had ever been her chiefest delight 3. If the Scripture is of Divine Inspiration Believe the Word The Romans that they might gain Credit to their Laws reported that they were inspired by the Gods at Rome O give credence to the Word it is breathed from God's own Mouth Hence ariseth all the prophaneness of Men they do not believe Scripture Isa. 53.1 Who hath believed our Report Did you believe the glorious Rewards the Scripture speaks of would you not give diligence to make your Elections sure Did you believe the Infernal Torments the Scripture speaks of would not this put you into a cold sweat and cause a trembling at heart for sin But People are in part Atheists they give but little credit to the Word therefore they are so impious and draw such dark shadows in their Lives Learn to realize Scripture get your hearts wrought to a firm belief of it Some think if God should send an Angel from Heaven and declare his Mind then they should rather believe him or if he should send one from the damned and preach the Torments of Hell all in Flames then they would believe But Luke 16.31 If they believe not Moses and the Prophets neither will they be perswaded though one arose from the dead God is wise and he thinks this way fittest to make his Mind known to us by writing and such as will not be Convinced by the Word shall be Judged by the Word The belief of the Scripture is of high importance It is the belief of Scripture that will inable us to resist Temptation 1 Iohn 2.14 The Word of God abideth in you and ye have overcome the wicked one T is the belief of Scripture conduceth much to our Sanctification therefore these two are put together Sanctification of the Spirit and Belief of the Truth ◠Thess. ◠13 If the Word written be not believed it is like writing on the Wate◠which takes no impression 4. Love the Word written Psal. 119.97 O how love I thy Law Sint 〈◊〉 deliciae meae Scripturae sanctae Lord saith Augustine let the holy Scriptures be my chast delight Chrysostom compares the Scripture to a Garden every Truth is a fragrant Flower which we should wear not in our Bosom but our Heart David tasted the Word sweeter than the Honey and the Honey-comb Psal. 19.10 There is that in Scripture may breed delight It shows us the way to Riches Deut. 28.5 Prov. 3.16 to long Life Psal. 34.12 to a Kingdom Hebr. 12.28 Well then may we count those the sweetest hours which are spent in reading the holy Scriptures Well may we say with the Prophet Ier. 15.16 Thy words were sound and I did eat them and they were the joy and rejoycing of my heart 5. Conform to Scripture Let us lead Scripture Lives O that the Bible might be seen printed in our Lives Do what the Word commands Obedience is an excellent way of Commenting upon the Bible Psal. 86.11 I will walk in thy Truth Let the Word be the Sun-Dial by which you set your Life What are we the better for having the Scripture if we do not direct all our Speeches and Actions according to it What is a Carpenter the better to have his Rule about him if he sticks it at his back and never makes use of it for the measuring and squaring his work So what are we the better for the Rule of the Word if we do not make use of it and regulate our Lives by it How many swerve and deviate from the Rule The Word teacheth to be sober and temperate but they are drunk to be chast and holy but they are prophane they go quite from the Rule The Scriptures are Canonical but their Lives are Apocryphal What a dishonour is this to Religion for Men to live in a Contradiction to Scripture The Word is called a Light to our feet Psal. 119.105 It is not only a Light to our Eyes to mend our sight but to our Feet to mend our walk O let us lead Bible Conversations 6. Contend for Scripture Though we should not be of contentious Spirits yet we ought to contend for the Word of God this Jewel is too precious to be parted with Prov. 4.13 Keep her for she is thy Life The Castle of Scripture is beset with Enemies Hereticks fight against it we must therefore 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 contend for the Faith once delivered to the Saints Jude 3. The Scripture is our Book of Evidences for Heaven shall we part with our Evidences The Saints of old were both Advocates and Martyrs for Truth they would hold fast Scripture though it were with the loss of their Lives 7. Be thankful to God for the Scriptures What a Mercy is it that God hath not only acquainted us what his Will is but that he hath made it known to us by writing In the old Times God did reveal his Mind by Revelations but the Word written is a surer way of knowing God's Mind than by Revelation 2 Pet. 1.19 This Voice which came from heaven we heard we have also a more sure word of prophecy The Devil is God's Ape and he can transform himself into an Angel of Light he can deceive with false Revelations As I have heard of one who had as he thought a Revelation from God to Sacrifice his Child as Abraham had whereupon he following this Impulsion of the Devil did kill his Child Thus Satan oft deceives People with Delusions instead of Divine Revelations therefore we are to be thankful to God for revealing his Mind to us by Writing We have a more sure word of prophesie We are not left under a doubtful Suspence that we should not know what to believe but we have an Infallible Rule to go by The Scripture is our Pole-star to direct us to Heaven it shews us every step we are to take when we go wrong it instructs us when we go right it comforts us And 't is matter of Thankfulness that the Scriptures are made intelligible by being translated 8. Adore God's distinguishing Grace if you have felt the Authority and Power of the Word upon your Conscience if you can say as David Psal. 119.50 Thy word hath quickened me Christian bless God that he hath not only given thee his Word to be a Rule of Holiness but his Grace to be a Principle of Holiness Bless God that he hath not only written his Word but sealed it upon thy Heart and made it effectual Canst thou say it is of Divine Inspiration because thou hast felt it to be of lively Operation O Free-grace that God should send out this Word and heal thee that he should heal thee and not others that the same Scripture which is to them a dead Letter should be to thee a Saviour of Life That there is a GOD. Quest. III. WHat do the Scriptures principally Teach Resp. The Scriptures principally teach what Man is to believe concerning GOD and what Duty GOD requires of Man Quest. What is
Resp. Seek to God for it It is his Promise to give an Heart of Flesh Ezek. 36. and to pour on us a Spirit of Mourning Zech. 12.10 Beg God's Holy Spirit Psal. 147.18 He causeth his Wind to blow and the Waters flow When the Wind of God's Spirit blows upon us then the Waters of Repentant Tears will flow from us III. The Third way to escape the Wrath and Curse of God and obtain the Benefit of Redemption by Christ is The diligent Vse of Ordinances In particular the Word Sacraments and Prayer 1. I begin with the First of these Ordinances I. The Word 1 Thess. 2.13 which effectually worketh in you that believe Quest. 1. What is meant by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Words working effectually Resp. The Word of God is said to work effectually when it hath that good effect upon us for which it was appointed of God namely when the Word works powerful Illumination and thorough Reformation Acts 26.18 To open their Eyes and turn them from the power of Satan to God The opening their Eyes denotes Illumination And turning them from Satan to God denotes Reformation Quest. 2. How is the Word to be read and heard that it may become effectual to Salvation This Question consists of Two Branches 1. How may the Word be read Effectually 2. How may it be heard Effectually 1. I shall begin with the First Branch of the Question How is the Word to be read that it may be effectual to our Salvation Answ. That we may so read the Word that it may conduce effectually to our Salvation 1. Let us have a Reverend Esteem of every part of Canonical Scripture Psal. 19.10 More are they to be desired than Gold Value this Book of God above all other Books It is a Golden Epistle endited by the Holy Ghost sent to us from Heaven more particularly to raise our Esteem 1. The Scripture is a Spiritual Glass to dress our Souls by it shows us more than we can see by the Light of a Natural Conscience that may discover gross Sins but the Glass of the Word shâ—ws us Heart-Sins Vain Thoughts Unbelief c. And it not only shows us our Spots but washeth them away 2. The Scripture is a Sacred Magazine out of which we may fetch our Spiritual Artillery to fight against Satan When the Devil tempted our Saviour he fetch'd Armour and Weapons from Scripture It is written Matth. 4.4 7. 3. The Holy Scripture is a Panacea or Universal Medicine for the Soul it gives a Receipt to cure Deadness of Heart Psal. 119.50 Pride 1 Pet. 5.5 Infideliâ—y Iohn 3.36 It is a Physick-Garden where we may gather any Herb or Antidote to expell the Poyson of sin The Leaves of Scripture like the Leaves of the Tree of Life are for the healing of the Nations Rev. 22.2 And may not this cause a reverend Esteem of the Word 2. If we would have the Word written effectual to our Souls let us peruse it with Intenseness of Mind Iohn 5.39 Search the Scriptures The Greek Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies to search as for a Vein of Silver The Bereans Acts 17. searched the 〈…〉 daily The Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies to make a curious and critical Search And 〈◊〉 was mighty in the Scriptures Acts 18.24 Some gallop over a Chapter 〈…〉 and get no good by it If we would have the Word effectual and saving we must mind and observe every Passage of Scripture And that we may be diâ—igent in the perusal of Scripture Consider First The Word written is Norma Cultus the Rule and Platform by which we are to square our Lives it contains in it all things needful to Salvation Psal. 19.7 What Duties we are to do what Sins we are to avoid God gave Moses a Pattern how he would have the Tabernacle made and he was to go exactly according to the Pattern Exod. 25.9 The Word is the Pattern God hath given us in Writing for modelling our Lives therefore how careful should we be in the pursuing and looking over this Pattern Secondly The Written Word as it is our Pattern so it will be our Iudge Iohn 12.48 The Word that I have spoken the same shall judge him at the last Day We read of the opening of the Books Rev. 20.12 This is one Book God will open the Book of Scripture and will judge Men out of it He will say Have you lived according to the Rule of this Word The Word hath a double Work to Teach and to Iudge 3. If we would have the Word written effectual we must bring Faith to the reading of it Believe it to be the Word of the Eternal Iehovah The Word written comes with Authority it shews its Commission from Heaven Thus saith the Lord It is of Divine Inspiration 2 Tim. 3.16 The Oracles of Scripture must be surer to us than a Voice from Heaven 1 Pet. 1.18 Unbelief enervates the Vertue of Scripture and renders it ineffectual First Men question the Truth of the Scripture and then fall away from it 4. If we would have the Word written effectual to Salvation we must delight in it as our Spiritual Cordial Ier. 15.16 Thy Words were found and I did eat them and they were the joy and rejoycing of my Heart All true solid Comfort is fetch'd out of the Word The Word as Chrysostom saith is a Spiritual Garden and the Promises are the Fragrant Flowers or Spices in this Garden How should we delight to walk among these Beds of Spices Is it not a Comfort in all dubious perplext Cases to have a Counsellor to advise us Psal. 119.24 Thy Testimonies are my Counsellors Is it not a Comfort to find our Evidences for Heaven and where should we find them but in the Word 1 Thess. 1.4 5. The Word written is a Sovereign Elixir or Comfort in an hour of Distress Psal. 119.50 This is my Comfort in Afflictions for thy Word hath quickned me It can turn all our Water into Wine How should we take a great Complacency and Delight in the Word They only who come to the Word with Delight go from it with Success 5. If we would have the Scripture effectual and saving we must be sure when we have read the Word to hide it in our Hearts Psal. 119.11 Thy Word have I hid in my Heart The Word locked up in the Heart is a Preservative against sin Why did David hide the Word in his Heart In the next Words That I might not sin against thee As one would carry an Antidote about him when he comes near a place infected so David carried the Word in his Heart as a Sacred Antidote to preserve him from the Infection of Sin When the Sap is hid in the Root it makes the Branches fruitful When the Seed is hid in the Ground then the Corn springs up So when the Word is hid in the Heart then it brings forth good Fruit. 6. If we would have the Word written effectual let us labour
boast what we will do to morrow The Apostle seems in the Text to meet with them by way of Answer Do ye know all this Then the greater is your Sin that you do it not To him that knoweth to do good and doth it not to him it is Sin I shall only explain this Phrase 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to him it is Sin that is it is an heinous Sin it is Sin with a witness every infirmity every thing that falls short of the Rule is Sin much more that which contradicts the Rule this man's Sin hath an Emphasis it is a crimson Sin and it shall have a greater punishment He that knew his Master's Will and did it not shall be beaten with many stripes Luke 12.47 If he that sins ignorantly be damned then he that sins knowingly shall be double damned 1. Doct. implied That we ought to know to do good know our Duty 2. That we ought not only to know to do good but to do it 3. That he that knoweth to do good and doth it not is of all others most guilty 1. Doct. implied That we ought to know to do good we ought to be well informed of those things which are to be done by us in order to Salvation The Word written is a Rule of Knowledge and the Word preached is a Commentary upon the Word written and both of them are to enrich our understanding and to nurse us up in the knowledge of that which is good The Reasons why we should know to do good are 1. Knowledge is our Lamp and Star to guide us in the Truth It shews us what we are to do and what we are to leave undone If we do not know that which is good we can never practise it Without Knowledge we cannot do any thing in Religion aright we offer up the Blind we cannot give God a reasonable Sacrifice He that doth not know his Trade is like to make but bad Work of it 2. Knowledge is the Foundation of all Grace Every Grace borrows its Light from this Lamp it is the radical Vertue it is the Seed out of which the Flower of Grace grows it ushers in Faith They that know thy Name will put their trust in thee Psal. 9.10 Knowledge carries the Torch before Faith A blind Faith is as bad as a dead Faith It inflames Love Phil. 1.9 This I pray that your Love may abound yet more and more in Knowledge The Knowledge of Christ's Beauty enticeth our Love it breeds Perseverance it is like the Mariner's Lanthorn to direct the Ship and as the Anchor that holds it steddy in Storms and Tempests The Apostle joyns these two together unlearned and unstable 2 Pet. 3.16 Such as are unlearned will be unstable 3. The chief Work in Conversion consists in Knowledge Rom. 12.2 Be ye transformed by the renewing of your Mind The Mind being renewed the Man is transformed The first thing in the Creation was Light so in Conversion the first thing is Illumination The first part of God's Image consists in Knowledge Col. 3.10 The first thing a Limner draws in a Picture is the Eye so the first thing God draws in the Soul is the Eye of Knowledge Psal 51.6 In the hidden part thou shal◠make me to know Wisdom 4. There is nothing in Religion though never so excellent can do us good without Knowledge The Blessed Sacrament which is one of the highest Ordinances yet if we come to it without Knowledge it can do us no good What Benefit can he receive that is not able to discern the Lord's Body If one come to a Physick Garden and knows not the Nature of the Herbs he may gather Poison instead of the Physical Herb as he who went into the Field and gathered wild Gourds and then there was Death in the Pot 2 Kings 4.39 So if one understand not the Mystery of the Lord's Supper there is Death in the Cup he eats and drinks his own Damnation Vse See how necessary it is to get the knowledge of what is good It ushers in Salvation 1 Tim. 2.4 We must know to do good before we can do it Omne Peccatum fundatur in ignorantia Ignorance of God is the cause of all Sin Ier. 9.3 They proceed from evil to evil and know not me saith the Lord. Ignorance of God damns Hos. 4.6 My People are destroyed for want of Knowledge 'T is sad to be ignorant in Gospel-times to be blind in the Sun How many go to Hell blind-fold And which is worse not only nescire but nolle scire they do not only not know Good but they are not willing to know Ier. 9.6 They refuse to know me saith the Lord. II. Doct. That we ought not only to know to do Good but to do it This the Apostle implies To him that knows to do good and doth it not he implies that he who knows to do Good should do it The End of Knowledge is Practice Search from one end of the Bible to the other and you will find that it is the practick part of Religion is chiefly intended The Crown is not set upon the Head of Knowledge but Practice Rev. 22.14 Blessed are they that do his Commandments that they may have right to the Tree of Life The Eye is to direct the Foot Knowledge is the Eye that is to direct the Foot of Obedience Vse 1. It shews us wherein most Christians are defective in the Times of Gospel viz. In the doing part of Religion they know how to do Good but do it not They have good Eye-sight but are lame on their Feet they are like Rachel beautiful in regard of Knowledge but barren We are like our first Parents greedy of the Tree of Knowledge Knowledge is an Ornament and People love to hang this Jewel on their Ear but though they know what they ought to do yet they do it not They know they should abstain from evil and pursue Holiness they know to do Good but do it not 1. They know they should abstain from evil They know they should not swear Matth. 5.34 Swear not all yet they do it they are more free of their Oaths than their Alms. They know uncleanness to be a Sin it wastes the Body wounds the Conscience blots the Name damns the Soul Gal. 5.19 Yet they will go on in that Sin and for a Cup of Pleasure drink a Sea of Wrath. They know Drunkenness to be a Sin it doth brutifie them take away their Reason they cannot think to go reeling to Heaven God is brewing a Cup for the Drunkard Rev. 16.19 The Cup of the Wine of the fierceness of his Wrath Wormwood-Wine yet he will not leave his drunken Fits Men know that rash censuring is a Sin Iam. 4.11 Speak not evil one of another Brethren Yet they are guilty of this they will not swear but they will slander and speak to the prejudice of others They can never make them Recompence for this No Physician can heal the Wounds of the
unsetled are of the Tribe of Reuben Unstable as water Gen. 49.4 Like a Ship without a Ballast overturn'd with every Wind of Doctrine Beza writes of one Bolsectius whose Religion chang'd as the Moon The Arians had Annuam Fidem every Year a new Faith These are not Pillars in the Temple of God but Reeds shaken every way The Apostle calls them damnable Heresies 2 Pet. 2.1 A Man may go to Hell as well for Heresie as Adultery To be unsetled in Religion argues want of Judgment if their Heads were not giddy they would not reel so fast from one Opinion to another It argues Lightness Feathers will be blown any way so will feathery Christians Triticum non rapit ventus inanes paleae jactantur Cypr. Therefore such are compar'd to Children Eph. 4.14 That we be no more children tossed to and fro Children are fickle sometimes of one mind sometimes of another nothing pleaseth them long So unsetled Christians are childish those Truths they embrace at one time they reject at another sometimes they like the Protestant Religion and soon after they have a good mind to turn Papists Now that you may labour to be setled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Ignatius in the Faith in unsetled Times of setled Judgments 1. It is the great End of the Word preach'd to bring us to a Settlement in Religion Eph. 4.11 13. And he gave some evangelists and some pastors and teachers for the edifying of the body of CHRIST that we henceforth be no more children The Word is called an Hammer Ier. 23.29 Every blow of the Hammer is to fasten the Nails of the Building the Preacher's Words are but to fasten you the more to Christ they weaken themselves to strengthen and settle you This is the grand Design of Preaching not only for the Enlightning but for the Establishing of Souls not only to guide them into the right Way but to keep them in it now if you be not setled you do not answer God's End in giving you the Ministry 2. To be setled in Religion is both a Christian's Excellency and Honour 't is his Excellency when the Milk is setled it turns to Cream now he will be something zealous for Truth walk in close Communion with God And his Honour Prov. 16.31 The hoary head is a crown of glory if it be found in the way of righteousness 'T is one of the best sights to see an old Disciple to see Silver Hairs adorn'd with Golden Vertues 3. Such as are not setled in the Faith can never suffer for it Scepticks in Religion will hardly ever prove Martyrs they that are not setled do hang in aequilibrio in suspence when they think of the Joys of Heaven then they will espouse the Gospel but when they think of Persecution then they desert it Unsetled Christians do not consult what is best but what is safest The Apostate saith Tertullian seems to put God and Satan in Ballance and having weighed both their Services prefers the Devil's Service and proclaims him to be the best Master and in this sence may be said to put Christ to open shame Heb. 6.6 They will never suffer for the Truth but be as a Souldier that leaves his Colours and runs over to the Enemy's side he will fight on the Devil's side for Pay 4. Not to be setled in the Faith is highly provoking to God To espouse the Truth and then fall away brings an ill Report on the Gospel which will not go unpunished Psal. 78.57 59. They turned back and dealt unfaithfully When God heard this he was wrath and greatly abhorred Israel The Apostate drops as a Windfall into the Devil's Mouth 5. Is ye are not setled in Religion you will never grow We are commanded to grow up into the Head Christ Eph. 4.15 But if we are unsetled no growing Planta quae saepe transfertur non coalescit The Plant which is continually removing never thrives He can no more grow in Godliness which is unsetled then a Bone can grow in the Body that is out of joynt 6. What great need there is to be setled because indeed there are so many things to unsettle us and make us fall away gradually from the Truth Seducers are abroad whose work is to draw away People from the Principles of Religion 1 Joh. 2.26 These things have I written concerning them that seduce you Seducers are the Devil's Factors they are of all others the greatest Fellons that would rob you of the Truth Seducers are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they have Silver Tongues a fair Tongue can put off bad Wares they have a slight to deceive Eph. 4.14 The Greek word there 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 taken from those that can cog a Dye and cast it for the best advantage So Seducers are Impostors they can cog a Dye they can so dissemble and sophisticate the Truth that they can deceive others Now the Style by which Seducers use to deceive is 1. By Wisdom of Words Rom. 16.18 By good words and fair speeches they deceive the hearts of the simple They have fine elegant Phrases flattering Language whereby they work on the weaker sort as being Christed with Christ and the Light within them 2. Another Slight is a Pretence of Extraordinary Piety that so People may admire them and suck in their Doctrine They seem to be Men of Zeal and Sanctity and to be divinely inspir'd they pretend Revelations as Munster Michel Servetus and other of the Anabaptists in Germany though they were tainted with Pride Lust and Avarice 3. A third Slight or Cheat Seducers have is a labouring to villifie and nullifie sound orthodox Teachers they would eclipse those that bring the Truth like unto the black Vapors that darken the Light of Heaven They would Defame others that themselves may be more admired Thus the false Teachers cried down Paul that they might be received Gal. 4.17 4. The fourth Slight or Cheat of Seducers is by preaching Doctrines of Liberty As the Antinomian preacheth That Men are freed from the Moral Law the Rule as well as the Curse He preacheth that Christ hath done all for them and they need do nothing So he makes the Doctrine of Free-grace a Key to open the Door to all Licentiousness 5. Another thing to unsettle Christians is Persecutors 2 Tim. 3.12 The Gospel is a Rose cannot be pluck'd without Prickles The Legacy Christ hath bequeath'd is the CROSS While there is a Devil and a wicked Man in the World never expect a Charter of Exemption from Trouble And how many fall away in an Hour of Persecution Rev. 12.3 4. There appeared a great red dragon having seven heads and ten horns and his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven The Red Dragon the Heathenish Empire and his Tail viz. his Power and Subtilty drew away Stars viz. Eminent Professors that seemed to shine as Stars in the Firmament of the Church Therefore we see what need there is to be setled in the Truth for
