Treachery The settled bent of their Hearts and so the general course of their Lives is right 16. The upright Man is striving after and growing up towards full Perfection The Righteous shall hold on his way And he that hath clean Hands wax stronger and stronger Thus the Way of the Lord is strength to the Upright And his Word does good to the Upright Mic. 2.7 It is an ill sign when one is at a constant stay in Religion When one holds on in a round of Duties without going forward And commonly Hypocrites go out at last in a stinking snuff But the Path of the Just is as the shining Light which shineth more and more unto the Perfect Day Prov. 4.18 Such are pressing towards the Mark Phil. 3.14 15. Of Zeal TIT. 2.14 A peculiar People zealous of good Works 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 accensum studio bonorum operum as Beza fervently given unto good Works as in our old English translation Zeal is a word of various acceptation In general it signifies heat and fervour From 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ferveo In Heb. 10.27 there is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which we read fiery indignation in our old Translation violent Fire This Word is transferred to the heat and fervour of the Spirit and Affections which is of diverse kinds As 1. There is a natural Zeal As some naturally are of lively active spirits full of mettle as we use to say Luther seemeth to have been naturally of such a temper As Bucer said of him Nihil in eo non vehemens What an happy thing it is when such a temper is guided and acted by Grace Ordinarily such will do more for God 2. There is a carnal Zeal We find emulations among the works of the Flesh reckoned up Gal. 5.19 20 21. In the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And the Apostle James condemns 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a bitter Zeal Jam. 3.14 Envy is a kind of Zeal but not of the right kind It is bitter Zeal It is a sort of wild Grapes There is a Blind Zeal Such as Idolaters Papists Persecuters may be acted by A blind zeal when Men are Zealous in a false way and Zealous against the Truth Taking light for darkness and darkness for light Calling good evil and evil good There is a superstitious extravagant and erratick zeal when Men are Zealous about such things where it would be a vertue to be cool and moderate And there is an Hypocritical Zeal when Men have or seem to have great Zeal for the Truth and against Errour and falshood but it is only for self-respects and carnal ends Thus carnal Zeal moves in a large Sphere takes a great compass 3. There is a Spiritual Zeal A being zealous of good Works indeed and zealous for God even for his sake An holy Zeal This is both commanded Rev. 3.19 Be zealous And commended Num. 25.11 Phinehas the Son of Eleazer hath turned my wrath away while he was zealous for my sake So this Zeal should not go unrewarded Many commend lukewarmness and indifferency in Religion under the terms of Moderation Prudence and Discretion But Christ and the World are not of a mind A lukewarm temper the Lord cannot endure Rev. 3.15 16. Because thou art luke-warm and neither cold nor hot I will spue thee out of my mouth But as Bishop Hall observes Vol. 1. p. 903. The goodness of God winks at the Errors of honest Zeal and so loveth the strength of good Affections that it passeth over their Infirmities Again ib. p. 938. He Pardoneth the Errours of our fervency rather than the indifferencies of lukewarmness Indeed where there is no Zeal for God there is no Love to God Qui non Zelat non amat Where there is Life there will be some heat Here 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to be spiritually alive and to be lively are not more alike in sound than really akin Zeal in one degree or other is as inseparable from spiritual Life as heat is from fire It 's true as every sincere Christian is not a Nathaniel for degree and measure of Sincerity and plain-heartedness So neither is every such Soul a Moses a Phinehas an Elias for Zeal Yet the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence and the violent take it by force Mat 11.12 And it is one property of Christ's redeemed ones his peculiar People to be zealous of good Works This holy Zeal of which I am to speak as was said of Vprightness and Sincerity is not any distinct particular Grace but a modus or respect of other Graces Though some define it as a compound of Love and Anger Zelus est affectus ex amore irâ mixtus cum scil irascimur ei à quo laeditur id quod amamus Yet I cannot so confine it There must be Zeal accompanying our Repentance 2 Cor. 7.11 And Zeal in our Love We must love fervently 1 Pet. 1.22 and 4.8 And it is the symtom of corrupt times when love waxeth cold Mat. 24.12 Zeal is the spritely vigour and activity of all Grace the ardor of all the Affections with the earnestness and intention that is in all spiritual actings Indeed the chief heat of it is in the Spirit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rom. 12.11 This Fire is burning in the gracious Heart in the sanctified Will and Affections yet its heat is further diffused into the Conversation All our Spiritual Sacrifices must be offered up with this Fire Fervent in Spirit serving the Lord. Prayer must be Zealous fervent Prayer Jam. 5.16 Col. 4.12 13. Ministers must Preach zealously as Apollos Act. 18.25 None are allowed to do the work of the Lord negligently remisly There must be Zeal in hearing the Word Here our hearts should burn within us as Luk. 24.32 we should be zealous in reproving as Gal. 2.11 Yea no good work is well done without Zeal We must be zealous of and zealous in good Works It s not enough barely to do good Works but we must be earnest upon it and vigorous in the Work Quest But how shall we know whether our Zeal be right Answ 1. True Zeal is guided by a right Judgment a judgment regulated by the Word To allude to that Isa 4.4 The spirit of judgment must go along with the spirit of burning A blind ignorant rash Zeal is not good nor will it prove ones estate good Such a Zeal Paul had while a desperate Persecuter Act. 26.9 which afterwards he saw to be fury and madness rather than Zeal v. 11. This made him Mad once not his learning as Festus would have had it v. 24. such a Zeal the carnal unbelieving Jews had Rom. 10.2 Let Men be never so zealous in their way if it be not God's way their Zeal runs waste God is not honoured but dishonoured not well pleased but displeased with that Zeal which is not according to his Word To be zealous for what he hath not commanded and much more to be zealous for what he hath forbidden to be zealous against
11. True Zeal is for expedition in God's Service As Phinehas Ignis est maxime actuosus maximè mobilis who was zealous for God could not sit still when he saw God so greatly Dishonoured Psal 106. Then stood up Phinehas and executed Judgment Then stood up Phinehas The word may import his readiness and forwardness to appear for God against Sin as occasion was then offered So Nehemiah testified against the Merchants that had lodged but once or twice without Jerusalem under the Wall on the Sabbath threatning to clap them up If they did so again he would lay hands on them Neh. 13.20 21. So David Psal 101.8 I will early destroy all the wicked Though it may point at the usual time of sitting in Judgment in the morning yet withal it may import that he would not be delatory in the work Thus Zeal will set Men early on work for God will make Men quick and speedy in giving check to Sin as they have power and opportunity to put a stop to it as soon as they can Sinful sluggish demurs delays put-offs are contrary to the nature of true Zeal So a listlesness to Duty is no sign of Zeal It is cold that benummeth So it is a sign of the want of Zeal a sign of extream coldness when we cannot find our hands to turn them to any good work when we are like the slothful Prov. 19.24 that hides his hand in his bosom 12. True Zeal makes souls as forward unto so free and lively in God's service What a Man does zealously he does very heartily To be zealous of good Works is not barely to do some good Works but it further implieth earnestness alacrity and fervency of spirit in the doing of Good Works To pray with Zeal is more than saying a Prayer it is no less than to be fervent in Prayer to pray earnestly To be zealous in works of Charity is not meerly to give to such that stand in need but to give willingly and freely Like those of Macedonia 2 Cor. 8.3 that were willing of themselves That needed no spurring on What the Apostle sayes of Love 1 Cor. 13.4 It is kind bountiful this may well be said of Zeal which is the fervour of Love Zeal is bountiful at least in will and desire Cold has a condensing and contracting quality but heat rarifies and extends So Zeal in the Heart enlarges it A zealous Christian would not serve God at an ordinary rate he desires to abound in the work of the Lord. The flame will be mounting upwards A zealous spirit is a raised spirit raised in God's Service But a cold dead heart is still bearing downward We read of Jehoshaphat that his heart was lifted up in the wayes of the Lord 2 Chron. 