made savoury to others Letting no corrupt communication come out of our mouths but such as is good to the use of edifying that it may minister grace to the hearers Ephes 4.29 which in another Epistle is Let your speech be alway with grace seasoned with salt with the fear of God and so what is of a cleansing nature reproving the false hopes confidences and carriages of the world or of such as do amiss among our brethren that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man Coll. 4.6 for evil communications corrupt good manners 1 Cor. 15.33 but a wholesome tongue is a tree ofâ—…life that brings forth what 's food for those that are whole and sound and leaves that will heaâ—… the Nations or Gentiles that are disceased Prov. 15.4 Ezech. 47.12 Rev. 22.2 Buâ—… for this let the Reader view if he have it the Treatise of our deceased Brother upoâ—… this subject 2. Let our Light so shine before men thâ—… they may see our good works and glorify our Fâ—…ther which is in Heaven For the Disciple of Christ are also the Light of the world anâ—… this light of God and Christ whereby the are made lights is put into them that bâ—…ing made lights by is they might not bâ—… put or put their light under a bushel but 〈◊〉 a candlestick so exercising and holding 〈◊〉 forth that it may give light to all that come iâ—… the house Matt. 5.15 16. And this light they may and ought to their abilities to let shine two ways or in a twofold letting it out viz. 1. In word in holding forth the word of Life so the Apostle exhorts and directs the Philippians with their Bishops and Deacons and not only though principally the Bishops and Deacons are concerned therein Philip. 1.1 and 2.15 16. Shine ye saith he as lights in the world Holding forth the word of life that 's the way as if he should say in which ye are to and may shine as lights not that every Believer is fitted to be a publick Preacher in some Congregation but what they believe in and with their hearts unto righteousness they may and ought also to confess with their mouth unto Salvation as they have opportunity and ability thereunto And such as are gifted with profitable gifts of wisdom knowledge and understanding may and ought soberly and orderly to exercise them too for the good of others For all that have the gift May propheâ—…yone by one that all may learn and all may be comforted Rom. 10.10 1 Cor. 14.31 1 Pet. 4.10 and all that hear as we noted before may nay are commissionated to say come Rev. 22.17 and may shew forth the virtues and praises of him that hath called them out of darkness into his marvellous light being a chosen Generation a royal Priesthood an holy Nation a peculiar People or purchased to that purpose 1 Pet. 2.9 But here is to be minded that if we would do good to others make them wise and turn them to righteousness we must hold forth the Word of life and shew forth the virtues and praises of the Lord. Confess with our mouth the word of faith believed in the heart to righteousness not do as foolish people the workers of iniquity who all boast themselves or as the word signifies speak of or forth themselves Psal 94.4 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all the workers of iniquity speak themselves talk of their own righteousness paoclaim every man his own goodness Prov. 20.6 which they that do are there opposed to the faithful friend to God Christ or the souls of men which He saith Who shall find as implying that they are not found amongst the self-proclaimers that preach themselves and not Jesus the Lord as the Apostles did 2 Cor. 4.5 and cry up themselves The Church the Church the persons to be adored believed depended on as it is said of the corrupt Israel that made mention of the God of Israel not in truth nor in righteousness they call themselves of the Holy City Isa 48.1 2 call themselves the or of the Holy Catholick Church and tell stories to men of their Perfection religiousness attainments like the Whore that saith I sit a Queen and I shall be a Lady for ever Isa 47.7 Rev. 18.7 No the way to turn many to righteousness and make them truly wise is to shew forth Gods praises to make mention of his loving kindness to do as he who said My mouth shall shew forth thy rightheousnes and thy salvation all the day for I know not its numbers I will go in the strength â—…f the Lord God and I will make mention of â—…hy righteousness of thine only not of mine and thine together Psal 71.15 16. That is Preach confess and make mention of the Gospel of Christ which is the power of God to â—…alvation to every one that believeth for thereâ—…n is the righteousness of God revealed from â—…aith to faith as it is written the just shall â—…ve by faith Rom. 1.16 17. and this accorâ—…ing both to the appointment of the Lord of â—…ld who established a testimony in Jacob and â—…pointed a law in Israel in which he commandâ—…d the Fathers to shâ—…w to their Children the â—…eneration