SOME THOUGHTS CONCERNING The Life to Come WITH A Brief Account Of the State of Religion As it is now in the World LONDON Printed in the Year 1693. THE PREFACE TO THE READER OF making many Books there is no end said the wise Solomon in his time which hath been since fulfilled in such a degree and to such a measure that through the multitude of Books the intended Good and Benefit of them hath been lost and defeated For when the Great Truths of GOD have come forth and been published People have not distinguished discerned and known them from the ordinary Imaginations and Sayings of other meer Humane Writers But they have remained hidden and not understood Psal 106. 7. Acts 7. 25. by the Men of this World and by the outward Worshippers Yea they have not been Understood by many of the real Servants of GOD They having not been so diligent as in Duty they ought to seek Acts 15. 17. and enquire out after all the Appearances and Manifestations of his Truth in the World In every Nation and so in every Sect or Party however it is called or named he that serveth GOD and worketh Righteousness which is a general and comprehensive Speech and doth include Obedience to all the Words of His Law is accepted with Him Acts 10. 34. To each Person which doth this GOD affords the Knowledge of Himself and of the Things which pertain to his Kingdom So that out of the Writings of the People of the several Opinions and Persuasions among us if that Foundation in them here mentioned doth stand sure somewhat of GOD and of his Truth may be sought after and also had by the godly honest and understanding Reader But this is to be attended unto that as between the Miracles of Moses and the Inchantments of the Magicians there is that manifest diversity That the one does not only much exceed the other but the first do carry that Power Evidence and Demonstration along with them that the Magicians themselves are forced to confess and acknowledge This is the Finger of GOD Exod. 8. 19. So likewise there is not only a manifest diversity between the Imaginations Subtlety and Sophistry of Satan which have also an outward likeness unto and imitation of Truth and the certainty of the Words of Truth themselves or what Job calls right Words Chap. 6. 25. But further there is observed to be a continued Vein of Holiness and a Spirit of the Fear of the Lord which runs throughout the Writings of some Men more than others Here again these are exceeded by others also who are yet mightier and greater than they in the Kingdom of God and in the dispensation of his Gospel For there is a real difference between what is meerly pious and devotional or those common things which are universally known and obvious already and the making known the Great Truths of God or those new Things which he doth declare Before they spring forth I tell you of them Isa 42. 9. Which God doth tell anâ— declare unto Mankind by some particular Saint or Servant of his Now whether I my self shall fall under the same Imputation which I here tacitly reprehend in other Writers or whether I do here bring forth out of my Treasury such Things new and old which in themselves are indeed worthy to be made publick or whether yet further I do not express out those Truths of God which as it is my Duty to write speak and make known so it is the Duty of the People of this my Generation to read hear and receive into their knowledge Rom. 1. 28. I refer all this to the spiritual man who judgeth all things 1 Cor. 1. 15. in this mean while as it will be yet more clearly discerned and determined by God and his Saints at the last Day It hath been observed of John the Evangelist that in his Gospel he doth set down and mention what was omitted by the other three Evangelists for whereas they all repeat and confirm the same things he doth record that as to which they are silent so it hath been and shall be my constant Method and Resolution only to publish those useful Truths and weightier Matters of the Law which have been hitherto omitted see Mat. 23. 23. in the Books and Sermons of other Writers and Preachers And tho' I have already employ'd the Press proportionally for one of my Circumstances Condition and Years yet I shall never be so voluminous as Origen of old who is reported to have made six thousand Books or as Tostatus and Richard Baxter of later Times But as I hope to be accepted of Him who comes quickly and his Reward is with him to give to every man according as his Work shall be Rev. 22. 12. I know that the Goodness and Worth thereof doth lie not so much in its quantity as its quality as a little Diamond is of more value and estimation than a much greater common Stone so I had rather speak five or a very few Words with knowledge and understanding that by my Voice I might teach others also which may be unto Men to edification exhortation and comfort than ten thousand Words in useless Notions or rather Imaginations in meer smooth Language or in vain-jangling and matters of doubtful disputation the former of which do divert and turn aside the Mind from the one thing needful and the latter do rather minister unto strife than unto godly edifying This small ensuing Treatise is an essay and endeavour to the only good and right end of seeking the present Peace and future Welfare of men and women I do therein write unto them of the common Salvation The Contents and subject Matter thereof may be apprehended from the Title-Page Where the Failings Defects Infirmities the Sins and Errours of the People are spoken of This is for Doctrine for Reproof for Correction for Instruction in Righteousness And tho' perhaps there may not be altogether that exactness of Art Method and Connexion whereof some Scribes have been more curious and careful than of the Substance of the Things they have delivered yet herein we have a great part of the Scripture for our ensample which was given by Inspiration of God and is profitable for things which make us wise unto Salvation that the Man of God may be perfect thoroughly furnished unto all Good-works albeit it is not like unto Discourses framed by Art and Man's Device SOME THOUGHTS Concerning the Life to come c. Behold now are we the Sons of God and it doth not yet appear what we shall be but we know that when he shall appear we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is 1 John 3. 2. COncerning this thing of future and endless Life I have great thought and searching of Heart My Soul doth shrug within me when in my Bed I think upon it throughly Now I am as yet in this Life but when that Moment shall come in which I must be dislodged from
