too short whereupon he cannot stretch himself a covering too scaâ—… wherein he cannot wrap himself Isa 28.20 Thus the Jews sought after righteousness bâ—… obtained it not because they sought not bâ—… faith in believing Gods testimony but 〈◊〉 it were by the works of the Law and submitteâ—… not to the righteousness of God even to Christ who is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believes Rom. 9.31 32. and 10.3 4. with 3.20 Gal. 3.10 Psa 143.2 and so some not believing Jesus Christ the Son of God to be the Saviour of the world and to have died and given himself a ransome for all and to be the propitiation for the sins of the whole world though fully and plainly attested of God in the testimony of the holy Scriptures but through their ignorance how to make those sayings according to their plain import agree with other sayings of Scripture which they rightly understand not or having an high esteem some of them of such holy and precious men as they believe them to be and possibly in the main some such may be or have been God not imputing their ignorances and mistakes that have found out some uncouth ways of interpreting those plain sayings to elude the evident voice of them as that by All is meant only some of all sorts by Every one every one that believes and by the world and whole world only all the Elect whereas the Scriptures speak of the Elect as a party taken and chosen out of the world and so no part of it but distinct from it as in Joh. 15.16.19 they hinder themselves and others from the right and clear understanding and perception of that love and pity of God to man that as reacâ—…ing and including them would be powerful to reconcile them to God and save them being believed and perceived by them Titus 2.11 12 13. and 3.4 5. 1 Joh. 4.14.19 and put themselves and others upon other by-courses to find out that Christ dieâ—… for them and that they have good ground to believe on and hope in him and so theâ—… run to the Law or Works or endeavour to lay a row of frames and good qualitieâ—… below him to lay him upon not having him for the bottome foundation for while they think Christ died only for the Elect they also necessarily think they must know their Election before they can know that He died for them and so that they have any right to come to or believe on him and so oftentimes it happens that some conceiting themselves to be better framed that others think with the Pharisees they are more beholden to God than they despiâ—…sing them and trusting in themselves that they be righteous and his Elect ones and others not able to find any such goodness or betterness in themselves as may persuade them that God loves them better oâ—… hath elected them are ready to distract themselves or run to desperation and indeed how should any works or frames not proceeding from and begotten by the first appearance of Gods love in Christ to men but preceding the perception thereof be good evidences of their Election which is in Christ Jesus and not before or out of him Surely whereas the Apostles say they were after the appearance of the love and pity of God to mankind saved by his mercy those may rather say they were so far saved before as to know their Election or else for their believing on Christ as a Saviour appointed of God for them they have no foundation and what a pudder they put themselves and others into about knowing the rightness of their frames too is wonderful so that as the Wise man saith * Though I do not judge so rashly as to conclude either all of the one apprehension wise nor all of the other in these points to be fools or wicked The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them because be knoweth not how to go to the City Eccl. 10.15 While he who is the way to it and the gate for admission and the openness of it for all men as sinners and enemies and lost ones in themselves though in respect of the parting with all in entring it and the persecutions or trials thereupon attending it is strait and that Grace of God towards all mankind displayed in him which being believed and minded engages moves and strengthens to enter it is rejected of them But they that are truly in Christ and wisâ—… in Him so far as in Him understand all things in a measure though not all as yet to perfection But from this right judgment proceeds also and is found in these wisâ—… men 2. A renewing of the mind Ephes 4.23 Rom. 12.2 Naturally and according to the course of this world while mens understandings are dark and void of judgment and discretion the mind is full of vanity air and emptiness exercised about things that cannot profit save or do good because vain Loving vanity and following after leasings Psal 4.2 Ephes 4.17 18. Yea noâ—… only Vanity but wicked works possess it Col. 1.21 The minding of the flesh Rom. 8.7 and of earthly things Phil. 3.19 setting the mind on things below savouring and nursing on them are mentioned as things that men