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Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
death_n	eternal_a	life_n	lord_n	11,091	5	3.8914	3	true

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A09970	The golden scepter held forth to the humble VVith the Churches dignitie by her marriage. And the Churches dutie in her carriage. In three treatises. The former delivered in sundry sermons in Cambridge, for the weekely fasts, 1625. The two latter in Lincolnes Inne. By the late learned and reverend divine, Iohn Preston, Dr. in Divinity, chaplaine in ordinary to His Maiesty, Mr. of Emanuel Colledge in Cambridge, and somtime preacher at Lincolnes Inne.	Preston, John, 1587-1628.; Glover, George, b. ca. 1618, engraver.; Goodwin, Thomas, 1600-1680.; Ball, Thomas, 1589 or 90-1659.	1638 (1638)	STC 20227; ESTC S112474	187,142	312

had thought to have gon off sooner but that the Supper of the Lord drawes neare which time is a day of reconciliation such as was that Feast the tenth day in the seventh moneth when the people all meeting together Aaron the Priest confessed their sins over the scape Goate which fled into the wildernesse which was a type of Christ taking away all our sins and the same is done and represented when we receive the Sacrament Now one condition required of the people at that time was that they should humble themselves and every soule that did not was to be cut off Levit. 23. 27. to the 30. verse and that letting goe of the scape Goate was at the same time as appeares Levit. 16. 20. to the 31. But to come to the point the Scripture is plentifull to prove it Iames 4. 6. God giveth grace to the humble sanctifying grace and also saving knowledge Psal. 25. He shewes his secrets unto the humble yea he dwelleth in such Esay 57. 15. he hath an especiall eye to such those eyes that runne through the whole earth fixe themselves on the humble man for good Esay 62. 2. other things have my hand made yet them he regards not in comparison To him will I looke that is humble he promiseth also to fill them with good things to give them preferment and honour to exalt the humble and meeke yea hee regards it so that when evill men have humbled themselves they have not gone away without some mercy as when Ahab humbled himselfe 2 Chron. 12. God promised he would not bring the evill in his dayes and the best of Gods children when they have not humbled themselves hee hath withdrawne his favour from them as he would not looke on David till he had humbled himselfe All the world cannot keep an humble man down nor all the props in the world cannot keep a proud man up And what are the reasons why God respecteth humble men so An humble man giveth God all the glory and him that honoureth mee saith GOD I will honour Now an humble man doth as Ioab did Ioab would not take the victory to himselfe but sent for David and it was the deepest policy that ever Ioab used and so the Apostles Acts 3. know that JESUS hath made this man whole and it is the humble mans wisedome in all actions not to set themselves up but to say no matter how I be regarded so God be glorified and God will honour such therefore CHRIST in his prayer makes this a ground of being glorifyed by God Iohn 17. I have glorified thee on earth now father glorifie me And so God will deale with his Saints in a proportion Humility keepes a man within his owne compasse but pride lifts a man up above his proportion it puts all out of joynt and breeds disorder and that bringeth destruction and therefore humility was defined by some of the Ancients to bee that which out of the knowledge of GOD and a mans selfe keepes a man to his owne bottome That whereas a proud man liftes up himselfe above his measure as a member in the body that swells takes up more roome then it should and are as bubbles in the water which should bee plaine and smooth but this brings all into its place againe gives the Creator his due and sets the creature where it should be and therefore God loves it It makes a man sociable and usefull and profitable to others a man would not have a stubborne horse that will not goe in the teame with his fellowes nor such high trees as overshadow others and will not suffer them to grow by them and bring forth no fruit themselves A man will not keepe a Cow or an Oxe that is still a pushing and such an one is a proud man it is but and onely the humble man that will live profitably amongst his neighbours and will not goe beyond his owne Tedder An humble man hath such a frame of heart as the LORD delights in for hee is fearefull to offend alwayes obedient ready to doe any service and is content with any wages loves much is abundant in thankfulnesse and cleaves fast to the LORD because hee hath no bottome of his owne and keepeth under his lusts because hee knowes the bitternesse of sinne resignes up his heart to the Lord to follow him in all things hee is a man of the Lords desires so it is said of Daniel when he had humbled himselfe Dan. 9. Such an one as the Lord would have and so it makes him fit for favour and when a man is fit for favour he shall bee sure to have it for God is not streight-handed to us Hath the LORD said it and that from heaven that if a man doe humble himselfe hee will forgive him Then this is