learned the Word who does not believe it to be indeed the Word of God who cannot lie 2 Tim. 3. 16. All Scripture is given by Inspiration of God Mens Contradictions to the Word are audacious and damnable falshoods And if Angels from Heaven should speak contrary to it they must not have our Assent but our Anathema Gal. 1. 8. But though we or an Angel from Heaven preach any other Gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you let him be accursed They who have learned the Word of God perceive the Harmony of all its parts and believe the whole and are influenced by that belief for the certain Truth of the Word makes it most Encouraging and Comfortable to the Saints and with what Sweet Security do they rest upon it And the same Truth should make it very Terrible to all impenitent Sinners 2. Learning the Word implies an observing the Scope and Design of the Word of God now the Design and Scope of it is the Glory of God and Mans Happiness and Salvation God cannot have an higher end in what he does than Himself for he is above all therefore he has made and does all things for Himself and truly since of him and through him are all things he is worthy that all things should be referred to him and that in all things he should always be glorified Rom. 11. 36. For of him and through him and to him are all things to whom be Glory for ever Amen In Subordination to his own Glory the Lord designs mans wellfare Luk. 2. 14. Glory be to God in the Highest on Earth Peace good will towards men When the Word of God is truly learned great notice is taken of its design and the Learners aim is accordingly directed The Glory of God and mans truest good are inseparably conjoined So that this is past doubt when man most Minds Gods Honour he Minds most his own Interest and Happiness 3. Learning the Word implies taking due notice of the Purity and Holiness of the Word of God Psal 12. 6. The Words of the Lord are pure Words as Silver tried in a Furnace of Earth purified seven times The Psalmist saw this Purity and did not take offence at it but very much liked it and loved the Word the better for it Psal 119. 140. Thy Word is very pure therefore thy Servant loveth it God the Author of this Word is of Purer Eyes than to behold Iniquity no wonder that the Word is purer than to allow of any Iniquity The Word will not permit Sin in the Tabernacle Job 11. 14. If Iniquity be in thy Hand put it far away and let not wickedness dwell in thy Tabernacle The Word prohibits our contentedly Suffering Sin to ly upon our Brother Levit. 19. 17. Thou shalt not hate thy Brother in thy Heart thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy Neighbour and not suffer Sin upon him The hands must be cleansed and so must especially the Heart Jam. 4. 8. Draw nigh to God and he will draw nigh to you cleanse your Hands ye Sinners purifie your Hearts ye double minded If Sin commands the Tongue Religion is but vain if Sin be regarded in the Heart Prayer is to no purpose How excellent and pure is this Word of God! and those that learn it see both the Necessity and Excellency of Purity and Holiness and they hunger and thirst and follow after Righteousness and true Holiness 4. Learning the Word implies beholding wondrous things in the Word of God Psal 119. 18. Open thou my Eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of thy Law And V. 129. Thy Testimonies are wonderful therefore doeth my Soul keep them The Light which shines forth from hence is marvellous 1 Pet. 2. 2. That ye should shew forth the Praises of him who hath called you out of Darkness into marvellous Light The Mercy is amazing which saves from so much Sin prevents no less than endless Misery and brings those to Eternal Life who deserved to die the Eternal Death Jud. v. 21. Keep your selves in the Love of God looking for the Mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto Eternal Life That Wisdom which appears in the contrivance of Mans Redemption by Christ the Mediator is the Admiration of the elect Principalities and Powers Eph. 3. 10. To the intent that now unto thee Principalities and Powers in the Heavenly Places might be known by the Church the manifold Wisdom of God And the Love of God in Christ is most sweetly astonishing 'T is without Motive without Measure without Alteration its height and length and depth and breadth are past our reach and finding out And how highly are those who are interested in this Love advanced 1 Joh. 3. 1. Behold what manner of Love the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the Sons of God! and all his Sons are heirs of Everlasting Glory 5. Learning the Word implies knowing the Truth as it is in Jesus Eph. 4. 20 21. But ye have not so learned Christ if so be that ye have heard him and been taught by him as the Truth is in Jesus To know the Truth as it is in Jesus is to know Christ himself and all Divine Truths with respect to Christ He is the Center in which all the Lines in Scripture meet If God be lookt upon without respect to this Mediator the remembrance of the Holy and Righteous and Almighty Jehovah must needs be terrible and confounding to guilty and defiled Sinners But the Knowledge of God in Christ is beneficial and reviving for in Christ he is accessible and a God in Covenant and how encouraging is the Knowledg of Duty when we look to Jesus because in Christ we have assisting Grace to do it sincerely and when 't is thus done in Him we have acceptance 1 Pet. 2. 5. Ye also as lively stones are built up a Spiritual House an Holy Priesthood to offer up Spiritual Sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ Though the House be Spiritual though the Priesthood be Holy though the Sacrifice be Spiritual yet 't is not upon their own but upon the account of Jesus Christ that they are acceptable Looking to Jesus we may look upon Sin and Misery without dismay nay with thankful Hearts for He saves from both and through him an abundant entrance is administred into the Everlasting Kingdom He has not learned the Word to any purpose who does not know that Christ is all in all and fills all in all 6. Learning the Word of God implies feeling the Power and Efficacy of this Word till the Spirit accompanies it and sets it home upon the Heart and there is an experience of its Power the Word is not aright learned 1 Thess 1. 5. Our Gospel came to you not in Word onely but in Power also and in the Holy Ghost and in much Assurance The Holy Ghost made you sensible of the Gospels Efficacy and its Efficacy assured you of its Divinity So 1 Thess 2. 13. Ye
