Bonds of Wickedness undo heavy burdens and let the Oppressed go free and break every Yoke and ease People of just grievances and impose not nor continue what is forbidden or condemnemned Isa 58.6.12 2ly Be not too Credulous Try before ye Trust a near Relation may whisper what is dang rous and proves a snare 2 Chron. 22.3 Achasiach his Mother councilled him to do wickedly Saul hearkened to false deceitful Sclandarous Doeg Psalm 52. a great Persecutor of David who had taken great Ventures for him 3ly Beware of Self-seeking Baruch Jer. 3.45 a Good Man is reproved for seeking great things to himself when the Lord threatned Desolation Pauls Complains Philip. 2.21 All seek their own things and not the things of Jesus Christ this made Judas betray Christ and that with a Kiss and Pilate to Crucify Him It is a mark of dishonour and Brand of Infamy Especially in Great Men to be Self-Seekers to live wholly to themselves like the Grave wherein all that is gotten is buried and nothing brought forth to publick benefite It may be written on the Tombs of these such a Man sought himself while he lived and lossed himself when he dyed For this Self dis spirits Men making them cold and cowardly in Gods Cause and becomes a Master for the Lords Cause shake off its Government resist its Reasonings disobey its Commands follow not its inclinations to satisfy its Lustings 4ly Prefer not secular Affairs to the Lords such were reproved Hagai 1. when the Lords House lay waste 5ly Beware of Pride and upliftedness of Spirit The Lord laid the Pride of Pharoch Hamon Herod and the King of Assiria True Wisdom humbles and advances to Honour Proverbs 15.33 6ly Overlook not persons of a dangerous complexion by cruel Indulgence one Achan indangered the wholeCamp of Israel such would be put out of Capacity to hazard Church or State I am not of the cruel temper of that Man who exhortd the Lords of Justiciary at Jedburgh To dye their Scarlet Robs in the Phanaticks Scarlet Blood We hear of some intending to address this Honourable Court as if Men should be exempted from Church Censure who are Supinely negligent Coutumacious Erroneous or guilty of Immoralities We hope they will not find a shelter in this Honourable Assembly They plead that because they have qualified themselves and has a Protection of His Majesty that will exeem them 'T is true some of them have qualified themselves in process of time at the end of Days as Cain brought his offering Gen. 4.3 After several Years out-standing One more ingenuous than others Confessed he never intended it till he lost hope of the return of a New Patron How dissaffected they are and how much they foster the disaffected who are their most Bon-Companions and continue the Schism is well known and I fear they and some others are not that length in Loyalty that Ephraim was in Religion to be a Cake not turned warm in the one side Hosea 7 8. And that in this respect many are a step out of the Road to Heaven If they have sworn deceitfully and not spoken truth in their hearts Psalm 15.2 Psalm 24.4 If their heart and hand and heart and tongue have not corresponded they have taken Gods Name in vain and such are reckoned Gods Enemies Psalm 139.22 It is a grievnace that the Intrusions of such should be tolerate and then setting up Meeting-Houses to marr Legal Establishments and especially where there are Legal

Establishments We hope this Honourable Court will Redress it as ye would not appear to cast down with one hand what ye Build with another Positively as you would prove your understanding in these things that belong to your Peace 1st You would have a good foresight and not be wilfull in what may be dangerous Princes and Magistrates in their Resolutions and Purposes would have a Reserve to change Measures on second Thoughts especially in secular Concerns So did David when provocked by an unmannerly Clown Nabal 1 Samuel 25. But in things concerning Gods Glory Constancy is a Commendation David never changed his purpose to pay his Vows Psal 66 13 14. And to build the House of God Psal 132 4 2dly Study a right ordering of the State in Civil Affairs for it will never be well with the Church if not well with the State The wicked walk on every side when vilest Men are exalted Psalm 12 8. When the Righteous are in Authority the people rejoyce but when the wicked bear rule the people mourn Proverbs 29 2. There be four Sorts of persons dangerous to Crowned-Heads to run them on precipeces 1sl Sycophants and Flatterers as Achabs false Prophets 1 Kings 22. 2ly The Envious as Darius's Courtiers Daniel 6 3dly The selfish ambitious and covetous as Haman 4ly Heady and young Councellours like Rehoboam who occasioned the Revolt 1 Kings 12. It is peoples part to pray that Kings make a choice of Favorites as Exodus 18 21. 1st Able Men for Greatness Courage Resolution and Constancy of Mind 2dly Men fearing God 3dly Faithful Men that love the Truth 4tly Men hating Covetousness and Bribes which blows dust in the eyes of the Wise 3dly It speaks understanding in Magistrates their care that Justice be dispenced discreetly speedily expeding Causes not fretting Spirits by undue delays Impartiality universally to all resolutly couragiously righteously exactly soberly and diligently thus Judgement shall return to Righteousness and all the Upright in heart shall follow it Psal 94 15. Good Laws which are the Sinniews of Societies would be enacted the greatest perfection whereof stands 1st In their conformity to the prime and Eternal Law of God 2dly In their vigorous Execution the failing whereof is a great Grievance written Laws are for direction and the Living Law which is the Magistrate is for action to see these Laws obeyed and in your Laws it were very meet there were a provision with respect to the Sufferers of the late times Especially the most eminent of them who have suffered in their persons and posterity 〈…〉 be a redress of Wrongs and injuries they have endured But Rulers would bend their Understanding and Consideration chiefly in their care about Religious Concerns to promote Piety and Zions Wellfare Psalm 132 and 137 1st By their Commands Asa commanded Judah to seek the Lord God of their Fathers and do his Law and Commandments 2 Cron. 14 24. 