never true Use 1. How opposite are they to godliness who cry down zeal and count it a Religious phrensie They are for the light of knowledge but not for the heat of zeal When Basil was earnest in preaching against the Arrian Heresie it was interpreted folly and dotage Religion is a matter requires zeal the Kingdom of heaven will not be taken but by violence Mat. 12. 11. Object But why so much fervour in Religion what becomes then of Prudence Answ. Though Prudence be to direct zeal yet not to destroy it because sight is requisite must the body therefore have no heat If Prudence be the eye in Religion zeal is the heart Quest. But where is moderation Answ. Though moderation in things of indifferency be commendable and doubtless it would much tend to the setling the peace of the Church yet in the main Articles of Faith wherein Gods glory and our Salvation lie at stake here moderation is nothing else but sinful neutrality It was Calvins advice to Melancthon that he should not so affect the name of moderate that at length he lost all his zeal Object But the Apostle presseth moderation Phil. 4. 5. Let your moderation be known to all Answ. The Apostle speaks there of moderating our passion the Greek word for moderation signifies candour and meekness opposite to rash anger and so the word is rendred in another place Patient 1 Tim. 3. 3. By moderation then is meant meekness of spirit and that is clear by the subsequent words The Lord is at hand As if the Apostle had said avenge not your selves for the Lord is at hand he is ready to avenge your personal wrongs but this doth not at all hinder but that in matters of Religion a Christian should be zealous 2 What strangers are they to godliness who have no zeal for the glory of God they can see his ordinances despised his worship adulterated yet their spirits are not at all stirred in them How many are of a dull lukewarm temper zealous for their own secular interest but have no zeal for the things of heaven hot in their own cause but cool in Gods The Lord doth most abominate lukewarm professours I had almost said hee is sick of them Rev. 3. 15. I would thou wert cold or hot any thing but lukewarm but because thou art neither cold nor hot I will spue thee out of my mouth A lukewarm Christian is but dough-baked just like Ephraim Hos. 7. 8. Ephraim is a cake not turned To keep up a form of Religion without zeal is to be like those bodies the Angels assumed which mooved but had no life in them I would ask these Tepid neutral professors this question If Religion be not a good cause why did they undertake it at first if it be why do they go so faintly about it why have they no more holy ardours of soul these persons would fain go to heaven in a soft bed but are loath to bee carried thither in a fiery Chariot of zeal Remember God will be zealous against them who are not zealous he provides the fire of hell for those that want the fire of zeal Use 2. As you would be found in the catalogue of the godly labour for zeal as good bee of no religion as not to be zealous in religion Beware of carnal policy This is one of those three things which Luther feared would bee the death of Religion Some men have been too wise to bee saved Their discretion hath quenched their zeal beware of stoth which is an enemy to zeal be zealous and repent Rev. 3. 19. Christians what do you reserve your zeal for is it for your gold that perisheth or for your lusts that will make you perish can you bestow your zeal better than upon God how zealous have men been in a false religion Isa. 46. 6. They lavish gold out of the bag and weigh silver in the ballance The Iews did spare no cost in their idolatrous worship nay Ier. 32. 35. They cause their Sons and Daughters to pass thorow the fire to Molech They were so zealous in their idol-worship that they would sacrifice their Sons and Daughters to their false Gods how far did the purblinde Heathens go in their false zeal 〈◊〉 the Tribunes of Rome complained they wanted gold in their Treasurâ—es to offer to Apollo the Roman Matrons plucked off their chains of gold and rings and bracelets and gave them to the Priests to offer up sacrifice were these so zealous in their sinful worship and will not you bee zealous in the worship of the true God can you loose any thing by your zeal shall it not bee super-abundantly recompenced what is heaven worth what is a sight of God worth was not Jesus Christ zealous for you he sweat drops of blood hee conflicted with his Fathers wrath how zealous was hee for your redemption and have you no zeal for him is there any thing you your selves hate more than dulness and slothfulness in your servants you are weary of such servants do you dislike a dull temper in others and not in your selves what are all your duties without zeal but non entia meer fancies and nullities Do you know what a glorious thing zeal is it is the lustre that sparkles from grace it is the flame of love it resembles the Holy Ghost Act. 2. 2. There appeared cloven tongues like fire which sat upon them and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost Tongues of fire were an Emblem to represent that fire of zeal which the spirit powred upon them Zeal makes all our religious performances prevalent with God When the iron is red hot it enters best and when our services are red hot with zeal they soonest pierce heaven SECT XVI 16. A godly man is a patient man Iam. 5. 11. Ye have heard of the patience of Iob. Patience is a star which shines in a dark night There is a twofold patience 1. Patience in waiting 2. Patience in bearing 1. Patience in waiting A godly man if he hath not his desire presently he will wait till the mercy be ripe Psa. 130. 6. My soul waiteth for the Lord. Good reason God should have the Timing of our mercies Isa. 60. 22. I the Lord will hasten it in his time Deliverance may tarry beyond our time but it will not tarry beyond Gods time Why should not we wait patiently upon God 1. We are servants it becomes servants to be in a waiting posture 2. We wait upon every thing else we wait upon the fire till it burns we wait upon the seed till it grows Iam. 5. 7. Why cannot we wait upon God 3. God hath waited upon us Did not he wait for our repentance How often did he come year after year before he found fruit Did God wait upon us and cannot we wait upon him A godly man is content to stay Gods leisure though the Vision tarry he will wait for
we are here we are complaining of our wants weeping over our sins but there we shall be praising God How will the Birds of Paradise chirp when they are in that Caelestial Country There the Morning Stars will sing together and all the Saints of God shout for joy O what should we aspire after but this Country above Such as have their eyes opened will see that it doth infinitely excel An ignorant man looks upon a Star and it appears to him as a little silver spot but the Astronomer who hath his Instrument to judge of the dimension of a Star knows it to be many degrees bigger than the earth So a natural man hears of the heavenly Country that it is very glorious but it is at a great distance and because he hath not a spirit of discerning the world looks bigger in his eye but such as are Spiritual Artists who have the Instrument of Faith to judge of Heaven will say it is far the better Country and thither will they hasten with the Sails of desire SECT XV. 15. A godly man is a zealous man grace turns a Saint into a Seraphim it makes him burn in holy zeal zeal is a mixed affection a compound of love and anger it carries forth our love to God and anger against sin in the most intense manner Zeal is the flame of the affections a godly man hath a double baptism of water and fire he is baptized with a spirit of zeal hee is zealous for Gods honour truth worship Psal. 119. 139. my zeal hath consumed me it was a crown set on Phineas his head hee was zealous for his God Numb 25. 13. Moses being touched with a coal from Gods altar in his zeal hee breaks the Tables Exod. 32. 19. our blessed Saviour in his zeal whips the buyers and sellers out of the Temple Ioh. 2. 17. the zeal of thy house hath eaten me up But there is a Praeternatural heat something looking like zeal which is not a Comet looks like a Star I shall therefore show some differences between a true and a false zeal 1 A false zeal is a blinde zeal Rom. 10. 2. They have a zeal of God but not according to knowledge this is not the fire of the spirit but wild-fire The Athenians were very devout and zealous but they knew not for what Acts 17. 23. I found an Altar with this Inscription 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 To the unknown God Thus the Papists are zealous in their way but they have taken away the key of knowledge 2 A false zeal is a self-seeking zeal Iehu cries come see my zeal for the Lord 2 King 10. 