no faith the flesh Unlesse we be circumcised Christ cannot profit 1. Thus in all unbelieving hearts the Word of Christ is still cast off for first 1 It is foolishnesse to it that a man should forsake the World live by faith follow God with Abraham he knows not whither suffer the losse of my own Will nay of my Wit nay of my Life and all this is a foolish way 2. And it crosseth the heart of man which he will needs have for rather than he will want that he casts off Christ himself with him in Matth. 19. He went away sorrowfull So that mans infidelitie is still nourished by fleshlie Reason and fleshlie Lusts which fight against Faith 2. Thus the World trusts any thing rather than God and his Word For 1. The World saith Hearken unto me and seek me ply it and be diligent I will fill thee with fulnesse and thou shall not want 2. So lust calls Come I will fill thee with mirth and put away sadnesse delight thee with pleasures and yet the heart is sorrowful 3. So Reason I will lead thee the good and safe way behold thy Righteousnesse Wisdom c. What needs thou fear Thesâ— are the promises of God and of his Word 4. Nay saith Christ These will sail but come thou to me and I will ease thee and deliver thee and redeem thee from all bondage 3. Nay We that are traders in this Word yet how is the heart slant from the simplicitie of the Gospel and so gets no good thereby For 1 We gather conclusions from it by strength of Witt and Art We frame it to our conceits It begets strong opinions in us and we frame tricks and self-holie devices all out of it which are but the Froth of our fleshly brains But believing not from a broken heart tender relenting We call opinion believing and so as among men it is too true a complaint That plain dealing is gone So in Religion plain dealing is lost We professe the Word and trade in it and cast it off when we have done 2. Or we confound Law and Gospel because neither hath power in us We set one in the room of the other and make the Gospel effectual by the Law and not the Law fulfilled by the Gospel 3. Or we make the Word subordinate to man and not man to it laying a foundation in our selves of good qualities and building the promises thereon when it is free without condition We judge the Word and are masters of the Scriptures and are not guided governed with it 4. Or we seek a sign or a wonder that may confirm the word to us that we might feel some joy peace that we might know some assurance But he saith I have given thee a sure Word to believe that but in all we cast away God and his Word and hence it is we get so little good by it 5. But happy he that sticks to this God Promise it shall not fail speak the Word and my servant shall be whole What a mighty Faith that believed that Word and was healed 6. But this shall be a heavy VVord one day when the Son stands condemned at the Bar and the Father saith Now thou seest what is become of thy Rebellion I was thy Father and never wanting or did I ever fail thee I promised thou should not want and gave thee my Testimonies I sent my Son a man like thee he brought my Will to thee and my Promise but thou would have none of me but thou would have the VVorld and follow thine own VVill Thou trusted in thy own Power and VVisdom and Righteousnesse and Holinesse Now plead if thou can therefore not I but that VVord which thou hast cast off shall judge thee Then I gave them up to hardnesse VVhen mans heart is turned from the VVord of Truth he usually hardens in some fleshly way So that No greater judgement besals man nor surer sign of Gods destroying VVrath than when God ceaseth to call and worke with man but leaves him to the lust hardnesse of his own heart Thus to the old VVorld I will no longer strive with man Rom. 1. He gave them up to vile affections The Gentiles he suffered them to walk in their own VVayes and Counsels Joh. 17. I pray not for the World These he leaves if man have tasted the good VVord of God c. and fall from that VVord he is left impenitent Thus the VVorld when a man grows hardned that the Father can do no good then he casts him off Two things hardens above all First Fulnesse of the VVorld Secondly Knowledge of the VVord without the power thereof 1. VVhat may we then fear when all our former working hearts are turned into hardned knowledge presumption For First where is our weeping and mourning dayes where is that melting and trembling of heart before the VVord VVhere are those cryes prayers after Christ and his Truth Nay all is turned into secure talking or dead-hearted profession that now it is but a dead Letter God is not with the Word so that we may say as Deut. 5. I have heard all your Words But O! that there were such a heart we fear the plague sword tremble when it approacheth but no judgement like to this when God leaves us to all these and suffers man to walk in his own course to his destruction 2. But well-worth tender hearts whose minds are drawn from the World from all things of himself what ever he feels yea though but death and sorrow yet joy and peace shall come he will soon confound all enemies SERMON IX Exod. 12.21 22 c. Then Moses called all the Elders of the people of Israel and said Chuse you out and take for every house a Lamb and kill the Passeover And take a bunch of Hysop and dip it in the blood that is in the basons and strake the lintel and the two posts of the door with the blood c. VVHen God intended to bring Israel out of Egypt viz. Man out of the bondage of sin and Satan and bondage of corruption He sends Moses Aaron and the Prophets to guide them according to his will according to the promise made to Abraham and now to be accomplished by Moses First He sends him with assured confidence of his assistance 2. He hardens him against Pharaoh ceaseth not to plague Pharaoh till he make him yeild though against his will and so makes way for the deliverance of Israel Israel a figure of the Kingdom of Christ 1. As they lived in Goshen where was light and plenty yet in bondage under Pharaoh So we under the light of the Gospel yet bound in infidelity and lust of the World 1. Because we stick not to the Covenant or because the time is not yet come 2. Though the promise was made to Abraham and stood fast in him yet for the present saw little hope of deliverance so we though the
never hurts man but this perverts the mind 3 Nay this makes a man a slave to Satan lusts and to worldlie vanitie which he secures all his life and then dies and they forsake him Now this iniquitie above all was their Infidelitie and pride denying God and Christ 1. Thus are we all in miserie and bondage and sees it not nay account this our happinesse and rejoyce â—herein We feel want of the World riches honour but of the Word of Truth no want at all but that wherein we most delight shall be our overthrow 2. Thus hath he dealt with our Land Nation it hath swept away whole Families Towns yet we â—egard it not For it is this that sets all plagues on fire 3. We cry out under plague death O when will â—his ill weather cease But when wilt thou leave sinâ—ing against God SERMON XVIII â—sa 65 2 3.4 I was sought of them that asked not after me I was found of them that sought me not and I said Behold me Behold me to a Nation that called not upâ—n my Name IN this Chapter is laid down the calling of the Gentiles and the rejection of the Jewes the freenesse of Gods mercy to the one and the righteousnesse of his judgements to the other Shewing the constant dealing of God in his Church calling in by the Word of Truth such as have been aliens and enemies thereto casting off such as have enjoyed it yet walks stubbornly in pride after their own wayes The Jewes were a people particularly chosen to God by a special Covenant and preserved by his power according to his promise But the Gentiles were Heathen aliens and Idolaters who walked every one after his own way that had nothing to do with the Covenant and special blessing Not that they were restrained from enjoying happinesse but that none should be blessed but that cleaveth to the God of Israel and became a Jew These were turned from their own wayes to Gods others fell from God to their own for they retained his Word and way before them yet did cleave to their own wits and wills and thereby would accomplish his righteousnesse The Gentiles enquired not after nor sought God till he sent his servants with the Word of Truth to them finding them in their Idolatry and vain wayes said Behold me Behold me For though some in all Ageâ— were called in because the Word light on them yet this was the general and ordinary work So that See by that wayâ— that seems most unlike to manâ— Wisdom and most opposite to mans carnal Judgementâ— doth God worke and stablish His Kingdom and manâ— happinesse that his Power and freenesse of his Gracâ— may appear For they were grafted in contrary to Nature so thaâ— all his Works are contrary to Nature for though he â—estroy not Nature from its being yet he destroyes the Lifâ— Kingdom that seeks in the creature without him Sâ— that so long as man runs after his natural Inclination as we all do he wanders from Gods way therein Foâ— what an unlikely way is it to reason that by dying wâ— shall live and by losing life we shall find it and by suffering get the victorie Not that by dying in our selves we shall live in our selves but in another How unlike that Abraham an Idolater should become the Father of the faithful For he sought nor nor enquired after him yet God called and he obeyed And Paul the great enemy of Christ yet was made the great Champion of Christ Christs way of suffering is a way few do willingly embrace We professe Christ and talks of Christ but we s eek other wayes to come by it and keep this only alive in conceit like a hâ—llow hearted friend who bears fair and speaks well but when it comes to it will part with nothing Thus Paul confounded all those reasonable wayes of the false Apostles and of their knowledge and righteousnesse c. and brings all to simplicity of Babes and helplesse hearts for they kept all alive in conceit but their hearts covered 1. Thus God makes man a depending creature to wait only on his Power and Grace 2. All the wayes of God are wonderful to a believing heart but whatever is within compasse of reason is not wonderful 3. This he doth that he may hide pride from man â—or so the Jews were grown haughtie when they had â—elt his way of Faith and wrought their own safety For that way that man thinks to get life by devising he â—hall not Man grows wise to believe by it and righteous to believe from it and humble that he may gain â—he promise But here simplicity of heart is lost This â—s not the way but by being a fool and sinner in himâ—elf then he is found Now this is abused by hardnesse of mens hearts who â—herefore cast off fear and saith God will find me if I â—eek him not and be merciful though I seek him not â—nd follow not so hard after him and so musled in seâ—uritie because he saith He can do nothing this is the â—lead of a senselesse heart in securitie he saith He can do nothing abusing his absolute power and freeness of â—is mercâ— But I may say Have they not heard Yes the sound is gone through the World so with thee Hath he not sought thee and called thee daily and yet thou hardens thy heart against him Thou hast not sought him but he thee and yet thou hidest thy self from him all thou canst Thus doth every believing heart that knows himself find in experience the wonderful power and mercy in Christ when thou wast wallowing in thy gored blood yea following the sway of thine own will yea feeding thy heart with fleshly pleasures then God knocketh at thy heart when thou little thinks of him nay ever since when thou felt nothing but guilt and death saw no other reason yet then he gave life Nay when thou had in strength of wisdom not from a troubled heart thought to establish thy thought of happinesse yet he beat thee down Yea when thou thought thy self in the likeliest way to become happie then proved it most cursed when thou seems most wretched it becomes ever best from him And all this God hath done that thou mightest for ever believe him who hath chosen and called thee one thou knowes most vile rebel lustful covetous unlikeliest of thousands This confounds all the reasonable wayes of fair projects which man hath framed to himself either out of the world or out of Religion to establish his thoughts of ease and happinesse for we see the offers of grace and his great works and then reasons à posteriore and thinks to ascend thence to happinesse But his grace is free out of our compasse it is to be attended on We would know a reason of God in all his works else we hold him not just But what reason is it thaâ— ever the Gentiles should believe but his mercy And thus all