to comfort and uphold the Spirits of his Creatures and Servants and also to make known unto them how they shall be delivered This doth seem a foolish strange and contrary kind of way which the worldly Man may despise and even the experienced Soul will hardly believe it at first so hidden are the ways and dealings of God even of his present Dispensations towards his Creatures But the future things are much more wrapt up in a mystery and within the veil Were we as Ezekiel was in the Visions of God or did we like Stephen Paul and John see the Heavens opened And the Temple of God was opened in Heaven and there was seen in his Temple the Ark of his Testament Rev. 11. 19. or if the Skreen of these outward visible things was withdrawn so that with the eyes of our Understanding being enlightned we did clearly perceive the inward and spiritual What are the most great and glorious Cities here on Earth to that which is on the sides of the North the City of the great King Psal 48. 2. What are the Kingdoms and Courts of this World in comparison of the greatness of God and to the innumerable company of Angels that are about his Throne to the thousand thousands that minister to him and to the ten thousand times ten thousand which stand before him It is not so much as those little Flies and Insects which move up and down and make a small humming and noise in the Air for tho' now we are so pent up within and taken up with our Fellow-Creatures that they are to us in a manner all in all Yet did we with that God-like part in us I mean our Souls ascend up above and and get out from among them and thence look down upon the Inhabitants of the Earth as so many short-liv'd Grashoppers then we should conceive of and know them as they are in their true nature For the best way to know any thing as it ought to be known by which phrase the Apostle doth difference it from that first general apprehension or superficial out-side knowledge which the multitude take up with is to get out and separate from among our Brethren and to be as abstracted as ever we can from all sensible things And then we should wait some considerable time before the great and precious Truths do come in It was usual with the Prophets when they were consulted upon any great difficulty or when they were to give a Message of their own accord to the People to be in a state of silence and retirement with Prayer and Fasting for some considerable time before We read that the Word of the Lord came to Ezekiel after seven days to Jeremiah after ten days Again it is elsewhere said That it came unto him after many days And so our selves have found that when we have been upon the searching out and contemplation of divine Truth that the best and and most precious Truths the newest discoveries and such things as we have never thought heard or read of before they do most commonly come into our Mind after two or three hours attendance upon Meditation where hath been no manner of hinderance and interruption to the current of our Thoughts by the intervening of other things or resorting to other Business And therefore we should do well herein to beware of one Device of Satan That if no answer comes presently from God or if we do not run on cleverly in the things pertaining to his Kingdom then he suggests to leave quite off and not to wait on the Lord any longer Sometimes we thus lose the coming to the knowledge of such and such Truths concerning the Law and Judgments of God which would be better unto us than thousands of Gold and Silver Psal 119. 72. More to be desired are they than Gold yea than much fine Gold Psal 19. 10. Receive my Instruction and not Silver and Knowledge rather than choice Gold for Wisdom is better than Rubies and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it Prov. 8. 10 11. The Holy Ghost here making this comparison and preference in these three several places as he knows what is in Man what he is inclinable â—nd prone unto hereby he gives us to understand That People by seeking after and by beâ—ng wholly taken up with the outward things of this Life which are all had by Money do neglect the Knowledge of God and the Understanding of his Truth which he doth here â—acitly dissuade them from Again where any man is gifted and fitted â—or the Work of the Ministry or for the bringâ—ng out and making known of the Truths of God unto the World there all outward things â—ertaining to Life or even for the charge and â—abour of publishing this Truth should be â—rought ready to his hand that he should not misemploy the least portion of his time from the other holy and more excellent Work in seeking out and looking after these lesser things This is signified by the original appointment of Tithes to reap where they did not sow nor bestow the least bodily labour but the Tenth was set out for them ready for their immediate use and receiving And also by that saying of our Saviour Christ unto his Disciples Other Men laboured and ye are entred into their Labours John 4. 38. This Doctrine which we preach not for our selves but as it is the Commandment and Will of God is clearly delivered by that Prophet who there saw and speaks of the Gospel-times tho' he lived under the Law And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks and the sons of the alien shalâ— be your plow men and vine-dressers but ye shall bâ— called the priests of the Lord men shall call you thâ— ministers of our God Isai 61. 5. 6. Others should provide them Meat and Raiment contained in the Word Flocks Bread signified by Plow men and Drink expressed by Vine-dressers in which all the food and nourishment of ouâ— Life principally consists Which others are to get ready for them whilst they do only offeâ— up Prayers unto God for the Priests of olâ— time did offer Sacrifice and are wholly employ'd in the ministration of his Word anâ— Truth It is not reason that we should leave thâ— Word of God and serve Tables Acts 6. 2. It is noâ— reason that we should neglect what is alike requisite to come unto eternal Life to serve the mean necessities of this tho' the hardship of the World doth force us to misemploy much of our precious time this way I have been often troubled and concerned that I should be so cumbred about many things and perhaps about some things which were besides the proper End and Work I was sent into this World for to do or I being somewhat called thereto yet I have intended too much that point only or I have mis-spent too much time therein so that I should go out of this Life before I had throughly thought of the
as to the attainment of them all Men act according as their knowledge is But with some it is imagination or falshood when others do apprehend the thing exactly as it is and according to truth Each Mâ—n doth according to such a number of thoughts within himself Here again the Rule with some is to do according as the most do and to walk according to the course of this World to be guided by the Sayings and Opinions of the People and by what arises to himself in his next and uppermost thought Others do make the Word of God their set and constant Rule and also they are led by the silent and inward Dictates of the Spirit Now indeed all the days of a Man's life here on Earth do pass away like a shadow and so it is as to the good or evil the conveniency or inconveniency the comfort or irksomness of them both is but little and it soon passeth away But then at last comes the Judgment of God and distribution is made to every one of reward or punishment according to the deeds done in the Body whether good or evil true or false And therefore it is mightily incumbent upon us to see well to it because that every word and action doth come into reckoning For according to the deeds done in the Body so will God recompence and so shall we receive and therefore it behoves us to know and consider before in whatever we take in hand or whatever our hand finds us to do how this will pass in the future examination and trial and whether it will tend to our benefit or loss at that day Whatever thy hand finds thee to do remember the end and thou wilt never do amiss keep the Judgment of God always in thine eye and thou wilt never go much astray And so it comes to pass that where some do good and others do evil some behave themselves rightly in such a matter and others behave themselves wrong It happens thus according to the different measure of knowledge which they have Moreover that the Heart be without knowledge it is not good This knowledge is branched forth into the things that have been the things that are and the things that shall be how God dealt with his People and Creatures which were before we were born and who are gone off from the Earth before us how it is between God and them who are for a little while breathing here But more especially the earnest expectation of the Creature should be forward after those great and good things he will do after this Earth is dissolv'd and after the new eternal and irreversible state of things is brought in When he that for about 6000 years has been a turning Man to destruction doth say again Return ye Children of Men Psal 90. 