a saying of Luther Quos Deus vult perdere c. whom God intends to destroy he gives them leave to play with Scripturre Use 3. of Exhortation If the Scripture be of Divine Inspiration then be exhorted 1. to study the Scripture it is a Copy of God's Will be Scripture Men Bible Christians I adore the fulness of Scripture saith Tertullian In the Book of God are scattered many Truths as so many Pearls Iohn 5.39 Search the Scriptures Search as for a Vein of Silver This blessed Book will fill your Head with Knowledge and your Heart with Grace God wrote the two Tables with his own Fingers and if God took pains to write well may we take pains â—o read Apollos was mighty in the Scriptures Acts 18.24 The Word is our Magna Charta for Heaven shall we be ignorant of our Charter Col. 3.16 Let the word of God dwell in you richly The Memory must be a Table-Book where the Word is written To make us read the Word consider 1. There is Majesty sparkling in every Line of Scripture Take but one Instance Isa. 63.1 Who is this that cometh from Edom with died garments from Bozrah this that is glorious in his apparel travelling in the greatness of his strength I that speak in righteousness mighty to save Behold here a lofty magnificent stile what Angel could speak after this manner Iunius was converted by reading one Verse of Iohn he beheld a Majesty in it beyond all Humane Rhetorick 2. There is Melody in Scripture This is that blessed Harp which drives away sadness of Spirit Hear the sounding of this Harp a little 1 Tim. 1.15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation that Iesus Christ came into the World to save sinners he took not only our Flesh upon him but our Sins And Matth. 11.28 Come unto me all ye that are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest How sweetly doth this Harp of Scripture sound what heavenly Musick doth it make in the Ears of a distressed sinner especially when the Finger of God's Spirit toucheth upon this Instrument 3. There is Divinity in Scripture It contains the Marrow and Quintessence of Religion The Scripture is a Rock of Diamonds a Mystery of Piety the Lips of Scripture have Grace poured into them The Scripture speaks of Faith Self-denial and all the Graces which as a Chain of Pearl adore a Christian. The Scripture excites to Holiness it treats of another World it gives a prospect of Eternity Oh then search the Scriptures Make the Word familiar to you Had I the Tongue of Angels I could not sufficiently set forth the Excellency of Scripture It is a spiritual Optick Glass in which we behold God's Glory it is the Tree of Life the Oracle of Wisdom the Rule of Manners the heavenly Seed of which the New Creature is formed Iames 1.18 The two Testaments saith Austin are the two Breasts which every Christian must suck that he may get spiritual Nourishment The Leaves of the Tree of Life were for Healing Rev. 22.2 so these Holy Leaves of Scripture like those Leaves are for the healing of our Souls The Scripture is profitable for all things If we are deserted here is the spiced Wine that cheers the heavy heart If we are pursued by Satan here is the Sword of the Spirit to resist him If we are diseased with Sins leprosy here are the Waters of the Sanctuary both to Cleanse and Cure Oh then search the Scriptures There is no danger in tasting this Tree of Knowledge There was a Penalty laid at first that we might not taste of the Tree of Knowledge Gen. 3.17 In the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die But there is no danger of plucking this Tree of Holy Scripture if we do not eat of this Tree of Knowledge we shall surely die Oh then read the Scriptures Time may come when the Scriptures may be kept from us Quest. How should we so search the Scriptures as to find Life Answ. 1. Read the Bible with Reverence think every Line you read God is speaking to you The Ark wherein the Law was put was over-laid with pure Gold and was carried on Barrs that the Levites might not touch it Exod. 25.14 And why was this but to breed in the People Reverence to the Law 2. Read with Seriousness 'T is Matter of Life and Death By this Word you must be tried Conscience and Scripture are the Jury God will proceed by in Judging of you 3. Read the Word with Affection Get your Hearts quickned with the Word go to it to fetch fire Luke 24.31 Did not our hearts burn within us Labour that the Word may not only be a Lamp to direct but a Fire to warm Read the Scripture not only as an History but as a Love-Letter sent to you from God which may affect your Hearts 4. Pray that the same Spirit that wrote the Word may assist you in the reading of it that God's Spirit would show you the wonderful Things of his Law Go near saith God to Philip joyn thy self to this Chariot Acts 8.29 So when God's Spirit joyns himself with this Chariot of the Word then it becomes effectual 2. Be exhorted to prize the Word written Iob 23.12 David valued the Word more precious than Gold What would the Martyrs have given for a Leaf of the Bible The Word is the Field where Christ the Pearl of price is hid In this Sacred Mine we dig not for a Wedge of Gold but a Weight of Glory 1. The Scripture is a Sacred Collyrium or Eye-salve to illuminate us Prov. 6.23 The Commandment is a Lamp and the Law is Light 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Clem Alexandrinus The Scripture is the Card and Compass by which we Sail to the New Ierusalem 2. The Scripture is a Soveraign Cordial in all Distresses What are the Promises but the Water of Life to renew fainting Spirits Is it sin troubles there is a Scripture Cordial Psal. 65.3 Iniquities prevail against me as for our Transgressions thou shalt purge them away or as it is in Hebrew Te eapperem Thou shalt cover them Is it outward Affliction disquiets there is a Scripture Cordial Psal. 91.15 I will be with him in trouble not only to behold but to uphold Thus as in the Ark was laid up Manna Promises are laid up as Manna in the Ark of Scripture 3. The Scripture will make us wise Wisdom is above Troubles Psal. 119.104 By thy Precepts I get understanding What made Eve so desire the Tree of Knowledge Gen. 3.6 It was a Tree to make one wise The Scriptures teach a Man to know himself they discover Satan's 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 snares and stratagems 2 Cor. 2.11 They make one wise to Salvation 2 Tim. 3.15 O then highly prize the Scriptures I read of Queen Elizabeth at her Coronation she received the Bible presented to her with both her Hands and kissing it laid it to her Breast saying That that Book
not only to have the Light of the Word in our Heads but the Power of the Word in our Hearts Let us endeavour to have the Word copied out and written a Second time in our Hearts Psal. 37.31 The Law of God is in his Heart The Word saith Be cloath'd with Humility 1 Pet. 5.5 Let us be low and humble in our own Eyes The Word calls for Sanctity Let us labour to partake of the Divine Nature and to have something conceived in us which is of the Holy Ghost 2 Pet. 1.4 When the Word is thus copied out into our Hearts and we are changed into the Similitude of it now the VVord written is made effectual to us and becomes a Savour of Life 7. ult When we read the Holy Scriptutes let us look up to God for a Blessing Beg the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation that we may see the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the deep things of God Eph. 1.17 Pray to God that the same Spirit that wrote the Scripture would enable us to understand it Pray that God will give us that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 Cor. 2.14 That Savour of Knowledge that we may relish a Sweetness in the Word we read David tasted it sweeter than the Honey-comb Psal. 19.10 Let us pray that God will not only give us his Word as a Rule of Holiness but his Grace as a Principle of Holiness 2 d. Branch of the 2 d. Question How may we so hear the Word that it may be effectual and saving to our Souls Resp. 1. Give great Attention to the Word preached let nothing pass without taking special Notice of it Luke 19.48 All the People were very attentive to hear him Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they hanged upon his Lip Acts 16.14 Lydia a Seller of Purple which worshipped God heard us whose Heart the Lord opened that she attended to the things which were spoken of Paul Give Attention to the Word as to a matter of Life and Death And to that purpose have a care 1. To banish vain impertinent Thoughts which will distract you and take you off from the Work in hand These Fowls will be coming to the Sacrifice Gen. 15.11 therefore we must drive them away An Archer may take a right Aim but if one stand at his Elbow and jog him when he is going to shoot he will not hit the Mark. Christians may have good Aims in hering but take heed of impertinent Thoughts which will jog and hinder you in God's Service 2. Banish Dulness The Devil gives many Hearers a sleepy Sop they cannot keep their Eyes open at a Sermon They eat so much on a Lord's Day that they are fitter for the Pillow and Couch than the Temple Frequent and customary sleeping at a Sermon shows high Contempt and Irreverence of the Ordinance it gives bad Example to others it makes your Sincerity to be called in question it is the Devil's Seed-time Matth. 13.25 While the Men slept the Enemy came and sowed Tares Oh shake off Drowsiness as Paul shook off the Viper Be serious and attentive in hearing the Word Deut. 32.47 For it is not a vain thing for you it is your Life When People do not mind what God speaks to them in his Word God doth as little mind what they say to him in Prayer 2. If you would have the Word Preached effectual come with an holy Appetite to the Word 1 Pet. 2.2 The Thirsting Soul is the Thriving Soul In Nature one may have an Appetite and no Digestion But it is not so in Religion where there is a great Appetite to the Word there is for the most part Digestion the Word doth concoct and nourish Come with Hungrings of Soul after the Word And therefore desire the Word that it may not only please you but profit you Look not more at the garnishing of the Dish than the Meat at Eloquence and Rhetorick more than solid matter It argues both a wanton Pallat and surfeited Stomach to feed on Sallets and Kickshaws rather than wholsom Food 3. If you would have the Preaching of the Word effectual come to it with a Tenderness upon your Heart 2 Chron. 34.19 Because thy Heart was tender If we preach to hard Hearts it is like shooting against a Brazen Wall the Word doth not enter it is like setting a Gold Seal upon Marble which takes no Impression Oh come to the Word preached with a melting Frame of Heart 'T is the melting VVax receives the Stamp of the Seal VVhen the Heart is in a melting Frame it will better receive the Stamp of the Word preached VVhen Paul's Heart was melted and broken for Sin then Lord what wilt thou have me do Acts 9.6 Come not hither with hard Hearts Who can expect a Crop when the Seed is sown upon stony Ground 4. If you would have the Word effectual receive it with Meekness Iam. 1.21 Receive with meekness the engrafted Word Meekness is a Submissive Frame of Heart to the Word a willingness to hear the Counsels and Reproofs of the Word Contrary to this Meekness is 1. Fierceness of Spirit whereby Men are ready to rise up in Rage against the Word Proud Men and Guilty cannot endure to hear of their Faults Proud Herod put Iohn in Prison Mark 12.12 The guilty Jews being told of their Crucifying Christ stoned Stephen Acts 7.59 To tell Men of Sin is to hold a Glass to one that is deformed who cannot endure to see his own Face 2. Contrary to Meekness is Stubbornness of Heart whereby Men are resolved to hold fast their Sins let the Word say what it will Ier. 44.16 We will burn Incense to the Queen of Heaven Oh take heed of this If you would have the Word preached work effectually lay aside Fierceness and Stubbornness receive the Word with Meekness By Meekness the Word preached comes to be engrafted As a good Cion that is grafted into a bad Stock doth change the Nature of the Fruit and make it taste sweet So when the Word comes to be engrafted into the Soul it sanctifies it and makes it bring forth the sweet Fruit of Righteousness 5. Mingle the Word preached with Faith Heb. 4.2 The Word preached profited not not being mixed with Faith If you leave out the chief ingredient in a Medicine it hinders the Operation Do not leave out this Ingredient of Faith Believe the Word and so believe it as to apply it When you hear Christ Preached apply him to your selves this is to put on the Lord Jesus Rom. 13.14 When you hear a Promise spoken of apply it This is to suck the Flower of the Promise and turn it to Honey 6. Be not only attentive in Hearing but retentive after Hearing Heb. 2.1 We ought to give the more diligent heed to the things we have heard lest at any time we let them slip 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Lest we let them run out as Water out of a Sieve If the Ground doth not retain the Seed thrown into
Book against Wrath Anger Et ipse mihi irascitur yet he falls into a Passion of Anger with me So this Minister preacheth against Drunkenness yet he will be drunk he preacheth against Swearing yet he will swear this reproacheth God and makes the Offering of the Lord to be abhorred 3. Masters of Families do you glorifie God season your Children and Servants with the Knowledge of the Lord your Houses should be little Churches Gen. 18.19 I know that Abraham will command his children that they keep the way of the Lord. You that are Masters know you have a Charge of Souls under you for want of the Bridle of Family-discipline Youth runs wild Well let me lay down some Motives to glorifie God 1 Motive It will be a great Comfort in a dying hour to think we have glorified God in our Lives it was Christ's Comfort before his Death Ioh. 17.3 I have glorified thee on earth At the hour of Death all your earthly Comforts will vanish if you think how Rich you have been what Pleasures you have had on Earth this will be so far from comforting you that it will but torment you the more What is one the better for an Estate that is spent But now to have Conscience telling you that you have glorified God on Earth what sweet Comfort and Peace will this let into your Soul how will this make you long for Death The Servant that hath been all day working in the Vineyard longs till Evening comes when he shall receive his Pay They who have lived and brought no Glory to God how can they think of dying with Comfort they cannot expect an Harvest that never sowed any Seed How can they expect Glory from God that never brought any Glory to him O in what Horrour will they be at Death the Worm of Conscience will gnaw their Souls before the Worms are gnawing their Bodies 2 Mot. If we glorifie God he will glorifie our Souls for ever by raising God's Glory we encrease our own by glorifying of God we come at last to the blessed Enjoying of Him and that brings me to the second The Enjoying of God Secondly Man's chief End is to Enjoy God for ever Psal. 73.25 Whom have I in heaven but thee Quasi What is there in Heaven I desire to enjoy but thee Ibi Angeli musculus There is a twofold Fruition or enjoying of God the one is in this Life the other in the Life to come 1st An enjoying of God here in this Life The enjoying of God's Presence it is a great matter to enjoy God's Ordinances a Mercy that some do envy us but to enjoy God's Presence in the Ordinances is that which a gracious Heart aspires after Psal. 63.2 To see thy glory so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary This sweet enjoying of God is when we feel his Spirit co-operating with the Ordinance and distilling Grace upon our Hearts 1. When in word the Spirit doth quicken and raise the Affections Luke 24.32 Did not our hearts burn within us 2. When the Spirit doth transform the Heart leaving an impress of Holiness upon it 2 Cor. 3.8 We are changed into the same Image from glory to glory 3. When the Spirit doth receive the Heart with Comfort it comes not only with its Anointing but its Seal it sheds God's Love abroad in the Heart Rom. 5.5 this is to enjoy God in an Ordinance 1 Joh. 1.3 Our fellowship is with the Father and his son Iesus In the Word we hear God's Voice and in the Sacrament we have his Kiss this is enjoying of God And what infinite Content doth a gracious Soul find in this The Heart being warm'd and inflamed in a Duty this is God's answering by Fire When a Christian hath the sweet Illapses of God's Spirit these are the first Fruits of Glory when God comes down to the Soul in an Ordinance Now Christ hath pull'd off his Veil and showed his smiling Face now he hath led a Believer into the Banqueting-house and given him of the spiced Wine of his Love to drink he hath put in his Finger at the hole of the Door he hath touch'd the Heart and made it leap for Joy Oh how sweet is it thus to enjoy God! The Godly have in the use of the Ordinances had such Divine Raptures of Joy and Soul-transfigurations that they have been carried above the World and despised all things here below Use 1. Is the enjoying God in this Life so sweet how prodigiously wicked are they that prefer the enjoying their Lusts before the enjoying of God 2 Pet. 3.3 The lust of the flesh the lust of the eye the pride of life is the Trinity they worship Lust is an inordinate Desire or Impulse provoking the Soul to that which is evil there is the revengeful Lust and the wanton Lust Lust is like a feaverish Heat it puts the Soul into a Flame Aristotle calls sensual Lusts bruitish because when any Lust is violent Reason or Conscience cannot be heard the Beast rides the Man These Lusts when they are enjoyed do besot and dispirit Persons Hos. 4.11 Whoredom and wine take away the heart They have no heart for any thing that is good how many make it their chief end not to enjoy God but to enjoy their Lusts As that Cardinal said Let him but keep his Cardinalship of Paris and he was content to loose his part in Paradise Lust first bewitcheth with Pleasure and then comes the fatal Dart Prov. 7.23 Till a dart strike through his liver This should be as a flaming Sword to stop Men in the way of their carnal Delights who would for a Drop of Pleasure drink a Sea of Wrath Use 2. Let it be our great Care to enjoy God's sweet Presence here which is the Beauty and Comfort of the Ordinance Enjoying spiritual Communion with God is a Riddle and Mystery to most People every one that hangs about the Court doth not speak with the King We may approach to God in Ordinances and as it were hang about the Court of Heaven yet not enjoy Communion with God we may have the Letter without Spirit the visible Sign without the invisible Grace it is the enjoying of God in a Duty we should chiefly look at Psal. 42.2 My soul thirsteth for God for the living God Alas what are all our worldly Enjoyments without the enjoying of God What is it to enjoy a great deal of Health a brave Estate and not to enjoy God Job 30.28 I went mourning without the sun So maist thou say in the Enjoyment of all Creatures without God I went mourning without the sun I have the Star-light of outward Enjoyments but I cannot enjoy God I want the Sun of Righteousness I went mourning without the sun This should be our great Design not only to have the Ordinances of God but the God of the Ordinances The enjoying God's sweet Presence with us here is the most contented Life he is an Hive of Sweetness a Magazine of Riches
Christians have sat by the Rivers weeping the Word hath dropped as Honey and sweetly revived them A Christians chief Comfort is drawn out of these Wells of Salvation Rom. 15.4 That we through Comfort of the Scriptures might have hope When a poor Soul hath been ready to faint he hath had nothing to Comfort him but a Scripture Cordial When he hath been sick the Word hath revived him 2 Cor. 4.17 Our light affliction which is but for a moment worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory When he hath been deserted the Word hath drop'd in the golden Oil of Joy into his Heart Cant. 3.31 The Lord will not cast off for ever He may change his Providence not his Purpose he may have the Look of an Enemy but the Heart of a Father Thus the Word hath a Power in it to comfort the heart Psal. 119.50 This is my comfort in my affliction for thy Word hath quickned me As the Spirits are conveyed through the Arteries of the Body So Divine Comforts are conveyed through the Promises of the Word Now the Scriptures having such an exhilarating Heart-comforting Power in them it shows clearly that they are of God and it is he that hath put this Milk of Consolation into these Breasts 7. The great Miracles wherewith the Lord hath confirmed Scripture Miracles were used by Moses Elijah Christ and continued many years after by the Apostles to confirm the verity of the Holy Scriptures As Props are set under weak Vines so these Miracles were set under the weak Faith of Men that if they would not believe the Writings of the Word yet they might believe the Miracles We read of God's dividing the Waters making a Cawsey in the Sea for his People to go over the Iron swimming the Oil increasing by pouring out Christ's making Wine of Water his curing the Blind and raising the Dead Thus God hath set Seal to the Truth and Divinity of Scripture by Miracles Object The Papists indeed cannot deny but that the Scripture is Divine and Sacred but they affirm that quoad nos with respect to us it receives its Divine Authority from the Church and they bring that Scripture 1 Tim. 3.15 where the Church is said to be the Ground and Pillar of Truth Answ. It is true the Church is the Pillar of Truth but it doth not therefore follow that the Scripture hath its Authority from the Church The King's Proclamation is fixed on the Pillar the Pillar holds it out that all may read but the Proclamation doth not receive its Authority from the Pillar but from the King So the Church holds forth the Scriptures but they do not receive their Authority from the Church but from God If the Word of God should be Divine because the Church holds it forth then it will follow that our Faith is to be built upon the Church and not upon the Word contrary to that Eph. 2.20 Built upon the Foundation that is the Doctrine of the Apostles and Prophets Quest. Are all the Books in the Bible of the same Divine Authority Answ. Those which we call Canonical Quest. Why are the Scriptures called Canonical Answ. Because the Word is a Rule of Faith a Canon to direct our Lives The Word is the Judge of Controversies the Rock of Infallibility that only is to be received for Truth which is consonant to and agrees with Scripture as the Transcript with the Original All Maximes in Divinity are to be brought to the Touchstone of Scripture as all Measures are brought to the Standard Quest. Are the Scriptures a compleat Rule Answ. The Scripture is a full and perfect Canon containing in it all things necessary to Salvation 2 Tim. 3.15 Thou hast from a Child known the Holy Scriptures which are able to make thee wise to salvation It shews the credenda what we are to believe and agenda what we are to practise It gives us an exact Model of Religion and perfectly Instructs us in the deep Things of God The Papists therefore make themselves guilty who go to seek out Scripture with their Traditions which they equalize it The Council of Trent saith That the Traditions of the Church of Rome are to be received pari pietatis affectu with the same Devotion that Scripture is to be received with So bring themselves under that Curse Rev. 22.18 If any Man shall add unto these things God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this Book Quest. What is the main Scope and End of Scripture Answ. To Chalk out a Way to Salvation It makes a clear Discovery of Christ. Iohn 20.31 These things are written that ye might believe that Iesus is the Christ and that believing ye might have Life through his Name The Design of the Word is to be an Examen whereby our Grace is to be tried a Sea-mark to show us what Rocks we are to avoid The Word is to sublimate and quicken our Affections it is to be our Directory and Consolatory it is to waft us over to the Land of Promise Quest. Who shall have the Power of interpreting Scriptures The Papists do assert that it is in the Power of the Church If you ask who they mean by the Church They say the Pope who is Head of it and he is Infallible so Bellarmine But that Assertion is false because many of the Popes have been ignorant and vitious as Platina affirms who writes of the Lives of the Popes Pope Liberius was an Arian and Pope Iohn XXII denied the Immortality of the Soul therefore Popes are no fit Interpreters of Scripture Who then Ans. The Scripture is to be its own Interpreter or rather the Spirit speaking in it nothing can cut the Diamond but the Diamond nothing can interpret Scripture but Scripture the Sun best discovers its self by its own Beams the Scripture interprets itself in easie places to the Understanding But the Question is concerning hard places of Scripture where the weak Christian is ready to wade beyond his depth who shall interpret here Resp. In the Church God hath appointed Ordo docentium discentium some to Expound and Interpret Scripture therefore he hath given Gifts to Men the several Pastors of Churches like bright Constellations give light to dark Scriptures Mal. 2.7 The priests lips should preserve knowledge and they should seek the law at his mouth Quest. But this is to pin our Faith upon Men Resp. We are to receive nothing for currant but what is agreeable to the Word as God hath given to his Ministers Gifts for the interpreting obscure places so he hath given to his People so much of the Spirit of Discerning that they can tell at least in things necessary to Salvation what is consonant to Scripture and what is not 1 Cor. 12.10 To one is given a spirit of prophesie to another discerning of spirits God hath endued his People with such a measure of Wisdom and Discretion that they can discern between Truth and
Errour and judge what is sound and what spurious Acts 17.11 The Bereans search'd the scriptures daily whether those things were so They weighed the Doctrine they heard whether it was agreeable to Scripture tho' Paul and Silas were their Teachers 2 Tim. 3.16 Use 1. See the wonderful goodness of God who besides the Light of Nature hath committed to us the Sacred Scriptures The Heathens are inveloped with Ignorance Psal. 147.20 As for his judgments they have not known them They have the Oracles of the Sybils but not the Writings of Moses and the Apostles How many live in the Region of Death where this bright Star of Scripture never appeared We have this blessed Book of God to resolve all our Cases to chalk out a Way of Life to us Iohn 14.22 Lord How is it thou wilt show thy self to us and not unto the World 2. Seeing God hath given us his written Word to be our Directory this takes away all Excuses from Men. No Man can say I went wrong for want of a Light no God hath given thee his Word as a Lamp to thy feet therefore now if thou goest wrong thou dost it wilfully No Man can say If I had known the Will of God I would have obeyed no thou art inexcusable O Man God hath given thee a Rule to go by he hath written his Law with his own finger Therefore now if thou obeyest not thou hast no Apology left If a Master leaves his Mind in writing with his Servant and tells him what Work he will have done yet the Servant neglects the Work that Servant is left without Excuse Iohn 15.22 Now ye have no Cloak for your sin Use 2. Is all Scripture of Divine Inspiration is it a Book made by GOD himself Then this reproves 1. The Papists who take away part of Scripture and so clip the King of Heaven's Coin they expunge the second Commandment out of their Catechisms because it makes against Images 't is usual with them if they meet with any thing in Scripture which they dislike either they put a false Gloss upon it or if that will not do pretend it is corrupted these are like Ananias who kept back part of the Money Acts 5.2 so they keep back part of Scripture from the People This is an high Affront to God to deface and obliterate any part of his Word by this they bring themselves under that Premunire Rev. 22.19 If any man shall take away from the words of the book this prophesie God shall take away his part out of the book of life Is all Scripture of Divine Inspiration 2. It condemns the Antinomians that lay aside the Old Testament as useless and out of date they call them Old Testament Christians God hath stamp'd a Divine Majesty upon both Testaments and till they can shew me where God hath given a Repeal to the Old it stands in force The two Testaments are the two Wells of Salvation the Antinomians would stop up one of these Wells they would dry up one of the Brests of Scripture There is much Gospel in the Old Testament The Comforts of the Gospel in the New Testament have their rise from the Old The great Promise of the Messiah is in the Old Testament A Virgin shall conceive and bear a Son Nay I say more the Moral Law in some part of it speaks Gospel I am the Lord thy God here is the pure Wine of the Gospel The Saints great Charter where God promiseth to pour clean water on them and put his spirit within them is to be found primarily in the Old Testament Ezek. 36.26 So that they who go to take away the Old Testament do as Sampson Pull down the pillars they would take away the Pillars of a Christian's Comfort 3. It condemns the Enthusiasts who pretending the Spirit lay aside the whole Bible they say the Scripture is a Dead Letter and they live above it What Impudency is this till we are above Sin we shall not be above Scripture let not Men talk of a Revelation from the Spirit suspect it to be an Imposture the Spirit of God acts regularly it works in and by the Word and he that pretends a new Light which is either above the Word or contrary to it abuseth both himself and the Spirit his Light is borrowed from him who transforms himself into an Angel of Light 4. It condemns the Slighters of Scripture such are they who can go whole Weeks and Months and never read the Word they lay it aside as rusty Armour they prefer a Play or Romance before Scripture the Magnalia legis are to them Minutula O how many can be looking their Faces in a Glass all the Morning but their Eyes begin to be sore when they look upon a Bible Heathens die in the want of Scripture and these in the contempt of it They surely must needs go wrong who slite their Guide such as lay the reins upon the neck of their Lusts and never use the curbing Bit of Scripture to check them are carried to Hell and never stop 5. It condemns the Abusers of Scripture 1. Who do mud and poison this pure Chrystal Fountain with their corrupt Glosses who rest Scripture 2 Pet. 3.16 The Greek word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they set it upon the Rack they give wrong Interpretations of it not comparing Scripture with Scripture as the Antinomians pervert that Scripture Numb 23.21 He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob. Hence they infer God's People may take liberty in sin because God sees no sin in them 'T is true God sees not sin in his People with an Eye of Revenge but he sees it with an Eye of Observation He sees not sin in them so as to damn them but he sees it so as to be angry and severely to punish them Did not David find it so when he cried out of his broken bones In like manner the Arminians wrest Scripture Iohn 5.40 Ye will not come to me here they bring in Free-will This Text shows 1. how willing God is that we should have Life 2. that sinners may do more than they do they may improve the Talents God hath given them but it doth not prove the Power of Free-will for it is contrary to that Scripture Iohn 6.44 No man can come to me except the Father which hath sent me draw him These therefore wring the Text so hard as they make the Blood come they do not compare Scripture with Scripture 2. Who do jest with Scripture When they are sad they take the Scripture as their Lute or Minstrel to play with and so drive away the sad Spirit as that Drunkard I have read of who having drunk off his Cups called to some of his Fellows Give us of your Oil for our Lamps are gone out In the fear of God take heed of this Eusebius tells us of one who took a piece of Scripture to make a Jest of who was presently struck with Frenzy and run mad And 't is
had ever been her chiefest delight 3. If the Scripture is of Divine Inspiration Believe the Word The Romans that they might gain Credit to their Laws reported that they were inspired by the Gods at Rome O give credence to the Word it is breathed from God's own Mouth Hence ariseth all the prophaneness of Men they do not believe Scripture Isa. 53.1 Who hath believed our Report Did you believe the glorious Rewards the Scripture speaks of would you not give diligence to make your Elections sure Did you believe the Infernal Torments the Scripture speaks of would not this put you into a cold sweat and cause a trembling at heart for sin But People are in part Atheists they give but little credit to the Word therefore they are so impious and draw such dark shadows in their Lives Learn to realize Scripture get your hearts wrought to a firm belief of it Some think if God should send an Angel from Heaven and declare his Mind then they should rather believe him or if he should send one from the damned and preach the Torments of Hell all in Flames then they would believe But Luke 16.31 If they believe not Moses and the Prophets neither will they be perswaded though one arose from the dead God is wise and he thinks this way fittest to make his Mind known to us by writing and such as will not be Convinced by the Word shall be Judged by the Word The belief of the Scripture is of high importance It is the belief of Scripture that will inable us to resist Temptation 1 Iohn 2.14 The Word of God abideth in you and ye have overcome the wicked one T is the belief of Scripture conduceth much to our Sanctification therefore these two are put together Sanctification of the Spirit and Belief of the Truth ◠Thess. ◠13 If the Word written be not believed it is like writing on the Wate◠which takes no impression 4. Love the Word written Psal. 119.97 O how love I thy Law Sint 〈◊〉 deliciae meae Scripturae sanctae Lord saith Augustine let the holy Scriptures be my chast delight Chrysostom compares the Scripture to a Garden every Truth is a fragrant Flower which we should wear not in our Bosom but our Heart David tasted the Word sweeter than the Honey and the Honey-comb Psal. 19.10 There is that in Scripture may breed delight It shows us the way to Riches Deut. 28.5 Prov. 3.16 to long Life Psal. 34.12 to a Kingdom Hebr. 12.28 Well then may we count those the sweetest hours which are spent in reading the holy Scriptures Well may we say with the Prophet Ier. 15.16 Thy words were sound and I did eat them and they were the joy and rejoycing of my heart 5. Conform to Scripture Let us lead Scripture Lives O that the Bible might be seen printed in our Lives Do what the Word commands Obedience is an excellent way of Commenting upon the Bible Psal. 86.11 I will walk in thy Truth Let the Word be the Sun-Dial by which you set your Life What are we the better for having the Scripture if we do not direct all our Speeches and Actions according to it What is a Carpenter the better to have his Rule about him if he sticks it at his back and never makes use of it for the measuring and squaring his work So what are we the better for the Rule of the Word if we do not make use of it and regulate our Lives by it How many swerve and deviate from the Rule The Word teacheth to be sober and temperate but they are drunk to be chast and holy but they are prophane they go quite from the Rule The Scriptures are Canonical but their Lives are Apocryphal What a dishonour is this to Religion for Men to live in a Contradiction to Scripture The Word is called a Light to our feet Psal. 119.105 It is not only a Light to our Eyes to mend our sight but to our Feet to mend our walk O let us lead Bible Conversations 6. Contend for Scripture Though we should not be of contentious Spirits yet we ought to contend for the Word of God this Jewel is too precious to be parted with Prov. 4.13 Keep her for she is thy Life The Castle of Scripture is beset with Enemies Hereticks fight against it we must therefore 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 contend for the Faith once delivered to the Saints Jude 3. The Scripture is our Book of Evidences for Heaven shall we part with our Evidences The Saints of old were both Advocates and Martyrs for Truth they would hold fast Scripture though it were with the loss of their Lives 7. Be thankful to God for the Scriptures What a Mercy is it that God hath not only acquainted us what his Will is but that he hath made it known to us by writing In the old Times God did reveal his Mind by Revelations but the Word written is a surer way of knowing God's Mind than by Revelation 2 Pet. 1.19 This Voice which came from heaven we heard we have also a more sure word of prophecy The Devil is God's Ape and he can transform himself into an Angel of Light he can deceive with false Revelations As I have heard of one who had as he thought a Revelation from God to Sacrifice his Child as Abraham had whereupon he following this Impulsion of the Devil did kill his Child Thus Satan oft deceives People with Delusions instead of Divine Revelations therefore we are to be thankful to God for revealing his Mind to us by Writing We have a more sure word of prophesie We are not left under a doubtful Suspence that we should not know what to believe but we have an Infallible Rule to go by The Scripture is our Pole-star to direct us to Heaven it shews us every step we are to take when we go wrong it instructs us when we go right it comforts us And 't is matter of Thankfulness that the Scriptures are made intelligible by being translated 8. Adore God's distinguishing Grace if you have felt the Authority and Power of the Word upon your Conscience if you can say as David Psal. 119.50 Thy word hath quickened me Christian bless God that he hath not only given thee his Word to be a Rule of Holiness but his Grace to be a Principle of Holiness Bless God that he hath not only written his Word but sealed it upon thy Heart and made it effectual Canst thou say it is of Divine Inspiration because thou hast felt it to be of lively Operation O Free-grace that God should send out this Word and heal thee that he should heal thee and not others that the same Scripture which is to them a dead Letter should be to thee a Saviour of Life That there is a GOD. Quest. III. WHat do the Scriptures principally Teach Resp. The Scriptures principally teach what Man is to believe concerning GOD and what Duty GOD requires of Man Quest. What is
