Rome tells us she only is the true Church the house of God and God and Christ and the Holy Spirit and this heavenly Wisdome is only in and with her and so to be sought for there only other Societies say they are the holy and only Church and the truth and true wisdome only with them How shall we know whither to go Ans Search the Scriptures God hath â—…aused them to be written for our instruction â—…n righteousness and they are they that testifie â—…f Christ and therein also set forth and deâ—…cribe to us his true Church and all that â—…retend to the name of the Church acknowledg that those Scriptures are to be received as truth by us which we have among â—…s being the Scriptures of God in which â—…e have Gods testimony which is sure and â—…ill not deceive us but makes wise even â—…e simple ones that attend to it and to God 〈◊〉 and by it and they tell us that they are the Church of God or children of it that keep the â—…mmandments of God and the faith of Jesus Rev. 12.17 And truly by them the Church of Rome above all the rest is discovered to be that Strumpet and Harlot that magnifies her self as the only Queen or Lady but loves not Christ but gives his honour to graven Images and such like devises of their own to his Mother after the flesh and other deceased Saints and keeps not but expugnes Gods commandments as the Second Commandment against making graven Images and worshipping and bowing down to them and the Commandment of Christ that all his Disciples should drink of the Cup in the Supper of the Lord they notoriously cast by obtruding upon men her inventions and institutions for Articles of Faith as the Popes Supremacy and Infallability Transubstantiation Purgatory and many other matters strictly enjoyning her own commands while she castâ—… by Christs Yea she above all makes herself drunk with the blood of the Saints anâ—… Martyrs of Jesus So that the way to truâ—… wisdome is to decline and come out of thaâ—… filthy Babilon The Reformed Churches aâ—… to their bulk are visible enough but haâ—… their tares overspreading them too muâ—… too and their divisions and fractions 〈◊〉 that in a manner we may take up that coâ—…plaint of the Prophet Micah in respect 〈◊〉 true and thorough Members of the Catholick Church Wo is me for I am as when they have gathered the Summer fruits as the grape gleanings of the Vintage there is no Cluster to eat Scarce a pure Church or greater Society of all sound Christians in every respect But yet we may find such as to the main Fundamentals of the Faith hold and maintain them and so far as any do so and put not upon us Doctrines and Practises inconsistent with them we may so far own and join with them And amongst such Churches we may by the light of Gods Word taken heed to by us meet with here and there two or three or more doubtless with whom we may have more intimate Fellowship and Communion in the Name of Christ Who hath promised His presence in any so small a company of those that indeed confess and fear him Matt. 18.20 So that if we cannot find a whole Nation of hearty Believers and real Members of Christ nor a whole Countrcy or City Yet if we find but any smaller company of such as take heed to the Word of God and give up themselves to worship God in Christ and walke in their conversations according thereunto we need not be at a loss for finding God and Christ among them to to give us Wisdome and Understanding in the knowledg of himself and with such we may walk without needless breaches or separatings from the National Church or owning and outwardly acknowledging the truth though mixed with Tares Mat. 13.28 29. As David though not renting from the National Church of Israel though not faultless Neh. 8.17 yet was also companion more intimately of all such as feared God and of them that keep his precepts Psal 119.63 and resolved to praise God both in the Congregation more generally and in the Assembly of the upright Psal 111.1 even as those that feared God in Malachies time without renting or dividing from their publick Assemblies spake often one to another with Gods good approvement Mal. 3.16 17. yea and so our Saviour practised and his Disciples As for such as question the lawfulness of National Churches they seem to have forgotten the Scriptures that tell us That Christ shall call a Nation that he knew not and Nations that knew not him shall run unto him Isai 55.5 and that Christ sent his Apostles to disciple all Nations who surely therefore might disciple or church whole Nations as they were found complying with them Matt. 28.18 19 20. But were our case such as somtimes Elias supposed his to have been as thank God it is not that we knew none not corrupted in faith and practice from the word of God yet if we accordingly as God is preventing us with light and truth and by his spirit is therein enlightning and moving at our hearts as we shewed in the beginning of this discourse that wisdome