has done its work for which 't was laid upon you 'T is sad when Affliction goes off without doing any good to the afflicted when the Rod is like the first King that Israel had given in Gods Anger and taken away in his Wrath. When the Lord afflicts his Dispensations are mixed Checker-work Black and White Goodness and Severity together and there should be a Mixture of Holy Affections that are diverse one from the other answerably in your Hearts This is notably represented by one of our English Poets and his Verses have a great deal of Sense and Direction in them Ah my dear angry Lord Since thou dost Love yet strike Herberts Bitter-sweet P. 165. Cast down yet help afford Sure I will do the like I will complain the Praise I will bewail approve And all my four-sweet days I will lament and love Be not too eager for the removal of the stroke you smart under that removal is but a common Mercy but the Sanctification of it is peculiar kindness that which accompanies Salvation If the Plaister lies not on long enough it heals not the Sore if the Potion be cast up again assoon as taken down it works not a cure God knows when 't is fittest to remove your trouble therefore be dump with Silence and wait with Patience till this fittest time comes David did so though he was in an horrible Pit in the Miry Clay he was not over eager to be pluckt out but exercised Patience and how Happy was the issue Psal 40. 1 2 3. I waited patiently for the Lord and he inclined unto me and heard my cry he brought me up also out of an horrible Pit out of the Miry Clay and set my Feet upon a Rock and established my goings And he hath put a new Song in my Mouth even Praise unto our God many shall see it and fear and trust in the Lord. 8. Under Affliction let there be a most profound Subjection to the Father of Spirits Lights and Mercies The Father of Spirits will take special care of Souls and consult their Health and Reace and endless welfare If the Soul be safe the Body must be safe in the same Bottom The Body that belongs to a sanctified Soul must be a Glorious Body at the Resurrection of the Just And since the Lord is the Father of Lights you may conclude he perfectly understands what is most conducive to your Interest and what kind and degree of Affliction is most expedient and best for you and because he is the Father of Mercies Mercy he delights in as a man does in his own off-spring he will deal tenderly with you Mercy shall not be forgotten in the greatest Severity Psal 103. 13. Like as a Father pittieth his Children so the Lord pittieth them that fear him for he knoweth our frame and remembreth we aye dust Subjection to God when he afflicts becomes you and besides this Subjection is the way of Life Heb. 12. 9. Furthermore we have had Fathers of our Flesh who corrected us and we gave them Reverence shall we not much rather be in Subjection to the Father of Spirits and live Subjection to God is the wisest course to have temporal Life prolonged and liv'd to purpose and Eternal Life at length vouchsafed In the second Place I am to direct you how to carry it after Affliction now is a time of great danger when the Heart is apt to shew both its Wickedness and Deceitfulness together and to grow secure as if all Peril were over therefore 1. Keep alive in your Hearts the same Apprehensions of things after Affliction which you had under Affliction Things are really as they were though we of Sick grow well again therefore our thoughts of them should not alter The great Truths revealed and so much insisted on in the Word of God in Affliction had deep Impressions upon our Spirits How clearly and concernedly did we then perceive that Christ is the onely Saviour that all things were justly to be accounted loss that he might be gained We lookt upon time as too precious a thing to be spent Idly or Wickedly The Soul was lookt upon as more worth than the whole World and more to be regarded not to be neglected for the Worlds sake Mat. 16. 26. What shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole World and lose his own Soul or what shall a man give in exchange for his Soul How did the thoughts of Eternity affect our Hearts when we were in the depth of Affliction Our Apprehensions of this Truth were amazing That all must quickly be in Eternity and all must be unto Eternity either in Joy or Wo. Our Conceptions of these and such like things were most rectified in Affliction therefore when Affliction is removed our Judgments should still remain the same The concerns of another World should always be esteemed far greater than the highest concerns of this Seriousness well becomes us in those matters which are of Everlasting Consequence where carelesness or mistake will issue in endless ruine understanding Diligence in Eternal Happiness 2. After Affliction be very Jealous over your own Spirits which are so very prone to deal treacherously both with God and your selves You are not naturally trusty to either but unfaithful to God and unfaithful to your own Souls Hearken how the Lord complains Hos 6. 7. They like men have transgressed the Covenant they have dealt treacherously against me You do not know your selves to be men if you don't know your selves to be treacherous and strongly inclined to break through all obligations in Point of Duty Gratitude and Interest it self which you are under ever since the first Adams Apostacy and fall from God his Posterity have a vehement Propension to start aside alike deceitful bowes A notable instance of the Hearts treachery in Afflictions and instability upon the removal of it you have Psal 78. 34 35 36 37. When he slew them then they sought him they returned and inquired early after God they remembred that God was their Rock and the high God their Redeemer nevertheless they did flatter him with their Lips and lied unto him with their Tongues for their Heart was not right with him neither were they stedfast in his Covenant Mens Resolutions in Afflictions are like Nautarum Vota the Vows of Marriners in a Storm the first things that are broken when once they get safe to Shore Be sure therefore to check your hearts and lift them up to God to secure them when first you perceive them so much as begin to start aside Apostacy begins in the Heart that does first turn back from God then afterwards the steps decline from his ways distrusting therefore your own Hearts follow Solomons Counsel Prov. 4. 23. And keep them with all diligence and unto your own strictest Vigilancy add fervent Prayer that the Lord would make your Hearts clean Hearts and that he would renew and keep your Spirits right with him Psal 51. 10. 3.
