the same alloy for each soul seduced or afflicted to be had without any expence which Books like Glasses will shew them from Gods Word the very faces of their hearts And like Peter to Cornelius Acts 11. tell them words whereby with blessing from above both they and their Associates by their means may be saved Vers. 1â— And that they might the better recompence the Readers pains whether he propound to himself pleasure or profit they are as many Revereud Divines deem a brief Collection of the most winning and convincing Arguments out of the choicest Authors very pithily orderly and elegantly conveyed and embellished with much both variety of graceful and delightful illustration Yea if such as they concern shall be pleased to make use of them they may with God's blessing not onely have their viceâ— lessened their knowledg increased and their mindes cheered and comforted but probably they shall finde in them the flower cream or quintessence of what would otherwise cost them twenty years reading to extract It remains onely that the Patients for whom this Physick is proper be prevailed withall to take it For although here is all necessary provision made and the Guests lovingly invited yet of themselves they will refuse to come as in thaâ— Parable of the Lords Supper Luke 14.16 to 25. Because as good meats are unwelcome to sick persons so is good counsel to obstinate sinners Here is light but they love darkness rather then light lest their deeds which are evil should be reproved Onely they that do well and love truth will come to the light that their deeds may be made manifest John 3.19 20 21. Also many young novices in sin will entertain them as Lot did those Angels that came to fetch him out of Sodom Gen. 19. And probably some Parents and Masters will desire them to prevent the spreading of these Gangrenes in their Children and Servants But as for the parties principally concerned and invited and that stand in the greatest need and are most to be pitied they will even storm at this very Offer of Help and hiss like Serpents because it troubles their Nests Being like him Luke 8.27 28. who having been possest with Divels a long time was at length very loath to part with his Guests Indeed if some whose hearts God hath already changed would put them into their hands and use their best Art to make them relished For like Babes meat must not onely be given them but prepared too and put into their mouths some return of good might happily come thereof As weak means shall serve the turn where God intends success Even a word seasonably spoken God blessing it like a Rudder somtimes steers a man quite into another Course Antiockus by hearing from a poor man all the faults which he and his Favorites had committed carried himself most virtuously ever after Antoninus amended his future life and manners by onely hearing what the people spake of him The very crowing of a Cock occasioned Peters repentance Augustine that famous Doctor was converted by onely reading that Text Rom. 13.13 Let us walk honestly as in the day-time c. Learned Iunius with reading the first Chapter of Saint Iohns Gospel was won to the faith of Christ. And Melancthon mnch after the same manner I have read of two famous Strumpets that were suddenly converted by this onely Argument That God seeth all things even in the dark when the doors are shut and the curtains drawn And Mountain tells of a libidinous Gentleman that sporting with a Courtizan in a house of sin happened to ask her name which she said was Mary whereat he was so stricken with reverence and remorse that he instantly both cast off the Harlot and amended his whole future life Bilney's Confession converted Latimer yea Adrianus was not onely converted but became a Martyr too by only hearing a Martyr at the Stake allege that text Eye hath not seen nor Ear heard c. 1 Cor. 2.9 Yea it was an observation of Mr Iohn Lindsay that the very smoke of Mr Hamilton converted as many as it blew upon Yea even those Iews that crucified the Son of God were converted by hearing those few words of Peter Act. 2. And it pleased God when I my self was in as hopelesse a condition as any of those Sensualists before-mentioned I mean as much fore-stalled with prejudice against Religion and the Religious that a man's perswading me to leave reading of Poetrie and fall upon the Bible was a means of changing my heart before I had read out Genesis being but twenty years of age Whom I more bless God for then for my Parents from whom I received life And this because I know no better way to express my thankfulness to him who hath freeâ—d me from frying in Hell-flames for ever and ever then by endeavouring to win others from Satans Standart to Christs makes me do the like to others For I seldom hear any one swear or scoff or see any drunk or the like but I present them with one of these fore-mentioned Messages from that God whom they so daringly and audasiously provoke Nor do I alwaies miss the mark at which I aim And I tell it you because many discreet ones are apt to wonder that I so make my self a scorn and gazing stock to fools Though I shall never think it a shame to me which was the onely glory of him that was a man after God's own heart as you may very often hear him profess as in Psalm 50 15. 