must not be suffered to lodge within us 2 Cor. 10.5 wee must cast downe imaginations and every high thing that exalteth it selfe against the knowledge of God An uncleane thing Iob. 14.4 Let us clense our selves from all filthinesse of the flesh and spirit 2 Cor. 7.1 perfecting holinesse in the feare of God Eph. 5.26 wee must bee sanctified and clensed with the washing of water by the word Ier. 4.14 wee must wash our heart from wickednes that we may be saved Heb. i0 22 we must get our hearts sprinkled our bodies washed with pure water i Pet. 1.22 we must purifie our selves in obeying the truth throgh the spirit Secret sinnes Psal i9 i2 Wee must call upon God to be informed thereof Ibid. and accordingly clensed therefrom The sinne wherein we are conceived and borne Psal 51.5 Wee must call upon God to purge Ibid. 7. wash and clense us therefrom Iam. 1.18 To beget us with the word of trueth that wee may be a kinde of first fruits of his creatures borne againe Ioh. 3.3.5 borne of water and of the Spirit 2 Cor. 5.17 and so in Christ new creatures The body of Sinne. Rom. 6.6 The same must be destroyed Ibid. knowing this saith Saint Paul that our old man is crucified with him that the body of sinne might be destroyed that henceforth wee should not serve sin Col. 2.11 The same in like manner must bee put off as the same Apostle writeth elsewhere The motions of sinne Rom. 7.5 We must not lodge them Ier. 4.14 either slight them but according to the meanes of knowledge bestowed upon us oppose them lest wee become vaine in our imaginations Rom. 1.21.26 and God in justice give us up unto vile affections Sinne. Rom. 7.8 We must be dead thereunto Rom. 6.2 Rom. 6 i2 wee must not let it reigne in our mortall body to obey it in the lusts thereof Rom. 6.13 either yeeld our members as instruments of unrighteousnes unto sin Ier. 4.14 we must wash our hearts therefrom Heb. 1i 24 we must refuse to enjoy the pleasures thereof Sin that dwelleth in one Rom. 7.17 We must not consent thereunto but so oppose it Ro. 7.20 that we may say with Saint Paul now if I doe that I would not it is no more I that doe it but sinne that dwelleth in me A warring law in our members Ro. 7.23 The law of our minde must warre against the same Ibid. that as the flesh lusteth against the Spirit Gal. 4.17 the spirit may in like manner lust against the flesh The body of death Ro. 7.24 We must be sensible therof and even long to bee delivered therefrom saying with Saint Paul Ibid. O wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from the body of this death Flesh Rom. 8.1 We must crucifie the same Gal. 5.24 we must not walke after the same Rom. 8.1 we must not live after the same Rom. 12.8 we must not make provision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof Ro. 13.14 wee must not warre after the flesh 2 Cor. 10.3 wee must not minde the things thereof Rom. 8.6 Enmitie against God Rom. 8.7 Wee must not favour the same either yet enter into any termes of reconciliation therewith Ibid. as which is not subject to the Law of God neither indeed can be The deeds of the body Rom. 8.13 Wee must through the spirit Ibid. mortifie the same that wee may live The lusts of the flesh Gal. 5.16 Wee must not fulfill them Ro. 13.14 we must crucifie the same Gal. 5.24 we must not be led away with them 2 Tim. 3.6 wee must not be drawne away of them Iam. 1.14 2 Pet. 2 i8 wee must not bee allured through them 1 Pet. 2 i1 we must abstaine from them Strong holds 2 Cor. i0 4 The weapons of our warfare must not be carnall Ibid. but mighty through God to the pulling down of them The desires of the flesh and of the minde Eph. 2.3 We must not fulfill them Ibid. as heretofore we have done 2 Chro. 15.12 but enter into a covenant to seek the Lord God of our Fathers with all our heart and with all our soule The vanity of the minde Eph. 4.17 We must not henceforth thus walke as other Gentiles walke Ibid. but endevour to bee renewed in the spirit of our minde Eph. 4.23 Rom. i2 2 transformed by the renewing of our minde 2 Cor. 3 i8 and changed into the image of God from glory to glory even as by the spirit of the Lord that Christ may be formed in us Gal. 4.19 and as we have born the image of the earthy 1 Cor. 15.49 we may also beare the image of the heavenly Adam Earthly members Col. 3.5 We must mortifie them Ibid. we must put them off Ibid. 8. we must not yeeld our members as instruments of unrighteousnesse unto sinne Rom. 6 i3 The old man Col. 3.9 We must put off concerning the former conversation Eph. 4.22 the old man which is corrupt according to the deceitfull lusts not contenting our selves till wee know assuredly Rom. 6.6 that our old man is crucified with Christ The lust of concupiscence 1 Thes 4.5 Every one of us should know how to possesse his vessell in sanctification and honour Ibid. not in the lust of concupiscence even as the Gentiles which know not God The deceitfulnesse of sin Heb. 31 13. We must exhort one another dayly Ibid. while it is called to day lest any of us bee hardened through the deceitfulnesse of sinne The sinne which doth so easily beset us Heb. 12.1 We must lay aside every weight Ibid. and the sinne that doth so easily beset us that we may runne with patience the race that is set before us Ibid. 4. yea wee must even resist unto blood striving against sinne A root of bitternesse Heb. i2 i5 We must looke diligently Ibid. lest any of us fail of the grace of God and s this roote of bitternesse springing up trouble us and therby many be defiled Entising lust Iam. 1.14 We must be carefull not to be allured thereby 2 Pet. 2.18.19 lest being of the same overcome of the same we be brought in bondage In a word We must alwaies walke so warily and circumspectly that in what kind soever after what manner soever under what name soever this our dangerous and deadly enemy shall assaile us wee may instantly oppose it resist it strive against it give it the foile Thus that the Flesh with the lusts and affections thereof is to bee encountred and so of the second particular CHAP. III. By whom the Flesh with the lusts and affections thereof is
