was taken that those who either kept court bought or sold or otherwise prophaned the Sabbath should be prohibited the Communion because Toâ—o hoc die tantummodo vacaâ—duÌ„ quia toto hoc die maâ—uâ— dâ—o expan dâ—â—dae that whole day we ought onely to rest and spread abroad our hands in prayer to God The ancient Waldenses and Albigenses who were Luthers and our forerunners in a short Commentary upon the Commandements say They that will keepe the Sabbath must bee carefull of foure things 1. To cease from all worldly labours 2. Not to sin 3. Not to bee idle 4. To doe things for the good and benefit of the soule Our owne Canons enjoyne us to celebrate the Lords day according Can. 13. to Gods will i. e. in hearing the Word of God read and taught in private and publike prayers in acknowledging our offences to God and amendment of the same in reconciling our selves charitably to our neighbours where displeasure hath bene In oft receiving the Communion of the body and bloud of Christ in visiting the poore and sicke and using all godly and sober conversation Thus saith our Canon 1. An Act made in the first yeare of our gracious Soveraigne King CHARLES saith thus Keeping of the Lords day Anno Câ—roli is a principall part of the true service of God which in very many places of this Realme hath bene and now is prophaned and neglected by a disorderly sort of people in exercising and frequenting Bearbaiting Bulbayting Eâ—terludes Common playes c. Vpon the Lords day There shall be no meetings of people out of their owne Parishes Another Sâ—tute 1628. on the Lords day for any sports or pastimes whatsoever nor any Bearebayting Bulbayting Eâ—terludes Common playes or other unlawfull exercises or pastimes used by any person within their owne Parish The mulct for every breach of this statute is 3 shillings 4 pence Our Homily concerning the first part of the place and Page 138. time of prayer saith God hath given expresse charge to all men that upon the Sabbath which is our Sunday they should cease from all weekely and work day labour even so Gods obedient people should use the Sunday holily rest from their common and daily businesse and give themselves wholly to heavenly Page 139. exercises of Gods true Religion and service In the same Homily It is lamentable to see the wicked boldnesse of those who will be counted Gods people these are of two sorts The one sort if they have any businesse to doe though there be no extreme need they must not spare for the Sunday they must ride and journey on the Sunday drive and carrie rowe and ferrey buy and sell on the Sunday The other sort is worse although they will not labour yet will they not rest in holinesse as God commandeth but rest in ungodlinesse and filthinesse pransing in their pride pranking and pricking pointing and painting themselves to be gorgeous and gay they rest in excesse and superfluity in gluttony and drunkennesse like rats and swine they rest in brawling and railing in quarrelling and fighting they rest in wantonnesse and toyish talking c. So that God is more dishonoured and the divell better served on the Sunday then on all the daies of the weeke besides And in the conclusion of the second part thus Come with an heart sifted and cleansed from worldly and carnall affection and desires shake off all vaine thoughts which may hinder thee from Gods true service the bird c. Bishop Babington writing upon the fourth Page 319. verse of the 31. Chapter of Exodus saith thus A place never to be forgotten touching the Lords commandement of the Sabbath for he will not have his owne worke medled with on that day Oh what can we thinke of our workes His tabernacle builder must be forbidden and our buildings must goe on Reade and feele that place in Ieremy 17. 25. with a tender heart Then shall gates i. e. the government shall stand and flourish ver 27. Kindle a fire i. e. the Lord will overturne all with great destruction He is the same now he was then and his glory is as deare to him The same reverend Divine in his 8 Page 259. note upon the 16 Chapter of Exodus saith thus Forget not to marke the great care that God had of his Sabbath that it might be kept holy May not a good soule thus reason Good Lord what doe I upon the Sabbath day this people of his might not gather Manna and may I goe to faires and markets to dancings and drinkings to wakes and wantonnesse to bearebaitings and bulbaitings with such like wicked prophanations of the Lords day May I bee absent from the Church walking about my closes and grounds sending my servants and cattell to townes with corne which I have sold before are these workes for the Sabbath Can I answer this to my God that gives me sixe daies for my selfe and takes but one to himselfe Of which I rob him also c. Bishop Bayly in the Practice Page 442. of Piety saith we are to cease from all civill workes generally from the least to the greatest instanceth in these seaven 1. Works of our calling 2. Carrying of burdens 3. Keeping of Faires and Markets 4. Studying any Bookes but Scripture and Divinity 5. All recreations and sports which at other times are lawfull 6. Grosse feeding and liberall drinking 7. Talking about worldly things I need not therefore say with learned Sir Walter Rauleigh I rather chuse to indure the 1. Booke 2. Chapter wounds of those darts which envie casteth at noveltie then to go on safely and sleepily in the easie waies of ancient mistakings seeing to bee learned in many errours or to bee ignorant in all things hath little diversitie I having such a cloud of witnesses Neotericke and of hoare-headed antiquity which defend the same in substance some in one thing some in another which I purpose to propound to your considerations I hope therefore that none will taxe me of Sabbatarian paradoxes Apocalipticall frensies or Herterodoxe opinions I being guided by the light of truth and that light which Writers ancient and moderne have set up to lead me In a word therefore consider for I purpose to propound onely foure things to your considerations not peremptorily concluding hegatively or affirmatively Whether it can be lawfull for us to do any bodily workes 1. Consid 1 Reg. 19. 8. upon the Lords Day such onely except which present necessity compels unto for preservation of life thus Elijah by flight the Macabees by fight did and we may and must preserve our lives the recovery of health convenient preservation of health as the ordering of meate for the day the Disciples plucked and rubbed the eares of corne for if we may water and fodder the beast Luc. 13. 15. which yet could live a day without that so it might be a comfortable day to it no doubt but we
