an half repentance an half reformation 1 Thess 1. 9. 12. Rom. 9. 1. Isaiah 16 17. O how many are there that are grown cold in the ways of sin but yet are never the hotter in the ways of Christ these Persons are Neuters they are neither for Baal nor for the Lord of Hosts O if we do not take in both these parts our reformation is no true sound perfect reformation and therefore boast not of it nor deceive your selves by it if you are no better reformed you shall never be saved 6. Plea. O but say others sure we are those that are free from our own Iniquities for we cannot endure the least Iniquity in others we are no Hypocrites for we cannot endure Hypocrites Answer 1. If censuring and judging and finding fault with others would make true Saints we should have enough of them now-a-days the World is full of such Persons like the Lamiae those Witches that as it is reported of them carryed their eyes with them on their fore-heads when they went abroad to spye faults in others but put them into boxes when they came at home that they might see none in themselves Mr. Greenham calls them the Devils Registers that look after other mens sins A wicked man may hate the same sin in another that he loves in himself witness Jehu that hated Ahabs Idolatry but yet was an Idolater himself 2 Kings 10. 28 29. so we read of Joab a wicked man yet he could reprove David for a sin 2 Sam. 24. 2 3. if this be all thou canst plead thou mayst be ill enough for all this 2. I add further that 't is the very sign of an Hypocrite and a naughty heart to be angry with others for sin and not to be angry with our selves for sin the old Proverb is true Whores will call Whores first These Persons they do the Devils work for he is still accusing one or other before God when he is the worst of all himself 3. If we would deal uprightly with sin let us follow the Gospel Rules in this case and they are two 1. In judging and censuring let us ply that work at home the directions that the Apostle gives to the Wife may well serve in this case that the Wife ought to keep at home so in judging Christians ought to keep at home 1 Cor. 11. 31. 'T is our selves we must judge and censure and the more the better but we must not go abroad 14. Rom. 10. and 4. James 12. 't is dangerous medling here 2. In reproving or reforming we must first begin at home and afterwards go abroad 't is our Saviours own Rule 7. Matth. 3 4 5. we ought to be good examples to others and then we might spare reproofs our very lives would better serve the turn Tibi ipsi esto durus nunquam aliis Bern. This Brethren is the best way to save our selves and others to destroy our own sins and others will be thereby provoked the better to leave their Iniquities Christ compares his Disciples to Salt that is savoury in it self and savours all other things a Christians savoury life makes others to relish Godliness the better again he compares them to lights now a Godly life is not only shining in it self but directs others the way therefore if we would glorifie God let us look to our selves and if we would provoke others to holiness let us follow it our selves 5. Mat. 16. 7. Plea. O but say others we are not those that make a meer profession our good works are to be seen Our Saviour tells us the tree is known by his fruits and grapes are not gathered of thorns nor figs of thistles Answer 1. 'T is the surest sign of a Saint as far as we can judge to be fruitful in good works and yet an Hypocrite he may also imitate a Saint in these likewise and deceive the World did not the Pharisees which were Hypocrites give much Alms were liberal to the Poor did not Saul a wicked King slay all the Witches and Wizards Jehu destroyed Baal the unjust judge avenge the poor Widow of her Adversaries were not all these good works as to the matter of them and yet the Persons that did them wicked therefore 2. We must look to the Qualifications of them Now there are several qualifications required in good works to make them good in the sight of God which can be found in none but true Saints As 1. They must proceed from a good heart 12. Matthew 33. so 8. Luke 15. God looks to the goodness of the heart if our hearts be naught God will never tast of the fruit we bear That 's the root 2. The tree must belong to Christ or else he will never own the fruit the Woman is first Married and then she bares Children else what she bring forth before Marriage are not legitimate so all our good things before united to Christ c. therefore the Fathers call all the vertues and good works of the Heathens splendida peccata only because they did not belong to Christ Nay Christ tells us that none out of him can do any thing acceptable unto God 15. John 4. Look that you belong to Christ 3. For the fruit it self Theâ— qualifications 1. They must be done in Faith. He that hath no Faith cannot please God. Faith that ripens all our fruits else they will tast very raw 2. In Charity 1 Cor. 13. 