of all Hearts are to be judged by the Gospel of Jesus Who will put his own Interpretation on his own Laws and we are to receive from his month the Sentence of Life or Condemnation Let none therefore be the more Confident or presume to go on in his Course because one whom he hath chosen for a guide tells him he is right enough and he is willing to believe him for such can know no otherwise then by the Gospel and it is agreed on all hands that those Texts which are given to make wise unto Salvation are so plain and easie to be understood that they need no Interpretation at all and it cannot be that any who come in sincerity to be informed should be deceived in them But thus it is Men are strangely given to their own Lusts they cannot endure to resist the Allurement of sensual Pleasures and are not willing to bring down their haughty minds and yet would partake of the Promises of the Gospel and avoid its Threatnings so there must be an expedient found out to do all this How ready are they to hearken unto and embrace every proposal made to this end Either by their own deceitful Hearts or by him who works with all deceivableness in them that Perish Or some others have been found who instead of shewing People Mic. 3. 5 8. their Transgression and the House of Jacob their sins have soothed them up and concealed Who have strengthened the hands of the wicked that he should not return from his wicked way by promising him Life Ezek. 13. 22. Who being willing to please their great Benefactors do according as they would have Speak smooth things and Prophesie deceits Isa 30. 10. Who know no sooner way to oblige them then by dictating Doctrines sutable to their ungodly Lusts and Inclinations that they may live the Life of the wicked and die the Death of the righteous follow all iniquity here and receive the Crown for Well-doing hereafter And this is done by divulging some pleasing but wrong and mis-applyed Notions of Gods wonderful Mercy of Faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and relying wholly on him for Salvation of a formal daily Repentance which is well enough if more sincere and perfect on the Death-bed the Doctrine of partial Obedience of Desires and Resolutions which are for the most part Mockery or Non-sense the mistakes of Sins of infirmity for the works of the Flesh and unrighteousness come under these of distinguishing between the Counsels and Precepts of the Gospel stretching it further then they have Warrant from 1 Cor. 7. 25. What they have a mind to follow those are the Commands and what they have not is of the other sort and then they sin not in neglecting it And such like Out of which may be patched up a fine sort of Divinity to please the Great Ones here by giving them Encouragement that after they have gratified to the utmost all their wicked Lusts and bid defiance to the Almighty in their Life-time yet they can appease him again slightly and when they will But certainly this is quite to leave the Principles of the Doctrine of Christ to go on to imperfection not laying again but utterly over-throwing the Foundation of Repentance from dead Works and of Faith towards God which if such as pleases him must consist in Obedience as well as to believe that he is But one would think some did not so much or what is worse Think that the God-head was like unto Gold or Silver or stone graven by Art and Mans device Acts 17. 29. for they would stamp their own Impressions and more derogate from his Glory and despise him in their own imaginations then they did Rom. 1. 23. for these would make God such an one as they would have him render him a Lyar alter and change his very Nature beseech him to determine his everlasting Gospel rather then he shall not save them Or else how can they ever dream of thrusting themselves into his Holy City above any other way then by which God hath appointed nay going contrary to what he hath Chalkt out Our Saviour Jesus Christ gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and puriâ—ie unto himself a peculiar People zealous of good Works Tit. 2. 14. Now these defeat the very end of his Coming for according to their supposal Men may still live in all iniquity and instead of being zealous for good Works they need do none at all but cast themselves intirely on Christs satisfaction and Merits The foregoing Verse is The grace of God that bringeth Salvation hath appeared unto all Men Teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly Lusts we should live soberly and righteously and Godly in this present World but according to the daubing of some if we do the contrary all our Life-long and we do that is impossible but say or wish as much before the last Gasp of Breath is gone we may lay hold of it But hold there Salvation is not Mens to give they cannot so much as redeem their own Souls much less barter with Almighty God for others We are to have the Reward from his hands only and he hath said already on what terms he will give it Christ became the Author of eternal Salvation unto all that obey him Heb. 5. 9. and to none else The Priests may not prescribe unto him who is a God of infinite Sovereignty and Power Laws of their own Head nor parcel out the Objects of his Bounty they may never partake of it themselves much less be so impudent as to set it out for others Themselve◠〈…〉 e to stand among the number of the Criminals for since they have corrupted the Word of God 2 Cor. 2. 17. Instead of warning the Wicked from his way such have been occasion why he sinned yet more they shall receive greater Condemnation Nevertheless those shall not escape who being led away with their own lusts and enticed do gladly receive their plausible Opinions and Sayings but shall perish for all Mat. 15. 14. Ezek. 33. 8. Isa 9. 16. Though the Serpent Gen. 3. beguiled the Woman and the Woman beguiled the Man yet the curse was pronunced on all And it will be no excuse in the last day Lord the Teachers who came in thy name told us we might do such things and live for Christ had foretold that false ones should arise and commanded to take heed least any Man deceive you He left his Word behind to try the Doctrines whether they be of Men or no by which he will judge the World and not by this or that Doctors Opinion Let others now put what meaning they will upon the commands of Christ yet if he should interpret them otherwise every one knoweth whose must be taken and by which we are to abide His judgment and exposition will be according to Righteousness and Truth whatever others make now If they turn the Word up Isa 24. 5. and down to make
will leave off Is it good that God should search you out Oâ— as one Man â—â—cketh another do ye so mock him Joh 13. 9. He will certainly do it Neither will he be imposed upon by the foolish Craft you think to use The Grace of God that bringeth Salvâ—tion hath appeared to all Men teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly Lusts ne should live soberly in this present World Tit. 2. 11 12. It is no denial of a thing when one cannot make use of it neither is it living soberly in this present World when he is going out of it Such Temperance as God is well-pleased with and will Reward must be exercised in time of full Health and Vigour when the Man might run to the same Excess of Riot with others but obedience only shall restrain him not Bodily infirmities or other worldly Reason Zech. 7. 6. From what hath been already noted it appears that there doth not arise such a mighty Gratification from this Sin The See Ante p. 284 285. Delight is not till as commonly said the Senses are lost so when the Man can least discern between Good and Evil he most admires it They are worse natured who require such hard and unpleasant things of their Companions who press that upon them which is received with Abhorrency as Sink-water but no fault is in them who refuse to comply with a base Humour Such would account themselves good and kind Souls the Promoters of Happiness who are the only Authors of uneasiness and Vexation A monstrous absurdity and reversal of the Nature of things When the drinking is contrary to all Law those are reputed the principal Engines of Mirth who do compel but who suffers it is made the Object of Reproach and Laughter It is so among hot-headed Youths and the Beasts of the People Others do use the method of fair intreaty and exasperating Expressions to entice unto sinful Compliance And if after all the Man will not yield an ill Character is fastened on him When he is soâ—â—icited it comes into his mind How can I do this great wickedness and sin Gen. 39. 9. again God Here he is put to his Choice Whether he will please vain and sinful Men or the Great and Holy Lord Governour of the World who would have his Laws observed they would have them broken If he is out of their sight yet he both sees and knows what they do And he would be also in their knowledge if they did not use such abominable means to stifle and deface it But if they can apprehend any thing of his infinite Perfection Whether it be right to obey his Good-will rather then comply with their wicked Humour Judge ye They must acknowledge him their Superiour and they could not take it well if any thing beneath themselves should be preferred before them It is no Moroseness of Temper to refuse obliging a Man that shall die and the Son of Man that shall be as Grass If by so doing he must displease God his Saviour Who stretcheth out the Heavens as a Curtain To incur his displeasure any way must be upon dangerous terms but here they are not so acceptable or easie If it be such a pleasure to drink Why are you angry it should be sifted out and examined If destruction and misery are in their ways why are Men enraged it should be found out and discovered Would they rather fall into it then be told off their danger They cannot endure to be perswaded of from their deceitful Vanities Away with this turbulent Fellow it is not fit he should live There is but little good to be had in this World and he would bereave us even of that It doth provoke and set the World in a rage to strike immediately upon their lusts When the two prophâ—â—s shall have finished their Testimony and shall be killed then they that dwell on the Earth shall rejoyce over them and make merry and shall send gifts one to another because these prophets tormented them that dwelt on the Earth Rev. 11. 10. Elisha was accounted one that troubled Israel 1 Kings 18. 17. The History of the Prophets Christ and Apostles shew what an esteem the World had of them and how exasperated upon the account of their faithful dealing who did best deserve of the World were least accounted of by it How hath the God of this World blinded the eyes of Men that they should evil entreat kill and stone the Messengers of their Peace and Safety even the Servants of the Most High God which shewed unto them the way of Salvation Acts 16. 17. It is no new thing under the Sun to have evil recompenced for good that those should not be thought fit to live amongst Mankind who are most instrumental to their welfare Sirs ye are deluded with a false appearance and if ye lay hold of that ve lose â—he true happiness The present deceit is used for an ease or remedy of the evils of life but would it not be better to be without some of them and have a more excellent remedy for the rest God forbid that any should take away the true delights of the Sons of Men but theâ— are put in mind to remove those false ones which are not of his ordaining and to place his instead thereof which when themselves have â—â—ly â—asted will affirm to be better You are not forbid strong drink nor Wine but only shewed a more exceâ—ent way of reâ—â—iving them You are required to be Men still to abide in that hoâ—our you are endued with otherwise â—ou would be like the Beasts that Perish Several are as lovely to behold and if your understanding were set aside you would become as one of them which this sin doth for the time Iâ— is hastily said He that drinketh least drinketh like a Beast to which it may be added by way of return he who drinketh most drinketh like a Sow which is filthy and abominable of all fore-footed Creatures Into a low degree even the worst of them he is degenerated for in the greatest partaâ—e to be seen some foot-steps of pure and uncorrupted Nature they do not eat nor drink further then does them good and if Man would be well according to his sensitive part which he is not to rest in but ascend higher ask now the Beasts and they shall teach thee Job 12. 7. He must receive sustenance in the same manner as they do There are some would fain have the stupidity inconsideration of a Beast and yet would not be contented with the like Enjoyments Who would have their reason banished for that is the Seriousness and Morality they cannot endure They know not what conduces to their Perfection and Glory they are willingly ignorant that this assisted by Grace tends to an Immortal and Happy Being if they would suffer themselves to be guided by it Take away Thought and Consideration Man is like a wild Asses colt which sports for a while but afterwards
destroyed for lack of Knowledge Hos 4. 6. What can we say to it when it is their own Fault It is at their Peril if they refuse and contemn those means which God hath appointed to bring unto eternal Life without which they must mis-carry For if the Word spoken by Angels was stedfast and every disobedience received a just Recompence of Reward How shall we escape if we neglect so great Salvation Heb. 2. 2 3. The Promise in sundry places of Scripture is unto Godliness Of Ungodliness Psal 4. 3. Psal 101. 2. 4. 1 Tim. 4. 8. and the threatning is against ungodliness Psal 9. 17. Rom. 1. 18. 2 Pet. 2. 6. 2 Pet. 3. 7. Jude 15â— Where is a right use of the Ordinances and positive Duties all Obedience will likewise follow On the contrary when they are neglected it is Disobedience and Contempt to that God who enjoyns them Many are Friendly and just towards Man temperate as to themselves but yet are ungodly The World thinks What harm do these Why may they not go to Heaven Not considering what the great Provocation of ungodliness is and they do mistake in not seeing the first Reason of the Commandments of God Which in Truth are for the welfare of mankind but this is not all for the good or inconveniences consequent to the Observation or Violation of them as pertaining to short-lived mankind do not Rise so high as to have or deserve eternal Rewards or Punishments The Act of Sin is small and weak but the strength of Sin is the Law 1. Cor. 15. 56. It receives the Aggravation from going against that High and Divine Authority which hath established things so For it is too much a fond and proud Opinion that all things are for our selves if I do neither harm to my Neighbour nor my Self and I commit Sin What great Evil is in it Is a common Question Whereas they might look up and consider that God in his doings towards the Children of Men designs his own Glory in the first place as well as their Good. Now if there is Disobedience and Contempt towards himself and Transgression of what he hath Enacted here is the exceeding evil of Sin though no prejudice comes thereby to any mortal Creature It is what lieth in them making void Gods Dominion and in plain terms that he shall not Reign over them The great matter is Whether his Creatures are subject unto him they are so indeed But whether themselves think so and will shew themselves to be such as the ungodly Man doth not Thou hast said in thine Heart I am and none else besides me Isa 47. 10. And hereby may be seen the Hainousness of his iniquity for he is an open Rebel who refuses to tread Gods Courts he is one of himself and will not acknowledge depâ—ndance from an higher Power He neglects for his part what all the World thinks due viz. The Worship of God. So that it will fare better with Superstitious Christians unbelieving Jews and Pagan Idolaters for they intended some Homage though a â—iâ—â—aken one to the Great Lord of all things but he doth none at all He says within himself It is vain to serve God and what Profit is it to keep his Ordinances Mal. 3. 14. Whereas it is his own Fault for he might know if he would wait all the days of this short Life for the exceeding and eternal weight of Glory He might in the mean while perceive some good in the Solemn Meetings if he would come with a pure mind and behave himself as he should But he is glad of any excuse when in reality that as other Excuses is a further Aggravation of his Sin and so it will appear When God who now knows shall manifest the secrets of all Hearts for People who are born in the Christian Church entred by Baptism and afterwards wilfully make themselves Strangers from the Covenant of Grace and be without God in the World What is this but as much as they can to exempt themselves from his Government and because it may hereafter Rise up against them they would utterly destroy it if they might Whoever impartially judges of these things may perceive the exceeding Sinfulness of ungodliness It is the greatest degree of Sin that Men can arrive unto How many times is mention made in Scripture of reâ—using to hear the Word of God and not calling upon him There is no Fear of God before their Eyes they forget him and such like Expressions by which the Abomination of iniquity is set forth All these Sins are immediately against God himself If one Man sin against another the Judge shall Judge him but if a Man sin against the Lord who shall intreat for him 1 Sam. 2. 25. When God doth set up his Kingdom for such to endeavour to get from under it must be a great Provocation As now if any Prince should issue forth his Proclamation and Order it to be read and fixt up He would certainly be displeased at those who stop their Ears and take no notice of it and so it will be as to all those Potsherds of the Earth who shew the like Stubbornness or disdain against their Maker In good Manners we are to hear what God will Command us Of Preaching before we put up our Petitions unto him The Master is at Liberty to speak before the Servant utters his Supplication Yea all that the Lord hath said we should do so that is first to be known for the end of Prayer is to ask Forgiveness for former Transgressions to beg Grace and Power to be more obedient for the future When God delivered his Law in that terrible manner on Mount Sinah the People were afraid that they said unto Moses Speak thou with us and we will Hear Exod. 20. 19. and it is promised further We will hear and do it Deut. 5. 27. This way our Fore fathers chose and accordingly he did during his Life-time and left written a Copy of the Law which should be for ever Moses of Old time hath in every City them that Preach him being read in the Synagogues every Sabbath day Acts 15. 21. He was both Preached and Read. The Jews received the Law by the Disposition of Angels and have not kept it Acts 7. 53. But Christians received it from a Greater even the Son of God himself and have not obeyed it Christ hath those who continually Preach him as Moses had by how much he is not only greater then him but the very Angels of God. And receiving it immediately from his Father he came down and made it known upon Earth Who had a Voice out of the Cloud which said This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased Hear ye him Mat. 17. 5. The Author to the Hebrews insisteth upon the same Argument and Comparison See that ye refuse not him that speaketh For if they escape not who refused him that spake on Earth much more shall not we escape if we
