a man finds no more than a Reprobate yet the Seed of God then remains and it will break out again There is life at the heart and sap at the root yet the Lord will fetch them again When the Lord of Glory was crucified and all the Disciples fled not one spake for him none durst confesse him yet the Lord returns to them and they again to him SECT II. HOW comes it to be thus immortal and of an eternal nature 1. 'T is not only in regard of the power of Grace received though it were perfect for then Adam had not fell from it 2 Nor in the freedom of a man from temptations for then the Angels had not fallen 3. Nor yet in the power of a mans own watchfulness and care to keep it For if the Lord keep not the City the watchmen wake but in vain 4. Nor yet in the power of any means as many think if under a powerful Ministry then they are out of danger 'T is not in Paul nor Apollos but in the Lord. Men may rejoyce in Iohns Ministry and be affected with it but 't is only for a season But I. In regard of the eternal Election and Purpose of God Their constancy in the State of Grace depends upon that immutability of his counsel Matth. 24. 24. They shall deceive if possible the Elect but it s not possible they being Elect. Wise men may have their Brains crazed and Nebuchadnezzar like the use of reason gone but the Principle of reason continues and the use of it in time returns again and so 't is in regard of damning delusions 2 Tim. 2. 19. Hymeneus and Philetus fell Hence do not the Elect fâ—ll No for that Foundation remains sure 1. The certainty of their continuance in Grace is built upon a Foundation 2. Not every weak one but a firm Foundation 3. Not a Foundation of mans laying but Gods 4. Not a wavering and totâ—ering but standing Foundation and that sealed with the Knowledge of God the Lord knows who are his i. e. though some men fall that one cannot tell by outward expressions and profession who are the Lords yet The Lord knows who are his and they are sealed by his love and knowledge And it seems this is the prime cause of the continuance of Angels 1 Tim. 5. 21. And Election being free for his own sake not for their sakes the Lord foresaw all their good and evil hence they are not cut off II. In regard of the Faithfulness and Promise and Covenant of Gods Grace Adam had that Covenant If he did do he should live But he had no absolute Promise he should do or continue to do but the Faithful have and hence they stand not by the strength of Grace but by the strength of the Covenant of Grace And hence that which to reason is incredible to nature impossible is brought about by Faith not by vertue of any power of Faith but by vertue of the power of a promise God hath said it and Faith believes it and hence Abrahams dead body begets and Sarahs barren womb brings forth Isaac Hence through all the Word when the Apostle perswadeâ— himself of their continuance he ever puts in Gods Faithfulness 1 Cor. 1. 8 9. 1 Thes. 5. 24. 2 Thes. 3. 3. Hence Ier. 32. 40. I will not turn away from them Answ. True if they do not from the Lord. No but they shall not turn away from me Object But we see many do fall Answ. But if he doth he shall not be broken but taken up again Psal. 37. 24. Yea for a time the Lord may do thus But will this continue having sinned against such mercy and my sin being now greater Now the Lord will depart Answ. 1 Cor. 1. 8. Yea he will confirm you to the end Yes it may be he will as he hath done while I am out of temptation But I may meet with it before I die Answ. 1 Cor. 10. 13. He will not suffer you to be tempted above measure c. Yea if I was such a one as Abraham or David that had such hearts and did the Lord so much honour Nay but Isai. 55. 3. Even the sure mercies of David This is the Faithfulness of God III. In regard of the constant abode of the Spirit of the Lord in the hearts of the Saints whereby they are kept Iohn 10. 28. None can pull his Sheep out of the Fathers hand Look as the first Adam sinning conveys the power of sin and Satan and death which reigns with unconquerable power over all the Sons of men so Christ rising conveys that Grace and constant presence of the Spirit which reigns to eternal life and carries the soul through all difficulties Deut. 33. 27. The eternal God is thy refuge Let what evils can come there is a refuge Yea so long as I can stand But what if I fall Underneath are the everlusting arms Let a Saint fall never so low yet Gods everlasting arms are still lower where ever he falls he falls at last into the Lords arms For else it was impossible for any soul to continue Isa. 46. 3 4. From the womb to the hoar hairs I will carry you Saints when they are little think they shall fall at last and when strengthened fear if they live till old age their hearts and spirits will die yet they do not But how comes this about I will carry you And hence 't is impossible they should ever die or perish no more than the Lord Jesus Iohn 14. 19. So that if Gods purpose is firm his promise sure his Spirit able the Spirit of life and grace in the hearts of the Faithful shall be kept even to eternity SECT III. LET that Opinion that the Graces of Saints are fading and mortal rot and die and be had in everlasting derestation of them that know the Lord. But we see how many fall off and fall back and I have found it by experience so The seed that is cast into the earth first dies and then lives and growes so no sooner doth the Lord fill his Saints but there is much self-confidence on it and resting in it hence it dies yet it lives and grows again And hence the Lord keeps his people poor sensible of their own weakness as long as they live but if it quite dies and withers they were never the Lords nor never had â—ne Dram of Grace 1 Iohn 2. 19. If it be taken away he did but seem to have it All fleshly excellencies in men as common gifts be do wither Isa. 40. 6 7. All Flesh is grass But Plants in Gods Orchard never lose their greenness though Plants and Floweâ—s in the field may Psal. 1. 3. Whose leaf shall not wither But this may make men secure say the Arminians 1. Nothing puts more life in the Saints It would sink them else if it were not thus as when the Lord told Ioshua where ever thâ—â— settest thy foot thou shalt
the truth is when we make it our last end we cannot but desire it SECT III. BUT ought not a man to desire to live here in this world as David and Hezekiah did May not one sin in this desire 1. 'T is true precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his Saints not only in regard that they are as precious to him when they come to die as while they live as Gold when 't is melting is as precious to the Goldsmith as when whole and it may be more too because 't is then made better but also because he will not lightly cast away their lives He that bottles their tears and will not let them be lost will not easily let go their lives and if God will not they ought not upon every slight occasion to desire their death and losse of their lives to be with the Lord. Now there are two cases Gods own people may not desire to remove hence where though there be some fire I confesse yet there is more smoak than fire more sin than Grace 1. In case they meet with much unkindnesse from and many sorrows in the world and behold the sins of it Thus it was with Elias 1 Kings 19. 4. Who when Iezabel threatned his life fled and would needs set sail presently and be gone so 't is with Gods people when they see enemies without the universal rot of Profession that they think they are almost left alone when God hath begun to do good by them as by Elijah but they think their best daies are past there is all they shall do and God himself it may be meeting them with some crosses in this world now presently they grow weary of their lives and desire to die which is nothing else but a pang of discontent truly God will not suffer it nor you ought not to desire it to die away in such a snuffe No the Lord hath work for them to do and a journey to go This desire is naught and 't is but a weed and to be pulled up that growes out of such a root as a discontented heart for crosses I confesse God useth sorrows as means to smoak us out of our Hive and we may use them for that end but not only or chiefly them nor from a pang or moody fit of discontent 2. In case they desire death and not life before they be ripe for death Husbandmen desire their Corn in but 't is folly to desire it before it be ripe and then they may I confesse 't is the commendation of some trees if not only good but if ripe betimes and 't is the honour of a Christian to be ripe for death betimes yet still before he is ripe he is not to desire it Now when is this 1. While the Lord hides his face and denies full assurance of his love in this case as a Christian cannot so he ought not if it were the Lords will desire to be gone as yet and this is one reason why David and Hezekiah desired life not death as yet God had broken their bones and his arrowes were yet in their hearts now a man is to desire he may stay a little while longer that he may sing the Song of the Lamb and tell the world what the Lord hath done for him and that he may not set in a cloud and die in horrour Mariners long to be on shore but before they come there they would not venture in a mist but see Land first so should we desire to see the Lord in the Land of the living Nay though the Lord gives his people a promise which staies their hearts and is a twig to keep them from sinking nay when he gives them some joy yet still God hath promised to reveal more of himself and his Christ in the promise seeing him but darkly now Now they ought not to desire but wait as in Simeons case now let thy Servant depart in peace having long waited for the consolation of Israel Children that will be up before 't is day must be whipt a rod is most fit for them stay till 't is day 2. While their work remains unfinished and the Lord hath got little or no Glory from them though they may have clear evidence of the Lords love Christ himself desired it not till now Iohn 17. 5. If thou couldest scale Heaven before thy work was done the Lord would send thee down from thence again as he did the soul of Lâ—zarus and truly to do the work of Christ one moment here is better than to have a thousand years felicity in Heaven nakedly considered in it self in as much as the Honour of Christ is a thousand times better than our own good It may be there is much work within doors many odd distempers to be cashierd spirituall decaies c. It may be there is work without Christ hath many enemies in the world many prayers are yet to be spent against them much good to do for his Church many tears to be shed for them for praying trade is past in Heaven It may be some friends yet to be converted thou hast been a scandal to them it may be as yet few have been or can say they be the warmer or better for thee that work is yet to be done It may be God hath some secrets to reveal by thee before thou diest stay therefore a while while your work is done 'T is true thou hast but one Talent but little thou hast or canst do yet God looks you should improve it whilst he is gone A man that will needs to bed at noon-day before night comes what deserves he but a cudgel So he that will die before his night comes and while 't is light to see and work by When therefore you apprehend your work even done then as not only Christ but Paâ—l not only Paul but Gods watchful servants have secret warnings of death And as Mariners when they can see no Land yet by their soundings can tell they are near Land or Sands then you may desire it for then you are ripe but its sin to do it otherwise And verily happy is that man that accounts not his life dear but only the finishing of his course with joy To conclude all we are to desire our fellowship with Christ as a man desires his last end which desire doth not exclude but include desire after all the means and the means first before the end Now many things are to be done by God upon us and by us for the Lord again before we appear before Christ which we may desire firstly for this our last end SECT IV. HEnce we see the vilenesse of the great yet hidden secret sin of the whole world which may be in part also in Gods dearest Saints viz. in their hungry lustings and dropsie desires after the sweet of the things of this world You shall have many a man that amends his life reformes his course forsakes his own
Ordinances the external visible signs of his presence one would think he would never come yet the Lord will come and comfort his people Isa. 61. 2. God hath sent and anointed him and the Spirit hath filled him and he is as willing himself to comfort them that mourn nay when they have the spirit of heaviness and when it is done Christ is come then that is a coming of Christ. Fourthly There is a coming of Christ when he comes in more full measure of his Spirit to his people and that in his Ordinances for there is a state and time of Christianity wherein a man is carnal and blind and the Image of Christ darkly stampt upon the soul and is exceeding weak now the Lord is said to come when he doth this Ioh. 14. 18. I will see you again and I will not leave you comfortless Orphans alone without any one to take care for you now though it be long before the Lord do come here yet come he will when the soul thinks it impossible and the thing incredible Behold thy God thy King commeth Isa. 40. 9. with 23. He shall come like the rain upon the fleece of wool Fifthly Christ is said to come when he comes to destroy and root out the enemies of his Church whether outward enemies or inward enemies Isa. 26. 21. Now grant it be long the Lord doth suffer them to prevail and to be pricking bryars to the hearts of Gods people and to the heart of Gods Spirit in his people yet he will come and hence the Church pleads this with God as an usual thing with him Isa. 64. 1 2 3. He comes when men look not for him yea he came so here and the name of God lyes upon it to make known his name to his adversaries Isa. 66. 5. Hear the word of the Lord ye that tremble at his word your brethren that hated you and cast you out said Let the Lord be glorified He shall appear to your joy but they shall be ashamed Sixthly Christ is said to come to the soul when he comes to it at death to abolish all sin and sorrow and to possess the soul of immediate fellowship with himself and at Judgement when the great mariage day shall be and the Bride made ready and the Bridegroom in their perfect glory to the view of all the world Ioh. 14. 3. Oh many a one is troubled now the Lord is gone from it mediately to comfort it Let not your hearts be troubled you have a God in his Word to believe in cleave to that and me in it but when death comes against me and enemies come against me and heart fails and eyes fails will the Lord come Yes I will come again for I go but only to prepare a place for you and make Heaven sweet and ready for you some would have all Christs coming here but there is some hereafter SECT III. BEcause the love of Jesus Christ never fails his Churches and People love will keep men from being ever absent from the thing they love Now look as it was with Lazarus whom Christ loved Iohn 11. 3. he heard that he was sick he could have come then but he lingers and stays until he be dead behold Lazarus is dead yea till he had been four days dead and then awakens him again and Lazarus must come forth of his grave to shew forth the everlasting love of the Son of God vers 4. For there are two things in Christ's love first it is pure independant and dear Prov. 8. penult hence he will not ever be absent for 1. If it be dependant then we might say as we change he changeth he was good but we have provoked him since c. 2. If independant yet 't is apt to forget he minds me not nor my prayers nor sorrows Yes it is exceeding dear and assures us of all if he in love came to suffer what will he not come to do and that when the Church is most withered Zach. 3. 1 2 3. and hence saith the Lord why sayâ—st thou the Lord hath forsaken me and forgotten me when written upon the palms of my hand Isa. 48. 14. Lest their spirit fail Oh the Lord is very tender of that he that bids parents not to be bitter to their children lest their spirits fail and be provoked will not do it himself Isa. 57. 17. he will not always contend lest the spirit fail within him and the souls that he hath made Oh remember this now how apt is the spirit of a childe of God to fail upon this what more bitter than Gods absence Because to come late is many times the best time for he comes ever in the fulness of time if he should come sooner or latter he should not come in season to his people Of unspeakable consolation to the people of God that lie under sad and heavy perplexities in respect of the Lords absence from them as for you that can bear this that say to God depart if he will this concerns not you at all and the Lord being gone you lye under sad thoughts that he will never return again yes you have now heard he will come and return again Say unto Sion behold your God cometh Object But what when I have been secure and careless withal Answ. Yes though the Virgins sleep yet the Lord will come to them for if his love did depend upon your watchfulness he might never return onely it may be longer as to these and he will awaken you some time before he doth come and truly to mourn for his absence is to awaken with him Object But it hath been thus long before the Lord come and therefore he will never come Answ. Though long yet you see he comes at last to them first the cry says so and then he comes Ministers tell you so and it is not long after nay then is the very time when so long as you look not for him as here to these SECT IV. Object BUt I know it not Answ. God keeps his best blessings and persumes them long in his own hand from his own children as Isaac David Abraham Heman Christ but it is best you know it not Hast thou been seeking the Lord for his presence that the Lord would but see and consider thee a little until thine eyes fail thee and do you think the Lord will ever forget I tell thee if Peter were in Prison prayers would deliver him and fetch Angels from Heaven to him though the Church of God lay desolate sins great yet the prayer of Daniel shall bring down words of command to make all up again If thou be in any want be careful in nothing c. He asked thee life thou gavest him long life for ever and ever nay when thou â—easest thy prayers have their cry when thy mouth when thy heart speaks not for prayers are not dead things but living begotten out of a living Spirit from a living God presented by a
to these wells Secondly Either thou wantest assurance then fear his coming for fear will make misery present and so awaken and hope è contra good present Or thou hast assurance then love his coming see all thy good wrapt up there and love will make things absent beloved and present comfort in the thoughts of them as wicked men that love the things of this life and are in certain hopes to have them they oft rejoyce in the hopes because the good is present they reckon upon it as theirs already Thirdly See how near you are unto the Lord Jesus 1. That you are made for the Lord not to enjoy these things they are made for you and not you to serve them because God hath called you out of this world from the grave hell sin to life now the next is glory 2 Cor. 5. 3 4 5. 2. That now there 's nothing but thy breath thy body between thee and Jesus Christ when this shell is broken thou art with the Lord and shalt see him with open face this will make you look for the day of delivery CHAP. IX Of Christians trimming their Lamps and how holiness is the Christians glory SECT 1. And trimmed their Lamps THE word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies adorned beautified their lamps made clean or cleansed It is the same word which is used 1 Tim. 2. 9. Womens adorning let it not be with pearls but good works Quest. What is the glory of the Lamp Answ. First When the filth is wiped away which did defile it Secondly When oyl is gotten and the lamp is lighted now it s in its full trim as it was at first when they went out whilst they were sleeping their lamps not being looked into began to lose their shining glory now they recover them Object But how came the foolish to trim their Lamps Answ. They did endeavor it and did something that way as is apparent from the context and so they trimmed them so far as they could reach but the compleat and full adorning of them was this of the wise And therefore look as by oyl in the vessel is meant the eternal anointing of the Spirit of grace within so by shining is meant the glorious profession arising from it as the adorning of women 1 Tim. 2. 9. is their holy conversation That the Spirit of holiness abiding in the hearts and shining in the lives of Saints it is their excellency ornament and glory This adorns the Virgins lamps through security they began to lose their glory Now when they prepare their lamps they adorn their lamps and this is their glory 2 Cor. 3. ult We are changed into the same image from glory to glory grace and holiness is glory Ephes. 5. 27. Christ presents a glorious Church wherein without spot or wrinckle and holy before the Lord. 1 Thess. 4. 4. Sanctification and honor are joyned together SECT II. Quest. WHat Spirit of holiness is it which is a Christians glory Answ. It is not every patcht profession of holiness which is a Christians true glory for by what means is the name of God more blasphemed by the wicked of the world than by those that profess holiness yet break out into scandalous sins Rom. 2. 14. it is a wonder if a prophane man be good a little but it is a greater wonder and scandal if a professor be bad a little Neither is it a most glorious appearance of holiness this is deceit craft and hypocrisie not a glory A Stage-player that acts the part of a King wants the glory of a King and hence Paul opposeth himself to these 2 Cor. 5. 12. But when there is first an exemplary holiness arising secondly from the fulness of the Spirit of grace within as here in the Virgins a shiâ—ing profession from an inward Spirit when Christ hath attained the end of offering up himself that men are a peculiar people zealous of good works Suppose the lamp doth burn yet if not for the end it was made so that a man can scarcely see his way nor others by it its glory is much lost Now the end of the Spirit of holiness is this the end of Christ's death and ministery is this Phil. 2. 13 14. and though they may speak evil yet 1 Pet. 2. 12. they may glorifie God in that day when it is with men as it is with those Zâ—ch 8. â—lt We have seen God is in you when a man maintains a sleepy careless profession and name the lamp now wants its trim when lamps are put under bushels they lose their glory Quest. 2. Before whom is this their glory Answ. 1. Before the eyes of God the Father Ioh. 12. 26. He that shall serve me him shall my Father honor and though the world honor them not yet they shall be spectators of it 2. Before Jesus Christ his eyes Psal. 45. 11. Forget thy country and thy faâ—hers house so the King shall take pleasure in thy beauty 3. Before all the people of God themselves 2 Thess. 1. 4 5. So that we glory of you among all the Churches every one will be speaking of such oh there 's one of a thousand hardly shall you go into his company but you shall get some good and life and heat from him 4. Before Hypocrites many times who of all others are the greatest haters of the ways of holiness and the power of godliness hence Herod Mar. 6. 20. loved Iohn because a holy man not because a deep Schollar or a great man hence while Ioshua and the Elders live the people serve the Lord and while Iehoiada lives Ioash is forward the greatest Monarchs fall down here 5. In the eyes of bad men and hence Deut. 4. 6 7. when they kept the Statutes of the Lord what nation so great as hath such Laws and so wise also this is their glory before all the world at least in the consciences of all men which is their better part 2 Cor. 5. 11. we are manifest in their consciences and hence the worst say often if all were such as they are c. Quest. 3. When is it their glory Answ. 1. In this life as hath been already shewed in midst of reproaches the Spirit of glory 1 Pet. 4. 14. in midst of weaknesses Davids heart was perfect 2. At the great and last day let a man by his wisdom conquests excellencies get himself a name yet when death comes his glory perisheth if it doth last yet not long the greatest Monarchs have been like a mighty wind filled the world with a noise for a time and then down but at the last day then Oh their shame what everlasting contempt shall they arise unto But this shall be our glory at the last day 1 Pet. 1. 5 6 7. which shall be to glory and praise at the comming of our Lord and it is said then shall the righteous shine as the Sun and then all the world shall stand and admire and wonder at them And 3. Throughout all
