been Imitators and Apeâ— of God to forge and make Grace like true Grace hence deceived This being pleasing to men is the practice of most men yea all men out of Christ. And this is one great part of the inward secret subtil spiritual whoredom of the soul. Thus men may force sorrow when yet there is little true sorrow and so in other cases SECT VII THat all these works though good in themselves yet are most vile before the Lord as Christ speaks of the Pharisees Its abomination in the sight of God which is glorious before man Luke 16. 15. 1. Because hereby the soul deprives Christ of the end of his coming for all men having lost the stock and power to live the Lord hence will trust no man with it again hence puts it into a surer and better hand that thither poor blind dead creatures might fly for life when they are there live there like â—ees on their hony Iohn 6. 27. 17. 23. He might never have looked after you and will you despise him now What folly and unkindnesse is this that when your pits are dry and bottles empty and souls miserable here you will not I do not say sip when water runs by your door but not live 2. Because whatever comeâ— from self it s ever for self A man can do nothing from himself but his last end is self As 't is with water-works they rise no higher than the spring Gen. 11. 4. This Babel I have built Dan. 4. 30. And a man that hath but common Grace look as by vertue of that Grace or gift of God he may act for God because it came from God so nature and sin being moâ—e powerful than that Grace hence he never so acts for God but in the last place acts for it self as in Iehu And so a man makes himself his own Goâ— 3. Because whatever a man doth from himself he will grow proud of it Rom. 4. Not of works lest any man should boast Hence Iâ—ab sent to David to take the City that he might have the Crown This robs Christ of the Glory 4. Because whatever work is not done by vertue of the Lord Jesus is a dead work which a living God and a living Christ and a living Spirit loâ—th Heb. 9. 14. Sprinkle your Consciences from dead works Deadly works are sins dead works are good works done but not from the principle of the life of Faith but life of Nature Now as Conscience is the principle of the life of Nature So Christ is the principle of a Christian life Col. 3. 1 Iohn 5. 10 11 12. For 't is not sanctification that is the principle of life but the life it self that flows from it as from union of soul and body the soul is not the life but the principle of it hence as soon as it s out the body is dead So c. And do you not find it thus whenas you do many duties how tedious wearison are they yet must be done this is a dead work What comfort what peace is there when you have done them because not from life 5. Because what come from self comes from all sin 't is dipt and dyed and tainted and poysoned with all sin in a manner Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean 6. Because when a man will act from himself and not suffer Christ to act for him he will not have Christ to reign over him he puâ—â— down the Kingdom of God that should be within him For when a man professeth Christ is King of his Church he is now a King in name When a man feels an impossibility to rule himself and hence desireth and chuseth Christ to rule now Christ is a King by choice When the soul after this choice depends on Christ for what he chose him for and the Lord works now Christ is a King indeed Now if you will not have the Lord to reign over you you will be found enemies to the Lords Kingdom SECT V. HEnce it will follow The soul is to act wholly and only from the Lord Iesus Christ and whatever fruits of love it shows to Christ to bring them forth from Christ. Which doth not only concern them that never yet knew Christ and yet pride up themselves in what they have and do but those that be in Christ in a special manner For Iohn 15. 2. Every Branch in me that brings not forth fruit 'T is not meant of one indeed in Christ for he shall bring forth fruit but every branch i. e. by outward profession so that it brings not forth fruit but appears fair and deceives man God will cast away And without me even ye Disciples can do nothing 1. How is the soul to act from Christ only when it hath life especially the elect 2. By what means may this be done to get and keep this chastity First How is the soul to act from Christ alone when there is sanctification within 1. If the soul feel no power to act from Grace received as Saints somtimes do either after Gods deserting them or their forsaking God long or after some hardning sin then 't is clear the soul in this case is though not in a way of carelesseness to depend upon the Lord Jesus that he would quicken and help As David after his grosse fall Lord create in me a clean heart And Isa. 63. 17. Why hast thou hardned our hearts from thy fear Oh return In this case the soul is not to bring the soul to God but God to the soul. As many a Christian cannot prize not love the Lord not his waies he is not to say I will bring my soul and oâ—fer it to him but look to the Lord that he would raise up my dead affections again As the Centurion of his Servant Speak the word c. Christ marveiled at his Faith Men think when they feel nothing that they must and can work it out and hence comes one of these three things 1. Either the soul cannot love Christ when it sees such Lawes it cannot submit to And hence a Christian once said to me If the least thing was left for me to do of my self I could not love Christ but now that when brought low and can do nothing he brings all the help we need This makes the Spouse go to the bosom of her Husband Psal. 116. 6 7. Or else 2. It cannot do it for corruption in a Saint is too hard for his Grace I am but a child and thy people many 1 Kings 3. 7. Hence he must be strong in the Lord. Or 3. If it do it never hath any peace in what it doth the duties never so well done Whereas otherwise the poorest duty done from Christ witnesse Heb. 11. 4 5. as a child begoâ— of the Father he will own but other children not If any poor tired heart that heaâ—s me this day thou hast been making thy Brick and promises and vowes will not help
