bringeth Salvation appeareth to all Men and that is by teaching us What doth it Teach I pray consider it iâ— teacheth us To deny all Vngodliness and 〈◊〉 worldly Lusts and to live soberly righteoâ—â— and godly in this present World Where is 〈◊〉 Sin now if a Man be taught by this Gâ—â—â—â— and the Dictates of it Can a Man live Sin and yet live righteously soberly and godly too Can a Man live in Sin and yet deâ—y all Ungodliness at the same time Where â—ave Mens Understandings been that cannot understand their Mother Tongue and consider sense Where are Mens Understandings that will say I may deny all Vngodliness and worldly Lusts and yet follow the Lusts 〈◊〉 my own Heart You would think I speak Nonsense if I should speak thus and yet we â—â—ve been put off with such nonsensical Stuff as this We must pray to God to send his holy Spirit into our Hearts to enable us to live godly righteous and sober Lives and at the same time believe that we shall never do it but that it is a business of Impossibility Now when Men come to lay these things together and when they consider between God and their own Souls how it is with them many are amazed to think they should ever be put off with such incongruous disagreeing and dissonant things that are not consistent with one another But do you think it is possible for any Man to live without sin Yes or else I would say it is impossible for any to be reconciled to God for God will never be reconciled to Sinners as such for his â—argain and Covenant is made with such kind 〈◊〉 Articles Isa 1.16 17. Wash ye make ye â—â—ean put away the evil of your doings from before mine Eyes Cease to do evil learn to do well c. Then come and let us reason together saith the Lord tho' your Sins be as Scarlet thâ—â— shall be as white as Snow tho' they be Red 〈◊〉 Crimson they shall be as Wool still these 〈◊〉 the Terms Put away the evil of youâ— doingâ— then Patience Mercy and Long Sufferiâ—â— shall be extended to you God will give grace and glory and no good thing will he with-hold what from those that say their Prayers or gâ— to the Church or a Meeting No but no good thing will he with-hold from them that walk uprightly Psal 84.11 These are the Men. And when the Lord is distinguishing by his Prophet who he would have among them he speaks of a sort of People that called upon the Name of the Lord Those that feared the Lord and spake often one to another that is of the goodness of God they were a sort of People that Trembled at the Word of God a sort of People that did not do as others did hunt after Pleasures Riches and the Honours of the World but to be acquainted with the inward Word that wrought upon their Hearts In that Day that I make up my Jewels they shall be mine saith the Lord Whose shall the others be Thou wilt own these for thine but whose shall the others be that think not upon thy Name and tremble not at thy Word There is a Place for them too Tophet is â—â—â—pared of old made both wide and large 〈◊〉 Fuel thereof is Fire and Brimstone and 〈◊〉 Wood and the breath of the Lord kindleâ—◠〈◊〉 This is for all that are Wicked 〈…〉 work Iniquity This is in the Old Testament then comes the New Testament in John's Revelations there is a separation again There are a sort of Folk which are called the true Worshippers and the Angel was commanded to go and measure the Temple and those that worshipped therein The outward Temple was not measured but left for the Gentiles to tread in and left without the measure For without are Dogs and Sorcerers and Whoremongers and Murderers and Idolaters and whosoever loveth and maketh a Lie And then the Lord speaks to his Prophets in the Old Testament again If thou put a difference between the Precious and the Vile then thou shalt be as my Mouth unto them but if thou huddle them altogether and sow Pillows under their Elbows then thou shalt be as my Mouth So that in all Ages God aimed at a separation of the state and condition of his People and one sort of People were purified through the sanctification of the Spirit and Belief of the Truth and another sort were unsanctified and unpurified and remain'd in their Sin and the end of Christs coming into the World it was to call People to Repentance He came not to call the Righteous but Sinners to â—epentance and to leave off their Sin To as â—â—ny as received him to them he gave Power 〈◊〉 become the Sons of God to as many as beâ—â—â—ed on his Name Whose Sons were the other They made as high a rattle of Profession as the other He tells them who is their Father You are of your Father the Devil oâ— he did orderly prove it and that was tâ—â—â— That they did the Devils Works Ergo Tâ—â—â— were the Devils Children It was Christ himself the greatest Doctor of Divinity that evâ—â— was in the World that spake these Woâ—â—â— And this is the manner of Logick whereby 〈◊〉 argues with the Pharisees to make them believe that they were the Devils Children they that do the Devils Works are the Devil's Children but you do his Works therefore you are his Children so they sought to 〈◊〉 him they could not bear such Arguments If one should go and search out a People in thâ—â— City and Nation and see one Man of this Religion another of that Religion and pick them out and use this Argument with them There is a Man professeth high he professeth a Light within if you look upon his Deeds they are dead and dark why then he is one of the Devils Children If you put me to prove this I say he doth the Devil's Works he is an Extortioner a Deceiver and a Drunkard and unclean Person and doth the Devil's Works and so is none of God's Children And so go to another sort and use this Argument it is safe enough you can never fail in this kind of Argument which Christ used and if People would use it with â—â—eâ—selves and think themselves no better 〈◊〉 we should have People confess themselves 〈◊〉 Devil's Children None come to be God's Childrâ—◠〈…〉 come to acknowledge their lost estate 〈◊〉 deplorable condition that they are fallen from God and through Sin and Iniquity are got into a nature that is at â—â—mity with God then they will cry out Who shall deliver me â—rom this body of death and Childship of Saâ—â—â— this Heirship of Wrath I am an Heir oâ— an Inheritance I am an Heir of Wrath and I would fain lose my Inheritance and Heirship and have an Inheritance with the Saints in light we shall never know this till we come to Divinity without Sophistry and without Tricks and Quirks and come to Christ's Râ—â—â—â—ning He that doâ—â—
be the same thing that I speak of then believe me 〈◊〉 the Truth's-sake believe me beâ—â—â—â—e you find the same Worâ— and Tâ—stâ—â—â—â— within your selves And I m perâ—â—adâ— there is never a one here but â—â—metime 〈◊〉 other they have withstood that Temptaâ—â—oâ— which they have met withal Prâ— tell â—e how they did it Why the Temptaâ—â—â—â— came unto me and it pleased God to shew me the evil of it that it was a bad thing if I yielded to it How didst thou resist it had not the Devil a coercive Power over thee to force thee to it whether thou wouldst or not That God that shewed me the Evil of it delivered me from the evil of it I was not judged and condemned 〈…〉 because I 〈…〉 delivered from it there are no◠〈…〉 you would not be lazy and id◠〈…〉 might be delivered every Day and h◠〈…〉 â—â—perience in your own Souls that w◠〈…〉 Devil comes and tempts the Lord is a◠〈◊〉 to deliver you 〈◊〉 his Grace and Power So that t◠〈…〉 way for People to be â—â—served from Sin and Iniquity is to haâ—â— a reverent respect to that Grace of God which they have alreaâ—â—â—â—ceived I would haâ—â— that taken out of your Head that vain Conceit that hath loâ—g reigned in 〈◊〉 World When you see a wiâ—ked Husband Wife or Child you say If they had Grace they would be better I say they have from degree of Grace already God hath sâ—nt forth his Grace and Truth to teach men to deny ungodliness 〈◊〉 â—at I wâ—uld not pray that God would give my Hâ—â—band Wife or Child or Friend Grace but tha◠〈◊〉 would break his hard Heart that he may submit to the Grace of God that is already â—estowed upon him I believe there is noâ— a graceless Person here that is utterly void of all Grace but they walk not according to it they trample upon it For everâ— one being endued with a measure of Grace through Christ our Duty therefore is to have a reverend regard to the Grace of God that 〈◊〉 have received What Gâ—â—ce have I received from God may some one say 〈◊〉 received so much Grac◠〈…〉 truly say that I can tell whâ—n the 〈…〉 â—gs a Temptation to me that when 〈◊〉 â—empts me to Uncleanness Theft Wrath 〈◊〉 â—ee or to deceive my Neighbour I have 〈◊〉 much Grace that I can tell I am tempted â—n such a respect the Grâ—â—e of God shews 〈◊〉 this is a Temptation of 〈◊〉 Devil But