sometimes dead the heart from all effectual endeavours and discourage the heart from all duties makes all the Gospel the Ministry of blood and death and a hand-writing against it and when it concludes God hath shut the door against it it shuts God and Christ and all his Promises out of its heart 1. Some think they having sinned against light have had some blasphemous thoughts that they have committed the unpardonable sin c. 2. Some others think not so but yet they heare that some mens time is out before death they think theirs is also having sought so long they are even sealed up by God to hardness of heart and thus some seemingly coming to Christ are indeed kept off from him 3. Others of the Saints meeting with many sore troubles and tryals and that for some sins and one deep calling to another they think with David God hath forgot hath shut up his mercies will remember no more to be gracious and though he hath been so yet because he hath been so abused by them that therefore now he will not be merciful again and thus their hearts sink Oh Remember the Gate of Gods Grace is not shut up before death then is the time for it to be shut I confess indeed there is a time in this life the Lord doth cease to strive and doth forsake the soul and we may say of them as Christ Oh that thou hadst known but now they are hid from thine eyes But yet this is a secret which as a secure despiser of grace should tremble at so those that are awakened and set in their way to Christ should not trouble themselves about it Object But oh that I did know whether it be past or no! Answ. I shall rather give to these people some good counsel for 't is not for you to know these times and seasons though this I would say if the impardonable sin be not committed 1. This time of the doores being shut is not in time of health and peace but in time of extream trouble wherein trouble doth affect them more than the sin as Prov. 1. and as many when a sick bed is come and in Noahs Flood 1 Pet. 3 20. 2. Or if it be in time of health this is ever the companion of it viz. hatred and opposing Saints secretly or opening because Christ having quite forsaken him his heart swells against the Saints hence Saul envied David Esau hated Iacob Murmurers against God were in the Wilderness and against Moses But I come to counsel for God lets loose Satan full of malice upon a poor creature sometimes to vex and trouble First Consider the root of this distemper viz. either great pride or despising of the riches of Gods grace 1. Pride for this we shall finde such spirits because they have not peace sealed strength against sin granted unto them and that which they would have if discouraged and not quickened by this they regard not life meanes offers of grace What is all this if God hath forsaken me What is it Yes that 't is as might at large be shewed 2. Despising of grace if I had not committed such sins I could then think for mercy but such evils such miseries cannot be remedied Truly as it is a despising of a Physician to think If I was not so sick he would be tender and helpful but not now being so exceedingly diseased So it is here c. Secondly Consider Suppose the time be past yet remember thou art worthy to be forsaken of God even from thy birth not worthy of thy daily bread much less to taste of Gods Supper the Lord was loth to shut the door Hence he weâ—t on Ierusalem and Psalme 81. 12. cryed out Oh that my people had walked in my wayes â— thy sinnes provoked the Lord unto it if he hath in justice cast thee off therefore though it be past be not discouraged but lie down humbled as Iudges 10. 14 15. and as David Psal. 42. 3. My teares are my meat whiles they say so Where is youâ— God So tell the Lord Satan saith and feeling saith and feares say Where is my God Lord pity And if thy heart be sick tell the Lord of it Verse 6. I am perswaded many should quickly feele an Answer to this Question by taking this course but they miss at least of the comfort of Grace and Mercy because they will be Disposers of the Lords Grace and Time Thirdly Consider it may be that time is not past it is a secret only known to God the door of grace may only seem to be shut why doth Christ bid knock else When the Ninevites heard that they should dye within fourty dayes Ionah 3. 9. say they Who can tell but the Lord may repent you say the Decree is past and spoken and as Spira said I have that Witnessed I say againe Who can tell but if God had said so but that â—he may repent therefore be not discouraged or faint because of this Nay 't is most probable time is not past 1. Because the things of thy peace the discovery of the vileness of thine own heart the glory of Christ is not hid from thine eyes 2. God calls thee now to returne When Iudah had banisht David and they might think He will not receive us yet when David sent by his Messengers Why do you not bring the King back I am flesh of your flesh then they all were encouraged to hope for favour 2 Sam. 19. 12 14. So 4. Consider if thou dost return the time of love is so farre from being past as that it is then come indeed unto thy soul. Object But my sin is great Answ. Suppose it be â—lasphemy of Christ nay murder of the Sonne of God yet Acts 2. 38. when Peter preached Repentance to life they thâ—t gladly received that word who might be instrumental to crucifie Christ were received Oh but my heart is hard Hosea 10. 12. break up your fallow ground c. 'T is time saith he c. Object But I have refused to returne and have not been ashamed Answ. Yet Ier. 3. 3 4 5. Wilt thou not from this time cry to me c. Object But I may returne to the Lord and he refuse to returne to me Answ. No Ier. 8. 7. Shall he fall and not arise shall the Lord turn away and not return why then is he fallen perpetually the reason is given No man said What have I done how have I despised Gods grace the Stork knows her season but c. the Lord keep you from dashing your selves in pieces here and make this a Word of Christs Encouragement to thee Vse 2. Of Exhortation unto all men not to delay your making peace with God for when you are dead the gate is shut and if Angels should cry to have it opened they shall not be heard You that are young take warning this day do not think there is time enough hereafter You that are old do not think it too late
chuse him for outward blessings not spiritual favour and life Iohn 6. 26 27. 2. The soul hence gives it self like one espoused to her Husband to the Lord Jesus Cant. 2. 16. I am my beloveds servants give work for their wages and masters give wages for their work but Husbands and Wives give themselves one unto another Suitors also give Tokens to draw on love not themselves so servants in the Church they do for God in hope of wages and the Lord blesseth them it may be outwardly but he that is espoused to Christ gives himself Lord I can do nothing for thee give nothing to thee but I give my self to thee that thou wouldst work in me and by me Rom. 6. 13. So the Lord is a suitor to many a man that never gives himself to him he gives them some comforts some winning drawing melting meâ—cies but not himself they give him some entertainment and good words a thousand wishes as Capernaum did but not themselves but this must be if ever you look for communion with him hence David saith I am thine save me hence some made shipwrack of Faith they were not the Lords hence the Lord saith he knows who are his 2 Tim. 2. 18 19. his send their tokens again for look as 't is an evidence of much love when a man gives the dearest thing he hath viz. his whole self to the Lord Jesus so 't is also an evidence of little love when he will not give especially anothers own thou art none of thine own thou hast but little love if thou give not thy self to him without which never look for life and communion with the Lord. 3. The soul hence takes full contentment in the Lord Jesus as a Spouse hath enough would not change for all the world as Peter when he had a glimpse of Christs glory Lord let us be here or as Simeon that had been waiting for the consolation of Israel when once he had Christ in his arms Now let thy servant depart in peace I have enough now let me dye and not live to sin more and 't is certain as there 〈◊〉 in creatures that contents the heart without Christ in an unregenerate man so contrary-wise in a regenerate Iohn 3. 29. if hearing the Bridegroom is joy what is hâ—ving him indeed they take content in other things but as coming from the Husband and this you must do if ever you look for communion with him cannot you be content with the Lord alone in Heaven you shall never come there then lest you quarrel for want of something Men make nothing of this to hathe their hearts in the sun and joy in what they have and hope to have but the Lord may be gone and you grieve not why because oâ—heâ— things ease your hearts There can be no communion hereafter if you despite iâ— now SECT VII THis serves to discover the great error most common and dangerous of the whole châ—istian woâ—ld who think that they may love and embrace the world and the Lord Jesus too and â—e saved at last by him too i. e. they may not be Virgins but go a whoring from Christ and yet partake of Christ and mercy from him that look as it was in those sad dayes Isai. 4. 1. so in these dayes many lay hold on Jesus Christ they will eat their own bâ—end live on their own 〈◊〉 and wear their own apparel their own rags only let us be called by thy name Believers to take away our reproach for that is an open shame not to believe in Christ For this is the prosessed thought of some every one is a sinne and I am one and a great one too and who can say his heart is clean none can free himself from sin in this life and I cannot do it if I would and hence look on Christ to save them though sin sleeâ—â— in them you cannot have both I would but enquire hath not every man something that contents him what is it is it the love the fellowship of Jesus yet it may be at a Sacrament and it may be not for thou maist say the Lord never yet revealed his love and self unto me never yet assured me yet somewhat joyes thy heart What think you can you have the Lord and content your selves thus with other things why I trust to him I hope so it cannot be so If the Lord Jesus was a Patron of Brothel-houses a Protector of Stews you might think so some say they cannot pray to him nor prize him why something else contents then besides him but know it cannot be so I know a Saint may be taken aside as David with envy at others prosperity but when he considers of it O what a Beast he returns again The Raven and the Dove we sent forth the one came again and again the other not therefore as Ioshua 24. brought the people to these thoughts you cannot serve the Lord and other gods as Iunius notes so bring thy self to that stâ—ait O that the Lord would set on this one thing this day when I sadly weigh it it consouâ—ds me and makes me say Lord who then can be saved I know with God all things are possible but this is rare SECT VIII HEnce we may learn who they are that never shall have everlasting communion with the Lord Jesus viz. those that never were esposed to him and you may know this if never yet divorced from all others besides him Psal. 73. 25 26. I shall stay â—whâ—e here because there is never an unsound heart in the world but as they say of â—itches they have some Familiar that sucks them so they have some Lust that is beloved of them some beloved there is they have given a promise to never to forsake and also because most men do seem and think they are Virgins espoused to Christ and look for communion with him and yet not divorced from all other besides him I shall shew hence 1. When the soul is in league with the creature 2. When married to the Law I should account it happy if any be found out CHAP. V. Sheweth the Markes and Signes whereby the Soul may know whether he be in league or love with any lust or creature or married to the Law SECT I. 1 THose that never were in bitternesse and sorrow of heart for the losse of God For these two things are as clear as the Sun 1. That the losse of God is the greatest losse for 't is the utmost and last plague upon the damned in Hell My Comforts my Friends Means Heaven is gone but if God were mine I could be comforted No God is gone Hence no sorrow for any losse so much as for this Saul 1 Sam. 28. 15. God is departed from me Hence sore distressed Nay the Lord Jesus when the Father departed for a time and he knew he would return and visit him cried out My God why hast thou for saken me 2. That all men living have lost God Isa.
s the great plot of Arminians to make Christ a means only to make every man a first Adam setting men to work for their living again for they grant all Grace is lost all comes from Christ Christ gives all and to Christ we must look for all and then when we have it use it well thus you shall have life else look for death So 't is a misery many a soul is in Men will trade in small wares rather than live on anothers Almes Do you think the Lord takes it well to make him a Merchant for your ends Oh no never look to have communion with him in this way 3. Those that close with but rejoyce more in a little Grace they receive from Christ than in all the fulnesse in Christ more in a little they do than in all the Lord Jesus hath done Phil. 3. 3. That is a womans husband in whom she rejoyceth most Do you rejoyce more in what you have and do than in what the Lord Jesus hath and hath done more in what you receive from him for a hypocrite may receive from Christ Iohn 15. 2. than in what there is in him It argues a whorish heart I know a man may rejoyce in what Christ works in him but 1. not more in this than in Christ himself 2. A child of God may while he knows not whether Christ is his do so but you think the Lord is yours well when you feel affections and life then you are glad when that is lost then sad why is there no life when thou art dead no glory when thou art base no wisdom no communion with God when thou hast none Yes why dost thou not rejoyce in this which is here most fully which Saints presenting please the Lord more by than by giving the glory of Angels infinite millions of years Oh thy heart is not in love with Christ but somewhat else for here is the joy of all Saints In thy seed shall all Nations account themselves blessed all Nations one and another Isai. 45. 24 25. shall all the seed of Israel be justified and shall glory Consider therefore this thou art sometime joyed why O I find my heart thus and thus and is this all yes for when this is gone all joy dies and should I not do thus yes else you never felt comfort of it but not only rejoyce here but when the beam is gone the Lord is not gone Rom. 7. ult when the bottles are spent the spring is full 4. He that performs any duty ultimately to ease his conscience he is married yet unto the Law for there are two sorts of duties to the Law 1. Some are directed to give Christ content to ease his heart by seeing Gods love in Christ then love being shed the heart sheds it on Christ again and thus saith the Apostle I through the Law am dead to it that I might live to God Gal. 2. 19. 2. Some are to give the soul ease it sees sin and fears it must dye and the Devil appears and when it lies down it fears it shall never awaken again and when it hears thinks no mercy but only threats belong to it and hence having no peace of conscience to think God will love it it loves duties doth duties and now takes these for good tokens and signs of love and if it feels a need of Christ 't is only to ease it Now a man is married to the Law when he crouds for ease into the bosome of it Deut. 5. 27. they were in great fear Whatever God will have us do we will do it is it not thus with many How shall we know this Answ. Dost find this while fears and terrors of conscience are on thee so long thou dost seek and pray and heâ—r and call on God and when they are worn away by time or blown over with feeling some good things and hopes from them then thy heart is careless again 't is certain you are yet married to the Law as many a man exceeding forward while prest under sense of sin for a year or two Lord how many hundreds drop away by little and little afterwards Deut. 5. 29. Oh that there were such a heart alway Mat. 3. 7. to 13. they saw a wrath to come hence feared and hence came to Iohns Baptism to repent and confesse him 5. No man that is married to the Law but his fig-leaves ever cover some nakedness all the duties ever broodsome lust there is some one sin or other the man lives in which either the Lord discovers and he will not parwith as the young man or else is so spiritual he cannot see all his life-time read through the strictest of all and see this Mat. 23. Painted Sepulchres Paul that was blamelesse yet Eph. 2. 3. Tit. 3. 3. served divers lusts and pleasures and the reason is the Law is not the ministration of the Spirit 2 Cor. 3. 8 9. which breaks off from every sin there is no saw that can give â—ife Gal. 3. 21. And hence many men have strong resolutions and break all again hence men sin and sorrow and pray again and then go with more ease in their sin examine thy self is there any living lust with thy righteousnesse 't is sure 't is a righteousnesse thou art married to and never wert yet match'd to Christ hence note thy self it may be thou hast rested in duties and since more light came saw it and seeing this thinking that here is all thy errour thou hast laboured to see the emptinesse of thy own Righteousnesse and the fulnesse of Christ and now thou art come to both and now well So then thou hast not found out any lust thou livest in all that time nor the 〈◊〉 of thy old nature no why then I pronounce thou art yet maâ—â—ied to the Law take and trust never so much to Christs righteousnesse 〈…〉 the power of a proud heart an unclean heart still never speak of Christ. 6. They that are fearful to be troubled at their estate to have it prove ill which a Saint may do yet brings it out to the light at last Iohn 3. 20. When a Woman is married to a condemned man guilt being upon him he loves not to be seen abroad in the sight of others thou hearest a Sermon and art loath it should be found out loath to be troubled he that hath righteousnesse in Christ will not only bring it to tryal before men but God himself Now is it thus with any of you what shall I say shall I say that Christ is or may be thine in this estate â—â—uly if I durst I should bless thy self thou maist but remember that the Lord will take thee to do for it and what is it to lose communion with Christ I cannot express it The Disciples were sad when he went away from them in his abasement but for the Lord to leave thee when in his glory to stand a far off and see him go never to see
but here not but then he will come himself and fetch thee Iohn 14. 1 2 3. Take thy soul to the Bride-chamber there to be with him for ever and ever and he will keep the dust of thy blessed body and not lose one dust of it and at the last day raise it and then when others shall cry out Yonder is him whom I have grieved then shalt thou lift up thy head Yonder comes my husband to comfort me to crown me that I may dwell with him It shall be the blessed day to thee And when judgement is done thou shalt go with thy beloved from the air up to Hewen with a shout and live in his love and dearest embracings of thee and this he will do for thee so poor and vile in thine own eyes Now will you have him and that now or no SECT V. 1. IF the Lord be so desirous of me why doth he not overcome me If the Lord doth it 't is by these cords of love and if not the brand of a reprobate is upon thee 2. But I do love him already Is it with such a love as makes you unable to resist him to wrong him as the Apostle said We cannot speak against the Truth but for it for if not 't is naught There is a natural love to Christ as to one that doth thee good and for thine own ends and spirituall for himself whereby the Lord only is exalted Hâ—st thou this 3. But I do not have Christ. If any man do not love him with a positive love let him be Anathema 4. I cannot love him 1. What canst thou love else 2. Thou canst not love him so well as thou shouldst therefore close with him and love will follow 3. Get the Lord to overcome thy heart Ier. 3. 19. How shall I do it 1. Set him before thee Who will commit lewdnesse while her husband lookâ— on Psal. 16. 8. 2. See what content thou givest Christ by love Smallest duties coming from love are accepted What makes thee wrong him to please thy self Let a thing crosse thee yet it conâ—ents Christ Jesus 3. Get him and wait by Faith on him to overcome thy heart and the work is done then Now will you do this or no If not say then you have had a fair offer and tell the Devils so when thou goest down to Hell as it may be thou maiest ere long Men talk of terrible Sermons but these sink deepest Tell me dost thou love the lord only Wil 't keep lusts or Christ alone If so then look to it In this Countrey a woman killed her child and she said when she did it her child smiled upon her Wilt thou kick Christs love now when he smiles upon thee Afterward shee repented but it was too late Women when they have a mind to some other murder their husbands but if known burnt they must be But wilt have him and love him alone Oh if perswaded to this then happy for ever Let this day be the beginning of eternal Glory to thy soul and the God of peace be with thee CHAP. VII Sheweth that a man hath no power in himself to do any spiritual work but that he must receive all from Christ. 4. HEnce we see a necessity if ever we look to have communion with Christ to do all spiritual work all we do Theologice from the mighty power of Christ from the life and Spirit of Christ. To bring forth no Spirituall Act but from Christ and for Christ I shall put both in one and the latter into the first for none act truly from him but it is for him for you know if a woman bring forth children to any other but her own husband that woman hath lost her chastity So when men shall bring forth the fruits of obedience to any other from any other but from Christ they lose their virginity their chastity without which no communion with Christ. For I have ever made two parts or degrees of Christian chastity as 't is in outward chastity 1. The soul sets its chief affections on Christ alone that look as 't is with a woman though she cannot do much nor deserve his love yet her heart is with him her self is his Cant. 6. 3. I am my Beloveds 2. The soul bâ—ings forth fruits of love only unto Christ i. e. from Christ and for Christ as in marriage the woman brings forth fruit of her womb to her Husband and this is set down plainly Rom. 7. 4. The first we have handled Now a little of this And that I may presse this which is of much use to you give me leave to expresse my self in these Conclusions SECT I. THat all men living nakedly considered in themselves have lâ—st all power to do any thing that is good Rom. 3. 12. None that doth good 1. His light is quite extinct and his eyes quite out hence said to sit in darknesse and the shadow of death Mat. 4 16. now a shadow is a privation of some light this of all light hence called darknesse it self take the blindest Indian he is a witnesse of this truth and a right picture of a soul fallen from God hence because he cannot see he cannot do 1 Cor. 2. 14. 2. All that life he had to act well is lost too Eph. 2. 1. he is dead in trespasses and sins he cannot breath not speak nor think nor do one thing that is good I say nakedly considered in himself And hence look upon a man quite forsaken of God in Hell there you may see as in a lively looking-glass what every man living is when the Lord leaves him he can blaspheme him he cannot love him he can contemn God he cannot esteem him he can wish there were no God to punish him he cannot submit unto God though he leaves the most heavy load upon him and you see not your selves untill you see your selves here and see your selves thus SECT II. THat unto some men especially nay unto all men almost though vile yet more or lesse the Lord gives a power to act and live and move and to do many spiritual duties or good duties from themselves For as there is a bredth in the wayes of Grace that every Christian hath not the like measure of Grace so there is a bredth or latitude in the wayes of sin every sinner breaks not forth into the like measure of sin but some are far better than others as the three grounds that were bad yet one better than another Now how comes this about why the Lord gives that power to act as all the knowledg of a God by the light of Nature falsly so called this is the work of God Rom. 1. 19. Hence all terrors and comforts and duties of Conscience are all from God so the Historical Faith of the Gospel which many have and so to confesse and professe no salvation but by Christ together with a readinesse to dye in
people prepared for the Lord to meet with Christ on earth now he is gone our work is to prepare a people to meet the Lord in Heaven Hence this is put in as the difference between Vessels of wrath and Vessels of Glory the one are fitted for destruction the others are fitted prepared or made ready for Glory and the glory of a christian is chiefly to enjoy fellowship immediatly with Jesus Christ. There is many a soul dear unto Christ and espoused to him and hath his heart affected to think of the good time that is coming when we shall ever be with the Lord but ask are you ready â—yet for to go to him though it be through fires waters thorns sorrows death it self who can say yes but say mens hearts shut the Lord out a little longer let not the door stand open yet yet this must be And therefore for explications sake let me 1. shew you when the Soul is in a readinesse for the Lord Jesus 2. The reasons why there must be a continual readinesse SECT III. VVHen is the Soul in a readinesse to enjoy Christ As there are four things which make a christian unready so this readinesse consists in Four things contrary 1. That which makes a christian unready for him are those strong fears and jealousies and damping doubts of the love of Christ to him The soul happly hath made choice of him is content with him melts into wonderment and love to think that he should love him what me and Christ hath writ him on his heart and on the palms of his hands but Israel saith my God hath forsaken me my God hath forgotten me Isai. 49. 14. Is it possible is it credible one that hath been so ville one that still hath such a heart for him to set his heart on me surely no hence the Soul is afraid to dye and desires too much to live still and the more he thinks of that time and blessednesse of following the Lamb where-ever he goes the more he sees and fears this may possibly never be my portion there may be some falseness in my heart towards him that I never yet saw some secret knot that was never yet unlosed and hence not yet ready Hence many a christian saith if I had a little more assurance let him come when he will Thus some think it was with Hezekiah who though he had walked before God with a perfect heart yet bitterly complained that he was cut off Isai. 38. per totum So therefore then the soul is prepared ready for him when he hath some comfortable assurance of the love of Christ towards him that it can say if I live he loves me though he kils me by Death yet I know that he loves me nay then he loves me moâ—t when he puts an end to my sins and to my sorrows too And therefore now saith as one ready to ceive a Prince now let him come to me or send for me when he will why so Who can separate me from the love of Christ Rom. 8. 35. That look as 't is with a Souldier that is to go to war where many bullets and arrows are like to fall about him and hit him while he hath no armour on call him to the Captain and he will say he is not ready yet but when he hath his armour on of proof and such armour that he knows let him receive never so many wounds yet he shall escape with his life and triumph with his Captain afterward Now give him but his watch-word he is ready though never so weak yet I am sure I shall escape with my life nay not so much as hurt So a christian wanting his assurance wants his armour he is weak and powers of darknesse will assault him and he is slain by them now he is unready but if assured though weak and feeble he is now at Christs watch-word I know I shall live I may fall but I shall rise again this puts courage and spirit into a christian Dan. 3. 17 18. Heb. 11. 35. Others were tormented and so ready not accepting deliverance why so to obtain a better Resurrection which they are sâ—id to see by the eye of Faith and this was by poor weak Women therefore labour for this else not prepared The Lord would have his people look death and dangers in the face and triumph in sorrows and not faint-hearted which cannot be done without this that the world may see that there is more than men in them 2 Cor. 4. 16 17 18. and 5. 1. who would be without this yet may we not complain as Christ of his Disciples Oh foolish and slow of heart to believe all that is written so many promises yet not assured so many experiences yet not established and therefore not yet prepared and ready for the coming of the Lord. A man that hath a fair estate and house befallen him so long as he is in Suit for it dares not dwell in it but makes a shift where he is but then he is ready when quiet possession is given him So get the Lord to passe sentence for assurance of your everlasting habitation then are you reâ—dy to dwell therein 2. Then a man is unprepared for the Lord Jesus his coming while he wants affeâ—tions suitable to the Majesty and according to the worth and love of the Lord Jesus Suppose a Woman knows her Husbands love yet if she have lost her love to him or if she love him 't is only as she loves another man not according to the woâ—th of her Husbands person or the greatnesse of his love Is she fit now to apâ—ear before him when no heart to receive him so although you question not Christs love to you thank God you doubt little of it yet where is your heart your love to him have you not lost your love your first love or second love if you have love is it not divided to other things as Wife Child Friends hopes of provision for them and too much care hereupon for that or if you do love him 't is with a carnal love he hath no more than a lust hath had and it may be not so much 't is with a cold love now you are unfit for him hence the Lord Luke 21. 34. Take heed your hearts be not overcharged 1 Pet. 4. 7. Now therefore then the soul is prepared to meet Christ when if the soul hath lost its affections it recovers them out of the hands of all creatures that stole them away from Christ and hence David prayes Oh spare that I may recover my strength and when it breaks out with such love unto Christ as is fitting for him 2 Tim. 4. 8. There is the righteoâ—s Judge ready to give the Crown when Christs appeâ—ring is loved i. e. they are so taken with him as that they love the looks of him it would rejoyce my heart to see which shall make others tremble to behold him Oh it must be a dear
