as an uncleane thing Isa 64.6 yet in a threefold respect their hearts may be truely said to be cleane 1. As they are justified by faith God imputeth not to them their owne sins but the righteousness of his sonne Rom. 4.6 by whose blood they are cleansed from all iniquity 1 Joh. 1.7.9 so that they confess their sins to God Christ interposeth his merits and telleth them they are cleane every whit Joh. 13.10 and this made David so confident in his prayer to God Psal 51.7 Purge me with hysop and I shall be cleane wash me and I shall be whiter then snow 2. In respect of regenerating or sanctifying grace God hath begun to purify their hearts by faith Act. 15.9 Thirdly Their unfaigned desires are to have their hearts cleansed as appeareth by Davids prayer Psal 51.10 Create in me a clean heart O God Fourthly Their constant endeavours are since they have received such promises and grace withal to cleaâ—se themselves as the Apostle teacheth fron all filthyness not onely of the flâ—sh but also of the Spirit and to perfect holiness in the feare of God 2 Cor. 7.1 And for that end 1 They hide the word in their hearts that they may not sin against God Psal 119 11 2 They keep their hearts with all diligence well knowing that from thence spring the issues of life Pro. 4.23 3 They suffer not vain thoughts to lodg in their breasts Jer. 4.14 but carefully expel all evil imaginations and disorderly affections which therefore are compared to strangers and wayfaring men who come into an other mans house but tarry not there long as Augustine interpreteth that passage in Nathans parable 2 Sam. 12.4 There came in a traveller unto the rich man A traveller not an Inmate 4. They are much afflicted and in great bitterness and sorrow of spirit when they seriously reflect upon their soules and find them out of order by reason of pride hypocrisy or any other obliquity they weep and mourne yea their laughter is turned to mourning and their joy to heaviness and they humble themselves before the Lord as St Iames commandeth Iam. 4.9.10 and though they enjoy outward health and prosperity yet are they wearie of their very lives by reason of their inward exorbitances and lusts Fifthly they are like to a living spring which worketh uncessantly day and night till it hath purged out the filth that by any means is cast into it so can not they rest till they have washed themselves in the fountain opened for sin and uncleannesse Zach. 13.1 Sixthly being jealous of their owne hearts which by nature are deceitfull above all things and desperately wicked so that none but the Lord who searcheth the heart and tryeth the reines can know it Jer. 17.9 10. And withall being conscious to them selves how unable they are to subdue their unruly passions and vile affections they pour forth many and fervent prayers to God in the name of Christ to discover to them their hidden corruptions and to clense them from their secret sinnes as may be seen in David Psalm 139.23 24. Search me O God and Know my Heart Try me and Know my Thoughts See if there be any wicked way in me and lead me into the way everlasting and Psalm 19.12 Clense thou me from secret faults Application Hereby it may appeare that such bebelong not to the Common-wealth of Israel who 1. boast of the goodnesse of their hearts 2. that hold thoughts to be free 3. who never watch over their hearts 4. that never are troubled about the filthynesse of their inward parts 5. never wash them in the blood of the immaculate Lamb 6. nor pray for wisedome to discover nor power from on high to purifie and order them aright This is one of the liveliest and surest Symptons whereby you may know whether your heart be right with God or noâ— It is true others cannot judge immediately of them but God can and doth and will one day bring to light the hidden things of darknesse and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts and then shall every man have praise of God 1 Cor. 4 5. Oh therefore judg your selves that you may not be judged of him to eternall condemnation Chara ∣ cter 5 5. As when Jacob personated his brother Esau yet his father though he were blind discerned his voyce Genesis 27.22 The voyce is Jacobs voice saith he but the hands are the hands of Esau So ordinarily may a true Christian be discovered by his dialect or language for he speaketh best his mothers tongue called the language of Canaan Isaiah 19.18 which consists 1. In abstaining from evill talk 1 Pet. 3.10 for he that will love life and see good dayes must refraine his tongâ—e from evill and his lips that they speak no guile But if at any time he over shooteth and breaketh out into distempered words either offensive to