it will be somewhat longer and to more disadvantage then of whom it is written Psal 16. 9. All we have sinned but the holy one did not But now blessed be the Father and the Lamb for it Our flesh shall alsorest in Hope for it shall rise again and be as highly exalted as ever it was abased John 12. 24. 1 Cor. 15. 42. 44. Phil. 3. 21. What need he to fear whose body is committed unto the ground in sure and certain hopes of Resurrection unto Eternal life and his Spirit commended into the hands of thee O God For so an entrance shall be ministred unto you abundantly into the everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ 2 Pet. 1. 11. Sweet arises unto them out of that which to others is nothing but bitterness it is the messenger of God to bring them to himself and that is true which the Son of his love hath said The righteous shall go into Life Eternal Mat. 25. 46. and therefore they willingly submit unto what comes upon this errand All the promises are theirs in all time of Tribulation in time of Wealth and further in the hour of Death they are happy Wherefore grid up the loins of your mind be sober and Hope unto the end 1 Pet. 1. 13. The tranquillity of the mind was what the Wisdom of Ages did A summary of the preceeding Discourses labour after but they for want of the Grace of Jesus Christ knew not what hindered which should be first taken away A gross and Stupid Understanding a guilty Conscience a crooked and perverse Will strong and irregular Affections but Almighty God hath sent him who was the Wisdom of the Father and hath published peace Isa 52. 7. If our Souls be framed according to the directions given they must be composed and quiet Every one who doth not only call Jesus Lord but doth the things which he saith Who being in Christ is a new Creature old things are passed away behold all things are become new 2 Cor. 5. 7. hath his Passions so as above described out of his Revelation He is free from those miseries which do arise from inordinate affections and they being in him conversant about holy things afford more satisfaction then when pressed down only to the things of this life It is more delightful to love God with all his Heart and all his Soul then to them who are lovers of Pleasure Riches and Honour He loving his Neighbour as himself doth exceed them who are outwardly kind and civil but within dissembling and malicious It is better to serve God with reverence and godly fear and not to be slavishly afraid of any thing Psal 118. 6. Psal 112. 7 8. Isa 41. 10. Then to others who dread him with the Spirit of Bondage who stand in continual fear of evils to come Death Judgment and Hell. There is more contentment in rejoycing in the Lord then worldly delgihts loud laughter and hearing all manner of Musick Godly sorrow and contrition hath been shewed to be less grievous then cares trouble and discontent for the things of this World. Who is zealous for God and true Religion hath more rest in his Soul then those who are so for their own honour and reputation and are tormented with the least disgrace or evil surmising And lastly the assured hope of glory brings more comfort then all vain false and foolish confidences The right use of the Affections grows up to immortality and reward but the abuse is only for this present and short time the act perishes and the punishment is to come besides the present irregularity and torment of disordered Passions Whereas he that is born again hath in a great measure escaped the original corruption of his Nature he is not tossed to and fro with contrary desires and passions within him is a great calm this was done by the everlasting Gospel The Word of him whom even the Wind and Sea obey It is to be understood that none have an uninterrupted peace Of Temptations for there is a Law in the Members warring against the Law of the mina Rom. 7. 23. There are some lees remaining of corruption and then are the several kinds of temptation from the World the Flesh and the Devil Thou art too delicate O Christian if thou expectest to come to Heaven without some trouble What Worldly good is to be had without it Thou must withstand and go through all these Enemies for if thou yieldest or art overcome thou art undone for ever This is the good fight Here is the Faith and Patience of the Saints they cannot now enjoy perfect and absolute happiness but this they are to contend for here being reserved for them who shall be found worthy in another state Take the Apostles Exhortation Be strong in the Lord and the power of his might Eph. 6. 10. He â—here furnisheth with habiliments of War from the crown of the head to the â—ole of of the foot see 1 Cor. 10. 31. James 1 2 3 12. 1 Pet. 1. 6 7. The Lord your God proveth you to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your Soul Deut. 13. 3. Thus he did tempt Abraham Gen. 22. 2. To know his obedience or to try but as to deceive or to perswade unto sin Let no Man say when he is tempted I am tempted of God for God cannot be tempted with evil neither tempteth he any Man but every Man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust and enticed James 1. 1 3 14. And there is one called the Tempter Mark 4. 3. Who finds something in him whereon to ground the Temptation as Pride Lust or such like God doth suffer all this to try our Obedience the whole order and establishment of things may be referred to this See Deut. 8. 2. none can compel and by the assistance of his Grace which is made known unto Men they may be all resisted The excellency of Mans faith and service unto God appears when he holds fast to that notwithstanding Sollicitations and Discouragement to the contrary Who would not fear God I had almost said even those who sin against him if thereby he was assured to have a â—edge round about but if a gap were opened and Satan might come in and trouble him a little this would manifest for what reason we did and whether we would keep constantly to obedience Job 1. 10. Innumerable are his devices which all may be known out of Scripture In general they are either to commit sin or hinder good By the first he doth delude the wicked World and with the latter assail Gods faithful people more especially though the one and the other are tempted both ways He would first keep them from doing the thing that good is but if it is done for all then he will endeavour some way to spoil or defeat of the reward When they have heard the word Satan cometh immediately and
Lord Jer. 17. 5. He gives even unto them all that they have and can do thy self more good then all the Men of the World. Though this is as it were hidden for Tryal whether they will draw off from him and others would run unto them Indeed the Kingdom of God is not meat and drink Rom. 14. 17. but things as will better satisfie then they do now For you eat and drink and hunger and thirst again But if you would seek after that in the mean time you would be quieted with the hopes and Faith thereof till you come actually to sit down at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. A Supper to which all the Dainties of the World are as stinking Carrion It doth infinitely exceed both in Delight and Continuance all the most pleasant things here What would you not do at present if you could get such an Estate as some of thy rich Neighbours have you would think nothing too hard many a Sleepless Night and laborious Day you would suffer with all your Heart if you might attain it But thou seest no way or possibility if thou wouldst never so much desire to do it Well be contented nevertheless and assure thy self that if thou art not slothful but come unto him who will meet thee in the way of Righteousness and then follow hard after him thou shalt undoubtedly come to Heaven when the Great Ones if wicked and disobedient shall be thrust down with Shame and Confusion Or if they fear God do thou endeavour to exceed them in Graces and Well-doing and so be more had in Honour by him who rewards every Man according to his work not so Luke 16. 10. much for what Rank and Degree he was in the World. If thou dost obey the Lord thou wouldst with Patience and Quietness of Spirit endure whatever low Condition thou art in and be rather the more thankful because thereby quickned and stirred up to a Godly Life Sometimes to hunger Prompts to strive the more earnestly to come to that place where you shall be filled You have the less Temptation to take up a Rest here but should more seek after that which is to come It is an hard Case indeed never to do any thing but to take Pains to be like the Ox or Ass to live to no other end but that of Labour but it is not so with you for God hath provided better things if you would accept them He hath ordained a Rest and a Promise is left us of entring Heb. 2. 8. 3. into it And we are Commanded to fear least any of us should come short of it Some we read of Who could not enter in because of unbelief And this same is an hindrance to Men now adays for what makes them who do nothing but toil and yet are unmindful of this true Rest unless it is because they do not believe any such thing But if Men are unbelievers whilst they live they shall not be so when they die for there will succeed a certain fearful Expectation of Judgment and Condemnation The unbelievers shall have their part in the Lake which burneth with Fire and Brimstone Rev. 21. 8. Saith the same Divine Witness I heard a voice from Heaven Saying unto me Write Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth yea saith the Spirit that they may rest from their Labours and their Works do follow them Rev. 14. 13. All do not so but only those who die in the Lord. That Saying so common in the mouth of Country People When such an one is dead he is happy because freed from the Pains and Miseries of Life is false when applyed to all indifferently good and bad for this Blessing belongs only to those who have led a Godly Life By Death we fall into the hands of the living God and then he may deal with us as seemeth good in his sight however being a God of Truth he will do so with all of us as is declared in his Word which is Truth And therefore it will be so with us according as we order our Conversation in this present World by the words written in that Book Seeing the Case is thus it must be the more excellent way to fit our selves accordingly We often provide for those things which never happen and if they should are but of small moment Shall we not much more prepare against that which will certainly come and is of greater Concern to every one of us then any thing now in the World is All our Care now is to keep Life for the present and shall no Care be had to live for ever We can never do too much to preserve Health and keep of sullen Death as long as we can And shall not we do the same to escape the second Death that wretched Condition in which Men shall seek for Death and it shall flee from them With all our Pains we cannot hold of temporal Death and yet we would we may by the Grace of God preserve our selves from eternal Death and there we will not Oh strange madness O unspeakable Folly O ye Sons of Men who hath bewitched you to Act so Preposterously Death in it self is not more grievous then Pain or Sickness now is nay not so much for as in Health we fall asleep when we do not perceive it so then those violent Pangs destroy the Sence and Feeling but that which comes to the wicked after renders it exceeding terrible and that should be most dreaded which would not be in vain because it would make us flee from the wrath to come Would we take as great heed least we die after Death as now we do to save our selves from Death then Death should have no Dominion over us it shall not bring Evil but Good unto us The sting of Death is sin but Command is given to pluck that out Cast away from you all your Transgressions whereby ye have Transgressed and make you a new Heart and a new Spirit for why will ye die O house of Israel for I have no Pleasure in the Death of him that dieth saith the Lord God. Wherefore turn your selves and live ye Ezek. 18. 31 32. Here you are taught and also enjoyned how though you die you may live again Look a little further then this present Life It is of few days and full of trouble Who would place his Confidence in that which is uneasie and must an end Time hasteneth away Death is coming on Every Man must at length close with it He must either lye down in Peace which is the Portion of the righteous or dye as the wicked do in Horrour and Anguish of mind or in a stupid Condition as is the Case of most However some admire this sort of Death for they say he dies liâ—â— a Lamb yet there is no Peace saith my God to the wicked Isa 57. 21. Such a Death is like a drunken Mans falling down a steep Rock his Sottishness hath cast him
that lived under the Old Testament which doth not so clearly manifest immortality as the Gospel doth Luke 16. 22 23. Luke 23. 43. Phil. 1. 21 23. Heb. 9. 27. Rev. 6. 9. Besides are innumerable places to prove Resurrection eternal Judgment and Life everlasting Things are fixed and not according to Mens Fancies one way or another those Decrees and Ordinances remain still the same in Heaven Of which we could know no more unless they had been â—old unto us by the Son of God who came down from Heaven and the Spirit from above then one now lying in the lowest Dungeon doth know of what is done in this World. And they do not vary change or alter with our several apprehensions of them whether of assurance or doubt no more then the Sun ceases from shining when only a Cloud comes between Let the sick Person use continual Ejaculations Lord increase my Faith And God will not leave him But he shall receive the end of his Faith the Salvation of his Soul. There cannot be too much Strength or Comfort laid up against this Day it should be the business of a Christians whole Life before for it is the entrance into an endless Life It is the fulfilling and Manifestation of whatever he hath heard Read or done in Truth pertaining to God and Religion And indeed it is worth while to do all things to go off safely He will have Peace in his Life and strong Consolation in his Death Let him observe all parts of Duty to God his Neighbour and himself throughout the Course of his Days Let him do what he can in Sincerity and Truth Whoso doth these things shall never be moved He that hath an Ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second Death Rev. 2. 11. Being confident of this very thing that he which hath begun a good Work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ Pâ—â—l 1. 6. We may be certain of using the means of perseverance for God hath put them into our Power and as long as we rightly use those means we shall infallibly persevere So that in the mean while we may be assured and at last have true and cercertain hopes of Resurrection unto eternal Life And there cannot be such Fright and Amazement concerning that which is to make the everlasting Decision either when it is far off or near at hand If any one hath let him search and examine his Conscience impartially either he doth something which he ought not to do or he leaves something undone which he ought to do this makes him horribly afraid and must be amended before he can be freed from the Danger which the Fear gives warning of A true Christian can contentedly look for the blessed Hope even in the midst of Life he can find Comfort and sweet in the thoughts of Death as that which will free from the disturbances of Flesh and Blood the Molestations of an unthankful unbelieving ignorant World from the Miseries and Labours of Life and send him over unto eternal Rest and Rejoycing To come to the Enjoyment of our Lord Jesus Christ to be admitted into Fellowship with Abraham Isaac and Jacob Prophets Apostles Martyrs all the Good and Wise Men since the World began to be gathered unto his Fathers to see his Godly Friends and Acquaintance of the same Generation with himself just gone before all this must be a desirable thing The dead may be supposed to be about five hundred to one more then the living now are those whom thou leavest behind shall in a little time follow thee and the People which shall be born shall die in like manner and shortly God will accomplish his whole Elect. None hath advantage who goes before or after And seeing the River must be gone over it is small difference who hath a longer or shorter Passage so we avoid the Rocks and Dangers in the way The pious Soul will be in a Strait willing to stay and yet have a mind to go and there is some Irksomeness to leave the World as now it is to change the place where we have long dwelt Our Nature is something made up of Contraries willing and yet unwilling but if God doth really send as we know not his Pleasure until after the use of all prudent Remedies the Sickness proves unto Death Fear not to go for he calls thee Remember that Petition thou hast often made Thy Kingdom come and when it is wilt thou then shrink back One end of Sickness is to make us the more willing to leave the World. Whatever is sudden doth surprize for the time but then it is soon over whereas that which comes on by Degrees and expected is longer but then more easily born Good Men have been divided in Opinion about this thing those who have been for a sudden departure have rightly thought the only Preparation is by an holy Life for the Gospel speaks of no other It Commands to Watch to have our Loyns girt and our Lamps burning and this is to be done in the midst of Health Life and Vigour There is much Talk in the World about providing for ones latter End but unless to settle temporal Affairs from the example of Hezekiah there is not so much said thereof throughout the whole Word of God. It is the beginning of Error and Deceit when People depart from that It is Non sense and Contradiction to the saying of our Saviour John. 9. 4. to put off the working while it is day till the night cometh when no Man can Work. Who purposely put off the working out their Salvation till that time had best have a great Care what they do for besides the hazard of being taken away by sudden Death yet if they should have considerable time of Sickness or Old decrepit Age they have no such Warrant of being accepted Hear what God saith Mal. 1. 8. of offering the Blind the Lame the Sick for Sacrifice But if some are against Death by the ordinary way of Sickness because that is tiresome and may be an occasion of murmuring Distrust Unbelief blasphemous Speeches which proceed from violent Distempers yet we should not refuse to suffer whatever God thinks fit to lay upon us He knows our Condition and will not enter into Judgment for the meer Sin of the Disease no more then he imputes the Follies of Childhood We are to receive for the things done in the Body 2 Cor. 5. 10. to be judged according to the general Tenour and Bent of our Life Neither will our most merciful God take advantage of any infirmity or slip at the last He will not suffer us for any Pains of Death to fall from him The Church prays so for more abundant security and also to deliver from sudden Death O Lord thou knowest what is best for every one of us Thy Will be done Whether this first coming of the Son of Man finds in the