is preventing men generally with her calls and counsels do yield up our hearts to God and as our Saviour saith do his will in what He makes clear and evident to us to be his will He will further instruct and teach us of his mind and we shall know the doctrines proposed to us whether they be of God or of men John 7.17 and walking in the light as God gives it forth to us and is in it we shall not fail to be of the true Church and to partake of the prayers and grace of it through Christ though we may be at some loss where to find it or the members of it Come we then to the testimony of God and close we with the light and truth He therein and thereby manifests unto us and we shall be in the way to get this wisdome for the testimony of God is sure when mens pretensions and boastings that they are the Church may deceive us The entrance â—…f Gods word giveth light and it giveth understanding too so as to make wise the simple Psal 19.7 and 119.130 so as to Salvation of which some mistakes through infirmity weakness of sight shall not deprive us But withal Go to them that sell Go to God in and by Christ Jesus in the operation guidance of his holy Spirit by earnest Prayer and Supplication as it is said If any man lack wisdome let him ask it of God who giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not and it shall be given him but let him ask in faith nothing doubting Jam. 1.5 6. Ask ye and ye shall receive for every one that asketh receiveth Matt. 7.7 8. Thus the Spouse addressed herself to her Beloved Tell thou me O thou whom my soul loveth where thou feedest and where thou causest thy flock to
and late he find it Thus the Apostle exhorting 〈◊〉 Hebrews to give diligence so to know Châ—… and God as to be filled with or attain to full assurance of hope to the end he adâ—… Be not slothful but followers of those who thrâ—… faith and patience inherit the Promises Hebâ—… 11 12. Dij laboribus omnia vendunt say Heathens that is the Gods sell all things to men for their labours as if that was all the price they require for them And there is some truth in it in reference to the only true God The price for which he sells to us as from us wisdom and its great fruits and benefits is a hearty love to it and an industrious labouring to obtain it working as the word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not for the meat that perisheth but for that which endures to eternal life Which the Son of Man will if we so do especially certainly give us for him hath God even the Father sealed set apart and authorised to that purpose John 6.27 the hand of the diligent here also maketh rich and beareth rule when he that dealeth with a slack hand becometh poor and the slathful shall be under tribute Prov. 10.4 12.24 5. We must part with whatsoever way and practice is in it self sinful and contrary to the Law and Doctrine Will and Commandment of God Thus David who was made wiser than his enemies and got more unâ—…erstanding than his teachers than the antiâ—…ts because he meditated in Gods Testimonies â—…nd kept his Precepts and Commandments â—…ells us that He refrained his foot from every â—…il way that he might keep Gods word and 〈◊〉 get still more wisdom therethrough Psal 19.98 99 100 101. For indeed wisdom as is said Wisd 1.4 will not enter into a wicked or malicious soul nor where the body is subject to sin for it is a pure most holy influence from the most holy God and loveth not that which is filthy and unclean Thence the fear of the Lord is said to be the beginning thereof because by it we depart from evil pride arrogance and the evil way and the froward mouth doth wisdom hate Prov. 8.13 Therefore if we would be truly wise cleanse we our selves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit perfecting holiness in the fear of God 2 Cor. 7.1 Laying aside all filthiness superfluity of naughtiness receive with meekness the ingraffed word the fountain of Wisdom Eccles 1.5 which is able to save the soul Jams 1.21 And to add but one more 6. Lastly in a word We must Deny ouâ—…selves take up our Cross and follow Christ and therein forsake all that we have else wâ—… cannot be Christs Disciples and obtain thiâ—… heavenly gift Mat. 16.24 Luke 14 33â—… We must deny and forsake all our owâ—… things casting them away as loss and duâ—… for the excellency of the knowledge of ouâ—… Lord Jesus the true wisdom as all oâ—… own fleshly priviledges and rejoycings 〈◊〉 to the knowing our selves after them whâ—… ther our fleshly birth or humane parts 〈◊〉 lations to such good and excellent persoâ—… admission to Gods Church and Ordinances so as not taking up content that we have them Yea our own righteousness after the Law and our own best self attainments our wisdom carnal or fleshly understanding with all our own desires and designs to gâ—…t our selves or keep to our selves the honors riches and pleasures of this world as any of them stand