the sphericall Zones Could he not onely wish for with Alexander but also obtaine other worlds as an immeasurable addition to his former inheritance yet is there no more comparison betwixt this onely imagined soveraignty and the reall inheritance of Gods children then there is betwixt corruption and incorruption pollution and perfit purity lasting eternity and a fading moment heavenly treasure and earthly trash 1. Pet. 1. 4. To an inheritance incorruptible undefiled that fadeth not away reserved in the heavens 6. Parents provide marriages for theit children Even so 6. Marriage the Lord of heaven hath provided such an husbād for his children That if all the renowned excellencies of all mankind from Adam to the dreadfull day of judgement and of all angelicall beings which are and have bene were confer'd upon on men His comely feature should be hatefull deformity his amiable beauty loathsome ilfavourdnesse his quick-witted understanding blockish ignorance his angeliall eloquence rude barbarisme and his other perfections meere frailties in respect of those extraordinary transcendencies of Christ Iesus the husband of Gods children Rev. 19. 7 8 9. CHAP. II. Duty 1. Saints must love God IF God he our father we ought to love him Not onely Duty 1. doth Religion command children to love their parents but also nature it selfe requireth this duty some therefore derive Pilius of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the word signifying a sonne of a greeke word which signifieth a lover And I verily thinke this being so much talked off and practised in conceipted ostentation few which heare me this day thinke I need tell them they ought to love God nor perswade them to put the same in practise The simplest here present beeing ready to say though they come to the Church for fashion sake as their neighbours doe although they are not very bookish although they give little eare to the Word of God preached yet they know as much as the best preacher can tell them they knowing that they must love God above all and their neighbour as themselves and this they doe or else it is pittie they should live Loath I am to have you spend time to no purpose much lesse at a Sermon for if all words should be gracious much more of a Minister in publique to a congregation as from God And therefore did I not thinke it more then needfull to perswade you to love God Did I not heare painted sepulchers satanicall lyars and other cursed impes of that damned Apostata say theylove God Did I see him lou'd in deed as well as in word in truth as in tongue in practise as in profession I would willingly have spent my paines about some filiall duty lesse thought upon then on this so much talked of yet little practised For if we but inquire at the oracle of this our father we shall find recorded in indelible characters that such who truly love God Hate that which is evill Psal 97. 10. Signes 1. 2. Keepe Gods commandements Exod. 20. 6. Ioh. 15. 10. sc sincerely although imperfectly desiring and endeavouring to performe things commanded Behave themselves conscionably in their calling Ioh. 21. 15. Conforme themselves to God 1. Ioh. 4. 17. being followers of him as deare children Love not the world 1. Ioh. 2. 15. Love truely Gods children 1. Ioh. 4. 20. Often thinke upon God as their chiefest treasure Mat. 6. 21. And love Christs appearing or comming to judgement 2. Tim 4. 8. Iam. 1. 12. And then having surveyed-with a carefull inquisitive view the carriages and conditions of most men I much feare after a diligent scrutiny 1. We having compared such who detest sinne because its a breach of Gods law and therefore eschue and flie from it as from a serpent With those who thirst after impiety as greedily as the chased deare after the water brookes or the gaping earth after the dew of heaven and solace themselues with as great delectation in silthinesse and superfluity of naughtinesse as Leviathan in the restlesse Ocean 2. Such who keepe Gods commandements with sincerity of heart they to the vtmost of their power leaving undone all evill forbidden and doing all good duties commanded not for any sinister aime or by-respect but for the Lords sake because he hath commanded these and forbidden those and being universall in this their obedience neither appliable like the starre Mercury to every adjacent nor the turning weather cocke hurried about with every blast of contrary winde remaining the same in all companies places and at all times like the greene ivi◠keeping the same colour in the sharpest winter that it hath in the pleasant summer With those who no whit regard those sacred lawes written with the finger of the worlds creator and those who unequally and unjustly share their obedience betwixt the Lord and his grand enemie the devill such who have their changeable suites sometimes seeming to observe Gods commandements for sinister respects otherwhiles namely in secret and amidst their villanous complices no whit regarding those divine and more then angelicall direction 3. Compare we those who walke conscionably in their callings being carefull to have the soules of their children and servants deck'd with the invaluable robes of Christs Righteousnesse nourished and strengthened with the food of eternall life With that carelesse company which regard no more so that they be of comely feature neately trimd finely fedde of liberall education and richly provided for and those vilest of men who by their wicked examples staine their purest times with the blackest dye of hellish impieties Sathans cognisance feeding their immortall soules with the damned art of swearing lying cursing and such like venome and poyson of Aspes 4. Those who conforme themselves to the glorious example of our heavenly father doing their vtmost devoir that they may be holy pure perfect and mercifull as their father in heaven is With that degenerating company of men which will doe the lusts of the divell Could we segregate those which are crucified to the world and have it crucified to them and although they love the good creatures and gifts of God yet it is neither preposterously irreligiously nor unequally but in order sc first God then godlinesse then good men enemies then profit then pleasure 6 Those whose hearts are fast glued to the Lord Iehouah and his crownes of immortality as their only treasure 7. Those who love with all entirenesse of affection the sonnes of God And Those who love the appearing of our blessed Saviour having a comfortable assurance of his love and a sincere care to please him in all things From those which love the world servilely sensually preposterously immoderatly disorderly and undiscreetly Those whose chiefest treasure is on earth Those who are inraged with implacable malice against the children of God and their sincerity And from such who love the Lords appearing no more then villanous malefactours the comming of a just and righteous Iudge And it will manifestly appeare I much feare that few onely
