the same Mould he fashioned them all The poorest acknowledge that they are as much minded by God as the rich and so far they are right but then they go further Exod. 30. 15. and make themselves his only Favourites The ground of this Error is through Mis-application of those Promises in Scripture concerning this Condition But let them not be deceived for where is any mention made of spiritual good things it is to those Poor only who walk in their Integrity Hath not God chosen the Poor of this World the Apostle doth not say all of them but those who are rich in Faith and Heirs of the Kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him Jam. 5. 2. So they must believe and love God and then they must avoid sinning against him otherwise they have no place in Heaven Indeed many of them do so and more would if they did apply themselves to God and the Word of his Grace which is able both to bring in and build up Those whom the Proud ones call the ordinary sort of People will make the greater number in Heaven We see more of them allowing for their multitude that Practice Simplicity and Godly Sincerity then we can amongst those of higher rank for these have altogether broken the Yoke and burst the bands Jer. 5. 5. Being governed by Self-will and their own humour more then the Laws of God but the others are not altogether so forgetful and refractory And have a good will towards God in General but the Prophet remarks truly how Jer. 5. 4. they have not that knowledge which is to be desired for They understand not the things of Religion so well as they should but follow their own Opinions and Fancies Satan which deceiveth the whole World Rev. 12. 9. Hath taken advantage thereof instilling into them errors and deceits If you would indeed be in the right way to Heaven and not miss thereof at last give attendance to that Word which is to shew unto all the Path of Life When some have well resolved then they are distracted about Of different Communious the way one saith it is this another that It is agreed by all that the Scriptures do shew what is right so what they point out it is good to â—oâ—â—ow They give the Character of some who Taught the way of God in Truth Mat. 22. 16. Acts 16. 17. And therefore according to what is Written those both said and did it may be most surely trusted unto There have been Questions and different Opinions in past Ages but little is said of them in Holy Writ The Prophets make no mention of them speaking against Idolatry but say nothing as to Modes of Worship Our Saviour Speaks little concerning those Separate Meetings in his time and doth not express much zeal one waâ— or another His Apostles followed the same steps One witnesseth In every Nation he that feareth God and worketh Righteousness is accepted with him Acts. 10. 35. Being applyed to Cornelius a Gentile as may be gathered from Acts 11. 18 The diversity here was greater then amongst several Communions of Christians aâ— this day and therefore much more will they be saved in each Another Apoâ—â—le saith Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing b 〈…〉 thâ— kâ—â—p 〈…〉 of the Commandments of God 1 Cor. 7. 19. In Christ Jesus neither Circumcision availeth any thing noâ— uncircumcision but Faith which worketh by love Gal. 5. 6. A new Creature Gal. 6. 15. That was as important a Question as those in controversie now bâ—t there is not so much in them as Obedience and Holiness To which aâ—â—â—e the promises of God are and nothing at all to those distinguishing terms of Perswasion among us It is evident from Psal 25. 12 14. John 7. 17. 1 Cor. 2. 10. Phil. 3. 15. That whosoever sincerely fears God with his whole heart shall be directed into all necessary and saving Truth and then he must lay aside all Prepossessions and Prejudice Pride Humour Wordly Reasons coming in simplicity of Soul only out of a desire to be right and receive the love of the Truth that he may be saved 2 Thes 2. 10. For this is evident Continuance in a willful and known error is as dangerous as a willful and known sin and therefore to be equally avoided The Word doth discover Good and Evil Truth and Falshood so the Duty of every one is to set his Conscience as in the light of God with a readiness to think and do what is most according to his revealed Will and then he shall never perish through errour or falshood All Worship is designed to please and obtain acceptance with Almighty God. The hour cometh and now is when the true Worshippers shall worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth for the Father seeketh such to worship him John 4. 23. But this doth in no wise excuse from an humble bodily gesture and reverence of the outward Man the Subjection of both is to be shewed Therefore glorifie God in your Body and in your Spirit which are Gods 1 Cor. 6. 20. Certainly this Apostle knew what was a Gospel and Spiritual Worship yet He kneeled down and Prayed Acts 20. 36. The like did our Saviour Luke 22. 41. And Stephen and Peter Acts 7. 60 Acts 9. 40. It is to be observed in Publick Worship for so did Paul that being more Solemn and whereby God is Glorified Though the Lolling sort of behaviour is so much in use among the Country People when they come into the presence of God let them use it before their Governour or Great Men How will they be pleased with it And if they will not neither will he who even now remains a Great King and his Name is dreadful among the Heathen Mal. 1. 8 14. And though some may think that no more then another place yet they may consider what our Lord did John 2. 16 17. Mark 11. 15 16 17. Signifying plainly that more regard is to be had to the House of Prayer so called of all Nations and People extending to the Gospel Isa 56. 7. times when they come in The Apostle finds fault with the Corinthians abusing of the Sacrament making a Common Meal of it Have ye not Houses to eat or drink in or despise ye the Church Psal 29. 9. of God 1 Cor. 11. 22. The subject of that Chapter is about a comely behaviour in the Holy Assemblies What can be said to these plain Scriptures or how can they excuse themselves from Sin in not observing them Let Men put what meaning they will God is judge himself and they may at the last day be severely reproved for not obeying that command the reason whereof is eternally Obligatory Ye shall keep my Sabbaths and reverence my Sanctuary I am the Lord Lev. 19. 30. The design of the whole Gospel is Peace Unity and Love see Rom. 12. 18. Rom. 16 17. 1 Cor. 1. 10. 1 Cor. 10. 17. 2 Cor. 13. 11. Phil.
made sensible but is as it were a meer Trunk or Engine for the Soul to Act in We know less of the way of the Spirit then of other things but since what was written Eccles 11. 5. there hath morâ— Revelation come forth What appears from thence and manifest reason is to be laid open that we may know how to Labour after our proper Happiness We should have been very much in the dark if not for the Law and Testimony and the light in them yet still we are shut in a narrow Room closely coâ—fined within the Walls of thick Clay so we must not expect a perfect knowledge thereof till this shall be made glorious and transparent For now we see through a Glass darkly but then face to face Now I know in part but then shall I know even as also I am known 1 Cor. 13. 12. It is no small inconsiderable thing for observe with what it is ranked The Lord stretcheth forth the Heavens and layeth the Foundation of the Earth and formeth the Spirit of Man within him Zech. 12. 1. It being the manner of his wonderful working to comprize a great matter in a small place And this argues the Excellency of spiritual things that they are of equal with material though these seem as much greater as the Ocean is to a single drop and therefore are as worthy to be sought after as what may be seen or handled now with the outward Senses Such is the Wisdom and Contrivance of God that those things are declared unto us whilst in the Flesh and in a World of sensible Carnal things That which was from the beginning which we have heard which we have seen with our eyes which we have looked upon and our hands have handled of the word of life for the life was manifested 1 John 1. 1 2. Now these cannot be Eat nor Drunk nor keep Warm but yet are recâ—ived in and as sensible to the Soul as they are to the Body And also have the aid of Sense to convey them in And tend equally â—o her bettering growth and Establishment The Soul may be known by its Operations which may be distinguished as we give Names to the several parts of the Body by the Understanding Will and Affections By the first we have the knowledge of Good and Evil Truth Of the Understanding and Falshood to follow the one and â—schew the other which we naturally and readily do For though the Practise of the World discovers that Men are Wise to do evil and to do good have no knowledge Jer. 4. 22. they forsake the Truth and greedily run after Errour yet not apprehending them such but through counterfeit and disguise appear to them as good and true Their understanding being darkened doth not see throughly in things and they looking through a false Glass judge according to the outside and mistake appearances for good and delusions for truth Men are deceived by false Notions for they follow after what is seemingly best and convenient If the mind did see clearly into the things separate from the deceitful Varnish they have put on if the Fogs were dispelled within and without they would not miss of the good and right way If any man walk in the day he stumbleth not because he seeth the the light of this World But if a man walketh in the night he stumbleth because there is no light in him John 11. 9. And this is the Condition of People at first though it is hard to let so much light into some Men that they may just discern their own state It is certain mankind did as little know what they most ought the things of God and another World their own future Happiness and how to secure it as those now in the dark night see of the things of this World. That Revelation which he hath made in Scripture doth discover it all as plainly as the Sun shineth in the Firmament to see the things before us And if those be made appear to concern us as much as these do then a like understanding of them will be found altogether necessary Every one knoweth that barely to see signifieth not much without Reason or Sense within manifesting their Nature whether good or evil unto us for otherwise Poison might be received in as wholsome Food He is reckoned a Fool who cannot put a difference in things of common Life between what is for his Welfare and Harm He is thought a heedless Fellow and next to madness who hath no regard to what may preserve or what may destroy He is reputed stubborn and wilful and unpitied when he falls into Misery who would not suffer himself to be forewarned thereof nor would use means when he might to prevent it All this is exactly so as to the World to come The Holy Ghost doth often use the similitude of light and darkness by the former signifying that manifestation of the Will of God to us Men what he would have us to know and more particularly for that which came by the Gospel of Jesus Christ which is in order to recovering of sight to the blind Luke 4. 18. see Isa 9. 12. 60. 1 2 3. Mal. 4. 2. Luke 1. 78 79. John 1. 4 5. The Condition of those before and the refusal of it is darkness They know not neither will they understand they walk on in darkness Ps 82. 5. Even at this very day This is the Condemnation that light is come into the World and Men love darkness rather then light because their Deeds are evil for every one that doth evil hateth the light neither cometh Eph. 5. 13. to the light least his Deeds should be reproved John 3. 19 20 But alas What siguifieth this pitiful shift For no Mans sins are to another but to God only and he knoweth them as well with their utmost Sinfulness and Aggravation as if committed openly before all the World. The darkness hideth not from thee Ps 139. 12. The light is not manifested to make our Sins known for they are before but for the Prevention and avoiding of them Gods Will would be done on Earth as it is in Heaven if his ways were as much known For they who know him will not offend against him Our Souls would escape out of the Snare of the Fowler if we did see it laid for us We should not yield to Satans Temptation if we did know the utmost in it no more then a Wise man Acts against his Reason and Interest for the alone Promise of a Rattle or Childish Toy If he had not to do with Fools and Blind he could not drill them on with such Toys and Vanities The Lust of the Flesh the Lust of the Eyes and the Pride of Life Pleasures Riches and Honour are the baits he uses which make a Glorious shew and pretence to be the good things allotted to the Sons of Men. At first sight they dazzle our Eyes we perceive nothing but Beauty and Loveliness in them yet
