yet are we much to lie at his Cross and consider him as enduring it and satisfying the Demands of his injured Father Heb. 12.2 3. Rom. 4. ult Tho he as exalted applieth the Benefit of Redemption he as abased obtain'd and purchased it He is now eminently lovely but did then eminently shew his Love And so I next infer That all those who are for trading into Heaven should get and keep distinct and clear Apprehensions of Christ as received into Heaven Vid. Amesium Alstedium Are not the Degrees of his Exaltation well worthy of our best Thoughts Do they not exactly answer the Degrees that were in his Humiliation 1. Did not he who died 2 Cor. 5.15 after Death rise again 2. Ephes 4.9 10. Did not he who descended into the Earth ascend into Heaven 3. Doth not he who continued for some time in Hades or the separate State Heb. 1.2 3. now sit and abide where he ever will be at the Father's Right-hand Again Is not Mystery written on and to be read in the Ends of Christ's Exaltation And that first 1. In reference to himself Phil. 2.9 10. Psal 110. ult Is not he rewarded after all his fore Services and Sufferings Is not his Head lifted up that drunk of the Brook in the way Hath not his Cross proved the way to his Crown And tho he was only capable of being exalted in his Manhood by way of Addition yet may he that is God be said to be exalted by way of Manifestation 2. With reference to us Is he not full of Compassion when freed from Passion Doth he not sympathize tho he cannot suffer Heb. 4.15 16. Is he not entred Heaven with an Heart full of Love to Sinners on Earth Doth not his transacting there make much for our Advantage that are here The next Inference is They do not drive the spiritual Trade who neither have nor desire to have Communion with Christ as exalted Joh. 14.6 See the solid Scotch Brown Is not he as the Truth and the Life so the Way the way to the Father in Duty and the way from the Father in the Expression of Mercy And here let me propound some Questions of Concernment 1. Have they Communion with Christ as in Heaven Phil. 3.20 who have not in Desire and Design their Conversation in Heaven 1. As to their Minds musing on him and the things above 2. Intellectualiter c. So profound Whichcoat In their Affections loving hoping for and longing after him and them 3. In their whole Couse studying the exactest Imitation of and Conformity to him attainable 2. Have they Communion with an exalted Saviour who too frequently and too too wilfully abase and debase themselves in the way of sinful Sins Whether they be such as are for distinction sake stiled fleshly 1 Pet. 2.12 and sensual tending to gratify the sensitive Appetite such as Drunkenness Uncleanness and Idleness Or they be such as carry the Title of Worldly such as Covetousness Oppression and the like Or such as are said to carry the Face and Figure of the Devil Dr. Arrowsmith stiled Suavissimus such as Pride Wrath and Malice May such Persons consider 1. This exalted Saviour keeps his Heart open to the Penitent 2. His Hand will fall and lie heavy on all that are found in wilful Impenitency FINIS A Catalogue of Books printed for Tho. Parkhurst THE Church's Triumph over Death A Funeral Sermon upon the Decease of blessed Mr. Rob. Fleming late Pastor of a Church in Rotterdam By Daniel Burgess Mr. Baxter's Grand Question resolv'd His Call to Seriousness in Religion His good Counsel to the converted and unconverted Sick bound together Free Justification by Christ Written first in Latin by John Fox Author of the Book of Martyrs and now translated into English for the Benefit of those that love their own Souls and would not be mistaken in so great a Point The poor Man's Help or young Man's Guide By Mr. Burkitt Minister of Dedham in Essex An earnest Call to Family Religion being the Substance of eighteen Sermons By Sam. Slater The Confirming Work of Religion By Robert Fleming of Rotterdam Advice to an only Child or excellent Counsel for all young Persons Trading Spiritualized The Third Part. Or some more POSITIONS On which Tradesmen And Others may O that they would meditate By W. BAGSHAW Minister of the Gospel LONON Printed for Nevill Symonds Bookseller in Sheffield in York-shire and Sold by George Conyers at the Ring in Little Britain in London 1696. To my much Honoured Friend Mr. Henry Gill. Worthy Sir THough my Memory laboureth under much Weakness Can I ever forget the Encouragement which my Ministry met with