poison and malice The way therefore to have fellowship with the Fathâ—r cannot bâ—â—y delighting in that which Metamorphoseth men into such monstrous shapes It is the prâ—per object of the Lords and ought to be the 〈◊〉 object of mans hatred Psal 5. 5. Thou hatest all workers much more the workes of iniquity 45. 7. Tâ—â—â— hatest wic 〈…〉 Rev. 2. 6. That hatest 〈◊〉 I also hate yea with such an utter 〈◊〉 that it makes him 〈◊〉 his owne creatures excellent by creation as Devils and wicked men his owne Ordinaâ—ces as New Moones and Sabbaths Isa 1. 15. And prayerâ— If therefore we desire fellowship with the 〈◊〉 we must 〈◊〉 and avoid it It 's directly 〈◊〉 to the honour and glory of God his will and workes being a transgression of his most holy Lawes In fine Who is the Father of it Sathan Ioh. 8. 41. Math. 13. 28. The workes of your father you will do What is the mother to conceive and bring it fortâ— Mans corrupt soule What is the fruit of it Separation from God What is the reward Eternall death Râ—m â— 2â— And can we imagine to enjoy fâ—llowship with the Father and iniquity Such who thinke so are deceived those who say so lye and the truth is not in them 1 Ioh. 1. 6. If we say c. Let us therefore who desire fellowship with the Father â—ave no fellowship with the fruitlesse workes of darknesse Ephes 5. 11. and cast we off the unprofitable workes of darknesse Rom. 13. 12. CHAP. VII The second meanes and duty Sinners Societie to bee shunned HAve we or desire we fellowship with the Father then 2. Meanes Duty avoid society with Gods enemies The blessed man consequently those of this association walke not in the way sit not stand not c. Psal 1. 1. The Citizen of Sion who is directly one of these consorts may and must thinke vilely of the vile person and with his eyes countenance and gesture declare it Psal 15. 4. affording no more then civill courtesie and that with some dislike declared towards equalls honouring authority vilely esteeming of the persons of superiours if the sonnes of Belial for these have two persons 1 their owne 2 anothers scil the Lords as they are his deputies Godly David hated such who hated God such are all wicked men Exod. 20. 5. Rom. 1. 30. either openly or secretly Psal 139. 21. yea with perfect hatred accounting them his enemies being enemies to his God And King Iehosaphat was sharply reprooved by the Prophet Iehu and severely punished by the Lord for helping the ungodly loving them which hated God 2. Chron. 19. 2. scil for ioyning in fellowship with wicked Ahab so that he would be as he was his people as Ahabs and would be with him in the warre 1. King 18. 3. Is it needfull O you blissefull goodfellowes to disswade you Dissw 1. from intimate society with wicked men I perswade my selfe you know full well their pestiferous pedigree what and whence it is you being well acquainted in the Word of life cannot be ignorant that they are 1. Children of this world Luk. 16. 8. and the friendship of this world is emnity with God Iam. 4. 4. 2. Children of disobedience Ephes 2. 2. therefore distastfull 3. Children of Belial 1. Sam. 2. 12. therefore loâ—thsome 4. Children of the divell Iohn 8. 44. therefore hatefull to God 5. Children of wrath therefore abhorred of the Lord. 6. Children of hell Matth. 23. 13. therefore fitter for fellowship with damned Divels then the associates of the Lord of Glory Yet view them well in the spotlesse Christalline glasse of Gods Word and there you shall see clearely deciphered in lively colours the loathsomnesse of those base companions 1. Would you see what beasts they be Scripture calls them a 2 Tim 4. 17. Lyons and they are savage b Isa 11 7. Beares and they are cruell c Ezek 29. 3. Dragons and they are hideous d Mat. 10. 16. Dogs and they are bloody e Mat. 10. 16. Wolves and they are truculent 2. Desire you a sight of their venemous serpentine nature have you ever heard of the sevenfeeted tormenting tayle-killing Scorpion such are they Rev. 9. 3. 5. 10. or the damme destroying Vipers such are they Mat. 3. 7. Have you ever heard of the dreadfull Basiliske killing man and beast with its breath and sight these are no lesse Isai 11. 8. 59. 5. Or of the poysonfull venemous Aspe these are such I need not tell you of the poysonous nature of the Spider it s knowne to all and these likewise are such Isa 59. 5. 3. Consider that the Word of truth stiles them 1. Thorns and 2. Briars Isa 10. 17. 27. 4. 55. 13. Ezek. 2. 6. Micah 7. 4. 3. Thistles Matth. 7. 6. 4. Brambles Iudg. 9. 14. 5. Stubble Iob 21. 18. 6. Evill trees Matth. 12. 33. 4. No marvaile though such holy men as a Vpon Psal 6. Munâ—â— excreâ—enta Bucer called them the excrements of the world Scripture terming them 1. Sordid dirt of the streete Psal 18. 42. and no marvaile for 1. As dirt the more it is stirred the more it stinketh so these 2. As dirt is neither good for manure nor morter field nor towne so these are neither good for God nor men Church nor Common-wealth 3. As dirt is hurtfull and noysome to man and beast so these to all about them who fare the worse for their sakes 2. Vnprofitable Chaffe blowne away with the winde Psal 1. 4. and to be burnt with unquenchable fire Matth. 3. 12. For as Chaffe is light so are 1 These in weight Dan. 5. 27. found too light 2 In worth for they are little yea nothing worth 3 In conversation their mind will deeds words being inconstant 4 In condition for all their honour and pleasure c. is but vaine 3. Noysome dust swept away with the besome of Gods judgements Psal 18. 42. as the dust before the winde being 1 Vnstable and light 2 Barren of good workes 3 Dry devoid of grace and the sweet distilling dew of Gods Spirit as dust is light dry and barren 4. Contagious drosse Ezek. 22. 18 19. become drosse Psal 119. 117. and not undeservedly they 1. Labouring to darken and obscure the righteous as drosse doth gold 2. Striving to corrupt and infect them by mixing themselves with them 3. Falling from them in the fiery triall 4. Cast away into perdition when severed from them 5. Stinking smoake Psal 68. 2. Isa 65. 5. Hos 13. 3. and justly too for 1. They endeavour to climbe and mount aloft as smoake doth 2. They are soonest gone when they get to the highest as smoake is 3. They seeke to choake smoother and stifle the righteous as smoake c. 6. Should I say they are as the loathsome excrementitious scumme I have my warrant in sacred writ Ezek. 24. 6. Imagine wee a man compos'd of the naughtinesse of all hurtfull creatures give him the bloud-thirsty nature of a
