if it be throughly considered all these put together do not make good that Happiness and Peace which mankind so eagerly desires And they are to be had in Gods ways so the first and great Temptation Vanisheth If the Enemy cannot draw Men off from God and Religion he trys to corrupt and deceive them therein by Lies and false Suggestions but all this may be prevented by the written Word without and the understanding within he hath given us The Foundation of the whole is which way to atone please and find acceptance with Almighty God this cannot be better known then by what himself hath shewed by Angels his Son and Holy Men inspired by him Who have done it faithfully and truly and laid down a reasonable way to this purpose As we have received so ought we to walk that we may please God by complying with all his Mind and Will which he hath revealed unto us by them Now this could never be done unless it was known And this neither by seeing it in a Book nor hearing with the Ear for a Child doth this unless it be understoâ—d Thy hands have made me and fashioned me give me understanding that I may learn thy Commandments Psal 119. 73. The inspiration of the Almighty giveth men understanding Job 32. 8. He did not to Horse and Mule for these are carried by blind instinct of Desire and Aversation but we with Knowledge and Choice as to Good and Evil. Thy word is a Lamp unto my Feet And a Light unto my Path Ps 119. 105. Without that our own Understanding is altogether insufficient as may be seen by the wandrings of those of old time who were carried away with dumb Idols the strange Follies of Idolatry and Superstition that ignorance and uncertainty of the chiefest Good and Immortality Something may be observed at this day which confirms that The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are Foolishness unto him neither can he know them for they are spiritually discerned 1 Cor. 2. 14. It is an amazing thing to consider those who are prudent as to the Affairs of the World who have all Knowledge and Skill of the best way to get Riches and Honour who foresee and carefully avoid temporal Evils yet commonly these of all Men are most ignorant as to the things of God and their Salvation They think it beneath their parts to condescend to such things it is an undervaluing of their worldly Wisdom to practise Simplicity and Godly Sincerity This they esteem as fit for none but Ignorant and Foolish people One would admire hereat if he did not call to mind Mat. 11. 25 26. 1 Cor. 1. 18 19 20 26. The greatest Schollars are not always holy and obedient for Knowledge puffeth up and they Fancy it a Disparagement to come to the things that are base in the Esteem of the World and the things which are despised The Blindness received by Adams Transgression is not taken away for they disdain as they foolishly and ignorantly think the meanness of the Remedy There are some still Vain in their Imaginations and their foolish heart are darkened Professing themselves to be Wise they Deut. 8. 17. Isa 10. 13. in the end will become Fools that all may know who come into the Promised Land it was not their own Power or Wisdom brought them thither For through proud Nature we are apt to rob God of the Honour due to his Name to say we made our selves Happy Such boasting is false and hateful to our great Master who even this way teacheth us to acknowledge if we will speak but the truth that all our sufficiency is of him 2 Cor. 3. 5. If we are left to our selves all our Wisdom is Earthly Sensual and Devilish and serves for no other end but wisely to descend into Hell. Natural Reason alone is not able to Conduct unto Heaven for it knows not the way unless it had been for the revealed Will of God we had been also Grovelling in the Dark as our Ancestors or the Indians and Pagans at this time Wherefore we receiving a Kingdom which cannot be moved let us have Grace whereby we may serve God acceptably with Reverence and Godly fear Heb. 12. 28. Let us pray for the Holy Spirit which is promised to every one that Asks and that gives Life to the dead Letter making it understood and leads into truth sufficient to render us Happy That of guiding into all truth was a particular Promise to the Disciples as appears by the Words following He shall not speak of himself and he will shew you things to come John 13. 16 Now if he who boasts of thiâ— will do the other also have the Spirit of Prophecy as well as the pretended one of infallibility then this Scripture extends to him but seeing he hath not that neither the other for what Christ hath joyned together he is Antichrist that puts asunder Shew the things to come bereafter that we may know that ye are Gods Isa 41. 23. Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God or that is Worshipped So that he as God sitteth in the Temple of God shewing himself that he is God 1 Thes 2. 4. That same Jesus from whom he pretends to derive his Commission and Truth foretelleth that many false Christ's and false Prophets shall arise of whom we are to take heed and Commandeth Search the Scriptures John 5. 39. For that only Objection from 2 Pet. 3. 