me hear and your soul shall live Joh. 6 51 I am the living bread which came down from Heaven if any man eat of this bread he shall live for ever When thou has beâ—n made partaker of the life of grace from Christ labour to preserve that life for he that is born of God keepeth himself 1 Joh. 5.18 Preserve the life of grace 1. By frequenting the Ordinances of Word and Sacraments for as by these means the Lord begets this new life in us so by the same means he preserves it in us 1 Pet. 2.1 2. As new born babes desire the sincere milk of the Word that ye may grow thereby As children who forsake their meat do decay daily so Christians who loath or neglect the Sacred Ordinances do decay in respect of the vigour of grace 2. Frequent good company as a good and wholsome air is very profitable for preserving life and health natural so good and gracious company is very profitable by their wholsome conference and admonitions to preserve the spiritual life of grace Prov. 27.17 Iron sharpeneth iron so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend But evil and ungodly company is like evil weeds that hinder the growth of good herbs they by their evil example and their mocking the work of Gods grace in others do discourage them and sometimes abate the vigour of the life of grace in them 3. Daily exercise is a mean to preserve natural life and health in some vigour because through want of exercise the body becometh lazy and the life less active so daily exercising of our selves to keep a good conscience void of offence toward God and men is a notable mean to preserve the life of grace in some vigour as Paul did Acts 24.16 4. When at any time thou perceivest a beginning of fainting in the life of grace then at the first go by prayer to Christ who is the life and wrought life in thee by his Spirit pray to him that according to the promise Isai 40.29 he would give power to thee who faintest and that he would increase strength It was the wisdom of the Shunamite to come unto Elisha that he might restore life to her child who had gotten life at first by the help of his prayers so it is the wisdom of believers when in their sense they seem to be dead and deprived of the life of grace that sometime they had at such a time to go to Christ and by prayer and faith to wrestle with him that he may come by his Spirit and revive their fainting soul It is their wisdom to do as Peter did Mat. 14.30 31. who beginning to sink immediatly he cried saying Lord save me and immediatly Jesus stretched forth his hand and saved him so although the Lord may suffer thee to sink and fail in spirit that thou may see and be humbled with the sight of thine own weakness yet if thou run to him by prayer he will not suffer thee to drown but will stretch forth his hand of power and revive thee and renew the vigour of thy faith that thou may praise him who is the Author the Preserver and the Perfecter of the life of grace in his Saints To him with the Father and the Holy Ghost be immortal praise honour and glory for now and ever Amen The Attractive Power of the Death and Cross of Christ SERMOM II. JOHN 12.32 And I if I be lifted up from the earth will draw all men unto me OUr blessed Lord in the vers preceeding has spoken of his victory over Satan of casting him out of his spiritual possession of the elect and of their delivery from his power and bondage In this vers he speaketh of the procuring cause of their delivery to wit his own death on the Cross and also of the powerful and efficacious application of the vertue of his death by giving faith to the elect to believe in him and draw their hearts toward him Divis In the words we have these two things 1. The manner of our Lord his death And I if I be lifted up from the earth 2. The vertue and efficacy of his death I will draw all men unto me Whereas it is said If I be lifted up the meaning is when I shall be lifted up for the particle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 here is taken for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 when as it is taken also 1 Joh. 3.2 But we know that when he shall appear 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 As for the manner of his death If I be lifted up from the earth There was a twofold lifting up of Christ one from the earth unto the Cross whereto his body was nailed at his death whereof here and Joh. 3.14 There was another lifting up after his death unto the Throne of glory in Heaven Acts 5.31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour for to give repentance to Israel and forgivenness of sins By his lifting up upon the Cross and the merit of his death he procured the remission of our sins and by his lifting up after his death to the Fathers right hand he doth apply the remission of sins by his intercession Our blessed Lord gave himself willingly for his sheep Tit. 2.14 Joh. 10.17 18. for if he had been pleased to make use of his own Almighty power all the power of the world could not have taken his life from him he that with one word did cast his enemies to the ground who by his power even upon the Cross did rent the rocks he could easily have rent in pieces the tree whereto his body was nailed yet in his wisdom he was pleased to suffer death at the hands of his enemies though his death was simply voluntar yet in some respects it was necessar 1. There was a necessity of it in respect of the punishment threatned against man upon his disobedience The day thou eatest thou shalt die therefore there was a necessity of satisfaction to divine truth and justice by the death of Christ the Mediator and surety of the Covenant of Grace which was made in him Gal. 3.16 and ratified by him Heb. 7.22 2. There was a necessity in respect of Gods decree to send his Son that he might make satisfaction to Divine Justice in our nature therefore it is said by our Lord Joh. 17.6 Thine they were and thou gavest them to me They were the Fathers by election and given to the Son that he might satisfie for them reconcile them and in end bring them to the salvation appointed for them As a King resolving to release and give liberty to so many Rebels Prisoners giveth them over to his Son that he may pay their ransome and so obtain their liberty according to the Fathers decree For this cause our blessed Lord in respect of the decree of the Father to send him into the world that he might die and save his elect is called the Lamb fore-ordained