16. but it was not zeal but ambition he was fishing for a Crown Demetrius pleads for the Goddess Diana but it was not her Temple but her Silver shrines he was zealous for Such zealots Ignatius complains of in his time that they made a Trade of Christ and Religion thereby to enrich themselves 'T is probable many in King Henry the eights time were forward to pull down the Abbies not out of any zeal against Popery but that they might build their own houses upon the ruines of those Abbies like Eagles which fly aloft but their eyes are down upon their prey If blind zeal be punished seven fold hypocritical zeal shall bee punished seventy and seven fold 3 A false praeposterous zeal is a misguided zeal it runs out most in things which are not commanded It is the sign of an hypocrite to be zealous for traditions and careless of institutions The Pharisees were more zealous about washing of their cups than their hearts 4 A false zeal is fired with passion Iames and Iohn when they would call for fire from heaven were rebuked by our Saviour Luk. 9. 54. Yee know not what spirit yee are off it was not zeal but choller many have espoused the cause of Religion rather out of faction and humour than out of zeal to the truth But the zeal of a godly man is a true and holy zeal which evidenceth it self in the effects of it 1 True zeal cannot bear an injury done to God zeal makes the blood rise when Gods honour is impeached Rev. 2. 2. I know thy works and thy labour and patience and how thou canst not bear them which are evil hee who zealously affects his friend cannot hear him spoken against and be silent 2 True zeal will encounter with the greatest difficulties when the world holds out a Gorgons head of danger to discourage us zeal casts out fear it is quickned by opposition Zeal doth not say there is a Lyon in the way zeal will charge through an Army of dangers it will march in the face of death Let news be brought to Paul that he was way-laid in every City bonds and imprisonment did abide him this sets a keener edge upon his zeal Acts 21. 13. I am ready not only to bee bound but to dye for the name of the Lord Iesus as sharp frosts do by an antiparistasis make the fire burn hotter so sharp oppositions do but inflame zeal the more 3 True zeal as it hath knowledge to go before it so it hath sanctity to follow after it Wisdome leads the van of zeal and holiness brings up the rear an hypocrite seems to be zealous but he is vitious the godly man is white and ruddy white in purity as well as ruddy in zeal Christs zeal was hotter than the fire and his holiness purer than the sun 4 Zeal that is genuine loves truth when it is despised and opposed Psal. 119. 126. They have made void thy law therefore I love thy commandements above gold the more others deride holiness the more we love it what is Religion the worse for others disgracing it doth a Diamond sparkle the less because a blinde man disparageth it the more outragious the wicked are against the truth the more couragious the godly are for it When Mical scoffed at Davids religious dancing before the Ark if saith he this be to be vile I will yet be more vile 2 Sam. 6. 22. 5 True zeal causeth fervency in duty Rom. 12. 11. fervent in spirit Zeal makes us hear with reverence pray with affection love with ardency God kindled Moses his sacrifice from heaven Lev. 9. 24. There came a fire out from before the Lord and consumed upon the Altar the burnt offering when we are zealous in devotion and our heart waxeth hot within us here is a fire from heaven kindling our sacrifice how odious is it for a man to be all fire when he is sinning and all yâ—e when he is praying A pious heart like water seething hot boils over in holy affections 6. True zeal is never out of breath though it be violent 't is perpetual no waters can quench the flame of zeal it is torrid in the frigid zone The heat of zeal is like the natural heat coming from the heart which lasts as long as life That zeal which is not constant was
things that is all things essential to salvation A godly man hath the good knowledge of the Lord 2 Chron. 30. 22. he hath sound wisdom Prov. 3. 21. he knows God in Christ to know God out of Christ is to know him an enemy but to know him in Christ is sweet and delicious A gracious soul hath the savour of knowledge 2 Cor. 2. 14. There is a great difference between one that hath read of a Countrey or viewed it in the Map and another who hath lived in the Countrey and tasted the Fruits and Spices of it The knowledge wherewith a godly man is adorned hath these eight rare Ingredients in it 1 It is a grounded Knowledge Col. 1. 27. If ye continue in the Faith grounded It is not a believing as the Church believes but 〈◊〉 Knowledge rests upon a double basis 〈◊〉 Word and Spirit the one is a 〈…〉 other a witness saving Knowledge is not pendulous or doubtful but hath a certainty in it Iohn 6. 69. We believe and are sure thou art that Christ 2 Cor. 5 6. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 being always confident a godly man holds no more then he will dye for The Martyrs were so confirmed in the knowledge of the Truth that they would seal it with their bloud 2. It is an appretiative knowledge The Lapidary is said to know a Jewel who hath skill to value it He knows God who esteems him above the glory of heaven and the comforts of the earth To compare other things with God is to debase Deity as if you should compare the shining of a Gloworm with the Sun 3. The knowledge of a godly man is quickning Psalm 119. 93. I will never forget thy Precepts for with them thou hast quickned me Knowledge in a natural mans head is like a Torch in a dead mans hand True knowledge animates A godly man is like Iohn Baptist a burning and a shining Lamp He doth not only shine by illumination but burn by affection The Spouses knowledge made her sick of love Cant. 2. 5. Perâ—ulsa sum I am wounded with love I am like a Deer that is struck with a Dart my Soul lies a bleeding and nothing can cure me but a sight of him whom my Soul loves 4. Divine Knowledge is appropriating Ioh 19. 25. I know that my Redeemer liveth A Medicine is best when it is applyed this applicative Knowledge is joyful Christ is called a Surety Hebr. 7. 22. O what joy when I am drowned in debt to know that Christ is my Surety Christ is called an Advocate 1 Ioh. 2. 1. The Greek word for Advocate 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies a Comforter O what comfort is it when I have a bad Cause to know Christ is my Advocate who never lost any Cause he pleaded Quest. But how shall I know that I make a right application of Christ an Hypocrite may think he applyes when he doth not Balaam though a Sorcerer yet said My God Numb 22. 18. Answ. 1. He who rightly applyes Christ puts these two together Iesus and Lord Phil. 3. 8. Christ Iesus my Lord Many take Christ as a Iesus but refuse him as a Lord. Do you joyn Prince and Saviour Act. 5. 31. Would you as well be ruled by Christs Laws as saved by his Bloud Christ is a Priest upon his Throne Zac. 6. 13. He will never be a Priest to intercede unless your hear be the Throne where he sways his Scepter A true applying of Christ is when we so take him for an Husband that we give up our selves to him as a Lord. 2. He who rightly applyes Christ fetcheth virtue from him The Woman in the Gospel having touched Christ felt virtue coming from him and her fountain of bloud was dried up Mar. 5. 29. This is to apply Christ when we feel a sin mortifying virtue flow from him Naturalists tell us there is an Antipathy between the Diamond and the Loadstone insomuch that if a piece of iron be laid by the Diamond the Diamond will not suffer it to be drawn away by the Loadstone So that knowledge which is applicatory hath an antipathy against sin and will not suffer the heart to be drawn away by it 5. The knowledge of a godly man is transforming 2 Cor. 3. 8. We all with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord are changed into the same Image As a Painter looking upon a face draws a face like it in the Picture So looking upon Christ in the glass of the Gospel we are changed into his similitude We may look upon other objects that are glorious yet not be made glorious by them A deformed face may look upon beauty and yet not be made beautiful a wounded man may look upon a Chyrurgion and yet not be healed but this is the Excellency of Divine Knowledge it gives us such a sight of Christ as makes us partake of his Nature as Moses when he had seen Gods back-parts his face shined some of the Rays and Beams of Gods glory fell upon him 6. The knowledge of a godly man is self-emptying carnal knowledge makes the head giddy with pride 1 Cor. 8. 