judgment surely the wrath of man shall praise thee the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain Psal 76. 10. The Condemnation thou inflictest on the wicked shall tend to thy Glory and yet thou shalt curb them that they shall do no more so wickedly Thou hadst rather O God that Man were Righteous but if not thou art not the less glorified Whether he be so or not redounds upon himself If he will be Happy nothing is wanting on Gods part to make him so if he will go in the prescribed way but if not he perishes of himself only I have no Pleasure in the Death of him that dieth saith the Lord God Ezek. 18. 2. and therefore doth not in any wise contribute towards it Whatever be his final Condition through his own doings in the beginning he was made to praise and serve God in this Life be contented in so doing and at last enjoy him that is Blessed for ever this may be the Reason why in all Men who are equally born to this great end there is such an earnest and natural desire after Happiness That this might be the more effectually obtained God hath shewed out of his written Grace and Revelation to all Sorts and Conditions of Men. A plain intimation that as he hath made known his ways unto Isa 2. 3. men so he would have them walk therein As they have Power given them to know so to do As God would the means so Mich. 4. 2. the end all are put in a possibility of the Crown and Reward All the ends of the World shall remember and turn unto the Lord and all the kindreds of the Nations shall worship before thee Psal 22. 27. CHAP. III. OF KINGS The necessity of Government in Order to Preservation and outward Peace Of the Person of Kings wherein it is shewed particularly that all their enjoyments cannot make them Happy but their Happiness is to be had in God only with an Exhortation and Direction thereto I Have said ye are Gods But ye shall die like Men Psal 82. 6 7. You are Partakers of the same Flesh and Blood subject to the same weakness and frailty with the meanest but that Divine stamp of Sovereignty makes the difference There is no Power but of God the Powers that be are ordained of God. He is the Minister of God to thee for good he beareth not the Sword in vain for he is the Minister of God a Revenger to execute wrath upon him that doth evil Rom. 13. 1 3 4. Should the King immortal eternal Exercise the Authority by himself we are not now able to endure his glorious Presence We cannot see him and live When he revealed himself upon Mount Sinah and all the People saw the Thunderings and Lightnings and the noise of a Trumpet and the Mountain smoaking and when the People saw it they removed and stood afar off and they said unto Moses speak with us and we will hear but let not God speak with us least we die Exod. 20. 18 19. We walk by Faith and not by Sight 2 Cor. 5. 7. it would be no Tryal of our obedience if he should appear visible upon Earth at whose sight all Nations must tremble God hath ordered it as it is Heaven is â—y Throne and the Earth my Fooâ—stool He commandeth over all And still the Most High ruleth in the Kingdom of Men and giveth it to whomsoever he will Dan. 4. 32. He hath sent his Deputies among us Spiritual and Civil whom though he hath been pleased to Honour with his own Title of Gods and Lords yet they are in the likeness of Men. The World cannot subsist without Government for since there are in us the Seeds of all manner of Evil and especially those which are prejudicial to Society Pride Revenge Envy Hatred Malice Oppression Theft Covetousness and such like if these were not restrained by present Punishments for who do not regard God fear these there would be no living amongst Men. We must lurk in Dens and Caves of the Earth to hide and preserve our selves from wrong and injury We are worse then Bears and Wolves Tygers and Serpents for they do not biâ—e and devour those of their own kind whereas Man is ready to do all kind of hurt to his Fellow if none would fall upon himself If there was no Law to bind him then his Strength would be the only Law of Justice The good things of the Earth would not be distributed according to right or deserving but fall a prey to the Sons of Violence There would be no Trade or Commerce for then People would not barter for Commodities but take them by force When the mighty Man hath got them there comes a stronger then he and spoileth him also and a third trys to Master him A gap would be opened to all Rapine and Injustice and none could say that any thing he did possâ—ss was his own Men are as the Fishes of the Sea if they have no Ruler over them Upon the least Provocation or without any for a malicious Hab. 1. 14. mind with seek occasion which may be easily found they would destroy and hurt one another Our lives would be in continual jeopardy of merciless Men. Something we have spoken or done miâ—-construed surmised or falsly accused would render us liable to anothers Strife and Cruelty We are by Nature Children of Wrath of him whose Name in the Hebrew Toâ—gue is Abaddon but in the Greek Tongue hath his Name Apoâ—â—yon Rev. 9. 11. We are rather descendants from Cain then the Cadâ—ean Seed Even now wilful Murther is punished by an acâ—â—â—sed Death yet still it is too often practised among us but if it were reserved only to the future Judgment of God that being at a distance and not believed by reprobate Minds or thinking to come off there by a slight and superficial Repentance in the mean while too many moved by a revengeful or covetous Appetite would no more stick to shed Blood then refuse meat when hungry In Wars where all Laws Justice Reason and Humanity are banished what Bâ—â—chering of one another there is What strange Instruments of Death they have invented being Witty to mutual Destruction They spoil Countreys send the devouring flames into Vaâ—â—eys of Corn that before did Laugh and Sing plunder poor People of their Cattel and Livelihood rush violently into Houses and â—ob of all They kill and slay have used unheard Cruelties towards Women and innocent Children who should have been Objects of Compassion and not of fury The finest Cities are turned into ruinous heaps and laid in Ashes all things are converted into Desolation They insult over poor Captives binding them with Misery and Iron feeding them with Bread and Water of aâ—â—liction What Pity it is that Man who is endued with such rational and excellent Principles and thereby exalted above the rank of Beasts yet should Act such mad things As if they were not otherwise subject to â—iseries enough but they bring
Feast and Carouzings to make them improve their enjoyments to the utmost Now there hath so much light and revelation came into the World that the most jolly persons cannot do this to increase their Mirth They can run with a certain violence towards Death hear a witty Expression if it comes out of the Mouth of Uâ—believers but to â—it down and deliberate to examine the evidence of things not sâ—en they are afraid to do that but yet must be let into them There are some in these days who will speak out in a Bravery as if they wished the time of Decision would come they do not care how soon they are satisfied whether things are so as declared from the Pulpiâ—s They would be no longer held in doubt or uncertainty Whether there be a life after this not much unlike those in the Pâ—ophets time Isa 5. 19. Amos. 5. 18. It is all but proud Discouâ—se for would they have it experienced in their own Persons They do not care for that however they shall in due time Or would they have one rise from the dead and declare it unto them Why the Son of God who came down from Heaven out of the Bosome of the Father and known his counsel hath declared as much and there shall be no other sign given If things were made a little more plain and revealed then they are already there could not be the least doubtfulness for every one must assent where is no possibility of denyal and then there would be no Tryal of Faith or good Life there would be no discerning what manner of persons these are who speak arrogantly against the wiâ—e Counsels and determinations of God. But since God is pleased to hold his Tongue and is gone afar off the words of some are Saucy and their actions Contemptuous against him yet these very Men dare not commune with their own heart after this manner out of Pride and affectation of Wit they will thus talk in Company and also they think themselves more secure and exempt from inward Horrour when amongst their Companions in sin Others oppressed with affliction or Weariness of Life or now and then in a sullen Fit may pretend to set light of Death but there is no real Comfort for the wicked against it they are not absolutely freed from the Fears thereof Some will acknowledge as much but then they say it is natural and every sort of Creature doth the same This is true for Self-Preservation runs through all that hath Life and Motion and the same is in Man also he hath the like things pertaining to Life the same natural Inclinations and Aversations which the sensitive kind â—ath All Men of both sorts good and bad He that Sacrificeth and he that Sacrificeth not are willing to continue and they abhor Dissolution As their Flesh is common so are they Partakers of the same things Thus far they are equal but then comes the difference for there are Fears and Hopes which point beyond all this amounts unto The Beasts know nothing what shall become of them and fear to die now if a Man were to die as a Beast dieth he would know the worst of what would happen unto him to turn into Corruption and be iâ—sensible of all things Indeed there might be a trembling and surprizal at this yet this alone would never cause such strange Terrors and Amazement as are in wicked Men neither would there be such joyâ—ul hope and expectation in the righteous If there was an end and no more it would be all one as before we were born and we cannot apprehend any thing extremely dreadful in that Many would be contented that they might for all Eternity thus remain in silence and really wish they had never seen Light. But this is not all The bare lying in the Grave is the least of the fear of Sinners The Body turns into Earth but the Spirit returns unto God that gave it and to find him angry It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God Heb. 10. 31. None but he or the Executioners of his wrath are dreaded But the upright Man can see through Death and behold Life He looks even through the Land of Darkness and Light riseth up unto him The wicked doth not fear the natural Effects Death more then another If he thinks or is told any thing of God or Judgment to come he is troubled above measure The Darkness of the â—ower parts of the Earth is not so affrightful unto him as the Horrors of utter Darkness He had rather his Body were rotting in the Dust for it is there without Sense as be painful or languishing in the Bed but the Coâ—sternation of his Soul flying out he knows not where makes him desire to continue in that miserable Condition It is not Corruption he is so much afraid of as that his Body should rise up again at the last day if he might have his Will it should continue for ever where it was The Miseries and Tiresomness of Life could make him contented to sleep for ever more but then some Glimpses of a restless eternal State makes him wish to stay here These things and more of the like sad Nature the considering Sinner finds to be true both in the Course of his Life and more especially towards the Close thereof he fears Death with another kind of dread then what is natural or other Creatures of the samelikeness but not of the same wickedness do Here again it may be surmised that he is frightened with Tales and Stories as Children that go in the dark Whence do they come Is the Scripture a cunningly devised Fable 2 Pet. 1. 16. Are all Children Are all Fools How comes it to pass that the Wisest yea and those who set themselves not to believe these things are still terrified by them Surely there is Truth and themselves though they never so much endeavour cannot shake it off They will hastily Prate for they cannot speak soberly and say so that all Revelation is Fiction but their own Fears give them the Lye for they most of all Fear the dreadful part thereof The Threatnings are only to the ungodly and disobedient which any one may cease to be and so avoid them But instead thereof Men betake themselves to the old general Policy of not thinking before-hand What Senselessness is this There being a certain and future evil to run into it because they will not foresee and avoid it The foolish and opposite Actings of Men are a Confirmation of Faith for hereby the Scripture is found true particularly what is written Rev. 12. 9. Is Death evil It is only so to evil Men which any one may refrain to be Is Death evil Why it will remain so if you do not think of it and if it be so sad that you cannot think thereof to endure it will be worse there is a way shewed to take off the sadness from your present Thoughts and the real Danger
a clod of Clay All those great fancies as to his Esteem and Advantages in the World do utterly vanish and come to nothing as soon as his Spirit is gone out and flies into that place where no regard is had to what is highly valued here The utmost of Pride is contained in this Life and the things had therein which we see with our Eyes do certainly perish and stand the owners in no stead We are further told by God who sent us here for tâ—yal who knows all things and how it shall be hereafter that this way leads to Contempt and Falling when what is spoken of as past according to the Prophetick Stile which is as true as if already fulfilled He hath put down the Mighty from their Seats and exalted them of low Degree Luke 1. 52. Those who are Great in this World shall be little in the World to come and the little great which will be so as to Wicked and Ungodly persons and those of mean Condition who continue in all Obedience Even those of high Degree who live in good Conscience and Duty yet the more Acts of Humility and Condescention they use it will be much better for them Wherefore Humble your selves O ye Mighty for this is the way to preserve what you have and attain greater Advancement A mean person cannot bow down he cannot stoop beneath what he is already his way of Exaltation is by continuing where he is having Thoughts only sutable and not above his Condition You are by God placed higher that you may voluntarily come down still keep the difference you have in the World do as the rest of your Brethren and hereafter be put into a Seat among the Blessed when all shall be Perfect Disdain and Envy shall cease It is manifest worldly Pride cannot do any good nor that which creeps into Religion also I mean of those who would save their Souls in a gentile way who are for the modish manner of Worship and Devotion performing it in a stiff careless and indifferent way who put a difference in Congregations freqâ—enting those where people of Quality do resort and for having Pastors accordingly who love the uppermost Seats in the Synagogue You would be Great and Honoured still then consider seriously whether indeed this is the way to be so Did our Fathers please God after this manner Is there any intimation in his Word that it is acceptable in his sight Is it not an Abomination as the effect of Pride Prov. 16. 5. Who say to the Poor stand by your selves come not near us for we are more Rich and Honourable then you If such Thoughts are in the breast of any God knoweth them and putteth these things in his Book of Remembrance and they shall be brought forth one day when he shall make a right difference among his People You had better take this Counsel which you will not disapprove of in a day of Humiliation Sickness Death Bed or as soon as ever you are stept forth into the other World but only to be observed in your life time As our Lord dwelt among us in the Habit of a poor ordinary Person yet had his Grave with the Rich so you who have your Habitation and Living with them may follow him in the Generation and serve him in the same manner as poor people do To whom he saith the Gospel is Preached Come over to the Plainness and Simplicity thereof follow the Fashion only in lawful things but let it have nothing to do with Religion for God doth not so well like the Course of this World that being either opposite unto or would corrupt the things pertaining to him If you take heed to all this you will be no loser in the end but greater then those who are resolved to hold fast in their wonted way whatever may be said to the contrary It is Vain to offer any thing to persons that are under the Dominion of â—ride for this makes them despise Exhortation and â—nstruction to set themselves above to cast off and not mind it This is one cunning Stratagem of the Devil for thus he prevails with them not to receive the Truth that they might be saved He represents such as mean persons and busie Bodies in other Mens matters whom God hath raised up as Instruments to convey it unto them Their despising is against him for we do not speak out of our own Humour Fancy or any prejudice but from his Word only We know and are assured that it is true and every tittle shall be fulfilled And then it must be reasonable to put all in mind to take heed and order their Actions accordingly When it is suggested in a common matter such a thing cannot possibly profit but is likely to do more harm then good there is no Frown or secret Indignation but Thanks for the Admonition Why should it not be so likewise in Spiritual things Because there is a subtle Adversary who would have such things done and consented unto and stirs up a close Antipathy and Hatred against them who would disswade from False and Deceitful appearances You would fain be Great Who hinders but let it be only in that way God hath shewed Be contented for a little while and wait what he will do for you We bâ—leech you to forego those things which are only shadows of Greatness which evidently decline and vanish and hinder from obtaining the â—bstance thereof which you are most earnestly desired to make sure of above all things He that is least in the Kingâ—omoâ— Heaven is greater then he who hath the Pomp and â—lory of this World the one doth as much exceed the other in Degree and Continuance as the Sun doth the light of a Spark which ascends up a little height expires and is nothing so whatever is Speâ—ious and Beautiful here if for some Years it is not so much in comparison to the Glories of Heaven and Eternity What a fool must he be who doth lose the greater for the less Is he not mistaken and deceived who whâ—lst he seeks to be Exalted becomes low who is desirous to be Great but is â—ound little Shall we call up the careless Nobility and Gentry of former days who lived and died in their Imaginations let these Gods ascend out of the Earth even all those of several Generations and Countries heretofore Hell hath eâ—largâ—aher self and opened her Mâ—uâ—h without measure and their Glory and their Multitude and thâ—â— Pomâ— and he that Rejoyceth shall descâ—nd into it Isa 5. 14. Their Souls even now are sensible what their Earthly Grandure amounts unto just nothing at all but when the day of God's Judgment and their own Reâ—â—rrection is come they shall further know what it is they lose and are to suffer for the same This stands for a warning to all those who are now Living and shall be Born not to fill up the Measure of their Fathers but so to use their Greatness as not to abuse it