the Question is Whether I am subject to the Grace of God and do love his Grace better than the Profit or â—leasure of a Temptation It comes as a Bait but the Devil cannot make me do that which he tempts me to it is not in the Power of all the Devils in Hell or of his Servants on Earth to make me do this evil thing The Light of my own Conscience shews it to be a Temptation Now I am free and at my Choice whether I will love the Profit and Pleasure thâ—â— comâ—s with the Temptation more than the Grace of God I believe there is no â—â—â—ly that hath been tryed by a Temptation but they can say so I leave it to him that searcheth and tries all your hearts and knows your thoughts to judge whether you joined with the Temptation that you might have the Profit and Pleasure of it or joined with his Grace that might have resisted the Temptation You thâ—â— have done the one and the other tell me which is the best Bargain When you â—ave joined with the Temptation that you mâ—ght have the Profit and Pleasure of it that came alonâ— with it or when you joined with the Gracâ— of 〈…〉 â—hat sâ—â—wed you th◠〈…〉 â—â—ger of 〈◊〉 Temptation a◠〈…〉 speaks to you that spake to Cain 〈…〉 well shalt thou not bâ— accepted A◠〈…〉 dost not well sin lieâ— at the door 〈…〉 yielded to a Temptation sin lies 〈…〉 there is a Breach made between Go◠〈…〉 Soul The same Man at another time having â—â—ted so deeply for it being judged by his 〈◊〉 Conscience when he meets the Temptatiâ—â— again he saith Let the Profit or Pleasure go where it will if I yield to this Temptation I cannot go to God but as Thief to a Judge Let the Profit or Pleasure be what it will I will not touch with this Temptation Caâ— the Devil force thee to comply with his Temptation No if thou be true to the Grace of God in thy own Heart it will make thee able to resist the strongest Devil in Hell Christ hath purchased for the Sons and Daughters of Men a Power to withstand the Devils Power and all his Devices and Temptations and you shall obtain Victory and have Dominion over them If you have a mind to grow in this Dominion when the Devil comes to temâ—â— you resist him and you shall through the â—â—wer of Christ be enabled to oveâ—come If Satan tell thee of the Profits and Pleasures of this World tell him That the wâ— passeth away and the lust of it b◠〈…〉 with God endures for ever By the 〈…〉 〈…〉 will be able to overcome 〈◊〉 Devil 〈…〉 Angels This Power is given to 〈…〉 â—â—ve and obey the Gospel If you 〈…〉 â—ve Benefit by it you must be exer◠〈…〉 resisting of Temptation and have 〈◊〉 to the Grace of God and the Work◠〈◊〉 it in your own Hearts and then you will be able to say when a Temptation comes pâ—omising Profit and Pleasure How can I do this great wickedness and sin against God Turn your Eye to God's favour which is better than life and you will be more than conquerors you will say the Fear of God seized upon my Soul and the Grace of God came in to my Assistance and made me stand like a Bulwark against Temptation Here Praises will go up to God here will be occsion for thee to speak good of his Name Remember what David said My soul praise the Lord that hath delivered me from the horrible Pit Thus David and the Saints of old praised God in their Day and why should not we They breathed forth living Praises and Thanksgivings for the Deliverances wrought for them and shall not we do it Now this cannot be done without thinking upon his Name the Name of that God that made us Here I live in the World I live and breath still I have Health and Strength and an Estate how came I by all this Did I make my self No there is a God that gave me Life and Breath and Beâ—ng he holds forth the Hand of Mercy to gather me to himself and to redeem m◠〈…〉 iniquity that I might serve him wit◠〈…〉 in holiness and righteousness all the 〈…〉 life If I believe all this I shall re◠〈…〉 him and love and pâ—â—ise him and dai◠〈…〉 upon him for the Accomplishment o◠〈…〉 Work He desireth not the death of s◠〈…〉 If 〈◊〉 will believe the Almighty it is 〈◊〉 possible for him to lie all things are possible to him
know it they are not ignorant of one another's Names that are written in this Book they have a Fellowship that no body can declare their Communion is in that Bread and that Cup This is a Cup of Blessing indeed and this hath blessed us and will bless us God will preserve a People in this Fellowship You that are at a distance now you must come nearer to him God will chuse a People by whom his Name shall be magnified Because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts we cannot but desire this for all especially for the houshold of faith we cannot but desire their Perfection their growing up in the Grace of God that they might come to be partakers of Heaven And in the next Place our Love is to all People every where we would be glad that all were saved they that despise us when we are speaking of Heavenly things speaking like a Child like a stammering Child speaking of the glorious Excellencies of God of the loving kindness of God speaking of those things which God hath spoken to our Souls they that despise these things we would be glad that they might be saved If they were partakers of these things they would be glad as well as we and they would be more really happy in respect of this World for the Time that they are to live here they would live a happier Life even in this World and they would have everlasting life in the world to come The love of Christ constrains men thus to judge that every one that hath received like precious faith ought to answer that Grace and Faith which God hath ministred to them in a holy Life and Conversation and every one who is a stranger to this thing ought to be of an enquiring Mind and an open Heart to wait for the Day when God will visit them with the same Grace when you give up your selves to a daily Cross as Christ's Disciples you will not be running after any one to teach you to know the Lord for you will all know the Lord from the least to the greatest I that have been but a little convinc'd shall I know the Lord Thou shalt know the Lord thou that art dead in thy sins and trespasses thou that hast not known the Blood of cleansing thou shalt know the Lord to be thy Judge and thy Law-giver to teach thee how thou must live walk and act and is not that a good knowledg This is the way they reckoned upon in old Time it is a notable Expression The Lord is our Judge there is the beginning he began there Judgment began at the house of God those he brings into his House he brings them under the Discipline of his House The Lord is our judge he is our king and law-giver and he will save us this same Exercise of Discipline under Judgment brought to them the Faith and Experience of his being their Law-giver and this brought them to a Faith of the last Sentence we shall be saved and the Lord answers such a People That he will bring salvation to them Salvation shall be for walls and bulwarks Did the People of this Nation but know Salvation was brought near to them and that it was their Bulwark there would not be a crying up this and the other rotten thing for a Bulwark We talk of a Bulwark as well as others we have a Bulwark blessed be the God of Heaven made of better Stuff than theirs for it is the Salvation of God which hath kept us from the Pollution of Sin and from a running into all excess and riot that others have run into it hath kept us from the Evil it hath kept Evils out of us and we have found that certainly true That all things work together for good to them that love God and fear God that all the Providences of God together they have all wrought for our good and this is the Bulwork that we have trusted in and it hath served hitherto and it will serve us and our Posterity to the end of the World This is a Bulwark that will never be stormed that will never be thrown down nor laid waste Though all the Powers on Earth and all the Potentates in this World should agree together they shall not prevail against it we have salvation for walls and bulwarks if I be within these Walls Salvation is round about me If I am got into this eternal Bulwark I am safe from the Devil and his Instruments here is a Bulwark to be relied upon Many wonder we differ with them in some Opinions we have that Confidence in this Bulwark that we desire not another God will last and abide for ever so will this Bulwark all the care that I take and all the care that you should take is to keep within these Walls Do not sally out if you go out the the Devil is watching and seeking continually whom he may devour he will catch Straglers if that People will go out for Profit or for Pleasure or Interest the Devil will catch them What such People talk of Salvation for Walls and Bulwarks the