received it not as the Word of men but as it is in Truth the Word of God which worketh effectually in you that believe This Word shews its Power in pulling down strong holds in casting down Imaginations and every high thing that exalteth it self against the Knowledg of God and in bringing thoughts into Captivity and Obedience to Christ 2 Cor. 10. 4 5. The Spirit of God wrought Signs and Wonders and divers Miracles according to his own Will for the Confirmation of the Gospel when first it was published in the World and these were part of the Spirit 's Demonstration of its Truth And Miracles in the New Creation cease not to be wrought still by the same Spirit The Word is made an effectual means to make the dead in Sin alive to God to make the Blind to see and the Lame to walk in the Way of Gods Commandments 7. Learning the Word implies a ready and Hearty embracing what the Word of God Offers and Promises Mammon and Satan make but very poor and mean offers and their Promises are deceitful they can offer nothing but what is temporal the things they boast of are onely good in appearance and they quickly vanish away Indeed there is something that is Eternal but 't is Eternal Wo and Misery that abides the worldly and the wicked but this Satan studiously endeavours to conceal from them Whereas the offers of the Gospel are great and glorious worthy of all acceptation and by all to be accepted the Promises here are so firm that they shall remain when Heaven and Earth shall pass away Psal 119. 152. Concerning thy Testimonies I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever If the Children of men might have their wish and would wish but wisely they would wish for what the Word assures to all Accepters of it Here is justifying Righteousness for the guilty and Condemned here is Healing Sanctifying Grace for the Diseased and Defiled here is Strength for the Weak and Comfort for them that are cast down and for lost Souls great and Everlasting Salvation How can he be said to have learned the Word of God or to know when he is well offer'd by whom such offers are refused 8. Learning the Word implies the Subjection and Conformity of the whole man to the commands of the Word of God Promises and Priviledges are to be studied and embraced and Precepts and Commands are to be received He that casts the commands behind his back is very Presumptuous in applying Promises to himself That Hope will make a man ashamed which is not accompanied with Obedience Hearken to the Psalmist Psal 119. 166 167 168. Lord I have hoped for thy Salvation and done thy Commandments My Soul hath kept thy Testimonies and I love them exceedingly I have kept thy Precepts and thy Testimonies for all my ways are before Thee He that has learned the Word of God knows that the Law is not made void by Faith but established Rom. 3. 31. Do we then by Faith make void the Law through Faith God forbid yea we establish the Law Christ the Churches Head and Prophet in his Sermon upon the Mount shews the extent of the Law requiring Purity in the Heart and Thoughts as well as in the Life and Actions condemns them who shall break the least of these Commands and shall teach men so but those that teach and do them he owns as great in his Kingdom Mat. 5. 19. The Law spoken from Mount Sinai is established by the Legislator Christ in Mount Sion as a Rule of Righteousness And they who are rightly instructed which walk according to this Rule both Heart and Conversation will be order'd according to its Direction and Peace and Mercy will be upon them and hereby they shew themselves indeed the Israel of God 9. Learning the Word implies a living in Expectation and Hope of that Glory which God in his Word has revealed Rom. 5. 2. By whom we have access by Faith into this Grace wherein we stand and rejoice in Hope of the Glory of God The Apostle tells that our Saviour Jesus Christ hath abolished Death and hath brought Life and Immortality to light by the Gospel What Joy is set before us to encourage patient continuance in Faith and well-doing Were it not for this the Disciples of Christ would be of all men most miserable 1 Cor. 15. 19. But since the Glory hoped for is so sure and near they are the onely Happy ones in the World He that learned the Word aright Heaven is in his Eye there is his Heart and Treasure He knows he cannot be perfectly Holy or Happy till he come thither and when once come there Holiness and Happiness will be perfect in degree and endless in Duration Nothing therefore can move him away from the Hope of the Gospel He abides in the Word and the Word in him and stands fast in the Lord himself and at last receives the blessed Life that is promised 1 Joh. 2. 