fear the Tail of the Dragon cast us to the Earth 6. To be unsetled in Good is the Sin of the Devil 's Iude 6. They are called Morning Stars Job 38.7 but falling Stars they were holy but mutable As the Vessel is overturn'd with the Sail so their Sails being swel'd with Pride were overturn'd 1 Tim. 3.6 By Unsetledness who dost thou imitate but laps'd Angels The Devil was the first Apostate So much for the first Proposition That it is a great Duty of Christians to be setled The Sons of Sion should be like Mount Sion which cannot be removed Second The second Proposition is That the way for Christians to be setled is to be well grounded If ye continue grounded and setled the Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 grounded a Metaphor it alludes to a building that hath the Foundation well laid so Christians should be grounded in the Essential Points of Religion and have their Foundation well laid Here let me speak to two things 1. That we should be grounded in the Knowledge of Fundamentals 2. That this grounding is the best way to Setling 1. That we should be grounded in the Knowledge of Fundamentals The Apostle speaks of the first Principles of the Oracles of God Heb. 5.12 In all Arts and Sciences Logick Physick Mathematicks there are some Praecognita some Rules and Principles that must necessarily be known to the Practise of those Arts. So in Divinity there must be the first Principles laid down The Knowledge of the Grounds and Principles of Religion is exceeding useful 1. Else we cannot serve God aright we can never worship God acceptably unless we worship him regularly And how can we do that if we are ignorant of the Rules and Elements of Religion We are bid to give God a reasonable Service Rom. 12.1 If we understand not the Grounds of Religion how can it be a reasonable Service 2. Knowledge of the Grounds of Religion much enricheth the Mind It is a Lamp to our Feet it directs us in the whole Course of Christianity as the Eye directs the Body Knowledge of Fundamentals is the Golden Key that opens the chief Mysteries of Religion it gives us a whole System and Body of Divinity exactly drawn in all its Lineaments and lively Colours it helps us to understand many of those 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 those difficult things which do occur in the reading of the Word it helps to unty many Scripture-Knots 3. Armour of Proof it doth furnish us with Weapons to fight against the Adversaries of the Truth 4. It is the Holy Seed of which Grace is form'd 'T is semen fidei the Seed of Faith Psal. 9.10 'T is Radix Amoris the Root of Love Eph. 3.17 Being rooted and grounded in love The Knowledge of Principles conduceth to the making of a compleat Christian. 2. That this Grounding is the best way to Setling Grounded and setled a Tree that it may be well setled must be well rooted so if you would be well setled in Religion you must be rooted in the Principles of it He in Plutarch set up a dead Man and he would not stand O saith he 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 there must be something within So that we may stand in shaking Times there must be a Principle of Knowledge within first grounded and then setled That the Ship may be kept from overturning it must have its Anchor fastned Knowledge of Principles is to the Soul as the Anchor to the Ship that holds it steddy in the midst of all the rolling Waves of Errour or the violent Winds of Persecution First grounded and then setled Use 1. See the reason why so many People are Unsetled ready to embrace every Novel Opinion and dress themselves in as many Religions as they do Fashions it is because they are ungrounded See how the Apostle joyns these two together 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Unlearned and unstable 2 Pet. 3.16 Such as are unlearned in the main Points of Divinity will be unstable as the Body cannot be strong that hath the Sinews shrunk so neither can that Christian be strong in Religion who wants the Grounds of Knowledge which are the Sinews to strengthen and stablish him Use 2. See then what great Necessity there is of laying down all the main Grounds of Religion in a way of Catechise that the weakest Judgment may be instructed in the Knowledge of the Truth and strengthned in the Love of it Catechising is the best Expedient for the Grounding and Setling of People I fear one reason why there hath been no more Good done by Preaching hath been because the chief Heads and Articles in Religion have not been explained in a Catechistical Way Cathechising is the laying the Foundation Heb. 6.7 To Preach and not to Catechise is to build without a Foundation this way of Catechising is not Novel it is Apostolical the Primitive Church had their Forms of Catechism So much those Phrases imply a form of sound words 2 Tim. 1.13 And the first Principles of the Oracles of God Heb. 6.1 And since the Church had their Catechumenoi as Grotius and Erasmus observe Many of the Ancient Fathers have written for it as Fulgentius Austin Theodoret Lactantius and others God hath given great Success to it By this laying down of Grounds of Religion Catechistically Christians have been clearly instructed and wondrously built up in the Christian Faith Insomuch that Iulian the Apostate seeing the great success of Catechising did put down all Schools and Places of Publick Literature and Instructing of Youth 'T is my Design therefore with the Blessing of God to begin this Work of Catechising the next Sabbath Day and I intend every other Sabbath in the Afternoon to make it my whole Work to lay down the Grounds and Fundamentals of Religion in a Catechistical Way If I am hindered in this Work by Men or taken away by Death I hope God will raise up some other Labourer in the Vineyard among you that may perfect this Work which I am now beginning Man's Chief End TO GLORIFIE GOD. Quest. I. WHat is the chief End of Man Resp. Man's chief End is to glorifie God and enjoy him for ever Here are two Ends of Life specified 1. The Glorifying of God 2. The Enjoying of God First I begin with the first The Glorifying of God 1 Pet. 4.11 That God in all things may be glorified the Glory of God is a Silver Thread which must run through all our Actions 1 Cor. 10.31 Whether therefore ye eat or drink or whatsoever ye do do all to the glory of God Every thing works to some end in things natural and artificial now Man being a rational Creature must propose some end to himself and that is that he may lift up God in the World and better loose his Life then loose the End of his living So then the great Truth asserted is this That the End of every Man living is to glorifie God this is the yearly Rent is paid to
in Wisdom and Love therefore I will sit down satisfied with my Condition Surely this doth much glorifie God God counts himself much honoured by such a Christian saith God Here is one after my own heart let me do what I will with him I hear no murmuring he is content This shews abundance of Grace When Grace is crowning it is not so much to be content but when Grace is conflicting with Inconveniencies then to be content is a glorious thing indeed for one to be content when he is in Heaven is no wonder but to be content under the Cross is like a Christian This Man must needs bring Glory to God for he shews to all the World that though he hath little Meal in Barrel yet he hath enough in God to make him content he saith as David Psal. 16.5 The Lord is the portion of my inheritance the lines are fallen to me in pleasant places 7. We glorifie God in working out our own Salvation God hath twisted these two together his Glory and our Good we glorifie him by promoting our own Salvation 't is a Glory to God to have multitude of Converts now his design of Free-grace takes and God hath the Glory of his Mercy So that while we are endeavouring our Salvation we are honouring God What an Encouragement is this to the Service of God to think while I am Hearing and Praying I am glorifying God while I am furthering my own Glory in Heaven I am encreasing God's Glory Would it not be an Encouragement to a Subject to hear his Prince say to him You will honour and please me very much if you will go to yonder Mine of Gold and dig out as much Gold for yourself as you can carry away So for God to say Go to the Ordinances get as much Grace as you can dig out as much Salvation as you can and the more Happiness you have the more I shall count myself glorified 8. We glorifie God by living to God 2 Cor. 5.15 That they which live should not live to themselves but unto him who died for them Rom. 14.8 Whether we live we live unto the Lord. The Mammonist lives to his Money the Epicure lives to his Belly the design of a Sinner's Life is to gratifie Lust. But then we glorifie God when we live to God Quest. What is it to live to God Resp. When we live to his Service and lay out ourselves wholly for God The Lord hath sent us into the World as a Merchant sends his Factor beyond the Seas to trade for him Then we live to God when we trade for his Interest and propagate his Gospel God hath given every Man a Tallent Now when he doth not hide it in a Napkin but improves it for God this is to live to God When a Master in a Family by Counsel and good Example labours to bring his Servants to Christ when a Minister doth exhaust himself in the Labours of his Holy Calling when he spends himself and is spent that he may win Souls to Christ and make the Crown flourish upon Christ's Head when the Magistrate doth not bear the Sword in vain but labours to cut down Sin and suppress Vice this is to live to God and this a glorifying of God Phil. 1.20 That Christ may be magnified whether by life or by death Three Wishes St. Paul had and they were all about Christ That he might be found in Christ be with Christ and that he might magnifie Christ. 9. We glorifie God by walking chearfully It is a Glory to God when the World sees a Christian hath that within him that can make him chearful in the worst Times he can with the Nightingale sing with a Thorn at his Breast The People of God have ground of Chearfulness they are justified and instated into Adoption and this Creates inward Peace it makes Musick within whatever Storms are without 2 Cor. 1.4 1 Thes. 1.6 If we consider what Christ hath wrought for us by his Bloud and wrought in us by his Spirit it is a ground of great Chearfulness and this Chearfulness glorifies God It reflects upon a Master when the Servant is always drooping and sad sure he is kept to hard Commons his Master doth not give him what is fitting So when God's People hang their Harpes on Willows sure they do not serve a good Master repent of their Choice this reflects Dishonour on God as the gross Sins of the Wicked bring a Scandal on the Gospel so do the unchearful Lives of the Godly Psal. 100.2 Serve the Lord with gladness Your serving him doth not glorifie him unless it be with Gladness a Christian 's chearful looks glorifie God Religion doth not take away our Joy but refine and clarifie it it doth not break our Viol but tunes it and makes the Musick sweeter 10. We glorifie God by standing up for his Truths Much of God's Glory lies in his Truth God hath intrusted us with his Truth as a Master intrusts his Servant with his Purse to keep We have not a richer Jewel to trust God with than our Souls nor God hath not a richer Jewel to trust us with than his Truth Truth is a Beam that shines from God much of his Glory lies in his Truth now when we are Advocates for Truth this is to glorifie God so Athanasius 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Bulwark of Truth Jud. 3. That ye should contend earnestly for the faith viz. the Doctrine of Faith The Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to contend signifies a great contending as one would contend for his Land and not suffer his Right to be taken from him so we should contend for the Truth Were there more of this Holy Contention God would have more Glory Some can contend earnestly for Trifles and Ceremonies but not for the Truth we should count him indiscreet that should contend more for a Picture then for his Land of Inheritance a Box of Counters then for his Box of Evidences 11. We glorifie God by praising of him Doxology or Praise is a God-exalting Work Psal. 50.23 Whoso offers praise glorifies me The Hebrew word Bara to create and Barak to praise are little different because the End of Creation is to Praise God David was called the sweet Singer of Israel and his praising God was called a glorifying of God Psal. 86.12 I will praise thee O Lord my God and I will glorifie thy name Though nothing can add to God's essential Glory yet Praise exalts him in the eyes of others when we praise God we spread his Fame and Renown we display the Trophies of his Excellency In this manner the Angels glorifie God they are the Queristers of Heaven and do trumpet forth God's Praise and praising of God is one of the highest and purest Acts of Religion in Prayer we act like Men in Praise we act like Angels this is an high degree of glorifying God Believers are called Temples of God 1 Cor. 3.16 when our Tongues praise God then the
Harmonious Consent of all the Parts of Scripture there are Seven cogent Arguments may Evince it to be the Word of God 1. By its Antiquity It is of ancient standing The gray Hairs of Scripture make it Venerable No Humane Histories extant reach further then since Noah's Flood but the Holy Scripture relates Matters of Fact that have been from the beginning of the World it writes of things before Time Now that is a sure Rule of Tertullian That which is of the greatest Antiquity is to be received as most Sacred and Authentick 2. We may know the Scripture to be the Word of God by the Miraculous Preservation of it in all Ages The Holy Scriptures are the richest Jewel that Christ hath left and the Church of God hath kept these Publick Records of Heaven that they have not been lost The Word of God hath never wanted Enemies to oppose and if possible to extirpate it They have given out a Law concerning Scripture as Pharaoh did the Midwives concerning the Hebrew Womens Children to strangle it in the Birth yet God hath preserved this blessed Book inviolable to this Day The Devil and his Agents have been blowing at Scripture-Light but could never prevail to blow it out a clear sign that it was lighted from Heaven Nor hath the Church of God in all Revolutions and Changes only kept the Scripture that it should not be lost but that it should not be depraved The Letter of Scripture hath been preserved without any Corruption in the Original Tongue The Scriptures were not corrupted before Christ's Time for then Christ would never have sent the Jews to the Scriptures but he sends them to the Scriptures Iohn 5.39 Search the Scriptures Christ knew these Sacred Springs were not muddied with Humane Fancies 3. The Scripture appears to be the Word of God by the Matter contained in it 1. By its Profundity The Mystery of Scripture is so abstruse and profound that no Man or Angel could have known it had it not been Divinely revealed That Eternity should be born that he who Thunders in the Heavens should cry in the Cradle that he who Rules the Stars should Suck the Breasts That the Prince of Life should die that the Lord of Glory should be put to shame that Sin should be punished to the full yet pardoned to the full who could ever have conceived of such a Mystery had not the Scripture been the Oracle to reveal it to us So for the Doctrine of the Resurrection That the same Body which is crumbled into a thousand pieces should rise idem numero the same individual Body for else it were a Creation not a Resurrection how could such a Sacred Riddle above all Humane disquisition be known had not the Scripture made a Discovery of it 2. By its Purity It is for the Matter of it so full of Goodness Justice and Sanctity that it could be breathed from none but God The Holiness of it shows it to be of God it bears his very Image The Scripture is compared to Silver refined seven times Psal. 12.6 This Book of God hath no Errata's in it It is a Beam of the Sun of Righteousness a Chrystal Stream flowing from the Fountain of Life All Laws and Edicts of Men have had their Corruptions but the Word of God hath not the least Tincture it is of a Meridian Splendour Psal. 119.140 Thy Word is very pure like wine that comes from the grape which is not mixed or adulterated It is so pure that it purifies every thing else Iohn 17.17 Sanctifie them through thy truth The Scripture presseth Holiness so as never any Book did It bids us live soberly righteously godly Titus 2.12 Soberly in Acts of Temperance Righteously in Acts of Justice Godly in Acts of Zeal and Devotion It commends to us whatever is just lovely of good report Phil. 4.8 This Sword of the Spirit Eph. 6.17 cuts down Vice Out of this Tower of Scripture is thrown down a Milstone upon the Head of Sin The Scripture is the Royal Law which commands not only the Actions but Affections it binds the Heart to its good Behaviour Where is there such Holiness to be found as is dig'd out of this Sacred Mine Who could be the Author of such a Book but God himself 4. That the Scripture is the Word of God is evident by its Predictions it Prophesieth of things to come This shows the Voice of God speaking in it it was foretold by the Prophet A Virgin shall conceive Isa. 7.14 and the Messiah shall be cut off Dan. 9.26 The Scripture foretels things that should fall out many Ages and Centuries after as how long Israel should serve in the Iron Furnace and the very day of their Deliverance Exod. 12.41 At the end of the four hundred and thirty years even the self same day it came to pass the Hoasts of the Lord went out of Egypt This Prediction of Future Things meerly contingent and not depending upon Natural Causes is a clear Demonstration of its Divine Original 5. The Impartiality of those Men of God who wrote the Scriptures they do not spare to set down their own Failings What Man that writes an History would black his own face viz. record those things of himself that might stain his Reputation Moses records his own Impatience when he struck the Rock and tells us therefore he could not enter into the Land of Promise David writes of his own Adultery and Bloodshed which stands as a Blot in his Scutchion to succeeding Ages Peter relates his own Pusillanimity in denying Christ. Ionah sets down his own Passions I do well to be angry to the death Surely had not their Pen been guided by God's own Hand they would never have written that which did reflect dishonour upon themselves Men do usually rather hide their Blemishes then publish them to the World But these Pen-men of Holy Scripture eclipse their own Name they take away all the Glory from themselves and give the Glory to God 6 Arg. The mighty power and efficacy the Word hath had upon the Souls and Consciences of Men. 1. It hath changed their heart 1. Some by reading of Scripture have been turned into other Men they have been made holy and gracious By reading other Books the Heart may be warmed but by reading this Book it is transformed 2 Cor. 3.3 Ye are manifestly declared to be the Epistle of Christ written not with Ink but with the Spirit of the living God The Word was copied out into their Hearts and they were become Christ's Epistle so that others might read Christ in them If you should set a Seal upon Marble and it should make an Impression upon the Marble and leave a Print behind there were a strange Virtue in that Seal So when the Seal of the Word leaves an heavenly print of Grace upon the Heart there must needs be a Power going along with that Word no less than Divine 2. It hath comforted their Heart When