cross to or are inconsistent with as often or usually they are the getting the knowledge of Christ laying down all our self conceits interests and purposes at his foot we must only and above all things attend to know him and his grace and gracious mind and will concerning us and follow on after him therein patiently bearing and enduring what ever thing cross to our said interests desires or designs befal us in the way of his truth and righteousness and so doing we shall not fail of being truly and indeed wise and doing wisely to Salvation for Good and upright is the Lord therefore He preventingly teaches sinners in the way the meek he will by his following grace guide in judgement the meek that hear his reproofs and rebukes and take all well and yet yield up themselves to him to learn of him and follow him will he teach his way Yea What man is he that feareth the Lord him will he teach the way that he should go his soul shall dwell at ease The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him and He will shew them his Covenant Psal 25.11 12 13 14. Thus doing we shall be made wise and obtain the happiness here spoken of viz. to shine as the brightness of the Firmament especially if also as wisdom will lead us to and direct us in that also we make it our business to make others wise by instructing them and to turn others to righteousness with reference to which branch as also to the other reading of the word translated wise 2. In the second place what hath been noted thereto we may further apply it sundry ways as Vse 3. 1. To exhort and provoke such as have wisdom and are in any measure furnished with the heavenly talents to be diligent and faithfully in improving them and laying them out for the good of others also endeavouring to their capacities and in the places God hath set them and according to the instructions of his truth to make others wise and righteous in turning them from their sins errours and disobedience to the wisdome of the just one and to be earnest diligent and servent herein as they have opportunity knowing that their labour shall not be in vain in the Lord but they shall receive a good reward They shall shine as the Stars for ever and ever 1 Cor. 15.58 and this is a point of wisdom also For the fruit of the righteous is a tree of life and he that winneth souls is wise Prov. 11.30 Quest But what should we do or what course shall we take that we may turn others to righteousness and make them truly wise Answ I might say shortly from the words of our Saviour to his Disciples and Apostles 1. Let us retain the Salt in our selves and â—…ts favour that we have received of God in â—…nd by Christ for Christs Disciples are the â—…alt of the earth to purge corruption from them and render them savoury unto God But if the salt hath lost its savour wherewith â—…hall it be salted it s thenceforth good for noâ—…hing Matt. 5.13 14. Mark 9.5 that is â—…et us have and hold fast the word of Christ and the wisdom therein contained â—…nd conveighed to us with its reproofes â—…f instructions so as we our selves may be â—…ept in an awful fear and reverence of God â—…nd be sweet and clean in our speech and â—…arriage in the world and toward it that â—…e savouring the grace of God our selves â—…nd retaining the savour of it in our own â—…earts may be
any man is in closing with and â—…beying it made in Christ so being thereby â—…rought to and made in him Christ is made 〈◊〉 God to him wisedome righteousness c. 〈◊〉 Cor. 1.30 the Author and Fountain of â—…avenly and true wisdome to him In which wisdome and so in those that are made wise thereby there are among other â—…ings these chiefly observable viz. 1. A right understanding and judgment â—…f things Naturally men in and of themselses and as walking in the principles of â—…e world are blind and darkened in their understandings especially as having reâ—…sed the tenders of wisdome Sathan gets power over them to blind them 2 Cor. 4 4â—… the Gentiles that receive not the Grace 〈◊〉 God have their understandings darkned bâ—…ing alienated from the life of God through thâ—… ignorance that is in them because of the blindness or hardness of their hearts but theâ—… having learned Christ and having heard hiâ—… and been taught by him as the truth is in Jesuâ—… are inabled and helped to put away lying knowing and understanding the truth Ephes 4.17 18 19 20 21 25. Men genâ—…rally as in and of themselves and as walâ—…ing after the course of this world are brâ—…tish and foolish void of all right judgment and understanding Surely every man by 〈◊〉 own knowledg is brutish every founder is coâ—…founded Jer. 10.14 There is none that 〈◊〉 derstandeth none that seeketh after God Râ—…man 3.11 But God sent his only begotteâ—… Son into the world and hath put his Spirit upon him that He might be the light of the world and bring forth judgment to the Geâ—…tiles and having given him a light to the