to be encountred THe persons which are to performe this dutie The godly are the only mortifiers of sin and by whom alone the same is indeed performed are the children of God Iam. 1.18 whom of his owne will hee hath begotten with the word of truth Act. 15.9 purifying their hearts by faith and bestowing upon them as well a true sight and sense of sinne as an unfained hatred and detestation of the same they are such as have the spirit dwelling in them Rom. 8 i3 through which they mortifie the deeds of the body And they that are Christs have crucified the Flesh with the affections and lusts Gal. 5.24 saith the same Apostle they are such as having learned Christ Eph. 4.22 and beene taught by him put off concerning the former conversation the old man which is corrupt according to the deceitfull lusts they are such as have put off the old man with his deeds Col. 3.9.10 and have put on the new man which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him they are such as are already called to the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ and to the beliefe of his glorious Gospell men and women already sanctified and in part regenerate Psal 40.6 even those whose eares are already digged their eyes opened Act. 26 18. and themselves turned from darknesse to light and from the power of Sathan unto God must take uncessant and unwearied paines with constant and perpetualll endevours more and more to subdue beate downe mortifie crucifie destroy and vanquish all and every of these wicked sinfull and unlawfull affections lusts inclinations and habits that are in them till they have even pulled them up by the roots and cast them quite out of their hearts 1. Even the best of Gods children have corruption It is manifest enough that there is even in the best and most holiest of Gods children a great deale of corruption an evill eye which must be pluck'd out Mar. 9.43 and a bad hand that must be cut off not a few spots and wrinkles infirmities and imperfections evill lusts and affections which must be done away while they are here on earth how farre soever they are proceeded in the new birth they doe but know in part 1 Cor. i3 9 there is something lacking in their Faith 1 Thes 3.10 so in their Love Holinesse Humility and such other graces Iam. 5.17 even Elias himselfe being subject to like passions as we are Why corruption is suffered to abide in Gods children And this the Lord suffereth for the greater glory of himselfe disgrace of Sathan and good of his own children Needs must it tend greatly to the praise and glory of God shame and disgrace of the Devill that the Lord knoweth how and is able to keepe and preserve such weake and feeble vessels as we are against all the power of Hell and to make them Conquerers over Sathan in that very flesh which is so polluted with sin and was once depraved by the Divell No lesse tendeth the same to our good God being pleased hereby to humble us and to exercise those gifts and graces of his Spirit that hee hath bestowed upon us 2. Gods children must not winke at their owne sins It is no lesse evident that they are not to connive at their owne sinnes are not to beare with sin in themselves nay of all others must walke most circumspectly lest either through sinne they doe wound their owne consciences or give occasion unto the enemies of God to blaspheme 3. The more corruption is sleighted the more it encreaseth It s also without question that the lesse carefull they are in subduing their lusts the more they are by them sleighted they get the greater strength and put the Saints to a great deale of trouble which they might have easily avoided 4. The grace of mortification bestowed only upon the Saints It is in like manner found true by experience that on them alone God is pleased to bestow the grace of Mortification and unto them alone so to blesse the meanes tending thereunto that they become effectuall Many seem to have it who notwithstanding have it not True it is that as of old the Philosophers by the very light of Nature abstained from most grosse sins out of their love unto Vertue writing excellent Bookes in the commendations therof by whose painfull labours though hereby they gained unto themselves not any thing else but humane applause or the commendations of men God of his mercy did much good unto others as the Bees gather honey to the profit of others not their owne they in the meane time glorying in those vertues and condemning others better then themselves who notwithstanding never knew the inward working of chastitie temperance modestie humility gravity and the like vertues by themselves commended not unlike the Pharisees whose life outwardly seeming blamelesse as also their crueltie greedines and pride artificially covered under the vaile of outward Preaching Prayer Almes-deeds Phylacteries and such like wanted not they applause of the people howsoever inwardly they were wholly unmortified and uncircumcised in heart so there are now not a few whose carriage is outwardly commendable and their conversation unblameable especially at some times and in some companies yea who often outstrip even the children of God in bridling their tongue and restraining their passions of anger griefe and the like which notwithstanding are yet in their sinnes daily denying the power of godlines wholly ignorant of their inward heart yea such of whom it may bee truely said that their Oblations are vaine Isal 1.13 Pro. 21.27 their Incense and Sacrifice even their best and most pious workes abomination unto the Lord Mat. 5.20 and except their righteousnes doe exceed the righteousnes of the Scribes and Pharisies they shall not enter into the kingdome of heaven 5. Neither can it be denyed but that as the Lord is pleased to bestow on them alone the grace of Mortification and unto them alone The godly the onely persons which doe in truth labour for Mortification so to blesse the meanes tending thereunto that in them they become effectuall so they are the onely persons which labour and endevour for the same in sinceritie and truth which by all meanes possible labour to obtaine this precious jewell and hid Manna of inward grace the Circumcision of the heart and are accordingly blessed in their expectation Ioh. 4.24 They know that all the worshippers of God must worship him in Spirit and truth â— Ioh â— 5 They understand that God is light and in him is no darknes who beholds all iniquitie especially inward whereof Angels Divels and Men may be ignorant They have also that glorious knowledge Psal 45.13 that Christs Spouse is all glorious within as accordingly must all the Bride-Maidens arrayed with the glorious garments of the needle-worke of the Spirit who shall