2dly By the Example of their Persons and Familys as David and Joshua 3dly By encourageing and maintaining a pious and faithful Ministry men according to Gods heart Jerem. 15 4ly To promote the true Worship of God and abolish false Worship Superstition and all Monuments of Idolatry there are some in Scotland presume upon an intollerable Innovation to make use of the Service-Book which hath no edge I have heard some of the hearers of it say it would be long before the hearing of it would make a sore heart for Sin This Church could never endure it nor durst Prelates in their greatest hight Adventure upon it It is known how much of it is copied out of the Popish Breviary I will not comment upon the Verdict of a great person who called that Service an ill said Mass for the ridiculous Absurdities and Falsities of it 1st They may be seen at large in Baxters Life 5tly There would be a speciall Care to visite and settle Seminaries of Learning with pious and learned men It is an old Trick of Rome to poyson these Fountains 6tly Magistrates would have a special care to preserve the true Government in Christs Church by Presbetry which differs as much from Prelacy as a stone Wall doth from a Mud-Wall We own this Government to be of Divine Right and for the Churches intrinsick Power and Priviledges we hold them of no secular power but of Jesus Christ the head of the Church and owned as such in our Confession of Faith which is ratified in Parliament This Government and the Power thereof depends not upon the Suffrages of Men which are alterable no Mans Will being a Standard in this Matter It would import Christ an imperfect King if he had left it to Mens Arbitriment to come and go upon Moses might not alter a pin from the Patern shewed in the Mount Exod 25 9. And if Moses was faithful in the House of God as a Servant much more Christ as a Son whose House we are Heb. 3.6 Christ will not deny Caesar his due nor will he want his own nor be pleased with the pairing of the Priveledges of his Church for the Liberty and Exercise of our Government we have reason to bless the Lord for the Countenance and Encouragement we have from our Gracious Christian and Protestant King and we are hopeful he will not impair but inlarge the same It is true the Church exercised their power given of God some hundreds of years before there was a Christian Magistrate to own her which power as far as we could reach we used in times of Persecution and Church-Officers must use when Magistrates are Enemies but blessed be God we are not under that Temptation I have before other Sessions of Parliament proven our Government in all respects founded on the Word of God and most answerable to the Ends of an established Ministry To hold out the wild Boar that would corrupt both Doctrine and Manners and guard best against Vice and Error and keep Ordinances best from pollution and the Church from Infection and we may venture the Tryal as the Prophet did 1 Kings 18. When the people halted between two Opinions doubting whether God was God or Baal was God the Prophet ventured the Matter upon this that God that answers by fire let him be God and he carryed it that it was acknowledged the Lord He was God that did bear Witness by fire from Hheven and Baal was found to be but a dead and a deaf God that could not answer the Expectation of his Worshipers Now if the Government which we own be not most witnessed to from Heaven by the Spirit in his Operations of Conviction Conversion and Consolation of Souls Let God and the World judge Had we not been perswaded of these things what fools had we been to have suffered one year let be so many Years severity on that Account I judge few in Scotland sober judicious and Inegnuous will spond their breath against this Interest and if any it is mostly these who indulge themselves and love to be indulged

This is the Covenant that I will make with you I will never depart from you to do you good and I will put my fear in your hearts that you shall not depart from me Rom 8 28. All things shall Work together for good to them that love God and are the called according to his Purpose 1 Cor. 3.22.23 whether Paul Appollot or Cephas or things present or things to come or Life or Death all are yours and ye are Christs and Christ is Gods 2. Corinth 6 16. I will dwell in you and walk in you sayeth the Lord and I will be your God and ye shall be my people Heb 13.5 I will never leave you 〈…〉 forsake you 2. Observe the Commands to obey them such as that to love God and His Truths Interest and people for his sake and to believe on the Name of the only begotten Son of God that ye may have Eternal Life 1 John 3 23 3 Observe Heavenly Directions and Warnings to receive them such as these Luke 13 24. Strive to enter in at the strait Gate for many will seek to enter in that