a matter of great consolation when I can say from GOD to any one here that droopes that if thou doest and wilt humble thy selfe the LORD will forgive thee consider it this is newes from heaven Put the case to compare spirituall things with things which you are more sensible of that any of you had committed high treason against the King and thou hadst forfeited thy life and goods if any one should come from the King to thee and tel thee that if thou wouldest goe to him and humble thy selfe it should be pardoned And is not our case the same We are guilty of eternall death and have forfeited life and all when therefore GOD himselfe shall say If thou wilt humble thy selfe thy sinnes shall bee forgiven what comfort is it such a word as this should not be lost A man that knowes the bitternesse of sinne would waite and waite againe to gaine such a word as this from the LORDS mouth and would keepe it as his life It was not a light thing to get such a word as this from God none but a favourite could get it nay none but his Son and hee not but by his death if CHRIST had not provided this Charter for us every man should have dyed in his sinnes Now this we can and doe say from GOD through CHRIST that though your sinnes be great and you have fallen into them many a time and committed them with the worst of circumstances yet if thou humblest thy self thou shalt be forgiven so as thou mayst say I may challenge God of his promise and put this bond in suite and he cannot deny it This is a great matter if a man shall but seriously consider what it is to have this great God the Governor of the World to bee an enemy one would thinke they should thinke this Gospell good newes But you will say I doe yet neither know distinctly what it is to humble my selfe neither can I humble my selfe there is not a harder thing then it is Therefore I will shew it you once againe that you may know it for why should wee

terme or object to another that is from sinne to righteousnesse from Sathan to God And because there are many false turnings and many men that wheele about and never turne truly who yet suppose that they are converted therefore we will endeavour to open to you this true turning Now it may be found out foure wayes First by the causes of it or motives upon which Secondly by the termes from which and to which we turne Thirdly by the manner Fourthly by the effects First for the causes of this solid true turning and the motives which worke upon a mans heart to turne him you must know that there are many things may cause a man to leave his evill ways for a while As it may be some present affliction for the avoyding of which a man may seeme to turne unto God Therefore God still complaines of the Iewes that they turned but fainedly unto him and not with the whole heart because when hee slew them then they sought to him and then they would turne from their evill wayes but when they were delivered they turned to their old Bias againe So Pharaoh when as he was plagued with any new Iudgement then hee would let the Israelites goe but as soone as that was off hee hardened his heart and would not let them goe As also a second cause to move men to turne may be some present commodity This doth appeare in many of those that applied themselves to Christ some did it for the loaves and some for their convenient living some for the hope of an earthly Kingdome which they thought hee would have brought but these all left him afterwards There bee many such false motives but the onely true motives are taken from the apprehension of eternall life and eternall death the conversion is not right till then and the reason is because all other motives may be over ballanced But the motives of life and death cannot be over topped by any thing If preferment be offered or what ever the world can offer but these exceed all that Sathan or the world or the flesh can suggest Therefore a man is then turned when the Lord shall enlarge his thoughts to see the greatnesse and the vastnesse of these two for then all those other things appeare but as Candles in the Sunshine So that if Sathan come with earthly honours and pleasures in his hand the answer will be easie but what are these to eternall death and everlasting life and these are not thought of nor considered by carnall men though they talke of heaven and hell yet they see not the immense vastnesse and latitude of them and therefore goe on so confidently hence Christ in Marke 16. when he sends forth his Disciples to convert men he bids them use these two arguments Tell every man if hee beleeve hee shall bee saved if not hee shall bee damned Where wee see the motives that Ministers are to use by Christs direction are eternall life and death And Saint Paul endeavouring to convert Felix told him of the Iudgement to come which made him to tremble And Christ told the woman of Samaria of that water and spring that flowes up to eternall life Consider therefore whether ever thou hadst a true apprehension of these without which a man cannot be throughly wrought upon which apprehension if true hath these conditions in it First it must be an apprehension of them as present for happily a man may have a slight thought of eternall life and death he may looke upon them as things absent