Lyon Beare Dog and Dragon give him the tormenting taile of a stinging Scorpion the venemous teeth of a gnawing Viper the virulent breath and dreadfull sight of an eye killing Cockatrice farce his bowels with the poyson of Aspes and the venime of Spiders go to an hedge of thornes briars and brambles and a bed of thistles and thence extract the hurtfull properties of these evill plants and adde them to this monster heape on the stinking loathsome and vnprofitable conditions of the most loathsome scumme canker-eaten drosse suffocating smoake sterilous dust and contaminating dirt The wicked man is this compacted monster and therefore an unmeete associate for a Saint for such a one who hath or desireth fellowship with the Father CHAP. VIII The third meanes and duty We must be like God WOuld we communicate in this community we must 3. Meanes Duty endeavour to be like the Lord. Similitude is a fastening linke to conglutinate Societies which all delight in such who are most like themselves hence it is that birds of a fâ—ather flie together like master like man If thou wilt marry marry thy like saith the Poet and that friendship is the pleasantest which likenesse of conditions hath linked together saith the hearâ—en Oratour and Saint Iohn tells us expressely there must be a congruence in this consociety 1 Iohn 1. 7. If we walke in the light as he is in the light we have fellowship one with anâ—ther Be we therefore followers of God as deare Children Ephes 5. 1. 1. In holinesse 1. Pet. 1. 15. as he which hath called you is holy so be you holy in all manner of conversation ver 16. Because it is written be you holy as I am holy True it is God only is holy i. e. infinitely pure and righteous yet the Saints are holy also i. e. separate from sinne and corruption unperfectly here most perfectly hereafter in heaven 2. In a godly remuneration rendering love for hatred benedictions for execrations good turnes for bad prayers for persecutions Matth. 5. 44 45. That we may be Children of our father for he makes his sunne c. 3. In a pitifull compassionatenesse easily mooved to grieve at the miseries of others and to succour them Luke 6. 6. Be you therefore mercifull as your heavenly father is mercifull Col. 3. 12. put you on as the c. 4. In perfection Matth. 5. 48. Be you therefore perfect as your father in heaven is perfect not as if we could be without sinne as doting fantasticke Familists averre or keepe the whole law as superstitious Antichristian Papists avowe For Scripture and each man 's enlightened conscience witnesse the contrary But 1. Comparatively in regard of the weake and wicked 2. In regard of parts being sanctified in every part and power of soule and body to every duty concerning them in some measure So that there is an upright judgement in the minde an honest heart a sincere and good conscience 5. In walking in the light 1. Iohn 1. 7. If we walke in the light as he is in the light we have fellowship one with another and this we may doe by following Gods Word as our guide in our travaile to eternall blessednesse Let Sathans hellish brood doe the workes of their father the divell walke foot by foot in those cursed paths which Sathan hath traced out unto them viz. in the darke and damned waies of swearing lying cursing c. and so demonstrate to the whole world that themselves have fellowship with the divell Let cavelling carpers deeme these sayings hard and harsh Paradoxes peremptorily concluding it to bee altogether impossible for any man to be holy mercifull perfect c. as the father in heaven is Yet let all such who already have or desire to enjoy fellowship with the Father conforme themselves unto him in the Scripture sense which speakes not of equality but similitude endeavouring to bee holy loving mercifull and perfect as a staggering childe may imitate a mighty man This sanctity perfection and such like excellencies of all the glorified Saints that are or shall be being no more in comparison of this unparalel'd holinesse and perfection of God then the dimme and duskish light of a pinking candle compared with the splendent lustre of the radiant sun enlightned moone and glistering starres CHAP. IX The fourth meanes and duty is prayer to God HAve we or desire we fellowship with the father delight 4. Meanes Duty we then to speake to him in prayer and rejoyce to heare him speake to us in the ministery of the Word What society where intercourse of speech is wanting every colleague in each community will acknowledge society and mutuall exchange of speech to be inseperable and that it is one way to connexe men firmely in a friendly fellowship A word of each 1. Should I say prayerlesse persons are gracelesse I have my warrant Zach. 12. 10. the spirit of grace and prayer being joynt companions 2. Should I terme them godlesse Atheists who can justly contradict me not to pray being one of those markes wherewith men foolish and without God are branded out Psal 14. 4. 3. May I not confidently affirme such to have cast off the feare of the Lord restraining prayers before God Iob 15. 8. 4. May I not pronounce peremptorily prayerlesse persons to be destitute of the spirit of adoption Saint Paul testifying that the Saints have received the spirit of adoption whereby they cry Abba father Rom. 8. 15. And can a prayerlesse person he wanting gods grace his feare the true God and his blessed Spirit have fellowship with the Father Moreover doe many people pray to no purpose asking and not receiving because they aske amisse Iam. 4. 3. their prayers being pinnioned that they cannot mount aloft into the eares of the Lord of Sabbaths 1. By grosse pollutions Isa 1. 15. I will not heare because your hands are full of bloud 2. By disobedience to the voice of God in the ministery of his Word Zach 7. 13. therefore as he cryed and they would not heare so they cryed and I would not heare saith the Lord of hoasts 3. By impenitency Iob. 9. 31. God heareth not sinners 4. By regarding iniquity in their hearts Psal 66. 18. 5. By 〈◊〉 Prov. 23. 13. He that stops his eares at the crie of the poore shall crie himselfe and not be heard 6. By crueltie Micah 3. 4. Then shall crie c. 7. By painted hypocrisie Math. 6. 5. 8. By faithlesse infidelity Iam. 1. 6. 7. 9. By pharisaicall selfe-conceitednesse Luke 18. 11. 14. 10. By blind ignorance Mat. 20. 22. You aske you c. 11. By malicious envy Math. 6. 15. If you forgive not 12. By praying for those things which are impious unjust hurtfull impossible needlesse or otherwise not to be prayed for It stands us in hand therefore if we either have or desire to have fellowship with the Father not onely to pray but so to pray as we are directed in the Word of truth viz.
