in Iesus Christ and favour with God when you die and As ever you hope to be set at Christs Right hand among his Sheep and to be Sentenced by Christ with them to his Everlasting Kingdom at that great and glorious day of his Appearing That you use all possible Care diligence and endeavours by the Grace and assistance of the Holy Spirit of God against all these fore-mentioned impediments unto Salvation and all such like that they may be removed out of your way to happiness and not be any hindrances at all to your Eternal Glory and Salvation And that this may be the more effectually enterprized and performed by you Let these Ensuing Instructions sink deep into your hearts and be most studiously seriously and sincerely pursued and practiced in your Lives viz. 1. Be deeply and thoroughly Convinced of the extream Sinfulness and wretchedness of your Natural State and Condition in the first Adam How you were shapen in iniquity and conceived in Sin Yea dead in Sins and trespasses and by Nature Children of Wrath even as others And How from this Original and Vniversal Corruption of your Natures your whole course of life is answerably corrupted also Every imagination of the thoughts of your hearts and consequently every word of your mouths and every Action throughout your lives being Evil onely evil continually evil so long as you continue in your Natural state and condition So then while you remain in the flesh you cannot please God nor can have anâ— actual Hope of Salvation upon any solid ground 2. Hence you may evidently See and must needs conclude That there is so great a necessity of a Supernatural Remedy against this your Natural State of Sin and Misery and against all the Sinfulness of your Natural Conversation by the Application of Jesus Christ unto your Souls and the Effectual operation of his Spirit to that End upon your hearts That without such applying of Christ by Faith unto you and the operation of his Spirit in and upon you by Effectual Calling Conversion Regeneration Renovation and Sanctification you can never Enter into the kingdom of God and be Eternally Saved 3. Therefore See that ye come unto Jesus Christ by Faith without delay and Receive him as your onely All-sufficient Saviour that is able to save you to the uttermost Accepting him upon his own terms of denying your selves taking up your Cross daily and following him So Iesus Christ will be unto you Wisdom to guide you in the way to Heaven Righteousness to wash away all your Sins by his bloud and justifie you freely by his spotless Righteousness imputed unto you Sanctification to furnish you sufficiently with all treasures of Grace out of his fullness of Grace and Redemption to deliver you from all your bondage under Sin Satan the curse of the Law the Wrath to come and all your Spiritual Enemies O thrice happy Everlastingly happy shall you be if once Iesus Christ become yours and you his Then you shall be espoused to the best Husband in the world The God and Father of Iesus Christ will be your God and Father The Spirit of Christ will be your Comâ—orter the Kingdom of Heaven shall be your Everlasting Joynture yea All things The World and Life and Death and things present and things to come All shall be yours Then All things shall work-together for good unto you Sickness as well as health Adversity as well as prosperity Death it self as well as life Then nothing in the world shall ever be able to separate you from the Love of Christ or from the Love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord Then no Condemnation shall ever befall you in this or in the world to come O happy Souls that ever you were born if you be born again and Christ be formed in you Christ is the Desire of all Nations Let him be the Desire of your Souls Christ is the chief among ten thousand Lâ—t him be the Chief of your choice Christs mouth is Sweetnesses yea all of him is Desires O let your hearts be even ravished with him at all times Say with that faithful Minister and Martyr of Iesus Christ Mr. John Lambert as he was now dying in the flames None but Christ none but Christ In a word I say to every one of you as sometimes Bernard said unto one sweetly Let IESVS be alwaies in thine heart Let Him be unto thee thy meat and drink thy sweetness and Consolation thy Hony and thy Desire thy Reading and thy Meditation thy Prayer and thy Contemplation thy Life and Death and thy Resurrection For Christ is All in All 4. Now Forasmuch as true saving Faith in Iesus Christ is not of our selves but the free gift of God and ordinarily God is pleased to work it in the hearts of his Elect Instrumentally by the Hearing of his Word faithfully preached Efficaciously by the Co-operation of his holy Spirit by which Means also it is nourished and increased Therefore be ye all of you Diligent and Constant Hearers of the Word of Christ faithfully preached Applying things