opinion of Religion and think any thing will serve as if any thing were good enough for God Such a slight service was done by Gehazi he went on before and layd his staffe upon the child and there was no appearance of life in the child but the Prophet Elisha layd his hand on the childs hand his mouth on the childs mouth c. and in good earnest set upon the work and the spirit of the child revived It 's the observation of a Reverend Mr. Jerem. Burroughs and precious Divine that of all spirits hee desired to be delivered from a frothy spirit it 's therefore a matter of lamentation and ought in good earnest to be bewailed to consider with what irreverence formalities and slightnesse of the spirit many set upon duty some will pray partly between sleeping and waking so drowsily that they can scarce pronounce their words aright Others will mumble over a few words of course in their beds Neither of these think of that reverence that belongs to the great God of heaven and earth and that he requires the Male the best we can offer unto him A third Impediment is a worldly spirit A heart swallowed up Imped 3. A wordly spirit with the love of the world will never give God the best such spirits wil grudge any thing for God because the world hath seized on their spirits and took up their affections Their breath words conversations even all favours of the world Now this love of the world is the root of all evill and enmity against God Demas forsook the Apostles society The young man preferred earthly treasures before heavenly where the world sits close and the heart is enamoured with the love of the world there Christs riches and his excellencies are undervalued A fourth Impediment is an unbeleeving heart Christ is not a Imped 4. An unbeleeving heart whit regarded amongst unbeleevers onely beleevers account him precious 1 Pet. 2. 7. He that knew the worth of the pearl of price and beleeved there was such vertue in it sold all to purchase it Mat. 13. 46 47. These Impediments being removed some speciall duties ought to be practised 1. Alwaies set before thine eyes the great God of heaven and Dut. 1. Set God before thine eyes earth as omnipresent pure and omnipotent who seeth knoweth and searcheth all hearts This consideration will make thee afraid to present any thing vile and refuse unto so great so holy a Lord God How thou prayest in thy closet what thy secret reserved thoughts are what thy intentions are in any duty all are naked unto that great and glorious Majesty with whom thou hast to deale 2. Labour for sincerity of heart That 's it which will carry thee Dut. 2. Labour for sincerity of heart through all brakes bryars difficulties and perplexities whatsoever It 's said Asa's heart was upright there 's a neverthelesse put in 2 Chron 15. 17. It 's this which comforted Hezekiah when the sentence of death was past against him 2 King 20. 3. It 's that which God requires even truth in the inward parts Ps 51. 6. It 's that which is the cause of rejoycing 2 Cor. 1. 12. Nathaniels character to be an Israelite indeed without guile Joh. 1. 47. The upright are they which love Christ Cant. 1. 4. And they are Gods delight Prov. 11. 20. Their Tabernacle shall flourish Prov. 14. 11. Their high way is to depart from evill Prov. 16. 17. They walk surely Prov. 10. 9. and no good thing will God withhold from them Ps 84. 11. Their end is peace Psal 37. 37. Upright walking with God will carry a man through all troubles whatsoever and in life and death will yeeld matter of abundance of consolation 3. Embrace the present season of Grace Seek ye the Lord whilst Dut. 3. Embrace the present season he may be found call ye upon him whilst he is near Isa 55. 6. Now give God your strength and marrow and lay aside all delayes Apologies and Procrastinations 4. Be much in Prayer and Supplication that what ever thou Dut. 4. Be much in Prayer dost what duty whatsoever service thou offerest unto God that he would accept thee through Jesus Christ As the Ancients held the Plough and prayed so hear and meditate on Gods Word keep the Lords Sabboth holy and pray for a blessing upon all from heaven Blesse Lord his substance Deut. 33. 11. 5. Make Religion thy work the grand design thou drivest Let Dut. 5. Make Religion thy work thy generall calling as a Christian have the preheminence of thy particular calling in the world Seek first the Kingdome of God Mat. 6. 33. The last Use is for Consolation unto those who to the utmost in Vse 5. For Consolation sincerity of heart endeavour to walk before the Lord. Thus Enoch walked with God Gen. 5. 24. Zachary and Elizabeth walked in Gods Commandments blameless Luk. 1. 6. David was a man after Gods own heart Yet the best of Gods children have their failings Jacob confest himself not worthy of the least of Gods mercyes c. David confest himself as foolish as a bruit Beast and wise Agur acknowledged that he had not the understanding of a man It 's a great cause of greif and a burthen to the spirits of Gods dearest children to consider how much they faile in duties Their dulnesse deadnesse disorder of spirit much afflicteth them What I shall further adde shall be comprised in these ensuing considerations Consid 1. Infirmities are incident to the best 1. Infirmities are incident unto the best of Christians I sleep saith the Spouse Paul complains of a body of sin and of flesh and of an antipathy between flesh and spirit 2. Gods children allow not themselves in sinne but mourn Consid 2. Gods childrē allow not themselves in sin Consid 3. Sincerity is accepted Consid 4. Where sincerity is there is an endeavour after more grace Consid 5. Others examples are not just standards Consid 6 Perseverance shall obtaine the Crown for sinne Sinne is their exceeding great grief and burthen 3. Where the heart is sincere it is accepted a willing mind is accepted 2 Cor. 8. 12. 4. Where the heart is sincere it is not contented with what it hath already attained but labours for more grace Phil. 3. 13 14. 5. Consider that others examples and attainments are not that standard for every one to measure himself by No examples but that of Jesus Christ is every way authentique Some will say on one hand Such and such goe no further and will not this serve my turne others say such goe so farre and if I cannot come near them I may justly suspect my self to be an Hypocrite Neither this nor that must determine us 6. And lastly consider that Perseverance shall obtain the Crown Rev. 2. 15. Many beginne well and fly back Of all Apostates are most hated by God But as for such who persevere in Grace and
13. 18. Let there be no strife between my herdsmen and thy herdsmen for we be brethren So say I we that are sons of the same mother the Church servants of the same God heires of the same hope how should we consult the good one of another labouring to build up one another in the holy faith considering to provoke one another to love and to good workes We are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 members one of another Is there a controversy betweene thee and thy brother be not wanting in thy duty to pray for him this if any thing will be the reconciler Imitate thy Saviour on the crosse who prayed for his enemies None are so bad but they deserve thy prayers and commiseration Is thy brother ignorant doe not despise him Consider who made thee to differ from thy brother and a greater mercy requires a greater measure of thankfulnesse Copy out that excellent advice of the Apostle 1 Pet. 4. 8. And above all things have fâ—rvent oharity among your selves for charity shall cover the multitude of sinnes This is to learne Christ crucifi'd when we labour to puriâ—y our selves even as he is pure when we labour to be holy as he was in 1 Jon. 3. 3. all manner of conversation when we imitate him in putting on bowells of mercy and tender compassion My brethren God hath given you greater measure of knowledge and therefore he expects from you greater improvements It was a greivous complaint of Austine in his time Surguâ—indocti rapiunt coelum nos cum doctrinis nostris detrudimur in gehennam God grant that our holy life August may be the confutation Let it never be told in Gath and publisht in the streets of Askelon I wish there were no cause that any son of Levi should prove a son of Belial and make the sacrifice of the Lord to be abhor'd God forbid that in so sacred an order as the Ministeriall Function is That there should be any profane Esaus any taunting Ishmaels and blasphemous swearers We cannot in any wise brooke Intruders into the Church wee abhorre and that deservedly their irregular motions who runne before they are sent wherefore wee should all unite our prayers and endeavours in our capacities and callings to God as one man to hinder such from ever setting footing in our Israel If any such be as I feare there are methinks the fearfull judgments of God executed upon Vzzah and Vzziah for their over-officious services and intermedling without a calling should make them feare and tremble 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so unpreparedly to adventure upon sacred mysteries In the interim let us walke inoffensively and more circumspectly in our life and conversation and give no just offence neither to Jew nor Genâ—ile nor Church of Gâ—d This counsell is not unseasonable for we know not what advantage a scandalous life gives unto a common Adversary If those that should be Seers yet will be blind if the Watchmen sleep and the Shâ—pheards leave their flocks to hierlings then will some of Jeroboams Priests of the basest of the people presumptuously usurpe the Ministeriall function Take which you will a negligent Minister who performes not his duty or one that runs without a calling of his own mission and the flatteries of such like himselfe they are both abominable superfluous branches which God will pluck up and sweep away as dung out of the Church Would we then have our callings more honoured and our persons more reverenced and our Doctrine with more cheerfulnesse embraced le ts all endeavour to be more consciencious in the discharge of our duties let us not post off reformation from one to another accusing and excusing one another but let 's commune with our own hearts make diligent enquiry into our own bosomes every one saying with himselfe in Jer. 8. 6. particular what have I done The way to contract greater reverence abroad is to be more circumspect at home that as we goe beyond others in knowledg so likewise we should outstrip them in the practise of holinesse Christ in a more speciall manner hath communicated unto us the knowledg of his waies how should we strive with a pious contention which of us should bring most glory to God and advance the cause of Christ It shall be my close and prayer with Moses that God would put his Vrim and Thummim 1 Pet. 2. 9. upon his holy ones even write upon all our hearts Holynesse unto the Heb. 13. 20. 21. Lord that so we may be a Royall Generation a Holy Priesthood a peculiar people to set forth the praises of him who hath called us out of darknesse into this marvelous light I shall conclude with the Apostle Now the God of peace that brought againe from the dead our Lord Jesus that great shepheard of the sheep through the bloud of the everlasting covenant make you perfect in every good worke to doe his will working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight through Jesus Christ our Lord. Baruchs Hurt and Cure Set-forth from JEREM Chap 45. Vers 5. And seekest thou great things for thy selfe seek them not SERM. II. IF ever a word spoken in due season might be At St Maries Oxon. Octob. 18. 1642. compared to Apples of Gold in pictures of Silver such a one is here represented to your view being a word of comfort opportunely administred unto a man of a sorrowfull spirit And in the front of my Text is a connexive particle and drawes down the Context unto the Text. Take a review of the precedent History in this briefe relation The iniquities of Israel and Judah are full ripe and now it 's high time for the destroying Angell to thrust in his sickle and cut them downe But such are the tender bowels of our Father of mercies and God of all consolations that he gives warning before he smites It 's his accustomed method to leave no meanes unattempted for his peoples recovery and for the healing of their backslidings How often doth he draw them with the bands of a man even with cords of love What presuasive arguments what alluring Rhetorick doth he use enough to breake the Rock within thee even an heart harder then Adamant and to melt it into the love of God here behold bowels opened like the sounding of an Harpe and once more rol'd together The Lord denounceth most heavy Judgments and yet in the midst of Judgment entertaines some thoughts of free love and mercy The Lord reveales his secret intentions to his servants the Prophets He makes the prophet Jeremy of his privy counsell The Lord himselfe becomes the inditer of a dolefull writing fraught with lamâ—ntation mourning and woe Jeremy dictates from the mouth of God unto Baruch and Baruch wrote from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the Lord Jer. 36. 4. Forthwith they are communicated unto the King and Princes of Judah The King being no whit affected Jer. 36. 4. with these dismall