enter into the Marriage with him I will allow some unusual exceptions against general rules and put in Asa for one and leave secrets with God but ordinarily the Lord doth not let his deare Servants dye in a sottish secure estate When Sampsons locks are cut and his strength lost he shall lie in the Mill untill they be grown againe before he dies and Solomon may run ryot but he shall proclaim his folly to all ages in the world for it in Eccles. before he dies Epâ—es 5. 26 27. Christ presents his Church without wrinckle you are to be presented by Christ to the Father and to be set before Christ without wrinckle without witherings and decayes if he loves you he will wash you that it may be so SECT II. Quest. BVT must they be so farre awakened as to wait for the Lord and desire to be with him having got Vessels full and Lamps burning Answ. Yes in some measure at least for there are awakenings to the life of glory in another world and awakenings to the life of duties in this world by the one the soul is raised out of this world to the Lord in Glory by the other the soul is raised up to duties in this world if the Lord awakens not his Saints to the first either they are not awakened truly or not throughly and effectually for till then the soul is not ready Lukâ— 12. 40. with 35. As it is with a man who is sent for to enjoy favour and fellowship of the King he is not ready for it untill he stands waiting at the door and that it is his business the patternes of mercy and Vessels of glory are ever set out in the New Testament by this Heb. 9. ult Tit. 2. 12 13. Look as it was with Simeon Luke 2. 25. He had a promise he should see Christ before he died hence he waited for the consolation of Israel so the soul having a promise of seeing Christ when he is dead it makes him wait for this time and when he wants a promise sealed though he waites not nextly yet he waites remotely that the Lord would cause him to believe it that so he might wait for it that is his end this is the meaâ—es he knows it is best to be with the Lord where is no sin but holiness he hath found him sweet in his looks in his words in his works in his hopes his first fruits but to be with him is best This is not such an high pitch which Saints come not to it is indeed such which Hypocrites come not to the Hypocrites end is to escape misery hence they desire comfort by duties that they shall be freed from it but not to enjoy Christ the Lord never tied in their souls such a knot of faith and love which works this For 1. Security of Saints 't is not the privation of life that is death but a suspension of the acts of a heavenly life there is in them love to Christ delight in him happiness in living to him pleasing of him but it is suspended by cares or contents of the world and love of ease hence a Christian is never throughly awakened till he comes to that life againe his heart is with Christ in heaven and because he cannot be there hence he stayes a while and looks and waits for it anothers security is the privation of life of empty duties arising from some vanishing affections as in the foolish Virgins which were to quiet conscience only Hence their awakening are only to that life againâ—e at the best if ever God do awaken them unless the Lord indeed convert them 2. Every thing will mightily tend to that to which its nature bends and inclines it as a stone if thrown upward will mightily tend downward Some say there is an Element of fire above because this here endeavours to ascend as being out of its place he that is of the earth he will be tending to it though awakened tâ—ough lifted up Saints will be tending upward because their nature is heavenly loving looking waiting longing 2 Cor. 5. 3 4. with 1. as Angels here be willing to stay to do the work but yet they long to be before the face of God againe because their natures are heavenly and there their proper place is Now for the Lord Jesus sake examine your selves here I hope some are awakened the Word hath done it cry of afflictions inward temptations have made you look about you and you are wearied out with your own wayes but are you not since grown secure time was the feet of the Messengers of peace were glorious but now their Message is meane Sabbaths longed for now you are weary of them heartless in them sleep with the spoon in your mouths private duties were seasons of breaking the heart refreshing and comforting from the Lord but now you neglect them sleight them and the Lord in them and are not much troubled at it because you have some excuse or other for it thy mouth was full of good