spoken particularly to your selves treasuring them up in good and honest hearts and bringing forth the suitable fruit thereof by an Vpright practice in your lives and take singular heed that you never gâ—ieve quench or resist the operations stirrings or motions of the Spirit of God in the use of his Word and Ordinances or at any other times For Iesus Christ by his Word and Spirit especially stands at the door of your hearts and knocks and if any will open unto him he will come in unto him and Sup with him and he with Christ 5. For the increasing also of your Inward Peace Spiritual Ioy and Comfort Give all diâ—igence to make your Calling and Election sure Examining your selves frequently and seriously whether Jesus Christ be in you yea or no But how shalâ— this be done By comparing your Hearts Lives and Experiences with the written Word of God through the assistance and guidance of Gods Holy Spirit For to this End the Word of God was written to us and the Spirit of God is given to us that we may know the things that are freely given to us of God and that we may know that we have eternal life And for your more ready help in this weighty business you may make use of many Characters marks or Notes of Tryal which I have at large laid down in sundry of my Printed Books which you have by you Take heed you be not strangers to your own hearts and Spiritual States 6. As you have received Jesus Christ the Lord so walk in him rooted and built up in him and established in the Faith Be not Christians only in Name and outward Shew but inwardly sincerely and in good earnest So live and walk as Christ
combing thine head entring the flesh may make thy death's wound as it befel Ruffinus the Consul A Needle thrust into thy brest by a child born in thiue arms may hasten thy death as it befel Lucia the Daughter of Aurelius And when Death hath severed soul and body what shall become of thy soul Shall it ascend or descend Shall it live or shall it die c. O never think that thou who livedst and diedst without God in this world shall after death ascend to God or live with God in the world to come 7. Thou in thy Natural state canst not escape the damnation of Hell but shalt have part in the Lake which burneth with fire and brimstone which is the second Death there to be excruciated with torments numberless easeless remediless and endless Mat. 23. 33. Rev. 21. 8. Rom. 6. 23. Gen. 2. 17. Mat. 25. 41 46. Iude verse 7. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth Mat. 25. 30. There their worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched Mar. 9. 43 44. There not one drop of water from the top of a finger shall be vouchsafed to cool a tormented tongue Luk. 10. 24 25 26. There thou shalt have pain of loss and pain of sense There thou shalt have plenty and penury plenty of torment penury of comfort There will be Amissio Coeli The miss of Heaven which was often tendered thee but thou didst refuse Privatio Terrae The loss of Earth which thou hadst but couldst not keep Positio Inferni The Position of Hell which thou shalt have and canst not be delivered from it There will be universality extremity eternity of unpityed misery upon thy soul and body without the least alteration mitigation and cessation Oh wretched Natural man Might thy torments in Hell be brought to an end after so many millions of years as there are Stars in Heaven Atomes in the Air Dust in the Earth Drops in the Sea Grass-piles on the ground or as there have been moments of time since time begun it would be some comfort to thee in enduring them some hope of being delivered from them But this eternity of Death and Torments will quite break thy heart would make the very stinging of Ants and Fleas intolerable Eternity is the very Hell of Hell One said O deadly life O immortal death What shall I term thee Life And wherefore then dost thou kill Death And wherefore then dost thou endure There 's neither life nor death but hath something good in it for in life there is some ease and in death an end but thou hast neither ease nor end What then shall I stile thee Even the bitterness of both for of death thou hast the torment without any end and of life the continuance without any ease God hath substracted both from life and from death all that is good the residue he hath mixed together and therewith tempered the torments of Hell O bitter Cup which all sinners impenitent shall drink at Gods hand This this O Natural man is a brief shadow of thy sinful and wretched condition by Nature But the one half the tenth part is not told thee O How can thine heart hold from breaking thine eyes from dropping thy bowels from turning within thee How canst thou eat or drink with any comfort How canst thou slumber or sleep one night in quiet How canst thou possess or go about any worldly thing with delight whilst thou art ingulfed in this sinful and woful Natural condition II. Direction BE clearly and fully convinced in thy Conscioâ—ce O Natural man That thou still remainest in this thy sinful and wretched condition un-converted un-regenerate un-renewed until this present day That thou art still in the first Adam and not as yet transplanted into Christ the last Adam That thou art still in thy sinful and miserable state of Nature and not hitherto translated into an holy and happy state of Grace That thou art in thy sins still 1 Cor. 15. 