71.17 18 19 24. 51. 14. 119.171 22.22 35.18 and many the like see Luke 8.38 39. I also mention it that I may if possible in this covetous cold and dull Age pâ—ovoke others to do the same or at least somthing for the saving of these poor ignorant and impotent wretches that are neither able nor willing to help themselves Though as one would think for I speak to enlightned souls they should not need spurring nor prompting to this Duty For what heart would it not make to bleed that hath any Christian blood in his veins to see what multitudes there are that go blinde-fold to destruction And no man offer to stop or check them before they arrive there from whence there is no Redemption Math. 7.13 14. 1 Ioh. 5.19 Rev. 20.8 13.16 Isa. 10.22 Roman 9.27 2 Tim. 2.26 2 Cor. 4.4 Eph. 2.1 to 4. Phil. 3.18 Ioh. 8.44 14.30 Yea how should it not make all that are themselves got out of Satan's clutches plot study and contrive all they can to draw others of their brethten after them We read that Andrew was no sooner converted and become Christ's Disciple but instantly he drew others after him to the same Faith Iohn 1.41 and the like of Philip ver 45. and of the woman of Samaria Iohn 4.28 to 41. And of Peter Luke 22.32 Acts 2.41 and 3 Chap. and 4.4 And so of all the Apostles Yea Moses so thirsted after the salvation of
such Sots or suffer Satan so to gull and beguile them Certainly men are stark mad for otherwise how could it be how were it possible that our eares should be alwayes open to the Tempâ—er shut to our Maker and Redeemer That we should do nothing else but sin and make others sin too That all our thoughts words and works should be the services of the world the flesh and the Devil Yea that we should be even mockers of all that march not under the pay of the Devil And yet fancie our selves the servants of God and followers of Christ. Will God be thus mockt O abominable blindness for I dare refer my self to the worst of men that have reasonable souls As let a very Heathen read the Gospel compare the rules thereof with our lives he must needs conclude that either it is not Christs Gospel or we are not Christians § 4. O that men would come to themselves as it is said of the repenting Prodigal Luke 15.17 And recover their witâ— again that they have lost by the fall and the long custome of sin And then they would clearly see and confess as all that truly fear God know that whatsoever they say or think of themselves they do not in deed and in truth believe a Deity for if they did how durst they exercise their saucy wits in prophane scoffs at Religion and disgrace that blood whereof hereafter they would give a thousand worlds for one drop How durst they tear Heaven with their blasphemies and bandy the dreadful Name of God in their impure and polluted mouthes by their bloody oaths and execrations How could they be such witless graceless and shameless miscreants as to swear and curse even as Dogs bark yea they have so sworn away all grace that they count it a grace to swear And are so far from believing that the curse of God shall never depart from the house of the swearer And that himself will be a swift witness against swearers That the Lord hath a great controversie with the inhabitants of the Land because of swearing and that of all other sinners they shall not be found guiltless that take his Name in vain And that the Land mourns because of Oaths as the Scripture speaks Zach. 5.1 to 5. Exod. 20.7 Hos. 4.1 2. Ier. 23.10 that as I said before they think to be saved by the same wounds and blood which they swear by and so often swear away And lest they should not themselves soon enough fill up the measure of their wickedness even Boyes in the streets have learn'd of them to wrap out oaths as frequently as they and no man so much as reprove or finde fault with them yea through the Parents accustomary swearing their children have learn'd to speak English and oaths together so to blaspheme God almost as soon as he hath made them So that we may well wonder that the Land sinketh not under us because of Oathes As ô the numberless number of Oaths Blasphemies that this Land groans under which are spit out as it were in defiance of God and al his prohibitions to the contrary § 5. But the case is so clear that I dare refer it to themselves in their sober fits for their consciences cannot chuse but tell them at one time or other when they are alone and at leasure to hear it that either they believe there is no God at all or else that God is not just true nor speaks as he means in his Word