sacred embleam how he did begirt himself with with our flesh the blessed angels stood wondring at this how the divine nature could be girdled with the humane 3. He taught them exemplo by example ver 5. he poureth water into a Bason and began to wash his disciples feet he teacheth them humility by his own example he stoops to the meanest office he washeth his disciples feet and this he did for their imitation ver 14. ye ought also to wash one anothers feet Now our Lord Christ having thus taught his disciples by Doctrine Embleam and Example he makes as it were the Use of all in the words of the Text 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 If you know these things happy are ye if ye do them A text that deserves to be engraven in letters of gold upon our hearts a text that if well observed will help us to reap benefit by all other texts A Sermon is never heard a right till it be practised I shall therefore make this Sermon to be by the blessing of God as a selvidg to keep the rest from ravelling out That were an happy Sermon which would help you to put all the other Sermons you have heard in practice If you know these things c. by the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 these things our Saviour by a Synecdoche comprehends all the matters of religion though more particularly those two things he had been immediately before speaking of love and humility In the Text there is 1. a Supposition if ye know and do 2. A benediction happy are ye Doctr. From whence this Doctrine ariseth That it is not the Knowledg of the points of religion but the Practice of them that makes a man happy Had Christ said if ye know these things happy are ye and there had made a stop and gone no further we should have thought knowledg had been enough to have made one happy but Christ staies not here but goes further happy are ye if ye do them Christ doth not put happiness upon knowing but doing So that the Doctrine clearly results That it is not knowledg but practice renders a man blessed This Proposition consists of two Branches and I shall handle them distinctly 1. That Knowledg alone in the mysteries of religion will not make a man happy 2. That it is the Practique part of religion makes a man happy 1. Branch of the Doct. 1. That Knowledg alone in the mysteries of religion will not make a man happy Mat. 7.21 Luk. 6.46 Why call ye me Lord Lord and do not the things which I say It is not the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the speculation of the most glorious truths can bring a man to heaven If a man could discourse de omni scibili if his head were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Treasury of wisdom an Ocean of learning as it is said Hyperbolically of Albinus Beringarius Hermolaus Barbarus and others yet this could not entitle him to happiness his knowledg might make him admired but not blessed If a man knew all the policies of State the mysteries of Trade the subtilty of Arts the system of Divinity all this could not crown him with happiness Indeed knowledg in the Theory of Religion hath a beauty in it next to the Pearl of grace this gold is most pretious Knowledg is the enriching of the minde it is a faire garland to look upon but as Rachel though beautiful yet being barren said give me children or I dye so if knowledg doth not bring forth the child of obedience it will dye and come to nothing I would by no means disparage knowledg knowledg is the Pilot to guide us in our obedience if zeal be not according to knowledg it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 will-worship it is the setting up an altar to an unknown God Knowledg must usher in obedience it is as abominable to God to offer up the blinde as the lame Final ignorance damnes Hose 4.6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledg The Hebrew word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they are cut down or fell'd like Trees so that there is a necessity of knowledg knowledg is the elder sister but obedience is better than knowledg here the elder must serve the younger knowledg may put us into the way of happiness but it is only practice brings us thither That knowledg alone cannot make a man happy I shall prove by three demonstrations 1. Knowledg alone doth not make a man better therefore it cannot make him happy bare knowledg hath no influence it doth not leave a spiritual tincture of holiness behind it doth inform not transform knowledg of it self hath no power upon the heart to make it more divine it is like weak physick that doth not work it doth not warm the affections or purge the conscience it doth not fetch vertue from Christ to dry up the bloody issue of sin a man may receive the truth in the light of it not in the love of it 2 Thes 2.10 the Apostle calls it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a form of knowledg Rom. 2.20 Knowledg alone is but a dead form having nothing to animate it he that hath knowledg only is a spiritual stil-born he looks like a Christian but hath neither appetite nor motion Knowledg alone makes men monsters in religion they are all head but no feet they do not walk in Christ Col. 2.6 A man may have knowledg and be neglective of his duty as Plutarch said of the Grecians they knew what was just but did it not A man may have knowledg and be prophane he may have a clear head and a foul heart The sun may shine when the way is dirty the understanding may be irradiated when the foot of a sinner treads in unholy paths now then if knowledg abstracted from practice doth not make a man better then it cannot make him happy 2. Knowledg alone will not save therefore it will not make a man happy if knowledg alone will save then