brâ—ken and Strangers shall not meddle with our Jâ—yeâ— nor the Impure eat the Childrens food This shall confute all such as decry Religion and comfort all that have the Real Life of it and make them say with St. Paul The Life we now live is by Faith in the Son of GOD. 4ly This will open a door and Entrance to the Kingdom of Oâ—r LORD JESUS CHRIST and will prove a more solid way to make us Draw near to GOD with full assurance of faith and be a more sure ground to us than all the heats and heights of Religion which are but transient and perhaps flow from humour and Complexion but this makes the spirit of Gâ—ory dwell in us Gives us a clean conscience washt with pure water Heb 10. end to draw near to GOD So that a trembling humble Ghâ—istian that with St. Paul cryes â—ut O wretched man that I am Rom. 7. end May be neerer the Joy of the Lord than the other So that whoever seek a proof of Christ sn us We shall prove it best by Works and Fruits and the New Creature is the most infallible mark of beinâ— in Christ 2 Cor 5 17. and True siâ—â—cere Obedience is the great specifick and genuine propertie of true Christianism And further to clear you in all this let us confront the privilidges and properties of the Christiâ—n if any separate them he is like a Man catching the Crown with out the Conquest but the true Christian reacheth one hand in the Crown and wiâ—h the other holds his Wâ—apon to fight for the Prize that through â—aith and pâ—tience and unwearied Wâ—ll â—â—ing he may inheriâ— the Promises What more excellent then the precious Promisâ—pâ—ut we must add Vertue to our faith 〈◊〉 thâ—se Promises the Christians Claim is indâ—ed great for all are yours sayeth 〈◊〉 But such as are Christs sayeth he have crucified the flesh with its lusts and effections But to come nearer the conâ—â—xt from 2. ver to this 12 the Apostlâ— speaks of beleivers attaining like precious faith with the Apostlesfor their is but one faith which the Apostles Beleived prâ—pagated once delivered to the Sa 〈◊〉 as 〈◊〉 Jâ—de sayeth and this faith Acts 15. 9. purifiâ—th the heart and life And having that same faith of the Apostles we should live according to our measures as the Apostles then should the Pure and Primitive Church revive But alas Were St. Paul now at Rome he should find it much more Heathen than in his time and very unlike these whose faith was spoken of through the World O then if people would walk suitably to that noble Gift of Faith which is given us 2ly The full Instructions the Christians have All things sayes the Apostle that pertain to Life and Godliness Glory and Veriâ—e We want nothing to furnish us for every good Work The whole Council of GOD Acts 20. 27. All things to make us Godly and Glorious we have the Word of GOD to make us wise to Salvation and the Spirit of GOD to lead us into all Truth Improve then your priviledges For if ve know these things happy are ye if ve do them 3ly We have the great Gift of the Promises as the Apostle sayeth here But yet having these Promises let us cleanse our selves from all silthiness of flesh and spirit 2 Cor. 7. 1. and take head least a promise being made thus of entering into his Rest we fall short But if Piety be joyned with the Promises then we partake of the Divine Nature and have another Spirit a new Heart Lifâ— and new Affections and thus the Saiâ—â— are in their measure Divinized and spâ—ritualsed and Created after GOD 〈◊〉 Righteousness and true Holmess And so to conclude this truth 〈◊〉 would warn you not haâ—ilv to catch aâ— the Promises but labour to lay hold on them by a lively Faith and Well-doinâ— Be not too â—aring least ye presume prove your title first And then glory in your priviledges make your selves meet for the Inheritance and then you are sure of it and let the glory of that great Claim indeer your Hearts to Duty to joâ—n your selves in a perpetual Covenant with the LORD never to be forgot Jer. 50. Sermon II. The Duty and Diligence of the Apostolick Câ—rate or Gospel Minister described With the Matter and manner of his Preaching and the Quality of Christians in the time of the prime of Christianity Vpon Verse 12. THe Apostle falls now to a closs Application of the Doctrin formerly mentioned in this Chapter wherein he relates the Duty of the Minister that he should not be negligent but busie in the exercise of his holy Office 2ly The great Subject of his Dâ—ctrine these Things 3ly The way of his Iâ—culcating the said Doctrine upon the Hearts of People And 4ly The Qualification of People in these Times I begin with the First bâ—th negatively and positively described Doct. 1 which teacheth us That a Gospel Minister should be very intent upon his great and weighty Work This St Peter declares of himself and St. Paul also frequently mentions his great business These two Pillars of the Church the Apostles of the Câ—rcumcision Uncircumcision follow the the great Luminary their Blessed Master and stand as eminent Examples to all the Officers of the Church of Christ And this Apostle describeth his Duty 1st In his care for the Good of Souls to whom he wrote 2ly That he was not negligent but Diligent in his Imployment First His great care for the Church and the good of Souls The care of Souls is worthy to â—e fined from the most intensive affections of the Hâ—art It is such 〈◊〉 Pious and Divine Affection that GOD Himself describs His eaâ—nest Compassionâ— to His People thereby As our Saviout shâ—ws us in His Sermon upon the Mount Upon which account St. Paul bids us be careful for nothing but by Prayer and Supplication make our request known to GOD And St. Peter so exhorts also casting all your caâ—es upon GOD who careth for you It was our Saviour's care for Souls that brought Him from Heaven to us and when on Earth made Him so diligent to Preach Pray and Weep for his Church This care of Souls went nearer St. Pauls Heaâ—t than all his troubles for beside all things that are without said he that which comes upon me dayly the care for all the Churches The true natural Father hath a great care for his Children and the Spiritual Parent no less for I have no greater Joy sayeth St. John than to see my Children walking in the Truth Fâ—r such is the subtility and labour of the evil one â—o seduce and corrupt our Flock And alas such is the carelesness and incuriousness of the most as to Spiritnol Matters like Gallio careing for none of these things and such are the many incumbrances anent the World and what is worst of all even a careful Contrivnance of many to prosecute their sinful ends that a faithful Minister shall find great Reason of serious
solid Foundation by Religion 2ly That thou enter into such a serious and lasting state of Life with the good Advice of GOD under him of those of Experience 3ly That thou propose the most pheasable means and good Ends for the Comfort and Contentment of thy Life 4ly That thou fall upon the most clear and approved Methods to attain these Ends. And Lastly When engaged in this Relation of conjugal Life that thou carry well therein and behave as a solid Christian in thy Family First Except the LORD build the house they labour in vain that buiâ—â— it Psal 127. 1. See that thou marry iâ— the Lord and that thou set him befoâ—â— thee that he may be at thy Right-handâ—â— and keep thy Heart still in His Handâ— that thy choice may be dexterous anâ— fortunate learn to be a Christian anâ— Espouse Christ ere thou be a Husband oâ— a wife for Religion is the bond the Bleâ—â—ing the beauty and the thrift of thy Relation and will have a greater influence upon the peace and prosperity 〈◊〉 thy family and the sweet converse 〈◊〉 the married twain Psal 128 2. And maâ—â— them live together as Heirs of the grace 〈◊〉 Life 1 Pet. 3. 7. 