questions now thou thinkest thy self more fit to teach than learn thy society was sweet as the Rose in Spring now the sweet odour of it is lost time was thou werâ— exceeding tender of the least sinne and not a day past but thy cheeks were wet in secret before the Lord now thou art grown blinde and bold and you can defile your self in all your wayes and your faith in Christ keeps you from repentance for sin time was the truth was glorious and you could make use of your Notes many a day after when you did not finde good in publick but now pen and Ink is left at home you cast your bread into corners and feed not your hearts therewith Time was you could take a rebuke kindly when you were little in your own eyes but now if you think a reproof is meant of you your hearts can swell nay now your judgement decayes What warrant for private prayers twice a day what warrant for weekly Sermons when we have six dayes to labour and one to rest in you were formerly more exact but now wiser and thus you lie and as if you were come to the end of your race already and reach not after things before you you have enough grace hence you think you shall be saved and so sit stâ—ll and now play the good Husband Oh the Covenants you have had if ever you came hither what you would do oh the esteem of the Lord afar off but now you are broken by your Voyage and your Vessel is crackt and oyle is run out and Lamp is out will you dye so if you say yes I profess you are not ready it is a question if ever you had grace if it be so and therefore bless God the Lord gives you warning this day but I feare many will not stir till Christ comes I say as she to Sampson Vp for the Philistins are upon thee so I say Security is upon thee and wrath is now gone out
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
now away to the Lord if ever help now 't is when most helplesse 2. If you can do any thing savingly good the soul is bound now by the power of Faith to stir up it self to act though not to trust to it alone for somtimes the soul hath the regenerate part uppermost and the prevailing Spirit of God Psal. 21. 3. which comes to him and gives it power to act before the soul come to it Now a man is bound to act because 't is from Christ now Hence Timothy was to stir up the gift 2 Tim. 1. 6. Hence complained of them Isa. 64. 8. None stir up himself to take hold on the Lord. A man must stir up himself to believe as well as other Graces hence the Kingdom of Heaven is taken with violence and though corruption is stronger than Grace yet Grace assisted with the Spirit is stronger than it which is never quite out of the soul but 't is in the soul 1 Iohn 4. 4. Stronger is he that is in you And 't is said professedly He purgeth himself and keepeth himself the evil one toucheth him not 1 John 5. 18. But mark trust not barely t◠this but when you do this withall remember Lord I cannot hold out in this unlesse thou dost help me But know Isa. 26. The Lord is the rock of my strength And if you by the Spirit mortifie c. Rom. 8. 13. Therefore ever hold up sailes but look for a wind And if a man be not to do this then when any sinful temptation comes if a man do not find the Spirit and strength ready at hand to help if he be not to stir up himself against it he is to suffer himself to be carried down by it Hence a man may neglect all duties a long time if he do not find the Spirit assisting if so be a man must not stir himself up and so will some say a man may May What shall I say to such sluggish soul but sleep on But know it the Lord will awaken thee when you shall say Oh that I had improved the Talent I had And if you do find Christ in such a condition know it they be but the last visits of Christ before he departs You can do more than you do and the Lord will have you do it But I cannot do it for good ends without Christ. Yet do the thing as far as you can else if you owe another a debt and will not pay because not for a good end that excuse will not serve So you owe the Lord your lives your spirits your abilities lay them out for the Lord though evil be in them be humbled for that Is this good requital to say you find your hearts dead in prayer and God must do all and there leave it 3. You are to expect and look for power from the Lord Jesus in the use of means all known means For Faith fetcheth all from Christ hence we must go thither where Christ is to be found and he dwells in his House in his Ordinances Therefore there you must depend upon him As 't is with a Merchant he wades not over the Sea for Pearls but gets into his ship and there he sits still so here Mat. 13. The Kingdom of Heaven is like a Merchant man Hence you that know you can do nothing being under a spirit of conviction and hence do nothing under a spirit of sloth and neglect of means by vertue of a spirit of presumption and say Christ must do all I say you take not the right course for the Lord to help you in The Lord will never be a slave to thy sloth but thou shalt be like a shrub never to see good when it comes and shalt die in horrour with this Oh I might have done more Hence you are worse than the other that think if a man fasts prayes watches against his distempers mourns for want of Christ and Grace and followes God hard here he is a Legal Christian Why these are but his own works and this is not living on Christ. I confesse bare using them or trusting to them is not but he that lives not on Christ in use of means these and all other means to find Christ or enjoy more of Christ shall never have him Neither do I know what turning Gods Grace into wantonnesse is if this be not and under a conceit of liberty to be a servant of corruption I know not whether it be thus with any but if I did I would pity them 4. If the soul cannot every moment live on Christ i. e. for every particular act have a distinct act of Faith for this cannot be yet every fit season that it can it ought to look up to the Lord for life and fresh strength Pray as 't is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 every fit season And as he brings forth fruit so he goes for fruit in season Psal. 1. 