II. Such as have this Kingdom of God set up in them it calls for gratulation and thanksgiving What will you be thankful 〈…〉 not for a Kingdom Grace is the best Blessing it is the result and product of Gods electing love God in setting up his kingdom of grace hath done more for you â—han if he had made you Kings and Queens for now you are born of God and of the Blood-Royal of Heaven O admire and exalt free Grace Make Gods pâ—â—ise glorious Psal. 66.2 The Apostle seldom mentions the work of Grace but he joyns praise Col. 1.12 Giving thanks to the Father who hath made us meet for the inheritance of the Saints in light If God hath crowned you with the Kingdom of Grace do you crown him with your Praises 2. The Second thing intended by our Saviour in this Petition is That the Kingdom of Grace may encrease that it may come more into us And this may answer a Question Quest. Why do we pray Thy Kingdom come when the Kingdom of Grace is already come into the Soul Answ. Though the kingdom of grace be already come into us yet still we must pray Thy Kingdom come namely that grace may be encreased and that this kingdom may flourish still more in our Souls Till we come to live among the Angels we shall need to pray this Prayer Thy Kingdom come Lord let thy kingdom of grace come in more power into my Soul let grace be more augmented and encreased Quest. 1. When doth the Kingdom of Grace increase in the Soul when is it a flourishing Kingdom Answ. 1. When a Christian hath further degrees added to his graces there 's more oyl in the lamp his knowledge is clearer his love is more inflamed Grace is capable of degrees and may rise higher as the Sun in the Horizon It is not with us as it was with Christ who received the Spirit without measure Iohn 3.34 Christ could not be more holy than he was but our Grace is receptive of further degrees we may have more sanctity we may add more cubits to our spiritual stature 2. Then the kingdom of Grace increaseth when a Christian hath gotten more strength than he had Iob 17.9 He that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger Hebr. Iosiphometz He shall add to his strength A Christian hath strength to resist temptation to forgive his enemies to suffer affliction 't is not easie to suffer a Man must deny himself ere he take up the Cross The way to Heaven is like the way which Ionathan and his Armour-bearer had in climbing up a steep place 1 Sam. 14.4 There was a sharp rock on the one side and a sharp rock on the other It requires much strength to climb up this rocky way That Grace which will carry us through Prosperity will not carry us through Sufferings The Ship needs stronger tackling to carry it through a storm than a calm Now when we are so strong in Grace that we can bear up under affliction without murmuring or fainting here is the kingdom of grace increased What mighty strength of grace had he who told the Emperour Valentinian you may take away my Life but you cannot take away my love to the Truth 3. Then the Kingdom of Grace encreaseth when a Christian hath most conflict with Spiritual Corruptions he not only abstains from gross Evils but hath a Combat with inward hidden close Corruptions as Pride Envy Hypocrisy vain Thoughts carnal Confidence these are spiritual Wickednesses and do both defile and disturb 2 Cor. 7.1 Let us cleanse our selves from all filthiness of Flesh and Spirit Which shows there are two sorts of Corruptions one of the Flesh the other of the Spirit when we grieve for and combat with spiritual Sin as being the Root of all gross sins Now the Kingdom of Grace encreaseth and spreads its Territories in the Soul 4. Then the kingdom of grace flourisheth when a Christian hath learned to live by Faith Gal. 2.20 I live by the Faith of the Son of God There is the Habit of Faith and the drawing of this Habit into exercise For a Christian to graft his hope of Salvation only upon the stock of Christs Righteousness and make Christ all in Justification to live on the Promises as the Bee on the Flower and suck out the sweetness of them to trust God where we cannot trace him to believe his Love thorough a Frown to perswade our selves when he hath the Face of an Enemy yet he hath the Heart of a Father when we are arrived at this here is the Kingdom of Grace flourishing in our Souls 5. When a Christian is arrived at holy Zeal Numb 25.13 Phinehas was zealous for his God Zeal is the Flame of the Affections it turns a Saint into Seraphim A zealous Christian is impatient when God is dishonoured Rev. 2.2 he will wrestle with difficulties he will swim to Christ through a sea of blood Act. 21.13 Zeal loves truth when it is dispised and opposed Psal. 119.126 They have made void thy Law therefore I love thy Law Here is grace encreasing like the Sun in the Horizon Zeal resembles the Holy Ghost Acts. 2.2 There appeared cloven Tongues like as of fire and it sate upon each of them Tongues of fire were an Emblem of that fire of zeal which the Spirit poured upon them 6. Then the Kingdom of Grace encreaseth when a Christian is as well diligent in his particular Calling as devout in his general He is the wise Christian that carries things equally that doth so live by Faith that he lives in a Calling Therefore it is worth our Notice when the Apostle had exhorted the Thessalonians to encrease in grace 1 Thess. 4.10 he presently adds ver 11. And that ye do your own business and work with your hands This is a sign grace is encreasing when Christians go chearfully about their Calling Indeed to be all the day in the Mount with God and to have the Mind fixed on glory is more sweet to a Mans self and is an Heaven upon Earth But to be conversant in our Callings is more profitable to others I may allude to that of St. Paul To be with Christ is best for me yet to abide here is more needful for you Phil. 1.24 So to converse with God in Prayer and sweet Meditation all the Week long is more for the Comfort of a Man 's own Person but to be sometimes employed in the business of a Calling is more profitable for the Family to which he belongs 'T is not good to be as the Lillies which toyl not neither do they spin It shows the encrease of grace when a Christian keeps a due Decorum He joins Piety and Industry when zeal runs forth in Religion and Diligence is put forth in a Calling 7. Then the Kingdom of grace encreaseth when a Christian is established in the belief and love of the Truth The heart by nature is as a Ship without Ballast it wavers and fluctuates