Give me neither poverty nor riches feed me with food convenient for me It s a great weaknesse that makes us weary of our present condition that we make it our taske Sysyphi saxâ—m volvere to be in a restlesse motion never satisfy'd whereas a man of an excellent spirit if the present condition be not sutable to his mind he labours to make his minde suteable to his condition Godlinâ—sse with contentment is great gaine 1 Tim. 6. 6. No reall contentment but in godlinesse for where its principled in a man it casts a man into such a sweet frame and temper of spirit that let the condition be what it will he apprehends it to be sent from God to him and therefore in all humility submits unto it making a vertue of necestity It was an excellent vow of Jacob Gen. 28. 26. If God will be with me and keepe me in this way that I goe and give me bread to eat and rayment to put on so that I come againe to my fathers house in peace then shall the Lord be my God Thus you see how this good man stood affected Though the Lord had promised him a goodly inheritance and a numerous posterity yet he seemes not to take notice of it so he may have Gods protection bread and rayment be they never so course he hath set his heart at rest in a sweet contented posture Ofttimes there 's more tranquility and setlednesse of spirit in a condition ebbing then flowing in ragges rather then robes O then labour for a contented mind and then thou wilt be rich even in thy poverty Secondly Learne to deny thy selfe Thus Abraham deny'd Direct â— Learne selfe-deniall himselfe Gen. 12. 4. who left his native country his kindred and his fathers house This practise proceeded from a principle of faith as St Paul records it amongst the catalogue of the faithfull Heb. 11. 8. It was the strength of faith indeed which made him goe he knew not whither staying himselfe upon the divine promises which was better to him then all lands and revenues God was he knew All sufficient and his exceeding great reward Likewise in a personall difference between him and Lot there he deny'd himselfe by giving precedency to him who was his inferiour He gives him his choyse and first refusall of his habitation Gen. 13. 9. A man cannot be Christs crosse-bearer except he deny himselfe A man cannot preach Christ unlesse he deny himselfe A man cannot pray in faith unlesse he deny himselfe A man cannot suffer for the name of Christ nor performe any service acceptable unto him unlesse it arise from a principle of selfe denyall Let the actions carry never so glorious an outside enough to dazle the very eyes of the beholders yet if selfe be the Engineer if selfe love and selfe seeking be that primum mobile which sets all the other orbes in their motion they are like those wilde gourds which spoild the whole messe of pottage and we may cry out as they did to the prophet est mâ—rs in ollâ there 's death in the pot there 's death in these gaudy services That student then hath studied to the best purpose who hath learn'd to deny himselfe The wise man must deny his wisdome the strong man his strength the rich man his riches the schollar his learning The good Christian must come out of himselfe in all his duties he must cast down his best performances at the feet of Christ beseeching the Lord Jesus Christ to beare the iniquity of his holiest things here 's the labour and this is the worke we must leave sin before it leave us When in the greatest confluence of profits honours and pleasures then a man can lay aside his dignities and deny himselfe in his pleasures when a man is rays'd unto St. Pauls excellent temper of spirit that befits him for any condition Phil. 4. 12. I know how to be abased and I know how to abound Hence observe a lesson very fit for us for all Christians to learne even to be content with our estate what soever it is Ayr. in Phil. â—very where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry both to abound and suffer need When a man can use this world as if he uâ—'d it not When corruption hath matter to breed on then to keep it downe in the prime of a mans youth when his bones are full of marrow and his body is vigorous amidst the fruition of delights he can then deny himselfe these are the rare qualifications of a selfe denying spirit Hence David confesseth so foolish was I and ignorant even as a beast before thee The nearer a man approacheth to a sacred communion with the invisible God the more he is abased at the apprehension of his own vilenesse and with Abraham he confesseth that he is but dust and ashes If then we have been the disciples of Jesus Christ and have tooke out of his schoole this excellent lesson of selfe denyall then we are better taught then to seeke after great things here below 3. Study the vanity of the creature It was the upshot of Solomons Direct 3. Study the vanity of the creature Somnus bullâ— Vitrum glacies Flot Fabulâ— Foenum Umbra cinis Punctum vox sonus Aura â—thil verdict vanitie of vanities all is vanity What are all things under the sun but bubbles smoke fables wels without water trees without fruit broken cisternes Aegyptian reeds deceitfull bowes bags full of holes Weigh all earthly things in the ballance of the sanctuary and they will prove too light even lighter then vanitie it selfe A man trusts to a friend he deceives that trust repos'd in him Ziba tooke an opportunity to slander his master When we trust to our idols of gold and silver either by fire or water theeves or robbers perfidious servants or sundry other waies we are brought low and bereav'd of our confidence Our choycest earthly delights pretend a goodly fayre outside like the Apples of Sodome but being touched they faâ—â— into ashes and cinders The consideration of the vanity of the creature should cause us to cast off its yoke and suffer our selves no more to be under its vassalage Shall we be so sollicitous to seeke after our tormentor how much vexation and anxiety of spirit accompanies all the worlds darlings their desires are insatiable crying with the horse-leeches daughter give give and the creature cannot satisfy them the comforts of this present world urge their arguments just as the Divel urg'd Scripture to Christ toâ— halves taking what serves for their turne and leaving out what might make against them They tell you of goodly buildings preferments revenues and profits but mention not a syllable of the dayes of mourning and of that severe account which must be rendred at the impartiall tribunall of the great Judge of Heaven and earth Who then of any understanding will thus seeke after lying vanities and forsake his own mercies
and pray Isa 26. 16 20. wrestling of tugging hard at the Ore This God looks for and his people have practiced Lord in trouble have they visited thee they poured out a Prayer when thy chastning was upon them Come my people enter thou into thy â—hambers and shut thy doors about thee hide thy self as it were for a little moment until the indignation be over-past We are in an afflicted condition and the counsel of the Apostle is Is any among you afflicted let him pray We are sick and wounded The same James 5. 13. Apostle prescribes Confess your faults one unto another and pray one James 5. 16. for another that ye may be healed the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much There 's a dreadful tempest the ship is a sinking we had need be awakened and cry unto God we had need pray Lord save us or else we perish This God expects Thus saith Ezek. 36. 37. the Lord God I will yet for this be inquired of by the house of Israel to do it for them I will increase them with men like a flock This duty of Prayer hath a commanding vertue The expression is very high Thus Isa 45. 11. saith the Lord the holy One of Israel and his Maker ask me of things to come concerning my sons and concerning the works of my hands command ye me This is Solomons Pharmachum Catholicum even a Medicine for all diseases O pray pray rowl your selves in the dust you deal for a Kingdom you deal for the Church the Gospel and its Ordinances for the lives of millions pray then in good earnest and joyn fasting with waiting Antichrist is a strong Devil this kinde goeth not out but by fasting and prayer 2. Wait and study the Scriptures Affliction saith Luther makes us Means 2. Wait and study the Scriptures understand Scripture we understand now what is meant by confusion and desolation Compare the times of Habakkuk with our times and they come very near they answer one another as face answereth to face Such a dark vision is now as was then Let us study and search whether the Witnesses be slain or no If they be slain then we may expect glorious times if not worse are to be looked for As far as I can apprehend by comparing Scripture with Scripture though it 's difficult to determine by the Witnesses are meant the Magistracy and Ministry Compare Rev. 11. 4. with Zech. 4. 3. and 14. These are the two olive trees and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth So in the Revelations And in Zechary we read And two olive trees by it one upon the right side of the bowl and the other upon the left side thereof Then said he these are the two anointed ones that stand by the Lord of the whole earth I determine nothing in this doubtful case but the great contempt cast upon both Magistracy and Ministry and greater yet is to be feared even throughout all Kingdoms makes it probable that the time of their slaughter draweth nigh We may not be over-curious in fixing particular times lest we incur the same check for our curiosity as they did It is not for you to know the times or the seasons which the Father hath put Acts 1. 7. in his own power 3. Wait upon God in his Ordinances Yet you have them and Means 3. Wait upon God in his Ordinances Isa 30. 20. blessed be God vve yet have a nail left us in the publick Assembly That Prophecy is made good That though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more but thine eyes shall see thy Teachers Yet we have a publick Vision The voice of the Turtle is yet heard in our Land Let 's wait at these Bethesdah's at the Posts of Wisdoms Gate we should mourn for the great contempt that is cast upon Ordinances and because others slight them we our selves should learn to esteem them highly frequent them diligently and pray that God would teach us to profit by them The Word Sacraments Sabbaths Meditations Conference are advantagious Ordinances even the food of our souls Take away meat and drink and you starve the Body Take away Ordinances and you slarve the Soul Wait and treasure up your experiences Review and call to Means 4. Wait and treasure up your experiences minde the mercies of old what God hath done for you in former times Thou hast known a Famine God hath provided for thee then Thou hast been in great straits and dangers and God hath delivered thee at that time Thou hast been at the Graves mouth and a sentence of death seemed to pass against thee God hath restored thee to tell his Praises and to bless his Name Thou hast known Troubles Tumults and Commotions in the Kingdom and God hath quieted and composed them Thus then argue God is the same God he is in Heaven still and doth whatsoever he pleaseth he is as willing as able as merciful as ever He sets bounds to the Seas and stills the raging of the people He is not changed with the change of time Christ is the same yesterday to day and the same for ever Though we are out of order yet his Covenant Heb. 13. 