peâ—…ple the Jews or professed Church and 〈◊〉 the Gentiles hath appointed him therein 〈◊〉 be for salvation his salvation or way of â—…aving men to the ends of the earth that whâ—… ever believes on and follows him might 〈◊〉 walk in darkness but have the light of life Isaah 42.1 and 49.6 with Acts 13.46 47â—… John 8.12 and 12.46 and to those that behold and listen to him he brings forth â—…udgment into truth or into victory over all â—…he errors of the world that was in their minds and over all their corrupt passions â—…usts and affections giving them to understand the truth and to discern between the right and wrong good and evil that they might chuse the good and live and so in his might they see light they see where their true interest is where peace and safety felicity and happiness are to be met with by them viz. that it lies not in their having the riches honours or pleasures of this life or world nor in having the science and knowledg of many things or in being morally just among men and approved of them nor in living long here in health and quietness or the like but in having the love favour and approvement of the great God the Maker and Creator of all things and in the being blessed and accepted of him and enjoying him for our portion and they see the way to this peace the way by which they may obtain this love and favour acceptance and approbation with God that it is by coming to believing on and abiding in Christ He being the Way the Truth and the Life so as None can come to the Father but by him for it is through his Blood We have access to the Father by his Spirit which Spirit He in and with this Heavenly Doctrine administers and gives forth to those that yield up themselves according there unto to obey and serve him Joh. 14.6 7. Ephes 2.18 Acts 5.32 Prov. 1.23 〈◊〉 that in this wisdome is a right discerning of and these wise ones know and perceivâ—… their true Interest both as to the end wherein their happiness stands and as to the Way to attain that End yea and theiâ—… want and need of both the emptiness iâ—… themselves and in all other things to relievâ—… and help them for seeking God they knowâ—… all things Prov. 28.5 In knowing Christ and him crucified they know God the only true God and his infinite excellencies his power wisdome and goodness for helping and saving us men and for overthrowing the power policy and malicious contrivances of all his and our enemies his truth and faithfulness for making good his Words and Promises his hatred of sin and wickedness love of purity and holiness c. and they know themselves their own sinfulness death poverty brutishness and misery the emptiness and falsness in their own wisdome righteousness strength c. the vanity of the world the right end and use of all things whom God approves chuses and specially loves whom he hates â—…nd rejects and what not that concerns â—…heir happiness judging that one even Christ died for all they judg also that all were â—…ead at Law and that He died for all that â—…ey who live should not hencefrrth live to themselves but to him that died for them and is â—…sen again and so they know in some measure their ingagements to Christ and to God in Christ yea they know no man after 〈◊〉 Flesh themselves or others but if any â—…an be in Christ that he is a new Creature old â—…ings passed away and all things become new â—…nd that all things are of God 2 Cor. 5.14 15 16 17 18. Other men as to these things 〈◊〉 fools and walk in darkness Eccles 2.14 â—…ey neither know aright their own misery â—…or what it is will do them good they have 〈◊〉 learned that Precept of the Heathen 〈◊〉 teipsum to know themselves much 〈◊〉 do thy know God and him whom he hath 〈◊〉 Jesus Christ there is no judgment in thier â—…ings Isa 59.8 they take a Cloud for Ju 〈◊〉 as is the Proverb they worship some 〈◊〉 instead of God this world with its â—…easures honors riches or some such thing 〈◊〉 their summum bonum their greatest good 〈◊〉 spring of good to be enjoyed by them 〈◊〉 their apprehensions Or if they have â—…ard of and believe a God and that the happiness of the Soul stands in his favour and blessing yet they know not the way how to obtain that and enjoy him for their portion but seek and think to please him with their own or other mens inventions even with doing those things that he hath forbidden choosing the things which he delight not in yea which his Soul abhors Isa 66 4â—… having false imaginations and conceptions oâ—… him as some think to pacifie him and hiâ—… anger by making Groves Altars and 〈◊〉 mages and offering up corrupt Sacrifices yea some have thought to please him and obtain his favour by slaying and sacrificing their Sons and Daughters to him yeâ—… sometimes to Idols and Devils instead of him Mic. 6.6 7. Jer. 19.4 5. Isa 17.8 Psal 106.36 37 38. others by establishing their own righteousness according to the Law and so by their own goodness even the deeds of the Law whereby no man living can be justified a mans own righteousness being a bed
