any man is in closing with and â—…beying it made in Christ so being thereby â—…rought to and made in him Christ is made 〈◊〉 God to him wisedome righteousness c. 〈◊〉 Cor. 1.30 the Author and Fountain of â—…avenly and true wisdome to him In which wisdome and so in those that are made wise thereby there are among other â—…ings these chiefly observable viz. 1. A right understanding and judgment â—…f things Naturally men in and of themselses and as walking in the principles of â—…e world are blind and darkened in their understandings especially as having reâ—…sed the tenders of wisdome Sathan gets power over them to blind them 2 Cor. 4 4â—… the Gentiles that receive not the Grace 〈◊〉 God have their understandings darkned bâ—…ing alienated from the life of God through thâ—… ignorance that is in them because of the blindness or hardness of their hearts but theâ—… having learned Christ and having heard hiâ—… and been taught by him as the truth is in Jesuâ—… are inabled and helped to put away lying knowing and understanding the truth Ephes 4.17 18 19 20 21 25. Men genâ—…rally as in and of themselves and as walâ—…ing after the course of this world are brâ—…tish and foolish void of all right judgment and understanding Surely every man by 〈◊〉 own knowledg is brutish every founder is coâ—…founded Jer. 10.14 There is none that 〈◊〉 derstandeth none that seeketh after God Râ—…man 3.11 But God sent his only begotteâ—… Son into the world and hath put his Spirit upon him that He might be the light of the world and bring forth judgment to the Geâ—…tiles and having given him a light to the peâ—…ple the Jews or professed Church and 〈◊〉 the Gentiles hath appointed him therein 〈◊〉 be for salvation his salvation or way of â—…aving men to the ends of the earth that whâ—… ever believes on and follows him might 〈◊〉 walk in darkness but have the light of life Isaah 42.1 and 49.6 with Acts 13.46 47â—… John 8.12 and 12.46 and to those that behold and listen to him he brings forth â—…udgment into truth or into victory over all â—…he errors of the world that was in their minds and over all their corrupt passions â—…usts and affections giving them to understand the truth and to discern between the right and wrong good and evil that they might chuse the good and live and so in his might they see light they see where their true interest is where peace and safety felicity and happiness are to be met with by them viz. that it lies not in their having the riches honours or pleasures of this life or world nor in having the science and knowledg of many things or in being morally just among men and approved of them nor in living long here in health and quietness or the like but in having the love favour and approvement of the great God the Maker and Creator of all things and in the being blessed and accepted of him and enjoying him for our portion and they see the way to this peace the way by which they may obtain this love and favour acceptance and approbation with God that it is by coming to believing on and abiding in Christ He being the Way the Truth and the Life so as None can come to the Father but by him for it is through his Blood We have access to the Father by his Spirit which Spirit He in and with this Heavenly Doctrine administers and gives forth to those that yield up themselves according there unto to obey and serve him Joh. 14.6 7. Ephes 2.18 Acts 5.32 Prov. 1.23 〈◊〉 that in this wisdome is a right discerning of and these wise ones know and perceivâ—… their true Interest both as to the end wherein their happiness stands and as to the Way to attain that End yea and theiâ—… want and need of both the emptiness iâ—… themselves and in all other things to relievâ—… and help them for seeking God they knowâ—… all things Prov. 28.5 In knowing Christ and him crucified they know God the only true God and his infinite excellencies his power wisdome and goodness for helping and saving us men and for overthrowing the power policy and malicious contrivances of all his and our enemies his truth and faithfulness for making good his Words and Promises his hatred of sin and wickedness love of purity and holiness c. and they know themselves their own sinfulness death poverty brutishness and misery the emptiness and falsness in their own wisdome righteousness strength c. the vanity of the world the right end and use of all things whom God approves chuses and specially loves whom he hates â—…nd rejects and what not that concerns â—…heir happiness judging that one even Christ died for all they judg also that all were â—…ead at Law and that He died for all that â—…ey who live should not hencefrrth live to themselves but to him that died for them and is â—…sen again and so they know in some measure their ingagements to Christ and to God in Christ yea they know no man after 〈◊〉 Flesh themselves or others but if any â—…an be in Christ that he is a new Creature old â—…ings passed away and all things become new â—…nd that all things are of God 2 Cor. 5.14 15 16 17 18. Other men as to these things 〈◊〉 fools and walk in darkness Eccles 2.14 â—…ey neither know aright their own misery â—…or what it is will do them good they have 〈◊〉 learned that Precept of the Heathen 〈◊〉 teipsum to know themselves much 〈◊〉 do thy know God and him whom he hath 〈◊〉 Jesus Christ there is no judgment in thier â—…ings Isa 59.8 they take a Cloud for Ju 〈◊〉 as is the Proverb they worship some 〈◊〉 instead of God this world with its â—…easures honors riches or some such thing 〈◊〉 their summum bonum their greatest good 〈◊〉 spring of good to be enjoyed by them 〈◊〉 their apprehensions Or if they have â—…ard of and believe a God and that the happiness of the Soul stands in his favour and blessing yet they know not the way how to obtain that and enjoy him for their portion but seek and think to please him with their own or other mens inventions even with doing those things that he hath forbidden choosing the things which he delight not in yea which his Soul abhors Isa 66 4â—… having false imaginations and conceptions oâ—… him as some think to pacifie him and hiâ—… anger by making Groves Altars and 〈◊〉 mages and offering up corrupt Sacrifices yea some have thought to please him and obtain his favour by slaying and sacrificing their Sons and Daughters to him yeâ—… sometimes to Idols and Devils instead of him Mic. 6.6 7. Jer. 19.4 5. Isa 17.8 Psal 106.36 37 38. others by establishing their own righteousness according to the Law and so by their own goodness even the deeds of the Law whereby no man living can be justified a mans own righteousness being a bed