conversion which being true will alter both the condition and conversation of you and we do heartily wish that all who know us were both almost and altogether such as we are except our frailties and afflictions We would meet you more then halfe way to joyne our selves in intimate society with you and give you the right hand of fellowship could you be intreated to have no fellowship with the fruitlesse Eph. 5. 11. workes of darknesse and to have fellowship with Gods Sonne Iesus Christ. I therefore an Ambassadour for Christ as though 2 Cor. 5. 20. God did beseech you by me I pray you in Christs stead be reconciled to God and be joyned in fellowship with his Sonne Iesus Christ Me thinkes if you are but pliant or flexible I should allure Motives you to this unconceiveable conjunction I supposing your former thwart detractions unjust depravations and unadvised detestations of and your not thirsting after and endeavouring to associate your selves to this mâ—st lovely society to accrew from the misleading calumniâ—tions of malignant spirits and your owne ignorant unacquaintednesse of the radiant resplendency and reâ—ulgent royalty of this more then Angelicall conjunction That I may therefore induce and draw you to a love and liking of inflame and set on fire your never satisfied appetites after this incomparable and ineffable incorporation I will propose sixe following Propositions to your considerations First this fellowship with Christ Iesus or the union betwixt Christ and Christians is the sweetest and most odoriferous Cantic â— 16. My beloved is mine and I am his He seâ—deth among the Lillies i. Christ Iesus is among those persons and places where his graces grow which graces make those in whom they dwell Lilly-like 1. In regard of their dignity and excellency compared with unbelievers 2. In regard of their spirituall beauty Christs purity and Christians piety compared with carnall Hypocrites Epicures and Atheists 3. In regard of their sweet savour or smell compared with lewd livers Christ Iesus the Head of this Society Cant. 2. 1. And all the body of this conjunction 2. 2. are Lilly-like both in favour and smell therefore most beautifull lovely and pleasant Myrrhe Aloes and Cassia are sweet incense and perfuming powders affoording pleasurefull delectation all the garments of all this goodfellowship smell of Myrrhe Aloes and Cassia Psal 45. 8. 1. Christ Iesus the head of this society is a bunch or bundle of myrrhe or pleasant nosegay continually refreshing those which are joyned to him with his delectable sweetnesse Cantic 1. 13. Yea his excellent sweetnesse to every Christian soule is like Calamus and Camphire which be sweet and delightfull things Cantic 1. 14. 4. 1â— Yea all things in him are rich and shining beautifull and precious his hands being as rings of gold set with the Chrysolite Cant. 5. 14. yea his words are sweet and delectable his lips being like lillies dropping downe pure mirrh 5. 13. And in regard of his spirituall fairenesse comlinesse and beautifull sweetnesse he is called the rose of Sharon Cant. 2. 1. 2. All this society is a garden inclosed whose plants are an Orchard of Pomgranats i. e. the faithfull members of Christ as plants beare all sweet delectable fruits as Camphire Spiknard and Saffron c. 4. 12 13. Yea to whom the singing of birds is come i. e. the time which followeth effectuall vocation when the sharpe winter of an unregenerate estate being over the soule is refreshed with most comfortable graces Cant. 2. 12. yea so delightfull that Christ Iesus saith of them and to them 7. 6. how faire and how pleasant art thou O love for delights And can there be a sweeter or more lovely society then this Secondly this is the most honourable and glorious communion that is 1. The builder of it is most glorious for he is a King of glory Psal 24. 7. and Lord of glory 1. Cor. 2. 8. 2. The foundations of it as glorious as may be Isa 54. 11. Saphires Rev. 21. 19. Iasper Saphir Chalcedonye Emerald Sardonix Sardius Chrysolite Beryl Topaze Chrysophrasus Iacinth Amethist The decree of Election is one foundation 2. Tim. 2. 10. The summe of Christian doctrine is another foundation Heb. 6. 1. The doctrine of the Apostles and Prophets Ephes 2. 20. Christ is the foundation of foundations 1. Cor. 3. 11. of this society glorious therefore are the foundations 3. The gates are glorious Isa 54. 12. Carbuncles Rev 21. 22. twelve gates twelve pearles the Ministery of the Word and faith make entrance for Christ to come into the hearts of the Elect and for them to flocke freely into the Lords assemblie 4. The wals are glorious Isa 26. 1. Salvation will God appoint for wals 60. 8. call thy wals salvation Zach. 2. 5. I saith the Lord will be a wall of fire round about and will be the glory in the midst of her 5. The persons are all of them exceeding glorious which will cleerely appeare if wee seriously consider and take notice 1. What glorious ornaments they are invested withall sc the many rich and costly sweet and comfortable graces of Christ Iesus called their garments Psal 45. 8. Because 1. the nakednesse of their soules is hereby covered 2. they are comforted and kept warme 3. defended from the fiery darts of sinne and Sathan 4. decked beautified and adorned 2. What glorious names and titles they have Not onely is the Church of God nominated the city of God the mountaine of Gods holinesse Psal 48. 1. the joy of the whole earth the city of the great King the city of the Lord of hosts the city of our God the perfection of beauty Psal 50. 2. and the holy mountaine Zach. 8. 3. But also all the persons of this society are Christs brethren sisters and mothers Marc. 2. 33. Kings and Priests Rev. 1. 6. a chosen generation a royall priesthood an holy nation a peculiar people 1. Pet. 2. 9. the daughter and queene of Christ Psal 45. 9 10. Saints jewels the Dove and Spouse of Christ 3. What glorious priviledges they have viz. 1. They are guarded from the dominion of sinne Satan death and damnation by the good spirit grace and mercy power and presence word truth promise and providence of God and by the power of his sons death 2. The Lord is a hearer of their prayers Deut. 4. 8. which have free accesse into the Court of heaven 3. They are cleansed from their sinnes by the bloud of Christ 1. Iohn 1. 7. he having washed them from their sinnes in his owne bloud Rev. 1. 5. 4. They have the saving knowledge of God and his Son Christ Iesus 1. Iohn 2. 20. which is life eternall Ioh. 17. 3. and a true cause of glorifying 5. They have the holy Ghost given them Rom. 5. 5. whereby they cry Abba father Rom. 8. 15. which beares witnesse with their spirits that they are the children of God whereby they are ascertained that God dwels in them and they in him 1.