an high condition and as much as ever they can It may be observed that whilst in our Mothers Womb we grow up as Plants afterwards like young Beasts we Eat Drink Sleep and Play till the Organs come to be fitted for the exercise of Reason then we become Men but yet many live like Beasts all their days pursuing only the same end and that which was designed to seek after divine things degenerates and serves only to minister unto the Brutish part of Man. If he would keep in his honour and understanding and advance further if he hath really Prudence and Discretion he might know thus much that when the Lower ends are attained he should rise higher When Hunger and Thirst are satisfied what is all this for but to seek after the Bread of Heaven and to thirst after the Wells of Salvation When what he eats every day with his Mouth is cast into the draught and signifies no more but for the present hiâ— common and daily Work according to Gods Ordinance supplies him with that when he sees this comes to no more but just to keep life for the time this suggests not to labour for the Meat which perisheth but for the Meat which endureth unto everlasting Life When our Clothes wax old and new are had which are daily put on and off there is dressing and making neat What is all this for but to fit us unto something else to seek unto the Lord to be Clothed with the Garments of Salvation and to be covered with the Robe of Righteousness Isa 61. 10. to be arrayed in fine Linnen clean and white Rev. 19. 8. Doth not the Body wax old with the Raiment it weares Hath it not the like changes going to Bed puts in mind of laying aside these Rags of Flesh in the Chamber of the Grave The Morning may be an Emblem of the Resurrection our doing the same things shews forth the Happiness of Heaven which doth not so much consist in infinite and successive variety but all imperfection and tiresomeness shall be done away and we shall have full and satisfactory Objects for our desires The washing and making neat prompts to cleanse our selves from all filthiness of Flesh and Spirit The rubbing away the dirt contracted by the sordes of the Body or outward things teaches to be pure Men and Women just as we were made without additional Plaistering or Colour This again puts upon adorning the hidden Man of the Heart which is not corruptible and all in order to be glorified both in Body and Soul hereafter Still Men do act but half way this living in the World points out what is to be done towards and as it were shews unto us the endless Life This Life is lent to make ready for the other It is an essential part of Wisdom to refer all things to the most excellent end to have an Eye still fixt upon that and then order our going accordingly Wherefore do I live here these few days and full of trouble To behold the Heavens at a great distance and see the outside only as we do not much more of the Earth we tread on to run through that Succession of Day and Night Summer and Winter and that small variety of things nearer to us Company Business necessary Actions we are quickly weary with all this but there being much more as Gods Revelation speaks of our Life was given to great ends and purposes wherein the Almighty Creator hath manifested his own Wisdom and Glory And then Is not Immortality more to be minded then a dying Life Is not Perfection rather to be sought after then to lie down under our Imperfection If one was wholly to be given up yet still the greater good is to be preferred before the less but when they may both stand together nay if the less is better managed when it is towards attainment of the other this will be a mighty Argument for the equality of Gods Ways towards Men. If the Life that now is may as well yea be better continued and preserved by ordering it so as God would have it in pursuance to the eternal Life he hath promised this demonstrates him to be most Righteous but our selves unreasonable and foolish if we do not comply therewith This is done by getting necessaries and conveniencies then in the use and exercise of them The Grace of God hath excellently prescribed for both Teaching that we should live Soberly and Righteously in this present World Tit. 2. 12. But we are to be advertised of what our Lord saith A Mans Life consisteth not in the abundance of things which he possesseth Luke 12. 15. It requireth no more then Meat Drink Raiment Habitation convenient for him remembring still what he is where he is and whither he is going A noble Soul enrapt in Flesh and therefore is for the pure desires of that only By the Well and in the Wilderness and therefore is to have a refreshment no continued sitting down some divertisement and delight but no perfect and lasting Happiness till he is come to the place God hath provided for him Since things are so as we are told in his Word and find True by Consideration out of it If we might not be carried through here by going his Way and according to his Directions then there was some excuse for distrust and revolt from him as now there is none at all On whom may we more safely depend then the God who giveth Food to all Flesh Who seedeth the Fowls of the Air albeit they Sow not neither do they Reap Mat. 6. 26. much more would he feed us also as we are better then they in the Rank of Creatures but yet more as we would shew our selves Obedient Children This is the more certain way of getting a comfortable Subsistence for every one both Just or Unjust would willingly have to do with an honest Man so hereby he hath more Custom or Employment This is so evident that all at least pretend and make a shew of being so though few act according and keep close to the true rules thereof It is just and equal that one Man should live by another that anothers Calling should maintain him as we are willing our own should as to us This is agreeable to the Royal and Fundamental Law provided that no Deceit Lying Over-reaching or other Sin be committed on this excuse for under this they do shelter Unrighteousness and Wrong The nature of Evil is fixt in it self and is not to be done under any pretended Good. None would care to be imposed upon or served after an indirect manner himself The Sin of Dishonesty is so shameful odious and prejudicial to Interest in the World that those who do not fear God nor have regard to futurity will conceal or mitigate it as much as they can for their Credit is their Livelihood and if they lose that they lose all none will deal with them So Honesty is the best Policy in this World the
satisfaction concerning that great doubt of Futurity There is a way shewed by patient continuance in well doing which any one may that will comply with and put forth the Principles of Good in him to partake of the blessed Immortality Rom. 4. 20. If it were not to derogate from Faith by which God is Glorified I could lay down how our Religion relies upon the greatest certainty that possibly can be for the Happiness and Safety of Mankind So where Philosophy was at a loss this helps and gives firm establishment to the Man as it shews unto him how his Condition shall be after Death according as he orders his Conversaâ—ion now It may be said he need not trouble himself with things afar of yet they may be nearer then he is aware even to Morrow The time after he is gone out of the World is manifestly Ionger then whilst he is in and will as certainly be so he is equally obliged to be concerned about it It is a sad case when one must be forced to borrow Comfort from the other World for then commonly none is to be had in this whereof we are most assured because we are herein but the other is to come and of doubtful Expectation Shew us some Relief here Such are the suggestions of Unbelief which yet may be answered by Sence and by Reason for our Fyes behold other parts of the World then what we are in now â—â—e Spirit from within testifies that we are not here in our prâ—per place Experience assures we must depart hence in a very little time The natural Understanding leads up to the Knowledge of God who made and governs all things We can well suppose that he who gave a Being and so many Conveniencies for one part of us can also provide for the other As he is the Father of Mcrcies so the God of all Consolation we taste and see them so we may perceive this also The nourishment of the Body according to his appointed means springs from the Earth whence it was taken so likewise doth the true Comfort of the Soul according to its Original come from above the Father the Word and the Spirit There is nothing below sutable to this Spiritual and Restless part of us lf we had Comfort only in the things of this World we were of all Creatures must Miserable for they Psal 145. 16 19. have what satiâ—fies from what is before them but not we being designed to Thirst and Labour after greater things A Voice was heard in Rama Lamentation and bitter Weeping Rachel Weeping for her Children refused to be Comforted for her Children because they were not Jer. 31. 15. So it is all the World over people are irrecoverably deprived of persons and things Nothing can countervail the loss of them but hope of having and meeting them again for which we are beholden unto a Resurrection and another State. It is manifest they are not had here again and we are tormented with earnest longings after them and have real thoughts of seeing them yet again which were never put in our nature in Vain Thus Man dieth not as a Beast dieth for there are no such affections from the Dam or others of the Herd as we have concerning Relations Friends and Acquaintance Saith the Messias our Lord These things have I spoken unto you that in me ye might have peace in the World ye shall have Tribulation but be of good cheer I have overcome the World John 16. 33. If the Heavens were not sometimes opened and a little dew did descend from above If we had not sometimes little sprinklings of the Divine Favour If we had not recourse to that Book where the words are pleasant as an Honey-Comb Sweet to the Soul and Health to the Bones Prov. 16. 24. We should have a weary and tiresome Journey through this place for here is no rest and nothing proper for us How prophetically do Men speak of Fnturity before it was plainly revealed I Gen. 49. 18. have waited sor thy Salvation O Lord saith dying Jacob. The Words seem to come in without Connexion on the former as Light immediately sprung into the Soul a full assurance then of what he had faintly hoped and fore-thought of his few and evil days and now it was beginning to be accomplished I had fainted unless I had believed to see the Goodness of the Lord in the Land of the Living Psal 27. 13. This is not for all here are dead or dying so we are as soon as we begin to draw Breath Even the Inhabitants of the earthly Canaan do not boast of the Happiness which aâ—ises from the Ground of their Health and Plenty but of the Goodness and loving Kindness of the Lord of their Trust in him Much more should those under the Gospel Who are kept by the power of God through Faith unto Salvation ready to be revealed in the last time 1 Pet. 4. 5. Let not your Hearts be troubled Believe in God Believe in me John 14. 1. The Sence of him above under whose good Providence we live all our days those many Mansions in his House verse 2. So there is room for us if we use his Grace to become meet these are greater Comforts then the World can give which are not to be despised nor cast off as a resâ—rve for compare them a little with yours ye worldly Minded and Unbelievers The reason why you set them at naught is from Want and Ignorance But wo unto you that are Rich sor yet have received your Consolation VVo unto you that are Full for ye shall Hunger VVo unto you that Laugh now for ye shall Mourn and Weep Luke 6. 24 25. Being puffed up with Sensnality and your Souls become as it were of the same nature with the Body they begin to rellish the same Enjoyments also and to approve of them You now care for nothing more but you shall be taken from these things You who rejectthe good things of Gods Kingdom now offered unto you shall then lament the refusal of them Will you lightly esteem of that which doth ever remain when those things are done away which you highly value now Only be Wise in time consider of that before hand which you must at length be sensible of whither you will or not Tâ—y and be acquainte and your selves will affirm not withstanding all Pleasures Enjoyment Company and Recreations the two first make Brutish not Happy the others make unmindful for a little while but do not prevent Misery yet in the midst of Health Life and Vigour much more in the time of Tribulation There is no such true Happiness and sincere Comfort as what arises from God and the things of another World. Evil doth beset and fall upon us in the threeâ—old capacity of Mind Body and Estate which doth Afflict as it disturbs and is contrary Of Sorrow to the regular Order of each Indeed they especially the two first are connected that if the one suffers