2. True knowledge brings a man out of love with himself the more he knows the more he blusheth at his own ignorance David a bright Star in Gods Church yet he thought himself rather a Cloud than a Star Psalm 73. 22. 7. The knowledge of a godly man is growing Col. 1. 10. Encreasing in the knowledge of God True knowledge is like the light of the morning which encreaseth in the Horizon till it comes to the full Meridian So sweet is Spiritual Knowledge that the more a Saint knows the more thirsty he is of knowledge 't is called the Riches of Knowledge 1 Cor. 1. 5. the more riches a man hath the more still he desires though S. Paul knew Christ yet he would know him more Phil. 3. 10. that I may know him and the power of his Resurrection 8. The knowledge of a godly man is practick Iohn 10. 4. The Sheep follow him for they know his voice Though God requires knowledge more than burnt-offering Hos. 6. 6 yet it is a knowledge accompanied with obedience True knowledge doth not only mend a Christians sight but mends his pace 'T is a reproach to a Christian to live in a contradiction to his knowledge to know he should be strict and holy yet to live loosly Not to obey is all one as not to know 1 Sam. 2. 12. The Sons of Eli knew not the Lord they could not but know for they taught others the knowledge of the Lord yet they are said not to know because they did not obey when Knowledge and Practise like Castor and Pollux appear together then they presage much happiness Use 1. Let us try our selves by this Character 1. Are they godly who are still in the Region of darkness Pro. 19. 2. That the Soul be without knowledge it is not
with my Love Christ. The Bird desires to be out of the Cage though it be hung with Pearl Such is the love a gracious Soulbears to God that many waters cannot quench it he loves a frowning God Though I am out of sign and clean forgot Let me not love thee if I love thee not A godly man loves God though he be reduced to straits A Mother and her Childe of nine years old being ready to perish with hunger the Childe looking upon its Mother said Mother do you think God will starve us No Childe said the Mother he will not The Childe replied But if he do we must love him and serve him Use. Let us try our godliness by this Touch-stone Do we love God Is he our Treasure and Center Can we with David call God our Ioy yea our exceeding Ioy Psal. 43. 4. Do we delight in drawing nigh to him and come before him with singing Psal. 100. 2. Do we love him for his Beauty more than his Iewels Do we love him when he seems not to love us If this be sign of a godly man how few will be found in the number Where is the man whose heart is dilated in love to God Many court him but few love him People are for the most part eaten up with self-love they love their ease their worldly profit their lusts but they have not a drop of love to God Did they love God would they be so willing to be rid of him Iob 21. 14. They say to the Almighty depart from us Did they love God would they tear his Name by their Oaths Doth he love his Father who shoots him to the heart Though they worship God they do not love him they are like the Souldiers that bowed the knee to Christ and mocked him Mat. 27. 29. He whose heart is a grave in which the love of God is buried deserves to have that Curse written upon his Tomb-stone 1 Cor. 16. ult Let him be Anathema Maranatha A Soul void of Divine Love is a temper that best suits with damned spirits But I shall wave this and pass to the next SECT IV. 4. A godly man is like God he hath the same judgement with God he thinks of things as God doth he hath a God-like disposition he partakes of the Divine Nature 2 Pet. 1. 4. A godly man doth bear Gods Name and Image godliness is God-likeness 'T is one thing to profess God another thing to resemble him A godly man is like God in Holiness Holiness is the most orient Pearl of the King of Heavens Crown Exod. 15. 11. Glorious in Holiness Gods power makes him Mighty his mercy makes him lovely but his holiness makes him glorious The Holiness of God is the intrinsick purity of his Nature and his abhorrency of sin A godly man bears some kind of Analogy with God in this He hath the Holy Oil of Consecration upon him Psal. 106. 16. Aaron the Saint of the Lord. Holiness is the Badge and Livery of Christs people Isa. 63. 18. The people of thy Holiness The godly are as well an Holy as a Royal Priesthood 1 Pet. 2. 9. Nor have they only a Frontispiece of holiness like the Egyptian Temples which were fair without but they are like Solomons Temple which had gold within they have written upon their heart Holiness to the Lord The holiness of the Saints consists in their conformity to Gods Will which is the rule and patern of all Holiness Holiness is a mans glory Aaron put on garments for glory and beauty Exod. 28. 2. So when a person is invested with the embroidered garment of Holiness it is for glory and beauty The goodness of a Christian lies in his Holiness as the goodness of the Air lies in the clearness of it the worth of gold in the pureness Quest. Wherein do the godly discover their holiness Answ. 1. In hating the garment spotted by the flesh Iude 3. The godly do set themselves against evil both in purpose and practise they are fearful of that which looks like sin 1 Thes. 5. 22. The appearance of evil may prejudice a weak Christian If it doth not defile a mans own Conscience it may offend his Brothers Conscience and to sin against him is to sin against Christ 1 Cor. 8. 12. A godly man will not go as far as he may least he go further than he should he will not swallow down all that others bribed with preferment may plead for 'T is easie to put a golden colour upon a rotten stuff 2. The godly discover their holiness in being Advocates for Holiness Psal. 119. 46. I will speak of thy Testimonies before Kings and will not be ashamed When Piety is calumniated in the world the Saints will stand up in the defence of it they will wipe off the dust of a reproach from the face of Religion Holiness defends the godly and they will defend Holiness it defends them from danger and they will defend it from disgrace Use 1. How can those be reputed godly who are unlike God they have nothing of God in them not one shread of holiness They call themselves Christians but blot out the word holiness you may as well call it day at midnight So impudent are some that they boast they are none of the holy ones Is it not the Spirit of Holiness which marks the sheep of Christ from the goats Eph. 1. 13. Ye were sealed or marked with the Holy Spirit And is it a matter for men to boast of that they have none of the Spirits ear-mark upon them Doth not the Apostle say that without holiness no man shall see the Lord Heb. 12. 14. Such as bless themselves in their unholiness had best go ring the Bells for joy that they shall never see God Others there are that hate holiness sin and holiness never meet but they fight holiness dischargeth its fire of zeal against sin and sin spits its venom of malice at holiness Many pretend to love Christ as a Saviour but hate him as he is the Holy One Act. 3. 14. Use 2. Let us labour to be like God in holiness 1. This is Gods great design he drives on in the world 't is the end of the Word preached the silver drops of the Sanctuary are to water the seed of grace and make a crop of holiness spring up What use is there of the Promises but to bribe us to holiness What are all Gods Providential Dispensations but to excite holiness As the Lord makes use of all the seasons of the year frost and heat to bring on the harvest so all prosperous and adverse providences are for the promoting the work of holiness in the soul. What is the end of the mission of the spirit but to make the heart holy When the ayr is unwholesome by reason of foggy vapours the wind is a fan to winnow and purifie the ayr so the blowing of Gods Spirit upon the heart is