a righteous demeanour conversation and walking proposed to us in the Scriptures of truth in the word and doctrine of the Gospel to be followed after by us in the receiving of and walking in Christ Jesus which the grace of God that brings Salvation or is saving to all men teacheth Tit. 2.11 12. 1 Tim. 6.11 and All Scripture given by inspiration of God is profitable to instruct and direct us in and promote in us 2 Tim. 3.15 16. 3. That men may be turned to this righteousness from their unrighteous state and practices or they may be made partakers and practicers thereof It is true no man can of himself turn himself thereto or make himself righteous therewith This also is of God who as he made his Son who knew no sin sin for us that we might be made the righteousness of God in him so also sent his Son to bless us in turning every one of us from our iniquities Acts 3.26 and hath put his spirit upon him that he might bring forth judgement to us By whom he hath also given forth his Law and Doctrine which is a ministration of the spirit and so is perfect converting the soul Psal 19.7 and of righteousness 2 Cor. 3.8 9. The Gospel or preaching of Christ is the power of God to salvation to every one that believeth yea and the word of faith by which seriously heard and minded the heart is perswaded to believe Rom. 1.16 10.8.17 Isa 55.3 With this our Lord Jesus sent his Servants to open the eyes of the blind and to turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God Acts 26.18 True it is that all have not this Law and Doctrine of God alike clearly nor some at all declared to them but even there the goodness or kindness of God as otherwise evidenced is leading them to repentance to which also his chastisments provokes them And though they cannot by those less clear means attain to that understanding and abundance of consolation as men may by the clearer means the Law and Doctrine of God as audibly and distinctly made known at least ordinarily and without miracle yet they that by such means fear God and work righteousness or keep the righteousness of the Law their uncircumcision is counted circumcision and God through and by means of Christ accepts them Acts 10.34 Rom. 2.4 5 26 27. But the choice way and means that God useth for conversion and turning of men to himself is the preaching of the Gospel That being a preaching of repentance and remission of sins in the name of Jesus Christ Luke 24.46 47. and therein Christ is set forth a Prince and a Saviour giving repentance and forgiveness of sins Acts 5.31 though so as yet men are therefore required to listen to him and in hearing to receive the grace he gives for turning them so as to repent and be converted that God may blot out their sins and forgive them Acts 3.19 Yea he now by and with the Gospel preached to all Nations commands all men every where to repent Acts 17.30 whereunto his Spirit is not straitned or shortned but so administred that his words do good to him that walks uprightly that doth not willingly and stubbornly decline the force of them winking with the eye that he might not see and hardning the heart that he might not understand and be converted but singly yields up to the power working therewith Mic. 2.7 Matt. 13 12-15 Acts 28.26 27. 4. That he makes use of Men and their Ministry or Service even such as he hath indued with wisedome and capacity thereto by holding forth that word law and doctrine and walking therein blamelesly to be means or instruments for converting men and bringing them to righteousness by bringing them to Christ Jesus to know believe on and obey him And such as are made wise and gracious themselves by that blessed word He commissionates and commands them to call others to Christ that they might be made wise and righteous also in and by him So He gave the word and great was the company of publishers of it Psal 68.11 and Christ being ascended on high gave gifts to men And He gave some Apostles some Prophets some Evangelists or Gospel-preachers some Pastors and Teachers furnishing them with gifts and appointing them in the exercise of those gifts to instruct others that are ignorant in the knowledg of Christ and thereby endeavour their conversion unto God Eph. 4 8-11 and so to make them Disciples to Christ and so wise and righteous persons Matt. 28.18 19 20. Mark 16.15 16. He hath set them as the salt of the earth and light of the world to be useful and profitable to others to draw them in also to glorifie God Mat. 5.13 14 15 16. Yea The manifestation of the Spirit is given to every one to profit withal 1 Cor. 12.7 and No man lights any candle to put it under a bushel or under a bed but to set it on a Candlestick that it may give light to all that come into the house Matt. 5.15 Every one that hears that in any measure udderstands and is obedient to the truth of the Gospel hath commission and command from Christ to call others to him endeavouring their coming to him that they may be made righteous Let him that heareth say Come Rev. 22.17 Christ commissionates neither all nor only University Scholars and those that are learned in the Arts and Sciences to be his Ministers Preachers of his Gospel and inviters of men to Him and so instruments of turning them to righteousness and makers of them righteous If they hear not his Call themselves and be not subject and obedient to Him He commissionates them not to be his Preachers nor accepts their service how learned soever otherwise they be For to the wicked God saith What hast thou to do to declare my Statutes or that thou shouldst take my Covenant in thy mouth seeing thou hatest instruction and castest my words behind thee Psal 50.16 17. But whoso hears yea whither man or woman learned or unlearned in worldly Sciences they are bid to say Come and they may do it so they keep as all must within their bounds and go not beyond the proportion of Faith that they have received or behave not themselves disorderly A Woman indeed is not permitted to speak in the Church or Congregation nor to usurp authority over the man but otherwise if they have the gift they may pray or prophecy 1 Cor. 14.24 and 11.5 1 Tim. 2.11 12 and be Teachers of good things Tit. 2.3 and by their good conversaion may endeavour to win in their husbands that believe not the word 1 Pet. 3.1 the woman of Samaria was a good instrument by calling her neighbours to bring them to know Christ Joh. 4. and not only Aquila but Priscilla too instructed Apollos and helped to bring him to a perfecter understanding in the way of the Lord Acts 18.24 25 26. and we read in