and afarre off but when they are set on by God a man is pursued and brought into streights by the apprehensions of them so as he hath no rest till he be translated into another condition A carnall man on his death bed having an actuall apprehension of hell as present is strangely affected Now at conversion the apprehension of these seizeth upon a man by a work of the Spirit and compasses him about so as he cannot shake it off till he turnes to God The wise man sees the plague before hand even as present and therfore stayes not till it comes but turnes in the time of youth health and strength Secondly it must be a deepe fix'd and setled apprehension for sometimes a man that shall never be saved may be moved with the present apprehension of eternall death and life but it is as a storme soone blowne over but in him that shall be saved it is set on by the spirit of bondage and such an impression made as will never out but he still remembers it and this is that true apprehension which moves to repentance But some will say can a man be wrought upon by the meere apprehensions of eternall life and death to turne from his evill wayes without an apprehension of sin and grace When a man hath a true apprehension of eternall life and death he comes to know what sin and Grace is and never before till a man knowes eternall death he looks on sin as a trifle as a thing of nought therefore the wise man saith they despise their waies but this apprehension is it which helpes to present sin in its l●vely colours and so also the price of grace is then understood when it is apprehended as drawing with it everlasting happinesse as the needle drawes the threed The second thing is the consideration of the termes for there is no turning without going from one terme to another and there is no true turning except it be from Sathan and the creature and your owne selves to God Of this you reade in Acts 26. 18. that Saint Paul was sent to open their eyes and to turne them from darkenesse to light and from the power of Sathan unto God c. You see these the termes of true turning and this is especially to be marked for if there be no more then a turning from misery to happinesse it is not sound for if you look upon sinne and misery grace and happinesse as in themselves without respect to God you doe but turne upon your owne hinges as axle-trees you goe but different wayes to the same center that o ther wicked men goe unto so long as you looke only at the misery and the happinesse of your selves alone which is the center of all mankinde Therefore in a true conversion these motives are lookt upon in relation to God as thus if I follow my selfe and the creature they are never able to save me but if I apply my selfe to him that hath the keyes of life and death I shall be happy in him for ever therefore henceforth I will forsake Satan and every creature and apply my selfe onely to the Lord. And upon this ground a man makes this resolution with himselfe I will forsake Sathan and subject my selfe to God for he only is the author of true happinesse so that now God is made a tearme to which thou turnest and appliest

Simile Reas. 4. It makes ●bedient 〈◊〉 9. Vse 1. Consolation Humiliation what Dan. 9. 1 An acknoledgi●g our vile sins 2 To acknowledge he is worthy to be destroyed 1 Tim. 6. 17 Vse 2. To strengthen faith ●rov 28. 13 1 When mourning is effectuall Simile 2 What the promises are made to Affections what Simile 2 Object Answ Falling againe into sins True humiliation what Daily failings should not weaken assurance Vse 3. To be humble in afflictions as well as patient 2 Chron. 12 6. 1 Pet. 5. 6. Ruth 1. 20 21. 2 Sam. 15. 26. Vse 4. To be more humble Luke 1. 48. Pro. 22. 4. Object Though the proud are ex alted and humble depressed Answ. 1. Yet the humble have the best gifts 2 He exalts them in due time 1 Pet. 5. 6. A● Iosoph Psalme 105 18 19 20. Iob. 2 Cor. 12. Quest. Meanes to humble the heart Daily serch the heart Deut. 8. 2. 2 Study the Scriptures 3 To bee constant in holy duties 4 Diligence in our calling 5 Remember times and sinnes past 6 Acknowledge grace in us Simile Vse 5. Not to apply promises til we be humbled Object Answ How to know wee are humbled Doct. All performances nothing without seeking Gods fac● Quest. Answ. What it is to seeke Gods face Exod. 20. 2. Hos. 7. 4. Simile Psalme 24. I Humiliation which is twofold Discovery of Gods excellencies Psalme ●5 Iohn 15. 15 God reveales his secrets to the humble Simile Ephes. 1. 17. 2 Cor. 3. 15. 16. 2 Cor. 4. 6. Exod. 34. 18 2 To seek the Lord alone Object Answ 1 Punishments the object of feare 2 What use may bee made of rewards and threatnings 〈◊〉 They are a beginning to seeke Gods face 2 To confirme us after wee are come in Simile 3 To seeke God with selfe denyal Object Answ. A man may seeke and love himselfe 1 God commands it 2 Negative commands imply the affirmative 3 It is agreeable to nature 4 God hath planted selfe-love 5 Motives in Scripture from selfe-love Quest. Answ. When a man must seeke God with opposition to himselfe It is best for him Simile 1 Cor. 15. 36 Simile Deut. 10. 13. 14. Difference in men in loving them selves Quest. Answ. Two selves in the regenerate 1 Flesh. 2 Cor. 4. 5. 2 Cor. 12. 2 5. 