God and man as Paul walked Act. 24.16 To have a good conscience and to be alwayes willing in all things to live honestly as the Apostle did Heb. 13.18 It is a constant walking at least in respect of a fixed purpose and resolution Psal 84 7. They go from strength to strength Phil. 3.12 Not as though I had already attained either were already perfect but I follow after if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus The impediments of walking are 1. Want of light for if a man walk in the night he stumbleth because there is no light in him Joh. 11.10 Therefore said our blessed Lord to the Pharisees Ye erre not knowing the Scriptures Mat. 22.29 Therefore as we would walk in a right way toward the Kingdom of Heaven we would labour to understand the holy Scriptures which shew us the way of truth and righteousness and we should daily pray with the holy Prophet Psal 43.3 O send out thy light and thy truth let them lead me let them bring me unto thy holy hill and to thy Tabernacles And we should pray with holy David Ps 143.10 Teach me to do thy will for thou art my God thy spirit is good lead me into the land of uprightness 2. Fetters are a great impediment to walking so our unruly and excessive passions as the excessive fear of creatures excessive desires of worldly good things excessive joy and delight in worldly pleasures are a great impediment to spiritual and heavenly walking as servants gazing and fixing their eyes upon some Pictures in their way are stayed in their walking and in going about their business Against this impediment we would pray to God for liberty and enlargement of spirit from that bondage to our masterful affections and we would turn David's resolution Psal 119.32 into a supplication O Lord enlarge thou my heart and then shall I run the way of thy Commandments It should be our daily prayer to the Lord with holy David Psal 119.37 Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity and quicken thou me in thy way 3. A heavy burden is a great impediment to walking so when men over-burden their spirits with the care of worldly things they walk not in the way of righteousness but many times step aside after the wages of unrighteousness the love of the world hindered the rich young man to walk after Christ Luk. 18.23 Therefore that we may walk readily and chearfully in the wayes of Gods Commandments we should cast all our care upon him for he careth for us 1 Pet. 5.7 And we should pray daily as Psal 119.36 Encline my heart unto thy Testimonies and not to covetousness 4. Fainting is a great impediment to walking Jonathan fainted in his way till he tasted of the honey Great difficulties and discouragments in the way of Holiness and uprightness are like the Sons of Anak that discouraged greatly the people of Israel from walking up the hill that thereafter they might enter into the promised Land Against this impediment of fainting in the good and perfect way from the many troubles and discouragements thou meetest with therein recollect thy self and be encouraged from the Lords faithful promise Isai 40.29 He giveth power to the faint and to them that have no might he increaseth strength In all the bitter mockings thou meetest with from profane men who not only mock thee but speak evil of thee because thou wilt not run with them to the same excess of riot yet be thou resolute and stedfast in thy spiritual and Christian walking as David did Psal 119.51 The proud have had me greatly in derision yet have I not declined from thy Law Yea walk the more sincerely and spiritually in conversing with God by prayer Psal 69.12 13. I was the song of the drunkards but as for me my prayer is unto thee O Lord in an acceptable time When the child of God has least acceptance or communion with profane men then is he most acceptable to God and hath most of his countenance which preserves his soul from fainting at their bitter scoffings look often unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith who endured such contradiction of sinners lest we looking too much to men who wrong us should faint in our minds Heb. 12.2 3. Be encouraged in all thy faintings from the hope of that Crown of Righteousness laid up for all these who walk with God as Enoch did Walk with God in heavenly meditations and walk thou before God as Abraham did in faith and obedience the hope o◠that Crown strengthened the heart of Paul against fainting 2 Cor. 4.16 17. For which cause we faint not but though our outward man perish yet the inward man is renewed day by day For our light affliction which is but for a moment worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory Therefore seing there is an infallible connexion between spiritual life by the Spirit and spiritual walking in the strength and by the direction of the Spirit according to the Word as there is a conjunction of the stream with the fountain if we live in the Spirit let it be manifested by our walking in the Spirit and if the Spirit dwell in us the Spirit will quicken our mortal bodies and raise them up to follow the Lamb where-ever he goeth To him with the Father and Holy Spirit be all praise honour and glory for now and ever Amen Circumspect walking SERMON VI. EPHES. 5.15 See then that ye walk circumspectly not as fools but as wise VERS 16. Redeeming the time because the dayes are evil AS Salvation is the end of faith on the Lord Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 1.9 Receiving the end of your faith even the salvation of your souls So our walking in the way of holiness and good works is the way to salvation the Lord Jesus Christ is properly the living way that leadeth and guideth believers to salvation and good works are the meeths and evidences that we are in Christ the Captain of Salvation Eph. 2.10 For we are the workmanship of God created in Christ Jesus unto good works which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them The Christian walking is discribed here 1. Positively See that ye walk circumspectly 2. Negatively not as fools 3. By way of opposition to the walking of fools in two qualifications required in circumspect walking But as wise redeeming the time 4. The motive to a Christian and circumspect walking is taken from the evil of the times Because the dayes are evil To walk circumspectly signifieth as the original word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 importeth an accurat and exact walking like a man walking upon the ridge of a mountain without declining to the one hand or to the other Deut. 5.32 Ye shall observe to do therefore as the Lord your God hath commanded you you shall not turn aside to the right hand nor to the left 1. In our zeal we would walk circumspectly not