his God or infections to his neighbour knowing that evill communication infecteth good manners 1 Cor 15.33 1. he recalleth himselfe 2. confesseth his sin to God with selfe-abhorrencie and humbleth himselfe for it as Job did in his answer to the Lord Job 40.4 5. Behold I am vile what shall I answer thee I will lay mine hand upon my mouth Once have I spoken but I will not answer yea twice but I will proceed no further Thirdly he resolveth for the future to bridle his tongue better as David did Psalm 39.1 I said I will take heed to my wayes that I sin not with my tongue I will keep my mouth with a bridle while the wicked is before me Fourthly he prayeth the Lord to set a Watch before his mouth and to keep the door of his lips Psa 141.3 as unable to doe it himselfe Fifthly It is a dayly vexation to his righteous soul to hear others to dishonour God by their uncircumcised lips and prophane discourses Lot vexed his soul day by day as well in hearing the Sodomites unlawfull speeches as in seeing their unlawfull deeds 2 Pet. 2.8 and of old they used to rent their garments when they had heard any to speak blasphemie Secondly the Language of Canaan consists not onely in shunning of evill words but also in bringing forth good things out of the good treasu e of his heart as an evill man out of the evill treasure bringeth forth evil things Mat 12.35 For as the righteous bath the law of God in his heart so his mouth speaketh of wisedome and his tongue talketh of judgement Psalm 37.30 31 according to the Apostles charge Eph. 4.29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth but that which is good to the use of edifying that it may minister grace to the hearers Now bring your selves to this test Application for by mens words they shall be justified and by their words shall they be condemned Tit. 1.10 Maâ— 12.37 Hereby 1. all unruly and vaine talkers cursers customary swearers railers and scoffers that walk after their own ungodly
sinking I might give Jonah for an instance Ch. 1.4 but his sleep was corporal theirs is altogether spirituall the marriners awakened him they continue sleeping and will not be so easily awakened he repented God give them also repentance to life A 7th Let is inconstancy 7. Inconstancy proceeding from hypocrisie and ending in apostacy Orpah attended her mother in law as well as Ruth when she came from the countrey of Moab to returne to the land of Judah but she was perswaded by her mothers words to go back to hâ—r owne countrey * Pellicanus Ruth adhaesit socrui futura una ex ma tribus è quibus mundi salus proditura erat whereas Ruth continued stedfastly minded to cleave to Naomi till death should part them saying to her Thy people shall be my people and thy God my God Ruth 1 16. and great was her reward in the end 8. Many are kept from becoming true Israelites by selfe delusion thinking but falsely that they are converted have repented doe believe and shall be â—aved and what need they to do any more Thus the five foolish virgins â—he proud Pharisee and many hypocrits â—ondly imagine their case is good their â—aith is sound and their hearts are cleane when as indeed they deceive their own soules Jam. 1.21 Diverse other inward impediments there are but these chiefly must be removed the mind must be rightly informed the judgment must be rectified prejudice must be laid aside and true faith attained and often examined and for these ends let the word of God be hidden in the heart the greatnes of Gods majesty his presence justice and truth the incertainty of our lives and the strictness of the impartial Judg before whom we must all appeare be considered of and let profanes spiritual sloth together with levity and inconstancy of Spirit and all delusion be avoided lest any of us faile of the grace of God Heb. 12.15 or come short of the promise of entring into his rest Heb. 4.1 and I cannot pretermit how seriously and frequently the same Apostle doth caution us to take heed of deceiving our selves or being deceived by others charging us all once that no man deceive himselfe 2 Cor. 3.18 Twice that no man deceive us Eph. 5.6 againe that no man deceive us by any meanes 2 Thess 2.3 Thrice that we be not deceived either by ourselves or others 1 Cor. 6.9.15.33 Gal. 6 7. hereby warning all 1. that we are apt to be deceived in spirituall matters 2. that this is the most dangerous deceit of all others 3. That therefore we should continually looke well to ourselves that we be not over-reached in matters pertaining to eternity Sect. 15 2. Branch of the exhortation followeth 2. Branch of the extation having thus dispatched the former part of mine advice to all in general I now descend to certaine sorts of men and 1. To begin with Magistrates called heires of restraint Judg. 18.7 I earnestly entreat them to become Israelites indeed to rule with God and to be faithfull with the Saints Hos 11.12 to execute judgment and justice without partiality or delay to judg the cause of the poore and needy for then it shall go well with them and the common wealth under them Jerem. 