the Angelical this is to reflect dishonour upon the Lord of Glory We must give equal honour to the Son as to the Father we must believe Christs Deity he is the picture of his Fathers Glory Heb. 1.3 If the Godhead be in Christ he must needs be God but the Godhead shines in him Col. 2.9 In whom dwells the fulness of the Godhead bodily Ergo he is God How could these Divine Titles be given to Christ Omnipotency Heb. 1.3 Ubiquity Mat. 28.20 a power of sealing Pardons Mat. 9.6 coequality with God the Father both in power and dignity Iohn 5.21 23. how I say could these Titles of Honour be ascribed to Christ if he were not crowned with the Deity When we believe Christs Godhead and build our hope of Salvation on the Corner-stone of his Merit When we see neither the Righteousness of the Law or of Angels can justifie but we fly to Christs Blood as to the Altar of Refuge this is an honouring and sanctifying Gods name God never thinks his name to be hallowed unless his Son be honoured 13. We hallow Gods Name by standing up for his Truths Much of Gods Glory lyes in his Truths Gods Truths are his Oracles God intrusts us with his Truths as a treasure We have not a richer Jewel to trust God with than our Souls nor God hath not a greater Jewel to trust us with than his Truths Gods Truths set forth his Glory now when we are zealous Advocates for Gods Truth this is an honour done to Gods name Athanasius was called the Bulwark of Truth he stood up in the defence of Gods Truths against the Arrians and so was a Pillar in the Temple of God better have Truth without Peace than Peace without Truth It concerns the Sons of Sihon to stand up for the great Doctrines of the Gospel the Doctrine of the Trinity the Hypostatical Union Justification by Faith the Saints perseverance We are bid to contend earnestly Iude 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to strive as in an agony for the Faith that is the Doctrine of Faith This contending for the Truth brings great revenues into Heavens exchequer this is an hallowing of Gods name Contend for the Truth Some can contend for Ceremonies but not for the Truth We should count him unwise that contends more for a box of Counters than for his box of Evidences 14. We hallow and sanctifie Gods name by making as many Proselites as we can to him by all holy expedients Counsel Prayer Example we endeavour the Salvation of others How did Monica St. Austins Mother labour for his Conversion she had sorer pangs in travail for his new birth than for his natural birth 't is an hallowing Gods name when we diffuse the sweet savour of Godliness and propagate Religion to others when not only we our selves honour God but are instruments to make others honour him Certainly when the heart is seasoned with Grace there will be an endeavour to season others Gods Glory is dear to a Saint as his own Salvation and that this Glory may be promoted he endeavours the conversion of Souls every Convert is a Member added to Christ Let us thus hallow Gods name by labouring to advance piety in others especially let us endeavour that those who are nearly related to us or are under our roof should honour God Iosh. 24.15 As for me and my house we will serve the Lord Let us make our houses Bethels places where Gods name is called upon Col. 4.15 Salute Nymphas and the church that is in his house Let the Parent endeavour that his Children may honour God and the Master that his Servants honour him read the Word drop holy Instruction perfume your Houses with Prayer the Iewes had Sacrifices in their Family as well as in the Tabernacle Exod. 12.3 this is an hallowing Gods name when we make proselites to him and endeavour that all under our charge should honour and sanctifie his name 15. We hallow Gods name when we prefer the honour of Gods name before the dearest things 1. We prefer the honour of Gods name before our own credit The Saints of old have for the honour of God been willing to endure reproach Psal. 69.7 For thy sake I have born reproach David cared not what reproach he suffered so Gods name might not suffer The Prophet Elijah was called in derision the hairy Prophet and the Prophet Isaiah the bearer of burdens and the Prophet Zephany the bitter Prophet but they did bind these reproaches as a crown about their head the honour of Gods name was dearer to them than their own honour Moses esteemed the reproaches of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt Heb. 11.26 The Apostles went away rejoycing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for the name of Christ Acts 5.41 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that they were graced so far as to be disgraced for the name of Christ This is an hallowing Gods name when we are content to have our name eclipsed that Gods name may shine the more 2. We prefer the honour of Gods Name before our Worldly profit and interest Mal. 19.27 We have forsaken all and followed thee When these two God and Estate come in competition we will rather let Estate go than Gods Love and Favour Thus that noble Marquess of Vico parted with a fair Estate using these words Let their money perish with them that count all the Gold and Silver in the World worth one hours communion with Iesus Christ. 3. We prefer the honour of Gods name before our Life Rom. 8.36 For thy sake are we killed all the day long The honour done to Gods name is not by bringing that outward Pomp and Glory to him as we do to Kings but Gods honour comes in another way and that is by the Sufferings of his People When the World sees how intirely Gods people love him that they will dye in his service this exalts and honours Gods name Gods Crown doth flourish in the ashes of his Martyrs St. Basil speaks of a Virgin condemned to the fire who having her Life and Estate offered her if she would bow to the Idol answered Valeat vita pereat pecunia Let Life and Money go welcome Christ. When Gods Glory weighs heaviest in the ballance and we are willing to suffer the loss of all rather than Gods name should suffer now we do in an high degree hallow Gods name 16. Vlt. We do hallow and sanctifie Gods name by an holy Conversation 1 Pet. 2.9 Ye are a royal priesthood a peculiar people that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you As an unholy life doth dishonour Gods name Rom. 2.24 The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you so by our holy and Bible Conversation we honour Gods name An holy Life speaks louder than all the Anthems and Praises in the World Though the main work of Religion lyes in the heart yet when our light so shines that others behold it
had ever been her chiefest delight 3. If the Scripture is of Divine Inspiration Believe the Word The Romans that they might gain Credit to their Laws reported that they were inspired by the Gods at Rome O give credence to the Word it is breathed from God's own Mouth Hence ariseth all the prophaneness of Men they do not believe Scripture Isa. 53.1 Who hath believed our Report Did you believe the glorious Rewards the Scripture speaks of would you not give diligence to make your Elections sure Did you believe the Infernal Torments the Scripture speaks of would not this put you into a cold sweat and cause a trembling at heart for sin But People are in part Atheists they give but little credit to the Word therefore they are so impious and draw such dark shadows in their Lives Learn to realize Scripture get your hearts wrought to a firm belief of it Some think if God should send an Angel from Heaven and declare his Mind then they should rather believe him or if he should send one from the damned and preach the Torments of Hell all in Flames then they would believe But Luke 16.31 If they believe not Moses and the Prophets neither will they be perswaded though one arose from the dead God is wise and he thinks this way fittest to make his Mind known to us by writing and such as will not be Convinced by the Word shall be Judged by the Word The belief of the Scripture is of high importance It is the belief of Scripture that will inable us to resist Temptation 1 Iohn 2.14 The Word of God abideth in you and ye have overcome the wicked one T is the belief of Scripture