yet respectively and for conscience sake towards God as Magistrates Parents husbands c. 3. The Lord himselfe is to be feared yea this is such a grace that it characters out a righteous man Acts 10. 2. Who shunnes evill and doth good Iob 1. 8. Who delighteth in Gods Commandements Psal 112. 1. Who succours the persecuted Saints 1 Reg. 18. 3 4. Who honoureth God Mal. 3. 16. Is obedient to the Lord Gen. 22. 12. And hath true faith Heb. 11. 7. 1. Feare Gods judgements so as to avoid them 2. Feare we sinne so as to flee from it 3. Feare man for the Lords sake so that we may be carefull to obey him loath to offend him Rom. 13. 7. 4. Feare we the Lord so as to be loath to displease him by sinne in respect of his great goodnesse and mercies and for love we beare to righteousnesse Psal 130. 4. But feare not the wickeds feare Isa 8. 12 13. sc their Idols and Devils with a distrustfull feare withdrawing the heart from God and his promises Feare not dangers death creatures tyrants want c. Math. 10. 26. 28. 31. viz. Immoderately faithlesly Feare not such a feare which troubleth the conscience so as to hinder the operation of salvation and worke of the Holy Ghost Feare not touching the pardon of your sinnes for Christ hath satisfied for them Feare not death for Christ hath plucked out its sting Feare not Sathan for Christ hath vanquished him Feare not condemnation for there is none to them which are in Christ Feare not you little flock you having fellowship with Iesus Christ the Sonne of God but be you comforted and encouraged you having interest in that society which affoords such plenty of consolations and comfortable blessings that I need not say behold I have shewed you by cleare demonstrations and infallible proofes that this is the most beautifull most honourable most sure most rich most joyfull and the most peacefull society that is what can I therefore say more for thee O sweet communion as Isaac said to Esau of Iacob Behold I have given to him for servants all his brethren with corne and wine have I sustained him and what shall I now do to thee my sonne Gen. 27. 37. Neither shall you need to question like Esau Hast thou but one blessing O my Father Ver. 38. and say hast thou but sixe blessings O lovely societie there belonging to it such plentie of consolations that could I live the age of Methuselah had I a heart and head furnished with the wisdome and ingenie of all learned men should I spend all that time and those onely supposed endowments in finding out and had I the tongue of men and Angels to expresse the numberlesse transcendent excellencies of this communion yet could I not be able to delineate the incomparable and blissefull felicities thereof Howbeit give me leave to cheare and refresh your soules with some few of the many millions of gladsome rayes which streame and flow from this Sunne of righteousnesse Are we in league and communion with Christ Iesus Then he loves us with all those loves which are most ardent and excelling Consol 1. he loves us with the love 1. Of a Master for we are servants 2. The love of a King for we are his subjects 3. The love of a brother for we are his brethren Heb. 2. 11. and sisters sc By profession and affection Math. 12. 50. 4. The love of a friend for we are his friends Luke 12. 4. Iohn 3. 29. 15. 15. 5. The love of a childe for wee are his mother Marke 3. 75. Being neare and deare to him as mothers are to their children bearing and conceiving Christ in our hearts as mothers do children in their womâ—es Gal. 4. 19. 6. The love of a father for we are his children 7. The love of a husband for we are his spouse 8. The love of himselfe for we are his members Then which what love more free more tender so great and during Then which what better honour What greater happinesse then to have such love of such a Saviour Who loving us so entirely will surely pardon our many sinnes 2. Passe by our frailties and infirmities 3. Shelter us against the wrath of God 4. Defend us safe against the malicious attempts of Sathan 5. Provide all necessary good things 6. And hereafter crowne us with immortall and unspeakable glory Have we fellowship with Christ Iesus Then we are surely Consol 2. justified Iustification being an action of the Father absolving a believing sinner from his sinnes and from the whole curse due to his sinnes and accounting him just in his sight and accepting him to life everlasting freely of his owne mercy through the perfect obedience and sufferings of Christ imputed to his faith unto the everlasting praise and glory of the mercy justice and truth of God Rom. 3. 24 25. Being justified freely of his grace c. Iustification is the office of Homil. of sal D. 3. God onelâ— and is not a thing which we render to him but which we receive of him not which we give to him but which we take of him This is a benefit of benefits whereupon our salvation doth depend for whosoever shal be saved must be justified All graces are present in him that is justified yet they Hom. sal D. 1. justifie not altogether Now as the finall cause of justification is Gods glory and our owne salvation 2. The instrumentall is faith within and the Gospell without 3. The efficient is Gods free grace 4. So the matter is Christ our Redeemer 5. And the forme is the imputation of our sinnes to him and his justice to us As our sinne being imputed to Christ made M Burton pag. 66. him become sinne for us even so are we made the righteousnesse of God in him that is by imputation of his righteousnesse which righteousnesse of Christ imputed to us is no more inhaerent in us to our justification thou our sinne imputed to Christ was inhaerent in him to his condemnation Therefore all Gods Elect being joyned to Christ and having an heavenly communion with him being in themselves rebellious sinners Gods enemies and firebrands of hell by meanes of Christ Iesus with whom they have fellowship must needs be accepted of the Lord as perfectly righteous before him being justified by faith in him Rom. 3. 28. Not that faith doth justifie in regard of it selfe either because it is a grace for although it is an excellent vertue yet it is imperfect and mixed with unbelâ—efe 2. Nor in regard it is the worke of God in us for then all graces might be meanes of justification as well as it 3. Nor as it containes other graces in it for then it should be the principall part of our justice But in respect of the object thereof Christ Iesus whom faith apprehends as he is set forth in the Word and Sacraments We are justified by the act of M. Burton Truths triumph
