without him O now the Soul honours God above all By these and such like acts of the Soul God is chiefly honoured therefore turning must of necessity be with the Soul. 3. The Soul must turn because it is the Soul that yields Obedience to the great commands both of the Law and Gospel There is not so much as one Precept either in the Law or in the Gospel kept aright unless the Soul keeps it The summ of the Law is Love but Love must be with the Heart and Soul nay it must be with all the Heart and with all the Soul or else it is but a meer shadow and appearance it is but like the Picture of Fire that hath no more heat in it than the Picture of Snow Heark what our Lord saies to him that asked Him Which is the great Commandment in the Law Jesus answered Mat. 22. 37 38. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy Heart and with all thy Soul and with all thy Mind And as the Law calls for Love so it requires Spiritual Worship God is jealous of his Worship and he will accept of none but that which is worship in Truth John 4. 24. God is a Spirit and he will be worshipped in Spirit and in Truth Now there cannot be worship in Truth unless it be worship in Spirit All worship is but false and if it be false it must needs be vain that doth not proceed from the Spirit of the Worshipper If you should imploy many hours in a day in pattering over a great many Words that either you don't understand or if you do you don't mind all this would be unacceptable nay it would be abominable Then for the Gospel The two great commands of the Gospel are Faith and Repentance neither of these can be obeyed without the Heart It is the Soul and Heart that believes Rom. 10. 10. With the Heart man believeth unto Righteousness and with the Mouth Confession is made unto Salvation And as for Repentance it is impossible that should be true unless the Spirit be contrite unless the very Heart be broken Tears Complaints walking softly rending the Garments wallowing in Ashes this will not prove the truth of Repentance the Heart must be broken or else you have not truly repented Psal 51. 17. The Sacrifices of God are a broken Spirit a broken and a contrite Heart O God thou wilt not despise And so in Psal 34. 18. The Lord is nigh to them that are of a broken Heart and saveth such as be of a conitite Spirit 4. Lastly The Soul must turn to God because Judgment at the great day will be according to Truth Then the Secrets of all Men will be made manifest when the Lord appears he will bring to light the hidden things of darkness and will make manifest the Counsels of the Heart and then shall every man have Praise of God 1 Cor. 4. 5. At the great Day all things all Persons will be called by their proper Names Hypocrisie will be called Hypocrisie and Saints will be called Saints No Hypocrite will be owned for a Saint at that day nothing that is counterfeit will pass for currant the Judgment of God will be according to Truth In the day of Judgment only Conversion with the Heart Conversion with the Soul will pass for true Conversion Sincerity will be owned and it will be Crowned Hypocrisie will be unmasked and which should exceedingly startle all unsound Professors of Religion Hell is in a special manner called The Portion of the Hypocrite as it is said to be prepared for the Devil and his Angels I have shewed you when the Soul may be said to be converted unto God I have proved till then Conversion can never be sincere I have demonstrated the Necessity of Conversion with the Soul. The Application of this Doctrine remains I shall be but brief upon it There are two Uses that I shall make By way of Information in the first place And by way of Exhortation in the second place From this Doctrine we may be informed concerning several particulars 1. If sincere Conversion be with the Soul hence we may inferr the Souls Capacity The Soul is chiefly receptive of the Grace of God. It is the Soul of Man that doth principally partake of the divine Nature The Soul of Man hath a natural resemblance of God because as God is a Spirit so the Soul of Man is a spiritual and an immortal Substance And then the Soul doth spiritually resemble God when it is renewed in the spirit of the Mind and when true Holiness by the Spirit of the Lord is wrought in it Eph. 4. 23 24. 2. Hence I inferr the Souls great worth and value Gods Eye is upon your Souls all the while you are in his presence and though you do never so much if you deny him your Hearts and Souls you do nothing that he will accept at your hands Thousands of Rams ten thousand rivers of Oyl the first-born for the transgression the fruit of the body for the sin of the Soul as the Prophet speaks Micah 6. 7. What doth all this signifie All this is nothing nay let me tell you it is worse than nothing Souls are of great account with the Father of Spirits How much was done how much was paid that Souls might be redeemed And therefore in all your Services your Souls must be ingaged or else the ingaging is to no purpose The Conversion of one single Soul to God is more pleasing to him than the most laborious and heartless services of all the Hypocrites from the beginning of the World to the very end of it these Services are so far from being pleasing that they are expresly affirmed to be an abomination unto God. 3. Hence I inferr the difficulty of Conversion If the Soul must be converted certainly Conversion is a very difficult thing It is comparatively more easie though hard still but comparatively it is more easie to order the conversation to bridle the tongue But to rule the spirit to bring the thoughts into Captivity to alter the bent and natural inclination of the Will and to raise the Affections towards those things that are above to make them prized and pursued that before were things utterly sleighted this is difficult indeed and really the difficulty would be insupâ—rable were it not for the Resurrection of Christ and the Power of that Resurrection shewed forth by the Spirit of Christ Before a Soul can turn to God it must be new made it must experience the power of Christs Spirit and it must rise with Christ or else it can never in good earnest seek those things that are above Col. 3. 1 2. Lastly Hence I inferr that in Examining whether we are Converted or no a special Eye must be upon our Hearts and Souls We must take our Souls to task and strictly try them and see what is most suitable to them what they love best and what it is that they desire most And if
12. ult yet they are not too much to be magnified A man may have the Gift of Prophecy who is not a Saint but a worker of Iniquity Mat. 7. 22 23. A man may have the Gift of Prayer that has not the Spirit of Grace and Supplication and then though he Prayes never so well as to outward Expression yet his Heart being carnal proud self-conceited self-designing in his Duties he is really to be rank'd among the carnal and the formal Worshippers Under how many Praying lips are there covetous wrathful lustful and haughty Hearts and these Hearts are far from God whatever good words are given to him And if the Heart is absent from a Duty God is also absent and that Duty as splendid as it seems is really Hypocrisie and Provocation Judas had Gifts and so had Demas but had they saving Grace this World had the highest room in the Heart of the one and of the other I read in Scripture that an evil Spirit came upon Saul and he fell a Prophesying in the house 1 Sam. 18. 10. I have read of a Scottish Major who excelled in the Gift of Prayer but had made a compact with the Devil O Professor do not rest and glory in thy Gifts but humbly use them and be sure let it be within the sphere of thy Calling Labour to excell in Love and lowliness of Mind that 's the way to have the more comfortable evidence of Conversion in thy own spirit and to be the more truly serviceable to the Church of Christ Thus have I discover'd many mistakes about Conversion that your danger might be apprehended and avoided And pray remember that groundless Confidence you are Converted is one of the strongest barrs against the Grace of God one of the mightiest hindrances of Conversion And Oh! how unconceivably woful and dreadful will it be still to continue confident till Hell it self for ever but too late convince you that your Confidence is utterly unreasonable VSE II. If Conversion be thus necessary Behold the madness of refusing to be Converted There is an hereditary Phrenzy that is derived from the old fallen Adam unto all his Posterity not one of his Children is born in his right Wits the Understanding of none return until they are born again Physicians tell us that the signs of Madness are furor audacia fury and boldness and alas how bold are men in Sin They rush into it as an Horse into the battel Jer. 8. 