never true Use 1. How opposite are they to godliness who cry down zeal and count it a Religious phrensie They are for the light of knowledge but not for the heat of zeal When Basil was earnest in preaching against the Arrian Heresie it was interpreted folly and dotage Religion is a matter requires zeal the Kingdom of heaven will not be taken but by violence Mat. 12. 11. Object But why so much fervour in Religion what becomes then of Prudence Answ. Though Prudence be to direct zeal yet not to destroy it because sight is requisite must the body therefore have no heat If Prudence be the eye in Religion zeal is the heart Quest. But where is moderation Answ. Though moderation in things of indifferency be commendable and doubtless it would much tend to the setling the peace of the Church yet in the main Articles of Faith wherein Gods glory and our Salvation lie at stake here moderation is nothing else but sinful neutrality It was Calvins advice to Melancthon that he should not so affect the name of moderate that at length he lost all his zeal Object But the Apostle presseth moderation Phil. 4. 5. Let your moderation be known to all Answ. The Apostle speaks there of moderating our passion the Greek word for moderation signifies candour and meekness opposite to rash anger and so the word is rendred in another place Patient 1 Tim. 3. 3. By moderation then is meant meekness of spirit and that is clear by the subsequent words The Lord is at hand As if the Apostle had said avenge not your selves for the Lord is at hand he is ready to avenge your personal wrongs but this doth not at all hinder but that in matters of Religion a Christian should be zealous 2 What strangers are they to godliness who have no zeal for the glory of God they can see his ordinances despised his worship adulterated yet their spirits are not at all stirred in them How many are of a dull lukewarm temper zealous for their own secular interest but have no zeal for the things of heaven hot in their own cause but cool in Gods The Lord doth most abominate lukewarm professours I had almost said hee is sick of them Rev. 3. 15. I would thou wert cold or hot any thing but lukewarm but because thou art neither cold nor hot I will spue thee out of my mouth A lukewarm Christian is but dough-baked just like Ephraim Hos. 7. 8. Ephraim is a cake not turned To keep up a form of Religion without zeal is to be like those bodies the Angels assumed which mooved but had no life in them I would ask these Tepid neutral professors this question If Religion be not a good cause why did they undertake it at first if it be why do they go so faintly about it why have they no more holy ardours of soul these persons would fain go to heaven in a soft bed but are loath to bee carried thither in a fiery Chariot of zeal Remember God will be zealous against them who are not zealous he provides the fire of hell for those that want the fire of zeal Use 2. As you would be found in the catalogue of the godly labour for zeal as good bee of no religion as not to be zealous in religion Beware of carnal policy This is one of those three things which Luther feared would bee the death of Religion Some men have been too wise to bee saved Their discretion hath quenched their zeal beware of stoth which is an enemy to zeal be zealous and repent Rev. 3. 19. Christians what do you reserve your zeal for is it for your gold that perisheth or for your lusts that will make you perish can you bestow your zeal better than upon God how zealous have men been in a false religion Isa. 46. 6. They lavish gold out of the bag and weigh silver in the ballance The Iews did spare no cost in their idolatrous worship nay Ier. 32. 35. They cause their Sons and Daughters to pass thorow the fire to Molech They were so zealous in their idol-worship that they would sacrifice their Sons and Daughters to their false Gods how far did the purblinde Heathens go in their false zeal 〈◊〉 the Tribunes of Rome complained they wanted gold in their Treasurâ—es to offer to Apollo the Roman Matrons plucked off their chains of gold and rings and bracelets and gave them to the Priests to offer up sacrifice were these so zealous in their sinful worship and will not you bee zealous in the worship of the true God can you loose any thing by your zeal shall it not bee super-abundantly recompenced what is heaven worth what is a sight of God worth was not Jesus Christ zealous for you he sweat drops of blood hee conflicted with his Fathers wrath how zealous was hee for your redemption and have you no zeal for him is there any thing you your selves hate more than dulness and slothfulness in your servants you are weary of such servants do you dislike a dull temper in others and not in your selves what are all your duties without zeal but non entia meer fancies and nullities Do you know what a glorious thing zeal is it is the lustre that sparkles from grace it is the flame of love it resembles the Holy Ghost Act. 2. 2. There appeared cloven tongues like fire which sat upon them and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost Tongues of fire were an Emblem to represent that fire of zeal which the spirit powred upon them Zeal makes all our religious performances prevalent with God When the iron is red hot it enters best and when our services are red hot with zeal they soonest pierce heaven SECT XVI 16. A godly man is a patient man Iam. 5. 11. Ye have heard of the patience of Iob. Patience is a star which shines in a dark night There is a twofold patience 1. Patience in waiting 2. Patience in bearing 1. Patience in waiting A godly man if he hath not his desire presently he will wait till the mercy be ripe Psa. 130. 6. My soul waiteth for the Lord. Good reason God should have the Timing of our mercies Isa. 60. 22. I the Lord will hasten it in his time Deliverance may tarry beyond our time but it will not tarry beyond Gods time Why should not we wait patiently upon God 1. We are servants it becomes servants to be in a waiting posture 2. We wait upon every thing else we wait upon the fire till it burns we wait upon the seed till it grows Iam. 5. 7. Why cannot we wait upon God 3. God hath waited upon us Did not he wait for our repentance How often did he come year after year before he found fruit Did God wait upon us and cannot we wait upon him A godly man is content to stay Gods leisure though the Vision tarry he will wait for
we are here we are complaining of our wants weeping over our sins but there we shall be praising God How will the Birds of Paradise chirp when they are in that Caelestial Country There the Morning Stars will sing together and all the Saints of God shout for joy O what should we aspire after but this Country above Such as have their eyes opened will see that it doth infinitely excel An ignorant man looks upon a Star and it appears to him as a little silver spot but the Astronomer who hath his Instrument to judge of the dimension of a Star knows it to be many degrees bigger than the earth So a natural man hears of the heavenly Country that it is very glorious but it is at a great distance and because he hath not a spirit of discerning the world looks bigger in his eye but such as are Spiritual Artists who have the Instrument of Faith to judge of Heaven will say it is far the better Country and thither will they hasten with the Sails of desire SECT XV. 15. A godly man is a zealous man grace turns a Saint into a Seraphim it makes him burn in holy zeal zeal is a mixed affection a compound of love and anger it carries forth our love to God and anger against sin in the most intense manner Zeal is the flame of the affections a godly man hath a double baptism of water and fire he is baptized with a spirit of zeal hee is zealous for Gods honour truth worship Psal. 119. 139. my zeal hath consumed me it was a crown set on Phineas his head hee was zealous for his God Numb 25. 13. Moses being touched with a coal from Gods altar in his zeal hee breaks the Tables Exod. 32. 19. our blessed Saviour in his zeal whips the buyers and sellers out of the Temple Ioh. 2. 17. the zeal of thy house hath eaten me up But there is a Praeternatural heat something looking like zeal which is not a Comet looks like a Star I shall therefore show some differences between a true and a false zeal 1 A false zeal is a blinde zeal Rom. 10. 2. They have a zeal of God but not according to knowledge this is not the fire of the spirit but wild-fire The Athenians were very devout and zealous but they knew not for what Acts 17. 23. I found an Altar with this Inscription 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 To the unknown God Thus the Papists are zealous in their way but they have taken away the key of knowledge 2 A false zeal is a self-seeking zeal Iehu cries come see my zeal for the Lord 2 King 10. 16. but it was not zeal but ambition he was fishing for a Crown Demetrius pleads for the Goddess Diana but it was not her Temple but her Silver shrines he was zealous for Such zealots Ignatius complains of in his time that they made a Trade of Christ and Religion thereby to enrich themselves 'T is probable many in King Henry the eights time were forward to pull down the Abbies not out of any zeal against Popery but that they might build their own houses upon the ruines of those Abbies like Eagles which fly aloft but their eyes are down upon their prey If blind zeal be punished seven fold hypocritical zeal shall bee punished seventy and seven fold 3 A false praeposterous zeal is a misguided zeal it runs out most in things which are not commanded It is the sign of an hypocrite to be zealous for traditions and careless of institutions The Pharisees were more zealous about washing of their cups than their hearts 4 A false zeal is fired with passion Iames and Iohn when they would call for fire from heaven were rebuked by our Saviour Luk. 9. 