was the debtor God-man the surety who made satisfaction to God the Creditour How he was born of a mean woman that we might be born of the most high God he was tempted that he might conquer Satan for us and succour us when tempted by him what a life he led filled with miracles and miseries what a death he died embittered with shame and pain and all that we might be exalted to eternal honour and pleasure How he triumphed over Death the Grave the Curse of the Law Satan and Hell in his Resurrection and ascended into Heaven leading Captivity Captive appears in his Fathers presence pleading his death as the prise of his Chosens fafety and life sitteth at his right hand and ever liveth to make intercession for us Its precepts excel all the commands and Statutes and Laws that ever were in the World in purity and justice and goodness much more then the Firmament of Stars doth a Wisp of Straws Its promises are exceeding great and precious of special efficacy superlative excellency and unquestionable certainty In a word the Scripture hath all in it requisite either for counsel or comfort for necessity or delight for knowledge or action for direction in life or consolation in death 3. The form of the Scripture renders it worthy my highest esteem and hottest affection 1. It s inward form is That perfect correspondence and agreement between the commands and promises laid down in the word and that infallible and certain truth of Gods own understanding The books of men are sutable to their minds and their minds being but in part sanctified their works must be answerably imperfect but the Lords understanding being infinitely pure and true his word must bear some proportion to it God is truth without the least shadow of error holy without the least tittle of mixture hence his word is certain without the smallest colour for doubts Thy law is the truth pure not admitting of the least sin or darkness Thy word is very pure therefore doth thy servant love it Because of its exact conformity to the eternal will of God it s called his word As a man maketh known his mind by his words so doth God hence it s called the mind of God Pro. 1. 23. The Word of God 1 Pet. 1. 15. The counsel of God Act. 20. 27. The Oracles of God Rom. 3. 2. The Law of God Psalm 1. 2. Not onely in regard of its Author which is the divine wisdom but also in regard of its matter which is the divine will 2. It s outward form is both plain and difficult according to Gregory so shallow that lambs may wade in it and so deep that Elephants may swim in it It s stile is so plain as to encourage the most unlearned and yet so difficult as to exercise the greatest Scholars and most profound Rabbies To those that are babes in understanding the Scripture is milk to them that are men in knowledge the word is strong meat It s therefore called light the nature of which is both to discover it self and other things also Thy word is a light to my feet and a lanthorn to my paths It s a light that shineth in a dark place until the day dawn and the day-star arise in our hearts Psa. 119. 105. 1 Pet. 1. 19. It is plain in regard of fundamentals and things necessary to be known and done What we are to believe concerning God the mediatour our own estate of innocency apostacy recovery what we are to practise in order to salvation are all perspicuous and clear to ordinary capacities Though there be some whose eyes the god of this world hath blinded lest the light of the glorious Gospel should shine upon them yet all wisdomes ways are plain to him that understandeth 2 Cor. 4.4 Pro. 8. 9. The Scripture sheweth the greatest simplicity both in words and phrases and figures that the weakest need not be afraid of searching into it There is such obscurity also in things not absolutely necessary to salvation that the deepest understandings need not be ashamed of reading and studying it Peter affirmes that in the Epistles of Paul there are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 some things hard to be understood There are such abstruse texts in the word of God that no man can make a certain comment on them The Jews themselves confessed that in the latter end of Ezekiel there are many things mentioned which are beyond all their apprehensions against which and all other difficulties in the Old Testament they comfort themselves according to the expression of the woman of Samaria Messias venturus est qui nobis annunciabit omnia The Messias will come and tell us all things Now the wise God seeth fit to let some truths in Scripture be dark 1. To shame us for our ignorance which is the fruit of our fall from him The pride and height of man is laid low by the profound and hard places in the Word of God 2. To quicken us to diligence in reading and meditating and comparing Scripture with Scripture The deeper a mine of gold lyeth in the earth the harder we must labour to dig it out 3. To raise our price of the Word of God We are apt to slight things that are easie and ordinary and to value things at the highest that cost us dearest 4. To provoke us to pray to God that he would give us his key whereby we may unlock this cabinet of precious Jewels He onely that made the Scripture can best acquaint us with his mind in the Scripture therefore David intreated divine light that he might understand the divine Law Psa. 119. 18. Open mine eyes that I may see the wonderâ—ful things of thy Law 4. The final cause of the word will speak it full of value and worth Namely the glory of the great God and the salvation of lost man The honour of God shines more brightly then the Meridian Sun through the whole Heaven of the Scripture The Scripture exalteth God in regard of his infinite nature and being his transcendent excellencies and perfections his eternal decree his works of creation and providence It advanceth God in all his attributes declaring to us 1. His wisdom how he is the onely wise God the foolishness of God is wiser then the wisdom of men yea that Angels themselves are fools to him His understanding is infinite 2. His Power how he is mighty in strength the Almighty God to him nothing is impossible doth what ever he pleaseth can do more then he will do 3. His mercy how he is full of mercy rich in mercy the Father of mercys hath multitudes of tender mercies his mercy endureth for ever hath an heighth and depth and length and breadth in it which none can reach 4. His Iustice how he fails not the least in the performance of his promises and accomplishment of his threatnings how he will by no means clear the guilty not the greatest of his favourites not