17.6 So one of a zealous spirit never thinks he does enough for God He will desire still to serve him more and to serve him better 13. True Zeal gives courage in the Cause of God filleth the Soul full of resolution for God And indeed that may be the meaning of Jehoshaphat's heart being lifted up in the wayes of the Lord. A zealous Spirit is a magnanimous Spirit An holy Zeal is indeed Cos fortitudinis the Whetstone of Valour As Esther's Zeal for God and his People put courage into her though she might naturally be timorous as is common to her Sex What an heroick resolution was there Esth 4.16 I will go in unto the King and if I perish I perish If we have no Spirit no Courage to appear for God his Truth and Wayes sure we have no Zeal forthem Indeed of all things Sinners are most offended at holy Zeal They that have nothing to say against Christian Meekness or Charitableness and some other Graces yet can ill endure the heat of Godly Zeal O it is scorching and tormenting to them Here they are ready to cry out Fire fire as one says This oft puts them into a great combustion Yet true Zeal will break thorow opposition Many Waters cannot quench Love neither can the Floods drown it The like may be said of Zeal It is not quenched or cooled but oft more intended and increased when others would discourage it 14. True Zeal that is a cause of such courage and resolution for God that giveth confidence and boldness before Men yet is joyned with Humility and Holy Fear and Trembling before God One gracious disposition is not contrary to another And true Zeal is not blown up with high thoughts of ones self but with high thoughts of God The Dread and Reverence of the most High of an infinitely Glorious and Holy Majesty promotes true Zeal for God helpeth to set an edge upon it and steeleth the Soul with an holy boldness hardeneth it against a base carnal fear of Man Mr. Vines But it is not right when as one says Zeal that should eat us up is eaten up of Pride 15. Right regular Zeal will more dispose and fit us for our Work and Duty not take off from Duty or transport into Sin That is not Zeal but distempered Passion it is not from Grace but from the workings of Corruption when we are discomposed and unhinged 16. If we have true Zeal for God it will be a joy to us to see any zealous and active for God As on the other hand it will be our great grief to see Men generally cold indifferent lukewarm in Religion To see others regardless of God and of the interest of true Religion will move our displeasure and indignation But it will not offend us to see any acted with regular Zeal for God Indeed the Apostle did and would rejoyce that Christ was Preached though some preached Christ out of envy Phil. 1.15 18. How much more would he have rejoyced to have seen as good proof and evidence of their pure Love and Zeal as he saw of their Envy carrying them out in the work If we are truly zealous for God we shall be taken with those whom we see or hear to be zealous for him our hearts will be towards such yea knit to them as Jonathans was to David And we shall bless God for such As Deborah Judg. 5.9 My heart is towards the Governours of Israel that offered themselves willingly among the People Bless the Lord. She desired that the Lord might be praised that put such a spirit into them If others out-shine us here yet if we have true Zeal for God we shall be so far from envying them that the more zealous any are the more we shall honour and be taken with them 17. If we are truly zealous we have an holy emulation a desire to follow yea if it might be to outstrip those that excel in vertue As the Apostle speaks 1 Cor. 14.12 Forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts seek that ye may excel As the Corinthians Zeal and forwardness provoked very many 2 Cor 9.2 We should not envy such as have got the start of us and yet should in a good
could not but express his Zeal for God at Athens when he had none to back him Acts 17. Come see my Zeal for the Lord says Jehu a Kings 10.16 An Hypocrite is not well pleased if he have not some to take notice of his Zeal some that will applaud him for it His Zeal in a good cause is soon cooled if he have not some about him such as would encourage and help to blow it up Whereas true Zeal will burn still when there are none about it but such as endeavour to blow it out As Lot's Soul was vexed from day to day in Sodom with their unlawful deeds 2 Pet. 2.8 If a Zealous Christian hath his lot cast in a wicked prophane Place or Family even there will his Zeal be breaking forth True Zeal will not be smothered or put out with the coldness and deadness of others about it but rather useth to be more excited and intended As Fire burns hottest in cold frosty Weather 5. True Zeal is not Partial but would appear for all that wherein God's Honour and Interest lieth It is as Extensive as sincere and sound Obedience It is Quantitas intensiva obedientiae according to Dr. Ames Thus to be Zealous of good works in the whole kind of them ready to promote any good Work earnestly desirous to abound in every good Work would shew our Zeal to be right But a partial Zeal as a partial Obedience is not right As partial heats in the Body are no signs of good Health To be Zealous for works of Charity but no friends of Holiness and true Piety Or to seem forward for pious Exercises but to be careless of other Moral Duties To be negligent in the duties of our particular Callings and Relations cannot be right True Zeal in a Magistrate will make him active for God as a Magistrate as Nehemiah was True Zeal in a Minister will make him diligent in the work of his Ministry Like Apollos who being fervent in Spirit spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord Acts 18.25 True Zeal in the Master of a Family will make him Industrious in his Place To instruct his Houshold in the Way of the Lord and to engage them in God's Service after Abraham's example Yea one that is truly Zealous of good Works will act uniformly Not be hot in Prayer Hearing Conference and Cold and Heartless as to other Duties 6. True Zeal sets against all Sin as it is discovered This will cause ones Blood to rise against Sin So a Man will be ready to reprove and shew his dislike of Sin as he has opportunity So he will endeavour in his Place according to his Power to oppose Sin to prevent suppress it True Zeal will make a Man an enemy to Sin wheresoever he sees it wheresoever he meets with it To appear very forward to condemn the faults of an Enemy of such as bear no good will to us and to bear with Sin in our Friends in such as are nearly related to us this is not right True Zeal would make one like Levi in God's Cause Who said unto his Father and to his Mother I have not seen him neither did he acknowledg his Brethren nor knew his own Children Deut. 33.9 As Asa would not bear with Idolatry in his own Mother 2 Chron. 