22 15.16 yea not onely subjects at home but forreiners abroad shall have great cause to blesse God for them as the Queen of Sheba blessed God for king Solomon and pronounced â—is people happy Her words to Solomon run thus Happy are thy men and blessed be the Lord thy God which delighted in thee to set thee on the throne because the Lord loved Israel for ever therefore made he thee king to do judgment and justice 1 King 10 9. 2ly Might this counsel from God be accepted of counsellors and attournies with Nathanael to wash their hearts and hands dayly from guile they should not need any regulation by others for they would be a law to themselves neither should they have any cause to feare either levelling or antinomian aspersions or designes for a good conscience would be a brasen wall to them and God the righteous Judge would plead their cause better than they can their clients or their own Then would none of them take with both hands nor receive bribes which is a sin inseparable from hypocrysie Job 15.34 and blindeth the eyes of the wise Exo. 23.8 and maketh the tongue mercenary either to keepe silence when they ought to speak or to speak when they should be silent They would never desert any righteous cause Isa 1. 17. but keep themselves far from every false matter as the great Law giver requireth Exo. 23.7 3ly Though I take not upon me to teach them who are called to be teachers of Gods people yet give me leave to exhort you as brethren first to become true Christians yourselves and then to improve all your skill and strength to draw all those who belong to your charge into this blessed society Let your exhortations be without guile and as you are allowed of God to be put in trust with the Gospel even so speak not as pleasing men but God who tryeth your hearts 1 Thess 2.3.4 Then shall you teach transgressours Gods wayes and sinners shall be converted unto him Thus shall a numerous and blessed off spring be raised up to God as of old the Lord restifieth of Levi The law of truth was in his mouth and iniquity was not found in his lips he walked with me in peace and equity and did turne many away from iniquity Mal. 1.6 Then also will the Lord soone wipe away all disgrace and obloquie from your persons and function which hath been too long cast upon you and it for neglect hereof as the Lord admonisheth the priests Mal. 2.9 Saying to them therefore have I made you contemptible and base before the people according as you have not kept my wayes but have beene partial in the law 4ly From ministers I passe to students in the universities the hope of their succession to perswade them with blessed Paul * 2 Cor. 1.12 Theophyl enarrat 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to prefer both in their studies and practice simplicity and godly sincerity before fleshly wisdom and sophistry which will afford unto themselves cause of solid and permanent joy and ascertain both our Church and state of future felicity 5ly I desire also merchants tradesmen to find time freed from the hurry of their affaires to learne to write after this copy of Jacobs plaine dealing not to abuse the buyers simplicity nor to make too much use of his necessity And suppose their gaines be not so great as formerly they were yet they may be sure a greater blessing shall accompany what they honestly get and make that * Dimidium plus toto little to do them and their 's more good then a farr greater store of treasure unjustly gathered together can do others Herein if they dare not credit me I commend to them Gods
themselves the titles of God and Christ or have given out that they are so one with Christ that they can sin no more then Christ can sinne To whom Luther some others being too bold with those hyperbocall expressions of Nazianzen 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 have given too much occasion 7. They and they onely have Christan liberty 7 Liberty of grace in this life and of glory in the life to come called the glorious liberty of the sons of God Rom. 8.21 St. Paul was caught up into Paradise and admitted to see the glory thereof but not permitted to utter what he had heard and seen for it is as easie to containe the Sea in an Egge-shel as to relate heaven's happiness 2 Cor. 12.4 Hither is our Lord Jesus gone