for it passeth away an such is the event thereof if not rightly managed What an horrible Abuse and Prevarication it is That when they should â—e moâ—e Thankâ—â—l and Obedient to him who placed them in a higher Sâ—ation thence to lift up themselves as to contemn God and Sâ—n against him What is lent for a tryal of Humility and moderate Deportment they presently turn into Pride and insolent Carriage to others The nature of Man is extream prone to Pride and hardly restrained no other way but according to what is written Then he opâ—neth the Ears of Men and sealeth their Instruction That he may with draw Man from his purpose and hide Pride from Man Job 33. 16 17. Let them attend to what may be said of the nature of things and their Establishment of his own â—rame and constitution his own Vileness Weakness and Mortality how he is Dust and Ashes walking up and down like a Shadow a little dependant Being and much more there is to humble and keep him off from this Sin. The prevalency thereof arises from those enlarged Faculties wherewith Man is endued as also that Preparation and Tendency God hath put into him for greater things Now this is turned the wrong way and thence proceeds all the Transgression and Irregularity Those powers of Soul were designed to serve the Lord with all the Heart but turning aside they are taken up with vain things which cannot profit 1 Sam. 12 20 21. If Man were to be once made and so still to abide If there was no further Advancement and Exaltation for him If he were not capable of Increase and to be yet more Excellent What mean those aspirings after it that he is still reachâ—â—â—â— yet higher This being equally in good and bad which also prompts to things lawful and commendable as following ones Humour and vain Applause to keeping of the Commandments all one as breaking them which seems to shew this is not so much the voice of Depraved as Imperfect Nature Even before Sin came into the World these desires were so much was not revealed for wiâ—e Reasons yet our Fore-father was to have been Translated as Enoch if he had pleased God and to have a better Body then formed out of the Earth that to be changed into more Glorious His Soul was to have been more enlarged and converse with higher things then those of this Earth God would have led him up from one Degree to another But the fault was his Impatiency and he would not tarry the Lords leisure He did hearken and yield unto the first proposal and appearance of being greater when himself might have had an assurance of being so if he had been contented to have waited for some time Nothing is more reasonable then for a Creature to expect of his Creator That as he was first pleased to make him low until he should be raised and rendred more Excellent so according to his good Pleasure he would fill the Mouth which he hath made capable and commanded to be opened wide Psal 81. 10. That he would satisfie See and Observe Psal 145 16. 19 the desires he hath put in The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me Psal 138. 8. And we are to wait his good time We see how our Fore-father fell how others at this day Transgress after the same manner so we may look on and be afraid using the utmost caution that we do not follow after them Man would be Happy and Great his own way and that presently God hath ordered another which is to be begun here and fully manifested hereafter The question is whose Will shall take place If Man follows his own he shall find nothing sutable to his Faculties but be carried along with Falshood and Deceit till he falls into Destruction and Misery But in Gods way and according to his appointment there let him stretch out as far as he can and he will meet with things proportionable with Reality and Truth according to his Promise and Covenant of our Sojourning here which ends in the greatest Safety and most compleat Happiness Humble your selves therefore under the Mighty Hand of God that he may Exalt you in due time 1 Pet. 5. 6. Those accomplishments of the inward Man are most worthy to be sought after and highly to be valued for they have real Worth and Excellency they give Peace and Blessed Expectation to the Soul and when the Body goes to the Earth remain together till they are perfected in eternal Happiness Indeed he that is discerning cannot have a thing but he knoweth he hath it and also the worth thereof As he sees others value themselves upon the account of such and such things comparing his with theirs he is subject to do the like Thence cometh spiritual Pride to be the greatest of all Pride as those Graces and Gifts are more excellent then any thing whatsoever But that all Glory may be unto God for stirring up Thankfulness unto him and quelling Self-conceit and also to take somewhat off from the Temptation to Hypocrisie it may be requisite to lay open this Proposition with the Reasons thereof viz. If a Man be Religious he deserves not the least Praise nor Reputation from others for it is matter of Duty as he is a Servant If he is only according to the common Standard of the World that is from a mercenary selfish principle out of respect to the promise of Eternal Life and fear of the threatnings of Eternal Death and that prudential security to saving of the Soul as to the uncertainty thereof Now there is no more Commendation in all this then an Hireling that works for his Pay or anothers doing to prevent an Evil that would beâ—all him or to secure ones self in a matter doubtful But for what is more and comes to the practice of things which are Honest Lovely of good Report Vertue Praise Phil. 4. 8. For the several Acts of Universal Obedience pure Faith and Love Free-will Offerings doing Good working with Grace all this is Answered from Rom. 2. 29. Whose Praise is not of Men but of God. 'T is not Man that doth this but the Grace of God in him Acts 18. 5. by strong impulses or quickenings which he must give way unto or he is uneasy And to keep his own Peace being acted he doth act For who maketh thee to differ from another And what hast thou that thou didst not receive 1 Cor. 4. 7. God makes him both to will and to do of his own good Pleasure he is a meer Creature an Instrument only and also God hath made him thus So he alone is to be glorified in the Gifts he giveth unto Men. They are to stir up and comply therewith for which they receive a Reward Glory to God in the highest and on Earth Peace good Will towards Men Luke 2. 13. Those whom he sends forth should not be disturbed they desire only the common thing of good Will and Kind Reception but no
at them They had Learning and Wisdom and some dwelt in every Nation under Heaven yet there is little notice or mention made of them in other Writers In the Treatises of Idolatry and Superstition whilst knowing Men could confute the Folly and Falshood of that they could disprove that but yet not light upon the true Wisdom Many things might be shewn from the Succession of time to discover that Sulness Averseness Ignorance and Pride in the Heart of Man towards God for many would not confess whom they must know some would not mind at all others Groped for the Wall like the Blind Isa 59. 10. Others through their own self-Conceit and Knowledge which perverted them would not stand beholden to Gods Grace and Revelation but try to seek it out themselves The Reasons hereof may be conceived Mans Corruption who became weak and unable Satans Temptation who did befool him and also the excellency and wonderfulness of right Religion It is exceeding Holy and Spiritual so that Man could never attain unto the Knowledge thereof but by Gods help And he would not seek first after that and therefore deservedly received the error of his ways The Light shineth in Darkness and the Darkness comprehendeth it not John 1. 5. It is afraid and shrinks thereat We can look on this side or that side but not against the Sun shining in its brightness It is on high we must soar often and make many essayes before we can ascend up when there are so many things to press down But the principal Reason of the slow progress of Religion is that the Scriptures might be fulfilled It is a great Work whereby Acts 3. 17. 18. God is to be Glorified as to the Earth and all the Inhabitants thereof The Kingdom of God is like to a grain of Mustard Seed which a Man took and Sowed in his Field Which indeed is the leaft of all Seeds but when it is grown it is the greatest among Herbs and becometh a Tree so that the Birds of the Air come and Lodge in the Branches thereof Mat. 13. 31 32. Gods doings are not of a sudden Shall the Earth be made to bring forth in one day Isa 66. 8. The Fruits are growing up at full and perish by flow degrees within the Circumference of the Year So it is with Beasts and Man they increase and decrease by little degrees which are not perceived in the middle time though it is afterwards The Earth shall wax old like a Garment and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner but my Salvation shall be for ever and my Righteonesness shall not be abolished Isa 51. 6. This is the Tree of near Six Thousand Years growth that was Planted in the Earth and came up by little according as the tenour of divine Revelation came into the World And though that is finished more then Sixteen Hundred Years since yet it hath been and is yet again to be Col. 1. 23. Heb. 10. 13 16. Preached to the whole World And it is expected what Fruit it will yet bring forth Whether it will at length be universally received as it hath been heretofore rejected It will spread yet further Isa 60. Psal 80. and be more eminent in the Lives of Men. The hidden Wisdom of God will come forth and he will unfold the mystery of the Kingdom For he will finish the Work and cut it short in Righteousness because a short Work will the Lord make upon the Earth Rom. 9. 28. For I would Brethren that ye should not be Ignorant of this Mystery lest ye should be wise in your own conceits that blindness in part is happened unto Israel until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in And so all Israel shall be saved as it is written There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer and shall turn away Vngodliness from Jacob Rom. 11. 25 26. He is already come who gave the Word and shewed the Way who made invitation for all yet by what he hath done for us and the continuance of the Spirit which is to abide for ever and Searcheth all things yea the deep things of God 1 Cor. 2. 10. More heavenly Truths may be yet known which are brought forth out of the Treasure of his Word that People may more know and be added unto him As certain as the Earth is sufficient to maintain all its Inhabitants Psal 67. by the Tillage Industry and Improvement of Man and God blesseth them in their Endeavours for they do it accordingly So in his Kingdom of Grace the means are sufficient that every Soul Isa 61. 11. may come unto Glory if they were as carefully used faithfully put forth by humble Prayer and Diligence by labouring with the Faculties of the Mind as it is done the other way by members of the Body the like Food may be had to nourish all people up to Eternal Life If they hold fast to the Form of sound Words in Scripture and urge it with that Authority and Reasoning which flows from it things will be yet better then now they are The Word which is thought foolishness is wiser then Men and the weakness of God is stronger then Men. If it is not stronger then they Why are they afraid to encounter with it Why do they turn their Backs and flee from it What means that neglect and wilful Ignorance They must be unmindful or otherwise they cannot go on in sinning They cannot otherwise avoid going to the Pleasant Land then because they will not hear a true report thereof and the encouragements to it Not all the Ungodly and Wicked of the World can withstand those Arguments in Scripture against them That this is not a vain and forward Assertion it may be somewhat judged from these four ensuing 1. From Consideration of Wisdom and Folly. 2. The intrinsick Goodness of the things commanded and the Evil of what is forbidden 3. The Promise of Eternal Life 4. The Threatning of Eternal Death The first prepares the way for the Man is capable of receiving Good and subject unto Evil He hath a natural desire to one and abhorrence of the other So He is prompted to look about and order his Actions accordingly He is told how things stand Wisdom moves him to search and examine it being a more important Question for him to know then his Title to his Estate on which way to get a Livelihood because these thingâ— are greater Ionger and will as certainly be upon him as the little short and fading Conveniencies are now for he must aic And then do appear forth the things contained in Scripture all one as the things we now see handle and converse withal Inconsideration is the utmost Folly and Danger for we know that temporal Evils are the more grievous when they fall on us through our want of Care and Fore-sight much more must it be to Eternal for they are without end and remedy The Word is laid before Mankind They must either
and true it is impossible they should resist the Force and Cogency thereof For all Men are very Solicitous and wonderfully Careful to keep off a little Evil whether national or private Yea the Wicked and Ungodly are afraid of a little Melancholy Irksomeness Dulness want of a little Pleasure and the least thing that would do hurt They must likewise abhor and dread everlasting Misery and there is the same reason they should endeavour to avoid it And though it be future that will come Many Years hence will as certainly be as the present Moment unless all things are absolutely destroyed when they have already continued for some Thousands of Years And they will be no otherwise dissolved then to make way for an Eternal and Irreversible State when things shall be more substantial and enduring But themselves endeavour to keep of future Evils as to preserve Health and prevent Sickness they provide against Want and Poverty or falling into Disgrace They take care how things shall be with their Children and Posterity after their own decease So that compare one thing with another the greatness of the concern the utmost certainty that it will be one day present for what is more sure then Death the inlet thereto Many things might be here urged that must perswade Men. And therefore they have two ways to fence themselves by Unbelief or Unmindfulness But both are pittiful and foolish shifts for though we are not apt to believe ill things against our selves and we have Temptation to think because we would have it so that these are only in terrorem Yet there is no security in this Our reason tells us things are fixed and not according to our fancy If some disbelieve that shall not make the Decrees of God of none effect If we go about to prove this doth not make them for they were before but only to make more known what we have from Scripture to warn Sinners the more that they do not come into this place It was the Saying of old at the delivery of their Message The Prophets shall become Wind Jer. 5. 13. Which makes a whistling and noise for the time but hurts no Body But those found after by woful Experience The Lord hath done that which he had devised he hath fulfilled his VVord in the days of old he hath thrown down and hath not pittied Lam. 2. 17. O if they had gave heed and turned from their evil ways but then it is too late It shall be exactly so as to what is now said of Resurrection of the Dead Eternal Judgment and the after State. The event is to prove all things but whoso suspends his Faith until then his Condition will be without remedy There are several Examples both in sacred and common History of those who have fell into great Danger and sudden Death of which they were foretold but they would not believe or not mind it In such a case Wisdom dictates to what is safest as there may be Danger so it is better to undergo that little Trouble to prevent then to run the Gen. 19. 14. Exod. 9. 20 21. Jer. 40. 15 16. hazzard thereof lt is not so much their Destiny as their Folly which draws them to the end for the means of avoiding was in their power and they might have used them It was kindness in him that gave the notice and some do take it and escape the like Evil so it is as to the Threatnings of the Gospel They being future and in another World cannot be certainly and indubitably known unto us for a future and distant Affirmative may be proved by his Testimony who seeth all places and knoweth the things to come Here we have the Word of God that these things are so but yet the Serpents Question Gen. 3. 1. will raise a doubt Our Lord who came to redeem us from that place speaks thereof There are also some reports of persons arising from the Dead and giving witness to the same things But he is greater then all and their Testimony is not so much to be relied on None did ever return from the Dead and say they were forged or false from the silence of those Saints that arose at our Saviours Resurrection or Lazarus who had been four days dead nothing can be concluded for possibly they were hindred from speaking or might speak something which is not Recorded that our Faith should not stand in the Word of Men but the Power of God by which they were then raised Or if they knew nothing this is no more to be wondred at then he who Slumbers some few Minutes should know of the following day Or if the Souls do not absolutely Sleep yet they may be like those that Dream when they are first put into Futurity knowing nothing but confusedly There may be a slight Remembrance but we cannot tell what to make of it But what should they testifie whereof we are not as much assured of already The Decrees are yet to come and to be fulfilled of Resurrection Eternal Judgment Perfect consummation of Bliss and Misery That there is a place for separated Spirits we may understand as well as they for this is the least part of the World where we live and they must exist somewhere all one as we in this state of Conjunction and Mortality now do God will not shew it further then as he hath done already by Moses and the Prophets Christ and the Apostles who have spoke out plainly what they did in general and signification And I will punish the World for them Evil Isa 13. 11. Which is manifest he did not always in this place and therefore would do it in another I have set before you Life and Death Deut. 30. 19. When as to the present it did happen alike to Righteous and Wicked and therefore must be understood of Eternal Life and Death Accordingly the Jews â—id gather from such kind of Expressions a future Happiness or Misery The Evangelical Prophet comes a little Joh. 5. 39. Mat. 22. 31 32. further to use his own Phrase VVith stammering Lips and another Tongue will he speak to this People Isa 28. 11. He speaks more clearly of Heaven and Hell Isa 66. 22. Chap. 33. 14. then the others but not so quite out neither as those under John 16. 25. the new Testament Such hath been and is the way of God's discovering himself by degrees to the World. For the Kingdom is the Lords and he is the Governour among the Nations Psal 22. 28. It is for the Glory of the Great God and the good of his Creatures being Established upon proportionable Rewards and Punishments We are all Servants under him though some are appointed to make known his Will to others but themselves also are to obey it And they are now to do the first only from what is revealed So they speak what they have not received who declare any thing more It doth not become Servants to anticipate extraordinary