the Flesh lusteth against the Spirit and the Spirit against the Flesh and these are contrary the one to another They that are Christs have crucified the Flesh with the affections and lusts Gal. 5. 16 17 24. To be carnally minded is Death but to be Spiritually minded is Life and Peace For if ye live after the Flesh ye shall die But if ye through the Spirit do mortifie the deeds of the body ye shall live Rom. 8. 6 13. And then can be no greedy desires after sensual Delights An affection or hankering after them is the principal thing forbidden for there is large Commission given Gen. 1. 29. 9. 3. 1 Tim. 4. 4. A sweetness is put into the Creatures and sence given us to perceive it but they are to be used according to the bounds God hath set in his Word and our Nature To be temperate in all things and not the least sensual minded is what doth become Men and also Christians Neither let Vngodly Men walking after their own lusts think them less happy because these have not an unlimited enjoyment as they wrongfully usurp to themselves for the great God who gives us all things richly to enjoy may well prescribe after what manner they shall be received especially seeing it is for our further good Sobriety gives a better relish to every lawful delight then all the studied Sauce and Contrivances to those who are full and Surfeitted But then we do err not knowing our selves for Nature doth not so much require Pleasure as now and then a little Divertisement but is for a middle and even State between Pleasure and Pain There may be observed a weariness of the former if too long dwelt on and the desire of intermission Take Reason into Advice with Enjoyments and then they will not be troublesome or occasision of inconvenience but this is banished because it is thought to lessen only for that it conceives of them according to truth Indeed the Act is little and mean common to us with Beasts unsatisfying mixt and vain When sought after they are full of trouble and impatiency and afterwards is Disappointment and Vexation All which perish in the using and are determined in this Life which signifie no more taken all together then the single interrupted Acts all which go of as a Dream when one awaketh So it is not possible for the true and real Happiness to consist in them all this may Learnt as a Man. But then the Grace and Knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ teacheth more That there is a real good set before the Sons of Men that we are to press forward to it and take heed least these things hinder There is great Talk in the World about following Pleasure and too much Practising of it not minding how consistent it is with Christianity and the Attainment of true Happiness Abstain always from unlawful things and sometimes from lawful may seem a rigid and severe Rule but yet is necessary for the Boundaries between good and evil are so small and indiscernable that he which will venture to go to the utmost of one will before he is aware transgress and pass into the other To prevent all Danger of this Nature it is commanded Abstain from all appearance of Evil 1 Thes 5. 22. All Excess is Evil even what are esteemed the more innocent Divertisements if followed too much do turn aside the Heart from God and good things The Apostle Prophecies of these last Days That Men shall be lovers of Pleasures more then lovers of God 2 Tim. 3. 4. But it is strange that any should be so who really believe in him for can they imagine he hath Communicated more Goodness to things then is in himself That there is more Satisfaction in earthly Vanities then the things above May they not more certainly conclude that he purposely made things here so small and empty least they should take off our esteem from him that fulness of Joy and the Pleasures for evermore at his right hand By these sweet things he gives an earnest if we seek after it and shall be found worthy Luke 16. 11 12. That He will commit unto us the true Happiness And therefore let the Christian be put in mind not to be Liquorish nor Desirous after present things but turn the whole Stream of his affection to God and the things of his Kingdom Look diligently to himself that he forsake all to come unto them Let him who hath this hope purifie himself from all dregs and defilements of Sensuality And let those follow after it who are strangers to Godliness without Hope and who have nothing eâ—â—e to trust unto Who if they are bereaved of this they are bereaved of all these are Sensual and earthly the other man is spiritual and Divine He hath the Body subdued to the Spirit Whereas some willingly suffer their noble and free born Souls to be inslaved unto a lump of Flesh And become the worst of Gods Creatures for they are not Vassals to themselves nor Act contrary to their own Nature All the Excellency of a meer Sensualist lieth in his outside A gallant Horse exceeds him in Beauty and Strength the Lyon in Courage a Fox in craft and subtilty but indeed he hath the Pre-eminence in that which should be his Shame for all things unseemly and abominable meet in him together which are single and not to be found but in the worst of Bruits Man would be a contemptible Being if it were not for that Divine thing within which preserves his Soveraignty over the lower Ps 8. 5 6. Creation but when this is defiled by the filthiness of sin he sinks below himsâ—lf He forfeits his Honour by disobedience unto his God and his Soul creeps and cleaves unto the ground which was given to raise him up unto Heaven As to the Body none hath much reason to Glory for the Beasts excel us in every Sense and are equal in every Member Wherefore the Almighty sent us into such Flesh we are not to enquire but rest satisfied with the good Pleasure of his Will. Nay but O man who art thou that repliest against God shall the thing formed say to him that formed it Why hast thou made me thus Rom. 9. 20. God made us immortal but we made our selves vile and corruptible Foâ— he did not suffer his holy one in whom was no Sin to see corrâ—uption Psal 16. 10. Whatever our Condition is now in this Tabernaâ—le it was not grievous before the fall and we deserve worse then what is laid on us The Children of God contentedly fear with all the Weakness and Pain belonging to the Flesh having for support 2 Cor. 5. 1 2 3 4. Happiness rises unto them out of what by Nature is miserable All things work together for good But it is time to enter within this vail of flesh The Soul is the Of the Soul. Man himself Compare Mat. 16. 26. with Luâ—e 9. 25. The Body is enlivened and
as none ever yet did should compass all that he sought after he would be dissatisfied yea more then when he first began for he hath spent his days and strength in a vain thing He that succeeds most prosperously hath a bundance of Labour and Grief for his Portion and when he hath done all yet still gapes after more of the same or somewhat else it must be the more excellent way to cease from those desires which are the cause of so much misery This was the Doctrine of Antient Philosophers they gave many specious reasons to enforce the observance thereof but here was the failure they would have desire taken of from outward things but then knew not rightly where to place it for we are not sufficient of our selves neither could be happy in the exercise of vertue that according to their notions being but a barren and dry Subject and not of so large extent as Mans capacity so they left him hovering between Heaven and Earth and he could not any where find rest for his Soul. But our Religion which doth more exceed their Morality then the Sun shining in its Brightness doth the first dawning of the day removes this uncertainty and hindrance of Happiness We are not to look at the things that are seen yet we look upon things that are not seen 2 Cor. 4. 18. We can apprehend something within and beyond all sensible objects Lay not up for your selves Treasure upon Earth we are not at a loss what to do further as they were for we are taught and also enjoyned to lay up for our selves Treasures in Heaven Mat. 6. 19 20. We are put in mind to set our Affections on things above when they are taken off from things on the Earth Col. 3. 2. The Christian hath Subject enough for his desires God and the Holy City He is the Fountain of all Happiness and makes it glad in his Presence is fulness of Joy Psal 16. 12. So he that in heart and mind thither ascends and with him continually dwells must be happy for our Conversation is in Heaven Phil. 3. 20. and to be preferred before him who roots in the Earth and turmoils after what he must leave in a little time Whereas the Saints look with disdain upon whatever seems Beautiful or is accounted excellent here below but not worthy to be compared with those Glorious things which are spokeâ— of thee O City of God Psal 87. 3. Did otheâ—s look up and do the like things to intitle them to the same hope they would not be cumbred about many things but be more employed in the one thing needfull When the mind Soars up to the third Heaven it is calm and peaceable all disturbances being gendred out of the Earth but doth not molest who is above them Thus hath been shewed how our will and desire perverted by Original corruption and Additional Sin may be right framed by the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ who was sent to make up for Adams Transgression Lust in the wicked is the occasion of much evil but the desire of the Righteous is only good Prov. 11. 23. Obedience is the condition of Happiness Jer. 7 23. Mat. 19. 17. Heb. 5. 8 9. Now this could not be done if we had no will no more then it can be by Beasts By this power Man is exalted above inanimate and sensitive things God hath given him power to be so and he is become a self-moving Creature he can go this way or that so can creeping and forefooted things but then he can do this or refrain as there are not only See Gen. 18 19. inclinations but reasonings from within When of two things he can do either it is a demonstration that he is a free Creature To Man not the Fowls of the Air or Fishes of the Sea the Lord hath said Obey my voice and live He doth not command nor are we obliged to what is impossible the gracious Lord appeals to us for the equality of his ways Ezek. 18. And he would not command us to turn and live if he had not before put it in our power so to do As we should think haâ—d of the end so of the means for iâ— a Man were compelled to lead a wicked life and could not do otherwise he might as well be punished for simple Eating Drinking and Sleep as that and so on the other side if he were led irresistably it is indeed by strong impulse and quickening by grace to a Godly life he might expect to be glorified because he Eats when he is Hungry The righteous judgment of God will render to every one according to his Deeds Rom. 2. 5 6. What one is forced unto are none of his If a Man would violently put a Sword into anothers hands and grasping that thrust it into the body of a third he alone is guilty of the Murther but not the Weak person who could not withstand what was done God declares throughout his Word that he will deal so with us as we do with one another But this will be more for our advantage because he hath Goodness Mercy and all Knowledge whereby he will shew himself more graciously and uprightly Psal 9. 8. 98. 9. then now is done by the best and wisest of Men. The Grace of God is his Word revealed in the Gospel opposed to the Law so Joh. 1. 17. Tit. 2. 11. and the assistance of his Spirit by which Men know and also are inclined to do but there is a power in them to work together with that Grace 2 Cor. 6. 1. Phil. 2. 12 13. Col. 1. 29. There is a Light which lighteth every Man that cometh into the World by the help of which he may make use of such means as will procure greater degrees and so doing may grow in grace This is given to every one not that it is of Man for what have we that we have not received 1 Cor. 4. 6 7. Natural faculties are no more our own then the Grace of God for he is the maker and giver of both But they may be used and lifted up towards Spiritual things Otherwise what doth it signifie to exhort People to Duty All Preaching would be vain and if they could neither understand nor do it would be as ridiculous a thing to declare the Word in the Congregation as among an herd of Cattle or uttered to the Trees of the Forrest Incline your Ear and come unto Me hear and your Soul shall live Isa 55. 3. Which doth manifest they might if they would They refused to hearken and pulled away the Shoulder and stopt their Ears that they should not hear Zech. 7. 11 12. Which doth most plainly imply that they might have done otherwise There is an idle pretence too common among Men for when pressed to this or that Duty the Excuse is I cannot do this whereas if they would make use of the means which are in the power of all they may have further assistance
a poor mitigation that he had abundance of fellow sufferers When any one now is afflicted with violent pains of Stone or Strangury it is but a small relief to come and tell him that another person is tormented so as he is nay if thousands were in the same manner he had rather be at ease then to suffer with them though they be of the greatest Rank and Quality I have heard of one who in the time of Frolick and Madness did say he was for going to Hell because he should have his esteemed good Company there but none can seriously consider and determine so and if God should take him at his word he would ever repent his folly If he could have it for wishing he would be out of their company and be contented with all his heart to wander alone as the Saints have done here for a small time in Dens and Caves of the Earth for all Eternity Neither let him think his condition will be good enough because he shall fare as well as the most for the dregs of the Cup of Gods Wrath will not be less bitter the more are to suck them out Who is he that will stick to his old Companions in the day of their Temporal Adversity if thereby he shall involve himself in the same Such indeed though one of a thousand may be found for there is hopes of getting out again but what Man in his right wits would plunge himself into a bottomless Pit from whence it is impossible ever to recover himself only to gratify some Friends Friends did I call them who are more ill-natured then those in Hell for the Rich Man did pray that some one might be sent to his Fathers House for he had five Brethren that Luke 16. he may testifie unto them least they also come to this place of Torment He did not imagine it would be any satisfaction to have the more company there and if some now in the flesh are of a worse disposition to require such an unreasonable thing it can be no incivility to deny them They are Fiends and Devils incarnate What good breeding can it be to oblige such who are willing to bring others under the same condemnation with themselves O come not thou into their secret unto their assembly let not thine honour be united My Son if Sinners entice thee consent thou not surely in vain the net is spread in sight of any Bird and they lay wait for their own blood they lurk privily for their own lives Prov. 1. 10 17 18. If thou comest in among them thon wilt endanger thine own also Enter not into the path of the wicked and go not into the way of evil Men Prov. 4. 14 15. It hath been one of the chief policies of Satan to work sin into the Fashion that being the standing rule of great Mens Actions for they are not so much led away with Reason as with Custom they must do what others of like quality do they had rather err with them then be in the right way by themselves But they do not attend that this is like natural brute Beasts made to be taken and destroyed and shall utterly perish in their own corruption 2 Pet. 2. 12. For in the mean while they follow the drove not knowing whither they go As Sheep or Oxen going together to Slaughter they pass along upon the Road not thinking of the shambles till they come to them and then they will give back but are forced in Who are hurrying in the way to Death and Hell when they come near the first they wish they had not walked in such a way but in vain Time past cannot be recalled in a thought neither will a desire at last gasp be accepted for a well spent life Had you not better consider before hand and turn aside from the vain and sinful customs of the People It will not be a sufficient exchange for the loss of Present and Eternal Happiness to be a little puft up with following the humours of the Majority If thou wilt renounce their evil wayes another may do after thy Example and then a third and so the greater part may come to serve and obey the Lord and then the Fashion would be of that side I am confident there are the inward wishes of many to this What a blessed World would this be In a brave and noble attempt every one should try to be the leading Man but now in these days the Kingdom of Heaven suffereth violence and the violent take is by force and to ascend up into the City of the living God is a more Glorious Enterprize then to scale the Walls of the strongest Fort in the whole Earth yet none sets forward in this Warfare Some may be seen to follow afar off but every one takes heed of being foremost The chief of the People do slink and come most behind They do not care to march in the first Rank next to the Captain of our Salvation nor yet to Encourage others How vastly different are Mens Actions in reference to Heavenly and the things of this World Every one that is not a down-right unbeliever must acknowledge that they are greater then these yet how Cold and Sluggish are our affections to the better part How warm and lively after these which shall fail from us as we see they have done and do daily vanish from others Either the Possessions are taken from the Owners or the Owners are snatched from their Possessions If the things of God were duly considered they would be as much practised and universally esteemed as those trifles and bubbles things of no substance and yet of short continuance which the Devil offers to beguil Men of a Kingdom Pride and Lust are so established in the World that there is no removing of them otherwise then by the Grace of God which will effectually do it where it is received There is hope yet notwithstanding the Folly and Degeneracy of the greater part of Mankind that as some have escaped the Corruption that is in the World through Lust 1 Pet. 2. 14. Others whom God shall bring to Faith and Knowledge will do the like The Lord add to the number of them that sin and iniquity may loose ground obedience and righteousness may increase and flourish in the Earth But if this were as universally practised as the other how would be seen the Tryal and Excellency thereof for then People would See Ps 66. 3 and Isa 60. 14. follow after it for the same Reason without intention to please and Good-will towards God as now they do not come up to that degree which is required thereof To do but what is common and others do the same there is no thanks nor reward for that Mat. 5. 46. Luke 6. 33. If there was no opposition there could be no Vertue And if good things were highly esteemed among Men how should we know whether any one would endure Shame and Reproach for them Many of