6. They are so daring as to fight against the Almighty though none ever hardned himself against him and prosper'd And these audacious Sinners when reproved and urged to returning and submission they are full of fury and rage and are ready to rend the Reprover The Madness of every one that will not be Converted I shall demonstrate in several particulars and Oh that the Discovery may tend to the Cure of it 1. He that will not be Converted he will not be pardon'd though he is Condemn'd to dye eternally and a Pardon is offer'd him he hears the Gospel which is the Word of Reconciliation he is told that God is ready to forgive forward to be at Peace nay beseecheâ— him to be reconciled 2 Cor. 5. 20. but he will not be intreated he will continue an Enemy he chuses to lye under Guilt and Wrath still and acts so senslesly as if everlasting Burnings were not to be dreaded but to be desired 2. He that will not be Converted he will not be healed of a most deadly Plague though the Physician do offer freely and throughly to Cure him Sin is certainly the sorest Distemper because 't is the Souls Disease No Souls dye but of this Plague and all Souls must perish and be lost that refuse to be healed Christ came on purpose to heal but frantick Sinners are more afraid of their Physician than of their Sickness though never so dangerous and mortal The unjust Man sayes let me alone to be unjust still though my Vnrighteousness hinder my entrance into the Heavenly Kingdom the proud Man sayes let me be proud still whatever the Scripture speaks of Gods resisting the Proud the unclean Sinner sayes let me be filthy still if I can't go to Heaven without being Holy I care not to come thither Thus Jerasalem of old would not be cleansed the Lord offer'd to sanctifie and heal her but she would by no means consent to it Jer. 13. 27. Woe unto thee O Jerusalem wilt thou not be made clean when shall it once be 3. He that will not be Converted is certainly frantick for he will not be eased of a load that he can't bear Can he stand under the weight of thousands and millions of Iniquities No no the least of all is heavy enough to sink him into Hell Oh how exceeding low will he be depressed under the whole number Can he bear up under the Almighty's Indignation that Wrath has such righteousness and strength with it that none can stand before it Now if the Sinner would become a Convert Iniquity should be removed divine Anger appeased through a Mediatour but he utterly rejects the motion 4. He that will not be Converted is resolved to remain poor though the greatest Treasure the Pearl of price be proffer'd him and may be had for prizing and acceptance The second Adam tells us how we are beggar'd in the first those words may truly be applyed to every natural Man Thou art wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked Rev. 3. 17. Now our Lord adds v. 18. I counsel thee to buy of me Gold tryed in the fire that thou mayest be rich This Gold can't be bought too dear nay 't is bought without money and without price Parting with our Sins and Idols which we preferr'd before this tried Gold and willingness to have it is in a Gospel sense buying of it But Unconverted Sinners are so poor in understanding that they preferr their beggery and lusts before all the Vnsearchable Riches of Christ 5. He that will not be Converted is resolved to be a Slave though he is called unto Liberty In the Gospel Liberty is proclaimed to the Captives and the opening of the Prison to them that are bound Isa 61. 1. The Son of God did and suffer'd much to procure this Liberty he paid a vast Price when he gave himself a ransom But frantick Sinners are fond of their Fetters they chuse to be drudges in the basest work which is the working of Iniquity they fancy such is the distemper and vanity of their Imagination the bondage of Corruption though the worst of bondage and the forerunner of being for ever in Chains of Darkness to be easie and pleasant and they will not come to the Son to make them free indeed 6. He that will not be Converted the Hopes that he entertains are most unreasonable He Promises to himself safety though in the greatest danger he sayes he shall have Peace though the way of Peace he knows not but goes in
that she was still indeed in her wickedness as long as sinful and vain thoughts had entertainment given to them Jer. 4. 14. O Jerusalem wash thine heart from wickedness that thou mayest be saved how long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee A converted Soul may be likened unto a House that formerly had very bad but now hath other and better Inhabitants The Hectors the Ranters the Swearers the Whoremongers the Drunkards they come and knock at the Door of this House and say that formerly none were more welcome there than themselves but the door is kept fast lockt bolted barr'd against them and the answer is that there is no room for such as they The House hath now another owner that don't like such company but another a better sort of Society Thus it is with the Heart of the Convert proud lustfull covetous malicious revengefull thoughts plead for admission and say we used to be very welcome and formerly there was a great deal of pleasure and delight taken in us and must we now be turned out of doors The answer is the Heart hath another Inhabitant Sin dwelt there before and then sinful thoughts were welcom thoughts Ay but now Grace reigns there therefore these sinful Thoughts as fast as they endeavour to Croud in there are endeavours used to extrude them And as sinful thoughts are burthensome to a Converted Soul so good thoughts are welcome guests Indulge Hospitio causasque innecte morandi A Converted Soul Indulges to such Thoughts and earnestly desires their constant abode and stay The Convert is truly troubled that he can hardly joyn three or four good thoughts together without some Interruption The Convert wishes that God were more and with more delight his Meditation and that his Law were meditated on and delighted in as well as himself Saith David Psal 104. 34. My Meditation of him shall be sweet I will be glad in the Lord. And in Psal 1. 2. It is said of the blessed man His delight is in the Law of the Lord and in his Law doth he meditate day and Night And the Convert whose Soul is indeed turned unto God he speaks thus such and so delightful let my thoughts ever be 5. When the Soul is Converted there is a Conformity of the Will of man unto the Holy and blessed Will of God. This was the ground of the first controversie between the Lord and those Angels that revolted from him they would needs oppose their wills to his God would have them to keep humble their Wills were to become proud and pride was both the fault and fall of the Devil and his Followers 1 Tim. 3. 