therefore it was that just at the Time he was to be removed out of the City of Jerusalem by Death and he then would fain be removed up into the Heavenly City Therefore he addresses himself to God in the first Place Remember how I have walked before thee in Truth For in very deed as such a Path way or Road leads to such a Place so the Truth leads to Heaven According as we may further Gather from what is elsewhere written Lord Who shall abide in thy Tabernacle Who shall dwell in thy Holy Hill He that walketh uprightly and Worketh Righteousness and speaketh the Truth in his heart Psal 15. 1. 2. So that whatever Truth is in our heart Provided it be the Truth of God and arising out of his Word It ought to be spoken forth Yea the Plain and Simple Truth the whole Truth and nothing but the Truth For although there is a common saying abroad in the World agreeable to the Wisdom of the Flesh which is for Sloth ease and Present safety that all Truth is not to be spoken yet as sure as the Spirit of God in the Scripture last Quoted doth teach the way of Heaven and lay down the foregoing Qualifications and Conditions which we must have and do before we come there whatever Divine and serious Truth is in our heart We must and ought to speak it come what will thereof if we do not intend to be Disappointed of Heaven at the last And if the doing should bring Trouble or suffering on our loins foâ— this Objection the Worldly Wise Man hath against this Duty and therefore he will refrain to utter it VVe must do it nevertheless This being that manifold kind of Tribâ—lation which we must go through before we enter into the Kingdom of God Take another Scripture how that the Truth ought 〈◊〉 no wise to be concealed but it is to be spoken out I haâ—â— not hid thy Righteousness within my heart I have declarâ— thy Faithfulness and thy Salvation I have not concealed 〈◊〉 Loving Kindness and thy Truth from the Great Congregatioâ— Psal 40 10. So that to speak constantly the Truth 〈◊〉 whole Truth and nothing but the Truth and this 〈◊〉 for a Day or two or for a Week Month or Year 〈◊〉 throughout our whole Life is pleasing and acceptable 〈◊〉 the sight of God our Saviour who would have 〈◊〉 men to be saved and to come to the Knowledge of the Truth Notwithstanding all the Arts of Dissimulation Deceit Secresie Evasion Equivocation or such like by which Satan's Kingdom stands all which are contrary to Simplicity and Godly Sincerity I have observed in my Experience That to confess and speak out the Truth of the matter in most instances Things have then succeeded more prosperously with me than when I have done otherwise And the Truth hath gained and been esteemed of more than all the Little Arts of Falshood Honesty is the best Policy and it is best to Live within the streight Lines of Duty and never to transgress at any time So it may be affirmed in all cases It is the best way to speak the Truth whatever will be the Consequent thereof We may Read what a great Value and Estimation God himself puts upon it Run ye to and fro through the Streets of Jerusalem and see now and know and seek in â—â—e Broad Places thereof if ye can find a Man if there 〈◊〉 any that executeth Judgment that seeketh the Truth and â— will pardon it Jer. 5. 1. By which last is imported as 〈◊〉 seeking the Truth would almost make atonement and Expâ—ation for other sins His Spirit goes on to add O Lord Are not thine Eyes upon the Truth Verse 3. Even â—â—e Eyes of Complacency Delight and Approbation herein The Time would fail me to mention all those seveâ—â—l places of Scripture wherien the word Truth is spoâ—â—n of But in every one of them it may be observed â—hat very Excellent and Glorious Things are spoken â—oncerning the Truth and the Drift and Design thereâ—f is to exhort the Inhabitants of the Earth to think â—eak and do according unto it all Times Even â—â—at they may keep the Truth speak the Truth in their â—eart and Walk before God in Truth There hath been a Proverbial saying as if Thoughts â—â—re free Every one might think what he would in 〈◊〉 deep of his heart But such people do not Know 〈◊〉 rather they do not consider That they are to be â—â—dged by the word of God which is a discerner of the Thoughts and Intents of the Heart Neither is there any Creature that is not manifest in his sight but all thingâ— are naked and opened unto the Eyes of him with whom 〈◊〉 have to do Heb. 4. 13. But too many in our days havâ— improved this a little further as if Talk and commoâ— Discourse was free and there was no account to be made or given of it hereafter For how many Liâ—â— and Falshoods are now uttered forth in common Conversation VVhether it be in talking of News or publick affairs According to the side they rank themselves oâ—â— they do not much Regard whither the Thing be true 〈◊〉 false which they Utter forth to Uindicate one side anâ— run down or slander the other And so it is in reference 〈◊〉 to Common Neighbours Prejudice seldom or never speak 〈◊〉 well If it be concerning any Person against whom theâ— have an Enmity Hatred or Grudge They do not refuâ—â— to speak Evil falsly of him or to utter Reproaches anâ— Revilings against him As saith the Wiseman In thâ— Multitude of Words there wants not sin so in the Worâ— and talk of this Nature there is a Multitude of sin committed Herein is found true And the Tongue is a Firâ— a World of Iniquity So is the Tongue amongst our Members that it defileth the whole Body and setteth on Fire 〈◊〉 course of Nature and it is set on Fire of Hell Jam. 3. 〈◊〉 Although the Common talkers of the World do not muâ—â— Regard this yet whoso truly fears God He dares 〈◊〉 speak one false Word of another although it be of 〈◊〉 greatest Enemy he hath in the World For he knoâ— that speaking falsly of any one would not be a walkinâ— before God in Truth and therefore he refrains from speaking Evil falsly of any Man So speak ye and so do as thâ— that must be Judged by the Law of Liberty James 2. 12. There are other Instances of walking before God 〈◊〉 Truth as in the Worship of God And here we are 〈◊〉 see well to it that our Worship be in Spirit and in Tru 〈…〉 But the hour cometh and now is when the true Worshippâ—â— shall Worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth For 〈◊〉 Father seeketh such to Worship him God is a Spirit 〈◊〉 they that Worship him must Worship him in Spirit and 〈◊〉 Truth John 4. 23 24. Notwithstanding all controvâ—â—sies Disputes and different Congregations which are nâ—◠〈◊〉 this Nation and throughout Christendom
The Exceeding Great COMFORT AND BENEFIT Of having walked before GOD in TRUTH And with a PERFECT HEART And of having done that Which is good in his Sight Set forth in several Discourses on Isaiah 38. 2 3. By Richard Stafford formerly of Magdalen Hall in OXFORD For our Rejoycing is this the Testimony of our Conscience that in Simplicity and Godly Sincerity not with Fleshly Wisdom but by the Grace of God we have had our Conversation in the World 2 Cor. 1. 12. I have Fought a Good Fight I have finished my Course I have kept the Faith Henceforth there is laid up for me a Crown of Righteousness which the Lord the Righteous Judge shall give me at that day and not to me only but unto all them also that Love his appearing 2 Tim. 4. 7. 8. London Printed and are to be sold by Ralph Simpson at the Harp in St. Paul's Church-Yard MDCXCIX TO THE CHRISTIAN READER AS the Apostle did Write to those of his time so I according to the knowledge given me would willingly do the same as to the People of this my Generation and Countrey Yea I think it meet as long as I am in this Tabernacle to stiâ— you up by putting you in Remembrance Knowing that shortly I must put off this Tabernacle Moreover I will Endeavour that you may be able after my Decease to have these things always in Remembrance Which good Endeavour of St. Peter was so brought to pass only by his Writing down those very Words which are now Printed and thereby made known unto us For if Peter or Paul had only spoken those Words unto the few Christians then present with them but had never Written them they would have been like A Voice Crying in the Wilderness which is emphatically remarked concerning John Baptist by Esaias in Mat. 3. 3. for John spake four or five Sentences which are there Recorded and Written for him by the Evangelist But he himself Writing nothing hereof was as a Voice of one crying in the Wilderness which we know instantly perishes in the utterance and seems as nothing afterwards In the Wilderness thereby is signified the Church or Servants of God they being fewest in Number as that place hath fewest Inhabitants His Servant Job who had the character from God to speak â—f him the thing that was right saith on this wise Oh that my Words were now Written Oh that they were Printed 〈◊〉 Book That they were Graven with an Iron Pen and had in the Rock for ever Job 19. 23 24. Moreover There is the express Commandment of God to Isaiah Now go Writâ— it before them in a Table and note it in a Book that it â—ay be for the time to come for ever and ever Isa 30 8. A word spoken or a voice uttered Perishes in the Speaking â—â—d Vtterance And tho' it never so much affects the Auditory for the present time yet it goes off as a Flash and is soon forgottn both by Speaker and Hearers But a Word or Sentence written that remains and People may at any time have Recourse and turn unto it Hereby also it may be effectually Prevented thâ— People shall not become forgetful Hearers of the Word as tâ— which the Scripture saith Whoso is not a forgetful Heareâ— but a doer of the Work this Man shall be Blessed in his deed And accordingly the Prophet having obeyed the aforementioned Commandment of God herein so as to have Wrote down his Words they stand and remain longer then any Gates of Brass or Bars of Iron or the most Ancient Buildings in the World for time hath defaced them and the place of them knoweth it no more But the words of Isaiah are as fresh intire sound and perfect to and at this very day all one as they were in the first Moment be uttered them or as they were in that hour wherein he first Wrote them down God having been pleased to preserve his Writings in the World For by the way there hath been great Opposition against these kind of things by Satan and his Incarnate Instruments and the Powers of Darkness The Bible it self wherein then were all the Books of Moses was very â—nigh lost in the days of Josiah when there was but one Copy thereof accidentally found to have been hidden in the Temple It being supposed that some Idolatrous King a little before had Destroyed or Burnt them all As the like was usual with the Persecutors of the first Christians Who again would hide them and rather lose their lives then give up and surrender their Bibles Wherein they were more Noble then some now a days who say They do not much value the outward Letter if they should be tryed but the tenth part so far for they say they have it in their Heart â—ut by their good leave it would not long remain in their â—eart if neither they nor others for them had it not also Writâ—â—n in Ink and Paper for to turn unto Read and seek out of it 〈◊〉 any time Thâ—s also discovers the Sin and Hypocrisie of those of the Romish Church who say they are Christians but they are not but of thâ— Synagogue of Satan and Antichrist for they also have used the very same methods to Suppress or Burn all such Bibles as aâ— in the National Tongue of any Countrey and all those Booâ—s which contain words of Truth which spring up any where aganst their own Errour Idolatry and Superstition Which agâ—in is the duty of all such as are Children of the Truth to prâ—â—erve and keep a foot in the World as the others seek to destâ—ry and suppress them for as to this the Rule is certain althâ—ugh it is not altogether so clearly apprehended by many That as words of Goodness and Truth are kept up above board and mâ—de known Openly and Vniversally on this Earth wheâ—e Sâ—tans seat is So his Kingdom doth accordingly by degrees fâ—ll and lose Ground in the World As contrariwise the Kingâ—om or Interest of Christ who is the Eternal Word would 〈◊〉 much increase and prevail in the World According as â—ood words and true words and right words are made Publick â—nd received in the World This is a Truth of great Importance 〈◊〉 would to God it were understood throughly by all Persons of whatever opinion or denomination for they should not seek their â—wn party but the things of Jesus Christ and done accordingly Another Reason of my willingness to write and Publish Books not which Minister to Contentions and Strivings for they are unprofitable and vain Titus 3. 