overstretching our selves to do more than we have a calling from God to do as Peter did in smiting with the sword without a warrand from Christ and we must circumspectly shun the other extremity in omitting the duty of confessing the truth when we are called thereto by God it was the sin of these fair professors Joh. 12.42 they did not confess Christ for fear to be put out of the Synagogue 2. We would shun circumspectly all negligence and carelesness to do good works Gal. 6.10 As we have therefore opportunity let us do good unto all men especially unto them who are of the houshold of faith Tit. 3.8 This is a faithful saying and these things I will that thou affirm constantly that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works because every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire Mat. 3.10 and we would walk circumspectly shunning the other extreme in confiding into our own good works for justification and salvation because if God enter into judgement with man none living shall be justified in his fight by their own works which are very far short of that exact righteousness required in the law Psal 143.2 Yea Abraham Father of the faithful was not justified by his good works for if Abraham were justified by works he hath whereof to glory but not before God Rom. 4.2 3. We should walk circumspectly in using the things of this present world not refusing the good things offered to us by the good providence of God whether riches liberty or preferment to a more free and plentiful condition of life 1 Cor. 7.21 But if thou mayest be made free use it rather And we should walk circumspectly in shunning the other extreme by abusing the good things of this present world to pride riot or vain confidence 1 Tim. 6.17 Charge them that are rich in this world that they be not high minded nor trust in uncertain riches but in the living God who giveth us richly all things to enjoy 4. We should walk circumspectly with holy men in this world not following them absolutly in all things for even the best of meer men has their own failings they are compared to the cloud in the wilderness that had a light side and a dark side we must not put darkness for light nor light for darkness but should follow holy men with this limitation in so far as they are followers of the Lord Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 11.1 We should follow Peter in his free confession before the Council Acts 4. but not in his denial in the high Priests hall 5. We should walk circumspectly with wicked men that we be not enticed to sin by their evil counsel or example Prov. 1.10 When sinners entise thee consent thou not We would walk circumspectly in forbearing to speak any thing in their presence that may strengthen them in their sinful courses or may be a snare to our selves in giving occasion to them to procure our hurt from these who will make a man an offender for an inconsiderat word Psal 39.1 I will keep my mouth with a bridle while the wicked is before me 6. We should walk circumspectly shunning all appearance of evil 1 Thess 5.22 Neither doing evil nor evil like for by the appearance of evil-doing we grieve the stronger Christians and stumble the weaker we do wrong and prejudice to our own good name which being preserved entire is better then precious Oyntment Eccles 7.1 but being spoiled by the scandalous appearance of evil doing it becomes unsavory to others as Oyntment corrupted by a dead flee Joseph walked circumspectly not onely he hearkned not to that shameless woman but also would not abide in the same secret room with her Gen. 39.10 Paul was very circumspect in shunning all appearance of mal-versation and unfaithful dealing in the matter of publick collections 2 Cor. 8.20 Avoiding this that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administred by us 7. There should be a circumspect walking in shunning all occasions and provocations to sin especially familiarity with profane and riotous men Prov. 4.14 15. Enter not into the path of the wicked and go not in the way of evil men Prov. 20.25 With a furious man thou shalt not go lest thou learn his wayes and get a snare to thy soul For evil company corrupteth good manners can a man touch pitch and not be defiled therewith can a man take fire in his bosom and not be burnt Prov. 23.20 Several sins have their own several occasions and provocations but evil company is a magazine of evil occasions and provocations for all sins 8. We should walk circumspectly in abstaining from lesser sins because such being neglected and not noticed are oft-times inlets to greater sins what is said of one sin is true of all Prov. 17.14 The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water therefore leave off contention before it be medled with Peter went rashly into the place of temptation without a call and thereafter denied first and in end cursed if he knew the Lord Jesus Christ it is not a superstitious and unnecessar but commendable preciseness to abstain from lesser sins 9. This circumspect walking is in an abstaining from every thing that would provoke our predominant sin old sores are soon and easily rankled therefore we would carefully keep aloof from it as David did Psal 18.23 I was also upright before him and I kept my self from mine iniquity And we would shun also all occasions that are apt to induce us into sin as the occasions of superstition and idolatry in the matter of Gods worship The Lord God forbad the people of Israel to plant a grove nigh unto the Altar of God Deut. 16.21 lest possibly in respect of the nearness people should step aside from the Altar and true worship of God into a place or mannor of false worship The causes of uncircumspectness in our walking are 1. Want of knowledge and ignorance as men for want of light to discover dangers in the way cannot walk circumspectly Joh. 12.35 He that walketh in darkness knoweth not whether he goeth Through want of knowledge the Jews walked in a way of cruelty against our blessed Lord and the Ephesians through the ignorance that was in them gave themselves over unto laciviousness to work all uncleanness with greediness Ephes 4.19 2. The impetuous and vehement desires even in the godly and orthodox hath made them in their eagerness of opposition to one errour through an immoderate desire of counterpoising which Basil calls 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to walk uncircumspectly toward another extremity of errour some ancient Fathers in their great zeal to oppose Manicheism in asserting a fatal necessity of all humane actions did incline too much to Pelagianism and the extolling of the liberty of mans free will above the sphere of its activity as gardeners do bend a crooked branch too much sometimes to the other
