that dwellest in the Gardens the companions hearken to thy voice cause me to heare it The third cause and that a great one why there is such difference in affection among many is because that which our Creatour blessed for ever hath ordained to be the bond and tie of his people together z Rom. 8.9 is by many neglected or not duly indeavoured and that is Charity namely the Charity which the Gospel hath expresly delivered The Apostle saith unto the Colossians having exhorted them unto sundry great vertues b Col. 3.14 2 Thess 1.3 1 Thess 3.12 Above all these things put on Charity which is the bond of perfectnes And if it is the bond and tie of the highest matters in Christianity is it not likewise the bond and tie of all inferiour matters therein c Eph. 4.15 16. Col. 2.19 Heb. 10.24 25. 1 Thess 2.7 8. Joh. 13.34 35. 2 Joh. 6. That from the very Infancie in Christ there may bee a comfortable growing up unto the eldest age which is in Him and through Him If the sheaves of a field bee not tied up together how can they bee well brought home into the barne So among whomsoever the said bond or tie ordained by the eternall Wisdome is not put on how can there bee a good growing up together into the Christian unitie S. Paul declared it to bee his great d Or conflict See the marginall reading of Col. 2.1 care even for all professing Christianity That their hearts might bee comforted being e Col. 2.2 And in verse 5. hee sheweth the power or effect of the said knot saying Though I bee absent in the flesh yet am I with you in the spirit joying and beholding your order and the stedfastnesse of your faith in Christ knit together in love c. Hee giveth it also for a rule for every particular action in this world where he saith Let all your things be done with f 1 Cor. 16.14 charity And hereon saith D. Lucas Osiander that famous Writer Sixteen properties of Charity expressed in 1 Cor. 13.4 5 6.7 8. Omnium actionum nostrarum moderatrix debet esse charitas Charity ought to be the moderatresse or ruler of all our actions The Holy Ghost thus describeth charitie saying Charity suffereth long and is kind charity envieth not charity vaunteth not it self or is not g So is the marginall reading of 1 Cor. 13.4 rash is not puffed up doth not behave it self unseemly seeketh not her own is not easily provoked thinketh no evill rejoyceth not in iniquity but rejoyceth in or h So is it in the marginall reading See 1 Pet. 4.8 Prov. 10.12 Song 8.6 7. with the Truth Beareth or i covereth all things believeth all things hopeth all things endureth all things Charitie never faileth There is delivered lately concerning charity that which is very considerable viz. k In page 67. of the booke intituled The nature of Truth its union and unitie with the soule Printed anno 1641. Doth not the Apostle doth hee not most truly most pathetically cry out Though I had the gift of prophecie and knew all secrets all knowledge yea if I had all faith so that I could remove mountains I were nothing I were as sounding brasse and a tinkling Cymball if I have not charitie When all these excellencies meet in a Christian as haply they may yet it is charity that maketh him l See 1 Joh. 4.7 8.12 16. and 1 Cor. 13.1 2 3. what he is and the other beeings are but as phalerae as trappings which give an handsome set off but not a being to a Christian m In page 68. of the aforesaid booke Love is lovely in Gods eye He is stiled the God of Love the God Love And in another place the Scripture affirmeth that in this we have fulfilled the will of God if wee love one another for by n Here is declared whereby union with God is according to 1 Joh. 4.16 The fourth mentioned cause of difference this we are made one with God and so dwell in true light The fourth and last cause which shall be mentioned at this present why there is so much difference among many is for that so few have any care at all to understand their own way and that the most addict themselves to judge one anothers way The Holy Ghost saith The wisdome of the prudent is to o Prov. 14.8 understand his way p Verse 12. There is a way that seemeth right unto a man but the end thereof are the waies of death q Prov. 12.15 The way of a foole is right in his own eyes but hee that hearkeneth unto counsell is wise David said r Ps 119.24 See The margent there Thy Testimonies are my delight and men of my counsell Now the counsell of the eternall Wisdome is That whoso would be a Disciple of Christ or a true Christian he do first of all betake himselfe to Å¿ Mat. 7.5 cast out the beame out of his own eye because then he shall see cleerly to cast out the mote out of his brothers eye Also to t Mat. 16.24 deny himself To become a u 1 Cor. 3.18 foole