8. 2 Sam. 2â— 5. is ordered Though we are transient yet his Covenant is everlasting Wait in the right season Now is the season perilous and a time Means 5. Wait in the right season of waiting Times of afflictions are waiting times When all seem against thee and thou canst not tell how to conclude from such premises as were unheard of before Now wait and be silent Be silent O all flesh before the Lord for he is raised out of his holy Zech. 2. 13. habitation Be far from murmurings and responsations against God Thou must wait upon God in the way of his Judgements yea in Isa 26. 8. the way of thy Judgements O Lord have we waited for thee The desire of our soul is to thy Name and to the remembrance of thee Sixthly and lastly Joyn reformation with waiting I press not Means 6. Joyn reformatâ—on with watching all this while a lazy idle waiting a folding thy hands in thy bosom but a working waiting Wait and purge thy conscience Trim up thy soul for the entertainment of Jesus Christ God will not come into a Cage of unclean Birds The soul must be purified Mercy follows Reformation at the heels Deliverance followeth Reformation Many days of Humiliation we have had and when one is done we had need have another to bewail the failings of the former So that many harvests are past and many Summers ended and we are not saved But if there was one day of through Reformation the business would be done God would be intreated for the Land We may justly fear that the Commission given to the Sword is not yet called back
voice of his Word Blesse the Lord all ye his hosts the Ministers of his that do his pleasure And we pray thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven 3. To celebrate the praises of God * Isa 6. 3. One cried unto another and 3. To praise God said holy holy holy Lord of hosts the whole earth is full of his glory †Luk. 2. 13 14. And suddenly there was with the Angell a multitude of the heavenly host praising God saying glory to God in the highest and on earth peace good will towards men ‖ Rev. 4. 8 9. The foure beasts had each of them six winges about him they were full oâ— eyes within they rest not day or night saying holy holy holy Lord God Almighty which was is is to come 4. To make it their work to preserve Gods glory And I fell 4. To make it their worke to preserve Gods glory Rev. 19. 10. at his feet to worship him and he said unto me see thou do it not I am thy fellow-servant and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus worship God for the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of Prophecy The Angell would not beare with Gods dishonour and would not permit John to worship him 5. To be servants unto Christ When he bringeth in the first begotten 5. to be Christs servants Heo 1. 6. Psal 97. 7. Luk. 1. 19. into the world he saith let all the Angells of God worship him Confounded be all they that serve graven Images that boast themselves of Idolls worship him all ye Gods They brought the message of Christs incarnation I am Gabriell that stand in the presence of God and am sent to speak unto thee and to tell thee these glad tidings They ministred unto him * Mat. 4. 11. Then the Devill leaved him and behold Angells came and ministred unto him †Luk. 22. 43. And there appeared an Angell from Heaven unto him and strengthening him Christ is the head of them and they are his servants ye are compleat in him who is Col. 2. 10. the head of all Principality and Power 6. Angells are serviceable unto men not one but all not any 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. Ministratores quos vulgò solemus officiarias vocare Beza Numb 20. 16 2 King 6. 16. aâ—e exempted They are all ministring spirits in the text And these singular services which they have done and will do for Gods children are upon record They deliver them from dangers When we cried unto the Lord he heard our voice and sent an Angell and hath brought us forth out of Egypt and behold we are in Kadesh a Cittie in the uttermost of thy border Feare not saith the Prophet for they they that be with us are more then they that are with them Who were they but Gods Angells for the Prophets safe-guard 1. The Angell of the Lord incampeth about them that feare him 1. The Angell of the Lord incampeth about the righteous and delivereth them * Dan. 3. 28. Then Nebuchadnezzar spake and said blessed be the God of Shadrach Meshach and Abednego who hath sent his Angell and delivered his servants that trusted in him aad hath changed the Kings word and yeelded their bodies that they might not serve or worship any God except their own God And Daniel makes this acknowledgment My God hath sent his Angell and hath shut ‖ Psal 91. 11. the Lyons mouth that they have not hurt me for asmuch as before him innocency was found in me and also before thee O King I have done no hurt †Dan. 6. 22. He shall give his Angels charge over thee to keep thee in all his waies Angels are Protectors Guardians commissionated by God Dan. 10. 13. to protect Gods children The Prince of the Kingdome of Persia withstood me one and twenty daies but lo Michael one of the chiefe Princes came to help me and I remained there with the King of Persia Michael is generally interpreted to be Christ the only Archangell 2. The Angells are of marvellous wisdome to direct counsell 2. Angels are of marveilous wisdome Gen. 24. 7. and advise the children of God The Lord God of heaven which took me from my fathers house and from the Land of my kindred and which spake unto me and sware unto me saying unto thy seed will I give this Land he shall send his Angell before thee and thou shalt take a wife to my son from thence The Lord before whom I walk will send his Angell with thee and prosper thy way and thou shalt take a wife for my son of my kindred and of my Fathers house 3. They comfort Gods children Gen. 32. 2. This is Gods host said 3. Angells comfort Gods children 1 King 19. 5 6 7. Jacob as Elias lay and slept under a juniper tree behold then an Angell touched him and said unto him arise and eate And he looked and behold there was a cake baken on the coales and a cruse of water at his head and he did eat and drinke and laid him down again And the Angell of the Lord came a second time and touched him and said arise and eat because the journey is to great for thee 4. They punish their enemies * Gen. 19. 11 They smote the men that were at 4. Angells punish the saints enemies the dore with blindnesse both small and great so that they wearied themselves to find the dore †2 King 19. 35. And it came to passe that night that the Angell of the Lord went out and smote in the campe of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand and when they arose early in the morning behold they were all dead corpses Herod was made a signall spectacle of pride as is on record ‖ Acts 12. 23 And immediatly an Angell of the Lord smote him because he gave not God the glory he was Rev. 12. 7. eaten of wormes and gave up the ghost They stand for Christ and his Church against Satan and his Angells And there was war in heaven Michael and his Angells fought against the Dragon and the Dragon fought and his Angells 5. They resist the wicked and their attemps Balaam found 5. Angells resist wicked men Num. 22. 22. 6. Angels carry the Saints souls into heaven Luk. 16. 22. 7. They gather the elect unto Christ Mat. 24. 31. Mar. 13. 27. Q. 4. Whether every Saint hath a peculiar Angell his keeper Mat. 18. 10. it so And Gods anger was kindled because he went and an Angell of the Lord stood in the way for an Adversary against him 6. They carry the soules of Gods children into heaven And it came to passe that the begger died and was carried by the Angells into Abrahams bosome the rich man also died and was buried c. 7. They gather the elect unto Christ at the last day He shall send
ever did nor shall ever goe away a looser by Gods service God keeps the wages 'till afterwards Here we may have an earnest part of payment but the great summe is reserved for another world And they that honour God in bringing converts to the Gospell and making Proselytes to Jesus Christ they are highly honoured of God Them that honour me saith God I will honour 1 Sam. 2. 30. And what honour God will one day put upon them you may read Dan. 12. 3. And they that be wise shall shine as the brightnesse of the firmament and they that turne many to righteousnesse is the stars for ever and ever such honour hath all his Saints When Andrew shall come in with Achaia by him converted to the truth John with Asia Thomas with India Peter with the Jewes and Paul with the Gentiles and all the Ministers of the Gospell and others whom God hath made instrumentall in this great service when these shall be able to say Behold Lord here we are and the children which thou hast given us then will the Lord say to them well done good and faithfull servants enter into your masters joy And thus I have dispatcht the first head propounded in the second 2. Head The Characters of him that win neth soules Charact. 1. He must abound in love place I am to give in the character of him who of all others is likeliest to win soules how such a one should be qualified I shall represent unto you in these ensuing Characters 1. He must abound in the grace of love his heart must be enflamed with seraphicall love unto Jesus Christ It 's a passage frequently used in Ignatius Epistles 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 my love is crucified It 's an excellent saying in Paul 2 Cor. 5. 14. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the love of Christ constrains us A faithfull Minister acts altogether from a principle of love to Jesus Christ He prayeth preacheth giveth almes fasteth watcheth and hee 's indefatigable in his labours and what 's the reason or ground of all Because the love of Christ constrains him Then onely are we upon sure grounds when the love of Christ is that primum mobile that sets all the other orbes in their motion and where there 's a principle of love to Jesus Christ there will be shed abroad mutuall love towards our brethren such love was unparalleld in Moses who wish'd himselfe blotted out of the boâ—ke of life Exod. 32. 3. And in Paul who wished himselfe an Anathema for the Jewes Rom. 9. 3. Here 's soule love indeed beyond compare O what an ardent affection and tender compassion ought Ministers to have to the soules of their people Love to their soules will make them runne through fire and water grapple with beasts of Ephesus sons of Anak even Herculean labours But where 's love to the fleece onely Mercenary hopes of promotions dignities carnal interest all such self-ends and sinister respects will be but as so many Ignes fatui to lead men away into dangerous and destructive ways It 's onely love to the soul that will set thee a working to good purpose And further he that is thus set on fire with love to Christ and to his Brethrens souls must be a man of such wisdom as to temper all his counsels in love In all his Meditations and Exhortations Love is one main Ingredient in the composition He abhors sin in any and reproves it but whilest he hates the sin he loves the person and whilest he endeavors to slay and utterly to destroy the sin he would gladly be instrumental to save the soul of the sinner This is the rule which the Apostle gives Eph. 4. 15. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 some render it speaking some following some doing the truth But if the English word may be admitted it 's rendred most suitable to the Original truthing of it in love 2. He must be a man of a willing minde God expects his offering Charact. 2. A man of a willing minde of the willing hearted Exod. 35. 5. And the people are commended for willingly offering themselves Judg. 5. 2. The question was asked 1 Chron. 29. 5. Who then is willing to consecrate his service to the Lord and it 's said v. 6. Then the chief of the Fathers and the Princes of the tribes of Israel c. offered willingly And Gods people are a willing people people of willingnâ—sse Psalm 110. 3. Every one set apart for the Ministry must have such a Spirit as Amasiah the Son of Zichri had who willingly offered himself unto the Lord And this was as eminent in Paul And I will very gladly spend 2 Chro. 17. 16. 2 Chro. 12. 15. and be spent for you Necessity and constraint may not put any upon a Ministerial Function Quasi ultimum refugium not an Advowson purchased by the Father and intended for the Son nor an Impropriator who intends his Son for his Substitute at a venture A strange Soloecism saith Mr. Boltâ—n that holy man of God a Lay-Rector and not Preach nor a Collegiate Education by Statute enjoyning at such a standing to enter into Orders whereas alass many venter thus upon this calling who have neither heart nor hand to put forth to the work but onely that they might keep their places I say none of those can be a sufficient warrant in point of conscience to take upon them so high a Calling This Calling must be took upon choice and serious deliberation It must be willingly entred upon and willingly performed No thinking of putting thy hand to the Plough and looking back such are not fit for the service of the Lord This must be thy resolution come good report come evil report honor dis honor prosperity or adversity I will give my self up to God as Hannah gave Samuel for a loan all the days of my life 3. He must be a man of a meek spirit such a singular spirit was Charact. 3. A man of a meek spirit in Moses Numb 12. 3. And beyond all parallel in Christ He propounds himself the pattern of our imitation Matth. 11. 29. How must the servant of the Lord be qualified 2 Timothy 2. 24 25. And the servant of the Lord must not strive but be gentle unto all mâ—n apt to teach patient in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves And how must an erring brother be dealt withal you may observe the rule Gal. 6. 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. 4. He must be a man of zeal and courage in the cause of God Every Charact. 4. He must be a man of zeal and courage thing is beautiful in its season There 's a season for meekness and a season for zeal Moses who was meek in his own cause yet was highly transported with zeal in the cause of God Some are Boanergesses Sons of Thunder and others are Barnabasses sons of consolation It 's observed that notwithstanding many failings there 's some good spoken of all the
1. 3. Because of the savour of thy good oyntments thy name is as oyntment poured forth therefore do the virgins love thee Cant. 4. 13 14. Thy plants are an orchard of pomgranates with pleasant fruits camphire with spikenard Spikâ—nard and saffron calamus and cynamon with all trees of frankincense myrrhe aloes with all the chief spices As for instance Faith is a sweet pleasant Grace it s our life nothing sweeter then life Hab. 2. 4. The just shall live by faith So Hope is sweet pleasant Pro. 10. 28. The hope of the righteous shall be gladness but the expectation of the wicked shall perish Then patience is sweet for it sweetens all hardships and bears all crosses It makes a vertue of necessity Heb. 10. 36. For ye have need of patience that after ye have done the will of God ye might receive the promise Likewise Love is pleasant for it by a Divine Alchimy turns the basest Metals into gold Cant. 8. 6 7. Set me as a seal upon thine heart and as a seal upon thine arm for love is strong as death Many waters cannot quench love neither can the floods drown it Another delightful Grace is Meekness A meek spirit is chearful and reviv'd amidst storms of persecution And so is Humility Passionate and Proud men take no joy in any thing they are of Haman's humor But meek humble self-denying spirits are full of joy and tranquility when the minde is quieted and setled whatever makes against it there 's something to make for it something coming in to support the soul and carry it on chearfully There 's the exercise of no Grace but it 's joyous and delightsom to Gods children Faith Hope Patience Love Meekness Humility are the delight of Gods children 4. Lastly There 's much delight and joy in obedience to Gods 4. There 's much delight and joy in obedience to Gods commandments commandments O how love I thy law Thy law is my delight said David All the Duties of obedience are pleasant to Gods children When the Spouse is once drawn she will be a running Cant. 1. 4. Draw me and I will run after thee So David Psal 119. 32 77. I will run the ways of thy commandments when thou shalt enlarge my heart It was Pauls delight in the place above mention'd and it was Davids rejoycing Psal 119. 14 15 16. I have rejoyced in the ways of thy testimonies as much as in all riches I will delight my self in thy statutes and not forget thy word Obedience to the commandments is easie to Gods children They do it with as much delight as David danced before the Ark. But profane persons do duties as Phaltiel followed Micâ—l 'T is said 1 John 5. 3. This is the love of God that we keep his commandments and his commandments are not grievous 'T is easie with Gods children to forbear Swearing they covenant with their tongues It 's easie to forbear Whoredom they covenant with their eyes It 's easie to keep the Sabbath for they call it a delight It 's easie to hear the word and tarry it out patiently for it is a joy unto them Matth. 11. 28 29 30. Come unto me all ye that are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest Take my yoke upon you and learn of me for I am lowly and meek For my yoke is easie and my burthen is light Do not therefore discourage any from the ways of Religion as the Spies did from entring into Canaan You can subscribe to this by experience you can do much more work when your spirits are chearful when you do your business willingly A chearful minde will facilitate the weightiest enterprize Many use Recreations to refresh their spirits And Recreation may not be us'd otherwise then as a File to Devotion Now the practice of holy Duties is the godly mans recreation It was Christs meat and drink to do his Fathers work and so it is of the godly Therefore they Pray Read Hear Meditate and live chearfully Their souls are delighted and quieted in the performance of duty Carry home this truth with you that there 's more real sollid joy in the ways of Religion then all the delightful ways in the Universe And Oh! that this might stir your affections to be in love with the ways of godliness I now come to the confirmation of the Point by some evident Demonstrations 1. Whatever pleasure men finde in the world is much more to Demonst 1. No pleasure in the world like to the pleasure of godliness be found in the ways of godliness Prov. 3. 14 15. For the merchandise of it is better then the merchandise of silver and the gain thereof then fine gold She is more precious then rubies and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her Prov. 8. 14 15. Counsel is mine and sound wisdom I am understanding I have strength By me Kings reign and Princes decree justice I shall instance in all the senses The eye takes delight in beautifull Objects It 's a pleasant thing to behold the Sun the Light is pleasant but no such beauty as in the ways of God Solomon speaks much of the Ruby and compares Wisdom to it for its resplendent Lustre Could the beauty of godliness be seen with these eyes they would be dazled Excellens sensibile corrumpit si sensuÌ„ The eye of man hath seen stately Buildings rich Treasures precious Commodities but the eye of Faith in a Believer seeth the holy Trinity the Throne of God In comparison whereof the bravest sights in the World are nothing even less then nothing 2. The eare is delighted with melodious musicke Men love to heare a skillfull Musitian But in a transcendent manner the eares of the godly are delighted with hearing the word the strong cryes and prayers of God's people the singing of Psalmes Psal 89. 15. Blessed is the people that know the joyfull sound they shall walk O Lord in the light of thy countenance Some antient Philosophers phansied musick in the Orbes and Intelligences to wheel them about That opinion is much controverted amongst themselves But this is an undoubted truth that there 's no musick so delightfull to the eare as duties of religion They are pleasant to God's eare For hee loves to heare his people praying and should not they bee pleasant to ours And besides what wee heare of God now is but for a moment what wee shall heare heareafter shall bee to eternity When the damned are a roaring skriking howling blaspheming cursing weeping and heare nothing else Then the Saints shall heare Hallelujah's praising singing and joyne themselves in a Celestiall Consort 3. The tast shall bee delighted in the ways of godlinesse Gluttons and drunkards delight much in their tast Curious tasts will not bee pleased but with sweet and delightfull things Now O Christian get another tast a spirituall relish of heavenly thinges Psal 34. 4. O tast and see that the Lord is good
us to repentance to Dan. 4. 27. break off our sins by repentance that our tranquillity may be lengthned and that there may be a healing of our errors The use we are to make is that of the Apostle 1 Cor. 10. 6. Now these things were our examples to the intent we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted Let us not pass uncharitable censures upon others as greater sinners for greater sufferings but remember that except we Luke 13. 5. repent we shall likewise perish Seventhly and lastly Let us consider how the Spirit of God 7 The Spirit strives by personal judgements strives by personal Judgements inslicted on our selves There is a Judgement of chastisement and a Judgement of revenge God sends Judgements by way of revenge upon the wicked of the World but by way of chastisement unto his own children When God takes away thy riches and other outward comforts as a childe a wife c. by these the Spirit of God strives with thee and sends thee to God to inquire into the cause and walk more closely and humbly with God and thy duty is to pray to God to teach thee what thou understandest not If God send thee a sore disease a grievous pain suppose the Stone Strangury Collick c. by all these the Spirit strives with thee and reads thee a Lecture of thy Mortality and warneth thee to make a serious and speedy preparation for death Afflictions are sent by God as Scullions to scour away the rust and canker of Gods children They are the Shepheards Dogs to bring home the straying Sheep Luther saith Afflictions teach us to understand Scripture Where God teacheth with the rod there he bestoweth a choice blessing Psal 94. 12. Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest O Lord and teachest him out of thy Law God sends affliction on an errand Go affliction take down such a mans pride goe awaken another from his security Affliction is Gods Ordinance and with the same hand he gives Jesus Christ that he gives correction to his own children Thus the Spirit strives by personal judgements and afflictions The use we must continually make is Heb. 12. 5 6. My son despise not thou the chastening of the Lord nor faint when thou art rebuked of him for whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth Hence saith the Apoâ—â—le Rom. 5. 3. We glory in tribulation knowing that tribulation worketh patience and Jamâ—s 1. 2. My brethren count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations The rod hath a voice and we are call'd upon Mich. 6. 