Christians have sat by the Rivers weeping the Word hath dropped as Honey and sweetly revived them A Christians chief Comfort is drawn out of these Wells of Salvation Rom. 15.4 That we through Comfort of the Scriptures might have hope When a poor Soul hath been ready to faint he hath had nothing to Comfort him but a Scripture Cordial When he hath been sick the Word hath revived him 2 Cor. 4.17 Our light affliction which is but for a moment worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory When he hath been deserted the Word hath drop'd in the golden Oil of Joy into his Heart Cant. 3.31 The Lord will not cast off for ever He may change his Providence not his Purpose he may have the Look of an Enemy but the Heart of a Father Thus the Word hath a Power in it to comfort the heart Psal. 119.50 This is my comfort in my affliction for thy Word hath quickned me As the Spirits are conveyed through the Arteries of the Body So Divine Comforts are conveyed through the Promises of the Word Now the Scriptures having such an exhilarating Heart-comforting Power in them it shows clearly that they are of God and it is he that hath put this Milk of Consolation into these Breasts 7. The great Miracles wherewith the Lord hath confirmed Scripture Miracles were used by Moses Elijah Christ and continued many years after by the Apostles to confirm the verity of the Holy Scriptures As Props are set under weak Vines so these Miracles were set under the weak Faith of Men that if they would not believe the Writings of the Word yet they might believe the Miracles We read of God's dividing the Waters making a Cawsey in the Sea for his People to go over the Iron swimming the Oil increasing by pouring out Christ's making Wine of Water his curing the Blind and raising the Dead Thus God hath set Seal to the Truth and Divinity of Scripture by Miracles Object The Papists indeed cannot deny but that the Scripture is Divine and Sacred but they affirm that quoad nos with respect to us it receives its Divine Authority from the Church and they bring that Scripture 1 Tim. 3.15 where the Church is said to be the Ground and Pillar of Truth Answ. It is true the Church is the Pillar of Truth but it doth not therefore follow that the Scripture hath its Authority from the Church The King's Proclamation is fixed on the Pillar the Pillar holds it out that all may read but the Proclamation doth not receive its Authority from the Pillar but from the King So the Church holds forth the Scriptures but they do not receive their Authority from the Church but from God If the Word of God should be Divine because the Church holds it forth then it will follow that our Faith is to be built upon the Church and not upon the Word contrary to that Eph. 2.20 Built upon the Foundation that is the Doctrine of the Apostles and Prophets Quest. Are all the Books in the Bible of the same Divine Authority Answ. Those which we call Canonical Quest. Why are the Scriptures called Canonical Answ. Because the Word is a Rule of Faith a Canon to direct our Lives The Word is the Judge of Controversies the Rock of Infallibility that only is to be received for Truth which is consonant to and agrees with Scripture as the Transcript with the Original All Maximes in Divinity are to be brought to the Touchstone of Scripture as all Measures are brought to the Standard Quest. Are the Scriptures a compleat Rule Answ. The Scripture is a full and perfect Canon containing in it all things necessary to Salvation 2 Tim. 3.15 Thou hast from a Child known the Holy Scriptures which are able to make thee wise to salvation It shews the credenda what we are to believe and agenda what we are to practise It gives us an exact Model of Religion and perfectly Instructs us in the deep Things of God The Papists therefore make themselves guilty who go to seek out Scripture with their Traditions which they equalize it The Council of Trent saith That the Traditions of the Church of Rome are to be received pari pietatis affectu with the same Devotion that Scripture is to be received with So bring themselves under that Curse Rev. 22.18 If any Man shall add unto these things God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this Book Quest. What is the main Scope and End of Scripture Answ. To Chalk out a Way to Salvation It makes a clear Discovery of Christ. Iohn 20.31 These things are written that ye might believe that Iesus is the Christ and that believing ye might have Life through his Name The Design of the Word is to be an Examen whereby our Grace is to be tried a Sea-mark to show us what Rocks we are to avoid The Word is to sublimate and quicken our Affections it is to be our Directory and Consolatory it is to waft us over to the Land of Promise Quest. Who shall have the Power of interpreting Scriptures The Papists do assert that it is in the Power of the Church If you ask who they mean by the Church They say the Pope who is Head of it and he is Infallible so Bellarmine But that Assertion is false because many of the Popes have been ignorant and vitious as Platina affirms who writes of the Lives of the Popes Pope Liberius was an Arian and Pope Iohn XXII denied the Immortality of the Soul therefore Popes are no fit Interpreters of Scripture Who then Ans. The Scripture is to be its own Interpreter or rather the Spirit speaking in it nothing can cut the Diamond but the Diamond nothing can interpret Scripture but Scripture the Sun best discovers its self by its own Beams the Scripture interprets itself in easie places to the Understanding But the Question is concerning hard places of Scripture where the weak Christian is ready to wade beyond his depth who shall interpret here Resp. In the Church God hath appointed Ordo docentium discentium some to Expound and Interpret Scripture therefore he hath given Gifts to Men the several Pastors of Churches like bright Constellations give light to dark Scriptures Mal. 2.7 The priests lips should preserve knowledge and they should seek the law at his mouth Quest. But this is to pin our Faith upon Men Resp. We are to receive nothing for currant but what is agreeable to the Word as God hath given to his Ministers Gifts for the interpreting obscure places so he hath given to his People so much of the Spirit of Discerning that they can tell at least in things necessary to Salvation what is consonant to Scripture and what is not 1 Cor. 12.10 To one is given a spirit of prophesie to another discerning of spirits God hath endued his People with such a measure of Wisdom and Discretion that they can discern between Truth and
deal with thee Such as pollute God's Sabbath oppose his Saints trampling these Jewels in the dust such as live in a contradiction to God's Word these do engage the infinite Majesty of Heaven against them and how dismal will their Case be Deut. 32.41 If I whet my glittering Sword and mine Hand take hold of Iudgment I will render Vengeance to mine Enemies I will make mine Arrows drunk with Blood c. If it be so terrible to hear the Lion roar what is it when he begins to tear his Prey Psal. 50.22 Consider this ye that forget God least I tear you in pieces O that Men would think of this who go on in Sin shall we engage the great God against us God strikes slow but heavy Job 40.9 Hast thou an arm like God Canst thou strike such a blow God is the best Friend but the worst Enemy If he can look Men into their Grave how far can he throw them Who knows the power of his wrath Psal. 90.11 What Fools are they who for a Drop of Pleasure drink a Sea of Wrath. Paracelsus speaks of a Phrensie some have which will make them die Dancing Sinners go Dancing to Hell Use 4. Seeing there is a God let us firmly believe this great Article of our Creed What Religion can there be in Men if they do not believe a Deity He that comes to God must believe that he is To worship God and pray to him and not believe there is a God Irrisio Dei est it is to put a high Scorn and Contempt upon God Believe that God is the only true God such a God as he hath reveal'd himself in his Word A lover of righteousness and hater of wickedness Psal. 45.7 The real belief of a Deity gives life to all Religious Worship the more we believe the Truth and Infiniteness of God the more Holy and Angelical we are in our Lives Whether we are alone or in Company God sees us he is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Heart-searcher the belief of this would make us live always as under God's eye Psal. 16.8 I have set the Lord always before me The belief of a Deity would be a Bridle to Sin a Spur to Duty it would add Wings to Prayer and Oil to the Lamp of our Devotion the belief of a Deity would cause dependance upon God in all our Streights and Exigencies Gen. 17.1 I am God all-sufficient a God that can supply all your Wants scatter all your Fears resolve all your Doubts conquer all your Temptations The Arm of God's Power can never be shrunk he can create Mercy for us and therefore can help and not be beholding to the Creature Did we believe there is a God we should so depend on his Providence as not to use any indirect Means we would not run ourselves into Sin to rid ourselves out of Trouble 2 Kings 1.3 Is it not because there is not a God in Israel that ye go to enquire of Baal-zebub the God of Ekron When Men run to sinful Shifts is it not because they do not believe there is a God or that he is All-sufficient 2. Seeing there is a God let us labour to get an interest in him Psal. 48.14 This God is our God Two things will comfort us Deity and Propriety since the Fall we have lost Likeness to God and Communion with God let us labour to recover this lost Interest and pronounce this Shibboleth my God Psal. 43.5 'T is little Comfort to know there is a God unless he be ours God offers himself to be our God Jer. 31.33 I will be their God And Faith catcheth hold of the Offer it appropriates God and makes all that is in him over to us to be ours his Wisdom ours to teach us his Holiness ours to sanctifie us his Spirit ours to comfort us his Mercy ours to save us To be able to say God is mine is more then to have all the Mines of Gold and Silver 3. Seeing there is a God let us Serve and Worship him as God It was an Indictment brought in against them Rom. 1.21 They glorified him not as God 1. Let us pray to him as to a God Pray with fervency Jam. 5.16 An effectual fervent Prayer prevails much this is both the Fire and the Incense without Fervency 't is no Prayer 2. Love him as a God Deut. 5.6 Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart To love him with all the heart is to give him a Precedency in our Love desire to let him have the Cream of our Affections to love him not only appretiatively but intensively as much as we can As the Sun-beams united in a Burning-glass burn the hotter so all our Affections should be united that our love to God may be more ardent 3. Obey him as a God All Creatures obey him the Stars fight his Battels the Wind and Sea obey him Mark 4.41 much more should Man whom God hath endu'd with a Principle of Reason He is God and hath a Soveraignty over us therefore as we received Life from him so we must receive a Law from him and submit to his Will in all things This is to kiss him with a Kiss of Loyalty and it is to glorifie him as God GOD is a SPIRIT Quest. IV. WHat is God Resp. God is a Spirit 2. The Thing expressed Ioh. 4.24 God is a Spirit God is essentia spiritualissima Zanchy Quest. What do you mean when you say God is a Spirit Resp. By Spirit I mean God is an Immaterial Substance of a pure subtil unmixed Essence not compounded of Body and Soul without all Extension of Parts The Body is a dreggish Thing The more Spiritual God's Essence is the more Noble and Excellent The Spirits are the more refined part of the Wine Quest. Wherein doth God differ from other Spirits 1. The Angels are Spirits Resp. We must distinguish of Spirits 1. The Angels are created God is a Spirit uncreate 2. The Angels are Spirits but are finate and capable of being annihilated The same Power which made them is able to reduce them to their first Nothing but God is an infinite Spirit 3. The Angels are confined Spirits they cannot be in duobus locis simul they are confined to a place but God is an immense Spirit and cannot be confined being in all places at once 4. The Angels though they are Spirits yet they are but ministring Spirits Hebr. 1.14 Though they are Spirits yet they are Servants God is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Super-excellent Spirit the Father of Spirits Hebr. 12.9 2. The Soul is a Spirit Eccles. 12.7 The Spirit shall return unto God that gave it Quest. How doth God being a Spirit differ from the Soul Servetus and Osiander thought That the Soul being infused did convey into Man the very Spirit and Substance of God an absurd Opinion for the Essence of God is incommunicable Resp. Therefore when it is said the Soul is a Spirit it is meant God
definition of Religion is Be rich in works of Mercy be helpful to the Bodies and Souls of others Scatter your golden Seeds let the Lamp of your profession be fill'd with the Oil of Charity Be merciful in giving and forgiving Be ye merciful as your heavenly Father is merciful Of the Truth of GOD THE next Attribute is God's Truth Deut. 32.4 A God of Truth and without Iniquity just and right is he Psal. 57.10 For thy Mercy is great unto the Heavens and thy Truth unto the Clouds A God of Truth Psal. 86.15 Plenteous in Truth God is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Truth He is true 1. in a Physical sence True in his Being he hath a real Subsistance and gives a Being to others 2. He is true in a Moral sence he is true sine errore without Errours sine fallacia without Deceit God is prima veritas the Pattern and Prototype of Truth There is nothing true but what is in God or comes from God I shall now speak of God's Truth as it is taken for his Veracity in making good of his Promises 1 Kings 8.56 There hath not failed one word of all his good promise The Promise is God's Bond God's Truth is the Seal set to his Bond. This is the thing to be explicated and discussed God's Truth in fulfilling his Promises There are two things to be observed in the Promises of God to Comfort us 1. The Power of God whereby he is able to fulfil the Promise God hath promised to subdue our Corruption Micha 7.19 He will subdue our iniquities O! saith a Believer my Corruption is so strong that sure I shall never get the mastery of it but the power of God can fulfil his Promise Thus Abraham look'd at God's Power Rom. 4.21 Being fully perswaded that what God had promised he was able to perform He believed that that God who could make a World could make dry Breasts give suck This is Faith's support there is nothing too hard for God He that could bring water out of a Rock is able to bring to pass his Promises 2. The Truth of God in the Promises God's Truth is the Seal set to the Promise Titus 1.2 In hope of eternal life which God that cannot lie hath promised Eternal Life there is the sweetness of the Promise God which cannot lie there is the certainty of it Mercy makes the Promise Truth fulfils it God's Providences are uncertain but his Promises are the sure Mercies of David Acts 13.34 God is not a man that he should repent 1 Sam. 15.29 The word of a Prince cannot always be taken but God's Promise is inviolable God's Truth is one of the richest Jewels of his Crown and he hath pawned this Jewel in a Promise 2 Sam. 23.5 Although my House be not so with God yet he hath made with me an everlasting Covenant ordered in all things and sure Although my House be not so That is though I fail much of that exact Purity the Lord requires yet he hath made with me an everlasting Covenant that he will pardon adopt and glorifie me and this Covenant is ordered in all things sure The Elements shall melt with fervent heat but this Covenant abides firm and inviolable being sealed with the Truth of God nay God hath added to his Word his Oath Hebr. 6.17 wherein God pawns his Being Life Righteousness to make good the Promise If as oft as we break our Vows with God he should break Promise with us it would be very sad but his Truth is engaged in his Promise therefore it is like the Law of the Medes and Persians which cannot be altered We are not saith Chrysostom to believe our Sences so much as we are to believe the Promises 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. Our Sences may fail us but the Promise cannot being built upon the Truth of God God will not deceive the Faith of his People nay he cannot God which cannot lie hath promised He can as well part with his Deity as his Verity God is said to be abundant in Truth Exod. 34.6 What is that viz. if God hath made a Promise of Mercy to his People he will be so far from coming short of his word that he will be better than his word God often doth more then he hath said never less He is abundant in Truth 1. The Lord may sometimes delay a Promise but he will not deny He may delay a Promise God's Promise may lye a good while as Seed under ground but at last it will spring up into a Crop God promised to deliver Israel from the Iron Furnace but this Promise was above four hundred years in travail before it brought forth Simeon had a Promise that he should not depart hence till he had seen the Lords Christ Luke 2.26 but it was a long time first but a little before his Death that he did see Christ. But though God delay the Promise he will not deny Having given his Bond in due time the Money will be paid in 2. God may change his Promise but he will not break his Promise Sometimes God doth change a Temporal Promise into a Spiritual Psal. 85.12 The Lord shall give that which is good Perhaps this may not be fulfilled in a Temporal Sence but a Spiritual God may let a Christian be cut short in Temporals but God makes it up in Spirituals If he doth not encrease the Basket and the Store he gives encrease of Faith and inward Peace here he changeth his Promise but he doth not break it he gives that which is better If a Man promiseth to pay me in Farthings and he pays me in a better Coin in Gold he doth not break his Promise Psal. 89.33 I will not suffer my faithfulness to fail in the Hebrew it is ve lo ashakka to lye Object 1. But how doth this consist with the Truth of God he saith he will have all to be saved 1 Tim. 2.4 yet some perish Resp. St. Austin understands it not of every Judicial Person but some of all sorts shall be saved As in the Ark God saved all the living Creatures not every Bird or Fish were saved for many perished in the Flood but all that is some of every kind were saved so God will have all to be saved that is some of all Nations Object It is said Christ died for all He is the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the World Joh. 1.29 How doth this consist with God's Truth when some are vessels of wrath Rom. 9.22 Answ. 1. We must distinguish of World The World is taken either in a limited sence for the World of the Elect or in a larger sence for both Elect and Reprobates Christ takes away the sins of the world that is the world of the Elect. 2. We must distinguish of Christ's dying for the World Christ died sufficiently for all not effectually There is the value of Christ's Blood and the Virtue Christ's Blood hath value enough to Redeem the
