3. Removing the spirit of bondage and restoring peace and joy to the soul He gives them peace with him Iohn 14.27 Peace I leave with you my peace I give unto you not as the world giveth give I unto you Let not your heart be troubled neither let it be afraid and Iob. 16.33 He gives them a free spirit an inlarged heart a sound mind the spirit of power and love 2 Tim. 1.7 5. He shews his Lordship towards his peculiar people in maintaining them in his service and supplâ—ing them in all their wants From this Head wherein dwells all fullness all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministred increases with the increase of God Col 2.19 The Lord is their shepherd they shall not want Psal. 23.1 and 84.11 Verily his houshold shall be fed they shall want no good thing He gives them all things pertaining to life and godliness 2 Pet. 1.4 Even of outward necessaries they shall have what they want if not what they would 6. In defending them against and upholding them in all temptations and troubles He tells them in all their dangers and straits my grace is sufficient for thee 2 Cor. 12.9 He will keep them in all their ways surely then in all his work safety evermore accompanies duty His Servants are strong in the Lord and in the power of his might Eph. 6.10 They are preserved in Christ Jesus Iude 2. and are never unsafe but when they leave working or with Ionah run away from their Master Micah 5.4 He shall stand and feed in the strength of the Lord in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God and they shall abide There is no security but in Christs family never are his servants in danger but when they go out of it and he takes care of the seed and posterity of his Servants Psal. 69.36 7. At last abundantly rewarding and dignifying them In doing his work there is great reward That happiness which Christ gives his Servants in this life is unspeakable their work seems to have more of wages than of work in it but in the next life their joy will be so great as that it cannot so well be said to enter into them as they to enter into it Mat. 25.51 Well done good and faithful servant thou hast been faithful over a few things I will make thee ruler over many things enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. The joy of their Lord whose bosom is the hive and center of all goodness and that in which all the scattered parcels of blessedness are bundled up Râ—v 22.12 Behold I come quickly and my reward is with me to give every man according as his work shall be Their services are all Booked he who formerly gave them abilities for to work will now give them a recompence for working their work though never so great is but small to their wages nor is the weight of their labours comparable to that of their Crown and put in all their heavy sufferings too Rev. 2.10 Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life 2. How is this threefold Lordship exercised 1. By what means 2. For what end 3. In what manner or order 1 st By what means doth he exercise this Lordship 1. By his hand of providence concourse and co-operation in the creature that Providence Christ speaks of in Iohn 5.17 19 22 My father worketh hitherto and I work For what things soever he doth these also doth the son likewise 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which Nazianzen well interprets 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. nor for the similitude of those things they do but in respect of the same power and authority of both the Son doth not imitate but co operate he works not like but the same work that the Father doth Quod operatur filius opus patris est Hil. Whatsoever the Father doth the Son doth because they are one God have one will power and working for the Father judgeth no man but hath committed all judgment unto the Son the Father judgeth not alone because he judgeth by the Son The word judging here signifies full power to rule in Heaven and Earth 1 Cor. 8.6 There is one God the father of whom are all things and we in him or for him and one Lord Iesus Christ by whom are all things and we by him By here notes not the instrumental but the principal cause the Prepositions of and by are not so to be taken that we make two Causes seeing they have but one Nature though they be distinct persons and the Father and Son work together but by these of and by the Apostâ—e differenceth their order and manner of working Col 1.17 He is before all things and by him all things consist 2. By his Word and Spirit in common works and gifts Psal. 110 2 The Lord shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion rule thou in the midst of thine enemies The Lord i. e. God the Father â—ho had said sit thou on my right hand i. e. receive chief power and authority from me and exercise jurisdiction over alâ— shall send forth the Rod of thy power i. e. thy powerful and mighty Rod or the Rod and Scepter whereby thou declarest thy power and might â—he means specially the Preaching of the Word which is the Power of God to Salvation and is able to cast down strong holds and every high thing Be thou Ruler by thy word and spirit notwithstanding all the resistance of thine enemies 1 Pet. 3.19 By which aâ—so he went and preached to the spirits in prison by the power and manifestation of his spirit 3. By his Word and Spirit in saving works and effects His Word worketh effâ—ctually in all them that believe 1 Thes. 2.13 and the Spirit of Truth the Comforter which he promises to send Iohn 14.16 18 and 16.14 He shall receive of mine and shall shew it unto on 2. The end or use of this threefold Lordship why or for which he exercises it 1. For his Fathers and his own glory John 13.31 Now is the son of man glorified and God is glorified in him i e He shall be glorified in the admirable work of mans redempâ—ion for death to overcome death is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 great glory and shews him to be the Lord of life Col. 1.16 all things were created and do consist as well for him as by him that he might have the preheminence and glory as the first-born of every creature or heir of all things 2â— For the salvation of his chosen that he may give unto them eternal life Iohn 17.2 Father the hour is come glorifie thy Son that thy Son may also glorifie thee as thou hast given him power over all flesh that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him 3. For the overthrow of all adverse power to these ends whatever opposeth the glory of God and happiness of believers his Lordship is exercised for
dyeth to himself For whether we live we live to the Lord and whether we 〈◊〉 we die unto the Lord whether we regard 〈…〉 or not it must be to the Lord. Whether we eat or not it must be to the Lord make him the end of your conversation Iesus Christ the same yesterday and to day and for ever Heb 1â— 7 8. 2. In all things seek to 〈◊〉 him 1 Cor 7.32 Care for the things that belong to the Lord how you may please the Lord. And labour whether present or absent to be accepted of him 2 Cor. 5.9 Have none to please but Christ and for Christ. 