15.16 In the trial of your Love observe its working at a distance as this will better appear in its workings towards those that are farthest off in its being extended to Strangers Enemies than in its workings towards Friends and Relations that are near you But in the trial of your Zeal on the contrary especially observe how it worketh near hand To condemn Sin in others but to indulge and spare our own Sins is not right Some are so Zealous against others Offences De Adventu Dom. Ser. 4. as Bernard says that they might seem to hunger and thirst after Righteousness if they had the same judgment also of their own Sins But now a weight and a weight as he alludes is an abomination to the Lord. True Zeal would least endure Sin in its own Territories As Fire has most power on what is next it Zeal where it is in truth will be firing out ones own Corruptions Like an Hearth of fire among Wood and like a Torch of fire in a Sheaf As the Psalmist says My Zeal hath consumed me Psal 119.139 So Zeal will be consuming ones Lusts Are we salted with this Fire according to the expression Mark 9.49 A truly Zealous Christian has the greatest indignation against his own Sins and is most forward to take revenge on himself and them 2 Cor. 7.11 And he would not spare one of his Sins Jehu destroyed Baal out of Israel yet this shewed his Zeal was not right that he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam he was still for the Golden Calves 2 Kings 10.28 29. A resolved indulgence and allowance of any known Sin and true Zeal are inconsistent 7. A right and regular Zeal is most vehement in the greatest Matters As Fire the grosser the substance that it takes hold Ignis in materia densiori acriùs urit and feeds upon the hotter it burns True Zeal is more for plain and necessary Duties than for any disputable point or matter of Controversie So likewise it riseth against Sin according to the quality and aggravations thereof What one noteth to have always been the Hypocrites guise Dr. Downam on Psal 15. p. 33. is the genius of false Zeal scil To neglect the greater Duties and to affect the observation of the less to prefer Circumstances before the Substance and Ceremonies before the works either of Piety or Charity to place the height of their Religion either in observing or urging Ceremonies or contrariwise in inveighing against them Observe it to be more Zealous for or against a Ceremony than for the weightiest and most substantial Duties or than against great and foul Enormities to be more Zealous about some disputable Point and Opinion wherein sound Christians may have different apprehensions than for main matters of Faith and Godliness matters essential to true Christianity wherein all that are Christians indeed must agree both as to Belief and Practice is no good sign You would not take him for a wise and careful Builder that laid the greatest weight on the weakest part of the Wall So it must be indiscreet Zeal or worse than indiscreet which is more for unnecessary Opinions than for the most substantial Duties and fundamental Truths Is that true Zeal for God Or rather is it not a selfish Zeal which is for ones own Opinions neglecting those things which make most for the Honour of God and wherein the main interest of Religion lieth Though many warm themselves at these Sparks many comfort themselves that they are Zealous in their way for their own Parties and Opinions yet in the end they may lie down in sorrow for it But some will say Would you not have us Zealous for
sense emulate them We should strive at least to overtake those that are foremost Yea true Zeal for God and Godliness will not set it self any bounds or limits You cannot call them zealous that stint themselves and count it an high point of prudence and discretion not to be too forward in Religion But as Love so Zeal is like Fire that cannot be hid it will break forth Quis enim celaverit ignem Lumine qui semper proditur ipse suo Such as are afraid of being counted zealous as if it was a matter of disgrace are far from such a spirit as David had who when he was mocked and despised of Michal spake resolvedly I will yet be more vile than thus if this be to be vile Fire is one of those things which say not It is enough Prov. 30.16 So true Zeal never says It is enough A zealous Christian would have more Grace more Zeal for God They that are zealous of good works desire to abound more and more in good works 18. True Zeal is not for a spurt for a flash it is constant a Fire that never goes out Like that Fire upon the Altar Lev. 6.13 Though I must grant the Zeal of a true Christian doth not flame up at all times alike yet it is never totally extinguished It is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing Gal. 4.18 And this is a good sign thy Zeal is right if it be constant There are some whose Zeal is but a flash scarce any sooner in than out again Some have a burning fit of Zeal for a while that is quickly over Their praeter-natural heat stays not But true Zeal is like the natural heat of the Body that continues as long as one lives Yea though it is like Fire in green wood subject to go out if it be not blown up yet that Spirit which first kindled this spark in Believers is given to dwell in them and to abide with them for ever And therefore though there may be some decays of Holy Zeal for a time yet it is stirred up again in the Faithful and usually burneth clearer after it is recovered As we sometimes see Fire blaze up more after a dash of water cast on it Yea ordinarily as we may observe a flame mount highest before it goes out ordinarily I say a Christians Zeal is most raised the nearer he is to his end But such as once seemed very forward for that which is good but are quite fallen off again have quite out-lived their Zeal they even give others cause enough to suspect that they were never sound OF A Lively Hope ROM 12.12 Rejoycing in Hope TO go on to the Trial of all other Christian Vertues might upon some accounts cross my design in what is Written which is to help and direct ordinary Christians in the Trial and exercise of Grace even such as cannot purchase or have not time to peruse large Volums I have spoken of the chief Cardinal Graces and shewed how they work how they may be known Prove these in your selves and there is no question but you have the whole Train of those better things that necessarily accompany Salvation As without these any other Vertues you may seem to have as Temperance Patience Meekness c. are but Shadows and Counterfeits So that I might make a Full-stop at what is Written Yet because many are kept off from any serious examination of their Estates satisfying themselves with this That they have Hopes and some That they have Joys too never enquiring How they came by them or of what kind they are Therefore before I conclude this Treatise I shall shew you how you may know whether your Hope and Joy be sound or no. And first of Hope But let me premise these Three Things 1. It is unquestionable that there is a false a deceiving Hope as well as a true and certain Hope There is a dead Hope as well as a lively Hope There is a confounding Hope as well as an Hope that maketh not ashamed There is the Hope of the Hypocrite Job 8.13 as well as the Hope of the Righteous Prov. 10.28 2. Better no Hopes than false Hopes As we may allude to that Prov. 26.12 Seest thou a Man wise in his own conceit There is more hope of a Fool than of him So there is more Hope of Sinners that are most despondent in one sense without Hope than of such as are very confident high in their Hopes but without any ground And how sad is it as I remember one says to sail on smoothly to Hell having Heaven all the while in view Hope that is like to end in horrour and utter desperation is not worth having 3. It is justly to be suspected that their Hopes are groundless and false who are unwilling to bring them to the Test and Trial. That part of a Man's Body which he could not endure to have touched we would conclude not right or sound But if your Hope be right it would not suffer any injury or damage by a fair impartial Trial but be more confirmed Now if you ask What is Christian Hope I answer It is a longing and fiducial expectation of Good promised to come in God's Time and Way Faith and Hope are very near akin Yet thus they differ 1. In Order Faith in order of nature is before Hope Hope is the Daughter at least