3. without charity i. e. a true love to God and Holiness all our fruits will tast sower 3. Our good fruits must bear proportion 1. To our former bad fruits 6. Rom. 19. we must do as much for God as formerly for our selves or the Devil or sin or lusts 2. To the Soil we are planted in i. e. to the means of grace we live under 92. Psalm 13 14. God expects more from us than from others less would carry a man to Heaven formerly than now because we have more means than they 4. We must look especially that our aim and end be good or else our works cannot be good 1 Cor. 10. 31. Now if such be our fruits then may I say to you in the words of the Apostle 6. Rom. 22. Now are ye made free from sin and become servants unto God and ye have your fruit unto Holiness and the end shall be everlasting life 3. Motives together with means and directions 1. Motives Though the several reasons of the Doctrine laid down already might serve as so many strong convincing motives against this sin yet because it is a sin of so much delight to us and of so much difficulty to get rid of it I will add a few words more by way of motive to persuade you to this duty 1. Keep your selves from this sin because 't is a beloved sin this hath been proved already in the Doctrinal part that 't is the sin that we love most dearly Now if it be so a sin that we love therefore let us cast it out this is the
Saints in these therefore no trusting to them 2. Look to the Qualifications of them 1. They must proceed from a good heart 2. The tree must belong to Christ else hee 'l not own the fruit 3. The fruit must 1. Be done in faith 2. In Charity 3. In Proportion 1. to our former bad fr. 2. to the soyl we are pl. in 4. The aim and end of them must be good 3. Motives with Means and Directions 1. Motives 12. 1. Because 't is a beloved sin 3 branches 1. To love sin is to have communion with the Devil 2. If we love any sin we cannot love Christ 3. We cannot honour Christ better than by parting with a beloved sin 2. 'T is the only sin that hinders our union with Christ Reason Scripture Conscience these 3 judges give sentence against it 3. Consider how long God and Christ have waited on us for the mortifying of this sin 4. Consider the gracious offers the Lord makes to us if we will part with this sin 5. Consider the several aggravations of this sin they are 10. 1. 'T is a sin against light 2. 'T is a willful sin 3. 'T is a deliberate sin 4. 'T is an heart hardning sin 5. 'T is a judgment contemning sin 6. 'T is a sin of custom 7. 'T is a sin of great delight 8. 'T is a ruling sin 9. 'T is a sin maintained at an high rate 10. Comes near the sin against the Holy Ghost 6. Consider the dreadful effects of it 1. It takes away all our spiritual strength 2. It defiles all our holy duties 3. It withers all our pleasures 1. Takes away the cause of all comfort 2. It s sweetness makes our comforts 1. Empty 2. Dangerous 3. Very short 3. Damps us in the midst of our comforts 4. Makes all our comforts end in sorrow 4. It robs us of all our spiritual beauty 5. By degrees steals away our hearts from Christ 6. At last 't will fill the soul with horror 7. Consider the blessings and benefits that accrue to us for casting this sin out 1. Such have true cause of mirth 2. The match concluded between Christ the soul 3. The Dev. can't hurt them 4. They may trample on miseries and afflictions 5. They are fit for death 8. Consider the many loud calls to leave this sin 1. The voice of Gods word 2. The voice of Gods rod. 3. The voice of the blood of Christ 9. Consider your profession of Christianity you make and herein look 1. Backward to your Baptism 2. On your Prayers 3. On your Promises 4. On your coming to the Lords Table 10. Consider what you loose by keeping this sin 1. The things themselves great 1. Gods favor 2. Gods protection 3. Assurance of Salvation 4. Thy part in Chr. place in paradise 2. 'T is an irreparable loss all the world cannot make thee amends for it 11. This is an unquestionable truth on all hands and all sides 12. This is the power of godliness and power of Religion 2 Means 7 1. Act but according to your own judgment and reason in your sober mood 2. Go to the Scriptures and get particular receipts against particular sins 3. Have an eye to the promises of God in Scripture 4. Labor to cast out this world out of your hearts 5. Take not up a profession at large be strict 6. Avoid the company of the wicked that live under the power of sin 7. Be much in soul sanctifying meditations 3. Directions of 2 sorts 1. In getting out this sin 1. Be not over-hasty in this work 2. Do not set a time to this work begin presently 1. Else 't is a means to wast our time to tarry 2. 'T is a despising of God to leave his Work till last 3. The sooner the easier 4. The sooner the more pleasant 5. If you stay too long it may prove too late 3. Examin all you do here by Scripture 4. Be sure you go not forth in your own strength 2. After 't is out 1. Pray much against it 2. Be watchful against it Psalm 18. 