makes for the destruction of it 1. Hence it follows that we fall into so many by-wayes and by-paths of error because we think we are able to know and we strain our wits to comprehend â—eck out a reason oâ— Gods matters which are only to be believed For though I cannot see a reason how God brings about his purpose and righteous will shall I therefore conclude that he is not righteous and not believe him nay Paul is glad to shut his eyes at that wisdom Rom 11. And cryes out Oh the height and depth and length of the wisdom of God 2. Nay nothing preserves the Truth to man but the Crosse for all things are tryed by the fire and that reveals it 3. That we may be guided in the way of Truth First depend on no man nor on the opinion of man 2. Stick to the Word of the Gospel 3. Pray instantly in humility and the Spirit shall lead us into all truth And now I tell you weeping see the loving affection of Paul First who wept partly for those men who hâ—d forsaken the Truth of the Gospel and turned to the World And 2. Partly for the danger of the Church So that A loving man is truly loving to all and truly mindeful of the good of the Church and advantage of Christs Kingdom in all 1 Paul sought not theirs but them and the care of all the Churches lay upon him 1. Away then with this partial affection when men reioyceth to see others misled that he may justifie himself and away with this judging and not pittying buâ— hating them They are enemies to the Crosse of Christ Men that professe Christ but deny him in his sufferings their minds is not prepared by faith and patience to bear the Crosse partly in doctrine they denyed it not understanding that mystery partly and especially in life for they lived in sensuallity and fleshly pleasures and yet professed the Gospel So that Manie in the Church professe Christ and the Truth of the Gospel which deny and are enemies to the Crosse of Christ and deny the power of the Gospel This is to denie him before men To the Jews and Gentiles the Doctrine of the Crosse was foolishnesse Paul when he was called before the Emperor they all denied him The false Apostles Gal. 6. strove against Paul and desired to have the Disciples circumcised because they would not suffer persecution The Lawyer Matth 19. and the Stony ground 1. For they would have Christ and the World also which cannot be 2. They were never brought to see their own desert and to justifie God for then if so they would bear the Crosse willingly as in Micah 7. I will bear the indignation of the Lord because I have sinned against him 3 They turn the grace of God into wantonnesse and dream only of ease and peace and understand not the mystery of the Kingdom but would make advantage of Christ to the satisfying of the flesh Now this Croâ—â—e whereto they are enemies is indeed that sore affliction whereby man is past all helps and hope in himself or the World In Christ you see it was First He bare the iniquity of us all so to us when man bears iniquity in daily repertance 2. He bare the Fathers wrath so we judgement and wrath in our selves 3. He suffered all indignity and losse of life so we patiently And to be enemies hereto is 1. To put off sin and bear it through hardnesse of heart 2. To pacifie wrath by self holinesse in our own conceit only 3. And for the World to keep it alive in our hearts and cherish it under Christs wings 1. And how many of us are such we all believe and like well of the Gospel and to hear of sitting at Christs right hand but to drink of his Cup none hath a minde It is good believing when we have the Gospel before us and the World about us but to suffer want of all viz. the Fathers wrath none like to this The Child can bear any thing better we all like Gospel but we will loose nothing for it which argues we have little confidence in the truth thereof and little joy therein 2. But we can talk of the Crosse and sufferings but we talk of it with light and merry hearts we make but a play-game of it for we seek not the bitternesse of Christs agony nor the smart of the Crosse and so we dally with all truth we boast with Peter that we will die with him but before the Cock crow we deny him thrice 3. A fearful thing to forsake Christ and his Crosse so that it is not so light a thing to be a Christian which must suffer willingly the spoyliâ—g oâ— goods and soul all and be a friend of the Cross Yea he is the safest whom God keeps under for hereby is the truth of the Gospel revealed indeed to man 4. And happy is he that is guided by Christ in this way and that his eyes are kept waking all night and feels the terrors of the Almighty for he is safe from securitie It is not the dreaming of a power and free-will in man by use whereof securitie is prevented but it is the Crosse of Christ on man that keeps him waking for Peter and the rest fell a sleep notwithstanding Christs warning given to them so often only because they dreamed of such a power as Peter boasted but not sensible of the Crosse that lyed on Christ Nay all errors have sprung in the Church for want of this for while men were kept within themselves and their own miserie their pride was kept under but when they had lost themselves and begun to be strong men of knowledge in conceit then they began to be masters and run into a thousand opinions from truth and these are the enemies to Christs Crosse First Those that live in ease and pleasure under profession and knowledge of the Gospel and seed on the World as their dainty dish Secondly Those which bear out sin through hardnesse of heart he bare the sin of all but these bear it not as a burden but as a pleasure and delyte Thirdly Which put of wrath and judgement through self righteousnesse and qualities and so with Christ bear not the indignation of the Lord Fourthlie Which are lifted up in knowledge of Christ but walk not in that denying humble and believing way of Christ And it is a fearfull thing to stumble at this stone and to frame a Christ to our selves but on whomsoever it shall fall it will crush all those to pieces and bring down their pride whose god is their belly Those who were professors and teachers of the Gospel and yet under pretence thereof served their own lusts and appetites they went talking of Religion and thereby got good cheare labour not in their calling but made advantage of the Gospel to the satisfying of their lusts These he gives warning of as eâ—emies So that It is a fearful thing and dangerous
They rejoyced as men in harvest and that divides the spoil and they that sow in tears shall reap in joy 1. For all joy but this is nothing but mistakings like a man that laughs in Sleep for want of understanding in himself and feeding himself with shadows and tidings that Satan brings to him 2. All oâ— eâ—joy is but rejoicing in the Flesh. He only comforts the Spirit when Flesh mourns 3. All other joyes ends in sorrow but this sorrow in joy What is all the joy the World can give to man even as the cracking of Thorns under a pot Thou art rich and full of wealth yet a carefull heart in the midst thereof Thou joyes to day and mourns to morrow So the vvanton vvhat cause of joy while his Soul is more fettered and guilt increased Joy passeth guilt remaineth and yet none so merrie Thus Satan hath messengers to rejoice man being sad 1. The World brings tidings or wealth and honour c. 2. The Flesh of pleasure joy and freedom c. 3 Reason from self-righteousnesse and wisdom c. But Christ from the love of the Father that is worth all Now this never springs but from mourning in our selves like that of Paul at his conversion to Christ So then the difference of these are 1. First One rejoyceth to gain the World another to be freed from it 2. One to have his ovvn will and another to lose iâ— 3. One to have all things and suffer nothing another to suffer all things and to have nothing but Christ 2. We see that all joy that we conceive that ariseth out of Religion and not hence is but a fondation layed in man which will die with him But as the Child is merry in his Fathers love though he knovv nothing vvhat shall be done to it and not because he is heir and must be advanced to a great portion so it is vvith us not from any quality in our selves but in another For unto you is born So that Christ truely born unto man is the only fountain of Life unto man in all distresses In the Citie of David Mic. 4. So that nothing shall disannul the truth of the Word of God nor shake the heart that is stayed thereon A Savior You and the World seemes to be lost condemned but behold here is a Saviour at hand even a Saviour sent to you So that The only stay and rest unto the restlesse heart of man is assurance of a Saviour confidence of heart in him As Simeon Mine eyes have seen thy salvation Zach. That we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies c. And hast raised up for us a mighty Salvation And he shall save the people from their sins Such a Saviour was figured in Moses and Joshua And thus prophesied by the Angel Thou shalt call his name Jesus for he shall save my people 1. For man is a lost and condemned creature the word of truth hath judged him his own heart hath given sentence against him For this hath the Spirit of man sought since Adams fall some in the World some in themselves but never found but by Christ The very Heathens sought it and we make many Saviours but all faile save this It is not with us as it was with the Disciples we have found the Lord Christ We go a seeking and enquiring but we have not found the Lord. He saves us out of the hand of our enemies viz. 1. From the guilt of our Souls and temptation of Satan 2. From the corruption of our Nature and bondage of corruption 3. From affliction and sorrow and crosses and want 4. From death and hell and judgement at the last 1. See those miserable Saviours that we frame as the world or wisdom or self-righteousnesse these vve get but yet we are in the hand of our enemies our heart 's full of fear and death 's a terror to us 2. This Saviour is born and given to none but condemned men like a murtherer that can find no way to escape goes to the King and confesseth and cryes for mercie the King pardons for his own glory c. 3. But know that our Salvation stands in another not in our selves though we store our selves and provide great and strong arguments against that day yet all will fail and only bearing indignation of the Lord committing to free mercy must be our salvation 1. Pardoning of Sin 2. In preserving the heart in Faith by the Word to live and dye with Christ and go through all in Patience not as most who think themselves the likeliest to procure a Saviour is to come with their own righteousness and holiness c. But that we come sinners and condemned not bringing righteousnesse but to obtain righteousnesse not to offer sacrifice but to obtain a sacrifice even Jesus Christ Christ the Lord viz The anointed Lord who was figured in that of the Israelites who had the holie Oyle reserved in the Temple sanctified by Moses wherewith their Kings and Priests were anointed Now the Rabbins say that this Oyle ceased in the second Temple till Christ came who was to be anointed with the holie Ghost So that God the Father according to his eternal purpose hath anointed Christ to be Lord and King of his Church to rule in the heart of man that God and his power may he magnified and man made happie in him He hath given all judgement to the Son All power is given to me in Heaven and Earth all things are given in me to my Father he hath hid all treasures in him and hath laid help on one that 's mighty as Psal 4.8 This is manifested in his Word never man spake like this man and his miracles hath it been said that a man opened the eyes of one that was born blind This the Father did by an eternal purpose for the salvation of man that seing man could not comprehend Gods purpose he sent one in our room to whom he hath given power because that we could not ascend to Heaven we might have a God on Earth His Kingdom is righteousnesse joy in the Holy Ghost 1. But we have other Lords the World rules as Lord and we obey it the Flesh commands and we are subject to it 2. Where is that power of man whereof he boasts We would all be Lords and rule according to our own will SERMON V. Luk. 7.36 37 38. c. And one of the Pharisees desired that he would eat with him And Jesus went into the Pharisees house and sat down to meat and behold a woman in the City which was a sinner c. AFter that Christ had preached to the People concerning John Baptist and that many of the People and Publicanes believed and were baptized He upbraids the hardnesse of the Pharisees which neither believed John nor him but rejected the Truth and neither believed John to see their misery and repent nor him that they might receive mercy but trusted in