2 The regenerate part Rom. 7. How a man may seeke God and himselfe 1 2 3 Reas. From Gods holinesse Esay 6. 3. Holinesse what Rom. 11. 33 When a man is holy Nature of holinesse in two things 1. Purity 2. Sequestration Actions holy in severall respects 1 Pet. 1. Double holinesse required in man 1 Giving himselfe to God 2 Cor. 8. 5. 2 giving all things with himselfe Vse To examine if wee seeke Gods face 1 Else wee seeke something else 2 Fall away Ezek. 18. Hos. 7. 16. 2 Chron. 25 3 Love him not Cant. 1. 2. Cant. 1. 5. How to know when we seek the Lords face Rule 1. By our opinion of our selves Rom. 7. Simile Quest. How know to opinion of our selves Answ. 1. By that wee desire to excell in 2 Where wee lay up our treasure Simile Rule 2. What wee make our utmost end Double end Zach 7. 5 6 7. Hos. 10. 1. Quest. Answ. God must be looked to as t●● end Quest. Answ. How a man may make his owne happinesse his end Quest. Answ. How a man may provide for himselfe Quest. Answ. Mat. 6. 22 23. Object Answ. Whence it is that good men have an eye to themselves Quest. How to know wee make the Lord our utmost end Answ. Rule 1. It rules all the life Rule 2. It limits the meanes Simile Rule 3. By a secret sence accompanying our actions Rule 4. By the affections Rule 5. Phil. 2. 21. Whether we seek the things of Christ naturally 1 Willingly Rom. 15. 20. 2 Cor. 11. 28 2 with'all our might To do Gods work negligently what 3 Faithfully Quest. Answ. 1 To doe it our selves 2 To doe it when our creditis separated Simile Vse 2. Why wee should seek the Lord not our selves 1 we are his servants 2 His spouse The nature of a vow 2 Cor. 8. 5. 3 The Lo●d deserves it 2 Cor. 1. 12. 13 1 Wee are baptized in to his name 2 Hee was crucified for us 4 The equity of it 5 It is best for us Vse 3. Not to forget the Lord in the midst of his mercies Simile Rom. 8. 2 Cor. 3. ult 2 Cor. 1. 30. Simile The Scripture leades to Christs person Iohn 6. 1 Ioh. 5. 12. Quest. Answ. How to seeke the Lords Person To see him Psal. 9. 2 Cor. 3. ult Desire God to shew his face Cant. 5. Exo. 33. 13. Cant. 1. 3. Ier. 31. 2 Grow in acquaintance with him Observe God in his wayes 1 Creation 2 Redemption 3 Sanctification 4 Gods patience 5 Bounty 6 Love of Christ. 7 Gods greatnesse Isay 40. 15. By seeking God wee shall have Isay 4. ult 1 His presence 1 Sam. 18. 14. 2 Protection 3 Refuge in persecution Revel 2. 5. Psal. 139. Doct. 7. No interest in the promises without turning from our evill wayes 2 Parts of the doctrine 1 Terrour to the wicked Turning to God known by the causes False 〈◊〉 Some afffliction 2 Present benefit True motives to turning whēce they are Mark 16. 16 Iohn 4. Eternall life and death how to be apprehended 1 Present 2 Deepely Object Answ. How men come to know sinne and grace 2 The consideration of the terms Acts 26 18. Hos. 7. 16. 3 The manner of turning Quest. Answ. Turning with the whole heart what ●er 3. 10. Illumination Acts 26. 18. Esay 16. 10. 2 Kings 6. 15 16 17. 4 The effect 〈◊〉 of turning 1 Sinne is put out of possession Sin crept into the regenerate 1 As a thiefe 2 As a rebel 2 Hatred of sinne Quest. Answ. Hatred of sinne what 3 Fighting against it Difference of relapses of the godly and others Gal. 5. Object Answ. Vse 1. Of examination Enmity Evill speaking Tit. 3. 〈◊〉 Idlenesse 2 Thes. 3 10. 2 Thes. 3. 1● 2 Thes. 3. 6 13. Earthly mindednes Phil. 3. 19. Vnjust dealing Vncleanenesse 1 Thes. 4. 4. Object Answ. Good men may fal but walk not in sinne Sinnes of omission Negligent performance of duties Prov. 10. 20. Colos. 4. Ephes. 6. 4. Deut. 6. 7. Rom. 1. 29. 1 Cor. 6. 9. Simile Ephes. 5. 6. 2 Cor. 6. 9. Good men may swerve Quest. Difference of men forsaking sin Answ. 1 In searching for sin Ioh. 3. 20 21 Simile Iob. 20. 12. 2 In the ground of forsaking Rom. 7. 23. 1. Tim. 〈◊〉 8. Law of the mind what Why it is called a law Why the law of the mind Ier. 32. 4. 5 Differences between a naturall conscience enlightned and the law of the mind 1 In the consent Rom. 7. 15. Object Answ. 2 In the lusting Gal. 5. 17. Gal. 5. 24. 3 In the wil lingnesse to performe good 1 Tim. 1. 9. Rom. 7. 15. 4 In the power 1 Cor. 4. 20. 1 Iohn 3. 9. Iohn 1. 12. 5 It makes a change Rule 3. The maner of resisting in foure things 1 With the whole heart Iudgement Col. 1. 21. Conscience Pro 28. 14. Will. Affections 1 Cor. 12. Psal. 119. 20 Eph. 4. 18 19 1 2 3 4 2 Hee fights against ●mal ler evills Rom. 12. 2. 3 In the suc cesse Rom. 8. 1. Ephes. 4. 17. Rom. 7. 2 Cor. 12. Object Answ. Gods children soiled in some particular act Acts 4. 8. Psalme 51. 4 Continuance Vse 2. Other duties will not serve without turning ●an 4. 27. Ioshua 7. 8. It is the end of Gods ordinances The end of duties 1 Tim. 4. 8. Rom. 2. ult Mal. 3. 2. Esay 1 Vse 3. Good purposes onely not sufficient Ground of good purposes in carnal men Simile Deut. 5. 29. Doct. Turning f●●m ●vill wayes difficult Reas. 1. They are pleasant Reas. 2. Agreeable to nature Ephes. 2. Reas. 3. Backed by the law of the members Rom. 7. 23. 2 Vse To put to the more strength to turne from sin Difficulty of a Christian course Quest. Answ. Rules of turning from sin Rule 1. Rule 2. Object Answ. Triall of our strife against sin Ans. 2. Tryall of our victory over sin Ans. 3. Ans. 4. Why God suffers sin to remaine in his Object Answ. Object Answ. Constant striving overcomes Revel 2. 