to come the praises of the Lord his â—…rength and the wonderful works that he hath â—…ne to the end that they might set their hope 〈◊〉 God and not forget his works and not be as â—…eir Fathers a stubborn and rebellious geneâ—…tion Psal 78.4 5 7 8. and to his own practise too who having done marvellouâ—… things his own right hand and his holy arm having gotten himself the victory in his greatâ—… combate with and against Sathan and all the principalities and powers of darkness He hath made known his salvation his resurrection from the dead and the salvation therethrough obtained for us and his Gospel which is the salvation of God that the Gentile heard Acts 28 28. his righteousness not ours but as he is ours the Lorâ—… our Righteousness Jer 23.6 hath he openâ—… shewed or revealed Rom. 3.22 in thâ—… sight of the Heathen not preaching something first to make them Jews Proselites Converts to God then when they ceaseâ—… to be heathen shew them his righteousness as the false Apostles way was And this hâ—… commanded to his Disciples and Apostlâ—… after him to do not to go preach the law 〈◊〉 works but go preach the Gospel to every creâ—…ture or in the whole Creation Mark 16 1â—… preaching repentance and forgiveness of sâ—… not in Moses but in his Name in opeâ—…ning his name and so upon account of whâ—… He hath done and is become for men aâ—… in his Authority and Power requiring it aâ—… that among all Nations beginning at Jerusâ—…lem the People and City that had mâ—… deeply sinned dying their hands in blood the Prophets and just men yea and of the Lord himself Luke 29.46 47. And so the spirit of Prophecy instructed and required of men in the days past saying Give thanks unto the
fuperstitions Such sometimes are accounted Fanaticks Schismaticks Arminians Pelagians and branded with names as hateful as that of Samaritan was to the Jews and Pharisees So as it is not easie to discern who are the lights in truth to be followed or walked with by us in respect whereof partly they are also called Gods hidden ones Psal 83.3 But then at that great day they shall appear for God will bring forth their righoeousness as the light and their judgment as the noon day Psal 37.6 Then Zions righteousness shall go forth as brightness and their salvation as a lamp that burneth And the Gentiles shall see their righteousness and all Kings their glory Isa 62.1 2. Especially such as being indued with wisdome themselves do also improve it for others good so as they make others also wise and righteous as follows For I shall wave the farther enlargement to this and the use to be made of it till I have taken in the second Proposition or Assertion also they both agreeing in the substance of their praedicates or matters asserted and only differing in the manner and way of illustration And so it follows 2. Propos They that turn many to righteousness justifie or make righteous many shall shine as the Stars for ever and ever Wherein are divers things implyed As 1. That men are naturally in and of themselves void of or without righteousness as it is said there is none righteous No not one Either as to the primitive original righteousness in which God made us at first or as to the righteousness of or after the Law for all have sinned and are come short of the glory of God Rom. 3.10 23. yea that men are averse from righteousness out of the way of or towards it their backs upon it as it â—…re as those that are going from it or farther and farther off it So much is implyed in the phrase of turning them to righteousness Which word turning though not formally in the Original Text here yet is found in Luke 1.17 Acts 26.18 and in other places and so the Scripture expresly affirms of all men in their natural unconverted state yea of those also that are under the Law and are seeking and endeavouring after righteousness according to the Law that they are all gone out of the way they are together become unprofitable there is none that doth good no not one Destruction and misery are in all their ways and the way of peace they have not known Rom. 3 12-17.19 2. That there is a righteousness for men to be turned to or a way for those that are not to be made righteous both as righteousness signifies freedom and discharge from the guilt of sin and condemnation by the Law for it and as it signifies a conformity to the mind of God and title and right thence to Gods Blessing and Promises For 1. There is a righteousness wrought and prepared of God for us in both respects in Christ Jesus called therefore the righteousness of God and not our own Phil. 3.8 9. a righteousness without the Law not commanded us in nor to be attained of us by the Law in observing and acting after that for the Law neither required Christ to suffer and die for us nor us to get him to do so but yet is witnessed to by the Law and Prophets even the righteousness of God by faith of Jesus Christ unto or for all 