3. The first is said in the single number because now they die severally in their individual Persons one after another But the resurrection will be in the plural for they will be all rais'd and brought up together at once This will be a change and alteration to a witness as we use this Phrase in common proverbial speaking when mortality shall be swallow'd up of life when this corruption shall put on incorruption never more to see or turn again unto corruption This natural Body shall be raised up a spiritual Body We have not now thoughts to conceive nor words to express how or after what manner the whole alteration will be it makes us fear and shrug at the lively and through apprehension thereof Now we know what we are but what we shall be after these Bones are turned into dry Bones and after they shall live again O Lord thou knowest and also how it will be with us when we shall be caught up into the Air there ever for to remain with the Lord. Now because we hope desire and would have the best things whereof both the good and evil are in the hands and disposal of God therefore our way is to please him and to get his favour The things which we do in order to God that is call'd Religion and it is either worship or obedience These two subjects viz. Some Thoughts of the Life to come and of the State of Religion as it is now in the World are fitly join'd together because one of them is in order to the other For the end of every Man's Religion if he doth understand and practise it aright is that he may please God and that himself may be saved Seeing that it is made known unto him both from his own Soul and from the Book of the Lord and also from what he hears by the hearing of the Ear and he believes the same that he must live for ever he cannot do otherwise than desire to be happy for ever This puts Mankind upon their several ways of pleasing and finding acceptance with Almighty God and they go on according to their own several Opinions Persuasions and Congregations What they do herein is the hearing of Words or the offering up of Prayers unto God It is the Opinion of the Papists that the Work done and the bare outward use of the Ordinances doth conferr Grace and is acceptable unto God Others again of the Reformed Religion do believe that this doth depend upon upon the right intention and good heart of the Worshipper which is so in very truth and according to the Doctrine of the holy Scriptures But still there is a tincture and relick of this kind of Popery remaining at this day among the Protestants for they think that they have done a great deal in order to God by having kept his Ordinances and because they were continually before him Psal 50. 7. and they did not omit them at any time Indeed it was well done herein and one act of continued duty and obedience unto God for as on the other side it is a sign of open ungodliness and rebellion when they refuse to tread God's Courts so here it is a token of profess'd and visible subjection unto God when they do diligently and constantly keep his Ordinances and never omit them at any time My self have reason to pray earnestly unto God that he will not reprove me because my Sacrifices and Burnt-Offerings have not been continually before him I have been forced to neglect his Publick Worship for many Lord's Days successively lest the Sons of Violence my Persecutors who are many in number should hale me again unto Prison And so because I have not the benefit of them my self shall I go about in any wise to depretiate or lessen from that just value and real goodness which arises from them God forbid There hath been indeed that tincture of Man's infirmity who have calculated Religion according to their own circumstances and condition as to speak some what more favourably of the omission of that duty which themselves did not altogether so much practice as again more excusably of thaâ— sin which themselves were addicted and given
he shall have yet less for there must be somewhat or else that could not be taken away and then that is taken away from him that hath not that is to say that little which before he had There is some little left remaining to prove and try him still whether he will abuse or improve that very little The truth of all this is evident by experience for there is none so very ungodly and wicked but there are in them some small sparks or seeds of Goodness some principles of Righteousness and Truth do remain in them Tho' with many all this is in a very imperfect manner yet they have also some general Principles of God and of the things pertaining to his Kingdom and of future life and immortality By this little God doth prove them whether they will keep his Commandments or not and whether they will understand and seek after God Psal 14. 2. and follow on to know the Lord. By that tincture and conception and small knowledge they have of him already if they did once begin to do either then he would give them more grace and knowledge So it is with the indifferent middle-size of People yea and with the best sort of Christians at this day God is before-hand with all of them for even they do not live up nor act according to all and the utmost which God makes known unto and requires of them and also gives them strength to perform It is agreeable with the method and wisdom of God to do nothing which is superfluous or more than needs must nor yet is he wanting in what means are absolutely necessary I will cry unto God the most High unto God that performeth all things for me Psal 57. 2. Which he doth by little and little and by unexpected ways He sees where his own People for there is a fault and defect in them even in them do not obey those secret motions of the Spirit which he doth already instill into them and there he ceases to infuse further motions because the former were quenched 1 Thess 5. 19. despised or disobeyed and so they are forgotten by the person who had them as also God hath withdrawn them Whereas if they were cherished and obeyed and complied withal God would give them much more abundantly and they would have it in full measure and running over By doing the several acts of good and duty we are more enabled and strengthned to do so still and yet better and more abundantly in the kind So by performing acts of Zeal we grow more zealous for these things are kept up by the use and exercise as contrariwise upon the omission neglect they do languish and utterly wither away Agreeable hereunto the Spirit speaketh Be watchful and strengthen the things which remain that are ready to die Rev. 3. 