sinne We obtaine hereby a further further hatred of sin an higher and higher detestation thereof with all the severall sorts of the same In the Ceremoniall law the same was shadowed under leprosies uncleanissues uncleane birds beasts foules leprous garments as also by the uncleannesse of men and women Levit. 11.12 13 c. vvhosoever was defiled by any of those was to be purified from his uncleannesse In the verity are all these figures accomplished Let us cast off the work of darknes saith the Apostle and make no provision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof Rom. 13.12.14 He saith not cast off the worke but the workes of darknesse not the lusts but the lusts of the flesh So elsewhere hee saith not purge out one part of the old leven but purge out the old leven 1 Cor. 5.7 that is every part the remnant crummes thereof like to that where he saith that I may present you as a chaste Virgin to Christ 2 Cor. 1i 2 Will the Lord Iesus look upon any uncleane person Shall it bee perfected where it was not begun So the same Apostle Eph. 4.22 Put off concerning the former conversation the old man which is not a part of sinne but all the old garment thereof as men when they goe to bed put off all their cloaths or those that cast away an old ragged torne and worne garment whereof they are ashamed and never intend to put on againe and put on that new man which after God is created in righteousnesse and true holinesse Eph. 4.24 even all the parts not one part alone of the garment we are to abstain even from all appearance of evill 1 Thess 5.22.23 and to bee so sanctified that our whole Spirit and soule and body be presented blamelesse unto the comming of our Lord IESVS CHRIST wee must abstaine even from the garment spotted with blood Simil. As the Nethinims left not in the Temple of Solomon any uncleane thing not swept away So must every one of us be a spirituall Nethinim in our owne soule to sweepe away all uncleannes yea the least idle thought Math. 12.42.8 for it is not a King like Solomon that comes into this Temple but one in every respect greater then Solomon the Soveraign of the whole World vvho neither will nor can abide any uncleannesse His house Note his bed his garden his tabernacle his temple a Christian Soule is all those cannot be too neatly and cleanly kept Deserveth not such a guest who is purer then the Heavens and abideth not where impuritie is entertained deserveth not he I say to dwell in a pure heart peculiar to himselfe yea so jealous he is that hee cannot indure that any other should come there and being the great high Priest himselfe with the seven eyes cannot bee deceived with a shew of puritie but unlike unto the jealous Husband in Numb knoweth both when how Num. 5 i2 and by whom his bed hath beene polluted If our Saviours first comming required preparation of his way in our hearts Math. 3.3 and his continuall presence vvith us namely since he vvent to Heaven and married us to himselfe Hos 2.19 in mercie truth and compassion the like how then should we think to bee arrayed who are continually called to the marriage of the Lamb If this standing continually by the preaching of the Word and Sacraments benefits promises corrections c requireth such preparation deserveth not his last comming greatest preparation of all 2 Pet. 3 i0.11 when the Elements shall be dissolved and the Earth burnt with fire which notwithstanding never sinned but was subjected to vanitie for our sinnes What manner of persons ought we to be in all holy conversation and godlines Alasse for pitty wee weigh not such counsels and directions prescribing us to cast away all our Idols as Rachel Leah Gen. 35.4 and the family of Iacob gave them to be buried ere ever they went to Bethel Alas I say and so may we all wee have journyed to Gods Bethel vvith our Idols of abomination taking hold on the horns of the Altar vvith hypocriticall Adonijah 1 King 1.50 and 2.28 and bloody Joab yea which is worse we think to come to the Bethel of Bethels GODS holy House in Heaven notwithstanding we reserve yet some Idols not cast away which are of us secretly vvorshipped putting as it were a wall betweene God and us as did the Idolaters mentioned by Ezekiel Ezek. 8.7 If such were their secret how great think wee were their open abominations Sathans policie O strange policie of the Prince of darknesse by whom thousands are brought through the wicked imaginations of their heart under that fearfull woe even who call evil good Isa 5.20 and good evill that put darknes for light and light for darknes that put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter how are they deceived with the false arrogant and perverse opinion of their owne heart about true repentance inward and outward dreaming be like that actuall abstinence from actuall sinnes is sound and sincere Repentance Mar. 6.20 What availed it Herod to abstain from many actuall sinnes in the meane time retaining one Idol his sinne of Adultery or Incest Isa i. 1i.i2.13.14 What availed it the Jewes to continue their Sacrifices observe the new Moones and Sabbaths offer incense c. in the mean time living in hypocrisie Could the Lord away with the same were not both themselves and their whole Worship abomination in his sight The intention of the heart not sufficient of it selfe Neither is it enough to alledge the intention of the heart if in the meane time their conversation be sinfull Iam. 3.15 such wisedome commeth from beneath He that abhors one sinne will abhorre all Note and they that rightly have respect to one of Gods commandements as they are Gods commandements will have respect to them all as hee that breaks one breaks all for the Commandements are so linked together that if one be broke all will dissolve except that one be repaired Simil and as they that broke one of the Acts of the Medes and Persians though unrighteously decreed were put to death Dan. 6.15 and they that maintaine any one Rebell Simil. are accounted of as if they had maintained all the Kings enemies as accordingly Abimilech the Priest with all his Fathers House were slain by Saul 1 Sam. 22.18 for his supposed Conspiracie with David in giving him of the Shew-bread and Goliahs sword and they that break any one Statute are as well liable unto the Kings censure as if they had broke them all 1 King 2.46 as Shemei found by experience through his going out of Ierusalem contrary unto Solomons direction so are all those liable unto the severity of Gods justice The danger even of one sinne unrepented of which doe wittingly and willingly maintaine in themselves any one