3. Be ever found doing his work Mat. 24.46 Blessed is that servant whom his Lord when he cometh shall find so doing never cease working till you die life and labour must end together he gives us no time to be idle in 4. Go by his rule in all your ways let all your actions and proceedings be regulated by his law whatsoever ye do in word or in deed do all in the Name of the Lord Iesus Col. 3.17 As when Pharaoh had lifted up Ioseph and made him ruler over the Land of Egypt and they cryed before him bow the knee Pharaoh said unto Joseph I am Pharaoh and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all Egypt Gen. 41.44 So 5. Employ all you are have and can for him His word is Luke 19.13 Occupy till I come all your Talents he requires the service of thoughts 2 Cor. 10.5 of words Eph. 4.29 of works 1 Cor. 10.31 of body and Spirit 1 Thes. 5.23 6. Highly esteem what ever is his His Day Ordinances Servants Ministers and his holy Word let the feet of his Embassadors be beautiful both for their Master and their message-sake they are the Servants of Christ. Our delight should be in those excellent ones who bear the image and wear the badge of our Lord the world now thinks that of all callings this of the Ministry can best be spared but let us not think so basely of them who are Christs servants not only to do his business but to wait on his person ye to represent his person 1 Cor. 4.1 7. Study to approve your selves in all things to him 2 Thes. 1.11 12. Pray always that God would count you worthy of this calling and fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodness and the work of faith with power that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you and you in him according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. In a word let none but Christ be your end Serve him not to serve your own turns but let every interest be subservient to Christ learn to perish that the glory of Christ may live make not Religion a design let Christ be sweet for himself in serving him let nothing else be your scope and then nothing will divert you aim not at profit so gain will not allure you nor at pleasure so ease will not corrupt you nor at friends so favour will not seduce you Be all unto Christ and let Christ be all unto you Be all or nothing 2. Means 1. Redemption from other opposite Masters Luk. 1.74 That he would grant unto us that we being delivered out of the hands of our enemies might serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life 2. Enmity in us must be subdued all that exalts it self against the knowledg of God strong holds pull'd down imaginations and high things cast down and every thought be brought into captivity to the obedience of Christ 2 Cor. 10.4 5. 3. Receive instruction from him we must be taught in this service and that by him we must learn Christ Ephes. 4.20 21. If so be that ye have heard him and have been taught by him as the truth is in Iesus Col. 3.16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom Phil. 4.12 In all things I am instructed 4. You must also be furnished by him with graces and strength 2 Tim. 3.17 Throughly furnished to all good works And 2 Tim. 2.21 Prepared unto every good work and have his strength or you can do nothing Ioh. 15.5 5. Practise self-denial If any man will come after me let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me Mat. 16 24. Either you must deny your self or you will deny Christ that man that sets much by himself will never reckon much of a Saviour He who hath not learned self denial when Christ and self come in competition meet on a narrow bridge will endeavour to make Christ go back he that doth not account himself nothing will soon esteem Christ so 6. Clear your selves from all worldly distractions lay aside the world as much as may be that you may attend upon the Lord without distraction 1 Cor. 7.35 Let not this be your rule to Christ and holiness so far as you may without any prejudice to your worldly interests but this follow the world so far only as you may without being false and unfaithful to Christ and his service do not say to duty as Prayer Hearing Meditation stand aside I have such a worldly business to look after but rather say world stand aside Be sure that you are gotten clear of the world and that Christ have the preheminence in you be not ye the worlds prisoners but Christs free men 7. Remember the last account and judgment 2 Cor. 5.9 10. Wherefore we labour that whether present or absent we may be accepted of him for we must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ that every one may receive the things done in his body according to that he hath done whether it be good or bad None so diligent and faithful in the service of this Lord as those that with Ierome have still sounding in their ears that terrible voice Surgite mâ—rtui venite ad judicium Our Lord is gone but will come again to take an account how matters have been managed during his absence now sincce we look for such things what manner of persons ought we to be 3. For manner Christ be served in a right manner 1. Heartily freely cheerfully the heart is the marrow of the performance Col. 3.23 Whatsoever ye do do it heartily as to the Lord Ephes. 6.6 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not with eye service as men pleasers but as the servants of Christ doing the will of God from the heart Serve him in the spirit doing service with good-will and gladness making it our meat and drink to do his will quod cor non facit non sit 2. Humbly reverently when we have done all we can all those things that are commanded say we are unprofitable servants we have done that which was our duty to do Luk. 17.9 10. In bearing when he corrects content with our allowance not doing what we please but what pleases him coming at every call and obeying
CHRIST DISPLAYED AS THE Choicest Gift and Best Master From Ioh. 4.10 Ioh. 13.13 Being some of the last Sermons Preached by that faithful and industrious Servant of Jesus Christ Mr. NATHANEEL HEYWOOD Sometime Minister of the Gospel at Ormeschurch in Lancashire 1 Cor. 2.2 For I determined not to know any thing among you save Iesus Christ and hlm crucified Salvian de Gubern Dei Lib. 4. In id penitus deducta res est ut sicut de Paganis Barbaris priùs diximus Christi nomen non videatur jam Sacramentum esse sed sermo Nam in tantum apud plurimos nomen hoc parvi penditur ut nunquam minus cogitent quippiam facere quam cum se jurant per Christum esse facturos LONDON Printed for Tho. Parkhurst at the Bible and Three Crowns in Cheapside near Mercers-Chappel 1679. To the Worshipful HENRY HOGHTON Esq And the Lady STANLEY His Vertuous Consort Worthy SIR MADAM I Presume to affix your Venerable Names in the Frontispiece of this Treatise not upon my own account or upon any such interest I can challenge in your Worships being much unknown to you but as acting the part of the deceased Author who had upon great reason conceived a very high estimation of you as I doubt not but your respects to him were reciprocal being grounded both upon long acquaintance and experience of each other his discourse of you with grateful acknowledgments of your multiplied kindness to his person and family in my hearing and his affectionate prayers for you were clear testimonies that you were engraven upon his heart and if his unparallel'd modesty had permitted him to have committed any thing to the Press doubtless his cordial affection would have issued it self in such an Epistolary inscription But since I am necessitated to supply his place in handing these Discourses to the World I prostrate this exposed Orphan at your feet and question not your candid reception and resolute protection of what was the genuine product of his mind and mouth which I will confidently assure you these Treatises are both for matter method words without the least addition substraction or alteration being taken out of his own notes as he preacht them writ at large with his own hand The matter of these Sermons is of greatest moment and importance fundamental truths they are of the gift of God in our blessed Redeemer and Christs Lordship and Soveraignty which are truths of the first magnitude most necessary like wool and corn the staple-commodities of this Kingdom like bread and salt that must be set upon the Table like ground-Cells upon which lyes the weight of the fabrick these are comprehensive and extensive truths without this gift sinners had not been pardoned accepted without this Lordship souls would wander and rebel the former brings us into favour with God the latter conquers rebellious wills subdues enemies regulates Saints and crowns them with glory The manner of handling these subjects is plain exact nervous and very pathetical which took great impression on the hearers vvhen first delivered with the lively voice of that fair spokesman for Christ whose heart was much taken with this lovely and beloved Lord and took great delight to recommend him to poor sinners which he did with great advantage and success whereby he became a spiritual father of many children whom he begot in the bonds of the Gospel Indeed he excelled others in other subjects but in this he