16. which the Man of Sin doth so mightily insist on to beat off the People from that word wherein his own ways and Corruptions are so Condemned The Argument doth not amount to so much as that we ought to abstain from Meat and Drink because possibly we may meet with Poison For the wresting of Scriptures to their own Destruction is a wilful known Act as the word Imports Poâ—son may be conveyed in unknown to us but it would be more ridiculous to say I will not Eat any thing because I know what is Poiâ—on and can Eat that also whereas this should encourage him the more to necessary Food because he knows the other and can avoid it The word of God is as necessary to nourish unto eternal Life as the other to preserve the present and none need to be afraid For this is certain however People are frightned and perplexed about Doctrines and Opinions necessary to â—alvation As in the ways of wickedness none Perishes without a Malâ—cious Sinful Stubborn and continued Trangression of the Will So it is of the understanding unless there is some Malignity and ill deserving therein God will never be eternally angry with Men for it Things are so ordered that every one may be saved by Labour and sincere Use of means and none mis-carries or is damned but through his own Fault and known Wilfulness God would have all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the Truth 1 Tim. 2. 4. The end is here
the same Mould he fashioned them all The poorest acknowledge that they are as much minded by God as the rich and so far they are right but then they go further Exod. 30. 15. and make themselves his only Favourites The ground of this Error is through Mis-application of those Promises in Scripture concerning this Condition But let them not be deceived for where is any mention made of spiritual good things it is to those Poor only who walk in their Integrity Hath not God chosen the Poor of this World the Apostle doth not say all of them but those who are rich in Faith and Heirs of the Kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him Jam. 5. 2. So they must believe and love God and then they must avoid sinning against him otherwise they have no place in Heaven Indeed many of them do so and more would if they did apply themselves to God and the Word of his Grace which is able both to bring in and build up Those whom the Proud ones call the ordinary sort of People will make the greater number in Heaven We see more of them allowing for their multitude that Practice Simplicity and Godly Sincerity then we can amongst those of higher rank for these have altogether broken the Yoke and burst the bands Jer. 5. 5. Being governed by Self-will and their own humour more then the Laws of God but the others are not altogether so forgetful and refractory And have a good will towards God in General but the Prophet remarks truly how Jer. 5. 4. they have not that knowledge which is to be desired for They understand not the things of Religion so well as they should but follow their own Opinions and Fancies Satan which deceiveth the whole World Rev. 12. 9. Hath taken advantage thereof instilling into them errors and deceits If you would indeed be in the right way to Heaven and not miss thereof at last give attendance to that Word which is to shew unto all the Path of Life When some have well resolved then they are distracted about Of different Communious the way one saith it is this another that It is agreed by all that the Scriptures do shew what is right so what they point out it is good to â—oâ—â—ow They give the Character of some who Taught the way of God in Truth Mat. 22. 16. Acts 16. 17. And therefore according to what is Written those both said and did it may be most surely trusted unto There have been Questions and different Opinions in past Ages but little is said of them in Holy Writ The Prophets make no mention of them speaking against Idolatry but say nothing as to Modes of Worship Our Saviour Speaks little concerning those Separate Meetings in his time and doth not express much zeal one waâ— or another His Apostles followed the same steps One witnesseth In every Nation he that feareth God and worketh Righteousness is accepted with him Acts. 10. 35. Being applyed to Cornelius a Gentile as may be gathered from Acts 11. 18 The diversity here was greater then amongst several Communions of Christians aâ— this day and therefore much more will they be saved in each Another Apoâ—â—le saith Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing b 〈…〉 thâ— kâ—â—p 〈…〉 of the Commandments of God 1 Cor. 7. 19. In Christ Jesus neither Circumcision availeth any thing noâ— uncircumcision but Faith which worketh by love Gal. 5. 6. A new Creature Gal. 6. 15. That was as important a Question as those in controversie now bâ—t there is not so much in them as Obedience and Holiness To which aâ—â—â—e the promises of God are and nothing at all to those distinguishing terms of Perswasion among us It is evident from Psal 25. 12 14. John 7. 17. 1 Cor. 2. 10. Phil. 3. 15. That whosoever sincerely fears God with his whole heart shall be directed into all necessary and saving Truth and then he must lay aside all Prepossessions and Prejudice Pride Humour Wordly Reasons coming in simplicity of Soul only out of a desire to be right and receive the love of the Truth that he may be saved 2 Thes 2. 