meet the Lord in Heaven as Paul that knew not whether in or out of the body 2 Cor. 12. 3. We know it here shall go out of the body as Christ is said when he went to Heaven I go to my Father and your Father so it goes forth then to Christ Eccles. 12. 7. and neither of these can be meant here for First â—his shews the 〈◊〉 of the Jewish Church long before Christs coming at least among many of them Secondly Because the shutting out vers 10. is by and at Death hence letting in is so too Now this was before 3. When the Soul goes out or it self by Faith hence Iohn 6. 35. 't is called coming to Christ and this not any Physical natural departing of the Soul out of the body but Ethical supernatural by the operations of the Soul out of 〈◊〉 self And look as the whole Soul by unbelief departs from God in Christ so the whole Soul by Faith comes again unto God by Christ. The mind sees affections make after him will fastens on him and there depends This is the first work of Faith or the first Faith the coming as in all motions there are two extreams of the Soul from a nothingness emptiness in it self to an allness and fulness in Christ And as 't is in other motions if there was a vacuum there would be motus in instanti so if there was an emptiness seen in the world and all the works of it and in all fears that all mountains were cast down Faith then would suddenly come by the Spirit to the Lord Jesus and this coming to Christ is not meant here For First These Virgins were espoused to Christ by Faith already Secondly At the first coming to Christ it goes to the Lord for life in him and from him but here having life already they go forth to live with him there the Soul goes out to meet him in the Gospel in the Promise here the Virgins go forth to meet him in Glory There the Soul goes to be justified by him here the Virgins go to be glorified with him and therefore 't is meant of a second going out of the Soul by some special acts of Faith after that it doth believe and after 't is ready for him And for Explication From whence doth the Soul go It 's chiefly going out of this world by trampling this Moon under her feet by forgetting this her Fathers house by a holy contempt of it and a holy dying to it and all the glory of it For 't is a thousand to one if Satan doth not intangle here if Lot be not taken with Sodom though burnt out there and if this going out is to enjoy the Lord in another world chiefly then going out is from the opposite terme from this world Hence Paul singles out this mercy Gal. 1. 4. Christ gave himself to deliver us from this present evil world Oh say men 't is a good world and good being here 'T is an evil world 't is so when Death comes but for present 't is best No 't is a present evil world By what acts of Faith doth it go forth There be two affections of the Soul that chiefly look to a good absent yet loving that good go forth to meet it and those are Hope and Desire like the blind man and the lame both together can make a shift to go Hope like the eye goes out and looks Desire like the feet runs out and longs The going forth therefore to meet Christ is 1. By a real expectation of him 2. By a longing desire to be with him Hope gets on the top of the world and cries Oh I see him Desire stands by and longs for him Oh come Lord. A careless blind world look not for him nor after him the Saints do Heb. 9. 28. An earthly-minded world longs not for him the Bride doth Rev. 22. 17 20. Oh come Lord Iesus come quickly by love and joy we imbrace and entertain the Bride-groom by hope and desire we go forth to meet the Bridegroom Hence many things are to be observed and yet not all I might SECT II. THat the object to which Faith chiefly looks and closeth with is the Person of the Lord Iesus 'T is the Bride-groom himself that the Virgins chiefly have to do withall they are espoused to him as in Marriage there is a giving of themselves one unto another they make themselves ready for him they go out to meet him 'T is him they love 't is him they want 't is him they look for 't is him they close withalâ— Whorish lovers look not after him but his his peace to comfort them when in horror and fear his mercy to save them from eternal flames but Virgins look to him they look to His indeed but 't is himself chiefly they care for Iohn 1. 12. to so many as received him he gave power to be Sons Iohn 6. 27. when the people followed him but it was for loaves Labour not for bread that perisheth buâ— c. for him hath the Father sealed Mat. 13. 44. The man did not buy the Treasure but bought the field 't is him Faith seeks for Ier. 50. 4. They shall seek the Lord weeping 't is him Faith chuseth and is contented with Whom have I in Heaven but thee Psal. 73. 25. 'T is him Faith glories in Isai. 45. 25. In him shall all the Seed of Israel glory SECT III. 'T Is chiefly and firstly the Person of Christ that the Father gives unto the Soul Isai. 9. 6. hence Faith laies hold on him 'T is not seemly to keepâ— Portion from any much less Orphans Portion Faith empties a man so as it makes him the poorest Orâ—han in the world now the Father cannot will not keep back his Portion but gives it him Wicked men have their Portion in this world Psalm 17. 14. and they think the Lord loves them because he blesseth them they have many moral excellencies given them which makes them honoured and lovely in the eyes of men and they have honour and that is their reward they have bread but not the staff of bread they have Ordinances but not the Lord in them the Lord gives them answer to many Prayers but never gives them himself nor his Son this is highest love But 't is his Son himself he gives to Orphan fatherless helpless creatures for the Lord is their Portion Lam. 3. 24. The portion of Iacob Ier. 10. 16. hence 't is him that Faith receives and pitcheth upon so that the Lord may deny them many outward many inward Blessings yet they have himself that 's better than all better as he said than Ten Sons Children may be Prodigals for a time but when in want they will then sue for their Portion Saints for a time may mispend all Times Talents Ordinances the Lord gives but the Lord will bring them to want and then they will sue for their Portion and the Lord will give and they
have no will my heart is endeared to my sin Therefore resign up thy self to him to give thee a will put it into his hand as bad as it is this is Spouse-like and to take away that will to sin so thou shalt have him I am my Beloveds he is mine For the Father looks to the Law and saith Sinner if thou believe thou shalt be saved now lie under the Spirit and you are where you should be resist here you resist the Holy Ghost Oh but sin is dear Consider 1. What good did it ever do thee 2. Hath Christ shed his Blood or no if not Oh the wrath of God is to come if he hath Oh wilt thou offer this wrong to his Blood that a Lust shall be dearer than it thy bloody Knives dearer than the life and death and mercy of a Son Oh therefore if any Soul hath any lust dear I beseech you by all the bitter sorrows of Christ not to reject so great salvation But must I receivâ— Christ with my own strength No you cannot nor ought not but if the Lord puts strength in thee put itâ— forth Many followed Christ for loaves but none that ever came to him for himself that ever he put away Psalm 81. 11 12 13. I shewed much love but they would none of me Oh that they had hearkened At this instant God may give thee a heart But I fear I shall never get my sins removed that I feel which I think cannot stand with Grace Gods Promise and Reason is cross to thy fears if a Son all things also though many years hence Rom. 8. 32. If not by receiving is iâ— by rejecting that thou shalt attain thy end 'T is true thou hast fallen off by thy sin from Christ because thy falls have made thee fall off by unbelief from him and made thee say either I do not believe or the Lord intends no good to me you have had no strength because not satisfied with meat But I may presume Is it presumption to honour Christ and to have him honoured in thee No Dost think if the Lord shall after all thy sins and in the midst of all thy miseries give thee Christ shall he not be honoured by this yes who can ever have such cause to love him as I Shall not thy receiving of him by Faith honour him yes Rom. 4. 20. Canst dishonour him so much as by rejecting him when he hath laid down his life shewed his love offers himself now to reject him 't is to offer greatest contempt to him and his love that can be hence can you honour him so much as by this Do never so much without him he is unsatisfied do this he is well-pleased Nay after all thy sins yet he saith Return to me Nay nothing else is such a means to honour him by doing for him If so grant thou art vile unworthy poor yet for the honour of the Lord Jesus do it who is but little honoured in the world and stand out no longer thus receive him and then know it you are Sons and rejoyce in it and do it now while the Spirit is upon thee and remember now not to change Ier. 2. 11. As Women Oh I would not change see how happy is thy choice But Lord who hath believed our Report How may the Soul come to close with the person of the Lord Iesus 1. Before any man can close i. e. see and say he doth close with the Lord as his own he must feel a want of the Lord and his presence not only of his comforting but of his holy presence for some people there be that never felt a want of Christ at all they are great and grievous sinners but they trust to Christ and though he kill them yet they will trust to him others are in misery and they feel a want of redemption and hence close with Christ for that Psalm 78. 35. Oâ—hers are in horror and know not what to do and they feel a want of the comforts of Christ and hence close with Christ for that and if they find it they depart from Christ by looseness of life if not by despair of heart as Saul 1 Sam. 28. God answers me not by Urim c. Others feel a want of some righteousness from Christ the having of which supports and sustains them without Christ till with the Prodigal when all is spent then they think of Bread at home and the want of which makes them to have lesse esteem of and desire after Christ but they are full of Objections against the thoughts of closing with him but hence they close with Christ for that Others there are that feel a want of the Lord himself and hence close with him for himself so that let a man have all blessings in the world the purity of Ordinances never so many illapses and droppings of divine light and life and comfort in these Ordinances that he wonders the Lord should be so good to him yet he shall find if right his soul secretly unquiet and unsatisfied till he hath the Lord himself As the savour of meat makes a man that wants it cry the more after it long the more for it so the savour and sweet of all creatures all Ordinances all Duties do not stay but stir up the soul to seek Christ when he is himself Ier. 50. 4. They shall seek the Lord weeping Hence first they felt a want of him The full soul loaths the honey-comb Let the Lord be never so sweet let him do them never so much good the more good he doth them the lesse they regard him Ier. 2. 6. They said not where is the Lord Therefore that soul that truly closeth with the Lord must first feel a want of the Lord and say these Ordinances are not bread these creatures are not bread all these parts gifts duties are not bread bran not bread All this savour this sweetnesse 't is not bread Hence I perish for want of bread I have creatures Ordinances Affections comforts Duties but Oh no Christ. Like the Prodigall Luke 15. 17. Oh therefore do not only see but feel the want of the Lord Jesus you that never had him yet nay you that have him you cannot have more of him but by feeling more the want of him Oh it was a marvellous expression of Moses when the Lord began to grow weary of their company Exod. 33. 15. If thou goest not with us carry us not up hence i. e. Let us rather die than live without thee Mary when Christ was crucified the carcase of the Lord was gone she sate there weeping Oh much more for the Lord himself It s observed by some for the saddest spectacle to see a desert Town Oh what is it to see a desert heart where no Christ inhabits Or a city and no Inhabitants And hence its Romes curse to be made an habitation of devils so here What is Hell but this to see not
time be saplesse savourlesse things unto us Thirdly Because I have had strong fears lately of some unexpected trials among us and I should be glad if it might not be if the freedom from them might make us better else I say let them come But Fourthly Because 't is a rare thing among us to see such burning Lamps as look and long for Christs coming which when I consider though there be other causes yet one great one is this Oh the heart is gone away by violent lusts after these things here Oh therefore take heed of them And therefore consider 1. You shall have Christ and his fellowship if indeed you long for him Iohn 4. 10. That 's his love you are not so desirous but he is a thousand times more Thou maist desire these things and if God loves thee misse of them God will make thee poor when thou wouldst be rich base when thou wilt be honoured and when you would have honey he will give you stings and cause you have to thank the Lord too that he will not give you your portion here 2. If thâ—u hast them and dost desire them and God gives them and thou lettest Christ go thou hadst better a thousand times be without them Psal 78. 30 31. The meat was in their mouths and the wrath of God came upon them If the Lord gives thee Christ happy for ever if these things when thou dost so desire them oh wo for ever 3. The Fellowship of the Lord Jesus thou shalt never lose Death shall not part thee from that nothing shall rob thee of that but look after and long for these things they will perish and die away All flesh is grasse the Word of the Lord and the Lord himself much more endureth for ever 4. Why dost desire these things For some sweet in them Why is not all that in the presence of the Lord Jesus and enjoying him It pleaseth the Father that in him should all fulnesse dwell so that thou shalt drink as out of a pure Fountain all that is there If there be any sweetnesse here he gave it 't is much more eminently in himself Exod. 24. 11. They saw the God of Israel and eat and drank Had they meat up with them Oh no. But the sight of him was meat and drink and all unto them As therefore you desire Christs fellowship Oh long no more after these things here Hence see death is not to be feared but desired of all Saints It was an odd speech of a Heathen 'T is ill to desire death and worse to fear it he meant not because of any good in it but because we must die But death brings us into eternal Fellowship with the Lord Jesus It doth Saints more good than all Ordinances all afflictions wherein we complain we can get no good than all means It brings us into his Fellowship 1. Quickly as Christ was caught up so the Soul by Christ to himself 2. Immediatly for the next thing we shall see is Christ himself our Husband himself and then see the Kingdom and then wonder at the Lord. 3. Everlastingly never to part more Oh fear it not therefore Christ hath sweetned it to you SECT V. HEnce see a clear foundation and ground-work of longing for fellowship with the Lord Jesus in his Ordinances here This is that I shall exhort to For 1. You cannot shall not must not now go to him in Heaven nor enjoy fellowship with him nor meet him in the clouds though you do long for that day but in his Ordinances you may meet with him now And truly those whom we love and long for if we cannot go to their house or find them at home we are glad to meet with them abroad As with those who stand before Princes if we cannot be with them on the Throne or at Court we will desire to be with them in the Countrey Nay on the Dunghil Oh the Spirit of David Psal. 27. 4. One thiâ—g have I desired and that I will seek for though I never have it What is that David Is it to wear the Crown in Ierusalem Is it to have all thine enemies lick the dust of thy feet Is it to have thy Name spread and thine Honour great through all the Kingdomes of the world No but that I may dwell in the Courts of the Lords House all the daies of my life and that seeing I cannot shall not die presently and so go to see his Glory in Heaven therefore that I may see his Beauty here enjoy him here and that not for some years but all the daies of my life 2. Ought you not to long to tast and passe through the sorrows of death that you may be with him And are Christs Ordinances more bitter than death that you are loath to break through the difficulty of them that in them you may enjoy him The truth is so 't is with many a man that such is the strength of his hidden contempt of Christ and his love to his sloath that he had rather die than pray and be damned eternally than to follow the Lord in an Ordinance till he hath found him graciously How come Gods own people to lament this if there were not this 3. I remember a sweet speech of one with God That a Christian ought to prepare for a Sacrament as he would prepare to die for saith he there is but this difference when we die we then go to Christ in a Sacrament Christ comes to us What he said of a Sacrament I say of every Ordinance in every Ordinance Christ comes to us when we die we go to him Now ought you to long when you are absent from him to be with him and will you not care for him nor long to see him and enjoy him when he comes to you And so be worse than poor naked Indians Christ comes not to them no dews fall down on their Gilboahs no Manna at their Tent doors and hence they live without him and desire him not and when he comes to you do you see no beauty in him now why you should desire him Will you thus requiâ—e him for his love ah foolish children and â—â—wise 4. Truly Beloved you can have but little evidence you do desire the Lord Jesus company in Heaven at the last day that long not vehemently after him in his Ordinances now You have followed me in the regeneration saith Christ Mat. 19. 28. therefore you shall sit with me upon Thrones If Christs presence here a little of himself be burdensom What will it be in Heaven then Depart from me saith Christ I was in prison and you visited me not Shall you depart for not visiting an imprisoned persecuted sick sorrowful Christ in midst of miseries and shall not you depart for rot visiting a comforting Christ a teaching Christ an intreating embracing Christ in the midst of his Ordinances If the Lord tries you with water with a little of himself here and you care not
affliction makes him seek the Lord early Hence because thou art troubled at the feeling of a slothful heart that will make you seek for more help 2. You will seek him with your whole heart so that 't is the Lord only that the heart is bound for Psal. 119. 2. Phil. 3. 12. The feeling of the Lords power and eternal life and that not only while means last but when in want of and banisht from means As David forgets his Crown and Kingdom and saith Psal. 27. 4. One thing I have desired Hence Hezekiah had a promise of life and going to Gods House when recovered It was not life he minded so much as this What is the sign that I shall go to the House of the Lord Hence Saints though they neglect sometimes yet as a Ship driven back by neglecting winds or as a Tradesman he is altogether for his gain yet proves an ill husband sometimes but when he hath felt his losses he falls to his losses he falls to his trade again So here like Merchants seeking pearls c. Matth. 13. 45. Let this comfort you though you finde nothing yet Saints are a generation of Seekers finding time is not come yet certainly you shall come to your end at last You have no lappings for the sores of your sloth but opening them before the Lord the Lord will heal and help in time But I feel no good hence I am afraid I seek not aright Gal. 6. 9. You shall reap in due time and Hebr. 11. 13. All things were cross to the promise yet Abraham holds on still But I finde my spirit faint and grow listless and weary When heart and strength fail yet God doth not God will desert that you may know where your strength and heart and help lies But 't is so great I know no difference between mine and others neglect That is sad yet as 't is in all sins falls into them do but undermine them the more Peter denies Christ as well as sleeps yet he is the first that preacheâ—h him When a mans meat is so far from doing good as that it doth him hurt he is dying so that sin is dying that sloâ—h is dying when food given to it doth kill it David is ready to give up all yet saith It s good for me to draw neer to God and there the heart will repose it self again SECT VI. OH be not slothâ—ul then neglect no means but use all means get oyl in your vessels that you may get your desired end Mariners that are bound for a voyage when set out will not be at rest till they are landed where they would be It was one of the Churches sorrowful complaints Isai. 64. 7. None that stirs up himself c. But I finde many hindrances without me many sins within me I have sometime neither strength nay which is worse nor yet heart to seek the Lord though my wants are many though my days decline how shall I doe 1. Finde out that which clogs thy heart from seeking effectually and causeth that neglect and that makes the Lord neglect thee in thy ineffectual seeking else thou mayest seek and never finde and that is some lust something that easeth the heart which is not God When the soul hath not bread it will with the Prodigal then resolve for home men could not live as they do so many days without God unless they did feed on somewhat else beside the Lord. Hence its usual for men in means to use means for a good and out of means to resist that good Isa. 58. 1 2. Zac. 7. 6. Men that would have their load drawn must first take their wild Horses out of it So do with these lusts If therefore not for your own yet for the Lords sake who else will not be accounted worth the seeking finde out whatever contents you necessity hath no Holidays oh you must have him 2. Use means but trust not to them nor to any strength received to carry you along in this work you will else neglect and fall from the Lord and the Lord from you It s said of Asa 2 Chro. 16. 12 13. Asa was diseased in his feet in his old age yet he sought not to the Lord but Physicians So 't is with many a diseased Christian they seek not to the Lord to cure their feet but means or themselves hence he decays and dies You have the stream of all temptations against you 't is not your own Oars but the Lords winde that must carry you against it look therefore to an almighty power in means to help you plead Gods Covenant to put his fear into your hearts that you may not depart from him as he will not forsake you 1 Cor. 15. 10. Paul received not grace in vain but lebours abundantly yet not I but grace There is little fear of drowning so long as we keep head above water â—o long as we cleave to the Lord Jesus 3. Love the presence of the Lord and his company If there be any love between you you will then finde time and nothing shall keep you from him Ier. 2. 1 2 3. I remember the love of thine espousals when thou followedst me in a wilderness thorow pits and deserts Remember he hath been in heaven praying for thee when thou hast been provoking of him he hath been blessing thee when thou hast been abusing him it may be he hath let out his heart blood to make room for thee in his heart it may be he intends through all eternity to express his dearest love to thee and is he not worth your love Love him and you will be with him love will be stronger then death it will break all these bonds 4. Set before you the greatness of the good you are to use all meâ—ns to gain why do men hunt after flesh-pots The world is esteemed great 't is near us and so for honour Now Christ and eternity are afar off and hence they seem little and hence to seek them is not made a business of greatest weight and importance 2 Cor. 4. 16 18. We faint not while we look to things that are eternal Acts 24. 15 16. There is not the vilest Repâ—obate but when he shall see the glory that shall be revealed shall stamp and rear his hair and say Oh if I had known this I hope I should never have dreamed out my time so as I have done We look on the Picture of Goodness in the volume of the Creatures which satisfie not Oh never cease looking upward till you see what you seek for in the greatness of it Suppose a man should sleep all his life-time and be in a dream and in it have all the delights and glory of the world presented before him at last the ground opens its mouth and swallows him up and then he is awakened Lord how will he cry Truly Christ and grace and fellowship with God are not thought of sought for
