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
the World yet he was raised up by the Spirit The same Power the Spirit of God puts forth in working Faith the Spirit irradiates the Mind subdues the Will the Will naturally is like a Garrison which holds out against God the Spirit with a sweet Violence conquers or rather changeth the Will making the Sinner willing to have Christ upon any Terms to be ruled by him as well as saved by him Quest. Wherein lyes the Preciousness of Faith Resp. As Faith is the chief Gospel-grace the Head of the Graces as Gold among Mettals so is Faith among the Graces Clem. Alexandrinus calls the other Graces the Daughters of Faith Indeed in Heaven Love will be the chief Grace but while we are here Militant Love must give place to Faith Love takes Possession of Glory but Faith gives a Title to it Love is the Crowning Grace in Heaven but Faith is the Conquering Grace upon Earth 1 Joh. 5.4 This is the victory that overcometh the world even our faith 2. As Faith hath influence upon all the Graces and sets them awork not a Grace stirs till Faith set it awork As the Clothier sets the Poor awork he sets their Wheel a going Faith sets Hope awork The Heir must believe his Title to an Estate in Reversion before he can hope for it Faith believes its Title to Glory and then Hope waits for it Did not Faith feed the Lamp of Hope with Oyl it would soon dye Faith sets Love awork Gal. 5.6 Faith which worketh by love believing the Mercy and Merit of Christ causeth a flame of Love to ascend Faith sets Patience a work Heb. 6.12 Be followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises Faith believes the glorious Rewards given to Suffering this makes the Soul patient in suffering Thus Faith is the Master-wheel it sets all the other Graces a running 3. As Faith is the Grace which God honours to Iustifie and Save thus indeed it is precious Faith as the Apostle calls it 2 Pet. 1.1 The other Graces help to sanctify but it is Faith that justifies Rom. 5.1 Being justified 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by faith Repentance or Love do not justifie but Faith Quest. How doth Faith justifie Resp. Faith doth not justify 1. As it is a Work that were to make a Christ of our Faith but Faith justifies as it lays hold of the Object viz. Christ's Merits If a Man had a precious Stone in a Ring that could heal we say the Ring heals but properly it is not the Ring but the precious Stone in the Ring heals Thus Faith saves and justifies but it is not any inherent Vertue in Faith but as it lays hold on Christ so it justifies 2. Faith doth not justify as it exerciseth Grace It cannot be denied Faith doth Invigorate all the Graces it puts strength and liveliness into them but it doth not justifie under this Notion Faith works by Love but it doth not justifie as it works by Love but as it applys Christ's Merits Quest. Why should Faith save and justifie more then any other Grace Resp. 1. Because of God's Sanction He hath appointed this Grace to be justifying and he doth it because Faith is a Grace that takes a Man off himself and gives all the Honour to Christ and Free-grace Rom. 4.20 Strong in faith giving glory to God Therefore God hath put this Honour on Faith to make it saving and justifying The King's Stamp makes the Coyn pass for Currant if he would put his Stamp upon Leather as well as Silver it would make it Currant So God having put his Sanction the Stamp of his Authority and Institution upon Faith this makes it to be justifying and saving 2. Because Faith makes us one with Christ Eph. 3.17 It is the espousing incorporating Grace it gives us Coalition and Union with Christ's Person other Graces make us like Christ Faith makes us Members of Christ. 1. Use of Exhortation Let us above all things labour for Faith Fides est sanctissimum humani pectoris bonum Ephes. 6.16 Above all taking the shield of faith Faith will be of more use to us then any Grace as an Eye though dim was of more use to an Israâ—lite then all the other Members of his Body not a strong Arm or a nimble Foot it was his Eye looking on the Brazen Serpent that cured him It is not Knowledge though Angelical not Repentance though we could shed Rivers of Tears could justifie us only Faith whereby we look on Christ. Without Faith it is impossible to please God Heb. 11.6 and if we do not please him by believing he will not please us in saving of us Faith is the Condition of the Covenant of Grace without Faith without Covenant and without Covenant without Hope Eph. 2.12 2. Use of Tryal Let us try whether we have Faith There is something looks like Faith and is not a Bristol-stone looks like Diamond Some Plants have the same Leaf with others but the Herbalist can distinguish them by the Root and Tast. Something may look like true Faith but it may be distinguished by the Fruits Let us be serious in the Tryal of our Faith there is much depends upon our Faith If our Faith be not good there is nothing good comes from us our Duties and Graces are adulterate Quest. Well then how shall we know it is a true Faith Resp. By the Noble Effects 1. Faith is a Christ-prizing Grace it puts an high Valuation upon Christ 1 Pet. 2.7 To you that believe he is precious St. Paul did best know Christ 1 Cor. 9.1 Have I not seen Iesus Christ our Lord Paul saw Christ with his bodily Eyes in a Vision when he was wrapped up into the third Heaven and he saw him with the Eye of his Faith in the Holy Supper ergo he best knew Christ. And see how he stiles all things in comparison of him Phil. 3.8 I count all things but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 dung that I may win Christ. Do we set an high Estimate on Christ could we be willing to part with our Wedg of Gold for the Pearl of Price Greg. Nazianzen blessed God he had any thing to lose for Christ's sake 2. Faith is a refining Grace 1 Tim. 3.9 Mystery of faith in a pure conscience Faith is in the Soul as Fire among Metals it refines and purifies Morality may wash the outside Faith washeth the inside Acts 15.9 Having purified their hearts by faith Faith makes the Heart a Sacrary or Holy of Holies Faith is a Virgin-Grace tho' it doth not take away the Life of Sin yet love of Sin Examine if your Heart be an Unclean Fountain sending out Mud and Dirt Pride Envy if there be Legions of Lusts in thy Soul there is no Faith Faith is an Heavenly Plant which will not grow in an impure Soil 3. Faith is an Obediential Grace Rom. 16.26 The obedience of faith Faith melts our Will into Gods Faith runs at God's Call if God commands Duty though
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
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