54. Yee know not what spirit yee are off it was not zeal but choller many have espoused the cause of Religion rather out of faction and humour than out of zeal to the truth But the zeal of a godly man is a true and holy zeal which evidenceth it self in the effects of it 1 True zeal cannot bear an injury done to God zeal makes the blood rise when Gods honour is impeached Rev. 2. 2. I know thy works and thy labour and patience and how thou canst not bear them which are evil hee who zealously affects his friend cannot hear him spoken against and be silent 2 True zeal will encounter with the greatest difficulties when the world holds out a Gorgons head of danger to discourage us zeal casts out fear it is quickned by opposition Zeal doth not say there is a Lyon in the way zeal will charge through an Army of dangers it will march in the face of death Let news be brought to Paul that he was way-laid in every City bonds and imprisonment did abide him this sets a keener edge upon his zeal Acts 21. 13. I am ready not only to bee bound but to dye for the name of the Lord Iesus as sharp frosts do by an antiparistasis make the fire burn hotter so sharp oppositions do but inflame zeal the more 3 True zeal as it hath knowledge to go before it so it hath sanctity to follow after it Wisdome leads the van of zeal and holiness brings up the rear an hypocrite seems to be zealous but he is vitious the godly man is white and ruddy white in purity as well as ruddy in zeal Christs zeal was hotter than the fire and his holiness purer than the sun 4 Zeal that is genuine loves truth when it is despised and opposed Psal. 119. 126. They have made void thy law therefore I love thy commandements above gold the more others deride holiness the more we love it what is Religion the worse for others disgracing it doth a Diamond sparkle the less because a blinde man disparageth it the more outragious the wicked are against the truth the more couragious the godly are for it When Mical scoffed at Davids religious dancing before the Ark if saith he this be to be vile I will yet be more vile 2 Sam. 6. 22. 5 True zeal causeth fervency in duty Rom. 12. 11. fervent in spirit Zeal makes us hear with reverence pray with affection love with ardency God kindled Moses his sacrifice from heaven Lev. 9. 24. There came a fire out from before the Lord and consumed upon the Altar the burnt offering when we are zealous in devotion and our heart waxeth hot within us here is a fire from heaven kindling our sacrifice how odious is it for a man to be all fire when he is sinning and all yâ—e when he is praying A pious heart like water seething hot boils over in holy affections 6. True zeal is never out of breath though it be violent 't is perpetual no waters can quench the flame of zeal it is torrid in the frigid zone The heat of zeal is like the natural heat coming from the heart which lasts as long as life That zeal which is not constant was
THE Godly Mans Picture Drawn with a Scripture-Pensil OR Some Characteristical Notes of a Man that shall go to Heaven By THOMAS WATSON Minister of the GOSPEL But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is Godly for himself Psalm 4. 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Clâ—m Alex. LONDON Printed for Thomas Parkhurst at the three Crowns over against the great Conduâ—t at the lower end of Cheap-side 1666. To the Reader Christian Reader THe Soul being so precious and Salvation so glorious it is the highest point of Prudence to make preparations for another world That there is an Inheritance in Light 〈◊〉 beyond all dispute and that there must be an Idoneity and meetness for it 〈◊〉 in Sacred Writ most strenuously asâ—â—rted If any shall ask who shall â—scend into the hill of the Lord The â—nswer is He that hath clean hands 〈◊〉 a pure heart To describe such 〈◊〉 person is the work of this ensuing â—â—reatise Here you have the godly â—ans Effigies and see him pourtrayed 〈◊〉 his full Lineaments What a rare â—â—ing is godliness 't is not airy and flatulent but solid and such as will take up the heart and spirits Godliness consists in an exact harmony between holy Principles and Practises 〈◊〉 that all into whose hands this Book shall providentially come may be 〈◊〉 enamoured with Piety as to fall 〈◊〉 the hearty imbracing of it So sublimâ— is Godliness that it cannot be delâ—â—neated in its perfect radiancy and lustre though an Angel should take 〈◊〉 Pensil Godliness is our wisdomâ— Job 28. 28. The fear of the Lord thâ—â— is wisdome Policy without Piety profound madness Godliness is a Spâ—ritual Queen which whosoever Maâ—ries is sure of a large Dowry with 〈◊〉 1 Tim. 4. 8. Godliness hath the prâ—mise of the life that now is and that which is to come Godliness givâ— assurance yea holy triumph in Goâ— and how sweet is that It was 〈◊〉 Latimers Speech when sometimes I sit alone and have a setled assurance of the state of my Soul and know that God is my God I can laugh at all troubles and nothing can daunt me Godliness puts a man in heaven before his time Christian aspire after Piety it is a lawful Ambition Look upon the Saints Characters here and never leave till thou hast gotten them instamped upon thy own Soul This is the grand business that should swallow up your time and thoughts Other Speculations and Quaint Notions are nothing to the Soul They are like Wafers which have fine works printed upon them and are curiously damasked to the eye but are thin and yield little nourishment But I will not stay you longer in the Porch should I have inlarged upon any one Character of the Godly Man it would have required a Volume but designing to go over many I have contracted my Sails and given you only a brief Summary of things If this Piece how indigested soever may conduce to the good of Souls I have my Option which that the God of Grace will effectually accomplish shall be the Prayer of him who is Thine in all Christian affection Thomas Watson Feb. 26. 1666. THE Character of a Godly Man drawn with a SCRIPTURE-PENSIL PSAL. 32. 6. For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee CHAP. I. Containing the Preface or Introduction HOly David in the front of this Psalm shews us wherein true happiness consists not in beauty honour riches the Worlds Trinity but in the forgiveness of sin Vers. 1. Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven The Hebrew word to forgive signifies to carry out of sight which well agrees with that Ierem. 50. 20. In those dayes saith the Lord the sins of Judah shall be sought for and they shall not be found This is an incomprehensible blessing and such as layes a foundation for all other mercies I shall but glance at it and lay down these five Assertions about it 1. Forgiveness of sin is an act of Gods Free Grace The Greek word to forgive deciphers the Original of pardon it ariseth not from any thing inherent in us but is the pure result of Free Grace Isa. 43. 25. I even I am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake When a Creditor forgives a Debtor he doth it freely Pardon of sin is a fine thread spun out of the bowels of Free Grace Paul cries out I obtained mercy 1 Tim. 1. 13. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I was be-mercied he who is pardoned is all bestrewed with mercy When the Lord pardons a sinner he doth not pay a Debt but give a Legacy 2. God in forgiving sin remits the guilt and penalty Guilt cries for justice no sooner had Adam eaten the Apple but he saw the flaming sword and heard the Curse but in remission God doth indulge the sinner he seems to say thus to him Though thou art fallen into the hands of my Justice and deservest to die yet I will absolve thee and whatever is charged upon thee shall be discharged 3. Forgiveness of sin is through the blood of Christ. Free grace is the impulsive cause Christs blood is the meritorious Heb. 9. 22 Without shedding of blood is no remission Justice would be revenged either on the sinner or the surety Every pardon is the price of blood 4. Before sin is forgiven it must be repented of Therefore repentance and remission are linked together Luk. 24. 47. That repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his Name Not that repentance doth in a Popish sense merit forgiveness Christs blood must wash our Tears but repentance is a qualification though not a cause He who is humbled for sin will the more value pardoning mercy When there is nothing in the soul but clouds of sorrow and now God brings a pardon which is a setting up a Rainbow in the Cloud to tell the sinner that the flood of wrath shall not overflow him O what joy is there at the sight of this Rainbow The soul that before was steeped in tears now melts in love to God Luk. 7. 38. 47. 5. God having forgiven sin he will call it no more into remembrance Ier. 31. 34. the Lord will make an act of Indempnity he will not upbraid us with former unkindnesses or sue us with a cancelled Bond. Micah 7. 19. he will cast our sins into the depth of the sea Sin shall not be cast in as Cork which riseth up again but as Lead which sinks to the bottom How should we all labour for this Covenant-blessing 1. How sad is it to want it It must needs be ill with the Malefactor who wants his pardon all the Curses of God stand in full force against the unpardoned sinner his very blessings are cursed Mal. 2. 2. Caesar wondred at one of his Souldiers that was so merry when he was in debt Can the sinner be merry who is heir to all Gods Curses and knows not how soon he may take up his Lodgings