before to prepare many Mansions for believers and he will bring them all thither when he hath throughly prepared them for the same Iohn 14.2 Whereas all unbelievers the fearfull the lyers and workers of iniquity shall in no wise enter in thither but have their part in the Lake which burneth with fire and brimstone which is the second death Rev. 21.8.27 Lessius de justiciâ p. 600. Christiana libertas à quintuplici servitute nos solvit 1. peccati 2. diaboli 3. legis c. 2. The liberty of Grace is either privative or positive 1. They are freed 1. From evil 1. By meanes and their justification they have freedom 1. From the bondage of the devill Col. 1.13 Who were before taken captive by him at his will 2 Tim. 2.26 2 From sin Rom. 6.22 both in regard of the guilt of it Rom. 8.33 who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods elect since Christ dyed for their sins yea rather is risen againe who is even at the right hand of God to make intercession for them v. 34. and also in regard of the dominion of sin For to such the Apostle saith Sin shall not have dominion over you for ye are not under the Law but under grace Rom. 6.14 As also in regard of the fruits of sin both in the world to come they are freed from eternal condemnation Rom. 8.1 There is no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh but after the spirit The reason followeth v 2. For the Law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made them free from the law of sin and death v 2. As also in this life they are delivered from the terrors of death under which others are in bondage all their life time Heb. 2.15 Secondly from the evil of afflictions not from the afflictions themselves for it is good for them to be afflicted Psalm 119.71 But to them the Lord turneth the evill of their troubles to good Genesis 50.20 3. They are freed from the law 1. from the intolerable yoke of the Ceremonial Law Acts. 15.10 and 2. in part from the Morall Law in four regards 1. of the curse which it denounceth again all that continue not in all that is written in that Law Gal. 3.10 11. which Christ hath freed us from by being made a curse for us 2. They are exempted from seeking justification by the works of the Law Rom. 3.20 21 22. who are justified freely by his grace through the Redemption that is in Jesus Christ v 24.3 from the exact obedience which the Law requireth to be performed in their own persons for justification and the obtaining of eternall life for Christ is become the end of the Law for righteonsnesse to every one that believeth Rom. 10.4 5. and through him God accepteth the will for the deed 2 Cor. 8.12 4. From the irritation of the Law which by reason of the corruption that is in man by nature hath a provoking power in it so that when the law commands obedience and threatneth the disobedient he groweth more outragious in evil then before Spumeus et fervens et abobice fortior ibit as a river dammed-up swels and overflows the Banks according to that of the Apostle The Law entred that the offence might abound Rom. 5.20 But these persons of whom we discourse are of a more excellent spirit who delight in the law of God after the inward man Rom. 7.22 and the love of God rendreth his Commandements not grievous to them 1 John 5.3 Fourthly they are delivered from the evil of evils the immense and direfull wrath of God by Jesus Christ 1 Thess 1.10 which shall come inevitably and irrecoverably upon all the Children of disobedience Col. 3.6 and burn to the lower Hell Lastly they shall be delivered from death and the grave for Death is the last Enemy that shall be destroyed 1 Cor. 15.26 And though die they must yet the sting of death which is sin is pulled out and they shall be raised from their graves in the great day of the resurrection Hos 13.14 so that they may sing Hosea's Pauls 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 O Death where is thy sting O Grave where is thy victory thanks be to God who hath given us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 15.55.57 2. The positive part of their liberty followeth As they are and shall be free from all evill so they are set free to good as 1. to righteousnesse to serve the Lord in newnesse of spirit and not in oldnesse of the letter Romans 7.6 2. To their use all things are sanctified by the word and prayer 1 Tim. 4 5. which to others are unclean Tit. 1.15 To the pure all things are pure but to them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure but even their minds and consciences is defiled 3. They are free to the communion of Saints fellow heires and of the same body and partakers of the same promises in Christ by the Gospel Eph. 