eatest of it thou shalt surely die The Subject then of our next Discourse is the Covenant of Works This Covenant was made with Adam and all Mankind for Adam was a publick Person and the Representative of the World Quest. For what Reason did God make a Covenant with Adam and his Posterity in Innocency Resp. 1. To shew his Soveraignty over us we were his Creatures and as God was the great Monarch of Heaven and Earth God might impose upon us terms of a Covenant 2. God made a Covenant with Adam to bind him fast to God as God bound himself to Adam so Adam was bound to God by the Covenant Quest. What was the Covenant Resp. God commanded Adam not to eat of the Tree of Knowledge God gave Adam leave to eat of all the other Trees of the Garden God did not envy him any Happiness only meddle not with this Tree of Knowledge because God would try Adam's Obedience As King Pharaoh made Ioseph chief Ruler in his Kingdom and gave him a Ring off his Finger and a Chain of Gold only he must not touch his Throne Gen. 41.40 in like manner God dealt with Adam he gave him a sparkling Jewel Knowledge and araid him with a fine Vesture put upon him the Garment of Original Righteousness only saith God Touch not the Tree of Knowledge for that is aspiring after Omnisciency Adam had power to have kept this Law Adam had the Copy of God's Law written in his heart This Covenant of Works had a Promise annexed to it and a Threatning 1. The Promise Do this and live In case Man had stood it is probable he had not died but had been translated to a better Paradise 2. The Threatning Thou shalt die the death Hebr. in dying thou shalt die that is thou shalt die both a natural Death and an Eternal unless some other Expedient be found out for thy Restoration Quest. But why did God give Adam this Law seeing God did foresee that Adam would transgress Resp. 1. It was Adam's fault he did not keep the Law God gave him a stock of Grace to trade with but he of himself broke 2. Though God foresaw Adam would transgress yet that was not a sufficient reason that Adam should have no Law given him for by the same reason God should not have given his written Word to Men to be a Rule of Faith and Manners because he foresaw that some would not believe and others would be prophane Shall not Laws be made in the Land because some break them 3. God though he foresaw Adam would break the Law he knew how to turn it to a greater good in sending Christ. The first Covenant being broken he knew how to establish a second and a better Well concerning the First Covenant consider these four Things 1. The Form of the first Covenant in Innocency was working Do this and live Working was the Ground and Condition of our Justification Gal. 3.12 Not but that working is required in the Covenant of Grace we are bid to work out salvation and be rich in good works But works in the Covenant of Grace are not required under the same Notion as in the first Covenant with Adam Works are not required to the Iustification of our Persons but as a Testification of our Love to God not as a Cause of our Salvation but as an Evidence of our Adoption Works are required in the Covenant of Grace not so much in our own strength as in the strength of another It is God which worketh in you Phil. 2.13 As the Scrivener guides the Child's hand and helps him to form his Letters so that it is not so much the Child's writing as the Scriveners that guides his hand so not our working as the Spirit 's co-working 2. The Covenant of Works was very strict God required of Adam and all Mankind 1. Perfect Obedience Adam must do all things written in the Book of the Law Gal. 3.10 and not fail either in the matter or manner Adam was to live up to the whole breadth of the Moral Law and go exactly according to it as a well made Dial goes with the Sun a sinful thought had forfeited the Covenant 2. Personal Obedience Adam must not do his work by a Proxy or have any Surety bound for him no it must be done in his own Person 3. Perpetual Obedience He must continue in all things written in the Book of the Law Gal. 3.10 Thus it was very strict There was no Mercy in case of failure 3. The Covenant of Works was not built upon a very firm Basis therefore it must needs leave Men full of Fears and Doubts The Covenant of Works rested upon the strength of Man's inherent Righteousness which though in Innocency was perfect yet was subject to a change Adam was created holy but mutable He had a power to stand but not a power not to fall Adam had a stock of Original Righteousness to begin the World with but he was not sure he should not break Adam was his own Pilot and could steer right in the time of Innocency but he was not so secured but that he might dash against the Rock of a Temptation and he and his Posterity suffer Shipwrack So that the Covenant of Works must needs leave Jealousies and Doubtings in Adam's heart he having no Security given him that he should not fall from that glorious state 4. The Covenant of Works being broken by Sin Man's Condition was very deplorable and desperate He was left in himself helpless there was no place for Repentance the Justice of God being offended sets all the other Attributes against Mandkind When Adam lost his Righteousness he lost his Anchor of Hope and his Crown there was no way for Man's relief unless God would find out such a way that neither Man nor Angels could devise Use 1. See the Condescension of God who was pleased to stoop so low as to make a Covenant with us For the God of Glory to make a Covenant with Dust and Ashes for God to bind himself to us to give us Life in case of Obedience Entring into Covenant was a sign of God's Friendship with us and a Royal Act of his Favour 2. See what a glorious Condition Man was in when God entred into Covenant with him 1. He was placed in the Garden of God which for the pleasure of it was called Paradise Gen. 2.8 he had his choice of all the Trees one only excepted he had all kind of precious Stones pure Mettals rich Cedars he was a King upon the Throne and all the Creation did obeysance to him as in Ioseph's Dream all his Brethrens sheaves did bow to his sheaf Man in Innocency had all kind of Pleasure that might ravish his Sences with delight and be as Baits to allure him to serve and worship his Maker 2. Besides he was full of Holiness Paradise was not more adorned with Fruit then Adam's Soul was with Grace He was the Coin on which God had
Resp. All Mankind by their Fall lost Communion with God are under his Wrath and Curse and so made liable to all Miseries in this Life to Death itself and to the Pains of Hell for ever Ephes. 2.3 And were by nature the children of wrath Adam left an unhappy Portion to his Posterity Sin and Misery We have already considered the first of these Original Sin now the Misery of that Estate in the first we have seen Mankind Offending in the second we shall see him Suffering The Misery ensuing Original Sin is twofold I. Privative By this first Hereditary Sin we have lost Communion with God Adam was God's Familiar his Favourite but Sin hath put us all out of Favour When we lost God's Image we lost his Acquaintance God's banishing Adam out of Paradise Hierogliphical it shewed how Sin hath banish'd us out of God's Love and Favour II. Positive In four things 1. Under the Power of Satan 2. Heirs of God's Wrath. 