all that have knowledg shall be saved but that is not true for then Judas should be saved he had knowledge enough then the Divel should be saved he can transform himself into an Angel of light he is call'd 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from the great knowledge he hath a man may have knowledge and be no better than a Divel hell is full of learned heads now if knowledge alone will not save then it will not put a man into a state of blessedness 3. Knowledge alone makes a mans case worse therefore it cannot make him happy 1. Knowledge takes away all excuse and apology Joh. 15.22 Now ye have no cloak for your sin 2. Knowledge adds to a mans torment Woe unto thee Corazin it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgement than for thee It will be better with Indians than Christians living in a contradiction to their knowledge Luke 12.47 That servant which knew his Lords will and did not according to his will shall
this true hunger are blessed and may take comfort in it Object 2. But my hunger after righteousnesse is so Object 2 weak that I fear it is not true Answ 1. Though the pulse beats but weak it shows Answ 1 there is life and that weak desires should not be discouraged there is a promise made to them Matth. 12.20 a bruised reed he will not break a reed is a weak thing but especially when it is bruised yet this bruised reed shall not be broken but like Aarons dry rod bud and blossome In case of weakness look to Christ thy high-Priest he is merciful therefore will bear with thy infirmities he is mighty therefore will help them Answ 2. If thy desires after righteousnesse seeme to Answ 2 be weak and languid yet a Christian may sometimes take a measure of his spiritual estate as well by the judgement as by the affections What is that thou esteemest most in thy judgment Is it Christ and Grace This is a good evidence for heaven it was a signe Saint Paul did beare entire love to Christ because he esteem'd this Pearl above all he counted other things 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but dung that he might win Christ Phil. 3.8 Object 3 Object 3. But saith a child of God That which much eclipseth my comfort is I have not that hunger which once I had Time was I did hunger after a Sabbath because then the Manna fell I called the Sabbath a delight I remember the time when I did hunger after the body and blood of the Lord I came to a Sacrament as an hungry man to a Feast but now it is otherwise with me I have not those hungrings as formerly Answ 1 Answ 'T is indeed an ill signe for a man to lose his stomach but though it be a signe of the decay of grace to lose the spiritual appetite yet it is a signe of the truth of grace to bewail the losse 't is sad to lose our first love but it is happy when we mourn for the loss of our first love Answ 2 2. If thou hast not that appetite after heavenly things as formerly yet be not discouraged for in the use of means thou mayest recover thine appetite the Ordinances are for the recovering of the appetite when it is lost in other cases feeding takes away the stomach but here feeding on an Ordinance begets a stomach SECT 6. Containing a persuasion to spiritual hunger Use 5 Use 5 IT exhorts us all to labour after this spiritual hunger Exhort Parum est justitiam velle sed esurire quod ingens desiderium prae se fert Novarinus Hunger lesse after the world and more after righteousnesse say concerning spiritual things Lord evermore give me this bread Feed me with this Angels food That Manna is most to be hungred after which will not only preserve life but prevent death John 6.50 that is most desirable which is most durable Riches are not for ever Prov. 28.24 but righteousnesse is for ever Prov. 8.18 The beauty of holinesse * Psal 110.3 never fades the robe of righteousnesse * Isa 61.10 never waxeth old Oh hunger after that righteousnesse which delivereth from death Prov. 10.2 This is the righteousnesse which God himself is in love with Prov. 15.9 he loveth him that followeth after righteousnesse All men are ambitious of the Kings favour alas what is a Princes smile but a transient Beatitude This sunshine of his royal countenance soone masks it self with a cloud of displeasure But thou who art endued with righteousnesse art Gods Favourite and how sweet is his smile Psal 63.3 Thy loving-kindnesse is better than life SECT 7. Containing an excitation to spiritual hunger TO perswade men to hunger after this righteousnesse consider two things 1. Unlesse we hunger after righteousnesse we cannot obtain it God will never throw away his blessings upon them that do not desire them If a King shall say to a Rebel Do but desire a pardon and thou shalt have it if through pride and stubbornnesse he disdains to sue out his pardon he deserves justly to die God hath set spiritual blessings at a low rate Do but hunger and you shall have righteousnesse but if we refuse to come up to these termes there is no righteousnesse to be had for us God will stop the current of his mercy and set open the sluce of his indignation 2. If we do not thirst here we shall thirst when it is too late if we do not thirst as David did Psal 42.2 my soul thirsteth for God we shall thirst as Dives did for a drop of water Luke 16.24 They who thirst not for righteousnesse shall be in perpetual hunger and thirst they shall thirst for mercy but no mercy to be had Heat encreaseth thirst when men shall burn in hell and be scorch'd with the flames of Gods wrath this heat will encrease their thirst for mercy but there will be nothing to allay their thirst O is it not better to thirst for righteousnesse while it is to be had than to thirst for mercy when there is none to