whole World but the virtue of it is applied only to such as believe Christ's Blood is meritorious for all not efficacious All are not saved because some put away Salvation from them Acts 13.46 and vilifie Christ's Blood counting it an unholy thing Hebr. 10.29 Use 1. Here is a great Pillar for our Faith the Truth of God Were not he a God of Truth how could we believe in him our Faith were Fancy But he is Truth it self and not a word he hath spoken shall fall to the ground Truth is the object of Trust. The Truth of God is an unmoveable Rock we may venture our Salvation here Isa. 59.15 Truth faileth Truth on Earth doth but not Truth in Heaven God can as well cease to be God as cease to be True Hath God said he will be good to the Soul that seeks him Lam. 3.25 he will give rest to the weary Matth. 11.28 Here is a safe Anchor hold he will not alter the thing which is gone forth of his Lips The Publick Faith of Heaven is engaged for Believers can we have better Security The whole Earth hangs upon the word of God's Power and shall not our Faith hang upon the Word of God's Truth where can we rest our Faith but upon God's faithfulness There is nothing else we can believe in but the Truth of God we cannot trust in an Arm of Flesh we cannot trust in our own Hearts this is to build upon the Quicksands but the Truth of God is a golden Pillar for Faith to stay upon God cannot deny himself 2 Tim. 2.13 If we believe not yet he abideth faithful he cannot deny himself Not to believe God's Veracity is to affront God 1 Iohn 5.10 He that believeth not hath made God a lyar A Person of Honour cannot be more affronted or provoaked then when he is not believed He that denies God's Truth makes the Promise no better than a forged Deed and can there be a greater affront offered to God Use 2. of Terrour to the Wicked God is a God of Truth and he is true in his Threatnings the Threatnings are a flying Roll against sinners God hath threatned to wound the hairy scalp of every one that goes on still in his Trespasses Psal. 68.21 He hath threatned to judge Adulterers Hebr. 13.3 to be avenged upon the malitious Psal. 10.14 Thou beholdest mischief and spight to requite it with thy own hand To rain fire and brimstone upon the sinner Psal. 11.6 And God is as true in his Threatnings as his Promises God hath oft to shew his Truth executed his Threatnings and let his Thunder-bolts of Judgment fall upon Sinners in this Life He struck Herod in the act of his Pride He hath punished Blasphemers Olympius an Arrian Bishop reproached and blasphemed the blessed Trinity immediately Lightning fell down from Heaven upon him and consumed him God is as true in his Threatnings as in his Promises Let us fear the Threatning that we may not feel it Use 3. Is God a God of Truth let us be like God in Truth 1. We must be true in our Words Pythagoras being asked what made Men like God answered Cum vera loquuntur when they speak Truth It is the note of a Man that shall go to Heaven Psal. 15.2 He speaketh the Truth from his heart Truth in words is opposed 1. to Lying Eph. 4.25 Putting away lying speak every one truth to his neighbour Lying is when one speaks that for a truth which he knows to be false A Lier is most opposite to the God of Truth There is as Austin saith two sorts of Lies 1. Mendacium Officiosum an Officious Lie when a Man tells a Lie for his Profit as when a Trades-man saith his Commodity cost him so much when perhaps it did not cost him half so much He that will lie in his Trade shall lye in Hell 2. Mendacium Iocosum a jesting Lie when a Man tells a Lie in sport to make others merry he goes laughing to Hell When you tell a Lie you make your selves like the Devil Iohn 8.44 The Devil is a lier and the Father of it He deceived our first Parents by a Lie Some are so wicked that they will not only speak an Untruth but will Swear to it nay they will wish a Curse upon themselves if that Untruth be not true As I have read of a Woman one Anne Averies 1575. who being in a Shop wished that she might sink if she had not paid for the Wares she took she fell down speechless immeditately and died in the place A Lier is not fit to live in a Commonwealth Lying takes away all Society and Converse with Men. How can you Converse with him whom you cannot believe what he saith Lying shuts Men out of Heaven Rev. 22.25 Without are Dogs and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie And as it is a great sin to tell a lie so it is a worse sin to teach a lye Isa. 9.15 The Prophet that teacheth lies He who broacheth Errour teacheth Lies he spreads the Plague he not only damns himself but helps to damn others 2. Truth in words is opposed to Dissembling The Heart and Tongue should go together as the Dial goes exactly with the Sun To speak fair to ones Face and not to mean what one speaks is no better then a lie Psal. 55.21 His words were smoother than oil but war was in his heart Some have an Art at this they can flatter and hate Hierom speaking of the Arrians saith They pretended friendship they kissed my hands but plotted mischief against me Psal. 29.5 A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet Impia sub dulci melle venena latent Falshood in Friendship is a lie Counterfeiting of Friendship is worse then counterfeiting of Money This is contrary to God who is a God of Truth 2. We must be true in our Profession of Religion Let Practice go along with Profession Eph. 4.24 Righteousness and true Holiness Hypocrisie in Religion is a Lie The Hypocrite is like a Face in a Glass there is the show of a Face but no true Face So he makes a shew of Holiness but hath no Truth of it 't is but the Face in the Glass Ephraim pretended to be that which he was not and what saith God of him Hos. 11.12 Ephraim compasseth me about with lies By a lie in our words we deny the Truth by a lie in our profession we disgrace it Not to be what we profess to God is telling a lie and the Scripture makes it little better than Blasphemy Rev. 2.9 I know the blasphemy of them that say they are Iews and are not O! I beseech you labour in this to be like God he is a God of Truth he can as well part with his Deity as his Verity be I say like God be true in your Words be true in your Profession God's Children are Children that will not lie Isa. 63.9 When God sees Truth in the inward parts and lips in
Coeternity and Consubstantiality with his Father Iohn 10.30 I and my Father are One It were a Blasphemy for any Angel to speak thus Yet further to prove Christ's Godhead consider 1. the glorious incommunicable Attributes belonging to God the Father are ascribed to Christ. 1. Is God the Father Omnipotent so is Jesus Christ. He is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Almighty Rev. 1.8 he Creates Col. 1.16 2. Is God the Father infinitely Immense filling all places Ier. 23.24 so is Jesus Christ. While Christ was on the Earth by his bodily presence he was at the same time in the bosom of his Father Iohn 3.13 in regard of his Divine presence 2. The same Iura Regalia or Prerogatives Royal which belong to God the Father belong also to Christ. 1. Doth God the Father seal Pardons this is a Flower of Christ's Crown Matth. 9.2 Thy sins be forgiven thee Nor doth Christ only remit sin organicè as Ministers do by virtue of a Power delegated to them from God but Christ doth it by his own Power and Authority 2. Is God the Father the adequate Object of Faith is he to be believed in so is the Son Iohn 14.1 3. Doth Adoration belong to God the Father so it doth to the Son Hebr. 1.6 Let all the Angels of God worship him How Sacrilegious therefore is the Socinian who would rob Christ of the best Flower of his Crown his Godhead they that deny Christ to be God must greatly wrest or else deny the Scripture to be the Word of God 3. It confutes the Arrians who deny the Holy Ghost to be God The Eternal Godhead subsists in the Holy Ghost Iohn 16.13 He shall guide you into all Truth Christ speaks not there of an Attribute but a Person And that the Godhead subsists in the Person of the Holy Ghost appears thus The Spirit who gives diversity of Gifts is said to be the same Lord and the same God 1 Cor. 12.5 6. The black and unpardonable sin is said in a special manner to be committed against the Godhead subsisting in the Holy Ghost Matth. 12.32 The mighty power of God is made manifest by the Holy Ghost He changeth the Hearts of Men. The Devil would have Christ prove himself to be God by turning Stones into Bread but thus the Holy Ghost shews his Godhead by turning Stones into Flesh Ezek. 36.26 I will take away the stony heart and give you an heart of flesh Yet further the power and Godhead of the Holy Ghost appeared in the effecting the glorious Conception of our Lord Jesus Christ the very Shadow of the Holy Ghost made a Virgin conceive Luke 1.35 The Holy Ghost works Miracles which transcend the sphere of Nature as raising the Dead Rom. 8.11 to him belongs 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Divine Worship our Souls and Bodies are the Temples of the Holy Ghost 1 Cor. 6.19 in which Temples he is to be worshipped vers 20. We are baptized in the Name of the Holy Ghost therefore either we must believe his Godhead or renounce our Baptism in his Name Methinks it were enough for such Men as have not so much as heard whether there be an Holy Ghost or no Acts 19.2 to deny his Deity but that any who go for Christians should deny this Article of their Creed seems to me very strange They who would wittingly and willingly blot out the third Person shall have their Names blotted out of the Book of Life Use 2. of Exhortation 1. Believe this Doctrine the Trinity of Persons in the Unity of Essence The Trinity is purely an Object of Faith The Plumb-line of Reason is too short to fathom this Mystery but where Reason cannot wade there Faith must swim There are some Truths in Religion may be demonstrated by Reason as that there is a God but the Trinity of Persons in Unity of Essence is wholly Supernatural and must be believed by Faith This Sacred Doctrine though it be not against Reason yet it is above Reason Those illuminated Philosophers that could find out the Causes of things and discourse of the Magnitude and Influence of the Stars the Nature of Minerals could never by their deepest Search find out the Mystery of the Trinity This is of Divine Revelation and must be adored with humble believing we can be no good Christians without the firm belief of the Trinity How can we pray to God the Father but in the Name of Christ and through the help of the Spirit Believe the glorious Trinity How are the Quakers to be abhorr'd who go under the Name of Christians yet undervalue and renounce Jesus Christ. I have read of some of the Quakers who speak thus We deny the Person of him whom you call Christ and affirm That they who expect to be saved by that Christ without will be damned in that Faith Could the Devil himself speak worse Blasphemy they would pull up all Religion by the Roots and take away that Corner-stone on which the Hope of our Salvation is built 2. If there be one God subsisting in three Persons then let us give 1. Equal Reverence to all the Persons in the Trinity There is not more or less in the Trinity the Father is not more God then the Son and Holy Ghost There is an Order in the Godhead but no Degrees one Person hath not a Majority or Supereminency above another therefore we must give equal Worship to all the Persons Iohn 5.23 That all Men should honour the Son as they honour the Father Adore Unity in Trinity 2. Obey all the Persons in the blessed Trinity for all of them are God 1. Obey God the Father His words either preceptive or minatory must be observed Christ himself as Man obeyed God the Father Iohn 4.34 much more then must we Deut. 27.10 2. Obey God the Son Psalm 2.12 Kiss the Son lest he be angry Kiss him with a kiss of Obedience Christ's Commands are not grievous 1 Iohn 5.3 Nothing he commands but is for our interest and benefit O then kiss the Son Why do the Elders throw down their Crowns at the feet of Christ and fall down before the Lamb Rev. 4.10 11. but to testifie their Subjection and to profess their Readiness to serve and obey him 3. Obey God the Holy Ghost our Souls are breath'd into us by the glorious Spirit Iob 33.4 The Spirit of God hath made me Our Souls are adorned by the blessed Spirit Every Grace is a Divine Sparkle lighted in the Soul by the Holy Ghost Nay more the Spirit of God sanctified Christ's Humane Nature he united it with the Divine and fitted the Man Christ to be our Mediator Well then doth this third Person in the Trinity the Holy Ghost deserve to be obeyed he is God and this Tribute of Homage and Obedience is to be paid him by us Of the CREATION Quest. VII WHat are the Decrees of God The Decrees of God are his eternal purpose according to the counsel of his own will whereby for his own
bosom as the Spouse did Cant. 1.13 lye betwixt my Breasts What was said of Ignatius that the Name of Jesus was found written in his heart should be verified of every Saint he should have Jesus Christ written in his heart CHRIST a Prophet DEUT. 18.15 The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet c. HAving spoken of the Person of Christ we are next to speak of the Offices of Christ Prophetical Priestly Regal 1. Prophetical The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet Enunciatur hic locus de Christo 't is spoken of Christ. There are several Names given to Christ as a Prophet He is called the Counsellor Isa. 6.9 In uno Christo Angelus faederis completur Fagius The Angel of the Covenant Mal. 3.1 a Lamp 2 Sam. 22.29 the bright Morning-star Rev. 22.16 Jesus Christ is the great Prophet of his Church the Woman of Samaria gave a shrewd guess Iohn 4.19 He is the best Teacher he makes all other teaching effectual Luke 24.45 Then opened he their Understanding He did not only open the Scriptures but opened their Understanding He teacheth to profit Isa. 48.17 I am the Lord thy God who teacheth thee to profit Quest. How Christ teacheth Resp. 1. Externally By his Word Psal. 119.105 Thy Word is a Lamp unto my feet Such as pretend to have a Light or Revelation above the Word or contrary to it never had their Teaching from Christ Isa. 8.20 2. Christ teacheth these sacred Mysteries Inwardly by the Spirit John 16.13 The World knows not what it is 1 Cor. 2.14 The natural man receives not the things of God neither can ye know them He knows not what it is to be Transformed by the renewing of the mind Rom. 12.2 or what the inward workings of the Spirit means these are Riddles and Paradoxes to him He may have more insight into the things of the World then a Believer but he doth not see the deep things of God A Swine may see an Acorn under the Tree but he cannot see a Star he who is taught of Christ sees the Arcana imperii the Secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven Quest. What are the Lessons Christ teacheth Answ. 1. He teacheth us to see into our own Hearts Take the most Mercurial Wits the greatest Politicians that understand the Mysteries of State yet they know not the Mysteries of their own Hearts they cannot believe there is that Evil in them as is 2 Kings 8.13 Is thy servant a dog Grande profundum est homo Aug. The Heart is a great deep which is not easily fathomed But Christ when he teacheth removes the Vail of Ignorance and lights a Man into his own Heart And now he sees swarms of vain Thoughts he blusheth to see how Sin mingles with his Duties his Stars are mixt with Clouds he prays as Austin that God would deliver him from himself 2. The second Lesson Christ teacheth is the Vanity of the Creature A Natural Man sets up his Happiness here worships the golden Image but he that Christ hath anointed with his Eye-salve hath a Spirit of Discerning he looks upon the Creature in its night dress sees it to be empty and unsatisfying not commensurate to an Heaven-born Soul Solomon had put all the Creatures into a Limbeck and when he came to extract the Spirits and Quintissence all was Vanity Eccl. 2.11 The Apostle calls it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Show or Apparition 1 Cor. 7.31 having no intrinsical Goodness 3. The third Lesson is the Excellency of Things unseen Christ gives the Soul a sight of Glory a prospect of Eternity 2 Cor. 4.18 We look not at things which are seen but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 things which are not seen Moses saw him who is invisible Hebr. 11.27 And the Patriarks saw a better Country viz. an heavenly Hebr. 11.16 where Delights of Angels Rivers of Pleasure the Flower of Joy fully ripe and blown Quest. How doth Christ's Teaching differ from other Teaching Resp. Several ways 1. Christ teacheth the Heart Others may teach the Ear Christ the Heart Acts 16.14 Whose heart the Lord opened All that the Dispensers of the Word can do is but to work Knowledge Christ works Grace They can but give you the light of the Truth Christ gives you the love of the Truth They can only teach you what to believe Christ teacheth how to believe 2 Christ gives us a Taste of the Word Ministers may set the Food of the Word before you and carve it out to you but it is only Christ causeth you to taste it 1 Pet. 2.3 If so be ye have tasted the Lord is gracious Psal. 34.8 Taste and see that the Lord is good It is one thing to hear a Truth preached another thing to taste it one thing to read a Promise another thing to taste it David had got a taste of the Word Psal. 119.102 103. Thou hast taught me How sweet are thy words unto my taste yea sweeter then honey to my mouth The Apostle calls it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the savour of Knowledge 2 Cor. 2.14 The light of Knowledge is one thing the savour another Christ makes us taste a savoriness in the Word 3. Christ when he teacheth makes us obey Others may instruct but cannot command obedience They teach to be humble but Men remain proud The Prophet had been denouncing Judgments against the People of Iudah but they would not hear Ier. 44.17 We will do whatsoever goeth out of our own mouth to bake cakes to the Queen of Heaven Men come quasi armed in Coat of Male that the Sword of the Word will not enter but when Christ comes to teach he removes this obstinacy he not only informs the Judgment but inclines the Will He doth not only come with the Light of his Word but the Rod of his Strength and makes the stubborn sinner yield to him His Grace is irresistible 4. Christ teacheth easily Others teach with difficulty Difficulty in finding out a Truth and in inculcating it Isa. 28.10 Precept must be upon precept line upon line some may Teach all their lives and the Word take no impression They complain as Isa. 49.4 I have spent my labour in vain Plough on Rocks But Christ the great Prophet teacheth with ease He can with the least touch of his Spirit convert He can say Let there be light with a word he conveys Grace 5. Christ when he teacheth makes Men willing to learn Men may teach others but they have no mind to learn Prov. 1.7 Fools despise instruction they rage at the Word as if a Patient should rage at the Physician when he brings him a Cordial thus backward are Men to their own Salvation But Christ makes his People a willing people Psal. 110.3 they prize Knowledge and hang it as a Jewel upon their Ear. Those that Christ teacheth say as Isa. 2.3 Come let us go up to the Mountain of the Lord and he will teach us of his ways and we will walk in
will put his Glory upon them This is Comfort to the poorest Christian perhaps thou hast scarce an House to put thy head in yet thou maist look up to Heaven and say There is my House there is my Country and I have already taken Possession of Heaven in my Head Christ he sits there and it will not be long before I shall sit there with him he is upon the Throne of Glory and I have his word for it I shall sit upon the Throne with him Rev. 3.21 3. Use of Exhortation Hath God highly exalted Christ let us labour to exalt him Let us exalt 1. His Person 2. His Truths 1. Let us exalt Christ in our Hearts Believe O Adore and Love him We cannot lift Christ up higher in Heaven but we may in our Hearts 2. Let us exalt him in our Lips Let us praise him our Bodies are the Temples of the Holy Ghost our Tongues must be the Organs in these Temples by praising and commending Christ we exalt him in the Esteem of others 3. Let us exalt him in our Lives By living holy Lives Vera religio haec sine macula vivere lactant It is not all the Doxologies and Prayers in the World do so exalt Christ as an holy Life this makes Christ renowned and lifts him up indeed when his Followers walk worthy of Christ. 2. Let us exalt Christ's Truths Bucholcerus in his Chronology reports of the Nobles of Polonia That ever when the Gospel is read they lay their Hands upon their Swords by that intimating they are ready to maintain the Gospel with the hazard of their Lives Let us exalt Christ's Truths maintain the Truths of Christ against Errour maintain the Doctrine of Free-grace against Merit the Deity of Christ against Socinianism Truth is the most Orient Pearl of CHRIST's Crown Contend for the truth as one would for a Sum of Money that it should not be wrested out of his hand This Christ takes to be an Exalting of him when we exalt his Truths wherein his Glory is so much concerned CHRIST the Redeemer Quest. XIX HOw doth the Spirit apply to us the Redemption purchased by Christ Resp. The Spirit applys to us the Redemption purchased by Christ by working Faith in us and uniting us thereby to Christ in our effectual Calling Here are in this Answer two things 1. Something implyed viz. That Christ is the Glorious Purchaser of our Redemption in these words The Redemption purchased by Christ. 2. Something expressed viz. That the Spirit applys to us this Redemption purchased By working Faith in us c. 1. The thing here implyed That Jesus Christ is the Glorious Purchaser of our Redemption The Doctrine of Redemption by Jesus Christ is a glorious Doctrine 't is the Marrow and Quintessence of the Gospel In this all a Christian's Comfort lies Great was the Work of Creation but greater the Work of Redemption it cost more to redeem us than to make us in the one there was but the speaking a Word in the other shedding of Bloud Luke 1.51 The Creation was but the Work of God's Fingers Psal. 8.3 Redemption the Work of his Arm Heb. 9.12 Having obtained eternal redemption for us Christ's purchasing Redemption for us implies that our sins did Mortgage and Sell us had there not been some kind of Mortgaging there had been no need of Redemption Redimere q. rursus emere Hierom. Now Christ when we were thus mortgaged and sold by Sin did purchase our Redemption Christ hath the best right to redeem us for he is our Kinsman the Hebrew word for Redeemer Goel signifies a Kinsman one that is near in Bloud in the Old Law the nearest Kinsman was to reedem his Brother's Land Ruth 4.4 Thus Christ being near a-kin to us Flesh of our flesh is the fittest to redeem us Quest. How doth Christ redeem us Resp. By his own precious Bloud Ephes. 1.7 In whom we have redemption through his bloud Among the Romans he was said to redeem another that laid down a Price equivalent for the Ransom of the Prisoner In this sence Christ is a Redeemer 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he hath paid a Price Never such a Price paid to ransom Prisoners 1 Cor. 6.20 Ye are Pretio Empti bought with a price and this Price was his own Bloud So in the Text By his own bloud he entred in once into the holy place having obtained eternal redemption for us This Bloud being the Bloud of that Person who was God as well as Man is a Price sufficient for the Ransom of Millions Quest. From what doth Christ redeem us Resp. From Sin To be redeemed from Turkish Slavery is a great Mercy but it is infinitely more to be redeemed from Sin There is nothing can hurt the Soul but Sin it is not Affliction hurts it it often makes it better as the Furnace makes Gold the purer but it is Sin that doth damnify Now Christ redeems us from Sin Heb. 9.26 Now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself Quest. But how are we redeemed from Sin Do we not see Corruption stirring in the Regenerate Much Pride and Unmortified Passion Resp. We must distinguish of Redemption Redemption is either Inchoata or Plena a Redemption but begun and perfect Sin cannot stand with a Perfect Redemption but here it is but Begun Sin may stand with an Imperfect Redemption There may be some Darkness in the Air at the Sun 's first rising but not when the Sun is at the full Meridian While our Redemption is but begun there may be Sin but not when it is perfected in Glory Quest. But in what sence hath Christ redeemed justified Persons from Sin Resp. A Reatu from the Guilt of Sin though not the Stain Guilt is the binding a Person over to Punishment Now Christ hath redeemed a justified Person from the Guilt of Sin he hath discharged his Debts Christ saith to God's Justice as Paul to Philemon If he hath wronged thee any thing or owes thee ought put that on my account Verse 18. 2. A justified Person is redeemed à Dominio from the Power and Regency of Sin though not the presence Sin may furere but not regnare it may rage in a Child of God but not reign Lust did rage in David Fear in Peter but it did not reign they recovered themselves by Repentance Rom. 6.14 Sin shall not have dominion over you Sin lives in a Child of God but it is deposed from the Throne it lives not as a King but a Captive 3. A Believer is redeemed à Maledictione from the Curse due to Sin Gal. 3.13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law being made a curse for us Christ said to his Father as Rebecca to Iacob Upon me upon me be the curse let the blessing be upon them but upon me be the curse And now there 's no Condemnation to Believers Rom. 8.1 An Unbeliever hath a double Condemnation one from