And we ought c. Imitation in these and such like vertues is 1. Of great necessity to all those which have or desire to have fellowship with Christ Iesus 1. For all of this blissefull communion being members of Christ Iesus and led by his Spirit 2. Gods image by this imitation being renewed and augmenâ—ed 3. The want of this being a character of withered branches who have no abiding in the vine Christ Iohn 13. 2. 6. This imitation cannot but be of absolute necessity 2. Of great importance many commodious advantages accruing hence 1. This surely preserving against falling from grace 2. This causing to edifie the Saints and helping to glorifie God 3. This giving tranquillity of mind a good conscience joy in the Holy Ghost and increase of graces Secondly passive Taking up his Crosse and following him Math. 16. 24. Phil. 3. 10. For whosoever doth not beare his Crosse and go after Christ cannot be his Disciple Luc. 14. 27. Not that we are to imitate Christ in the Crosse in regard 1. Either of the quantity so many sorrowfull reproches buffetings so much painefull agony 2. Or of the quality such condemnation sweatings death c. 3. Nor of the end to pacifie Gods wrath to redeeme from vaine conversations sinfull men to heale sinners to cleanse away sinnes c. But in regard of the manner enduring the Crosse for Christ his sake as he our patterne suffered it for our sakes e. g. 1. As he was obedient unto death even the death of the Crosse Phil. 2. 8. Submitting his will to his heavenly Fathers Math. 26. 39. Even so we like that valiant Champion S. Paul should be ready not only to be bound but to die for the name of the Lord Iesus Acts 21. 23. As he did so we ought to undergoe the Crosse with contentment and patience Isa 53. 7. He was oppressed he was afflicted yet he opened not his mouth 1 Pet. 2. 20. If when you do wel suffer for it ye take it patiently this is acceptable with God 3. As he did so should we offer up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that is able to save from death Heb. 5. 7. O my Father if it be possible not as I will but as thou wilt Father forgive them Acts 7. 59. They stoned Steven calling upon God Lord Iesus Lord lay not this sinne to their charge Iam. 5. 13. Is any afflicted let him pray 4. As he did depend upon God Psal 22. 8. He trusted in God that he would deliver him So should we depend on God for deliverance Psal 34. 19. Out of all c. 5. As he did so should we endure the Crosse with constancy and continuance Psal 44. 17. All this yet c. Luc. 9. 24. Shall lose it c. Thus to take up the Crosse and follow Christ Iesus is First Of absolute necessity if we consider 1. That it is not a matter of curtesie but commanded not arbitrary but strictly enjoyned Luc. 11. 23. Let him take up his Crosse c. 2. That the condition of the Saints estate is to be as sheep among wolves lillies among thornes Math. 10. 16. To go through many afflictions into c. Acts 14. 22. 3. That the similitude of the Head and members requires so much Ioh. 15. 20. If they have persecuted me they will also persecute you Math. 10. 25. If they have called the Maister of the house Beelâ—zebub how much more shall they call them of the houshold Secondly of incomparable worth and valution for 1. Hereby the life of Iesus is made manifest in our mortall flesh 2 Cor. 4. 10 11. 2. If we suffer with him we shall raigne with him 2 Tim. 2. 12. 1. What and if many sonnes of Belial walke in quite contrary paths to these which are traced out by our un-erring patterne being abominable disobedient and to every good worke reprobate Titus 1. 16. Full of Diabolicall subtiltie Luciferian pride delighting in the workes of the flesh unrighteousnesse and darknesse wholly swarving from Christs example for is this to follow Christ He was obedient to God in all things they truly in nothing He was innocent and unblameable they guilefull and abominable He was humble they proud c. Light and darknesse heaven and hell have as great affinity and nearenesse as these actions of theirs to those of Christ Iesus Their filthy lyes blasphemous oathes uncharitable slaunders devillish pride hatefull envies and their abominable actions are the workes of the Devill which Christ came to destroy 1 Ioh. 3. 8. They doing his workes are of their Father the Devill Iohn 8. 44. 2. What and if many idle-headed fantastique fashion-mongers swimme downe swiftly the current of the times disorders hunting after strange fashions greedily and delightfully and apishly follow at the heeles all newfangled inventions little considering that this is one of the forbidden conformities to the world Rom. 12. 2. No part of this conformity to Christ having a dreadfull commination threatned against it from the most just powerfull true and unchangeable Iehovah Zeph. 1. 8. You who are such especially if you be of those which out-strippe the common Christian in Profession Do you thinke that this hunting after new-fangled toyes and strange fashious is agreeable to that Divine Precept 1 Ioh. 2. 15. Love not the world nor the things of the world Or that Rom. 12. 2. Fashion not your selves unto this world Or to this our heavenly patterne Christ Iesus Was Christ a fashion follower But this and that is the new fashion And will you be Ob. An. damned because it is the fashion of the most to go the broad way But pride is a quality of the heart True yet Scripture Ob. An. and experience tels that it shewes it selfe in mens words countenances gesture and apparell That there is pride is a truth That there is pride in apparell is as true That these fantastique imitatours are proud of their clothings is I feare as certaine as either That they offend the Divine Majesty and make themselves liable to his dreadfull threatnings is as Daâ—â—â—â— Calvine Piscâ—tor Perk. of the right knowledge of CURIST â—â—u cified Pag 631. undeniable as the verity of sacred Writ Zeph. 1. 8. To which heavenly truth I will adde a saying of that reverend man of God Mr. Perkins which is this And proud men and women that are puffed by reason of their attire which is the badge of their shame and never cease hunting after strange fashions consider not that Christ was not crucified in gay attire but naked that he might beare the whole shame and curse of the Law for us These and such like whatsoever they say in word if we respect the tenour of their lives are flat enemies of the Crosse of Christ and tread his precious bloud under their feet And conclude with the words of a reverend Prelate Sumptuary B. Lake Serm. on 1 King 8 37. Preached in Westminster before the Kings