that he may be wise To * Luke 14.26 33. hate his own life and to forsake all that he hath all his Laodicean x Rev. 3.17 18. riches To follow Christ in the y Mat. 19.28 Regeneration To z 1 Cor. 4.5 judge nothing before the time untill the Lord come who both will bring to light the hidden things of darknesse and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts and in his particular a Joh. 14.23 spirituall comming will guide into b Joh. 16.13 all truth To doe nothing through strife or vain-glory but in lowlinesse of minde each to c Phil. 2.3 esteem other better than themselves and not to think every one to be in the wrong which differeth from him concerning some ceremoniall matter or the like To shun all d 2 Tim. 3.2 self-love e Ezech 36.31 and 20.43 See 2. Cor. 7.11 To remember ones owne evill wayes and his own doings that were not good and to loth himselfe in his own sight for his iniquities and for his abominations To consider that the f Ier. 17.9 heart is deceitfull above all things and desperately wicked and therefore to g Prov. 4.23 keep it with all diligence Not to h Prov. 3.5 6 7. leane unto ones own understanding but in all ones wayes to acknowledge the Lord and he will direct ones paths Not to be wise in ones own eyes but to feare the Lord and to depart from evill To i Jam. 1.26 Isa 58.9 Mat. 12.34 36 37. Eph. 5.4 5 6. bridle ones tongue because his Religion is vain and not the true Christian which doth not unfeinedly endeavour that dutie as the Holy Ghost hath pronounced Now when as one hath duly judged his k 1. Cor. 11.31
14. â— Jer. 32.39 2 Cor. 12.18 Unity in observing the duties of the Morall Law contained in the Ten Commandements so is there also Unity in the most holy d Jude 10. Tit. 1.1 faith of Gods elect The Apostle saith There is e Eph. 4.5 one faith And he hath these words f Eph. 4.13 Till we all come into the Unity of faith and of the knowledge of the Sonne of God unto a perfect man unto the measure of the stature of the fulnesse of Christ And as all which truly endeavour to make preparation of the way of the Lord within them according as it is prescribed by the aforesaid heavenly crying voice shall see more and more the g 1 Tim. 3.9 mysterie of the Christian faith and what the true Christian h Joh. 8.12 Mal. 4.2 See wisd 5.6 life and conversation is unto the increase of godly Unity so such as are i Eph. 4.3 studious of all holy Unity shall partake of the greatest measure of heavenly light which God now communicateth unto his servants It is said in the Booke of Chronicles k 2 Chron. 5.13 14. It came to passe as the trumpetters and singers were as one to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord and when they lift up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick and praised the Lord saying For he is good for his mercy endureth for ever that then the house was filled with a cloud even the house of the Lord. So that the Priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of God So it is said in the Acts of the Apostles l Acts 2.1 3 4 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come they were all with one accord or with one mind in one place And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire and it sate upon each of them and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost Then did God m Acts 2.16 17 18. powre out of his Spirit upon all flesh namely on all ages and states as on old persons and young persons on sonnes and daughters on servants and hand-maids and in great abundance on his Apostles who had n Acts. 1.4 waited for the promise and had kept in Jerusalem Which saith David is builded as a City that is o Psal 22.3 compact together or as some translate which is at unity in it self For where brethren dwell together in unity p Psal 133.3 Where there is such concord us saith the Geneva note The Ratification of this oracle there saith he the Lord commandeth the blessing even life for evermore There remaineth also that something be said concerning the Ratification of this Oracle which is contained in these words For the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it The which words are added for to assure us That our labour in the work of the Lord shall not now be in q 1 Cor. 15.51 vain our true endeavouring for to performe the aforesaid preparation shall not be unconsidered For God saith the Apostle is not unrighteous to r Heb. 6.10 11 12 13 14 15. Mat. 10.41 42. Ps 19.11 Heb. 11.26 forget your work and labour of love which ye have shewed toward His name c. And we desire that every one of you doe shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end That ye be not sloathfull but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises For when God made promise to Abraham because he could sweare by no greater He sware by Himself saying Surely blessing I will blesse thee and multiplying I will multiply thee And after he had patiently endured he obtained the promise Whereas it is said For the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it it giveth us to consider that a mouth hath uttered it which Å¿ Tit. 1.2 cannot lye and that the Almighty holy righteous eternall Spirit hath promised it which is t Eph. 3.20 able to performe it Who hath promised many spirituall blessings to be inherited in the life that u 1. Tim. 4.8 now is according as His Divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godlinesse through the knowledge of him as S. Peter * 2. Pet. 1.3 4. saith that hath called us to glory and vertue whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises that by these ye might be partakers of the Divine Nature having escaped the corruption which is in the world through lust That as the Apostle writeth unto the x Eph. 1.12 13 14. Ephesians We should be unto the praise of his glory who first trusted in Christ in whom ye also trusted after that ye heard the word of truth the Gospel of your Salvation in whom also after that ye believed ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise which is the earnest of our inheritance untill the redemption of the purchased possession unto the praise of his glory And as the Lord Jesus Christ saith y Mar. 10.29 30. There is no man that hath left house or brethren or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands for my sake and the Gospels but he shall receive an hundred fold now in this time houses and brethren and sisters and mothers and children and lands with persecutions and in the world to come eternall life Moreover it is to be observed that these words for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it being so often used in holy Scripture What the mouth of the Lord signifieth do in speciall manner note forth unto us the power and truth of God upon which we may build and ground our selves and be secure or z See of Heb. 11.1 the marginall reading confident that what duties we for our parts are to endeavour are a Ps 19.7 8. Deut. 4.6 7 8. perfect wisdome to be done and that the benefit signified to be received in the doing of them is most sure and certain It is said in Ezechiel * Ezech. 37.13 14. And ye shall know that I am the Lord when I have opened your graves O my people and brought you up out of your graves And shall have put my Spirit in you and ye shall live and I shall place you in your own land then shall ye know that I the Lord have spoken it and performed it saith the Lord. And to conclude this point there is observed to be understood by these words The mouth of the Lord hath spoken Such a more inward manifesting and communicating of the Divine will as whereby matters were made knowne unto Moses as it is written With him will I speak b Num. 12.8 mouth to mouth apparently For so Isaiah framed not out of his own mind this crying voice as Jeremiah saith That the false Prophets doe speak a vision of their own heart
Eph. 2.2 2 Tim. 2.25 26. Luke 11.21 22 24. spirit of the World Satan reigning with his power therein The Apostle saith c Rom 6.16 Know ye not that to whom ye yeeld your selves servants to obey his servants ye are to whom ye obey Can such be in a safe condition which will passe their time as the Apostle saith d without Christ being aliens from the common-wealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise having no hope and without God in the world Hath not Christ said But those mine enemies which would not that I should e Luke 19.27 reigne over them or have my kingdome of grace f Luke 17.21 The third use for correction within them bring hither and slay them before me A Third use is for Correction of most persons which passe their time in this world not minding this one necessary thing namely to bee now an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob. O what paines do most take all their life long some in one humane g Ier. 9.23 24. learning some in another some in the h Ps 39.6 Hab. 2 6. getting or i 1. Tim. 6.10 Luke 12.19 loving of worldly wealth some in following their own k 1. Cor. 10.7 2. Tim. 3.4 Job 21.13 See the marginall reading there earthly pleasures others in l Col. 3.2 Phil. 3 19. The Summum Bonum in this world setting their hearts on other matters according to their severall affections and neglect the Summum Bonum the Soveraigne or Supreme good in this present world to wit the m 1. Joh. 1.3 4. and 4.16 17. Eph. 3.19 and 4.13 Song 3.4 Joh. 14.21 23. enjoying of Gods gracious presence within ones soule n Gen. 5.22 Micah 6.8 walking with God o 1 Cor. 6.17 Joh. 17.21 joyning to the Lord and becomming one spirit with him The Apostle saith p Rom. 8.9 If any one have not the Spirit of Christ hee is none of his Of whose Spirit the fruit is q Gal. 5.22 23 24. love joy peace long-suffering gentlenesse goodnesse faith meeknesse temperance and it is in r Eph. 5.9 all goodnes and righteousnesse and truth They which are wholly for Å¿ Col. 2.8 Acts 17.18 humane learning or for the t 2. Tim. 3.5 Mat. 23.2 3. and 5.20 Ier. 22.16 17. 