Two Treatises The first is A plain PLATFORM FOR PREACHING Whereby The Word of Truth may be rightly divided And he that speaketh speak as the Oracles of God Digested into 20. Propositions The second is THE DESTRUCTION OF In-bred Corruption OR An Antidote against fleshly Lust By A. Symson Minister of Gods word London Printed for John Wright at the Kings Head in the Old Bailey 1658. To the Honourable Trustees for maintenance of Ministers and other Pious Uses c. Sir John Thorrowgood of Kensington Knight George Cowper Richard Young John Pocock Ralph Hall Richard Sydenham Edward Hopkins John Humfries and Edward Cresset Esquires Grace Mercy and Peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. IT 's written of the Bereans Acts 17.11 That they were more noble then those in Thessalonica What! more nobly descended more nobly educated of greater antiquity learning valour power renown or any other external priviledge prerogative or respect Not so for if by the Bereans we understand the Citizens of Berea which was a city in Macedonia not far from Pella where Alexander the Great was born they came far short of the Thessalonians in many if not in all the forementioned respects Or if by them we understand the Jewes which dwelt in Berea See Beza on the place and had a Synagogue there whereinto Paul entred when he came thither as is most consonant and agreeable to the Text they were in outward respects in the very same condition wherein the Thessalonian Jews were not more enobled dignified preferred But herein they were more noble then those in Thessalonica in that they received the Word with all readiness of minde and searched the Scriptures daily whether those things were so Erasmus Paraph. That is according to one For they received the Doctrine of the Gospel very readily every day searching the Scriptures diligently that they might see how those things that they had learned by the Apostles instruction agreed with the Prophecies and Figures of the Law Halls Paraph Or according to another They chearfully received the Word of our Gospel and took pains to search the Scriptures and to compare our Doctrine with the Text of the Prophets to see if we had alledged them aright Having thus received the Word thus searched the Scriptures which the other did not they were therefore more noble then they more ingenuous better affected To be well reported of reputed of both whilst they are alive and when they shall be dead is that which all should and many do affect Pro 22.1 For a good name is rather to be chosen then great riches Eccles 7.1 And a good name is better then precious ointment Nor are the Deserving to be deprived of their due commendation for hereby not onely of Deserving they become more deserving Virtus laudata crescit but others also endeavour to follow them propound them as fit patterns for their imitation Paul is not here deprived of his due nor are the Bereans of theirs but both commended by the holy Ghost in this sacred History Paul for that having been so often in danger and suffered so much already of the Jews Acts 9.23 as at Damascus when they took counsel to kill him and to this intent watched the gates day and night for the prevention whereof the Disciples let him down by the wall in a banket Acts 13.45 At Antioch where they spake against those things which were spoken by him contradicting and blaspheming where also they stirred up the devout and honourable women and the chief men of the City and raised persecution against him and Barnabas and expelled him out of their coasts Act. 14.5 At Iconium where there was an assault made both of the Gentiles and also of the Jews with their rulers to use them despitefully and to stone them so that for their own preservation they fled unto Lystra and Derbe At Lystra where they perswaded the people and having stoned Paul drew him out of the City supposing he had been dead Acts. 16.23 At Philippi where both he and Silas had many stripes laid upon them were cast into prison with a charge given unto the Jaylor to keep them safely At Thessalonica where the Iews which believed not moved with envy Acts 17.5 took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort and gathered a company and set all the City on an uproar and assaulted the house of Jason and sought to bring them out to the people That having I say been already in such dangers and suffered so much he would again adventure by going into the Synagogue of the Iews which was in Berea and there preaching the Word and testifying the Gospel of the grace of God Oh the Faith Patience Zeal Magnanimity Charity Confidence and Constancy of this faithful Servant of Christ Yea Tu ne cedematis sed contra audentior ito the more his enemies were the greater his troubles the more the greater was his resolution What saith he himself The holy Ghost witnesseth in every city saying Acts 20.23 24. That bonds and afflictions abids me But none of these things move me neither count I my life dear unto my self so that I might finish my course with joy and the ministery which I have received of the Lord Jesus to testifie the Gospel of the grace of God Act. 21.4 And again The Diseiples having said to him through the Spirit that he should not go up to Ierusalem And Agabus foretold that the Iews at Ierusalem would binde him and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles whereupon all they that were present besought him not to go up to Ierusalem He answered What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart for I am not ready to be bound onely but also to dye at Ierusalem for the Name of the Lord Jesus The Bereans That they admitted Paul into their Synagogue permitted him to preach there did not disturb him whilst he was preâ—ching not onely heard him but received the Word by him taught with all readiness of minde examining and trying the same as being unto them new and whereof they had not formerly heard nor were therewith acquainted at all by the Scriptures of the Old Testament which they daily and duly searched for their further both satisfaction and confirmation Whereunto may be added That they were not led away with the Errour of the wicked Jews did not follow them though a multitude in evil but loved what they loathed embraced what they despised received what they rejected the good Word of God taught by the Apostle Paul Were Ministers now such as Paul was People now such as the Bereans were how happily might they enjoy each other How much would Unity and Amity abound How much Love Concord Peace What mutual endeavours for the good of each other How would God be glorified the Church edified the Gospel flourish Truth triumph Errour decrease Satan lose of his power and interest