abide in you or not For not onely Fantastique Familists Anabaptisticall dreamers and such like factious sects and Sectaries but many other children of Beliall who in truth are as yet habitations for the uncleane spirit and the seven other spirits more wicked to dwell in Math. 12. 43 44. Boast and glory of the happy fruition of Gods Spirit like the false Prophet Zedekiah who notwithstanding was possessed with a lying spirit 1 Reg. 22. 23 24. Search therefore the Scriptures for they testifie of these things and from them you may learne what spirit you are of The Scriptures tell us 1. That where Gods Spirit abideth there is the Spirit of Prayer Rom. 8. 15. We have received the Spirit of adoption whereby we crie Abba Father Verse 16. The Spirit maketh intercession for us 2. Where Gods Spirit abideth there is a new birth regeneration a new creation Ioh. 3. 4. Borne of the Spirit 3. Where Gods Spirit abideth there is holinesse and sanctity 1 Pet. 1. 2. Sanctification of the Spirit Rom. 1. 4. Spirit of holinesse 4. Where Gods Spirit is there is knowledge of all things sc Necessary to salvation 1 Ioh. 2. 20. 5. Where the Spirit of God abideth there must needs be sincerity or uprightnesse 6. Where the Spirit of God abideth there is a testification to a mans owne spirit that he is the child of God Rom. 8. 16. The Spirit beares witnesse with our Spirits that we are the children of God From which grounded Maximes and undeniable Theses drawne from the Word of truth these following inferences must necessarily be concluded 1. That the prayerlesse person sc such a one who prayes not at all or not so with such graces which Gods Spirit prescribes in the Word as necessary companions of pious prayer viz. Knowledge faith sincerity zeale c. in some measure 2. That the unregenerate not converted man who is the same he was ever no changeling having the same mind will affections c. And he who is changed from one evill to another as bad or worse neither of these being truly converted so as to become new creatures 2 Cor. 5. 17. New men Eph. 4. 24. To have new hearts Ezek. 11. 19. And new lives yea all things new 2 Cor. 5. 17. sc wils lives affections sc love hatred c. New eyes Eph. 1. 18. Eares Psal 40. 6. And tast Rom. 8. 5. 3. That the meere civill honest man although he walke as inoffensively as did ever any Heathen Worthy and as plausibly as those justiciary Pharisees being no oppressour paying every man to the mint and anniseed Much lesse therefore the prophane Belial which wallowes in all wickednesse wholly regardlesse of piety of God and righteousnesse to man 4. That the man ignorant and unacquainted in those truths which are necessary to be knowne and the man who although he hath plenty of knowledge floting in the braine and flowing from the tongue yet wants the necessary practique knowledge So that although he is able to discourse learnedly and profoundly yet doth he not believe that he knowes is to be believed love that he knowes is to beloved and do that he knowes is to be done c. in some measure 5. That the flourishing Formalist performing those many excellent and praise-worthy duties he doth onely outwardly for by-ends without the pith marrow and substance of Christianity uprightnesse of heart 6. That the man wholly and altogether wanting the testimony of his owne conscience grounded upon the testimony of Gods Spirit that he is the child of God and he who in stead of the testification of Gods Spirit which ever agreeth to the Word glads and contents himselfe with the wicked spirit of presumption for his living willingly constantly and contentedly in those wicked wayes the Word of God condemnes to hellish torments argues an absence of the testimonie of Gods Spirit for is it possible that Gods Spirit should peremptorily affirme in the Word that no drunkard covetous person hypocrite c. shall inherite the kingdome of heaven and yet testifie to the conscience of a drunkard covetous person hypocrite c. that he is Gods child and shall go to heaven That none of these have the Spirit of Christ abiding in them and therfore no fellowship with Iesus Christ may safely must necessarily be inferred from the forenamed propositions First all you of the former ranke which have the Spirit of prayer true conversion holinesse saving knowledge sincerity of heart and a warrantable assurance in your owne consciences that you are the children of God consequently have the Spirit of God abiding in you and therefore fellowship with the Lord Iesus 1. Be perswaded highly to praise and glorifie the Lord so loving and liberall who hath bestowed such an inestimable treasure upon you as is the Spirit of the Lord the Spirit of wisdome and understanding to teach you the Spirit of counsell to counsell and advise you the Spirit of might to protect and defend you the Spirit of knowledge to instruct you Isa 11. 2. The Spirit of the Lord inabling you to pray and making your prayers acceptable Rom. 8. 26. Bringing you to liberty 2 Cor. 3. 17. Helping your infirmities enlightening your understandings rectifying your judgements reviving your spirits stirring your affections sanctifying all inward gifts and seasoning the use of all outward things unto you assuring you of all the rich treasures in Iesus Christ This being the gift of gifts the head the height the depth the bredth and length of all good things 2. Not to grieve this Holy Spirit of God whereby you are sealed to the day of redemption Eph. 4. 30. By doing any thing contrary to the light which is set up in your consciences by the Word of God and this Spirit least if you vexe him he turnes to be your enemie Isa 63. 10. 3. Not to quench the Spirit 1 Thes 5. 19. Doe not therefore by your security and negligence lose the fruits and effects of the Spirit nor abate the working of grace To lose wholly the saving graces of the Spirit which a man once had as if a man should extinguish fire wholly is not possible the Spirit abiding with such for ever Ioh. 14. 16. But to lose some fruits and effects of the Spirit and to abate the working of grace as if a man should slacke the heate and lose the light of fire doth oft befall the Saints by meanes of their carelesnesse and security 4. To walke after the Spirit Rom. 8. 1. Which are in Christ walke after the Spirit Gal. 5. 25. If you live in the Spirit walke in the Spirit i. By minding liking wishing desiring and affecting the things of the Spirit Rom. 8. 5. And by endeavouring in the whole course of your lives and callings to order your selves according to the will and Word of God for that which is commanded in the Word is enjoyned by the Spirit and to leade a mans life according to the Word is to walke after the Spirit