be had Sinners the time is shortly coming when the draw-bridge of mercy will be quite pulled up I shall next briefly prescribe some helps to spiritual hunger 1. Avoid those things which will hinder your appetite As 1. Windy things When the stomach is full of wind a man hath little appetite to his food so when one is fill'd with a windy opinion of his own righteousness he will not hunger after Christs righteousnesse he who being puff'd up with pride thinks he hath grace enough already will not hunger after more These windy vapours spoil the stomack 2. Sweet things destroy the appetite so by feeding immoderately upon the sweet luscious delights of the world we lose our appetite to Christ and Grace You never knew a man surfeit himself upon the world and sick of love to Christ while Israel fed with delight upon Garlick and Onions they never hungred after Manna the soul cannot be carried to two extremes at once as the eye cannot look intent on heaven and earth at once * Oculus non potest caelum terram simul inspicere Cyprian so a man cannot at the same instant hunger excessively after the world and righteousness the earth puts out the fire the love of earthly things will quench the desire of spiriritual 1 John 2.15 Love not the world the sin is not in the having but in the loving 2. Do all that may provoke spiritual appetite There are two things provoke appetite 1. Exercise a man by walking and stirring gets a stomack to his meat So by the exercise of holy duties the spiritual appetite is encreased 1 Tim. 4.7 Exercise thy self to godlinesse Many have left off Closet-prayer they hear the Word but seldome and for want of exercise they have lost their stomack to Religion 2. Sawce Sawce whets and sharpens the appetite there is a twofold sawce provokes holy appetite 1.
off the ruggedness in mens spirits grace turns the Vulture into a Dove the Bryar into a Myrtle Tree * Isa 55.13 the Lyon-like fierceness into a Lamb-like gentleness Isa 11.7 8. The wolf also shall dwell with the Lamb and the Leopard shall lie down with the Kid c. It is spoken of the power which the Gospel shall have upon mens hearts it shall make such a Metamorphosis that those who before were full of rage and antipathy shall now be made peaceable and gentle The Leopard shall lie down with the Kid. SECT 1. Peaceableness a Saints Character Use 1 IT shews us the Character of a true Saint he is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Inform. given to peace he is the Keeper of the peace he is filius pacis a son of peace Caution Not but that a man may be of a peaceable spirit yet seek to recover that which is his due if peace hath been otherwise sought and cannot be attained a man may go to Law and yet be a peaceable man It is with going to Law as it is with going to War when the Rights of a Nation are invaded as 2 Chron. 20.2 3. and peace can be purchased by no other means than War here it is lawful to beat the Plough-share into a Sword so when there is no other way of recovering ones right but by going to Law a man may commence a suit in Law yet be of a peaceable spirit Going to Law in this case is not so much striving with another as contending for a mans own it is not to do another wrong but to do himself right it is a desire rather of equity than victory I say as the Apostle 1 Tim. 1.8 The Law is good if a man use it lawfully Quest Is all peace to be sought how far is peace lawful Answ Peace with men must have this double limitation 1. The peace a godly man seeks is not to have a league of amity with sinners though we are to be at peace with their persons yet we are to have war with their sins we are to have peace with their persons as they are made in Gods image but to have war with their sins as they have made themselves in the Divels image David was for peace Psal 120.7 but he would not sit upon the Ale-bench with sinners Psal 26.4 5. Grace teacheth good nature we are to be civil to the worst but not twist into a cord of friendship that were to be Brethren in iniquity Eph. 5.11 Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness Jehoshaphat though a good man was blamed for this 2 Chron. 19.2 Shouldst thou help the ungodly and love them that hate the Lord The fault fault was not that he entertained civil peace with Ahab but that he had a league of friendship and was assistant to Ahab when he went contrary to God therefore there was wrath upon Jehoshaphat from the Lord Ver. 2. We must not so far have peace with others as to endanger our selves If a man hath the plague we will be helpful to him and send him our best Receits but we are careful not to have too much of his company or suck in his infectious breath So we may be peaceable towards all nay helpful pray for them councel them relieve them but let us take heed of too much familiarity lest we suck in their infection In short we must so make peace with men that we do not break our peace with conscience Hebr. 12.14 Follow peace and holiness we must not purchase peace with the loss of holiness 2. We must not so seek peace with others as to wrong truth Prov. 23.23 Buy the truth and sell it not Peace must not be bought with the sale of truth truth is the ground of faith the rule of manners truth is the most orient gem of the Churches Crown truth is a depositum or charge that God hath intrusted us with we must God with our souls he trusts us with his truths we must not let any of Gods truths fall to the ground * Petius ruat coelum quam pereat una mica veritatis Luth. the least filings of this gold are precious we must not so seek the flower of peace as to lose the pearle of truth Some say let us unite but we ought not to unite with Errour What communion hath light with