hath made it intelligible and hath stamped upon it his Likeness not his Essence Quest. But is it not said That we are made Partakers of the Divine Nature Resp. By Divine Nature there is meant Divine Qualities 2 Pet. 1.4 We are made Partakers of the Divine Nature not by Identity or Union with the Divine Essence but by a transformation into the Divine Likeness Thus you see how God differs from other Spirits Angels and Souls of Men. He is a Spirit of transcendent Excellency the Father of Spirits Object Against this Vorstius and the Anthropomorthites object That in Scripture an Humane Shape and Figure is given to God he is said to have Eyes and Hands Resp. It is contrary to the Nature of a Spirit to have a Corporeal Substance Luke 24. â—9 Handle me and see me for a Spirit hath not Flesh and Bones as ye see me have Bodily Members are ascribed to God not properly but metaphorically and in a borrowed sence he is only set out to our Capacity By the right Hand of the Lord is meant his Power by the Eyes of the Lord are meant his Wisdom Now that God is a Spirit and is not capable of Bodily Shape or Substance probatur 1. A Body is visible but God is invisible Therefore he is a Spirit 1 Tim. 6.16 whom no man hath seen nor can see not by an Eye of sence 2. A Body is terminated can be but in one place at once but God is ubique in all places at once Therefore he is a Spirit Psal. 139.7 8. God's Center is every where and his Circumference is no where 3. A Body being compounded of integral Parts may be dissolved Quicquid divisibile est corruptibile but the God-head is not capable of dissolution he can have no End from whom all things have their Beginning So that it clearly appears God is a Spirit which adds to the Perfection of his Nature Use 1. If God be a Spirit then he is impassible he is not capable of being hurt Wicked Men may set up their Banners and bend their Forces against God they are said 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to fight against God Acts 5.39 But what will this fighting avail what hurt can they do to the Deity God is a Spirit and therefore cannot receive any hurtful impression wicked Men may imagine Evil against the Lord Nahum 1.9 What do ye imagine against the Lord But God being a Spirit is impenetrable The wicked may Eclipse his Glory but cannot touch his Essence God can hurt his Enemies but they cannot hurt him Iulian might throw up his Dagger into the Air against Heaven but could not touch the Deity God is a Spirit invisible how can the Wicked with all their Forces hurt him when they cannot see him Hence all the Attempts of the Wicked against God are foolish and prove Abortive Psal. 2.3 4. The Kings of the Earth set themselves against the Lord and against his Anointed He that sits in the Heavens shall laugh He is a Spirit he can wound them but they cannot touch him Use 2. If God be a Spirit then it shows the folly of the Papists who worship him by Pictures and Images Being a Spirit we cannot make any Image to represent him by Deut. 4.12 The Lord spake to you out of the midst of the fire ye heard the voice of the words but saw no similitude 1. God being a Spirit is imperceptible cannot be discerned how then can there be any Resemblance made of him Isa. 40.18 To whom then will ye liken God or what likeness will ye compare unto him How can you paint the Deity can we make an Image of that which we never saw Ye saw no similitude God is a Spirit It were a folly to go to make the Picture of the Soul because it is a Spiritual Thing or to Paint the Angels because they are Spirits Object Are not the Angels in Scripture represented by the Cherubims Resp. There is Imago Personae Officii there is the Image of the Person and the Image that represents the Office The Cherubims did not represent the Persons of the Angels but their Office The Cherubims were made with Wings to show the swiftness of the Angels in discharge of their Office and if we cannot Picture the Soul nor the Persons of the Angels because they are Spirits much less can we make an Image or Picture of God who is Infinite and the Father of Spirits 2. God being a Spirit is Omnipresent he is present in all places Ier. 23.24 Do not I fill Heaven and Earth saith the Lord Therefore being every where present it is absurd to worship him by an Image Were it not a foolish thing to bow down to the King's Picture when the King is present So to go to worship God's Image when God himself is present Quest. But how then shall we conceive of God being a Spirit if we may make no Image or Resemblance of him Resp. We must conceive of him Spiritually viz. 1. In his Attributes his Holiness Justice Goodness which are the Beams by which his Divine Nature shines forth 2. We must conceive of him as he is in Christ Christ is the Image of the invisible God Col. 1.15 Set the Eyes of your Faith on Christ God-man In Christ we see some Sparklings of the Divine Glory in him there is the exact Resemblance of all his Fathers Excellencies The Wisdom Love and Holiness of God the Father shine forth in Christ Iohn 14.9 He that hath seen me hath seen the Father 3. Infer If God be a Spirit it shows us that the more spiritual we grow the more we grow like to God To be earthly is to be unlike God How do Earth and Spirit agree Phil. 3.19 Earthly ones may give for their Crest the Mole or Tortoise that live in the Earth What Resemblance is there between an Earthly Heart and him who is a Spirit The more Spiritual any one is the more like God Quest. What is it to be Spiritual Resp. To be Refined and Sublimated to have the Heart still in Heaven to be thinking of God and Glory and to be carried up in a fiery Chariot of Love to God this is to be Spiritual Psal. 73.25 Whom have I in Heaven but thee on which Beza paraphraseth thus Apage Terra utinam tecum in Coelo essem O that I were in Heaven with thee A Christian who is taken off from these Earthly Things as the Spirits are taken off from the Lees hath a noble Spiritual Soul and doth most resemble him who is a Spirit 4 Infer It shows us what that Worship is God requires of us and is most acceptable to him viz. such a Worship as is suitable to his Nature Spiritual Worship John 4.24 They which worship him must worship him in Spirit and Truth Spiritual worship is the Virgin-worship Though God will have the Service of our Bodies our Eyes and Hands lifted up to testifie to others that Reverence we have of God's Glory
to the Church of God in General If God be a God of Knowledge he sees all the Plots of the Enemies against Sion and can make them prove Abortive The wicked are subtil having borrowed their skill of the old Serpent they dig deep to hide their Counsels from God but he sees them and can easily counter-work them The Dragon is described with seven Heads Rev. 12.3 to shew how he plots against the Church But God is described with seven Eyes Zach. 3.9 to shew that he sees all the Plots and Stratagems of the Enemies and when they deal proudly he can be above them Come saith Pharaoh let us deal wisely Exod. 1.10 and he never plaid the Fool more then when he thought to deal wisely Exod. 14.24 In the morning watch the Lord looked to the Hoast of the Egyptians by the Pillar of fire and troubled their Hoast How may this be as Sap in the Vine and may comfort the Church of God in her Militant State the Lord hath an Eye in all the Counsels and Combinations of the Enemy he sees them lay their Train and can blow them up in their own Mine Of the Eternity of GOD. THE next Attribute is God is Eternal Psal. 90.2 From everlasting to everlasting thou art God The Schoolmen distinguish between Aevum Eternum to Explain the Notion of Eternity There is a threefold Being 1. Such a Being as had a Beginning and shall have an End So all Sensitive Creatures the Beasts Fowls Fishes these at Death are destroyed and return to Dust their Being ends with their Life 2. Such a Being as had a Beginning but shall have no End as the Angels and Souls of Men they are Eternal à parte post they abide for ever 3. Such a Being as is without Beginning and without Ending and that is proper only to God He is semper existens viz. from everlasting to everlasting it is God's Title a Jewel of his Crown 1. He is called The King Eternal 1 Tim. 1.17 2. Iehovah a word that properly sets out God's Eternity a word so dreadful that the Jews trembled to name or read it therefore used another word Adonai Lord. Iehovah contains in it Time past present and to come Rev. 1.4 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is and which was and which is to come it interprets the word Iehovah Which is He subsists of himself having a pure independent Being Which was God only was before Time There is no searching into the Records of Eternity Which is to come His Kingdom hath no End His Crown hath no Successors Hebr. 1.8 Thy Throne O God is for ever and ever The doubling of the word ratifies the certainty of it as the doubling of Pharaohs Dreams did I shall prove that God only could be Eternal without Beginning Angels could not they are but Creatures though Spirits they were made and therefore there beginning may be known their Antiquity may be searched into If you ask When they were created Some think before the World was but not so For what was before time was Eternal the Angels first Rice and Original reacheth no higher than the beginning of the World 'T is thought by the Learned that the Angels were made that day on which the Heavens were made Iob 38.7 When the Morning-stars sang together and all the Sons of God shouted for joy St. Hierom Gregory venerable Bede understand it of the Angels When God laid the Foundation Stone of the World the Angels being then Created did sing the Anthems of Joy and Praise The Angels could not be before time for what was before Time was Eternal 'T is only proper to God to be Eternal without Beginning He is Alpha and Omega the First and the Last Rev. 1.8 No Creature can write it self Alpha that is only a Flower of the Crown of Heaven Exod. 3.14 I am that I am viz. he who Exists from and to Eternity Use 1. Here is Thunder and Lightning to the Wicked God is Eternal therefore the Torments of the Wicked are Eternal God lives for ever and as long as God lives he will be punishing the damned This methinks should be as that Hand-writing on the Wall Dan. 5.5 it should make their joints to be loosed c. The sinner takes liberty to sin he breaks God's Laws like a Wild beast that breaks over the Hedge and leaps into forbidden Pasture he sins 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with greediness Eph. 4.19 as if he thought he could not sin fast enough But remember this is one of God's Names Eternal and as long as God is Eternal he hath time enough to reckon with all his Enemies To make Sinners tremble let them think of these three things The Torments of the the Damned are without Intermission without Mixture and Eternal 1. Without Intermission their Pains shall be acute and sharp and no relaxation the fire shall not be slackned or abated Rev. 4.11 They have no rest day nor night like one that hath his Joints stretched continually on the Rack and hath no ease therefore the Wrath of God is compared to a Stream of Brimstone Isa. 30.33 Why to a Stream Because a Stream runs without intermission it runs and doth not stop so God's Wrath runs like a stream and pours out without any intermission In the Pains of this Life there is some abatement and intermission the Fever abates after a fit of the Stone the Patient hath some ease but the Pains of Hell are intense and violent in summo gradu the damned Soul never saith I am now more at ease 2. Without Mixture Hell is a place of pure Iustice. In this Life God in Anger remembers Mercy he mixeth Compassion with Suffering Deut. 33.25 Asher's shoe was of Iron but his foot was dip'd in Oyl Affliction is the Iron shoe but Mercy is mixed with it here is the foot dip'd in Oil. But the Torments of the Damned have no mixture Rev. 14.10 They shall drink of the Wine of the wrath of God which is poured out without mixture No mixture of Mercy How is the Cup of Wrath said to be full of mixture Psal. 75.8 The Wine is red it is full of mixture yet in the Revelation it is said to be without mixture It is full of mixture that is it is full of all the Ingredients that may make it bitter The Worm the Fire the Curse of God all these are bitter Ingredients It is a Cup mixed yet it is without mixture viz. there shall be nothing to afford the least Comfort no mixture of Mercy so it is a Cup without mixture In the Sacrifice of Jealousy Numb 5.15 there was no Oil put to it So in the Torments of the Damned their is no Oil of Mercy to abate their Sufferings 3. Without Cessation Eternal The Pleasures of sin are but for a season but the Torments of the wicked are for ever Sinners have a short Feast but a long Reckoning Origen erroniously thought that after a thousand years the damned should be released out
bosom as the Spouse did Cant. 1.13 lye betwixt my Breasts What was said of Ignatius that the Name of Jesus was found written in his heart should be verified of every Saint he should have Jesus Christ written in his heart CHRIST a Prophet DEUT. 18.15 The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet c. HAving spoken of the Person of Christ we are next to speak of the Offices of Christ Prophetical Priestly Regal 1. Prophetical The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet Enunciatur hic locus de Christo 't is spoken of Christ. There are several Names given to Christ as a Prophet He is called the Counsellor Isa. 6.9 In uno Christo Angelus faederis completur Fagius The Angel of the Covenant Mal. 3.1 a Lamp 2 Sam. 22.29 the bright Morning-star Rev. 22.16 Jesus Christ is the great Prophet of his Church the Woman of Samaria gave a shrewd guess Iohn 4.19 He is the best Teacher he makes all other teaching effectual Luke 24.45 Then opened he their Understanding He did not only open the Scriptures but opened their Understanding He teacheth to profit Isa. 48.17 I am the Lord thy God who teacheth thee to profit Quest. How Christ teacheth Resp. 1. Externally By his Word Psal. 119.105 Thy Word is a Lamp unto my feet Such as pretend to have a Light or Revelation above the Word or contrary to it never had their Teaching from Christ Isa. 8.20 2. Christ teacheth these sacred Mysteries Inwardly by the Spirit John 16.13 The World knows not what it is 1 Cor. 2.14 The natural man receives not the things of God neither can ye know them He knows not what it is to be Transformed by the renewing of the mind Rom. 12.2 or what the inward workings of the Spirit means these are Riddles and Paradoxes to him He may have more insight into the things of the World then a Believer but he doth not see the deep things of God A Swine may see an Acorn under the Tree but he cannot see a Star he who is taught of Christ sees the Arcana imperii the Secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven Quest. What are the Lessons Christ teacheth Answ. 1. He teacheth us to see into our own Hearts Take the most Mercurial Wits the greatest Politicians that understand the Mysteries of State yet they know not the Mysteries of their own Hearts they cannot believe there is that Evil in them as is 2 Kings 8.13 Is thy servant a dog Grande profundum est homo Aug. The Heart is a great deep which is not easily fathomed But Christ when he teacheth removes the Vail of Ignorance and lights a Man into his own Heart And now he sees swarms of vain Thoughts he blusheth to see how Sin mingles with his Duties his Stars are mixt with Clouds he prays as Austin that God would deliver him from himself 2. The second Lesson Christ teacheth is the Vanity of the Creature A Natural Man sets up his Happiness here worships the golden Image but he that Christ hath anointed with his Eye-salve hath a Spirit of Discerning he looks upon the Creature in its night dress sees it to be empty and unsatisfying not commensurate to an Heaven-born Soul Solomon had put all the Creatures into a Limbeck and when he came to extract the Spirits and Quintissence all was Vanity Eccl. 2.11 The Apostle calls it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Show or Apparition 1 Cor. 7.31 having no intrinsical Goodness 3. The third Lesson is the Excellency of Things unseen Christ gives the Soul a sight of Glory a prospect of Eternity 2 Cor. 4.18 We look not at things which are seen but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 things which are not seen Moses saw him who is invisible Hebr. 11.27 And the Patriarks saw a better Country viz. an heavenly Hebr. 11.16 where Delights of Angels Rivers of Pleasure the Flower of Joy fully ripe and blown Quest. How doth Christ's Teaching differ from other Teaching Resp. Several ways 1. Christ teacheth the Heart Others may teach the Ear Christ the Heart Acts 16.14 Whose heart the Lord opened All that the Dispensers of the Word can do is but to work Knowledge Christ works Grace They can but give you the light of the Truth Christ gives you the love of the Truth They can only teach you what to believe Christ teacheth how to believe 2 Christ gives us a Taste of the Word Ministers may set the Food of the Word before you and carve it out to you but it is only Christ causeth you to taste it 1 Pet. 2.3 If so be ye have tasted the Lord is gracious Psal. 34.8 Taste and see that the Lord is good It is one thing to hear a Truth preached another thing to taste it one thing to read a Promise another thing to taste it David had got a taste of the Word Psal. 119.102 103. Thou hast taught me How sweet are thy words unto my taste yea sweeter then honey to my mouth The Apostle calls it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the savour of Knowledge 2 Cor. 2.14 The light of Knowledge is one thing the savour another Christ makes us taste a savoriness in the Word 3. Christ when he teacheth makes us obey Others may instruct but cannot command obedience They teach to be humble but Men remain proud The Prophet had been denouncing Judgments against the People of Iudah but they would not hear Ier. 44.17 We will do whatsoever goeth out of our own mouth to bake cakes to the Queen of Heaven Men come quasi armed in Coat of Male that the Sword of the Word will not enter but when Christ comes to teach he removes this obstinacy he not only informs the Judgment but inclines the Will He doth not only come with the Light of his Word but the Rod of his Strength and makes the stubborn sinner yield to him His Grace is irresistible 4. Christ teacheth easily Others teach with difficulty Difficulty in finding out a Truth and in inculcating it Isa. 28.10 Precept must be upon precept line upon line some may Teach all their lives and the Word take no impression They complain as Isa. 49.4 I have spent my labour in vain Plough on Rocks But Christ the great Prophet teacheth with ease He can with the least touch of his Spirit convert He can say Let there be light with a word he conveys Grace 5. Christ when he teacheth makes Men willing to learn Men may teach others but they have no mind to learn Prov. 1.7 Fools despise instruction they rage at the Word as if a Patient should rage at the Physician when he brings him a Cordial thus backward are Men to their own Salvation But Christ makes his People a willing people Psal. 110.3 they prize Knowledge and hang it as a Jewel upon their Ear. Those that Christ teacheth say as Isa. 2.3 Come let us go up to the Mountain of the Lord and he will teach us of his ways and we will walk in
Hence that saying of St. Augustine Surgunt indocti rapiunt coelum the unlearned Men rise up and take Heaven they know the Truths of Christ more savingly then the great admired Rabbies The duller the Scholar the more is his skill seen that teacheth Hence it is Christ delights in teaching the Ignorant to get himself more Glory Isa. 35.5 The eyes of the blind shall be opened and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped Who would go to teach a blind or a deaf Man yet such dull Scholars Christ teacheth Such as are blinded with Ignorance they shall see the Mysteries of the Gospel and the deaf Ears shall be unstopped 3. Wait upon the Means of Grace which Christ hath appointed Though Christ teacheth by his Spirit yet he teacheth in the use of Ordinances Wait at the Gates of Wisdoms door Ministers are Teachers under Christ Eph. 4.11 Pastors and Teachers We read of Pitchers and Lamps within the Pitchers Iudges 7.16 Ministers are Earthen Vessels but these Pitchers have Lamps within them to light Souls to Heaven Christ is said to speak to us from Heaven now Hebr. 12.25 viz. by his Ministers as the King speaks by his Ambassador Such as wean themselves from the Breast of Ordinances seldom thrive either they grow light in their Head or lame in their Feet The Word preached is Christ's Voice in the Mouth of the Minister and they that refuse to hear Christ speaking in the Ministry Christ will refuse to hear them speaking on their Death-bed 4. If you would have the Teachings of Christ walk according to that Knowledge which you have already Use your little knowledge well and Christ will teach you more Iohn 7.17 If any man will do his will he shall know of my Doctrine whether it be of God or whether I speak of my self A Master seeing his Servant improve a little Stock well gives him more to trade with Use 3. If you have been taught by Christ savingly be thankful It is your Honour to have GOD for your Teacher and that he should teach you and not others is matter of admiration and gratulation O how many knowing men are ignorant They are not taught of God they have CHRIST's Word to enlighten them but not his Spirit to sanctifie them But that you should have the Inward as well as the Outward Teaching that Christ should anoint you with the Heavenly Unction of his Spirit that you can say as he Iohn 9.25 One thing I know that whereas I was blind I now see O! how thankful should you be to Christ who hath revealed his Father's Bosom Secrets unto you Iohn 1.18 No man hath seen God at any time the only begotten Son which is in the bosom of the Father he hath declared him If Alexander thought himself so much obliged to Aristotle for the Philosophical Instructions he learned from him O how are we bound to Jesus Christ this great Prophet for opening to us the Eternal Purposes of his Love and revealing to us the Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven CHRIST's Priestly Office Quest. XV. HOw doth Christ execute the Office of a Priest Resp. In his once offering up of himself a Sacrifice to satisfie Divine Justice and reconcile us to GOD and in making continual Intercession for us Heb. 9.26 Now once in the end of the world hath he appear'd to put away sin by the Sacrifice of himself Quest. What are the parts of Christ's Priestly Office Resp. Christ's Priestly Office hath two Parts his Satisfaction and Intercession 1. His SATISFACTION and this consists of two Branches 1. His Active Obedience Matth. 3.15 He fulfillâ—d all righteousness Christ did every thing which the Law required his holy Life was a Perfect Commentary upon the Law of God and he obeyed the Law for us 2. His Passive Obedience Our Guilt being transferred and imputed to him he did undergo the Penalty which was due to us He appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself The Paschal Lamb slain was a Type of Christ who was offered up in Sacrifice for us Sin could not be done away without Bloud Heb. 9.22 Without bloud is no remission Christ was not only a Lamb without spot but a Lamb slain Quest. Why was it require there should be a Priest Resp. There needed a Priest to be an Umpire to mediate between a Guilty Creature and an Holy God Quest. How could Christ suffer being God Resp. Christ suffered only in the Humane Nature Quest. But if only Christ's Humanity suffered how could his suffering satisfie for Sin Resp. The Humane Nature being united to the Divine the Humane Nature did suffer the Divine did satisfie Christ's Godhead as it did support the Humane Nature that it did not faint so it did give Vertue to his Sufferings The Altar sanctifies the thing offered on it Matth. 23.19 so the Altar of Christ's Divine Nature sanctified the Sacrifice of his Death and made it of infinite value Quest. Wherein doth the Greatness of Christ's sufferings appear Resp. In the Sufferings of his Body he suffered truly not only a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an Appearance the Apostle calls it Mors Crucis The Death of the Cross Phil. 2.8 Tully when he speaks of this kind of Death Quid dicam in crucem toilere though he were a great Orator he wanted words to express it The thoughts of this made Christ sweat drops of Bloud in the Garden Luke 22.44 It was an ignominious painful cursed Death Christ suffered in all his Senses 1. In his Eyes they beheld two sad Objects he saw his Enemies insulting and his Mother weeping 2. In his Ears his Ears were filled with the Revilings of the People Matth. 27.42 He saved others himself he cannot save 3. In his Smell when their Drivel fell upon his Face 4. In his Tast when they gave him Gall and Vinegar to drink Bitterness and Sharpness 5. In his Feeling his Head suffered with Thorns his Hands and Feet with the Nails Totum pro vulnere Corpus Now was this white Lily dyed of a Purple colour 2. In the Sufferings of his Soul he was pressed in the Wine-press of his Father 's Wrath. This caused that Vociferation and Outcry on the Cross My God my God Cur deseruisti Christ suffered a double Eclipse upon the Cross an Eclipse of the Sun and an Eclipse of the Light of God's Countenance How bitter was this Agony The Evangelist useth three words to express it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He began to be amazed Mark 14.33 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He began to faint 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 To be exceeding sorrowful Matth. 26.37 Christ felt the Pains of Hell in his Soul though not locally yet equivalently Quest. Why did Christ suffer Resp. Surely not for any desert of his own Dan. 9.26 The Messiah shall be cut off but not for himself it was for us Isa. 53.6 Unus peccat alius plectitor He suffered that he might satisfie God's Justice for us We by our Sins had infinitely wronged God
consume the water this is impossible in the course of Nature But God can bring about all this Ier. 32.27 There is nothing too hard for thee Zach. 8.6 If it be marvellous in your Eyes should it be marvellous in my eyes saith the Lord How should God be united to our flesh It is impossible to us but not with God He can do that which transcends Reason and exceeds Faith He should not be God if he could not do more than we can think Eph. 3.20 He can reconcile Contraries How apt are we to be discouraged with seeming impossibilities how do our hearts die within us when things go cross to our Sense and Reason We are apt to say as that Prince 2 Kings 7.1 2. If the Lord would make windows in Heaven might this thing be It was a time of Famine and now that a measure of Wheat which was a good part of a Bushel should be sold for a Shekel viz. half an Ounce of Silver how can this be So when things are cross or strange God's own People are apt to question how they should be brought about with success Moses who was a Man of God and one of the brightest Stars that ever shined in the firmament of God's Church yet he was apt to be discouraged with seeming Impossibilities Numb 11.21 And Moses said the People among whom I am are six hundred thousand footmen and thou hast said I will give them flesh that they may eat for a whole month shall the flocks and herds be slain for them to suffice them or shall all the fish of the Sea be gathered for them to suffice them As if he had said in plain English he did not see how the People of Israel being so numerous could be fed for a month Vers. 23. And the Lord said is the Lord's hand waxed short Surely that God who brought Isaac out of a dead Womb and the Messiah out of a Virgins Womb what cannot he do O let us rest upon the Arm of God's Power and believe in him in the midst of seeming Impossibilities Remember there are no impossibilities with God He can subdue a proud heart he can raise a dying Church Christ born of a Virgin that wonder-working God that wrought this can bring to pass the greatest seeming Impossibilities Use 2. of Exhortation Branch 1. Seeing Christ took our Flesh and was born of a Virgin let us labour that he may be spiritually born in our hearts What will it profit us that Christ was born into the World unless he be born in our hearts that he was united to our Nature unless he be united to our Persons Marvel not that I say unto you Christ must be born again viz. in our hearts Gal. 4.19 till Christ be formed in you Now then try if Christ be born in your hearts Quest. How shall we know that Resp. 1. There are Pangs before the Birth so before Christ be born in the Heart there are Spiritual Pangs Some Pangs of Conscience Deep convictions Acts 2.37 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they were pricked at their heart I grant the New-birth doth Recipere magis minus all have not the same Pangs of Sorrow and Humiliation yet all have Pangs If Christ be born in thy heart thou hast been deeply afflicted for sin Christ is never born in the heart without Pangs Many thank God they never had any Trouble of Spirit they were always quiet a sign Christ is not yet formed in them 2. As when Christ was born into the World he was made flesh so if he be born into thy heart he makes thy heart an heart of flesh Ezek. 36.26 Is thy heart Incarnate Before it was a rocky heart and would not yield to God or take the Impressions of the Word Durum est quod non cedit tactui now it is fleâ—hy and tender like melting Wax to take any stamp of the Spirit This is a sign Christ is born in our hearts when they are hearts of flesh they melt in Tears and in Love What is it the better Christ was made flesh unless he hath given thee an heart of flesh 3. Christ was conceived in the Womb of a Virgin so if he be born in thee thy heart is a Virgin-heart in respect of Sincerity and Sanctity Art thou purified from the love of sin If Christ be born in the heart it is a Sanctum Sanctorum an Holy of Holies If thy heart be polluted with the predominant love of sin never think Christ is born there Christ will never lye any more in a Stable If he be born in thy heart it is consecrated by the Holy Ghost 4. If Christ be born in thy heart then it is with thee as in a birth 1. There is Life Faith is principium vivens it is the vital Artery of the Soul Gal. 2.20 The life that I live in the flesh is by the faith of the Son of God 2. There is Appetite 1 Pet. 2.7 As new born babes desire 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the sincere milk of the word The Word is like Breast-milk pure sweet nourishing the Soul in which Christ is formed desires this Breast-milk St. Bernard in one of his Soliquies comforts himself with this That sure he had the New-birth in him because he found in his heart such strong Anhelations and Thirstings after God 3. Motion After Christ is born in the heart there is a violent Motion there is striving to enter in at the strait gate and offering violence to the Kingdom of Heaven Matth. 12.11 By this we may know Christ is formed in us This is the only comfort that as Christ was born into the World so he is born in our hearts as he was united to our flesh so he is united to our Persons Branch 2. As Christ was made in our Image let us labour to be made in his Image Christ being Incarnate was made like us let us labour to â—e made like him There are three things in which we should labour to be like Christ. 1. In Disposition He was of a most sweet Disposition Delitiae humani generis Tit. Vespasian he invites sinners to come to him He hath Bowels to pity us Breasts to feed us Wings to cover us He would not break our hearts but with Mercy Was Christ made in our Likeness let us labour to be made in his Likeness Let us be like him in this sweetness of Disposition Be not of a morose Spirit It was said of Nabal 1 Sam. 25.18 He is such a son of Belial that a man cannot speak to him Some are so barbarous as if they were a kin to the Ostrich they are fired with Rage and breathe forth nothing but Revenge like those two Men in the Gospel possessed with Devils coming out of the Tombs exceeding fierce Matth. 8.28 Let us be like Christ in mildness and sweetness Let us pray for our Enemies and conquer them by love David's kindness melted Saul's heart 1 Sam. 24.16 A frozen heart will be thawed with the fire
will put his Glory upon them This is Comfort to the poorest Christian perhaps thou hast scarce an House to put thy head in yet thou maist look up to Heaven and say There is my House there is my Country and I have already taken Possession of Heaven in my Head Christ he sits there and it will not be long before I shall sit there with him he is upon the Throne of Glory and I have his word for it I shall sit upon the Throne with him Rev. 3.21 3. Use of Exhortation Hath God highly exalted Christ let us labour to exalt him Let us exalt 1. His Person 2. His Truths 1. Let us exalt Christ in our Hearts Believe O Adore and Love him We cannot lift Christ up higher in Heaven but we may in our Hearts 2. Let us exalt him in our Lips Let us praise him our Bodies are the Temples of the Holy Ghost our Tongues must be the Organs in these Temples by praising and commending Christ we exalt him in the Esteem of others 3. Let us exalt him in our Lives By living holy Lives Vera religio haec sine macula vivere lactant It is not all the Doxologies and Prayers in the World do so exalt Christ as an holy Life this makes Christ renowned and lifts him up indeed when his Followers walk worthy of Christ. 2. Let us exalt Christ's Truths Bucholcerus in his Chronology reports of the Nobles of Polonia That ever when the Gospel is read they lay their Hands upon their Swords by that intimating they are ready to maintain the Gospel with the hazard of their Lives Let us exalt Christ's Truths maintain the Truths of Christ against Errour maintain the Doctrine of Free-grace against Merit the Deity of Christ against Socinianism Truth is the most Orient Pearl of CHRIST's Crown Contend for the truth as one would for a Sum of Money that it should not be wrested out of his hand This Christ takes to be an Exalting of him when we exalt his Truths wherein his Glory is so much concerned CHRIST the Redeemer Quest. XIX HOw doth the Spirit apply to us the Redemption purchased by Christ Resp. The Spirit applys to us the Redemption purchased by Christ by working Faith in us and uniting us thereby to Christ in our effectual Calling Here are in this Answer two things 1. Something implyed viz. That Christ is the Glorious Purchaser of our Redemption in these words The Redemption purchased by Christ. 2. Something expressed viz. That the Spirit applys to us this Redemption purchased By working Faith in us c. 1. The thing here implyed That Jesus Christ is the Glorious Purchaser of our Redemption The Doctrine of Redemption by Jesus Christ is a glorious Doctrine 't is the Marrow and Quintessence of the Gospel In this all a Christian's Comfort lies Great was the Work of Creation but greater the Work of Redemption it cost more to redeem us than to make us in the one there was but the speaking a Word in the other shedding of Bloud Luke 1.51 The Creation was but the Work of God's Fingers Psal. 8.3 Redemption the Work of his Arm Heb. 9.12 Having obtained eternal redemption for us Christ's purchasing Redemption for us implies that our sins did Mortgage and Sell us had there not been some kind of Mortgaging there had been no need of Redemption Redimere q. rursus emere Hierom. Now Christ when we were thus mortgaged and sold by Sin did purchase our Redemption Christ hath the best right to redeem us for he is our Kinsman the Hebrew word for Redeemer Goel signifies a Kinsman one that is near in Bloud in the Old Law the nearest Kinsman was to reedem his Brother's Land Ruth 4.4 Thus Christ being near a-kin to us Flesh of our flesh is the fittest to redeem us Quest. How doth Christ redeem us Resp. By his own precious Bloud Ephes. 1.7 In whom we have redemption through his bloud Among the Romans he was said to redeem another that laid down a Price equivalent for the Ransom of the Prisoner In this sence Christ is a Redeemer 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he hath paid a Price Never such a Price paid to ransom Prisoners 1 Cor. 6.20 Ye are Pretio Empti bought with a price and this Price was his own Bloud So in the Text By his own bloud he entred in once into the holy place having obtained eternal redemption for us This Bloud being the Bloud of that Person who was God as well as Man is a Price sufficient for the Ransom of Millions Quest. From what doth Christ redeem us Resp. From Sin To be redeemed from Turkish Slavery is a great Mercy but it is infinitely more to be redeemed from Sin There is nothing can hurt the Soul but Sin it is not Affliction hurts it it often makes it better as the Furnace makes Gold the purer but it is Sin that doth damnify Now Christ redeems us from Sin Heb. 9.26 Now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself Quest. But how are we redeemed from Sin Do we not see Corruption stirring in the Regenerate Much Pride and Unmortified Passion Resp. We must distinguish of Redemption Redemption is either Inchoata or Plena a Redemption but begun and perfect Sin cannot stand with a Perfect Redemption but here it is but Begun Sin may stand with an Imperfect Redemption There may be some Darkness in the Air at the Sun 's first rising but not when the Sun is at the full Meridian While our Redemption is but begun there may be Sin but not when it is perfected in Glory Quest. But in what sence hath Christ redeemed justified Persons from Sin Resp. A Reatu from the Guilt of Sin though not the Stain Guilt is the binding a Person over to Punishment Now Christ hath redeemed a justified Person from the Guilt of Sin he hath discharged his Debts Christ saith to God's Justice as Paul to Philemon If he hath wronged thee any thing or owes thee ought put that on my account Verse 18. 2. A justified Person is redeemed à Dominio from the Power and Regency of Sin though not the presence Sin may furere but not regnare it may rage in a Child of God but not reign Lust did rage in David Fear in Peter but it did not reign they recovered themselves by Repentance Rom. 6.14 Sin shall not have dominion over you Sin lives in a Child of God but it is deposed from the Throne it lives not as a King but a Captive 3. A Believer is redeemed à Maledictione from the Curse due to Sin Gal. 3.13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law being made a curse for us Christ said to his Father as Rebecca to Iacob Upon me upon me be the curse let the blessing be upon them but upon me be the curse And now there 's no Condemnation to Believers Rom. 8.1 An Unbeliever hath a double Condemnation one from