excelled himself especially in this swan-like song which savours of Heaven and seems to be calculated for the height of Sion to be sung by that heavenly host in the praises of our dear Redeemer But neither do these weighty subjects nor the lively colours wherein they are set off need my recommendation nor yet the Authors gifts graces industry fidelity and other imitable properties well known to you and all that were acquainted with him need at all be mentioned by me at least at this season his singular accomplishments and conversation shine too bright to be darkened by any black-mouth'd Momus as his soul and body are beyond the reach of Satan and Sorrow so his name is above any just censures and calumnies I make bold to put these Posthumous works into your hands may your Worships in the first place reap the benefit and by your experiments thereof in your souls and conformity thereto in your lives incourage others to come and see how good our Lord Jesus is this is a lovely Song of one that could play well on an instrument may your hearts eccho to this Gospel-tune here 's solid food well cookt rendred delectable with the sweet sauce of acceptable words may your stomacks be keen and sharp and nourisht by it to eternal life These are goads and nails fastened by this master of assemblies now rewarded by his Master given out by one shepherd may Gods Spirit fasten them as a nail in a sure place upon many consciences I have then attained my ends in this undertaking may God be thereby glorified and souls edified we have enough The Lord bless you both and make you rich blessings to your Country in your publick domestical and personal station and relation The Lord drop down this choice gift into your laps and hearts that you may give up your selves to him again as his bored devoted servants for ever God Almighty that hath been the stay of your Youth be also the staff of your old age and maintain you as choice instruments of his glory in the land of the living and in a good old age conduct you through the valley of the shadow of death into the land of life so prayeth Your Worships humble Servant in our Dearest Lord O. H. Febr. 1. 1678 9. To the CHRISTIAN READER especially the Inhabitants of the Town and Parish of Ormeschurch and the places adjacent Grace Mercy and Peace My dearly beloved in our dearest Lord IT is an astonishing Providence that in such a day of Epidemical sinning general fears of approaching Iudgments and great necessity in most places God should thus weaken our strength undermine the fabrick by cutting off so many faithful Shepherds in so short a space therein seeming as if he would make a way to his wrath But as your dark parts have more need of such faithful Watchmen so you are most emptied God having of late renewed his witnesses against you and broken you with breach upon breach before your eyes were fully wiped for one loss another follows at the heels like Job's messengers bringing the sad tidings of the death of another gracious Minister and this last is not the least under which you lye bleeding It is true on his account that 's gone you have no reason to lament God hath put a blessed end to his torturing pains of body perplexing thoughts of heart and indefatigable labours in the Ministry and crown'd him with glory the sharper was his passage the sweeter is his present repose he finds himself abundantly rewarded God made great
and Master to guide and govern your hearts and thoughts and lives by his Laws and Statutes and is it your ordinary purpose desire and endeavour to obey him even when he commands the hardest duties and those which most cross the desire and interest of the flesh and 't is your sorrow when you break your resolutions herein then Christ is yours But if you are only content to be saved by him from Hell when you dye in the mean time he shall command you no further than will stand with your credit or pleasure or worldly estate and ends and did never heartily consent that he should rule over you nor resign up your souls and bodies to be governed and disposed by him nor took his Word for a Law and Rule of your thoughts and actions but if he would give you leave you had rather live after the world and flesh than after the Word and Spirit he is not yet yours though you may in words call him Lord and Master yet in your works you deny him He is his Friend and Disciple that keeps his commandments Iohn 15.7 14 but they that would not hearken to his voice would none of him he gave them up to their own hearts lusts Psal. 8.11 3. Have you received the Spirit of Christ The Apostle makes the former and this characters of such as have received Christ. 1 Joh. 3.24 He that keepeth his commandments dwells in him and Christ in him hereby we know that he abideth in us by the spirit which he hath given us Well then do ye obey the Laws of Christ and walk in his ways conform to his example and live the life of Jesus He that doth not thus may say he abides in Christ but he doth but say so 't is not so in truth and reallity 1 Joh. 2.6 He that saith he abides in Christ ought to walk as he walked Further Let me ask you the question the Apostle asked the Disciples at Ephesus Acts. 19.2 Whether have you received the Holy Ghost If God have given Christ to you Christ hath given you his holy Spirit For if any man have not the spirit of Christ he is none of his Rom. 8.9 1 John 4.13 Hereby we know that we dwell in him and he in us because he hath given us of his spirit The Spirit not as residing in Christ but as given to us is an evidence that we have received Christ. Well then let every one of you be now inquisitive and put such interrogatories as these to himself Have I the Spirit is he given to me doth he dwell in my soul have I the spirit of illumination and revelation Eph. 1.17 Do I see such things as I never saw before as the inexpressible vileness and loathsomness of sin the greatest beauty in holiness c. Have I the spirit of life in Christ Jesus to quicken me and raise me up from the dead Rom. 8.2 2 Cor. 3.6 Have I felt the spirit of conviction to convince me of sin righteousness and judgment Iohn 16.8 The spirit of grace and supplication stirring up to and assisting in that heavenly duty of Prayer Zech. 12.10 The spirit of holyness to sanctifie me 1 Pet. 1.2 to mortifie my sins and corruptions Rom. 8.13 and work up my heart to all holy obedience Ezek. 36.27 Am I renewed in the spirit of my mind is Gods Image repaired in me am I transformed into the same image from glory to glory as by the Spirit of the Lord Am I growing in grace perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord Do I walk in all Gods Ways and Statutes freely regularly constantly Am I willing to sacrifice an Isaac a Benjamin an Absolom a Delilah Herodias and hew with Samuel delicate Agag in pieces or with David keep my self from mine own iniquity Is the old man dead the flesh with all its cursed retinue mortified do I detest and loath every sin in thought word and deed and that not so much for its effects as for its nature and hate it rather as Hell than for Hell Enquire what do you find of these high and gracious operations oâ— the spirit in your selves he is always an active working Spirit is he so in you Doth he raise your hearts to heavenly things and draw forth your souls to Christ O deal faithfully with your own souls let the search be deep and thorow go to the bottom of your deceitful hâ—arts bring things to an issue be sure that you be not mistaken 4. If Christ be received there will be a more earnest intent desire and breathing of soul after him he that hath once tasted the sweetness of his grace and seen the splendor of his beauty will be so far from being satisfied that he will still more and more thirst after him the more excellency the soul apprehends in him the more vehement and restless are his desires towards him Thus it was with the Spouse Cant. 2.3 4 5 â—he had a glance of him and cries out As the Apple-tree among the trees of the wood so is my beloved among the sons Here the Spouse seems to be strongly moved with affection and before her beloved had well ended his speech breaks out