6. Not a Novice lest being lifted up with Pride he fall into the Condemnation of the Devil God would have these Angels to abide in Truth but their will was to let go their Primitive Integrity and they turned false and rebellious Spirits And the natural man is too much like these evil Angels God calls but man will not hear God commands but man will not obey and in some sort evil men out-do the Apostate Angels because when God doth offer to sanctifie and to cure and to save the Children of men they chuse death and damning rather than they will consent to be healed But when the Soul is Converted the Will is changed and indeed the great turning change is here In the Will of man there is the great turning change wrought as long as that remains perverse and stubborn and refractory to be sure there is nothing of Converting Grace and when once the Will is changed and set right and inclined steddily towards God all remaining infirmities and the Truth of Grace may very well stand together There are these three things that the Will of the Convert doth 1. It doth make choice of that which God propounds as most eligible 2. It is Subject unto Gods Laws and Commandments 3. It submits to Correction and the Cross 1. The Will of the Convert makes choice of that which God propounds as most eligible and above all it makes choice of God himself It is taken with the exceeding Riches of his Grace It is taken with his Wisdom Truth Faithfulness Alsufficiency Vnchangeableness and Eternity To enjoy the highest and chiefest good and to enjoy this good for ever and for ever What is more what is so worthy to be chosen The bent of Davids Will was thus towards God when he said Psal 42. 2. My Soul thirsteth for God for the living God when shall I come and appear before God and though David was advanced to a Throne yet that doth not divert him from seeking after God and saying to him O when wilt thou come to me Psal 101. 2. I will behave my self wisely in a perfect way O when wilt thou come to me I will walk within my house with a perfect Heart Though my House be a Palace and though my Chair be a Throne I shall be uneasie in my Seat I shall look upon my Crown as uncomfortable unless I have thy Presence in this Palace of mine and therefore O when wilt thou come unto me The Converted Soul refuses what God informs it is evil what God informs it is abominable and Sin doth very well deserve the Name of Abomination The Converted Soul doth sleight that which the Word of God tells him is but contemptible Vanity And as the Will of the Convert does chuse God above all so it chuses other things with reference unto God It chuses the Word because it declares the Will of God and what it is that will indeed please him It chuses Christ because he is the way to God as Mediator It chuses Prayer because it is pouring out the Soul before God. Psal 62. 18. It chuses the Ordinances of God because God hath appointed them and is to be found in them The more Converts have of God in any thing upon that thing is put the higher esteem 2. The Will of the Converts is subject unto Gods Laws and Commandments The Heart of Flesh why do you think it is so called I will take away the Heart of Stone out of their Flesh and I will give them a Heart of Flesh Why is it called a Heart of Flesh Partly because it is sensible and troubled at Transgression and partly because it is soft and doth receive the impression of the Word and of the Law of God. It is indeed a fleshly Table on which the Law of God is written by the Finger of the Spirit 2 Cor. 3. 3. God hath written according to his new Covenant Promise his own Law in the Hearts of Converts and there is a voluntary and delightful Obedience yielded Psal 40. 8. I delight to do thy Will O my God yea thy Law is within my Heart God saies I Command The Convert answers I Consent and Lord help me to please thee still more and more for I am never better pleased my self than when I best please thee Thus the Wills of Converts yield to the
planted the Ear and curiously fashioned the other Members Who would raise the Dead but the Lord of of Life himself The Spirit further also demonstrates the Words Authority from the accomplishment of Scripture Prophesies as concerning Cyrus building of the Temple Isa 44. 28. The King of Grecia his ruining the Persian Monarchy which was verified in Alexander the Great Dan. 8. 21. The calling of the Gentiles Isa 42. 4. Zeph. 2. 11. How many false Gods do we find famished and the Lord Jehovah worshipped in the Isles of the Heathen It was also fulfill'd which our Lord spake concerning his Death that after his being lift up from the Earth he would draw all men to him which was rather likely to drive all men from him He also said he would have a Church to the end of the VVorld Mat. 28. ult and notwithstanding all that Earth and Hell can do he has had one to this very day The Spirit also shews the divine Matter of the Word the admirable consent and agreement of all its parts and the design of the whole which is to give Glory to God and to represent him as most worthy of Admiration Praise Faith Fear and Love and Service Its Precepts are so excellent and pure that if the Professors of Religion would but live according to them the World might quickly be convinced of the unreasonableness of Infidility A thorow perswasion of the Words Authority is from the Spirit and has a mighty force to startle the Conscience and awe the heart of a Sinner And to make it stoop unto God which was before rebellious 2. The Spirit causes the Word most firmly to be believed as that which is of most certain verity and truth this follows upon the former If it be the Word of God who cannot lye there is nothing false or uncertain in it Ever since Man first harkned to the Father of lies he is very prone to embrace falshood He is not to be trusted as a Guide any further than God guides him because so apt himself to err and mistake But let God be true saies the Apostle though it follows and every Man a Lyar Rom. 3. 4. God cannot be deceived because he is Omniscient and his understanding is Infinite Psal 147. 5. And he will not deceive any because he is the God of Truth Whatever has proceeded out of his Mouth its certainty is not to be doubted of Faith therefore which believes whatsoever God speaks and because he speaks is indeed the highth and very â—lower of Reason We read of a Door of Faith Act. 14. 27. They rehearsed all things that God had done with them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles The Word of God has entrance by Faith as by a Door into the Heart and Faith as a Door shuts it in then how powerful is it in working The Commands being lookt upon as indeed the Commands of God will no longer presumptuously be broken the Promises being believed â—â— be the Promises of God who keeps Truâ—â— for ever will be embraced A firm belief of the Words truth is at the bottom of all true Conversion to God and 't is Infidelity that is the great reason of departing from him 3. The Spirit powerfully convinces the Sinner how evil a thing Sin is which the Word of God so severely and strictly forbids Sin is that which of all things in the World is most of all mistaken If it were rightly known by all not one in the World could love or like it But most are ignorant what 't is and whither it tends and securely and unconcernedly remain under its guilt and power Mens lusts are styled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 deceitful lusts Eph. 4. 22. they seem to consult their gain and pleasure but indeed war against their Souls and yet this War is so carried on that 't is not perceived Souls are kept stupified and intoxicated till they are utterly lost and ruined 'T is the work of the Spirit to discover what Sin is He shews how contrary 't is to God how evil and provoking in the eyes of his Holiness and his Glory how contrary 't is to the Law of God which is most exexcellent all whose Precepts are most profitable and pleasant to those that love and keep them He shews likewise how contrary Sin is to Man himself It loads him with Curses of various sorts it makes every thing he has to be cursed to him It does defile debase and wound him and unless he turn from it it will for ever destroy and damn him 'T is one thing to be told of all this by Man and another to have a powerfull discovery and Conviction of all this by the Spirit He shews the Vanity of all sins excuses pretences and promises of Impunity Peace and Safety The Spirit speaks very home to the Conscience and particularly and causes the Sinner to whom he speaks to hear and heed and tremble Thou art the Man that hast offended God! Thou art the Soul that hast sinn'd and dost deserve to dye Thou art the Fool-hardy Wretch that hast engaged the Almighty to be thine Enemy Against thy ungodliness and unrighteousness in particular his wrath is certainly revealed from Heaven And how soon if thou refusest to forsake thy impious and unrighteous ways may this wrath fall upon thee and sink thee into the bottomless pit of Wo. If thou resolvest still to go on in thy trespasses thy very next step may take hold of Hell 4. The Spirit reveals Christ in the Word and draws the Sinner to him The Holy Ghost does testifie concerning the Lord Jesus Joh. 15. 