and unjust giveth them all necessary temporal blessings and never intendeth any hurt by whatsoever he doth during the whole day of Salvation but still they will not be intreated by loving kindness nor warned by the Rod that striketh to turn from their evil way and come into Gods wayes If these people become wretched through their own wilfulness and perverseness and if the Holy Almighty God to frighten us the more from it and to keep up his Government hath ordered that Misery should be linked on to iniquity and they commit this with greediness Who Ezek. 14. 22 23. can be moved or find fault if they have that also which is justly the due reward of their deeds Luke 23. 41. The Law is not to be blamed but those only who do not observe or transgress against it Though there would have been joy among Angels and all good Men if they had repented who would likewise have done any thing to bring it to pass and were grieved because they would not suffer it But seeing they continued obstinate and hardned their hearts these shall not pity their Calamity nor be greived when their fear cometh which will be a further aggravation Many sorrows shall be to the Wicked But he that trusteth in the Lord mercy shall compass him about Psal 32. 10. It is a good thing to have an able friend to put confidence on in A Description of a good Man. dangers and distress but he that can stay himself on God the Rock of Ages the Lord Almighty is in a more happy condition then he that hath the favour of all the great Men of the World. Let the Wicked reckon it a Priviledge that they care not for God it hath been shewed to be a miserable one but the Righteous count it their greatest honour that God is not ashamed to be called their God Heb. 11. 16. And they poor Earth-Worms may be stiled his Servants They by Faith seeing him that is invisible who doth not despise these little ones however low in the World are rapt up with admiration Lord what are we that thou shouldst be mindful of us For consider how great he must be who made the World and all things therein how Glorious whose is the Sun and Brightness thereof Others may go and please themselves with their acquaintance with Lords and Gentlemen but we will remember the Name of the Lord our God who humbleth himself to behold the things in Heaven and Earth yet admits us to come boldly to the Throne of Grace to present our Petitions which he will grant if he knoweth what is good for us better then we our selves sees it profitable for us Those of Authority in this World say to those under them go and he goeth come and he cometh to this Man do this and he doth it much more may the Lord and Governour of the whole World unto whom the Nations of the Earth are as the drop of a Bucket command us to do whatsoever pleaseth him But as he is Powerful so he is Merciful he hath shewed what he doth require of us caused it to be noted in a Book that it may be for the time to come for ever and hath testified that no Man add unto these things Rev. 22. 18. So we are not left at an uncertainty how we may or when we have done the will of God if we are in a readiness still to hear all things that are commanded and made known from his Word Herein we are more happy then those little Spirits who endeavour to Acts 10. 33. please Men for their humours are uncertain not easily known and endless There is a delight in approaching to God those rejoycings which the devout Soul hath seem strange to the unexperienced for they make no outward noise yet are as real as sensual pleasures to Worldly Men. He calls the Sabbath a delight not doing his own Ways nor finding his own Pleasure nor speaking his own Words Isa 58. 13. It is the most pleasant day of all the Week rejoycing at this time of Vacation from worldly cares and labour but more especially because he can wait on the Lord in the Sanctuary hear his Word When he comes home he is better pleased with good Conference Prayer Reading and Meditation then others are in vain Talk wretched Idleness or Recreations for to them succced Heaviness in that they have not done what they should But with a good Man the day ends in Satisfaction that he hath done his duty by rightly using the means of Grace he hath laid up in the Treasure of his Heart some good things which may carry him through Temptation and give comfort the week following He hath refreshed himself from bodily labour so he can fall to it again more cheerfully The goodness of God is here to be observed how the Sabbath was made for Man and not Man for the Sabbath Mark 2. 27. For if he were to labour every day it would be intolerable and irksome But now it is not because a day of rest returns so often which also takes off from the tediousness of the Year Since it is thus ordained the time of Mans labour passeth on more comfortably and there is more variety in the weck he is cumbred about getting necessaries for this miserable and transitory life on the Lords day he provides for an Happy and Eternal being How contentedly doth he go to bed that night with the Memory of what he hath thrived in The merchandize of which is better then the Merchandize of Silver Prov. 3. 14. The next Morning he goes forth ively land willingly to the work of his Calling which he follows with honesty and diligence The just Man walketh in his Integrity doth not fear to see any for he hath wronged none hath a good Report and Commendation among his Neighbours and they being assâ—red of his Faithfulness are willing to deal with him so he hath greater Custom and Employment There are opportunities when he might get more if he would Lye Circumvent or take advantage over an ignorant Person but he will not for that lose his present Peace and future Reward He that getteth Riches and not by right shall leave them in the midst of his days and at his end shall be a Fool Jer. 17. 11. He shall now have no true Comfort of them and there will be a worse consequent hereafter But for him That walketh righteously and speaketh uprightly he despiseth the Gains of oppression He shall dwell on high his place of defence shall be the munitions of Rocks bread shall be given him his waters shall be sure Isa 33. 15 16. He shall come to Heaven his Habitation shall be in the place of the Most High and in the mean while shall be sure of a Livelihood God hath ordained The just shall live by Faith Hab. 2. 4. Not serve him for Sinister Respects or present Ends Yet they have sufficient and God sweetens it as much to them as those who
this shews him where it is My heart and my flesh faileth but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever Psal 72. 26. We know him as yet by Faith and our rejoycing in him is according to the measure of that Whatever good and comfort is in pure and undefiled Religion in an universal and constant complyance with it which is much every way as may be partly seen by what hath been and is to be said but much more would be perceived by him who makes a through experience of it all this comes in by repentance which is the beginning thereof for it forsakes sin and keeps the Commandments This was the first Doctrine John the forerunner and Christ himself Preached Mark. 1. 4 15. And it was also the message in which the Prophets before came Moses speaks very little thereof He that despised Moses Law died without Mercy Heb. 10. 28. God gave his people at first severe and strict Commandments without making so full a discovery of Pardon and Forgiveness but then those who became obnoxious to the guilt and judgment of the Law did not know how to escape The Lord who is rich in Mercy did in time reveal it more and more to those who would turn from their evil doing Before the last threatning there goes out another warning and invitation to submit Thus saith the Lord Behold I frame evil against you and devise a device against you return ye now every one from his evil way and make your ways and your doings good and they said there is no hope but we will walk after our own devices and we will every one do the imagination of his evil heart Jer. 18. 11 12. Strange Stubbornness that Men should be thus provoking to God and act so madly against themselves we see what a mighty force there is in Lust and Pride They sinned yet more in not believing his wonderful offer they incensed him yet more in not being overcome by his goodness but he abounded in this as they did in iniquity confirming the truth of the Prophet Let favour be shewed to the wicked yet will he not learn Righteousness Isa 26. 10. All Gods doings are gradual and successive both his Works of Nature and Grace The most inestimable and accomplishment of all Mercies was in the Redemption of the World by our Lord Jesus Christ of this discovery was made to the Fathers by little and little If I may so speak with the greatest reverence and adoration with thanksgiving for such his gracious Methods God shewed himself the most hard Master at first The Law given Gen. 2. 17. was peremptory and penal then he begins Gen. 8. 21. Gen. 9. to release off his severity and then to Moses he proclaims himself Merciful and Gracious long Suffering Exod. 34. 6. But yet did not so fully make known to him the Doctrine of Repentance as he did afterwards to the Prophets Then comes John the Baptist Mat. 3. 2 3. Afterwards He who was bringing into the World so long before and to whom all the Old Testament hath Relation came Preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and saying the time is fulfilled and the Kingdom of God is at hand Repent ye and believe the Gospel Mark 1. 14 15. And now it is established for all persons times and places as appears Luke 24. 46. Man must not presume to sin yet more upon hopes of more Mercy For as Christ was 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 Heb. 9. 28. So for those who despise and sin wilfully there is a dreadful threatning Heb. 10. 26 27 28 29. God now commandeth all Men every where to repent Because he hath appointed a day in the which he will judge the World in Righteousness by that Man whom he hath ordained whereof he hath given assurance unto all Men in that he hath raised him from the dead Acts 17. 30 31. The whole Counsel of God is contained in Faith and Repentance compare Acts 20. vers 20 21. with vers 26 27. To believe and to do is the substance of all That is Faith and Repentance puts upon the second Cease to do Evil learn to do VVell It is not only to be sorry for the past or a little displeased for Of Obedience the present but shews it self by Obedience for the future To this the promises belong If thou wilt enter into life keep the Commandments Mat. 19. 17. said he VVho though he were a Son yet learned he Obedience by the things which he suffered And being made perfect he became the Author of Eternal Salvation to all them that obey him Heb. 5. 8 9. The Book of Deuteronomy is wholly on this subject there is scarce one Chapter throughout the Law of Moses the Psalms Prophets Gospel and Epistles but hath somewhat relating to this Every where is line upon line line upon line precept upon precept precept upon precept here a little and there a little and all to this purpose that Man should obey God for he hath an absolute Dominion over us all by Creation Preservation and Redemption Ye shall do my Judgments and keep mine Ordinances to walk therein I am the Lord your God Ye shall therefore keep my Statutes and Judgments which if a Man do he shall live in them I am the Lord Lev. 18. 4 5. So in the Preface to the Ten Commandments I am the Lord thy God and as he was the God of the Israelites by bringing them out of the Land of Aegypt so he is of us Christians by redeeming us from Spiritual Aegypt the Bondage of Satan Sin and Death Even we require Obedience and Service from the Horse and Ox nay from the very same Creatures as our Selves Children Mal. 1. 6. and Servants and they do such things only because we command them and think it no shame or discredit And we may allow our selves to be ten thousand degrees more inferiour to Almighty God then they are unto us neither should we be unwilling or ashamed to do such things purely and principally for his Commandment This is properly Obedience and no other God will accept of When ye fasted and mourned on the fifth and seventh Month did yet at all fast unto me even to me Zech. 7. 5. Observe the patheticalness thereof in that it is twice repeated and this is applicable to all the actions of our life do we this or that thing only 1 Cor. 10. 31. to glorifie God thereby and have we no other motive but in Subordination to that And when ye did eat and when ye did drink did ye not eat and drink for your selves vers 6. Some private ends of your own or moral considerations Do not dissemble for one knows the very secrets of your hearts There is a proud principle nourished by some who are willing to save their Soul and think if such a thing is done
forced and it is expected what they do it should be with a willing mind considering which they have Assistances sufficient to work out their own Salvation God hath been pleased to establish all things in an orderly way What pertain to his Kingdom over the Sons of Men have their Rules and their appointed means and his Blessing doth always Accompany them He doth not work Miracles where the thing may be done in a way he hath already shewed To turn the Hearts of the Fathers unto the Children and the Disobedient to the VVisdom of the just to make ready a People prepared for the Lord Luke 1. 17. He gives his Word Spirit and Ministers By the help of them and putting forth the strength God hath given us all this may very well be accomplished As the great Super-intendent in his Works of Nature hath left them to go in their Course so in his Kingdom of Grace which is over the Souls of Men he hath ordained alike Method to spring forth and increase by appointed means The great and only business which hath passed between God and Men is concerning their Obedience in this World and their Salvation in that which is to come And therein may be observed from the very first Creation of them a most wise contrivance of things on Gods part but the utmost folly giving back and rebellion on ours Had we consented and for us performed what we might have done there had been no separation between God and us which our iniquities have now made Wilful ignorance and sloth hath occasioned this evil by not improving the Talent but hiding it in a Napkin Would any one act according to the grace and power given him and according to the way shewed he shall never miscarry Christ hath made up for Adams Transgression so that the Lord being our helper we may do the things well-pleasing in his sight if our selves will sincerely set to do them God is faithful and would not try our Obedience by more then we are able to perform he gives aid and offers more if we would but seek and make use of it Doth any one desire to be saved Who doth not Why then there is no more required but his real working together with the grace of God and according to his means It is astonishing to consider that seeing God hath given all those great and powerful Arguments to stir up Man to his Duty and then all the faculties of his Soul have a tendency towards it yet so few are brought over to a right sence and universal practice of Religion But Satan trys all ways to drive them off and then is their own aversation through corrupt nature to the things of God but here again if they would consult his Word they would not be ignorant of those devices of the Enemy which might be rendred ineffectual and then by striving contrary and giving diligence that averâ—ation would by degrees wear of There is sufficient done that all might come to life It is not the Will of your Father which is in Heaven that one of these little ones should perish Mat. 18. 14. Some do needlesly inquire concerning the number of those that shall be saved When the Question was asked our Lord Luke 13. 23 24. he gives no direct answer to it but commands to take care for themselves and if every one did so there would be no need to ask such a Question This is certain every Man or Woman may perform those conditions to which Salvation is promised each single person may obey God keep the sayings of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and patiently continue in Well-doing The Scripture observing the Irreligion and wickedness of Men in Gal. 3. â— those Generations when it was Penned and foreseeing how it would be in following Ages speaketh in that wise as it doth but yet the same word saith All the ends of the World shall remember and turn unto the Lord and all the kindreds of the Nation shall Worship before thee Psal 22. 