this hour hence God appeals to the consciences of the Jews whether though the Prophets died his threatnings which were denounced by those Prophets did not live and take hold of them Zach. 1.5 5 It s true in the Predictions and Prophesies The predictions of the Israelties distress in Egypt four hundred years and deliverance thence of their possessing Canaan of Cyrus birth of the Jews redemption out of the Babylonish captivity of the four Monarchies and of Christs coming in the flesh his mean birth afflicted life death buriall ascention are all already accomplished Those Prophesies in Daniel and Revelation concerning the future estate of the Church the ruine of Pope and Turk the vocation of the Jews and the glorious and pure condition of the people of God in the latter days shall all to a tittle be fulfilled It s observable therefore that some predictions that were or are future are set down in the present tense To us a son is born Babylon the great is fallen is fallen to assure us that they shall be as certainly fulfilled as if they were fulfilled already Isa. 9. 6. Rev. 18. 6. It is the rule of all truth Other Books are true no farther then they are agreeable and commensurable to this All other sayings and writings are to be tried by this touchstone It is not what sense saith or what reason saith or what Fathers say or what General Councils say or what Traditions say or what Customs say but what Scripture saith that is to be the rule of faith and life Whatsoever is contrary to Scripture or beside Scripture or not rationally deducible from Scripture is to be rejected as spurious and adulterate To the Law and to the Testimonies if they speak not according to this it is because there is no light no truth inâ— them Isa. 8.20 3. Consider it O my soul in its names and they will speak much to the excellency of its nature What is this Word which thy thoughts are now upon It is called Scripture or Scriptures by an Antonomasie or excellency of phrase as the most worthy writings that ever saw the light It is called the Word of God both in regard of its efficient cause which is the Spirit of God the material cause which is the mind of God the final cause which is the glory of God It is called the Law of the Lord the law of liberty the law of saith a lawâ— a royal law the book of the law the book of the Lord the book of life the Gospel of peace the Gospel of God the Gospel of Gods grace the counsel of God the charge of God the breath of God the mouth of God the oath of God the Oracles of God the paths of God the wisdom of God It is called a thingâ— the good part the key of knowledge the key of Heaven tidings of salvation glad tidings of peace a good way a perfect way a narrow way Many other titâ—es it hath which shew the excellency of this Word of truth 4. Consider it O my soul in its comparisons which will shew thee somewhat of its perfections Whereunto is this Word resembled it is resembled to light to a lamp Solomon tells us The commandment is a lamp and the law is light T is likely he learned it of his father Thy word is a light to my feet and a lanthorn to my paths saith David Prov. 6 23. Psal. 119. 105. 1. It is light for its clarity and beauty Light is the ornament of the world which is most incorporeal of all corporeal beings therefore termed spiritual Though it discovers all the pollutions of the earth yet it is not polluted therewith The word is the glory of this lower world The law is spiritual and its beauty is not faided nor its purity stained by all the filth of false doctrines and heresies which have been cast into the face of it from the beginning of the world to this day The word of the Lord abideth for ever 2. Light is pleasant and delightful darkness is affrighting and dreadful but light is refreshing and reviving Light is sweet and it is a pleasant thing for the eyes to behold the sun Eccles. 11.7 The word of God is sweet and its a pleasant thing with the eyes of faith to behold the glorious sun of divine truths The eye is not more affected with curious sights nor the ear with ravishing musick nor the pallate with rare meats then a spiritualized understanding with spiritual truths David found not onely delight in the singular but delights in the plural number all sorts and degrees of delights in the word of God Trouble and anguish have taken hold of me but thy commandments are my delights His delights in the Law of God were so rare and ravishing that they quite extinguished all sensual delights as the light of the day the light of a candle and drowned the noise of all his crosses and troubles by their loud and amazing melody Chrysostom compares the Scripture to a pleasant Garden wherein every flower yeilds a fragrant savour Ambrose to a feast wherein every book is a dainty dish affording food both pleasant and wholsom 3. Light discovereth and maketh things manifest The night conceals things and the day reveals them That which maketh manifest is light Ephes. 5. 13. Light discovers things in their proper shapes and colours whether beauties or deformities When the Sun appeareth we see the dust in corners and dirt in Ditches which before lay hid The word of God maketh a discovery of an unknown world of sin in the heart of man and the great mystery of iniquity which lay hid there I was alive without the Law but when the commandment came sin revived and I dyed Rom. 7. 9. The faults and spots and defects of his duties were visible by the light of the word All things are naked and open before it It is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart Heb. 4. 12. The word sheweth the beauty of holiness the love and loveliness of the Redeemer 4. Light directs us how and where to walk In the night we wander and go out of the way we stumble and fall but the day helpeth us both to see our way and to walk in it without stumbling If any man walk in the day he stumbleth not because he seeth the light of this world Iohn 11. 9. The word of God doth preserve us from sin and guide our feet in the way of peace Luk. 1. 73. It is our Poleâ—stâ—r as we are Mariners our Pillar of fire as we are travellers The Law of God is in his heart none of his steps shall slide Psa. 37. 31. Our feet by the light of the word are preserved from falling and our steps from sliding Psalm 119. 105. 5. Light scattereth darkness As the Sun