3. Subject to all Miseries in this Life 4. Obnoxious to Hell and Damnation 1. The first Misery is By Nature we are under the Power of Satan who is called The Prince of the Power of the Air Eph. 2.2 Before the Fall Man was a free Denison now a Slave before a King on the Throne now in Fetters And who is Man inslaved too To one that is an Hater of him This was an Aggravation of Israel's Servitude Psal. 106.41 They that hated them ruled over them By Sin we are enslaved to Satan who is an Hater of Mankind and writes all his Laws in Bloud Sinners before Conversion are under Satan's Command as the Ass at the command of the Driver he doth all the Devil's Drudgery No sooner Satan tempts but he obeys as the Ship is at the command of the Pilot he steers it which way he will so is the Sinner at the command of Satan he may steer him which way he will and he never steers the Ship but into Hell's Mouth The Devil rules all the Powers and Faculties of a Sinner 1. He rules the Understanding He blinds Men with Ignorance and then rules them As the Philistines first put out Sampson's Eyes and then bound him Satan can do what he will with an ignorant Man he doth not see the Errour of his way therefore the Devil can lead him into any Sin you may lead a blind Man any whither Omne peccatum fundatur in ignorantia 2. Satan rules the Will Though he cannot force the Will yet he can by a Tentation draw it Joh. 8.44 The lusts of your father ye will do He hath got your hearts and him you will obey Jer. 44.17 We will burn incense to the Queen of Heaven When the Devil spurs a Sinner by a Tentation he will over Hedge and Ditch break all God's Laws that he may obey Satan Where then is Free-will When Satan hath such power over the Will his lusts ye will do There 's not any Member of the Body but is at the Devil's Service the Head to plot Sin the Hands to work it the Feet to run on the Devil's Errand Grave jugum servitutis Cicero Slavery is hateful to a Noble Spirit Satan is the Worst Tyrant the Cruelty of Cannibal or Nero is nothing to his other Tyrants do but rule over the Bodies he over the Conscience other Tyrants have some Pity on their Slaves though they work in the Gally they give them Meat let them have Hours for Rest but Satan is a Merciless Tyrant he â—ets Men have no Rest. What pains did Iudas take the Devil would let him have no rest till he had betrayed Christ and afterwards embrued his Hands in his own Bloud Use 1. See here our Misery by Original Sin enslaved to Satan Ephes. 2.2 Satan is said to work effectually in the Children of Disobedience What a sad Plague is this for a Sinner to be at the will of the Devil Just like a Slave if the Turk bids him dig in the Mine hew in the Quarres tug at the Oar the Slave must do it he dares not refuse If the Devil bids a Man Lye or Cozen he doth not refuse and which is worst Men are enslaved and they willingly obey this Tyrant other Slaves are forced against their will Israel sighed by reason of their bondage Exod. 2.23 But Sinners are willing to be Slaves they will not take their Freedom they kiss their Fetters Use 2. Let us labour to get out of this deplorable Condition Sin hath plunged us into get from under the Power of Satan If any of your Children were Slaves you would give great sums of Money to purchase their Freedom your Souls are enslaved and will you not labour to be set free Improve the Gospel the Gospel proclaims a Jubilee to Captives Sin binds Men the Gospel looseth them Paul's preaching was to turn Men from the Power of Satan to God Acts 26.18 The Gospel-Star that leads you to Christ and if you get Christ then you are made free though not from the Being of Sin yet from Satan's Tyranny Joh. 8.36 If the Son make you free ye shall be free indeed You hope to be Kings to Reign in Heaven and will you let Satan Reign in you now Never think to be Kings when you die and Slaves while you live The Crown of Glory is for Conquerours not for Captives Oh get out of Satan's Jurisdiction get your Fetters of Sin filed off by Repentance 2 Misery We are Heirs of God's Wrath. In the Text And were by nature the children of wrath Tertullian's Exposition here is wrong Chrildren of Wrath he understands subjective that is subject to Wrath and Passion offending often in the Irascible Faculty of a wrathful Spirit But by Children of Wrath the Apostle passively means Heirs of Wrath expos'd to God's Displeasure God was once a Friend but Sin broke the Knot of Friendship now God's Smile is turned into a Frown we are now bound over to the Sessions and become Children of Wrath And who knows the power of Godâ—s wrath Psal. 90.11 The Wrath of a King is as the roaring of a Lyon Prov. 19.12 How did Haman's Heart tremble when the King rose up from the Banquet in wrath Esth. 7.7 But God's Wrath is Infinite all other is but as a Spark to a Flame Wrath in God is not a Passion as in us but it is an Act of God's Holy Will whereby he abhors Sin and decrees to punish it This Wrath is very dismal 't is this Wrath of God that imbitters Afflictions in this Life When Sickness comes attended with God's Wrath it puts Conscience into an Agony The mingling the Fire with the Hail made it so terrible Exod. 9.24 so mingling God's Wrath with Affliction makes it torturing It is the Nail in the Yoke God's Wrath when but in a Threatning as a Shower hanging in the Cloud made Ely's ears to tingle What is it then when this Wrath is executed It is terrible when the King rates and chides a Traytor but it is more
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
God hath given him his only Son Hath he Scarcity of Bread God hath given him the finest of the Wheat the Bread of Life Are his Comforts gone He hath the Comforter Doth he meet with Storms on the Sea He knows where to put in for Harbour God is his Portion and Heaven is his Haven Thus Assurance gives sweet Contentment in every Condition Effect 6. Assurance would bear up the Heart in Sufferings it would make a Christian endure Troubles with Patience and Chearfulness with Patience Heb. 10.36 Ye have need of Patience There are some Meats we say are hard of Digestion and only a good Stomach will concoct them Affliction is a Meat hard of Digestion but Patience like a good Stomach will be able to digest it and whence comes Patience but from Assurance Rom. 5.5 Tribulation worketh Patience because the Love of God is shed abroad in our Hearts with chearfulness Assurance is like the Mariners Lanthorn on the Deck which gives light in a dark night Assurance gives the light of Comfort in Affliction Heb. 10.34 ye took joyfully the spoiling of your Goods knowing in your selves c. there was Assurance He that hath Assurance can rejoyce in Tribulation he can gather Grapes of Thorns and Hony out of the Lyons Carcass Latimer When I sit alone and can have a setled Assurance of the State of my Soul and know that God is mine I can Laugh at all Troubles and nothing can daunt me Effect 7. Assurance would pacifie a troubled Conscience He who hath a disturbed vexatious Conscience carries an Hell about him Eheu quis intus Scorpio but Assurance cures the Agony and allays the Fury of Conscience Conscience that before was turned into a Serpent now is like a Bee that hath Hony in its Mouth it speaks Peace Tranquillus Deus tranquillat omnia Tertull. When God is pacified towards us then Conscience is pacified If the Heavens are quiet and there are no Winds stirring thence the Sea is quiet and calm So if there be no Anger in Gods Heart if the Tempest of his Wrath doth not blow Conscience is quiet and serene Effect 8. Assurance would strengthen us against the Fear of Death such as want it cannot dye with Comfort they are in aequilibrio they hang in a doubtful Suspence what shall become of them after Death But he who hath Assurance hath an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an happy and joyful Passage out of the World he knows he is passed from Death to Life he is carried full sail to Heaven though he cannot resist Death yet 〈◊〉 overcomes it Quest. 