3ly Thou shouldest noâ— enter rashly unto this Covenant Consider what thou does Seek Counsel at Goâ— and good men especially of thy Parentâ—â— Let not Pride hast passion and indiscretion engage thee to make such an adventure and if the Council of GOD and good men be wanting thou mayest be fond this night and faint to morrow and begin to repent when it is too late and canst propose no Remedy but that which is desperate 3ly Have a Right designe before thee Marry Rationally and with discretion consider the ends for which GOD has appointed Marriage And never think to accomplish them except thou shape out fit means to obtain them bewar of Being unequally yoked Let thy match be suitable if thou wouldest have it profitaâ—le Consider how thou shalt live in that Relation that thou may live well in It. Bewar of the Snare of Poverty nor too greedily look after gain Keep the midle mean and that is to propose an honest and unchargeable way of living Say with Ag Give me neither Poverty nor Riches but what 's convenient for me Be not too confident in that thou art Perhaps young and strong to provide for thy self For thy youth may soon fade and thy strength decay a laudable seeking after a creditable way of living is rhy duty that thou have some talent and stock to use well which may by the Blessing of GOD be improved and thy Family provided 4ly That thou fall upon most clear and approved methods to attain these ends Besides what is already hinted thou art to engage in this setled state with consent of Parents if they be living for if thou oughtest to honour or obey thy Parents as GOD's Word directs Eph. 6. 1. Then thou 〈◊〉 not be but culpable If in this thou coâ—â— contrary to their will And if the Scâ—â—ture gives it as a note of Prophane Eâ—â— that by his Marriage he was a grieâ—â— heart to Isaac and Rebekah Wheâ—â— Jacob followed his Fathers Couâ—â— thou shalt find it most agreeable to follâ—â— Jacobs Rod and if thy parents should 〈◊〉 too tyranical and self willed in this 〈◊〉 imped thee for their own ends or as 〈◊〉 Apostle to the Hebrews sayeth in the 〈◊〉 of Chastisement for their own pleasuâ—â— yet shouldst thou be very submiss Bâ—â— they be unreasonably wilfull thou haâ—â— fuge in the Church which hath poâ—â— to call Parents to an account of their tâ—â—ciousness But this point is so fully hâ—â—led by Divines and determined by 〈◊〉 Church that I shall not enlarge this treaâ—â— upon it Only I would commend this â—â—siness to be orderly done with all thâ—â— necessarly previous to its consummatâ—â— and with suitable solemnities in the 〈◊〉 of GODs Chnrch and not after some â—â—sual Caruse nor done like a thing 〈◊〉 dares not hold up its face but doth 〈◊〉 and sneak in corners as the persons engâ—â—ing were ashamed that it shonld be knoâ—◠〈◊〉 the World whereas they must give an â—â—count of it before GOD Angels and Men. And make that suspected to the peoâ—â—e which they should approve themselves 〈◊〉 to their own Consciences and to the reâ—ular Church The Blessing whereof is not 〈◊〉 be despised by any private Man 5ly â—o carry Christianly in this Relation â—hat Man or Wife make conscience of â—â—eir mutual duties and the main thing â—hat concerns the Husband is Religious and Conjugal Love to his Wife which the Apostle so fully presseth Eph. 5. Gives the Man an excellent Pattern of the free sinâ—ere full and constant Love of CHRIST to â—he Church And the great Specifick of â—he Wifes duty is Reverence and Obediâ—nce to her Husband as the head For this Rational and Religious Love of the Husband Will last when the heats of passion shall expire and evanish And that Reverence and Obedience of the Wife to the Husband as it will Indear his Heart to her more and more so shall it make her to be taken among the number of the Godly Women especially Sarah 1 Peter 3 6. Who reverenced her hnsband and Called him LORD So that these things being observed they may be freer for a good Understandâ—â— among themselves to govern their Faâ—â—ly with Discretion and their Affairs 〈◊〉 Frugality and Vertue 2ly As to yâ—â— entrance into the Exercise of your Pâ—â—cular Calling be well advised that it qâ—â—drate with thy General Calling as a Chriâ—â—an Be as vertuous as thou may but 〈◊〉 not thy Bussiness hinder thee from workiâ—â— out the Work of thy own Salvaâ—ion â—â—gin and end the Day with GOD aâ—â— seek first the Kingdom of GOD aâ—â— His Righteousness Mat. 6. 20. And neâ—â— say that thou hast not time For if thâ—â— improve thy time with Frugality thâ—â— will never want leasure to seek and seâ—â— GOD It is to be feared thou wants Wiâ—â— and there lyes the root of the evil Thâ—â— would also take care to Employ thy seâ—â— well in an approved Calling Beware 〈◊〉 the snares thereof keep a good Conscience let the Word of GOD and noâ—â— Interest rule thy Conscience Be honeâ—â— in thy Calling beware of fraud anâ—â— sneaking wayes and work not in thâ—â— Calling to be called a Cheat Take rightâ—â— Measure true Ballance and the same Weights otherwayes thy Tricks are an Abomination to the LORD Consult the most approved Proportions for thy gain â—nd if thou be engaged in the laborious Work of the Husband-Man let Grace â—uide thy Georgicks And consider that in 〈◊〉 beginning such a Calling payed Fruits â—o GOD Gen 4. 3. He makes the ground â—â—st up to thee and brutish Animals â—eed thee Cloath thee and serve thee The LORD brings food out of the Earth Psal 104. 14. And makes the senseless Clod and Turâ— produce Corn and Grain And all thy Labour without His Blessing will not profit thee Thou canst therefore
time of plowing and sowing in order to our great harvest We must work while it is called the day for the night cometh wherein no man worketh John 9. 11. What ever our hand findeth to do we must do it with our might for there is no knowledge nor work in the grave Ecl. 10. 9. The present time is the season of preaching â—o day if he will hear his Voice Ere long the Pastor's Mouth will be closed as well as your Ears GOD useth not to send a Seminary from the Dead to preach the Gospel the Living shall praise Him and act for Him for in this short Life all our Bussiness must be done in order to Eternitie the LORD doth not cause preach to the Dead for in the state of Separation our Bodily Organs are consumed and the Soul is under its everlasting Sentence it s therefore absolutely necessary that we plye our Work in time with all Alacrity and Diligence But this must be more particularly unfolded by the consideration of these following heads 1. The great care that serious men should have to make use of the Season 2ly Their great Diligence that they should manifest in their weighty Work 3ly The Frailty and Brittleness of our mortal Life our Soul is in a Tent or Tabernacle 4ly The Reinforcement of the Remembrance upon this account 1. The great Care that Serious Men should have to make use of the Season This is not the Work of Yesterday for that is past and cannot be recalled nor of to Morrow for we know not what then may be Prov. 27 1. Therefore we should not bost of it for we know not what a Day may bring forth But it is the Work of the Present 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Instant which passeth as a Thought and will not abide Delayes and as we know not if we shall preach another Day so people know not how long the Voice may be behind them saying This is the Way But this they may know that it is the Voice of GOD that calletâ— them and they know not how soon iâ— it may be silent and the Heavenly Oraclâ— give no more Response 2ly The great diligence that Serioâ—â— Men should manifest in their Weighty Work Their Work is a Harvest the Labourers should be busie and tho GOD doth not allow that with too fast driving we put our selves out of Breath yet since the Work tho very weighty is so pleasant and so necessary and the exercise of the greatest Charity of the World to do good to Souls and since we have anointing Oil and the Aid of the Spirit to enable us we should not be idle nor taken up with Triffles and vain things and especially shun all worldly and sinfull Distractions that we may be well excercised in so good and necessary a Work 3ly The frailty and Brittleness of our mortal life Our life is both short and uncertain we are Pilgrims on Earth and sojurn as all our Fathers have done our Soul is in a tent and our life is but Transient ambulatory and transitory we are Pilgrims Souldiers strangers and not at home we have no continuing abode here the Tabernacle and Tent may soon be lowsed our passing house fall about our ears Which as it should prevent our taking our Rest on Earth so should it make us busie while we are in this Tabernacle and animate us in all our