darkness 2 Cor. 6.14 There are many would have peace with the destroying of truth peace with Arminian Socinian Antiscripturist this is a peace of the Divels making Cursed be that peace which makes War with the Prince of peace though we must be peaceable yet we are bid to contend for the faith Jude 3. We must not be so in love with the golden Crown of peace as to pluck off the jewels of truth rather let peace go than truth the Martyrs would rather lose their lives than let go the truth SECT 2. Containing a Reproof of such as are unpeaceable IF Christians must be peaceable-minded what shall we Use 2 say to those who are given to strife and contention Exhort who like Flax or Gun-powder if they be but touch'd are all on fire how far is this from the spirit of the Gospel 't is made the note of the wicked Isa 57. They are like a troubled Sea there is no rest or quietness in their spirits but they are continually casting forth the fome of passion and fury We may with Strigelius wish even to dye to be freed from the bitter strifes which are among us There are too many like the Salamander who live in the fire of broyles and contentions Jam. 3.14 15. If ye have bitter envying and strife this wisdom descends not from above but is Divellish the lustful man is Brutish the wrathful man is Divellish Every one is afraid to dwell in an house which is haunted with evil spirits yet how little afraid are men of their own hearts which are haunted with the evil spirit of wrath and implacableness And which is much to be laid to heart the divisions of Gods people Gods own Tribes go to War In Tertullians time it was said See how the Christians love one another but now it may be said See how the Christians snarle one at another Saevis inter se convenit Ursis Wicked men agree together when those who pretend to be led by higher principles are full of animosities and heart-burnings Was it not sad to see Herod and Pilate uniting and to see Paul and Barnabas falling out Acts 15.39 When the Disciples called for fire from heaven Ye know not saith Christ what manner of spirit ye are of Luk. 9.56 As if the Lord had said This fire you call for is not zeal but is the wilde-fire of your own passions this spirit of yours doth not suit with the Master you serve the Prince of peace nor the work I am sending you about which is an Embassage of peace 't is Satan who kindles the fire of contention in mens
we suffer for the truth and espouse the quarrel of Religion this is to suffer for righteousness sake Acts 28.20 For the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain 2. When we suffer with a good conscience A man may have a good cause and a bad conscience he may suffer for righteousness sake yet he himself be unrighteous Saint Paul as he had a just cause so he had a pure conscience Acts 23.1 I have lived in all good conscience to this day Paul kept a good conscience to his dying day a good conscience will make a man suffer with comfort it hath made the Saints go as chearfully to the stake as if they had been going to a Crown look to it that there be no flaw in conscience A ship that is to sail upon the waters must be preserved from leaking when Christians are to sail on the waters of persecution let them take heed there be no leak of guilt in their conscience he who suffers though it be in Gods own cause with a bad conscience suffers two hells an hell of persecution and an hell of damnation 3. When we have a good call Matth. 10.18 When ye shall be brought before Kings c. There is no question but a man may so far consult for his safety that if God by his Providence open a door he may flie in time of persecution Matth. 10.23 But when he is brought before Kings and the case is such that either he must suffer or the truth must suffer here is a clear call to suffering and this is reckon'd for Martyrdom 4. When we have good ends in our suffering viz. that we may glorifie God set a seal to the truth shew our love to Christ Matth. 10.18 When you shall be brought before Kings for my sake The Primitive Christians did burn more in love than in fire when we look at God in our sufferings and are willing to make his Crown flourish though it be in our ashes this is that suffering which carries away the Garland of glory 5. When we suffer as Christians 1 Pet. 4.16 If any man suffer as a Christian let him not be ashamed To suffer as a Christian is to suffer with such a Spirit as becomes a Christian which is 1. When we suffer with patience Jam. 5.10 Take my Brethren the Prophets for an example of suffering affliction and of patience A Christian must not repine but say Shall I not drink the cup of Martyrdom which my Father hath given me There should be such a spirit of meekness in a Christians suffering that it should be hard to say which is greater his persecution or his patience When Job had lost all he kept the breast-plate of innocency and the shield of patience an impatient Martyr is a Solecism 2. To suffer as Christians is when we suffer with courage Courage is a Christians Armour of proof it steels and animates him The three children or rather the three Champions were of brave heroick spirits they do not say to the King we ought not serve thy gods but we will not Dan. 3.18 Neither Nebuchadnezzars Musick nor his Furnace could alter their resolution Tertullian was called an Adamant for his invincible courage Holy courage makes us as one of the Fathers saith edomita fronte ad Crucis opprobrium have such faces of brass that we are not ashamed of the Cross this is to suffer as Christians when we are meek yet resolute The more the fire is blown the more it flames so it is with a brave-spirited Christian the more opposition he meets with