the company of the ungodly Psal 26.4 Psal 101.7 The holy Evangelist John would not go into the same Bathe where were the blasphemous Hereticks Ebion and Cerinthus but contrariwise it was their custom to frequent and delight in the company of such as feared God Psal 16.2 Psal 119.63 Act. 9.19 Then was Saul to wit after his conversion certain days with the Disciples which were at Damascus Quest 1. Is it unlawful in any case to keep communion and company with wicked men Ans 1. It is not simply and altogether unlawful for then must we needs go out of the world 1 Cor. 5.10 A natural communion with them in things necessary for this present life is very lawful Abraham and Isaac went to Gerar and Egypt in time of famine and our blessed Lord sent to Sihar a village of the Samaritans for bread 2. A civil communion in things necessary for our well-being is also lawful as commerce and trading with wicked men thus Solomon 1 King 9.26 did keep a communion and commerce of trade with the Heathens of the Eastern India Likewise a communion and association in war for defence and self preservation or for the recovery of things unlawfully taken by usurpers and oppressours is very lawful for the Magistrate and Ruler of the people Abraham joyned in confederacy with Aner Eshcol and Mamre though Canaanites for the rescuing of Lot Gen. 14. It is lawful also for the preserving of the publick peace and their own privat peace Isaac made a Covenant of peace with that Heathen King Abimelech Gen. 26.31 And Nehemiah sought a Pass for safe conduct and protection from Artaxerxes Neh. 2.7 Providing alwayes such confederacies be without any condition prejudicial to Religion or to common honesty It must not be on such like conditions as were these whereupon peace was offered to Israel by Nahash the Ammonite 1 Sam. 11.2 3. There is a lawful outward Church-communion with wicked men in the outward ordinances as in hearing the Word praying praising and receiving the Sacrament Ishmael was circumcised as well as Isaac and Simon Magus was baptized as others also were in Samaria We may not separat from the Church because possibly through the negligence of the Spiritual Rulers profane and scandalous persons are admitted to the holy Sacrament The Angel of Pergamos and Thyatira is reproved for tolerating vile and scandalous persons notwithstanding the people of these Churches are not required to separat from the Church Rev. 2. Cyprian Lib. 3. Epist 3. Although saith he there seem to be tares in the Church yet thou must not separat from it but labour by all means that thou thy self may be good grain August Epist 48. to Vincent Good men saith he are not to be forsaken for evil mens sake but evil men are to be tolerat for good mens sake And this he proveth 1. From the example of the Prophets who spake much against the people of Israel and yet did communicat with them in the holy Ordinances 2. From the example of Christ whō did tolerat Judas 3. From the example of holy Cyprian who did tolerat the covetousness of his Colleagues and yet not forsake communion with them in the sacred Ordinances Such toleration is not an approbation of these whom they tolerat it is simply unvoluntar as the toleration of the tares Mat. 13. but voluntar only in respect of a care to preserve the wheat Thus David for preserving the publick peace did tolerat the sons of Zerviah but did not approve them in their head-strong courses It is true we must have no communion with wicked men and workers of iniquity as such in their evil works Eph. 5.11 Though we should not have communion even with the godly in their sinful infirmities yet we must not for these break off fellowship with them Gal. 6.1 And we should follow them and their example in all things wherein they are followers of the Lord Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 11.1 Quest 2. Wherein stands our spiritual Church-communion with the godly Ans It stands 1. in our partaking the same outward holy Ordinances Heb. 10.24 25. Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works not forsaking the assembling of our selves together 2. In having the same common priviledges as one heavenly Father one Head one Spirit renewing them one common inheritance purchased and reserved in Heaven for them for which cause all believers are said to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 kinsmen 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of one mystical body 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fellow-heirs Eph. 2. 3. In mutual Christian-duties as in loving one another Gal. 5.13 Eph. 4.2 Forbearing one another in love not breaking fellowship for infirmities Paul reproved Peter to his face boldly but did not break off Christian communion with him Gal. 2.14 Cornelius and Cyprian lived in Christian fellowship and communion all the days of their life notwithstanding some difference in judgement The spiritual duties of Christian love for mutual edification we have set down 1 Thes 5.11 14. 4. In a sympathy and fellow-feeling 1 Cor. 12.26 As in the natural body there is a sympathy between the brain and the sinews between the stomack and the reins so there is a mutual sympathy between the members of the mystical body of Jesus Christ they will be pained at the heart with godly sorrow for the failings of one another 2 Cor. 11.29 Who is weak and I am not weak Who is offended and I burn not They will rejoice in the spiritual good of one another Joh. Epist 3.4 There will be a sympathy of sorrow in their outward calamities by condoling one with another 1 Pet. 3.8 A rejoycing and congratulation in outward prosperity Phil 2.27 28. 5. In a mutual supply of spiritual wants and defects 1 Pet. 4 10. As every man hath received the gift even so minister the same one to another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God He that hath more of zeal will stir up another that hath more of knowledge but less of zeal and he that hath more of knowledge and prudence will advise another that hath more of zeal but less of knowledge and prudence Likewise there will be according to their abilities a supply in bodily wants 2 Cor. 8.14 as was seen in godly Cornelius Acts 9.10 otherwise there is not any sincere love of God notwithstanding any great show in profession 1 Joh. 3.17 But whoso hath this worlds good and seeth his brother have need and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him how dwelleth the love of God in him Vse 1. For admonition as ye would show your selves true converts bewar of intimat and frequent fellowship with profane and ungodly men 1. Because evil company corrupts good manners 1 Cor. 15.33 Joseph learned in the Court of Egypt to swear by the life of Pharaoh It is said Prov. 22.24 25. With a furious man thou shalt not go lest thou learn his ways and get a snare to thy soul As contagion