1 Joh. 2.3 4. Gen. 3.6 meere historicall knowledge of what is contained in Divine writ that they may proceed so farre therein as is possible and do make such understanding their glory and endeavour to have it for the greatest contentment of the minde are not in the right they have not the u Prov. 9.10 Job 28.28 Ps 111.10 and 119.98 99 100. perfect wisdome For it is the Gospels doctrine * 1. Cor. 13.1 2. See the Geneva Translation of 1. Cor. 13.2 and the Greeke Text. Though I speake with the tongues of men and of Angels and have not charity I am become as sounding brasse or a tinkling Cymball And though I have the gift of prophecie and understand all mysteries and all knowledge and though I have all faith so that I could remove mountains and have not Charity I am nothing It is said also else where x 1. Joh. 4.7 8 8 16. Deut. 4.6 7 and 32.29 and 5.29 1 Cor. 8.3 Joh. 15.10 14. Let us love one another for love is of God and every one that loveth is borne of God and knoweth God He that loveth not knoweth not God for God is love God is love and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God and God in him And what the said lovers nature and properties are it is plainly expressed in the thirteenth chapter of the first Epistle to the Corinthians where sixteen qualities thereof are reckoned up that there may be no mistake concerning the charity or love which the holy Gospell prescribeth and requireth The fourth use for instruction A fourth use is for Instruction That seeing our Creatour willeth that we z Ps 119.166 174. 1 Pet. 1.13 14 15. 1 Thess 1.10 1. Cor. 1.7 9. zealously endeavour the aforesaid preparation and then waite for the Revelation there promised that we a Jer. 7.5 Lam. 3.40 Consider the importance of the Hebrew Text. See Junius his Translation thereof throughly search and try our waies and turne home quite unto the Lord as Jeremiah maketh exhortation Wherewithall saith David shall a young man b Ps 119.9 2 Cor. 13.5 1 Thess 5.21 22. cleanse his way By taking heed thereto according to thy word We are therefore to consider all the word of the Lord for to see what valleys mountaines and hils crookednesses and roughnesses it doth discover to be in us that so with help of his holy Spirit we may put them all away more and more We are also often to pray as David did c Ps 63.1 2 8. Wee are to pray continually for Gods helpe hereunto O God Thou art my God early will I seek thee My soule thirsteth for thee my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirstie land where no water is to see thy power and thy glory so as I have seen thee in the Sanctuarie My soule followeth hard after thee d Ps 143.10 and 25.5 Teach me to doe thy will for thou art my God Thy Spirit is good leade me into the Land of uprightnesse * Ps 43.3 O send out thy light and thy truth let them lead me let them bring mee unto thy holie Hill and to thy Tabernacles The said worke of preparation is not to bee deferred Moreover the said worke of preparing a way for the Lord to come into us is not to be deferred untill old age or untill there be perill of death or of some great misery but as the Holy Ghost saith e Heb. 3.7 8 13 15. To day if yee will hear his voice harden not your hearts as in the provocation in the day of temptation in the wildernesse The Apostle there saith Exhort one another daily whiles it is called to day lest any of you be hardned through the the deceitfulnesse of sinne Continuall observation declareth a certain counsell to be wholesome which saith f Sirach 5.7 Deut. 29.10 21. Rom. 2.4 5 6. Ps 119.59 60. 1 Thess 5.2 3. Maledictus qui florem juventutis suae diabolo et faecem senectutis Deo reservat Augustinus Make no tarrying to turn unto the Lord and put not off from day to day for suddenly shall the wrath of the Lord come forth and in thy securitie shalt thou be destroyed and perish in the day of vengeance g Isa 55.6 Isaiah saith Seeke ye the Lord while he may be found call ye upon him while he is neere Christ saith h Luke 13.25 26 27. When once the master of the house is risen up and hath shut to the doore and ye begin to stand without and to knock at the door saying Lord Lord open unto us and he shall answer and