put before the means for the Apostle speaks of Gods principal intention and here mentions the way how they may accomplish it by knowledge of the Truth which whosoever doth sincerely and universally as any one may do this will quicken and stir him to arise and be saved It is the same as if in ordinary Conversation one would have his Servant go to such a place and then shews him the way Truth is distinct from Man for it is the very Nature of things without the Connexion between themselves and how they pertain Of Reason to us whether Divine or Common for so they are distinguished to us when properly all things are Gods. There is a Power implanted in us to know them many of them are hidden which we discern by searching and inferring one thing from another which is the proper Office of our understanding and commonly called Reason Some have been offended at this word because it is so little mentioned in Scripture Whereas it is 1 Sam. 12. 7. Isa 1. 18. Acts 17. 23. Acts 24. 25. and in innumerable places by other words to the same purpose as Knowledge Wisdom and Understanding and the great necessity of them is pressed throughout the whole Book of God. He appeals to us Ezek. 18. Whether his ways are not equal Implying we have some Capacity to think thereof I speak as to Wise men judge ye of what I say 1 Cor. 10. 15. And then what he saith concerning the Gentiles That which may be known of God is manifest in them for God hâ—th shewed iâ— unto them for the invisible things of him from the Creation of the World are clearly seen being understood by the things that are made even his Eternal Power and God-head so that they are without excuse Because that when they knâ—w God they glorified him not as God Rom. 1. 19 20 21. Their way of knowing him was by inferring it was some one who made this Beautiful House of the World and he that Built all things is God. They had but a dim knowledge of him just believed he was but for want of Grace and Revelation knew not how to come unto him nor seek him aright This is our advantage above theirs we have now blessed be his Divine Majesty the Old and New Testament compleated the sum whereof is a rational way of pleasing God see Mat. 23. 16 17. Isa 44. 19. All our duty to him is a reasonable service Rom. 12. 1. Here is to be seen his law for the Government of the World which at first was given in short as well becomes Sovereign and infinite power as the ten Commandment which contain great equity The Writings of the Prophets are as so many Expositions on them who did exhort to the observance and reprove for the Transgression of them all which may be observed to be reasonable inference and conclusion from them applicable to those particular acts as even the heart of Man might judge Who is among you that feareth the Lord that obeyeth the voice of his Servant Isa 50. 10. God who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in times past unto the Fathers by the Prophets hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son Heb. 1. 1. In whose Gospel the things to be done are most agreeable unto the Sons of Men the precepts given us are worthy of the Son of God and came from above for the Wisdom of Ages could not contrive so excellent He whom the Jews did stile a Carpenter hath outdone all who were ever before him his worst and implacable Adversaries could not say any thing against what he Taught and those sent to apprehend him did confess never Man spake like this Man John 7. 46. The malicious world could not find fault with his Doctrine Of all those Antichrists and Hereticks who have done so much mischief to the Church of God none have either wrote or spoken against the rules of Life unless some mad prophane Persons in a scurrilous Language which prevailed nothing upon Wise and considering Men and never made any Proselites but such as were before led that way by their corrupâ— Lusts and Affections Nothing can be said against them â—oâ— they aâ—â— pâ—re 〈◊〉 and even the perfection of reason All do approve of their Excellency that do admit them into full and due consideration If reason were stretched out to the utmost and suffered to have its perfect work to look out every way and â—ow far this would dictate This Star being now assisted by the Son of Righteousness would direct to the right Path though it be a small Light in comparison to the other yet it will lead to the greater by direction of both we may go on securely Religion without reason is Superstition and Folly God is not pleased with the Sacrifice of Fools and reason without Religion doth argue Man more ungrateful to his Maker so liable to a greater Condemnation Well is it where they meet together and each assist the other remembring still which is subject and must keep close to the other The natural understanding prompts to do nothing prejudicial to our Happiness and to follow after what conduces thereto if it be further unable that hinders not seeing it is offered help from above Gods Grace is sufficient and that is never wanting to any who desire and seek after it which every one may do And therefore let none say if he becomes Miserable that it is through God he is so for I have no pleasure in the Death of him Deut. 8. 20. that dieth saith the Lord God wherefore turn your selves and live ye Ezek. 18. 22. That we may know how to do this we are shewed and also required to follow after Him who is the Way the Truth and the Life God hath given us Knowledge and Power to be Happy and hath done all things that can be well conceived seeing he hath been pleased to make us as we are to put us to a free Choice and Obedience We are not Gods but the Work of his Hands he may do what he will with his own if God should force us to do our Duty that would be like the Sacrifice of a Beast against his Will. We ought to praise our God that he hath made us capable of serving him who hath provided so much for our Good that we may live for ever if we will he doth press us forward to the things which are for our Peace he Neh. 9. 29. doth testifie against us that he might bring us again unto his Law this is done by the Spirit he hath given us Conscience is called the first Spirit of Man 1 Cor. 2. 11. Prov. Of Conscience 20. 27. It is the most excellent part of the reasonable Soul which being assisted from above make Application of the Mans actions to himself He that is wise is wise unto himself and this bringing all things home is most useful for accomplishment of the great end of Happiness
Reason may wander in fruitless Speculation and insignificant Thoughts but this Ministers only profitable things its Office is described Rom. 2. 15. Their Conscience also bearing Witness and their Thoughts in the mean while accusing or else excusing one another which is a certain demonstration that Man is in subjection under a Law. He is not troubled for fear of Humane Power or Punishment but for those things only in his own heart whereof that hath no knowledge it hath respect unto the Invisible God over us who hath given a Law to all the World both Jews and Gentiles the first had it Written in Tables of Stone and to the other it was Ingraven in their own Hearts Now something sits as Judge within the Man examining all that is done by him it will not condemn the Innocent See Exod. 23. 20 21 22. nor let the Guilty go free It is Gods Vicegerent and therefore a contempt to one is against the other also making known his Will and Pleasure pressing it to be observed It is an emblem and forerunner of his future judgment for it is neither to be bribed nor deceived but determineth impartially and knoweth all things rendring unto every one according to his deservings If well then is comfort and joyful expectation If ill Sin lieth at the Door there is regret and fear Mention is frequently made hereof in the Writings of the Heathens but we do not find they used so many Tricks and Artifices to stifle it as is the practise at this day Who think themselves wise and happy if they can do thus much and they may but there is great danger herein for if they should suppress Conscience in this life and come to that place where it will be revived again where the Worm shall never die that little time of ease and quiet here would signifie no more then if one in a light sickness should fall a sleep for a Minute only and thence awake in a continual burning Feaver To commit more sin and to hope thereby to be relieved is as foolish as to quench the Fire to cast more fuel on Indeed at first this doth somewhat stop the Flame but after it will blaze more violently So remorse may be a little hindred for the present but returns worse by reason of the fresh guilt that hath been added increasing and driving nearer unto but not removing the future punishment It is now so grievous that some care must be sought out one way or another When by reason of iniquity the whole head is sick and the whole heart is faint there are two kinds of remedy the one is of the Physitians of Souls the Exhortation of turning unto the Lord with Weeping Fasting and Mourning the diet Drink of Penitential Tears the exercise of Repentance these seem severe and harsh but yet Who doth not submit to as much for Bodily Health and Recovery And is not Eternal Life as much as these The Patient doth not like these wholesome Medicines Is there none who can do the business sooner and more easily When old Satan perceives any troubled in mind for their sins he knows the consequent if he doth not administer present comfort they will be renounced which are the cause of so much Disquiet and Vexation And then Gods design that this sorrow should work repentance will take effect this the other fears and therefore will endeavour to hinder He whispers that their present sadness is not occasioned by serving of divers Lusts and Pleasures for they were found sweet in the enjoyment but it is their Natural Constitution against which they must strive Eat Drink and be Merry Do not give way to Heaviness The poor Man thinks this admirable Advice much better then the other sour prescriptions and doth fancy his inward Diseases will be healed more pleasantly and safely but mark the end He knows the vertue of strong Drink for when reason is destroyed there are no reflex thoughts of upbraiding Guilt and approaching Misery all is in a peacable condition This doth not last always the sober intervals return and with them worse heaviness for last nights folly He finds that did not perfectly cure him but then resorts again unto the same esteemed remedy by repeated acts he gets an habit of Sottishness so by little and little he doth still the unpleasing because true suggestions of Conscience continual â—â—pping makes way for the Spirit of slumber and drowsiness a custom of sinning will at length take away all sence of it Habit and Use will make Drunkenness and other Sins become as Natural Actions that they shall be committed without concern or regret afterwards for that doth vanish by small degrees till it is none at all â—o Adultery and Fornication may seem all one as Eating Drinking and Sleeping The qualms following Injustice Theft and Deceit go off and come to be as easily practiâ—ed as the honest works of the calling sin is of an hardening deceitful Nature and those who suffer it to reign for some time in them at last lose the sence of Good and Evil. A thick and insensate skin is drawn over their hearts which is the reason so few though many live wickedly are troubled with terrors of Conscience Harden not your hearts that is their own act but exhort one another while it is called to day least any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin Heb. 3. 18 19. which plainly imports that it may be done All that live in wrong or iniquity either have hardness of heart or inconsideration which is the leading step thereto or their Consciences are accused of sin The first is a sad Symtom of Eternal Death when in Scripture Phrase their Consciences are seared with a hot Iron being past feeling Eph. 4. 9. a reprobate mind Rom. 1. 28. The second is folly and danger the last is irksome and unpleasant which would cease if the cause were taken away He that covereth his sins shall not prosper but who so confesseth and for saketh them shall have mercy Prov. 28. 13. But as long as this admonisheth and stirs within there is life and they are not dead in trespasses or sins If men would not be impatient and grieve at its reproof it would do them no harm only perswades to return and come into the way of Salvation then it will be quiet and satisfied Wretched is that Person who doth slight and refuse its motions who grieves the Holy Spirit God hath put in to reclaim from the evil of our ways and to bring back unto his Commandments by this may be seen how desirous he is of the happiness of his Creatures if they do any thing contrary they are judged of themselves they are condemned of themselves That self Indignation secret Whispers Twitches Desires Intreaties Solicitation watching of Opportunity Importunity Laâ—hes Threatnings both fair and severe means they are all to make them follow the thing that good is and to affrighten them from evil The Spirit of Man is the
4. 7. Have an honourable esteem and good will towards him and his kindness will be discovered to you Whatever hard thoughts arise or are subministred by the Tempter they all proceed from our ignorance and sin some remainders whereof are in good Men though they should labour all they can to have the same done away If any Man love God the same is known of him Many make a shew of much love but if true and sincere it will be manifested by the very nature thereof for if we love God we must be careful to please him above all things as Profit or Pleasure Favour or Good-will of Men. We must be zealous for his Glory contented to suffer Shame Reproach or any Inconvenience for him We are to side with him against the World and the corruption therein a sence of his favour and assurance of his See Exod. 32. 26. reward will make amends for all the seeming disadvantages the other may bring on us All Acts and Offices of Religion are Pleasant and this keeps in all Obedience Love is a constant Principle always abiding on the Soul for it hath a Complacency therein and Dictates at all times to do all things well-pleasing in his sight whom we Love. Take good heed therefore unto your selves that ye Love the Lord your God Else if ye do in any wise go back Josh 23. 11 12. Implying that if this be not in their Minds they would do so This suggests that they can never do too much for God makes them do every thing Willingly and Cheerfully carries them through all the Varieties of this Life sweetens their Enjoyments and for Sickness Pain Loss Affliction this gives that Patience and Resignation that they are as none adversity for they can apply Rom. 8. 28. 1 Cor. 2. 9. Prov. 3. 11 12. The apprehension of a good God above makes every thing Happy unto them As the Father hath loved me so have I loved you continue in my Love John 15. 9. and he that loveth the Son loveth the Father also Glory to God in the highest and on Earth Peace Good-will towards Men was sung at the Birth of Christ our Lord who Of Love to ones Neighbour fulfilled it by that excellent and improved Law he gave unto us Ye have heard that it hath been said thou shalt love thy Neighbour and hate thine Enemy But I say unto you love your Enemies Mat 5. 43. 44. This seems an unreasonable Command to Flesh and Blood but only as it is corrupt and unbelieving for otherwise it may be justified If thine Enemy be hungry give him bread to Eat and if he be thirsty give him water to drink for thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head and the Lord shall reward thee Prov. 25. 21 22. Thou shalt by this means stop his further Violence and Malice In point of prudence it is better to bear a little Evil then by resisting receive greater and trust to the recompence of God for having obeyed his Command We are obliged to do more then is common to Men to manifest our Faith and Dependance on him as may be seen by what is required Mat. 5. 