3. And when the soul doth this the Spirit of the Lord helps when the act is ceased Now the fit seasons are 1. At beginning of any action as prayer hearing reading All the time a man is in his journey or in his work he is carried on by the act of Faith at first setting out The reach of Faith is long and continues all prayers all the duty throughout the act of faith is short Now the Lord looks to his people according to the first 2. When our act beigns to die as Moses lifted up his hands and when they were heavy Aaron and Hur supported them again 3. When a man feels himself strong now apt to be self-confident now Lord for an humble heart And thus you are to live on Christ which if done would make a Christians life glorious and give infinite content to the heart of Christ. But here is the misery either hearts are full and need not or slothful and care not for living so That truly I do not wonder to hear and see so many withering trees as though blasted by wrath because you fetch not all out of this stock and Christ is such a stranger because you are so seldom with him to act and bring forth fruit to him SECT VI. 2 COnsider of the means to act from Christ Jesus and indeed herein lies the skill and life of a Christian and this is the complaint of many a Soul Christ is full and he is not for himself but for those that want and I come to him when I want it and yet I find no help and hence many are brought to think either it 's in vain to come to Christ or else I have no Faith in Christ I will therefore premise these three things 1. That a false double treacherous disloyal heart to Christ cannot expect to receive any thing it comes for unto Christ. As 't is with a Woman that though others do not yet her Husband knows she is fallen in league with some other man he will be strange to her and will not do any thing for
love a spring of running love without measure for this is the difference between affectionâ— of Saints and Hypocrites to Christ the one ariseâ—h like a morning dew which is soon lickt up by the Sun Hos. 6. 4. the heat of affectionâ— after other things licks it up but the love of Saints to Christ is like a spring which riseth to everlasting life a spring is but little but yet the fâ—rther it goes the wider 't is till at last swallowed up in the Sun and there is no measure of water so Saints have but a little love but the longer they live the more enlarged for Christ and there is no measure but all is too little they never can never do love enough so that look as 't is said in another case Psalm 102. 13 14. ' T is time for thee to build up Ierusalem i. e. to return to thy people in thy Ordinances for they love the stones so then it 's time for Chriâ—t to come and then the set and fit time is come for a â—eople to meet with Christ out of Ordinances when the set time is come when they love Ordinances and love Christ much more When a man is gone beyond Seâ— and all his Friends and estate are at home they long for him and he is left among enemies why comes he not to them why send not they for him why they know he is sickly and cannot live on the dyer of the country hence he is unfit to come but when that is once come to passe that he can live only on it then he is ready when-ever they send so when men can live with and be content alone with Christ and his love now they are fi With what face can a man appear before Christ when he requires nothing but love and he hath not that 3. Then a man is unready for Christ whiles he neglects the work of Christ for suppose a man hath some inward love to Christ yet neglects hath no heart to do the work of Christ he is as yet no more fit to meet Christ than a Steward who hath had much betrusted him to improve for his Lords use and he hath let all seasons go wherein he might have traded for him and gained somewhat to him How can he appear before him when no fair accounts to be seen so the Lord hath betrusted thee with many Talents timeâ— strength means c. you are not Lords but Stewards of all these Now do you not let many fair seasonâ— and winds blow by you have if espoused to Christ every man some work Now how can you stand before Christ if that be neglected Oh thus 't is with many christians hence those sad alaâ—â—ms of conscience and shakings of Gods Spirit after many loose dâ—yes dipt in some good duties What dost thou that others do not that never shall see Gods face in Heaven Now therefore then the soul is ready for the Lord when 't is daily at it finishing Gods work hence Iohn 17. 