stands bent for such an end yet â—uns at one side but is turned by the skill of him that guides it into the way again and so let it run the mâ—n is with it So 't is here And because somthing is like this in Hypocâ—ites I shall endeavour to cut the thread I. Their whole hearts never do nor can depart from the Lord all thâ—ir sins and departings are against their new nature which the Lord hath given them It s against the grain which as it agravates their sin so it shews the difference between their sins and the sins of other men they may be drawn aside but it s against their wills or if so yet against the bent of their hearts which is set toward the Lord and Sion-ward they may be carried captive against their wills as Paul complained he was and made his moan to heaven of it or if with their wills yet it is against the active bent of their wills which inclines them another way 1 Iohn 3. 9. They cannot sin because the seed remains in them so that they cannot sin with their whole hearts nor depart from Christ with their whole hearts As it is with a Woman though her Husband hath her whole heart yet there is much weâ—kness and sin mixt with this love So that whatever unkindness she shewâ— it is not with her whole heart but against it and hence she is noâ— cast off So much more here Or as it is with the unregenerate man possessed by Satan though he may forsake many sinful courses take up many duties despise the World yet it is not with his whole heart And hence he is pulled back like a Bird by the leg Satan having an end of his heart and he that is unholy and unâ—leâ— will be so still So â— contra As 't is with a stone cast it up its against the 〈◊〉 of it because the nature of it is to rest in the Center and hence it comes down again It is not by internal bent but by external vis or force So sin and Saâ—â—n being cast out though they work in the soul yet they are external Agents it is not I but sin and hence it is against the bent The whole soul therefore never departs from the Lord Jesus but the Spirit keeps it there As 't is in the body of a 〈◊〉 he grows sick and inclines toward a dissolution or consumption and operations are hindred and little delight in any thing yet the soul and body are not yet parted wholly hereupon for even then they are kept close So though the heart may depart and incline towards consumption and death and little can the soul do but lie still and grieve yet the union between the Spirit and the â—oul once made is never broken For as the whole soul departed and made dis-union so the whole soul returning makes the union And hence if ever after the whole soul should depart the union should be broken and hence look on a Christian when he is himself he cannot stir nor depart partly by a spirit of fear Ier. 32. 40. Like a man in a Ship he cannot cast himself into Sea it makes him tremble to think what if I should fall in and hence keeps close in the Ship what-ever â—â—orms come what-ever calms come for he sees death before him Oh the loss of Christ and his fellowship hereafter nay here is dreadful to him Partly by a Spirit of love it constrains us that when the heart sometime caâ—es not for Christ yet the Spirit of love springs up Shall I now leave him that pitied me That brought me a Pardon when my neck was on the block c. II. When he doth depart by reason of some evil in his heart yet 't is not ever but he must return â—ooner or later to him again it was best with him then For look as 't is with Satan How doth he carry the heart from God You shall see it in Iudas John 13. He stands at the door and knocks by a sinful thought liked of vers 2. Then he enters the house by causing the will to resolve of it He doth not carry men like those Herds of â—wine against their wills but prevails with the Will to resolve thus vers 27. Hereupon Satan having a Commission carries him out and he must needs go whom the Devil drives so 't is here the Spirit in recalling the soul will have him come back 1. Pâ—â—s in secret sweet living thoughts again and makes the soul consider and remember from whom 't is fallen or who the Lord is 2. Then causeth the will to resolve of a return and then he must go whom the Spirit draws Psal. 63. 6. David remembers the Lord on his bed though now driven from all Ordinances Hence vers 7. Under thy shadow I will rejoyce Hence vers 8. My soul followeth hard after thee or cleaves to thee But David was weak and feeble how came he to do this Thy hand vers 8. upholdeth me Look as it was with Sampson when his locks were cut he was like other men and was made to grinde but they grew again and then he was like himself again So when the affections and hearts to Christ are cut they are like other men for a time but they are continually coming and growing again and then they are like themselves again And I say they must return for when the Spirit carries a man indeed there is a necessity put upon him Acts 4. 20. We cannot but speâ—k the things we have heard and 2 Cor. 13. 8. We can do nothing against but for the truth For here we shall see the broad difference between a convicted Hypocrite that knows all is amiss with him and the Saints He â—ees his falls from the Lord and is afraid in his Conscience of Misery if he doth not return and desires and endeavours for to do it but what if it be hard and it seem impossible to be better Now he falls down and thinks this is an infirmity which God will pardon and so Satan conquers him I say again not temptation but Satan conquers him For then a man is conquered when faith is conquered 1 Iohn 5. 4. then Faith is conquered when returning to Christ with the whole heart is conquered the whole heart returns not until a mans will resolves by being 〈◊〉 with a necessity of a return and staying there Now therefore the Spirit of God puts the soul upon a necessity of returning to the Lord that when the heart â—aith It cannot be that ever your heart should be better or the Lord help it must be saith the soul again and it is so I am not able to bear this evil for mercy must help and Spirit must draw and hence the soul must come Psal. 42. 7 8. The soul thinks mercy can and is willing but will it Why the Lord commands it when one waye calls in for another mercy must step in and hence my prayer is to thee Now this necessity of
God requires every â—it season for his special Worship not every Particle of time 4. Many think the power of Grace is ceased and taken away when some special enlargements are As a Christian shall find at some times having special work to do special miseries to go through he hath special enlargements of the Spirit of joy courage boldness with God love and zeal These lasting not he thinks all is gone now But look as it was with Ionathan 1 Sam. 14. 8. Then he alone and his Armour-bearer went against an Host yet 1 Sam. 17. 11. Against Goliah not a word Paul to his death was a faithful and able Minister of the Gospel though sometime his mouth stopped and his heart straitned The Ship may be going to the Harbour though somtime greater somtime lesser winds Secondly But yet I confess there is much changeableness in the Saints and unevenness in their course and their Spirits are apt to grow weary and faint otherwise they had not need to be exhorted not to be weary and when they are lifted up they soon sink down Heb. 12. 1. And hence question Was there ever grace in this heart But yet there is much difference between the unconstancy of the one and of the other in three things 1. An Hypocriâ—es affections when they cease they are raised in him again by some external Principles and Motives but the Faithful when they have lost what they had they recover it again by a new nature an inward principle which is an evidence there was the being of Grace all this while Empty a Pond it will never fill again till the Clouds above it poure down rain Empty a Spring though it sees no Clouds in the Heavens yet it runs of it self and will fill it self again So when an Hypocriâ—e is left dry and empty if some clouds of displeasure fears of death and hell come he is filled but a child of God when no fear of death or hell yet many times somthing within begins to work as in David Psal. 39. 3. While musing the fire kindled the sence of sin to lie out from God to quench his Spirit the Beauty of Grace the Command of God the honour of the Lord Jesus recovers him Heb. 8. 10. Deut. 5. 29. They spake as largely as any could desire yeâ— their hearts were naught because this came from no inward principle but only from external fear When the Priests feet touch Iordan the waters stand on heaps but when they are passed through they overflow all the Banks again according to their nature So when the Word is preacht powerfully and the Gospel with authority and the Priests feet touch mens Consciences and they come to make way for the Arke for the Lord men in fits fall down before the Lord against their natures for a Sabbath day men are as full of good purposes and hearts as may be yet peâ—ish at last Iohn 8. 30 31. Many believed when they heard his Word but then are you my Disciples if you continue All Hypocrites pangs come from external principles and hence take them away their affections die Somtime the novelty of a thing affects a man the sight of shore is beautiful at last when Manna proves dayly bread 't is loathed At first Ministers feet are beautiful they would pull out their right eyes for Paul yet afterward cast him off A Pharaoh in Thunder and fear of death cries take away the Plague A man in affliction promiseth much when 't is past his care to find out his sin his seeking to be purged from his sin ceaseth Ioash is good while Iehâ—jada lives A man is good in quickning company but when iniquity abounds his love waxeth cold whereas when these fail a holy heart grows better That which makeâ— the one to fall makes the other to fear and so to stand A Conceit carries a man on but when his Conceit is gone he falls Look as 't is with dead men they may have heat and colour but 't is from the fire a living man may be cold and his beauty gone yet he comes to be hot again not from external heat but internal life within He can get himself heat as we say so 't is here Or as 't is with the Clock and the Sun the one moves by Art the other by nature 2. Suppose there be some inward Spirit to raise their Affections yet these graces arise in them without the destruction of the contrary Corruption And so are like to Moses burning Bush the Bush burning but yet not burnt And thus it was with Balaam suddenly the Spirit of God came upon him and he saw the beauty of Iacobs Tents and blessed them above all people in the world yet his coveâ—ous malicious heart against them was not consumed We never read of Balaams mourning for want of the sight of their glory and of love to their persons and posterity but the graces of the Saints do arise from the dying of the contrary lust or corruption which they see and are sensible of and hence the act of grace ceaseth someâ—imes because 't is opposed by corruption yet the being of it remains in full power though not in the exercise thereof because 't is in such a Subject where corruption is dying not living falling not raigning Christ dies and so lives in his people where Christ is indeed there we are first buried with Christ before we are raised by him Paul could do great things for Christ yet sometime is weak because his strengâ—h arose from the sense of his own insufficiency to think â— good thought The Saints see great things but 't is in such a way as that they that see not might see Joh. 9. 39. Paul is sometime set at liberty from pricking temptations yet he hath them sometimes that he may feel them and so be raised again Hence many people suddenly finde they love the people of God and love the Lord but never felt the contrary sin suspect 't is but a pang as Capernaum was much affected yet repented not 3. The continuance of the risings of a Saint are life to him they are his life his coolings and declinings and decayings death But è contra to an Hypocrite the continuance of his affections in Ordinances are deaths and burdens to him the loss of them his liberty and life wherein he allows himself As for example Take an Hypocrite to prayer he is affected for a time but let him â—e long at it he is like a Fish in a Feaver fit out of the water Mal. 1. 13. So for sanctifying the Sabbath and being very strict but stay long here 't is death 't is burdensome to him and hence we shall see his decays are his life and that which makes him walk loosely is sometime he repents and beleeves and hath his Canonical set hours of prayer and he thinks this is enough and pleaseth himself with this who is constant But now take a childe of God when his heart is â—nlarged for
with 11. 2 Pet. 3. 11. 12. Some securelings thought all things were past No saith he there is a time a coming when all things shall be dissolved what manner of persons then should we be Hence this being lost men fear not sin men prize not mercy men wonder not if ever they escape hence men live and hang between doubt and fear never make sure because they know not what Gods wrath is Nay lastly hence nothing awakens them that though they know their misery yet they will go on the highest degree of spiritual security Oh then keep these thoughts awake what it is to be forsaken of God! what it is to grapple with him 3. When men have lost their foresight and hence provide not against an evil day when Christians keep their profession and go on sweetly in their course but to lay up for after-claps that they do not when Christians like Grashoppers sing all the summer but what have they to live upon in the winter time the An t can learn them that Prov. 6. 6. Go to the Ant thou sluggard that provideth her meat in the summer the Ant by a secret instinct though simple and little considereth there will be a winter and that summer is her gathering time so a Christian if awakened though simple will be taught to do something which may serve him not only now but hereafter also when men in times of peace and enjoyment of Ordinances never fear muchless provide for that time that all these treasures shall be taken away and carried to the King of Babel Isa. 39. when men in their life time think not of setting the house and heart in order before the evil day when men are not that now which they would wish themselves to be another day when men lay not up treasures of tears and prayers in heaven nor are provident for eternity noâ— think this will be my peace nay my glory another day though I lose now men will lay up treasures on earth and provide for themselves and theirs hence their hearts are lost here and lay in nothing spiritual for the future Prov. 10. 5. he that gathereth in harvest doth right but a sluggard will not his heart and mind is taken up to provide this and that for future and hence 't is that the Christian is full of sorrow and tears in times of peace but when the day of trouble comes he can lift up his head now redemption draws nigh when another in times of trouble hath most terrors because the one was not laying up against another day as the other did 4. When men go to prayer without receiving any answer now a man begins to slumber Prov. 13 4. men that are fast asleep speak not all but when awake a little they speak a little and then sleep and then awake and sleep again so men pray and sleep again it is a deep slumber also when men shall beg for bread and money and then fall a sleep constantly and so lie down satisfied Oh take heed of this Hence comes First Snarling at God Secondly Heartlesness to the duty Thirdly Formality in it Fourthly Prophaness of course at last 5. When men do gain something from the Lord in the use of means but now stand still they go no further they lose not what they had but they gain no more they grow not Matth. 25. 26. Thou evil and slothful servant that hid his talent and did not imploy it and here is usually the beginning of a mans fall when like one in a journey he goes not forward or backward but stands still and so falls Prov. 18. 9. 6. When men do duties that are easie but when any difficulty is in them now they fall down asleep Prov. 20. 4. and 12. 27. and hence beg the sweet and gain of Christianity it 's sown in difficult duties when the Soul denies it self most But when men not breaking through the difficulty finde not the sweet of it Lord what a tattered profession is there that men come to be the shame of Christ not his glory It 's easie to pray and outwardly to fast but yet to have a whole heart in the work is hard it is easie to cleave to the Lord when quickened but when God forsakes you now more than ever to cleave to him is difficult 7. When men fear not the danger of little sins they are not asleep yet so as not to fear great sins but in a slumber and hence however they fear not lesser sins hence come to commit them hence also to be hardned under them Many complain of hard hearts but consider is not this the reason of it you fear not sinful thoughts nor carelesness in your Christian course your slumber is now upon you thy Conscience startles at Whoredom but not at a wanton word or playing upon the Sabbath but unprepatedness for it that 's nothing sin in a manner with thee the reason is because spiritual slumber is upon thee 8. When men are deceived and deluded by appearances or colours as the Israelites when the Gibeonites came to them confident of themselves but deceived as the men of Ai by stratagems if ever your Souls be hurt it will be by appearances if ever this Country receive a blow it will be by appearances error will creep in by appearances the most vile wickedness hath been found to be hatcht under fairest colours If ever any shall come under an appearance of piety and promise of protection safety liberty onely your Government must be a little altered slumber here and you shall sleep in your enemies arms Grace and the love of Christ and the Spirit the fairest colours under the sun may be pretended but if you shall receive under this appearance that God witnesseth his love first by an absolute promise where neither grace nor life is seen take heed there for under this appearance you may as well bring in immediate Revelations and from thence come to forsake the Scriptures and then no wonder if men fall to deny all foundations in Christianity and Scripture also take heed of meer appearances of repentance in evil members be not deceived there Never was the world more full of craft be not laid asleep with appearances of truth Thus you see the point opened Stop security when it is risen to your anckles lest you be drowned in it and perish in it afterward CHAP. III. Security the last Sin of good and bad SECT I. THat carnal security is sometimes the last sin which doth surprise and overcome the hearts of good and bad wise and foolish in Virgin-Churches That as it is said That the last enemy that shall be destroyed is death so this death like sleeping is one of the last enemies that surpriseth the souls of the wise but Christ doth destroy it and of the foolish but it destroyeth them Thus it was here with the Virgins what was their sin that were ready with their Lamps burning waiting for the Bridegroom you see the wise
price with men It is with them as it is with Glow-worms and Stars that keep their shining and are very glorious because the Sun is set so Christ is hid in his glory and whilst men are led more by sence than by faith men doat upon these things they know nothing more vain yet nothing more glorious When Christ comes a man shall see all the world the honor comforts wealth crowns greatness of it buried before his eyes and when an end of these things shall be seen now the Lord will be precious as doubtless when they saw the Ark floating upon the water happy are they that are there might they say and hence Mal. 3. ult those that said the proud were happy what was the reason of it but because of this The day of the Lord was not yet come to make up his Iewels Now when once the eye is bewitched with the glory of the world nothing causeth security sooner as strange fancies in the head work a man first asleep Psal. 73. When David beheld the prosperity of the wicked he began to dislike all Religion and to account it simplicity to be holy until at last he saw the end of these things Fourthly Because in Christs absence men feel not the evil of sin which doth befall them in their security nor yet the evil of their own hearts for if men should be presently punished and smitten by some revenging invisible hand of God upon them after every sin and as soon as first they begin to sleep you should never see the heart secure and hence the Devils live in horrors daily in apprehension of the judgment of the great day thus it will be at Christs coming then the secret things of darkness shall be brought to light but now is a time of forbearance hence a carnal heart is set to do wickedly and to go on securely Eccles. 8. 11. Fifthly Because while Christ is absent conscience lyes still most commonly and seldom is throughly awake and hence a man sleeps for conscience is the Lords witness accuser and notary now the witness then speaks most fully and clearly when the Judge is come Now however God doth awaken some mens consciences throughly in this life yet it is not universal but in few to be thorowly awakened and hence men are very secure Isa. 33. 14. Who shall dwell with everlasting burning c SECT III. HEnce we see the vileness of the hearts of men that Christ his absence which time is given to us to make us watch should make us secure that men should turn day into night a day of forbearance into a night of forgetfulness for if the Lord should not delay his coming how many thousands would be swept away before any peace made with God or before any work finished for God! now he in pity gives such days delays his coming for this end and do we thus requite the Lord 2 Pet. 3. 9. Christ himself doth his work while it is light the night cometh wherin no man can work Ioh. 12. 35 36. Now what a crossing of the Lord is this If he should come thou shouldst be consumed by him and if he doth not come you will grow secure before him Hence see the reason why the hearts of men are so secure in times of health and peace but they cry out and look about them in times of sickness and when the approach of death is near because Christ now begins to come and Christs presence is near in great terror and severity and glory but be these are afar off now the soul begins to see Christ and how he must shortly stand naked alone stript of all comforts and friends before an all-seeing God and now they look about for evidence but before the Lord would not come as yet he delays his coming I may live many years and provide thus and thus for my children c. Oh men complain of secute careless hearts and the cause is this they see not this day a coming Hence see one special way to prevent and remove security when it is fallen upon the hearts of any and that is by daily setting before you the coming of the Lord the Apostles penned this and Saints believe this 1 Thess. 1. ult I am perswaded some men have had in their dreams the visions of the Almighty of which Iob speaks and have been awakened in terror and fear even with the dream of it but how would this awaken if seen and beheld whilst indeed you are awake Many Monkish spirits have been much awakened in their superstitious way by this but the spirit of a Paul will be much more for by this means he awakened all the world to look about them 2 Cor. 5. 11. And for himself this did make him exercise himself Acts 24. 15 16. so it will be with you you will not only be awake your selves but keep all awake about you and this is not legal neither thus to do It is certain if you complain of security I dare complain against you that this is the cause you look upon the comming of the Lord as a long time off and see it not daily it converted some in scoffing Athens to the Fith much more if converted doth it awaken Let us therefore commend Three things to you SECT IV. First MAke the coming of the Lord real see it real and set it really as it shall be before your eyes Heb. 9. ult to them that look for him c. Why do not men look for him truly very few do look for him really it is only a report a noise with many men where there is the power of grace it presents things as they are which shall be so Faith is the substance of things not seen it puts them in their being it is the evidence of things not seen for otherwise it will never work upon you Especially think on these Four things at that day 1. The consuming of all things here in the world which your hearts are so ready to doat upon and of all carnal and fleshly excellencies which you trust unto 2 Pet. 3. 11. Seeing these things shall be consumed what manner of persons ought we to be If a man that is to make a sea voyage did know that whatever he brought to shore beside Gold and Pearls should be consumed as soon as he comes to shore he would not fraught his ship with those things if men were assured here is a house where you and yours shall be burnt they would set it elsewhere men come from one Country to another because sin will consume 2. The amazing glory of Christ Jesus when Christ shall come as a deliverer to refresh they sad heart and all his Saints at that day look upon Christ as sitting on the clouds of fire raising the dead then them that are alive changed in the twinckling of an eye coming with all his Angels Heaven left empty of them and Saints sitting at his right hand shining like the Sun so