into an affectionate Elogy of him which she is not able to express but conquered with her own passion she sits down and breathes for comfort I sate down under his shadow with great delight and his fruit was sweet to my taste Here the soul receives and applys Christ with sweet rellish to her palate comfort to her heart He brought me to the banqueting house and his banner over me was love she still tasts more of the riches of his Grace and what was the effect of this did she surfeit with eating his fruit and banquetting no she is more ravisht with desire Stay me with flagons comfort me with apples for I am sick of love I am wounded nay slain as some Interpreters with love which by the sweet vehemency and insatiability of it makes the heart to burn and weep groan and sigh to forget all and drive away all but him on whom alone she fixeth and would rest but cannot center till she enjoy him in glory till then she is sick and weary and lives not in her self but in him in whom her life is hid As Plato defines love an ardour or flame of a soul dead in its own body and living in another One thus writes to his friend I have for the present a sick life much pain and love-sickness for Christ. O what would I give to have a bed made to my wearied soul in his bosom O when shall we meet O how long is it to the dawning of the marriage-day O sweet Lord Iesus take wide steps O my beloved come leaping over the mountains of separation O that he would fold the heavens together like an old cloak and shovel time and days out of the way and come away Well have you pain and sick-nights for Christ do your thoughts continually run on
garden Cant. 4.16 and now lo here I am to answer the longing expectation of thy blessed Soul which doth even pant and thirst after me who am the health of thy countenance and thy God Psal. 42.11 My company thou dost affect I see 't is most sweet and pleasant to thee and my company thou shalt have here I am to be with thee as thou didst pray and desire I come to eat thy pleasant fruits and bring with me the inexpressible comforts of my Spirit do thou eat and drink Yea drink abundantly O beloved 2. Be willing to be with him in reading much and often in the book of God where thou maist find this precious pearl as in a field what else saith the Prince of Anhalt is the whole Scripture but the swadling-clothes of the child Jesus the Apostle Col. 3.16 right well terms the word of God the word of Christ because he is the matter of the whole and the contents of all the Bible shadowed in the Law and shewed in the Gospel Vnam vocem habent duo Testamenta the word of the Lord contains nothing but the word which is the Lord. Austin How vainly do men look for immediate inspirations when ordinary means is afforded and others forbid the reading of the Scriptures and call Pictures and Images Lay mens books 3. Be willing to be with him in the Communion of Saints Who are a garden inclosed Cant. 4.12 in which Christ doth shew himself most graciously by their savoury speeches and holy conversations emblematizing and representing in a proportionable degree that most admirable ravishing fairness and pleasantness that is in Christ himself let these then be the excellent ones of the earth in whom is all your delight Psal. 16.3 Attend his Ordinances which are the conduits to convey Christ to us though others pretend to be above them yet keep ye under them if ye would keep Christ to put the pitcher above the rock is not the way to take water O let your fellowship be with the Father and with the Son 3. Shake off sloth ease and security indulge not your selves love not your carnal ease be not drunken with the pleasures of the flesh nor surfeit with the profits of the world nor intoxicated with pomp and honours set not your affections on things below let not down your watch be not secure nor high-minded Rom. 3.3 Cant. 5.2 3 4 5 6. you have there Christ knocking at the door of her heart with importunity and tender vehemency for admission and he moves and solicites Open my sister my spouse c. every word an argument a talent weight of love and does Christ call and knock and beg at the door of our souls to enter O what vile ingratitude is it to shut him out Doth he solicite and entreat so many ways by his Word and Ordinances Rod and admonitions and motions of his Spirit what inexcusable obstinate madness is it to drive him away Is any thing so worthy to be harboured there as he and is it not an imcomparable honour that he should vouchsafe to come under our roof She aggravates her fault because of his importunity But observe her idle excuses and vain frivolous pretences for not opening to him vers 3. I have put off my coat how shall I put it on What absurd and sluggish inconveniences does she plead making that her apology which should be her shame in casting off those garments of holiness and spiritual duties which should ever adorn her and growing weary of her nuptial robes which she should ever wear And the other is like unto it I have washed my feet how shall I defile them This is spoken after the manner of those hot Countries where they used to wash constantly before they composed themselves to a setled rest or before they sat down to eat By this custom the Church would excuse her somnolency and negligence as if there were trouble or danger in rising up to entertain him Sad shifts A Christian should endure more for Christ than a little cold or unseasonable diligence One spark of Hell will burn up all these cloaks and fair pretences In the fourth verse Christ proceeds further since knocking would not serve outward means and moral arguments will not prevail he works inwardly and effectually by the powerful visitations and motions of the Spirit which is called the finger Mat. 12.28 compar'd with Luk. 11.20 Then her bowels were moved in her or for him Here 's the great effect of spiritual visits of Christ and the close and lively workings of his Spirit in the heart then she arose and her handâ— dropped with myrrh active and vigorous endeavours should accompany inward motives and suggestions of grace the feet should make haste and the hands be diligent and operative for this is to oyl the lock and make the soul dextrous and prompt to all duties of holiness Vers. 6. You have the effect of her sloth I opened to my beloved but my beloved had withdrawn himself and was gone or he was gone he was gone which duplication is more passionate and denotes the expedition and certainty of his absence for which she is much troubled and like a sad widow wrings her hands and crys out he is gone c. my soul failed when he spake or melted or went out of me for his words which he had used to me I was exanimated and astonished O take heed of sloth 4. Hold fast the word of truth keep the mystery of faith in a pure conscience and then you keep Christ. Take heed therefore of all Opinions that are opposite and destructive to the truths of Christ he will not lodg where his truth is thrust out by errours What was it that brought ruin to the ancient Churches of Greece but this they gave way to fond opinions some to Iewish fables some to the Doctrine oâ— Balaam and of Devils and of the Nicholaitans as you read in the second or third Chapter of Revelation and Ecclesiastical History Preserve every truth of Christ according to its moment and weight the dust of Gold is precious 't is dangerous to be careless in the lesser truths Better heaven and earth should be blended together saith Luther than one dust of Gods Truth should perish If you hearken to Satan and Seducers this will be a little one and that shall be a little one till you have little'd away all the principles of faith Count not those small things as the men of the world do for which the children of God have ventured their all Martyrs were not so prodigal of their lives but they knew what they did when they durst not give place for a moment O beware of errour if you would keep Christ let men be in the eyes of the world in righteousness Saints in holiness Angels in zeal like Christ himself If damnable errours be the ground of their Catechisms and their opinions be heretical they cannot keep Christ amongst them receive and retain his faithful Ministers and