ignorant of the truth are guilty of Coâ—… los 3.2 Men of corrupt minds are they that are destitute of the truth 1 Tim. 6.5 even as Children Fools mind Bables Toys Butterflies Trifles and the like while understanding men are exercised in considering weightieâ—… and more useful matters even so the foolish unrenewed mind being destitute of the â—…rinciples of truth for want of understanding and credit given to them is taken up with sensual earthy and worldly vanities â—…eglecting and not taking good heed to â—…hat is of greatest worth and concernment â—…o the Souls happiness like to that foolish â—…mperour that busied himself with catching â—…lies while others were busie to catch away is Empire so fares it with fools or evil â—…ersons which are all one in Scripture language they are busie in minding the riches â—…onours or pleasures of this life Sciences falsly so called or notions of truths crotâ—…hets and conceits elegancy of phrase and â—…peech and such things while remaining â—…gnorant of the truth and not setting their minds to the things of eternal life Sathan â—…atches away their Souls and eternal life from them even while they set not their â—…earts to seek and get the knowledg of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ to obey his heavenly calls and counsels and walk in the exercise and practise of these things that are well-pleasing in his sight But they that are truly wise persons are renewed in some measure in the spirit of their minds so as their hearts and affections are taken with and their minds are exercised about the things which they see in the light of the Gospel of God to be excellent and glorious they are minding the Spirit and thâ—… things thereof which is life and peace
ye die O house of Israel zech 33.11 But now to his Discipleâ—… addes But blessed are your eyes for they and your ears for they hear As the reaâ—… still why it was given to them to know mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven 〈◊〉 they winked not with or closed their 〈◊〉 nor stopped their ears as the obstinate 〈◊〉 rebellious ones Zech. 7.11 12. But 〈◊〉 trariwise they see and heard they leâ—… and received the light vouchsafed and discoveries it made and the voice truth brought to them and what it sâ—… fied and therefore they were blessed dued with greater capacity of seeing 〈◊〉 hearing more understanding and inlaâ—… ment in spirit Matt. 13.11 12 13 14 16. like to which also was that answer ven by Christ to Judas when he asked hâ—… Why he would manifest himself to them 〈◊〉 not to the world the refusers and rejecâ—… of him Joh. 14.22 23 24 If any manâ—… me saith he he will keep my words and â—…ther will love him and we will come unto 〈◊〉 and make our abode with him He that â—…eth me not keepeth not my sayings c. To â—…em that turn at his reproofs He powres out 〈◊〉 Spirit and makes known his words but 〈◊〉 them that set at naught his counsels and â—…ll none of his reproofs he doth not so nor â—…e they in a fit posture for it yea such a carriage provokes him to give them up to their 〈◊〉 lusts and let them walk after their own â—…eâ—…sels Prov. 1.23 24 25. Psa 81.10 11 12. 〈◊〉 that both mens first complying with or â—…t complying with the light and truth â—…herewith God by Christ prevents them is â—…e exercise of their voluntary choise not â—…e necessity or excellency of their natures â—…th are mercifully prevented by Grace â—…r God fashions their hearts alike before he â—…nsiders their works to approve the one or â—…ndemn or be angry with the other â—…sal 33.15 He that chuseth to comply 〈◊〉 the grace that prevents him chuseâ—…â—…t of himself nor hath any liberty thereto â—…t as Grace prevents strengthens and inâ—…ines him thereto but yet Grace works â—…t so as not to leave him a capacity of â—…hoise or refusal but gives him the capacity 〈◊〉 chuse excites him thereto and directs â—…d strengthens him therein and he volunâ—…rily obeying it is approved commended followed with more grace and made wisâ—… to Salvation and useful for the good 〈◊〉 others though this last according to God free pleasure more absolutely who distributes his gifts for usefulness differently 〈◊〉 those that are made spiritual ones as he see good as is plainly asserted 1 Cor. 12.7 8. To one is given by the Spirit the word of wâ—…dome to another the word of knowledg by 〈◊〉 same Spirit to another the working of Mirâ—…cles c. But all these worketh one and the sâ—… same Spirit dividing to every man severally 〈◊〉 He will The others rejection is not 〈◊〉 want of or from any defect in preventing grace for wisdome calls and stretches out â—…hand that is puts forth her power for helpfulness and in the day of Salvation is succoâ—…ing them also that they might hear and obeâ—… and chuse the fear of the Lord Prov. 1.22 23 24 25. 