26. The Spirit of truth which proceedeth from the Father he shall testifie of me And what a Glorious Testimony does he give him Christ is the summe and substance of all Supernatural Revelation All the lines both of the Old Testament and of the New do meet in this Center The design of the Old Testament was to forshew him as the Peace-maker between God and Man who was to be wounded for transgression to make his Soul an offering for Sin to bring in everlasting righteousness and to be the Author of plâ—nteous and eternal Redemption and Salvation The New Testament which is the accomplishment of the Old does more fully declare Christ Here the Spirit more plainly tells us of his Godhead of his fulness of his Manhood of his Mercifulness what power he has to save what Bowels of Pity towards them that see they are lost without him And in shewing all this how does the Spirit shew himself a Comforter And as the Spirit discovers Christ so he draws the Sinner to him he causes the Word to reach the Heart and to subdue it so that the Heart gladly surrenders and freely opens to receive Jesus which before by ignorance prejudice and unbelief was very fast Bolted and Barr'd against him There can be no turning to God but as he is in Christ for how can guilty and defiled Man draw
Messias and in hearing the Gospel from his Mouth Matth. 13. 17. Many Prophets and righteous men of old desired to see the things which ye see and have not seen them and to hear the things which ye hear and have not heard them Indeed that Light that did shine in the days of Moses was a perfect Light in a sence that is it was a Light converting and saving those that did receive it and that did walk according to it but yet you must understand that since the Sun of righteousness is actually risen there is a greater light that shines now than ever shined before since the Fall of Man. Those things that were hid from Ages and Generations are revealed by the Gospel That vail that was upon the face of Moses signifying the obscurity of the Mosaick Dispensation that vail is done away in Christ 2 Cor. 3. 12 13. And in this Word consisting of the Old and New Testament the Lord Jesus Christ is set forth before you all as full of Grace and Truth and as the only Hope of Glory Understand your Priviledge it is such a Priviledge that you enjoy this day that was not afforded to the World till it was about four thousand years old 4. The Word of God is so perfect that a further Revelation is needless and not to be expected That Faith that was once delivered unto the Saints it is to be held fast by Saints in all subsequent Ages That you earnestly contend saith the Apostle Jude ver 3. of his Epistle for the Faith which was once delivered to the Saints This Doctrine of Faith ought to be held fast and it is a compleat Doctrine Let this go and really you are without God without Christ without well grounded hopes of Heaven Look into the Second Epistle of John ver 9. Whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the Doctrine of Christ hath not God he that abideth in the Doctrine of Christ he hath both the Father and the Son. This Word that you find in the Bible containing the Old Testament and the New doth deliver all to you that God requires you to believe in order to your Salvation and nothing is to be received as an Article of Faith but what the written Word of God doth propound to you And as it informs concerning mysteries of Faith so concerning Duties that are to be practised and â—he Rule is so compleat that whosoever walk according to it Peace and Mercy shall â—e upon him Gal. 6. 16. In the Word of God are the Credenda Agenda Petenda Truths to be Believed Commands to be Obeyed and Blessings to be Desired Niâ—il debet addi verbo quoad quantitatem nihil â—eprehendi quoad qualitatem Nothing is to â—e added as to quantity nothing to be â—eprehended or found fault with as to â—uality We are not to look for a further Reâ—elation from Heaven it self If an Angel â—om Heaven should preach another Gospel â—e were bound to conclude he were turned Apostate from the Truth and were to call â—im accursed Gal. 1. 8. To talk of Evanâ—elium Spiritus the Gospel of the Spirit which is to justle out the Gospel of Christ and the Ordinances of it is to talk of a pernicious delusion The true Spirit glorifies Christ inspired the Apostles infallibly to deliver the Doctrine and Ordinances of the Gospel Therefore says the Apostle John 1 Joh. 4. 6. He that knoweth God heareth us he that is not of God heareth not us hereby know we the Spirit of Truth and the Spirit of Errour The Ceremonial Law was abrogated the Jewish Church State was shaken and broken but the Gospel Church-state is to remain unalterable unto the very end of the World Heb. 12. 27. and shall continue in despight of all Enemies and Opposition 5. The Word of God is so perfect as tâ— bring Man home to God though by Siâ— and Unbelief he is departed and run faâ— away from Him. God calls in his Word to this very end that Man might hear anâ— turn to Him. And as to thousands anâ— millions of Souls this Word has a probâ—tum est Testimony that it has been trieâ— and found an effectual means of Conversion If we were caught up to the thirâ— Heaven and could converse with the glorified Spirits of the Just they would as knowledge they were redeemed unto God 〈◊〉 the Blood of Christ and that they weâ— drawn to Christ by the Word of the Gospel while they were hearing this the Spirit entred into them and made them true believing Converts How many whose case seemed desperate has this Word been a means to cure Although the Miracles in Nature are ceased which were necessary at first that the Gospel might take root in the World yet Miracles of Grace are still produced The Spiritually Blind are made to see the things that concern their Peace The Spiritually Deaf are made to hear the Voice of the Lord Jesus The Spiritually Lame are made to walk nay to run the ways of Gods Commandments Nay the Dead in Sin are made to rise with Christ and to live to Righteousness How perfect is the Word which Works such notable effects as these Christ tells his Disciples whom he had impower'd to work Miracles that in time they should do greater works than those Joh. 14. 12. By these greater Works Origen and the Fathers understand the Conversion of Kingdoms and Nations to the Christian Faith to the true and living God. To raise a World that had been so long dead in wickedness to cast Sathan in so many places out of his Temples and â—hrow down his Worship to bring those Souls to the Knowledge and Love of God. that were so grosly ignorant and utterly estranged from him this was a wonderful work indeed Those that are far from God shall perish Psal 73. 27. to be brought near to Him is good for 't is to be secured from ruine and to have the Lord to be our God and Blessedness that 's a perfect Word indeed which brings us home to Him. 6. The Word is so perfect that it directs us how to walk with God and to keep our selves in his Love. To obtain the favour of God is much to continue in his favour is more desirable The Word both brings and keeps man near to God This Word does very much press Perseverance and shews the way how we may continue in well doing to the end It requires us to be stedfast unmoveable and always to abound in the Work of the Lord 1 Cor. 15. 58. It bids us to look to our selves that we losâ— not the things we have wrought that we may receive a full reward 2 Joh. v. 8. It commands us to hold fast that which we have that no man take our Crown Rev. 3. 11. The Apostle propounds himself as an example to be followed and tells us Phil. 3. 13. 14. This one thing I do forgetting the things that are behind and reaching forth to those things that are before I press towards the mark