blamed who call themselves Followers of Jesus to do according to all the Laws he hath given them Especially when himself hath said Ye are my Friends if ye do whatsoever I command you John 15. 14. If he calls them Friends there is no Reason why others should call them Fools unless who esteem his Doctrine Foolishness but most certainly they should not who name the name of Christ and do not depart from iniquity and therefore speak in Contempt of those which do hereby to excuse themselves from not living according to the Rules of their Profession But by thus doing They add iniquity to their iniquity and not come into thy Righteousness Psal 69. 27. It was the saying of one The Speculative Atheist was the greatest wonder in the World except one and he was the Practical Atheist Nothing can be so strange and foolish as he who believes the Gospel and yet doth live accordingly but the greatest part of Mankind being of this number they would reverse this if possible and account him a simple Fellow who lives according to it So mightily hath Satan prevailed in the hearts of Men as to make them believe any thing which may advance his Kingdom But this is the most unaccountable folly that can be and not fit to be entertained among reasonable Souls Good God! how ridiculous is it that they who profess to believe that keeping thy Commandments is the way to Eternal Life yet should account those foolish who do them They All agree it is a Mans highest Wisdom to use the right means to obtain the greatest Happiness they acknowledge Obedience to all Gods Laws is such and yet they would fain esteem him foolish who doth thus so they would raise a false conclusion from true and right premises which is impossible and here as absurd as any thing in the World can be One would admire that Men of understanding should swallow down such an Opinion it is taken in with the generality without consideration for they know that in wordly concerns when one is in pursuit of a Temporal Good as an Estate Office or preferment it is Wisdom to make use of all the probable means which may help towards obtaining thereof to leave no stone unturned for they say a Man can never be too sure Yet these believe there is an Heaven which doth exceed whatever is here below that it is every Mans business to get him an Interest therein that the most likely way to get thither is to do according to all those Directions in Scripture and why then should not such an one be reputed Wise He seems to Act most prudently if judged according to the measures of wordly Wisdom Much more is he approved of if determined by the true Notions of that which was set up from everlasting from the beginning or ever the Earth was Prov. 8. 23. Let all the World say or think what they will Wisdom and Truth are immutable and cannot be tossed too and fro by the Breath of foolish talking People they are Emanations from the Divine Nature and in this corrupted State where truth is hated Wisdom cryeth out but few hear the voice they are not to be found among the multitude so that one must be wiser then the Generality or he will not be wise at all as the end will prove When it shall be better to have been among Christ's little Flock then the common Herd It is better to shine as Stars for ever and ever although we now like them move contrary then to walk according to the Course of this World and to have a Portion with the Children of disobedience That Effect of Singularity which is so much feared intitles Of Singularity unto the Blessing Luke 6. 22 23. the Hatred of Men procures unto him the love of God. To be a Christian not only in Name but in Deed and in Truth is to be a Singularist in the common Opinion for if any observes all things whatsoever Christ hath Commanded he is a Man by himself an Humourist only because he will not serve his Lord by halves as the generality of Mankind do But let not this seem strange as if some new thing happened unto Jer. 12. 9. him for the Saints heretofore were Singularists Noah in the Old World Lot in Sodom Abraham in Chaldea Joseph in Egypt Moses in Midian Daniel in Babylon And by the way these were Men of higher Rank and yet were not ashamed to serve the Lord in wicked Generations Undoubtedly there were others in their days who did so likewise yet but few in Comparison of the Rom. 11. 3 4. ungodly Elias is recorded in that general Apostacy of the Jews to say I am left alone But what saith the Answer of God unto him I have reserved my self seven thousand Men who have not bowed the knee unto the image of Baal They were about one in an hundred computed according to the number of the Israelites and then they were liable to this Denomination God's faithful People have been the fewest in number ever since the World began his Church may be compared to an heap of Corn mingled with Chaff wherein a Grain appears here and there by it self compassed about witâ— the other but though it lies several in the heap it shall be gathered Mat. 3. 12. and Singularity shall at length cease and end in the Communion of Saints Whilst they are in the World they are not of the World A thing is called from the greater part and when it signifies the People contained therein it is in Scripture Language taken for the wicked because they are the most And not to do as the Generality doth is reckoned Singularity now to shew forth a Christian Conversation in good Works is not what the most but only few do And therefore it is thus accounted of But let none be discouraged with this term of Reproach for even the Men of this World who decry it so much would with all their Hearts be singular if they might none would refuse to be the only rich Man in his Parish neither would the Ambitious refuse an high Title of Honour because none in the Countrey besides had the like This is the thing they aim at to be more wealthy and honourable then the rest of their Neighbours Every private Person would willingly be more Happy then others and will use the means to be so And it is esteemed no fault to direct their Actions accordingly but Wisdom for every one to advance his own interest as much as he can although he gets above others This is the Sense of mankind as to wordly Matters and there is the very same Reason it should be so likewise in things pertaining to endless Life Every single Person would save his own Soul and be for ever Happy if he should miscarry he bears all the loss himself and others will never be able to help him Why then should he be blamed if he trys to secure himself And seeing there
the Falshood Vanity and Danger thereof But the last is wonderfully cherished and entertained Men according to their several Dispositions are more inclined to one sin then another some dear beloved Lust a sinful Pleasure or Profit They will spare and forsake it not but keep it still Job 20. 13. for this they seek out so many Excuses and Pretences Being resolved to hold fast they fain would have it not be sinful at all or at least not in them for such and such such Resons But if it be so apparently against the word of God which makes no Allowance or Dispensation for Circumstances or Conveniency that they cannot throughly satisfie their Conscience though they have long endeavoured it why then they must grant it to be their failing The subtil Enemy Promises that though they still continue yet they shall never go to Hell for one Sin producing such Arguments from Scripture and common Reason And hence begins to work in them with all deceiveableness He represents several Thoughts to sooth and quiet Conscience That done they at length become secure and make no manner of doubt but it shall go well with them at last Now they are in the Condition wished for and whosoever would disturb them therein is no Friend of theirs They hold him to be their Enemy who tells them the Truth and endeavours to convince them of the damnable Errour they are in They return Hatred for Good-will for they had rather run Blind into the Ditch go Hoodwinkt to Hell then have their Eyes opened and escape it So strangely are they besotted by Sin and Satan But it is reckoned no unkindness to save one from drowning if thereby he plucks a little Hair off from his Head and the Irksomeness in like manner must be endured which is necessary for Interruption of Security and Discovery of Deceits Let Men deceive themselves yet they cannot deceive their Judge The Foolishness of Men shall never Out-wit the All-wise God neither shall he be put off with vain Excuses or Pretences The Lord is a God of knowledge and by him Actions are weighed 1 Sam. 2. 3. He is a God of Power and none can get into his Mansions above without his Will and he can make all the Devices of the wicked to be of none effect He is a God of Truth and therefore what he hath spoken in these last days by his Son shall be fulfilled Who saith He that rejecteth me and receiveth not my words hath one that judgeth him the word that I have spoken the same shall Judge him at the last day John. 12. 48. And those idle Pleas which guilty Persons shall offer for themselves will not be allowed of as appears Mat. 7. 22 23 and Mat. 25. 44. So is the Case at this day for at the Assizes no Prisoner how guilty soever would be Condemned if every little trifle and excuse he makes for himself might be received and save his Life Whereas the Judge doth not regard his idle Sayings and frivolous Pretences but proceeds against him for what he hath done according to the written Law of the Land. If Men flatter themselves in Evil because they think they have a place of Scripture on their side they are further to know that according to the righteous Interpretation of Christ and not their own wicked Wrestings and Mis-applications all must for ever stand or fall As such are all those meanings which may seem to give allowance to any manner of Sin For it is a certain and eternal Rule Whatever Doctrine or Opinion doth Countenance living in any wilful and known Sin cannot be of God neither hath it any right Grounds from his Word For though Men of Prevaricating minds do take Arguments from the Law of the Most High to favour that which his Soâ—l abhors as by endeavouring to make the Holy Spirit a defender of impurity his righteous Statutes to maintain their unjust Actions by palliating a Lye with the word of Truth and proving such a thing to be no Sin by that which is the alone Rule of Good and Evil and which doth plainly forbid it but by Glosses Distinctions Restrictions and Sentiments of their own devising they would have it pass for none This is to pervert the right ways of the Lord to do violence to his Law and also they are partial therein for they take up what seems to make for them and neglect others which are manifestly contrary to what they would have If such a thing is for their Gain or Delight although plainly forbidden as they cannot deny yet they commit it safely without fear from such an Example or Expression they found therein and however far fetcht it shall serve to their purpose Cometh this abuse from the Nature of Scripâ—ure or Difficulty of understanding it In no Wise for it strictly forbids all manner of Sin and Falshood They also do no iniquity they walk in his ways Thy word is very pure Psal 119. 3. and Verse 140 Sanctifie them through thy Truth thy word is Truth John 17. 17 And those places which command and exhort Holy Life are so easie to be understood that none can be mistaken in them The VVay faring Men though Fools shall not err therein Isa 35. 8. One great Reason of Deceits is from what is said Jer. 5. 30 31. A wonderful and horrible thing is Committed in the Land. The Prophets Prophesie falsly and the Priests bear Rule by their means And my People love to have it so and what will ye do in the end thereof Those who have taken upon them the Office of interpreting to serve their own Interest and to please Men have interpreted falsly Being bound to maintain such Doctrines and Opinions tâ—e have wrested the Scriptures in defence of them And have concealed several Truths which would have confuted them Such have turned and winded the good word of God as it seemed â—est to make a Gain thereof Others also have hid their Eyes from my Sabbaths Ezek. 22. 26. By subtil Distinctions have made the Commandments of God of none Effect as the Pharisces of old did concerning the Fifth so some later have done concerning the Fourth And many such like things do ye Who hâ—â—e Slubbered Mark. 7. 13. over that Particular and strict Obligation of the Gospel Commands and out of that have Propheâ—â—â—d sâ—oâ—th things Who can find a faithful Interpreter According to the Church or Party listed in so they have construed Not making known in all things what was the very mind of God but for the Divine meaning have laid down the meer Fancies of their own Brain And putting another Sense then what they thought was true and Genuine at the time of doing it VVho Prophesie out of their own Hearts Ezek. 13. 2. and send forth Imaginations instead of Truth How bold are some in determining what is Sin and what is not How do they Lord it over our Faith and Magisterially lay down their Propositions as if they had known the mind of