2 Cor. 6.1 2. and would gather thâ—… also Matt. 23.37 but it proceeds from thâ—… mere voluntary choice of the Will or Soâ—… in them chusing to retain its Idol lust 〈◊〉 way of iniquity It s true before the graâ—… of God prevents and works men naturalâ—… and necessarily do evil and follow afâ—… vanity But that 's not the thing for which God is angry and provoked to deny 〈◊〉 withold his grace for notwithstanding thâ—… He prevents them Yea that is matter 〈◊〉 pity and commiseration to Him to see men naturally under such a power and necessity of evil but mens rejections are condemned â—…s they are their voluntary and unnecessiated choises of evil after grace preventing â—…hem counsels and excite them to do better â—…hence This is the condemnation that Light 〈◊〉 come into the world and men love darkness â—…ather than light because their deeds are evil â—…oh 3.19 And Because I called and ye reâ—…used I stretched out my hand saith wisdome â—…nd no man regarded Ye have set at nought all â—…y counsels and would none of my reproofs I also will laugh at your calamity and mock when â—…our fear cometh Then they shall call upon â—…e but I will not answer they shall seek me â—…arly but shall not find me For that they hated knowledg and did not chuse the fear of the Lord therefore shall they eat the fruit of their â—…wn way and be filled with their own devices Prov. 1.24 25 26 28 29 31. What our â—…aviour saith to the Jews refusing him â—…nd his words being in a sense and measure more generally true viz. If I had â—…ot come and spoken to them they had not had â—…in but now they have no cloke for their sin He that hateth me hateth my Father also and so generally he that hateth the way and means of Gods conveighing his divine light and power as such hates him that so conveighs it If I had not done among them thâ—… works that no other man did they had not haâ—… sin but now they have both seen and hated bâ—… me and my Father John 15.22 23 24. Yeâ—… though we say that some men attain to wiâ—…dome through their voluntary complying with the grace of God preventing them and others fail thereof through their wilful râ—…fusings of that grace which prevents them which had it been complyed with would also have made them wise yet we alwayâ—… reserve to God as is meet his own Soveraign liberty and freedome of preventing the one or other with more or less afforâ—…ing more or less clear means or discoveries of his truth in and by those means exeâ—…cising longer or less patience towards theâ—… or taking more ordinary or extraordinaâ—… courses with them For as sometimes 〈◊〉 makes some Sinners examples of his Seâ—â—rity for admonishing others and exciting them to Repâ—â—tance who were not leâ—… Sinners than those whom He makes examples Luke â—…3 1 2 3 4 5. So He may aâ—… sometimes doth make some as bad as 〈◊〉 thers examples or special instances of hâ—… mercy for the moving others to seek meâ—…cy of Him and incouraging them to hoâ—… for it from Him in their seeking it 1 Tim. 13.15 16. Now of those that are made wise it is said They shall shine c. Where we may further inquire 1. What these wise men are and where 〈◊〉 their wisdome stands or is evidenced 2. What is imported in its being said They shall shine as the brightnefs of the firmament 1. These wise men we have seen are such â—…s are made so through the Grace of God â—…ringing Salvation to them closed and complyed with by them with a wisdome â—…hat no man hath by and of himself or by â—…is own mere strength and industry but by â—…he Grace of God in Christ Jesus by which as
fuperstitions Such sometimes are accounted Fanaticks Schismaticks Arminians Pelagians and branded with names as hateful as that of Samaritan was to the Jews and Pharisees So as it is not easie to discern who are the lights in truth to be followed or walked with by us in respect whereof partly they are also called Gods hidden ones Psal 83.3 But then at that great day they shall appear for God will bring forth their righoeousness as the light and their judgment as the noon day Psal 37.6 Then Zions righteousness shall go forth as brightness and their salvation as a lamp that burneth And the Gentiles shall see their righteousness and all Kings their glory Isa 62.1 2. Especially such as being indued with wisdome themselves do also improve it for others good so as they make others also wise and righteous as follows For I shall wave the farther enlargement to this and the use to be made of it till I have taken in the second Proposition or Assertion also they both agreeing in the substance of their praedicates or matters asserted and only differing in the manner and way of illustration And so it follows 2. Propos They that turn many to righteousness justifie or make righteous many shall shine as the Stars for ever and ever Wherein are divers things implyed As 1. That men are naturally in and of themselves void of or without righteousness as it is said there is none righteous No not one Either as to the primitive original righteousness in which God made us at first or as to the righteousness of or after the Law for all have sinned