love to the Word by conforming to it the Word is his Sun-Dial by which he sets his life the balance in which he weighs his actions he copies out the Word in his daily walk 2 Tim. 4. 7. I have kept the Faith St. Paul kept the Doctrine of Faith and lived the life of Faith Quest Why is a godly man a lover of the Word Answ. 1. Because of the excellency of the Word 1. The word written is our pillar of fire to guide us It shows us what Rocks we are to avoid it is the card by which we sail to the new Hierusalem 2. The word is a Spiritual Optick Glass through which we may see our own hearts The Glass of Nature which the Heathen had discovered spots in their Conversation but this Glass discovers spots in the Imagination that Glass discovered the spots of their unrighteousness this discovers the spots of our righteousness Rom. 7. 9. When the Commandment came sin revived and I died when the word came as a Glass all my opinion of self-righteousness died 3. The word of God is a Soveraign comfort in distress while we follow this Cloud the Rock follows us Psal. 119. 50. This is my comfort in my affliction for thy word hath quickned me Christ is the Fountain of Living water the word is the Golden Pipe through which it runs what can revive at the hour of death but the Word of Life 2. A godly man loves the word because of the efficacy it hath had upon him this day-star hath risen in his heart and usher'd â—n the Sun of Righteousness 2. A godly man loves the Word Preached which is a Commentary upon the word written The Scriptures are the Soveraign oyls and balsoms the preaching of the word is the powring of them out The Scriptures are the precious spices the preaching of the word is the beating of these spices which causeth a wonderful fragrancy and delight The word preached is the Rod of Gods strength Psal. 110. 2. and the breath of his lips Isa. 11. 4. What was once said of the City Thebes that it was built by the sound of Amphius his Harp is much more true of Soul-Conversion it is built by the sound of the Gospel Harp therefore the preaching of the Word is called the power of God to Salvation 1 Cor. 1. 24. By this Christ is said now to speak to us from Heaven Heb. 12. 5. This Ministery of the word is to be preferred before the Ministry of Angels A godly man loves the word preached partly from the good he hath found by it he hath felt the dew fall with this Manna and partly because of Gods Institution the Lord hath appointed this Ordinance to save him the Kings Image makes the Coyn go currant the stamp of Divine Authority upon the word preached makes it an Engine conducible to mens Salvation Use. Let us try by this Character whether we are godly Are we lovers of the word 1. Do we love the word written What sums of money did the Martyrs give for a few leaves of the Bible Do we make the word our familiar As Moses had often the Rod of God in his hand so should we have the Book of God in our hand when we want direction do we consult with this sacred Oracle when we find corruptions strong do we make use of this Sword of the Spirit to hew them down when we are disconsolate do we go to this Aqua vitae bottle for comfort then we are lovers of the word But alas how can they say they love the Scriptures who are seldome conversant in them their eyes begin to be sore when they look upon a Bible The two Testaments are hung by like rusty Armour which is seldome or never made use of The Lord wrote the Law with his own finger but though God took pains to write men will not take pains to read they had rather look upon a pair of Cards then upon a Bible 2. Do we love the word preached Do we prize it in our judgements Do we receive it into our hearts Do we fear the loss of the word preached more than the loss of peace and trading Is it the removal of the Ark that troubles us Again do we attend the Word with Reverential Devotion when the Judge is giving his Charge upon the Bench all attend when the word is preached the great God is giving us his Charge do we listen to it as to a matter of life and death this is a good sign we love the word Again do we love the Sanctity of the word Psal. 119. 140. The word preached is to beat down sin and advance holiness Do we love it for its spirituality and purity Many love the word preached only for its eloquence and notion they come to a Sermon as to a Musick-lecture Ezek. 33. 31. or as to a garden to pick flowers but not to have their lusts subdued or their hearts bettered These are like a foolish woman which paints her face but neglects her health Again do we love the convictions of the word Do we love the word when it comes home to our Conscience and shoots its arrows of reproof at our sins 'T is the Ministers duty sometimes to reprove He that can give smooth words in the Pulpit but knows not how to reprove is like a sword with a fine hilt without an edge Titus 2. 15. Rebuke them sharply Dip the nail in oyl reprove in love but strike the nail home Now Christian when the word toucheth upon thy sin and saith Thou art the man dost thou love the reproof Canst thou bless God that the sword of the Spirit hath divided between thee and thy lusts This is indeed a sign of grace and shows thou art a lover of the word A corrupt heart loves the comforts of the word but not the reproofs Amos 5. 10. They hate him that rebuketh in the gate Igne micant oculi Like venomous creatures that upon the least touch spit poyson Act. 7. 54. When they heard these things they were cut to the heart and gnashed upon him with their teeth When Stephen touched them to the quick they were mad and could not endure it Quest. How shall we know that we love the reproofs of the word Ans. 1. When we desire to sit under an heart-searching Ministry who cares for Physick that will not work A godly man chuseth not to sit under such a Ministry as will not work upon his Conscience 2. When we pray that the word may meet with our sins if there be any traiterous lust got into our heart we would have it found out and Execution done upon it we would not have sin covered but cured we can open our breast to the bullet of the word and say Lord smite this sin 3. When we are thankful for a reproof Psa. 141. 5. Let the righteous smite me it shall be a kindness and let him reprove me it shall be an excellent oyl which
shall not break my head David was glad of a reproof Suppose a man were in the mouth of a Lyon and another should shoot the Lyon and save the man would not he be thankful So when we are in the mouth of sin as of a Lyon and the Minister by a reproof shoots this sin to death shall not we be thankful A gracious soul rejoyceth when the sharp Lance of the word hath let out his Imposthume he wears a reproof as a Jewel on his ear Pro. 30. 12. As an ear-ring of gold so is a reprover on an obedient ear To conclude 't is convincing â—reachâ—ng must do the soul good a nipping reproof prepares for comfort as a nipping frost prepares for the sweet flowers of spring SECT X. 10. A godly man hath the Spirit of God residing in him 2 Tim. 1. 14. The Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us The Schoolmen move the question whether a man receive the Holy Ghost himself or no Montanus held that the godly have so Gods Spirit in them that they partake of his Essence and are become one person with himself but this amounts to no less than blasphemy then it would follow that every Saint were to be worshipped I conceive the spirit is in the godly per modum influxus they have the presence and receive the sacred influences of it When the Sun comes into a room not the body of the Sun is there but the beams that sparkle from it Indeed some Divines have thought that the godly have more than the influx of the spirit though to say how it is more is ineffable and is fitter for some Seraphique Pen to describe than mine The Spirit of God discovers its self in a gracious soul two wayes 1. By its motions These are some of that sweet perfume the spirit breaths upon the heart whereby it is raised into a kind of Angelical frame Quest. 1. But how may we know the motions of the Spirit from a delusion Answ. The motions of the Spirit are always consonant to the word the word is the Chariot wherein the Spirit of God rides which way the tyde of the word runs that way the wind of the spirit blows Quest. 2. How may the motions of the Spirit in the godly be distinguished from the impulses of a Natural Conscience Answ. 1. A Natural Conscience may provoke sometimes to the same thing that the spirit doth but not from the same principle Natural Conscience is a spuâ— to duty but it puts a man upon doing duties for fear of hell as the Gally tugs at the Oar for fear of being beaten whereas the spirit moves a Childe of God from a more Noble Principle it makes him serve God out of choice and esteem duty his priviledge 2. The impulses of a Natural Conscience put men only upon more facil duties of Religion wherein the heart is less exercised as perfunctory reading or praying but the motions of the spirit in the godly go further causing them to set upon the most irksome duties as self-reflection self-humbling yea perillous duties as confessing Christs Name in times of danger Divine motions are in the heart like new wine which will have vent When Gods Spirit possesseth a man it carries him full-sail through all difficulties 2. The Spirit discovers it self in the godly by its virtues These are various 1. Gods Spirit hath a teaching virtue the spirit teacheth convincingly Ioh. 16. 