swell never so much by unlawful means yet t is but like the swelling of the dropsie a presage of death O my soul what will it avail thee to be rich here and to be a beggar hereafter and that for ever Thou pretendest to purity but thy God tells thee that holiness and righteousness are like Husband and Wife joyned by him together and none may part them asunder Thou art unsound in all thy sacred duties if thou art unrighteous in thy civil dealings When the unjust dealer is cast into the unquenchable fire what will become of the great Professour What is the hope of the Hypocrite though he hath gained when God shall take away his soul Iob 27. 8. When the Thief is taken and carried to the Goal all the money he hath stollen is taken from him When Death seiseth thee and sendeth thee to the Prison of Hell all thy ill gotten goods must be left behind When thou art lost eternally what will become of thy unjust gains Thy Children may be ranting with it on Earth and thou art roaring for it in Hell Ah! what dear contracts dost thou make to sell thy present peace and thy future endless joy for a little perishing pelfe The comfort of thy life now consisteth in communion with thy God but he that saith He hath fellowship with God and walketh in darkness is a lyar 1 Ioh. 1. 6. Thy God hates to taste of those Waters which run out of such musâ—y Vessels Muchless will he suffer any of such rotten hearts and stinking breaths to draw neer to him in Heaven Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdom of God 1 Cor. 6. 9. No such Cattel shall ever come into the Celestial Court Unrighteous Heathens shall be shut out of Heaven and surely then unrighteous Christians shall be cast into the lowest Hell O let the fear of thy God ever possess thee that the love of this World may never pollute thee Manifest thy love to thy Saviour by loving thy Neighbour as thy self Blessed God who lovest righteousness and hatest iniquity the Scepter of whose Kingdom is a righteous Scepter who wilt render unto every man his righteousness and who hast appeared to me by that grace which teacheth me to deny all ungodliness and worldly lusts and to live righteously in this present evil world Let thy good Spirit fill me with all the fruits of righteousness Do thou so lead me in the paths of equity for thy names sake that I may follow after righteousness and inherit a â—ure reward I Wish that I may be righteous in every relation wherein I stand and towards all persons with whom I deal that I may give to Superiours the things that are theirs to Inferiours the things that are theirs lest by denying either I rob all My God is no respecter of persons but just in all his ways and righteous in all his works When shall I imitate his blessed Majesty He tells me Blessed are they that keep judgment and he that doth righteousness at all times If I expect the blessing propounded I must mind the righteousness enjoyned and that is to be righteous at all seasons O my soul what encouragement hast thou to do justly upon all occasions thy righteousness shall have a large recompence Thy Children may fare the better The just man walketh in his integrity and his Children are blessed after him Nay thy whole Family The voice of joy and Salvation is in the Tabernacle of the righteous Whereas thou mayst fear that thy plain dealing may bring thee and thine to poverty thou bast his promise that he will make the habitation of thy righteousness prosperous Above all thou thy self wilt have the greatest solace Thy righteousness shall answer for thee in time to come and whereas the dishonest wealth of others is a corroding worm to gnaw their consciences thy justice will afford thee present comfort In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare but the righteous doth sing and rejoyce Prov. 29. 6. Ah! who would not sow righteousness when he shall certainly reap so much mercy Though others as if they had pitchy hands take to themselves whatsoever they touch to the defiling of their own souls and like whirlpools suck in all that comes neer them to their own destruction do thou mete out all thy dealings by that royal measure Whatsoever thou wouldst that men should do to thee do the same to them for this is the Law and the Prophets When thou art buying or selling or about any bargain with thy Neighbour reflect upon thy self Would I be glad to be thus dealt with Were I in this mans case would I be willing that he should serve me as I serve him Am I as plain-hearted as true as just in my carriage towards him as I would desire him to be in his trading with me Would I be contented to be defrauded should I take it well to be defamed Is this action of mine such as I could be contented to receive the like Do I in this business love my Neighbour as my self Lord who hast promised that the righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance in this world and shall shine as the Sun in the other world and who hast put the unrighteous and lovers of themselves in the front of that black list which is for the unquenchable fire do thou deliver me out of the hands of mine enemies that I may serve thee in holiness and righteousness all the days of my life I Wish that I may mind righteousness in my words as well as in my works and not dare to hide deceitful and foul intentions under fair and fawning expressions To say what is true and to be true to what I say is the property of a true Christian My God is a God that cannot lye his people are a people that will not lye If I therefore be found a lyar how unlike am I both to God and his people Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord but they that deal truly are his delight Though lying lips may be perfumed with sweet words to men yet God smells the stench and loatheth the ill savour of those rotten inwards whence they proceed And though truth may beget hatred from men such sweet breath is his love and delight He is the God of truth His Law is the truth His Gospel is the word of truth His Son is the true and faithful Witness O that truth of heart truth of words and truth in deeds may be all in me which are so agreeable to the true God and so acceptable to the God of truth Can that tongue lye so loud to men which even now called so loud on God Shall those hands be filching in my Neighbours pocket which were so lately lifted up to Heaven in prayer Is my speech given me for my glory and shall it be the driveling of a Divel that father of lyes Lord let