his Word 2. For to others whose present ease and rest it crosseth it is un-wellcome 3. For none believes it but them others know it and talk of it but the poor and lowly minde only believe it 1. We may then cry with the Prophet Isa 55. Who hath believed our report for every heart is filled and fatted and born up with something none lyes under his own burden in the Dust but one hath the World and lives by it another a witty and strong opinion of Faith and Christ and Christ and his Word not regarded Do we not delight in any History and witty discourse rather than this do we not believe cleave to any lie of Satan though directly opposite for if he say we shall die We say no none will bâ—lieve death but he that seeks it And hence we see what makes all unprofitable unto man viz. Hardnesse of heart and presumption when man can passe over Hell and Death so lightly as not belonging to him and so Christ and his Word are a far off kind of thing to him He can have it or want it he had rather want it than a little portion of Wealth can live merrily in the fullnesse of the World without the Word than to want it though he had Christ himself daily to Preach 3. Well worth tender and troubled hearts who like the distressed Orphant seeks for the Father knows his own weaknesse cryes out VVho shall deliver me waiting daily at the posts of his doors and sit at Christs feet daily Christ hath sent out a word into the VVorld that shall seek peace O! how joyfull to them that hear of mercy pardon when they thought there was no pardon and to be guided to the Father This is deareâ— than thousands of VVordly fulnesse 4. This we know in experience when the minds of men are plunged into reall misery when there was lesse knowledge but more simplicity then the Gospeâ— sufferd violence But now that knowledge hath covered us we hid our selves under the shadow of our own inventions none regards the VVord of Christ Ezek. 7.19 Matth. 18.23 She Weept and stood behind him So that Till Sin and Death become mans daily burden grace and mercy are never precious As the Prodigal till then he cast off the Father Psal 5. Till death entred â—he weeps not Till the Law came Paul is alive but then he cryes O wretched man that I am and mine iniquities are a sore burden Matth. 11.18 Come unto me that are wearie and heavy laden c. 1. For man by wit and diligence is able to help any wound or heal any miserie but this but the biting of the Serpent none can cure but the brasen Serpent 1. For hereby Prayer Faith and Humility is preserved in man hereby still seeing that his life and safety stands in another 2. But these dayes are past and burden is removed only by a blind foreknowing of the Gospel For when a man is declared to be miserable still he hath a voice saying Thou shalt not die and nothing is made known but he hath a foreknowing of all Yea to the imagined comprehending of God himself and this hardens more than all else How comes sin weaknesse to be lesse burdensome than before Is man better in qualitie then before or lesse sinfull no man is the same in the Flesh and if prevented it is by Grace and Power of Christ which might a make man more sensibly vile And yet it is the conceit of all We think our selves better wiser and holier than before when indeed wâ—â—re worse only God is better than before to us Yea and because of some qualities he thinks his sins are not so grievous as others and because of these he conceivâ—s hope but in this woman all wrought her woe no hope in herself but in another Where then is the power and free-will of man Mans power is weaknesse when I am weak am I strong In that She stood behind him and washed and kissed his feet Note the base account she had of herself as unworthy to come before him So that A repenting heart of man truely knowing himself ever hath a base account of himself what ever God is to him Psal 8. What is man c. In me dwells no good thing and yet in Christ he enjoyed much good Psal 16. All my righteousnesse is nothing by the grace of God I am that I am The Prodigal I am unworthy to be called Thy Son make me as one of thy hired Servants For there is nothing in man but weaknesse baseness though in the World among men he be wise upright all high thoughts arise out of ignorance and Satans shews 1. Whence then are those high thoughts justifying our selves condemning censuring one another whence is this seeking honour one of anothe And when the Pharisee that bade him saw it Leave we the poor woman weeping washing kissing and anointing and see what that holy man judged thereof he shewed before a great love to Christ in his entertainment but see what luâ—ks in his heart a secret justifying of himself through pride and condemning noâ— only the Woman but of Christ himself Wherein notâ— the pride and deceit of mans heart So that That in the heart of all men a fountain of pride and Fleshly deceit lyes lurking under the cover of Religion whereby man becomes well conceited of himself wheâ— there no cause at all This was the sin of the Angels doting on their owâ— excellency and of Adam that would be some body Yea Saul would needs justifie himself before Samuel And the Pharisees wholly carried away with this and the Libertains 2 Pet. 2. Spake swelling words of vanity yet under pretence of long prayers spoiled widows houses 1. For man is unwilling to bear his own shame and hence he gloseth and covers and shifts as he grow cunning in Religion to hide himself from the Word oâ— God he goes for currant when within there is nothing but rottennesse For this grows up with goodnesse it self as Tares with White For when God bestows any notable blessing or qualitie on man Satan turns mans eyes to look at it as an act or qualitie in man not as a gift of God keept in Christ and thereby he covers himself in that silthinâ—sse within and thinks himself some body 1. Hence ariseth all this covering and cloaking and seeking of approbation that we may be seen of men for look what a man thinks and how he judgeth of himself he would have all men to judge and think the same And this sticks fast in all we judge our selves better then many others when we in so judging are worst of all and yet God and thou knows whether all thy care and labour in Religion be not as well to gain respect as out of the trouble of thine own vilenesse and weaknesse 2. Nay is there any thing that thou enjoyes or doth but there ariseth a conceit with it of a
the Mercy of God in Christ Jesus 5. None knows the Power of Religion in deed but he that hath it not in himself as a quality but in Christ by faith 6. All Religion is nothing where the Fountain is shut no matter what we know if we know not Christ from a troubled heart SERMON VI. Luke 8.4 And when much people were gathered together and were come of every Citie he spake by a Parable A sower went out to sowe his seed c. AFter that Christ had cast off the Pharisee in the preceeding Chapter received the Woman whereby he manifested the freenesse of Gods grace without any respect unto man Great multitudes flocked to him out of all Cities and he lets them see by a Parable that all hearers prove not Christians Wherein note 1. The occasion much people met him 2. The Parable it self 3. The Exposition thereof Much people were gathered together Partly by his Miracles partly the power of his word partly for custome but all came and yet after you see fall off So that The voice of the Gospel and the publishing of it gets many friends and followers at the first which afterwards fall off forsake it Joh. 6. When all was gone his disciples began to slink and he said Will you also go away It was great heart burning to the Priests and Elders that the whole world went after Christ yet at the end all forsooke him and he trode the wine-presse alone So Paul had many Children and Churches Gal. 4. You would have plucked out your own eyes but they all forsooke him and turns to the false Apostles thus beginning in the Spirit and ending in the Flesh. 1. For Est natura hominum novitatis avida but when they have tryed it and find not that sweet they expected but that it crosseth their lusts and wordly Kingdom and suits not with their ease and rest they forsake it 2 Many embrace and approve of it for company and moe forsake it for company it may be the example of many will draw one to it but the example of one will draw many from it 3. Though man think that a Nation is born at once yet few truly proves good ground and sticks to the end for he that endures to the end is saved 1. This is too plain in experience What zeal and forwardnesse what diligence and care is now dead and ended in nothing and though once we wanted nothing but Christ yet now have forsaken him in the way of his cross and ease our selves in the world and our own devices So that the life of the Gospel continues but a time for after a while security takes hold of some opinions and heresies of others and the world takes hold of all and so the Lord takes it away and sends it elsewhere 2. To shew the perverse nature of man who is never wearie of the world in the ways of the flesh and yet how soon weary of this He spake by a Parable Not in high and abstruse termes or wittie and unknown Language but in plain parables as of plowing sowing of salt and three pecks of meal of lost sheep of debtors and creditors things well known unto men cast this simple seed amongst them where see the nature of the Gospel So that That it is plain low simple wants nothing but believing hearts to make it known yet not understood of any but such as stand truly in need thereof Many great Doctors were ignorant of these Parables the Parable was plain but the mysteries was hid Many wise men conceive truly of it defended it but only miserable men knew the power of it 1. For Christ came not to set men at disputing about opinions but about themselves to draw them to believe 1. So that divinity stands not in curious searching of hidden things but in plain evidence of truth to pierce the heart 2. And hence we see what good doth all those disputes of high knowledge of contemplative men viz. The greatest Idolaters that ever was in the Church for they frame steps and stairs to ascend to high Mysteries and frame a God at the top and yet ly in pride and base lusts God gives us low and humble hearts then a Parable will fet the Gospel will be precious and if ever God bring us to see the need of Christ one simple word of truth will bring more joy than a thousand witty discourses A sower went forth to sow And this seed is the Word of God which prospers in some better in some worse and Christ therein ranks all men according to that power the word hath in them so that Every man is with God as the word is to him Joh. 15 If you abide in me and my word abide in you c. Saul cast away the Word of the Lord therefore the Lord cast him away and all the complaints against Israel was still because they hearkned not to my Word they disobeyed my Word and all the Plagues that ever came on man even from Adam till now is because our own wills and lusts rules us not his Word we believe not but David lived thereby And this is that frees man thy Word of Truth 1. For God and his Word are one such as his Word is to us such is God in every thing for not one jote of his Word shall fail 2. And all the Word is nothing else but a Declaration of the Fathers will in Christ as the Law that we should have no Saviour but him and the Gospel that he is a perfect Saviour all our sin is but a transgression of this Word by making to our selves in conceit other Saviours than him This is the Word that was given to Adam Abraham c. and this is a mighty Word for by it all things were made and preserved As with man how deadly is the Word of a King in wrath that it hath ever strucken a man with death and so of mercy And the sowing of this seed is nothing else but the faithful Declaration of Gods Will concerning Man and Christ that man may see the deceits of Satan by that Word so be brought to repentance may see the truth of the Word in Christ that the Kingdom of God may come And yet Christ may say Who hath believed our report when we see this seed to perish not regarded but cast off as a fable We believe fear the Word of Man and the Word of a Father prevails with a Son but God calls cries and we regard not He threatens and we fear not He promiseth and we believe not But let the World threaten we fear or promise and we rejoice and so comes man to be of a worldly heart Doth not the Father cast out the Son that regarded not his Word Mark and we shall see that the whole ear is stopt to this Word and he is but a dead hearted man But know that God hath punished more
