is the folly and stupidity of every wilful sinner that for the satisfaction of his brutish lusts will run the hazard of these everlasting torments O did we look upon sin with Scripture spectacles we should find a greater disproportion between the pleasure and the paines thereof than between a drop of honey and an Ocean of gall Methinks the meditation of eternal torments should damp and stop any sinner in his sinful heat and fury Wilt thou O sinner for a short pleasure be content to pay an everlasting punishment Go into Hell by meditation that thou maist not go thither by condemnation 2. What interest or concernment have we in the whole world comparable to this the making our peace with God He is the severest enemy but the sweetest friend How should we speedily humble our selves before him for all our sins and flie to his mercy in Christ for our pardon The wages of sin is death Nothing can bring us to those everlasting flames but sin unrepented of Nothing can save that man from the never-dying worm who dieth in his sins 3. How highly should we prize the love of Christ how great a value should we set upon his blood How willingly should we embrace the offers of Grace and reconciliation made to us in him How readily and chearfully should we give up our selves to him resolving to be his faithful Disciples and servants seeing he laid down his life to deliver us from these everlasting torments this wrath to come In one thing the sins of men admit of a greater aggravation than the sins of Angels These never sinn'd against the offers of a Saviour as men do 4. How readily should we do or suffer perform or undergo any thing this blessed Redeemer calls us to who hath done and sufferd so much for our sakes 5. How should we pity and pull back those who are posting towards the paines of eternal fire We may possibly anger them thereby but we had better endure some scalding drops of their wrath than let them fall if we can help it by doing our duty to admonish them into the lake of fire and brimstone 6. How should the consideration of everlasting torments after death breed in every heart a fear and awe of the great God and teach us to tremble at his Word and his Threatnings therein denounced against all impenitent sinners How eagerly should we embrace that reduplicated advice of our blessed Saviour Luke 12.5 I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear fear him which after he hath killed hath power to cast into Hell yea I say unto you fear him Mat. 25.41 Then shall he say unto them on the left hand depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his Angels V. 46. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment Mark 9.43 And if thy hand offend thee cut it off it is better for thee to enter into life maimed than having two hands to go into Hell into the fire that never shall be quenched V. 44. Where their worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched V. 45. And if thy foot offend thee cut it off it is better for thee to enter into life halt than having two feet to be cast into Hell into the fire that never shall be quenched V. 46. Where their worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched V. 47. And if thine eye offend thee pluck it out it is better for thee to enter into the Kingdom of God with one eye than having two eyes to be cast into Hell fire V. 48. Where their worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched Rev. 21.8 But the fearful and unbelieving and the abominable and murderers and whoremongers and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars shall have their part in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone which is the second death Rev. 20.10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false Prophet are and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever Rev. 14.10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy Angels and in the presence of the Lamb. V. 11. And the smoak of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever c. Matth. 22.13 Then said the King unto his servants bind him hand and foot and take him away and cast him into outer darknesse there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth Matth. 23 33. Ye Serpents ye generation of vipers how can ye escape the damnation of Hell Matth. 7.13 Enter ye in at the strait gate for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction and many there be which go in thereat Rev. 2.11 He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches he that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death Juâ—e v. 6. And the Angels which kept not their first estate but left their own habitation he hath reserved in everlasting chaines under darkness unto the judgment of the great day V 7. Even as Sodom and Gomorrah and the Cities about them in like manner giving themselves over to fornication and going after strange flesh are set forth for an example suffering the vengeance of eternal fire V. 13. Raging waves of the Sea foming out their own shame wandring stars to whom is reserved the blacknesse of darknesse for ever 2. Thes 1.9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power Psal 9.17 The wicked shall be turned into Hell and all the Nations that forget God 1 Thes 5.9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Thes 1.10 And to wait for his Son from Heaven from whom he raised the dead even Jesus which delivered us from the wrath to come Matth. 10.28 And fear not them which kill the body but are not able to kill the soul but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in Hell Luke 16.23 And in Hell he lift up his eyes being in torments and seeth Abraham afar off and Lazarus in his bosom V. 24. And he cried and said Father Abraham have mercy on me and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue for I am tormented in this flame V. 25. But Abraham said Son remember that thou in thy life time receivedst thy good things and likewise Lazarus evil things but now he is comforted and thou art tormented V. 27. Then he said I pray thee therefore Father that thou wouldst send him to my Fathers house V. 28. For I have five Brethren that he may testifie unto them lest they also come unto this place of torment Matth. 16.26 For what is a