meliorates and sweetens his Services and makes them come off with a better relish Heb. 11.4 By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice then Cain 3. It must be done to a right End Finis specificat actionem The end of Obedience is glorifying God That which hath spoil'd many glorious Services is when the end hath been wrong Matth. 6.2 When thou dost thine alms do not sound a trumpet as the hypocrites do that they may have glory of men Good Works should shine but not blaze If I give my body to be burned and have not charity it profits me nothing 1 Cor. 13.3 The same I may say of a sincere aim if I obey never so much and have not a sincere Aim it profits me nothing True Obedience looks at God in all Phil. 1.20 That Christ may be magnified Though a Child of God shoots short yet he takes a right Aim 2. True Child-like Obedience is Uniform A Child of God makes Conscience of one Command as well as another Quicquid propter Deum fit aequaliter fit All God's Commands have the same Stamp of Divine Authority upon them and if I obey one Precept because my Heavenly Father commands me then by the same Rule I must obey all As the Bloud runs through all the Veins of the Body and the Sun in the Firmament runs through all the Signs of the Zodiack so true Child-like Obedience runs through the First and Second Table Psal. 119.6 When I have respect to all thy commandments To obey God in some things of Religion and not in others shows an unsound Heart Like Esau who obeyed his Father in bringing him Venison but not in a greater matter viz. the Choice of his Wife Child-like Obedience moves towards every Command of God as the Needle points that way which the Load-stone draws If God call to Duties which are cross to Flesh and Bloud if we are Children we obey our Father Quest. But who can obey God in all things Ans. An adopted Heir of Heaven though he cannot obey every Precept perfectly yet he doth evangelically 1. He approves of every Command Rom. 7.16 I consent to the law that it 〈◊〉 good 2. A Child of God delights in every Command Psal. 119.97 O how I love thy precepts 3. His desire is to obey every Command Psal. 119.5 O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes 4. Wherein he comes short he looks up to Christ's Bloud to make supply for his Defects This is Evangelical Obedience which though it be not to Satisfaction it is to Acceptation 3. True Child-like Obedience is constant Psal. 106.3 Blessed is he that doth righteousness at all times Child-like Obedience is not like an high Cholor in a Fit which is soon over but like a right Sanguine Complexion it abides it is like the Fire on the Altar which was kept always burning Lev. 6.13 Second Sign of Adoption To love to be in our Father's Presence the Child who loves his Father is never so well as when he is near his Father Are we Children we love the Presence of God in his Ordinances In Prayer we speak to God in the preaching of his Word he speaks to us And how doth every Child of God delight to hear his Father's Voice Psal. 63.1 2. My soul thirsteth for thee to see thy glory so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary Such as disregard Ordinances are not God's Children because they care not to be in God's Presence Gen. 4.17 Cain went out from the presence of the Lord. Not that he could go out of God's Sight but the meâ—ning is Cain went from the Church and People of God where the Lord gave vissible Tokens of his Presence Third Sign of Adoption To have the Conduct of God's Spirit Rom. 8. â—4 As many as are led by the spirit of God are the sons of God It is not enough that the Child have Life but it must be led every step by the Nurse so the adopted Child must not only be born of God but have the Manuduction of the Spirit to lead him in a Course of Holiness Hos. 11.3 I taught Ephraim also to go taking them by their arms As Israel were led by the Pillar of Fire so God's Children are led by the Conduct of his Spirit the adopted Ones need God's Spirit to lead them they are apt to go wrong The fleshy Part inclines to sin the Understanding and Conscience are to guide the Will but the Will is imperious and rebels therefore God's Children need the Spirit to check Corruption and lead them in the right way as the wicked Men are led by the Evil Spirit The Spirit of Satan led Herod to Incest Ahab to Murder Iudas to Treason so the good Spirit leads God's Children into Vertuous Actions Object But Enthusiasts pretend to be led by the Spirit when it is an Ignis Fatuus a Delusion Ans. The Spirit 's Conduct is agreeable to the Word Enthusiasts leave the Word The word is truth Joh. 17.17 And the spirit guides in all truth Joh. 16.13 The Word 's Teaching and the Spirit 's Leading agree together Fourth Sign If we are adopted we have an intire love to all God's Children 1 Pet. 2.17 Love the brother-hood We bear Affection to God's Children though they have some Infirmities There are the spots of God's Children Deut. 32.5 But we must love the beautiful Face of Holiness though it hath a Scar in it If we are adopted we love the Good we see in God's Children we admire their Graces we pass by their Imprudencies if we cannot love them because they have some Failings how do we think God can love us can we plead Exemption By these Signs we may know our Adoption Quest. What are the benefits which accrue to God's Children Ans. They have great Immunities King's Children have great Priviledges and Freedoms they do not pay Custom Mat. 17.6 God's Children are priviledged Persons they are priviledged from the hurt of every thing Luke 10.19 Nothing shall by any means hurt you Hit you it may not hurt you Psal. 91.10 There shall no evil befal thee God saith not no Affliction shall befal his Children but no Evil the Hurt and Poison of it is taken away Affliction to a wicked Man hath Evil in it it makes him worse it makes him curse and blaspheme Rev. 16.9 Men were scorched with great heat and blasphemed the name of God But no Evil befals a Child of God he is better'd by Affliction Heb. 12.10 The Furnace makes Gold purer Again no Evil befals the Adopted because no Condemnation Rom. 8.33 It is God that justifieth who is he that condemneth What a blessed Priviledge is this to be freed from the Sting of Affliction and the Curse of the Law to be in such a Condition that nothing can hurt one When the Dragon hath poison'd the Water the Unicorn with his Horn doth extract and draw out the Poison so Jesus Christ hath drawn out the Poison of every Affliction that it cannot
Health Riches Success but by drawing his Image of Sanctification on us by the Pensil of the Holy Ghost Branch 2. It shows the Misery of such as are destitute of a Principle of Sanctification they are spiritually dead Eph. 2.1 Though they breathe yet they do not live The greatest part of the World remain Unsanctified 1. Ioh. 5.19 The World lies in Wickedness that is the major Part of the World Many call themselves Christians yet blot out the word Saints you may as well call him a Man who wants Reason as him a Christian who wants Grace Nay which is worse some are boy'd up to such an height of Wickedness that they hate and deride Sanctification 1. They hate it 't is bad to want it it is worse to hate it they embrace the Form of Religion but hate the Power The Vulter hates sweet smells so do they the Perfume of Holiness 2. Deride it these are your Holy Ones To deride Sanctification argues an high Degree of Atheism and is a black Brand of Reprobation Scoffing Ishmael was cast out of Abraham's Family Gen. 21.9 Such as scoff at Holiness shall be cast out of Heaven 2. Use of Exhortation Above all things pursue after Sanctification seek Grace more then Gold Prov. 4.13 Keep her for she is thy life Quest. What are the chief Inducements to Sanctification Resp. First it is the Will of God that we should be Holy In the Text This is the will of God your sanctification As God's Word must be the Rule so his Will the Reason of our Actions This is the Will of God our Sanctification Perhaps it is not the Will of God we should be rich but it is his Will that we should be holy God's Will is our Warrant 2. Jesus Christ hath died for our Sanctification Christ shed his blood to wash off our impurity The Cross was both an Altar and a Lavor Tit. 2.14 Who gave himself for us to redeem us from all iniquity If we could be saved without holiness Christ needed not have died Christ died not only to save us from wrath but from sin 3. Sanctification makes us resemble God It was Adam's sin that he aspired to be like God in Omnisciency but we must endeavour to be like him in Sanctity It is only a clear Glass in which you can see a face it is only an holy Heart in which something of God can be seen there is nothing of God to be seen in an unsanctified Man you may see Satan's Picture in him Envy is the Devil's Eye Hypocrisie his cloven Foot but nothing of God's Image can be seen in him You can see no more of God in him then you can see a Man's face in a Glass that is dusty and foul 4. Sanctification is that God bears a great love to Not any outward Ornaments high blood or worldly grandure draws God's love but an heart embellished with holiness Christ never admired any thing but the beauty of holiness he slighted the glorious buildings of the Temple but admired the Womans Faith O woman great is thy faith Amor fundatur similitudine A King delights to see his Image upon a piece of Coin where God sees his likeness there he gives his love The Lord hath two Heavens he dwells in and the holy Heart is one of them 5. Sanctification is the only thing doth difference us from the wicked God's People have his Seal upon them 2 Tim. 2.19 The foundation of God standeth sure having this Seal the Lord knoweth them that are his and let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity The Godly are sealed with a double Seal 1. a Seal of Election The Lord knoweth who are his 2. a Seal of Sanctification Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity This is the name by which God's People are known Isa. 63.18 Gnam Kodsheca the people of thy holiness As Chastity distinguisheth a vertuous Woman from an Harlot so Sanctification distinguisheth God's People from others 1 Ioh. 2.27 Ye have received an unction from the holy one 6. It is a shame to have the Name of a Christian yet want Sanctity as to have the Name of a Steward yet want Fidelity the Name of a Virgin yet want Chastity It exposeth Religion to reproach to be baptized into the Name of Christ yet unholy to have Eyes full of Tears on a Sabbath and on a Week-day Eyes full of Adultery 2 Pet. 2.14 To be so devout at the Lord's Table as if Men were stepping into Heaven and so prophane the Week after as if they came out of Hell To have the Name of Christians yet unholy is a Scandal to Religion and make the ways of God evil spoken of 7. Sanctification fits for Heaven 2 Pet. 1.3 Who hath called us to glory and vertue Glory is the Throne and Sanctification is the Step by which we ascend to it First you cleanse the Vessel and then you pour in the Wine First God cleanseth us by Sanctification and then pours in the Wine of Glory Solomon was first anointed with Oil and then he was King 1 Kings 1.39 First God anoints us with the holy Oil of his Spirit and then he sets the Crown of Happiness upon our Head Pureness of Heart and seeing God are link'd together Matth. 5.8 Quest. How may Sanctification be attained to Resp. 1. Be conversant in the Word of God Iohn 17.17 Sanctifie them through thy truth The Word is both a Glass to shew us the Spots of our Soul and a Lavor to wash them away the Word hath a transforming vertue in it it irradiates the mind and consecrates the heart 2. Get Faith in Christ's Blood Acts 15.9 Having purified their hearts by faith She in the Gospel that touched the hem of Christ's Garment was healed a touch of Faith purifies nothing can have a greater force upon the heart to sanctifie it then Faith If I believe Christ and his Merits are mine how can I sin against him Justifying Faith doth that in a Spiritual sense which miraculous Faith doth it removes Mountains the Mountain of Pride Lust Envy Faith and the love of sin are inconsistent 3. Breathe after the Spirit it is called the sanctification of the Spirit 2 Thess. 2.13 The Spirit sanctifies the Heart as Lightning purifies the Air as Fire refines Metals Omne agens generat sibi simile The Spirit stamps the impress of its own Sanctity upon the Heart as the Seal prints its Effigies and Likeness upon the Wax The Spirit of God in a Man perfumes him with Holiness and makes his Heart a Map of Heaven 4. Associate with sanctified Persons They may by their Counsel Prayers holy Example be a means to make you holy As the communion of Saints is in our Creed so it should be in our Company Prov. 13.20 He that walketh with the wise shall be wise Association begets Assimilation 5. Pray for Sanctification Iob propounds a Question Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean
grow Grace doth not lye in the Heart as a stone in the Earth but as Seed in the Earth which will spring up first the Blade and then the Ear and then the full Corn in the Ear. 2. Grace cannot but grow from the Sweetness and Excellency of it he that hath Grace is never weary of it but still would have more The Delight he hath in it causeth thirst Grace is the Image of God and a Christian thinks he can never be enough like God Grace instills Peace therefore a Christian cannot but strive to increase in Grace because as Grace grows so Peace grows 3. Grace cannot but grow from a Believers ingrafting into Christ he who is a Cien ingrafted into this noble generous Stock cannot but grow Christ is so full of Sap and vivifical Influence that he makes all inoculated into him grow Fruitful Hos. 14.8 From me is thy Fruit found Quest. 4. What motives or incentives are there to make us grow in Grace Resp. 1. Growth is the end of the Ordinances Why doth a Man lay out cost on Ground Manure and Water it but that it may grow The sincere Milk of the Word is that we may grow thereby 1 Pet. 2.2 The Table of the Lord is on purpose for our Spiritual Nourishment and encrease of Grace 2. The growth of Grace is the best Evidence of the Truth of it things that have no Life will not grow a Picture will not grow a Stake in the Hedge will not grow but a Plant that hath a Vegetative life grows The growing of Grace shews it to be alive in the Soul 3. Growth in Grace is the beauty of a Christian. The more a Child grows the more it comes to its Favour and Complexion and looks more Ruddy so the more a Christian grows in Grace the more he comes to his Spiritual Complexion he looks fairer Abraham's Faith was beautiful when in its Infancy but at last it grew so Vigorous and Eminent that God himself was in love with it and crown'd Abraham with this Honour to be the Father of the Faithful 4. The more we grow in Grace the more Glory we bring to God Gods Glory is more worth than the Salvation of all Mens Souls This should be our design to raise the Trophies of Gods Glory and how can we do it more than by growing in Grace Iohn 15.8 Hereby is my Father glorified if you bring forth much Fruit. Though the least Dram of Grace will bring Salvation to us yet it will not bring so much Glory to God Phil. 1.11 Fill'd with the Fruits of his Righteousness which are to the Praise of his Glory It commends the skill of the Husbandman when his Plants grow and thrive it is a praise and honour to God when we thrive in Grace 5. The more we grow in Grace the more will God love us Is it not That we pray for The more Growth the more will God love us The Husbandman loves his Thriving Plants the thriving Christian is Gods Hephsibah or chief delight Christ loves to see the Vine flourishing and the Pomegranates budding Cant. 6.11 Christ accepts the truth of Grace but commends the growth of Grace Mat. 8.10 I have not found so great Faith no not in Israel Would you be as the beloved Disciple that lay in Christ's Bosom Would you have much love from Christ Labour for much growth let Faith flourish with good Works and Love increase into Zeal 6. What need we have to grow in Grace There is still something lacking in our Faith 1 Thes. 3.10 Grace is but in its Infancy and Minority and we must be still adding a Cubit to our Spiritual Stature the Apostles said Lord encrease our Faith Luke 17.5 Grace is but weak 2 Sam. 3.39 I am this Day weak tho anointed King So though we are anointed with Grace yet we are but weak and had need arrive at further degrees of Sanctity 7. The growth of Grace will hinder the growth of Corruption The more Health grows the more the Distempers of Body abate So it is in Spirituals the more Humility grows the more the Swelling of Pride is asswaged the more Purity of Heart grows the more the Fire of Lust is abated The growth of Flowers in the Garden doth not hinder the growing of Weeds but the growing of this Flower of Grace hinders the sprouting of Corruption As some Plants have an Antipathy and will not thrive if they grow near together as the Vine and the Bay-tree so where Grace grows Sin will not thrive so fast 8. We cannot grow too much in Grace there is no Nimium no Excess there The Body may grow too great as in the Dropsie but Faith cannot grow too great 2 Thes. 1.3 Your Faith groweth exceedingly here was Exceeding yet no Excess As a Man cannot have too much Health so not too much Grace Grace is the Beauty of Holiness Psal. 110.3 We cannot have too much Spiritual Beauty it will be the only Trouble at Death that we have grown no more in Grace 9. Such as do not grow in Grace decay in Grace non progredi in via est regredi Bern. There is no standing at a stay in Religion either we go forward or backward if Faith doth not grow Unbelief will If Heavenly Mindedness doth not grow Covetousness will A Man that doth not encrease his Stock diminisheth it If you do not improve your Stock of Grace your Stock will decay The Angels on Iacob's Ladder were either ascending or descending if you do not ascend in Religion you descend 10. The more we grow in Grace the more we shall flourish in Glory Though every Vessel of Glory shall be full yet some Vessels hold more he whose Pound gained Ten was made Ruler over Ten Cities Luke 19.17 Such as do not grow much though they do not lose their Glory yet they lessen their Glory If any shall follow the Lamb in whiter and larger Robes of Glory than others they shall be such as have shined most in Grace here Use. Lament we may the want of growth Religion in many is grown only into a Form and Profession This is to grow in Leaves not in Fruit. Many Christians are like a Body in an Atrophy which doth not thrive they are not nourished by the Sermons they hear like the Angels who assumed Bodies they did eat but did not grow It is very suspicious where there is no growth there wants a Vital Principle Some instead of growing better grow worse they grow more Earthly more Profane 2 Tim. 3.13 Evil Men proficient in Pejus shall wax worse and worse Many grow Hell-ward they grow past shame Eph. 23.5 they are like some Watred Stuffs which grow more rotten Quest. 5. How shall we know whether we grow in Grace Resp. For the deciding of this Question I shall First shew the signs of our not not growing Secondly Of our growing 1. The Signs of our not growing in Grace but rather falling into a Spiritual Consumption Sign 1. When