thine eyes a crucified bleeding Saviour Hence that saying of Bernard Cui fons forte sicul es lanynam invocat Iesum non fluxit uberius What hardness of heart could ever stand before Jesus Christ or what Soul ever went to Christ and came away with a hard heart and was not melted as wax before the Sun If Christ do but strike upon the heart though it were a Rock he can make it gush out with a torrent of brinish tears 4. Barrenness Thou complainest of unfruitfulness thou receivest much and returnest little thou art dry and unprofitable make use of Christ in this case the water is not more effectual to make fruitful the barren ground than the dew of Christs Grace to fructifie a barren heart I the Lord can turn a barren wilderness into a fruitful garden Isa. 51.3 He hath promised to make the Wilderness like Eden and the Desert like the Garden of the Lord. He hath said Isa. 35.1 2 6 7 That the desert shall blossom as the rose yea it shall blossom abundantly for in the wilderness shall water break out and streams in the desert and the parched ground shall become a pool and the thirsty land springs of water Go to Christ for the fulfilling of those great and precious promises say Cant. 4. ult Lord send out thy spirit to breathe upon my Soul to blow upon my Garden that the Spices thereof may flow out c. Christ saith Except ye abide in me and I in you ye cannot bear fruit Under the term abiding is implyed making use of Christ drawing sap and nourishment from him Ioh. 15.4 5. 5. Despondency when thou art disquieted with melancholly Psal. 27.13 doubting and distrustful thoughts arising from the weakness of Grace power of Corruption and malice of Satan have recourse to Christ who hath an incomparable faculty of dispelling all these perplexed and pensive conceits that do torture thy mind He himself suffered and was tempted was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief and therefore is able to succour us in all our temptations and troubles Heb. 2.18 and 4.15 16. Now if a man be in any trouble in outward estate or body what will he do in such a case He will go and consult with one that hath been in the like condition Do thus make use of Christ for help who hath said I will never leave thee nor forsake thee Heb. 13.5 which words of his being spoken home to the heart of a distrustful perplexed person by his own Spirit must needs be of refreshing vertue and reviving power as that light will ever spring up out of darkness and scatter those mists that darken the mind and disturb our peace 't is he that forgiveth all thy sins and healeth all thy diseases Psal. 103.3 3. Improve this gift of God as a sweet and forcible attractive and help to draw your hearts to the performance of all those duties that are required of you and to assist in the exercise of those graces that are to be found in you As 1. Faith In the want or weakness of Faith make use of Christ who must needs be very helpful for he is the author and finisher of your faith Heb. 12.2 he is infinitely able to begin increase and perfect your faith so as that it can have no other vertue or power but such as is derived only from him 'T is he by whom we believe in God who raised him from the dead his own Disciples finding their faith infirm and weak did repair to him for more strength and for a larger measure of it acknowledging him to be able and themselves impotent and unable to do it saying Luke 17.5 Lord increase our faith 2. Repentance Does any lye and groan under the guilt and burden of impenitency O let him address himself to Christ in this sad case who came into the world to call sinners to repentance not as we in the Ministry to call outwardly but to call with an effectual voice and to cause to repent Mat. 11.13 God not only gave him to the world to be a Saviour but hath exalted him to be a Prince to give repentance and remission of sins Act. 5.31 If thy heart be secure and senseless go to Christ who will freely give not sell and work in thee godly sorrow that leads to repentance unto salvation not to be repented of That repentance you frame in your selves will miserably deceive you so that Austin said that repentance doth drown more than sin when you think you can sufficiently do it your selves whereas Christ alone doth give true and acceptable repentance 3. Love Christ is the best teacher of Love that ever the world had who taught it not only by his words but by his blood by his life and by his death Wouldest thou learn to love Go to Christ if thou canst not learn it of him thou canst never learn it Love is the greatest commander of love and the most effectual argument that can insuperably constrain us to it and none ever loved at the rate and measure that Christ hath loved to stand by such a fire is the way for a congealed heart to melt and the coldest affections to grow warm A lively Faith still holding Christ the glass of infinite love and goodness before our faces is the greatest lesson in the art of love A believing view of the nature undertaking love obedience doctrine example sufferings intercession and Kingdom of Jesus Christ must needs inflame believers hearts with an answerable degree of love O steep that stiff and hardned heart in the blood of Christ and it will melt and it will change thy unkind unthankful heart in the very nature of love to come over with Thomas and by the passage of his wounds wind thy self into his heart 4. Obedience both active and passive to which Christ is both an incomparable motive and admirable pattern He fulfilled all righteousness and became obedient to the death of the Cross Lo I come to do thy will O God was his resolution when he came into the world and not my will but thine be done when he went out of it He hath said he will write his Laws in your hearts and cause you to walk in his statutes and give you one heart and one way that ye may serve him for ever Ezek. 36.27 Christs obedience is thine walking in Christ all the acts of it are exerted and performed in the strength of Christ. 5. Prayer would you know how to pray as to have your Prayer accepted and answered let Christ be made use of who is the alone Mediator that by the vail of his flesh hath made a new and living way into the holy place and sits at Gods right hand making request for you So that by him you may have free access with boldness to the throne of grace Heb. 10.19 20. Have you a friend in the Court that will plead your cause and speak a good word to the King and will you not make use of
enemies Col. 1.21 Those that are afar of are made nigh by the blood of Christ he hath broken down the partition-wall and slain the enmity Ephes. 2 16 17 18. If thou hast some dear friend who bestows a gift on thee in token of his dear love and respect to thee and there should be afterwards some disagreeing and falling out betwixt you wouldst thou shew this gift a pledg of league and amity c. thus hold up Christ to God 3. Or though it be not thus yet thou wantest the sense and feeling of his love and art comfortless in the want of it O then make use of Christ in this case who is able to make all Consolations abound and fill thy soul with joy and peace in believing He hath said Ioh. 14.18 I will not leave you comfortless Tristatur aliquis nostrum veniat in cor Iesus Is any man sad saith Bernard let that sweetest name Jesus come into his heart and so he shall have that peace and comfort that the world cannot give neither can the world take it away from him Christ is a most soveraign Cordial apply and use him and your joy will be full 4. Or art thou terrified in Conscience and groaning under the insupportable burden of a wounded spirit art thou affrighted with accusing and condemning thoughts O go to Christ who as he can make peace in the Court of Heaven so he can create peace in thy heart and still the crys of Conscience and make a calm there also though the waves roar and the winds blow c. thy soul shall have peace in him which passeth all understanding Col. 1.20 And will say in me ye shall have peace be of good cheer let not your hearts be troubled though your hearts ake and tremble yet he is greater thaâ— your hearts who is nigh to justifie you Isa. â—â— 8 so that you may triumph with the Apostle Who is he that condemneth it is Christ that died Rom. 8.34 Expect no peace in laying aside Christ. 