which is worse Or if they do believe that he is a just and true God they believe also that they shall be punished as he threatens for their impenitency and provoking of him and they provoke him that they may be punished which is worst of all But behold the just judgement of God upon the wilfully blinded and obstinate who payes them in their own coinâ— they will not see nor hear nor understand nor be converted nor saved but wink with their eyes stop their eares stifle their consciences harden their hearts and believe Satan rather then God walk in their own counsels Therefore saith God they shall not see nor hear nor understand nor apply any wholesome truth to themselves nor be converted nor saved as may plainly be seen by these ensuing Scriptures Prov. 28.14 Exod. 7.3 22. 10.20 14.8 Isa. 6.9 10. Psal. 69.23 Ier. 51.9 Mat. 13.15 Ioh. 12.37 39 40. Rom. 1.21 to 33. 11.8 Actsâ—â— â—â— 27 2 Thess. 2.10 11 12. 2 Cor. 4.3 4. Heb. 3.8 It is exceeding remarkable how God for this cause inflicteth more spiritual judgemâ—nts upon this Age and Nation then ever we read of I fear few consider it as they ought Wicked men will needs harden themselves without cause therefore they shall have cause enough As had they ever since the world began such cause to speak evil of the way of Truth if I may so speak and the Professors thereof as now they have by reason of the many and abominable errours broached and maintained The bitter enmity that is between the very people of God about things not fundamental The foul mouths of many whose Religion and zeal is to rail upon the most godly able and Orthodox Ministers but especially the vicious lewd practices of many that pretend for Religion and the notorious cheating cozening of those in places of trust who at first were made choice of for their pretended piety All which God permits for the further hardening of his obstinate and malicious enemies And let wicked men look to it For as the Devil first puts out their eyes then lays blocks in their way to make them stumble and fall that so they may dash themselves in pieces so God himself in justice suffers these scandals to be given or these stumbling-blocks to be laid that they may stumble at them to their destruction and break their souls necks as it is Ezek. 3.20 See more 1 King 22.20 21 22. Mat. 18.7 2 Pet. 2.12 Isa. 8.14 15. 2 Sam. 24.1 1 Chron. 21.1 And this is a sure rule that none thus stumble at scandals but wicked men Gods enemies as in the case of David 2 Sam. 12.14 If you would see more read Mr. Dyke of Scandals And herein the sin and punishment answer each other in their trancendency for as of all other judgements none like this so likewise of the sin For this is the condemnation that light is come into the world and men loved darknesse rather then light because their deeds are evil John 3.19 20. § 6. Nor is this all the worst is reserved for the Upshot As hear what will be the issue of mens horrible prophanenesse abominable wickedness if they continue therein without hearty contrition and amendment Men may think it an argument of Gods favour or dispensation that they prosper in their wickednesse that some eminent judgement is not executed speedily upon them But there cannot be a greater unhappinesse a heavier curse then to prosper
easily parteth with his worldly goods to these uses unless by faith he be assured that he shall have in lieu of them heavenlâ—y and everlasting treasures The merciful man is ever a faithfull man Fourthly it testifies our unfeigned repentance whereof it is that Daniel saith to Nebuchadnezer Wherefore O King break off thy sins by repentance and thine iniquities by shewing mercy unto the poore Dan. 4 27. The which Zacheus practised Luke 19. For no sooner was he converted unto God but to testifie his unfeigned repentance he giveth half his goods unto the poore Verse 8. Fifthly giving much is an infallible signe that many sins are forgiven us as our Saviour speaketh of the woman Luke 7.47 Sixthly by it we may know our selves to be the children of God 1 Iohn 3.14 Yea and others may also know it Iohn 13.34 35. And hereby we know the unmercifull to be none of Gods children â—or the Father of Mercies hath no children but the mercifull Seventhly it is said that Obadia feared God greatly for when Iesabel destroied the Prophets of the Lord he took an hundred Prophets and hid them by fifty in a cave and he fed them with bread and water 1 Kings 18.3.4 Therefore it is a sure signe of the fear of God Eightly they are undoubted signes of our love towards God When as we so love the poore for his sake as that we be content to spare somewhat even from our own backs and bellies that we may the more liberally communicate unto their necessities But this a wicked man will never do the onely loves the Lord is 〈◊〉 did 〈◊〉 onely 〈…〉 riches by him Or as Saul loved Samuel to gain honour by him True they will say they love God and perhaps think