of Redemption by Price of Gods purchasing his Church with his own Blood Act. 20. 28. The Light of Nature is insufficient to shew the way to Heaven How God will deal with these Heathens 't is hard to determine Zuinglius indeed asserts That when we come to Heaven we shall see utrumque Adamum Redemptum Redemptorem both the Adams the Redeemer and him that was redeemed the Prophets the Apostles And then he adds That Aristides the Cato's and the Scipio's and such vertuous Men among the Heathen will be found in Heaven also Calvin calls this prâ—â—posterum misericordiam a preposterous Mercy because the Apostle tells us those who have sinn'd without Law shall also perish without Law Rom. 2. 12. What is to be said in this case To affirm that any of them are saved who never heard of a Saviour is to affirm what is hard to prove to say that they are all damned will be a bold Sentence The Apostle tells us that those who are without God judges 1 Cor. 5. 13. and to Gods Judgment we must leave them 2. The Perfection of the Word is mentioned in the work of Conversion to shew that the Works of God do need his Words exposition upon them 'T is the Word which rightly discovers God in the Works of Creation Heb. 11. 3. Through Faith we understand that the Worlds were framed by the Word of God so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear The Scripture shews how the Lord is the Alpha and the Omega The whole Volume of Nature would signifie little to Man were it not for the Scriptures commentary upon it the Beginning and the End of all things that per scalaâ—â— creaturarum by the Ladder of the Creatures we may ascend unto the Gracions and Alsufficient Creator The Word expoundâ— the Works of Providence it puts such a Language into Mercies that these Demonstrations of divine goodness lead unto Repentance And the Word makes the Rod to utter such a voice that the Vncircumcised heart is humbled the Sinner accepts of the punishment of his Iniquity Lev. 26. 41. and turns unto that God that smites him 3. The Perfection of the Word is mentioned in the Work of Conversion that Sinners may use and value the Word as a Means sufficient He that is sick of the Plague how willingly does he use a Remedy that is sufficient for the cure of the Pestilence and which has cured thousands and that never failed to heal any that would but take it Never was there a Plague in the World so universal so contagious so deadly as Sin is O all ye sinful diseased and lost Souls hear and with all seriousness apply the Word of God that ye may be healed and that being healed ye may live and not dye for ever The remedy is perfect it certainly works for life if it be but received he that believes and yields subjection to the Gospel shall be saved Mar. 16. 16. I confess the refusing of the remedy will highten the disease and make the death more dreadful He that believes not shall receive the greater damnation 4. The Perfection of the Word is mentioned in the work of Conversion that the Preachers of the Word may be encouraged Were this Word a weak imperfect thing the Dispencers of it would have the less heart to labour but they have no reason to be ashamed or discouraged but to glory in the Gospel of Christ since 't is the Power of God to Salvation And let him be Jew or Gentile high or low a less Sinner or the greatest if he receives the Word with Faith the Preachers pains will be to good purpose The Apostle insults over all the VVisdom of this VVorld as that which is poor and foolish and helpless as to a better World 1 Cor. 1. 20. Where is the wise where is the Scribe where is the disputer of this world The Jewish Synagogue where Moses was trusted in and Christ rejected the Greek Academy could neither of them shew the way of Salvation hath not God made foolish the VVisdom of this VVorld But then he magnifies the Word of God that reveals Christ Jesus because herein the Power and VVisdom of God were savingly made manifest 1 Cor. 1. 23 24. VVe preach Christ crucified to the Jews a stumbling-block and unto the Greeks foolishness but unto them that are called both Jews and Greeks Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 5. The Perfection of the Word is mentioned in the Work of Conversion that Saints may still be improving it unto a further turning Where 's the Convert in whom and for whom the Word of God has wrought so much that it can work no more You that have most experienced its power and goodness may still feel a further efficacy The Word is perfect and you should be pressing forward to be perfected by it still your Light should grow clearer your Faith stronger your love more abundant and patience should have a more perfect work in you that you may be perfect and entire wanting nothing Jam. 1. 4. Still you should be more low in your own sight the Grace of Christ more glorious in your eyes the World should be more under your feet and Heaven be the matter of your thoughts and hopes and joy You that are weak should resemble David you that are strong as David should be like the Angels of God aspiring unto not only Evangelical but an Angelical and heavenly Perfection I come in the last place to the Application The Uses are these following VSE I. Of Caution The Perfection of the Word of God should make you 1. To take heed of that Enthusiastick Spirit that pretends not to need this VVord That Light within which makes the Light of the VVord to be contemned is certainly Darkness and if the Light within you be darkness how great is that darkness Mat. 6. 23. Solomon tells us plainly that the Commandment is a Lamp and the Law is Light and the reproofs of instruction are the way of Life Prov. 6. 23. You will miss the way of Life unless this Light be followed He is most unreasonably wise in his own eyes who imagines he knows so much that God himself by his Word can teach him no more the truth is he knows nothing as he ought to know his Knowledg is but a delusive dream his ignorance real and destructive Heed not but resist the Spirit that injects undervaluing thoughts of the Word of God for that cannot be the true Spirit which did endite it If once you reject the VVord of the Lord alas what understanding is in you Jer. 1. 9. The grossest and most damnable errours will impose upon you as truths the most carnal licentiousness which is the bondage of corruption will call it self Christian liberty Sins will be made no Sins and Duties no Duties you will allow your selves in the omission of Gods Ordinances as things below Saints of so high a Stature as
the righteous he is a Buckler to them that walk uprightly 3. You that live under the New Testament Dispensation be very thankful that the written Word is so very copious and so large To have such a compleat Declaration of the Mind of God by his own Son was a Priviledge which the Old Testament Believers wisht for but did not enjoy What Moles are they who are onely busie and working in the Earth and for Earthly things and regard not the clear shining of the Sun of Righteousness To be deaf and regardless when God speaks so much to us not to understand when he speaks so fully and so plainly is inexcusable but to have Knowledg and to sin against it and to detain the truth in unrighteousness is inexcusable much more here is Ingratitude and Presumption together and the more stripes are threatned and deserved Luke 12. 47. And that Servant that knâ—w his Lords will and prepared not himself neither did according to his will shall be beatâ—◠〈◊〉 many stripes Search the VVord of God be much that you may be mighty in the Scriptures By this weapon you may defend your selves against the subtilest Enemies of the truth nay against the old subtle Serpent himself It was not an unwritten but a written word that Christ produced when he was assaulted by the Tempter Mat. 4. 4 7 10. It was an Injunction of our Lord himself Joh. 5. 39. Search the Scriptures for in them ye think ye have eternal Life It was a right thought that the Scriptures direct unto Life Eternal but it was a presumptuous thought in the Pharisees to imagine Eternal Life was theirs since instead of building upon the Foundation Stone in Sion they stumbled at it But the Injunction it self is of great Moment The Scriptures are Gods own Books and the onely Books he has in the World. Longâ assiâ—uâ meditatione Scripturaram prâ—tus suun fecerat Bibliothicam Chriâ—â—â— Hyeronym de Nepotiano Every ones Breast should be like Nepotian's Bibliotheca Christi A Library in which these Books should be kept safely To be acquainted more intimately with the Word is the way to be better acquainted with God and the consequent of this acquaintance is Peace Job 22. 