10. For this is evident Continuance in a willful and known error is as dangerous as a willful and known sin and therefore to be equally avoided The Word doth discover Good and Evil Truth and Falshood so the Duty of every one is to set his Conscience as in the light of God with a readiness to think and do what is most according to his revealed Will and then he shall never perish through errour or falshood All Worship is designed to please and obtain acceptance with Almighty God. The hour cometh and now is when the true Worshippers shall worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth for the Father seeketh such to worship him John 4. 23. But this doth in no wise excuse from an humble bodily gesture and reverence of the outward Man the Subjection of both is to be shewed Therefore glorifie God in your Body and in your Spirit which are Gods 1 Cor. 6. 20. Certainly this Apostle knew what was a Gospel and Spiritual Worship yet He kneeled down and Prayed Acts 20. 36. The like did our Saviour Luke 22. 41. And Stephen and Peter Acts 7. 60 Acts 9. 40. It is to be observed in Publick Worship for so did Paul that being more Solemn and whereby God is Glorified Though the Lolling sort of behaviour is so much in use among the Country People when they come into the presence of God let them use it before their Governour or Great Men How will they be pleased with it And if they will not neither will he who even now remains a Great King and his Name is dreadful among the Heathen Mal. 1. 8 14. And though some may think that no more then another place yet they may consider what our Lord did John 2. 16 17. Mark 11. 15 16 17. Signifying plainly that more regard is to be had to the House of Prayer so called of all Nations and People extending to the Gospel Isa 56. 7. times when they come in The Apostle finds fault with the Corinthians abusing of the Sacrament making a Common Meal of it Have ye not Houses to eat or drink in or despise ye the Church Psal 29. 9. of God 1 Cor. 11. 22. The subject of that Chapter is about a comely behaviour in the Holy Assemblies What can be said to these plain Scriptures or how can they excuse themselves from Sin in not observing them Let Men put what meaning they will God is judge himself and they may at the last day be severely reproved for not obeying that command the reason whereof is eternally Obligatory Ye shall keep my Sabbaths and reverence my Sanctuary I am the Lord Lev. 19. 30. The design of the whole Gospel is Peace Unity and Love see Rom. 12. 18. Rom. 16 17. 1 Cor. 1. 10. 1 Cor. 10. 17. 2 Cor. 13. 11. Phil.
him for witness to a mischievous Lie. He prays God would help him according to the Truth he speaks but prevaricates that and his prayer shall turn into his own Bosom and so be destitute of his aid without which he shall perish If God did not keep silence none would presume to do after this manner and then could be no Tryal but in the other World shall be found true what is written Ps 50. 21. The Atheistical Disputer whom after-Ages will hardly believe to have ever been is more plagued with fears of eternal Vengeance then all the affectations of wit and applause amongst his monstrous Herd amount unto And this disadvantage lieth against him that those things are true even before Men were or could argue against them and so remain notwithstanding all absurd and foolish Imaginations It is better and more happy not to offend with the Tongue then to let it loose to its several kinds of Sin and Irregularity As for Actions What doth yield more real content then to do justly The rules whereof none violates without Regret and Condemnation There is an inward and sensible grief when any thing is done contrary to the Law written in the Heart It is vexation to reflect upon an injury done and they cannot endure to look the person in the face against whom it was and which is yet worse will add hatred and evil speaking to excuse themselves from the Wrong But the upright keeping a Conscience void of offence toward God and Man is not afraid nor ashamed to see any one Though he iâ— profitable to himself as the end of things will manâ—fest yet he wâ—ll now rather receâ—ve then do Wrong and hath for eaâ—nest of reward a free undesturbed mind So much in general of Thoughts Words and Actions Come we to Mans bodily Frame and Constitution with the growth and several Periods thereof It is composed of Flesh and Blood Bones and Sinews curious in its Contrivance each Member â—itted for the respective Office no part useless and the whole so knit together that the Work denotes God to be the only Author thereof Psal 119. 13 14 15 16. He made us and not we selves Psal 100. 3. This is here inserted because some ungodly natural People attribute too much to themselves as their Parents were causes of them and they of their Children This Temper ariseth from unbelief and ignorance and is much different from that of the Patriarch when his Wife said Give me Children or else I die his Anger was kindled greatly against her and he said Am I in Gods stead who hath with-held from thee the Fruit of thy Womb Gen. 30. 1 2. Psal 127. 