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
the victory but lust and passion â—…nd appetite but the wise man in whom â—…dgment is brought forth into truth and hath â—…e victory he firmly and fixedly chuseth 〈◊〉 bâ—…st things and rejects the worse And wise man is known more by his choise â—…an by his voice other men wicked men â—…d fools may say well but they will not â—…use to themselves judgment or the thing at is good they lay not hold on eternal 〈◊〉 and the instruction that leads to it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 chuse that tends to and will end 〈◊〉 their destruction hating wisdome and â—…ving death Prov. 8.36 But the wise man â—…th other wise And then from this proâ—…eds also or with it follows 4. A seasonable and diligent endeavour â—â—r the good that he chuses and minds â—…d that is to be chosen by him I say 〈◊〉 A seasonable endeavour for the Wise â—…ns heart discernes both time and judgment Eccles 8.5 both the time when and thâ—… way and manner how to attain his end Hâ—… takes hold of time by the foretop The wiâ—… Son gathers in the Summer while there 〈◊〉 both good to be gathered and convenieâ—… season for gathering it He redeemes the timâ—… or opportunity and doth not suffer it to bâ—… gotten from him or kept from his improvâ—…ment as fools do Ephes 5.16 The fooâ—… or son that causeth shame sleeps in the Haâ—… vest time when other men that are wise aâ—… at work and taking care to provide againâ—… the winter Prov. 10.5 For the fool discernâ—… not the time or season Luc. 12.56 Hâ—… knows not the time of his visitation and theâ—… fore lets it slip Luk. 19.41 43. The Stoâ—… in the heaven the Turtle Crane and Swallâ—… are wiser than he for they know their 〈◊〉 pointed times and observe the time of thâ—… coming but the foolish man knows not the juâ—…ment of the Lord however much he boaâ—… of wit and parts and wisdome 〈◊〉 cause the Word of the Lord is rejected by his and there is no true wisdome in him Jer. 8.7 with 5.3 4. And great is the misery of mâ—… in this respect that they know not the tiâ—… and judgment that appertains to every coâ—… cernment and so are snared in ane vil timâ—… when it falls suddenly upon them as fishes thâ—… are taken in an evil net and as birds that aâ—… taken in a snare and they are not aware of it â—…cles 8.5 6. and 9.12 Matt. 24.48 49 â—… 51. The fool is a sluggard and folds his â—…nds together to sleep and cries yet a little â—…p yet a little slumber till his time and opâ—…rtunity for getting good be gone till â—…verty come upon him like one that travaileth â—…d want like an armed man Prov. 6.10 11. â—…t the wise man knows and lays hold of â—…e opportune time which is accounted a â—…int of highest prudence In tempore venire â—…nd so it may be said in tempore facienda â—…cere omnium rerum est primum to come in â—…ne or to do things in season especially â—…ose great things of the Souls eternal welâ—…re is the chiefest thing of all For how â—…d is it and will be to overslip that time â—…d then to begin to seek and knock for â—…trance when the door is shut and men â—…ced to stand without and hear it said â—…om within to them Depart from me I â—…ow you not ye workers of iniquity what â—…eart can conceive or tongue express but â—…rely it will be most dismally and dreadfully â—…d as our Saviour signifies when he saith â—…here shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth â—…uk 13.25 26 27 28. As it is also signiâ—…ed by Him in the Parable of the Virgins â—…here the foolish Virgins neglecting the â—…oper time of furnishing their vessels with Oyl and then setting on it when too latâ—… and not before found no entrance with thâ—… Bridegroom but were excluded Mat. 25 〈◊〉 9 10 11 12. But these that are truly wisâ—… they know and lay hold on the opportunity and therein also use 2. A diligent endeavour in the right aâ—… best ways to attain their purpose for knowing the worth of the heavenly commoditieâ—… and the uncertainty of the time of their coâ—…tinuance in a capacity of seeking and geâ—…ting them for they know and mind thâ—… in the grave and state of death to which thâ—… are going there is no work or devise no wisâ—… dome or knowledg Eccles 9.10 and thâ—… their Life is but a vapour that appears a littâ—… while and is gone and vanisheth away so 〈◊〉 there is no boasting of the morrow none knowing what will be on the morrow or what a dâ—… will bring forth Jam. 4.14 Prov. 27.1 and knowing also the exceeding folly aâ—… misery of failing of and loosing them the therefore give diligence while they haâ—… time With the Spider or Stellio they taâ—… hold with their hands and therefore are in 〈◊〉 Kings Pallaces Prov. 30.28 they labour fâ—… the meat that perisheth not but endures to eveâ—… lasting life John 6.27 they so run as thâ—… may obtain beating down the body and bringing it into subjection to the spirit 1 Cor. â—… 24.27 They give diligence to the full assurance of hope to the end and to make their calling and election sure or firm Heb. 6.11 12. 2 Pet. 1.10 They hear counsel and receive instruction that they may be wise in the latter end Prov. 19.20 They fight the good fight of faith and lay hold on eternal life 1 Tim. 6.12 they ask they seek they knock Matthew 7.7 8. They buy the truth and will not sell it parting with whatever must be let go that they may obtain it Prov. 23.23 They think nothing so good or excellent or so worthy their affecting and retaining as that for the sake thereof the truth of God and Christ and the infinite benefits of it the knowledg of Christ Jesus and the winning of him should be neglected and waved Phil. 3.7 8 9. They therefore put away whatever will not consist with their obtaining and retaining those better matters like the wise man that hath found a field wherein he knows there is a treasure hid they dig and search till they meet with and obtain Gods Kingdom and his righteousness and like the Wise Merchant that seeking goodly Pearles found a Pearl of great price and sold all he had the goodliest too to buy that pearl of great price and worth Mat. 13.44 45 46. They cut off right hand or foot where they offend and pluck out the right eye and cast them away too rather than to loose the Kingdome of Heaven and fall into Hell fire where the worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched Mark 9.44 45-48 They receive Gods words and lay up his commandements within them receive not only informations for their knowing things but Gods and Christs commands in things to be done also so as they incline their ear to wisdom and apply their hearts to understanding yea they cry for or after knowledg and lift up their voice for understanding they