the more his zeal and courage flames forth What a spirit of gallantry was in Luther who writing to Melancthon If saith he it be not the cause of God we are imbarked in let us desert it if it be his cause and will bear us out why do we not stand to it * Si piam justam causam defendimus cur Dei promissis non confidimus 3. To suffer as Christians is to suffer with chearfulness Patience is a bearing the Cross chearfulness is a taking up the Cross Christ suffered for us chearfully his death was a free-will offering Luke 12.50 * Sanguinem suum patri obtulet tanquam sacrificium 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He thirsted to drink of that cup of blood such must our sufferings be for Christ Chearfulness perfumes Martyrdom and makes it the sacrifice of a sweet-smelling savour to God Thus Moses suffered chearfully Hebr. 11.24 25. Moses when he was come to years chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season Observe 1. When he was come to years it was no childish act it was not in his non-age but when he was of years of discretion 2. He chose to suffer affliction suffering was not so much his task as his choice the Cross was not so much imposed as embraced this is to suffer as Christians when we are Volunteers we take up the Cross chearfully nay joyfully Acts 5.41 They departed from the presence of the Council rejoycing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his Name Or as it is more emphatical in the Original 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they rejoyced that they were so far graced as to be disgraced for the Name of Christ Tertullian saith of the Primitive Christians they took more comfort in their sufferings than in their deliverance * Magis damnati quam absoluti gaudentes Tert. Apol. And indeed well may a Christian be joyful in suffering * 2 Cor. 4.7 because it is a great favour when God honours a man to be a witness to the truth Christs marks in Saint Pauls body were prints of glory * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrys the Saints have worn their sufferings as ornaments Ignatius his chains were his jewels never have any Princes been so famous for their Victories as the Martyrs for their sufferings 4. We suffer as Christians when we suffer and pray Matth. 5.44 Pray for them which despightfully use you and persecute you There are two Reasons why we should pray for our persecutors 1. Because our prayers may be a means to convert them Stephen prayed for his persecutors Acts 7.60 Lord lay not this sin to their charge and this prayer was effectual to some of their conversions Austin saith the Church of God was beholding to Stephens prayer for all that benefit which was reaped by Pauls Ministry 2. We should pray for our persecutors because they do us good though against their will they shall encrease our reward every reproach shall adde to our glory every injury shall serve to make our Crown heavier as Gregory Nazianzene speaks in one of his Orations Every stone which was thrown at Stephen was a precious stone which enriched him and made him shine brighter in the Kingdom of heaven Thus I have shewn what that suffering is which makes us blessed and shall wear the Crown of Martyrdom SECT 6. Inferences drawn
end of the Creature to bring glory to God better lose our lives than lose the end of our living 3. The fuller we are of Fruit the more we are like Christ who was full of grace and truth Joh. 1.14 he received Spirit without measure Joh. 3.34 This Tree of life was ever bearing and he brought forth several sorts of Fruit Wisdom Righteousness Sanctification c. The more we are filled with the fruits of righteousness the more we resemble the Sun of Righteousness We were elected to this end to be made like Christ Rom. 8.30 and then are we most like this blessed Vine when we bear full clusters 4. The more fruit a Christian brings forth the more will Christ love him Now saith Leah will my husband be joyned unto me because I have born him three sons Gen. 29.34 When we bear much fruit now will Christs heart be joyned to us If Christ builds a nest of comfort it is in those Trees which fructifie most though the Lord Jesus doth accept of the truth of grace yet he commends only the degrees of grace Matth. 8.10 I have not found so great faith no not in Israel he sets a trophy of renown upon that Faith Christ will pardon a weak Faith he will honour a great Faith It was not a sparckle of love Christ commended in Mary Magdalen but love flaming Luke 7.74 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 she loved much Christians would you be as that beloved Disciple which leaned on the bosome of Jesus would you have much love from Christ let him have much fruit from you 5. Bearing much fruit will usher in abundance of comfort into the soul in these two Exigences 1. In the hour of tentation Satan wiil be sure to besiege the weakest Christian all his darts fly that way and a strong tentation may overcome a weak faith but a flourishing Faith stands like a Cedar and is not blown down by the wind of tentation a strong Faith can stop the mouth of the Divel that roaring Lion 1 Pet. 5.9 2. Store of fruit will give comfort in the hour of death a little danger will make us above the danger of death but degrees of grace will make us above the fear of death O what joy will it be on the death-bed when a Christian can bring his sheaves full of Corn when he can show his five Talents that he hath gained by trading when there is not only a drop or two of Oyle but his Lamp full of Oyl what though the Divel show God our debts if we can show him our fruit O how sweet will death be it will not be interitus but introitus not a destruction but a