travels on earth with our priviledge that we shall come to a Temple and have a House with GOD Eternal in the Heavens 4ly The Reinforcement of the Remembrance upon this account the Apostle makes much use of this Word for Ministers are GOD's mouth they should admonish and incite People to duty People should be warned for they are secure and become tuchy when they are awakened they are ready to say Peace Peace before sudden destruction Come We should therefore seek supplie to our Lamps in time and to have our Wedding Garment in hand against the Bridegroom come there be many things to give us Memento and Ministers should never forget to give this warning but labour to keep people on foot to Run their Race unto the End Sermon IV. Of the Practical Knowledge of Death and the Information and Warning that the LORD giveth some of His Favourites thereof Knowing that shortly I must put off this Tabernacle Verse 14. ALTHO no doubt this Holy and Reverend Father had his Soul still upon readiness to render it up on his Master's Call with all Chearfulness And tho he was animated to Duty by an extraordinary Help of the Spirit Yet the Knowledge he was shortly to put off his Tabernacle did serve as a motive in him to excite him in his holy Work As his Master before him John 9. 4. 2 Wherein we may Consider 1st His Resolution Practical Knowledge of his approaching dissolution 2ly His favourable Representation of Death a putting off this Tabernacle and giving the Soul more room to commerce with GOD. 3ly His more than ordinary Information of this his Deseace As to the First we may observe that the Practical Knowledge of Death serves much to make serious Doct. 1 Men well Employed All men know they must die but few consider and improve it Which maketh Moses in the Name of the LORD so pathetically cry out O that they were wise to consider their latter End Deut. 32. 26. And Jeremiah so sadly to lament That Jerusalem was taken away because she knew not her last end The best of Men have layed this to Heart I have run sayeth St. Paul Cor 9. 26. For Death puts a Period to all Business Eccles 9. 10. Death puts us ab agendis a Judgement immediatly follows where account must be given of our Stewartship Who is then that faithful Servant that when the LORD cometh shall find so doing and busie about his work Do not say the LORD delayeth his comming let not GOD's Patience make thee procrastinate but be the more busie that thou hast a day to labour in 2ly If thy Work be imperfect and not done it will remain undone for ever and except Christ stand for thee thou will enter imperfect to ternity It is dangerous to sleep our time or triffle it but rather if thou hast loitered double thy diligence This practical knowledge of Death concerns all Men Omnes Tangit from the Court to the Countrey from the Palace to the Cottage Death hath an Universal Empire over all Ranks Sexes Ages Goodness Greatness Riches and the Greatest power and strength cannot prevent it bribe it nor oppose it It is the Messenger of the Great King It cannot be deforced disce mori learn to die is a great lesson it is a great principle in Practical Religion as nosce teipsum to know thy self is necessary Death comes upon many with a surprise and unaware it creeps on Gray hares are here and there on us ere we advert There are some inconsiderate and layes it not to heart Some are dead and drowned in interest and sing
it tends to Eternal Life The Painter Appelles placed an imaginary fame in a curious Draught and many for the Apprehension of a Fame make themselves infamous as Alexander was called Totius Orbis Praedo But the Word of the Lord endureth for ever 1 Pet. 1. 25. which by the Gospel is Preached unto you Many mâ—ns Reputation dies here their Names â—ot Buâ—â—aithful Preaching never dies God has a Register of it it'â— received in the Heavens impressed upon the Hearts of Converts thereby is a living Monument erected in the Lives of Men. Ye are our Epistle sayes St. Paul to the Corninthians and though Faithful Ministers do not succeed yet their Reward is with their GOD and their Euge waits them in Heaven Well done thou good and Faithful Servant More particularly let us consider the parts of this Text in these particulars 1. The Endeavours of this Faithful Minister 2. The extent of his Endeavours even after his Decease 3. The Inculcating the Things of the Gospel so as they may take Impression by way of Remembrance upon the Hearts of Men in all Ages First The Endeavours of this faithful Minister And it teacheâ—h us of this sacred employment to follow this Copy to contribute our best Endeavems for the good of Souls This is all that man can do Paul can but Plant and Apollo water but GOD gives the increass And tho our endeavours be frustrate yet if we do our duty our judgement is with the LORD We are but dispensers of the means of Grace It is the LORD that giveth Grace and we should be earnest with people not to receive the Grace of GOD in vain or that dispensation wherein the Grace of God is given that is the Preaching the Gospel of CHRIST We should contribute our outmâ—st endeavours for the work is great the opposition strong And since we have Received this Ministry let us not faint our Blessed Saviour in his Ministerial Office was frustrate How often would I have gathered thee sayeth he to Jerusalem and â—e would not â—et us do our duty then and commit the Event to GOD. 2ly The Extent of his Endeavours even after his Decease A Faithful Mininister has Ministerial Affections for the Glory of GOD and the good of the Church they cannot consine their wishes to the little compass of a short time they expatiate in their desires and if it were possible they could tarry while CHRIST come as it was groundlessly supposed by the Beloved Disciple They would be glad to improve the opportunity But to consider more particularly the import of this his endeavour it is certain as he doth not here intend in a Ghostly way to preach to them after his decease for GOD useth not to send to the Living from the Dead the dispensation of the Gospel is now to Day if ye will hear his Voice so is it to be understood of his Actions in time as Abel tho dead yet speaketh Moses his Word yet judgeth and the Hand Writings of Ordinances yet stand while they be cancel'd Thus CHRIST's Word shall Judge Men at the Great Day and good Works shall have their Approbation then And the Womans anointing of our Saviour speaketh to every Generation Mat 25 42 43 Wherever This Gospel is preached and the whole Cloud of Witnesses have Monuments erected for them in the Word of GOD And for this Apostle besides his writing of some part of Canonick Scripture which endureth for ever he was an extraordinary person in his Call in his Calling in his miracles in his Actions and in his sufferings for CHRIST all which serve to preach after his decease which others in their measure also do So that hence it may be observed that Faithful Ministers of the Gospel by their Doct. 1 Life and labours remains famous living Monuments after their Decease Their works follow them and also they leave impression behind them it is a glory to do well in our Office and die a faithfull Stewart of the Mysterie of GOD to save our own Souls and them that hear us to make after Generations bless us Fame indeed should not be our design for that may savour of Pride and Vanity But the work if good will praise thee in the gate O then let us act for Eternitie Preach as we shall give an Application account labour to do well and it shall not be forgotten For to win a Soul is a great prize and to help Peoples Faith and to follow them with wholesome Doctrine that they may follow after Peace and Holiness is a great duty All true Holiness is from GOD and he hath said honorantes me honorabo Iâ—le honour them that honour Me 1 Sam. 4. 