6. What shall they do that want Assurance Resp. 1. Such as want Assurance let them labour to find Grace when the Sun denies light to the Earth it may give forth its Influence When God denies the light of his Countenance he may give the Influence of his Grace Quest. How shall we know we have a real Work of Grace and so have a right to Assurance Resp. If we can resolve two Queries 1. Have we high Appretiations of Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 2.7 To you that believe he is precious Christ is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all made up of Beauties and Delights our Praises fall short of his Worth and is like spreading Canvass upon Cloth of Gold How precious is his Blood and Incense The one pacifies our Conscience the other Perfumes our Prayers Can we say we have endearing Thoughts of Christ Do we esteem him our Pearl of Price Our bright Morning Star Do we count all earthly Enjoyments but as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Dung in comparison of Christ Phil. 3.8 do we prefer the worst things of Christ before the best things of the World the Reproaches of Christ before the Worlds Embraces Heb. 11.26 Quer. 2. Have we the indwelling of the Spirit 2 Tim. 1.14 The Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us Quest. How may we know we have the indwelling presence of the Spirit Resp. Not by having sometimes good Motions stir'd up in us by the Spirit it may work in us yet not dwell but by the Sanctifying Power of the Spirit on our Heart the Spirit infuseth Divinam Indolem a Divine Nature it stamps its own impress and Effigies on the Soul making the Complexion of it Holy The Spirit ennobles and raiseth the Heart above the World when Nebuchadnezzar had his Understanding given him he grazed no longer amongst the Beasts but returned to his Throne and minded the Affairs of his Kingdom when the Spirit of God dwells in a Man it carries his Heart above the visible Orbs it makes him Superna anhelare thirst after Christ and Glory if we can find this then we have Grace and so have a right to Assurance 2. If you want Assurance wait for it if the Figures are graven on the Dial it is but waiting a while and the Sun shines When Grace is engraven in the Heart it is but waiting a while and we shall have the Sun-shine of Assurance He that believes makes not haste Isa. 28.16 He will stay Gods leisure say not God hath forsaken you he will never lift up the light of his Countenance but rather say as the Church Isa. 8.17 I will wait upon the Lord which hideth his face from the House of Jacob. 1. Hath God waited for your Conversion and will not you wait for his Consolation How 〈◊〉 did he come a woing to you by his Spirit He waited till his Head was fill'd with Dew He cry'd as Ier. 13.27 Wilt thou not be made clean when shall it once be O Christian did God wait for thy Love and canst not thou wait for his 2. Assurance is so sweet and precious that it is worth waiting for the price of it is above Rubies it cannot be valued with th◠Gold of Ophir Assurance of Gods Love is a Pledge of Election 't is the Angels Banquet what other Joy have they As Micah said Iudges 18.24 What have I more So when God assures the Soul of his eternal purposes of Love what hath he more to give Whom God kisseth he Crowns Assurance is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The first Fruits of Paradise one Smile of Gods Face one Glance of his Eye one Crumb of the hidden Manna is so sweet a Delicious that it deserves our waiting 3. God hath given a Promise that we shall not wait in vain Isa. 49.23 They shall not be ashamed that wait for me Perhaps God reserves this Cordial of Assurance for a fainting time He keeps sometimes his best Wine till last Assurance shall be reserved as an Ingredient to sweeten the bitter Cup of Death Quest. 7. How may deserted Souls be comforted who are cast down for want of Assurance They have the Day-star of Grace risen in their Souls but as Job complains I went Mourning without the Sun Iob 30.28 They go mourning for want of the Sun-light of Gods Face Their Ioy is eclipsed They walk in darkness and see no light Isa. 50.10 How shall we comfort such as lye Bleeding in
our Fruits of Obedience must not be blown off by the Wind of Persecution Iohn 15.16 I have chosen you that you should go and bring forth Fruit and that your Fruit should remain Use. It reproves them who live in a wilful breach of Gods Commandments in Malice Uncleanness Intemperance they walk Antipodes to the Commandment To live in a wilful breach of the Commandment is First Against Reason Are we able to stand it out against God 1 Cor. 10.22 Do we provoke the Lord are we stronger than he Can we measure Arms with God Can Impotency stand against Omnipotency A Sinner in acting Sin acts against Reason Secondly It is against Equity We have our Being from God and is it not equal we should obey him who gives us our Being We have all our Subsistence from God and is it not fitting that as God gives us our Allowance we should give him our Allegiance If a General gives his Soldier Pay he is to march at his Command so that to live in the breach of his Commands is against Equity Thirdly It is against Nature Every Creature in its kind obeys Gods Laws 1. Animate Creatures obey him God spake to the Fish and it set Ionah ashoar Ionah 2.10 2. Inanimate Creatures the Wind and the Sea obey him Mark 4.41 The very Stones if God give them a Commission will cry out against the Sins of Men Hab. 2.11 The Stone shall cry out of the Wall and the Beam out of the Timber shall answer it None disobeys God but Man and the Devil and can we find none to joyn with else Fourthly It is against Kindness How many Mercies have we to allure us to obey Miracles of Mercy therefore the Apostle joyns these Two together Disobedient and Unthankful 2 Tim. 3.2 And this dyes a Sin of a Crimson colour And as the Sin is great for it is a contempt of God a hanging out of the Flag of Defiance against God and Rebellion is as the Sin of Witchcraft so the Punishment will be proportionable Such cut themselves off from Mercy Gods Mercy is for them that keep his Commandments but no Mercy to them that live in a wilful breach of them All God's Judgments set themselves in Battel Array against the Disobedient 1. Temporal Judgments Lev. 26.15 16. 