9. But such as are to the use of Godly edifying may be gathered from what is said in psal 102. 18. This shall be written for the Generation to come and the People which shall be created shall praise the Lord. For by my sending Books or Printed papers unto them I may Preach unto People at many miles distance and put them in mind that they may obey the word of the Lord as in my presence
of God doth find them out and this cometh to pass because of what is Written There is an Evil which I have seen under the Sun and it is common among Men. A Man to whom God hath given Riches Wealth and Honour so that he wanteth nothing for his Soul of all that he desireth yet God giveth him not Power to Eat thereof but a Stranger eateth it this is Vanity and an Evil Disease Even so God giveth not to such Power or an Heart O that there were an Heart in them to fear me saith God And Wherefore is there a Price put in the Hand of a Fool to get Wisdom and he hath no Heart to it either to give unto the Poor or to consecrate their Gain and Substance unto the Lord by Expending it for the Service of his Truth But as our Saviour Jesus Christ who is the Way the Truth and the Life speaketh Pertinently Properly and truly when he twice in the same Chapter calleth it the Mammon of Unrighteousness the Unrighteous Mammon Luke 16. 9. 11. In the Margent opposite to Mammon in both places it is Riches for they are most commonly gotten by Vnrighteous means viz. By such means as are contrary unto or different from that Great and Compleat Rule of Righteousness in Scripture Even so again it is most commonly seen That what is got by Unrighteous and Sinful means is likewise spent in Unrighteous and Sinful ways as such are those aforementioned And therefore they hate the Light and the Truth which would manifest and reprove their Evil ways For the same reason they are Rebellious against it and would not have it come forth According to that other true saying of Jesus Christ And this is the Condemnation that Light is come into the World and Men loved Darkness rather then Light because their Deeds were Evil for every one that doeth Evil hateth the Light neither cometh to the Light least his Deeds should be reproved In the Margent it is discovered But he that doeth Truth cometh to the Light that his Deeds may be made manifest that they are wrought in God But when the Lord cometh after a long time which yet will certainly come at Death and Judgment and reckoneth with those Servants for this Talent committed unto and intrusted with them then it will be seen and discerned what way will be found best to have Vsed or Employed the same or by sinful Covetousness to have the rust of their Silver and Gold be a Witness against them and to have heaped up Treasure together for the last days James 5. 3. As for mine own part I have put my self to Difficulties Disadvantages and Loss as to my Worldly Substance for to my Power I bear Record yea and beyond my Power I was willing that the following Words may see Light and that these Children which are come to the Birth may be brought forth But to allude unto 2 Cor. 8. 13 14. This might be eased by an Equality that now at this time their abundance may be a supply for my want I mean by the Charitable Contribution of Christian People who receive the Truth in the love thereof For this work of the Lord is common and should be the joynt Endeavour of all his Servants For thy Servants take pleasure in her Stones and Favour the Dust thereof Psal 102. 14. which is the least thing belonging to it So then they should help and forward every least thing that tends to the building up of Zion As the certainty of the words of Truth doth build up the People of God which is Spiritually Zion in their most Holy Faith and towards making them a People prepared for the Lord. Whether it will be so or not according to the Intimation here given However I hope and trust that Almighty God will be pleased to pardon mine Ignorance and Infirmities and Graciously accept of these my Labours and endeavours in making known his Truth And because that Paul may plant and Apollos may water but God gives the increase therefore I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord-Jesus-Christ Humbly beseeching him to give his Blessing unto and accompany with his Spirit what is hereafter written that they may appear to be upright even words of Truth And that they may be as nails fastened by the Masters of Assemblies which are given from one Shepherd SERMON I. ON Isaiah XXXVIII 2 3. Then Hezekiah turned his Face toward the Wall and Prayed unto the Lord And said Remember now O Lord I beseech thee how I have walked before thee in Truth and with a Perfect Heart and have done that which is good in thy sight and Hezekiah wept sore I Have Written and Preached and Blessed be God most high that performeth all things for me have caused to be Printed and Published This shall be Written for the Generation to come and the People which shall be Created shall Praise the Lord Psal 102. 18. Six several Sermons or Discourses on the foregoing Verse Now the Order Method and Course of our Ministry requires to speak some things from the words above-mentioned In the shutting up and conclusion of that Book it was said that all the Sermons and Preaching in the World if they be rightly and truly managed were all to the very same end and purpose To instruct and exhort us To set our Souls in order for we shall die Or that they may be set in order which was explained to be in a readiness and that nothing be wanting in them against the time they shall go out of these Bodies We do hence see what is to be done then when that time comes So that by those words we are Instructed how to die or how to behave fit and prepare our selves a little before and as we come to die But now in the Words which I have here chosen for my Text we are taught what we must do throughout all our Life So that in the three first Verses of this excellent Chapter we are informed and directed how to live and how to die What we must do in our life time and what in the Day of Sickness and of Death And what would Man have more in order to his salvation Security and Happiness then to know how to live and how to die Truly there cannot be more desired then these two things For herein is Comprised the whole State of his Duration both in this World and also in his Passage into the next for inasmuch as the Spirit saith Blessed are the Dead that die in the Lord Rev. 14. 13. We may assuredly gather that they who live well as such do who live unto the Lord will also die well and will die in the Lord. Again they that die well or who die in the Lord will be blessed for evermore even so as to receive partake of and Inherit that Blessing which the Lord hath Commanded even Life for evermore Psal 133. 3. When I first entred upon my Ministry I promised unto my Hearers that I
same Order Decree and Purpose of God Now here is the strange thing which rather shews that Satan acted in Balaam as to that that when Balaam knew this before and how desirable indeed it was to dye the Death of the Righteous yet that he should presently hereupon love the Wages of Vnrighteousness which he might conclude would cut him off and hinder him from the other good and desirable thing But truly Satan deceiveth not only the Poor and Foolish but even the more Wise and Learned and Eloquent of Mankind for so was this Balaam And so as Rabshakeh could speak in the Person of his Master for thus saith the King of Assyria Make an Agreement with me by a Present and come out to me Isa 36. 16. So if the Great God of the World should speak on that wise unto the Inhabitants of the Earth as indeed he doth not but rather disclaims and disowns and denies that sort If I were Hungry I would not tell thee for the World is mine and the fulness thereof Thinkest thou that I will eat the Flesh of Bulls or drink the Blood of Goats Offer unto God Thanksgiving and pay thy Vows unto the most High But suppose that any false or pretended Messengers or Ministers from him should Preach unto you on this manner For thus saith the Lord God make an Agreement with me so far is no false Doctrine for Jesus Christ the Truth it self Preacheth the same to Mankind Agreâ— with thine Adversary quickly whilst thou art in the way But here comes in the Falshood and it is falsly applied Make an Agreement by a Present and that must be Thousands of Rams and Ten Thousands Rivers of Oyl The cunning corrupt Romish Priests have hence drained a great deal of Tithes and Alms to feed and enrich themselves for they have fallaciously Reasoned and Perswaded the People that what was given unto them this way was making a Present unto the Lord and consequently an Aâ—tonement for their Sins But all this will not do for iâ— one should go yet further and as those who gave up their Children unto Moloch so they would give up their very Children which came out of their very Bowels as Sacrifices to appease God their first Born for their Transgression and the Fruit of their Body for the Sin of their Soul All this is more besides the matter still for God requires none of these things What are Thousands of Rams and Ten Thousand Rivers of Oyl unto him whose is the World and the fulness thereof But this is more than all the Sacrifices and Alms in the World which make so great an outward shew and noise to walk humbly with thy God that is to be obedient unto him for this is the best and most real instance of Humility And this walking Humbly with thy God denotes a doing so throughout ones Life even as long as we walk at all In truth if we do thus walk Humbly with our God we have no Reason to fear as concerning the Sin of our Soul For we may let God alone to do as to that even according to the Words of his Covenant and Truth provided always that we be and continue in Covenant with him For I will be merciful to their Vnrighteousness and their Sins and Iniquities will I remember no more Heb. 8. 