and are come short of the glory of God Rom. 3.10 23. yea that men are averse from righteousness out of the way of or towards it their backs upon it as it â—…re as those that are going from it or farther and farther off it So much is implyed in the phrase of turning them to righteousness Which word turning though not formally in the Original Text here yet is found in Luke 1.17 Acts 26.18 and in other places and so the Scripture expresly affirms of all men in their natural unconverted state yea of those also that are under the Law and are seeking and endeavouring after righteousness according to the Law that they are all gone out of the way they are together become unprofitable there is none that doth good no not one Destruction and misery are in all their ways and the way of peace they have not known Rom. 3 12-17.19 2. That there is a righteousness for men to be turned to or a way for those that are not to be made righteous both as righteousness signifies freedom and discharge from the guilt of sin and condemnation by the Law for it and as it signifies a conformity to the mind of God and title and right thence to Gods Blessing and Promises For 1. There is a righteousness wrought and prepared of God for us in both respects in Christ Jesus called therefore the righteousness of God and not our own Phil. 3.8 9. a righteousness without the Law not commanded us in nor to be attained of us by the Law in observing and acting after that for the Law neither required Christ to suffer and die for us nor us to get him to do so but yet is witnessed to by the Law and Prophets even the righteousness of God by faith of Jesus Christ unto or for all 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and upon all that believe A righteousness freely prepared of God in Christ and wrought by Christ for and declared and manifested in the Gospel which is the faith of Christ unto all as that that is free for all and God would have all submit to and come and partake of but comes upon all that believe so as they have benefit of it This is Christ himself in a sort as delivered up for our offences and raised again from the dead for our justification That hath given himself the ransom for all men from that first death and judgment they were fallen under and being raised again is the Propitiation the abiding covering Sacrifice 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for the sins of the whole world so as there is in him a plentious Redemption a power and sufficiency for the forgiveness of the sins of the whole world a covering plaister and hiding of sins for all the world and this intended on Gods part as a Medicine or Propitiation for the whole world so as that forgiveness of sins is with him therein for them all as in a publick Fountaine or Treasury where they may have it in a due repairing thither for it Yea and during the day of his grace and patience their sins are so far covered as that they are preserved thereby from actually perishing his patience is afforded that they might repent to the end that in coming to him they might receive forgiveness of sins yea and title to Gods Promises and the blessings thereof and be made righteous and conformable to him in themselves such is the virtue in him and so fitted and made meet for their enjoyment And this comes upon all that believe that giving hearty credit to the Gospel are brought in to depend on God in and by Christ yeilding up themselves to him to listen to and be guided and ordered by him so as that they become actually justified therereby both acquitted of all their sins and interested in all Gods Promises by virtue of him who also makes and will make them more and more comformable to Gods mind in all righteous frames and conversation As it is said Be it known unto you that through this man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins That as a thing prepared and made ready in him for all and to be received by men in their being turned from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God Acts 26.18 And in him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all that believe are justified from all things from which they could not be justified by the Law of Moses Acts 13.38.39 Through his name whosoever believes shall receive remission of sins Acts 10.43 And so being justified by his grace are made heirs according to the hope of eternal life Tit. 3.7 And He will sanctifie and cleanse them by the washing of water in the Word so as to present them to himself a glorious Church not having spot or wrinckle or any such thing but that they may be holy and without blemish Ephes 5.26 27. Thus is Christ the end of the Law for righteousness to every one that believes so as to make them just and righteous in Gods sight Rom. 10.34 1 Cor. 1.30 and thence his name is The Lord our Righteousness Jer. 23.6 This is that righteousness of his which he hath openly declared revealed or shewed in the Gospel In the sight of the Heathen The Salvation prepared before the face of all people Psal 98.2 Luke 2.30 As also 2. There is a righteous frame and disposition of Soul and