2. Eternal Christ comes in Flames of Fire to take Vengeance on them that obey not 2 Thes. 1.8 Such as break the Golden Chains of Gods Commands God hath Iron Chains to hold them Chains of Darkness in whch the Devils are held Iude 6. As long as there is Eternity God hath time enough to reckon with all the wilful Breakers of his Commandments Quest. How shall we do to keep Gods Commandments Resp. Beg the Spirit of God We cannot do it in our own Strength the Spirit must work in us both the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to will and to do Phil. 2.13 When the Loadstone draws the Iron moves when Gods Spirit draws then we run in the way of Gods Commandments Of the Commandments Exod. 20.7 Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain for the Lord will not hold him guiltless c. THis Commandment has Two Parts First A Negative expressed that we must not take Gods Name in vain viz. Cast any Reflection or Dishonour upon Gods Name Secondly An Affirmative imply'd That we should have a care to Reverence and Honour his Name but that I shall speak to more fully when I come to the First Petition in the Lord's Prayer Hallowed be thy Name I shall now speak of the Negative expressed in this Commandment or the Prohibition Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in Vain The Tongue is an unruly Member all the Parts and Organs of the Body are defiled with Sin as every Branch of Wormwood is bitter but the Tongue is full of deadly Poison Iam. 3.8 There is no one Member of the Body doth more break forth into Gods Dishonour than the Tongue therefore this Commandment is a Bridle for the Tongue it is to bind the Tongue to its good Behaviour Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain And this Prohibition is back'd with a strong Reason For the Lord will not hold him guiltless that is he will not hold him Innocent Men of Place and Eminency take it hainously to have their Names abused and will inflict heavy Penalties on the Offenders The Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his Name in vain God looks upon him as a Criminal Person and he will severely punish him Well then the thing to be insisted on is that great care must be had that the Holy and Reverend Name of God be not prophaned by us or taken in vain Quest. How many ways may we be said to take Gods Name in vain Resp. I. We take Gods Name in vain when we speak slightly and irreverently of his Name Deut. 28.58 That thou mayst fear this Glorious and Fearful Name the Lord thy God David speaks of God with Reverence Psal. 50.1 The Lord even the most mighty God Psal. 83.18 That Men may know that thou whose Name alone is Jehovah art the most high over all the Earth And the Disciples speaking of Jesus did hallow his Name Luke 24.19 Iesus of Nazareth which was a Prophet mighty in Deed and Word before God and all the People When we mention the Names of Kings we give them some Title of Honour as Excellent Majesty So should we speak of God with such Sacred Reverence as is due to the infinite Majesty of Heaven When we speak slightly of God or his Works God interprets it to be a Contempt and it is a taking his Name in vain II. When we profess Gods Name but do not live answerable to it it is a taking his Name in vain Titus 1.16 In Words they profess him but in Works they deny him When Mens Tongues and Lives cross one another when under a Mask of Profession Men will Lye and Couzen and be Unclean these make use of Gods Name to abuse him they take his Name in vain Simulata Sanctitas duplex iniquitas Rom. 2.24 The Name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you When the Heathens saw the Iews who professed to be Gods People to be Scandalous this made them speak Evil of God and hate the true Religion for their sakes III. We take Gods Name in vain when we use Gods Name in Idle Discourse God is not to be spoken of but with an Holy Awe upon our Hearts and to bring Gods Name in at every turn when we never think of God to say O God or O Christ or As God shall save my Soul this is taking Gods Name in vain and how many are guilty in this kind Though they have God in their Mouths they have the Devil in their Hearts 'T is a wonder that Fire doth not come out from the Lord and consume them as it did Nadab
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
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
and abused and to put it up will be a stain to my reputation Answ. 1. To pass by an injury without revenge is no eclipsing ones credit the Scripture saith Prov. 19.11 It is the glory of a man to pass over a transgression 'T is more honour to bury an injury than revenge it wrathfulness denotes weakness a noble Heroick Spirit overlooks a petty offence 2. Suppose a Mans Credit should be impaired with those whose censure is not to be valued yet consider the folly of challenging another to a Duel 't is little Wisdom for a Man to redeem his Credit by losing his Life and to run into Hell to be counted valorous Object 2. But the wrong he hath done me is great Answ. But thy not forgiving him is a greater wrong he in injuring thee hath offended against a Man but thou in not forgiving him offendest against God Object 3. But if I forgive one injury I shall occasion more Answ. If the more injuries thou forgivest the more thou meetest with this will make thy Grace shine the more often forgiving will add more to the weight of his sin and to the weight of thy glory If any shall say I strive to excel in other Graces but as for this of forgiving I cannot do it I desire in this to be excused What dost thou talk of other Graces the Graces are inter se connexae link'd and chain'd together where there is one there is all he that cannot Forgive his Grace is Counterfeit his Faith is Fancy his Devotion is Hypocrisie Quest. 3. But suppose another hath wronged me in my Estate may not I go to Law for my Debt Answ. Yes else what use were there of Law Courts God hath set judges to decide cases in Law and to give every one his right It is with going to Law as it is with going to War when the just rights of a Nation are Invaded here iâ— is lawful to go to War So when a Mans Estate is trespass'd upon by another he may go to law to recover it But the Law must be used in the last place when no entreaties or arbitrations will prevail then the Chancery must decide it Yet this is no revenge it is not so much to injure another as to right ones self this may be yet one may live in Charity USE 1. Here is a Bill of inditement against such as study revenge and cannot put up the least discourtesie They would have God forgive them but they will not forgive others they will Pray come to Church give Alms but as Christ said Mark 10.21 Yet lackest thou One Thing they lack a forgiving Spirit they will rather want forgiveness from God than they will forgive their Brother How sad is it that for every slight wrong or disgraceful word men should let malice boil in their Hearts Would there be so many Duels Arrests Murders if Men had the art of forgiving Revenge is the proper sin of the Devil he is no Drunkard or Adulterer but this old Serpent is full of the Poison of Malice and what shall we say to them who make profession of Religion yet instead of forgiving pursue others despightfully it was Prophesied the Wolf should dwâ—ll with the Lamb Isa. 11.6 but what shall we say when such as profess to be Lambs become Wolves These open the mouths of the prophane against Religion they will say these are as full of rancour as any O whither is Love and Mercy fled if the Son of Man did come should he find Charity on the Earth I fear but a little Such as cherish Anger and Malice in their Hearts and will not Forgive how can they pray Forgive us as we forgive others either they must omit this Petition as Chrysostom saith some did in his Time or else they pray against themselves Vse 2. Let it persuade us all as ever we hope for Salvation to pass by petty injuries and discourtesies and labour to be of forgiving Spirits Col. 3.13 Forbearing one another and forgiving one another 1. Herein we resemble God He is ready to forgive Psal. 86.5 He befriends His Enemies He opens his Hands to relieve them who open their Mouths against Him 'T was Adams Pride to go to resemble God in omnisciency But here it is lawful to resemble God in Forgiving Enemies This is a God-like disposition and what is Godliness but God-likeness 2. To forgive is one of the highest evidences