12. Most Precious and Comfortable Words which I had rather in truth to belong unto me when I lie upon my Death Bed or in whatever Hoâ—â— I am taken either violently or suddenly out of this World then to have a Medicine or means found out how I might live not only Fifteen but if it were Fifteen times Fifteen Years longer for if God is merciful unto my Vnrighteousness which signifies where I have not come up unto but have come short of that great Rule of Righteousness in Scripture and if he remembers my Sins and Iniquities no more then let Death come upon me as soon as it will and what way it will it cannot possibly hurt me But this will never be unless in our foregoing Life God is our God and we are to him a People There is no way to be Blessed in ones Death but to be Godly in ones Life There is no way to have God for our Friend and to be at Peace with us when through the Passage or Entry of Death we come to appear before him but to have lived unto the same invisible God to have served him with our whole Heart and to have obeyed him in all things in these days of our Flesh As we live so we shall dye and so again we shall dye that is Receive after Death according as we have lived These are Truths of great importance and necessary to be Understood aright and done accordingly that Souls may no longer Shipwrack and be lost upon those deceitful and broken Planks As if it were then soon enough to serve God throughly and constantly and Universally when they come to be Sick or in Declining and Old Age or upon a Dying Bed God forbid for this have I found in all my Study out of the Book of Gods Statutes and in all my enquiring and searching diligently out of the Scriptures of Truth that such a Man or Woman who thinks so and will venture and run the risque to Act accordingly It were better that a Millstone were tyed about his Neck and that he be thrown into the Sea for this would only sink him into Temporal Death and Destruction But the other deceit if trusted and relied on will involve them into Everlasting Destruction from the presence of the Lord and the Glory of his Power Such will never enter into that rest which remaineth for the People of God Inasmuch as they were never his People who did not serve and obey him in the most nor yet in the best part of their life time Altho' some yea too many of that kind of outward worldly Priesthood now among us Who heal the hurt of the Daughter of my People slightly crying Peace Peace when there is no Peace Will also huddle up the matter after their rate when People are lying in Fears and Hoâ—rours on their Death Bed and send them out of thâ— world with a vain hope and false thought yet even theâ—â— might have Learned better and more faithful dealing froâ— that afore-mentioned saying of corrupt Balaam for hâ—â— fault and failure only was that he spake well but did illâ— Behold I have received Commandment to Bless and he hatâ— Blessed and I cannot reverse it So it is on the other hanâ— where we Ministers have received Commandment to Cursâ— or to speak evil As Cursed are all they that err from hiâ— Commandments Or where he hath threatned to Punishâ—â— there God hath Cursed and Threatned and He will Punishâ—â— and we cannot reverse it Not all the Ministers Preachers or Understanding People now living on the Earth can reverse or change from the least Title of thâ— Word of God that it should fail or not
Sorrow This again is a most clear and convincing Demonstration That the living in the Pleasures of sin for a Season or the Catching after and enjoying the Delicacies and Recreations of the World is not a walking before God in Truth for the end of any ones living in Pleasure or Delicacy is in order to be an Happy Men. But now it is impossible from the order of the things of God that either the Pleasures of sin for a Season or the transitory delights of the World should give unto any Man the true Happiness because they have such bitter and miserable consequents no more then a Cup of sweet Poyson can tend to the well Being and Health of the Body So that it must follow by necessary consequence that whosoever follows after the Pleasures of sin for a Season or the delights of the World altho he now Bless himself in his heart saying I shall have Peace tho' I walk in the Imagination of mine Heart to add Drunkenness to Thirst Deut. 29. 19. Altho' they hug themselves in their own Conceit I shall have Happiness because that I enjoy so many Pleasures and Delights in Order to it Yet still herein they do not walk before God in Truth For they do not go in the right Road to Happiness but they are mistaken and deceived in heart and they are in a false Path as the end will prove for it will at last let them down into the Chambers of Death the place of Punishment and Misery We may thus know and conclude that as God gave us a Being at first so it is Natural and Reasonable to expect only from him an happy Being My Soul wait thou only upon God for my expectation is from him Psal 62. 5. And thereupon we should walk before him in expectation and seeking after it And here if we go the right way And He led them forth by the right way Psal 107. 7. There is a great deal in that which is Chalked and Pointed out Butted and Bounded in his written word as long as we make that our Guide and Rule then indeed we walk before God in Truth But as sure as that word is Truth Thy Word is Truth the Pleasures of sin for a Season however eagerly they are sought after and followed by the People of the world for Satan who deceiveth the whole world makes use of this as the great Bait to beguile and catch Souls unto himself are not the true way to Happiness and Blessedness in the End Because that which may be known of God is manifested in them for God hath shewed it unto them Rom. 1. 19. So in like manner it may be truly reasoned that which may be known of God touching his future distribution of things is already manifest in Men for God hath shewed it unto them And accordingly may be observed that Melancholly and Heaviness of heart in the midst of Laughter the heart is sorrowful which is immediately at or after having the Pleasures of this Life That Regret of Mind and Vexation of Spirit immediately ensuing upon the Pleasures of sin for a Season All this and the like is but a manifestation before handâ— or as a Pledge Earnest and Fâ—reruâ—ner whereby God hath shewn unto them that Tribulation and Anguish Indignation and Wrath which shall be upon every Soul that doth Evil. This and the like is a fore-shewing of Pain Punishment and Misery to come And so again it is on the other good hand Where is Approbation of Mind the satisfaction of a good Conscience a Joyful Hope and Comfortable Expectation as all these and the like are annexed to our having our Evil things here to our enduring labour and taking Pains in the Obedience and Service of God this is an earnest of the Spirit and a Manifestation in Men whereby God hath shewn unto them that Glory Honour and Peace which shall be to every Man that worketh good Rom. 2. 10. And that assured future blessedness which shall be to every one that hath lived and done according to the Will of God Thou therefore endure Hardship as a Good Souldier of Jesus Christ saith Paul to Timothy VVhich is a Lesson of Instruction to be put in Practice by all faithful Christians for as we are in the way of Duty and Service of God the more denial of our selves we have used as to present ease and safety the greater satisfaction and enjoyment we shall have hereafter whereof now we have a little glimpse earnest assurance and foretast by that Complacency of mind and lively hope we may sometimes perceive after such and such Acts of Duty Notwithstanding the same do expose us to present worldly Inconveniencies Loss and Trouble However we are contented and satisfied and Joyful for it is something for God And so the more Labour we have been at the more Rest we shall have hereafter and this same Rest will be found yet so much the more pleasant And He saw the Land that it was good and Rest that it was Pleasant Gen. 49. 15. Which will be yet more so as we may perceive by the Irksomness of its contrary that is Restlessness And so the more Tribulation we have gone through in the world the Greater will be our Recompence and Crown The more loss hath been sustained in his Service the greater gain will be hereafter as Lazarus was comforted for the Evil things he had in his life time Yea in whatever seems Evil Harsh Uncouth and Irksome it will be made up double yea more then an hundred fold in the time of the Restitution of all things When the times of Refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. So that in each thing we take in hand we should not so much regard whither the same be Pleasant or aukward but whither it be Duty or Sin whither it be Good or Evil whither it will tend to our Benefit or Loss our Reward or Punishment in the last Day And so we should either do or not do the same either abstain from or give way unto it Hereby also we may somewhat conceive of the exceeding Evil Mischief and Danger of Loytering or Idleness For only Just to Rest or Breath a little and so to Labour or Business again Otherwise there can no Good come possibly of it Nay it tends to so much Loss to be sustained throughout all Eternity And it is a Losing so much of the Things which we have wrought that they receive not a full Reward according as may be apprehended from 2. John 8. Which though there is not much Account made of through Ignorance or Unbelief at present yet in the latter Dayes ye shall consider it perfectly And when we come to see every Mans Reward Proportioned and adjusted according as his Labour and Work hath been then what themselves shall miss and be disappointed of through Idleness and Sloth in the Dayes of their Flesh will raise bitter Anguish and Indignation within themselves for not having been stedfast Unmoveable