principal and whole place in Man nothing to be preferred before him and all things to be done in subserviency to his Obedience That which was given to Minister must not set up for Rule What he only allowed for Necessaries and Conveniences that he might be served in Holiness and Righteousness all the days of our Life is not to come in for the main end nor be made an occasion to provoke him by iniquity and disobedience How unreasonable is it that a little yellow or white Dust should be preferred before God who made Heaven and all things therein They are accursed who worship the Sun Moon and Stars which declare his Glory but are not to deprive him of the least degree of his own much less may the small things here below God made us preserveth us gives whatsoever we enjoy and hath provided an eternal Happiness hereafter if we do not by such gross Demerits as esteeming every little thing before him which sets forth the infinite Aggravation of Sin forfeit our Right we have to his free and gracious Promises If we might â—ender to all their due that just Esteem they deserve and no more Now of God are all things and therefore to him belong all Love Fear Honour Praise Obedience and whatsoever we can do to express our utmost Acknowledgment and Worship of his Divine Majesty Let us do as much as we can to acknowledge His Dominion and Property and our own Subjection and Dependance Let us have an exceeding high Opinion of whatever appertains to him and then we should have but a very little Opinion of all that is here in Comparison of the Great things of God. Even in this wicked partial and idolatrous World Dung is never preferred before Crowns and Scepters And if the Eyes of our understanding were enlightened and we did lift them up to the everlasting Hills we might apprehend such unutterable things there that we should no more esteem of the most magnified things of this World then now we do the Stones and Earth we walk upon But all Men have not Faith who look upon this as meer Dreams and fine Fancies Indeed few speak out so but many think thus in their minds and therefore are for being sure of something letting alone these glorious Imaginations for such who believe them It is said there is one Nerve more in the Eye of Man then in Brutes by which he is enabled to lift it up If this be not lost for want of use look upwards in a clear Night ye earthly minded Observe the Firmament bespangled with Stars and do ye not really guess there may be above them some greater Excellency then Gold and Silver which Canker and Rust Seek him that maketh the seven Stars and Orion Amos 5. 8. whose is the World and the fulness thereof Psal 50. 12. and you must conclude he hath greater things in his disposal then what we now see or handle Be not so rash and foolish to perswade your selves there are no such things because you do not believe them for in your Opinion it would be an odd kind of reasoning that there was no such things as Riches because Beasts know them not And it is alike absurdity to deny those true Riches our Saviour speaks of Luke 16. 11. only for that covetous Worldings will not know nor believe them If they will not they shall lose their part in them and that will occasion greater trouble then now it is to miss a good Bargain or Purchase 'T is perverse Humour and Opposition to the Truth that any are unbelieving for would they but impartially examine those Evidences of Faith we have they must fully assent But this wicked and stubborn World is afraid the Gospel should be true and therefore will not look upon its Pillars and Grounds of Truth least they should be found too strong and then such must not continue in Transgression They are willing to grasp and hold fast what they have and they take effectual Care not to attend to any thing how true soever which may perswade to the contrary O profound Policy and Wisdom To refuse to be Happy here and hereafter because by coveting after Riches they will pierce themselves through with many Sorrows and wilfully subject themselves unto temporal and eternal Misery only to hug themselves a little with ill gotten abundance What unheard of Folly is this There being set before the Sons of Men good and evil they will lose the one and incur the other by considering of neither before-hand Good God! That Men should set at naught the most inestimable thing in the World and yet blindly run upon accursed Misery Reason it self would tell them that there is no harm to seek after the greatest Good and if it be grievous to think of the Evil so they cannot endure that how much more to suffer it And they had better think thereof and so escape then as now they do shut it out of their Minds and thus unavoidably run into it This may be applied to all manner of unbelief Ignorance and Sin but Covetousness hath a mixture of all for otherwise a Man would not renounce his part in the Portion of Israel for thousands of Gold and Silver Were he perswaded he hath a Soul and of its due worth he would not lose it to gain the whole World when now he doth to get a less part thereof then the point of a Pin is to an Acre of Ground Covetousness doth strangely fasten the affections to the Earth and takes them quite off from Heaven The mind is daubed over with thick Clay that it conceives not Spiritually and so intent upon things Temporal that he regards not the things Eternal And thus comes in him an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God Nevertheless let him still know he is bound to obey the Commandments If one hath never taken the Oath of Allegiance yet he is obliged to keep the Kings Laws if he doth not he shall be punished accordingly So likewise if one was never Baptized nor enters into Covenant with God yet still he lives under his Laws Every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward Heb. 2. 2. He is Lord over all the Great King of all the Earth and requires subjection from every Creature those his Enemies which would not have him reign over them he will send forth his Armies and destroy them Who will not mind Scripture his revealed Law are at this present transgressours against the same and shall at the last day be condemned by it For the iniquity of his Covetousness was I wroth and smote him I hid me and was wroth and he went frowardly in the way of his heart Isa 57. 17. The iniquity of Covetousâ—ess consists in getting by evil and sinful Col. 3. 5 6. means as Falshood or Wrong so it is a complicated sin of inordinate Affection and Disobedience Another kind of Covetousness is gathered from 2 Cor. 9. 5. Which hinders from
right before thee Jer. 17. 16. They are bound to believe and speak â—orth Gods Truth but yet far from wishing the Misery of those who are Flesh of their Flesh and Bone of their Bone of the same common stock and likeness with themselves However they must love God more then Man and be more zealous for his Glory Truth and Justice then the welfare of others They had rather that wicked Men turn and live They would have such part with dâ—ceiâ—ful Lusts for true Happiness and do use their utmost endeavours to accomplish this blessed Work but if they continue still in an hard impenitent heart If they persist to hate provoke and despise the most Lovely Excellent Glorious One who hath not in the least deserved it from them If they abuse his Goodness and Long-suffering which at length is worn out and their day is past Let God arise and let his Enemies be scattered let them also that hate him flee before him As smoke is driven away so drive them away As Wax melteth before the Fire so let the wicked perish at the Presence of God. But let the righteous be glad let them rejoyce before God yea let them exceedingly rejoyce Psal 68. 1 2 3. They will be pleased when they behold God glorified in his Justice upon the wicked as in his Mercy on themselves Even they will fully acknowledge the Lord is righteous he hath dealt with them accordingly to their deservings they had theâ—r Choice and he did all things to bring them to Heaven and avoid the evil but they maliciously refused the one and did run blindly into the other If now they would lay aside prejudice and false judgings and debate the Matter seriously in their minds they must Confess the Goodness and Justice of God in the Government of the World as to future Rewards and Punishments though we are now in the Flesh and have not so very clear a discovery of things much more will it appear when we shall be stript and dispossessed of all when the Judge himself shall testifie against us Psal 50. 6 7. And plead with the Inhabitants of the Earth give a large Account of what he hath done for his Vineyard and leave us to judge what he could do more that he hath not done Isa 5. that every mouth may be stopped and all the World become Guilty before God Rom. 3. 19. The Righteous will say If thou Lord hadst been extream to mark iniquity who might abide it Even they would be Condemned But they fled to him who was set forth for an Advocate and Propitiation for our Sins they entred into that Covenant of Grace which was made through him between God and Man and sincerely performed the Conditions thereof O what magnifying will there then be of the Mercy of the Father in sending him and his Love in doing so great things for mankind But for those his Enemies who would not have him Reign over them who did Call him Lord Lord but did not the things he said who did mock and trifle with him these shall find to be true what is written 2 Thes 1. 7 8 9. Rev. 2. 23. The Secrets of all Hearts will be manifested all Tricks and Evasions will vanish and themselves will really assent to the Truth and uprightness of Gods proceeding against them They will be forced to know these things when knowledge will do them no good but to aggravate their own Folly that they would not know them before-hand that they were willingly ignorant 2 Pet. 3. 5. Who are now of a different Opinion from the Godly and so exasperated against them will find those things to be true they told them of and will wish they had hearkened to them In the Word of God is such abundant Conviction for all sorts of wicked Men but especially the worst sort of Persecutors that when they hear these things the former must be pricked in their Heart Acts 2. 37. and so bring them to Repentance the others cut to the Heart Acts 7. 