Devil hath got them in his Snare and they are caught in Drunkenness Uncleanness and other Sins the reason is they have gone out of their Bulwark they have sallyed out of their Walls for the Devil could never have fetched them out O take heed says the Apostle lest there spring up in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God as if he had said You are Christians now you are a People come to a good estate in Christ but consider you have no strength to stand but in him no Power to keep your selves but in him Take heed at all times that there spring not up in you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God take heed lest there spring up in you such a Thought as this I may take this Pleasure and the other Profit Consider that thou diest and witherest if thou depart from the living God take heed of taking Liberty above the fear of God It is not our talk of Salvation for Walls and Bulwarks that will do us good but our keeping within these Walls I remember a notable Saying of the Apostle which hath a great Emphasis in it and a great deal of Doctrin he writeth to the Church after they were become a People of professing Christians Take heed lest you come to be beguiled by the serpent as he beguiled Eve he did not speak of Jezabel a wicked Woman but he spoke of Eve a good Woman created after the image of God in righteousness and holiness They were come to a Life of Sanctification to a Life that was hidden from ages and generations You must look to your selves and look upon your selves as in the state of your Mother Eve a Woman brought forth in Righteousness and Holiness that might have stood in that Primitive state notwithstanding all the Subtilty of all the Serpents
for his Assistance he cries to God to help him he now knows that he hath striven and laboured in vain O God of all Grace if thou vouchsafe not Help to my Soul if thou dosâ— not interpose by the Assistance of thy Grace I cannot overcome this Sin There is a continual Cry to God for Divine Assistance and as they cry to God for Assistance he ministers Assistance to them by which they are able to overcome the Enemy of their Souls and all Temptations when they come And when a Man finds such Divine Assistance his Faith is strengthned and confirmed and so he fights the good fight of faith and at last gets the Victory Victory over his Sin and his own Lusts and Concupiscence and Victory over the Assaults and Temptations of the Adversary and at last he comes through the Grace of God to deny all ungodliness and worldly lusts and to live righteously soberly and godlily in this present world Now when People do thus it is by the Grace of God This Life of Righteousness Sobriety and Godliness is not the effect of their Labour and Exercise and of their Endeavours herein but it is the effect of the Holy Spirit that hath been the Teacher When you see a Man is grown a good Scholar eminent in al◠〈…〉 â—â—â—ning you will conclude he di◠〈…〉 to all this of himself he could not leâ—â—n this and the other Language this â—nd the other Art and Science of himself No he had some judicious and able Master and â—eacher who communicated of his Leaâ—ning and Knowledge to his Disciple and Scholar This is the efficient cause of his Improvement Now if a Man by the Grace and the Spirit of God and the Teachings of it live a holy godly Life this is the effect of something he did not always live such a Life How comes he to live such a Life now Is it by his own Industry Labour and Exercise No it is by being exercised taught and led by the Spirit of God so that it is the effect of the Grace of God that he should live such a holy Life though it is not the meritorious cause of it as he is a Creature but acceptable to God in Christ the Mediator Thus a Man comes to be justified and accepted not because he is a godly Man but is made so by the Spirit of God You are not under the law saith the Apostle but under grace You are under the Teachings of it under the Directions of it Grace can reprove People for that Grace and that Truth that comes by Christ and manifests it self as a Light in the Hearts of Transgressors reproves their Sin and calls them out of it it reproves them for it and exhorts them to leave it both at one Time so that we must acknowledge all our Righteousness Holiness and Obedience to be o◠〈…〉 â—â—ll that we do in order thereunto a◠〈◊〉 done by the Teaching by the Influence and Operation of the Grace of God given us in Christ Jesus it is the effect of him who is our Mediator he worketh it in us and for us of his good pleasure If we be justified we are not justified for a righteous holy Life and for our Obedience but we are justified through Christ who worketh a godly Life in them that believe so that a Man is not justified by any other way or means and all other ways a Man takes of being reconciled to God are vain and fruitless and have been spoken against by all that were moved by the Holy Ghost in the New Testament Saith the Prophet What shall I come before the Lord with all I am fallen under Death and Sin and in a separation from God I would fain be reconciled to him what shall I do to be reconciled to God He goes about to reckon without Christ and without Faith and Holiness Shall I take a thousand Rams and ten thousand Rivers of Oil Shall I come nearer still Shall I make an Offering of the Fruit of my Body for the sin of my Soul Shall I offer my first-born to God that I may not be rejected and brought to a separation from him Thus Men when they come to be sensible do feel in themselves that all this is to no purpose The Answer comes Thou maist live but all thy Contrivances about making an Offering are vain 〈…〉 â—â—ewed thee O Man 〈◊〉 â—o do It is noâ— thy findinâ— this way and tâ—â—â— way viz. thy â—â—â—â—s and thy Oil and 〈◊〉 first-born it is no way of thy devising and imagining that can reconcile thee to me I have shewed thee O Man what is good What is this that is shewed It is comprised in a short compass It is to love Mercy to do Justice and to walk humbly with thy God Will this serve without offering Rams and Oil and offering my first born This will do if thou canst but love Mercy when it s shewn thee that is embrace Mercy and love it He hath shewed Mercy to all Men then love it and receive it do justly leave every thing that is unrighteous and do that which is just in the sight of God but do not boast of thy Justice and Righteousness but walk humbly with thy God here is the whole Duty of Man This looks as if I should go to Works and forbear something in order to my Justification Indeed the consideration of these kind of Lessons do corrupt some Men and put them upon doing this or that and upon forbearing this or that and hath brought many to Confession and great Abstinence and put them upon great doings thinking this would answer the Justice of God I have loved Mercy and given all I had to the Poor If I do justly and abstain from this and the other Liberty if I walk humbly that is if I humble my self by this and the other manner of Pennance and Contrition then I do what God requires and then I have pleased God Now all that havâ— gone this waâ— of working to do justly and love mâ—â—cy and to make themselves humble and humbled themselves low in such a manner they have missed the Mark. He hath shewed thee O Man what is good that it is impossible for fallen Man to answer this himself he may be convinced of his Duty to do Justice but by his own Power and Strength he cannot do it there are so many Temptations from without and so many from within such a proâ—â—nsity in Nature that will prevail against all â—â—e â—onds of Charity that he can make Therefore is Help laid upon one thâ—t is mighty without the Grace 〈◊〉 God that comes by Christ Jesus a Man can never do it tho' Convinced Tho' the Lord hath shewed him what is good he shews us that we are unable of our selves he hath taken care to send his Son God hath so loved the World that he hath sent his Son into the World that he might help those that have need of help that every one that is in Distress might