But alas what Factions and Fractions what Jars and Wars what Divisions Shismes Rents Breaches are among them How do they persecute prosecute one another As they differ in judgement especially about their Meum and Tuum the one seeking to get what they conceive to be their due the other seeking to retain what they conceive to be none of theirs so between them there 's no small alienation of affections For the Divisions of Reuben Judg. 5.15 there were once among the people of God great thoughts Heb. Impressions of heart Oh that for our present Divisions we were thus affected then would we employ the utmost of our endeavours especially fervent and constant Prayer unto God to quench this Fire make up this Breach heal this Sore till then we are Physicians of no value In the mean time as Timothy was a diligent follower of Pauls Doctrine 2 Tim. 3.10 Marg. manner of Life Purpose Faith Long-suffering Charity Patience so let all such as are or would be reputed Gods Ministers herein follow Paul follow Timothy 2 Tim 2.15 Let them study to shew themselves approved unto God workmen that need not to be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth Let them preach the word 2 Tim. 4.2 be instant in season out of season reprove rebuke exhort with all long-suffering and Doctrine Great is their Dignity Honos great also is their Duty Onus Hereof the very Names whereby they are set forth in Scripture may put them in minde as amongst many others these few Ambassadours for Christ 2 Cor. 5.20 Builders 1 Cor. 3.10 Ensamples to the Flock 1 Pet. 5.5 Fathers begetting men and women through the Gospel 1 Cor. 4.15 Guides Heb. 13.7 17. Marg. Interpreters Job 33.23 Labourers together with God 1 Cor. 3.9 Messengers Isa 44.26 Overseers Acts 20.28 Pastours Jer. 3.15 The Salt of the Earth Mat. 5.13 Shepherds Jer. 50.6 Stewards of the Mysteries of God 1 Cor. 4.1 Teachers Isa 43.27 Watchmen Isa 52.8 and 62.6 Jer. 6.17 and 31.6 Ezek. 3.17 and 33.7 Every of which calleth upon them to be diligent and faithful in the execution of their ministeriall Function And for the People would they but seriously consider what the Apostle Paul required of them with relation unto their Ministers 1 Tim. 5.17 Let the Elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour especially they who labour in the Word and Doctrine And again Heb. 13.17 Obey them that have the rule over you and submit your selves for they which for your souls as they that must give account that they may do it with joy and not with grief for that is unprofitable for you Without peradventure they would be swift to hear Jam. 1.19 to hear the Word of God the excellency necessity and utility whereof who is able sufficiently to express and to receive with meekness the ingrafted Word Mar. 16.26 What is mainly to be aimed at in preaching and hearing the Word 2 Tim. 1.13 which is able to save their souls This even this the souls salvation being of more value then the whole world is that which is mainly to be aimed at both in preaching and hearing To further this the Preacher is to hold fast the form of sound Words whereby both the substance of sound Christian Doctrine and the form of expressing and delivering it may be understood He is to preach 2 Tim. 2.15 1 Pet. 4.11 but rightly dividing the word of truth He is to speak but as the Oracles of God He must preach the Gospel 1 Cor 1.17 1 Cor. 11.9 but not with wisdom of words or speech He must utter by the tongue words easie to be understood how else shall it be known what is spoken Shall he not speak into the air Shall he edifie the ignorant and unlearned Shall he not be unto them a Barbarian The Apostle Paul did excel in Learning was a notable Linguist Logician Rhetorician what not yet what saith he of himself I thank my God I speak with tongues more then you all yet in the Church I had rather speak five words with my understanding that by my voice I might teach others also then ten thousand words in an unknown tongue In Preaching regard is to be had unto the Auditory whether they be learned or unlearned knowing or ignorant to use learning in a learned Auditory is suteable but plainness is most fit for a plain Auditory There are who run before they are sent and take upon them to be Teachers of others they themselves standing in need of instruction both about the Matter or what they are to teach and about the Method or how they are to teach To remedy both and that that which is daily done will be done howsoever here may be well done to the glory of God and edification of his people I have thought good to communicare what was many years ago bestowed upon me by a dear friend and faithful Minister of Gods word now with God A plain Platform for Preaching whereof if they whose Learning is but small and their experience in preaching not very great shall be pleased to make use I doubt not but that through Gods blessing on their endeavours both their Matter and Method of Preaching will prove satisfactory and give good content There are many who have writ on this Subjest as Mr. Perkins in his Art of Prophesying Mr. Bernard in his Faithful Shepherd Keckerman in his Rhetorica Ecclesiastica Sculterus in his Method of Preaching Erasmus in his Ecclesiastes Jacohus Reneccius in his Clav. Sacrosanctae Theologiae Solomon Glassius in his Philologia Sacra Weems in his Christian Synagogue Hyperius Illyricus with diverse others But this Platform being so short and substantial so plain and easie to be understood and containing so much in such a small bulk Magnum in parvo I conceive to be most fit especially for the unskilful unexperienced young Beginner For This I humble crave your Honours Patronage that under your Names it may appear in publique And vouchsafe also your Protection unto a poor Orphan The Destruction of in-bred Corruption or An Antidote against fleshly Lusts which was some years ago exposed unto publique view and had Patrons who were then able to defend it but those being either dead or disabled it now runneth unto your Honours for shelter Both these I present unto your Honours as tokens of my Thankfulness for your continued Favours The Almighty God who is the exceeding great reward of all them that walk uprightly before him in whose hand is the length of dayes bless and prolong your dayes here to the Advancement of his Glory the Propagation of the Gospel and the Comfort Supportation and Encouragement of all the Conscionable Faithful Painful and Religious Labourers in the Lords Harvest and after this life crown you with Glory for ever So prayeth Your Honours in all humble duty Andrew Symson A plain PLATFORM FOR PREACHING Whereby The Word of Truth may be