deliverance * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrysost Death like a whirlwind may blow down the tree of the body but it cannot blast the Fruit of our graces The Trees of Righteousness carry their fruit with them Rev. 14.13 Their works follow them The Christian who abounds in holiness may say as Simeon Luke 2.29 Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace He who bears but a little fruit departs in safety but he who bears much fruit departs in peace 6. Consider what need we have to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 putting forth still more Fruit our graces are yet in their non-age indeed in heaven this Doctrine will be out of season we shall not need to hear it then we shall have done growing being arived at our full stature then our light shall be clear and our love perfect but while we live here there is something * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 lacking in our faith 1 Thes 3.10 therefore we had need encrease the stock of grace and bring forth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 more fruit Our grace is eclipsed with sin our Faith is full of unbelief now as when the Sun is Eclipsed it is by degrees getting out of the Eclipse and it shines brighter and brighter till it recover its perfect lustre so it must be with us we must be getting out of the Eclipse till we shall arrive at our perfect lustre in glory 7. He who doth not encrease to more fruitfulness will soon be on the losing hand he that hath not more faith will quickly have lesse non progredi est regredi Rev. 2.4 Thou hast left thy first love It is with grace as it is with fire if it be not blown up and encreased it will soon decay Such as thrive not in their spiritual estate we may perceive sadly to decline Though a Christian cannot lose the seed of grace 1 John 3.9 yet he may lose the actings of grace and the comfort therefore bring forth more fruit no sooner doth a Christian begin to stand still but you may perceive him going backward 8. The more your fruit is encreased the more your glory will be encreased he whose pound gained ten was made Ruler over ten Cities Luke 19.16 17. If you would have your Crown hung full of jewels let your boughs be hung full of fruit 4. The last use is of Direction I shall lay down some Use 4 means to fruitfulness Direction 1. Be sensible of unfruitfulness Many might have been fruitful in grace if they had not conceited themselves so he that thinks himself fruitful enough is barren enough be sensible of your wants 't is better to complain than presume 2. If you would be fruitful remove those things which will hinder fruitfulness 1. Cherishing any secret lust in the heart sin lived in is like Vermin to the tree which destroyes the fruit grace cannot thrive in a sinful heart In some soil plants will not grow the cherishing of sin is the withering of the Fruit. 2. The love of riches The cares of the world choaked the seed Matth. 13. The love of sin poisons the Fruit the love of riches choaks it This is like a blast upon trees it destroyes the pretious Fruits of godliness Love not the world 1 Joh. 2.15 3. The third means to fruitfulness is weeping for sin Moisture helps germination in trees holy tears do water the trees of God and make them more fruitful Mary Magnalen a weeping plant how fruitful was she in love to Christ moist grounds as your Marshes are more fertile the soul that is moistened and steeped in tears is most frugiferous never did Davids graces flourish more than when he watered his Couch with tears When the Plant hath been pricked whereby it lets forth gumm or tears it is fuller of Fruit and the Fruit is sweeter That Christian who hath been pricked at heart for sin whereby he lets forth plenty of tears beareth the sweetest Fruits of grace Moisture helps fruitfulnesse 4. If you would be fruitful often apply the blood of Châ—ist and the Promises 1. Apply the blood of Christ Naturalists say that blood applyed to the Root of some trees makes them bear better Sure I am the blood of Christ applyed to the heart makes it flourish more in holiness None so fruitful as a Believer
ashes an unbeliever is like Reuben unstable as water he shall not excel Gen. 49.4 A believer is like Joseph who though the Archers shot at him his Bowe abode in strength Cast a believer upon the waters of affliction he can follow Christ upon the water and not sink cast him into the fire his zeal burns hotter than the flame cast him into prison he is enlarged in spirit Paul and Silas had their prison-songs Psal 91.13 Thou shalt tread upon the Lyon and the Adder A Christian arm'd with faith as a coat of Male can tread upon those persecutions which are fierce as the Lyon and sting as the Adder get faith Quest Quest But how comes faith to be such Armour of proof Answ Answ Six manner of wayes 1. Faith unites the soul to Christ and that blessed head sends forth spirits into the members Phil. 4.13 I can do all things through Christ c. Faith is a grace lives all upon the borrow as when we want water we go to the Well and fetch it when we want gold we go to the Mine so faith goes to Christ and fetcheth his strength into the soul whereby it is enabled both to do and suffer hence it is faith is such a wonder-working grace 2. Faith works in the heart a contempt of the world faith gives a true map of the world Eccles 2.11 Faith shews the world in its night-dress having all its jewels pul'd off faith makes the world appear in an Eclipse the believer sees more Eclipses than the Astronomer faith shews the soul better things than the world it gives a sight of Christ and glory it gives a prospect of heaven as the Mariner in a dark night climbs up to the top of