23. And I kept my self from mine Iniquity The Introduction I Have often shewed you since we have had both cause and opportunities to keep these days of Humiliation both the excellency and vertue of Fasting and Prayer I have likewise shewed you the Reasons why God after so many Fasts and Prayers that have been put up to him in this Nation is not yet intreated for us but rather his anger is not turned away and also his hand is stretched out still the maine Reason is because we perform not this duty according to his appointment I have likewise shewed you what such a Fast is as God respects and as God hath appointed you may hear it again 58. Isaiah 6. The true Fast is to depart from sin and wickedness for every one of us to amend our ways and lives I have likewise pressed upon you Reformation as a necessary duty that ought to accompany all our Humiliations and without which all our Fasts are no better than sins and our Prayers than profaneness yea let me add further that 't is a most horrible profaning of Gods Name to mix our Prayers and our Sins together and may not God for this justly mix our blood with our sacrifices Till we do that which God in his word calls upon us to do for him we must never expect that God will do that which we in our Prayers call upon him to do for us Read 26. Leviticus 23 24. I come now as an addition to what I have formerly spoken to shew you the way and means to a right Reformation and that is every one of us must follow Davids example in the Text to keep himself from his own Iniquity i. e. every one must amend one and then we shall the sooner amend all These Serm. were Preach presently after the great fire in Lond. As now in London that ruinous place upon which God hath lately sent such a signal token of his wrath in laying it in Ashes before they can begin to build again the Foundation must be cleared from all the heaps of ashes and rubbish that lays upon it and the speediest way to do this is for every man to clear his own ground so is it in respect of us and the whole Nation sin lies so close to every mans heart one sin or other like so much rubbish upon the Foundation that God cannot build us up again an holy Nation a peculiar People to himself and beautifie and adorn us again with his former mercies now the speediest course that we can take herein unless we are in love with our misery is for every man to clear his own heart of his own particular sins Thus David a man after God's own heart hath set us himself as our Copy in the Text And I kept my self from mine iniquity Methinks I see the multitudes in this Nation running from one place to another shifting every man
Godly Man who being tempted by his former evil companions to sin he made this answer I am so busie in reading a little book with 3 leaves that I have no leisure so much as to mind my other business and being asked afterwards whether he had read over the Book replyed this book of 3 leaves are of 3 several colours red white and black which contain such deep Mysteries that I have resolved with my self to read therein all the days of my life in the first leaf which is red I meditate on the precious Blood of Christ which was shed for my sins in the white leaf I meditate on the pure and delicious joys of Heaven in the black leaf I contemplate the hideous and dreadfull torments of Hell prepared for the wicked to all Eternity Thus Brethren thus season your thoughts with such Soul sanctifying meditations be always full of such thoughts and I 'll warrant you the power of sin will quickly be destroyed in you 2. The Directions of two sorts 1. In getting out this sin 1. Be not over hasty in this work I mean thus do not think to get rid of this sin presently or in an instant O how many have failed herein because they have tryed once or twice therefore have left of and utterly despaired of conquering this sin Brethren 't is not the taking out of two or three buckets of water that will empty a pond so deep as this is no rather three or four hundred buckets must be taken out 2. Cor. 12. 8. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. saepe Chrysostomus apud Bezam terque quaterque look you must be often upon your knees if you would quite rout this sin chronick diseases are not soon cured but perseverance is to be used in the use of the means Christian zeal must not be like straw that is soon kindled but quickly out O Brethren you must not tire or give over though you spend your whole life in killing only this single sin O never think of dying before this sin be dead 2. Do not set a time for this work but begin it presently This is the great folly of Christians in cases which concern their Souls they set times for them but in cases which concern only their Bodies or Estates they set on that presently some set the time of sickness when well when sick set the time after their recovery some set that time when they are married and have a setled Family others that are Married and have Familes set the time when they break up house so we post of the time from time to time till at last we loose many of us both our time and our Souls for the World we never think we can begin soon enough for our Souls we always think it too soon I have heard many old men say O if they were young again O what Husbands would they be how would they provide for the World but you shall seldom hear those that are old say if they were young O what penitents would they be Consider the folly of this setting of time vid. Fullers good thoughts in bad times 1. 