17. Thou art in the flesh still Rom. 8. 8. Thou art dead in sins and trespasses still Eph. 2. 1 5. Col. 2. 13. Thou art in darkness and very darkness it self still 1 Ioh. 2. 9 11. Eph. 5. 8. Thou art an enemy to God still Rom. 8. 6 7. Col. 1. 21. Thou art wholly displeasing to God still Rom. 8. 8. Finally That thou art in thy cursed and damned state still Gal. 3. 10. Ioh. 3. 18 36. Here therefore I shall offer to thee chiefly two things for thy most serious consideration viz. I. That it is most necessary for thee O Natural man to be throughly convinced That thou still remainest in thy most sinful and wretched state of Nature even until now For 1. Vntil thou beest throughly convinced O Natural man that thou still remainest in thy sinful and wretched state of Nature thou wilt be apt to flatter thy self into a fond and groundless imagination that thou art in a good spiritual state towards God especially if thou hast been kept by Gods common restraining grace from grosser sins and hast been exercised in some outward acts of Religion and righteousness Thus the un-convinced Pharisee though in his un-justified Natural state had an high opinion of his good spiritual state beyond other men and beyond the Publican and bragg'd of it even in his prayer to God because he avoided some gross sins and practised some outward duties Luk. 18. 9. to 15. Thus Paul before his conviction and conversion thought himself alive once without the Law by reason of his outward unblameableness legal priviledges and external exercises of Religion but when the Commandement came and convinced him sin revived and he died Compare Rom. 7. 9. with Phil. 3. 4 5 6. Thus the Laodicean Angel had an high opinion of his own good estate till Christ convinced him of the contrary and taught him the right way of bettering his condition Rev. 3. 16 17 18 19. The Natural man's self-opinionateness of his good estate seals him up incurably in his bad estate Many might have attained to a great degree of Christianity if they had not presumed themselves to be Christians good enough already 2. Vntil thou art fully convinced O Natural man that thou still remainest in thy sinful and wretched state of Nature thou wilt never be kindly humbled for nor become weary of thy Natural state Without conviction there 's no true sence of sin and misery without true sence of sin and misery who will be humbled for it or weary of it Conviction How did it humble Manasses 2 Chron. 33. How did it abase Paul Act. 9. Who can clearly see his own Natural sinfulness and wretchedness and not abhor himself as in dust and ashes Zech. 12. 10 c. 3. Vntil thou beest kindly convinced of thy present sinfulness and wretchedness by Nature thou wilt never seriously and sincerely seek out for supernatural remedy When Peter's Hearers were convinced and pricked in heart then they presently repair to the Apostles saying Men and
slavish fear but in a sweet way of love because a man loves God and Christ loves the wayes of vertue loves his Commandements and counts them not grievous 1 Joh. 5. 3. Faith makes all obedience and duty come off lovingly sweetly chearfully 1 Tim. 1. 5. 9. A growing Grace It encreaseth more and more Your Faith groweth exceedingly 2 Thes. 1. 3. See also Rev. 2 19. Counterfeit Faith dead Faith is like a painted Tree or painted Flower upon a Wall seem it never so fair it grows not at all 10. Vigorous in resisting and victorious in conquering all sorts of Temptations viz. Of the World frowning or smiling 1 Ioh. 5. 4. Ioh. 16. 33. Of the Flesh Act. 15. 9. 1 Joh. 3. 3. Of the Devil â— Pet. 5. 9. Eph. 6. 16. 11. Fervent and continuing instant in prayer even against discouragements though prayer seem to be neglected repulsed denied As in the Canaanitish woman Mat. 15. 22. to 29. In Elijah who prayed seven times 1 King 18. 41. to 46. Iam. 5. 17 18. 12. Valiant in confessing Christ in professing and owning of his Gospel Truth and Cause in dayes of greatest danger and persecution 2 Tim. 1. 12. Saul converted to the Faith straightway preached Christ in the Synagogues that he was the Son of God though to the hazard of his life Act. 9. 20 23. The Angel of Pergamos held fast Christ's Name deni'd not his Faith even there where Satan's seat was and even then when Antipas was his faithful Martyr Rev. 2. 12 13. Rev. 13. 