a righteous demeanour conversation and walking proposed to us in the Scriptures of truth in the word and doctrine of the Gospel to be followed after by us in the receiving of and walking in Christ Jesus which the grace of God that brings Salvation or is saving to all men teacheth Tit. 2.11 12. 1 Tim. 6.11 and All Scripture given by inspiration of God is profitable to instruct and direct us in and promote in us 2 Tim. 3.15 16. 3. That men may be turned to this righteousness from their unrighteous state and practices or they may be made partakers and practicers thereof It is true no man can of himself turn himself thereto or make himself righteous therewith This also is of God who as he made his Son who knew no sin sin for us that we might be made the righteousness of God in him so also sent his Son to bless us in turning every one of us from our iniquities Acts 3.26 and hath put his spirit upon him that he might bring forth judgement to us By whom he hath also given forth his Law and Doctrine which is a ministration of the spirit and so is perfect converting the soul Psal 19.7 and of righteousness 2 Cor. 3.8 9. The Gospel or preaching of Christ is the power of God to salvation to every one that believeth yea and the word of faith by which seriously heard and minded the heart is perswaded to believe Rom. 1.16 10.8.17 Isa 55.3 With this our Lord Jesus sent his Servants to open the eyes of the blind and to turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God Acts 26.18 True it is that all have not this Law and Doctrine of God alike clearly nor some at all declared to them but even there the goodness or kindness of God as otherwise evidenced is leading them to repentance to which also his chastisments provokes them And though they cannot by those less clear means attain to that understanding and abundance of consolation as men may by the clearer means the Law and Doctrine of God as audibly and distinctly made known at least ordinarily and without miracle yet they that by such means fear God and work righteousness or keep the righteousness of the Law their uncircumcision is counted circumcision and God through and by means of Christ accepts them Acts 10.34 Rom. 2.4 5 26 27. But the choice way and means that God useth for conversion and turning of men to himself is the preaching of the Gospel That being a preaching of repentance and remission of sins in the name of Jesus Christ Luke 24.46 47. and therein Christ is set forth a Prince and a Saviour giving repentance and forgiveness of sins Acts 5.31 though so as yet men are therefore required to listen to him and in hearing to receive the grace he gives for turning them so as to repent and be converted that God may blot out their sins and forgive them Acts 3.19 Yea he now by and with the Gospel preached to all Nations commands all men every where to repent Acts 17.30 whereunto his Spirit is not straitned or shortned but so administred that his words do good to him that walks uprightly that doth not willingly and stubbornly decline the force of them winking with the eye that he might not see and hardning the heart that he might not understand and be converted but singly yields up to the power working therewith Mic. 2.7 Matt. 13 12-15 Acts 28.26 27. 4. That he makes use of Men and their Ministry or Service even such as he hath indued with wisedome and capacity thereto by holding forth that word law and doctrine and walking therein blamelesly to be means or instruments for converting men and bringing them to righteousness by bringing them to Christ Jesus to know believe on and obey him And such as are made wise and gracious themselves by that blessed word He commissionates and commands them to call others to Christ that they might be made wise and righteous also in and by him So He gave the word and great was the company of publishers of it Psal 68.11 and Christ being ascended on high gave gifts to men And He gave some Apostles some Prophets some Evangelists or Gospel-preachers some Pastors and Teachers furnishing them with gifts and appointing them in the exercise of those gifts to instruct others that are ignorant in the knowledg of Christ and thereby endeavour their conversion unto God Eph. 4 8-11 and so to make them Disciples to Christ and so wise and righteous persons Matt. 28.18 19 20. Mark 16.15 16. He hath set them as the salt of the earth and light of the world to be useful and profitable to others to draw them in also to glorifie God Mat. 5.13 14 15 16. Yea The manifestation of the Spirit is given to every one to profit withal 1 Cor. 12.7 and No man lights any candle to put it under a bushel or under a bed but to set it on a Candlestick that it may give light to all that come into the house Matt. 5.15 Every one that hears that in any measure udderstands and is obedient to the truth