4. But those would rob God of his Honour and who cannot make one hair White or Black nor add one Cubit to their Stature think that they give being to their Posterity and if they had not been neither should the others As if the Almighty could not have brought themselves into the World otherwise then by means of the Parents they had This is to limit the holy one of Israel Psal 78. 41. to confine his Power who hath made Heaven and Earth and there is nothing too hard for thee Jer. 32. 17. Who might have ordered us of this Generation and of this or that Family to have been born of Heathen Parents placed us in another Nation brought us into being a thousand years since if he had so pleased God hath established a Course of Nature and Acts according See Isa 24. 16. to it but therein Parents are only the instrumental cause of our Being And call no Man your Father upon the Earth For one is your Father which is in Heaven Mat. 23 9. Have we not all one Father Hath not one God â—reated us Mal. 2. 10. Thou O Lord art our Father we are the Clay and thou our Potter and we are all the Work of thy hand Isa 64. 8. Without an Almighty power that ordereth it cannot be imagined so excellent a Creature should proceed from such a mean beginning The Fathers according to the Flesh do nothing towards the infusion of the Soul and for the viler part no more then the Husband-man to make the Corn grow only scattering the Grain in the Earth Hast not thou poured me out as Milk and Crudled me like Cheese Job 10. 10. They are but instruments in the hand of God and by the meanness of them if the blinded World did see as much he doth the more magnifie his own Power It should teach us to abase our selves and the more to exalt our Maker Who might have created all mankind as he did the first immediately out of the Earth in fulness of Stature or to grow as Trees and Vegetables but by the same Wisdom he made the Heavens hath ordained this only way of coming into the World His Son was born of a Woman not by way of common Generation the blessed Virgin did not know Man The Holy Gbost came upon her the Power of the Highest over-shadowed her and therefore that holy thing was born of her which was called the Son of God Luk. 1. 35. All we that are conceived in the heat of Concupiscence are defiled but Christ sanctified the Womb. He submitted to the meanness of our Birth that he might take our whole Nature upon him Sin only excepted The Prophet Ezek. 16. 4 5. describes our Birth the poor Infant Of Infancy and Childhood comes forth in Pain and being exposed to unusual Light and Cold shews its dislike by Crying It is more destitute weak and ignorant then other Creatures at first are they never sinned but our most merciful God hath provided for this by implanting a Care and Affection in the Mother By degrees the Child is brought up and howsoever despicable it seemeth in our Eyes O Lord out of the Mouth of Babes and Sucklâ—ngs hast thou ordained Strength Psal 8. 2. Our Saviour hath testified his Love and regard for them Mat. 18 19. 19. 14. Even Men of perfect Stature must be born again or they cannot see the Kingdom of God Joh. 3. 3. Luk. 18. 18. In malice be Children but in understanding be Men 1 Cor. 14. 20. The tender Infant hath not so much of this as forefooted Beasts and Creeping things every toy and tâ—iâ—â—e pleases him for the present then he is weary of the same thing an Emblem that we are in pursuit after Happiness but do not find it He affects Variety of Foolâ—riâ—s which delight because he knows nothing better but as he grows up he puts away these things for more manly There is a Series of Play-games those that come to be the bâ—st and wisest Men when in this Age spake as a Child understood as a Child and thought as a Child 1 Cor. 13. 11. At this time of Life God winks and as the Follies thereof are not remembred by us so nâ—ither will they be imputed by our merciful Father Though it passeth away pleasantly we then taking as
years Knowledge and Reason should go before Action or else it will be blind and signifie nothing Some having constantly used a course of Devotion confine themselves barely to that which is but a means to somewhat more unto which they should still press toward Prayer is properly * Mark 11. 24. desire which argues a necessity of attention for we cannot desire those things which we do not mind and all forms are that we may live an Obedient and Holy Life Now it would be strange if we should pretend to desire that which we neither do nor endeavour after To imagine God is pleased with the bare saying of Words when they are neither minded nor understood it may be more truly thought that he likes better the Chirping of Birds then such Service from reasonable Creatures There hath been a deal of Chaunting forth of Mass and Toning out of Prayers But how well they have been sung or spoken forth we must have unworthy Thoughts of the Godhead if we suppose him to be delighted with the meer outward noise or reciting only such Words before him Which of our selves considering throughly can approve of it They must be Fools who offer such Sacrifice or think he will accept of it for he that gave to Man knowledge shall not he know When that can find and offer a better Worship will he not expect it Those who have been blind Worshippers of this sort go hastily in their way For they consider not that they do evil Be not rash with thy Mouth and let not thy Heart be hasty to utter any thing before God For God is in Heaven and thou upon Earth Therefore let thy Words be few Eccles 5. 