21. Acquaint now thy self with him and be at peace thereby good shall come to thee By Searching of the Scriptures the Understanding is improved the Heart is purified the Life is regulated This Book is indeed the thankful Glass that mends the Eyes of all that rightly look into it It was an honest Distich of one Ex aliis paleae viles hinc grana leguntur Aurea tu paleas linquito grana lege Which another thus Englishes Mens Books with worthless chaff are stor'd Gods Scripture Golden grains afford Reject the chaff and spend thy pains In gleaning up these golden Grains 5. Pray for the Spirit who endited the Word that he may interpret it and lead you into the understanding of it He is called the Spirit of wisdom and Revelation Eph. 1. 17. He reveals the Gospel he enlightens the eyes of the Understanding True Wisdom is the special Gift of the Holy Ghost It is an encouragement in Prayer that the best things may be asked with the greatest confidence The Gift of the Spirit comprehends the best things of all doubt not of Gods willingness to bestow it Luk. 11. 13. If ye then being evil know how to give good gifts to your Children how much more shall your heavenly Father gave the holy Spirit unto them that ask him It is not a notional Knowledge which many Hypocrites excell in that you should content your selves with Such Knowledge being alone puffs up him that has it 1 Cor. 8. 1. and disturbing Strife and contention follows upon Pride and High-mindedness such Knowledge aggravates Sin in the careless and carnal Professor and will exceedingly inflame his Reckoning in the day he must give account of himself to God. It is true wisdom a Spiritual understanding of the Scriptures that you should cry for When the Spirit of God discovers a truth to you with what Satisfaction will your Mind receive it When the Spirit shews you your Duty how Righteous how reasonable and what a Priviledge does it appear The Spirits Light and Strength go together so that the Will is inclined to a compliance when the enlightned Soul does understand the Will of God. When the Spirit applies a Promise to you how will your Faith be confirmed how will you abound in Hope and how full of sweetest peace will your hearts be while you securely rest on the God of Truth whose VVord will endure when Heaven and Earth shall pass away Isa 26. 3 4. Thou wilt keep him in perfect Peace whose mind is stayed on thee because he trusteth in thee Trust ye in the Lord for ever for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting Strength 6. Let your Knowledge of the Word of God be more perfect Alas how little do we know of what may be known and what we do know how much better may we know it Though the Children of God are Children of Light and Children of the Day yet there are great remainders of darkness in some of them and some remainders in all This remaining Ignorance is both their Sin and Misery by reason of which Satan their subtle enemy has many times great advantage against them Labour after a more perfect Knowledge of God his Son his Truth his Will his Word informs you of all If the Happiness of Heaven lies so much in a beatifical seeing Oh use all possible intention of mind that you may see more and more even while you are here on Earth True Knowledge will debase the idolized World and make it nothing in your eyes and it wil humble you and make you perceive that really you are worse than nothing How does a clearer Knowledge of God make holy Job much more humble than ever Job 42. 5 6. I have heard of thee by the hearing of the Ear but now mine Eye seeth thee wherefore I abhorr my self and repent in Dust and Ashes The better you know the Lord the more you will Love and Fear and Praise him The better you know his Christ you cannot chuse but still more highly prize him and your Hearts will cleave to him with the fuller purpose The 〈…〉 er you know his Commands the more they 〈◊〉 be your Counsellours your longing your delight and your Songs in the house of your Pilgrimage The better you know the Cross of Christ you will be the less offended 〈…〉 heaviest Afflictions will be made light of 〈◊〉 compared with a far more exceeding and eternal weight of Glory 2 Cor. 4. 17. 7. Let your Love be greater and more perfect to this perfect VVord of God. The World indeed hates this VVord because it testifies against them that their works are evil and will have an ill end True love to it will argue spiritual Life by it and that it has been effectual to turn and
or other provide for the Sheep of his Pasture 2. This Church shall have the Spirit along with the Word We may as well suppose a living Body without a Soul as a true Church of Christ without his Spirit The Spirit is promised and given to the Church to abide there for ever Joh. 14. 16 17. I will pray the Father and he shall give you another Comforter that he may abide with you for ever even the Spirit of truth whom the World cannot receive because it seeth him not neither knoweth him but ye know him for he dwelleth with you and shall be in you Now where the Spirit of the Lord is how effectual is the Word what Light what Liberty what Power what Peace is there The Spirit makes the Means of Grace to attain their end He fills Ordinances with an Heavenly vertue he quickens the Dead enlarges the straitned Heart causes fruit to be brought forth plentifully he comforts the true Converts and stablishes them in every good word and work 3. It 's matter of Consolation that in this perfect Word of God there is wisest and safest counsel given Prov. 6. 22. When thou goest it shall lead thee when thou sleepest it shall keep thee when thou awakest it shall talk with thee So Prov. 3. 23. Thou shalt walk in thy way safely and thy foot shall not stumble This Word counsels Converts against evil Men evil Women evil Angels an evil World and against every evil work It never gave bad counsel unto any The Counsels of the Word are best with reference to Eternity and with reference to Time also It bids us pass the time of our sojourning here in fear to live as Strangers and Pilgrims on the Earth that we may be less concerned and disturbed and keep more unspotted from the World. It bids us to walk uprightly that we may walk surely It informs us that all carnal Policy which is joyned with a contempt of God and Religion is onely a cunning contrivance to undo our selves but 't is the fear of the Lord that is the beginning of Wisdom and the Knowledge of the Holy is understanding 4. In this Perfect Word of God a compleat Armour is found to secure Converts against the Enemies of their Salvation Eph. 6. 13. Wherefore take unto you the whole Armour of God that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day and having done all to stand This Armour is to be valued indeed which is Armour of proof which secures us against the worst and most powerful Adversaries which certainly defends and makes us victorious when sighting for Eternal life when those against whom these Enemies prevail will surely dy the everlasting Death The Apostle speaks at large of the pieces of this Armour We are furnished with the Girdle of Truth sound Doctrine must be held fast our Judgments well settled against errour Here is the Breast-plate of Righteousness Sincere Holiness must be in the Heart if the Spirit be not right if the Heart be not clean there can be no safety Here the feet are shod with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace The Gospel that is the Word of Reconciliation with God and that speaks Peace to the Conscience does prepare and fit us to walk in the way of Holiness and the difficulties of that way are endured with patience Here is the shield of Faith Believing on Jesus resting on the Promises that in in Him are Yea and Amen quenches the Fiery Darts of Satan so that true Converts are not sunk into an Hell of Despair by the remembrance of their past Sins which the Blood of Jesus has made an atonement for neither are they discouraged by fiery Trials by the siercest Persecutions Here is the Helmet of Salvation that is the Hope of Salvation This Hope is lively well grounded will never make ashamed and causes the Convert to lift up his head with courage because Redemption and Glory are aproaching Here is the Sword of the Spiâ—it the Word of God rightly used and applyed And unto these pieces of Armour Preces Lacrymae arma Ecclesiae Prayers and Tears which are the Churches Weapons must be added because we need not onely Armour but skill and strength to use it from above then we shall prevail indeed when we are strong in the Lord and in the power of his might How strong may be the Consolation considering how compleat and strong the Armour is how strong the Helper of a Christian Eph. 6. 