5. I have finished my work now glorifie me Christ hath given us our lives work dayes-work every hours work for Christ hath ever eâ—ployment now though a soul may livelong and cannot finish its lives work yet if it finish its dayes work or hours work it may have comfort then if the Lord should come That look as 't is with a Marriner when he hath his Fraight now let the wind come to drive him out of the Haven he is ready to depart so here 2 Pet. 1. 8 9 10 11. If ye do these things and abound an open entrance shall be ministred unto you i. e. when a christian is ever acting for Christ and adding one Grace to another in his course then he is so ready that an open entrance is made for him Therefore look after this 'T is with most Professors commonly as 't is with a Woman that loves her Husband and begins to dresse her self but so much businesse to do that she doth it but by starts hence call her never so laâ—e she will say she is not yet ready she hath so much to do she cannot so 't is here Or as 't is in a house where all things are in a lumber and many things wrapt up and put into holes so long as all things be in a lumber there is no readinesse So many a soul hath a heart fit to receive Christ but all things are in a lumber in a confusion out of place and order and hence not yet ready to entertain Christ but when this work is done then ready Oh betimes do this work set things to rights in your souls 4. Then a man is unready when having done his work he grows puft up with it for let all the three former be wrought in the soul if now the soul be puft up thinks highly of it self attributes any thing to it self as he said in another case they are too many for the Lord so he is too big for the Lord. And truly this we shall find it 's pretty easie to be mean in our own eyes after we have been indeed carelesse and vile before the Lord but when the Lord hath mightily assisted enlarged assured enabled comforted quickened now to be as nothing this is difficult Hence Knox on his death-bed had this Temptation of Meriting When Hezekiah was sick he was cast down but when well and God gave him great Treasures his heart was lifted up now he was unfit Now therefore when a christian is ready to give all to free Grace and to adore that now he is ready for the Lord Psalm 108. 1. My heart is prepared I will sing 〈◊〉 give praise Gods last end is to bring the soul to the praise of the riches of his Grace not only to enjoy God as Adam Now the great reason why Christ comes not to his people presently after they are espoused to him 't is to make them ready to attain that end Hence he leaves sins temptations sorrows desertions on purpose that they may at conclusion look back and see if ever saved pardoned it 's Grace Now therefore when the soul is brought to do this when he hath this rent in his hand now the Lord is ready to receive him and it too and he is prepared for the Lord he that hath not his Rent ready himself is not as yet at all ready to meet with and see his Landlord So that you think you boast not Oh the Lord sees you do or have not hearts so enlarged towards Grace as you should it 's certain you are yet unready then but when empty and poor and cast down and makest an infinite matter of a small sin and settest a high price on a little love much more on infinite now you are prepared Hence David falls a praising when near to death and the Lord near to come to him SECT IV. 1. THe law of Respect and Love requires this of us when Peter would expresse his love unto Christ Luke 22. 33. he professeth
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
for him long not after him and hence let all leak out again How shall the Lord trust you with wine with full fruition of himself in Heaven 5. Oh Beloved have you ever found him in his Ordinances If not Oh the heavy wrath of the Lord Jesus upon thee If you have if ever he hath comforted thee when sad and sorrowful if ever quickned thee when death and darknesse did lie upon thee if ever he did deliver thee when distressed Oh then take heed of despising him in his Ordinances now but long for him again That I may see thee as I have seen thee Psal. 63 2. Let them that never found him deal so with him Peter when he saw Christs Glory on the Mount Lord saith he ' t is good for us to be here Hath the Lord ever transfigured himself before thee so as he hath appeared in another manner to thee in his Ordinances than ever thou sawest before Then say seeing Lord I cannot come to Heaven to thee 't is good being in the Mount in thy Ordinances with thee its good being here 1 Pet. 2. 2 3 4. I know Brethren you have many employments in the world and are called away to them and cannot ever be with the Lord yet let your longings be there nay though cast out of Gods sight yet look to the Temple this will give you peace 6. This if I may have leave to speak plainly is the great sin one of them of New-England Men come over hither for Ordinances and when they have them neglect them or if it be too horrible to live in a grosse neglect of them yet who maintains his Fellowship with Christ or longing after the Fellowship of Christ in them And therefore I shall stay a while on this point Men that are sick of consumptions have somtimes a mighty stomach after meat and when 't is brought them they are weary of the very smell of it and then say truly I had thought I could have eaten so much so men loath Ordinances nay the Cooks that dresse and the Dish that brings and the Ministry of Christ Jesus that provides the meat because consuming and