54. which would stop the way of them But if they are desperately resolved and gnash with their Teeth then they must Cry with a loud voice and stop their Ears Verse 57. and run upon mischief Making the outward noise to silence the Cries within them Be sure not to hear what can be said against their wicked Designs for then they could not do them They must violently rush on for they cannot go soft deliberate and do this They hasten on with hurry and Passion for let them take sober Councel they will never Act such things If they take advice from Scripture they will be found mad and Enemies to themselves If by Reason that will pronounce them to be Fools and cruel to others And therefore if their Hearts are fully set in them to do evil they must consult with neither And this is the very Reason why they go on in their Course as is generally of a wicked Life to resolve first to hear nothing to the contrary But if one was throughly bent to commit Theft Robbery Treason and thereupon think himself safe because he would not know the Kings Laws should we think him so He would be hanged for all that In like manner God hath published his Word to the World and whether Men will take notice of the Truths of it or no they only lie dormant for a while but he will judge and condemn by it and their ignorance will not excuse but aggravate their Guilt because it was malicious and wilful They might have known in this their Day the things which belong to their Peace but when they are hid from their Eyes they will be plagued that they did not know them and what they now account a Priviledge will be one degree more of their Torment Let others have a Care how they become the Authors of Reproach and Persecution which begins by the steps of Malice and Ill-will Our Lord himself laid open the unreasonableness thereof for having before shewed why they should not he sâ—iâ—h Yet they both hated me and my Father but this comes to pass â—hat the word might be fulfilled which was written in their Law they hated me without a Cause John 15. 25. He told his Disciples that they also would be hated and so it hath appeared of his true Followers in all Ages ever since But why shouldst thou Labour so much in this Point Seeing those who are Hated Slandered and Persâ—cuted are Parâ—akâ—rs of the Blessing and obtain a Reward for it and consequently it is better for them to be so intreated This is a right Julian Scoff yet we have our Saviour for an Example in vindicating himself and the â—oly Apâ—stles maintaining their Innocency and shewing the uâ—reasonableâ—ess of their Adversaries rage against them However God is pleased to â—urn the Sufferings of his Servants into good recompence them with Comfort here and Glory hereafter yet they are to be put in mind not presently to suffâ—r without using all lawâ—ul
deliberation all Men are Lyars With him my Soul is contented to embarque for the Land of Eternity upon this perswasion and confidence God must be good and true He hath made known his Will concerning us Men by him that is the true and Faithful Witness who hath done it accordingly God hath appointed a day in the which he will Judge the World in Righteousness by that Man whom he hath ordained whereof he hath given assurance unto all Men in that he hath raised him from the Dead Acts 17. 31. By Christs Resurrection the Apostle spends a whole Chapter 1 Cor 15. To prove the necessity of ours And in other places of Scripture are such convincing Arguments which are able to beget in us a lively Faith as is equal to knowledge and demonstration in other matters which we cannot so properly have of any thing that is unseen and future as this Article of Faith is Now my days are swifter then a Post they flee away they see no good Job 9. 25. It is evident they do roul over our heads we have no true and lasting Happiness but what is in expectation of that to come nothing we do signifies but which tends to that We cannot well think that God who made this lower part of the World for our use hath pâ—t all things under our feet Psal 8. 6. Whose works are manifold and in Wisdom hath made them all Should make us to serve to no purpose that we should not have also our proper end and we have no end at all unless it is to glorifie our Maker We have no work to do unless it is that he hath revealed for us here to do Is it to shine in Pomp or wear fine Clothes In all our Glory we are not arrayed as the Lilies of the Field Is it to shew our care by provision before hand for Earthly things The Ants and Bees do the same only we are found more unreasonable they lay up only for the Winter time but we who know our selves Mortal covet as if we were to abide here for ever Is it meerly to sport and play The Leviathan takes his Pastime in the deep Is it only to keep company There are some sorts of Birds and Beasts that continually flock and herd together still this is not all God made Man for himself hath endued him with Powers which rise higher then any of these ends To know and serve him here in order to more fully praise and enjoy him hereafter He hath provided other kind of things for us then we now see or have Every one that is not Brutish in his Imagination doth find in himself Expectations after that which this World cannot give something that points out beyond the compass of the Earth and the Deep saith it is not in me The good and allwiseCreator will not couzen or beguile him with that which is not will not always feed him with bare longings or false hopes No doubt but if Man will believe and have patience for a little while he shall have his full satisfaction These things are superfluous to Mention buâ— there are many unbelievers in these latter days who by sayings and caâ—eâ—ess actions cause the Faith of some to stumble Others have taken up Christianity as a thing of course and outward custom of the World they know nothing more in it I have heard it Talked and Whispered as if dead and gone there is an end and no more It was needful to say somewhat that these might in due time have perfect knowledge of another World before they are actually entred into it for otherwise it is sad and lamentable And also that those who have some belief and not bare profession might be under a more lively sence thereof for this very much helps to ordering the conversation aright Nay who have all faith and come to the greatest degree that usually Men arrive unto yet these have need still to seek out further establishment and confirmation thereof God having reserved that in Heaven and it being not so agreeable to a state of Tryal is pleased not to give unto any of us absolute perfection in Spiritual Graces or natural accomplishments Who hath received a faith which cannot be shaken at least in some of its Branches It doth lie upon us all to make it as sure as ever we can by the means given that it may help in time of need When we come near to Death that is such a time the greatest Temptation with whichSatan doth at last assail us is commonly to unbelief taking advantage over bodily weakness and drooping So that he who is wise will endeavour to lay up in store against that time and also it is necessary in the midst of life then indeed it may be accompanied with little doubts but at last with desperate plangings It is requiâ—te to do all things to believe yea and stedfastly to believe No Man can be too well assured of the Truth of Scripture and which is included in them a life to come Let him endeavour still to be more and more for then he may securely triumph over the last Enemy Death look it in the face and yet not be dismayed His business is when he believes the Scriptures to be most certainly true to act accordingly and then he is safe When he can apply those promises to himself in Truth and without deceit he is as sure as iâ—possible for any to be on this side of Heaven Saith Christ Whosoever heareth these sayings of mine and doth them I will liken him unto a wise Man which built his House upon a Rock and the rain descended and the flood came and the Winds blew and beat upon that House and it fell not for it was founded upon a Rock Mat. 7. 24 25. This he applyed to his whole Sermon on the Mount Who doth observe that particularly what is said Mat. 5. 19 20 29 Mat. 7. 21. Shall have this commendation in the mean while and shall at last find it to be true to his endless comfort But there is a deceit amongst Christians who think if they can apply one single Beatitude to themselves they are well enough Indeed if they are so not because natural disposition is more inclined to such a Grace but purely out of obedience to Christ and no other reason the blessing may be theirs And if they were so alone out of that Principle the very same would oblige them to other things also He that is careful to approve his Obedience sincerely unto God will do it in all things he requires as well as such a particular instance If he is acted by love and subjection unto him he will do a thing at his command contrary to natural inclination or fleshly interest In all the Law given us there is no exception left to the natural humours and desires of Men those are to be contradicted and brought into Obedience If some are more prone to this sin and again some to another kind their forbearance and
practice of the contrary duty will be more excellent and have a proportionable reward All Gods Precepts Jam. 2. 10 11. 1 Cor. 12. 8. are linked together But as in the Gifts of God a Man hath the common measure of all yet one is more eminent for this So in Obedience and Christian Graces one is obliged to all but then a single one shall shine forth more then the reâ—t and to such besides the common reward a more especial blessing is promised This is not a needless digression for the Doctrine and Practice of Universal Obedience is necessary against the Fear and Danger of Death as we learn from Ezek. 18. 31. 1 Cor. 15. 56. That gives title to all the promises who complies therewith is sure and none besides Righteousness delivereth from Evil Prov. 11. 4. From the Fear whilst he lives and the Danger when it approaches â—igh The body will a little tremble at its dissolution for that is natural But Christ came to deliver them who through Fear of Death were all their life time subject to bondage Heb. 2. 15. And this beâ—â—fit he hath procured to his Servants for they believe the Scriptures to be true which are fulfilled in them so they are assured no evil can happen unto them after Death and therefore are not â—â—â—mented with the apprehensions of it They do not 〈◊〉 or drive it out of mind for there is much advantage from the Meditation thereof It is a great help to right and good actions What will this signifie and avail when I come to die It quickens to do whatever his hand finds to do with all his might for there is no Labour nor Work in the Grave There is but one of Tryal the days pass away are accountable for and do not return this puts upon doing every thing to the utmost to have the favour and acceptance of Almighty God. The World judging by themselves look upon those as Melancholy who are so wise to consider their latter end But is there no difference between the Righteous and Wicked There is much in their manner of Conversation all the life long and so is at their death There is difference in Prisoners between the innocent and guilty as to their looking for the day of Assizes and shall the last Judge of the comfortable expectation of the other by his own Fears and Dread Because some are afraid to appear before Christ are they also who have the certain promise of Being with him The one doth not live like the other they are contrary in their Thoughts Words and Actions before their manner of Dissolution that vast and endless parting they must make one from another It is the greatest Happiness to the one and misery to the other and therefore it may be well supposed to administer different thoughts to them It is impossible to obviate all the sayings of Men for they are endless and most are so trivial that they do not deserve any answer but yet may be judged of by this one Observation viz. There is nothing so good and true but something may be said against it Nothing so evil and false but something may be said for it But in every proposition let it seem never so true or strange at first sight examine the Arguments of both sides without prejudice or partiality and then that side which hath most reason and probability may determine our assent This doth make for the honour and reality of Truth that the reasons whereby inferring one thing from another we come to know it are clear deep and