10 -18 5. In this Perfect Word of God the Convert finds Promises that may serve to support and encourage him in every condition Is he afflicted 't is in faithfulness and love not in wrath and hatred Prov. 3. 12. Whom the Lord loveth he correcteth even as a Father the Son in whom he delighteth And affliction shall be profitable because it shall be purifying Heb. 12 10. He that is the Father of Spirits chastizeth for our profit that we may be partakers of his Holiness Is the Convert poor and destitute He may cast all his care on God who cares for him 1 Pet. 5. 7. The young Lions lack and suffer hunger but those that seek the Lord have him to be their Shepheard and shall not want any good thing Psal 34. 10. Is the Convert tempted His merciful and faithful High-Priest was tempted before him and knowes how to succour him Heb. 2. ult When the Apostle was sorely buffered by Satan and cries for help what answer has he See be encouraged when you see 2 Cor. 12. 9. And the Lord said unto me My Grace is sufficient for thee for my strength is made perfect in weakness Is the Convert deserted and troubled because God hides his face He has the Name of God and his everlasting Covenant to trust in and the Face that is now hidden will be shewn again and dry up the Tears of the deserted Isa 54. 7 8. For a small moment have I forsaken thee but with great mercies will I gather thee in a little wrath hid I my Face from thee for a Moment but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy upon thee saith the Lord thy Redeemer 6. 'T is matter of Comfort unto Converts that this Perfect word endures for ever 1 Pet. 1. 24 25. All Flesh is grass and all the glory of Man as the Flower of the field the Grass withereth and the Flower thereof falleth away but the Word of the Lord endureth for ever and this is the Word which by the Gospel is preached unto you The Word is an everlasting truth never did any never shall any find it false 'T is a means to Convert the Soul to make the Heart new and 't is written in the new heart in Characters that are indelible and abiding 't is a Sustentation to the New Creature and cherishes it unto that Life which is Eternal The New nature is Immortal true Grace never dies but at Death is perfected in Glory that fadeth not away The CONCLUSION THus have
to the Throne of Grace that has the Judgment-seat also in his Eye How will he hear and practise that remembers he must be called to an account how he has done both He will take care to be ready whensoever his Lord calls and that whensoever his Lord comes he may find him doing the Work he set him about and so doing it as He commands 2. The other word of Counsel is this Be sure in time to prepare for Eternal Judgment Do this seriously do it presently and as your main business That you may prepare indeed 1. Be Accusers and Judges of your selves take notice of your Sins with Grief with Hatred and holy Indignation accuse your selves of them before God with self-loathing and self-abhorrency Look down by Faith into the lowest Hell and see the terrible but righteous Severity that is shewn there against obstinate workers of Iniquity then look up to God and judge your selves in his sight acknowledging that you have deserved one of the hottest places in that Lake of Fire Acknowledge he would be clear in the forest judgment he should pronounce upon you and that He would be justified tho you should be damn'd eternally Psal 51. 4. This judging of your selves is the way to prevent Condemnation with the World 1 Cor. 11. 31 32. 2. If you would be prepared for Judgment believe in Jesus that you may be justified before God at present Receive Christ who is offer'd in the Gospel rely upon his Obedience and Sufferings for justifiâ—ation of life And being justified by Faith you shall â—ave Peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ Rom. 15. 1. Being justified by his Bloud you shall â—e Saved from wrath through him Rom. 5. 9. What does ponere obicem put a Bar before Hell Gate and hinder us from falling into that place of Woe The Cross of Christ that 's the Bar you are to place your Confidence in Christ Crucified If justified by him now he will ratifie the justification at the last day and you shall not be condemned then Rom. 8. 33 34. Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect It is God that justifieth Who is he that Condemneth It is Christ that dyed yea rather that is risen again who is at the Right Hand of God and maketh Intercession for us 3. Would you be prepared for Judgment Repent and be converted let your minds be changed and turn to God with your whole Heart This is the way indeed to stand before him Acts 3. 19. Repent and be converted that your Sins may be blotted out when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. The Apostle looks as far as the last day Blotting out of Sins is Christ's absolving and acquitting them from all Trespasses The time of refreshing is that great day of compleat and glorious Redemption when all that are Christs shall lift up their Heads with Joy Repent and be converts in Truth if you would have that a day of refreshing and not of confusion Walk after the Flesh no longer but after the Spirit then you need not be afraid of Condemnation your being guided by his Spirit will shew you are in Christ and safe in Him Rom. 8. 1. There is therefore now no Condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the Flesh but after the Spirit to be carnally minded is Death but to be Spiritually minded is life and peace USE III. Of Terrour to the ungodly the Hypocrite and the Vnbelievers Christ will judge them all and they may tremble to think what kind of judgment they shall have what sharp and piercing words are those which declare before-hand what will be their Doom Mat. 23. 33. Ye Serpents ye Generation of Vipers how can ye escape the Damnation of Hell That I may if it be possible awaken such I would lay before them these terrifying considerations 1. When they appear at Christ's Bar all their secret wickedness will be made known How many will then be found what they were not in the least suspected Thy secret wantonness and Self-pollutions thy secret injustice and defrauding thy secret abominations of all kinds will then be as visible to every Eye as if written in Capital Letters with the brightest Sun-beam And what sname and confusion will cover the wicked Mans Face they that are impudent and cannot blush now how will they be confounded then The truth is as the Prophet Daniel speaks They will rise to shame and everlasting contempt Dan. 12. 2. 2. At the day of Judgment it will be too late and in vain for the wicked to pray and cry for Mercy they will find the Lord eternally removed from the Throne of Grace and to their Terrour behold him on the Judgment Seat. If the Ungodly roar out then Lord pity Lord pardon Lord send us not away into that flaming Furnace that we see before us it will be altogether in vain But 't is not in vain to cry thus now Oh seek the Lord while he may be found and call ye upon him whilst he is near Isa 55. 6. 