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and upon all that believe A righteousness freely prepared of God in Christ and wrought by Christ for and declared and manifested in the Gospel which is the faith of Christ unto all as that that is free for all and God would have all submit to and come and partake of but comes upon all that believe so as they have benefit of it This is Christ himself in a sort as delivered up for our offences and raised again from the dead for our justification That hath given himself the ransom for all men from that first death and judgment they were fallen under and being raised again is the Propitiation the abiding covering Sacrifice 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for the sins of the whole world so as there is in him a plentious Redemption a power and sufficiency for the forgiveness of the sins of the whole world a covering plaister and hiding of sins for all the world and this intended on Gods part as a Medicine or Propitiation for the whole world so as that forgiveness of sins is with him therein for them all as in a publick Fountaine or Treasury where they may have it in a due repairing thither for it Yea and during the day of his grace and patience their sins are so far covered as that they are preserved thereby from actually perishing his patience is afforded that they might repent to the end that in coming to him they might receive forgiveness of sins yea and title to Gods Promises and the blessings thereof and be made righteous and conformable to him in themselves such is the virtue in him and so fitted and made meet for their enjoyment And this comes upon all that believe that giving hearty credit to the Gospel are brought in to depend on God in and by Christ yeilding up themselves to him to listen to and be guided and ordered by him so as that they become actually justified therereby both acquitted of all their sins and interested in all Gods Promises by virtue of him who also makes and will make them more and more comformable to Gods mind in all righteous frames and conversation As it is said Be it known unto you that through this man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins That as a thing prepared and made ready in him for all and to be received by men in their being turned from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God Acts 26.18 And in him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all that believe are justified from all things from which they could not be justified by the Law of Moses Acts 13.38.39 Through his name whosoever believes shall receive remission of sins Acts 10.43 And so being justified by his grace are made heirs according to the hope of eternal life Tit. 3.7 And He will sanctifie and cleanse them by the washing of water in the Word so as to present them to himself a glorious Church not having spot or wrinckle or any such thing but that they may be holy and without blemish Ephes 5.26 27. Thus is Christ the end of the Law for righteousness to every one that believes so as to make them just and righteous in Gods sight Rom. 10.34 1 Cor. 1.30 and thence his name is The Lord our Righteousness Jer. 23.6 This is that righteousness of his which he hath openly declared revealed or shewed in the Gospel In the sight of the Heathen The Salvation prepared before the face of all people Psal 98.2 Luke 2.30 As also 2. There is a righteous frame and disposition of Soul and
Rome tells us she only is the true Church the house of God and God and Christ and the Holy Spirit and this heavenly Wisdome is only in and with her and so to be sought for there only other Societies say they are the holy and only Church and the truth and true wisdome only with them How shall we know whither to go Ans Search the Scriptures God hath â—…aused them to be written for our instruction â—…n righteousness and they are they that testifie â—…f Christ and therein also set forth and deâ—…cribe to us his true Church and all that â—…retend to the name of the Church acknowledg that those Scriptures are to be received as truth by us which we have among â—…s being the Scriptures of God in which â—…e have Gods testimony which is sure and â—…ill not deceive us but makes wise even â—…e simple ones that attend to it and to God 〈◊〉 and by it and they tell us that they are the Church of God or children of it that keep the â—…mmandments of God and the faith of Jesus Rev. 12.17 And truly by them the Church of Rome above all the rest is discovered to be that Strumpet and Harlot that magnifies her self as the only Queen or Lady but loves not Christ but gives his honour to graven Images and such like devises of their own to his Mother after the flesh and other deceased Saints and keeps not but expugnes Gods commandments as the Second Commandment against making graven Images and worshipping and bowing down to them and the Commandment of Christ that all his