rest at noon Cant. 1.7 Stay me with flagons comfort me with apples Chap. 2.5 and Thou that dwellest in the gardens the companions hearken to thy voice cause me to hear it Chap. 8.13 and Solomon or the wisdome of God by him joyns together the minding and receiving Gods word and praying or crying to God in Prov. 2 1-3.5 My Son if thoâ—… wilt receive my words and hide my commandments with thee so that thou encline thinâ—… car unto wisdome and apply thine heart to understanding yea if thou criest after knowledgâ—… and liftest up thy voice namely to God foâ—… understanding Then shalt thou understanâ—… the fear of the Lord the beginning or principal point of wisdome Cha. 1.7 and 9.10 and find the knowledg of God for the Lord giveth wisdome it is the Lords to give therefore needful to look and repair to him for it and He doth give it therefore there is good encouragement to seek and ask it of him Out of his mouth cometh knowledg and understanding But yet in and with this going to God and Christ for it both in taking heed to his Word and calling on his Name for it We must also 2. Buy it Go and buy of them that sell So the Holy Ghost counsels us to Prov. 23.23 Buy the truth and sell it not wisdome and instruction and understanding Buy it however whatever it may cost thee but sell it not upon any terms whatsoever for the greatest gain or advantage that may be tendered to thee And again Ho every one that thirsteth come ye to the waters and ye that have no money come buy and eat buy wine and milk without money and without price Isaiah 55.1 and again saith our Lord Jesus I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire that thou maist be rich and white raiment that thou maist be cloathed and that the shame of thy nakedness may not appear Revel 3.18 which are but the same with this heavenly Wisdome with its fruits and benefits Quest. But seeing those are invited to buy that have no money and to buy without money or price that is money-worth what must we pay or give for it or how can we be said to buy it Answ It is called a buying because as in buying there is a parting with something that we may acquire a right to or interest in or possession of another thing even of the thing that we buy So here there must be a letting go something though it be not truly money or any thing truly desireable much less any thing that may for its real worth be valuable with this heavenly Wisdome the price whereof is above Rubies so as it cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir the precious Onyx or the Saphir yet it is what we are apt to prize at a high rate yea many do so highly prize it as that they will rather go without wisdome than part with it and that ihat is in general whatsoever is by wisdome reproved and whatsoever the heart cannot attend to wisdome to receive and walk thereafter except neglected and parted with by it as it is said Turn at my reproofs namely from all your Sins and Idols from every false way that I discover to be so as I discover it and from loving or cleaving to any thing so as to cause a neglect of me and of obedience to sayings And 〈◊〉 will poure out my spirit to you I will make known my words Pro. 23. as particularly to instance in some things or Heads of things 1. We must part with and let go our love of honour and applause with men and the leaning and relying on them their learning wisdome power multitude and be willing to suffer the loss of that esteem that we have or might have with them yea and to incurr their hatred reproaches or injuries as they may be occasioned by our cleaving to and walking in the truth this was one thing the not parting with which hindered the Jews from closing with Christ and so having the wisdome of God they received honour one of another and contented not themselves with or looked not after that honour that came from God only How can ye believe that so do saith our Saviour Joh. 5.44 yea this hindered many who in their hearts were convinced of the truth of Christ from attaining the wisdome that is by it that they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God Joh. 12.43 they minded what the Rulers and Pharisees did and hung upon them that mislead them for direction Joh. 7.47 48 49. And so now if we love the praise and honour of men that are great and learned and make 〈◊〉 great noise and shew of their zeal and strictness as the Pharisees did and would as they be reputed the only wise religious and orthodox persons we shall mistake and do amiss If we prefer any mans seeming yea or real zeal and devotion or fame for piety or learning and value their approvement so as that we will be waved from Gods testimony thereby and them that cleave thereto though but a few and despised as our Saviours Disciples were we shall deprive our selves