foresight of dangers with a prudent provident care to prevent them and this also because his Eyes are in his Head and he makes use of them to look before him even to what is yet to come And he hath so good a fight through the spirit of wisedome given him in and through the faith of Christ and shewing him things to come as that he sees things afar off and what others see not even the end of ways and events and issues of courses good or evil before they be come upon men He sees the effects in the causes and the fruit in the root and in the nature of the stock and juice it springs from whereas the fooâ—… and evil man seeth not things till they bâ—… come or just upon them for he wants thâ—… eye of Faith or which the Faith or Gospeâ—… of Christ received gives and he hath noâ—… or uses not that heavenly prospective-glasâ—… which makes evident things not otherwise seen and shews the things that are far of in their true magnitude as if they werâ—… near hand thus it s said The prudent maâ—… foreseeth the evil and hideth himself the spirâ—… tually wise and good man seeth it before 〈◊〉 be come into other mens sight or view oâ—… before it be upon him and he seeth thâ—… place of refuge where he may be safe from it and escape its dint and thither betake himself and there hides himself that 〈◊〉 find him not out He knows that in Chriâ—… Jesus there is salvation and deliveranâ—… from all that is evil and may hurt him froâ—… the World or Devil and that in repentinâ—… if gone astray from him returning to anâ—… believing on him and obeying his Worâ—… and Doctrine and abiding therein hâ—… shall not perish under whatever may happen to or in the world but he shall havâ—… everlasting life and therefore he betake himself to him his counsels and instructâ—…ons and follows them trusting to hâ—… Promises and so he is safe and hidden but the simple pass on and are punished they transgress and go beyond the bounds God hath set them they abide not in the Doctrine of Christ to believe and obey that and seeing no evil come upon them nor any appearance of it they go on on on in their deceitful ways till the sad issue of them come upon them they cry peace peace hoping for and promising themselves safety and security till punishment befals them till sudden destruction comes upon them as Travail upon a Woman with Child and they shall not escape it Prov. 22.3 27.12 1 Thes 5.2 3. But the Wise with the prudent and provident Ant they foresee a Winter before â—…t be arrived while yet the Summer and Harvest last and the Sun shines warm upon them and they provide against it come provide their meat in the Summer and gather their food in the Harvest Prov. 6.7 8. 30.25 They know that though no Wild-Beast be yet upon them yet many such there are many evil spirits and evil men full of Craft Power and Cruelty and that they are not 〈◊〉 themselves able to encounter with them and make their party good against them they being a feeble folk in themselves and therefore preparing against the worst they with the Conies make their houses and habitatiâ—…ns in the rock they make the Lord their refuge the most High their habitation Pro. 30.26 Ps 91.9 They know that though the light be sweet its a pleasant thing for the eye to see the Sun yet the time of darkness will come too and that though a man may live many days rejoice in them all yet the days of darkness will or may be many because all that cometh is vanity and therefore they remember God their Creator in the days of their youth or choise before the evil days come and those years draw neer in which they shall say they have no pleaâ—…ure in them Eccles 11.7 8. 12.1 knowing and minding that in the world the followers of Christ must have tribulation and are lyable to many tryals and temptations and that they are often and may be so to themselves deep and heavy and of long continuance They with the wise Virgins are careful to furnish their Vessels with Oyle before they give rest to their Souls that so if long tryals come upon them and Christ defer his coming to help and deliver them figured out in the Parable by the Bridegrooms staying till midnight yet their Lamps may burn and shine and not go out that is they mind the word of God and knowledge of Christ and treasure it up within them laying up in store a good foundation therein against the time to come that they may lay hold on eternal life They meditate the Law and Doctrine of the Lord day and night and walk therein that they may have such hope and trust in the Lord as to be made like the tree planted by the waters side and that spreads out her roots by the Rivers that is not careful in the year of drought sees not or is not hurt by any evil nor ceases from bearing fruit c. Mat. 25.1 4 7 10. Jer. 17.7 8. and so they lay up knowledge and keep it within them Prov. 10.14 14.33 22.18 and yet so as they make use of it too to shine as Lamps by it and give light to others and so there is in them also 7. A right use making of their knowledg as it is said the lips of the righteous feed many Pro. 10.21 the tongue of the righteous useth knowledge aright Prov. 15.2 for as they keep knowledge Prov. 5.2 so they disperse it too Prov. 15.7 and so they use it not for pride and ostentation to puff up themselves with it or do hurt by it to others as fools sinners do increasing therethrough their own guilt punishment but to do good to instruct others so they are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Teachers as the Margin reads it or such as make others wise that is are Instruments of it in the hand of God As it is also said The wise in heart they thai with the hart believe the Gospel unto righteousness shall be â—…alled prudent and the sweetness of the lips â—…ncreaseth learning with the mouth confession is made to salvation For understanding is a well spring of life both to himself and others to him that hath it Whereas the instruction of fools is folly The heart of the wise teacheth or maketh wise his mouth and addeth learning to his lips Pleasant words are as honey comb sweet to the soul and health to the bones of them namely that hear and duly receive them Prov. 16.21 22 23 24. Rom. 10.10 and so we may take in here that other reading The Teachers or Instructers shall shine c. but then we must couple in the former reading with it and understand it of such Teachers as are also themselves wise in the points spoken to and explicated such as do first hear and obey