9. Hear ye the rod and who hath appointed it Thus you have heard how Gods Spirit strives by its motions by the Ministery of the Word the checks of Conscience tenders of Mercy exercise of patience and long-suffering inslicting of exemplary and signal Judgements upon others and personal Judgements upon our selves Now the Lord give us his Grace and teach us to make much of and cherish the strivings of his holy Spirit and let us all deprecate the fearful judgement in the Text My spirit shall no longer strive with you Iudgement and Mercy Set forth from Gen. 6. 3. HAving dispatcht those two Particulars according to my Serm. 3. at St. Mary's Oxon Jan. 19. 1651. Three Reasons of the Doctrine Reas 1. From the Text because man is flesh method propounded in the unfolding of this Text In the third place I am to enquire into the Grounds and â—easons for the further confirmation of the Point Amongst many that may be given I shall reduce the Reasons of the Text into three Heads The first shall be drawn from the very reason in the Text for that he also is flesh Man is corrupted by reason of sin Man was created statu integro in integrity and innocency resembling the Image of God in righteousness and holiness but now statu corrupto by reason of Adams prevarication he became depraved in the faculties of his soul and all the members of his body and they are become instruments unto wickedness The Holy Ghost sets forth sinful man in a full Character Psal 14. 1 2 3. The fool hath said in his heart there is no God they are corrupt they have done abominable works there is none that doeth good The Lord looked down from Heaven upon the children of men to see whether there were any that did understand and seek God They are all gone aside they are become altogether filthy there is none that doth good no not one Suppose we heard the Lord thus expostulating the case Is this man Is this he that I advanced to the highest rank of visible Creatures whom I created after mine own Image whom I endowed with noble faculties an understanding the bright luminary of the soul to know his Maker and a will to obey him Is he now become flesh fleshly in his imagination fleshly minded Doth he walk after the flesh minding the things of the flesh Hath he thus turn'd Apostate rebell'd against his Lord and Maker This charge being all very true wherefore should I have any more to do with him wherefore should my Spirit strive with vile sinful flesh Thus God might plead and in judgement withdraw the strivings of his holy Spirit Betwixt the spirit and the flesh what agreement can there be The Spirit will not thus be unequally yoaked since man is become thus fleshly thus depraved such a degenerate Plant so corrupt its just with Gods spirit to strive no longer with man By flesh in Scripture is comprehended a Mass of corruption Apostoli verba docent haec duo affectuum genera esse opposita Quae ut intelligamus constitutuÌ„ fit affectum carnis nihil aliud esse quam usum virium humanaruâ— semotâ gratiâ Affectus autem spiritus est impulsus divini afflatus usus gratiae Christi Pet. Mart. in Loc. man in his worst estate Rom. 8. 5. They that are after the flesh doe minde the things of the flesh What is predicated of it v. 6 7 8 9. To be carnally minded is death because the carnal minde is enmity against God So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God And what an Antithesis is there between flesh and spirit v. 13. For if ye live after the flesh ye shall die but if ye through the spirit do mortifie the deeds of the body ye shall live The same disproportion there is as between death and life heaven and hell salvation and damnation That God strives with any is a great mercy that the Spirit waits knocking at our doors when as he might knock us down dead O great mercy But when the Spirit strives and flesh resists its motions the Spirit spends his sacred breath wooing us and inviting us to do good unto our own souls and the carnal minde bids defiance unto the Spirit of grace when notwithstanding all the beseechings wooings and sollicitations of the Spirit the flesh rebels carnal
God did beseech 2 Cor. 5. 20. you by us we pray you in Christs stead be ye reconciled to God Oâ—r commission may be out of date to morrow Christ now waites till his locks be wet with dew now he calls sinners to repentance He hath sent me on an errand this day to invite thirsty soules to come unto him and he will give them drink to invite those that are heavy laden and he will give them rest It 's my businesse this day to tender Jesus Christ the Fountain opened to presse home the Exhortation of the Holy Ghost Let the wicked forsake his way and Isa 55. 7. the unrighteous man his thoughts and let him return unto the Lord and he will have mercy upon him and to our God for he will abundantly pardon Now what answer shall I return unto him that sent me Suffer I beseech you Fathers and Brethren the word of exhortation not to suffer the holy Spirit to spend his sacred breath in vain You have many prizes put into your hands improve them in your several capacities to the glory of God and mutual edification one of another Let Rulers rule with diligence let Governours Tutours Masters of Families all unite their endeavours to promote the Gospel of Jesus Christ and put Joshua's resolution into practise but as for me I and my house we will serve the Lord. O that Josh 24. 15. we could be spirituall Fathers to those that are committed to our charge Governours and Tutours should look upon themselves as Pro-parents and upon the Scholars under them as children and therefore ought to have special care over them and principally to enquire how it fares with their soules what knowledge they have of Jesus Christ What a comfort will it be another day when we can say Behold Lord here we are and the children which thou hast given us Thou â—ord hast made us spiritual Fathers unto these young Pupiss Now whilst the Spirit stayes waiting upon us whilst we have time talents and opportunities vouchsafed unto us whilest we live under the sound of the Gospel and hear admonitions reproofs and many Exhortations to repentance let us not put off the Spirit with any more delatory answers but resolve with the full purpose of our hearts to cleave unto the Lord. I have two or three plain moving considerations to adde for the better setting home of my Exhortation Consider the brevity of our lives What 's our life but a bubble Consid 1. The brevity of our lives John 4. a flower a vapor a shadow By these resemblances the Holy Ghost sets forth the shortness of our lives We had need be a working while day lasteth I must work the works of him that sent me while day lasteth the night cometh when no man can work A night of death is coming wherein no man can work and we must always remember that the Spirit strives not always not during the whole course of our lives It moves when it pleaseth and on a suddain ceaseth yet at the most it moveth no longer nor striveth no longer but this little moment of time whilst we are on this side the grave After death there will be no more warnings no more admonitions no place left for repentance no Purgatory that 's a Popish dream He that dieth filthy will so remain unto all Eternity Now then my Brethren considering you have but a little time and upon this moment depends Eternity and after death there will be no further tenders of Grace and Mercy let us husband this time to the best advantage Let us prize Sermons Sabbaths and all those Evangelical Dispensations vouchsafed to us more then ever we did Let us redeem the time as we are exhorted Eph. 5. 16. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Eph. 5. 16. buying out or making a good market of the season Every thing is beautiful in its season there 's a season acceptable and there 's a season perilous Let 's come when God calls that 's the accepted time let 's not prescribe a time of our own that 's the perillous season let 's not account time a slight matter for each minute ought to be valued A second consideration shal be drawn from the uncertainty of the Consid 2. The uncertainty of the spirits striving Nil pretiosius tempore heu nil hodie vilius invenitur Bern. Veniet tempus quo vel unam horam ad resiâ—iscendum redimere mirum quantum optabimus Otho Casmannus spirits strivings If the holy Spirit be rejected its uncertain whether ever he will come again The Spirit will not always bear reproaches indignities If we refuse to give God the glory of his mercy he will shew upon us the glory of his Justice and Power If we will not open when God knocks at our doors he will not open when we knock at his door Unkindness will drive away a friend from our houses When the Spirit invites himself unto us if we will open he will come and dine and sup with us if we refuse this Heavenly guest how shall we escape our destruction will be inevitable This Spirit is often compared to fire nothing more comforting nothing more consuming than fire If thou wilt not suffer the Spirit to purge and refine thee it will consume thee Nothing more comfortable then light warmth and witness of the Spirit Nothing more terrible then the bondage conviction and condemnation of the Spirit Therefore beware of resisting any good motions that the Spirit of God puts into thy heart this day lest if the spirit have a repulse he may go away and never return any more 3. Thirdly Consider the certainty of the day of Judgement 2 Cor. 5. 10. For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Consid 3. The day of Iudgement Christ that every one may receive the things done in his body according to that he hath done whether it be good or bad Then there will be an account to be given for all the Sermons which we have heard for all the Sabbaths we have enjoyed for all the motions of the Spirit for all the admonitions reproofs Gospel opportunities and advantages that we have received we should therefore hear a Sermon now as for ought we know we may be presently summon'd by death to appear before the Judgement-seat of Jesus Christ Let us imagine that now we hear this day as if it might be our last day We hear for Eternity Preachers and Hearers shall be called to an account at the great Assise The Lord grant that we may all give up our accounts with joy The third Use shall be for reprehension of those who resist or Use 3. For reprehension stifle the strivings and the sweet motions of the holy Spirit To come to particulars 1. How sad is their condition who are contemners of the sweet motions of Gods Spirit Let them read Rom. 8. 9. If any man hath not the spirit of Christ he is none of his Such