44 45 46. The Reason is added That ye may be Children of your Father which is in Heaven for he maketh his Sun to rise on the evil and good and sendeth rain on the iust and unjust God is provoked every day yet he is strong and patient He loadeth Men with Benefits which they make occasion to sin yet more which he suffers to try if his Goodness will lead them to Repentance but if they offend yet worse their Malice doth only hurt themselves but he is highly exalted and looses nothing if all the World were as Stubborn and Rebellious against him as is possible for such small and limited Creatures to be His Glory and Goodness and Happiness is still the same for all the ungodly Deeds and hard Speeches which ungodly Sinners commit and speak against Jud. 15. him His obedient Servant who is but Dust and Ashes a Worm and nothing in Comparison of the Great Lord of Heaven and Earth Who hath and shall receive every thing from him is here in Duty bound to imitate his Maker and all through his Gracious ordering cannot receive the least disadvantage by it By loving Enemies they become reconciled unto him or not Iâ— the first then it is granted by all to be better then revenge But suppose the worst They are still malicious and resolved to do him all the mischief in their Power the whole in the end will fall on themselves and not on him Will they say all manner of Evil of him â—alsly for Christ's sake his Religion and Good Conscience They cannot torment him in this for he applys the Blessing Mat. 5. 11 12. and the Promise Psal 31. 20. He may be just sensible but doth not lie under Vexation and Discomposure The light breath which sends forth evil Words can never make any Wound in his Soul who hath on the Breast-plate of Righteousness Sayings of one another signifie nothing We are all to stand at Gods Judgment Seat and who have assured Evidence of being approved Detraction there doth no harm but increases our reward that we can heartily forgive the Authors thereof Will they do their utmost and persecute him to the Death As they did to the Prophets the Lord Jesus and his Saints yet after they have done that they have no more that they can do They intitle him to a Crown which the Lord hath promised to such so when he comes to suffer he may well say with him Who suffered for us leaving us an Example that we should follow his steps Father forgive them for they know not what they do When by the Eye of Faith he seeth the Heaven opened he may with real Charity and sincere Affection cry out Lord lay not this Sin to their Charge If it be reasonable to love Enemies so it is to love Friends this we do as Men that as Christians A new stone is laid and both are raised above the common pitch A new Commandment I give unto you that ye love one another as I have loved you that ye also love one another John 13 34. from whence the Disciple that leaned on Jesus Bosome makes this necessary inference Hereby perceive we the love of God because he laid down his Life for us and we ought to lay down our Lives for the Brethren 1 John 3. 16. To do the highest Act thereof that can be expressed There is nothing more enjoyned in the Gospel then Love. The Primitive Christians who did live exactly according to the Rule given them were remarkable for this See how they love one another was observed by the Heathens concerning them who herein fulfilled that Saying of their Lord and Master By this shall all men know that ye are my Disciples if ye have love one to another John 3. 35. But we that are reserved to the dregs of time are
against he would not be after their liking Then they would not have this Man reign over them they will outwardly conclude him to be an Enemy to Jesus and pronounce it as lawful to destroy him as Bears and Wolves Whether he is so or not an uncharitable Opinion or false Accusation is sufficient ground with them to kill the Lords Anointed against whom none could lift up his hand and be guiltless This hath been the Divinity of some and mischievous in its effects but let it be examined by that word which is to try the Doctrines whether they be of Men or no. Christ delivered that command of Obedience to Magistrates at that very time when an Heathen Emperor was in the Throne when Herod and Pontius Pilate were subordinate Governours when he was Sentenced to Death by unjust judgment Peter would have hindred the execution but was commanded to put up his Sword in the Sheaf His Apostles Preached the same Doctrine after the Kings of the Earth stood up and the Rulers were gathered together against the Lord and against his Christ which doth manifest that some have interpreted the Gospel contrary to what the first Founders of it intended and have put that restriction which they never designed O ye perveâ—ters of the meaning of the Holy Ghost What authority have ye to do these things By your expositions and glosses you have diminished from the universal obligation of the commands Wherefore do you make distinctions where the Law maketh none To come to the Old Testament wherein ye so much trust what do ye think of Saul from whom God had rent the Kingdom and gave it to one better then he and though Saul did seek after his life yet Davids faithfulness and duty to him may be seen 1 Sam. 24. 5 6. 2 Sam. 1. There were many wicked Kings in Israel yet to none did the people hence take occasion to rebel or refuse their lawful injunctions neither is the least intimation from Gods Word so to do It was not because they were Jews and so the anointed of the Lord but even Cyrus a Gentile is thus called Isa 45. 1. And unto Nebuchadnezzar God gave the Kingdom Dan. 2. 37. So they are indefinitely called Gods Ministers Rom. 13. 6. It is not said of that single one but all in general The Kings rule several Countrys but over them all is the Great King or the whole Earth the Lord and Governour of the World. Thou shalt not speak evil of the Ruler of thy People Acts 23. 5. Upon no account although he doth what he should not In the original place Exod. 22. 28. It is doubtly forbid to lay on greater enforcement How can Men over-look such plain places when they are quick enough to spie out any thing that may be wrested to serve their wrong designs When they meet with such they have set their brains on work for a pâ—â—â—sible interpretation to delude the hearts of the simple They neglected to put them in mind to be subject to Principalities and Powers to obey Magistrates Tit. 3. 1. Whereas if they could bring any thing out of the Old Testament of zeal for the Lord of Hosts and â—ighting his Battles this was managed with all their skill and dexteritâ— to stir up Sedition and Rebellion but for those against them they did either omit or fasten their own sence quite turning that of the Holy Spirit To apply Maâ— 2. 7 8. The Priests lips should keep knowledge and they should seek the Law at his Mouth for hâ— is the Messenger of the Lord of Hosts But thâ—se departed out of the way they have caused many to stumble at the Gospel by Preaching contrary thereunto they have corrupted the covenant of race and been partial in the Law otherwise they could not turn Religion into Rebellion for this doth not allow the least Wickedness so neither that which is the greatest sin that is ordinarily committed against Man. It is against the immediate Oâ—dinance of God which he doth commonly punish and defeat in this life One would think Men might have taken warning by them that perished at the gain-saying Jude 11. of Core how the Earth opened and swallowed them up as if not â—it to live above ground who would have disturbed that order and government there Though this was set forth for an Example for all that hereafter should act rebelliously yet the Spirit of disobedience hath so worked in the minds of Men that they have not refrained from doing the same things Every Age since hath produced instances of those who â—ave not dâ—ed a death common to Men It would be endless to Number all the Traytors that have been in our own Nation I am unwilling to accuse mine own Country Men but I am afraid we are a reproach to Ezza 4. 15. our Neighbours that we are a rebellious Country and Enemies to Kings as by our Records and Histories it doth appear If we consult them we find that several have came to a miserable and untimely end If the business of Dathan and Abiram was afar of and long since these are later and come home What if in our our Memory some have been destroyed in a rebellious War others dyed like Dogs and had their Carcases hanged up for a Spectacle The Apostle 1 Cor. 10. mentioneth the punishment which fell upon the Jews to dehort others from those sins which were the occasion thereof so that may be here represented according to Truth which fell upon them that we may not commit Rebellion as some of them committed and fell and became as the dung of the Earth All these things happened for ensamples and are written for the admonition of those that come hereafter One must be moved with indignation to hear the Enemies of the Lord Blâ—spheme and the way of Truth evil spoken of to which nothing hath given greater occasion then the carriage of the pretended Religious especially in two things Disloyalty to the State and knavery between Man and Man. Then which nothing is more forbidden in Scripture which if rightly understood and obeyed would make the best Men and the best Subjects in the World he who lives accordingly is an Enemy to none much less to him whom God hath placed over his people Government is as necessary to the well being of the body politick as health to the Natural The ligatures and strings do hold together the several parts so that doth joyn the Members of the Common-wealth dependant and subordinate one to the other and prevents that confusion which would otherwise ensue Every Man enjoys his own his Person Fame and Estate are preserved from wrong and injury he hath all the outward good which can be desired in this World. God hath in a wonderful manner from time to time been pouring forth his benefits upon the undeserving Sons of Men he hath given all his Law to make us happy and excellently contrived that part which relaâ—es to keepâ—ng up that order which he did first
for that also was once to come and we see it hath already been The day of death with us living is to come and though it be so none can be foolish to deny but that will as certainly be as was the day of our Birth All this great business which is cryed up to be so much at a distance is only till then for albeit the perfect consummation of bliss and misery will be after the general Judgment and how it shall be with us immediately after Death there is no plain Revelation yet from John 9. 4. Heb. 9. 27. and alike places it appears As the Tree falls so it lies As Death leaves one so Judgment finds him What therefore doth it signifie if the General Day be afar off when the Day of our particular Death may be next Week to Morrow this very Night God may require our Soul The body remains insensible in the Sleeping-House of the Grave yet it will be awaked from thence by the Trump of the Arch-Angel A Man would not go to sleep very securely if he knew before hand he Mat. 25. 6. should be rouzed by his House burning about his ears and of this we are assured that after our earthly Tabernacle is laid down it riseth up no more till the day of the Lord comes as a Thief in the Night 1 Thes 5. 2. In the which the Heavens shall pass away with a great noise and the Elements shall melt with fervent heat the Earth also and the Works that are therein shall be burnt up If we would be safe in that great day we must before we go hence consider and do well that we may be worthy to escape and stand the only strength is innocence Seeing then these things shall be dissolved what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy Conversation and Godliness Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God wherein the Heavens being on fire shall be dissolved 2 Pet 3. 10 11 14. We daily approach nearer to morrow then to day and thus continually make towards it Whether we Eat or Drink Sleep or Play our time passeth and whether we think of it or not we are always going to that state in which time shall be no more How soon we may be there we know not but most certainly we shall be there at last Take ye heed Watch and Pray for ye know not when the time is Mark 13. 33. Who will not obey this Commandment but be unmindful go to sleep and take their rest yet their Damnation slumbereth not and if they put the evil day far from them yet still their condemnation lingereth not and that will come do what they can In the days of Sodom they did Marry and were given in Marriage did not at all consider the things which should come upon them nevertheless the Lord rained down Fire and Brimstone What are now become of all those in the Generation with Amos who would put the evil day far from them Yet it is long since come and they could not stave it off Those of the same mind in the time of our Amos 6. Fathers are all gone and their carelesness could not preserve them from the Pit of Destruction They thought the very like what some do now the things of another World were at a great distance and they need not mind them yet they fell in unawares We can no more think their misery less then who wilfully shut their Eyes and drop into a bottomless Gulph whereas if they had kept them open they might have seen and passed by it Like the evil Servant who said in his heart My Lord delayeth his coming Mat. 24. 48. They had time enough and to spare on the Earth therefore they would smite and oppress their Neighbours eat and drink with the drunken But the Lord came in a day when they looked not for him and they are reserved unto his just Judgment if they might rise from the dead again and have another day of grace and for bearance they would be other kind of Men They would take heed and not be surprized on a sudden But the decrees of Almighty God like himself are unchangeable they were told of this before and they might have accepted the good counsel of the Lord Jesus and therefore he is Righteous in his dealings towards Men. Who dyed in their sins have no more place for repentance for he gave them a space to repent and they repented not Rev. 2. 21. But the living may as we are at this day yet not better then our Fathers we must shortly dye in like manner and are to stand or fall to our own Master We shall see another representation of things then is now before us one which openeth into the eternal Countrys either new Heavens and a new Earth wherein dwelleth Righteousness 2 Pet. 3. 13. Or a Land of Darkness of the shadow of Death a place of Dragons and Scorpions the inhabitation of Sin and Misery Yet a little while and we shall be removed out of this place and then we shall find that the things here spoken of though they may at present seem as idle tales Luke 24. 11. will be real and no fictions Whosoever believeth that God is true and that those things are so which he hath spoken by his holy Prophets Son and Apostles cannot otherwise then be convinced of the certainty of them even now If so nothing can be more effectual to perswade Men futurity will be no more an argument against them then now it is against Mens going a Voyage to a Foreign Country where it is several Months before they can reap any profit The shortness of the time before at least by Death the infallibility of that the exceeding greatness of the concern should take away all other disadvantages If we had but faith as a grain of Mustard-seed we should remove Mountains which now hinder us to behold the Land that is very far off Isa 33. 17. And for all the distance it would more affect us because of its exceeding pleasantness then that our feet now tread on if it doth not it cometh to pass because of unbelief Nevertheless if we believe not yet he abideth faithful he cannot deny himself 2 Tim. 2. 13. He hath provided a rest for his people and to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest but to them that believed not Heb. 3. 18. They shall not only be deprived of that but shall have their part in the Lake which burneth with Fire and Brimstone which is the second Death Rev. 21. 8. Which they may as soon avoid by saying they do not believe any such thing as now they may a temporal evil by fancying strongly it shall not come upon them If they could make themselves immortal by having a lively Faith that they shall â—ot die or if they were fast bound to a Stake and a pile of Faggoâ—s kindled close round about and they could be preserved from