2. Rule 3. Deut. 29. 3. Mark 6. 52. Rule 4. Quest. Answ. 2 Wayes to turne the heart from sinne Rom. 15. 13 Heb. 9. 14. 1 Iohn 2 Pet. 3. ult Rule 5. Object Answ. Quest. Answ 1. To stirre up grace what 2 3 Psalme 18. Rule 6. Rom. 7. 1 2 1 2 3 Object Answ. Rule 1. From God 1 From his truth Mica 7. ult Acts 10. 43. 1 Ioh. 5. 9. 10 11. 2 From his mercy Exod. 34. 6 7. 3 From his wisedome Psal 78. 38 39. Psal. 103. 13 14 14. 4 From his justice 1 Iohn 1. 9. 5 From our readinesse to forgive Psal. 103 13 Reas. 2. From the meanes of conveying forgivenes Heb. 22. 24. Heb. 9. 14. 3 Objections from our sins Answered Ezek. 36. 25. Reas. 3. From the freenesse of Gods covenant Iohn 7. 37. Revel 21. 6. ver 22. 17. Vse Who are excluded f●om pardon Exod. 34. 6. 1 Pet. 2. ult Object Answ. wicked men who Signes of such as hate God Deut. 29. Vse 2. To Trust perfectly in Gods mercy 1 Pet. 1. 13. Impediments to this trust 1 Mistake in the covenant Rom. 4. 5. Heb. 6. 18 19 2 Daily infirmities 3 Supposed want of humiliation 4 Want of Prayer for pardon Ier. 50. 20. Object Answ. The efficacy of sin taken away in forgivenesse Luke 10. 19. Caution Sins of the Saints retained till actuall repentance 2 Sam. 11. 27. Vse 3 Exhortation to be humbled Ier. 3. 11. Quest. Answ. Gods readinesse to forgive Object Resp. Psal. 130. 3 4 Object Answ. 1 Cor. 6 9. Refusall of the offer of grace dangerous Tit. 2. 14. Doct. All calamity is from sin 3 Kinde of Iudgemen●● 2 Chron 16 Ro. 1. 20 24. Psal. 80. 11 12. 1 Sam. 16. Genesis 4. Vse 1. To see sin in all troubles 2 Chr. 12. 5 6 7. 2 Sam. 21. 1 Vse 2. Sin hard to find out Vse 3. How to remove crosses Object Resp. Eccl. 8. 11 12 Zach. 5. 2 3 Revel 2. Doct. Calamities may bee removed in judgement Reas. 1. Reas. 2. Vse How to judge of our estate Doct. 3. Sin removed calamity removed Reas. 1. Reas. 2. Object Answ. Vse Comfort in afflictions

owne eyes But then some will say that it is not necessary that the preaching of the Law should goe before if the Gospell doth it Yes the preaching of the Law is notwithstanding as a preparative In all that are brought up in the Church there is some knowledge in the Law that praecedes but it is the Gospell that softneth the heart first as ice is broken in peeces with hot water as well as with hammers so is the heart with the Gospel as well as with the hammer of the Law and indeed maketh that knowledge of the Law that proceeded to bee operative and sets it a worke so as the Law in its true working cannot bee without the Gospell nor the Gospell without the Law so as to a perfect worke of the Gospell the knowledge of the Law must precede Whatsoever a mans sinnes are if hee be truly humbled for them and forsake them they shall bee forgiven him This is the maine point you may observe by the way that the Gospell was as fully preached to the Iewes as to us So you see it was here they had the same way of being saved that we have as great mercy promised and dispensed Onely these great mysteries of the Gospell wherin grace and mercy is displayed were not opened so to them as unto us they had the promises of forgivenesse as fully and clearely but knew not the grounds of them as Christs incarnation death and resurrection as wee doe nor those glorious priviledges in particular w ch wee have by Christ. For the proofe of the maine point take that one place to make it good to you Esay 1. 18. Come now and let us reason together saith the LORD though your sinnes bee as scarlet they shall be white as snow though they be red as crimson ●hey shall bee as wooll The Prophet had exhorted them to learne to doe well c. But the people might object What shall wee bee the nearer for all this if wee be such great sinners as you have even now declared us to bee to prevent this the Prophet tells them what though their sinnes bee great and bloudie sins of the deepest dye of guilt there are many kinds of red but crimson and scarlet are the highest yet you shall be as perfectly cleansed from all your sinnes as if you should see scarlet turned as white as snow or crimson as white as wooll and none of the former dy remaining and when he tells this to them marke his expression Come let us reason together as if he had said this is a point requires strong reasonings to perswade you to believe it and indeed it is a hard thing truly to believe the pardon of their sinnes and the time will come when you will finde it to be so Wee will therefore set the Lord and your consciences together and you shall see how the Lord reasoneth for himselfe and how he will make this go●d Wee will first prove it to you from all his attributes 1 From his truth the Lord hath said it and this is argument enough to perswade you And therfore having made this promise of forgivenesse in the verse before that hee would subdue their iniquities and cast their sinnes into the depths of the Sea he addes thou wilt performe the truth to Iacob and the mercy to Abraham which thou hast sworne unto our fathers from the dayes of old As if he had said you must rest persw G●d of this for he hath not onely promised it but hath sworne it and that oath not taken lately but of old there is an oth to it and an old one an oath that hath many witnesses Abraham and Iacob and all the fathers that have beene since and will he not thinke you bee as good as his word and that Acts 10. 