good ignorant persons cannot give God a reasonable service Rom. 12. 1. 'T is sad that after the Sun of Righteousness hath shined so long in our Hemisphere yet that persons should be under the power of ignorance Perhaps in the things of the world they are knowing enough none shall out reach them but in the things of God they have no knowledge Nahash would make a Covenant with Israel that he might put out their right eyes 1 Sam. 11. 1. The Devil hath left men their left eye knowledge in secular matters but he hath put out their right eye they understand not the Mystery of Godliness it may be said of them as of the Jews To this day the vail is upon their heart 2 Cor. 3. 15. Many Christians are no better than baptized Heathens What a shame is it to be without knowledge 1 Cor. 15. 34. Some have not the knowledge of God I speak this to your shame Men think it a shame to be ignorant in their Trade but no shame to be ignorant of God there 's no going to Heaven blindfold Isa. 27. 11. It is a people of no understanding therefore he that made them will not have mercy on them Surely ignorance in these daies is affected 't is one thing nescire another thing nolle scire 't is one thing not to know another thing not to be willing to know Iohn 3. 19. They loved darkness rather than light 'T is the Owle loves the dark Sinners are like the Athlantes a people in Aethiopia which curse the Sun Wicked men shut their eyes wilfully Mat. 13. 15. and God shuts them judicially Isa. 6. 10. 2. Are they godly who though they have knowledge yet they know not as they ought to know they know not God experimentally How many knowing persons are ignorant they have Illumination but not Sanctification their knowledge hath not a powerful influence upon them to make them better If you set up an hundred Torches in a garden they will not make the flowers grow but the Sun is influential Many are so far from being better for their knowledge that they are worse Isa. 47. 10. Thy knowledge hath perverted thee the knowledge of most makes them more cunning in sin these have little cause to glory in their knowledge Absalom might boast of the hair of his head but that hanged him so these may boast of the knowledge of their head but it will destroy them 3. Are they godly who though they have some glimmering of knowledge yet no fiducial applying of Christ Many of the Old World knew there was an Ark but were drowned because they did not get into the Ark Knowledge which is not applying will but light a man to hell it were better to live an Indian than to die an Infidel under the Gospel Christ not believed in is terrible Moses Rod when it was in his hand did a great deal of good it wrought Miracles but when it was out of his hand it became a Serpent So Christ when laid hold on by the hand of Faith is full of comfort but not laid hold on will prove a Serpent to sting Use 2. As we would evidence our selves godly let us labour for this good knowledge of the Lord What pains will men take for the atchievement of Natural Knowledge I have read of one Benchorat who spent forty years in finding out the motion of the Eighth Sphere what pains then should we take in finding out the knowledge of God in Christ There must be digging and searching for it as one would search for a vein of silver Pro. 2. 3. If thou seekest her as silver Et pluteum coedit dimorsos sapit ungues This is the best knowledge it doth as far surpass all other as the Diamond doth the Christal no Jewel we wear doth so adorn us as this Pro. 3. 15. She is more precious than Rubies Iob 28. 12 13. Man knows not the price thereof the depth saith it is not in me it cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir with the precious Onyx or the Saphire The dark Chaos was a fit Embleme of an ignorant Soul Gen. 1. 2. but when God lights up the Lamp of Knowledge in the mind what a new Creation is there How doth the Soul sparkle as the Sun in its glory This knowledge is comfortable we may say of the Knowledge of Nature as Solomon Eccles. 1. 18. He that encreaseth knowledge encreaseth sorrow The knowledge of Arts and Sciences is gathering of straw but the knowledge of God in Christ is gathering of Pearl This Knowledge ushers in Salvation 1 Tim. 2. 4. Quest. But how shall we get this Saving Knowledge Answ. Not by the power of Nature Some speak of Reason well improved how far it will go but alas the plumb-line of Reason is too short to fathom the deep things of God A man can no more by the power of Reason reach the Saving Knowledge of God than a Pigmy can reach the Pyramides The Light of Nature will no more help us to see Christ than the light of a Candle will help us to understand 1 Cor. 2. 14. The natural man receives not the things of God neither can he know them What shall we do then to know God in a Soul-saving manner I answer let us implore the help of Gods Spirit Paul never saw himself blind till a light shined from heaven Act. 9. 3. God must anoint our eyes ere we can see What needed Christ have bid Laodicea to come to him for eye-salve if she could see before Revel 3. 18. Oh! let us beg the Spirit which is a Spirit of Revelation Eph. 1. 17. Saving Knowledge is not by speculation but by inspiration Iob 32. 8 The inspiration of the Almighty giveth understanding Narrat Cassianus de Theodoro quodam qui notitia Scripturarum praeclare emicuit quam ei non tam studium lectionis contulerat quà m Spiritus Sancti Gratia siquidèm vix ipsius Graecae Linguae perpauca verba vel intelligere poterat vel proloqui quae Sancti Patris Oratio inquit Acosta non eò pertinere putanda est ut studium humanum floccipendamus sed ut hoc nobis eluoeat Divini Spiritus dono interdùm fieri ut homo plura de Sacris Scripturis Saluificè intelligat vel nuda lectione quam magna vallatus copia commentariorum alioqui assequi possit We may have excellent notions in Divinity but the Holy Ghost must inable us to know them after a spiritual manner A man may see the Figures upon a Dial but he cannot tell how the day goes unless the Sun shine We may read many Truths in the Bible but we cannot know them savingly till Gods Spirit doth shine upon us 1 Cor. 2. 10. The Spirit searcheth all things yea the deep things of God The Scripture discovers Christ to us but the Spirit reveals Christ in us Gal. 1. 16. The Spirit makes known that which all the world cannot do namely the
sense of Gods love Use 3. You who have this saluifical sanctifying knowledge flourishing in you bless God for it this is the Heavenly Anointing the most excellent objects cannot be seen in the dark but when the light appears then every flower shines in its Native beauty So while men are in the midnight of a natural estate the Beauty of Holiness is hid from them but when the light of the Spirit comes in a saving manner then those truths they slighted before appear in that glorious lustre as transports them with wonder and love Bless God ye Saints that he hath taken off your Spiritual Cataract and hath given you to discern those things which by Natures Spectacles you could never see How thankful was Christ to his Father for this Mat. 11. 25. I thank thee O Father Lord of Heaven and Earth that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent and hast revealed them unto babes How should you admire Free-grace that God hath not only brought the light to you but given you eyes to see it that he hath inabled you to know the truth as it is in Iesus Ephes. 4. 21. That he hath opened not only the eye of your understanding but the eye of your Conscience This is a mercy you can never be enough thankful for that God hath so enlightned you that you should not sleep the sleep of death SECT II. 2. The godly man is a man acted by Faith as gold is the most precious among the metals so is Faith among the Graces Faith cuts us off from the wild Olive of Nature and inoculates us into Christ Faith is the vital artery of the Soul Hab. 2. 4. The just shall live by his Faith Such as are destitute of Faith though they breathe yet they want life Faith is the quickner of the Graces not a Grace stirs till Faith sets it awork Faith is to the soul as the animal spirits are to the body they excite lively operations in the body Faith excites Repentance it is like the fire to the Still which makes it drop When I believe Gods love to me this makes me weep that I should sin against so good a God Faith is the Mother of Hope first we believe the Promise then we hope for it Faith is the Oyl which feeds the Lamp of Hope Faith and Hope are two Turtle-graces take away one and the other languisheth If the sinews be cut the body is lame if this sinew of Faith be cut Hope is lame Faith is the ground of Patience He who believes God is his God and all Providences work for his good doth patiently yield up himself to the Will of God thus Faith is a living Principle And the life of a Saint is nothing else but a life of Faith his prayer is the breathing of Faith Iam. 5. 15. His obedience is the result of Faith Rom. 16. 26. A godly man by Faith lives in Christ as the beam lives in the Sun Gal. 2. 20. I live yet not I but Christ lives in me A Christian by the power of Faith sees above Reason trades above the Moon by Faith his heart is finely quieted he trusts himself and all his affairs with God As in a time of War men get into a Garrison and trust themselves and their treasure there So the Name of the Lord is a strong Tower Pro. 18. 10. and a Believer trusts all that ever he is worth in this Garrison 2 Tim. 1. 