in Times sufficiently discouraging at the Beloved Oaks where some of the Truths presented in the Printed Sheets came to the Ears yea and as I believe to the Hearts of you and your then precious Bosome-relation who has for some Years layen in the Bosome of Abraham I am assured you will not despise the Day of Small Things you will look with favour on his hand whose age and infirmities have of late hindred your seeing his face May you whose self-denyal is exemplary as is also your bounty be blessed and a great blessing May your dear Children Children of the Covenant and all your Relations prosper May the Church that is and that meets in your house have in it a special presence of God! So prayeth Endeared Sir much obliged W. Bagshaw To the Reverend Mr. Edward Prime Mr. Robert Fern and the other Worthy Ministers near Chesterfield and Sheffield that joyn Hearts and Hands for furthering the Lords Work Very Dear Brethren MINE Hand was at the Proposal for your Associating and mine Heart is with you in all your Meetings for your strengthening of one anothers Hands in God With what delight I have comen amongst you when younger and fitter for Travel he knoweth who is All-knowing I have no such vanity as to expect or desire to be counted an Author yet am not unwilling that when dead I may yet speak in such Papers as this is prefixed to Pardon I pray you my mentioning you in this Address If to your solid Judgment my proceeding further appear unnecessary and unprofitable I beseech you hint so much The Good Lord who hath taken down many Lights that were in his Golden Candlesticks continue you long as Burning and Shining Ones and bless all Related to you This is the Heart's desire and Prayer of Choice Sirs One unworthy to call you Brethren W. Bagshaw Trading Spiritualized The Third Part. The 30th Position THE Holy Spirit of God hath a special Hand in and doth promote the spiritual Trade Commerce and Communion that is betwixt God and Man 1. May not this well be as it is written on See Dr. Clifford his Methodus that to the carrying on of Mans Salvation and so of his Communion with God as it is here begun the
4. Are there not in his Priesthood Evidences of his Love Are there not in his Prophecy Evidences of his Skill Are there not in his Government Evidences of his Power 5. Doth he not as a Prophet enlighten his Peoples Minds Doth he not as a Priest engage their Affections Doth he not as a King incline bow and rule their Wills Again As to the second Particular pointed at to wit The Harmony of Christ's Offices and their concurring with one another in this grand Case and Cause I ask the following Questions 1st Doth not the Priesthood of Christ render him more meet to discharge his Prophetick and Kingly Offices See Gillespy further 1. Will not he who as a Priest hath dearly bought his People plainly and familiarly as well as fully teach them 2. Will not he that as a Priest hath paid so great a Price for them mildly and with a Golden or rather gracious Scepter sway them 2dly Are not the Priestly and Kingly Offices of Christ promoted by his being a Prophet 1. Doth not this Prophet acquaint Persons with the Compleatness of his Satisfaction and Intercession 2. Doth not this Prophet lead them into the Knowledg of him as a King and of his Laws and Ways 3dly Doth not Christ's Kingly Office carry him through the Exercise of his Prophecy and Priesthood 1. Doth not Christ his being a King a Royal Martyr and Purchaser render his Sufferings more valuable 2. Doth not Christ's being a King put Virtue into his preaching so that he who gives out Laws gives in Strength to obey them Inf. 2. Their Case is sinful and so sad who are willingly ignorant of Christ Christum si nescis c. Joh. 17.3 Phil. 3.8 2 Thess 1.7 8 9. or rest without a distinct affectionate Knowledg of his Person and Offices What will other Knowledg avail if Christ be not known Is not this the Excellency of Knowledg Doth not Ignorance herein expose to Vengeance Last Inference is They who would give and have an Evidence that their Trading is into and in Heaven should make much use of Jesus Christ Heb. 4.15 16. Deut. 18.15 2 Cor. 8.5 and of every one of his Offices Should they not daily employ this Priest learn of this Prophet and submit to this King A touch on every one of these is to follow The 21st Position That there might be Communion between God and fallen Man the Lord Jesus Christ who became a Mediator in the case engaged in the Office of a Priest 1. Psal 110.4 5. Heb. 7.1 5. 