5. And the mercy of doing good in our time and in the Church as it shall meet us in another World so may it sweeten all the difficuldifficulties we meet with in the way of our duty in this But the third thing to wit the inculcating the things of the Gospel so as they may take impression by way of Rememâ— brance upon the hearts of men in all Ages will more clearly unfold this duty of a Gospel Minister to help people to a well improved Remembrance The Apostle much insists upon the word Remembrance and every faithful Minister and Particularly one who desires to be found faithful shall labour to bring these things to peoples Remembrance both in this life and after it and so to leave his Flock the most lasting legacie It is clearly then observable that it is a great part of Gospel Ministers duty Doct. 2 to help peoples minds to retain and improve Gospel truths for their Salvation To Preach these things Phil 4. 9. over and over again to show them how much a sanctified memory of these things tends to their faith and happiness For the mind of man is the Spirit within him that is the Candle of the LORD The great Repository of holy truth And makes Religious actings flow from a solid understanding which influenceth the will freely to work and enlargeth the affections to run with delight in the wayes of GOD. Now to be more particular in this I shall desire you to consider 1st Facultas Retinens the mind Retaining 2ly Res retenta the thing remembred 3ly The help a faithful Minister gives to this Holy art of Remembring 4ly Peoples improvement by right remembring First Facultas Retinens the mind retaining It may be considered that there is first a natural memory whereby some have said Nescio quid sit oblivisci I know not what it is to forget which is most fresh in youth and turns Crazy in old age others again are so dull in their mind or rather careless that their memorie is like a Sive which letteth Clean Water pass through but Retaineth Dregs of such it may be said that they wot not what it is to Remember 2ly There is an artificial memory much helped by Reading and frequent study and Meditation 3ly There is a Religious memory wrought by the Spirit of GOD
their phansie who deny CHRIST's Offices Ministers Ordinances and Institutions will be so bold as to contradict it And therefore it concerns Parents Religiously to go about the Baptism of their Children and remember the great obligation they stand under for their pious Education And of Children baptized to reflect upon it when they come to any Knowledge and to improve it well by the Instruction of their Parents and Tutors whose serious Instructions grave Example and earnest Prayer for Young Ones may help to instill and drop in such Counsels into their easie and blank minds as may leave some Relish as a Vessel may still keep something of the tast and smell of the first liquor according to that Ancient observe quo semel est imbuta c. and this stage of our life may be reckoned to the fourth year of our Age. STAGE Second The Contents Of the particular care of Parents and Governours as to Children from four years old to twelve of studying their nature and genious and the inâ—â—â—ling and droping in some clear and common principles of Religion with the consideration of Regeneration and when the Children come to be about twelve years of age of their solemn Confirmation § 1. As the Children grows so should the care of their Parents increase towards them its dangerous to suffer the evil of their Nature to take rooting for then it will turn tenacious and obstinate it 's better to take the little Foxes that hurt their tender Gardens Cant. 2. 6. and by Religious conduct use the best means to Eradicate the corruption of their Nature and to correct that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and disorder that is naturally in them by frequent and gradual dropping of good counsel into their hearts especially by fixing in them the common notion of a GOD and fearing of Him of honouring their Parents And withal to acquaint them with their Baptismal Dedication and in as much as is possible to open up unto them the mâ—sterie of their redemption through Jesus Christ and that not only they know to Repeat the Law the Creed and Lords Prayer But also to make them according to their capacitie to understand these Thus entereth Knowledge into their Hearts as a little Drop by frequent falling makes a cavity and hollowness in the stone § 2. Although the Spirit of GOD the Author of Regeneration like the wind bloweth when where and how he pleases Joh. 3. v. 8. And calleth some sooner some later yet is it not improper to set it down here for that same LORD that Blessed Babs can Sow the Seed of Grace in their Hearts And of this Regeneration I shall only remember Man of the Necessity Nature and Evidence thereof First as to the necessity Our Saviour is very positive Job 3. v. 2. and 3. Except a man be Born again he cannot enter into the Kingdom of GOD and no outward exercise of Religion can avail us without the New Creature the Old-man must be Crucified and the New-man formed and Nurished ere we can be fit for the Kingdom of GOD. And 2ly We cannot better take up the Nature of it than by considering the Author and the manner of his Operation in producing this Work It is only the Spirit of GOD that doth it so is every one that is born of the Spirit John 3. 8. Of His own Will begatt He us that we should be a kind of first Fruits of His Creatures Jam 1. 18. This New Creature then is clearly the Product of the Spirit of GOD Who doth this work mediatly by the use of means especially by the Word oâ— Truth and other holy Engines that he is pleased to make use of Yet is not this Work produced of any means but by the concurse of the principal Agent the Word illuminats and perswads but there 's more then Moral Swasion in this Work for GOD's promise in the Covenant is to put his Laws in our inward parts Jer 3. 33. They receive by their Conversion a heavenly seed which abideth in them that will not suffer them to sin as the wicked do John 3. 9. Whosoever is born of GOD doth not commit sin for His seed remains in him and he cannot sin because he is born of GOD. Yet as to the production of this new Creature it may be so secret for a time like the Infant in the Womb so clouded and over-powr'd by Temptation and Corruption that it doth little appear and it takes a long time ere it become perfect in degrees and visibly compleat as to parts althô the Child tho little and weak is potentially a perfect man Parents then and Governours should with St. Paul travel in birth till Christ be formed in their Children 3ly As to its Evidence the Apostle manifests it fully 2 cor 5. 17 Behold all things are become New The man is wholly renewed in Quality tho not in Substance so that he may very well say Ego non sum ego He hath a more generous spirit with Caleb a better heart with David a more shininâ— face with Moses and the lips of the Righteous feed many And tho no man caâ— make this Change yet is he exhorted to make him a new heart Ezek. 18 31. Thâ—â— is to use the means and well to consider that the spirit of GOD begets this neâ— Creature by the word of Truth Jam 1 18 That such may be a kind of first fruits of Hâ—â— Creatures and for himself to show forthâ— His praise Who hath called them from darkness to Light § 3. It is very promotive of Grace also when Children comes to this state of Life that they be Confirmed after they can give any account of their Creed and of their Prayers according to the Blessed Pattern The LORDS Prayer For we read frequently in the Acts of Confirming the Disciples after they were Proseâ—â—ted to the Christian Religion whereby the new Plantation was fixed and by a sort of personal Covenanting with GOD they were Engaged to His Service by their Voluntar Consent This is the practice of the Universal Church Which if simply done and not elevated unto a Sacrament is laudable and promotive of the Ends of Religion And tho it be quarrelled with by some in this Nation Yet if it could be got well done in every particular Parish Since the Bishop may not be alwayes Vacant it may be thought no Disorder for the Parish Minister every year as Occasion offers to do this in the presence of the Parents and famous Witnesses personally and particularly to joyn them to the LORD And if there were not alas too great incuriousness about matters of Religion a mean so helpful to the ends thereof may be put in use So to conclude this Point I shall Reinforce my earnest Exhortation to Christian Parents in behalf of their Children for this particular instance of their Care for their Souls and to remember Gospel Ministers of their duty as to this And since through the unsetledness of the Times it can