Disciples should drink of the Cup in the Supper of the Lord they notoriously cast by obtruding upon men her inventions and institutions for Articles of Faith as the Popes Supremacy and Infallability Transubstantiation Purgatory and many other matters strictly enjoyning her own commands while she castâ—… by Christs Yea she above all makes herself drunk with the blood of the Saints anâ—… Martyrs of Jesus So that the way to truâ—… wisdome is to decline and come out of thaâ—… filthy Babilon The Reformed Churches aâ—… to their bulk are visible enough but haâ—… their tares overspreading them too muâ—… too and their divisions and fractions 〈◊〉 that in a manner we may take up that coâ—…plaint of the Prophet Micah in respect 〈◊〉 true and thorough Members of the Catholick Church Wo is me for I am as when they have gathered the Summer fruits as the grape gleanings of the Vintage there is no Cluster to eat Scarce a pure Church or greater Society of all sound Christians in every respect But yet we may find such as to the main Fundamentals of the Faith hold and maintain them and so far as any do so and put not upon us Doctrines and Practises inconsistent with them we may so far own and join with them And amongst such Churches we may by the light of Gods Word taken heed to by us meet with here and there two or three or more doubtless with whom we may have more intimate Fellowship and Communion in the Name of Christ Who hath promised His presence in any so small a company of those that indeed confess and fear him Matt. 18.20 So that if we cannot find a whole Nation of hearty Believers and real Members of Christ nor a whole Countrcy or City Yet if we find but any smaller company of such as take heed to the Word of God and give up themselves to worship God in Christ and walke in their conversations according thereunto we need not be at a loss for finding God and Christ among them to to give us Wisdome and Understanding in the knowledg of himself and with such we may walk without needless breaches or separatings from the National Church or owning and outwardly acknowledging the truth though mixed with Tares Mat. 13.28 29. As David though not renting from the National Church of Israel though not faultless Neh. 8.17 yet was also companion more intimately of all such as feared God and of them that keep his precepts Psal 119.63 and resolved to praise God both in the Congregation more generally and in the Assembly of the upright Psal 111.1 even as those that feared God in Malachies time without renting or dividing from their publick Assemblies spake often one to another with Gods good approvement Mal. 3.16 17. yea and so our Saviour practised and his Disciples As for such as question the lawfulness of National Churches they seem to have forgotten the Scriptures that tell us That Christ shall call a Nation that he knew not and Nations that knew not him shall run unto him Isai 55.5 and that Christ sent his Apostles to disciple all Nations who surely therefore might disciple or church whole Nations as they were found complying with them Matt. 28.18 19 20. But were our case such as somtimes Elias supposed his to have been as thank God it is not that we knew none not corrupted in faith and practice from the word of God yet if we accordingly as God is preventing us with light and truth and by his spirit is therein enlightning and moving at our hearts as we shewed in the beginning of this discourse that wisdome is preventing men generally with her calls and counsels do yield up our hearts to God and as our Saviour saith do his will in what He makes clear and evident to us to be his will He will further instruct and teach us of his mind and we shall know the doctrines proposed to us whether they be of God or of men John 7.17 and walking in the light as God gives it forth to us and is in it we shall not fail to be of the true Church and to partake of the prayers and grace of it through Christ though we may be at some loss where to find it or the members of it Come we then to the testimony of God and close we with the light and truth He therein and thereby manifests unto us and we shall be in the way to get this wisdome for the testimony of God is sure when mens pretensions and boastings that they are the Church may deceive us The entrance â—…f Gods word giveth light and it giveth understanding too so as to make wise the simple Psal 19.7 and 119.130 so as to Salvation of which some mistakes through infirmity weakness of sight shall not deprive us But withal Go to them that sell Go to God in and by Christ Jesus in the operation guidance of his holy Spirit by earnest Prayer and Supplication as it is said If any man lack wisdome let him ask it of God who giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not and it shall be given him but let him ask in faith nothing doubting Jam. 1.5 6. Ask ye and ye shall receive for every one that asketh receiveth Matt. 7.7 8. Thus the Spouse addressed herself to her Beloved Tell thou me O thou whom my soul loveth where thou feedest and where thou causest thy flock to