comes by looking upon sore eyes so infection taketh hold upon many from their beholding the evil example of others for thou art more ready to comply with their corruption then they are to follow any grace or virtue that is in thee thou hath corruption dwelling in thy mortal body which is ready to correspond with them and to concurr in their works of darkness but they have not grace in them to correspond with thee in gracious dispositions or actions 2. Through their evil company thou may be in danger of a temporal judgment as was good Jehoshaphat 2 Chron. 18.31 Yea not only in danger but also involved in the same common calamity with them as was righteous Lot Gen. 14.12 3. By thy intimat fellowship with prophane men thou doth great prejudice to thine own good name and reputation for others seeing or hearing of thy fellowship with them cannot but think thou art like unto them as birds of one feather flocking together but thou shouldest consider that next to a good Conscience a good Name is to be sought and preserved Prov. 22.1 a good name is rather to be chosen than great riches and loving favour rather than silver and gold Silver and gold may be lost and recovered again but a good name once lost is not easily recovered it will cost a man more pains and labour to recover it then it would cost him to have preserved it It is compared to precious oyntment Eccles 7.1 A good name is better than precious oyntment It is more precious and fragrant than oyntment yet evil company is as a flee in the oyntment spoils it and makes it unsavoury 4. It is the will of God thou shouldest abstain not only from the substance of evil but also from the circumstances and appearances of evil 1 Thess 5.22 abstain from all appearance of evil 1 Joh. 5.21 keep your selves from idols Not only from the act but also from the object of idolatry therefore the Lord would not have the people of Israel plant a grove of any trees near unto the Altar of the Lord Deut. 16.21 lest it being too nigh the people might creep into the groves and there sin against the Lord for it becometh Christians to walk circumspectly even before the world a chaste and honest conversation becometh well the Spouse of Christ Cesar said it became Cesars Wife not only to be honest in deed but also to be free from all occasion of suspition how much more doth it well become all espoused to Christ to walk humbly with God and without offence before men 5. The man who without a call doth frequent evil company provokes God to leave him and to give him over unto the evil counsels and temptations of such evil company therefore godly men though never so resolute yet should they not without a call from God as Joseph and Daniel had for their being in Egypt and Babylon cast themselves into the snare of evil company no man nearest to danger by his own free option is long safe no wise Mariner in time of calm should cast anchor hard by a rock for he knoweth not how soon the storm may arise and dash the Vâ—ssel against the rock It was the wisdom of chaste Joseph not to abide privatly in one and the same room with that shameless woman Gen. 39.10 Vse 2. For exhortation to frequent most the company of such as fear the Lord because 1. their good example and instruction may be unto thee a restraint from evil doing as good Jehoiadah was to Jehoash for a long time 2 King 12.2 2. It may hold off a judgement temporal even from wicked men if there had been but ten righteous persons in Sodom it had been spared for their sakes yea Gen. 19.22 the Angel said he could bring no judgement upon it untill Lot was first gone out of it 3. The company of the godly through Gods blessing may do much good unto thee by their good example and counsel Prov. 13.20 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise This may be clearly seen in the godly servants of Abraham and Cornelius the Centurion Gen. 24. Act 10.7 by their religious speech and dialect ye may easily discern they have been bred in the company of these who feared God yet sometimes it may be otherwayes contrary to the good example and instructions of the Masters of the families for in Davids company there was an Achithophel in Elisha's a Gehazi and even in Christs own company the Traitor Judas The second evidence of a real change and of true conversion is a willing submission to the Word of God in the ministry of his weak Servants subjected to the like passions as we our selves are a little child shall lead them these that are led by another have first life within them So men are first quickened by the life of faith through the Word by the Spirit and thereafter they are easily led by the Ministers of Jesus Christ unto duties revealed by God in the holy Word Joh. 10.27 My sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow me By the Spirit of God working effectually with the Word they are first made sheep and thereafter they follow him in the way of obedience to his counsel and direction Rom. 6.17 God be thanked that ye were the servants of sin but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered to you because the Word of God by the Spirit puts a stamp and impression upon their spirits as the printing-iron doth upon the paper that a man may see therein the very letter of the Type it self this is signified in the Original 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 this submission in believers is by the assent of faith in their minds to the Word as the infallible truth of the God of truth and by love in our hearts to it as the good and righteous Word of God which is able to save the soul of the believers 1 Thes 2.13 Ye received the Word of God not as the word of men but as the Word of God And withall there is an honest purpose of heart to obey the direction of the Word in practical duties Luk. 8.15 That seed on the good ground are they which in an honest and good heart having heard the Word keep it and bring forth fruit with patience Rom. 16.19 Your obedience is come abroad unto all men Vse 1. For conviction and reproof of many visible Professors who by their willful disobedience and rejecting the counsel of the divine truth declare themselves in effect not yet truly changed and converted from what they were formerly some flatly reject the Word as these Jews Jer. 44.16 others speak fair but prove indeed like the young fair-spoken son Mat. 21.31 He said I go Sir and went not How many in time of sad affliction confess their sins and profess a purpose of amendment as Pharaoh did Exod. 9.27 28. but all these professions and appearing resolutions are like the morning