12. I know whom I have believed and I am perswaded he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day God trusted Paul with his Gospel and Paul trusted God with his Soul Faith is a Catholicon or remedy against all troubles it is a godly mans sheat-anchor that he casts out into the Sea of Gods mercy and is kept from sinking in despair Si modo firma fides nulla ruina nocet Use. Let us try our selves by this Character Alas how far are they from being godly that are destitute of Faith such as are altogether drowned in Sense Most men are spiritually purblind they can see but just before them 2 Pet. 1. 9. I have read of a people of India who are born with one eye such are they who are born with the eye of Reason but want the eye of Faith who because they do not see God with bodily eyes they do not believe a God they may as well not believe they have Souls because being Spirits they cannot be seen O where is he who lives in Excelsis who is gotten into the upper Region and sees 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 things not seen Heb. 11. 27. Did men live by Faith would they use sinful policy for a livelihood Were there Faith would there be so much fraud Did Faith live would men like dead fish swim down the stream In this Age there is scarce so much Faith to be found among men as there is among the Devils for they believe and tremble It was a grave and serious speech of Mr. Greenham that he feared not Papisme but Atheisme would be Englands ruine But I shall not expatiate having been more large upon this Head in another discourse SECT III. 3. A godly man is fired with love to God Psalm 116. 1. Faith and Love are the two Poles on which all Religion turns A true Saint is carried in that Chariot the midst whereof is paved with love Cant. 3. 10. As Faith doth quicken so love doth sweeten every duty The Sun mellows the fruit so love mellows the services of Religion and makes them come off with a better relish A godly man is sick of love Ioh. 21. 16. Lord thou knowest I love thee Though dear Saviour I did deny thee yet it was for want of strength not for want of love God is the Fountain and Quintessence of goodness his beauty and sweetness lay constraints of love upon a gracious heart God is the Saints portion Psalm 119. 57. And what more loved then a portion I would hate my own Soul saith Austin if I found it not loving 〈◊〉 A godly man loves God therefore delight to be in his presence he loves God therefore takes comfort in nothing without him Cant. 3. 3. Saw ye him whom my Soul loveth Lilia nigra videntur Pallentesque rosae nec dulce rubens hyacinthus Nullos nèc myrtus nec laurus spirat odores The pious Soul loves God therefore thirsts after him the more he hath of God the more still he desires a sip of the Wine of the Spirit provokes the appetite after more The Soul loves God therefore rejoyceth to think of his appearing 2 Tim. 4. 8. He loves him therefore longs to be with him Christ was in Pauls heart and Paul would be in Christs bosome Phil. 1. 23. When the Soul is once like God it would fain be with God A gracious heart cries out O that I had wings that I might flie away and be
himself By virtue of this Sacrifice the soul may go to God with boldness Lord give me heaven Christ hath purchased it for me he hung upon the Cross that I might sit upon the Throne Christs Bloud and Incense are the two hinges on which our Salvation turns 3. Christs Regal Office is precious Rev. 19. 16. He hath on his Vesture and on his Thigh a name written King of Kings and Lord of Lords Christ hath a preheminence above all other Kings for Majesty he hath the highest Throne the richest Crown the largest Dominions and the longest possession Heb. 1. 8. Thy Throne O God is for ever and ever Though Christ hath many Assessors Ephes. 2. 6. yet no Successors Christ sets up his Scepter where no other King doth he rules the will and affections his power binds the Conscience The Angels take the oath of Allegiance to him Heb. 1. 6. Christs Kingship is seen in two Royal Acts. 1. In ruling his people 2. In over-ruling his Enemies 1. In ruling his people He rules with Clemency his Regal Rod hath honey at the end of it Christ displays the Ensign of Mercy which makes so many Volunteers run to his Standard Psal. 110. 3. Holiness without Mercy and Justice without Mercy were dreadful but Mercy encourageth poor sinners to trust in him 2. In over-ruling his Enemies He pulls down their pride befools their policy restrains their malice Psalm 76. 10. The remainder of wrath thou shalt restrain Or as it is in the Hebrew 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thou shalt girdle up That stone cut out of the Moutains without hands which smote the Image Dan. 2. 34. was an Embleme saith Austin of Christs Monarchical power conquering and triumphing over his Enemies 3. Christ is precious in his benefits by Christ all dangers are removed through Christ all mercies are conveyed in his bloud flows Justification Act. 3. 9. Purgation Heb. 9. 14. Fructification Ioh. 1. 16. Pacification Rom. 5. 1. Adoption Gal. 4. 5. Perseverance Heb. 12. 2. Glorification Heb. 9. 12. This will be matter of sublimest joy to Eternity We read that those who had passed over the Sea of Glass stood with their Harps and did sing the Song of Moses and the Lamb Revel 15. 2. So when the Saints of God have passed over the glassie Sea of this world they shall sing Hallelujahs to the Lamb who hath redeemed them from sin and hell and hath translated them into that glorious Paradise where they shall see God for ever and ever 2. The second thing to be illustrated is that every godly man doth set an high value and estimate upon Christ 1 Pet. 2. 7. Unto you therefore who believe he is precious In the Greek it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an honour Believers have an honourable esteem of Christ the Psalmist speaks like one captivated with Christs amazing beauty Psalm 73. 25. There is none upon earth that I desire besides thee He did not say he had nothing he had many comforts on earth but he desired none but God as if a wife should say there 's no ones company she prizeth like her husbands How did David prize Christ Psa. 45. 2. Thou art fairer than the children of men The Spouse in the Canticles looked upon Christ as the Coriphoeus the most incomparable one Cant. 5. 10. The chief among ten thousand Christ out-vies all others Cant. 2. 3. As the appletree among the trees of the wood so is my beloved among the sons Christ doth infinitely more excel all the beauties and glories of this visible world than the appletree doth surpass the trees of the wild Forrest So did Paul prize Christ that he made him his chief study 1 Cor. 2. 2. I determined to know nothing among you save Iesus Christ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I judged not any thing else of worth St. Paul did best know Christ 1 Cor. 9. 1. Have I not seen Iesus our Lord He saw him with his bodily eyes in a Vision when he was wrap'd up into the third heaven 2 Cor. 12. 2. and he saw him with the eye of his faith in the blessed Supper therefore he did best know him and behold how he did slight and vili-prize other things in comparison of Christ Phil. 3. 8. I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Iesus my Lord. Gain he esteemed loss and gold dung for Christ. Indeed a godly person cannot chuse but set an high valuation upon Christ he sees a fulness of worth in him 1. A fulness in regard of variety Col. 2. 3. In whom are hid all treasures No Country hath all commodities of its own growth but Christ hath all kind of fulness fulness of Merit of Spirit of Love he hath a treasure adequate to all our wants 2. A fulness in regard of degree Christ hath not only a few drops or rays but is more full of goodness than the Sun is of light he hath the fulness of the Godhead Col. 2. 9. 3. A fulness in regard of duration The fulness in the creature like the brooks of Arabia is soon dried up but Christs fulness is inexhaustible 't is a fulness over-flowing and ever-flowing And this fulness is for Believers Christ is Communis Thesaurus as Luther saith a common Treasury or Magazine for the Saints Ioh. 1. 16. Of his fulness have we all received Set a glass under a Still and it receives water out of the Still drop by drop So those who are united to Christ have the dews and drops of his grace distilling upon them Well then may Christ be admired of all them that believe Use 1. Is a godly man an high prizer of Christ then what is to be thought of them who do not put a value upon Christ are they godly or no There are four sorts of persons who do not prize Christ. 1. The Iews They believe not in Christ 2 Cor. 3. 15. Unto this day the vail is upon their heart They expect their saeculum futurum a Messiah yet to come as their own Talmud reports they blaspheme Christ they slight righteousness imputed They despise the Virgin Mary calling her in derision Marah which signifieth bitterness They vilifie the Gospel they deny the Christian Sabbath they have the Christians in abomination they hold it not lawful for a Jew to take physick of a Christian. Schecardus relates of one Bendema a Jew that being stung with a Serpent a Christian came to heal him but he refused his help and chose rather to die than to be healed by a Christian So do the Iews hate Christ and all that wear his Livery 2. The Socinians who acknowledge only Christs Humanity this is to make him below the Angels for the Humane Nature simply considered is inferiour to the Angelical Psa. 8. 5. 3. Proud Professors who do not lay the whole stress of their Salvation upon Christ but would mingle their dross with his gold their duties
