Spiritual Exercise for his Glory and his peoples good through the supplies of his Holy Spirit Do we move herein by a generous Spirit as Constantine and Theodotius the senior and junior Marcian and Pulcheria those Imperial Lights of Christianity King Lucius the Brittain and famous Alfred the Saxons Glory whose Courts and Palaces were accounted Christs Oratary and Academy whose heads and hearts whose tongues and hands were continually employed with chearfulness in this noble work of religious helpfulness Do we cordially labour to contribute our time and skill our Strength and Interest our Credit and Wealth our Power and Authority to the utmost for the promoting of this signal duty in all christian reciprocations of advice and help through the Lords Assistance Is it our grief and trouble that we have done and yet do so little towards it Is it our joy to see others faithfull and diligent about it Are we moved with indignation against all sinfull Obstructions that hinder the same Are we content to break through all obstacles and difficulties that might retard us from it Are the Lords Encouragements from Heaven efficaciously prevailing with us above and against all Discouragements from Earth and Hell still re-enforced against this work of Christ 2. In our civil Capacity do we demonstrate the like studious industry for Christian helpfulness in each relation domestical and political either as Superiors or as Inferiors either as Governors or as governed Do Magistrates and people Officers and souldiers Parents and children Husbands and wives Masters and servants friends and Neighbours in City and Countrey observe the Lords Will about this grand Affair of so much import to his Glory and the publique weal in the furtherance of each others good Is it our desire and delight purpose and Labour to be found watchfully diligent and self-denyngly active about it Do we gladly redeem all opportunities of improving our Talents and laying out our best abilities through Gods help to the best advantage of serving one another in Love as becomes all the subjects of Christs Kingdom are we cordially willing to be told of our faults and mind others of theirs with meekness and Zeal prudence and patience tenderness and faithfulness Do we judge our selves for our sinfull Jealousies and causeless prejudices our indiscreet carriages and unchristian deportments towards those above us about us under us Do we encourage others to deal freely with us and bear with their weakness mistakes and miscarriages making still the best construction of their speech and actions Are we candid in our address to others and ingenuous in our acceptance of their endeavours though mean and homely to our apprehensions Are we still labouring to get and improve such a noble genius as the Roman Senator expressed who would freely forgive all to others but nothing to himself being most severe to our own selves but most tender to others Are we of Titus Princely disposition to account that day lost wherein we have not been doing some good to others Do our actions express effectually what the famous Painter said verbally nullus dies sine lineâ no day passing without some real effects of our Christian helpfulness Do we studiously labour in every occasion in every company to do and receive no hurt when we cannot do and receive good as we would desire Do we therefore carefully avoid all the degrees and appearances of evil exercising our selves with choice diligence to keep a conscience still void of offence towards God and Man Do we thus help others upon Christs account with a general Love of pitty to sinners and a special Love of delight towards Saints using all due means for reciprocal Aides in our Christian Walk becoming the sutable decency and honourable pre-eminence of our heavenly Calling 4. This Truth yields also choice consolation to zealous Christians officiously employed about this great business of mutual quickning each other in the Lords Wayes Honour and pleasure comliness and profit do still attend it however carnal minds may mis-judge thereof It s good to be found thus acting for Christ and like Christ from Christ and through Christ in christian benevolence and beneficence Though some harshness and difficulties may be met withall from the hands of men to discourage you as in all other eminent Duties yet comfort and help will never be wanting from the Lords gracious hand Christs famous Axiome is strongly inforced by the Apostle to chear up all Christians about this great work 'T is more blessed a thing said the King of Saints to give then to receive The next royalty is to receive in Love what is given in Love for councill or assistance The surest way to receive most from God is to give most to men on his score Such a laying out is the best laying up That precious seed is cast into Christs lap which is bestowed upon men for his sake His bosom never yet proved a barren soil but will surely return a plentifull Crop He that gives to the poor whether in Spirituals or in Temporals lends unto the Lord Who will repay it with the best advantage Faithfull advice bestowed an obedient ear will be found a Jewel beyond Gold and Pearls He is wise and happy that hearkens to reproof in the Judgement of the wisest of men and will find such Physick singularly healthfull though for a time it may smart and gripe whilst it is working out of his ill humours A rebuke enters more into a wise man then a hundred blows do