wisdom for God will have men to repent and turn that they may live in his sight Ezek. 33.11 As I live saith the Lord God I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked but that the wicked turn from his way and live Ye must believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for there is no salvation in any other neither is there any other name under Heaven given among men whereby we must be saved Act. 4.12 And ye must walk in obedience to his will because he became the Author of eternal Salvation unto all them that obey him Heb. 5.9 4. True Christian wisdom standeth in foreseeing impediments stumbling-blocks and snares in the way wherein â—e are to walk toward eternal life Prov. 22.3 A prudent man foreseeth evil 5. As the truly wise Christian foreseeth the danger so he wisely preveeneth or removeth every impediment out of the way that would hinder him to walk or run his race with patience 1 Cor. 9.27 But I keep under my body and bring it into subjection lest that by any means when I have preached to others I my self should be a cast-away Heb. 12.1 Let us lay aside every weight c. 6. The wise Christian walketh according to right reason in his worldly desires and not according to passion and sensual appetite which would be at the outmost point of his carnal desires for passions not guided and moderated by prudence and right reason do run into extremity of sinning as is spoken of Israel Jer. 3.5 Behold thou hast spoken and done evil things as thou couldest In so doing men become foolish to the destruction of their own souls like the Nightingale delighting so much sometimes in her own singing that she bursts 7. The truly wise Christian walketh wisely towards them that are without the Church and adversaries to the sacred truth Col. 4.5 Walk wisely toward them that are without 1 Cor. 10.32 Giving none offence neither to the Jews nor to the Gentiles nor to the Church of God because in so doing thou hinders so far as lyeth in thee the great end to wit Gods glory in their conversion to the faith and truth professed by thy self to this end the Apostle giveth sound advice to all who live in an outward civil society with others of a different perswasion in the matter of Religion 1 Tim. 6.1 Let as many servants as are under the yoke to wit of unbelieving masters count their own masters worthy of all honour that the Name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed 1 Pet. 3.1 2. Likewise ye wives be in subjection to your own husbands that if any obey not the word they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives while they behold your chast conversation coupled with fear Worldly and contentious wisdom is directly opposite to true Christian wisdom as is evident from Jam. 3.15 This wisdom that hath with it bitter envying and strife descendeth not from above but is earthly sensual and devilish It is called earthly from the object of it because it is imployed chiefly about things earthly of such wisdom speaketh Jer. 4.22 They are wise to do evil but to do good they have no knowledge wise to oppress others as Pharaoh Exod. 1.10 Let us deal wisely c. wise by wicked counsels to destroy the innocent such was the wisdom of Achithophel in his counsel against David It is a sensual wisdom to fulfill their own sinful lusts in taking the opportunities to do evil as the young man taking the opportunity of the twilight to go about the work of darkness and uncleanness Job 24.15 and the vile adulteresse taking the opportunity of her husbands absence for her shameful and sensual ends Pro. 7.19 It is the earthly wisdom of a covetous man by his speeches to deceive and defraud the simple Pro. 20.14 It is nought it is nought saith the buyer c. It is called a devilish wisdom from the Author of it the subtile old serpent and it is rather craftiness and subtile deceit than true wisdom The true signs and vive characters of the true Christian wisdom are 1. These given by the Apostle Jam. 3.17 It is pure without mixture of deceit peaceable without envy and malice gentle without desire of revenge full of mercy and charity without grudging to give unto them that are in distress and full of good fruits to wit of piety sobriety and righteousness 2. Where true heavenly wisdom is there will be teachableness and willingness to hear a word of reproof when we do amiss Pro. 1.5 A wise man will hear c. Pro. 9.8 Rebuke a wise man and he will love thee David loved Nathan and Gud the faithful Prophets who reproved him in the Name of the Lord. 3. A truly wise Christian will endeavour by his good example instruction and admonition to win others to God Prov 11.30 He that winneth souls is wise as a wise and faithful servant by his good example of diligence maketh other servants diligent and faithful in his Masters service 4. True Christian wisdom hath honest and harmless simplicity joyned with it Mat. 10 16. Be ye therefore wise as serpents and harmless as doves 5. The truly wise Christian like the wise Merchant preferreth Christ to all things and like the wise builder Mat. 7.24 he builds his comfort and confidence on Jesus Christ the rock of his salvation as Paul did Rom. 8.33 34 35. Gal. 6.14 God forbid that I should glory save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ 6. The truly wise Christian is an heavenly-minded man having his affections set upon things above Prov. 15.24 The way of life is above to the wise that he may depart from hell beneath The means and helps for attaining this heavenly wisdom are 1. Thou must be humble and denyed to thine own wisdom 1 Cor. 3.18 Let him become a fool that he may be wise Thou must captivat all thy thoughts and imaginations to the wisdom and will of God revealed in the holy Word 2 Cor. 10.4 5. 2. To this end thou must be well acquainted with the holy Scripture which only is able to make thee wise unto salvation 2 Tim. 3.15 3. Thou wouldst carefully observe the experiences thou has had of Gods mercies in time by-past this will make thee wise and resolute in times of new difficulties to depend on God and his help Ps 71.17 18. O God thou hast taught me from my youth c. Now also when I am old and gray-headed O God forsake me not for experience is the school-master of fools to make them wise thou wilt also observe the Lords chastisements upon thy self in the former time of thy deboarding and thou wilt be more wise in time coming Ps 119.71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted that I might learn thy Statutes Thou wilt observe the uncertainty and vicissitude of all things worldly and there-from learn to be humble and wise not trusting or insolently glorying in things uncertain