of the Gospel hath commission and command from Christ to call others to him endeavouring their coming to him that they may be made righteous Let him that heareth say Come Rev. 22.17 Christ commissionates neither all nor only University Scholars and those that are learned in the Arts and Sciences to be his Ministers Preachers of his Gospel and inviters of men to Him and so instruments of turning them to righteousness and makers of them righteous If they hear not his Call themselves and be not subject and obedient to Him He commissionates them not to be his Preachers nor accepts their service how learned soever otherwise they be For to the wicked God saith What hast thou to do to declare my Statutes or that thou shouldst take my Covenant in thy mouth seeing thou hatest instruction and castest my words behind thee Psal 50.16 17. But whoso hears yea whither man or woman learned or unlearned in worldly Sciences they are bid to say Come and they may do it so they keep as all must within their bounds and go not beyond the proportion of Faith that they have received or behave not themselves disorderly A Woman indeed is not permitted to speak in the Church or Congregation nor to usurp authority over the man but otherwise if they have the gift they may pray or prophecy 1 Cor. 14.24 and 11.5 1 Tim. 2.11 12 and be Teachers of good things Tit. 2.3 and by their good conversaion may endeavour to win in their husbands that believe not the word 1 Pet. 3.1 the woman of Samaria was a good instrument by calling her neighbours to bring them to know Christ Joh. 4. and not only Aquila but Priscilla too instructed Apollos and helped to bring him to a perfecter understanding in the way of the Lord Acts 18.24 25 26. and we read in
own sinful ways because Christ hath died for them but for those things they must forsake the foolish and leave their own waies and come in to him and his waies For 2. God is not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness evil may not dwell with him fools may not stand in his sight he hates as to fellowship with them all the workers of iniquity Psal 5.4 5. No unclean thing or unrighteous thing or person therefore may enter into or inherit his his Kingdom 1 Cor. 6.9 Rev. 21.27 and therefore there is a necessity that we be washed sanctified justifiied made wise and righteous which we cannot be but by turning to God in and by Jesus Christ believing on and obeying him 3. It was Gods end in sending his Son and Christs in giving himself for us that He might redeem us from all iniquity and purifie to himself a peculiar people zealous of good works Not that he might justifie and save us and make us happy in our sins and uncleaness cleaness Tit. 2 13 14. He dyed for all that they that live should not henceforth live to themselves but to him that dyed for them and rose again 2 Cor. 5.15 4. Neglecting and refusing to come to Christ to believe on and follow him therefore men must needs perish in thir sins and uncleaness For 1. All things in this life and world will fail being vain and momentany All flesh is grass and the goodliness thereof as the flower of grass 1 Pet. 1.24 The world passeth away and the fashion and lust or desire of it 1 Joh. 2.17 1 Cor. 7.31 and all our own wisdom is bruitishness and folly with an enmity to God and he will destroy it Jer. 10.14 1 Cor. 1.19 3.19 20. and all our righteousnesses and goodness though after the Law but as a menstruous ragge so as we cannot live in or be justified by and on account of it Isa 64.6 Rom. 3.20 Gal. 3.10 nothing but Christ will preserve us from perishing Acts 4.11.12 2. Yea mens neglects of and rejections of Gods Grace and great Salvation provokes his heavy anger and displeasure which will kindle a fire that will never be quenched but will for ever burn upon them Mat. 22.7 Mark 9 44-48 Heb. 2.3 10.26.29 12.25 Such things are to be talked of proposed to and urged upon men sometimes one and sometimes another of these things to convert them to righteousness as also the discovery to men of what is the good acceptable and perfect will of God as to what he would have them do and practice in their believing on Christ that they may please him and have the fellowship of his spirit and his blessing And so what God and Christ require of them and his grace obliges them to do or deny or to forbear With the manifold incouragements to obedience and heartnings thereto against all temptations persecutions and whatever other discouragements in proposing Gods pretious promises and gratious readiness in Christ to pardon sins and accept of weak if upright endeavours and the like as the Scriptures abundantly evidence to which it would be too long to speak here particularly Such things are to be held forth by believers in holding forth the word of life in shining as lights among men Which they are to do also 2. In their works and conversation As the Apostle also implies when he