pining away in their iniquities I know many use Ordinances but are they not indifferent whether they find him therein or no Now 1. When men had enough by them to live comfortably upon then God and his Ordinances were desired by them but here mens removing begetting want want of the creature joyned with fear and distrust of Gods Providence to provide for them and theirs either sink their hearts that Ordinances are not sweet no more than Moses message to a people in anguish or meat to a wounded man or else makes them hungry after the creature and hence lavishing out their desires that they have none after the Lord himself 2. When men are persecuted by enemies driven into corners or to Townes six miles off to find a Sacrament or hear a Sermon then the Gospel of peace and them that brought the glad tidings of peace their feet were beautiful and then men thought if one Sabbath here so sweet where Ordinances are much corrupted if some of them be so comfortable in the midst of enemies Oh how sweet to enjoy them all among Saints among Friends And so I know they be to some and I hope to more than I know but New-Englands peace and plenty of means breeds strange security and hence prayer is neglected here There are no enemies to hunt you to Heaven nor no chains to make you cry hence the Gospel and Christ in it is sleighted Why Here are no soure herbs to make the Lamb sweet And if I get no good this Sabbath this Sermon this Sacrament this Prayer I hope I shall some other time when my heart is better and my businesse is over Not considering that the daies of trouble may be near or Gods final farewel may be quickly taken 3. It was a sad speech of a Brother lately which hath oft affected me that a man may pray out hear out all the Grace of his heart Meaning this when God begins to work upon a mans heart at first then prayer and Word is sweet stay a while they hear out their hearing and pray out their praying so as in praying they pray not and in hearing they hear not Would to God there were noâ— a generation of those men among us that having been so oft Sermon-trod and Prayer-beaten that now their hearts are hardned and being used to Ordinances and being so long ridden under them I wish they were not tired and jaded under them before they come half way home that they had rather lie die in the high way than get up and with mighty groans and invincible wrastlings of heart seek after and so find the Lord in them 4. There is no place in all the world where there is such expectation to find the Lord as here and hence men blesse the Lord for our rising Sun when 't is setting every where else Here therefore they come and find it not hence not considering the great and last temptation of this place whereby God tries his friends before he will trust them with more of himself viz. deep and frequent desertions they give in and therefore care not for nor desire after those plaisters which they feel heal them not nor that food which they find nourisâ—eth them not 'T is strange to see what a Faith some men have that can close with Christ as their end and comfort themselves there 't is not means say they but Christ not duties but Christ and by this Faith can comfort and quiet themselves in the neglect and contempt of Christ in means as infallible a brand of Gods eternal reprobation of such a soul as any I know So that this is New-Englands sin Is not Prayer neglected wanting place and heart if not in family is it not in secret so that you have none nor poor servants have none If any Prayer in secret yet doth it not die Didst ever find thy Spirit so straitned Where are the mighty groans What is become of meditation Dost not let Sabbaths Sermons passe over which shall be preacht over again at the last day and find no Christ no Spirit in them and thus lie famishing and â—et not cry for bread If it be not so I am glad God Angels Saints and al the world shall call you blessed If it be so I dare be bold to prophesie ruine to this place and people and that you or your posâ—erity shall either in woods or in the Land or hands of your enemies in this place lament with tears the contempt of means and you even Disciple of Christ shall desire to see one of the daies of the Son of man and shall not see them Jer. 8. 13 14. Let us go into strong holds c. I know there are many that do meet the Lord but are you not apt to fall asleep again Oh therefore let me entreat you if the Lord hath
from any way of the Lords and continue there he shall have storms and hence 1 Iohn 2. 3 4 5. Hereby we know him c. 4. He closeth with the whole will of the Lord as his happiness and utmost end as a man made himself his last end before and desired God and Christ only to keep his sores from aking for so I look upon all men made up of wants if the body ake with cold stomack with hunger head for want of sleep Conscience for sin all happiness lies in the easing hereof and here lies their bliss So now the soul make the life of the Lord its happiness to live unto him Gal. 2. 20. He makes it his meat and drink to do the Lords will for Iehu sought the Lord but his last end was himself as Iohn 16. 2. A man may kill and think he doth God good service but that is not his last end a carnal heart may cross his own wiâ—â— but not his own utmost end as Iudas A man may seek the Lord with delight and follow the Ordinances and fast and pray but himself is his end still Zac. 7. 