8. It doth so teach as it doth perswade 2. Gods Spirit hath a sanctifying virtue the heart naturally is polluted but when the spirit comes into it it works sin out and grace in The Spirit of God was represented by the Dove Embleme of Purity the spirit makes the heart a Temple for pureness and a Paradise for pleasantness The holy Oyl of Consecration was nothing else but a prefiguring of the spirit The spirit sanctifies a mans fancy causing it to mint holy meditations it sanctifies his will byassing it to good so that now it shall be as delightful to serve God as before it was to sin against him sweet powders perfume linnen so Gods Spirit in a man perfumes him with holiness and makes his heart a Map of Heaven 3. Gods Spirit hath a vivifying virtue 2 Cor. 3. 6. The Spirit giveth life As thâ— blowing in an Organ makes it sound so thâ— breathing of the spirit causeth life and moâ—on When the Prophet Elijah stretcheâ— himself upon the dead Childe it revived 1 Kin. 17. 22. so Gods Spirit stretching self upon the soul infuseth life into it As our life so our liveliness is from thâ— spirits operation Ezek. 3. 14. The Spirit lifted me up When the heart is bowed dowâ— and is listless to duty the Spirit of God lift it up it puts a sharp edge upon the affectionâ— it makes love ardent hope lively the spirâ—â— takes off the weights of the soul and gives wings Cant. 6. 12. Or ever I was aware 〈◊〉 Soul made me like the Chariots of Amminâ—â—i The wheels of the soul were before pulleâ— off and it did drive on heavily but wheâ— the spirit of the Almighty possesseth a maâ— now he runs swiftly in the ways of God anâ— his soul is as the Chariots of Amminadib 4. Gods Spirit hath a Jurisdictive virtue it rules and governs Gods Spirit sits paramount in the soul it gives check to thâ— violence of corruption it will not suffer man to be vain and loose as others The Spâ—rit of God will not be put out of office exerciseth its authority over the heart bringing every thought to the obedience of Chriâ—â— 2 Cor. 10. 5. 5. The spirit hath a mollifying virtue therefore it is compared to fire which softens the wax The spirit turns flint into flesh Ezek. 36. 26. I will give you an heart of flesh How shall this be effected Ver. 27. I will put my spirit within you While the heart is hard it lies like a log and is not wrought upon either with judgements or mercies but when Gods Spirit comes in it makes a mans heart as tender as his eye and now it is made yielding to Divine Impressions 6. The spirit of God hath a corroborating virtue it infuseth strength and assistance for work it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a spirit of Power 2 Tim. 1. 7. Gods spirit carries a man above himself Eph. 3. 16. Strengthened with might by his spirit in the inner man The spirit confirms faith animates courage it lifts at one end of the Cross and makes it lighter to be born The spirit gives not only a sufficiency of strength but a redundancy Quest. How shall we know whether we act in the strength of Gods Spirit or in the strength of our own abilities Answ. 1. When we do humbly cast our selves upon God for assistance as David going out against Goliah did cast himself upon God for help 1 Sam. 17. 45. I come to thee in the Name of the Lord. 2. When
the spirit comes very neer to the despighting of it How can men be sanctified but by the spirit therefore to reproach that is to make merry with their own damnation Use 2. As you would be listed in the number of the godly labour for the blessed indwelling of the spirit pray with Melancthon Lord inflame my soul with thy holy spirit and with the Spouse Awake O North-wind aad come thou South blow upon my garden Cant. 4. 16. As a Mariner would desire a wind to carry him to Sea so beg the prosperous gales of the spirit and the Promise may add wings to prayer Luke 11. 13. If ye being evil know how to give good gifts unto your children how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Spirit to them that ask him Gods spirit is a rich Jewel go to him for it Lord give me thy spirit where is the Jewel thou didst promise me When shall my soul be as Gideons Fleece wet with the dew of heaven Consider how needful the spirit is without it we can do nothing acceptably to God 1 VVe cannot pray without it 't is a spirit of Supplication Zac. 12. 10. It both helps the invention and the affection Rom. 8. 26. The spirit helps us with sighs and groans 2. We cannot resist temptation without it Act. 1. 8. Ye shall receive power after the Holy Ghost is come upon you He who hath the tyde of corrupt nature and the wind of temptation must needs be carried down the stream of sin if the contrary wind of the spirit doth not blow 3. VVe cannot be fruitful without the spirit Aureus imber sitientia caelo â—orda rigans VVhy is the spirit compared to dew and rain but to show us how unable we are to bring forth a Crop of Grace unless the dew of God fall upon us 4. VVithout the spirit no Ordinance is effectual to us Ordinances are the Conduit-Pipes of Grace but the spirit is the Spring Some content themselves that they have a Levite to their Priest but never look any further as if a Merchant should content himself that his ship hath good tackling and is well manned though it never have a gale of wind The Ship of Ordinances will not carry us to heaven though an Angel were the Pylot unless the wind of Gods Spirit blow The Spirit is the Soul of the Word without which it is but a dead letter Ministers may prescribe Physick but it is Gods spirit must make it work Our hearts are like Davids body when it grew old they covered him with cloathes but he gat no heat 1 King 1. 1. So though the Minister of God ply us with prayers and counsels as with hot cloathes yet we are cold and chill till Gods spirit comes and then we say as the Disciples Luke 24. 32. Did not our hearts burn within us Oh therefore what need have we of the spirit 3. You who have the blessed spirit manifested by its energy and vital operations 1. Acknowledge Gods distinguishing love the spirit is an ear-mark of Election 1 Iohn 3. 4. Christ gave the bag to Iudas but not his spirit The spirit is a Love-token where God gives his spirit for a pawn he gives himself for a portion The spirit is an Epitomizing blessing it is put for all good things Mat. 7. 11. What were you without the spirit but as so many carkasses Without this Christ would not profit you the Bloud of God is not enough without the Breath of God Oh then be thankful for the spirit this Loadstone will never leave drawing you till it hath drawn you up to heaven 2. If you have this spirit do not grieve it Eph. 4. 30. Shall we grieve our Comforter Quest. How do we grieve the Spirit Answ. 1. When we unkindly repel the motions of it The spirit sometimes whispers in our ears and calls to us as God did to Iacob Gen. 35. 1. Arise go to Bethel So saith the spirit Arise go to prayer retire thy self to meet thy God Now when we stifle these motions and entertain temptations to vanity this is a grieving of the spirit if we check the motions of the spirit we shall lose the comforts of the spirit 2. We grieve the spirit when we deny the work of the spirit in our hearts if one gives another a token and he should deny it and say he never received it this were to abuse the love of his friend So Christian when God hath given thee his spirit witnessed by those meltings of heart and passionate breathings after heaven yet thou deniest that thou ever hadst any renewing work of the spirit in thee this is high ingratitude and is a grieving the good spirit renounce the sinful works of the flesh but do not deny the gracious work of the spirit SECT XI 11. The godly man is an humble man he is like the Sun in the Zenith which when it is at the highest shows lowest St. Austin calls Humility the Mother of the Graces but ere I show you who is the humble man I shall lay down three distinctions 1. I distinguish between being humbled and humble a man may be humbled and not humble a sinner may be humbled by affliction his condition is low but not his disposition a godly man is not only humbled but humble his heart is as low as his condition 2. I distinguish between outward humility and inward there 's a great deal of difference between an humble carriage and an humble spirit a person may carry it humbly 1. Towards others yet be proud who more humble than Absalom in his outward behaviour 2 Sam. 15. 5. When any man came neer to do him obeysance Absalom took him by the hand and kissed him But though he had an humble carriage he aspired after the Crown ver 10. As soon as ye hear the sound of the Trumpet ye shall say Absalom reigneth in Hebron Here was Pride dressed in Humilities Mantle 2. A person may behave himself humbly towards God yet be proud 1 King 21. 27. Ahab put on sackcloth and fasted and went softly but his heart was not humble A man may bow his head like a bull-rush yet lift up the Ensigns of Pride in his heart 3. I distinguish between Humility and Policy many make a shew of Humility to work their own ends The Papists seem to be the most humble mortified Saints but it is rather subtilty than humility for by this means they get the Revenues of the earth into their possession all this may be and yet no godliness Quest. How may a Christian know that he is humble and consequently godly Answ. 1. An humble soul is emptied of all swelling thoughts of himself Bernard calls Humility a Self-annihilation Iob 22. 29. Thou wilt save the humble In the Hebrew it is Him that is of low eyes An humble man hath lower thoughts of himself than others can have of him