of his Ministery but many 〈◊〉 in the Countryes where he lived and whâ—… he was more conversant as in Cambridge shire Norfolk the Isle of Ely Linceâ—… shire and thereabouts Many that hâ—… blessed God that ever they knew him a who yet do so that we may with comfort aâ—… confidence leave him here in the earth an assured hope and expectation of his â—…ing raised up again to everlasting life a that then he shall among them that be 〈◊〉 shine as the brightness of the Firmament a among those that turn many to righteousâ—… as the Stars for ever and ever For indâ—… he did not only hold forth good Doctrâ—… the Doctrine of the Grace of God to men but did also walk humbly and holily among and toward men Preaching in his practice as well as in his doctrine Though we do not make him more than a man a good and an useful man having learned with St. Augustine to give that honour only to the holy Scriptures called Canonical to be the absolute rule of our faith and life We look upon his Life as that which had its failings and passions as other good mens and read his Writings and heard his Discourses as we would other holy mens with our senses exercised to compare them with the Holy Scriptures and as was his frequent expression prefixed before divers of his Treatises in their Epistles to bring things to the Testimony and receive what agrees therewith and if any thing swarve therefrom or want confirmation thereby to let it alone or reject it for we have learned of our Lord to call no man Master of our faith but himself the only absolutely perfect Pattern of Life and Teacher of Truth though we have also learned of his Apostle to have all in honour for their works sake that faithfully and skilfully instruct us into and provoke us to hold fast that which our Lord hath taught us 1 Thes 5.12 13. I know many and those that account themselves and were accounted the strictest Religionists censured him for his Doctrine and Practices and was not our Lord himself so and by such manner of persons For his Doctrine because he held the Death of Christ to have been for all men and the Grace in Him to be treasured up in Him for all men as what is free for them and dissented from those of Mr. Calvins mind in his apprehensions of Election and Reprobation but they that censured him upon that score bewray their own ignorance or unbelief of Gods testimony in the Scriptures and unaquaintedness with the manner of its speaking and are of those that call some bodies else their Rabbies than Jesus Christ and follow other Guides rather than his holy Apostles crying up this or that supposed holy man more than them and their plain sayings For his practise some as accounting him a Sect-Master or a maker of a Schism but they that so did did not well know him For his work it was not to divide men from the Church of England in which he walked and worshipped though not in all things approving yet not for lesser dissatisfactions renting from it Upon which account many others of the zealous parties more censured his practise But I think he followed therein the way and practise of the holy Prophets and Apostles who though reproving the Errors and Faults in the Jewish Church or those that called themselves of it yea and approving and practising the Assemblings and Speakings together of such as feared God besides the publick Assemblings of the professed Church Mal. 3.16 Psal 111.1 119.63 Mark 1.21 39 2.1 2. Luke 10.38 39. Acts 3.1 4.23 12.5 12. yet made not a seperation therefrom till or otherwise than they might be thrust out by them Isa 66.5 Well we shall leave him to his righteous Judge who seeth not as men see nor judgeth after their Judgment With whom his work we trust is accepted and of whom we hope he shal be rewarded with this great happiness To shine as the brightness of the Firmament and as the Stars for ever and ever In which comfort concerning him we here leave him Though yet notwithstanding this cause of Gladness concerning him 2. In respect of our selves we have great cause of sadness for that God hath deprived us of him of his farther helpfulness and usefulness among us and that too in the midst of his farther endeavours of it Both as we may reflect upon our unthankfulness for and want of making due improvement of so good an Instrument of good to us and so great a gift of Gods grace and mercy as he was as what might provoke God to take him from us and to take him away too so as he did both at such a distance where few of his Acquaintance could have the opportunity of visiting him and especially in such a manner as by suffering such a feebleness to befal him as took away the benefit of his speaking audibly to us during the continuance of his sickness if I may call it a sickness which though long He being weak many