thee Psal 116.13 What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits towards me V. 13. I will take the cup of salvation and call upon the Name of the Lord. V. 14. I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all his people CHAP. XX. Of the Four last things Death Judgement Hell Heaven I. Of Death ONE of the main businesses of our life should be to prepare for death In order hereunto observe these directions First Meditate often and seriously on thy death and dissolution even in time of thy health Joseph of Arimathea made his Sepulchre in his garden that in the midst of his delights he might think of death Often retire and take thy self alone and walk in the valley of the shadow of death Do not start from the thoughts of it Do by thy soul when thou findest it shy of such meditations as we do by our horses that are given to boggle and start when we ride them when they fly back and start at a thing in the way we do not yield to their fear and go back that will make them worse another time but we ride them up close to that they are afraid of and so in time break them of that ill quality So do thou bring up thy heart and inure it to look upon death and to handle that Serpent Consider death is making its approaches to thee and may be upon thee before thou art aware O therefore prepare for it that when it comes and attaches thee thou maist be found in such a gracious state with such a frame of Spirit and walking in such a holy way of life that thou maist bid it welcom and be able to say with blessed Paul I desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ The frequent meditation of death will be an excellent means 1. To quicken thy soul to a deep humiliation and repentance for thy past sins 2. To represse the eager and insatiable desire of riches and the love of this world 3. To antidote thee against sin for time to come 4. To make thee improve time and carefully to work out thy salvation Think often of death and it will keep worse company from thee Secondly Labour to take away from thy own death the power and strength thereof The Philistims seeing Sampson so exceeding strong laboured to know wherein his power and strength principally consisted and when they understood it to lie in the hair of his head they ceased not till it was cut Consider therefore wherein the strength of death lies The Spirit of God teacheth us that in 1 Cor. 15.56 The sting of death is sin The power and force and sting of every mans particular death lies in his own sins Death cannot hurt us but by the force of our own sins A man may safely handle a Serpent when the sting is out If death be disarmed of its sting and poyson it cannot hurt us It concerns us therefore to use effectual means that our sins may be removed and pardoned and to labour before we die to abolish the strength of death Now the way to do this is 1. To humble our souls unfeignedly before the Lord and to repent of all our sins 2. To fly to Christ and to close with him for pardon and Grace 3. In the strength of his Grace to amend our lives and to walk in the waies of holinesse The sting of death is taken away by Christ Jesus as to all real converts and true believers so that it cannot hurt them nay will be an advantage to them It will be only a dark and short passage to a glorious Palace to the blisseful mansions above So that they may triumph as Paul did O death where is thy sting O grave where is thy victory Thanks be to God who giveth us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. But now to all impenitent unpardoned sinners how deadly how incurable is the sting of death Death is death with a witnesse and Hell into the bargain to them that die in their sins No sight in the world more dreadful than to see a dying sinner with his Conscience newly awakened conflicting with death and sin and the Law and Gods Curse together O how sad how intollerably sad is it to see a man that hath gone on in a long carelesse obstinate course of sinning now at the point of death to have his eies first opened and to see himself on the brink of the dreadful pit unavoidably falling into the lake of fire and brimstone To such a person death brings its poysoned arrow and executes him with its venemous sting Thirdly Give all diligence in this life to lay hold on eternal life 1 Tim. 6.12 That is to enter into the first degree of life eternal Eternal life may be look'd upon under three considerations As Initial as Partial as Perfectional 1. The eternal life initial is that which is obtained in this life and is an earnest of that which is to follow 'T is the life of Grace Of this our Saviour spake Joh. 5.24 Verily verily I say unto you he that heareth my Word and believeth on him that sent me hath everlasting life and shall not come into condemnation but is passed from death to life And Joh. 3.36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life 