saith Do all things without murmuring and disputing that ye may be blameless and harmless or fincere the Sons of God Without rebuke in the midst of a crooked and perverse Nation among whom ye shine or shine ye as lights Namely in so walking and demeaning your selves Both these ways Levy is said to have exercised himself in in his turning many away from iniquity Mal. 2.6 The Law of truth as the Gospel is called the Word of truth Ephes 1.13 was in his mouth and iniquity was not found in his lips There is the first thing And then the second follows viz. He walked with me in peace and equity and turned many from iniquity And indeed they that will not be won by the word may sometimes be won to the word by a good Conversation as is implyed 1 Pet. 3.1 For herein also we may shew forth the virtues of Christ and God in him while we as Strangers and Pilgrims abstain from fleshly lusts and have our Conversation honest among the Gentiles the uncircumcised in heart a Conversation that becomes and is answerable to the Gospel of Christ an holy humble charitable courteous upright and blameless Conversation So as that whereas they are apt to speak evil of us as of evil doers they may glorifie God by occasion of the good works that they shall behold in and from us in the day of visitation 1 Pet. 2.9 11 12. which our Saviour also evidently implies in his exhortation to his Disciples aforementioned in Mat. 5.16 When he saith Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works walk so well and blameless before them in your holding forth the word of life that your works may testifie of you and evidence the force and power of the truth believed and grace received and declared by you so as men may behold them and glorifie your Father which is in Heaven For this way also we may declare or shew forth his salvation even shew forth in our selves as evidences of it the saving virtue that is in the Gospel and Grace believed by us that the Gospel of Christ is the power of God to Salvation even to save men from their sins in the power and pollution of them yea and from the clogging force in sins guilt in the conscience â—…ausing deadness or sadness to every one â—…hat believeth whither Jew or Gentile And â—…erein we may shew forth his righteousness namely that god is upright faithful and â—…nd true in what he saith and promises while according to his promises we receive â—…is blessings in and upon us to the filling us with the fruits of his righteousness making â—…s apt to every good work and chearful â—…nd hopeful in God under all evils of adversity Psal 92.13 14 15. And also while we exemplify in our selves before men the righteous ways and practises which God would have men walk in And indeed without this all our profession or preaching is rendered vain and ineffectual exceedingly and instead of glorifying God as He is and will be in trees of righteousness of his planting Isa 61.3 God is dishonored among men by such as talking of and professing his love and grace do walk otherwise witness what the Apostle saith in Rom. 2.17 24. Behold thou art called a Jew and restest in the Law and makest thy boast of God and knowest his will and tryest the things that differ or approvest the things that are excellent being instructed out of the Law and art confident that thou thy self art 〈◊〉 guide of the blind a light of them that are in darkness an instructor of the foolish
light was with them John 12.35 36. and not as the Poet observed to be the common practise of men Presentem virtutem odio habere absentem quaerere invidi Horat. Slight present good out of envy of it and then when it is withdrawn seek for it when it cannot be had Surely it 's matter of lamentation for the Church and World to be deprived of any useful persons in them As also cause of sadness we have as the taking away such may presage judgments approaching upon us as is often found and as is implyed in Isa 57.1 2. The righteous man perisheth namely from among men and no man layeth it to heart And men of mercy or kindness are taken away none considering that the righteous is taken from the evil either the evil that is already predominant as Lot from the evil that vext his righteous soul or as we read it the evil to come as Lot also was and Noah when taken into the Ark from the approaching deluge He shall enter into peace c. In respect of him therefore we have cause of gladness as our Saviour said to his Disciples John 14.28 But in respect of our selves cause to grieve And God grant that that of our Saviour when the women wept for him when he went to his death may not be applicable to us Weep for you selves and for your Children for behold the days come in which they shall say Blessed are the barren and the wombs that never bare and the paps that never gave suck c Luke 23 28 29. Well what of judgment and correction to us there is in it it is good for us to bear Searching and trying our ways