he heard Ziba's treacherours report he had not so rashly condemned innocent Mephibosheth had he been watchfull over his heart 2 Sam. 24.2 he would not have so vented the pride thereof in bidding Joab goe number the people Gen. 19.33 had Lot been so watchfull as he should his daughters had not so couzned him Mat. 26.33 had Peter not beene too confident of his own strength he had not denied his master when we presume most of our own strength Note then are we in most danger when we are most distrustfull most suspicious of our selves then are we in most safety Simil. The more gates a City hath the more wayes the enemy may enter the more windowes a house hath the more wayes may a thiefe breake thorow and therefore the more care and watchfulnes is required for prevention Our little City hath store of gates our house store of doors and windows we must therefore be watchfull over them lest ruine come upon us ere we be aware 8. Spirituall joy and gladnes Spirituall joy and gladnesse in the worship and service of God and the things which concerne his glory when the soule rejoyceth in God it opposeth whatsoever displeaseth him Prov. 2.10 When wisdome entreth into thine heart and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soule discretion shall preserve thee understanding shall keep thee to deliver thee from the way of the evill man from the man that speaketh froward things to deliver thee from the strange woman even from the stranger which flattereth with her words I protest by our rejoycing 1 Cor. 15.31 which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord saith S. Paul I die daily 9. Spirituall and holy medition that 1. of Gods nature Spirituall meditation of 2. of Gods word 3. of Christs sufferings 4. of heaven it self Gods nature Gods Nature Psal 5.4 that he is not a God that hath pleasure in wickednesse neither shall evill dwell with him The foolish shall not stand in his sight he hateth all workers of iniquity Prov. 5.21 That the ways of man are before the eys of the Lord and he pondreth all his goings Heb. 4.13 That there is no creature that is not manifest in his sight all things being naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to doe Rom. 2.6 who will render to every man according to his deeds to them who by patient continuance in well-doing seeke for glory honour immortality and eternall life But unto them that are contentious and doe not obey the truth but obey unrighteousnes indignation and wrath This is the will of God 1 Thess 4.3 even your sanctification and therefore as he which hath called you is holy 1 Pet. 1.15 so be ye holy in all manner of conversation Gods word Gods Word Rom. 1.16 as being the power of God unto salvation quick and powerfull and sharper then any two-edged sword Heb. 4.12 piercing even to the dividing asunder of soule and spirit and of the joints and marrow a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart Gods sword which doth most wound Satan and kill the body of sinne which in like manner through the assistance of Gods Spirit shaketh the very foundation of mans corruption Doth it incite us unto covetousnesse what saith the Word 1 Tim. 6.10 The love of money is the root of all evill which while some coveted after they have erred from the faith and pierced themselves thorow with many sorrows unto whoredome what saith the Word Heb. 13.4 Whoremongers and adulterers God will judge Unto wrath and envy what saith the Word Job 5.2 Wrath killeth the foolish man and envy slayeth the silly one Unto falshood what saith the Word Lying lips are abomination to the Lord. Pro. 12.22 Unto drunkennes what saith the Word Pro. 23.29 Who hath woe who hath sorrow who hath contentions who hath babling who hath wounds without cause who hath rednesse of eyes they that tarry long at the wine they that goe to seeke mixt wine Unto theft what saith the Word Exo. 20.15 Thou shalt not steale The like might be instanced in every other particular Besides the Word containeth a twofold Catalogue the one of blessings for the penitent the other of judgements for the impenitent Moses in the 28. of Deuteronomy laying downe as it were a briefe of both as more briefly Saint Paul unto the Romans Rom. 2.9 Tribulation and anguish upon every soule of man that doth evill of the Jew first and also of the Gentile But glory honour and peace to every man that worketh good to the Jew first and also to the Gentile The due meditation of either with the certainty as well of the one as the other serving not a little to further us in our mortification Christs sufferings Christs sufferings An especiall furtherance unto mortification 1 Pet. 4.2 For as much then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh saith Saint Peter arme your selves likewise with the same minde for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men but to the will of God Hereof the same Apostle informs us in the second Chap. Who his owne selfe saith he bare our sinnes in his owne body on the tree 1 Pet. 2.24 that we bring dead to sinnes should live unto righteousnesse Heaven Heaven who so looketh for Christ from Heaven cannot but lead an heavenly life for our conversation is in Heaven saith Saint Paul from whence also we looke for the Saviour Phil. 3.10 the Lord Jesus Christ So unto Titus Teaching us that denying ungodlines and worldly lusts Tit. 2.12 we should live soberly righteously and godly in this present world looking for that blessed hope and the glorious Appearing of the great God and our Saviour Iesus Christ Thus Moses Hee chused rather to suffer affliction with the people of God Heb. ii 25.26 then to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season esteeming the Reproch of Christ greater Riches then the Treasures in Egypt for hee had respect to the Recompence of the Reward Finally that wee may indeed mortifie our lusts deale wee with them as Ioseph did with his Mistris and Pharaoh with the Israelites For Ioseph 1. Being tempted by his Mistresse to lye with her Gen. 39.8 he gave her at the very first a flat deniall 2. Hee yeelded sufficient reasons for his refusall as well in respect of his master her selfe as God 3. Though shee spake unto him day by day yet hearkned not he unto her to lie by her or to be with her 4. When being occasionally alone in the house with him shee had caught him by his garment saying lye with me he left his garment in her hand and fled and got him out So being tempted by our lusts and entised We are to