man can work therefore before that night surprize you delay not to enter unto the work of sanctification which is begun salvation and work it out in fear and trembling that at death ye may rejoyce and say with Paul 2 Tim. 4.7 8. I have fought a good fight I have finished my course I have kept the faith henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness c. Let them with old Simeon frequent the temple and make conscience of the holy ordinances both publick and privat in them waiting for the Lord Jesus Christ who will come to old expectants as he did to old Simeon and will put himself into the armes of their faith that they may say at death Mine eyes have seen thy salvation now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace The reason brought by the Apostle to press the whole complex duty is walking circumspectly not as fools but as wise redeeming the time is set down in these words because the dayes are evil no day or time is intrinsecally evil but good being created of God together with the creatures as the measure of the endurance of things created by God which were all good in the beginning but as man by the abuse of his own free-will made himself evil Eccles 7.29 So he himself maketh his time and dayes evil which are the measure of his evil actions The holy Scripture speaks of good dayes and happy times such as was the day of the birth of our blessed Lord Luk. 2.10 11. such as is the time of the preaching of the Gospel to the Gentiles 2 Cor. 6.2 such as will be to the godly the day of our Lords second coming which is called the day of refreshment of restoring all things Act. 3.19.21 and the day of full redemption Eph. 4.30 The Scripture speaketh also of evil dayes wherein sin and iniquity doth abound such were the dayes wherein Noah and Lot lived such were the dayes wherein Isaiah lived when he complains of the decay of truth of common honesty and of the abounding of violence Is 59.15 Yea truth faileth and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey Such were the times wherein Jeremiah lived who complained heavily of them Jer. 9.2 O that I had in the wilderness a lodging-place of way-faring men that I might leave my people and go from them for they be all adulterers an assembly of treacherous men full of falshood and dissimulation c. Such were the times whereof Peter foretold 2 Pet. 3. There shall come in the last dayes scoffers walking after their own lusts Men blasphemous and profane mocking at the promises of God and at the saith of the godly for trusting to these promises Evil dayes also are the dayes of sad and grievous calamities Gen. 47.9 Jacob said unto Pharaoh few and evil have the dayes of the years of my life been Such were the dayes of Jerusalem in their first destruction by the Babylonians and in their second destruction by the Romans In such evil dayes we should walk circumspectly for the Apostle urgeth this duty from this reason because the dayes are evil Consider 1. God observeth the godly in their walking at such a time especially wherein sin and iniquity doth abound he observed the uprightness of Noah in the midst of a crooked generation and the righteousness of Lot whose soul was vexed with the unclean conversation of that evil time he observed these few in the Church of Sardis who had not defiled their garments with the pollutions of that evil time wherein they lived Rev. 3.4 2 Evil dayes are critick dayes wherein we may discern and judge of the good or bad dispositions of men living in such times evil times are searching and trying times of the saith of the godly notwithstanding the prosperity of the wicked thus the Prophets saith was tryed Ps 73.28 But it is good for me to draw near to God Such times are trying times of the patience of the godly Heb. 10.36 Ye have need of patience that after ye have done the will of God ye might receive the promise In such evil times the stedfastness of the godly is tryed when many that were fair professors in a time of prosperity do make defection from the way of truth and righteousness as Joh. 6.68 when many that were sometimes disciples by profession went back and walked no more with Christ then the stedfastness of Peter and of such as were disciples indeed was tryed and manifested Peter said to whom shall we go thou hast the words of eternal life 3. Evil times wherein sin and iniquity abounds are perilous times 2 Tim. 3.1 This know also that in the last dayes perilous times shall come They are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 times full of difficulty for the godly to preserve themselves from the contagion or from the violence of such times if they will not run to the same excess of riot with the wicked Preservatives against evil times are 1. Sound information from the Word of God that by the light thereof we may discover and shun the wayes of an evil time Ps 17.4 Concerning the works of men by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer Ps 119.104 By thy precepts I get understanding therefore I hate every false way 2. Give not consent to the beginnings of any evil course Prov. 1.10 My son if sinners entice thee consent thou not Because consent at first may justly provoke God in his justice to leave thee to thy own counsel and then thou mayest prove an active promoter and violent driver on of the course of iniquity Paul at first gave consent to the stoning of Stephen and afterward made cruel havock of the Christian Church The course of iniquity is called a backsliding Hos 4.16 Israel slideth back as a back-sliding hiefer And if once thou begin to slide thou cannot tell how far thine own corruption and the evil counsel and example of wicked men may carry thee as it did sometimes the people of Jerusalem Jer. 8.5 Why then is this people of Jerusalem slidden back by a perpetual back-sliding they hold fast deceit they refuse to return At first men are deceived by their own hearts and thereafter to excuse and strengthen themselves in their own sinful wayes they deceive and corrupt others by evil counsel and example for no man at first comes to the hight of iniquity according to the saying nemo repente fit pessimus but they grow worse and worse deceiving and being deceived 2 Tim. 3.13 3. In a time wherein piety and righteousness is mocked by profane and licentious men speaking all manner of evil against the godly and upright who will not run with them to the same excesse of riot 1 Pet. 4.4 labour thou the more to preserve thy self from pusilanimity and base fear of their revilings against any complying with their sinful wayes Ps 119.51 The proud have had me greatly in derision yet have I not declined from