and peace 〈◊〉 Lord hath his burden my rest and peace is the Lords sorrow in Heaven when the sons of God grow fleshly the Lord repented that he had made man Oh let the groanings of a compassionate God awaken you out of this security SECT V. Object BUt there 's none sâ—cur here Answ. It 's hard for wise not to fall here but for foolish not to fall to this sin at least to be long preserved from it will be miraculous but for the most part of men not to be drowned in it 1. Have not divers lived and never been awakened at all not so much as to cry out I am a damned man what shall I do thou never hadst a spark of eternal flames of wrath to kindle thy conscience and that after an ignorant and prophane life 2. If you have been troubled have you not fallen asleep before ever you have gotten any settled peace and comfort in the blood of Christ only hast got so much oyl as makes thy lamp burn and gives thee a name to live when thy vessel is empty and heart is dead 3. Have not many nay most of thy days been spent without any sorrow for or reckoning concerning thy sin it may be you have a Lent and a cleansing week sometimes but most commonly it is otherwise that you never see sin but sleep in it and set your selves to go on having found no hurt in such a course as yet 4. How many use the Ordinances of God come to them but never gain good by them What is there no gold in these mines Yes but a slothful secure heart will not dig for them 5. Nay do not Gods crys make the sleep thee faster he taketh away a great part of thy estate from thee and thou lookest upon the misery and shame of rags and poverty and thy heart dyeth away with discontent and grows more worldly If light be darkness if means of wakening be a means of sleeping how great is that security Oh therefore go out and meet the Bridegroom SECT VI. Quest. BUt how shall I receive the Lord as my Bridgroom and Husband Answ. 1. See what thy widowhood is and forsaken condition Isa. 54. 5 6. When thou wast refused the Lord loved thee what creature can help thee when the Lord forsakes thee what a misery is it to live out of a fathers house 2. See his love that he makes to you otherwise you will never conclude it but sink saying The Lord forgets me Oh see his love he makes to thee to receive him and that thou wouldest give thy consent to have him that thou mayst love him Isa. 56. 6. A carnal heart a whorish lover desires to close with Christ that Christ may give gifts to it and love it but a Virgin that she may love the Lord and be wholly his and this will answer all doubts what have you to do with Christ and all that mercy grace and glory Oh 't is that I may love the Lord more Object 'T is presumption Answ. No it is that I may love the Lord indeed and now when the heart is drawn here Psal. 45. 10. Then shall the King have pleasure in thy beauty pleasure in thee and all that thou dost What in me that am weary of my self Yes in thee 1. When he forsakes others he will meet thee 2. Though he departs and sorrows attend thee yet thy sorrows shall be turned into joy and he will see thee again and never cease delighting in thee but wrap thee up in everlasting embracings CHAP. VIII Of Christs coming and his awakening sleepy Christians VERSE 7. Then all the Virgins arose and trimmed c. SECT 1. IN these words to vers 10. is set down the effect which the cry had upon the Virgins First Upon all of them in general in this seventh verse Secondly Upon the foolish in particular in the next verses First the effect it wrought upon all of them in general both good and bad is set down in two things 1. They did all arise i. e. they were throughly awakened out of their secure condition 2. Being awakened they fell to their work which was to trim their lamps as to beautifie and adorn their lamps which had now lost their â—light and beaâ—ty by soiling themselves and all through neglect now they trimmed them when first they wiped off the soil secondly made search for that which was necessary for the shining glory of them Thus far the foolish trimmed their lamps who yet did not find that oil in their vessels which was the main thing to beautifie them indeed which the wise had so that they all trimmed their lamps the wise trimmed theirs indeed the foolish theirs so well as they could That the serious real apprehension of the nearness of Christs coming is enough to awaken throughly the most secure Virgens I say if Virgins especially that have been awakened to know any thing of the Lords coming this will awaken them for when the cry was made He cometh now they all arose whilst he did tarry as they thought then they sleep but when the cry comes that he is near and coming oh now they awake This coming is meant either of his coming to the last Judgement or of his coming to particular Judgement immediately at and after death I shall apply my self chieâ—ly to the coming of Christ at death to his people because this doth chiefly concern us the near approach of this will awaken when apprehended near Rom. 13. 11. When the Apostle would awaken them out of security Your salvation now is nearer than when you first believed i. e. that perfect salvation which is at that time now if the apprehension that it is nearer than at first awakens much more when it is apprehended so indeed Iam. 5. 8 9. There was it seems divers that were oppressed and they ready to faint and forsake the Lord and wait no more what therefore doth he do the coming saith he of the Lord draweth nigh 1 Sam. 12. 19. When Samuel told them before that misery should come if they would have a King they cared not now when thunder came that they saw death and the Lord near them now they feared and cryed and repented Oh we dye say they pray for us It is with the Soul as it is with Sea-men when they first set out in the Main if the wind be good and all things well they take their rest and sleep though going nearer every day than other but when they apprehend they are near the shore now they look out though in the night so here SECT II. BEcause here a man sees an end of his sinful way and of all his delights which have bound him up in the bonds of security a soft bed and an easie pillow and much feeding in a place of rest will procure much sleeping the heart of a man would never be secure if it had not some delight or other to quiet it self withal now at Christs coming there
they could why do men on their death-beds then prize it then pray then hear then oh a little mercy then send for Moses then the Lord is righteous and if he shew mercy never such a pattern as I because now death and Christs coming is near you do therefore undervalue the gain of Ordinances because of this if you did you would glory in nothing but the Lord Ier. 9. 21 23. 5. Why do men go up and down without any assurance of the Lords love or the truth of any grace and that after conviction why do men upon their death-beds seek for it and then fall a searching and then open their estates and then desire peace because the coming of the Lord is near you put the day of the Lord far from you if you saw it near you would get on your armor in readiness against the day of battel if your Husband be at door you would get on your apparel Psal. 89. 46 47 49. 6. Why is so much time spent unfruitfully that a Christan is not abundant in doing and receiving good who is the better for thy speeches for thy prayers for thy example when Moses Psal. 90. had numbered mens days then v. 17. stablish thou the work of our hands upon us Look upon a Christian at first conversion he thinks he shall not live long it 's strange to see what prayers what tears how fruitful how diligent he is Oh therefore see your sore this day 't is nigh almost O therefore up and be doing SECT IV. OH therefore if ever you would be freed from this infectious this damning sin and plague of security make the coming of the Lord near unto you and come you near unto it be ever near it number your days they are soon told over and often think of your latter end when the Bridegroom comes for this will awaken you out of your secure fits and make you fall hard to your work First This will make you do much work for the Lord in a little time when Moses was to be gathered to his Fathers now he provides for the Church now he instructs the people more than ever concerning their eâ—â—ates c. Secondly It will be very sweet it is but a very little while though it be bitter and it will put strength to do it work is wearisom for want of strength so Christ's work is wearisom because we want strength now this doth put strength into the soul Iam. 5. 8 9. Thirdly It will be very glorious works even of dying men are very glorious and successful Speeches of living yet dying Christians sink deep for then God is near unto us when we are near unto him and see things as they are and hence such speeches are commonly blest to men the speeches and works and carriages of Christ were never so glorious as when most near his end SECT V. Object BUt should â— Christian in Christ use this as a motive to stir up his heart or no this is mockery this Philosophy sends men to doth Divinity do so a Christian must be acted by love not fear Answ. 1. That which God hath sanctified for this end we may make use of for the attainment of it now God hath sanctified afflictions death and the fear of them for this end to awaken the secure sinner Iehosaphat fears and proclaimeth a fast Noah feared and built an Ark Christ himself to the Church of Sâ—rdis to awaken her professeth he will come as a thief in the night suddenly 2 Pet. 3. If the heavens shall be dissolved what manntr of persons should we be It is true it is hypocrisie for a man to be led only by fear but it is prophaness the original of the Sadduces not to be terrified at all it is not hypocrisie to be awakened partly by fear to the apprehension of these things for God hath sanctified them for this end and though these do not work grace where there was none before barely yet the awakening of conscience is that whereby the Lord prepares for grace and this is good in its kinde and it stirs up grace where it was before as here this cry makes the Virgins to kindle their oyl and set that a burning Objection 2. But the time is not near Should I apprehend an untruth Answ. It may be 't is near the apprehension of this is not false and this the Lord gives verse 13. as the ground of constant watch for you know not when he comes now if men love their goods they will watch 2. It is near if you had but wisdom to see into eternity and the nature of time you would say so also Psal. 90. 4. A thousand years are but as yesterday and as a watch in the night Vers. 5. our time is as a sleep short and vain Ver. 6. it is but as a flower of one days glory nay it is but as a thought vers 9. It is so when you see things as they are and you will account it so Oh therefore let me beg this of you make Christs coming and death near to you thaâ— you may be delivered from your dead palsies deep slumbers and dying sick sleeps especially seeing the signs of the Lords coming to reckon with you do you think to escape Masters that betrust Servants with most will they call others to account to whom they have betrusted less and not you what people under heaven be trusted with more mercies and liberties than we and do you think he is gone to a far Country and will never return He let Palatine and other Churches enjoy the means long he summons them to an account by famine sword and pestilence wilde beasts and cruel Souldiers and shall he never ride in his circuit this way yes verily Do you boast in the goodly stones of this Temple If the Lord by your security be despised and his Messengers and Ordinances and Kingdom he will not leave one stone upon another When will this be not yet that 's true yet awake at the signs of it Mat. 24. Wars rumors of wars famine aerthquakes deceivers that come in the name of Christ Apostacy of Professors whence many comâ— to be offended Divisions and scatterings of one Brother against another Iniquity abounding in the World and Love growing cold in Churches If these be not amongst us now we have the less cause to fear if so have we not cause to awake one hour considering our time is nigh if not yet Christs time is nigh of coming to particular persons SECT VI. Quest. HOw shall I make it near Answ. Truly till the Lord teach us the number of our days we can never do it yet three things do First Convince thy soul of the sin and evil of looking after to morrow and reaching after that time which is to come Prov. 27. 1. 1. It is none of thine â— Nothing draws the heart so much from God 3. You will never find what you expect hence these are lying vanities therefore come not
eternity this shall be their glory even an everlasting name unto them better than the name of Sons and Daughters when the wicked shall see them all at the right hand of God and gnash their teeth that themselves are shut out when the Lord and his Saints shall take infinite delight one in another Luk. 12. 37. SECT III. Quest. 4. WHy is this a Christians glory excellency and honor Answ. 1. In regard of the baseness of other things wherein men do use to glory the wise man in his wisdom the strong man in his strength the rich man in his wealth There are Three things which make these base First These things make a man not the more to be accepted of God the Lord respects not values not the worth of any man by these things and to make all the world know this he staineth the pride of all glory and chuseth the poor and foolish things of the world to confound the wise a wise man will never respect the horse the more because it carries store of rich treasures he will not fall down and reverence it for this hang Swine about with pearls who honors them the more and will a wise God respect a man the more for these things 1 Pet. 3. 5. What is that that is of great price with God Holiness is of great price with God And what though all the world honor a man and a man honoreth himself while this is wanting Secondly All these things leave a man dead under the reign of Satan power of his sin and dominion of death and hence Ier. 9. 24. Let no man glory in his wisdom c. Death is entred into your windows take any bondman bound with fetters though golden doth any man account him the more glorious a Prince that is made a vassal and slave to every base fellow is he the more glorious no So whiles men lye under the reign of death stick a man that is dead with flowers what is he the more glorious alas no! his life is gone now the Spirit of holiness is called the Spirit of life even of the life that never shall dye Rom. 8. And therefore as it is said of a Flye there is more excellency in a Gnat than in a Cedar than in the glorious heaven because it hath life which the other hath not so though men wonder at the goodly trappings of wicked men yet the poorest and most despised Christian that hath the Spirit of life is more glorious Thirdly Because these things only purchase the more credit and honor in the eyes of men and that of wicked men for 1 Cor. 5. 10. We know no man after the flesh if they do it is that which they account themselves beasts and fools for as David did Psal. 73. And what is the honor of man it is the bâ—sest thing that is for it is that which is without a man it is no excellency within the man it is but the thoughts of a mans head and heart than which what more vain what more mutable nay 't is but the dreams of a mans head for they are mistakes If all the town should dream another was a King who yet were indeed a Beggar which when they awake they see what were he the better for this Paul 2 Cor. 11. 23. how he doth glory in priviledges which were better and more goodly hangings than theseâ— this saith he I speak as a fool and what be these a Christians glory no surely Answ. 2. Because that is a Christians glory which is Christs glory First It is that glory wherein the glory of Christ consists Psal. 45. 2. Thou art fairer than the children of meâ— full of grace is thy lips and 2 Cor. 3. ult into the same image from glory to glory Indeed Christ's greatness in governing the world is his glory but it is because it is mixt with such holiness Isa. 6. 1 2 3. Phil. 2. 8 9. he humbled himself and this hath given him a name and shall be his name for ever this is that which makes the Lord Jesus lovely and amiable in the eyes of all his people Revâ— 15. 4. Who would not fear thee or thou onely art holy and so he is for all the stars receive their light and shine with it by this Sun only and so the more a Christian excels in this the more like he is to Jesus Christ and so more glorious and lovely Secondly This is that which gives him glory â— e. so far as creatures can which is to manifest it and hence 2 Cor. 8. 23. which is the glory of Christ and hence Isa. 46 13. Israel is called the glory of the Lord Isa. 62. 2 3. the righteous is called the glory and crown and diadâ—m in the hand of the Lord and as God is better than the Soul so this viz. to glorifie the Lord is better than to be glorified by the Lord. SECT IV. HEnce see one reason why men lose their honor their love and respect in the eyes of God and men their judgements are not revereâ—â—ed their persons not accepted their names and practises despised this is one reason among the rest a decay in holiness the lamp is defiled the light and lustre of it going out and who will reverence it then 't is admirable to see the complaints abroad First Look but into Families what is the reason there is so much discontent there that Servants are weary of their Masters Masters of their Servants and there is such complaints one of another little respect one of another it is for want of holiness power and life of godliness the Master saith the Servant is unruly froward surly flothful unfaithful untrusty and must not be spoken to the Servant saith his Master is passionate unkinde wants pity to his body and sometimes strikes him without cause and much more careless of his soul never instructs him but is eaten up with the world c. truly this is the cause It seems the Lord wrought upon divers in Primitive times and the Apostle gives Servants an item that they may glorifie God and adorn the Gospel of the Lord Iesus how came Ioseph into â—oâ—iphar's books oh he was very holy and very prudent and I le warrant did his Masters work better when his Master was absent than before and prayed for success in his business as Abraham's Servant Look but upon Husband and Wife it is strange to see what divisions and jars there and what 's the cause of it Wife doth not honor Husband nor Husband honor Wife how comes this oh there is little holiness seen in their private walking one with another the woman thought the man godly had I known this I would have seen you a hundred miles off c. the man also he complains of his wife I see now I am like to be troubled with a continual dropping a very fury of hell so impatient and the next neighbor hears of it nothing can please her what 's the reason of
Prov. 5. 11 12 13. you mourn when you not your flesh but soul is consumed Oh how have I despised instruction lest wrath break out which cannot be quenched for dealing slightly with God and your own souls how many Christians take that for grace which when it comes to tryal will be found too light and know it not and regard it not till the hand-witing of God is upon their consciences If therefore you have not found the satisfying sweetness of the Spirit of Gods grace that water which quencheth all your inordinate thirst that bread which feeds you to life be sure your oyl will be spent and your light will go out before you dye SECT V. Quest. HOw shoâ—ld I know that satisfying sweetness Answ. Ah methinks you should say Oh that I did know it yet wary I would be of giving any just occasion to break off what the Lord in his grace hath wrought yet you may know something of it by this 1. When the Spirit of Gods grace dispensed in his Ordinances doth glut you and slay you and make you worse here is not the grace of Christ which doth satisfie you if the more knowledge you have of the truth the less glory you see in the truth and the less you love the truth if the more comfort you have sound by it the less you now desire after it if the more abilities you have received by it the more proud you grow and high-minded if having come for to seek the Ordinances of God the less good you find by them the more weary you grow of them and the more you despise them it is certain the satisfying grace of Christ is not here when the bread to feed is poison to slay is not this the condition of many what is the cause they are growing worse that they are worse in their latter end and middle of their Christian profession than the begining because they are grown full by Gods Ordinances and so worse what is the cause in places of persecution the Lords Ordinances were precious not when they come to them Gods Ordinances plenty makes them to undervalue them through their sin that look as it is with men in consumptions whose life is going out they think they can eat yet when it is before them loath the smell of it or a little serves them whereas another finds it otherwise not but that Saints may think thus but they with Hezekiah mourn under it 2 Chron. 32. Hos. 6. 5. I have hewen and slain what is the cause because your goodness is like a morning dew which soon vanisheth therefore have I slain them Oh God loves us and we are the best people in the world because we have Ordinances no but because you be shallow hence you shall have Prophets to slay you Secondly If any man maintains any living lust in himself in the midst of his profession and hungers after it and the life of it for when a man hath better food to feed upon he will neglect his own at home as Christ said to them when they asked him why he did not eat how many be there which have strange gifts and have had marvellous ebbings and flowings of the Spirit of Life and Peace and yet one sin have they lived in and would not could not live without it Look as it was in the wilderness they were for a time pretty well content with their allowance and wildernessâ—walks and provisions but they could not stay long They asked meat for their lusts but he sent leanness into their souls Psal. 106. 14 15. So that there it is if lust be stirring the Lord either denies it his own people because he will starve the lust that the soul may grow or if he gives it slays the lust by it gluts it makes the soul grow weary of it and prize his first Husband more as Solomon by his experimental discovery of the creature Many men confess and pray aginst their sins but by their sorrows and desires they do maintain the life of their sin fall to it as the dog to the vomit you will be cast away at last 1 Cor. 9. ult I beat not the air lest I become a cast-away whereas a gracious heart doth not maintain but waste and consume his lust His life is to live to God Thirdly If a mans heart and affections reach not the people of God with the dearest embracings noâ— yet mourn for the want of such a heart for sometimes there are some drops of the Lords goodness falling into the heart whereby the soul cleaves unto the Lord and is moved and ravished and bears much 〈◊〉 as it thinks towards him but look to their love to the people of God tâ—â—re they fall short because the love of Christ is not shed abroad abundantly into their hearts filling and satisfying of them and hence have none to poure out upon the souls of their neighbors 1 Iohn 4. 20 21. In our own Country what was the accusation of Saints viz. They are Hypocrites before God What did you think of those men that said so Answ. Surely they were enemies to the Lord and that never loved him for then they would love his people But what is the occasion here Now they say they come far for Ordinances but they are unjust oppressors cruel poor men may starve before regarded by them and so they cast reproach not only upon some few but all the people of God and Church of God If that it be so their accusation is Gods accusation if not as generally it is for many though unable to do much yet if called to it would lay down their estates and lives for others then know thou never hadst Christ's love shed in thy heart which will continue but drops of it only because thy love cannot reach to these Beloved what is the end of your coming over hither is it not to enjoy first Christ and nextly his People so his Ordinances because next to fellowship of Christ the Saints company is most precious and do you here bite and censure and devouâ—e and neglect and reproach one another and upon any conceived injury stumble are poor men neglected It is a sad sign the love of Christ in not in power Heb. 6. 9 10. Fourthly If there have been abundance of sweet affections and sweet refreshings thereby rising up within the soul without the death and killing and removal of the contrary lusts and sins it is certain this soul was never truly filled nor satisfied with the Spirit of Gods grace for as it is with vessels while they be filled with lime or chaff they cannot be filled with wheat or with water so while the heart is filled with some noisom distempers it cannot be filled or satisfied with the Lord look but abroad in the Churches how many be there that say and think they â—ate their sin as the only evil they close with the Lord Jesus they love the people of God all of them they seek the glory of God