5. Are you afraid of death and judgment to come in this case also make use of Christ. It 's reported by Cassander that in ancient times sick and weak dying persons were directed and accustomed to make use of Christ at that time especially interposing him betwixt them and Gods Judgment saying these words Lord we put thee the death of our Lord Iesus Christ betwixt us and thy judgment But what need we look into Historians the Scriptures shew what languishing souls and drooping spirits must do Psal. 23.4 5. Though I walk in the valley of the shadow of death yet I will fear no evil c. Christ hath destroyed him that had the power of death Heb. 2.4 taken out the venome and malignity of it Death lost its sting in Christs side And now O death where is thy sting O grave where is thy victory 1 Cor. 15.55 57. Or fearest thou judgment look to Christ and thou shalt not die the second death but he will raise thee up at the last day Ioh 6.49 50. Having Christ thou maist stand in judgment and lift up thy head with joy for 't is the day of thy Redemption then the redeemed of the Lord shall return with joy everlasting and you shall appear with him in glory 4. Fourth Branch of Exhortation Be â—ery thankful for him yea let your whole soul go out in thankfulness be ever praising and magnifying God for his unspeakable mercy in Christ your Sacrifice your Redeemer your Saviour often call upon your sluggish hearts and say Bless the Lord O my soul and all that is within me bless his holy name Psal. 103.1 and 116.12 What shall I render to the Lord for this the greatest of all his benefits O be thankful not in a common ordinary formal manner but in the most lively enlarged and raised manner that is possible where the mercy is high and great the thankfulness must bear some proportion to it O let your apprehensions be widened to conceive the vastness of this mercy that your affections may be more enlarged to praise God for it O how shall we get our hearts affected with it what thankfulness can be enough for such a gift should not the whole soul be summon'd in to give its most united acknowledgment of so signal a mercy for God to give his only begotten Son to be a Saviour for sinners Here 's the wonder of wonders God never did the like before and he 'l never do the like again and blessed be his name there is no need he should It would have been admirable mercy if God would have sent some other person upon this Errand to redeem and save undone sinners If send he will why did he not send an Angel or body of Angels to try their skill and see what they could do Nay why did he not send an Angel as once he did with a flaming sword in his hand to keep off sinners from the Tree of Life O this did not comport with his gracious designs though it did too well with the creatures merit therefore he would not do it no his own Son shall be pitcht upon he is the person whom God will send Surely here was love great love great to the degree of infiniteness Millions of Angels were nothing to one Son to one such Son his first-born his only begotten Son the Son of his love who lay in his bosom had been his delight from everlasting O astonishing mercy O admirable goodness and condescention how may we cry out here Lord what is man that thou art thus mindful of him and the Son of man that thou makest this account of him Psal. 8.4 and 144.3 or as Iob 7.17 What is man that thou shouldest magnifie him and that thou shouldest set thine heart upon him Here was God so loving so as can never be expressed never be comprehended Ioh 3.16 God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believed on him might not perish but have everlasting life The Heavens and the Earth were once called upon to be filled with astonishment because of the ingratitude of a sinful people Isa. 1.2 May not now Heaven and Earth Angels and men all creatures whatsoever be called upon to be filled with astonishment because of the stupendious love of God! O Christians what influence hath this upon your dull and sluggish hearts what are you made of that you are no more in the sense of it drawn out in blessing loving admiring and adoring of God Pray if there be any holy ingenuity in you take some pains with your selves that you may be much more affected with it and give not over till you have such thoughts and affections upon Gods giving his Son raised in you as may in some measure answer to those thoughts and affections which you shall have about it when you shall be in Heaven The Angels never reaped that advantage that we do yet they were at praising-work as soon as ever Christ was born
he hath called to the profession of the Goâ—pel He gives authority to some for edification not to destruction 2 Cor. 20.8 13 10. Accordâ—ng to the power which the Lord hath given to edification and not to destruction Mark 13 34. as a man taking a far Journey gave authority to his servants 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the charge of his domestical affairs he appoints officers sets every one in his place and furnishes him with gifts suitable to his place and cuts out every one his task or work Eph. 4.8 When he ascended or assumed this Lordship he gave gifts to men He gave some Apostles some Prophets some Evangelists some Pastors and Teachers 1 Cor. 12.28 God hath set some in the Church first Apostles secondarily Prophets thirdly teachers c. He appoints Ministers to be stewards to distribute to every one in his family their due proportion by way of feeding and governing and they are all accountable to this Lord. 4. Prescribing administrations for their food physick and all necessaries 1 Cor. 12.5 There are differences of adminstrations but the same Lord 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 diversities or distinctions of ministries Ecclesiastical functions for the use and benefit of his house that none of his servants may want what is good and fit for them he appoints stewards and rulers over his houshold to give every one their meat in due season Mat. 24.45 and overseers to feed the Church of God and to take care of his Flock which he purchased with his own blood Act. 20.28 to preach the Word and dispense the Sacraments Mat. 18.17 Tell it unto the Church that is the governing and ruling Church which was invested with the power of binding and loosing saith Cameron ver 18 and the subject of the power of jurisdiction to whom belong the censures of excomunication absolution 1 Cor. 5.4 5. By the power of the Lord Iesus Christ c. 5. Conferring gifts and temporal mercies and deliverances upon them Eph. 4.7 To every one is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ gratia gratis data gifts for edifying the Church 6. Correcting them in this life for their miscarriages Judgment commonly begins at the house of God He judges them in this world that they may not be condemned with the world 1 Cor. 11.32 Rev. 3.19 As many as I love I rebuke and chasten be zealous therefore and repent Rev. 2.16 Repent or I will come unto thee quickly and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth Ver. 22. Behold I will cast her into a bed and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation except they repent of their deeds He suffers the world to do that which he will not endure in his own Family His servants will never be faithful to him nor find him faithful to them if he did not sometimes chastise them 7. Calling them to account in the end and rewarding and punishing according to their works Mat. 25.19 After a long-time the Lord of those servants cometh and reckoneth with them and gives them their hire that had been labourers in the Vineyard Mat. 20.8 All must stand before the judgment-seat of Christ Rom. 14.10 2 Cor. 5.10 We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ that every one may receive the things done in the body according to that he hath done whether it be good or bad He hath sundry sorts of servants