into a fool Such will find the rare benefit of having their sores duly clensed and dressed when others â—…all smart in shame and sorrow for their wilfull neglects The weeding of their ground will cherish the goods plants and increase their fruit when others shall be found overgrown with Brambles and Nettles through their selfish contemptuous laziness They shall be secured from the enemies wiles who have been observant of all warnings given when others carelesness shall expose them to the Stratagems and cruel insultings of the Lords malicious adversaries Zealous Christians shall reap the comfort of their officiousness in their friendly Reciprocations of quickning helpfulness Though their seed time may appear gloomy and stormy yet shall their harvest be serene and joyfull 5. A solemn Exhortation should be hence pressed upon all Christians to attend this work and buckle to it with faithfull diligence and prudent zeal with carefull observance and tender cautiousness with sensible affection and sober discretion in every relation condition and occasion Do we need inducements to quicken us thereto Have not all the considerations hitherto hinted at sufficient force to perswade us with cogent Arguments to such a duty so eminent and so expedient Let all Christs friends be then efficaciously urged thereto personally and domestically politically and ecclesiastically 1. Personally going before others in an Exemplary way of gracious behaviour Le ts therefore begin at our own hearts and
himself The greatest of sinners and meanest of Saints C. G. The CONTENTS THE Context opened p. 1 Three main parts observed 1. An eminent state 2. An eminent act 3. An eminent help p. 2 Hence three Conclusions Conclu 1. A Christians Vocation is a most eminent Thing Explained Confirmed Grounded p. 3 Reason 1 Its eminent Cause p. 4 Reason 2. Its eminent Terms ibid. Reason 3. Its eminent Properties ibid. Reason 4. Its eminent effects p. 5 appli. 1. By way of information in two Corollaries Corollary 1 See hence the Excellency of Grace p. 5 2. The baseness of sin ibid. appli. 2. For Conviction 1. To nominal Christians p. 7 2. To real Christians p. 8 appli. 3. For Inquisition 1. By the Antecedents p. 9 2. By the Concomitants p. 10 3. By the Consequents p. 11 appli. 4. Consolation to the Lords called Ones p. 12 appli. 5. Excitation 1. To uncalled sinners p. 13 They should be specially moved 1. To Diligence p. 15 2 To Dependance p. 16 Secondly To the called Saints ibid. Conclu 2. CHristians are eminently obliged to walk worthy of their Vocation Explication p. 17 Ratification p. 18 Demonstration 1. From Ingenuity ibid. 2. From Congruity p. 19 3. From Expediency p. 20 1. With respect to God ibid. 2. In reference to man ibid. Use 1. Instruction in two consectaries p. 21 1. Note hence the sinfulness of notional Libertinism ibid. 2. Of Practical Libertinism p. 22 Use 2. just Reprehension p. 23 Use 3. Examination p. 25 1 In our general Calling ibid. 2. In our particular Vocation p. 26 Use 4. Comfort p. 27 Use 5. Exhortatian p. 29. Particularly 1. To Superiors p. 30 2. To Inferiors p. 32 Conclu. 3. IT becomes Christians to improve the most effectual helps for mutual quicking of each other that they may walk worthy of their Vocation p. 34 Deduction Confirmation ibid. Demonst. Rea. 1. From the importance of the Duty p. 35 2. Form mans condition ibid. 3. From external Temptations p. 36 Improvment 1. For Vindication of the Ministry p. 37 Improvement 2. For Admonition p. 39 Improvement 3. For Tryal p. 40 1. In our religious Capacity ibid. 2. In our civil Capacity p. 41 Improvement 4. For a choice Cordial p. 42 Improvement 5. For solemn Exhortation p. 44 1. Personally ibid. 2. Domestically ibid. 3. Politically p. 45 4. Ecclesiastically 1. To the Church Rulers p. 46 2. To private Christians p. 47. Generally and particularly 1. More generally towards all fellow-members in Christ some choice Duties performed will be of singular help ibid. 1. Cordial affection ibid. 2. Tender Compassion p. 48 3. Earnest Supplication p. 49 4. Seasonable Exhortation p. 50 5. Faithfull Admonition p. 51 6. Cheâ—reful Condonation p. 53 7. Ingenuous Disposition p. 54 8. Meet Consolation p. 55 9. Liberal Contribution p. 56 10. Impartial Administration p. 58 11. Stedfast Continuation p. 59 12. Zealous Vindication p. 60 13. Vigilant Preservasion p. 62 14. Careful Sequestration p. 63 Secondly More particularly towards spiritual Rulers p. 65 A Pleasant Walk to HEAVEN Through the new and living Way which the Lord Jesus consecrated for us and his sacred Word reveals unto us Eph. 4. 1. I therefore the Prisoner of Jesus Christ do beseech you that ye walk worthy of the Vocation wherewith ye are called THE Salvation of Gods people by Jesus Christ is the Scope and Sum of Law and Gospel Old and New Testament Our great Apostle preached this at Ephesus powerfully effectually His labors were wonderfully blessed from Heaven in that place so eminent for Pomp and Pride wealth and wickedness Many of Christs sheep were there gathered into his fold of whose welfare Paul in his absence was most solicitous He therefore sends them a gracious Salute and begins with the didactical part of Christianity to settle their minds and hearts in the main Truths and Principles of faith From the great Mysteries of their Election and Predestination he leads them gradually to the review of their Redemption and Vocation that they might the more efficaciously