the word themselves and are doers of the truth they teach to others for it is not every one that saith Lord Lord that is the wise man for many shall say in that day to Christ Lord Lord have we not Prophesied in thy name and in thy name cast out Devils and in thy name done many wonderful works to whom He shall say Depart from me ye that work iniquity Therefore our Saviour likens him that hears his sayings and doth them to a wise man that built his house upon a rock and when the rain descended and the floods came and the winds blew and beat upon that house it fell not because it was founded upon 〈◊〉 Rock Whereas the hearer of them and thâ—… not doer the prating fool that receives not commandments to obey and do them is like a foolish man that built his house without a foundation or upon the sands and the rain descended and the floods came and the winds blew and beat upon that house and it fell and so the prating fool shall fall and great the fall of it Matt. 7 21-27 Prov. 10.8 But he that heareth himself speaketh constantly Prov. 21.28 And indeed this instruction may be signified in the diversity of construction of this word rendred wise and Teachers viz. That they that would be or are Teachers of others should be wise themselves i.e. Men of understanding fearers of God none others being wise in the Scripture language thence the righteous are opposed to fools Prover 14.9 Art thou a master in Israel saith our Saviour to Nicodemus knowest not these things John 3.10 implying that Masters or Teachers in Israel should not be strangers to the matters of regeneration whereof he had been there speaking Verily verily I say unto thee We namely Christ and his faithful servants speak what we know and testifie what we have seen ver 11. It is noted of our Saviour that He did and taught Act. 1.1 and so he would have others also do Whosoever saith He shall do and teach the same shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven Matth. 5.19 such are the subject of Gods promises here the truly wise for the foolish though prating fools shall not stand in Gods sight He hates as to fellowship wâ—…th him or as to admission of them to nighness to him all the workers of iniquity Psal 5.5 But the wise shall inherit glory Prov. 3.35 which is the summe and substance of what is here asserted when he saith They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the Firmament and that is 2. The Second thing in or part of the Proposition that that makes it up a full Proposition or Observation and therein we come to enquire what is imported in its being said They shall shine as the brightness of the Firmament Wherein I shall here only speak of its general import leaving the Metaphorical resemblance till afterward and so it 's to be noted that he saith not they do shine but in the future they shall which future may either refer to all the time of Michael's standing up as it may signifie the whole day of Christs manifestation and of the Gospel preaching him according to the revelation of the mystery and so indeed as our Saviour himself was the light of the world while a Preacher in it Joh. 9.5 So he calls John Baptist a burning and a shining light John 5.35 and his Disciples the light of the world Matth. 5.14 and the Angels of the seven Churches are called seven Stars Rev. 1.20 and both He and the Apostle would have the believers of his Doctrine and the Preachers thereof to shine as lights unto others holding forth the word of life Matt. 5.16 Phil. 1.1 with 2.16 or else it rather refers to the time to come When Christ shall be revealed from Heaven and come with all his Saints and they that here believed on him and served him and suffered with him shall appear with him in glory 1 Thes 3.13 Coll. 3.4 the time of the resurrection mentioned in the vers before or of the end of the world and this appears more properly to be the time spoken of because of what we find from our Saviour to that purpose in the Parable of the Wheat and Tares where our Saviour saith that in the end of the world the Son of man shall send forth his Angels and they shall gather out of his Kingdome all seandals or things that offend and them that do iniquity and shall cast them into a furnace of fire where shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth and adds Then at that time shall the righteous the truly wise shine forth as the Sun in the Kingdome of their Father He that hath ears to hear let him hear Mat. 13.40 41 42 43. Indeed here and now in this world and time though they be and shine as lights yet they are beclouded and obscured very much with reproaches put to shame and ignominy among men and that by the greatest persons of and such are in most repute for wisdome and learning with them and have a great lustre and splendour therethrough in the earth even as our Lord himself the bright and morning Star and the Sun of righteousness was vilified and set at naught by the Master builders the chief Priests Scribes and Pharisees and Rulers of the people they that thought themselves righteous and very wise and were reputed the most eminent and religious persons among others men of the straitest Sect of Religion that had a great deal of zeal and devotion a great appearance of piety and religion and whom the eyes of men were therefore generally upon as appears by that saying John 7.48 Have any of the Rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him These covered him over with reproaches calling him a Wine-bibber and a gluttonous man a friend of Publicans and Sinners Matthew 11.19 A Samaritan and one that had a Devil Joh. 8.48 One that deceived the people John 7.12 that He cast out Devils by Beelzebub the Prince of Devils Mat. 12.24 yea that he was Beel zebub himself Matt. 10.25 as if he had been a Devil incarnate instead of God manifested in the flesh a Blasphemer Joh. 10.33 36. Matt. 26.65 a Teacher of sedition and an enemy to Cesar Luke 23.2 John 19.12 and as He foretold that it should be with his Followers that they should be reproached and have their names cast out as evil doers so it befell and befalls them also and that too from men appearingly pious and religious that make a great shew and flourish in the flesh and would be esteemed the only Masters in Religion the most zealous and Orthodox by such oftimes the truly wise are reputed among the foolish and the followers of Christ numbred as He was with the transgressors suspected and accused of error or heresie false doctrine or bad living because not consenting with their Rabbiships in all their Dogma's or not conforming to them in all their scrupulosities or