For both past and future things are present unto 〈◊〉 High and Lofty one who inhabiteth Eternity Which 〈◊〉 ternity one defines to be a Perpetual now Even the h 〈…〉 of our head are all Numbred and not any thing is 〈◊〉 gotten before God And as we Remember each thing our past Lives both the Good and the Evil to more 〈◊〉 the one and yet more eschew the other we do the 〈…〉 come nearer to his similitude and likeness And so we 〈…〉 again as we cast an Eye forward upon the things that 〈◊〉 to come Hereby we make the things that as yet be 〈◊〉 to be as tho' they were for shortly they will come 〈◊〉 pass and it is but a little time and He that shall co 〈…〉 will come and will not tarry Talk no more exceeding Proud let not Arrogancy 〈◊〉 out of your mouth for the Lord is a God of Knowledge 〈◊〉 by him Actions are weighed And so the Lord is a God 〈◊〉 Remembrance and a God of Prescience and by him A 〈…〉 on s are weighed And seeing that Actions are weighâ—â— by him our Actions ought to be weighed by us also the Ballance of the sanctuary and of his word so that 〈◊〉 may not be found wanting SERMON III. ON Isaiah XXXVIII 2 3. Then Hezekiah turned his Face toward the Wall and Prayed unto the Lord And said Remember now O Lord I beseech thee how I have walked before thee in Truth and with a Perfect Heart and have done that which is good in thy sight and Hezekiah wept sore Come now to shew and discourse 1. What it is to walk before God in Truth 2. With a perfect heart 3. What it is to do that which is good in his sight And then of the Consequent upon the whole And Hezekiah wept sore As to the first Remember O Lord how I have walk 〈…〉 before thee in Trâ—th We Read in sundry places of Scripture of this Thing â—â—uth But from these words this Doctrine will preâ—â—tly appear That it is the Duty of all who call themselves Servants of the Lord to walk before the Lord in Truth throughout the whole course of their Life So did Hezekiah not for a Season or at such a Ti 〈…〉 only but throughout the general Course Bent and 〈◊〉 nour of his Days Even as long or for the most pa 〈…〉 he walked at all he walked before the Lord in Truth Now the Scripture mentioning this Word Truth so 〈◊〉 often and in all places it doth recommend the same 〈◊〉 exhorts us to the Receiving and Practice thereof as alsâ— finds fault and Reproves where it is wanting or wh 〈…〉 the Truth is not obeyed Gal. 3. 1. Or People do not 〈◊〉 cording to the Truth We may hereby see and un 〈…〉 stand that exceeding great Stress aâ—d Necessity is 〈◊〉 hereon in order to our Eternal Salvation and Happi 〈…〉 Open ye the Gates that the Righteous Nation which 〈◊〉 eth the Truth in the Margent it is Truths may enter 〈…〉 Isa 26. 2. That is Enter into that strong City menti 〈…〉 ed in the foregoing Verse which the Lord hath buil 〈…〉 and prepared for such of the Inhabitants of the Eart 〈…〉 he shall judge and find worthy And here the word 〈◊〉 Promise and the Condition annexed is That is must 〈◊〉 to the Righteous Nation that keepeth the Truth or Tr 〈…〉 Which word Keepeth denotes a constant heed adhere 〈…〉 unto and Observance thereof And not to chop 〈…〉 change with the wind or to turn with the Fashion 〈◊〉 titude and Course of this corrupt world as to say 〈◊〉 thing is Truth to day and another contrary unto or 〈◊〉 ferent from it is Truth at another time No such â—â—ter for his Truth endureth to all Generations Psal 〈◊〉 Like God its Author with the Truth there is no V 〈…〉 bleness nor shadow of Turning And like unto 〈◊〉 Christ who is the Way the Truth and the Life it is 〈◊〉 same yesterday to day and for ever So that this man 〈…〉 them to be Children that are corrupters they have fo rs 〈…〉 the Lord Isa 1. 4. That they have Prevaricated 〈◊〉 turned aside from his Truth They are gone away 〈◊〉 ward who speak thus and thus concerning it as the 〈◊〉 ner of many is in these our Days And that they 〈◊〉 not the Righteous Nation or the Righteous People 〈◊〉 keep the Truth to whom this Precious Promise is ma 〈…〉 for such kept it or rather did by Chance happen 〈…〉 light thereon for a Time but they did not keep it 〈◊〉 tinually Blessed are they that keep Judgment and he 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Righteousness at all times Psal 106. 3. and so they 〈◊〉 no Lot and Share nor Right to enter into that â—â—ong City which the Lord hath made for Judah and â—â—rusalem yea for all the Inhabitants of the Earth who â—ould keep the Truth or walk before him in Truth For this Good and Sweet Word of Promise is made â—t only to the Righteous Nation but to every and each â—â—rticular Soul therein that keepeth the Truth So that â—â—ese Two Consequences must necessarily arise That even 〈◊〉 the Unrighteous Nation which Keepeth not the Truth 〈◊〉 those few Inhabitants and Souls therein who are â—â—ghteous and do Keep the Truth shall enter into the 〈◊〉 of our God Again Suppose it were a Righteous 〈…〉 tion and did Keep the Truth here the Denominati 〈…〉 is taken from the greater part and it is called a Righâ—â—â—us Nation where the Multitude or most are so But 〈◊〉 some â—ew therein were Unrighteous and did not Keep 〈◊〉 Truth here the Promise would be only to the for 〈…〉 sort and not to the latter The Reason whereof is 〈…〉 dent Because the Soul that sinneth it shall die The 〈◊〉 shall not bear the Iniquity of the Father neither shall 〈◊〉 Father bear the Iniquity of the Son the Righteousness â—he Righteous shall be upon him and the Wickedness of 〈◊〉 Wicked shall be upon him Ezek. 18. 20. So that as 〈◊〉 being an Inhabitant of a Righteous Nation which keep 〈◊〉 the Truth will not give thee Admission or Entrance in 〈◊〉 City of God unless thou be Righteous and keepest the 〈◊〉 thy self So although thou Livest in an Unrighte 〈◊〉 Nation where most are so which Keepeth not the â—â—uth yet if thou art Righteous thy self and Keepest 〈◊〉 Truth yet thou wilt enter into the City of God alâ—â—â—ugh never so few are besides The Marginal Reading 〈◊〉 Truths in the Plural Number shews That it is not the 〈◊〉 Keeping of One or Some of the Truths of God but 〈◊〉 Keeping all of them which is requisite and necessary 〈◊〉 we enter therein It was the same Spirit of God â—â—ich spake that in Isaiah 26. 2. as also which spake that Isaiah 38. 3. and which probably gave Hezekiah that â—â—owledge How necessary was Keeping the Truth or the 〈…〉 king before God in Truth in order to enter into the Ci 〈◊〉 of our God And
yet as to this the Rule is safe herein to do as Moses did who was admonished of God when he was about to make the Tabernacle For see saith he that thou make all Things according to the Pattern shewed to thee in the Mount Heb. 8. 5. And now that the Old Dispensation is abolished we are to see that we Order all Things in our Worship according to the Pattern shewed to us in the Gospel That we may in our Worship which is a great thing relating unto that God with whom we have to do walk before God in Truth I do believe and speak after my Judgment that there is not a way of Worship now in this Nation nor yet on the Earth which is exactly according to the Scriptures of Truth in all things and in all things according to the Pattern shewed in the Gospel And I suppose it will be so seen at the Day of Judgment wherein it will be Found and Rehearsed That all have sinned and come short of the Glory of God Rom. 3. 23. So the several Churches and Congregations the several Saints and Servants of God have somewhat erred and come short of the Spirituality and Truth of his worship as it was in the Mind and Ordaining of God and as might be apprehended from out of his Book for it may be observed now a-days that in each Sect or Party however they are Nicknamed Distinguished or Termed there is something which is good and true and again there is somewhat which is Erroneous and Savours of Men. Now as to all this the faithful and knowing Soul as â—he Soars up above all the Ordinances of Religion as they are managed now a-days by the Worldly Priesthood they seeming to her cold dull low and fâ—at and she apprehends somewhat above them and is for higher and more excellent attainments So the same knowing and faithful Soul is vexed and dissatisfied That she knows not where on this Earth the People do worship God in all thigns exactly according to the mind of the Spirit Nor where â—er self may turn to the People of a Pure Language that â—hey may Call upon the Name of the Lord with one Consent Zeph. 3. 9. And she doth thirst and desire earnestly that she might once Worship the Lord God her Invisible Creatour so in the Congregations of his People as they were in the Days of a Old But where are they so now And she hath great Thought and Earnestness of Heart when that time will again come when it shall be fulfilled what is Written Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the Lord as in the Days of Old and in former Years Mal. 3. 4. Tho' here again it is to be thought that as long as we are on this dark and corrupt Earth we shall never come to worship the Fatheâ— in Spirit and in Truth still we ought to endeavour and to do the best that ever we can till we come to fall down on our Faces before him in Heaven the Habitation of his Holiness where we shall see all things in the light of the Lord. What will satisfy this perplexity and doubt and desirâ— of Soul as to this great thing in the mean while shoulâ— be to this Effect and Purport As the Lord saith unto 〈◊〉 the Inhabitants of the Earth Eschew Evil and do Gooâ— 1 Pet. 3. 10 1. So let him or they that love salvatioâ— and would go to Heaven be sure to do this as much 〈◊〉 ever they can Avoid errour and receive and follow the truth in all the several instances thereof As God himselâ— speaketh on this wise If thou shalt learn to separate tâ— Precious from the Vile and to put a difference between 〈◊〉 Holy and Profane then shalt thou be meet to come unto 〈◊〉 Altar So here it may be reasoned and applied if thâ— knowest and also shalt carefully and constantly do tâ— same to take out the truth from that Multiplicty 〈◊〉 Errour which is abroad in the world like as is the gathâ—â— ing of Gold or Silver from out of the Dross or Honâ— from the Wax If thou knowest to put a difference between truth and falshood so as to gather and receive 〈◊〉 first into thy heart and cast away and not admit the 〈◊〉 ther sort then thou shalt be meet for to come with 〈◊〉 ceptance on the Altar of the Lord Thou shalt enter iâ— his City the Holy of Holies the highest Heavens 〈◊〉 to his presence and to his own Divine Majesty Be 〈◊〉 to observe this Rule in the worship of God Eschew 〈◊〉 falshood and errour therein and receive and do accord 〈…〉 to the truth according to the very best of thy Knowledge and Understanding and with all thy Heart 〈◊〉 and Will and then thy worship will be accepted with the Lord and in thy worship also thou wilt walk before the Lord in Truth Another Explication of walking before the Lord in Truth is to walk in such a way as is Butted and Bounded in his word which is Truth This seems to be the most proper Acceptation and Understanding thereof for to make Gods written Word and Revelation our Guide and Rule throughout the whole Course of our Life is a walking before the Lord in Truth and it is the true and right way to Heaven as to go through or by such and such places is the way to such a City or the like The Word and Truth of God are near one and the same thing Sanctify them through thy Truth Thy word is Truth John 17. 17. And so the walking according to the Word of God or the having our Conversation according to the Gospel is to walk before God in Truth And so it is reciprocally To walk before the Lord in Truth is to walk according to the VVord of God Every Variation or Deviation from it is a false way Therefore I esteem all thy Precepts concerning all things to be Right and I hate every false way It was both a Puzzling and also a sudden Question of Pilate What is Truth To me it seems to be the expressing forth the Nature of things as they are with the Connexion between themselves and how they pertain to us Men. Things again are divided into things present and things to come Now to know the very Nature of both these and how they belong unto and are to be had by us What is Good for us and what is Evil for us so as to choose the Good and Refuse the Evil this is Truth Here again to make a Right Judgment and Choice for our selves so as to pursue the best of Ends viz. Future Blessedness and Glory by Lawful and Right means This a walking before the Lord in Truth And so it may be conceived of in other like Instances As to the Second Particular What it is to walk before the Lord with a perfect heart Paul gives the Character of some Jews that they had a Good mind towards God And here Put and Conceive