evil away 2. Another by the first Covenant and stablishing a righteousnesse of his own but that hath nothing but death in it 3. All hiding and covering and increasing what they have and tinkling their old rotten hearts not by forsaking all and Repentance 2. But we see the way of Life and Freedom is by death 1. By believing the great power of Christ whereby he overcame death 2. By patient submitting to the will of God no way to overcome but by suffering 3 So that all this strong hearted Religion and high flown thoughts bear out all danger through hardened presumption and a stiff conceited Righteousnesse or high and loftie knowledge like those Isaiah 28. that put the evil day far off and hide themselves under vanitie and falshood is not the way of Christ no His way is a low and dying way They reproached Him and He bare it they banisht Him and He had not whereon to lay His head and He cared not They apprehended Him and He lift not up a sword against them they accused Him falshly and He said nothing they crucified Him and He prayed for them and wheâ— they laid Him in the grave in darknesse and that the power of Satan could do no more He rose revived and shut the mouth of hell death and the grave thâ—â— they should never hurt any of His But by death he overcame death and brought Life and Immortalitie to light by the Gospel 4. And this shews the miserable captivitie of Sin anâ— vilenesse thereof that nothing can loose but Death 〈◊〉 the Wife or Brother that hath committed such an offence that nothing but the death of the Husband or Brother can save her life how may this break the heart with sorrow we pity Christ that so innocent a man should suffer death so unworthily but see Christs answer to the women that wept for His death Weep not for me but weep for your selves He needs not thy pity but weep for the death and desolation that thou thy children must suffer Him that had the power of Death For this was left to Satan he had power to tempt man in the heel and losse of all things even of life and was the executioner according to the sentence of the judge but not beyond his commission So that Satan hath a large power and dominion over man to tempt and vex man with all calamities and losse of the dearest object yet cannot make void the Redemption of man to his destruction Thus with Job in all things but his life and yet by Faith and Patience he got the Victorie when once he laid his hand on his mouth and repented in dust and ashes Thus he reigned in malice against the Martyrs even unto death but their Kingdom Peace he could not take away from them Thus against Christ And he is called the old Serpent and Satans the accuser of the brethren Thus Satan brings Death in all things where the heart is not freed by Christ All unbelievers are taken captive to do his will as 1 To the worldly heart he â—ffers the Kingdom of the world and life by them but death lurks under 2. To the lusting heart by satisfying that but shame and guilt follows 3. The hypocrite by high thoughts and self-righteousnesse poysoning his Religion with a false opinion like an angel of light that he may cast off Christ Others he follows with troubles to drive them to seek help in his Kingdom Nay when he offers life ease in any thing he thereby intends death and brings it in the end and when he threatens death it is to seek life in him So no way to overcome but by taking away that life of his by death and to overcome this death by suffering and by the life of Faith through Patience 2. The greatest snare of the devil is in all thriving wayes for he is farely covered with pretence of good peace and fulnesse c. But beware for death is in the port if he cannot draw Christ to doubt and deny God then he grants as much as Christ saith True thou art the Son of God and he will keep thee still thou art now on the Temple the hight of Holinesse cast thy self down on this if that prevaile not Then he comes with all the world in his hand confessing still all that Christ urged No I see thou wilt not tempt God therefore use thou the means to live and bow thy heart to the world that thou mayest live well and do good So trying alwayes to worke death to the mind of Christ when this would not prevail then he sets all the world in malice against him 3. No way then but living by the Word nothing else he can deal with everie thing but Gods Word unlesse he can steal this out of the heart he can thrust nought else in This keeps out of all things else but Christ but if we begin to hearken a commune with flesh and blood and believe his promises he will promise life in things when death is sure to be in the end Which for fear of Death were all their life-time through sin and guilt So that The fear of death and destruction is the fruit of Sin and Guilt which keeps all the hearts of the sons of men in bondage until they be freed and delivered by Christ When the Law came to Paul death came Deaâ—h went over all because all had sinned And how do these in the Revelation cry for mountains to cover them these in Isaiah 28 were glad to make a covenant with death and Adam made aprons of sigleaves to cover his shame Nay this is that which all labour to prevent and flee as hell 1. For man is guiltie before God though by sore-knowing of a remedie he thinks to â—over it as oft as this guilt is naked and bare fear possesseth the soul 2. For death leaves no Hope dasheth all at once so that if the worlding could escape this he were a jollie man 1. Thus we see what an uncertain ease man is in that fears death everie hour especiallie if man were made sensible of his condition but this Satan hath covered for a while and saith Thou shalt not die And so we sit quiet and fear no evil but how fearful is the plague or sword where it lights 2. Nay but what a tosling of heart there is in a dying man betwixt fear and hope which is worse than his pains now he hopes then the disease pincheth him and he fears again then hath rest hopes again But note That this remains all our life long even still in the heart of man O! that it were in us all it would waken security and set the heart a seeking praying but we live as though no danger were towards us but the time will come when we shall call for the mountains to cover us and not find ease SERMON XIV Luke 22.31 32. And the Lord said to Simon Simon Satan hath desired to
mercie For if he be not before one of these two he is secure may this we see too common in all men 1. For though they must be brought at one time or other to be judged in themselves and confesse that it is â—he way of Faith Repentance and Love it is the way of Life yet how soon become hardned and cast it off cares not for it but gets a life else-where that they cannot say that their joy and pleasure and life is in Christ but in another in his knowledge and righteousnesse and none abides but with this Nebuchadnezzar falls off But know that this Word shall judge thee one day 2. Hence we see what a Fountain of Lust and Rebellion is in all men believers and others how often hath God expounded our Dreams restored our freedom given Life in Death and how soon are we returned either to the Worlds shifts in straits or forget the Lord that brought us out of Egypt and feed our selves with pleasure Nebuchadnezzar made an Image of Gold fifthy cubits high He had forgotten the God of Daniel soon and now makes an Idol for his own glorie preservation even thus doth all So that When mans heart turns away from God Christ that he is not known believed and loved every maâ— set up the idol of his own Imagination in his heart forsakes the God of Heaven that is to say a God a Christ and a Righteousnesse and Wisdom in Imâ—gination Thus every Nation had their Gods all reasons are 〈◊〉 God framed or comprehended in the witt of man 〈◊〉 Therefore God gave this great Law Thou shalt havâ— no other Gods but me 1. Thus Satan is called the God of this World whâ— sets up his Law in mans heart For there is in every man the sins of all men in the root so that as the Heathen that know not God indeed yet had many Imaginary Gods So all men that know not God or forsake Christ make many Christs though not all of oâ—â— fashion yet such as mans Imagination leads him to 2. For mans heart must have something to upholâ— it either real or conceited therefore in want of thâ— God of life he must have some God and somethiâ— to trust to or sometimes for which he must trust Gâ—â— the better in all which though it be nothing but the Idol of his Imagination yet Christ must bear the Name He confesseth the God of Daniel but hath an other Idol whom he worships For doubt not but all the Heathen had a general confused conceit of God unto whom they then framed God a kind of relation in their conceit For reason could tell them that a creature could not save them neither could Nebuchadnezzar believe that any creature could yet save or deliver him when he counted himself the most patient creature in the world but had a conceit of God unto whom he owed Worship Some acknowledge the true Christ but he is not the Saviour by whom they live but something else So that Thus the World and the Church is full of Idolatrie every man setting up the Idol of his own heart One sets up a Golden Image as the King did here and makes the World his great God This he serves and trusts worships yea in all his laws threats he fears the loss of his labour For if this God smile he laughs if he frown he grieves if he threaten he fears if he promise he believes and this is the greatest God most worshipped in the World The rich adores it the poor prayes unto it all bow unto it But the great Idol in the Church is mans knowledge and righteousnesse This is that the false Apostles set up This he decketh with Devotion Zeâ—l and Charitie but yet not much of that he worships God before this Idol he acknowledgeth Christ yet with circumcision joyned this we make only God we bow down as unto it Nay the Idols of mans imaginations are endlesse For the greatest contemplators saith Luther Are the greatest Idolaters for they make an Idol of their own imaginations or their speculations Christ and Paul was none of these they lay in misery they believed God they practised love and went about doing good 1. For by how much any goes about to comprehend Christ and his Word not believing in him from a broken and repenting heart but from strength of imagination he is the great Idolater but know these arâ— cursed and the makers of them they have mouths but speak not eyes but see not the way of life noses but savour not the things of God feet but walk not in the wayes and love of Christ and they shall not all help in time of need Thy Knowledge shall vanish thâ— Righteousnesse be judged faultie thy gold perish and thy pleasures be turned into sorrow and shall this God deliver thee And all these are framed by man that he may have ease and freedom elsewhere in the flesh and have something to see and feel that so he may live iâ— peace but the true God is found in trouble not at the sound of Musick but in woe and sighing then is God present with these men as Daniel Shedrach Mechacâ— and Abednego were accused by the Officers This added to their Captivity for that herein is doublâ— bondage though they were advanced as Rulers in Babylon yet brings them into bondage that they mighâ— not fit in Babylon but upon their God and his Word So that When God intends good unto man he keeps him under the Rod of miserie without and weaknessâ— within that Faith may be kept pure and the flesh aâ—â— man may have no stay but in him Thus with Job David Psal 107.39 He brings dowâ— their heart with sorrow thus with Christ 1. For till man be throughly whipt he flies to soâ—â— new shift and God in love chaseth him from all holdâ— that he may not setle in carnality 2. For Abraham had no Child then Isaac was boâ—â— and then hope of him seemed to be taken away Thiâ— was ever Gods dealing with his Church they had somâ— breathing time yet he renewes his rod when they greâ— wanton and turn from him Man would lay hold iâ— any thing rather than drown but thus God plungeâ— him into the deep and then he prayes 1. Thus we all seek rest in the flesh and find it arâ— say We shall not be moved the Pipe and the Tabrâ— is in our Feasts but sorrow and repentance is hid froâ— us But if God intend thee good he will keep thee from fleshly ease Thou thinks it an heavy bondage to lose wife husband world and all but when guilt shall appear within and God is departed and death at hand who shall comfort thee 2. But we are altogether for ease and peace Our Church is fleshly The Church in Canticles sought and enquired after him in the night but no such need with us we feel not the grief and captivity of others They are now full anon taken away Now in health