be is not Psa. 19. 7. It s promissory part is holy both formaliter in its own nature and effective in its end and fruit It s Historical part is holy other books are properly called prophane Histories in distinction from this The Scriptures expressions are pure of the most impure actions He knew her no more men with men doing what is unseemly Gen. 38. 26. Rom. 1. 27. 2. It is powerful As fire it can melt the hardest mettal As an Hammer it can break the most stony heart Ier. 23. 29. 1. It is powerful for Conviction It sets mens sins before their eyes and makes them behold their ugliness and deformity whether they will or no It tells the sinner as Elisha concerning the Syrian King to the King of Israel what he doth and saith in his bed-â—hamber in the retiring room of his heart It makes the spirit of the stoutest sinner to treâ—ble as the leaves with the wind and though he strives to put off his quaking fits by some humane cordials yet he finds his soul-Ague still continuing upon him Sturdy Murderers of Christ spring in trembling and an earthly Felix quakes under the power of this word This voice of the Lord is powerful it â—hakes the Cedars of Lebanon The batteries of the word have shaken the sensless conscience and shattered the flinty hâ—art in peices 2. It is powerful for conversion It is able to change the nature and turn an heart of stone into an heart of flesh It hath many a time inlightned dark minds to see the things which they never saw enlivened dead souls and enabled them to stand up from the dead The law of the Lord is perfect converting the soul It hath dispossessed the strong man cast him out of his strong holds wherein he had raigned many years and subdued the soul to another Lord and Soveraign What hath been said of God may be said of the Word in the hand of the Spirit Who ever resisted its will How powerful is that word which can make the proudest creature that scorned former reproofs and precepts threatnings and judgements to cry and weep bitterly like a child under the rod that can create the new creature the choicest of Gods works By the word of the Lord are the new Heavens wherein dwelleth righteousness made and all the glorious host thereof of sparkling graces by the breath of his mouth 3. It s powerful for conquering spiritual enemies The noble victories atchieved by the Lords Worthies are most of them obtained by this sword of the Spirit Whole armies of sins have been discomfited and forced to flie before the face of this weapon God hews these by his Prophets and slays them by the word of his mouth This word like the rod in the hand of Moses worketh wonderfully for the destruction of such Egyptian enemies Satan is another enemy of the Christians but as powerful and as politique as he is he falls down like lightening from heaven before the preaching of the word This sword hath so wounded that Leviathan that destroyer of souls that he can never recover himself They overcame him i. e. the Devil by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony Rev. 12. 11. In a word it must needs be strong for it is the power of God to salvation The rod of his strength Rom. 1. 16. Psa. 110. 2. 3. It is perfect It contains in it all that is necessary and sufficient for our eternal salvation It is a full and compleat rule and measure both of things to be believed and practised it will admit no addition because it is defective in nothing it will suffer no diminution for it is redundant in nothing If any man shall add unto it God shall add anto his plagues If any man shall take away from the words of this book God shall take away his part out of the book of life Jesus Christ who was the great Teacher sent from God was faithful in his office and gave his Church whatsoever Precepts or Doctrines were needful for her in order to her endless good He tells us Whatsoever I have heard of the Father I have made known unto you Joh. 15. 15. And his Apostle speaks to the same purpose Act. 20. 21. I have not shunned to declare unto you the whole counsel of God Besides it is able to make the man of God perfect and throughly furnished unto every good word which it could never do if it were not perfect it self Nil dat quod non habet Nothing can give that which it hath not in it self either formally or virtually Traditions are no way necessary to compleat the Canon of Scripture Since God did reveal his will in writing every age had that revealed to it which was sufficient for that age to make such as then lived wise to salvation but as God was pleased to reveal more the latter did assist us in the understanding of the former â—herefore so long as any truth was necessary to be more fully known he inspiâ—ed holy men to do it and the compleating of the divine Canon was reserved for Christ and his Apostles Ioh. 15. 15. and 7. 8. and 6. 13. Act. 20. 27. Gal. 1. 6 7 8. 4. It is true and certain Not a tittle of it shall fail It is calâ—ed truth the truth thy truth the Scripture of truth the word of truth the Gospel of truth a more sure word the comparative for the superlative the most sure word Christ prefers it before information from the dead the Apostle before Revelation from Angels or auy other way whatsoever 1. The Precepts of it are true they are perfectly agreeable to the mind of the speaker Thou art near O Lord and all thy commandments are truth Psa. 119. 5. The words of men may be true but the word of God onely is truth There is no error no mixture in it t is therefore called sincere milk 1 Pet. 2. 2. 2. The Promises of it are true They are accomplished to the least particle of them Hence they are called the sure mercies of David The Promises of God are unquestionable because their speaker is unchangeable and one for whom it is impossible to lie They are sure hold and will eat their way through all the Alpes of opposition Not one good thing haâ—h failed of all that the Lord our God hath promised Joshua 21. 45. 3. The Histories of it are true Whatsoever is written in it of the first or second Adam of any persons or nations is exactly true â—here never was fuch an impartial historian as the inditer of the word This is the Book which hath no Errata's in it 4. The threatnings are true The sinner shall as certainly feel them as he reads or hears them He shall as surely be damned as if he were already damned therefore he is said to be condemned already to speak its certainty He shall find the gnawing worm and the eternal fire as unquestionably as if he felt them at