'T is a means to wast and mispend our time we loose all the time wherein we leave this great work undone the longer we defer it the stronger grows our sin and the weaker grow we sin always gets by our delays and we loose by them 2. Hereby we discover our despising of God and his commands leaving his work to the very last 't is an affront and a great affront to God after we have served the world sin lusts our pleasures then to say that we will serve God. 3. The sooner we begin this work the easier will it be to us fire is soon quenched when it is but newly kindled a young thorn or bramble is easily pulled up the fierce Lion may be tamed when he is a whelp O the longer you bear with your sins the harder will it be for you to get them out of your hearts 4. The sooner you begin the more pleasant will the work be Repentance I can compare it to nothing so well as to Butter we say Butter is Gold in the Morning Silver at Noon but Lead at Night O so is Repentance in the Morning of our days 't is Gold for its rarity Gold for its purity Gold for its weight Gold for its price at Noon in the middle of our Age 't is Silver 't is of great value but not so pure as in the Morning we contract more dross and filth to our Souls by that time but at Night O then Repentance is like lead to a man upon his Death-bed 't is an hard tedious unpleasant work O do not put it off so long you loose the price and the benefit of it 5. Take heed of staying too long least it prove too late It is reported of Thales one of the Wise Men of Greece that being urged by his Mother to Marry he told her at first it was too soon and afterward when she urged him again he told her it was too late O Brethren hearken to this word when we exhort you to part with your own Iniquities we are urging a match an espousal between Christ and your Souls Christ will consent if you will but part with this sin O do not say 't is too soon 't is too soon perhaps before you hear another Sermon Christ may say to some of you now 't is too late O make good use of the present seasons that is all the time you can promise to your selves 3. Whatever you do in this work of casting out your own Iniquity examin it by the Scripture else you may be deceived the strength of a building consists in the rectitude and straitness of it and therefore to every stone that is laid on the Mason he lays his rule his line his plummet that it may be even Brethren what we do by Scripture rule we may be sure is well done and will last to Eternity when Saul would cast out his melancholy the Devil he doth it by Musick that was the advice of his Courtiers and not of God's word No let us follow the Scripture what that bids us do and what means that bids us use to the casting out of this sin let us follow that counsel and none else there is peace to all that do walk according to that Rule 4. Be sure you go not forth in your own strength against this sin or any sin O how many are foiled by Temptations because they have not taken Christ along with them 4. Phil. 13. and we may add this if Christ had not strengthned him Paul could have done nothing O Brethren be sure you forget not this else all that you do will be in vain 'T was in the Name of the Lord that David went out to fight against Goliah and it must be in the Name of Christ and strength and power of Christ that we must go out against this sin and then shall we assuredly return
sickness 2. The Scripture doth no where tell us that such a sin again committed shall not be pardoned 1. God will forgive us as much as he commands us to forgive others we must till seventy seven times 2. No sin but the sin against the Holy Ghost unpardonable because we cannot repent of it 3. A Man may commit the same sin again and again and yet be in Christ and a state of grace as David Peter c. 4. A Man may commit the same sin often yet not be his own beloved sin 2. Some Cautions added 1. Take heed of this falling sickness relapse dangerous 2. Presume not on the examples of the saints of falling again 3. Take heed of relying too much on your own strength 4. Make use of the means to keep from relapsing 1. Keep a tender heart 2. Repent to the purpose 3. Our Saviours receipt 26. Mat. 41. 3. Scruple because they find not the influences of the ordinances Answer'd 2 ways 1. By concession This sin if it be still in us and we do countenance it will hinder the power and vertues of the Ordinances 2. By caution in 2 words 1. Take heed that this be not false that you say not you find no influence when you do to state the Question aright consider 2 things 1. What are the influences of the Ordinances they are 4. 