2. The Partial life eternal is that which belongeth though to the nobler yet but to a part of man namely to the Soul The happinesse which the Souls of Saints enjoy between the time of their death and the last day is the partial life eternal 3. The Perfectional life eternal is that which shall be conferred on the Saints immediatly after the blessed reunion of their souls and bodies and that gracious sentence pronounc'd come ye blessed of my Father receive the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world So that we see we must in this world enter into the first degree of eternal life if ever we intend to be partakers of the other two We must be raised from the death of sin to the life of grace We must as the Apostle speaks Col. 1.13 Be delivered from the power of darknesse and translated into the Kingdom of our blessed Saviour We must with Paul be able to say Gal. 2.20 I live yet not I but Christ liveth in me i. e. By his Spirit guides and governs my will affections and all the powers both of my soul and body Whoever would be saved when he is dead must begin to be saved while he is living We must begin to live that blessed and eternal life before we die Fourthly Inure thy self to die to this world and the enjoyments of it every day more and more Paul tels us he died daily 1 Cor. 15.31 If we would learn to do so it would not be so hard to die when we come to it in good earnest Death is not so strong to him whose natural strength has been wasted with a long pining sicknesse as to
to watchfulnesse ibid. Of Perseverance Pag. 289 Of mental ejaculatory prayer Pag. 293 Of reviewing at night and reflecting upon all the actions of the day past Pag. 296 Chap. 6. Of improving the opportunities and means of Grace Pag. 301 Of the observation of the Lords day ibid. Of hearing the Word How we are to prepare our selves before we hear how to behave our selves in time of hearing what to do after we have heard Pag. 319 Of singing Psalms Pag. 340 Of religious Conference Pag. 349 Of Meditation Pag. 354 Chap. 7. Of frequenting good company Pag. 358 Chap. 8. Of diligence and conscientiousnesse in our particular Callings Pag. 365 Chap. 9. Concerning just dealing in trafick trading and commerce Pag. 372 Directions to buyers Pag. 373 To Sellers Pag. 375 Motives to righteous dealing Pag. 377 Of restitution Pag. 378 Chap. 10. Of the duties of Governours of Families Pag. 382 Of Family-Prayer Pag. 387 Chap. 11. Of the duties of Husband and Wife Pag. 397 Chap. 12. Of the duties of Masters nnd Servants Pag. 415 Chap. 13. Of the duties of Parents and Children Pag. 428 Of Infant-Baptism ibid. Chap. 14. Of the duties of such as are in Office and the duties of Inferiours Pag. 448 Chap. 15. Of the duties of people towards their Pastours and Ministers Pag. 452 Chap. 16. Of Christian and Brotherly reproof Pag. 546 Chap. 17. Of the duties of the Rich and poor Of those that concern the rich Pag. 483 Of Recreations Pag. 490 Of Charity and relieving the poor Pag. 492 Directions concerning the exercise of charity Pag. 494 Of the duties that concern the poor Pag. 498 Their Temptations and dangers Pag. 504 Chap. 18. Of the duties of Young and Old Of those that concern the young Pag. 509 The danger of delaies Pag. 510 The advantages of turning to God betimes Pag. 513 Objections against it answered Pag. 515 Directions to the younger sort Pag. 519 Of the duties of the Ancient ibid. Serious considerations for the Ancient Pag. 524 The danger of ill-grounded hopes of Heaven Pag. 528 What those deceiving and sandy foundations are whereon many ancient people build their hopes of Heaven Pag. 529 Directions to the Ancient Pag. 534 Chap. 19. Directions to the healthy and to the sick The duties of those that are in health Pag. 539 Directions and counsel to the sick Pag. 541 How to examine themselves Pag. 543 Of the duties commanded and sins forbidden in the Law or ten Commandments Pag. 545 Of the sins against the Gospel Pag. 556 Further directions to the Sick Pag. 564 The Lessons to be learned in the School of affliction Pag. 567 What things are required of them whom God brings out of trouble and affliction Pag. 570 Chap. 20. Of the four last things Death Judgment Hell Heaven Pag. 577 1. Of Death ib. Directions how to prepare for death ib. Reasons why those that are Godly should not overmuch fear death Pag. 582 2. Of the last Judgment Pag. 587 Arguments to prove there will be a day of judgment Pag. 588 Who will be the Judge Pag. 591 The nature and manner of this judgment Pag. 594 A threefold Book that will then be opened Pag. 598 The consequents of this judgment Pag. 599 3. Of Hell Pag. 602 Of the duration of the persons of the damned ib. Of the duration of their pains Pag. 606 Of the dreadfulnesse of their pains and torments Pag. 608 Of Heaven Pag. 617 Of the resurrection of the body Pag. 622 Of the Glory of the body Pag. 625 Of the blessednesse of the soul Pag. 628 ERRATA THe Reader is desired to Correct these Errata's with his pen that the sense be not disturbed Page 17. line 15. of him is wanting after invisible things p. 20. the last Scripture viz. Gen 48.16 should have been left out as being spoken not of a created Angel but the Angel of the Covenant p. 43. l. 10. dele of God p. 71. l. 3. after offered read one l. 4. after sins r. for ever p. 101 l. 27. after Christ r. v. 8. By grace ye are saved through faith and that not c. p. 129 l. 1. the 47 v. of Mar. 9. is left out p. 132 l. 21. for not r. ever p. 137. l 21. for calender r. calendar p. 141. l. 18. dele three p. 144. l 27. for the r. thee p. 146. l. 45. for This is the soul r. Thus is the soul p. 165. l. 11. dele therefore p. 173. l. 8. dele Isa 48. 