Rome tells us she only is the true Church the house of God and God and Christ and the Holy Spirit and this heavenly Wisdome is only in and with her and so to be sought for there only other Societies say they are the holy and only Church and the truth and true wisdome only with them How shall we know whither to go Ans Search the Scriptures God hath â—…aused them to be written for our instruction â—…n righteousness and they are they that testifie â—…f Christ and therein also set forth and deâ—…cribe to us his true Church and all that â—…retend to the name of the Church acknowledg that those Scriptures are to be received as truth by us which we have among â—…s being the Scriptures of God in which â—…e have Gods testimony which is sure and â—…ill not deceive us but makes wise even â—…e simple ones that attend to it and to God 〈◊〉 and by it and they tell us that they are the Church of God or children of it that keep the â—…mmandments of God and the faith of Jesus Rev. 12.17 And truly by them the Church of Rome above all the rest is discovered to be that Strumpet and Harlot that magnifies her self as the only Queen or Lady but loves not Christ but gives his honour to graven Images and such like devises of their own to his Mother after the flesh and other deceased Saints and keeps not but expugnes Gods commandments as the Second Commandment against making graven Images and worshipping and bowing down to them and the Commandment of Christ that all his Disciples should drink of the Cup in the Supper of the Lord they notoriously cast by obtruding upon men her inventions and institutions for Articles of Faith as the Popes Supremacy and Infallability Transubstantiation Purgatory and many other matters strictly enjoyning her own commands while she castâ—… by Christs Yea she above all makes herself drunk with the blood of the Saints anâ—… Martyrs of Jesus So that the way to truâ—… wisdome is to decline and come out of thaâ—… filthy Babilon The Reformed Churches aâ—… to their bulk are visible enough but haâ—… their tares overspreading them too muâ—… too and their divisions and fractions 〈◊〉 that in a manner we may take up that coâ—…plaint of the Prophet Micah in respect 〈◊〉 true and thorough Members of the Catholick Church Wo is me for I am as when they have gathered the Summer fruits as the grape gleanings of the Vintage there is no Cluster to eat Scarce a pure Church or greater Society of all sound Christians in every respect But yet we may find such as to the main Fundamentals of the Faith hold and maintain them and so far as any do so and put not upon us Doctrines and Practises inconsistent with them we may so far own and join with them And amongst such Churches we may by the light of Gods Word taken heed to by us meet with here and there two or three or more doubtless with whom we may have more intimate Fellowship and Communion in the Name of Christ Who hath promised His presence in any so small a company of those that indeed confess and fear him Matt. 18.20 So that if we cannot find a whole Nation of hearty Believers and real Members of Christ nor a whole Countrcy or City Yet if we find but any smaller company of such as take heed to the Word of God and give up themselves to worship God in Christ and walke in their conversations according thereunto we need not be at a loss for finding God and Christ among them to to give us Wisdome and Understanding in the knowledg of himself and with such we may walk without needless breaches or separatings from the National Church or owning and outwardly acknowledging the truth though mixed with Tares Mat. 13.28 29. As David though not renting from the National Church of Israel though not faultless Neh. 8.17 yet was also companion more intimately of all such as feared God and of them that keep his precepts Psal 119.63 and resolved to praise God both in the Congregation more generally and in the Assembly of the upright Psal 111.1 even as those that feared God in Malachies time without renting or dividing from their publick Assemblies spake often one to another with Gods good approvement Mal. 3.16 17. yea and so our Saviour practised and his Disciples As for such as question the lawfulness of National Churches they seem to have forgotten the Scriptures that tell us That Christ shall call a Nation that he knew not and Nations that knew not him shall run unto him Isai 55.5 and that Christ sent his Apostles to disciple all Nations who surely therefore might disciple or church whole Nations as they were found complying with them Matt. 28.18 19 20. But were our case such as somtimes Elias supposed his to have been as thank God it is not that we knew none not corrupted in faith and practice from the word of God yet if we accordingly as God is preventing us with light and truth and by his spirit is therein enlightning and moving at our hearts as we shewed in the beginning of this discourse that wisdome is preventing men generally with her calls and counsels do yield up our hearts to God and as our Saviour saith do his will in what He makes clear and evident to us to be his will He will further instruct and teach us of his mind and we shall know the doctrines proposed to us whether they be of God or of men John 7.17 and walking in the light as God gives it forth to us and is in it we shall not fail to be of the true Church and to partake of the prayers and grace of it through Christ though we may be at some loss where to find it or the members of it Come we then to the testimony of God and close we with the light and truth He therein and thereby manifests unto us and we shall be in the way to get this wisdome for the testimony of God is sure when mens pretensions and boastings that they are the Church may deceive us The entrance â—…f Gods word giveth light and it giveth understanding too so as to make wise the simple Psal 19.7 and 119.130 so as to Salvation of which some mistakes through infirmity weakness of sight shall not deprive us But withal Go to them that sell Go to God in and by Christ Jesus in the operation guidance of his holy Spirit by earnest Prayer and Supplication as it is said If any man lack wisdome let him ask it of God who giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not and it shall be given him but let him ask in faith nothing doubting Jam. 1.5 6. Ask ye and ye shall receive for every one that asketh receiveth Matt. 7.7 8. Thus the Spouse addressed herself to her Beloved Tell thou me O thou whom my soul loveth where thou feedest and where thou causest thy flock to