have an Eye to Christ the Author and Finisher of their Faith when Men have a reference to their Faith in Christ this makes their Duty acceptable I cannot do it except the Lord strengthen me therefore I will have respect to the Mediator Christ Jesus who was sent for a Light into the World God sends forth his Grace to every one to lay hold on that generally believe that tho' they are unable to do what God requires yeâ— he will enable them to do it 〈◊〉 aâ— many as receâ—ved him to them he gave Power to become the Sons of God tho' they were the Devils Children before He is the same yesâ—erday to day and for ever He abides alâ—â—â—s the same in his Grace to Men he is in his operation to them the same he offers Grace to them that are out of a frame of Mind to receivâ— it they may know that his Power will givâ— them Ability and that whatsoever they do of themselves will prove fruitless because it is not done in Christ's Name and Power and so not acceptable to God The greatest thing that we are to be concern'd about if we will be Religious and concern our selves about divine Matters about the Kingdom of God and the World to come is to see what frame of Mind we are in at present whether the high Places are taken away whether we are not exalted in our own Conceits of Knowledge and Wisdom and reckon not to be beholden to him for his Grace If we be highly conceited and think we can stand upon our own Legs the high Places are not taken away Men are not prepared to seek the God of their Fathers therefore let every one mind turning to God and see how it is with you see whether there be a Mind brought low enough to be subject to Christ and to the gracious Teachings of his Spirit A Man may say I can make a good Sermon I can make a good Prayer and Exhortation and I can make a Book â—nd 〈◊〉 it abroad I can do all this by mine own Pâ—â—ts and Abilities so thou maist and maist maâ—e it all full of good Words but thou canst never make it acceptable to God for without me saith Christ you can do nothing Tâ—â—â— must have the assistance of the Spirit of Christ else thou canst not make a good Prayer nor a good Book nor any thing good God esteems the very Plowing of the Wicked to bâ— an Abomination to him Where the Mind is not exercised by the Spirit of God if he should pray from Morning to Night and spend all his Days in Pennance it will do him no good If I saith David regard Iniquity you may think I am a Man in favour with God a Man after Gods own Heart yet if I regard Iniquity in my Heart the Lord will not hear my Prayer What signifies Prayers and Sermons made of good Words if they come not fâ—â—m a Heart separate from Iniquity If it be not so it will do no good at all in point of Acceptance with God O let the fear of the Lord enter upon every Heart wait all to feel the Divine Power of the Lord that brings down every high Thought that so you may look to the Preparation of your Heart that is a right Preparation when People are so low so broken and so tender that they are nothing in their own Eyes but what the Lord will make them to be Then they are as Clay to the Hands of the Potter they are fashioned by his Hands and 〈◊〉 the Worâ—â—anship of God in Chrâ—â—â— Jeâ—â—◠〈◊〉 â—â—e one Mediator between God and Mâ—â— They must bear Christ Jesus his likeness 〈◊〉 his hâ—â—â—enly Image they must â—â—ve hiâ—â—ualities and have the same Minâ— in them that was in him I do always that which pleaseth my Father saith the Lord Jesus Christ Indeed he hath the doing of things in the Hearts of Men and God is pleased with him and where Men have the doing of them themselves they are thrown back as Dung in their Faces where any aim at infallible Justification where Men have a right preparation of Heart so to seek the God of their Fathers as to find him and be accepted of him it is through Jesus Christ in whom he is well pleâ—â—â—â— In all your Assemblies Prayers Exercises and Meditations you must be separated and drawn oâ—â—â—â—m your former Lovers and you must be joined to him that God hath sent to be a â—eader and a Guide unto you then you will find daily his Assistance and as you have Assistance from him you will find Acceptance wiâ—â— God and he will shew you the Father and that and nothing else will satisfy the Soul hungring and thirsting after God Shew us the Father and it sufficeth us So when Christ the Mediator comes to have wrought so far as the purifying of the Soul and the sanctification thereof and thereby fitted it for his Glory such holy Souls 〈◊〉 behold his Glory For the Lord 〈…〉 Grace and Glory and no good thing will 〈◊〉 hold from them that walk uprightly That you may be brought to this State and â—ept and preserved in it that the Heavens may rain down Fatness upon you and that you may feel the living Vertues that flow from Christ to every Member this is the Labour and Travel of the Servants of God for their own Souls and the Souls of others that are in Unity and Fellowship with the Holy Spirit SERMON VI. Captive Sinners set free by Jesus Christ Preached at Devonshire-House April 29th 166â— THere is nothing will make People live to God but that which they received from God For as all Men by Nature are in a state of Death so there must be something beyond Nature to make them alive again and that â—s it that every one ought to wait upon God 〈◊〉 that you may feel something that is supernatural And that you may be acquainteâ— with God's Gift The gift of God saith the Scripture is eternal life Many find a Life in this World that is not the Gift of 〈◊〉 The Life that People have in Sin it is not the Gift of God the Delights and Pleasures of this World are become a Life unto them The World is that to which every one must die they that are not dead to that they live all to themselves they do not live to God for none can live to God but by the Life that comes from him That which People receive of Man gathers them unto Man that which they receive of God carries them to God So Men have made Gatherings and have communicated of what they have to one another and by vertue thereof have made them a People Many Men have gathered many People â—â—ny Churches and they live to them that gathered them they do not live to God for want of receiving something from God 〈◊〉 all they that come to receive the Gift of God they die to the World and they come to live such a Life as the World doth
not love doth not care for â—nd hath no Pleasure in If you were of the world saith Christ the world would love you but because you are noâ— of the world they hate you How should this 〈◊〉 understood were not they some of the Men oâ— that Generation How doth he mean theâ—â— were not of the World Why I have takâ—â— you out 〈◊〉 iâ— â—â—ith he and yâ—t they 〈◊〉 â—here still and they were named by certain Names the Sons of such and such Men yet for all that they were not of the World and thâ—â— which differed them was being made partakers of that Life which the World knew not And so there will be an Enmity in the World against the Life of Holiness they will hate any Body that lives in it and as it was then so it is at this Day they that are of the World they hear and receive those things that are of the World from the Men of this World but they that are of God they hear them that are of God and they receive the things of God and their greatest Comfort and Joy that they have is their Communion with God in Christ Jesus through whom as through a Conduit-Pipe the Blessings of the Father are ministred to them and through whom as from the Fountain of Life their Life is renewed from Day to Day But these things are hidden from the World from the wise and prudent of it they cannoâ— dig into the Depth nor ascend to this Height they cannot comprehend the length and the breadth of the things of God which are in Christ Jesus they may reach unto something of the Love of God that is in the Creation they can tell when the Sun shines upon them and when the Rain falls upon their Fields and when it falls in due season they call it a Blessing and while the Covenant with Winâ—â—â— and Summer remains thâ—y look upon it as comforâ—able and perhaps some 〈…〉 stow a Saying I thank God for it All 〈◊〉 things are beneath us and there is neithâ—◠〈◊〉 nor hatred knowâ— by them all I saw 〈◊〉 â—â—â—ed saith one I beheld his dwelling-â—â—â—â—â— and he flourished like unto a green bay-tree and was wicked still for all this But now they that see where they live that live to God they can say That their Leaf never withers but they bring forth their fruit in due season but he did not so But the wicked Man that flourished like a green bay-tree behold I looked and he was removed and his place was no more to be found There came a Blasting upon all his Blessings and his flourishing came to an end his Riches perishâ—â— and his good things passed away from him But the Man whose delight is in the law of God and makes it his Pleasure both Night and Day he is like a tree planted by the rivers of water whose leaf never fades and brings forth his fruit in due season But this is hid there is no body in the World but would have something of this Life too they would be sure of Eternal Life but they would not die to the other Life they would not be crucified to the world they would not be separated from their Lovers if they could get into the state of a righteouâ— Man an Hour or Two before they die whâ—â— they are sure they shall die it would pleaâ—â— them â—ut to live that Life that