27. which is to be fulfilled as the others have been and are Every one is called upon to this it is in the power of all to hear or read the Scriptures to Pray to examine further evidences of it and Faith comes by these things and â—e will believe He may again attend to the Word of Exhortation and then he will do For that is to be said for the excellency of our Religion that never any one could see all that may be said for it and then reject it If the wicked Man would suffer himself to know what might be alledged for Obedience unto God himself would not refuse it He is afraid and dares not consider of the Arguments which enforce the same for then he would be converted and healed and therefore it is not without cause the subtle Enemy labours so much to hinder from that Whereas if he is in the most natural state yet if he is endued but with common Wisdom he should not presently set that at naught which in this carries so much of its Divinity and Truth And he should suspect his own course because he doth as it were distrust those excuses and pretences for Reasons he hath none for his Wickedness in that they dare not in the least stand in competition with what may be said for the contrary Way Men could never go on as now they do unless worse then the deaf Adder they stop the Ear and refuse to hear the Voice of the Charmer charm he never so wisely They act commonly by slight apprehension of things as for those of this Worâ—d they suffer to sink deep and lie at the very ground of their Hearts but for heavenly they either shut them quite out or they lie scattered at the top and have no deepness of Earth and no Root Mat. 13. 5 6. It is seldom that things are done altogether in a hurry but generally people act what they think best to be done In the very heart there is an approbation of them they may outwardly commend another kind but then they have within them a secret reserve and give preference to what they do or else hope to escape the danger The great controversie in the World is Whether Men should obey the Law of God or the Law of Sin Whether they shall do according to his Will or be Master of their own Actions None will deny that God is to be obeyed nor can they gain-say against his Law which is Good Just and Reasonable this is allowed of even by the transgressour But then for following his own course he hath some fancies which are kept secret within himself and are at the very bottom of his mind which with him do weigh down those general Considerations The present Pleasure Profit or Conveniencies or thinking to repent and avoid Gods indignation and such kind of thoughts which the Tempter doth suggest and his own heart doth receive and improve to the utmost advantage that they stand in
Men would suffer a particular Examination out of the Word of God the very Truth and Reason of things Christianity will evidence it self to be greater Courage then what pasleth for it in the judgment of the World. Which is sign of the more resolute Spirit that both fore-sees and considers the Evil and yet subjects it self thereto upon assured and beneficial grounds as did the Martyrs Confessors and godly Sufferers or those who go on with a certain Violence without Knowledge and Consideration as do others Who can lay down their Lives with a deliberate choice retaining their perfect Reason and Sence or those in a sudden Passion and heat of Blood who are pushed on by Malice like a spurred Horse leaping down a Precipice or foolish pride who make themselves half Drunk and then go on not knowing what they do But consider all the circumstances of the Christians Actings and Sufferings and his Courage will be found more Real and Fminent Through God he doth Valiantly Psal 60. 12. Whose Grace is sufficient and inspires him with an Heart to overcome all difficulty and danger Now that according to the World if strictly surveyed will be reduced very low for abstract that Disposition of Children and Mad-men who are not sensible of the danger and therefore dare rush upon any thing If they be neither Fools nor Blind as not to know nor see any thing If their Souls be not rendred Earthy through Sensuality and so fear not If they are not quite stupified when the Heart is become like the nether Milstone which doth not tremble because it hath no sence If they have no need of Wine nor strong Liquors to support If all Disguise and Hypocrisie could be discovered and their concealed Fears seen when big words make a shew of the contrary and are used as an Artifice to hide them Take away from them all Gutward Advantages and Helps and they will be as other Men keep them from the opium of continual and immoderate Eating let them renounce the assistance of strong Drink observing only the just rules of Temperance And then see whether their Courage will not grow faint and languish Were that predominant thing of Pride rooted out which makes them endeavour to stifle their Fears Then they would be brought back to the common nature of Mankind which they would lift up themselves above by the aid of the aforesaid things We see evidently when these fail they are the same as others As in Sickness or in a sober approach of Death but more certainly when their Souls are stript naked and sent into the other World no mention is made of their Courage in that place And the mighty Mens Hearts in Moab at that day shall be as the Heart of a Woman in her Pangs Jer. 48. 41. Men are generally the same There may be some little degrees of Difference yet they are all but Flesh still The Lord is the Maker of them all He hath not made some to be Men and some to be Gods some with Fear and some without but this Plant is implanted into all And ordered so that it may be improved or abused corrected or prevaricated besitting this Life of Tryal But the Wicked strive against God they would expel that out which he hath placed in which they cannot but do as faâ— as lieth in them for what they cannot utterly extinguish they endeavour to hide and stifle Sanctifie the Lord of Hosts himself and let him be your Fear and let him be your Dread Isa 8. 13. and to this end all Fear was put into Men But if they do not fear him this is not their Courage but Ignorance and Forgetfulness of whom they see not And then for their making a shew not to value Death No more do Sheep going to the Slaughter for these Men just know they shall die yet mind no more what shall become of them afterwards then those dumb Creatures passing on the Road do think of what we know shall befall them Can those Reasonable Souls indeed rush into the other World who cannot hear a true report thereof in an aiery sound Can they indeed step forth upon the dark Mountains who cannot see a Map thereof in Paper and Ink They foolishly build up their Confidences and in common Vogue would pass for Men of Valour because they can slight and contemn Religion But stand to it for you are Challenged into the Field and see whether you do not betray Cowardice herein What if it should be said You that can hear Drums and Trumpets the roaring of Canons yet the voice of God you cannot endure to hear which is full of Majesty and shaketh your Hearts When he Thundreth in the Air it will make them quiet and still but when he speaketh from Heaven when he sendeth his Waters through a Pipe or gives life to a Psal 8. 2. dead Letter this you have not Courage enough to receive or read You set at naught and despise his Ordinances when they are not rightly managed You can smile at the flat and insipid discourses of Ignorant and Unfaithful Teachers but not at those who both understand and do as they should You that will not be out-Hectored yet ye are frightened with Words a sure proof that they are not vain but both true and significative You that do not value Sword nor Spears yet dare not contest with the Rod of his Mouth Isa 11. 4. What is lighter then that but when God is pleased to use the meanest thing it can make the stoutest Oak of Bashan tremble like the Leaves of the Forrest Gather your selves O ye Mighty and try to shew your Courage which if you can you also will for the great Importance and Necessity will press you forward if you have so much power to get over all this Can you sit for a while and tremble under Gods Word Will you admit of a second hearing and not be frightened with Felix to put it off to a more convenient season Are you able to stand before him who Fights with the Sword of his Mouth who Wounds that he may Heal who Condemns that he may Justifie who as the Prophet speaks Slays the Wicked casting them down that they do not come again but for those who are not so fearful to run away as Christ would have none to be so he will not shew himself always thus terrible to them Stand but the first Shock and then you are Men. It is only in order to bring you unto Conviction to be Humbled under the mighty Hand of God and then this Dreadfulness will go off that you may serve him with Reverence and godly Fear 'T is Pusillanimity and a more exceeding Fearfulness that keeps Men off even in those who would be thought to have the contrary for could they attend to the Word of Exhortation bear for a while a little Irksomeness and Sorrow Had they Resolution to do some things contrary to corrupt nature and undergo a little hardship in the Service
come in and then conceive who is more Honourable The Servant of him whose is the World and the Fulness thereof or a Lord of so many Acres of Land. Those Palaces and great Houses are not so much as the Dwelling of Ants to that Habitation of his Holiness the House Eternal in the Heavens prepared for all those who diligently seek to come there I ask no Mans Faith for this but appeal to his very Sence if he looks upward or how far the East is from the West The Eyes of our Vnderstanding being enligâ—tened do as clearly perceive the invisible things within as the outward Eye doth what is before us So that let none talk of uncertainty and fiction neither put off the minding them The Proud and Scornful Men are in truth low-Spirited A Glass of Liquor or the sparklings of Wine the gratifying of a lower lnclination a Whore and well coloured Dust a few little parcels of Land is what they concern themselves about Not regarding the Rivers in the Paradise of God the Glory and Exstacy of that Place the Inheritance reserved there You are for a blast of Wind which doth no good but puffs up a bubble for the lightness thereof You are for a small Reputation and Applause from talking Worms and seek not the Honour that cometh from God only John 5. 44. That gaudy shew goes away As a Dream when one awakâ—th Isa 23. 9 So O Lord when thou awakest thou shalt despise their Image Psal 73. 20. As they are mistaken in their conceit of Greatness so likewise of Happiness being there for little and Vain things for trifling and fading delights before Great and enduring Peace They are for those things which depart and come to nothing with the day before that satisfaction which is just begun here but finished and perfected through infinite Ages Is this your Honour It is such as hath no Vnderstanding Is this your Pride it is both a Deceit and a Lye for small things it bereaves you of greater it makes a shew of what is not pretends to Great and Honourable but it is Pitiful Low and Contemptible Are these fit to be made an occasion to forget God or despise what belongs unto him Their Heart was Exalted therefore have they forgotten me Hos 13. 6. 'T is by reason of those paltry things that some come to that pass as to do according to their will notwithstanding Gods Commandment to the contrary if not to speak out yet to think Marvellous things against the God of Gods Dan. 11. 36. This doth shew forth the great and enlarged faculties in Man that can stretch thus far but again this betrays his Degeneracy and Folly that he should do it upon such a small and light occasion For one that might be partaker of the Divine Nature to Jer. 2. 11. vaunt himself in beastly inclinations and desires this really brings down to the Earth And didst debase thy self even unto Hell Isa 57. 9. For him that is called unto Precious and Inestimable things to Pride himself in those of no value to be listed up with meer Vanities when they are capable to inherit great Excellencies which they set at naught because they understand them not It will be the Exclamation at last What hath Pride profited us or what good hath Riches brought us But this voice signifies nothing to Men in Desperation and Misery Whereas if now they would lay it to Heart it might bring them out of this Temptation and Snare of the Devil Every one would willingly be Happy and use the means to be so Now there are but two ways in the general Either by following Gods Grace and Direction or their own Fancies and Thoughts which they have from a sligâ—t apprehension of the thing or the opinion and multitude of others That the generality of Mankind are not yet in the right is as sure as Gods Word is true Even in this doubt wherein the World stands divided One that hath common Wisdom and discerning in every Action he takes in Hand or in every thing he proposes to himself might reduce it all this Whether the good or evil of a thing will be greater considering both what is present and what is to come for this will as certainly be here as the other And this should determine every ones choice in the way to Happiness which indeed must if he would make sure and not be deceived therein We call the Proud Happy Mal. 3. 15. Mark the Phrase for it is only so with word of Mouth but we cannot conclude it so upon Consideration and Discourse for that will make to appear it brings more Evil then Good unto Men. It is the cause of Disobedience unto God for it foolishly disdaines to be in subjection unto him and prefers its own will before the Will of God. This is a very great temptation for t is not so much the Pleasures of a Wicked Life but a Proud thinking to have the alone Command over himself and his own Actions to be governed by none and who shall controul him This makes to slight and seem to laugh at the Word of God They reckon it a piece of Bravery that they can do contrary They despise the means of Grace and Salvation They pish at Instruction and those who are appointed to make it known Shall a few Men take upon them to be Wiser then the rest or to Reform others or shall they do according as they are bid But all this is easily answered for God fpeaks unto the World by those of the same likeness with our selves it is nothing to us let Men do as they will no more then it is to the Poste whether the Proclamation be complyed withal or not His Laws are set before us by his Servants the Prophets Dan. 9. 10. We observe them not as the words of Moses Prophets Evangelists Apostles but as the very Commands of God and his Christ There is an Obedience due to the Rom. 2. 8. Truth as being from him but not at all because such a fellow Creature saith or would have it so Tribulation and Anguish is denounced against those who will not obey it now and they will really wish they had And those who purposely go against those Pillars of Truth will find that they had better run their Head against a stone-Wall which may dash out their own Brains but that remains unshaken But the Proud Men will not hear nor read or if they do they will not obey for say they in the deep of the Heart they have power over themselves which is the beginning of their Disobedience and Transgression they are liable to the Misery and Threatning annexed which will certainly come upon them if they continue in that wicked mind The Stubbornness and Contempt is much worse to the great God over all then if a Son or a Servant is perversly resolved not to †hear Jer. 13. 15. and know what his Father or Master would say or not give