and turning again to the Lord who in divers such strokes and breaches made upon us hath been smiting us Blessing him that we enjoyed him so long and that he lived to fill up so fully the number of his years in which respect there is the less of judgment I conceive in his being now taken away And whereas we can now have no farther usefulness of him by any personal care of or service among us let us bewailing our unprofitableness under what we have had have the more regard to his Relicks I mean those good and useful Books and Writings the best and truest Relicks of the Saints to be made much of by the surviving lest behind him In and by which we may yet be minded of the sum and substance of what he spake to us and hear him as it were yet instructing us and reap the labours of his spirit for us Luke 16.29 2 Pet. 1.15 And let it be also our care as being in this his Death and Burial aptly minded thereof and provoked thereto so to number our days as to apply our hearts unto the heavenly Wisdom So as we following after the knowledge thereof and walking therein we may be accepted of God also and be accounted worthy to have our lot and portion among those that be wise who shall shine as the brightness of the Firmanant in the Kingdom of God and if it may be that we also may be instruments of turning many unto righteousness that we may shine then too as the Stars for ever and ever Amen Blessed be God for his unspeakable gift THE END A DOUBLE ACROSTICK Thy Race is Run and Having thy work done Oh may we too do Merit we can't but At Christs appearance Shall rise again and Thou full happily Home t' Heaven didst ply Ours so as we may Mercy find that day At that day when we Shall judg'd by him be More more such useful Once was the Prayer of Old Master Power 't was Rome's and Geneva's Even when thou dst shewd their Moores to us God send One who did attend Of old Bullinbrook Rocks when thou dst shook Errors by Gods Book So be it may we Either with us or Neither the Learned In many places On whom like gifts were Rarer endowments Say for few there be Else where like to thee Nor Vnlearned can Instance such a man Of Gods grace so show'd Richer parts bestow'd 〈◊〉 Epitaph on Mr. Tho. Moore Sen. HEre lies a man wrapt up in dust Whose better part 's in heaven we trust â—…he who through Grace with diligence â—…tain'd to great experience â—…d was with heavenly gifts indu'de â—…ove the common multitude â—…undantly Yea few there were â—…ny in Gods truth more clear 〈◊〉 many wisely did instruct â—…nvert to righteousness conduct â—…ways of Truth and Piety â—…herein himself did live and dy â—…d therefore though as all else must 〈◊〉 now be laid in clay and dust 〈◊〉 at the coming of the Lord 〈◊〉 make good what He in his Word â—…th promised He shall no doubt â—…m thence to glory be rais'd out â—…d then in brightness as the sky â—…ll shine and as the Stars on high â—…h gain hath godliness So good God to such as here have stood â—…his good counsels and have chose â—…th Christ above all things to cloâ—… â—…ving their sins his truth to 〈…〉 〈◊〉 minding seek the things 〈…〉 〈◊〉 such as read these 〈…〉 〈◊〉 Faith and pure Câ—… 〈…〉 To follow after Christ believing God will be faithful none deceiving Who trust to his good Word and so Let 's chuse in such good ways to go As this deceased Friend and all Whom holy men the Scriptures call For there 's no glory may compare With theirs who truly godly are John Horne Another Here lies a Father Friend and Brother Where 's he can shew me such another Learn'd not i' th' learning of the School But in that which who wants are fools His preaching writing walking-one His hands did not bely his tongue Christ in whom's all in all be blest And having done his work 's at rest Bâ—… Thomas Moore Anagr. O harm to some A Help he was to many Souls who His heavenly teaching had their heaâ—… 〈…〉 unto Christ in whom they met 〈…〉 â—…enly peace and blessed safety 〈◊〉 〈…〉 in 's such a sense 〈…〉 as a rock of offence â—…o such as his good counsels did reject â—…ot suff'ring them to have their due effect â—…or better not to have Gods grace set forth â—…han to reject or count it little worth â—…nd o to some his death's harm who depriv'd â—…f what advantage by him while he liv'd â—…hey had in Gods good ways are likely now â—…heir former love thereto away to throw â—…ea to the countries 't is more generally â—…harm where good men live for them to dy â—…r good mens worth and usefulness is oft 〈◊〉 such like names as these in Scriptures taught â—…ch treasures jewels lights o'th'world or stars â—…ods grain earths salt and sometimes its pillars â—…oss of which O what a harm t' would be â—…ightless heaven or grainless earth to see 〈◊〉 loose our jewels or rich treasures and â—…ose pillars whereon our choice buildings stand â—…d yet no less Churches or world's less when â—…d takes away therefrom his godly men â—…n such in Sodom had its safety been â—…r had