Who mind earthly things They pull down their Souls to build up an Estate they are not redeemed by Christ who not from the World 3. Use of Comfort to such as are redeemed You are happy the lot of free grace is fallen upon you you who were once in the Devil's Prison you have broke this Prison you that were once bound in the Chains of Sin God hath begun to beat off your Chains and hath freed you from the Power of Sin and Curse due to it What a Comfort is this And is there any Consolation in Christ it is thine is there any sweet Fruit growing upon the Promise thou maist gather it are there any glorious Priviledges in the Gospel they are thy Joynture Justification Adoption Coronation is there any Glory in Heaven thou shalt shortly drink of that River of Pleasure hast thou any Temporal Comforts these are but a Pledge and Earnest of more Thy Meal in thy Barrel is but a Bait by the way and an Earnest of that Angels Food which God hath prepared for thee How maist thou be comforted in all Worldly Afflictions though the Fig-tree flourish not nay in case of Death Death hath lost its Sting Mors obiit morte Christi Death shall carry thee to thy Redeemer fear not dying not happy but by dying Use ult of Exhortation Long for the time when you shall have a full and perfect Redemption in Heaven an eternal Jubilee when you shall be freed not only from the Power but from the Presence of Sin Here a Believer is as a Prisoner that hath broke Prison but walks with a Fetter on his Leg. When the Banner of Glory shall be displayed over you you shall be as the Angels of God you shall never have a sinful Thought more When no Pain or Grief no aking Head or unbelieving Heart you shall see Christ's Face and lye for ever in his Arms. You shall be as Ioseph Gen. 41.14 They brought him hastily out of the dungeon and he shaved himself and changed his raiment and came in unto Pharaoh Long for that time when you shall put off your Prison-Garments and change your Raiment and put on the Embroidered Garment of Glory O long yet be content to wait for this full and glorious Redemption when you shall be more Happy than you can desire when you shall have that which eye hath not seen nor ear heard nor can it enter into man's heart to conceive Of FAITH Gal. 2.20 The life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of GOD. THE Spirit applys to us the Redemption purchased by Christ by working Faith in us Christ is the Glory and Faith in Christ the Comfort of the Gospel Quest. What are the kinds of Faith Resp. Fourfold 1. An Historical or Dogmatical Faith which is the believing the Truths revealed in the Word because of Divine Authority 2. There is a Temporal Faith which lasteth but for a time and vanisheth Matth. 13.21 Yet hath he not root in himself but dureth for a while A Temporary Faith is like Ionah's Gourd which came up in a night and withered Cap. 4.10 3. A Miraculous Faith which was granted to the Apostles to work Miracles for the Confirmation of the Gospel This Iudas had he cast out Devils yet was cast out to the Devil 4. A true justifying Faith which is called A faith of the operation of God Col. 2.12 And is a Jewel hung only upon the Elect. Quest. What is justifying Faith Resp. I shall show 1. What it is not It is not a bear Acknowledgment that Christ is a Saviour indeed there must be an Acknowledgment but that is not sufficient to justifie The Devils acknowledged Christ's Godhead Matth. 8.29 Iesus thou Son of God There may be an Assent to Divine Truths yet no Work of Grace on the Heart many assent in their Judgments that Sin is an evil thing but they go on in Sin their Corruptions are stronger than their Convictions and that Christ is excellent cheapen the Pearl but do not buy 2. What justifying Faith is I answer True justifying Faith consists in three things 1. Self-renunciation Faith is a going out of one's self a Man is taken off from his own bottom he sees he hath no Righteousness of his own to save him Phil. 3.9 Not having my own righteousness Self-righteousness is a broken Reed the Soul dares not lean on Repentance and Faith are both Humbling Graces by Repentance a Man abhors himself by Faith he goes out of himself Is is with a Sinner in the first Act of Believing as with Israel in their Wilderness-march behind them they saw Pharaoh and his Chariots pursuing them before them the Red Sea ready to devour them so the Soul behind sees God's Justice pursuing him for Sin before Hell ready to devour him and in this forlorn Condition he sees nothing in himself to help him but he must perish unless he can find help in another 2. Recumbency The Soul casts itself upon Jesus Christ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Faith rests on Christ's Person Faith believes the Promise but that which Faith rests upon in the Promise is the Person of Christ Therefore the Spouse is said to lean upon her Beloved Cant. 8.5 And Faith is described to be a believing on the Name of the Son of God Ioh. 3.23 viz. On his Person the Promise is but the Cabinet Christ is the Jewel in it Faith embraceth the Promise is but the Dish Christ is the Food in it which Faith feeds on And as Faith rests on Christ's Person so on his Person under this Notion as he was crucified Faith glories in the Cross of Christ Gal. 6.14 To consider Christ as he is crown'd with all manner of Excellencies doth rather stir up Admiration and Wonder but Christ looked upon as Bleeding and Dying is the proper Object of our Faith therefore it is call'd Faith in his blood Rom. 3.25 3. Appropriation or the applying Christ to ourselves A Medicine though it be never so soveraign yet if it be not applyed to the Wound will do no good tho' the Plaister be made of Christ's own Bloud yet it will not heal unless it be applyed by Faith the Bloud of God without Faith in God will not save this applying of Christ is called a receiving of him Joh. 1.12 The hand receiving of Gold enricheth so the hand of Faith receiving Christ's Golden Merits with Salvation enricheth us Quest. How is Faith wrought Resp. By the Blessed Spirit it is called the Spirit of Grace Zec. 12.10 because it is the Spring and Efficient of all Grace Faith is the chief Work which the Spirit of God works in a Man's heart In making the World God did but speak a Word but in working Faith he puts forth his Arm Luke 1.51 The Spirits working Faith is called The exceeding Greatness of God's Power What a Power was put forth in raising Christ from the Grave when such a Tombstone lay upon him the Sins of all
cross to Flesh and Bloud Faith obeys Heb. 11.8 By faith Abraham obeyed Faith is not an Idle Grace as it hath an Eye to see Christ so it hath an Hand to work for him Faith doth not only believe God's Promise but obey his Command It is not your having Knowledge will evidence you to be Believers the Devil hath Knowledge but wants Obedience and that makes him a Devil And the true Obedience of Faith is a chearful Obedience God's Commands do not seem grievous Have you the Obedience and obey chearfully What say you to this do you look on God's Command as your Burden or Priviledge as an Iron Fetter about your Leg or a gold Chain about your Neck 4. Faith is an assimulating Grace it changeth the Soul into the Image of the Object it makes it like Christ. Never did any look on Christ with a believing Eye but he was made like Christ. A deformed Person may look on a beautiful Object but not be made beautiful but Faith looking on Christ transforms a Man and turns him into his Similitude Faith looking on a bleeding Christ causeth a soft bleeding heart Looking on an holy Christ causeth sanctity of Heart looking on an humble Christ makes the Soul humble As the Camelion is changed into the Colour of that which it looks upon so Faith looking on Christ changeth a Christian into the similitude of Christ. 2. By the growth of it if it be a true Faith it grows living things grow Rom. 1.17 From faith to faith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Quest. How may we judge of the growth of Faith Answ. Growth of Faith is judged 1. By strength We can do that now which we could not do before When one is Man-grown he can do that he could not do when he was a Child he can carry a heavier burden so thou canst bear crosses with more patience 2. Growth of Faith is seen by doing Duties in a more spiritual manner viz. with fervency we put coals to the Incence from a principle of love to God When an Apple hath done growing in bigness it grows in sweetness thou dost Duties in love and now are sweeter and come off with a better relish Object But I fear I have no Faith Resp. We must distinguish between weakness of Faith and nullity a weak Faith is true The bruised Reed is but weak yet it is such as Christ will not bruise Though thy Faith be but weak yet be not discouraged 1. A weak Faith may receive a strong Christ. A weak hand can tye the Knot in Marriage as well as a strong a weak Eye might have seen the brasen Serpent The Woman in the Gospel that but touched Christ received Vertue from him The Touch of Faith 2. The Promise is not made to strong Faith but to true The Promise doth not say Whosoever hath a Giant-faith that can remove Mountains that can stop the mouth of Lions shall be saved but whosoever believes be his Faith never so small Though Christ sometimes chides a weak Faith yet that it may not be discouraged he makes a Promise to it Matth. 5.3 Beati qui esuriunt 3. A weak Faith may be fruitful Weakest things multiply most the Vine is a weak Plant but it is fruitful Weak Christians may have strong Affections How strong is the first love which is after the first planting of Faith 4. Weak Faith may be growing The Seed springs up by degrees first the Blade then the Ear then the full Corn in the Ear. Therefore be not discouraged God who would have us receive them that are weak in Faith Rom. 14.1 will not himself refuse them A weak Believer is a Member of Christ and though Christ will cut off rotten Members from his Body yet not weak Members Effectual Calling ROM 8.30 Them he also called Quest. XX. WHat is effectual Calling Answ. It is a gracious work of the Spirit whereby he causeth us to embrace Christ freely offered to us in the Gospel In this Verse is a golden Chain of Salvation made up of four Links this is one Vocation Them he also called Calling is nova Creatio a new Creation the first Resurrection There is a twofold Call 1. An extrinsick or outward Call 2. An intrinsick or inward effectual Call 1. An extrinsick or outward Call which is God's offer of Grace to sinners inviting them to come in and accept of Christ and Salvation Matth. 20.16 Many are called but few chosen This outward Call shews Men what they ought to do in order to Salvation and renders them inexcusable in case of Disobedience 2. There is an intrinsick or effectual Call when God with the offer of Grace works Grace by this Call the Heart is renewed and the Will effectually drawn to embrace Christ. The outward Call brings Men to a profession of Christ the inward to a possession of Christ. Quest. What is the means of this effectual Call Resp. Every Creature hath a Voice to call to us The Heavens call to us to behold God's glory Psal. 19.1 Conscience calls to us God's Judgments call to us Repent Mic. 6.9 Hear ye the Rod. But every Voice doth not convert There are two means of our effectual Call 1. The preaching of the Word which is the sounding God's silver Trumpet in Mens Fears God doth not speak by an Oracle he calls by his Ministers Samuel thought it had been only the Voice of Eli that called to him but it was God's voice 1 Sam. 3.6 So perhaps you think it is only the Minister speaks to you in the Word but it is God himself speaks Therefore Christ is said Now to speak to us from Heaven Hebr. 12.25 How doth he speak but by his Ministers as a King speaks by his Ambassadors Know that in every Sermon preached God calls to you and to refuse the Message we bring is to refuse God himself 2. The other means of our effectual Call is the Holy Spirit The Ministry of the Word is the Pipe or Organ the Spirit of God blowing in it doth effectually change Men's hearts Acts 10.44 While Peter spake the Holy Ghost fell on all them that heard the Word of God Ministers knock at the door of Men's hearts the Spirit comes with a Key and opens the door Acts 16.14 A certain woman named Lydia whose heart the Lord opened Quest. From what doth God call Men Resp. 1. From sin He calls them from their Ignorance and Unbelief 1 Pet. 1.14 By Nature the Understanding is inveloped with Darkness God calls Men from darkness to light Eph. 5.8 as if one should be called out of a Dungeon to behold the Light of the Sun 2. From Danger As the Angel called Lot out of Sodom when it was ready to rain fire so God calls his People from the Fire and Brimstone of Hell and from all those Curses they were exposed to 3. He calls them out of the World as Christ called Matthew from the Receipt of Custom Iohn 17.16 Ye are not of the world Such as are
meliorates and sweetens his Services and makes them come off with a better relish Heb. 11.4 By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice then Cain 3. It must be done to a right End Finis specificat actionem The end of Obedience is glorifying God That which hath spoil'd many glorious Services is when the end hath been wrong Matth. 6.2 When thou dost thine alms do not sound a trumpet as the hypocrites do that they may have glory of men Good Works should shine but not blaze If I give my body to be burned and have not charity it profits me nothing 1 Cor. 13.3 The same I may say of a sincere aim if I obey never so much and have not a sincere Aim it profits me nothing True Obedience looks at God in all Phil. 1.20 That Christ may be magnified Though a Child of God shoots short yet he takes a right Aim 2. True Child-like Obedience is Uniform A Child of God makes Conscience of one Command as well as another Quicquid propter Deum fit aequaliter fit All God's Commands have the same Stamp of Divine Authority upon them and if I obey one Precept because my Heavenly Father commands me then by the same Rule I must obey all As the Bloud runs through all the Veins of the Body and the Sun in the Firmament runs through all the Signs of the Zodiack so true Child-like Obedience runs through the First and Second Table Psal. 119.6 When I have respect to all thy commandments To obey God in some things of Religion and not in others shows an unsound Heart Like Esau who obeyed his Father in bringing him Venison but not in a greater matter viz. the Choice of his Wife Child-like Obedience moves towards every Command of God as the Needle points that way which the Load-stone draws If God call to Duties which are cross to Flesh and Bloud if we are Children we obey our Father Quest. But who can obey God in all things Ans. An adopted Heir of Heaven though he cannot obey every Precept perfectly yet he doth evangelically 1. He approves of every Command Rom. 7.16 I consent to the law that it 〈◊〉 good 2. A Child of God delights in every Command Psal. 119.97 O how I love thy precepts 3. His desire is to obey every Command Psal. 119.5 O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes 4. Wherein he comes short he looks up to Christ's Bloud to make supply for his Defects This is Evangelical Obedience which though it be not to Satisfaction it is to Acceptation 3. True Child-like Obedience is constant Psal. 106.3 Blessed is he that doth righteousness at all times Child-like Obedience is not like an high Cholor in a Fit which is soon over but like a right Sanguine Complexion it abides it is like the Fire on the Altar which was kept always burning Lev. 6.13 Second Sign of Adoption To love to be in our Father's Presence the Child who loves his Father is never so well as when he is near his Father Are we Children we love the Presence of God in his Ordinances In Prayer we speak to God in the preaching of his Word he speaks to us And how doth every Child of God delight to hear his Father's Voice Psal. 63.1 2. My soul thirsteth for thee to see thy glory so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary Such as disregard Ordinances are not God's Children because they care not to be in God's Presence Gen. 4.17 Cain went out from the presence of the Lord. Not that he could go out of God's Sight but the meâ—ning is Cain went from the Church and People of God where the Lord gave vissible Tokens of his Presence Third Sign of Adoption To have the Conduct of God's Spirit Rom. 8. â—4 As many as are led by the spirit of God are the sons of God It is not enough that the Child have Life but it must be led every step by the Nurse so the adopted Child must not only be born of God but have the Manuduction of the Spirit to lead him in a Course of Holiness Hos. 11.3 I taught Ephraim also to go taking them by their arms As Israel were led by the Pillar of Fire so God's Children are led by the Conduct of his Spirit the adopted Ones need God's Spirit to lead them they are apt to go wrong The fleshy Part inclines to sin the Understanding and Conscience are to guide the Will but the Will is imperious and rebels therefore God's Children need the Spirit to check Corruption and lead them in the right way as the wicked Men are led by the Evil Spirit The Spirit of Satan led Herod to Incest Ahab to Murder Iudas to Treason so the good Spirit leads God's Children into Vertuous Actions Object But Enthusiasts pretend to be led by the Spirit when it is an Ignis Fatuus a Delusion Ans. The Spirit 's Conduct is agreeable to the Word Enthusiasts leave the Word The word is truth Joh. 17.17 And the spirit guides in all truth Joh. 16.13 The Word 's Teaching and the Spirit 's Leading agree together Fourth Sign If we are adopted we have an intire love to all God's Children 1 Pet. 2.17 Love the brother-hood We bear Affection to God's Children though they have some Infirmities There are the spots of God's Children Deut. 32.5 But we must love the beautiful Face of Holiness though it hath a Scar in it If we are adopted we love the Good we see in God's Children we admire their Graces we pass by their Imprudencies if we cannot love them because they have some Failings how do we think God can love us can we plead Exemption By these Signs we may know our Adoption Quest. What are the benefits which accrue to God's Children Ans. They have great Immunities King's Children have great Priviledges and Freedoms they do not pay Custom Mat. 17.6 God's Children are priviledged Persons they are priviledged from the hurt of every thing Luke 10.19 Nothing shall by any means hurt you Hit you it may not hurt you Psal. 91.10 There shall no evil befal thee God saith not no Affliction shall befal his Children but no Evil the Hurt and Poison of it is taken away Affliction to a wicked Man hath Evil in it it makes him worse it makes him curse and blaspheme Rev. 16.9 Men were scorched with great heat and blasphemed the name of God But no Evil befals a Child of God he is better'd by Affliction Heb. 12.10 The Furnace makes Gold purer Again no Evil befals the Adopted because no Condemnation Rom. 8.33 It is God that justifieth who is he that condemneth What a blessed Priviledge is this to be freed from the Sting of Affliction and the Curse of the Law to be in such a Condition that nothing can hurt one When the Dragon hath poison'd the Water the Unicorn with his Horn doth extract and draw out the Poison so Jesus Christ hath drawn out the Poison of every Affliction that it cannot
Job 15.14 God can do it Out of an unholy Heart he can produce Grace O! make David's Prayer Psal. 51.10 Create in me a clean heart O God Lay thy Heart before the Lord and say Lord my unsanctified Heart pollutes all it toucheth I am not fit to live with such an Heart for I cannot honour thee nor to die with such an Heart for I cannot see thee O create in me a clean heart Lord consecrate my heart and make it thy Temple and thy Praises shall be sung there for ever Use 3. of Thankfulness Hath God brought a clean thing out of an unclean hath he sanctified you wear this Jewel of Sanctification with thankfulness Col. 1.12 Giving thanks to the Father 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 who hath made us meet for the Inheritance c. Christian Thou could'st defile thy self but not sanctifie thy self But God hath done it he hath not only chain'd up sin but chang'd thy Nature and made thee as a King's Daughter all glorious within He hath put upon thee the Breast-place of Holiness which though it may be shot at can never be shot thorow Are there any here that are sanctified God hath done more for you then millions They may be illuminated but not sanctified He hath done more for you then if he had made you the Sons of Princes and caused you to ride upon the high places of the Earth Are you sanctified Heaven is begun in you Happiness is nothing but the quintissence of Holiness O how thankful should you be to God Do as that blind Man in the Gospel after he had received his sight He followed Christ glorifying God Luke 18.43 Make Heaven ring of God's Praises Of ASSVRANCE Quest. WHat are the Benefits flow from Sanctification Resp. Assurance of God's Love Peace of Conscience Ioy in the Holy Ghost Encrease of Grace and Perseverance therein to the end 1. Benefit flowing from Sanctification is assurance of God's Love 2 Pet. 1.10 Give Diligence to make your Calling and Election sure Sanctification is the Seed Assurance is the Flower which grows out of it Assurance is a consequent of Sanctification the Saints of old had it 1 Iohn 2.3 We know that we know him 2 Tim. 1.12 I know whom I have believed here was Sensus Fidei the reflex act of Faith and Gal. 2.20 Christ hath loved me Here was Faith flourishing into Assurance Aecolampadias when he was Sick pointed to his Heart Hic sat Lucis Here I have Light enough meaning Comfort and Assurance Quest. 1. Have all Sanctified Persons Assurance Resp. They have a right to it and I do incline to believe that all have it in some degree before their last expiring though their Comfort may be so strong and their Vital Spirits so weak that they cannot express what they feel But I dare not positively affirm that all have Assurance in the first moment of their Sanctification A Letter may be written when it is not Sealed so Grace may be written in the heart yet the Spirit may not set the Seal of Assurance to it God is a free Agent and may give or suspend Assurance pro libito as he please Where there is the Sanctifying work of the Spirit he may withhold the Sealing work partly to keep the Soul Humble partly to punish our careless walking We neglect our Spiritual watch grow remiss in duty and then walk under a Cloud We quench the Graces of the Spirit and God withholds the Comforts and partly to put a difference between Earth and Heaven This I the rather speak to bear up the Hearts of Gods People who are dejected because they have not Assurance You may have the Water of the Spirit poured on you in Sanctification though not the Oyl of Gladness in Assurance there may be Faith of Adherence and not of Evidence there may be Life in the Root when there is no Fruit in the Branches to be seen so Faith in the Heart when no Fruit of Assurance Quest 2. What is Assurance Resp. It is not Vocal any audible Voice or brought to us by the help of an Angel or Revelation Assurance consists of a Practical Sylogism where the Word of God makes the major Conscience the minor the Spirit of God the Conclusion The Word saith He that fears and loves God is loved of God there is the major Proposition then Conscience makes the minor but I fear and love God then the Spirit makes the Conclusion therefore thou art loved of God And this is that which the Apostle calls The Witnessing of the Spirit with our Spirits that we are his Children Rom. 8.16 Quest. 3. Whether hath a Sanctified Soul such an Assurance as excludes all doubting Resp. He hath that which bears up his Heart from sinking he hath such an Earnest of the Spirit that he would not part with for the Richest Prize but his Assurance though it be infallible it is not perfect There will be sometimes a Trepidation or Trembling he is safe yet not without fears and doubts as a Ship lies safe at Anchor yet may be a little shaken by the Wind. If a Christian had no Doubtings there should be no unbelief in him had he no Doubtings there would be no difference between Grace Militant and Triumphant Had not David his Ebbings sometimes as well as his Flowings like the Mariner who sometimes cries out Stellam Video I see a Star sometimes the Star is out of Sight Sometimes we hear David say Thy Loving Kindness is before mine Eyes Psal. 26.3 But at another time he was at a loss Psal. 89.49 Lord where are thy former Loving Kindnesses And there may fall out an Eclipse in a Christians Assurance to put him upon longing after Heaven Then there shall not be the least doubting then the Banner of Gods Love shall be always display'd upon the Soul then the light of God's Face shall be without Clouds and have no Sun-setting then the Saints shall have an uninterrupted Assurance and be ever with the Lord. Quest. 4. What are the differences between true Assurance and Presumption Resp. 1. They differ in the method or manner of working Divine Assurance flows from Humiliation for Sin I speak not of the measure of Humiliation but the Truth There are in Palermo Reeds growing in which there is a Sugred Juice A Soul humbled for Sin is the Bruised Reed in which grows this sweet Assurance God's Spirit is a Spirit of Bondage before it be a Spirit of Adoption but Presumption ariseth without any humbling work of the Spirit How camest thou by thy Venison so soon The Plow goes before the Seed be sown the Heart must be plowed up by Humiliation and Repentance before God sows the Seed of Assurance 2. He who hath a real Assurance will take heed of that which will weaken and darken his Assurance he is fearful of the Forbidden Fruit he knows though he cannot sin away his Soul yet he may sin away his Assurance But he who hath the Ignis Fatuus of
Presumption doth not fear defiling his Garments he is bold in sin Ier. 3.4 5. Wilt thou not cry unto me my Father behold thou hast done evil things as thou couldest Balaam said My God yet a Sorcerer A Sign he hath no Mony about him who fears not to Travel all Hours in the Night a sign he hath not the Jewel of Assurance who fears not the works of Darkness 3. True Assurance is built upon a Scripture-basis the Word saith The effect of Righteousness shall be Quietness and Assurance for ever Isa. 32.17 A Christians Assurance is built upon this Scripture God hath sown the Seed of Righteousness in his Soul and this Seed hath brought forth the Harvest of Assurance But Presumption is a spurious thing it hath no Scripture to shew for its Warrant it is like a Will without Seal and Witnesses which is null and void in Law Presumption wants both the Witness of the Word and the Seal of the Spirit 4. Assurance flowing from Sanctification always keeps the Heart in a lowly posture Lord saith the Soul what am I that passing by so many the Golden Beams of thy Love should shine upon me St. Paul had Assurance is he proud of this Jewel No. Ephes. 3.8 To me who am less than the least of all Saints The more love a Christian receives from God the more he sees himself a Debtor to free Grace and the sense of his Debt keeps his Heart Humble but Presumption is bred of Pride He who Presumes Disdains he think himself better than others Luke 18.11 God I thank thee I am not as other Men are nor as this Publican Feathers fly up but Gold descends he who hath this Golden Assurance his Heart descends in Humility Quest. 5. What is it may excite us to look after Assurance Resp. To consider how sweet it is and the noble and excellent effects it produceth Effect 1. How sweet it is This is the Manna in the Golden Pot the white Stone the Wine of Paradise which chears the Heart How comfortable is God's Smile The Sun is more refreshing when it shineth out that when it is hid in a Cloud it is a praelibation and fore-tast of Glory it puts a Man in Heaven before his time none can know how delicious and ravishing it is but such as have felt it as none can know how sweet Hony is but they who have tasted it 2. The noble and excellent Effects it produceth 1. Assurance will make us love God and Praise him 1. Love him Love is the Soul of Religion the Fat of the Sacrifice and who can love God so as he who hath Assurance The Sun reflecting its Beams on a burning Glass makes the Glass burn that that is near to it So Assurance which is the reflection of Gods love upon the Soul makes it burn in love to God St. Paul was assured of Christ's love to him Gal. 2.20 who hath loved me and how was his Heart fired with love he valued and admired nothing but Christ Phil. 3.8 as Christ was fastned to the Cross so he was fastned to Paul's Heart 2. Praise him Praise is the Quit-rent we pay to the Crown of Heaven who but he who hath Assurance of his Justification Man in a Swoon or Apoplexy Praise God that he is alive Can a Christian staggering with Fears about his Spiritual Condition praise God that he is elected and justified No The living the living he shall praise thee Isa. 38.19 Such as are enliven'd with Assurance they are the fittest Persons to sound forth Gods Praise Effect 2. Assurance would drop Sweetness into all our Creature-Enjoyments it would be as Sugar to Wine an earnest of more it gives a Blessing with the Venison As Guilt imbitters our Comforts it is like drinking out of a Wormwood Cup So Assurance would indulcorate and sweeten all Health and the Assurance of Gods Love are sweet Riches with the Assurance of a Kingdom are delectable Nay a Dinner of Green Herbs with the Assurance of Gods Love is Princely Fare Effect 3. Assurance would make us Active and Lively in Gods Service it would excite Prayer quicken Obedience as Diligence begets Assurance so Assurance begets Diligence Assurance will not as the Papists say breed Security in the Soul but Industry Doubting does discourage us in Gods Service but the Assurance of his Favour breeds Joy And the Ioy of the Lord is our strength Nehem. 8.10 Assurance makes us mount up to Heaven as Eagles in Holy Duties it is like the Spirit in Ezekiel's Wheels that moved them and lifted them up Faith would make us Walk but Assurance would make us Run We should never think we could do enough for God Assurance would be as Wings to the Bird as Weights to the Clock to set all the Wheels of Obedience a running Effect 4. Assurance would be a Golden Shield to beat back Temptation Assurance Triumphs over Temptation There are two sorts of Temptation Satan useth 1. He tempts to draw us to Sin Now the being assured of our Justification would make this Temptation vanish What Satan shall I Sin against him who hath loved me and washed me in his Blood Shall I return to Folly after God hath spoken Peace Shall I weaken my Assurance wound my Conscience grieve my Comforter Avoid Satan Tempt no more 2. Satan would make us question our Interest in God he tells us we are Hypocrites and God doth not love us Now there is no such Shield against this Temptation as Assurance What Satan have I a real Work of Grace in my Heart and the Seal of the Spirit to witness it and dost thou tell me God doth not love me Now I know thou art an Impostor who goest about to disprove what I sensibly feel If Faith resists the Devil Assurance would put him to flight Effect 5. Assurance would make us contented though we have but a little in the World He who hath Enough is Content He who hath Sun-light is Content though he wants Torch-light A Man that hath Assurance hath enough In uno salvatore omnes florent gemmae ad salutem He hath the Riches of Christs Merit of his Love an Earnest of his Glory he is fill'd with the Fulness of God here is enough and having enough he is Content Psal. 16.5 The Lord is the portion of my Inheritance The Lanes are fallen unto me in a pleasant place and I have a goodly Heritage Assurance will rock the Heart quiet the reason of Discontent is either because Men have no Interest in God or do not know their Interest St. Paul I know whom I have believed 2 Tim. 1.12 There was the Assurance of his Interest and 2 Cor. 6.10 As sorrowful yet always rejoycing c. There was his Contentment Get but Assurance and you will be out of the weekly Bill of Murmurers you will be discontented no more What can come amiss to him that hath Assurance God is his Hath he lost a Friend His Father lives Hath he lost his only Child
some stings of it in the joynts of the stone-work which cannot be gotten out 8. Sin mingles with our Duties and Graces we cannot write a Copy of Holiness without blotting This makes a Child of God weary of his Life and makes him water his Couch with his Tears to think sin so strong a Party and he should offend that God whom he loves This made Paul cry out Miser ego Homo O wretched Man that I am Hence Paul did not cry out of his Affliction of his Prison-chain but of the body of sin Now a Believer at Death shall be freed from sin he is not taken away in but from his sins he shall never have a vain proud thought more he shall never grieve the Spirit of God any more Sin brought Death into the World and Death shall carry sin out of the World The Persians had a certain day in the Year in which they kill'd all Serpents and venomous Creatures Such a day will the day of Death be to a Believer it will destroy all his sins which like so many Serpents have stung him Death smites a Believer as the Angel did Peter it made his Chains fall off So Death makes all the Chains of Sin fall off Acts 12.7 Believers at Death are made perfect in Holiness Heb. 12.23 The Spirits of just Men made perfect At Death the Souls of Believers recover their Virgin-purity O what a Blessed Privilege is this to be sine macula ruga without spot and wrinckle Eph. 5.27 to be purer than the Sun-beams to be as free from sin as the Angels This makes a Believer so desirous to have his Pass to be gone He would fain live in that pure Air where no black Vapors of sin arise 2. At Death the Saints shall be freed from all the Troubles and Incumbrances to which this Life is subject Sin is the Seed sown and Trouble is the Harvest reaped 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Eurip. Life and Trouble are married together There is more in Life to wean us than to tempt us Parents divide a Portion of Sorrow to their Children and yet they leave enough for themselves Iob 5.7 Man is born to trouble He is Heir to it it is his Birth-right You may as well separate weight from Lead as Trouble from the Life of Man Quid est diu vivere nisi diu Torqueri Aug. King Henry's Emblem a Crown hung in a Bush of Thorns There is a far greater Proportion of Bitterness than Pleasure in this Life Prov. 7.17 I have perfumed my Bed with Myrrhe Aloes and Cynamon For one sweet Ingredient there were two bitter for the Cynamon there was Myrrhe and Aloes A Mans Grace will not exempt him from Troubles Gen. 47.9 Few and evil have the days of the years of my Life been Though he was a Godly Patriarch though he had met with God Gen. 32.30 He named the name of the place Peniel For I have seen God face to face Yet he had his Troubles few and evil c. There are many things to imbitter Life and cause trouble and Death frees us from all 1. Care The Mind is full of perplexed thoughts how to bring about such a Design how to prevent such an Evil. The word for Care 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 comes from a Primitive in the Greek that signifies To cut the Heart in pieces Care doth discruciate the Mind wast the Spirits No such bitter Bread as the Bread of Carefulness Ezek. 12.19 Care is a Spiritual Canker which eats out the Comfort of Life Death is the Cure of Care 2. Fear Fear is the Ague of the Soul which sets it a shaking 1 Iohn 4.14 There is Torment in Fear Fear is like Prometheus his Vulture it gnaws upon the Heart There is a distrustful Fear a Fear of Want and a distracting Fear Fear of Danger and a discouraging Fear a Fear God doth not love us These Fears leave sad Impressions upon the Mind Now at Death a Believer is freed from these torturing Fears He now knows he is passed from Death to Life He is as far from Fear as the Damned are from Hope The Grave buries a Christians Fears 3. Labour Eccles. 1.8 All things are full of labour Some labour in the Mine others among the Muses God hath made a Law In the sweat of thy Brows thou shalt eat Bread But Death gives a Believer a Quietus est it takes him off from his Day-labour Rev. 14.13 Blessed are the dead that dye in the Lord they rest from their labours What needs working when they have their Reward What needs fighting when the Crown is set on their Head they rest from their Labours 4. Suffering Believers are as a Lilly among Thorns as the Dove among the Birds of Prey The Wicked have an Antipathy against the Righteous and secret Hatred will break forth into open Violence Gal. 4.29 He that was born after the Flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit The Dragon is described with seven Heads and ten Horns Rev. 12.3 he plotteth with the one and pusheth with the other But at Death the Godly shall be freed from the Molestations of the Wicked they shall never be pestered with these Vermin more Iob 3.17 There viz. in the Grave the wicked cease from troubling Death doth to a Believer as Ioseph of Arimathea did to Christ it takes him down from the Cross and gives him a Writ of Ease The Eagle that flies high cannot be stung with the Serpent Death gives the Soul the Wing of the Eagle that it flies above all these venomous Serpents here below 5. Temptation Though Satan be a conquered Enemy yet he is a restless Enemy 1 Pet. 5.8 He walketh about the Devil is always going his Diocess He hath his Snares and his Darts One he tempts with Riches another with Beauty it is no small trouble to be continually followed with Temptation As for a Virgin to have her Chastity daily assaulted But Death will free a Child of God from Temptation he shall never be vexed more with the old Serpent After Death hath shot its Dart at us the Devil shall have done shooting his Though Grace puts a Believer out of the Devils Possession only Death frees him from the Devils Temptation 6. Sorrow A Cloud of Sorrow gathers in the Heart and drops into Tears Psal. 31.10 My life is spent with Grief and my years with sighing It was a Curse Gen. 3.16 In sorrow thou shalt bring forth Many things occasion Sorrow Sickness Law-suits Treachery of Friends disappointment of Hopes loss of Estate Ruth 1.20 Call me not Naomi call me Mara I went out full and the Lord hath brought me home again empty Sorrow is the evil Spirit that haunts us the World is a Bochim Rachel wept for her Children some grieve that they have no Children and others grieve that their Children are undutiful Thus we spend our years with sighing 't is a Valley of Tears But Death is the Funeral of all our Sorrows Rev. 7.17 And God