3. It will add to the Terrour of the Wicked That the Sentence of Condemnation is pronounced by the Only Saviour The merciful and faithful High Priest that now is so forward to make Reconciliation for Siâ— that is so ready to give rest to them that labour 〈◊〉 are heavy laden The Man Christ Jesus will have no pity at all no compassion towards the Reprobate Children of Men but deal with them as with the Apostate Angels whose Nature he never took upon him The only Peace-maker will himself be so incensed and full of Wrath as not to be intreated not to be appeased The Sentence of Eternal Death and enduring everlasting Burnings will be confounding but 't will add to the Confusion that a Redeemer does pronounce it 4. After the Judge has pass'd the Sentence Conscience will pronounce it over again and will be a Judge to the Wicked always condemning them Conscience will be filled with unspeakable remorse it will continually be upbraiding them with their madness and folly in keeping their Sins and losing their Souls and will ever be telling them that the Lords ways towards them are equal but their own ways according to which they are judged have been unequal and full of Iniquity Ezek. 18. 29 30. The Conscience of Sinners will side with their Judge against them It will tell the most wretched among the Damned that they cannot complain of God or of the least injury he has done them all that they suffer they suffer justly and what they suffer they have brought upon themselves The horrible and perpetual remorse of Conscience will prove that the Worm never dies that does torment them 5. When Sinners come to be condemn'd at the last day how many things will rise up in judgment against them pray mind this and minding tremble and trembling turn to God this very instant Thousands of Mercies will come and as it were
you won't where are your Wits You are out of them in the worst Sense of all The Lord now sayes Turn if ye will not hear and obey at last he will say Depart and that word you must obey and be forced away from him into everlasting Burnings 4. Shall Sinners be turned into Hell then their Prosperity is not to be envied or admired It has been a Custom in some places to grant to condemn'd Malefactors a Liberty to enjoy their Pleasures and Delights a few days before their Execution but alas what did these signifie to them that were to dye a few days after A fit Representation of the condition of the Wicked They are perhaps gaudily Cloathed and daintily Fed and have more than Heart could wish But this prosperity is very short they stand in slippery Places and quickly fall they are brought to Destruction as in a moment and utterly consumed with Terrours Psal 73. 18 19. The ungodly do very much need our pity but nothing that they have is worth our Envy 5. Hence I inferr the happiness of sincere Converts Many temporal Evils may be their exercise at present but Hells eternal Torments they shall never feel Rom. 8. 1. There is no Condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the Flesh but after the Spirit Whatever the Times are in Eternity and to Eternity it will be well with them If Hell were Ransack't all over you might find Professours Preachers Princes Nobles there you might find worldly Wise and worldly wealthy a great many but not one true Convert among the whole Number Converts are reconciled to God by the Blood of Christ and are safe and happy Hell is a dreadful place and has a very wide Door but who has the Key of it The Key is not in Satans but in Christ's keeping Rev. 1. 18. I am he that liveth and was dead and behold I am alive for evermore Amen and have the Keys of Hell and of Death He will open the Door of Death that Converts Bodies may come out of the Grave he will keep the door of Hell fast shut that Converts shall never be thrown in thither VSE II. Of Exhortation That you would all consider more seriously and believe more heartily this Doctrine of Hell. Often think of the loss sustained and of the Torment felt there It was the Advice of Chrysostom 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Let us not sly the remembrance of Hell Torment that we may never be Tormented there The believing consideration of Hells punishment will have many good Effects 1. Hereby the deceitfulness of Sin will be discovered The deceitfulness of Sin hardens you Heb. 3. 13. Exhort one another daily while 't is called to â—â—y lest any of you be hardned through the deceitfulness of Sin. Sin pretends to consult your ease your safety your satisfaction your gain your pleasure Think seriously of Hell and all these will be found vain pretences Oh how very false a thing is Sin First you must prove Hell desirable before you can prove that Sin is worthy to be loved and served 2. The Remembrance of Hell will be a great Preservative against the Tempter Evil Angels are great Enemies to the good Word of God especally they are displeased at Sermons concerning Chrst and Hell they are unwilling that Men should know the Destruction Sin has brought them in danger of unwilling they should hear of a Saviour and Deliverer Think of Hell whenever you find the Devil tempting He endeavours to hide Hell from your Eyes that he may lead you secure thither Satan tells the Intemperate Man that makes himself a Beast by excessive Drinking that this is the way to Exhilerate and chear his Spirits a Remedy against care and sorrow and a means to make him merry But he would not have the Drunkard think of Hell nor of the dreadful Cup of Gods indignation without mixture that will be put into his hand at the last day Satan tells the defrauding over reaching Knave that he will be a great Gainer by his Subtlety but he hides Hell from him where none of his Gain remains and where eternal happiness and an immortal Soul are lost for ever Satan tells the filthy Wretch of the pleasures to be found in the embraces of the well-favoured Harlot but this he conceals that going to her House his Feet go down to Death and his Steps will soon take hold on Hell. It would be Wisdom in you and in all to see how Sin and Hell are joyned together It would make the Tempter lose his labour if you would ever remember that in Tempting you to Sin he does in effect only perswade to be willing for ever to be destroyed 3. The serious consideration of Hell will quicken you to cry for Mercy Upon the Sight of Hells misery how desirable will Mercy be in your Eyes You will pray for this with all Prayer God will find you in the Congregation in the Family and in the Closet making your servent Supplications and Mercy will be your great Suit. God delights in shewing Mercy Mic. 7. 18. The thoughts of Hell will make you see how much you need it and such fail not to obtain it 4. The Remembrance of Hell will contribute much to your stedfastness in Religion 't will fortifie and arm you against the fear of Man how little is it that the greatest Man that the most of Men can do to you to fall into the hands of mortal Men that can but kill the body is no great matter but to fall into the hands of the living God is fearful Heb. 10. 31. Hark what our Lord says Luk. 12. 4 5. I say unto you my friends be not afraid of them that kill the body and after that have no more that they can do but I will forewarn you whom you shall fear fear him who after he hath killed hath power to cast into Hell yea I say unto you fear him Yes he is indeed worthy to be feared It was a saying of one Omnia supplicia graviorum suppliciorum vincuntur sormidine all Punishments are overcome by the fear of greater Punishments When thou art called forth to bear Testimony to Christ and to his Truth before a sinful and an adulterous generation though thou seest Wracks and Wheels though thou seest Flames and Furnaces of scalding Lead be not affrighted at the matter the Grace and Comfort of the Spirit of Christ shall be sufficient to carry thee through these Pains and these are nothing compared with the Vengeance of eternal fire which will be inflicted upon those that draw back unto perdition VSE III. Of Direction How this whole Congregation may escape the Damnation of Hell. I hope every Eye is broad awake and should not every Ear be open and every Heart exceedingly attentive when Directions concerning this are given The Directions are these 1. If you would escape Hell think of Hell the effect of Sin so long 'till you utterly fall out with Sin the