our duties are divinely qualified we do them with pure aims 3. When we have found God going along with us we give him the glory of all 1 Cor. 15. 10. This doth clearly evince that the duty was carried on by the strength of Gods Spirit more than by any innate abilities of our own 7. Gods Spirit hath a comforting virtue disconsolacy may arise in a gracious heart as the Heaven though it be a bright lucid body yet hath interposition of Clouds this sadness is caused usually through the malice of Satan who if he cannot destroy us he will disturb us but Gods Spirit within us doth sweetly chear and revive he is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Comforter Ioh. 14. 16. These comforts are real and infallible Hence it is called the Seal of the Spirit Eph. 1. 13. When a Deed is sealed it is firm and unquestionable so when a Christian hath the seal of the spirit his comforts are confirmed every godly man hath these revivings of the spirit in some degree he hath the seminals and initials of joy though the flower be not fully ripe and blown Quest. How doth the Spirit give comfort Answ. 1. By showing us that we are in a state of Grace A Christian cannot always see his riches the work of Grace may be written in the heart like short-hand which a Christian cannot read the spirit gives him a Key to open these dark Characters and spell out his Adoption whereupon he hath joy and peace 1 Cor. 2. 12. We have received the Spirit which is of God that we might know the things which are freely given to us of God 2. The spirit comforts by giving us some ravishing apprehensions of Gods love Rom. 5. 5. The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost Gods love is a box of precious oyntment and it is only the spirit can break open this box and fill us with the sweet perfume of it 3. The spirit comforts by carrying us to the Bloud of Christ as when a man is weary and ready to faint carry him to the water and he is refreshed so when we are fainting under the burden of sin the spirit carries us to the Fountain of Christs Bloud Zac. 12. 1. In that day there shall be a Fountain opened c. The spirit inables us to drink the waters of Justification which run out of Christs sides The spirit applyes whatever Christ hath purchased it shows us that our sins are done away in Christ and though we are spotted in our selves we are undefiled in our head 4. The spirit comforts by inabling Conscience to comfort the Childe must be taught before it can speak The spirit opens the mouth of Conscience and helps it to speak and witness to a man that his estate is good whereupon he begins to receive comfort Rom. 9. 2. My Conscience bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost Conscience draws up a Certificate for a man then the Holy Ghost comes and sets his hand to the Certificate 5. The spirit conveys the Oyl of Joy through two Golden Pipes 1. The Ordinances 2. The Promises 1. The Ordinances As Christ in prayer had his countenance changed Luk 9. 29. There was a glorious lustre upon his face so often in the use of Holy Ordinances the godly have such raptures of joy and soul-transfigurations that they have been carried above the world and despised all things below 2. The Promises The Promises are comfortable 1. For their sureness Rom. 4. 16. God in the Promises hath laid his truth to pawn 2. For their suitableness being calculated for every Christians condition The Promises are like a Physick-garden there is no disease but some herb may be found there to cure it but the Promises of themselves cannot comfort only the spirit inables us to suck these Honey-combs The Promises are like a Limbeck full of herbs but this Limbeck will not drop unless the fire be put under So when the spirit of God which is compared to fire is put to the Limbeck of the Promises then they distil Consolation into the soul. Thus we see how the spirit is in the godly by its virtues Object But is this the sign of a godly man to be filled with the Spirit Are not the wicked said to partake of the Holy Ghost Heb. 6. 4. Answ. Wicked men may partake of the spirits working but not of its in-dwelling they may have Gods spirit move upon them the godly have it enter into them Ezek. 3. 24. Object But the unregenerate taste of the Heavenly Gift Heb. 6. Answ. It is with them as Cooks who may have a smack and taste of the meat they dress but they are not nourished by it Tasting there is opposed to eating The godly have not only a drop or taste of the spirit but it is in them as river of living water Iohn 7. 38. Use 1. It brands them for ungodly who have none of Gods spirit Rom. 8. 9. If any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his And if he be none of Christs then whose is he to what Regiment doth he belong 'T is the misery of a sinner he hath none of Gods spirit Me thinks 't is very offensive to hear men say Take not thy holy spirit from us who never had Gods spirit will they say they have Gods spirit in them who are drunkards and swearers Have they Gods spirit who are malicious and unclean It were blasphemy to say these have the spirit Will the blessed spirit leave his Caelestial Palace to come and live in a prison A sinners heart is a Gaol both for darkness and noysomness and will Gods free spirit be confined to a prison A sinners heart is the Embleme of Hell what should Gods spirit do there Wicked hearts are not a Temple but an Hogâ—sty where the unclean spirit makes his abode Ephes. 2. 2. The Prince of the power of the Ayr the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience We would be loath to live in an house haunted with eviâ— spirits a sinners heart is haunted Ioh. 13 27. After the sop Satan entred Satan venter upon the godly but enters into the wicked when the Devils went into the herd of swine they ran violently down a steep place into thâ— Sea Mat. 8. 32. Whence is it men run so greedily to the Commission of sin but because the Devil hath entred into these Swine 2. This cuts them off from being godly who not only want the spirit but deride it Like those Iews Acts 2. 13. These men are full of new wine And indeed so the Apostles were they were full of the wine of the spirit How is Gods spirit scoffed at by the sons of Belial These say they are men of the Spirit O wretches to make those tongues which should be Organs of Gods praise instruments to blaspheme Have you none to throw your squibs at but the spirit Deriding of
of a Christians condition mercy interlined with judgement here is the rod and Manna 3 Patience evidenceth much of God in the heart patience is one of Gods titles Rom. 15. 5. The God of patience thou that hast thy heart cast into this blessed mould it is a sign God hath imparted much of his own nature to thee thou shinest with some of his beams Impatience evidenceth much unsoundness of heart as it is in the body if the body bee of that temper that every little scratch of a pin makes the flesh to rancle you will say sure this mans flesh is very unsound so for every petty cross to flye out in impatience and quarrel with providence it is the sign of a distempered Christian if there be any grace in such an heart they must have good eyes that can see it but he who is of a patient spirit is a graduate in Religion and doth much participate of the divine nature 4 The end of affliction is glorious the Iews were captive in Babylon but what was the end they departed out of Babylon with vessels of silver with gold and precious things Ezra 1. 6. So what is the end of affliction it ends in endless glory Acts 14. 22. 2 Cor. 4. 17. how may this rock our impatient hearts quiet who would not willingly travel through a little dirty way and ploughed lands at the end whereof is a fair Meadow and in that Meadow a golden Mine Quest. How shall I get my heart tuned into a patient frame Answ. 1 Get faith all our impatience proceeds from unbelief faith is the breeder of patience when a storm of passion begins to arise faith saith to the heart as Christ to the Sea peace be still and there is presently a calm Quest. How doth faith work patience Answ. Faith argues the soul into patience faith is like that Town-Clark in Ephesus who allayed the contention of the multitude and argued them soberly into peace Act. 19. 35 36. So when impatience begins to clamour and make an hubbub in the soul faith appeaseth the tumult and argues the soul into holy patience Saith faith Why art thou disquieted O my Soul art thou afflicted is it not thy Father hath done it he is carving and pollishing thee and making thee fit for glory he smites that hee may save what is thy tryal is it sickness God shakes the Tree of thy body that some fruit may fall even the peaceable fruit of righteousness Heb. 12. 11. Art thou driven from thy habitation God hath prepared for thee a City Heb. 11. 16. Dost thou suffer reproach for Christs sake a spirit of God and glory rest upon thee 1 Pet. 4. 14. Thus faith argues and disputes the soul into patience 2 Pray to God for patience patience is a flower of Gods planting pray that it may grow in your heart and send forth its sweet perfume Prayer is an holy charm to charm down the evil spirit prayer composeth the heart and puts it in Tune when impatience hath broken the strings and put all into a confusion Oh go to God prayer delights Gods ear it melts his heart it opens his hand God cannot deny a praying soul seek to him with importunity and either he will remove the affliction or which is better he will remove thy impatience SECT XVII 17 A Godly man is a thankful man praise and thanksgiving is the work of heaven and he begins that work here which he shall bee alwaies doing in heaven The Iews have a saying the world subsists by three things the Law the worship of God and thankfulness as if where thankfulness were wanting one of the Pillars of the world were taken away and it were ready to fall The Hebrew word for praise comes from a radix that signifies to shoot up the Godly man sends up his praises as a volly of shot towards heaven David who was modelled after Gods heart how melodiously did he warble out Gods praises therefore was called the sweet singer of Israel 1 Sam. 23. 