it 2. Patience in bearing This patience is twofold 1. Either in regard of man when we bear injuries without revenging Or 2. In regard of God when we bear his hand without repining A good man will not only do Gods will but bear his will Mica 7. 9. I will bear the indignation of the Lord. This patient bearing of Gods will is not 1. A Stoical Apathy Patience is not insensibleness under Gods hand we ought to be sensible 2. It is not patience upon force to bear a thing because we cannot help it which as Erasmus saith is rather necessity than patience But patience is a cheerful submission of our will to God Act. 21. 4. The will of the Lord be done A godly man doth acquiesce in what God doth as being not only good but best for him The great quarrel between God and us is whose will shall stand Now the Regenerate will falls in with the will of God â—here are four things opposite to this patient â—ame of soul. 1. Disquiet of spirit When the soul is discomposed and pulled off the hinges insomuch that it is unfit for holy duties when the strings of a Lute are snarled the Lute is not fit to make Musick so when a Christians spirit is perplexed and disturbed he cannot make melody in his heart to the Lord. 2. Discontent which is a sullen dogged humour When a man is not angry at his sins but at his condition this is different from patience Discontent is the daughter of pride 3. Prejudice which is a dislike of God and his ways and a falling off from Religion Sinners have hard thoughts of God and if he doth but touch them in a tender part they will presently be gone from him and throw off his Livery 4. Self-vindication when instead of being humbled under Gods hand a man justifies himself as if he had not deserved what he suffers 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 patience A godly man subscribes to Gods wisdome and submits to his will he saith not only good is the Word of the Lord Isa. 3â—â—8 but good is the Rod of the Lord. Use. As we would demonstrate our selves godly let us be eminent in this grace of patience Eccles. 7. 8. The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit There are some Graces which we shall have no need of in heaven we shall have no need of Faith when we have full Vision nor patience when we have perfect joy but in a dark sorrowful night there is need of these stars to shine Let us show our patience in bearing Gods will patience in bearing Gods will is two-fold 1. When God removes any comfort from us 2. When God imposeth any evil upon us 1. We must be patient when God removes any comfort from us Doth God take away any of our Relations Ezek. 24. 16. I will take away the desire of thine eyes with a stroak yet it is our duty patiently to acquiesce in the Will of God The loss of a dear Relation is like the pulling away a Limb from the body Homo toties moritur quoties amittit suos But grace will make our hearts calm and sedate and work us to an holy patience under such a severe dispensation I shall lay down eight considerations which may be as spiritual Physick to kill the worm of impatience under the loss of Relations 1. The Lord never takes away any comfort from his people but he gives them that which is better The Disciples parted with Christs corporal presence and he sent them the Holy Ghost God eclipseth one joy and augments another he doth but make an exchange he takes away a Flower and gives a Diamond 2. Godly friends dying are in a better condition they are taken away from the evil to come Isa. 57. 1. They are out of the storm and are gotten to the Haven Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord Rev. 14. 13. The godly have a portion promised them upon their marriage with Christ but the portion is not paid till the day of their death The Saints at death are preferred to Communion with God they have that they so long hoped for and prayed for why then should we be impatient at our friends preferment 3. Thou that art a Saint hast a friend in heaven which thou canst not lose The Jews have a saying at their Funerals Let thy consolation be in heaven Art thou a close Mourner look up to heaven and fetch comfort thence thy best kindred are above Psa 27. 10 When my Father and Mother forsake me then the Lord will take me up God will be with thee in the hour of death Psa. 23. 4. Though I walk in the valley of the shadow of death thou art with me Other friends thou canst not keep God is a friend thou canst not lose he will be thy Guide in life thy Hope in death thy Reward after death 4 Perhaps God is correcting thee for a fault and it so it becomes thee to bee patient it may bee thy friend had more of thy love than God and therefore God did take away such a relation that the stream of thy love may run bak to him again A gracious woman having been deprived first of her Children then of her Husband Lord saith she thou hast a plot upon me thou intendest to have all my love God doth not like it to have any Creature set upon the throne of our affections hee will take away that comfort and then he shall lye nearest our heart If an Husband bestow a jewel upon his Wife and she doth so fall in love with that jewel as to forget her Husband hee will take away the jewel that her love may return to him again a dear relation is this jewel if we begin to idolize it God will take away the jewell that our love may return to him â—gain 5 A Godly Relation is parted with but not lost that is lost which wee are out of hope ever of seeing again religious friends are but gone a little before A time will shortly come when there shall bee a meeting without parting 1 Thes. 5. 10. How glad is one friend to see another that hath been long absent Oh what glorious acclamations shall there bee when old relations shall meet together in heaven and be in each others embraces when a great prince lands at the shore the guns go off in token of joy when godly friends shall be all landed at the heavenly shore and shall congratulate one anothers felicity what stupendious joy will there be what musick in the quire of Angels how will heaven ring of their praises and that which is the crown of all they who were here joyned in the flesh shall bee joyned nearer than ever in the mystical body and shall lye together in Christs bosome that bed of
in it Love one another how unworthy is it when Christians are suffering together to be then striving together 4 Not to love is very Sinful 1 For Saints not to love is to live in a contradiction to Scripture the Apostle is continually beating upon this string of love as if it made the sweetest musick in Religion Rom. 13. 8. Col. 3. 14. 1 Pet. 1. 22. 1 Ioh. 3. 11. 1 Iohn 4. 21. This Commandement we have from him that hee who loveth God love his Brother also not to love is to walk Antipodes to the word can he be a good Physician who goes against the rules of Physick can he be a good Christian who goes against the rules of Religion 2 Want of love among Christians doth much silence the spirit of prayer hot passions make cold prayers where animosities and contentions prevail instead of praying one for another Christians will be ready to pray one against another like the Disciples who prayed for fire from heaven upon the Samaritans Luke 9. 54. and will God think you hear such prayers as come from a wrathful heart will hee eat of our leavened bread will hee accept of those duties which are sowered with bitterness of spirit shall that prayer ever go up as incense which is offered with the strange fire of our sinful passions 3 These heart-burnings hinder the progress of piety in our own souls the flower of grace will not grow in a wrathful heart the body may as well thrive while it hath the Plague as a soul can that is infected with malice while Christians are debating grace is abating as the spleen grows health decaies and as hatred increaseth holiness declines 5 Not to love is very fatal the differences among Gods people portend ruine all mischiefs come in at this gap of division Mat. 12. 