gives Sleep nay sometimes he gives a Song in the Night Psal. 42.8 And he hath Mercies for the Morning Lam. 3.23 His Compassions are fresh every Morning Thirdly God hath Mercies for all sorts Mercies for the Poor 1 Sam. 2.8 He raiseth the Poor out of the Dust. Mercies for the Prisoner Psal. 69.33 He despiseth not his Prisoners Mercies for the Dejected Isa. 54.8 In a little Wrath I hid my Face from thee but with great Mercies will I gather thee God hath old Mercies Psal. 25.6 Thy Mercies have been ever of old And new Mercies Psal. 40.3 He hath put a new Song in my Mouth Every time we draw our Breath we suck in Mercy God hath Mercies under Heaven and those we taste of and Mercies in Heaven and those we hope for Thus Gods Mercy is superabundant 4. The Mercy God shews is abiding Psal. 103.16 The Mercy of the Lord is from Everlasting to Everlasting Gods anger to his Children lasts but a while Psal. 103.9 but his Mercy lasts for ever Gods Mercy is not like the Widows Oyl which ran a while and then ceased 2 Kings 4.6 Over-flowing Ever-flowing Gods Mercy as it is without Bounds so without Bottom Psal. 136. His Mercy endures for ever God never cuts off the Intail of Mercy from the Elect. Quest. 2. How many ways is God said to shew Mercy Resp. 1. We are all Living Monuments of Gods Mercy God shews Mercy to us in dayly supplying us First He supplies us with Health Health is the Sawce which makes our Life relish Sweeter How would they prize this Mercy who are Chain'd to a Sick-bed Secondly God supplies us with Provision Gen. 48.15 The God who hath fed me all my Days Mercy spreads our Table it carves us every bit of Bread we eat we never drink but in the Golden Cup of Mercy 2. God shews Mercy in lengthening out our Gospel-Liberties 1 Cor. 16.9 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 there are many Adversaries many would stop the Waters of the Sanctuary that they should not run We enjoy the sweet Seasons of Grace we hear joyful Sounds we see the goings of God in his Sanctuary we enjoy Sabbath after Sabbath the Manna of the Word yet falls about our Tents when in divers parts of the Land they have no Manna Here is God shewing Mercy to us he spins out our forfeited Liberties 3. God shews Mercy to us in preventing many Evils from invading us Psal. 3.3 Thou O Lord art a Shield for me God hath restrained the Wrath of Men and been a Screen between us and Danger When the Destroying Angel hath been abroad and shot his deadly Arrow of Pestilence God hath kept off the Arrow that it hath not come near us 4. God shews Mercy in delivering us 2 Tim. 4.17 And I was delivered out of the Mouth of the Lion viz. Nero. God hath restored us from the Grave May we not write the Writing of Hezekiah Isa. 38 9. when he had been sick and was recovered of his Sickness When we thought the Sun of our Life had been setting God hath made it return to its former Brightness 5. God shews Mercy in restraining of us from Sin Lusts within are worse than Lions without The greatest sign of Gods Anger is to give Men up to their Sins Psal. 81.12 So I gave them up to their own Hearts Lusts let them Sin themselves to Hell But God hath laid the Bridle of restraining Grace upon us As God said to Abimelech Gen. 20.6 I withheld thee from sinning against me So God withheld us from those Exorbitancies which might have made us a Prey to Satan and a Terrour to our Selves 6. God shews Mercy in guiding and directing us Is it not a Mercy for one that is out of the way to have a Guide First There is a Providential guiding God guides our Affairs for us Chaulks out a way he would have us to walk in he resolves our Doubts unties our Knots appoints the bounds of our Habitation Acts 17.26 Secondly A Spiritual guiding Psal. 73.24 Thou shalt guide me with thy Counsel As Israel had a Pillar of Fire to go before them so God guides us with the Oracles of his Word and the Conduct of his Spirit He guides our Head keeps us from error and he guides our Feet keeps us from Scandal O what Mercy is it to have God to be our Guide and Pilot Psal. 31.3 For thy Name 's sake lead me and guide me 7. God shews Mercy in Correcting us God is Angry in Love he smites that he may save Gods Rod is not a Rod of Iron to break us but a Fatherly Rod to Humble us Heb. 12.10 He for our profit that we may be partakers of his Holiness Either God will mortifie some corruption or exercise some grace Is there not Mercy in this Every Cross to a Child of God is like Paul's Cross Wind which though it broak the Ship it brought Paul to Shoar upon the broken Pieces Acts 27.44 8. God shews Mercy in Pardoning us Mic. 7.18 Who is a God like thee that pardonest Iniquity 'T is Mercy to Feed us Rich Mercy to Pardon us This Mercy is spun out of the Bowels of Free Grace this is enough to make a Sick Man well Isa. 33.24 The Inhabitant shall not say I am Sick the People that dwell therein shall be forgiven their Iniquity Pardon of Sin is a Mercy of the first Magnitude God seals the Sinners Pardon with a Kiss This made David put on his best Cloaths and anoint himself his Child newly Dead and God had told him the Sword should not depart from his House yet now he falls Anointing himself the reason was God had sent him his Pardon by the Prophet Nathan 2 Sam. 12.13 The Lord hath put away thy Sin Pardon is the only fit Remedy for a troubled Conscience What can give ease to a Wounded Spirit but pardoning Mercy Offer him the Honours and Pleasures of the World 't is as if you bring Flowers and Musick to one that is condemned Quest. How may I know my Sins are pardoned Resp. Where God removes the guilt he breaks the power of Sin Mic. 7.19 He will have Compassion he will subdue our Iniquities With Pardoning Love God gives Subduing Grace 9. God shews his Mercy in Sanctifying us Lev. 20.8 I am the Lord that sanctifie you This is the partaking of the Divine Nature 2 Pet. 1.4 Gods Spirit is a Spirit of Consecration though it Sanctifies us but in part yet in every part 1 Thes. 5.23 This is such a Mercy that God cannot give in Anger if we are Sanctified then we are Elected 2 Thes. 2.13 God hath chosen you to Salvation through Sanctification This doth disponere ad Coelum it prepares for Happiness as the Seed prepares for Harvest When the Virgins had been Anointed and Perfumed then they were to stand before the King Esther 2.12 So when we have had the Anointing of God then we shall stand before the King of Heaven 10. God shews Mercy
we love we fix our Minds upon He that loves his Pleasures and Recreations his Mind is fixed on them and he can follow them without Distraction Were our Love more set upon the Word Preached our Minds would be more fixed upon it And surely there is enough to make us love the Word Preached for it is the Word of Life the Inlet to Knowledge the Antidote against Sin the Quickner of Holy Affections It is the True Manna which hath all sorts of sweet Tasts in it It is the Pool of Bethesda in which the Rivers of Life spring forth to heal the broken in Heart It is a Soveveraign Elixir or Cordial to revive the sorrowful Spirit Get Love to the Word Preached and you will not be so distracted in hearing What the Heart delights in the Thoughts dwell upon II. If you would sanctifie the Sabbath by deligent attentive hearing take heed of Drowsiness in Hearing Drowsiness shows much Irreverence How lively are many when they are about the World but in the Worship of God how drowsie as if the Devil had given them some Opium to make them sleep A Drowsie Temper is now very absurd and sinful Are not you in Prayer asking Pardon of sin Will the Prisoner fall asleep when he is begging his Pardon In the Preaching of the Word is not the Bread of Life breaking to you and will a Man fall asleep at his Food Which is worse to stay from a Sermon or sleep at a Sermon While you sleep perhaps that Truth was delivered which might have converted your Souls Besides sleeping is very offensive in these Holy Assemblies It is not only a grieving the Spirit of God but a making the Hearts of the Righteous sad Ezek. 13.22 It troubles them to see any show such a Contempt of God and his Worship to see Men busie in the Shop but drowsie in the Temple Therefore as Christ said Mat. 26.40 Could ye not watch one Hour So can ye not wake one Hour I deny not but a Child of God may sometimes through Weakness and Indisposition of Body drop asleep at a Sermon but it is not voluntary or ordinary The Sun may be in an Eclipse but not often If sleeping be customary and allowed it is a very bad sign and is a profaning of the Ordinance A good Remedy against Drowsiness is to use a Spare Diet upon this Day Such as indulge their Appetite too much on a Sabbath are fitter to sleep on a Couch than pray in the Temple Now that you may throw off Distracting Thoughts and Drowsiness on the Lord's Day and may hear the Word with reverend Attention consider 1. It is God that speaks to us in his Word therefore the Preaching of the Word is called the Breath of his Lips Isa. 11.4 And Christ is said now to speak to us from Heaven Heb. 12.25 as a King speaks in his Ambassador Ministers are but as the Pipes and Organs it is the Spirit of the Living God breathes in them When we come to the Word we should think thus with our selves God speaks in this Preacher The Thessalonians heard the Word Paul Preached as if God himself had spoken to them 1 Thess. 2.13 When ye received the Word of God which ye heard of us ye receiv'd it not as the Word of Men but as it is in truth the Word of God When Samuel knew it was the Lord that spake to him he lent his Ear 1 Sam. 3.10 If we do not regard God when he speaks to us he will not regard us when we pray to him 2. Consider how serious and weighty the matters delivered to us are As Moses said Deut. 30.19 I call Heaven and Earth â—o record this day that I have set before you Life and Death Can Men be regardless of the Word or drowsie when the weighty matters of Eternity are set before them We Preach of Faith and Holiness of Life and the Day of Judgment and the Eternal Recompences here is Life and Death set before you and doth not all this call for serious Attention If a Letter were read to one of special business wherein his Life and Estate were concern'd would not he be very serious in listning to that Letter In the Preaching of the Word your Salvation is concerned and if ever you will attend it should be now Deut. 32.47 It is not a vain thing for you because it is your Life 3. To give way to Vain Thoughts and Drowsiness in hearing doth much gratifie Satan He knows that not to mind a Duty is all one as not to do a Duty Quicquid cor non facit non sit in Religion What the Heart doth not do is not done Therefore Christ saith of some Hearing they hear not Mat. 13.13 How could that be Because tho' the Word sounded in their Ear yet they minded not what was said to them their Thoughts were upon other things therefore it was all one as if they did not â—ear Hearing they hear not And doth not this please Satan to see Men come to the Word and as good stay away They are haunted with vain Thoughts they are taken off the Duty while they are in it their Body is in the Assembly their Heart in their Shop Hearing they hear not 4. It may be the last Sabbath that ever we shall keep We may go from the place of Hearing to the place of Judging and shall not we give Reverend Attention to the Word Did we think thus when we come into God's House Perhaps this will be the last time that ever God will counsel us about our Souls before another Sermon Death's Alarum will sound in our Ears With what Attention and Devotion should we come hither and our Affections would be all on Fire in hearing 5. You must give an Account for every Sermon you hear Luke 16.2 Redde rationem Give an account of thy Stewardship So will God say Give an Account of thy Hearing Hast thou been affected with the Word Hast thou profited by it And how can we give an Account if we have been distracted in hearing and have not taken notice what hath been said to us The Judge to whom we must give an Account is God Were one to give an Account to Man he might falsifie his Accounts but we must give an Account to God Nec donis corrumpitur nec blanditiis fallitur He is so Iust a God that he cannot be bribed and so Wise that he cannot be deceived Therefore being to give an Account to such an impartial Judge how should we observe every Word Preached remembring the Account Let all this make us shake off Distraction and Drowsiness in Hearing and have our Ears chain'd to the Word EXOD. XX. 8 Remember the Sabbath-day to keep it holy c. II. If you would hear the Word aright lay aside those things which may render the Word Preached ineffectual As 1. Curiosity Some come to the Word Preached not so much to get Grace as to enrich themselves with Notions Itching Ears
2 Tim. 4.3 Austin confesseth that before his Conversion he went to hear St. Ambrose rather for his Eloquence than the Spirituality of the matter Ezek. 33.32 Thou art unto them as a very lovely Song of one that hath a pleasant Voice and can play well on an Instrument Many come to the Word only to feast their Ears they like the Melody of the Voice the Mellifluous Sweetness of the Expression the Newness of the Notion Acts 17.21 This is to love the Garnishing of the Dish more than the Food This is to desire to be pleased rather than edifyed Like a Woman that paints her Face but neglects her Health So they paint and adorn themselves with curious Speculations but neglect their Souls Health This hearing doth neither sanctifie the Heart nor the Sabbath 2. Lay aside Prejudice 1. Prejudice against the Truths Preached The Sadduces were prejudiced against the Doctrin of the Resurrection Luke 20.27 2. Prejudice against the Person preaching 1 King 22.8 There is one Micaiah by whom we may enquire of the Lord but I hate him This hinders the Vertue of the Word If a Patient hath an ill Opinion of his Physician he will not take any of his Receipts tho never so good Prejudice in the Mind is like an Obstruction in the Stomach which hinders the Nutritive Vertue of the Meat Prejudice poysons the Word and makes it to lose its Efficacy 3. Lay aside Covetousness Covetousness is in not only getting the World unjustly but loving it inordinately This is a Great Hindrance to the Word Preached The Seed which fell among Thorns was choked Mat. 13.22 An Emblem of the Word being Preached to a Covetous Hearer The Covetous Man is thinking of the World when he is hearing his Heart is in his Shop Ezek. 33.31 They sit before thee as my People and they hear thy Words but their Heart goeth after their Covetousness A Covetous Hearer derides the Word Luke 16.14 The Pharisees who were covetous heard all and they derided him 4. Lay aside Partiality Partiality in hearing is when we like to hear some Truths Preached but not all We love to hear of Heaven but not of Self-denial of reigning with Christ but not of suffering of the more Facil Duties of Religion but not them which are more knotty and difficult as Mortification laying the Ax to the Root and hewing down their Beloved Sin Isa. 30.10 Proyhesie smooth things such as may not grate upon our Conscience Many like to hear of the Love of Christ but not of loving their Enemies They like the Comforts of the Word not the Reproofs Herod heard Iohn Baptist gladly he liked many Truths but not when he spake against his Incest Lay aside Partiality 5. Lay aside Censoriousness Some instead of judging themselves for Sin sit as Judges upon the Preacher Either his Sermon had too much Gall in it or it was too long These will sooner censure a Sermon than practise it God will judge the Judger Mat. 7.1 6. Lay aside Disobedience Rom. 10.21 All the day long have I stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient People 'T is spoken of the Jews God stretched out his Hands in the Preaching of the Word but they rejected Christ. Let there be none among you that wilfully refuse the Counsels of the Word 'T is sad to have an Adders Ear an Adamant Heart Zac. 7.11 12. If when God speaks to us in his Word we are deaf when we speak to him in Prayer he will be dumb III. If you would hear the Word aright have God Ends in hearing Come to the Word to be made better Some have no other end in hearing but because it is in Fashion or to gain Repute or stop the Mouth of Consbience But come to the Word to be made more Holy There 's a great deal of difference between one that goes to a Garden for Flowers to wear in her Bosom and another that goes for Flowers to make Syrups and Medicines of We should go to the Word for a Medicine to cure us as Naaman the Syrian went to Iordan to be healed of his Leprosie 1 Pet. 2.2 Desire the sincere Milk of the Word that ye may grow thereby Come to the Word to be changed into the Similitude of it As the Seal leaves its Print upon the Wax so labour that the Word Preached may leave the Print of its own Holiness upon your Heart Labour that the Word may have such a Vertue upon you as the Water of Jealousie to kill and make fruitful Numb 5.27 That it may kill your Sins and make your Souls fruitful in Grace IV. If you would hear the Word aright come to it with Delight The Word Preached is a Feast of fat things With what Delight do Men come to a Feast The Word Preached anoynts the blind Eye mollifies the Rocky Heart it beats off our Fetters and turns us from the Power of Satan to God Acts 26.18 The Word is the Seed of Regeneration Iam. 1.18 the Engine of Salvation Hear the Word with Delight and Complacency Ier. 15.16 Thy Words were found and I did eat them they were the joy and rejoycing of my Heart Psal. 119.103 How sweet are thy words unto my taste yea sweeter than Honey unto my mouth Yea love that Word which comes most home to the Conscience Bless God when your Corruptions have been met with when the Sword of the Spirit hath divided between you and your Sins Who cares for that Physick which will not work V. If you would hear the Word aright mix it with Faith Believe the Verity of the Word Preached that it is that Word by which you must be judged and not only give Credence to the Word Preached but learn to apply it to your own Souls Faith concocts the Word and turns it into Spiritual Nourishment Many hear the Word but it may be said of them as Psal. 106.24 They believed not his Word As Melancton once said to some of the Italians Ye Italians Worship God in the Bread when ye do not believe him to be in Heaven So many hear God's Word but do not believe that God is they question the Truth of his Oracles If we do not mix Faith with the Word it is like leaving out the Chief Ingredient in a Medicine which makes it ineffectual Unbelief hardens Mens Hearts against the Word Acts 19.9 Divers were hardened and believed not Men hear many Truths delivered concerning the Preciousness of Christ the Beauty of Holiness the Felicity of a Glorified Estate but if through Unbelief and Atheism they question these Truths we may as well speak to the Stones and Pillars of the Church as to them That Word which is not Believed can never be Practised Vbi male creditur ibi nec benè vivitur Unbelief makes the Word Preached of no effect Heb. 9.2 The Word preached did not profit not being mixed with Faith in them that heard it The Word to an Unbeliever is like Dioscordium put into a Dead Man's Mouth which
loseth all its Vertue If there be any Unbelievers in our Congregations what shall Ministers say to God at the last Day Lord we have preached to the People thou sentest us to we showed them our Commission we declared unto them the whole Counsel of God but they believed never a Word we spake We told them what would be the Fruit of Sin but they would drink their Sugared Draught tho there was Death in the Cup Lord we are free from their Blood God forbid that ever Ministers should make this Report to God of their People But this they must be forc'd to do if People live and die in Unbelief Would you sanctifie a Sabbath in hearing the Word aright Hear the Word with Faith The Apostle puts these two together Belief and Salvation Heb. 10.39 We are of them that believe to the Saving of the Soul VI. If you would hear the Word aright hear it with meek Spirits Iam. 1.21 Receive the Word in mansuetudine with meekness Meekness is a submissive Frame of Heart to the Word Contrary to this Meekness is Fierceness of Spirit when Men rise up in a Rage against the Word As if the Patient should be angry with the Physician when he gives him a Receipt to purge out his bad Humours Acts 7.54 When they heard this they were cut to the Heart and gnashed on Stephen with their Teeth 2 Chron. 16.10 Asa was wroth with the Seer and put him in a Prison-House Pride and Guilt make Men â—ret at the Word What made Asa storm so but Pride He was a King and thought he was too good to be told of his Sin What made Cain so angry when God said to him Where is Abel thy Brother Saith he Am I my Brothers Keeper What made him so touchy but Guilt He had embrued his Hands in his Brothers Blood If you would hear the Word aright lay down your Passions Receive the Word with Meekness get humble Hearts to submit to the Truths delivered God takes the meek Person to be his Scholar Psal. 25.9 The Meek will he teach his way Meekness makes the Word Preached to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an engrafted Word Iam. 1.21 A good Cion grafted into a Bad Stock changeth the Nature of it and makes it bear sweet and generous Fruit. So when the Word Preached is grafted into Man's Heart it sanctifies them and makes them bring forth the sweet Fruits of Righteousness By Meekness it becomes an engrafted Word VII If you would hear the Word aright be not only attentive but retentive Lay the Word up in your Memories and Hearts Luke 8.15 The Seed on the good Ground are they who having heard the Word keep it The Greek Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to keep signifies to hold the Word fast that it doth not run from us If the Seed be not kept in the Ground but is presently washed away it is sown to little purpose So if the Word Preached be not kept in your Memories and Hearts it is Preached in vain Many People have Memories like leaking Vessels the Word goes out as fast as it comes in How can it profit If a Treasure be put in a Chest and the Chest be not lock'd it may easily be taken out A bad Memory is like a Chest without a Lock the Devil can easily take out all the Treasure Luke 8.12 Then comes the Devil and takes away the Word out of their Hearts Labour to keep in Memory the Truths you hear The things we esteem we are not so apt to forget Will a Bride forget her Iewels Ier. 2.32 Can a Maid forget her Ornaments Did we prize the Word more we should not so soon forget it If the Meat doth not stay in the Stomach but comes up as fast as we eat it it cannot nourish So if the Word stays not in the Memory but is presently gone it can do the Soul but little good VIII If you would hear aright practise what you hear Practice is the Life of all Rev. 22.14 Blessed are they that do his Commandments that they may have right to the Tree of Life Bare Hearing will be no Plea at the Day of Judgment Lord I have heard so many Sermons But God will say What Fruits of Obedience have ye brought forth The Word we Preach is not only to inform you but to reform you not only to mend your Sight but to mend your Pace in the way to Heaven A good Hearer is like the Helitropium c. it opens and shuts with the Sun to God against Sin Now that you may sanctifie a Sabbath by Hearing 1. If you do not hear the Word aright you lose all your Labour How many a weary Step have you taken Your Body hath been crowded your Spirit faint if you are not bettered by hearing if you are as proud as vain as earthly as ever all your hearing is lost You would be loth to Trade in vain and why not as well to hear Sermons in vain Iob 9.29 Why then labour I in vain Put this Question to thy own Soul Why labour I in vain Why do I take all this Pains to hear yet have not the Grace to practise I am as bad as ever why then labour I in vain 2. If you hear the Word and are not bettered by it you are like the Salamander in the Fire not hotter your hearing will encrease your Condemnation Luke 12.47 That Servant which knew his Lord's Will and did it not shall be beaten with many Stripeâ— We pity such as know not where to hear it will be worse with such as care not how they hear To graceless disobedient Hearers every Sermon will be a Faggot to heat Hell It 's sad to go loaden to Hell with Ordinances O beg the Spirit to make the Word Preached effectual Ministers can but speak to the Ear the Spirit speaks to the Heart Acts 10.44 While Peter spake the Holy Ghost sell upon all them that heard the Word V. Having heard the Word in an Holy and Spiritual manner for the further Sanctification of the Sabbath confer of the Word We are forbid on this Day to speak our own Words Isa. 58.14 but we must speak of God's Word Speak of the Sermon as you sit together This is one part of sanctifying the Sabbath Good Discourse brings holy Truths into our Memories and fastens them upon our Hearts Mal. 3.17 Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another There is a great Power and Efficacy in good Discourse Iob 6.25 How forcible are right words By holy Conference on a Sabbath one Christian helps to warm another when he is frozen to strengthen another when he is weak Latimer confessed he was much furthered in Religion by having Conference with Mr. Bilny the Martyr Psal. 119.172 My Tongue shall speak of thy Word One reason why Preaching the Word on a Sabbath doth no more good is because there is so little good Conference Few speak of the Word they have heard as if Sermons were
such Secrets that they must not be spoken of again Or as if it were a shame to speak of that which will save us VI. Shut up the Sabbath-Evening with Repetition Singing of Psalms and Prayer Beg that God would bless the Word you have heard but I hope your Practice herein will prevent my farther speaking Could we but thus spend a Sabbath we might be in the Spirit on the Lord's Day Rev. 1.10 our Souls might be nourished and comforted And this Sabbath which we now keep would be an earnest of that everlasting Sabbath which we shall Celebrate in Heaven EXOD. XX. 8 Remember to keep the Sabbath-day Holy Vse I. See here a Christians Duty To keep the Sabbath-Day Holy 1. The whole Sabbath is to be Dedicated to God It is not said Keep a part of the Sabbath holy but the whole day must be religiously observed If God hath given us Six Days and taken but One to himself shall we grudge him any part of that Day It were Sacriledge The Jews kept a whole Day to the Lord and we are not to abridge or curtail the Sabbath saith St. Austin more than the Jews did The very Heathens by the Light of Nature did set apart a whole Day in the Honour of their False Gods And Scaevola their High Priest did affirm That the wilful Transgression of that Day could have no Expiation or Pardon Whoever do rob any part of the Sabbath for servile Work or Recreation Scaevola the High Priest of the Heathenish Gods shall rise up in Judgment against such Christians and condemn them And they who say that to keep a whole Sabbath is too Iudaical let them show where God hath made any Abatement of the Time of Worship where he hath said You shall keep but a Part of the Sabbath And if they cannot show that it argues much Boldness to go to rob God of his Due That a whole Day be design'd and set apart for God's special Worship is a perpetual Statute while the Church remains upon the Earth saith Pet. Martyr Of this Opinion also were Theodoret Austin Iraeneus and the Chief of the Fathers 2. As the whole Sabbath is to be Dedicated to God so it must be kept Holy You see the manner of sanctifying the Lord's Day by Reading Meditation Prayer hearing of the Word and by Singing of Psalms to make Melody to the Lord. Now besides what I have said for the keeping this Day holy let me make a short Comment or Paraphrase on that Scripture Isa. 58.13 If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath from doing thy pleasure on my holy day and call the Sabbath a delight the holy of the Lord honourable and shalt honour him not doing thy own ways nor finding thy own pleasure nor speaking thy own words Here is a Description of the right sanctifying a Sabbath 1. If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath That may be understood either Literally or Principally First Literally If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath that is If thou withdrawest thy Foot from taking long Walks or Journeys on the Sabbath-day So the Jewish Doctors expound it Or Secondly Spiritually If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath that is If thou turn away thy Affections the Feet of thy Soul from enclining to any worldly Business 2. From doing thy Pleasure on my holy Day That is Thou must not do that which may please the Carnal Part as Sports and Pastimes This is to do the Devil's Work on God's Day 3. And call the Sabbath a Delight Call it a Delight that is esteem it so Tho the Sabbath be not a Day for Carnal Pleasure yet holy Pleasure is not forbidden The Soul must take pleasure in the Duties of a Sabbath The Saints of old counted the Sabbath a Delight The Jews called the Sabbath Dies Lucis A Day of Light The Lord's Day on which the Sun of Righteousness shines is both a Day of Light and Delight This is the Day of sweet Intercourse between God and the Soul On this Day a Christian makes his Sallies out to Heaven his Soul is lifted above the Earth and can this be without Delight The higher the Bird flies the sweeter it sings On a Sabbath the Soul acts its Love to God and where the Love is there is the Delight On this Day a Believers Heart is melted q. d. quickned enlarged in Holy Duties and how can all this be and not a secret Delight go along with it On a Sabbath a gracious Soul can say as Cant. 2.3 I sat under his shadow with great delight and his Fruit was sweet to my taste How can a Spiritual Heart chuse but call the Sabbath a Delight Is it not delightful to a Queen to be putting on her Wedding Robes in which she shall meet the King her Bridegroom When we are about Sabbath-Exercises we are dressing our selves and putting on our Wedding-Robes in which we are to meet our Heavenly Bridegroom the Lord Jesus And is not this delightful On the Sabbath God makes a Feast of fat things he Feasts the Ear with his Word and the Heart with his Grace Well then may we call the Sabbath a Delight and to find this holy Delight is to be in the Spirit on the Lord's Day 4. The Holy of the Lord honourable In the Hebrew it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Glorious To call the Sabbath Honourable is not to be understood so much of an outward Honour given to it by wearing richer Apparel or having better Diet on this Day as the Jewish Doctors corruptly gloss This is the chief Honour some give to this Day But thou shalt call the Sabbath Honourable that is meant of the Honour of the Heart that we give to this Day reverencing it and esteeming it the Queen of Days We are to count the Sabbath Honourable because God hath honoured it All the Persons in the Trinity have honoured it God the Father blessed it God the Son rose upon it God the Holy Ghost descended on this Day Acts 2.1 And indeed this Day is to be honoured of all good Christians and had in high Veneration It is a Day of Renown On this Day a Golden Scepter of Mercy is held forth The Christian Sabbath is the very Crepusculum and Dawning of the Heavenly Sabbath It is honourable because this Day God comes down to us and visits us To have the King of Heaven present in a special manner in our Assemblies makes the Sabbath-day honourable Besides the Work that is done on this Day makes it honourable The Six Days are fill'd up with-servile Work which makes them lose much of their Glory but on this Day Sacred Work is done The Soul is employed wholly about the Worship of God it is Praying Hearing Meditating it is doing Angels Work Praising and Blessing of God Again The Day is Honourable by vertue of a Divine Institution Silver is of it self valuable but when the Royal Stamp is put upon it it is honourable
it there can be no good Crop Some have Memories like leaking Vessels the Sermons they hear are presently gone and then there is no good done If Meat doth not stay and concoct in the Stomach it will not nourish Satan labours to steal the Word out of our Mind Mark 4.15 When they have heard Satan cometh immediately and taketh away the Word that was sown Our Memories should be like the Chest of the Ark wherein the Law was put 7. Reduce your Hearing to Practice Live the Sermons your hear Psal. 119.166 I have done thy Commandments Rachel was not content that she was Beautiful but her Desire was to be Fruitful What is a knowing Head without a fruitful Heart Phil. 1.11 Fill'd with the Fruits of Righteousness It is Obedience crowns Hearing That Hearing will never save the Soul which doth not reform the Life 8. Beg of God that he will accompany his Word with his Presence and Blessing The Spirit must make all effectual Ministers may prescribe Physick but it is God's Spirit must make it work Cathedram habet in Coelo qui corda docet in terra Aug. He hath his Pulpit in Heaven that converts Souls Acts 10.44 While Peter was speaking the Holy Ghost fell upon all them that heard It is said the Alchimist can draw Oyl out of Iron God's Spirit can produce Grace in the most obdurate Heart 9. ult If you would have the VVord work effectually to your Salvation make it Familiar to you discourse of the VVord you have heard when you come home Psal. 119.172 My Tongue shall speak of thy Word That may be one reason why some People get no more good by what they hear because they never speak one to another of what they have heard As if Sermons were such Secrets that they must not be spoken of again or as if it were a Shame to speak of matters of Salvation Mal. 3.16 They that feared the Lord spake often one to another and a Book of Remembrance was written Vse Caution Take heed as you love your Souls that the VVord become not ineffectual to you There are some to whom the Word preached is ineffectual 1. Such as Censure the Word in stead of judging themselves judge the Word 2. Such as live in contradiction to the Word Isa. 30.8 3. Such as are more hardened by the Word Zech. 7.11 They made their Heart as an Adamant And when Men harden their Hearts wilfully God hardens them judicially Isa. 6.8 Make their Ears heavy The Word to these is ineffectual Were it not sad if a Man's Meat should not nourish nay if it should turn to Poyson Oh! Take heed that the Word Preach'd be not ineffectual and to no purpose Consider Three things 1. If the Word Preached doth us no good there is no other way by which we can be saved This is God's Institution and the main Engin he useth to convert Souls Luke 16.31 If they hear not Moses and the Prophets neither will they be perswaded tho' one arose from the Dead If an Angel should come to you out of Heaven and preach of the Excellency of the glorified Estate and the Joys of Heaven and that in the most Pathetical manner if the Word preached doth not perswade neither would you be wrought upon by such an Oration from Heaven If a damned Spirit should come from Hell and preach to you in Flames and tell you what a place Hell is and roar out the Torments of the Damned it might make you tremble but it would not convert if the Preaching of the Word would not do it 2. To come to the Word and not be savingly wrought upon is that which the Devil is pleas'd with He cares not tho' you hear frequently if it be not effectually He is not an Enemy to Hearing but Profiting Tho' the Minister holds out the Breast of the Ordinance to you he cares not as long as you do not suck the sincere Milk of the VVord The Devil cares not how many Sermon-Pills you take so long as they do not work upon your Conscience 3. If the VVord preached be not effectual to Men's Conversion it will be effectual to their Condemnation The VVord will be effectual one way or other if it doth not make your Hearts better it will make your Chains heavier VVe pity them who have not the Word preached but it will be worse with them who are not sanctified by it Dreadful is their Case who go loaden to Hell with Sermons But I will conclude with the Apostle Heb. 6.9 I am perswaded better things of you and things that accompany Salvation Matth. XXVIII 19 Go ye therefore and teach all Nations Baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Teaching them We are still upon that Question in the Catechism Quest. What are the Outward Means whereby Christ communicates to us the Benefits of Redemption Answ. They are his Ordinances especially the Word Sacraments and Prayers I have spoken to the First The Word Read and Preached I now proceed to the Second II. The Way whereby Christ communicates to us the Benefits of Redemption is in the Vse of the Sacraments Quest. 1. What are Sacraments in general Resp. They are Visible Signs of Invisible Grace Quest. 2. Is not the Word of God sufficient to Salvation What need then is there of Sacraments Resp. We must not be wise above what is written This may satisfie it is God's Will that his Church should have Sacraments And it is God's Goodness thus by Sacraments to condescend to our weak Capacities Iohn 4.48 Except ye see Signs ye will not believe God to strengthen our Faith confirms the Covenant of Grace not only by Promises but by Sacramental Signs Quest. 3. What are the Sacraments of the New Testament Resp. Two Baptism and the Lord's Supper Quest. 4. But are there no more The Papists tell us of Five more viz. Confirmation Penance Matrimony Orders and the Extream Unction Resp. 1. There were but Two Sacraments under the Law therefore there are no more now 1 Cor. 10.2 3 4. 2. These two Sacraments are sufficient The one signifying our Entrance into Christ and the other our Growth and Perseverance in him 1. I begin with the First Sacrament Baptism Go ye therefore and Teach all Nations Baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Teaching them Go teach all Nations The Greek VVord is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Make Disciples of all Nations If it be asked How should we make them Disciples It follows Baptizing them and teaching them In an Heathen Nation first Teach them and then Baptize them but in a Christian Church first Baptize them and then Teach them Quest. 5. What is Baptism Resp. In General it is a Matriculation or Visible Admission of Children into the Congregation of Christ's Flock More particularly Baptism is a Sacrament wherein the washing or sprinkling with Water in the Name of the Father Son and