conduceth much to our Sanctification therefore these two are put together Sanctification of the Spirit and Belief of the Truth ◠Thess. ◠13 If the Word written be not believed it is like writing on the Wate◠which takes no impression 4. Love the Word written Psal. 119.97 O how love I thy Law Sint 〈◊〉 deliciae meae Scripturae sanctae Lord saith Augustine let the holy Scriptures be my chast delight Chrysostom compares the Scripture to a Garden every Truth is a fragrant Flower which we should wear not in our Bosom but our Heart David tasted the Word sweeter than the Honey and the Honey-comb Psal. 19.10 There is that in Scripture may breed delight It shows us the way to Riches Deut. 28.5 Prov. 3.16 to long Life Psal. 34.12 to a Kingdom Hebr. 12.28 Well then may we count those the sweetest hours which are spent in reading the holy Scriptures Well may we say with the Prophet Ier. 15.16 Thy words were sound and I did eat them and they were the joy and rejoycing of my heart 5. Conform to Scripture Let us lead Scripture Lives O that the Bible might be seen printed in our Lives Do what the Word commands Obedience is an excellent way of Commenting upon the Bible Psal. 86.11 I will walk in thy Truth Let the Word be the Sun-Dial by which you set your Life What are we the better for having the Scripture if we do not direct all our Speeches and Actions according to it What is a Carpenter the better to have his Rule about him if he sticks it at his back and never makes use of it for the measuring and squaring his work So what are we the better for the Rule of the Word if we do not make use of it and regulate our Lives by it How many swerve and deviate from the Rule The Word teacheth to be sober and temperate but they are drunk to be chast and holy but they are prophane they go quite from the Rule The Scriptures are Canonical but their Lives are Apocryphal What a dishonour is this to Religion for Men to live in a Contradiction to Scripture The Word is called a Light to our feet Psal. 119.105 It is not only a Light to our Eyes to mend our sight but to our Feet to mend our walk O let us lead Bible Conversations 6. Contend for Scripture Though we should not be of contentious Spirits yet we ought to contend for the Word of God this Jewel is too precious to be parted with Prov. 4.13 Keep her for she is thy Life The Castle of Scripture is beset with Enemies Hereticks fight against it we must therefore 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 contend for the Faith once delivered to the Saints Jude 3. The Scripture is our Book of Evidences for Heaven shall we part with our Evidences The Saints of old were both Advocates and Martyrs for Truth they would hold fast Scripture though it were with the loss of their Lives 7. Be thankful to God for the Scriptures What a Mercy is it that God hath not only acquainted us what his Will is but that he hath made it known to us by writing In the old Times God did reveal his Mind by Revelations but the Word written is a surer way of knowing God's Mind than by Revelation 2 Pet. 1.19 This Voice which came from heaven we heard we have also a more sure word of prophecy The Devil is God's Ape and he can transform himself into an Angel of Light he can deceive with false Revelations As I have heard of one who had as he thought a Revelation from God to Sacrifice his Child as Abraham had whereupon he following this Impulsion of the Devil did kill his Child Thus Satan oft deceives People with Delusions instead of Divine Revelations therefore we are to be thankful to God for revealing his Mind to us by Writing We have a more sure word of prophesie We are not left under a doubtful Suspence that we should not know what to believe but we have an Infallible Rule to go by The Scripture is our Pole-star to direct us to Heaven it shews us every step we are to take when we go wrong it instructs us when we go right it comforts us And 't is matter of Thankfulness that the Scriptures are made intelligible by being translated 8. Adore God's distinguishing Grace if you have felt the Authority and Power of the Word upon your Conscience if you can say as David Psal. 119.50 Thy word hath quickened me Christian bless God that he hath not only given thee his Word to be a Rule of Holiness but his Grace to be a Principle of Holiness Bless God that he hath not only written his Word but sealed it upon thy Heart and made it effectual Canst thou say it is of Divine Inspiration because thou hast felt it to be of lively Operation O Free-grace that God should send out this Word and heal thee that he should heal thee and not others that the same Scripture which is to them a dead Letter should be to thee a Saviour of Life That there is a GOD. Quest. III. WHat do the Scriptures principally Teach Resp. The Scriptures principally teach what Man is to believe concerning GOD and what Duty GOD requires of Man Quest. What is
prejudice the Saints Second Benefit If we are adopted then we have an Interest in all the Promises The Promises are Childrens Bread Believers are heirs of the Promise Heb. 6.17 The Promises are sure God's Truth which is the brightest Pearl in his Crown is laid to pawn in a Promise The Promises are suitable like a Pâ—â—sick-garden there is no Disease but there is some Herb in the Physick-garden to cure it In the Dark of Desertion God hath promised to be a Sun in Temptation to tread down Satan Rom. 16.20 Doth Sin prevail he hath promised to take away its Kingly Power Rom. 6.14 O the Heavenly Comforts which are distilled from the Limbeck of the Promises But who hath a Right to these Believers only are Heirs of the Promise There is never a Promise in the Bible but a Believer may say This is mine Use ult Extol and magnifie God's Mercy who hath adopted you into his Family who of Slaves hath made you Sons of Heirs of Hell Heirs of the Promise Adoption is a free Gift He gave them power or dignity to become the sons of God As a Thread of Silver runs through the whole Piece of Work so Free-grace runs through this whole priviledge of Adoption Adoption is a greater Mercy then Adam had in Paradise he was a Son by Creation but here is a further Sonship by Adoption to make us thankful Consider in Civil Adoption there is some worth or excellency in the Person to be adopted but there was no worth in us neither Beauty nor Parentage nor Vertue nothing in us to move God to bestow the Prerogative of Sonship upon us We have enough in us to move God to correct us but nothing to move him to adopt us therefore exalt Free-grace begin the work of Angels here Bless him with your Praises who hath blessed you in making you his Sons and Daughters SANTIFICATION 1 THESS 4.3 For this is the Will of God even your Sanctification THe Notion of the word Sanctification signifies to consecrate and set apart to an holy use Thus they are sanctified Persons who are separate from the World and set apart for God's Service Sanctification hath a privative and positive part 1. A privative part Mortification which lies in the purging out of sin Sin is compared to Leven which sowrs and to Leprosy which defiles Sanctification doth purge out the old leven 1 Cor. 5.7 Though it takes not away the life yet the love of sin 2. A positive part Vivification which is the spiritual refining of the Soul which in Scripture is called a renewing of our