2. Thus it is as to the several Graces and Gifts of the Spirit and as to the good Works which are wrought in us they are all to be acted and employed on their several objects and as every opportunity is to be had for by only keeping them within and folding up these Talents in a Napkin they serve as nothing they grow listless and subject to decay and perish As they said in Acts 19. 2. We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost so it is with many Men and Women at this day They do not so much as know and perceive whether there be any such thing as motions and workings of the Holy Spirit albeit God hath shewed it unto them by having put some measure of the Spirit in them For there is a residue of the Spirit Mal. 2. 15. and a measure of the Spirit John 3. 34. and there is a taking off of some of the Spirit and a giving or dividing of it unto others Numb 11. 25. For all these worketh that one and the self-same Spirit dividing to every Man severally as he will 1 Cor. 12. 11. Thus it is that where God doth put his Holy Spirit in Man and Woman there is none that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee Isai 64. 7. They do not stir up and actuate the Spirit that is in them What Advice Paul gives unto Timothy Neglect not the Gift that is in thee 1 Tim. 4. 14. Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the Gift of God which is in thee by the putting on of my hands 2 Tim. 1. 6. is proper and necessary to every Christian Soul that they do not neglect any but stir up all the Gifts and Graces which are in them For want of which as it is a general failure amongst all Professions and sorts however they are distinguished or named it comes to pass that there are no such Christians now among us as was in the days of the Apostles and in the primitive Times Where is now that fervent burning zeal for God and Christ and for all the Commandments without exception or preferring of one thing before another Where is that diligence and constancy in his Worship Where is that lively Faith in God with that willing subjection of themselves to the Cross Persecution Suffering and Trouble for the Word and Truth 's sake Where are those now-a-days that are not afraid of the face of Men and of the blast of the terrible ones which with them of old Time was as a storm against the Wall Isai 25. 4. making no impression much less causing them to yield for they did remain unshaken and stood their ground still Or who is there now that doth not regard the Persons of Men Or if they do refrain from giving flattering Titles yet do they not secretly accept Persons By which Adverb Secretly the Holy Ghost doth find them out Who doth now come up to that unfeigned Love of the Brethren so as to love one another with a pure heart fervently Where is now that sounding of the Bowels and that most earnest sensible Compassion one to another which we read they then had Where is that laying down their Lives for the Brethren and the following them to Prisons and to Death They did formerly minister relief unto their Fellow-Christians tho' they were forbidden so to do by their Persecutors Where is now to be seen that selling of Lands and Possessions to distribute to every Man according as he has need as was in Acts 4. 34 35. What is now become of that plentiful Alms-giving and abundant liberality which was shewed forth in those first and purest Ages Is not that plainness and simplicity and godly sincerity which was then in the hearts and practices of all the faithful almost now gone off from the Earth but only here and there some imperfect footsteps thereof are to be seen in a very few Is that good Zeal of the ancient Jews now any where to be found who would hazard and lose their Lives rather than they would suffer Statues to be set up before the Gates of the Temple or eat Swines flesh
And the like Zeal should be indefinitely shewed forth for all the Commandments of God and for all the positive Duties of the Gospel without confining or limiting of it to one thing more than another But now if any thing is done against any of the Commandments of the Lord concerning things which should not be done see Levit. 4. 22 27. there is an indifferency and unconcernedness Some could wish but it will never be done with wishing that things were right and according to the Law of God Ezra 10. 3. there is the utmost pitch of their Zeal Tho' God hath given them knowledge and ability for doctrine for reproof for correction for instruction in righteousness they would have God excuse them now and pardon them hereafter if they neglect this gift in them If present interest or any doctrine or opinion which is espoused and peculiar it perhaps giving denomination to such a Sect or Party is any wise concerned here they will exert their Zeal Knowledge and Industry But they will not in like manner contend earnestly for the weightier matters of the Law as Judgment Mercy Faith and Obedience to all the Commandments of God every one of which is to be observed towards and by every Creature without exception or respect of Persons They say These things are sufficiently known already But are they practised and done accordingly Herein they speak after a like unworthy manner as those who said Will a Man plead for Baal let Baal plead for himself and it is almost the same what they speak in reference to the God of Israel For if they may not so properly be styled Scoffers of these last and worst days yet they are ignorant slothful walking after their own Lusts and saying What need one do any thing for God he will do his work for himself This they are willingly ignorant of that there is such a Duty That people should help the Lord against the mighty Judg. 5. 23. which signifies the Sons of Violence and Transgression who will do things of their own strength because it is in the power of their hand Mic. 2. 1. and they are not nor yet will they be kept within the bounds of God's Commandments But these People do err which they utter forth against the Lord Isai 32. 5. not knowing the Scriptures nor the Power of God nor yet the way of the present dispensation of his Kingdom For tho' the help which God doth upon Earth he doth it himself yet it is always done by the Means and Instruments of his Servants as they do act and exert forth those Principles of Goodness and Truth which he hath implanted in them As the Apostle argues from this Word Yet once more Heb. 12. 27. so every Sentence yea the least Word and Particle in Scripture is observable Where we read of some People that their Spirits were stirred there is a motion or making known or a Command of God to the Heart which yet the Creature doth not obey But where it is written God stirred up the Spirit of such an one as Gideon David Nehemiah Zerubabel there the Person doth actually obey and goes forth and is doing according to the Work God calls and employs him about Be instructed all ye slothful and faint-hearted Christians God hath put nothing in vain in any Man or Woman That Goodness which he first ingrassed and doth afterwards infuse should increase and grow up and it ought to appear forth through the Person in whom it is Agreeable hereunto is what our Lord saith and commands Ye are the Light of the World a City that is set on an hill cannot be hid neither do Men light a Candle and put it under a bushel but on a candlestick and it giveth light unto all that are in the house Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorifie your Father which is in Heaven Matth. 