are like to fall in a Ditcâ— Some act as in a dream and roave as inâ— Fever with an unjoynted Judgementâ— and a Scopeless Life their Tongues are thâ—â— own sayeth their way who is LORD over them They think Religion eitherâ— phansie or a Superstitious restraint of theiâ— lusts And say Come let us break his Bondâ— assunder And do all they can to ruâ— on Precepieces and a fatal fall Yet somâ— as has been before observed are moâ—â— tractable To shew that there is an Election and that GOD has His Jewels amonâ— a heap of Stones Some are taught oâ— GOD from their Youth and are underâ— His Discipline and the Life of Graceâ— spruting forth in little buds Which makes them serious at their Studies Pioâ—â— in their Devotion solid in their Conversation and in stead of all the Gayetâ—â— from without They cloath themselves with Humility Charity and Holiness and act by the Principles of Wisdom and Discretion § 5. But alas This Light shines but in few for the most take pleasure to live in darker Regions Now this Particular consideration shal be 1. To observe the evils incident to this State of Mans Age. And 2ly The Directions and Motives for his Recovery § 6. As to the first I condescend upon First The ignorance and prejudice of the Mind of Youth against all Vertue And Inclinations to Vice carryed on with great Inconsideration Secondly Pride and Vanity Thirdly Stoutness in sin with an aptness to follow the ill customs of the Generation Fourthly Idleness and omissions of Duty and good Exercise Fifthly A sleeping and unexercised Conscience § 7 First The Philosopher as well as the Divine observes Praejudicia Juventutis Great prejudice against Vertue And Experience may teach any Man that his imaginations have been evil from the beginning And if there be any thing of acquired Knowledge which is learned in the School Yet Speculation without Grace and saving Knowledge is not warm light and doth not nourish the tender Plants For tho the man were as learned as Plato or Aristotle he is but rude and dull as to that Knowledge which tends to Salvation And the fums that come from the forge of his lusts darken the heart and the head and if he hath the Advantage of the Gospel Light surely his Ignorance flows from Supine Negligence or self Conceit and feest thou a man wise in his own Eyes there 's more hope of a fool than of him GOD gives Grace to the humble but youth for the most is so swelled with self Conceit and vanity that he will nâ—â— bow himself to learn to wise to Salvation But it's better for him to learn of the Royal Psalmist to â—eek the gift of right Vnderstanding And at the wisest of Kingâ— to dig and labour for Wisdom as the Principal thing as the greatest accomplishment either of Youth or Riper yearâ— And no Man that looks to his Instinct but finds it naturally tending to that which is Evil. Till the Old Man be Mortified sin lives and Reigns without controul especially the sin that agrees with our present frame Concupisce not now rides in a hot Career sets up the Brute and puts down the Man It Corrupts the affections and blasts the Plants of Zion with corrupt Breath It makes the Man Degenerate and by giving place to carnal quencheth the Flams of Seraphick and Divine Love It makes the Man a brute Who might by Grace be made an Angel Awake then out of sleep For if thou live after the flesh thou shalt die Rom 8. 15. § 8. 2ly As to Pride and Vanitie much incident to youth Because he knows not well where he is and hath such complasancy in his present Circumstances as not to consider what mav fall out to a mortal Man Pride and vanity may soon be layed with Herod's And a little time of a Disease may Make him more feeble then an Infant Solomon saw much of this vanity and saw no cure for it but by Religion and the consideration of our account at Judgement Pride is devilish it turned Lucifer to a Devil And the higher any towers up the more subject is he to a vertiginous fall His 〈◊〉 as well as his Brains prove Air but GOD hates the proud and Agur prayes LORD Remove from me vanity and lies Prov. 38. 8. Let no man then Glory in Strength Wisdom Riches or Beauty but let him that Glorieth Glory in the LORD Jer. 9 23. 24. This vanity makes a man walkinâ— vain show and act the worst part of the Scene to play the Fool. § 9. 3ly Stoutness in sin c. Hearâ—â— ye stout hearted sayes the Prophet you must stoup e're GOD look upon you This is a Natural contracted hardneâ— of heart that alienates Man from the Lifeâ— GOD Eph 4 18. His blindness makeâ— him bold Yet he hath not only an Angel with Balaam but the Great GOD for his Enemy Consider this thou that forgets GOD least he tear thee in pieces whâ— there is none to deliver Psal 50 22. Aâ—â— make your stout heart turn into a fechâ—â— Mind for who can stand against GOD when He is angry Yet alas how liceâ—tious is this state of Age And do speak 〈◊〉 as their tongue were indeed their own bâ—â— GOD will break this fool-hardiness maâ—â— thee either contreet or crush thee Neveâ— then be stout in sin except thou think 〈◊〉 master thine Enemy If thou Kick agaâ—â— the pricks CHRIST can cast thee doâ—â— and turn a stout hearted Saul into a humble Paul to cry out LORD What wilt Thâ—â— have me to do Acts 9. 6. § 10. 4ly Idleness and emissions of Duty 〈◊〉 Youth 's very prone thereunto to forâ—â— GOD when he should remember his Creator as he dwelr in a Land of Forgetfulness Wherein he passeth much of his time ere he consider the great use thereof He lets the Night come on him Wherein no man can work Joh. 9. 4. And may drop into the Grave Where no bussiness is Eccles 9. 10. His Life is but a Digression if he work not while it is called the day and work not for Eternity Our Life is but a Minute and for a Day O that thou knew in this thy Day the thiâ—gs that belongs to thy Peace § 11. 5lv A sleeping and unexercised Conscience This is a great Disease in Youth which occasioneth bad conduct Youth is subject to Inconsideration layeth not things to heart as he should do his Conscience lyeth under a heap of humours And so is void of Action and neither informed or Employed He looks not to the Rule nor reflects upon his way whereas he should first consult the Word and thereby awaken and inform his Conscience to have his bosom Monitor Vigilant And the Witness within him honest And judge impartially according to the Rule Man cannot want Conscience because there is a GOD But Conscience may sleep be brideâ— deadned and to Government useless and unactive as Tertullian long ago hath observed because it is not a God noscc
teipsum know thy self The Heathens Lesson is very fit for a Christian The benefit of Sâ— Acquaintance tends much to right Discretion and the Government of our Lifeâ— Which makes many invert that of Sâ— Paul I know nothing by my self for want of reflection they can curse swearâ— lie and work abomination and theirâ— heart never smites them So they are lefâ— to themselves and put under the saddâ—â— plague of getting success in sin Better 〈◊〉 have the Way hedged with Thorns leaâ—â— thou run to ruine and labour so to guidâ— thy self that thy Heart condemn thee not and to exercise thy self with St. Paul to have 〈◊〉 Conscience void of Offence towards GOD and Man § 12. Many other things may be aded as rashness 〈…〉 and following vain customs 〈…〉 into a calling and course of life 〈◊〉 with no Deliberation but meerly from fondness and folly drive like Jehn in the pursuit of their carnal love and enter into a married staâ—e so rashly and indiscreetly that thev may have leasure eneugh after to regrate and so youth runs himself into inextricable difficulties But quod faciendum semel deliberandum diu And he should engage in this warefare with good advice but of the most of these I may have occasion to speak to after this § 13. And so I come to the second thing to wit The directions and motives for his recoverie and the ordering this state of Age. 1. As long as Man climbs to the top of the Wheel and Ascends to the hight of his Temporary Horizon he should take leasure to look back on his bygone life and view well that he act contrary Good to these evils fore-mentioned that he be Considerate Knowing tender hearted busie in good Exercise rhat his Conscience be awak'd himself humble even cloathed with humility which layes a good foundation for the Reception of Grace in his after Age that he learn to change Vain thoughtsâ— into Deliberation and Passions to rule them by a quiet Mind peaceable by patience and Moderation and the sooner he listens to the Call of GOD it will be easier for him that with great Aug he be alarmed with that of the Apostle Rom 13. 