25. Animosities among Saints may make God leave his Temple Ezek. 10. 4. The glory of the Lord went up from the Cherub and stood upon the threshold Doth not God seem to stand upon the threshold of his house as if he were taking his wings to â—lye and wo to us if God depart from us If the Master leave the ship it is near sinkâ—ng indeed if God leave a land it must needs â—ink in ruine Quest. How shall wee attain this excellent grace of love Answ. 1 Beware of the Devils Footâ—osts I mean such as run on his errand and make it their work to blow the coals of contention among Christians and render one party odious to another 2 Keep up friendly meetings Christians should not be shy one of another as if they had the Plague 3 Let us plead that promise Ier. 32. 39. I will give them one heart and one way Let us pray that there may bee no strife among Christians but who shall love most let us â—ray that God will divide Babylon and unite â—ion Use 3 Is this a mark of a godly man to â—ove the Saints then they must stand inlighted for ungodly who hate the Saints the wicked have an implacable malice against Gods people and how can antipathies be reconciled To hate Saint-ship is a brand of a reprobate they that maligne the godly are the curse of the creation if all the scalding drops in Gods Vial will make them miserable they shall bee so Never did anyâ— who were the haters and persecuters of Saints thrive upon that Trade What became of Iulian Dioclesian Maximinus Valerian Cardinal Crescentius and others some of them their bowels came out others choked with their own blood that they might be set up as standing monuments of Gods vengeance Psa. 34. 21. They that hate the righteous shall be desolate SECT XIX 19 A godly man doth not indulge himself in any sin Though sin lives in him yet he doth not live in sin Every man that hath wine in him is not in wine A godly man may step into sin through infirmity but hee 〈◊〉 not keep the road Psal. 139. 24. See if there bee any way of wickedness in mee Quest. What is it to indulge sin Answ. 1 To give the breast to it and feed it as a fond Parent humours his childe and lets him have what he will so to indulge sin is to humour sin 2 To indulge sin is to commit it with delight 1 Thess. 2. 12. They have pleasure in unrighteousness In this sense a godly man doth not indulge sin though sin be in him hee is troubled at it and would fain get rid of it there is as much difference between sin in the wicked and the godly as between poyson being in a Serpent and in a Man Poyson in a Serpent is in its natural place and is delightful But poyson in a mans body is offensive and hee useth Antidotes to expel it So sin in a wicked man is delightful being in its natural place but sin in a childe of God is burdensome and he useth all means to expell it This pares off from the sin the will is against it A godly man enters his protest against sin Rom. 7. 15. What I do I allow not A childe of God while he commits sin hates the sin he commits Rom. 7. in particular there are four sorts of sins which a godly man will not allow himself in 1 Secret sins Some are more modest than to commit gross sin that would be a stain to their reputation but they will sit brooding upon sin in a corner 1 Sam. 23. 9. Saul secretâ—y practised mischief All will not sin in a Belcony but perhaps they will sin behind the curtain Rachel did not carry her fathers Images as a Sumpter-cloath to be exposed to publick view but she put them under her and sate upon them Gen. 31. 34. many carry their sins secretly as a candle in a dark lantâ—orn But a godly man dares not sin secretly 1 he knows that God sees in secret Psal. 44. 21. as God cannot be deceived by our subtilty so he cannot be excluded by our secresy 2 A godly man knows that secret sins are in some sense worse than others they discover more guile and Atheism The Curtain-sinner makes himself beleeve God doth not see Ezek. 8. 12. Son of man hast thou seen what the Antients of the house of Israel have done in the dark for they say the Lord seeth us not They that have bad eyes think the Sun is dim how doth this provoke God that mens Atheisme should give the lye to his Omnisciency Psal. 94. 9. He that formed the eye shall he not see 3 A godly man knows that secret sins shal not escape Gods Justice a Judge on the Bench can punish no offence but what is proved by Witness he cannot punish the Treason of the heart but the sins of the heart are as visible to God as if they were written upon the fore-head As God will reward secret duties so he will revenge secret sins 2 A godly man will not allow himself in gainful sins Gain is the golden
leaves the heart always in a better tune 2. The danger of doing duties in an unspiritual manner they are as if they had not been done for what the heart doth not do is not done Duties slubbered over turn Ordinances into Judgements Therefore many though they are often in duty they go away worse from duty If Physick be not well made and the ingredients rightly tempered it is as bad as poyson for the body So if duties are not well performed they leave the heart more hard and sinful than before Duties unspiritual oft create Judgements temporal 1 Chron. 15. 13. The Lord our God made a breach upon us for that we sought him not after the due order Therefore God makes breaches in Families and Relations because persons worship him not in that manner and due order which he requires 3. If we would have our duties spiritual we must get our hearts spiritual an earthly heart cannot be spiritual in duty Let us beg of God a spiritual pallat to relish a sweetness in holy things for want of spiritual hearts we come to duty without delight and go away without profit If a man would have the wheels of his Watch move regularly he must mend the Spring Christian if thou wouldst move more spiritually in duty get the Spring of thy heart mended SECT XXII 22. A godly man is thorow-paced in Religion he obeys every Command of God Act. 13. 22. I have found David a man after mine own heart which shall fulfill all my will In the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all my wills A godly man labours to walk according to the full bredth and latitude of Gods Law Every Command hath the same stamp of Divine Authority upon it and he who is godly will obey one Command as well as another Psal. 119. 6. Then shall I not be ashamed when I have respect to all thy Commandments A godly man goes through all the Body of Religion as the Sun through all the Signs of the Zodiack He that is to play upon a ten-stringed Instrument must strike upon every string or he spoils all the Musick The ten Commandments may be compared to a ten-stringed Instrument we must obey every Commandment strike upon every string or we can make no sweet Musick in Religion True obedience is filâ—al it is fit the Childe should obey the Parent in all just and sober commands Gods Laws are like the Curtains of the Tabernacle which were looped together they are like a Chain of Gold where all the links are coupled A conscientious man will not willingly break one Link of this Chain if one Command be violated the whole Chain is broken Iam. 2. 10. Whosoever shall keep the whole Law yet offend in one point is guilty of all A voluntary breach of one of Gods Laws involves a man in the guilt and exposeth him to the curse of the whole Law True obedience is intire and uniform A good heart like the Needle points that way which the Load-stone draws This is a grand difference between a Childe of God and an hypocrite the hypocrite doth pick and chuse in Religion some duties he will perform which are more facil and do gratifie his pride or interest but other duties he makes no reckoning of Mat. 23. 23. Ye pay tithe of Mint and Annis and have omitted the weightier matters of the Law Iudgment Mercy and Faith To sweat in some duties of Religion and freeze in other is the symptom of a distempered Christian. Iehu was zealous in destroying the Idolatry of Baal but let the golden Calves of Jeroboam stand 2 Kin. 10. 30. This shows men are not good in truth when they are good by halves If your servant should do some of your work you set him about and leave the rest undone how would you like that The Lord saith Walk before me and be perfect Gen. 17. 1. How are our hearts perfect with God when we prevaricate with him Some things we will do and other things we leave undone he is good who is good universally Pater adsum impera quid vis There are ten duties God calls for which a godly man will conscientiously perform and indeed these Duties may serve as so many other Characters and Touch-stones to try our godliness by 1 A godly man will be often calling his heart to account he takes the candle of the word and searcheth his inward parts Psa. 77. 