mind Rom. 12.2 and a partaking of the Divine Nature 2 Pet. 1.4 The Priests in the Law not only were washed in the great Lavor but adorned with glorious Apparel Exod. 28.2 so in Sanctification not only washed from sin but adorned with purity Quest. What is Sanctification Answ. It is a Principle of Grace savingly wrought whereby the Heart becomes holy and is made after God's own heart A sanctified Person bears not only God's Name but Image For the opening the nature of Sanctification I shall lay down these Seven Positions 1. Sanctification is a supernatural thing 't is divinely infused we are naturally polluted and to cleanse God takes to be his Prerogative Lev. 21.8 I am the Lord that sanctifieth you Weeds grow of themselves Flowers are planted Sanctification is a Flower of the Spirit 's planting therefore it is called The Sanctification of the Spirit 1 Pet. 1.2 2. Sanctification is an intrinsical thing it lies chiefly in the heart It is called the adorning the hidden man of the heart 1 Pet. 3.4 The Dew wets the Leaf the Sap is hid in the Root the Religion of some consists only in externals but Sanctification is deeply rooted in the Soul Psal. 51.6 In the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom 3. Sanctification is an extensive thing it spreads into the whole Man 1 Thess. 5.23 The God of peace sanctifie you wholly As Original Corruption hath depraved all the Faculties the whole head is sick the whole heart faint no Part sound as if the whole mass of blood were corrupted so Sanctification goes over the whole Soul After the Fall there was Ignorance in the Mind now in Sanctification we are light in the Lord Eph. 5.8 After the Fall the Will was depraved there was not only impotency to Good but obstinacy now in Sanctification there is a blessed pliableness in the Will it doth symbolize and comport with the Will of God After the Fall the Affections were misplaced on wrong Objects in Sanctification they are tun'd into a sweet order and harmony the Grief placed on Sin the Love on God the Joy on Heaven Thus Sanctification spreads it self as far as Original Corruption It goes over the whole Soul The God of peace sanctifie you wholly He is not a consecrated Person who is good only in some part but who is all over sanctified Therefore in Scripture Grace is called a New Man Col. 3.10 not a new Eye or a new Tongue but a new Man A good Christian though he be sanctified but in part yet in every part 4. Sanctification is an intense ardent thing Qualitates sunt in subjecto intensivè Rom. 12.11 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fervent in spirit Sanctification is not a dead Form but is inflamed into Zeal We call Water hot when it is so in the third or fourth degree He is holy whose Religion is heated to some degree and his heart boils over in love to God 5. Sanctification is a beautiful thing it makes God and Angels fall in love with us Psal. 110.3 The beauties of holiness As the Sun is to the World so is Sanctification to the Soul beautifying and bespangling it in God's Eyes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrysost. That which makes God glorious must needs make us so Holiness is the most sparkling Jewel in the God-head Exod. 15.11 Glorious in holiness Sanctification is the First fruit of the Spirit it is Heaven begun in the Soul Sanctification and Glory differ only in degree Sanctification is Glory in the Seed and Glory is Sanctification in the Flower Happiness is the quintissence of Holiness 6. Sanctification is an abiding thing 1 Iohn 3.9 His seed remaineth in him He who is truly sanctified cannot fall from that state Indeed seeming Holiness may be lost Colours may wash off Sanctification may suffer an Eclipse Rev. 2.4 Thou hast left thy first love but true Sanctification is a blossom of Eternity 1 John 2.27 The anointing which ye have received abideth in you He who is truly sanctified can no more fail away then the Angels which are fixed in their heavenly Orb. 7. Sanctification is a progressive thing 't is growing it is compared to Seed which grows First the Bladesprings up then the Ear then the ripe Corn in the Ear. Such as are already sanctified may be more sanctified 2 Cor. 7.1 Justification doth not admit of degrees a Believer cannot be more elected or
and discussing this great point let me first clear the Sense of it which I shall first do by way of Concession or Grant When I say Believers do persevere First I grant that such as are so only in Possession may fall away 2 Tim. 4.10 Demas hath forsaken us Blazing Comets soon Evaporate A Building on Sand will fall Mat. 7.26 Seeming Grace may be lost no wonder to see a Bough fall from the Tree that is only tied on Hypocrites are only tied on to Christ by an External Profession they are not ingrafted Who ever thought artificial motion would hold long The Hypocrites motion is only Artificial not Vital All Blossoms do not ripen into Fruit. Secondly I grant that if Believers were left to stand upon their own Legs they might fall finally Some of the Angels who were Stars full of Light and Glory yet did actually lose their Grace and if those pure Angels fell from Grace much more would the Godly who have so much Sin to betray them if they were not upheld by a Superior Power 3. I grant true Believers though they do not fall away actually and lose all their Grace yet their Grace may fail in the degree and they may make a great Breach upon their Sanctification Grace may be moritura not mortua dying but not dead Rev. 3.2 Strengthen the things which are ready to dye Grace may be like Fire in the Embers though not quenched yet the Flame is gone out This decay of Grace I shall shew in two particulars 1. The lively actings of Grace may be suspended Rev. 2.4 Thou hast left thy first love Grace may be like a sleepy Habit the Godly may act faintly in Religion the pulse of their Affections may beat low The wise Virgins slumbred Matt. 25.5 The Exercise of Grace may be hindred as when the course of Water is stop'd and doth not run 2. Instead of Grace exercising in the Godly Corruption may exercise instead of Patience Murmuring instead of Heavenliness Earthliness How did Pride put forth it self in the Disciples when they strove who should be greatest How did Lust put forth in David Thus lively and vigorous may Corruption be in the Regenerate they may fall into Enormous Sins But though all this be granted yet they do not penitus excidere fall away finally from Grace David did not quite lose his Grace for then why did he pray Take not away thy Holy Spirit from me He had not quite lost the Spirit As Eutiches when he fell from a Window Acts 20. and all thought he was dead No saith Paul there is Life in him So David fell foully but there was the Life of Grace in him Though the Saints may come to that pass they have but little Faith yet not to have no Faith Though their Grace may be drawn low yet not drawn dry Though Grace may be abated not abolished though the wise Virgins slumbred yet their Lamps were not quite gone out Grace when it is at the lowest shall revive and flourish as when Sampson had lost his strength his Hair grew again and he renewed his strength Having thus explained the Proposition I come now to the amplifying this great Doctrin of the Saints Perseverance Quest. 