1. Take a Christian at the worst yet hee is thankful The Prophet Ionah who was homo 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a man of a waspish spirit the sea did not so work with the tempest as Ionahs heart wrought with passion yet through this cloud you might see grace appear he had a thankful heart Ionah 2. 9. I will Sacrifice to thee with the voice of thanksgiving I will pay that which I have vowed For the clearer illustrating of this I shall lay down these four particulars 1 Praise and thanksgiving is a Saint-like work we finde in Scripture the godly are still called upon to praise God Psa. 135. 20. Ye that fear the Lord bless the Lord. Psa. 149. 5. Let the Saints bee joyful in glory let the high praises of God be in their mouth praise is a work proper to a Saint 1 None but the godly can praise God aright as all have not skill to play on the Lute so every one cannot sound forth the harmonious praises of God wicked men are bound to praise God but they are not fit to praise him none but a living Christian can tune Gods praise wicked men are dead in sin how can they lift up Gods praises that are dead Isa. 38. 19. The grave cannot praise thee A wicked man stains and eclipseth Gods praise if a foul hand work in Damask or flowred Sattin it will slur the beauty of it God will say to the sinner what hast thou to do to take my name into thy mouth Psa. 50. 16. 2 Praise is not comely for any but the godly Psa. 33. 1. Praise is comely for the righteous A prophane man stuck with Gods praises is like a dunghill stuck with flowers praise in the mouth of a sinner is like an Oracle in the mouth of a fool how uncomely is it for him to praise God whose whole life is a dishonouring of God it is as undecent for a wicked man to praise God as it is for an Usurer to talk of living by faith or for the Devil to quote Scripture the godly only are fit to be queristers in Gods praises 't is called the Garment of praise Isaiah 61. 3. this garment sits handsome only on a Saints back 2 Thanksgiving is a more noble part of Gods worship our wants may send us to prayer but it argues an heart highly ingenuous to bless God the Raven cries the Lark sings in petition we act like men in thanksgiving we act like Angels 3 Thanksgiving is a God-exalting work Psa. 50. 23. Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me though nothing can adde the least cubit to Gods essential glory yet praise exalts him in the eyes of others praise is a setting forth of Gods honour a lifting up of his name a displaying the trophy of his goodness a proclaiming his excellency a spreading his renown a breaking open the box of oyntment whereby the sweet savour and perfume of Gods name is sent abroad
hast been honourable The godly are a Crown of glory in the hand of God Isa. 62. 3. They are plants of Renown Ezek. 16. 14. They are not only Vessels of Mercy but Vessels of Honour 2 Tim. 2. 21. Aristotle calls Honor the chief good thing The godly are neer a Kin to the blessed Trinity they have the Tutelage and Guardianship of Angels they have Gods Name written upon them Revel 3. 12. and the Holy Ghost dwelling in them 2 Tim. 1. 14. The godly are a sacred Priesthood the Priesthood under the Law was honourable the Kings Daughter was wife to Iehoiada the Priest 2 Chron. 22. 11. It was a custome among the Egyptians to have their Kings chosen out of their Priests The Saints are a Divine Priesthood to offer up spritiual sacrifices 1 Pet. 2. 9. They are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Coheirs with Christ Rom. 8. 17. They are Kings Rev. 1. 6. Novarinus relates of an antient King who invited a Company of poor Christians and made them a great Feast and being asked why he showed so much respect to persons of such mean birth and Extract he told them these I must honour as the Children of the most high God they will be Kings and Princes with me in another world The godly are in some sense higher than the Angels the Angels are Christs friends these are his spouse the Angels are called morning-stars Iob 38. 7. but the Saints are clothed with the Sun of righteousness Rev. 12. 1. all men saith Chrysostome are ambitious of honour behold then the honour of the godly Prov. 7. 8. Wisdome is the principal thing therefore get wisdome exalt her and she shall promote thee she shall bring thee to honour when thou dost embrace her The Trophies of the Saints renown will be erected in another world Famaque post cineres major 3 The godly are beloved of God Psal. 47. 4. The excellency of Iacob whom he loved An holy heart is the garden where God plants the flower of his love Gods love to his people is an antient love it bears date from eternity Ephe. 1. 4. he loves them with a choice distinguishing love they are the dearly beloved of his soul Ier. 12. 7. The men of the world have bounty dropping from Gods fingers but the godly have love dropping from Gods heart he gives the one a golden cup the other a golden kiss he loves the godly as he loves Christ Iohn 17. 26. it is the same love for kinde though not for degree here the Saints do but pitissare sip of Gods love in heaven they shall drink of Rivers of pleasure Psa. 36. 8. And this love of God is permanent death may take away their life from them but not Gods love from them Ier. 31. 4. I have loved thee with a love of perpetuity 4 The godly are prudent persons they have good Insight and Foresight 1 They have good insight 1 Cor. 2. 10. He that is spiritual judgeth all things the godly have insight into Persons and Things 1 They have insight into persons they have the anointing of God and by a spirit of discerning they can see some difference between the precious and the vile Ier. 15. 19. Gods people are not censorious but they are juditious they can see a wanton heart through a naked breast and a spotted face they can see a revengeful spirit through a bitter tongue they can guess at the Tree by the fruit Mat. 12. 33. They can see the Plague-tokens of sin appear in the wicked which makes them remove from the tents of those sinners Num. 16. 26. 2 The godly have insight into Things Mysterious 1 They can see much of the mystery of their own hearts Take the greatest Politician who understands the mysteries of state yet he doth not understand the mystery of his own heart you shall sometimes hear him swear his heart is good but a Childe of God sees much heart-corruption 1 King 8. 38. though some flowers of grace grow there yet he sees how fast the weeds of sin grow therefore is continually weeding his heart by repentance and mortification 2 The godly can discern the mystery of the times 1 Chron. 12. 32. The children of Issachar were men that had understanding of the times The godly can see when an age runs dregs when Gods name is dishonoured his messengers despised his Gospel ecclipsed the people of God labour to keep their garments pure Rev. 16. 15. their care is that the times may not be the worse for them nor they the worse for the times 3 The godly understand the mystery of living by faith Heb. 10. 38. The just shall live by faith they can trust God where they cannot trace him they can fetch comfort out of a promise as Moses did water out of the rock Hab. 3. 17. Though the Fig-tree doth not blossome yet I will rejoyce in the Lord. 2 The godly have good foresight 1 They foresee the evil of a Temptation 2 Cor. 2. 11. We are not ignorant of his devices The wicked swallow temptations like Pills and when it is too late feel these Pills gripe their Conscience but the godly fore-see a Temptation and will not come near they see a snake under the green grass they know Satans kindness is craftiness hee doth as Iâ—phtha's daughter he brings forth the Timbrel and danceth before men with a temptation and then brings them very low Iudg. 11. 35. 2. The godly fore-see temporal dangers Pro. 22. 3. A prudent man foreseeth the evil and hideth himself The people of God see when the Cloud of wrath is ready to drop upon a Nation and they get into their Chambers Isa. 26. 20. The Attributes and Promises of God and into the clifts of the Rock the bleeding wounds of Christ and hide themselves well therefore may they be baptized with the name of Wise Virgins 5. The godly are the bull-wark of a Nation 2 Kin. 2. 12. O my Father the Chariots of Israel and the horsemen thereof The godly are the Pillers to keep a City and Nation from falling they stave off Judgement from a Land It was said of old so long as Hector lived Troy could not be demolished God could do nothing to Sodom till Lot was gone out of it Genesis 19. 22. Golden Christians are Brazen Walls The Lord would soon break up house in the world were it not for the sakes of a few Religious ones Would God think we preserve the world only for Drunkards and Swearers He would soon sink the Ship of Church and State but that some of his Elect are in it Yet such is the indiscretion of men as to injure the Saints and to count them burdens which are the chief blessings 6. The godly are of a brave Heroick spirit Numb 14. 24. My servant Caleb because he had another spirit An excellent spirit was found in Daniel Cap. 5. 12. The godly hate that which is base and sordid they will not inrich their purses by inslaving