and yet they do but think so for though they hate sin yet it is unsoundly because they see not how closely their hands are knit to their sin they never did believe because they never felt their unwilling heart to close with Christ they never loved the Saints because they never felt their contempt of Saints never sought Gods glory because they never mourned under that which did stain it they never make work with their own hearts the stony and thorny ground withered because their soil was naught a heart filled with sweet affections which never felt the strength of contrary corruptions lying underneath it is an ill soil and where those affections will never prosper nor prove right and hence 2 Tim. 2. 20 21. he that purgeth himself from these things shall be a vessell of honor ever preserved never broken Do not put it to a venture it may be I may have grace and so put your salvation on the hazard of such hopes but the Lord that hath come to thee knocking open the door that he may come in and feast cry for infinite creating power and mercy to make haste and come and help thee what have you to do else but to get your old lusts purged away what do you labor for else if you have children to bring up if you have any love to them nay if swine or cattel meat you will have to feed them and satisfie them if possible and yet behold thy soul perishing for want of true spiritual refreshings SECT VI. OF Exhortat on to all young beginners and so to all others Take heed you chop not at your comfort too soon take heed you do not perish in the way that whiles seeking after the Lord and rest you fall from the Lord by security and scandal and so you perish but labor for that which will continue and last 1. Mariners when they go a voyage they will trim their vessel and search if there be not something amiss which may sink the ship at last if once out at sea they may dye before they come home and hence at first setting out are careful so do you 2. You will meet with trials enough to exercise all your grace that you will find all little enough in the issue 3. This will be your comfort at death that â—hough it be difficult yet if you have fought a good fight and run a good race there is now a crown this will make you to go out of the world wondering and go up to eternity in your triumphant Chariot of glory when you shall see on the one side here a Demas forsaking there a Iudas betraying here one Chriâ—â—ian withered there another scandalised and offended and yet the Lord hath upheld thee in thy integrity a poor creature that thoughst thou shouâ—dst never have held out at all That you may do thus two things are to be done First Be sure your wound at first for sin be deep enough for all the error in a mans Faith and Sanctification it springs from that first error of his Humiliation if a mans Humiliation be false and weak and little his Faith is light and his Sanctification counterfeit as may be seen in the stony and thorny soil if a mans wound be right and Humiâ—â—ation deep enough that mans Faith is right and his Sanctification is glorious for Christ cannot be exceeding sweet and satisfactory to the soul unless sin be first exceeding bitter and this is the reason why Christ is not sweet nor precious at first nor afterward because sin is not so better to them especially heart sins Christians shall find it the esteem and price of Christ falls whiles sin lies light and is not bitter SECT VII Quest. HOw bitter must it be Answ. So bitter as that nothing contents your heart whiles sin is with you and the Lord is gone from you Lam. 3. 49. Mine eye ceaseth not mourning till the Lord look down from heaven as a man that looks for a Prince to come and live with him he prepares rooms for all his attendants but he reserves the best lodgings for the Prince himself and they are kept empty whiles he comes So the soul entertains Creatures and Ordinances and Saints of God but yet the heart is not content but sits empty desolate whiles the Lord is gone for whiles the heart is delighted with somewhat else beside the Lord that if the Lord comes it is well if not it is merry and jolly see what the Lord there speaks Iam. 4. 8 9 10. Cleanse your hearts and he will draw nigh unto you turn laughter to mourning else you are not humbled Let Gods own people do so it stops up the fountain of Gods love and sweetness of mercy Psal. 30. 7. When carnally confident I was troubled as it is in marriage if a man knows there is familiarity between the woman and another Lover he will have none of her but when sin is thus bitter the Lord hath the garments of joy to give for the spirit of heaviness Isa. 61. 1 2. Oh therefore though it be cross to have limbs cut off and breasts feared bones broken c. yet part with all for life even this life of Christ in you which will give you full content SECT VIII Quest. HOw shall I do thus my heart will be wanton and carnal Answ. 1. Set this down for a conclusion I shall never be comforted by the Lord whiles any thing else comforts my heart i. e. for it self as hath been proved and if this was well thought of this would make a man above all other things detest his carnal content because this indeed keeps the Lord from him 2. Keep the remembrance of the bitterness of your sin and evil in it thus David Plal. 51. 3. set it ever before him for all the sweet of sin comes into the heart by a delusion first begot in the mind of some present good in it which the soul not attending to is drawn away by it â—â—am 1. 14. drawn away and enticed hence fortifie here Three things in sin which if remembred would make it bitter 1. Sentence of condemnation past upon thee by the Law of God for it which may make a soul to mourn Little 〈◊〉 do men take in their Prison-bolts 2. The death and agonies and sorrows of the Lord Jesus to acquit the soul from this condemnation this is that which may work bitterness as for a first born Zach. 12. 10 11. 3. Crossing the will and so grieving the heart of Christ now in glory as when the old world grew sensual it grieved God to the heart keep these in remembrance what pleasure canst thou take in that which makes the Lord sigh 4. The end wâ—ll be bitterness Psal. 73. 17. Secondly Take heed you miss not of that Faith which will bring in supply Heâ— 4. 1 2. Take heed lest a promise being leâ—t any fall short of that rest which comes by the promise by an unbelieving heart for many desire the
of it there is no beauty in thee why he should do this to thee there is in him beauty and excellency Oh shall not this love win thee Shall it be said another day Wherefore is all this evil come upon such a one had he not means had he not offers But this shall come against thee You would not Oh you would not SECT IV. ONly take these four Cautions concerning your consent Take heed that your consent arise not only from fear of misery for this is a forced consent and is ever naught and it appears so when the misery is past many do thus in fears of death or times of calamity Oh then the Lord Hos. 8. 1 2 3. Psal. 78. 34 35. Secondly Take heed it be not a conceit of your own making in days of peace for that which you make from your selves you will break also but that it arise from the sence of thine own insufficiency to give consent and the Lords Almighty power and infinite grace to work it and then no powers of any creature can untie that knot Many hearing of this Will you have Christ Oh yes withal my heart and force a consent by their own labor this is naught and hence Ezek. 16. 60 61. The Lord will receive that harlot but not by heâ— covenant i. e. which she undertook in her own name no the Lord must work it Ier. 3. 19. How shall I do this for thee c. Hos. 2. 19. I will â—etroth her For no creature can incline the heart to another but the Lord there is a natural antipathy between Christ and the Soul and hence we see it in many a Christian ask him Why cannot you love the Lord nor cleave to him Oh because I know not why I cannot I have no heart the truth is you have hearts that do loath him unless the Lord overcome you you can never submit indeed unto the Lord. Thirdly Look that your consent be not made according to your own terms and conditions for look as it is with a woman if she shall say she is content to love such a man but if she keeps an open Inn to entertain all strangers and love all commers or if there is one she is in league with there can be no mariage so therefore the conditions are so Receive the Lord and give your consent to love him only Prov. 8. 17. I love them that love me otherwise the match will never be made Isa. 50. 1. if you keep your wretched unruly stuâ—boâ— wâ—lls stâ—ll never hadst thou or shalt thou have the Lord Let thy sin be never so little so close as it may be sloth it is death to pray it may be 't is pride or whatever else it be you must have your hearts first divorced from them or thou canst not have Christ. Fourthly Take heed then that sence of want of dowry beauty portion in or from your selves doth not hinder you from consent for the Lord requires no such thing of you hence Mâ—tth 22. 4. All things are ready in Christ to receive from him Ephes. 5. 25. 'T is not for you to make ready to bring to him only come and the Lord doth bring his people to sence of vileness that they may do thus know that it is his Grace that makes the Lord close there SECT VIII NOW will you refuse and not let the Lord have your hearts this day First is there any thing in the Lord that should keep thee from consenting what good is there else but in him what want of perfection there his love is better than life if there be any thing in the world that can be better to thee or do greater things for thee make thy match but who can pay thy debts who can fetch thee out of prison who can put beauty on thee who ever did thee good but the Lord therefore there is none like him he will cloth thee possess thee c. Secondly is there any thing in thy self that keeps thee from consenting hast thou no need of him or consenting to him you may it is true have other creatures to adorn you as they Ezek. 16. 37 38. But the Lord will gather your lovers together and give you blood and fury in his jealousie I mean when the Lord shall come at this day to embrace comfort glorifie others thou shalt not have a smile from him Oh men now despise the Lord and his Grace and Patience tell them of a match with the Son of God they regard it not no more than a tale that is told well the Lord will bring you into horrors wherein you shall prize and be glad of this before you die even one glimpse of his love Post tenebras lucem spero After my sickness December 12. 1639. CHAP. XVIII Shews that Christ will not tarry when once his time is come and the folly of such whose work is then to do and that the blessedness of Saints consists in immediate communion with Christ. SECT I. THe coming of Christ we have heard is set forth first from the time of it viz. just then when the foolish went to buy Could not the Lord so patient and long suffering tarry a little while longer for them especially seeing they went not about any sinful work but were using the means to get that grace now which their vessels were empty of before No but the Lord deals with all men especially that live under the means as he did with these foolish Virgins That as God is long-suffering towards men whiles through ignorance of their spiritual wants and security of heart they have no hearts to use the means for supply So if once his time of forbearance be slept out he will not tarry one moment longer even when men are most diligent in the use of means for spiritual supplies when Christ hath a heart to help many people have none either to see their wants or seek for help when men have hearts thus to do then Christ hath none because his time of tarrying is out when men are worst and most secure Christs door is open to them many times when men are best and indeed awakened Christs heart and door is shut against them as it was here for what are the best endeavors of foolish Virgins what excellency is there in them that the Lord of glory should stay their leisure after long neglect of himself and loss of precious time SECT II. BE sure you sleep not out the day time of Grace especially you 1. That know you want oyl in your vessels and Grace in your hearts and mercy to your souls and think I would not die yet for a world 2. You that being asleep with these foolish Virgins dream you are rich and want nothing and would be half offended with them that should tell you to your face or bat think in their hearts that you have no grace when indeed you are poor and empty and naked Take heed you give not that answer to time that
honour from her So the Lord Jesus deserves this honour from all his people to be in a readiness for him Suppose these Virgins had turned Harlots and gone a whoring from him till his very coming and then had been taken in what might the world think doth he love the fellowship of Harlots for a mans heart to go a whoring from the Lord after the world or lusts to die so is to disgrace the Lord Jesus And hence Phil. 3. 17. to the end there are two sorts of men professing godliness some minde earthly things others look and minde a Saviour from heaven the one disgrace Christ and are enemies to him and hence Paul weeps for them the other are his friends And are Princes so far respected as all things are ready for them and is the Lord worthy of no such respect so as that his People then should be unready No know it as he said Mal. 1. He is a great King The particulars wherein this readiness consists I have spoken of in the first Part of the Parable and shall now only speak of them in the subsequent Uses SECT III. Use 1. OF terror and astonishment of heart to all those that are wholly unready that have no readinesse at all to meet or to have fellowship wâ—th the Lord Iesus if those that are ready be receivedâ— in then those that be unready shall be shâ—t out There is a number among us young and old of all sorts almost among us that swarme up and down Townes and Woods and Fields whose care and work hitherto hath been like bees only to get honey to their own Hive only to live here comfortably with their houses and lots and Victuals and fine cloaths c. but not to live hereafter eternally Suppose the Lord should stop thy breath and cut thee off what would become of thee I trust to Gods mercy I hope I should go to Christ though I am not assured but are you ready for Christ yes I hope I am Oh poor wretch why dost hope so if thou never hadst one houres serious thoughts What will become of me or how shall I be ready feeling thy unreadiness and unfitness thereunto Or if thou hast had any thoughts never wast possessed with any strong feares of eternity and separation from the Lord Jesus which hath dampt thy mirth and sunk thy heart and perplexed thy thoughts and made thee think with terror upon thy conscience What will become of me nor made thee desirous to ask others that question as it is commonly one of the first though but a common work to think of dying presently I have lived long without God aâ—d Christ in the world and dye I must shortly and what will become of me then But you have â—â—ept 〈◊〉 enough in the night and sung care away and 〈◊〉 feare away in the day and thy heart never had one houres fit of shaking and trembling at eternity to come when it is the nature of true feaâ— ever to have the eye upon what it feares till it is taken away and if difficulty attend the same to remove it it cannot be quiet but will cry for help if possibly help may be had this you never did No thou never hadst so much as these foolish Virgins viz. to be awakened at all but a spirit of slumber hath been upon thee God â—ath given thee eyes but thou canst not see eares and thou canst not here Thou sayst it may be that thou dost hope thou art prepared alas thou hast not a Virgins name much less nature nor dost not deserve it neither thou hast not forsaken thy loose company nor yet come to the company of the wise neither dost thou desire it or think â—â—â— self unworthy of it thy Lamp is out nay thou never hadst any light at all never mad'st profession at all as of one ready for Christ but O poore wretch all is yet to do with thee if so then remember that if thou diest now thou shalt never have communion with Jesus Christ in glory SECT IV. Object WHat if I have not Answ. I know it is the misery of men they can make nothing of this till they feele it But two things I will say 1. Do but consider what if thou shouldst be deprived of the light of the Sun nay only of bread only that one creature and have cloaths Sun Friends all other blessings but that would it not be a wo with a witness would it not cut a mans heart to heare him cry Bread bread a little bread for the Lords sake to save my life there is but a drop of the sweetness of Christ in that Oh what a misery will it be to pine away and famish under wrath in chaines of darkness and to cry Oh a little refreshing from the pâ—esence of Christ and canst not get it but to live ever tormented without that when thy soul shall cry Lord thus long have I been tormented without thee till my spirits are weary and my heart faint Now O now a little mercy Oh no. 2. That though thou seest it no great matter to be separated from Christ now yet when the heavens shall be in a flaming fire and the earth shall gâ—ve up the dead that be in it and Christ shall appeare in infinite glory admired of Angels blessed of Saints Crowned of God comforting his Elect Come oh come ye blessed then you shall think this separation something Oh that you would now go home and mourn and look up to the Lord that he would make thee ready a Vessel of honour and acknowledge it 's righteous with him if he should never do it SECT V. Vse 2. IT is of examination to all the Virgins Would you know whether the Lord will bring you to eâ—ernal fellowship with him are you ready for him made sit to live with him or no for â—eâ—e only those which are ready are received in the foolish Virgins did 〈◊〉 so long asleep that little did they think they were unready untill the Bridegroomâ— came and it was too late It is the condition of many at this day that little dream of their separation from Christ and yet shall be when he comes but they have some hopes and assurance they look to meet the Bridegroome when he shall come and so fall into a sweet sleep a comfortable condition untill the Lords coming puts them upon more narrow searching than ever before that which many think gold now shall be found hay and stubble and consumed to nothing at the coming of Christ therefore search now I know there is many a gracious soul that is ready feares to slip in at the passage over that narrow bridge between life and death this end of time and beginning of eternity and loth I am to sad any but heare what I shall now say in feare when there are these three things in the soul then it is ready whiles any are wanting it is unready And by these try your selves SECT VI. 1. WHen the soul
death of thy friends or by secret feares of thine own heart thy time is not many hands breadth longer and it may be this shall be the Funeral Sermon of some of you you have been flying like Bees abroad in the world to gather your honey and the Lord haâ—h been smoaking of you and that in your own Hive you have thought to dwell long in Tabernacles the Lord hath let it fall to decayes and repaires it not again If you live unready it may be the Lord will try you with some sore conflict with fears of death and terrors of darkness and all your preparation is too little for your combate then The place of glory is made ready for you how shall I so unholy see God Christ is there Iohn 14. 3. waiting for thee longing after thee Thou art it may be yet in many respects unready As 1. Not yet planted in the House and Church of God not yet gathered to communion of Christ in his Saints on earth I know men may have just reasons to deferre but if they have none I would be loth to die in their room Hezekiah Isa. 38. ult Psalme 26. 8. I have loved the habitation of thy House Oh gather not my soule with the wicked I am perswaded some deare to Christ linger here and you cannot finde this not that saving good in your selves you say I had rather hear one mourn for emptiness than boast of his grace 2. There are many sinnes not yet mourned sufficiently for in daye of youth and in a secure condition in heaven is no mourning oh therefore take time now for want of this grace is not so sweet 3. It may be some main duty is neglected to the souls of them whom thou hast a charge of as not Caâ—echising thy family children not careful for their souls 4. It may be thou hast been little in prayer for the Churches though for thy family and children which is usually the last work of the Saints there 's no praying for them in Heaven as Christ at the end of his life like a Priest shed blood and prayed for them so Saints are made Priests to God and Christ 5. It may be thy house is not yet set in order nor thy Will made Reckonings between men not yet set right and even and then there is Quarrels when thou art Dead and trouble when you dye 6. It may be thou art grown secure and art lost and driven away and many wrinckles be on thy face and heart c. you cannot say with Paul 2 Tim. 4. That you have fought c. but are rather at truce with sin you run not but have slipt and fallen down and so lost all SECT XVI THerefore to help here in this readiness Get a heart more loosned and weaned from the world Solomon he did launch out his heart herein too far not in Epicurisme but Eccles. 2. 3. applying his heart to wisdome all this time so may you and be unready How I cannot but God will teach it you by affliction Psalme 39. 6 7. You are Sojourners here with God as all your Fathers there 's nothing proper nothing long to be enjoyed Own the Lord Iesus he is yours but you own him not as Simeon came to the Temple and there found him and there blest God and now saith he let me depart in peace hath the Lord stirred up unutterable sighings and groanings and mournings you think it may be if Christ was present you would not doubt of answer and they continue still and do you think Christ is hard-hearted hath the Lord come to thee in the Temple and manifested his love by his own promise sure and faithful and wilt thou not yet own him hast had and hast now the first fruition of the Spirit and wilt not yet own him and art afraid to go to him when others are in glory that trod in thy steps Oh be humbled for it I know there is nothing which makes thee feare it but a Rebellious vile heart and nature and can the Lord love such a one Yes such a one if he mournes under it Rom. 7. 24. Isaâ— 57. 18 19. The Lord will create peace he hath seen thy wayes and heâ—will heale them And when you have him thus own him daily keep your peace do nothing which may make you lose boldness in prayer and therefore reckon daily with him and Remember the promise stands when feelings are lost Object But I can do but little for him Answ. True Isa. 64. 6. Thou the Lords clay his Vessel though of little publique use yet in thy place do what thou canst for Christ Jesus Servants Masters Members Rich Poore bestirre your selves For Christ you shall lose nothing by it c. VERSE 10. The Door was shut IN these words is set down the consequent of that which immediately followed the Wise Virgins gracious entertainment with Christ the door was shut by which is signified the exclusion of the foolish from the fellowship of Christ as also the greatness of Christs love to the wise opening the door of glory unto them and when they are gathered shutting the door against every one else Hence Observe That the endeared love of Christ to his Elect doth much appear in this In opening the door of glory unto them and shutting it against others of great esteem and name in the Church of God for this is one Scope of the words Gen. 7. 16. To open the Kingdome of Heaven to all the world and save all would be great love in the eyes of the Saiâ—ts but to save them and condemne others to receive them and exâ—lude others and that of great name and esteem Virgins this sets out the Lords love exceedingly Christs distinguishing separating love is his great love Mat. 11. 25. If we consider the multitude of the one and fewness of the other not only in regard of the world but in regard of others in Churches Luke 13. 24. Many shall seek and many that are first shall be last Matthew 19. 30. If we consider that there is as much reason appearing outwardly that the Lord should choose thee one as well as the other what difference is appearing outwardly between these Virgins I 'le warrant you the wise did think the foolish as good and it may be far better than themselves Iudges 6. 15. Saith Gideon How wilt thou save Israâ—l by me I am the least in my Fathers house yet saith the Lord I will be with thee so the Saints may say and do say Why Lord wilt thou save me I am the least and poorest of all others If we consider the reason why the Lord doth this and that is because of nothing but the Will of God his good pleasure Matth. 11. 25. For why should their Vessels be filled they received and not others only the Will of God I know not you c. Of which hereafter If we consider the intolerable torment of those who go farre
and yet are excluded Mat. 8. 11 12. Children of the Kingdome cast out there shall be weeping the higher a man is risen the greater is his fall and his bruises at the bottome so when one hath been raised up to great hopes profession affection yet now to fall to lose all to see he hath been spinning Cobwebs all his life when Israel were near to Canaan now to be shut out Now they wept Vse 1. We may see hence what little cause any have to boast only in outward priviledges or common gifts graces excellencies I confess it is great mercy for the Lord to call a man out of his prophaneness and separate him from the world bringing him to the fellowship of Saints and give him that which makes hâ—m reputed well of by others but boast not only of this as if the Lord did therefore highly favour you for the Lord Jesus may shew for all this his love to his own and his terrour to thee and may shut the door of glory at last upon thee 1 Cor. 1. 27 28 29. The Lord chooses things that are not to bring to nought and to staine other glory Rom. 11. 17. The Gentiles boasted themselves that they were graffed in oh saith the Apostle seeing this spirit apt to rise boast not be not high-minded do not grow secure but feare common graces ever make men proud as others make men humble they despise not others they magnifie God if the Lord hath made a difference see the goodness of God verse 22. but boast not therein therefore do not content thy self with a name to live and having some cankered hopes some shining excellencies for the Lord may do this to shew others his love and yet staine thy glory as one that hath great hopes of preferment many Friends to commend and speak for him if one tells him You shall certainly lose all your labour he will mourn more than another that had no hopes nor helps at all of rising he will not glory in any thing he hath but will take some sure and safer way So I say to you If there be the least Grace and Favour blesse God for that but do not boast of any thing else Vse 2. Hence the Saints may learne how to affect their heaâ—ts with the Lords love to theâ— for there is such a poysonful disposition in them that though they have it yet they cannot be affected sometimes with it Vp Deborah Awâ—ke Lâ—te and Harpe and 't is this Do not only Remember and think on the Lords love saving thee calling humbling c. but so as to call thee and leave others to quicken thee and leave others dead to open the door of glory to thee and exclude others to call thee out of the Kingdome of the world to look upon thee in a sinful Town to awaken thee and leave others so many secure to call thee out of thy sinful company some of which like brands are now smoaking in this world others burning in another to call thee out of a sinful ignorant family thou the least the worst of them and to leave the rest this is much But when thou art brought into the Kingdome of Heaven Fellowship of Saints for the Lord to love thee set his heart upon thee when he forsakes others of thy own company of great parts and abilities whom thou thinkest better of than thy self at least as well to pull down these Princes to the dunghill and to exalt thy horn to cut down these Cedars and to preserve a Shrub to tread upon the greatest glory of man and to pity a worm for so thou art in thine own eyes Oh let this fire warme thy heart though thou hast been affected with it before especially considering no reason for it but only the good pleasure of God this affected Christ himself Mat. 11 25. 'T is true you do not see this done but you shall one day behold it with your eyes only let this love kindle love thankfulness humility in thine heart againe And hence if the Lord hath put a difference between thee and others do not deny do not doubt of do not despise his grace that if thou hast lost thy first love this may recover it if all his love makes thee more humble and thankful you stand Rom. 11. 20. Isa. 65. 16. Do not feare thy estate because the Lord cuts off the natural branches that therefore thou mayst be one but be featful of the least sin and wrong to Christ that hath loved thee especially of pride and unthankfulness the root of that and Remember that the poor things are chosen to confound the Mighty That the door of grace and glory shall be shut against all wicked men living at the coming of the Lord to death or judgement there is a time that the door is open unto men in regard of Ministerial dispensations for secrets of election we are not to minde Isa. 55. 6 7. This time is in this life but when death comes then it is shut when Angels sinned the Lord immediately shut the door against them but through Christ the door is open for term of life to men Because after death there is no meanes of grace or glory left which is the Ministry of the Word and Prayer for that is the chief key of opening the door even when the doores of heart and heaven are shut Mat. 16. 19. and hence 2 Cor. 6. 2. Now is the time of prayers and preaching and so to be helped but after death there are no Ministers they are at rest from their labours and the Ministry of men is for men not for naked soules Lazarus must not give a drop of cold water then to cool the tongue much less Ministers to comfort or convert their hearts 't is true the Lord can work extraordinarily but do you think he will do it for one that hath despised grace all his life Because it 's impossible they should repent after death by any other means if meanes were afforded as by seeing their sinne and feeling their punishment Iohn 9. 4. The night cometh wherein no man can work because after death comes judgment of wrath to the wicked Heb. 9. ult all patience and pity have forsaken them and so wrath lies upon them that they can do nothing but bear it as one under a great load or burning in the fire all his thoughts and affections and spirits are taken up with that and that is all he can do Heb. 10. 27. So here Vse 1. Of Confutation of a viperous satanical secret opinion which like a ghost 〈◊〉 the mindes of some people viz. that think and conclude even in time of health in midst of saving healing meanes that their time of grace is past and door is shut to them before Christ comes against them at death or judgement which though God many times turnes for good to humble a bold heart which will burne Gods day-light out and linger in its sinnes yet it doth