is to God to die to the World and to part with 〈◊〉 they have their Comfort their 〈◊〉 their Peace and Honour and all their worlâ—â—â— Enjoyments in before they can come to receive tâ—â—â—ift of God they think 〈◊〉 hard But they that loâ—â— after it and have a mind to find it out without parting with the World's Life they befool themselves Do not you see how Men have befooled themselves in these days They have sought after the Kingdom of God till they are scattered in their own way they are quarrelling about their own way as if they never had any Scripture to be their Rule They cry the Scripture is their Rule this is the way to eternal Life saith one and this is the way saith another and the one and the other say â—ll these ways are false saving their own and â—ll these Contenders about the way to eternal Life they all say the Scripture is the Rule And yet the Scripture speaks of the way too and tells us the way plainly the way to Rest Peace and Life Eternal If the Scri had been silent in it and had said nothing but of Genealogies and Histories of Armies and Wars it had been something but the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament speak of a certain way to Eternal Life and say it is the way of Holiness A way shall be cast up for the redeemed and the ransomed of the Lord to walk in which the way-faring man though a fool shall not mistake in it Though he never took a degree at the Univâ—â—sity he shall 〈◊〉 â—rr in it though he be a 〈◊〉 the â—ccount of the World and never understood Greek or Latin yet he shall not 〈◊〉 this way The way that leads to the Kingdom of God is called the way of Holiness but while many have been reading in their Books they have been contending for a way of Unholiness no wonder then they have been quarrelling about it and have all missed it and that in the main point of all Let them make a way which way they will and frame it never so wisely according to the best Wit they have be it a way that hath all the maâ—eâ—ial Qualifications that should make it a way of Holiness these Men may walk in it but they will never find the way to the Kingdom â—f God though they have sought it out Go to one place and another place and ask them what is your way Our way say they is the right way the most sure and certain way that can be found for People to walk in But whither will it lead me It will lead thee to the Kingdom of God That is it I would have but will it lead me to Holiness No never in this World you must never come to Holiness do the best thou canst do here it is but Sin the best days work thou makest is but Sin the best Child of God on Earth cannot live a Day without Sin Do you hold out that in your way Yes then I have done with that and go to another People So many have gone many 〈◊〉 to the Kingdom of God and when the â—â—â—â—t is come they have found every way a polluted way a sinful way I know this way will never lead me to God sin first led me from God I had been well enough as I was created at first if I had never sinned against God a sinful way will lead me from God It is against common Sense and against Rationality to say we did first go from God by sin and must go to God again by a sinful way Who will
he would I will tell you the reason why so many learned Men Men of gâ—â—â—â— abilities speak slightly and meanly of it because it hath done them no good inward nor outward that they know of How should it do you good when it hath done them none The reason why it doth them no good is because they do not believe in it and did Christ ever do any Body good that did not believe in him He gave Men power indeed to become the Sons of God the greatest good that they are capable of but it was to those that believed on his name Were all they the Sons of God that heard Christ preach No some were the Devils Sons our Saviour tells them that they were of their Father the Devil and his Works they did do they came to Meetings and heard Christ preach he discoursed to them but it did them no good for they did not believe on his Name And then it appears in the next place that if this Light be taken heed to and if Men come to be taught by it and receive instructions they would then have it all for nothing they would have it all for Gods sake all the counsels and understanding of Divine mysteries all the openings of God and all their knowledge of God would come for nothing What then would become of the trade of preaching Christ and the attributes of God then their Silver shrine trade will be spoiled and then their Diana is gone and this Light hath done them no good inwardly because of their unbelief and it doth them no good outwardly because 〈◊〉 spoils their preaching trade because it teacheth 〈◊〉 â—or nothing and for God's sake the light 〈◊〉 knowledge of God that shines in the face of Jesus Christ wherein are the Openings of the Mysteries of the Kingdom of God So that if any come to know the Vertue aâ—d the Power that turneth Men from Darkness to Light they are come to another state and turned from the power of Satan to the power of God and when the Power of God iâ— revealed in them then they say This is my God now I know the true God they speak as those that are acquainted with him This is life eternal to know thee the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent It is not to know him at a Distance but as always present The Soul comes to be acquainted with God as familiarly as a Man is acquainted with his Friend and better too A Man that is acquainted with his Friend only knows some things pertaining to him but those that are acquainted with their Maker they know the whole counsel of God so far as belongs to their Peace therefore it was not in vain said of old Acquaint thou thy self with him and be at peace Be but acquainted with that inward Power that knows thy Thoughts and then no body needs to preach a Sermon to thee of the Omnipresence of God no Body needs make thee a Doctrine of it and offer Reasons and Motives to believe it it is all foolish labour I know that God is with me and near me I feel him in â—â—e and with me at my down-lying 〈◊〉 rising when I am in my Shop and abâ—â—◠〈◊〉 business he is with me in all Places and such a Man is also well instructed about the Omniscience of God God's knowing cvery thing I have learned that since I came to know him all the Doctors in Europe can tell me no more than I know in that Point The Lord observeth all my goings and numbreth all my steps Lord thou makest manifest the thoughts of my heart thou searchest my heart and tryest my reins Here is God's Omniscience and knowing all things Here is Divinity growing out of the Life Then the Wisdom of God is infinite so are all God's Attributes Infinite Incomprehensible and Unspeakable they are all so in him but he makes manifest a measure of his Wisdom he brings a Man from being such a Fool as he was before to become a wise Man He was such a Sot and Fool as to be drunk and tumble in the Dirt he could not stand upon his Legs but now he is become wise and sober Another was so foolish as to defile himself and wallow in his Uncleanness now such a Man comes to true Wisdom it begins in the fear of God The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom What doth his Wisdom do It keeps him out of the Dirt It makes him live first as a Man then as a Christian to live righteously soberly and godly in this present world It leads him into the Knowledge of the Mysteries of the Kingdom of God to know and comprehend with all saints what is the â—â—ighâ—h and length 〈◊〉 breadth and depth and 〈◊〉 know the love 〈◊〉 Christ which passeth knowledgâ— This is more than bare Sobriety and moderate Living such are taught to live soberly righteously aâ—d godlily to live by Faith and to be led into the knoâ—â—â—â—â—e of the mystery of the kingdom of God to know the Lord Jesus Christ to their Justification This is the learned and the wise Man he hath not the Substance as well as the Shadow 〈◊〉 â—â—th the Marrow as well as the Bone he is â—â—conciled to God through Christ he 〈◊〉 â—emission of sins through Christ Jesus tha◠〈◊〉 for him and rose again When you come to be partakers of this 〈◊〉 will do you good Notions will not do it 〈◊〉 when you come to know God for your selveâ— and under 〈◊〉 him for your sâ—lves to know him as your Saviour and Redeemer that hath rescued you from the Snares of the wicked 〈◊〉 whoever doth this they will worship God when they have this Knowledge of him they will bow to him they will be like those of old that said he is our judge he is our law-giver he is our king and he will save us There arose a Testimony in the Hearts of good People of that Age that God was their Judge that judged them their Law-giver thâ—t directed them how they should make their way to him that he was their King and ought to rule them for he must save them So when People come to know God for themselves to be inwardly acquainted with God for themselves when a Company of these Souls meet together when they have been at this School and learned this Lesson â—f Divinity they then sit down and wait â—â—on the Lord that God that seâ—â—â—â—th the heart and tryeth the reins and observeth how they do Service for the Honour of his Name and they receive Spiritual Gifts from him to their Edification and â—â—â—fort and they receive Judgment from him when they do any thing contrary to his 〈◊〉 The Lord Jesus Christ he is the Minister of â—he Sanctuary which the Lord hath pitched If Men have a Church as they call it they â—ust have John or Thomas for their Minister We know who is the Minister of such a Place but here is a Minister set