3.6 4ly By Christ they have bold access to the throne of grace to aske what they will if it be agreeable to Gods will with confidence in him of obtaining their suits at all times 1 Joh. 5.14 What is said of Luther may be affirmed of them also I sle potuit quod voluit for to them it is promised Aske and have 8 Peace 8. The peace of God which passeth all understanding doth keep their hearts and mindes through Iesus Christ Phil. 4.7 whereas there is no peace saith God to the wicked Isa 57.21 To this peace with God and their owne consciences we must add peace with the creatures even with the stones and beasts of the field Job 5.23 and both these spring from their reconciliation with God 9. Joy 9. From all these immunities ariseth joy unspeakable and full of glory 1 Pet. 1.8 which none can ever take from them Jo. 16.22 for it shall be everlasting Isa 51.11 whereas all others joyes besides are neither solid nor durable For though wicked men may glory in appearance yet that joy never proceedeth from the heart 2 Cor. 5.12 and it is
lusts Iude. 18. manifest themselves to be rather Pagans then Christians indeed as Peter was discovered to be a Galilean for his speech bewrayed him Mat. 26.73 And suppose a guilded Hypocrite may have his tongue tipt with Scripture expressions and holy discourses yet if he be well observed at other times he will be found to speak ordinarily the language of Aâ—hdod and to trip and faulter in his most affected and best discourses As many Ephramites were detected to be what they were by the men of Gilead in pronouncing Sibboleth for Shibboleth for they could not frame to pronounce it right Iudg. 12.6 2. What may they thinke of themselves if they had any spiritual judgement who think or say words are but wind little regarding what the Judge of quick and dead hath fore-warned us of that men shall give account of every idle word which they speak in the day of judgement Mal. 12.36 Thirdly where shall they appeare that reproach and laugh them to scorn and shun their company whose tongues use knowledge aright as Solomon saith every wise man doth Prov. 15.2 If any do but once make mention of the Lords righteousnesse reprove sin or exhort to reformation of life or use any savory passages tending to the souls good they have done with them as too precise for their societie and jeere at them as ridiculous persons or tremble as Felix trembled when Paul reasoned of righteousnesse temperance and judgement to come but would give no further audience Acts. 24 25. Fourthly wo unto them who never call themselves to an account for preventing frothy obscene or noysome language nor yet for the omission of seasonable and holy conferences being far unlike to the Prophet Isaiah who cryeth out to God Wo is me for I am undone because I am a man of uncleane lips and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips Chap. 6.5 Sect. 5 Chara ∣ cter 6 As the Carpenter or Mason is known by his Rule or Plummet so are they who are born in Sion distinguished from all the Sons and Daughters of Babel Gods holy word is the rule by which they square all their principles and practises as the Apostle sheweth us Gal. 6.16 As many as walk according to this rule peace be upon them and mercy and upon the Israel of God Now it is well known that a Rule is very usefull for builders for the discerning of that which is straight from that which is crooked that there may be a symmetry and just proportion between the severall parts of his edifice This rule of the word must 1. be known by us 2. we must have it ever in readinesse 3. It is to be applyed to every doctrine of faith embraced by us and to all your imaginations affections and works that we may all walke by the same Rule Phil 3.16 Application But alas how little do many think of any such rule from one end of the day to the other nay from one end of the week or year to another how few of us know it and how doe most persons cast it behind their backs Do you when you awake every morning consider what affairs you are to goe about the ensuing day doe you contrive as architects use to doe that your undertakings may all be good for the matter and right for manner and ends thereof that all your works may be wrought in God that they may be carried on in faith and obedience to the glory of God then you build upon the Rock and your labours shall be accepted of God and rewarded by him But if you reject the word of God what wisedome is in you Jer. 8.9 God will bring upon you the fruit of your thoughts and doings Jer. 6.19 and in fine reject you as he did Saul for this very cause from being King 1 Sam. 15.26 Chara ∣ cter 7 He is a Jew as the Apostle saith which is one inwardly in the spirit whose praise is not of men but God Rom. 2. 