be rooted and grounded in the Truth of Christ against all the errors of the wicked Thence Obedience is pressed on them in the practical part Grace â—â—…ll teaching good manners Faith and Holiness Purity and Power are Divine Associates in the wayes of Christ I therefore saith he the Prisoner of Christ beseech you that you walk worthy of the Vocation wherewith ye are called Three main parts are here considerable 1. An eminent State expressed in their Vocation their choise Dignity 2. An eminent Aâ—â—… to be conversant thereabout walking worthy of their Voâ—â—â—â—on their singular Duty 3. An eminent â—â—p quickning thereto by force of Arguments rationally dâ—duced from the whole matter ezpressed in the Context by the illative therefore 2. From his personal relation to Christ and suffering for Christ 3. From his perswasive Intreaty I The Prisoner of Christ do beseech you From which Premises Three Conclusions naturally flow 1. That a Christians Vocation is a most eminent Thing 2. All Christians are obliged to walk worthy thereof 3. Christians should use the most effectual helps for mutual quickning thereunto 1. Conclus A Christians Vocation is a most Eminent Thing For Explanation this word Vocation is considerable in Scripture-dialect largely and strictly 1. Largely so it imports an external Call given to many by the Gospel who never partake of the power thereof witness the various Ghests mentioned Mat. 22. Many such are called though but few be chosen This is common to the whole visible Church Secondly Strictly it signifies that internal Call which efficaciously flows from Gods eternal election and infallibly leads to Glory described Rom. 1. 28. 29 30. This is peculiar to Gods Elect the members of his invisible Church who are all in due time efficaciously called This Calling hath a double Aspect general and particular 1. General towards God in all the wayes wherein he is to be owned for our Soveraign Lord and chief good in Christ this concerns all thus to love and fear to serve and trust him with the utmost of the whole man Secondly It hath a particular respect towards Man in the various Relations of this life wherein every one hath his particular charge to attend upon in each respective Station differing one from another as Superiour or Inferiour in publique or private c. The Greek word {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Vocation sometimes denotes an act of God towards Man calling him to himself usually it holds out the state of man whereinto he is brought by that Divine Act whether external or internal whence proceed all humane Acts in correspondency thereto This phrase in the Text is comprehensive of all in the full Complex thereof but especially expresses that special state of Grace and Christian Profession whereto Gods People are energetically called by the singular operation of his sanctifying Spirit That this Vocation is most eminent is a Truth confirmed fully and frequently by the sur-beams of
as others Is it not very sinfully wofull to leave Christs walk for the Devils company Are not all the Allurements of sin so many ignes fatui and mis-guiding Meteors made use of still by evil Spirits to ensnare Travellers in the misty night of Ignorance and Error into dangerous Plunges and Precipices by drawing them out of Christs high way Will you still pretend to be Christs Souldiers whilst you are marching after his desperate Enemy under the conduct of sin Satan and self Is it not pitty that any of Christs friends should be so unfriendly to him and walk so unworthy of his Vocation as to be found walking in the crooked By-paths of Error and Sin Should not Gods Children be ashamed of such an Ignoble and base Demeanor raking the Channels and embracing Dung-hils among the beggerly Drudges of Satan Should not his servants be deeply humbled for their shamefull neglect of his work whilst they are so unworthily busied and stirring about the Devils own Work Should it not grieve Christs Spouse at the very heart that sinfull Embraces and Communion with the flesh and world are at any time preferred before Communion with the Lord of Glory Is it not baseness of the vilest rank to be found walking so unworthily of Christs High Holy and Heavenly Calling Vse 3. Examination we are called to by this Point also All are concerned to trie their State and Acts by this golden Rod of the Sanctuary Doth any profess to be a true Christian Let this Touch-stone give a Test thereof Dost thou walk worthy of thy Profession in every Relaon towards God and Man in thy general and particular Calling 1. TOwards God in thy general Calling Is it thy desire and delight design and endeavour to honor and enjoy him as thy Soveraign Lord and chief good in Christ through his Spirit in every Ordinance and Providence Are thy thoughts words and works so regulated by his Will and directed to his Glory so principled by his Grace and supported by his strength that he is the Center and Source the Scope and Substance of thy happiness Dost thou Love and fear him dost thou seek and trust him universally constantly peculiarly eminently above all Is his Presence and Blessing the Life and Comfort of all thy Life and Comforts Are all the Powers and parts of Soul and Body resigned up into his own hands that thou mayst walk with him in all his ways Are all things else made subordinate and subservient thereto Dost thou so acknowledge him in all thy ways for the directing of thy paths