11. It is 〈◊〉 time to awake out of sleep Memory may decay in old Age. But Youth must remember hear Children the instruction of Wisdom Prov 6. 7. And since some aâ—â— snatched away in their younger yeaâ— some sin away and some play away their time Youth should not think iâ— too soon to be serious since posibly hâ— may not live till he think it time to bâ— serious § 14. It is Good for youth that is ready to stare upon rarities to take Wisdom from the example of such as miscarry least he himself become an Example and all sad accidents to others should make us listen to that of Solomon Follow the way of good men Better to be A monument of mercy than of wrath He must impartially correctâ— the errors of his bygon life and not be sparing in his own case to cry out with Judah against the Harlot and yet be the man himself that is defiled Gen. 38. 24. He must consider how he hath carried in all relations what sentiments he had of Religion what was his Temptation inclination humour and phansie what was his gift and what little good he hath done And if he Consider well he may acknowledge that he hath not obeyed the voice of his Teachers and that his Religion hath but Come by fiâ—s and that Possibly he hath harboured and does harbour some predominant sin and if he were serious he would find out the Dalilah that hath possessed his heart and know where the strength of his sin lyes and pray with the Psalmist LORD who knows his errors Psal 19. 12. § 15 It is high time then to smite thy thigh and knock thy breast and to be humble for thy bygon errors which thou may know to be a sincere repentance for them that if thou were placed in the former circumstances thou wouldst not react these follies And that thou doest not relish them with wonted affection And since they have not ruin'd thee show thy zeal revenge against these thy former Idols keep no reserve least thy Religion be Partial and Unpleasant look back with grief and redeem it with Duty sell not thy time for nought be no more beguild with toyes look back with Repentance and before thee with Prudence § 19. It is more then time also to consider thy Baptismal Engagement Whereby thou art sworn to GOD gets his mark and his Cognizance of Christianity Thou must renunce sin and Sataâ— GOD can make thy Baptism Effectual but 't is by Faith Repentance and Obedience that it works in the Adult Thoâ— must give the Answer of a good Consciencâ— 1 Pet. 3. 21. to thy Baptism as St. Peter speakâ— thou must wash in the Laver of Regeneration till it produce the new Creature Anâ— draw Vertue as a living Member from thy Blessed Head § 16. Who is now wise to consider these things look how the LORD trains thee in his Providence from Childhood to Youth GOD may bring thee homâ— with the voice of the Rod look theâ— what Influence Providence hath upon thy Younger heart if it be humbled and 〈◊〉 to receive the Blessings of Religion § 17. And yet more particularly to direct this ingoverned Age that needs solidity to keep it from Reeling 〈◊〉 the Scripture teacheth thee 1 to remember thy Creator in the dayes of thy Youth It is a part and a great part that layes the foundation of practical principles Memento 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vere memento Mori both to remember how to live and how to die And 2ly the Scripture bids thee flee youthfull lusts 2 Tim 2 2 1 What these lusts are thou reads not there but certainly youth hath its 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 proper lusts the vice of their age of their nature person and Nation Yet if thou look to the contrary Vertues which the Apostle there commends as Righteousness Grace Faith Love c. Thou shalt find Injustice Ambition Animosity Carnality Vnruliness Facileness Broils Tumults Contests and Duels that produceth dearfull deaths all which are against Charity which the Apostle there commends bnt thou must follow after Faith Love and Peace Secondly Shun idleness and evil Company beware of the Tavern and Stew If sinners entice thee consent thou not It is a Token that GOD hath called thee If thou choice a Right Calling It is time for thee now to think how to live Every minute of our short day has its Work Consider then well what Work thou puts thy Hand to and what Calling by the Advice of these that are Wiser than thy self may through GOD's Blessiing serve thee in this World and not Impede thy general Calling as a Christian Let thy Calling not be insnaring but approved propone not so much Gain as Contentedness And as I hinted before Oeteris paribus the Holy
of GOD it is all in light life and love If it could be seen it would be fairer than the Sun It puts such a principle in thee that thô sin may infest yet it shall not prevail because the Seed of GOD Remains in thee and makes the Righteous man more excellent than his Neighbour Prov. 12 26. 3ly The guidance of the Spirit which is not only the Character But the Priviledge of the Children of GOD The wayfairing man hath an unerring guide and tho thou should not lean to a Phanatick and Enthusiastick Spirit yet in the use of the means thou must Rely upon the gracious conduct of GOD's Spirit For If thou be led by the Spirit thou art the Son of GOD. Rom. 8 14. 4ly The Guardianship of Angels The elder Children guard the younger If thou walk in GOD's way they get charge over thee Psal 91. 11. They rejoice at thy conversion delight in thy duty and keep thee in all thy wayes 5ly The inheritance All is yours and ye are Christs and Christ is GODS 1 Cor. chap. 3 to the end Heirs and Coheirs with CHRIST and have interest in that inheritance that is incorruptible with the Saints in light which should make the World be little in thine eye The Prayer O LORD I am now in a dangerous Stage of my Life Ready to run Round in a Circle of sin to my own Ruine O ancient of Dayes take me by the Heart and hand in the morning of my life to noon tide anoint me with Fresh Oyland guide me by Thy Word and Spirit for Man that understandeth not is like the beast that perish Creat in me a clean heart and let me do nothing unworthy of my Birth and hopes give me the faculty to open mine eyes to look up to Thee and deliver me from Vnbelief and youthfull follies It hath pleased Thee to call some of the worst of Youth give so much Grace as may illuminate and direct an inconsiderat mind water the little and tender plantation of my heart inflâ—ence me with such Heavenly motions as may awaken me out of my first sleep wherein I have alas slumbered too too long possess Thy own purchase and let not Satan or any lust get peaceable residence where Thy holy feeâ— have trod Give me to see the Rarities and Glories of the New World of Grace make me a miracle and a monument thereof that I may rejoice that once I was darkness and now am light in the LORD restore me to a Right Mind cast out of it all dregs of sin and turn it from a den of thives to a Temple for Thee give me Grace not only to remember but serve my Creator and with solid Judgement swear under thy banner and Vow an inviolable fidelity to thee my LORD and Master that I may grow in Grace as in dayes that in due time I may be perfected Amen STAGE second From the 22 to the 30 Year of our Age. The Contents After some Introduction the setled life of 〈◊〉 Christian in this Period is considered particularly as to the Marriage and a lawfuâ— Calling with helps and directions suteableâ— motives to excite him to duty in this Stagâ— of his life with some practice of Devotion especially to the Meaner sort as to the hallowing of their House and calling § 1. THe Race of Mans life Rolls on a wheel and the Spoak that is ascendant Immediatly goes down and declines thou shouldest therefore run that thou mayest obtain improve well the present because bygone is past and thou knows not what 's before thee But this thou art sure of that time passeth as a thought and Eternity can-not be comprehended with thy thoughts thon spends thy time here in an Imaginary world But eterniâ—â— is solid and cannot alter § 2. It will be fit then in this Stage if thou hast come to any solidity 1. to look back to thy former wayes 2ly To consider what frame thou art now in as to thy present Circumstances After which it being now the ordinary time that man begins to think upon a settled life Consider to enter there-into especially a married state with great deliberation and be carefull that thou manage and exercise thy particular Calling by the Rules and measure of Religion with means to conduct and lead you in the Right path and with Seasonable Motives to perswad thee into the duties of a foris-familiated Life and the Employ of thy Calling All which are summed up with some serious Reflexion and suitable Devotion § 3. First I thought upon my former wayes sayeth the Psalmist Psal 119. 