5. 14 15 16. That which is of God in any Person is either Goodness or Truth and as Goodness ought to appear forth so the Truth in him ought to be spoken out For tho' the common Saying of the World is agreeable to the Wisdom of the Flesh which is for sloth ease and present safety Thaâ— all Truth is not to be spoken yet we have learned another way to Heaven Lord who shall abide in thâ— Tabernacle Who shall rest in thy holy Hill He thaâ— walketh uprightly and worketh righteousness anâ— speaketh the truth in his heart Psal 15. 1 2. So thaâ— as sure as the Spirit of God doth here teach thâ— way to Heaven and lay down the foregoing Qualifications and Conditions which we musâ— have and do before we come there whateveâ— Truth is in our heart provided it be the Truth oâ— God as coming from Him and arising out of hiâ— Word we must and ought to speak it come whatever will hereof if we do not mean to be disappointed of Heaven at last And if this doing should bring trouble upon our Loins for this Objection the worldly-wise Man hath against thiâ— Duty and therefore he will refrain to utter it wâ— must do it for all that this being that kind of manifold Tribulation which we must go throughâ— before we enter into the Kingdom of God All People will not be saved who constantly go to Church or Meeting for of the four sorts of Hearers of the Word in Mat. 13. there is but one who beareth and bringeth forth fruit unto everlasting life But there is another sort which comes exactly to the present case But he that receiveth seed into stony places the same is he that heareth the word and anoâ—â— with joy receiveth it yet hath he not root within himself but dureth for a while for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word by and by he is â—ffended Mat. 13. 20 21. There is no Person but who would willingly be saved and doth perceive â—ome lightsomness and satisfaction to arise from â—he Ordinance of Preaching because he thinks â—hat this doth somewhat further him towards this happy and blessed End But when such a Duty is presented before him or such a thing seems to be commanded and required of him in the same Word which hath a shew or perhaps a real consequent of worldly loss trouble or inconvenience This is such a Stumbling-block in his way to Heaven that he cannot or rather will not get over So that here if he doth not the thing he cries out or secretly ejaculates with Naaman The Lord pardon thy Servant in this thing considering that he doth so much towards God besides Or when God requires and calls them forth to such a particular Duty they answer like those invited to the Wedding-Dinner I pray thee have me excused for if I should do so I should suffer damage in such worldly matters Nay if he should do the Duty but yet he is offended that tribulation and persecution is come upon him for it This indeed is another step further
but it comes short of Heaven for it makes to do the thing by halves fearfully and grudgingly whereas God loves a willing Servant But however it is better so done than not done at all If we do a thing for God we should expect as much and arm our selves before-hand resolving to be contented and do the thing resolutely and throughly for all and not to be offended I knew such a Man who herein did think and act more according to the Flesh than according to the Spirit we are sure who hath been very guilty and blame worthy in this nature Of such an one will I confess yet of my self I would not discover this mine own infirmity but as a Warning and Instruction to others who shall perhaps read this that from such a poor mean Example whom God hath carried through and preserved all along blessed be his Holy Name he brought up also out of an horrible Pit and out of the miry Clay tho' the Deliverance be not yet thro' and perfect for I hope that he will set my feet upon a Rock and establish my goings And he hath put a new Song in my mouth even praise unto our God many shall see it and fear and shall trust in the Lord Psal 40. 2 3. This is therefore written to encourage others also to trust in God as they are serving him faithfully and truly in that Work he hath sent them here on Earth for to do Strengthen ye the weak hands and confirm the feeble knees Say to them that be of a fearful heart Be strong fear not Isai 35. 3 4. And I will set up Shepherds over them which shall feed them and they shall fear no more nor be dismayed neither shall they be lacking saith the Lord Jer. 23. 4. That same Word by which all things and our selves were made knows what is in Man what he is liable prone and subject unto and here he doth caution and provide against it Fearfulness both as to the confession of the Truth as it is in Jesus or omission of Duty to God is a very great Sin as may be conceived by that severe pain and punishment which is reserved hereafter Rev. 21. 8. for those who are guilty of it This as may be understood from the foregoing Verse hinders and deprives from that precious Promise He that overcometh shall inherit all things and I will be his God and he shall be my Son Which may be interpreted of overcoming that evil and corruption within our own Nature or of the temptations which do beset us from without which many times we do not overcome for fear of losing so much pleasure and sweetness or subjecting our selves to pain and irksomeness But if the fear of this was rooted out of our Nature we should soon overcome those temptations Or it may be understood when we enter into warfare and fighting with the multitude of the Sinners and Transgressors For every Minister upon his preaching or publishing of the Word of God faithfully And he that hath my Word let him speak my Word faithfully Jer. 23. 28. doth hereby make an attack or onset upon the Sinners of the World who again are as so many Briars and Thorns which will prick and vex him nay it is a falling among Scorpions Ezek. 2. 