17. p. 180. l. 15. for my being r. any being p. 181. l. 4. for and four beasts r. and the four beasts p. 240. l. 13. for spirit r. spirits p. 246. l. 3. after unlawfull r. and customary l. 16. for scurrulous r. scurrilous p 253. l. 4. for persons whom r. persons to whom p. 263. l. 26. for watch r. walk p 301. l 13. for meditations r. meditation p. 209. l. 10. for the first of the r. the first day of the. p. 346. l. 20. for psams r. psalms p. 360. l. 6. for to kind r. to its kind p. 413. l. 29. for stretched r. stretcheth p. 439. l. 10. for that that they do it r. for that they do as one saies p. 482. l. 1. for beareth r. heareth p. 512. l. 19. for dost really r. dost not really p. 514. l. 15. for twelfth bour r. eleventh hour p. 525. l. 16. for pag. 510 r. page 511. p. 528. l. 18. for peâ—suming r. presuming p. 541. l. 9. for partie r. parties l. 13. for cna r. can p. 551. l. 1. for visiting r. of visiting p 567 l. 8. for corectest r. correctest p. 569. l. 23. for Oh r. O. p. 570. l. 6. for our r. your p. 581. l. ult for his r. this p. 589. l. 4. after conscience r. only p. 609. l. 17. dele or p. 627. l. 7. for or r. and. KNOWLEDGE PRACTICE OR A Discourse of things necessary to be Known Believed and Practised in order to Salvation TWo things are mainly necessary to Salvation Right Knowledge Right Practice The chief things to be Known and Believed are Concerning God Man The Mediator between God and Man Concerning God we are to Know three things 1. His Nature 2. His Properties or Attributes 3. His Workes Concerning Man three things 1. The happy Condition in which he was made 2. His Fall 3. The way of his Recovery by Christ Concerning the Mediator between God and Man seaven things 1. What manner of Person he was 2. How he came into the World 3. How he lived here 4. How he died 5. What became of him after his Death 6. What was the end and intent of his coming into the World 7. What they are effectually Called unto and through the assistance of the Spirit of God enabled to perform who shall receive Remission of sins by Christ CHAP. I. Concerning God COncerning God we are to know three things 1. His Nature 2. His Properties or Attributes 3. His Workes First His Nature That there is one Onely true God
the Scripture might be fulfilled John 1.1 In the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was God V. 2. The same was in the beginning with God V. 3. All things were made by him and without him was not any thing made that was made 1 Cor. 15.47 The first man is of the earth earthy the second man is the Lord from Heaven Col. 2.9 For in him dwelleth all the fulnesse of the God-head bodily Christ Man Heb. 2.14 Forasmuch then as the Children are partakers of flesh and blood he also himself likewise took part of the same that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death that is the devil V. 16. For verily he took not on him the nature of Angels but he took on him the seed of Abraham V. 17. Wherefore in all things it behooved him to be made like unto his brethren that he might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God to make reconciliation for the sins of the people Isa 9.6 For unto us a child is born unto us a son is given and the Government shall be upon his shoulder and his name shall be called Wonderful Councellor the mighty God the everlasting Father the Prince of peace Phil. 2.6 Who being in the form of God thought it not robbery to be equall with God V. 7. But made himself of no reputation and to k upon him the form of a servant and was made in the likenesse of men V. 8. And being found in fashion as a man he humbled himself and became obedient unto death even the death of the Crosse 1 John 4.3 And every Spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God and this is that Spirit of Anti-Christ whereof ye have heard that it should come and even now already is it in the world 2 John 7. For many deceivers are entred into the world who confess not that Jesus is come in the flesh this is a deceiver and an Anti-Christ John 5.27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also because he is the Sonne of man John 1.14 And the word was made flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld his Glory the Glory as of the Onely begotten of the Father full of Grace and Truth 1 Tim. 2.5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and Man the man Christ Jesus Mat. 16.13 When Jesus came into the Coasts of Cesarea Philippi he asked his Disciples saying whom do men say that I the Son of man am V. 14. And they said Some say that thou art John the Baptist some Elias and others Jeremias or one of the Prophets V. 16. He saith unto them but whom say ye that I am V. 15. And Simon Peter answered and said thou art Christ the Son of the living God V. 17. And Jesus answered and said unto him Blessed art thou Simon Barjona for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee but my Father which is in Heaven 2. How he became man He was born about sixteen hundred and odd years ago of the Virgin Mary who was of the seed of Abraham and of the Family of David as was foretold in the Scriptures being Conceived in her by the Almighty power of the Holy Ghost without the help of man and without sin and was Called Jesus Christ Gal. 4.4 But when the fulnesse of time was come God sent forth his Son made of a woman made under the Law V. 5. To redeem them that were under the Law that we might receive the adoption of Sons