43. To him give all the Prophets witnesse that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sinnes It is Saint Peters speech to Cornelius sayes Peter we deliver this from God to you and not only we that are the Apostles say this but to this truth doe all the Prophets Isay Ieremy and all the rest beare witnesse Now when the Lord hath said such things and made an absolute promise he expects you should believe it It is a greater sin then you imagine not to lay hold upon such promises See how the Lord reasons it 1 Iohn 5. 9. 10 11. If we receive the witnesse of men the witnesse of God is greater for this is the witnesse of God c. He that believeth not God hath made him a lyar As if he should say will you not believe If a man that is of an honest disposition should promise you a thing you would believe him and will you not believe me As if a man had more truth in him then I have yea further you make the Lord a lyar if you believe not this his record of his Son what is this record why saith the Apostle I will repeate it againe The Lord hath given us eternall life and this life is in his Sonne that is whosoever believes and takes CHRIST his sinnes shall be forgiven and he shall have life It is the pardon that brings life to the condemned traytor 2 But though he hath said this is ingaged sufficiently and this is much to helpe our faith yet when wee shall further heare and know him to bee one of a mercifull nature and gracious disposition wee will goe the more willingly to him Therefore add to this how the Lord expresseth his nature to us Exodus 34. 6 7. The Lord God mercifull gracious and long suffering and abundant in goodnesse and truth forgiving iniquity transgression and sinne As if he should have said to Moses wouldest thou know the very inward disposition and frame of my soule this is my nature to be mercifull and gracious c. this is the Lords Idea for his end here was to expresse himselfe unto us know that this is his nature and this will strengthen our faith in the promises for all his promises doe but flow from this nature of his and receive their strength therefrom and hee is rich in mercy because it is his nature 3 Adde to this the attribute of his wisdome and that will also helpe us to believe his mercies GOD that hath made these promises is exceeding wise and knowes with whom hee hath to doe hee knowes that originall corruption that is in us and is the mother of all sinne hee knowes our infirmities and what is in our hearts as hee that made us knowes what wee are as hee that makes any thing knowes the inward frame of it It is no strange thing for him to see us fall into sinne Therefore Psal. 78. 38 39. after he had spoken of those strange rebellions of the people of Israel into which they fell after their comming out of Egypt yet saith hee Hee being full of compassion destroyed them not but forgave

that doe not have nothing to do with it let him come and take freely that is I will bestow it without any other condition but comming without which no man can partake of it and thirsting without which no man will come or prize it The consideration of which covenant therfore should move us and helpe us to believe the truth of this point that whatsoever our sinnes are yet if we humble our selves c. they shall be pardoned Before I come to apply this to any man I must exclude those whom the Lord excludes or rather who exclude themselves Still remember what is the last letter of his name Exodus 34. 6. That hee will not hold the wicked innocent Thou that art a carnall man hast nothing to doe with this childrens bread thou art a Dog which may bee made good to thy conscience out of 1 Pet. 2. ult Like the dog thou returnest to thy vomit For in thy sicknesse and in thy distresse didst thou not make many promises and resolutions against thy wayes and courses and after thy recovery didst thou not returne to them againe with as much greedinesse as ever 2 Againe thou art such an one as doest not thirst after these promises carest no more for them then for thy old shooes these precious promises which as is said before containe in them most rich and precious promises and none shall ever obtaine them that doth not in some measure of truth prize them above all things whatsoever Thou that never hadst thy heart broken with the apprehension of sin and Gods wrath canst not come to thirst after them and so hast nothing to doe with this water of life A man that is still whole hearted ever since hee was borne and never affrighted with sinne and wrath may heare these promises spoken of but hath nothing to doe with them 3 They that are hypocrites are also excluded for they are to have their portion in hell fire and therefore whilst remaining such have nothing to do with the promises Now an hypocrite is one that is not willing to omit holy duties altogether and yet not willing to doe them throughly one that like the Eagle soares high in faire pretences but still hath the prey that is below in his eye and wil stoop for it upon occasion eying preferment credit riches c. all the while Thou mayest be white in thine owne eyes and washt before a Communion or so as a Swine may