that is in every Man to the reforming of his ways and the changing of his Heart and leaving of his corrupt and vitious â—ncliâ—ations without the divine â—elp and assistance 〈◊〉 the Grace and Spirit of God Now they that are thus far sensible of their alienation by nature from the Lord and 〈◊〉 also sensible that the time they have here 〈◊〉 the only time they have for their â—â—â—â—â—ing and being fitted for that Everlaâ—â—â—â—â— Kingdom which we all woâ—â—â— enjoy Hâ—w ought this to affect the mind of every â—ne that while they have time they might â—â—rize it and improve in and come to an 〈◊〉 sense of the love of God that for they 〈◊〉 have a love raised in their Hearts again to God for People will never be obedient unto God till they love him nor never love him till they are sensible of his love to them Therefore that which is the means and way of Gods making known himself to the Sons and Daughters of Men that meanâ— and that way ought every one to embrace every one ought to be 〈◊〉 â—â—ted with â—t and have 〈◊〉 exercise of thâ—â— minds in it that so we might come to the knowledge of God and might know by an experimental and sensible feeling the kindness of God to us And truly Friends they that are 〈…〉 to spend their time and exercise themselves in thâ— consideration of the mercy and kindness of God thâ—â— have worâ— enough for their whole life-time â—â—e consider and contemplate the manifold Mercies of God bestowed upon them for we have our Life and Breath from him whom the whole World obeys and serves God that made all living Creatures hath created us preserved us he hath had long suffering and patience towards us until now 〈◊〉 he is yet minded to do us good which â—â—eâ—â— dâ—â—ltly manifest by the invitations and promisâ— he hath mâ—â—e us and the workings of his Hâ—ly Spirit that he hath made us acquainteâ— withal For who is there in this Assembly that God hath not made sensible of the tenders of hiâ— grace and invâ—â—â—â—ions to Repentance and Reformation that they that live loose 〈…〉 vainly in the World might turn to the Lorâ— with all their Hearts and consider their waâ— and doings God hath waited to be gracioâ—â— the Sons and Daughters of Men and his â—â—â—cy and patience hath been beyond all huâ—â—â— patience beyond the patience that 〈◊〉 did bestow upon any this the Lord 〈◊〉 shewed upon you therefore I intreat 〈◊〉 hooâ— the love of God let this â—â—â—â—deration sink deeply into your spirits thaâ— you may be affected with the kindness of God and his patience towards you and his long-suffering while you have been sinning against him But some will say How shall I know this After what manner may I experience this love of God to me How may I be sure that the Lord hath a love for me My Friends it is not only temporal kindness that we enjoy from God it is not only the lengthening out of our Days that is an evident token of the love of God to us but there is a demonstration and manifestation of iâ— that is universally extended to the Sons and Daughters of Men in that he hath sown his Word in them and hath sown his Truth and his Grace in their Hearts that every Man tho' never so wicked neâ—er so â—oolish and vain yet hath many times checks and reproofs in his own Heart I know it and I doubt not but you do Pray whence comes it that which doth stop you in a course of sin and châ—â—k and reprove you for sinning against the Lord If you come to mind this and consider of it you will find it comes from God it comes from him from him comes our life and Breath then People â—â—ould be incited to receive the Grace of God â—â—e favour and mercy of God which he hath â—estowed upon them in order to their salvatiâ—â— The Scripture tells us that Grace and â—â—â—th came by Jesus Christ I◠〈◊〉 hast any good it came by Jesus Christ and if thou hast any Truth it came by Jesus Christ who is the Fountain of Truth and the Fountain of the 〈◊〉 of God it is he by whom God hath mâ—de known himself to the Sons and Daughters of Men it is Christ alone that God hath ordained to be a Mediator between God and Man that so he might be the Minister of an everlasting covenant which we are brought into with God so that now People should comâ— to the consideration of the way and means that God hath ordained for their redemption namely that he hath given Jesus that great and unspeakable gift of his love and kindness to the Sons and Daughters of Men here iâ— Grace and Truth that came by Jesus Christ How is it conâ—â— It is come into my Heart Tho' Sins and Lusts and Corruptions perhaps have a placâ— in many yet Christ hath a place too He haâ—â— made his grave with the wicked and was numbred with the Transgressors he was like that Seed that lies under the Clods anâ— iâ— the least of all Seeds yet when it comes out of the Ground it riseth high and spreads abroad its Branches and brings forth Fruit this love of God this unchangeable Holy Truth is in every one why then should not every Man bâ— ruled and governed by it But some Men will say is Truth bâ— than Falsehood and Grace better than 〈◊〉 and Corruption You may see that by the Light that is d◠〈◊〉 in the inward parts Let every Man 〈◊〉 inward to the Grace of God turn to that Light that shews it self in the Creature and see what it will do for us This is the Doctrine that the Apostle was sent withal he waâ—â—â—nt with a Commission to turn Men from Daâ—â—â—â—ss to Light and from the power of Satan to God Why did he do it It was for this end that Men might have remission of Sins and that they might come to an inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith in Christ Jesus our Lord so that this Gospel is the same that it ever was though Men have divers ways of preaching and several methods and ways of declaring the Truths of the Gospel blessed be God the Apostolical Doctrine is pâ—â—ached again and the blessed Gospel hath the same power attending it that was in former Days and 〈◊〉 have the same effect and that this may be the Portion of every one of you this iâ— the end of our Labour And we have i◠〈◊〉 Eye but two things I. First to discharge a good Conscience in the sight of God who hath given us his Word to Preach and to turn Men from Darkness to Light and from the power of Satan to God that we might keep our selves free from the Blood of all Men. II. Secondly another end is the desire that God â—â—th placed in our Hearts that all Men every â—here might be Saved this is Gods Will if aâ— be Damned it is their own will and the
cometh when no man can work Let every one of us that are now met together labour to be sensible of the Love of God to us and love him above all and express our Love by a willing and persevering Obedience that we may have the love of God shed abroad upon our hearts by the Holy Ghost and offer up living Praises to him through Jesus Christ â—ho hath loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood and hath made to kings and priests unto God and his father To him be Glory and Dominion for ever and â—ver Amen SERMON X. Salvation from Sin by Jesus Christ Preached at Devonshire-House August the 9th 1691. IT is a general Doctrine in the World That no man by any means in the World can ever be set free from Sin in this Life This is universally received almost among all Christians in all Churches one and another tho' they differ never so much in other things yet they agree in this so that this Doctrine hath â—ot a Sway in the World and it is accounted a great Delusion and a Heresie and a grand Error for any to question the Truth of it Now while a Man is of that Belief That there is an impossibility of living without Sin and of breaking down the Kingdom of Satan in any one Soul in the World How can Men hope or believe that Righteousness should prevail in the Heart of one Man Therâ— neither King nor Beggar if he be a Bishop 〈◊〉 a Gospel Minister the Devil must have a Rulâ— and Goverâ—â—ent in him so long 〈…〉 this