1 2. In those private Books of Devotion which were designed for help of the ignorant they too often shew themselves more ignorantly for many say over the very Words not considering the Sense and say unto God It is so with them when it is not or Confessing what they have not been Guilty of or making Purposes and Resolutions which they never intend afterwards or saying several things which do not belong to them in Truth But so far hath ignorance and blind Custom proceeded that they think it enough if the Work is done so much read over the meaning is the least they consider of I will pray with the Spirit I will pray with the Vnderstanding also 1 Cor. 14. 15. Saith the Apostle but they pray only with the Lips or the Ear. This People draw near me with their Mouth and with their Lips do honour me but have removed their Heart far from me Isa 29. 13. This is not so much intended against that infirmity of wandring thoughts in Prayer but when of set purpose they keep their Heart to themselves not giving it to God but imagine to put him off with such outward Service What prodigious Folly is this to think to deceive God whom every one that believes must also conclude that all things are naked and open in his sight Heb. 4. 13. And every one that spies out a deceit intended to be offered unto him doth reject it with Abomination Neither the Calves of the Lips nor the various inclinations of the Body will serve without Confent and Subjection of the Soul. It is not bowing before the most High God nor falling prostrate with our Face to the ground for such a Submission may be â—eigned and the Body may be bending and creeping when the Heart in the mean while is lifted up and exalted our selves are not pleased with a Crawling posture where we think it is not sincere But He above knoweth all things The true Worship of God doth not consist in turning the Face such a way or being very nice in all Punctilios of outward posture though these are decent if they express the very Sense of the mind of intire Submission unto the whole Will of God a through perswasion Thou hast beset me behind and before Psal 139. 5. Not to think him more in one place then another But if those externals should be separated from that Worship in Spirit and in Truth John 4. 23 24. which the High Priest of our Profession hath said should be in these days they do much more displease then are acceptable unto God. Such Men worship they know not what or they will not know for had they right apprehensions they could never imagine that the bare outward performances will be received by that God with whom we have to do If any one of these should look here they will still go on in their own way and so let them but take heed that at last they be not deceived of their Expectation and Reward let them see Hag. 1. 5 7 8 9. They are only put in mind how their Service may be so ordered that God may accept it and be glorified therein In things pertaining to God we know but little without he had revealed himself and what he doth require So they must take Counsel or his Word how to please him if they wouâ—d partake of his Goodness and not be disappointed at last Which if they had done in Sincerity and Truth they would never have been so abominably mistaken as a great part of the Christian World hath been and is to this day in Matters pertaining to his Worship and Service The Scripture in many places doth shew the true Nature of Prayer Psal 10. 17. Psal 73. 28. Deut. 4. 29. Psal 119. 145. Jer. 29. 12 13. 1 Sam. 1. 13 15. Mat. 7. 7. Rom. 8. 26. Mat. 18. 19. 21 22. Luke 11. 18. Eph. 6. 18. Phil. 4. 6. Jam. 11. 5 6 7. Jam. 5. 16. 17. 1 Pet. 4. 7. Heb. 10. 21 22. Which set it forth as the earnest desire of the Soul. When we do ask and praise God for his benefits this is a reasonable Service being agreeable to what he requires and the utmost next to obeying his Will which we can render unto him The Sacrifice of the wicked is an Abomination unto the Lord But the Prayer of the upright is his delight Prov. 15. 8. It is stiled by another Name for such do not really Pray Can he beg Grace to forsake Sin which he doth not dislike Or for the Holy Spirit and good things when he hath not the least desire but aversion to them He may pray for a general Admission into the Heavenly Kingdom and to be preserved from that of darkness but in vain for the things cannot be separated which God hath joyned together Those Ordinances Mat. 13. 42 43. Mat. 25 46. John 5. 29. are ratified and unalterable Though besides their own Prayers Noah Job and Daniel and all the righteous Men that ever were should pour out their Supplications before the Throne of Almighty God for the Salvation of wicked and unregenerate Men yet it would not be granted The Case of Esau is lamentable and stands for a warning to all Generations of those who now for the Pleasures of Sin â—ell their Birth-right and