bee washt as well as a Sheepe but yet the Swinish nature remaines 4 Or it may be thou art a wicked man But you will say who are those wicked men I will give you a description of them which no man shall refuse they are such as hate the Lord nor can any man think much if he be call'd a wicked man comming within the compasse of this character for it is the note given in the second commandement Now when we heare this every man will be ready to say I hope my condition is good I am none of them that hate the Lord but know there are many thousands that think well of themselves who yet when it comes to the tryall will be found to hate the Lord. And therefore to try thee in this give mee leave to aske thee but a few questions 1 Dost thou not hate the law dost thou not wish that the Law were not so strict and that it gave more liberty Let an unregenerate man try himselfe by this and he will find such a disposition in him that he desires that the law would give him leave to commit such and such a sin he esteemes of the Law as a thing that is contrary to him and therfore their complaint of godly men is that their wayes are contrary to ours in the booke of Wisedome What wayes the wayes of the law for where is contrariety there is hatred and if they hate the law they hate the law-giver God for the law is the expresse image of God 2. Againe I would aske thee if this bee not also thy disposition that thou hast no great delight to be where the Lord is thou hast not any delight in holy duties otherwise than as custome and naturall conscience have made them familiar to thee nor to be in the company of the Saints for where two or three of them are there God is among them but when thou art among them thou art as it were out of thy element if they be such as are formall like thy selfe thou canst away with them but if they be holy and the holinesse of God appeare in them thou delightest not in them thou couldest it may bee bee among the Saints if they hold their tongues but let God shine in them then thou canst not indure to be there 3 Againe dost thou hate those that are like the Lord for if thou dost thou hatest the Lord himselfe for as wee try our love to the Lord by our love to the brethren so our hatred also Is there a secret dislike of them though thou knowest not why an antipathy though happily thou canst not give a reason of it It is because God hath put an enmity and there no man can put amity all endowments sweetnesse of converse and disposition eminency of parts in the Saints will not take away the enmity that is in wicked men against them David was a Poet a souldier a man of excellent parts wise and valiant yet had abundance of hatred amongst men for his goodnesse 4 Againe dost thou not desire that there were no God Couldst thou not bee content to live for ever in this world so that thou were happy here and so there were no hell Couldst thou not bee content that there were no heaven no GOD no Iudge at the last If every unregenerate man would examine himselfe he should finde this in himselfe Now if any wish that such an one were not that he were sublatus demedio it is a signe he hates him for that is the property of hatred to desire the utter removall of the things hated 5 Againe dost thou not lie in some sin which thou knowest is a sinne Now every man that lies in a sinne a knowne sinne feareth GOD as a Iudge Let him bee a thiefe and he will feare the Iudge and whom a man thus feareth hee hateth Quem metuunt oderunt he that walkes in darknesse hates the light and God who is the author of that light Dost thou therefore live in some evill way or other wherein thou dost allow thy selfe thou hast no interest in these promises onely those that claime interest in the promises who make conscience of all their wayes dare not omit the least duty nor performe it slightly Lastly consider art thou not one of the foolish virgins deferring repentance not caring to provide oyle in time but thinkest thou canst do it time enough at death and I will come in ere I die like the sluggard in the Proverbs tumbling in the bed of thy sin securely

and loath to rise turning like the doore on the hinges but still remaining upon the same hinges The Lord hath said Deut. 29. that he will not be mercifull to such a man but his anger shall smoake against him But you will say what doe you preach damnation to me will you leave us desperate I answer you we preach damnation to you whilst you are in such courses and would make you despaire of your selves to drive you out of your selves unto Christ and it were an houre well spent to put you out of hope but what may wee have no hope left None in the estate you stand but that of the hypocrite which perisheth with him for if thy hope were true it would purifie thy heart as S. Iohn speakes But I may pray But if thou continuest in thy sinnes thy sinnes shall out cry thy prayers and at the day of thy death when the least interest of these promises will bee worth a world it will bee said to thee that thou hadst nothing to doe with them and there was a time when God call'd upon thee and thou wouldst not and therefore then though thou cry to him God will not heare thee But if there bee any broken-hearted sinner desiring to feare the Lord and serve him sincerely that have this witnesse in their consciences that though they doe not that good they would yet they strive against all sins allow themselves in none whether small or great to you I say that of the Apostle 1 Pet. 1. 