he renews his threatnings against Judea that He will pull and pluck up that which He hath planted â—he shews wherein is the cause of his sorrow because he sought great things for himself 3. A promise of safety when evil shall fall upon all flesh yet life shall be given him for a prey Woe is me now What is the grief of Israel had Baruch the book and cast the Word of the Lord away and hardened himself in his clear sight revealed so that judgement must come So that No sure sign of judgement than of hardness of heart under the clear sight of the Gospel of Christ Luke 13. O Jerusalem Jerusalem that killest the Prophets and stonest them that are sent unto thee How often would I have gathered you together as the hen gathereth her brood under her wings and ye would not Mat. 22. The unthankful guests were bidden but hardened against it Tâ—is is the abâ—sing of his long-suffering through hardnesse of heart that cannot repent and yet judging others as the unthankful servant that eateth and drinketh with drunkards In such securitie was Israel fallen now for which Baruch mourned that they cast off the words of Jeremiah saying It is false and God would not cast off his And so follow the Idols and Imaginations of thelt wicked hearts This is the turning of Grace into Wantonnesse like those in Judea for which judgement was prepared they fed their bellies filled their purses by the Gospel but not souls with Faith Love And it is a sign of death when Physick workes not but that the disease grows strong against it so of the soul when the Word of Life prevails not This is a casting off God whose goodnesse we have felt so that now we live of our selves to worke our own peace procure life prevent danger for that is not now called to for counsel nor is help called for as of old and this is the hardnesse wherein to we are all sâ—llen as woeful experience shews And this is the condemnation That light is come into the world and men love darkness rather than light Iohn 3. and this appears when sin and rebellion is the same or the greater and yet lesse burdensome and evil than before When knowledge of the Gospel hath shut up repentance from the heart and pride hath drowned humility and love in himself when God of his Judgements are not feared nor selt but we put the evil day far off when iniquity is grown great and impudent and become as ordinarie as our trades and callings are with us Now the time was when the disciples of Christ and Apostles flocked in abundance and left all as Alexander and Demas but after a while they hardened fell to the World and ease thereof The Galatians would have plucked out their eyes but after turned enemies in legal righteousnesse but we to dead securitie even thus with us Time was when the Word was precious and prevailed to rule in us but now we can abide it through wit and fore-knowledge and sleep quietly 1. But well worth tender hearts who eat and live by the Word whether it speak life or death it prevailes above all and hence see the greatest provocation that ever was raised against God whereby his own people had tasted of his love and grown wanton in the flesh and more fearful judgement fell upon them So now the silly ignorant wretch when he hears but of any judgement he trembles and blesseth himself after his own poor sighing fashion but the wise and great devote ones they mock him and say Tush this is nothing we shall escape it and call his word a lye so that we may justly fear the sequell of these fearful signs these more certain signs than in Sun and Moon For where is the mourning weeping and repenting heart Where is the lowly believing mind that joyes in tribulation Where is the open loving single heart without respect Well nay we cry Woe is me now for Israel hath cast off the Lord and we fight against his Word our long peace hath made us secure The Word Works of God are become a dallying to us and we sing peâ—â—â— peace and yet forsake the way and despise the Kingdom of peace God hath added grief to my sorrow New grief to my old sorrow one grief after another that I find no rest though I faint in my sighing see Gods dealing So that God usually tryes his to the bottom and adds one affliction to another to all which he loves and suffers them not to find any ease and rest in the flesh As with Job Psal 78. He brought down their hearts with sorrows Psal 77. He wept all night Thus Paul had fightings and terrors thus Christ and the Martyrs even persecuted unto strange Cities thus Abraham nothing left Psal 4. One deep calls another thus the wayes of Christ and our conformitie to his death For untill man be throughly whipt and beat under he runs to some new shift 1. And so God in love chaseth him from all holes as Abraham though he was brought from his Countrey yet he had no Children then was Isaac given then he had hope in the flesh but he took that away 2. Thus was Gods dealing with the Church though they had some breathings given yet when the flesh bâ—gan to grow wanton and rejoyce and so they forget and turn from the God of their Life thâ—n he sent his Rod to waken them that they might not setle on their fleshly ease 3 Thus will God worke good out of evil He lets Satan loose to whip torment his for the destruction o the flesh 4. Man will lay hold upon any thing before he drown yea even a Lease or Reed but God plungeth him into the deep and then he cryes and is heard 5. Light afflictions makes man more wise and wilily to escape in the flesh but sound and deep grief added to sorrow brings down the heart and makes hâ—m pray Thus we see all seeks rest in the flesh and we have gotten the World to seed us and Religion to â—â—ver us in prosperitie and peace and say Soul take thine ease and â—â—t as a Queen and say We shall not be moved We add joy to mirth the Pipe and Tabret is in out Feasts we drink and care and laugh in the midst of our finning but Sorrow and Repentance is hid from us We have not resisted unto blood nor affliction hath taken us but such as with a little time of Wisdom could remove or at least forget 1. But know if God intend thee good he will add grief to thy sorrow Thou thinks it a heavie thing to lose Father Husband or Wife but it will be a heavier thing to feel the burden of thy Spirit when God hath turned his Face away and taken all from thee that thou feâ—lest nothing but guilt within and death approaching and yet God absent Then will grief be added to sorrow Who then shall comfort thee 2. Thus the
Religion almost is but the fruit of maâ— witt and brain and not of a troubled heart but for aâ— end of mans self Gods mercy is simple and his work simple also but all Religion that hath an end in man heart towards man is not of God simple So man is busie in seeking and working to make himself rich searching knowing to become wise glorious Nay man labours to mortifie the flesh to get life thereby but mortification to dayly dying is life but to get life thereby is death for where man kills the flesh to quicken Life he loseth both for all mortification so much urged by Christ Paul is only that care diligence according to that Wisdom given to us that thereby the flesh and daily lust may be kept under that the heart harden not by fleshlie ease fulnesse and so grow wanton but not to give Life to the Soul and so are all wayes of mortification It is good to restrain appetite to keep out the World to walk temperatlie and soberlie and diligentlie in our calling These are good and honest wayes to be chosen to keep under the rebellious Flesh But to do these with an opinion of Life thereby is most base and double dealing for while we pretend to be humble 〈◊〉 inwardlie proud while we seem to mourn we laugh in our selves he that deals with Christ must deal with a single mind and shut all out at doors but Christ and thou and Christ argue the case What thou can plead for thy self and thou shalt see all reason dumb and nothing in thee but a poor prisoner praying daily for pardon and in nothing the freenesse of his grace more appear then in calling the Gentiles This is it which Christ saith They shall come from the east west c. And the Children of the Kingdom shall be cast out So they are not happie whom man accounts but whom God accounts so What he did to those that knew nothing but gropping after goodnesse even sought it in man and so thought that the Souls of those excellent men ascended some into the Sun Moon and Stars became Gods persecuted Christ evermore even to those blind men he sent his speciallest messenger that even was to open their eyes and turn them from darknesse to light So that Whom God intends to make happie he sooner or latter calls and brings his heart by the Word of truth out of the World and himself and all to rest simply on him and believe as Matth 22. Psal 45. Hearken O daughter Sion thou must leave thy Fathers house and Abraham Gen. 12. c. For man is gone out into the World and himself else should we never have stood in need of this Word but it should have lived in us for ever but being gone from God he sends out his message saying Go carrie my will and promise to lost man and bid him behold me For this is the execution of his purpose this calling is outward inward Outward in the outward dispensation of the Gospel he layes before man his Will and Promise and so man understanding and fixing thereon sees a kind of good in it and approves of it Inward when through the inward power of the Truth he finds out mans heart and brings it to it self separating it from the World and its own devices in sorrow and misery and to attend on his Promise though man see nothing but death and misery S◠〈◊〉 this calling is not as most think a mending of this or that Action but a destruction of all and calling man from it not to make him wise to fulfill his own will but to lose it The Word is Evocare viz. Call out as out of Egypt have I called thee Woe then to them that are dayly sought and called and have not an ear to hear Like these Guests Matth. 22. Their minds are shut up they see not their own wants nor the beauty of the Brid-groom set before them God calls man to partake of his love but man saith I have another and so the righteous Wrath oâ— God lights on him For though some expound that 〈◊〉 Matth. 12. Calling those that were bidden That this bidding is the universal grace given to all and that callinâ— is a further grace added to the free-will Yet I take thaâ— addingâ— to be the Covenant made with the Jews tâ— whom he offers the light of the Gospel as Acts the 18 This calling abides still in the use of the Gospel as Firsâ— To dâ—lly Repentance 2. To believing 3. To do his Will in obedience of Love 4. To suffer in Patience To a Rebellious People Though they pretended Holinesse and the service of God yet they were grown Rebellious against his Will and Word So that There is in all men a Rebellious Will and Lust yea even in believers which it ever leads man from God into misery and bondage as in Adam and David And Paul complains of it Rom. 7. Gal. 5. This fights against the Spirit though the will and desire of man be natural qualities yet when they are set upon vain objects and come to rule and draw they ever bring into bondage For hereby is God more denied than by any for though they know him to be true they trust him not and as for a stranger to denie and distrust a man is nothing but for a Child it is Rebellion and Rebellion is as the sin of Witch-craft it denyes God and makes a Covenant with the Devil and workes through envie ever to destruction Thus unblief ever Rebells against God yea raiseth up arms against him When he would be a King no say they This man shal not rule over us but would reign as King themselves But believers most of all who dwell in the Kings House and professe alledgeance and service and yet underneath practise and labour that they may be King and wear the Crown and so are still drawn from God by Lust and fleshlie Wisdom And this may he say to our Land he hath stretched out his hand long over us but we still Rebel witnesse 1. That common trade of iniquitie as common as breathing 2. That hardnesse of heart under the Vail of the Gospel 3. That heartlesse dealing betwixt Religion and the World 4. That casting off the Word we professe believe not that to be true which we know c. This makes man an enemie to God this is it which makes thee cast the Son out of doors we walk in a way that is not good after our own thoughts So the Lord may say They have forsaken my Covenant They follow their own which leads into an ill way of Life So that When man forsakes the simple Word of God and cleaves to the devices and inventions of his own thoughts and follows them he forsakes the way of Life chuseth the way of Death which never prosper It was the Curse that lay on the Gentiles That he suffered everie one to walk in his