must be first minded and then Charity It may be thou chearest thy heart with the thoughts of an honourable burial it delights thee to think how when thy Will is open people will applaud thee for the large provision thou makest therein for thy children with what a great Company thou shalt be attended to thy grave and what a costly Monument shall be erected to thy Memory Well! since thou art so much joyed with a curious Tomb I shall take the pains to write thine Epitaph and if thou hast a spark of true love to thy soul thou wilt think of it whilst thou livest Here lies Interred one that to make his Children Gentlemen on earth for a few days made himself a Beggar in Hell to all eternity He was one that to gain a little earthly treasure of which he hath now taken an everlasting farewel sold his precious soul and the endless blisseful fruition of the blessed God Did ever fool buy so dear or sell so cheap O look on him and learn to be righteous SECT IV. SEcondly Be righteous in thy Words and Expressions as well as in thy Works The Christians tongue should be his hearts interpreter and reveal its mind and meaning and the Christians hand should justifie his tongue by turning his words into deeds Though the right Christian is not a worshipper of Mercury to whom tongues were only offered in sacrifice yet with the Athenians he doth speak well as with the Lacedemonians do well The Burgesse of the new Ierusalem is known by this livery He walketh uprightly worketh righteousness and speaketh the truth in his heart He sweareth to his own hurt and changeth not Psal. 15. 2 4. First He speaketh the truth in his heart His speech is the genuine and natural off-spring of his heart there is a great resemblance between the Child and the Parent That language which is confused and not to be understood speaks not a Citizen of Sion but a builder of Babel or Babylon When the words are spurious and not the hearts own like Abimelech they destroy the Family of which they descend sometimes that tongue cuts the owners throat The getting of treasure by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death Prov. 21. 6. The deceitful tongue seeketh death though not intentionally yet euentually The Saints words and thoughts are univocal they speak as they think and are like clarified honey clear to the bottom his heart is the Mine his mind frameth the matter and his tongue is the shop that exposeth it to publique view Secondly He sweareth to his own hurt and changeth not His hand will make good his lawful promises how much soever they shall be to his prejudice There is a Symmetry between his hand and his tongue he is slow to promise not hasty to enter into bonds but being once engaged he will be sure to perform He dares not falsifie his word knowing that his God was an earwitness It was the saying of Lysander That if the Lyons skin would not serve to cozen with the foxes must be sowed to it and that Children were to be deceived with toyes and men with Oaths but this Fox himself was at last taken in a trap and slain at the foot of the Theban Walkes The Justice of God will some time or other seize upon such unjust men False conceptions are as dangerous to the souls of men as to the bodies of women The Romans built a Temple to the Goddess Fidelity and offered sacrifice to her image so highly did they esteem of faithfulness Attilius Regulus their General against the Carthaginians being taken Prisoner and sent to Rome with conditions of peace upon his word to return if the Terms were not accepted judging the conditions dishonourable he disswaded the Romans from embracing them and went back to his enemies according to his promise though he knew beforehand that upon his return they would presently put him to death The Prisoner that got from Hannibal by eluding his Oath was by the Senate apprehended and sent back again saith Livie Attica â—â—des was free or sure hold and Atticus testis one that keeps touch because the Athenians were so faithful to their words What a shame is it then for Christians to regard their Promises and Oaths no more then their old cloaths which they throw by when they have made what use of them they desire Such men do much wound their Credit that after a little knowledge of such Nullifidians none will trust them but much more their consciences The deceitful and bloody are joyned together Psa. 5. 6. He that is deceitful to others is bloody to himself he may rase others skin but he wrongs his own soul and draweth his own heart-blood Machiavel as bad as he was would not allow fraud to lodge save in Souldiers Tents The jealous God hath made himself known to be a God of truth in accomplishing his threatings on those that have affirmed and attested such lyes One Ann Averies Widow in the days of Queen Elizabeth having bought six pound of Tow in a Shop in Woodstreet falsly said that she had paid for it and swore to it but she presently fell down and dyed to the terrour of all such unrighteous and perjured persons The trade indeed of lying hath crept almost into all trades as if it were the only way to get a livelyhood when it hath deprived some of their lives Act. 5. 7 8. A lying tongue is one of the six things which the Lord hates Prov. 6. 17. The Scripture speaks of such persons that their own tongues shall fall upon them meaning to destroy them as Benaiah fell on Ioab and Davids Souldier on the Amalekite for so the Phrase is frequently taken Psa. 64. 8. 1 King 2. 29 30. 2 Sam. 1. 15. Reader Be so true to thy own soul as to put away lying and to speak the truth to thy Neighbors Eph. 4. 25. Do not delude thy self with mental Reservations or Iesuitical AEquivocation but let thy words and thoughts joyn in consort A Christian should be like Chrystal the same all over and visible throughout As our cloaths represent the proportion of our bodies so should our words the proportion of our minds T was an unpolitique precept which Lewis the eleventh of France gave his Son when he charged him to learn no more Latine then what would teach him to dissemble Deceit is a gin that men set often to catch serpents which when they have caught sting themselves Cleomenes King of Lacedemonia who making Truce with the Argives for seven days and fell upon their Quarters in the night was repelled by the Argive Women and afterwards banished into Egypt where he miserably slew hiself Promises are as it were the Connection and Ligaments of the several parts in the body Politique if they be once broken asunder and losed the whole will quickly be dissolved Such men are like to some fruits which by their luscious smell