Celebrate the Lord's Supper an Officer stood up and cried 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Holy things for Holy Men And then several of the Congregation were to depart I would have my Hand cut off saith Chrysostom rather than I would give Christ's Body and Blood to the Profane The wicked do not eat Christ's Flesh but tear it they do not drink his Blood but spill it These Holy Mysteries in the Sacraments are tremenda mysteria Mysteries that the Soul is to tremble at Sinners defile the Holy things of God they poyson the Sacramental Cup. We read that the wicked are to be set at Christ's Feet Psal. 110. not at his Table Quest. 7. How may we receive the Supper of the Lord worthily that so it may become effectual to us Resp. That we may receive it worthily and it may become Efficacious 1. We must solemnly prepare our selves before we come We must not rush upon the Ordinance rudely and irreverently but come in due order There was a great deal of Preparation to the Passover 2 Chron. 30.18 19. And the Sacrament comes in the room of it Quest. Wherein doth this Solemn Preparing for the Ordinance consist Resp. 1. In Examining our selves 2. In Dressing our Souls before we come which is by washing in the Water of Repentance 3. By exciting the Habit of Grace into Exercise 4. In begging a Blessing upon the Ordinance 1. Solemn Preparing for the Sacrament consists in Self-examining 1 Cor. 11.28 But let a Man examin himself and so let him eat It is not only a Counsel but a Charge Let him examin himself As if a King should say Let it be enacted Jesus Christ having by his Institution consecrated these Elements in the Supper to an high Mystery they represent his Body and Blood Therefore there must be Preparation and if Preparation then there must be first Examining our selves without which there can be no Preparation Let us be serious in this examining our selves our Salvation depends upon it We are curious in examining other things We will not take Gold but examine it by the Touch-stone We will not take Land but we will examine the Title And shall not we be as exact and curious in examining the state of our Souls Quest. 1. What is required to this Self-examining Resp. There must be a Solemn Retiring of the Soul We must set our selves apart and retire for some time from all Secular Employment that we may be more serious in this Work There is no casting up of Accounts in a Crowd nor can we examin our selves when we are in a Crowd of Worldly Businesses We read a Man that was in a Iourney might not come to the Passover Numb 9.13 because his Mind was full of Secular Cares and his Thoughts were taken up about his Journey When we are upon Self-examining-work we had not need be in an Hurry or have any distracting Thoughts but retire and lock up our selves in our Closet that we may be more intent in the Work Quest. 2. What is Self-examination Resp. It is a setting up a Court in Conscience and keeping a Register there that by a strict Scrutiny a Man may see how Matters stand between God and his Soul Self-examination is a Spiritual Inquisition an Heart-Anatomy whereby a Man takes his Heart as a Watch all in pieces and sees what is defective there It is a Dialogue with ones self Psal. 77.7 I commune with my own Heart David call'd himself to Account and put Interrogatories to his own Heart Self-examining is a critical Descant or Search as the Woman in the Parable did light a Candle and search for her lost Groat Luke 15.8 So Conscience is the Candle of tâ—â— Lord. Search with this Candle what thou canst find wrought by the Spirit in thee Quest. 3. What is the Rule by which we must Examine our selves Resp. The Rule or Measure we must Examine our selves by is the Holy Scripture We must not make Fancy or the good Opinion which others have of us the Rule by which we judge of our selves But as the Goldsmith brings his Gold to the Touch-stone so must we bring our Hearts to a Scripture Touch-stone To the Law to the Testimony Isa. 8.20 What saith the Word Are we divorced from Sin Are we renewed by the Spirit Let the Word decide whether we are fit Communicants or no. We judge of Colours by the Sun so must we judge of the state of our Souls by the Sun-light of Scripture Quest. 4. What are the cogent Reasons why we must Examine our selves before we approach to the Lord's Table Resp. 1. It is a Duty imposed Let him examine himself The Passover was not to be eaten Raw Exod. 12.19 To come to such an Ordinance slightly without Examination is to come in an undue manner and is like Eating the Passover Raw. 2. We must examine our selves before we come because it is not only a Duty imposed but opposed There is nothing the Heart naturally is more averse from than Self-exemination We may know that Duty is good which the Heart opposeth But why doth the Heart so oppose it Because it doth cross the Tide of Corrupt Nature 't is contrary to Flesh and Blood The Heart is guilty and doth a guilty Person love to be examined The Heart opposeth it therefore the rather set upon it That Duty is good which the Heart opposeth 3. Because Self-examining is so needful a Work as appears 1. Without Self-examination a Man can never tell how it is with him whether he hath Grace or no and this must needs be very uncomfortable He knows not if he should die presently what will become of him or to what Coast he shall sail whether to Hell or Heaven As Socrates said I am about to die and the gods know whether I shall be happy or miserable How needful therefore is Self-examination that a Man by Search may come to know the true state of his Soul and may guess how it will go with him to Eternity 2. Self-examination is needful in respect of the Excellency of the Sacrament Let him eat de illo Pane Of that Bread 1 Cor. 11.28 That excellent Bread that consecrated Bread that Bread which is not only the Bread of the Lord but the Bread the Lord. Let him drink de illo Poculo Of that Cup that precious Cup which is perfum'd and spic'd with Christ's Love that Cup which holds the Blood of God Sacramentally Cleopatra put a Jewel in a Cup which contained the price of a Kingdom This Sacred Cup we are to drink of enriched with the Blood of God is above the Price of a Kingdom It is more worth than Heaven Therefore coming to such a Royal Feast having whole Christ his Divine and Humane Nature to feed on how should we examine our selves before-hand that we may be fit Guests for such a Magnificent Banquet 3. Self-examining is needful because God will examine us That was a sad Question Matth. 22.12 Friend how camest thou in hither
and engraving of the Holy Ghost upon the Soul The new born Christian is bespangled with the Jewels of the 〈◊〉 which are the Angels glory Regeneration is the spring of all true joy At our first birth we come weeping into the World but at our new birth there 's cause of rejoycing for now God is our Father and we are begotten to a lively hope of glory 1 Pet. 1.3 We may try by this our relation to God Hath a regenerating work of Gods Spirit passed upon our Souls Are we made of another Spirit Humble and Heavenly This is a good sign of Son-ship and we may say Our Father which art in Heaven 3. By having the conduct of the Spirit We are led by the Spirit Rom. 8.14 As many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the Sons of God Gods Spirit doth not only quicken us in our Regeneration but leads us on till we come to the end of our Faith Salvation It is not enough the Child have Life but he must be led every step by the Nurse Hos. 11.3 I taught Ephraim to go taking them by their armes Their Armes as the Israelites had the Cloud and Pillar of Fire to go before them and be a guide to them so Gods Spirit is a guide to go before us and lead us into all truth and counsel us in all our doubts and influence us in all our actions Psalm 73.24 Thou shalt guide me by thy counsels None can call God Father but such as have the conduct of his Spirit Try then what Spirit you are led by Such as are led by a Spirit of Envy Lust Avarice these are not led by the Spirit of God it were blasphemy for them to call God Father These are led by the Spirit of Satan and may say Our Father which art in Hell 4. By having the Witness of the Spirit Rom. 8.16 The Spirit it self beareth witness with our Spirit that we are the Children of God This Witness of the Spirit suggesting that God is our Father is not a Vocal Witness or Voice from Heaven The Spirit in the Word witnesseth The Spirit in the Word saith he who is so qualified who is an hater of Sin and a lover of Holiness is a Child of God and God is his Father if I can find such qualifications wrought here is the Spirit witnessing with my Spirit that I am a Child of God Besides we may carry it higher the Spirit of God witnesseth to our Spirit by making more than ordinary impressions upon our hearts and giving some secret hints and whispers that God hath purposes of Love to us Here is a concurrent witness of the Spirit with Conscience that we are Heirs of Heaven and God is our Father This Witness is better felt than expressed this Witness scatters doubts and fears silenceth temptations but what shall one do that hath not this Witness of the Spirit If we wâ—â—t the Witness of the Spirit let us labour to find the Work of the Spirit if we have not the Spirit testifying labour to have it sanctifying and that will be a support to us 4. If God be our Father we are of Peaceable Spirits Matth. 5.9 Blessed are the peace-makers they shall be called the children of God Grace infuseth a sweet amicable disposition it files off the ruggedness of Mens Spirits it turns the Lion-like fierceness into a Lamb-like gentleness Isa. 11.7 They who have God to be their Father follow Peace as well as Holiness God the Father is called the God of Peace Heb. 13.20 God the Son the Prince of Peace Isa. 9.6 God the Holy Ghost is a Spirit of Peace It is called the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace Eph. 4.3 The more peaceable the more like God It is a bad sign God is not their Father 1. Who are fierce and cruel as if with Romulus they had sucked the Milk of a Wolf Rom. 3.17 The way of peace have they not known they sport in mischief these are they who are of a persecuting Spirit as Maximinus Dioclesian Antiochus who as Eusebius took more tedious journeys and run more hazards in vexing and persecuting the Iewes than any of his Predecessors had done in getting of Victories These Furies cannot call God Father if they do they will have as little comfort in saying Father as Dives had in Hell when he said Father Abraham Luke 16.24 2. Who are makers of division Rom. 16.17 Mark them which cause divisions and avoid them Such as are born of God are makers of Peace what shall we think of such as are makers of Division will God Father these The Devil made the first division in Heaven they may call the Devil Father they may give the Cloven Foot in their Coat of Armes their sweetest Musick is in Discord they unite to divide Sampsons Fox-tails were tyed together only to set the Philistians Corn on fire Iudg. 15 4. Papists unite only to set the Churches Peace on fire· Satans Kingdom goes up by Divisions St. Chrysostome observes of the Church of Corinth when many Converts were brought in Satan knew no better way to dam up the current of Religion than to throw in an Apple of Strife and divide them into Parties one was for Paul and another for Apollos but few for Christ. Would not Christ have his Coat rent and can he endure to have his Body rent Sure God will never Father them who are not Sons of Peace Of all them who God hates he is named for one who is a sower of discord among brethren Prov. 6.19 5. If God be our Father then we love to be near God and have converse with him An ingenuous Child delights to approach near to his Father and go into his presence David envyed the Birds that they built their Nests so near Gods Altars when he was debarred his Fathers house Psal. 84.3 True Saints love to get as near to God as they can In the Word they draw near to his Holy Oracle in the Sacrament they draw near to his Table a Child of God delights to be in his Fathers presence he cannot stay away long from God he sees a Sabbath day approaching and rejoyceth his heart hath been often melted and quickened in a Ordinance he hath tasted the Lord is good therefore he loves to be in his Fathers presence he cannot keep away long from God Such as care not for Ordinances cannot say Our Father which art in Heaven Is God their Father who cannot endure to be in his presence VSE I. Of Instruction See the amazing goodness of God that is pleased to enter into this sweet relation of a Father God needed not to adopt us he did not want a Son God did not want a Son but we did a Father God showed Power in being our Maker but Mercy in being our Father When we were enemies and our hearts stood out as garrisons against God that he should conquer our stubbornness and of enemies make us children and write his
his Son Doth God command Parents to instruct their Children Leut. 4.10 and will not he instruct his Isa. 48.17 I am the Lord thy God which teacheth thee to profit Psal. 71.17 O God thou hast taught me from my youth If God be our Father he will give us the teachings of his Spirit The natural man receives not the things of God neither can he know them 1 Cor. 2.14 The Natural Man may have excellent notions in Divinity but God must teach us to know the Mysteries of the Gospel after a Spiritual manner A Man may see the figures upon a Dyal but he cannot tell how the day goes unless the Sun shine We may read many Truths in the Bible but we cannot know them savingly till God by his Spirit shine upon our Soul God teacheth not only our Ear but our Heart he not only informs our Mind but inclines our Will we never learn till God teach us If God be our Father he will teach us how to order our affairs with discretion Psalm 112.5 how to carry our selves wisely 1 Sam. 18.5 David behaved himself wisely he will teach us what to answer when we are brought before Governours he will put words into our mouths Matth. 10.18 19 20. Ye shall be brought before Governours and Kings for my sake but take no thought how or what ye shall speak For it is not ye that speak but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you 2. If God be our Father then he hath Bowels of Affection towards us If it be so unnatural for a Father not to love his Child can we think God will be defective in his Love All the affections of Parents come from God but a spark from his flame He is the Father of Mercies 2 Cor. 1.3 he begets all the Mercies and Bowels in the Creature His Love to his Children is a Love which passeth knowledge Eph. 3.19 it exceeds all dimensions it is higher than Heaven it is broader than the Sea That you may see Gods Fatherly Love to his Children 1. Consider God makes a precious valuation of them Isa. 43.4 Since thou wast precious in my sight A Father prizeth his Child above his Jewels their names are precious for they have Gods own name written upon them Rev. 3.12 I will write upon him the name of my God Their Prayers are a precious perfume their Tears God bottles Psal. 56.8 God esteems his Children as a Crown of glory in his hand Isa. 62.3 2. God loves the places they were born in the better for their sakes Psal. 87.6 Of Sion it shall be said this man was born there this and that Believer was born there God loves the ground his Children tread upon Hence Iudea the seat of Gods Children and Chosen God calls a delightsome Land Mal. 3.12 It was not only pleasant for Scituation and Fruitfulness but because Gods Children who were his Hephsibab or Delight lived there 3. He chargeth the great ones of the World not to prejudice his Children their Persons are sacred Psal. 105.14 He suffered no man to do them wrong yea he reproved Kings for their sakes saying Touch not mine anointed By Anointed is meant the Children of the High God who have the Unction of the Spirit and are set apart for God 4. God delights in their company he loves to see their Countenance and hear their Voice Cant. 2.14 he cannot refrain long from their company Let but two or three of his Children meet and pray together he will be sure to be among them Matth. 18.20 Where two or three are gathered together in my name I am in the midst of them 5. God bears his Children in his Bosom as a nursing Father doth the sucking Child Numb 11.12 Isa. 46.4 To be carried in Gods Bosom shows how near his Children lye to his Heart 6. God is full of sollicitous care for them 1 Pet. 5.7 He careth for you His eye is still upon them they are never out of his thoughts A Father cannot always take care for his Child he sometimes is asleep but God is a Father that never sleeps Psal. 121.4 He neither slumbereth nor sleepeth 7. He thinks nothing too good to part with to his Children He gives them the Kidneys of the Wheat and Honey out of the Rock and Wine on the Lees well refined Isa. 25.6 He gives them three Jewels more worth than Heaven the Blood of his Son the Grace of his Spirit the Light of his Countenance Never was there such an indulgent affectionate Father 8. If God hath one Love better than other he bestows it upon them they have the cream and quintessence of his Love He will rejoyce over thee he will rest in his love Zeph. 3.17 God loves his Children with such a love as he loves Christ Iohn 17.26 it is the same love for the unchangeableness of it God will no more cease to love his Adopted Sons then he will to love his Natural Son 3. If God be our Father he will be full of sympathy Psal. 103.13 As a Father pityeth his Children so the Lord pityeth them that fear him Ier. 31.20 Is Ephraim my dear Son my bowels are troubled for him God pityes his Children in Two Cases 1. In Case of Infirmities 2. Injuries 1. In Case of Infirmities If the Child be deformed or hath any â—odily distemper the Father pityes it If God be our Father he pityes our weaknesses and he so pityes them as to heal them Isa. 57.18 I have seen his wayes and will heal him As God hath Bowels to pity so he hath Balsam to heal 2. In Case of Injuries Every blow of the Child goes to the Fathers heart when the Saints suffer God doth sympathize Isa. 63.9 In all their afflictions he was afflicted He did as it were bleed in their Wounds Saul Saul why persecutest thou me When the foot was trod on the head cryed out Iudg. 10.16 Gods Soul was grieved for the children of Israel As when one string in a Lute is touched all the rest of the strings sound When Gods Children are stricken his Bowels sound Zach. 2.8 He that toucheth you toucheth the apple of my eye 4. If God be our Father he will take notice of the least good he sees in us if there be but a sigh for Sin God hears it Psal. 38.9 My groaning is not hid from thee if there be but a penitential tear comes out of our eye God sees it Isa. 38.5 I have seen thy tears If there be but a good intention God takes notice 1 Kings 8.18 Whereas it was in thy heart to build an house to my name thou didst well that it was in thine heart God punisheth intentional wickedness and crowns intentional goodness Thou didst well that it was in thy heart God takes notice of the least scintilla the least spark of grace in his Children 1 Pet. 3.6 Sarah obeyed Abraham calling him Lord. The Holy Ghost doth not mention Sarahs unbelief or laughing at the Promise he puts a finger upon
Glory upon our Bodies We shall be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as the Angels not for substance but quality our Bodies shall be agile and nimble now our Bodies are as a weight then they shall be as a wing moving swiftly from place to place our Bodies shall be full of clarity and brightness like Christs glorious Body Phil. 3.21 The Bodies of the Saints shall be as Cloth dyed into a Scarlet colour made more illustrious they shall be so clear and transparent that the Soul shall sparkle through them as the Wine through the Glass 2. God will put Glory upon our Souls If the Cabinet of the Body shall be so illustrious of what orient brightness shall the Jewel be Then will be the great Coronation-day when the Saints shall wear the Robe of Immortality and the Crown of Righteousness which fades not away O how glorious will that Garland be which is made of the Flowers of Paradise Who then would not hallow and glorifie Gods Name and spread his renown in the World who will put such immortal Honour upon his People as eye hath not seen nor ear heard nor can it enter into the heart of man to conceive 7. Vlt. Such as do not hallow Gods Name but profane and dishonour it God will pour contempt upon them though they be never so great and though cloathed in Purple and Scarlet yet they are abhorred of God and their name shall rot Though the name of Iudas be in the Bible and the name of Pontius Pilate be in the Creed yet their names stand there for Infamy as being Traytors to the Crown of Heaven Nahum 1.14 I will make thy grave for thou art vile It is spoken of Antiochus Epiphanes he was a King and his name signifie◠Illustrious yet God esteemed him a vile Person to show how base the wicked are in Gods esteem he compares them to things most vile to chaff Psal. 1.4 to dross Psal. 119.118 and the filth that fomes out of the Sea Isa. 57.20 and as God doth thus vilely esteem of such as do not hallow his Name so he sends them to a vile place at last Vagrants are sent to the House of Correction Hell is the House of Correction which the Wicked are sent to when they dye Let all this prevail with us to hallow and sanctifie Gods Name Quest. What may we do to honour and sanctifie Gods Name Answ. Let us get 1. A sound Knowledge of God 2. A sincere Love to God 1. A sound Knowledge of God Take a view of his superlative Excellencies his Holiness his incomprehensible Goodness The Angels know God better than we therefore they sanctifie his Name and sing Hallelujahs to him and let us labour to know him to be our God Psal. 48.14 This God is our God We may dread God as a Judge but we cannot honour him as a Father till we know he is our God 2. Get a sincere Love to God A Love of Appretiation and a Love of Complacency to delight in him Iohn 21.15 Lord thou knowest I love thee He can never honour his Master who doth not love him The reason Gods Name is no more hallowed is because his name is no more loved So much for the First Petition MATTH vi 10 Thy Kingdom come A Soul truly devoted to God joyns heartily in this Petition Adveniat Regnum tuum Thy Kingdom come In which words this great Truth is implyed that God is a King he who hath a Kingdom can be no less than a King Ps. 47.7 God is King of all the earth And he is a King upon his Throne Psal. 47.8 God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness 1. He hath a Regal Title High and Mighty Isa. 57.15 Thus saith the high and lofty one 2. He hath the Ensigns of Royalty his Sword Deut. 32.41 If I whet my glittering sword He hath his Scepter Heb. 1.8 A scepter of Righteousness is the scepter of thy Kingdom 3. He hath his Crown Royal Rev. 19.12 On his head were many crowns he hath his Iura Regalia his Kingly Prerogatives he hath power to make Lawes to seal Pardons which are the Flowers and Jewels belonging to his Crown Thus the Lord is King And 2. He is a great King Psal. 95.3 A great King above all Gods He is great in and of himself and not like other Kings who are made great by their Subjects That he is so great a King appears 1. By the immenseness of his Being Ier. 23.24 Do not I fill heaven and earth saith the Lord. His center is every where he is no where included yet no where excluded he is so immensly great That the heaven of heavens cannot contain him 1 Kings 8.27 2. His greatness appears by the effects of his Power He made heaven and earth Psal. 124.8 and can unmake it God can with a Breath crumble us to dust with a Word he can unpin the World and break the Axle-Tree of it in pieces He pours contempt upon the mighty Iob 12.21 He cuts off the spirit of Princes Psal. 76.12 He is Lord Paramount who doth whatever he will Psal. 115.2 He weigheth the mountains in scales and the hills in a ballance Isa. 40.12 3. God is a Glorious King Psal. 24.10 Who is this King of Glory the Lord of Hosts he is the King of Glory He hath internal Glory Psal. 93.1 The Lord reigneth he is cloathed with majesty Other Kings have Royal and Sumptuous Apparel to make them appear glorious to the beholders but all their Glory and Magnificence is borrowed but God is cloathed with Majesty his own Glorious Essence is instead of Royal Robes and he hath girded himself with strength Kings have their guard about them to defend their Persons because they are not able to defend themselves but God needs no guard or assistance from others He hath girded himself with strength His own Power is his Life-guard Psal. 89.6 Who in the heaven can be compared unto the Lord who among the Sons of the mighty can be likened unto the Lord God hath a prehiminence above all other Kings for Majesty Rev. 19.16 He hath on his vesture a name written Rex Regum King of Kings He hath the highest Throne the richest Crown the largest Dominions and the longest Possession Psal. 29.10 The Lord sitteth King for ever Though God hath many Heirs yet no Successors He sets up his Throne where no other King doth he rules the Will and Affections his Power binds the Conscience Angels serve him all the Kings of the Earth hold their Crowns and Diadems by immediate tenure from this great King Prov. 8.15 By me Kings reign and to this Lord Iehovah all Kings must give account and from Gods Tribunal there is no appeal VSE I. Br. 1. If God be so great a King and sits King for ever then it is no disparagement for us to serve him Deo servire est regnare It is an Honour to serve a King If the Angels fly swiftly upon the King of Heavens message Dan.
the Bible Object 5. Where the Kingdom of Grace comes it softens the heart but I find my heart frozen and congealed into hardness I can hardly squeeze out one tear Do Flowers grow on a Rock can there be any Grace in such a rocky heart Answ. 1. There may be grief where there are no tears The best sorrow is rational In your judgment you esteem sin the most hyperbolical evil you have a disgust and displacency against sin this is a rational sorrow and such as God will accept 2. A Christian may have some hardness in his heart yet not have an hard heart subjectum a praestantiori parte A field may have Tares in it yet we call it a field of Wheat in the best heart is a mixture of hardness yet because there is some softness and melting God looks upon it as a soft heart therefore Christian dispute not against thy self if thou canst find but one thing that the frame and temper of thy Soul be holy art thou still breathing after God delighting in him is the complexion of thy Soul Heavenly Canst thou say as David Psal. 139.17 When I awake I am still with thee As Colours laid in Oyl or a Statue carved in Gold abide so doth an holy complexion the Soul is still pointing towards God If it be thus with thee assure thy self the Kingdom of Grace is come into thy Soul be not unkind to God to deny any work of his Spirit which he hath wrought in thee VSE I. Of Exhortation Labour to find that this Kingdom of Grace is set up in your hearts while others aspire after Earthly Kingdoms labour to have the Kingdom of God within you Luke 17.21 The Kingdom of Grace must come into us before we can go into the Kingdom of Glory Motives 1. Motive This Kingdom of God within us is our Spiritual Beauty the Kingdom of Grace adorns a person and sets him off in the eyes of God and Angels This makes the Kings daughter all glorious 〈◊〉 Psal. 45.13 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrys. Grace sheds a glory and lustre upon 〈◊〉 Soul As the Diamond to the Ring so is Grace to the Soul An heart beautified with Grace hath the King of Heavens picture hung in it 2. Motive The Kingdom of Grace set up in the heart is our Spiritual Defence Grace is called the armour of light Rom. 13.12 It is light for beauty and armour for defence He who hath the Kingdom of Grace within him is strengthened with all might according to Gods glorious power Col. 1.11 he hath the shield of Faith the helmet of Hope the breast-plate of Righteousness This armour can never be shot through it fortifies a Christian against the assaults of Temptation and the terrours of Hell 3. Motive The Kingdom of Grace set up in the heart brings Peace with it Rom. 14.17 The kingdom of God is righteousness and peace There is a secret Peace breeds out of Holiness Peace is the best Blessing of a Kingdom Pax una triumphis innumeris melior The Kingdom of Grace is a Kingdom of Peace Grace is the root Peace is the flower grows out of it it is Pax in procella such Peace that no worldly affliction can shake The doors of Solomons Temple were made of Olive-tree carved with open flowers 1 Kings 6.32 in a gracious heart is the olive of Peace and the open flowers of Joy 4. Motive The Kingdom of Grace enricheth the Soul A Kingdom hath its riches A Believer is said to be rich in faith Iam. 2.5 how rich is he who hath God for his God who is heir to all the Promises Heb. 6.17 A Man may be rich in Bills and Bonds a Believer though he may say as Peter Silver and gold have I none Acts 3.6 yet he is rich in Bills and Bonds he is Heir to all Gods Promises and to be Heir to the Promise is better than to be Heir to the Crown 5. Motive When the Kingdom of Grace comes it doth fix and establish the heart Psal. 57.7 O God my heart is fixed Before the Kingdom of Grace comes the heart is very unfixed and unsettled like a Ship without a ballast like Quick-silver that cannot be made to fix but when the Kingdom of Grace comes it doth stabilire animum it fixeth the heart upon God and when the heart is fixed it rests quiet as in its center 6. Motive This Kingdom of Grace is distinguishing it is a sure pledge of Gods love God may give Kingdoms in anger but where ever the Kingdom of Grace is set up it is in love God cannot give Grace in anger The Crown alwayes goes with this Kingdom let us therefore be ambitious of this Kingdom of Grace Quest. How shall we do to obtain this Kingdom Answ. 1. In General Take pains for it We cannot have the World without labour and do we think to have Grace If thou seekest her as silver Prov. 2.3 A Man may as well expect a crop without sowing as Grace without labour We must not think to have Grace as Israel had Manna they did not plough or sow but it was rained down from Heaven upon them no we must operam dare take pains for Grace Our Salvation cost Christ blood it will cost us sweat 2. Let us go to God to set up this Kingdom of Grace in our hearts God is called the God of all grace 1 Pet. 5.10 Say Lord I want this Kingdom of Grace I want an humble believing heart O enrich me with Grace let thy Kingdom come and be importunate suitors As Achsah said to her Father Caleb Iosh. 15.19 Thou hast given me a south-land give me also springs of water So Lord thou hast given me enough of the World here is a South-land but Lord give me the upper springs of Grace let thy Kingdom come What is the Venison thou hast given me without the Blessing When we are importunate with God and will take no denyal then he will set up his Kingdom within us 3. Keep close to the Word preached the Word preached is virga virtutis the rod of Gods strength it is the great engine God useth for the setting up the Kingdom of Grace in the heart Rom. 10.17 Faith comes by hearing Though God could work Grace immediately by his Spirit or by the ministry of Angels from Heaven yet he chooseth to work by the Word preached this is the usual means by which he sets up the Kingdom of Grace in the heart and the reason is because he hath put his divine sanction upon it he hath appointed it for the means of working Grace and he will honour his own Ordinance 1 Cor. 1.21 What reason could be given why the Waters of Damascus should not have as soveraign vertue to heal Naamans Leprosie as the Waters of Iordan only this because God did appoint and sanctifie the Waters of Iordan to heal and not the other Therefore let us keep to the Word preached because the power of God goes along with it VSE
temptation Satan is not yet fully east into Prison but is like a Prisoner that goes under bail he walks about tempting he labours to trappan us into sin he is either laying of snares or shooting of darts Stat in procinctu Diabolus He laid a train of temptation to blow up the castle of Iobs Faith This is a great grief to a Believer to be followed with temptations to sin as it is for a Virgin to have her Chastity assaulted but in the Kingdom of Heaven the Saints shall be freed from the Red Dragon he is cast out of Paradise and shall be for ever lock'd up in Chains Iude 6 7. In the Kingdom of Heaven we shall be freed from all vexing cares The Greek word for care 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 comes from a Primitive that signifies to cut the heart in pieces Care discruciates the Mind it wasts the Spirits it eats out the comfort of Life Care is an evil spirit that haunts us Care to prevent future dangers and preserve present co 〈…〉 all care is full of fear and fear is full of torment 1 Iohn 4.18 God threatens it as a Judgment Ezek. 12.19 They shall eat their bread with carefulness Every Comfort hath its Care as every Rose its Prickle but in the Kingdom of Heaven we shall shake off this viper of Care What needs a Saint glorified to take any Care who hath all things provided to his hand There is the Tree of Life bearing all sorts of Fruit. When the Heart shall be freed from Sin the Head shall be freed from Care 8. We shall in the Kingdom of Heaven be freed from all Doubts and Scruples In this Life the best Saint hath his doubtings as the brightest Star its twinkling If there were no doubtings there would be no unbelief Assurance it self doth not exclude all doubting Psal. 26.3 Thy loving kindness is before mine eyes but at another time Psal. 89.49 Lord where are thy former loving kindnesses A Christian is like a Ship at Anchor which though it be safe yet it may sometimes be tossed upon the Water Sometimes a Christian questions his interest in Christ and his title to the Promise and these doubtings as they eclipse a Christians Comfort so they are a bearing false witness against the Spirit But when the Saints shall come into the Kingdom of Heaven there shall be no more doubtings then a Christian shall say as Peter Now I know of a surety that the Lord hath sent his Angel and delivered me Acts 12.11 So now I know that I am passed from Death to Life now I am got beyond all Rocks I have shot the gulph now I am in my Saviours embraces for ever 9. We shall in the Kingdom of Heaven be freed from all society with the Wicked Here we are forced sometime to be in their company Psal. 120.5 Wo is me that I dwell in Mesech and sojourn in the tents of Kedar Kedar was Ishmaels Son whose Children dwelt in Arabia a profane barbarous People Here the Wicked are still raising Persecutions against the Godly and crucifying their eares with their Oaths and Curses Christs Lilly is among Thorns but in the Heavenly Kingdom there shall be no more any pricking bryar Matth. 13.41 The Son of man shall send forth his Angels and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend As Moses said Exod. 14.13 Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day ye shall see them again no more for ever So will God say Stand still and see the Salvation of God these your enemies that vex and molest you you shall see them again no more for ever At that day God will separate the precious from the vile then Christ will throughly purge his Floor he will gather the Wheat into the Garner and the Wicked which are the Chaff shall be blown into Hell 10. We shall in the Kingdom of Heaven be freed from all signs of Gods displeasure Here God may be angry with his People Though he hath the heart of a Father he may have the look of an enemy this is sad As when the Sun is gone the Dew falls when the Light of Gods Face is gone Tears drop from the Saints Eyes but in the Kingdom of Heaven there shall be no spiritual eclipses there shall never appear any tokens of Gods displeasure the Saints shall have a constant aspect of Love from God they shall never complain any more as Cant. 5.6 My beloved hath withdrawn himself 11. We shall in the Kingdom of Heaven be freed from all Divisions That which is the saddest thing in the World is to see divisions among them that are good 'T is sad that such as have one Faith yet should not be of one Heart Ephraim envies Iudah and Iudah vexeth Ephraim 'T is matter of tears to see those who are united to Christ to be divided one from another The Soldiers spear pierced Christs side but the divisions of Saints wound his heart but in the Kingdom of Heaven there shall be no vilifying one another or censuring Those who before could hardly pray together shall praise God together there shall not be one jarring string in the Saints Musick 12. We shall in the Kingdom of Heaven be freed from Vanity and Dissatisfaction What Solomon saith of Wisdom Iob 28.14 The depth saith it is not in me and the sea saith it is not with me The same may I say concerning satisfaction every Creature faith It is not in me Take things most pleasing and which we promise our selves most content from still out the Spirits and purest Quintessence of them and we shall say as he did Eccles. 2.11 And behold all was vanity God never did or will put a satisfying vertue into any Creature In the sweetest musick the World makes either there is some string wanting or out of tune Who would have thought that Haman who was so great in the Kings favour He set his seat above all the princes of the provinces Esther 3.1 yet for want of the bowing of a knee he was dissatisfied but in the Kingdom of Heaven we shall be freed from these dissatisfactions The World is like a Landskip you may see Gardens and Fruit-trees curiously drawn in the Landskip but you cannot enter into them but you may enter into the Joyes of Heaven Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord the Soul shall be satisfied while it bathes in those rivers of pleasure at Gods Right-hand I shall be satisfied when I awake with thy likeness Psal. 17.15 Thus you see what the Kingdom of Glory implyes Namely A Blessed Freedom from all Evil. 13. We shall in the Kingdom of Heaven be freed from the Torments of Hell 1 Thess. 1.10 Iesus which delivered us from the wrath to come 1. The multiplicity of these Torments In this Life the Body is usually exercised but with one pain the Stone or Head-ache but in Hell there is a diversity of Torments there is Darkness