4.12 14. 3.1 Was he not in Scripture-Prophecies spoke of as such 2. Is he not in Scripture-History written of as such Yea 3. Hath he not the Title of an Apostle the highest Church-Officer under the New Testament and of the High-Priest to whom some Employs were peculiar under the Law That this Priest procureth yea promoteth Communion between God and Man cannot well be questioned 1. Is it not rightly said That the Heart of Christ's Mediation lieth in his Priestly Office and the Exercise thereof So solid Strong For 2. Doth he not as a Priest deal with God for Man Heb. 5.1 that he may as a Prophet and King deal with Man from God That this may be more evidenced we will look at the Resemblance that lies between Christ and the High-Priest Heb. 5.6.5.1 that was Aaronical and glance at the higher Priesthood of Melchizedec 7.26 of whose Order he was by whom he was much typified As to the former Was he not 1. Taken from among Men 2. 1.9.9.12 Unblemished 3. Called to his Office 4. Anointed 5. Richly arrayed 6. Bearing the Names of the People on his Breast 7. Entering into the Holy of Holies Surely he who hath all these Qualifications is qualified to deal betwixt his Father and his Children As to the latter The Comparison is carried further than I design Who hint Vid. Outramum de Sacrificiis 1. That Melchizedec's Priesthood did not pass from one to another And is not that of Christ unchangeable 2. Melchizedec gave Abraham his Blessing and doth not Christ bless Abraham's Children so as none else can do And now I infer 1. That they are forsakers of their own Mercy in being Slighters of the Heavenly Trade who make not good use of Christ's Priestly Office into which Count alas great numbers fall Is not this their case 1. Who are for continuing in a course of Sin Psal 66.18 If Persons regard Iniquity in their Hearts will God the Son present or his Father accept their Prayers 2. Who live in the wilful and ordinary neglect of known Duties Were not they to bring their Sacrifices to the Priests Mat. 8.4 that would have them presented to God 3. Who rely on any other Mediation as if any one 1 Tim. 2.5 save this High Priest could avail as to satisfying Divine Justice and meriting Divine Favour 4. Who refuse Christ's other Offices Will he save those who will not be taught and ruled by him O that Persons considered that if they slight Christ's Love they shall to their Sorrow fall under his Power and what will be the end of those that abuse the Priesthood of Christ to the encouraging of their Sin Infer See Rev. Flavel 's Vind. vind p. 183. 2. It is our great Concern to meditate on the Greatness of our great High Priest What were the highest Priests under the Law to him 1. Is not he God-Man 2. Had he any Moral Blemish at all 3. Was not his Call to Office extraordinary 4. Was not his Anointing by the Holy Ghost 5. Is he not clothed with Glory 6. Are not his People in his Heart 7. Is he not entered the Heaven of Heavens I add 1. He is but one Heb. 7.9 Chapters and he is for ever 2. He made his own Blood and Soul an Offering Inf. 3. They may hear the most High saying to them Comfort ye comfort ye Isa 40.1 who have received and do give themselves to this great High-Priest 1. Tho they meet with many and those sore Sufferings 2. Tho they complain of the Remains and Rebellings of Sin Upon their employing this High-Priest they shall by sweet Experience find 1. That as he hath not * See Mr. Durant 1 Joh. 2.1 put off his Priestly Garments he is pleading on their behalf 2. That his pleading being grounded on his dying it is and will be prevalent Him the Father heareth Joh. 11.42 and accepteth always The 22d Position That there might be Commerce and Communion between God and fallen Man he who assumed Man's Nature was in that Nature sacrificed on Man's behalf 1. That Christ our Passover being to us in truth what the Passover was in Type was sacrificed for us 1 Cor. 5.8 is written as with a Sun-beam 2. That the new and living way to the Holy of Holies or Heaven whereof the holiest place in the Temple was a Figure Heb. 10.19 20.