convincing Truth must prevail where it can be manifested Which is of such a Divine and excellent Nature that the whole doth not come forth on a sudden but hath been strugling in the Womb some thousands of Years There is great opposition to it by the powers of Darkness and their Sophistry as may be seen for the Objections against it are Dark Perplex Contradictory Slight and deceiving It is reciprocally so with falshood though it hath passed current and been a long time received This may be applied to innumerable instances But to our purpose The noble Martyrs of Old did not decline Death in its most terrible shape when they might glorifie God and avoid sin they were called Melancholly Sullen Obstinate Foolish haters of Mankind and such like When they were in the very prime of Age of excellent natural disposition of a vain conversation before and that changed by Christianity into a more happy manner of living when they were wise and understood what they did as well as ever Men did and did shew themselves as sincere and affectionate to one another The Devil is never wanting to set himself against the doings of God to whisper into the hearts of Men to hinder their Faith and returning unto him but then they run away with that and will not consider what can be said on the other side this is one cause of unbelief the many objections and prejudices they have against the truth They are resolved to take up therewith and not hear from themselves or others a full satisfactory answer Is the least thing muttered against God Their ears are open immediately it is forthwith unanswerable But if spoken out for him then like the deaf Adder they stop their Ears and refuse to hear the voice of the Charmer charm he never so wisely They think it can never be wise that makes for Religion as all things are which make against it Whilst they are willing Satan should hold them at this catch it may be here applied Because they received not the love of the Truth that they might be saved for this cause God shall send them strong delusion that they should believe a lye that they all might be damned who believed not the Truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness 2 Thes 2. 10 11 12. They might consider which was most safe as well as most reasonable to believe In the likeliest probability when such multitudes of Men Women more fearful by nature and young Men who may rush upon Death in a heat of passion or out of Gallantry and Honour not with a deliberate advised mind When it was esteemed infamous and foolish by the World yet still to embrace it rather then sin against God and deny the Faith this must be the power of his Grace which did arm their mind against all Fear of Death both in its natural dreadfulness and also heigthened by the malice and cruelty of Men. That was an extraordinary Case but what is it to the Fear of Death now a days Very much for though Men do not continue in the World by reason of Death yet that still continues It reigned as an evil from Adam unto Christ But now he hath taken away the sting and frightful nature from it When he made his Soul an offering for sin and took upon him the person of the Wicked he drunk of the Cup of Gods Wrath Was there any such love that he by the
and that is life indeed But whatsoever pertains to this dream to this dream of a Shadow which hath no substance is declining and makes haste and therefore what consults only for the conveniencies of this signify not so much in comparison to the other as a tale that is told is to the greatest affairs It is granted by all that the Bible is the most wise and excellent Book in the World all Christians acknowledge it to be the very Word of God and those who have either studied or taught Holy Things refer all to that Yet here again the subtle Enemy of Mankind hath found out a way even to deceive the Learned and Disputers of the World who pick out every thing that is less material and by their own spinning it out render it unprofitable Who omit the one thing needful and seek after every thing they may turn into nice speculation or vain jangling Every thing of curiosity or doubtful disputation is sifted out to the utmost but the great things that belong to our Peace are not so much made known as they should â—e A wise Man begins from the end and then those important Truths of temporal Peace and eternal Salvation should be perfectly understood and pressed home to the Consideration of the World before those things which float in the Brain and not sink into the Heart which are unless when known and hinder from fighting the good Fight of Faith keeping the Commandments of God and laying hold of eternal Life The Pillar and Ground of Truth seems to shake by those high tottering and needless Superstructions Those School-niceties have made to be thought more incredible the things we believe The Absurdities and Fopperies of Superstition have strangely prejudiced against the very Worship of God. That Controversie and Humour of disputing have called the Fundamental Truths into question it being an easie inference for ignorant Souls to deny that in which the Contenders are not agreed and to conclude all is feigned and false because Additions and Corruptions are so That squabbling about trifles hath very much taken off from the Gravity of Religion and undiscerning People have thence imagined it a light thing An Enemy doth craftily work in the minds of Men but it is their Sin and Folly that when they do already or might know this yet still they are instrumental in carrying on his design That wise Men should be taken in this Snare as it is a sign of his exceeding subtlety so of their inconsideration and want of Prudence for this is another thing then what is commonly called Wisdom When those who should turn many to Righteousness turn aside to vain jangling instead of instructing and exhorting them in the few things to be believed and many things to be done they fill the Head with idle Opinions confound with endless Arguings and not touch upon Practice but in a general and superficial way here is a Stratagem to deceive themselves and those that hear them Besides the word of Truth which doth clearly convince of this mistake they might look into themselves attend unto the frame and desire of their own Soul for that aspires after Happiness and Perfection having a Complacency in those things which tend to it and a dislike of the contrary It gladly receives all Divine and substantial Truths to be nourished up by them and shews an Aversation to what doth not mediately or immediately promote this end As an Evidence of its immortality it earnestly desires after those things which are not to be found here but have Relation to an endless Life She is for knowing those things which are to be known that she may fix upon Rest and blessed Expectation be safe as to the doubtful uncertainty and have strong hopes for better things hereafter Then she is truly pleased when things are done in pursuance to this great end She craves after knowledge and truth as the Stomach after food but in Disputings it is long before attained and then proves hungry and empty Whereas the practical and useful kind is both sutable and satisfies the understanding One may run over many Volumes of Controversie and yet neither be wiser nor better and perhaps he had a more true and clear apprehension of the thing in Dispute then after he sees it so perplexed and obscured The necessary Truths explicitly to be believed are few and plainly revealed and further in all Mysteries a Captivating of Reason unto the Obedience of Faith is more acceptable in the sight of God then curious prying into unsearchable things One may be sooner saved in a general belief and particular Practice then by minutely Contesting about every thing and a general observance of Gods Law which as it is commonly inculcated and used is next to downright Disobedience In Truth all Men are in an imperfect State but then they Act only half way of their imperfection and will not stretch that out as they might Let them wind up to the very top their Principles of Action Would Man use the Powers of Soul according to that degree God hath given and put them forth he could never miss of Happiness If he would lift up his Eyes and see beyond the common end of things think of something that may be after this short time be as desirous of future Happiness and Safety as he is of present Good and Conveniency which slides away then he may do what he shall judge fit to be done If we would put the question to our immortal Soul as we have regard to the Body which fades as a Leaf What will it avail me to teach or study this or that thing when I shall put off this Tabernacle When I must for a while live separate from it and afterwards assume it for evermore If such kind of thoughts were put home to our minds we might come to the same resolution with the Apostle Yea doubtless and I count all things but loss for the Excellency of the knowledge of Jesus Christ my Lord Phil. 3. 8. To fully understand and declare what he hath revealed in the Gospel is a knowledge that passeth knowledge more then all wise Men of this World could discover and extends further then this place which takes in all the Good of this present time which is the utmost of all great and generous Actiâ—ns but then leaves them and reaches forward to Immortality and Glory to infinitely greater things both in degree and Duration then what are admired and eagerly sought after here So that either he must teach what he doth not believe or is a Fool in that he doth not know nor understand if he is ashamed of the Gospel of Christ Or thinks it a lessening which is the highest Honour That publisheth Peace that bringeth good Tidings of Good that publisheth Salvation Isa 52. 7. To acquaint the World what they are so impatiently desirous after where they may find Rest to their Souls How they may live in Hope and comfortable Expectation of that immutable
unto others It may be seen by this time that the Man whose Trade is of Words is as honourable and necessary as any And though he doth speak of another World that is not Vain for it is the least part of the World where we Inhabit It is not another World but another part of the World as a Room of an House This is seen with our Eyes and much more to be understood by Reason and Perspectives There is something Above and something Beneath whither the Spirit doth go when the Body is laid in the Grave and that to arise again This consideration is unpleasant and therefore Men are shy and afraid of those who put in mind hereof Whereas we are likewise Men subject to the same things And why should they refuse to think of that before-hand which will certainly be when this fore-thought would render them safe if it were throughly given way unto Mankind need not be in Perplexity Fear or Stupid Inconsideration for there are laid down assured Principles how they may be Heb. 11. 7. Happy which are impossible to fail for then we must be nothing at all So none need be enraged against those as Tormenters of the Earth who are Instruments of Peace and Safety Only let us be Submissive and Obedient unto that Mighty One above and then no Evil can possibly happen unto us Fear and the Pit and the Snare are upon thee O Inhabitant of the Earth Isa 24. 17. But there is a way shewed how thou mayest escape and be freed from them all If thou were left to thy self or wouldst go on unmindful thou wouldst fall unto them What doth preserve from the great Danger and Evil this doth likewise administer Relief to the lesser Griefs of the People This is my Comfort in Affliction for thy VVord hath quickened me Psal 119. 50. All Affliction except what strikes upon sence as Pain and Sickness is the impression of such sad and resenting Thoughts now what produces of a different kind as when Good VVords and Comfortable VVords Zech. 1. 13. are received in they make glad as the other did sorrowful There is an alteration of the Soul or the one are set against the other and so the Vexation is less We often read that God Comforts Isa 49. 43. 51â— 12. 2 Cor. 7. 