own way as Psal 18. They would not hear nor would have none of me I gave them up to their own Counsells Thus Adam and Israel forsook the way of the Covenant and Promise made to Abraham and made a Calf and murmured against Moses c. The wicked walk in a way that is not good There is a way that seems good but the Issues thereof are the Issues of Death For though man was made righteous yet he seeks manie inventions to save him but not by the way of righteousnesse He hath sold the Birth-right and Covenant he hath forsaken with Esau and now he would have the blessing by any means He mourns weeps for the blessing would have it though by killing his brothâ—r living in an hunting way For mans way in himself is not able to guide him to happinesse for lust blinds him and leads him to something that is sensual reason is proud and leads into all things visible but Faith is the ground of things neither seen nor felt But Christs way which was the way of Life was not after his own thoughts but as the Father commands so he speaks He sought not his own glorie but did the Will of the Father stablishing his Kingdom so his way was a new and living way though the Vail of the flesh was rent And so it is with man not by a way of the Flesh but to break through the Flesh by crucifying it enter into the Holiest of all by Faith onlie 1. This was the way prescribed to Israel God brought them out by a strong hand and weak means as alwayes in the whole course that no power of the Flesh might appear as David confesseth they got not the land by their own power 2. Then in the Wildernesse from one place to another where they took no rest but in the Covenant only 3. Then through Jordan the River of Tears 4. Then overcame the enemie 5. God left them a Law of love to walk by 6. Commands not to joyn with the enemies but to destroy them But all these Israel forsook at the last grew so presumptuous in regard of their prosperitie and so wise in Religion that they would not be beholden to God but would save and free themselves by wayes of their own till at last they fell from God and still they thought this was a holy and likely way Thus the old course of the World is fallen upon the Gentiles everie man walks in his own way and yet everie man thinks his way is good and like to prosper as 1. The Worlding by getting and gathering and making sure for future time seems a safe way but Christs way was to forsake all the World and had none of these 2. The Wanton thinks his way right because of his saint way of Repentance and yet he fears Ecclesiastes That it will lead to a fearful end of judgement 3. The Pharisees and false Apostles walk in a seeming way of holinesse with Christ but this makes Christ all in vain to joyn any thing with him For Christ was to denie himself and cleave to the Promise of Faith yea though he was to be taken from them yet they should wait for the Promise of the Father who should send the Promise of the Father within few dayes Nay we are grown so cunning in Religion that we can chuse our Christs own Way and approve it but walk not therein by the Spirit of Christ but so follow Christ in our fleshly thoughts but not by Faith alone giving up our selves in love to the good of others So we see Gods wayes is not our wayes yea our thoughâ—s and his words never agree together one of these must be forsaken either we must cleave to his Word and forsake our own wayes or follow our own wayes and forsake his Word But we live by thinking not by believing Invent devise and comprehend that we may guide our selves but not rest in patience to believe another Like the Prodigal but see the good and safe way of Christs that stands in simple believing from a troubled heart and in subjection to the Fathers will in love in patience to bear his Crosse But this is grievous to fleshly thoughts but sweet and safe to the Soul A people that provoked me to anger continually That are hardned under the Love of Religion so presumptuous that they rebell with a stout stiff neck So that When man hath gotten the World into his heart and some competent way of Religion to cover his rottennesse he â—â—lls into herdnesse securitie presumption and so sights against God with open face Isa 1. I have nourished a People and they rebelled against me and in Jeremiah They murther and steal and all under a coller of the Temple of the Lord They have gotten a brow of brasse like those Psal 10. Pro. 1. Tush there is no knowledge in the most high For the knowledge of the truth without the power thereof hardens above all But the Truth in the power thereof beats man down and all things in man to live in another or not to live at all not that the World and Religion can grow up together for then it choaks the Word and wee becâ—me Rebellious as Adam For now they sin with an authoritie under the sore-knowing of a Saviour Like a man in the Kings house that robbeth and oppresseth under the hope of Pardon For whâ—tsoever makes man strong hearted is not Christ for he melts the heart in sorrow and in love For this is the greatest disgrace that can be if a man must bring Christ to help forward his Lust As to steal and oppresse and Christ must help us Thus with us God hath holden out his hand but we dare provoke him to his face and call his Word a lye run to other shifts as though we seem to flatter a while yet Religion is but made a way to bring about our own Lusts as 1. Do get the World more freelie or advance our glorie or keep peace but all these covers a Rebellious heart For if it were seen as thy Face thou wert a shamed for ever This is the greatest Rebellion in the Church covered under Religion God most provoked thereby For here man tempts God and layes all blame on him blindly waiting for his Power yet hath no heart nor desire to return storing himself with Riches and Righteousnesse that he may not repent But do we provoke him to anger or rather our selves to our own confusion for we see how he delt with Israel led them captive then cast them off Doubtlesse he was never more provoked they sacrifice in Gardens and burn Incense on Altars of Brick which should have been on Altars of Stone without a hammer Thus he shews how they chuse their own wayes that is to say They sacrifice in Gardens when the Law was at Jerusalem burnt Incense on Brick which should have been on Altars of Stone without a hammer as
down the people in my wrath I will afflict as I have done my son and bring down their strength whereby they novv stand vvithout me they shall taste of my wrath and see hovv good it is So that All shall sooner or latter taste of the Indignation of the Lord that God may prepare man for mercie and bring man out of himself and the world Jobs spirit was drunk up with wrath â—aul was slain and stricken down to the earth 〈…〉 â—ade light of God was brought unde◠〈◊〉 â—hat wrath did David suffer even pains of he l that made him cry out so was his joy restored yea to Abraham he seemed an enemy yet in his subjection was the Covenant renevved Christ above all was sorrowful unto death his soul a Sacrifice then he arose and ascended For God will destroy all his enemies in man that man may be freed those that stick to them shall be destroyed with them that we may be conformed to our head so fitted for mercie in him who came to sustain man under vvrath For hovv is he saved from wrath that is never under it This vvere to save him in his fleshlie way and hardnesse of heart That just Law vvhich man daily breaks Thou shalt dye the death must be true in all and kill man that the second Covenant may live in man and he thereby God doth this to bring down mans heart and make him yeeld for man can shuffle off manie things but this bitter hour past all help But vve all strive to go to Heaven vvith hardened hearts in beds of doune and worldly fullnesse and ease we make an agreement think we are harmlesse and innocent and another that he is a friend of God and his Word and Gospel another that he is diligent careful and righteous and therefore thinks that he shall escape and so would live and die without Repentance Wrath and Miserie and yet Christ could not do that and so none vvould drink of Christs Cup But knovv thought vve can jeast and talk it out clothe our selves with conceits and opinions yet God vvill trample all these under foot When his Wrath shal be revealed from Heaven against all unrighteousnesse of men that hold the truth in unrighteousnesse either by his Word and Spirit in mans heart that he shal say O wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from the bodie of this death When he shall knock at the door or call for mountains to fall upon him then shall he see vvhat good he hath gotten vvith sticking so hard to the World and to himself but all too late But yet to a believing and yeelding heart that judgeth himself and not God in midst of Wrath he remembers mercie and even in this he aims at mans good though he see it not For it is to vvhip and to beat mans proud heart and fleshlie confidence and to cast out that proud and worldlie Devil and destroy the enemies that are in mans heart Thus the wanton heart of man fights for ease in the Land of captivitie would see no evil but flee from wrath through hardnesse of heart that cannot repent and so heaps up Wrath against the day of Wrath. We would do evil but would not feel it nor hear of it we vvould rebell against God and follow our own Lusts that we may live and yet would have him to put up all Nay but the wise Father knows that this is the way to undo the wanton child and therefore casts him off leaves him to himself that he may return by Repentance saying Thou knowest that I have been a Father to thee I have provided for thee when thou wast young I mantained thee When thou wast of age thou would not be ruled I was forced to cast thee off This now justlie come upon thee yet seeing thou judgest thy self and justifies me I will take away my Wrath and receive thee to mercie that thou mayest praise me But first he makes them drink of his furie but our cursed hearts cry for ease and rest but God will keep on the Rod till the heart be broken and brought down and make us like a drunken man that is besotted with wine that mindes neither Wife nor Children estate nor credit So with us when his Wrath lyes on us we can neither minde Wife World nor Children For this sticks closse and nothing can ease Riches are vain Pleasures are gone laughing is turned into mourning and nothing can ease the heart but mercie but how will these escape when time of mercie is gone I will bring down their strength So that Gods saving way to man is to bring down the strength of man in himself that he may be exalted in another I will mention the loving kindnesse of the Lord. There is an endlesse Fountain of Truth and Righteousnesse in God and incomprehensible mercie which is never wanting to praying and miserable hearts But mans forsaking and turning from that is the cause of all miserie unto man as Psal 81. Deut. 23. For he said Surely ye are my people c. Here he mentions his dealing with them in particular that is to say He ever had an eye over them for good at least to testifie his mercie and 1. He remembers their Adoption with the truth and simplicitie of their hearts and though now fallen yet they were his people and would not lose their preservation 2. He was their Saviour and delivered them out of afflictions wherein he was also afflicted 3. There guide and governour He led them all the dayes of old by the Angel of his presence then shews their Rebellion his mercie again in pardoning They are my people This he spake in regard of his first chusing of them and uprightnesse of their hearts then and safetie they were in through his Power So that True hearted simple minded men were ever shall be blessed of God what ever gifts they have when double and shuffling hearts shall be accursed See Davids plain and simple heart when Nathan had opened his eyes he did not shut them again but though a King and a fact discovered that might shame him yet he goes not about to excuse it but confesseth plainlie and doth pennance to all posteritie yea God is near to all that call upon him in truth and the good ground are good honest and simple hearts but the Pharisees that say they have no sin do lye and deal not truelie and a man is a lyer to the Holie Ghost to think to joyn with the Disciples in love and yet keep the World in his heart to trust to and in Christ was found no guile and God loves truth in the inward parts For this is the opening and uncovering of the heart to be capable of mercie and so hence comes confessing and believing with all the heart For covering is a greater hardnesse added to our former sin It was sin in Adam to forsake God but it was greater to