Commandments for a sign upon thy Hand and they shall be as Frontlets between thine Eyes Deut. 6.8 The Pharisees took it in the Literal Sense they got Two Scrolls of Parchment wherein they wrote the Two Tables putting one on their Left Arms and binding the other to their Eye-brows Thus they wrested the Scripture and took Gods Name in vain That Scripture was to be understood Spiritually and by a Figure God meant by binding his Law upon their Hands that they should meditate in his Law and put it in practice And so the Papists expound that Scripture This is my Body Literally of the very Body of Christ then when Christ gave the Bread he should have had Two Bodies one in the Bread and the other out of the Bread whereas Christ meant it Figuratively It is a sign of my Body Thus they by wresting the Scripture to a wrong Sense prophane it and take Gods Name in vain Secondly When we expound those Scriptures Figuratively and Allegorically which the Holy Ghost means Literally For example Christ said to Peter launch out into the Deep and make a Draught Luke 5.4 This Text is spoken in a plain Literal Sense of Launching out the Ship but the Papists take it in a Mystical and Allegorical This Text proves say they That the Pope which is Peter's Successor shall launch forth and catch the Ecclesiastical and Political power over the West Parts of the World this say they was meant when Christ bad Peter launch out into the Deep But I think the Papists have launched out too far beyond the meaning of the Text. When Men strain their Wits to wrest the Word to such a Sense as pleaseth them they do profane Gods Word and highly take his Name in vain VII We take Gods Name in vain when we swear by his Name Many seldom name God's Name but in Oaths for this Sin the Land Mourns Mat. 5.34 Swear not at all that is Rashly and Sinfully so as to take Gods Name in vain not but that in some cases it is lawful to take an Oath before a Magistrate Deut. 6.13 Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God and serve him and Swear by his Name Heb. 6.16 An Oath for Confirmation is an end of all strife But when Christ saith Swear not at all he forbids such a Swearing as takes Gods Name in vain There is a Three-fold Swearing forbidden 1. Vain Swearing when Men in their ordinary Discourse let fly Oaths Some will go to excuse their Swearing It is a course Wool that will take no Dye and a bad Sin indeed that hath no Excuse Excuse 1. I swear little trifling Oaths as Faith or by the Mass. Resp. The Devil hath Two false Glasses which he sets before Mens Eyes the one is a little Glass in which the Sin appears so small that it can hardly be seen this Glass the Devil sets before Mens Eyes when they are going to commit Sin the other is a great Multiplying Glass wherein Sin appears so big that it cannot be forgiven The Devil sets this before Mens Eyes when they have sinned Thou that sayest Sin is small when God shall open the Eye of thy Conscience then thou wilt see it great and be ready to despair But to answer this Plea thou sayest they are but small Oaths but Christ forbids Vain Oaths Swear not at all If God will reckon with us for Idle Words shall not Idle Oaths be put in the Account Book Excuse 2. But I swear to the Truth See how this Harlot-Sin would paint it self with an Excuse Resp. 1. Though it be true yet if it be a Rash Oath 't is Sinful Besides 2. He that swears commonly it cannot be avoided but sometimes he may swear more than is true as where much Water runs some Gravel or Mud will pass along with the Water so where there is much Swearing some Lies will run along with the Oaths Excuse 3. But I shall not be believed unless I seal up my Word with an Oath Resp. 1. A Man that is Honest will be believed without an Oath his bare Word carries Authority with it and is as good as Letters Testimonial 2. I answer He who swears the more he swears the less others will believe him Iuras credit minus Thou art a Swearer Another thinks an Oath weighs very light with thee thou carest not what thou swearest and the more thou swearest the less he believes thee He will trust thy Bond but not thy Oath Excuse 4. But it is a Custom of Swearing I have gotten and I hope God will forgive me Resp. Though among Men custom Carries it and is pleadable in Law yet it is not so in the case of Sin Custom here is no Plea Thou hast got an habit of Swearing and canst not leave it is this an Excuse Is a thing well done because it is commonly done This is so far from being an Excuse that it is an Aggravation of Sin As if one that had been accused for Killing a Man should plead with the Judge to spare him because it was his Custom to Murder this is an Aggravation of the Offence so it is here Therefore all Excuses for this Sin of Vain-Swearing are taken away Dare not to live in this Sin it is a taking Gods Name in vain 2. Vile Swearing Horrid prodigious Oaths not to be named Swearers like Mad Dogs fly in the Face of Heaven and when they are angred spue out their blasphemous Venom on Gods Sacred Majesty Some in Gaming when things go cross and the Dice run against them their Tongues run as fast against God in Oaths and Curses And tell them of their Sin go to bring home these Asses from going astray and it is but pouring Oyl on the Flame they will swear the more St. Austin saith They do no less Sin who blaspheme Christ now in Heaven than the Jews did who Crucified him upon Earth Swearers prophane Christs Blood and tear his Name An Harlot told her Husband that of her Three Sons there was but one of them his the Father dying desired the Executors to find out which was the true natural Son and all his Estate he bequeathed to him The Father being dead the Executors set up his Corps against a Tree and delivered to every one of these Three Sons a Bow and Arrows telling them that he who could shoot nearest the Fathers Heart should have all the Estate the Two Bastard Sons shot as near as they could to his Heart but the Third did feel nature so work in him that he refused to shoot at his Fathers Heart Whereupon the Executors judged him to be the true Son and gave all the Estate to him Such as are the true Children of God fear to shoot at him but such as are Bastards and not Sons care not though they shoot at him in Heaven with their Oaths and Curses And which makes Swearing yet more heinous is when Men have resolved upon any wicked Action they bind themselves with an Oath to do it such
Presence Ioh. 8.56 Abraham saw my day and rejoyced So when we see the Light of a Sabbath shine we should rejoyce Isa. 58.13 Thou shalt call the Sabbath a delight This is the Queen of Days which God hath Crowned with a Blessing As there was one Day in the Week on which God did rain Manna twice as much as upon any other Day so God rains down the Manna of Heavenly Blessings twice as much on the Sabbath as on any other This is the Day wherein Christ carries the Soul into the House of Wine and displays the Banners of Love over it Now the Dew of the Spirit falls on the Soul whereby it is revived and comforted How many may write the Lord's day the day of their New Birth This day of Rest is a Pledge and Earnest of that Eternal Rest in Heaven and shall not we rejoyce at the approach of it That day on which the Sun of Righteousness shines should be a day of Gladness 2. Get up betimes on the Sabbath-morning Christ rose early on this day before the Sun was up Iohn 20.1 Did Christ rise early to save us and shall not we rise early to worship and glorifie him Psal. 63.1 Early will I seek thee Can we be up betimes on other days The Husbandman is early at his Plough the Traveller riseth early to go his Journey and shall not we when we are on this day travelling to Heaven Certainly did we love God as we should we would rise on this day betimes that we may meet with him whom our Soul loveth Such as sit up late at work on the Night before will be so buried in sleep that they will hardly be up betimes on a Sabbath-morning 3. Having dressed our Bodies we must dress our Souls for the hearing of the Word As the People of Israel were to wash themselves before the Law was delivered to them Exod. 19.10 so we must wash and cleanse our Souls and that is by Reading Meditation and Prayer I. By Reading the Word The Word is a great means to sanctifie the Heart and bring it into a Sabbath-frame Iohn 17.17 Sanctifie them through thy truth c. And read the Word not carelesly but with seriousness and affection it is the Oracle of Heaven the Well of Salvation the Book of Life David for the preciousness of God's Word esteemed it above Gold and for the sweetness above Honey Psal. 19.10 By reading the Word aright our Hearts when they are dull are quickened when they are hard are mollified when cold and frozen are enflam'd and we can say as the Disciples Did not our Hearts burn within us Some step out of their Bed to hearing The Reason why many get no more good on a Sabbath by the Word Preached is because they did not break Fast with God in the Morning by the Reading of his Word II. Meditation Get upon the Mount of Meditation and so converse with God Meditation is the Soul 's retiring of its self that by a serious and solemn thinking upon God the Heart may be raised up to Divine Affections Meditation is a Work fit for the Morning of a Sabbath Meditate on Four things 1. On the Works of Creation That is express'd here in the Commandment The Lord made Heaven and Earth the Sea c. The Creation is a Looking-glass in which we see the Wisdom and Power of God gloriously represented God produced this fair Structure of the World without any pre-existent Matter and with a Word Psal. 33.6 By the Word of the Lord were the Heavens made The Disciples wondred that Christ could with a Word calm the Sea Matth. 8.26 but it was far more with a Word to make the Sea Let us on a Sabbath meditate on the Infiniteness of our Creator look up to the Firmament there we may see God's Glory blazing in the Sun twinkling in the Stars look into the Sea there we may see God's Wonders in the Deep Psal. 107.24 Look into the Earth there we may behold the Nature of Minerals the Power of the Load-stone the Vertue of Herbs and Beauty of Flowers By meditating on these Works of Creation so curiously embroidered we come to admire God and praise him Psal. 104.24 O Lord how manifold are thy Works in Wisdom hast thou made them all By meditating on the Works of Creation we come to confide in God He who can Create can Provide he that could make us when we were nothing he can raise us when we are low Psal. 124.8 Our Help stands in the Name of the Lord who made Heaven and Earth 2. Meditate on God's Holiness Psal. 111.9 Holy and reverend is his Name Hab. 1.13 Thou art of purer Eyes than to behold Iniquity God is Essentially Originally and Efficiently Holy All the Holiness in Men and Angels is but a Chrystal Stream that runs from this Glorious Ocean God loves Holiness because it is his own Image A King cannot but love to see his own Effigies stamp'd on Coyn. God counts Holiness his Glory and the most sparkling Jewel of his Crown Exod. 15.11 Glorious in Holiness Here is a Meditation fit for our first entrance into a Sabbath God's Holiness The Contemplation of this would work in us such a Frame of Heart as is suitable to an Holy God It would make us then Reverence his Name Hallow his Day While we are musing of the Holiness of God's Nature we begin to be transformed into his Likeness 3. Meditate on Christ's Love in redeeming us Rev. 1.5 Redemption exceeds Creation the one is a Monument of God's Power the other of his Love Here is fit Work for a Sabbath O the infinite stupendious Love of Christ in raising poor lapsed Creatures from a state of Guilt and Damnation 1. That Christ who was God should die That this Glorious Sun of Righteousness should be in an Eclipse we can never enough admire this Love no not in Heaven 2. That Christ should die for Sinners Not sinful Angels but sinful Mankind That such Clods of Earth and Sin should be made bright Stars of Glory O the amazing Love of Christ This was Illustre amoris Christi mnemosynum 3. That Christ should not only die for Sinners but die as a Sinner 2 Cor. 5.21 He was made sin for us He who was among the Glorious Persons of the Trinity was numbred among Transgressors Isa. 53.12 Not that he had Sin but he was like a Sinner having our Sins imputed to him Sin did not live in him but it was laid upon him Here was an Hyperbole of Love enough to strike us into Astonishment 4. That Christ should redeem us when he could not look to gain any thing or be at all advantaged by us Men will not lay out their Mony upon a Purchase unless it will turn to their Profit But what Benefit could Christ expect in purchasing and redeeming us We were in such a Condition that we could neither deserve nor recompense Christ's Love First We could not deserve it for we were in
we love we fix our Minds upon He that loves his Pleasures and Recreations his Mind is fixed on them and he can follow them without Distraction Were our Love more set upon the Word Preached our Minds would be more fixed upon it And surely there is enough to make us love the Word Preached for it is the Word of Life the Inlet to Knowledge the Antidote against Sin the Quickner of Holy Affections It is the True Manna which hath all sorts of sweet Tasts in it It is the Pool of Bethesda in which the Rivers of Life spring forth to heal the broken in Heart It is a Soveveraign Elixir or Cordial to revive the sorrowful Spirit Get Love to the Word Preached and you will not be so distracted in hearing What the Heart delights in the Thoughts dwell upon II. If you would sanctifie the Sabbath by deligent attentive hearing take heed of Drowsiness in Hearing Drowsiness shows much Irreverence How lively are many when they are about the World but in the Worship of God how drowsie as if the Devil had given them some Opium to make them sleep A Drowsie Temper is now very absurd and sinful Are not you in Prayer asking Pardon of sin Will the Prisoner fall asleep when he is begging his Pardon In the Preaching of the Word is not the Bread of Life breaking to you and will a Man fall asleep at his Food Which is worse to stay from a Sermon or sleep at a Sermon While you sleep perhaps that Truth was delivered which might have converted your Souls Besides sleeping is very offensive in these Holy Assemblies It is not only a grieving the Spirit of God but a making the Hearts of the Righteous sad Ezek. 13.22 It troubles them to see any show such a Contempt of God and his Worship to see Men busie in the Shop but drowsie in the Temple Therefore as Christ said Mat. 26.40 Could ye not watch one Hour So can ye not wake one Hour I deny not but a Child of God may sometimes through Weakness and Indisposition of Body drop asleep at a Sermon but it is not voluntary or ordinary The Sun may be in an Eclipse but not often If sleeping be customary and allowed it is a very bad sign and is a profaning of the Ordinance A good Remedy against Drowsiness is to use a Spare Diet upon this Day Such as indulge their Appetite too much on a Sabbath are fitter to sleep on a Couch than pray in the Temple Now that you may throw off Distracting Thoughts and Drowsiness on the Lord's Day and may hear the Word with reverend Attention consider 1. It is God that speaks to us in his Word therefore the Preaching of the Word is called the Breath of his Lips Isa. 11.4 And Christ is said now to speak to us from Heaven Heb. 12.25 as a King speaks in his Ambassador Ministers are but as the Pipes and Organs it is the Spirit of the Living God breathes in them When we come to the Word we should think thus with our selves God speaks in this Preacher The Thessalonians heard the Word Paul Preached as if God himself had spoken to them 1 Thess. 2.13 When ye received the Word of God which ye heard of us ye receiv'd it not as the Word of Men but as it is in truth the Word of God When Samuel knew it was the Lord that spake to him he lent his Ear 1 Sam. 3.10 If we do not regard God when he speaks to us he will not regard us when we pray to him 2. Consider how serious and weighty the matters delivered to us are As Moses said Deut. 30.19 I call Heaven and Earth â—o record this day that I have set before you Life and Death Can Men be regardless of the Word or drowsie when the weighty matters of Eternity are set before them We Preach of Faith and Holiness of Life and the Day of Judgment and the Eternal Recompences here is Life and Death set before you and doth not all this call for serious Attention If a Letter were read to one of special business wherein his Life and Estate were concern'd would not he be very serious in listning to that Letter In the Preaching of the Word your Salvation is concerned and if ever you will attend it should be now Deut. 32.47 It is not a vain thing for you because it is your Life 3. To give way to Vain Thoughts and Drowsiness in hearing doth much gratifie Satan He knows that not to mind a Duty is all one as not to do a Duty Quicquid cor non facit non sit in Religion What the Heart doth not do is not done Therefore Christ saith of some Hearing they hear not Mat. 13.13 How could that be Because tho' the Word sounded in their Ear yet they minded not what was said to them their Thoughts were upon other things therefore it was all one as if they did not â—ear Hearing they hear not And doth not this please Satan to see Men come to the Word and as good stay away They are haunted with vain Thoughts they are taken off the Duty while they are in it their Body is in the Assembly their Heart in their Shop Hearing they hear not 4. It may be the last Sabbath that ever we shall keep We may go from the place of Hearing to the place of Judging and shall not we give Reverend Attention to the Word Did we think thus when we come into God's House Perhaps this will be the last time that ever God will counsel us about our Souls before another Sermon Death's Alarum will sound in our Ears With what Attention and Devotion should we come hither and our Affections would be all on Fire in hearing 5. You must give an Account for every Sermon you hear Luke 16.2 Redde rationem Give an account of thy Stewardship So will God say Give an Account of thy Hearing Hast thou been affected with the Word Hast thou profited by it And how can we give an Account if we have been distracted in hearing and have not taken notice what hath been said to us The Judge to whom we must give an Account is God Were one to give an Account to Man he might falsifie his Accounts but we must give an Account to God Nec donis corrumpitur nec blanditiis fallitur He is so Iust a God that he cannot be bribed and so Wise that he cannot be deceived Therefore being to give an Account to such an impartial Judge how should we observe every Word Preached remembring the Account Let all this make us shake off Distraction and Drowsiness in Hearing and have our Ears chain'd to the Word EXOD. XX. 8 Remember the Sabbath-day to keep it holy c. II. If you would hear the Word aright lay aside those things which may render the Word Preached ineffectual As 1. Curiosity Some come to the Word Preached not so much to get Grace as to enrich themselves with Notions Itching Ears
2 Tim. 4.3 Austin confesseth that before his Conversion he went to hear St. Ambrose rather for his Eloquence than the Spirituality of the matter Ezek. 33.32 Thou art unto them as a very lovely Song of one that hath a pleasant Voice and can play well on an Instrument Many come to the Word only to feast their Ears they like the Melody of the Voice the Mellifluous Sweetness of the Expression the Newness of the Notion Acts 17.21 This is to love the Garnishing of the Dish more than the Food This is to desire to be pleased rather than edifyed Like a Woman that paints her Face but neglects her Health So they paint and adorn themselves with curious Speculations but neglect their Souls Health This hearing doth neither sanctifie the Heart nor the Sabbath 2. Lay aside Prejudice 1. Prejudice against the Truths Preached The Sadduces were prejudiced against the Doctrin of the Resurrection Luke 20.27 2. Prejudice against the Person preaching 1 King 22.8 There is one Micaiah by whom we may enquire of the Lord but I hate him This hinders the Vertue of the Word If a Patient hath an ill Opinion of his Physician he will not take any of his Receipts tho never so good Prejudice in the Mind is like an Obstruction in the Stomach which hinders the Nutritive Vertue of the Meat Prejudice poysons the Word and makes it to lose its Efficacy 3. Lay aside Covetousness Covetousness is in not only getting the World unjustly but loving it inordinately This is a Great Hindrance to the Word Preached The Seed which fell among Thorns was choked Mat. 13.22 An Emblem of the Word being Preached to a Covetous Hearer The Covetous Man is thinking of the World when he is hearing his Heart is in his Shop Ezek. 33.31 They sit before thee as my People and they hear thy Words but their Heart goeth after their Covetousness A Covetous Hearer derides the Word Luke 16.14 The Pharisees who were covetous heard all and they derided him 4. Lay aside Partiality Partiality in hearing is when we like to hear some Truths Preached but not all We love to hear of Heaven but not of Self-denial of reigning with Christ but not of suffering of the more Facil Duties of Religion but not them which are more knotty and difficult as Mortification laying the Ax to the Root and hewing down their Beloved Sin Isa. 30.10 Proyhesie smooth things such as may not grate upon our Conscience Many like to hear of the Love of Christ but not of loving their Enemies They like the Comforts of the Word not the Reproofs Herod heard Iohn Baptist gladly he liked many Truths but not when he spake against his Incest Lay aside Partiality 5. Lay aside Censoriousness Some instead of judging themselves for Sin sit as Judges upon the Preacher Either his Sermon had too much Gall in it or it was too long These will sooner censure a Sermon than practise it God will judge the Judger Mat. 7.1 6. Lay aside Disobedience Rom. 10.21 All the day long have I stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient People 'T is spoken of the Jews God stretched out his Hands in the Preaching of the Word but they rejected Christ. Let there be none among you that wilfully refuse the Counsels of the Word 'T is sad to have an Adders Ear an Adamant Heart Zac. 7.11 12. If when God speaks to us in his Word we are deaf when we speak to him in Prayer he will be dumb III. If you would hear the Word aright have God Ends in hearing Come to the Word to be made better Some have no other end in hearing but because it is in Fashion or to gain Repute or stop the Mouth of Consbience But come to the Word to be made more Holy There 's a great deal of difference between one that goes to a Garden for Flowers to wear in her Bosom and another that goes for Flowers to make Syrups and Medicines of We should go to the Word for a Medicine to cure us as Naaman the Syrian went to Iordan to be healed of his Leprosie 1 Pet. 2.2 Desire the sincere Milk of the Word that ye may grow thereby Come to the Word to be changed into the Similitude of it As the Seal leaves its Print upon the Wax so labour that the Word Preached may leave the Print of its own Holiness upon your Heart Labour that the Word may have such a Vertue upon you as the Water of Jealousie to kill and make fruitful Numb 5.27 That it may kill your Sins and make your Souls fruitful in Grace IV. If you would hear the Word aright come to it with Delight The Word Preached is a Feast of fat things With what Delight do Men come to a Feast The Word Preached anoynts the blind Eye mollifies the Rocky Heart it beats off our Fetters and turns us from the Power of Satan to God Acts 26.18 The Word is the Seed of Regeneration Iam. 1.18 the Engine of Salvation Hear the Word with Delight and Complacency Ier. 15.16 Thy Words were found and I did eat them they were the joy and rejoycing of my Heart Psal. 119.103 How sweet are thy words unto my taste yea sweeter than Honey unto my mouth Yea love that Word which comes most home to the Conscience Bless God when your Corruptions have been met with when the Sword of the Spirit hath divided between you and your Sins Who cares for that Physick which will not work V. If you would hear the Word aright mix it with Faith Believe the Verity of the Word Preached that it is that Word by which you must be judged and not only give Credence to the Word Preached but learn to apply it to your own Souls Faith concocts the Word and turns it into Spiritual Nourishment Many hear the Word but it may be said of them as Psal. 106.24 They believed not his Word As Melancton once said to some of the Italians Ye Italians Worship God in the Bread when ye do not believe him to be in Heaven So many hear God's Word but do not believe that God is they question the Truth of his Oracles If we do not mix Faith with the Word it is like leaving out the Chief Ingredient in a Medicine which makes it ineffectual Unbelief hardens Mens Hearts against the Word Acts 19.9 Divers were hardened and believed not Men hear many Truths delivered concerning the Preciousness of Christ the Beauty of Holiness the Felicity of a Glorified Estate but if through Unbelief and Atheism they question these Truths we may as well speak to the Stones and Pillars of the Church as to them That Word which is not Believed can never be Practised Vbi male creditur ibi nec benè vivitur Unbelief makes the Word Preached of no effect Heb. 9.2 The Word preached did not profit not being mixed with Faith in them that heard it The Word to an Unbeliever is like Dioscordium put into a Dead Man's Mouth which