6. He hath left a standing means in his Word which is the same with himself His holy Spirit who is the Comforter may cause that to be better understood and set it home to the Heart of Man. A lively Faith a well grounded Hope a close and true Application of the Scriptures will give ease to any manner of Adversity In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy Comforts delight my Soul Psal 94. 19. A Man 's own fancies plague him but what he gathers from thence do refresh him Let him not run hastily but consider upon every verse and when he hath found the VVord of Consolation let him stay and fix thereon This is better then all worldly Comâ—orts for they stupifie they are broken off and interrupted just divert a little for the time but signifie nothing at all after they are over They are not always and then is greater anguish but however they must all fail at last But what comes from the Fountain of Life is a stream continually running it gives constant Peace and Quietness to the Soul and ascends up into the Paradise of our God where is no Consolation for there is no need thereof Again Worldly Aid at the very time cannot give true and firm Relief nor take off from a great Adversity But the Lord is a strong Hold in the day of Trouble he knoweth them that trust in him Nahum 1. 7. We know not who are Hypocrites who partial Christains but who are Sincere and Obedient without reserve who understand and can apply the Word of God they have that Patience and Resignation that Complacency and joyful Hope which the Wicked and Dissemblers cannot pretend unto There is a sensible difference between good and bad as to the enduring of Affliction One doth bear up and is truly Couragious under it when they are faint or stupid Truth is not to be learnt from Examples for we cannot see into and know all their circumstances Whilst we reflect upon particular instances we often doubt of Scripture for Truth is the same in Proposition and Experience whereas we should in the first place look to what is written and be assured all that is true It is not for us but God to judge of every Mans work he will manifest the Counsels of the Heart and then his Word will be found true by what and how it is with them Thy Word is Truth John. 17. 17. bringing Comfort and Happiness unto Men but they turn aside not complying with the terms thereof neither are they such as that requires them to be The design of the whole Book of God is to build us up in our most holy Faith which comprehends the Word of Exhortation for this follows from the other and to teach truly the way of Salvation this is Instruction and the rest is Consolation to carry us through the Wilderness that he might humble thee and that he might prove thee to do thee good at thy latter end Deut. 8. 16. So Happiness is the end of all What more can be desired by Man Wherefore should he set himself against that which would do all this It is because he is not made throughly sensible of thus much Search and try till you find the worth thereof It is a hidden Manna which no Man knoweth saving he that receiveth it Rev. 2. 17. Hide it in thy Heart do not only read and get it without Book but have the sence thereof within thee and thou mayest come to affirm experimentally with David The Law of thy Mouth is better unto me then Thousands of Gold and Silver Psal 119. 72. It will conduce more to thine Happiness then all worldly Conveniencies for they perish when here are the Words of Eternal Life they do not satisfie the Soul as these they cannot keep off Pains and Diseases and Griefs whereas the Grace and Wisdom arising hence prevents them many times and shews the way to the favour of God who comforteth those that are cast down and delivereth Israel out of all his Troubles putting such an end to them that it was better to have had then to have been without them In the worst of Evils they have greater cause for Joy then Sorrow Blessed is the Man that trusteth in the Lord and whose Hope the Lord is for he shall be as a Tree planted by the VVaters and that spreadeth out her Roots by the Rivers and shall not see when Heat cometh but her Leaf shall be green and shall not be careful in the Year of Drought neither shall cease from yielding Fruit Jer. 17 7 8. The Sayings of Philosophers and Wise Men may a little asswage some kind of Trouble but are
insufficient to support under a great and long Adversity Whereas the Scriptures afford Hope and Comfort to the greatest that befall Men. They may alleviate for Inadvertency and Folly and prevent it in some measure the Word doth the same and much more by providing against the Evils of corrupt Nature which are the cause of all Sorrow It doth also shew a way for what is past and unavoidable and admonishes to Sin no more least worst things befall us The Dictates of Morality and Humane reasoning may do somewhat as to self-Vexation lesser injuries and reproaches from others inconsiderable losses and such like but for the greater Miseries can find no help as the frailty of Mans Nature dangerous Diseases fears of Death doubtfulness of the succeeding State how to secure future Happiness and avoid Misery Here the antient Sages are Dumb and they cannot tell what to say They are in Perplexity and Amazement themselves how then should they consult for others They were lifted up with a conceit of the Benefit they did unto Mankind when their Consolatory discourses could avail only as to those light things which might be laughed away or Couragiously born Or the wicked Men of our days find remedy against by Pots and Company for if things were so as they said this last was a sure Relief They might indeed regulate the disorders of Fancy and Opinion But for what did really make Men miserable by shaking the Powers of the Soul what did torment and endanger the Body is by Philosophers left remediless They would blunder out something which was ridiculous conjecture or uncertainty As What is suffered here would have an end which the meerest Ideot knew as well as they None is Happy before Death A sad Consolation to those who knew not what should be after that and when they did surmize it would be an utter end how absurb must their Arguing be As if Man was made only for Misery and his utmost Happiness was to be freed from that and be no more for ever What is more miserable in Life then to be willing to die To have an impatient desire after ease and Happiness but to find none till become without Sence or Capacity Some of them did go further as to talk of Immortality and a future State of this with much doubting but then they did raise the Fears of Mankind of what sort it would be whether Happiness or Misery They would speak most of Glory Liberty and the Elisian Fields This was insisted on as a Mighty word of Consolation for all the Evils here But then the mistake and delusion was which considering Men did spie out and therefore received to assurance even what they were forced to grant when they came to discuss it particularly that there were two kinds of Futurity Reward and Punishment and they knew not exactly what Men were to do to obtain the one what to leave undone to avoid the other Their Ignorance as to this kept the World in suspence did raise their Horrour and Dread but not allay it What they would have suggested as a Dellverance from Trouble they could give no certainty but worse might abuâ—e for us in the succeeding Condition They might impose upon the vulgar with their plausible Speeches and Eloquence but Men that could examine Consequences did not give so much heed to them Neither is this any Argument against Christian Religion because it happens so now Common People and Women do gladly hear thereof when Politicians and those who would pass for Wise Men among us do not so much mind it for this Diversity is to be observed They of old did slight vain Philosophy but it was after they had searcht its Principles and found them only conjectural and fallacious whereas the Men of our times contemn our Faith and Practice without Examination for let them admit this throughly and then speak lightly thereof if they can This is the Policy of Satan whereby his Kingdom stands he would not let them try what he beats them from for if they should they would not continue with him This is the difference of Truth and Falshood the one appears more true by the Touch Stone the other false The only Argument against Truth is to put it off the way to resist is to be at a distance and come not near it Thus Paganism spread and continued of old Thus Christianity was endeavoured to be stifled and its further increase hindred Here is the reason that of old Men did walk in their own ways and even of those that do soat this present time They were willing to be Happy then and unwilling to be Miserable and so are now when they were in Affliction or Trouble they were willing to be eased and delivered so they are now The Truth was not so clearly manifested to the greater part of the World. The times of this Ignorance God winked at Acts 17. 30. He made Men of such Faculties and Powers to see what they could bring forth and now he hath given more assistance by further Revelation if any thing may be done yet more God makes Men now as he did from the Beginning with the same Reason Inclinations Desires Fears and Aversations we who stand in these latter days on the Earth wherein iniquity doth abound with more Weakness and Sorrow have also more helps against them from Scripture which is given by Inspiration from God and therefore must be better and more certain then of Mans Invention and Wisdom That hath been disproved and sound Vain when there is help to be had of God. It is letter to â—ust in the Lord then to pâ—â—â—â— fidence in Man Psal 118. 8. Some have sought Happiness in this thing and some in that so for Relief in Adversity But we â—ill remember the Name of the Lord our God. They are brought down and fallen but we are risâ—n and standupright Psal 20. 7 8. This is true in seeking after Happiness and Prevention of Misery by other Men or our own Wisdom and ways they all are disappointed for it is to be had in God only The Men of this World look after good in Flesh and so they would keep off Evil but when that is stricken and begins to fade when it cannot rellish by reason of Pain and the anguish of Spirit doth so break forth that this is not able any longer to pacifie then they resort to the Wisdom of Mans words but that will not profit nor deliver them So they must lie down under their Calamities expecting worse things or come unto God and his Word What an Argument is this to overcome the averseness and obstinacy of Mans nature There is Invitation for the greatest Sinners Come unto me all ye that Labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest Take my Yoke upon you Mat. 11. 29. Let them keep Gods Commandments and so they may have that Hope of eternal Life which God that cannot lie promised before the World began â— it 1. 2. This gives