1. By what means do Christians come to persevere Resp. 1. By the Manuduction and help of Ordinances Prayer Word Sacraments Christians do not arrive at Perseverance when they sit still and do nothing It is not with us as with Passengers in a Ship who are carried to the end of their Voyage and they sit still in the Ship or as it is with Noble-men who have their Rents brought in without their Toyl or Labour but we arrive at Salvation in the use of Means as a Man comes to the end of a Race by running to a Victory by fighting Matt. 26.41 Watch and Pray As Paul said Acts 27.31 Except ye abide in the Ship ye cannot be saved Believers shall come to shore at last arrive at Heaven but Except they abide in the Ship viz. in the use of the Ordinances they cannot be saved The Ordinances cherish Grace as they beget Grace so they are the Breast-Milk by which it is nourished and preserved to Eternity 2. Auxilio Spiritus By the Sacred Influence and Concurrence of the Spirit The Spirit of God is continually at work in the Heart of a Believer to carry on Grace to Perseverance it drops on fresh Oyl to keep the Lamp of Grace burning The Spirit excites strengthens encreaseth Grace and makes a Christian go from one step of Faith to another till he comes to the end of his Faith Salvation 1 Pet. 1.9 It is a fine Expression of the Apostle 2 Tim. 1.14 The Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us He who dwells in an House keeps the House in repair the Spirit dwelling in a Believer keeps Grace in repair Grace is compar'd to a River of the Water of Life Iohn 7.38 This River can never be dried up because Gods Spirit is a Spring which continually feeds it 3. Grace is carried on to Perseverance by Christs daily Intercession As the Spirit is at work in the Heart so is Christ at work in Heaven Christ is ever praying that the Saints Grace may hold out Iohn 17.11 Conserva illos Father keep those whom thou hast given me keep them as Stars in their Orb keep them as Jewels that they may not be lost Father keep them That Prayer Christ made for Peter was the Copy of his Prayer he now makes for Believers Luke 22.32 I have prayed for thee that thy Faith fail not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that it be not totally eclipsed How can the Children of such Prayers perish Quest. 2. By what Arguments may we prove the Saints Perseverance Resp. 1. A veritate Dei from the Truth of God God hath both asserted it and promised it 1. God hath asserted it 1 Iohn 3.9 His Seed remaineth in him 1 Iohn 2.27 The anointing ye have received of him abideth in you 2. As God hath asserted it so he hath promised it The Truth of God the most Orient Pearl of his Crown is laid a Pawn in the Promise Iohn 10.28 I give unto them eternal Life and they shall never perish Jer. 32.42 I will make an everlasting Covenant with them that I will not turn away from them to do them good but I will put my Fear in their Hearts that they shall not depart from me God will so love his People that he will not forsake them and they shall so fear him that they shall not forsake him If a Believer should not persevere God should break his Promise Hos. 2.19 I will betroth thee unto me for ever in righteousness and loving kindness God doth not Marry his People to himself and then Divorce them he hates putting away Mal. 2.16 Gods love tyes the Marriage Knot so fast that neither Death nor Hell can break it asunder 2. The second Argument is à potentia Dei from the Power of God In the Text we
dead Saints but persecute living I may say of these as the Apostle Heb. 12.8 They are bastards not sons 4. Effect of love if we love our Heavenly Father then we will be Advocates for him and stand up in the defence of his Truth He who loves his Father will plead for him when he is traduced and wronged He hath no Child-like heart no love to God who can hear Gods name dishonoured and be silent Doth Christ appear for us in Heaven and are we afraid to appear for him on Earth Such as dare not own God and Religion in times of danger God will be ashamed to be called their God it would be a reproach to him to have such Children as will not own him 2. A Child-like love to God is known as by the Effects so by the Degree it is a superiour love We love our Father in Heaven above all other things above Estate or Relations as Oyl runs above the Water Psal. 73.25 A Child of God seeing a super eminency of Goodness and a constellation of all Beauties in God he is carried out in love to him in the highest measure As God gives his Children such a love as he doth not bestow upon the wicked electing love so Gods Children give God such a love as they bestow upon none else adoring love they give him the flower and spirits of their love they love him with a love joyned with worship this spiced Wine they keep only for their Father to drink of Cant. 8.2 4. A Child-like disposition is seen in honouring our Heavenly Father Mal. 1.6 A Son honoureth his Father Quest. How 〈◊〉 show our honour to our Father in Heaven Resp. 1. By having a reverential awe of God upon us Lev. 25.17 Thou shalt fear thy God This reverential fear of God is when we dare do nothing that he hath forbidden in his Word Gen. 39.9 How can I do this great wickedness and sin against God It is the part of the honour a Son gives to his Father he fears to displease him 2. We show our honour to our Heavenly Father by doing all we can to exalt God and make his Excellencies shine forth though we cannot lift up God higher in Heaven yet we may lift him higher in our hearts and in the esteem of others When we speak well of God set forth his renown display the trophies of his goodness when we ascribe the glory of all we do to God when we are the trumpeters of Gods praise this is an honouring our Father in Heaven and a certain sign of a Child-like heart Psal. 50.23 Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me 2. We may know God is our Father by our resembling of him The Child is his Fathers Picture Iudg. 8.18 Each one resembled the children of a King Every Child of God resembles the King of Heaven herein Gods adopting Children and Mans differ A Man adopts one for his Son and Heir that doth not at all resemble him but whosoever God adopts for his Child is like him he not only bears his Heavenly Fathers Name but Image Col. 3.10 And have put on the new man which is renewed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 after the image of him that created him He who hath God for his Father resembles God in Holiness Holiness is the glory of the Godhead Exod. 15.11 The Holiness of God is the intrinsick Purity of his Essence He who hath God for his Father partakes of the Divine Nature though not of the Divine Essence yet of the Divine Likeness As the Seal sets its print and likeness upon the Wax so he who hath God for his Father hath the print and effigies of his Holiness stamped upon him Psal. 106.16 Aaron the Saint of the Lord. Wicked Men desire to be like God hereafter in glory but do not affect to be like him here in grace they give it out to the World that God is their Father yet have nothing of God to be seen in them they are unclean they not only want his Image but hate it 3. We may know God is our Father by having his Spirit in us 1. By having the intercession of the Spirit 'T is a Spirit of Prayer Gal. 4.6 Because ye are Sons God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts crying Abba Father Prayer is the Souls breathing it self into the bosom of its Heavenly Father None of Gods Children are born dumb implet Spiritus sanctus organum suum tanquam Pila chordarum tangit Spiritus Dei corda sanctorum Prosper Acts 9.11 Behold he prayeth But it is not every Prayer evidenceth Gods Spirit in us Such as have no grace may excel in gifts and affect the hearts of others in Prayer when their own hearts are not affected As the Lute makes a sweet sound in the ears of others but it self is not sensible how therefore shall we know our Prayers are indited by Gods Spirit and so he is our Father Resp. 1. When they are not only Vocal but Mental when there are not only gifts but groans Rom. 8.26 The best Musick is in consort the best Prayer is when the heart and tongue joyn together in consort 2. When they are zealous and fervent Iam. 5.16 The effectual fervent Prayer of a righteous man availeth much The eyes melt in Prayer the heart burns Fervency is to Prayer as Fire to the Incense it makes it ascend to Heaven as a sweet perfume 3. When Prayer hath Faith sprinkled in it Prayer is the Key of Heaven and Faith is the hand that turns it Rom. 8.15 We cry Abba Father We cry there is fervency in Prayer Abba Father there is Faith Those Prayers suffer shipwrack which dash upon the rock of unbelief Thus we may know God is our Father by having his Spirit praying in us As Christ intercedes above so the Spirit intercedes within 2. By having the renewing of the Spirit which is nothing else but Regeneration which is called a being born of the Spirit Iohn 3.5 This regenerating work of the Spirit is a transformation or change of Nature Rom. 12.2 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind He who is born of God hath a new heart New not for substance but for qualities The strings of a Viol may be the same but the Tune is altered Before this Regeneration there are Spiritual Pangs much heart-breaking for Sin Regeneration is called a circumcising of the heart Col. 2.11 In Circumcising there was pain in the flesh so in this Spiritual Circumcision there is pain in the heart there is much sorrow arising from the sense of guilt and wrath The Jaylors trembling Acts 16.30 was a pang in the new birth Gods Spirit is a Spirit of Bondage before it be a Spirit of Adoption This blessed work of Regeneration spreads over the whole Soul it irradiates the Mind it consecrates the Heart and reforms the Life Though Regeneration be but in part it is in every part 1 Thess. 5.23 Regeneration is the signature
Moderation when he saw their Idolatry at Athens the Fire of his Zeal broke forth Acts 17.16 His Spirit was stirred in him 'T was good advice Calvin gave to Melancthon that he should not so affect the Name of Moderate as to lose all his Zeal To be cool and silent when God's Blessed Truths are undermined or adulterated is not Moderation but Luke-warmness which is to God a most hateful temper Rev. 3.15 I would you were cold or hot any thing but Luke-warm This is to shew Prudence and Holiness when we are Moderate yet Zealous 9. To Unite Serpent and Dove consists in this when we defend the Truth by Argument and adorn it by Life Defending the Truth is the Serpent's Wisdom An intelligent Christian can 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 convince Gainsayers This Wisdom of the Serpent was eminently in Stephen Act. 6.9 There arose certain of the Synagogue disputing with Stephen and they were not able to resist the Wisdom and the Spirit by which he spake We read in the Acts and Monuments of the Church Iohn Fryth Martyr being opposed by three Papists he like another Hercules fighting with all three at once did by his Wisdom so convince them that one of them turned from Popery and became a zealous Protestant Herein is the Wisdom of the Serpent not only to love them that profess the Truth but silence them that oppose it But with this Wisdom of the Serpent there must be joyned the Dove together with defending the Truth by Argument there must be adorning it by Life Tit. 2.10 That they may adorn the Doctrine of God our Saviour There are some who can dispute for the Truth but disgrace it by their bad living This is to act both the Serpent and the Dove when we not only plead for the Truth but walk in the Truth like Nazianzen of whom it was said he did Thunder in his Doctrine and Lighten in his Conversation 10. The uniting the Serpent and the Dove is to be Serious in Religion yet Cheerful Seriousness puts the Heart in an Holy Frame it fixeth it on God Seriousness is to the Soul as Ballast to the Ship it keeps the Soul from being overturned with Vanity The Heart is ever best when it is serious but this Seriousness in Religion must be mixed with Cheerfulness Cheerfulness conduceth to Health Prov. 17.22 it Honours Religion it proclaims to the World we serve a good Master Cheerfulness is a Friend to Grace it puts the Heart in Tune to praise God Psal. 71.23 Unchearful Christians like the Spies bring an evil report on the Good Land Others suspect there 's something unpleasant in Religion that they who profess it hang their Harps upon the Willows and walk so dejectedly Be serious yet cheerful Phil. 4.4 Rejoyce in the Lord always Why was Christ anointed but to give the Oyl of Joy for Mourning Isa. 61.1 Joy is as well a Fruit of the Spirit as Faith Gal. 5.22 One way of grieving the Spirit saith Heinsius is by Christians unchearful walking If you would render the Gospel lovely mix the Dove and the Serpent be serious yet chearful in God 11. The uniting of the Serpent and the Dove Wisdom and Holiness consists in this when we so lay up as we lay out 'T is a Duty to provide for our Charge 1 Tim. 5.8 If any provide not for his own he is worse than an Infidel To lay up for our Family here 's the Wisdom of the Serpent but we must lay out for the Poor two here 's the mixture of the Dove 1 Tim. 6.17 Charge them that are rich in the World that they do Good that they be rich in Good Works The Poor Man is as it were an Altar if we bring our Alms and lay upon it with such Sacrifices God is well pleased Faith though it hath sometimes a trembling Hand it must not have a withered Hand but must stretch forth it self to Works of Mercy There 's nothing lost by Charitableness Prov. 11.25 The liberal Soul shall be made fat Psal. 41.1 Blessed is he that considereth the Poor thou wilt make all his Bed in his Sickness While Men do so remember their Family that they do not forget the Poor they show both Prudence and Piety they unite the Serpent and the Dove 12. The Serpent's Wisdom and the Dove's Innocency is seen in this so to avoid Danger as not to commit Sin to preserve our Liberty yet keep our Integrity There 's a sinful escaping Danger namely when we are called to suffer for the Truth and we decline it But there 's an escaping Danger without Sin as thus when we do not betray our selves into the Enemies Hands by rashness nor yet betray the Truth by Cowardice we have a Pattern of this in our Saviour he avoided his Enemies in one place that he might Preach the Gospel in another Luk. 4.30 They brought him to the brow of the Hill that they might cast him down headlong but he passing through the midst of them went his way There was Christ's Wisdom in not betraying himself to his Enemy And ver 43. I must Preach to other Cities also There was his Holiness Christ's securing of himself was in order to the Preaching of the Gospel This is to mix Prudence and Innocency when we so avoid Danger as we do not commit Sin Thus I have as briefly and as clearly as I could shown you how we must unite these Two the Serpent and the Dove Prudence and Holiness For want of Coupling these two together Religion doth much suffer in the Christian World What Christ hath joyn'd together let no Man put asunder Observe these two Prudence and Holiness here is the Serpent's Eye in the Dove's Head When these Two Wisdom and Innocency like Castor and Pollux appear together they presage much Good and Happiness that will befall a Christian. Who in are Christ are New Creatures 2. Cor. 5.17 Therefore if any Man be in Christ he is a New Creature Old Things are passed away behold all Things are become New IN this Scripture consists the Essence and Soul of Religion I note here Two Things 1. Doctr. That the true Definition of a Christian is to be in Christ If any Man be in Christ. He may be in the Church Visible yet not in Christ. 