24 25. Let that therefore abide in you which ye have heard from the beginning if that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you ye also shall continue in the Son and in the Father and this is the Promise that he hath Promised us even Eternal Life And if all this be implied in Learning the Word of God How many may Conscience reproach for never having learned the Word to this day Strangers they are to its Power and haters of its Purity and most foolishly and wickedly neglect that Grace and Salvation which is there tender'd to them How many may Sigh for Sorrow that they have learned the Word of God no better that their Faith is no stronger their delight in the Word of God no greater and that there are so many defects in their Obedience to it How should we all groan with earnest desires that God Himself would be our Teacher and make us right Learners of his Word And if He is pleased to teach us how Blessed Holy and Wise will his teaching make us and such also we shall continue for that teaching will have a lasting effect upon us Psal 119. 33 Teach me O Lord the Way of thy Statutes and I shall keep it unto the end In the second Place I am to shew the Influence that the Rod of God has to make his Word the better Learned 1. The Rod of Affliction awakens the Conscience So that it is very punctual in doing its Office Conscience being startled causes fear Where there was too much unconcernedness and stupidity before The Consciences of Josephs Brethren after the great Injury they did him lay in a deep sleep for many Years together but Distress and Affliction awakened them Gen. 42. 21. They said one to another We are verily guilty concerning our Brother in that we saw the anguish of his Soul when he besought us and we would not hear therefore is this distress come upon us Conscience being awakened is full of remorse
because the Word of God has been observed with no more care Conscience also is still urging To the Law and to the Testimony This is the way to be freed from Trouble and to attain to Peace Psal 119. 165. Great Peace have they that Love thy Law Gal. 6. 16. And as many as walk according to this Rule Peace be on them and Mercy and upon the Israel of God 2. The Rod of Affliction takes off from worldly Business and Diversions and hereupon they that are afflicted are at better leasure to consider their ways Eccles 7. 14. In the day of Adversity consider God is not to be complained of for punishing Sin but men who are punished should search and try their ways and turn to Him Lam. 3. 39 40. Inconsiderateness is spoken of as the occasion of a World of Wickedness and 't is exclaimed against as very offensive and inexcusable Isa 1. 2 3. Hear O Heavens and give ear O Earth for the Lord hath spoken I have nourished and brought up Children and they have rebelled against me The Ox knows his owner and the Ass his Masters Crib but Israel doth not know my People doth not consider Now the more any consider what they do the greater heed they will take to the Word of God for this Word Counsels safely it directs and leads in the way of Peace and Truth and Life Prov. 6. 23. For the Commandment is a Lamp and the Law is Light and Reproofs of Instruction are the way of Life 3. The Rod of Affliction brings God to remembrance whose the Word is and God being remembred his Word is the more awfully regarded Most men forget the Lord all their days Jer. 2. 32. Can a Maid forget her Ornaments or a Bride her attire yet my People have forgotten me days without number And forgetting the Lord they forget themselves their Duty and their Interest Affliction is a means to bring God to mind and his hand being lifted up and there being a Rod in his hand there is a more heedful looking into his Word to know his Pleasure and what is the ground of his present displeasure and controversie Job was desirous to know his Transgression and Sin and wherefore it was that God hid his Face and counted him for his Enemy Job 13. 23 24. 4. The Rod of Affliction brings Iniquity to remembrance which is contrary to the Word of God The very first stroke of Correction how of a sudden has it opened mens Eyes and marshall'd their Sins more terrible than an Army with Banners before them Psal 50. 21. I will reprove thee and set them in Order before thine Eyes Now the remembrance of Sin is a great ingredient in true Contrition and Repentance which the Word of God so often calls for Ezek. 36. 31. Then shall ye remember your evil ways and doings that have not been good and shall loath your selves in your own sight for your Iniquities and Abominations To remember Sin in Hell will be to remember Sin too late and the Eternal Remembrance of it and the Folly and Perverseness in giving way to it will be a great part of the Sinners Eternal Torment But to remember Sin in Affliction is very profitable how evident now is the deceitfulness of it All its pretences of Impunity Gain and Pleasure are found altogether vain This is One great Lesson of the Rod. Sin cheats all its Servants and quickly ends in Sorrow 5. The Rod of Affliction brings Duty to remembrance which the Word of God requires Omission and neglect of Duty and negligence in Duty are then reflected on with grief for if Duty had been more seriously and frequently performed possibly the stroke might not have been felt and suppose it had improving of Ordinances might have furnished the Heart with more Faith and Patience to have born it And now says the Rod be better acquainted with the Word know thy Duty and from what Principle thou art to act after what manner and to what end Act from Spiritual Life let Faith work by Love and the more there is of the Heart and will in Obedience 't is the better and let it be the constant design that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 4. 11. Affliction vehemently urges unto practical Godliness and unto walking in newness of Life Doers of the Word are blessed in their deed whereas those Professours are Self-deceivers who satisfie themselves with a Faith which Works not but is dead Jam. 1. 22. But be ye doers of the Word and not hears only deceiving your own selves V. 25. Whoso looketh into the perfect Law of Liberty and continueth therein he being not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the Work this man shall be blessed in his deed 6. The Rod of Affliction brings Death to remembrance and Death brings the Night when the Work which the Word of God calls for can be done no more Joh. 9. 4. I must work the Works of him that sent me while 't is day the night cometh when no man can work When a man seriously meditates on Death how wise will it make him he will number his days aright and do the Work for which time and days are given him Psal 90. 