is endâ—ed with real Wisdom cannot take pleasure in Fools Mirth or an idle Jest Who are passed over the festivities of Childhood and Youth cannot still shew themselves transported with Vanities Who have seen and fully observed the same heretofore are not to be admired if not lifted up with little Novelties Whose Conversation is in Heaven and their Affections on things above shall they be blamed if knowing the difference and they do not shew forth the like rejoycing at the common Accidents and little things here below Who do not resort to Drink and Company to cheer up their Spirits or still the Disorder within for they are in a right frame already The Sea within is smooth and like a molten Looking Glass where they can reflect and be satisfied with their inward likeness It is Impertinent if not Sinful to disswade them from Holy things who delight therein As long as they can go on in such a course all their days let them do as much as Gods Grace shall direct rhem Another knoweth not what Comfort they find therein how they have their Body in subjection and to what a measure of Love and Spirituality they are arrived So they may do those Acts without tiring which others cannot now that are not yet so far attained but may attain The Scripture makes frequent mention of those who do not enough for Heaven but nothing against them who do too much for there is no danger of exceeding That particularly lays down all things necessary and relating to Mans Salvation and also speaks of his temporal Happiness in Subordination to that yet there is not one word mentioned concerning Religious Melancholy or Mopishness Without question there were some in the days of the inspired Writers whose Conversation was obnoxious to that Character as now What the World calls Melancholy in Scripture Phrase is Sorrow and to that somewhat is said by way of Comfort but it was to be in God not to take people off nor to have recourse to those Arts as Sinners do The best way of solving Fears Scruples and Disquiet is to give a people a right understanding of them but let none resort to the Pleasures of Sin and idle Company which increase but not cure them We read of the Temptations and Devices of Satan Spiritual Desertions Ignorance intervening Sins and Infirmities which cause Vexation and Trouble but nothing of illness of Blood or Bodily Constitution there is no intimation of this in Holy Writ But it is the Opinion of late Physitians which hath been received so far by Divines that to improve this notion of Melancholy a little further and the other of Enthusiasm would be the ready and effectual way to cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us Isa 30. 11. For let all regrets of Conscience pass for Melancholy and the workings of Gods Spirit for Enthusiasum or â—aâ—cy inward Religion is in danger to be destroyed which is the most sensible Evidence of the Truth and certainty thereof That can never fail but the Knowledge thereof may be lost as several times already it hath near been but will not be so again because of the Promises of God which are near at hand even at the very door to be accomplished Is there then nothing in bodily Constitution Not so much as is pretended and that again may be altered The corruptible Body presseth down the Soul which is common to all and that difference of temper in particular persons which yet is not so much as commonly talked of serves for an Exercise and Tryal of the greater Vertue That the Soul may yet ascend and lift up it self And then the Power of Gods Grace and their complying with it can and doth actually change the natures of Men. That natural tendency and Seriousness was therefore put in them to move towards their right end And also finding no true Happiness here they are prompted to look out for one to come It is so ordered by the good God that all Mankind might be saved and come to the Knowledge of the Truth some more this way some another according to their Inclinations of Soul Body and Condition of Life One hath the Advantage in this thing another in that but some Degree of what is understood by the Word Melancholy is communicated to all Froâ—lick and Mirth are more incidental to Youth But there it is a striving against nature for if not supported by outward Helps and Objects it doth fall down into Seriousness so it is of riper Age. The great mistake is we observe many things without the reason of them All things tend to their Center and what is in Man moves towards his proper end which is doing the things for which God hath made him As the Fish on dry Land beats it self to Death because not in his own Element As the Turâ—le mourns away for want of her Companion there is an uneasiness even from very Childhood if not in some Action So if Man were kept away from God debarred from Company and always to be idle he would pine away in Sorrow which worketh Death before the time because there is such a strong Inclination in his nature to the first principally Ezek. 24. 23. and the others in subordination to him Although Wicked and Ungodly Men do pursue the two lesser ends yef forsaking the great Principal upon which the others should depend they are tormented for want of true Happiness all their Life long so that by reason of the weariness even they are willing to die The Righteous desire a more full Enjoyment of him whom they have known only by Faith and seen darkly Their Soul is athirst for God. When shall I come to appear before God they are more induced to long after it because of the Vain and imperfect state they are in here they do indee desire Immortality aâ—d shall have it The Wicked being conscious whom they have despised and forgotten they wish to Sleep for ever for they had rather so continue then awake and rise up to Punishment What a sad thing it is to be deceived and willingly ignorant of their proper End To be restless all the way and disappointed at last To live in a perpetual Violence and Contradiction to themselves to turn aside the Soul from its natural bent To keep her though in Pain and Displeasure from her Center and Rest and at length when she would have ascended upwards to sink into the Bottom as a Stone To have notrue Comfort and Satisfaction in the Light of the Living nor whilâ—t the days of Darkness draw on Now Consider this ye that forgeâ— God Whose Souls are yet in the Body Take away the weights of Sin that do clog and press down Remember the days past before habitual Sin and evil Habits came on to what did the Motions within aspire and prompt unto Before the Spirit was made unclean did it not soar up towards the Father of Spirits When it was not corrupted with Malice and
11. 3. He gives preserves and continues our Health But yet what is corruptible and weak will wax old and decay Health consists in such an exact disposition of Humours which is easily disturbed by Violence from without Defect or Excess from within The Goodness and Wisdom above doth ordain Strength out of Weakness and continuance from tottering things otherwise it were to be admired that we are not Sick always instead of being so sometimes A Sparrow doth not fall to the ground without the Will of our heavenly Father Nor any Chastisment light upon the Sons and Daughters of Men without his Permission or Order He suffers such an one to fall under the harm of a second Cause or adverse Accident If we would search and examine to the utmost then confess and give Glory unto God we might many times find our Disease to be the natural effect of some Sin or Provocation We became at first subject unto Sickness by Sin only So if we reflect upon Gen. 2. 17. all our foregoing Actions and Circumstances There is some evil which insensibly alters and breaks the sound Constitution or brings it on Speedily and Violently The next thing is to be humbled for the same to accept the Punishment of our Iniquity Lev. 26. 43. I will bear the Indignation of the Lord for I have Sinned against him Mic. 7. 9. We must sincerely resolve if God should spare us this time to watch more carefully against the same for the future now to be unfeignedly sorry for it and to cry mightily unto God. The King of Israel is a Merciful King he will be Appeased and Reconciled Behold Happy is the Man whom God Correcteth Therefore despise not thou the Cbastening of the Almighty Job 5. 17. Then he fully perceives that false shew of Happiness with which Fools and Blind are deluded all along Which they might know in the mean while if they would consider it throughly as they do ever and anon slightly Outward things cannot give so much aid as they vainly promise They are all passed away as a Dream and cannot help in the greatest time of need My Flesh and my Heart faileth but God is the strength of my Heart and my Portion for ever Psal 73. 26. If the Conscience is accused by sin let the Sick Man cast it forth by Confession and Prayer and the Sea will cease from raging The mind will become more quiet Whether the Body dies or lives he is safe when he hath done all things to obtain the Mercy and acceptance of Almighty God. It is a sad Story of those who in time of Dangerous Sickness have made great shews of Reformation and Amendment and after Recovery have returned again unto Folly. And they have not cryed unto me with their Heart when they howled upon their Beds Hos 7. 14. Which word imports no true in ward Sorrow but an outward noise upon apprehension of Danger which goes off with it However God cannot be imposed upon he knows the Thoughts long before searches the Heart and tries the Reins discovers the bottom and inward reserves according to which he will judge So it is not what they pretend but what they will really be Those who have been for a superficial and slight Repentance which they did hope might avail if they should Die but if they Recover then to return to their former evil ways I say these should have done well to have considered What moved them to any Repentance at all the same should engage them to continue and perfect it For admit you should certainly live it is but a Reprieve only You will be Sick again or what is worse cut off suddenly And then things will appear exactly at the same manner again yea worse for the former Hypocrisie and Dissembling As also for that more Sin and Guilt is increased How many years may be added unto your Life is not known but it will be a sad thing to have lived Ionger to have committed more Iniquity and so Die hardened Impenitent or feigned at last At first recovery is uncertain for many have lulled themselves with hope thereof till Death hath been upon them Many things might be urged to disswade people from doing Foolishly and Presumptuously Their own Eternal Happiness or Misery lies at stake It is not a matter to trifle or deal deceitful with Be prevailed upon as you tender the good of Soul and Body to have your Repentance true and sincere By the Trouble or Pain of them think of the Worm which shall never die and the Fire which shall not be quenched and which are to be escaped from only this way Believe in God and Jesus Christ that all things contained in the old and new Testament are certainly true Faith and Repentance are necessary for all Men both in time of Health and Sickness which whoso hath according to Truth is sure for these intitle unto the Promises of him with whom we have to do Health doth consist in a regular Disposition and due Motion of each part of the Body None can see into himself or tell the exact manner how as to every particular I was made in secret and curiously VVrought in the lowest parts of the Earth Thine Eyes did see my Substance yet being imperfect and in thy Book were all my Members written which in continuance were Fashioned when as yet there was none of them Psal 139 15 16. None of us can look into the Womb or whilst in Life can see how all the Members and Parts within do work and move yet after the Body is dead we may perceive somewhat by Dissections which is guess and uncertain for if a number of Men should come into the Shop of an excellent Artist seeing his Tools and Instruments only One may think this another that and so may be divided but can never find out the exact manner of his Art. He that sees a dead Carkase unless he were put in mind by himself carrying about one of the same likeness would be at a stand to answer the Question Was this lump ever in Life He could never by his own Wit and Invention find out the way how it was He would also admire how each part both within and without did move and actuate So wonderful and fearful are Gods Works which puzzle the Understanding of Man. Whether it were to keep of Boasting or other causes yet God doth hold our Souls in Life by hidden and invisible Bands that whatever others pretend unto they cannot perfectly find out and see them The Lord Killeth and maketh Alive He bringeth down to the Grave and bringeth up 1 Sam. 2. 6. He hath kept this in his own Power All the ways he hath set out for Nature to go according unto are not yet known Indeed many of them have been searched after and some found but not all for then those Diseases would be Cured which were not first Mortal and Irrecoverable The prevention of and recovery out of Sickness doth depend upon