the youngest Sister of Faith 2. In the Object Faith has respect to the whole Word of God Hope to the Word of Promise Good only is the object of Hope And Future Good Quod speratur non possidetur good to be received and enjoyed Rom. 8.24 Or if I may be said to hope that I am in a state of Grace that my Sins are pardoned which is hope of a present Good if my Hope be sound or if I say I hope God heard my prayer at such a time and gave in such a Mercy in answer to it here seems to be Hope of a thing past Here the word Hope seems to be used more improperly or taken more largely It is more properly a Perswasion though short of full Perswasion or Assurance But properly Hope looks at Good to come Whereas what is past may be the object of Faith as well as what is to come As we believe the Creation of the World a thing past as well as the Resurrection of the Body which is future 3. In their proper formal Acts. Faith apprehends and assents to the truth of the Promises Hope expects and looks for the Good promised An expectation of Good is the formal Act of Hope And herein also it is differenced from or contrary to Fear which is an expectation of Evil not of Good But that which I mainly intend is to shew wherein sound Hope differs from Presumption or from a false Hope Or how we may know whether our Hope be sound 1. True hope is not ordinarily obtained but after sad doubts and fears As it is Hos
spiritual than for those everlasting Pleasures at God's right-Hand or are more for worldly Riches than for Treasure in Heaven True Faith would lay the World and worldly Things low in our esteem low in our thoughts Faith judgeth of them by the Word it weighteth them in the Ballance of the Sanctuary it compares earthly and spiritual things worldly and heavenly things things temporal and things eternal together Thus the World appears a vain empty worthless base and contemptible thing indeed to a Believer not fit for him to set his heart upon but to get under his feet * Non incurvet terrenum opus quem sâ—des coelestium erigiâ— Bern. And when worldly things come to stand in competition with God and Christ and Heaven a Believer cannot but account them Loss and Dung. An Unbeliever for want of Faith makes light of Christ and his Benefits makes light of a Crown of Glory of Heavens Happiness revealed and offered in the Gospel He looks on them but as pleasant Fancies and golden Dreams but things of Sense even momentary Pleasures and perishing Riches are more taking with him These he looks upon as real the other he accounts but imaginary or uncertain But a true Believer on the contrary has a sight of those things within the Vail by Faiâ—h Faith is the Evidence of things not seen Thus he hath found the hidden Treasure he has found the Pearl of great price he has made a discovery of the good Land that flows with Milk and Hony Faith is that Spy that gives him certain intelligence of the heavenly Canaan He is put out of doubt of the infinite Treasures that are in Christ of that fulness of Joy and the everlasting Pleasures that are in God's Presence in Heaven Though Eye hath not seen nor Ear heard neither have entred into the Heart of Man the things which God hath prepared for them that love him yet God hath revealed them to such by his Spirit 1 Cor. 2.9 10. The Spirit working Faith gives the Soul a view of them And hence it is that worldly things appear to be but empty Bubbles and meer Trifles compared with spiritual things with things above Thus the World's Markets are marred with a Believer He can no more value earthly things at the rate that Worldlings do He is clearly convinced that he should be an infinite Loser if he should throw away his Soul and forgo all Interest in God and Christ and Heaven for such poor Commodities as these are He knows where to bestow his best and most serious Thoughts his Heart and Affections better than on the World He sees worldly things to be valuable only so far as they may help him forward in God's service and in Heavens way but when they would be a hindrance and pull-back would be tempting him from Christ would take him off from his Duty from his main work and business of serving and glorifying of God and working out his own Salvation he looks upon them not only as vain Shadows but as deadly Snares Well Sirs Apply these things to your Hearts While the World either worldly Pleasures or Profits c. bear greatest sway while our Hearts and Affections are captivated by them and our Lives ruled and governed by them we do but vainly pretend to Faith The World loseth its commanding Power the World is in some measure conquered and subdued it is brought low where Faith cometh You have heard before that a true Believer accounts Christ precious and here you see that he contemns the World Indeed it cannot be otherwise but look how much Christ is raised in a Man's esteem so much the World and worldly things go down 2. True Faith overcomes a threatning frowning raging storming World A sound Believer will not forsake Christ his Truth and Ways for any thing the World can do or threaten Rev. 2.7 8. He that overcometh shall inherit all things and I will be his God and he shall be my Son But the Fearful and Vnbelieving shall have their part in the Lake which burneth with Fire and Brimstone which is the second Death Observe here the fearful and unbelieving are opposed to him that overcometh And the fearful and unbelieving are coupled together predominant carnal Fear and true Faith are inconsistent Such as are offended when Tribulation and Persecution arise such as in time of Temptation fall away were never sound Believers It is true Sometimes in an hour of Temptation a Believer is sore shaken but though he fall he shall arise and recover himself as Peter did and Cranmer and others He may fall but does not fall away Again it is true he may have many fears that he shall not be able to hold out in the time of Trial but he is safer for those Fears that cause a godly jealousy over himself that quicken unto Prayer that keep him on his Watch. Self-suspicion is a means to preserve and secure the Soul which Self-confidence would betray and overthrow But tormenting Fears I grant would shew Faith to be but weak yet notwithstanding a true Believer may have such Fears they are not predominant still he is kept by the Power of God and kept through Faith As by Faith Moses refused the Honour of being called the Son of Pharaoh's Daughter and refused the Pleasures of Sin with the greatest Treasures in Aegypt as he thus overcame a flattering World so likewise by Faith he chose to suffer Affliction with the People of God and chose Reproaches for Christ and forsook Aegypt not fearing the wrath of the King Thus he also overcame a frowning and a raging World by Faith And all true Believers have the same Spirit of Faith though not in that heroical degree And Faith will teach a Man to account upon Sufferings All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer must look to suffer in and from the World 2 Tim. 3.12 A Man cannot follow Christ therefore except he deny himself and take up his Cross Again Faith concludes that Sin is far worse than Suffering That it is the greatest Folly in the World to run upon Divine Displeasure to avoid Man's Displeasure That the World cannot afflict any Torments on the faithful like those which God hath threatned and will most certainly inflict on the faithless Apostates Fire and Faggot is a light matter to that Fire and Brimstone which God hath prepared to be the portion of the fearful and unbelieving And further Faith concludes that all the Sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the Glory that is to be revealed That our light Afflictions which are but for a moment shall work for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of Glory Thus true Faith will help us to overcome the World If we have this Faith then we are not of them who draw back unto Perdition but of them that believe and persevere to the saving of the Soul ACT. 11.18 Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted Repentance unto