Is it thy greatest trouble and sorrow that thou canst not walk so humbly and holily so sincerely and self-denyingly as thou shouldst and wouldst Is it thy cordial Joy to see any other walking orderly and diligently in his service wayes Art thou zealous of those things wherein thy Christian walk may truly honor him against whatever appears to reflect any disgrace on him Art thou so convinced of thy former mistakes and mis-carriages that thou studiously labourest to vindicate his name and redeem the time misâ—pent by a more close and vigilant walking with thy God Dost thou not willingly neglect any thing he requires of thee either for the matter and means or for the manner and solemn Time of his Worship Doth his Covenant-mercy still direct excite and enable thee to reciprocall Duty according to the terms of his gracious Covenant Is thy motion from every sin of thine to every Grace of his carried on still progressively by the help of all his gracious appointments towards his Glory Dost thou so walk worthy of his Name and Truth of his Word and Grace of his Son and Spirit of his Service and Sabbath as becomes a loyal Spouse an ingenuous Child a faithfull servant a cordial friend a dutifull Subject a generous Souldier in each Relation towards him according to thy Respective occasions and Condition Dost thou thus diligently serve and observe his Spirit Word and Providence in the right use of all sutable means resting on him alone for Wisdom and Righteousness Sanctification and Redemption through Christ in all the turns of thy Christian walk Secondly In thy particular Calling towards man Dost thou walk worthy of thy high holy heavenly Vocation Doth thy supream Love due to thy God move thy heart effectually to love thy Neighbour as thy self in subordination thereto Dost thou therefore study all his Divine Rules of Justice and Equity Mercy and Charity that thou mayst fulfill the same through his Grace answerably to thy several Stations and motions towards Superiors Inferiors and Equals Art thou observant of that orderly Priority and Superiority which his Providence constitutes and governs below in giving to every one his due above thee about thee beneath thee Dost thou mind and promote the safety and Purity the Propriety and Verity of others as if they were thy own not willingly doing to another what thou wouldst not should be done to thee in the like case Dost thou take so much contentment in that condition wherein the hand of Heaven hath settled thee that thou enviest not what any other enjoyeth but rejoycest in his good grieving for his evil as if it were thy own Is it thy Purpose Joy and longing to labor still after such a frame of Spirit and demonstrate it in the best way of actual evidence by thy speech and actions Art thou therefore often reviewing thy heart and life to observe thy progress and to mend all faults by the Lords gracious Help Doth the sense of thy Unworthiness and Insufficiency still drive thee to Christ out of self and sin for Guidance Assistance and Acceptance that thou mayst still be found walking with him whilst thou walkest with man Dost thou give him thus honor preheminence in a sutable and comely behavior towards all sorts in promoting good and eschewing evil Hast thou learnt to put on Christ by faith that thou mayst follow his magnanimous Spirit as Caleb did against all discouragements from Earth and Hell into all generous resolutions and couragious Executions for good against evil Dost thou thus walk worthy of thy Vocation in each Relation Domestical Political and Ecclesiastical with Christian Prudence and Patience Diligence and Zeal Meekness and Love Fidelity and Conscionableness sutable to each Condition and Occasion Thus mayst thou take a scantling of thy progress in Christianity Vse 4. CHoise Consolation flows from this Truth to all faithful Christians walking orderly as becomes their eminent Vocation The blessing of God will surely attend his Institutions carefully observed The Lord is a Sun and a shield to give Grace and Glory and with-hold no good thing from them that walk uprightly Blessed are all the undefiled in their ways whose chief Exercise is to walk with God They shall walk with Christ in white for they are worthy who have been diligent Followers of him through black and red in all variations He counts them most
debt to owe still to each other to owe still to each other It s his great Command renewed by him so wonderfully in every expression and carriage The Alpha and Omega of Law and Gospel the choyce abstract of his Covenant in mercy and Duty He would have Christians to love the Brotherhood to love as Brethren not excepting the meanest member of his They that have purified themselves in obeying the Truth through the Spirit to the unfeigned love of the Brethren are vigorously charged thus to love one another with a pure heart fervently This is the great wheel that must move all the rest It s a Divine Grace of a special Nature the Rare Cement whereby the Spirit knits their Hearts in One though their minds may differ and their persons may be at distance This is the fire that must still consume all rising corruptions and enflame all the powers and parts of the whole man with the zeal of Gods House and of all its Branches and concernments As far as any bears true love to God so far and no further doth he love his people that bear his Image notwithstanding all their infirmities God is Love and he that abides