Call to mind how Evil came into the World through Sin though it is not taken away yet Help is ordained against it It is Written and found true of the Benefits of the second Adam unto whom all the Scripture hath Relation Surely he hath born our Griefs and carryed our Sorrows Isa 53. 4. It is but reasonable we should have some sence of them also That as he had Compassion on the Afflicted Heb. 2. 10. so we should perceive how great things he endured for us to raise our Love Thankfulness and Obedience unto God through him Take my Brethren the Prophets who have spoken in the Name of the Lord for an Example of suffering Affliction and of Patience Behold we count them Happy which endure Ye have heard of the Patience of Job and have seen the end of the Lord that the Lord is very Pitiful and of tender Mercy James 5. 10 11. CHAP. XIX AN EXHORTATION TO OBEDIENCE and FEAR of God The CONCLUSION of the Whole NOw therefore stand still that I may Reason with you before the Lord of all the Righteous Acts of the Lord 1 Sam. 12. 7. It is as certain that God is as any thing is for he made all things Consider how great he must be whose Works are so how Glorious Good and Excellent he is as those Manifestations do set forth And then think further how we the Inhabitants of the Earth who walk up and down as so many Grashoppers should behave our selves towards him If we were not his Offspring and Workmanship we might justly think he would have nothing to do with us but that shews the contrary nay moreover our Rebellion proves the Relation What might be known by Obedience is also shewed by Transgression But how unreasonable doth this last appear for reflect upon God and our selves What are we to despise or be stubborn against him He is great and we little Other things do his Will and why should not we comply therewith Would the vain Swearer walk out and as he beholds the Heaven or Earth he treads which was first Created and now sustained by an Almighty power And is it fit he should be spoken lightly of His Glorious and Fearfuâ— Name be used upon every frivolous and idle account when he hath so expresly Commanded to the contrary So it may be said of every Sin May not the God who formed us preserveth us giving whatever we enjoy give also Laws and Directions to his Creature for him to be governed by To keep the Commandments of the Lord and his Statutes which I Command thee this day for thy Good Deut. 10. 13. Thy Testimonies that thou hast Commanded are Righteous and very Faithful Psal 119. 138. As for God his Way is Perfect the Word of the Lord is tryed Psal 18. 30. Look impartially upon his whole Revelation in Scripture survey every particular Precept and Judge Whether it is not equal Psal 119. 128. for God to enjoyn and for Man to comply therewith As for Worship Praise and Prayer none denies them There is the general Consent that such are to be rendred We are zealous and prone But here Satan the Enemy hath two Wiles the one in some Ungodly people who are frightned with a little Dulness and Iâ—ksomeness at first but even they unless very Ignorant and Stupid cannot satisfie themselves without some Worship That Aukwardness would go off if they would accustom themselves to Duty Another Subtlety The Adversary hath found concerning the manner thereof for the Substance is agreed by the far greater part of Mankind But here they are fierce and hot so angry and displeased at contrary Opinions So stiff for their own an Evidence of what is in our nature to have to do with Religion Here again creeps in another Device of the old Serpent by which he takes advantage for he would confine the whole of Religion to this which is but a part and also raises a Dust about outward Circumstances which are not essential to Worship for seeing that God is to be Worshipped in Spirit and in Truth but hath prescribed no exact Pattern thereof in Scripture away might be found out for Union Love and Peace Neither in the mean while should we be angry with our Brother that doth not go according to the same precise manner for as the Apostle saith 1. Cor. 12. 4 5 6. Why may it not be likewise supposed If there be now some Diversity of Worship yet as long as it is the same God to whom it all relates if each way is Spiritual and True free from Idolatry Jewish and Heathen Superstition God is Glorified every way for all fall down and Worship him and God is in them of a Truth He doth actually manifest his Favour Grace and Acceptation to those of the several Perswasions among us Yea all the Idolatries in the World do some what discover that natural Inclination in Man to Worship God for all Falshood and Fiction doth suppose somewhat true and real But it hath been the Stratagem of the Devil who is permitted to resist either to take away or where he cannot do that to corrupt To move Men to forget God or deceive them in their Duty towards him As reasonable Creatures They can thus conceive That if they should lose the sence of him or harden themselves against his Fear yet still be remaineth The Lord sitteth King for ever Psal 29. 10. He is always above Thou compassest my Path and my lying down and art aquainted with all my ways Psal 139. 3. Though we do not think of him The Scripture in sundry places threatens severely against forgetfulness of him for it casts off his Kingdom which is over the Hearts of Men. Besides it is unnatural to forget God that formed us Every thing we see are his Works which do remind His Word His Servants Every Affliction or Evil and a Thousand things do stir up our Remembrance of him which before was stifled with other things The sence of him is paturally imprinted in our minds and appears forth when Stupefactions and Hindrances are taken away Corrupt Man is willing to lose it for it Occasions aw and dread which he doth not like But God would have it retained and therefore forbids Excess Sensuality and all things which clog and suppress it He doth requires us to walk Humbly with our God Mic. 6. 8. He hath established Love to be mixed with Fear both make up Reverence and Good will So we may be in the Fear of God all the day long without Torment yea with Satisfaction and Complacency Another Reason of our willingness to forget is because a continual Remembrance implies Subjection and we are inclinable to that which was our Fore-fathers Fall. But why should we not think our selves as we are indeed Creatures We are only in subjection to the Most High We are not put under Principalities and Powers The more excellent created Beings do not exercise Dominion over us We are subject to none but God
holy and the Commandment boly just and good and they consent unto the Law that is is good Rom. 7. 12 16. By that let them likewise examine what is here said to be interred from it Luke 2. 35. Mark 4. 22. 2 Cor. 4. 2. God knows I have not intended to upâ—raid or accuse Mankind but was obliged to manifest the Truth Impartially and Universally as every one may judge in his own Conscience There hath been nothing said but what is practicable My self also am a Man compassed about with the same Sins and Infirmities and do readily subicribe to what is written In many things we offend all Jam. 3. 2. Neither have I spared mine own Sin but in several places stand Convicted and Condemned out of the words I have set down hoping to recover by Gods Mercy and my own Repentance But what I desire for my self so for others to have the less Sin for thereby is more Peace and Comfort according to the measure of Innocency and doing good there is a greater Reward What real good doth come of any Disobedience surely none God is Dishonoured and Man is not Benefited it serves the design of an invisible Malicious Enemy and therefore we should all abstain srom Evil as much as we can It is the open Accusation or secret Thought of the World to affix severally on them who come on this Message This Man seeketh not the welfare of this People but the hurt Jer. 38. 4. If one had devised new Pleasure sor the sensual minded or had abundance to bestow Largesses on poor people or gives them Entertainment for a few days with Mirth and Pastime He that conquers Kingdoms and enlarges Territories such are reputed great Instruments of Mens Happiness though the utmost hereof is but as the hasty Fruit before the Summer which when he that looketh upon it seeth it while it is yet in his band he eateth it up Isa 28. 4. which signifies nothing after it is had and is but a faint â—ore-runner of the true Happiness But they are only the unacceptable persons to the World who speak of this which shall just begin here on Earth but never end and be consummated in Heaven There cannot be too much Good-will returned to them who save from every least Injury from Fire Enemies Sickness Poverty all whiâ—h tend only to Temporal Death but they are hated who would keep off from Eternal Death from the Devil and his Legions who would dâ—sswade from vain things that cannot profit and are the Baits he makes use of to beguil Souls unto himself Even here beloved â—â—st and Interest have been touched upon and shewed that they cannot make a Man Happy so that if the Temptation may not be taken away yet is less tempting Why abundance have done thus much already so many Books and Sermons â—o this purpose what need of moreâ— But there should be yet further Admonition for people are not as yet come over unto God. Whilst others have hovered up and down in generals I have ventured by Gods help to pitch When others again have spent many words in Instruction of what was known before or notional unnecessary things here hath attendance been principally given to the word of Exhortation When some have used Moral Perswasions or the less Cogent Arguments here have been brought forth those pressed with the full force and power that I knâ—w of for cursed is that Deceiver who knoweth them and doth not use them And further several things have been spoken out which were concealed from the people If I had came with mine own Inventions and Fancies or the power of Mans Wisdom and Eloquence there would be less ground of Hope but the Truths have been pressed in the Name of God from his Revelation I thought my self accountable for that measure of Grace he hath been pleased to send through me And therefore let it be considered that it is nothing to me let all Men do what they will they have still their Liberty of Action but they are to answer before God how they will shew themselves towards his Word and Truth If that is not found sufficient to reclaim Sinners Isa 55. 10 11. John 12. 48. and Transgressors it is because they will not believe nor consider thereof however it will arise and Condemn them What is here Published will have its due effect on all that are Stubborn or Despisers Let not any one think this new found out for it is the old Scripture-Way illustrating that more particularly what is affirmed in divers places That I may see the good of thy Chosen that I may Rejoyce in the gladness of thy Nation Psal 106. 5. Happy art thou O Israel Deut. 33. 29. Happy is that people whose God is the Lord Psal 144. 15. He thaâ— keepeth the Law Happy is he Prov. 29. 18. The end of all Preaching is to prove and shew that more perfectly what is contained therein and so to manage it according to the design of the whole that all the World may Oâ—ey God and be wise unto Salvation His Word doth not stand in need of Apology but the Abuse and Corruption in handling thereof hath bâ—â—â— so universal that he who would keep free from it is necessitated to Justifie himself least he be thought a setter forth of strange Doctrines To bring all towards Conclusion Man would be Happy even whilst he Lives and doth so that fâ—om the Decree of God and the nature of the thing it is impossible he should be Happy And again he declines those things which are absolutely necessâ—ry to be so All his Actions turn upon this Point If he would rectifie the mistake and suffer himself to be rightly informed herein he can never miss of what all desire the only end the true Happiness If he is put in mind of any thing which may assist or direct him Not unto us O Lord not unto us but unto thy Name give Glory for thy Mercy and for thy Truths sake Psal 115. 1. FINIS ERRATA PAge 4 line 2 for varietation r variation l 40 r Mark 14. p 26 17 r not we our selves P 37 l 35 r to recommend P 47 l 34 f forwardness r frowardness P50 l 19 〈◊〉 speaking r snâ—aking P 70 l 37 f fear r bear P 71 l 21 r equal worth P 75 l20 r John 16. 13. P 79 l 1 omit the word first p 86 l 5 r their own pâ—ril P 180 l 13 r doth not P. 190 l 16 r adapting p 229 l 9. r trust God. p 261 l 6 r lively â—nd P 309 l 8 r enjoyment P 358 l 22 f employments r enjoyments P 417 l 16 r â—rocuring p 467 l 29 r to have been Penned p 152 l 27 r before Men can