the Mast and cries out stellam video I see a star so faith climbs up above sense and reason into heaven and sees Christ that bright morning star and the soul having once viewed his superlative excellencies becomes crucified to the world oh saith the Christian shall not I suffer the loss of all these things that I may enjoy Jesus Christ 3. Faith gets strength from the promise faith lives in a promise take the fish out of the water and it dies take faith out of a promise and it cannot live the promises are breasts of consolation the childe by sucking the breast gets strength so doth faith by sucking the breast of a promise When a Garrison is besieged and is ready almost to yield to the enemy Auxiliary forces are sent in to relieve it so when faith begins to be weak and is ready to faint in the day of battel then the promises muster their forces together and all come in for faiths relief and now it is able to hold out in the fiery trial 4. Faith gives the soul a right notion of suffering faith draws the true picture of sufferings what is suffering saith faith it is but the suffering of the body that body which must shortly by the course of nature drop into the dust Persecution can but take away my life an Ague or Feaver may do as much now faith giving the soul a right notion of sufferings and taking as it were a just measure of them enables a Christian to prostrate his life at the feet of Christ 5. Faith reconciles providences and promises as it was in Saint Pauls voyage providence did seem to be against him there was a cross winde did arise called Euroclydon Acts 27.14 but God had given him a promise that he would save his life and the lives of all that sailed with him in the Ship Ver. 24. therefore when the winde blew never so contrary Paul believed it would at least blow him to the Haven so when sense saith Here is a cross providence sufferings come I shall be undone then saith faith all things shall work for good to them that love God Rom. 8.28 This providence though bloody shall fulfill the promise affliction shall work for my good it shall heal my corruption and save my soul Thus faith making the winde and tyde go together the winde of a providence with the tyde of the promise enables a Christian to suffer persecution 6. Faith picks sweetness out of the Cross faith shews the soul God reconciled and sin pardoned and then how sweet is every suffering The Bee gathers the sweetest honey from the bitterest herb Saepe tulit lassis succus amarus opem So faith from the sharpest trials gathers the sweetest comforts faith looks upon suffering as Gods love token Afflictions saith Nazianzene are sharp arrows but they are shot from the hand of a loving Father faith can taste honey at the end of the rod faith fetches joy out of suffering John 16.20 Faith gets an honey-comb in the belly of the Lyon it finds a jewel under the cross and thus you see how faith comes to be such Armour of proof above all taking the shield of faith a believer having cast his Anchor in heaven cannot sink in the waters of persecution 2. Suffering grace is love get hearts fired with love to the Lord Jesus love is a grace both active and passive 1. Love is active it layes a Law of constraint upon the soul 2 Cor. 5.14 The love of Christ constrains me love is the wing of the soul that sets it a flying and the weight of the soul that sets it a going love never thinks it can do enough for Christ as he who loves the world never thinks he can take pains enough for it love is never weary it is not tired unless with its own slowness 2. Love is passive it enables to suffer a man that loves his friend will suffer any thing for him rather than he shall be wronged The Curtii laid down their lives for the Romans because they loved them love made our dear Lord suffer for us per vulnera viscera as the Pelican out of her love to her young ones when they are bitten with Serpents feeds them with her own blood to recover them again so when we had been bitten by the old Serpent that Christ might recover us he did feed us with his own blood Jacobs love to Rachel made him almost hazard his life for her Many waters cannot quench love Cant. 8.7 No not the waters of persecution love is strong as death Cant. 8.6 Death makes it way through the greatest oppositions so love will make its way to Christ through the Prison and the Furnace But all pretend love to Christ how shall we know that we have such a love to him as will make us suffer 1. True love is amor amicitiae a love of friendship which is genuine and ingenuous when we love Christ for himself there is a mercenary and meretricious love when we love divine objects propter aliud for something else a man may love the Queen of truth for the jewel at her ear because she brings preferment a man may love Christ for his head of gold * Cant. 5.11 because he enricheth with glory