6. who will clasp about and endeavour to sting him unto death This was the Controversie and War which the Prophets Ministers and those Worthies of old â—ime all whom the Lord will recount were engaged in We read that some of them did succeed â—n the thing they did thus contend for as to bring the high and mighty and multitude of the People over to the Commandment and Will of God Others again were persecuted and killed as they did persevere resolutely in this their attempt and message Herein is God glorified when his Servant will suffer pain inconvenience hardship or restraint to his body loss of outward livelihood when he will not only hazard but lay down his own life for the Word of his Ministry and when he will bring things on to this upshot and trial God doth delight in the action of his Creatures As he hath endued them with life and power of action so these should be put forth and used for he hates the slothful Servant who is negligent idle and doth nothing Hardly any thing doth more provoke the eyes of his Glory than distrust and unbelief Distrust of his Faithfulness and Power as if he would not or could not carry them through And then unbelief of his Goodness and Truth that admit they should lose their All even their own Life in his Service as if he would not make it up unto them again in the restitution of all things This sinful Fear doth arise and proceed forth from Ignorance for they imagine or apprehend there is more hurt and smart in the persecution than really there is and thereupon they decline it â—â— not knowing throughly the nature of things how there is nothing so bad but what may and can be endured Every thing here is sudden transitory and passeth away like a shadow So that it may be born â—â— yea and it is to be chosen if it doth tend unto Good in the latter end such is the very disposal and establishment of things And the several Dispensations of God towards his Servants and People in this life are that he might humble them and prove them to do them good at their latter end Deut. 8. 16. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man But God is faithful who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able but will also with the temptation make a way to escape that ye may be able to bear it 1 Cor. 10. 3. The Apostle doth not here so immediateâ—y mean these common Temptations which we meet with to Pride Lust and Sensuality though â—his is also true as to them But he writes thus to â—he Church under a grievous and persecuted state â—nd as it was under the fiery trial enduring the worst that Men could invent or inflict which â—rials were torment or death it self And yet amidst them God did by his Spirit support and â—ear up the Hearts of his People and many times â—he temptation or trial did kill the Body So that â—â—ere was no other escape or deliverance but the â—oul was by the falling of that House it remainâ—â—g no longer fit for her Habitation driven out â—nd forced to take Wings like a Dove and fly aâ—ay into the uppermost parts of the World that â—e might get above and remain in those places â—f the Blessed which are freed from all disturâ—â—nce and hurt of evil Spirits where God shall â—ipe away all tears from their eyes and there shall be no more death nor sorrow nor crying neither shall there be any more pain for the former things are passed away Rev. 21. 4. Another reason why many People are so very afraid to endure trouble for the sake of
God is in that if they should be cast into Prison they would be hindred from his Publick Worship or from doing the Work which God hath sent them on this Earth for to do Herein again they may be quieted and satisfied that if they should suffer according to the Will of God 1 Pet. 4. 11. He doth not require Impossibilities but accepts the Will for the Deed when he sees it is a real Intention which would come forth into Act accordingly if there was power and opportunity He may make it up in the Day of Recompence for the same Good as they would have done if they haâ— been in full liberty and power of action As Goâ— is glorified in the Action so likewise he is glorâ—fied in the manifold variety of the Condition oâ— his Creatures And all the Churches shall know thâ— I am he which searcheth the Reins and Hearts and will give unto every one of you according to his Worâ— Rev. 2. 23. Besides what doth appear fortâ— through them in the uppermost sight he dotâ— search for so his Word imports to know whaâ— is yet further hid or wrapt up or infolden in theâ— to render unto every one according to what â—â— Work was or would be Now let all the Churches that is according the signification at this Day the People of the seâ—â—ral Opinions and Ways of Worship be examined and ask'd What have their Works been through their past Life What have they done for God The best and utmost answer that they can give is That they have constantly attended and frequented his Ordinances of Worship from their youth up They have heard read and spoken of many good words and precious truths They have given Alms according to their ability and they have spent much time in Prayer unto God they have shewn forth Bowels of Compassion and done what kindness they could for their Neighbour at all times Such an account of their Stewardship as this they may give in But have they managed and traded with all the Talents which the Lord of Heaven and Earth had committed unto them Have they served God at all times with all their Power and with all their Strength and with all their Mind and with all their Soul Have they not omitted secret Duty at many and sundry times I do not mean that which is open and manifest in the sight of the World but what is known between God and their own Consciences Have they performed the Commandment of the Lord and executed his Judgments Which Words Perform and Execute as it is in the Scripture-meaning 1 Sam. 15. 13. Ezek. 18. 17. doth import to do the thing throughly Jer. 7. 5. and according â—o the utmost as is required How many secret â—otions of God's Spirit in them have they quenched despised and disobeyed How many carnal Reasonings Excuses and Fears have kept them off from such and such things which they ought to have done How many things have been done out of respect compliance flattery and pleasing had to Man which were not consistent with the pleasing and approving of themselves unto God only Even in matters of Religion how often have the Commandments and Traditions of Men been more carefully and zealously observed than the immediate Commandments of God Himself How often hath more Heed and Obedience been given unto such Orders and Rules of Man's Devising and Wisdom or to the meer Saying of such and such Preachers than to what the Holy Ghost enjoineth or the Spirit it self teacheth I do not lay these things open to judge and upbraid my fellow Christians but that both they and my self may see our Errors Failings and Neglects in order to amend and avoid such for the time to come Neither do I this by way of accusing my Brethren to inform or make intercession against them before God to lessen his present Favour and future Recompence in that there is so little good and so much ill deserving in their best godly Performances For thou O Lord knowest and understandest these things long before and much more O Lord thou knowest alâ— things thou knowest that I love thee John 21. 