thy Law 4. In evil times when a man is made an offender for a rash and inconsiderat word Isa 29.21 then preserve thy self by silence except thou have a call from God to speak Psal 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 Amos 5.13 Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time for it is an evil time And pray often to God to set a watch before thy mouth not to suffer thy heart to comply with the workers of iniquity and that the Lord would preserve thee from being taken with their worldly baits and allurements Psal 141.3 4. Set a watch O Lord before my mouth keep the door of my lips encline not my heart to any evil thing to practise wicked works with men that work iniquity and let me not eat of their dainties 5. In evil times of wrath and imminent judgement by reason of impiety and iniquity abounding in the land draw near to God by repentance and faith in Jesus Christ Zeph. 2.1 2. Gather your selves together yea gather together O nation not desired before the decree bring forth before the day pass as the chaff before the fierce anger of the Lord come upon you before the day of the Lords anger come upon you Be humble and tremble in time at the threatning of wrath that ye may have rest in your souls in the day when the cup is poured forth Hab. 3.16 When I heard my belly trembled my lips quivered at the voice rottenness entred into my bones and I trembled in my self that I might rest in the day of trouble when he cometh up unto the people he will invade them with his troops They who tremble not in the time of a threatned judgement yet when the judgement is poured forth even these who were stout-hearted sinners in the day of wrath poured forth they become like Pashur Magor-missabib fear round about When thou hast repented of thy sins which together with the sins of others have provoked the Lord to great wrath then flee by faith in to the mercy of God manifested in Jesus Christ who is the only Ark of Propitiation Heb. 11.7 Noah being warned of God of things not seen as yet moved with fear prepared an ark to the saving of his soul When the evil day of wrath is come and the judgement is incumbent then humble your selves under the mighty hand of God 2 Chron. 7.14 If my people which are called by my Name shall humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked wayes then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land 2 Chron. 30.8 Now be ye not stiff-necked as your fathers were but yeeld your selves unto the Lord and enter into his sanctuary which he hath sanctâ—fied for ever and serve the Lord your God that the fierceness of his wrath may turn away from you Thus Rehoboam and the Princes did humble themselves and the Lord gave them some deliverance 2 Chron. 12.6 7. 6. That thou may not faint in evil times wherein sin persecution and misery do abound guard thy heart with the hope of that eternal rest when thou shalt rest from all thy labours 2 Cor. 4.16 17 18. For which cause we faint not c. For our light affliction which is but for a moment worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory while we look not at the things which are seen but at the things which are not seen Heb. 10.34 Ye took joyfully the spoiling of your goods knowing in your selves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance Which is purchased to us by the merits of the sufferings of Jesus Christ our Lord to whom with the Father and the Holy Ghost be everlasting praise honour and glory for now and ever Amen The Believer his Prospect through the dark Valley of Death SERMON VII 2 COR. 5.1 2. For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved we have a building of God an house not made with hands eternal in the heavens For in this we groan earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven THe Particle For points at the connexion of these words with the last verse of the preceeding Chapter wherein the Apostle gave the reason of his not fainting under all the pressures and afflictions he suffered in the body because he looked not so much by present sense to the things he suffered here as by faith and hope he looked to things eternal in heaven to wit unto an eternal rest and an immortal Crown of Glory which not seen by sense yet he believed was reserved for him in heaven Now faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen Heb. 11.1 And the light afflictions in this present life are not to be compared with these eternal things not seen nor perceived by sense Rom. 8.18 What these eternal things are the Apostle describes in part in the two first verses of this Chapter even an immortal and glorified body in the day of the resurrection therefore he faints not but hath Christian courage in all the pain and shame he suffereth at the hand of men now in his frail and mortal body for we know saith he although our earthly house of the tabernacle of the body shall be dissolved when all the pins and joynts will be dissolved yet we have a building of God and we look for an house even a glorified body not of mans making and giving though our frail body be framed in the womb by the Lord yet the glorified body is of the Lords making and giving in a more special manner because in the day of our resurrection he shall change our vile body that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body Phil. 3.21 It is an house eternal and well situat in the heavens where it will not be subject to storms and tempests as it is in this life my assured knowledge saith he of that future happy condition stirreth up in my soul an earnest desire and longing to remove out of the body that I may be clothed upon with glory in my soul after death and with immortal glory both in soul and body at the day of resurrection By earthly house here is meant our body called an house of clay Job 4.19 because the body of the first Adam of whom by propagation we have our bodies was formed out of the red earth from which man was called Adam it is underpropped for a time by meat drink sleep and sometimes by medicine to fill up the breaches and to repair the decayes of this house of clay which in end will fall down to the dust of the earth It is called a tabernacle because the soul dwells in the body for a time as the Ark did reside in the Tabernacle built for