Mat. 1.18 Now the Birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise when as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph before they came together she was found with child of the Holy Ghost V. 20. But while he thought on these things behold the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream saying Joseph thou son of David Fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost V. 22. Now all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the Prophet saying V. 23. Behold a Virgin shall be with child and shall bring forth a Son and they shall Call his Name Emmanuel which being interpreted is God with us Luke 1.26 And in the sixth moneth the Angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a City of Galilee named Nazareth V. 27. To a Virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph of the house of David and the Virgins name was Mary V. 28. And the Angel came in unto her and said Hail thou that art highly favoured the Lord is with thee Blessed art thou among women V. 30. And the Angel said unto her fear not Mary for thou hast found favour with God V. 31. And behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb and bring forth a Son and shalt Call his name Jesus V. 32. He shall be great and be Called the Son of the Highest and the Lord shall give unto him the Throne of his Father David V. 33. And he shall reign over the House of Jacob for ever and of his Kingdome there shall be no end V. 34. Then said Mary unto the Angel how shall this be seeing I know not a man V. 35. And the Angel answered and said unto her the Holy Ghost shall come upon thee and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God Luke 2.7 And she brought forth her first born Son and wrapped him in swadling Clothes and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the Inne V. 8. And there was in the same Countrey shepherds abiding in the field keeping watch over their flock by night V. 9. And Lo the Angel of the Lord came upon them and the Glory of the Lord shone round about them and they were sore afraid V. 10. And the Angel said unto them fear not for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people V. 11. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Saviour which is Christ the Lord. V. 12. And this shall be a sign unto you ye shall find the babe wrapped in swadling Clothes lying in a manger V. 13. And suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the heavenly Host praising God and saying V. 14. Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace good will towards men V. 15. And it came to pass as the Angels were gone away from them into Heaven the shepherds said one to another Let us now go even unto Bethlehem and see this thing which is come to passe which the Lord hath made known unto us V. 16. And they came with hast and found Mary and Joseph and the babe lying in a manger Rom. 1.3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord which was made of
appear before the judgement seat of Christ that every one may receive the things done in the body according to that he hath done whether it be good or bad V. 11. Knowing the terrours of the Lord we perswade men 2 Pet. 3.10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night in the which the Heavens shall passe away with a great noise and the Elements shall melt with fervent heat the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burnt up V. 11. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy Conversation and Godlinesse V. 14. Wherefore beloved seeing that ye look for such things be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace without spot and blamelesse 1 Cor. 15.25 For he must reign till he hath put all enemies under his feet Mat. 19.28 And Jesus said unto them verily I say unto you that ye which have followed me in the regeneration when the son of man shall sit in the Throne of his Glory ye also shall sit upon twelve Thrones judging the twelve Tribes of Israel Mat. 16.27 For the Son of man shall come in the Glory of his Father with his Angels and then he shall reward every man according to his works Heb. 9.28 So Christ wâ—s once offered to bear the sins of many and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation Mat. 25.31 When the son of man shall come in his Glory and all the holy Angels with him then shall he sit upon the Throne of his Glory V. 32. And before him shall be gathered all Nations and he shall separate them one from another as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats V. 33. And he shall set the sheep on his right hand but the goats on the left V. 34. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand Come ye blessed of my Father inherit the Kingdome prepared for you from the foundation of the world V. 35. For I was an hungred and ye gave me meat I was thirsty and ye gave me drink I was a stranger and ye took me in V. 36. Naked and ye clothed me I was sick and ye visited me I was in Prison and ye came unto me V. 41. Then shall he say also to them on the left hand depart from me ye Cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his Angels 6. What was the End and Intent of Christs Coming into the world The chief End and Intent of his Coming into the world was to save Lost and undone sinners to procure their pardon and reconciliation with God by his Merits to Sanctifie their Natures by his Holy Spirit and to bring them to â—verlasting Life And to this end he appointed his Ministers to preach the Gospel unto the world and instituted the two Sacraments Baptism and