Judgement Hac fide vivo the rule of the Scripture is clear and infallible there shall be a day of Judgement All this world shall be dissolved This is a Doctrine most true My Text makes the Application 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. Divis. Which words contain a Supposition and an Inference 1. Here 's something supposed Seeing c. It s a Principle undoubtedly 1. to be believed That the Heavens and Earth shall be dissolved and the Elements shall melt with fervent â—eat Compare this with Psalme 102. 25 26 27. Let 's not introduce nor beleive vain Philosophy which holds amongst many other dotages Quod coeli sunt incorruptibiles To me it 's out of question that he that made them by his word will one day by his word destroy them Now whether the heavens are so perfectly made as in their own nature uncapâ—ble of corruption is not here to be disputed of or whether the coelestiall influences be as vigorous as at first though a learned Dr. of our own holds the affirmative in that excellent Dr. George Hackwill in his Apology book entitled The Power and Providence of God in the government of the world Yet I shall wave this Question being loath to intermixe any Philosophicall dispute in matters of faith We beleive it We have sure ground plain scripture for our assertion that all these things shall be dissolved 2. Here 's an inference 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Jts infer'd by way of admiration what manner of persons i. e. we should be eminent in holyness we should act in an extraordinary manner we should be rare singular even a non-such for pietie its Diodats observation upon the place If heaven and Earth be purified by fire what care ought Diod. in loc Calvin in loc we to take to be purged and clensed from our corruptions An ergo nos in terra demersos esse convenit c. saith Calvin on the place The heavens earth shall pass away and shall we be sâ—allowed up in the earth and not rather meditate on a holy and a godly life The argument I may thus frame There shall at the day of judgment be a dissolution of this visible Globe of heaven and earth therefore we ought in an especiall manner to labour after holyness This is the argument of the Text of incomparable strength But why is it in the Plurall number 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 This is an Hebraisme when the Scripture would express a thing with a greater emphasis it useth the plurall number so Cant. 1. 4 We will remember thy loves thereby inhancing the greatness and multitudes of Christs loving kindness Likewise we read Psal 20. He is the God of our Salvations i. e. that he is the God from whom all Psal 110. 3. salvations come in the most high and eminent way And the Psalmist further specifies Psal 100. 3. Thy people shall be a people of willingnesse to shew their singular readinesse and willingness as if they were all made up of a willing mind and ready spirit for Jesus Christ Thus in the text in all holy conversations and Godlynesse Which expression some referre to dutyes of both tables it s most true that a godly man respects both and labours to keep a Good conscience both towards God and men For the genuine sense of the text Beza gives me full satisfaction Vsurpatur numerus multitudinis ex Haebreorum more ut pietas significetur omnibus suis partibus constans quam pro viribus sectari nos oporteat The scope of all I conceive to be this as if the Apoâ—â—le should thus inlarge himself You are secure and careless you shall be suddenly surprised The day of the Lord will come as a theefe in the night You commit Idolatry with the world your hearts are married to these outward things on a sudden all shall be consumed all wherein you trust shall be burnt up â—owever you put the day of judgment farre of yet it s a coming it s nigher then you are aware of and the heavens and the earth shall be dissolved At that day none but holy persons can hold up their heads with comfort Therefore seriously bethinke your selves anticipate the terrour and sorrow of that day by an holy conversation Make timely provision for that day Labour for holynesse and then you need not fear notwithstanding the burning up of the present world you that are holy here shall behold that day with comfort Therefore now have that day in your eyes in your thoughts in your frequent meditations in your prayers that you may be found blamelesse at that day The words thus divided and expounded presents unto you one entire plain and practicall Doctrine That the serious consideration of the day of Iudgment should in an especiall Doct. manner ingage us unto an holy life and conversation For the unfolding of this excellent and practicall poynt my work will be 1. To prove it by scripture testimonies Method 1. 2. 3. 1. For Scripture Testimony 2. To confirme it by evidence of Reason 3. To improve all to your consciences by particular application 1. For Scripture it contributes abundant testimony to the proof hereof I shall gather sparingly from so great an heap selecting only some more eminent proofes leaving the rest to be supplyed in your serious meditations Peruse v 14 of this chap. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 But can any walk so Yes Zechary and Elizabeth walk'd so they were both righteous before God walking in all the commandements and ordinances of the Lord blamlesse It was Pauls exercise Acts 24. 16. goe thou and doe likewise Labour to make strait paths Labour to approve thy heart to God always walking as in the presence of God Begge strength from Christ and thou canst doe all things through Christ that strengthneth thee Another proof we have 1 Pet. 4. 7. The end of all things is at hand be ye therefore sober and watch unto prayer The consideration of our latter end should be a forcible argument to perswade us unto sobriety and watchfullness That 's a pregnant proofe of the Apostle Paul 2 Cor. 5. 9 10. Vpon this consideration he layeth down those 3 adverbs 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hopeing to gain them over to the practise of them Tit. 2. 11 12 13. This was a motive to him and the rest of the saints to have their conversation in heaven because hence they look for the Lord Jesus Christ You read of a sacred Irony Eccles 11. 9. The meaning is rejoyce in God walk in the wayes of Gods commandements that Ironicall speech commands the contrary Now what 's used by the wise man as a moveing consideration But know that there will be a day of judgment Entertain frequent and serious thoughts concerning it which through the grace of God set home upon thy heart may prevail with the circumspect walking in all holy conversation and Godlyness The consideration hereof should make us look better to our hearts and
Christ and him crucified And he calls other things in comparison of this knowledge Phil. 3. 8 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Above all knowledge labour to get this knowledge and above all your gettings labour to get this understanding And unless you be newborn you can never attaine unto a savory knowledge of Christ An ignorant person will ask what is thy beloved more then an other beloved but the Spouse answered my beloued is white and ruddy the cheifest of ten thousand Here lyes our duty to pray for the spirit and wait upon God in his word the word is the seed the spirit that formative vertue that makes it effectuall O prize Gods ordinances and wait upon God in them Happy will it be for any of you of whom it can be truely said Loe there was he born Loe there was he new born and wash'd with the laver of Regeneration In such a place and at such a Sermon God came in and chang'd the heart This is the Nail we are a driving we let down the Casting-net of the Gospel hopeing to catch some and it 's the desire of our soules to be instrumentall to beget soules unto Jesus Christ Let 's all doe our duties faithfully and leave the success with God The 2d Use is for Information To handle this use more distinctly 2 For Information my work will be 1. To shew you negatively what Regeneration is not 2. To shew positively what it is 1. Negatively and this I shall discover in these ensuing particulars 1. It consists not as Nicodemus grosly apprehended in a second 1. Regeneration is not understood in Nicodemus his sense entring into the wombe Suppose that a naturall man could be born in a natural way a thousand times over yet there is such defilement in his naturall being and birth by reason of Original sinne that it 's infinitely different and disagreeing with spiritual Regeneration this natural birth would be but flesh and our Saviour tells us that which is born of the flesh is flesh 2. Regeneration consists not in a New Physicall being i. e. to 2 Regeneratiom consists not in a Physicall being loose the essentials we had of a soul and the faculties thereof We have some Familists and vain Dreamers who talk of being Goded and Christed and tell of a strange Deification of being made God with God This is Blasphemy in a high measure see 1 Pet. 1. 4. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 We have by Christ not a new substance put into us but new qualities In a Theologicall sense he is wholly a new man who is changed in quality from bad to good yet the substance remaines still the same The alteration is not in the essence but in the operations and qualities of a man 3. Regeneration is not Civility and morall honesty 3. Regeneration is not civility and morall honesty though civility and moral honesty are both commendable and a shame for any Christians to be strangers to them yet men may be morally honest just in dealings and yet not outstrip heathens who never heard of Christ A Socrates a Plato a Regulus a Fabritius by their principles may goe a great way walk inoffensively to the eye of the world and yet may be a meer Ignoramus of Regeneration What 's the reason the Apostle will tell us 1 Cor. 2. 14. The naturall man receives not the things of the spirit of God Heathens have called the new moulding of their life a new birth Seneca tells us Nobis ad arbitrium nostrum nasci licet Yet this is farre short of that heavenly birth which the Scripture discovers How were Heathens new moulded but according to those 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 common naturall principles according to those institutions which they had in the Schooles of Plato Zeno and Aristotle It s the property of Gods word only to beget this new nature It 's call'd Incorruptible seed 1 Pet. 1. 23. Now not only a proâ—ane man must be born again but a civill man Joh. 3. 3. It 's spoken Indefinitely except a man be born again c. A man outwardly vertuous a man of a sweet disposition a man of a good nature he must be born againe It was a Blasphemous Hyperbole used in commendation of Bonaventure In hoc homine non peccavit Adam yet let the nature be nere so ingenuous it must be born from above 4. Regeneration consists not in great parts and abilities Many 4. Regeneration consists not in great Parts and Abilities may have great learning both naturall and acquired parts to admiration and yet remaine altogether ignorant of Regeneration The learned Orators and Philosophers attain'd unto a great measure of knowledge and yet were ignorant of the mystery of Regeneration Where Regeneration is ther 's a wonderful change wrought upon the heart the inward man is purified the thoughts are sanctified the heart cleansed But all the Documenta and Principia of the cheifest of Philosophers and Orators mention not one syllable of heart cleansing heart purifying they direct no further then the outward man 5. Regeneration consists not in common graces There may be a 5. Regeneration consists not in common Grace coÌ„mon Faith a coÌ„mon Love and a coÌ„mon Hope in such as are unregenerate To have a temporary opinionative Faith to have a coÌ„mon verbal Love a presumptuous Hope these are common to those that perish But to have a Faith that purifieth the heart a Love without dissimulation a Hope that maketh not ashamed these appertain only to regenerate persons 6. Regeneration consists not in a bare profession of Christ and 6. Regeneration consists not c. acknowledgement of the Gospel Many have an external profession and profess that they believe in Christ and yet cannot tell what this New birth means Many may be turned from Paganism to Popery from Popery to Protestantism and yet be unregenerate all the while There must be a conversion from an outward profession at large to a holy conversation There must be a saving work of grace upon the heart Wee must not onely be externally professors but internally and really changed in our natures we must be took off the old stock and planted into the new we must not be contented to be accounted nominal professors unlesse we be really wrought upon and throughly changed Now as I have shewed you in six particulars wherein Regeneration is not I shall now endeavour to shew in six particulars wherein it consists viz. in a new Nature a new Understanding new Will new Affections a new Heart and a new Life and Conversation 1. For the new Nature this is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Eph. 4. 1. There 's a new nature 24. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 Cor. 5. 17. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Cor. 5. 7. This consists not onely in the change of some particular actions but the change of the whole Nature 2. There 's a new Understanding Eph. 4. 23. Rev. 3. 18. 1 Joh. 2.