burning by a meer perswasion only then also men might escape the damnation of Hell by only thinking there is no such thing To argue there is no God because the Foâ—l hath said so in his heart Psal 14. 1. is as ridiculous as it would be for one to pretend to extinguish the light of the Sun by shutting his eyes Let them think he is not or he sleepeth doth not concern himself with the affairs of Mankind yet himself hath said I AM THAT I AM Exod. 3. 14. and declares himself in that Magnificent manner Deut. 32. 40 41 42 43. So let all the world say to the contrary it signifieth not The word he hath spoken shall stand and he will do according to it let all mankind dispute or think what they will. If they will not believe they must perish in their unbelief if they do that but will not give heed to obey the truth thereof they also shall be punished from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power Both these are follies so great that there wants a name to express them yet this last seems to be greatest for there are in Scripture such forcible arguments to obedience that who believes must be as absolute a fool or madman if they do not work upon him as he who refuses a great Estate when offered or run himself into a fire when he may pass by and avoid it Go ye into all the World and Preach the Gospel to every Creature He that believeth and is Baptized shall be saved but he that believeth not shall be damned Mark 16. 15 16. said our Lord to his Disciples Which may prevent the Whispering of Court-Chaplains that Christ gave no command to Kings if they are not Creatures they have an immunity from Gods Law otherwise not When only in Judah God was known he expected Obedience from the King thereof all one as from the People yea rather more for the spirit of God takes particular notice who served him and who did not with account of those Mercies and Judgments they received accordingly as every one knows who doth read the Old Testament But now the fulness of time is come to which belongs that â—rophesie Kings shall be her nursing Fathers and Queens her nuâ—sing Mothers It was some considerable time after Christ and his Apostles were upon the Earth before any King or Emperour was converted to the Faith and even now it is only so of one part of the World defaced with much Corruption Wickedness and Ignorance So we are to expect a further and universal fulfilling of Isa 60 3. 11. Psal 72 11. Psal 102. 15 22. Rev. 11. 15. and chap. 21. vers 24 26. Themselves are subject to the only Potentate the King immortal invisible and only Wise God if they are so â—reely he accepts thereof but if they will reign wholly themselves and not let him reign over them if they do not glorify the God in whâ—sâ— hand their breath is Dan. 5. 23. he will account with them when that is taken away and manifest that he is stronger They are Potsherds of the Earth though of the largest size yet between them and their Maker is but alike difference being infinite in both as between the High and Lofty one and the meanest Man. They came here to the same end and purpose as others they also were designed to set forth the glory of God though in a more eminent manner they are made to act according to his Laws both as they relate to their private capacity as Men and to the publick of Kings as they must answer for themselves to the Lord who is high above all the Earth who is exalted far above all Gods Psal 97. 9. Happy is he who doth comply with this will of the Almighty That hath learnt to fear the Lord his God to keep all the words of his Law and his Statutes to do them whose heart is not lifted up above his Brethren and doth not turn aside from the Commandment to the right hand or to left to the end he may prolong his days in his Kingdom he and his Children in the midst of Israel Deut. 17. 19 20. In his own Country and Dominion that ended he may be received up into Gods Kingdom above for this promise is come in under the Gospel Neither is the other taken away but rather obscured that is not so much mentioned under the Manifestation of the Greater the like promise remains still annexed to the first Commandment Ephes 6. 2 3. And here is the alike reason The observation of the conditions of the promise do according to Gods establishment of things tend towards the obtaining of it and so on the contrary it is of the threatnings which come on by sin and ignorance But further Gods special providence is over his own People and more particularly over his Anointed It is he that giveth Salvation unto Kings Psal 144. 10. Not that all good Kings have always temporal deliverances for there is the example of Josiah who had that excellent Character 2 Kings 23. 25. The reason of whose untimely Death seems to be given in the verse following If God doth sometimes let the Righteous fall his wayes are justice and goodness it is not for ever for it will be abundantly made up in the day of recompence But Jehosaphat sought to the Lord God of his Father and walked in his Commandments and not after the doings of Israel therefore the Lord established the Kingdom in his hand and all Judah brought to Jehosaphat presents and he had riches and honour in abundance 2 Chron. 17. 4 5. Something may be hence gathered for God is the same still No accepter of Persons but in every Nation he that feareth him and worketh Righteousness is accepted with him Acts 10. 34 35. Let the King be assured that if he cleaves unto God with his whole heart and puts away Idolatry and false Worship he shall have Temporal or Eternal Salvation that most commonly this most certainly but rather both It is so well pleasing unto God when those obey him whom he hath placed in the highest Room on Earth that he rewards them here and hereafter To rule according to Gods Commandments is the most safe way to preserve them in the Royal Seat of their Ancestors In mercy shall the Throne be established and he shall sit upon it in Truth in the Tabernacle of David judging and seeking judgment and hasting Righteousness Isa 16. 5. Did not thy Father Eat and Drink and do Judgment and Justice and then it was well with him be judged the cause of the Poor and Needy then it was well with him was not this to know me saith the Lord Jer. 22. 16. Every one that hath but the common sence of humanity must love honour and obey him and these will be such a safe-guard to his person that those his implacable Enemies whom no goodness can overcome will be forced to lick the dust for a Good
of all Hearts are to be judged by the Gospel of Jesus Who will put his own Interpretation on his own Laws and we are to receive from his month the Sentence of Life or Condemnation Let none therefore be the more Confident or presume to go on in his Course because one whom he hath chosen for a guide tells him he is right enough and he is willing to believe him for such can know no otherwise then by the Gospel and it is agreed on all hands that those Texts which are given to make wise unto Salvation are so plain and easie to be understood that they need no Interpretation at all and it cannot be that any who come in sincerity to be informed should be deceived in them But thus it is Men are strangely given to their own Lusts they cannot endure to resist the Allurement of sensual Pleasures and are not willing to bring down their haughty minds and yet would partake of the Promises of the Gospel and avoid its Threatnings so there must be an expedient found out to do all this How ready are they to hearken unto and embrace every proposal made to this end Either by their own deceitful Hearts or by him who works with all deceivableness in them that Perish Or some others have been found who instead of shewing People Mic. 3. 5 8. their Transgression and the House of Jacob their sins have soothed them up and concealed Who have strengthened the hands of the wicked that he should not return from his wicked way by promising him Life Ezek. 13. 22. Who being willing to please their great Benefactors do according as they would have Speak smooth things and Prophesie deceits Isa 30. 10. Who know no sooner way to oblige them then by dictating Doctrines sutable to their ungodly Lusts and Inclinations that they may live the Life of the wicked and die the Death of the righteous follow all iniquity here and receive the Crown for Well-doing hereafter And this is done by divulging some pleasing but wrong and mis-applyed Notions of Gods wonderful Mercy of Faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and relying wholly on him for Salvation of a formal daily Repentance which is well enough if more sincere and perfect on the Death-bed the Doctrine of partial Obedience of Desires and Resolutions which are for the most part Mockery or Non-sense the mistakes of Sins of infirmity for the works of the Flesh and unrighteousness come under these of distinguishing between the Counsels and Precepts of the Gospel stretching it further then they have Warrant from 1 Cor. 7. 25. What they have a mind to follow those are the Commands and what they have not is of the other sort and then they sin not in neglecting it And such like Out of which may be patched up a fine sort of Divinity to please the Great Ones here by giving them Encouragement that after they have gratified to the utmost all their wicked Lusts and bid defiance to the Almighty in their Life-time yet they can appease him again slightly and when they will But certainly this is quite to leave the Principles of the Doctrine of Christ to go on to imperfection not laying again but utterly over-throwing the Foundation of Repentance from dead Works and of Faith towards God which if such as pleases him must consist in Obedience as well as to believe that he is But one would think some did not so much or what is worse Think that the God-head was like unto Gold or Silver or stone graven by Art and Mans device Acts 17. 29. for they would stamp their own Impressions and more derogate from his Glory and despise him in their own imaginations then they did Rom. 1. 23. for these would make God such an one as they would have him render him a Lyar alter and change his very Nature beseech him to determine his everlasting Gospel rather then he shall not save them Or else how can they ever dream of thrusting themselves into his Holy City above any other way then by which God hath appointed nay going contrary to what he hath Chalkt out Our Saviour Jesus Christ gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and puriâ—ie unto himself a peculiar People zealous of good Works Tit. 2. 14. Now these defeat the very end of his Coming for according to their supposal Men may still live in all iniquity and instead of being zealous for good Works they need do none at all but cast themselves intirely on Christs satisfaction and Merits The foregoing Verse is The grace of God that bringeth Salvation hath appeared unto all Men Teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly Lusts we should live soberly and righteously and Godly in this present World but according to the daubing of some if we do the contrary all our Life-long and we do that is impossible but say or wish as much before the last Gasp of Breath is gone we may lay hold of it But hold there Salvation is not Mens to give they cannot so much as redeem their own Souls much less barter with Almighty God for others We are to have the Reward from his hands only and he hath said already on what terms he will give it Christ became the Author of eternal Salvation unto all that obey him Heb. 5. 9. and to none else The Priests may not prescribe unto him who is a God of infinite Sovereignty and Power Laws of their own Head nor parcel out the Objects of his Bounty they may never partake of it themselves much less be so impudent as to set it out for others Themselve◠〈…〉 e to stand among the number of the Criminals for since they have corrupted the Word of God 2 Cor. 2. 17. Instead of warning the Wicked from his way such have been occasion why he sinned yet more they shall receive greater Condemnation Nevertheless those shall not escape who being led away with their own lusts and enticed do gladly receive their plausible Opinions and Sayings but shall perish for all Mat. 15. 14. Ezek. 33. 8. Isa 9. 16. Though the Serpent Gen. 3. beguiled the Woman and the Woman beguiled the Man yet the curse was pronunced on all And it will be no excuse in the last day Lord the Teachers who came in thy name told us we might do such things and live for Christ had foretold that false ones should arise and commanded to take heed least any Man deceive you He left his Word behind to try the Doctrines whether they be of Men or no by which he will judge the World and not by this or that Doctors Opinion Let others now put what meaning they will upon the commands of Christ yet if he should interpret them otherwise every one knoweth whose must be taken and by which we are to abide His judgment and exposition will be according to Righteousness and Truth whatever others make now If they turn the Word up Isa 24. 5. and down to make
them If one should tell a poor Country Man how he might get Wealth he would lift up his ears and attend readily to this message there is none can bring him such tidings but let him hear what the Spirit saith I counsel thee to buy of â—me Gold tried in the fire that thou mayest be rich Rev. 3. 18. With what eagerness do others run after Pleasures which are unsatisfactory and sudden And it seems there should be the same diligence used to be abundantly satisfied with the goodness of the Lord to come into his presence where is fullness of joy and at his right hand are pleasures for evermore Psal 16. 11. The Men of this World will expose themselves to hardship and inconvenience to get Praise and Honour though for all their Souls continue restless But Glory Honour and Peace to every Man that worketh good Rom. 2. 10. Are as worthy to be sought after and had Heaven is represented by the so much admired Idols of this lower World and that with greater advantage to give more full and lasting contentment of mind then the best thing on Earth now doth If the good things before us do somewhat refresh these will much more and contrary to the present they shall never be taken from us nor we from them Conceive any thing that is delightful and pleasant it comes very short of the joys above as sounding brass and tinkling Cymbal compared to the best Musick sufficient for a Man to be assured that it is greater then he can expect or imagine if he hears or reads never so much of what words cannot express to the utmost yet when he comes to the enjoyment he will affirm as one did of the Wisdom of Solomon The one half was not told me Some are apt to think It is pity we may not have this great Happiness at present But who in his very thoughts doth murmur at the good will and pleasure of the Almighty None accuses his Bounty who freely gives the reversion of a good Estate every one bestows his gifts in what manner and at what time he pleases And may not the Sovereign Lord of the World do the like Is it not lawful for the good Man of the House to do what he will with his own The Mighty God who is so much above and independent from all his Creatures is pleased Oh the riches of his love and See Isa 40. 10. goodness to deal so with them as one dealeth with another None is payed till the work done and when we likewise have laboured in the Vineyard till the going down of the Sun we are to receive what he hath promised The prize is not given till the race is ended Be thou faithful unto Death and I will give thee a Crown of Life Rev. 2. 10. Behold I come quickly and my reward is with me to give to every man according as his work shall be Rev. 22. 12. Besides present peace all along there is somewhat given in hand the earnest and first fruits of the Spirit those little glimpses of future Glory the delights of the inward Man But these are not to be compared with what shall be revealed hereafter For since the beginning of the World Men have not heard nor perceived by the ear neither hath the eye seen O God besides thee what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him Isa 64. 4. So it is his Ordinance that we should for some time patiently tarry for them It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the Salvation of the Lord Lam. 3. 26. The great Men of the World have many waiting to speak with them who do not grudge if they can get any kindness from them yea they are contented with the promise of a future favour Is not the Lord of Lords as worthy to be waited for as they Are not his Blessings as much to be valued Are not his Promises as sure Nay if I may so speak we have more Civility from the Great God then from exalted Earth-Worms For they are Men of Pride look for Attendance and therefore will be hard to be spoken withal But the Lord will wait that he may be gracious for the Lord is a God of Judgment Blessed are all they that wait for him Isa 30. 18. The things he hath provided are as worthy to be waited for and it is meet we should pay the same and greater respect to Almighty God as is done to Man whose breath is in his Nostrils for wherein is he to accounted of Isa 2. 22. God doth wonderfully condescend to the Children of Men to let his doings be judged of by them Yet saith the House of Israel the way of the Lord is not equal O house of Israel are not my wayes equal Are not your wayes unequal Ezek. 18. 29. Are you not bold with your Maker by finding fault with his dispensations unless you presently know the reason thereof You have a reason but are to be put in mind he is a God of Majesty and Power Known unto him are all his Works Acts 15. 18. And he is not bound to give account of any sufficient for you to understand and refer them all to the good pleasure of his Will. Thus for his Promises and Threatnings he might accomplish them whensoever he would and so they shall be in the appointed time which though to come yet will be most certainly And considering how much every one of us are concerned in them they should more affect us then the things now do before us If it be just that he who builds an House should dwell in it or he that Plants an Orchard eat the Fruit thereof So is it most just and reasonable that who made Man should be served by him Upon this Account alone God might Challenge our Obedience and Homage without doing any thing more â—oâ— us but further as a most gracious and bountiful Lord he Promises a Reward though we deserve none And being most absolute over the work of his hands For hath not the Potter power over the Claâ— of the same Lump to make one Vessel to Honour another to Dishonour Rom. 9. 21. Yet he vouchsafes to give warning before he dashes any to the Ground Noâ— consider this ye that forget God lest I tear you in pieces and there be none to deliver Psal 50. 22. He hath not threatned with eternal Death and Misery unless we are disobedient which is only our own fault so that he is most righteous in his dealings towards the Children of Men. Hear this all ye People give ear all ye Inhabitants of the World. Both Low and High Rich and Poor together Such is the Statute and Decree gone out upon all Flesh Let none think because they are of low Degree therefore they shall not be regarded by the Most High For all Men are the same to God. He hath made of one Blood all Nations of Men Acts 17. 26. Out of the same Lump and according to