in Love abides in God By this Token were all Primitive Christians discerned from all others as by their Badge of Honour This is the Oyl of the Sanctuary that must anoint them with heavenly Joy and supple all their wheels that every motion may be plyable and smooth for their mutual help the want of this is the shame of Christ and Christianity the scandal of men the joy of Hell the sadning of Heaven the bane of our comforts the blast of all labours the very pest and ruin of all things Oh! that Christians were more sensible of it and quickned thereto 2. Tender compassion towards each other in all troubles and wants proportionable still to each of their various conditions Such a Sympathy and fellow-feeling Christ himself commends unto them by his own example that they may may be cloathed with Bowels after his Pattern and measure them out towards one another as himself also did Living Members must needs be sensible of each others smart if one suffers all must needs suffer in the Body of Christ mystical as well as in his natural Body Christians are bid and bound to rejoyce still with them that rejoyce and weep with those that weep Christ himself was still afflicted in all his peoples sufferings They are dead spiritually who remain still sensless of others case having their bowels shrivel'd up by their base selfishness A new heart is a tender heart such as Josias had a melting heart after Gods own heart such as David manifested to God and his people who is weak and I am not weak who is offended and I burn not said the great Apostle so well taught of Christ To be like Judas destitute of Bowels is as woful as it is sinful Remember them saith the Apostle that are in bonds as bound with them and them that suffer adversity as being your selves also in the body Christians should bear one anothers burthens and so fulfill the Law of Christ Nehemiah shewed his nobleness of spirit by his tender sympathy with Gods people under trouble whilst himself fared sumptuously in the Persian Court The prosperity of Gods house should be esteem'd and desired above our own Christ commends and rewards gloriously such a Disposition and carriage Paul highly celebrates their Name who had been thus affected towards him 3. Earnest supplication for the good of the whole Church and of every member of it is as useful as its needful sutable to their various necessities Christ would have us pray for our enemies and Oppressors much more for all Saints and one for another on special occasions with all possible encouragements to quicken thereto He excepts none from our prayers but such as evidently sin unto death bidding us pray for all sorts of men particularly for Rulers though no friends to us All Relations and spiritual ones peculiarly challenge this help from us in a singular manner Pray for the peace of Jerusalem they shall prosper that love thee Gods Remembrancers are eminently required to be continual Intercessours for Zion till she be made the praise of the earth Promises of assistance and acceptance are innumerably given to us from Heaven to direct excite and help us efficaciously to this choyce exercise 'T is the great Engine that moves Heaven and Earth wherein the meanest may act wonderfully and help the greatest It s a conquering weapon beyond compare of Gods own furbushing guiding and prospering He yields to it himself in his condescension and makes it Victorious over hell and Devils as over earth and men by improvement of his Divine strength through the spirit of Grace and supplications which he pours upon all his children This is the sure Post that carries Intelligence in a moment from all parts and makes all Gods people though at greatest distance helpful to each other by the surest sign of communication The thundering Legion of the Christians so famous for prayer in the Emperour Aurelius his Army wrastled with Heaven as Jacob had done in a conquering way and procured refreshment to their friends and ruin to their foes which moved their Prince to shew much favour to all Christians over his Empire which before had been much persecuted The poorest soul may Jacob-like become a Prince with God an Israelite indeed by such a violence offered to the Kingdom and power of Heaven which the violent do carry and take by a zealous force in the strength of Christ especially from the dayes of John the Baptist They shall praise the Lord that seek him and whatever they ask in Christs name according to his will is certainly granted This was Pauls delight and constant exercise which he heartily recommends to every Christian as their choyce Antidote against all evil and singular procurer of all good spiritual and temporal publike and private This is the Key that opens prison-doors unlocks mens hearts masters their hands over-rules the clouds and fetches contribution from every creature to the relieving of all Gods children A praying Christian is still doing and receiving much good God honours this Ordinance most because it honours him most in all his Attributes The groans and sighs the tears and cries of his poor weaklings are forcible Arguments and efficacious Tools which he cannot gainsay and will not resist They pierce through his heart and draw out his bowels by a Magnetick Vertue which Christs Spirit through his blood and Grace imparts to them by a Divine Touch All Christians should therefore improve the same to the uttermost for others as for themselves Apostacy begins stil with