6. I commune with my own heart and my spirit made diligent search a gracious soul searcheth whether there be any duty omitted any sin cherished he examines his evidences for heaven as hee will not take his gold upon trust so neither his grace he is a spiritual Merchant hee casts up the estate of his soul to see what he is worth he sets his house in order often reckonings keep God and conscience friends a carnal person cannot abide this heart-work he is ignorant how the affairs go in 〈◊〉 soul he is like a man who is well acquainted in forraign parts but a stranger in his own country ut nemo insese tentat descendere nemo 2 A godly man is much in closet-prayer he keeps his hours for private devotion Iacob when he was left alone wrestled with God Gen. 32. 24. So when a gracious heart is alone it wrestles in prayer and will not leave God till it hath a blessing a devout Christian exerciseth eyes of faith and knees of prayer Hypocrites who have nothing of religion besides the frontispiece love to bee seen Christ hath Characterized them Mat. 6. 5. They love to pray in the corners of the streets that they may be seen The hypocrite is devout in the Temple there all will gaze on him but he is a stranger to secret communion with God he is in the Church a Saint but in his closet an Atheist a good Christian holds secret intelligence with heaven ille dolet verè qui sine teste dolet Private prayer keeps up the trade of godliness when closet-holiness is laid aside there is a stab given to the hearâ— of religion 3 A godly man is diligent in his calling he takes care to provide for his family the Church must not exclude the shop 'T is a speech of Mr. Perkins though a man be endued with excellent gifts and hear the word with reverence and receive the sacrament yet if he practise not the duties of his calling all is but hypocrisie religion did never grant a pattent for idleness 2 Thess. 2. 11 12. There are some which walk among you disorderly working not at all them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Iesus that with quietness they work and eat their own bread That bread eats most sweet which is got with most sweat a godly man had rather fast than eat the bread of idleness Vain professors talk of living by faith but do not live in a calling they are like the Lillies of the field they toyl not neither do they spin an
tender of her 1 Pet. 5. 7. He careth for you Christ hath a debating with himself a consulting and projecting how to carry on the work of our Salvation he transacts all our affairs he minds our business as his own indeed he himself is concerned in it he brings in fresh supplies to his Spouse if she wanders out of the way he guides her if she stumble he holds her by the hand if she falls he raiseth her if she be dull he quickens her by his spirit if she be froward he draws her with cords of love if she be sad he comforts her with promises 2. For ardent affection No Husband like Christ for love The Lord saith to the people I have loved you and they say Wherein hast thou loved us Mal. 1. 2. But we cannot say to Christ wherein hast thou loved us Christ hath given real Demonstrations of his love to his Spouse He hath sent her his Word which is a Love-letter and he hath given her his Spirit which is a Love-token Christ loves more than any other Husband 1. Christ puts upon his Bride a richer Robe Isa. 61. 10. He hath cloathed me with the garments of Salvation he hath covered me with the Robe of Righteousness In this Robe God looks upon us as if we had not sinned This is as truly ours to justifie as it is Christs to bestow this Robe doth not only cover but adorn Having on this Robe we are reputed righteous not only as Angels but as Christ 2 Cor. 5. 21. That we might be made the righteousness of God in him 2. Christ gives his Bride not only his Golden Garments but his Image He loves her into his own likeness An Husband may bear a dear affection to his Wife but he cannot stamp his own Effigies upon her if she be deformed he may give her a Vail to hide it but he cannot put his beauty upon her But Christ imparts the beauty of holiness to his Spouse Ezek. 16. 14. Thou wert comely through my comeliness When Christ marries a soul he makes it fair Cant. 4. 7. Thou art all fair my Spouse Christ never thinks he hath loved his Spouse enough till he can see his own face in her 3. Christ dischargeth those debts which no other Husband can Our sins are the worst debts we owe if all the Angels should go to make a Purse they could not pay one of these debts but Christ frees us from these he is both an Husband and a Surety he saith to Justice as Paul concerning Onesimus If he ows thee any thing put it upon my score I will repay it Philem. 19. 4. Christ hath suffered more for his Spouse than ever any Husband did for a Wife he suffered poverty and ignominy He who crowned the heavens with stars was himself crowned with thorns He was called a companion of sinners that we might be made companions of Angels he was regardless of his life he leaped into the Sea of his Fathers wrath to save his Spouse from drowning 5. Christs love doth not end with his life He loves his Spouse for ever Hos. 2. 19. I will betroath thee unto me for ever Well may the Apostle call it a love that passeth knowledge Eph. 3. 19. 3. See how rich believers are they are matched into the Crown of Heaven and by virtue of the Conjugal Union all Christs riches go to believers Communion is founded in Union Christ communicates his Graces Iohn 1. 16. As long as Christ hath it believers shall not want and he communicates his Priviledges Justification Glorification He settles a Kingdome upon his Spouse for her Joynture Heb. 12. 28. This is a Key to the Apostles Riddle 2 Cor. 6. 10. As having nothing yet possessing all By virtue of the Marriage-Union the Saints are interested in all Christs riches 4 See how fearful a Sin it is to abuse the Saints it is an injury done to Christ for beleevers are mystically one with him Act. 9. 4. Saul Saul why persecutest thou me when the body was wounded the head being in heaven cryed out in this sense men crucifie Christ afresh Heb. 6. 6. because what is done to his members is done to him if Gideon was avenged upon those who slew his brethren Iudg. 8. 21. will not Christ much more bee avenged upon those that wrong his Spouse Will a King endure to have his Treasure rifled his Crown thrown in the dust his Queen beheaded will Christ bear with the affronts and injuries done to his Bride the Saints are the apple of Christs eye Zac. 2. 8. and they that strike at his eye let them answer it Isa. 49. 26. I will feed them that oppress thee with their own flesh and they shall be drunken with their own blood as with sweet wine 5 See the reason why the Saints do so rejoyce in the Word and Sacrament because here they meet with their Husband Christ the Wife desires to be in the presence of her Husband The Ordinances are the chariot in which Christ rides the lattice through which he looks forth and shews his smiling face here Christ displaies the banner of love Can. 2. 4. The Lords Supper is nothing else but a pledge and earnest of that eternal communion the Saints shall have with Christ in heaven Then he will take the Spouse into his bosome if Christ be so sweet in an Ordinance when we have but short glances and dark glimpses of him by saith Oh then how delightful and ravishing will his presence be in heaven when we shall see him face to face and be for ever in his loving embraces 4 This mystical union affords much comfort to beleevers in several cases 1 In case of the dis-respects and unkindenesses of the world Psa. 55. 3. In wrath they hate mee but though we live in an unkinde world wee have a kinde Husband Ioh. 15. 9. As the father hath loved me so have I loved you What Angel can tell how God the Father loves Christ yet the Fathers love to Christ is made the copy and pattern of Christs love to his Spouse this love of Christ as far exceeds all created love as the Sun out shines the light of a Torch and is not this matter of comfort what though the world hates me yet Christ loves me 2 It is comfort in case of weakness of grace the beleever cannot lay hold upon Christ but with a trembling hand there is a spirit of infirmity upon him but O weak Christian here is strong consolation there is a conjugal union thou art the Spouse of Christ and hee will bear with thee as the weaker vessel will an Husband divorce his Wife because she is weak and sickly no he will be the more tender of her Christ hates treachery but he will pity infirmity when the spouse is faint and ready to be discouraged Christ puts his left hand under her head Can. 2. 6. this is the spouses comfort when she is weak her Husband can infuse