for the least of their offences how he hath manifested his justice in the deluge brought on the old world in the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah in his carriage towards Apostate Angels rebellious Israelites his own chosen people and the Medâ—atour his own Son when he took upon him mans sin in the instruments of eternal death which he hath prepared in Hell for sinners and the solemn triumph which justice shall have at the great day and to all eternity in the other world 5. His holiness how he loaths sin with the greatest abhorrency cannot behold the least iniquity shoots the arrows of his vengeance against its actours and authors will be sanctified in or upon all that approach him is terrible in his holy places forbiddeth the least complyance with sin though but in a sudden thought and makes it his end in his providences ordinances the gift of his Son his Spirit to make men holy I might shew how it exalteth him in all his properties but I pass on It glorifieth him in every part of it Its precepts and commands speak his purity and dominion its promises and covenant speak his boundless mercy and compassion its threatnings and comminations speak his justice and jealousie its prophesies and predictions speak his wisdom and omniscience The Scripture tendeth also to the eternal good of men It is helpful to beget a soul to Christ Of his own will begat he us again by the Word of truth The Word of grace is instrumental for the conveyance of grace Act. 2.37 Rom. 10. 14. It is helpful to build the soul up in Christ as new born babes desire the sincere milk of the word that ye may grow thereby 1 Pet. 2. 2. Grace is increased by the same means by which it is generated as the same Sun that begets some living creatures is helpful for their growth The Word of God of stones raiseth up children to Abraham and of Children maketh Young men and Fathers It is so penned that all sorts of persons all ranks of Christians may be directed into the way of truth and guided by it in the way of life It is able to make us wise to salvation To shew the path of life 2 Tim. 3. 15. Psa. 16. 11. As Ioshua it leads the Israelites into Canaan All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable 1. For Doctrine Where Scripture hath not a tongue to speak I must not have an ear to hear Scriptura est regula fidei Scripture is the rule of faith Hence the Doctrine of the Apostles and Prophets is called a foundation Ephes. 2. 20. 2. For reproof It is the hammer of Heresies Ignorance of Scripture is one main cause of error Ye err not knowing the Scripture By this sword of the Spirit Christ vanquished Satan Mat. 4. 4. and the Jews Ioh. 5.45 and Sadduces Mat. 22.29 Lapidandi sunt haeretici sacrarum literarum argumentis Hereticks are to be stoned with Scripture arguments saith Athanasius The Word of God hiâ—s that unclean bird in the eye and wounds it mortally 3. For correction of manners The sword of the Word pierceth the sinners conscience like Christ to the woman of Samaria It tells him all that ever he did and makes him smite upon his thigh and say What have I done Scripture is a glass which sheweth him the spots that are in the face of his heart and life 4. For instruction in righteousness It is the way in which we should walk the rule of our spiritual race What is written on some Psalms may be written on every Psalm and Chapter in the whole Bible Maschil or Psalm for instruction Its precepts teach us what to follow its prohibitions tell us what to forsake Its promises are to allure us to sanctity its threatnings to affright us from sin the good example of the Saints speaketh as Christ to Peter Follow thou me the wicked actions and ends of sinners cry aloud as Abner to Ioab Knowest thou not that it will be bitterness in the end 5. For comfort There is no such cordial for a fainting spirit as a promise in the Word The Gospel in the Greek is glad tidings and not without cause This is my comfort in my affliction for thy word hath quickned me When souls have been ready to despair under the sense of their wickedness and to sink in deep waters the Word of God hath held them up by the chin and preserved them from drowning Vnless thy law had been my delight I had perished in mine affliction 6. For salvation the Word is called the Kingdom of heaven partly because it revealeth Gods thoughts of such an inestimable happiness to the children of men The celestial Canaan was terra incognita till that discovered it He hath brought life and immortality to light by the Gospel partly because it prepares the soul for heaven the Word sanctifieth and so saveth precious souls By filling us with grace it fitteth us for glory Rom. 1.16 Ioh. 17.17 Partly because it is the seed of heaven As the Harvest is potentially in the seed and a tall Oke potentially in an acorn so heaven and eternal life is potentially in the Word of life It is called The grace of God that bringeth salvation It bringeth salvation to men and it bringeth men to salvation Secondly Consider it O my soul in its properties they will also speak its preciousness 1. It is pure and holy there are some dregs that will appear in the exactest writings of the best men when they have been shaken by a critical hand but none could ever justly fasten the least filth upon the holy Scriptures The Word of Christ is like the Spouse of Christ There is no spot in it The Alcoran of Mahomet alloweth Polygamy promiseth sensual pleasures as the reward of his servants but the Scripture winketh not at the least sin no not so much as in a motion of the heart or a glance of the eye and its promises are also pure and spiritual The Doctrine of the wisest Heathen and Philosophers were a mixture of good and bad Theft was no fault amongst Lycurgus Laws but if done slily commended highly Aristotle permitted revenge and obscene jesting which Scripture expresly forbids Thy word is very pure The words of the Lord are pure words as silver tried in a furnace of earth purified seven times There is not the least dross of evil or error in it 1. It s principal Author is the original and exemplar of all holiness his nature is the pattern and his will the rule of purity Exod. 15. 4. Isa. 6. 3. 2. The Scribes of it were holy men moved and actuated by the Holy Ghost 3. It s effect is to sanctifie and make holy Ye are clean through the word that I have given you 4. The matter of it is holy Its commanding part is holy The Law is holy just and good Rom. 7. 12. It s assertory part is holy what it affirmes to be is what it denyeth to