12. Teach us so to number our days that we may apply our Hearts to Wisdom And if Death be brought to remembrance by Affliction Judgment which follows at the heels of Death will also be thought of And this Judgment will be according to the Word of God for this Book among others will be opened at the great day and Sentence pass'd according to it Joh. 12. 48. The Word which I have spoken the same shall judge him at the last day The Consideration of a future Judgment how will it quicken to the study search and Practise of the Word If the Word now bind thee because of thy Vnbelief and Impenitency in Sin thou art bound in Heaven If the Word now condemns thee continuing as thou art the Judge also will most certainly condemn thee But if the Word at present does acquit thee the Judge also will absolve thee If the Word pronounces thee blessed because Poor in Spirit Meek a Mourner for Sin one that hungers and thirsts after Righteousness because pure in Heart a Peace-maker and one that is willing to suffer Persecution for Righteousness sake rather than cease the Practice of Righteousness Mat. 5. 3 10. Being thus pronounced Blessed by the Word Our Lord will never contradict himself but at last will say to thee Come thou Blessed of my Father inherit the Kingdom prepared for thee from the Foundation of the World Mat. 25. 34. I come in the last place to the Application USE I. Of Information From the Doctrine we may learn several useful Lessons 1. We may be instructed concerning the end of Affliction which is our truer Knowledg and Holiness The Rod sends us to the Word from whence Wisdom comes Prov. 2. 6. For the Lord giveth Wisdom out of
to be lookt upon as an Admonition to take greater heed to the Holy Scripture which is profitable for Doctrine for Reproof for Correction for Instruction in Righteousness that the Man of God may be perfect throughly furnished unto all good works 2 Tim. 3. 16 17. 2. Be sensible that true and saving Knowledge is from above therefore ask it from thence Jam. 1. 5. If any of you lack Wisdom let him ask it of God who gives to all men liberally without upbraiding and it shall be given him And V. 17. Every good and perfect Gift is from above and cometh down from the Father of Lights And as God is the Father of Lights so his Spirit is the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation Eph. 1. 17 18. He enlightens the Eyes of the Understanding and puts saving Knowledge into the Heart What an Instructer is the Spirit of the Lord He not onely reveals Gods Counsel but gives an Heart to apprehend it and to be answerably affected with it He not onely speaks the Word which it does so infinitely concern all to know but he gives also the Ear to hear the Eye to see and the Heart to understand 3. Resolve when Instructed to Praise your Instructer thus does the Psalmist Purpose and Promise Psal 119. 7. I will Praise thee with uprightness of Heart when I shall have learned thy Righteous Judgments How joyful was the Hallelujah when the Psalmist had said He geveth his Word unto Jacob his Statutes and his Judgments to the Children of Israel Psal 147. 19 20. And Psal 119. 164. Seven times a day do I Praise thee because of thy Righteous Judgments And V. 62. He had said upon the same account he would arise at midnight and give thanks unto God 4. Look unto Jesus in whom are hid all the Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge Col. 2. 3. Christ is the Churches Lawgiver and Prophet He declares the Father whom no man at any time hath seen and no man knoweth the Father but the Son and he to whom the Son shall reveal him Mat. 11. 17. He opens the Eyes and Understanding to understand the Scripture Luk. 24. 45. The Gospel is as it were a Sealed Book till he opens it a right understanding of the Things of God and which belong to your Peace is both Christs Purchase and the Work and Effect of his illuminating Spirit 5. Pray much for Meekness and Humility and let not any deceitful lust be harboured in the Heart A Promise of Guidance is made to the Meek and Lowly Psal 25. 8 9. Good and upright is the Lord therefore will he teach Sinners in the way the Meek will he guide in Judgment and the Meek will he teach his Way Make no Provision for any fleshly or wordly Lusts for these Lusts of the Heart influence the Head and hinder the Light from shining there so clearly and powerfully both Mind and Conscience by fulfilling these Lusts will be defiled The Apostle plainly intimates that the old man must be put off which is corrupt according to deceitful Lusts or else we can never be renewed in the Spirit of our Mind Eph. 4. 22 23. In short be willing to know the Truth that you may be sanctified by the Truth Look into the perfect Law of Liberty and count you walk most at Liberty when you walk most accurately and exactly according to this Law Cry for Knowledge in Order to Affection and Practise that 's the Way to attain to great understanding in the Word of Righteousness Talents you shall still be intrusted with when you are thus ready to Trade with them The Second Question follows What are sufficient and comfortable Evidences that the Word of God is truly Learned What has been spoken already may be in part an Answer to this Question But that this great Case may be more fully resolved I shall add these Particulars 1. You have truly Learned the Word of God when you stand in awe of it When Conscience does urge and the whole man does reverence the Words Authority And the Heart concludes that God must be obeyed whatever come on 't and that nothing can excuse disobedience to his Commands This Holy awe of the Word must break the force of the strongest Temptations from worldly Gain and sinful Pleasures and it must Swallow up the fear of the greatest Men who will dislike you for the sake of Righteousness Psal 119. 