〈…〉 all my Years in the Bitterness of my Soul Which Words are Written for our Admonition and Ensample for our Imitation and Practice upon whom the Ends of the World are come Namely That each of us should severally go all our Remaining Years Months Weeks and Days of this our Pilgrimage in the Bitterness of our Souls And if we should also when we come to lie on our Death-Beds Weep sore Provided it be for the very same Reasons as Hezekiah did It would be never the worse but better for us Now with what kind of Use and Application shall I conclude the foregoing Sermons The first Use shall be a short Word of Exhortation Namely for all that shall hear or read these lines To walk before God in Truth and with a Perfect Heart and to do that which is Good in his Sight How this may be done hath been already shewed My Business at present is to Exhort and Perswade People so to do Have ye in the past time of your Lives walked before God in Truth and with a perfect heart and done that which is Good in his Sight Some have and some have not But this know God requireth that which is past Eccles 3. 15. He will certainly call you to an Account and Judge you for the past time of your Life That is gone by and there is no recalling of it yet the future course of your Life is somewhat more in your Power Do ye therefore secure the Aâ—â—â—ues Walk before God in the beginning of each Day 〈◊〉 all the Day long And as ye do thus in the several Days the residue of your Life that is to come will 〈◊〉 True Perfect and Good For it is not a vain thing â—or you Because it is your Life and through this thing 〈◊〉 shall prolong your Days in the Land whither ye go â—ver Jordan to possess it Deut. 32. 47. It is not a â—ain or Indifferent thing in the first place to Hear or Read the Word of God or not to do it For all that â—ver will be saved will be saved by the Word of God As Contrariwise Destruction and Misery are â—hreatned to those who refuse it or turn their Backs â—rom it or who only give it the Hearing but do not thereafter But Moses saith Set your hearts unto all the Words which I testifie because it is your Life Which is the nearest thing belonging to any one for 't is this which gives the resentment and feeling of all other things And through this thing of walking before God in Truth and with a perfect heart and doing that which is Good in his sight Ye shall Prolong your Days It Prolonged Hezekiahs Days Fifteen Years more and it will prolong your Days a longer space of duration then Fifteen Thousand yea Fifteen Millions of Years in the Land of Eternity whither and when ye go over the Jordan of this Life to possess it The Heart and Conscience of every one must necessarily assent to the Truth of this following Proposition Seeing that Man must live and abide for ever for so it is from the Order Decree and Determination of God concerning us He cannot do otherwise then desire to be happy for ever when He goes over the Jordan of this Life as well and all one as He desires and endeavours to live happily and comfortably in this Life on this side of Jordan Seeing that Mâ—â— must live after Death He must all one and also doth desire to be Happy and Blessed after Death all onâ— as it is Natural and every one doth desire to liâ—â— Comfortably Pleasantly and Happily before Deaâ—â— And seeing again from the Order Decree and Determination of God There is noâ— other way undâ—â— Heaven to be Happy and Blessed for ever but 〈◊〉 walking before God in Truth and with a Perfeâ—â— Heart and by doing that which is Good in his sighâ— throughout all our remaining Life Hereupon 〈◊〉 Word of Exhortation speaks most strong and forciblâ— to every one that would be saved and happy for 〈◊〉 ver as every one would who knows and believes 〈◊〉 future State Go thou and do likewise What I say 〈◊〉 thee I say again to all Go thou and do likewise Ev 〈…〉 to walk before the Invisible God in Truth and wi 〈…〉 a Perfect Heart and to do that which is Good in 〈◊〉 sight all the remaining Days thou walkest moveâ—â— and breathest on this Earth If you do but atten 〈…〉 unto and understand throughly that Reasoning and Truth which lies in this consideration It will appear to be the most Strong and Powerful Argument in the World for to Perswade Men. The other Use which I shall draw and infer from these last words of our Text And Hezekiah wept sore shall be To Recommend unto those who are in Reality and Truth obedient Servants of the Lord to be in a State of Weeping and Mourning Say I these things as a Man For doth not the Law of the Prophets Recommend and say the very same unto ye Therefore also now saith the Lord Turn ye even to me with all your Heart and with Fasting the intent whereof is to afflict our Soul Isa 58. 3. And with Weeping and with Mourning Let the Bridegroom go forth of his Chamber and the Bride out of her Closet Let the Priests the Ministers of the Lord Weep between the Porch and the Altar and let them say Spare thy People O Lord and give not thine heritage to reproach Joel 2. 12 13 14 17. And in that Day did the Lord God of Hosts call to Weeping and to Mourning and to Girding with â—ack-cloth Little of this is obeyed and observed in this Generation and Countrey of ours but herein is fulfilled what is next Written And behold Joy and Gladness slaying oxen and killing sheep eating Flesh and Drinking Wine Let us Eat and Drink for to Morrow we shall die And it was revealed in mine Ears by the Lord of Hosts surely this Iniquity shall not be Purged from ye until ye die saith the Lord God of Hosts Isa 22. 12 13 14. But here it may be surmised and said That such kind of harsh and sowre Doctrine may be Reasonably expected from the Old Testament Dispensation which came from Mount Sinah which gendreth Bondage from whence the Law was given in Fire in Blackness and Darkness and Tempest of Thunder and Lightning But the Gospel was not ushered nor brought into the World after that manner for it came in a still Voice with a Fear not for behold I bring you Good Tidings of Great Joy which shall be to all People Luke 2. 10. Doth this same Gospel Recommend or say any thing concerning this State of Weeping and Mourning For if it should How would it then bring us Good Tidings of Great Joy which shall be unto all People Yes assuredly it doth both but herein is Comprised the Mystery of God That the Weeping and Mourning must go before the Joy which is to be manifested in us and had by us
so much more in my absence Hereby also People may be able after my Decease to have thâ—se things always in remembrance That being Dead I may yet speak Heb 11. 4. and thus Preach to the succeeding Generation even whilst my Body shall be in the silent Chambers of the Grave and leave my mind behind mee in my Books and writings eveâ— when my Soul is gone out into the other World That the people which shall be created may be thence exhorted put iâ— mind or instructed to praise the Lord. The more universal and enduring If any mans Work abide He shall receive a Reward 1 Cor. 3. 14. any god is it is so much the better and should rather be endeavoured o be done Whereupon it appears that the Writing and Publiâ—ing of such a Book as The Practice of Piety or the Whole Luty of Man if it should be alike received in the World would â—e a doing more good throughout this Nation and for the Generations to come then if one should Preach constantly every day into the most Numerous Congregations for Twenty Forty or Siâ—ty Years and longer none usually doth But here it may be surmised and said Of making manâ— Books there is no end Which Solomon doth not here finâ— fault withal for himself Wrote several but he brings this saying in to shew what should be the Epitome and Tendency oâ— them all Namely To fear God and keep his Commandments Which until it be done Vniversally and Constantly by all People whatever from the least of them unto the greatest of them saith the Lord for so is his requiring and expectation in these days Jer. 31. 33 34. The Wisdom of God saith as to this Matter For precept must be upon precept precept upon precept line upon line line upon line The Holy Ghost doubles it over and over here a little and there a little Isa 28. 10. Since the Wisdom of God hath Ordained that it should be so and it must be so This should hence forwards put to silence that Ignorant Objection of foolish Men who say What need is there of such abundance of Books and Sermons in the World Let such â—awfully Remember and Consider it again That the Foolishness of God is Wiser then Men and his own Spirit saith expreslly For precept must be upon precept precept upon precept line upon line line upon line here a little and there a little And further by thâ—se my Son be Admonished in this thing to admire and comply with the Wisdom of God for by his Ordaining that it should be so and it must be so herein Yea he Loved the People Wherefore they should do according to what is after Written All his Saints are in thy hand and they sat down at thy Feet Every one shall receive of thy Words Deut. 33 3. Wherefore again People should be Admonished in no wise to reject see John 12. 48. this Counsel of God against themselves but to receive of his Words for the Saints and Servants of God do receive of the Words of God Every one shall receive of thy Words I have one thing more to Admonish the People of this my Generation and Countrey of and to exhort them unto which doth concern them all Say I these things as a Man for doth not the Law and the Gospel say the very same for it was the Requiring of God of old time Who is the same to day yesterday and for ever That none should appear Empty before the Lord. But every one was to do somewhat according to his Ability They that could not go to the price of a Lamb were to bring a pair of Turtle Doves or two young Pigeons And by what is written in the Gospel of her who Cast in her Mite whereof two make a Farthing into the Offerings of God By this it appears that even day Labourers and Vine Dressers yea the poorest of the People should not serve God with that which cost them nothing 2 Sam. 24. 24. But it is expected from them that even they should Honour the Lord with their Substance for he is to be served by all that is within and without us even with the Fruits of our Labour and consecrate their Gain unto the Lord and their Substance unto the Lord of the whole Earth Mich. 4. 13. Towards the Publishing and Propagation of his Eternal Truth according to their several Power and Abillity For if there be first a willing mind it is accepted according to that a man hath and not according to that he hath not But this is yet more especially required and expected from them that are Rich in this World for the Gospel and miserable will be the end of those who shall not obey the Gospel doth Charge them that they be Rich in good Works ready to Distribute willing to Communicate This is a Faithful saying and these things I will that thou affirm constantly That they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good Works These things are Good and Profitable unto Men. So that the most High God requires and expects from them more especially that they should Honour him with their Substance and give out of their Abundance and Propâ—rtionably to their Ability be ready to distribute for the Service and Propagation of his Eternal Truth If they would buy good and Godly Books and give them to Poor People laying an Injunction upon them and having a Promise from them to read and consider throughly of the things contained therein This would be the best kind of Charity for this would be a doing good to their Immortal Souls Whereas Common and Outward Alms is only a Temporal kindness unto the dying Body As it is Written Be not thou Afraid when one is made Rich when the Glory of his House is Increased for when he dieth he shall carry nothing away his Glory shall not descend after him So it is sensibly seen that Rich People do Sicken and die all one as the Poor and Needy And then they will find To what purpose was this Waste For that same Money which they expended in fine Cloaths Gayety or Retinue in making a Figure in the World as a Dream when one awaketh so O Lord when thou awakest thou shalt despise their Image in Gluttony and Drunkenness which is making provision for the Flesh to fulfil the Lusts thereof in Pride Pleasure Prodigality Gaming or other vain things This might have been given to the Poor or it might have been Expended in making known thy Truth Isa 38. 19. which seems to be the best of Works for the Reason afore-mentioned and then it would have done themselves more good and have stood them in more stead then the Riches they used to the hurt of the owners If the Rich People have not heretofore or shall not henceforward that day is coming on and hastning when even the Rich among the People shall intreat thy Favour Psal 45. 12. Obey and do according to this Exhortation and Admonition The word