of Grace When Grace comes into the Heart it makes a man as Caleb of another Spirit Numb 14.24 It makes a great Metamorphosis it sweetens the Heart and fills it with Love and Candour When a Siene is grafted into a Stock it partakes of the Nature and Sap of the Tree and brings forth the same fruit Take a Crab graft it into a Pepin it brings forth the same fruit as the Pepin So he who was once of a sour crabby disposition given to revenge when he is once ingrafted into Christ he partakes of the Sap of this Heavenly Olive and bears sweet and generous fruit he is Full of Love to his Enemies and requites Good for Evil. As the Sun draws up many thick noxious Vapours from the Earth and returns them in sweet showers so a gracious Heart returns the unkindnesses of others with the sweet influences of love and mercifulness Psal. 35.13 They rewarded me Evil for Good but as for me when they were sick my clothing was Sackcloth I humbled my Soul with Fasting This is a good Certificate to shew for Heaven 3. The blessed example of our Lord Jesus He was of a Forgiving Spirit His Enemies reviled him but he did pitty them Their words were more bitter than the Gall and Vinegar they gave him but Christs words were smoother than Oil. They spat upon him Peirced him with the Spear and Nails but he prayed for them Father forgive them he wept over his Enemies he shed tears for them that shed his Blood never such a pattern of amazing kindness Christ bids us learn of him Mat. 11.29 he doth not bid us learn of him to work Miracles but he would have us learn of him to forgive our Enemies If we do not imitate Christs Life we cannot be saved by his Death 4. The danger of an implacable unforgiving Spirit It hinders the efficacy of Ordinances It is like an obstruction in the Body which keeps it from thriving A revengeful Spirit poisons our Sacrifice our prayers are turned into sin will God receive prayer mingled with this strange Fire Our coming to the Sacrament is sin We come not in charity so that ordinances are turn'd into sin It were sad if all the Meat one did eat should turn to Poison Malice poisons the Sacramental Cup men Eat and Drink their own Damnation Iudas came to the Passover in malice and after the Sop Satan entred Iohn 13.27 5. God hath tyed his Mercy to this condition if we do not forgive neither will he forgive us Mat 6.15 If ye forgive not men their Trespasses neither
would not suffer him to prevail by his Temptations Lead us not into Temptation 2. Consider Satan's Diligence in tempting 1 Pet 5.8 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He walketh about He neglects no time he who would have us Idle yet himself is always busied This Lyon is ever hunting after his Prey he compasseth Sea and Land to make a Proselyte he walks about he walks not as a Pilgrim but a Spy he watcheth where he may throw in the Fire-ball of a Temptation He is a restless Spirit if we repulse him yet he will not defist but come again with a Temptation Like Marcellus a Roman Captain Hannibal speaks of whether he was conquer'd or did conquer he was never quiet More particularly Satan's Diligence in tempting is seen in this 1. If he gets the least Advantage by Temptation he pursues it to the utmost If his Motion to sin begins to take he follows it close and presseth to the Act of sin When he tempted Iudas to betray Christ and found that Iudas was inclinable and began to bite at the Bait of thirty Pieces of silver he hurries him on and never leaves him till he had Betrayed his Lord and Master When he had tempted Spira to Renounce his Religion and saw Spira began to yield he follows his Temptation close and never left till he had made him go to the Legate at Venice and there Abjure his Faith in Christ. 2. Again Satan's Diligence in tempting is seen in this The Variety of Temptations he useth He doth not confine himself to one sort of Temptation he hath more Plots than one if he finds one Temptation doth not prevail he will have another if he cannot tempt to Lust he will tempt to Pride If a Temptation to Covetousness doth not prevail he will tempt to Profuseness If he cannot fright men into Despair he will see if he can draw them to Presumption If he cannot make them Profane he will see if he can make them Formalists If he cannot make them Vitious he will tempt them to be Erroneous He will tempt them to leave off Ordinances he will pretend Revelations Error damns as well as Vice the one pistols the other poisons thus Satan's Diligence in tempting is Great he will turn every Stone he hath several Tools to work with if one temptation will not do he will make use of another Had not we need then pray Lead us not into Temptation 3. Consider Satan's Power in tempting He is called the Prince of the World Iohn 12 31. and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the strong Man Luke 11.21 and the Great Red Dragon who with his Tail cast down the third part of the Stars Rev. 12.4 He is full of Power being an Angel tho Satan hath lost his Holiness yet not his Strength The Devils Power in tempting is seen several ways 1. He as a Spirit having an intellectual Being can convey himself into the Fancy and poison it with bad Thoughts As the Holy Ghost doth cast in good Motions so the Devil doth bad He put it into Iudas Heart to betray Christ Iohn 13 2. 2. Satan tho' he cannot compel the Will yet he can present pleasing Objects to the Sencâ—â— which have a great Force in them He set a Wedg of Gold before Achan and so enticed him with that Golden Bait. 3. The Devil can excite and stir up the Corruption within and work some Inclinableness in the Heart to embrace the Temptation Thus he stirr'd up Corruption in David's Heart and provok'd him to number the People 1 Chron. 21.1 Satan can blow the spark of Lust into a Flame 4. Herein lies much of his Power that he being a Spirit can so strangely convey his Temptations into our Minds that we cannot easily discern whether they come from Satan or from our selves Whether they are his Suggestions or the natural Births of our own Hearts A Bird may hatch the Egg of another Bird thinking it is her own Often we hatch the Devils Motions thinking they come from our own Hearts When Peter disswaded Christ from Suffering sure Peter thought it came from the good Affection which he did bear to his Master Matt. 16.22 little did Peter think Satan had an hand in it Now if the Devil hath such a Power to instil his Temptations that we hardly know whether they be His or Ours we are in a great deal of danger and had need pray not to be led into Temptation Here I know some are desirous to move the Question Quest. How shall we perceive when a Motion comes from our Own Hearts and when from Satan Resp. It is hard as Bernard saith to distinguish Inter morsum Serpentis morbum Mentis between those Suggestions which come from Satan and which breed out of our own Hearts But I conceive there is this three-fold difference 1. Such Motions to Evil as come from our own Hearts spring up more leasurely and by degrees A sin is long concocted in the Thoughts ere consent be given But usually we may know a Motion comes from Satan by its Suddenness Therefore Temptation is compared to a Dart Eph. 6.16 because it is shot suddenly David's Numbring the people was a Motion which the Devil did inject suddenly 2. The Motions to Evil which come from our own Hearts are not so Terrible Few are frighted at the sight of their own Children But Motions coming from Satan are more ghastly and frightful as Motions to Blasphemy and self-Murder Hence it is Temptations are compared to fiery Darts Ephes. 