of wisdome Yea our Saviour tells us if we Come to him and hate not comparatively as in competition with him our Fathers Mothers Brethren Sisters Wives Children yea and our own lives also we cannot be his Disciples that is we cannot be good Scholars and proficients in his School so as to attain to be made wise and truly understanding persons Luke 14.26 He that loves Father or Mother more than him is not worthy of him and he that loveth Son or Daughter more than him is not worthy of him Matt. 10.37 2. We must part with all high thoughts and conceits of our own knowing understanding or sufficiency in our selves for that will cut off our legs as it were and take us off from travailing after and seeking for this heavenly wisdome for that wilâ—… make us lukewarm in our desires and endeavours after it and take us off from buying it as it did the Angel of the Church of Laodicea who saying in his heart that He was rich and increased with goods and wanted nothing not knowing his own wretchedness and misery poverty blindness and nakedness grew therethrough so luke warm that Christ threatned to spue him out of his mouth as some nauseous humour Rev. 3.16 17. Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit there is more hope of a fool even of a mere fool's being made wise than of such an one Prov. 26.12 thence Wo to the wise in their own eyes and the prudent in their own sight Isai 5 21. for they think they know when they know not any thing as they ought to know 1 Cor. 8.2 and so grow scornful of such counsel and instructions as are needful for them to bring them to know and to be wise indeed so as they are ready with the Pharisees to say Are we blind also John 9.40 for the
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
a teacher of babes which has the form of knowledge and of the truth in the Law Thou therefore that teachest another teachest thou not thy self thou that preachest a man should not steal dost thou steal thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery dost thou commit adultery thou that abhorrest Idols dost thou commit Sacriledge thou that makest thy boast of the Law through breaking the Law dishonorest thou Gods for the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you as it is written Let us take heed we be not such lights or such vain boasters and talkers of light and truth and of the Gospel of Christ but yeild we up our selves to the grace of God and its teachings and walk we in the spirit in all goodness righteousness and truth and so let us endeavour where God hath given any furniture and fitness for it according to what God hath given us to seek and promote the good of others With both these forementioned particulars adding and joyning earnest and faithful and fervent prayers and supplications to God that He would be merciful to us and bless us and make his face â—…o shine upon us that so his way may be known upon earth and his saving health among all Nations c. Psal 67.1 2. as knowing that all our success in all our work and service for him and endeavours with men depends upon his grace and blessing without which they that labour to build the house of God convert souls to Righteousness will be â—…ut labor in vain Ps 127.1 Thus we find Christ â—…ur Lord rising early and going apart to pray â—…o God before he went to teach the people Mark 1.35 38. and so let us endeavour to â—…o make others wise and to turn many to â—…ighteousness considering also that it is â—…ere farther implyed and that this may serve Vse 4. 2. To inform us That this the â—…nd of Gods giving the knowledge of himself and grace in Christ to us with any gifts more or less for usefulness that we should live to him therein and seek his honor glory and interest in endeavouring the good of others not living to our selves or minding our own thing only no not only the good of our own souls much less inferior worldly advantages but that we should look upon others and seek their good also No saying to our brethren as Cain to Abelâ—… Am I my Brothers keeper but letting the samâ—… mind be in us that was in Christ Jesus whâ—… being in the form of God and thinking it no robbery to be equal with him yet so looked up on our needs and miseries as to abase and empty himself and take upon himself the form of a servant and the fashion of a man yea and therein also to humble himself and become oâ—… bedient to the death the death of the Crosâ—… that he might ransome and redeem us from the death and judgment that was upon us and become our Saviour that He might lifâ—… the poor out of the dust and take the needy from the dunghil and set them upon the Throne with Princes even the Princes of his people Phil. 2.5 6 7 8. Psal 113.6 7 8. especially those that are stronger and more gifted And moâ—â— especially yet if also called to Office and Ministry among others ought to bear the infirmities of the weak and look after that thaâ—… is lost not pleasing themselves but every