this and that but I had these ends in them and I harboured these sins by them will conscience make men say Because now Satan to whose custody the soul is committed appears to the soul and it sees it self in his hands The best Hypocrite is never delivered out of the hands of Satan and his power he will eitheâ—r keep constant possession or if not yet he will returne againe now he will not appear in this time of peace to the soul because there is yet hope but after death then hope is past and therefore then he appeares for as the souls of the Elect are carryed to Heaven by Angels and blessed among them so è â—ontrà the souls of the wicked are in the hands of Devils 1 Pet. 3. 19. He preacht to the spirits now in Prison Theeves so long as they are not known or if known not apprehended they fear not death but when taken and laid up in prison there they know their death and there they see their Jaylour so here and as Satan did condemne and sad the heart of the humbled out-cast 2 Cor. 2. 11. so much more these when cast out from the presence of God A Caâ—tive when taken by him that hath overcome him the Conquerour appeares and sets his foot upon him especially if one eminent whom Satan hath conquered Because of the intolerable and heavy wrath of God which then doth seize upon the soul. Luke 16. I am tâ—rmentâ—d In this life though God be lost yet mens hearts are comforted with creatures and patience and common bounty as it is with skall'd legs eased in the water but now when men are dead then there is no creature to enjoy to ease the heart the body is dead and what are these things to the soul now hence the soule feels God is gone and for ever gone and now when he hath most need in great torment gone the soul feels this I say and feeling this woe it knows it indeed the beasts know their misery when they feel the Knife in their hearts Let men deceive themselves never so deeply with false imaginations yet when they feel it otherwise it shall confute them as the Generations of men in the dayes of Noah men will have some hope while patience lasts but when that 's gone then their hopes and hearts sink also whiles men be in the Vessel they hope to live but if that sink and they can see no plank nor shore but see waves and men crying c. now their hearts must needs fail them Of terrour to them who upon cleare conviction from the Word will not believe their doom their misery now Sometime the Word comes so near men and the very sin they live and lie in is pointed at found out and words and thoughts opened as if some body had told the Minister of the man and they think He speaks against me but they will not believe that sin is so black or God so angry but hope well but if they do sleight and regard not these convictions yet oh remember the time is drawing on and it is not farre of but therein you shall know the word of the Lord is more precious to him than to you you let it fall but the Lord will not 1 Sam. 3. 19. The Old World would not believe Noah the Lord therefore made their experience convince them of it I know men may be deceived but as he said in another case The word is not bound so the word which like God searcheth the secrets of thy heart and thy Hypocrisie that is not deceitful thy Scepter O Lord is a right Scepter and it cannot be crook't and bent And if man doth condemn thee know it God is greater then man and it is his glory to confirm the words of his Servants that are not Diviners South-sayers and uncertaine Prognosticators of mens desâ—inies Isa. 44. 26. but having their warrant from the Word it shall be confirmed by God himself nay that very Word shall arise though it sleeps now the Word is only left as a Witnesse Matth. 24. 14. and do you think it shall not be so if Christ lives he will confirm it Is it not better to know your condition now and be humbled for it seeing else you must know it when it is too late to know it If two have a Quarrel against each other and the one who hath the better side entreats to agree with him to acknowledge his fault be humbled he will forgive him before he comes to higher Courts where it will be tried and himself cast and such a Fine and damages be set upon his head as will utterly undo him is it not a misery for such an one so brought under to feed himself with hopes and not to listen till he hath spent all and is utterly undone and beggar'd truly thus 't is here And so I end with reminding you of the speech of God to Elies Sons 1 Sam. 2. 25. They heard not their father because God would slay them so here you will not hear Ministers condemne you because God will do it See the great folly of thoâ—e who having got some false comforts and are loâ—h to know the worst of their â—states now Isa. 30. 10. that say to the Prophets Prophesie deceits or if not they will not come to the light Iohn 3. 20. or if light come to them they hate it and put it out choak it if they do not also hate the man Shall you know your estates hereafter and will you not see them now what comfort will this be to you There is a Beast when it is hunted and weary runnes its head into the ground or bushes and thinks it self then safe though its body be all seen and that the Hunter doth not see it nor the Hounds because it sees not them So it is here What wiâ—l it profit you to hide your eyes from the Almighties search who cannot hide your selves It 's true if there was no hope nâ—w then men might comfort themselves and not dye with thoughts and fears of it till they come to dye but there is hope Oh folly not to see it now and truly this is mens frame 1. Because some think it a shame to begin now after they have been so well thought of now to strip themselves 2. Because of trouble men naturally will avoid it and hence skin their â—ores over superficially 3. Because they think it impossible or very difficult to be saved now if all should be naught that they have done already and hence rather hazard all and put it to the venture 4. Because they must maintaine their innocency and confidence What must I not believe noâ— hope well 5. Because when they have done their best they can do no more than what they do now viz. trust to Gods mercy But more particularly this appeares First When men will not see nor desire the Lord to reveal their sinne and deceits Psalme 36. 3. That 's one part of
thee from Christ and 't is never overcome by love till now Let a man be â—n never such feares and troubles of minde and sinkings of heart and soon after he pretends to great joyes and assurance but sin is not overcome though it be sâ—ibbed and hid yet it will overcome you at last and would pull thee down from heaven if ever thou wert there As if one that makes suit to another and she is forced to give consent but she hath her heart still to another Lover he will never have her Not that the Saints are really free from all sins and weaknesses but they are free from peace with sin though not free from War with sin till death as when two Lovers are faln out it 's enough if the League be broken 2. Degree The apprehending love of Christ it saâ—iates fills and feeds the soul with the sweetness of its self now the soul being come to Christ and seeing the heighth and depth of the love and pity of Christ. Psal. 65. 2 3 4. Blessed is the man whom thou choosest he shall be satisfied the stony ground received the Word with joy was affected with the grace of Christ as one that stands by where smells are but smells do not feed or they may taste but tastes do not feed nor satisfie So 't is here You know we feed on our meat that we may be strengthened thereby and it may be turned to nourishment and good blood and flesh and be made one with us so Christ gives himself to be spiritually eaten by Faith out of an earnest desire that he may have a neare a very near union to him and he to us Now the maine end of eating is satisfying and if a man be satiated with it though â—e think it will never prove nourishment yet it doth So where life is c. Ioh. 6. 56. He dwells in me and I in him If a man tastes not a greater good in Christ than in his lusts he will fall to them againe from Christ but if he feeds on Christ and is satiate with him never can he hunger againe otherwise the soul will say It was better with me once than now it is Solomon though he tasted all good of the creatures after he knew God and God had appeared twice to him yet he felt them fall short of what he once found and at last he remembred his rest When Abram gave his children giâ—ts he did not lay hold on them with special love but to him to whom he gave his Inheritance So the Lord may take hold on a man and give him many abilities but when he gives himself as an Inheritance and portion this is special love and whâ—â— is that known viz. when the soul is fully satiated with it Psalme 16. 2 3 4. And hence the Prodigal he did not know he should be received but when he came Make me a servant if not a Son saith he and his Father hung about his neck c. So here Exâ—dus 6. 3. God hath two wayes to satisfie his people 〈…〉 1. By fulfilling his promises 2. By manifesting himself and that to their satisfying as sufficient to do all what he hath promised Oh Consider of this you that have seen mercy but it hath not satiated you nor doth yet but you have other bread to feed on the Lord never took hold on you 3. Degree This apprehending love of Christ having thus satiated the soule it constâ—aines the soule to live and act for Christ. Now what shall I do for the Lord and the poor soule begins to lament dayes past of folly and secretly desires of the Lord it might rather not live than not live to him and though happily it often serves sin and self yet the soul accounts that life death and so laments â—t before the Lord 2 Cor. 5. 15 16. That they that live might live to him John 6. 57. He that believeth in me shall live by me i. e. both by me and for me and Christ apprehends the soul fast now for Christ must rather lose his life than lose this soul. Look as 't is with a Graft put the science close by the stock tye it fast if there it withers and rather loseth life than gets it we say Surely it 's not put in right for if it were the living Stock would convey sap and nourishment to it So 't is here some herbs are very precious but for ornament rather thaâ— use so Christ is deare but what use do you make of Christ what life do you fetch from Christ the least joynt in a mans finger united to the soul hath life of it but Signets though near to the finger yet they have no life and hence no union and hence no members so the Saints have life though weak but unregenerate men as Signets may be near life and near the true Members of Christ that be quickened but receive no Life Gluttons will feed that they may go to sleeping others that they may fall a working So many take Christ and get some peace and then turn Grace into wantonness and so sleep in their sloth but a gracious heart all his prayers and feeding is that he might have strength and heart to live and work for Christ Hath the Lord pitied pardoned how Lord shall I now live in my Calling now his friends are by him pityed now he is fruitful and mourns when others be not so 4. Degree This apprehending love of Christ having thus constrained the soul it ever follows it and dwells in it Ioh. 14. 17. For after Christ hath apprehended the soul so as that the soul thinks it shall never be as it hath been before yet oh the lamentable decayes and losses that it feels it loseth favour and life too afterward and lives against Christ sometimes a thing never to be lamented enough but mark if Christ hath apprehended he will not forsake the soul though it hath forsaken him and hence the Lord by his constant assistance of the Spirit recovers it again brings it back again and that after questionings sometimes if ever there was grace indeed in it yea â—f not yet oh that it should thus forsake the Lord nay the Lord sometime preventing before it was seeking Iudas fails the Lord never looks after him Peter falls Christ looks after him and recovers him all the Disciples denied Christ and fled after promise never to do so yet saith he Mark 14. 28 16 7. I 'le go beâ—ore you to Galilee my Spâ—rit is in you and shall be in you though you grâ—eve it and sad â— Adam falls and one sin cut him from Gods hold of him hence he dasheâ—h quite to pieces but now Christ upholding on other termes hence though his people forsake him yet he holds them still fast and sure and keeps â—hem from breaking utterly to pieces nay if they be as water spilt on the ground he will gather them up againe he deals not so wiâ—h others Iohn 6. 66. Many forsake him being never
the creature 2 Because so long the soul cannot see nor come by the eye and feer of Faith to the Lord Jesus Iohn 5. 44. and think Christ better than all as Birds in a string may fly high but when they come to the end of the line fall down there and so though the soul flies to Christ yet when indeed it comes to the end of parting withall it falls down and falls off from Christ. Whole men have no heart nor desire after Physitians when all limbs are whole and strong no desire after Plaisters so while any thing easeth and contenteth the heart there is no desire after Christ Hos. 4. 11. Whoredom and wine have taken away the heart 3 Because so long the heart if it do come cannot stay with Christ to do any thing for Christ Mat. 6. 24. You cannot serve God and riches i. e. two Masters who have constant employment and Christ hath set us such employment Hence men on sick-beds are tame as may be promise any thing because their joy in the creature is gone Hence on the other side many men after many springings of heart are choaked by thorns of the world 4. From the abundant love that the Lord Jesus shews to them that ever have or look for communion with him Those to whom we shew much love from those we expect much again As a man if taken or cast out to be servant one looks not for love from him but when a man hath given himself and made over all his estate to another now all love is too little So 't is with the Lord Jesus Iohn 6. Will you also depart SECT V. 2 THE soul must be divorced from the Law i. e. from comforting it self with the righteousnesse thereof For explication of which we must consider these things 1. That the Lord doth not ever give a man content in his sins and lusts but wounds Conscience for the same 2. That so long as the Lord wounds a mans Conscience for sin no creature can give a man comfort or content A wounded spirit who can bear Iudas casts away his silver pieces and Belshazzar quakes who was but even now quaâ—â—ing in his cups As a man that hath an aking tooth or broken bones What can comfort him now 3. Hereupon the Law fals upon a man or a man meets with the Law for as all a mans sorrow is upon him because the Law is broken all a mans care is how he may keep it again What shall I do As a man cast in prison for debt there all is opened an the Law like an earnest suitor 1. Presleth hard for love and obedience 2. Promiseth a rich portion eternal life if he can keep it If not you must be damned therefore now forsake your sins c. 4. Hence the soul not knowing a better Husband consents and resolves to cleave to it Rom. 10. 3. Deut. 5. Whatever the Lord will have us do we will do it and here it stayes and is comforted here it rests as in Asa his time all rejoyced for the Oath 2 Chro. 15. Isai. 58. 1 2. and if it find not perfect comfort because of imperfect work it then closeth with Christ for to make up and piece up all Gal. 5. 1. And now I say 't is comforted in what it hath and doth and here it rests now from hence it must be divorced What need I prove it when the Apostle hath so fully Galat. per totum and consider the young man Mat. 19. Divorced I say the soul must be from this 1. Because he that doth thus sets up another Christ and makes himself his own Saviour can the Lord Jesus take such a soul into communion with him Suppose a Prince be pulled by his people from his Throne and they set up another pious vertuous Prince to Rule will this serve the turn to say he is an honest Prince so though duties be never so good yet not to advance Christ is to pull down Christ. 2. Because such persons do commonly most oppose the Lord Jesus in a way of believing though not in a way of doing the Lord hath more ado if any of these be brought home to bring them in they have somewhat to say for themselves they have stronger forts c. The Scribes and Pharisees rejected the counsel of God against themselves and hence no people lest to such deep desertions as these if the Lord intend mercy to them for they have more need than others 3. Because hereby a man doth but make a conspiracy against Gods greatest plot that ever he had a foot viz. to advance his free Grace Gal. 5. 4. you are fallen from Grace for nothing makes a man more fit to boast than works and resting in them sin makes a man ashamed and therefore if they come to Heaven they have laid a foundation to thank themselves for somewhat hence no communion with Jesus Christ in this frame no the Lord will tear down this foundation and make the soul cry guilty and make this Husband the Law to be judge to examine and condemn and now come and ask what have you to plead for your life and peace it hath no plea to shew but mércy c. it hath its duties evidencing against it SECT VI. 2 THe soul now comes to be Espoused to the Lord Jesus Quest. How The soul beholding the glory of the Lord Jesus makes choice of him as in all Marriage bonds there is a choice made and if love be great there is little standing on terms let me have him though I begg with him so the soul sees such a sutableness in the Lord Jesus as that it stands not on terms let me have him though in prison with him though in the Garden in Agonies with him though in the Cross in desertions with him he is enough as Peter when he saw Christ on the Sea desired he might come to him there Heb. 11. 26. Chusing the reproach of Christ c. And look as Christ chuseth the soul 1. The whole soul. 2. Everlastingly 3. Above all others so it makes choice of Christ whole Christ Phil. 3. 9. 2. Everlastingly The Lord is my portion for ever Psalm 73. 26. And before ever you can look for communion with him you must make this choice of him and glad too you may have him on any terms nay put it to any soul the Lord hath done good to and ask it will you have him 't is such a mercy I cannot conceive how one so vile as I should have it have him the Lord of glory the Prince of life and peace O yes Hence Peter said Master what shall we have that have forsaken all and followed thee you shall sit with me on Thrones and look as Christ now chuseth the soul above others as well as in Heaven Iohn 15. 16. so it now chuseth Christ Whom have I in Heaven or earth many when they think of death or are dying then chuse him but not now or
glory out of thy ruine he was blessed before all worlds and by all thy sins thou dost but throw stones against the wind or snow-balls against the Sun why doth he do it O 't is thy good he pitties thee as once Ierusalem to look upon thy destruction and desolation as 't is with the Elect they have wrath before their eyes and hence perswade others so the Lord Jesus SECT III. 3. COnsider 't is nothing else but love the Lord looks for or cares for Love looks for nothing but love Prov. 8. 17. and this is the end of all Election to be holy before him in love and mark it if it be a stayed love that constrainâ— thee to him you cannot wrong him As if thou come and perswade one to murder his Child he cannot so if perswaded to despise oh bowels of heart-breaking love 2 Cor. 5. And surely 't is admirable love What if it were thy Goods thy Isaâ—â— to be sacrificed thy body to be burned it was nothing but he desires only love only thy heart which hath forged so much villany against him let him never be called upon or professed if not worthy of this After all is this all yes no Portion he cares for and when he hath this he hath all Wonder at this O Angels SECT IV. 4. COnsider what he will do for thee how he will love thee if thou wilt thus love him 1. He will set thee next himself in honour Psalm 45. 9. that as the Lord Jesus is next to God sits at his right hand so here which is an honour that the Angels have not who are no where called Christs Spouse hence never had such an union hence never shall partake of that honour of Saints 2. He will enrich thee as 't is with Man and Wife all that he hath is hers so himself and all his glory his God his Father his Kingdom is thine Prov. 8. 21. they that love me inherit something others nothing no nothing indeed only shews of good and they find it so when they awake nothing their own nothing long that let thy outward man yea thy inward be never so poor thou shalt by him be heir of all 3. He will cousel thee hence David Psal. 73. made choice of God Thou wilt guìde me by thy counsel no greater curse than to be left to the guidance of a mans own counsel but here there shall not be any strait but the Lord will shew thee a way out of it either by his prudence or providence there shall not be any secret of Christ that thou desirest to know but as Christ told them You are my Friends so you are my Spouse hence all his secrets shall be opened to thee there shall not be one act of thy life but ordered by infinite prudence and wisdom and love sometimes we are befooled in our own counsels and left to them to teach us to depend on the Lord the more yet thereby shall come out such good that it shall be among us as with Iosephs Brethren 4. He will dwell with thee as a man must dwell with his Wife Iohn 14. 23. that the great Mediator that passeth by Kings and Princes and will not look on them should come and dwell with thee this is better than to have the presence of Kings the guard of Angels better than Heaven it self that he should dwel where is nothing worthy to entertain him only something to grieve him Now this is 1. A constant assistance of the Spirit that let the Soul go where he will be brought to never so low an ebb yet Christ will not out but some stirrings sighings lookings pantings after Christ when heart and strength fail yet God c. when ready to give all for lost then consider as Psal. 73. 2. If he doth depart he will not be loug but return again and those that know his affection know it so to be Isai. 54. for a little moment c. so the Lord may depart and when his presence is a little more esteemed come again with everlasting mercies as a man may know many weaknesses by his Wife yet she having not bestowed her heart on any other he will return so if thou canst say yet I am the Lords he will return 5. He will rejoyce in thee and over thee Zeph. 3. 17. as a Bridegroom doth over the Bride Not because of any beauty in thee for there is none but because given in marriage of the Father and for his own sake This day thou shalt no sooner set thy heart on Christ but he falls in love with thee and will take thee with joy thou thinkest he will be angry if thou closest with him and love him no it will be the joy of Heaven of Jesus Christ himself 6. He will exceedingly comfort thee and look as 't is with tender husbands then they comfort most when most sorrowes beâ—ide them for who could endure his wife should be alway drooping So even then when nothing doth or can comfort thee the Lord will Isa. 54. 6. For the Lord doth not alway comfort but when in need as it was with the Patriarchs Then God appeared when they were at worst and these are abundant comforts 2 Cor. 1. 3 4 5. You shall not need to scramble for it as many do whose hearts do not love Christ in truth as yet 7. He will put up all Wrongs and bear exceedingly with thee Many think even when God hath sealed love to them if any little sin be committed then they are cast off no if under the Law so indeed but when espoused to him 't is not weaknesses nor wilfulnesse can make the Lord cast thee away but he will heal the one and afflict thee for yet not cast thee off for the other Psal. 89. 33. My loving kindnesse will I never take away Yea he will forgive both Luke 7. 47. Much forgiven because she loved much Nay thy wrongs shall be an occasion to make him love thee more Rom. 5. Where sin abounds Grace abounds 8. He will never part with thee Hos. 2. 19. Once love him and he will never lose thee 1. No sin shall part thee and him for Christ when he enters into marriage covenant doth not suspend his love on our Grace or Holinesse then he might leave quickly but on his own Grace to wash away out filthinesse Eph. 5. 25 26. If a husband marries a woman only for so long as she is in health then when sicknesse comes he may depart But è contra if to take away her sicknesses then they cannot hinder Nothing but Adultery can part Now that they cannot do for nothing breaks till covenant is broken And the covenant here is everlasting and so undertaken for by the Lord that it can never be broken 2. No miseries can Rom. 8. 35 36 37. Can tribulation It makes man leave us but this is peculiar to Christ he will not leave 3. Death cannot it must part man and wife though loved never so dearly before