13. Trust perfectly on the grace brought unto you by the revelation of Iesus Christ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 trust not by halves but trust perfectly if I had bidden you trust in your sanctification you might have done it imperfectly because your sanctification is but imperfect but seeing it is the free grace of God is brought to you as a rocke to trust and rely upon trust perfectly upon it commit all your waight and burthen to it Heb. 6. 18. God when hee made the covenant of grace tooke an oath to that end that we might have strong consolation this is an argument commonly forgotten among Christians and so they want that strong consolation which they might have Do you think it a small matter to take an oath of God partly and in any degree in vaine God hath sworne that you might have strong consolation and he would have it so strong that when Satan sets upon you it may be as a strong fortresse to hold out against all assaults why is your faith so weake then what are the impediments 1 One is that wee are deceived in the covenant hath not the Lord promised to justifie the ungodly and commanded us to believe on him that justifies the ungodly Rom. 4. 5. and bidden us come with an empty hand and thou commest with an handfull of humiliation and sayest that thou durst not come before and now I can come better in the more thou hast in thy hand the lesse firme is thy hold A man that is in danger to bee drowned cannot take hold of a Cable cast to save his life if hee keepes any thing in his hand an empty hand takes the fastest hold thy humiliation if true will empty thee of all selfe conceit therefore if thou through humiliation hast nothing of thine owne to trust to thou art the fitter object for mercy Be not alwayes poring downewards on thy sinnes but looke up to God Heb. 6. They have strong consolation who have fled for refuge to the hope laid before us which hope wee have as an anker of the soule both sure and stedfast and which entreth into that within the vaile Verse 18 19. This our hope is not said to bee any thing in our selves but is as a refuge which wee flie unto out of our selves and is laid afore us growes not within from what is within us and is from above now by hope wee are not to understand the thing hoped for or the grace of hope in us but that sure promise of God ratified by an oath this is the object of our hope and so call'd our hope that is it which is our refuge and which is laid afore us and proceeds from Gods owne brest and nature which if we anchor upon wee shall have strong consolation both for surenesse of not failing us and for steadinesse establishing our hearts but whilst we flie for refuge to any thing in our selves or cast anchor upon it we are tossed with every wave 2 Our daily infirmities they also are a great impediment A man thinkes if I had faith that would so purifie my heart as I should not fall thus oft as I doe which whilst I doe how can I have such strong consolation for this I say to all upright hearted Christians that their infirmities should not dishearten their faith and consolation but they should rather labour to strengthen their sanctification Say with thy selfe because my sins are and have been greater than other mens therefore I will labour more for sanctification hereafter I will love more than others and be more serviceable for the time to come but say not therefore I will doubt or despaire of Gods mercy 3. Hinderance to their laying hold of the promises of forgivenesse is a conceit of their want of humiliation as if they were not humbled enough but if it bee so much as brings thee home to Christ if thou thirst for Christ so as nothing will content thee till thou hast him feare not to lay hold this is enough stand not upon the measure Lastly it may bee thou hast not prayed enough for assurance of forgivenesse and therefore wantest it It is here put in as a condition if my people pray and among other things for this to forgive your sinnes and to give them the assurance of it All the arguments in the world cannot perswade the heart of this nothing but the spirit of adoption and can so great a mercy be obtained without fervent prayer therefore goe to God and intreate his favour and though hee deferres yet continue in prayer for it may be the Lord also with-holds it because hee would have thee set an high prize upon it which thou wouldest not doe if thou shouldest obtaine it easily but be not discouraged continue thou to pray still and in the end thou shalt have it with a full hand Heare you mee all yee that are upright and sincere in heart here is your comfort continue thus to seeke Gods face and all your sinnes shall bee as if they had never beene committed by you and what is said of the sinnes of Israel and Iudah Ier. 50. 20. The iniquity of Iacob shall bee sought for and there shall none be found so shall thine be in the day when they shall be sought for Is not this a great and unspeakeable mercy A man shall bee as if hee had never committed sinne even as if hee were as innocent as Adam was