loseth all its Vertue If there be any Unbelievers in our Congregations what shall Ministers say to God at the last Day Lord we have preached to the People thou sentest us to we showed them our Commission we declared unto them the whole Counsel of God but they believed never a Word we spake We told them what would be the Fruit of Sin but they would drink their Sugared Draught tho there was Death in the Cup Lord we are free from their Blood God forbid that ever Ministers should make this Report to God of their People But this they must be forc'd to do if People live and die in Unbelief Would you sanctifie a Sabbath in hearing the Word aright Hear the Word with Faith The Apostle puts these two together Belief and Salvation Heb. 10.39 We are of them that believe to the Saving of the Soul VI. If you would hear the Word aright hear it with meek Spirits Iam. 1.21 Receive the Word in mansuetudine with meekness Meekness is a submissive Frame of Heart to the Word Contrary to this Meekness is Fierceness of Spirit when Men rise up in a Rage against the Word As if the Patient should be angry with the Physician when he gives him a Receipt to purge out his bad Humours Acts 7.54 When they heard this they were cut to the Heart and gnashed on Stephen with their Teeth 2 Chron. 16.10 Asa was wroth with the Seer and put him in a Prison-House Pride and Guilt make Men â—ret at the Word What made Asa storm so but Pride He was a King and thought he was too good to be told of his Sin What made Cain so angry when God said to him Where is Abel thy Brother Saith he Am I my Brothers Keeper What made him so touchy but Guilt He had embrued his Hands in his Brothers Blood If you would hear the Word aright lay down your Passions Receive the Word with Meekness get humble Hearts to submit to the Truths delivered God takes the meek Person to be his Scholar Psal. 25.9 The Meek will he teach his way Meekness makes the Word Preached to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an engrafted Word Iam. 1.21 A good Cion grafted into a Bad Stock changeth the Nature of it and makes it bear sweet and generous Fruit. So when the Word Preached is grafted into Man's Heart it sanctifies them and makes them bring forth the sweet Fruits of Righteousness By Meekness it becomes an engrafted Word VII If you would hear the Word aright be not only attentive but retentive Lay the Word up in your Memories and Hearts Luke 8.15 The Seed on the good Ground are they who having heard the Word keep it The Greek Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to keep signifies to hold the Word fast that it doth not run from us If the Seed be not kept in the Ground but is presently washed away it is sown to little purpose So if the Word Preached be not kept in your Memories and Hearts it is Preached in vain Many People have Memories like leaking Vessels the Word goes out as fast as it comes in How can it profit If a Treasure be put in a Chest and the Chest be not lock'd it may easily be taken out A bad Memory is like a Chest without a Lock the Devil can easily take out all the Treasure Luke 8.12 Then comes the Devil and takes away the Word out of their Hearts Labour to keep in Memory the Truths you hear The things we esteem we are not so apt to forget Will a Bride forget her Iewels Ier. 2.32 Can a Maid forget her Ornaments Did we prize the Word more we should not so soon forget it If the Meat doth not stay in the Stomach but comes up as fast as we eat it it cannot nourish So if the Word stays not in the Memory but is presently gone it can do the Soul but little good VIII If you would hear aright practise what you hear Practice is the Life of all Rev. 22.14 Blessed are they that do his Commandments that they may have right to the Tree of Life Bare Hearing will be no Plea at the Day of Judgment Lord I have heard so many Sermons But God will say What Fruits of Obedience have ye brought forth The Word we Preach is not only to inform you but to reform you not only to mend your Sight but to mend your Pace in the way to Heaven A good Hearer is like the Helitropium c. it opens and shuts with the Sun to God against Sin Now that you may sanctifie a Sabbath by Hearing 1. If you do not hear the Word aright you lose all your Labour How many a weary Step have you taken Your Body hath been crowded your Spirit faint if you are not bettered by hearing if you are as proud as vain as earthly as ever all your hearing is lost You would be loth to Trade in vain and why not as well to hear Sermons in vain Iob 9.29 Why then labour I in vain Put this Question to thy own Soul Why labour I in vain Why do I take all this Pains to hear yet have not the Grace to practise I am as bad as ever why then labour I in vain 2. If you hear the Word and are not bettered by it you are like the Salamander in the Fire not hotter your hearing will encrease your Condemnation Luke 12.47 That Servant which knew his Lord's Will and did it not shall be beaten with many Stripeâ— We pity such as know not where to hear it will be worse with such as care not how they hear To graceless disobedient Hearers every Sermon will be a Faggot to heat Hell It 's sad to go loaden to Hell with Ordinances O beg the Spirit to make the Word Preached effectual Ministers can but speak to the Ear the Spirit speaks to the Heart Acts 10.44 While Peter spake the Holy Ghost sell upon all them that heard the Word V. Having heard the Word in an Holy and Spiritual manner for the further Sanctification of the Sabbath confer of the Word We are forbid on this Day to speak our own Words Isa. 58.14 but we must speak of God's Word Speak of the Sermon as you sit together This is one part of sanctifying the Sabbath Good Discourse brings holy Truths into our Memories and fastens them upon our Hearts Mal. 3.17 Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another There is a great Power and Efficacy in good Discourse Iob 6.25 How forcible are right words By holy Conference on a Sabbath one Christian helps to warm another when he is frozen to strengthen another when he is weak Latimer confessed he was much furthered in Religion by having Conference with Mr. Bilny the Martyr Psal. 119.172 My Tongue shall speak of thy Word One reason why Preaching the Word on a Sabbath doth no more good is because there is so little good Conference Few speak of the Word they have heard as if Sermons were
Wife for himself Thirdly Faithfulness in a Servant is seen in standing up for the Honour of his Master When he hears him spoken against he must vindicate him As the Master is careful of the Servant's Body so the Servant should be careful of the Master's Name When the Master is unjustly reproached the Servant cannot be excused if he be possessed with a dumb Devil Fourthly Faithfulness is when a Servant is true to his Word He dares not tell a Lie but will speak the Truth tho it be against himself A Lie doubles the sin Psal. 101.7 He that telleth Lies shall not tarry in my sight A Liar is of near a-kin to the Devil Ioh. 8.44 And who would let any of the Devil's Kindred live with him The Lie that Gehazi told his Master Elisha entailed a Leprosie on Gehazi and his Seed for ever 2 Kings 5.22 A Faithful Servant his Tongue is the true Index of his Heart Fifthly Faithfulness is when a Servant is against Impropriation He dares not convert his Masters Goods to his own Use. Tit. 2.10 Not purloyning Ne aliquid haereat in digitis What a Servant filcheth from his Master is damnable Gain The Servant who enricheth himself by stealing from his Master stuffs his Pillow with Thorns and his Head will lie very uneasie when he comes to die Sixthly Faithfulness is in preserving the Masters Person if unjustly in Danger Banister who betrayed his Master the Duke of Buckingham in King Richard the Third's Reign it is remarkable how the Judgments of God befell that Traiterous Servant His eldest Son ran mad his Daughter of a singular Beauty was suddenly struck with Leprosie his younger Son was drowned and he himself arraigned and had been executed had he not been saved by his Clergy That Servant who is not true to his Master will never be true to God or his own Soul 4. The Servant is to honour his Master by serving him as with Love for Willingness is more than the Work so with Silence That is without repining and without replying Titus 2.9 Exhort Servants to be obedient to their Masters not answering again Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Not giving cross Answers Some Servants are quick of Speech tho slow at Work and instead of being sorry for a Fault they provoke by unbeseeming Language Were the Heart more humble the Tongue would be more silent They are the Apostles Words not answering again And to those Servants who do thus honour their Masters or Family-Fathers by Submission Diligence Faithfulness Love and humble Silence for their encouragement let them take that Col. 3.24 Servants obey in all things your Masters according to the Flesh not with eye-service knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the Reward of the Inheritance for ye serve the Lord Christ. In serving your Masters ye serve Christ and he will not let you lose your Labour ye shall receive the Reward of the Inheritance From serving on Earth you shall be taken up to Reign in Heaven and shall sit with Christ upon his Throne Rev. 3.21 EXOD. XX. 12 Honour thy Father and thy Mother c. If we are not just we cannot be holy Having shown you how Servants are to honour their Masters the Fathers of Families I shall next show how Masters are to carry it towards their Servants that they may gain Honour from them 1. In General Masters must remember that they have a Master in Heaven who will call them to Account Eph. 6.9 Knowing that your Master is also in Heaven 2. More Particularly 1. Masters must have a care to provide for their Servants As they cut them out Work so they must give them their Meat in due season Luke 17.7 And the Food should be wholsom and sufficing It is an unworthy thing in some Governors of Families to lay out so much upon their own Backs as to pinch their Servants Bellies 2. Masters should encourage their Servants in their Work by commending them when they do well Tho a Master is to tell a Servant of his Faults yet he is not always to beat upon one string but sometimes take notice of that which is praise-worthy This makes a Servant more chearful in his Work and gains the Master Love from his Servant 3. Masters must not over-burden their Servants but proportion their Work to their Strength If you lay too much load on a Servant he will faint under it Christianity teacheth Compassion 4. Masters must endeavour the Spiritual Good of their Servants they must be Seraphims to kindle their Love to Religion They must be Monitors to put them in mind of their Souls They must bring them to the Pool of the Sanctuary waiting till the Angel stir the Waters Iohn 5.4 They must seek God for them that their Servants may be his Servants They must allow them Time convenient for secret Devotion Some Masters are cruel to the Souls of their Servants they look that they do the Work about the House but abridge them of Time they should employ in working out Salvation 5. Masters should use mild gentle Behaviour towards Servants Eph. 6.9 Forbearing Threatning Lev. 25.43 Thou shalt not rule over him with rigour but fear thy God It requires Wisdom in a Master to know how to keep up his Authority yet lay down his Austerity We have a good Copy to write after Our Master in Heaven is slow to Anger and of great Mercy Psal. 145.8 Some Masters are so harsh and implacable that they are enough to spoil a good Servant 6. Be very exact and punctual in the Compacts and Agreements you make with your Servants Do not prevaricate keep not back any of their Wages nor deal deceitfully with them as Laban did with Iacob changing his Wages Gen. 31.7 Falseness in Promise is as as bad as False Weights 7. Be careful of your Servants not only in Health but in Sickness They have got their Sickness in your Service use what means you can for their Recovery Be not like the Amalekite who forsook his Servant when he was sick 1 Sam. 30.13 but be as the good Centurion who kept his sick Servant and sought to Christ for a Cure Mat. 8.6 If you have a Beast that falls sick you will not turn it off but have it look'd to and pay for its Cure Will you be kinder to your Horses than your Servants Thus should Masters the Fathers of the Family carry themselves prudently and piously that they may gain Honour from their Servants and may give up their Accounts to God with Joy Fifthly The Natural Father The Father of the Flesh Heb. 12.9 Honour thy Natural Father This is so necessary a Duty that Philo the Jew placed the Fifth Commandment in the First Table as tho' we had not perform'd our whole Duty to God till we had paid this Debt of Honour to our Natural Parents Children are the Vineyard of the Parents planting and Honour done to the Parent is some of the Fruit of the Vineyard Quest. Wherein are
thou speakest let thy Words be as Authentick as thy Oath Imitate God who is the Pattern of Truth Pythagoras being asked What made Men like God Answered Cum vera loquuntur When they speak Truth It is made the Character of a Man that shall go to Heaven Psal. 15.2 He speaketh the Truth from his Heart 2. That which is condemned in the Commandment is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Witnessing that which is false Thou shalt not bear false witness There is a two-fold bearing of False Witness 1. There is a bearing False Witness for another 2. A Bearing False Witness against another 1. A bearing False Witness for another When we do give our Testimony for a Person that is Criminal and Guilty we justifie him as if he were Innocent Isa. 5.23 Which justifie the Wicked for Reward He that goes to make a wicked Man just makes himself Unjust 2. There is a bearing False Witness against another i. e. When we accuse another in open Court falsly This is to imitate the Devil who is the Accuser of the Brethren Tho the Devil is no Adulterer yet he is a False Witness Solomon saith Prov. 25.18 A Man that beareth false Witness against his Neighbour is a Hammer and a Sword In his Face he is hardned like an Hammer he cannot blush he cares not what Lie he witnesseth to And he is a Sword His Tongue is a Sword to wound him he witnesseth against in his Goods or Life Thus 1 Kings 21.13 There came in two men Children of Belial and witnessed against Naboth saying Naboth did blaspheme God and the King And their Witness took away his Life The Queen of Persia being sick the Magicians accused two Godly Virgins that they had by Charms procured the Queens Sickness whereupon she caused these Virgins to be sawn asunder A False Witness doth pervert the place of Iudicature He corrupts the Iury his bearing False Witness makes them give in a false Verdict And he corrupts the Judge by making him pronounce a wrong Sentence and cause the Innocent to suffer Vengeance will find out the False Witness Prov. 19.5 A False Witness shall not be unpunished Deut. 19.18 19. If the witness be a false witness and hath testified falsly against his Brother then shall ye do unto him as he had thought to have done unto his Brother i. e. If he had thought to have taken away his Life his own Life shall go for it 3. That which is condemned in the Commandment is Swearing that which is false When Men take a False Oath and by that take away the Life of another Zech. 8.17 Love no false Oath Chap. 5.2 What seest thou I said A flying Roll. Ver. 3 4. This is the Curse that goeth forth and it shall enter inquit Dominus into the House of him that sweareth falsly by my Name and it shall consume his House with the Timber and Stones of it The Scythians made a Law when a Man did bind two sins together a Lie with an Oath he was to lose his Head because this Sin did take away all Truth and Faith among Men. The Devil hath taken great possession of such who dare swear to a Lie This is a manifest Breach of this Commandment Vse I. 1 st Br. It reproves the Church of Rome who will dispense with a Lie or a False Oath if it be to promote the Catholick Cause They approve of an Officious Lie They hold some Lies to be lawful they may as well hold some Sins to be lawful God hath no need of our Lie It is not lawful to tell a Lie propter Dei gloriam if we were sure to bring Glory to God by it as Austin speaks 2 d. Br. 2. It reproves those who make no Conscience of slandering others they come under the Breach of this Commandment Psal. 50.20 Thou sittest and slanderest thy own Mothers Son Jer. 20.10 Report say they and we will report Ezra 4.15 This City i. e. Hierusalem is a rebellious City and hurtful to Kings and Provinces Paul was slandered as a Mover of Sedition and the Head of a Faction Acts 24.5 The same Word signifies both a Slanderer and a Devil 1 Tim. 3.11 Not Slanderers In the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Not Devils Some think it is no great matter to misreport and slander others Know that this is â—o Act the part of a Devil Clipping a Man's Credit to make it weigh lighter is worse than clipping of Coyn. The Slanderer wounds three at once He wounds him that he slanders and he wounds him to whom he reports the Slander by causing uncharitable Thoughts to arise in his Mind against the Party slandered and he wounds his own Soul by reporting that of another which is false This is a Great Sin and I would I could not say it is common You may kill a Man as well in his Name as in his Person Some are loth to take away their Neighbours Goods Conscience would fly in their Face But better take away their Corn out of their Field their Wares out of their Shop than take away their good Name This is a Sin you can never make them reparation for a Blot in a Man's Name being like a Blot in a White Paper which will never be got out Surely God will visit for this Sin If Idle Words shall be accounted for shall not Vnjust Slanders The Lord will make Inquisition one day as well for Names as for Blood Oh therefore take heed of this Sin It is a Breach of the Ninth Commandment Was it a Sin under the Law to defame a Virgin Deut. 22.19 And is it not a greater Sin to defame a Saint who is a Member of Christ The Heathens by the Light of Nature abhorr'd this Sin of slandering Diogenes used to say Of all Wild Beasts a Slanderer is the worst Antoninus made a Law That if a Person could not prove the Crime he reported another to be guilty of he should be put no Death 3 d. Br. 3. It reproves them who are so wicked as to bear false witness against others These are Monsters in Nature unfit to live in a Civil Society Eusebius relates of one Narcissus a Man famous for Piety who was accused by two False Witnesses of Unchastity and to prove their Accusation they bound it with Oaths and Curses after this manner One said If I speak not true I pray God I may perish by Fire The other said If I do not speak true I wish I may be deprived of my sight It pleased God that the first Witness who forswore himself his House being set on Fire he was burnt in the Flame The other Witness being troubled in Conscience confessed his Perjury and continued so long Weeping that he wept himself blind Iezabel who suborned two false Witnesses against Naboth she was thrown down out of a Window and the Dogs licked her Blood 2 Kings 9.33 O tremble at this Sin A perjured Person is the Devils Excrement He is cursed in his Name and seared