the other doth also The Souls that God hath made may be compared to so many Rivers which as they all come from him so are they to run through the Earth and to disembody themselves again into that infinite Ocean of Being and Happiness Now there is one Labours to divert the Stream to make it run another way or stop its course The first is sinful Pleasures the second is Negligence and Sloth The Soul hath some fore-Knowledge which way she is to go and an Inclination towards the right and thence whatsoever doth hinder and seek to turn aside doth also disturb If she would keep to this first Principle carefully observing the Original tendencies of her Nature and suspect every thing that doth in the least thwart that all the Devils in Hell could never deceive her for she might know the Connexion of Sin and Sorrow Indignation and VVrath Tribulation and Anguish upon every Soul of Man that doth Evil Rom. 2. 8 9. This contradicts the Pure and Spiritual part of us which raises those several kinds of Sorrow So the cure for it is by taking heed against Sin which is the Troubler of the Man By Repentance as to the past and watchfulness for the future Sorrow doth arise from other Afflicting Objâ—cts of Body and Estate and is the resentment of them but confine it to the Soul and it is occasioned by Sin only as that is divided in Evil Falshood and Folly all which are contrary to that Good Truth and Wisdom wherewith she is â—ndued and is to improve thâ—se Talents to the glory of our Master who will give a Reward according as every one is found Meet and Faithful There is a Vexation all along which would be sensible if not smothered when we do not Trade to his Use So on the other hand there is Joy and Complacency when we do Great Peace have they which love thy Law and nothing shall offend them Psal 1. â—9 165. And the Raâ—soâ—ed of the Lord shall return and come to Sion with Songs and everlasting Joy shall be upon their Heads They shall obtain Joy and Gladness and Sorrow and Sighing shall flee away Isa 35. 10. That propension and natural tendency which is in Mans nature Of Melancholy to know God and to come into the way of his Commandments the workings of Grace and regrets of Conscience that Dissatissaction and Restlesness of mind for not doing what he ought and all those several things which incline to Repentance and Obedience do pass in the World for pure Melancholy It is an Aspersion cast upon sincere Religion where it hath an influence upon the Life and Actions where is universal carefulness against Sin and who will not comply with the meer outward Divertisment of Evil Lying and Foolish Talking he shall be Obnoxious to the Character of a dull and mâ—serable Soul. All Thoughts of God and the things pertaining to him are by the Ignorant and Ungodly thus esteemed and further are those Having a Form of Godliness but dâ—nying the Power thereof 2 Tim. 3. 5. Whatever is more then their size they would impute to the blackness of Blood an heavy flegmatick Constitution or such like This is one of the Devises of Satan to keep people off from Reliâ—ion in general then fâ—om the Truth and Sinceâ—ity thereof by raising such a Report which is commonly received and whilst he suggests not to give way to Melancholy he turns Men aside from the way of Peace Life and Blessâ—dness All Religion is irksome and tedious to those who are unaâ—quainted therewith and so it is with them who practice it a little but not throughly The Scripture is fulfilled as it speaks of that Enmity against God Rom. 5. 10. Rom. 8. 7. that Root of bitterness Heb. 12. 15. Acts 8. 23. that Aversâ—ess and Alienation Col. 1. 20 21. that Hatred and Opposition of Good the Stubborn and Perverse Spirit the Trouble and Restlesness those Fears and sad Expectations in the Wicked which are the cause of all this They may come to the Ordinances and outward Profession and yet remain the same still not transformed by the renewing of the mind The Word is found true as â—â—â—peaks of the reason of these things and why may it â—ot be believâ—d as it mentions the Love of God being râ—â—â—â—iled to him delighâ—ing in God and that which is Good that Joy Peace and Gladness of Heart those loving and familiar Appellations of Father â—riend Hâ—â—band the expressions of Kindness to us and our Thankfulness and Praise The Lord Reigneth let the Earth Râ—jâ—â—ce Psal 97. 1. Truly God is Goud to â—srael even to such as are of a clean Heart Psal 73. 1. Are all these written in Vain or for our Comfort Do others by sad Experience confirm the Truth of what is aforementioned and have none the happy feeling thereof Surely there are some whom the Scripture calls Blâ—ssâ—d who have the favour of God and are careful to preserve it in all Duty and Obedience It may be observed there are two manner of ways in the World Some in all their Actions have Conscience towards God others not The Scriptures declare the effect of both by Peace and Trouble one part is sensible of the disorder within And why may not others feel know and testifie of the good Promises For themselves might also if they would do the same things It were easie to make things clear if that Prejudice was taken away of judging by Examples and humane Sayings more then from divine Testimony and Truth Hypocrites and many who seem to be Religious but the Apostle by failure in one Christian Duty pronounces their Religion to be Vain Jam. 1. 26. do most oppose what is the Doctrine of Scripture They accuse their Brethren of Melancholy who abound in the Work of the Lord who spend their time in Meditation of his Law. They call Contempt of the World Stupidity the avoiding of sinful Compliances and appearances of Evil a sowre morose Temper not fit to live amongst Men The not running too much after sensual Pleasures is sencelesly stiled an heavy and sluggish Disposition which is not refined enough to receive thâ—m And what is done by the Grace and Fear of God are the effects of meer Melancholy Every avoiding of Sin and good Action to which a Misconstruction can be applied is by them censured It is not so much minded what the prophane Sinner saith but what comes from them who make â— fair shew in the Flesh yea the Teachers of the Law this is entertained by Inquisitive and Considering Men. It is dangerous for Numb 13. 32. any to bring an evil Report upon the good Land but worse for those who pretend to have searched it for though not in express words yet by manifest Conclusion they do the same as We must serve God and that so much which is pleasant but what is more is Melancholy for so are those Calumniated who go further and find more Benefit then themselves It is
indeed they would put in mind of other kind of Things What some are Happy in expectation of and others Miserable in disappointment the one would exhort to do as they did more earnestly and Diligently The others would warn and testifie least we also pass through here with â—o little regard of what we ought most to seek after Not to be so much busied about the Good or Evil of a Mortal Body as to neglect but only in Subordination to secure the Happiness of an Immortal part Labour not to be rich in the World for we can carry nothing away but to be rich in Faith and good Works for that conâ—â—gns over unto Salvation and these follow us Be not troubled if in Want here for that also is ended but have withal poverty of Spirit no Murmuring or Aspiring Thought and then Yours is the Kingdom of Heaven Mat. 5. 3. which is Everlasting and will have no end Why should People be cumbred and make such a stir about the things of this Life for the Rejoycing and Vexation as to their Abundance and Want expire with the moment before us Every revolution of the Sun The night comes and shuts up all Those who did Cry or Laugh are in deep Silence the Laborious and Idle persons are at Rest the fine Clothes are laid aside and so is the vile Raiment the Mouth is still with Sleep that fed upon Dainties or common Fare As one day and â—ight is to the time of our Sojourning here so is the whole as to Eternity and future Life The things we have already done would not profit unless we did Build further and finish them so it will be of all Labour done as to the things here which will have an end and signifie nothing If reasonable Creatures would distinguish between the means and the end Not mistaking that for the end which is the means only If they would discern the appiness of the whole Man which is beginning and going on towards Consummation before the Conveniencies of the lesser part which periâ—h with it then they would not be so mightily concerned about present and outward things Let them know what is Necessity and Conveniency and pare away the insatiable desires of Lust Pride and Superfluity Thatdifference of Condition or Place if Office and Employment do not make it is most commonly a word of Pride They are not thence to take occasion to enlarge their desires and murmure if not satisfied God hath obliged himself by Covenant to give to us what we have warrant to Pray for viz. our daily Bread. â—o support our Life here but he is no where bound to gratifie the Lusts of any to give that which is a Sin in them to desire Whatever may be the Mutterings of a Proud and sensual Heart it is to no more purpose to answer them then it would be to let them have their requests sor when desire is beyond Gods Law it is eâ—dless crying with the Horse-Leech Give Give But to them who wâ—â—â—â—e obedient the Language of Grace saith in this Wise Hâ—ving Food and Raiâ—â—ent let us therewith be content 1 Tim. 6. 8. Which may be justified from Nature and from Reason for that is content with a little and affects no delicacies It is for plain and wholsome Food a sutable Covering an House to shelter from Weather and Cold. An Emblem whereof may be seen in the Feeding and Skin of Beasts those which are more immediately for the use of Man have a Stable or Fold others are provided with Holes and Dens Reason will judge of the Equity of this It is just and right that what doth want should have supply and if it hath convenient What would the Man have more The Stomach is filled The Body is preserved against Shame Cold and outward Violence and hath things allotted according to its need But it is course Why is not the Flesh gross and filthy also every thing applyed is more fine then what receives it Is the Raiment mean it is a Vile Body that is to be arrayed therewith The excellency of Man doth not consist in these things Let Servants have what is fit for them and no more least they grow Proud and Lazy But Jesurâ—â— waxed Fat and Kicked Deut. 32. 15. If this inferiour part be pamâ—â—red too much it will grow Wanton and Luxuriant despise the Laws of its Master and be more unfit for his use The Soul receives no Gratification by bodily Enjoyments abundance of Meat and Drink hinder the Work she hath to do towards the getting of Happiness God knows and he intended by provision at first what we learn by experience how much of outward Comforts is convenient for us He prepared the Earth with the number of Inhabitants to bring sorth Fruits and sufficient Encrease for the nourishment of them But Luxury and Pride hath found out new Inventions There is enough given for all but Gluttony and Drunkenness do Vainly and Sinfully waste what others have need of By this may be seen what Poverty is It is a real Want When they have not what is sufficient or wholesome to satisfie Hunger nor sutable Raiment to hide Nakedness and keep out Cold this alone is Poverty The condition of such is deplorable and should be remedied For ye have the Poor with you always and whensoever you will you may do them Good Mark 14. 7. They are suffered so to be for our Tryal their Case is to be helped partly by themselves and partly by others But in the mean while a great deal of Discontent might cease There are many now in the World such as Jude speakes of in his time Murmurers Complainers walking after their own Lusts and their Moâ—th speaketh great Swelling Words Having Mens persons in Admiration because of Advantage Jude 16. Who have sufficient for Life but repine because they have not enough to follow Pleasure to minister unto Boasting and Proud things and do court the Rich to get by them and advance their own Estate Here in a Christian Countrey all profess to Believe the Gospel yet the same strive to be as great as they can There is little or no condescending to Men of low Estate but they mind High things Rom. 12. 16. They strive to the utmost of their Rank and Condition to seem above or the outside of what they are Yea Christians to the dishonour of their Profession seek earnestly after these things and esteem of others accordingly Since the Grace of God hath appeared to the World More Regard and Valuation is given to them and Contempt where wanting then when it was under Philosophy and the Conduct of Mans Wisdom for that said many things in check of this unreasonable Custom And our Lord who though he was Rich yet for our sakâ—s became Poor hath enforced it with stronger Arguments as Heaven is above Earth Eternity longer then Time. But Men now a days do not really believe or not seriously attend to them for otherwise they would have the due
Gentleman and Idle Beggar do vary from it the one to his greater future account and the other to his present Misery But who considers of things and hath right apprehensions not corrupted with Pride or Sloth is glad and thankful that things are so disposed of and willingly reaches forth when they may be so had Thus it is ordered as to outward sâ—pplies the Poor are shewed and exhorted what to do but God to shew his abundant care of their Welfare hath also given to others a Charge over them As Deut. 15 7 8 9 10. the Reason and Injunction of all is added verse 11. For the Poor shall never cease out of the Land Therefore I Command thee saying Thou shalt open thine Hand wide unto thy Brother and to thy Poor and to thy Needy in thy Land. Here is only a Command given and no Compulsion Objects are left for the tryal thereof The Phrase is directed just contrary to the close-fisted World Open thine Hand wide but Man shuts it fast and will not be easily moved otherwise If the Grace and Authority of Almighty God will not do now as he spake the World into Being so he will at length send forth his Word and it shall be actually recompenced for all manner of Disobedience For the Needy shall not be always forgotten the expectation of the Poor shall not perish for ever God will make it up to them at present by inward Comfort and Contentment and by considering their Condition hereafter when theâ— shall see what others suffer for now shutting up their Bowels of Compassion against them He provided for them also after the same manner as the Earth to maintain us For he said let the Earth bring forth and it was so Gen. 1. 11. The Earth though dull heard the Word of the Lord. To Man he likewise Commands to minister to his poor Brethren expecting of him to be freely obeyed because he can therefore he refuses some do and some do not and even the first in too scanty a measure not according to the proportion God hath given them The generality do not at all out of Conscience towards him it may be something in compliance with national Laws and Customs of the World but not out of respect had to the great King and only Lord thereof There may be seen a Providential ordering that Humane Constitutions tend only so far as to provide against the Universally Corrupt and Disobedient state of Mankind but still the Exercise and Tryal may be had for free Obedience So here the Law of the Realm hath made a slender Provision for the Poor and nevertheless room is left for the Alms of good and willing people God doth oblige from his own Dominion Property and Greatness and also by Arguments taken from themselves Mark how pathetically the Holy Ghost speaketh When thou seest the Naked that thou Cover him and that thou hide not thy self from thine own Flesh Isa 58. 7. Importing that thou being the same altogether shouldst give what they self woulst desire if in the same need And if thou draw out thy Soul to the Hangry and satisfie the Afflicted Soul verse 10. Measure by thy self when thou art thus let thy Soul be in his Souls stead nay to Paraphrase doth lose the excellency of Expression being such as no Humane Orators nothing but the immediate Inspiration of the Spirit of God can compose and set forth The Wise Men of old said little or nothing as to Alms-giving unless by way of Generosity and vain glorious Beneficence They thought it did derogate from Prudence to give away his own and see no good come of it Every one did hold that so fast that it was not in the power of Mans Wisdom by Argument and Perswasion to get it from them So far it is true for the Tongues of Men and Angels that can move people to every thing besides yet it is not sufficient that they might part with beloved Mammon though for support of their Poor Neighbour Nothing but the Revelation of God can do as to this for that where believed must perswade Men. These have the like reason to do it as others through Unbelief to refrain for they are not willing to part with a certainty for an uncertainty the Money they have in their Hands but if given away it is none of their own and they are not assured of finding any good thereof But who have Faith will not call that uncertain which God hath promised Sell that ye have and give Alms provide your selves Bags which wax not old a Treasure in the Heavens that faileth not Luke 12. 33. Seeing you are Mortal and must be taken away from your Riches and Possessions Is it not a better and a more Wise way so to dispose that they may stand the owners in some stead for it is certain and evident that to keep after the manner of worldly Men would avail nothing at all Whatever is spent in Pride or Pleasure in Prodigality or Vain things is consumed at the instant there is an end and no more but what is given that remains a Sacrifice well Pleasing unto God. He that giveth to the Poor lendeth to the Lord and that which he giveth will he pay him again Prov. 19. 17. For asmuch as ye have done it unto the least of my Brethren ye have done it unto me Mat. 25. 40. He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly and he that Soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully 2 Cor 9 6. There is no need of citing more Texts but for people to be put in mind and stirred up to comply therewith What hinders If ye believe in God ye must believe what he hath here spoken by his Son and Servants And this doth not depend upon an evil Heart of Unbelief or Fancy to the contrary but known to God are all his Decrees according to which he will deal with all Mankind at last Either Stupidity or want of Faith doth not alter the Case And since these things are so The rich of this World have the same Exhortation to be ready to Distribute willing to Communicate as now for doing as they do either by sordidly keeping or expending it in the Fashion and Sensuality for they may judge which is likely to turn to most Good and Benefit to themselves at long run They may as well send forth Benevolence to reap thereof in the Kingdom of Heaven as now the Husband Man soweth Seed in order to Harvest though for the present it seems lost and buried in the ground Do not shift it off from your selves to Clergy-Men who have Church Perferments and live by Religion and therefore are to give more freely Admitting that yet in this you argue against your selves are Enemies to your own Glory and Recompence There is much talk they should do this or that but there is no difference in the Commandments of God to one more then the other All are equally pressed to the observance of them there is nothing