the Lords Supper to signifie and keep in remembrance the great and inestimable benefits of his Death and Sufferings Luke 19.10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost 1 Tim. 1.15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners Mat. 1.21 And she shall bring forth a son and thou shalt call his name Jesus for he shall save his people from their sins Rom. 3.24 Being justified freely by his Grace through the Redemption that is in Jesus Christ Eph. 1.7 In whom we have redemption through his blood the forgivenesse of sins according to the riches of his Grace Jer. 33.6 In his daies Judah shall be saved and Israel shall dwell safely and this is his Name whereby he shall be called the Lord our Righteousness 1 Cor. 15.3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures 2 Cor. 5.19 God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself not imputing their trespasses unto them and hath committed unto us the word of Reconciliation V. 21. For he hath made him to be sin for us who knew no sin that we might be made the righteousnesse of God in him John 1.12 But as many as received him to them gave he power to become the Sons of God even to them that believe on his name 1 Pet. 1.9 Receiving the end of our Faith even the salvation of our souls Rom. 5.19 For as by one mans disobedience many were made sinners so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous Rom. 4.25 Who was delivered for our offences and was raised again for our justification 1 Pet. 3.18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins the just for the unjust that he might bring us to God being put to death in the flesh but quickned by the Spirit Heb. 7.23 And they truly were many Priests because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death V. 24. But this man because he continueth for ever hath an unchangeable Priest-hood V. 27. Who needeth not daily as those high Priests to offer up sacrifice first for his own sins and then for the peoples for this he did once when he offered up himself Gal. 3.13 Christ hath redeem'd us from the curse of the Law being made a Curse for us for it is written Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree Col. 1.14 In whom we have redemption through his blood even the forgiveness of sins V. 21. And you that were sometimes alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works yet now hath he reconciled V. 22. In the body of his flesh through death to present you unblameable and unreproveable in his sight Col. 2.14 Blotting out the hand writing of Ordinances that was against us which was contrary to us and took it out of the way nailing it to his Cross V. 15. And having spoiled Principalities and Powers he made a shew of them openly triumphing over them in it Heb. 10.11 And every Priest standeth daily ministring and offering often times the same sacrifices which can never take away sins V. 12. But this man after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever sate down on the right hand of God V. 14. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified V. 18. Now where remission of these is there is no more offering for sin V. 19. Having therefore Brethren boldnesse to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus V. 20. By a new and living way which he hath consecrated for us through the vail that is to say his flesh V. 21. And having an high Priest over the house of God V. 22. Let us draw neer with a true heart in full assurance of faith having our hearts sprinkled from an evil Conscience and our bodies washed with pure water To sanctifie their Natures 2 Thes 2.13 But we are bound to give thankes alwaies to God for you brethren beloved
hear this hath been thy manner from thy youth that thou obeyedst not my voice Prov. 1.24 Because I called and ye refused I have stretched out my hand and no man regarded V. 25. But ye have set at nought all my counsel and would none of my reproof V. 26. I also will laugh at your calamity I will mock when your fear cometh Lev. 19.32 Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head and honour the face of the old man and fear thy God I am the Lord. Isa 3.5 And the people shall be oppressed every one by another and every one by his Neighbour the child shall behave himself proudly against the ancient and the base against the honourable So much of the Duties belonging to Young persons I come now to speak to the Ancient The main and principal care of those that are in years should be to make all strait and even between God and their own soules to secure their state in Grace and their Title to Glory For their Sun is setting their race is almost run Though the younger may die yet the old must die and after death comes judgment Let all ancient persons therefore take these following Particulars into their serious consideration I. The case of all old people that are yet in an unconverted state is very sad and dangerous For 1. This world and the contentments thereof are in a manner done with them The evil daies are come upon them wherein they must needs say they have no pleasure in them 2. Usually they labour under many weaknesses and bodily infirmities If they have not the comfort of a good Conscience to support them and to be the staffe of their age how exceeding miserable must they needs be 3. If they have lived long under the means of Grace and continued unconverted till old age 't is a hundred to one whether they ever be converted or no. 'T is rare to hear of any that have gone on in a long course of carelesseness and security and been habituated and hardned in sin that in their old age have turned to God See the Reasons before mentioned p. 510. 