is total to all his will though never so hard to flesh and blood For these cannot enter into the Kingdom and if it be in God and for God why then not one as well as another for all are a like in him that is wholly given to God by Faith in him So Abraham went three dayes journey And yet saw nothing that Satan might all this while tempt and trye him and yet God still preserves him This is Gods dealing to believing man So that God usually tryes his to the bottom that they may be saved in the Faith and shew forth his power of truth and promise to all Thus Job and David Psal 77. Thus Paul Christ his Martyrers thus was Satan let loose upon Abraham 1. For while man is but crost a little he runs to other fleshly help from one shift to another as here Abraham might Reason though I be banished yet I have the Promise and though it be long deferred yet Isaac is now born but here God strikes down all these proppes at once 2. God doth thus worke good out of evil to man he lets Satan loose to beat and canvisse man in the flesh and drive him out for he is the God of the World and must rule there that he may drive man home to God but if man will make a Covenant with him and stay there he will be his Lord and reward him 3. Man wil catch hold of any thing before he be well drowned even a Leaf or Reed but God plungeth him into the deep then he calleth from thence 1. We have not yet resisted unto blood no temptation hath taken us but such as man can remove with the World or Reason fixed on the Truth revealed or qualities and so we get sin a hiding place in the flesh 2. Believers need yet a great deal of purging through affliction for still we retain something because of which we hope and believe but this is not plain dealing with God nor pure believing 3. But know that day will come when God will trye us to the bottom and leave neither Father nor Mother Wit nor Wisdom we shal be put past all our shifts in the flesh So that 4. We see what a doe God hath to bring man low enough hence it is that we are not enlivened enriched and made free in God because we are not poor weak and blind in the flesh but find ease there and rest 5. Thus God secretlie upholdeth his Children in affliction though themselves see not how they are preserved he still sends Life in Death who know not how they are raised Stay here and I and the Lad All left him and he left these behind So that If man go to ascend to God and meet him comfortablie in any strait no coming with Flesh and blood but leave these and fix on him in naked belief So David with Goliah so Christ was left alone none to assist 1. For flesh and blood cannot enter into the Kingdom of God and His wayes cannot be comprehended 2. Fleshly affection draw men to their own ends but Faith only layes hold on Christ these harden the heart give a hope without Faith which God wil not accept 3. These destroy Faith for the Soul cannot live on both thus would worldly men fain take the World to Heaven with them yea all are lothe to leave all behind but would have something to bear them companie what ever makes for hurting of mans flesh is mans death let Flesh know nothing nor rule nothing Then the Angel said Stay thy hand Here Abraham is brought to the pits brink and sees no deliverance but only is preserved by Faith they saw nothing but death before them Isaac willing and Abraham readie and content both preserved by Faith and subjected So that It is impossible for man to meet death willingly or think thereof but only when lively power of Faith upholds and hath killed and crucified the Flesh and will thereof by the sufferings of Christ This made Paul willing to leave this tabernacle David to commend his spirit into the hands of God and Christ his life to the father and Martyrs to the fire 1. For Flesh fears destruction of it self and if it be not overcom'd and preserv'd by another power it dyes before the time death makes on end of all and leaves nothing neither father nor friends land nor riches but destroyes all for as here Isaac is gone all Abraham children at once the means of promise and also if that his life had been herein he had utterly failed 2. This is the great lust and enemie to be destroyed for skin for skin and all that a man hath will be give for his life and yet to this we must all passe it makes death so fearful to worldly hearts it leavs nothing to hold by other losses leave some hope of recoverie but this without Redemption and yet this will come we see it before our eyes even death coming when thou must part with thy dearest husband loving wife â—eâ—der children and kind brother friends lands world and all and see thy self gasping upon thy death-bed here see Isaac on the Alâ—ar and see how thou wilt hear it 3. Yea this makes death fearful to believers because the Flesh is not mortified but lives in them desires to live and because they live not in God would yet live in the world All put this day afaâ— off one is yet lusty and strong or is yet weak hopes to recover and yet never willing to commune with death because we live not in and by the death of the World another is old yet thinks he may yet laste many years So that Only the believing man in whom life is already overcome shal die chearfully as Paul who said I can die at Jerusalem He sees that death shall free him from the world the Flesh lust and all Stay thine hand Now God comes with help at a pinch when it is not expected if Abraham had a deâ—iring expectation of due deliverance this way God would yet have tryed him further but seeing past help and yet believing he comes So that God comes to help his people in the fittest time when man in reason sees no help in the world or in himself then is God ready at hand As at the Red sea so to Elisha when the King of Assiria had besieged him in Dothan there were mountains full of Chariots of fire So to David against Goliah Psal 107. Hungry and thirsty then they cried unto the Lord The Publicans cried Lord be merciful to me c 1. For at first God made all things out of nothing and so brings light out of darknesse and the poor to confound the rich 2. When the heart hath passed all fleshly power then he rests in faith for he hath nothing to trust to c. 3. Thereby are the sufferings of Christ accomplished in the Saints in earth as with the Martyrs when friends mourned strangers bewailed acquaintance
Wisdom and Counsel in his Power Love Peace So that So the way of Christ in bringing man back from death to life is a wonderful way unknown to the World and Flesh only known by Christ in the Word of Truth Isa 55. 1. My wayes are not your wayes but look how far it is a wonderful way that he prescribes in Matth. 16. To denie our selves to take up his crosse lose our life It is called the mystery of the Kingdom for Genesis 3. He ordained that man should never by that way of the flesh enter into life but by another way that kills the flesh 2. The way of Christ is opposite to the way of the World that his glorie may appear For Israel by want of Faith stood in fear of the Armie of the Philistins but Jonathan and his Armour-bearer only discomfited by Faith a wonderful power of God 3. Thus God makes himself known in the earth by his great wonderful works now Christs way is wonderful not only in his birth in earth without a Father in Heaven without a Mother but also in his miracles which were great As in disputing at twelve years old and fasting fourtie dayes but also in his ministry that a silly man opposing the whole Hirarchie of the Pharisees and Jews yet spake with authority to the subduing of all so in his Apostles for the wonderful evidence of the Truth doth for the present dash all contrary power though afterward it rise again He is also wonderful in the administration of his Kingdom as he came to give us light that sat in darknesse and obscuritie 1. To give Life and yet he dyed himself and in Reason was overcome in death but that Faith believed the Resurrection 2. To make us Rich and yet he himself Poor 3. To make us free and himself bound 4. To comfort us and yet he himself cryed out for comfort My God my God why hast thou forsaken me It must needs be some wonderful way that Christ hath to worke a Redemption for me and this by an unspeakable power and love which is seen in all mans straits as in prayer and affliction temptation and death as 1. Man cryes and prayes to be eased like Paul for a prick in the flesh God hears by a secret power and grace and saith in Paul 2. In affliction he layes Load and yet preserves by feeling the Fathers love 3. In temptations justifies and yet we feel no killing of the flesh 4. Death comes and yet we live in him 1. Away then with that reasonable Religion Christs way is above that man hath a readie way of Religion to do well and know much and so hath an opinion in Flesh but not a stay to the Soul also a reason of love as his neighbour and friends but no reason to love Enemies It must be a wonderful power of Christ that must separate man from himself in reason it were likest that man should speed best that comes righteous to him but not so he that comes a sinner 2. We see then the necessitie of Faith and the nature of it that it is not a reasonable perswasion but a powerful cleaving to Christ no dealing with God but by Faith for Reason can make nothing of the wayes of Christ 3. Mâ—rvel then not though the World cannot away with it the Wisdom of the World counts it foolishnesse but Faith knows that Reason is a foolish counseller this is another title and propertie or declaration of the Wisdom of the Father that was with him he is the Counseller the Prophet of the Church to teach it Wisdom and guide it in the way of peace So that the Fountain of all wisdom and counsel is in Gâ—d and none wise in matter of Religion God but they that are wise in and truly know Christ In him are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge which are conveyed unto man as he believes waits for he is made of God to us wisdom and righteousnesse c. If any obey my will he shall know whether this Doctrine be of God 1. For he was in the bosom of the Father and sent out to counsel and advise deceived men to turn to God again 2. Man is blind even the wisest of the World the crosse of Christ is their greatest misery for it is foolishnesse to them and they cannot approve it but the World thinks not so for who are counted so wise as the children of this World who fight against God 1. So God hath shewed the way to prosper that is to believe trust and obey but the wicked say not buâ— cark care and oppresse but the way of life is a denial and losse of life and will But they say Save life and will for man will either find a way of his own oâ— help God in his way 2. Some are wise above the Gospel and Christ and will needs see into Gods Secrets with their fleshlie eyes as Arminius who will needs set rules and laws to God which neither Arminian or witty man can do it is the very quintessâ—nce of witt that under-propps man this more crosseth faith than anything the greatest Contemplatives the greatest Idolaters saith Luther 2. How lothe is man to be a fool but he would appear to be somewhat how he strains his Wit vents his conceits that he may appear to know Such a one knows more from curious searching and batâ—ing his brains than from Christ in the heart There is two Counsellers to man 1. Satan adviseth the Worldings to care deceive the Wanton to follow his pleasure the Drunkard his pots the Hypocâ—ite his righteousnesse yea as an Angel of light be shines as a false light to puff up himself 2. But Christ counselleth otherwise 1. To forsake the World and all 2. To believe in him alone 3. To love him 4. To love one another Wisdom without Christ can do nothing but fill the heads and that with conceits opinions but he is wise that is counselled by Christ yet attending on him in that blindnesse of his Soul by faith he shal be enlightned and know the will and secrets of the Lord but man will needs know these before the time An Exposition of some Verses of the fifth Chapter of Matthew the Quality Disposition of these that are Blessed BLessed are the pure in Spirit consisting in what state 1. The qualitie is pure in Spirit that is whose Spirits have nothing to rest on not comfort in it but worn out of all hope and stay in the Flesh is destitute of all help but waits onlie on relief on God So that He only whose heart is purged by the Word from all stayes and hopes in the Flesh is truly a Subject of mercy and shall be enriched and the only Guest at his Supper So the Prodigal we see the poor receives the Gospel the full stomack lotheth the honney-comb Isa 66. To him will I look that is of a contrite heart and humble