more strictly enjoyned nor greater Duty laid on the Priest then the People saving what relates to the distinguishing Office and Alms giving is not particularly mentioned under that All are the Creatures and Servants of the same God and ow the like Subjection unto him What if it should be said You likewise live by Religion for He unto whom it all relates holds your Souls in Life he placed you under such Parents from whom your Inheritance descended or gave you power to get Wealth but besides you ow your keeping of abundance to this only for here is founded Meum and Tuum the distinction of Right and Wrong Take away the sence of this all Confusion would come in Those in Distress and deep Poverty might use Rapine and Fraud and they could be no losers if the utmost was to be sent out of this Troublesome and Miserable World But the Wrath of God which is revealed here against all Vngodliness and Vnrighteousness of Men which is to be Executed in another place keeps things in order It is your Interest to be Religious towards God as well as Loyal to the King for he establisheth Kingdoms and property He made Man upright and when those Principles of evil came in afterwards did send forth his Mercy and Truth without which our Souls would be among Lyons The Proud and Scornful Men should have a care how they speak Contemptibly of his Institution What the Apostle saith 1 Cor. 9. 13 14. may silence them and the same God hath ordained that who maintains all the Order and Diversity which is in the World. Whatsoever is more then the Necessity and Conveniencies of each Family belongeth to the Poor and is their due It appears from Eph. 4. 28. that those in ordinary Employments are to dispose of what is more then satisfieth themselves so there is the same reason that those higher should likewise proportionably just keep up the distinction but otherwise come as near equality as may be for those under us would willingly have some Comforts of Life as our selves They are likewise Brethren of the same common stock the very sâ—me in Boâ—y and Soul partakers of the same Grace and Heirs of the same Hope Neither is there so great stress to be laid on this Duty for it is justice and not Merit called Righteousness Psal 37. 25. Psal 112. 9. Dan. 4. 27. a giving that which is due and equal Nor should they be Proud that do something towards it but thank God who enabled them for it is Duty Themselves should acknowledge Gods goodness that they are in such a Condition as to give Alms and not receive them Those rather are to be commended if any praise is due for what is Chedience who are partakers in cheerfully bearing their Condition Indeed unless the Scripture did speak expresly of a future Reward as it doth to this more particularly then any other Duty whether fore-seeing Mens backwardness and to give greater encouragement or to satisfie this doubt One that did examine the reason of things would scarce think thereof because they have the more already in hand to do it and a Steward that hath Money given him to lay out so much for his Masters use the rest for his own expects no more But God to shew his extraordinary Goodness and to make us more ready to supply the want of his poor Creatures hath already committed wherewithal by giving a more plentiful use and also a promise of someth ng more to come Some Primitive Writers have spoken too Hyperbolically concerning Alms Others turn them to merit of forgiveness of Sin. But herein they do exceed for so much is not to be depended thereon Alms do not make Atonement for Sin. Though some may be found who would give as largely as he in Micah for the Sin of his Soul yet it will not do unless it be repented of and forsaken It is not come to that for the Rich to have a Licence to Sin or the Poor to miss of Forgiveness for want of Money Neither is it such an extraordinary good Work above all others for things are to be stated aright It being a Temporal kindness to the worse part for all which they go away and die and it is not much minded so it is not to be compared to the good done to Souls for this ever remains The other is more then what is said To keep Life only to longer Misery for that is a poor Relief The Christian Charity doth or should go further even to have not only bare Necessities but Refreshments of Life also for we could not be so contented and they are likewise desirous of more The great Law Love thy Neighbour as thy self dictates thus much Thus we see how it standeth with our Brethren how God hath provided for them in his Grace and Revelation he doth his part but we do not ours As the Apostle argues Jam. 2. 15 16. It is the same a little higher We pray to God for them that he would Relieve those Afflicted in Mind Body and Estate and perhaps think hardly because they are not when he hath set out the means and left it in our power for if we would do as he hath said and commanded in Scripture all those several Afflictions would be actually Relieved They would be Comforted and supported in the mean time till God gives an happy Issue and Deliverance out of them which he will certainly do if we prepare and become worthy getting the Qualification he there shews This might be known by his Goodness and Truth already let any one fulfil the terms of the Covenant of sincere and universal Conclusion of the Chapter Obedience Turn from every evil way for the want of that is the only hindrance to Loving of God with all the Soul and all the Mind One Sin is the Root that beareth Gall and Wormwood and hinders all these good effects But whoso keeps himself from that let him seek after Knowledge for to that he is Commanded Then come and see how it is Written When the Law of God is in his inward parts when The Kingdom of God both in Word and Power is within him there is a Remedy for all manner of Adversities by comfortable Thoughts to the Soul. What things may be known without there is no need of particular mention in Scripture When that Reason God hath given prompts to outward means this shews the lawfulness of them for Ease and Deliverance may be sought for the Body as Comfort and Freedom to the Soul. And further it is excellently consulted as to the Afflictions of Estate O ye Sons and Daughters of Sorrow be fully assured that God is Good still All the Paths of the Lord are Mercy and Truth unto such as keep his Covenant and Testimonies Psal 25. 10. Think of Almighty God by his Works and his Word and from the good and usefulness of things pertaining to us Let us know our selves remembring we are but Men and imperfect Creatures
Call to mind how Evil came into the World through Sin though it is not taken away yet Help is ordained against it It is Written and found true of the Benefits of the second Adam unto whom all the Scripture hath Relation Surely he hath born our Griefs and carryed our Sorrows Isa 53. 4. It is but reasonable we should have some sence of them also That as he had Compassion on the Afflicted Heb. 2. 10. so we should perceive how great things he endured for us to raise our Love Thankfulness and Obedience unto God through him Take my Brethren the Prophets who have spoken in the Name of the Lord for an Example of suffering Affliction and of Patience Behold we count them Happy which endure Ye have heard of the Patience of Job and have seen the end of the Lord that the Lord is very Pitiful and of tender Mercy James 5. 10 11. CHAP. XIX AN EXHORTATION TO OBEDIENCE and FEAR of God The CONCLUSION of the Whole NOw therefore stand still that I may Reason with you before the Lord of all the Righteous Acts of the Lord 1 Sam. 12. 7. It is as certain that God is as any thing is for he made all things Consider how great he must be whose Works are so how Glorious Good and Excellent he is as those Manifestations do set forth And then think further how we the Inhabitants of the Earth who walk up and down as so many Grashoppers should behave our selves towards him If we were not his Offspring and Workmanship we might justly think he would have nothing to do with us but that shews the contrary nay moreover our Rebellion proves the Relation What might be known by Obedience is also shewed by Transgression But how unreasonable doth this last appear for reflect upon God and our selves What are we to despise or be stubborn against him He is great and we little Other things do his Will and why should not we comply therewith Would the vain Swearer walk out and as he beholds the Heaven or Earth he treads which was first Created and now sustained by an Almighty power And is it fit he should be spoken lightly of His Glorious and Fearfuâ— Name be used upon every frivolous and idle account when he hath so expresly Commanded to the contrary So it may be said of every Sin May not the God who formed us preserveth us giving whatever we enjoy give also Laws and Directions to his Creature for him to be governed by To keep the Commandments of the Lord and his Statutes which I Command thee this day for thy Good Deut. 10. 13. Thy Testimonies that thou hast Commanded are Righteous and very Faithful Psal 119. 138. As for God his Way is Perfect the Word of the Lord is tryed Psal 18. 30. Look impartially upon his whole Revelation in Scripture survey every particular Precept and Judge Whether it is not equal Psal 119. 128. for God to enjoyn and for Man to comply therewith As for Worship Praise and Prayer none denies them There is the general Consent that such are to be rendred We are zealous and prone But here Satan the Enemy hath two Wiles the one in some Ungodly people who are frightned with a little Dulness and Iâ—ksomeness at first but even they unless very Ignorant and Stupid cannot satisfie themselves without some Worship That Aukwardness would go off if they would accustom themselves to Duty Another Subtlety The Adversary hath found concerning the manner thereof for the Substance is agreed by the far greater part of Mankind But here they are fierce and hot so angry and displeased at contrary Opinions So stiff for their own an Evidence of what is in our nature to have to do with Religion Here again creeps in another Device of the old Serpent by which he takes advantage for he would confine the whole of Religion to this which is but a part and also raises a Dust about outward Circumstances which are not essential to Worship for seeing that God is to be Worshipped in Spirit and in Truth but hath prescribed no exact Pattern thereof in Scripture away might be found out for Union Love and Peace Neither in the mean while should we be angry with our Brother that doth not go according to the same precise manner for as the Apostle saith 1. Cor. 12. 4 5 6. Why may it not be likewise supposed If there be now some Diversity of Worship yet as long as it is the same God to whom it all relates if each way is Spiritual and True free from Idolatry Jewish and Heathen Superstition God is Glorified every way for all fall down and Worship him and God is in them of a Truth He doth actually manifest his Favour Grace and Acceptation to those of the several Perswasions among us Yea all the Idolatries in the World do some what discover that natural Inclination in Man to Worship God for all Falshood and Fiction doth suppose somewhat true and real But it hath been the Stratagem of the Devil who is permitted to resist either to take away or where he cannot do that to corrupt To move Men to forget God or deceive them in their Duty towards him As reasonable Creatures They can thus conceive That if they should lose the sence of him or harden themselves against his Fear yet still be remaineth The Lord sitteth King for ever Psal 29. 10. He is always above Thou compassest my Path and my lying down and art aquainted with all my ways Psal 139. 3. Though we do not think of him The Scripture in sundry places threatens severely against forgetfulness of him for it casts off his Kingdom which is over the Hearts of Men. Besides it is unnatural to forget God that formed us Every thing we see are his Works which do remind His Word His Servants Every Affliction or Evil and a Thousand things do stir up our Remembrance of him which before was stifled with other things The sence of him is paturally imprinted in our minds and appears forth when Stupefactions and Hindrances are taken away Corrupt Man is willing to lose it for it Occasions aw and dread which he doth not like But God would have it retained and therefore forbids Excess Sensuality and all things which clog and suppress it He doth requires us to walk Humbly with our God Mic. 6. 8. He hath established Love to be mixed with Fear both make up Reverence and Good will So we may be in the Fear of God all the day long without Torment yea with Satisfaction and Complacency Another Reason of our willingness to forget is because a continual Remembrance implies Subjection and we are inclinable to that which was our Fore-fathers Fall. But why should we not think our selves as we are indeed Creatures We are only in subjection to the Most High We are not put under Principalities and Powers The more excellent created Beings do not exercise Dominion over us We are subject to none but God
Obedience to God and their own Happiness If they would search and try by the utmost Reason and Discourse look back upon the Generations before Is that an Argument they should be Miserable and Foolish because those of old time were so What is all their Sin and Noise come untâ— like a Dream of a night Vision out of which they will awake to a sad account It is commonly said We should be Wiser which we cannot unless we are better and give more diligent observance unto Gods Commandments for they are good and true both by Speculation and Practise As cursed are those that err from them All Sin is so grievous and deceitful that the less one knows thereof so much the better What the least sincere and durable Happiness did it ever bring forth unto Men What Evil and Misery was there ever which this was not the occasion of The Word of God gives assurance of Happiness when that is a pretence only the first keeps off Misery and Hurt which this subtilly brings on That gives demonstration of Good in the end this hath consequent nothing at all which it falsly makes a shew of or what is worse certain and remediless Misery which it cunningly conceals The Captain of our Salvation is able through his Word to overcome the evil One his Grace is stronger then the others Temptation as to the present time but further is that which gives a compleat Victory Let us call in the Powers of the World to come The Law made nothing perfect but the bringing in of a better Hope did by which we draw near to God. That could not accomplish the effectual Reformation of Men by temporal Promises and Threatnings for the first did happen a like to all and then if had they colud not make a Man truly Happy for the greatest Prosperity and sensual Enjoyments would sooner weary then satisfie the Partakers And the like were the Threatnings for they did involve all without difference The Sword or Death was no such frightning to those who were tired of this Life through long Ease and Plenty Nor was it to more considering persons to have their Carkaseâ— uâ—buried for they should not in the least feel that The Israilities did see those mighty works and wonders God wrought for them in Egypt the red Sea and the Wilderness He revealed himself in a visible manner on Mount Sinai and afterwards by Vrim and Thummim The Fire from Heaven which consumed the Sacrifice the appearance of Glory over the Mercy Seat And then he manifested himself by Visions and Prophets So they had a most sensible Evidence of Gods Dominion and Government over them which should keep in subjection So their Disobedience was inexcusable and deserving of Punishment according to the Majesty and Greatness of him against whom they offended The Law was our School-Master to bring us to Christ It did lead on by Rudiments from Carnal and Temporal things to Spiritual and Eternal from Wordly prosperity and the conveniencies of one part they might arise unto the true Happiness of the whole Man. Under the Gospel the Promises are such as to make him perfectly and universally Happy and the Threatnings alike Miserable It is evident there is Light and Darkness there is also somewhat beyond these moveable Regions where is Eternity And this being the place of Tryal between both here is a little scanthing of Good and Evil what doth delight and what doth torment This we taste and feel How we are concerned further we may know by our Hopes and Fears We are day by day in our single persons removed hence and there is a desire to have a Being above and Horror of falling below We have all things in part and in an imperfect manner which give assurance there shall be the whole and that added which is perfect What may be known of Gods future Promises and Threatnings is manifested in us for God hath shewed it unto us from his Word Works and our Nature which is capable of and hath a tendency to one which is liable unto and abhors the other For the first we are contented with all our Hearts Hoping as indeed it is true that we may be translated from Imperfection to Perfection from Vileness to Glory form Misery unto Happiness We are glad and thankful that it is so but then there must be a rendring meet and the qualification of Obedience and Holiness The greatness of the Reward doth abundantly stir up for such an exceeding Good cannot be refused by any Man. None is so full and blessed already but he may receive in of Heavenly good things God hath given us larger Faculties and made Earthly things short and empty so they do not satisfie at the very time however all these Isa 28. 