4. If they die in their sins they will receive a greater condemnation The furnace will be hotter for them than for young sinners They have contracted a greater debt The heap of their sins is greater Certainly it will be more tolerable in the day of judgment for Er and Onan who were cut off betimes in their sins than for sinners that are threescore or fourscore years old If the Judge at the Assizes do meet with an old theef or an old cut purse that have had many warnings and still go on in their wickednesse they seldom scape Let all old impenitent sinners think of this How may God say of such Heer 's an old covetous worldly-minded man an old swearer or drunkard an old hater of Godlinesse and slighter of Religion an old ignorant carelesse wretch a neglecter of Family-duties one that should have instructed his children and servants and bred them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord but in stead thereof has given them an ill example and done me a great deal of dishonour c. I have forborn him fourty fifty sixty years He has often quenched the good motions of my Spirit my Ambassadors could never prevail with him to leave his sins Now therefore O ye evil Angels this day this week this year require his soul of him and bring him to judgment O how exceeding sad is the case of an old unconverted man or woman II. Nothing is more to be admired at than that ancient people should go on in their sins not minding speedily and seriously to turn to God For 1. The lease of their lives is almost expired And is it not a strange madnesse they should make no provision for another world 2. They have many warnings they must go hence dim eyes feeble legs trembling joynts Eccles 12.3 The Sun and the Light is darkned the keepers of the house tremble the strong men bow themselves the grinders cease c. Their bodily weaknesses warn them they must not ftay long here 3. They have but a little time to watch and the Bridegroom will come and if they get not Oyl into their lamps now they will be for ever shut out III. Though their condition be very sad and dangerous yet it is not desperate if they will yet bestir themselves For let them consider these four things 1. God hath declar'd a greater delight in the conversion of sinners whether young or old than in their destruction and damnation Ezek. 33.11 Say unto them as I live saith the Lord God I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked but that the wicked turn from his way and live turn ye turn ye from your evil waies for why will ye die O House of Israel 2. The promises of God do stand in force and will be made good to repenting returning sinners whether young or old True Repentance is never too late but late repentance is seldom true All sorts of sins are pardonable to reall penitents and true believers 3. There is efficacy and vertue enough in Christs blood to cleanse not only young but old sinners from all their sins 4. Christ is willing to accept old sinners if they will repent and forsake their sins and really turn to him and close with him on his own terms being willing to take him not only for their Saviour but for their Lord and King and to yield up themselves in sincere obedience to him and to be guided and governed by his Grace and holy Spirit Christ did not come to save men by bringing them to Heaven in their ungodlinesse or to Glory in their sins but to destroy their sins that would keep them out of Glory IV. Though ancient people that have gone on in a long course of ignorance carelessness neglect of God and the concernments of their souls should be convinced they are at present in a bad condition in an unconverted state yet it does not thence follow they must needs so continue and utterly and finally despair but they should awaken themselves delay no longer and speedily set themselves to get out of this miserable condition while there is a possibility of escaping the danger of it 'T is no folly to be wise for their souls to be wise for Eternity at last Therefore let them remember now if ever V. They should be exceeding careful they do not deceive themselves with ill grounded hopes of Heaven peesuming it will go well with them in the other world when they have no reall foundation for such a confidence A false ungrounded hope is but a dream of a waking man If a condemned Malefactor should frame a pardon for himself in the prison and think to be saved by that would it not prove a miserable cheat put upon himself Does it not concern every one therefore to consider whether the hope of pardon and forgiveness they pretend unto
him who lies but a few daies sick and has strength of nature to make resistance That Christian whose love to his life and the contentments of it hath been for many years consuming and dying will more easily part with them than he whose love is stronger to them As the Reverend Mr. Gurnal excellently expresses it in his Christian Armour We should consider we are but pilgrims and strangers here Heaven is the proper countrey of holy Souls We should therefore be providing for our removal out of this strange countrey We should pack up and send our best things aforehand namely our love our hearts our delights our joyes before we set out our selves for those Heavenly mansions Fifthly Consider what great reasons there are that those that are truly Godly should not much fear death I confesse nothing can sweeten death and make it desirable to a Christian but only an interest in Christ Things that are in their own nature sour and sharp will ask much Sugar to make them sweet Death is one of those things that hath the most harsh and ungrateful tast to a creatures pallat that may be Believe it a man cannot think with any comfort of putting his head into another world if he hath no solid ground to hope Christ will own him there for his But if he have there are many reasons why he should not dread death 1. They that are truly godly shall die but once i. e. a natural death only The wicked die twice not only a natural but a spiritual death The natural death stands in the separation of the soul from the body The spiritual in the separation of soul and body from God Rev. 20 6. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection on such the second death hath no power He that is born but once namely naturally shall die twice naturally and spiritually He that is born twice i. e. besides his natural birth hath been spiritually regenerated and born again shall die but once namely a natural death 2. Death is not a destruction or annihilation either of soul or body but only an alteration and change of the condition of them both and that for the better to all those that have an interest in Christ Such may say with Paul Phil. 1.21 To me to live is Christ to die is gain For 1. Though death separate soul and body yet it can separate neither of them from Christ. As in Christ's death his soul and body were separated each from other yet neither of them from the second Person in the Trinity in which both of them did subsist at that time in the personal Union so though when the Saints die soul and body be separated yet after this separation both remain united to Christ in the mystical Union because their bodies as well as their souls are part of the mystical body of Christ who is the Head and Saviour of the whole person consisting of soul and body And when Christ who is their life shall appear then shall they also appear with him in Glory Col. 3.3 4. We see then that though body and soul be sever'd each from other at death yet as to all those that die in the Lord neither of them are severed or disjoyned from Christ but the conjunction which is begun in this life remaines for ever Which must needs be matter of exceeding joy and comfort to them that by a lively Faith are united to him here 2. The body being resolved into dust is freed from all sicknesse and pains from all the miseries troubles and calamities of this life 3. It ceaseth to be either an active or a passive instrument of sin whereas in this life 't is both Sin and the temptations to it are the great grievances and burdens of the servants of God which they groan to be delivered from As sin therefore brought death into our bodies so death carries sin out of them 4. The bodies of the Saints shall be raised in a far greater glory at the general resurrection and be joyned again to their souls to live an everlasting life of glory and happinesse with them So that we may from hence conclude the body will be no loser by this change Neither will the soul for it will gain this threefold advantage thereby 1. It will change its place and be remov'd from a prison to a palace from a Tabernacle of clay to a Heavenly Mansion 2. Its qualities Here 't is infested with sinful and unruly passions and affections of all sorts which are a great annoyment to it But there it shall be freed from all these and made perfectly holy 3. It s company It leaves the company of sinners and gaines the company of Saints and Angels Yea shall have fellowship with the blessed Trinity in whose presence there is fulnesse of joy and at whose right hand there are pleasures for evermore Psal 16.11 Let all such therefore as have an interest in Christ look upon death not in the glass of the Law but of the Gospel Death in the Law is a curse and a downfal to the pit of destruction In the Gospel it is an entrance into Heaven Christ hath taken away the sting and mischief and destructive power of death He hath altered the property of it and in stead of being a door to Hell hath made it a gate to blisse and happinesse for all those that are his Let the truly Godly and serious Christian therefore not fix his mind so much on the pangs and torments of death as upon the blessed estate that is to be enjoyed after it and so fortifie his heart against the fear of it See the Reverend and Worthy Mr. Baxters considerations against the fear of death in the 4th Part of his Saints everlasting Rest Chap. 2. Heb. 9.27 It is appointed unto men once to die but after this the Judgment Job 30.23 For I know that thou wilt bring me to death and to the house appointed for all living Job 17 14. I have said to corruption thou art my Father to the worm thou art my mother and my sister Jam. 4.14 For what is your life it is even a vapour that appeareth for a little time and then vanisheth away Isa 40.6 The voice said cry and he said what shall I cry All flesh is grasse and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field V. 7. The grass withereth the flower fadeth because the Spirit of the Lord bloweth upon it Surely the people is grass Psal 90.12 So teach us to number our daies that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom Psal 39.4 Lord make me to know mine end and the measure of my daies what it is that I may know how frail I am V. â— Behold thou hast made my daies as an hand breadth and mine age is as nothing before thee verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity Selah Job 14.2 He cometh forth like a flower and is cut down he fleeth also as a