shall not be able Heb 12.14 Follow peace with all Men and Holieness without which no Man shall see the Lord whatever his Figure and quality be 2 Pet 1 10. Give Diligence to make sure your Calling and Election It is a foul Shame that men should content themselves with a groundless Conjecture as to Eternity whether they be saved or damned they neither know nor care and yet labour to be sure of the meanest petty Interest in the World 4. Observe the Reproofs of the Word to improve them for the Rod and Reproof gives Wisdom Proverbs 29 15. God reproves by the Rod by Dispensations By Conscience by his Spirit and his Word some will have none of his Reproof which is a black Mark of approaching Smarting Stroaks 5. Observe the Examples of the word the good Examples for Imitation and the bad to shun them Good Examples Enoch who lived three hundred sixty five years and walked with God Genesis 5 22 2. Abraham who instructed his Children and Houshold Geuesis 18.19 3. Joshua who served God and his House served God Joshua 24.15 And it took nothing away from their Gallantry 4. The Centurion Cornelius who was a Devote Man and feared God and all his house Acts 10.2 5ly Nehemiah valliant for the Truth who rebuilded the Temple in dispite of Fraud and Force and was zealous for observing of the Sabbath 6. Mordecas who sought not his own but the wealth of his people Esther 10 3 7ly David who was upright before God Psal 18 231 A Man according to Gods own heart 1 Sam 13 14. Who would have the Faithful of the Land to dwell with him and suffered no wicked person to be about him Psal 1.01 For bad Examples to shun 1. Beware of Cains Genesis 4. Who first cast down his Countenance upon his brother and then slew him 2dly Beware of Joabs Example who under the Covert of a courteous Salutation wounded Amasa to Death 3dly Beware of the Examples of Pharoh Haman and Herod who were Persecutors of the servants and people of God and all of them made a black Hinder-end 4tly Beware of Absoloms Example who used his Politicks to ruine his Father 2 Samuel 15. O! that I were judge said he I would see all Causes go right 5tly Beware of the Example of Tobias and Sanballad who under the fair colour of pretended Friendship to concur in building of the Temple sought to undermine and ruine the Work of God Lord think on them said Nehemiah 6 55. c. 6. Beware of their Example that prophane the Sabbath against whom the Lord threatens to kindle a Fire that shall burn up the places of Jerusalem and shall not be quenched 7. beware of Hiel his example who incurred the curse of God Joshua 6.26 made the People Swear both for the present and succeeding Generationes and to confirm their oath by a Curse before the Lord Intimating that he doth utter this not in a Passion but by Divine Inspiration as appears 1. Kings 16.34 God would have the Ruins of the City of Jericho to remain as a standing Monument of his Justice that who builds it shall lose all his Children in the work the first born in the beginning others in the progress and the youngest in the close of it There is an instance of Divine predictions and comminations fulfilled Hiel he would choise this place for his bulding not so much for his own advantage as out of contempt of the true God and of his threatning which he designed to convince of falshood by his own experience and out of an ambitious desire to advance his own reputation and interest by his sad experience he found the truth of Gods Word and how vain it was to contend with him he was made an eye witness of his Childrens untimely death as some observes several Hundereds of Years after the threatning I warn you all to beware of harbouring any thoughts of Building the Jericho of abjured Prelacie which Scotland has been so Solemnly and frequently Covenanted and sworn against a weed that never agreed with this soil but alwayes nipt the tender and wholsome plants What losses affronts and smartings of Mind have many had and some of no mean Account endured in their Persons end Posterities who were abetters of that Interest I forbear to speak of all which I have observed near these Fourty Years I well remember of two of no mean Account who were among the chief Contrivers of introducing Prelacy and both of them in their dying had severe smartings and horrour of Conscience one of them the last Sabbaths of his life would suffer none of his old Brethren to Preach in his Pulpit but engaged three honest men who had some connivance for the time to Preach in his Pulpite and took the last of the three engaged that whether he lived or died he should Preach the third Sabbath there are living Witnesses of this at this day This Account I had from one of the Ministers a near Relation of his own to whom he ackowledged he went over the belly of his Light and said to one of the Contrivers we could never set up Prelacy in Scotland unless B. Sanderson should write a Retraction of his Book De Juramento by which he was convinced of the indispensible obligation and binding virtue of the Oath of the Covenant the Brother he then spoke to laid his Head to the wall and sat silent for a time yet both of them thortured their Consciences and complyed with the design I wish all may beware of medling with that which has given a Scad and brunt others as by Arrows of the mighty and Coals of Juniper I would advise all that have leasure and are disposed without byass and prejudice in this point to Read and peruse what it written by the R. Principals Rule and Forrester and Mr. Jamieson who wrote without consert and