World As long as this is believe 〈◊〉 not possible that the other Belief should tâ— place It is madness to think that I must bâ— under the Rule and Government of Satan if I am under the Government of the Son of God And it is still greater madness to say That Christ and the Devil are both my Governours and Rulers It is prodigious Folly and Madness to speak after this manner This Belief prevails over all Men over the Wise and Mighty and Noble and Learned that they can never be freed from the Power of Sin in this World but that the Devil will lead them into Sin every Day leâ— Men be never so sober never so abstemious in their Lives let them spend never so many Hours in Prayer every Day let them come to Meetings and hear Sermons and write them and repeat them and do what they will here is a Bar of Unbelief that lies in the way that makes Men depart from the living God and his Power and lose the Benefit they should receive from Christ And therefore they go to fetch it another way that is to have the Righteousness of Christ imputed to them and they shall be holy and pure in the sight of God when they are polluted in their own Eyes and when they see their daily Failings Infirmities and Corruptions yet God may not see them but that he sees them Holy Just and Righteous in his Son What strange kind of Doctrine is this I must prâ—sume that God will see me in his Son Jesus Christ when I never was in Christ How can this be He that is in Christ 〈◊〉 new creature old things are done away and 〈◊〉 things are become new But if there be Oâ— things remaining still and I be not becomâ— New shall I presume that I am in Christ and that God will see me in his Son When People come to use the Understanding that God hath given them the will look upon themselvâ—â— as barred out by their Unbelief that the Nations have drunk in and it is as sweet to them as the Honey and the Honey-Comb But blessed be God many have vomited it up already If they would have placed this Doctrine upon Man's Natural Ability I would have said Amen to it I know there is none of us all have a natural Ability anâ— Power to deliver his own Soul from Sin and Satan but when they come to place it upon God that though the Lord make bare his arm and reveal his power though they come to have the Grace of God that still they could not be delivered from Sin this hath Blasphemy at the bottom of it The other reflected upon man's Power this reflects upon the Power of God Almighty That the Devil hath got such a Power over us that God hath noâ— Power over us nor cannot have Power aâ— Dominion over us so that of a whole Nâ—tion he cannot have one Man to serve him Much might be said in answer to this When Men are once willing to serve Goâ— they will be willing to leave the Seâ—vice 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Devil There is no way to answer that good Wish but by waiting upon God for the revealing of his Power I pray God that when you come to a Meeting you may say Lord let thy Power go forth upon my Heart Let thy Arm be made bare and deliver me from the Power and Dominion of Sin Some will say they feel God's Power in a Meeting I feel the Power of God workinâ— upon my Heart in order to the taking away Sin and Transgression and giving me Victory over it through the Lord Jesus Christ If they feel this Power of God upon them it is their Duty to believe it and depend upon it If I believe it I must wait for the Dictates of it and believe that I shall be able to do all things â—hrough Christ that strengthens me Then Faith will come forth into Works and appear to be a living Faith You may remember what the Apostle James saith As the body without the spirit is dead so faith without works is dead also As soon as a Man comes to joyn with the mighty Power of God he will be able to withstand Temptation If he comes into evil Company he will deny them and not comply with them 〈◊〉 will find then something of a Power 〈◊〉 Ability to serve God though he is â—ot come to Perfection yet he is walking 〈◊〉 the way of Holiness and pressing forward towards the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus He will say I am got a little â—â—arer than I was towards the place where I would be towards that Life which I wâ— live and die then let Death come wheâ— pleaseth God it shall be welcome This is the wickedness of many in thâ— World they will not live such a Life as they would be willing to die in They cannot come at it unless it be given them to believâ— for it is the Gift of God they must come to thâ—â— Governour and Leader which goes beâ— to the Gift of God which is eternal lâ—fe then let Death come when it will if I have the Gift of eternal Life It is a miserable thing to think that there arâ— divers that have not laid hold of eternal Life It is manifested that we may lay hold of it there is a Hand of Faith joyning with it When a Man comes to lay hold of
Spirit of errour then I may boldly say it 〈◊〉 our duty to joyn with the Spirit of Truth and not with the Spirit of errour if there be a desire in us to be saved from the wrath to come then the way to be saved from Gods wrath is to be saved from the cause of it take away the cause and the effect ceaseth The cause of Gods wrath being kindled against Man is Sin for God had no wrath against Man when he first made him for he made him after his own â—â—â—ge and gave him Power to conâ—inue in 〈◊〉 Holyness and Righteousness wherein he created him but he fell and was cast out of Paradise and an Angel was sent with a Flaming Sword 〈◊〉 turned every way to keep the Way of the Tree of Life Thus Man fell under the wrath of God by his sin but how shall I have the wrath of God allayed By breaking off from sin and returning to God again This looks like a covenant of Works say some do you say I must break of from Sin and so escape the wrath of God Yes I do but no mortal Man 〈…〉 off from Sin but by joyning with the 〈…〉 He is the Author of Eternal Salvation h◠〈…〉 in us to will and to do and enableth us to 〈◊〉 out our own Salvation it was Sin that dr◠〈◊〉 Man our of Paradise and brought upon him the wrath of God Sin is the Devils work now that Christ might be a Saviour to us 〈◊〉 will destroy the Devils work for this purâ—â—â—â— saith the Apostle the Son of God was manifested that he might Destroy the works of the Devil Now the Devil was not the destruction of Man simply in himself but by tempting him to Sin which is the Devils work now Christ was manifested to destroy the Devils work that Propensity to Sin that is in the Nature of Man which makes him rebel against the Mind and Will of God Christ the Eternal Son of God he became Man he took the Nature of Man that he might bring Man again to his primitive state wherein he was Created after the Image of God Now how doth the Devil work his works doth he do his works coercively No he useth no irresistible force But doth Christ the Mediator work coercively with an irresistible power and force to bring a Man again to God No no more than the Devil did to bring a Man from God Man might have stood and continued in his state of Innocency if he would he might joyn with evil and yield to the Temptation of the Devil if he had a Mind he knew if he gave over his Mind t◠〈…〉 â—e should be ruin'd and it proved so 〈…〉 â—as resolved to try what it was to yield 〈◊〉 Devil and obey him He told them that 〈◊〉 they did eat of the forbidden Fruit they should be as Gods but they became more like the Devil this they got by being obedient unto him not that the Devil laid an irresistible force upon them you shall eat of the Fruit of this Tree but there was only a presentation of it to them and with that he prevailed and so came the destruction of Mankind So Christ the Mediator that he may present us to God he comes and presents himself to us in his commands and his command is that we must break off from that servitude and subjection that the Devil had brought Man into and there must be a yielding of subjection unto Christ we must believe in Christ and harken to the word of God and break off from Sin But where is the Power If God would have me Holy let him make me Holy if he would have me Pure let him make me so and give me ability to do that which of my self I cannot do when it pleaseth God to give me Grace and captivate my Will I shall become a good Christian Now here is a great mistake that People should think they must wait for an irresistible power to bring them back to God there is a presentation of love and mercy and earnest invitations and the long-suffering and patience and goodness of God's long waiting upon Sinners 2 Cor. 4.6 God who Commanded the Light to shine out of Darkness hath shined into our Hearts to give the Light 〈◊〉 knowledge of the Glory of God in the Face oâ—â—â—sus