upon the soul Hos. 14. 5 6. I will be as the de◠unto Israel he shall grow as the Lilly his branches shall spread and his beauty shall be as the Olive-tree That God who made the dry rod blossome will make the dry reed flourish So much for the first expression in the Text I proceed to the second The smoaking Flax shall he not quench Quest. What is meant by smoak Answ. By smoak is meant corruption Smoak is offensive to the eye so sin offends the pure eye of God Quest. What is meant by smoaking flax Answ. It is meant Grace mingled with corruption as with a little fire there may be much smoak so with a little grace there may be much corruption Quest. What is Christs not quenching the Smoaking Flax Answ. The meaning is though there be but a spark of grace with much sin Christ will not put out this spark In the words there is a figure He will not quench that is he will encrease Nothing more easie than to quench Smoaking Flax the least touch doth it but Christ will not quench it he will not blow the spark of Grace out but will blow it up he will encrease it into a flame he will make this Smoaking Flax a burning Taper Doct. That a little grace mixed with much corruption shall not be quenched For the illustrating of this I shall show you 1. That often a little grace is mixed with much corruption 2. That this little grace interlined with corruption shall not be quenched 3. The Reasons of the Proposition 1. Often in the godly a little grace is mingled with much corruption Mark 9. 24. Lord I believe there was some Faith help my unbelief there was corruption mixed with it There are in the best Saints interweavings of sin and grace a dark side with the light much pride mixed with humility much earthliness with heavenliness Grace in the godly doth relish of an old Crabtree stock Nay in many of the Regenerate there is more corruption than grace so much smoak that you can scarce discern any fire so much distrust that you can hardly see any Faith so much passion that you can hardly see any meekness Ionah a peevish Prophet he quarrels with God nay he justifies his passion Ionah 4. 9. I do well to be angry to the death Here was so much passion that it was hard to see any grace A Christian in this life is like a glass that hath more froth than wine or like a diseased body that hath more humours than spirits This may humble the best to consider how much corruption is interlarded with their grace 2. This little grace mixed with much corruption shall not be quenched The smoaking flax he will not quench The Disciples Faith was at first but small they forsook Christ and fled Here was smoaking flax but Chirst did not quench that little grace but cherish and animate it their Faith afterwards grew stronger and they did openly confess Christ. Here was the flax flaming 3. The Reasons why Christ will not quench the smoaking flax 1. Because this Scintilla this little light which is in the smoaking flax is of divine production it comes from the Father of Lights and the Lord will not quench the work of 〈◊〉 own grace Every thing by the instinct of Nature will preserve its own The Hen that hatcheth her young will preserve and cherish them she will not destroy them as soon as they are hatched God who hath put this tenderness into the Creature to preserve its young will much more cherish the work of his own spirit in the heart Will he light up the Lamp of Grace in the soul and then put it out This would be neither for his interest nor honor 2. Christ will not quench the beginnings of grace because a little grace is precious as well as more A small Pearl is of value Though the Pearl of Faith be little yet if it be a true Pearl it shines gloriously in Gods eyes A Goldsmith makes reckoning of the least filings of gold and will not throw them away The pupilla oculi the apple of the eye is but little yet of great use it can at once view an huge part of the heavens A little Faith can justifie a weak hand can tye the Nuptial Knot a weak Faith can unite to Christ as well as a strong a little grace makes us like God a silver penny bears the Kings Image upon it as well as a larger piece of Coyn The least dram of grace bears Gods Image on it and will God destroy his own Image When the Temples in Greece were demolished Xerxes caused the Temple of Diana to be preserved for the beauty of its structure When God shall destroy all the glory of the world and set it on fire yet he will not destroy the least grace because it bears a print of his own likeness upon it That little spark in the smoaking flax is a ray and beam of Gods own glory 3. Christ will not quench the smoaking flax because this little light in the flax may grow bigger Grace is resembled to a grain of Mustard-seed of all seeds it is the least but when it is grown it is the greatest among herbs and becometh a Tree Mat. 13. 32. The greatest grace was once little the Oak was once an Acorn the most Renowned Faith in the world was once in its Spiritual Infancy the greatest flame of zeal was once but smoaking flax Grace like the waters of the Sanctuary riseth higher If then the least Embryo and seed of holiness be of a ripening and growing nature the Lord will not suffer it to be abortive 4. Christ will not quench the smoaking flax because when he preserves a little light in a great deal of smoak here the glory of his power shines forth The trembling soul thinks it shall be swallowed up of sin but God by preserving a little quantity of grace in the heart nay by making that spark prevail over corruption as the fire from heaven licked up the water in the trench 1 King 18. 38. Now God gets himself a glorious Name and carries away the Trophies of Honor 2 Cor. 12. 9. My strength is made perfect in weakness 1. See the different dealings of God and men men for a little smoak will quench a great deal of light God for a great deal of smoak will not quench a little light 'T is the manner of the world if they see a little failing in another for that failing they will pass by and quench a great deal of worth This is our nature to aggravate a little fault and diminish a great deal of virtue to see the infirmities and darken the excellencies of others as we take more notice of the twinkling of a Star than the shining of a Star We censure others for their passion but do not admire them for their piety Thus for a little smoak that we see in others we
quench much light God doth not thus for a great deal of smoak he will not quench a little light he sees the sincerity and over-looks many infirmities the least sparks of grace he cherisheth and blows them gently with the breath of his spirit till they break forth into a flame 2 If Christ will not quench the smoaking flax then we must not quench the smoaking flax in our selves if grace doth not increase into so great a flame as we see in others therefore to conclude we have no fire of the spirit in us this is to quench the smoaking flax and to bear false witness against our selves as we must not credit a false evidence so neither must we deny a true fire may be hid in the embers so may grace be hid under many distempers of soul some Christians are so skilful at this in accusing themselves for want of grace as if they had received a fee from Satan to plead for him against themselves This is a great mistake to argue from the weakness of grace to the nullity it is one thing to be wanting in faith and another thing to want faith he whose eye-sight is dim is wanting in his sight but he doth not want sight a little grace is grace though it be smothered under much corruption 3 If the least spark of grace shall not bee quenched then this follows as a great truth that there is no falling from grace if the least dram of grace should perish then the smoaking flax should be quenched grace may be shaken by fears and doubtings but not blown up by the roots I grant seeming grace may be lost this wilde-fire may be blown out but not the fire of the Spirits kindling Grace may be dormant in the soul but not dead as a man in an Appoplexy doth not put forth vital operations Grace may be eclipsed not extinct a Christian may lose his comfort like a tree in Autumn that hath shed its fruit but still there is sap in the vine and the seed of God remains 1 Ioh. 3. 9. Grace is a flower of eternity This smoaking flax cannot be quenched by affliction but like those trees Pliny writes of growing in the red Sea which being beaten upon by the waves stand immoovable and though they are sometimes covered with water flourish the more grace is like a true orient Diamond that sparkles and cannot be broken I confesse it is matter of wonder that grace should not be wholly annihilated especially if we consider two things 1 The malice of Satan he is a malignant spirit and laies bars in our way to heaven the Devil with the wind of temptation labours to blow out the spark of grace in our hearts if this will not do he stirs up wicked men and raiseth the Militia of Hell against us what a wonder is it that this bright Star of grace should not be swept down with the tail of the Dragon 2 It is an amazing thing that grace should subsist if we consider the world of corruption in our hearts sin makes the major part in a Christian there is in the best heart more dregs than spirits The heart swarms with sin what a deal of pride and Atheism is in the soul now is it not admirable that this Lilly of grace should be able to grow among so many thorns it is as great a wonder that a little grace should be preserved in the midst of so much corruption as to see a Taper burning in the Sea and not extinguished But though grace lives with so much difficulty as the infant that struggles for breath yet being born of God it is immortal grace conflicting with corruption is like a Ship tossed and beaten with the waves yet it weathers out the storm and at last gets to the desired Haven If grace should expire how could this Text be verified The smoaking flax he will not quench Quest. But whence is it that grace even the least degree of it should not be quenched Answ. It is from the mighty operation of the Holy Ghost the Spirit of God who is origo originans doth continually excite and quicken grace in the heart He is every day at work in a believer he powres in oyl and keeps the Lamp of Grace burning Grace is compared to a river of life Ioh. 7. 