further improved This is the Sum and Height of Wisdom if we would do those things whilst living which we shall wish we had done when we come to die Now if with these two sayings we take in also the Knowledge of God considering our Subjection and Duty to him that is Invisible as also with the Grace and Truth that came by Jesus Christ In that Revelation which God made unto mankind by and through him which speak of things that must shortly come to pass which pertain to the Kingdom of God and also to us Men both as to what we are now and what we shall be Let there be but the full assurance of Faith concerning these things and what kind of thoughts will then naturally and necessarily spring up in the Soul just as that is Gasping and she is departing from the Body even quite contrary unto and vastly different from what we had whilst in the midst of Life Health Strength and Vigour For then we were if not wholly and only yet chiefly and Principally taken up with and busied about Worldly and Visible things But do but throughly conceive thy self to be once a dying then the Mind will be upon thè Invisible Things of the other World whereinto the Soul is just going If you do but hold out a Bag of Money or even necessary and wholesome Food to a man when he just Lies at the Point of Death If he hath any Thoughts or Apprehensions at all they are quite of another and different Kind than what he had formerly concerning the same For however he did formerly seek after them both yet now he hath no Appetite or Desire after the one nor stomach after the other But there doth arise an Antipathy and Loathing of them both or rather a Knowledge that now his breath is going forth there is no help in them for they cannot hold it in beyond the Appointed Time and now the Time yea the Set-Time is come they cannot continue Being much less can they give an Happy Being Their Silver and their Gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the Wrath of the Lord They shall not satisfy their Souls nor fill their Bowels because it is the stumbling block of their Iniquity Ezek. 7. 19. The same doth now appear as to all our past foregoing Life whether it be Twenty Thirty or Forty Years so it will be as to those who shall arrive at Threescore and Ten or Fourscore or Ninety Years It is all but as yesterday when it is past and as a Watch in the Night Psal 90. 4. Nay it is not all than so much as a quarter of an Hour or one minute that is to come We spend our Years as a Tale that is told For it seems all one then And so it being evident that the World is then passed away and all the things thereof as to us of consequence as we know and find this we must have but little Regard Thought or Desire after them Like as when one is Riding Post and at full Speed upon the Road how little doth he mind such a single Tree or Little Bush that stands by the way-side for perhaps we just see it as we pass by but we soon forget and not think upon it Even so we are passing through this world Vpon the Souls Dissolution or flight from the Body the Lightning which moves from East to VVest in the Twinkling of an Eye is not quicker in its motion as appears by the Quickness of Thought now and by sight the Principal Sense and Operation of our Soul And when she is Launching out into her Eternal State All the things of this World about which we have been busied and employed so long will not seem so much or not much more then a little single mark or token that stands alone by it self upon a long Road. As we are gathering up our feet in the Bed in order to yield up the Ghost How will the Spirit within gather up it self and make towards the Father of Spirits What would she then give to have Peace towards God or a God reconciled and in favour with her and for an assurance that now she is to be dislodged from this Tabernacle of Clay she may be received into Abrahams Bosom or that she might say truly Into thy hands I commit my Spirit for thou hast redeemed me O Lord God of Truth Psal 31. 5. It is not said Thou hast made me but thou hast redeemed me From which again it appears they being added by way of necessary and consequent Reason thereof that there is no commending our Spirits into the Hands of God when we come to dye and to give up the Ghost without God hath first redeemed us by his truth From what are we to be redeemed Even from that vain Conversation and Corruption that is in the World through Lust and from that sin and guilt which is in our Nature He doth all things in his own order We must first be Redeemed by God before we can commend our Spirits into the Hands of God Now whilst we are in the midst of life and according as the Course of this world stands at this Day People would reproach such an one to be Melancholy Mad and Whimsical if they did hear any one crying out and Expostulating with the Invisible God in such a Great Earnestness and Anguish of Spirit from the very real sence and bottom of his Soul as he doth in Micah 6. 7. Will the Lord be pleased with Thousands of Rams or with Ten Thousand Rivers of Oyl Shall I give my first Born for my Transgression the Fruit of my Body for the Sin of my Soul God indeed hath given his first Born for the Sins of Mankind when Messiah wâ—s cut off but not for himself Dan. 9. 26. God knows the danger of sin and what wrath is annexed to sin Unpardoned Or if an Attonement and Reconciliation and Agreement be not made for it But People here in the flesh do not throughly know and lay this to heart And therefore it is that we do not see or hear of any one so very much concerned and affected for Sin whither it be Pardoned or whither the Guilt and Evil deserving thereof still remains in them whilst they be in the midst of Life Health Youth and Vigour But verily verily I tell ye before-hand that when we come to lie in extremis and at the very point of Death if our sences and understanding which is a Great Mercy of God is preserved intire sound and perfect to the last then this will be the greatest thought and searching of Heart Seeing that I and my Naked Soul must now appear before God stript utterly off from this flesh and spoiled and bereaved from all the things of this World which heretofore did stupefie and harden against him or they did hinder and intercept the sight of his Invisible Majesty Is this God now or will He be at Peace or angry with me Shall
be fulfilled I heard once a Minister of the Dissenting sort whâ— commonly are more faithful herein then those of thâ— Church Ministry say that several People who had lived Ungodly and Ignorant Lives would send for him wheâ— they lay upon their Death Beds And if they were of thâ— Substantial and Richer sort they would perhaps offer him Money if He would speak a word of Peace and Comforâ— unto them when lying in those sore and last Agonies oâ— Soul But it would have been in him a sinful Corruptionâ— if he should have Perverted the Word of God and took it for that end as he did not but it hath been the manner of some so to do Said he however I would go to them but when I came to them I did not Answer their Expectations for I used to repeat before such what is Written in Isa 3. 10 11. Say ye to the Righteous it shall be well with him for they shall eat the Fruit of their doings Wâ— unto the Wicked it shall be ill with him for thâ— Reward of his hands shall be given him This Scripture is very pertinent and proper to such an occasion Herein this Minister who probably now is a Partaker of the Truth of the former Verse he being at this time gone off from the Stage of the Earth shewed himself a Workman approved of God Dividing the Word of Truth aright and giving to every one his Portion And indeed any one that rightly knows and understands the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God doth also find that the whole Design Order Drift and Tendency of all that is Written in the whole Scripture stands on this wise They that have done Good shall come forth unto the Resurrection of Life and they that have done Evil unto the Resurrection of Damnation John 5. 29. For we must all appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ that every one may receive the things done in the Body according to that he hath done whither it be Good or Bad. So that only a Godly Righteous and Sober Life and Good Deeds will avail and stand in stead in a dying Day For tho' the common deceit which each Man hath in the deep of his heart which also is intimated to them to their own Danger and Loss by those who take upon them the Office of Preaching Repentance and Remission of sins that People may turn from their Iniquities some time hereafter a little before their Death That they may have the Pleasures of sin for a Season the expediency of Transgression the Profit and Wages of unrighteousness in the mean while and then leave them off just soon enough to obtain Pardon But certainly this is quite to leave the Principles of the Doctrine of Christ to go backwards to Imperfection not laying again but utterly overthrowing yea and contradicting the Foundation of Repentance from Dead Works for these should be utterly forsaken and Fruits should be brought forth Meet for Repentance And yet further this would make void both Law and Gospel for they require that We observe to do his Statutes and Judgments all the Days that we live upon the Earth Deut. 12. 1. That we serve God without fear in Holiness and Righteousness before him all the Days of our Life Luke 1. 74 75. And however it shall be distributed unto the other sort as to Acceptation or Pardon yet surely I know it shall be better with them that fear God which fear before him and turned from their Iniquities and kept his Commandments in those Days of their flesh whilst others continued in Sin and Disobedience In the latter Days ye shall consider it perfectly Jer. 23. 