self-exaltation is self-destruction Pride goeth before a Fall To be lifted up is the high-way to ruine We are no nearer Heaven for lifting up our selves But God is ready graciously to condescend to those that humble themselves and lie low before him The most High hath a special respect unto them that are lowly He hath promised to dwell with them that are of an humble and contrite spirit Isa 57.15 and such he will in due time take up to dwell with him for ever But what is this Humility 1 I shall tell you in the Negative what it is not So 1. It is not a minding low and base things of the World Though the words humilis humilitas be derived from humus the Ground or Earth yet Humility is not a minding earthly things not a setting our affections on things on the Earth No We may be lowly-minded and heavenly-minded both Indeed earthly Riches worldly Honours that seem to many to be great matters high things yet are but mean and base things compared with the things above And yet we may seek the things above and be humble too or we may be very proud while taken with things below 2. Humility lieth not in ones affecting the poorest habit or affecting any add dress how mean so ever that he may not seem to be proud Yet mistake me not I speak not this to cloke the proud gawdiness of any Excess in costly Attire in vain strange and light immodest fashions is a great Sin and shame of our times Oh how many that this way glory in their shame were the Daughters of Zion reproved and threatned for this sin Isa 3. ever more guilty than multitudes among us at this day But yet I must tell you a proud heart may be under vile raiment too I trample on Plato's pride said Diogenes Laert. in Diogene l. 6. p. 381. But with another kind of pride said Plato Thus some may be proud of an affected plainness proud of their seeming free from pride of their looking like humble mortified Men. And some there are whose pride lies not in such gawds as fine Clothes which one would think none but Children and Fools should be taken with but in an high conceit of themselves their Knowledg Light and Perfection 3. Humility is not a base abject disposition or such a dejected frame of spirit as takes a Man off from his work and duty A despondent mind makes a Man fit for nothing makes a Man a burden to himself a burden to others to the World Sometimes we may meet with Persons so far out of conceit with themselves that they think themselves unfit for any company for any imployment and cannot be drawn to lay out any Abilities Gift or Talent they have Such pusillanimity is quite another thing from true Humility not a Vertue but an evil Disease 4. A base unworthy crouching unto Men and sinful compliance with them this is not Humility A yeilding to the will and humours of Men contrary to the will of God either for fear or to obtain their favour This is not true Humility to honour Men above the Lord. 5. A denial of what God hath given us or hath done for us this is unthankfulness not Humility As there is that maketh himself rich and yet hath nothing there is again that maketh himself poor yes hath great riches 6. A lowly courteous affable carriage towards all even towards inferiours though it is good and commendable where it is not used to serve ones pride and ambition as Absalom used it 2 Sam. 15.5 6. yet it is not sufficient to prove one endued with the Grace of Humility Good Nature may teach Courteousness towards Men where there is no Principle or spark of Grace The Grace of Humility shews it self not only in respect to Men but especially in its respect towards God 7. There is an artificial hypocritical Humility As some have an Art of discommending what they have or do to draw commendations from others And Hypocrites may be forward to confess such sins as the best and most sincere are not free from while here concluding that they shall be never the worse thought of for this yea hoping by such confessions and complaints of themselves they shall gain the repute of serious humble Souls Now this is but the shadow of Humility or masked pride pride under a veil True Humility God loves it is very pleasing to him but this which is only painted is loathsom to him 8. We may have a dislike of Pride in others without true Humility There are some whose pride makes them forward to censure and condemn pride in others As Diogenes said to Alexander I aert l. 6. in Diog. p. 389. Noli mihi umbram facere they cannot endure that others should stand in their light or shade and obscure them They take it as a wrong to them if others come near them much more if they put them down 9. There is a kind of humiliation without Humility Though God ordereth the humiliation of his People to the working and encreasing of Humility in them yet there is a difference betwixt humiliation and Humility and many have been humbled who yet were not humble Pharoah was humbled under God's Judgments yet had he a proud stout and stubborn spirit that would not yeild to God Many are brought low in their Estates and yet their spirits are high still Instead of humbling themselves under God's afflicting hand and being willing to lie down at his feet their hearts fret against the Lord. Some are humbled under Terrours under a sense of God's Wrath and brought full low in their own apprehension even to the gates of Hell and the brink of Despair when all is but a forced humiliation Though as this tends to make them truly humble if it comes to have this effect it will be very comfortable in the end Otherwise no comfort is to be taken in it As Bernard noteth it is said In Cant. Ser. 34. He that humbleth himself shall be exalted It signifies not that all Humility shall have exaltation following it but that quae de voluntate venit non ex tristitia nec ex necessitate Which is voluntary not involuntary or forced As on the contrary it is not said omnis qui exaltatur every one that is exalted shall be abased but only qui se exaltat he that exalts himself Indeed he is most properly said to humble himself that does it freely willingly whose heart is to the work And thus Ahab did not humble himself That humiliation is without Humility which is not free and voluntary But of this more after 2. I come to shew positively what Humility is Camero gives this brief description of it Praelect ad Mat. 18.2 p. 88. Humilitas est animi demissio orta ex verâ statûs et conditionis suae agnitione De grad humil Very near to Bernard's definition Scil. Humilitas est virtus quâ homo verissima sui cognitione sibi ipsi
at others comforts and enlargements Psal 34.2 My soul shall make her boast in the Lord the humble shall hear thereof and be glad Psal 69.30 32. I will praise the name of God with a Song and will magnifie him with thanksgiving The humble shall see this and be glad 20. Humility causeth tractableness makes one of a yielding temper The humble spirit is an obedient spirit Such a one trembles at the Word as before is awed with the authority of God's Commands The humble is not for disputing but obeying But a proud spirit is a froward stubborn spirit The proud are set upon their own wills how cross soever to the will of God Neh. 9.16 But they and our Fathers dealt proudly and hardened their necks and hearkened not to thy Commandments And again v. 29. Yet they dealt proudly and hearkened not to thy Commandments Jer. 13.15 Hear ye and give ear be not proud Intimating that while Men are proud they will not regard God speaking to them will not heed God commanding So v. 17. If ye will not hear my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride It is from pride of spirit that Men will not hear will not obey The proud Men did not stick to give the Prophet the lie they told him to his face Thou speakest falsly when he came with God's Message Jer. 43.1 2. 