raigning bosome sinne May not an house set on fire in any one part bee at the length burnt to ashes as well as if it had beene set on fire in sundry places will not one cord as well hang a thiefe as many may not Saul be as really slain by his one one sword 1 Sam. 31.4 as hee had beene if every Philistim had given him a stab with a severall one nay further May not a Naile in the hand of Iael as well destroy Sisera Iudg. 4.21 as Baraks Sword or Speare could have done a stone out of a sling no lesse fell mighty Goliah to the ground 1 Sam. 17.49 then his owne sword cut off his owne head May not a man as well bee drowned in a pond or pit of water as in the middle of the Ocean I may yet descend lower May not an haire throttle one a flie choke one a crum of bread occasion a mans death It is thus with sinne with every sin with the smal lest sinne even the least wandring thought the least idle word the smallest sinne if any can be so truely termed deserveth Hell fire 8. We doe hereby attaine unto a true hatred of sinne We hate sin for sin or as it is a breach of Gods Lawes not so much for the punishment thereof as for it selfe For even Reprobates though they hate not sinne as sinne or because it is a transgression of Gods Law yet may they hate it in respect of the punishment ensuing thereupon and so in outward appearance seeme haters of sinne But Sathan herein howsoever with the Painter he draweth the colour of the fire yet cannot he paint the heat thereof The ungodly not true haters of sinne though his Instruments seeme haters of sinne yet are they not so in truth but for by respects They doe not hate sinne for sinne as the Saints do in heart and outwardly testifie in word and deed Mortification like circumcision This precise Mortification answers very prettily to the Figure of Circumcision as all the fore-skin was put away so will not the Lord have any one sinne to remaine in his Saints unmortified which they are not accordingly to oppose hate and persecute unto the death This sort of true Repentance as it is prophecied in the Person of the penitent Idolaters Isa 27.9 so is it verily accomplished in all penitent sinners to whom our God makes all sinne and that for sinne so odious and detestable both inwardly and outwardly that they cast it away like a menstruous clout crying against their Sinnes hence away in token of their extream indignation therat We understand that the Jews in signe of that inward hatred that they had at our Lord and Saviour without a cause cried Away with him away with him Luc. 23.18 we out of this should gather an infinite and endless hatred against sin The Iewes hatred of Christ an Argument to work in us hatred of sinne as through which our Lord taking upon him our sinnes suffered all this We must even so hate it as to cast it out to afford it no entertainment and from our very hearts to cry against it Hence away away with it yea dayly and hourly to run unto God by Prayer for the assistance of his Spirit against the same Note that if those pricks of the Flesh may not wholly be removed and we wholly rid of this Old man during our abode heere in this vale of misery Rom. 6.12 yet that sinne may not so reigne in our mortall bodies that we should obey it in the lusts thereof Thus ye see that howsoever our good God is pleased to leave even in his dearest Saints some dregs of corruption as the Canaanites were left in the land Iude 2.3 for the further triall of the Israelites yet as out of the belly of the Lyon Samson had honey Iudg. 14.8 so even out of them and in the dayly mortifying of them the Saints gather no small store of fruitfull benefits and heavenly comforts sweeter then the honey and the honey-combe Thus of the motives or encouragements which wee have unto this spirituall Combat and so of the seventh Particular CHAP. VIII Necessary Caveats to bee observed in this spirituall Encounter AS in temporall Warfare it is ordinary for the Generall of the Army to direct his Soldiers how to behave themselves in the Battell Directions no lesse needfull in this spirituall then they are in the corporal warfare when where how and against whom to fight what Weapons to use what courses to take to daunt the enemy how to discerne and make use of advantages against whom especially to bend their forces how to prevent the enemies Stratagems and so in other particulars no lesse requisite is this course in this our spirituall Warfare 2 Sam. 21.15 Skilfull David may venture too farre to the endangering of his life 2 Sam. 11.16 wary Vriah may step into the forefront of the Battell and fall when as another standing had been fitter for him 1 King 22.32 The Captains of the King of Syria may mistake Jehosophat for Ahab 2 King 14.12 Amaziah may provoke Iehoash to his owne overthrow 1 Sam. 4.3 the Israelites may so relye upon the Arke of GOD comming amongst them as if assuredly they should bee saved from their enemies that as wel they themselves shall be vanquished as if taken by the enemie Benhadad with his two and thirty Kings that helped him may be drunk 1 King 20.16 not dreaming in their jollity that an handfull of Israelites shall vanquish both him them and their populous Armies Thus may it befall us in encountering the Flesh Caveats therefore being prescribed accordingly must wee follow our prescriptions The Caveats are these The Caveats 1. We must not be lets unto our selves in vanquishing our corruuption Wee must not through our worldly mindednesse or unnecessary employment of our selves about the things of this world be le ts unto our selves in vanquishing our lusts as ESAV deprived himselfe of the blessing through his wearisome hunting and the Gadarens bad CHRIST depart out of their bounds Mat. 8.34 and the wicked Jewes caused God to depart frm the Temple Ezek. 10. How can those vanquish their lusts which doe not so much as to this end set the least time apart 2. We must not cast away our armour or in any sort yeeld Wee must not cast away our Armour or in any sort yeeld but still keep firme our confidence in GOD For if any man draw backe his Soule shall have no pleasure in him Heb. 10.38 Whereunto that of the Psalmist agreeth For loe Psalm 73.27 they that are farre from thee shall perish thou hast destroyed all them that goe a whoring from thee 3. We must be wise in the application of Scripture unto our selves We must not apply unto our falls of infirmity such places of Scripture as are to be