29. He will neither forbear doing good or be drawn to evil for the applause of men or for fear of reproach * 2 Cor. 6.8 he can pass through good report and bad report both willingly and cheerfully knowing well that they are happy who are reproached for the name of Christ Luke 6.22 Quest How doth God praise his people Answ in his word he preferreth them before all others giving them this suffrage The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour Prov. 12. 26 Secondly in advancing them by his all ruling providence above others even many times in this life as he avouched Israel to be his peculiar people according to his promise and made them high above all nations in praise in name in honour Deut. 26.18 19. Thirdly by the approbation and commendation of the godly whose judgement is to be preferred before thousands of other men's as Jonathan pleaded for David against his father Saul 1 Sam. 10.4 Fourthly In their owne consciences by his spirit bearing witnesse to them that they are such as God approveth of in which sense the spirit of glory is affirmed to rest upon them Pet. 4.14 Fifthly in the consciences and confessions of wicked men sometimes even their worst enemies as Saul justified David whose life he had long sought acknowledging to him Thou art more righteous then I 1 Samuel 24.17 Sixthly by clearing up their innocencie from obloquies and slanders in this life and bringing forth their righteousnesse as the light Psalm 37.6 Seventhly in reviving their credits and estimations in the world after their bodies have been long dead and rotten So the Prophets who had been slaine by the Fathers had Tombes built them and their sepulchers garnished by their children worse than their Ancestors who justified the Prophets and condemned their own Fathers saying If we had been in the dayes of our Eathers we would not have been partakers with them in the bloud of the Prophets Mat. 23.29 30. yet even these men afterwards put to death the prince of Prophets Jesus Christ Eighthly at the last day in proclaming their innocency before God Angels and men when that one word Euge well done faithfull and good servant will countervaile all the calumnies and aspersions that ever were cast upon them in this world Mat. 25.21.23 Ob. But great men speak evil of me Ans So did they of David Psalm 119.23 Princes also saith he did sit and speak against me but thy servant did meditate on thy Statutes Where the word also imports that others did the like as else where he complains to God in prayer Let the lying lips be put to silence which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous Psalm 31.18 In this case there is need of the Patience and faith of the Saints Rev. 10. But doe as David did goe to God by prayer and keep close to his testimonies and mark as James speaketh of Job the end which God made with David and certainly in due time he
him who readeth or heareth them Motives truely he is unworthy to have any more spoken to him but before I can hope to perswade men I must begin with God who onely can perswade the heart O thou great Captain of the host of Israel who hast the key of David that openeth and none can shut and shutteth and none can open be graciously pleased to exercise thy great power and infinite mercy in working upon the hearts both of the writer and reader of this treatise to answer this thy call that of wild olives by nature we may be graffed into Jesus Christ and may become trees of righteousness the planting of the Lord that thou mayst be glorified in us and by us and we with thee Alas Lord what can a weak mans words availe where the word of the â—â—ving God is rejected The arguments â—re full of power but the hearts of the â—hildren of men are full of obstinacy â—nless thou raisest the dead and creaâ—est clean hearts no good can be done â—end therefore thine irresistible Spirit â—o convince and convert us give new â—yes and new eares and renew a right â—pirit within us then shall we heare â—nd see and run to joyne ourselves who have formerly beene sons of the â—â—ranger to the Lord and to thy people â—hou who gatherest the out casts of Isâ—ael remember thy promise to gather â—thers to thee besides those that are alâ—eady gathered Save us O Lord our â—od and gather us from among the â—eathen to give thanks unto thy holy â—ame and to triumph in thy praise Isa 56.7 8. â—sal 106.47 Now if after prayer to God teares â—ould move you whose good is here â—â—tended they should not be wanting beseech you by the teares and preciâ—s blood of Iesus Christ to grant me is desire not for any thing from you 〈◊〉 my self but