weeks yet in all that time he spake little so as to be well-understood a whole Sentence together only now and then a Sentence But those about him perceived that he spake oftentimes about Christ or the Resurrection and the hope of the glory to come and was much in Prayer to God even to his end Surely God might take him away in such a manner for correction and reproof to the living as if he should signifie therein that because we made not sufficient account and use of what he had so much and oft spoke in his life-time we should have little from him audibly in his dying Which though it might be imputed partly to his age and spentness being just entred upon his eightieth year and having spent his natural strength much in his continual writing meditation and exercise and partly to the distemper that fell upon his head and nerves and rendred him listless drowsy and in a measure Lethargick or Appoplectick as I conceive Yet seeing God doth often order that they that serve him much in their life time express much of him too in their death in an edifyable manner to others And he could had he pleased have ordered such strength and livelyness to him also therein Therefore it is better for us taking it out of Gods hand as a reproof of our unprofitableness to make that use of it for the future to improve the mercies God gives us while we have them as our Saviour admonished the the Jews when he said Yet a little while I am with you and then I go to him that sent me Ye shall seek me and shall not find me and where I am thither ye cannot come John 7.33 34. 8.21 to the end they might attend to him and make good use of him and his presence while yet with them and where they might find and come to him and so might walk in the light while yet the
sake forcing men to forbear those ways by which they might attain wisdom and righteousness or in which they might practise them and compelling men to practise unrighteous matters Such as walk in Pharohs course who would not let the people have liberty to wait upon and worship God but put other burthens upon them to take up all their time that they might not have leisure for that whither Masters of Families parents or higher powers Ezod 5.17 18. Or do like Jeroboam set up devises of their own and compel all men to conform thereto and thrust out those who would more rightly serve God 2 Chron. 11.14.15 13.9 with 1 King 12.28 31 32 c. Or like Ahab and Jezabel that threw down Gods Altars and killed his Prophets Or like Nebuchadnezzar who threatned the fiery Furnace to them that would not do unrighteously in bowing down to and worshipping his Image Dan 3.5 6. Or like the Princes and Presidents of Babylon under Darius that procured a Law to forbid the practise of Gods worship also for a time upon pain of being cast into the Den of Lyons and prosecuted it against Daniel for not observing it Dan. 6. Or like the Jews and Pharisees who made a Law to put out of their Synagogues any that would confess Jesus to be the Chpist John 9.22 12.42 Or the Council that afterwards upon severe penalties forbad the Apostles to preach in his name punishing those that do wisely and righteously according to God and those that endeavor to bring others to do so likewise Acts 4.18 21. 5.28 40. Or like the Beast or the false Prophet that setting up an Image or form of Religion of their own devising compel all to submit to â—…t and cause the refusers to be killed And such as will not some way or other acknowledge and submit to their unjust doings that they shall neither buy nor sell trade nor traffick Rev. 13.15 17. these are greatly faulty in so doing As we find the Apostle Paul divers times aggravates his own sin of this nature whilst a Pharisee and ignorant of Christ judging himself for it the chief of Sinners the least of the Saints unworthy the â—…ame of an Apostle c. Because he through â—…he ignorance of his unbelief practised after this sort to persecute and be injurious to the Church of God Persecuting them to death and delivering them both men and women into Prisons punishing them oft in every Synagogue and compelling them to blaspheme And being exceedingly mad against them he persecuted them into strange Cities Acts 22.4 26.10 11. with 1 Tim. 1.13 14 15. Eph. 3.8 1 Cor. 15.10 11. Oh then how great is their guilt and sin that wickedly and wilfully against light and knowledge do such matters how sad their case and how heavy and dreadful will be their judgment They that forbid men to speak to others that they may be saved and persecute them that do so because forbidden by them and take away by such acts and ways of force from men the Key of knowledge the Gospel Doctrine and neither enter into the Kingdom of God themselves nor suffer those that would Upon such wrath comes to the utmost not doing it in aâ—… false zeal so as to be excused in a measure by their mistake and ignorance Mat. 23.13 1 Thes 2.16 1 Tim. 1.13 But of