for thy Servant heareth Christ yeelded himself to the Father Also David the will of the Lord be done and Christ to the Pharisees Ye tithe mint annise and cummin c. Psal 8. If my people had hearkened For God is the sole Lord over all and man a silly creature and as the life of a subject is in obedience to a Prince so here is mans happinesse in yeelding to Gods will for that must stand whether man be obedient or not for disobedience was that which cast off Adam and Israel that is because man will needs be God Now obedience is two-fold of Faith and Love Obedience of Faith is when the clear evidence of the Truth of the Promise and mans Reason and Wisdom â—eelds to that Truth as Moses at the Red-Sea and Abraham When man sees no reason in himself that God should or will keep promise but the contrary he seeing nothing but rebellion and iniquitie yet stickâ— to that where all reasonable wayes of the World and all threats of Satan are overcome though the World threaten want yet he believes fulnesse for this is the will of God that ye believe But most believe not but rebell in this for though God hath promised yet we obey not believe not but give the promise the lye and say That God will not do and therefore fear So that infidelitie is the great Rebel that strikes at the Truth of God which a man cannot endure This Faith also mars not obedience in neither limiting God a time but waiting nor a measure but believing that it shall be our rest Obedience of love is the end of the Law where the love of Christ enforceth man and this is a sweet and free yeelding up of a mans life unto God as a Sacrifice Rom. 12. Which cannot be till our bodies and flesh be sacrificed and then in the Spirit of our minds we are revived according to the will of God This is not to be a foundation of Faith but a necessary expression of the love and goodnesse of God to man This flows from Faith naturally there is nothing but rebellion and lust if Faith fail to wait on God God doth this obedience and man fleeth and man seeketh shifts or some device The intent is doing what he commands not because the Law forceth so many thievish hearts are bound to be true but not from the heart And warms of Gods love in the heart to suffer for his sake what ever befalls as the Martyrs did but this shews the little obedience in man For indeed neither will ye yeeld but the old contention remains whether shall be God Faith and Love is the obedience life of man and when man lives in 〈◊〉 yeelding temper nothing can vexe him let impossibility come and he is obedient and suffers And so was Christ obedient unto the death of the Crosse But while man hath a will and love of himself he is never freely obedient but would frame Gods will to his and to hearken to Satans voice raither than Gods So that An open ear to hear and a heart to believe and obey the voice of God and the Word of Truth is better than all seeming sacrifice a man can offer Isa 45. Incline your ears c. Then shall ye hear the voice of God and he that hears shall live He opened mine ear and I was not disobedient So to that end God hath given his Word to man that thereby he might be called back again to God Therefore God saith cry aloud to man and bid him return and come and live for ever and so he that hath an ear to hear let him hear When God sets his love and mercie and truth to or beâ—ore man and when man attends and meets God here then is that Word accomplished to man But Christ may still say Who hath believed our report as to Israel but Israel would not hear for man hath two Preachers before him still 1. Satan who by his Ministers the World and the Flesh daily whispers and calls man to obey as to Christ Satan saith I will give thee all those the World calls here is Riches the flesh calls here is peace ease and honour God calls and saith Here is all in me Now look whose voice takes place and is believed so man prospers Man hears as God manifests and herein is a reasonable mystery and spiritual power by the one man growes wise and by the other faithful and obedient For rebellion is as the sin of witch-craft Man through rebellion of his own heart and stubbornesse of his own will runs away from God forsakes the Covenant of peace casts off obedience and himself to misery in the end as Pharaoh and Saul here SERMON XXIII 1. Sam 4.3.4.5 So when the people were come into the Camp the Elders of Israel said Wherefore hath the Lord smitten us this day before the Philistins VVHen God had governed Israel by Judges for many years and manifested his power and truth by his Priests and Prophets in bringing them into the Land of Promise according to the Covenant and given them many victories over their enemies Israel grew secure and presumptuous yea the Egyptian Priest himself grew so carelesse of the Lords sacrifice yea even Ely himself committed them into the hands of his Sons who filled their bellies and lusts and that without reproof Whereupon the Lord intended to destroy that vain confidence and to proceed against the house of Ely which he fore-tells in the second Chapter by a man of God and in the third by Samuel which in the fourth Chapter he brings to passe First by giving Israel into the hands of their enemies once again and then delivering the Ark into the hands of the Philistins destroying Ely and his two sons After Israel had received the overthrow at the hands of the Philistins they make way for a second by running further from God So that This is the way of man for man by every affliction is either brought nearer to God or else driven farther from him and so makes way for greater evils to befall him As David who to hide his shame ran into murther so Adam having sinned to hide his shame hides himself from God so Saul to the Witch of Endor like a child that grows more cunning after the whip more wâ—lly but not more wise And this through stubborness and hardness and pride of wit But Joshua when they fâ—ll before Ai never ceased till he had found out the curse from God cast out the execrable thing Many things light upon man that touch not his heart but is so blinded with lust and self-love that the light of the truth leads him not out but his wit will needs guide him God doth nothing in vain If man regard not Processe or any hatchment that is coming he shall see that a writ of Rebellion is coming and if he regard not that than a Bailiff comes and to prison he must and that God by the righteousnesse of
are established and made He is the Light Life of Man So that When the ministry of the Word is formed to the Image of Christ and that Word lives in man then enjoyes he all that good and freedom promised in that Word For look what Christ was and did actually and bodily in the World that he is and dâ—th spiritually in the heart of man He came by the will and promise of the Father he was born not of the will of the flesh He wrought miracles to the believing man so in us gives sight to the blind He taught and made known the Will Love and Purpose of the Father to the World So in us He was subject to live in love so in us â—he suffered freely so us he enables makes conquerors So it is plain that the birth of Christ is the beginning and Fountain of mans happinesse and freedâ—m the Life of Christ with the Father the life of happinesse and the Death of Christ the accomplishment of mans blessednesse and victorie See then how all the whole truth of God begins ends in one That which was promised to Adam and Abraham is Prophesied of Here is born in time and sent to everie believer thereâ—ore all our running about conceits buildings and thoughts and imaginaâ—ions and inventions are but vain blasts for here is all â—hat is substantial But who hath believed our report may Christ say for First We hear of Christ born baptized persecuted and â—rucified c. But not to us ray we know this Christ after the â—â—esh we think well of him and love the thoughts of â—im but not born to us Nay we frame a Christ and seem to worship him but not given to us nay we have a conceit that he hath done all for us but not born in us we defend him and plead for him we dispute of him we talk of him we read of him but not born to us This teacheth that Christ was promised of God and sent in fulnesse of time and then his spirit sent into the hearts of men So there is a waiting for the promise under the Law but in the fulnesse of time he shal be born and given For he came when man was out of hope for there was nothing but vexation under the Maccabees and the Romans and then came a deliverer and so to all men When Sarah was past age and without hope then Isaac is born So when thou art past hope and sees no Reasâ—n then shall Christ be born to thee for that is the fulnesse of time and till then the fulnesse of time is not come And we see that Christ is nothing to man till he be born in man that the living Word of the Father live rule in him beyond all Reason and Imagination of Flesh For no Reason can be given of Christ to be born of a Virgin nor that man should believe life in death or a guilty man to be delivered A Son is born Here is the promise of a Messiah this already accomplished both visibly to the World and spiritually to believers So that No power of the adversary or Flesh is able to makâ— void the Word of Truth and Promise nor shake thâ— heart of man stayed thereon by Faith As Abraham believed the Word against plain reasâ— So the Promise of Caanan Pharaoh on the one side and enemies in the way and fourtie Kings in Canaaâ— resisted yet thither they must Heaven and Earth muâ—â— passe away but not that Word of Truth 1. For this puritie of Faith under the Crosse whâ—â— all sights against it yet it stands 2. By this God is magnified and man hath assuranâ—â— of rest therein as when man believes Gods trutâ— though never so unlike God preserves that man For can any man stay a showre of Rain take heed of fighting against God 3 Be subject and stay here though thou see no likely-hood not striving what thou would have but waiting what and when God will do his Will 4. Here is the stay of believers though they see no rest yet they wait on God and know that in fulnesse of time the Child shall be born 5. But though we have a sure word we are lothe to stay the fulnesse of time but now man would be comforted and then eased but thou must be more weak thy Wisdom and Righteousnesse must be troden down that nothing but God and his Truth may live in thee A Son born Some will have this meant of Hezekiah or Isaiah but it agrees not with the Text but only of Christ the Word of the Father which took our nature that he might redeem us and let us see the subjection and losse of all to way of freedom These two natures joyned in Christ by an Hypostatical Union made a perfect Christ as flesh and spirit makes in Moria a Christian these not by confounding their natures but by right ordering of both yet remain distinct the power of the God-head shining through the Manhood Ordering and Ruling and Guiding in subjection to the Fathers Will So in us Religion or Christ born in man is not the confounding of nature in man as with most beginning in the Spirit but ending in the Flesh as First In our glorious notions not rising from Christ stirring up our present passions onlie flesh Mans freedom is not helped by Flesh at all but subjection onlie Manie Sons born to man but Ishmaels or Esaus few have Christ formed or born in them The government is upon his shoulders That is the whole Rule whereby his Kingdom is ordered is in him onlie Jâ—h 5. The Father hath given all government to the Son So that The whole power of governing and guiding man â—ests in Jesus Christ and is enjoyed by Faith in him All power is given to me both in Heaven and Earthâ— to him belongs dominion power and glorie 1. For why he is King and Head of the Church 2. By him only the power of Satan is subdued 3. He is the corner-stone of all buildings Now his power is not of the Flesh for that was kept weak in him and at last so dyeth in us His Kingdom is not of this World but Righteousnesse Peace Joy in the Holy Ghost Rom. 14. By righteousnesse of Faith and righteousnesse of Love as peace in the heart with subjection under the Crosse joy in assurance of the love and joy in tribulation But most are not governed by Christ but by their own Witt Will World and Flesh. Where then is the power of man whereby he thinks to obtain Life It remains in Christ onlie enjoyed by Faith from day to day else how doth Christ rule But most will have the government upon their own shoulders He rules all by the Word of Truth Psal 45. His Scepter is a right Scepter his Word returns not in vain he bears up all by his mighty Word He shall be called wonderful Here is his title and of admiration and to be referred to all his Wonders in his