'T is not to be baptized into Christ's Name makes a true Christian but to be in Christ that is to be grafted into him by Faith And if to be in Christ makes a Christian then there are but few Christians Many are in Christ nominally not really they are in Christ by Profession not by Mystical Union Are they in Christ that do not know him Are they in Christ who persecute them that are in Christ Sure such an Holy Head as Christ will disclaim such spurious Members 2. Doctr. That whosoever is in Christ is a New Creature For Illustration I shall shew I. What a New Creature is II. What a kind of Work it is I. What a New Creature is It is a
except the Devils These stand in the place where all God's Arrows fly these are the Centre where all God's Curses meet An Unregenerate Person is like one in Debt that is in fear to be arrested he is every Hour in fear to be arrested by Death and carried Prisoner to Hell Can that Traytor be happy who is fed by his Prince in Prison only to be kept alive for Execution God feeds the Wicked as Prisoners they are reserved for the Day of Wrath 2 Pet. 2.9 How should this fright Men out of their Natural Condition and make them restless till they are New Creatures 2 Vse Trial whether we are New Creatures our Salvation depends upon it 1. I shall show you the Counterfeit of the New Creature or that which seems to be the New Creature but is not 1 Counterfeit Natural Honesty Moral Vertue Prudence Justice Liberality Temperance these make a Glorious show in the Eye of the World but differ as much from the New Creature as a Meteor from a Star Morality indeed is commendable and it were well if there were more of it This our Saviour loves Mark 10.21 Then Iesus beholding him loved him It was a love of Compassion not Election Morality is but Nature at best it doth not amount to Grace 1. There is nothing of Christ in Morality and that Fruit is sowre which grows not upon the Root Christ. 2. Moral Actions are done out of a vain-glorious Humour not any respect to God's Glory The Apostle calls the Heathen Magistrates Unjust 1 Cor. 6.1 While they were doing Justice in their Civil Courts they were Unjust their Vertue became Vice because Faith was wanting and they did all to raise them Trophies for their own Praise and Fame so that Morality is but the wild Olive of Nature it doth not amount to Grace Heat Water to the highest degree you cannot make Wine of it it is Water still So let Morality be raised to the highest it is Nature still 't is but Old Adam put in a better dress I may say to a civil Man Yet lackest thou One Thing Mark 10.21 Moral Vertue may stand with the hatred of Godliness A Moral Man doth as much hate Holiness as he doth Vice The Stoicks were Moralists and had sublime Notions about Vertue yet were the deadliest Enemies St. Paul had Acts 17.18 So that this is a counterfeit Jewel 2 Counterfeit Religious Education is not the New-Creature Education doth much cultivate and refine Nature Education is a good Wall to plant the Vine of Grace against but it is not Grace King Ioash was good as long as his Unkle Iehoiada lived but when Iehoiada died all Ioash his Religion was buried in his Unkle's Grave 2 Kings 12.2 Have not we seen many who have been trained up religiously under their Parents and were very hopeful yet these fair Blossoms of Hope have been blown off and they have lived to be a shame to their Friends 3 Counterfeit A Form of Godliness is not the New Creature Every Bird that hath fine Feathers hath not sweet Flesh. All that shine with the Golden Feathers of Profession are not Saints 2 Tim. 3 5. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Having a Form of Godliness but denying the Power What is a lifeless Form Formality is the Ape of Piety Formalists may perform all the external parts of Religion Pray Fast give Alms. Whatever Duties a Believer doth in sincerity the same may a Formalist do in Hypocrisie How devout were the Pharisees How Humble was Ahab What a Reformer was Iehu yet all this was but a formal show of Religion Daedalus by art made Images to move of themselves insomuch that People thought they were living Formalists do so counterfeit and play a Devotion that others think they are living Saints They are Religious Mountebanks 4 Counterfeit Every Change of Opinion doth not amount to the New Creature A Man may change from Error to Truth yet no New Creature here is a Change in the Head but not in the Heart One may be Orthodox in his judgment yet not cordially embrace the Gospel He may be no Papist yet no true Believer He who is changed only in Opinion is but almost a Christian and shall be but almost saved 5 Counterfeit Every sudden Passion or stirring of the Affections is not the New Creature There may be Affections of Sorrow some upon the reading the History of Christ's Passion may be ready to weep but it is only a Natural tenderness which relents at any Tragical sight Affections of desire may be stirred Ioh. 6. Lord evermore give us this Bread But these basely deserted Christ and would walk no more with him ver 66. Many desire Heaven but will not come up to the Price Affections of Ioy may be stirred In the Parable the Second sort of Hearers are said to receive the Word with joy Matth. 13.20 What was this but to have the Affections moved with delight in hearing Yet that this did not amount to the New Creature is plain 1. Because those Hearers are said to have no root 2. Because they fell away ver 21. King Herod did hear Iohn Baptist gladly he was much affected with Iohn's Preaching Where then was the defect Why was not Herod a New Creature The reason was because Herod was not reformed by the Baptist's Preaching his Affections were moved but his Sin was not removed Many have sweet Motions of Heart and seem to be much affected with the Word but their love to Sin is stronger than their love to the Word therefore all their good Affections prove abortive and come to nothing 6 Counterfeit One may have trouble for Sin yet not be a New Creature Trouble of Spirit may appear while God's Judgments lie upon Men but when these are removed their trouble ceaseth Psal. 78.34 When he slew them then they sought him nevertheless they did flatter him with their Lips Metal that melts in a Furnace take it out of the Furnace and it returns to its former hardness Many in time of Sickness seem to be like melted Metal What Weeping and wringing of Hands What Confessions of Sin will they make Do not these look like New Creatures But assoon as they recover they are as bad as ever their Pangs go off again and it never comes to a New Birth 7 Counterfeit A Man may have the Spirit yet not be a New Creature The Apostle supposeth a Case that one might be made Partaker of the Holy Ghost yet fall away Heb. 6.4 A Man may have some slight transient Work of the Spirit but it doth not go to the root he may have the common Gifts of the Spirit but not the special Grace he may have the Spirit to convince him not to convert him the Light he hath is like a Winter Sun which hath little or no influence it doth not make him more Holy he hath the Motions of the Spirit but walks after the Flesh. 8 Counterfeit Every abstaining from Sin is not the New Creature This abstaining may be