20. things perish and against the Man is taken away from them seeing he shall remain elsewhere he must likewise desire an Happiness which shall be with him then as now he doth what is before him That catching at every little good the so greedily running after what vanishes almost as soon as had doth shew that he desires also real good things which are exceeding Great and Eternal Seeing Man must live for ever he cannot do other wise then desire to be Happy for ever No more then whilst here for a short time he ceases desiring to pass through here as Comfortably and pleasant as he may If we could take away the desires of Life and Happiness then we might find him that hath no mind to go to Heaven As the Hungry craves after Food the Covetous Riches the Ambitious Honour and every one Rest and Satisfaction and will use the common means in their own power towards the having of them So there is a deâ—ire ingrafted into Man after those things God hath promised And 't is but reasonable he should do so much towards obtaining them for otherwise he will come short of them They are set forth by the very same things in a greater degree then what is so earnestly followed after here Many will not seek after the things above through Negligence and Sloth but every one will sincerely desire them hereafter when they shall be fully sensible of what they were so careless and indifferent God saw how prone our Nature was to this and hath ordered something else to shake it off Had any one need be pushed forward to go and receive a Kingdom Should there be so much intreaty used to save him from Danger and Misery When he knows thereof the Man will run fast enough of himself without using many Words Arise then and escape for thy Life Thy Breath is in thy Nostrils which alone keeps the Wicked Man from falling into Eternal and remediless Misery The reason why people are so fearless and unconcerned as to this is because they see it not but if they did they would be at their Wits end and think they could never get far enough from so terrible a thing If they believe this to be real
of God as others do for their Prince If they would suffer a short dulness of Spirit as they go on through Fears and Cares for their earthly Sovereign then the blessed Work would begin continuing in Obedience and Godliness And Courage would carry them through all the Stages of the Christian Liâ—e It is as well employed this way as to get Honour a great Name and advance his Fortune It is as valuable a thing For the Righteous to be had in Everlasting Remembrance as to be slain in the Field knocked down under the Walls of a City buried in the Rubbish affording talk thereof for two or three days and so be utterly forgotten The Inheritance incorruptible undefiled God hath promised that Honour which shall be to those that Honour him do remain when all their Riches and Renown are expired and gone If it is not so let them accuse us as False Witnesses who from Gods Word and Spirit have testified of these things If they have fought the good Fight and the Crown is not given them let Me be found one of the Imposers upon the World let them suspend their Censures and Frowns until then and I cheerfully submit to the great Event of all things Certain it is the Courage according to the World comes to nothing with all the Castles Built in the Air the phantastick Projects those devices of Mans Invention the Rumors Stirs and Commotion of Wars that Domineering being Great and Terrible all these are Bubbles of a little longer continuance which break and dissolve into nothing Fenced Cities turn into ruinous Heaps and these in process of time are so changed that they are not discernable from common Earth but by a small Hillock or Rising we know not what it means Those goodly Armies that once looked big and blustering so stately and of large extent yet after the day of Slaughter they are thrown into a common pit and all their Carkases will not amount to so much as an ordinary pile of Faggots Their Name and Memorial is perished with them As natural brute Beasts made to be taken and destroyed 2 Pet. 2. 12. Or rather worse in that they go about sowing Death till they fall themselves a paralel of which cannot be found in whatever lives upon the Earth besides Who can refrain to burst forth into Tears for the Folly and Misery of Mankind that foregoing such excellent and worthy Principles they should take up with base and destructive ones God hath shewed them a way how they should exert their Valour and Activity for noble and assured ends to take his Kingdom by Violence All the mean Acts are as reasonable and praise worthy as in Conquest of the Kingdoms of the Earth When they are called up to the Heaven of Heavens which are so exceeding Great and Eternal as may be seen by the outward Courts yet they should scramble for a few Mole-Hills which are quickly overthrown and turned into Dust or themselves before In the Christian Warfare there is no hating one another all are Contenders and there is room enough in the Celestial Mansions for ten Thousand times more then all the Inhabitants of the Earth Yet here they continue to Kill and Slay not out of Necessity as we do Beasts for Food but to gratifie Pride Ambition and Revenge to dispossess them who have more right then themselves to turn them out of the World because they will not make way This is repuâ—ed Gallantry and Honour A strange way to Immortality as those of old foolishly imagined to Butcher here and by cutting off before the time to make Mortality more Mortal What fancies doth the Abaddon instill into Luct de fals Relig. Men Lactantius observed of his times and they now continue the same That to Kill or bring into Bondage free People the more Men did Afflict Spoil or Murder they would account themselves more Noble and Eminent and being taken with a shew of vain Glory put the name of Vertue to the greatest Wickedness This may be interpreted to weaken the Hands of the Men of War Jer. 38. 4. But it is only what is agreeable to the Laws of God and Truth which set up the Happiness of Mankind as going back from them is Destruction and Misery Reduce all Mens Transactions and Affairs to their Good that whatever makes for it may be followed and what doth not may be taken away for that tends to the contrary There is no indifferency in things such as are said to do neither good nor harm for they do one or the other either Save or Destroy We know who came on the first Errand The Prince of Peace whom God hath raised up to be a Prince and a Saviour So he is to all those who obey and entertain him But upon refusal of subjection to his Laws comes in the other of course who hath his name Apollyon These two divide the World The one hath honest meaning and the excellency of Reason which should still put it self forth Satan to keep up his Kingdom hath all the Tricks Devices cunning Delusions to befool poor Mankind representing such glorious Conquests such Fame and Briskness and secretly sets forth Religion as dull and regardless of any thing fit for little and narrow Souls it emasculates the Spirit making Men fearful and despicable The doubt lies whose Affections are catried towards the more Noble end The one is for Heaven and Eternal things the other for Earthly and Temporal The one for what comforts in Hope and Expectation being most satisfactory in the end the other is concerning what breeds restlesness regret and disappointment The one is for what hath all safety and real good to Men the other hath nothing but uncertainty and evil If Christianity were universally observed there would be no Sword or Spear to be seen throughout the World. There is no harm in this But now it is only by some and not by others thence do arise Wars and Fightings Yet whatsoever Kings will go according the direction of the Gospel as it is at their Peril if they do not must engage in no War at all but Defensive or for Reparation of great Injuries and that all fair means used first If it be possible as much as lieth in you live Peaceably with all Men Rom. 12. 18. Some are such Enemies that when we speak to them thereof they make them ready for Battel so they are to be brought over this way Here our excellent Religion suffers thereof for the Wickedness and Baseness of those who have no Vnderstanding and must be held in with Bit and Bridle Psal 32. 8. And when they break out are to be tamed with Whip and Scourge Those Primitive Christians who did Fight under the Heathen Emperours did altogether as Valiantly as others We have heard of several Armies of the Religious that have acted more worthily by the Grace and Fear of God without Drunkenness Inconsideration and Unbelief as who have went upon these Principles The Objection is
concerning Fear of the other World but that is taken away for any Man may by well-doing make the Promises of God applicable to himself and he is in a warrantable Calling as John Baptist resolved Seeing we must all die one time or another it is as good first or last with the assurance of his favour unto whom all Flesh shall come This should make them more Couragious for they are upon certain grounds But for those careless ones I admire how they can be Couragious unless stupified and made Blind the ways heretosore mentioned for they being subject to evils from the World to Come it is a marvelous Policy so to beguile that they fall in before they took any care to prevent or were throughly put in mind of them It must be Barbarous and a siding with the Deceiver of Mankind to contrive on set purpose to keep them ignorant and as they think sor the better accompishment of a present Design to suffer so many to go into Eternal Misery Whereas if care be had to instruct them aright in the Knowledge and Obedience of God then they would have a well grounded Hope and are 2 Sam. 10. 12. Isa 28. 6. under his Blessing and Protection who is the Sovereign disposer of all events of War. As Health is the greatest good to the natural Body so is Peace to the Publick It is better to have a constant Health but when interrupted by Sickness then a proper Remedy is seasonable to restore So in this World of Sin and Confusion it is better to prevent the mischievous effects at first but when they come forth they must be suppressed again which may be closed up and mollified with Ointment instead of the severer Remedies 'T is those corrupt Principles of Evil within us that breed all the Disturbance throughout the World which are not to be seen in Beasts and we the more excellent Creatures might have been without them also but God is to be Glorified in our Tryal and Obedience Now what takes off from the Malignity of them What doth Heal and Recover This doth good to Mankind which begins with the causes and removes them such are Ambition Revenge Covetousness and Oppression As the direction of Gods holy Word doth all this Those are only against Religion and Reason whose ways are condemned by it The chief Captains and mighty Men will smile at this Discourse and say It was never well with the VVorld since so much Arguing came in why Evil and Irregular Actions are for want of Prudence and due Knowledge either not throughly giving Prov. 28. 2. way to it or then not being guided thereby If Sin and Passion did bear all the sway the compass of the whole Earth would be a larger Bedlam And they that dwell therein must be Chained up in several Cells or there would be no living amongst Men. Even those Nations which know not God have some dictates of the natural Law concerning Good and Evil and also Reason by which they frame Rules and Orders of Government Otherwise it were not possible for any Kingdom or Community to stand Counsel is mine and sound VVisdom I am Vnderstanding I have Strength By me Kings Reign and Princes decree Justice By me Princes Rule and Nâ—bles even all the Judges of the Earth Prov. 8. 14 15 16. The lesser Degrees are necessary much more is an higher improvement beneficial to Mankind Which advances further then to carry on the Course of the World or to secure Men in their respective Rights and Possessions But it leads them up to the Knowledge and Favour of God raises their Apprehensions from little vain Temporal things to those which are Great Eternal and Perfect and at last inâ—tates them therewith Which sets before them things altogether worthy of Humane Nature To climb up the Everlasting Hills To Fight with those three Legions of Enemies the World the Flesh and the Devil To March through Difficulties and Oppositions To be loaden with Spoils and get ground all these are fit exercises for a Man. It is said Nothing is hard for him but he dares break through all things Then in this shew thy Honour and Renown Gird thy Sword upon thy Thigh O most Mighty Be not afraid nor discouraged thou hast the Grace of God for assistance and as long as thou puttest forth thy strength together with that thou wilt go on Prosperously and Victoriously But how is all this Hardship reconcileable with present Happiness Very well and he that knoweth it not either doth not consider or not understand the nature of things We were purposely made to over come difficult things We love to have some Opposition and Rejoyce to get over it It is more satisfaction to resist then to yield unto a soft Temptation for to that succeeds Repentance and Vexation but for what looks uncouth and frightful yet resolutely to grapple therewith and subdue it there follows a Blessed Approbation and Complacency of Soul. In all Acts of Temptation when it is complyed with and throughly put forth it is always found true Greater is he that is in you then he that is in the World. And this holds firm throughout the several steps of our Christian Warfare but when it is all accomplished at last there is such abundance of Comfort that it may be better conceived then can be expressed That pleasent looking back upon past Labours that sweet Reflection on what he hath done and suffered in the Service of God the Pain and Irksomeness is over the more hath been undergone there arises a greater perfume making way for a greater Reward The memory thereof is so delightful that if he were to lye down in the Grave be no more for ever yet it is enough to have lived according to the Will of God who will deal yet more Bountifully Tell me O ye Sons of Men that have loved Vanity and sought after Leasing that have Fought pitcht Battels to get Fame and Honour when you come to stand upon the Confines of this World and the next can you call to mind with Joy and Comfort for what you have done But ye Christian Soulâ— can bear witness to this thing you that have set your selves against every Enemy and hated every false way do not Repent what you have done You are more pleased with it then if you had Conquered Kingdoms You wish you had done better You have cleaved unto the Lord with full purpose of Heart not terrified with your Adversaries Hypocrites and Unbelievers who tryed to have beat you off the Suggestions and Resistance of Satan and your own Flesh yet by the help of God you have passed through these Tents of Enemies and in all have come of more then Conquerour What Triumph and Exaltation must this be just as the Soul is slipt out of this place of conflict and Presented before the Lord of Hosts the God of the Armies of israel to receive his acceptance and the Congratulation of those who a little