that last mentioned charge others besides such persecutors may also be guilty As 2. They that being Teachers of or Preachers to the people seduce them from the truth and not only do not preach it but preach against it and traduce it Thus did the Scribes and Pharisees Hypocrites and the Lawyers too Luke 11.46.52 Lading men with heavy burthens and grievous to be born worse than Pharohs Task-masters while they put them upon getting such and such holy frames and lives such brokenness godly sorrow love and the like to be the grounds of their knowing Gods love to them as indeed are good and needful in their way and place but withold from them and preach against that discovery of the grace of God towards them as and while sinners and ungodly that should truly and genuintly effect them putting men upon getting them that they may be the foundation of their believing that the Gospel of the grace of God appertains to them or which is the same that Christ was sent and dyed and gave himself a ransom for them and God would have them saved which indeed are but the effects of those things first known and believed For it is the appearance of the love and grace of God to man that is the spring from whence all right frames and works do flow and by that they are taught Tit. 2.11 12. 3.4 5. But truly while men teach others that Christ died but for a few they know not who a secret number known only to God and they must all by an irresistible power be infallibly and necessarily brought in to God and for all the rest Christ having not died they must necessarily perish What do they but lay snares for men to render them careless of righteousness and of the knowledge of God and to reason as some do that if they be of the Elect they must needs be saved and cannot miscarry let them live at the present as debauehedly as they will or can and if otherwise what will all their seeking after God and breaking off from their sins avail them They can be but hypocrites and reprobates do what they can If it be said but the Elect may make themselves obnoxious to greater punishments here by sinning and the Reprobates by endeavouring to be good lessen their future punishments From their own Principals mistaking and perverting that that is right they that are skilled in their Doctrine may retort that to the Elect all things shall work together for good and their greater unrighteousness shall but the more commend the righteousness of God and the Reprobate shall have no less punishment than God hath decreed to them inevitably And so they that preach to men a necessity that those that are once brought truly to believe must abide in the love of God without any such If as Christ puts upon his Disciples when he saith If ye keep my Commandments ye shall continue in my love John 15.10 But they will go higher than our Saviour and say tush away with these Ifs here ye shall keep Christs Commandments and continue in his Love Or if ye break them as at other times they will grant for they read that David and St. Peter did so yet ye must be brought in again so as ye cannot possibly fail of Salvation and all those sins also shall work together for your good what do they but strengthen the hand of Sathan and corruption in cases of temptation to prevail with such as have high persuasions that they are Elect and true Believers to presume to sin and do unrighteousness as that that in the issue shall not hurt them nay
merchandise whereof is better than the merchaudise of Silver and the gain whereof is better than fine Gold that is more precious than Rubies and so excellent that all the things that a man can desire are not to be compared to her In her right hand is length of days and in her left hand riches and honour her ways are ways of pleasantness and all her paths peace She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her happy is every one that retaineth her Prov. 3.13 14 15 16 17 18. For they that be wise with this wisdome shall shine as the brightness of the Firmament for ever and eveâ—… Other wisdome worldly and humane literature may make a man shine for a time nay sometime through many ages likâ—… some candles and torches that have the thieves as they call them in them the strong sents and stinking smoakes belonging to them as in the heathen Poets and Philosophers and divers Heathen-Christian may be seen But it s this heavenly wisdoâ—… only that will advance a man on high aâ—… make him shine most purely brightly aâ—… above the reach of envy and for ever 〈◊〉 the world to come And therefore the wise having such happiness entail'd upon them as may render it evident and easie to be believed that Wisdome is the principal thing Proverbs 4.7 It may in the next place Vse 2. Exhort us all to get wisdome get understanding yea above all things with all gettings to get this understanding that we may be made of the number and company of these wise men who shall obtain such