second two thousand years In the Primitive times and Churches the Apostles especially â—ames and Peter spake of the end of all things to be at hand who writing to the scattered Jews had good reason to tell them of it viz. the end of the Temple Though Barâ—â—â—s to weaken the Authority of Scripture thinks they spake only their own apprehensions divers Christians thought then it was nigh and hence Paul 〈◊〉 them to beware of those thoughts seeing much danger in them 2 Thess. 2. 1 2. And in succeeding ages Tertullian expresseth the affection of the Christians to the Roman State that they sought not the ruine of it but prayed pro mor â finis as fearing it was then coming upon the world for sin and so many Saints seeing wickedâ—ess abound have thought that time is not far off but yet the times and seasons are not in our hands to know Act. 1. 7. and that must quiet us that come he will SECT III. Quest. 2. WHere will he come to judge Answ. Into this visible world again for if it should be in heaven as no unclean thing shall come there so we should then rather come to Christ to be judged than for him to come to Judgement No there is a second coming that as his first was into this visible world so shall his second Act. 3. â—1 Whâ—â— the heavens must contain untill the time of the restitution of all things and then shall he break out of heaven again for this work Now to what particular place in the world he shall come to judge is disputed on by many especially some of the Schoolmen Some think that it shall be in Mount Calvary where he was crucified some in Mount Olivet where he ascended others in the Valley of Iehosaphat Ioel 3. 2. which as it cannot contain all people that ever were so the place only speaks of the terror of God against the enemies of his scattered Jews at their conversion I would not be wise above what is written all that I read most plainly of is 1 Thess. 4. 17 18. That then we shall meet the Lord in the air now how high or where the Lords Throne shall be set those things are not for us to enquire after but so the Lord will order it as that all Nations all the dead small and great shall stand before him and see him in one place which shall not be very low where men have sinned there they shall be judged and hence as Judges have their Circuits so men having sinned in this world shall be judged here SECT IV. Quest. 4. HOw will he come to judge Answ. He shall come in power and great glory Matth. 24. 30. As first The glory of the Father Matth. 16. 27. the brightness of his Diety his infinite wisdom was hid in the dark lanthorn of his humanity but then he shall appear as 't is said Rom. 1. 4. manifested to be the Son of God by his Resurrection so then much more when he comes to raise the world all the world shall see his power wisdom greatness then Secondly All his mighty Angels with him Matth. 16. 27. all shall be there so that heaven shall be left empty a thousand times ten thousand shall then minister unto him and you know how gloriously the Lord made the Angels shine at Christs Resurrection Thirdly With the voyce of the Arch-Angel and the trump of God and with a shout 1 Thess. 4. 16. He shall descend with a shout i. e. of joy to the Saints as in the day of victory and triumph of God as at giving the Law the Trumpet did blow to work dread and terror then so now Fourthly With burning and consuming of the world 2 Pet. 3. 7. 2 Thess. 1. Fifthly Raising and callâ—ng all the dead before him small and great good and bad in earth and sea and that in a moment it shall not be a long work 1 Cor. 15. 52. and thus the Lord shall appear at this day that as he came before with baseness so he shall now come in glory and nothing then shall have any glory but himself and those that are his because he will damp all the glory of the world and thus sitting in the clouds in a Throne of glory he shall judge i. e. examine convince and condemn examine all secrets and convict men of their evils and then condemn them and pass sentence upon the wicked and grace to his Saints the Saints examinations and all their duties and actings for God opened and that all the world that censured them may see then the infinite wisdom and love of God in his people in making and keeping them sincere SECT V. Quest. 4. VVHy will he come Answ. 1. If it was only for his peoples sake for their perfect redemption and refreshing there were reason enough for it hence it is called a day of redemption and a time of refreshing here they are captived under miseries and sadded by them under sin Satan world but then they shall be redeemed Now that it shall be so First He hath come already to redeem his people from sin which is the greatest evil and which redemption wâ—s performed by his blood now if he hath redeemed from the greatest evil viz. Sin then from Corruption then from Death and Satan c. If he once came by blood and baseness then he will come in glory and greatness if he came through fire to them then he will come through fair ways to them if by death to them then by life to them and hence Ioh. 5. 24. all judgement is committed to him because he is the Son of Man And though it be long yet surely he will he must come especially seeing himself hath perfectly redeemed his people and is now himself exalted above all A man that hath been in prison himself with his poor brethreâ— that are left there still the price of their redemption being paid and there being nothing for their deliveraâ—ce wanting but one to fetch them if none help he will do it alone So here Secondly in regard of the Justice of God that that may be cleared before the eyes of all the world men sin now and are not punished but flourish and the Saints are grieved every man sees patience bounty longâ—sufferance exercised but the wrath of God against the least sins is not yet made known there must therefore be a day to declare it and the equity of it Thirdly In regard of the Wisdom of God Look in all Commonwealths well governed in the world and we shall not finde any but they have Court days and their Petty Sessions and great Assizes as in Israel for to what extremity of wickness would places come to else so here Shall the wise Governor of the world never have a day of hearing and trying causes hath he no care others are but in his room under him till that time neither is it enough to say that there is Judgement of death Answ. That is only Christs judging
the soul in private either to his shame or glory before Christ but the body is to be judged as well as the soul to shame before men or glory before all the world Fourthly In regard of Christ's soveraignty and excellency the coming of Christ is called his Kingdom 2 Tim. 4. 1. Why doth not Christ rule now in the world Yes but it is in the midst of his enemies his enemies rule and he rules also but there must a time come that no enemies must rule but Christ alone and this is his kingdom in a most illustrious manner for the things of Christ are said to be with us when they do in a special manner appear as the coming of his Spirit and his love so his Kingdom now Christ must reign till all his enemies are put under foot for it is not fit he should lose his Kingdom hath the Lord suffered others to reign and rule and himself to be hid and his glory lost and that so long and will he never return to his Kingdom to be glorious there to reap all his glory that he hath lost by all his enemies in the world Was there ever King that would ever endure one generation of Rebels after another and never make himself sole Sovereign however Man may suffer it yet the Lord will not he must reign And wherefore doth Christ reign It is to trample 〈◊〉 under foot his and his peoples enemies Christ sets death his enemy to destroy his enemies and keep them as in a Goal but afterward Christ will call them forth and pass an irreversible doom upon them SECT VI. SEE therefore and believe the truth of this Point as well as hear it At the first coming of Christ Heb. 11. 13. they did thus saw the Promises afar off and embraced them so see it afar off There be divers people that profess this truth that do not fully believe it for if they did they would never live as they do That look as men that know the Judge rides Circuit within half a year dare not commit any open sins so if you believed this you would make conscience of secret sins which this Judge shall judge Others there be that do believe it as they do reports that every man saith but they do not see that really to be true indeed which their hearts literally believe and hence mens hearts are not a whit moved with grief or sorrow or joy or fear at the remembrance of this day For as it is with us in reports of news out of Germany many hear things but are not affected with their misery because they do not see it acted before their eyes God presents not their sorrows and hence they are not moved but when they do see them acted then they are moved much so here Look as it is with a man awake and in sleep a man awake believes the day of Judgement and never stirs but when asleep he dreams of it and is much affected with that because he sees it acted before his eyes much more when men have not dreams but real visions or sight of it it will affect And hence set painted fire before a Malefactor it affects not but shew him really it wherein he must be burnt now it amazeth him and hence 2 Pet. 2. 11 12 14. looking for and hence Peter saith what manner of persons ought we to be and whereever there is Faith thus it will be Heb. 11. 1. it makes things absent present and things unseen evident Oh that God would shew you this truth you young men Eccles. 11. 9. you would not spend time vainly but know God You aged men whose hearts are rooted in this world Oh know that God will come and burn up your delights will you never see this day and fear it before you see it and mourn because of it Oh take heed of rash judging and condemning and suspecting and censuring other men In Pauls time Rom. 14. 10. one Brother in a Church there judged another about indifferent things in a Christ-like manner as if he had no Grace c. You shall stand before Christs Iudgement Seat saith Paul and hence Paul 1 Cor. 4. 3 4 5. accounts little of mans Judgement and bids them judge nothing c. What if Christ find that to be a lye which thou judgest to be true Many of Gods Servants lie under hard thoughts and speeches in private not only from Enemies abroad but from inhabitants at home men out of the Church censuring and judging of Members men in the Church one of another especially if they take to a side The Lord will discover hard speeches and an edition of all your hard thoughts put out in print at the last day This breaks love this breaks Church-fellowship and is the cause of breacheâ— in this Country Oh take heed of an hypocritical heart if the Lord should come to judge according to the seeing of the eyes of the outward man then well were it with many but when the secrets of the hearts shall be judged it will be terrible if there should never be a calling over of things again happy were it for many but 't is otherwise 2 Cor. 5. 10. Paul sought only to please the Lord for we must all appear c. Civil men if they can carry it so as men may not say hurt of them they think 't is well Hypocrites if they can maintain a name of Religion so as they may maintain their interest in good mens hearts it is well if they get some enlargement in duties that they are commenâ—â—â— of them well if they can get so much mercy as to get the Lord to accept of Christs righteousness for them it is well but saith Paul We laborto be accepted of him I am perswaded godly men do not think of this we think the wicked shall have all their secrets laid open but the Saints come not into condemnation 't is true not of wrath but of trial so as that their righteousness shall be laid open to all to their glory at the great day 1 Pet. 1. 6 7. And therefore get that life which Christ himself may commend that as Christ said I have not found such faith in Isrâ—el So here when thou hast spoken a good word repeated a Sermon spent a Sabbath ask thy heart is this worth shewing to all the world that though at be vile yet Christ himself will commend this Oh you will finde only acting for him will commend the act Mat. 25. 40. there is that needlework and golden Arras of Holiness which is lapt up in the Saints that Christ will open before all the world another day Oh therefore repent Act. 17. 31. Paul tells them times past were spent in ignorance without God time to come was a time of Judgement and wrath of God against all sin Oh then repent Mourn for all wrongs done against Christ You will â—â—il then if you take not your season now mourn therefore for time past and for
first in the promise First Labour to draw near unto and enjoy the Lord Jesus by the Promise Secondly Labour to enjoy him in the Promise First By the promise or by means of it all that which the Lord conveys to his is not by meeâ— providence but by promise Psal. 25. 10. He was free before their calling but now he hath bound himself by an eternal covenant to be all and do all for them Gen. 17. 1. So that the Saints may and should bring all their empty pitchers to the wells of the promise Isa. 12. 3. and draw out of thoâ—e breasts â— and get Christ Jesus Spirit in your hearts by them now some think the Promise is not theirs hence they go not thither for spiritual refreshments or at least they let other things come by providence especially common blessings without going to the promise for their daily bread or looking to the promise out of whose bowels they are begot Heb. 13. 5 6. the Apostle there sends them to the promise Or else they use not the means or faint in the use of it whereby they come to enjoy the Lord by his promise and that is restless wrestling with Christ by prayer for it Gen. 32. 12. Thou saidst I will surely do thee good He might have said I have a promise what need I pray or he might have said I had a promise of safe convoy but now I see the Lord is coming out to brâ—ak it and so he might have perished yet he prays and wrestles acknowledging himself unworthy of all the truth c. So Nâ—h 1. 8. Men have so little of Christ because so little of the Spirit of Prayer pressing Gods promise thou hast a barren empty weak heart because the promise is not improved as it should be Secondly Labour to enjoy him in the Promise sometimes the soul hath a Promise fair and seeks and finds not now the heart goes on to seek but is exceeding unbelieving or sad and troubled whiles it doth not feel and unthankful also and accounts it self miserable whiles it wants and so doth not glory in the Lord and his fulness which is his in the Promise unless he feels the good come from the promise like a man that doth not account himself rich while he hath it in his treasure a most safe and sure place where it is kept for him unless he gets a little out of it into his pockets and fears he shall be slain with thirst though he stands by the Spring and that be full if his dish be empty oh this is vile Heb. 11. 13. These received not the promise i. e. things promised yet saw them believed and embraced them i. e. in the promise You say you are sinful and born down by your distempers and base and poor I say you have power victory over all sin and misery and have eternal glory already in the promise only here is thy wound you think you want it because you have it not out of the promise though you have it in the swadling clouts of the promise lapt up there and by means of this sinful distemper of heart you partake not of Christ because you apprehend not your exceeding great riches in the promise 2 Pet. 1. 2. 2 Sam. 23. 4. God made an everlasting Covenant this is all his desire sweet was Davids spirit 2 Sam. 7. 22. Who is like to thee when he had no accomplishment of the promise Oh so do you say Heb. 6. 17. The Lord hath appointed we should have strong consolation by promise and oath not by dreams it was the complaint of Christ unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe so you call in question like Thomas unless you feel Oh close with the Promise keep it as most precious and then Psal. 25. 10. He saith not to them that keep their covenants or their feelings but his covenant as their portion and get the Lord to undertake to keep it for them and so make sure SECT XVIII 3. LAbor to be near the Lord in all his Ordinances also both privately and publickly for there is his presence Ezek. ult ult Psal. 26. 8. he not only loved Christ's presence but the place where it was it was an argument of his integrity Psal. 102. 13. They did love the dust of Sion never think there is a time of mercy till then First Be with him in secret as oft as you can prayer meditation daily calling your hearts to an account time hath been that you have been so when in affliction or at first conversion but now twenty hindrances and now you cannot only neglect but think you have reason so to do there have been tears and prayers and thoughts and pressings hard after the Lord but now no words nor groans you women have children to suck and families to tend you servants love your sleep rather than the bosom of Christ and though Conscience cry out against you for it yet you hope to be better one day and so you grow strangers to Christ and no publick Ordinances profit because private duties are neglected and thy heart like the sluggards garden is andressed is this to be as near the Lord as you can no if the Lord oves you look for the death of thy Husband Wife or Childe shortly look for terrors and then you shall account it an honor if you may but once more speak to the Lord. Secondly Be with him and as near him as you can in all publick Ordinances and not only to have them which some care not greatly for because they see no glory in them unless glorified souls should come out of heaven to be members and Moses and Elias to build tabernacles here and â—o be Elders but come through them look beyond them to the Lord look at them as empty and weak unless the Lord fill and be powerful in them David did enjoy God secretly yet there was more in publick hence Psal. 63. 2. The Saints are a generation of Seekers Psal. 63. My soul followeth hard afteh thee mercy and truth follows you many times when you forsake it Psal. 23. ult much more when you cleave to it Hezekiah's frame of heart Isa. 38. ult is imitable Act. 1. Christ promised to send the Comforter wait at Ierusalem as there they did in prayer and at last the Lord came You have forsaken all for Ordinances and now you have them you despise them I conâ—ess they are meer outsides yet the Lord is there there is a glory which wiâ—e men can see in Christ in the mangeâ— SECT XIX Fourthly LAbor by thy desires to be 〈◊〉 him Rev. 22. 20. So desire as to wait for thy change all thy life look for it 1 Theâ— 1. ult 1. Christ's desire is that thou wert with him when thou art ready and when thy work is done Oh let this make thee to desire it also 2. If you cannot keep your hearts from vain hopes and foolish and noysoâ— lusts without desiring him do not then desire
to be with him for you may desire communion with lusts and Christ. Object But death is terrible and separation from him bitter Answ. Long for him therefore to come and then take thee and see thou desire nothing but himâ— rebuke thy 〈◊〉 llingness of not being with him If Christ was on earth you would hazard your lives to get unto him much more herein Obj. But what will become of Gods name Answ. Let the Lord alone for that wâ—â—les thou livest enâ—â—avour to the utmost but it s appointed for thee a little season only to be here and be willing the Lord should honor himself also by others as well as by thee Object What will become of my wife and children Answ. Who regarded thee in thy blood when thou livest they are thine but then the Lords Desire to be with him this will support your hearts in all your changes of this 〈◊〉 SECT XX. Vse 6. YOu that never received Christ now do it Object Yes I have Answ. No you have not so received him as to let all go for him Why so because he alone will be blessedness but he is not so to thee Oh therefore let all go now you must part with Christ or all these things Which will you do If with Christ you cannot finde him in these things but if you part with these things then you shall finde them all in him Object But he will have none of me Answ. 1. He cries down thy laying out money for what is not Bread 2. He promises to give thee to drink now and hereafter CHAP. XIX Shewing that none shall enjoy Christ hereafter but those that are prepar'd here VERSE 10. They that were ready 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 prepared SECT I. THose only who are ready and prepaâ—ed in this life for Christ shall enjoy eternal and immediate communion with Christ those only who are now fitted for his fellowship shall partake of his fellowship for of all these Virgins though many of them were otherwise very well qualified only those which were ready did enter in with the Bridegroom which readiness in these wise Virgins was not nor is not any Popish preparation either meritorious or congruous or wrought by the power of corrupted or adorned nature but Divine and glorious wrought by the power of Christ out of his eternal love to the Vessels of glory as an Antecedent not moving cause of this eternal fellowship it is the first degree of our Resurrectâ—on with Christ. Rom. 9. 23. Vessels of glory prepared unto glory the same word which is used here there are two ends God hath appointed all men to either to be Vessels of wrath who are those Ve se 22. Those that are fitted for desâ—ruction others of glory who are those prepâ—red unto glory 2 Cor. 5. 5. with 8. How comes Paul and all the Saints to know and groan for to be out of the body and to break the Cage and to be with the Lord one reason is they are wrought and moulded and fashioned for that condition by the hand of a merciful God even as one may know what Vessels are for special use by their metâ—al and curious engravings upon them SECT II. Reas. 1. BEcause all mens souls are naturally unfit and unprepared to enjoy communion with Christ it is said Rev. 21. ult Nothing enters into the new Ierusalem on earth which is uncleane and defileth and Heb. 12 14. Without holiness no man shall see God Now naturally all men are deâ—iled and unclean Vessels and under the power of their sins loathing Angels food the grace of Christ and weary of the fellowship of Christ and therefore they must be prepared for the Lord first this is one reason why preparation to every holy duty is needful and so needful that let men performe any holy duty wherein they draw near to Christ without a heart prepared Psal. 10. 17. their performances aâ—e rejected or not blessed and hence Rehoboam though he did maintaine the worship of God at Ierusalem yet he prepared noâ— his heart 2 Châ—on 12. 14. 〈…〉 and begs parâ—on for this That he is not so purified according to the purification of the Sanctâ—â—ry Now if to a holy duty and commâ—nion with Christ here this is needful much more to eternal fellowship with him sore eyes cannot behold the Sun without grief sick bodies loath the best food if the Lord should let a carnal heart into heaven with that heart he hath and not change his nature he would not stay there if he could escape but having his swinish nature he would be in his mire againe and the Government of Christ being a bondage to him he would break bonds and break his Prison if he knew where to fly from the presence of the Lord And hence no work so wearysome as Christs now no time so uncomfortable and tedious as abiding under Christs wings in his Ordinances now 1 Cor. 15. 50. If flesh and bâ—ood cannot enter into the Kingdom of heaven much lesse corruption Reas. 2. In regard of the rich grace and wisdom of his love towards his people for who sees not but that it is a curse to be unready as these foolish Virgins who were therefore shut out Oh therefore it is grace and mercy to make ready and indeed an answer to prayers and a comfort against all feares of the Saints who are then desiâ—oâ—s to be with the Lord when they are indeed ready readiness for Christ doth not destroy grace but being a fruit of Gods grace advanceth it Rom. 9. 23. the Apostle makes it the first fruit of glory that the Saints are prepared unto glory glory of mercy is the end preparedness thereto is the meanes or way leading to that end if God appoints the end his wisdom also leads first to the meanes which lead at last to that end if out of his rich grace he appoints the end out of the same grace by this other he leads to this end and though you think it not now grace you shall say it is so another day when with these foolish Virgins you shall say Oh that I were ready I know not almost which is greatest love to prepare for glory or to bring into the possession of iâ— to make a Vessel of poysonous dross a Vessel of gold or when it is so to fill it for the Lord to look upon a man when he is in his blood and then to wash him when a man is as water spilt upon the ground and a broken Vessel of no use now for the Lord to pity and fit for use it is exceeding rich grace Reas. 3. In regard of the honour of the Lord Iesus it was one part of the honour of Christ to have Iohn go before him and Luke 1. 17. to prepare a people ready for the Lord As it is part of a Princes honour to have his Bride ready and attired to welcome and entertaine him when he shall return to her she owes this honour to him and he expects this