one seek his Neighbours good and how to please him for his edification and salvation seeking first the Kingdom of God and his Righteousness both that they may be more and more subject to his Kingdom and Government and filled with the fruits and benefits of it and to that purpose with his righteousness without which there is no inheriting his his Kingdom As also to promote his Kingdom enlarge his Church bring in more souls and souls more and more into it And to that purpose shew forth and seek the manifestations and discoveries of his righteousness both in word and conversation as is before noted Not first to seek our selves no not necessaries for our life food and raiment much less great matters in this world honors and preferments riches pleasures and the like Rom. 15.1 2 3. Mat. 6.22.23 Luke 12.30 31 32. Yea they that have but one Talent we may see it 's Gods mind and Christs that they trade for him with it in seeking to bring an increase to him that 's evidently declared to be his mind in the judgment awarded upon him that neglected to improve his one Talent And that it is pleasing to God that we endeavour the good of others and their salvation with our own is in this also plainly made manifest in that they that instruct and make wise others and turn many to righteousness shall receive such honor at the hands of God as to shine as the brightness of the firmament and as the stars for ever and ever Yea this also may serve Vse 5.3 To inform us what is the right use and improvement that we should make of those advantages and means of grace that God affords us in sending wise men and prophets and holy men among us who instruct us and hold forth the light of the knowledge of God and of his ways among us in word or conversation or both As also when his grace therein is received effectually to purpose and not in vain by us Viz. That that is the end of God in such vouchsafements to us and the use and improvement which we are to make thereof that we be made wise and righteous thereby And so far is the grace of God received to purpose by us as it hath that effect in us and we become thereby wise and righteous are turned from our iniquities and brought into and made partakers of the divine nature and virtues of Christ Jesus Therefore we are not to rest content that we have Gods servants words and ordinances with and among us or that we get by them some light into our understandings so far as to fill us with notions of truth and to make us able to talk and make profession of it There is great difference between such a knowing as may but puff us up and make us proud and true wisdome and righteousness the more we have of opportunities and means of knowledg yea and the more knowledg we get thereby of what is good and true and what is Gods will concerning us and the more profession we make thereof the more or greater fools are we if we be not brought into subjection to Christ and his gracious government thereby and if we be not made just and righteous therethrough Yea the more unrighteous are we towards God and men and our own souls if having more of such means and knowledg we are not yet therethrough brought into subjection and obedience to Christ so as to love Him above all and denying our selves with all ungodliness and worldly lusts to â—…ive soberly righteously and godly and â—…o
in otheâ—… with or after them to do foolishly and 〈◊〉 righteously running together into the saâ—… excess of riot of which sort there are bundance every where in the world 〈◊〉 especially such as being Teachers Prophesis to men of wine and strong drink Mic. 2.11 and preach for licentious liberty and practise it so as it may be said of them what the Lord by Jeremiah said of the Prophets and Priests of Samaria and Jerusalem that they are profane and cause his people to erre committing adultery and walking in lies strengthning the hands of evil doers so as that none doth return from his wickedness yea so as from them profaness or hypocrisie is gone forth into all the land Jer. 23.11 13 14 15. Yea and all such as professing to know God do in their works deny him being abominable disobedient and to every good work reprobate bunglers or void of judgment Tit. 1.16 these above all are perilous and make the times perilous when having a form of Godliness and the greater their Form the more perilous if they deny the power of it either in denying that Grace of God in Christ held forth in the Gospel rendering it the power of God to Salvation which belongs to the first sort spoken to under the Second Head of this Use of Reproof or which is here intended denying the efficacy and operation of the Grace of God as to the obeying and walking in it being under the profession and form of godliness lovers of themselves covetous proud boasters blasphemers disobedient to parents unthankeful unholy without natural affection truce breakers false accusers or make-bates incontinent fierce despisers of those