help Memory Psal 9.17 3. Do we not find the irreligious described as Forgetters of God 4. Is it not from not remembring God that Iniquity aboundeth 1. Totus Oculus Job 24.15 Doth the Adulterer that waits for the twilight bear in Memory that God is all Eye and that Darkness hides not from him 2. Psal 139. Doth he that sinfully puts the Bottle to his Neighbour's or to his own Mouth remember that God enjoins Sobriety under the Penalty of a Wo 3. Malachi 1. ult Doth he that doth God's Work negligently remember unto and under what a Curse he lays himself I add Are not God's Words let slip Are his Works of Judgment remembred so as to work due Fear of Sin Are not his Mercies which should move and lead to Repentance too much buried in the Grave of Oblivion The first Inference is Questionless Man's Fall was a fearful one Were not all the Vessels or Powers of Man's Soul particularly that of the Memory broken in pieces O that this had the Consideration due to it Can many say with Truth that they have set the Lord always before ' em Yea Psal 16.8 that they have done it any one day Have their Memories been affectionate and practical as to Good Have they not been too too receptive and retentive of Evil The 2d Inference is It is the concern of Christians in order to their managing and driving the Heavenly Trade to wait on God for a special and differencing Work of Grace on their Memories Is not that Promise full of Grace wherein the Lord Jesus engageth to send his Holy Spirit to perform the Office of a Remembrancer to and for ' em Jo. 14.26 The 3d. Inference That the Memories of Christians may be more refreshed and rendred more serviceable to God and so their Communion with him may be furthered they should look and long for a fuller Work of God and Grace on their Affections Eph. 4.15 Do we not hold fastest the things that take hold of our Hearts or that our Hearts take hold of Where Truth is received in the Love of it it's best retained Is it not true that Coldness is in more Senses than one the Mother of Forgetfulness The 4th Inference God is highly to be praised that for the penitent on the score of his Sons Merit and Mediation he hath provided a State wherein the Memories of his People are perfectly healed and so they are Vessels of Mercy and Honour I oppose not those who say there will even in Heaven be a Remembrance of Sin Nor will they gainsay my Saying that it will be no disturbance of the Saints Rest and Joy I doubt not pardoning and purifying Mercy and the State of Holiness and Happiness endeared to ' em The 12th Position The Converse and Communion which at first God had with Man is broken through the Pollution that is in Man's Conscience Concerning the Name Nature and Offices of Conscience there passed some Lines under the 5th Position which must not be repeated That the Conscience of Man Tit. 1.15 whilst in his mere Naturals is defiled is a plain and positive Assertion of the holy Spirit speaking in Holy Scripture and have we not all Reason to count it a note worthy of our best notice Mr. Burgess And Dickson Ad Locum which we have under the hand of a late Worthy Those Popish Interpreters go too narrow a way in the Interpretation of that Text who restrain it to the Jews and their Mistakes about Ceremonies For tho some occasion seem administred for such Words yet he that runs may read that the Proposition is general and refers to all that are in a state of Unbelief Tho natural Conscience is counted one of the best things that is in the unregenerate are there not divers Evidences that it 's from being perfect yea or pure At present I 'll only consider Conscience as a Preacher 1. Where lives that meer Naturalist whose Conscience is not chargable with sinful Silence Ah! Ah! how foul and yet how common a Fault is this in Preachers An acute Divine well worded this Mr. Porter It 's one thing for Conscience to hold its Peace and another thing for it aright to speak Peace 1. Is it its manner to chide Persons for secret and inward Sins 2. Doth it call on them to improve as well as to esteem Gospel-Grace Alas Eo minus tuti quo magis securi Prov. 23.24 Deut. 28.19 Not a few sleep as on the top of a Mast in the Mouth and midst of many Dangers Are not some secure who add Drunkenness to Thirst and wallow in the mire of Uncleanness and over-reach those they deal with And as to sinful Omissions especially as to the exercise of Spiritual Duties and Graces how few receive a Check Again 1 Thes 5.2 3. if the Consciences of Unbelievers speak they speak not home 1. Is not their Cry often Peace Peace when it 's a base false Cry 2. Do they not speak of great Truths and Duties in a formal way 3. Is it not truly said they are not diligent constant Preachers That a