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
own sinful ways because Christ hath died for them but for those things they must forsake the foolish and leave their own waies and come in to him and his waies For 2. God is not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness evil may not dwell with him fools may not stand in his sight he hates as to fellowship with them all the workers of iniquity Psal 5.4 5. No unclean thing or unrighteous thing or person therefore may enter into or inherit his his Kingdom 1 Cor. 6.9 Rev. 21.27 and therefore there is a necessity that we be washed sanctified justifiied made wise and righteous which we cannot be but by turning to God in and by Jesus Christ believing on and obeying him 3. It was Gods end in sending his Son and Christs in giving himself for us that He might redeem us from all iniquity and purifie to himself a peculiar people zealous of good works Not that he might justifie and save us and make us happy in our sins and uncleaness cleaness Tit. 2 13 14. He dyed for all that they that live should not henceforth live to themselves but to him that dyed for them and rose again 2 Cor. 5.15 4. Neglecting and refusing to come to Christ to believe on and follow him therefore men must needs perish in thir sins and uncleaness For 1. All things in this life and world will fail being vain and momentany All flesh is grass and the goodliness thereof as the flower of grass 1 Pet. 1.24 The world passeth away and the fashion and lust or desire of it 1 Joh. 2.17 1 Cor. 7.31 and all our own wisdom is bruitishness and folly with an enmity to God and he will destroy it Jer. 10.14 1 Cor. 1.19 3.19 20. and all our righteousnesses and goodness though after the Law but as a menstruous ragge so as we cannot live in or be justified by and on account of it Isa 64.6 Rom. 3.20 Gal. 3.10 nothing but Christ will preserve us from perishing Acts 4.11.12 2. Yea mens neglects of and rejections of Gods Grace and great Salvation provokes his heavy anger and displeasure which will kindle a fire that will never be quenched but will for ever burn upon them Mat. 22.7 Mark 9 44-48 Heb. 2.3 10.26.29 12.25 Such things are to be talked of proposed to and urged upon men sometimes one and sometimes another of these things to convert them to righteousness as also the discovery to men of what is the good acceptable and perfect will of God as to what he would have them do and practice in their believing on Christ that they may please him and have the fellowship of his spirit and his blessing And so what God and Christ require of them and his grace obliges them to do or deny or to forbear With the manifold incouragements to obedience and heartnings thereto against all temptations persecutions and whatever other discouragements in proposing Gods pretious promises and gratious readiness in Christ to pardon sins and accept of weak if upright endeavours and the like as the Scriptures abundantly evidence to which it would be too long to speak here particularly Such things are to be held forth by believers in holding forth the word of life in shining as lights among men Which they are to do also 2. In their works and conversation As the Apostle also implies when he saith Do all things without murmuring and disputing that ye may be blameless and harmless or fincere the Sons of God Without rebuke in the midst of a crooked and perverse Nation among whom ye shine or shine ye as lights Namely in so walking and demeaning your selves Both these ways Levy is said to have exercised himself in in his turning many away from iniquity Mal. 2.6 The Law of truth as the Gospel is called the Word of truth Ephes 1.13 was in his mouth and iniquity was not found in his lips There is the first thing And then the second follows viz. He walked with me in peace and equity and turned many from iniquity And indeed they that will not be won by the word may sometimes be won to the word by a good Conversation as is implyed 1 Pet. 3.1 For herein also we may shew forth the virtues of Christ and God in him while we as Strangers and Pilgrims abstain from fleshly lusts and have our Conversation honest among the Gentiles the uncircumcised in heart a Conversation that becomes and is answerable to the Gospel of Christ an holy humble charitable courteous upright and blameless Conversation So as that whereas they are apt to speak evil of us as of evil doers they may glorifie God by occasion of the good works that they shall behold in and from us in the day of visitation 1 Pet. 2.9 11 12. which our Saviour also evidently implies in his exhortation to his Disciples aforementioned in Mat. 5.16 When he saith Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works walk so well and blameless before them in your holding forth the word of life that your works may testifie of you and evidence the force and power of the truth believed and grace received and declared by you so as men may behold them and glorifie your Father which is in Heaven For this way also we may declare or shew forth his salvation even shew forth in our selves as evidences of it the saving virtue that is in the Gospel and Grace believed by us that the Gospel of Christ is the power of God to Salvation even to save men from their sins in the power and pollution of them yea and from the clogging force in sins guilt in the conscience â—…ausing deadness or sadness to every one â—…hat believeth whither Jew or Gentile And â—…erein we may shew forth his righteousness namely that god is upright faithful and â—…nd true in what he saith and promises while according to his promises we receive â—…is blessings in and upon us to the filling us with the fruits of his righteousness making â—…s apt to every good work and chearful â—…nd hopeful in God under all evils of adversity Psal 92.13 14 15. And also while we exemplify in our selves before men the righteous ways and practises which God would have men walk in And indeed without this all our profession or preaching is rendered vain and ineffectual exceedingly and instead of glorifying God as He is and will be in trees of righteousness of his planting Isa 61.3 God is dishonored among men by such as talking of and professing his love and grace do walk otherwise witness what the Apostle saith in Rom. 2.17 24. Behold thou art called a Jew and restest in the Law and makest thy boast of God and knowest his will and tryest the things that differ or approvest the things that are excellent being instructed out of the Law and art confident that thou thy self art 〈◊〉 guide of the blind a light of them that are in darkness an instructor of the foolish