Lord your God fighteth for you Iudg. 1.12 It was the Angels speech unto Gideon The Lord is with thee thou mighty man of valour It is no lesse true even of the weakest Christian that doth in truth oppose his lusts who may therefore triumph in the words of David Ps 60.22 Through God wee shall doe valiantly for hee shall tread down our enemies and of Paul If God bee for us Rom. 8.31 who can bee against us Heaven it selfe Heaven it selfe I have fought a good fight saith S. Paul I have finished my course 2 Tim. 4.7 J have kept the faith henceforth there is laid up for mee a Crowne of righteousnesse which the Lord the righteous Judge shall give me at that day and not to me onely but to them also that love his appearing Oh the promises of great reward if we shall fight lustily and persevere therein Whatsoever wee have beene heretofore set we our selves now against our lusts The foregoing time of our ignoraÌ„ce Act. 17.30 God hath graciously winked at but now commaundeth he all men every where to repent Some J know are men yea mighty men of valour others babes in Christ his young and tender lambes let not those waxe carelesse but go on in their might that they may be saved from their spirituall Midianites and let these labour for strength and courage casting all their care on God who careth for them 1 Pet. 5.7 O Jerusalem Ier. 4.14 wash thine heart from wickednesse that thou maist be saved how long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee 2 Cor. 7.1 Oh let us clense our selves from all filthinesse of the flesh and spirit perfecting holinesse in the feare of God Rom. 6.12 Let not sinne reigne in your mortall body that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof Neither yeeld yee your members as instruments of unrighteousnesse unto sinne but yeeld your selves unto God as those that are alive from the dead and your members as instruments of righteousnesse unto God Rom. i3 i2 The night is far spent the day is at hand let us therefore cast off the works of darknes and let us put on the Armour of light Rom. i3 i3 let us walke honestly as in the day not in rioting and drunkennesse not in chambering and wantonnesse not in strife and envying but put ye on the Lord Iesus Christ and make not provision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof Epâ—h 4.17 This J say therefore and testifie in the Lord that ye henceforth walke not as other Gentiles walk in the vanity of their mind having the understanding darkned being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them because of the blindnesse of their heart who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousnesse to work all uncleannes with greedines Col. 3.5 Mortifie your members which are upon the earth fornication uncleannesse inordinate affection evill concupiscence and covetousnesse which is Idolatry for which things sake the wrath of God commeth on the children of disobedience Jn the which ye also walked sometime when ye lived in them Eph. 4.22 Put off concerning the former conversation the old man which is corrupt according to the deceitfull lusts and be renewed in the Spirit of your mind putting on that new man which after God is created in righteousnes and true holines Tit. 2.11 for the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men teaching us that denying ungodlines and worldly lusts we should live soberly righteously and godly in this present world Heb. 13.12 Take heed brethren lest there be in any of you an evill heart of unbeliefe in departing from the living God but exhort one another dayly while it is called to day lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulnesse of sinne Heb. 12.12 lift up the hands which hang downe and the feeble knees and make straight pathes for your feet lest that which is lame be turned out of the way but let it rather bee healed looke diligently lest any man faile of the grace of God lest any root of bitternesse springing up trouble you and thereby many be defiled 1 Pet. 4.2 For as much as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh arme your selves likewise with the same minde for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sinne that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men but to the will of God for the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles when we walked in lasciviousnesse lusts excesse of wine revellings banquetings and abominable idolatries wherein they thinke it strange that you runne not with them to the same excesse of riot speaking evill of you 1 Pet. 2.11 Dearly beloved I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims to abstaine from fleshly lusts which warre against the soule 1 Pet. 2.12 having your conversation honest among the Gentiles that whereas they speake evill against you as evill doers they may by your good workes which they shall behold glorifie God in the day of visitation Finally my brethren be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might Eph. 6.10.11 Put on the whole armour of God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the Devill for we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities against powers against the rulers of the darknesse of this world against spirituall wickednesse in high places wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God that ye may be able to withstand in the evill day and having done all to stand Stand therefore having your loynes girt about with truth and having on the brest-plate of righteousnesse and your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospell of peace above all taking the shield of faith wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked and take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God praying alwayes with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit and watching thereunto with all perseverance Thus shall our corruption bee weakned our flesh subdued our old man crucified the body of sinne destroyed our consciences quieted Gods Commandment obeyed himselfe well pleased our selves both in soule and body here and hereafter really and truly blessed Iude 24. Now unto him that is able to keepe us from falling and to present us faultlesse before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy To the onely wise God our Saviour be glory and majesty dominion and power now and ever Amen FINIS