replyed Dilexi dilexi I have loved I have loved and strait-way he was by a convoy of Angels translated to Glory Love is a sacred Fire kindled in the breast in the flames of this Fire the devout Soul ascends to Heaven 10. If we would obtain this Heavenly Kingdom let us labour for Sincerity Prov. 28.18 Whosoever walketh uprightly shall be saved The sincere Christian may fall short of some degrees of Grace but he never falls short of the Kingdom God will pass by many failings where the heart is right Numb 23.21 True Gold though it be light hath grains of allowance Psal. 51.6 Thou desirest truth in the inward parts Sincerity is the sauce which seasons all our Actions and makes them savoury it is the ingredient into every Grace It is called Faith unfeigned 2 Tim. 1.5 and Love 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in sincerity Eph. 6.24 Coyn will not go currant that wants the Kings stamp Grace is not currant if it be not stamped with Sincerity Glorious Duties sowred with Hypocrisie are rejected when great Infirmities sweetned with Sincerity are accepted If any thing in the World bring us to Heaven it is Sincerity Sincerity signifies plainness of heart Psal. 32.2 In whose Spirit there is no guile The plainer the Diamond is the richer 1. Sincerity is when we serve God with our heart we do not only worship him but love him Cain brought his Sacrifice but not his Heart This is Gods delight a Sacrifice flaming upon the Altar of the Heart A sincere Christian though he hath a double principle in him Flesh and Spirit yet he hath not a double heart his heart is for God 2. Sincerity is when we aim purely at God in all we do The Glory of God is more worth than the Salvation of all Mens Souls A sincere Christian though he comes short in Duty yet he takes a right aim As the herb Heliotropium turns about according to the motion of the Sun so a Godly Mans actions do all move towards the Glory of God 11. If we would obtain the Heavenly Kingdom let us keep up fervency in Duty What is a dead form without the power Rev. 3.16 Because thou art luke-warm neither hot nor cold I will spue thee out of my mouth Fervency puts life into Duty Rom. 12.11 Fervent in Spirit serving God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Boyling over Christ prayed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 yet more earnestly Luke 22.44 When the Fire on the Golden Censer was ready to go out Aaron was to put more Coals to the Incense Praying with Devotion is putting more Coals to the Incense 't is not Formality but Fervency will bring us to Heaven The Formalist is like Ephraim a Cake not turned hot on one side and dough on the other In the external part of Gods Worship he seems to be hot but as for the Spiritual part of Gods Worship he is cold Oh if you would have the Kingdom of Heaven keep up heat and fervour in Duty Eliah was carried up to Heaven in a fiery Chariot if you would go to Heaven you must be carried thither in a fiery Chariot of Zeal 'T is violence takes the Kingdom of Heaven 12. If we would arrive at the Heavenly Kingdom let us cherish the motions of Gods Spirit in our hearts The Marriner may spread his Sails but the Ship cannot get to the Haven without a gale of Wind so we may spread the sails of our endeavour but we cannot get to the Haven of Glory without the North and South-wind of Gods Spirit blow how nearly therefore doth it concern us to make much of the motions of Gods Spirit motions to Prayer motions to Repentance 2 Sam. 5.24 When thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry-trees that then thou shalt bestir thy self for then shall the Lord go out before thee So when we hear as it were a voice within us a secret inspiration stirring us up to good Duties we should then bestir our selves while the Spirit works in us we should work with the Spirit Many Men have Gods Spirit striving with them he puts good motions in their hearts and holy purposes but they neglecting to prosecute these good motions the Spirit is thereby grieved and being grieved withdraws its assistance and that assistance being gone there is no getting to Heaven Oh make much of the motions of the Spirit it is as much as your Salvation is worth The Spirit of God is compared to fire Acts 2.2 if we are careful to blow this spark we may have fire to inflame our affections and to light our feet into the way of peace If we quench the Spirit by our neglecting and resisting its motions we cut our selves off from Salvation The Spirit of God hath a drawing-power Cant. 1.4 The Blessed Spirit draws by attraction as the Loadstone the Iron In the preaching of the Word the Spirit draws the heart up to Heaven in holy longings and ejaculations Now when the Spirit is about thus to draw us let us take heed of drawing back left it be to perdition Heb. 10. We should do as Noah when the Dove came flying to the Ark he put forth his hand and took it into the Ark so when this sweet Dove of Gods Spirit comes flying to our hearts and brings a gracious impulse as an Olive-branch of Peace in its mouth O take this Dove into the Ark entertain the Spirit in your hearts and it will bring you to Heaven Quest. But how shall we know the motions of the Spirit from a delusion Answ. The motions of the Spirit are alwayes agreeable to the Word If the Word be for Holiness so is the Spirit The Spirit perswades to nothing but what the Word directs which way the tyde of the Word runs that way the Wind of the Spirit blows 13. We obtain the Kingdom of Heaven by uniform and chearful Obedience Obedience is the Road through which we travail to Heaven many say they love God but refuse to obey him doth he love the Princes Person who slights his Commands 1. Obedience must be uniform Psal. 119.6 Then shall I not be ashamed Lo Eboth I shall not blush when I have respect to all thy Commandments as the Son goes through all the signs of the Zodiack so must we through all the duties of Religion If a Man be to go an hundred Miles and he goes ninety nine Miles and there stops he comes short of the Place he is to travel to if with Herod we do many things that God commands yet if we lye in the total neglect of any duty we come short of the Kingdom of Heaven for Instance If a Man seem to make Conscience of duties of the first Table and not the duties of the second if he seem to be religious but is not just he is a Transgressor and is in danger to lose Heaven a good heart is like the Needle which points that way which the Loadstone draws so he moves that way which the Word
draws 2. Obedience must be chearful I delight to do thy Will O my God yea thy Law is within my heart Psal. 40.8 That is the sweetest Obedience which is chearful as that is the sweetest Honey which drops from the Comb freely God doth sometimes accept of willingness without the work but never of the Work without willingness Zach. 5 9. There came out two Women and the wind was in their wings Wings are swift but wind in the Wings denotes great swiftness an Emblem of the swiftness and chearfulness which should be in Obedience we go to Heaven in the way of Obedience 14. If we would obtain this Kingdom be much in the Communion of Saints one Coal of Juniper will warm and inflame another when the heart is dead and frozen the Communion of Saints will help to warm it Mal. 3.16 They that feared the Lord spake often one to another Christians should never meet saith Mr. Bolton but speak of their meeting together in Heaven One Christian may be very helpful by Prayer and Conference to another and give him a lift towards Heaven Old Latimer was much strengthened and comforted by hearing Mr. Bilnyes Confession of Faith We read that when Moses his hands were heavy and he was ready to let them fall Aaron and Hur staid up his hands Exod. 17.12 A Christian who is ready to faint under Tentation and le ts down the hands of his Faith by conversing with other Christians he is strengthened and his hands are held up a great benefit of holy Conference is Counsel and Advise If a Man saith Chrysostom who hath but one head to advise him could make that head an hundred heads to advise him he would be very wise A single Christian hath this benefit by the Communion of Saints they are as so many heads to advise him what to do in such a case or exigence By Christian conference the Saints can say Did not our heart burn within us Communion of Saints we have in our Creed but 't is too little in our practise Men usually travel fastest in Company we travel fastest to Heaven in the Communion of Saints 15. If we would attain to this Kingdom of Heaven let us be willing to come up to Christs terms many will be cheapening and bid something for the Kingdom of Heaven they will avoid gross sin and will come to Church and say their Prayers and yet all this while they are not willing to come up to Gods Price that is they will not renounce the Idol of self Righteousness flying only to Christ as to the Horns of the Altar they will not sacrifice their bosom-sin they will not give God Spirit-worship serving him with zeal and intenseness of Soul Iohn 4.24 they will not forgive their Enemies they will not part with their carnal profits for Christ they would have the Kingdom of Heaven but they will not come up to the Price If you would have this Kingdom do not article and indent with Christ but accept of his Terms say Lord I am willing to have the Kingdom of Heaven whatever it cost me I am willing to pluck out my right eye to part with all for the Kingdom here is a blank paper I put into thy hand Lord write thy own Articles I will subscribe to them 16. If we would obtain the Heavenly Kingdom let us attend to the holy Ordinances thus God brings Souls to heaven Act. 27.31 Except ye abide in the Ship ye cannot be saved Some People would leap out of the Ship of Ordinances and then God knows whether they leap but except ye abide in the Ship of Ordinances ye cannot be saved especially if you would get to Heaven attend to the VVord preached It was by the Ear by our first Parents listening to the Serpent that we lost Paradise and it is by the Ear by the hearing of the word that we get Heaven Isa. 55.3 Hear and your Soul shall live God sometimes in the preaching of the word drops in that holy Oyl into the Ear which softens and sanctifies the heart The word preached is called the Ministry of the Spirit 2 Cor. 3.8 because the Spirit of God makes use of this Engine to convert Souls If the word preached doth not work upon Men nothing will not Judgment or Miracles no nor though one should arise from the Dead Luke 16.31 If a glorified Saint should come out of Heaven and assume a Body and tell you of all the glory of Heaven and the joys of the blessed and perswade you to believe if the preaching of the word will not bring you to Heaven neither would his Rhetorique do it who rose from the dead In Heaven there will be no need of Ordinances but there is while we live here The Lamp needs Oyl but the Star needs none While the Saints have their Lamp of Grace burning here they need the Oyl of Ordinances to be continually dropping upon them but there will be no need of this Oyl when they are Stars in Heaven If you intend to get to Heaven be swift to hear for faith comes by hearing Rom. 10.14 17. Peter let down the Net of his Ministry and at one draught catch'd three thousand Souls If you would have Heavens Door opened to you wait at the Posts of Wisdoms Door 17. If you would arrive at Heaven have this Kingdom ever in your eye Our blessed Lord looked to the Joy which was set before him and Moses had an eye to the Recompence of Reward Heb. 11.26 Let the Kingdom be much in our thoughts Meditation is a means to help us to Heaven Quest. How doth it help Answ. 1. As it is a means to prevent sin no Sword like this to cut asunder the Sinews of Tentation it is almost inpossible to sin presumptuously with the lively thoughts and hopes of Heaven It was when Moses was out of Sight that Israel set up a Calf and worshipped it so it is when the Kingdom of Heaven is out of sight I mean out of Mens thoughts that they set up their Lusts and idolize them the Meditation of Heaven banisheth sin he who thinks of the weight of Glory throws away the weights of sin 2. The 〈◊〉 on the Kingdom of Heaven would excite and quicken Obedience we should think we could never pray enough never love God enough who hath prepared such a Kingdom for us immensum Gloria calcar habet Saint Paul had Heaven in his eye he was once caught up thither and how active was he for God 1 Cor. 15.10 This would oyl the Wheels of Obedience 3. It would make us strive after Holiness because none but such are admitted into this Kingdom only the pure in heart shall see God Mat. 5. Holiness is the Language of Heaven it is the only coin will pass currant in Heaven this considered would make us cleanse our selves from all filthiness of Flesh and Spirit perfecting Holiness in the fear of God 2 Cor. 7.1 Thus you see how the Meditation of Heaven would be
when they are oyled with the Oyl of Gladness 2. Peace in Death VVhen Hezekiah thought he was about to dye what gave him Comfort this that he had done the will of God Isa. 38.3 Remember O Lord I beseech thee how I have walked before thee in truth and have done that which is good in thy sight 'T was Augustus his wish that he might have an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an easie Death without much pain If any thing make our pillow easie at Death it will be this we have endeavoured to do Gods will on Earth Did you ever hear any cry out on their Death-bed that they have done Gods will too much no hath it not been that they have done his will no more that they come so short in their Obedience Doing Gods will will be both your Comfort and your Crown 10. If we are not doers of Gods will we shall be looked upon as contemners of Gods will Let God say what he will yet Men will go on in Sin this is to contemn God Psal. 10.13 Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God To contemn God is worse than to rebel The Tribes of Israel rebelled against Rehoboam because he made their Yoak heavier 1 King 12.16 But to contemn God is worse 't is to slight him to contemn God is to put a Scorn upon him and affront him to his Face and an Affront will make God draw his Sword Thus I have answered that Question why doing Gods will on Earth is so requisite 'T is as necessary as Salvation 4. Quest. In what manner are we to do Gods will that we may find acceptance The manner of doing Gods Will is the chief thing the Schoolmen say well Modus rei cadit sub praecepto the manner of a thing is as well required as the thing it self If a Man build an House if he doth not do it according to the mind of the Owner he likes it not but thinks all his Charges lost so if we do not Gods will in the right manner it is not accepted we must not only do what God appoints but as God appoints here lies the very Life-blood of Religion So I come to answer this great Question in what manner are we to do Gods will that we may find acceptance Answ. 1. We do Gods Will acceptably when we do Duties Spiritually Phil. 3.3 We worship God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the Spirit To serve God spiritually is to do duties ab interno principio from an inward Principle The Pharisees were very exact about the external part of Gods worship how zealous were they in the outward observation of the Sabbath charging Christ with the breach of it but all this was but outward Obedience there was nothing of Spirituality in it then we do Gods will acceptably when we serve him from a renewed Principle of Grace a Crab-tree may bear as well as a Pear-main but it is not so good fruit as the other because it doth not come from so sweet a Root An unregenerate Person may do as much external obedience as a Child of God he may pray as much hear as much but his Obedience is harsh and sowre because it doth not come from the sweet and pleasant Root of Grace the inward principle of Obedience is Faith therefore it is called the Obedience of Faith Rom. 16.26 But why must this silver thread of Faith run through the whole work of Obedience Answ. Because Faith looks at Christ in every Duty it toucheth the Hem of his Garment and through Christ both the Person and the Offering are accepted Ephes. 1.6 2. We do Gods Will acceptably when we prefer his Will before all other if God wills one thing and Man wills the contrary we do obey Mans will rather than Gods Act. 4.19 Whether it be right to hearken unto you more then unto God judge ye God saith thou shalt not make a graven Image King Nebuchadnezzar set up a Golden Image to be worshipped but the three Children or rather Champions resolve Gods Will shall take place and they would obey him though with the loss of their Lives Dan. 3.18 Be it known unto thee O King that we will not serve thy Gods nor worship the Golden Image which thou hast set up 3. We do Gods Will acceptably when we do Gods Will as it is done in Heaven that is as the Angels do it To do Gods Will as the Angels similitudinem notat non aequalitatem Brugensis denotes thus much that we are to resemble them and make them our Pattern though we cannot equal the Angels in doing Gods Will yet we must imitate them a Child cannot write so well as the Scrivener yet he imitates the Copy in particular 1. We do Gods VVill as the Angels do it in Heaven when we do Gods Will Regularly sine deflexu we go according to divine Institutions not Decrees of Councils or Traditions this is to do Gods Will as the Angels they do it regularly they do nothing but what is commanded Angels are not for Ceremonies as there are Statute-Laws in the Land which bind so the Scripture is Gods Statute-Law which we must exactly observe the Watch is set by the Dial then our Obedience is right when it goes by the Sun-dial of the Word If Obedience hath not the Word for its Rule it is not doing Gods Will but our own it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Will-worship Deut. 12.32 The Lord would have Moses make the Tabernacle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 according to the Pattern Exod. 25.40 If Moses had left out any thing in the Pattern or added any thing to it it would have been very provoking to mix any thing of our own devising in Gods worship is to go beside yea contrary to the Pattern Gods worship is the Apple of his Eye that which he is most tender of and there is nothing he hath more shewed his displeasure against then the corrupting his worship How severely did God punish Nadab and Abihu for offering up strange Fire Lev. 10.2 that is such Fire as God had not sanctified on the Altar whatever is not divinely appointed is offering up strange Fire There is in many a strange itch after Superstition they love a gawdy Religion and are more for the Pomp of Worship then the Purity this cannot be pleasing to God for as if God were not wise enough to appoint the manner how he will be served Men will be so bold as to prescribe him To thrust humane Inventions into sacred things is a doing our own will not Gods and he will say quis quaesivit hoc who hath required this at your hand Isa. 1.12 Then we do Gods Will as it is done in Heaven when we do it regularly we reverence Gods Institutions and observe that Mode of Worship which hath the Stamp of divine Authority upon it 2. We do Gods Will as it is done by the Angels in Heaven when we do it intirely sine mutilatione we do all Gods Will the Angels in Heaven
is a kind of mutinee in the Soul against God Numb 21.5 The people spake against God When a Cloud of Sorrow is gathered in the Soul and this Cloud doth not only drop into Tears but out of this Cloud come Hail-stones murmuring wordâ— against God this is far from patient submission to Gods Will. When water is hot the scum boils up when the Heart is heated with anger against God then this scum of murmuring boils up Murmuring is very evil it springs 1. From Pride Men think they have deserved better at Gods hands and when they begin to swell they spit Poyson 2. Distrust Men believe not that God can make a Treacle of Poyson bring good out of all their troubles therefore they murmur Psal. 106.24 They believed not his word but murmured Men murmur at Gods Providences because they distrust his Promises God hath much ado to bear this Sin Numb 14.27 this is far from submission to Gods Will. 3. Discomposedness of Spirit cannot stand with quiet submission to Gods Will. When a Man saith I am so encompassed with trouble that I know not how to get out Head and Heart are so taken up that a Person is not fit to pray When the strings of a Lute are snarled the Lute can make no good Musick so when a Christians Spirits are perplexed and disturbed he cannot make Melody in his Heart to the Lord. To be under a discomposure of Mind is as when an Army is routed one runs this way and another that the Army is put into disorder so when a Christian is in an hurry of Mind his Thoughts run up and down distracted as if he were undone this cannot stand with patient submission to Gods Will. 4. Self-apology cannot stand with submission to Gods Will instead of being humbled under Gods hand a Person justifies himself A proud Sinner stands upon his own defence and is ready to accuse God of unrighteousness which is as if we should tax the Sun with darkness This is far from submission to Gods Will. God smote Ionahs goard and he stands upon his own vindication Ionah 4.9 I do well to be angry to the death What to be angry with God And to justifie this I do well to be angry This was strange to come from a Prophet and was far from this Prayer Christ hath taught us Thy Will be done Quest. 4. What this patient submission to Gods Will is Answ. It is a gracious frame of Soul whereby a Christian is content to be at Gods dispose and doth acquiesce in his Wisdom 1 Sam. 3.18 It is the Lord let him do what seemeth him good Acts 21.14 The will of the Lord be done That I may further illustrate this I shall show you wherein this submission to Gods Will lyes it lyes chiefly in three things 1. In acknowledging Gods hand seeing God in the Affliction Iob 5.6 Affliction ariseth not out of the dust it comes not by chance Iob did eye God in all that befel him Iob 1.22 The Lord hath taken away He complains not of the Chaldeans or the influence of the Planets he looks beyond second Causes he sees God in the Affliction The Lord hath taken away There can be no submission to Gods Will till there be an acknowledging of Gods hand 2. Patient submission to Gods Will lyes in our justifying of God Psal. 22.2 O my God I cry unto thee yet thou hearest not thou turnest a deaf ear to me in my affliction ver 3. But thou art holy God is Holy and Just not only when he punisheth the Wicked but when he afflicts the Righteous Though God put Wormwood in our Cup yet we vindicate God and proclaim his Righteousness As Mauritius the Emperour when he saw his Sons slain before his eyes Iustus es Domine Righteous art thou O Lord in all thy wayes We justifie God and confess he punisheth us less than we deserve Ezra 9.13 3. Patient submission to Gods Will lyes in the accepting of the punishment Lev. 26.41 And they then accept of the punishment of their iniquity Accepting of the punishment that is taking all that God doth in good part He who accepts of the punishment saith Good is the Rod of the Lord he kisseth the Rod yea blesseth God that he would use such a Merciful severity rather to afflict him than lose him This is patient submission to Gods Will. This patient submission to Gods Will in Affliction showes a great deal of Wisdom and Piety The skill of a Pilot is most discerned in a storm and a Christians Grace in the storm of Affliction and indeed this submission to Gods Will is most requisite for us while we live here in this lower Reâ—â—gion in Heaven there will be no need of Patience no more than there is need of the Star light when the Sun shines In Heaven there will be all joy and what need of Patience then It requires no Patience to wear a Crown of Gold but while we live here in a Valley of Tears there needs patient submission to Gods Will Heb. 10.36 Ye have need of patience 1. The Lord sometimes layes heavy Afflictions upon us Psal. 38.2 Thy hand presseth me sore The word in the Original for afflicted signifies to be melted God sometimes melts his People in a Furnace 2. God sometimes layes divers Afflictions on us Iob 19.17 He multiplies my wound God shoots divers sorts of Arrowes 1. Sometimes God afflicts with Poverty The Widow had nothing left her save a pot of Oyl 1 Kings 17.12 Poverty is a great Temptation 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Menand To have an Estate boyled away almost to nothing is hard to Flesh and Blood Ruth 1.20 Call me not Naomi but Mara I went out full and the Lord hath brought me home again empty This exposeth to Contempt When the Prodigal was poor his Brother was ashamed to own him Luke 15.30 This thy Son he said not this my Brother but this thy Son he scorned to call him Brother When the Deer is shot and bleeds the rest of the herd push it away when God shoots the Arrow of Poverty at one others are ready to push him away When Terence was grown poor his Friend Scipio cast him off The Muses Iupiters Daughters the Poets feign had no Suitors because they wanted a Dowry 2. God sometimes afflicts with Reproach Such as have the light of Grace shining in them yet may be eclipsed in their Name The Primitive Christians were reproached as if they were guilty of Incest saith Tertullian Luther was called A Trumpeter of Rebellion David calls reproach an heart-breaking Psal. 69.20 this God lets his dear Saints be oft exercised with Dirt may be cast upon a Pearl those Names may be blotted which are written in the Book of Life Sincerity though it shields from Hell yet not from Slander 3. God sometimes afflicts with loss of dear Relations Ezek. 24.16 Son of man behold I take away from thee the desire of thine eyes with a stroke This is like a pulling away
is to fit us for the Inheritance 3. There is kindness that God hath in all our Afflictions left us a Promise in the most cloudy Providences the Promise appears as a Rainbow in the Cloud 1. That we shall have Gods promise with us Psal. 91.15 I will be with him in Trouble It cannot be ill with that Man with whom God is I will be with him i. e. to support sanctify sweeten Gods presence is a sweetening ingredient into every Affliction I had rather be in a Prison and have Gods Presence then be in a Pallace and want it 2. Promise that he will lay no more upon us then he will enable us to bear 1 Cor 10.13 God will not try us beyond our strength either God will make the Yoak lighter or our Faith stronger may not this make us submit our Wills to God when Afflictions have so much kindness in them In all our Trials God hath left us promises which are like Manna in the Wilderness 4. This is great kindness that all the Troubles that befal us shall be for our profit Heb. 12. He 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for our profit Quest. But what profit is in affliction Answ. 1. Afflictions are disciplinary they teach us Schola Crucis Schola Lucis Many Psalms have this Inscription Maschil a Psalm giving Instruction Affliction may have this Inscription upon it Maschil an Affliction giving Instruction Mica 6.9 Hear ye the Rod. Luther saith he could never rightly understand some of the Psalms till he was in Affliction Iudg. 8.16 Gideon took Thorns of the Wilderness and Briars and with them he taught the Men of Succoth God by the Thorns and Briars of Affliction teacheth us 1. Affliction shows us more of our own hearts then ever Water in a Glass-Vial looks clear but set it on the fire and the Scum boils up When God sets us upon the fire then we see that Corruption boils up which we did not discern before Sharp Afflictions are to the Soul as a soaking Rain to the House we know not that there are such holes in the House till the shower comes and then we see it drop down here and there so we before did not know that there were such unmortified Lusts in the Soul till the storm of Affliction comes then we spy unbelief impatience carnal fear we see it drop down in many places Thus Affliction is a sacred Collyrium it clears our Eye-sight the Rod gives Wisdom 2. Affliction brings those sins to Remembrance which before were buried in the Grave of Forgetfulness Ioseph's Brethren for twenty Years together were not at all troubled for their sin in selling their Brother but when they came into Egypt and began to be in straits then their sin in selling their Brother came into their Remembrance and their Hearts did smite them Gen. 42.21 They said one to another we are verily guilty concerning our Brother When a Man is in distress now his sin comes fresh into his Mind Conscience makes a Rehearsal Sermon of all the Evils which have passed in his Life now his expence of precious time his Sabbath-breaking his slighting of the word come into his Remembrance and he goes out with Peter and weeps bitterly Thus the Rod gives Wisdom it shows the hidden evil of the heart and brings former sins to Remembrance 2. There is Profit it Affliction as it quickens a Spirit of Prayer premuntur justi ut pressi clament Ionah was asleep in the Ship but at Prayer in the Whales Belly perhaps in a time of health and prosperity we pray'd in a cold formal manner we put no coals to the Incense we did scarce mind our own prayers and how should God mind them now God sends some cross or other to make us stir up our selves to take hold of God When Iacob was in fear of his life by his Brother then he wrestles with God and weeps in prayer and would not leave God till he had blessed him Hos. 12.4 'T is with many of Gods Children as with those who formerly had the Sweâ—ting sickness in this Land 't was a sleepy disease if they slept they died therefore to keep them waking they were smitten with Rosemary Branches so the Lord useth Affliction as a Rosemary Branch to keep us from sleeping and to awaken a Spirit of Prayer Isa. 26.16 They poured out a Prayer when thy Chastening was upon them now their Prayer pierced the Heaven In times of Trouble we pray feelingly and we never pray so fervently as when we pray feelingly and is not this for our profit 3. Affliction is for our profit as it is a means to expectorate and purge out our sin Isa. 77.9 By this thâ—refore shall the iniquity of Iacob be purged 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Arist. Affliction is Gods Physick to expel the noxious humour it cures the Imposthume of Pride the Feaver of Lust and is not this for our profit Affliction is Gods File to fetch off our Rust his flail to thresh off our Husks The Water of Affliction is not to drown us but to wash off our Spots 4. To be under the black Rod is profitable in that hereby we grow more serious and are more careful to clear our Evidences for Heaven In times of Prosperity when the Rock poured out Rivers of Oyl Iob 29 6. we were careless in getting at least clearing our Title to Glory had many no better Evidences for their Land then they have for their Salvation they were but in an ill case but when an hour of Trouble comes we begin to look after our spiritual Evidences and see how things stand between God and our Souls and is it not for our profit to see our Interest in Christ more cleared then ever 5. Affliction is for our profit as it is a means to take us more off from the World the world oft proves not only a Spiders Web but a Cockatrice Egg pernitious worldly things are great Inchantments they are â—etinaculaspei Tertul. they hinder us in our passage to Heaven if a Clock be over-wound it stands still so when the heart is wound up too much to the world it stands still to Heavenly things Affliction sounds a retreat to call us off the immoderate pursuit of earthly things when things are frozen and congealed together the only way to separate them is by Fire so when the heart and the world are congealed together God hath no better way to separate them then by the Fire of Affliction 6. Affliction is for our profit as it is a Refiner it works us to further decrees of Sanctity Heb. 12.10 He for our profit that we might be partakers of his Holiness The Vessels of Mercy are the brighter for scouring you pour water on your Linnen when you would whiten it God pours the waters of Affliction upon us to lay our Souls a whitening The Leaves of the Fig-tree and Root are bitter but the Fruit is sweet Afflictions are in themselves bitter but they bring forth the sweet fruits of
hearts to submission Lord if thou usest so much gentleness and correctest in measure Thy Will be done 12. There is kindness in Affliction in that God often sweetens it with divine Consolation 2 Cor. 1.4 Who comforteth us in all our Tribulation After a bitter Potion a lump of Sugar God comforts in Affliction 1. Partly by his Word Psal. 119.50 This is my Comfort in my Affliction for thy Word hath quickened me The Promises of the word are a shop of Cordials 2. God comforts by his Spirit Philip Landtgrave of Hesse said that in his troubles se divinas Martyrum consolationes sensisse he felt the divine Consolations of the Martyrs David had his Pilgrimage-Songs Psal. 119.54 and St. Paul his Prison-Songs Act. 16.25 Thus God candies our Wormwood with Sugar and makes us gather Grapes of Thorns Some of the Saints have had such ravishing Joys in Affliction that they had rather endure their Sufferings then want their Comforts O how much kindness is in the Cross In the Belly of this Lyon is an Honey-Comb may not this make us chearfully submit to Gods Will when God lines the Yoak with Comfort and gives us honey at the end of the Rod 13. There is kindness in Affliction in that God doth curtail and shorten it he will not let it lye on too long Isa. 57.16 I will not contend for ever least the Spirit should fail before me God will give his People a Writ of Ease and proclaim a Year of Jubilee the wicked may plow upon the backs of the Saints but God will cut their Traces Psal. 129.4 The Goldsmith will not let his gold lye any longer in the Furnace then till it is purified The Wicked must drink a Sea of Wrath but the Godly have only a Cup of Affliction Isa. 51.17 and God will say Let this Cup pass away Affliction may be compared to Frost it will break and Spring Flowers will come on Isa. 35. Sorrow and sighing shall fly away Affliction hath a Sting but withal a Wing sorrow shall fly away this Land Flood shall be dryed up if then there be so much kindness in the Cross God will cause a Cessation of trouble say then Fiat Voluntas tua Thy Will be done 14. Vlt. There is kindness in Affliction in that it is a means to make us happy Iob 5.17 Behold happy is the Man whom God correcteth This seems strange to flesh and blood that Affliction should make one happy when Moses saw the bush burning and not consumed I will sâ—ith he turn aside and see this strange sight Exod. 3.3 So here is a strange sight a Man afflicted yet happy The World counts them happy who can escape Affliction but happy is the Man whom God correcteth Quest. But how do Afflictions contribute to our happiness Resp. 1. As they are a means to bring us nearer to God the Loadstone of Prosperity doth not draw us so near to God as the Cords of Affliction VVhen the Prodigal was pinch'd with want then saith he I will arise and go to my Father Luke 15.18 The Deluge brought the Dove to the Ark The Floods of Sorrow make us hasten to Christ. 2. Afflictions make us happy as they are Manuductions to Glory The Storm drives the Ship into the harbour Happy is that Storm which drives the Soul into the Heavenly harbour is it not better to go through affliction to glory then through pleasure to misery not that afflictions merit glory no cross ever merited but that which Christ endured but they do disponere fit and prepare us for glory Think O Christian what Affliction leads to it leads to Paradise where are Rivers of Pleasure always running may not this make us chearfully submit to Gods VVill and say Lord if there be so much kindness in Affliction if all thou dost is to make us happy Thy Will be done 7. Consideration It is Gods ordinary course to keep his People to a bitter Diet-Drink and exercise them with great Trials Affliction is the beaten Road all the Saints have gone in The lively Stones in the Spiritual building have been all hewn and polished Christs Lilly hath grown among the Thorns 2 Tim. 3.12 All that will live Godly in Christ Iesus shall suffer persecution 'T is too much for a Christian to have two Heavens that is more than Christ had It hath been ever the lot of the Saints to encounter with sore tryals Both of the Prophets Iam. 5.10 Take my brethren the Prophets for an example of suffering affliction And of the Apostles Peter was Crucified with his Head downward Iames beheaded by Herod Iohn banished into the Isle of Patmos the Apostle Thomas thrust thorow with a spear who was chosen Apostle in Iudas room Matthias stoned to death Luke the Evangelist hanged on an Olive-tree Those Saints of whom the World was not worthy did pass under the Rod Hebr. 11.36 Christs Kingdom is Regnum Crucis this is the way God hath alwayes gone in such as God intends to save from Hell yet he doth not save from the Cross the consideration of this should quiet our Minds in Affliction and make us say Thy Will be done Do we think God will alter his course of Providence for us Why should we look for exemption from trouble more than others Why should we think to tread only upon Roses and Violets when Prophets and Apostles have marched through the Bryars to Heaven 8. Consideration God hath done that for thee Christian which may make thee content to suffer any thing at his hand and say Thy Will be done 1. He hath adopted thee for his Child David thought it no small Honour to be the Kings Son in Law 1 Sam. 18.18 what an Honour is it to derive thy pedigree from Heaven to be born of God why then art thou troubled and murmurest at every slight cross As Ionadab said to Amnon 2 Sam. 13.4 Why art thou being the Kings Son lean So why art thou who art Son or Daughter to the King of Heaven troubled at these petty things What the Kings Son and look lean This may quiet thy Spirit and bring thy Will to Gods he hath dignified thee with Honour he made thee his Son and Heir and will entail a Kingdom on thee 2. God hath given thee Christ. Christ is communis thesaurus a Magazine and Storehouse of all Heavenly Treasure a Pearl of Price to enrich a Tree of Life to quicken He is the quintessence of all Blessings why then art thou discontented at thy Worldly Crosses They cannot be so bitter as Christ is sweet as Seneca said once to Polybius Why dost thou complain of hard Fortune salvo Caesare is not Caesar thy Friend So is not Christ thy Friend He can never be poor who hath a Mine of Gold in his Field nor he who hath the unsearchable Riches of Christ Say then Lord Thy Will be done though I have my Cross yet I have Christ with it The Cross may make me weep but Christ wipes off all