spoken 2. Consider those that pray most for Jerusalem shall reape 2. Mot. Those that pray for Jerusalem shall reap the greatest comfort the greatest comfort in Jerusalem's establishment They that have ventured most in the flock shall receive most in the return In Jerusalem's peace we shall have peace Our fraught is imbarkâ— in this ship As we have sowen so shall we reape We have had a wet seed time and have wept and fasted for the Church but we shall have a joyfull harvest Wherefore confirme the weak knees and strengthen the feeble hands But I proceed to a third use for Direction How must we give Vse 3. For Direction God no rest After what manner Must we thus present our supplications to the Throne of grace Amongst many I shall fix only on three properties of such a prayer as consists in giving God no rest according to the Text and they are Faith Fervency and perseverance 1. We must pray in faith The promise is that what we ask believing 1. We must pray in faith we shall receive No prayer unlesse coming from a Principle of faith can obtain acceptance Heb. 11. 6. Without faith it is impossible to please God And whatsoever is not of faith is sinne All prayers must be put up in faith believing in Christ and expecting from him only help and comfort In all our approaches to the Father let us come in the name of Christ believing and relying only on his merits Christ is the Bridegroom and the Church his spouse Christ is the Head the Church his body Faith is an Instrument of Union to unite the members unto the Head 2. We must pray with fervency as Jacob wrastled Hannah 2. We should pray with fervency poured out her Heart We must imitate the Importunate widdow Luk. 18. 1. Christ spake a Parable to this end that men ought alwaies to pray and not to faint The woman of Canaan who would have no nay And so Luk. 11. 8. Though he will not rise and give him because he is his friend yet because of his Importunity he will rise c. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 We must besiege Heaven and offer an holy Violence to the Throne of grace The violent take it by force and the effectuall fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much James 5. 16. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an inward working or an inwrought prayer Those that were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 did great things 3. We must pray with perseverance We must pray and not faint 3. We must pray with perseverance 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Luk. 18. 1. The Word as Eustathius observes is derived 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 à cedendo from shrinking back as some cowardly Souldiers do in time of danger Our duty is to pray without ceasing 1 Thes 5. 19. Job makes it the mark of an Hypocrite that he will not pray alwaies he will not alwaies call upon God The fourth and last Use is a word of Consolation to praying Vse 4. For Consolation Christians Such as are much in Prayer who tugg hard at the Throne of grace and in joy frequent Communion with God in this Ordinance They use prayer not only as a duty commanded but as a meanes to obtaine a blessing Their Hearts are heated their affections warmed and prayer is their Priviledge as well as service For they have accesse unto the Throne of grace they cry Abba Father they pray from a spirit of Adoption they come to God as Children to a Father and such have strong hopes to speed The Lords secret is with the Righteous they are his jewells his peculiar treasure Now the Prayers of the righteous availe much for themselves and for the publick wherefore O Christians hold on praying lift up your Hearts with your Hands to God in the Heavens continue to be Jerusalems Advocates and what ever things you see coming as the Answers of Prayers those will be most highly valued Go on then pray for Jerusalem fast and weep for Jerusalem and in Gods good time you shall see Jerusalem a praise in the earth THE CRUCIFIED CHRISTIAN REPRESENTED From Gal 5. vers 24. And they that are Christ's have Crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts UPON a review of the precedent verses you will Sermon 5. Preached at St. Marye's Oxon. Feb. 13. 1658. observe a double Catalogue one of the deeds of the flesh vers 19 20 21. Another of the fruits of the spirit vers 22. Concerning these the Apostle determines that against such there is no law i. e. 1. There is no law to Condemne them 2. There is no law to compell them Because they as freely obey God as if there were no law Their freedome obligeth more to obedience not in the least to disobedience Now the scope of my Text is to prove what was immediatly delivered before that there is no law against spirituall men and the Text gives a double reason one is because spirituall men are Christ's therefore there is no law against them the other is because that is crucified in spirituall men which the law condemneth namely the flesh with the affections and lusts therefore there is no law to condemne the spirituall man The words then in their dâ—ift and Latitude containe a description or a Character of true believers and the scope of the Words lyes obviously before us in these fundamentall Doctrines 1. That there are a peculiar people that are Christ's and have speciall Doct. 1 interest in him 2. All those that are Christ's and have speciall interest in him are Doct. 2 such as have crucified the flesh with it's affections and lusts These two points contain the full scope and substance of the words and what needs explication in the Text shall be given in upon the prosecution of the Doctrines as I go a long I resume the first That there are a pâ—culiar people c. This I Doct. 1 Method propounded shall endeavour to cleare from severall distinguishing names the nature grounds and benefits of those that are Christs and have interest in him and after this manner I shall handle the Doctrinall part of my Text which done I shall inquire how all this may concerne us as reducible unto point of practise this shall constitute the particular Use and Application of all 1. To prove my Assertion It 's plain if we inquire into Scripture 1. The Doctrine proved Testimony what speciall distinguishing names and Titles are appropriated unto those who are Christs and have speciall interest in him Sometimes Christ calls them his friends Joh. 15. 14 15. Sometimes he calls them disciples Joh. 13. 35. Children Matth. 17. 26. They are a chosen Generation a royall Priesthood a holy Nation a peculiar people 1 Pet. 2. 9. They are Kings and Priests unto God Rev. 1. 6. They are a peculiar treasure unto God Exod. 19. 5. A Crowne of Glory a Royall Diadem in the hand of God Isai 62. 3. The dearly beloved
to the Method propounded 1. For Scripture Testimony we have many parrellel places Let your conversation be aâ—â—ecometh the Gospell of Christ The grace of God that bringeth Salvation hath appeared to all men teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts we should be soberly righteously and godly in this present world There are three choyce Adverbs 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He that hath this hope in him purifieth himselfe as God is pure They that are Christs have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge amongst you Let him shew out of a good Conversation his workes with meekness of wisdome As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord so walk ye in him Two things saith learned * Ambulare in Christo duo de notat perseverare progredi in doctrinâ fide Christi vitam agere juâ—ta hanc fidem Davenant in Col. 2. R. 1. A holy Conversation is an Evidence of election 2 Pet. 1. 10. Rom. 12. 9. Davenant are imployed in that Exhortation viz Perseverance in the doctrine of faith and a life regulated accordingly 2. In the second place for confirmation amongst many Reasons that might be mentioned I shall insist only on foure 1. A holy Conversation is an Evidence of election Wherefore the rather brethren give diligence to make your calling and election sure There 's great care and diligence required in the work We need not ascend into heaven and curiously enquire after the Decree of God but our duty is to descend and make strict Inquisition into our own hearts whether we be sanctified and renewed in the spirits of our minds whether we depart from iniquity whether as the Apostle exhorts We abhor that which is evill and cleave to that which is good We must be assured in this grand Truth That God who 2 Thes 2. 13. hath ordained to the end hath ordained unto the means We are bound saith the Apostle to give thanks alwaies to God for you because he hath from the beginning chosen you to Salvation through Sanctification of the spirit and beliefe of the truth 2. When the profession and practice of Christianity meet together R. 2. This sheweth the sincerity of our Profession 2 Cor. 1. 12. here 's an infallible evidence of the truth and sincerity of our profession For our rejoycing is this the testimony for our Conscience that in simplicity and godly â—incerity not with fleshly wisdome but by the grace of God we have had our conversation in the world Multitudes plead an interest in Christs redemption But here 's the Criticall note To be redeemed from their vaine conversation 1 Pet. 1. 18. To be new creatures 2 Cor. 5. 17. To be renewed in the spirit of their minds Eph. 4. 23. To be made partakers the of divine Nature 2 Pe. 1. 