the power of Godliness cannot say God is their Father they may say Our Father which art in Hell Well then how may we know that God is our Father Resp. 1. By having a Filial disposition This is in four things 1. To melt in tears for Sin A Child weeps for offending his Father When Christ looked on Peter and he remembred his Sin in denying Christ he fell a weeping Clemens Alexandrinus reports of Peter he never heard a Cock crow but he wept This is a sign God is our Father When the heart of stone is taken away and there is a gracious thaw in the heart it melts in tears for Sin and he who hath a Child-like heart mourns for Sin in a Spiritual manner as it is Sin He grieves for it 1. As it is an Act of Pollution Sin deflours the Virgin-Soul it defaceth Gods Image it turns beauty into deformity 't is called the plague of the heart 1 Kings 8.38 It is the spirits of evil distilled A Child of God mourns for the defilement of Sin Sin hath a blacker aspect than Hell 2. He who hath a Child-like heart grieves for Sin as 't is an Act of Enmity Sin is diametrically opposite to God It is called a walking contrary to God Lev. 26.40 If they shall confess their iniquity and that they have walked contrary to me Sin doth all it can to spight God If God be of one mind Sin will be of another Sin would not only unthrone God but it strikes at his very Being if Sin could help it God should be no longer God A Child-like heart grieves for this O saith he that I should have so much enmity in me that my Will should be no more subdued to the Will of my Heavenly Father this springs a leak of godly sorrow 3. A Child-like heart weeps for Sin as it is an Act of Ingratitude Sin is an abuse of Gods Love it is a taking the Jewels of Gods Mercies and making use of them to sin God hath done more for his Children than others he hath planted his grace and given them some intimations of his favour and to sin against kindness dyes a sin in grain and makes it Crimson Like Absalom as soon as his Father kissed him and took him into favour plotted Treason against him Nothing so melts a Child-like heart in tears as sins of unkindness O that I should sin against the Blood of a Saviour and the Bowels of a Father I condemn ingratitude in my Child yet I am guilty of ingratitude against my Heavenly Father This opens a vein of godly sorrow and makes the heart bleed afresh certainly this evidenceth God to be our Father when he hath given us this Child-like frame of heart to weep for sin as it is sin an act of Pollution Enmity Ingratitude A wicked Man may mourn for the bitter Fruit of Sin but only a Child of God can grieve for the odious Nature of Sin 2. A Filial or Child-like disposition is to be full of sympathy We lay to heart the dishonours reflected upon our Heavenly Father when we see Gods Worship adulterated his Truth mingled with the poyson of Errour it is as a Sword in our Bones to see Gods Glory suffer Psal. 119.158 I beheld the transgressors and was grieved Homer describing Agamemnons grief when he was forced to sacrifice his Daughter Iphigenia brings in all his Friends weeping and condoling with him so when God is dishonoured we sympathize and are as it were clad in mourning A Child that hath any good Nature is cut to the heart to hear his Father reproached An Heir of Heaven takes a dishonour done to God more heinous than a disgrace done to himself 3. A Filial disposition is to love our Heavenly Father He is unnatural that doth not love his Father God who is crown'd with excellency is the proper object of delight and every true Child of God saith as Peter Lord thou knowest that I love thee But who will not say he loves God If ours be a true genuine love to our Heavenly Father it may be known 1. By the effects 1. Then we have an holy fear There is a fear which ariseth from love to God that is we fear the loss of the visible tokens of Gods presence 1 Sam. 4.13 Elies heart trembled for the Ark. It is not said his heart trembled for his two Sons Hophni and Phinchas but his heart trembled for the Ark because the Ark was the special sign of Gods Presence and if that were taken the Glory was departed He who loves his Heavenly Father fears least the tokens of his Presence should be removed least Profaneness should break in like a flood least Popery should get head and God should go from a people The presence of God in his Ordinances is the glory and strength of a Nation The Trojans had the Image of Pallas and they had an opinion that as long as that Image was preserved among them they should never be conquered So long as Gods presence is with a people so long they are safe Every true Child of God fears least God should go and the glory depart Try by this whether we have a Filial disposition Do we love God and doth this love cause fear and jealousie Are we afraid least we should lose Gods presence Least the Sun of Righteousness remove out of our Horizon Many are afraid least they should lose some of their Worldly profits but not least they lose the presence of God If they may have Peace and Trading they care not what becomes of the Ark of God A true Child of God fears nothing so much as the loss of his Fathers presence Hos. 9.12 Wo to them when I depart from them 2. Love to our Heavenly Father is seen by loving his Day Isa. 58.13 If thou call the Sabbath a delight The Antients called this Regina Dierum the Queen of Days If we love our Father in Heaven we spend this day in Devotion in Reading Hearing Meditating On this day Manna falls double God sanctified the Sabbath He made all the other days in the Week but he hath sanctified this day this day he hath crown'd with a Blessing 3. Love to our Heavenly Father is seen by loving his Children 1 Iohn 5.1 Every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him If we love God the more we see of God in any the more we love them we love them though they are poor A Child loves to see his Fathers picture though hung in a mean frame we love the Children of our Father though they are persecuted 2 Tim. 1.16 Onesiphorus was not ashamed of my chain Constantine did kiss the hole of Paphnusius's eye because he suffered the loss of his eye for Christ. It appears they have no love to God who have no love to his Children they care not for their company they have a secret disgust and antipathy against them Hipocrites pretend great reverence to the Saints departed they canonize