dead Saints but persecute living I may say of these as the Apostle Heb. 12.8 They are bastards not sons 4. Effect of love if we love our Heavenly Father then we will be Advocates for him and stand up in the defence of his Truth He who loves his Father will plead for him when he is traduced and wronged He hath no Child-like heart no love to God who can hear Gods name dishonoured and be silent Doth Christ appear for us in Heaven and are we afraid to appear for him on Earth Such as dare not own God and Religion in times of danger God will be ashamed to be called their God it would be a reproach to him to have such Children as will not own him 2. A Child-like love to God is known as by the Effects so by the Degree it is a superiour love We love our Father in Heaven above all other things above Estate or Relations as Oyl runs above the Water Psal. 73.25 A Child of God seeing a super eminency of Goodness and a constellation of all Beauties in God he is carried out in love to him in the highest measure As God gives his Children such a love as he doth not bestow upon the wicked electing love so Gods Children give God such a love as they bestow upon none else adoring love they give him the flower and spirits of their love they love him with a love joyned with worship this spiced Wine they keep only for their Father to drink of Cant. 8.2 4. A Child-like disposition is seen in honouring our Heavenly Father Mal. 1.6 A Son honoureth his Father Quest. How 〈◊〉 show our honour to our Father in Heaven Resp. 1. By having a reverential awe of God upon us Lev. 25.17 Thou shalt fear thy God This reverential fear of God is when we dare do nothing that he hath forbidden in his Word Gen. 39.9 How can I do this great wickedness and sin against God It is the part of the honour a Son gives to his Father he fears to displease him 2. We show our honour to our Heavenly Father by doing all we can to exalt God and make his Excellencies shine forth though we cannot lift up God higher in Heaven yet we may lift him higher in our hearts and in the esteem of others When we speak well of God set forth his renown display the trophies of his goodness when we ascribe the glory of all we do to God when we are the trumpeters of Gods praise this is an honouring our Father in Heaven and a certain sign of a Child-like heart Psal. 50.23 Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me 2. We may know God is our Father by our resembling of him The Child is his Fathers Picture Iudg. 8.18 Each one resembled the children of a King Every Child of God resembles the King of Heaven herein Gods adopting Children and Mans differ A Man adopts one for his Son and Heir that doth not at all resemble him but whosoever God adopts for his Child is like him he not only bears his Heavenly Fathers Name but Image Col. 3.10 And have put on the new man which is renewed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 after the image of him that created him He who hath God for his Father resembles God in Holiness Holiness is the glory of the Godhead Exod. 15.11 The Holiness of God is the intrinsick Purity of his Essence He who hath God for his Father partakes of the Divine Nature though not of the Divine Essence yet of the Divine Likeness As the Seal sets its print and likeness upon the Wax so he who hath God for his Father hath the print and effigies of his Holiness stamped upon him Psal. 106.16 Aaron the Saint of the Lord. Wicked Men desire to be like God hereafter in glory but do not affect to be like him here in grace they give it out to the World that God is their Father yet have nothing of God to be seen in them they are unclean they not only want his Image but hate it 3. We may know God is our Father by having his Spirit in us 1. By having the intercession of the Spirit 'T is a Spirit of Prayer Gal. 4.6 Because ye are Sons God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts crying Abba Father Prayer is the Souls breathing it self into the bosom of its Heavenly Father None of Gods Children are born dumb implet Spiritus sanctus organum suum tanquam Pila chordarum tangit Spiritus Dei corda sanctorum Prosper Acts 9.11 Behold he prayeth But it is not every Prayer evidenceth Gods Spirit in us Such as have no grace may excel in gifts and affect the hearts of others in Prayer when their own hearts are not affected As the Lute makes a sweet sound in the ears of others but it self is not sensible how therefore shall we know our Prayers are indited by Gods Spirit and so he is our Father Resp. 1. When they are not only Vocal but Mental when there are not only gifts but groans Rom. 8.26 The best Musick is in consort the best Prayer is when the heart and tongue joyn together in consort 2. When they are zealous and fervent Iam. 5.16 The effectual fervent Prayer of a righteous man availeth much The eyes melt in Prayer the heart burns Fervency is to Prayer as Fire to the Incense it makes it ascend to Heaven as a sweet perfume 3. When Prayer hath Faith sprinkled in it Prayer is the Key of Heaven and Faith is the hand that turns it Rom. 8.15 We cry Abba Father We cry there is fervency in Prayer Abba Father there is Faith Those Prayers suffer shipwrack which dash upon the rock of unbelief Thus we may know God is our Father by having his Spirit praying in us As Christ intercedes above so the Spirit intercedes within 2. By having the renewing of the Spirit which is nothing else but Regeneration which is called a being born of the Spirit Iohn 3.5 This regenerating work of the Spirit is a transformation or change of Nature Rom. 12.2 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind He who is born of God hath a new heart New not for substance but for qualities The strings of a Viol may be the same but the Tune is altered Before this Regeneration there are Spiritual Pangs much heart-breaking for Sin Regeneration is called a circumcising of the heart Col. 2.11 In Circumcising there was pain in the flesh so in this Spiritual Circumcision there is pain in the heart there is much sorrow arising from the sense of guilt and wrath The Jaylors trembling Acts 16.30 was a pang in the new birth Gods Spirit is a Spirit of Bondage before it be a Spirit of Adoption This blessed work of Regeneration spreads over the whole Soul it irradiates the Mind it consecrates the Heart and reforms the Life Though Regeneration be but in part it is in every part 1 Thess. 5.23 Regeneration is the signature
Glory upon our Bodies We shall be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as the Angels not for substance but quality our Bodies shall be agile and nimble now our Bodies are as a weight then they shall be as a wing moving swiftly from place to place our Bodies shall be full of clarity and brightness like Christs glorious Body Phil. 3.21 The Bodies of the Saints shall be as Cloth dyed into a Scarlet colour made more illustrious they shall be so clear and transparent that the Soul shall sparkle through them as the Wine through the Glass 2. God will put Glory upon our Souls If the Cabinet of the Body shall be so illustrious of what orient brightness shall the Jewel be Then will be the great Coronation-day when the Saints shall wear the Robe of Immortality and the Crown of Righteousness which fades not away O how glorious will that Garland be which is made of the Flowers of Paradise Who then would not hallow and glorifie Gods Name and spread his renown in the World who will put such immortal Honour upon his People as eye hath not seen nor ear heard nor can it enter into the heart of man to conceive 7. Vlt. Such as do not hallow Gods Name but profane and dishonour it God will pour contempt upon them though they be never so great and though cloathed in Purple and Scarlet yet they are abhorred of God and their name shall rot Though the name of Iudas be in the Bible and the name of Pontius Pilate be in the Creed yet their names stand there for Infamy as being Traytors to the Crown of Heaven Nahum 1.14 I will make thy grave for thou art vile It is spoken of Antiochus Epiphanes he was a King and his name signifie◠Illustrious yet God esteemed him a vile Person to show how base the wicked are in Gods esteem he compares them to things most vile to chaff Psal. 1.4 to dross Psal. 119.118 and the filth that fomes out of the Sea Isa. 57.20 and as God doth thus vilely esteem of such as do not hallow his Name so he sends them to a vile place at last Vagrants are sent to the House of Correction Hell is the House of Correction which the Wicked are sent to when they dye Let all this prevail with us to hallow and sanctifie Gods Name Quest. What may we do to honour and sanctifie Gods Name Answ. Let us get 1. A sound Knowledge of God 2. A sincere Love to God 1. A sound Knowledge of God Take a view of his superlative Excellencies his Holiness his incomprehensible Goodness The Angels know God better than we therefore they sanctifie his Name and sing Hallelujahs to him and let us labour to know him to be our God Psal. 48.14 This God is our God We may dread God as a Judge but we cannot honour him as a Father till we know he is our God 2. Get a sincere Love to God A Love of Appretiation and a Love of Complacency to delight in him Iohn 21.15 Lord thou knowest I love thee He can never honour his Master who doth not love him The reason Gods Name is no more hallowed is because his name is no more loved So much for the First Petition MATTH vi 10 Thy Kingdom come A Soul truly devoted to God joyns heartily in this Petition Adveniat Regnum tuum Thy Kingdom come In which words this great Truth is implyed that God is a King he who hath a Kingdom can be no less than a King Ps. 47.7 God is King of all the earth And he is a King upon his Throne Psal. 47.8 God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness 1. He hath a Regal Title High and Mighty Isa. 57.15 Thus saith the high and lofty one 2. He hath the Ensigns of Royalty his Sword Deut. 32.41 If I whet my glittering sword He hath his Scepter Heb. 1.8 A scepter of Righteousness is the scepter of thy Kingdom 3. He hath his Crown Royal Rev. 19.12 On his head were many crowns he hath his Iura Regalia his Kingly Prerogatives he hath power to make Lawes to seal Pardons which are the Flowers and Jewels belonging to his Crown Thus the Lord is King And 2. He is a great King Psal. 95.3 A great King above all Gods He is great in and of himself and not like other Kings who are made great by their Subjects That he is so great a King appears 1. By the immenseness of his Being Ier. 23.24 Do not I fill heaven and earth saith the Lord. His center is every where he is no where included yet no where excluded he is so immensly great That the heaven of heavens cannot contain him 1 Kings 8.27 2. His greatness appears by the effects of his Power He made heaven and earth Psal. 124.8 and can unmake it God can with a Breath crumble us to dust with a Word he can unpin the World and break the Axle-Tree of it in pieces He pours contempt upon the mighty Iob 12.21 He cuts off the spirit of Princes Psal. 76.12 He is Lord Paramount who doth whatever he will Psal. 115.2 He weigheth the mountains in scales and the hills in a ballance Isa. 40.12 3. God is a Glorious King Psal. 24.10 Who is this King of Glory the Lord of Hosts he is the King of Glory He hath internal Glory Psal. 93.1 The Lord reigneth he is cloathed with majesty Other Kings have Royal and Sumptuous Apparel to make them appear glorious to the beholders but all their Glory and Magnificence is borrowed but God is cloathed with Majesty his own Glorious Essence is instead of Royal Robes and he hath girded himself with strength Kings have their guard about them to defend their Persons because they are not able to defend themselves but God needs no guard or assistance from others He hath girded himself with strength His own Power is his Life-guard Psal. 89.6 Who in the heaven can be compared unto the Lord who among the Sons of the mighty can be likened unto the Lord God hath a prehiminence above all other Kings for Majesty Rev. 19.16 He hath on his vesture a name written Rex Regum King of Kings He hath the highest Throne the richest Crown the largest Dominions and the longest Possession Psal. 29.10 The Lord sitteth King for ever Though God hath many Heirs yet no Successors He sets up his Throne where no other King doth he rules the Will and Affections his Power binds the Conscience Angels serve him all the Kings of the Earth hold their Crowns and Diadems by immediate tenure from this great King Prov. 8.15 By me Kings reign and to this Lord Iehovah all Kings must give account and from Gods Tribunal there is no appeal VSE I. Br. 1. If God be so great a King and sits King for ever then it is no disparagement for us to serve him Deo servire est regnare It is an Honour to serve a King If the Angels fly swiftly upon the King of Heavens message Dan.
Second Birth added to the First Ioh. 3.3 It may be thus described It is a Supernatural Work of God's Spirit renewing and transforming the Heart into the Divine Likeness 1. The efficient Cause of the New Creature is the Holy Ghost no Angel or Archangel is able to produce it Who but God can alter the Hearts of Men and turn Stones into Flesh If the New Creature were not produced by the Holy Ghost then the greatest Glory in a Man's Conversion would belong to himself but this Glory God will not give to another the turning of the Will to God is from God Ier. 31.19 After I was turned I repented 2. The Organical Cause or Instrument by which the New-Creature is formed is the Word of God Iam. 1.18 Of his own Will begat he us by the Word of Truth The Word is the Seed out of which springs the Flower of the New-Creature 3. The Matter of which the New-Creature consists is the restoring God's Image lost by the Fall Quest. But doth God in the New Creature give a new Soul Answ. No he doth not bestow new Faculties but new Qualities as in the altering of a Lute the Strings are not new but the Tune is mended So in the New Creature the substance of the Soul is not new but is new tun'd by Grace the Heart that before was Proud is now Humble the Eyes that before were full of Lust are now full of Tears Here are new Qualities infused II. What a kind of Work the New Creature is I. The New Creature is a Work of Divine Power so much it imports because it is a Creation The same Power which raised Christ from the Grave goes to the production of the New Creature Eph. 1.20 It is a Work of greater Power to produce the New Creature than to make a World 'T is true in respect of God all things are alike possible to him But as to our apprehension it requires a greater Power to make a new Creature than to make a World For 1. When God made the World he met with no opposition but when God is about to make the New Creature he meets with opposition Satan opposeth him and the Heart opposeth him 2. It cost God nothing to make the World but to make the New Creature costs him something Christ himself was fain to become Man In making the World it was but speaking a Word but in making of the New Creature it cost Christ the shedding of his Blood 3. God made the World in six Days but he is carrying on the New Creature in us all our Lives long The New Creature is but begun here it is not perfected or drawn in all its Orient Colours till it come to Heaven II. The New Creature is a Work of Free Grace There is nothing in us to move God to make us anew by Nature we are full of Pollution and Enmity yet now God forms the New Creature Behold the Banner of Love displayed The New Creature may say By the Grace of God I am what I am In the Creation we may see the Strength of God's Arm in the New Creature we may see the Working of God's Bowels That God should Consecrate any Heart and Anoint it with Grace is an Act of pure Love That he should pluck one out of the State of Nature and not another must be resolved into Free Grace Matth. 11.26 Even so Father for so it seemed good in thy sight This will increase the Saints Triumphs in Heaven that the Lot of Free Grace should fall upon them and not on others 3. The New Creature is a Work of rare Excellency A Natural Man is a lump of Earth and Sin God loaths him Zach. 11.8 But upon the New Creature is a Spiritual Glory As if we should see a piece of Clay turned into a sparkling Diamond Cant. 3.16 Who is this that cometh out of the Wilderness like Pillars of Smoak perfumed with Myrrhe and Frankincense That is the Natural Man coming out of the Wilderness of Sin perfumed with all the Graces of the Spirit The New Creature must needs be Glorious for it partakes of the Divine Nature 2 Pet. 1.4 A Soul beautified with Holiness is like the Firmament bespangled with glittering Stars It is God's lesser Heaven Isa. 57.15 In the Incarnation God made himself in the Image of Man in the New Creation Man is made in the Image of God By our being Creatures we are the Sons of Adam by being New Creatures we are the Members of Christ. Reason makes one live the Life of a Man the New Creature makes him live the Life of God A New Creature excells the rational Nature and equals the Angelical It is excellent to hear of Christ's being Crucified for us but more excellent to have Christ formed in us Concerning the New Creature I shall lay down Two Positions 1 Posit That it is not in the Power of a Natural Man to convert himself because it is a New Creation As we cannot make our selves Creatures so not New Creatures Quest. But why doth God command us to convert our selves if we have no Power Ezek. 18.31 Make you a New Heart Answ. 1. We once had Power God gave us a Stock of Holiness but we lost it If a Master give his Servant Money to imploy in his Service and he wastes and imbezles it may not the Master require the Money of him Though we have lost our Power to Obey God hath not lost his Right to Command 2. Though Men cannot convert themselves and make themselves new Creatures yet they may do more than they do in a tendency to it they may avoid Temptations they may read the Word the same Feet that carry them to a Play will carry them to a Sermon they may implore Divine Grace but they do not what they are able they do not improve the Power of Nature to the utmost and put God to the Trial whether he will give Grace 3. God is not wanting to them who seek to him for Grace Deus volentibus non deest He is willing to put to his helping Hand With his Command there goes a Promise Ezek. 18.31 Make you a New Heart and there is a Promise Ezek. 36.26 A New Heart will I give you 2 Posit When God converts a Sinner he doth more than use a Moral Perswasion For Conversion is a New Creation Eph. 4.24 The Pelagians talk much of Free Will they say the Will of Man is by Nature asleep and Conversion is nothing but the awakening a Sinner out of sleep which is done by a Moral Perswasion But Man is by Nature dead in Sin Eph. 2.1 And God must do more than awaken him he must enliven him before he be a New Creature 1 Vse Terrour to such as are not New Creatures such as are still growing upon the Stock of Old Adam who continue in their Sins and are resolved so to do these are in the Gall of Bitterness and are the most miserable Creatures that ever God made
Tongue Thus they know that Covetousness is a Sin yea the root of all evil yet the World ingrosseth all their Time and Thoughts They are like Midas who wished every thing that he touched might be Gold They have this dry Dropsie thirsting after Gold more than Grace and labouring more to have a full Purse than a good Conscience They know they should not vent their Passions Iam. 1.26 If any man among you seems to be religious and bridleth not his Tongue this Man's Religion is vain Origen observes of the Rich Man in the Gospel he had no Water to cool his Tongue He had sinn'd most in his Tongue therefore was punished most in it How unworthy is it for Men to have their Eyes and Hands lift up to Heaven and their Tongues set on fire from Hell at one time praying and another time cursing The Devil rejoyceth in this he warms himself at the Fire of Mens Passions How can such pray in a Family that are possessed with an angry Devil Hot Passions make cold Prayers Thus men know they should abstain from evil but they do it not 2. They know they should pursue Holiness but they do it not They know they should read the Word sanctifie the Sabbath use holy Conference pray in their Families redeem the Time walk circumspectly they know to do Good but do it not Quest. Whence is it that Men know to do Good yet do it not Answ. 1. It is for want of sound Conviction Men are not throughly convinced of the necessity of practick Godliness They think there 's a necessity of Knowledge because else there 's no Salvation they will get some Notions of Christ that he is a Saviour and has satisfied Divine Justice and they hope they believe in him Well then we tell them that Faith and Obedience go together then God is merciful and though they are not so good as they should be yet Free Grace will save them Thus Men content themselves with general Notions of Religion but are not convinced of the Practick Part of Godliness 2. Men know to do Good yet do it not because they are not awakened out of their Spiritual Sloth It is easie to get the Knowledge of a Truth to give assent to it to commend it to profess it but to digest Knowledge into Practice is difficult and men are lying upon the Bed of Sloth and are not willing to put themselves to too much trouble they know they should deny themselves but the Work of Self-denial is hard so that the Plough stands still and nothing of the practick part of Religion goes forward Prov. 19.24 A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom and will not pull it forth though it be to lay hold on a Crown 3. Men know to do Good but do it not through Incredulity they are in part Atheists Did they believe that Sin were so bitter that Wrath and Hell followed it would they not leave off their Sins Did they believe that to do the Will of God were a privilege Religion were their Interest that there is Joy in the way of Godliness and Heaven at the end would they not espouse Holiness But People though they have some slight transient thoughts of these things yet they are not brought to the Belief of them therefore though they know to do good yet they do it not The Reason why there are so few Doers of the Word is because there are so few Believers 4. Men know to do Good but do it not because the Knowledge in their Head never works into their Hearts it doth not quicken them or warm their Affections with Love to the Truth Their Light is greater than their Love their Knowledge doth not work upon their Conscience like a few Heat-drops that wet the leaf but never go to the Root of the Tree Men are not transformed by their Knowledge therefore they are not reformed their Hearts never took the full impression of the Word like Wooll that hath had only a slight Tincture but not a deep Dye 5. Men know to do Good but do it not because of prejudicate Opinion Prejudice is a Bar in the way of Men's Salvation He who hath an ill opinion of the Physick will not take it The things to be done in Religion are judg'd to be too strict and severe they restrain Sin too much or they press too much to Holiness When Christ had been preaching to the young Man that he must sell all and give to the Poor and he should have Treasure in Heaven 't is said Mark 10.22 he was sad at that Saying and went away grieved Many though they know the Truth yet do disgust it and have a secret hatred at the Spirituality of it As Michal looked out at a Window see to David when he danced before the Ark but the Text saith she despised him in her Heart 1 Chron. 15.29 So many go out to meet a Sermon but hate it in their Heart 6. Men know to do Good yet do it not because they love their Sin more than they love the Word Hos. 4.8 They set their Heart on their Iniquity Though Sin be a Meat that breeds the Worm of Conscience yet they love it and the more Sin is loved the more the Word is loathed The Word Preached calls for plucking out the right Eye it comes to separate between Men and their Lusts and they cannot endure to hear of a Divorce When Iohn Baptist comes to break off the Match between Herod and his Incest rather than he will behead his Sin the Prophet himself shall be beheaded This is much to be lamented and laid to heart that Men know to do Good but do it not Some content themselves with having Means of Knowledge Iudg. 17.13 Then said Micah now know I that the Lord will do me good seeing I have a Levite to my Priest But what is one the better to know what Physick he should take if he doth not take it It will be but poor Comfort on a Death-Bed for a Man to remember what glorious Ordinances he hath had and what a deal of Knowledge he hath gain'd when his Conscience shall tell him this is his Condemnation that he knew to do Good but did it not Vse 2. Exhortation Let me beseech you all who have been Hearers of the Word and have been lighting your Lamps at the Sanctuary and have gotten a great measure of Knowledge that as you know to do Good you would do it This is the Soul of Religion Luther says Mallem obedire quam Miracula facere I had rather do the Will of God than be able to work Miracles 1. To do what you know evidenceth your Relation to Christ. You count â—t a great Honour to be near allied to the Crown but it is more Honour to be a-kin to Christ. It was much to be of Christ's Line and Race Rom. 9.5 Of whom concerning the Flesh Christ came But would you see whom Christ counts his best Kindred such as do what