Christ What shall I do with the Liâ— that shines into my Heart I will shut miâ— Eyes against it I love Darkness rather thaâ— Light and evil more than good this Light will lead me to Holyness and Righteousness I will quarrel with it it comes to bereave me of my Comforts in this World of my merry Companions and of all my Bravery I will not harken to it Who can help it This is the Condemnation that Light is come into the World and Men love Darkness rather then Light because their deeds are evil saith our Saviour If I had not come and spoken to them they had not had Sin but now they have no Cloak for their Sin Here is the Gospel Preached by Christ himself here is the presentation of an opportunity for every Man and Woman to return again but I must be in the way of returning that is by joyning with that which presents it self with Holyness with Righteousness with Chastity and Humility that presents and offers to the Soul all the Vertues and Graces that are in Christ and shews it the Light and Grace that comes from Christ Now this Light and Grace shewing it self to my Soul I have a view of it Hast thou a view of it Hast thou seen Purity Humility Sobriety Meekness and Self-denyal and an Heavenly frame of Spirit in thy self or some body else How dost thou like it I like it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I love to have Honour and Dignity â—ower and Dominion and my Elbow-Room in the World I love not this Meekness Humility and strictness of Life that a man must have a Care what he speaks and set a Watch upon his Lips and upon his Heart and Tongue and Hands I do not like this kind of Life If thou dost not like a good Life some body will like it and live in it and for all your Vapouring and Hating and Despising it when People come to live this kind of Life they will out-live thee thy topping Life thy reigning Life and thy having Elbow-Room in the world will at last come to be limited the Hand of God is against it and it will bring down the Pride of Man When thou comest to life upon thy Dying Pillow expecting every moment to expire and breath thy last then thou wilt wish O that I had been more serious and lived more like a Christian lived a godly Life and given up my Heart to God and been more watchful over my Thoughts and Words and Actions There is such a Friend of mine that hath lived better than I if I had lived such a Life as he hath lived I should have had more Comfort And they that are despisers of
the godly they do not like such a Life now but they will like it then Friends you that are Lovers of your Souls and meet together upon that account of being better and having Expectation and Hope that you shall receive Comfort and Benefitâ— your meeting together I tell you as a Sâ—â—vant of God and a Lover of your Souls it is but a little while and you will wish that you had chosen the most holy harmless innocent Life that ever you saw your selves or heard of from any body else and you will wish that you had been more watchful over your Thoughts Words and Actions There is a day a Day a coming when we must give an Account for every thing that we have done whether good or evil you must give an account for your cursed Debauchery for your Swearing and Lying and inordinate Passions you must give an account for every vain Thought and every idle Word If this will certainly come to pass how shall I prevent these Idle Words and evil Actions Wherewith shall a young man cleanse his way saith the Psalmist by taking heed thereto according to thy word I am not as those that say Lo here and lo there I do not say You must come and learn Truth of me but if you find it you must find it in your selves What if I live in the Truth that will not serve thee and if I be a holy Man that will not sanctifie thee thou must hearken to Truth 's speaking in thy self thou mayest hear it speaking in thine own Heart before thou be an Hour older you may hear it call you to Righteousness and Holiness and if you heâ—â— it you may do it too if you please for there is a Power that goes along with it I know enough thou wilt say but I cannot do what I know I have not Power What ails thee that thou hast not Power If I had Power then I would abstain from all Sin and break off from my evil Ways but the Devil throws this Object and the other Object in my Way and by his Temptations he doth insnare me I have not Power to resist Would you have me do more than I can do and as long as I have not Power I am to be excused Now here is a Device of the Devil to keep People in his Net still If Men would be true to themselves they would not be long without Power If thou art convinced of the Evil of thy Ways and that it is thy Duty to break off from Sin there is a Power offered to thee that if thou joyn with it thou mayest overcome all Temptations and forsake thy Sin I would have you all prove and search and see whether I speak Truth or no I am persuaded there is not a Man or Woman here but they have sometime abstained from an evil Work which they were tempted to How were you restrained because you knew it was an evil Work you durst not do it the Devil had not a coercive Power to force you to do it I knew it was an evil thing and I joyned with that in my Mind which dissuaded me from it and I prayed to God to give me Power to abstain from it The Devil tempted thee on still who helped thee against the Temptation God restrained thee by his Grace Will not he be a present help unto thee H◠〈◊〉 the same yesterday to day and for ever depend upon him still and he will be always ready to help thee and support thee and strengthen thee and thou shalt be kept from Sin in an Hour of Temptation Consider that all Power in Heaven and Earth is given to Christ and if he be able to keep thee thou shalt not fall into it 〈◊〉 â—hose that come unto me saith Christ noâ—â— shall pluck them out of my hands and my father is greater than all If thou comest unto Christ he will in no wise cast thee out and if thou depend upon him he will preserve thee and none shall be able to pluck thee out of his hand If thou joyn with the Truth and with that which is holy thou shalt have Strength and Ability to withstand Temptation and overcome it and I may speak with Reverence Christ hath bound himself to those that trust in him Those that keep the word of 〈◊〉 patience I will keep them in the hour of temptation If I keep waiting upon his Power that is ready to help me and have a mind to be â—urified and sanctified and to have Righteousness brought in to my Soul and have mine Eyes unto God and my Expectation from him he will work in me to will and to do of his good pleasure Now here People have a fixed Foundation for their Faith there is no working at this rate without bearing a daily Cross Theâ—â— are a great many can receive the Truth in Words and receive Doctrines and Teneâ—â— and that with Delight but there is no practising Holiness and Righteousness without a daily Cross and Self-denial There are a great many have come to Truth as far as it stands in Words but when it comes to something that they must do to speak the Truth and live in the Truth they meet with so much of the Temptation of the Devil so much Lust and Corruption and Ungâ—â—liness in themselves they meet with such evil things that their Souls joyn with and yield to that they cannot go on in the ways of Holiness unless they look up to Jesus and have an Eye to their Saviour and take up his Cross and follow him Whatsoever Reproaches and Sufferings and Persecutions they endure they must have a godly Resolution to follow the Lord Christ and say I will obey his Commands he shall have the Rule and Government of my Life and be the Guide of my way whatsoever stands in â—y way I will take up my Cross and deny my self Without this there is no good Christianity in the World There are a great many that seem to be religious and are Professors of the Truth We all know there are many Professors of the Truth in Notion and with some Zeal will talk of it but they do not know how to live and walk in the Truth they do not live uprightly and honestly in it they do not keep their Words they do not live justly and honestly with all Men nor do unto others as they would havâ— others do to them They can tell how to speak and act then why do they not do it They have got a Notion thaâ— they are above the Cross of Christ and Self-denial is far below them People will not live in the Truth This is wanting in the whole World If we look into this City we shall find a great many are illuminated there is abundance of Knowledge and Understanding among Professors â—bundance of Learning and great Nâ—â—â—â—rs of learned Men What is the Reason that Oaths and Curses and all manner of Wickedness runs down the Streets like a River there is Pride