1. Pricking wounding 2. Humbling 3. Strengthning 4 comforting 2. Examin your selves whether you have felt none of these perhaps some though not all 2. Take heed this be not true 't is a dangerous case the means to get influences 1. Go not to the Ordinances in your own strength 2. Look beyond all duties and ordinances they are but means eye the end 3. Be much in prayer to god for an influence on your Souls 4. Scruple because they see more sin in them now than before answered in 4 things 1. Consider the work of conversion 't is to open the eyes to see sin which we saw not before 2. After conversion there is a contrary principle of grace and sin and that fights and that makes us think sin stronger than before 3. The Devil will trouble us now more than before by laying sin to our charge 4. 'T is a sign of a state of grace for any Man to be in this condition 5. Scruple because they think their Repentance not good enough ans two ways 1. 'T is a good sign that person hath truly repented who is troubled he hath repented no better 2. By direction to know true Repentan two ways 1. By its root Humiliation the deeper the surer 2 fold 1. In respect of what is past 2. Fearful careful for the futu 2. By its fruits 2 sorts 1. Turning from sin loathing it as much as formerly loving it 2. Turning to God and godliness 6. Scruple because they are afraid to dye answ 4. ways 1. By concession in 2 particulars 1. That there is nothing in all the World so terrible as Death is 2. Sin as it is the only thing that brought in death so it makes it terrible 2. By distinction between a natural and a sinful fear of death 3. By consolation a true saint if he fear death 't is without a cause 4. By exhortation to seek after assurance that will expel all fears of death 2. Pleas of the wicked for themselves that this sin is out when 't is not these are 7. 1. Plea bec no body can charge them with sin ans 3. ways 1. 'T is the policy of this sin to lye so close that others cannot perceive it 2. Perhaps others may see it and yet not tell thee of it 3. If God condemn thee what advantage is it that the whole World acquit thee 2. Plea bec Conscience doth not check them answered in 4 things 1. Though Conscience doth not accuse you it doth not follow that it cannot 2. It doth not follow that therefore conscience will never accuse you 3. You say conscience doth not accuse you but doth conscience excuse you there 's the Question 4. Take heed of such bad quiet Consciences as never smite for sin 3. Plea because conscience doth smite them ans 3. ways 1. Trust not too much to troubles of Conscience 2. Rules to judge of troubles of conscience 1. when a Man is never the better for them 1. Look to the fountain of these troubles is it only for fear of punishment 2. Examine what sins thou art troubled for only open gross sins 3. Whether doth this trouble drive thee 4. Consider the effects is it reformation 2. When a Man is the better for them 1. When the soul is more troubled for the sin than for the punishment 2. When the soul takes more care to be washed from the filth than freed from the guilt 3. When the soul carefully avoids sin ever after 4. Plea bec they perform duties and frequent ordinances ans in 5 things 1. Even the very Hypocrites do the same 1. That they may have whereof to boast 2. By outward duties to cloak their inward lusts 3. That they may have whereon to rest and trust to 2. A Man may do all duties and yet live under the power of sin 3. Duties performed where the life is not reformed do the more harden the heart in sin 4. Get the power of godliness into your hearts and use these duties as helps to it 5. If many that do these duties shall go to Hell what will become of those that do nothing 5. Plea be they have left many sins answ in 2 particulars 1. 'T is a good beginning but 't is not enough 1. There is no sinner in the world but abstains from yea hates some sins 2. The Scripture character of a Saint is not the leaving of such or such particular sins but sin in the general 3. Unless we repent and turn from all sins there 's no mercy Partial 2. A particular reformation is not true examin it by 2 Quest 1. Quest what are the sins reformed 1. Are they not only small petty sins or 2. Sins that cross and hinder preferment or 3. Gross iniquities that all the Country cryes shame on or 4. Such sins as have first left you 2. Question what kind of reformation 1. Only an outward of life and not of heart 2. Only of passion and not of Reason and Judgment 3. Only a leaving of sin and not an hating 4. Only a turning from sin and not a turning to God. 6. Plea be they can't endure sin in others answered 3 ways 1. Censuring and judging others will not make a true Saint 2. 'T is the sign of an Hypocrite to hate sin in others and not in himself 3. Follow the Gospel rules in this case 1. In judging and censuring our work lyes only at home 2. In reproving and reforming we must first begin at home and then go abroad 7. Plea be they are not only professors their good works are to be seen answered 2 ways 1. Even Hypocrites may imitate the