21. Humility will prepare and make one very willing to bear reproach and contempt for Christ It is a light thing to an humble spirit to be vilified for Christ They that are vile in their own eyes will not think much to be vile in Mens eyes especially when it is for the Lord and their tender respect to his Will and Honour If for their high esteem of him and his Service they be counted as the filth of the World and off-scouring of all things they can be very well content Spernere mundum spernere nullum spernere sese Spernere se sperni Those four things that make an happy Man agree to and meet in the Humble He contemns the World he contemns none he contemns himself he contemns being contemned especially when he is contemned of others for his honouring the Lord. The Humble is little concerned about vindicating his own name while he is much concerned for the Honour of God When he seeks to wipe off any foul and false charge laid on himself to clear his own innocency yet it is not so much with respect to himself and his own credit as with respect to the reputation of Religion with respect to the Honour of God and Jesus Christ and to the interest of the Gospel that these may not suffer in and with him To be laid under slanders such as tend to the discredit of Religion and of his holy Profession this he could not but account an heavy Cross and Affliction but otherwise to be reproached for Christ's sake and the Gospel he would account an honour to him As they rejoyced Act. 5.41 that they were so far honoured as to suffer shame for his Name But proud spirits are for setting off themselves and making a shew in the World And no longer for Religion or for no more of it than may commend them to Men than will stand with their height repute and esteem in the World They that seek honour from Men will hardly be brought to own disgraced Truths and reproached Duties 22. Humility will cause an abhorrence of Pride especially in our selves The truly humble cannot like Pride in any but detest it most in themselves I do not say that the humble are free from all risings of Pride but such do more easily and clearly discover them and so make any risings of Pride occasions of their further humbling As we read of Hezekiah 2 Chron. 32.26 He humbled himself for the pride the lifting up of his heart When his heart was mounting up in Pride he soon observed the motion of it and quickly pluckt it down again Indeed there is no Grace so perfect in the Saints here but some remainders of the contrary corruption may be still found in them The most humble are not free from all stirrings of pride As one has the comparison Pride is like Misletoe that will grow on any Tree But as I may say Humility is so far even with it that as Pride will take occanon from a Christians Graces and Services to lift up and shew it self so Humility comes on it with a back-blow and takes occasion to exercise it self upon the very motions of Pride As Pride oft-times buddeth upon the flourishing acts and exercise of Grace so Humility is oft springing when in other respects it is Winter with the Soul As in Winter Trees grow at the root And as by the help of Grace we come to a plainer discovery of and greater displisance against Corruption so in this particular by Humility we are made more aware of Pride and heartliy engaged against it You may take this for a Rule where Pride is least felt where it is not discerned there it most prevails Sicut macula quanto magis crescit in Oculo tanto minus videt Homo sic superbia quanto major fuerit tanto minus percipitur As a Pearl in the Eye the more it spreads the less a Man sees so the more Pride prevails the less it is seen But true Humility will help one ordinarily to take notice of proud Thoughts as they arise and cause him thereupon to lie lower in Self-abasement Of Self-denial MARK 8.34 And when he had called the People unto him with his Disciples also he said unto them Whosoever will come after me let him deny himself HEre Christ the most perfect Pattern of Self-denial preacheth Self-denial And he doth not only commend it to all his Followers but urgeth it as of indispensible necessity of such necessity that none can be a Disciple of Christ upon other terms Here he calls the People with the Disciples to attend to this As if he had said These things I must needs tell you Whosoever will come after me let him deny himself He was full of this Matter and his Spirit within him constrained him He was pressed in Spirit till he had delivered his Mind here the Matter was of such weight and moment As it was with the Prophet Jeremiah Chap. 20.9 The Word in his heart was as a burning fire in his bones He could not keep it in He called the People unto him with his Disciples also Here was a Lesson for all sorts to learn and practise A Lesson for Ministers and People both for all ranks and conditions of Men. Whosoever would be a Christian indeed must deny himself Here none are exempted And this is one of the first Lessons a Christian must learn With the Old Philosophers that follow Aristotle Privation is one principle of Generation Self-abnegation is undoubtedly a necessary Principle of Christianity yea Self-denial is a main constitutive part of it This is one of the special Rules and Orders of
approach to God Thus his Prayers proceed not from feigned Lips Psal 17.1 So he praiseth God with uprightness of heart Psal 119.7 The Hypocrite thinks it enough to draw nigh to God with his Mouth and to honour him with the Lips Mark 7.6 Well hath Isaiah prophesied of you Hypocrites as it is written This People honoureth me with their Lips but their Heart is far frem me The Hypocrite contents himself with a form of Godliness with meer Bodily Exercise The upright Man is a true Worshipper one that worshippeth God in Spirit and in Truth John 4.23 Phil. 3.3 The upright Man takes not up with any outward Form but laboureth for an inward frame sutable to the Worship he performs 2 Chron. 29.34 The Levites were more upright in heart to sanctifie themselves than the Priests The upright Man looks not only to the matter of Duty but to the manner also how it is to be done 2. The upright Man is not one prest to God's Service but a Volunteer in his Service To serve God with a perfect heart and willing mind go together 1 Chron. 28.9 As we read of the People 1 Chron. 29.9 Then the People rejoyced for that they offered willingly because with a perfect heart they offered willingly As of David ver 17. As for me in the uprightness of my heart I have willingly offered The Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which properly signifies Simplicity is oft used for Freeness or Liberality The simple and sincere heart is a free heart It is free in God's Service and accounts his service perfect Freedom The Hypocrite sets to Duty as a Task and Burden he is glad when a duty is over The upright Man's heart is in these ways Holy Duties that are means of special Communion with God are his best Meal-times Job 23.12 I esteemed the words of his Mouth more than my necessary Food Such would not know how to live without the Word without Prayer c. The World could not hire them to lay Duties aside by all it has to proffer True the upright Man finds not at all times the like chearfulness in God's Service But the spirit is willing when the flesh is weak Or if his Spirit be sometimes straightned 't is his burden when it is so And he prays to be established with a free spirit When he finds any listlessness unto and weariness in God's Service it is a thing he is weary of He has little joy in any thing while he cannot take delight in God and his Wayes 3. The upright Man has a special respect unto God in Duties He looks most at God's Approbation Having a respect to every known Duty and having respect to God in all are great signs of Uprightness To look straight forward Prov. 4.25 the Hypocrite looks asquint He has not a right intention of serving honouring and pleasing God in what he does The Upright looks most at God The Hypocrite looks most at Men. He does all to be seen of Men Mat. 6.5 23.5 The Hypocrite would think all his labour lost if he have not Man's applause or approbation He loves the praise of Men more than the praise of God like those John 12.45 The Upright little regard Man's commendation or censure either As it was a small thing with the Apostle to be judged of Mans judgment but he would account all lost indeed without God's Approbation and Acceptance He would not that his praise should be of Men but of God He more dreads than courts Man's applause Or if he finds himself sometimes tickled and taken with it in cool blood he abhors himself for it But