a Son of Sorrow it cost her her Life in bringing forth Gen. 35.18 We must pray for outward things with submission to Gods Will else they come in anger 2. When we pray for things pertaining to this Life we must desire Temporal things for Spiritual ends we must desire these things to be as helps in our journey to Heaven If we pray for Health it must be that we may improve this talent of Health for Gods Glory and may be fitter for his Service If we pray for a competency of Estate it must be for an holy end that we may be kept from the temptations which Poverty usually exposeth to and that we may be in a better capacity to sow the golden seeds of Charity and relieve such as are in want Temporal things must be prayed for for Spiritual ends Hannah prayed for a Child but it was for this end that her Child might be devoted to God 1 Sam. 1.11 O Lord if thou wilt remember me and wilt give unto thine hand-maid a man child then I will give him unto the Lord all the dayes of his life Many pray for outward things only to gratifie their sensual appetite The ravens cry for food Psal. 147.9 To pray for outward things only to satisfie Nature is to cry rather like Ravens than Christians We must have an higher end in our Prayers we must aim at Heaven while we are praying for Earth And must we pray for Temporal things for Spiritual ends that we may be fitter to serve God then how wicked are they who beg Temporal Mercies that they may be more inabled to sin against God Iam. 4.3 Ye ask that ye may consume it upon your lusts One Man is sick and he prays for Health that he may be among his Cups and Harlots another prays for an Estate he would not only have his Belly filled but his Barns and why would he be rich that he may raise his Name or that having more power in his hand he may now take a fuller revenge on his enemies This is impiety joyned with impudence to pray to God to give us Temporal things that we may be the better inabled to serve the Devil VSE If we are to pray for Temporal good things then how much more for Spiritual if we are to pray for Bread then how much more for the Bread of Life if for Oyl then how much more for the Oyl of gladness if we pray to have our hunger satisfied much more should we pray to have our Souls saved Alas what if God should hear our Prayers and grant us these Temporal things and no more what were we the better What is it to have Food and want Grace what is it to have the back clothed and the Soul naked to have a South land and want the living springs in Christs Blood what comfort could that be O therefore let us be earnest for Spiritual Mercies Lord do not only feed me but sanctifie me rather an Heart full of Grace than an House full of Gold If we are to pray for daily Bread the things of this Life much more for the things of the Life that is to come 3. From this word give I note That they who God hath given a large measure of outward things to yet we must pray Give us daily Bread And this may answer a Question Quest. Some may say we have an Estate already and what need we pray Give us daily Bread Answ. Supposing we have a plentiful Estate yet we need make this Petition Give us Bread And that upon a double account 1. That we may have a Blessing upon our Food and all that we enjoy Psalm 132.5 I will bless her provision Man lives not by bread alone but by every word which proceedeth out of Gods mouth Matth. 4.4 what is that but a word of Blessing Though the Bread is in our hand yet the Blessing is in Gods hand and it must be fetch'd out of his hand by Prayer Well therefore may rich Men pray Give us our Bread let it be seasoned with a Blessing If God should with-hold a Blessing nothing we have would do us good our Cloths would not warm us our Food would not nourish us Psal. 106.15 He gave them their request but sent leanness into their soul that is they pined away and their Meat did not nourish them If God should with-hold a Blessing what we eat would turn to bad humours and hasten Death If God doth not bless our Riches they will do us more hurt than good Eccl. 5.13 Riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt So that granting we have plentiful Estates yet we had need pray Give us our Bread let us have a Blessing with what we have 2. Though we have Estates yet we had need pray give that we may hereby engage God to continue these Comforts to us How many Casualties may fall out How many have had Corn in their Barn and a fire hath come on a sudden and consumed all How many have had losses at Sea and great Estates boyled away to nothing Ruth 1.21 I went out full and the Lord hath brought me home again empty Therefore tho' we have Estates yet we had need pray Give us Lord give a continuance of these Comforts that they may not before we are aware take wings and fly from us So much for this first word in the Petition Give Secondly Vs. Give us Quest. Why do we pray here in the plural Why give us Why is it not said Give me Answ. To show that we are to have publick Spirits in Prayer we must not only pray for our selves but others both the Law of God and the Law of Love bind us to this We must love our Neighbours as our selves therefore we must pray for them as well as for our selves Every good Christian hath a fellow-feeling of the wants and miseries of others and he prays that God would extend his bounty to them especially he prays for the Saints Eph. 6.18 Praying alwayes for all Saints These are Children of the Family VSE I. Should we have publick Spirits in Prayer Give us it reproves such narrow-spirited Men as move only within their own sphere they look only at themselves but mind not the case of others they leave others out of their Prayers if they have daily Bread they care not though others starve if they are cloathed they care not though others go naked Christ hath taught us to pray for others Give us but selfish persons are shut up within themselves as the Snail in the shell and never speak a word in Prayer for others These have no commiseration or pity they are like Iudas whose Bowels fell out VSE II. Let us pray for others as well as for our selves Give us Vir bonus aliis prodest aeque ac sibi Spiders work only for themselves but Bees work for the good of others the more excellent any thing is the more it operates for the good of others The Springs refresh others with
Thief this may cause a spring of Tears Infer 4. See hence a Christians Life is no easie life it is Military he hath a Goliah in the field to Encounter with one that is arm'd with Power and Subtilty he hath his Wiles and Darts A Christian must be continually Watching and Fighting Satans Designs carry death in the Front 1 Pet. 5.8 Seeking whom he he may devour Therefore we had need be always with our Weapons in our hand How few think their Life a warfare Tho' they have an Enemy in the field that is always laying of Snares or shooting of Darts yet they do not stand Sentinel or get their spiritual Artillery ready They put on their Iewels but not their Armour Iob 21.12 They take the Tymbrel and Harp and rejoyce at the sound of the Organ as if they were rather in Musick than in Battle Many are asleep in sloth when they should be fighting against Satan and no wonder the Devil shoots them when he finds them asleep Use 2. It reproves them who pray Lead us not into Temptation yet run themselves into Temptation Such are they who go to Plays and Masquerades and hunt after strange Flesh. Some go a slower pace to Hell but such as run themselves into Temptation these go galloping thither we have too many of these in this debauch'd Age who as if they thought they could not sin fast enough tempt the Devil to tempt them Vse 3. Exhortation Let us labour that we be not overcome by temptation Quest. What means may be used that Satans Temptations may not prevail against us Resp. 1. Avoid Solitariness It is no Wisdom in fighting with an Enemy to give him the Advantage of the Ground we give Satan Advantage of the Ground when we are alone Eve was foiled in the Absence of her Husband a Virgin is not so soon set upon in company Eccles. 4 10. Two are better than one Get into the Communion of Saints and that is a good Remedy against Temptation 2. If you would not be overcome of Temptation beware of the Predominancy of Melancholy This is Atra bilis a black Humour seated chiefly in the Brain Melancholy disturbs Reason and exposeth to Temptation One calls Melancholy Balneum Diaboli the Devils Bath he baths himself with Delight in such a Person Melancholy clothes the Mind in Sable it fills it with such dismal Apprehensions as oft end in self-murder 3. If you would not be overcome of Temptation study Sobriety 1 Pet. 5.8 Be sober because your Adversary walketh about Sober-mindedness consists in the moderate use of earthly Things an immoderate desire of these things oft brings men into the snare of the Devil 1 Tim. 6.9 They that will be rich fall into a Snare He who loves Riches inordinately will purchase them unjustly Ahab would swim to Naboâ—hs Vineyard in Blood He who is drunk with the Love of the World is never free from Temptation he will pull down his Soul to build up an Estate Quid non mortalia pectora cogis auri sacra fames Be sober take heed of being drunk with the love of the World lest ye fall into Temptation 4. Be always upon your Guard watch against Satans Wiles and Subtilties 1 Pet. 5.8 Be vigilant because your Adversary the Devil walks about A Christian must Excubias agere keep Watch and Ward See where Satan labours to make a Breach see what Grace he most strikes at or what sin he most tempts to Mark 13.37 I say to you all Watch. Watch all the Sences the Eye the Ear the Touch Satan can creep in here O how needful is the spiritual Watch shall Satan be watchful and we drowsie Doth he watch to devour us and shall not we watch to save our selves Let us see what sin our Heart most naturally inclines to and watch against this 5. Beware of Idleness Satan sows most of his seed in fallow Ground it was Hieroms Counsel to his Friend to be ever busied that if the Devil did come he might find him working in the Vineyard Idleness tempts the Devil to tempt the Bird that sits still is shot he that wants Employment never wants Temptation When a man hath nothing to do Satan will bring Grist to the Mill and find him work enough 6. Make known thy Case to some godly Friend The hiding a Serpent in the Bosom is not the way to be safe When the old Serpent hath gotten into your Bosom by a Temptation do not hide him there by keeping his Counsel If a spark be got into the Thatch it is not Wisdom to conceal it it may set the House on fire conceal not Temptation The keeping of Secrets is for familiar Friends be not so great a friend to Satan as to keep his secrets Reveal your Temptations which is the way to procure others Prayer and Advice Let all see that you are not true to Satans Party because you tell all his Plots and reveal his Treasons Besides the telling our Case to some Experienced Christian is the way to have ease as the opening a Vein gives ease so the opening our Case to a Friend gives ease to the Soul and a Temptation doth not so much inflame 7. Make use of the Word This the Apostle calls the Sword of the Spirit Ephes. 6.17 a fit Weapon to fight against the Tempter This Sword of the Spirit is Gladius anceps a Two-edged Sword it wounds carnal Lust and it wounds Satan He who travels a Road where there is Robbing will be sure to ride with his Sword We are travelling to Heaven and in this Road there is a Thief will always beset us Satan is in every place where we go He meets us at Church he doth not miss a Sermon he will be tempting us there sometimes to Drowsiness when you sleep at a Sermon the Devil rocks you a-sleep sometimes he tempts by distracting the Mind in Hearing Sometimes he tempts to question the Truth of what you hear thus we meet with the Tempter at Church and he tempts in the shop he tempts you to use Collusion and Deceit Hos. 12.7 The Ballances of Deceit are in his Hand So that we meet with the Tempter every where therefore this Thief being in the Road we had need ride with a Sword we must have the Sword of the Spirit about us We must have skill to use this Sword and have an Heart to draw it out and this Sword will put the Devil to flight Thus our Blessed Saviour when Satan tempted him to Distrust and Blasphemy he used a Scripture Weapon It is written Three times Christ wounded the old Serpent with this Sword Christ could with his Power and Authority have rebuked the Prince of the Air as he did the Winds but he stops the Devils Mouth with Scripture It is written It is not our Vows or Resolutions will do it it is not the Papists Holy-Water or Charms will drive away the Devil but let us bring the Word of God against him this is such an Argument
expos'd to the Waves and Rocks 3. Watch your Temptations Satan continually lies in ambush and watcheth to draw us to sin Stat in procinctu diabolus he is fishing for our Souls he is either laying of snares or shooting of darts therefore we had need watch the Tempter that we be not decoyed into sin Most sin is committed for want of watchfulness 7. If you would be kept from the evil of sin consult with the Oracles of God be well versed in Scripture Psal. 119.11 Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee The word is Anceps gladius a two-edged Sword to cut asunder mens lusts When the Fogs and Vapours of sin begin to arise let but the Light of Scripture shine into the Soul and it dispels those Fogs Let the word of Christ dwell richly in you Col. 3.16 Alphonsus King of Arragon read over the Bible Fourteen times The word shews the damnable evil of sin it furnisheth us with Precepts which are so many Receipts and Antidotes against sin When Christ had a Temptation to sin he beat back the Tempter and wounded him Three times with this Sword of the Spirit It is written Why do men live in sin but because they either do not Read the Word or do not believe it 8. If you would be preserv'd from gross presumptuous sin get your hearts fired with love to God Love hath a great force in it it is strong as death it breaks the league between the heart and sin Two things in God cause Love First His Orient Beauty Moses desired to see some glimpse of it Lord shew me thy glory 2. His Amazing Love What a Prodigy of Love was it to give his Son out of his Bosom and lay such a Jewel to pawn for our Redemption These two the Orient of God's Beauty and the Magnitude of his Love may like two Loadstones draw our Love to God and if we love him we will not sin against him He that loves his Friend will not by any means displease him I have read of four men meeting together who asked one another What it was that kept them from sinning One said The Fear of Hell Another said The Joys of Heaven The Third said The Odiousness of Sin The Fourth said That which keeps me from sin is Love to God Shall I sin against so good a God Shall I abuse Love Love to God is the best Curben-bit to keep from sin 9. If you would be kept from the evil of sin be diligent in a Calling Dū laboribus omnia vendunt Adam in Paradise must till the Ground Such as live idly expose themselves to sin if we have no work to do Satan will find us work He sows most of his seed in Fallow ground A Woman being much tempted to sin came to Reverend Mr. Greenham for Advice What she should do to resist the Temptation He gave her this Answer Be always well employed that so when Satan comes he may find thee busied in thy Calling and thou maist not be at leisure to listen to his Temptations 10. If you would be kept from sin fix the eye of your Mind upon the Beauty of Holiness Holiness consists in our Conformity to God Holiness is the sparkling of the Divine Nature a beam of God shining in the Soul How lovely is Christ's Bride when decked and bespangled with the Jewels of Holiness What makes the Seraphims Angels of Light but their Holiness Do but think with your selves what a splendid glorious thing Holiness is and it will cause a disgust and hatred of sin which is so contrary to it The beholding of Beauty makes one out of love with Deformity 11. If you would keep from the evil of sin meditate frequently of Death First The unavoidableness of it Heb. 9.27 Statutum est It is appointed for all once to die We are not so sure to lie down this night in our Bed as we are to lie down in our Grave Secondly The uncertainty of the Time We are but Tenants at will we hold our Life at the Will of our Landlord And how soon may God turn us out of this house of clay Death oft comes when we least look for it The Floud as some Learned Writers observe came in the Month Zif or April in the Spring when the Trees were Blossoming and the Birds Singing then came the Floud when they least looked for it So oft in the Spring of Youth when the Body is most healthy and the Spirits most sprightly and vigorous and Death is least thought on then it comes Could we think often and seriously of Death it would give a Death's-wound to sin Nihil sic revocato peocata quà m crebra mortis contemplatio Aug. No stronger Antidote against sin than this Am I now Singing and to morrow may be Dying What if Death should take me doing the Devil's work Would it not send me to him to receive my Wages Would but the Adulterer think I am now in the Act of Sin but how soon may Death come and then I who have burned in lust must burn in Hell This sure would strike a damp into him and make him afraid of going after strange Flesh. 12. If you would be kept from Gross Scandalous Sins beware of a Covetous Heart Covetousness is a dry Drunkenness He who thirsts insatiably after the World will stick at no sin he will betray Christ and a Good Cause for Money Cui nihil satis eidem nihil turpe Tacitus 1 Tim. 6.10 The love of Money is the root of all evil From this Root comes First Theft Achan's covetous humour made him steal the VVedge of Gold Josh. 7.21 Covetousness makes the Jayls so full Secondly From this root comes Murder VVhy did Ahab Stone Naboth to death but to possess his Vineyard 1 King 21.13 Covetousness hath made many swim to the Crown in blood Thirdly From this bitter Root of Covetousness proceeds Cousenage It is the Covetous hand holds false weights Fourthly From this Root of covetousness comes Uncleanness You read of the hire of a Whore Deut. 23.18 For Money she would let both her Conscience and Chastity be set to sale O if you would be kept from the evil of sin beware of Covetousness which is the In-let to so many sins 13. Let us be much in Prayer to God to keep us from Ingulphing our selves in sin Psal. 19.11 Keep back thy servant from presumptuous sins We have no power inherent to keep our selves from evil Arnoldus saith That Man in his corrupt estate hath Aliqua◠reliquias vitae Spiritualis Some Reliques of Spiritual Life left And Arminius saith Man hath a sufficiency of Grace in himself whereby he may Abstinere à malo abstain from evil Free-will is a sufficient curb to check and pull him back from sin But then what needed Christ to have Taught us this Prayer Libera nos à malo Deliver us from evil If we have power of our selves to keep from sin What need we pray to
They have given up their Names to God They have Bound themselves solemnly to God by Oath Psal. 119.106 I have Sworn that I will keep thy Statutes And in the Supper of the Lord they have renewed this Sacred Vow and after this to run into a Presumptuous Sin t is a Breach of Vow a kind of Perjury which dyes the Sin of a Crimson Colour Seventhly The Sins of the Godly are worse than others because they bring a greater Reproach upon Religion for the wicked to Sin there 's no other expected from them Swine will wallow in the Mire But when Sheep do so when the Godly Sin that redounds to the dishonour of the Gospel 2 Sam. 12.14 By this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme A Stain in Scarlet every ones eye is upon it For the Godly to Sin it is like a Spot in Scarlet it is more taken notice of and it reflects a greater dishonour upon the ways of God When the Sun is Eclipsed every one stands and looks upon it So when a Child of Light is Eclipsed by scandalous Sin all stand and gaze at this Eclipse How doth the Gospel suffer by the miscarriages of the Godly their Blood can never wash off the stain that they bring upon Religion Eighthly The Sins of the Godly are worse because they are a means to encourage and harden wicked Men in Sin If the Wicked see the Godly to be loose and uncircumspect in their lives they think they may do so to The Wicked make the Godly their Pattern not in imitating their Vertues but their Vices And is not this fearful to be a means to damn others These are the aggravations of the Sins of the Godly therefore you above all others beware of Presumptuous sins your Sins wound Conscience weaken Grace and do more highly provoke God than the Sins of others and God will be sure to punish you whoever escapes you shall not Amos 3.3 You onely have I known of all the Families of the Earth therefore I will punish you for all your Iniquities If God doth not damn you yet he may send you to Hell in this Life He may cause such Agonies and Tremblings of heart that you may be a Terror to your selves You may draw nigh to despair and be ready to look upon your selves as Cast-aways When David had stained himself with Adultery and Murder he complained of his Broken Bones Psal. 51.8 A Metaphor to set forth the Grief and Agony of his Soul he lay in sore desertion Three Quarters of a year and it is thought he never recovered his full joy to his Dying day Oh therefore you who belong to God and are enrolled in his Family take heed of blemishing your Profession with scandalous Sin you will pay dear for it think of the Broken Bones Though God doth not blot you out of his Book yet he may cast you out of his Presence Psal. 51.11 He may keep you in long desertion You may feel such lashes in your Conscience that you may roar out and think your selves half in Hell So much for the First Deliver us from evil We Pray to be delivered from Evil in General that is Sin 2. In Special Deliver us from Evil We Pray to be delivered from evil under a Three-fold Notion First From the Evil of our Heart It is call'd 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an Evil Heart Hebr. 3.12 Secondly From the Evil of Satan He is call'd 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Evil one Mat. 13.19 Thirdly From the Evil of the World 'T is call'd an Evil World Gal. 1.4 1. In this Petition Deliver us from Evil we pray to be delivered from the evil of our Heart that it may not decoy and trapan us into sin The Heart is the poisoned Fountain from whence all actual sins flow Mark 7.21 Out of the Heart proceed evil Thoughts Fornications Murders The Cause of all Evil lies in a mans own Breast All sin begins at the Heart Lust is first conceived in the Heart and then it is midwifed into the World Whence comes rash Anger The Heart sets the Tongue on fire The Heart is a Shop or Work-house where all sin is contrived and hammer'd out How needful therefore is this Prayer Deliver us from Devil from the Evil of our Hearts The Heart is the greatest Seducer therefore the Apostle Iames saith Every man is drawn away of his own Lust and enticed Iam. 1.14 The Devil could not hurt us if our own Hearts did not give consent All that he can do is to lay the Bait but it is our fault to swallow the Bait. O let us pray to be delivered from the Lusts and Deceits of our Hearts Deliver us from Evil. Luther fear'd his Heart more than the Pope or Cardinal and it was Austins Prayer Libera me Domine à meipso Lord deliver me from my self It was good Advice one gave to his Friend Caveas teipsum beware of the bosom-Traytor the Flesh. The Heart of Man is the Trojan Horse out of which comes a whole Army of Lusts. 2. In this Petition Deliver us from Evil we pray to be delivered from the Evil of Satan He is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Evil One Mat. 13.19 Quest. In what respect is Satan the Evil One Answ. 1. He is the first Inventor of Evil Ioh. 8.44 He plotted the first Treason 2. His Inclination is only to Evil Ephes. 6.12 His constant Practice is doing Evil 1 Pet. 5.8 4 All the Evils and Mischiefs that fall out in the World he hath some hand in them First He hinders from Good Zach. 3.1 He shewed me Joshua the High-Priest standing before the Angel of the Lord and Satan at his right Hand to resist him Secondly He provokes to Evil He put it into Ananias's Heart to lie Act. 5.3 Why hath Satan fill'd thy Heart to lie to the Holy Ghost The Devil blows the fire of Lust and Strife When men are proud the Old Serpent hath poison'd them and makes them swell Thus he is the Evil One and well may we pray Lord deliver us from the Evil One. The Word Satan in the Hebrew signifies an Opponent or Adversary 1. He is a Restless Adversary he never sleeps Spirits needs no sleep He is a Peripatetick He walks about 1 Pet. 5.8 and how doth he walk Not as a Pilgrim but as a Spye he narrowly observes where he may plant his Pieces of Battery and make his Assaults with most Advantage against us Satan is a subtil Engineer there is no place that can secure us from Satans Assaults and Inâ—â—des We find him while we are Praying Hearing Meditating We are sure of his Company uncertain how we came by it 2. Satan is a puissant Adversary he is armed with Power He is call'd 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The strong Man Luke 11.21 He takes men captive at his pleasure 2 Tim. 2.26 Who are taken captive by him at his Will Gr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 who are taken alive
Moderation when he saw their Idolatry at Athens the Fire of his Zeal broke forth Acts 17.16 His Spirit was stirred in him 'T was good advice Calvin gave to Melancthon that he should not so affect the Name of Moderate as to lose all his Zeal To be cool and silent when God's Blessed Truths are undermined or adulterated is not Moderation but Luke-warmness which is to God a most hateful temper Rev. 3.15 I would you were cold or hot any thing but Luke-warm This is to shew Prudence and Holiness when we are Moderate yet Zealous 9. To Unite Serpent and Dove consists in this when we defend the Truth by Argument and adorn it by Life Defending the Truth is the Serpent's Wisdom An intelligent Christian can 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 convince Gainsayers This Wisdom of the Serpent was eminently in Stephen Act. 6.9 There arose certain of the Synagogue disputing with Stephen and they were not able to resist the Wisdom and the Spirit by which he spake We read in the Acts and Monuments of the Church Iohn Fryth Martyr being opposed by three Papists he like another Hercules fighting with all three at once did by his Wisdom so convince them that one of them turned from Popery and became a zealous Protestant Herein is the Wisdom of the Serpent not only to love them that profess the Truth but silence them that oppose it But with this Wisdom of the Serpent there must be joyned the Dove together with defending the Truth by Argument there must be adorning it by Life Tit. 2.10 That they may adorn the Doctrine of God our Saviour There are some who can dispute for the Truth but disgrace it by their bad living This is to act both the Serpent and the Dove when we not only plead for the Truth but walk in the Truth like Nazianzen of whom it was said he did Thunder in his Doctrine and Lighten in his Conversation 10. The uniting the Serpent and the Dove is to be Serious in Religion yet Cheerful Seriousness puts the Heart in an Holy Frame it fixeth it on God Seriousness is to the Soul as Ballast to the Ship it keeps the Soul from being overturned with Vanity The Heart is ever best when it is serious but this Seriousness in Religion must be mixed with Cheerfulness Cheerfulness conduceth to Health Prov. 17.22 it Honours Religion it proclaims to the World we serve a good Master Cheerfulness is a Friend to Grace it puts the Heart in Tune to praise God Psal. 71.23 Unchearful Christians like the Spies bring an evil report on the Good Land Others suspect there 's something unpleasant in Religion that they who profess it hang their Harps upon the Willows and walk so dejectedly Be serious yet cheerful Phil. 4.4 Rejoyce in the Lord always Why was Christ anointed but to give the Oyl of Joy for Mourning Isa. 61.1 Joy is as well a Fruit of the Spirit as Faith Gal. 5.22 One way of grieving the Spirit saith Heinsius is by Christians unchearful walking If you would render the Gospel lovely mix the Dove and the Serpent be serious yet chearful in God 11. The uniting of the Serpent and the Dove Wisdom and Holiness consists in this when we so lay up as we lay out 'T is a Duty to provide for our Charge 1 Tim. 5.8 If any provide not for his own he is worse than an Infidel To lay up for our Family here 's the Wisdom of the Serpent but we must lay out for the Poor two here 's the mixture of the Dove 1 Tim. 6.17 Charge them that are rich in the World that they do Good that they be rich in Good Works The Poor Man is as it were an Altar if we bring our Alms and lay upon it with such Sacrifices God is well pleased Faith though it hath sometimes a trembling Hand it must not have a withered Hand but must stretch forth it self to Works of Mercy There 's nothing lost by Charitableness Prov. 11.25 The liberal Soul shall be made fat Psal. 41.1 Blessed is he that considereth the Poor thou wilt make all his Bed in his Sickness While Men do so remember their Family that they do not forget the Poor they show both Prudence and Piety they unite the Serpent and the Dove 12. The Serpent's Wisdom and the Dove's Innocency is seen in this so to avoid Danger as not to commit Sin to preserve our Liberty yet keep our Integrity There 's a sinful escaping Danger namely when we are called to suffer for the Truth and we decline it But there 's an escaping Danger without Sin as thus when we do not betray our selves into the Enemies Hands by rashness nor yet betray the Truth by Cowardice we have a Pattern of this in our Saviour he avoided his Enemies in one place that he might Preach the Gospel in another Luk. 4.30 They brought him to the brow of the Hill that they might cast him down headlong but he passing through the midst of them went his way There was Christ's Wisdom in not betraying himself to his Enemy And ver 43. I must Preach to other Cities also There was his Holiness Christ's securing of himself was in order to the Preaching of the Gospel This is to mix Prudence and Innocency when we so avoid Danger as we do not commit Sin Thus I have as briefly and as clearly as I could shown you how we must unite these Two the Serpent and the Dove Prudence and Holiness For want of Coupling these two together Religion doth much suffer in the Christian World What Christ hath joyn'd together let no Man put asunder Observe these two Prudence and Holiness here is the Serpent's Eye in the Dove's Head When these Two Wisdom and Innocency like Castor and Pollux appear together they presage much Good and Happiness that will befall a Christian. Who in are Christ are New Creatures 2. Cor. 5.17 Therefore if any Man be in Christ he is a New Creature Old Things are passed away behold all Things are become New IN this Scripture consists the Essence and Soul of Religion I note here Two Things 1. Doctr. That the true Definition of a Christian is to be in Christ If any Man be in Christ. He may be in the Church Visible yet not in Christ. 'T is not to be baptized into Christ's Name makes a true Christian but to be in Christ that is to be grafted into him by Faith And if to be in Christ makes a Christian then there are but few Christians Many are in Christ nominally not really they are in Christ by Profession not by Mystical Union Are they in Christ that do not know him Are they in Christ who persecute them that are in Christ Sure such an Holy Head as Christ will disclaim such spurious Members 2. Doctr. That whosoever is in Christ is a New Creature For Illustration I shall shew I. What a New Creature is II. What a kind of Work it is I. What a New Creature is It is a
except the Devils These stand in the place where all God's Arrows fly these are the Centre where all God's Curses meet An Unregenerate Person is like one in Debt that is in fear to be arrested he is every Hour in fear to be arrested by Death and carried Prisoner to Hell Can that Traytor be happy who is fed by his Prince in Prison only to be kept alive for Execution God feeds the Wicked as Prisoners they are reserved for the Day of Wrath 2 Pet. 2.9 How should this fright Men out of their Natural Condition and make them restless till they are New Creatures 2 Vse Trial whether we are New Creatures our Salvation depends upon it 1. I shall show you the Counterfeit of the New Creature or that which seems to be the New Creature but is not 1 Counterfeit Natural Honesty Moral Vertue Prudence Justice Liberality Temperance these make a Glorious show in the Eye of the World but differ as much from the New Creature as a Meteor from a Star Morality indeed is commendable and it were well if there were more of it This our Saviour loves Mark 10.21 Then Iesus beholding him loved him It was a love of Compassion not Election Morality is but Nature at best it doth not amount to Grace 1. There is nothing of Christ in Morality and that Fruit is sowre which grows not upon the Root Christ. 2. Moral Actions are done out of a vain-glorious Humour not any respect to God's Glory The Apostle calls the Heathen Magistrates Unjust 1 Cor. 6.1 While they were doing Justice in their Civil Courts they were Unjust their Vertue became Vice because Faith was wanting and they did all to raise them Trophies for their own Praise and Fame so that Morality is but the wild Olive of Nature it doth not amount to Grace Heat Water to the highest degree you cannot make Wine of it it is Water still So let Morality be raised to the highest it is Nature still 't is but Old Adam put in a better dress I may say to a civil Man Yet lackest thou One Thing Mark 10.21 Moral Vertue may stand with the hatred of Godliness A Moral Man doth as much hate Holiness as he doth Vice The Stoicks were Moralists and had sublime Notions about Vertue yet were the deadliest Enemies St. Paul had Acts 17.18 So that this is a counterfeit Jewel 2 Counterfeit Religious Education is not the New-Creature Education doth much cultivate and refine Nature Education is a good Wall to plant the Vine of Grace against but it is not Grace King Ioash was good as long as his Unkle Iehoiada lived but when Iehoiada died all Ioash his Religion was buried in his Unkle's Grave 2 Kings 12.2 Have not we seen many who have been trained up religiously under their Parents and were very hopeful yet these fair Blossoms of Hope have been blown off and they have lived to be a shame to their Friends 3 Counterfeit A Form of Godliness is not the New Creature Every Bird that hath fine Feathers hath not sweet Flesh. All that shine with the Golden Feathers of Profession are not Saints 2 Tim. 3 5. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Having a Form of Godliness but denying the Power What is a lifeless Form Formality is the Ape of Piety Formalists may perform all the external parts of Religion Pray Fast give Alms. Whatever Duties a Believer doth in sincerity the same may a Formalist do in Hypocrisie How devout were the Pharisees How Humble was Ahab What a Reformer was Iehu yet all this was but a formal show of Religion Daedalus by art made Images to move of themselves insomuch that People thought they were living Formalists do so counterfeit and play a Devotion that others think they are living Saints They are Religious Mountebanks 4 Counterfeit Every Change of Opinion doth not amount to the New Creature A Man may change from Error to Truth yet no New Creature here is a Change in the Head but not in the Heart One may be Orthodox in his judgment yet not cordially embrace the Gospel He may be no Papist yet no true Believer He who is changed only in Opinion is but almost a Christian and shall be but almost saved 5 Counterfeit Every sudden Passion or stirring of the Affections is not the New Creature There may be Affections of Sorrow some upon the reading the History of Christ's Passion may be ready to weep but it is only a Natural tenderness which relents at any Tragical sight Affections of desire may be stirred Ioh. 6. Lord evermore give us this Bread But these basely deserted Christ and would walk no more with him ver 66. Many desire Heaven but will not come up to the Price Affections of Ioy may be stirred In the Parable the Second sort of Hearers are said to receive the Word with joy Matth. 13.20 What was this but to have the Affections moved with delight in hearing Yet that this did not amount to the New Creature is plain 1. Because those Hearers are said to have no root 2. Because they fell away ver 21. King Herod did hear Iohn Baptist gladly he was much affected with Iohn's Preaching Where then was the defect Why was not Herod a New Creature The reason was because Herod was not reformed by the Baptist's Preaching his Affections were moved but his Sin was not removed Many have sweet Motions of Heart and seem to be much affected with the Word but their love to Sin is stronger than their love to the Word therefore all their good Affections prove abortive and come to nothing 6 Counterfeit One may have trouble for Sin yet not be a New Creature Trouble of Spirit may appear while God's Judgments lie upon Men but when these are removed their trouble ceaseth Psal. 78.34 When he slew them then they sought him nevertheless they did flatter him with their Lips Metal that melts in a Furnace take it out of the Furnace and it returns to its former hardness Many in time of Sickness seem to be like melted Metal What Weeping and wringing of Hands What Confessions of Sin will they make Do not these look like New Creatures But assoon as they recover they are as bad as ever their Pangs go off again and it never comes to a New Birth 7 Counterfeit A Man may have the Spirit yet not be a New Creature The Apostle supposeth a Case that one might be made Partaker of the Holy Ghost yet fall away Heb. 6.4 A Man may have some slight transient Work of the Spirit but it doth not go to the root he may have the common Gifts of the Spirit but not the special Grace he may have the Spirit to convince him not to convert him the Light he hath is like a Winter Sun which hath little or no influence it doth not make him more Holy he hath the Motions of the Spirit but walks after the Flesh. 8 Counterfeit Every abstaining from Sin is not the New Creature This abstaining may be