is it after such an impious manner to provoke the Lyon of the tribe of Judah For their liberty to follow all excess to be drunk with good Liquor and good Company is reckoned by some to be worth all the lusts of the flesh because it is of longer continuance Yet this doth not last always for labour and other affairs of life call of they have some sober times and then what thoughts are in their mind Call to remembrance all thy former Drunken Fits and merry Meetings What satisfaction doth now remain What pleasure dost thou perceive of those Cups thou hast taken off in all thy past Years In the time of Health and Enjoyment those delights are vanished like Smoke and seem as if they had never been much more will they appear so when you come to lie upon a Death-bed Indeed you may before that have several other jovial Fellowships but they will likewise pass away as the former have done all will come to an end and there will be so much the more guilt to answer for Several Drunkards to thy knowledge are already dead and gone and it will be a sad thing to be in roll of those who shall not inherit the Kingdom of God 1 Cor. 6. 10. The wicked Man doth falsly think that Death shall make an utter end of him for as sure as Mat. 25. 32. John 5. 28 29. 2 Cor. 5. 10. and all Scripture is true so certainly is he deceived in his expectation for he must arise to Judgment and if he still continueth in his hard and impenitent heart as there are so many plagues and threatnings which should move him with all speed to be converted and escape he must remain a living Monument of Eternal Vengeance He might all one conclude the Heavens and Earth should be dissolved though the Son of God except the death of millions of millions hath not in the least shaked them as imagine he shall not come forth to a fearful Judgment Perswade thy self what thou wilt but as sure as God made us and not we our selves as he hath power over us and we once stand here upon the Earth so certainly will he account with us for our doings in another place Men take up with the common saying of Mortality an end and no more which yet is false as themselves shall know In this as in other things they speak according to their wish and not according to their real thoughts The sensual intemperate person would fain it might be so with him that as the Beasts die so he might die who made himself like them in his life by having no understanding by gorging with the Dog ready to the Vomit and in his sottish moodes wallowing as a Sow in the Mire so he would his death might not be divided from them for thy part thou dost endeavour and desire to be like them in both The former was in thy power and thou didst so the latter is not for God hath decreed otherwise such are to be reserved to his just Judgment What was it for which he must be liable to all this When he was in the most flourishing condition and did prove himself daily with Mirth this did not satisfie him His heart was dull and heavy when he did seem chearful to outward appearance he found but little sincere joy but few delights which were not attended with inward damp and sorrow if any they were quickly over and gone Hardly the tenth part of his short life was spent in Jollity for deduct Child-hood the time of going to School sleep and necessary business of the World there is little remaining to enjoy the pleasures of sin if considered strictly they do not extend to the hundredth I should not be found a great liar iâ— I did say not to the thousandth part of our life What a little must this be to lose an interest in a blessed Eternity The residue of time was spent in the common actions of Mankind and these were the more unpleasant to him who had not God for his portion He did work for the belly and did eat buâ— was not satisfied in his mind for that would be empty again and then he must laboâ—r to fill it and so round in a circle He could not see any good or end thereof He did not labour in hope He could not expect to increase or get higher He toiled all his life time and got nothing of true satisfaction What profit is it to spend our days in Heaviness and after Death to look for Punishment Many troubles did befall him vexation upon vexation sorrow upon sorrow in his declining years seldom a day without grief or discontent In the midst whereof he cannot tell whither to resort for true ease or comfort many a ruful exclamation within himself Why came I forth into the World It had been better for me to have remained what I was an hundred years since to have never seen the light of the living My life is irksome and grievous and I know nothing to the contrary but when I die it will be yet worse fain I would not live but I fear to die O that I might sleep for evermore or return into my first nothing and then welcome the Grave I would as willingly lie down there as in a bed of Roses but my heart can give no such assurance It seems to foreshew more and greater misery when the breath is gone out of my body I could sometimes say there would be an end of me but I tremble it will be no such thing O wretched Man that I am Who can deliver me from present grief and preserve me from that expectation of worse things to come Thus may be seen his sad condition and indeed it would make an heart of stone compassionate him and gush into Tears but it is considered all this is come upon him through his own fault for his contempt and stubbornness against our Most Gracious God. Who would have brought him unto Heaven afforded him means and power but he did reâ—use and not value them said he in his heart wherefore should I keep the Commandments It is vain to serve God Mal. 3. 14. I did observe several to go to Worship and diligently frequent his Ordinances who did Walk mournfully before the Lord of Hosts for in his Opinion they were pitiful Melancholly Souls they got no good by it Not discerning future promises and present peace and therefore he blindly resolved to go on in his wonted course which was all his life long to disregard or shew himself despitefully against the Author of his being But let others see and fear what his ungodliness is come unto If one behaves himself Proudly and Rebelliously against the King who received maintenance and continual favour from him and comes to suffer for it the voice of the Multitude is Hang him he is an ungrateful Traytor And then if one acts in like manner against God who is loving to every Man sendeth Rain upon the just
aggravate the Abomination of Envy Then that it caused the Death of our Lord. What Storms and Persecutions hath it since raised against his Members Hath kindled a fire and shed the Blood of thousands of his Servants because they did receive his Doctrine and were more Righteous then theâ—â— Tormenters If they have persecuted 1 John 3. 12. me they will persecute you also John 15. 20. Said their forerunner and it hath been fulfilled to a Witness look upon that vast Army of Martyrs Who have washed their Robes in Blood and came out from great Tribulation unto whom it was said in the days of John That they should rest yet for a little Season until their fellow Servants also and their Brethren that should be killed as they were should be fuâ—â—illed Rev. 6. 11. Which since his time hath been done in great measure and the end is not yet Who slew all these An Enemy hath done it through whose Envy Death came first into the World and he hath employed his Instruments ever since for accomplishing all the mischief that was ever done It hath inflicted cruel Mockings and Scourgings Bonds and Imprisonments and found out all ways to torture and make miserable if that were possible the elect of God. When his only Son the first born among many Brethren was slain he prayed for his Murderers Father forgive them for they know not what they do Luke 21. 34. But one would think by this time they have been so long used to this accursed Employment they should know what they do and who sets them on Even the Dragon who hath so long made war with them which keep the Commandments of God and have the Testimony of Jesus Christ Rev. 12. 17. When People hear their good Confessions with what Faith and Constancy they suffer for the Name and Truth of the Lord Jesus When they neither suffer as Traytors Murderers Thieves or Evil doers When they are neither Blasphemers nor Hereticks for an Heretick is condemned of himself Tit. 3. 11. Convinced to the contrary in his own judgment and such are they though their Adversaries would cloath them in the skin of such but it is so thin that themselves and all the World maâ— see their innocencâ— through it but Wickedness wants a pretence and some they would make use of to hide their own Malice and Envy Can they hide their Counsel from the Lord Isa 29. 15 Or conceal from him before whom all things are naked and opened Heb. 4. 13. The wicked plotteth against the just and gnasheth upon him with his Teeth here is the beginning but a little further The wicked have drawn out the Sword Psal 37. 12 14. And when they have had Powâ—r aâ—â— Authority they have executed it O ye Sons of Mâ—n wherefore should you do such things Why will ye bâ— Tools to do his Work who hath great Wrath and but 〈…〉 le time Saâ—an is not divided against Satan We do not Râ—ad that the Devils â—oâ—ment those of their own kind Why should on carry your selves cruelâ—y and despiteâ—ully against the saâ—e Fâ—â—â—h and Blood They are the Servants of God of whom it is said He that â—oâ—cheth you tâ—ucheth the Apple of his Eye Zech. 2. 8. The Lord Christ takes it immediately upon himself when any of his Memâ—ers suffer I am Jesus whâ—m thou persâ—cutest It is hard for thee to kick agaâ—â—st the Pricks Acts 9. 5. And therefore you had best have a Care what you do to these Men. Your Breath is in your Nostils which will one day go forth and then God will suffer your evil Deeds no longer You can only lift up your hand and heart against Heaven and manifest a little spite against your Fellow-Creatures but will you contend with him who liveth for ever Who can cast both Body and Soul in Hell Fire it will be manifested who is stronger and who will have the worst oâ— it at last Conâ—â—der of this before hand Life is lent to aâ—l Men to work out their own Salvation and escape the Wrath to come And what madness is it to bereave others a little before to send them into the place of Rest and Doom your selves unto Torment You think evil against them but God will turn it into Good the more mischief you do he will change it into a greater Benefit There are no such Fools in the World as Persecutors for they miss of the thing they aim at it falls out contrary to what they would have And hast feared every day because of the fury of the Opprâ—ssour as if he were ready to destroy and where is the fury of the Oppressour Isa 51. 13. What is now become of all those stirs they have made in the World The Dust is cast over them and they are quiet their â—ands are tyed up and fettered in the Grave from doing any more violence the wickedness of those wicked Men is come to an end but where do their Souls abide In what Condition are they How vext and enraged are they at their past Rage With what Fear and Trembling do they look for the Resurrection of their Bodies when they must come â—orth to Judgment And those who did â—eretofore ruffle and bluster in humane Courts and Judicatories will be forced to behave themselves in another manner at the Judgment Seat of Christ Those mighty Emperours and Tyrants will find one higher then they the inferiour Officers and Magistrates will meet with one whom they were as much bound to obey as their respective Masters The great swelling Words will be changed into doleful Crys and Lamentations Instead of Domineering and insulting over those they had once Prisoners before them will succeed trembling at their Presence and will be strangely abaâ—hed to see them become their Judges God will arise and maintain his own Cause and â—â—e boldest Persecutors shall at length find It is hard to kick against the Pricks the fiercer they do it the deeper they wound themsâ—lves Their Sword shall enter into their own Heart and their Bows shall be broken Psal 37. 15. If you are Men and not savage Wolves Be reasoned with a little Wherefore should you deal so cruelly against those who believe on God and obey him They must acknowledge He is greater then Man and should be served by us Is their hatred against the mighty One because They would not have him Râ—ign over them Luke 14 14. And because they cannot hurt him will they hurt his Servants He sets himself on their side It is impossible to resist him It is mâ—dness but to attempt it If it be of God ye cannot overthrow it lest haply ye be found even to fight against God Acts 5. 39. He searcheth the very Secrets of all Hearts and if their Rage is against him Isa 37. 28. he knoweth it There is a Root of bitterness growing within the Bosom of Persecutors an Enmity against God. Either it must be this or hatred against the Persons of good Men in whom shines forth his
it is well enough but do not regard with what mind vainly imagining God would have his Work done any way so it be done but doth not regard with what affection they do it And therefore if they practise Righteousness or Temperance though they will speak out to the World that they do it for Health or Reputation and if they have a little respect to God in the heart they refuse to utter that They will declare openly they do such a thing because the King or some Superiour enjoyn them to do it but either through bashfulness or pride on which that is founded will not make it known that they do such things because it is the Commandment and Will of God. They may talk of the fashionable Vertue but not of Grace They will speak in the Words of Seneca but not the Language of Canaan but if they have a serious mind to get the favour of God and be saved let them consider what is Written Joel 2 26. Mark 8. 38. If their actions are not principally because God requires such howsoever specious and upright they may appear before Men he is no more pleased with it then you with the work of your Servant when he doth it of his own head and is ashamed or disdainful to do it upon your commanding him When Courtiers and Servants of Noble Men will own their condition before all and speak of their respective Masters should we not much more do so as to our Master which is in Heaven Is he not greater and better then they Let your light so shine before Men that others may see your good Works and glorifie your Father which is in Heaven Mat. 5. 16. His Servants may praise him for such an ones well doing and glorifie God for your professed subjection unto the Gospel 2 Cor. 9. 13. And strangers may conclude God is in him of a Truth that he hath some real and invisible principle of action which he keeps unto through good report or evil report notwithstanding all profit or inconvenience It tends to the Glory of God here on Earth when things pertaining to him are done openly before all and not in a Corner He that was not heard to cry or to lift up his Voice in the Street who did not love to be taken notice of for his Miracles and doing good neither did for affectation shew â—orth his Extraordinary zeal and service to God yet hath two observable sayings John 3. 21. John 18. 20. If one designs nothing but pure Obedience neither credit nor interest not the least leaven of by-respects the more publickly it is done the better it is If he finds himself ashamed of well doing let him do violence to that sinful humour and make it more visible unto Men if on the other hand he believes he may have praise of Men there let him do it in secret and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly Mat. 6. 4. The reason of things is to be attended unto Our God whom we serve is a Jealous God and his Glory he will not give unto another So is he more pleased with Mens Obedience when it is pure uncorrupt and nothing a sharer with it How doth he resent it VVhen their fear towards me is taught by the precept of Men Isa 29. 13. Which makes directly against compulsion to Religious Duties for that destroys the Nature of true Obedience Doth God want the aid of Man to make others Obedient unto him If it could be done What Glory would it be unto him But they cannot by outward violence they may bring one like a Beast to the Sacrifice but still there is nothing of the subjection of the mind God cares not for Hypocritical Services or a bare outward Submission He may as well be glorified in Beasts the Blood of slain Bullocks of Goats for there is a subjection of those Creatures even unto Death The Brute is knocked down before the Lord but he is better pleased when the Will of a free and reasonable Creature is Obedient unto his Will. When we do not follow our own ways in opposition to the guide of the Lord When self-will is not cringed unto but the Word of God complyed withal He created all things for his own Glory and Man the Principal inhabitant of the Earth cannot shew it forth in a more excellent way Let him offer up every Creature for a Sacrifice do more then Solomon did to set forth the Magnificence of his Temple yet he adds nothing to what God had before for the VVorld is mine and the fulness thereof Psal 50. 12. The merciful God delights not in the blood of dumb Creatures he received them only as some atonement for Mans transgression and as a type of that great Sacrifice which was once offered for all Herein he shewed Mercy that he would accept of the life of a Beast for a more noble offender Sacrifice and burnt Offerings thou wouldst not but the doing of thy will. He is subject to no necessities imperfection or low desires and therefore thousands of Gold and Silver are nothing to him they are his own already He did first create and now disposeth of them but there is something still which I do in no wise say he hath put out of his own power yet he is pleased not to accept of it unless freely bestowed My Son give me thine heart Prov. 23. 26. O that there was such an heart in them that they would fear me and keep all my Commandments that it might be well with them and their Children forever Deut. 5. 29. He seems to long for it and that for their good for he who hath so much already and will be likewise glorified on them if they refuse cannot receive any addition by so small a Mite It is only that another should do all things to obey him Yet wretched and froward Man who knows not nor will be perswaded what is for his good who would fain be reconciled unto God a Being so much above and mightier then he though it be more out of fear and selfishness then love for that he is willing to give any thing rather then the right one with what anguish and earnestness but upon mistaken Grounds doth he expostulate Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of Rams or ten thousand Rivers of Oyl Shall I give my first born for my Transgression or the fruit of my body for the sin of my Soul He hath shewed thee O Man what is good and what doth the Lord require of thee but to do Justice and to love Mercy and to walk humbly with thy God Mic. 6. 7 8. Then thou must submit thy Will unto his Will. Many do offer up the Sacrifice of Praise use much Devotion will bestow liberally Alms to the poor frankly part with their Money but not their Lusts make a shew of Subjection unto God yet keep their own Humours and will not cast down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth it self