20. This Jeremiah said when he immediately speaks thereupon of those Prophets Which Ran and Prophesied when God had not spoken unto nor sent them and they did not turn People from their Evil way and from the Evil of their doings Whereby may be seen that if this effect doth not follow also they are no Ministers of Gods ordaining altho' they do take upon them the office and continue in the Exercise thereof after the Law and Commandment the Ordinances and Institutions of Men. But in the latter Days when their time of Tryal is over they shall consider it perfectly and when they come to see every and each Man have his own reward proportioned and adjusted according to his works and obedience Then that which themselves shall miss and come short off will raise bitter anguish within themselves and make to loath those Shepherds See Zech. 11. 8. Which should have Instructed and Guided them otherwise For this is certain on the right and safer side that the sooner any one comes to Repentance and brings forth Fruits Meet for Repentance and abounds in Good Works God is now the better pleased with that Man or Woman and He will give to such a more full reward hereafter Conceive your selves before-hand and whilst in Health let us in serious thought throw our selves upon a Dying Bed just gasping and breathing out our very last and then think what Temper and Disposition of Soul we should be in if we were in this Hour brought to the Gallows or to the Fire for our Life to be taken off from the Earth in a violent manner Here it may be either for the Sins of others as Jesus was hanged on the Cross and so it is of all true Martyrs and Sufferers it is not so much their own Sins as the Sins of their Persecutors which put them to Death But if any one suffers as a Murderer or Robber or an Evil Doer against which there is some Law of God also then he suffers for and dies in his own Sin Or if one is killed by another then it is the Sin of the Murderer which brings him unto Death But however it be a Dying Hour will come upon all one time or another and then if they have any remembrance or understanding Ask now of the Generations that were before thee and did you ever hear of any one that could then say seriously and throughly It is vain to serve God and what Profit is it that we have kept his Ordinances and that we have walked mournfully before the Lord of Hosts Doth it not then rather seem on the other hand It was vain that we have not served God more The Godly and Righteous make such a Reflexion and looking back and the Wicked find it is vain because they did not serve God at all or not so much as can be properly called serving of God for now they experimentally find all other things to be vain When the end thereof is come we are then throughly sensible of what is written Remember how short my Time is Wherefore hast thou made all Men in vain Psal 89. 47. Therefore only it is that we have no more profit because we have not yet better kept the Ordinances of the Lord for the more we do that the more Profit or future Reward we shall receive whereof we shall
Life By which may be seen what a Relation and tendenâ—â— the doing of Good hath unto Life Now Jesus Chr 〈…〉 not only suffered but also lived an Example that 〈◊〉 should follow his steps And this Place in Acts. 10. 38 so written to the Intent that every one of us who wouâ—â— Love and Inherit Eternal Life What Man is He tâ—â— desireth Life Answer is made Depart from Evil and Good Psal 34. 12 14. Should in our several Respectiâ—â— Stations and according to our several Ability and Capacity go about and do good also for so far as we do this God is with us Whereby again may be seen and perceived the Goodness of that Supreme and Almighty Being Who went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the Devil Hence again We may understand what a doing of good is for as the being oppressed of the Devil is an Evil so to have that same Evil either removed or taken away or â—ured and healed this is a doing good By the way the worst oppression of the Devil is when Sin and Guilt is brought into the Conscience through his Temptations or Instruments And so it is as to all other evils or harms whatever the either taking them away or curing and healâ—ng them is a doing good It is written of him that did the greatest and all the good that was ever done to Mankind When the Even was come they brought unto him â—any that were possessed with Devils and He cast out the Devils with his word and healed all that were Sick That 〈◊〉 might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the Prophet â—aying Himself took our infirmities and bare our sicknesses Mat. 8. 16 17. The very Words in Isaiah are these Sureâ—â— He hath born our Griefs and Carried our Sorrows Isa 53. 〈◊〉 And it being after added The Lord hath laid on him â—e Iniquity of us all for He shall bear their Iniquities and He â—â—re the sin of Many Verse 6. 11 12. This goes further â—ven to the Fountain Head the Original cause and â—ource of Infirmities Sickness Griefs and Sorrows for â—â—n and Iniquity is the cause of them all This is effectu 〈…〉 and sound work And as sin is the greatest and only â—vil so to cure heal take away Remedy or someway or â—ther to provide against sin is doing the greatest Good So â—â—at to Instruct the Ignorant is a doing good yea and 〈◊〉 resemblance to him who was the Author and Finisher of â—â—r faith who went about doing good for we Read that â—â—e sate down and taught his Disciples and the Multitude â—his is a kind of doing the greatest good for it is a doing â—â—od unto the Immortal Soul the more excellent part of us â—â—d not only to the dying Body Brethren if any of you do err from the Truth and one convert him let him know that 〈◊〉 which converteth the sinner from the Errour of his Way shâ— save a Soul from Death and shall hide a Multitude of 〈◊〉 Iames. 5. 19 20. And so by the Words of Gods Graâ—â— and Truth to Perswade Testify and Exhort People froâ— their Sinful and Ungodly courses From living in 〈◊〉 religion and contempt of God as that if continued 〈◊〉 would involve them into the Greatest of Evils So con 〈…〉 quentially it must be the Greater Good to disswade thâ—â— from it And then Giving Alms to the Poor and M 〈…〉 string comfort to the Sorrowful in as much as Pove 〈…〉 and Sorrow are sore Evils and such like are instances 〈◊〉 doing Good The more and Greater Good People 〈◊〉 here the Greater and more full Reward they will rece 〈…〉 hereafter As again it is on the other worse hand 〈◊〉 more sin any one do commit It is a treasuring up Wr 〈…〉 to themselves against the day of Wrath which consider 〈…〉 on should be a prevailing motive to cease from the 〈◊〉 and do the other as much as ever we can Remember how I have done that which is Good in 〈◊〉 sight Now all Things are in the sight of God But 〈◊〉 do that which is Good in his sight may have a twof 〈…〉 Sence and Meaning either to do Things in order and 〈◊〉 tention unto God and upon that Respect it is that we 〈…〉 Good because God commands requires and is well pl 〈…〉 ed therewith when we do it as unto the Lord and 〈◊〉 as unto Men. As also what will appear Good in 〈◊〉 sight of the Lord now and by his Judgment hereaf 〈…〉 For it is one Thing to do Good as in the sight of 〈◊〉 Lord and another as in the sight of Men. For the 〈◊〉 seeth not as Man seeth That which is highly este 〈…〉 amongst Men is an Abomination in the sight of the 〈◊〉 And so it runs and may be conceived contrariwise 〈◊〉 which is highly esteemed by the Lord God is le 〈…〉 ed and despised amongst Men For these call that 〈◊〉 which is good in the sight of the Lord. And again They 〈◊〉 that Godo which is Evil Isa 5. 20. But a Godly Heze 〈…〉 or that Soul like unto Godly Hezekiah doth 〈◊〉 as in the sight of the Lord and not as 〈◊〉 Men. As the Lord said unto Sarah At the time appointed will I return to thee according to the time of Life Gen. 18. 14. So at the time appointed when the great Day of his Judgment is come will God Judge every one of us according to the Time of Life and as it was with us at such a Time of Life and such a Time of Life of some we shall give a better Account then of others so as to take in the whole Term of Life from the time that we had the first Knowledge of Good and Evil unto the Day of our Death SERMON IV. ON Isaiah XXXVIII 2 3. Then Hezekiah turned his Face toward the Wall and Prayed unto the Lord And said Remember now O Lord I beseech thee how I have walked before thee in Truth and with a Perfect Heart and have done that which is good in thy sight and Hezekiah wept sore THAT we do walk all our Days in the sight of the Lord and whatever we do it is in the sight of the Lord and how that God will Judge us for all the Thoughts Words and Actions of our whole Life even from the very time that we had the Knowledge of Good and Evil are most forcible considerations what manner of Persons we ought to be in all Holy Conversation and Godliness in all Obedience and Righteousness In Purity and Innocency and Uprightness of Life In all thy work and in whatever thine hand findeth thee to do in thy Feastings Sportings or Recreations Do thou awfully and constantly Remember that God seeth thee and God will Judge thee And after any thing is over and past whither it be an Act of Good and Duty or else an Act of Sin or Evil This know that the same is passed over into a thing to be Judged off and for the
and Seriousness of Spirit For then indeed it is a weighty and near affecting thing that the Soul is going about when she is a going away into Life Eternal or into Everlasting Punishment when she hath but one Cast or Throw which is to make the Final and Everlasting Decision for Endless Happiness or Misery We see by Poor Malefactors when they come to receive the due reward of their deeds what a crying and howling will they make at the Place of Execution and this they do not so much for the Pains which they shall undergo In being cut off hastily and violently from this Land of the living but out of a fearful Expectation of yet greater misery to come But Hezekiahs weeping sore or great weeping was not for this Reason for his Life was True Perfect and Good So that after him none was like unto him among all the Kings of Judah And God that cannot lie hath now under the Gospel promised Eternal Life to the patient continuance in well doing Rom. 2. 7. But probably Hezekiah did not know of this as the Saints and Servants of God of latter Ages do And then like one who is turned and dispossessed out of a Cottage may at first take it in Indignation and Vexation when He then knows not that it is in order to be removed into a Pallace or â—â—ner House as He afterwards finds it So Hezekiah then not knowing that if He should be taken out of his Earthly Pallace that He should be received up into Heaven the City of the Great King which would be much better He might probably think it Irksome and a Loss to be taken from the other That Hezekiah was partly Ignorant of thus much appears from his own Words in the following Part of this Chapter For the Grave cannot Praise thee Death cannot Celebrate thee They that go down to the Pit cannot Hope for thy Truth This last He spake as one under that Dispensation from the Mount Sinah which gendreth Bondage Gal. 4. 