nourishment Fluxes in the mind as in the outward man are arguments and authors of weakness The milk must be set some time before it will turn into Cream The longer Physick remains within me tâ—e more operative it will be The flame of Davids extraordinary affection to Gods Law was kindled at the hot fire of his constant meditation O how love I thy Law it is my meditation all the day His love was hot burning coals He speaks not barely by way of affirmation I love thy law and by way interrogation How love I thy Law but also by way of Admiration O how love I thy Law But his abiding thoughts on it were the warm beams which beating constantly upon him put him into such a violent heat It is my meditation all the day As the Hen by sitting on her eggs some weeks warmeth them and hatcheth young ones so may I by applying savoury subjects home to my soul and brooding some considerable time on them bring forth new affections and new actions Though my affections seem as dead as the Shunamites son by stretching my thoughts thus on them I shall warm and enliven them Many blows drive a nail to the head many thoughts settle a truth on the heart O that I might not onely at some times exchange a few words with the subject of my meditation occasionally as I do with a friend passing by my door but also at set times invite it as Lot did the Angels to stay with me all night being confident it will pay me bountifully as they him for my charges in its entertainment Yet I would not onely have my affections renewed but also my actions reformed by my meditations If I meditate what is good to be done and do not the good meditated on I lose my labour and take much pains to no purpose Cogitation is the sowing of the seed Action is the springing of it up the former is hidden and under ground the latter is visible and many are the better for it If the seed should still lye buried in the earth it is but lost and thrown away t is the springing of it up that causeth the Harvest Meditation is the womb of my actions action is the Midwife of my meditations An evil and imperfect conception if it hath the favour of a birth yet the mind is but delivered of a monster and of that which had better been stifled in the womb then ever seen the light A good and perfect conception if it want strength for its birth perisheth and comes to nothing like Ephraim It playeth the part of an unwise Son and stayeth in the place of the breaking forth of Children Its pity that such conceptions should prove abortive or such beautiful children be still-born Lord thou hast appointed me to meditate seriously on thy statutes and those excellent subjects contained in them I confess my heart is unwilling to this needful and gainful work and apt to be unfaithful in the management of this sacred duty If thou pleasest not to lay thy charge upon it and to use thy power over it it will either wholly omit it or perform it to no purpose Why should it not dwell now upon thee by meditation with whom I hope to dwell for ever What unspeakable joy might I receive in and from thy self could I but get above this earth and flesh O who will bring me into that strong City not made with hands Who will lead me into thy holy hill of Sion by meditation Wilt not thou O God Grant me thy Spirit I beseech thee that my spirit which lives upon thee may be united in thinking of thee and may live wholly to thee O my soul now thou art spending thy self in Wishes set upon the work and turn thy prayers into practice for an example and pattern to others and for thy profit There is one Attribute of thy God to which thou art infinitely indebted and beholden for every moments abode on this side the unquenchable sire even his Patience and long-suffering Ah where hadst thou been at this hour had not that Attribute stood thy friend Let the kindness thou hast received from it encourage thee to a serious consideration of it Old acquaintance and former courtesies may well plead and prevail also with thee to afford it entertainment for some time in thy thoughts What is this Patience of thy God to whiâ—h thou art so much engaged It is his gracious will wherâ—by he beareth long and forbeareth his sinful creatures It is that Attribute whereby he beareth their reproach and forbeareth revenge It is sometimes called slowness to anger Psal. 103. â— He is not easily overcome by the provocations of men but striveth to overcome them by his patience A small matter doth not incense him to anger he is not presently put into a fury and his wrath is not easily heightned into revenge Thou wast a trangressor from the womb for mine name sake I will defer mine anger and refrain for thee that I cut thee not off Isa. 48. 8,9 It is sometimes called long-suffering Exod. 34. 6. He expecteth and waiteth a long time for the repentance of sinners He doth not onely pity our misery which is his mercy and notwithstanding all our wickedness and unworthiness load us with benefits which is his grace but also bear many days many years with our infirmities which is his long-suffering Men are transgressors in the womb before they are able to go they go astray yet after a thousand and thousand affronts from the womb to the tomb he bears with them Forty years long was I grieved with this generation Infants or green wood are fit fuel for the eternal fire yet he forbears rotten Okes and old sinners They owe an infinite debt to Iustice and are liable every moment to the prison of Hell but Patience stoppeth the arrest of destructionâ— Rom. 9.12 This Patience of thy God is amplified by considering 1. How odious sin is to him the evil of sin never obtained a good look from God Thou art of purer eyes then to behold iniquity He seeth all sins with an eye of observation but he seeth no sin with an eye of approbation T is not out of any love to sin that he is so long-suffering towards sinners for sin is the object of his anger and dislike He is angry with sinners every day Sin is the object of his wrath which is anger boyled up to its greatest heat The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all unrighttousness and ungodliness of men Nay it s the object of his hatred which is the highest degree of detestation Hatred is abhorrency heightned to an implacability Bare anger might be appeased wrath might be pacified but hatred is irreconcileable The foolish shall not stand in thy sight thou hatest all workers of iniquity Six things doth the Lord hate yea seven are an abomination to him There is an antipathy in his nature against the smallest sin as sin is