for the salvation of your own soules that you lay these things deeply to heart Is it nothing to you to have lived so long without Christ being aliens from the Common-wealth of Israel and strangers from the Covenants of promise having no hope and without God in the world Eph. 2.12 Dare you continue in this estate sincâ— you know not how little time you havâ— to live before you goe hence and be nâ— more seen Is not God a portion wortâ— having is not his love worth imbracing feare you not the torments oâ— Hell doe you not value the joyes anâ— glory of Heaven Return a candid anâ— sober Answer to these Questions whicâ— God himselfe and not I propounâ— unto you Say in good earnest to him Lord enable us and we will becomâ— true Israelites and then I assure you 〈◊〉 his name and in the word of trutâ— God will be your God and the Goâ— of your seed he will love you freeâ— unto the end the second death shaâ— have no power over you feare not is your Fathers good pleasure to giâ— you the Kingdome Luke 12.32 whâ— shall I say of the blessed spirit of gracâ— he stands at the door of your hearts and knocks if you will hear his voyce and open the door he will come into you and sup with you and you with him Revel 3.20 And judge righteous judgment whether is it better to walk in that double Aegyptian darknesse of errors and manners or to be children of light 1 Thess 5.5 whether is it more eligible to be dead in trespasses and sin or to heare the voyce of the Son of God and live the life of grace here and the life of glory hereafter John 5.25 Whether is it safer to be the friends of God or his cursed enimes to have fellowship with God or devils yea to be Gods sons and daughters or children of the devill for you must needs be either of the former or the latter sort of these I call Heaven and Earth to record this day that I have set before you life and death blessing and cursing therefore choose life that you and your seed may live Deut. 30.19 Thus shall you be free indeed free from all evill and free to all good spiritual and eternal for Jerusalem which is above is free which is the mother of all true believers Gal. 4.26 what vast summs of money doe some forego to purchase freedome in some great City as the chiefe Captain did to be made free in Rome Acts. 22.28 But all the money in the world will not purchase any freedome in this City the spiritual Jerusalem you must either be born in Sion or you can never be free here againe men may confer political freedome as king Saul promised to make his house free in Israel who should kill Goliath 1 Sam. 17.25 but none can confer this spiritual freedome but the Son the great King of Heaven John 8.36 Lastly if the Queen of Sheba pronounced Solomons men happy and twice happy for standing continually in his presence and hearing his wisedome 2 Chron. 9.7 how much more happy is it for us to draw nigh to God Psalm 73.28 Herein the children of Israel surmount all people in the world besides for they onely are neere to him Psalm 148.14 and as dear as the Apples of his own Eye Zachary 2.8 And as they are neer and dear to him so is he nigh to them to hear them when they call Psalm 145.18 and to save them in all times of their distresse Psalm 85.9 Israel of old gloried in this priviledge Deut. 4.7 what Nation is there so great that hath God so nigh unto them as the Lord our God is to us in all things which we call upon him for and were it now impossible for us to have him as neere to us as he was to them our case were miserable but blessed be God as he hath commanded us to draw nigh to him so he hath promised to draw nigh to us also Jam. 4.8 But of all others shall we be most miserable if we would not obey this his Command of drawing nigh to him that he may fulfill his promise and draw nigh to us for they that say to him now depart from us shall heare him say to them at the last day Depart from me ye accursed into everlasting fire Sect. 12 For the Lords sake therefore remove all impediments that hinder you from becomming Israelites indeed Impediments What these lets and remoraes are I shal briefly lay down O! that you could as soon overcome them These impediments are either external or within your selves 1 Their smal number The 1. externall Let is the paucity or fewnesse of their number But doe not you know that ordinary stones are more rife than orient Pearls and is not a precious stone the more valueable and excellent by how much the more rare it is These are the Lords Jewels whereas all other are but like lumber in the house Mal. 3.17 They shall be mine saith the Lord of Hostes who best knoweth the true value of the children of men in that day when I make up my Jewels and