5 6. Isai. 58. 4 5. As a man that goes to a City he will do your businesse but he would not go unless he had his own ends to bring about there But those that are truly sanctified make the Lord their last end and happiness It 's not only good to do the Lords will for thus men may seek the Lord as thinking it good so to do but as their blessednesse else 't is not their last end and so not sought as their last end and so 't is with the soul As a River running to the Sea many Springs run into it but it carries them down all with it so there are many occasions hindrances businesseâ— yet it carries them all down with it even the more violently the more 't is hindred Psal. 119. 126 127. Therefore love I them above gold And this expresseth it self in three things 1. In admiring at the glory of the Lord and his will and ways and accounting them happy men and blessed that thus can do and live For sometime the soul is decayed and â—allen from this or sick and weak now it accounts them happy that have health and strength to walk abroad Psal. 1. 1 2. 2. In being never at rest in his minde until now that he comes to this for therein a mans â—â—king any thing his last end appears as he made his goods his last end Luke 12. 19. Now therefore my soul be at rest for there is no seeking the Lord but self-seeking hinders Now though it be thus yet Do I make my self my last end then my minde would be at rest but if sanctified it s not at rest till now And hence Paul when he had run this race now you see him leaning upon his pillow 2 Tim. 4. 6 7. And hence Saints are loth to die and be blessed in heaven because they 〈◊〉 done so little work as yet little do the Saints for the Lord many times yet their hearts are upright for what mourn they for so much as this when they have lookt upon it oh that the Lord hath been a looser by them 3. It carries the soul thorow all difficulties with power and delight Prov. 10. 29. The way of the Lord is strength to the righteous and joy â—â—om 7. 22. I do delight in the law of God in the 〈◊〉 man Other Nations walk in the Name of their Gods we in ours Micah 4. 5. As when wealth or honour is a mans utmost end with what violence are men carried to it and hence a man thinks he hath never such good days as then when he can do much for the Lord and hence when any duty is to be done when fearful to do it or loth to perform it when the heart is dead yet beholding it with a spiritual eye that this gives Ieâ—â—vah honour oh this carries the soul headlong even into miseries Not my will 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 be done This easeth the heart even in the belly of Hell and in times of the deepest desertion To this Sanctification all the Saints do come every one in their measure and if ever the soul tasted the Lords love or ever was humbled with the bitterness of sin the first voice and main care is Lord What 〈◊〉 thâ—u have me to do Nay though no assurance and it cannot joy in the Lords love yet it will in the Lords will and hence when it hath fall assurance yet finding such a vile heart if God should give it heaven with such a heart it would be death And hence when he thinks of going to Hell yet there saith he let meâ—blesse thee This Sanctification all unsound hearts do want much Reformation much affection many duties but their end is not changed though their lives be and hearts seem to be 1. Because they cannot love the Lord because the Lord doth never shed his love into their hearts 2. This was the life of Christ Iohn 8. 29. of which life they that are dead in sin never have one act though they may think they have 3. This is the end of our Election which therefore an unsound heart may as soon attain to as to elect or to be elected of God Eph. 1. 4. holy in love This may be easily known 1. Cannot a man know when he is happy 2. Cannot Peter tell Christ that he loves him 3. Cannot a man tell whether he be an Hypocrite or no For he that cannot prove his utmost end is changed must confess himself an Hypocrite yet his heart was never changed what ever assurance or peace he hath had a thing is never good till it serves its end it was made for Oh therefore look that you content not your selves with Reformation but come to this else 1. You lose all your obedience the Lord regards it not the Lord will take all from you as Vessels that are made to hold Wine and they cannot lay them by the Lord hath no pleasure in you Mal. 1. 8 9 10. 2. If you do the Lord will accept your meanest and poorest services Consider 1. Christ cast by his Robes being privie to his own worth to become obedient Phil. 2. 6 8. 2. His infinite Wisdom is in every command though thy carnal reason like it not 3. His infinite love for thy good though thou thinkest 't is for thy hurt 4. His glory though thou gettest no good at all by it SECT VI. VI. Fulness of the Spirit of Glory in the room of the world WHom the Lord doth justifiâ— those he doth glorifie Rom. 8. 30. i. e. with the Glory of another world which though it be hid for a time from others and somtimes from themselves yet they do partake of it now and it shall be revealed upon them another day 1 Pet. 5. 1. Now though Hypocrites may tast of the Word nay of the powers of the world to 〈◊〉 yet they fâ—ll short of this measure
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
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