corrupt Conscience is a Bar to Communion with God is apparent 1. Job 27.9 Will such a Conscience put and press on to a due dependence on and delight in God 2. Rom. 14.17 Will God to and in such a Conscience make a continual or refreshing Feast And so I First Infer They are under ill Characters and Marks even those of unregeneracy who are not inwardly concern'd about the purging of their Consciences from Guilt and Filth O how greatly is this Purge needed Mark 9.46.43 See Mr. Strong on this who is Vir sui nominis Doth not this lay a great load on their Consciences in Hell who have disregarded the purifying of 'em whilst they were on Earth Will not the undying Worm be a gnawing one The 2d Inference It 's a great Matter of as great Importance as the Welfare of Persons immortal Souls to make Enquiry into the state of their Consciences 2 Cor. 13.5 1. 1 Tim. 4.2 Are not the Consciences of many * cautorized seared Doth not that appear 1. Are they not past or not common to Feeling as some seared Parts have been Have they any quick Sense of the Want of Love to the Fear of God 2. Do not many Consciences resemble dumb Dogs that give no notice of Thievish Lusts Again Are not the Consciences of very many drouzy Rom. 8.11 Hath not a deep Sleep seized on ' em Tho wise Virgins may slumber yet Sleepiness is not their ordinary Frame Cant. 5.2 and on second Thoughts they are thankful to such as are for awakening them O that Thousands could truly say they do herein exercise themselves to have Consciences void of Offence Acts 24.16 then might they Trade with Heaven The last Inference The wonderful Provision which the Lord hath made for the making and keeping
as standing in a peculiar relation to them Jude 19. and having a special interest and propriety in them as persons have in their dwellings and possessions Are not these persons Multitudes Multitudes 1. Doth the Pure Spirit dwell in those impure ones who walk after the flesh Rom. 8.1 Gal. 5.16 17 not abstaining from but delighting in those fleshly lusts of drunkenness filthiness and idleness will he endure to be so opposed and affronted where his abode is 2. 1 Cor. 2.12 Doth the Spirit of God dwell where the Spirit of the World doth animate act and rule Are they his habitations that are its drudges and slaves rooting in the earth Ezek. 33.31 even on the day and in the duties and ordinances that are sacred 3. Doth the Spirit of God dwell where Satan the worst of Spirits keeps the house And doth he not so Joh. 8.44 Arrowsmith Tact. Sac. p. in those who look as like him as men and women can do being 1. Filled with wrath envy and malice 2. Addicted to lying and false accusing 3. Employed or at least rejoycing in persecuting O that persons saw and felt that whilst they are in their natural state they are void of the Spirit Rom. 8.9 and so without Christ O that they sorrowed for their own danger and God's dishonour and were afraid of dying yea of living in this condition and cryed and got others to cry that the holy Spirit may be given to and dwell in them The last Inference God's peculiar ones are priviledged ones O happy happy they if they know their Priviledge They are Heavenly Traders and shall not let the Trade fall 1. Gal. 5.22 Will not the Indwelling be an In-working Spirit 2. Shall they not by him be brought from Trading into to live in Heaven May not they say aa the sweet Dropper wrote Dr. Sibbs Motum sentimus medum nesci mus Eph. 4.30 We feel his Motion though we know not the manner of his Presence May they daily demean themselves tenderly towards him and highly bless God the Father and the Son for him The 35th Position The Holy Spirit as a guiding and leading Spirit doth much promote the Heavenly Trade or Communion between God and Man 2. Doth he not guide unto Truth the Truth he hath given out Doth he not also lead into Truth and shew persons the inside and excellency of Truth John 16.13 See Reverend Case on this even as persons that are within a room that 's adorned see the Ornaments of it Doth not the Lord herein at once communicate his will and love to persons And are they not hereby brought to exert and exercise Grace on and towards God 2. Doth not the holy Spirit lead unto duty and to God in it And is it not in the due exercise of duty that persons draw near to God Jun. 4.8 and haâ—e God drawing near to them Can either be expected where duties are wilfully omitted and neglected From this Position I shall