6. For their Terribleness because they do as flashes of fire startle and affright the Soul 3. When Evil Thoughts are thrown into our Mind which we loath and have Reluctancy against when we strive against them and fly from them as Moses did from the Serpent this shews they are not the Natural Birth of our own Heart but the Hand of Ioab is in this Satan hath injected these impure Motions 4. Satan's Power in tempting appears by the long Experience he hath gotten in the Art He hath been a Tempter well nigh as long as he hath been an Angel Who are fitter for Action than Men of Experience Who is fitter to steer a Ship than an old Experienced Pilot Satan hath gained much Experience by his being so long vers'd in the Trade of Tempting He having such Experience knows what are the Temptations which have foiled others and are most likely to prevail The Fowler lays those snares which have caught other Birds Satan having such Power in tempting we are in danger and had need pray Lead us not into Temptation 5. Consider Satans's Subtilty in tempting The Greek word to Tempt 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies to Deceive Satan in tempting useth many subtil Policies to deceive we read of the Depths of Satan Rev. 2.24 and his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his Devices or Stratagems 2 Cor. 2.11 we read of his Snares and his Darts his Snares are worse than his Darts He is call'd a Lion for his Cruelty and an
Iob remains holy he worships God and blesseth God ver 20.21 Here Iobs sincerity was proved Iob had Fiery Temptations but he came out of the Fire a Golden Christian 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrys. Temptation is a touchstone of sincerity 2. By Tentation God tries our Love the Wife of Tigranes did never so shew her chastity and love to her Husband as when she was tempted by Cyrus but did not yield So our love to God is seen in this when we can look a Temptation in the Face and turn our back upon it tho' the Devil come as a Serpent subtilly and offers a Golden Apple yet we will not touch the forbidden fruit When the Devil shew'd Christ all the Kingdoms of the World and the glory of them such was Christs love to his Father that he abhor'd the Temptation True love will not be bribed When the Devils Darts are most fiery a Saints love to God is most Fervent 3. By Temptation God tries our courage Hos. 7.11 Ephraim is a silly Dove without an Heart So it may be said of many they are excordes without an Heart they have no Heart to resist a temptation no sooner doth Satan come with his sollicitations but they yield like a Coward as soon as the thief approacheth he delivers his Purse But he is the valorous Christian that brandisheth the Sword of the Spirit against Satan and will rather die than yield the courage of the Romans was never more seen than when they were assaulted by the Carthaginians the Heroick Spirit of a Saint is never more seen than in a Field Battle when he is fighting with the Red-Dragon and by the power of faith puts the Devil to flight Fidei robur potest esse concussum non excussum Tertul. This is one reason why God lets his People be tempted that their mettal may be tryed their sincerity love magnanimity when Grace is proved the Gospel is honoured 2. God suffers his Children to be tempted that they may be kept from Pride quos non Gula 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 superavit Cypr. Pride crept once into the Angels and into the Apostles when they disputed which of them should be greatest and in Peter tho' all men forsake thee yet I will not as if he had had more Grace than all the Apostles Pride keeps Grace low that it cannot thrive as the Spleen swells so the other parts of the body consume As Pride grows so Grace consumes God resists Pride and that he may keep his Children humble he suffers them sometimes to fall into temptation 2 Cor. 12.7 lest I should be exalted there was given to me a Thorn in the Flesh a Messenger of Satan to buffet me When Paul was lifted up in Revelations he was in danger to be lifted up in Pride Now came the Messenger of Satan to Buffet him that was some sore temptation to humble him The Thorn in the Flesh was to prick the Bladder of Pride Better is that temptation that humbles me than that duty which makes me Proud Rather than a Christian shall be Proud God lets him fall into the Devils Hands a while that he may be cured of his Imposthume 3. God lets his People be tempted that they may be fitter to comfort others as are in the same distress they can speak a word in due season to such as are weary St. Paul was train'd up in the Fencing School of temptation 2 Cor. 2.11 and he was able to acquaint others with Satans Wiles and Stratagems A Man that hath rid over a place where there are Quick sands is the fittest to guide others through that dangerous way He who hath been buffeted by Satan and hath felt the Claws of this Roaring Lion is the fittest Man to deal with one that is tempted 4. God lets his Children be tempted to make them long more for Heaven where they shall be out of Gunshot there they shall be freed from the hissing of the old Serpent Satan is not yet fully cast into Prison but is like a Prisoner that goes under Bail he doth vex and molest the Saints 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chr. He lays his snares throws his Fire-balls but this is only to make the People of God long to be gone from hence and that they may pray that they had the Wings of a Dove to fly away beyond Satans temptations God suffered Israel to be vexed with the Egyptians that they might long the more to be in Canaan Heaven is centrum a place of rest centrum quietativum no Bullets of temptation fly there the Eagle that Soars aloft in the Air and sits pearching upon the tops of high Trees is not troubled with the stinging of Serpents so when believers are gotten above into the Empyrean Heaven they shall not be stung with the Old Serpent The Devil is cast out of the Heavenly Paradise Heaven is compared to an exceeding high Mountain Rev. 21.10 it is so high that Satans fiery Darts cannot reach up to it Nullus ibi hostium metus nullae insidiae daemonum Bern. The Temptations here are to make the Saints long till Death sound a Retreat and call them off the Field where the Bullets of Temptation fly so thick that they may receive a victorious Crown Thus I have answered this question why God lets his dear Servants be tempted Quest. 2. What Rocks of support are there or what comfort for tempted Souls Answ. 1. That it is not our case alone but hath been the case of Gods eminent Saints 1 Cor. 10.13 There hath no temptation taken you but that which is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 common to man yea to the Best Men Christs Lambs which have had the ear mark of Election upon them have been set upon by the Wolf Elijah that could shut Heaven by Prayer could not shut his Heart from a temptation 1 Kin. 19.4 Iob was tempted to Curse God Peter to deny Christ hardly ever any Saint hath got to Heaven but hath met with a Lion by the Way sortem quam omnes sancti patiuntur nemo recusat nay Jesus Christ himself tho he were free from sin yet not from Temptation we read of Christs Baptism Mat. 3.16 and Mat. 4.1 Then was he led into the Wilderness to be tempted of the Devil No sooner was Christ out of the Water of Baptism but he was in the Fire of Temptation and if the Devil would set upon Christ no wonder if he set upon us There was no sin in Christ no Powder for the Devils fire Temptation to Christ was like a Bur on a Christal Glass which glides off or like a spark of fire on a marble Pillar which will not stick yet Satan was so bold as to tempt Christ this is some comfort such as have been our Betters have wrestled with Temptations 2. Rock of support that may comfort a tempted Soul is that temptations where they are burdens evidence Grace Satan doth not tempt Gods Children because they have sin in them but because they have