but true love is when we love Christ for his loveliness namely that infinite and superlative beauty which shines in him †* Jesus propter Jesum Aug. as a man loves sweet wine for its self 2. True love is amor desiderii a love of desire when we desire to be united to Christ as the fountain of happiness love desires union the soul that loves Christ is ambitious of death because this dissolution tends to union Death slips one knot and tyes another 3. True love is amor benevolentiae a love of benevolence when so far as we are able we endeavour to lift up Christs name in the world as the wise men brought him gold and franckincense Mat. 2.11 so we bring him our tribute of service and are willing that he should rise though it be by our fall In short that love which is kindled from heaven makes us give Christ the preheminence of our affection Cant. 8.2 I would cause thee to drink of spiced wine and the juyce of my Pomgranates If the Spouse hath a cup which is more juycy and spiced Christ shall drink off that indeed we can never love Christ too much we may love gold in the excess but not Christ the Angels do not love Christ to his worth Now when love is boyled up to this heighth it will enable us to suffer love is strong as death the Martyrs first burned in love and then in fire 3. The third suffering grace is patience * Gaâ—â—et patientia duris Lucan patience is a grace made and cut out for suffering * Sine ferro flamma Martyres esse possumus fine patientia non possumus patience is a sweet submission to the will of God whereby we are content to bear any thing that he is pleased to lay upon us Patience makes a Christian invincible it is like the Anvil that bears all stroaks We cannot be men without patience passion doth unman a man it puts him beside the use of reason we cannot be Martyrs without patience patience makes us endure James 5.10 We read Rev. 13.2 of a beast like unto a Leopard and his feet were as the feet of a Bear and the Dragon gave him his power c. This Beast is to be understood of the Antichristian power Antichrist may be compared to a Leopard for subtilty and fierceness and on his head was the name of blaspheming ver 1. which agrees with that description of the man of sin 2 Thes 2.4 He sitteth in the Temple of God shewing himself that he is God and the Dragon gave him power Ver. 2. that is the Divel and it was given to him to make war with the Saints Rev. 13.7 Well how come the Saints to bear the heat of this fiery trial Ver. 10. Here is the patience of the Saints patience overcomes by suffering A Christian without patience is like a Souldier without arms faith keeps the heart up from sinking patience keeps the heart down from murmuring patience is not provoked by injuries it is sensible but not peevish patience looks to the end of sufferings this is the Motto Deus dabit his queque finem As the Watchman waits for the dawning of the morning so the patient Christian suffers and waits till the day of glory begins to dawn upon him faith saith God will come and patience saith I will stay his leasure these are those suffering graces which are a Christians Armour of proof 8. Treasure up suffering promises the promises are faiths bladders to keep it from sinking they are the breast-milk a Christian lives on in time of sufferings they are honey at the end of the Rod hoard up promises 1. God hath made promises of direction that he will give us a Spirit of wisdom in that houre teaching us what to say Luke 21.15 I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries shall not be able to gain-say nor resist You shall not need study God will put an answer into your mouth this many of Gods sufferers can set their seal to the Lord hath on a sudden darted such words into their mouths as their enemies could easier censure than contradict 2. God hath made promises of protection Acts 18.9 No man shall set on thee to hurt thee How safe was Paul when he had Omnipotency it self to screen off danger and Luke 1.18 There shall not an hair of your head perish Persecutors are Lyons but chained Lyons 3. God hath made promises of his special presence with his Saints in suffering Psal 91.15 I will be with him in trouble If we have such a friend to visit us in prison we shall do well enough though we change our place we shall not change our Keeper I will be with him God will hold our head and heart when we are fainting What if we have more afflictions than others if we have more of Gods company Gods honour is dear to him it would not be for his honour to bring his children into sufferings and leave them there he will be with them to animate and support them yea when new troubles arise Job 5.19 He shall be with thee in six troubles 4. The Lord hath made promises of deliverance Psal 91.15 I will deliver him and honour him God will open a back-door for his people to escape out of sufferings 1 Cor. 10.13 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He will with the tentation make a way to escape Thus he did to Peter Acts 12.10 Peters prayers had opened heaven and Gods Angel opens the prison God can either prevent a snare or break it Psal 68.20 To God the Lord belong the issues from death He who can strengthen our faith can break our fetters the Lord sometimes makes the enemies instruments of breaking those snares which themselves have laid Esther 8.8 5. In case of Martyrdom God hath made promises of consolation John 16.22 Your sorrow shall be turned into joy there is the water turned into wine Acts 23.11 Be of good chear Paul In time of persecution God broacheth the wine of consolation cordials are kept for fainting Philip Lantgrave of Hesse professed se divinas Martyrum consolationes sensisse Stephen saw the heavens opened Acts 7.56 Glover that blessed Martyr cryed out at the stake in an holy rapture He is come he is come meaning the Comforter 6. Promises of compensation God will abundantly recompence all our sufferings in this life an hundred fold and in the world to come life everlasting Matth. 19.29 This Austin calls the best and greatest usury our losses for Christ are gainful Matth. 10.39 He that loseth his life for my sake shall finde it These suffering promises should we treasure up and by holy meditation suck sweetness and strength out of them 9. Set before your eyes suffering examples look upon others as patterns to imitate Jam. 5.16 Take my Brethren the Prophets 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for an example of suffering affliction Examples have more influence upon us than precepts the one instruct the