57. Thou will not get that which is passed again nor the Res Gesta the thing done undone But by Repentance so the Psalmist prayes Let not the errors of my Youth be remembred Look that thou leave not an error in the first Region least thy following Life be not so healthful If thou leave any Intemperat Work behind it may turn to A root of Bitterness Heb. 12. 15. Thou must found well and bring up your Work upon a right Base For alas some are unhappy for want of Education aâ—â— Instruction some abuse and neglectâ—â— and improve only as to Gifts but notâ—â— Grace They learn a profession but 〈◊〉 Christ Let thy heart therefore be evâ—â— in the Covenant thy Faith real thy Repentance unfeigned and thy Engagâ—ments solide And then thou may haâ—â— some clearness and peace as to Religioâ—â— and Vertue § 4. 2ly Look to thy present Tenâ—â— and Temper O if thou hadst known eâ—â— thou in this thy day Said Christ wiâ—â— weeping Eyes to Jerusalem Luke 19 2â—â— To day if you will hear his Voice Psal 81. 〈◊〉 the end It is now high time to be wisâ—â— than before Thou hast Work enougâ—â— adoe both for Time and Eternity Buâ—â— therefore an Aâ—k to save thee tho thâ—â— World moâ—k thee as it did Noahâ—â— Seek first the Kingdom of GOD and othâ—â— things will be added to thee Remembeâ—â— Hoc opus hoc age is our Motto There 〈◊〉 much to be done and much to be undone in Order to Religion Indulge not sin Especially garde against a course of sin Forecast dangers and be as frugal in duty as possible which will help to fasten thee at the Root which will not be soon shaken with Temptation § 5. And with this premonition thou must act under GOD for thy self and thou hadst never more need of right Conduct than now This being the ordinary time that Man sets out to a setled Life and under GOD good Example and the Conduct of the Holy Word and Spitit he doth begin to think upon a relative and a conjugal Life And set up in the Exercise of his particular Calling It will be fitting that he be led by the Hand as to both these by sound and solid Direction And the influence of Motives to excite him to Duty § 6. As to the fifst it will not be amiss to speak a little to these particulars following First That thou lay a
settling of your Family and the Education of yoâ— Children I have already discoursed 〈◊〉 that now it remains principally that yâ—â— be instructed in your present duty Aâ—â— for this there be these things worthy 〈◊〉 your enquiry and observation First Wâ— Product and fine your work is come to both as your generall and particular Calling 2ly Wâ—â— course ye are upon as to the setting forth 〈◊〉 religious and rational settlement of the Childrâ— that God has given you 3ly If you have religioâ— disposed of all your spiritual and secular Conâ—â—n to good and holy Ends. § 2. First In this Course of thy lifâ— its time to stand and pause look about yoâ— behind you and before you its high tiâ— now to know where ye are and what yâ—â— are and if â—e have gathered any Stock Grace and Vertue and in fine what the Product of your general and particulaâ— Calling § 3. And for the Resolution of the first Qâ—ere thou must look what thou has done since every one must give an account of himself to GOD and thou knows not how soon Yea thô thou should neglect GOD hath a Register Let conscience therefore read the legend of thy life seriously digest the scenes acts thereof that so thou may attain to some clearness as to thy state and case and be the Better prepared for following duties and tryals To think on thy former wayes Psalâ— 119. 59. Reâ—apitulate and Recognize thy former doings that thou mayest take a more serious account of thy errors failours and â—ollies that you May retract what is amiss and it is high time now seriously and unâ—eignedly to Repent and to correct what hath been wrong to put your self in a better dress for your following Life and for Death and Judgement which are to follow that And if thou has been so happy by Grace to do any Good you are to keep warm the Nursery of your Vertues Take the little Foxes that hurt the Vineyard and seek to serve GOD with full purpose of Heart and a settled and solid Course of Duty And if thou lean upon GODS Direction and not to thine own Understanding The LOâ—â— hath fully shewed thee what 〈◊〉 good Mic 6. 8. And here it will be very pertinent for thee to regrate thy former â—â—rayings and sad omissions O 〈…〉 rmer life is but like a Dream Learn therefore O man to be sober and Vigilant and build suitable Work Work out your Salvation and by the diligent use of the means and practice of Vertue Make your Calling and Election sure Look to the frame of thine Heart the state of thine Affairs and the Case of your Family and particular Calling And do not satisfie thy self so as not to acknowledge that thou might have done more than thou has done and to take that Check from the Apostle that Whereas ye might have been teachers of others ye had need to be taught the first principles of the Oracles of GOD Heb 5. 12. If a Man now be scrious he will easily see great blanks in his Life And great emptiness in what he has done particularly as to Devotion and Charity Which our LORD declares will be a great Charge against the World in that day he will Judge it And if thou will be convinced thou shall find that thou has much adoe that the most part does less than they should do for there is much Work behind thee to undoe To put away all superfluety of naughtiness as St. James sayeth Jam 1. 21. we cannot indeed get Yesterday again nor undo sin once done but there is yet time for thee to take such wise measures as to undo thy sins by Repentance and make up thy failoures through Faith in the perfect satisfaction of Christ who sayes himself I have done the work which Thou gavest me to do Joh 17 5. § 4. 3ly Look how thou hast ordered thy family the oeconomy whereof if it be guided by Grace and Peace doth very much advance Religion and Humane society for if Families were walking in the clear Orb of Religion it would lay the foundation of Righteousness in a Nation if the Husband were dutiefull to the Wife of his bosom and the Wife respectfull to the Husband of her Youth if the Children were obedient to their Parents and the Parents carefull for the spiritual and secular concerns of their Children if the servants were dutiefull to their Masters and the Masters gave what is just and right to them then would a golden Age revive and the Land shine as a lamp and especially if the Parents labour to ripen their Children to Religion and Vertue and to settle them in a course of life that may tend to contentment and by all means labour to promote love peace and comely order of theâ—r station and of the Church of GOD that from their house as a Bethelâ— they go up to the Temple and there receive instruction and offer sacrifice and return home with the bâ—â—ssing of the Gospel of peace and that it be the great care of younger elder to shun idleness unnecessary digressions ill company divisive destructive Employments having such a great work adoe as to commend Religion by their ways and walk worthily in their Generation The Prayer LORD who knows his errors cleanse thou me from secret and known sins I know enough of my self to humbâ—e me But thy Eyes which are as flames of fire sees more in me than I can observe Accept Good LORD the humble designes I have had to do well and pity my faint performance make up my wants through him who is perfâ—ct in whom thou aquiesces and I repose I find great dissatisfaction in any thing in me that has been contrary to thy Eternal will and holy word LORD now I aim no lower than to center my soul in thee I have been but too slow give me the wings and alacrity of an Angel to do thy will I can never be well till I be at thee O help me GOD. Amen Period third Of the future Age or what is to come in the Declensions of Nature And the Stages thereof MAN is now to be looked upon as enterring his declining Age For as he riseth in his Youth and maketh progress in the Augment of his Life from the 30 year thereof to the 50 So hath he much adoe when he begins to hang his Head and to decline from the 50 year of his Age to the End His gloss and sprightful Feature is now much failed and he looketh out with the aspect of old Age And gray hairs are here and there upon him Hos 7. 