perpetual remembrance it must be by that way and manner himself hath prescribed As Parchment and Wax are little worth of themselves but yet useful and significative of conveying Land one to another So our Lord may Minister unto us his grace and benefits by the outward signes of Bread and Wine and when they are received in this Ordinance they are more to be esteemed in respect of the thing signified then in our common eating and drinking The Bread broken sets forth how the body of our Lord was torn upon the Cross the Wine poured out puts in mind of his side being pierced and the shedding of his blood As often as ye eat this Bread and drink this Cup ye do shew the Lords death till he come 1 Cor. 11. 26. The like Figure whereunto even Baptism doth also now save us not the putting away the filth of the Flesh but the answer of a good Conscience towards God by the resurrection of Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 3. 21. That is not so much the sprinkling or dipping in Water as the thing signified The Apostle doth not speak to exclude it for himself used it and so did the other Apostles who had the Spirit of God and all the Church down ever since Now there is the same prejudice as to that What doth the meer Water signifie They might have put the same question to the Apostles themselves had they been in their time or to our Lord in the institution of his Supper There is not so much only in the outward sign but there is in the thing signified Many remain still in Ignorance and Sin but if they would be saved let them come out from among their Sheep and Oxen and lift up their eyes to Heaven considering who inhabits there They must not always be confined in a Barn or with Saul hide themselves among the Rushes or be wholly taken up with the little things of this short life for they are called out and invited to receive a Kingdom This is spoken in good earnest Your only end of coming into this World is to serve God and to know the things pertaining unto him and hence to be translated up to receive it If they do that for a while they will at length perceive there is something more in the Ordinances then what they at present imagine through the darkness and blindness that is in them None can think slightly but who do not understand If they do really believe on Christ it would seem no strange thing to come unto his Supper The Man is to raise up the highest Love for God and his Christ Remember the holy Covenant that hath passed between them with a continued firm stedfastness and sincere purpose to perform the same He may refresh and strengthen his Faith especially on the Death of our Lord and the Truth of his whole Gospel he is to lift up his Soâ—l in the most hearty Praises and lively Devotionâ— where is a constant â—ear and obedience to Almighty God if he comes unexpectedly where the Sacrament is Administred upon a little examination and reverence of mind he may receive But where he hath notice before hand and he may lay aside some of his Worldly Business as this may be done thrice in the Year at least there let him not approach to this Holy Mystery without Solemn preparation before for it is altogether of as high a nature and deserves as great reverence as the Passover of Old. We are always to have Oyl ready in our Lamps but then we should trim and make them ready at the meeting of the Bridegroom It is not an humbling or carefulness for a day nor a fit of holiness for a Season only for this is the practice of them Who are Foolish Disobedient Deceived serving divers Lusts and Pleasures Tit. 3. 3. who fondly think to make atonement by this Ordinance not considering that some will be rejected who have eaten and drunk in Christs presence Luke 13. 26. But a due preparation consists in a constant course of keeping the Commandments of God There is a building up in our most holy Faith and a progress in the Christian Life so that whosoever is sincere and willing as to that may partake of this Supper to his comfort and benefit Give not that which is holy unto Dogs is the express command of the Master of this Feast Since the Church hath been remiss to this thing and promiscuously admitted all the Sacrament is become common and disesteemed When she kept to the rules of our Lord people were earnest and desirous to come and sorrowful to be kept away If the Government of God over the World were not in a manner made precarious by those who take upon them the Office and Administration thereof Men would be more willing and obedient under it Neither would themselves be so contemptible and base among the People if they had kept up that authority in word and power which the Lord had given When a thing stoops or becomes easie the consequent is to trample upon and not care for it they are to answer before him who in their several Generations have thus managed the cause of God. They have not done according to their direction in his Word for that is with Authority and would if truly Preached command the most Rebellious and Proud hearts of the sons of Men. God is greater then Men and as those who exercise Authority would not suffer it to be brought low neither should his Kingdom and rule over them diminish Truth was once stablished in the Earth the Kingdom of God was once set up with Power but now through the treacherous yielding of the supporters it hath been long falling away and loses strength God is not the least beholden to his Creatures for serving him as Gen. 4. 7. So afterwards his Commandments are given in a Majestick and Authoritative manner Exod. 20. And though the stubborn Sinner saith in his heart which he Manifests in practise I will do this and that just contrary yet he shall be answered again in Plagues and Punishment In like manner did the Lord Jesus give out his Commission of Teaching Go ye into all the World and Preach the Gospel to every Creature He that believeth and is Baptized shall be saved but he that believeth not shall be damned Mark 16. 15 16. If People do their duty it is accepted if not they are to expect the danger There hath been a wonderful deal of begging yea moreover civil Authority must be called in for aid to bring Mankind over to the ordinances of their God and all will not do When their fear towards him is taught by the precept of Men they may come to perform such a Worship as is described in the foregoing part of the verse of drawing near with their Mouth and honouring with their lips but have removed their heart far from me Isa 29. 13. and that cannot be hindred by all legal constitutions What Glory is it unto him to have a
which is seldom But he would do much more both ways if he had lesser or greater degrees thereof And therefore a through Knowledge as it comprehends Instruction and Exhortation is a necessary help for so averse and froward is our nature that we should never come unto God unless for both as again there being those principles of Wisdom self-Love desire of Good that when we are fully taught and stirred up we can hardly do otherwise It is not without Reason that the duty of Knowledge is so very much inculcated in Scripture which was given to make us wise unto Salvation see Deut. 4. 5 6. Deut 32. 29. 1 King 3 9. Psal 119. 66 73. Pro. 1. throughout Hab. 2. 14. Hos 14 9. Luke 11. 52. 1 Cor. 15. 34 2 Cor. 10. 5. 2 Pet. 1. 5. 3. 18. Ephe. 5. 17 1 Cor. 12. 8. The increase thereof is promised as a Blessing Jer. 31. 34. Dan. 12. 4. The neglect hereof is threatned and condemned Isa 1. 3. 5. 12. 27. 11. Jer. 10. 14. Psal 3â— 9. Jud. 10 Prov. 27. 12. Jer. 8. 9. Psâ—l 14. 4. Ephe. 4. 8. Psal 82. 5. Psa 92. 6. 2 Pet. 3. 5. As for that common Deceit Men raise to themselves from Luke 12. 48. They do not consider that was spoken of those before the Light of the Gospel came into the World but saith he whose found is gone out into the ends of the Earth If I had not come and spoken unto them they had not bad Sin but now they have no cloke for their Sin John 15. 22. All mankind where-ever the Gospel is Published are obliged to take notice of the truths of it at their peril Every one doth or may know if he will and that is the same thing So he is bound to prepare himself under the penalty Luke 12. 47 48. The wise Man saith Knowledge is easie to him that understandeth So Obedience is easie to him that knoweth for he doth more willingly and cheerfully perform the same Knowledge as hath been observed of all Good hath a shew of Disquietude and trouble as Ignorance seemâ— to give Security and Peace They cry out of many things it is better not to know them such are the Evils and Miseries of Life and what may be hereafter they vex enough when they come to pass we need not anticipate them before their time This is the sence of the World Who will shew us any good is the question of everyone But the Contemplation of evil is a Melancholy subject they have not so much Courage as to admit of that But can they consider of thus much Whether it is not better to think of evil then to suffer it nay if by so doing they may avoid it then by not thinking at all to let it come upon them Is it not better to walk in the Light so see the danger and pass by it Or else to go on in Darkness not to be sensible of any evil but to drop irrecoverably into it If there was no redress nor help to be found for the preventing thereof before it comes then not to consider before-hand was the happy way If there was no hope nor provision to be made concerning Death that the Sting might be taken away if it was irrespectively determined how it should be afterwards for my part I do sincerely wish and would have people continue as ignorant as possible they can that they should not plague themselves before-hand with the fearful Expectation The more they did know or consider it would give a more deep resentment of Misery Let them whilst here enjoy all the good they can and be wholly unmindful of what is to succeed Comfort themselves for the days wherein they shall suffer Adversity Riot and Sport themselves before the time of Darkness draws on But I cannot tell Whether I should recommend this or no unless those Pleasures which now die in the enjoyment would be utterly forgotten for otherwise the remembrance of them would heighten the Misery and make it worse If things were so we men were of all Creatures most miserable But Blessed and ever Blessed be our God it is not so with us He hath been pleased to order and establish that every one may be happy that will and none is miserable but by his own fault All things are contrived in his Word for the Salvation of all in every single Soul there are powers implanted to work it out and means are afforded Mine Eyes have seen thy Salvation which thou hast prepared before the Face of all people Luke 2. 30 31. It is laid before them And all things are ready Mat. 22. 4. It is only left to Men whether they will come So they are warned to escape the evil There is no way of keeping off all evil whatsoever but there is of avoiding the great and dreadful one and turning all the lesser into good There is no safety by not knowing it for then it will certainly come and prevail over the Man but by seeing thereof he may hide himself And this can never be done unless by the Knowledge thereof so it is equally necessary to our Happiness and Safety as of Good. This is that excellent Wisdom fully to perceive and know all humane affairs both good and bad to think such a thing may happen even before it doth and prepare accordingly in some things it may prevent or get shelter against the Storm Not to be careless and neglectful so that he may afterwards repent when past remedy to be sure against fruitless Wishes or the Fools saying to fore-see what doth nearly concern him that nothing shall fall out unthought of or unexpected The Way of Life is above to the Wise that he may depart from Hell beneath Pro. 15. 24. Men are affrightened with slender appearances for this horrible thing the meditation of evil to him that approacheth nigh and is acquainted there-with is not so irksome as at first imagined It is the policy of Satan to keep off from all Knowledge that may do Good or hinder Evil but when the Soul comes to be throughly sensible thereof she will pursue after it and resolutely pass through that little harshness and difficulty which it makes a shew of at first It is not such an unpleasant work to avoid a trouble or inconveniency and to do this it is necessary to consider of it throughly In like manner it is to those evils which would be worse and more intolerable if not prevented The most terrible things are Death Judgment and Hell But there is a way found out for every one that will live unto him to die in the Lord and so he is blessed By loving and imitating of him now He may have boldness in the day of Judgment 1 John 4. 17. for the last and most dreadful of all he shall never come near it As he may be thus secured when future things shall be present so even now he may think of and provide as to them
holy and the Commandment boly just and good and they consent unto the Law that is is good Rom. 7. 12 16. By that let them likewise examine what is here said to be interred from it Luke 2. 35. Mark 4. 22. 2 Cor. 4. 2. God knows I have not intended to upâ—raid or accuse Mankind but was obliged to manifest the Truth Impartially and Universally as every one may judge in his own Conscience There hath been nothing said but what is practicable My self also am a Man compassed about with the same Sins and Infirmities and do readily subicribe to what is written In many things we offend all Jam. 3. 2. Neither have I spared mine own Sin but in several places stand Convicted and Condemned out of the words I have set down hoping to recover by Gods Mercy and my own Repentance But what I desire for my self so for others to have the less Sin for thereby is more Peace and Comfort according to the measure of Innocency and doing good there is a greater Reward What real good doth come of any Disobedience surely none God is Dishonoured and Man is not Benefited it serves the design of an invisible Malicious Enemy and therefore we should all abstain srom Evil as much as we can It is the open Accusation or secret Thought of the World to affix severally on them who come on this Message This Man seeketh not the welfare of this People but the hurt Jer. 38. 4. If one had devised new Pleasure sor the sensual minded or had abundance to bestow Largesses on poor people or gives them Entertainment for a few days with Mirth and Pastime He that conquers Kingdoms and enlarges Territories such are reputed great Instruments of Mens Happiness though the utmost hereof is but as the hasty Fruit before the Summer which when he that looketh upon it seeth it while it is yet in his band he eateth it up Isa 28. 4. which signifies nothing after it is had and is but a faint â—ore-runner of the true Happiness But they are only the unacceptable persons to the World who speak of this which shall just begin here on Earth but never end and be consummated in Heaven There cannot be too much Good-will returned to them who save from every least Injury from Fire Enemies Sickness Poverty all whiâ—h tend only to Temporal Death but they are hated who would keep off from Eternal Death from the Devil and his Legions who would dâ—sswade from vain things that cannot profit and are the Baits he makes use of to beguil Souls unto himself Even here beloved â—â—st and Interest have been touched upon and shewed that they cannot make a Man Happy so that if the Temptation may not be taken away yet is less tempting Why abundance have done thus much already so many Books and Sermons â—o this purpose what need of moreâ— But there should be yet further Admonition for people are not as yet come over unto God. Whilst others have hovered up and down in generals I have ventured by Gods help to pitch When others again have spent many words in Instruction of what was known before or notional unnecessary things here hath attendance been principally given to the word of Exhortation When some have used Moral Perswasions or the less Cogent Arguments here have been brought forth those pressed with the full force and power that I knâ—w of for cursed is that Deceiver who knoweth them and doth not use them And further several things have been spoken out which were concealed from the people If I had came with mine own Inventions and Fancies or the power of Mans Wisdom and Eloquence there would be less ground of Hope but the Truths have been pressed in the Name of God from his Revelation I thought my self accountable for that measure of Grace he hath been pleased to send through me And therefore let it be considered that it is nothing to me let all Men do what they will they have still their Liberty of Action but they are to answer before God how they will shew themselves towards his Word and Truth If that is not found sufficient to reclaim Sinners Isa 55. 10 11. John 12. 48. and Transgressors it is because they will not believe nor consider thereof however it will arise and Condemn them What is here Published will have its due effect on all that are Stubborn or Despisers Let not any one think this new found out for it is the old Scripture-Way illustrating that more particularly what is affirmed in divers places That I may see the good of thy Chosen that I may Rejoyce in the gladness of thy Nation Psal 106. 5. Happy art thou O Israel Deut. 33. 29. Happy is that people whose God is the Lord Psal 144. 15. He thaâ— keepeth the Law Happy is he Prov. 29. 18. The end of all Preaching is to prove and shew that more perfectly what is contained therein and so to manage it according to the design of the whole that all the World may Oâ—ey God and be wise unto Salvation His Word doth not stand in need of Apology but the Abuse and Corruption in handling thereof hath bâ—â—â— so universal that he who would keep free from it is necessitated to Justifie himself least he be thought a setter forth of strange Doctrines To bring all towards Conclusion Man would be Happy even whilst he Lives and doth so that fâ—om the Decree of God and the nature of the thing it is impossible he should be Happy And again he declines those things which are absolutely necessâ—ry to be so All his Actions turn upon this Point If he would rectifie the mistake and suffer himself to be rightly informed herein he can never miss of what all desire the only end the true Happiness If he is put in mind of any thing which may assist or direct him Not unto us O Lord not unto us but unto thy Name give Glory for thy Mercy and for thy Truths sake Psal 115. 1. FINIS ERRATA PAge 4 line 2 for varietation r variation l 40 r Mark 14. p 26 17 r not we our selves P 37 l 35 r to recommend P 47 l 34 f forwardness r frowardness P50 l 19 〈◊〉 speaking r snâ—aking P 70 l 37 f fear r bear P 71 l 21 r equal worth P 75 l20 r John 16. 13. P 79 l 1 omit the word first p 86 l 5 r their own pâ—ril P 180 l 13 r doth not P. 190 l 16 r adapting p 229 l 9. r trust God. p 261 l 6 r lively â—nd P 309 l 8 r enjoyment P 358 l 22 f employments r enjoyments P 417 l 16 r â—rocuring p 467 l 29 r to have been Penned p 152 l 27 r before Men can