that are good Traitors heady high-minded lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God 2 Tim. 3.1 2 3 4. the holding the truth with such unrighteousness doth greatly hinder mens being turned to righteousness by it for it occasions men rather to blaspheme the name of God or speak evil of his doctrine while they see those that Preach or Profess it to live so badly as was noted from Romans 2.17.24 Denying in practise and conversation the Lord that bought them they cause the way of truth to be evil spoken of while they walk in pernicious or as some read it lascivious ways 2 Pet. 2.1 2. or else leads those that own the truth with them to rest in the notion of it with them as they do and walk with them in like unrighteousness which still adds to the scandals and stumbling blocks laid in the way of others causing them to decline the way of truth and either to turn Atheists and Prophane or turn to some false ways of Religion where there appears more strictness of carriage and blamelesness of conversation which mighâ—… be found also with and among Pharasees Phil. 3.6 where men make a fair shew iâ—… the flesh but are corrupt from a solid and single rejoycing in the Cross of Christ Galat 6 12-14 For both all the specious works and doings of those that are of corrupt principles perverting men from the truth and all the best and truest speakings of those that joyn therewith a corrupt and vicious life fall under this reproof as being ways wherein men may hinder mens turning to Righteousness and lay rubs in the way of them that sincerely endeavour to do that service And all these whosoever they be great or small zealous or prophane that are guilty of any of these ways in the several branches of this Use mentioned fall under sharp reproof especially this last sort who deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ and turn the Grace of God and his Gospel into an occasion of sinning even into wantonness for to such especially being Teachers of others the Apostles instead of glorious shining as the Stars for ever and ever threatens as to wandering Stars the blackness of darkness as that that is reserved to them for ever Jude 12. 2 Pet. 2.17 and therefore this especially is to be taken heed of as being that to which that of the Lord in Ezech. 20.39 belongs As for you go ye and serve every one his Idols even hereafter if ye will not hearken unto me saith the Lord but pollute ye my holy Name no more with your gifts and with your Idols and that of our Saviour too in Matt. 18.7 8 9. It must needs be that offences come but wo to that man by whom the offence cometh for whoso offends one of these little ones that believe in me it were better for him that a mil-stone were hanged about his neck and that he were drowned in the depth of the Sea Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee cut them off and cast them from thee It is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire And if thine eye offend thee pluck it out and cast it from thee it is better for thee having but one eye to enter into life rather than having two eyes to be cast into Hell fire And surely if things as dear and needful to us as our hands or feet or eyes are rather to be parted with by us than that by offending with them we should loose our souls much more should we part with any fancy or fashion garb or garment way or practice of vanity rather than by offending and hindering the souls of others thereby to incurr such punishment though all of these ways reproved deprive of happiness and glory and expose to heavy misery and judgement the neglect of wisdome and righteousness the being backward or neglecting to do good to others and to make them what in us lies wise and righteous and most of all the hindring men from turning to or calling them out of the right way and so turning them from righteousness in any wise or manner Yet this last mentioned way of iniquity exposeth to the heavyest But truly as David when he had been asserting the goodness of the Lord and that All his ways are mercy and truth to them that keep his Covenant and his Testimonies presently adds as finding defect therein in himself For thy Namesake O Lord pardon mine iniquity for it thy name as well as my iniquity is great Psal 25.10 11. And when he had been propounding the blessedness of him that Considers the poor how God would pitty and help him in his afflictions presently adds I said Lord be merciful unto me Heal my soul for I have sinned against thee Psal 41.1 2 3 4. So may I considering the happiness of the wise and of those that turn many to righteousness and the faultiness of those here reproved reflecting upon my self and finding shortness and guilt in most of these ways reproved cry out too Lord be merciful to me heal my soul for I also in many of these ways have sinned against thee and against the souls of others also But Vse 7. 2. This also in both its branches may afford great good motive