if he may know that God has accepted his Work the Lord's Well done good and faithful servant would do him good at heart 4. The upright Man is for secret Duties He makes conscience of them delights in them The Lord shall see his Nathaniel's under the Fig-tree in their private Walks in their Closets He sees them oft retiring themselves The Hypocrite who is only for making a shew cares not for secret Duties which Men can take no notice of If Conscience will not let him alone without doing something here yet he has no love to them he is very slighty in them 5. The upright Man is not only for Duties that are in fashion and credit among Men but those that may expose him to Scorn or Persecution As Daniel would hold on Praying and giving Thanks to God when it was likely to cost him his Life Dan. 6.10 The upright Man studies the Point of his Duty more than his own safety 13. The upright Man is an humble Man Such as walk uprightly also walk humbly Mic. 6.8 Though Vprightness and Perfection are oft made all one in Scripture yet the Upright have only a perfection of Parts here but as to Degrees they still find great imperfection in themselves that humbles them As the Apostle Phil. 3.12 Not as though I were already perfect The more Gracious the more Humble As the highest Stars seem least None are so sensible of the least sinful warping or stepping awry it troubles none so much as those whose greatest care is to walk Uprightly There is a Generation that are pure in their own Eyes and yet are not washed from their Filthiness Prov. 30.12 Behold his Soul which is lifted up is not upright in him Hab. 2.4 Hypocrites as a sound Divine says is but the off-spring of Pride Mr. Bax. 14. The upright Man is one that walks by Faith walks in the Name of the Lord Zech. 10.12 We can walk and stand upright no longer than we are strengthened by him And it is Faith that fetcheth in strength from him Cant. 8.5 Who is this that cometh up from the Wilderness leaning upon her Beloved Upright Souls see a necessity of the Grace and Assistance of Christ and so lean and depend on him 15. The upright Man is steady and even in his Course But Hypocrisie is a cause of unsteadiness of inconstancy Psal 78.8 A Generation that set not their heart aright and whose spirit was not stedfast with God And ver 37. Their heart was not right with him neither were they stedfast in his Covenant The Hypocrite is good only by fits He is in a good Mood sometimes but it is soon over This will not prove one upright to take a right step or two But we must be upright in the Way and upright in our general Course Psal 106.3 Blessed are they that keep Judgment and be that doth Righteousness at all times At all times when alone as well as while in company with the Good at home and abroad On our own Days as well as on the Lord's Day In Prosperity and Adversity Not only when Righteousness is applauded and encouraged but when it meets with the severest checks and greatest rubs The upright though they may sometimes stumble in the way or step aside through Frailty yet they do not wickedly depart from it through falseness of Heart and base
the Truth and in the Cause of God Answer 1. It concerns you to be well assured that it is God's Truth you are Zealous for How many that take their own private conceits for Divine Truths 2. All Truths are not of equal importance And though the least Truth may not be denied or opposed yet lesser Truths may be silenced and concealed when a Zealous contending for them would be to the wrong and prejudice of far greater and more necessary Matters That is not to defend but to betray the Interest of God and his Truth when Men care not perdere substantiam propter accidentia to lose the substance of Religion for Accidents and Circumstances And that is Erratick Zeal and Mischievous like Fire out of its place when Men are so hot and earnest in contending about lesser Points that they themselves neglect and do what in them lieth to hinder others minding the main of Religion Zeal like Fire in its proper place is of great use and benefit But out of its place very dangerous and destructive And remember Sirs that true Zeal for God is most for those Truths and Duties wherein the great interest of Religion lieth And is most against such things whereby God is most dishonoured the Gospel obstructed Religion most wronged discredited c. 8. Right Zeal is joyned with Christian Moderation is for Christian Concord One of a truly zealous Spirit is also of an healing closing Spirit is of a publick Spirit Right Zeal is more for the common interest of Religion than for private Opinions It is no Firebrand no Incendiary in the Church It is moved at what it sees amiss it is for Reformation but will not hurry Men upon disorderly actings in their passionate sense of Disorders It is against extreams on both Hands Passionate Transports and rash heady Courses are not the effects of an holy but of a bitter Zeal Right Zeal keepeth within due compass It is for Edification not for Destruction It is for Peace and Unity It is for Sodering and Cementing not for Separating such as should Joyn. As Fire though it separate Heterogenials congregates Homogenials Yea it will melt divers Metals into one Lump True Zeal is not for perverse Disputings tending to Strife but for godly Edifying in Faith It is not for kindling Dissentions or causing Offences and Divisions amongst Christians but is moved with great Grief at the sight of such things As the Apostle Who is offended and I burn not It is for maintaining the unity of the Spirit in the bond of Peace And they that are more zealous to maintain some By-opinions than to maintain Union and Communion with their Fellow-Christians are quite besides the Mark. The Churches Peace and Edifying one another in Love are far greater Matters than any unnecessary Opinions which too many too zealously contend for Yea Vnnecessary is too good a word for some of them I should have said unsound Opinions O that the Guilty here would seriously consider whether it would not be more for the Honour of God the Credit and Interest of the Gospel and the securing of true Religion amongst us to joyn with their Fellow-Christians so far as they can to hold together to their mutual help strengthening and encouragement than to be so hot for their Opinions which if they were true yet are far remote from the Foundation and so far from being necessary to Salvation that not one of hundreds that are saved and now in Heaven was ever of their Way and Opinion here To be so rigid in their Way to carry as if all were unfit and unworthy for them to hold Christian Communion with that come not over to such Opinions of theirs alas this is Wild-fire not true Spiritual Zeal And verily I cannot think of any thing that will probably more harden and encourage Papists at this Day than the sad Rents and Dissentions amongst Protestants As he said Is not the hand of Joab in all this So it is probable enough the Heads of Jesuites have been in this Divide impera They know a Kingdom divided against it self is not likely to stand long and hope to raise themselves on our Ruines 9. That is right Zeal when we are more moved with Indignities offered unto God than with any Injuries done to our selves When we are more zealous in God's Cause than in our own We find Numb 12.1 2. Miriam and Aaron speak against Moses yet he seemed not at all concerned for himself We find not any reply that he made He was meek in his own cause Whereas upon sight of the Peoples Impiety their Idolatry in the Cause of God he was presently all on a flame His anger waxed hot Exod. 32.19 To be mild in our own cause but zealous in God's is a sign that we are indeed zealous for God As it is a sign of the contrary when we are remiss as can be unmoved unless when our own Interest is wrapt together with God's Interest As most Parents and Masters can bear it well enough though Children fail never so grosly in respect of the Duty that they owe to God though Servants plainly neglect and contemn God's Service They can bear with their Impiety with their taking God's Name in vain with the prophaning of his Day c. And yet many times they are all Fire