17 And so it is contrariwise Lord thou knowest all things thou knowest that such and such People do offend displease and provoke thee Whatever are the surmises of the Ignorant or the Imaginations of the wicked and ungodly Multitude God knows the sinfulness of Sin with the utmost malignity and evil deserving thereof more than the most invidious and rigid Person as they call him can lay it open and declare it A thought doth arise in some Hearts as if by writing Words of Truth God was hereby put in mind or the thing was hereby made worse before him than really it is and from hence doth spring up some part of that Root of Bitterness and Enmity against the Truth whereby many are defiled But herein they do err not knowing the way of Knowledge how it comes and is conveyed into Man for as a Conduit Pipe is dry and hath no Water in it self but what it receives or comes from the Fountain or River so we are meer Creatures and have nothing but what we have received As Christ said in whom are hid all the measures of Wisdom and Knowledge A Man can receive nothing except it be given him from above so it is certain that we know nothing at all but what God knows long before and he doth send and infuse it in a secret and invisible but yet both sensible and intelligible way into our Minds and Understandings So we cannot put God in mind of â—any thing but he doth put us in mind Accordingly it is one Office of the Spirit to bring things to our remembrance As for making things worse than they are this seems to be some what like unto him who accuses our Brethren before God day and night But here it is to be understood that Satan and the fallen apostate Spirits are Creatures of God and were made by him Tho' it seems hard to conceive and much more difficult to utter concerning the first rise and origin of Evil yet this may be safely and truly affirmed That what Knowledge and Understanding the miserable Spirits have they had it at first by Creation from God notwithstanding they have since spoiled corrupted perverted and turn'd it into Malice Envy and all manner of Evil They are evil wholly continually and throughout whereas Man is made up of a mixture of Good and Evil with some the Good is predominant and weighing down with others the Evil is so So that it is to be thought and supposed that God doth withhold all mean Communications and Influences of Goodness and of his Spirit towards evil Spirits which yet he doth day by day afford to the Children of Men and that more or less according as they deserve and improve it or neglect and abuse it So that let Satan do his worst as it is proverbially and truly said God is above the Devil so his Knowledge doth
as much exceed the other's who is a Creature and by him made as the whole Ocean doth a single Drop of Water In the 1st and 2d Chapter of Job in the 3d. of Zechariah and in Rev. 12. 10. we see and understand God's superlative and over-ruling Goodness and Equity how he doth moderate the matter and affirm it by the way of Favour and Mercy on the side of Mankind And this is but as talking a little before the Day of Assize an Emblem and Forerunner how he will determine it eternally on their side at the last and great Day of Judgment notwithstanding all the Informations Accusations and Aggravations of Satan And now if there should be any of his Ministers transformed into Ministers of Righteousness alike unto Satan in this who draw up more heavy and false Indictments than the true and very nature of the thing doth require and will bear Or if the Conscience it self which is yet more pressed with Sin and Guilt should fore-cast too grievous things all this will not do one joâ— of harm in the Day of the Lord for he who hath prepared his Throne for Judgment knows all things in the World He shall judge the World in righteousness he shall minister Judgment to the People in uprightness Psal 9. 8. In the new Translation it is said He shall minister true Judgment to the People Who weighs the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance He will make things to hang even exact and equal Judgment will I lay to the Line and Righteousness to the Plummet Isai 28. 17. He shall judge the World with Righteousness and the People with his Truth Psal 96. 13. With Righteousness shall he judge the World and the People with equity Psal 98. 9. Now Equity is a mild thing which doth state moderate and adjust a matter And then after all God doth reserve Mercy even after Judgment and Condemnation for that is its proper place At the last Day Mercy shall rejoice against Judgment in such a signal eminent great and universal a manner even as to swallow up all Judgment in Victory When I am pacified toward thee for all that thou hast done saith the Lord God Ezek. 16. 63. When this Song shall be sung Thou hast taken away all thy Wrath thou hast turn'd thy self from the fierceness of thine Anger Psal 85. 3. God is more merciful than ever it entred into the Heart to conceive or the Ear hath heard that as it is written at the first Creation The Morning-Stars sang together and all the Sons of God shouted for joy Job 38. 7. Now compare this with Isai 14. â—2 Lucifer is there called Son of the Morning so that if ever he sang for joy it was before he fell from Heaven And it is both possible and probable that for joy when he was first brought forth into being he might sing a Song of Praise and Acknowledgment unto the great Creator of all Things And so if we look back to Gen. 6. 2 4. There we find the wicked and ungodly of the World styled The Sons of God for so they are by Creation and Workmanship This was fresh and soon after the Creation for we never as I know of find them so called again throughout all Scripture So that by what may be gathered from Psal 104. 30 31. Thou renewest the face of the Earth The Lord shall rejoice in his Works So at the very last upshot and end of all things Goodness Equity and Mercy will display and manifest that that if so be the Morning Stars may not again sing together and all the Sons of God observe that Particle all including both the Sons by Creation as well as those by Grace and Adoption may not shout together for joy yet at least it may be somewhat more tolerable than that certain fearful looking for of Judgment and the fiery Indignation Heb. 10. 27. or when they did believe and tremble Jam. 2. 19. They must indeed undergo the devouring Fire for all Scripture must be fulfilled and they must see and suffer also which in probability will be throughout a much longer duration than the time was in which the Mosaical Institutions did last which were said to be a Statute for ever or as it is written That the Ordinances of Day and Night shall not cease while the Earth remaineth Gen. 8. 23. Which Earth in the Book of Psalms is said to be established for ever Psal 78. 69. Again it is written If those Ordinances depart from before me saith the Lord then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a Nation before me for ever Jer. 31. 36. And yet the Seed of Israel doth at this day seem to cease to be a Nation as it is yet more certain that this Earth at last shall pass away and the Ordinances of Day and Night shall then also cease and come to an utter end But God only knows what may succeed after all this when those miserable Creatures have lain under condemnation and punishment a much longer space of duration than six or seven thousand Years now within which time all this lower Creation and the Works thereof in probability will be determined and finished God will look down from the height of his Sanctuary when the Psalmist spoke thus by the Spirit it was then to come from Heaven will the Lord behold the Earth yea and who knows whether he will behold yet lower If I make my Bed in Hell behold thou art there To hear the groaning of the Prisoner to loose those that are appointed to death Psal 102. 19 20. In the Margin there it is Children of Death This one portion of Scripture is of more worth than ten thousand Worlds If any thing of good or mitigation is intended to them it will come in upon this account That they are the Creatures of God and his Workmanship The Lord shall rejoice in his Works and they shall reciprocally rejoice in the Lord their God If those very Creatures who seem rejected Heb. 12. 17. and hated Rom. 9. 13. by him can but then call upon him by the Name of the Lord and lay hold on him as Esau did with his Father Isaac compare Gen. 27. 34 38. with Heb. 12. 16 17. And when Esau heard the Words of his Father he cried with a great and exceeding bitter cry and said unto his Father Bless me even me O my Father Here he continues and keeps up and puts in mind of the Relation After his Excuse and Answer had still he doth continue and repeat and again double the Words of his Relation Hast thou but one Blessing Bless me even me also O my Father and Esau lift up his voice and wept So it may be conceived of those condemned forlorn and miserable Creatures that after they have been long in wailing and gnashing of Teeth with howling and great crying if they can but then call upon Him by the Name of Creator and remember and lay it before