some that are only titular and complemental call him Lord and Master but are unprofitable wearing his badge but refusing his work profess him but in works deny him using the name of the Lord but transgressing the rule of their Lord the reward of these is to be cast into utter darkness Mat. 25.30 His faithful servants shall be rewarded with his presence who served him in his absence and shall enter into the joy of their Lord. 3. Christ hath yet a more special Lordship over true believers living members of his body that are justified and sanctified servants to him in their hearts Rom. 14.18 He that in these things that is righteousness peace and joy serveth Christ is acceptable to God and approved of men that have the kingdom of Christ within them Luke 17.22 The weapons of this kingdom are not carnal but spiritual and mighty and so his conquest of them 2 Cor. 10.4 The former were members of the Church these are the members of Christ and this Lordship is exercised and put forth by his 1. Drawing them in by effectual calling making them willing in the day of his power Psal. 110.3 as he is exalted to be a Prince and a Saviour to give them repentance and remission of sins Acts 5.31 putting his Laws into their minds and writing them upon their hearts Heb. 8.10 This calling by his word and effectual operation of his spirit doth bring them not only into the visible but into the invisible Church uniting them to Christ the head as well as tying them to the members and whereby grace is not only offered but conferred is a calling in a saving manner according to his purpose the immediate consequence of the election of his grace 2. Suppressing in them whatever is opposite to his rule and overcoming all enmity to his will manifesting and magnifying his grace and strength in their infirmities and making his power to rest upon them 2 Cor. 12.9 10.4 5. Pulling down of strong holds and casting down reasonings and imaginations and every high thing that exalteth it self against the knowledg of God and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ not only curbing but curing their nature and changing the whole man 3. Qualifying them for his service and enabling them to do his work making them ready to do his will Aâ— people prepared for the Lord Luke 1.17 making them vessels unto honour purged and sanctified meet for their masters use and prepared unto every good work 2 Tim. 2.21 If he find employment he will give endowments too if an errand a tongue if a word an hand if a burden a back I can do all things through Christ which strengthâ—neth me saith Paul Phil. 4.13 as the Apostle laboured according to his working which worketh in him mightily Col. 1.29 So carrying them on in his ways with renewed strength they walk and are not weary they run and faint not â—sa 40.28 29 30 31. 4. Giving them freedom to and in his work he makes them free Iohn 8.32 Free from sin that they become his servants Rom. 6.18 from the guilt power and bondage of sin 1. By releasing their debts pardoning their sins Acts 5.31 it 's an Act of Christs Lordship and Princedom to remit and forgive sins 2. By loosing their bonds and breaking the snares and fetters of them He proclaims liberty to captives and opening of prison to them that are bound Isa. 61.1 2. Rom 8.2 The Law of the spirit of life in Christ Iesus hath made me free from the Law of sin and death
is contrary to that which ye owe to Christ and as touching your Soul and Conscience subject and enslave your selves to no man living depend absolutely upon none but Christ and his word all our obedience to earthly Lords must be only such as this Lord allows and only in the Lord the greatest Lords in the world are but regula regulata Christ is the only regula regulans they the rule ruled he ruling 6. To inform us that Christians are Christs servants yet somewhat more or with some special exceptions Iohn 15.15 Henceforth I call you not servants for the servant knoweth not what his Lord doth but I have called you friends for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you They are not only servants but friends they call Christ Lord and Master he calls them not servants but friends not servants but free-men yea sons Iohn 8.36 The servant abideth not in the house for ever but the Son abideth ever Gal. 4 7. Wherefore thou art no more a servant but a son and if a son then â—â— heir of God through Christ. Not a servant that is under the ceremonies and bondage of the Law but a Son having received the adoption by Christ the eternal Son of God who was sent to redeem us that he might purchase and graciously communicate the right of sonship which he hath by nature to every true believer And because ye are Sons God hath sent forth the spirit of his Son into your hearts crying Abba father We are in such sort free and so set at liberty as that we must be governed by the Spirit of Christ which reigneth in our hearts and teacheth us the true service of the Father but this is not to serve but rather to enjoy true liberty as becometh Sons and Heirs 7. It teaches us that all doctrines and practices are to be abhorred which derogate from the dignity of this our Lord and Master 1. Doctrines especially the Popish which deprave our redemption purchased by this Lord by the doctrine of merits the worship due to this Lord with the doctrine of image and adoration and the Saints intercession The authority of this Lord by the doctrine of the Popes headship and pardoning of sins and many such doctrines not only of the Papists but of others nearer to us 2. The practices of vile and wicked men We should make it our business and only Plot to promote his honour and service in the world and endure nothing that would eclipse and impair his glory He who touches that should touch the apple of our eye look upon his reproach as cast upon our selves mourning for that dishonour offered to him which we cannot redress 't is against both Christianity and Humane ingenuity to suffer him to be abused whom we have undertaken to serve This neither agrees with honesty nor honour 't is indeed not only a sin but a shame Hardly is any Servant so low spirited as to think it consistent with his credit to serve a disgraced Master they that truly call Christ Lord will never endure that his glory should suffer from others much less from themselves 3. Our own unsuitable practices A servant of Christ must not be a son of Belial every one is under a yoke still Christ does not give his servants leave to sin but liberty to serve God Christ came not to free us from the Law but sin from the service of the Devil not from the service of God He came not to make the Law less strict or sin less odious or us less holy freedom from wrath and Hell is a priviledg but from duty and obedience is none because we are made free by Christ we are to be more apt and ready to discharge the duty we owe to God and man in maxima libertate minima licentia a great deal of liberty by Christ and yet the strongest ingagement to service that may be They whose lives are full of Epicurisme Atheisme worldliness 't is not a pin to chuse whether they be Pagans or Christians for acting thus heatheâ—ishly thus brutishly they do but pollute that sacred and worthy name the Apostle saith I am not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ut 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Cor. 9.21 Not without the law to God but under the law to Christ. This leads to Second use of reprehension It may serve to reprove three sorts 1. Those that endure not to hear of Christs Lordship and commands that will not acknowledg this dominion of Christ nor let him be Lord in his own house but do what in them lies to deprive him of that honour to which he hath so good a right But who deny Christs Lordship 1. They that will not hear his voice obey his call accept his inâ—itations in the Gospel he inviteth them to himself prays them to be reconciled to God through him intreats them to come and put themselves under his government and take his yoke on them and they will not hear but in effect say We are Lords we will not come at thee Jer. 2.31 We are well enough and