excellent glory such a happy portion And surely it s not a thing impossible to get this wisdome for then the Holy Ghost would not exhort us to go about it let there be but an earnest and hearty endeavour after it according to Gods directions given us thereabout and God that is ready to give it yea that gives liberally to all and upbraids not will give it to us James 1.5 Labour we then for that meat that endureth to everlasting life which the Son of man will give unto us so labouring for it for him hath God even the Father sealed John 6.27 Fools and Scorners and all are called to it to look after it and promise is made of God that â—…n obeying his Calls and Counsels thereabout they shall have it given them To â—…hat end that we might have it did God â—…end his only begotten Son his Word and Wisdome both to take out of the way that which hindered its communication to us and having done that to be the author and giver of it and to that end hath he put his Spirit upon him that he might bring forth judgment to us though barbarous and brutish Gentiles naturally and thereby make us wise to Salvation and He that spared not his own Son but delivered Him up for us all how shall he not with Him freely give us all things and so this wisdome also Rom. 8.32 Yea and Christ came forth from God to that purpose to set on foot the preaching of that word wherethrough that heavenly wisdome may be obtained and being ascended up on high and having received of the Father the promise of the Spirit even the spirit of Wisdome and Vnderstanding the spirit of Counselâ—… and Might the spirit of Knowledg and of the fear of the Lord. He hath given forth this Spirit also and thereby made known the heavenly word wherethrough this excellent wisdome is conveighed and may be received and all that we may be made wise so that it is not to be despaired of no not by the most simple and foolish but hopefully and believingly to be sought for and endeavoured after by us In and for worldly matters and earthy advantages men may possibly weary themselves in the very fires for nought and labour in vain and to no purpose but looking after this we shall neither labour in vain for God hath not said to the House of Jacob seek ye me in vain He the Lord speaks righteousness and declares things that are right and He hath said Ask and ye shall receive Seek and ye shall find Knock and it shall be opened unto you with reference to this Heavenly commodity For every one that asketh receiveth and he that seeks finds and to him that knocketh it shall be opened Isai 45.14 Mat. 7.7 8. Nor being obtained shall we ever repent the labour and diligence we use for getting it it is of that infinite price worth and benefit as the Honey is good and the Honey-comb is sweet to the taste so shall the knowledg of Wisdome be unto thy Soul when thou hast found it then there shall be a reward and thine expectation shall not be cut off Prov. 24.13 14. Yea Man knoweth not the price thereof it cannot be valued with the Gold of Ophir the precious Onyx or the Saphire the Gold and Christal cannot equal it and the exchange of it shall not be for Jewels or vessels of fine Gold no mention shall be made of Coral or of Pearl for the price of Wisdome is above Rubies The Topaz of Ethiopia cannot equal it neither shall it be valued with the â—…ure Gold Job 28.13 15 16 17 18 19. Quest But as there follows where shall this Wisdome be found and where is the place of Vnderstanding How shall we come by it or what shall we do to obtain it Answ I might say while it is yet a day of Grace as the wise Virgins said unto the foolish Go ye to them that sell and buy for yourselves Matt. 25.9 1. Go to them that sell that is to Jesus Chriâ—… and to God in Christ and to his Holy Spirit in and among his people oâ—… Church his house or Temple for Wisdome hath built her house and hewed out her seven Pillars and there she hath killed her Sacrifice mingled her Wine and furnished her Table and she sends out her maids or servants with whom she and her spirit also go forth to caâ—… persons in thither and she saith to the simpâ—… turn in hither and to them that have no understanding Come eat of my bread and drink 〈◊〉 the wine that I have mingled Prov. 9 1-5 6. Ho every one that thirsteth come ye to the waters and he that hath no money c. Isa 55. 〈◊〉 and Blessed is he that heareth her words watâ—…ing at her gates and waiting at the posts of â—…doors for whoso finds her finds life and 〈◊〉 obtain favour of the Lord Prov. 8.33 34 3â—… But take heed of other posts Go not to â—…thel nor enter into Gilgal c. Amos 5. 〈◊〉 Seek by the faith and in the Doctrine aâ—… Ordinances of the Lord Jesus Christ aâ—… not as it were by the works of the Law or by other mens precepts or devises Rom. 9.31 32. Isai 29.13 Matt. 15.8 9. Quest But how shall we know which is Gods house his Church and beloved People For many lay claim to that name and titly The Church of