161. Princes have persecuted me without a cause but my Heart standeth in awe of thy Word Princes commands and threats are not so much to be minded as Gods commands and the threatnings wherewith they are enforced When Princes have inflicted Temporal Death they are come to their Ne plus ultra they can go no further Eternal Life and Death are not in their Power but how is God to be sanctified and dreaded who can reward or punish for ever in the World to come 2. You have truly Learned the Word of God when you preferr it before all things which are really of less value Worldly Wisdom Riches Might and earthly Greatness are very despicable compared with that Knowledge of God which this Word is a means to convey to us Jer. 9. 23 24. Thus saith the Lord let not the wise man Glory in his Wisdom neither let the mighty man Glory in his Might let not the rich man Glory in his Riches But let him that glorieth Glory in this that he understandeth and knoweth Me. See how the Policy of the greatest Potentates on Earth is disparaged in Comparison of Scriptural Wisdom and not without sufficient Reason The Policy of Princes and themselves perish together But Believers who are made wise by the Word of God do mind and attain unto and shall be unmoveably possess 't of an Eternal Glory and Kingdom 1 Cor. 2. 6 7. Howbeit we speak Wisdom among them that are perfect yet not the Wisdom of this World nor of the Princes of this World which come to nought but we speak the Wisdom of God in a Mystery even the hidden Wisdom which God ordained before the World unto our Glory In my Text the Psalmist having said 'T is good for me that I have been afflicted presently expresses his Estimation of the Word above thousands of Gold and Silver If the Word has an higher Room in your Judgments and Affections after Affliction Affliction has certainly done you good and you have learned the Word to good purpose 3. You have truly Learned the Word of God if you Love and Delight therein and make it your continual Meditation Psal 119. 15 16. I will Meditate in thy Precepts and have respect unto thy Ways I will delight my self in thy Statutes I will not forget thy Word Here are excellent Rules and they that walk by them are perfected more and more for they become more gloriously like to God himself here are clean and safe Ways Promises of the good things of Time so far as they are good for any of you and of the infinitely
better things of Eternity All this may be well matter of great delight The more you love the Word the greater will be your Peace and you will hold on in the best ways without offence or stumbling Psal 119. 165. Great Peace have they that love thy Law and nothing shall offend them 4. You have truly learned the Word of God when you keep it both in Heart and Life Not to keep it in the Life is a scandalous contempt of the Word not to keep it in the Heart though there be a specious form and shew of Religion is but demure and abominable Hypocrisie If the Word be in your Hearts how will it as nourishing Food well concocted there make you strong in Spirit It will make your Hearts both clean and comfortable and as a powerful Antidote expel Sins Poyson Psal 119. 11. Thy Word have I hid in my Heart that I might not Sin against Thee Let not Sin but the Word Reign in your Mortal Body that none of the Members of it may be defiled and debased in wicked Works and Services Prize all the Ordinances and Institutions of the Word of God neglect none be negligent in none The more these are prized and used the greater Reason you will see to persist in the use of them for the greater spiritual Benefit will sensibly be reaped That Noble Pair had learned the Word indeed of whom it was said Luk. 1. 6. And they were both righteous before God walking in all the Commandments and Ordinances of the Lord blameless 5. You have truly learned the Word of God when your care is to commend it and to adorn it in all things The more this Word is in your Mouths the more Edifying will your Discourse be Speak much of this Word and for it nay if you speak much of it as it is you will speak for it for the Word will commend it self Mind those Injunctions Eph. 4. 29. Let no corrupt Communication proceed out of your Mouths but that which is good to the use of Edifying and which may administer Grace to the hearers And Deut. 6. 6 7. These Words which I command thee this day shall be in thy Heart and thou shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thy House and when thou walkest by the way when thou liest down and when thou risest up How can it be said the Word has been entertained in your Hearts if you are not ready to commend it that it may have a Room in the Hearts of others And let not your Commendation of the Word be verbal onely but real Let your Conversations ever become the Gospel Live suirably to such a pure Holy and Heavenly Word and walk worthy of God who by this Word has called you to his Kingdom and Glorâ— â— Thes 2. â—â— 6. You have truly learned the Word of God when you do every things by its Direction not onely your Duty towards God but your Duty towards Man In all your ways God is to be eyed and acknowledged that by his Word your Paths may be directed Prov. 3. 6. Trade must be managed by the Word and the rules of Truth and Justice and Equity laid down there this is the way to grow Rich with a Blessing and without the Addition of Sorrow A Family must be order'd by this Word and all the Members of Families and the Governours of them must learn their Relative Duties from the Word of God Recreations must be regulated hereby else there may quickly be a forgetting of God an excessive delight in them and too great an expence of precious time Nothing can be well done if the Word be not regarded in the doing of it and nothing can be ill done or miscarry under the Words Conduct 7. You have truly learned the Word of God if you never depart from it Persevering in Obedience will prove you 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 indeed Disciples Joh. 8. 31. Jesus said to those Jews who believed in him if ye continue in my Word then are ye my Disciples indeed This shews the Lord himself has been your Teacher and is teaching you still and strengthning you together Psal 119. 