10. The Faith and patience of the Saints is most active and illustrious in midst of Antichristian cruelties and persecutions 13. Finally True Faith is constant and persevering False Faith believes but for a time in time of persecution falls away Luk. 8. 13. True Faith holds on unto the end Draws not back unto perdition but believes unto the saving of the soul Heb. 10. 39. The true Believer holds on believing till he attain the scope and end of his Faith the salvation of his soul 1 Pet. 1. 8 9. XVII Direction REpentance from head works not to be repented of Heb. 6. 1. 2 Cor. 7. 10. is an inseparable companion of true faith The Scripture usually coupling them together Mar. 1. 14. 15. Act. 20. 21. and 2. 37 38. and 26. 18. Heb. 6. 1. and therefore every one that would approve himself to believe in Christ sincerely must repent of all his sins unfeinedly as he expects to have his sins remitted freely and his soul saved eternally Luk. 24. 47. Act. 2. 38. and 5. 31. and 3. 19. Act. 11. 18. Ezek. 18. 30 31 32. Luk. 13. 3 5. To Repent is set forth by two Greek words very significant in the New Testament 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Metanoein which properly signifies To have an after-wit wisdom or consideration a return to ones wits and wisdom again As did the Prodigal Luk. 15. 17. This word is used often Mat. 3. 8 11. and 9. 13. To sin is our folly to repent of sin is our after-wisdom 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Metamelesthai To have an after-care to be heedful afterwards It 's through want of care and heed that men transgress 'T is Repentance that makes the offendor more careful to withstand and prevent sin for the future 2 Cor. 7. 8 11. This word is used in Mat. 21. 29 32. Repentance is two-fold 1. Initial fundamental and universal when a sinner at his first coversion repents of all his sins original and actual at once turning from them unto God Mat. 3. 2 8. Mar. 1. 14 15. Act. 11. 18. and 20 21. and 26. 18 20. Heb. 6. 1 2. 2. Secondary and particular when a penitent after his conversion lapseth into any sin or sins and renews Repentance for them particularly As David Psal. 51. tit c. Peter Mat. 26. 75. Here the former is â—hiefly intended but the latter not excluded Godly sorrow works Repentance not to be repented of 2 Cor. 7. 10. But properly godly sorrow is not Repentance but an excellent Preparative Inlet and Harbinger to Repentance The proper Nature of Repentance stands in 1. Aversion from Sin and Satan 2. Conversion unto God and all goodness Act. 26. 18. Now there are very many cogent Motives that may incline a sinner to this initial fundamental and universal Repentance For 1. God himself greatly desires the sinners initial fundamental and universal Repentance Ezek. 18. 23. and 33. 11. and 18. 31 32. See how 1. He commands it Act. 17. 30. Mar. 1. 14 15. 2. He invites to it Isa. 1. 16 c. and 55. 7. Mat. 3. 2. Ezek. 18. 23 31 32. Ier. 3. 1. 3. He promiseth great things to the penitent Isa. 55. 7. Zech. 1. 3. Act. 2. 38. Hos. 14. 1 2 3 4. Ezek. 18. 21 22. Act. 26. 18. 4. He professeth yea sweareth he hath no pleasure in the death of the sinner but that he should repent and live Ezek. 18. 23. and 33. 11. 5. He receives penitents readily compassionately gladsomly Luk. 15. 3. to the end 2. Jesus Christ exceedingly endeavours the Sinners universal Repentance and Conversion Mat. 4. 17. Mar. 1. 14 15. Luk. 24. 47. Act. 26. 17 18. For 1. He sent Iohn Baptist his Harbinger preaching-Repentance Mat. 3. 1 2 3 8. Luk. 3. 3. to 15. 2. His first Sermon was of Repentance Mat. 4. 17. Mar. 1. 1â— 15. 3. He directs his Apostles first to preach Repentance to the Gentiles Luk. 24. 47. 4. He shows the Necessity of Repenting and Converting Luk. 13. 3 5. Mat. 18. 3. 5. He upbraids and laments the impenitent Mat. 11. 20. to 25. and 23. 37 38 39. 6. He accepteth penitents most compassionately Luk. 7. 37. to the end and 19. 8 9 10. and 23. 4 〈…〉 Act. 9. 6 c. 3. The Holy Ghost most frequently incites unto Repentance in Holy Scriptures Isa. 1. 16 17 c. and 55. 6 7. Ezek. 18. 23 31 32. and 33. 11. Hos. 6. 1 c. and 14. 1 c. Ioel 2 12 c. Act. 2. 37 c. and 3. 19. and 17. 30. Heb. 3. 7 c. Rev. 2. 4 5. 4. The time of the Messias coming in the flesh foretold is fulfilled and the Kingdom of God the Messiah's New Testament-Kingdom is at hand yea as to us is already come therefore all should repent and believe Mark 1. 15. Why That thus they may be fitted and qualified for reception of Christ and of his Kingdom to their Salvation 5. There 's mention made in Holy Scripture of an whole cloud of Sinners initially repenting of their â—ins and turning from them unto God encouraging thee to imitate them in this narrow way of Life and Salvation 〈◊〉 Manasses â— Chron. 33. 12. to 18. Iohn Baptist's Hearers Mat. 3. 2 5 6 7 8. with Mat. 21. 32. The sinful Woman Luke 7. 37 c. Zacheus the Publican Luke 19. 7 8 9 10. The Prodigal Son Luke 15. 15. to the end Saul the Persecutor Act. 9. 3. to