in the everlasting Covenant wherein is set forth the Nature Conditions and Excellencies of it and how a sinner should do to enter into it and the danger of refusing this Covenant Reâ—ation Also the Treasures of Grace Blessings Comforts Promises and Priviledges that are comprised in the covenant of Gods free and rich mercy made in Jesus Christ with Beleivers By Obadiaâ— Sedgwick B. D. The Parly of Beasts or Morphandra Queen of the inchanted Island with Reflexes upon the present state of most Countries in Christendom By Iames Howel Esq The dead Saint speaking to Saints and Sinners livingâ— in several Treatises viz. The fulness and greatest evil that is in sin on 2 Sam. 24. 10. The love of Christ to his Spouse on Cant. 4. 9. Nature and Royalties of Faith on Iohn 1. 15. The slowness of heart to believe on Iohn 1. 50. The causes signs and cure of Hypocrisie with motives and helps to sincerity on Isa. 58â— 2. The wonderful workings of God for his Church and his people on Exod. 15â— 11. Never before published By Boltâ—â—â— D D. Quarto's AN Expositâ—on upon the nineteen last Chapters of Ezekiel By Will. Gâ—eenhil An Exposition on the first eighteen verses of Iohn By I. Arrowsmith An exposition on the book of Canticles By R. Robotham A Treatise shâ—wing the right ordering of the Bee By Sam. Purchas An Exposition on the 15 16 17. Chap. of Iob By I. Caryll An Exhortation from the Churches of Bohemia to the Church of England By Iohn Amos Comenius The Plain Doctrine of the Justification of a sinner in the sight of God justified by the God of truth in his holy Word and the Cloud of Witneâ—â—es in all ages By Charles Chauncy of New England The whole Tryal of the Marquiss of Arguile An Exposition upon the 4. Chap. of the 2. Epist. to the Corâ—nthians By R. Sâ—bbs Comfortable Sermons on Psalm 24â— Preached before the Lady Elizabeth her Grace By Daniel Dyke B. D. God save the King in a Sermon preached the day after his Majesty came into Londonâ— by Anth. Walker Preacher of the Gospel An Antidote against Anabaptism wherein the baptizing Infants taking Tythes c are fâ—lly vindicated by Aylmor Haughton The Conversation as heavenly and as natural in two Treatises by D. Stoughton Jesus Christ the mystical or Gospel Sun sometimes seemingly Eclipsed yet never going gown from his people opened in a Sermon at Pauls Church before the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor Aldermenâ— c. March 28. 1652. the day before the lâ—â—e Solar Eclipse by Fulk Beller M. A. A Sermon Preached before the Honourable House of Commons at their late Monethly Fast being on Wednesday Iune 30. 1647. by Nath. Ward A Declaration of the Faith and Order owned and practised in the Congregational Churches in England agreed upon consented unto by their Elders Messengers in their meeting at the Savoy Oct. 12. 1658. Mesolabium Architectonicum that is a most rare and singular Instrument for the easie speedy and most certain measuring of Plaâ—ns and Solids by the foot invented long since by Mr. Tho. Bedwel Esq A Changlâ—ng no company for lovers of Loyalty or the Subjects Lesson in point of sacred submission to and humble compliance with God and the King The beauty of Magistracy in an Expositioo of the 82. Psalm where is set forth the Necessity Utility Dignity Duty and Morâ—lity of Magistrates by the labours of Tho Hall B. D. and Pastor of Kings Norton and George Swinock M. A. and Pastor of Great Kimbel Large Octavo's FOur profitable Treatises very useful for Christian practice viz. The killing power of the Law the spirâ—tual watch the New Birth of the Sabbath by the reverenâ— Fenneâ—â— late Minister of Rotchford in Essex Enchirid on Iudlâ—um or Iehoshaphats charge to his Judges together with the Catastrophe Magnatum or King Davids lamentâ—tâ—on at Prince Abners Incinerationâ— by Iames Livesey Minister of the Gospel at Atherton The greatest loss upon Mat. 15 26 by the same â—uthor Meditations Divine and Moral by Henry Tabb M. A. The Psalms of K. Davâ—d translated by K. Iames. Willâ—ul impenitency the greatest Self-murther by that able faithful and laborious Minister of Jesus Christ Mr. W. Fenner 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Almost Christian discovered or the False professor tryed and cast by Matthew Mead. Spiritual Wisdom improved against Temptation by the same Author Pharonnida an Heroick Poem by VVill. Chamberlain The good old way of Perkins improved in a plain Exposition of Perkins Catechism by C. Broxholme A Treatise of Self-denial with the Necessity and Excellency of it by Thâ—â—philuâ— Polwheele The Hippocrâ—tes Ladder by John Sheffield The Christian compleatly armed by R. Robinson A practical discourse of prayer wherein is handled the nature and duty of prayer by T. Câ—bbet The Righteoâ—s mans tower by Ier. Dike Mount Ebal levelled or a redemption from the â—urse by El. Wales with Mr. Calamies Epistle Tentations their nature danger cure to which is added his Remains by R. Capel A Wedding-Ring fit for the finger â—ogether with the Non-such Professor by W. Secker The History of the Turkish Wars in Hungary Transilvania Austria Silesia and other Provinces of the German Empire from the first invasion of Amurath the second Anno. 1432. to this present year 1664. to which is prefixed a shorâ— discourse of the state and government of the said Provinces The spiritual taste described and a glimpse of Christ discovered in two parts grounded on Psalm 34. 8. and Mal. 4. 2. by Râ—b Dingley M. A. Small Octavo's CAtechizing Gods Ordinance in sundry Sermons by Mr. Zach. Crosâ—on A bridle for the tongue or a â—â—eatise of ten sins of the tongue viz. Cursing Swearing Slandering Scoffing Filthy Speaking Flattering Censuring Murmuring Lying and Boasting on Iam. â— 26. by W. Gearing The Pastor and the Clerk or a debate real concerning Infant Baptism by Iohn Ellis Habakkâ—k's prayer applied to the Churches present occasions on Hab. 3. 2. and Christs counsel to the Church of Philadelphia on Rev. 3. 11. by Sam. Balmford The Rudiments of Grammar The Rules composed in English verse for the great benefit and delight of young beginners by Iames Shirley The Ladies Dispensatory containing the Natures Vertues and Qualities of Herbs and Simples useful in Physick reduced into a methodical order for their more ready use in any sickness or other accident of the body The godly mans Ark in the day of his distress discovered in divers Sermons the first of which was preached at the Funeral of Mrs. Elizabeth Moor. Whereunto is annexed Mrs. Elizabeth Moors Evidences for Heaven composed and collected by her in the time of her health â—or her comfort in the â—ime of sickness by E. Calamy B. D. The Gale of Opportunity and the beloved Disciple by Thomas Froysal Sion in the house of mourning because of sin and suffering being an Exposition on the 5. Chap. of the Lamentations by D. S. Moses unvailed or those figures which served unto the pattern and shadow of