33. Teach me O Lord the way of thy Statutes and I shall keep it to the end And V. 102. he says I have not departed from thy Judgments for thou hast taught me Stick unto his Testimonies and cleave unto the Lord with such a Resolution as neither Mammon Sin nor Satan may ever shake You can never change your Lord or his Service but you must change infinitely for the worse therefore be stedfast unmoveable always abounding in his work Though the Mountains depart and the Hills be removed yet do you abide with God and stand fast in the Faith unto the Death that you may receive the Promised Crown of Life and wear it for evermore FINIS ERRATA PAge 49. line 16. for broken read troden p. 53. l. 9. f. in r. as p. 56. l. 29. f. the r. yet p. 64. l. 16. f. diligent r. vigilant p. 76. l. 17. f. undenied r. underived p. 77. l. 12. f. Tabb r. Fable Books Printed for and sold by Tho. Parkhurst at the Bible and Three Crowns in Cheapside near Mercers Chappel A Body of practical Divinity consisting of above 176 Sermons on the lesser Catechism composed by the Reverend Assembly of Divines at Westminster with a Supplement of some Sermons on several Texts of Scripture by Tho. Watson formerly Minister of St. Stephens Walbrook Printed from his own hand writing recommended by several Ministers to Masters of Families and others Synodicon in Gallia Reformata or the Acts Decrees Decisions Canons of the Reformed Churches in France Being 1. A most faithful and impartial History of the rise growth perfection and decay of the Reformation in that Kingdom with its fatal Catastrophe upon the revocation of the Edict at Nants in the year 1685. 2. The Confession of Faith and Discipline of those Churches 3. A Collection of Speeches Letters Sacred Politicks Cases of Conscience and Controversies in Divinity determined and resolved by those Grave Assemblies 4. Many excellent expedients for preventing and healing Schisms in the Churches and for re-uniting the dismembred Body of divided Protestants 5. The Laws Government and Maintenance of the Colledges Universities and Ministers together with their Exercise of Discipline upon delinquent Ministers and Church Members 6. A Record of very many illustrious Events of Divine Providence relating to those Churches The whole collected and composed out of the Original Manuscript Acts of those renowned Synods a work never before extant in any Language in two Vol. by John Quick c. Fol. The Sure Mercies of David Or a Second Part of Heart-treasure Wherein is contained the sum and substance of Gospel-mercies purchased by Christ and Promised in the Covenant of Grace together with the several ways how they are made sure to all the Heirs of Promise and how they are to be improved for the Saints Fort and Defence Settlement and Incouragement in shaking and backsliding times By O. Heywood Closet-prayer a Christian Duty Or a Treatise upon Mat. 6. 6. By O. Heywood Baptismal Bonds renewed Being some Meditations upon Psal 50. 5. By O. H. M. A. Meetness for Heaven promoted in some brief Meditations upon Colos 1. 12. Discovering the nature and necessity of habitual and actual Meetness for Heaven here in all that hope for Heaven hereafter By O. H. An Epistolary Discourse on the great assistances to a Christians Faith and for a more Intire Rest and Assurance in the highest Trials and Adventures thereof With a Second Part upon the Present Times and these rare Vicissitudes of Providence in the Publick State of Britain in this Age. To which an Appendix is added in the Close By R. Fleming A Discourse of Earthquakes as they are Supernatural and Premonitory Signs to a Nation with a respect to what hath occurred in this Year 1692. And some special Reflections thereon As also on that Security and Assurance of Mind which is attainable in the Light and Power of Religion under the greatest Surprizals and Terrors of Sense With some Enquiry upon the Grounds both of our Fears and Hopes as to the publick State of the Church of Christ in this Day By the Author of the Fulfilling of the Scriptures The Confirming Work of Religion Or its Great Things made plain by their Primary Evidences and Demonstrations Whereby the meanest in the Church may soon be made able to render a Rational account of their Faith Written by R. Fleming Author of the Fulfilling of the Scriptures A Defence of Mr. M. H's Brief Enquiry into the Nature of Schism and the Vindication of it With Reflections upon a Pamphlet called the Review c. And a Brief Historical Account of Non-conformity from the Reformation to this Present Time England's Alarm Being an account of God's most Considerable Dispensations of Mercy and Judgment towards these Kingdoms for Fourteen Years last past And also of the several sorts of Sins and Sinners therein Especially the Murmurers against the Present Government With an Earnest Call to speedy Humiliation Supplication and Reformation as the Chief Means of Prospering their Majesties Counsels and Preparations Dedicated to the King and Queen A Sermon Preached at the Funeral of the Reverend Mr. Thomas Shewell Master of Arts and Minister of the Gospel in Coventry Who went up well into the Pulpit Jan. 15. and having Prayed and Named the Text Rom. 5. 12. was seised by an Apoplexy and dyed within a few Hours By William Tongue Minister of the Gospel The Good of Early Obedience By M. Mead. A Practical Expos on the 130. Psalm The Grace and Duty of being Spiritual Minded The Declaration of the Glorious Mistory of the Person of Christ These three by J. Owen D. D. Redemption of Time the Duty and Wisdom of Christians in evil days By S. Wade Minister at Hamersmith The Vanity of Man being a Discourse fitted for Funeral occasions By S. Shaw Several Discourses concerning the actual Providence of God in three Parts Above one hundred Sermons on the Canticles These two by the Reverend John Collings D. D. of Norwich FINIS