so too but let them say what they will if unmercifull I will never believe against Scripture that they love God whom they have not seen that love not their brother whom they have seen if we love him we will love one another 1 Iohn 4.20 21. If any man saies the Apostle have these worlds goods and seeth his Brother have need and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him how dwelleth the love of God in him 1 Iohn 3.17 And as they are manifest signes of our love to God so also of our love towards our Neighbours when as we carry our selves in all Christian bounty towards them as unto Children of the same Father and members of the same body suffering with them in their wants through compassion and fellow-feeling and rejoycing with them in their fulness and prosperity Hereby we know that we love the brethren because our hearts and hands are open to them for love is bountifull For otherwise it is but an unprofitable counterfeit and hypocriticall love to make shew of kindness and compassion in word and to perform nothing in deed as Saint Iames plainly affirmeth Iamesâ— 15. But that this alone is the best touchstone to shew the sincerity and truth of our love many places demonstrate as 2 Cor. 8.8 24. 1 Iohn 3.18 CHAP. XXVII And as our Almesdeeds are a sign of our love to God and our Neighbourâ— so the quantity of our almes respect being had to the proportion of our estate is a signe of the quantity of our love for he loveth but little that having much giveth but a little and contrariwise his heart is inâ—lamed with fervent love who hath it inflamed with bounty towards his poore brethren the extension of our love towards them being the true touchstone of the intention of our love towards God And as a great tree with many and large branches is an undoubted sign of a root proportionable in greatness and a small shrub above the ground plainly sheweth that the root also is small wch is under it so is it with our Almesdeeds which spring from it For if we be bountiful in Almes we are plentifull in love if we be slack in giving we are cold in loving but if we be utterly defective in bringing forth these excellent fruits then it is a manifest sign that this grace of love is not rooted in us 1 Iohn 3.17 Ninthly It is an evident demonstration that we have saving knowledge and spiritual wisdom for the wisdom that is from above is full of mercy and good fruits Iames 3.17 Otherwise we are not wise our wisdom descends not from above but is earthly sensuall and devillish Verse 15. Tenthly By these works of mercy we make our calling and election sure for if we do these things we shall never fall as St. Peter speaks 2 Pet. 1.7 8 10. And St. Paul infers Col. 3. Put on as the elect of God holy and beloved the bowels of mercy and kindness Verse 12. Which makes him in another place call charity a never failing grace 1 Cor. 1.8 And a little afâ—er he useth these words Now abideth Faith Hope and Charity these three but the greatest of these is Charity Verse 13. Eleventhly This is a duty which undoubtedly must justifie the truth of our religion or else condemn us as hollow hearted and swayed by hypocrisie Iames 1. This is pure religion and undefiled before God to visit the fatherless and widow in their affliction Verse 27. O that this lesson would enter home into every one of our hearts before we go out of our houses For men may cry up this side and cry down that but of all the three the Priest the Levite and the Samaritan none but the Samaritan that shewed mercy to him that was fallen into the hands of theeves was wounded and stript of his rayment was justified and approved of by our Saviour Luke 10.36 37. And indeed God so highly prizeth and esteemeth mercy and the works wherein it is exercised towards the poore that he preferreth them before the outward acts of religious duties Hosea 6.6 I desired mercy and not sacrifice that is rather then sacrifice This is the oblation which he chiefly requireth yea if we but look Micha 6. we shall fiâ—d that God esteemeth it more or above all sacrifices and burnt offerings were it thousands of rams and ten thousand rivers of oyle Verse 6.7 He hath shewed thee O man what is good and what the Lord requireth of thee to do justly to love mercy and to walk humbly with thy God Verse 8 Finally these works of mercy are not onely an odor of a sweet smell and a sacrifice acceptable and well pleasing to God as the Apostle speaks Phil. 4.18 But also such an oblation as if we offer unto God with a lively faith the use of all the creatures shall be clean unto us according to that of our Saviour Luke 11 4â— See more Heb. 13.16 Isa. 58.6 7 8. Iames 1.27 And this is a Twelfth benefit CHAP. XXVIII Thirteenthly another no small benefit that we have thereby is by our bounty towards the poor we have the benefit of their prayers unto God the which are very available for the obtaining of all good things for us the which