first lay down Inferences of Truth The former of them is Persons naturally or in their meer naturals are benighted or in the dark as to holding converse and communion with God Are they not said to be darkness Eph. 5.8 darkness it self or in the abstract A Domino Vide Poium ad loâ—â—m till they become light in the Lord or by and from the Spirit of the Lord Are they not alienated from and strangers to the Life of God that Life which the upright have from and lead with God Eph. 4.18 through the ignorance that is in them O that they saw their want of sight and their loss thereby The latter is The sons and daughters of God are primely priviledged Rom. 8.14 See Dr. Jacomb on this Are not they led and conducted by the Spirit of God As he is the Spirit of Glory filling those with glory that have full Communion with him in Heaven so he is the Spirit of Grace fitting those that are hiâ—â—or such Communion with him on Eaâ—â—â— as they are capable of How happy * O fortunati c. are they if they understand their state and know the things given them of God And now I am to present Rules of Duty The 1st whereof is It is the near concern of all who will give this poor Paper a reading to put it on a fair issue or tryal whether they have known by experience what the guidance and conduct of the holy Spirit is O that many did not vainly trust without serious trying I take the boldness to ask them at least to put them on posing themselves with these Questions 1. Eph. 4.18 Joh. 3.19 Have they seen to their sorrow that once they were not in this good Circumstance Are not Adam's Children born blind as to Spirituals And are they not averse to divine guidance 2. Do they highly value the Mercy of God the Father and the Merit of the Son Eph. 5.8 to both which they are indebted that are led by the Spirit 3. Are they under a daily fear lest they should provoke Eph. 4.30 vex displease and distast this blessed Guide and cause him to be strange to them 4. 1 Joh. 5.1 See Dr. Roberts Believ Evid Do they truly love those who evidence that they are under the Spirits guidance though as to some opinions they are dissenters from them 5. Joh. 16.13 Are they for keeping close to the Scripture of Truth in and according to which the Spirit of Truth doth lead and guide persons 6. Is it their resolution through Heavens help that they will be much on their knees and when on them Luke 11.13 beg the Spirits guidance O that I was assured that all that read this would lay these Marks and their Hearts together 2 Cor. 13.5 The 2d Rule is None should bless themselves in their Hearts and state till they can witness and prove that the holy Spirit is their guide and leader Motives are 1. Is not the path of Life and way of Trading spiritually hidden from all save such as he is the Guide of Isa 35.8 For 2. Is it not a low and yet high way lying as in humility so in heavenly-mindedness 2. Is it not the way of such as are wise for themselves and yet are much for self-denial Is it not by a late worthy well said Dr. Collings in his Lessons That it lyes cross the Fields of Nature down the Narrow Lane of Mortification and up the Mount of Holiness The 2d Motive is Shall any be received into Heaven who slight the Spirits Conduct Psal 73.24 Shall they be happy above who Trade not thither whilest they are here below 3dly Rom. 8.1 1 Cor. 2.13 Eph. 2.2 If persons be not guided by this good Spirit will they not be led by at ill one if not many ill ones or by the Flesh or the World The last Rule is They who drive the Heavenly Trade and have the Spirits guidance should humbly glory in this high Favour shewed them 1. Is not this guide the most able and knowing yea All-knowing 2. Nec fallcre nec falli potest Is he not of all Guides the most true and faithful Will he either mislead or mistake 3. Is he not the most tender and compassionate Guide Doth he not pity such as are apt to go astray 4. Heb. 5.2 Psal 48. ult Will he not be a Guide unto death Will he desert his 5. Will not his Guidings be attended with Efficacy 1. Hos 11.3 4. Will he not so guide as a Mother doth a Child who hlods it by the hand and streng thens it 2. Rom. 6.14 Will he not preserve from a course of sin so that no sin shall have full dominion 3. 1 Cor. 10.13 Will he not support under sore sufferings so that they are kept from sinking that are sighing 4. Will he not at last Land people in the Place and State where Bliss and Blessedness shall have no END