World Now they may adorn the Doctrine of God their Saviour in all things Now with well-doing they may put to silence the Ignorance of foolish men 1 Pet. 2. 15. Now by a Consciencious Performance of Relative Duties they may be great Blessings to their Relations and greatly promote their Eternal Interest They may be blameless and harmless without rebuke in the midst of a crooked and perverse Nation acting like the Children of God shining as Lights in the World holding forth the Word of Life Phil. 2. 14 15 16. But when once Death has seized on the Preachers of the Word their Mouths are stopt with Earth and they are effectually silenced they can speak unto and oversee the Church no longer At Death also Christian 's Work is at an end in this World therefore before the approach of Deaths Night when it will be too late to work Let all in the mean time work the harder 8. Though you are deliver'd out of Affliction recover'd from your Distempers be sure to die daily So did the Apostle 1 Cor. 15. 31. Dying daily implies a daily Meditation of Death looking upon your selves every day within the reach of Death and a continual preparedness for Death and a stedfast Resolution rather to suffer Death than to make Shipwrack of Faith and a good Conscience Do not reckon upon long Life but be perswaded to live well is to live indeed Live as those that must die certainly as those that may die suddenly Be not offended at the Cross of Christ though it should ly so heavy upon you as to press you to Death Sinful saving the Life is losing it but they who are valiant for the Truth of Christ and will venture the losing of Life for Christs sake shall find it Mat. 16. 25. And if natural Life be continued be earnestly desirous that Spiritual Life and liveliness may be increased Pray to be quickned as the Psalmist often does Psal 119. and look unto Jesus who is a quickning Spirit 1 Cor. 15. 45. The first Man Adam was made a living Soul the last Adam was made a quickning Spirit As he has given you Life so he is ready to give it more and more abundantly this will make you to live to him and to be unweariedly active for him The quickned Apostl's earnest desire was that Christ might be magnified by him his Life was at his Lords Service and he was ready to die also to serve him Phil. 1. 20. According to my earnest Expectation and my Hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed but that with all boldness as always so now also Christ shall be magnified in my Body whether it be by Life or by Death USE V. Of Consolation to Saints to whom it is so good when they are afflicted Unto the Righteous there ariseth Light in the Darkness The Rainbow the emblem of Peace and token of the Covenant is often seen in the blackest Cloud The Saints are never in such depths but Comfort belongs to them 't is good for them to be as they are nay all things considered 't is best for them Quod sis esse velis nihilque malis Believers should never say they had rather it might be otherwise with them than God sees it fit it should be when the Plough of Affliction pierces deepest Light and Joy is sowing and the Hopes of what at last will be reaped should allay the Sorrow wherewith the sowing is attended The Grounds of Consolation to afflicted Saints are these 1. Gods goodness is unquestionable however he is pleased to deal with his People Let them be plagued let them be chastned never so sore yet God is good to Israel even to them that are of a clean Heart Psal 73. 1. God is their God and his dealings are ever according to his Gracious Covenant His wounding of them is not like the wounds given by an Enemy but like the Chyrurgians Lancings in order to greater soundness and for Lifes Preservation Isa 27. Hath he smitten him as he smote those that smote him No no great is the Difference between the Rod and the Scorpion between Believers being chastned as Children and the Wicked their falling into the hands of the Living God who takes Vengeance upon them 2. That good which Saints receive by Affliction is Spiritual The Soul has a great kindness done to it The Conscience is bettered as to calmness and cleanness the Heart is made more pure the Spirit of the Lord works a greater change into the Image of God so that there is an advancing from Glory to Glory When Job had been some while afflicted his Spirit began to run more clear Job 23. 10. But he knoweth the way that I take when he hath tried me I shall come forth like Gold The Fire and Furnace in Zion purges the Dross and how then does the Gold shine 3. That good which the Saints reap by Affliction is peculiar and distinguishing Wicked men are either stupid under Affliction or if they are startled they return to their former Security after Affliction To have Affliction sanctified is a favour peculiar to Gods peculiar People 4. This good which the Saints receive by Affliction at present is an earnest to them of Eternal good things in the other World Afflictions are part of the Purgatory through which the Saints pass and are made meet for Glory The Popish Purgatory is a meer Invention for that Antichristian Churches secular Gain The Dead find it to be nothing but vast is the Worldly gain accrueing hereby to the living by this Craft comes in the Priests Wealth But the Purgatory of Affliction promotes Purity and is really Beneficial The Rod at present yeilds the peaceable fruits of Righteousness and when these are brought forth a Crown of Righteousness is assured 2 Tim. 4. 8. I have done with the first Doctrine That Saints are afflicted for their good I shall be Brief in the Second which follows D. 2. The second Doctrine which I raised from the Text was this The Rod of God is a means to make the Word of God to be the better Learned Psal 119. 67. Before I was afflicted I went astray but now have I kept thy Word Affliction was the means to put a stop to the Psalmists wandring it brought his Feet into the right Path and established his goings What a light shines in the School of Affliction Things are seen naked there Sin the World Hell and Destruction are all naked The great things of the Word are plainly seen to be great and good indeed and are no longer lookt upon as strange things In the handling of this Doctrine I shall 1. Shew you when the Word of God is indeed learned 2. What influence the Rod of God has unto the better Learning of his Word 3. Make Application In the first Place I am to shew you when the Word of God is indeed and aright learned 1. Learning the Word implies a Perswasion of the Words Divine Authority and Truth He has not