5.17 Quest. But may not a natural man oppose Sin Answ. Yes but there is a great difference between his opposing Sin and the new Creature 's opposing it I. There is a difference in the Manner of Opposition 1. The Natural Man opposeth Sin only for the Shame of it as it eclipseth his Credit But the new Creature opposeth Sin for the Filth of it it is the Spirit of Mischief 'T is like Rust to Gold or as a Stain to Beauty 2. The Natural Man doth not oppose all Sin 1. He doth not oppose inward Sins he fights against such sins as are against the light of a natural Conscience but not against Heart-sins the first risings of vain Thoughts the stirrings of Anger and Concupiscence the venom and impurity of his Nature 2. He doth not oppose Gospel-sins Pride Unbelief Hardness of Heart spiritual Barrenness he is not troubled that he can love God no more 3. He opposeth not Complexion-sins such as the Byass of his Heart carries him more strongly to as Lust or Avarice He saith of his Constitution-sin as Naaman 2 Kings 5.18 In this thing the Lord pardon thy Servant But the new Creature opposeth all kind of sin Odium circa speciem As he that hates a Serpent hates all kind of Serpents Psal. 119.104 I hate every false way II. There is difference between the Natural Man's opposing Sin and the New Creature 's opposing it in regard of the Motives A Natural Man opposeth sin from carnal Motives to stop the Mouth of Conscience and to prevent Hell But the new Creature opposeth sin upon more noble Motives out of love to God and fear of dishonouring the Gospel 4. In the new Creature there is mortifying old corrupt Lusts. Gal. 5.24 They that are Christ's have crucified the Flesh. The new Creature is said to be dead to Sin Rom. 6.11 He is dead as to the love of sin that it doth not bewitch and as to the power of it that it doth not command The new Creature is continually crucifying Sin Some Limb of the old Adam every day drops off though Sin doth not die perfectly it dies daily A gracious Soul thinks he can never kill sin enough He deals with sin as Ioab with Absalom 2 Sam. 18.14 He took three darts in his hand and thrust them through the heart of Absalom So with the three Darts of Faith Prayer and Repentance a Christian thrusts through the Body of Sin he never thinks this Absalom is enough dead Try then if we have this first Sign of the new Creature Old things are passed away There is a grieving for sin a detesting it an opposing it a mortifying it This is the passing away of old things though not in a legal sence yet in an Evangelical and though it be not to Satisfaction yet it is to Acceptation The second Trial of the New Creature is All things are become new The new Creature is new all over Grace though it be but in part yet is in every part By nature every branch of the Soul is defiled with sin as every part of Wormwood is bitter so in Regeneration every part of the Soul is replenished with Grace Therefore Grace is call'd The new Man Eph. 4.24 Not a new Eye or a new Tongue but a new Man There are new Dispositions new Principles new Aims all things are become new I. In the new Creature there is a new Understanding Eph. 4.23 Be renewed in the Spirit of your Mind The first thing a Limner draws in a Picture is the Eye When God newly limns us and makes us new Creatures the first thing he draws in our Souls is a new Eye The new Creature is enlightned to see that which he never saw before 1. He knows Christ after another manner An unconverted Man by the Light of common Grace may believe Christ to be the Son of God but the new Creature knows Christ after another-guise manner so as to esteem him above all to adore him to touch him by Faith to fetch an healing virtue from him 2. The new Creature knows himself better than he did When the Sun shines into a Room it discovers all the Dust and Cobwebs in it so when the Light of the Spirit shines into the Heart it discovers that Corruption which before lay hid it shews a man his own vileness and Nothingness Iob 40.4 Behold I am vile A wicked man blinded with Self-Love admires himself like Narcissus that seeing his own shadow upon the Water fell in love with it Saving Knowledge works self-abasement Lord thou art Heaven and I am Hell said a Martyr Hath this Day-Star of Knowledge shined in our Mind II. The new Creature is renewed in his Conscience The Conscience of a Natural Man is either blind or dumb or seared But Conscience in the new Creature is renewed Let us examine Doth Conscience check for sin The least Hair makes the Eye weep and the least sin makes Conscience smite How did David's Heart smite him for cutting off the Lap of Saul's Garment A good Conscience is a Star to guide a Register to record a Judge to determine a Witness to accuse or excuse if Conscience doth all these Offices right then it is a renewed Conscience and speaks peace III. In the new Creature the Will is renewed An old Bowl may have a new Byass put into it The Will having a new Byass of Grace put into it is strongly carried to Good The Will of a Natural man opposeth God When the Wind goes one way and the Tide another then there is a Storm so it is when God's Will goes one way and ours another But when our Will goes with God's as the Wind with the Tide then there 's a sweet Calm of Peace in the Soul The sanctified Will answers to God's Will as the Echo to the Voice Psal. 27.8 When thou saidst Seek ye my face my Heart said unto thee Thy Face Lord will I seek and the Will being renewed like the primum Mobile it carries all the Affections along with it IV. The new Creature hath a new Conversation Grace alters a man's walk Before he walked proudly now humbly before loosly now holily He makes the Word his Rule and Christ's Life his Patern Phil. 3.20 Our Conversation is in Heaven As a Ship that is sailing Eastward there comes a Gale of wind and blows it Westward So before a man did sail Hell-ward and on a sudden the Spirit of God comes upon him and blows him Heaven-ward here is a new Conversation It was a Speech of Oecolampadius I would not speak or do any thing that I thought Iesus Christ would not approve of if he were here corporally present Where there is circumcision of heart there is circumspection of Life If we find it thus that all things are become nâ—w then we are new Creatures and shall go to the new Ierusalem when we die Vse 3. Exhortation Labour to be new creatures Nothing else will avail us Gal. 6.15 Neither Circumcision availeth any thing
on Fire take heed thou dost not one Day in Hell desire a drop of Water to cool thy Tongue IV. The Evil Tongue is the Vain Tongue that vents its self in idle Words as if a Tree should bear nothing but Blossoms Psal. 10.7 under his Tongue is Vanity his Speaking is like a Child's Scribling vain and insignificant Men want Grace to Ballast them and make them serious A vain Tongue shows a light Heart A good Man's Words are weighty and prudent his Lips are as a Tree of Life to feed many his Speech is edifying Prov. 10.20 The Tongue of the Iust is as choice Silver Gracious Words drop as Silver from him to the enriching the Souls of others But Prov. 15.2 the Mouth of Fools poors out foolishness like the Water in a Spoutâ— that runs out unprofitably and doth no good Many have a Sea of Wâ—râ—s but scarce a drop of Matter they have Words without Wisdom How many idle away the Day of Grace in frivolous Discourses A piece of Gold sinks into the Water but a Feather swims upon it A Wise Man's Words are like Gold weighty and will sink into the Hearts of others but the Words of many are light and feathery and will make no impression Matth. 12.36 Every idle Word that Men shall speak they shall give an account thereof in the Day of Iudgment Words that are of no account will turn to an heavy account 5. The Evil Tongue is the Censorious Tongue Iam. 4.12 Who art thou that judgest another Some make it a part of their Religion to judge and censure others they do not imitate their Graces but censure their Failings Such an one is rash and indiscreet such an one is an Hypocrite this comes from Pride Were Men's Hearts more humble their Tongues would be more charitable The Censurer sits in the Chair of Pride and passeth Sentence upon another and doth reprobate him This is to usurp God's Prerogative and take his Work out of his Hands 't is God's Work to judge not ours He who spends his Time in censuring others spends but little Time in examining himself he doth not see his own faults I fear this is the Sin of many Professors when they meet together to cast the Stone of Censure at others There 's not a greater sign of Hypocrisie than to be over-hasty in judging and censuring Persons A Gracious Heart censures himself and hath charitable thoughts of others the Hypocrite è contra 6. The Evil Tongue is the Slanderous Tongue Psal. 50.20 Thou sittest and slanderest thy own Mother's Son Slandering is when we speak to the prejudice of another and speak that which is not true Worth and Eminency is commonly blasted by Slander Holiness it self is no Shield from Slander The Lambs Innocency will not preserve it from the Wolf Iohn Baptist came neither eating nor drinking yet they say he hath a Devil Matth. 11.18 Slandering Iob calls the Scourge of the Tongue Iob 5.21 And Ier. 18.18 Come and let us smite him with the Tongue you may smite another and never touch him Psal. 64.3 Their Tongues are Arrows shot out A Slanderer wounds another's Fame and no Physician can heal these Wounds Majora sunt lingua vulnera quam gladii Aug. The Sword doth not make so deep a Wound as the Tongue The Greek Word for Slanderer signifies Devil 1 Tim. 3.11 Some think it is no great matter to belye and defame another but know this is to act the part of a Devil The Slanderer's Tongue is a two-edged Sword it Wounds two at once While the Slanderer Wounds another in his Name he Wounds himself in his Conscience This is contrary to Scripture Iam. 4.11 Speak not Evil one of another 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God takes this ill at our Hands to speak Evil of others especially such as are eminently Holy and help to bear up the Honour of Religion Numb 12.8 Were not ye afraid to speak against my Servant Moses What my Servant who hath wrought so many Miracles whom I have spoken with in the Mount Face to Face were not ye afraid to speak against him So will God say It is the Devils proper Sin he is the Accuser of the Brethren he doth not commit Adultery but bears False Witness The Slanderer is still clipping the Credit of his Neighbour that he may make it weigh lighter Take heed of this it is a Sin our Nature is very prone to and remember 't is no less Sin to rob another of his Good Name than to steal his Goods or Wares out of his Shop 7. The Evil Tongue is the Vnclean Tongue that vents it self in filthy and scurillous words Men's Language is such as if they came out of Hell This is forbidden Eph. 4.29 Let no corrupt Communication proceed out of your Mouth Better be born Dumb than to have the Devil in ones Tongue A Sign of a great Distemper that the Fever is high when the Tongue is black A Sign Men's Hearts are very Evil when such black Words come from them When I go in the Streets and hear the Language of some I think of the Man in the Gospel who had the Spirit of an Vnclean Devil in him Luk. 4.33 Men's Lips do not drop as the Honycomb but they drop Poison to the defiling of others 1 Cor. 15.33 It is a Sign when the Face breaks out in Sores and Pimples that the Blood is corrupt so an unclean Tongue may be compared to a Sink where all the Filth of the House is carried forth We read that the Lips of the Leper were to be covered Lev. 13.45 'T were well if we had such Magistrates as would by their Authority cover the unclean Lips of those Lepers in this City 8. The Evil Tongue is the Lying Tongue Col. 3.9 Lye not one to another The Cretians were noted for Lyars Tit. 1.12 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. The Cretians are always Lyars It becomes not Christians to be Cretians Nothing more contrary to God than a Lye it shews much Irreligion In Heart there wants the fear of God which should Bridle lying Lips Lying is a Sin that doth not go alone it ushers in other Sins Absalom told his Father a Lye that he was going to pay his Vow at Hebron 2 Sam. 15.7 and this Lye was a Preface to his Treason Lying is such a Sin as takes away all Society and Converse with Men How can you have Converse with him that you cannot trust a Word he saith It is a Sin so sordid that when the Lyar is convicted he is ashamed God's Children have this Character they are Children that will not Lye Isa. 63.8 the New Nature in them will not suffer them The Lyar is near a Kin to the Devil and the Devil will shortly claim kindred with him Ioh. 8.44 The Devil is a Lyar and the Father of it He seduced our First Parents by a Lye Gen. 3.4 How doth this Sin incense God he struck Ananias dead for telling a Lye Act. 5.5 The Furnace of
Hell is heated to throw Lyars into Rev. 22.15 Without are Dogs and Sorcerers and Whoremongers and whosoever loveth and telleth a Lye 9. The Evil Tongue is the Flattering Tongue That will speak fair to ones Face but will defame Pro. 26.25 He that hateth dissembleth with his Lips When he speaketh fair believe him not Dissembled Love is worse than Hatred Some can commend and reproach flatter and hate Honey in their Mouths but a sting of Malice in their Hearts Better are the Wounds of a Friend than the Kisses of such an Enemy Hierome saith The Arrian Faction pretended Friendship they saith he kissed my Hands but slandered me and sought my Ruine Many have dissembling Tongues they can say Your Servant and lay Snares Prov. 29.5 A Man that flattereth his Neighbour spreadeth snares for his Feet You oft think you have a Frieâ—d in your Bosom but he proves a Viper To dissemble Love is no better than a Lye for there is a pretence of that Love which is not Many are like Ioab 2 Sam. 20.9 And Joab said to Amasa art thou in Health my Brother and he took him by the Beard to kiss him and he smote him in the Fifth Rib that he dyed Impia sub dulci melle venena latent For my part I much question his Truth towards God that will flatter and lye to his Friend He who counterfeits love to his Friend is worse than he that Coins counterfeit Money God will bring such an one to shame at last Prov. 26.26 Whose hatred is covered by deceit his Wickedness shall be shewed before the whole Congregation 10. The Evil Tongue is the Tongue given to Boasting Iam. 3.5 The Tongue is a little Member and boasteth great things There is an Holy boasting Psal. 44.8 In God we boast all the Day when we triumph in his Power and Mercy But it is a sinful boasting when Men display their Trophies boast of their own Worth and Eminency that others may admire and cry them up A Man's sâ—lf is his Idol and he loves to have this Idol worshipped Acts 5.36 There arose up Theudas boasting himself to be Somebody 2. Sinful boasting is when Men boast of their Sins Psal. 52. 1. Why boastest thou thy self in mischief O mighty Man Some boast how wicked they have been how many they have made drunk how many they have deflowered As if a Beggar should boast of his Sores or a Thief boast of being burnt in the Hand Such as boast of their sinful Exploits will have little cause to rejoice or hang up their Trophies when they come to Hell XI The Evil Tongue is the Swearing Tongue Matth. 5.34 Swear not at all The Scripture allows an Oath for the ending of a Controversie and to clear the Truth Heb. 6.16 But in ordinary discourse to use an Oath and so to take God's Name in Vain is sinful Swearing may be called the unfruitful Work of Darkness there is neither Pleasure nor Profit in it 't is like an Hook the Fish comes to without a Bait. Ier. 23.10 Because of Swearing the Land Mourns Some think it the grace of their Speech but will God reckon with Men for idle Words what will he do for sinful Oaths Obj. But it is only a petty Oath they but Swear by their Faith Answ. Sure they which have so much Faith in their Mouth have none in their Heart But it is my Custom Is this an excuse or an aggravation of the Sin If a Malefactor should be Arraigned for Robbing and he should say to the Judge Spare me it is my Custom to rob on the Highway the Judge would say Thou shalt the rather die For every Oath thou Swearest God puts a drop of Wrath into his Viol. Obj. But may some think what though now and then I Swear an Oath Words are but Wind Answ. But they are such a Wind as will blow thee into Hell without repentance 12. The Railing Tongue is an evil Tongue This is a Plague-Sore breaking out at the Tongue when we give opprobrious Language When the Dispute was between the Arch-Angel and the Devil about the Body of Moses Jude v. 9. the Arch-Angel durst not bring a railing Accusation against him but said The Lord rebuke thee The Arch-Angel durst not rail against the Devil Railing oft ends in Reviling and so Men bring themselves into a Praemunire and are in danger of Hell-Fire Matth. 5.22 13. The Seducing Tongue is an evil Tongue The Tongue that by fine Rhetorick decoys Men into Error Rom. 16.18 By fair Speechs they deceive the hearts of the simple A fair Tongue can put off bad Wares Error is bad Ware which a seducing Tongue can put off The Deceit lies in this a smooth Tongue can make Error look so like Truth that you can hardly know them asunder As thus in Iustification Christ bears infinite Love to justified Persons this is a glorious Truth but under this Notion the Antinomian presseth Libertinism Believers may take more liberty to sin and God sees no Sin in them Thus by crying up Iustification they destroy Sanctification Here is the Seducing Tongue and Error is as dangerous as Vice One may die by Poyson as well as a Pistol 14. The evil Tongue is the cruel Tongue that speaks to the wounding the hearts of others The Tongue is made almost in the fashion of a Sword and the Tongue is sharp as a Sword Psal. 57.4 Their Tongue is a sharp Sword Kind loving Words should be spoken to such as are of a heavy heart Iob 6.14 To him that is afflicted pity should be shown Healing Words are fittest for a broken heart but that is a cruel unmerciful Tongue which speaks such Words to the afflicted as cut them to the heart Psal. 69.26 They talk to the grief of those whom thou hast wounded Hannah was a Woman of a troubled Spirit 1 Sam. 1.10 She was in bitterness of Soul and wept sore And now Eli ver 14. said unto her How long wilt thou be drunken Put away thy Wine from thee This Word was like pouring Vinegar into the Wound When Iob was afflicted with God's Hand his Friends instead of comforting him tell him he was an Hypocrite Iob 11.2 These were cutting Words which went to his heart Instead of giving him Cordials in his fainting they use Corrosives This is to lay more weight upon a dying Man 15. The evil Tongue is the murmuring Tongue Iude 16. These are Murmurers Murmuring is Discontent breaking out at the Lips Men quarrel with God and tax his Providence as if he had not dealt well with them Why should any murmur or be discontented at their Condition Doth God owe them any thing Or can they deserve any thing at his hands Oh how uncomely is it to murmur at Providence It is fittest for a Cain to be Wroth with God Gen. 4.6 1. Murmuring proceeds from Unbelief When men distrust God's Promise then they murmur at his Providence Psal. 106.24 25. They believed not his Word but murmured When Faith
they know Matth. 12.50 Whosoever shall do the Will of my Father in Heaven the same is my Brother and Sister That is he is dear to me as if he had a Natural Alliance in Blood nay far dearer for many of Christ's Kindred in the Flesh are in Hell but where there 's a Spiritual Consanguinity there 's no fear of perishing Such as know Christ's Will and do it not are Strangers to Christ and he will say I know you not But if you that know to do good do it Christ will know you sure he will know his kindred his Sisters and Brothers 2. To know to do good and do it sets a Crown upon the Gospel Rom. 16.19 Your Obedience is come abroad unto all Men not your Knowledge but your Obedience When Christians do what they know are eminent in Humility and Charity when they walk exemplarily this adorns Religion To know to do good and not to do it hardens others in Sin scandalizeth Religion and makes People ready to turn Atheists When some of the Spaniards came into Hispaniola the Spaniards carriage being loose and prophane the Indians asked them What God they served they answered the God of Heaven the Indians replied Sure your God is not a good God that hath such bad Servants Thus to know to do good yet not do it puts a scar in the Face of Religion and brings an evil report upon it but to do what we know Trumpets forth the Fame of the Gospel and makes them that oppose it to admire it 3. To know to do good and to do it entitles you to Blessedness Iam. 1.25 He shall be Blessed in the Deed not for the deed but in the deed God will not only pour golden Oil of Temporal Blessings on you give you Corn and Wine but he will bless you with Salvation Heb. 5.9 He became the Author of Salvation to all them that obey And that you may do what you know beg the Holy Spirit God hath promised to give us his Spirit to make us walk in his Statutes Ezek. 36.27 Lex jubet gratia juvat The Word commands the Spirit inables The Word is a Star to direct us the Spirit is a Load-stone to draw us The Word Anoints our Eyes the Spirit Guides our Feet into the Path of God's Commandments 3 Doct. That he who knoweth to do good and doth it not is of all others most guilty to him it is Sin Crimson Sin that is it is heinous Sin Capital Sin Sin emphatically Sin with a Witness and punished with a Vengeance Such an one is a notorious desperate Sinner he knows he should abstain from such Sins because the Law of God forbids them yet he goes on in those Sins he knows he should do such Duties because the Law of God enjoins them Sanctifie the Sabbath be just in his Dealings but though he knows to do good yet he doth it not such a one is a desperate prodigious Sinner he Sins with a Witness And the Reason is because he that knows to do good yet doth it not he Sins presumptuously Under the Law there was a Sacrifice for Sins of Ignorance but for presumptuous Sins there was no Sacrifice Numb 15.30 The Soul that doth ought presumptuously the same reproacheth the Lord and that Soul shall be cut off from among his People Quest. What is it to Sin presumptuously Answ. To Sin presumptuously is to Sin against the Light which shines into a Man's Conscience i. e. A Man is convinced those things he doth are Sin Conscience saith O do not this great Evil Conscience like the Cherubims hath a flaming Sword in its Hand to afright and deterr the Sinner yet he will pluck the Forbidden Fruit This is to Sin presumptuously To Sin ignorantly doth something extenuate and take off from the Sin it excuseth à tanto Ioh. 15.22 He had had no Sin It may be supposed that if the Man had known the thing had been so Evil he would not have done it but he that Sins knowingly is a Presumptuous Sinner he Sins with his Eyes open he is like one that hath a Torch in his Hand and yet runs into the Pond and drowns himself Iob 24.13 They are of those that Rebel against the Light This is desperate this is to be worse than Balaam for when he saw the Angel before him with a naked Sword he durst not go on but the presumptuous Sinner though he sees the Flaming Sword of God's Wrath before him yet he will go on in Sin O Sinner thou art making way for thy own Torment thou that sinnest against the Light of Conscience thou stuffest the Pillow of Conscience with Thorns on which thy Head must lie to all Eternity If a Man Sins out of Ignorance saith Aristot. when he knows it he repents if out of Passion when the Passion is over he weeps but he that Sins knowingly against his Conscience he is set upon Sin and he will hardly be reclaimed Now there are two aggravations of this presumptuous Sin viz. Sinning against the Light of Conscience And to know to do good yet not to do it 1. This sinning presumptuously against Conscience is after Councils Admonitions Warnings Such an one cannot say he was never told of his Sin he hath had Ministers rising up early who have told him what a damnable Thing Sin was yet he would venture on so that now he hath no excuse Iohn 15.22 Now you have no Cloak for your Sin After Reproofs and Caveats now to persist in Sin it gives a Dye and Ticture to the Sin Thou that livest in Malice Uncleanness and neglect of Family Duty think how often thou hast been warned of Sin We read if the Prophet had warned another Ezek. 33.9 If thou warn the Wicked of his way to turn from it if he do not turn from his way he shall die in his Iniquity this made Saul's Sin Presumptuous and it is called Rebellion because the Prophet had warned him and given him express charge utterly to destroy Amaleck yet he spared Agag and the best of the Sheep and Oxen 1 Sam. 15.9 This was Rebellion and for it he lost his Kingdom To Sin against Conscience and to do it after warning doth give an Accent to Sin as the Dye to Wool or as a Weight put in the Scale which makes it weigh heavier Oh! take heed all you that go on in Sin presumptuously there hath been a Trumpet blown in your Ears you have been told what Sin would cost you God himself will draw up the Charge against you and this will be put in your Indictment It was after warning If a Sea-mark be set up to give notice that there are Shelves and Rocks in isto loco yet if the Mariner will Sail there and split his Ship he is presumptuous and none will pity him because there was a Sea-mark set up to give him warning of the danger 2. T is an aggravation to sin presumptuously against Conscience when it is after Afflictions After God hath
like and approve all they have done but he will not justifie the wicked So that such who rebel against Light and sin presumptuously there is little hope for such The presumptuous Sinner stops his Ear to the Councels of the Word vexeth the holy Spirit tramples on Christ's Blood he rejects the Remedy he necessitates himself to Damnation 8. Such as sin presumptuously that know to do Good yet do it not know what is evil yet will not forbear it God refuseth all their Services They sin against their Conscience and yet come and worship God God abhors their Sacrifice Isa. 1.15 When you make many Prayers I will not hear your hands are full of Blood For Men to sin presumptuously and come and pray and hear the Word they do but provoke God the more And take notice such as live in Sin against their Conscience when they pray most God will punish them most Hos. 8.13 They sacrifice Flesh for the Sacrifices of mine Offerings but the Lord accepteth them not now will he remember their iniquities and visit their Sins They were highly guilty of Idolatry they had set up one Idol in Dan and another in Bethel Here they sinn'd presumptuously went against Light and now they come and offer their Sacrifices to God Saith God I will not accept your Offering now will I remember your Iniquities and while you are worshipping me I will punish you Now will I visit your Sins Thus you see what cause you have to tremble who are guilty in this kind you see your Misery Besides all that hath been said consider these Two Things 2. You that sin presumptuously that know to do Good and do it not that know what is evil yet will not forbear you cannot sin so cheap as others though Sin will cost every one dear yet it will cost you dearer You go directly against Conscience and if there be either Justice in Heaven or Fire in Hell you shall be sure to be punished Some Places you use to say are dearer to live in than others it is dearer living in the City than the Countrey Let me tell you it is dearer sinning in the City than in a blind Village where they have not had the Means of Grace To lye cozen and be drunk after the powerful Preaching of the Word the Convictions of Conscience the Enlightnings of the Holy Ghost this will put a Weight into the Scale it will make Sin the heavier and Hell the hotter 2. You who sin presumptuously cannot take so much Pleasure in your Sin as another may have One whose Conscience is less enlightned though his Sin will be bitter to him afterwards yet at present he may rowl it as Honey under his Tongue and find Pleasure in it but you that sin against your Knowledge you cannot have so much pleasure in Sin as he for Conscience will put forth a Sting and all the Threatnings of the Word will set themselves in Battel array against you so that you can have no quiet He that hath the Tooth-Ach doth not taste so much sweetness in his Meat as another O presumptuous Sinner every step thou takest in Sin thou goest with a Thorn in thy Foot and that Trouble thou feelest now in thy Conscience is but the beginning of Sorrow Quest. What shall we do that we may not sin presumptuously against Conscience Answ. Take heed of little Sins though to speak properly there are no such things as little Sins no little Treason but comparatively one Sin may be lesser than another Take heed of little Sins The frequent committing of lesser Sins will prepare for greater A lesser Distemper of Body if it be let alone prepares for a greater Distemper Being unjust in a little prepares for being unjust in much Luke 16.10 Such as were at first more modest yet by accustoming themselves to lesser Sins by degrees their Sins have boiled up to a greater height Jayl-Sins have begun at little Sins 2. If you would not sin presumptuously viz. knowingly and wilfully then reverence the Dictates of Conscience get Conscience well inform'd by the Word as you set your Watch by the Sun and then be ruled by it do nothing against Conscience If Conscience saith do such a thing though never so unpleasing set upon the Duty When Conscience saith Take heed of such a thing come not nigh the forbidden Fruit. Conscience is God's Deputy or Proxy in the Soul The Voice of Conscience is the Voice of God Do not stifle any Checks of Conscience lest God suffer thee to harden in Sin and by degrees come to presumptuous Sin 3. Labour to have your Knowledge sanctified Men sin against their Knowledge because their Knowledge is not sanctified Knowledge is like the Moon Light in it but no Heat Sanctified Knowledge works upon the Soul it inclines us to Good it makes us fly from Sin Sanctified Knowledge is like a Breast-plate which keeps the Arrow of presumptuous Sin from entring An Alphabetical INDEX of the chief Matters of this Book A. ABstaining from external Acts of Sin not sufficient to entitle us to Salvation Pag. 879 Acts of Sin how we may keep from them 871 Adam how long he continued in Paradise before he fell 79 Adam's Sin how made ours 82 Adoption what it is 134 From what and to what it is 135 Adopted Son how free Ibid. Adoption the instrumental Cause of it ib. Adoption Signs of it 137 Adultery the heinousness of it wherein it appears 370 Adultery how we may abstain from it 372 Afflictions of the Godly how they differ from those of the Wicked 261 Afflicted how they are happy 262 Affliction what kindness there is in it when God seems most unkind 525 Affliction what profit is in it ib. Afflictions how they contribute to our Happiness 528 Afflictions how they magnifie us 864 Aggravation of Adam's Sin 81 Aggravations of the loss of the Kingdom of Heaven 488 Angels their Society how can it add to the happiness of Souls when God is infinite to fill the Soul with delight 474 Anthropomorphites Objection answer'd 24 Aphoriâ—ms about Sin and Forgiveness 805 Apostacy from Religion whence it proceeds 485 Appearance of Evil the mischief of it 871 Arguments to persuade us to seek after obtaining the Kingdom of Heaven 503 Arrians Error about the H. Ghost refuted 64 Arminians Objections against Perseverance 220 Arminians deny Saints Perseverance and why 493 Assurance what it is 201 True Assurance the difference between it and Presumption 202 Assurance its Excellency ibid. Assurance how to know if we have right to it 204 Assurance what we must do to get it 203 Assurance they that have it how they must carry themselves 205 Atheist the wickedest Creature that is 22 B. Baptism what it is 409 The Benefit of it ibid. Believers why they have not all the full enjoyment of Peace 209 Believers Privileges at Death 225 How they come to have those Privileges 227 What they are 228 How shall we know that we shall gain them at Death 230
Person of the Trinity 63 What Sorrow goes before Forgiveness 806 Soul-Murther who are guilty of it 365 Soul the Excellency of it 801 Soul-dress for receiving the Sacrament wherein it consists 416 Souls deserted that want assurance how they may be comforted 205 Spiritual what it is to be so 25 Spirit how it can be said to be grieved 77 State of Nature is a Kingdom of Darkness Submission to God's Will what it is not 520 Submission to God's Will what may stand with it and what not 521 Submission to God's Will what it is ibid. When we do not submit to God's Will in Afflictions 523. Subtilty of Satan to make Men miscarry in the use of Meat 838 T Temptations whence they come 832 Tempted two cases of them spoke to 852 Temptations of Satan means to defeat them 855 Temptation what good may come out of it 858 Theft whence it doth arise 377 How many sorts of it there are ibid. What are the aggravations of it ibid. Vain Thoughts how they come in in hearing the Word 340 The Evil of them 341 Vain Thoughts how we may get help against them 342 Vain Thoughts in Prayer how we may cure them 422 Tongue how it is Evil. 986 Evil Tongue the several sorts of 986 987. Tongue rules for governing it 991 Tongue Sins Motives to beware of them 993 Torments of Hell what they are 473 Trinity of Persons proved 62 63 Truth of God 57 U Visiting Iniquity what is meant by it 282 Unchangeableness of God 36 Unchangeable God how to get a part in him 38 Unpardoned Soul how miserable it is 816 Vorstius Objection against God's Vbiquity answered 27 W Several Ways of Satan to tempt Men. 853 Weariness in well-doing what occasions it 994 The Evil of it 996 Means to keep us from being weary in Well-doing 997 Will of God what is meant by it 512 Will of God how we are to do it that we may find acceptance 515 Will of God how we may Evangelically do it 516 Will of God how we may come to do it aright Wisdom of God wherein it appears 40 Wisdom and Innocence necessary Qualifications of a Christian. 966 Wisdom wherein it chiefly consists ibid. The Word 's effectually Working what is meant by it 404 Word how it may be read effectually 405 How it may be heard effectually 406 World why God made it 66 World in what sence it is Evil. 877 What Worship is most suitable to God 25 To Worship God in the Spirit what it is 26 Wrath to come what we shall do to escape it 397 A Catalogue of BOOKS sold by Thomas Parkhurst at the Bible and Three Crowns near Mercers Chapel in Cheapside In Folio THE Christian Directory or Case of Conscience Catholick Theology Methodus Theologica all three by Mr. Richard Baxter A Sacred Poem on the Glory of Heaven Rushworth's first Vol. Crook's Hypocrite Keach's Metaphors Strong on the Covenant Burgess on the Corinthians Taylor on Christ's Temptation Horton on the Psalms Gell's Remains A Dialogue between Timothy and Titus about the Articles of the Church of England Isaac Ambrose's Works Pool's Annotations on the Bible Pembroke's Arcadia Manton's Third Vol. of Sermons Dr. Lightfoot's Works Gurnall's Christian Armour Dr. Horton's 100 Sermons Nostradamus's Prophecies Melvill's Memoirs Marvell's Poems Daillé on the Colossians Cook 's Mirabilia Clark's Martyrology The Acts Decisions Decrees and Canons of the Reformed Churches in France being a most Faithful and Impartial History of the Rise Growth and Decay of the Reformation in that Kingdom their Confession of Faith Speeches Letters Cases of Conscience c. By Iohn Quick Minister in London Dr. Owen's Discourse of the Holy Spirit on the Hebrews Second Vol. on the Hebrews Third Vol. In Quarto Baxter's Saints Everlasting rest Church History and Councils History of Counsels inlarged and defended Apology for Nonconformists Second Defence of Nonconformists Apology against Eight Men. Treatise of Episcopacy Disputations of Church-Government Life of Faith First of the Sermons Preach'd before King Charles the Second English Nonconformity Naked Popery against Dodwell and Shirlock Which is the True Church Catholick Communion against both Extreams in six several Controversies Moral Prognostication Search for English Schismaticks Farewel Sermon Published by himself Alderman Ashurst's Funeral Sermon Mr. Iohn Corbet's Funeral Sermon Glorious Kingdom of Christ. Reply to Mr. Tho. Beverly's Answer National Churches Church Concord Penitent Confession and necessary Vindication Power of a Christian Magistrate Disputations of right to Sacraments Disputation of Justification Church Told against Bagshaw Ark on the Covenant Brown's Gospel-Churches Brightman on the Revelations Bulkley on the Covenant Critical Enquiries Boyse's Sermon Charlton's Enquiries into Humane Nature Child's Pilot's Sea-Mirrour Clarkson's Poetical Divinity of Papists No Evidence for Diocesan Churches Corbet's Nonconformist's Plea Clark against Postlewait A Dialogue between a Protestant and a Jew and a Papist and a Jew Doolittle's Protestant's Answer to where was your Church before Luther Caryl on Iob. Elton on the Commandments Greenhill on Ezekiel First Vol. Second Vol. Humphrys's Nonconformist's Third Step. Frysell's Sermons of Grace and Temptation Bishop Hopkins on the Commandments Humphrys's Middle Way Peaceable Disquisition Q. I Ovid. 2 Chr. 11.15 Q. II. * Id verum quod primum †Veritas opprimi patest non supprimi * Que regit Syder a sagit ubera Q. III. Q. IV. * Iovis omnia plâ—na * Not the posse but velle * Bene esse Removenda Promovenda * Vox faucibus haeret 3. Casus Non mirum Tristis Miosis * Brugensis * Bern. * Hierom. * Macrobius * Die Dominico nihil aliud vacandum nisi ad pietatiâ— munia 1. A Promise of Joy Psal. 37.4 2. Of Honour 3. Of Earth and Heaven Eccles. 12.5 * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies Son as well as Servant * Bern. 1 Cor. 9.7 * Arist. * Davenant Reason * The Eye is the first part Ravens pick out * Plutarch †Validiora sunt Exempla quam verba Isa. 1.21 Acts 9.4 1. Excellency of the Soul 2. Excellency Plutarch Sen. Surius of Luther Ainsworth Ambrose Epiphan Luke 3.20 * Ex uguue Leonem Luther August * Cyprian * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 * 1 Chron. 15.13 * Rev. 3.2 Mat. 7.6 Exod. 19.12 * Aug. * Crede manducasti Aug. Luther Calvin Aug. Tertull. Aug. Calvin Aristot. Rom. 1.30 2 Sam. 12.11 * Bern. 2 Sam. 18.2 Gal. 5.17