Salvation Heb. 2.10 2. We have good Armour Grace is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Armour of God's making Ephes. 6.11 3. Satan is beaten in part already Christ hath given him his Deaths-wound upon the Cross Col. 1.15 4. Satan is a Chained Enemy his Power is limited He cannot Force the Will It was all Eve complained of that the Serpent deceived her not constrained her Gen. 3.13 Satan hath astutiam Suadendi not potentiam Cogendi he may perswade not compel 5. He is a Cursed Enemy and God's Curse will blast him Therefore put on Holy Gallantry of Spirit and Magnanimity Fear not Satan Greater is he that is in you than he that is against you 15. If we would not be overcome of a Temptation let us call in the help of others If an House be set on fire would you not call in help Satan tempts that he may rob you of your Soul acquaint some Friends with your Case and beg their Counsel and Prayers Who knows but Satan may be cast out by the joynt-prayer of others In case of Temptation how exceeding helpful is the Communion of Saints 16. If we would not be overcome of Temptation let us make use of all the Encouragements we can If Satan be a Roaring Lion Christ is the Lion of the Tribe of Iudah if Satan Tempts Christ Prays If Satan be a Serpent to Sting Christ is a Brazen-Serpent to Heal if the Conflict be hard look to the Crown James 1.12 Whilst we are fighting Christ will Succour us and when we overcome he will Crown us What makes the Soldier endure a bloody fight but hope of a Golden Harvest Think that shortly God will call us out of the Field where the Bullets of Temptation fly so fast and he will set a Garland of Glory upon our head How will the case be altered Instead of Fighting Singing instead of an Helmet a Diadem instead of a Sword a Palm-branch of Victory instead of Armour White Robes instead of Satan's Skirmishes the Kisses and Embraces of a Saviour The viewing these eternal Recompences would keep us from yielding to Temptation Who would to gratifie a Lust lose a Crown Use 4. A word of Counsel to such as are Tempted Be so wise as to make good use of your Temptations as we should labour to improve our Afflictions so to improve our Temptations We should pick some good out of Temptation as Sampson got Honey out of the Lion Quest. What Good comes out of a Temptation Can there be any good in being set upon by an Enemy Can there be any good to have fiery darts shot at us Yes God that can make a Treacle of Poison can make his People get much good by their Temptations First Hereby a Christian sees that Corruption in his heart which he never saw before Water in a Glass looks pure but set it on the fire and the Scum boils up So in Temptation a Christian sees that Scum of Sin boil up that Passion and Distrust of God as he thought had not been in his heart Secondly Hereby a Christian sees more of the Wiles of Satan and is better able to withstand them St. Paul had been in the Fencing School of Temptation and he grew expert in finding out Satan's Stratagems 2 Cor. 2.11 We are not ignorant of his devices Thirdly Hereby a Christian grows more humble God will rather let his Children fall into the Devil's hands than be Proud Temptation makes the Plumes of Pride fall 2 Cor. 12.7 Lest I should be exalted above measure there was given me a thorn in the flesh Better is that Temptation that Humbles than that Duty which makes one Proud Thus you see how much good a Christian may get by Temptation which made Luther say Three things make a good Divine Prayer Meditation Temptation Vse 5. To such as have been under sore Temptations and Buffetings of Satan to Lust Revenge Self-murder but God hath stood by them and given them strength to overcome the Tempter 1. Be very thankful to God say as 1 Cor. 15.57 Thanks be to God who gives us the Victory Be much in Doxology Why were we kept more than others from falling into sin Was it because Temptation was not so strong No Satan shoots his darts with all his Force Was the Cause in our Will No such a broken Shield would never have conquer'd Satans Temptations know that it was Free-grace that beat back the Tempter and brought us off with Trophies of Victory O be thankful to God had you been overcome by Temptation you might have put black-spots in the face of Religion and given occasion to the Enemies of God to blaspheme 2 Sam. 12.14 Had you been overcome you might have lain sick of a Wounded Spirit and cried out with David of Broken Bones After David yielded temptation he lay for above three quarters of a year in horror of Mind and some Divines think he never recovered his full joy to the day of his Death O therefore what cause have they to stand upon Mount Gerizim blessing of God who in a Field-battel have got the better of Satan and been more than Conquerours Say as the Psalmist Psal. 124.6 Blessed be the Lord who hath not given us as a prey to their Teeth So blessed be God who hath not given us as a prey to Satan that Roaring Lion When God puts Mercy in the Premisses we must put Praise in the Conclusion 2. You that have been tempted and come off Victors be full of Sympathy pity tempted souls shew your Piety in your Pity Do you see Satan's darts sticking in their sides do what you can to pull out these darts communicate your experiences to them tell them how you broke the Devils snare and your Saviour was your Succourer The Apostle speaks of restoring others in the Spirit of meekness Gal. 1.6 The word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to restore alludes to Chirurgians who set Bones out of joint So when we see such as are tempted and Satan hath as it were put their bones out of joint labour to set them in joint again with all love meekness and compassion A word spoken in season may relieve a Soul fainting in Temptation and you may do as the good Samaritan drop in oil and wine into the wound Luk. 10.34 Vir spiritualis consilia magis quà m convitia meditatur Aug. 3. You that have got a Conquest of Satan be not Secure Think not that you shall never be troubled with the Tempter more He is not like the Syrians 2 King 6 23. The bands of Syria came no more into the Land of Israel A Cock if he be made once to run away he will fight no more But 't is not so with Satan He is a Restless enemy and if you have beaten him back he will make a fresh onset Hannibal said of Marcellus a Roman Captain That whether he did beat or was beaten he was never quiet When Christ had worsted Satan he went away from Christ but ad Tempus for a Season