and Tow if such do but fail in point of good Manners to them if they be not very observant of them and their commands Now it is true the least Irreverence towards Parents and so negligence in Servants are Sins against God But if upon that account you are most moved and displeased then you will be displeased at other Sins as well and more displeased at greater Sins than you are at these You will be zealous for God when Self is not so much concerned 10. Right Zeal for God is joyned with real Love and true compassion towards Men towards Sinners Thus while we hate their Sins we should yet love and heartily wish well to their Persons While we cannot bear with them that are evil in that which is evil yet we should be glad to do them good and glad indeed if by any means we might be helping to make them better As great Enemies as the Jews were to the Gospel and to the Apostle Paul yet he could not but pity them and his hearts desire and prayer to God was for them that they might be saved Rom. 10.1 Zeal against Sinners hath anger and grief in it not hatred As in the Apostle 2 Cor. 12.21 True Zeal desires their Conversion rather than Confusion And would rejoyce more in their Reformation than in their Ruine Our Saviour checked the furious Zeal of the Disciples when they would fain have been calling down Fire from Heaven to consume those poor Creatures that would not receive him Ye know not what manner of Spirit ye are of Luke 9.54 55. They were too hasty at that time a spirit of Revenge was stirring in them which was not Elias's spirit
Hope will give Courage will put a Man in heart and make him resolved for God A true Christian to maintain his Hope will not care to quit present worldly Possessions If we could be perswaded to disclaim all interest in and Hope of Heaven to embrace this present World if we could be content to take up with the World for our Portion then certainly we have no sound Hope of Heaven It is a weighty saying O that it may be well weighed They are no true Hopes of Glory to come Mr. Baxt. Ep. ded before his 32. Directions c. if you cannot cast over board all Worldly Hopes when the Storm is such that you must hazzard the One. 11. A sound Hope will raise ones Thoughts Heart and Desires Heaven-ward What is Hope but an expectation with desire or a desiring expectation As the Apostle speaks of his earnest expectation and Hope Phil. 1.20 So we cannot have a lively Hope of Heaven without lively desires after Heaven Rom. 8.23 We which have the first-fruits of the Spirit groan within our selves waiting for the Adoption to wit the Redemption of our Body It cannot be that such as have a sound Hope of Heaven should place their happiness or terminate their desires in the World 12. A lively Hope will quicken and raise the Heart in praise and thankfulness to God Psal 71.14 I will hope continually and will yet praise thee more and more This Hope is called good Hope through Grace 2 Thes 2.16 And Souls that have it cannot but see cause greatly to admire extol and magnifie Divine Grace 13. Sound Hope is a furtherance of Spiritual Joy Rejoycing in Hope As Bernard sed nunquid tantae laetitiae spes erit sine laetitia Yea this Hope oft causeth Joy even in Affliction Psal 119.49 50. Remember the Word unto thy Servant upon which thou hast caused me to hope This is my comfort in my affliction for thy Word hath quickened me The word of promise giving Hope thus brings in Joy and comfort too Sound Hope will chear the Heart and keep it alive under troubles without which it would faint and sink If our Hearts die within us like Nabals under worldly Troubles this would shew we have not a lively Hope of Heaven Such as rejoyce in Hope of the Glory of God will be ready even to glory in Tribulations as Rom. 5.2 3. Of Spiritual Joy ANd so I come to the Trial of Mens Joyes As there are counterfeit Graces so there are false Joyes As we read of the Hope of the Hypocrite so likewise of the Joy of the Hypocrite Job 20.5 A Joy that will end in sorrow and consternation Yea It is possible for Souls that have true Grace yet to be mistaken in their Joys As we find the Seventy Disciples returning with Joy Luk. 10.17 saying Lord even the Devils are subject unto us through thy Name Notwithstanding says Christ v. 20. in this rejoyce not that the Spirits are subject unto you but rather rejoyce because your names are written in Heaven Where he at once corrects and directs their Joy As one says Many times the more excellent a Sermon is Mr. A. Burg. the more carnal the heart of the Preacher may be So Christians may rejoyce carnally in Spiritual Enlargements and Spiritual Experiences As Grace can find something even in natural comforts to feed and increase Spiritual Joy Joy in the Lord So Corruption sometimes prevailes on the contrary making Spiritual Duties and Spiritual Priviledges and Mercies the matter and ground of carnal rejoycing And further as some Christians through weakness yield to needless fears and take up sad conclusions against themselves and their own Estates debarring themselves of comfort belonging to them So others again through heedlesness please themselves erroneously in their own fancies and rejoyce in sparks of their own kindling which they take for the comforts of the Spirit That we should not only try our Graces but our Comforts For which purpose take these following notes 1. Spiritual Joy is not wont to come in till Godly Sorrow hath prepared and made way for it Bernard Opportunè post tristitiam gaudium subit post laborem quies post naufragium portus Thus the Lord oft turns Water into Wine turns his Peoples Sorrow into Joy Christ was anointed to give the Oyl of Joy for mourning the Garments of Praise for the spirit of heaviness Isa 61.3 They that sow in Tears shall reap in Joy Psal 126.5 6. Hearts that were never broken are not yet prepared for Christ to bind them up Paul had a casting down to the Earth before he was caught up to the third Heavens They that have great elevations of Joy and yet were never humbled for Sin have cause enough to suspect their Joy is not right 2. Spiritual Joy hath the Holy Spirit for its Authour Thus it is the Joy of the Holy Ghost 1 Thes 1.6 As I said of a lively Hope it is a fruit of the Spirit Gal. 5.22 Ministers may be helpers of a Believers Joy as 2 Cor. 1.24 but under the Spirit He is the principal efficient Now they that have not the Holy Ghost their Sanctifier cannot have him their Comforter The Disciples were filled with Joy and with the Holy Ghost Act. 13.52 This fruit of the Spirit never grows alone but hath other fruits accompanying it Indeed there may be Saving Sanctifying Grace without actual Joy and Consolation but there cannot be true Joy without Saving Sanctifying Grace 3. Spiritual Joy is never to be found without Saving Faith Rom. 15.13 Now the God of Hope fill you with Joy and Peace in believing No other way that it can be attained Sound Joy is the Joy of Faith Phil. 1.25 Being justified by Faith we have Peace with God and rejoyce in hope of the Glory of God Rom. 5.1 2. Without true Saving Justifying Faith no Peace with God and without Peace and Reconciliation with God no ground for Joy So then if we would know whether our Joy be right we must inquire after the truth of our Faith Certainly a temporary Faith can have no betrer than a temporary Joy following it 4. Spiritual Joy ordinarily is not attained without self-probation without self-searching Gal. 6.4 Let every Man prove his own work and then shall he have rejoycing in himself The ground of an Hypocrites Joy ordinarily is out of himself in the good opinion and esteem of others But says the Apostle 2 Cor. 1.12 Our rejoycing is this the testimony of our Conscience And this we see is the Scripture-way and method for attaining Spiritual Joy to commune with our own Hearts to ask our own Consciences seriously what evidence they can give that we are in a state of Grace that our works are done in Sincerity And when Conscience can give testimony of our Godly Sincerity and Integrity then indeed we have good ground to rejoyce But therefore such as are great strangers to themselves and fear examining their Consciences strictly lest