24. And so this his Distrust and Ignorance did Gender Tears and Weeping in him But by your leave Good Hezekiah we under the Gospel can contradict the latter part of your saying for from thence we do believe yea we know and are assured that they which go down to the Pit can and do Hope for Gods Truth And Notwithstanding it is Written in the Old Testament For in Death there is no Remembrance of thee Yet now Christ hath abolished Death and brought Life and Immortality to Light through the Gospel we can truly contradict that saying also for in Death there 〈◊〉 most Remembrance of God For the Remembraneâ— which we have of God in this life is much less and as 〈◊〉 Remembrance in Comparison of what Remembrance of God we shall have in and after our several Deaths Anâ— we now can give a Plain and Satisfactory Answer in thâ— Affirmative altho' by its being asked so short it seems to imply a strong Negation for we know that God will shew wonders to the Dead as that will be a wonderfuâ—â— thing indeed to fullfil in a litteral sense in the last Day what is Written in Ezek. 37. 6 7 8 9 10. And thâ— Dead will Arise and Praise God Psal 88. 10. And ouâ— flesh also shall rest in Hope for it shall be raised up anâ— rendred intire flesh again Notwithstanding it will foâ— some time be left in the Grave and see Corruption as thâ— Holy one of God did not when Jesus Christ shalâ— change our vile Body that it may be Fashioned like unto his Glorious Body according to his working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto himself Here is to be observed that Good and Godly Mind oâ— Hezekiah and of David for these did weep and werâ— grieved at Death because they thought that thereby theâ— should be hindred from Praising of God and telling 〈◊〉 his Truth and Wonderful Works They thought theâ— should be deprived of his Worship and from having anâ— Sense and Remembrance of him Which as to be wiâ—â— God is the greatest Happiness of Man especially to the Soul that seeketh and serveth him who loveth and delighteth in him and chooseth the things that please hâ—â— So to be without God in the World or to be turned inâ—â— nothing after Death in Respect of God this is thâ— greatest misery of Man especially if it be considereâ— what an Unexpressible Benefit Comfort and Satisfactioâ—â—t is to be with God Herein the Godly and Graciouâ— Soul is quite opposite and perfectly contrary unto thâ— Ungodly and Graceless Person for the first cannot beaâ— or away with the thoughts of being without God botâ— in this Life and in the Life to come Nothing less wiâ—â— suffice that Soul then to be with God for ever and to have God for her Portion for ever But the Ungodly and Graceless Person as He is An alien from the common wealth of Israel and without God in the World For he makes it his own wretched and willful choice to be so And herein tho' He was made in Honour capable to know God to serve him and enjoy him hereafter yet by not understanding and doing thereafter He doth become like the Beasts that Perish So such an one would desire with all his heart to be without God in the other World also for He fears and apprehends and expects no Good from him but Evil For in the other World He will be either the God of Mercy or the Lord to whom Vengeance belongeth He will be so one of these two ways unto all the Reasonable Inhabitants of the Earth And who would not fear him in this World shall feel him in the next Those who in this Life did despise and would not accept of his Goodness shall partake and be sensible of his severity in the next It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God Every Sinner or Ungodly Person is a Fool as may be demonstrated particularly And as it is Written The Fool hath said in his heart there is no God Even so they that are corrupt and have done abominable works the Sinner and Ungodly the Hypocrite do indeed wish and desire that there was no God for they would not have God Reign over them But that same wish and desire of theirs is as Vain and Impossible as it is yet further provoking and makes their sin yet exceeding more sinful in the sight of him with whom we have to do What strange Imaginations do sinners conceive in their minds that they may not receive in themselves a Recompence meet for their Evil deeds which yet are all to no purpose avail or behoof as any other ways to possibly avoid the Wrath and Indignation of God against them They had better agree with their Adversary quickly whilst they are yet in the way Or let him take hold of my strength that He may make Peace with me and He shall make Peace with me Isa 27. 5. As the Apostle Paul could
but of two Viz. Joseph and Benjâ—min Now Herod slew all the Children that were in Bethlehem and in all the Coasts thereof So it must take in all the descendants from Jacob or Israel But because that Rachel was the most true and proper VVife of Jacob the VVife of his Covenant and Labour and because she was most concerned and affected for her Children therefore the Holy Ghost makes use of her Name for indeed she was somewhat a Type and Signification of the Church of God And Answereth to Jerusalem which now is and is in Bondage with her Children Gal. 4. 25. The Enemy meant and spoken of in Scripture is Sin Death and the Devil And He shall thrust out the Enemy from before thee and shall say Destroy them Deu. 33. 27. O thou Enemy Destructions are come to a perpetual End Psal 9. 6. This Enemy in both these places spoken of is the Devil who makes use of those two his Instruments Sin and Death for to Destroy So that conceive and put all this together seeing that Sin Satan and Death are the Enemies of Mankind And the Devil would fain yea He doth by the means of Sin and Death bring them at last into his Land which is a Land of Darkness of Dragons and Scorpions where the shadow of Death and no Light is And when He hath them there He would keep them there unless here again Almighty God who is Greater in Power and Might should cause them to return from this Land of the Enemy VVhich He will do in the Resurrection and only to such who shall be Accounted worthy to obtain that Resurrection That will be Weeping and Gnashing of Teeth to Poor Mankind But here again as for them as Hezekiah will be one of them who shall be Accounted worthy to obtain this Resurrection and to return again from this Land of the Enemy The Lord God will wipe away Tears from off all their Faces How so By doing what is there aforesaid He will swallow up Death in Victory Isa 25. 8. And as they have in the mean while the well grounded hope thereof They may well refrain their Voice from Weeping and their Eyes from Tears It is observed that some constitutions are more subject and inclinable to weeping then others as Children Young People and VVomen are more apt and ready to it then Men of full Age and again some are more inclinable to it then others for in some Men it is evidently seen that their heart is become like the nether Milstone which nothing in the VVorld can make to shed Tears oâ— to really weep But there is no Person living who doth not sometimes Lye and Labour under the thing signified thereby that is Vexation Grief Pain and Sorrow or iâ— somewhat which is a Feeling and Resentment of Misery And Tears of VVeeping are but outward signs of expressing these forth As VVaters when they are deep are most silent and make the least noise in running So that sorrow of mind is then greatest like as fire when Pent in is most raging and violent when it is kept in and not expressed forth in Tears and Weeping for it 〈◊〉 felt and experienced That an Ease and Mitigation thereof is had by sending forth of Tears and by the Voice oâ— VVeeping But when any one is under a Great deep anâ— remediless Misery and He is throughly knowing and sensible thereof it is hard to refrain from Tears VVe shalâ— experience it so When the Rain shall descend and the Floodâ— come and the winds blow and beat upon our Earthly House 〈…〉 In order to make it fall When dangerous Diseases and Death it self shall be upon us Or when we shall be undeâ— deep Poverty with the miserable train thereof Hungeâ— and Thirst Cold and Nakedness or in Imprisonmentâ— when one lies in a low deep and dark Dungeon Saitâ— Jeremiah I called upon thy Name O Lord out of the loâ—â— Dungeon Altho' People make now a Laughter or Jesting 〈◊〉 VVeeping and Tears and some are so Puffed up th 〈…〉 they think themselves above it and as unbecoming them Yet if they did know and consider throughly on the other side That Fear Pit and the Snare are upon them ye Inhabitants of the Earth And how it stands in the Nature of Things and their Establishment And then 〈◊〉 Man look throughly upon his own Frame and Constitution his own Vileness for we are here in Vile Bodies VVeakness and Mortality how he is Dust and Ash 〈…〉 walking up and down like a shadow a little dependaâ—â— Being and much more there is to bring us into a Loâ—â— Trembling and VVeeping condition for lay all this 〈◊〉 heart and it will appear that VVeeping is much more becoming Man then Laughter Nay properly and in Truth Laughter is as unbecoming Men and Women whatever Fashion it be in amongst the Company of the VVorld in this weak imperfect mortal and miserable condition here on Earth who are liable to Death here and Damnation hereafter As Laughter is not becoming any one in Bedlam who is under Shackles and Fetters and lies upon a Bed of Straw For as the Poor Lunatick or Mad Person Laughs because He knows not throughly his own miserable Imprisoned condition devoid of Reason The same also is the very Reason of that Laughter now in use in the VVorld amongst Sinners who are Children of the Devil He who committeth sin is of the Devil and the Servants of sin for they are subject to Death here and endless misery hereafter but this last they know not or do not throughly consider of and therefore it is That they spend their Days in Mirth and in a moment go down to the Grave and from thence to Hell VVe may now hear one speaking from Heaven unto all the Inhabitants of the Earth what He did once to the Daughters of Jerusalem Weep not for me but for your selves who are in the VVilderness which may be properly called Bochim A place of VVeeping because of that manifold kind of Tribulation and Trouble ye meet with all in the VVorld and yet ye will have more before ye come to my Kingdom VVe should VVeep yet more especially for those sins which caused the Death of our Lord Christ so as to turn all our VVeeping into Mourning for Sin for this is to lay the Ax to the Root of the Tree For Sin or Ignorance which Ignorance is also a sin is the Root and Antecedent cause of all Sorrow Trouble Affliction and Misery And I will pour upon the House of David and the Inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of Grace and Supplication and they shall look upon me whom they have â—ierced and they shall Mourn for him as one Mourneth for his only Son and shall be in Bitterness for him as one that is in Bitterness for his first Born Zech. 12. 10. Here we should turn all our Mourning and Bitterness into Mourning and Bitterness for those very Sins Iniquities and Transgressions which Pierced the Lord of Life