I despise your Feast-days and I will not smell in your solemn Assemblies Tho' ye offer your Burnt-offerings and Meat-offerings I will not accept them neither will I regard the Peace-offering of your Fat Beasts Take thou away from me the noise of thy Songs for I will not hear the melody of thy Viols what must we do then But let Judgment run down as Waters and Righteousness as a mighty Stream Have ye offered unto me Sacrifices and Offerings in the Wilderness forty Years O House of Israel Amos 5. 21 22 23 24 25. Have ye worshipped me according to your several Ways and Congregations in this Wilderness of the Earth where one is at a loss to find the right Way through your manifold Opinions and Divisions for almost six thousand Years O ye Children of Men But still ye have continued in your own Doings and in the things ye have made to your selves whereas that is the true Tabernacle which the Lord pitched and not Man Heb. 8. 2. And now what if God himself should say in the last Day as he doth now speak from Heaven in this his Word I hate I despise I will not accept neither will I regard your Burnt offerings Meat-offerings and Peace-offerings Which he himself did yet command and institute and Man did then use them to please atone and be reconciled to Almighty God This is to be understood by the way that God will one day speak himself in person with a loud and outward audible Voice what he doth now speak from Heaven in the still Voice of his Spirit or in the Scriptures which are his Epistle sent unto the Inhabitants of the Earth And whereas with many Men their Letters are powerful but their bodily Presence is weak and contemptible it will be contrariwise as to God For his Word now as written or spoken by Men is weakness 1 Cor. 1. 25. But when himself shall utter his Voice the Earth will melt Psal 46. 6. The Heavens shall pass away with a great noise and the Elements shall melt with fervent heat 2 Pet. 3. 10. For the Lord himself shall descend with a shout with the Voice of the Archangel and with the Trumpet of God 1 Thess 4. 16. So that he will make a yet greater impression and cause a greater shaking not only upon the living Creatures but also upon the very material Works of God even all the World over than that manner of giving the Law did formerly upon the single and particular place of Mount Sinai concerning which see Exod. 19. Heb. 12. 17 18. 19. So it will be pronounced concerning the several Acts and Parts of Worship outward Prayer Praise Hearing the Word Baptism and the Lord's Supper Not that these are to be cast off and neglected in no wise But yet so it is when it doth become the Sacrifice of Fools the Sacrifice of Sinners and Transgressors for they provoke God and deceive themselves whereby they are Fools when they keep up one with another that is when they worship God and yet continue in sin and transgression The whole Scripture is full to the same purpose But here it may be surmised That if the case is so it is good for such not to worship God at all But all Men cannot receive this Saying but unto whom it is given for Worship is due from every Creature unto God and these things are written not that they should cast off and neglect it in no wise But that every one should turn away from his Iniquities Acts 3. 26. and cease from all manner of sin and transgression And then they are to obey all the Commandments of God which relate to Good or Evil Righteousness or Wrong Truth or Falshood enjoying the one and forbidding the other as well as they do already obey those his Commandments which pertain to his Worship Except they do this also they cannot be saved and all their Worship will signifie nothing It is strange but yet true and common That many People of both Sexes should go on blindly and ignorantly for thirty forty fifty and sixty Years yea throughout all their life in this Deceit of being Worshippers of God and yet not doing his Will whereas it is written so plainly that every Capacity may understand it Now we know that God heareth not Sinners but if any Man be a Worshipper of God and doth his Will him he heareth John 9. 31. As we read that Prayer of Moses and David and that Promise which God made unto his People by Isaiah of Levi he said Bless Lord his Substance and accept the Work of his Hands Deut. 33. 8 11. Remember all thy Offerings and accept thy Burnt-sacrifice Selah Psal 20. 3. They shall come up with acceptance on mine Altars Isai 60. 7. and Ezek. 20. 40 41. We learn this Word of Instruction which may make us to fear and take heed and beg pardon for the Iniquity of our holy things and to pray instantly and continually for acceptance that in all things we do in order to God or pertaining to Religion as it is commonly named or understood unless God do accept thereof it all signifies nothing Nay what is yet further It is as cutting of a Dog's neck there is not much in that it is as offering Swines blood this doth displease God it is as blessing an Idol Isai 66. 3. which is the highest and superlative degree of provoking God to the greatest manner that possibly can be So they do rather displease than please they make God to be further off and more angry rather than bring him near and make him reconciled unto us Hear this Word all ye People of England that enter in at the Church-doors or Meeting-Houses to praise the Lord. Another thing wherein ye are defective and found wanting is this For they say and do not Mat. 23. 2. They hear read and talk of many good Words and precious Truths but they do not turn them into practice and suitable action It is recorded of Moses the Servant of the Lord He was mighty in Words and in Deeds Acts 7. 22. so he was for both and therein he pleased and was accepted by God who had hereupon a favour and love towards him But this belongs not to the nominal nor yet to the real Christians of this Age who make a fair shew in the Flesh and they are sincere and of the better sort yet herein they are found wanting many of them are mighty in Words but not in Deeds They do talk of the highest Duties and Attainments of Religion and they do conceive speak read hear and write of the great Truths of God but how to perform the same at all times and in all places and in reference to all Persons they find not Towards the publishing and making known these Truths throughout all this Region or to hazard or even to suffer actual tribulation for the Word's sake they are offended and themselves will not run the risque and experience of it The like