light was with them John 12.35 36. and not as the Poet observed to be the common practise of men Presentem virtutem odio habere absentem quaerere invidi Horat. Slight present good out of envy of it and then when it is withdrawn seek for it when it cannot be had Surely it 's matter of lamentation for the Church and World to be deprived of any useful persons in them As also cause of sadness we have as the taking away such may presage judgments approaching upon us as is often found and as is implyed in Isa 57.1 2. The righteous man perisheth namely from among men and no man layeth it to heart And men of mercy or kindness are taken away none considering that the righteous is taken from the evil either the evil that is already predominant as Lot from the evil that vext his righteous soul or as we read it the evil to come as Lot also was and Noah when taken into the Ark from the approaching deluge He shall enter into peace c. In respect of him therefore we have cause of gladness as our Saviour said to his Disciples John 14.28 But in respect of our selves cause to grieve And God grant that that of our Saviour when the women wept for him when he went to his death may not be applicable to us Weep for you selves and for your Children for behold the days come in which they shall say Blessed are the barren and the wombs that never bare and the paps that never gave suck c Luke 23 28 29. Well what of judgment and correction to us there is in it it is good for us to bear Searching and trying our ways and turning again to the Lord who in divers such strokes and breaches made upon us hath been smiting us Blessing him that we enjoyed him so long and that he lived to fill up so fully the number of his years in which respect there is the less of judgment I conceive in his being now taken away And whereas we can now have no farther usefulness of him by any personal care of or service among us let us bewailing our unprofitableness under what we have had have the more regard to his Relicks I mean those good and useful Books and Writings the best and truest Relicks of the Saints to be made much of by the surviving lest behind him In and by which we may yet be minded of the sum and substance of what he spake to us and hear him as it were yet instructing us and reap the labours of his spirit for us Luke 16.29 2 Pet. 1.15 And let it be also our care as being in this his Death and Burial aptly minded thereof and provoked thereto so to number our days as to apply our hearts unto the heavenly Wisdom So as we following after the knowledge thereof and walking therein we may be accepted of God also and be accounted worthy to have our lot and portion among those that be wise who shall shine as the brightness of the Firmanant in the Kingdom of God and if it may be that we also may be instruments of turning many unto righteousness that we may shine then too as the Stars for ever and ever Amen Blessed be God for his unspeakable gift THE END A DOUBLE ACROSTICK Thy Race is Run and Having thy work done Oh may we too do Merit we can't but At Christs appearance Shall rise again and Thou full happily Home t' Heaven didst ply Ours so as we may Mercy find that day At that day when we Shall judg'd by him be More more such useful Once was the Prayer of Old Master Power 't was Rome's and Geneva's Even when thou dst shewd their Moores to us God send One who did attend Of old Bullinbrook Rocks when thou dst shook Errors by Gods Book So be it may we Either with us or Neither the Learned In many places On whom like gifts were Rarer endowments Say for few there be Else where like to thee Nor Vnlearned can Instance such a man Of Gods grace so show'd Richer parts bestow'd 〈◊〉 Epitaph on Mr. Tho. Moore Sen. HEre lies a man wrapt up in dust Whose better part 's in heaven we trust â—…he who through Grace with diligence â—…tain'd to great experience â—…d was with heavenly gifts indu'de â—…ove the common multitude â—…undantly Yea few there were â—…ny in Gods truth more clear 〈◊〉 many wisely did instruct â—…nvert to righteousness conduct â—…ways of Truth and Piety â—…herein himself did live and dy â—…d therefore though as all else must 〈◊〉 now be laid in clay and dust 〈◊〉 at the coming of the Lord 〈◊〉 make good what He in his Word â—…th promised He shall no doubt â—…m thence to glory be rais'd out â—…d then in brightness as the sky â—…ll shine and as the Stars on high â—…h gain hath godliness So good God to such as here have stood â—…his good counsels and have chose â—…th Christ above all things to cloâ—… â—…ving their sins his truth to 〈…〉 〈◊〉 minding seek the things 〈…〉 〈◊〉 such as read these 〈…〉 〈◊〉 Faith and pure Câ—… 〈…〉 To follow after Christ believing God will be faithful none deceiving Who trust to his good Word and so Let 's chuse in such good ways to go As this deceased Friend and all Whom holy men the Scriptures call For there 's no glory may compare With theirs who truly godly are John Horne Another Here lies a Father Friend and Brother Where 's he can shew me such another Learn'd not i' th' learning of the School But in that which who wants are fools His preaching writing walking-one His hands did not bely his tongue Christ in whom's all in all be blest And having done his work 's at rest Bâ—… Thomas Moore Anagr. O harm to some A Help he was to many Souls who His heavenly teaching had their heaâ—… 〈…〉 unto Christ in whom they met 〈…〉 â—…enly peace and blessed safety 〈◊〉 〈…〉 in 's such a sense 〈…〉 as a rock of offence â—…o such as his good counsels did reject â—…ot suff'ring them to have their due effect â—…or better not to have Gods grace set forth â—…han to reject or count it little worth â—…nd o to some his death's harm who depriv'd â—…f what advantage by him while he liv'd â—…hey had in Gods good ways are likely now â—…heir former love thereto away to throw â—…ea to the countries 't is more generally â—…harm where good men live for them to dy â—…r good mens worth and usefulness is oft 〈◊〉 such like names as these in Scriptures taught â—…ch treasures jewels lights o'th'world or stars â—…ods grain earths salt and sometimes its pillars â—…oss of which O what a harm t' would be â—…ightless heaven or grainless earth to see 〈◊〉 loose our jewels or rich treasures and â—…ose pillars whereon our choice buildings stand â—…d yet no less Churches or world's less when â—…d takes away therefrom his godly men â—…n such in Sodom had its safety been â—…r had