9. And except some be swelled with a load of Flesh and have a Ruddy Tincture from the Cup and there are others that do Remain longer undecayed through a more vigorous Constitution yet shall they begin to find some declining in all the Organs and therefore from what we have seen in our by gone time and what we see in our selves and others We may
so much neglected The Pharises in old turned superficial in their Religion by their Zâ—al for their traditions and it is to be feared that Christianity is much exanimated by such a cry for the outward part with too great neglect of Charity and the holiest of all where only we can find the propiratory And to be more particular these things that we are mainly to insist upon may be taken up in these particulars following 1. The necessaria or things absoluty needfull to Saâ—vation 2ly The Prosecution of the great design of the Gospel 3ly The Right informing of what we have been what we are and what we shall be 4ly The consideration of the last things so useful for the salvation of our souls and so clearly manifested in the Gospel First the things absolutly necessary for salvation as the true Knowledge of GOD and the Mediator and the operations of the Holy Ghost in the illumination and sanctification of our hearts These are the Revelation of that mystery that was hid from ages which refresh the Soul in the true knowledge of GOD and directs our Spirit to worship him in spirit and in trâ—th and to love fear â—bey and châ—ose him as our Portion â—â—â—e and hereafter wâ—ich overaweth the â—â—ul with a reverential fear of his naâ—e and shaâ—tech abroad Divine love in our hearâ—s whereby we are veâ—â—y much Refâ—â—shâ—d with the Bread of Angels and Saint And â—hen we look upon GOD in the Mediator we take him up aright And by our applying of and imploying CHRIST in his Mediatorial office we come to get Victory oâ— ver Hell and Death and by the commiting our selves to the Guidance of the Spirit it makes a spirit of Glory Rest upon us It fills our hearts with a wonderous Jubilation and joy and fiâ—â—s us tâ— have our Conversation in Heaven from whence we look for the Saviour Phil. 3. 20. 2ly The prosecution of the great design of the Gospel We are taught by the Aâ—pâ—aâ—ance of the Grace of GOD to deny all ungodliness and Worldly lusts and to live Godly Righteousâ—â— and Soberly in this present World Tiâ— 2. 11. This is the right management oâ— our Knowledge and Christian Calling whereby we are directed and assisted to put in Practice our holy Religion 3ly And it is very behoovful in our Christian Course well to consider what we have been that we may be humbled To consider what we are that we may be Cautious and Circumspect And Iabour to grow in Grace and in the Knowledge to our LORD JESUS CHRIST To answer our Gospel Education in all tke Relations and Turns and Exigents of our Life And what we shall be is best known by 4ly The consideration of the Novissima or Last Things That we entertain frequent Meditations of Death that so we may be ready when GOD's time comes To be wise to consider our latter End and wisely to number up our Dayes To Judge our selves that we be not condemned at the Last Judgement To consiâ—er Hâ—ll that we may put a Beacon over Tophet to flee from it And to recreat our selves with the Prospect of Heaven to encourrage us To make meet for that Inheritance with the Saints in Light Nâ—w that all these things may be layed to Heart entertained and improved in our Christian Life I shall subjoyn these Reasons following 1st The Orignal of these things 2ly These things contain our Right and Title to Glorv And 3ly They contain our Portion and Patrimonâ— in HEâ—VEN First There Original They are ◠〈◊〉 from above They are wholy Divâ—ne the Etâ—rnal Truth of the Eternal GOD They are neither Humane Inventions nor Traditions but the â—â—ictates of Eternal Reason so Pure so Excelâ—ent so True and so Just that they discover the Fountain from whence they flow The Gospel then is a Divine Thing every Truth thereof is a Ray of Eternal Light and the Preaching of the â—ross of CHRIST tho to the blinded World of no account being to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness Yet is it to be Gloried in by true Beleivers as the Issue of Eternal Love and the great product of Heavenly Council and Covenant 'T is wholly composed of Glories discovers unto us the everlasting Love Precious CHRIST and Precious Promises great Rewards and an Eternal Crown 2ly These Things contain our Title to Glory Our Charter of Inheritance with the Saints in Light Which Composed according to the Terms of the Covenant of Grace That GOD is our GOD and we His People Which Charter wâ— should understand as being sealed with the Word aâ—d Oath of GOD And upon our part ougâ—t to be sealed with persevering Fidelity so that we need not run to turn the leaves of our destiny in the secret Council of GOD but search the revealed Will that our names by Well doing may appâ—ar to us to be written in the Book of Life 3ly These things contain our Portion and Heavenly Patrimonie For 1 Cor 3. End If we be CHRISTâ— all is ours If Genuine Christians Then are we Sons Heirs and Coheirs with CHRIST Gal 4. 7. The Unsearchable Riches of CHRIST are Thine We should then oftâ—n read our Charter rejoice in our high Descent improve our Priviledges as the Children of GOD and labour to comprehend with all Saints the dimensiâ—ns of the Love of GOD seek to have a heart to these things for they contain a great prize if not put in the hand of a fool These Things are the Light of a Christian and the Conscience of them the Conduct of a Believer and the Beleif of these Things his â—rown And as to the manner of the Apostle's bearing in these Things upon People is by way of Remembrance Gospel Ministeâ—â— are subordinate Mediators betwixt GOD and â—eople They are the LORD 's Râ—â— membâ—ances Isa 62. 6. 7. For the Peoples Good and Peoples Remembrances of their Duty to GOD they must warne admonish Remember and inculcate Truth upon Peoples hearts by frequent Admonition and Repetition Phil 3. 3â— But this Remembring being so much mentioned by the Apostle here I shall refer to a particular discourse ere I conclude this subject and so I come to the last parâ— ticular Which containeth the Knowledge and Establishment of Christians in the prime of Christianity and clearly informeth us of the exact Instruction and stability of Primitive Christians in the 〈◊〉 3d. Faith The Prophets foretold this Light that the People should be all taught of GOD. Which is clearly fulfilled under the Gospel as you may see by comparing 2 Chap of st John with 2 Chap of the Acts For in effect Ignorance is the greatest impediment of the Comfort and Duty of Religion and a great Prognostick of a fatal and judicial stroak it hindereth the Action of Religion and the Pleasures of it and puts People in an Element where Satan the prince of darkness works and hinders them from the Light and Liberty of the Children of GOD. Sermon III. The Expediency and Vsefulness of