4. These are the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Markes and Characters of those that have interest in Christ And whoever make a profession and practiceth not what they profeffe they are strangers from the life of Christ and no otherwise to be accounted of then such who by Mapps and reading of Authors discourse of farre countreys where they have never beene themselves but only they receive things by an implicite faith upon others reports and not by an experimentall knowledge But hereby we have evidence of the truth of our profession when Words and Actions Profession and Conversation concurre together in a sweet harmony and mutuall equipage R. 3. Here the Gospell is adorned 3. When Profession and Conversation meet togeather there the Gospell is adorned The Gospell gives not a Writ to licentiousnesse it opens no gapp to carnall liberty It ought to be our study and endeavour to adorne a holy Profession by a holy Conversation Tit. 2. 10. Exhort servants saith the Apostle to be obedient c. not purloyning but shewing all fidelity that they may adorne the doctrine of our Saviour in all things The great designe of Christians ought to be to keep up the reputation of the Gospel It is adorned when people walk according to the Apostles charge See that yee Eph. 5. 15. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. walk circumspectly not as fooles but as wise The Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the Originall we should be likewise 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 without spot and blamelesse Holinesse only adornes our profession and they are most beautifull who are adorned with the graces of Gods spirit 2 Pet. 3. 14. The Kings daughter is all glorious within her cloathing is of wrought Psal 45. 13. Gold And we read of broidered workes badgers skins bracâ—lets chaines jewells gold ear-rings Ezek. 16. Hence it eminently appeares that only the graces of the spirit can adorne a soule Now when what we professe in our mouths we make good by our practice When we name the name of Christ and depart from iniquity When we professe holinesse and live accordingly then we adorne the Gospell For the Gospell requires holinesse righteousnesse circumspect walking and the more holy righteous and circumspect a man is the more he adornes the Gospell 4. And lastly Hereby we bring the greater glory to God For R. 4. Here we bring the greater glory to God Joh. 15. 8. God is gâ—orified by the fruitfulnesse of his servants Herein is my Father glorified that yee bring forth much fruit What is this fruit but such as is meet for Repentance Mat. 3. 8. Fruit unto holinesse Rom. 6. 22. Fruits of Righteousnesse Jam. 3. 18. And this is the fruit the Apostle prayeth might abound in the Philippians chap. 4. 17. That fruit might abound to their account Now put all these Reasons together I conceive there is strength of Argument to persuade us to the duty of the Text viz. To depart from iniquity i. e. to make our Profession and Practise meet in one as lines in their proper center considering that hereby we prove our election sure and our profession to be sincere and that we adorne our profession and bring greater glory to God To these foure Reasons I l'e adde only foure Uses which are to be handled in the particular application as I promised and so I shall put a Period to my discourse 1. Here 's matter of Information that a name or forme of a Profession Vse 1. For Information an outward title or claime to Christ are altogether insufficient to Salvation What 's the forme without the power of Godlinesse what 's the name without the thing No better then the body without the spirit or the carcasse without the soule to animate it Concerning Formalists we have a Caution Having a 2 Tim. 3 5. forme of Godlinesse but denying the power thereof from such turne aside I know thy workes saith Christ unto the Angells of the Rev. 3. 1. Church of Sardis that thou hast a name that thou livest yet art dead How many are there that rest contented with an externall
among the best Wheat There 's no Church without spot or wrinkle till we come to Heaven Indeed to seperate from Heathens and from Idolaters we are commanded and this is a warrantable seperation But to seperate from a true Church must needs cause multitudes See Dr Harris his judgment in his life lately set forth by E. D. p. 100 101 102. of Scismes and Divisions as daiely experience witnesseth and we have no warrant in the Word of God for such a seperation Let all professours know that they are not therefore converted because they take upon them the bare name and forme For some there are as the Apostle mentions 2 Tim. 3. 5. Having a forme but denying the power And such as are only Nominall Christians and content themselves with the bare name are really Atheists It 's the easiest matter in all the world to take upon one a bare profession Machiavel himselfe would allow an outward profession But to have the Profession adorned with a Holy life and Conversation to be a Christian in name and in truth this is the great thing required To name the name of Christ and depart from Iniquity to purify ones selfe as God is pure this is the great work indeed Now having discovered these false glasses I l'e set before you one true glasse wherein we must behold our selves and that is the Word of God This discovers our Pollutions this shewes us the way of cleansing Psal 119. 11. Wherewithall shall a young man cleanse his way by taking heed thereto according to thy Word This discovers our Maladies and Remedies Now where there is a reall Change and a thorough transformation it will be known by three Characters 1. By Universality 2. By Sincerity And 3. By Perpetuity First For Universality and that lookes at five Subjects Char. 1. Vniversality 1. At the understanding Eph. 4. 23. And be renewed in the spirit of your mind 2. At the will Psal 110. 3. Thy people shall be a willing people in the day of thy power 3. At the affections Col. 3. 2. Set your affections on things above and not on things on the earth 4. The heart Ezek. 36. 25. Then will I sprinkle cleane water upon you and yee shall be cleane from all your filthinesse and from all your Idolls will I cleanse you a new heart also will I give you and a new spirit will I put within you and I will take away the stony heart and give you an heart of flesh 5. The life Newnesse of life is required For so it 's required that we should walk in newnesse of life Rom. 6. 4. Secondly Sincerity The aymes must be single and sincere Char. 2. Sincerity no change for selfe ends Interests Preferments c. The glory of God must be in thy eye 2 Cor. 1. 12. Our rejoycing is this the testimony of our Conscience that in Simplicity and Godly Sincerity not with fleshly wisdome but by the grace of God we had our Conversation in the world and more abundantly to youâ— wards Thirdly Perpetuity Rev. 2. 10. Be thou faithfull unto death Char. 3. Perpetuity and I will give thee a Crowne of life he that endureth unto the end shall be saved 3. The third Use is for Exhortation Let 's all labour to be Vse 3. For ExhortatioÌ„ Mot. 1. From the equity of the duty Mot. 2. from the necessity of the duty thus transformed By way of Motive 1. It is but equity that there should be a thorough change The whole man is defiled by sinne and the whole man should be transformed and changed 2. There 's a necessity necessitas precepti medii 1. How often are we cald upon to make us new hearts to turne unto the Lord to amend our waies 2. This change is an instrumentall meanes to pacify Gods wrath 2 Chron. 7. 1â— If my people which are calâ—ed by my name shall humble themselves and pray and seeke my face and turne from their wicked waies then will I heare from Heaven and will forgive their sinnes and heale their land So Joel 2. 12. Therefore thus saith the Lord turne unto mâ— with all your heart with fasting weeping and mourning rent your hearts and not your garments and turne unto the Lord your God for he is gracious and mercifull slow to anger and of great kindnesse and repenteth him of the evill 3. Consider the Utility God will however have his glory and Mot. 3. from the Vtility yet we are the gainers by this change By having changed hearts we can do more acceptable service unto God and are more in abled toperforme the will of God which is a good acceptable and perfect will 4. Now I l'e in the last place conclude with a word of comfort Vse 4. For Comfort unto those upon whom God hath wrought this gracious change i. e. Blessed are their eyes for they see They were afore this change as bad as others but now they are washed and cleansed Great is their comfort whose eyes are opened and they are brought from darknesse unto light from the power of Satan unto God By being converted and so becoming sons and daughters of God by grace and Adoption they obtaine these singular Priviledges 1. They have Union and Communion with Jesus Christ They Privil 1. Vnion and Communion with Jesus Christ are one with him mystically He is their Head they his body they injoy Communion with him in the exercise of graces in their approaches unto him in worship 1 Joh. 1. 3. That which we have seen and heard that declare we unto you that yee also may have fellowship with us and truely our fellowship is with the Father and his Son Jesus Christ 2. They have Interest in all the Promises 2 Cor. 1. 20. For all Pri. 2. They have Interest in all the Promises the promises of God in him are yea and in him Amen unto the glory of God by us 3. They have Interest in all Christs purchases of Justification Sanctification and Glorification What can I adde more but the Pri. 3. They have Interest in all Christs Purchases complement of all from Rev. 1. 5 6. And from Jesus Christ who is the faithfull witnesse and first begotten of the dead and the Prince of the Kings of the earth unto him that loved us and washed us from our sinnes in his own blood And hath made us Kings and Priests unto God and his Father to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever Amen And such honour have all his Saints even all such as are converted and borne againe upon whom this reall change and renovation is past These are here militant saints on earth and shall be triumphant Saints in the highest Heavens Dr VVilkinsons 3. DECADS of SERMONS