38. The river of grace can never be driâ—d up for the Spirit of God is the Spring which feeds it Now that the smoaking flax cannot be quenched is evident from the Covenant of Grace Isa. 54. 10. The Mountains shall depart and the Hills be removed but the Covenant of my peace shall not be removed saith the Lord. If there be falling from grace how is it an immoveable Covenant If grace die and the smoaking flax be quenched wherein is our state in Christ better than it was in Adam The Covenant of Grace is called A better Covenant Heb. 7. 22. How is it a better Covenant than that which was made with Adam Not only because it hath a better Surety and contains better priviledges but because it hath better conditions annexed to it It is ordered in all things and sure 2 Sam. 23. 5. Such as are taken into the Covenant shall be as stars fixed in their Orb and shall never fall away If grace might die and be quenched then it were not a better Covenant Object But we are bid not to quench the spirit 1 Thes. 5. 19. which implies that the grace of the Spirit may be lost and the smoaking flax quenched Answ. We must distinguish between the common work of the spirit and the sanctifying work the one may be quenched but not the other The common work of the spirit is like a picture drawn upon the yce which is soon defaced The sanctifying work is like a Statute carved in gold which endures The gifts of the spirit may be quenched but not the grace there is the enlightning of the spirit and the anointing the enlightning of the spirit may fail but the anointing of the spirit abides 1 Ioh. 2. 27. The anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you The hypocrites blaze goes out the true believers spark lives and flourisheth thâ—â— one is the light of a Comet which wastes and evaporates the other is the light of a star which retains its lustre From all that hath been said let a Saint of the Lord be perswaded to these two things 1. To believe his priviledge 2. To pursue his duty 1. To believe his priviledge This is the incomparable and unparallel'd happiness of a Saint that his coal shall not be quenched That grace in his soul which is minute atâ— languid shall not give up the Ghost but recover its strength and encrease with the encrease of God The Lord will make the smoaking flax a burning lamp It were very sad that a Christian should be continually upon the Tropicks one day a member of Christ and the next day a limb of Satan one day to have
grace shine in his soul and the next day his light put out in obscurity This would spill a Christians comfort and break asunder the golden Chain of Salvation but be assured O Christian he who hath begun a good work will ripen it into perfection Christ will send forth judgement unto victory he will make grace victorious over all opposite corruption If grace should finally perish what would become of the smoaking flax And how would that title properly be given to Christ Finisher of the Faith Object No question this is an undoubted priviledge to such as are smoaking flax and have the least beginnings of grace but I fear I am not smoaking flax I cannot see the light of grace in my self Answ. That I may comfort the smoaking flax why dost thou thus dispute against thy self What makes thee think thou hast no grace I believe thou hast more than thou wouldst be willing to part with thou valuest grace above the gold of Ophir How couldst thou see the worth and lustre of this Jewel if Gods Spirit had not opened thy eyes Thou wouldst fain believe and mournest that thou canst not believe are not these tears the Initials of Faith Thou desirest Christ and canst not be satisfied without him this beating of the pulse evidenceth life The iron could not move upward if the Loadstone did not draw it the heart could not ascend in holy breathings after God if some heavenly Loadstone had not been drawing it Christian canst thou say sin is thy burden Christ is thy delight and as Peter once said Lord thou knowest I love thee This is smoaking flax and the Lord will not quench it thy grace shall flourish into glory God will sooner extinguish the light of the Sun than extinguish the dawning light of his spirit in thy heart 2. Let a Christian pursue his duty There are two duties required of believers 1. Love 2. Labour 1. Love Will not the Lord quench the smoaking flax but make it at last victorious over all opposition how should the smoaking flax flame in love to God Psal. 31. 23. love the Lord all ye his Saints The Saints owe much to God and when they have nothing to pay it is hard if they cannot love him O ye Saints it is God who carries on grace progressively in your souls He is like a Father who gives his son a small stock of money to begin with and when he hath traded a little he adds more to the stock So God adds continually to your stock he is every day dropping oyl into the lamp of your grace and so keeps the lamp burning This may inflame your love to God who will not let the work of grace miscarry but will bring it to perfection The smoaking flax he will not quench How should Gods people long for heaven when it will be their constant work to breathe forth love and found forth praise 2. The second duty required of Christians is labour Some may think if Christ will not quench the smoaking flax but make it burn brighter to the Meridian of glory then we need take no pains but leave God to bring his own work about Take heed of drawing so bad a Conclusion from such good premises What I have spoken is to encourage Faith not to indulge sloath Do not think God will do our work for us and we sit still As God will blow up the spark of grace by his spirit so we must be blowing it up by holy endeavours God will not bring us to heaven sleeping but praying The Lord told Paul all in the Ship should come safe to shore but it must be in the use of means Act. 27. 21. Except ye abide in the Ship ye cannot be saved So the Saints shall certainly arrive at Salvation they shall come to shore at last but they must abide in the Ship in the use of Ordinances else they cannot be saved Christ assures his Disciples None shall pluck them out of his hand Ioh. 10. 28. But yet he gives that counsel Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation Mat 26. 41. The seed of God shall not die but we must water it with our tears the smoaking flax shall not be quenched but we must blow it up with the breath of our endeavour The second comfort to the godly is that godliness advanceth them into a near and glorious union with Jesus Christ But of this in the next CHAP. XII Shewing the Mystical union between Christ and the Saints CANT 2. 16. My beloved is mine and I am his IN this Book of the Canticles we see the love of Christ and his Church running toward each other in a full torrent The Text contains three general Parts 1 A Symbol of affection my beloved 2 A term of appropriation is mine 3 An holy resignation I am his Doct. That there is a conjugal union between Christ and beleevers The Apostle having treated at large of marriage he windes up the whole chapter thus Eph. 5. 32. This is a great mystery but I speak concerning Christ and the Church what nearer than union what sweeter there is a twofold union with Christ 1 A natural union this all men have Christ having taken their nature upon him and not the Angels Heb. 2. 16. but if there be no more than this natural union it will give little comfort thousands are damned though Christ be united to their nature 2 There is a sacred union whereby we are mystically united to Christ the union with Christ is not personal if Christs essence were transfused into the person of a beleever then it would follow that all which a beleever doth should merit But the union between Christ and a Saint is 1 Faederal my beloved is mine God the Father gives the bride God the Son receives the bride God the Holy ghost tyes the knot in marriage he knits our wills to Christ and Christs love to us 2 This union is vertual Christ unites himself to his spouse by his graces and influences Iohn 1. 16. Of his fulness have we all received and grace for grace Christ makes himself one with the spouse by conveying his Image and stamping the impress of his own holiness upon her This union with Christ may well be called mystical it is hard to describe the manner of it as it is hard to shew the manner how the soul is united to the body so how Christ is united to the soul but though this union be spiritual it is real Things in nature work often insensibly yet really Eccles. 11. 5. we do not see the hand move on the Dial yet it moves the Sun exhales and draws up the vapours of the earth insensibly yet really so the union between Christ and the soul though it be imperceptible to the eye of reason yet is real 1 Cor. 6. 17. Before this union with Christ there must be a separation the heart must be separated from all other lovers as in marriage there is a leaving of