shall do well enough without him and what needs such care and strictness He comes and waits and knocks at their doors but they slight him and will not open He prays them that they will look into their hearts mind their Souls consider their eternal condition but they quench the Spirit smother the light and resist all these motions they will not come to him nor suffer him to come into them that they may have life 2. Those that addict themselves to strong and inordinate desires of liberty which is the worst slavery that will not submit to his government quarrelling at duties rather than performing them thinking it a kind of happiness to be free and that there is no freedom but in sinning and following the bent and sway of their own hearts and being Lords of their own actions and dream of an exemption from all kind of Law but their own lusts they would he above all checks and controul and have scope and room for their own lusts Promise themselves liberty 2 Pet. 2.19 Men would have it at this to be at their own dispose and to be answerable to none that would call them to account and therefore that will not obey his laws and commands 3. Such as in a proud contempt and obstinacy against reproof and instruction do cast off all respect and obedience to Christ they cannot endure restraints are as bullocks unaccustomed to the yoke Ier. 31.18 Are all for breaking bonds and dissolving cords Psal. 2.4 Bursting the yoke altogether Ier. 5.5 They cannot endure to hear of denying their fashions renouncing their lusts and pleasures forsaking their vain worldly wanton thoughts and ways what every thought every desire every word must be under a Law So much time spent in duties such gravity in conversation such awe in their speeches No vain licentious Spirits will not be clogged and yoked thus what a weariness is
come unto me Hear and your soul shall live why do you spend your money for that which is not bread and your labour for that which satisfieth not Hearken diligently unto me eat ye that which is good and let your soul delight it self in fatness Alas ye feed on husks and chaff till you return to Christ. Isa 55.2 3 4 7. How long ye simple ones will ye love simplicity and fools delight in folly turn ye at my reproof Forsake the foolish and live and go in the way of understanding O that you were wise and would understand these things and consider your latter end O that there were such hearts in you c. O that ye knew the things that belong unto your peace in this your day before they be hid from your eyes O when shall it once be what is your resolution shall Jesus Christ be your Lord and Master or shall he not Take heed how you refuse him that speaks from heaven do not as you want Christ despise this loving invitation and make light of this gracious offer lest his wrath be kindled in his breast and you perish He that hath so long held forth his Scepter of Grace yet stands waiting for your return yet stretcheth forth his arms to embrace you yet opens his very heart to entertain you Hark he bids you come and lodg your souls in his warm bosom yet he calls by his Word yet he strives by his Spirit and follows you with checks of conscience and renews his mercies on you every morning would fain draw you with cords of love if it would be But it will not be always thus his patience will not always wait his Spirit shall not always strive with man the door of mercy shall not always stand open When once the master of the house is risen up and hath shut to the door and ye begin to stand without and to knock at the door saying Lord Lord open to us then 't is too late Luk. 13.25 O come to Christ now or never do it this day or you may never be invited again Hear now Christ bespeaks and wooes thee sinner Cast down thy weapons of rebellion surrender thy soul to me give me thy heart submit to my government I vvill pass by all thy former resistance and put up all the wrongs thou hast done me I will remember thy iniquities no more but pass an act of everlasting oblivion upon them O look unto me and be ye saved This is my business with you my beloved at this time this is mine errand to your Souls What answer shall I return from you to him that sent me The great work you know of us Ministers is to perswade men to become Christs covenanting Servants to consent to his Laws and acknowledg his Lordship our way to win your hearts is to tell you what he is some little hath been spoken but not the thousand part of the excellencies of this incomparable Lord O he is the chiefest of ten thousâ—nd his name is wonderful he is God and Man in one person he is Man that you may not be afraid of him God that he may be able to do you good He is the Lord of lords and King of kings Heir of all things Saviour of the world c. 'T is infinite condescention of love in him to treat with you or intreat your consenâ— that he may be your Lord. This being a matter of greatest importance and knowing the terror of the Lord let me perswade you for that end I intreat you to press upon your selves and improve in your retirements these considerations as motives 1. Motive Yeild up your selves to the service of the Lord Christ or you are unjust you do him open wrong Equity and justice requires that you render to all their due jus cuique tribuere is the first and most proper act of justice Tribute to whom tribute fear to whom fear honour to whom honour Rom. 13.7 It is a common principle among you which nature teacheth that you deal righteously with men owe no man any thing do no man wrong let every one have that which of right appertaineth to him And if we may not deny unto Caesar the things that are Caesars it is but right we should also give unto God the things that are Gods by so many just titles Why now you cannot without apparent wrong to Christ deny him your selves you are his and owe your selves unto him and all you have and all that you can do you are not your own but his I lay claim unto you in the name of Christ and challenge your souls and bodies to his use Dare you deny the claim or will any step out and question this title The Lord Jesus hath laid challenges to you It has been a custom in England on the Coronation day as multitudes of people were feasting in Westminster-Hall a Herald comes forth and Champion for the King and proclaimed his title to the Crown and if any questioned his title he was there ready to make it good I do now proclaim to you that Christ is your Lord and you are his Servants and challenges your service if any question his Title I will justifie it and make it good let the case come to tryal on condition that whoever is convinced shall yield subjection Let me ask you then Did not he make you and not ye your selves Psal. 95.6 and does not he preserve and sustain you and ye are the Sheep of his pasture Vers. 7 Did not Christ purchase you with his own blood 1 Pet. 1.18 Were you not the dearest purchase and was not the greatest price paid for you that ever the world heard of Well what say you to this Title Doth not justice give every one his own and are not you Christs If there be any creature in Heaven or Earth that can lay a better claim or pretend a juster Title to you than Christ then let it have your hearts and service but if the Lord Jesus have the full and sole right to you then do not so much wrong him and your own souls as to deny or withstand this just and reasonable motion 2. Give up your selves to this Lord or you are unthankful gratitude as well as justice requires this at your hands Nothing is more abhorrent to an ingenuous spirit than the brand of ingratitude to be so base and unworthy as to render evil for good ingratum si dixeris omnia dixeris call a man unthankful and you call him all that 's naught abhor it as death to be guilty or have the name of ingratitude Well now suppose a man had by some capital crime incurred the danger of the Law and the sentence of death were past upon himâ— should another step in and humble himself to beg the pardon or begger himself to buy the freedom for him Must not that man be wholly his who hath ransomed him from the Gallows This is our case Sin was our work and Death was our wages